the space left in there is for other idea... but that for later.

in the middle, we have the All-Mighty Taskbat Systrasy Launcher Applet aka uMighty

the concept is incredible easy. let's take Pidgin for this example.

Actually, you add the pidgin icon to the launcher area, open it and a new button appears on the taskbar, also an icon appears on the systray, where all trhe notifications are shown.

In my idea, you use THAT launcher for all. Notifications come from that app, so the user knows exactly the app related to the message.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dael99/Mockups#5298972082062305506
(it's a notification not an mouse-hover, for that we will kepp the app title)

then, the contextual action from the systray are replacer by quick-actions menu.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dael99/Mockups#5298972083016862258

The minimize, maximize options are discarded, because the icon itself handles that (just like a dock). take the options there as an example only... that depends on the app itself.

So, maybe you think i'm doing another dock, but it's just an applet, no effects, no glossy, no nothing, just simple and functional as it should have been from the start.

(
Other thing to take in consideration is the difference between win and mac with the three elements. Win uses the quick launch bar, the taskbar, and the systray in one panel, coll, isn't it?
Mac uses the systray on the top, and the taskbar/launcher toghether on the botton, coller no?
But, we make a BIG difference, because, we use the three elements int the same panel, like win, but togheter, betten than mac!
)


Now, what happens with the recicle bin? adn the desktop switcher...

the other trick: the nuclear icon on the right (take the icon as a concept not a a alert symbol) is used to destroy.

1) when you click it, you get the shutdown menu, like ever but, the traditional shutdown menu (the IM status are handled by the IM app, it's logic!).

2) when you drag a file on it, you delete it. (now, the problem is whre you found the files later..)

3) when you Drag the icon out of it's boundaries, it behaves just like the force-app-exit applet (you drop the icon on an inestable app and ot's forced to quit)

So, this doesn't present a weird thing only mixes the functionalities of some olds applets.

So, that's he main idea. One panel, a lot of functions.

For the backgound we coulkd use a gradient (bitmap-based please, that way we only copy the matrix to the ram, no CPU computing needed) or the actual fake transparency of the gnome-pannels

http://picasaweb.google.com/dael99/Mockups#5289103003311901602 (ignore the dock... )

* To provide few clear starting targets and expose convenient features in order to create a good experience for novice, as well as experienced, users
o "Activities" and user-actions buttons, built-in search, exposing workspaces
* To define particular ways in which desktop components should work instead of making them infinitely configurable, thereby making a default desktop behaviour and its integration with the rest of the system create a consistent and well-organized user experience
* To reduce the time taken to find pertinent information
o Consistent and familiar placing of information-display widgets
* To reduce the time taken to execute frequent operations
o Flat lists of applications and files, mouse or keyboard-mediated activation
* To reduce in time taken to find less frequently used items
o Keyboard-mediated search
* To reduce in time taken to execute less frequently performed operations
o Keyboard-mediated search

Current Features

Panel

The top panel has two clear targets for the user:

* Activities button in the left corner that brings up the Overlay
* User name and icon in the right corner that bring up the user menu with system-related actions

Overlay

Overlay mode is a full-screen mode that allows the user to concentrate on switching to a new activity by opening new applications, documents, or both. It displays all the current user workspaces and open windows and facilitates organizing them. The current screenshot of the overlay mode can be seen here.

The overlay sidebar has the following attributes:

* It is a flat list of frequently used applications and recently opened files
* It provides a search widget for both applications and files
* The applications and files can be launched by clicking on them or by being dragged to a specific workspace
* It can be expanded to provide a full listing of applications or recent files

The overlay main area has the following attributes:

* It contains all the user workspaces with the windows that are opened on them
* It contains controls for adding new workspaces and removing empty workspaces
* It allows dragging open windows between workspaces

The user benefits of this approach are:

* Simpler and easier mouse or keyboard-based launching and opening of frequently performed activities
* A more efficient search-based launching and opening mechanism for less frequently performed activities
* Visually rich representation of all the activities and ability to organize them

######

Website:
http://live.gnome.org/GnomeShell

Images:

http://owtaylor.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/gnome-shell-20090209.png
http://live.gnome.org/Boston2008/GUIHackfest/WindowManagementAndMore?action=Att achFile&do=get&target=fuser_actions_menu.png
http://live.gnome.org/Boston2008/GUIHackfest/WindowManagementAndMore?action=Att achFile&do=get&target=appmenu_creativeapps-flatlist.png
http://live.gnome.org/Boston2008/GUIHackfest/WindowManagementAndMore?action=Att achFile&do=get&target=appmenu_app-with-currently-open-windows.png