Whilst I resist touch screen and tablet functionality (probably my age) I have recently realized this may well have some advantages in encouraging programmers to adopt a more Top Level approach to development and information display.
The key areas that are affected in RM are Source Management, Place Management, Media Management and I would also add Research Management. Lists could be simplified into these "simple" selections with the additional selections on a delay drop down or similar functionality.
I would say these four main categories would each benefit from a new flat one screen multi pane UI much simplifying their use and also displaying much more information at a top level than presently available.
Sources
[Master Source List]+ for [Citations] [Media] [Master Text] [Detail Text] [Repository] [Where used (association)]
Place Management
[Place]+ for [Place Detail] [Online Map] [County Check] [Gazetteer] [Media] [Notes] [Where used (association)]
Media Management
[Media thumbnail] [Path] [Filename] [Tags] same as where used [Unlinked Media]
Research Management
[Research Logs] [ToDos] [Correspondence List] [Repository List] [Address List] [Source] [Tags] where used.
Some of the associations within the database would need to be created but this approach would provide a single flat UI with all available for the main lists within RM. All desirable sub information and where the item is linked (association) would be immediately available for drill down and very user friendly for touch screens and tablets.
I am sure I am late to the party, if the Rootsmagician is indeed involved in a complete rewrite then I would imagine he has already embarked on such a top level UI approach.
I look forward to the views of others.