[platform-ui-dev] DCR: new toolbar or view management improvements

[Randy Hudson <hudsonr@xxxxxxxxxx>]

GEF would like to start displaying the
palette as a workbench view instead of as a control inside the editor.
 In the past, we could not do this because most GEF clients have the
following requirements:

1) P1 - The Palette "view"
must always be visible, or the editor is severely limited in function.
 (the view cannot be closed or hidden).
2) P1 - Many editors don't make use
of the palette, so it must not waste space when not in use. (the view disappears
when not in use).
3) P2 - The palette should be tall and
skinny
4) P3 - The palette should be near the
editor

Maybe improvements to view management
can meet these requirements.  Or, maybe a new type of ActionBar can
be introduced that is a vertical toolbar down the left or right side of
the editor (similar to "cheat sheets").  Maybe cheatsheets
could be implemented as a contribution to such an actionbar.  In MS
Office, there is a side bar down the right that has multiple modes, such
as cheat sheet, style templates, clip art, and I'm sure palette would fit
in.

I just wanted to discuss this proactively
instead of reactively.  In the past, we've seen new features suddenly
completed without warning, in which case it's unlikely that all requirements
were available for consideration.

thanks,
randy