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Show HN: A browser extension to use picture-in-picture with any website

tabfloater.io

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Re: Show HN: A browser extension to use picture-in-picture with any website

#31

Post by ba32107 »

kolinkorr839 wrote: post #28
ba32107 wrote: post #2

Hello everybody! I created a browser extension called TabFloater, which can replicate the picture-in-picture functionality with any website. It moves a chosen tab into a smaller window, which is going to remain always on top, so you can interact with both websites at the same time. This is my very first post on HN. I have been working on this pet project for a bit over a year now. The motivation for it was simple: be…

It's too bad the companion does not work for Mac. So, when I use this, it does not stay "on top".

I agree - this would be a great addition. I can't justify buying a Mac for this unfortunately.

I have https://github.com/tabfloater/tabfloater/issues/189 open in case there are any OS/X devs are here :)

Re: Show HN: A browser extension to use picture-in-picture with any website

#33

Post by atleta »

ba32107 wrote: post #30
atleta wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, I can grab the tab off the browser window, then enable 'always on top'. But yep, that's more than one click, so I guess if someone does this all the time then it makes sense for them to automate it.

What OS do you use? In Linux, there is a built in "always-on-top" feature, but on Windows there is not. Also, don't forget you have Smart Positioning :) That feature is pretty powerful IMO.

Yeah, I almost mentioned that I'm using gnome on linux but then I thought that this must be a ubiquitous feature. Now I'm surprised and have to look up if "always on top" was there in windows XP (the last version I've used) or not. :)

Re: Show HN: A browser extension to use picture-in-picture with any website

#35

Post by ba32107 »

behnamoh wrote: post #34

Remember to disable "Send Usage Statistics" before using this. Also, the required companion exe app on Windows was blocked twice: once by Firefox and then again by Windows.

I'm aware that Windows User Access Control blocks the Companion installer - sadly I don't have a way to fix this at the moment. I would need to sign the installer exe with a code signing certificate that is trusted by Windows, and this costs hundreds of dollars. I can't afford this.

As for the usage stats: if enabled, it sends data to Google Analytics, stuff like how many people installed it, how many people used X or Y feature. It really only exist to help me track how people use it.

It is of course completely up to you if you want to disable it - but as with any product, usage stats just help developers make the product better.

Re: Show HN: A browser extension to use picture-in-picture with any website

#37

Post by behnamoh »

ba32107 wrote: post #35
behnamoh wrote: post #34

Remember to disable "Send Usage Statistics" before using this. Also, the required companion exe app on Windows was blocked twice: once by Firefox and then again by Windows.

I'm aware that Windows User Access Control blocks the Companion installer - sadly I don't have a way to fix this at the moment. I would need to sign the installer exe with a code signing certificate that is trusted by Windows, and this costs hundreds of dollars. I can't afford this. As for the usage stats: if enabled, it sends data to Google Analytics, stuff like how many people installed it, how many people used X o…

Thanks for explaining this. I appreciate the effort you've put into this, and this is certainly something I've always wanted browsers to support. One suggestion: is it possible to see the tabs next to each other in the same window? Something like "splitting" the window in VS Code.

Re: Show HN: A browser extension to use picture-in-picture with any website

#38

Post by ba32107 »

behnamoh wrote: post #37
ba32107 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm aware that Windows User Access Control blocks the Companion installer - sadly I don't have a way to fix this at the moment. I would need to sign the installer exe with a code signing certificate that is trusted by Windows, and this costs hundreds of dollars. I can't afford this. As for the usage stats: if enabled, it sends data to Google Analytics, stuff like how many people installed it, how many people used X o…

Thanks for explaining this. I appreciate the effort you've put into this, and this is certainly something I've always wanted browsers to support. One suggestion: is it possible to see the tabs next to each other in the same window? Something like "splitting" the window in VS Code.

I think I see what you mean - do you mean something like what this extension does? https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/tile-tabs-we/lbnnf...

I knew these tiling managers exist for tabs, but I wanted to take a slightly different approach on multitasking. TabFloater is primarily useful if you use your browser in a single-window mode. Within one window, it's impossible (AFAIK) to arrange tabs the way you mentioned, you would need separate windows. If you'd like that functionality, the above linked extension should work great.

Re: Show HN: A browser extension to use picture-in-picture with any website

#39

Post by TheSpiceIsLife »

This is a great idea, and I'm sure many people will have use for in-browser, or in specific-app, only implementation.

I've used AutoHotKey for over a decade to do always on top switching.

   ;CTRL-SHIFT-SPACE switches the current window always on top
   ^+SPACE::  Winset, Alwaysontop, , A
   Return
I know there are programs dedicated to always on top management, but this is simple and I typically have AutoHotKey running for other reasons too, shortcuts for CAD / CAM software and graphic design.

Find AHK here: https://www.autohotkey.com/

AHK is open source, if you want to take a look at, here: https://github.com/Lexikos/AutoHotkey_L

Re: Show HN: A browser extension to use picture-in-picture with any website

#40

Post by emayljames »

ba32107 wrote: post #2

Hello everybody! I created a browser extension called TabFloater, which can replicate the picture-in-picture functionality with any website. It moves a chosen tab into a smaller window, which is going to remain always on top, so you can interact with both websites at the same time. This is my very first post on HN. I have been working on this pet project for a bit over a year now. The motivation for it was simple: be…

This is a concept that was always in use in the now dead AOL browser. It was a concept I always liked and preferred it to tabs, but could never find anything to match it. I'll be sure to give this a go.

edit: for the curious https://i.pinimg.com/originals/44/3a/7b/443a7b1de502069e3fa9...

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