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What would you like to see in DesktopX 3.x?

What would you like to see in DesktopX 3.x?

Next-Gen in dev

The next generation version of DesktopX is in development.  What sorts of features would you like to see in the 3.x series?
47,419 views 51 replies
Reply #26 Top
myObject.ShortCut = Link

Would we also be able to change the label name via scripting? How about the alignment of the label? align=left valign=bottom?

objectName.label="My Computer - 23gigs (12344 files)"
objectName.label.align="right"
objectName.label.valign="bottom"


if align=center and valign=middle then
msgbox ("you can't do that!")
end if
Reply #27 Top
Actually we went the other way around. With DesktopX 3 you only need ONE script to manage the whole widget or application.


that sounds like a great way of going about things, looking forward to trying out the new callbacks and centralized scripts
Reply #28 Top
We are developing new widgets with this new system, and let me say that, it is so much easier to code one script rather than 10 or 20 of them, have variables centralized and initialized in one place, etc.


Wow indeed that is much better.

Hmm based on that, how about script section grouping?

for example, indead of "sub Object_OnLButtonUpEx(name, x, y, b)"

You get this:

ObjectGroup Name

sub Object_OnLButtonUpEx(x, y, b)
msgbox "Hello"
end sub

End ObjectGroup

It would add support for multi-object support:

ObjectGroup First,Second,Third,Fourth,Fifth

sub Object_OnLButtonUpEx(x, y, b)
msgbox "Hello"
end sub

End ObjectGroup

Of course, we would need a name variable to get which object initied the script. Something like ObjectInitName.

ObjectGroup First,Second,Third,Fourth,Fifth

sub Object_OnLButtonUpEx(x, y, b)
msgbox ObjectInitName & "initited this messagebox!"
end sub

End ObjectGroup

Sorry about long post.
Reply #29 Top
objectName.label.align="right"
objectName.label.valign="bottom"



This would be near to label offsets I am demanding for months now, as they have been there in older versions.

Also I know I sound like a broken record, but DesktopX 3 could come with a more comfortable mail-plugin (functions like Sysmetrix) and some more informations for the trash-plugin. Wouldn't it be great to have some nice mail-monitoring widgets also ?
Reply #30 Top
Is DesktopX 3 downward compatible? Will "old" DesktopX-Widgets and objects still work, especially consideriing that the scripting will be centralized?
Reply #31 Top
Scripting can be centralized, it doesn't require it to be centralized. You can still make objects the old way too.
Reply #32 Top
I would like to see a text box plugin that would let you use custom images for the text box and the scrollbars and let you read from a txt file so we don't have to use an activeX control. And be able to control which file to use from a script.
Reply #33 Top
I would like to have a line object, so I could give (X,Y) position of start and (X,Y) position of end, line size and color and it will generate a line. Its a lot of work to create a picture of line and it takes too much CPU to rotate it every time it need to be changed, resized etc.
Reply #34 Top
Improved script editor. For instance it'd be nice if it could generate the events and functions availible.

Ability to set prefered scripting language. I want to use JS instead of VB but allways have to remove the default VB script and change the language everytime I make a new script.

Have objects be an instance of another. (You change one, and it affects the rest. All though you want the option to have some parts of it remain unchanged. Example scenario, you make a shortcut object, you want them to have different label and execute different programs, but have the script and basic graphics remain the same.)

Text objects that can wrap text. (Really really want this.)

Email plugin that let you set the port it uses.

Be able to place controls that looks like part of the standard windows GUI. (That uses the WB skinning if applied of course.)

Searchable help file. Normal helpfile or HTML base helpfile as oppose to the large PDF document. I really prefer to use proper helpfiles where I can enter keywords and get a list of matches. This is spesificly aimed to the scripting documentation. (Documentation next to each feature of when it was availible would be nice. I now the history file got some info, but it's a but akward checking it up against the documentation.)
Reply #35 Top
Normal helpfile or HTML base helpfile as oppose to the large PDF document


PDF files is search able.

For instance it'd be nice if it could generate the events and functions available.


Yes, please!! It's boring looking up in help file on what events is supported AND I gonna copy and paste it in script. That's one of major pet peeves of mine. Just a window that has ready to go events would help very much. For example, I could just click somewhere I want code to be added, then press "mouse_enter" or something and entire sub code appears, ready for code for mouse_enter to be added.
Reply #36 Top
Text objects that can wrap text.


yes please
Reply #37 Top
I would like the ability to change the shortcut target of an object with script - this would be especially handy for folder objects.


On the list for March, 1.

Also, scripted access to the system clipboard would be nice.


Done. We have System.Clipboard (read/write)

And scripted manipulation of font size and style would be great.


The plan is to make everything scriptable. Not sure if *everything* will be in March 1 build. Font size will be easy though.

On/Off toggle for netcentric apps for dial-up users. When I'm not on the net, I have two choices, unload DX or click to close the dial-up window that keeps popping open. For example I would like the weather widget I'm using to wait for me to connect to the net, not keep trying to connect on its own....off mode.


That's up to the widget authors. Unfortunately almost no one follows that design rules. I think we documented somewhere how such objects should behave and offer a On/Off switch.

Also I know I sound like a broken record, but DesktopX 3 could come with a more comfortable mail-plugin (functions like Sysmetrix) and some more informations for the trash-plugin. Wouldn't it be great to have some nice mail-monitoring widgets also ?


Done. New mail plugin is totally scriptable and supports the number of unread mails.
There is a technical limitation in order to enhance the Trash-plugin to display the number of items. It would cause an huge CPU hit if we did so.

Text objects that can wrap text.


Done internally (max width, max height, autowrap, etc).
Reply #38 Top
And how about a line object, do yo have it in plans? It would be very usefull. Im now working on graph calculator object, and the line is made of lots of one pixel objects but when the function is growing very fast the space betwen each pixel is too big, and it doesnt look too good.
Reply #39 Top
I brought this up in the IRC chat, but PLEASE add..

1. "STATE" Preview for images in the STATE tab
2. Ability to EXPORT images from the STATE tab
3. Ability to EDIT images from teh STATE tab

Any way to make things easier for me to see the state images.
Thanks!
Reply #40 Top
PDF files is search able.

Yes I know, but I dont feel comfortable with the PDF search. prefer the HTML file method of organizin the content. Not a major issue, but it'd be a nice plus.
Reply #41 Top
* Ability to do drag and drop into other applications. for instance draging an object into notpad and it'd create som text in notepad. or dragging an object into a browser to launch a website.
Reply #42 Top
And how about a line object, do yo have it in plans? It would be very usefull. Im now working on graph calculator object, and the line is made of lots of one pixel objects but when the function is growing very fast the space betwen each pixel is too big, and it doesnt look too good.

yes, ablility do draw basic shapes would be nice.
Reply #43 Top
That could be a nice scriptable drawing plugin. Something that let you do:

Draw.SetPixel(x, y, color)
Draw.SetPixel(x, y, color)
...
Draw.Update
Reply #44 Top
I would love it if the email checkers could check accounts that require a secure connection (SSL) like Gmail. Perhaps they can, I just never have been able to make one do it.
Reply #45 Top
How about table and treeview activiX. I tryed to use windows treeview activeX but the desktopx crashes every time.
Reply #46 Top
I only ask that Desktopx 3 be backward compatable ONLY down to DX2. The widgets written in DX2 should work (unless they use some plugin that isn't in DX anymore. if that is the case, the object should not explode or there should be a way for the end user to update it... man am I having trouble updating Treetogs Plaza DX from version 1 LOL)
Reply #47 Top
Yes, please!! It's boring looking up in help file on what events is supported AND I gonna copy and paste it in script. That's one of major pet peeves of mine. Just a window that has ready to go events would help very much. For example, I could just click somewhere I want code to be added, then press "mouse_enter" or something and entire sub code appears, ready for code for mouse_enter to be added.




I like that too...
Reply #49 Top
I know it is litle late but... LABEL WRAPING! Text object wraping is cool and very helpful (I just checked it on 2.99 beta) but sometimes labels are also used so they shoul have the same ability. Also the label isnt moving with the object if it is moved by script.
Reply #50 Top
1) Transparent listbox.
2) Ability to choose the font, size, timing and colors for popups.
3) Info aboput your program when building. memory use, number of variables.
4) More advanced list objects. You should be able to apply filters on the list.
5) Memory handle bug should be fixed. (If you keep applying an object, the number of handles being used increases)
6) More javascript examples.
7) Custom controls listbox, textbox etc where you can chooses the images used for scrollbars etc.
8) Label position, color, font can be changed.