A Strange Question

June 20, 2003 4:58 AM from

I want to swap the positions of the minimize and maximize buttons on my windows. Something about it just bugs me. I've always felt this way, ever since I started out with Windows.

The emergence of the color-coded OSX just sealed things for me. Look at the colors of the three buttons - amber, green, red. It's wrong. Just plain wrong. I get confused at traffic lights now.

I've played with it a little and I actually think it makes Windows more intuitive to have the buttons in the order maximize, minimize, close. Will I get stoned to death by making this ground-breaking change in my next skin?

3,312 views 9 replies

Reply #1 June 20, 2003 5:00 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

I hate confusion, I hate when buttons get moved, I hate them in the wrong order, I hate new ideas.

I'll look forward to seeing it though

Reply #2 June 20, 2003 5:02 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

It could probably ease the transition if the symbols on the buttons are very intuitive, so the functions are very obvious. The habit of always clicking the middle button to maximize, etc. would be a little hard to overcome but not insurmountable.

[Message Edited]

Reply #3 June 20, 2003 5:48 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

Hmm, I always catch myself pressing the wrong buttons when a skin uses them different from the 'norm'. I can't count how often I was completely confused with Carbonix for example.

And that is only one button sitting on the left instead of right... I would compare clicking the mouse to using the keyboard. Some things are done so automated, that You don't think anymore. A good example is the difference between US-American and german keyboards. 'Y' and 'Z' are on a different position. I will never ever get used to that when I am in another country. So to make a long story short : I wouldn't change them.

Reply #4 June 20, 2003 6:08 AM from

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It's entirely strange just how quickly something different can feel 'just right'....most of my recent WB skins have the buttons on the left.....and the moment I switched to a 'normal' skin I was lost....for quite a while. But if you cannot handle something fresh and interesting then get out of skinning RIGHT NOW....because that 'SHOULD' be what we are all about....

Reply #5 June 20, 2003 6:22 AM from

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Nothing wrong with something different, as long as it's clear. The min and max buttons must be very clear. I suggest if you switch then try to use the normal min/max symbols on the buttons.

Reply #6 June 20, 2003 7:03 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

I personally like to mix things up a bit, but I think the average user typically prefers the buttons to be in their usual locations. You could always add a subdesign to appease those people though.

Reply #7 June 20, 2003 7:58 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

MikeB314 got there before i did

a subskin with the buttons the "normal" way around would pre-emt all the "can you put the buttons the right way round" requests

Reply #8 June 20, 2003 9:57 AM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

The subskin is a good idea.

Reply #9 June 20, 2003 4:49 PM from

WinCustomize Forums Top

Yes ,If the subskin is labeled clearly.Many skins have substyles but usually there is nothing to tell whats different about them.

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