Catalog on top of NP

Features wanted...
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jacky
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Catalog on top of NP

Post by jacky »

So the more I think about this the more I feel I would like it, the more it makes sense to me, and I actually find it odd no one mentioned it before (unless I missed it)

But, I think it could be a pretty cool option to have the Catalog on top of the NP, or above the Tree if you prefer. It sounds very obvious to me, when you think about it (and this may apply to me more specifically but whatever, I'm me, I love me, go me! :mrgreen: :P) :
- My XY is 100% maximized
- I don't use them every minute, but menus are in top of the window
- Tabs & Toolbar are on top of the window
- When I work on files, they're usually on top of List/window : if I'm on big files they're on top, recent files then they're on top, older files then they're on top, I usually always order my List so that files more "interesting" to me come first, aka on top
- Hell, even on Tree the node of interest (usually current location, can be destination for D&D operation) is if not the first then one of the 5 first nodes visible on Tree, again aka on top of the window.

(I know the IP is down there, but I feel it's different somehow. Maybe because I use it mostly to preview which can be achieved from TB (and the Quick File View is taking over for non-image files anyways), or FF but then it's different, for some reason. Maybe because I need to use the keyboard then, maybe because I use it less often, since I mostly do name searches, idk)

Yet, every time I want to use a Catalog item I need to go all the way down just to click that item, and then it's back up. So yeah, having the Catalog on top seems like a logical move when you think about it, I feel.

Plus, since as I said my nodes of interest are usually on top of my Tree, and my Tree is bigger than my Catalog, I'd still have less moving to do when I need to use it than when I used Catalog w/Tree on top.

I'm sure it would look "odd" at first and one might need a little time to adjust, because having it down there looked normal/obvious and we've gotten used to it, but I feel it might be a good thing to have an option to move it up.

Take a look at this, doesn't that look nice :
Image

:?:
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serendipity
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Post by serendipity »

It does look nice. But since the option to completely hide tree came, I have abandoned tree in favor of the catalog. But if I had to go back to the tree once in a while then yes! i would keep catalog above tree.

graham
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Post by graham »

Sorry Jacky but this is not for me!

I guess the best solution is to have it as an option. In my reasoning, the tree on the left is extended to a selected list opposite and this seems more logical. The catalogue is essentially a collection of short cuts and for those used frequently I would place these at the top of the catalogue.

I guess I am too old for radical change!

TheQwerty
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Post by TheQwerty »

I can't say I particularly care for that layout, but I do dream of a day when the tree, catalog, IP, AB, and TB are separate entities that could be moved, sized, and docked however the user pleases.

However, like serendipity, I'm content with my current layout now that we can hide just the tree.


That said, I agree this should be an available option.

jacky
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Post by jacky »

You know, I have no idea how you guys can work without a Tree, I guess I'm too old for radical change! ;)

Anyways, of course I'm only talking about an option, as I'm sure many would like it better the way it is, but I still feel that it would be better with Catalog on top.

In fact, the screenshot above might give a false impression (depending on your setup), cause it looks like Tree & List wouldn't be side by side no more. For me, this wouldn't be true at all because XY is maximized, I usually have the Panel off (only show it when I need to), and while my Catalog is actually bigger than the one there, it's not about as big as the Tree like here, I'd say my Tree is almost three time as big as my Catalog, so my Tree & List would still be side by side, and the List still is seen as an "extension" of the Tree, only there's a "top margin" on Tree.

It's not like having the Tree on the right of List, now that I couldn't work this, for different reasons, one of them being that it just wouldn't seem/feel right. But Catalog above Tree while unusual at first, I'm sure could turn out quite useful.

Seems I'm not alone here, so who knows, if it's not too hard to do and Don agrees, maybe the option will be added...
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admin
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Post by admin »

jacky wrote:Seems I'm not alone here, so who knows, if it's not too hard to do and Don agrees, maybe the option will be added...
It was a bit tricky but it looks like it worked.

Set undocumented tweak in next beta:
CatalogOnTop=1

PS: I make it an official setting once it proves to work.

jacky
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Post by jacky »

admin wrote:It was a bit tricky but it looks like it worked.

Set undocumented tweak in next beta:
CatalogOnTop=1
Looking forward to it :)
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