Bug: Active Document Tabs Bar > Resizing Problem

[CaliforniaJerry]

WeBuilder 9.5.2.106
Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2

Severity: Very Bad Behavior

Initial State:
I have four files open in "Windows > Tile Vertically" mode. They are all sized and placed to be viewable in certain areas of the desktop. None of them is "Maximized".

Steps to Reproduce:
1) I minimize one of the windows using the "Minimize" button in the upper right hand corner of it's window.
This shifts focus to one of the other active files.

2) I then select (click on) one of the other "Active Files" Document Tabs.

3) When activated, the selected window is opened to Full Screen mode.
This is the wrong behavior. It should open to it previous position and size prior to being minimized.

4) In fact, it seems ALL the open files have been "Maximized". I have to click the "Reduce Size" button on each of them.

[ Edit Note: Changed post title to reflect more precise (?) terminology. Active Files Toolbar = Active Document Tabs Bar ]

[chrisjlocke]

What OS? Can't reproduce this on Windows 7.
http://www.chrisjlocke.co.uk/screencams ... 20windows/

I can see that restoring a window will make it maximised if the current window is maximised though, but I thought that was 'standard behaviour' in the MDI interface. I'll have to have another play on an XP machine.

[CaliforniaJerry]

I am using Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2

In your screen capture, You DO NOT have the "Active Files" Toolbar, so your reconstruction of the problem is not correct.

It seems if I just double click on the minimized ("docked") window, they restore OK as you have shown. That is a Windows window > class method behavior, and it is working correctly. It's the toolbar selector, however, that is the problem. (I call it "Active Files" because that's the option in the context menu when you right click on it. It actually says, "Activate".) I just right clicked on it, and the window activated just by right clicking (I didn't select anything yet. And it was maximized). That is also incorrect behavior.

The MDI does seem to indicate that if one document is maximized, all should be, but none of my windows are maximized (by ME) during this procedure.

[chrisjlocke]

Aah, apologies for that. Guess I rushed into looking without fully reading your post. Will have another go.

[CaliforniaJerry]

No problem, I think this IDE has great potential and I'll do what I can to help out. It is interesting that in your screen shot, there is no "Active (open) Files" toolbar. Is that a Windows 7 thing, or is it out of the viewing area? Anyway, I'm looking forward to what you discover about this.

[Karlis]

What the hell is "active files toolbar", did you mean document tabs?

[CaliforniaJerry]

I apologize for not know the precise terminology of the Windows programing elements. I've worked only very minimally with the foundation classes. However, when you right click the Documents Tab, the context menu gives you the option to "Activate" the document, so for lack of a better term, I used what might be understood (which apparently it was!) - knowing that I would hopefully be corrected by you or other support member. Thanks for revealing the proper designation of this element as the "Documents Tab," that's perfect.

[davenz]

Can't replicate, Vista Business. Windows open and close in the same position as when tiled using any of the methods of maximising them. I might be doing it wrong but following CJ's post I think I am doing it right.

I did find another GUI glitch though, as evidenced by the screen shot, which shows the bottom left edge of the window. Tricky getting to the buttons when it is like this.



Dave.

[Karlis]

I apologize for not know the precise terminology of the Windows programing elements.

Just to clarify - there was no offense in what I said. I was just kidding

Indeed, the window is Maximized since it is the preferred behavior requested by some users long time ago. If you believe, this is important and should be changed, please let me know. You seem to be making use of the MDI windows a lot (as opposed to working in maximized mode all the time as most of us do), so your observations are rare and valuable indeed.

[CaliforniaJerry]

I can understand when you are using only one monitor, you would want windows maximized all the time. That makes sense. However, since I am using multiple monitors, I need to keep the windows each their own size and positioning. It allows me to view two or three files side-by-side, one in each monitor. Having to continually take time to reposition windows is more of a hassle than you realize if you haven't experienced it.

It's really nice if you can afford the multiple monitors, by the way. My ViewSonic 21" has a special driver and turns vertically which is nice for reading websites or PDF files top-to-bottom. I picked up another one from a friend (it has a minor defect), and another during the Thanksgiving Black Friday sales. I got two EVGA Video Cards, e-GeForce 8400GS (on sale of course) which handle two monitors each. It's great to have the development tools in two monitors (center & right), and my browser open in the third (left).

I believe Photoshop provides an MDI interface in which you can move windows independently outside of the application frame.

As my other post suggests, there are enough of us using multiple monitors, I think it's worth providing a better user experience for this configuration. As for priorities, I realize your development team only has time to address major issues, but hopefully this will work its way up that list before too long. I'll have to live with it till then I guess. At least I know my voice is being heard, so thank you for that.

[Karlis]

I have no idea, how photoshop does it, I thnik they are using SDI and separate windows. In fact a solution would have been to convert WeBuilder to SDI and allow multiple instances open, but then again multiple problems would arise.

A cheap workaround would be to simply allow multiple instances, so that you can run separate instance on each screen. Yes, it would eat more memory, but still less than single instance of Dreamweaver. But there are hidden dangers and inconveniences too.

I can attach two monitors, but my primary monitor is rather large(it is a 24" panel), so no place for my other monitor on the desk (it sits in the storage ). For testing I can use simulation with as many monitors as I want, but this does not give the actual experience.