Left-Hand Scroll Bar

[mboltcocacola]

Are there any programs that will put the scroll bar on the left-hand side of the screen for most applications? There were hacks that did this before, but hacks are now obsolete. Some programs have this built in already (i.e. Wordsmith); but unfortunatley, there are many more that do not. It gets annoying trying to scroll with half of your hand covering the screen.

[tantousha]

Originally posted by mboltcocacola
Are there any programs that will put the scroll bar on the left-hand side of the screen for most applications? There were hacks that did this before, but hacks are now obsolete. Some programs have this built in already (i.e. Wordsmith); but unfortunatley, there are many more that do not. It gets annoying trying to scroll with half of your hand covering the screen.

I agreee completely. Zlauncher has an option that moves all the scroll bars and whatnot to the left hand side. This helps me greatly and has become the launcher of choice for me because of this. I also know the 4.0Student has a lefty option. I'm not sure of any others though. But I would appreciate it if other people posted software that they know to be "Lefty-friendly"
:)

[BettyE]

Originally posted by tantousha
But I would appreciate it if other people posted software that they know to be "Lefty-friendly"
:)

Are you kidding? As lefties, we just have to learn to make do as we always do.....

[jedix]

Originally posted by tantousha


But I would appreciate it if other people posted software that they know to be "Lefty-friendly"
:)


Yes, I would appreciate it, too!

[slg]

Okay, as a PalmOS developer I'd like to know just how much it's worth to you to have a scroll bar on the left side. I realize it's hard to quantify, but given two somewhat similar apps, how much weight will you put on the ability to move the scrollbar?

To be honest, most features for my stuff are driven by two things -- time to implement and number of user requests. The ability to change the scrollbar side is a non-trivial feature that no one has yet requested. But if it really means a lot to people, I might implement it anyway.

Sean.

[mboltcocacola]

Let's just say that , as a right-handed person, if the bar was on the left side of all of your apps you would develop a fix pretty quickly.
I get the same annoying response from those that try to use my desktop only to find the mouse on the left side. They immediately complain and move it to the right.
I am not trying to complain. I have learned to adapt, but it sure would be nice if something like that could be fixed so easily. I for one would GREATLY appreciate it.

[tantousha]

Let's see...I chose Zlauncher over Yishow mainly because it was lefty friendly, and I only use 4.0 student because of that. I used to be able to tolerate it with my Visor and my Treo because there was always the scroll buttons, but now that I have my NX70V, I am forced to really rely on the scroll bar.

[mboltcocacola]

Originally posted by tantousha
. . .but now that I have my NX70V, I am forced to really rely on the scroll bar.


Ditto.

In tablet mode the scroll buttons are covered, and on many applications the jog dial only moves one line at a time.

Come on all you lefties . . . show them that it is a need!

[Sockit]

All my life I've had to adjust to right handed everythings. I for one would appreciate having tha option of moving the menu bars to the left side.

[BettyE]

Originally posted by slg
...given two somewhat similar apps, how much weight will you put on the ability to move the scrollbar?

To be honest, most features for my stuff are driven by two things -- time to implement and number of user requests.

Given two somewhat similar apps, I would definitely choose the one with lefty features unless the lefty app was clearly inferior in many other ways. I think it also makes the company appear innovative and customer focused by providing this.

I think it depends on how much it costs you to provide the feature and whether or not your competition has it. If the competion doesn't have it, then the lefty user has no choice, anyway, but maybe you can pick up almost all of the 10% of the users who are lefty.

If the competition *does* have it, then you have to consider that you may lose 10% of your potential business if you don't provide it. If the development cost outweighs the potential 10% loss, then it does not make sense to provide it.

[Shrink]

There are two app to my knowledge that attempt to provide a solution for us poor lefties.
One is "Lefty" which moves the scroll bar to the left if the developer uses that program and includes it within his app. Many programs do this; DateBk5 is one example.
There is also a hack called "LeftHack" but this can't be used on OS5 devices.
A Google search will give you the sites or maybe PalmGear.
alan
PS It is very important to me to have this option. Many of the more sophisticated developers are including this (TealPoint, Pimlico, ePocrates etc.) I would, however, resent having to pay extra for this. My feeling is to make all apps lefty oriented and make the "righties" pay extra!
alan

[hherbzilla]

Originally posted by slg
Okay, as a PalmOS developer I'd like to know just how much it's worth to you to have a scroll bar on the left side... Nothing. Like many above, I simply learn to adjust. It's nice when apps offer the option, but I don't think I'd pay extra for it.

FYI, the following apps allow the scroll bar to be on the left:
* ZLauncher (as mentioned above)
* Shadow
* Handstory

I see a trend! These are all great apps that have received many accolades, and they just "happen" to provide this level of customization/flexibility for their users.

UPDATE: Hmmm... DB5 allows this? I didn't even know DB5 *HAD* scroll bars. I just use those little up/down arrows. Now I'm curious... how do you turn the scroll bars on?

[caipro]

you know.. i never even considered any of this before.. and like most of you.. i put up with it..and adapt.. maybe that is the reason i use the jog dial so much?
but i really hate people moving the mouse on my pc...
my partner has learned to use it lefthanded :)

[BettyE]

Originally posted by caipro
i really hate people moving the mouse on my pc...
my partner has learned to use it lefthanded :)

So has my husband! Even now that he has his own PC, he still uses the mouse left-handed because he is used to it.

He also irons left-handed because that's the way I set up the ironing board.

[halosal]

I'm probably blind, but where can I find the option in ZLauncher to change the scroll bar to the left?

[BettyE]

Originally posted by halosal
I'm probably blind, but where can I find the option in ZLauncher to change the scroll bar to the left?

It was introduced fairly recently. I have version 3.12 and my version has it under: Options, ZL Preferences.

[stevejohnson460]

I think left-handed scroll bars should be a "Preference" option that's global, not limited to a particular program.

I REALLY miss left-hack from OS 4 days. What a "handy" app.

[halosal]

It was introduced fairly recently. I have version 3.12 and my version has it under: Options, ZL Preferences.

Thanks. I need to update ZL.