1. LaunchPad 02

HI Al,

about the LaunchPad, it seems to works fine besides being well done, 
but I cannot run the source while I'd like to reduce the window size 
to what is used by the Tabs. We have to say, correct me if I'm wrong, 
that it currently does what we can obtain by a normal Windows folder 
with some shortcuts; but what you would say about taking the distances 
from windoze, making your tool able to launch more buttons at the time? 

When we start a new session we generally have to open applications, 
windows and folders.. this can be done by the Windows Startup, but 
once for all (and putting some times the folders icons in a different 
order :[ ), while it could be useful to group targets to be handled 
toghether, and replaced by others in any moment: by the way, tabs could 
supply very well to this management of groups, and could be used to
launch all their content (e.g. Ctrl-click Tab).

Furthermore, keeping trace of the running processes (there is a Greg's 
routine ready for that), could they be gathered to buttons (with their 
targets, if folders) e.g. into one Tab by a single command [closing 
them too] in order to restore thereafter the same working situation?
A choice like: 
    Add All to buttons
    Add and close All
    Add Selected to button
    Add and close Selected
    
Asking too much?    

:0)


antonio

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2. Re: LaunchPad 02

Antonio Alessi wrote:
> 
> 
> HI Al,
> 
> about the LaunchPad, it seems to works fine besides being well done, 
> but I cannot run the source while I'd like to reduce the window size 
> to what is used by the Tabs. We have to say, correct me if I'm wrong, 
> that it currently does what we can obtain by a normal Windows folder 
> with some shortcuts; but what you would say about taking the distances 
> from windoze, making your tool able to launch more buttons at the time? 
> 
> When we start a new session we generally have to open applications, 
> windows and folders.. this can be done by the Windows Startup, but 
> once for all (and putting some times the folders icons in a different 
> order :[ ), while it could be useful to group targets to be handled 
> toghether, and replaced by others in any moment: by the way, tabs could 
> supply very well to this management of groups, and could be used to
> launch all their content (e.g. Ctrl-click Tab).
> 
> Furthermore, keeping trace of the running processes (there is a Greg's 
> routine ready for that), could they be gathered to buttons (with their 
> targets, if folders) e.g. into one Tab by a single command [closing 
> them too] in order to restore thereafter the same working situation?
> A choice like: 
>     Add All to buttons
>     Add and close All
>     Add Selected to button
>     Add and close Selected
>     
> Asking too much?    
> 
> :0)
> 
> 
> antonio

Hi there Antonio,

Im sorry to say this but, except for the source part im not sure
i understand what you are asking.  Perhaps write it in your
native language and i'll try to translate it.

As far as the source code goes, if you want to change the window
size you'll have to download the WinClass library, which is located
in the archives also.

I think i understand what you are saying about the buttons replacing
'normal' shortcuts in a listview, but they dont come on tab pages,
unless of course we code that kind of program, which i was thinking
of doing too.  What i like about having my 'shortcuts' on tab pages
is i can find stuff faster than having to navigate a directory.
Perhaps a set of shortcuts to other shortcut pages...I still like
the tab pages better though.  Also, i dont think the 'shortcut' icons
with text is as neat looking as the buttons, but of course this is
just a matter of changing the style of the Launcher.  I also like to
be able to change the color of the button to make it more noticable
than other buttons, like for EuForum i select a color that stands
out from green (green is the default color).
I guess i can look into putting "icons with text" on the tab pages
rather than buttons, so that they look like more normal shortcuts.

Oh yeah, i also find that the buttons are a bit faster too when you
go to open a program or site...one click and it's opening, rather than
a double click...and without changing all the 'icons' to single click.

I do appreciate the feedback...thanks very much.


Perhaps you can also start a new topic here to describe your program
a bit more too...tell us what it would be used for and how it
should work.



Take care,
Al





Take care,
Al

And, good luck with your Euphoria programming!

My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"

 From "Black Knight":
"I can live with losing the good fight,
 but i can not live without fighting it".
"Well on second thought, maybe not."

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3. Re: LaunchPad 02

Al Getz wrote:
> 
> Antonio Alessi wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > HI Al,
> > 
> > about the LaunchPad, it seems to works fine besides being well done, 
> > but I cannot run the source while I'd like to reduce the window size 
> > to what is used by the Tabs. We have to say, correct me if I'm wrong, 
> > that it currently does what we can obtain by a normal Windows folder 
> > with some shortcuts; but what would you say about taking the distances 
> > from windoze, making your tool able to launch more buttons at the time? 
> > 
> > When we start a new session we generally have to open applications, 
> > windows and folders.. this can be done by the Windows Startup, but 
> > once for all (and putting some times the folders icons in a different 
> > order :[ ), while it could be useful to group targets to be handled 
> > toghether, and replaced by others in any moment: by the way, tabs could 
> > supply very well to this management of groups, and could be used to
> > launch all their content (e.g. Ctrl-click Tab).
> > 
> > Furthermore, keeping trace of the running processes (there is a Greg's 
> > routine ready for that), could they be gathered to buttons (with their 
> > targets, if folders) e.g. into one Tab by a single command [closing 
> > them too] in order to restore thereafter the same working situation?
> > A choice like: 
> >     Add All to buttons
> >     Add and close All
> >     Add Selected to button
> >     Add and close Selected
> >     
> > Asking too much?    
> > 
> > :0)
> > 
> > 
> > antonio
> 
> Hi there Antonio,
> 
> Im sorry to say this but, except for the source part im not sure
> i understand what you are asking.  Perhaps write it in your
> native language and i'll try to translate it.
> 
> As far as the source code goes, if you want to change the window
> size you'll have to download the WinClass library, which is located
> in the archives also.
> 
> I think i understand what you are saying about the buttons replacing
> 'normal' shortcuts in a listview, but they dont come on tab pages,
> unless of course we code that kind of program, which i was thinking
> of doing too.  What i like about having my 'shortcuts' on tab pages
> is i can find stuff faster than having to navigate a directory.
> Perhaps a set of shortcuts to other shortcut pages...I still like
> the tab pages better though.  Also, i dont think the 'shortcut' icons
> with text is as neat looking as the buttons, but of course this is
> just a matter of changing the style of the Launcher.  I also like to
> be able to change the color of the button to make it more noticable
> than other buttons, like for EuForum i select a color that stands
> out from green (green is the default color).
> I guess i can look into putting "icons with text" on the tab pages
> rather than buttons, so that they look like more normal shortcuts.
> 
> Oh yeah, i also find that the buttons are a bit faster too when you
> go to open a program or site...one click and it's opening, rather than
> a double click...and without changing all the 'icons' to single click.
> 
> I do appreciate the feedback...thanks very much.
> 
> 
.. ..
> 
> 
> Al
> 
> 
> Al
> 
> 
> My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"
> 
>  From "Black Knight":
> "I can live with losing the good fight,
>  but i can not live without fighting it".
> "Well on second thought, maybe not."


Don't worry for to declare the limits of my speaking: my "knowledge"
of the language does not derive from a true practice, but just from
trying to write, thanks to a couple of translator packages; neither 
I have the time to read in order to learn something more.. 
just write for the need to communicate ;)

Well, let me try my language to be understandable:
writing in Italian could be not respectful to the forum.

I did not criticize the buttons, that I like better than the icons, as
I did underline creating all my hyphenator-Project based on buttons with 
names. Icons require too often to get their hint, to know where they bring ;)

I just said that:
1. I could open a folder and fill it with shortcut icons pointing to
various targets; then
2. I could open another folder with other direct shortcuts, and this folder 
could be near the first one (simulating your tabs) or inside, doesn't matter.
3. Any one of such folders could appear on my desktop and be opened by
a click, reducing the difference with the LaunchPad to a mere matter of taste.
Although I open my folders with a single click too (normal Folder option), 
I can confirm some more speed in opening program etc. with the LaunchPad 
(windoze bureaucracy is skipped). But my true question was:
what would you say about to leave behind all that? I mean enlarging your 
project to do something that was not done until now, and that can be useful.

My suggestion was developing on two main levels:
a. the ability to activate more than one button launch by one single command:
e.g. to write this answer I have (1) to run two programs for the translation 
and (2) one editor for the text, then (3) to browse the Euforum and 
(4) to open a folder of mine to load the previous message:
this could be done by a command of your LaunchPad, provided one Tab
that contain all these shortcuts (why not, Ctrl-clicking the tab itself).
b. the ability to capture all those running instances, translating
them into buttons and putting into a dedicated Tab, if not yet ready:
c. all that before closing everything described above, as a final option 
of your LaunchPad, once my message has been posted.

With such facilities, my next answer will be much more rapid to set:
one click to get all ready, my thoughts, one click to close all 
and start another job.
If this is clear enough, perhaps it could help to decipher my previous
descriptions.

No?
_____________

> Perhaps you can also start a new topic here to describe your program
> a bit more too...tell us what it would be used for and how it
> should work.
>
If you refer to the dEbUg_magic_box, it is provided with external and internal 
helps and abstract; no need to fill this area with further descriptions.

antonio

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4. Re: LaunchPad 02

Antonio Alessi wrote:
> 
> 
> HI Al,
> 
> about the LaunchPad, it seems to works fine besides being well done, 
> but I cannot run the source while I'd like to reduce the window size 
> to what is used by the Tabs. We have to say, correct me if I'm wrong, 
> that it currently does what we can obtain by a normal Windows folder 
> with some shortcuts; but what you would say about taking the distances 
> from windoze, making your tool able to launch more buttons at the time? 
> 
> When we start a new session we generally have to open applications, 
> windows and folders.. this can be done by the Windows Startup, but 
> once for all (and putting some times the folders icons in a different 
> order :[ ), while it could be useful to group targets to be handled 
> toghether, and replaced by others in any moment: by the way, tabs could 
> supply very well to this management of groups, and could be used to
> launch all their content (e.g. Ctrl-click Tab).
> 
> Furthermore, keeping trace of the running processes (there is a Greg's 
> routine ready for that), could they be gathered to buttons (with their 
> targets, if folders) e.g. into one Tab by a single command [closing 
> them too] in order to restore thereafter the same working situation?
> A choice like: 
>     Add All to buttons
>     Add and close All
>     Add Selected to button
>     Add and close Selected
>     
> Asking too much?    
> 
> :0)
> 
> 
> antonio

Hi again Antonio,


when you say
    "Add All to buttons"
what do you mean here by 'All' ?  What do you want to add?


and when you say
    Add and close All
what do you mean, 'Add' what and 'close' what?

and when you say
    Add Selected to button
what is to be 'Selected' ?

same here:
    Add and close Selected
what is selected?

Thanks, and all i need is a little more info to know exactly what
you want and if it can be added to the Launcher.

This stuff does sound interesting, like maybe opening more than one
program with one single button.  How about a button that pushes other
buttons, as many as you load into the Edit box for that button?



Take care,
Al

And, good luck with your Euphoria programming!

My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"

 From "Black Knight":
"I can live with losing the good fight,
 but i can not live without fighting it".
"Well on second thought, maybe not."

new topic     » goto parent     » topic index » view message » categorize

5. Re: LaunchPad 02

Al Getz wrote:
> 
> Antonio Alessi wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > When we start a new session we generally have to open applications, 
> > windows and folders.. this can be done by the Windows Startup, but 
> > once for all (and putting some times the folders icons in a different 
> > order :[ ), while it could be useful to group targets to be handled 
> > toghether, and replaced by others in any moment: by the way, tabs could 
> > supply very well to this management of groups, and could be used to
> > launch all their content (e.g. Ctrl-click Tab).
> > 
> > Furthermore, keeping trace of the running processes (there is a Greg's 
> > routine ready for that), could they be gathered to buttons (with their 
> > targets, if folders) e.g. into one Tab by a single command [closing 
> > them too] in order to restore thereafter the same working situation?
> > A choice like: 
> >     Add All to buttons
> >     Add and close All
> >     Add Selected to button
> >     Add and close Selected
> >     
> > Asking too much?    
> > 
> > :0)
> > 
> > 
> > antonio
> 
> Hi again Antonio,
> 
> 
> when you say
>     "Add All to buttons"
> what do you mean here by 'All' ?  What do you want to add?
> 
Create a new button for every running program or active folder etc.

> 
> and when you say
>     Add and close All
> what do you mean, 'Add' what and 'close' what?

Close every running prog. after creating the button.

> 
> and when you say
>     Add Selected to button
> what is to be 'Selected' ?

I refer to the option of a possible selection of the running instances: 
I mean to be prompted if to create a button or not for every program found.

> 
> same here:
>     Add and close Selected
> what is selected?

Same as above: both the op. of creating a button and closing thereafter
could apply to all the found instances or only to those that are being 
checked.

> 
> Thanks, and all i need is a little more info to know exactly what
> you want and if it can be added to the Launcher.

Well, I'm very happy to cooperate, but it shouldn't deal with something
that "I want", or any request; I'd like to use this and I'm suggesting 
to you what I should do with this project if it was stuff of mine.
It is not so much important what I "exactly" want, but what you feel
it is good to produce; my idea should feed your initiative.
> 
> This stuff does sound interesting, like maybe opening more than one
> program with one single button.  How about a button that pushes other
> buttons, as many as you load into the Edit box for that button?

It was just my first idea, hence I thought it was probably better to 
identify or refer this task directly to the Tabs, but this must be verified.
Furthermore I find that grabbing and closing programs not less exciting 
than opening: usually, when we have finished a task we are tired of it
or we wish to free or to dedicate our attention to others...

antonio

> 
> 
> Al
> 
> 
> My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"
> 
>  From "Black Knight":
> "I can live with losing the good fight,
>  but i can not live without fighting it".
> "Well on second thought, maybe not."

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6. Re: LaunchPad 02

Hi again Antonio,

I put your replies in quotes here...


"Create a new button for every running program or active folder etc."
Yikes smile  Are you sure you would want that?  I dont think it's too hard
to do.  I think i like the 'active folder' button maker, but what do
you mean by 'active folder'...i was thinking it would sorta be cool to
have a "Windows Explorer" with buttons instead of icons he he, and 
every folder is a tab button.  Is this what you mean?  No reason why
i cant keep generating new versions i guess until we get something
really cool.

"Close every running prog. after creating the button."
This wouldnt be hard to do either, but do you mean a "close all" button?
Do you have to close EVERY running program that often, or would you want
to 'stock' the button to close only those programs you want?


"I refer to the option of a possible selection of the running instances: "
"I mean to be prompted if to create a button or not for every program found."
Oh ok i see what you mean now, so you can sort of save the 'run state' of
your computer, then later click a single button to get all the programs
up and running again so you can continue with your work.  This sounds 
really good.  Many times i like to halt working on something and come
back to it later, but i dont want to have to leave all the windows
open that im working with so i close everything (or at least most). Later
when i come back i have to figure out where everything is again and open
everything *again*, one by one.
I can see this being VERY handy, but what if we have a particular, say, text
file up like say "MyNotes.txt" in Notepad or Edita or another text editor,
we'd have to have a way to not only open Notepad AGAIN but with MyNotes.txt
loaded into it.  If this is possible (havent thought about it much yet) then
we will have a VERY handy tool here...sortof like a 'computer state
saver/restorer'.
Hibernate does this, but you have to go into hib mode and we dont always want
that of course.


All good ideas which i will incorporate into the button launcher.
Probably start with the one where you can open several programs
with only one button.  I'll just have to figure out how to get
the name of the file that has been opened or else we'll have to
type that in ourselves, like maybe this (all on one button as
you suggested):

  open Notepad "c:\download\mytext1.txt"
  open Path\Edita "c:\download\myfile.ew"
  open Path\MyEditor "c:\mypath\myotherfile.ew"

Yeah, this is *too* good.  Im going to have to start thinking about this
right away smile

Maybe it's not that hard after all:
  point a button to a .bat file that opens all the above files!
Heck, we can do this now!!! :)
I think i'll try this right now...

Thanks for all the good ideas!


Take care,
Al

And, good luck with your Euphoria programming!

My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"

 From "Black Knight":
"I can live with losing the good fight,
 but i can not live without fighting it".
"Well on second thought, maybe not."

new topic     » goto parent     » topic index » view message » categorize

7. Re: LaunchPad 02

Al Getz wrote:
> 
> Hi again Antonio,
> 
> I put your replies in quotes here...
> 
> 
> "Create a new button for every running program or active folder etc."
> Yikes smile  Are you sure you would want that?  I dont think it's too hard
> to do.  I think i like the 'active folder' button maker, but what do
> you mean by 'active folder'...i was thinking it would sorta be cool to
> have a "Windows Explorer" with buttons instead of icons he he, and 
> every folder is a tab button.  Is this what you mean?  No reason why
> i cant keep generating new versions i guess until we get something
> really cool.

	I do not mean this, see below.
______________________________________
> 
> "Close every running prog. after creating the button."
> This wouldnt be hard to do either, but do you mean a "close all" button?
> Do you have to close EVERY running program that often, or would you want
> to 'stock' the button to close only those programs you want?
> 
> 
> "I refer to the option of a possible selection of the running instances: "
> "I mean to be prompted if to create a button or not for every program found."
> Oh ok i see what you mean now, so you can sort of save the 'run state' of
> your computer, then later click a single button to get all the programs
> up and running again so you can continue with your work.  This sounds 
> really good.  Many times i like to halt working on something and come
> back to it later, but i dont want to have to leave all the windows
> open that im working with so i close everything (or at least most). Later
> when i come back i have to figure out where everything is again and open
> everything *again*, one by one.
______________________________________

Excellent! you are interpreting here what I "exactly" meant. I daily use 
Hibernate, but this cannot help to close and reopen any kind of project
by itself, just shut down the computer and restart after sleeping.
However my idea was focused on a single project or task, not to the whole 
run state of the system: other windows might be opened while I answer to
your message (I'm following my previous example now), as they are in fact.
I am not interested to gather all these in one single group, since some
of them do not concern this job, but may be needed for others. I think 
rather to the chance to (1) open a project (let's call it so), by the 
launch of a group of buttons, (2) do what I have to do then (3) close it 
("close all" means all its components) with one touch, then open another 
one if ready. 
To do that of course we need to have created those groups the last time 
we closed each of them, possibly how you describe in the next paragraph.

> I can see this being VERY handy, but what if we have a particular, say, text
> file up like say "MyNotes.txt" in Notepad or Edita or another text editor,
> we'd have to have a way to not only open Notepad AGAIN but with MyNotes.txt
> loaded into it.  If this is possible (havent thought about it much yet) then
> we will have a VERY handy tool here...sortof like a 'computer state
> saver/restorer'.
> Hibernate does this, but you have to go into hib mode and we dont always want
> that of course.
______________________________________
The same should apply to the Addresses of the "active folders" (I mean the 
Explorer folders in view); I always have 3 or 4 opened on the second (dual 
head) monitor.

> 
> 
> All good ideas which i will incorporate into the button launcher.

______
	:0))	

> Probably start with the one where you can open several programs
> with only one button.  I'll just have to figure out how to get
> the name of the file that has been opened or else we'll have to
> type that in ourselves, like maybe this (all on one button as
> you suggested):
> 
>   open Notepad "c:\download\mytext1.txt"
>   open Path\Edita "c:\download\myfile.ew"
>   open Path\MyEditor "c:\mypath\myotherfile.ew"
______________________________________

Perhaps there is no need to give a name to every single button, 
once a name is given to the group itself, according to its task.
Or this could simply be the tab's name, if you decide to use tabs
to separate projects; but it is the same if you prefer "parent" buttons.

> 
> Yeah, this is *too* good.  Im going to have to start thinking about this
> right away smile
> 
> Maybe it's not that hard after all:
>   point a button to a .bat file that opens all the above files!
______________________________________

It could be not so easy. :|
I guess you have to use the "call" command to do that inside a .bat, 
or the batch execution might be abandoned after the 1st program run;
but I don't really see the need to fall into the windoze darkness
since we can control the execution from EU. Perhaps the shellExecuteEx( ),
or what's in your library, inside a For/End For could better supply.

> Heck, we can do this now!!! :)
> I think i'll try this right now...
> 
> Thanks for all the good ideas!
   
       We'll enjoy this new tool for "our" running!
       antonio   
> 
> 
> Al
> 
> 
> My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"
> 
>  From "Black Knight":
> "I can live with losing the good fight,
>  but i can not live without fighting it".
> "Well on second thought, maybe not."

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8. Re: LaunchPad 02

Hi again Antonio,

I'm beginning to see what you mean now.
The only problem i see so far is that if the Launcher isnt used
to open EVERY program (ie some are already open and we use a 'capture'
command from the Launcher) then the Launcher will not know what *files*
have been opened with the given programs.  This doesnt matter when we
go to close the programs (with the "close all" button) but it does
matter when we go to reopen all the programs with their respective
files.  Again, the example i gave before:
open Notepad Myfile.txt
we know the program is Notepad and the file is Myfile.txt, but
if this is already open we dont know what file has been open.
(OK maybe with Notepad we can read the title bar, but this isnt
always the case with other programs).
The other part is what if the program opens two or more files?
There must be a way to do this too, so if there isnt already
a button to open that 'minor group' then how do we know what
file to use, unless of course we resort to typing the user data in
to the button edit box?  I wanted to minimize typing on the users
part.

Oh yeah, if you are going to use a .bat file (for now) you can use
the 'start' keyword like this:
  start c:\Mydir\MyProg.exe c:\MyStuff\Myfile.txt
which then opens MyFile.txt with MyProg.exe .  There is a bit of
screen flashing sometimes so i rather do it with the Launcher in
the future.

Does all this make sense?




Take care,
Al

And, good luck with your Euphoria programming!

My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"

 From "Black Knight":
"I can live with losing the good fight,
 but i can not live without fighting it".
"Well on second thought, maybe not."

new topic     » goto parent     » topic index » view message » categorize

9. Re: LaunchPad 02

Al Getz wrote:
> 
> Hi again Antonio,
> 
> I'm beginning to see what you mean now.
> The only problem i see so far is that if the Launcher isnt used
> to open EVERY program (ie some are already open and we use a 'capture'
> command from the Launcher) then the Launcher will not know what *files*
> have been opened with the given programs.  This doesnt matter when we
> go to close the programs (with the "close all" button) but it does
> matter when we go to reopen all the programs with their respective
> files.  Again, the example i gave before:
> open Notepad Myfile.txt
> we know the program is Notepad and the file is Myfile.txt, but
> if this is already open we dont know what file has been open.
> (OK maybe with Notepad we can read the title bar, but this isnt
> always the case with other programs).


Yes, I know this problem, but there may be two cases:

1. the application is able to restore the last setting, loading its 
own last files on startup, with no need to tell it what to do (eg. my 
program does it, remember my old problem about sorting files on load?);

2. the LaunchPad can prompt the user for an entry, if it does not know what 
parameters to start with, possibly accepting a dropped link; this can help.
I don't know Windows enough to find out where and how to get such info about 
the running programs, if any, but perhaps somebody could answer to that too.
Probably somewhere in the Registry ..

> The other part is what if the program opens two or more files?
> There must be a way to do this too, so if there isnt already
> a button to open that 'minor group' then how do we know what
> file to use, unless of course we resort to typing the user data in
> to the button edit box?  I wanted to minimize typing on the users
> part.
> 

This should mostly pertain to the point 1. above, anyhow in such case
I consider this a problem of the applications (the user can choose), not our.
I agree with you on minimizing, since this is the scope of the LauchPad, 
however the re-opening has not always to start with the same targets;
if yes, a single typing by the users is not the worst solution against 
the global advantages of getting more windows ready at a time.
On the other side with many programs (eg. Photoshop) there is no way 
to start loading certain files, so this could not lay as the main goal.

.. ..
 
> Does all this make sense?
 
All that that exist make sense, it's our to try to disclose it.

So, just try and see!

antonio
> 
> 
> Al
> 
> 
> My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"
> 
>  From "Black Knight":
> "I can live with losing the good fight,
>  but i can not live without fighting it".
> "Well on second thought, maybe not."
HI Al,

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10. Re: LaunchPad 02

Antonio Alessi wrote:
> 
> Al Getz wrote:
> > 
> > Hi again Antonio,
> > 
> > I'm beginning to see what you mean now.
> > The only problem i see so far is that if the Launcher isnt used
> > to open EVERY program (ie some are already open and we use a 'capture'
> > command from the Launcher) then the Launcher will not know what *files*
> > have been opened with the given programs.  This doesnt matter when we
> > go to close the programs (with the "close all" button) but it does
> > matter when we go to reopen all the programs with their respective
> > files.  Again, the example i gave before:
> > open Notepad Myfile.txt
> > we know the program is Notepad and the file is Myfile.txt, but
> > if this is already open we dont know what file has been open.
> > (OK maybe with Notepad we can read the title bar, but this isnt
> > always the case with other programs).
> 
> 
> Yes, I know this problem, but there may be two cases:
> 
> 1. the application is able to restore the last setting, loading its 
> own last files on startup, with no need to tell it what to do (eg. my 
> program does it, remember my old problem about sorting files on load?);
> 
> 2. the LaunchPad can prompt the user for an entry, if it does not know what
> 
> parameters to start with, possibly accepting a dropped link; this can help.
> I don't know Windows enough to find out where and how to get such info about
> 
> the running programs, if any, but perhaps somebody could answer to that too.
> Probably somewhere in the Registry ..
> 
> > The other part is what if the program opens two or more files?
> > There must be a way to do this too, so if there isnt already
> > a button to open that 'minor group' then how do we know what
> > file to use, unless of course we resort to typing the user data in
> > to the button edit box?  I wanted to minimize typing on the users
> > part.
> > 
> 
> This should mostly pertain to the point 1. above, anyhow in such case
> I consider this a problem of the applications (the user can choose), not our.
> I agree with you on minimizing, since this is the scope of the LauchPad, 
> however the re-opening has not always to start with the same targets;
> if yes, a single typing by the users is not the worst solution against 
> the global advantages of getting more windows ready at a time.
> On the other side with many programs (eg. Photoshop) there is no way 
> to start loading certain files, so this could not lay as the main goal.
> 
> .. ..
>  
> > Does all this make sense?
>  
> All that that exist make sense, it's our to try to disclose it.
> 
> So, just try and see!
> 
> antonio
> > 
> > 
> > Al
> > 
> > 
> > My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"
> > 
> >  From "Black Knight":
> > "I can live with losing the good fight,
> >  but i can not live without fighting it".
> > "Well on second thought, maybe not."
> HI Al,

Hi again Antonio,


Oh yes, some programs dont accept a command line target file.
So you say Photoshop doesnt allow this either?  That's too bad.
I guess there is nothing that can be done about this problem.
Most of the programs i make myself accept command line arguments
that are file targets to load on opening.  In fact, i think all of
the programs i use frequently allow that.

Yes perhaps allowing drag and drop to extend the button functionality
would be good, so the user can drag files to be opened with the
program too.  Sounds good.

All this new functionality would summarize as follows:

Drag a .exe (or exw) file to create a button and get it's path
(and working dir when possible) [this is already working]
Drag another file on top of new button to create an 'open with' list.
The list would be editable of course.
At the same time as the drop is made to the new button, a 'close'
list is also maintained.  Perhaps right click and menu select "close all".
Make the 'close' list editable too.

Sound good?




Take care,
Al

And, good luck with your Euphoria programming!

My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"

 From "Black Knight":
"I can live with losing the good fight,
 but i can not live without fighting it".
"Well on second thought, maybe not."

new topic     » goto parent     » topic index » view message » categorize

11. Re: LaunchPad 02

Al Getz wrote:
> 
> Antonio Alessi wrote:
> > 
> > Al Getz wrote:
> > > 
> > > Hi again Antonio,
> > > 
> > > I'm beginning to see what you mean now.
> > > The only problem i see so far is that if the Launcher isnt used
> > > to open EVERY program (ie some are already open and we use a 'capture'
> > > command from the Launcher) then the Launcher will not know what *files*
> > > have been opened with the given programs.  This doesnt matter when we
> > > go to close the programs (with the "close all" button) but it does
> > > matter when we go to reopen all the programs with their respective
> > > files.  Again, the example i gave before:
> > > open Notepad Myfile.txt
> > > we know the program is Notepad and the file is Myfile.txt, but
> > > if this is already open we dont know what file has been open.
> > > (OK maybe with Notepad we can read the title bar, but this isnt
> > > always the case with other programs).
> > 
> > 
> > Yes, I know this problem, but there may be two cases:
> > 
> > 1. the application is able to restore the last setting, loading its 
> > own last files on startup, with no need to tell it what to do (eg. my 
> > program does it, remember my old problem about sorting files on load?);
> > 
> > 2. the LaunchPad can prompt the user for an entry, if it does not know what
> > 
> > parameters to start with, possibly accepting a dropped link; this can help.
> > I don't know Windows enough to find out where and how to get such info about
> > 
> > the running programs, if any, but perhaps somebody could answer to that too.
> > Probably somewhere in the Registry ..
> > 
> > > The other part is what if the program opens two or more files?
> > > There must be a way to do this too, so if there isnt already
> > > a button to open that 'minor group' then how do we know what
> > > file to use, unless of course we resort to typing the user data in
> > > to the button edit box?  I wanted to minimize typing on the users
> > > part.
> > > 
> > 
> > This should mostly pertain to the point 1. above, anyhow in such case
> > I consider this a problem of the applications (the user can choose), not
> > our.
> > I agree with you on minimizing, since this is the scope of the LauchPad, 
> > however the re-opening has not always to start with the same targets;
> > if yes, a single typing by the users is not the worst solution against 
> > the global advantages of getting more windows ready at a time.
> > On the other side with many programs (eg. Photoshop) there is no way 
> > to start loading certain files, so this could not lay as the main goal.
> > 
> > .. ..
> >  
> > > Does all this make sense?
> >  
> > All that that exist make sense, it's our to try to disclose it.
> > 
> > So, just try and see!
> > 
> > antonio
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Al
> > > 
> > > 
> > > My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"
> > > 
> > >  From "Black Knight":
> > > "I can live with losing the good fight,
> > >  but i can not live without fighting it".
> > > "Well on second thought, maybe not."
> > HI Al,
> 
> Hi again Antonio,
> 
> 
> Oh yes, some programs dont accept a command line target file.
> So you say Photoshop doesnt allow this either?  That's too bad.
> I guess there is nothing that can be done about this problem.
> Most of the programs i make myself accept command line arguments
> that are file targets to load on opening.  In fact, i think all of
> the programs i use frequently allow that.
> 
> Yes perhaps allowing drag and drop to extend the button functionality
> would be good, so the user can drag files to be opened with the
> program too.  Sounds good.
> 
> All this new functionality would summarize as follows:
> 
> Drag a .exe (or exw) file to create a button and get it's path
> (and working dir when possible) [this is already working]
> Drag another file on top of new button to create an 'open with' list.
> The list would be editable of course.
> At the same time as the drop is made to the new button, a 'close'
> list is also maintained.  Perhaps right click and menu select "close all".
> Make the 'close' list editable too.
> 
> Sound good?
> 
> 
> Al
> 

HI there Al,


I won't mismatch the "open with" above:
when you say an editable 'open with' list, do you refer 
1. to the list of files to be opened by the program associated to that button,
   or 
2. to the list of programs that will be the components of a new project,
i. e. to be opened toghether?

The 'close' list let me think to the case 2, but the expression 'open with'
usually is referred to the 1, so I'm not sure of what 'another file' is.

I have tried just now to drag an Explorer window and it has been
accepted with the right folder address, although not a shortcut;

yes, it sounds good anyway - our thoughts are meeting - so far I use to 
let the last word belong to the.. fingers (you won't believe that, 
but my fingers know things of my system that I have completely forgotten!)

antonio

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12. Re: LaunchPad 02

> HI there Al,
> 
> 
> I won't mismatch the "open with" above:
> when you say an editable 'open with' list, do you refer 
> 1. to the list of files to be opened by the program associated to that button,
>    or 
> 2. to the list of programs that will be the components of a new project,
> i. e. to be opened toghether?
> 
> The 'close' list let me think to the case 2, but the expression 'open with'
> usually is referred to the 1, so I'm not sure of what 'another file' is.
> 
> I have tried just now to drag an Explorer window and it has been
> accepted with the right folder address, although not a shortcut;
> 
> yes, it sounds good anyway - our thoughts are meeting - so far I use to 
> let the last word belong to the.. fingers (you won't believe that, 
> but my fingers know things of my system that I have completely forgotten!)
> 
> antonio

Hi Antonio,

The 'open with' list would refer to the list of files to be
opened with the same program, if that program accepts multiple
file opens (ie probably a multiple document type program, or
else have the program open several times for different docs).
The 'close' list would be a list of any programs associated with
that button.  I guess each item on this list would have to
accept drops from files (as you tried with Explorer) so that it
can register that file with the program.

I guess two 'modes' of operation would be appropriate:
mode one where the user registers all their programs and files and
mode two where the user actually opens all this stuff.

Yes, the main window accepts drops from Windows Explorer, and creates
a button (you get the message that it's not a shortcut but it will
create the button anyway right? ).  This was meant to make it easy
to create buttons directly from Windows Explorer files (ie exe programs
or text files or whatever).  If you already have your system set up
to associate an exe file with a document file you can drop that doc type
file onto the main window and get a button that opens the file with
the associated exe program.

One thing i havent done yet is get Internet Explorer drops to work,
ie when you drop an internet path onto the main window directly from
IE (it does accept internet paths from the shell however).  This
must be a different clip format so i'll have to look into what format
this is and how to access the data.


Take care,
Al




Take care,
Al

And, good luck with your Euphoria programming!

My bumper sticker: "I brake for LED's"

 From "Black Knight":
"I can live with losing the good fight,
 but i can not live without fighting it".
"Well on second thought, maybe not."

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