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Desktop, its Limits ??



 
 
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  #1  
Old February 8th 05, 04:17 PM
jane
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Desktop, its Limits ??

Hello all,,
Going to go deep into a computers ability regarding the 'desktop'
and its capabilities.
How much information and how many icons can a desktop cope
with?
How close together can they be? (this includes the fact that descriptions of
the icons are attached to the icons themselves)

Can this cause a desktop to not function properly and constantly
require 'refreshes'?

Is there a minimum or maximum ' information per square inch ' that desktop
can cope with before being thrown into disarray'?
(when I say 'info per square inch', i am only trying to make a point, not a
measurement)

I have been trying to mentally picture it as a blank piece of paper and what
actually happens when the paper is filled to capacity.
On a piece of paper there simply is no more room and hence if you add any
more ink or pencil it will encroach on what is already there
and hence spoil things.

I say this as I constantly have a desktop choc-a-block full of icons leading
to utilities and programs; I also have many many notepad texts which I
copy and save and place there for reading when I get time. (90% of which
are copies of posts to this group)
My desktop is playing up at the moment and I do not believe it is my video
card, I believe I have crammed too much on the desktop area.
Anyway, is there some sort of 'conversion table' or 'method' of knowing how
much a desktop can cope with and just when it is full?
(I also constantly rename shortcuts to smaller texts just so they fit).

Just a curio.

thanks

regards Jane


  #2  
Old February 8th 05, 04:33 PM
Ron Badour
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Why are you torturing yourself with this? Why not clean up your desktop and
not have it so cluttered? I prefer shortcuts to be in QL or the start menu
so they are easy to find. I also clean up my start menu so it is easy to
use. For text files, create a TO READ folder on the desktop and move them
all to that folder.

You can go into display properties and use the icon horizontal and vertical
settings to cram more stuff on your desktop; however, that compounds the
problem in my view. You also might want to consider moving the majority of
your shortcuts and text files into one folder and see if that cures your
desktop "playing up" problem, whatever that is.

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP Windows 98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"jane" wrote in message
...
Hello all,,
Going to go deep into a computers ability regarding the 'desktop'
and its capabilities.
How much information and how many icons can a desktop cope
with?
How close together can they be? (this includes the fact that descriptions
of
the icons are attached to the icons themselves)

Can this cause a desktop to not function properly and constantly
require 'refreshes'?

Is there a minimum or maximum ' information per square inch ' that desktop
can cope with before being thrown into disarray'?
(when I say 'info per square inch', i am only trying to make a point, not
a
measurement)

I have been trying to mentally picture it as a blank piece of paper and
what
actually happens when the paper is filled to capacity.
On a piece of paper there simply is no more room and hence if you add any
more ink or pencil it will encroach on what is already there
and hence spoil things.

I say this as I constantly have a desktop choc-a-block full of icons
leading
to utilities and programs; I also have many many notepad texts which I
copy and save and place there for reading when I get time. (90% of which
are copies of posts to this group)
My desktop is playing up at the moment and I do not believe it is my video
card, I believe I have crammed too much on the desktop area.
Anyway, is there some sort of 'conversion table' or 'method' of knowing
how
much a desktop can cope with and just when it is full?
(I also constantly rename shortcuts to smaller texts just so they fit).

Just a curio.

thanks

regards Jane




  #3  
Old February 8th 05, 04:34 PM
PA Bear
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Clean it up by creating appropriate Desktop folders to hold, e.g., your
shortcuts and TXT files, thereby reducing clutter.

You can then customize Taskbar to include a Desktop toolbar, giving you
quick access to these folders and their contents.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (Shell, IE/OE) & Security

jane wrote:
Hello all,,
Going to go deep into a computers ability regarding the 'desktop'
and its capabilities.
How much information and how many icons can a desktop cope
with?
How close together can they be? (this includes the fact that descriptions
of
the icons are attached to the icons themselves)

Can this cause a desktop to not function properly and constantly
require 'refreshes'?

Is there a minimum or maximum ' information per square inch ' that desktop
can cope with before being thrown into disarray'?
(when I say 'info per square inch', i am only trying to make a point, not
a
measurement)

I have been trying to mentally picture it as a blank piece of paper and
what
actually happens when the paper is filled to capacity.
On a piece of paper there simply is no more room and hence if you add any
more ink or pencil it will encroach on what is already there
and hence spoil things.

I say this as I constantly have a desktop choc-a-block full of icons
leading
to utilities and programs; I also have many many notepad texts which I
copy and save and place there for reading when I get time. (90% of which
are copies of posts to this group)
My desktop is playing up at the moment and I do not believe it is my video
card, I believe I have crammed too much on the desktop area.
Anyway, is there some sort of 'conversion table' or 'method' of knowing
how
much a desktop can cope with and just when it is full?
(I also constantly rename shortcuts to smaller texts just so they fit).

Just a curio.

thanks

regards Jane


  #4  
Old February 8th 05, 04:48 PM
Muddle
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Pile em on top of one another if you wish.
Personally I set windows to hide desktop icons and set the taskbar to show
desktop icons then choose an inspiring wallpaper.
99.99999% of the icons on any desktop are duplicated in the start menu, many
times they are triplicated or quadruplicated or more, twice in the start
menu the desktop and in the taskbar.
Most application icons are useless and redundant, I usually after nearly
every installation delete about four of them.
A cluttered desktop, taskbar or start menu is usually the sign of a
cluttered mind. Any icon on the desktop throws it into disarray. I view
the desktop as an art medium which should be kept clean of such toxic waste.

"jane" wrote in message
...
Hello all,,
Going to go deep into a computers ability regarding the 'desktop'
and its capabilities.
How much information and how many icons can a desktop cope
with?
How close together can they be? (this includes the fact that descriptions

of
the icons are attached to the icons themselves)

Can this cause a desktop to not function properly and constantly
require 'refreshes'?

Is there a minimum or maximum ' information per square inch ' that desktop
can cope with before being thrown into disarray'?
(when I say 'info per square inch', i am only trying to make a point, not

a
measurement)

I have been trying to mentally picture it as a blank piece of paper and

what
actually happens when the paper is filled to capacity.
On a piece of paper there simply is no more room and hence if you add any
more ink or pencil it will encroach on what is already there
and hence spoil things.

I say this as I constantly have a desktop choc-a-block full of icons

leading
to utilities and programs; I also have many many notepad texts which I
copy and save and place there for reading when I get time. (90% of which
are copies of posts to this group)
My desktop is playing up at the moment and I do not believe it is my video
card, I believe I have crammed too much on the desktop area.
Anyway, is there some sort of 'conversion table' or 'method' of knowing

how
much a desktop can cope with and just when it is full?
(I also constantly rename shortcuts to smaller texts just so they fit).

Just a curio.

thanks

regards Jane




  #5  
Old February 8th 05, 05:47 PM
dadiOH
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

jane wrote:

I constantly have a desktop choc-a-block full of icons
leading to utilities and programs;


Why not unclutter it? As far as I'm concerned, a desktop - real or
virtual - should be for things you are currently working on, not a
repository for clutter.

Make more taskbars and put toolbars on them (or it). I have better than
200 shortcuts to apps on various catagorized toolbars. Nary a one shows
on the desktop yet I can access any instantly. Same with various docs.
For more info, see my dandies below.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico


  #6  
Old February 8th 05, 08:25 PM
mae
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I have 5 icons on my desktop.
I have a folder with just shortcuts.
I made a toolbar with this so all I click is an arrow.
Quick Launch has the ones I use the most.
My startup folder has 1 or none.
--
mae

"jane" wrote in message
...
| Hello all,,
| Going to go deep into a computers ability regarding the 'desktop'
| and its capabilities.
| How much information and how many icons can a desktop cope
| with?
| How close together can they be? (this includes the fact that descriptions
of
| the icons are attached to the icons themselves)
|
| Can this cause a desktop to not function properly and constantly
| require 'refreshes'?
|
| Is there a minimum or maximum ' information per square inch ' that desktop
| can cope with before being thrown into disarray'?
| (when I say 'info per square inch', i am only trying to make a point, not
a
| measurement)
|
| I have been trying to mentally picture it as a blank piece of paper and
what
| actually happens when the paper is filled to capacity.
| On a piece of paper there simply is no more room and hence if you add any
| more ink or pencil it will encroach on what is already there
| and hence spoil things.
|
| I say this as I constantly have a desktop choc-a-block full of icons
leading
| to utilities and programs; I also have many many notepad texts which I
| copy and save and place there for reading when I get time. (90% of which
| are copies of posts to this group)
| My desktop is playing up at the moment and I do not believe it is my video
| card, I believe I have crammed too much on the desktop area.
| Anyway, is there some sort of 'conversion table' or 'method' of knowing
how
| much a desktop can cope with and just when it is full?
| (I also constantly rename shortcuts to smaller texts just so they fit).
|
| Just a curio.
|
| thanks
|
| regards Jane
|
|

  #7  
Old February 8th 05, 08:40 PM
mae
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In addition, I removed all that program junk and just have the icon for the
main .exe. under programs, except something that encompasses a whole bunch.
--
mae

"jane" wrote in message
...
| Hello all,,
| Going to go deep into a computers ability regarding the 'desktop'
| and its capabilities.
| How much information and how many icons can a desktop cope
| with?
| How close together can they be? (this includes the fact that descriptions
of
| the icons are attached to the icons themselves)
|
| Can this cause a desktop to not function properly and constantly
| require 'refreshes'?
|
| Is there a minimum or maximum ' information per square inch ' that desktop
| can cope with before being thrown into disarray'?
| (when I say 'info per square inch', i am only trying to make a point, not
a
| measurement)
|
| I have been trying to mentally picture it as a blank piece of paper and
what
| actually happens when the paper is filled to capacity.
| On a piece of paper there simply is no more room and hence if you add any
| more ink or pencil it will encroach on what is already there
| and hence spoil things.
|
| I say this as I constantly have a desktop choc-a-block full of icons
leading
| to utilities and programs; I also have many many notepad texts which I
| copy and save and place there for reading when I get time. (90% of which
| are copies of posts to this group)
| My desktop is playing up at the moment and I do not believe it is my video
| card, I believe I have crammed too much on the desktop area.
| Anyway, is there some sort of 'conversion table' or 'method' of knowing
how
| much a desktop can cope with and just when it is full?
| (I also constantly rename shortcuts to smaller texts just so they fit).
|
| Just a curio.
|
| thanks
|
| regards Jane
|
|

  #8  
Old February 8th 05, 11:07 PM
Jeff Richards
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The desktop is a folder. It can handle whatever a folder can handle.
Whether or not you can make any sense of what it is displaying is the
limiting factor.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"jane" wrote in message
...
Hello all,,
Going to go deep into a computers ability regarding the 'desktop'
and its capabilities.
How much information and how many icons can a desktop cope
with?
How close together can they be? (this includes the fact that descriptions
of
the icons are attached to the icons themselves)

Can this cause a desktop to not function properly and constantly
require 'refreshes'?

Is there a minimum or maximum ' information per square inch ' that desktop
can cope with before being thrown into disarray'?
(when I say 'info per square inch', i am only trying to make a point, not
a
measurement)

I have been trying to mentally picture it as a blank piece of paper and
what
actually happens when the paper is filled to capacity.
On a piece of paper there simply is no more room and hence if you add any
more ink or pencil it will encroach on what is already there
and hence spoil things.

I say this as I constantly have a desktop choc-a-block full of icons
leading
to utilities and programs; I also have many many notepad texts which I
copy and save and place there for reading when I get time. (90% of which
are copies of posts to this group)
My desktop is playing up at the moment and I do not believe it is my video
card, I believe I have crammed too much on the desktop area.
Anyway, is there some sort of 'conversion table' or 'method' of knowing
how
much a desktop can cope with and just when it is full?
(I also constantly rename shortcuts to smaller texts just so they fit).

Just a curio.

thanks

regards Jane




  #9  
Old February 9th 05, 05:56 AM
PCR
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

As they all say (with the possible exception of Muddle), CLEAN UP THAT
DESKTOP. Either create folders or shortcuts to folders on the Desktop of
various categories. Then, R-Drag/Drop the clutter into them. The
advantage of creating a shortcut to a folder (instead of the folder
itself) is that anything Drag/Dropped into the shortcut ends up TRULY
OFF the Desktop (instead of in a subfolder of it, namely
C:\Windows\Desktop).

Here are articles about Desktop problems...

(1) Have you changed the grid-- Icon Spacing horizontal/vertical-- in
"Control Panel, Display, Appearance tab, Item dropdown menu"? For a
1024x768 screen, mine are...

Horizontal... 62.
Vertical....... 56.

Fool with those values at your own peril. You may end up with invisible
icons!

(2) Have you got too many icons for Auto Arrange to handle? Then one of
the following articles has a solution-- make folders for them.

(3) I guess read these articles, from...
http://search.support.microsoft.com/...dv=1&spid=1139 MSKB
Search "arrange icons auto arrange"; Windows 98; Weighted; Full Text;
All Words; Anytime...

• How to Recover Icons Accidentally Removed from the Desktop
(279109) - When you move a group of desktop icons, you may remove some
of the icons from the visible desktop. To view the missing icons again,
follow these steps: Right-click a blank portion of the desktop.Click
Arrange Icons, and then click Auto...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;279109

• How to Arrange or Move Icons on the Desktop
(289587) - This article describes how to arrange, move, and change icons
on the desktop. How to Arrange or Move Icons To arrange icons by name,
type, date, or size, right-click a blank area on the desktop, and then
click Arrange Icons . Click the command...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;289587

• Icons Disappear or You Cannot Move Icons on the Desktop
(137069) - You may experience the following symptoms: When you add a new
icon to the desktop, the icon may seem to disappear if the desktop
already has a large number of icons. Although you cannot see the icon,
you can find it using the Find tool, and it...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;137069

• Desktop Icons May Be Displayed Incorrectly When You Change Display
Settings
(262885) - When you change your display settings to high contrast by
using the Accessibility Options tool in Control Panel, the desktop icons
may be displayed close together or on top of each other. This behavior
can occur if vertical icon spacing is set to...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;262885


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"jane" wrote in message
...
| Hello all,,
| Going to go deep into a computers ability regarding the 'desktop'
| and its capabilities.
| How much information and how many icons can a desktop cope
| with?
| How close together can they be? (this includes the fact that
descriptions of
| the icons are attached to the icons themselves)
|
| Can this cause a desktop to not function properly and constantly
| require 'refreshes'?
|
| Is there a minimum or maximum ' information per square inch ' that
desktop
| can cope with before being thrown into disarray'?
| (when I say 'info per square inch', i am only trying to make a point,
not a
| measurement)
|
| I have been trying to mentally picture it as a blank piece of paper
and what
| actually happens when the paper is filled to capacity.
| On a piece of paper there simply is no more room and hence if you add
any
| more ink or pencil it will encroach on what is already there
| and hence spoil things.
|
| I say this as I constantly have a desktop choc-a-block full of icons
leading
| to utilities and programs; I also have many many notepad texts which
I
| copy and save and place there for reading when I get time. (90% of
which
| are copies of posts to this group)
| My desktop is playing up at the moment and I do not believe it is my
video
| card, I believe I have crammed too much on the desktop area.
| Anyway, is there some sort of 'conversion table' or 'method' of
knowing how
| much a desktop can cope with and just when it is full?
| (I also constantly rename shortcuts to smaller texts just so they
fit).
|
| Just a curio.
|
| thanks
|
| regards Jane
|
|


  #10  
Old February 9th 05, 10:38 AM
jane
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Hello all,
I may have worded my post a little out of whack.
Yes, I do have folders on my desktop that have things in them that
I download, especially posts from this group that I wish to keep for
future reference. They are on a rotation basis, whereby a new one
will sit on the desktop until I've read it a few times; this could be for
up to a week or more. Once I am content with its content it gets
relegated to an appropiate folder on desktop.
Some folders are named Dos, Win98 StartUp, Linux, and etc.
Most of my icons lead to some sort of small utility that I have downloaded,
for example: Filealyzer, Tweak, Dos-box to C, Dos-box to C:\Windows,
........ There are also icons for direct links to control-panel,
device-manager, regalyzer, and many many others.
I personally like them all where I can see them and my desktop is not as
cluttered as some here have presumed.
I think my post was in part to do with the recent problem I had when
changing over a fan, I thought the resulting problem may have had something
to do with my desktop seeming to struggle somewhat.
Anyway, I have since cleaned it some more, I think it looks great and I am
very comfy with it; guess desktops are a matter of taste when it comes down
to it.

thanks guys,
(would love to send you a screen shot.)

regards Jane

"PCR" wrote in message
...
As they all say (with the possible exception of Muddle), CLEAN UP THAT
DESKTOP. Either create folders or shortcuts to folders on the Desktop of
various categories. Then, R-Drag/Drop the clutter into them. The
advantage of creating a shortcut to a folder (instead of the folder
itself) is that anything Drag/Dropped into the shortcut ends up TRULY
OFF the Desktop (instead of in a subfolder of it, namely
C:\Windows\Desktop).

Here are articles about Desktop problems...

(1) Have you changed the grid-- Icon Spacing horizontal/vertical-- in
"Control Panel, Display, Appearance tab, Item dropdown menu"? For a
1024x768 screen, mine are...

Horizontal... 62.
Vertical....... 56.

Fool with those values at your own peril. You may end up with invisible
icons!

(2) Have you got too many icons for Auto Arrange to handle? Then one of
the following articles has a solution-- make folders for them.

(3) I guess read these articles, from...
http://search.support.microsoft.com/...dv=1&spid=1139 MSKB
Search "arrange icons auto arrange"; Windows 98; Weighted; Full Text;
All Words; Anytime...

. How to Recover Icons Accidentally Removed from the Desktop
(279109) - When you move a group of desktop icons, you may remove some
of the icons from the visible desktop. To view the missing icons again,
follow these steps: Right-click a blank portion of the desktop.Click
Arrange Icons, and then click Auto...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;279109

. How to Arrange or Move Icons on the Desktop
(289587) - This article describes how to arrange, move, and change icons
on the desktop. How to Arrange or Move Icons To arrange icons by name,
type, date, or size, right-click a blank area on the desktop, and then
click Arrange Icons . Click the command...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;289587

. Icons Disappear or You Cannot Move Icons on the Desktop
(137069) - You may experience the following symptoms: When you add a new
icon to the desktop, the icon may seem to disappear if the desktop
already has a large number of icons. Although you cannot see the icon,
you can find it using the Find tool, and it...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;137069

. Desktop Icons May Be Displayed Incorrectly When You Change Display
Settings
(262885) - When you change your display settings to high contrast by
using the Accessibility Options tool in Control Panel, the desktop icons
may be displayed close together or on top of each other. This behavior
can occur if vertical icon spacing is set to...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;262885


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"jane" wrote in message
...
| Hello all,,
| Going to go deep into a computers ability regarding the 'desktop'
| and its capabilities.
| How much information and how many icons can a desktop cope
| with?
| How close together can they be? (this includes the fact that
descriptions of
| the icons are attached to the icons themselves)
|
| Can this cause a desktop to not function properly and constantly
| require 'refreshes'?
|
| Is there a minimum or maximum ' information per square inch ' that
desktop
| can cope with before being thrown into disarray'?
| (when I say 'info per square inch', i am only trying to make a point,
not a
| measurement)
|
| I have been trying to mentally picture it as a blank piece of paper
and what
| actually happens when the paper is filled to capacity.
| On a piece of paper there simply is no more room and hence if you add
any
| more ink or pencil it will encroach on what is already there
| and hence spoil things.
|
| I say this as I constantly have a desktop choc-a-block full of icons
leading
| to utilities and programs; I also have many many notepad texts which
I
| copy and save and place there for reading when I get time. (90% of
which
| are copies of posts to this group)
| My desktop is playing up at the moment and I do not believe it is my
video
| card, I believe I have crammed too much on the desktop area.
| Anyway, is there some sort of 'conversion table' or 'method' of
knowing how
| much a desktop can cope with and just when it is full?
| (I also constantly rename shortcuts to smaller texts just so they
fit).
|
| Just a curio.
|
| thanks
|
| regards Jane
|
|




 




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