In Beta2 we’ll be restoring Everett’s ability to dock the Search tool window to the bottom of the screen so you can see both search results and read documentation content on the same screen.  This enabled advanced users (e.g. long-time users of Visual Studio) to skim multiple search results without having to flip back and forth between the Search tab and the documentation tab.  

Anyway, there are two design choices we could do:

Option A: Allow contract/expand of Filter UI

Option A in Contracted View

Option A in Expanded View

This gives users maximum control over real estate used by the Search tool window—users can either expand or collapse the filter section.  Users who never change their filters can set them once, collapse, and never have to see them again.  Default would be “expanded”—users would have to make explicit choice to collapse. 

Option A Pros: when contracted, can see 4 more search results and another search provider tab (e.g. codewise, MSDN Online, etc.)

Option A Cons: more complex; users might also sometimes forget that they have a filter applied and wonder why they’re not getting the search results they intended

Option B: Filters always shown

This option is simpler—filters are always shown. 

Option B Pros: you can never forget what filter you chose. 

Option B Cons: can see 4 fewer search results vs. collapsed filters-- at 1024x768 you need to make the search tool window take up half the DEXPLORE window in order to see more than 6 results or more than one search provider tab.  Also, having filters always shown may contribute to VS’s visual “noise”.

Some questions for you:

• Which option do you prefer, and why?
• Is the “docked to bottom” feature for search important, and if so why and if not why not? Please include what your primary development language is and how long you’ve been using Visual Studio