Must 'Help' Windows Stay on Top?

Is there a way to have the 'Help" window act as every other window? When I am reading through a 'Help' topic the window always stays on top of all the other open windows. But when I want to return to my application the "Help" screen never recedes.

That's one of the many items in the Leopard user interface that makes you wonder what in the world they were thinking, and if the project managers ever actually use their computers for anything other than to see if their project crashes something. You can change the behavior using Terminal.
defaults write com.apple.helpviewer NormalWindow -bool true
Just launch Terminal, copy and paste the above line, and press the Return button. I don't remember whether it was necessary to log out and back in for it take effect.
Francine
Francine
Schwieder

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How to make Windows stay on top

Hi all
I was wondering if anyone knew how to make a window "Stay on top"
Sometimes when you are copying information from one window to the next you would like one "primary data entry window" stay on top, and a secondary window not overshadow the first when made active. This way you only see the part of the window that you are interested in copying.
Some programs like skype allow you to have the option as "always on top", but I was wondering if Tiger had the same feature for it's windows?
The other way around this problem is to re-size the secondary window, but I was hoping someone could tell me a way to keep a designated window as "always on top"
thanks in advance
Bishan

I think perhaps, that the closest you'll get to it, is by using the 'New Tab'
feature in File, where you can have several windows with quick access available while browsing.

Firefox 5 window stays on top of other windows

On an old Windows XP SP3 system, in the last few days, Firefox 5 window always stays on top of other windows that I may have open. In order to see the other windows (applications) that I have open, I must minimize Firefox 5. In the past, clicking on the title bar of any other window/application, would bring it to the front, but that does not happen now; clicking on a title bar other than Firefox 5 does focus the other title bar and Firefox 5 title bar does change to the non-focused color, but the other window/application does not come to the front (over Firefox 5).
This has just occurred in the last few days. I have added no new programs and no new extensions to Firefox, but several Firefox add-ons have been updated.
How can I get Firefox 5 to not dominate my desktop?

On an old Windows XP SP3 system, in the last few days, Firefox 5 window always stays on top of other windows that I may have open. In order to see the other windows (applications) that I have open, I must minimize Firefox 5. In the past, clicking on the title bar of any other window/application, would bring it to the front, but that does not happen now; clicking on a title bar other than Firefox 5 does focus the other title bar and Firefox 5 title bar does change to the non-focused color, but the other window/application does not come to the front (over Firefox 5).
This has just occurred in the last few days. I have added no new programs and no new extensions to Firefox, but several Firefox add-ons have been updated.
How can I get Firefox 5 to not dominate my desktop?

Mac Help windows always on top

Is there a way to turn off the Mac Help windows from always appearing on top of all other windows opened?
I thought there was an option to turn this off somewhere but I can't remember where. I checked all my settings in Cocktail and System Preferences but no such luck.
-- Jeff

Thank you very much Baltwo.
-- Jeff

Modal window staying on top

I've got another question concerning JDialog: I use a class extending JDialog for displaying a window in modal state on top of my main window. Normally the modal window remains on top, but if i switch to another application in windows and then come back to my java-app, i only see the main window, which i can't access, since the JDialog-window theoretically sits on top, but i can't see the JDialog-window and can therefor neither close the JDialog window, nor the main window.
I guess I have to set the main Window as the parent of the JDialog, but i couldn't find out how.
I would be thankful if you could help me.

Hi,
this was a known bug - search the bug database - it is stated closed,fixed - but I also found this behavior in JDK 1.4.0 - it is still there - if another application covers the modal JDialog and you switch back to your application, the JDialog is missing and the application seems to be blocked. You can get arround that by iconizing the application and reopen it again - the JDialog will show up again. I cannot see, what was tried to fix this, but it does not work (under Windows 95/98).
greetings Marsian

Help Window stays in front

Allways the window of Mac-Help stays strong in front at Leopard, but I would like to chance to other windows too, without closing Help-window or dragging it out of screen.
How that to manage?
Thanks for help!

New behavior in Leopard. Apple thinks, since the help viewer connects to its servers to update knowledge base articles, that you should quit it before continuing. If you want this behavior changed, submit a bug report or enhancement request (ER) to Apple via its Bug Reporter system. Join the Apple Developer Connection (ADC)—it's free and available for all Mac users and gets you a look at some development software. Since you already have an Apple username/ID, use that. Once a member, go to Apple BugReporter and file your bug report/enhancement request. You'll get a get a Bug (ER) ID number; thus, starting a dialog directly with engineering.

Oracle Help Window Hides Behind App

Hi,
I'm using Oracle help 4.2, although this problem occurred in 4.1.16 as well. JDK v1.4.1.
When I select help from our menu, the Help window displays, and then immediately jumps behind our application. If I move the mouse slightly after selecting Help, or if I use F1 the Help window stays on top like it should. The application is an MDI app and an internal frame is active when Help is launched. Not sure if this is related in any way, but I mention it because it is the only thing I can think could be different. I'm not doing anything tricky with Oracle Help. This is how I am launching the window:
* Displays the help browser for the given topic.
* @param topicKey
public void showTopic(String topicKey) {
// Default to the main help screen. This is shown when there is no
// frame dislayed.
String helpKey = HELP_MAIN_KEY;
// Validate the key coming in
if ((topicKey != null) && !("".equals(topicKey.trim()))){
helpKey = topicKey;
// Show the selected topic
try {
helpObject_.showTopic(helpSet_, helpKey);
} catch (Exception e) {
// Should never happen
JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(FrontPage.getInstance(),
ERR_2, TITLE, JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
At this point I'm completely at a loss for why this occurs. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Daniel Spiess

There are lot of options to customize the behavior of jQuery dialog. You can set height as auto, however you need to specify some fixed width depending on the content.
$( "#TEST_POPUP" ).dialog({ height: "auto", width:500 });Default for height is auto, so you may not need to specify it.
See http://docs.jquery.com/UI/Dialog for more info.
Regards,
Hari

"Help" window stuck "top"

When I open Help from the Help menu, that window stays on top no matter what other other windows I click or even when I ctrl tab or ctrl `. It is very inconvenient to constantly have to drag it around and out of the way while I am learning the layout and features of the main window. It also doesn't help that Mainstage won't let me resize the main window and it's pane's the way I want so I can get at everything with out having to always drag sliders back and forth.

On the first point (the help window) I would just minimize it (click the yellow button) when you don't need it and then just click it again in the dock when you want it back.
As for the resize main window, try clicking the square box beneath the slider - it's a quick way of zooming in and out instead of using the slider every time.
J.

WebHelp "Stay on top" option?

We are developing RH9 WebHelp and/or HTML Help for use on a corporate intranet viewed with the standard IE browser. In building the help content is there a way to force the IE window containing the help to always remain on top of user's desktop?
Thank you.

Hi there
I've seen JavaScripts used to coax a "stay on top" condition of browsers. They do exist. I've actually tested them.
However, before choosing to implement them you *seriously* need to consider the implications.
Whereas a typical Windows "Stay on top" allows the window to be always visible yet handing focus to another application where the user may work. But when you implement one of these javascript solutions, focus is always stolen and given back to the browser. This means the user is unable to switch away from the browser for any length of time whatsoever and it will be the cause of many computer crashes.
Not hard drive crashes, but computers crashing to the floor in utter frustration by your users.
Cheers... Rick
Helpful and Handy Links
RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form
Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day!
Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training
SorcerStone Blog
RoboHelp eBooks

How can I script a Flash .exe file to always stay on top of all other windows?

Hi All,
I'm new to action script, and I just need this one script
> How can I script a Flash .exe file to always stay on top of
all other windows?
Basically what i want to do is have a flash-created
step-by-step instructional movie, but for the movie to remain on
top of all windows so the instructee is able to follow the
instructions on-screen...
It would be preferable to not have to buy another product
just to do this... as I said, this is the only scripting I need.
Thanks in advance
Cheers
Rick

if you create your exe with mProjector you can use one of its
new AS
commands to do this.
setZOrder
http://www.screentime.com/software/mprojector/docs/mWin_setZOrder.htm
all APIS
http://www.screentime.com/software/mprojector/docs/index.html
Demo
http://www.screentime.com/software/mprojector/demo.html
mProjector installs new classes and help into Flash, to
enable them you
must build your app with mProjector (its input is your swf)
John Pattenden
Screentime Media - Flash Tools since 1997
http://www.screentime.com

Stay on Top vs modal error windows

I've noticed that if a window's properties include "Stay On Top" and a
modal error window is raised, you can't see the error. This can be a bit of
a problem, since you can't see what the error is before you acknowledge it,
but since the error window is modal, all focus is on it, even though it's
not visible.
Has anyone found a way around this?
BTW, we're using 3.0.M.2. Is this fixed in 3.5?
Thanks,
Craig.

if you create your exe with mProjector you can use one of its
new AS
commands to do this.
setZOrder
http://www.screentime.com/software/mprojector/docs/mWin_setZOrder.htm
all APIS
http://www.screentime.com/software/mprojector/docs/index.html
Demo
http://www.screentime.com/software/mprojector/demo.html
mProjector installs new classes and help into Flash, to
enable them you
must build your app with mProjector (its input is your swf)
John Pattenden
Screentime Media - Flash Tools since 1997
http://www.screentime.com

When I have my Firefox browser running, if I bring up a document from my computer, it appears briefly, then disappears behind the browser. It shows in the taskbar, but won't stay on top until I minimize all other windows.

When I have my Firefox browser running, if I bring up a document from my computer, it appears briefly, then disappears behind the browser. It shows in the taskbar, but won't stay on top until I minimize all other windows.

Hi NicoMan,
According to your description ,we seem to suffer a performance issue here.
Have you tried to open the task manager to check the system performance ? Is there any specific process occupied many system resources ?Will the issue occur only with the specific applications ?
We can try to restart the Windows Explorer process to have a check.
If it only occurred with the spefcific two applications ,we can try to end the other application processes manually from the task manager to have a check .
If this is caused by the specific application ,we may need to look for help from the third party support considering they are all the third party applications .
Best regards
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Is there a utility to make whatever window I choose stay on top?

I've searched the forums, so if this question is answered, I apologize!
I was wondering if there is a utility program that would let me keep whatever window I choose stay on top of all my other windows I have open. I know iTunes can do this, but I'd like something system wide.
For example, if I'm working on a project in Final Cut Pro, but I have a client on-line with Yahoo Messenger, I'd like my chat box to stay "on top" of Final Cut pro, even though FCP would be my active program. I could do that with my old Windows computer, as the graphics card had a program to do it.
Any info would be helpful
Power Mac dual 2.5 Ghz G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Hi, Bill, a, and Mike —
Bill, I agree with Mike N. that unsanity's WindowShade X 4.0.2 is a 3rd-party app that may come close to what you want.
A caution. Thought I'd add — for your benefit, if you're unfamiliar with unsanity — that you should keep a close eye on other applications (and, potentially, your system) closely after its installation — should you choose to try WindowShade. Many folks (I'm one) have experienced bizarre behaviors after installing a "haxie" from unsanity. Also note that many are dependent on their Application Enhancer (APE) 1.5.1, which you may not notice has been installed (although it tells you so). Thankfully, their apps typically include an uninstall option that's accessible from System Preferences — and both the app and APE may need to be uninstalled if you observe problems.
And, fyi... Mac OS X itself provides application developers the ability to create windows that inherently meet your objective — they're termed "utility windows." The Apple Human Interface Guidelines describes them on pp. 169 and 194.
Warm regards to all,
Dean

How do you stop the help window from floating to the top?

Is there way to change the help window's behavior so that it acts like a normal window?
It takes so long to set up seeing the problem and the help at the same time, then go back to reading and then back again.
The floating to the top is a very unwellcome "Feature" and microsoft-like not Apple-like.

hmslfi wrote:
The floating to the top is a very unwellcome "Feature" and microsoft-like not Apple-like.
That depends on your POV. Some may prefer the default behaviour, because it doesn't allow the help window to be hidden by the working window.
Also, keep in mind that you can use the Minimise (yellow) button in the window's title bar.
However, if you really want to change the default floating window, there is a preference you can change with the defaults command:
$ defaults write com.apple.helpviewer NormalWindow -bool true
Alternatively, you can enable Help Viewer's developer mode
$ defaults write com.apple.helpviewer DevMode -bool true
(See
<http://www.macworld.com/article/158482/2011/03/hidehelpviewer.html>
for details.)

"Help" window - unable to impose another window on top of help window

Why isn't it possible to put another application's window, on top of a Help window?
It becomes quite obtrusive when you are reading the Help for an application, and you wish to open another window, and have it sit on top of the Help window, without being able to do so.
If somebody knows a workaround on this, please let me know. I have had this internal complaint on this issue ever since Tiger, and still on Leopard, I don't understand the logic of "Help" windows trying to control your Desktop view. You can basically have only a Help window minimized or as a top layer window, it's impossible (that I am aware of) to have it behind another application's window, etc.
Thanks,
Message was edited by: orlandold

No, what should be the case is that the Help window behaves like any other window: click on another window and it comes forward, click on the Help window and it comes forward, and so on. Truthfully I did not read the article V.K. cited, just clicked the link and saw the default write command was there, and assumed it was the same as the original discovery--which I have used on my own system.
defaults write com.apple.helpviewer NormalWindow -bool true
That's all I did. AFAIK nothing else is necessary and the Help window then behaves like any other window. I copied the command from the original MacOSXHints discussion:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20080601072810282&query=defaults%2B write%2Bhelpviewer
I have used it, and only it, on both my Leopard installs and it worked exactly as expected.
Francine
Francine
Schwieder

Must 'Help' Windows Stay on Top?

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