Re: That tab panel off on the side

On Jan 24, 2007, at 9:37 AM, Doug Lerner wrote:

> I guess it is a matter of taste, but I just can't get used to the  
> tabs being off on the side. For me, anyway, I just don't get the  
> immediate feedback of knowing what tab I'm in like I do in Safari  
> or FireFox. It just doesn't work the way I think about how tabs  
> should work.

The purpose of tabs is not feedback for "what tab you're in". That is  
self evident. You are "in" your browser window.

Tabs are for switching to an already loaded destination "where you  
aren't". Omniweb is unique in giving you visual feed back to that end  
with size adjustable thumbnails rather than just truncated text (How  
is a tab that says "Blog of...." or "MacInt..." helpful?).

Since web pages are vertical scrolling it only makes sense to place  
those thumbnails on the side so as to maximize the content window. I  
find it to be a useful and innovative UI. It certainly is not one  
based on "taste", but on function.

Maybe that function doesn't work for you, but it seems to me you're  
lamenting that a Porsche doesn't have its engine in the front like a  
pick-up truck ;)