Add option to control whether Getting Started window opens after all VIs closed

[Mark Krueger (Medrad)]

We have over 400+ VIs in several disk folder trees that we use as a library (our test framework).  We also Use TestStand sequences and Microsoft Visual Studio Assembies to boot.

Every time you close all your VIs in preparation to move to another set, the Getting Started window pops up right in the middle of the screen in front of everything you're doing.  Since we use Windows Explorer to move around in the folder trees and select VIs from there to open, you have to take time to minimize the Getting Started window each time.  It's very annoying.

Even if you move the G.S window to the bottom of the screen and minimize it, it pops back up right in the middle again after all VIs are closed.  This might be great for a newbie who's not used to using any other means than the G.S. window to open VIs, but for long time users it's a pain.

LV2009 would be so much nicer if it included some options to control this behavior.  Such as an option to stay minimized if manually minimized.  Or whether to pop up again after all VIs are closed.  Also, it should remember it's position/size if manually moved or re-sized, and should probably always open up in this position/size.  In this case there should be an option to reset it's location in case it's lost.

In my humble opinion.. 🙂

- Mark

[PhillipBrooks]

See this knowledgebase entry. The title states for Mac, but the .ini entry works for PCs too...

Can I Disable the LabVIEW Getting Started Window On A Macintosh?

showNoNavDialog=True 

[Mark Krueger (Medrad)]

Phillip,  thanks for the info on the showNoNavDialog=True option.  Looks like it's a start in the right direction in that it does disable the Getting Started dialog.

It needs a little tuning though because with it set, you can't stop the LabView.exe task except by killing it from the Task Manager or opening an existing VI and selecting the File | Exit menu option.  This works for developers who can figure it out, but is very kludgey.  Pretty much every other windows app I use allows you to right click on the task bar icon and select Close or press Alt-F4 keypress to exit the app.

A setting in the Options dialog somewhere would be intuitive for this type of feature.

- Mark

[Mark Krueger (Medrad)]

As an additional thought, I want to make it clear that I do like the Getting Started window.  I like having all the general tasks I need only one click away.

It's just that the window gets in the way itself when it's always popping up on the screen.  I need some way to make it stay away until I need it.

For example lots of windows apps allow you to right click on the task bar icon and select an option in addition to the standard ones like Close.  LV could add an option to Display Getting Started.  Or it could minimize to the Icon bar part of the task bar and include an option to Restore which would bring up the Getting Started window.  Or if you double clicked on the icon it could bring up the window.  Etc.

- Mark

[PhillipBrooks]

I've had some complaints at my company about how TestStand and LabVIEW don't always play nice together with the GSW and dialogs.

Too bad we don't have a TestStand Idea Exchange where we could vote up the best and/or most important features or functions.

Is anyone from NI listening?

[Darren]

Any idea that has received less than 2 kudos within 2 years after posting will be automatically declined.