Bug 404969 - Impossible to choose an alternative task manager when panel is full of apps
Summary: Impossible to choose an alternative task manager when panel is full of apps
Status: RESOLVED FIXED
Alias: None
Product: plasmashell
Classification: Plasma
Component: Panel (show other bugs)
Version: 5.15.2
Platform: Arch Linux Linux
: NOR normal
Target Milestone: 1.0
Assignee: Plasma Bugs List
URL:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2019-03-01 23:44 UTC by Patrick Silva
Modified: 2019-03-04 18:04 UTC (History)
2 users (show)

See Also:
Latest Commit:
Version Fixed In: 5.15.3


Attachments
Example for reduced context menu in W10 (56.36 KB, image/png)
2019-03-04 09:45 UTC, Richard Llom
Details

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Description Patrick Silva 2019-03-01 23:44:13 UTC
We can select an alternative widget (icon only, task manager or window list) to use as task manager by right-clicking an empty space of the task manager and selecting "Alternatives...".
However, currently there is no way to open "Alternatives..." menu when the panel is full of apps. It would be very nice if we could access the menu even when the taskbar is full.


SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Operating System: Arch Linux 
KDE Plasma Version: 5.15.2
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.55.0
Qt Version: 5.12.1
Comment 1 Nate Graham 2019-03-02 13:34:14 UTC
Have a patch: https://phabricator.kde.org/D19472
Comment 2 Nate Graham 2019-03-02 14:05:37 UTC
Git commit fd7b359f84617cbab6a232007789b2ed618c4395 by Nate Graham.
Committed on 02/03/2019 at 14:05.
Pushed by ngraham into branch 'Plasma/5.15'.

[Task Manager] Make sure "Alternatives..." context menu item is always available

Summary:
Currently, the Task Manager does not show the {nav Alternatives...} item in the context
menu for tasks, so it's inaccessible when the Task Manager is full. This patch fixes
that.
FIXED-IN: 5.15.3

Test Plan:
- Menu item is visible in the context menu for individual tasks when widgets are unlocked
- Menu item is hidden when widgets are locked
- Menu item works, and shows the {nav Alternatives} panel when clicked
- No duplication in context menu for an empty area of the Task Manager

Reviewers: #plasma, hein

Subscribers: plasma-devel

Tags: #plasma

Differential Revision: https://phabricator.kde.org/D19472

M  +18   -0    applets/taskmanager/package/contents/ui/ContextMenu.qml

https://commits.kde.org/plasma-desktop/fd7b359f84617cbab6a232007789b2ed618c4395
Comment 3 Richard Llom 2019-03-04 09:43:08 UTC
Sorry, but I don't agree with this change.

Switching the task manager widget is a seldom performed task, whereas opening the context for app specific task is quite more often.
With this change more mouse distance and overhead to the already overwhelming menu for the *VAST* majority of uses was added.

Furthermore:
1) "Alternatives" is ambiguous in this context, since one clicked on an application it could also mean an alternative for the application.
2) Even when the task bar is full, one can access the "alternatives" menu from configure panel.

As a compromise I could imagine a sub-menu "Task Manager" which helds the entries for "Configure..." and "Alternatives...",  but I would rather see it gone completly.


Currently the context menu contains every possible action, which is overwhelming and IMHO a disservice to the user. Instead we should try to focus on the task the user actually wants to perform.
Comment 4 Richard Llom 2019-03-04 09:45:27 UTC
Created attachment 118525 [details]
Example for reduced context menu in W10
Comment 5 Patrick Silva 2019-03-04 13:38:11 UTC
(In reply to richardlm from comment #3)
> 2) Even when the task bar is full, one can access the "alternatives" menu
> from configure panel.
panel settings shows no "Alternative..." here.
Comment 6 Nate Graham 2019-03-04 14:13:37 UTC
I agree that the presentation could be improved, and I support that. Please open a new ticket for that request.
Comment 7 Richard Llom 2019-03-04 18:04:28 UTC
(In reply to Patrick Silva from comment #5)
> (In reply to richardlm from comment #3)
> > 2) Even when the task bar is full, one can access the "alternatives" menu
> > from configure panel.
> panel settings shows no "Alternative..." here.

You are right (... till now ;).

I opened a bug a for it: bug 405082 , I still think this issue here can be solved otherwise better...