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You guys are a diverse group. You might be able to share
some interesting ideas that I haven't even imagined.
I need help figuring out what to do at this point.
In 2016, I started an experiment. Its purpose was to
sharpen my development skills. I didn't set out to
build anything or accomplish any goal. I just started
experimenting aimlessly. It's 8 years later, and I'm
still working on it. I've put at least 10,000 hours
into this thing.
I'm still not sure what it is, or what purpose it could
serve, but I've inadvertently created a web application.
So, what do I turn this thing into? That's where I need
ideas from you guys.
As of right now, I'm building it into a GUI platform
that allows developers to build and run custom web
applications. Unlimited users can create an unlimited
number of web apps, with unlimited 'desktops', and unlimited
'windows'.
Maybe I can turn it into a development tool for
building online video games. Maybe I could build an online
image editing app. I don't know.
Should I place it on GitHub with an open-source public
license so that everyone can build it into something?
That could be interesting.
What do you think?
I haven't yet created a user accounts system for it, so
right now it's open to everyone. I invite you to mess with
it and see what you can break. You can do what you'd like,
as long as it's not malicious, illegal, or causes harm to
anyone. You can create new 'windows', and add scripts/HTML/CSS
to them if you'd like. If any ideas come to mind, please share
them.
The main link is: https://chromosphere.com
I created a 'main menu editor tool' feature that allows you to create and edit
the main menu for the page. You can mess with it here: Main Menu Editor.
Please keep the profanity to a minimum.
Thanks, guys. 
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I expected Main Menu | Cascade All to cascade the windows but it seems to restore them from a minimized state. I think you may want to rename that action Restore All and implement a true Cascade (and Tile Horizontally and Tile Vertically) command at some point.
None of the other menu items (other than those under Main Menu) appear to do anything (yet).
/ravi
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Ravi Bhavnani wrote: I expected Main Menu | Cascade All to cascade the windows but it seems to restore them from a minimized state. I think you may want to rename that action Restore All and implement a true Cascade (and Tile Horizontally and Tile Vertically) command at some point.
I'm not entirely sure about which windows to restore to cascade. For example, if a window is in a maximized state, then it's exempt from the "cascade all" command. Do you think I should include maximized windows in the "restore all"/"cascade all" feature? The windows that are displayed in "tabbed view" are also exempt from the "restore all"/"cascade all" feature as well. It's sort of an ambiguous decision that I had made. I'm making this stuff up as I go.
The other main menu items are set to call "void(0);" upon a click event. You can modify that using the "Main Menu Editor" link. I should point out that this whole thing is in perpetual test mode. I wasn't clear on that in my original post.
Do you have any ideas on what I should do with this massive project? Having put so much work into it, I would like to give it a purpose. What do you think?
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Ravi Bhavnani wrote: I suggest following the standard behavior of MDI (multiple document interface)[^].
Oh, wow. That's awesome. Thank you for sharing that with me, Ravi. 
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Make it like one of those 'trillion pixel pictures', where everyone can populate a square range out of your 'windows'? See what type of overall 'picture' they would make when zoomed out, and the whole app sags under the pressure and brings the entire internet to its knees? 
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Plus, if each Pixel costs 10 cents you'll be rich ... 
Rules for the FOSW ![ ^]
MessageBox.Show(!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_signature)
? $"This is my signature:{Environment.NewLine}{_signature}": "404-Signature not found");
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Ah, I like that idea!
David O'Neil wrote: Make it like one of those 'trillion pixel pictures', where everyone can populate a square range out of your 'windows'? See what type of overall 'picture' they would make when zoomed out, and the whole app sags under the pressure and brings the entire internet to its knees?
The cool thing about what you mentioned is that very same concept has come across my mind before. I have things engineered to allow for such a feature, but I haven't gotten around to trying the concept out.
I was thinking that you could design any window to expand to fill the screen, and it would convert the window into a new desktop element. Once the new desktop element is created, any child windows of that window turned desktop would display. It would be like having unlimited web apps that are all nested.
David O'Neil wrote: and the whole app sags under the pressure and brings the entire internet to its knees?
World domination would be all mine! I'm planning to take over the world anyway, but I can't find any nuclear ICBMs for sale on the Internet. Even on the dark web, I can't find any uranium 235, or plutonium. Not even Amazon sells it. Walmart? Nope. Target? Nope. Ebay? ...surprisingly not. If any of you guys can find nuclear weapons for sale, please tell me. I'll pay top dollar and give you 25% commission.
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The Lounge[^]
And I need to be on a watch list because I do not like cats. 
Within you lies the power for good - Use it!
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Thank you! You just sparked me with a great idea!
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Steve Raw wrote: I've put at least 10,000 hours into this thing.
Schweet. It's always cool when a project comes together.
Steve Raw wrote: Please keep the profanity to a minimum.
Awww dang. 
Steve Raw wrote: Thanks, guys.
Hate to say it buddy, but the whole windows in a window thing has been around for a while man. For instance, Windows 96. Don't shoot the messenger.
The obvious difference between yours and the link I posted of course it, it seems as if you more user configurable in the browser itself. So, given what we know, we gotta find a target audience and/or what you want this thing to do. You can rule out most web developers because there's no need for them to use this... that's just the cold hard truth.
Making this a dev type environment for non-web devs is also a no-go. You can use VS Code (and other envs) in the web browser. It's backed by MS too.
So, what then, make we ask... what would become of this?
Seems this would be better suited for DevOps/Network engineers/hacker wannabes. Technical peeps but not necessarily web devs, where each window is essentially a terminal that exposes their favorite network tools exposed on a server somewhere. So essentially it's a configurable multi-window web terminal rather than SSH in to a box they have.
Also, side note, not sure it works with a high DPI monitor. I couldn't see most of the items as they were scaled too large. In Firefox if that helps.
Jeremy Falcon
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Jeremy Falcon wrote: Hate to say it buddy, but the whole windows in a window thing has been around for a while man. For instance, Windows 96. Don't shoot the messenger.
Actually, I agree with you on this. What purposes could it serve besides just keeping my skills up? It's a fun project, and it's more of a meandering experiment than anything, but can there be more to it?
There is one exception to my argument, however.
I've had a startup company approach me wanting a front-end dev.
It wasn't possible for me to meet their demand. We had many long
discussions, but it just couldn't work.
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Jeremy Falcon wrote: Also, side note, not sure it works with a high DPI monitor. I couldn't see most of the items as they were scaled too large. In Firefox if that helps.
Oops. I missed your last comment.
That's a mystery. I set the default zoom to be 80%. I haven't any idea how that could happen. 
Are you able to do anything to replicate the problem?
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I should also say that Windows 96 will allow third party apps too, but AFAIK it still takes a web dev to make one. It also has a terminal. But, the terminal on it is limited and AFAIK doesn't run commands on the server and just tries to emulate them on the client.
What could set yours apart is the terminal running against the server for a terminal window, so it's actually useful.
Jeremy Falcon
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Windows within a browser window is definitely something to explore. I’m not sure what you or someone else may use your technique for, but if it’s unique and sound, I’m sure someone can build something with it.
Note: I read my morning Code Project on an iPad with Firefox. Your interface doesn’t behave well on it (I think @JeremyFalcon mentioned this too).
Whatever you end up up doing with it, kudos. Have fun with it.
Time is the differentiation of eternity devised by man to measure the passage of human events.
- Manly P. Hall
Mark
Just another cog in the wheel
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Mark Starr wrote: I read my morning Code Project on an iPad with Firefox. Your interface doesn’t behave well on it (I think @JeremyFalcon mentioned this too).
Whatever you end up up doing with it, kudos. Have fun with it.
Thank you, Mark. Yes, I've been so focused on the desktop/laptop interface that I haven't had the chance to create a touch-screen compatible version. One day, I'll get to the mobile phone UI, too. I may become elderly and senile by the time I get to it, so I can't make any promises.
In the meantime, how would I go about managing this issue of device compatibility? That's going to require some thought.
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Hi Steve,
Quote: managing this issue of device compatibility?
Some IDEs have extensions or plugins for device emulators. But I don't really know that much about it. I'm retired now and when working I was on the back-end of things.
Cheers,
Time is the differentiation of eternity devised by man to measure the passage of human events.
- Manly P. Hall
Mark
Just another cog in the wheel
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I was frustrated when I pressed the "X" on a window and then had to select a drop down button of close. I can't imagine what this could be useful for so other than that small feedback, I'm of no use. Now I'm gonna go work so I can play outside this afternoon.
Hogan
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snorkie wrote: I'm of no use.
Oh, quite the opposite, actually. Feedback on user interface design and user experience,
is absolute gold. developers spend money to gather user feedback.
I've never been happy with the drop-down menu on the close 'window' icon.
I put it there to avoid accidentally closing a window. I hadn't developed
the system to save 'windows' and their content yet. Now that I have the
ability to save 'window' content, closing a 'window' on accident is no big
deal. Now, I can just open it again.
I think I'll disable it. It served its purpose, and it's no longer needed.
Thank you!
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"I've been busier than a three-legged cat in a factory where they make rocking chairs out of old razor blades."
- Me, responding to the 6,731st email asking when I'd be done
Software Zen: delete this;
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"I'd be closer to being done if I didn't have to respond to pointless emails, like this one."
I’ve given up trying to be calm. However, I am open to feeling slightly less agitated.
I’m begging you for the benefit of everyone, don’t be STUPID.
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Busier than a cat trying to bury poop on a marble floor!
If you can't find time to do it right the first time, how are you going to find time to do it again?
PartsBin an Electronics Part Organizer - Release Version 1.4.0 (Many new features) JaxCoder.com
Latest Article: EventAggregator
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My Dad used to say, "I'm busier than a one-armed paper hanger."
"They have a consciousness, they have a life, they have a soul! Damn you! Let the rabbits wear glasses! Save our brothers! Can I get an amen?"
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My parents extended that to "I'm busier than a one-armed paper hanger with hives!"
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My dad used to say "Busier than a one legged man in an butt kicking contest"
To err is human to really elephant it up you need a computer
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