Today’s tip is pretty straightforward.  Under Tools – Options – Environment – Documents, there’s the Open file using directory of currently active document.  When reading this, it took me a few seconds to think "what’s the open file thingy?"  It’s referring to the File – Open – File dialog.

If you have this option checked, then you’ll open to the directory of the currently active document in the editor (the doc with the focus), as shown in the below image.

If you do not have this option checked, then the File Open File dialog directory acts as a MRU (most recently used), opening to the last directory used to open a file.

Technorati tags: VS2005Tip, VS2008Tip

In Tools – Options – Environment – Documents, there’s the option Allow editing of read-only files; warn when attempt to save.

If this option is checked (my personal preference), you’ll get prompted whether you want to overwrite or save the document as something else.  My thoughts are if i’m editing the file, i want to overwrite it eventually.

If this option isn’t checked, you’ll get prompted whether to make the file writeable or do an in-memory edit.

Technorati tags: VS2005Tip, VS2008Tip

Under Tools – Options – Environment – Documents, there’s the option to Detect when file is changed outside the environment.  Under it is the subsequent option to auto-load changes, if saved.

Personally, I can’t imagine working without having the first checkbox enabled.  However, as for the second, I don’t think I’m brave enough to enable it.

If only the first checkbox is checked, then you’ll get this prompt.

Maybe if you are doing a lot of modifying files outside VS, i could see this dialog getting annoying.  But since the option is global and sticky across VS sessions, I wouldn’t want to forget that I had it enabled.  But consider the source, as this is coming from the paranoid tester that I am (was).

Technorati tags: VS2005Tip, VS2008Tip

Go to Tools – Options – Environment – Documents, and check the Reuse current document window, if saved option to give it a try.

If the current document window is dirty (meaning you’ve made a modification, but haven’t saved yet), the next document will open in its own document window.  However, if the current document is saved, then the new document will just open over it.

I tried using this from time to time when I owned testing it, but it wasn’t for me. 

Technorati tags: VS2005Tip, VS2008Tip

On the Tools – Options – Environment – General page, you’ll find an animate environment tools slider.  This option controls the speed at which a tool window will slide in and out of an auto-hide state.

Additionally, you can opt-out completely from the animation effect by unchecking the animate environment tools checkbox.  Now, tool windows will pop to their new locations rather than sliding to it.

In the Tools – Options – Environment – General page, you’ll find the checkboxes

• Close button affects active tool window only
• Auto Hide button affects active tool window only

Below is a snapshot of two tool windows docked together with the "closed button" and the "auto hide button" circled.

If you want just the solution explorer to close when pressing the ‘x’ button, enabled the option.  Otherwise, both tool windows will close.

If you want just the solution explorer to auto-hide when pressing the push-pin, enable the option.  Otherwise, both tool windows will close.

Technorati tags: VS2005Tip, VS2008Tip

I’m in New Orleans right now (Miss Gulf Coast to be exact), and I just heard The 12 Yats of Christmas on the radio today.  Hysterical.  Anyone from New Orleans will crack up listening to this.

The music video is up on youtube of course, but check out Benny Grunch’s website (mute your speakers) to order the full CD of more new orleans christmas music and to read the lyrics (in case y’all don’t understand n’awlins).  Another good song to listen to is "And Schweggman’s Gone Away AIN’T DERE NO MORE" (yes, post Katrina)

While checking out the website, i saw the link for 1825 Tulane.  Anyone from N’alwins will immediately start singing "eighteen twenty-five Too-lane." Seriously, if you know someone from new orleans, write down "1825 Tulane" on a piece of paper, show it to them, and say, "can you read this aloud?"  They will immediately start signing and then say, "now i can’t get it out of my head!"  try it.  it’ll be fun.

As for commercials, i’d love to see one of the Frankie and Jonny’s commercials again.  "I say i say, you say i say, you can have the bedroom set today.  no credit no problem.  you’ll have to see the special man. let’em have it. with no problem."  it’s one of those you had to be there for, or just ask me in person to act out the commercial.

happy holidays and/or Bah! Humbug! whichever you prefer this time of year =)

and GEAUX LSU… i give up on the Saints…

I’m not sure what the user scenario is for hiding the status bar, but if you need / want to hide it, you can.  Go to Tools – Options – Environment – General and uncheck Show Status Bar

If you have a real-world example, please let me know!  Thanks!

Technorati tags: VS2005Tip, VS2008Tip

Yes, you’ve guessed it, we’re in a series of related tips… with the lowest common denominator being the Tools – Options – Environment – General page.

Today’s tip we’re going to look at the Recent Files options, starting with the number of files to be shown in the Window menu.

This controls the number of items found in the File – Recent <what> list, as shown below for files.

And the other option for displaying the number of items in the Window menu is pretty straightforward.

And with the option set to 3, we get only 3 items in the Window menu

Technorati tags: VS2005Tip, VS2008Tip

In Visual Studio, there’s a setting to toggle Visual Studio from the default tabbed document mode to a MDI (Multiple Document Interface) mode, as it is commonly referred to. 

Go to Tools – Options – Environment – General and select Multiple documents found under Window Layout.

For you Visual Studio .NET 2003 users (or those who used 2003), you may remember that you had to restart Visual Studio to use MDI.  We fixed this (well, Chris fixed it and I tested it) in Visual Studio 2005, so that you no longer have to restart.

If you are familiar with MDI mode, you may ask, "Can you tile horizontal / vertical?  can you cascade? …"   Go to the Windows menu and you’ll find new options

Note that both Auto Hide All and Reset Window Layout apply to Tool Windows.  The Cascade, Tile Horizontally, Tile Vertically, and Close All Documents apply to document (editors, designers and any tool windows in a tabbed document state.  I’ll explain all of this in upcoming tip of the days).

You may have remember a pop quick from back in September (or today as i currently write this) that in MDI mode, the Tile Horizontally and Tile Vertically buttons appear in the Window Windows dialog. 

Technorati tags: VS2005Tip, VS2008Tip