Documents vs. Windows
A couple of years ago, the decision was made to adopt the so called “multiple single document interface” used for example by Microsoft Word 2000, where each open document gets its own top-level window. Has the time come to change this approach?
What are the options?
As far as I know, there are 3 major approaches how to handle multiple documents.
Windows within the main frame
This is the classic approach used by many older applications. There is one top level window and one smaller window per open document inside the main frame. There usually is the possibility to maximize one of the sub-windows and hide the others.
One window per document
Each document has its own window and the Windows taskbar is used to switch the active window. RealWord Designer-based applications are currently using this scheme.
Tabbed interface
There is only one top-level window and it contains one tab per open document. Unlike the classic approach, multiple documents cannot be displayed at once, but it is easier to switch documents. An example of a tabbed application is the Google Chrome browser.
Your opinion is needed…
While the classic approach (#1) might be good for experienced computer users, it is unsuitable for the average ones. Also, because RealWorld applications are able to work with documents of different types, it would be hard to make it work. Hence, this approach is ruled out.
The question is: should the future version continue to show each document in its own window or should we switch to the tabbed interface?
Please, let me know your opinion in the comments section.This change would affect all RW apps.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:44 PM
You should let it all the way it is.
RW Photos is a “Easy to Use” prog., in my opinion.
if someone need that. he sould use the windows option that,
summarise all open windows of one prog. that would propably the same as documents.
February 7th, 2009 at 11:51 PM
I would prefer the tabbed interface. As now all current browsers use tabbed interface this would be easy to use by all forms of users (inexperienced, average, experienced). Also there are other apps that do this. Such as Mac OS X.5’s Terminal application. This can really help designers if alll RW apps were tabbed featured. Maybe even include compability for Mac OS X because now it shares 10% of the market and would be easier for users to just have it native instead of having to go to bootcamp.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:33 AM
I like the use of a tabbed inteface however these can get crowded so maybe the user could optionally limit the amount of tabs opened per session.
February 14th, 2009 at 8:19 AM
I’ve come very much used to how the majority of programs nowadays utilize the tabbed interface. I like it, and find it relatively easy, neat and tidy to navigate around. The problem with opening a new program window (the current setup) is that it uses more memory, I find. So a program is more likely to crash, my computer is more likely to slow down, etc… A tabbed interface uses only 1 window, just opens multiple documents within. Thus, I think the tabbed interface is an advantage both for possible “taxing” of a computer’s memory, as well as for how programs have come to be in more recent times.
February 14th, 2009 at 7:48 PM
I think there should be an option to set it to any of them, I’d probably personally use the tabbed inteface, but I think it would be nice to be able to set it to any of the three. Maybe even a google chrome-esqe drag-and-drop tab function for the tabbed feature, so you could have multiple tabs in multiple windows. I just got the software, and I love it so far, thanks for creating this =Þ
February 15th, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Yeah, a tabbed UI but with a drag and drop for other windows would be ok
February 16th, 2009 at 10:26 PM
A tabbed UI would be much easier to use for those who like to multi task a lot on their computers, as it reduces taskbar space dramatically.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:15 AM
TABED WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:59 AM
Ya it would be way better and easier to use.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:05 PM
The tabbed interface would be more efficent. You could see what files you have open more readly and still be able to use the whole screen. With the window within a window method you cant see what files your working with without shrinking the current window. With the multiple programs type the files grouped in tab is ok but I agree with the above comment about using to much of the systems resources. Tabs are great when combining and editing different files at the same time. Its like flipping between pages in a book
March 7th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
The tabbed interface would be better.
March 12th, 2009 at 5:19 AM
I prefer tabs but would it be possible to allow for dragging a window to a tab and vise-versa. I don’t mean only one or the other but a mix both. In other words have a window with tabs and a window or windows without tabs existing at the same time. A windows could be dragged in converted to a tab and a tab could be dragged out converted to a window at will.
March 13th, 2009 at 5:08 AM
I would like a tabbed interface.
March 14th, 2009 at 6:05 AM
The program is great and powerful. However, I would suggest using tabs for future versions. However, I would like to limit the number of tabs in one window.
March 25th, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Tabs. Definitely.
March 27th, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I shall give my opinion in percentages.
Tabbed: %50
Windows In Main Frame: %45
Window By Window: %5
March 30th, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Thanks to all for your opinions. It seems that tabs would be a good thing and I will add them to the long term plan. They may not make it into the next version, but who knows…