[patch] Grab windows anywhere, not just titlebar

[Aaron J. Seigo]

On Wednesday 07 November 2007, Luciano Montanaro wrote:
> Not really. But I hope this new fashion of using undecorated windows does
> not spread too much.

modal dialogs are also bad. but not always. sometimes they are what is needed 
(though we could present those better, e.g. as in-window sheets; oh no! more 
undecorated windows? ;). there are times when undecorated windows are 
absolutely the perfect approach. it would probably help to define that in the 
HIG.

the idea is something like: short lived transient interfaces that are not, 
from the user's POV, directly associated with a given application which show 
primarily interim information tangential to the actual task may opt for a 
non-invasive top level window without decorations. transient notifications 
are another example of when this is a desirable approach.

(note: i'm not using the x11 definition of "transient" in the above, but the 
standard english language meaning of the word)

so something that reflects the volume change or a window that helps process a 
command to be run or a notification popup all fit that concept.

the result is it keeps "windows" (or what users perceive as windows) within 
the real of "actual" applications and not feedback or system helpers. this 
has several nice effects:

- it makes these kinds of windows more identifiable to the user
- we can make these windows much more visually appropriate (and therefore 
appealing)
- it limits on-screen clutter and noise where it isn't needed

> Actually, another simpler change to fix krunner would 
> be to let it have its standard window borders.

i hope the above helps explain why this would be a step backwards. though i 
suppose that's predicated on people actualy agreeing with the above ;)

-- 
Aaron J. Seigo
humru othro a kohnu se
GPG Fingerprint: 8B8B 2209 0C6F 7C47 B1EA  EE75 D6B7 2EB1 A7F1 DB43

KDE core developer sponsored by Trolltech
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