Tab-location binding

[zer0]

As I have to manage double-digit TBs worth of data (that's just at home), my approach has to be straight forward. That is why each tab in my XYplorer corresponds to a different drive. This poses a problem [for me] as, while we have can have multiple tabs and panes, we only have one tree. Often, I find it easier to navigate the tree than tabs -- probably because the tree has been around longer.

If I jump around the tree with no respect as to what tab I'm in, the whole thing becomes a mess rather quickly. Therefore, what I would like to see (no, it's not multiple trees ) is an ability to bind a tab to a particular drive/folder (and its subfolders). A sample scenario of how I envisage this would work:

1. Bind Tab1 to "D:\" (and subfolders). Bind Tab2 to "H:\". Have Tab2 as the current tab.
2. Go to a subfolder of D:\

My expectation would be for XYplorer to recognise step 2 and switch the current tab to Tab1 as that tab is bound to that location. There are several advantages to this functionality:

a) Less time to worry about keeping tabs tidy = more time can be spent actually working.
b) Fewer clicks (through elimination of having to select a tab) = less time wasted, healthier mice
c) Tabs can be hidden altogether = more space for the list, cleaner interface.
d) It makes sense! -- in file management, a tab identifies a location where file(s)/folder(s) are logically grouped. Consequently, accessing one of such folders should take place within the context of that tab.

Bonus: can't think of any other FM that currently features such [IMO] intuitive behaviour

Yep, this would be a variation on "Home Zone" feature. So, instead of opening a new tab, XYplorer would go to a tab whose Home Zone already includes selected location. Something similar is provided by Default Tabs, but that doesn't quite fit the requirement spec. If only it extended to subfolders...

[nas8e9]

+1.

I wonder what should happen when clicking a folder in the tree that isn't part of any tab's home zone:
1. divert to the default tab and create one if not yet present, or
2. always open a new tab?

My own usage is to have a number of tabs all pointing to (sub)folders rather than drives; it would (as you said) be great if any folder location (not just drives) can be the top of the home branch.

For my usage this would be a great improvement. Very nice idea, thank you!

[zer0]

I wonder what should happen when clicking a folder in the tree that isn't part of any tab's home zone:
1. divert to the default tab and create one if not yet present, or
2. always open a new tab?

I think the safest option is 2. Glad you're on-board with this proposition!

[admin]

Indeed this seems to be just an extension of the home zone feature:

When going to a new location, check (from left to right) if any tab's home zone includes this location, and if yes then use this tab instead of the current tab or a new tab.

Correct? Then we would just need a check box:
[ ] ... Home Zones ... (no idea for good caption)

[nas8e9]

Indeed this seems to be just an extension of the home zone feature:

When going to a new location, check (from left to right) if any tab's home zone includes this location, and if yes then use this tab instead of the current tab or a new tab.

Correct? Then we would just need a check box:
[ ] ... Home Zones ... (no idea for good caption)

Perhaps in Configuration > General > Tree: Open location in tabs' Home Zone, with an indented ComboBox to select what happens when selecting a location not covered by any tab's Home Zone:
1. Always open in new tab
2. Open in Default Tab?

Thank you for considering!

[admin]

Indeed this seems to be just an extension of the home zone feature:

When going to a new location, check (from left to right) if any tab's home zone includes this location, and if yes then use this tab instead of the current tab or a new tab.

Correct? Then we would just need a check box:
[ ] ... Home Zones ... (no idea for good caption)

Perhaps in Configuration > General > Tree: Open location in tabs' Home Zone, with an indented ComboBox to select what happens when selecting a location not covered by any tab's Home Zone:
1. Always open in new tab
2. Open in Default Tab?

Thank you for considering!

3. Open in current tab?
(which would be the standard if the current tab has no (other) homezone and is not locked otherwise.

Should this only work for tabs with "Lock Home Zone" enabled, or for all tabs with a Home defined?

[nas8e9]

3. Open in current tab?
(which would be the standard if the current tab has no (other) homezone and is not locked otherwise.

Should this only work for tabs with "Lock Home Zone" enabled, or for all tabs with a Home defined?

I wouldn't mind option 3 either, but I think zer0 meant (I would certainly like it that way) for this to apply globally for all tabs: the basic idea is to limit tab proliferation and to confine locations within home zones to the respective tabs. If a selected location matches a Home but not a Home zone, then that tab should be used?

[admin]

3. Open in current tab?
(which would be the standard if the current tab has no (other) homezone and is not locked otherwise.

Should this only work for tabs with "Lock Home Zone" enabled, or for all tabs with a Home defined?

I wouldn't mind option 3 either, but I think zer0 meant (I would certainly like it that way) for this to apply globally for all tabs: the basic idea is to limit tab proliferation and to confine locations within home zones to the respective tabs. If a selected location matches a Home but not a Home zone, then that tab should be used?

Thinking about it I don't think we need further options 1,2,3... Why not simply like this:

Code: Select all

If "Tab-location binding" is ON then
  When going to a new location, check (from left to right) if any tab's locked home zone includes this location
    if yes: use this tab
    if no: proceed as usual

[zer0]

Thinking about it I don't think we need further options 1,2,3... Why not simply like this:

Code: Select all

If "Tab-location binding" is ON then
  When going to a new location, check (from left to right) if any tab's locked home zone includes this location
    if yes: use this tab
    if no: proceed as usual

No objections, but is this left-to-right check pane-relative? IOW, would it check tabs within current pane first and then within the other?

[admin]

Thinking about it I don't think we need further options 1,2,3... Why not simply like this:

Code: Select all

If "Tab-location binding" is ON then
  When going to a new location, check (from left to right) if any tab's locked home zone includes this location
    if yes: use this tab
    if no: proceed as usual

No objections, but is this left-to-right check pane-relative? IOW, would it check tabs within current pane first and then within the other?

I was just thinking of the current pane. Automatic cross-pane jumps would be a totally different story (unlikely I would add this).

[zer0]

No objections, but is this left-to-right check pane-relative? IOW, would it check tabs within current pane first and then within the other?

I was just thinking of the current pane. Automatic cross-pane jumps would be a totally different story (unlikely I would add this).

Then it's no good for me, sorry. I have DPed ( ) XYplorer with internal HDDs tabbed in one pane and external ones in the other. Makes Drag and Drop a breeze, no way I'm giving this up Thus, if I'm in a tab in Pane2 (external) and I tree-click a location that's defined as home zone in one of Pane1 (internal) tabs then XYplorer won't find it in Pane2 and would sprout a new tab, which isn't desired at all.

[admin]

No objections, but is this left-to-right check pane-relative? IOW, would it check tabs within current pane first and then within the other?

I was just thinking of the current pane. Automatic cross-pane jumps would be a totally different story (unlikely I would add this).

Then it's no good for me, sorry. I have DPed ( ) XYplorer with internal HDDs tabbed in one pane and external ones in the other. Makes Drag and Drop a breeze, no way I'm giving this up Thus, if I'm in a tab in Pane2 (external) and I tree-click a location that's defined as home zone in one of Pane1 (internal) tabs then XYplorer won't find it in Pane2 and would sprout a new tab, which isn't desired at all.

I understand. Unfortunately this makes implementing the feature more difficult. It has to move to the end of the queue (roadmap).

[admin]

PS: Just found that a very similar feature existed for more than 3 years (since v5.00.0067 - 2006-07-27 13:00) but then was removed on 20090624:
http://www.xyplorer.com/xyfc/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3760

[zer0]

PS: Just found that a very similar feature existed for more than 3 years (since v5.00.0067 - 2006-07-27 13:00) but then was removed on 20090624:
http://www.xyplorer.com/xyfc/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3760

I saw that in the changelog during my research and was encouraged that having it in the past would support a case to bring it back. Shame that you've sent it to the back of the to-do list

[admin]

PS: Just found that a very similar feature existed for more than 3 years (since v5.00.0067 - 2006-07-27 13:00) but then was removed on 20090624:
http://www.xyplorer.com/xyfc/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3760

I saw that in the changelog during my research and was encouraged that having it in the past would support a case to bring it back. Shame that you've sent it to the back of the to-do list

Having read that small discussion that lead to its removal, do you still think the idea is good?