[11.02rc1] SyncChangeDirMode with 2 added: no warning

[petermad]

8. User goes to c:\docs\mails, but the right side wouldn't change because c:\docs\letters and d:\backup\letters were remembered as last good location.

If the rule only only applied to going up-dir, wouldn't that prevent this from happening?

[Flint]

2ghisler(Author)
I feel that the scenario you described is exactly what I would expect from TC, if such a feature was implemented, and I don't see it as a problem. Even more, the fact of changing path on both sides should cause the sync nav mode to turn off automatically. From my perspective, it's more intuitive than TC trying to guess too hard, and turning the sync mode back on when the user did not even expect it.

2petermad
Only up-dir is too restrictive. I don't think TC should restrict the ways you use to get into the required destination. As soon as the inactive panel's path was never changed after "breaking" the syncnav, returning to the original path in the active dir should restore the syncnav mode.
For example, if I'm in some non-matched subdir (the syncnav mode is "suspended"). I can temporary jump to some completely different path using a bookmark (a standard one, that doesn't change the inactive panel), then press Back, then go up. It will put me into the path I was in, when the syncnav broke. With your "only up dir" restriction, I will no longer have the syncnav; according to my suggestion it will resume from where it was suspended.

If that seems too unintuitive, some options could be added, which control the actions, that would reset sync navigation. Then the users could adjust the behavior for their own scenarios.

[Hacker]

Christian,

7. Users goes to c:\docs and d:\backup via a bookmark

In my view, using a bookmark should reset the synchronous dir changing state to "off".

8. User goes to c:\docs\mails, but the right side wouldn't change because c:\docs\letters and d:\backup\letters were remembered as last good location.

And this is the expected behavior.
Perhaps in a later TC version we could get an "activate sync change dir" checkbox when adding / editing an entry in the dir hotlist.

Roman

[ghisler(Author)]

OK, I will add an extra value 4 to add to SyncChangeDirMode to be combined with 1, which will
1. Save the left and right directories as base when trying to go into a subdir with Enter or double click doesn't have a same name directory on the other side
2. don't try to go up or down(!) on the other side when these base directories are saved, and don't match the current left and right directories
3. Remove the saved base directories when changing directory in any other way than Enter or double click, e.g. via bookmark, button, history etc.

Does this cover what you would need?

[petermad]

Does this cover what you would need?

It sounds like it, but it is hard to say for sure until it can be tried.

[Flint]

2ghisler(Author)
Generally sounds good, but I'd like to suggest allowing the history navigation in this mode too. I personally often use Back instead of Up for simple navigation when using mouse: double-click to enter a subdir, then a mouse button Back for returning. Forcing to switch from mouse to keyboard (or moving the mouse up to the [..] element, and then all the way down again for the next subdir I need) is a significant restriction, which will reduce the usability of this new mode.

[Hacker]

Christian,
I agree with Flint, keeping Back / History would be useful, if possible.

Roman

[ghisler(Author)]

OK, I will not clear the base paths when using the history or "go back". You will be able to test it all in RC2, so there will be time for improvement.

[Flint]

I tried the new value in rc2, and there is a problem when I use Backspace: when the sync mode is in suspended state, it still reacts to Backspace and goes up in both panels, instead of just the active one. If I use Enter or double-click on [..], then it seems to work fine, and changes only the active panel's path (until I reach the saved location).

[petermad]

In TC 11.02rc2 with SyncChangeDirMode=7 I experience that if I have SyncChangeDir deactivated and I go into an archive inside another archive (like if I Open tc1102x64_rc2.exe with Ctrl+Pgdn and then go into install.cab) then SyncChangeDir is suddenly being activated again.

It also happens with SyncChangeDirMode=1 and 5.

See: https://tcmd.madsenworld.dk/SyncChangeDir_nestedarchive.mp4

[petermad]

I tried the new value in rc2, and there is a problem when I use Backspace: when the sync mode is in suspended state, it still reacts to Backspace and goes up in both panels, instead of just the active one. If I use Enter or double-click on [..], then it seems to work fine, and changes only the active panel's path (until I reach the saved location).

Confirmed. It works OK if I go back with Alt+leftArrow or via the Directory history (Alt+downArrow)

[ghisler(Author)]

Good catch, Backspace is handled elsewhere.

Going into an archive currently disables the base paths.

[petermad]

Going into an archive currently disables the base paths.

How about the unwanted automatic activation of SyncChangeDir when going into a nested archive - as I described here above.

[ghisler(Author)]

How about the unwanted automatic activation of SyncChangeDir when going into a nested archive - as I described here above.

That's because you are going to an entirely different directory (in TEMP).
Maybe I should completely disable SyncChangeDir when going into a nested archive?

[petermad]

Maybe I should completely disable SyncChangeDir when going into a nested archive?

Currently even if SyncChangeDir is NOT activated it suddenly gets activated when entering a nested archive - that can't be right. If I have manually turned SyncChangeDir off, it should only be activated by me again, not by TC when navigating. I am talking about deactivated SyncChangeDir not suspended SyncChangeDir.