Latest crazy idea - change the UI viewport based on the current screen... do it?

[JdGordon]

Here is my latest crazy skin idea...
Right now using the %Vi token you can specify a single UI viewport which everything uses (ignoring for now the setting which does almost the same thing)... all lists, and screens use that viewport...

Now, what if you could change that viewport based on what screen you are in... would that be useful?

The best example I can come up with is making context menus look like popups using this. and because of some weird redraw bug (nay, feature) the screen wouldn't be fully redrawn so the old list would be in the background with the new context menu list in the foreground!

Now, if this could be done, which screens would you like to be able to use this with?

[gevaerts]

Here is my latest crazy skin idea...
Right now using the %Vi token you can specify a single UI viewport which everything uses (ignoring for now the setting which does almost the same thing)... all lists, and screens use that viewport...

I'll start by disagreeing. The setting does not mean almost the same thing.

Now, what if you could change that viewport based on what screen you are in... would that be useful?

The best example I can come up with is making context menus look like popups using this. and because of some weird redraw bug (nay, feature) the screen wouldn't be fully redrawn so the old list would be in the background with the new context menu list in the foreground!

While I think this sounds like a nice feature, I don't really like the idea of basing it on accidental behaviour. I'd also like to see a bit more details first. I'm not sure of the implications on e.g. themes that use backdrops that were really designed with a specific viewport in mind.

Now, if this could be done, which screens would you like to be able to use this with?

All of them of course :)
Seriously though, I'd say all screens that are expected to be short-lived, like context menu, quickscreen, possibly settings, possibly system, recent bookmarks, ...

[Biont]

Sounds like a good idea. It would definitely allow for some nice effects, especially on touchscreen targets.

Which brings my to a point I already raised in the custom status bar thread: It would be great if menus had a (invisible) back-button, either set by the sbs or the menu itself.


Imagine you'd bring up the sound settings in a small popup window drawn on top of the WPS. Now to go back to the WPS you'd have to go back all the way to the main menu just to get back to the WPS while you could see it in the background of the window all the time.
That'd be pretty awkward and outright ridiculous on touchscreen devices where you'd think a single press on the WPS would bring you back. This is already annoying and would get even worse once menus can be transformed into WPS/SBS popups^^

To sum up: I really really like your idea. Just think about usability as well



EDIT: Honestly, If I understand everything, you could make really awesome things out of this. I hope this gets implemented

[moonscapex]

I agree and was waiting for something like this.