Feature Requests

[IOStream]

I've went through this forum (AltDesk) and compiled a list of the ideas people have had. I don't think I've caught all of them, so if you's isn't included, or you have another one thats not listed here this is the place to post!

These are in no particular order:

Idea: Replacing Systray/Toolbar with AltDesk.
Description: Basically integrating Aston and AltDesk and Aston to make AltDesk more of a part of the Toolbar. I think this is more of a skinning thing, or something that will be added into future versions of Aston.

Idea: Locking Desktops
Description: Where you can lock certain desktops, and make them password protected.

Idea: AltDesk from a USB Flashdrive/Jumpdrive
Description: Where you can run AltDesk from a location with out the program actually being Installed on that machine.

Idea: Different Size cell for each desktop
Description: Self Explainitory, but basically an idea where the size of the desktop's cell varies from cell to cell. One idea was for each desktop to have a different size, another idea was for the desktop that your currently on has a bigger cell the the rest of them.

Idea: Minimize/Restore apps on desktop Switch
Description: It has been mentioned here that some programs take up less memory when they are minimised, so this option would minimise programs when you switch to a different desktop, and then restore the programs that were minimised when you switch to that desktop. Perhaps this could be done to selected programs rather then all of them, to make switching desktops quicker.

Idea: Desktop Assignment when programs start
Description: This would make certain programs (user assigned) start on a certain desktop. If I was on desktop1, and I had Mozilla set to start on Desktop3, then it will start mozilla in desktop3, and not change my desktop.

Idea: Scroll wheel/button interaction with AltDesk.
Description: Where you can change the desktops using the scroll wheel, or middle clicking the icon in system tray.

Idea: Remove "Advanced" Submenu
Description: The submenu has no real purpose, and also makes the "Lock" option a little more hidden. Suggestions for getting rid of this submenu have been submitted by a few people. The menu's Update, Autoupdate, Lock, Recover, and Undo Recover would be fine to add to the main menu. Language, IMO, should be taken off the menu alltogether. Most people set there language ONCE, and then do not mess with it. Put it into the Preferences.

Idea: Choose systray icon
Description: Some people don't care much for the RubiX cube looking icon. So, maybe make a list in Preferences of icons you can use (Like WinAmp)... or no icon at all.

Idea: Text in empty desktops
Description: This is an interesting idea where text is shown in the desktops that do not have any programs running in them. Someone suggested this text be the Tips.rc, or something similar. Or a user defined Text.. or both.

Idea: Save desktops on exit
Description: This feature is similar to the windows starting in a certain desktop, but instead what this does is saves what programs are running in the desktops, and then the next time AltDesk is ran, it opens the programs that were running before, and puts them in the desktop they were on when the AltDesk was closed.

Idea: Rearrange Icons
Description: Ability to rearrange the icons that are on the desktop cells

A big problem that I've seen most in this forum has been expressed in a few different ways, and by a few different ideas. Mostly they all want the same thing... Windows not overlapping into AltDesk's space!
Problem:
Its easyer to change desktops and and use AltDesk when it is on top of everything; however, being on top of everything means that it will cover the controls of the program its on top of. For example, if someone uses AOL Instant Messenger, and they have AltDesk on the top right corner of the screen (like me) when AIM is opened AltDesk will cover the Window's Buttons, and the top bar. This can get annoying, even though you can do a few things to get around it.
Here are a few ideas that relate to that subject:

Idea: Z-Level for AltDesk
Description: This would give AltDesk the ability to be on top of some programs, but not all of them. I think this is similar to the "Position" menu in Rainlendar.

Idea: Hide on mouse over
Description: When you move your mouse over AltDesk (and hold down a hotkey), it will hide itself so you can use/see the programs under it.

Idea: Dock AltDesk
Description: Dock AltDesk to the side/top/bottom of the screen so that windows do not overlap the area it takes up. (Some people have suggested this as well unrelated to the overlapping problem)

[Liderc]

Nice job IOStream. This would really help us Altdesk users if you emailed this compiled list to support@astonshell.com. This way the guys at Gladiators will have an organized list to go from.

[littleweseth]

Evidently you have FAR too much time on your hands - like i do, except i play starcraft/cs instead of doing useful stuff (like theming, or my hostory assignments)

How would you like to volunteer to compile a list of frequuently asked questions from the aston boards? If you've read http://www.astonshell.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2831 , you'll know that i'm busily compiling a complete help file, but as of yet, there's no real FAQ list. All i'd need would be a simple list of topics to work with (no 'description' required)

If you're interested, you can post stuff to that thread in other, just to keep it all in one place

[IOStream]

[tonylinde]

One feature I'd really like is the ability to 'Atl-Tab' back to the last application I was using. If I'm reading email in one desktop and click a link, it opens the link in my browser in another desktop (which is what I want) but it'd be nice to be able to click a single key combo to get back to the last app regardless of which desktop it was in, rather than having to remember which one it was and click that hotkey.

Taking that a bit further, an 'Alt-Tab' which did show all apps, perhaps grouped by desktop, would be nice. Something like the MS Powertoy Alt-Tab replacement but grouped by desktops would be great.

[TxDot]

I posted this in another thread but figured I'd repost it here in hopes it will catch the eye of someone that can implement it.

The ability to rearrange the order of the application icons on the taskbar. This should be done via "drag & drop" and should be unique to each desktop and should be "sticky" so that each time a desktop is activated AltDesk would make sure that the icons are in the desired order.

[SacRat]

Greetings, guys.

We're glad you've made such a long wishlist. Let me comments some of the entries.

>Replacing Systray/Toolbar with AltDesk.
Not this time But we hope, that at some point Aston or its successor would have an integrated VDM

>Locking Desktops
We'll think about this. The problem lies in some pitfalls, complicating the practical realization of this feature.

>AltDesk from a USB Flashdrive/Jumpdrive
I think, that with some tweaks it's possible to do even now...

>Different Size cell for each desktop
I don't think it's a good idea: makes things more complex and unintuitive. We have an alternative idea about managing additional tasks.

>Minimize/Restore apps on desktop Switch
I personally don't think there're many reasons for this. I'm afraid it could cause more problems...

>Desktop Assignment when programs start
IIRC implementing such a feature in Windows is impossible, but we'll try to find a compromise.
Anyway, if it's possible, we'll try to make it....

>Scroll wheel/button interaction with AltDesk.
Great idea. We'll think about that.

>Remove "Advanced" Submenu
Bad news: this submenu would still exist in v 1.6
Good news: we've already rearranged it and some settings in order to make them more intuitive and simple.

>Choose systray icon
Don't think so. But the old good AltDesk icon would be updated

>Text in empty desktops
I don't think it's really needful. Widgets could be much more useful toys for this....

>Save desktops on exit
The idea is good, but I'm not sure if it can be done.
I would suggest hibernating instead...

>Rearrange Icons
What for?

>Z-Level for AltDesk
I think, that only AOT and normal ones are needful.
At any time you can hide and show AltDesk with a single hotkey/click

>Hide on mouse over
Try using transparency instead. As AltDesk's window contains controls (icons), hiding it would only cause problems.

>Dock AltDesk
Select a linear skin and make AltDesk's window topmost.

>Taking that a bit further, an 'Alt-Tab' which did show all apps, perhaps grouped by desktop, would be nice. Something like the MS Powertoy Alt-Tab replacement but grouped by desktops would be great
We'll think about that. Still, I'm not sure if such a feature would be implemented in the next release. Maybe, a bit later...

[TxDot]

[keyboarder]

Idea: Send-To-Desktop Hotkeys
Description: Allow hotkeys to "send" active window to another desktop. Even further, allow for another set of hotkeys to both send and follow the window to another desktop.
Example: Ctrl+Alt+Num 2 would send active window to Desktop 2. Ctrl+Shift+Num 2 would both send the active window to the desktop and switch it to that desktop at the same time.

Idea: Dynamic sticky Windows
Description: Allow currently running, individual windows to be made "sticky", rather than having to add specific applications to Preferences... | Sticky Applications. It is currently very tedious for the once-in-awhile apps that need to be visible all the time. UPDATE: By "visible all the time", I mean on every desktop, not necessarily "always on top".

Idea: Active Window Hotkeys
Description: Similar to the "send-to" hotkeys, allow for other hotkeys that act on the active window, like making it sticky, changing the transparency, etc. Essentially, free us from having to use the mouse for all the handy features.


The new visual features in 1.6 beta are nice, but what makes it great for me are the hotkeys for switching desktops, hiding/showing AltDesk, etc. I had a similar desktop application way back for Win95 that allowed "sending" windows to other desktops and it was very nice and quick... much better than dragging and dropping all the time. It also allowed making individual apps "sticky", etc.

[bmckd]

Idea: Click Through
Description: Allow user to click on items beneath AltDesk using a hotkey.

Idea: Configurable cell width for desktop
Description: Allow user to set the number of visible icons in a desktop cell and the arrangement of those icons (i.e. 7x1 or 3x3). This would also need the skins to be "stretchable"

Idea: Add "Make Sticky" to icon right click menu
Description: Allow user to make an application Sticky by right clicking the applications icon in the AltDesk cell and selecting "Make Sticky" (or something similar )

I would also add my voice to the requests for applications being bound to a specific desktop and hotkeys to move applications. I have seen both done in other virtual desktops (Chimera has bound applications) and found both to be useful. Especially since I have my desktops grouped work type.

[noizze]

Here's my idea:

I think some of us usin' shortkeys to switch between desk-s. In current version we can apply shortkeys this way: m =or> n, where m-quantity of desk-s, n-quantinty of corresponding shortkeys.

It'll be great if m =or<or> n, i.e. we'll may get 1 or more hidden desk-s, NOT displayed as a tabs (cells) of the skin, BUT STILL availabe through corresponding shortkeys.

[SacRat]

Idea: Send-To-Desktop Hotkeys
This used to be planned but I'm not sure if we would be able to implement it in current version: too much work still left.

Idea: Dynamic sticky Windows
Use Always on Top command (click any icon on the Cell).
Hotkeys might be implemented later. If you need a solution "right here and right now" just e-mail me and I'll send you the third party application I used to use for this purpose.

Idea: Active Window Hotkeys
Not sure about this: we'll see...

Idea: Click Through
We had this idea already,b ut it might cause various problems. In other words, if it would ever be implemented, this "ever" won't be in 1.6

Idea: Configurable cell width for desktop
Maybe in 2.0
Actually we've selected a different skin format and at present time changing it it not possible. however,t he feature is great and I'd loved to see it implemented...

Idea: Add "Make Sticky" to icon right click menu
You can set a window always on top already. However, advanced control over sticky applications should be in the final release...

[bmckd]

Idea: Prompt to remove registration info on uninstall
Description: I was using 1.6 beta 1 and had unexpexted behaviour with AltDesk, so I thought I would uninstall and reinstall. HA!! No chance AltDesk uninstalls so clean the registration details are wiped. Would be a nice feature (especially in a Beta, but really for any version) to prompt a registered user and ask if they want to keep the registration information when uninstalling.