Comments on: Poll: Do you want the Ubuntu window controls on the Left Or Right hand side? http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side Everything Ubuntu. Daily. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:41:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymoushttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-10698 Anonymous Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:58:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-10698 If you don't like the controls in the new left side position for Radiance and Ambiance, you can download slightly modified versions of those themes entitled Radiance_R and Ambiance_R. I have modified these thems and posted them on Gnome-Look.org for people who would like to use them.Here are the links to the themes.Ambiance_R (Ambiance Right Side) http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Ambiance_R+%28Ambiance+Right+Side%29?content=123927Radiance_R (Radiance Right Side) http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Radiance_R+%28Radiance+Right+Side%29?content=123931I hope you find these beneficial and enjoy them.- Jack Thomas / zipperback If you don’t like the controls in the new left side position for Radiance and Ambiance, you can download slightly modified versions of those themes entitled Radiance_R and Ambiance_R. I have modified these thems and posted them on Gnome-Look.org for people who would like to use them.

Here are the links to the themes.

Ambiance_R (Ambiance Right Side)
http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Ambiance_R+%28Ambiance+Right+Side%29?content=123927

Radiance_R (Radiance Right Side)
http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Radiance_R+%28Radiance+Right+Side%29?content=123931

I hope you find these beneficial and enjoy them.

- Jack Thomas / zipperback

]]> By: Stephen Thomashttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-8491 Stephen Thomas Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:22:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-8491 *And* in menu:minimize,maximize,close order, if you please. *And* in menu:minimize,maximize,close order, if you please.

]]> By: Olivierhttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-8359 Olivier Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:48:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-8359 Too bad about all the work for the new themes! Most users won't use it because of the strange button positions. The fact that changing ordering spoils it and the fact that other themes are also affected makes me believe that the new themes were created by professional designers that have only minor experience in developing themes. Too bad about all the work for the new themes! Most users won’t use it because of the strange button positions. The fact that changing ordering spoils it and the fact that other themes are also affected makes me believe that the new themes were created by professional designers that have only minor experience in developing themes.

]]> By: nowayhttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-8047 noway Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:49:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-8047 YES WE CAN, YES WE WILL welcome to the new world where control is on the left YES WE CAN,
YES WE WILL
welcome to the new world where control is on the left

]]> By: bigbrovarhttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7869 bigbrovar Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:28:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7869 Look this is not just a question of putting the window button to the left, Its about how the whole process was done, the lack of transparency. Up till now we are yet to know the rationale behind this change. No one has come up to say why this change is necessary. Mark came out to just say oh Ubuntu is not a democracy and the expert as made the decision so everyone can go to hell, its either u like it or u take a hike. That is against the spirit of FOSS. User ought to have a say and a good design team always listen to the users because the purpose of design is to ease the interaction of the user with the OS and where the user complains (overwhelmingly) about this issue. A good responsive design team goes back to the drawing board and makes a change. Like I said consistency is the biggest problem of Linux. and this change does help matters in that regard. It breaks compatibility with upstreams and other window manager in Linux, if I use emerald my windows button are back to the right, same thing for kwin and openbox. seriously this who windows buttongate is a solution looking for a problem. Look this is not just a question of putting the window button to the left, Its about how the whole process was done, the lack of transparency. Up till now we are yet to know the rationale behind this change. No one has come up to say why this change is necessary. Mark came out to just say oh Ubuntu is not a democracy and the expert as made the decision so everyone can go to hell, its either u like it or u take a hike. That is against the spirit of FOSS. User ought to have a say and a good design team always listen to the users because the purpose of design is to ease the interaction of the user with the OS and where the user complains (overwhelmingly) about this issue. A good responsive design team goes back to the drawing board and makes a change. Like I said consistency is the biggest problem of Linux. and this change does help matters in that regard. It breaks compatibility with upstreams and other window manager in Linux, if I use emerald my windows button are back to the right, same thing for kwin and openbox. seriously this who windows buttongate is a solution looking for a problem.

]]> By: bigbrovarhttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7870 bigbrovar Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:28:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7870 Look this is not just a question of putting the window button to the left, Its about how the whole process was done, the lack of transparency. Up till now we are yet to know the rationale behind this change. No one has come up to say why this change is necessary. Mark came out to just say oh Ubuntu is not a democracy and the expert as made the decision so everyone can go to hell, its either u like it or u take a hike. That is against the spirit of FOSS. User ought to have a say and a good design team always listen to the users because the purpose of design is to ease the interaction of the user with the OS and where the user complains (overwhelmingly) about this issue. A good responsive design team goes back to the drawing board and makes a change. Like I said consistency is the biggest problem of Linux. and this change does help matters in that regard. It breaks compatibility with upstreams and other window manager in Linux, if I use emerald my windows button are back to the right, same thing for kwin and openbox. seriously this who windows buttongate is a solution looking for a problem. Look this is not just a question of putting the window button to the left, Its about how the whole process was done, the lack of transparency. Up till now we are yet to know the rationale behind this change. No one has come up to say why this change is necessary. Mark came out to just say oh Ubuntu is not a democracy and the expert as made the decision so everyone can go to hell, its either u like it or u take a hike. That is against the spirit of FOSS. User ought to have a say and a good design team always listen to the users because the purpose of design is to ease the interaction of the user with the OS and where the user complains (overwhelmingly) about this issue. A good responsive design team goes back to the drawing board and makes a change. Like I said consistency is the biggest problem of Linux. and this change does help matters in that regard. It breaks compatibility with upstreams and other window manager in Linux, if I use emerald my windows button are back to the right, same thing for kwin and openbox. seriously this who windows buttongate is a solution looking for a problem.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7867 Anonymous Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:18:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7867 So when you put some buttons on the left of a window bar you are "following suit". Now come on, how much options do you actually have? Oh, right: 2. Left or Right. So you're always "following suit" when you are choosing between one of the two? So when you put some buttons on the left of a window bar you are “following suit”. Now come on, how much options do you actually have? Oh, right: 2. Left or Right. So you’re always “following suit” when you are choosing between one of the two?

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7868 Anonymous Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:18:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7868 So when you put some buttons on the left of a window bar you are "following suit". Now come on, how much options do you actually have? Oh, right: 2. Left or Right. So you're always "following suit" when you are choosing between one of the two? So when you put some buttons on the left of a window bar you are “following suit”. Now come on, how much options do you actually have? Oh, right: 2. Left or Right. So you’re always “following suit” when you are choosing between one of the two?

]]> By: bigbrovarhttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7838 bigbrovar Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:14:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7838 and just because apple has it on the left doesnt mean we should follow suit. The biggest problem of Linux is lack of constitency. Not even Apple or MS would wake one morning and decide to move the location of the windows button. I mean from the pull it shows people dont want this change. oh wait Ubuntu is not a democracy, its a dictatorship. and just because apple has it on the left doesnt mean we should follow suit. The biggest problem of Linux is lack of constitency. Not even Apple or MS would wake one morning and decide to move the location of the windows button. I mean from the pull it shows people dont want this change. oh wait Ubuntu is not a democracy, its a dictatorship.

]]> By: Benhttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7750 Ben Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:59:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7750 I'd vote 'meh', but it's not an option... I’d vote ‘meh’, but it’s not an option…

]]> By: Huygenshttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7196 Huygens Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:03:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7196 >> not when it comes to things as fundemental as this fundamental ? I hope this was ironic then ;-) >> not when it comes to things as fundemental as this
fundamental ? I hope this was ironic then ;-)

]]> By: Huygenshttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7195 Huygens Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7195 >> "much more likely that you will accidentally hit it" I'm occasionally using MacOS X, and such an accidental behaviour never happen to me :-) Actually, the opposite did happen to me. At work, I have a dual screen, and when I try to reach the "File" menu on my right screen, it did happen a few times (2 actually, so really little) to close the window that was open on my left screen. This was on WinXP.However, the left placement saves me lots of long movement when I use the trackpad/mouse on Mac, I love it. And furthermore, as my mother tongue is left-to-right, I find it more logic to have those control on the left.PS: I happen to use MacOS from time to time, but somewhat seldomely. I'm working on XP and use Ubuntu at home. (just to put my message in perspective) >> “much more likely that you will accidentally hit it”
I’m occasionally using MacOS X, and such an accidental behaviour never happen to me :-)
Actually, the opposite did happen to me. At work, I have a dual screen, and when I try to reach the “File” menu on my right screen, it did happen a few times (2 actually, so really little) to close the window that was open on my left screen. This was on WinXP.

However, the left placement saves me lots of long movement when I use the trackpad/mouse on Mac, I love it.
And furthermore, as my mother tongue is left-to-right, I find it more logic to have those control on the left.

PS: I happen to use MacOS from time to time, but somewhat seldomely. I’m working on XP and use Ubuntu at home. (just to put my message in perspective)

]]> By: Huygenshttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7194 Huygens Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:50:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-7194 One note: if you are used to something, it does not mean it's ergonomic! And it does not mean do not change it! For instance, everyone is used to click "Start" to actually "Shutdown" Windows (also in recent release, this is no longer call "Start"). I would welcome the change when like with my TV or HiFi, I just simply (and only) have to press the shutdown button which is a physical button. (btw, this is the usual case on Mac OS since ages, I mean already 20 years ago!) Another example, everyone is used to go into a car, put the key in, turn them on and start the engine. Well, if you buy a Renault car, you get a card (no key), when you are in your car with this card, you can simply press a "Start" physical button to start the engine. That's a nice change, although I'm sure everyone is used to the other old way.So a "poll" is not going to tell you: is it better for the user to be on the left or right? However, a user conducted survey, where ergonomists would analyse how the users are interacting with those buttons, would do it!By the way, I sometime read on blog posts about this topic that "human beings" won't be able to cope with such a change! Come on, everyone's back on earth with their two feet. Natural science is telling me that evolution got all of us a brain that is more than adequate to cope with left or right side window control button. I'm not a genius, and this thing never got me into trouble (when going to MacOS for instance).PS: my wife switch from Windows to Mac OS some years ago, and she was kind of grumpy with the new system for a month or two, because all those habits she had were kind of in conflicts with the new system. However now and even though she is still accustomed with the Windows way, she just love how easy most daily tasks are on her Mac. And she's cursing each time she has to use Windows again (like at work). (albeit she never tried 7, so it's not about a flame war or troll, but XP - with its venerable 9 years old interface - has a kind of old fashion user experience compare to recent OS, and Vista was really not a success. So perhaps things have changed too on this front!) One note: if you are used to something, it does not mean it’s ergonomic! And it does not mean do not change it! For instance, everyone is used to click “Start” to actually “Shutdown” Windows (also in recent release, this is no longer call “Start”). I would welcome the change when like with my TV or HiFi, I just simply (and only) have to press the shutdown button which is a physical button.
(btw, this is the usual case on Mac OS since ages, I mean already 20 years ago!)
Another example, everyone is used to go into a car, put the key in, turn them on and start the engine. Well, if you buy a Renault car, you get a card (no key), when you are in your car with this card, you can simply press a “Start” physical button to start the engine. That’s a nice change, although I’m sure everyone is used to the other old way.

So a “poll” is not going to tell you: is it better for the user to be on the left or right? However, a user conducted survey, where ergonomists would analyse how the users are interacting with those buttons, would do it!

By the way, I sometime read on blog posts about this topic that “human beings” won’t be able to cope with such a change! Come on, everyone’s back on earth with their two feet. Natural science is telling me that evolution got all of us a brain that is more than adequate to cope with left or right side window control button. I’m not a genius, and this thing never got me into trouble (when going to MacOS for instance).

PS: my wife switch from Windows to Mac OS some years ago, and she was kind of grumpy with the new system for a month or two, because all those habits she had were kind of in conflicts with the new system. However now and even though she is still accustomed with the Windows way, she just love how easy most daily tasks are on her Mac. And she’s cursing each time she has to use Windows again (like at work). (albeit she never tried 7, so it’s not about a flame war or troll, but XP – with its venerable 9 years old interface – has a kind of old fashion user experience compare to recent OS, and Vista was really not a success. So perhaps things have changed too on this front!)

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6911 Anonymous Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:33:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6911 The only real reason I see for switching the place for those three icons, is that their new beautiful notification system often is blocking the min, max, close buttons. The only real reason I see for switching the place for those three icons, is that their new beautiful notification system often is blocking the min, max, close buttons.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6884 Anonymous Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:43:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6884 Thanks, I know, but space is a concern and doing that will take some real estate from my 11" screen.Also I could plug my laptop to my HDTV via HDMI but I'm using Lucid and my Intel GPU has a massive bug and I' can't connect it at the moment, hopefully it will be fixed soon.Also I changed Metacity the way it was. Thanks, I know, but space is a concern and doing that will take some real estate from my 11″ screen.

Also I could plug my laptop to my HDTV via HDMI but I’m using Lucid and my Intel GPU has a massive bug and I’ can’t connect it at the moment, hopefully it will be fixed soon.

Also I changed Metacity the way it was.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6883 Anonymous Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:38:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6883 Yeah but it's orange and it doesn't look good with the rest of the elementary stuff. I modified the icons once, but whenever a new elementary update comes along my mods get overwritten so I stopped doing it. The GDM thing I did looked awesome but for some strange reason only worked on one computer and that computer is dead now.It was just a suggestion. I like my Ubuntu to have all sorts of branding and stuff. Yeah but it’s orange and it doesn’t look good with the rest of the elementary stuff. I modified the icons once, but whenever a new elementary update comes along my mods get overwritten so I stopped doing it. The GDM thing I did looked awesome but for some strange reason only worked on one computer and that computer is dead now.

It was just a suggestion. I like my Ubuntu to have all sorts of branding and stuff.

]]> By: Davidhttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6880 David Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:37:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6880 I know! I know!

]]> By: pansapienshttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6879 pansapiens Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:09:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6879 vs8: You can make Chrome / Chromium use the window manager (metacity) title bar and borders by going to "Options -> Personal Stuff -> Appearance -> 'Use system title and borders'" . This way you get consistent positions of your max/min/close buttons between Chrome(ium) and other windows, at the expense of just a little screen real estate. Even though this won't put all the buttons back on the 'right' side (like various fixes in these comments discuss), at least everything will be consistent. vs8: You can make Chrome / Chromium use the window manager (metacity) title bar and borders by going to “Options -> Personal Stuff -> Appearance -> ‘Use system title and borders’” . This way you get consistent positions of your max/min/close buttons between Chrome(ium) and other windows, at the expense of just a little screen real estate. Even though this won’t put all the buttons back on the ‘right’ side (like various fixes in these comments discuss), at least everything will be consistent.

]]> By: pansapienshttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6878 pansapiens Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:59:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6878 Maybe this is not such a silly idea - I wonder if any usability studies have been done testing that possibility ? I can imagine lots of interesting variations on this idea too - lets say the 'big fat close button' in the middle of the title bar required a double click to actually close the window - this way hitting it accidentally wouldn't be much of a problem, but hitting it intentionally might be easier. Another option along those lines would be to put "maximise" and "minimise" on one side, and "close" on the opposite - this way you would be less likely to accidentally hit close when going for the other buttons. (After writing this, I noticed David's comments about Symphony OS below, along similar lines). Unfortunately no matter how much better a UI change is in a technical or logical sense, familiarity usually still beats innovation. Maybe this is not such a silly idea – I wonder if any usability studies have been done testing that possibility ? I can imagine lots of interesting variations on this idea too – lets say the ‘big fat close button’ in the middle of the title bar required a double click to actually close the window – this way hitting it accidentally wouldn’t be much of a problem, but hitting it intentionally might be easier. Another option along those lines would be to put “maximise” and “minimise” on one side, and “close” on the opposite – this way you would be less likely to accidentally hit close when going for the other buttons. (After writing this, I noticed David’s comments about Symphony OS below, along similar lines). Unfortunately no matter how much better a UI change is in a technical or logical sense, familiarity usually still beats innovation.

]]> By: Michael Martin-Smuckerhttp://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6877 Michael Martin-Smucker Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:43:00 +0000 http://www.omgubuntu.dreamhosters.com/2010/03/poll-do-you-want-the-ubuntu-window-controls-on-the-left-or-right-hand-side/#comment-6877 Haha, I figured as much :) I've never had problems with lefts and rights in real life, but on the computer, for some reason I always think left-aligned should go on the other side... :p I checked my own post several times just to make sure my response was accurate. Haha, I figured as much :) I’ve never had problems with lefts and rights in real life, but on the computer, for some reason I always think left-aligned should go on the other side… :p I checked my own post several times just to make sure my response was accurate.

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