Lacks an Auto-hide function

[ErM]

Considering that this is targeted at the Netbook users, I would imagine screen real estate is of the utmost importance. Is there anyway to auto-hide the side and/or top bar?

[Didier Roche-Tolomelli (didrocks)]

The design was that when applications are in fullscreen, the panel is hiding. If that's not the case for your application, please fill a bug for each application :)

[ErM (ermster)]

Interestingly enough it's ALL applications, including terminal. Initially I had Ubuntu Netbook Remix 10.04 installed. Then I added the PPA and apt-get install unity. Then I rebooted, selected the Unity Netbook Remix from the GDM Sessions List. That is all, nothing has ever loaded in Fullscreen. What handles maximizing the windows?

(PS. I don't think you want me filing a bug report for all applications.)

[Matheus Pacheco de Andrade (matheusp-andrade-deactivatedaccount)]

You guys are talking about different things.
ErM wants panels retracting when maximizing, and Didier is talking about FullScreen (F11 in Chromium or Firefox, for example).

I think the bug is not invalid, is wishlist.

[Didier Roche-Tolomelli (didrocks)]

Sure, I understood that, but that's not the design taken by the design team, as the invalid status. You can try to ping them or raise your concern about that on the ayatana ML or IRC channel to discuss about that with them.

[ErM (ermster)]

I think there might be confusion on this. My understanding is that unity is to replace the current UNE interface. As it is now, 10.04, you have a list on the left which you choose the application from. Once the app launches it is automatically launched 1. In fullscreen and 2. with no window decorations. This is done to maximize screen real estate, since this is for netbooks. But my install does neither. I have (however many) pixels being "wasted" at the top by the "home" bar with search function, and pixels "wasted" by the launcher on the left. Not to mention the window decorations. The current implementation of UNE handles all that when an app start, it's decorationless, maximized, and allows for hiding of the top panel.

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

Unity is still under development, and the use of space in the top bar
has not yet been optimised. The design is there, but it has not yet been
coded.

Mark

[ErM (ermster)]

Thanks for taking your time to reply. This wasn't meant to be a bug report I suppose. I guess more a wishlist/suggestion item. Really it is a nicer interface and I can see the potential, which is why I really thought it needed mentioning early on. Screen size is a big, if not the biggest, importance when dealing with netbooks. Using just 60 pixels for a bar is already 10% of vertical space on most current generation netbooks. Autohide and maximized screens are crucial for a good viewing experience. Once again thanks for following my babbling rant. :)

[MisterZombie (mrzombie)]

I would find it simpler if you could access the sidebar/topbar in fullscreen mode. If I want to switch app from a fullscreen one, I have to either alt-tab to it (which exits fullscreen mode, since the fullscreen is for one app only) or to lose the fullscreen, and THEN change app.

It also means that users unfamiliar with the keyboard shortcut have no way to exit the fullscreen, as the menu becomes unaccessible during fullscreen.

[Mind Booster Noori (marado-isp)]

Mark's comment answers the top bar issue, but leaves the left bar issue unanswered.
Also, as his comment states, the top bar issue is a work in progress, so this isn't an invalid bug report.