Forums Feature Suggestions multiple switchbars

I don't know about the majority of mirc users, but some of us are in multiple channels, spanning multiple servers... and it gets to be a problem when your switchbar fills up completely and you can't see anything else as it extends towards the bottom of the switchbar.

I know this can be avoided, at least to an extent, if I put the switchbar on the top or bottom, and use three lines, but that doesn't look very good.. I like to have my switchbar on the left of the screen where everything is vertical. It would be nice to be able to enable another one, either by placing it on the opposite side of the screen and dedicating it to certain windows, such as DCC sends, messages, and other things that are not server windows or chat windows..

I don't think this is a bad idea, it might look quite nice. The arguments I foresee coming are:

- How many people connect to that many networks to make this worthwhile?
- Why on Earth would you need or want to connect to that many networks/servers, as you couldn't possibly keep up with them all.

I don't think a lot of people do connect to that many networks, and from all the screenshots I see, I don't think many people make use of the multiple-line capability in the switchbar. I am completely at a loss as to why anyone would need to connect to that many. However, I use 3 networks and that's 2 too many for some people so we all have different uses

I wouldn't mind seeing it personally.

Regards,

Some would regard the reason somewhat legally shaky, but most don't see a big problem with it... I run a fileserver for anime episodes which have not yet been licensed in north america... Arguably, it's illegal whether or not it's licensed in america, seeing as it's copyrighted in Japan.. however nobody really kicks up a fuss because it's all for non profit, and fans, at least the ones who resepect the american companies, will stop distributing such videos when the american company, such as ADV, announces that they bought rights to show xx..

The issue now is that I'm connected to 5 networks at once -- I don't really watch all the channels, as it can't be done.. but I occasionally chat in one or two if I'm feeling up to chatting with the locals.. It just annoys me that I can't see what files I'm sending or recieving, nor can I see private messages, as my switchbar is already filled up with channel windows..

The issue a lot of the time is not necessary the legality of the files, but the fact that mIRC is not a file sharing program. It is not a KaZaa hybrid. I'm not going to go into a big tirade over it though. I was suspicious that the only reason people would connect to that many networks is to file share, which is precisely the reason that would deter me from wanting this included in mIRC. People that actually use mIRC to chat generally do not connect to 5+ networks.

Regards,

This could have benefits for other people though.. like you said, it could look nice and help organize windows better on screen.. say if somebody could have all private chats in one section, and all channel windows in another section.

I would like to se it as an ON/OFF option.. I run my switch bar on the left so i can fit a few more "readable" tabs. As for needing that many open, well arguably, IRCops/Admins, sometimes NEED to monitor a bunch of channels. I also log onto multiple networks, a few are very small and not active all the time so i just idle, say hello when I see someone active, combine that with the large network random queries/spams - stuff gets a little clutered at times. Being that on my screen I can fit 28 tabs they do run out quickly. Also one would have to take into consideration Channel founders on networks that dont support channel/nick registration, bots run on the same client (silly but done), custom @windows for misc info...... there are many legit reasons also. I can see easily the not so legit reasons but what can you do.
If it were made I for one would make good use of it!

my 2 cents
-cheers

Why not a treeview switchbar?
Like this.
Works fine, but if it would be included to mIRC, it would surely work better.. ;]

I assume that's an add-on of some kind? how would I get it?

Try downloading somekinda "treeview switchbar" if you know anything about scripting.. not too easy to make.. but would be nice in mIRC already, without being an addon :]

I think the likely issue with that suggestion is that mIRC would look too much "like a script". That is often an argument. Things like away systems or built-in mp3 systems have not been incorporated into mIRC quite possibly because mIRC would just not look very good, and besides, their so easily obtained from scripting websites there'd be little point in doing it, and at the same time, making mIRC look like a script itself rather than a client.

As this thread says, it's unlikely something will be incorporated if easily scripted. Not to say it won't happen, just unlikely. This look is easily obtained with existing DLLs and, even though not easily scripted, is easily incorporated from the hard work of others, and their generosity in letting "the public" use their work.

Personally I have no qualms with it being in mIRC as an option, I'd dislike it very much to be the default option.

Regards,