[REQUEST] Custom Alignment, Padding, Spacing, Font Size Options

from Stardock Forums

Hi all,

I just recently purchased Fences Pro and love how I can use it to organize my desktop.  This program is super cool.

One of the little annoyances I have found with it, though, is something I simply cannot believe was left out!  Quite a few of my icon labels are cut off on the left side of it's containing fence, so I looked through all the options to see if I could find an alignment option only to find that this option is nowhere to be found.  Center aligning my fences would fix this issue.  At the same time, if I make a 1x10 fence (1 icon wide, 10 icons tall), all the icons look mushed to the left side.  Again, the option to center align the fence would fix this issue.

Furthermore, adding spacing options like 'Auto-space' would come in handy: Big fence, few icons + auto-space and 'Voila!'  All icons are equally spaced apart from one another, filling the fence instead of those icons all being grouped together in the corner of the fence.

How about fence padding?  Again, for icon labels that are getting cut off, another way to fix it would be to add fence padding.  I'd love to be able to say that x pixels on the inner edge (top, right, bottom, left, or any combination thereof) of a fence are off-limits for icons or labels to be able to encroach upon.

Font Sizes!  Allow me to set the size of my fence labels! :grin: I can change the label color, but not the font or size?!  Hmmm...

Still having fun with my fences, but I think these options would make this an even MORE killer app!

Thanks guys/gals!

 

-M-

fences
15,242 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

This program is super cool.
End of quote

Thanks!

Quite a few of my icon labels are cut off on the left side of it's containing fence, so I looked through all the options to see if I could find an alignment option only to find that this option is nowhere to be found.  Center aligning my fences would fix this issue.  At the same time, if I make a 1x10 fence (1 icon wide, 10 icons tall), all the icons look mushed to the left side.  Again, the option to center align the fence would fix this issue.
End of quote

Can you post a screenshot of what you're referring to?  I'm a visual person...  :)

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Screenshots attached.

 

Screen 1:

Notice how the icon text gets cut off?

 

 

Screen 2:

Notice how, if you have multiple icons with long text labels, they run into one another?

 

Also, Windows has the built-in ability to place your icons anywhere you like on your desktop.  This has been a feature since Windows 98.  Why can we not place icons wherever we like within our fences?  Seems like a big step backward to me...

 

Thanks!

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I know it's a bit of extra work however. I'm sure you know if you renamed your program VNC Viewer to VNC you would know what it is. Same for the long name with Nero. Just rename it Nero. This happens with about anything including regular desktop icons. Now Object Dock is fine because when you highlight over a icon only one is visable at a time. This isn't a program solution only a personal solution. Even with Photoshop which will usually fit I rename it to PS.

I could be wrong but I believe Fences uses regular desktop icons and there lies the problem because they will show the entire name. Shorten them up and all will look great.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

What looks odd to me is how large the text font is compared to the Icon size.  I have long names in my Fences without these issues your pics show. 

In fact when I highlight an icon within a fence it shows a background box that contains the icon and all text.  These background boxes never overlap and no text bumps into other text nor do they get truncated on the edge of the Fence. 

Are you using custom sizes for your icons and text?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

It looks like you've set your icon size to 'Classic'.  At the moment, Fences is set to work with 'Medium' sized icons, which is why you're seeing the overlapping and cutting off.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Awesome...another feature baked into Windows Vista/7 which Fences nullifies...

Want more screen real estate?  Click on your desktop, hold the ctrl button down, and roll your mouse wheel down.  BUT - don't do it if you have Fences installed... Windows + Fences = Forced to live in Grandma eyesight mode.

Any other 'features' Stardock would like to include in Fences that would make the use of it in a Windows environment moot?  I have an idea!  Lets remove that pesky text under the icons!  Hell, lets just get rid of the icon altogether and people can wish a shortcut into use...wait...

</sarcasm>

So, basically, what you are all saying is that I have to have my icons a specific size or Fences is going to go all retarded on me?  And, instead of using a full application name as the text, I have to rename it to something different or, again, Fences is going to go all retarded on me?  Eye candy with extremely limited functionality, a horrific update rate, and absolutely no common sense used in its creation OR uninstall?

Hmmmm...  Interesting customer service standpoint - "YOU are the problem.  Stop trying to take advantage of features built into Windows and learn how to use OUR program.  NO!  We will not add any kind of support for anything you want!  Thanks for paying! BYE!"

 

Stardock used to be "the company" when it came to customizing your OS.  What the heck happened to you guys?  Oh yeah... ^^^

One more tag for you folks

</Stardock Customer>

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

No one is forcing you to use Fences.  Honestly, we think it's a great app, if you don't like everything it does, don't use it.  Don't think it's not updated often enough?  Don't use it.  Don't like the "limited" functionality?  Don't install it.

On the other hand, if you want to makea request (without snark) to improve the app, . . . we love that.  

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have windows 7 and I have no problems with fences it all lines up great on my laptop and desktop. 

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 7

No one is forcing you to use Fences.  Honestly, we think it's a great app, if you don't like everything it does, don't use it.  Don't think it's not updated often enough?  Don't use it.  Don't like the "limited" functionality?  Don't install it.

On the other hand, if you want to makea request (without snark) to improve the app, . . . we love that.  
End of Zubaz's quote

 

See this? Whoever wrote this should be ashamed of themselves. To be so ridiculously flippant in regard to a user issue, a user who has PAID for the product is just unacceptable. I have bought Fences in the past but equally found the font and layout to be amateurish. I have installed a new PC and thought, tell you what I'm sure they've resolved the problem by now, I'll give it another shot, but no it's still dreadful in that department. To then suggest that people have no right to complain and that they shouldn't use a product they have paid for is pathetic and totally unprofessional.

All that this reply has done is ensure that I never use a Stardock product again. Zubaz flippancy has cost the company money. They may not be an official employee (which might give some level of understanding why he was so rude) although they have a Stardock support icon next to their, however if they are an official employee then their response it completely unacceptable. They have sounded like a 10 year old child when someone has said they didn't like a picture they drew.

 

Want me to be equally as flippant..

Stardock? Star dicks, more like.

See how easy it is? Doesn't solve the problem though, does it?

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

RickyRiot... Fences brings new and different functionality to the desktop.  Doing so may or may not affect other existing options within the Vanilla OS.

Zubaz is inherently correct.  The adoption or not [of Fences] is the customer's choice.  Limitations will need to be accepted especially if they cannot be adressed.  They are invariably caused by the OS shell...and Fences [as is] functions perfectly within those boundaries.

WHEN a customer requests/suggests changes to the feature list/options of a program it's purchase price does not grant entitlement to be abusive and sarcastic.

Take a leaf from the OP with regards to polite conduct.

By comment #6, 'customer' comments have been less than ideal.

If you wish to no longer use a Stardock product again I can see no need for you to continue to participate on these forums.