Display Configuration KCM design review

[Aaron J. Seigo]

On Tuesday, October 2, 2012 14:29:24 Dan Vrátil wrote:
> I'm now working on new KCM.

code
------
where is the code currently? i find it is often a lot easier to comment (and 
help out) when i can build and try the code directly


duality in interaction
--------------------------
my first thought is: why are there two areas for interaction?

all the informaton is currently shown on the screens in the preview area, and 
i have to interact with the preview area to move or rotate a screen ... 

... but if i want to change other information i see there, then i have to go 
to the bottom area (after noticing that they are connected :), find the 
matching information and then change it there.

why can't i just change which is the primary monitor by pressing on the star 
(or whatever it eneds up being) in the preview area?

why not be able to change the resolution and refresh by pressing on the 
information in the monitor itself?

having some interaction in one area and some in another feels scattered. i find 
my eyes (and mouse) going back and forth a lot. that some things are able to 
be configured in both the preview and the details below demonstrates some 
additional inconsistencies.

perhaps the nicest thing about having the previews where configuration happens 
is that one does not need to "translate" between the representation (the 
preview on screen) of the real thing (the actual screen) and a further 
abstraction (the collection of widgets at the bottom). it's one layer of 
mental re-direction less.

layout finesse
------------------

i'll echo the suggestion to put a little bit of space between the monitors. 
yes, the screens are "connected" in the "real" world in that the graphics they 
show are connected (though in the "real" "real" world, there is always some 
separation, if only by the bezel). however, visually in the settings it 
doesn't look ellegant but like someone forgot a margin somewhere :) nobody 
will end up confused or balk a the lack of literal pixel truth if there is a 
nice little margin between the screens. if anything, it is likely to help 
people see that they are separate things more easily, useful when the screens 
are otherwise identical.

i do prefer the two rotation arrows over the one rotation icon as seen in 
http://i.minus.com/j0jCsZ3DaQQPO.jpg .. it's fewer clicks to get what i want 
and very clear what will happen.

it would be nice to find a prettier way to show the bottom of the monitor than 
dark line (which isn't obvious at all at first to me?) ... probably will 
require an artist's intervention ;)

the on/off checkbox is perhaps one of the few perfect times to use the toggle 
switch QML Component on the desktop as it is rather literall "on" or "off" :)


thanks for working on this :)

-- 
Aaron J. Seigo
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