Hi, I originally opened a bug report but Jason Smith suggested that this would be better to discuss here.
Summary: The new Unity switcher is not designed for changing focus between windows on a particular workspace. I propose a solution of adding a new default keybinding that activates a feature similar to the compiz "application switcher" plugin. Scenario: The user has grouped windows into workspaces according to function. When they wish to work on a task they use ctrl-alt-[arrow] to move to that workspace. They wish to stay on that workspace and move between windows - for example some open pdfs and a document in a word processor. Currently: The new alt-tab switcher provides a high-level overview of all open windows on all workspaces, grouped by application and each group represented by an icon. Problem: The user's approach of intentionally grouping windows on a particular workspace is defeated because all windows are listed, not just the ones on that workspace. The user can see the window they want to type in, but to change focus they must think about how that window is represented in the switcher. The spacial layout of the windows is also ignored when switching, because they are all represented by icons in the central switcher carousel. The issue as I see it is that there are two distinct use cases: 1) Generally finding an open application 2) Trying to change window focus, having grouped multiple windows on your workspace, when you have selected the workspace you want. Right now with the new switcher the applications are abstracted as icons. This is good for the first case, a "high-level" overview of all applications, as you say. But for the second case what you need is something more like the compiz "application switcher" plugin, which highlights the each window itself as you tab through them. The point is that you look at a window, and then you tab until it is highlighted, then you can type in it. This is fast and intuitive, and does not require you to mentally link the window to whatever it is represented by in the switcher (be it icon or preview). I think that a new default key combination should be created to activate this feature. The most elegant keybinding for this would be ctrl-alt-tab, because this links well with the keys for moving between workspaces, enabling a smooth flow for selecting a workspace and then a window on it. Proposed ctrl-alt-tab workflow: User moves to relevant workspace with ctrl-alt-[arrow]. Continuing to hold ctrl-alt down, they may use tab to select the desired window on that workspace. Moving between windows intentionally grouped onto a workspace is fast, visual and removes the distraction of what's happening on other workspaces. What do you think? If the response is that we are not interested in supporting a workspace-driven workflow then I guess the next question is what is the rationale behind keeping multiple workspaces at all? Justyn Original bug report: http://bugs.launchpad.net/unity/+bug/863399 _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ayatana Post to : ayatana@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ayatana More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
