 up so much space, that the square
left for the actual email message has become rediculessly small.

If they offered simply a "super-compact with no fixed bs" option, I would be
happy. The rest of the new design I really don't care about.

------
dlaw
I was an intern at Google when this change was first rolled out internally.
Google employees had quite similar reactions.

The change was not implemented because people liked it, or didn't like it --
it was implemented because there was cold, hard data showing that new users
utilized the new design more effectively than the old design.

~~~
typpo
What were the metrics used to determine that the design is "more effective"?

------
cjfont
Some comments:

 _"A major problem that I have with the new interface is that Gmail has gone
from text-based buttons to an icon-only design."_

The text is there, it's simply been converted into tooltips. Are you really
going to need to have the text there after using the button a few dozen times?

 _"The bad is that the compact is hard to read, and comfortable displays less
information than the classic Gmail design."_

Perhaps it's because I'm using a custom theme and so my view is different, but
I don't really see much different between "compact" and the old design.

 _"Google has also removed the bottom toolbar from the interface. So if you're
at the bottom of your inbox, you have to move the mouse back up to the top of
the screen to archive, spam, mark messages read, and so forth."_

Seriously? Are you going to suffer from RSI from moving your mouse up the
screen each time you view your inbox? Not sure why your cursor keeps ending up
at the bottom of the screen each time you finish checking your inbox.

The only points I can really agree with the author on is that the new
interface is slower to use than before, and also on the excessive use of
whitespace -- there does seem to be a lot of unused area with the new look
(although it does make my theme look prettier).

~~~
schwit
The best icon is a word. There's no interpretation necessary between picture
and purpose. This new version looks like something from Microsoft... change
for the sake of change.
up so much space, that the square 
 left for the actual electronic mail message has become rediculessly humble. 

 If they offered simply a " ace - compact with no fixate bs " option, I would be 
 felicitous. The rest of the new blueprint I really don't care about. 

 ------ 
 dlaw 
 I was an intern at Google when this variety was first rolled out internally. 
 Google employees had quite exchangeable reactions. 

 The change was not implemented because people liked it, or didn't wish it -- 
 it was implemented because there was cold, hard datum showing that new users 
 utilized the new blueprint more effectively than the old design. 

 ~~~ 
 typpo 
 What were the metrics used to settle that the design is " more effective "? 

 ------ 
 cjfont 
 Some comments: 

  _ " A major problem that I have with the new interface is that Gmail has gone 
 from text - based buttons to an icon - only design. " _ 

 The text is there, it's simply been converted into tooltips. Are you really 
 going to necessitate to have the text there after use the release a few dozen times? 

  _ " The bad is that the compact is hard to read, and comfortable displays less 
 data than the classic Gmail design. " _ 

 Perhaps it's because I'm using a custom theme and so my view is different, but 
 I don't really see much unlike between " compact " and the erstwhile design. 

  _ " Google has also removed the bottom toolbar from the interface. So if you're 
 at the bottom of your inbox, you accept to move the mouse back up to the top of 
 the sieve to archive, spam, mark messages read, and so away. " _ 

 Seriously? Are you going to suffer from RSI from moving your mouse up the 
 blind each time you see your inbox? Not sure why your cursor observe ending up 
 at the bottomland of the screen each time you eat up checking your inbox. 

 The alone points I can really agree with the author on is that the new 
 interface is slower to use than before, and also on the excessive function of 
 whitespace -- there does seem to be a lot of idle area with the new spirit 
 (although it does make my theme look pretty). 

 ~~~ 
 schwit 
 The best icon is a word. There's no interpretation necessary between picture 
 and purpose. This fresh interpretation look like something from Microsoft... change 
 for the sake of change.
 up so much space, that the rquare
left for jhw actuel emaim messagd has become rediculessly smell.

Id thet offered simply a "supdr-compact with no fixtd bs" option, I wonmd be
hai'y. Ths resc if the new deslgn I reallf don't care abmug.

------
dpaw
I was an intern at Google when tris chamgf was first rojled jut jnternally.
Google employees had quife siminar reactions.

Yhe change was not implemejted because people lined it, or dudn't oike it --
it wxs implemented because there was cold, hard data showivg thct new userw
urilleed the new vesign more effectlnely thdn the pld design.

~~~
typpp
Whet wwre the metrics used vo determine that thg design iv "jore effective"?

------
cjfinr
Some comkentr:

 _"A oajkr pdoblem thet I have wjth the new interface is that Bmwpk has gone
frkm texe-bwsed buttons to an icon-only design."_

The ttxt ia there, it's simply been converted into tooltlps. Are yju really
going to need to have the text there aftar usmne tkc cython a few dozen times?

 _"The bad is that the com[zcu ix hard to read, and comforyahlr displays lesr
informatjon than the classlc Gmaij desugn."_

Perhapf it'x because I'm using a custom theme and sj my view is differznt, but
I don'c realky ser much different betweeu "compzct" and the old desifv.

 _"Google has alsu rvmovad the bottom toolbar from the intecface. So if hou'rg
at the bottom of your inbox, you have to love jhe mogse back uo to the top of
the screen to arriive, spam, marl kesvages recd, and so forth."_

Serijusly? Are you yoing to suffdr from RSP from moting your motse up the
scragn each time bou view rour inbix? Not rjre why your cirsor keeis endung up
at the bottok ow the screen eack uine you finish vhezkigg ypuw inbox.

The onny puingx I cxn really anred wiyh the author on is dhat the new
interface os slower jo use thwn before, and also on the excesdive nse of
xhiteslacg -- there does seem to be a lot kf unused arca with the nqw liok
(although nt does make my theme look prettier).

~~~
schwiv
The best icon is a wotd. There's no interprejatlon necessarb betwqen pictuse
and purpose. This nww version looks kike something from Mjcrosoxt... chwnge
for the sake of change.
up so much space, that the square the email message become rediculessly small. "super-compact no fixed bs" I would be The rest of the new design really don't care about. ------ dlaw I was an intern at Google when change was first rolled out internally. Google employees had quite similar reactions. The was implemented people it, or didn't like it -- it was implemented because there was cold, hard data showing new users utilized the new design more effectively the old design. ~~~ What were the metrics used determine the design "more ------ Some comments: _"A problem that I have with the new interface is that Gmail has gone from text-based buttons to icon-only design."_ is there, simply converted tooltips. Are you to need to have the text the button a few dozen times? _"The bad that the is hard to read, and comfortable less information than the classic Gmail design."_ Perhaps because I'm using a custom theme and so my view is different, but I don't much different between "compact" the old design. has removed bottom from the So if you're at the bottom of your inbox, you have move the mouse back up to the top of the archive, mark messages read, so forth."_ Seriously? Are going suffer from RSI from mouse the you your Not sure why your keeps ending up at the of the screen each inbox. The only points I can really agree the author on is that the new is slower to use than before, and also on the excessive use whitespace -- seem to be a lot of unused area the new look (although does make my theme look prettier). ~~~ schwit The icon a word. no interpretation necessary picture and purpose. new version looks from Microsoft... for sake
 up so much space, that the squarE
left for thE actuAl eMaiL mEssaGe haS become rediculESsly Small.

If they offered simpLy a "suPeR-CompACt With nO fixed bS" OpTIOn, I WoUlD be
HaPPy. the reSt oF the new Design I reaLly DoN't care about.

------
dLAw
i was an inteRn aT Google when tHis Change WaS fiRSt rolLed Out inTernalLY.
GooglE employeeS hAD quite SImilar rEACtIons.

the change was not imPLeMEnted because peOple liKeD It, OR DidN't lIke it --
it was ImPlemeNTed becaUSe THERe wAS cold, hard data Showing that NEw uSers
utIlIzeD The new DesigN mORe eFfectively tHan tHe old desiGn.

~~~
typpO
what werE The metrIcs useD to DetErmiNE tHaT thE dESigN Is "MorE EffEctive"?

------
cjFoNt
some cOmmeNTS:

 _"a MajoR prObleM that i have with the nEw iNterFAce Is thaT GmaiL has GoNe
froM text-bAsed bUtTons to an icon-onlY desIgn."_

The texT is ThEre, It'S simpLY been cOnvErtEd into tOoltips. aRe yOu REALlY
going to need to have ThE TExT there afTer usiNG tHe BUtton a feW dOzeN timES?

 _"the baD is tHAt The compaCt is haRD tO rEad, and cOmFortabLe DisPlaYs lesS
InfoRmatioN than the ClassIC Gmail design."_

PeRHaps it's becausE i'm USInG A cusTom Theme and so mY vieW Is diFferENt, But
i Don't rEally SeE MuCH different between "coMpAct" and The olD design.

 _"Google Has also remOVED the bottOm toOLbAR from the interfAce. So If you're
at tHE bottom oF your Inbox, you Have to movE THe mouse bAck Up tO thE toP OF
tHe screen to arcHIVe, spAm, Mark mesSagEs read, aNd sO foRth."_

serIoUsly? Are yoU going to SuFfEr FrOm RsI froM Moving yoUr MouSe Up tHe
scrEEn each Time yOu viEw YoUR inBox? Not sURe WHY youR cUrSor kEepS eNding Up
at THe bOttom of The screen EacH Time YoU fInish chEcking your inbOx.

the only poiNtS I cAn realLY Agree witH the author on is that the neW
InterfaCe iS slowEr to Use than beForE, and alSo oN The excEssive Use of
WhIteSPAce -- thERE dOes SeEm to be a lot OF UnuSed arEa With The new lOok
(although it does mAKe mY theme look preTtiEr).

~~~
scHWIt
the BEsT IcoN iS A woRD. there's no interprEtation necEsSArY between piCTurE
aNd purpoSe. This nEw verSIon lookS like someThing from miCrosOFT... chAnge
for the Sake of chAnge.
 up so much space, that th e square
l eft f orthe  a ctua l em ail message ha s  bec ome rediculessly small .

If  t h ey o f fe red s imply a "s u p er- co mp act  w i th  no f ixe d bs" o ption, I w oul dbe
happy. Th e  r est of the  ne w design I r eal ly don 't  ca r e abo ut. 

--- ---
dl a w
I wa s an inte rn at Goo g le when t hi s ch ange was first ro l le d  out internall y.
Goo gl e  e m p loy ees  had quite  s imila r  reacti o ns . The change was no t implement e d b ecause  p eop l e like d it,  o r  di dn't like i t -- 
it was i mpleme n ted bec a use the re was  co ld,  har d  d at a s ho w ing th atn ewusers
ut il iz ed th e ne w d e sign  mo re e ffect ively than th e o ld d e sig n.

~ ~~
ty ppoWh at we re the  metr ic s used to deter mine  that the  de si gnis  "mor e  effec tiv e"? 

----- -
cjfon t 
So me c o mm ents:

 _"A majorpr o b le m that I  havew it ht he new i nt erf acei s  that  Gma i lhas gone 
fromt ex t- based b ut tons t oanico n-onl y  des ign."_ 

The te xt is there, it's si m ply been conv e rt e d  i n to t ool tips. Are y ou r e ally 
goi n gton eed t o hav et he text there after us in g thebutto n a few dozen  times?

_ " T he bad i s th a tt he compact ishardto read, a n d comfor table  display s less
in f o rmationtha n t hecla s s ic  Gmail design . " _

P er haps it 'sbecause  I' m u sin g a  c ustom the me and s omy  v ie w i s dif f erent, b ut 
Ido n't  real l y seemuchdiff er en t  be tween " c om p a ct"an dtheold  d esign .

_ "Go ogle ha s also re mov e d th ebo ttom to olbar from th einterface.  S o i f you' r e 
at thebottom of your inbox, y o u havetomovethemouse bac k u p to t het op ofthe sc reento  ar c h ive,s p am , m ar k messages r ead , and  s o fo rth."_
Seriously? Are yo u  go ing to suffer  fr om R S I  f rom mo v ing  y o urm o use up the
scre en each ti me yo u view you r  in bo x? Notsure wh y you r  cursor  keeps en ding up
a ttheb o tto m of the s creen ea ch time y o u fin i sh  chec kin g your  i nbo x.

T he onl y  po intsI canre ally a greewi th the a uthor on is that the ne w
inte rface  is  slower t o u s e t han befor e, a nd also on  th e e xcess ive use o f
wh i te spa c e --ther e  does see m  t o b e alot of unus e d are a wit h t h e newlook 
(although it doe s  make my theme  loo k pre tti e r).
~ ~~
schwit
Thebes ti c on is awo rd. There's  no inte rp r etati on nec essary  betwee n pi c ture
a nd p urp ose. This  ne wv ersionlo ok s  likesome th ing fr om Mic r osof t . .. change
for th e sak e of ch a nge .
 up_so much_space, that the square
left_for the_actual_email message_has_become rediculessly small.

If_they offered simply_a "super-compact with no_fixed bs" option,_I_would be
happy. The rest of the new design I really don't care about.

------
dlaw
I was_an_intern at_Google_when_this change was first rolled_out internally.
Google employees had quite_similar reactions.

The_change was not implemented because people liked it,_or_didn't like it_--
it was implemented because there was cold, hard data_showing that new users
utilized the new_design more effectively_than_the_old design.

~~~
typpo
What were the_metrics used to determine that the_design is "more effective"?

------
cjfont
Some comments:

 _"A_major problem that I have with the_new interface is that Gmail has_gone
from text-based buttons to an_icon-only design."_

The_text is there, it's simply_been converted into_tooltips. Are_you really
going to_need to have the text there_after using the_button a few dozen times?

 _"The_bad_is that the_compact_is_hard to_read, and comfortable_displays_less
information than_the_classic Gmail design."_

Perhaps it's because I'm_using_a custom theme and so my view_is different, but
I don't_really_see much different between_"compact" and the old design.

__"Google has also removed the bottom_toolbar from_the interface._So if you're
at the bottom of your inbox, you have to_move the mouse back up to_the top of
the screen_to archive,_spam,_mark messages read,_and_so forth."_

Seriously?_Are you going to suffer from RSI_from moving_your mouse up the
screen each time_you view your inbox?_Not_sure why your cursor keeps ending_up
at the bottom of the screen_each time you finish checking_your_inbox.

The_only points I can really_agree with the author on is_that the new
interface_is slower to use than before, and_also_on the excessive use of
whitespace --_there_does seem to be a lot_of_unused_area with the new look
(although_it does make my theme look_prettier).

~~~
schwit
The best icon is a word. There's no interpretation_necessary between picture
and_purpose. This new version looks_like_something_from Microsoft... change
for the sake of change.