[MiNT] SV: wind_set(WF_TOPMOST)

[Jo Even Skarstein <joska@online.no>]

At first I thought this was an excellent idea, but the more I think about it the less I like it. First of all I think it breaks the window metaphor. Secondly I'm quite sure that this feature will be abused, most new apps will probably have some very important feature that absolutely requires the use of TOPMOST-windows ;-)

My opinion is that while this can be a useful feature, it should be reserved for the AES alone. Only very important information like the menu bar, tear-away menus and the task manager should use this.

Taskbars has been frequently mentioned as an example of an applications that will benefit from this feature. I disagree - it will be more annoying than useful. If a taskbar should be constantly displayed it requires a lot more than "always on top", it should reserve an area of the screen that other windows can't use, like the menu bar does. I'd like to see this implemented, but then the taskbar should be an AES module of some kind and not an application.

Jo Even



> From: Odd Skancke [ozk@atari.org]
> Sent: 2006-04-13 10:57:08 CEST
> To: MiNT List [mint@fishpool.com]
> Subject: Re: [MiNT] wind_set(WF_TOPMOST)
> 
>  Hi Olivier,
> 
> tor, 13,.04.2006 kl. 10.25 +0200, skrev Olivier Landemarre:
> > Hello
> > 
> > For information
> > 
> > I just add new wind_set feature for myaes
> > 
> > wind_set(handle,WF_TOPMOST, parm1,...)
> > 
> > This feature is for make able a window (or more than one) alway's over other standard windows. 
> > 
> > #define WF_TOPMOST 232
> > parm1:
> > 	1 : for put window in topmost state (alway's over other classical windows)
> > 	0 : For remove topmost state
> > 
> > How to use:
> > 
> > handle=wind_create()
> > wind_set(handle,WF_TOPMOST,1,dummy, dummy,dummy);
> > wind_open(handle);
> > 
> > Thats all
> > 
> > You can't do a wind_set(handle,WF_TOPMOST,...) on an already open window's this window should be close.
> > This windows can't have keyboard focus link to this window
> > This windows never receive an WM_TOPPED message.
> > For applications the top window's still be the top classical windows, and not a TOPMOST window. The TOPMOST window work as classical window, it can be move, receive MU_BUTTON message etc..
> > You can still write in editor file even if a TOPMOST is open.
> > 
> > I think it's usefull feature, for task manager (as taskbar, ztask...), put a message etc..
> 
>  This looks like a nice feature. This feature already exists in XaAES
> (popups use this in XaAES), but not yet brough out to applications
> because there have to be restrictions. If there are no restrictions,
> applications can misuse this feature and the point of it disappears.
> 
>  Do you put any restrictions on this feature? Apps would have to be in a
> 'system' class, like taskbars, for example? Any restrictions as to how
> many such windows one app can have?
> 
> 
> 
>  Best Regards,
> Odd Skancke
> 
> 
> 
>