Single-window mode has been one of the most requested features for GIMP. Fact: when it finally comes, no one will care (they never did).
Actually, the multi-window interface is much better when you have virtual-desktops (everywhere but Windows) or multiple screens.
Pixelmator on the Mac is a multi-window application (like most Mac apps are) and I don't see anyone complaining about it.
The problems are:
1. GIMP isn't Photoshop;
2. When a window is clicked, all windows should come to the foreground (more precisely, all palettes).
For 1. there's not much that can be done. Whatever the application, if it has to do with graphics, people will complain about this (everyone will complain that it is missing a certain Photoshop feature, up to the total of Photoshop features). At the same time, they will complain about Photoshop itself, and trying to be more like Photoshop isn't going to work, uncanny valley style.
As for 2... It's a window manager problem actually. On the Mac, again, Pixelmator does this just fine and it works great.
Actually, the multi-window interface is much better when you have virtual-desktops (everywhere but Windows) or multiple screens.
Pixelmator on the Mac is a multi-window application (like most Mac apps are) and I don't see anyone complaining about it.
The problems are:
1. GIMP isn't Photoshop;
2. When a window is clicked, all windows should come to the foreground (more precisely, all palettes).
For 1. there's not much that can be done. Whatever the application, if it has to do with graphics, people will complain about this (everyone will complain that it is missing a certain Photoshop feature, up to the total of Photoshop features). At the same time, they will complain about Photoshop itself, and trying to be more like Photoshop isn't going to work, uncanny valley style.
As for 2... It's a window manager problem actually. On the Mac, again, Pixelmator does this just fine and it works great.