A new idea for resizing of forms to fit resolution 2

[FireViking]

I have read some of the past threads and noticed that everyone is trying to resize forms to fit the screen resolution. I know this sounds basic but why not change the screen resolution on app startup. I dont have an idea where to start from but maybe someone can help me, because I have have created apps in 800*600 or 1028*768 and the end user has a resolution lower which doesnt show all the form.
Any ideas appreciated.

 

[tlbroadbent]

When you change the screen resolution, it changes for all applications. Users don't want applications to change the screen resolution. The application has to run within the user chosen resolution. That is why we talk about adapting the application form size to the user's screen. Imagine what would happen if multiple applications changed screen resolution.

Often, an application may require a minimum resolution. This should be clearly stated to the user so the user can decide whether the install the app or not.

I remember installing an application for my children. It required 800x600 resolution. I was running 1024x768 so there should have been no problem. However, the application wouldn't run unless the resolution was changed to 800x600. I let the software company know that this was unacceptable. Terry L. Broadbent
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[ErikZ]

Heh, and changing the basic settings is just inviting trouble. Not to mention the irratation of your users.

I just design my apps for 800*600. I've found that people who use 640*480 don't even know what screen res is. Those who complain to me will be shown.

Come on people, I was using 1024*768 on my 386-40 back in 1989!

 

[JimHorton]

Erik,
I didn't even know what a computer was in 1989! My first application, in 1994, I had only 10 or so forms, and I carefully created duplicates for each--one set fitting 640x480 and one set fitting 800x600. At startup the user had a choice of which resolution, upon making the choice, I renamed, ie. frmOrders_640 to frmOrders, and so on, first checking to see which form was already frmOrders, etc. and renaming it back to, say frmOrders_800, etc.

Talk about a maintenance nightmare! It did the job, though. I had later read some code in an Access book that dynamically resized, but it was imprecise--the resultant forms always looked jagged, things never lined up just right--close, and a good effort (I think it was by Ken Getz), but not the perfect solution. Sticking with 800/600 as a standard is the best way in my opinion. If a user has 640x480, just I tell them to get real (in a slightly more tactful way), and you may be tucked a bit to the upper left when they have bigger screen res, but that's the way it goes.
--Jim

 

[FireViking]

Thank you for your comments.