Dear Devolutions Team,
I am a regular user of RDM on Linux, and I truly appreciate the work you’ve done on this platform. I am writing to share some feedback and suggestions that I believe would significantly improve the user experience for the Linux version.
Core Suggestions:
Implement a Dockable Layout: Transition the Linux version to a dockable UI, similar to the Windows version or modern IDEs like VS Code and IntelliJ.
Auto-Collapse Feature: Add an auto-hide/collapse function for the navigation panel.
Floating Navigation Panel: Allow a floating layout for the navigation panel with a dedicated toggle button on the title bar.
Terminal Split Feature: Support split-screen views for terminal sessions within a single tab or window.
Reasoning & Explanation:
The primary reason for using RDM on Linux is its efficiency in managing multiple servers. However, the current UI constraints impact the user experience in the following ways:
Content Area Optimization: To maximize the remote content view, we often hide the status bar, menu bar, and panels. Currently, expanding the navigation panel forces the remote content to scale down or trigger a session resize, which can lead to forced reconnections on certain servers. A floating or dockable navigation panel would allow the content area to maintain its original resolution and size.
Workflow Efficiency: Currently, opening a new session requires manually toggling the navigation panel on and off via shortcuts. An auto-collapse feature—where the panel retracts once a session is opened or when it loses focus—would significantly streamline this repetitive workflow.
Multitasking & Debugging: When debugging programs, we often need to monitor logs and system resources (e.g., btop) simultaneously. Switching between tabs is counter-intuitive for real-time monitoring. A terminal split feature would allow us to view multiple live sessions side-by-side.
Conclusion: Since the Windows version of RDM already utilizes a dockable layout , bringing this feature to the Linux version would effectively address all the points mentioned above. It would provide the flexibility needed for professional server management and ensure feature parity across platforms.
Thank you for your time and for considering these improvements. I look forward to seeing how RDM continues to evolve on Linux.
Best regards