New NM applet is less useful -- bug filed

[SteveRiley]

https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=326456

Here's what I wrote...

Need scrollbar or expanding window

Without a scrollbar, there is no visual cue to indicate that it is necessary to scroll the contents to see all connections. It was rather by accident that I discovered this requirement when I otherwise couldn't find my VPN connection in the list anymore.

Preferably, though, please provide a configurable option that allows the window to expand to a size that would list all connections. I'm aware of bug 319198. I disagree with the reasoning. There is no particular requirement that all windows behave the same. It is far more useful for the NM-applet window to automatically resize itself to display everything in one glance than to require users to unnecessarily perform scrolling actions. This is a case where utility -- showing all information -- should be more important than consistency. No one is confused by an applet window that changes size. People are confused when they have to scroll and there's no indication that scrolling is necessary.

Please add comments and/or vote if you agree.

In general, the rewriting of much of the Plasma bits in QML seems to be accompanied by a desire to "simplify" things. I hope this trend doesn't go too far.

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Edit: fixed the link in the URL to point to my bug number, not the other one

[tek_heretik]

If I think I know what you are talking about, yep, GUI 'downsizing' is going too far, especially to new people, the uber geeks will know what simplified icons, etc are, but not new people to devices/OS's. Myself being a seasoned nerd, have had to stop and take a step back for a few seconds to determine what's what and what to do with it. I know that sounds generalized but it covers both smartphones and OS GUI's.

My response to missing scrollbar(s)...

[Snowhog]

But it's a widget, and widgets (well behaved/coded ones) can be 'expanded', and NM is such. Just move the mouse to the top (or bottom if your Panel is at the top of your screen) corners to get the < - > cursor. Click and drag. Simple.

But I didn't even do that. I noticed a partial entry at the bottom of the list, so I just used my mouse scroll wheel.

[SteveRiley]

Just move the mouse to the top (or bottom if your Panel is at the top of your screen) corners to get the < - > cursor. Click and drag. Simple.

You know, I have never really made use of widgets on my desktop, so this didn't even occur to me! When I placed the mouse cursor on any of the flat edges of the widget's window, the pointer didn't change to a resize indicator. To me, that's a clue that no resize capability is allowed at all. I suppose it's been standard that Plasma widgets have always been resizable only via the corners -- if so, that's new for me. I still think that's difficult to discover.

But I didn't even do that. I noticed a partial entry at the bottom of the list, so I just used my mouse scroll wheel.

Interesting clue. My initial widget shape was aligned such that no partial entry appeared.

[SteveRiley]

I also just realized that I had the wrong URL in my clipboard when I copy/pasta'ed it into my initial post. I've edited it to point to the bug I filed.

[Snowhog]

Well, it's obvious then, that you've been spending way to much time at Milliways! Come back to reality dude! Stay away from the light!! DO NOT GO INTO THE LIGHT!!!!!

[SteveRiley]

LOL. You're closer to the truth than you realize. I have had biz trips every week this month. I'm home now, and, blissfully, have no scheduled travel until December.

[Feathers McGraw]

Agree. It's pretty, though

Feathers

[GreyGeek]

I hope this trend doesn't go too far.

That's two of us. I "support" several people. That's in quotes because like the Maytag repairman I rarely get calls. Only one person has called in the last year. He has been using Kubuntu 9.04 since the spring of 2009. He has four kids and it was the DVD cup holder routine ("Jerry, my DVD doesn't work any more.") because a little one thought that it was to hold his drink. When it jammed he forced it back into the bay by hand. Several are elderly. What they all have in common is that any kind of change completely confuses them. Only security updates are allowed, automatically in the background. Not hearing from them sometimes makes me wonder if they abandon Kubuntu and returned to Windows, so I ask when I meet them while shopping, or call them occasionally, and they report they are having no problems. Just to drive home the point of why they switched to Linux I usually add "Isn't it nice not to worry about viruses or pay for Norton?" "YES!" they reply.

[richb]

You know, I have never really made use of widgets on my desktop, so this didn't even occur to me! When I placed the mouse cursor on any of the flat edges of the widget's window, the pointer didn't change to a resize indicator. To me, that's a clue that no resize capability is allowed at all. I suppose it's been standard that Plasma widgets have always been resizable only via the corners -- if so, that's new for me. I still think that's difficult to discover.


Interesting clue. My initial widget shape was aligned such that no partial entry appeared.

You have to move the mouse to the upper or lower corner not an edge. Works well for me, and use it all the time.

[Feathers McGraw]

He has four kids and it was the DVD cup holder routine ("Jerry, my DVD doesn't work any more.") because a little one thought that it was to hold his drink.

Well...this is awkward! You mean it's NOT a cup holder?

[GreyGeek]

Well, it can be. Depends on how badly you need it!

[Feathers McGraw]

Lenovo may as well go all the way and make their optical drives dual purpose. Would be a very bold statement about how rugged they are! The Thinkpads already have spill resistant keyboards...

Feathers

[geoaraujo]

The old nm-applet was much better...

[richb]

One vote for the new one. Maybe the only one.