As a user, I believe to have a named saved backup will be a must for different user that share the same system. Let imagine one have only one system for the whole family, Each user might have different layout preference. Hence, they need different name backup to look for when they search for their saved layout.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Just as an off shoot of this.

In my opinion, one of the next big evolution's in these types of software would be along the lines of making layout changing even simpler and more automatic. For example, shortcut keys that change the fences layout would be extremely useful.

@Jan,

I do believe that renaming has been brought back if you download the beta version 5.81

@basj, I would recommend those users use different user accounts! 😆 (And or different pages using pages functionality, if they insist on using same account!) Having each user need to go in and load and save/restore "backups" is not a great way to go about things. "Before loading up your own icon layout, save your other family member's layout first" etc etc

@Jan, I guess similar question. Backups restore to a specific prior state. New icons that have appeared since a backup do not have a home, etc etc. Are these moreso adjustments of which folder portals you are using based on which project?

Fences also has a Pages system, specifically for this kind of workspace switching ability. It's a choice of preference of course, but objectively, do pages also cover use of this?

Moreover -- pages seems like a better way to accomplish all of this. Or at worst, some sort of new system where you can switch between layouts within a system, that always saves the state of the previous layout before switching over to the new one. This is the kind of feature we would like to build. Relying on "backups" is not a great way to achieve this due to it's nature of not remembering which state you left off on last. "Project 1", "Project 2" etc. A feature where you could switch between "Project 1", "Project 2" etc layouts seems more practical. Again, or simply using Pages which exists today. (Again aware personal preference is a thing.)

Everyone uses software differently. Why remove a feature that users want? That sounds more like a Microsoft trick!

Truthfully, can't be everything to everyone! Software evolves. Never change or please everyone and software stands still, become encumbered. With the new multi-mon config tracking system in place, we're moving towards better ways of doing things for the use cases that are left over. This step was a step taken to draw out exactly this kind of insight so that things can be done better based on how people are using them. Growing pains!

And actually I'd say it's more Apple than MS! 😆 Apple giveth and Apple changeth, without appology. Microsoft though tends to support the exact same thing for decades. 😵‍💫 Microsoft has moved to more of an Apple stance of "evolve" now that they found their old tenant made them rigid, prevented them from moving forward.

How does allowing the user to name backups prevent the evolution of the software?

Again looking to draw out how people are using the system. It sounds like at least a couple of users are using it to switch between different layouts entirely. Backups are a poor use of the system; they require going back and redoing the backup of the old, then restoring a new. This is not a great system for that use.

A better system would be to offer ability to switch between layouts. This would function something like, it automatically saves the previous one before switching to the new one. Sortof how the new multi-mon system works. Learning this allows us to create a better working system that is more accessible to all.

Never felt the need for more than one desktop/page, but in a work environment or on a PC with multiple users it might be very useful.

Hi, I installed the patch, but the behaviour keeps the same. 
I did exactly the same as last time. Sorry....

This does present a good question. I, myself, do not have a need for an automated backup system and would highly favor a multi layout system with easy switching. I do understand, that maybe you are hinting that there may be less tech savvy users that may rely on a highly advanced backup system rather then multi layout system?

Therefore, for the sake of topic; can pages provide a multi layout system? Maybe.

I do use pages quite often

For me it's usefulness tops out at about 3 pages before the system, in its current state, starts to feel too full / busy. I do suppose that maybe easier navigation could fix that. For example, shortcut keys per page could be used (i.e. shift + #1-0) and maybe a page drop down box of some sort that lists all the (renameable) pages for easy access.

Of course this system also depends on if fences could handle 50 pages without a system / program slowdown.

If it can't then maybe it will be interesting to see which layout system is more in demand. And in that case I would chose the later.

This sounds practical, but I would still need a backup of my layouts. So, you are basically offering a quicker way to access backup layouts, and use them like pages. I like PhoenixRising's suggestion of keyboard shortcuts for quick access to the layouts.

Yup, pretty much this. Would take some finesse to pull off and we'd need to figure out more around how this would all work, what purposes it would be serving etc, but glad to have had the takeaway.

Why we name our backups? Well we frequently use RDP for remote control. And the host from where with start the RDP session is always different. Sometimes it's from a laptop, sometimes from a WS with 1 screen, 2 screens, curved screen, etc. So we name the backups after the computer initiating the RDP session.

We understand that and are soliciting views for usage scenarios (a 'Games' layout, another 'Work' layout, etc) - where Fences (perhaps Fences pages) and icons are totally reorganized based on the desired setting. 

What backups can't be (can't remain) is to get around monitor qty \ connection types, resolutions, or scaling issues. With very few exceptions post Feces 5.5, that has been largely addressed.   

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

I think what it might be in its most simplest of terms is that there is an enjoyment factor of creating and saving different layouts. It could be that there is two or three layouts that are good but you arent sure which one is the best and you want to play around with them some. It could be that alternating between a few layouts keeps or system looking fresh. So in a sense it could be a little like Windowblinds in that some people just want to change around their look sometimes and enjoy having options.

It would be cool if choosing the layout was similar to Windows Alt+Tab, or like changing virtual desktops.

Hi.

Did Stardock remove the ability to name/rename a layout snapshot or is this a bug?

If it's not a bug, it looks like I'll be stuck using Fences5 v5.5.4.2-j56, because not only do I find the fact that snapshots have been burred, annoying,  naming layouts was integral to my layout process.

There are changers in Fences on backup section. But with v5.81 you can renamed your saved backup. You just need to save a backup, to renamed it, you just need to open that saved backup and rename it.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

After the install of 5.80. My old layout snapshot was still available. Renaming is still available.

Here it is here:

I took a layout snapshot with the new version 5.80 Where is the rename?

 Thank you.

OK, I haven't been updated about a version change to 5.81. Or I missed it, but Fences certainly hasn't informed me. Is it not released yet? I checked Fences for updates and it says my 5.80 is up to date.

Thanks again for your reply.

EDIT:

I see that it's in Beta. I suppose I should contribute and load it.

All,

Fences 5.81 was released today.  For details and to provide feedback, please see:

https://forums.stardock.com/529942/fences-581-release-feedback-thread

As always, thank you for your time, feedback, and support.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

In good news, you no longer need to use backups to achieve this, and your desired behavior should now happen automatically. v5.81 does a one-time force of everyone to the new system, available in the Layout tab.

The new mutli-monitor compatible layout tracking system will track your layouts independently, while maintaining the groups themselves and their contents. Just the position of the groups will change, when you RDP with different client monitor configs. So, if you edit your Fence layout with 2 screens, it will be restored when you log back in with 2 screens, 1 screen, curved screen etc (assuming the curved screen is of a different resolution). Basically, each monitor combination creates a unique fingerprint, and group positions are stored separately for each.

If this misses the mark or you have troubles, please let us know.