GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 171167
Menu bar enhancements
Last modified: 2005-12-22 21:09:06 UTC
As per bug #171164, modifications can also be made to the "Applications" menu of the Menu Bar applet (top-left, what I use). This requires a more thought-out approach, and again would be an option for the menu bar applet rather than a mandatory change to the UI. First, to review, my suggestion for the Main Menu applet as per bug #171164 was to create a layout as shown below: ----------------------------------------------- (I) User ----------------------------------------------- Pinned apps | Home | Network | Favorite places > -----------------------| Computer Recent apps |----------------------- | Preferences > | Administration > |----------------------- | Help | Search for files... -----------------------| Run application... Applications > | ----------------------------------------------- (I) Lock screen (I) Log Out (I) Shutdown This is geared towards providing useful functions to the user all in one place, such as recent applications used, common applications, search, help, run, configuration, and common directories/paths. The "Applications" menu expands out to give access to any applications not pinned or used recently, providing full, functional, quick, and productive access to programs and documents for the user. This is appropriate for bottom left; but for the "Applications" menu, the user expects to see his applications menu. Still, the Applications menu is fairly dry and could stand some enhancement. Experimentation is recommended. First, let's identify where the Places (P) and System (S) menu overlap the above recommendation. Yes I'm using a lot of ascii art; bear with me. ----------------------------------------------- (I) User ----------------------------------------------- Pinned apps |P Home |P Network |P Favorite places > -----------------------|P Computer Recent apps |----------------------- |S Preferences > |S Administration > |----------------------- |S Help |P Search for files... -----------------------| Run application... Applications > | ----------------------------------------------- S(I) Lock screen S(I) Log Out S(I) Shutdown All of those entries can be eliminated immediately. This leaves the right pane mostly free for "Run Application" and pinned applications. This means that Applications can expand to fill the left pane. As a final modification, move the User field (showing the username) down to the bottom; it's information, get it out of the way of the user and bring the menu closer to the cursor. This gives the final ascii art shown below: ----------------------------------------------- Accessories > | Pinned apps Games > | Graphics > |----------------------- Internet > |Recent apps Office > | Sound and Video > | System Tools > | | |----------------------- | Run application... ----------------------------------------------- (I) User This produces a similar look and feel to the Main Menu as described in bug #171164, but with the original Applications menu in the Menu Bar basically in the exact same place, just with extras around it. Recall the original as below for comparison (expanding the bottom with padding): ------------------------ Accessories > | Games > | Graphics > | Internet > | Office > | Sound and Video > | System Tools > | | | | ------------------------ I believe this would be a good UI enhancement. Productivity should increase, and the user should be more comfortable knowing he doesn't have to search for recently used apps while at the same time undisturbed as the exact same menu layout is in the exact same place anyway.
Actually, in bug #171164 the menu shown has only one pop-out above the main menu button, so the user can go up one and get away from an accidental pop-out. It may be best to have the "User" bar (giving the username) at the top for the Applications Menu modification (or even make that an option too), so that the user can safely come down-and-over(-and-down) without passing over any pop-out menus and possibly hovering long enough to cover the recent apps and pinned apps with a menu they didn't want. Just going over would hit the Places menu; going down into the pop-outs under Applications could pop out a menu on the way over. Having a null area (the User thing that just shows the username) right between the menu bar and the menu itself would allieveate this. ----------------------------------------------- (I) User ----------------------------------------------- Accessories > | Pinned apps Games > | Graphics > |----------------------- Internet > |Recent apps Office > | Sound and Video > | System Tools > | | |----------------------- | Run application... ----------------------------------------------- Just a thought. BTW, if between these two enhancements you didn't figure it out, (I) in the ascii art means "Icon"
*** This bug has been marked as a duplicate of 171164 ***
How is this a duplicate of 171164? Said bug referenced the Main Menu applet, which placesh a foot that expands into a single menu; this references changes to Applications in the the Menu Bar applet, which places the "Applications Places System" menu set.