I know there have been many discussions about Gimp's user interface, which is
frankly quite inconsistent at the moment. ;-)

In strong accordance to the Gnome human interface guidlines (HIG), I created a
detailed and specific mockup. I hope it's apt to start a separate discussion for
this one.



INITIAL THOUGHTS:

- GIMP's user interface has been greatly improved, but the major issue of
primary and document windows, toolboxes, menubars etc. still remains unresolved

- the current Gnome HIG discourages Controlled Single Document Interface (CSDI)
applications like GIMP

- the HIG recommends strict Single Document Interfaces (SDI), "unless there is a
compelling reason not to"

- I think, there is one: strict SDI, i.e. separate primary windows including
toolbars etc. for each open document, obviously would be inconvenient for GIMP

- classic MDI-style (like Photoshop on Windows) would solve the issue of opening
several documents within one primary window. But having document windows trapped
inside the primary window is not HIG-compliant... and anyway it would be kind of
a mess.

- applications like Mozilla etc. proved the usability of tabbed MDI-applications



Proposal, each line according to the HIG:

PRIMARY WINDOWS
- tabbed MDI-Interface like Gedit or Mozilla etc.
- users may open each document in a separate primary window
- users may open several documents within one primary window, these documents
are represented in tabs
- only primary windows appear in the system window list (task area)

UTILITY WINDOWS (toolbox etc.)
- are shared between all open primary windows/tabs
- always stay above the primary windows
- don't appear in the system window list
- only have the following window commands: close, roll-up/unroll
- if all primary windows are closed or minimized, utility windows are hidden as well
- when one of the primary windows is opened or restored, utility windows  appear
again



I think this really would be a chance to create a fully HIG-compliant interface
with high usability.

To focus discussion, please, don't just say "I don't like this or that", but
give alternative HIG-compliant proposals... ;-)