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This idea is the implementation of 'overlay scrollbars'. Overlay scrollbars are common in the mobile space; they are the scrollbars that disappear when not scrolling, but fade in/out over top the content while scrolling. Visually, they only show the bar itself, forgoing backgrounds and up/down buttons. In some instances, they can be grabbed.

Overlay scrollbars are good in keeping UI clutter down, virtually adding more horizontal screen space (where regular scrollbars would have been).


I do not know exactly how the implementation would work on a technical level, but they could be kludged by using scrollbars of '0' width and having oxygen and the widget engine draw the bars over the content anyway, when in use. They would be an option, most likely not the default.

Visually the overlay bars could just be the existing scrollbars (sans background). An added option might be a window rule to specifically disable overlay bars in instances where inappropriate; Kolourpaint being an example. An added hotkey could be added to temporarily show traditional scrollbars, such as the underutilized super key. If users hover the mouse around the scrollbar area, it might show up after a second or two for dragging.

This would necessarily be an option as I don't think a lot of people would use it, and having it on by default would cause a lot of confusion.
I do think it a good idea to perhaps redesign the scrollbars to be more inconspicuous e.g. the gtk Orta theme.

btw, I don't think the super/meta key is underutilized. There are not that many shortcuts assigned to it by default because a lot of keyboards don't have one; but I for one make pretty heavy use of it.

I am not sure about this specific solution. However scroll bars could be a good target for a rethink. In any case you lose about 25px on a scroll bar currently, which isnt really much.

Maybe a hint on the side of the screen could show that there will be a scroll bar. When you move to the edge a nice looking semi transparent scroll bar shows up?

This is one of the most hated features in mobile devices where you can not scroll right away using scrollbar, but you need first to slide screen so the scrollbar shows up and then use it.

The computer screens has space to have a scrollbar available, but smartphones does not.

Right now it is much better user sees the position right away from side of the window and when wanted to scroll, it can be just by dragging the scrollbar (or then using mouse).

And the scrollbar can be used for many other functions as well like show the location of search matches like in Google Chrome.

If this would get implented, it should be optional. But so far I would suggest then that the users resize the scrollbar size to 2px size if the size is so bad.

Look at Ubuntu 11.04 gtk style, it use overlay scrollbars:
http://www.webupd8.org/2011/03/unity-to ... lbars.html

gnumdk wrote:Look at Ubuntu 11.04 gtk style, it use overlay scrollbars:
http://www.webupd8.org/2011/03/unity-to ... lbars.html

Yes, but Canonical did again something what is not good for usability.

Maybe for some devices overlay scrollbars would be good. But I used them for half an our and removed them completely. On large screen it is very inconvenient to use them.
So, if you are going to make it, make it as an option, not as default.

Kopete has this type of scrollbar, right? In Kopete I understand this however (because I know I have a large list in a small window), in other apps I may think that everything is on the screen already.

Anyway, I just wanted to point out that Kopete may have the code implemented already...

Overlay Scrollbar IMO is a must. One of the best features implemented in Unity.
At least make it optional like Unity if some people don't like it.

We need new scrollbars in oxygen. I don't mind they are going to be overlay or something else. But this scrollbars are awful. I would like to be just like in mac os x lion or Intellij IDEA IDE scrollbars. Please someone implement this.

Implenting this feature would be great

I like to see Unity kind of overlay scroll bars. But using it should be optional.

I do not know exactly how the implementation would work on a technical level, but they could be kludged by using scrollbars of '0' width and having oxygen and the widget engine draw the bars over the content anyway, when in use. They would be an option, most likely not the default.

This is video how the OS X Lion Scrollbar work if someone wonders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C9E0ezc_Xs

Apple has done the change because most of their sold computers are laptops with touchpad. Reverse scrolling works on that well but not with mousehweel.

The scrollbar look is different. It is very informative on the side and it is logical alone to keep it visible all the time. Of course, if this kind functionality would be added, it should be only non-default option. But even on touch interfaces or others the invisible scroll bar what is shown when content is moved is not so wise at all.

But what jasox mentioned, I believe he wanted something like this:



And that is what I would be willing to compromise for visuality. A possibility to hide the background of the scrollbar. Not the scroll bar itself. So every time when there should be a scroll bar, it is just the scrolling bar part visible. The scroll bar would not be hovering over the fileview's tabs or text. Otherwise it would come in the way. But on web browser like konqueror, it would hover over the background. As the Canonical way what it did for Unity, it is really a terrible one. People starts chasing the scrollbar to get grab on it.

By it size and location user can see right away the document length and position. The bad side is, we could not implement same search feature what is in Google Chrome what shows search hits locations on the scroll bar background.
And this is it:



We could add those search position marker lines hovering as well but would it be so clear?

Just open oxygen-settings and set the scrollbar width to 10 pixels. There you have it. On Ubuntu maybe it's two or three pixels thinner. So no need to code here.

To me overlay scrollbars are a usability nightmare, as a scrollbar gives an immediate information about the size of the page and where you are at the page.