Comments on: Windows Longhorn’s Aero Snap, circa 2005

By: Nathanael

Nathanael — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:34:40 +0000

“Another cool aspect of this particular implementation is that by resizing one window, in reality it would be like shifting the balance between the two applications, thus easily controlling the split between the applications.”

As impressed as I was/am by Aero Snap, I wished for this exact functionality from the first time I tried it.

By: broccauley

broccauley — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:27:50 +0000

I decided to re-post my idea here – it’s discussing how to ‘Side By Side Resize Both Windows’ as at http://www.windows7taskforce.com/view/1843.

I think they should firstly make the windows magnetic like in KDE/GNOME – i.e. the edges of windows can snap together when close.
( see http://www.windows7taskforce.com/view/2785)

I’m not sure exactly how you would enable and disable the feature you suggest, but here is my suggestion – perhaps by right-clicking on a snapped magnetic edge (as implemented in my paragraph above), and then by choosing an option such as “glue/chain/link window edge”. The edge of the window may then change appearance to indicate that this edge is ‘glued’/'chained’/'linked’. You could then unglue/unchain/unlink by right-clicking on the edge again.

Alternatively, a glue/chain-link (like in photoshop layers) icon could appear when you move your mouse over the magnetically snapped window edge – when clicked, the windows would have a little blob of glue/chain which would connect then together. Hovering again would show a broken chain/removed glue, clicking on which would allow you to decouple the windows.

I also don’t like xombie’s suggestion above that this should only work when used with aero snap. I think my proposal would allow greater flexibility by allowing any 2 window edges to be coupled once they have been magnetically snapped.

By: broccauley

broccauley — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:13:14 +0000

There is a similar (and IMO much more powerful and usable) idea being discussed on the Windows 7 Taskforce here:

http://www.windows7taskforce.com/view/1843

(damn!! I should have registered a patent instead of posting to the Taskforce – my idea is much more powerful )

By: Mark Grgurev

Mark Grgurev — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:39:30 +0000

This would also get rid of the problem people have with using Aero Snap on a dual-screen set up. They could get solve the problem of accidental trigger by using a keyboard modifier of some sort(Like ctrl+click) or they can maker it so that you have to left and right click to snap a window.

By: someone

someone — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:07:55 +0000

I meant he said “it wouldn’t apply to jump lists”. Btw, why don’t you put an edit comment feature on your site, Long?

By: someone

someone — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:05:52 +0000

It’s now a step back. You can’t even select custom number of ungrouped window buttons on the taskbar by Ctrl+left click and group maximize, group close, group cascade or tile. It’s all or none. Steven Sinofsky told me in an email that it got removed because it would “apply to jump lists” meaning they couldn’t accomodate the jump list feature” without removing it. Btw allSnap and AeroSnap give me everything I want for snapping on XP.

By: Long Zheng

Long Zheng — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:01:50 +0000

@Imran: I don’t have much to talk about Windows 7 pricing. My opinions are no different to a lot of people’s and there’s very little can be done about it.

By: Windows Longhorn’s Aero Snap Feature

Windows Longhorn’s Aero Snap Feature — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:10:46 +0000

[...] More info: Long Zheng [...]

By: Imran

Imran — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:14:54 +0000

Can you comment on the Windows Ultimate pricing, don’t you think you should talk about it?

By: mrmckeb

mrmckeb — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:29:12 +0000

Now I doubt this is true, but when I was demoing Windows 7 the other day, a MacOS user said “Mac has had that for ages”. Is this true? I expect that it was a fanboy lie…