Any way to stop active window coming to the front?

[4wd]

Hello all, is there any way to stop active windows coming to the front?

I'd really like to be able to type into a window that's partially
behind another without it coming to the front and obscuring the one I'm
trying to view.

My old Amiga let me do this and it was very handy.

And no, I don't really want to buy a bigger monitor.

TIA,
Dave

 

[bxf]

Strictly from a common sense perspective, in order for your request to
be logical, Windows somehow would have to know that all input fields in
the widow where you are typing are visible, yes? Otherwise, how are
you supposed to enter data in a space that is not visible? And, if
there are input fields that are hiding behind another window, how would
you propose to bring the widow to the front?

Just a thought.

 

[Mickey Mouse]

And now for an answer that's not going to call you stupid.
You obviously have your reasons to do this but unfortunately you can't,
sorry.
Let me apologise for bxf, so many people like him around and that is very
unfortunate .

Mickey

 

[NickC]

Strictly from a common sense perspective, in order for your request to
be logical, Windows somehow would have to know that all input fields
in the widow where you are typing are visible, yes?

Why is that Window's responsibility? All it needs to know is which
window has focus.

Otherwise, how are you supposed to enter data in a space that is not
visible?

By moving the obscuring window.

And, if there are input fields that are hiding behind another window,
how would you propose to bring the widow to the front?

By moving the obscuring window.

To the OP, try this, I use it for exactly what you want:
<http://www.eusing.com/WindowManager/WindowManager.htm>

Also, if you have an nVidia card, the nVidia tuneup(? I think that's
what it's called, the utility you can get when you download a driver)
has a feature that also lets you do this.

 

[bxf]

And now for an answer that's not going to call you stupid.
You obviously have your reasons to do this but unfortunately you can't,
sorry.
Let me apologise for bxf, so many people like him around and that is very
unfortunate .

Mickey

I was not calling anybody stupid, so your attack is somewhat
unwarranted. I was merely expressing the thoughts as they came to me,
which is why I said "from a common sense perspective", as opposed to
conclusions drawn after some deep analysis. I fail to see where I used
any strong language in my response, and whereas I don't give a shit
what YOU think, I'd like to think that the OP was not offended by my
response, as certainly no offense was intended, nor do I see where I
invoke such conclusions.

Admittedly, my thoughts are shaped by what I'm used to using i.e.
Windows, where, as far as I know, we don't have the capability to do
what the OP wishes to do. Geez, I wan't even pretending to give a
definitive answer, for heavens' sake! I think you need to pipe down, MM.

 

[bxf]

Why is that Window's responsibility? All it needs to know is which
window has focus.

Fair enough. Things sometimes don't come automatically when they
conflict with the way one is used to doing things ie. as with Windows.

By moving the obscuring window.


By moving the obscuring window.

Of course, by if one is in a position to move the obscuring Window
without causing interference with something else, it could be argued
that the windows could have been positioned in a convenient manner in
the first place - at least some of the time. The implication is that
the monitor is not large enough to accomodate all the windows without
some conflict.

Anyway, before this gets out of hand, let's not make a bigger deal out
of this than was intended. As my post clearly says, it was "just a
thought", not an argument, not a definitive answer, and not even
pretending to be a REAL answer.

 

[NickC]

Of course, by if one is in a position to move the obscuring Window
without causing interference with something else, it could be argued
that the windows could have been positioned in a convenient manner in
the first place - at least some of the time. The implication is that
the monitor is not large enough to accomodate all the windows without
some conflict.

Sure. Just FYI, the Unix desktop has features like this. You can pin a
window on top and, even handier, shrink it to just a title bar by
clicking on it. It's very useful if you're writing code and need to
also have a help window that describes the functions you're using. Pin
it on top, then when you've finished reading, click the title bar to
shrink the window and expose the editor. Just click the help title bar
again to view the API docs.

If the OP is still reading , here's another handy utility that lets
you shrink the title bar:
<http://www.shelltoys.com/mouse_software/index.html>

If you're doing programming, you'll find it the one I mentioned in a
previous post very handy.

Anyway, before this gets out of hand, let's not make a bigger deal out
of this than was intended. As my post clearly says, it was "just a
thought", not an argument, not a definitive answer, and not even
pretending to be a REAL answer.

Sounds good.

 

[4wd]

A 17" monitor is fine, however some programs need not have all of their
window visible but unfortunately Windows has been programmed to be that
way.

Sure. Just FYI, the Unix desktop has features like this. You can pin a
window on top and, even handier, shrink it to just a title bar by
clicking on it. It's very useful if you're writing code and need to
also have a help window that describes the functions you're using. Pin
it on top, then when you've finished reading, click the title bar to
shrink the window and expose the editor. Just click the help title bar
again to view the API docs.

Exactly what I used it for, it allowed me to type into an editor while
being able to view the full function/program/etc docs, I didn't need to
see what I was actually typing until finished.

If the OP is still reading , here's another handy utility that lets
you shrink the title bar:
<http://www.shelltoys.com/mouse_software/index.html>

If you're doing programming, you'll find it the one I mentioned in a
previous post very handy.

Thanks, downloading as I type.

Dave

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hello all, is there any way to stop active windows coming to the front?

Well, no. The request is self-contradictory. By definition, the
"active" windows is the one that takes precedence, and moves to the front.




--

Bruce Chambers

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