Yes, I too like Solo mode, at times.
If there are specific shortcuts to some sliders to go to directly, which there likely are, and I haven't explored...
With a key stroke (or "programmed key", depending on keyboard type), I can go direct to that panel, then slide. Each of these are a bit different than going to a visible slider(or curve) and directly making a adjustment.
Speaking of the interface, I like most everything, and was simply having snags and slowdowns in my workflow by bouncing back and forth on these panels, and the Hide/Show column of panels.
Since Adobe made design decisions a long time ago, are we to not expect any maturity or growth?
Is there no reason to improve on decisions, are they written in stone?
Dual monitor was not an option, and certainly this was a shortsighted move when it was launched and for a couple versions. But they did make some version of it work, in a limited fashion.
In fact this was a reason I didn't use LR until they did this upgrade, as it gives a great level of efficiency in workflow. But they keep it locked and limited to work as a reciprocal to the main screen, rather than a full functioning window. Why? No need to rewrite some code?
The way software integrates to an OS is something a GUI designer either adapts to or restricts from. The fact that Adobe has made it easier to use in general is a great thing. It allows a welcoming and low learning curve.
If Capture 1 had used OS standards and menu systems as the older 3.7 version it would likely be more widely used. But their decision to have a closed unique system and go high end pro to stay apart and require training is part of their profit and marketing angle to be exclusive.
I think they have diluted this a touch recently, but if you don't use C1 for a few weeks or even days, and use another application, you can easily forget how it works.
So it takes time to familiarize yourself again with it. I have used C1 since its first versions over the decade, and I still try and avoid it due to this. But if shooting with a MFormat back, there are no choices. And I have to say it is a superior processor.
This is why we "love" digital techs, and ramp up production costs. This insulates the market for agencies and the like.
So getting back to the GUI, there are a number of reasons one can come up with as to why LR cant grow up, or out of its shell, but what it has done is get new comers and novices get up and running on a simple GUI design.
Sadly, as a person grows to an advanced level, he or she needs to not only master the software by learning the shortcut mapping, but also feel confined to its limitation. Rather than making the software work for your needs, you have to work for the software's restriction.
At some point we should be able to cut the cord.
The ability to changing the panel order is a small step along with limiting the Show and Hide of the entire column(this is just making the arrow active vs the entire bar), as I often hide it inadvertently.
Due to it being so slow with my current files, the bigger issue is the speed, and related tools like the brush tool that paints erratically in large sizes as it buffers and catches up, jumps around.
Anyway, for someone who uses it as a tool everyday, we can all think of reasons to make certain adjustments that might work better for one person or the other...But that happens when users have options.