Maximize button state

[Bharat Varma]

There isn't any difference in the Maximize button icon in a window, between Unmaximized and Maximized states.

OSX follows the same behavior, but I am not sure what the stand of GNOME usability guidelines is.

[SZ (azaidi07)]

I don't know what the Gnome guidelines are either, but the default Ubuntu metacity theme has a 'box' for the maximize button that changes sizes depending on the state it's in. If Dust does adopt such a change I hope that it doesn't change the maximize button to a 'box' or a 'plus' because then it would be too similar to Windows or OS X. The current buttons are different enough from those of other operating systems and that is a good thing.

[Bharat Varma (nbharatvarma)]

I thought about it a bit and I have an idea. I will try to explain it in a slightly mathematical way though. Hopefully, I would be able to get my point across. I think I would do a better job this way than do it graphically (trust me)

Definitions
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3 buttons - Minimize (n), Maximize (x), Close (c)
3 * 2 - 6 colors. n1, n2 ; x1, x2; c1, c2

Idea
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The shape of the buttons as mentioned above are definitely unique and I wouldn't want to change them either. What I think we can do however is play with colors.

In a regular-sized window, all buttons are in n1, x1, c1 state. This can (and should probably be) the same as now. i.e. White buttons.

Minimize and Close buttons
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When there is a mouse over or when the mouse clicked (but not released yet) on the buttons, color 2 (n2 or c2) is shown on the same button instead of color 1.

Maximize button
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Same as minimize and close for the mouse over and onclicked. But when the window is maximized, x2 (i.e. color 2 for x) stays. When a mouseover is done in maximized state, mouse over and onclicked will show x1 and when it is restored, x1 stays.

I feel that this approach keeps the shapes as they are currently, while giving cues to the users on the state of the window along with adding a bit more color to the window itself.

I hope I was able to explain myself.

[SZ (azaidi07)]

The color idea sounds interesting although a mockup would help in seeing how the idea plays out in reality. Meanwhile, I have attached a small mockup of two possible maximize states, trying to keep them as close to the original shapes as possible. I personally like the one on the right.

[Damien Collard (damien-collard)]

I prefer the one on the right too.

But I don't see the need for a different shape when the window is maximized anyway (one knows when one's window is maximized, right ?), and I like things simple as they are now... Just my 2 cents :-)

[Jae Stutzman (jaebird)]

the thing about shapes is that they are instantly recognizable...i'm still interested in seeing the color solution though :)

However, maybe a "<" shape could be used when the window is maximized.

That was my 2c

[Jae Stutzman (jaebird)]

here is a lame mod to the mock-up above...

[madmed (medbelh)]

I like the #6 mockup, it's the best solution so far. but i don't like #3.