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Allen Posts: 5
22/11/2009
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After testing SyMenu, here is my wishlist for enhancements:
1. Option for folders (containers) to display opened - to save mouse clicks opening folders for frequently used programs. A workaround is to add programs to the root menu without a container, but then organization is lost and there are no dividers.
2. Show USB drive letter in systray. I use portable programs on a hard drive as well as on USB drives so it is helpful to see which is open.
3. Make the Configuration window resizable to avoid constant scrolling when organizing and moving SyItems. Auto-sorting would be nice.
4. Check if SyItems have changed or are missing. Portable programs can be frequently updated but there is nothing to alert you in SyMenu until you try to execute the program.
5. Auto-close the auto execute programs on Symenu exit. A workaround is to use the EjectUSB program to exit SyMenu.
6. Automatic back up of settings. I manually back up the XML files, but still have a problem with file corruption.
These are just my personal suggestions based on how I use SyMenu and they may not be useful to others. For example, I never use search since I organize my 100+ programs so I can find them quickly. My favorite feature of SyMenu is the Extension Manager. I have installed programs just so I don't have to use the default Window programs. Now I just use the portable versions and set up Extension Manager to override the defaults.
Allen
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Gianluca Administrator Posts: 1274
23/11/2009
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Hello Allen.
Thanks for your interesting suggestions.
Within some weeks I can post a detailed reply to your proposal.
Some features you suggested are very hard to implement but I'll try my best.
Gianluca
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Gianluca Administrator Posts: 1274
01/12/2009
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Hi Allen.
Finally, since version 1.08 is quite ready (it's in beta testing phase), I can reply to your requests.
Allen wrote:
After testing SyMenu, here is my wishlist for enhancements:
1. Option for folders (containers) to display opened - to save mouse clicks opening folders for frequently used programs. A workaround is to add programs to the root menu without a container, but then organization is lost and there are no dividers.
It is not possible to open more than one folder per time because of a "limitation" of Windows menu control (anyway it's not a bug but the correct control behavior).
But, since many users have asked for them, I implemented separators. In this way you'll be able to put the most frequently used programs in root menu.
Anyway I strongly suggest to use search bar which is the real most saving mouse click tool.
Allen wrote:
2. Show USB drive letter in systray. I use portable programs on a hard drive as well as on USB drives so it is helpful to see which is open.
Done! It's a configurable feature enabled by default.
Allen wrote:
3. Make the Configuration window resizable to avoid constant scrolling when organizing and moving SyItems. Auto-sorting would be nice.
Done!
Allen wrote:
4. Check if SyItems have changed or are missing. Portable programs can be frequently updated but there is nothing to alert you in SyMenu until you try to execute the program.
Done! You'll find a new tool that scans all paths to find orphans items.
Allen wrote:
5. Auto-close the auto execute programs on Symenu exit. A workaround is to use the EjectUSB program to exit SyMenu.
It was already in my todo list but I don't know when it could be implemented.
Allen wrote:
6. Automatic back up of settings. I manually back up the XML files, but still have a problem with file corruption.
Done! Any time that you'll change SyMenu settings or SyItems configuration a backup file will be created. Only one level backup is allowed.
Allen wrote:
These are just my personal suggestions based on how I use SyMenu and they may not be useful to others. For example, I never use search since I organize my 100+ programs so I can find them quickly. My favorite feature of SyMenu is the Extension Manager. I have installed programs just so I don't have to use the default Window programs. Now I just use the portable versions and set up Extension Manager to override the defaults.
Allen
All these news will be available on new SyMenu version (1.08).
I think that it could be ready within the end of 2009.
Gianluca
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Allen Posts: 5
23/12/2009
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Wow, I wasn't expecting a new release so soon, especially one adding so many requested features! Thanks again for all your hard work.
1. SySeparator & SyProgram Shortcuts
Now with separators, shortcuts for Syprograms, as well as the Search Bar--so many ways to quickly execute frequently used programs--I really don't miss a Pstart-like panel anymore. My only problem using the Search Bar is that not all of my program executables have simple names matching the application, but it is only an issue when dealing with a large number of programs, and even then only a few percent have odd names. I don't rename executables because it could cause problems with Thinstalls or when upgrading portable programs.
2. Unit Drive in Systray
With 1.07 I used an icon utility to superimpose my hard drive letter and default USB drive letter onto the SyMenu icons, but it was inflexible and looked rather shabby, so I am glad to dispense with that expedient and use the real thing. I notice PSMenu allows more than one instance of their program as long as they are on different drives..is that a possibility with SyMenu?
3. Setting Files Auto Backup
I am really glad to see this feature. It is very frustrating to make numerous configuration changes and have something go wrong, losing all the changes. I think the last auto backup is overwritten everytime you hit the SAVE button, so making a manual copy of the SyMenuItem.xml file before extensive changes might still be a good idea. I use a quick & dirty script adding a date-time stamp, making each manual backup filename unique.
4. Unlinked Programs
I recently started adding program version numbers to the portable application folders for easier tracking, resulting in many invalid program paths in Symenu--but it created an opportunity to test the new "Check on unliked SyPrograms" feature--small typo on the "What's new" web page (: . The scan found about 30 unlinked programs, and I wanted to start correcting them, but I found I had to close the Unlinked Program page before I can make any changes on the Configuration form. So I have to either copy down the list of unlinked programs, do a screen capture, or change them one-by-one rescanning after each change. I think having so many unlinked programs is an unusual case, and it would not be a problem if there were only a few unlinked programs as is typical.
5. Resizable Forms
The new feature allowing a vertical increase in the size of the Configuration form has really helped and lessened the time I spend madly scrolling up and down sorting and organizing 150 programs in various containers. I have noticed one quirky situation that has occurred only once with both 1.07 and 1.08. After numerous changes made and saved in the Configuration form, without exiting, suddenly the container and program icons become all mixed up, with even the folders showing different program icons. It is very strange! But I have found that after exiting the form and closing and restarting SyMenu, all the icons are correct. So it is only a temporary phenomenon and I don't know how to reproduce it.
Allen
<em>edited by Allen on 23/12/2009</em>
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Gianluca Administrator Posts: 1274
23/12/2009
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Hello Allen.
First of all, you are welcome and thanks for supporting SyMenu.
Let's see your topics now.
1. SySeparator & SyProgram Shortcuts
Allen wrote:
My only problem using the Search Bar is that not all of my program executables have simple names matching the application, but it is only an issue when dealing with a large number of programs, and even then only a few percent have odd names. I don't rename executables because it could cause problems with Thinstalls or when upgrading portable programs.
Well Search Bar doesn't search executable file name but 'Name' attribute of any SyPrograms. So you can rename this attribute to make it works better.
For example I have two TrueCrypt entry. One for the program and one for an auto-mounted volume.
The executable file names don't change but the SyMenu names are: 'TrueCrypt' and 'TrueCrypt Auto Mount'. So I can't mistake when I launch them through Search Bar.
2. Unit Drive in Systray
Allen wrote:
I notice PSMenu allows more than one instance of their program as long as they are on different drives..is that a possibility with SyMenu?
Surely from next version. I'll put one new option to choose if SyMenu has to block a double instance or not.
3. Setting Files Auto Backup
Allen wrote:
I think the last auto backup is overwritten everytime you hit the SAVE button, so making a manual copy of the SyMenuItem.xml file before extensive changes might still be a good idea.
I think no. SyMenu makes a backup only if you change something in your configuration. If you save a not-modified configuration your previous backup remains safe. Otherwise it's a bug.
4. Unlinked Programs
Allen wrote:
The scan found about 30 unlinked programs, and I wanted to start correcting them, but I found I had to close the Unlinked Program page before I can make any changes on the Configuration form.
I didn't want to make a complete management of unlinked programs. I think a good solution could be to make possible to export a simple text file with the entire list of unlinked programs. Great idea and I don't have to work too hard :-D
Gianluca
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Allen Posts: 5
24/12/2009
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Thanks for clearing up my misunderstanding on how the search bar works. The mixed-up icons problem happened again, but this time I took a screen capture to show what it looks like, and to see if there are any ideas on what may be causing it. [IMG]http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/2730/symenujumbledicons.th.png[/IMG]
Allen
edit: The picture is hard to see..I must have used the wrong imageshack option. Anyway My Chess folder has the Opera icon, my Go folder has the utorrent icon, and minigolf has the firefox icon..etc
<em>edited by Allen on 24/12/2009</em>
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