Why the new blank screens all the time?

Verbum/Mac 46.0 beta 1. Often now, I see one or two blank screens displayed, with a big plus in the middle. They are then replaced by the panels to come up.

For example, when I click on a layout, or briefly when I close a single window, I see this:

And then if for example I have one panel up now, I'll see this permanently:

This second example is very annoying, as it's LARGE. I prefer a blank panel like its always been. I can get to this same result of clicking the '+' by clicking the same + in the second tab of the panel being displayed - I can drag it if I wish.

This is such a distraction, can it be removed?

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Graham Criddle

I hadn't noticed this before but see it is a deliberate change.

From the release notes for Logos 46.0 beta 1:

New Tab (empty tile “plus” button)

When a layout tile space is empty, we now show a large ➕ button to open a New Tab to easily open your next tool or book.
Note: While this new button is ungated, the improved New Tab v2 is available only for subscribers. If you don’t have a subscription, this button will open the old-style New Tab, just as it would from ctrl+T or the + on the tab strip.

Like you, I'm not sure that I like it but I do understand the reasoning behind it - trying to make it easier for users to be able to open resources / tools of their choice into a new tab.

NetworkGeek

Yes, boy the more I look at it, the more I hate it. We don't need more stuff on the screen "screaming" at us. How do others feel, am I in the minority on this UI change?

DMB

I guess I never have blank space. I typically drag books into available space.

Yasmin Stephen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1382208#Comment_1382208

You're not the only one, I loathe it as well. The clamoring for attention started with the dashboard, and now they've graduated to our workspace 🤦🏽‍♀️

Philip Pierce

Sometimes I'll leave a few empty columns in my work area, so the big + in the center is rather distracting.

It's especially bothersome in dark mode, since the whole panel changes to a lighter color when the cursor passes over it.

I'm hoping it gets removed in the next beta update!

Overall, I wish they would make the UI more customizable - so that we could enable / disable features like this. I'm not sure what the difference between the "New Tab v2" feature is, but I'd rather just use the original "basic" version. I have the max subscription, but would greatly appreciate the ability to select which UI version / features to use. (I came close to cancelling my subscription so that I could keep the v1 resource toolbar, for example)

Adam Borries (Logos)

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I have to admit, we didn't expect this kind of reaction to it, especially with such strong words as "screaming" and "clamoring." Graham is correct: the intent is to make it more convenient to navigate Logos, especially for new users.

Can you comment more about what makes it distracting? Is it mainly the hover color, as Philip comments?

Adam Borries (Logos)

I'm not sure what the difference between the "New Tab v2" feature is

Comparison pictured below.

Legacy New Tab

New Tab v2 (subscribers)

MJ. Smith

@Adam Borries (Logos) Just to make sure the other side is mentioned, I had not even noticed the change until this thread appeared. Knowing to look for it, I still see it rarely and appreciate the logic for it being there.

NetworkGeek

@Adam Borries (Logos) it's not the new tab if you click the '+'. it's what is in the first post - the big gray area or white area (based on Dark/Light, with a big Plus sign there. The color is different from the background too. The plus sign just jumps out at me. How about this - I think this would satisfy your goal but be less overwhelming - why not, instead of just having a small + next to the open tab, make a tab, maybe even wider, with plus sign there? This is pretty discreet, you could make it more obvious without disrupting the whole desktop screen..

Adam Borries (Logos)

it's not the new tab if you click the '+'. it's what is in the first post - the big gray area or white area (based on Dark/Light, with a big Plus sign there.

Yes, I saw that. (My second response with the screenshots was specifically replying to Philip's question.)

It sounds like color is a common thread, but the size of the plus icon also is distracting for you. Thanks for the feedback; we'll take it into consideration.

Aaron Hamilton

Personally, I appreciate this change, especially now that New Tab has been greatly improved. I typically don't enjoy empty spaces in my workspace, so this new functionality makes it easier for me to fill an empty space after I have closed a resource.

NetworkGeek

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1382391#Comment_1382391

Plus @Adam Borries (Logos) , the plus sign is right smack dab in the middle of the display! You can't take your eyes off it. It's way too obtrusive.

Adam Borries (Logos)

Thanks for the discussion, everyone. Taking your feedback into account, we are keeping the new empty tiles, but making the colors more subtle. You can expect to see these color changes in RC1.

Yasmin Stephen

I finally got fed up enough of the search bar and the Logos-something banner on my dashboard all the time, so I changed my setting to open Logos to a blank layout. And I even felt so self-satisfied, too! Well, my smug moment was short-lived when I saw (in beta) what that option will soon look like:

Current layout (see that beautiful, pristine piece of real estate):

Future layout (clamor time🪩🪇):

(Two winking plus signs are better than one! 😉😏)

NetworkGeek

@Yasmin Stephen yeah I hate it too. Isn't a plus sign on the tab enough? If someone is that confused, seeing a whole plethora of resources pop up in the panel when you say "I wonder what this plus sign does…" - is that better?

Maybe the problem is thinking that the desktop look is yours (and mine) ;-)

DMB

My old version is looking more and more gorgeous. Quick RI access, no adverts, and clean presentation. Life is good.