Real update instead of new features
Posted: 03 Jun 2017 14:08
I'm starting to see signs of obsolescence in XYplorer, and I think it's too bad. I'm referring primarily to
- Lack of Win64 version. The either-or 32/64 bit context menu is clumsy and introduces bugs: when using the 64bit right-click "Delete" on a file in a XYplorer list, the list does not update automatically (auto-update is ON, of course), and the event is not logged by the Action log/File Operation feature.
- Lack of DPI scaling. The big toolbar is too small, and the tab close "X" is microscopic on a 2880x1620 screen with 200% scaling (actually, I use 184% custom scaling, so the X is even closer to Higgs boson size). There's a post in this forum where it seems, that maybe, possibly, Windows 10 Creator Edition has a better implementation of Compatibility Mode, but that's not the way to go for the future.
If XYplorer is to survive in the next few years, it's about time the great Donald Lessau bit the bullet and upgraded all his systems to Windows 10, possibly keeping a computer for Windows 7/8 testing, instead of the other way around. What the hell, why not simplify further by cancelling guaranteed compatibility with 7/8 if necessary. We need first and foremost a XYplorer with guaranteed full Windows 10 compatibility.
New features are more fun and rewarding to program, but frankly, the latest ones are rather superfluous and the program is in danger of turning from a product into a pet project. Better spend a year transitioning to Windows 10 than adding new bells and whistles. By the same token, the Preferences system could be cleaned up, Beta settings that have been in use for months made accessible in a better organized interface, and the documentation updated, revised, and made truly searchable. After that, I think a 20%-30% price increase shouldn't hurt sales, but I'm no marketing man.
By the way, I probably hate Windows 10 MORE than the next guy. After using practically every version since V1, I regret not having switched to MacOS when I built/bought 2 expensive computers last year. XYplorer is one of the things that makes Windows 10 bearable. After Windows 8 (hate-hate-hate) Update bricked my Surface, I decided to freeze all my Windows 10 Pros to v1511. I'll keep it this way until an essential program requires a later version. I would take this painful step for XYplorer 64bit high-DPI aware fully tested Windows 10 compatible.
- Lack of Win64 version. The either-or 32/64 bit context menu is clumsy and introduces bugs: when using the 64bit right-click "Delete" on a file in a XYplorer list, the list does not update automatically (auto-update is ON, of course), and the event is not logged by the Action log/File Operation feature.
- Lack of DPI scaling. The big toolbar is too small, and the tab close "X" is microscopic on a 2880x1620 screen with 200% scaling (actually, I use 184% custom scaling, so the X is even closer to Higgs boson size). There's a post in this forum where it seems, that maybe, possibly, Windows 10 Creator Edition has a better implementation of Compatibility Mode, but that's not the way to go for the future.
If XYplorer is to survive in the next few years, it's about time the great Donald Lessau bit the bullet and upgraded all his systems to Windows 10, possibly keeping a computer for Windows 7/8 testing, instead of the other way around. What the hell, why not simplify further by cancelling guaranteed compatibility with 7/8 if necessary. We need first and foremost a XYplorer with guaranteed full Windows 10 compatibility.
New features are more fun and rewarding to program, but frankly, the latest ones are rather superfluous and the program is in danger of turning from a product into a pet project. Better spend a year transitioning to Windows 10 than adding new bells and whistles. By the same token, the Preferences system could be cleaned up, Beta settings that have been in use for months made accessible in a better organized interface, and the documentation updated, revised, and made truly searchable. After that, I think a 20%-30% price increase shouldn't hurt sales, but I'm no marketing man.
By the way, I probably hate Windows 10 MORE than the next guy. After using practically every version since V1, I regret not having switched to MacOS when I built/bought 2 expensive computers last year. XYplorer is one of the things that makes Windows 10 bearable. After Windows 8 (hate-hate-hate) Update bricked my Surface, I decided to freeze all my Windows 10 Pros to v1511. I'll keep it this way until an essential program requires a later version. I would take this painful step for XYplorer 64bit high-DPI aware fully tested Windows 10 compatible.
