Tab-location binding
Posted: 27 Jan 2011 15:32
As I have to manage double-digit TBs worth of data (that's just at home), my approach has to be straight forward. That is why each tab in my XYplorer corresponds to a different drive. This poses a problem [for me] as, while we have can have multiple tabs and panes, we only have one tree. Often, I find it easier to navigate the tree than tabs -- probably because the tree has been around longer.
If I jump around the tree with no respect as to what tab I'm in, the whole thing becomes a mess rather quickly. Therefore, what I would like to see (no, it's not multiple trees
) is an ability to bind a tab to a particular drive/folder (and its subfolders). A sample scenario of how I envisage this would work:
1. Bind Tab1 to "D:\" (and subfolders). Bind Tab2 to "H:\". Have Tab2 as the current tab.
2. Go to a subfolder of D:\
My expectation would be for XYplorer to recognise step 2 and switch the current tab to Tab1 as that tab is bound to that location. There are several advantages to this functionality:
a) Less time to worry about keeping tabs tidy = more time can be spent actually working.
b) Fewer clicks (through elimination of having to select a tab) = less time wasted, healthier mice
c) Tabs can be hidden altogether = more space for the list, cleaner interface.
d) It makes sense! -- in file management, a tab identifies a location where file(s)/folder(s) are logically grouped. Consequently, accessing one of such folders should take place within the context of that tab.
Bonus: can't think of any other FM that currently features such [IMO] intuitive behaviour
Yep, this would be a variation on "Home Zone" feature. So, instead of opening a new tab, XYplorer would go to a tab whose Home Zone already includes selected location. Something similar is provided by Default Tabs, but that doesn't quite fit the requirement spec. If only it extended to subfolders...
If I jump around the tree with no respect as to what tab I'm in, the whole thing becomes a mess rather quickly. Therefore, what I would like to see (no, it's not multiple trees
) is an ability to bind a tab to a particular drive/folder (and its subfolders). A sample scenario of how I envisage this would work:1. Bind Tab1 to "D:\" (and subfolders). Bind Tab2 to "H:\". Have Tab2 as the current tab.
2. Go to a subfolder of D:\
My expectation would be for XYplorer to recognise step 2 and switch the current tab to Tab1 as that tab is bound to that location. There are several advantages to this functionality:
a) Less time to worry about keeping tabs tidy = more time can be spent actually working.
b) Fewer clicks (through elimination of having to select a tab) = less time wasted, healthier mice
c) Tabs can be hidden altogether = more space for the list, cleaner interface.
d) It makes sense! -- in file management, a tab identifies a location where file(s)/folder(s) are logically grouped. Consequently, accessing one of such folders should take place within the context of that tab.
Bonus: can't think of any other FM that currently features such [IMO] intuitive behaviour
Yep, this would be a variation on "Home Zone" feature. So, instead of opening a new tab, XYplorer would go to a tab whose Home Zone already includes selected location. Something similar is provided by Default Tabs, but that doesn't quite fit the requirement spec. If only it extended to subfolders...
Thus, if I'm in a tab in Pane2 (external) and I tree-click a location that's defined as home zone in one of Pane1 (internal) tabs then XYplorer won't find it in Pane2 and would sprout a new tab, which isn't desired at all.