Author Topic: Switcher2: Expose Clone (Window Arranger) for Windows (Read 93,095 times)

mouser · « **on:** September 03, 2007, 01:34 AM »

Cybernetnews heaps praise on this window-switching/arranging tool for windows.

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There is no doubt in my mind that Switcher is the best Exposé clone ever made for Windows, and only Vista users get to bask in the features that this free program has to offer. Switcher 2 Beta has just raised the bar several notches by adding features Apple’s own Exposé doesn’t even have!

Among many other things the new Switcher has tremendously improved the smoothness of its animation.

http://cybernetnews.com/2007/09/02/switcher-2-best-expose-clone-for-windows/#comments

lanux128 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2007, 03:21 AM »

looks cool but too bad, it's Vista only..

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2007, 03:31 AM »

I just tried it, I love it. Just another reason to go Windows.

Darwin · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2007, 05:32 AM »

Looks interesting. I have similar functionality in whatever Entbloess is being called this week (I have had the latest version installed, so I've little excuse for not remembering) and also in WindowsFX from Stardock. However, I keep coming back to the realisation that alt-tab as it comes out of the box is all I need and far less resource intensive... Ultimately, these third party apps get consigned to a lingering death on my computer - installed but neglected for months before finally being ripped out!

PhilB66 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2007, 06:40 AM »

Quote from: Darwin on September 03, 2007, 05:32 AM

Ultimately, these third party apps get consigned to a lingering death on my computer - installed but neglected for months before finally being ripped out!

Sounds familiar

Dirhael · « **Reply #5 on:** September 03, 2007, 12:23 PM »

I've been using the old version for some time now, and I had absolutely no idea that the guy had finished up a new version. Thanks for posting this mouser!: )

ak_ · « **Reply #6 on:** September 03, 2007, 02:16 PM »

Mouser, you tell us "Stay away from Windows Vista" and then promote Vista-only software... You're SICK !

Darwin · « **Reply #7 on:** September 03, 2007, 06:14 PM »

Quote from: ak_ on September 03, 2007, 02:16 PM

Mouser, you tell us "Stay away from Windows Vista" and then promote Vista-only software... You're SICK !

We can start calling him "the Pusher" (cue Steppenwolf...) - he pushes his product but doesn't use it!

laughinglizard · « **Reply #8 on:** September 03, 2007, 06:18 PM »

Quote from: lanux128 on September 03, 2007, 03:21 AM

looks cool but too bad, it's Vista only..

If your looking for something to run on XP, I'd look into Top Desk.
14 Day Free Trial, 19.95 US to buy.
I used it for quite a while when I had XP, and I quite liked it. When I remembered to use it that is.

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TopDesk dramatically enhances your window switching experience, allowing you to:

* Swiftly select a window from an Exposé-like or Flip3D-like view thumbnail view of all windows, including minimized windows.
* Rapidly switch between an application's windows using a thumbnail view of all windows that belong to the current application.
* Instantly access the desktop by hiding all windows.
* Find windows faster by displaying window thumbnail titles.
* Manage your windows by closing, minimizing, and restoring window thumbnails.
* Configure the user inputs that display window thumbnails, and change window thumbnail and performance settings.
* Quickly drag-and-drop items by holding them over window thumbnails.
* Display window thumbnails on multiple monitors.

Darwin · « **Reply #9 on:** September 03, 2007, 06:23 PM »

Oh, yes... Entbloess (now called Reflex Vision) works on XP as well. It's $9.99 and comparable to Top Desk, though AFAIK it doesn't do the Flip3D effect... No loss for me (as I don't use either anymore - see earlier post!).

laughinglizard · « **Reply #10 on:** September 03, 2007, 06:27 PM »

Quote from: wreckedcarzz on September 03, 2007, 03:31 AM

I just tried it, I love it. Just another reason to go Windows.

There are two more program like Switcher that run on Windows.

One is SmartFlip. I like it better than Switcher, though I haven't tried the new release.
Here's an overview from Lifehacker on SmartFlip
http://lifehacker.com/software/flip-3d/download-of-the-day-smartflip-windows-vista-240275.php

Windows Vista only: Tweak Vista's Flip 3D preview function with SmartFlip.
http://www.osx-e.com/downloads/applications/smartflip.html

The utility replaces Flip 3D's "deck of cards"-style flipping with a rotating, circular preview. Because this gives you a full, rather than obscured, view of each thumbnail, it's easier to find the window you want. What's more, SmartFlip can show you only the windows for a particular application, such as Word. You can run the utility with its own hotkey(s) or configure it to replace Flip 3D's Windows-Tab launcher. You can also modify a wealth of settings, including rotation speed, window opacity, etc.

The other program is WinExposé.
Its an ok program other than its very, very slow on my system. Apparently on others as well.
http://www.matiasmoreno.com.ar/winexpose/

Darwin · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2007, 06:28 PM »

Heh, heh, had the same experience as laughing lizard:

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when I remembered to use it

, though I did try running for awhile with the alt-tab trigger invoked. It worked well but every so often it would bog down on me and drove me nuts. I only ever ran Top Desk's trial, so didn't really wring it out; it might be better.

Armando · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2007, 09:38 PM »

I find all the implementations of exposé on win XP rather clunky or too resource hungry. So I’ve settled on TaskSwitchXP.

TaskSwitchXP is not perfect and there are some features I’d like to see in it (like to be able to permanently organize tasks by title or application -- "permanently" is a keyword here). I wrote to the developer, but it looks like he's too busy or doesn't care too much...

. Anyway, it's pretty good otherwise.

IMO, Farr could become a full-blown task switcher (it's already been mentioned several times) which would list all applications, the way we want it, etc., etc.. Farr being the central interface to deal with programs seems pretty logical to me. There's already the Switch To Task, an AHK script by Justice. The problem is if you don't remember the title bar name of the app. you want to switch too...

Anyway... Fear of "off-topicness" brings an end to these lucubrations...

Darwin · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2007, 09:47 PM »

In the same vein as TaskswitchXP, there is also M$' own alt-tab replacement powertoy. I've tried both and they offer similar functionality, but as always at a greater resource cost than I am willing to pay for the functionality returned...

Armando · « **Reply #14 on:** September 03, 2007, 10:07 PM »

Quote from: Darwin on September 03, 2007, 09:47 PM

In the same vein as TaskswitchXP, there is also M$' own alt-tab replacement powertoy. I've tried both and they offer similar functionality, but as always at a greater resource cost than I am willing to pay for the functionality returned...

I find TaskSwitchXP more practical and configurable than the "alt-tab replacement powertoy", but I agree with your comment about the resource/functionality ratio. That's why I believe that using farr as a task switcher-manager would be very appropriate. One app to rule them all...

Darwin · « **Reply #15 on:** September 03, 2007, 10:14 PM »

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One app to rule them all...

OK, Golem, I hear you...

I like the FARR idea - neglected to mention that in my previous post

Armando · « **Reply #16 on:** September 03, 2007, 10:46 PM »

Quote from: Darwin on September 03, 2007, 10:14 PM

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One app to rule them all...

OK, Golem, I hear you...

Interresting. Never thought about the connection between Gollum and Golem. (shame on me, of course)

Edit : by the way, Mouser... I know v2 is imminently pending, and I also know that this suggestion has been talked about in the past, but... has the "farr as an alt-tab replacement" been considered?

Darwin · « **Reply #17 on:** September 03, 2007, 10:54 PM »

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Interresting. Never thought about the connection between Gollum and Golem.

Smarty-pants. OK, I give. I apologize for being so wretchedly off-topic! (Incidentally, I wasn't drawing a connection between the two, rather as Josh notes, I can't type/spell!).

With that out of the way, I too am curious about the possibility of alt-tab functionality being added to FARR - perhaps as a plug-in? Armando - it's a nice idea, maybe you should post it on the FARR board as well?

Armando · « **Reply #18 on:** September 03, 2007, 11:06 PM »

Nobody's off-topic here.

I shall do that -- on my way to the FARR board.

PhilB66 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 03, 2007, 11:57 PM »

Quote from: Armando on September 03, 2007, 09:38 PM

I find all the implementations of exposé on win XP rather clunky or too resource hungry. So I’ve settled on TaskSwitchXP.

Alt -Tab Thingy was my task switching program of choice.

lanux128 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 04, 2007, 01:10 AM »

since the conversation changed into an Alt-Tab switcher, how about this AHK-based Alt-Tab replacement.

• Direct Link: http://file.autohotkey.net/evl/AltTab/AltTab.ahk

Armando · « **Reply #21 on:** September 04, 2007, 02:06 AM »

Thanks Lanux. Well, nice one!...
A lot of useful options (some that I particularly like : sorting by title, etc.).
If it was transformed into a farr plug-in, it would benefit from farr's powerful features (and other plug-ins)...
Of course, that's probably not easily feasible.

Armando · « **Reply #22 on:** September 04, 2007, 02:08 AM »

PhilB66 : Yes... I remember trying that. I don't remember why I didn,t keep it though. Will have to take another look at it I guess...

Darwin · « **Reply #23 on:** September 04, 2007, 02:33 AM »

Looks cool, lanux. I might even give it a try. Thanks for posting it.

lanux128 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 04, 2007, 01:21 PM »

yes, i like this AHK solution a lot as it gives me more control over running apps and doesn't take over your pc's resources..