Parent Folder Styles, Child Limits
In addition to the new functions mentioned in previous posts, LiveClick 0.4.0.0 will officially support two other features: 1) styling parent folders and 2) limiting max items per menu.
Styling parent folders
Styling folders is really just an extension on LiveClick’s existing ability to style Live Bookmarks when they’re “new” or “read.” If a folder holds any Live Bookmarks with “new” items, the folder is styled as “new.” Like livemarks, the default style for “new” folders has orange text.
Parent Folder
If a Live Bookmark has new items, its parent folder gets styled, too.
If all Live Bookmarks within a folder are “read,” the folder can also be styled as “read.” Unlike livemarks, however, the default style for a “read” folder is the same as an “unread” folder. That is, the folder will appear as normal. The primary reason the default style is not faded out (like livemarks) is because a folder can also contain static bookmarks or folders. The folder state becomes somewhat confusing in this case, so I felt it safer to leave the default style as normal. You can, of course, change this behavior in LiveClick’s Options.
Note two other areas in which folder and livemark behavior differs. First, parent folders do not have counters. Second, the action taken after viewing a livemark menu (by default, “Reset new count”) does not apply to viewing a folder with Live Bookmarks. Both of these became confusing when static bookmarks were involved, so I omitted them for the sake of simplicity.
Lastly, folder states are not recursive. That is, a folder that holds Live Bookmarks gets styled, but a folder that holds a folder that holds Live Bookmarks does not. This is mostly due to performance, but if there is demand for it, I can explore this option later.
Limiting max items per menu
Beginning with LiveClick 0.4.0.0, you’ll be able to specify the maximum number of items a Live Bookmark can display. If a Live Bookmark’s feed exceeds that limit, only the topmost number of items (matching the limit) will be shown.
Max items have previously been an undocumented preference in LiveClick, but they get full support now. You can set a global limit which applies to all Live Bookmarks, or you can set limits on a Live Bookmark by Live Bookmark basis.
Live Bookmark Customization
Max items can be set on a Live Bookmark by Live Bookmark basis.
Preferences for parent folder styling and max items can be set in the Appearances pane of LiveClick’s Options dialog.
New Reading Options
Style folders, limit max items per menu via LiveClick’s Options.
These mark the final features to be introduced in LiveClick 0.4.0.0. I expect beta testing on 0.4.0.0 to begin next week. Questions and comments are welcome, as always.
Posted on May 13 2010 at 01:38 PM
Next entry: LiveClick 0.3.8.0
Previous entry: Timing, Turning off Checks
I was hoping for these exact features for some time but I wasn’t sure if it was doable. Thanks for the folder counts feature, it will be really useful! Eagerly awaiting the beta.
Posted by Ibrahim on 05/15 at 02:12 AM
I really hope you didn’t hit another snag with the LiveClick 4 development. Sorry, I just don’t want to go through another week waiting for beta testing to start only to read a post later that it’ll come the following week. Like the last two times (including the post at the top of the page).
<.< >.>
Posted by Ngamer01 on 05/19 at 10:45 AM
Not to worry. LiveClick 0.4.0.0 is moving right along. I’m trying to get 0.3.8.0 out of the way first, so as soon as that gets released (hint: later today), look for the beta to follow.
Posted by protejohnny on 05/19 at 11:14 AM
Sounds very neat and I agree with the styling ideas, too. Can’t wait.
Posted by cyruz on 05/13 at 03:12 PM