Un-useable Dropdown
After updating to 4.18, a drop-down appear on the right side below the start button. The box has the following inside, Ctrl+P and the >_ symbols just left of the dropdown. If you search through the dropdown, everything under Add, List Options, Tools and Name collision rule is listed, but does nothing. I have a pic, but see no way to attach. This is also in 4.18.1.
Reply to #1:
Hi Andre,
Interestingly, if you type or scroll down to your choice, then press Return (on Windows at any rate), you get the option you've chosen. I've only tried a couple of items, but they've been consistent. That's not to say that it's convenient, just an interesting observation. Well, interesting to me. I still find the normal menu/right-click options more convenient, because of course I've been using them for years.
I'm sure Kim will respond soon.
Best,
DF
Hi Andre,
Interestingly, if you type or scroll down to your choice, then press Return (on Windows at any rate), you get the option you've chosen. I've only tried a couple of items, but they've been consistent. That's not to say that it's convenient, just an interesting observation. Well, interesting to me. I still find the normal menu/right-click options more convenient, because of course I've been using them for years.
I'm sure Kim will respond soon.
Best,
DF
Reply to #2:
Your right, the dropdown is interesting, but not needed. Since it's already at the top the app, why have the dropdown, one or the other. I like it displayed at the top. The dropdown just adds un-necessary coding to the program. Plus, if you hit enter on some of the listing, another box opens say, 'The listing is empty', also un-necessary.
Your right, the dropdown is interesting, but not needed. Since it's already at the top the app, why have the dropdown, one or the other. I like it displayed at the top. The dropdown just adds un-necessary coding to the program. Plus, if you hit enter on some of the listing, another box opens say, 'The listing is empty', also un-necessary.
Reply to #1:
In version 4.18 a new way of using the UI was introduced. It is based on the command palette pattern known from many developer and productivity tools, like VS Code and Sublime Text, but also more mainstream tools, like Excel, where you can use a keyboard shortcut to open a window in which you can search for functionality. It is a convenient way to use the program without having to use your mouse.
I believe that people are different and they interact with software differently, which means one-size-fit-all doesn't work were well. I like that you can perform the same operation in many different ways. Like adding files to Advanced Renamer can be done by using the Add menuitem in the toolbar, Add menutiem in the right click, drag and drop from Explorer, the folder panel, and the right click context menu in Windows Explorer. This command palette is just a new way to interact with the program. A way that many power users already is familiar with.
If you prefer to use the mouse to click the menu items, you can still do so. No UI element or feature has been removed.
One great benefit of the command palette is that it allows me to add new features that would normally not fit into the existing UI. I can now add specialised rarely used functionality only available through the search, without cluttering the UI. I have in the past chosen not to implement a feature, only because the expected use would be too low to justify adding another button. That restriction is no longer there.
Another thing you might notice if you start using it, is that the commands you use the most, will be shown in the top of the list for easy access. Right now the program won't remember those statistics when the program is reopened, but that will change in a future release.
To be honest, I am very proud of this new UI feature, and I did spend quite some time on it, and I will also continue to improve it. Calling it "un-useable" is a bit harsh, I think.
I would like to address the specific experience you have where the program is showing a message saying "The listing is empty". Which action led to this message being displayed? I don't think that is a text that exists anywhere in the program. If you need to show a screenshot you can link to a file sharing service or send it directly to me by using the support email.
In version 4.18 a new way of using the UI was introduced. It is based on the command palette pattern known from many developer and productivity tools, like VS Code and Sublime Text, but also more mainstream tools, like Excel, where you can use a keyboard shortcut to open a window in which you can search for functionality. It is a convenient way to use the program without having to use your mouse.
I believe that people are different and they interact with software differently, which means one-size-fit-all doesn't work were well. I like that you can perform the same operation in many different ways. Like adding files to Advanced Renamer can be done by using the Add menuitem in the toolbar, Add menutiem in the right click, drag and drop from Explorer, the folder panel, and the right click context menu in Windows Explorer. This command palette is just a new way to interact with the program. A way that many power users already is familiar with.
If you prefer to use the mouse to click the menu items, you can still do so. No UI element or feature has been removed.
One great benefit of the command palette is that it allows me to add new features that would normally not fit into the existing UI. I can now add specialised rarely used functionality only available through the search, without cluttering the UI. I have in the past chosen not to implement a feature, only because the expected use would be too low to justify adding another button. That restriction is no longer there.
Another thing you might notice if you start using it, is that the commands you use the most, will be shown in the top of the list for easy access. Right now the program won't remember those statistics when the program is reopened, but that will change in a future release.
To be honest, I am very proud of this new UI feature, and I did spend quite some time on it, and I will also continue to improve it. Calling it "un-useable" is a bit harsh, I think.
I would like to address the specific experience you have where the program is showing a message saying "The listing is empty". Which action led to this message being displayed? I don't think that is a text that exists anywhere in the program. If you need to show a screenshot you can link to a file sharing service or send it directly to me by using the support email.
Reply to #4:
Yes.
As a "YUUUUGE" fan of PowerToys "Command Palette" and a daily victim of VS Code, I can see that your new command palette can be useful. :D
BUT since you agree that mouse-use can be such a drag (see what I did there?), how's about some accelerator keys on the load-method drop-down? ;)
These would typically just be 0 through 9 for the ten top/latest methods in the list.
Yes.
As a "YUUUUGE" fan of PowerToys "Command Palette" and a daily victim of VS Code, I can see that your new command palette can be useful. :D
BUT since you agree that mouse-use can be such a drag (see what I did there?), how's about some accelerator keys on the load-method drop-down? ;)
These would typically just be 0 through 9 for the ten top/latest methods in the list.
Reply to #5:
What about being able to configure keyboard shortcuts for any command?
What about being able to configure keyboard shortcuts for any command?
Reply to #6:
That would be awesome!
So, KB shortcut to trigger the method-open menu, then press a digit, 0 thru 9, to open a particular method file.
Here's what it looks like in another program: https://imgur.com/a/ovD5OKq
That would be awesome!
So, KB shortcut to trigger the method-open menu, then press a digit, 0 thru 9, to open a particular method file.
Here's what it looks like in another program: https://imgur.com/a/ovD5OKq