I also kind of did both. Left the top clear and put a panel of fused glass in the bottom.

I imagine this is a totally personal issue that also depends on the location of the window. My window is in the shower and it's a horizontal slider. I got it frosted, though it is sufficiently high up. However a number of times I leave it open (only half opens anyway) -- so I can enjoy the green bushes and jasmines outside.

The idea of half-clear-half-frosted is also fantastic for vertical sliders.

oooh I like that picture...looks great! Thanks for the ideas!

We put frosted in the basement BR, not really losing a view, cuz it would just be the back of landscaping anyways. But, in the two upstairs BR, we replaced the old frosted glass with clear, and I love the increased light along with the view of the yard. We have a very private back yard, and windows being up higher, I don't think anyone could see much. I am not planning on installing any window coverings.

We installed plain glass and then applied window film where we wanted to obscure. We can always take the film off & leave them open, or put more/less obscure film up. The film is pretty cheap - especially compared to new windows! Below is actually our old 50's window with some of the panes obscured with film.