An option should be provided to allow the user to use the default language bar to display pinyinput's buttons, instead of just the existing floating toolbar.
Actually this I disagree with. For me, the taskbar is precious real estate, and I don't want it taken up unnecessarily by things that don't need to be there. A great example of this is the MS IME. When expanded it takes up almost a quarter of the taskbar, mostly with stuff that is never used.
In cases like this, I would prefer to follow the examples of the Google and Sogou IMEs, especially as only one person has asked for the option to make the floating toolbar disappear.
Having a floating toolbar also provides a large visual cue to the user that the IME is active. I think this is quite important to have considering that there are many people who aren't so technically inclined, and aren't really famililar with the language bar and how it works. One of the most common support requests I get is from people asking how to turn on/activate pinyinput once it's installed (this despite the pictures and instructions on the main post). It's very useful to be able to tell these not-so-technical users that when they see a big blue floating toolbar, then they know that pinyinput is active.
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This should be the default behavior. It should not be yet another option. Microsoft-developed IMEs use the language bar, and so should Pinyinput.
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Actually this I disagree with. For me, the taskbar is precious real estate, and I don't want it taken up unnecessarily by things that don't need to be there. A great example of this is the MS IME. When expanded it takes up almost a quarter of the taskbar, mostly with stuff that is never used.
In cases like this, I would prefer to follow the examples of the Google and Sogou IMEs, especially as only one person has asked for the option to make the floating toolbar disappear.
Having a floating toolbar also provides a large visual cue to the user that the IME is active. I think this is quite important to have considering that there are many people who aren't so technically inclined, and aren't really famililar with the language bar and how it works. One of the most common support requests I get is from people asking how to turn on/activate pinyinput once it's installed (this despite the pictures and instructions on the main post). It's very useful to be able to tell these not-so-technical users that when they see a big blue floating toolbar, then they know that pinyinput is active.
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The language toolbar is detachable. Users who want it floating can have it floating. Users who want it docked can have it docked.
Use existing UI mechanisms when possible. I know this is not a fashionable philosophy these days, though.