Version: SVN: Version 0.10.0-beta2 (rev.: 832007) (using KDE 4.0.83) While giving Digikam 0.10 to some friends to test, two users were startled by the 'complicated' interface. This has been expressed to me in the past by other Digikam users as well (I have quite a few people that I have installed Kubuntu for). It appears that many users do not like four sides of interface options. Digikam has a menubar and toolbar at the top, a side panel on the left, another sidepanel on the right, and then a zoom and quick search bar at the bottom. For these users, the bottom bar and one of the sidebars must go! In my opinion Digikam could be made a bit more inviting to simple users by adopting Kate's tabs idea. In Kate, one can click on a sidebar tab and configure it's presentation. Digikam could incorporate this as well, with options to remove and switch sidebars for each tab.
Created attachment 26131 [details] mockup
Dotan, None have been designed in digiKam to be set sidebar configurable. On the left all physical and virtual albums and search tool, on the right all contextual informations tools. Also, this subject have been already discuted indeep in the pass. The static sidebar way have been choosen to provide an homogenous interface always suitable and that users than remember everywhere. Making sidebar dockable will break interface and usability. In other words, we will never use this way. Sorry... Gilles Caulier
I disagree that that making the sidebar dockable will break interface (from a user point of view) and usability because those who don't want to use the feature don't have to use the feature. But I respect your decision as a developer and it's your baby to do with as you see fit. Thanks!