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When you use SHIFT+ESCAPE to 'Maximize Window' the Projects/Files/Services tabs are moved to the left of the window in a vertical column. I like using this maximized view because its easy to load the sections with META+1 to META+7 (as well as 'go to symbol' 'go to definition' 'open file' etc) and it takes up less space. When I'm using the maximized view I still don't need the tabs for projects/files etc. I think it should be possible to hide the tab sidebar when the editor is maximized so people who don't use it don't have to see it. There should be a menu item like 'View > Show Tab Sidebar' or something. Sideways text like that is weird and its not at all a common practice to have UI like that in OSX apps. I get that it might be a bit complicated to have this option since some people might not know what its for if they don't use SHIFT+ESCAPE but for people who do it would make a big difference IMHO. Especially on OSX NetBeans doesn't feel native and this makes a big difference to many people. Letting us turn off unwanted UI elements makes NetBeans seem more natural because there's less of it ;) Thanks for your consideration
After experimenting some more I realized that if I use the (x) buttons on each of the windows in normal (non-maximized) mode I end up with what amounts to maximized mode without the sidebar and still have access to the windows via meta+2 etc. If anyone is looking for a workaround then this might satisfy them, though its still not a full solution, as using meta+2 opens the window and it ends up staying in the sidebar afterwards. If you can avoid navigator etc entirely then it does make the window a lot cleaner though.