Written by sicofante the 8 Mar 10 at 07:05.

Merging both bars in one will save vertical screen space and won't affect the way we use the windows now.

There's actually no need for more than the three buttons (minimize, maximize, close) since the window menu can be accessed by right clicking on the window's title or no-menu area.

When the window is too narrow for displaying the full title, we can provide a tooltip showing it in full. Also, developers would be careful by choosing what to display as a window title. Name of the application is usually unnecessary (we know what the application is, we launched it...) and usually only the document name is important.

How to technically doing it is out of the scope of this idea (I'm not a developer). Maybe it's just about removing the titlebar altogether (or reducing it to 0 pixels) and add the title and control buttons to the menubar.

Merging both bars in one will save vertical screen space and won't affect the way we use the windows now. There's actually no need for more than the three buttons (minimize, maximize, close) since the window menu can be accessed by right clicking on the window's title or no-menu area. When the window is too narrow for displaying the full title, we can provide a tooltip showing it in full. Also, developers would be careful by choosing what to display as a window title. Name of the application is usually unnecessary (we know what the application is, we launched it...) and usually only the document name is important. How to technically doing it is out of the scope of this idea (I'm not a developer). Maybe it's just about removing the titlebar altogether (or reducing it to 0 pixels) and add the title and control buttons to the menubar.

Written by Klau3 the 10 Mar 10 at 23:25.

Merge title and menu bar like on the screenshot . To see the menu again the user has to click on the “Menu/Options” button in the left corner. Also remove the status bar and replace it by a mouseover information that will appear after a half second – like it is in Lucid right now for the Places menu.

<img src="http://nureineidee.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/nautilus-lucid-lynx-2-mockup.png?w=650" /> Merge title and menu bar like on the screenshot . To see the menu again the user has to click on the “Menu/Options” button in the left corner. Also remove the status bar and replace it by a mouseover information that will appear after a half second – like it is in Lucid right now for the Places menu.

Written by daas88 the 11 Mar 10 at 00:45.

It would be nice if for example the menu bar showed when I press Alt, Alt+M or one of the Fx keys. And there should be a small button in the title bar doing the same thing as the keyboard shortcut.

It would be nice if for example the menu bar showed when I press Alt, Alt+M or one of the Fx keys. And there should be a small button in the title bar doing the same thing as the keyboard shortcut.

Written by Mirek2 the 14 Mar 10 at 14:47.

As someone who has tried a prototype of this, let me tell you that with small windows, small screens, or large menus, it's a nightmare trying to move windows around, if possible at all.
I think Chrome has a good compromise: remove the text from the title bar and make it a lot thinner, but still keep the height big enough so that one can easily move and resize windows without accidentally opening up menus instead.
With maximized windows, the title bar should merge with the menu bar completely, as one can't move a window in maximized state and as it suits the Fitts law nicely (that is, if you remove the top panel in Ubuntu).

As someone who has tried a prototype of this, let me tell you that with small windows, small screens, or large menus, it's a nightmare trying to move windows around, if possible at all. I think Chrome has a good compromise: remove the text from the title bar and make it a lot thinner, but still keep the height big enough so that one can easily move and resize windows without accidentally opening up menus instead. With maximized windows, the title bar should merge with the menu bar completely, as one can't move a window in maximized state and as it suits the Fitts law nicely (that is, if you remove the top panel in Ubuntu).

Written by A.I. the 14 Mar 10 at 23:00.

Install gnome2-globalmenu applet by default to move menubar to top of screen (as in Mac OS X). User can disable it.

Install gnome2-globalmenu applet by default to move menubar to top of screen (as in Mac OS X). User can disable it.

Written by isantop the 16 Mar 10 at 00:22.

Think something similar to UNR. Remove the title from the active window, and display it in the top panel instead, which has wasted space on most systems by default. Long titles can be truncated like in the task list.

Make the titlebar thicker, and put the menubar in it, leaving space to grab and drag, like solution 4. If a windows is narrow, truncate the menu and place a "More..." button, similar to solution #1

Think something similar to UNR. Remove the title from the active window, and display it in the top panel instead, which has wasted space on most systems by default. Long titles can be truncated like in the task list. Make the titlebar thicker, and put the menubar in it, leaving space to grab and drag, like solution 4. If a windows is narrow, truncate the menu and place a "More..." button, similar to solution #1

Written by LukeM33P the 25 Mar 10 at 01:30.

There are a few points I'd like to make:

Most widescreens are 18.5 inches or greater. Many are also high-resolution. Lower-resolution screens are often 4:3, where this is not a problem and the resolution is the problem.

For the few places where the scenario at top makes sense (auto-detection on install would be nice for this), button sizes should be reduced, text should be reduced, and the bottom panel shrunk in height.

Next in line, we realize the top panel is mostly indicators which theoretically have popups which will appear over the windows. The links on the upper toolbar are quick-launch-like, and the drop down menus are mostly unnecessary when applications that are screen-filling are necessary. So, the top menubar is always behind any windows in a full-screen mode, but retains its solid shape for smaller windows. To avert frustrations when trying to use the full screen with multiple applications, lock points on the screen (user customizable) should allow an undefined number of applications to lock to a full screen view (taking up the full screen as a group, moving as a normal window would, or locking AeroSnap-esque, based on preference or per-window setting). Other non-full-screen applications, of course, would still be visible.

Possible solution.

There are a few points I'd like to make: Most widescreens are 18.5 inches or greater. Many are also high-resolution. Lower-resolution screens are often 4:3, where this is not a problem and the resolution is the problem. For the few places where the scenario at top makes sense (auto-detection on install would be nice for this), button sizes should be reduced, text should be reduced, and the bottom panel shrunk in height. Next in line, we realize the top panel is mostly indicators which theoretically have popups which will appear over the windows. The links on the upper toolbar are quick-launch-like, and the drop down menus are mostly unnecessary when applications that are screen-filling are necessary. So, the top menubar is always behind any windows in a full-screen mode, but retains its solid shape for smaller windows. To avert frustrations when trying to use the full screen with multiple applications, lock points on the screen (user customizable) should allow an undefined number of applications to lock to a full screen view (taking up the full screen as a group, moving as a normal window would, or locking AeroSnap-esque, based on preference or per-window setting). Other non-full-screen applications, of course, would still be visible. Possible solution. Edit: Forgot to mention GnomeShell. GnomeShell will make the top bar superfluous. Look up GnomeShell if you want more details.

Written by annex666 the 26 Mar 10 at 12:31.

I.e. implement the exact same functionality as that in the Hide Menubar plug-in for Firefox - the menubar is hidden until the user presses the Alt key; it is then rehidden when the user presses Alt again.

I.e. implement the exact same functionality as that in the Hide Menubar plug-in for Firefox - the menubar is hidden until the user presses the Alt key; it is then rehidden when the user presses Alt again.

Written by Liso22 the 27 Mar 10 at 18:37.

I've been dealing with the same problem for some time, and mostly considering I use awn that takes more or less thrice the space of a regular panel and that I have a laptop screen. I think the solution should be to add an optional applet which will normally show the regular Ubuntu menu bar and when an application is running it will switch to show the Ubuntu quick menu icon and the application title bar, this will be totally optional so it can hurt nobody and will benefit both the users who prefer a windows like behavior than those who prefer a mac interface. This is the mockup of how it should look when an application is running and the space that will be saved.

[url=http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/134b0462fd.png[/img][/url]">http:/ /www.freeimagehosting.net/][img]http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/134b0462 fd.png[/img][/url]

I've been dealing with the same problem for some time, and mostly considering I use awn that takes more or less thrice the space of a regular panel and that I have a laptop screen. I think the solution should be to add an optional applet which will normally show the regular Ubuntu menu bar and when an application is running it will switch to show the Ubuntu quick menu icon and the application title bar, this will be totally optional so it can hurt nobody and will benefit both the users who prefer a windows like behavior than those who prefer a mac interface. This is the mockup of how it should look when an application is running and the space that will be saved. [url=http://www.freeimagehosting.net/][img]http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/134b0462fd.png[/img][/url]

Written by Liso22 the 27 Mar 10 at 18:49.

I've been dealing with the same problem for some time, and mostly considering I use awn that takes more or less thrice the space of a regular panel and that I have a laptop screen. I think the solution should be to add an optional applet which will normally show the regular Ubuntu menu bar and when an application is running it will switch to show the Ubuntu quick menu icon and the application title bar, this will be totally optional so it can hurt nobody and will benefit both the users who prefer a windows like behavior than those who prefer a mac interface. This is the mockup of how it should look when an application is running and the space that will be saved. (I don't know how to make the image show I'll just paste a couple of links click any)

http://i40.tinypic.com/2eeh7v7.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?134b0462fd.png

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?134b0462fd.png>http://www.freeima gehosting.net/uploads/th.134b0462fd.png alt="Free Image Hosting by FreeImageHosting.net">

I've been dealing with the same problem for some time, and mostly considering I use awn that takes more or less thrice the space of a regular panel and that I have a laptop screen. I think the solution should be to add an optional applet which will normally show the regular Ubuntu menu bar and when an application is running it will switch to show the Ubuntu quick menu icon and the application title bar, this will be totally optional so it can hurt nobody and will benefit both the users who prefer a windows like behavior than those who prefer a mac interface. This is the mockup of how it should look when an application is running and the space that will be saved. (I don't know how to make the image show I'll just paste a couple of links click any) http://i40.tinypic.com/2eeh7v7.jpg http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?134b0462fd.png <a href=http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?134b0462fd.png><img src=http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.134b0462fd.png alt="Free Image Hosting by FreeImageHosting.net"></a>

Written by ave2 the 29 Mar 10 at 11:31.

start looking at ways to use the horizontal space for menus- look at blender 2.5 as a good example of this...

start looking at ways to use the horizontal space for menus- look at blender 2.5 as a good example of this...

Written by Pfanne the 31 Mar 10 at 00:49.

Just use Docky as the lower panel.
Yeah i know Ubuntu will look alot like Mac OS, but who cares?
Apple did some good design choices with their desktop. Why shouldnt we copy them?

Just use Docky as the lower panel. Yeah i know Ubuntu will look alot like Mac OS, but who cares? Apple did some good design choices with their desktop. Why shouldnt we copy them?

Written by geoff.m the 31 Mar 10 at 01:40.

1. The titlebar and menubar are merged. we need to see always the window titles in order to see quickly what they are at all times, but not the menus. menus appear over windowtitle when mouse hovers around it.

2. The toolbars also need to be accessed often, but they have little need to be seen all the time. therefore they could just dock under the titlemenubar.

2.a. in the case of browsers, the url could appear next to the window title

Then we would have 1 bars instead of 3, saving about 80 pixels in height that can be now used for actuel software and content space.

1. The titlebar and menubar are merged. we need to see always the window titles in order to see quickly what they are at all times, but not the menus. menus appear over windowtitle when mouse hovers around it. 2. The toolbars also need to be accessed often, but they have little need to be seen all the time. therefore they could just dock under the titlemenubar. 2.a. in the case of browsers, the url could appear next to the window title Then we would have 1 bars instead of 3, saving about 80 pixels in height that can be now used for actuel software and content space.

Written by Duncan J Murray the 1 Apr 10 at 20:11.

Anyone who has used Workbench would remember the right-click and hold would bring up the menu over the title bar.

To implement this into Ubuntu I would suggest that the menu bar is removed, but would appear, temporarily replacing the title bar when the right mouse button is clicked and held (with the selection being made on the release of the right mouse button).

An alternative would be that a single right click would transform the title bar into the menu, and then you can navigate the menu as you normally would, left clicking to select.

This method does not add any extra key presses or mouse clicks in accessing the menu, which I think is crucial, but will save one horizontal bar of vertical space.

Anyone who has used Workbench would remember the right-click and hold would bring up the menu over the title bar. To implement this into Ubuntu I would suggest that the menu bar is removed, but would appear, temporarily replacing the title bar when the right mouse button is clicked and held (with the selection being made on the release of the right mouse button). An alternative would be that a single right click would transform the title bar into the menu, and then you can navigate the menu as you normally would, left clicking to select. This method does not add any extra key presses or mouse clicks in accessing the menu, which I think is crucial, but will save one horizontal bar of vertical space.

Written by DadsAndGrads the 3 Apr 10 at 21:39.

In the new OS X clone style:



This configuration keeps all the current information. If a window is made too small then first the title could be truncated then the menus if need be.

<img src="http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3367/ambicompact.png" /> <br /> In the new OS X clone style: <img src="http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/9748/ambientcompactosxclone.png" /> <br /> This configuration keeps all the current information. If a window is made too small then first the title could be truncated then the menus if need be.

Written by jerome.bouat the 4 Apr 10 at 14:08.

What about putting the current top panel on the left on the desktop ?

The "Applications", "Shortcuts" and "System" menu could be replaced by icons.

The vertical position of panel at the left can lead to less area consumption than the top position of the same panel.

Currently, a 16/10 form ratio screen makes 17/10 form ratio of the maximized windows.

Therefore the panel at the left would make the maximized windows form ratio like ~16/10 instead of 17/10 currently. The horizontal form ratio is mostly used for watching movies in fullscreen. Thus the ~16/10 ratio of the maximized windows would make the use of the firefox and
openoffice easier but not impact the other applications.

What about putting the current top panel on the left on the desktop ? The "Applications", "Shortcuts" and "System" menu could be replaced by icons. The vertical position of panel at the left can lead to less area consumption than the top position of the same panel. Currently, a 16/10 form ratio screen makes 17/10 form ratio of the maximized windows. Therefore the panel at the left would make the maximized windows form ratio like ~16/10 instead of 17/10 currently. The horizontal form ratio is mostly used for watching movies in fullscreen. Thus the ~16/10 ratio of the maximized windows would make the use of the firefox and openoffice easier but not impact the other applications.

Written by la_serpe the 7 Apr 10 at 22:51.

Think about it for a moment. How often do you use Help and About menu for instance? What about the Tabs menu? Isnt it easier to use mouse? Bookmarks and Go have basically the same function. Instead of File you can simply right click on the blank surface. This redundancy isn't only annoying, but it's also confusing. It has been inherited from Windows 3.1 I guess. Let's abandon it finally!

Think about it for a moment. How often do you use Help and About menu for instance? What about the Tabs menu? Isnt it easier to use mouse? Bookmarks and Go have basically the same function. Instead of File you can simply right click on the blank surface. This redundancy isn't only annoying, but it's also confusing. It has been inherited from Windows 3.1 I guess. Let's abandon it finally!

Written by wenex the 9 Jun 10 at 12:04.

For the application you can normaly show or hide statusbar etc.

You should be abele to have there:

show/hide menubar or menu-button or menu-buttons (=for each entry a button; file, edit, view...)
use/not use global menu bar in the panel
merge/unmerge statusbar, titlebar
etc.
preferences for each programm

For the application you can normaly show or hide statusbar etc. You should be abele to have there: show/hide menubar or menu-button or menu-buttons (=for each entry a button; file, edit, view...) use/not use global menu bar in the panel merge/unmerge statusbar, titlebar etc. preferences for each programm

Written by wenex the 7 Jul 10 at 19:47.

a compiz effect that "hide" titlebar, so it looks like the other boarders. When the mousepointer is over the top window boarder, it expands to the titlebar.

give some options to choose hide and unhide delay and how it scales, if its a maximized window ...

merge titlebar and menubar into a single bar with the option to have a menu button in the titlebar.

a compiz effect that "hide" titlebar, so it looks like the other boarders. When the mousepointer is over the top window boarder, it expands to the titlebar. give some options to choose hide and unhide delay and how it scales, if its a maximized window ... merge titlebar and menubar into a single bar with the option to have a menu button in the titlebar.

Written by Lachu the 19 Dec 10 at 10:13.

Titlebars should been hidden, when mouse cursor are above of active/foreground window(having keyboard focus). It should appear again, when some button(like alt) pressed or mouse cursor are outside foreground window. Titlebar isn't part of active window(let's say).
Also titlebar of active window would appear when mouse react on top-corner of window.

In most times we don't need a titlebar at all. We've used it only to move window around or changing active window.
Dialog(like progress dialogs) contains a lot of useful information about which progress it observe... Conclusion is: we need a titlebar only to change active window and drag window around.

When window is maximized we should have top corner displayed, but it will be very small. When window is maximized there's way to display titlebar. On window is foreground we only move cursor at top of it or outside and we can drag it. When mouse is placed outside foreground window, we can also see titlebar of other window.

Titlebars should been hidden, when mouse cursor are above of active/foreground window(having keyboard focus). It should appear again, when some button(like alt) pressed or mouse cursor are outside foreground window. Titlebar isn't part of active window(let's say). Also titlebar of active window would appear when mouse react on top-corner of window. In most times we don't need a titlebar at all. We've used it only to move window around or changing active window. Dialog(like progress dialogs) contains a lot of useful information about which progress it observe... Conclusion is: we need a titlebar only to change active window and drag window around. When window is maximized we should have top corner displayed, but it will be very small. When window is maximized there's way to display titlebar. On window is foreground we only move cursor at top of it or outside and we can drag it. When mouse is placed outside foreground window, we can also see titlebar of other window.

Written by ester4 the 31 Dec 10 at 17:07.

Similar idea to this brainstorm: http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/26826/

Allow users to customize the Titlebar by adding icons and menus to the Titlebar to decrease the need for toolbars below the Titlebar.

Similar idea to this brainstorm: http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/26826/ Allow users to customize the Titlebar by adding icons and menus to the Titlebar to decrease the need for toolbars below the Titlebar.

Written by doyousina the 10 Jan 11 at 21:01.

There's already one project in google code which provides a Mac-like menubar: http://code.google.com/p/gnome2-globalmenu/
Although it doesn't works on firefox and openoffice (applications i use on a daily basis).

There's already one project in google code which provides a Mac-like menubar: http://code.google.com/p/gnome2-globalmenu/ Although it doesn't works on firefox and openoffice (applications i use on a daily basis).