Submission details
Possibility to resize windows till the bottom of the screen, even when the Dock is visible
When the Dock is visible, it effectively shrinks the available screen size for most applications. Safari and Firefox for example, can't be resized beyond the top margin of the dock.
This is also becomes an aesthetic issue in OS 10.5, where the Dock "shelf" was made 3D, and one would at least expect the window to be resizable till the top edge of the "shelf" instead of the icons.
There's also missing a common policy, because the Finder window *can* be resized to extend beneath the Dock, as well as it's possible to *move* any window beneath the Dock.
This option should probably be optional, especially since some users have a very wide Dock which would hide window's status bars.
High
High
Not fixed
Discussion (5 comments)
The dock by default is meant to be constantly visible and stay on top of all windows. Resizing app window to extend behind the dock pose usability issue in which user can't interact with the application, e.g. "Open Notebook" as per screenshot (because the dock is always on top). However, a user shouldn't be prevented to do so if he/she decided to override this behaviour by resizing or moving the window. When the user do this, he/she is fully aware of his/her action.
This is a simple case where OS tries not to hinder/distract/confuse users, but gives back the power to them when required instead of enforcing what the developers think is right.
If you want to make use of the screen real estate as much as possible, turn on the "Automatically hide and show the dock" option and all window now goes to the bottom of the screen when maximised.
Applications are supposed to be Dock-aware: i.e. don't resize if it puts you underneath it, and try to avoid having your title bar put underneath it. The Finder probably shouldn't be held up as an example in this case ;)
For the rare cases you need to access the status bar, you can hide the Dock with CMD-option-D.
Does it warrant the perpetual waste of screen area? I think not.
You are, of course, entitled to your opinion.
If you're concerned about screen area, why not just always hide the dock - then if you need it, hover your mouse at the bottom of the screen.
Win-win?
Oscar wrote on August 11, 2008, 9:36am
It kinda makes sense when it's a "full-sized" app, but it's really annoying how it even does it with slimmer apps that would fit on the side of the dock...