Comment 22 for bug 1022216

I agree the current theme hinders usability. I'd suggest considering the following:
1. Way too often, icons don't show well against high-frequency wallpapers (e.g. photographs). Also, they don't show well against maximized windows which quite often have a fair amount of detail neighboring the launcher icons.
2. I also find the lack of indication of running apps inconvenient. I find myself too often having to do extra clicks to find out if I have some apps running (e.g. IM client). IMHO, hovering should suffice.
3. In addition, I don't see much value on the current bottom highlight that seems to indicate the app with current focus. plus, the highlight has rather limited contrast against the current Plank theme for gray-toned icons which are common (e.g. switchboard, scratch, calculator, gnome screen, ).