here some suggestion about tabs, I guess this can save some huge space:


as far as I know, something like this can be done by combination of skinnig and programming (which is pretty the same thing).

also automatic width resize can be added for small DP's, but I don't know if it would be even possible to move tabs to up (like they are in current version), when dp's are hidden.

There is already an option to show tabs on the left, however it shows them to the left of the display pictures, because as you've pointed out, hiding the display pictures would cause the tabs to be hidden too.

Also, the way they are currently means that they are outside the chat window, where as your suggestion means that they would be inside the chat window and it doesn't have quite the right aesthetics....it would be like using the middle of a book to turn a page, instead of the edge

well, if you would be able to scroll this list just by hovering and scrolling, that would be much better and faster than clicking arrows on the top panel. of course I understand that technically it's totally different way to show tabs, especially it would be hard to make possible switch tabs position on the way, based on hidden dp's. but this concept is worth thinking of how to make it real.

I like this idea. It looks well organized in my opinion if the tabs were in this way. There could just be an option to display them at that place, at the top or at the left.

I'm currently using tabs on the left and found it quite bloating, even if I have enough chat winows to fill vertical space, still empty space between DP's annoying me, because it could be used. Also, I noticed some interesting screenshot from Windows Live newsletter:



As you can see, this covers both: space between dp's and background pictures. I really hope they planning to update messenger this way.

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Originally posted by x.iso
As you can see, this covers both: space between dp's and background pictures. I really hope they planning to update messenger this way.

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Actually, if they move DP's back to the right side, than it's possible to fill all the space around, and for right-to-left languages leave DP's on the left side.

True, but I doubt they'll move the DPs back to the right that fast after the switch .

That's why I started this suggestion If they will not update layout, than we should get rid of wasted space.

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Originally posted by MenthiX
True, but I doubt they'll move the DPs back to the right that fast after the switch .

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Originally posted by blessedguy

quote:

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Originally posted by MenthiX
True, but I doubt they'll move the DPs back to the right that fast after the switch .

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Well, Apple changed the "fat" iPod nano to the "slim" really quickly... why can't microsoft do that? =P

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Originally posted by djdannyp
i'm sure that in a few weeks when everyone has got used to it, they won't care

and if they do.......then that's what skinning is for

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On this subject of improve tabs for tabbed chat, why not have "Tab Previews (thumbnails)"?

yes, even if tabs enabled, we should have previews also, it's especially handy with Windows 7 task bar.

The tab previews is a known issue and something that Patchou would love to find a workaround for

I'm sure if there was something he could do about it then he would.

Perhaps the new Windows 7 preview display will provide further insight for him on how to make it work, but for now you'll just have to put up with it

only problem with having the tabs between the display pictures is that i have them hidden... so i would not be able to see my tabbed chats =\

only workaround for this issue is temporary moving tabs to left or top like they use to be currently, when hiding the dp's (this often happens because of photoshare feature).

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Originally posted by djdannyp
The tab previews is a known issue and something that Patchou would love to find a workaround for

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Originally posted by riahc4

A known issue? AFAIK, there is no Tab Previews.

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Originally posted by djdannyp

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Originally posted by riahc4

A known issue? AFAIK, there is no Tab Previews.

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That is the issue, lol

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I love this idea. As basilis said, could be changed by an option.