Tabs and tab bars are good. I like tabs and tab bars.
As XnView adds functionality and becomes more complex, the ability for the user to reposition the tab bars (and also the toolbars, of course) becomes increasingly important (essential, in my mind).
XnView 1.9 alpha currently has 3 categories of tab bars: image "document" tabs (browser+images), explorer tabs (tree + favorites), and preview tabs (image, histogram, properties).
I think a good approach would be a similar visual style for ALL the tab bars PLUS an additional ability for the user to move/dock the various tab bars to help distinguish them from one another.
Advantages would include a smooth, more unified look, better visual organization, and the ability to adapt to user preferences.
For instance, I personally would dock the image documents tab bar at the top beneath the toolbar (as it is now), the explorer tab bar on the left edge of the explorer panel, and the preview tab bar on the bottom edge of the preview panel.
And... lest I forget, thanks again for allowing this forum of ideas.
V 1.90 <x>
Request: Ability to reposition tab bars
Moderators: helmut, XnTriq, xnview