1. You mentioned that you personally didn't have a problem with low contrast. If it's not an argument I'm not sure why you'd mention it. I can't find the active tab easily, but that's irrelevant too: we have long established research on contrast helping people find stuff, and measurably low contrast in ConEmu.
> I wouldn't mind it being configurable but I understand the reluctance to do it if it breaks XP support.
Users running a current OS needing to find their current terminal should take precedence over a small number of people running an unpatched 15 year old OS.
3. Re heirarchy:
> never mind that what is important depends on the user and context
Ultimately more users want to change the font than integrate with 'FAR', or change the method of anti-aliasing used.
4. Interesting (this really should be a default). How do I do it?
> There are, understandably considering the amount of options
The Settings app has more options than ConEmu. It controls an entire OS and it's still easier.
> to help with that there is a great search function.
I've only just found that now, because it's in a different place to every other search box on Windows.
I'm not arguing the non-UX bits of ConEmu aren't great. I'm stating that ConEmu doesn't care about UX and it's really obvious.
I didn't have a problem with it as a whole. I never understood the tight coupling with FAR either, but it hasn't distracted me either. It takes me literally no time at all to change the font so why optimize for that further? It's literally the first option in the main section. And arguably changing the anti-aliasing is about as important as the font and should most definitely be right beside it as they are related.
It is not uncommon at all to have a search-bar directly associated with a tree-view. I get the feeling that you primarily use other operating systems.
The settings app is an absolute nightmare. And that's understandable, because the target group are people with no interest or knowledge about computers or windows at all. So it is beginner friendly, but not user friendly by any stretch. Do not confuse the two. Contrast to ConEmu, not beginner friendly at all but quite user friendly.
I do not know how you've set it up but I'm guessing you need to:
Main -> Appearance -> Title bar section, Check "Hide caption always". It is non-standard so that's why I think it is sensible that it isn't enabled by default.
I'm arguing that the UX is top notch for it's intended audience. If all you want is cmd.exe with tabs, then yes, I fully understand why ConEmu isn't for you.
But this is derailing, I probably won't be continuing this thread.
- There shouldn't be a 'main' section. 'Main' isn't a category. 'Appearance' would be more logical. Neither should we show that many controls on screen: use a 1/2 heirarchy rather than frames.
- "not uncommon at all to have a search-bar directly associated with a tree-view" Yep, I'd ditch the tree view, and move search to top right to be consistent with other apps.
- "The settings app is an absolute nightmare." How? Settings is aimed at people who want to configure an entire OS - it's doing a more complicated job than conemu is. You could measure the time taken by users of different skill levels and they'd all have a faster time finding something in Settings. Again, let's get or look at data rather than caring about our personal experiences.
> changing the anti-aliasing is about as important as the font
It's not important at all. If you measured it, how many users want custom anti-aliasing options for a single app? Does iterm do it? Does gnome? are their forums filled with people who really need different anti-aliasing settings for a single app?
- Re tabs in title bar: I've never heard window chrome be referred to as "caption".
> It is non-standard so that's why I think it is sensible that it isn't enabled by default.
Word, Edge and Explorer all put useful stuff in the title bar. Seems pretty standard to me.
> I'm arguing that the UX is top notch for it's intended audience.
I understand. I'm arguing it makes decisions that UX research either already has or would prove to be objectively poor for all users.
> I wouldn't mind it being configurable but I understand the reluctance to do it if it breaks XP support.
Users running a current OS needing to find their current terminal should take precedence over a small number of people running an unpatched 15 year old OS.
3. Re heirarchy:
> never mind that what is important depends on the user and context
Ultimately more users want to change the font than integrate with 'FAR', or change the method of anti-aliasing used.
4. Interesting (this really should be a default). How do I do it?
> There are, understandably considering the amount of options
The Settings app has more options than ConEmu. It controls an entire OS and it's still easier.
> to help with that there is a great search function.
I've only just found that now, because it's in a different place to every other search box on Windows.
I'm not arguing the non-UX bits of ConEmu aren't great. I'm stating that ConEmu doesn't care about UX and it's really obvious.