2009/2/10 Janne Ojaniemi <janne.ojaniemi@gmail.com>:
> Instead of using a separate dialog-box (even if it was integrated one, like
> sheets is MacOS), how about presenting the dialog-box as part of the "master
> window"? The windows could resize a bit, providing a space for the
> dialog-box between the titlebar and the toolbar (for example). It would not
> obscure the content at all, and once the user dismisses the dialog, the
> space is re-claimed for the app. Of course it would have to be made obvious
> to the user, so that he notices it.

I admit to not really being a fan of this.  I like the mac approach
because it also prevents confusion: once you move a modal window away
from its "master" the association between the two is weakenned - even
where greying and other effects are used on the master.  I have found
myself (for example) wondering why an app won't respond when the only
reason is that it has a file dialogue open that I've moved.

I admit however to often wanting to peek back at the application under
the modal window and this is a pain on mac because to means closing
the window then reopening - an action that often looses state like the
current directory / modified values.

So there is an opportunity to do things differently here:  perhaps
some control that allows you to see through (and click through for the
purpose of selecting and copying text for example) the modal window to
the application underneath; perhaps rather than transparency the modal
window could be "lifted" in 3D (like the bonnet of a car) or pulled up
and down like a blind (shading); perhaps it should be possible to move
a modal window but have it snap back to position when the mouse button
is released or after a certain "idle" time has passed.  I think
something like this would better match the work-flow associated with a
modal window.

Just my 2c.
_______________________________________________
kwin mailing list
kwin@kde.org
https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kwin