Hi,
I enjoy the way that Win7 and Ubuntu Unity are offering for switching to nth window pinned the taskbar. It’s really convenient to remember that
Super + 1 is a file manager
Super + 2 is Google Chrome
Super + 3 is a terminal
Super + 4 is a code editor
and so on rather than cycling through Alt-Tab like crazy.
I’m aware of the multiple workspace capabilities of Haiku, but in that case I’ll have to keep a track that each application is located on it’s corresponding workspace.
Is it possible to have the same feature in Haiku? If it doesn’t, then will it be appreciated in upstream if I code that?
Thanks
Hi cottonzoom,
I can’t say I have ever missed that feature, but it could be fit in with a revamped Twitcher (the alt+tab thingy you mentioned). Enhancements could be being resizable, showing the windows of an app in a list, with Deskbar-like icons to indicate windows that are hidden or on another workspace. Maybe the selected window could be raised to the front (and put back where it was when the selection changes).
There are quite a few possibilities you may want to explore…
Your original use-case could be accomplished by just getting used to using your favorite apps fixed on always the same workspace, like Tracker browsing on #5, web+ on #6 and a Terminal on #7. Then those are also just a alt+F5/6/7 away.
I’d prefer you working on a better Twitcher, though… 
Regards,
Humdinger
Unfortunately, this approach still has the following disadvantages.
- If I run something that it is not in list, it will be assigned to a workspace where a 'pinned' application is already running. Thus, the next time when I decide to surf the web, I'll have to not only press Alt+F5, but also to decide should I stroke an extra Alt+Tab or not.
- Of course, we can bypass the previous point by introducing a way to setup it so that there will be a workspace where all non-pinned applications will be launched by default. However, this means that our single-hotkey thing will not be working for these applications, which is a nuisance.
I understand that Haiku aims to be like BeOS which will not get any new features introduced anymore hence it was discounted in 1990s. But is there really no way to provide an alternative even if it makes the life really easier?
I also have a strong belief that a lack of convenient window switcher (among with file systems in userspace) in Microsoft Windows OSes prior to Win7 is one of the primary reasons why the Integrated Development Environments were introduced.
[quote=Cottonzoom]
I understand that Haiku aims to be like BeOS which will not get any new features introduced anymore hence it was discounted in 1990s. But is there really no way to provide an alternative even if it makes the life really easier?[/quote]
Just because Haiku aims to be a replacement for BeOS, doesn’t mean that Haiku will not have more features added to it. I think that these features added to the deskbar would be a really useful addition. Haiku R2 plans to have a Deskbar replacement anyway AKAIK. If the Haiku developers don’t think they would be useful you could always fork the Deskbar and release it as an app on Haikuware. I say go for it.
I personally don’t see an issue with such a functionality, and there are a couple of ways to go about it:
- Adding shortcut handling to Deskbar
- Adding shortcut handling to LaunchBox; might be better, since the layout won't change depending on the applications you have open
- You might also be able to assign the shortcuts you want to particular apps by using the Shortcuts preflet included with the system, though I'm having trouble getting that to work myself
[quote=kidd106][quote=Cottonzoom]
I understand that Haiku aims to be like BeOS which will not get any new features introduced anymore hence it was discounted in 1990s. But is there really no way to provide an alternative even if it makes the life really easier?[/quote]
Just because Haiku aims to be a replacement for BeOS, doesn’t mean that Haiku will not have more features added to it.[/quote]
for example, stacking & tiling, which is totally new to haiku.