Version:           1.4 (using KDE 4.4.3)
Installed from:    Archlinux Packages

This is a wishlist to implement newtab, split and close view buttons next to the pane (as most browsers now do).

It is true that these functions are already available in the toolbar. However, this wishlist does not imply a duplication of controls. Instead, by using the buttons instead of the toolbar icons, more space can be cleared up in the toolbar, giving it a cleaner look (and putting more emphasis on the semantic search bar in the process).

In what follows, refer to the attachment. In each of the attached figures, the top half is the current view in Dolphin and the lower half is a mockup of my wishlist. The suggested changes have been highlighted by a red circle.

fig1: Shows the default view. One tab open with one view pane. My idea is to add a newtab button like many browsers do. In my mockup, I've added it to the top right hand side of the view pane. In addition to the new tab button, I've also shown a split view button. I'll get to this in a moment.

fig2: The user has pressed the new tab button, creating a new tab. A close tab button shows up on each tab. In the mockup, the new tab button remains visible (to create more tabs), and the split view button moves to the view pane.

fig3: The user has split the view of the new tab. Notice that the split view button has changed into a close view button. Notice also that another close view button has appeared at the top right of the new view. Clicking these will close the corresponding view. This solves the problem of having only one close view button in the toolbar and having to activate a view pane to close it. Now, you can close either view pane with just one click.

fig4: Here it is in the single tab mode. Only one tab exists (perhaps the user closed the older tab) and the close view buttons show up for each view pane.

Hope this explains it clearly. This will streamline the use of tabs and split/close views in Dolphin. If you need any clarifications, just ask!