https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=494578
Bug ID: 494578
Summary: Tray accessibility regression
Classification: Plasma
Product: plasmashell
Version: 6.2.0
Platform: Other
OS: Linux
Status: REPORTED
Severity: normal
Priority: NOR
Component: System Tray
Assignee: plasma-b...@kde.org
Reporter: pallasw...@proton.me
CC: mate...@gmail.com
Target Milestone: 1.0
SUMMARY
Previously, it was possible to open the tray, and with a single glance at the
centre of the body of icons, see the entire selection of icons, and locate the
desired icon.
With the new design, the icons are reduced in size, and text takes the focus.
This is visually cluttered in comparison, and given that the order of icons is
seemingly random and cannot be changed, being able to quickly and easily
visually locate the needed icon is important.
I mistakenly thought this was a bug because the usability/accessibility
regression is so strong. Knowing that this is intentional, I had to reflect
upon the reason why the new design was so uncomfortable.
Especially important in this, is to eliminate the 'resistance to change'
factor. I also wanted to spend some more time with the new design, to
intentionally memorize the locations of my icons, thinking that maybe with
that, the new design might be more pleasant. Unfortunately, since the icon
locations change constantly, that is not a feasible solution.
STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Install plasma 6.2
OBSERVED RESULT
Open notification tray.
Where is my icon?
I can't immediately see it like usual.
I can't find it, either - this is noisy.
Oh there it is.
EXPECTED RESULT
Open notification tray.
There is my icon.
It's moved since last time which is annoying, but I can quickly identify it
from the others.
BONUS RESULT
Open notification tray.
There is my icon.
It's right where I left it, of course.
But I could have found it instantly, anyway, because this UI is so nice.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Increased UI density generally can be an accessibility plus (less eye and hand
movement is a relief), and I think that this change *could* be really good,
*if* we had a means to address the 'lost icon' thing. Looking at it through the
lens of this new design, maybe the old design wasn't so good, but the low
density and large icons were serving as a crutch for the self-rearranging icons
having a mystery location.
I imagine that a clever UI designer might come up with some other clever means
to tackle this issue, and I'm not glued to any specific solution, so, anything
that works is good :)
Is there some logic to the split between the columns? Or why it's two columns
specifically? I'm asking because I'm thinking, maybe the trick here is to align
my usage with the designer's intention (aka maybe I'm just doing it wrong) but
it is not clear what the intention is (aka if so, I have no idea what is the
right way to do it).
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