Dual Monitors: Dual-Monitor Taskbar, Dual-Monitor Task Switcher and Other Multi-Monitor Enhancements

1. Introduction
2. Dual-monitor Taskbar
3. Dual-monitor Task Switcher
4. Dual-monitor Window Management
5. Conclusion

1. Introduction

As technology advances with each year, PC displays are becoming cheaper and more compact. In tandem with this development, a growing number of PC users are taking advantage of the power of dual-monitor configuration. This can involve using a dual-headed video adapter, installing two video adapters together or connecting the second monitor via a special USB video hub.

Connecting a second monitor enables users to enjoy the advantages that dual displays provide: expanded screen space and a higher number of visible windows without overlapping. However, the use of two monitors can also lead to some minor but annoying drawbacks:

• Extra time involved in switching and allocating multiple windows between two monitors
• Increased chances of repetitive strain injury (RSI) due to moving the mouse cursor across an expanded desktop
• In both the older OS Windows 2000/XP or modern Windows Vista/2008, it is necessary to transport the mouse cursor back to the primary display every time access to the Taskbar or Start Menu is required (which can exacerbate the above-mentioned RSI problem)
• When switching between windows using Alt+Tab, the Task Switcher window is only displayed on the primary monitor which can be inconvenient
• It is not possible to drag the maximized window from one monitor to another. Instead, it is necessary to restore the window to normal status first, then drag it to another monitor and maximize it there. This can involve a little too much mouse work for such a simple situation!
• The general Maximize button expands a window over its host monitor, which means there's no quick way to maximize a window over the entire composite desktop

Luckily, there is an all-in-one solution to all of these issues. Actual Window Manager provides 3 extremely handy tools that make work with a dual-monitor system far more productive, easy and comfortable!

2. Dual-monitor Taskbar

The Multi-monitor Taskbar facility is the most important enhancement of the Windows user interface in the dual display environment - it emulates the main Windows Taskbar services on the additional monitor. Therefore, it does not matter which monitor is used as both provide the same constant action to switch between open windows.

Multi-monitor Taskbar in the dual-monitor system

In addition to the Taskbar, this facility can also emulate the Start button on the second monitor. This option allows quick access to the contents of the Start Menu, irrespective of which monitor the mouse is currently on. Such a seemingly minor advantage as having the emulated Taskbar partnered by the Start button avoids the usual irritating mouse marathons across the desktop!

Start button on both monitors

In addition, it is possible to choose between two different modes in which the secondary Taskbar can work: individual or mirror. Using the individual mode ensures that both primary and secondary Taskbars only display those windows located on the Taskbar's host monitor. For example:

• If a window is opened on the 1^st monitor, that window has an entry in the Taskbar hosted on the 1^st monitor
• If the window is then relocated to the 2^nd monitor, its taskbar entry is also relocated to the 2^nd monitor's Taskbar

In mirror mode, each open window has an entry in all Taskbars (i.e. all Taskbars display the same contents).

3. Dual-monitor Task Switcher

The Multi-monitor Task Switcher simultaneously displays the Task Switcher service window on both monitors. This avoids a user having to switch attention from the second monitor when hitting Alt+Tab.

Multi-monitor Task Switcher

This function is simplicity itself. It's just another small but effective piece of the jigsaw that leads to a truly great development!

4. Dual-monitor Window Management

Last but not least, the Actual Window Manager can help resolve the problematic positioning of multiple windows within the widened dual-display of the Windows desktop. Windows itself fails to provide a solution other than the ordinary mouse-dragging technique. Actual Window Manager provides a number of simple but neat little tricks:

• The additional button is placed onto each window's title bar. A left-click of this button instantly places the subject window on the other monitor (i.e. if the window is on the 1^st monitor it jumps to the 2^nd, and vice versa). There is no need to manually drag it across the entire desktop!

  Another benefit is that any window, whether maximized or not, can be moved in such a way.

• Another smart trick is the "Move to monitor" item in the window's system menu which shows the list of monitors: (the check mark denotes a window's current monitor).

  Although it seems that this menu works in the same manner as the button but it's a supplement and not a replacement: this menu can be used when a window's title bar is inaccessible.

  Example
  Imagine that a subject window is on a monitor that is temporarily offline, and that window needs to be present in the visible desktop area. Just activate it by right-clicking the window's Taskbar entry and add it onto the operational monitor via the "Move to monitor" submenu!

• Finally - the icing on the cake: right-click the Maximize button of any window to maximize it over the desktop. The second right-click restores the subject window to its previous size.

All these features ensure that dual-monitor window management is as fast and convenient (if not more fast and convenient!), as single-monitor operation.

5. Conclusion

As with any great development, dual-monitor configuration is a double-edged sword. However, Actual Window Manager offers 3 expert advantages in its tool set that help compensate most dual-monitor disadvantages. By using the technology, it is possible to achieve the full power and productivity of the dual-display system. Just try the package and never again will you imagine a dual-monitor experience without it!