Function key list like Norton Commander

[Ehrhorn]

One of the things I mis from Norton Commader is the full list of function keys at the bottom on the screen (Window) wich change when you hit the ALT, SHIFT and CTRL key. There is room for them unless you choose to have a very little window.
My proposel is to have the normal look and feel along with an extended version of the function keys wich will reflect the changes in you make in hot-keys. Then it is possibly to activate the extended version (as an option) if you want to have the full list...

[MVV]

BTW Norton Commander doesn't change function keys bar when you hold Shift.

[Ehrhorn]

Yes - I gues that is right. NC does not use Shift but Total Commander could do it and that would be an improvement

[petermad]

This has (of course) been suggested before - but I can support the request.

[umbra]

Sounds interesting.

[Hacker]

Would need translation for all internal commands.

Roman

[ghisler(Author)]

Not only that - it would probably require multiple translations per command! Currently there is one for the command selection dialog cm_CommandBrowser, but most are far too long for a button.

[Henrie]

The text could be cut off when it is to long and be shown fully in a tooltip when hovering the button with the mouse. Mostly only part of the name is long enough to recognise the command.
I support this request. I often forget which extra key I need which causes me to use the mouse and browse in the menus instead of using the quick F-keys. I think adding the changing on pressing the alt/shift/ctrl keys will help me use the F-keys more. I used them more in Norton Commander as I saw visual confirmation of what function I would activate so I would not accidentally activate a wrong one.
But Even though I support this request I think it might be hard to implement (limited screen space) because I think it would also need adding the other F-keys that are currently not shown as a button (F1, F2 , F9 to F12). But the separate ALT+F4 could be removed than.
And even though it would not be a problem on my 1920x1200 screen. On smaller screens the larger amount of Function buttons might be a problem.

[MVV]

Henrie, as ghisler and Hacker said, this will require to add many-many text strings that should be displayed on the buttons, and theese strings should be translated to all langs...

[Henrie]

Hello MVV. I understand what was said. But in the Choose command dialog for the button bar I think all the descriptions are already present? These would be good enough for me. I know they are long descriptions sometimes, that is why I was referring to a hovering tooltip when the description is to long to fully fit on the button.
Translating to make short strings would be ideal, but even than for not translated strings, the full description could be displayed. The tooltip with the long description should be needed anyway because I remember the MkDir description in Norton Commander
And I am not asking for it for version 8.0 there should be a feature freeze for that version so we can finally get a release candidate shortly. Maybe for version 8.1

[petermad]

Maybe just adding Tooltips to the function buttons and then use the text strings from wcmd_xxx.inc could be an easy implementation - without changing the text on the buttons themselves - no space problem with ToolTips.

[solid]

I have disabled the view of the functions button, just because of the lack of this feature. If this gets implemented, I'll be happy to switch it on again. Doesn't matter to me which string will be displayed, even cm_xxx or em_xxx will be fine.
With so many alt, shift, ctrl, win combinations, it's hard to remember every possible combination. Also useful to check which combination is still free.
Support++

[MVV]

Henrie, we need two strings per command: title and toolip. Yes, tooltips already exist, but titles (which will be displayed on a buttons) aren't. It is impossible to use existing description texts for titles, we need item names and not descriptions. The only acceptable solution for now is to use command names (maybe w/o prefix cm_ for better view).

[Balderstrom]

Would be acceptable to use the command names or english when no translation would be available, wincmd.ini setting to indicate which
FunctionToolBarTitles:
0) Do Nothing, leave Toolbar as is.
1) Use cm_ names if no translation available.
2) Use translated English if available
4) Use translated own language if available

Thus:
1) Always use cm_ names.
2) Use English, or nothing
3) Use English, or cm_ names if English not available.
4) Use own language, or nothing
5) Use own language, or cm_names if translation not available.
6) Use own language, or English if (own lang not available)
7) Use own language, or English or cm_ names


Add the FunctionToolBar to the .inc file, so users can add their own strings for the 'cm_' title to appear in the function toolbar. If they don't like the particular translation for said command.

The toolbar should also pull from the commands that the hotkey is actually assigned to. Instead of being a static list.
I've changed F2, F8 and F9

Would also be worthwhile to get rid of Alt+F4 on the toolbar, and add in F9 and possibly F10. Even when TC isn't maximized the function toolbar has lots of space on a 22"+ monitor.

[Henrie]

Would also be worthwhile to get rid of Alt+F4 on the toolbar, and add in F9 and possibly F10. Even when TC isn't maximized the function toolbar has lots of space on a 22"+ monitor.

I prefer to have all 12 function keys. On my 1920px wide monitor the current 7 buttons each have 2/3 empty space. Or make it also configurable which function keys are shown.

Otherwise I fully agree with your post, a clear overview of what I had in mind also.