VSIDE's WebLog

Tab frustrations?

Hi, my name is Jonathan Effrat, and I'm a PM with VS Core IDE currently redesigning the tab model used to switch between all your open files (that row of tabs which sits above the editor, including the little dropdown list and close buttons).  I really would like to get feedback from all you Whidbey users out there to see what you think of the current Whidbey file tab model and what frustrations you have with it that we need to address. 

It would be great if you could rate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree).  Any anecdotes would also be helpful.

A.  I wish there was an easier way to switch between related files (e.g. .cpp & .h, files you specify as related, etc.).

B.  I wish there was an easier way to switch between related views (e.g. code & design, etc.).

C.  I wish related files (e.g. .cpp & .h, or files you manually specify as related) were visually grouped together.

D.  I wish related views (e.g. code & design) were visually grouped together.

E.  "Important" tabs often fall off the row and it's a nuisance to get the tab back.

F.  I wish the current document's state (e.g. source control related) was more prominently displayed.

G.  It's important that I can see two views of the same file (e.g. code & design) side-by-side.

Please also tell me what language(s) you use most and comment on anything else that bothers you with the current tab system.  Thanks a lot!

-Jon

Published Wednesday, August 24, 2005 7:40 PM by VSIDE
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Comments

 

tzagotta said:

A = 7
B = 7
C = 5
D = 5
E = 5
F = 7 (R/O file attribute)
G = 1

Additional comments - I dislike the popup dialog on Ctrl+Tab. It is distracting and I would prefer it to just go to the next tab (left-to right) in the list.

Also, I have not figured out how to show code in both monitors of a dual-monitor setup. I would specifically like to be able to put some files on each monitor in different windows.
August 24, 2005 10:51 PM
 

tzagotta said:

Sorry, forgot to mention I use mostly C# editing .cd files, WinForms, and using Class Designer.
August 24, 2005 11:09 PM
 

Kazi said:

A 5
B 5
C 5
D 10!!!

I think, it would be the best if the related views appear only once on the top, and there can be a bottom tab to switch between the "code" or "design" views, like in frontpage 2003 or in delphi. Maybe a "split" view can be very nice, like in frontpage, but this "split" view is not so important.

E 1
F 7
G 3

But I like the Ctr+Tab popup dialog very much, it must be the same, and must be there.

Thanks:
Kazi
using C#, rarely C++, but switching from Delphi
August 25, 2005 3:27 AM
 

Kazi said:

A 5
B 5
C 5
D 10!!!

I think, it would be the best if the related views appear only once on the top, and there can be a bottom tab to switch between the "code" or "design" views, like in frontpage 2003 or in delphi. Maybe a "split" view can be very nice, like in frontpage, but this "split" view is not so important.

E 1
F 7
G 3

But I like the Ctr+Tab popup dialog very much, it must be the same, and must be there.

Thanks:
Kazi
using C#, rarely C++, but switching from Delphi
August 25, 2005 3:28 AM
 

Kazi said:

sorry for the duplicates
August 25, 2005 6:22 AM
 

aaron's weblog said:

Hi All - Long time, no blog. Apologies: finishing up Whidbey has kept me insanely busy, but I think the...
August 26, 2005 8:25 PM
 

kfarmer said:

A: 7
B: 8
C: 9
D: 9 (to some extent, at least for aspx, they are)
E: 10 (I often discover myself having dozens of open files in web projects)
F: 4
G: 9

I agree with the request to provide for multi-monitor support. I also agree that it'd be nice to reduce the number of tabs above by grouping related tabs. However, it would be necessary to also be able to de-group one or more members of a group, and move the view to another location. For example, degroup the aspx and the code-behind, moving one to a different monitor. Of course, (automatic) regrouping would be needed then as well.
August 26, 2005 9:31 PM
 

kfarmer said:

... and I'm C#, mostly web projects.

I saw the mention of readonly file status indicator -- how about a way to unlock a readonly file? Especially project and solution files that VS normally will throw error dialogs about when attempting to modify?
August 26, 2005 9:33 PM
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