[Usability] Question: design choice of menubars

[Frans Englich <frans englich telia com>]

Hello all,

I have a question regarding GNOME's design:

To my subjective observation, GNOME emphasizes the window paradigm. Mac OS's 
central menubar mechanism follows up that approach even further, and in 
addition have numerous advantages. While I have no intents of discussion the 
pros and cons of having a central menu bar, I wonder: Why have it been chosen 
to not use a central menubar in GNOME?

I can think of reasons of various kinds, but I think it would be more 
appropriate with a neutral answer. Judging from a (quick) glance of the 
archives it have been discussed before, but no definite declarations or 
arguments, at least from what I can tell. Perhaps someone have an archive 
link, or there is any document outlining it?


Thanks in advance,

			Frans