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Some apps like Kopete and Amarok2 don't close when you click the cross in the right hand corner of the window, they instead minimise to the system tray.

I think it would be nice if apps such as these could have a different appearance for the close button so as to indicate visually that it doesn't really "close" the app in the usual sense.

GilesBathgate wrote:Some apps like Kopete and Amarok2 don't close when you click the cross in the right hand corner of the window, they instead minimise to the system tray.

I think it would be nice if apps such as these could have a different icon for the close icon so as to indicate visually that it doesn't really "close" the app in the usual sense.

I edited title to say button instead of an icon, as it makes more sens and I think you mean the button not the icon...
I would also recommend you to change "icon" in text to "button", but that's your decision.

I'm not sure I understand exactly what it is you're proposing.

As I take it, it can mean either:

1. A program designed to minimize to the systray when you hit the close-button should render the close-button differently to make it look different than say Dolphin.
2. A program designed to minimize to the systray when you hit the close-button should have an additional button: that is, one to really close the program and one to minimize to the systray.

Personally, I prefer the Amarok method. First time you try to close it it warns you that it is still running in the systray, with a checkbox to suppress the warning in the future.

Kryten2X4B wrote:I'm not sure I understand exactly what it is you're proposing.

As I take it, it can mean either:

1. A program designed to minimize to the systray when you hit the close-button should render the close-button differently to make it look different than say Dolphin.
2. A program designed to minimize to the systray when you hit the close-button should have an additional button: that is, one to really close the program and one to minimize to the systray.

Personally, I prefer the Amarok method. First time you try to close it it warns you that it is still running in the systray, with a checkbox to suppress the warning in the future.

I envisaged that the close button should be rendered differently since you cannot close this type of application in the usual way. (so 1)

I specifically despise the Amarok message that tells you that the application will minimise to tray the first time you do it, 1) it treats me like an idiot and 2) i am an idiot and after I have clicked the silly checkbox, I forget that the application behaves this way.

The idea of the button changing its appearance is a little visual que to show how the application behaves.

GilesBathgate wrote:I envisaged that the close button should be rendered differently since you cannot close this type of application in the usual way. (so 1)

Okay then. Sounds reasonable, although I see two problems:

1. People uses different window-decorations. Only a minor problem, since if this was to be implemented I'm sure the decorations would be updated sooner rather than later. Only a passing problem in other words.
2. The other one...well, how would it look? an X usually means close so that one would stay the same. It can't really be rendered like the normal minimize button since that could lead to confusion. Then again...a close button that doesn't always close the app can lead to confusion too. Still, the graphic designers would have to come up with something to differentiate the two. I'm just glad I'm not one of them

GilesBathgate wrote:I specifically despise the Amarok message that tells you that the application will minimise to tray the first time you do it, 1) it treats me like an idiot and 2) i am an idiot and after I have clicked the silly checkbox, I forget that the application behaves this way.

Don't feel to bad about that. I probably would forget too if it wasn't for two factors:

1. I'm sorta used to MacOS where that is normal behavior...
2. Most programs in KDE that minimizes into the systray are programs I want to run permanently. I always keep amarok, kontact, and kmess (don't really like kopete) running whenever my computer is turned on.

Kryten2X4B wrote:Okay then. Sounds reasonable, although I see two problems:

1. People uses different window-decorations. Only a minor problem, since if this was to be implemented I'm sure the decorations would be updated sooner rather than later. Only a passing problem in other words.
2. The other one...well, how would it look? an X usually means close so that one would stay the same. It can't really be rendered like the normal minimize button since that could lead to confusion. Then again...a close button that doesn't always close the app can lead to confusion too. Still, the graphic designers would have to come up with something to differentiate the two. I'm just glad I'm not one of them

1. If the theme doesn't provide a Minimise to tray button it will use the default close button. If people really like my idea, they can implement my button in thier favorite theme.

2. Well I thought it would be up to the theme designer how the button would look, but as a general guideline I guess it would look like a triangle or arrow pointing to the bottom right corner of the screen like this: _| (not that everybody has thier tasktray in the bottom right corner but this is where it is by convention) Alternatively it could just be a + instead of an X but then the difference is very subtle.

If you despise that behaviour, why not just turn off the system tray icon in the settings of most (all?) KDE applications?

Madman wrote:If you despise that behaviour, why not just turn off the system tray icon in the settings of most (all?) KDE applications?

No, I despise nag windows.

But its not really an issue, nor an argument to support the idea. The idea is plain and simple, a visual que for apps that minimise to tray, by using a different button to mean "To tray" instead of the "Close" button.