Sorry, Ubuntu, but the top panel just has to go. Why? Simple. It confuses new users, especially those switching from Windows. Move everything to bottom panel, where people are used to it, and put everything into one menu. You’ll find that new users are able to find things easier, and thus, it makes for a better experience for the new user. I know, I know, Ubuntu is not Windows. But if things are radically different in Ubuntu, users are just going to be lost and confused. And if they can’t find what they’re looking for, they’re not going to continue to use Ubuntu. Advanced users who like the panel at the top will be able to easily put it back, so you’re not hurting anyone by getting rid of it.
That’s a terrible idea. From my testing, nobody was confused with the panel…and it limits functionality (particularly with the move to Unity)
It depends. On a large screen I like the bottom, it feels like such a reach to the top – large monitor. On my net-book I like it on the top.
I have used Mint which puts it on the bottom. Lately though with global menu I have been moving back toward the top.
I use AWN so if a panel is used, top is better in my opinion. With Unity, although I hate it, it seems to naturally push towards the top panel.
I think “Windows Users” is certainly a very poor design choice. For me it has more to do with monitor size or computer type. On my desktop bottom feels naturally closer, on net book top does.
I say let the user decide as a boot up option. I usually hate choices made by others by what they think I want.
How many new users get confused when they start using a Mac? Not all Ubuntu users are switching from Windows anyway. This is one area where emulating Windows is just a stupid idea. Things will be completely different from now on anyway, with the amount of innovation going into Unity.
Most current new users are more technically inclined (otherwise, they wouldn’t have installed Ubuntu in the first place). In order to reach the average home computer user, however, things need to be made easier to use. My advice about getting rid of the top panel is more of a long-term issue related to getting Ubuntu onto the computers of the average computer user. Sorry for not being clear about that.