Author Topic: Group two windows so they get focus together. Possible? (Read 26397 times)

urlwolf · « **on:** January 28, 2014, 10:51 AM »

On win 7...
I want to group two windows so they get focus together. is this possible?
Example: an editor gets a small explorer.exe window that moves with it when dragging, and hides when I minimize it.

I think I've seen this feature somewhere. Displayfusion? Ahk?

Thanks.

Target · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2014, 04:12 PM »

task space?

MilesAhead · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2014, 04:23 PM »

task space?

-Target (January 28, 2014, 04:12 PM)

Looks kind of interesting. Have you much experience with it?

urlwolf · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2014, 05:02 PM »

Thanks Target.
It doesn't work on my system though.
Dragging windows into it doesn't capture them...
Hmm. Did run it as admin...

Target · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2014, 05:10 PM »

Looks kind of interesting. Have you much experience with it?
-MilesAhead (January 28, 2014, 04:23 PM)

I tried it briefly, but it didn't work in the context that I wanted to use it

FWIW I was running a screen scraper into excel so I wanted to group excel, the source app, and the bot in one window, but, for whatever reason, when I dragged the apps onto the task space the bot could no longer see the target app...

That said, I didn't really give it much time (I didn't really have it to spare) but I had intended to come back to it as there were a few combinations I could try...

urlwolf · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2014, 05:15 PM »

Seems to be hackish as hell

I guess it could be replicated (sorta) with ahk shortcuts, using this:
http://www.autohotke...ds/GroupActivate.htm

urlwolf · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2014, 05:22 PM »

ah, there's dock:
http://www.autohotke...ch&fromMainBar=1

wraith808 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2014, 05:24 PM »

Looks kind of interesting. Have you much experience with it?
-MilesAhead (January 28, 2014, 04:23 PM)

I tried it briefly, but it didn't work in the context that I wanted to use it

FWIW I was running a screen scraper into excel so I wanted to group excel, the source app, and the bot in one window, but, for whatever reason, when I dragged the apps onto the task space the bot could no longer see the target app...

That said, I didn't really give it much time (I didn't really have it to spare) but I had intended to come back to it as there were a few combinations I could try...
-Target (January 28, 2014, 05:10 PM)

Probably because it parents the window to the taskspace window, and the bot is looking for that window as a top-level window. But still a pretty cool app- thanks for the info for my needs

urlwolf · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2014, 05:42 PM »

Dock seems to work with ahk windows only. Bummer.
I really like this functionality, but taskspace doesn't work for me... and I don't have time to debug

urlwolf · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2014, 06:01 PM »

Ah: here it is, Actual multiple monitors does it...
http://www.actualtoo...lp/features/snap.php
(snap windows to each other)
EDIT: bah, it doesn't group then in the sense that they mini/maximize together.
Still stuck

Target · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2014, 06:05 PM »

Probably because it parents the window to the taskspace window, and the bot is looking for that window as a top-level window. But still a pretty cool app- thanks for the info for my needs
-wraith808 (January 28, 2014, 05:24 PM)

that's what I assumed

I really like the concept, it's something that had been in the back of my mind for a while (there's a fair bit of empty space back there...)

Now I'm going to have to do some further testing and report back

urlwolf · « **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2014, 06:53 PM »

@Target: I love the concept. I wish I could find out why it doesn't work on my system...

urlwolf · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2014, 07:03 PM »

Looks like it only works on 32 bit win 7

Target · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2014, 08:01 PM »

Looks like it only works on 32 bit win 7
-urlwolf (January 28, 2014, 07:03 PM)

compatibility mode?

Target · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2014, 08:45 PM »

OK, so I've just done a little bit more testing on this and it's looking less and less attractive.

same scenario (excel, bot, and target app), and this time the bot started, but

when an excel dialog came up, I couldn't get at it, nor would excel respond in any way
the bot started, but the run time dialog (basically just 2 buttons) was outside of the app
the only way I could seemed to be able to get my apps back out of the group was to quit taskspace, but doing that resulted in an excel session without any menu bars

I never got as far as extracting any data as I couldn't control what was going on

could be this might work fine for things like editors or browser windows, though the dialog box issue would be a big question mark for me as I suspect any app might suffer from the same affliction

<sigh>

wraith808 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2014, 09:31 PM »

Maybe that's the reason it's free $:-\$

Shades · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2014, 06:11 AM »

Don't underestimate the foulness also known as Excel....(when using it in automated solutions).

And I have also noticed differences when running an application in a user account that is member of the Administrators group and running an application with 'Run as Administrator' or run the application in the Administrator accountt itself.

This might look the same but it really isn't. You will have a bigger chance of success running (experimental) applications in the Administrator account itself than in another way (with Windows 7 and up).

Curt · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2014, 02:45 PM »

task space?
-Target (January 28, 2014, 04:12 PM)
Looks kind of interesting. Have you much experience with it?
-MilesAhead (January 28, 2014, 04:23 PM)

-"no, not much!"

Sorry I was trying to be funny,
but...
the program is less than five weeks old!

Changelog

================================================================================
TaskSpace Change Log
================================================================================

================================================================================
Version: 0.1.2.4
Build Date: 01-25-2014
================================================================================

- fixed redrawing bug after the change of skin
- fixed bug in "None"-theme when tabs occupies too little space
- fixed bug in TaskSpace window resizing when it occasionally interrupted in the middle of the process
- TaskSpace window moving process changed: preview mode added. Preview mode allows user to save desktop place and to see through the window(ability to see the underlying windows) while moving the window.
   To activate the preview mode:
   1. Pick up the TaskSpace window, make fast mouse movement left-right (or right-left)
   2. Pick up the TaskSpace window, move mouse far from the original placement
   This mode is enabled for Windows Vista and later.

================================================================================
Version: 0.1.2.3
Build Date: 01-21-2014
================================================================================

- fixed bug in Windows XP: balloon not showing in system tray area
- fixed bugs in "None"-theme
- updated multi-language support (Greek languaged fixes)
- test build with sponsored installer created

================================================================================
Version: 0.1.2.2
Build Date: 01-19-2014
================================================================================

- updated multi-language support
- modest windows theme added("None")
- added "Check updates": allows to check the latest version on the web

================================================================================
Version: 0.1.2.1
Build Date: 01-17-2014
================================================================================

- updated multi-language support(Greek added)
- system tray hint with application commands added when there is no opened TaskSpaces

================================================================================
Version: 0.1.2.0
Build Date: 01-11-2014
================================================================================

- system menu changed: window position mode added
   1. Always On Desktop - widget mode includes:
      a. no taskbar entry
      b. not minimized on Win+D, Win+M
   2. Always On Top - set window at the top of the Z-order
   3. Normal - default window position
- added multi-language support(English, Russian)
- TaskSpace's tab renaming added(double click on tab)

================================================================================
Version: 0.1.1.0
Build Date: 12-31-2013
================================================================================

- fixed hangs/crashes when attaching to applications
- improved child windows reposition on sizing/moving
- bugfixes for Windows XP

================================================================================
Version: 0.1.0.5
Build Date: 12-29-2013
================================================================================

- bugfixes for Windows XP
- fixed child windows reposition
- fixed random improper position of TaskSpace window on startup
- added hot state highlighting for TaskSpace window
- improved TaskSpace window drawing
- fixed errors in system menu

================================================================================
Version: 0.1.0.4
Build Date: 12-27-2013
================================================================================

- removed TaskSpace window flickering on startup
- reduced TaskSpace window flickering when mouse moving
- fixed improper reposition of maximized child window when clicking on its caption
- reduced flickering when tab switching
- added tab moving(left click on tab + mouse move over the tabs)

================================================================================
Version: 0.1.0.3
Build Date: 12-25-2013
================================================================================

- taskbar button not appeared on TaskSpace startup
- TaskSpace window activated when new window attached(drag&drop operation)
- TaskSpace window activated when clicking on child window

Get in there to affect development!

MilesAhead · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2014, 06:23 AM »

It kind of reminds me of those virtual desktop programs that used to be popular. It will be interesting to see how stable it becomes. Not a bad idea.

dr_andus · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2014, 06:18 AM »

the program is less than five weeks old!
-Curt (January 30, 2014, 02:45 PM)

TaskSpace could be a really useful software. I was delighted to see that I could dock several of ConnectedText's floating windows and move them around as one.

But yes, it does feel like a beta still. I ran into a number of bugs on a Win7, 64-bit system (although the developer does warn about them). E.g. I couldn't detach Notepad2-mod, once attached. Also, when moved between different monitors (with different resolutions and sizes), the docked windows can get a bit messed up, so need manual rearranging.

I do hope this app will mature soon.

One needs to be pretty careful during installation though not to install all the adware stuff...

cshnik · « **Reply #20 on:** July 07, 2014, 02:58 AM »

But yes, it does feel like a beta still. I ran into a number of bugs on a Win7, 64-bit system (although the developer does warn about them). E.g. I couldn't detach Notepad2-mod, once attached. Also, when moved between different monitors (with different resolutions and sizes), the docked windows can get a bit messed up, so need manual rearranging.

I do hope this app will mature soon.
-dr_andus (February 01, 2014, 06:18 AM)

How about the latest version of TaskSpace? I really need your opinion...

dr_andus · « **Reply #21 on:** July 07, 2014, 07:47 AM »

But yes, it does feel like a beta still. I ran into a number of bugs on a Win7, 64-bit system (although the developer does warn about them). E.g. I couldn't detach Notepad2-mod, once attached. Also, when moved between different monitors (with different resolutions and sizes), the docked windows can get a bit messed up, so need manual rearranging.

I do hope this app will mature soon.
-dr_andus (February 01, 2014, 06:18 AM)
How about the latest version of TaskSpace? I really need your opinion...
-cshnik (July 07, 2014, 02:58 AM)

I'm using the x64 version of TaskSpace v0.1.5.3, and all the problems I was referring to have been resolved. I'm impressed with the speed of development and the improvements. Many thanks, cshnik, if you're the developer!

P.S. Please note that I've only been using TaskSpace in conjunction with ConnectedText v.6, as it solves several problems for me with that particular application (it allows me to organise CT's floating windows into a single space, e.g. a 2x3 grid, so they can be moved around from one monitor to another together, rather than one by one, with the added benefit that they get "detached" from CT, which otherwise would force these windows to come into the foreground, every time the main CT window is in focus).

dr_andus · « **Reply #22 on:** July 07, 2014, 08:13 AM »

P.P.S. Having said that, I wish it was a bit more straightforward to move around windows more freely in TS when "auto-size" is off for a window (or all windows). At the moment it doesn't seem possible, I don't know if that's a bug.

I'd also also like an option to turn off "auto-size" for all windows simultaneously, so it doesn't have to be done one by one for 9 windows, let's say. Same could be said about detaching windows from TS (a "detach all" option would be handy).

Cheers!

cshnik · « **Reply #23 on:** October 27, 2014, 03:23 AM »

A new version of TaskSpace was just released. Now it became much more handy. You should taste it!

dr_andus · « **Reply #24 on:** November 28, 2014, 02:18 PM »

A couple of months ago, after an update, TaskSpace stopped worked properly with ConnectedText's floating windows, and so I stopped using it. But just a few days ago I got frustrated again with not being able to organise my floating windows across 3 monitors and contacted the TaskSpace developer about it. I should have done that in the first place, as he sorted my issue within a matter of hours and I'm a happy bunny again. TS seems to have come a long way since the OP, so here is a mini review/overview of things that have changed:

Dragging windows into it doesn't capture them...
-urlwolf (January 28, 2014, 05:02 PM)

There are now a few very handy shortcuts, including "move current window to last active TaskSpace" (CTRL+SHIFT+M), so there is no need to drag and drop even (especially useful if the TaskSpace window is on another monitor).

EDIT: bah, it doesn't group then in the sense that they mini/maximize together.
-urlwolf (January 28, 2014, 06:01 PM)

TS can do that now. Another related option that has been added is "Always on top" or "Normal".

Looks like it only works on 32 bit win 7
-urlwolf (January 28, 2014, 07:03 PM)

There is now a Win7 64 -bit version as well.

Maybe that's the reason it's free $:-\$
-wraith808 (January 28, 2014, 09:31 PM)

It has moved to a freemium model.

when moved between different monitors (with different resolutions and sizes), the docked windows can get a bit messed up, so need manual rearranging.
-dr_andus (February 01, 2014, 06:18 AM)

That's been resolved.

One needs to be pretty careful during installation though not to install all the adware stuff...
-dr_andus (February 01, 2014, 06:18 AM)

Looks like that's no longer there, now that it has gone freemium.

There are a few minor issues that the developer is still looking into for me, but overall this is coming together nicely. But I've only been using it with CT, so YMMV. I recommend getting in touch with the developer if you run into any problems, as he's very responsive.