Configure Start8...

from Stardock Forums

@ Stardock,

I am using Start8 version 1.1. RC

Looking in my crystal ball I can see a real potential for increased user problems (or "surprises"), as well as possibly increasing the need for support to rectify why Start8 now doesn't work as before, because of the now present ability to enter into Start8's configuration settings by merely "Right clicking on empty areas of the Start menu shows the Configure Start8 option" (which includes the area surrounding the "Search programs and files" text input field).

And once in its configuration most settings can easily and unintentionally be altered just by accidentally clicking on any of the white-space (or empty area) to the right of any of its configurable settings. No need to click directly on the setting's name or check box to make the change.

I presume these extra entry points to Configure Start8 were added because of this additional change: "to make right clicking the start button when at the bottom of the screen open the Win + X menu." However, I do not really see why that new option is included in Start8, because even with Start8 installed (and without its new 'feature') one can already access the Win + X menu by right clicking the lower left-hand corner of the taskbar (immediately next to the Start8 button - for the sake of a few pixels), or via the keyboard combo.

Perhaps the Configure Start8 option could be removed from the "empty areas of the Start menu" and instead be added to the Win + X menu, seeing that Win + X menu already has several apps/programs which could alter the way Windows operates. And when not using the new Win + X menu feature, return the Configure Start8 option back to where it had been: that way the entry point is limited and always found by right clicking on the Start button, regardless whether the Win + X option is enabled or not.

regards,

Laurence

start8
4,696 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

The configure Start8 option should only appear when right clicking in Windows 7 would have provided the properties menu item.  In this sense it is identical to how things work on Windows 7 just saying "Configure Start8 vs Properties".

Regarding clicking on white space, checkboxes naturally extend further than their text in order to handle translations and any area of them is clickable, not just the text.  I will see if we can override the OS on this to make it so the text area + checkbox bit are the only clickable areas though.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Neil, reply 1
The configure Start8 option should only appear when right clicking in Windows 7 would have provided the properties menu item.  In this sense it is identical to how things work on Windows 7 just saying "Configure Start8 vs Properties".

Regarding clicking on white space, checkboxes naturally extend further than their text in order to handle translations and any area of them is clickable, not just the text.  I will see if we can override the OS on this to make it so the text area + checkbox bit are the only clickable areas though.
End of Neil's quote

Hi Neil,

Not quite identical; in Windows 7 accessing the Properties option would also be available by right clicking the start button (as well as Open Windows Explorer), whereas in Windows 8 (and using Start8) right clicking the start button does not show Configure Start8 (nor Open Windows Explorer). Thus not identical. ;-)

Thank you for looking into the second point.

regards,

Laurence 

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Laurence3, reply 2
Quoting Neil Banfield, reply 1The configure Start8 option should only appear when right clicking in Windows 7 would have provided the properties menu item.  In this sense it is identical to how things work on Windows 7 just saying "Configure Start8 vs Properties".

Regarding clicking on white space, checkboxes naturally extend further than their text in order to handle translations and any area of them is clickable, not just the text.  I will see if we can override the OS on this to make it so the text area + checkbox bit are the only clickable areas though.

Hi Neil,

Not quite identical; in Windows 7 accessing the Properties option would also be available by right clicking the start button (as well as Open Windows Explorer), whereas in Windows 8 (and using Start8) right clicking the start button does not show Configure Start8 (nor Open Windows Explorer). Thus not identical. 

Thank you for looking into the second point.

regards,

Laurence 
End of Laurence3's quote

Configure Start8 is an option when right clicking the start button.  It is only not an option if you have the setting enabled to use the Win+X menu instead.