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"What is this?"

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  • D David Wulff

    Why has Microsoft abandoned the incredibly useful 'What is this?' help that used to be found in almost every dialog? Previously you would click on the '?' button on a dialog's control bar then click on a control, and it would helpfully popup with a paragraph or two describing what that control did, what you need to enter there, etc. Now it just launches an entire help file, and you have dig through pages of links and information to find the help relevant to the control you want. Microsoft used to have both a '?' and a 'Help' button on all their dialogs. Now they seem to be killing off all the help buttons and raping the 'What is this?' help to take their place. X| If Microsoft are already doing it then context-sensitive help is all but dead now. It is a shame, and a real backwards step IMO. :( Is there any official justification given for this?


    Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
    Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
    I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

    E Offline
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    ensger
    wrote on last edited by
    #9

    2 days ago; I decided to downlowd OpenOffice (instead if a copy of MS Office - hope you will not denie me:rolleyes:rolleyes:). And it looks good!!! Yesterday I downloaded IE7, because the security-center of MS asked me to do so. And now, alwys i press Alt-F4 the entire explorer is closed instead of the actuel window like it's been before (only one point!!). So I consider to ownload FireFox now. I don't know why MS is displeasing the users like this at the moment.:confused:

    W 1 Reply Last reply
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    • E ensger

      2 days ago; I decided to downlowd OpenOffice (instead if a copy of MS Office - hope you will not denie me:rolleyes:rolleyes:). And it looks good!!! Yesterday I downloaded IE7, because the security-center of MS asked me to do so. And now, alwys i press Alt-F4 the entire explorer is closed instead of the actuel window like it's been before (only one point!!). So I consider to ownload FireFox now. I don't know why MS is displeasing the users like this at the moment.:confused:

      W Offline
      W Offline
      WilliamSauron
      wrote on last edited by
      #10

      Alt-F4 has *ALWAYS* closed the entire application. If you want to close only one of the sub-windows (MDI children as they were called, or their new incarnation, tabs) use Ctrl-F4 instead... S.L.

      E R 2 Replies Last reply
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      • W WilliamSauron

        Alt-F4 has *ALWAYS* closed the entire application. If you want to close only one of the sub-windows (MDI children as they were called, or their new incarnation, tabs) use Ctrl-F4 instead... S.L.

        E Offline
        E Offline
        ensger
        wrote on last edited by
        #11

        I used Alt-F4 to close the actual window, but that is not the problem. It's one of many points. Another - I had my favorits on the right side, now I don't have. And the most imporant one - I want to have the Google-bar. I was asked to choose a search-engine while downloading, but google was not there!!

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        • E ensger

          I used Alt-F4 to close the actual window, but that is not the problem. It's one of many points. Another - I had my favorits on the right side, now I don't have. And the most imporant one - I want to have the Google-bar. I was asked to choose a search-engine while downloading, but google was not there!!

          D Offline
          D Offline
          David Wulff
          wrote on last edited by
          #12

          ensger wrote:

          I used Alt-F4 to close the actual window, but that is not the problem. It's one of many points.

          What is the issue you have with ALT+F4? It is not clear from your messages. ALT+F4 will *always* close the entire application [window], whether it is IE, Firefox, or anything else. If you want to close only one window/tab then the shortcut is and always has been CTRL+F4.

          ensger wrote:

          want to have the Google-bar. I was asked to choose a search-engine while downloading, but google was not there!!

          Do you mean the Google Toolbar, or having Google in the built-in IE7 toolbar? Because if it is the latter, then you just add it in from the menu. It takes all of five seconds and Google is your default search provider. :confused:


          Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
          Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
          I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

          E E B D W 5 Replies Last reply
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          • D David Wulff

            ensger wrote:

            I used Alt-F4 to close the actual window, but that is not the problem. It's one of many points.

            What is the issue you have with ALT+F4? It is not clear from your messages. ALT+F4 will *always* close the entire application [window], whether it is IE, Firefox, or anything else. If you want to close only one window/tab then the shortcut is and always has been CTRL+F4.

            ensger wrote:

            want to have the Google-bar. I was asked to choose a search-engine while downloading, but google was not there!!

            Do you mean the Google Toolbar, or having Google in the built-in IE7 toolbar? Because if it is the latter, then you just add it in from the menu. It takes all of five seconds and Google is your default search provider. :confused:


            Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
            Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
            I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

            E Offline
            E Offline
            ensger
            wrote on last edited by
            #13

            5 seconds if you know how:-D Can you help:rose:

            D 1 Reply Last reply
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            • E ensger

              5 seconds if you know how:-D Can you help:rose:

              D Offline
              D Offline
              David Wulff
              wrote on last edited by
              #14

              Click on the drop down button next to the search box, and click on Find more providers. Google will be near the top of the page that is returned - tick it and submit the page. That is all. http://www.codeproject.com/script/profile/upload/1363/FindProviders.jpg[^]


              Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
              Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
              I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

              E 1 Reply Last reply
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              • D David Wulff

                Click on the drop down button next to the search box, and click on Find more providers. Google will be near the top of the page that is returned - tick it and submit the page. That is all. http://www.codeproject.com/script/profile/upload/1363/FindProviders.jpg[^]


                Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                E Offline
                E Offline
                ensger
                wrote on last edited by
                #15

                Maybe I have to try a litle bit more. I now see on the right side an option to choose Google. But I have to choose it every time I start the explorer. Standard is 'Live Search(Standard)'. But maybe I can change - I'll try. Thanks, Gerhard PS: I found it. It's been a little hard, cause I'm using the german version. But thanks's again;)

                M 1 Reply Last reply
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                • D David Wulff

                  ensger wrote:

                  I used Alt-F4 to close the actual window, but that is not the problem. It's one of many points.

                  What is the issue you have with ALT+F4? It is not clear from your messages. ALT+F4 will *always* close the entire application [window], whether it is IE, Firefox, or anything else. If you want to close only one window/tab then the shortcut is and always has been CTRL+F4.

                  ensger wrote:

                  want to have the Google-bar. I was asked to choose a search-engine while downloading, but google was not there!!

                  Do you mean the Google Toolbar, or having Google in the built-in IE7 toolbar? Because if it is the latter, then you just add it in from the menu. It takes all of five seconds and Google is your default search provider. :confused:


                  Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                  Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                  I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                  E Offline
                  E Offline
                  Emma Burrows
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #16

                  David Wulff wrote:

                  ALT+F4 will *always* close the entire application

                  Actually, if you have IE6 (which I'm still using), and you have two windows open (eg: one on CodeProject, and one on Google), pressing Alt+F4 will only close the IE window that has the focus. In my example, if I'm looking at the Google window and press Alt+F4, it will just close that window - the Code Project IE window stays open. I guess IE6 opens multiple instances of itself (incidentally, I notice that Word 2003 reacts this way to Alt+F4 too). Anyway, that's what the original poster is complaining about. HTH. :)

                  D 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • E Emma Burrows

                    David Wulff wrote:

                    ALT+F4 will *always* close the entire application

                    Actually, if you have IE6 (which I'm still using), and you have two windows open (eg: one on CodeProject, and one on Google), pressing Alt+F4 will only close the IE window that has the focus. In my example, if I'm looking at the Google window and press Alt+F4, it will just close that window - the Code Project IE window stays open. I guess IE6 opens multiple instances of itself (incidentally, I notice that Word 2003 reacts this way to Alt+F4 too). Anyway, that's what the original poster is complaining about. HTH. :)

                    D Offline
                    D Offline
                    David Wulff
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #17

                    Perhaps I poorly worded it -- better would have been 'application window'. A window is a frame, if a window has the desktop as its parent then I would consider it a separate application window. If a window has the same application as its parent then it is a child window. Office (since Office 2000) and IE6 are exclusively MTI (Multiple Top-Level Interface) applications, IE7 when using tabs is an MDI application. In IE7 each tab is within the same application window, so the behaviour of ALT+F4 is the same in both IE6, IE7, and most other Windows applications. If you open a new window in IE7, rather than a new tab, then again ALT+F4 will consistently close the entire application window.


                    Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                    Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                    I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • E ensger

                      Maybe I have to try a litle bit more. I now see on the right side an option to choose Google. But I have to choose it every time I start the explorer. Standard is 'Live Search(Standard)'. But maybe I can change - I'll try. Thanks, Gerhard PS: I found it. It's been a little hard, cause I'm using the german version. But thanks's again;)

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      Mike Dimmick
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #18

                      Select "Change Search Defaults" from that menu (bottom option). In the dialog, select Google, then click Set Default. Then click OK. Now Google will be the default search provider.

                      Stability. What an interesting concept. -- Chris Maunder

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                      • D David Wulff

                        Why has Microsoft abandoned the incredibly useful 'What is this?' help that used to be found in almost every dialog? Previously you would click on the '?' button on a dialog's control bar then click on a control, and it would helpfully popup with a paragraph or two describing what that control did, what you need to enter there, etc. Now it just launches an entire help file, and you have dig through pages of links and information to find the help relevant to the control you want. Microsoft used to have both a '?' and a 'Help' button on all their dialogs. Now they seem to be killing off all the help buttons and raping the 'What is this?' help to take their place. X| If Microsoft are already doing it then context-sensitive help is all but dead now. It is a shame, and a real backwards step IMO. :( Is there any official justification given for this?


                        Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                        Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                        I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                        S Offline
                        S Offline
                        S Douglas
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #19

                        David Wulff wrote:

                        If Microsoft are already doing it then context-sensitive help is all but dead now. It is a shame, and a real backwards step IMO.

                        Was easier to drop support than come out with a halfway decent way to create HTML help. :~ :rolleyes:


                        I'd love to help, but unfortunatley I have prior commitments monitoring the length of my grass. :Andrew Bleakley:

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                        • D David Wulff

                          ensger wrote:

                          I used Alt-F4 to close the actual window, but that is not the problem. It's one of many points.

                          What is the issue you have with ALT+F4? It is not clear from your messages. ALT+F4 will *always* close the entire application [window], whether it is IE, Firefox, or anything else. If you want to close only one window/tab then the shortcut is and always has been CTRL+F4.

                          ensger wrote:

                          want to have the Google-bar. I was asked to choose a search-engine while downloading, but google was not there!!

                          Do you mean the Google Toolbar, or having Google in the built-in IE7 toolbar? Because if it is the latter, then you just add it in from the menu. It takes all of five seconds and Google is your default search provider. :confused:


                          Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                          Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                          I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                          B Offline
                          B Offline
                          bendodge
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #20

                          Actually, Ctrl+W will close the current tab in Firefox. Firefox will also warn you if try to close more than one tab.

                          D 1 Reply Last reply
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                          • B bendodge

                            Actually, Ctrl+W will close the current tab in Firefox. Firefox will also warn you if try to close more than one tab.

                            D Offline
                            D Offline
                            David Wulff
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #21

                            bendodge wrote:

                            Actually, Ctrl+W will close the current tab in Firefox

                            So will CTRL+TAB, the recomended Windows' shortcut. The CTRL+W behaviour is identical in IE7.

                            bendodge wrote:

                            Firefox will also warn you if try to close more than one tab

                            So does IE7...


                            Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                            Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                            I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                            B 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • D David Wulff

                              bendodge wrote:

                              Actually, Ctrl+W will close the current tab in Firefox

                              So will CTRL+TAB, the recomended Windows' shortcut. The CTRL+W behaviour is identical in IE7.

                              bendodge wrote:

                              Firefox will also warn you if try to close more than one tab

                              So does IE7...


                              Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                              Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                              I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                              B Offline
                              B Offline
                              bendodge
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #22

                              Hmm, thanks for telling me.

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                              • D David Wulff

                                Why has Microsoft abandoned the incredibly useful 'What is this?' help that used to be found in almost every dialog? Previously you would click on the '?' button on a dialog's control bar then click on a control, and it would helpfully popup with a paragraph or two describing what that control did, what you need to enter there, etc. Now it just launches an entire help file, and you have dig through pages of links and information to find the help relevant to the control you want. Microsoft used to have both a '?' and a 'Help' button on all their dialogs. Now they seem to be killing off all the help buttons and raping the 'What is this?' help to take their place. X| If Microsoft are already doing it then context-sensitive help is all but dead now. It is a shame, and a real backwards step IMO. :( Is there any official justification given for this?


                                Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                                Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                                I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                                C Offline
                                C Offline
                                Catalin Murariu
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #23

                                Because they asked themselves: "Is anyone actually using that?". And the answer was obvious. I remember the only time I used that button was out of sheer curiosity. ;P

                                Asynchronously daydreaming...

                                D 1 Reply Last reply
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                                • C Catalin Murariu

                                  Because they asked themselves: "Is anyone actually using that?". And the answer was obvious. I remember the only time I used that button was out of sheer curiosity. ;P

                                  Asynchronously daydreaming...

                                  D Offline
                                  D Offline
                                  David Wulff
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #24

                                  So when you are faced with a dialog like this one (below), how do you find information about one of the fields? Pressing the '?' button just loads the home page for the help system. http://www.codeproject.com/script/profile/upload/1363/Options.jpg[^]


                                  Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                                  Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                                  I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                                  C 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • D David Wulff

                                    Why has Microsoft abandoned the incredibly useful 'What is this?' help that used to be found in almost every dialog? Previously you would click on the '?' button on a dialog's control bar then click on a control, and it would helpfully popup with a paragraph or two describing what that control did, what you need to enter there, etc. Now it just launches an entire help file, and you have dig through pages of links and information to find the help relevant to the control you want. Microsoft used to have both a '?' and a 'Help' button on all their dialogs. Now they seem to be killing off all the help buttons and raping the 'What is this?' help to take their place. X| If Microsoft are already doing it then context-sensitive help is all but dead now. It is a shame, and a real backwards step IMO. :( Is there any official justification given for this?


                                    Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                                    Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                                    I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                                    R Offline
                                    R Offline
                                    Ricky Dean
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #25

                                    Are you using a beta or full version? Right clicking on a control in theory should give you a result or hitting F1 e.g. after a control/checkbox click or listbox item highlight. If they've left it out then, agreed... that is seriously sad!:mad: Hey maybe the new generation of humans have nano-CFM implants and never need to ask for help:laugh: I must take a look at Vista when theres more hardware driver support hehe »«»«» **©**heers »«»«»

                                    These are a few of my favourite things...

                                    Web Design

                                    • XHTML»CSS

                                    Web Programming

                                    • JScript»JavaScript»XML»XSL»ASP.NET

                                    Programming

                                    • MsDOS(the Ark!)»2d Games-GML»VB.NET
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                                    • R Ricky Dean

                                      Are you using a beta or full version? Right clicking on a control in theory should give you a result or hitting F1 e.g. after a control/checkbox click or listbox item highlight. If they've left it out then, agreed... that is seriously sad!:mad: Hey maybe the new generation of humans have nano-CFM implants and never need to ask for help:laugh: I must take a look at Vista when theres more hardware driver support hehe »«»«» **©**heers »«»«»

                                      These are a few of my favourite things...

                                      Web Design

                                      • XHTML»CSS

                                      Web Programming

                                      • JScript»JavaScript»XML»XSL»ASP.NET

                                      Programming

                                      • MsDOS(the Ark!)»2d Games-GML»VB.NET
                                      D Offline
                                      D Offline
                                      David Wulff
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #26

                                      All release versions here, no betas.

                                      Ricky Dean wrote:

                                      Right clicking on a control in theory should give you a result or hitting F1 after a click or list highlight.

                                      It always used to be that way, but sadly not any longer.


                                      Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                                      Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                                      I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                                      R 2 Replies Last reply
                                      0
                                      • D David Wulff

                                        So when you are faced with a dialog like this one (below), how do you find information about one of the fields? Pressing the '?' button just loads the home page for the help system. http://www.codeproject.com/script/profile/upload/1363/Options.jpg[^]


                                        Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                                        Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                                        I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                                        C Offline
                                        C Offline
                                        Catalin Murariu
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #27

                                        The options there seem self explanatory to me :wtf:. Now, if there were images instead of the actual text I would find myself in need of some extra information. Also in case of list items, you can always try and right-click them, see what that menu brings up (if any), or check if they have tooltips (this could be checked for all controls as well, since it's easier to have a tooltip than to have an extra button in your interface which would require extra mouse movment and clicks).

                                        Asynchronously daydreaming...

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                                        • D David Wulff

                                          All release versions here, no betas.

                                          Ricky Dean wrote:

                                          Right clicking on a control in theory should give you a result or hitting F1 after a click or list highlight.

                                          It always used to be that way, but sadly not any longer.


                                          Ðavid Wulff What kind of music should programmers listen to?
                                          Join the Code Project Last.fm group | dwulff
                                          I'm so gangsta I eat cereal without the milk

                                          R Offline
                                          R Offline
                                          Ricky Dean
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #28

                                          Thats just crazy! You'de think they would of at least made it similar to a web tooltip. (like leaving the arrow over the control/checkbox/radio button/list item etc and after a short amount of time the tool tip appears) cheers

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