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List:       kde-usability
Subject:    Toolbar item separators: spacer vs. line
From:       Sandro Giessl <ceebx () users ! sourceforge ! net>
Date:       2004-02-05 21:56:29
Message-ID: 200402052256.29902.ceebx () users ! sourceforge ! net
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Hi all,

I'm not happy with the way toolbar item separators are handled by the 
KXMLGUIFactory.
There are two sorts of seperators:
- blank spacer: It's defined with "<Separator/>" in KDE's .rc files, is 
the default and most KDE apps are using it.
http://www.tnt22.com/files_sandro/spacesep.png
- line separator: Defined with something like "<Separator 
lineSeparator="true"/>". Only very few apps are using it and it's not 
possible to add it with the "Configure Toolbars...". To get it, you 
have to hack the .ui file by hand.
http://www.tnt22.com/files_sandro/linesep.png

I would like to propose two usability improvements:
- It sould be possible to distinguish between them in the toolbar 
dialog, maybe call the one "--- Spacer ---" and the other "--- Line 
---" or what ever. This would make it possible for those who prefer one 
kind of separator in favor of the other to configure their toolbars for 
their needs.
- I think line separators should definitely be made default -- add 
"<Separator/>" to get the line and disable the line using "<Separator 
lineSeparator="false"/>".
The spacers are just too inconspicuous and thus they serve almost no 
usability purpose. IMHO all they do is to make the toolbars look even 
more cluttered as they are; visually impaired people might not even 
notice them.

What do you think?
I will try to write the patches if you agree with me.

regards,
  Sandro
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