QuickSwitch

[tuska]

... "AlwaysOpenMenu" enabled/disabled?

In the "QuickSwitch Menu" pressing the number works fine regardless of whether the option "Always open Menu" is ticked or not.
Windows 11 Pro (x64) Version 21H2 (OS build 22000.856) | 2022-08-15_QuickSwitch-0.5dw6

What exactly does the option "Always open Menu" do? I don't notice any difference whether I tick the option or not.

On my system the shortcuts are always working, but the underlines are not displayd with "AlwaysOpenMenu" enabled.
Maybe a system related problem?
Does anybody know a possible reason/solution for this behaviour?

Under Windows 11 Pro (x64) version 21H2 (OS build 22000.856) | 2022-08-15_QuickSwitch-0.5dw6 it is as follows for me:
1. The underscores are always present regardless of whether the option "Always open Menu" is ticked or not.
2. The underscores can be set in Windows 11 Pro as follows:
    Search for: "Underline access keys" -> On (default!) -> Underlining is visible in Total Commander, for example.
    [Total Commander may have to be restarted].
    However, this has no effect on the .AHK script - the underscores are ALWAYS displayed there (Win 11 Pro).

By the way, I don't have a problem with not removing the underscores.
I like this solution even better (press numbers) than the one I suggested (Ctrl+Q and ENTER).

MenuBGColor is also not a problem for me (even if it stays that way).
I am mainly concerned with the function of this tool.

[horst.epp]

2horst.epp

In version dw6 the numbers in the menu doesn't work for me at all.
Not with Alt and not without it.
I personaly would remove that numbering and stay with version dw5 which works fine.

Did you try with "AlwaysOpenMenu" enabled/disabled?
On my system the shortcuts are always working, but the underlines are not displayd with "AlwaysOpenMenu" enabled.
Maybe a system related problem?
Does anybody know a possible reason/solution for this behaviour?

AlwaysOpenMenu is disabled
as I most of the time use the Listary suggestion and Ctrl-Q if I need more.

[DaWolfi]

2tuska

I would still remove the underscores in the "QuickSwitch Menu" as this can cause confusion.

I can't remove the underscores, if you want to use the numers to navigate.
They're activating the shortcut (in fact the hidden '&' before the letter/character that should be shown as underscore...), no matter whether they are displayed or not!

For me, everything would be fine so far - only MenuBGColor is currently still open for me under Windows 10 Pro.

Sorry, I haven't found a possible reason for that, but I'll further investigate later on this week.

[DaWolfi]

2horst.epp

In version dw6 the numbers in the menu doesn't work for me at all.
Not with Alt and not without it.
I personaly would remove that numbering and stay with version dw5 which works fine.

Did you try with "AlwaysOpenMenu" enabled/disabled?
On my system the shortcuts are always working, but the underlines are not displayd with "AlwaysOpenMenu" enabled.
Maybe a system related problem?
Does anybody know a possible reason/solution for this behaviour?

[tuska]

You must not type ALT when the menu is displayed.

I tried this twice yesterday and it didn't work for some reason.

But today, just pressing the number works fine in the "QuickSwitch Menu".
Tested with dialogues from FastStone Capture, EmEditor Pro and Word 2021.

I would still remove the underscores in the "QuickSwitch Menu" as this can cause confusion.

ALT+letter works for me in the "QuickSwitch Settings" window (underscore is displayed).

For me, everything would be fine so far - only MenuBGColor is currently still open for me under Windows 10 Pro.

Thanks for your endeavours!

________________________________________________
Windows 11 Pro (x64) Version 21H2 (OS build 22000.856)
2022-08-15_QuickSwitch-0.5dw6

[horst.epp]

In version dw6 the numbers in the menu doesn't work for me at all.
Not with Alt and not without it.
I personaly would remove that numbering and stay with version dw5 which works fine.

[DaWolfi]

2DaWolfi
It would sound very good, because I am a shortcut fan, but...

After typing ALT...

the QuickSwitch windows as shown by you are gone ...

I am sorry if I have expressed myself in a misleading way.
You must not type ALT when the menu is displayed.
This is necessary only in the settings window, if the underscore is not displayed.
Sometimes this happens, I don't know why right now.

I also need to investigate further why the active Total Commander tab is not always found!

[tuska]

2DaWolfi
It would sound very good, because I am a shortcut fan, but...

After typing ALT...

the QuickSwitch windows as shown by you are gone ...

If it is not possible to automatically select the first (top) entry in the 'QuickSwitch Menu', then I suggest the following:
- QuickSwitch Menu
  Remove the underscores and leave the digits.
- QuickSwitch Settings
  Remove the underscores

In the end, I can also live with the fact that I click on the top entry with the mouse.
Thanks for your efforts, anyway!

[DaWolfi]

Question:
Can you automatically position the cursor on the top entry?
Then it would be possible to select the path with Ctrl+Q and <ENTER> in a dialoque.

not done yet, seems to be not that easy...

NotNull has already cut its teeth on this topic.
But I thought I would ask you anyway, as it would be a great relief for me in my daily work.

I guess I found a solution while playing around with underlined letters as shortcut keys.
Every folder entry in the menu gets its own number, marked as shortcut.
So one can select any entry simply by typing its number right after the menu is displayed:

Menu2.png (24.42 KiB) Viewed 308140 times

This works not only for the menu entries, but also for the Settings window:

GUI2.png (13.92 KiB) Viewed 308140 times

After typing ALT, one can select the items by the underlined letter, edit and leave with ENTER (edit fields), or simply leave by hitting ENTER (buttons).
All in all, you don't have to touch the mouse for the entire process!

QuickSwitch-0.5dw6.zip

(28.89 KiB) Downloaded 6342 times

[tuska]

2Horst.Epp
You cunning fox saw through that immediately, of course.

2DaWolfi
MenuBGColor

I have now tested the "QuickSwitch Menu" again with a different colour - no success.
In "QuickSwitch Settings" the colour can be changed successfully (as before).
________________________________________________
Windows 11 Pro (x64) Version 21H2 (OS build 22000.856)
Monitor 24", native resolution: 1920 x 1280 pixels | Scaling Settings: Scaling size 125%, 100%
 

I forgot to reset the INI section "MenuEntries" back to "Menu" in V4.

The difference would have been my next question - but you were quicker with your answer.

[DaWolfi]

Not confirmed.
QuickSwitch.ini
[Menu]
AlwaysUseMenu=Yes
NrOfMRUFolders=5
AlwaysOpenMenu=0

[MenuEntries]
AlwaysOpenMenu=1
NrOfMRUFolders=5 -> only manually changeable in 2022-08-15_QuickSwitch.0.5dw5

How could you change that?
I assume that you have tested this?

I forgot to reset the INI section "MenuEntries" back to "Menu" in V4.
The correct and testet INI structure is like in V5:

[Dialogs]
[Menu]
AlwaysOpenMenu=1 ; 0 or 1
NrOfMRUFolders=5
[Colors]
GuiBGColor=0xF5F5F5
MenuBGColor=0xC0C59C
[AutoSwitchException]

[DaWolfi]

Works fine here but the More settings screen needs an ok or apply button.
Currently one must enter a value and terminate it with enter to get the new value saved.
We see on Tuska's post that he doesn't know this

Of course, sorry for that one.
As you can see I'm a bit lazy about adding descriptions sometimes...

[DaWolfi]

2DaWolfi
I am unsure about MenuBGColor -> QuickSwitch Menu.
Is this what you have in mind for the background colour? (I have used the default values).

... frame on the left and right and the horizontal line is coloured ...

Basically yes, but I don't know yet why the MenuBGColor only applies to the borders and the horizontal line on your system
This is how it looks like on my system (win11 home 64bit)

Menu.png (14.5 KiB) Viewed 308186 times

GUI.png (9.49 KiB) Viewed 308186 times

[horst.epp]

...
QuickSwitch.0.5dw5.zip

Works fine here but the More settings screen needs an ok or apply button.
Currently one must enter a value and terminate it with enter to get the new value saved.
We see on Tuska's post that he doesn't know this

[tuska]

When I click on "More Settings..." I get the settings menu.
If I click away this window and call up the settings menu immediately again, I get this error message:

fixed

Confirm fixed in 2022-08-15_QuickSwitch.0.5dw5

Currently, another value can only be set manually, as the value '6' is not saved...
(Entered manually, the value 6 works as expected).

fixed

Not confirmed.
QuickSwitch.ini
[Menu]
AlwaysUseMenu=Yes
NrOfMRUFolders=5
AlwaysOpenMenu=0

[MenuEntries]
AlwaysOpenMenu=1
NrOfMRUFolders=5 -> only manually changeable in 2022-08-15_QuickSwitch.0.5dw5

How could you change that?
I assume that you have tested this?

------------------------------
I have tested the buttons and the option box in the "QuickSwitch Settings" dialogue:
The buttons work and the option box for "Always open Menu" changes an entry in QuickSwitch.ini - whatever effect this has.
------------------------------

Question:
Can you automatically position the cursor on the top entry?
Then it would be possible to select the path with Ctrl+Q and <ENTER> in a dialoque.

not done yet, seems to be not that easy...

NotNull has already cut its teeth on this topic.
But I thought I would ask you anyway, as it would be a great relief for me in my daily work.

[tuska]

2DaWolfi
Thanks for the corrections and additions in QuickSwitch.0.5dw5 - I am still testing.

I am unsure about MenuBGColor -> QuickSwitch Menu.
Is this what you have in mind for the background colour? (I have used the default values).

... frame on the left and right and the horizontal line is coloured ...

 

2022-08-15_QuickSwitch.0.5dw5_Colors_DEFAULT.png (44.05 KiB) Viewed 308199 times

[DaWolfi]

2tuska
Here we go:

When I click on "More Settings..." I get the settings menu.
If I click away this window and call up the settings menu immediately again, I get this error message:

fixed

Currently, another value can only be set manually, as the value '6' is not saved...
(Entered manually, the value 6 works as expected).

fixed

Question:
Can you automatically position the cursor on the top entry?
Then it would be possible to select the path with Ctrl+Q and <ENTER> in a dialoque.

not done yet, seems to be not that easy...

Please check -> MenuBGColor.

fixed and added colors to settings dialog

added reset button to settings dialog

QuickSwitch.0.5dw5.zip

(28.73 KiB) Downloaded 5842 times

[tuska]

If you want to change the background color of the menu or the dialog, you can specify a color value in hex format in the ini file.
QuickSwitch-0.5dw4.zip

QuickSwitch.ini - DEFAULT values

Code: Select all

[Colors]
GuiBGColor=0xF5F5F5
MenuBGColor=0xC0C59C

FastStone Capture has a "Screen Color Picker". I used this to determine the Hex value. (Hex values can also be determined in "Paint").
 

2022-08-14_FastStone Capture_Screen Color Picker.png (92.24 KiB) Viewed 308302 times

I have used the following Hex values:

Code: Select all

#FF2323  or  FF2323 ... red
#106EBE  or  106EBE ... blue

Here is a Table of color which also uses such values (#...).
None of my colors have changed after I changed the entries in QuickSwitch.ini and then restarted the QuickSwitch.exe.

EDIT:
Got it!
I have to put 0x in front of the hex value, e.g. FE6B00 ==> 0xFE6B00.

Code: Select all

[Colors]
GuiBGColor=0xFE6B00	;Ctrl+Q -> "More settings..." -> QuickSwitch Settings -> New background color available!
MenuBGColor=0x106EBE	;Ctrl+Q -> Here I only see a frame on the left and right and the horizontal line is coloured.
				   However, there is no background colour! <==

Please check -> MenuBGColor.

Thank you!

[tuska]

2DaWolfi

Ctrl-Q -> More Settings...

QuickSwitch Settings
MRU folder entries (0-10) -> default value: 5 -> new value: 6

Currently, another value can only be set manually, as the value '6' is not saved...
(Entered manually, the value 6 works as expected).

QuickSwitch.ini

Code: Select all

[MenuEntries]
NrOfMRUFolders=5

-------------

Question:
Ctrl+Q and pressing the down arrow key twice positions the cursor on the top entry in the "QuickSwitch Menu".

Can you automatically position the cursor on the top entry?
Then it would be possible to select the path with Ctrl+Q and <ENTER> in a dialoque.

[tuska]

2DaWolfi
thanks for the new version!

Just a quick test...

When I click on "More Settings..." I get the settings menu.
If I click away this window and call up the settings menu immediately again, I get this error message:

QuickSwitch.exe
Error: The same variable cannot be used for more than one control.

Specifically: vOpenMenuGUI

Line#
---> 778: Gui,Add,CheckBox,x20 y50 w170 h25 gAlwaysOpenMenu vOpenMenuGUI,Always &open Menu

The current thread will exit.

A restart of QuickSwitch.exe is necessary if you want to execute the menu item "More Settings..." again.

Please check.
Thank you!

Have a nice weekend too!

[DaWolfi]

Thanks for the prompt help!

Thank you for your excellent and accurate testing, I really appreciate this support!
Can you do me the favor of reviewing my latest changes as well?

I've added a little GUI and moved "Debug this dialog" and "Always open menu" to this dialog.
The AutoSwitch option I left in the menu, because it is probably used more frequently.

You can set the number of MRU folder entries in this dialog too, allowed values are between 0 and 10
If you want to change the background color of the menu or the dialog, you can specify a color value in hex format in the ini file.

Have a nice weekend!

QuickSwitch-0.5dw4.zip

(28.16 KiB) Downloaded 6044 times

[tuska]

(btw, just out of personal interest: how many tries do you usually need to hit the right folder? )

It depends on how quickly I find the folder on my PC where I want to save the file
In Total Commander I use tabs, saved tab sets and have saved many paths in the 'directory hotlist (Ctrl+D)'.
I search for the remaining folders directly in Everything and a double-click on a folder opens this folder in Total Commander.
Only then does QuickSwitch.exe come into play in the "Save as..." or "Open file" dialog.
As a rule, this only takes a few keystrokes and the file is stored where it is supposed to be.

Fortunately the cause was not so difficult to find:
It seems that this specific dialog needs an AutoSwitch Exception.
(Pls. see Exception dialog for more info and how to add an exception)

First of all, I must correct the following:
I didn't do any tests for "Open file" dialogues with the "FastStone Capture" tool with QuickSwitch_2022-04-03_v05_x64.exe.

2022-08-11_QuickSwitch-0.5dw3
Variant 1
In the present test I noticed that the "Open file" dialogue in FastStone Capture works properly,
if at least one hardcopy has already been created and is displayed in the FastStone Editor.

Variant 2
When FastStone Capture is started and after that the "Open File in Editor" button is clicked,
as well as clicking on the menu item "Open Ctrl+O", then the automatic directory entry lags
always one entry behind in the "Open file" dialog.

If I want to use this variant, then an AutoSwitch Exception is required:
QuickSwitch.ini

Code: Select all

[AutoSwitchException]
FSCapture.exe___Open=1

There are two ways to open a file in FastStone Capture via the "Open File" dialog.
I have chosen variant 1 and do not need the "AutoSwitch Exception" in this case.

Thanks for the prompt help!

[DaWolfi]

Sometimes after multiple(!) ALT+TAB the path is shown which had the focus before but not anymore.

Please check.
Thanks!

I'll check and see if I can figure out why this is happening.

(btw, just out of personal interest: how many tries do you usually need to hit the right folder? )

EDIT:
Fortunately the cause was not so difficult to find:
It seems that this specific dialog needs an AutoSwitch Exception.
(Pls. see Exception dialog for more info and how to add an exception)

[tuska]

I've added a quick fix for this issue. Should work now, but has to be further investigated regarding other apps.
QuickSwitch-0.5dw3.zip

Thank you for the prompt bugfix for the savings dialog in FastStone Capture!

I have tested the following applications:
- FastStone Capture Version 9.7
- EmEditor Professional (64-bit) Version 21.9.0
Microsoft Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021:
- Microsoft® Outlook® LTSC MSO (16.0.14332.20358) 64-Bit
- Microsoft® Word       LTSC MSO (16.0.14332.20358) 64-Bit

I don't want to do such a large-scale test as announced here at the moment.
I use the script almost daily, so if I notice anything I would report it here.

Thank you for your efforts!

Regards,
Karl
_______________________________________________________________________________________
EDIT:
File Open Ctrl+O does NOT work as expected with FastStone Capture.
I.e. after ALT+TAB the path in the "File Open"-dialogue is not automatically adjusted, namely
by Total Commander and Windows Explorer.
Sometimes after multiple(!) ALT+TAB the path is shown which had the focus before but not anymore.

Please check.
Thanks!

________________________________________________
Windows 11 Pro (x64) Version 21H2 (OS build 22000.856)

[DaWolfi]

Hi,
I would like to point out that I have the following problem with version QuickSwitch-0.5dw2.

1. Change to the desired directory in Total Commander (File manager)
2. Press Alt+Tab to switch back to the FastStone Editor (FastStone Capture).
3. Press Ctrl+S to save a .png file
4. Cursor starts flickering (approx. 10 times or more)
5. File name is suggested, e.g. 2022-08-09_165749.png => OK!
6. Change back to Total Commander with ALT+Tab (e.g. to put the focus on the right window)
7. Change back to FastStone Capture with ALT+TAB.
8. In the "Save as..." dialogue the path is now suggested instead of the file name,
   e.g. C:\totalcmd\Tools\AutoHotkey\Scripts\QuickSwitch\Backup\

This problem does not occur with QuickSwitch_2022-04-03_v05_x64.exe.

I've added a quick fix for this issue. Should work now, but has to be further investigated regarding other apps.

QuickSwitch-0.5dw3.zip

(27.03 KiB) Downloaded 6068 times

[tuska]

Hi,
I would like to point out that I have the following problem with version QuickSwitch-0.5dw2.

1. Change to the desired directory in Total Commander (File manager)
2. Press Alt+Tab to switch back to the FastStone Editor (FastStone Capture).
3. Press Ctrl+S to save a .png file
4. Cursor starts flickering (approx. 10 times or more)
5. File name is suggested, e.g. 2022-08-09_165749.png => OK!
6. Change back to Total Commander with ALT+Tab (e.g. to put the focus on the right window)
7. Change back to FastStone Capture with ALT+TAB.
8. In the "Save as..." dialogue the path is now suggested instead of the file name,
   e.g. C:\totalcmd\Tools\AutoHotkey\Scripts\QuickSwitch\Backup\

This problem does not occur with QuickSwitch_2022-04-03_v05_x64.exe.

[horst.epp]

I like this new version of QuickSwitch.
As Listary has resumed to be updated.
I have now 3 options while in an Open/Save dialog.
- Listary shows the current file manager dir below the dialog and also allows any search.
- Ctrl-Q opens the QuickSwitch dialog with the 2 sides of Total Commander or XYplorer.
- Ctrl-J opens JumpToFolder and I can find the place to go with Everything.

[DaWolfi]

I might reach out to you regarding this, because that would mean JumpToFolder needs to be updated to support this type of dialogs too.
(and I don't have access to these AutoDesk applications myself at the moment).

Today I added the necessary code to JumpToFolder
I tested it with different applications and it seems to work.
I'll upload the file to the JumpToFolder topic, so everybody can have a look and try it out.

[DaWolfi]

So I ask on the first run about the location of JumpToFolder.exe and store it in the ini file.

oops, that reminded me that compiled scripts have to be considered as well...

QuickSwitch-0.5dw2.zip

(27.19 KiB) Downloaded 6438 times

[NotNull]

• Added new types of file dialogs
  (e.g. needed for some Autodesk products)

Have not looked at your code yet, but sounds good!
I might reach out to you regarding this, because that would mean JumpToFolder needs to be updated to support this type of dialogs too.
(and I don't have access to these AutoDesk applications myself at the moment).

[horst.epp]

Thank you!

The only thing I had to change was the logic to find JumpToFolder.

How did you solve that?

I prefer not to install tools under program files but in a central c:\tools dir.
So I ask on the first run about the location of JumpToFolder.exe and store it in the ini file.

[DaWolfi]

Thanks for sharing!

You're welcome!

[DaWolfi]

Nice enhancement.

Thank you!

The only thing I had to change was the logic to find JumpToFolder.

How did you solve that?

What I never would do is to hide the icon of QuickSwitch by default
as this will confuse a lot of users.

To be honest - I forgot to reacivate it before publishing...
(Personally I only use Icons while testing)

[tuska]

Hi guys,
I am glad that I found this very helpful program, thanks a lot for developing and maintenance to everybody who is involved!

I've made some changes and extensions for my requirements, and would like to make this available to anyone who may need it.
...

Thanks for sharing!

[horst.epp]

What I've done so far:

• Added new types of file dialogs
  (e.g. needed for some Autodesk products)

• Top 5 MRU folders added to file managers folders
  (that's why I had to shrink icons to 16x16 )

• Added option to always show folder list
  (useful if you often switch between the same folders)

• If JumpToFolder is found, an entry to the folder list is added
  (or you can run it with Ctrl+J from the file dialog)

QuickSwitch-0.5dw.zip

Nice enhancement.
I compiled and tested it a little bit using Total Commander and XYplorer.
The only thing I had to change was the logic to find JumpToFolder.
I always use compiled scripts and also I had to add an icon for it in its dir.
What I never would do is to hide the icon of QuickSwitch by default
as this will confuse a lot of users.

[autocart]

(Please do not create a pull request as that would force me to figure out how git actually works...)

I totally get you!

[DaWolfi]

(Please do not create a pull request as that would force me to figure out how git actually works...)

Saved my day

What I've done so far:

• Added new types of file dialogs
  (e.g. needed for some Autodesk products)

• Top 5 MRU folders added to file managers folders
  (that's why I had to shrink icons to 16x16 )

• Added option to always show folder list
  (useful if you often switch between the same folders)

• If JumpToFolder is found, an entry to the folder list is added
  (or you can run it with Ctrl+J from the file dialog)

QuickSwitch-0.5dw.zip

ahk+ico+ini

(26.66 KiB) Downloaded 6208 times

[NotNull]

I've made some changes and extensions for my requirements, and would like to make this available to anyone who may need it.
What is the most appropriate way to do this? Upload the code right here, or creating a pull request on GitHub, or sending it to the author...?

Thank you!
You can either post it here or send me a PM or post a link to your own GitHub.
(Please do not create a pull request as that would force me to figure out how git actually works...)

[NotNull]

Sorry if this is offtopic as in the end it wasn't the script's fault but Windows'.

Definitely not off-topic. This will help other people with the same struggles.
So: Thank you for sharing!

[wontell]

How can the function of QuickSwitch be started from the task scheduler ?
That doesn't make sense for me.

To start any AHK script with the task scheduler
just compile it and you have an exe file which can be handled as any other tool.

I've made other script start at logon without compiling it without any problems, as a matter of fact I was able to do that with this script too but I had to do something else.

The reason why it wasn't working (well, executing the task) was that I was enclosing the path with quotes, it seems if you enter a quoted path Windows opens the file with "Open with" (try it with any file, Windows will ask you which program you want to use), so I had to move the script to a path without spaces and now it works.

Program: C:\Scripts\QuickSwitch-main\QuickSwitch.ahk
Argument:
Start in: C:\Scripts\QuickSwitch-main

Another way was executing AutoHotkey and passing the file as argument, it wasn't working before because "Start in" has to be quote free always.

Program: "C:\Program Files\AutoHotkey\AutoHotkey.exe"
Argument:"C:\Scripts\QuickSwitch-main\QuickSwitch.ahk"
Start in: C:\Scripts\QuickSwitch-main

Sorry if this is offtopic as in the end it wasn't the script's fault but Windows'.

[DaWolfi]

Hi guys,
I am glad that I found this very helpful program, thanks a lot for developing and maintenance to everybody who is involved!

I've made some changes and extensions for my requirements, and would like to make this available to anyone who may need it.
What is the most appropriate way to do this? Upload the code right here, or creating a pull request on GitHub, or sending it to the author...?

[horst.epp]

As anyone else been able to execute the script with Task Scheduler? For some reason this script wont execute, I have other script that does opens so is not a problem with how I'm launching the script though I tried pointing directly to the ahk file and pointing to autohotkey.exe and adding the script path as argument.
Can someone please try to add the script to task scheduler and then try to run the task?

How can the function of QuickSwitch be started from the task scheduler ?
That doesn't make sense for me.

To start any AHK script with the task scheduler
just compile it and you have an exe file which can be handled as any other tool.

[wontell]

As anyone else been able to execute the script with Task Scheduler? For some reason this script wont execute, I have other script that does opens so is not a problem with how I'm launching the script though I tried pointing directly to the ahk file and pointing to autohotkey.exe and adding the script path as argument.
Can someone please try to add the script to task scheduler and then try to run the task?

[David.P]

Will send you a separate dialog-debug tool that can analyze these Office 2003 dialogs.

Awesome, thanks in advance!

PS: Office 2003? Let me guess: you don't like the ribbon?

I hated it at first, and let's be honest, it was hateable for quite some time. In the meantime however, I think it's pretty mature, and both usable and space-saving if you want it to be.

I even quite like using Office 365, especially the collaboration and SharePoint features. Also, while I fortunately never have to give slide presentations, I nevertheless consider PowerPoint to be the best and fastest power user vector graphics program ever, and use it about 5h a day for that purpose



However, for serious bulk production of text (I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking), any Word version after 2003 is too sluggish for me. I also have customized Word 2003 ad nauseam with tons of special macros and functions that save me hours every day.

Sometimes, this can look like so:



Sorry for this digression from the thread topic!

[NotNull]

Would that be very difficult to implement?

It looks like it can be done, but there is only one way to find out ...

Not sure if this helps, but here is a screenshot from AutoHotkey's Windows Spy, next to a Word 2003 Open dialog:

That definitely helps! This dialog uses a different class (bosa_sdm_...) instead of the expected #32770 class

QuickSwitch has a "Debug this dialog" function that would give me most/all information needed to analyze this type of dialog. But as your dialog class isn't supported (yet) ...
Will send you a separate dialog-debug tool that can analyze these Office 2003 dialogs.
Will send you a PM as that process and those details are not very interesting for other forum visitors.


PS: Office 2003? Let me guess: you don't like the ribbon?

[David.P]

Hello all,

I just found this awesome thread.

Bear with me if I haven't read everything yet. Like many others, I've been looking for a replacement for Listary for a long time. I'm also a heavy Dopus and Everything user.

In my case, there is a minor peculiarity in that I use Word 2003 all day long every day for text production. The Open/Save dialogs of Word 2003 are still supported by Listary v.5, but not anymore by Listary v.6.

It seems that Quickswitch as well as JumpToFolder also don't support Word 2003's Open/Save dialogs:



Would that be very difficult to implement?

Not sure if this helps, but here is a screenshot from AutoHotkey's Windows Spy, next to a Word 2003 Open dialog:

(System is Windows 10)

[horst.epp]

For me QuickSwitch already follows changes in my file manager.
It starts to display the pathes from TC or XY.
If I now click on the taskbar icon of the file manager and change some path there
the QuickSwitch display in the Open/Save dialog automatically changes to the new pathes.
So no need for any enhancement from my side.
QuickSwitch provides here the same convenient function as Listary.

[tuska]

I think for TC users, it can be useful to have access to the Directory Hotlist (or similar in other filemanagers).

To be honest:
Theoretically yes, in practice for me only "nice to have" and in reality I do not need such a function in QuickSwitch
=> Directory Hotlist (Ctrl+D) in Total Commander (TC) <=.

My "centre" is the file manager.
If I store files (open/save), I have several options in the file manager and Everything to quickly set the corresponding paths
beforehand in the file manager.
[If I have forgotten to set the paths beforehand or first have to search for them with Everything, then I just press
ALT+TAB...]

Presumably, however, there could be other Total Commander users who see things differently.

[NotNull]

But I don't want to be a fun brake, because the author, NotNull, seems to be very motivated, to implement all possible suggestions.

That must be a misunderstanding. My 'philosophy' for almost all applications is "less is more". The less features, the better. And the features that remain should be out of the (visual) way, but easily accessible.
On the other hand: Suggestions that strengthen the core or prevent problems should always be implemented (if cost < benefit)


In this phase I'm open to all user experience /user interface ideas. The ideas that will be implemented in the end must be logical, natural and "organic" at least.

Example:
I recently took a look at QuickAccessPopup (QAP) and I understand why many people use it (a lot of different options, leading to a lot of different folders to choose from), but it comes down to browsing through the QAP menu-folder structure vs browsing the filesystem. Same difference (for me as a QAP outsider).
Not natural and organic enough for me as I can almost feel my brain switching to a different mode when using QAP. And switch back afterwards.

One of the QAP menu options was for TC's Directory Hotlist (IIRC). That list gets extracted from TC, saved in QAP's database and presented in a submenu.
I think for TC users, it can be useful to have access to the Directory Hotlist (or similar in other filemanagers).
So the following is an organic workflow in my opinion:
Put cursor on a TC folder in QuickSwitch folderlist; press 'cursor right' (TC will be brought to the front); select folder from Directory Hotlist; go back to dialog to switch to the selected folder.
I think this is much more natural as you are extremely familiar with Total Commander and selecting a folder there is a muscle memory automatism. (not to me, but you get the point )
It might be 1 or 2 clicks more "work", but feels faster and easier because you stay in the "flow".

EDIT:
To be clear: it isn't even certain if this gets implemented in the end. Just trying diffeent approaches and see what works well. The discarded ideas end up in the recycle bin, but help in getting more experience.

[tuska]

@tuska
Thx for your reply. Unfortunately, I am not sure what you are trying to tell me.

On the one hand, I wanted to express that it is not possible to achieve the main goal of QuickSwitch "AutoSwitch" in all cases.
On the other hand, I wanted to point out the test results again to show that the tool can be used very well in daily use.

For me, this means that there is no need to extend this tool with all kinds of additional functions.
But I don't want to be a fun brake, because the author, NotNull, seems to be very motivated, to implement all possible suggestions.