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Arguably, this could be considered a bug. But let's call it an enhancement request. Closure icons ("X") on tabs are a bad idea, for a couple of reasons: 1. They're non standard. Standard location is at the right edge of the window. 2. They're really easy to hit by accident. Especially given that they cover too large an area, and there is no box around them that lets you see what that area is. 3. Given interface latencies, it's also possible to accidentally visit the tab next to the one you're trying to close. (I haven't done that, but the existence of multiple tab-closure icons makes it possible.) 4. Right click on a tab brings up a variety of "all document" options at the top of the list. If I wanted to operate on all docs, I wouldn't click on a tab. If they're in the list at all, they should be at the bottom. Bottom line: I'm constantly closing tabs by accident. For that matter, it's no accident at all that the standard location is off at the edge of the window. There's a reason for it, and accidental closures are probably at the top of the list. (Organizations like MS invest a lot in user-interface testing, and they have a huge base of users who are familiar with their standards, so it is generally unwise to do things in arbitrarily different ways.
Reassigning to "core". AFAIK, Firefox also used the edge corner location for "X", but for latest release it's placed in all tabs by default.
This is difficult UI question - it seems that majority of people like close icons on tabs - see new Firefox, as mentioned. However it might be usable to make close icons optional if more requests like this will appear...
Making relation to configure support for tabs. No plans to work on it currently, inviting community to step in.
Ok, color me convinced. After getting used to the UI, I find it more convenient. Maybe the icons got smaller, or my filenames got bigger, but I'm no longer closing things by accident, and I frequently find it convenient to close a single tab or two using the icon on the tab. The one time I don't find it convenient is when closing a whole series of tabs, because then the cursor moves all over the place. So I guess a desirable enhancement would be to /also/ have a close-tab icon in the upper right. But I certainly wouldn't remove the close-icons in the tabs.
> The one time I don't find it convenient is when closing a whole series of tabs menu 'windows - documents' is probably better suited for that...
Just replied via email, but don't see the comment reflected here: > menu 'windows - documents' is probably better suited for that... > Possibly. But the fact that I didn't even think of that option suggests that a user, once conditioned to use icons in and around the tabs, is not going to be looking at the menu for other options. Basically, interface styles are language, icons, keyboard gestures, and menus. People tend to stick with one style, as much as possible. Still, it's fair to say that there are too many icons over in that area, and another one would only be confusing. That's a reasonable response. (That's the major reason I left the possible enhancement as comment here, rather than opening a new ticket.)