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Is there any way of switching off the blank document TextMate creates when it starts up?

That's it really :)

There probably should be, but I have a feeling it's against Apple's HIG.

Not 100% sure either way, but I do know Allan is trying to stick in the guidelines wherever possible.

Actually, the problem is worse than just creating a new document when TextMate starts up. Once running, it is creating a new blank document *every time I switch to TextMate* (by clicking its icon in the Dock), if there is no other document already open.

This is, needless to say, irritating.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Launch TextMate. 2. Close blank document created on startup, and all other documents in TextMate. 3. Switch to any other application. 4. Click TextMate's Dock icon.

Expected result:

- TextMate activates, but does nothing else. (I.e., wait for me to open existing or create new document -- *my* choice.)

Actual result:

- TextMate activates, and creates new blank document.

Michael

...

Actually, the problem is worse than just creating a new document when TextMate starts up. Once running, it is creating a new blank document *every time I switch to TextMate* (by clicking its icon in the Dock), if there is no other document already open.

Both of these are required for a well-behaved Mac application. [...] --> * Clicks the application icon in the Dock when no windows are open"

Well, what can I say. BBEdit doesn't do this, Word doesn't do this, FileMaker doesn't do this, Preview doesn't do this. TextMate does, and it's annoying.

It certainly makes sense for *some* applications to do this. iTunes. iCal. System Preferences. Probably a web browser (Safari and Firefox both do it).

But it also plainly *doesn't* make sense for *every* application to do this. And there are *lots* of examples of applications which do not. I'll bet I could come up with 50 just going through my /Applications folder. I'll bet I could come up with 5 other text editors for Mac OS X (BBEdit, by preference; skEdit, by default; SubEthaEdit, by preference -- just to start).

Anyway, FWIW, I find the current behavior irritating, and wish it would stop. Sometimes I just want to open something, not create something new. Having to close a blank document first is just annoying.

Michael

On 13/11/2004, at 6:47 PM, Michael A. Alderete wrote:

Well, what can I say. BBEdit doesn't do this, Word doesn't do this, FileMaker doesn't do this, Preview doesn't do this. TextMate does, and it's annoying.

It certainly makes sense for *some* applications to do this. iTunes. iCal. System Preferences. Probably a web browser (Safari and Firefox both do it).

But it also plainly *doesn't* make sense for *every* application to do this. And there are *lots* of examples of applications which do not. I'll bet I could come up with 50 just going through my /Applications folder. I'll bet I could come up with 5 other text editors for Mac OS X (BBEdit, by preference; skEdit, by default; SubEthaEdit, by preference -- just to start).

Anyway, FWIW, I find the current behavior irritating, and wish it would stop. Sometimes I just want to open something, not create something new. Having to close a blank document first is just annoying.

Michael,

Allan is trying to follow the Apple HIG to the letter, and is doing a great job. Just because Application X breaks those guidelines isn't a reason for TM to. FWIW, BBEdit provides a preference, and Preview is a viewer, not a document creator.

Yes, I agree TM should probably provide a preference, but there's no doubt that it's behaving as Apple intended right now, so complain to Apple, no Allan.

*Request* the preference to Allan, sure, but don't bitch about it eh?

Justin

Hey Drew, Michael,

I definitely wasn't trying to "go off", and didn't want to answer on behalf of Allan, but the defence to most of TM's usability stuff is "HIG" :)

Hopefully there'll be a preference there one day (I'd love it too, and miss that part of BBEdit).

We're still friends :)

Justin

On 14/11/2004, at 10:56 AM, Drew McLellan wrote:

Justin French wrote:

...

*Request* the preference to Allan, sure, but don't bitch about it eh?

I didn't get the impression Michael was bitching - he's just being expressive. It *is* an irritation for some users, regardless of HIG.

I'm glad to hear there will be an option on this. Thanks Allan.

I know it's hard guys, coz I'm often in the same situation myself, but try not to get too defensive when people express their opinions. We're all here coz we love TextMate and we want to help out with feedback and opinions. It's natural of course, but there's no need to be defensive - we're friends. :)

I stopped using BBEdit the day I downloaded the first public beta of TextMate. It's simply an *amazing* product. So even what sounds like a major moan isn't really very much in the context of all the things we love about TextMate.

:)

Michael A. Alderete lists-2003@alderete.com wrote:

Actually, the problem is worse than just creating a new document when TextMate starts up. Once running, it is creating a new blank document *every time I switch to TextMate* (by clicking its icon in the Dock), if there is no other document already open.

Instead of ckicking the icon in the dock, try command-tab, it does not create a new document.