In addition to "Category" feature, may I ask for four more features that will make PA more manageable?
1> Launch applications by their first letter. (Please click on the link below to see the image)
2> Separator akin to Bookmark feature in Firefox.
3> Menu scroll bar or slider.
4> "Home" and "End" keys: Home will take you to the top of the manu and the End to the bottom.
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I think it'd be better to wait for the next release before requesting new features; some of the ones your asking for might be implemented...
I am hoping these features will be included in the next release of PA. I have asked for some of these features in the past but it appeared to have gone nowhere so I felt compelled to ask again.
Feature #2 is implemented in 2.0b5 as Favorites.
Previously known as kAlug.
Why limit only to the favorites? It would be nice to be able to group your own applications by drawing separators. As I alluded to earlier, Firefox offers "new separator" as an option for their bookmarks. The same feature would be a nice addition to Portable Apps IMHO.
Speaking of which, must the apps be sorted alphabetically? Why can't we mix and match to our own inclinations via drag-and-drop?
I agree on the mix and match, that would be good.
As for asking for new features we have been asking for categories now for well above a year and still not got them.
They will apparently be in the next platform but how long that will be is anybody's guess.
We have been waiting for a new beta since last June/July.
I don't mean to be rude, but is it that difficult to program and implement the "category" feature? I would think this should be more like a minor bug fix than a major addition. Just a thought.
Anyway, I do hope those 4 requested features are added to the next upgrade. I find the current method of scrolling through PA platform very counterintuitive and cumbersome.
If you mean...
When the menu is open and active, pressing a particular letter navigates to the first app that starts with that letter and repeatedly pressing that letter cycles through the selection of all the other apps starting with that letter
...it would be excellent. I suppose categories will complicate this, but finding apps quickly is the biggest problem that I have with the menu. This method will cure that problem, short of having a search box like in the Windows start menu.
Yes, that's exactly what I'm asking for. I do not believe this is a request that requires much effort to implement.
I must admit that I have over 50 portable apps installed. Some I use on a regular basis, some I hardly use. Still, I would like to be able to find and launch the app quickly. Currently, it's pain in the you know what to scroll through the PA platform using the arrow keys or the mouse wheel (you can also use the PgUp and PgDn, but that's about it). I find it easier to just go into the PortableApp directory and then pressing the first letter of the application that I need.
In addition, many other applications automatically show a "scroll bar" (request #3) when there are more items than it can squeeze or fit within the visible area. So why not something similar here?
BTW, it would be very nice to have a Win-7 like "search box".
Are you a programmer? If so, are you offering your services to help out here?
If not, please ease up a bit on telling everybody how easy it must be, and how quickly you want to see results.
All your suggestions are good ones, but realize all the volunteer effort that's going into giving you free quality software. Also realize the time John and the other moderators spend reading your messages is time that they're not programming.
Rick Carter
While that wasn't what I meant, your point is well taken and I apologize for sounding condescending.
My point was why not release minor updates on a timely basis rather than lump everything together as one major upgrade that comes only once every blue moon? In most cases, one is forced to return back to the drawing board anyway due to previously unknown flaws. And might I add there's nothing wrong with that. You merely need to make changes as you go.
In response to "the time John and the other moderators spend reading your messages is time that they're not programming", please understand my suggestions were made in the hopes of making PortableApps better. I'm sure John would welcome user feedbacks.