1.4.5 b1 -> b2 -> b3-> RC1 - the biggest release in a while

[Andrea]

HELLO brothers and sisters,

here we are with this highly anticipated release. We discussed about the ongoing work in different threads (1, 2...).


Please jump to the post about the RC1 -> here


Main changes from the latest version (1.4.0)

- Redesigned EVERYTHING:
° the old "Main Window" is now hidden and the "File Window" is the real protagonist*. The whole workflow is
changed (and it's hopefully dramatically more intuitive now!)
° there is a traditional tree on the left (look at the screens shot). The tree does dynamically highlight the tabbles
that are combineable with the ones in the ATB (the ones open...)
° the "combinable tabbles" have been moved into the body of the file panel, together with files and the folders.
° rearranged menubar: now it should look easier to navigate.

- Hierarchical tabbles: you can now put a tabble into other tabbles - yes, one tabble can go into several tabbles.

- Overall speed and stability: the whole app should be sensibly faster and a lot of bugs have been fixed



=== Download here the .msi ===
(if this is the first time you install Tabbles, remember that you need the .net framework 3.5sp1)


That's what it looks like:

Tabbles 1.4.5 beta1 screenshot

shot_1.4.5.beta1.png (102.74 KiB) Viewed 975 times

____________________________________________________________

What is still missing (coming in the next beta or something):

- Search field in the left tree: you will probably still need to use the Quick windows (alt + c) if you want to search the tabbles using a text search.

- Sorting in the left tree: same as above

- More compact visualization in the file panel body (which now has horizontal scrolling)

- YOU NAME IT: please tell us the biggest UPs and DOWNs of this release as long as everything you would like to see in the next releases!

P.S.: the resx have been aupdated! You find them at the usual place


*You can still open the "main window" from Tools > Tabbles desktop


Best regards from the Tabbles team!

[mrdna]

Have poked around it a bit but haven't really run it through paces. Will do that this weekend as well as get the quick-ref updated here and on the wiki. (BTW, nice work on the german wiki pages, Nefycee!)

Seems pretty smooth. Animation of the tabble moving to the combined bar good, search fast as ever, scrolling smooth too. (Horizontal though? Bah! Sideways is all artsy-fartsy scrolling. Give me regular vertical scrolling any day... ) Noticible delay for files to display when opening or combining tabbles, but combinable tabbles show up right away. Drag and drop looks kinda fun though I did end up learning not to have the window maximized when dragging stuff around. Seem that when you pick up a tabble the default drop location is the first tabble in the current file panel, the drop location changes as you hover over other tabbles in the panel or in the tree panel (nice!), but if you just let it go in an empty space in the panel it drops into the first tabble. To abort a drag and drop you have to drop it outside the window entirely. Other than that it looks to work fine and looks great!

The program title bar shows 'where' you are! Very nice! (still want to get the loaded db on there too, but this is excellent start!) The Back button is also full of win. I know it's just the history list, but it's implimented well and can be built upon.

Do like the tree. Have to play a bunch more with it and may have an idea or three. Quick thought; tree display option to group by color (alpha)?

In just the little bit I've played with it I can feel alot of those improvements to the program's intuitiveness. You guys really did some excellent refinements this time through. Well done!

[mrdna]

Getting odd behavior and a crash when restoring old databases. (also previously created structures are considered invalid) Can drop this on getsatisfaction as well. Attempting to load structures gives and "invalid database" error popup but no crash.

On loading a previously created db you must manually refresh the main panel (f5), the tree panel does not refresh and continues to show the tabbles of the db you're trying to restore over. You can open and combine tabbles in the file panel but as soon as you try to open a tabble in the tree that is not also in the newly loaded db it crashes with the following error;

(a quick note here; note the code version as 1.4.1. Same version number shows in the help > about panel)

Code version: 1.4.1



-------------------- Level 0 -------------

Exception type = System.Exception

Message = Assumption violated. Assumption ID = "alc.2w"

StackTrace = at Tabbles_logic.fail2[a](String msg)
at Tabbles_logic.uiCreateTabbleElementOfAk(atom_key ak, what_canvas_to_put_tabble_into wctpti, Boolean selected, FSharpOption`1 mfp, FSharpOption`1 overrideColor, Boolean hasSubTabbles)
at Tabbles_logic.aggiungi_o_sposta_tabble_ ... 005.Invoke(Int32 i, active_tabble at)
at Microsoft.FSharp.Primitives.Basics.List.loop@169-14[T](FSharpFunc`3 f, Int32 n, FSharpList`1 x)
at Microsoft.FSharp.Primitives.Basics.List.iteri[T](FSharpFunc`2 action, FSharpList`1 x)
at Microsoft.FSharp.Collections.ListModule.IterateIndexed[T](FSharpFunc`2 action, FSharpList`1 list)
at Tabbles_logic.riordinaTabbleConAnimFp(wnd_file_panel fp, FSharpOption`1 ctToHighlight)
at Tabbles_logic.activateSearchFp(atom_key ak, htwa htwa, reset_file_filter rff, Boolean save_undo_info, wnd_file_panel fp, FSharpOption`1 ctToHighlight)
at System.Windows.Input.MouseButtonEventArgs.InvokeEventHandler(Delegate genericHandler, Object genericTarget)
at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
at System.Windows.RoutedEventHandlerInfo.InvokeHandler(Object target, RoutedEventArgs routedEventArgs)
at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
at System.Windows.UIElement.ReRaiseEventAs(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args, RoutedEvent newEvent)
at System.Windows.UIElement.CrackMouseButtonEventAndReRaiseEvent(DependencyObject sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.UIElement.OnPreviewMouseUpThunk(Object sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Input.MouseButtonEventArgs.InvokeEventHandler(Delegate genericHandler, Object genericTarget)
at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
at System.Windows.RoutedEventHandlerInfo.InvokeHandler(Object target, RoutedEventArgs routedEventArgs)
at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEvent(RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean trusted)
at System.Windows.Input.InputManager.ProcessStagingArea()
at System.Windows.Input.InputManager.ProcessInput(InputEventArgs input)
at System.Windows.Input.InputProviderSite.ReportInput(InputReport inputReport)
at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.ReportInput(IntPtr hwnd, InputMode mode, Int32 timestamp, RawMouseActions actions, Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 wheel)
at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.FilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
at System.Windows.Interop.HwndSource.InputFilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(Object o)
at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Boolean isSingleParameter)
at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate callback, Object args, Boolean isSingleParameter, Delegate catchHandler)

I wouldn't be surprised if this is due to a change in db structure considering the enhancements in this new version, but it does mean I gots a bunch of work recreating a blank (build base) db and 3 working ones, but if it can't be helped then it can't be helped...

[Maurizio]

Hi mrdna, thanks for the precious feedback.

you are right that the file window is not refreshed when restoring a database. But there is a workaround: after restoring, close the file window and reopen it (by clicking in the tray area). That will force the side_tree to be completely rebuilt. This will be fixed.

[mrdna]

Hi mrdna, thanks for the precious feedback.

you are right that the file window is not refreshed when restoring a database. But there is a workaround: after restoring, close the file window and reopen it (by clicking in the tray area). That will force the side_tree to be completely rebuilt. This will be fixed.

worked perfectly. Thanks, Maurizio!

[mat]

This new version is very interesting. I'm still trying it.

three minor problems:

In the Quick-Open window, if we type the name of a tabble included in an other tabble, the container is selected (grey over), and we have to select the included tabble below manually. It would be faster if the tabble was directly selected when we type his name.

In the files window, if we subtract a tabble that contains other tabbles, the included tabbles are not subtracted.

sample: I have the tabble "robot" in the tabble "science-fiction" in the tabble "pictures from movies".
If i select the tabble "pictures from movies" and I subtract "science-fiction", the pictures tagged with "robot" are still in the file window. Logically, they should be subtracted (I think...)


In the Tabbles desktop, in freehand layout, if we select some tabbles, and try to move these selected tabbles, their arrangement change.


Suggestions for the future:

In the files window, in gallery view, the thumbnails are better than before but they could have a little more resolution or be a little bigger, or both. Or maybe, in the future, adding an other view, a "gallery with big thumbnails" view.

It could be useful for me, sometimes, to tag a picture from a picture viewer window. That could be something like this: if the picture viewer is the active window (in front of the others) alt-a to tag this picture. Or maybe a button at the bottom of the picture viewer to "tag this picture". Or a right-click menu on the picture viewer.

[Andrea]

Hello mat, and welcome to the forum

This new version is very interesting. I'm still trying it.

three minor problems:

In the Quick-Open window, if we type the name of a tabble included in an other tabble, the container is selected (grey over), and we have to select the included tabble below manually. It would be faster if the tabble was directly selected when we type his name.

Maybe you don't know that you can use the arrow keys to move between tabbles and the enter key to select one (enter = click)... I guess we should show a pop-up explaining this or something...

The solution you propose would be pretty counter-intuitive as while you type something happens "automatically" and you might be looking a the keyboard while this happens...

In the files window, if we subtract a tabble that contains other tabbles, the included tabbles are not subtracted.

sample: I have the tabble "robot" in the tabble "science-fiction" in the tabble "pictures from movies".
If i select the tabble "pictures from movies" and I subtract "science-fiction", the pictures tagged with "robot" are still in the file window. Logically, they should be subtracted (I think...)

Good observation! This is most probably a bug... I'll tell Maurizio about this

In the Tabbles desktop, in freehand layout, if we select some tabbles, and try to move these selected tabbles, their arrangement change.

Yeah... this is a known issue and Maurizio (himself!) has been crying about this a lot already.
The truth is that the "Tabbles desktop" should be as hidden as possible for a while, and then resurrect in a different shape in the not-so-far future.
So, this bug is probably not gonna be fixed anytime soon, and the reason is that the amount of work it needs to be fixed is rather large, and not worth the cost-benefit.

Suggestions for the future:

In the files window, in gallery view, the thumbnails are better than before but they could have a little more resolution or be a little bigger, or both. Or maybe, in the future, adding an other view, a "gallery with big thumbnails" view.

We will soon (!) add a zoom-bar in the file window...like the one in Vista and Win 7

It could be useful for me, sometimes, to tag a picture from a picture viewer window. That could be something like this: if the picture viewer is the active window (in front of the others) alt-a to tag this picture. Or maybe a button at the bottom of the picture viewer to "tag this picture". Or a right-click menu on the picture viewer.

Good point! This should be pretty easy to do... we just need to add a button that opens the Quick window, right? Thanks!

Andrea

[Andrea]

Hello old friend!

It took a while but here I am

Have poked around it a bit but haven't really run it through paces. Will do that this weekend as well as get the quick-ref updated here and on the wiki. (BTW, nice work on the german wiki pages, Nefycee!)

yes, thanks a lot to nefycee indeed! I placed a link of it to the homepage of the wiki.

Seems pretty smooth. Animation of the tabble moving to the combined bar good, search fast as ever, scrolling smooth too. (Horizontal though? Bah! Sideways is all artsy-fartsy scrolling. Give me regular vertical scrolling any day... ) Noticible delay for files to display when opening or combining tabbles, but combinable tabbles show up right away.

Horizontal scrolling: we did cause that's what windows does when you use a "list" kind of file sorting. The idea is that you scroll through the files with your eyes first in a top-down fashion, and then left to right... but the vertical scrolling will be back at some point - we want to give all the options that Windows gives to sort/browse the files.

Drag and drop looks kinda fun though I did end up learning not to have the window maximized when dragging stuff around. Seem that when you pick up a tabble the default drop location is the first tabble in the current file panel, the drop location changes as you hover over other tabbles in the panel or in the tree panel (nice!), but if you just let it go in an empty space in the panel it drops into the first tabble. To abort a drag and drop you have to drop it outside the window entirely. Other than that it looks to work fine and looks great!

I didn't get this

The program title bar shows 'where' you are! Very nice! (still want to get the loaded db on there too, but this is excellent start!) The Back button is also full of win. I know it's just the history list, but it's implimented well and can be built upon.

Hi 5!

Do like the tree. Have to play a bunch more with it and may have an idea or three. Quick thought; tree display option to group by color (alpha)?

YES - Maurizio won't like this, but then it's 2 versus one! Dunno if you notices, but there is a sort of internal battle between me and him on the color-grouping: he hates it and find it useless, so he does it only cause I'm asking for it... the issue is that I've not been good enough in explaining him what's the benefit in using color groups.

I believe this has a lot to do with him being a coder since before he could walk - he's use to search things by typing text within a split-second, and he can't understand why people want to search for things based on what they look like or how they're group... any help in my crusade would be highly appreciated

In just the little bit I've played with it I can feel alot of those improvements to the program's intuitiveness. You guys really did some excellent refinements this time through. Well done!

Thanks mrdna, you're very positive and encouraging - as usual. We're really looking forward to hear what kind of improvement you can suggest for this release.

P.S.: congratulation to your promotion to "Tabble alien"
I soon will have to create new user ranks for 250+ posts

Thanks again!

A.

[mat]

Thanks for your answer, Andrea.

About the Quick-View window, i gave a confuse description of my suggestion. I will try to be more precise (but it's not an important thing).

What I would like is, if we type the name of a tabble, that this tabble become "grey over". Then, we can type "enter" to select it (if this is the good tabble).

Actually, with 1.4.5, if a tabble is inside an other tabble, if we type the name of a tabble, this is the container tabble that is "grey over". (sample: If the tabble robot is inside the tabble science-fiction, I type robot and that's the tabble "science-fiction" that is "grey over", not robot.) I know we can select the good tabble with the arrow of the keyboard, and then, press enter.

To press on the arrow key is not long. So this is not really important.

[Andrea]

What I would like is, if we type the name of a tabble, that this tabble become "grey over". Then, we can type "enter" to select it (if this is the good tabble).

ok, "grey over" means bold, isn't it? I understand your point but I don't understand why the thing is important... maybe it has something to do with the tabbles you created? Could you please post a screenshot of what the quick looks like to you?

Thanks,

A.