Main Window Setting

Unless I am mistaken, the "Main Window Setting" option / feature is missing from SETTINGS / INTERFACE. Although page 9 of the Handbook describes the feature, even the accompanying image shows the option is not there. Am I missing something or was this item inadvertently omitted? Thanks.

That's a remnant from the PowerTools 2008 handbook. The feature it refers to does not exist in PowerTools 2009.

How can we get this feature back? The Main Window settings allows "All Tools" to be shown in one category, much better than the individual categories for frequent users.

Also, the manual says this can be done (Page 23 & 24).

I would rather have the program fixed than have the manual changed to show that the feature isn't there anymore.

I guess it's impossible with the new GUI...

The GUI shouldn't make the difference - they just have to put it back in the "Settings" menu - the Graphical Interface didn't change that much from 2008.

I was told by Tech Support (1) read the manual to find out how to make the "Show All Tools" available and after that turned up the discrepancy between the manual pages (which actually say you can do it), I was told (2) open a trouble ticket - which I did.

Jouni, having used your product with both interfaces and initially preferring the consolidated, all icons on one page approach, I've come to prefer the current design. It makes for a more professional, more mainstream-looking product without losing any functionality. And if you're looking to sell your product to a much wider audience composed of BOTH veteran and non-veteran users, the current interface is more appealing. There's my 2 cents!

I do agree completely!

The window with all tools gathered is indeed old fashioned, not conveniently arranged (one has to search in all those tools the right one) and even gives a "cluttered" impression. That was the main reason why so many users had asked for tools grouped under themes (registry, files, system,...) and that's why the developer went back to his original tools arrangement from the good old days.

Besides all similar programs have such a theme arranged main screen (look at TuneUp Utilities, Ace Utilities, Tweak VI, Vista Manager, etc.).

My advice: let the main window stay as it is now!

So, from what you are telling me from your quote below, it is possible to "put the option back" and, since it would be an "Option" on the Settings screen, users could (like they could in the past) set it the way they wanted. So, why not just put it back (the way it has been for how many versions, 2007, 2008.......)?

Also, since I tend to read the manual before I buy (or upgrade) to see what changes have been made or improvements incorporated (which I did) - the manual for 2009 says the Setting for the main window can show all Tools (page 23), I was fully expecting the product to work the way the manual said it did - that's why I was so surprised when I did upgrade. Although, now I'm being told the manual is wrong and the text on page 23 is a carry-over from the 2008 manual and the screen shot "on the next page" was meant for version 2008, not 2009????

If its simple, just put the "option" back, and I stress its an option, i.e., user preference - for people who use the product regularly, having all the tools available on the main screen is much faster than (1) having to decide "which category" then (2) switch to that screen, then (3) select the "tool." It may not be cute, modern or fancy, but its all there on one screen. Users, "Veterans" and "non-Verterans," can set the option the way they want.

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There were a great number of changes to the GUI when we moved from version 2008 to 2009, and to simplify things we removed the feature that allowed you to see all the tool icons at one time.

But, if you get enough people to come to this thread and say they want the feature back, we will put it back

Roxie2401 wrote

So, from what you are telling me from your quote below, it is possible to "put the option back" and, since it would be an "Option" on the Settings screen, users could (like they could in the past) set it the way they wanted. So, why not just put it back (the way it has been for how many versions, 2007, 2008.......)?

Because that would require extra work for us, and I don't like to spend that extra work on that if not many people are requesting such feature, I'm afraid. We have limited resources so we must prioritize what we do.

But as I said, if enough users request that an option to use the "classic" view (i.e. no categories, all tools are visible at the same time) should be added, we will add such option.

Since many many years we use the program daily, we did all the betatests and the translations of the program and we think it's not necessary nor desirable to go back to the option asked by a couple of new users at this forum. Why didn't they participate in the betatests and arrive just now (after the final version) asking for something the developer had decided to give up? I'm convinced he has other fish to fry, considering the remaining issues still to be fixed.

Besides, do notice that all the tools are reachable together when clicking in the Main Window on "Tools" and each tool even has a shortcut. So when using in the Main Window the appropriate shortcut, you open immediately the desired tool...

Why going back to an obsolete interface none of the users during the testing has asked for nor seemed to have a need for?

The only thing to be done is modify where needed the Handbook, removing the paragraphs in question.

Jouni, focus your efforts elsewhere. The new interface is great. And, as redseujac reminded us, a 'classic view' is available, sort of, via the Tools menu.

redseujac wrote

Since many many years we use the program daily, we did all the betatests and the translations of the program and we think it's not necessary nor desirable to go back to the option asked by a couple of new users at this forum. Why didn't they participate in the betatests and arrive just now (after the final version) asking for something the developer had decided to give up? I'm convinced he has other fish to fry, considering the remaining issues still to be fixed.

Besides, do notice that all the tools are reachable together when clicking in the Main Window on "Tools" and each tool even has a shortcut. So when using in the Main Window the appropriate shortcut, you open immediately the desired tool...

Why going back to an obsolete interface none of the users during the testing has asked for nor seemed to have a need for?

The only thing to be done is modify where needed the Handbook, removing the paragraphs in question.

I FULLY AGREE!

Sorry - but no, I do not have "other fish to fry."

Actually, I've been using the program ever since it was "shareware" - it was clean and very simple and I have now gotten so used to having all the tools available on one screen, I found the new one sort of an over simplification, ----- cute and modern (like the little "health meters"), but why not go directly to the tool you want to use?

For years, when I open the program, I already knew what task I wanted to perform - that's why having everything there on one screen was such a nice "classical" way of doing things.

I apologize if I have upset some people by asking why this "classic" screen option went away. I never knew there was a 'beta tester group' and no, I have not participated in this forum before because I was very happy with the way the program (and its user interface) worked. Please note, I was NOT the one who started this thread.

When I contacted "Technical Support" and was told that the "classic interface" was possible and I should go and "read the manual" - that's exactly what I did (again) only to find that even though the manual did reference the "classic" interface, the option on the Settings screen had been removed. I was then told, as I stated before, to "open a trouble ticket."

That is when I noticed that someone else had started this thread, asking the same question, and thought this forum would be receptive to another input. Does that constitute "having other fish to fry?" I personally resent that comment - I just wanted to know if it was possible to get the classic interface back - like the original poster of this thread. And, I thought I had presented my comments in a polite and logical fashion.

When an option that has been there for a long time is "taken away" isn't it reasonable to ask "why" and "if it can be easily restored?" I thought so. (The author has probably spent more time responding to this "question" than it would have taken to reinstate the "option" on the next update.)

Sorry if asking the question was the wrong thing to do.

Good Day Dear Friends, Amigos, Amigas, & Colleagues,

I think Roxie2401's request was Very Reasonable, & was put forward in a Very nice manner.

I also think that the reaction from the 'old buch' aka beta testers to the request could have been Far more civilised, because lets face it: beta testers DO NOT own the product....

So lets cool it, & lets all thank Roxie2401 for her (or his) suggestion, even if some don't agree with it....

I must say that with the new interface, when Registry Tools are selected about 40-50% of the area is blank ie wasted, as the tool icons only use a small area, & the wastage seems to be due

to the "meters".....

So it has a Very "unbalanced" look...

Best wishes,

Roberta

Just an FYI - I went back and looked at jv16, version 1.3 (1999) and even in that old interface, all tools were available on the main screen. Even had a Preferences "tools menu" where "you can use this feature to customize jv16 for your needs." What a concept. So, maybe its just habit, but having them all there, well, it was nice. And, having it as a "user" option allowed the user to make the choice. (And, for some reason the Registry Tool ran remarkably fast.)

Just a final thought on "frying fish" ---- to the "Beta tester:"

1. How would an end user of the product even know a new version was in "beta testing" in order to comment?

2. How would an end user of the product know comments for a new versions were being solicited?

3. And, how would an end user of the product know that an option that had been present for years was going to be removed to even make a comment before the final version was released?

Am I missing something here? The only way I even knew there was a new version was from the "nag" screen telling me that I was using an older version and a new one was available.

And, I do agree, there is currently a lot of wasted space on the screen - where "all tools" (four rows of six - 24 total) could be displayed.

@ Roxie2401

With PT2009, if your mouse has a middle button wheel, you can quickly view all 24 tools just by rolling the wheel.

It's not the same as having a window filled with 24 icons, but it's either "almost" as good, or, perhaps, even better.

You're right, Tullik, I even forgot that to mention...

Quote: "By visiting regulary the forum as hundreds/thousands of other users did/do : "

That makes sense if I had a problem with the previous version. In the future I'll do that. I was happy with 2008 and assumed there were much needed improvements in the tools in 2009, not removal of existing features and options.

I'm sure somewhere on the Forum I'll find where this Settings options was mentioned that it was going to be removed in 2009. Then I could have ask the question during development. Its there somewhere, right?

I do appreciate both suggestions (click on the Tools menu, then select the "tool" and open it) and scroll the mouse wheel, (find the tool, highlight it, and then click to select it) - they both work, but as mentioned before, they just seem like extra, unnecessary steps to get to the tool you want to use, when they were all on one screen before - after all, its about using the tools not the GUI that is important.

Yes, I agree, this discussion is closed for me. You're right - only a couple users asking for the user-defined option - but almost 300 views of the discussion. The only reason I have presued this is that I can see the "user community" via the forum, requesting new features and more tools, but not requesting the "removal" of a feature that has been there for so long. It was a surprise to find the option missing.