Anyone else think future work should focus on the interface?

[gt83]

I'm currently very pleased with the functionality that TC offers, but the only thing that still peeves me is the interface. I specifically mean the menus, the configuration dialog box, the plugins system, and the hotkeys. All the aforementioned items feel unintuitive and cluttered.

As for solutions, I have my own set of opinons on what should be done. I wouldn't mind a complete reorganization of hotkeys if it meant more logical assignments. It seems as if every new release of TC further complicates things.

The configuration dialog box feels cluttered and finding a specific option can require mutiple cycles through the list. Also, the dependency for 3rd party tools just to activate certain "hidden" options doesn't seem very user friendly. As for the plugins system, it would be nice if all plugin types were collated under a single menu for easy lookup. Plugins should be in their own separate subfolder as well... and yes I am obsessive.

I hope no one takes this as me bashing TC. I love the tool and use it regularly, but I feel some parts of it can be improved on.

[icfu]

It seems as if every new release of TC further complicates things.

This is wrong regarding hotkeys because already existing hotkeys usually don't change. The last change to existing hotkeys was after introducing the tabs when CTRL-M <-> Ctrl-T.

The configuration dialog box feels cluttered and finding a specific option can require mutiple cycles through the list.

Well, this is usually true for all programs and all configuration dialogs. One likes to see option 1 placed in dialog x, another one likes to see the same option in dialog y, it's not possible to suit everyone.
You will get used to the config dialog in no time and even better after some time you won't need it anymore because all those basic options are set...

Also, the dependency for 3rd party tools just to activate certain "hidden" options doesn't seem very user friendly.

You don't need 3rd party tools to activate hidden functions. All you need to do as an advanced TC user is to edit the wincmd.ini file. You are right that some functions should be available in config dialog, too, but it's not easy to decide which one 'cause tastes are different. It should be clear that not all functions can be placed there because that would complicate the dialog.
Just compare the dialog with TC competitors and you will see that TC dialog is not as cluttered as you may think. I highly recommend Directory Opus for example. There are so many options that you have no clue where to start, why to change anything at all and so you'll end up not changing anything at all.

As for the plugins system, it would be nice if all plugin types were collated under a single menu for easy lookup.

Well, they are now. What exactly do you mean? Aren't you using TC 6.50?
You can use TC Plugins Manager as an external tool to administrate plugins. It's way better suited for this task than TC will ever be:
http://www.totalcmd.net/plugring/tc_plugman.html

Plugins should be in their own separate subfolder as well... and yes I am obsessive.

You can decide yourself where to put your plugins. Noone forces you to put them in different locations.

There are already threads running concerning the GUI, hotkeys and stuff like that, just do a search on the forum. The problem is that changing the GUI is a lot of work and the TC author is a one-man-show, not some Open Source community where work can be delegated.

In the end you can change the hotkeys to your liking yourself, it's not very convenient with TC but you can do it.
Maybe you should try out the Ultra TC Hotkeys editor avilable in the following suite:
http://www.totalcmd.net/plugring/ultra_tc_editors.html

Icfu

[Lefteous]

2gt83

The configuration dialog box feels cluttered and finding a specific option can require mutiple cycles through the list.

It see two problems categorization and the choice of the most important options. Both should be improved. Users should be involved in the process of finding the most important settings and categorize settings. A card sorting could give good answers.

[icfu]

Ok, you have my vote. Let's make this thread the revival of the desperate need for a change in TC GUI that has ever been made in history.
I wonder what will happen when we are facing page 15...

Will there be optional icons on the menu?
Will there be text instead of buttons?
Will there be buttons with text displayed at the same time?
Will there be a wincmd.ini containing all switches and will they all be placed in the config dialog, too?
Will there be a united configuration system in which the user can decide what he wants to do where in TC?
Will all buttons, menu items and other GUI stuff be drag&droppable like in Directory Opus to fit users needs?

[to be continued...]

Icfu

[gt83]

Thanks for the replies and hearing some opinions.

I hadn't realized that plugins could be put in folders other than the root TC folder, so I guess this shouldn't be a problem with me anymore. I also mentioned the use of 3rd party tools because it seemed like it was the only way to find out what the hidden options were other than coming to this forum and searching posts. It would be nice if there was an "Advanced" menu where all hidden options are just listed there.

As for the hotkeys, I meant that every new release seems to add a few more hotkeys to the mess. By the looks of the menu, there seem to be no uniform assignments for hotkeys. For example, looking under the "Show" menu, the hotkeys follow no logical pattern. CTRL-F1 and F2 belong to file display, whereas CTRL-F3 to F7 belong to file sort. Then, CTRL-F8 jumps back to file display. Don't even get me started with the CTRL-SHIFT-*. I realize that changing hotkeys around can initially cause problems, but I'm all for it.

Anyways, thanks for sharing your opinions on the topic.

[Sheepdog]

It would be nice if there was an "Advanced" menu where all hidden options are just listed there.

Please have a look at Tota Commander Help Section "wincmd.ini". There are almost all 'hidden' options listed and described. And if something is not really clear feel free to ask here again.

As for the hotkeys, I meant that every new release seems to add a few more hotkeys to the mess. By the looks of the menu, there seem to be no uniform assignments for hotkeys. For example, looking under the "Show" menu, the hotkeys follow no logical pattern. CTRL-F1 and F2 belong to file display, whereas CTRL-F3 to F7 belong to file sort. Then, CTRL-F8 jumps back to file display. Don't even get me started with the CTRL-SHIFT-*. I realize that changing hotkeys around can initially cause problems, but I'm all for it.

The main set of hotkeys has historical reasons. They come from the DOS predecessor Norton Commander. And when there are new features added they have to take the shortcut that left .

After all you may change the shortcuts to your own preferences: Configuration->Options->misc->Redefine Hotkeys.

sheepdog

[gt83]

Thanks for the tips... they are very helpful.