Easier breadcrumbs for mouse-centric users?

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 06 Jan 2007 08:53

Even though I tend to max out at 3-4 tabs, there are times when the AB would be a bit further away from current mouse pos, so what's the defect with my idea of using existing icon as spot to trigger BC via click?

Just wondering...and also why losing one title char pos for an up arrow icon as orig idea would be THAT bad?

I tend to ignore AB and some users may not even have it showing, true? Whereas tab headers are mandatory visible..well, yes, you could turn off headers, but I doubt that happens often, given that tabbed browsing is a primary feature of XY!

cracksloth · Post by **cracksloth** » 06 Jan 2007 09:52

i think a button toggle between address box and a breadcrumb is inspired! i hope this feature finds its way into a future xy. i felt so inspired by it, i made my first post!

Post by **admin** » 06 Jan 2007 10:01

j_c_hallgren wrote:Even though I tend to max out at 3-4 tabs, there are times when the AB would be a bit further away from current mouse pos, so what's the defect with my idea of using existing icon as spot to trigger BC via click?
Just wondering...and also why losing one title char pos for an up arrow icon as orig idea would be THAT bad?
I tend to ignore AB and some users may not even have it showing, true? Whereas tab headers are mandatory visible..

Well

- arrow on each tab would not look cool
- tab headers are not mandatory but can be turned off (menu window/show tabs) and you can still swith tabs via Tab List

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 06 Jan 2007 10:21

Look cool? That teeny itsy bity lil' triangle? It'd barely be noticable, IMHO...but, as you said (and as I tweaked my prior post while you were replying), tab hdrs can be turned off...but so can AB!

And I would theorize that of the very few who maybe have either hidden, more have AB hidden than tab hdrs...of course, neither of likely knows for sure...

Gandolf · Post by **Gandolf** » 06 Jan 2007 11:04

I have to agree with Donald in not liking the idea of a small triangle (or anything else) in the tab header. Keep the header as simple as possible.

j_c_hallgren wrote: ..or...could maybe either left or right-clicking exactly on existing tab icon specifically invoke BC there? I prefer left click, but would deal ok with a right click (mousepad, remember?) in order to not have to move mouse or use keyboard...

This idea I do like. Right click to me would seem more logical since it is a sort of context menu but I'm more a keyboard user, so either would suit me.

Post by **admin** » 06 Jan 2007 12:28

That last idea was good enough for me to actually do it!

And I like it.

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 06 Jan 2007 17:12

I do LIKE the new way to invoke BC! Very handy and convenient! Not much more effort than in X2...and was also pleased to have my suggestion taken! Even if is was by second choice...

I also see that you implemented but didn't list that Cntl+Bksp was changed so breadcrumb now pops up at current cursor location...minor detail, I admit...

And, to avoid creating a separate thread for what appears to be a very minor issue:

BUG Report: Popup Breadcrumb doesn't always appear:
If one uses Ctl+Bksp to popup BC while on blank area of Info Panel, and then clicks on some blank area to clear/close popup instead of using ESC, the next time you try to invoke it in same blank area, it ignores the request! You have to select a file or something similar to reset something internal, and then it'll work. This seems to only occur when cursor is in IP, as if in list or tree, it works fine..

Post by **admin** » 06 Jan 2007 17:52

j_c_hallgren wrote:BUG Report: Popup Breadcrumb doesn't always appear:

FIXED!

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 07 Jan 2007 16:01

After using this new feature a bit, I've realized that it would be helpful if the icon could get a highlight (as toolbar icons do) when hovering over it...this would provide better feedback that one is on or close enough to correct place to invoke BC...I don't know if this is technically possible, but if so, I believe it would make usage just a bit easier...and might also make folks who are not aware of it discover the reason and thus the feature.

jacky · Post by **jacky** » 07 Jan 2007 18:51

j_c_hallgren wrote:After using this new feature a bit, I've realized that it would be helpful if the icon could get a highlight (as toolbar icons do) when hovering over it...

I'm not sure whether it would "look" so good, as it could imply an action when one click on the icon, while it's actually on right-click, the "regular" left-click works same on icon & title, and activates the tab.

Having the icon being highlighted a bit or something might be confusing in that way, I think. TB icons do have something, but for their left-click actions, the right-click ctxt menu is a plus that you have to know about (like many right-click actions), and it might be better that way....

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 07 Jan 2007 19:32

Ok, jacky...you make a good and very valid point!

I hereby retract the highlight proposal!
...so..maybe could there be a VERY narrow separator between icon and path, so the dividing line would be visible but not in-your-face? Somewhat like exists between column headers? Given that a couple of pixels of mouse pos left or right would cause two quite different results on right-click...

JustinF · Post by **JustinF** » 08 Jan 2007 16:38

Code: Select all

v5.50.0008 - 06.01.07 12:26
    + Tab headers: now, when you right-click the icon in any tab-header,
      the breadcrumb menu of that tab's location is popped up at your
      mouse cursor. Cool........

Ok, I have to admit, I was ready to get upset...I run XY on the secondary monitor and most of the right-click menus show up on the primary one...I was expecting the same behavior with this new feature. This has been discussed before and has been determined to be a bug with VB5. BUT this new breadcrumb menu (which is VERY nice, BTW) shows up correctly!! I don't exactly know what the difference is between this menu and the other ones, but is it possible to create the other menus the same way as this one so they too show up in the right place???

Post by **admin** » 08 Jan 2007 17:27

JustinF wrote:I don't exactly know what the difference is between this menu and the other ones, but is it possible to create the other menus the same way as this one so they too show up in the right place???

Yes, I'll do that one by one. Lots of tedious handwork... The difference is between using the internal buggy popup command and the fine working TrackPopupMenu API.

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 10 Jan 2007 16:59

VERY minor detail: Just wondering...Should the icon for "Search Results" tab be able to invoke breadcrumb? As it really doesn't exist as a folder and thus has no parent/child folders...it doesn't do any real harm as is, but seems a bit unusual...

Post by **admin** » 10 Jan 2007 17:29

j_c_hallgren wrote:VERY minor detail: Just wondering...Should the icon for "Search Results" tab be able to invoke breadcrumb? As it really doesn't exist as a folder and thus has no parent/child folders...it doesn't do any real harm as is, but seems a bit unusual...

Well, I'd call this a bug. Try with searching multiple locations and you'll see a breadcrumb on mescalin (or should I say: a peyotlcrumb?). Going down to work again...