Unity Launcher Regression: Autohide Option makes the launcher not being used anymore, add Intellihide mode like all other docks/launchers have

[MC Return]

In Ubuntu 11.10 with the dodge function enabled I was still using the launcher a lot, but since 12.04 and in 12.10 I almost stopped using it completely, because it is always hidden and I have to do quite some mouse work to get it revealed, and once it does so, I have to move the mouse again to the right to stop it from immediately autohiding again. :(

This behaviour could be improved:

1. Do not make the launcher autohide immediately, but let it stay visible until the mousepointer leaves the launcher
Currently hovering the mousepointer over the launcher still makes it autohide, which feels wrong.

2. Add an additional "intellihide" option for the launcher, like popular docks like Docky or Cairo Dock already use with success.
This option should just hide the launcher when it overlaps the current (selected) window.

These 2 changes/features would encourage people to use the launcher much more, even when it is set to autohide.
Change 1 would also be valid for the new intellihide feature ofc.

[Bilal Akhtar (bilalakhtar)]

I can't reproduce 1. The launcher doesn't hide as long as the mouse is over the launcher.

2 is a feature request, and needs design discussion.

[MC Return (mc-return)]

Bilal, I am using latest Unity version from the Unity staging PPA on Quantal and can reproduce 1 every time. Reveal the launcher by pushing the mouse to the left, then move the pointer 1 or 2 pixels to the right or do not move the pointer at all -> the launcher will autohide again.

[MC Return (mc-return)]

See bug 1047232 for a video of the launcher hiding behavior described in 1.