Looks to me like they're challenged by the large amount of tasks vs the limited UI space for controls. I suspect they haven't had the time to make the UI please everyone.( it's impossible anyway) I've been a Windows developer since Win 3.1. Always struggle with program flow for the user. To make it easier a developer has to force the user into a workflow they may not be comfortable with or used to. The problem becomes exponentially harder the larger an app grows. I feel your pain as I find it cumbersome to constantly be moving between UI partitions while working. Often, I am frustrated by how long some tasks take. For me, it is the constant saving of files between modules that is painful. Not to mention the ever present dialog that pops up when saving. More of that should be automatic. But, if the app is web based, woof. Not easy.
As far as keyboard shortcuts. That was how I used to use Eagle. I got pretty good at it but unless you use an app every day those shortcuts are quickly forgotten. I did remember some of the Eagle command line stuff I learned 15 years ago though! Keyboard shortcuts are like passwords to me. I forget them in quickly. That means you're going to be hitting the wrong keys as you get back up to speed.
All that said. I am using a strong app that is currently free so they get as much room as they need with as much positive feedback as I can give. Without sounding like I have a clue how it all _should_ work. I don't know if my use case is the model case for their UI. I usually start out assuming I am going about things the wrong way!
Sorry for the long post. It's therapeutic.
