I know this has been discussed, and a number of people have expressed their view that the TextMate icon isn't too visually pleasing already.
However, using TM in anger today, I keep finding myself searching frantically for the icon in the dock. It's so indistinguishable at a small size that I literally find it hard to see.
So I guess my point is that it's easy to dismiss concerns over the icon as a matter of taste. Unfortunately in this case, and certainly for me, it's a matter of usability - the icon isn't doing its job.
See attached!
I think I'm going to hunt out an alternative to use in the meantime, but I hope that's useful feedback.
drew.
Drew McLellan wrote:
So I guess my point is that it's easy to dismiss concerns over the icon as a matter of taste. Unfortunately in this case, and certainly for me, it's a matter of usability - the icon isn't doing its job.
See attached!
I think I'm going to hunt out an alternative to use in the meantime, but I hope that's useful feedback.
In an attempt to be a little more constructive :)
Here's how my dock looks now I've swapped the TM icon for a bright green splodge. It's the one between Preview and Entourage.
I appreciate that not every application should be competing for attention in the dock, but TM by its nature is likely to be one of the main tools a user is working with during their session, so it makes sense for it to visually stand out more than something like Preview or iSync.
drew.
hey drew, can you run thru everything else on your dock (yes, a little OT!).. there's a few I don't recognise, and I always love knowing what everyone else is using :)
Justin
On 12/10/2004, at 8:57 PM, Drew McLellan wrote:
Drew McLellan wrote:
So I guess my point is that it's easy to dismiss concerns over the icon as a matter of taste. Unfortunately in this case, and certainly for me, it's a matter of usability - the icon isn't doing its job. See attached! I think I'm going to hunt out an alternative to use in the meantime, but I hope that's useful feedback.
In an attempt to be a little more constructive :)
Here's how my dock looks now I've swapped the TM icon for a bright green splodge. It's the one between Preview and Entourage.
I appreciate that not every application should be competing for attention in the dock, but TM by its nature is likely to be one of the main tools a user is working with during their session, so it makes sense for it to visually stand out more than something like Preview or iSync.
drew. <dock2.gif>_______________________________________________ textmate mailing list textmate@lists.macromates.com http://lists.macromates.com/mailman/listinfo/textmate
Justin French wrote:
hey drew, can you run thru everything else on your dock (yes, a little OT!).. there's a few I don't recognise, and I always love knowing what everyone else is using :)
In order (including the obvious)
Finder iChat Thunderbird (personal email) Safari NetNewsWire iTerm RBrowser (SSH file transfer) Fireworks Transmit iSync Firefox Preview TextMate :) Entourage (work email) BBEdit (evil) svnX (subversion client) Backdrop (puts a plain background up for taking screenshots) [divider] Minimized Safari window The Bin.
I don't usually have this much running, to be honest, but it's a busy day. I don't keep anything in the dock, so at any one time it gives me an overview of what's running.
drew.
Drew McLellan wrote:
I don't usually have this much running, to be honest, but it's a busy day. I don't keep anything in the dock, so at any one time it gives me an overview of what's running.
That's what I do too, and launch my apps using QuickSilver. It rocks! :) (although I liked Launchbar a bit better, but QS is free) :)
On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 14:14:09 +0100, Drew McLellan lists@allinthehead.com wrote:
In order (including the obvious)
Finder iChat Thunderbird (personal email) Safari NetNewsWire iTerm RBrowser (SSH file transfer) Fireworks Transmit iSync Firefox Preview TextMate :) Entourage (work email) BBEdit (evil) svnX (subversion client) Backdrop (puts a plain background up for taking screenshots) [divider] Minimized Safari window The Bin.
Thanks for that list, I was about to send an email asking about them. I am usually interested in the more colorful icons and what apps they are. Funny thing about working on a Mac....the icons usually matter and they have to look good. :-)
Patrick
On 12/10/2004, at 8:43 PM, Drew McLellan wrote:
However, using TM in anger today, I keep finding myself searching frantically for the icon in the dock. It's so indistinguishable at a small size that I literally find it hard to see.
I know exactly what you mean, and I'm compiling a gallery of user-submitted alternatives, plus some ideas of my own, in the hope of finding something that we can all agree on.
The good news is, after a little while (less than a week for me), you tend to look for "that brown/purple blob" in the dock, and it actually works... you're probably used to the BBEdit bright blue icon (like I was).
Needless to say, change is planned, but hang in there, you'll get used to it :)
Justin
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Drew McLellan -
Joost Schuttelaar -
Justin French -
Patrick Burleson