Focus anomaly? (split from user command examples)

Kilmatead · Post by **Kilmatead** » 2009 Oct 12, 09:59

Ok, this isn't related to user-commands, but say something simple like navigating through folders... if one uses <Backspace> or <Alt-Left/Right> the last viewed file/folder is highlighted. Fair enough - but why is it selected? Every bloody time I navigate through the gloom and want to select other files I find myself having to deselect this last-known-object (and it should be noted that I only ever use the MMB) - which bumps me right back into hock.

Often it's occurred that this auto-selected file/folder is actually off the screen (scrolled away) so I forget it's "part of the selection" - and poof, it's deleted/moved/driven-mad-by-loquacious-language.

If there's a setting which disables this auto-selection, I apologise, but I must have missed it a year ago and never thought to seek it out since.

Anything?

Post by **nikos** » 2009 Oct 12, 10:27

use sticky selection mode, now with v1.8 it works for all windows... then all these problems will be solved and you don't even have to click with MMB

so i'm prepared to give you a concession that if a single file is selected and another is the focus you have a point about $N but the focus idea is so deep in xplorer2 that it would be a nightmare to covert it all

Kilmatead · Post by **Kilmatead** » 2009 Oct 12, 11:05

nikos wrote:use sticky selection mode, now with v1.8 it works for all windows

Ah, indeed it does (forgot about that) - except the Mark -> Sticky does not stay flagged between sessions. Not sure if that's intentional or not (alpha, and all).

Ergonomically speaking, I can't give up MMB (nor would I want to) as I use Single-Click activation and would feel smothered without it. It does, however, solve the folder navigation question.

My only real concern about the $N débâcle was how an unsuspecting new user would blithely copy/paste Mr.Pleasant's command (for say Notepad++), as the OP (profess) might easily do, and obscurely find an application trying to open unselected files.

Like I said, $S prevents this, so as caveat's go, that'll do.

* Look on the bright side, Nikos, in a couple of weeks I'll be switching to Win7 proper (RTM is never RTM where MS is concerned) so then I can be a real thorn in your side. Every king needs a fool.

Is Sticky supposed to remain cross-session active?

Post by **nikos** » 2009 Oct 12, 12:03

hands up who'd want persistent sticky selection?

fgagnon · Post by **fgagnon** » 2009 Oct 12, 14:29

Edit:/
Persistent sticky selection (between sessions) is OK,
/EndEdit
But I would much-appreciate not having focus on the last de-selected item. ... At least when there is at least one other item present. (Having focus stay with the just-deselected item is a long-standing minor annoyance, although not one I have complained about in the past.)

Cosmo · Post by **Cosmo** » 2009 Oct 12, 14:32

Maybe it is me and I did not understand, but sticky selection is persistent for me between sessions in all versions (finals as far as I can remember and current alpha). If the option is activated when I close x2 it is activated after the relaunch. Or is there a difference between XP (here) and Vista / W7?

FrizzleFry · Post by **FrizzleFry** » 2009 Oct 12, 14:36

I would be fine with persistent sticky but I think it is good practice when you change behavior to make it optional.

I have the sticky toggle on toolbars for all my layouts.... it is a good indicator of sticky status.

Since sticky is fixed for Vista and 7 in the new version, will you bring back middle click to open folder in new tab?

Post by **nikos** » 2009 Oct 12, 16:09

yeah, sticky is already persistent, what were the irish thinking?

Kilmatead · Post by **Kilmatead** » 2009 Oct 12, 16:29

The Irish apparently have a morbid fear of ticking "Save program state on exit". :oops: (But in my defence, never having been able to use Sticky - I was born under the fading star of Vista - I was unaware of how it was supposed to work.)

Exactly what it has to do with focus/selection when moving betwixt folders I cannot fathom - but as it works, I'll not remonstrate further. Unless provoked by something small, irrelevant, or benign, as is my way.

Mr.Pleasant · Post by **Mr.Pleasant** » 2009 Oct 12, 18:02

Back from my padded cell, where I was practicing in deselecting focussed files and focussing on deselected files - the padding proved a lifesaver ,thanks! -, I see now that this discussion has gone awfully offtopic. Will that be the new practice: we can associate freely and then leave it up to Fred to split the thoughts? Poor fellow, even more so now it adds to his grief in retrospect that sticky selection had been persistent all the time. The fear of suffering without knowing it, anyone mentioned Proust already...? <edit>your post is edited, but the regret didn't go unnoticed

<\edit>
Anyway, I think the distinction between focussed and selected should stay. It's clear that the last touched file has focus. By definition. Regardless what you do with it. If it confuses the confuser, that's only justice

Might also make it evident that single-click activation is evil. Think of it: single-click activation is half-click selection? But I thought that was already assigned as the shortcut to a padded cell?