drag from catalog?

avsfan · Post by **avsfan** » 01 Jul 2006 06:25

Hi,

I *really* like the catalog feature, and would like it even more if I could drag files from the catalog into an open application (in this case double-clicking doesn't do what I want, so drag-n-drop is required).

Is there any way to enable dragging from the catalog just as I can drag from the main window?

Thanks!

andy

avsfan · Post by **avsfan** » 03 Jul 2006 20:22

Sorry to follow-up to my own post, but I'd like to request another feature related to the catalog:

I'd like to have the files/folders in the catalog behave just like their originals i.e.

- if I double-click on a file in the catalog, just open it rather than taking me to the containing folder.
- drag files and/or folders from the catalog and have them behave as though I had dragged them from their original source (though most likely always as a copy, not as a move).
- drop files and/or folders into folders in the catalog just as though the files/folders were dropped into the original source for the catalog folder.

These features would eliminate extra navigation. Please add these features to the catalog, or at least please make them options -- while it's great to have those files and folders in the catalog, there are still extra steps required to use them (i.e. highlight them, then go into the main window and get the required object and operate on it).

Would these features be useful for anyone else?

Thanks again for a great product!

andy

JustinF · Post by **JustinF** » 03 Jul 2006 20:40

Well, I can't speak for Don, but according to this post (http://www.xyplorer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5634#5634) he has more planned for the catalog.

avsfan · Post by **avsfan** » 03 Jul 2006 20:48

Ah, very good! Thanks for pointing that out! (I had skimmed that post when getting started with XYPlorer, but had missed the last little bit since I had too much on my brain already!)

I have a comment regarding the "one-click launch" of selected apps and files: I think it'd be great (like the quick-launch bar), but would like to have the option to open on double-click to make it more consistent with the standard window behavior (perhaps 2 catalogs, one with 1-click for apps, and one with dbl-click for files and such!)

Ok, ok... one thing at a time...

We'll just have to wait to see what Don says (who is probably completely busy with World Cup excitement these days!)

Thanks again, Justin!

andy

Post by **admin** » 04 Jul 2006 11:10

avsfan wrote:We'll just have to wait to see what Don says (who is probably completely busy with World Cup excitement these days!)

Yep, the World Cup plus 35°C is taking its toll...

I'm receiving your ideas and I'm frying them in my hot brain... currently there are some other highly interesting points on my todo-list that will come first, but keep on discussing the Catalog, it has a lot of unlifted potential...

Draggin from the Catalog feels somewhat funny at first feel. E.g., what happens after moving? Delete the catalog item? Update its location pointer?... I think it does not match the fundamental "Catalog" metaphor which is not a container of things but of names of things... That's what I think now, but I'm always able to change my mind...

avsfan · Post by **avsfan** » 04 Jul 2006 18:05

Draggin from the Catalog feels somewhat funny at first feel. E.g., what happens after moving? Delete the catalog item? Update its location pointer?

I had thought about this as well (and you make a very good point). As I indicated previously, I think that when dragging from the catalog, the desired behavior should be always to perform as a copy (just like dragging from one drive to another -- the original file is *always* copied rather than moved).

So I guess the short answer to your question "What happens after moving?" is "Don't allow moves -- only copies!" Then the files/folders can be dragged out to other destinations, and if the user Alt-drags, they could get the same prompt they get now ("Create Shortcut" etc). If the user wants the file/folder removed from the catalog, they need to do it manually...

Then, by not allowing moves, it should make development quite a bit easier as well (since you don't have to worry about addressing the issues you already mentioned)!

Please let me know if I can clarify this further. I can hardly wait to see what else XY is going to be able to do!

Stay cool! (or at least try to!)

andy