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

["Nick Edgar" <Nick_Edgar@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Randy,

We are working with UCD and the graphic design teams to define the R3.0 
look and feel for Eclipse.
It's good to get use cases like this into the process early.  Could you 
please add them to the "Evolve the Eclipse user experience" plan item PR:
https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=37997

Regarding your last comment, we are trying to do a better job in being 
more open in gathering requirements and publishing regular updates on our 
designs.
The "flexible project structure" feature from R2.1 is an example of a 
design process that struck the right balance between pursuing a completely 
open-ended "community-based design" (where it's next to impossible to 
reach closure) and a "we know what's best" approach (which has a higher 
probability of being delivered, but is prone to missing some requirements 
<g>).  We are trying to follow this model more consistently for R3.0.

Regards,
Nick





Randy Hudson/Raleigh/IBM@IBMUS
Sent by: platform-ui-dev-admin@xxxxxxxxxxx
06/16/2003 02:17 PM
Please respond to platform-ui-dev
 
        To:     platform-ui-dev@xxxxxxxxxxx
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        Subject:        [platform-ui-dev] DCR: new toolbar or view 
management improvements



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