Once again, Ubuntu finds a way to separate itself from both Apple and Microsoft as it ready’s to move from application menus to a new HUD.
Check this out:
Unity’s New Heads-Up Display
[tentblogger-youtube w_WW-DHqR3c]
The Windows Start Menu search could quickly get an application launched, but this takes keyed functions to a whole new level!
What do you think of this approach?
I have mixed feelings.
On one hand, I love the idea of keying my way to what I’m looking for, instead of going through menu motions. At the same time, it takes program exploration out of computing. I think this has the potential of eliminating the “play” element. You could be missing out on potentially great features of an app, because you never passed by it while doing something else. Unless you know what to key in, how do you know?
I always thought if you didn’t want to use your menus for processes you used regularly, you would simply learn the keyboard shortcut.
Do you think we’ll see something like this come to Apple or Microsoft?
[via How-To Geek]
Ben Miller says
I don’t think it has to be either/or. You could have both a menu and a quick command-line launcher.
The search box in Windows 7 has almost all of this functionality now. I can hit the Windows key on the keyboard and start typing the name of a program to launch it, type a search term to find a file or e-mail (even in Thunderbird), or type a web address to open it up my default browser (Firefox).
Eric Dye says
I agree. I think a mix is the way to go. Taking the Windows 7 app launcher concept and applying it to app menus, but still giving you the full menu when you want it.
Phil Schneider says
I think “when you want it” is exactly right. I would love to have the option of switching off the menu in certain programs where I already know the shortcuts and don’t need to do any exploring.
Ben Miller says
I don’t think I would want a universal search box that works in app menus. Using the example in the video, if figuring out how to undo is so hard that you have to do a search for it, then the app is not designed very well, IMHO.
It just doesn’t seem like a very useful feature to me.
Bezalel says
I respect the work put into it as a developer… and it may be very useful in some cases, but I think it’s one of those things that are catchy but get boring eventually…
I think I would also prefer shortcuts to this route
†
Eric Dye says
This kind of reminds me of Windows 3D task switcher.
“Oh, cool!”
But, alt-tab is quicker and easier.