Bug 499767 - Confusion/clutter with settings underneath "Switch desktop on edge"
Summary: Confusion/clutter with settings underneath "Switch desktop on edge"
Status: CONFIRMED
Alias: None
Product: systemsettings
Classification: Applications
Component: kcm_kwinscreenedges (show other bugs)
Version: 6.2.5
Platform: Other Linux
: NOR normal
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: KWin default assignee
URL:
Keywords: usability
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2025-02-10 16:58 UTC by John Veness
Modified: 2025-02-19 20:30 UTC (History)
4 users (show)

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Description John Veness 2025-02-10 16:58:37 UTC
SUMMARY
It is not immediately obvious that the settings underneath "Switch desktop on edge" (Activation delay, Reactivation delay, Corner barrier, Edge barrier) are all to do with the "Switch desktop on edge" setting. Also they are visually cluttering. Maybe they should be greyed out if "Switch desktop on edge" is disabled. In addition, maybe those four settings should be moved behind some kind of Configure button, whether or not "Switch desktop on edge" is disabled.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Open System Settings
2. Browse to Mouse & Touchpad > Screen Edges
3. Notice that (by default) "Switch desktop on edge" is Disabled
4. Look at the settings underneath it (Activation delay, Reactivation delay, Corner barrier, Edge barrier)

OBSERVED RESULT
Confusion about what those settings are for.

EXPECTED RESULT
Clarity about those settings, e.g. by being greyed out if "Switch desktop on edge" is Disabled, and/or being hidden behind a Configure button which shows an additional dialogue.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Operating System: openSUSE Tumbleweed 20250209
KDE Plasma Version: 6.2.5
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.10.0
Qt Version: 6.8.2
Kernel Version: 6.13.1-1-default (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: X11

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
I'm imaging this as if from a "naive first-time user exploring System Settings" point of view.
Comment 1 John Veness 2025-02-10 17:03:04 UTC
Frankly, I am not at all clear what those four settings do, even after fiddling with them a bit!
Comment 2 Christian (Fuchs) 2025-02-19 18:57:10 UTC
Are you 100% sure that these are only for edge switching? 
Especially considering the on-hover tooltip, but also in general, I'd say they go for all actions, at least the majority of them.
Comment 3 John Veness 2025-02-19 20:30:52 UTC
I'm not 100% sure of anything with regards to those buttons tbh! Which I think demonstrates the confusion. I can guess what an activation delay is, but not a reactivation delay or a corner or edge barrier.

I thought they were related to edge switching because there's a slightly larger gap above the "Switch desktop on edge" setting, making me think that it and the four settings below were all in one section and therefore related.