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Option to see if 'Hits' list is not empty and clear it from the sidebar

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 11:17 am
by benjaminpelissie
Hi all,
I am too often confused by my 'Hits' because I don't necessarily know wether or not it is empty before I create a new group or when I'm launching a new database search. I think knowing wether or not the list is empty by just glancing at the sidebar would be great. Do you think this function could be added? Like maybe having the checkbox unchecked when it's empty and checked (the current icon) only if there's at least 1 ref in the list? Or having a badge next to it? Also, what do you think about having the option to clear the list from the sidebar, by just hovering the mouse and clicking on an appearing 'X' or something? I encounter too much friction by having to go in the Hits list, select everything, click right, 'Uncheck all', etc. For example, let's say I'm in a folder and I want to add some refs to the Hits: if I realize my Hits list is not empty (which I can't currently because I have to actually go there to find out; cf. above), I have to leave the current folder, do as described above, come back, search again for what I was trying to add, etc-etc. I know there is different workarounds for that, but everything is so unnecessarily convoluted.
What do you all think?
Ben

Re: Option to see if 'Hits' list is not empty and clear it from the sidebar

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 11:52 am
by Jon
You know that there is the menu option Hits -> Clear Hits List (Option-Shift-Command-H)?

Jon
Sonny Software

P.S. The above keyboard shortcut is the easiest solution for you, but there are other ways to quickly work with the hits. My favorite is to click on a checkbox with the Shift key held down -- if it was unchecked, all showing refs will be checked. If it was checked, all showing refs will be unchecked.

Re: Option to see if 'Hits' list is not empty and clear it from the sidebar

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 12:56 pm
by benjaminpelissie
Thank you Jon.
I'm always amazed by how few I know BE... However in this case I still think that knowing wether or not Hits are empty from the sidebar would be very helpful. Would you guys consider adding a badge (the more I think about it the more I believe that would be the best solution) or something?
Ben

Re: Option to see if 'Hits' list is not empty and clear it from the sidebar

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:03 pm
by Jon
Possibly. But for now, press Option-Shift-Command-H before doing anything where you want an empty Hits List. It won't hurt if it's already empty.

Jon
Sonny Software

Re: Option to see if 'Hits' list is not empty and clear it from the sidebar

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:36 pm
by benjaminpelissie
That's right I'm already considering doing that. However sometimes I start something with the hits that I might forget about after a day or two, so I take the risk of loosing my work if I just do as you say blindly. Or I still need to go see by myself if my Hits are empty or not. Anyhow it's not ideal.
Thanks for the advises though,
Ben

Re: Option to see if 'Hits' list is not empty and clear it from the sidebar

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:33 pm
by Jon
N.B. The hits are not intended for any kind of permanent (or semi-permanent) storage -- they are evanescent and can change by any number of actions you take. Static groups are for that. You can use them any way you like, but that's not their intended use.

Jon
Sonny Software

Re: Option to see if 'Hits' list is not empty and clear it from the sidebar

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:39 pm
by benjaminpelissie
Of course. It's just that from time to time I have to move to another task/activity and don't necessary have the time to create a temporary group in case I loose my Hits. Or I just forget about them and mix everything up when I'm back on BE and want to export different types of refs.
Anyway. I'd love to see that feature implemented even though I know you can't please everybody.
Thanks for the quick answers!
Ben

Re: Option to see if 'Hits' list is not empty and clear it from the sidebar

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 4:50 pm
by Jon
Another trick you may not now -- assign a number from 1 - 9 to any static group (enter it in the small column on the right of the Groups pane beneath the Command symbol). When a ref is selected, pressing Command-# will add that reference to the group. This is an alternative to keeping track of refs using the hits list, and has the major advantage of being permanent until you deliberately clear that group.

Jon
Sonny Software

Re: Option to see if 'Hits' list is not empty and clear it from the sidebar

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 12:21 pm
by benjaminpelissie
Thanks Jon!
Ben