Windows

[Anriana]

I've been a fan of having multiple windows open at once for years, yet it seems like everyone I troubleshoot with thinks their computer will explode if they have more than one wndow open for an extra second. It seems like everytime we're testing something in the command prompt and I tell them to open Internet Explorer they immediately ask "OMG should I close the command prompt?" The same thing if we're doing anything control panel related. And if I tell them to restart the computer, they will ALWAYS ask "Do I need to close out of everything first?"

I just don't get it. Does everyone I speak to own a computer without knowing how to use the minimize button? Did computers not auto shut down everything upon reboot once upon a time?

[Pedersen]

I've been a fan of having multiple windows open at once for years,

--SNIP--

Does everyone I speak to own a computer without knowing how to use the minimize button? Did computers not auto shut down everything upon reboot once upon a time?

Well, for the first, might I suggest something like VirtuaWin? Multiple virtual desktops, each with their own set of programs running on them. I use Linux, so can't speak to how well it works on Windows, but absolutely love it.

For the second, the minimize button just isn't understood by the vast majority of people. It's a shame, really, since it makes things so much more useful, but ... Aside for reformatting and reinstalling their brain with a newer version of humanos (specifically, the one that has all the computer user patches), I have no suggestions.

Finally: I've seen computers that wouldn't reboot properly with some windows open. For instance (and this is fun), open up a command prompt, run ftp (don't bother connecting, it doesn't matter this), and then reboot the computer. Wait until Windows pops up a note asking if you want to force kill the command prompt. Isn't that fun?

[thehippie777]

I was removed from the Front Desk for 6 months for that very reason, actually. I would be doing multiple tasks including having multiple windows open. This did not hurt the computer (as you know). Although, the Hitler I worked with at the time came from back in the DOS days and reported over & over again to management that I was doing bad things that she KNEW would screw up the computers. I told her one time, "If these three windows being open at once hurts the computers, then these computers suck." They were running Win 2000 at the time I think.

I was put into housekeeping (where my hours were cut in half), and earned my way back to the desk by merit. I showed EVERYONE I worked with what I had been doing, and they came to realize the lady I worked with at night was a dumbass.

[Samaliel]

At least, it wasn't Windows Me...

But come on... It's called Windows. As in several. Bill-o would have called Window if it wasn't supposed to have more than one opened. And while every and each version of Windows have its own set of issues, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't allow you to open multiple windows if it weren't supposed to support it...

What a tool...

[Delphae]

As I sit here typing, I have 2 windows open each with 2 tabs. I have never even heard only one window open at a time, and I remember Dos, vaguely. What do they think will happen when a popup appears? The computer will crash?

[Naaman]

At work I regularly have 2 or 3 programs running, 2 Access databases, 4-8 tabs worth of stuff over two Firefox windows (One for work related and the other for forums\comics) and occasionally I'll be running SQL Enterprise Manager or Query Analyser, oh and Outlook running in the background.

Thankfully as our department all work like this I pushed for Dual monitors so we all have a pair of sweet Dell 19" widescreens

[technical.angel]

Heck, I have soo many windows open during the course of the day, I decided my two monitor set up wasn't enough and put a second computer on a KVM, and shared one of three monitors between them. That gives me 4 functional monitors to work with.

I still don't think it's enough.

[Pedersen]

Heya TA, here's something you might like: Synergy. Lets you configure multiple computers to use one keyboard/mouse, and works over TCP/IP. Also connects multiple OS'es. If you've got that much of a setup going, it might be worth it to you.

[technical.angel]

Someone else showed me that link (I think the DBA that I stole the 3 monitor setup idea from), but I think I'll look into it more now.

[Bliss]

I have dual monitors at job #2, they kick ass for coding (IDE in one monitor, DD or refrence, or test browser or shells in the other.)

While I work I divide stuff in my 4 virtual desktops. Browsers and internet stuff on #1, IDE and DB admin in #2, Network monitor in #3 and reference material on #4

And I have a yakuake terminal always handy in all four with about 20 to 25 sessions in it.

[Eric the Grey]

Finally: I've seen computers that wouldn't reboot properly with some windows open. For instance (and this is fun), open up a command prompt, run ftp (don't bother connecting, it doesn't matter this), and then reboot the computer. Wait until Windows pops up a note asking if you want to force kill the command prompt. Isn't that fun?

We use JD Edwards where I work, and it will not allow a computer to shut down normally if it still has open sessions. I occasionally have to kick a connection from the server to allow someone to shut down because there is no presence on the uses desktop.

As for multiple windows, I currently have 23 windows open, one being Firefox with two tabs. That number is the MINIMUM I can use to do my job. Once I start working on user profiles later this evening, they'll go up. I've developed a method of overlapping windows for the important systems, so I can see if anything important happens (messages, etc), but again, once I start working on user accounts, that all gets hidden.

I really do need a second monitory, and a machine with a bit more horsepower. Luckily, the machine I use currently is destine for replacement soon...



Eric the Grey

[JustADude]

As I sit here typing, I have 2 windows open each with 2 tabs. I have never even heard only one window open at a time, and I remember Dos, vaguely. What do they think will happen when a popup appears? The computer will crash?

That's all? I've got 3 Firefox windows open with about 6-18 tabs apiece, a video-game install program, a telnet program (MUSHClient), and Winamp all going simultaniously.

The only time I don't have that parade of info is when I'm in a game.

[Ironclad Alibi]

It took a while, but I like having multiple windows open at the same time. (I started out using Windows 3.0. I recall installing Windows 286/386, but never used it.) It makes computing a lot easier and much more productive. What I don't like is over lapping windows. I want each window to be full screen. Occasionally I will use side by side windows. Being able to see the other windows in the background is confusing to me. As long as I have full screen windows, and can switch between them at will, I am happy. Anyone else feel the same way?

[technical.angel]

As long as I have full screen windows, and can switch between them at will, I am happy. Anyone else feel the same way?

Same.

Which is why I like my dual (or now, technically triple) monitors. I usually keep Outlook maximized on my secondary screen. I'll overlap that with Excel if I'm creating network accounts.

[Hibble]

For the people interested the simple explanation is that in the days of windows 3.1 the number of windows you could open was limited by processor memory which was and still is about 0.6MB. From windows 95 onwards the number of windows you can have open is limited by RAM and if that runs out SWAP space on your hard disk(so almost unlimited).

p.s if you run out of RAM your pc will slow down so on crappy work ones with 128MB of RAM you can still run in to problems if you open 30 odd windows.