Comment 528 for bug 532633

The new design will annoy new users who want to move from Windows to Ubuntu, which is the best GNU/Linux distro to recommend to partially tech users, even if it is not ready for mass consumption yet.

gconftool-2 --set /apps/metacity/general/button_layout --type string ":minimize,maximize,close"

This command is cited as an "easy workaround" to the design. Sure copying and pasting commands is the easiest way to do complicated things for proficient computer users, but most people are scared of the 'black' screen. And the method that Google suggests also would put most people off (using gconf-editor). It should be really easy to change to the way most people want (are used to). Unfortunately the people who will be stuck with this design are the helpless non-tech people who you are trying to reach out to.

It's true that it's hard to accidentally close the window in its new position, but sometimes you have to close a lot of windows and the corner is easiest, like in KDE where if you click in that region the window closes. I think, the corner that you normally don't click near is best. I sometimes click File >> Quit to exit an application because I have a widescreen, and the X button, is way too far over sometimes, however File >> Quit is the best way (except for CTRL + Q) to close all the windows of the same application, so the X on the left doesn't help. However it is impossible to close the window when the mouse is over on the right with your design. When I read an article I move the mouse over to the right to get it out of the way, as it is more likely to annoy me on the left where I know the text is. It is easier for right-handers to swoop their hand to the right, than to the left when using a touchpad on a laptop. In Amarok, my mouse is always on the right when I'm about to close it. With small windows, it doesn't matter where the _+X buttons are, except for the fact that the window has no icon in the new design.

The reason that this works on the Mac is because the File Menu is separated from the window when not maximized. Here is the situation when it is maximized:

 @ Finder File Edit
X - +

 + - X
File Edit

As you can see, there is a good chance that when you click edit that you will close the window; the worst that will happen in Mac is that you will click @.

Also you could move the the min/max buttons away from the X like in KDE, I have on occasion closed a window when meaning to maximize it.

I commend you trying to innovate and trying to move the computing paradigm forward, but all your going to get is a lot of complaints. This is going to be a huge talking point when it comes to Ubuntu, and it won't be positive. It's not worth it for something so trivial.