| 2011-09-04 12:23:04 |
Knef |
description |
Currently, in Ubuntu Oneiric Ocelot Beta 1, the panel changes color and opacity whenever the Dash is open, becoming as transparent as the Dash itself and essentially merging with it. I argue that this makes Unity less usable and that the panel should not change appearance when the Dash is open. My points are the following:
a) The panel is the most "stable" and consistent part of the Unity interface, as it is the only element that is always on screen, except when using fullscreen software. Therefore, it should never change dramatically, especially when the user is not interacting with it (the user has interacted with the Ubuntu button in the Launcher).
b) This appearance change does not convey any feedback or information. The panel does not enhance the functionality of the Dash, and its role in the user interface is totally separate from the Dash (as the panel is about notifications/settings/additional functionality, not browsing apps and files). Therefore, panel and Dash should not act as they were one thing. As for providing user feedback, certainly the appearance of the Dash is indication enough that the Ubuntu button has been pressed.
c) If the indicator icons are dark/black, they become less recognizable on the trasparent background, since the background is meant to emphasize the white text in the Dash. Therefore, this apperance change can actually make the panel less useful.
As said in the beginning, the panel should retain its appearance when the Dash is open. |
Currently, in Ubuntu Oneiric Ocelot Beta 1, the panel changes color and opacity whenever the Dash is open, becoming as transparent as the Dash itself and essentially merging with it. I argue that this makes Unity less usable and that the panel should not change appearance when the Dash is open.
My points are the following:
a) The panel is the most "stable" and consistent part of the Unity interface, as it is the only element that is always on screen, except when using fullscreen software. Therefore, it should never change dramatically, especially when the user is not interacting with it (the user has interacted with the Ubuntu button in the Launcher).
b) This appearance change does not convey any feedback or information. The panel does not enhance the functionality of the Dash, and its role in the user interface is totally separate from the Dash (as the panel is about notifications/settings/additional functionality, not browsing apps and files). Therefore, panel and Dash should not act as they were one thing. As for providing user feedback, certainly the appearance of the Dash is indication enough that the Ubuntu button has been pressed.
c) If the indicator icons are dark/black, they become less recognizable on the trasparent background, since the background is meant to emphasize the white text in the Dash. Therefore, this apperance change can actually make the panel less useful.
As said in the beginning, the panel should retain its appearance when the Dash is open. |
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