Need a better way to resize windows, dragging the lower right corner doesn't cut it.

jgombos · 09-29-2006, 01:53 PM

I've been spoiled with all the varieties of linux windows managers, which come with a better set of window management tools, like multiple desktops, keystroke mapping, and the ability to hold down the meta key while dragging any part of a window to resize it, or holding control while dragging to move a window.

It's irritating (and sometimes impossible) to have to mouse over to the lower right and grab on to the few pixels Apple makes available to resize - and if the corner is off the screen because the previous resolution was higher, resizing is unavailable when it's needed most.

Tips? I must be missing something.

yellow · 09-29-2006, 02:29 PM

You're not missing anything.. that's the way (and always has been) all Apple OSes have resized windows, from the lower right hand corner. AFAIK, there's no way to change this short of replacing the Finder with an alternative Finder (like PathFinder). And I'm unsure if PathFinder allows you to resize from places other than the lower right hand corner.

It's funny.. it's all about how one learns. I HATE the way Windows resizes windows. I have the worst time getting the cursor in the proper position to change to the resize cursor. But I have no troubles in Solaris (of course I've not tried every windowmanager under the sun (no pun intended)) or OS X.

AHunter3 · 09-29-2006, 03:03 PM

What yellow said (especially the part about hating the way windows in MS op systems resize).

But you can use WindowDragon if the thought of running Unsanity's APE doesn't give you the heebie jeebies. I use it, not for window resizing (which it does) but for window moving. Excel has an annoying way of opening certain workbook files with the titlebar directly under the bloody toolbars. WindowDragon lets me hold down some modifier keys and grab it from anywhere. (That's how it implements resizing from any edge, too — you use a modifier key).

yellow · 09-29-2006, 03:09 PM

Hmm.. interesting app. Caveat Emptor on the haxies.. but if one is brave..

styrafome · 09-29-2006, 03:10 PM

I have resorted to writing AppleScripts to resize windows to my favorite sizes or to get the whole thing back on screen. If I want to fix a window I just type the script name in Spotlight and press Return.

This one sets my Safari window to full screen on a PowerBook.

tell application "Safari"
set the bounds of window 1 to {0, 22, 1280, 854}
end tell

It would be nice if Apple did provide more window control.

NovaScotian · 09-29-2006, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by styrafome


	I have resorted to writing AppleScripts to resize windows to my favorite sizes or to get the whole thing back on screen. If I want to fix a window I just type the script name in Spotlight and press Return. This one sets my Safari window to full screen on a PowerBook. tell application "Safari" set the bounds of window 1 to {0, 22, 1280, 854} end tell It would be nice if Apple did provide more window control.

Not all apps use 'bounds'. Some, like Preview, use 'position' (Top Left corner) and 'size' (bottom right corner with respect to top left)

hayne · 09-29-2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgombos


	and if the corner is off the screen because the previous resolution was higher, resizing is unavailable when it's needed most.

To fix this particular problem, use the zoom controls (the green blob at top left of the window, or the "Zoom" menu item in the "Windows" menu).

09-29-2006, 01:53 PM	#1
jgombos Prospect Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 39	Need a better way to resize windows, dragging the lower right corner doesn't cut it. I've been spoiled with all the varieties of linux windows managers, which come with a better set of window management tools, like multiple desktops, keystroke mapping, and the ability to hold down the meta key while dragging any part of a window to resize it, or holding control while dragging to move a window. It's irritating (and sometimes impossible) to have to mouse over to the lower right and grab on to the few pixels Apple makes available to resize - and if the corner is off the screen because the previous resolution was higher, resizing is unavailable when it's needed most. Tips? I must be missing something.

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09-29-2006, 02:29 PM	#2
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,660	You're not missing anything.. that's the way (and always has been) all Apple OSes have resized windows, from the lower right hand corner. AFAIK, there's no way to change this short of replacing the Finder with an alternative Finder (like PathFinder). And I'm unsure if PathFinder allows you to resize from places other than the lower right hand corner. It's funny.. it's all about how one learns. I HATE the way Windows resizes windows. I have the worst time getting the cursor in the proper position to change to the resize cursor. But I have no troubles in Solaris (of course I've not tried every windowmanager under the sun (no pun intended)) or OS X.

09-29-2006, 03:03 PM	#3
AHunter3 Hall of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 2,830	What yellow said (especially the part about hating the way windows in MS op systems resize). But you can use WindowDragon if the thought of running Unsanity's APE doesn't give you the heebie jeebies. I use it, not for window resizing (which it does) but for window moving. Excel has an annoying way of opening certain workbook files with the titlebar directly under the bloody toolbars. WindowDragon lets me hold down some modifier keys and grab it from anywhere. (That's how it implements resizing from any edge, too — you use a modifier key).

09-29-2006, 03:09 PM	#4
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,660	Hmm.. interesting app. Caveat Emptor on the haxies.. but if one is brave..

09-29-2006, 03:10 PM	#5
styrafome Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,667	I have resorted to writing AppleScripts to resize windows to my favorite sizes or to get the whole thing back on screen. If I want to fix a window I just type the script name in Spotlight and press Return. This one sets my Safari window to full screen on a PowerBook. tell application "Safari" set the bounds of window 1 to {0, 22, 1280, 854} end tell It would be nice if Apple did provide more window control.