James Burgess

Can someone tell me what the obsession is with using independent windows (rather than contained windows) to build applications:

Programs designed like this are a huge barrier to program usability - they simply do not provide an intuitive or easy-to-use interface. Various applications from the program pictured (Synfig Studio) to GIMP to goodness only knows what have adopted this style - and it bugs me so much more than any other user interface I see on a regular basis.

There are a number of reasons for this (aside from the fact that this setup commits virtually every cardinal sin of usability):

1. They break when using Exposé in OS X (okay, so this isn’t the main reason, but it bugs me nonetheless)
2. Your work windows either ends up layering on top of or getting hidden behind toolbars
3. It doesn’t conform to any modern operating system’s native look-and-feel or application layout
4. Sometimes closing a toolbar exits the program without confirmation, or sometimes it simply leaves the toolbar in an irrecoverable state - requiring a restart of the program
5. …
6. Most certainly not profit…

Why, oh why - developers - do you use such stupid techniques? I implore you to stop being morons - stop breaking usability principles!