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Idea #25195: Sometimes I only want to arrange certain parts of my desktop not all of it

Written by Blinky the 22 Jun 10 at 11:09. Related project: Nautilus. Status: New
Rationale
Sometimes I need to arrange my desktop but often I have arranged groups of files in a specific order and specific position so they are easy to have access to. This applies especially during short term projects where is it easier to get access to certain files directly via the desktop instead of creating a folder hierarchy etc.

Ubuntu provides the option to arrange only all the desktop icons not a few.

82
votes
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Solution #1: Allow for creating zones on the desktop, which can be arranged separately
Written by Blinky the 22 Jun 10 at 11:09.
Allow for zoning of the desktop into different islands/areas that can be arranged separately. With a pen tool I can draw a shape on the desktop and set that as a zone. Any icons that are then dragged into that zone can be arranged. Features for this can include:

- naming the zone
- hot keys for lighting up where current zones are
- when saving documents, they can be saved not only to the desktop but certain zones on the desktop
-5
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Solution #2: Link icons together so that when you drag one icon you drag all the linked icons
Written by Blinky the 22 Jun 10 at 11:15.
Instead of zoning or islands on the desktop, icons can be attached to each other by using a pen tool to link documents and files together. This creates virtual webs on the desktop. Via the drawing tool, you can create hierarchy but drawing lines between files like an organisational chart. To arrange the web of files just right click on one of the files in the web and choose "arrange web".

One of the advantage to doing this is that if all the files are mixed up on the desktop I can grab one file that belongs to a particular web and drag all the files in that web to a spare space on the desktop
-25
votes
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Solution #3: 1 and 2 w options
Written by maxpowers43 the 24 Jun 10 at 13:53.
1 and 2 with optional check boxes(with drop down existing island names) to "segregate" or "intellilink?" with "roam free" being the default
-10
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Solution #4: Design an applet which an handle specific folders and their in icons
Written by benoyanthony the 7 Jul 10 at 11:35.
Add an applet which and be address to desktop and in their put an option stating intirgate the specific folder to be viewed inside the desktop applet.

Propose your solution

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Comments
anantshri wrote on the 22 Jun 10 at 20:46
is this suggesting something simmilar to what fences is doing right now in windows

http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/

if yes then i am all hands for the same

cfg wrote on the 24 Jun 10 at 10:20
anantshri, it is like desktop folder like in KDE :)
http://www.linuxtopia.org/online_books/opensuse_guides/opensuse_11.1_kde_quick_ start_guide/graphics/kde_desktop_menus.png
i am like this idea!

cfg wrote on the 24 Jun 10 at 10:24
Should only be possible to disable this function, that would make the interface more flexible.

anantshri wrote on the 27 Jun 10 at 09:54
desktop folder uses just whole folder if you want simmilar features there is a screenlet for the same.

but if you want sections inside desktop folder based on types or classification without crating folder then fences was the kind of solution you will look for.


lootic wrote on the 27 Jun 10 at 13:38
@cfg: I dont think its like the desktop folder, its close but not the same thing, the desktop folder is always there, this kinda thingie is more kinda present when you create the group, say via right click menu. Or thats how I read it.


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