Version: (using KDE 4.0.83) The current Analog Clock in the panel had much wasted space, making the time small and difficult to read. I propose that the user be able to zoom the clock, with detail from the sides removed so that the zoomed applet fits on the panel. Note in the enclosed attachment the increased detail and readability, while the applet still fits on the panel of constant size. My attachment was drafted with a vertical panel, as that is my preference. However, the idea translates the same for horizontal panels.
Created attachment 25732 [details] Proposal for Analog Clock panel applet zoom
Created attachment 32285 [details] Updated proposal that shows current default theme's clock. The first image is the current clock, as is. The second image is a slightly zoomed clock, with some non-essential upper and lower parts trimmed. The third image is an exaggerated zoomed clock, with all non-essential upper and lower parts trimmed.
use a larger panel or a non-analog clock or a theme with a crisper clock?
Actually, Aaron, the clocks in the screenshots are in a larger panel for illustration purposes. The default analog clock is completely unreadable, see bug #190173. Your suggestions for changing currently available settings are not always reasonable, as changing the theme often leads to other usability problems, and increasing the panel size has adverse effects on many other Plasmoids, see bug #167132. I know that you are keen on usability issues and I really do not want to piss you off. I suppose that implementing bug #187767 would solve this issue and several others (as outlined in that bug). Thanks, Aaron, with KDE 4.2 the desktop is once again usable in a production environment and we are thankful that it is only small, easy to fix issues like this that prevent an enjoyable work experience.
We have discussed this option on the plasma developers list and decided this option will not be added to the standard clock widget.
Good work, John, revisiting all the open issues and trimming them down to size. Thanks!