XYplorer Beta Club

[/quote]Typically, there should be a sound justification for each feature addition. Making everything optionable/configurable aka being all things to all people is seldom successful [/quote]

You don't agree with my suggestion, no problem.

My justification:

I think it would add a new dimension to XY. Look at Firefox's bookmarks down the left side. Very handy, quick access.

How can I maximize my Catalog space and maintain the tree, etc?

As for configurability, look at the massive amount of config options XY has now. Most everything is currently "optional and configurable" in XY. I don't get that statement.

Tom wrote:

Typically, there should be a sound justification for each feature addition. Making everything optionable/configurable aka being all things to all people is seldom successful

You don't agree with my suggestion, no problem.

My justification:

I think it would add a new dimension to XY. Look at Firefox's bookmarks down the left side. Very handy, quick access.

How can I maximize my Catalog space and maintain the tree, etc?

As for configurability, look at the massive amount of config options XY has now. Most everything is currently "optional and configurable" in XY. I don't get that statement.

Tom, I never said that I do not agree with your suggestion, did I?

I agree that XYplorer has a massive number of configurable options. Perhaps, it is even an overwhelming number. Thus, evaluation of adding a feature should pass through a stringent consideration: potential userbase? RoI? timescales? priority? GUI or tweak? etc Users do not usually think about things like that because they don't have to, but they should be aware of them if they are informed that what they asked for will not be implemented [for the time being].

It is too easy and too convenient to suggest something and have "make it optional" as a clincher when one encounters resistance to a feature wish. Perhaps unintentionally, it sends a "I want ... but you/others may not see it as useful, so make it optional to keep everyone happy". This kind of bespoke development for the masses is rarely successful. It is literally impossible to focus on everything and everyone, especially if it is a one-man effort.

Like you, I also have a big monitor, so I look forward to ways in which XYplorer would utilise that screen estate (mostly horizontally). A Vista/W7-like preview panel would be one of them. Additional list columns based on files' meta data would be another. However, we also need to consider people who use XYplorer on smaller screens -- netbooks, laptops, tablet/pad-like devices -- how can they enjoy these new layout components? You should brainstorm your wish, think of ways it may benefit others, consider GUI design with great usability/look-and-feel and the like.

Just giving you a few pointers

Zer0,

I was really replying to Don, as I sensed it was he that did not agree with my idea.

And I was using your suggestion to make some justifications for the idea.

Thanks for the pointers.

Tom