After an evaluation, GNOME has moved from Bugzilla to GitLab. Learn more about GitLab.
No new issues can be reported in GNOME Bugzilla anymore.
To report an issue in a GNOME project, go to GNOME GitLab.
Do not go to GNOME Gitlab for: Bluefish, Doxygen, GnuCash, GStreamer, java-gnome, LDTP, NetworkManager, Tomboy.
Bug 704035 - No way to enable icons in menus and buttons
No way to enable icons in menus and buttons
Status: RESOLVED WONTFIX
Product: gtk+
Classification: Platform
Component: Widget: Other
3.9.x
Other Linux
: Normal normal
: ---
Assigned To: gtk-bugs
gtk-bugs
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
 
Reported: 2013-07-11 18:00 UTC by Ochkarik
Modified: 2013-07-15 21:24 UTC
See Also:
GNOME target: ---
GNOME version: ---


Description Ochkarik 2013-07-11 18:00:03 UTC 
In GTK+3, icons are not shown in menus and buttons by default. Before GTK+ 3.9.8, it was possible to re-enable that behavior with GNOME Tweak Tool. In 3.9.8, it is not possible anymore. Seems like the very possibility of displaying icons in menus and buttons has been eliminated now.

This should be considered major usability defect. If this decision was backed by any usability ideas, please consider re-evaluating them. It is much easier to locate the necessary menu item when it is paired with the corresponding visual. A simple experiment will prove that: take typical menu, randomize the order of its items and try to locate some particular item, with and without icons. It is much easier for the human brain to recognize an image than to analyze multiple lines of text.

Additionally, removing icons makes UI less aesthetically pleasant, but of course this is a matter of taste. Usability is the main point here.
Comment 1 Andrew 2013-07-15 10:17:22 UTC 
It's [icons in menus] very useful for me, please re-evaluating them.
Comment 2 Igor Gnatenko 2013-07-15 19:11:29 UTC 
not needed, imho
Comment 3 William Jon McCann 2013-07-15 21:24:00 UTC 
They were removed on purpose after being deprecated for years. The accepted application developer guidelines are to use an icon for "noun" like items when needed and never for verbs. The random display of icons in menus without rhyme or reason will not return.