If an app is active, instead of displaying a red dot next to the dash icon, why not display a green dot?

Thank you for your bug report. Why do you think that red would be a better color?

1) I started Firefox and then started the Files app.
2) There should be a green dot next to the Files app dash icon, since the Files app has focus. There should be a red dot next to the Firefox app dash icon since Firefox does not have focus.
3) Both app dash icons have red dots.

Green = active, Red = inactive.

That red is actually orange, which is part of the system theme design.

I don't think most screens would show it as very red so this should not be a common complaint. Certainly this is the first time I've heard it, but it is understandable.

I think other components of the UI should make clear what application is active (e.g. de-saturated colors), while the dot shows which applications are running, either on focus or not.

Maybe this should not be changed. The translucent square indicates that the app is in focus.

Indeed, there is no need to highlight the focused application even more.

Could anyone add a picture of the dot being actually red instead that orange? This seems to be the major problem for this ticket.

Attaching a picture would be problematic unless photographed next to an accurate colour swatch. It's a function of the model of display you use, its current colour profile, the model of camera you use and the configuration of the display that we then view the final picture on. So it's the kind of thing you should just take the reporter's word for. We're not going to be able to see the same problem...

I think generally if those dots look too red then you should try playing with:

  Settings > Devices > Colour

Try adding other profiles to make the dots look orange instead of red. If that fails then you might want to try a different monitor, or calibrating the one you have by getting a colorimeter such as https://hughski.com/colorhug2.html

If it's a desktop monitor then you should also have some controls on that to adjust the colour. Remember the dots should look like a well saturated orange, not red.

I think my monitor might not have been adjusted correctly. I adjusted it and it looks like orange now.