The original poster, simon_tomes, suggests adding a “Back to all chat channels” button when the chat is in maximised mode, similar to the one available in minimised mode. This is because they find themselves trying to use a similar button that exists in minimised mode, but isn’t present in maximised mode, causing confusion.
simon_tomes notes that this issue only occurs on desktop browsers, as the button is always present on mobile.
Mcwumbly proposes a possible solution, suggesting that making chat channels more visible in the sidebar while in full-screen mode could help alleviate the issue. simon_tomes agrees that this could be helpful and also notes that consistency in UI elements across different contexts can aid user recognition and understanding.
So I sometimes get caught in a loop trying to figure out how to go back to all the chat channels. For sure they’re there on the sidebar ready to be selected but for some reason my brain wants to go back to the view using that < button.
This is only an issue on a desktop browser as on mobile the “back to all chat channels” button is always present and that makes me happy.
Do you think you’d feel the same way if chat channels were more visible in the sidebar while in full screen mode? For example, ignoring the other problems this might create for a second, what if the sidebar hid everything except for chat channels when chat is maximized?
There’s something about the consistency of offering the same UI icon/button/link in different contexts that I think is helpful. As in, if people in one context recognise that < equals see all the chat channels then they might associate < with see all the chat channels regardless of context e.g. in minimised or maximised mode.
