Opinion - 10 things that software makers should and shouldn't do

[dangel]

If you do mean the Start Menu then, is it the case that the software writer can give you this option?

Why yes, he can I don't know about others but I like to have start menu 'folders - e.g.

System
Internet
Games

And so I install software (where I can) in the sub folder on the start menu which makes organisation a bit easier. The problem with dragging and dropping shortcuts around is that when you uninstall the program, the uninstaller fails to find the shortcuts (they've moved) and so you have to manually remove them. It's trivial to make an installer as you where you want your shortcuts to go - shame more people don't do it!

[dangel]

Can I add the following:
I've you save info, don't put it in my documents, why does save games need to be stored in my documents???? If you do this at least let me change this setting somewhere! And especially for coral, if you do let me change this at least make that effing work! Without a trip to the registry.

Blame Microsoft - they keep altering their guidelines. Lots of games (as mentioned) do this too (which is annoying). The easiest way around it (so to speak) is to move the folder - which fortunately is very easy to do (right click on Documents in the start menu, choose properties, got to location tab and click Move.. [Vista, although it's very similar on XP])

My biggest gripe with software it when it feels the need to run at startup. I can tolerate a program that's ~<2MB in memory footprint, but unless its essential, then if it's bigger, I don't like it.

Try this - http://www.snpsoftware.com/StartupMonitor.aspx
It's free and at least gives you some control (apols. if you already saw it).

Software that bugs me the most:

Adobe Reader - it feels the need to add itself to the startup folder (to "Speed things up") and trys to make me update everytime it's run.

Just stop using it - try foxit reader instead. It's much faster, doesn't install craplets and costs nada. http://www.foxitsoftware.com/

I got fed up with it constantly trying to update itself too.. just what you need in the middle of trying to open a document!



Can I add:

Don't user Windows Installer, ever. It's horribly flawed and eats hard drive space. NSIS is free, there is no excuse.
I'd like to say ban Installshield as well but it's nowhere near as bad as WI (and that's saying something).

[mallett]

Try this - http://www.snpsoftware.com/StartupMonitor.aspx
It's free and at least gives you some control (apols. if you already saw it).

i also hate the progs that insist that they have to run at startup and then keep running in the background so i use something similar to dangel called winpatrol which sits there and asks if you want a program to run in startup along with other things. it doesnt use up much resources and is an active checker so will alert you when things happen

http://www.winpatrol.com/

[dangel]

i also hate the progs that insist that they have to run at startup and then keep running in the background so i use something similar to dangel called winpatrol which sits there and asks if you want a program to run in startup along with other things. it doesnt use up much resources and is an active checker so will alert you when things happen

http://www.winpatrol.com/

Thanks for that - i'm checking it out. I like the 'delayed start' feature (at least from reading the web page lol)

[Xtanto]

1,2,3,4,5,6,7 all ok if you are running Linux.

If you have to update or install you don't reboot unless it is the kernel. If it is a kernel patch then it tells you before you install that you will have to reboot.

I am not sure what 9 is all about. Is this like USB dongles for copy protection?

10 Well FLOSS comes at the right price for me!

[drunkenmaster]

1,2,3,4,5,6,7 all ok if you are running Linux.

If you have to update or install you don't reboot unless it is the kernel. If it is a kernel patch then it tells you before you install that you will have to reboot.

I am not sure what 9 is all about. Is this like USB dongles for copy protection?

10 Well FLOSS comes at the right price for me!

when linux becomes mainstream for the home user and all common applications work fine, graphics card drivers are upto date and equal windows performance and all games come out working fine with support for games i'll be happy to use it. till then, i'm buggered

[Iain]

Digging items on Hexus automagically updates Digg, it doesn't matter where you click so if there's a problem with it not logging them please let me know

On the point about dragging and dropping start menu items; whilst this works; there's an easier way if you like alphabetical order. Simply right click on the start menu, click Properties, then click Classic Start Menu, then click Customize, then click Sort. Click Apply and back out to your desktop then right click on start menu, click Properties and change back to XP Start Menu. Might be long winded for just moving one app but if you've got a few then it'll make it easier

[Xtanto]

when Linux becomes mainstream for the home user and all common applications work fine, graphics card drivers are upto date and equal windows performance and all games come out working fine with support for games i'll be happy to use it. till then, i'm buggered

I would say Linux is now better for work and stable applications but for gaming stick with Winxp NOT vista.

Linux for when you need a secure and reliable work environment and XP when you need to have some fun!

[Whiternoise]

SpyBot also has a feature that lets you tweak what starts up with Windows.

[Bob Crabtree]

Digging items on Hexus automagically updates Digg, it doesn't matter where you click so if there's a problem with it not logging them please let me know

Understood - though I don't know the score properly cos the first Digg I heard about (done by someone else) didn't register and nor did my own Digg seem to register (though perhaps there's a time delay that I took no account of) but now there are multiple Diggs and I know not whose they are.

On the point about dragging and dropping start menu items; whilst this works; there's an easier way if you like alphabetical order. Simply right click on the start menu, click Properties, then click Classic Start Menu, then click Customize, then click Sort. Click Apply and back out to your desktop then right click on start menu, click Properties and change back to XP Start Menu. Might be long winded for just moving one app but if you've got a few then it'll make it easier

I didn't know that - and suspect very few others did either.

Nice one!

Er, and just in case people were wondering - when you return to the XP Start Menu everything else will be the same as it was (well, it was here at any rate) - so you won't lose any of the stuff that's pinned to the Start Menu, for instance.

[mallett]

On the point about dragging and dropping start menu items; whilst this works; there's an easier way if you like alphabetical order. Simply right click on the start menu, click Properties, then click Classic Start Menu, then click Customize, then click Sort. Click Apply and back out to your desktop then right click on start menu, click Properties and change back to XP Start Menu. Might be long winded for just moving one app but if you've got a few then it'll make it easier

i dont know if im missing something here but if you want to sort your programs in the start menu all you need to do is right click on one of them and click 'sort by name'

[dangel]

I was thinking the same..

[Iain]

Ah, wasn't aware of that. Only way it could be easier now is if it can somehow sense your telepathic needs and do it before you even realise you need it

[dangel]

I'd just like it to do it automatically when new items are added.. Hmmm might write a tool to do just that

[happytechie]

I'd just like it to do it automatically when new items are added.. Hmmm might write a tool to do just that

You'll need to it run all the time then....

perhaps install a little icon into the system tray to let people know it's running.

oh I think you'll need local admin rights to install it....



I laughed when I read the list 'cos as someone who's had to write installers in the past I've done most of the things in the list. I'm neither a bad or a lazy programmer but do have to write code to a tight deadline. Usually when it comes to installers it's a case of just make it work in the least time possible.

The correct place to store temp files and save files isn't my documents it's local settings\current user\application data\application name again this is the MS guidelines location for them.

any application that requires a reboot for full install would fail the microsoft windows XP compatible sticker test (I'm looking at visual studio, SQL server and office here) if I remember them correctly

[dangel]

You'll need to it run all the time then....

perhaps install a little icon into the system tray to let people know it's running.

oh I think you'll need local admin rights to install it....

I was thinking more of something that could be run on demand, or at logon, rather than something open all the time. Not that it'd use a lot of resources (i.e. I wouldn't do it in .NET).

Doesn't everyone run as admin on Windows ?

EDIT - came across this:

"You can also do this permanently, as follows:
1. Open the Registry editor. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder.
2. Delete the Menu keys in the Start Menu and Favorites keys. (This will reset the order alphabetically.)
3. Right-click on the MenuOrder key, select Permissions, and set your user to Deny for permissions listed (so your subsequent installations and reorderings won't take).
This will work for the Start Menu and the Favorites in IE. To sort just the Start menu, do this instead for the Start Menu key under MenuOrder."

Take care with this, I haven't tried it..