Double Click on Desktop to open XYPlorer

mikes16 · Post by **mikes16** » 02 Mar 2007 17:29

A DoPus feature I like is the ability to double click anywhere on the desktop to open it. This is very convenient adn I would like to see that with XYPlorer.

By the way, I am convinced - I will be purchasing this product soon.

surrender · Post by **surrender** » 02 Mar 2007 17:35

Let me understand you correctly, you mean clicking on any folder should open XYplorer right?

One way is to open it from right-click context menu (tools>configuration>advanced and check "XYplorer is shell context menu")

or to get it with double click, here is the link to WIKI which explains how to do it:

http://88.191.26.34/XYwiki/index.php/FAQ#General

mikes16 · Post by **mikes16** » 02 Mar 2007 18:15

No, not quite. Clicking onto an empty desktop opens XYPlorer. Instead of clicking on the shortcut icon to launch the tool, I want to just double click anywhere on the desktop and have XYplorer open.

Directory Opus has this feature now, and it is a nice little enhancement. Allows you to need an icon for the shortcut on your desktop and is a super fast way to get into XYPlorer

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 02 Mar 2007 18:56

Ok, so I don't get it...maybe cause it's the way I work compared to others...but I go to Desktop only about once a day...and then because I've got some shortcut that ended up there that i don't want there...

I have typically about 5-6 tasks open at any time on taskbar, so the quickest way I have to start XY (on those very rare occasions when I don't have it running already!) is via the main Start menu where I've got XY added, or Quick Launch where it's also...so why would being able to click on desktop be any quicker than either of these methods?

Post by **admin** » 02 Mar 2007 21:27

mikes16 wrote:Clicking onto an empty desktop opens XYPlorer. ...

That must be some OS setting (registry). Since XY is portable and has good manners: no registry bitching built in.

BTW, dbl-clicking the desktop! I have no the slightest idea where this setting is to be found, and never heard of any software using this. Up to now...

mikes16 · Post by **mikes16** » 03 Mar 2007 17:29

j_c_hallgren wrote:Ok, so I don't get it...maybe cause it's the way I work compared to others...but I go to Desktop only about once a day...and then because I've got some shortcut that ended up there that i don't want there...

I have typically about 5-6 tasks open at any time on taskbar, so the quickest way I have to start XY (on those very rare occasions when I don't have it running already!) is via the main Start menu where I've got XY added, or Quick Launch where it's also...so why would being able to click on desktop be any quicker than either of these methods?

I think maybe you are overcomplicating this request. Double Click anywhere on the desktop - anywhere - and open the file manager. Imagine your are working in Word, which takes up 70% of your desktop space, leaving 30% of your desktop open. If you need to jump into the file manager real quick, it is nice to just click ANYWHERE in that 30% space to get to the file manager, instead of having to minimize Word, navigate to the icon on the desktop, then double click it to open the manager.

I can still launch DoPus quicker by double clicking anywhere on the desktop - anywhere my cursor is sitting at the moment, than you who has to move the mouse down to the taskbar, or navigate through the start menu's.

Now, it is one thing to say that this type of feature depends on the registry and would be too "bloated" a feature as the admin states in the post below, but to criticize it because you do not understand it is just silly. It IS a faster way to launch the application - that I guarantee you - and for those of us who work on the computer 14 hours a day, being able to access the file manager instantly is a HUGE plus. I like to have 1 or 2 touch access to all of the programs I use. I have a context menu that appears with "win+x" keypress that has all my favorite programs in it. It appears right at my cursor - I can add XYPlorer to that, but DoPus is quicker to launch with the desktop double click functionality.

It is a matter of moused movement. How can you say navigating to the start menu or quicklauncher or task bar is quicker than double clicking ANYWHERE and the desktop?

The image of the setting in DoPus is shown below in the attached image.

jacky · Post by **jacky** » 03 Mar 2007 18:26

mikes16 wrote:Now, it is one thing to say that this type of feature depends on the registry and would be too "bloated" a feature as the admin states in the post below, but to criticize it because you do not understand it is just silly. It IS a faster way to launch the application - that I guarantee you - and for those of us who work on the computer 14 hours a day, being able to access the file manager instantly is a HUGE plus.

I don't think jc criticized anything here, he only said he didn't understand how it worked!

I think you are only seeing this with your eyes, and how you do things. Like jc i do have usually at least 5 or 6 apps running & shown on taskbar at any time, and I never have the desktop visible because at least 2 or 3 of those apps will be running maximized (hence no desktop visible).

Personnally I have never used the desktop, nor seen any interest in it (except for apps to put shortcuts here without asking!)

See in your example I would have XY running already, because i always have a few apps running all the time and XY is one of them (XY actually is my "main" app, or in my "central/entry point") so it will be on taskbar, actually it will be the 3rd entry on my taskbar!

See, as I said for me when Word is running is it running fullscreen, so I have no desktop visible. And I also have a little nice app (Taskix) always running (not on taskbar though) that actually allows me to reorder the apps on my taskbar the way I want simply by dragging them around!

This is one of the simplest little thing that trully makes your life easier, but that MS - too busy adding nice 3D effects that needs the latest CPU/RAM combo - cannot think of and have built-in.

So for me, I always know where XY is, same goes for other running apps since I can have my taskbar ordered as I want. And to run new app, it's eirther on my Catalog for commonly used one and on the QuickLaunch for some others (or Start menu for others).

Now, for someone who would have part of he desktop (almost) always visible, I can see how an action on dbl-click anywhere on desktop would be useful.

I think it could be added to XY, with a user warning about registry, just like there's already an option "XY in shell ctxt menu" ; allthough I must admit that, like Don, I never heard of this before!
But, maybe, if someone can explain how it works/where this is setup, it could be added...

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 04 Mar 2007 04:37

mikes16 wrote:
j_c_hallgren wrote:Ok, so I don't get it...maybe cause it's the way I work compared to others...

so why would being able to click on desktop be any quicker than either of these methods?
but to criticize it because you do not understand it is just silly. It IS a faster way to launch the application.

It is a matter of moused movement. How can you say navigating to the start menu or quicklauncher or task bar is quicker than double clicking ANYWHERE and the desktop?

Note that I said "I don't get it" and asked "why would it be quicker" with a 'confused' emoticon...as jacky said, I don't see that as criticizing, but just wondering why...as in my way of operating, using desktop is far much slower, since I have to do something (either mouse or key) to get desktop to show before I'd be able to click on it.

There are some exceptional cases when I have two apps with less than max size showing at same time but 99.98% of time, I'm in a max'ed state...'different strokes for different folks'

Plus, by having XY at top of my main Start menu, I can get it going in three keystrokes: 1) Windows key 2) Down arrow 3) Enter key...but typically, this is only needed when XY has that odd crash in my setup!
I've got XY, Win Expl, Win Zip and IrFanView in that main Start, so I don't have to even select 'Programs' entry for these most commonly used app's.

mikes16 · Post by **mikes16** » 04 Mar 2007 05:56

j_c_hallgren wrote:
mikes16 wrote:
j_c_hallgren wrote:Ok, so I don't get it...maybe cause it's the way I work compared to others...

so why would being able to click on desktop be any quicker than either of these methods?
but to criticize it because you do not understand it is just silly. It IS a faster way to launch the application.

It is a matter of moused movement. How can you say navigating to the start menu or quicklauncher or task bar is quicker than double clicking ANYWHERE and the desktop?
Note that I said "I don't get it" and asked "why would it be quicker" with a 'confused' emoticon...as jacky said, I don't see that as criticizing, but just wondering why...as in my way of operating, using desktop is far much slower, since I have to do something (either mouse or key) to get desktop to show before I'd be able to click on it.

There are some exceptional cases when I have two apps with less than max size showing at same time but 99.98% of time, I'm in a max'ed state...'different strokes for different folks'

Plus, by having XY at top of my main Start menu, I can get it going in three keystrokes: 1) Windows key 2) Down arrow 3) Enter key...but typically, this is only needed when XY has that odd crash in my setup!
I've got XY, Win Expl, Win Zip and IrFanView in that main Start, so I don't have to even select 'Programs' entry for these most commonly used app's.

Fair enough - different strokes for different folks. Just so used to working one way - hard to consider other ways.

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 04 Mar 2007 07:09

Just so you know how I got that way: I worked for MANY years (20+) on IBM mainframe environment where basic screen was 24 (or 27 in later years) lines of 80 (later 132 chars) in fixed font with NO graphics...similar to a DOS type screen...but...we could be signed on to multiple systems/appl via a TPX main menu which is similar to what one now gets via Task manager and swap via Alt+Tab, so that's why I'm SO used to max'd windows, and find any smaller ones kinda weird or odd...

But here, with XY, it's really good having varied types of users so we can find schemes that work for all of us when possible! And thus maybe also see where a different way of doing something could be better, or why current seems easier.

Post by **admin** » 04 Mar 2007 08:17

mikes16 wrote:Fair enough - different strokes for different folks. Just so used to working one way - hard to consider other ways.

And as this particular wish is not a program feature but an OS feature, you are free to add it to your registry (if you know how to do it -- I don't).

mikes16 · Post by **mikes16** » 04 Mar 2007 16:18

Most excellent - the launcher program I use allows me to bind keybindings to launch individual programs. A quick win+z and XYPlorer opens. I actually like this better than double clicking the desktop lol.

If anyone is interested - www.truelaunchbar.com. It has a lot of features I do not use - like all of the plugins, but as far as a portable launcher that pops up right at your cursor with a keypress it is fantastic. I only mention it because XYPlorer is a productivity app, and I think this launch bar program is a lifesaver for me.

Thanks again for creating this product - looking forward to ZIP and Dual Pane