RFC: Only place one "add tab" item in the Context View toolbar

[Bart Cerneels]

On Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 14:33, Mark Kretschmann <kretschmann at kde.org> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I've just committed a usability patch (revision c44e3b), a change to
> the context view toolbar, and I'd like to explain the motivations here
> in more detail. What it changed is this:
>
> With the old system, we used one "add tab" item (a "+" symbol) after
> each tab in the toolbar. Clicking this item adds a new tab (i.e.
> applet) to the context view. The system was designed like this
> deliberately, but the approach has a number of advantages and
> disadvantages. The new system only uses one "add tab" item at the end
> of the toolbar, similar to Firefox's tab bar.
>
> Old system (multiple add tab items):
>
> Pros:
>  * Allows placing the tab at right position immediately.
>
> Cons:
>  * Uses a lot of screen estate. Problematic on small screens, or when
> using many applets.
>  * Different from the way most other applications handle tabs.
>
>
> New system (one add tab item):
>
> Pros:
>  * Uses less screen estate. Important e.g. for netbooks.
>  * Works similar like many other popular applications, e.g. Firefox,
> Chrome, Konqueror.
>
> Cons:
>  * Positioning the item requires one more step after adding it.
>
>
> The idea for this change came about at OpenExpo, where Sven and I
> discussed a number of small usability issues. We've concluded that the
> change is worthwhile, especially because the old system uses far too
> much space on smaller screens. I've attached two screenshots, one
> before, one after. Please let us know your opinions.
>

I'm pro. And it cleans up the visual clutter.

I think there are still issues with the context bar though....

Bart