making kickoff have full-width selection rects (on hover)

[Celeste Lyn Paul]

On Wednesday 27 February 2008 08:04:55 Aaron J. Seigo wrote:
> On Wednesday 27 February 2008, Riccardo Iaconelli wrote:
> > - clashes with icon colours (tight spaces make this suck even more),
> >
> > Non issue. Icons are colorful and you simply *can't* get something that
> > works with everything.
>
> wrong. they work just fine with base(), at least the common base() values
> used. saying that it can't work with highlight() therefore it doesn't
> matter so just go ahead and do it anyways doesn't make sense.
>
> > - it doesn't direct the eyes to the meaningful content.
> >
> > Celeste has already addressed it, no?
>
> no. i've heard her dismiss it as being a problem, but that's not the same
> thing as "addressing" the problem. there are exactly three pieces of
> information that one makes their "i'm going to click on it" decision:
>
> * the title text
> * the subtitle text
> * the icon
>
> the rest of the space is not informationally interesting. so ... why
> highlight it? especially with an eye catching ocean of colour?

If this is true then that arrow on the right side (that tells you if there is 
information below that level) is screen junk and should be removed.  I can't 
see you arguing with that because I'm under the impression you are a 
minimalist anyway. 

However, I think that arrow is an important piece of information that let 
users know the difference between executable applications and application sub 
folders, especially since applications tend to have a generic name (e.g. 
Drawing or Email) and folders have custom icons (i.e. not a generic folder 
icon) that are similar to application icons.

Also, does no one else care, have an option, have a preference, or think this 
is an issue?  So far this has been a discussion between three people, a 
developer, and artist, and a designer (that sounds like the beginning of a 
bad bar joke).

-- 
Celeste Lyn Paul
KDE Usability Project & HCI Working Group
usability.kde.org