Take hints from GNOME Shell
Regarding Cardápio is an equivalent to the GNOME Shell menu +search but also suitable for low-performing computers, it would be interesting to take inspiration from that, for example:
– Making the applet open on mouse-over (if that is possible)
See https:/
– Making it more clear that pressing enter starts the first found application
See https:/
– Adding a »currently open« category and marking running applications
See https:/
– Including a recently used documents list by default (zeitgeist)
In the works.
– Somehow integrate the usage frequency of applications
See https:/
Blueprint information
- Status:
- Complete
- Approver:
- None
- Priority:
- Undefined
- Drafter:
- Jan
- Direction:
- Needs approval
- Assignee:
- Thiago Teixeira
- Definition:
- Superseded
- Series goal:
- None
- Implementation:
-
Unknown
- Milestone target:
- None
- Started by
- Completed by
- Jan
Related branches
Related bugs
Sprints
Whiteboard
(Please APPEND your comments at the end of this whiteboard. And don't forget to identify yourself, as shown below)
-------
[yourname year-month-day]
-------
[yourname year-month-day]
etc...
=======
-------
[tvst 2010-06-04]
There are some good ideas and observations on that list, and I can see how Cardapio and Gnome Shell have some very obvious overlaps. But I would rather not make Cardapio into a "poor's man Gnome Shell".
By this I mean that, in my view, Cardapio should not handle every use-case that Gnome Shell does. The main one I can htink of is currently-open applications. In my view, open applications are a job for task bars, docks, exposé, and so on. But I am open to hearing other people's arguments for it.
So, going in more detail about this blueprint:
– Making the applet open on mouse-over (if that is possible)
This is possible and a good idea. I will add this to my TODO's :) , although it will be optional / configurable
– Making it more clear that pressing enter starts the first found application
I have to think about how to do this one, but you are absolutely right.
– Adding a »currently open« category and marking running applications
Out of scope for now. But I am open to hearing back from other people.
– Including a recently used documents list by default (zeitgeist)
Seif Lofty and I are working on this :)
Makes sense?
-------
[inquata 2010-06-04]
Totally, I don’t want Cardápio to be a poor man’s GNOME Shell either. :) It was just the application that came to my mind that is most similar to this (even more than the Menu applet and Do).
– Making the applet open on mouse-over
Cool that it is possible. :) But yes, that should be configurable, as the GNOME Shell overview can get triggered by mistake (I often do). As soon as the clickable area resizes to panel size, it will already accelerate use.
– Making it more clear that pressing enter starts the first found application
Marking it the way an entry is on mouse-over would be the obvious choice, as it indicates selection. Please see the mockup: https:/
– Adding a »currently open« category and marking running applications
Ok, the own category is probably a bit overshot. But slightly marking running application (having a selection similar to the mouse-over, but a bit more transparent) would already help making the menu more integrated. I additionally use DockbarX, but marking it in the menu would still be very useful.
– Including a recently used documents list by default (zeitgeist)
Very nice. :)
– New proposal: Somehow integrate the usage frequency of applications, e. g. sort pinned applications by frequency or automatically pinning (or recommending to pin) often used apps.
-------
[tvst 2010-06-06]
For now I will just try to implement the ability to open Cardapio when hovering the button.
Now, regarding the other ideas:
– Making it more clear that pressing enter starts the first found application
I am still not happy with the proposed solution. I don't think it's clear enough from your mockup, that pressing Enter will activate the top result. I will keep thinking about this one.
– Adding an indicator next to apps that are currently open
This is not a simple thing to implement. See, for example, how Docky is often wrong about which windows are open and which are not. So right now, I think my time is better spent elsewhere, but if anyone would like to contribute the code for this, I would consider adding it.
– Somehow integrate the usage frequency of applications
This has to be brainstormed a little more. Some mockups would be nice, too :)
The one thing I am adamant about is that apps *should not* change positions based on frequency/recency. The location of an app should *always* be predictable.
So if frequency/recency are added to Cardapio, it should be done in a way that doesn't violate this rule.
-------
[inquata 2010-06-06]
Completely right, everything should be predictable. :)
I’ll keep thinking about those two:
– Making it more clear that pressing enter starts the first found application
– Adding an indicator next to apps that are currently open
Before we plan any further, I suggest splitting this blueprint up to the (ca. 5) single proposals. Otherwise it’ll be a mess. ;)
Say »ok« and I’ll do it.
-------
[tvst 2010-06-06]
ok :)
