History via Back/Forward arrow (Similar to IE style)

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 06 Jan 2006 22:28

Maybe this has already been discussed but I didn't see it in my brief search of posts:
I'm so used to (in Internet Expl) having that little arrow beside the Back/Forward arrows in toolbar that allow me to select (via drop down list) which history item I want...now I know that history of folders used is avail via the GO option, but I'm wondering:
Could the history also be shown/accessed by another icon in between the Back/Fwd icons? Maybe a "down arrow" icon? Thanks!

JustinF · Post by **JustinF** » 07 Jan 2006 02:11

Right-clicking on the back/forward toolbar icons will bring up a history list.

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 07 Jan 2006 03:57

As new user, I didn't know that...so tried it...still not that easy to use as there are six other menu options on drop-down besides history that one has to avoid hitting...

Also, using a touchpad on laptop makes using right-click not as easy as on mouse...there are separate buttons one has to locate/use, rather than just double tap on pad for left click...so I try to avoid right clicks as much as possible...

Post by **admin** » 07 Jan 2006 10:20

j_c_hallgren wrote:...so I try to avoid right clicks as much as possible...

So why not use menu Go?

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 07 Jan 2006 10:47

j_c_hallgren wrote:...still not that easy to use as there are six other menu options on drop-down besides history that one has to avoid hitting...

That's the reason that GO is not as error-proof as just having history isolated...
I'm simply suggesting a icon with down arrow (between Back/Fwd) that more closely resembles IE style with history ONLY (no other options) on toolbar would be helpful...

Post by **admin** » 07 Jan 2006 18:35

j_c_hallgren wrote:I'm simply suggesting a icon with down arrow ...

... yes, I know what you mean. It was already part of my original toolbar plans but somehow I never came around doing it. I'll do it (sooner or later

).

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 07 Jan 2006 18:48

Thanks! The goal of good developers is to make it as easy to use as possible, so while you don't want to make it look 100% like a M$ product, there are some things they do that us users find handy...

Don't get the idea that I'm a constant complainer! I'd just like to help make it the BEST explorer type product available! It's a HUGE improvement over Win Expl so a bit of tweaking is all that I can see as needed.

Post by **admin** » 07 Jan 2006 19:33

j_c_hallgren wrote:I'd just like to help make it the BEST explorer type product available!

Then welcome to the club!

That's what we (especially the dirty dozen power users) are doing here since May 2004.

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 07 Jan 2006 20:28

BTW, as I noted, my background was a mainframe COBOL systems analyst/pgmr from 1978-2001 and have worked on home computers since late 70's, including the Radio Shack TRS-80, where I disassembled and commented the OS just for fun, so I've got some history with computers that may influence my opinions.

Post by **admin** » 08 Jan 2006 11:30

j_c_hallgren wrote:... including the Radio Shack TRS-80, where I disassembled and commented the OS just for fun...

Hey, the Model 4 was my first computer! Those were the days, I especially miss the perfect silence of the machine (and I hate myself for having sold it). When I wrote my university papers on it (using an application called "AllWrite!") I felt like a space pioneer.

Disassembling and commenting the OS was not my idea of fun then, as I was just starting "GW Basic" (a programming nightmare).

Gandolf · Post by **Gandolf** » 08 Jan 2006 14:00

This is going to turn into an "Old boys reunion". I had a Model 3 and later a Model 4. I even got a hard disk for the Model 4, 5Mb I think it was - never did fill it before it failed! I was writing Z80 control system software at the time so the disk control system became of special interest since I had to write my own disk access utilities for speed. I think the assembler I used was called Zen - it was very good for what I wanted to do, I remember that. I still have the Model 4 and it was still working the last time I tried it.

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 08 Jan 2006 16:23

Those WERE the good ole days!

When the TRS-DOS (for Model 1) OS was a core module and six overlays...and the printed listing of the ENTIRE OS was about 1/2 inch thick at best...
I developed a number of patches to the OS that were published in local club newsletters, and reprinted in others, including one in Australia(?) as I vaguely recall...

Post by **admin** » 09 Jan 2006 14:01

Well, back to the present: here are the little "down arrow" icons and I love them!

Hope you do, too...

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 09 Jan 2006 16:28

Yes! I do..GREAT!
...however...I really hate to say...one minor inconsistency:
When you click on it, and then click again, it doesn't toggle the drop-down to "close" as "File" "View" etc. , or as IE does on same down-arrow.
You have to use "ESC" to close it in XY, thus implying keyboard vs mouse, or I can, for now, just select the current entry from list and "go" where I already am.

Also, given that you don't separate list into before/after current loc, as IE/WE does (which is perfectly fine with me), having TWO down-arrow icons is redundant...I'd suggested just ONE between the back/fwd arrows..
No need to use toolbar space for a duplicate icon.

And...when one is hovering over the down icon, the related back/fwd arrow gets hi-lited also. Shouldn't it only be the down arrow that gets lit?
And not show the location implied by the back/fwd arrow as it does.

BTW, because you have been SO nice in responding to my queries/requests., I've decided, for the FIRST time EVER, to give a small donation for freeware...
I'm sorry, but my budget doesn't allow for a full "registration", but maybe my time in helping make it a better product will offset that somewhat.

jacky · Post by **jacky** » 09 Jan 2006 23:48

j_c_hallgren wrote:When you click on it, and then click again, it doesn't toggle the drop-down to "close" as "File" "View" etc. , or as IE does on same down-arrow.
You have to use "ESC" to close it in XY, thus implying keyboard vs mouse, or I can, for now, just select the current entry from list and "go" where I already am.

yes it would be better if it didn't; but you can also click somewhere else in XY, like on the titlebar. No need to use the keyboard.

I think that it would be less ocnfusing if you actually had two different list, only previous/forward locations according to which arrow was clicked. Cause when you click on the arrow for "Forward", you dont really expect the full history to be shown...
Besides, to be a PITA

I would have kept the full Go menu on the right click, so it's not just a dupe for the arrows.

Oh and..

when one is hovering over the down icon, the related back/fwd arrow gets hi-lited also. Shouldn't it only be the down arrow that gets lit?
And not show the location implied by the back/fwd arrow as it does.

I dont think that's really important, I like it like that

and it works that way in a few others apps, starting with IE, Maxthon, etc