GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 738499
Default behavior of new message composition: detached rather than inline window?
Last modified: 2018-04-13 03:51:23 UTC
I think that compose window should be used when user write a new message without address and embedded editor should be used when user want to reply to certain address. The compose window seems to be better because it spawn on the center and giving user focus and ability to maximize its window. It give user focus to writing message instead of reading message list like embedded editor does. The embedded editor do very well when it comes to conversation context. It feels really good when being used while replying to certain user. It can be used as quick reply like its common in IM or phone texting this day. So with this smart behavior compose window will be a full blown writing focused window, while embedded editor can be contextual quick reply widget. thanks for listening.
One problem with multiple compose windows is that they're easily lost on a busy desktop (or simply hidden behind the Geary window). Before we had the embedded composer and all messages were in separate windows, this happened to me a number of times. I'll leave this open for consideration and for others to contribute to the discussion. I'm pretty happy today with Geary's new-message behavior, but perhaps others have something to say.
So, to use Geary terminology, the reporter suggests that the new mail button should launch a detached composer instead of the inline composer. The inline composer comes in two modes: 1. the "compact mode" is the default mode when you reply to a message in a conversation. It's small, the available fields are limited, because we want to give some space to the context. 2. the "new mode" is the default mode for new messages. It's big, as it takes all the vertical space of the window. All main fields are visible. It's not centered, but aligned to the right. As Jim, I'm pretty happy with these defaults. And detached window is just a keyboard shortcut away. Gmail behaviour is similar. When you create a new mail, a window attached to the bottom right pops up. Then you can expand it to "fullscreen" or rather "distraction-free mode". Related issues: Bug 713856 - Full-window mode Bug 713884 - Add double click display email in separate window
I'm mostly happy with the current default as well, especially if the user clicks Compose Message on the toolbar, or types Ctrl + N when a main window is focused - it makes sense that when interacting a main window that the composer appears there. I thought there was a request to use a new composer window when composing a new message from the app menu or dock (bbut can't find the bug at the moment), and that might make some sense given it doesn't involve an existing main menu. Viko, would that work for you?
Closing this bug report as no further information has been provided. Please feel free to reopen this bug report if you can provide the information that was asked for in a previous comment. Thanks!