Software Center UI suggestion

I've been working on a suggestion for the Software Center UI. I know that I'm walking on thin ice here since Matthew Paul Thomas is a interface designer ;-)

The current design

This suggestion is based on the accordion style menu. With the current design, you can't switch between "departments" without going to the main department screen. I know it's a tiny thing, but I find kind of annoying. I suggest something like this:

My accordion styled suggestion

You could argue that this UI would be unfamiliar or too complex for many users, but with everything being animated with Clutter, I'm sure the animations will make it easy to understand. This accordion concept is also very common on flash websites.

The department screen, which is displayed at startup, would not show any applications (only the departments) since no department is yet selected. This also means that you can search all departments from this screen, just like you can with the current Software Center UI (see the first screenshot above).
If you're already in the, let's say, games department, you can simply click the orange bar to return to the department screen, which would close all departments to look something like this:

My suggestion for the department screen

These mockups doesn't include all departments represented in the actual Ubuntu Software Center, since this is merely a proof-of-concept.
Please add your feedback and comments on this site or on the Software Center comments wiki.

Looking for Linux Compatible Hardware?

The news site Phoronix, has announced that they are considering setting up an Internet shop to help people with shopping for Linux compatible hardware and computer parts that are open-source friendly. This will be a Linux store running in conjunction with Amazon.com and their associates program.

This Phoronix shop would allow individuals to easily find hardware that will run with modern desktop Linux distributions along with computer hardware that does or does not require the use of binary drivers and also hardware that has been tested at Phoronix or where there are performance numbers available through Phoronix Global.
You can think of it as a donation - every time you buy something though their store, they will earn up to 15% in referrals, but you will pay the same price as you would directly from Amazon.


I know the Linux Action Show has a similar Amazon store where you can buy the equipment they use to record the show. With Phoronix providing lots of in-depth review, news and tests this would be a fantastic addition.

Source: http://www.phoronix.com/