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.

-- 
[Master] Window Control buttons: position/order/alignment
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/532633
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