How to force IE to open new windows in the back? 1

[MissouriTiger]

My latest conundrum...

Background: I am a power user (a software developer). I commonly have 5 to 10 or even 15 applications running at once, and typically have many browser windows open too. For example, while I'm writing this I count 26 windows open altogether.

I'm constantly popping browsers open and fetching web-pages, and I don't just sit there and wait for them to finish downloading, but I continue with what I'm working on while the pages load in the background. I often do a Google search and click 4 or 5 links and let them all load while I'm doing other things.

The problem is that IE doesn't stay in the background. The minute it is finished loading a page it pushes itself to the focus, totally screwing up what ever I'm working on. So, if I'm typing something I loose the cursor, etc, and it is infuriating!

So, I recently figured out how to stop IE from stealing the focus, with a registry hack. But of course, that introduced a new problem. Now, if everything is minimized when I click on the IE icon on my desktop, IE opens minimized. This is a real pain in the ass. Since I typically minimmze everything when I want to go to the desktop, this means that IE is always opening minimized. I hate that.

I want to do 2 things:

1. I want to fix it so that IE always launches in the back, behind other windows, and stays there until I need it.

2. And I would like to force IE to always open at a specified window size, always and forever.

Is there a way to do either of these? I'm willing to use third party software if necessary. I realize that Windows isn't adequate to provide a complete user experience.





Greg Norris
Software Developer & all around swell guy

http://www.GregNorris.net

__________________________________________________
Constructed from 100% recycled electrons.

 

[linney]

Have you looked at using another browser?

IE 7 beta, is getting reasonably stable for day to day use and might be worth looking at.

http://www.jiisoft.com/iemaximizer/index.htm

This program will automatically maximize new Internet Explorer and Outlook Express windows for you. It also includes a function for hiding/closing all IE windows with a user defined hotkey.

You can also open new IE windows and automatically have them sent to the background.
The program is also capable of closing popup windows.


OR THIS

AutoSizer and can be downloaded from

http://www.southbaypc.com/AutoSizer/

 

[MissouriTiger]

Hey linney, I gave you a star. Actually, I got kinda button happy and I think I ended up giving ya more than one. You are the reason Tek-Tips rules! I know, it's not about stars, or votes, it's about helping each other out, and I appreciate your taking a minute to give me some tips.

I downloaded & installed AutoSizer and it works great for sizing new winders. I still need to work on the "move to back" part though. I'll probably give iemaximizer a shot too.

I also use Firefox. It has lots of cool add-ons for developers.

Speaking of other browsers, have you ever used Konquerer? So far it's only available for Linux. It was developed by the KDE team (I think). Anyway, it is fantastic! I wish they would come out with a EWindows version. I'm including a couple links in case your interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konqueror

http://www.konqueror.org/

Thanks again buddy!




Greg Norris
Software Developer & all around swell guy

http://www.GregNorris.net

__________________________________________________
Constructed from 100% recycled electrons.

 

[linney]

When Knoppix first arrived on the scene I did have a look at Konqueror, but that was a couple of years ago, and I never went too far with Knoppix because BartPE seemed more suitable to my XP type of mind. If I remember correctly, BartPE led my to look at this lightweight, no fuss, browser.

Off By One Web Browser Overview

http://www.offbyone.com/ob1_overview.htm

 

[dexter195]

i would use maxthon

http://www.maxthon.com

its able to open pages that only open up in internet explorer (a lot of web pages that i use are work specific and wont open in opera or firefox) but they always work in maxthon. its got the tabbing function which is what you need and its also got the mouse gesters. its also free.

also as your a software developer, you would greatly benifit from using duel monitors, i used them when i was doing web development and makes the job a hell of a lot easier because you dont have to be flicking screens up and down and resizing them. also you can have your resulting webpage on one screen and you can change the resolution as you need to (while keeping the other screen at a seperate resolution) so you can test to see how its looks on these different resolutions.

hope thats a help

 

[MissouriTiger]

I really appreciate all the tips. Man, I never knew those browser existed.

Thanks a bunch!




Greg Norris
Software Developer & all around swell guy

http://www.GregNorris.net

__________________________________________________
Constructed from 100% recycled electrons.