I started using Winstep Extreme because I had so much stuff on my desktop it was nearly impossible to find anything when I needed it. It has more than met my expectations! But, I do have a question:

Is there a way to make hotspots remain in the background as part of the desktop?

Here's my problem: I need to frequently take screenshots of portions of my work. I have an icon for the screenshot program in the system tray. But the moment I click on the system tray icon, all the hotspots jump to the foreground and obscure the work that I want to make a screenshot of. The only way I can take a screenshot is to move my work to an area of the screen where there aren't any hotspots.

Also, if I'm working on something in full screen mode on my primary monitor, and want to open another program on my secondary monitor by clicking a taskbar icon, the hotspots come up above the first program. I have to then click on the first program to bring it to the front, then I can return to the second program to work in it.

I've attached a screenshot that shows a program open on each of my monitors. Hotspots on each monitor popped to the front when I clicked on the screenshot icon in the system tray.

Seems that the hotspots should remain in the background unless they are specifically called on to perform a task. Any suggestions?

It sounds as if your Hotspots aren't configured correctly. From what you're saying it sounds like you have your Hotspots set to respond to you clicking the Screenshot icon.

Do you have 00 and 01 unchecked in NextSTART under the Hotspots category? I have mine unchecked because I don't want 00 connected with my Desktop even though my icons aren't visible in the classic way. I have several Hotspots and it frees up more options also.

I copied the part in bold from another thread I posted in recently where you can view my video if you haven't already that will show my Desktop. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4530 The title of the thread is Winstep Xtreme-Planet Background.

I did leave out one of the features because of privacy reasons. It's a Hotspot feature that allows you to bump, or use the scroll button etc, to pull up a Context Menu that displays your folders. It can also preview pictures by simply moving the mouse over them while they are in the folder which is awesome!

I open NextSTART via the System Tray. NextSTART can also be opened by CTRL+F12. It can also be changed under the General tab.

What command do you have set to open these folders/functions? Here is a screenshot of a setting for one of my Hotspot folders which is accessed by opening NextSTART-> Hotspots-> click on folder in list on the left side-> Edit. Of course continue until the process ends.

If you are not editing a name in the list, click New once the Hotspot tab is opened and set it up from there. YOU MUST BE CAREFUL THAT YOU ARE NOT DUPLICATING A FUNCTION. THIS COULD BE THE REASON YOU ARE HAVING A PROBLEM. Carefully check each one to make sure that this isn't the case.

For example with the screenshot I provided, I can't assign another folder/function with Bumping Top Left Screen Corner and expect it to work. Obviously this will cause a conflict.

Thanks for your reply. First, I should say that these are buttons that have been assigned hotspots. (I hope that I didn't mislead you in my original questions.) Any time I click anything in the taskbar, the buttons come to the foreground over any programs/screens that are already open.

You asked: Do you have 00 and 01 unchecked in NextSTART under the Hotspots category?
Yes, but I unchecked them, applied the change and there was no difference.

The buttons are created through the hotspot tab in the task bar preferences (CTRL F12).
In the Hotspot Wizard, the settings are the same as in your screenshot, except that the second option is set to "Hotspot Button on the Desktop."
In the 3rd screen of the Hotspot Wizard, the option to "always keep this menu above other windows" is UNchecked, as is "Always keep above other windows" in the 4th screen.

Frankly, I'm at a loss. Any more suggestions?

I'm not really sure about or familiar with buttons. I think your problem is "Hotspot Button on the Desktop." Change that setting to something else like maybe what I have mine set to in my previous post to test it out. You can always change it back.

Here is a screenshot of my 4th screen. "Keep all menus open" is a handy feature that allows the Context Menu to stay open if you have more folders and/or files than can fit vertically on the screen. It keeps an indefinite amount open side by side which enables you to move freely back and forth without it closing. Just put the cursor on More at the bottom to open the next row. There are more settings that you can choose to close the Context Menu and other features.





The next screenshot is for Desktop Modules. I'm not sure but maybe you can try that setting which is Run an Internal Command in the first window on the 2nd screen.



The next screenshot shows the setting on the 3rd screen that I have for Desktop Modules. You might find a setting in that list that will work out for you.

I'm really kind of stuck on the buttons. I use the computer for work, and productivity is really the whole reason for going with Winstep. My desktop is currently set up so that programs of one type are accessed by clicking a button (for instance, I have a button titled "Graphics Programs" that when clicked gives me a choice of several different programs that I use). Other buttons give me access to file folders that I frequently need to use. So invisible hotspots just won't work--I need something that gives me a visual clue to where I need to go.

I guess I need some help from someone who's familiar with buttons. Any takers?

Oh okay. I see where the confusion is. I don't use buttons so I will have to defer to someone else to assist you. Hopefully Jorge will be back soon. It appears he is temporarily tied up.

If I want to access something I use frequently I just use my Hotspots, Docks and Workshelf.

I have my configuration set to where it doesn't display my Desktop icons. I simply bump the top of my screen (which accesses my Workshelf) and I can cycle through them by using my scroll wheel which can be seen in my video.

Hopefully Jorge or someone else can explain what makes using buttons a useful tool that will further enhance my configuration. Maybe I'm missing out. Xtreme has so many features to chose from. If it sounds good to me, I'll try it.

Thank you! I'll hope that Jorge will be able to help me out.

Unfortunately there is no setting to make hotspot buttons 'always on bottom', only 'always on top'. Under NextSTART all objects are linked in terms of z-order, so, if you click on the NextSTART taskbar, for instance, all other NextSTART objects come to the foreground as well.

One work around is to use a shortcut in WorkShelf instead (for instance, on a dock created just for this). Since WorkShelf is a separate application from NextSTART and WorkShelf's objects do not behave like those in NextSTART (i.e.; each dock, module and Shelf is independent of the other in terms of z-order) this might achieve what you want?

Also, don't forget the 'Capture Desktop' internal command, which takes a screenshot of your desktop and saves it on the Windows Desktop by default.

Thanks for helping out on this one, Windy!

Thanks for the help. I created a new new dock that shows the system tray. Then I removed the system tray from the taskbar by unchecking the system tray under "Taskbar Sections" under taskbar settings. Finally, I unchecked the "full screen width" box in taskbar settings and moved the new system tray dock to the lower right-hand corner of the monitor. Now I have the system tray in the same position it was, but when I click on any item in the system tray dock the hotspot buttons remain in the background.

Hurray for the unlimited flexibility of Winstep Xtreme!