Merge dash/dock and top bar
While I think the stock shell is nice ootb for most of the users, I feel there should be an option to merge the top bar and the dash to get a windows-like look. In my opinion this would provide a familiar interface for the user and ease users into Linux/GNOME which come from windows.
The dash to panel extension already does that. If there was an option in settings (at least for desktop users) to get this look I take it this would let the user decide which UI they want:
- similar to MacOs
- or similar to Windows
- their own choice
The applications drawer could be accessed from either side and function as applications menu button. In my opinion this also has the huge advantage that calender, clock and quick settings are right beside the "taskbar". This allows e.g. opening a program and then being able to quickly access the calender without having to "travel" all the way to the top with the cursor.
I don't have any mockups per se, I'll just share the screenshots of stock shell 42 with the extension enabled:
Regular "taskbar": variable size:
(I don't know why there is this bird icon instead of the dots)
I feel that Linux is all about choice, and the user should be given some customization as to whether the top bar should be standalone or combined with the dock.