Bug 462942 - The option to enable floating panel which are toggle button is confusing
Summary: The option to enable floating panel which are toggle button is confusing
Status: RESOLVED FIXED
Alias: None
Product: plasmashell
Classification: Plasma
Component: Panel (other bugs)
Version First Reported In: 5.26.4
Platform: openSUSE Linux
: NOR normal
Target Milestone: 1.0
Assignee: Plasma Bugs List
URL:
Keywords: usability
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2022-12-12 07:01 UTC by akusunu
Modified: 2023-01-03 22:09 UTC (History)
2 users (show)

See Also:
Latest Commit:
Version Fixed/Implemented In: 5.27
Sentry Crash Report:


Attachments
Screenshot of panel configuration options with annotation about reported suggestion. (1.12 MB, image/png)
2022-12-12 07:01 UTC, akusunu
Details

Note You need to log in before you can comment on or make changes to this bug.
Description akusunu 2022-12-12 07:01:10 UTC
Created attachment 154524 [details]
Screenshot of panel configuration options with annotation about reported suggestion.

SUMMARY
The option to activate the floating panel which is a toggle button is confusing because it is placed in a group with the stateless action buttons.

I felt that the behavior of the floating panel button toggle in the edit panel mode was a bit surprising for me who was using it for the first time. At first, I thought that the button had the same behavior as the maximize panel width button or the remove panel button but what I found was actually a toggle.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Enter panel edit mode (floating panel is active)
2. Open "more options"
3. Looking for an option to turn off floating panels

OBSERVED RESULT
Didn't find the option to turn off floating panel but did find a button labeled "floating panel".

EXPECTED RESULT
Find an option to turn off floating panels.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Linux/KDE Plasma: openSUSE Leap 15.4
(available in About System)
KDE Plasma Version: 5.26.4
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.101.0
Qt Version: 5.15.7

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
So here's the story. When I tried the floating panel which then felt it didn't suit me and wanted to return it to a regular panel, I was a little confused in finding the button to return it. Because I couldn't find it, I took the initiative to click the floating panel button again. As a result, a bit of relief, it turned out to be successful in returning the panel to a regular panel.

From that experience, I just realized that the button is actually a toggle. Turns out it has the same behavior as the options to change the alignment, visibility, or opacity of the panels.

Maybe we could consider changing the appearance of the toggle button to the same as the options to change the alignment, visibility, or opacity of the panels because of their similar behavior. I think it's beneficial for the user if things that behave the same way have similar appearance.

Another alternative is to separate the floating panel button from the maximize and remove panel button.
Comment 1 Nate Graham 2023-01-03 21:54:40 UTC
Yeah, it should be a checkbox to indicate its toggle-ability.
Comment 2 Nate Graham 2023-01-03 22:09:44 UTC
Git commit dbd6c7b0898edba68a7eb755409645a8479e0316 by Nate Graham.
Committed on 03/01/2023 at 22:07.
Pushed by ngraham into branch 'master'.

panelconfiguration: use correct control type for "floating panel" toggle

Using a button here is confusing, since nothing communicates that it's a
checkable button, and there's a non-checkable button right next to it.
The correct UI control tu use for checkable actions outside of a
toolbar is a checkbox.
FIXED-IN: 5.27

M  +4    -2    desktoppackage/contents/configuration/panelconfiguration/MoreSettingsMenu.qml

https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-desktop/commit/dbd6c7b0898edba68a7eb755409645a8479e0316