Re: Alt+Tab behavior

On Tue, Dec 22, 2020 at 02:29:13PM -0500, Steve Litt wrote:

> Hi Tina,                                                                                                                
>                                                                                                                         
> I'm writing this email in hopes I can understand how you use ring                                                       
> based alt+tab in the current ctwm, the goal being that maybe I can use
> it as effectively as you do.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                          
 YMMV on "effectively", but here goes:                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                          
 1) .ctwmrc                                                                                                               
# These windows will be excluded from the "warp ring", ie. not
included in the                                            
# alt+tab cycle                                                                                                           
#                                                                                                                         
WindowRingExclude {                                                                                                       
 "dclock"                                                                                                                 
 "WorkSpaceManager"                                                                                                       
 "TWM Icon Manager"                                                                                                       
}                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                          
(I see no need to tab into the WM or Icon managers)                                                                       
                                                                                                                          
 2) .ctwmrc                                                                                                               
"Tab" = m       : all           : f.warpring "next"                                                                       
"Tab" = s | m   : all           : f.warpring "prev"                                                                       
                                                                                                                          
(So, yes, correct)                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                          
> Some questions...                                                                                                       
>                                                                                                                         
> * When pressing alt+tab, what is your thought process as you do it?                                                     
                                                                                                                          
 Not much THOUGHT involved ;) but "I want to move to the next window
 in the list of windows", basically.


> * What do your actions look like as you do it?

 Not sure how to answer this one. I press down on the left-alt key
 with my thumb, then the tab with my ring-finger (left hand). Repeat
 until the window I desire come into focus (auto-raise is on)

 If the window is on a different desktop I use left-alt-shift+h|j|k|l
 to switch desktop, THEN alt+tab.



> * Do you have some special keyboard technique, or do you just press alt
>   and keep on tabbing?

 Yes. This is the part I prefer to Windows. alt+tab gives me the next
 Window in a fixed cycle.


> * Do you have a way of recognizing when you're on the desired
    window?

 Yes again - active windows have a bright red border (1px wide);
 inactive have black (I use a black background) and fade out.


> * What do you do if you alt+tab once too often, and need to go back
>   one window?

 alt+tab+shift goes a step back. (left thumb+left ring finger+left
 pinkie)

 Note that I use specific desktops (8x) for specific tasks, so there
 are rarely more than 3-4 windows per desktop.

-- 
 - Tina