Proposed panel menu structure for hoary

[Petri Pennanen]

On Sat, 2004-12-04 at 02:47 +1100, Jeff Waugh wrote:
> First off, the Applications menu. Simple goal here - let's keep the focus on
> the apps. :-) Up top is a 4-8 item dynamic list of regularly used apps, so
> you have fassssst access to stuff you run all the time (this will also be
> available as a panel applet).

I would prefer not having the regularly used apps in the menu. I'm not a
UI designer but I will try to back up my opinion:

     1. Having the regularly used apps on the top of the menu only saves
        time if they are what you are looking for. If you are looking
        for something else you will still spend some time checking the
        entries to see if they are what you want. Basically you end up
        wasting time by looking for a way to save it.
     2. A bigger menu is harder to grasp. It takes longer to find what
        you are looking for. 
     3. Menu entries that change place are confusing. It's easier to use
        menues "by rote" and save brain cycles for the more important
        stuff. 
     4. On my 1025x768 screen 8 extra entries will make the menu reach
        the bottom half of the screen. It's not a problem per se, but I
        find it ugly :)
     5. Ubuntu does not need it! The menues are already very simple and
        clean, so it's easy to find what you are looking for. This
        feature seems more useful for distros with huge 3-4 level
        menues.

I would welcome a regularly used apps applet:

     I. The applet gives the convenience of having regularly used
        applications easily available, without slowing down the menu
        browsing.
    II. It provides a easy way to get regularly used applications
        available. I have added launchers to the top panel, but very
        non-technical users would not think of this. 
   III. The user already expects stuff on the tray to move.
    IV. Having all the launchers on the panel provides the fastest path
        to start them (faster than a separate applet menu).

Considering this it would be nice if:

      * The menu entries feature will be possible turn on and off.
      * It is off by default in Ubuntu.
      * When enabled these menu entries are as big as the others.
      * That the applet is designed like a row of launchers rather than
        a extra menu. 
      * The applet is enabled by default in Ubuntu.

>   Applications
>     [Regularly used applications - big icons?]
>     ---
>     Accessories
>     Games
>     Graphics
>     Internet
>     Multimedia
>     Office
>     Programming
>     System Tools
>     ---
>     Add, Remove, Update  (watch for more about this later)
>     ---
>     Run Application...

Except the regularly used apps, this seems cleaner than Wartys
applications menu. 

I think 'Add, Remove, Update' should be moved into the 'System Tools'
submeny. While it is crucial for the system, most users won't need it
that much.

> I've put the Recent Documents submenu and "Search for Files..." here, but
> marked them with an asterisk, because I'm not absolutely convinced they
> belong here. Suggestions or support welcome. ;-)
> 
> Most of this menu should be shared with the Nautilus 'Places' menu, perhaps
> excluding the bottom three items (including the separator).
> 
>   Places
>     Home            Stuff in Nautilus "Places" menu:
>     Desktop           Home, Computer, Templates, Trash and CD Creator.
>     Documents
>     [Personal GtkFileChooser Bookmarks]
>     ---
>     [Disks]
>     Network
>     ---
>     Recent Documents >  *
>     Search for Files...  *

Maybe Recent Documents should open in a window? Thats what all the other
entries in the menu do...

I think it's logical to have the search function here. If you are going
somewhere and don't know the way, the next thing you will be looking for
is someone to ask. Right?

Those who are used to MS Windows will probably expect to find their
bookmarks in this menu. I'm not sure there is a clean way to solve that
(expect saying "No!", that is). 

> Finally, we have a 'System' menu. Suggestions welcome for a better name, as
> 'System' is remarkably generic. 

Adminstration? Neh, 'System' is fine. Even if it's generic I bet that
people will get the drift pretty quick. 

Maybe 'Add, Remove, Update' should also be found in the 'System
configuration' submenu as well as in the Application menu? To make it
fit in it could be called something different ('Installed
applications'). 

> So, as a first step, let's shift to the new GNOME menu system (gnome-menus).
> That'll give us time to talk these changes through, and then start hacking!

Since you are retooling the menu system it might be the appropriate time
to ask if you have given any thought to not showing all menu entries to
all users. If little Timmy doesn't have the right to sudo and install
packages it would be nice if he didn't even see an entry for 'Add,
Remove, Update'.

Happy hacking!

- Petri