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signalapp / Signal-Desktop

A private messenger for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
https://signal.org/download
GNU Affero General Public License v3.0
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Contacts bar takes up most of window #5169

Open brodyck opened 3 years ago

brodyck commented 3 years ago

Bug Description

Under Ubuntu 20.04.2 on the latest v5.0.0-beta.4 (and beta.2) build, when resizing the Signal window, the side bar does not resize with the window. If one needs the app to be smaller than half the monitor size, you are left with the conversation/contacts side menu taking up most of the window.

I don't want or need signal to take up as much space as it does. Also, it doesn't make sense at all for the contacts side-bar to not resize with the rest of the window, especially when the window gets that small.

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Open window
  2. Zoom the window in a few times because the defaults for a 1440p 14" monitor hurts to look at
  3. Resize window to minimum width
  4. Now you cannot reasonably read your open conversation, but you can see all of your contacts full names

Actual Result: Side bar does not shrink with the rest of the window, making the conversation unreadable.

Expected Result: Side bar shrinks when resizing the window, such that you can read the conversations you are having with people.

Screenshots

I archived all my personal conversations for this, but the messages from the far-side appear 1 character at a time. The messages from me show words up to a certain width.

21-04-10-200742

Platform Info

Signal Version: v5.0.0-beta.4

Operating System: Distributor ID: Ubuntu Description: Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS Release: 20.04 Codename: focal brody@weidersehen:~$ uname -a Linux weidersehen 5.4.0-70-generic #78-Ubuntu SMP Fri Mar 19 13:29:52 UTC 2021 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Linked Device Version: I don't think this is relevant. Let me know if you need it.

Link to Debug Log

I don't think this is relevant. Let me know if you need it.

brodyck commented 3 years ago

Forgot to mention -- the text is so small on start-up that I have to zoom in a few times, which seems to be what causes me to reach this point.

The monitor I have is 1440p monitor, which usually wouldn't be a problem, but it's a 14" laptop screen so its waaaay too tiny by default.

EvanHahn-Signal commented 3 years ago

To me, it seems like there are three ways we could solve this problem, and we should probably do all three:

  1. Make the contacts bar resizable. This is tracked in #2510, I believe.
  2. Make the minimum window size relative to the zoom level. For example, if you're zoomed 1x, the minimum window size is 680x550. If you're zoomed 2x, maybe the minimum increases to 1360x1100 or something like that.
  3. Make the app more responsive when there's not a lot of space.

Does that sound reasonable to you? Are there other things you'd prioritize?

TheW0LVERIN3 commented 3 years ago

I just installed the destop client, and the way I use it is just like whatsapp desktop where on windows I will drag it to the right side so it fills up half the display an then resize it as much to the right side as allowed. At this size the whatsapp client just has so much more of the screen dedicated to the conversation. I saw the issue in which you say it is tracked but no one has posted there in a while so there is nothing indicating someone is working on it, they even locked the replies to collaborators only. I would love for what you described to be supported. Although I can't answer if anything else needs to be done. I am replying to show support for this feature, if the developers don't know if enough people want it I suggest they make a poll and post it in all related issues.

brodyck commented 3 years ago

Hi Evan,

Other than 2, that sounds reasonable. 1 or 3 would be the most fitting for sure. Generally I'd be impartial. I simply want the contacts to take up as little space as possible, only taking into consideration that I can still see them to some degree.

For 2, setting hard window size minimums based on zoom would mean I would still have to deal with either the eye strain at my DPI or the window being too big. I'm already dealing with that situation as the window size minimum is functionally there.

If I had to lean into one of them: 3 would be best. In the ticket 2150, I think it was mentioned that it could have just the profile picture for each contact, and omit the names. I think it would be good to leave the contacts pictures the same size.

Thanks, Evan, for getting back to me so soon. Thanks TheW0LVERIN3 for your support in the matter.

EvanHahn-Signal commented 3 years ago

That makes sense. We'll work with our design team to address this, though it might be awhile before we get to it as there are a number of other things we need to address first. Stay tuned!

mstcgalis commented 3 years ago

Please get around to this, I have switched back to Telegram because of this single issue.