Select between windows which have indistinguishable titles.

[WardXmodem]

I have started using "private Browsing" with Firefox. 

This results in two windows - a "non-private" window with possibly multiple tabs, and a "private" window with possibly multiple tabs.

 

I'd like my MEP shortcut key to go to, say, the non-private window, but if I'm already there, go to the private window.

 

Since the "activate window" title is variable but ends in:

"Mozilla Firefox (Private Browsing)"
-or-
"Mozilla Firefox"

I can't distinguish between them - so if I'm in the private browsing window and say to activate "Mozilla Firefox" -- wanting the OTHER window -- it is happy to do nothing - after all "Mozilla Firefox" is in the title containing (Private Browsing).

 

 I could "hack" issuing an alt-tab to the "next" window, stopping when the window title has "Mozilla Firefox" -- by definition either back to the ONLY Firefox window, or advancing to the "other" one.   Not elegant enough, flashing windows, etc.

 

Thanks for any ideas.

[acantor]

Maybe something like this? This script seems to switch between private browsing and non-private browsing windows.

 

Variable Set String %WinTitle% to topmost window title
If Variable %WinTitle% Contains "Mozilla Firefox (Private Browsing)"
  Set Window Order "<Current Window>" Place on bottom // Move to the bottom of the stack of windows
  Window Activate: Mozilla Firefox
Else
  Window Activate: Mozilla Firefox (Private Browsing)
End If

<VARIABLE SET STRING Option="\x05" Destination="%WinTitle%"/>
<IF VARIABLE Variable="%WinTitle%" Condition="\x06" Value="Mozilla Firefox (Private Browsing)" IgnoreCase="FALSE"/>
<SET WINDOW ORDER Window="\x00" Partial="TRUE" Wildcards="FALSE" Action="\x02" _IGNORE="0x0006" _COMMENT="Move to the bottom of the stack of windows"/>
<WINDOW ACTIVATE Title="Mozilla Firefox" Exact_Match="FALSE" Wildcards="FALSE" _IGNORE="0x0006"/>
<ELSE/>
<WINDOW ACTIVATE Title="Mozilla Firefox (Private Browsing)" Exact_Match="FALSE" Wildcards="FALSE" _IGNORE="0x0006"/>
<END IF/>	

 

[WardXmodem]

Ah, 'tis truly a work of art!  Learned some new things.   THANKS!!!

 

Reminds me of an old rule I seem to no longer follow: 

1. Read up on new software

2. use it for a while

3. go back and see what you forgot/missed.

 

So poking about all the functions would be a good idea!

 

LOVE posting both versions of the macro!!!

 

Nice!!

VV

 

[WardXmodem]

OOPS, I missed that you didn't do an "activate or launch".  so will have to tweak it.  A non-private-browsing Firefox window is open, but the hotkey doesn't switch to it. 

 

But at least the swapping is working!

 

[acantor]

Glad my script set you in the right direction. I imagine you'll be able to tweak the script to do what you need it to do. 

 

I've been using Macro Express for about 20 years, and I'm still finding new ways to use the program to automate tasks, simplify routine operations, and repair accessibility and usability problems.

[WardXmodem]

 I just added a few lines to launch if NO Firefox is active.

If Window "— Mozilla Firefox" is focused
  Macro Return
End If
Activate or Launch: Window "Mozilla Firefox", Program "firefox.exe", Parameters ""

 

Thanks again!

 

P.S. when I invented and programmed the world's first Bulletin Board System, I suffered from "Rampant Featureitis".   I was ALWAYS thinking of new things to tweak, haha.

 

SO FOR THIS macro, my next "tweak", would be that if I'm on the non-private-browsing Firefox, and I switch to the private-browsing one, BUT it isn't there, then I'd issue a ctrl-shift-P command in Firefox to open a new window with private browsing.   Or not.  heh.

[acantor]

I hope you'll post your completed (or almost completed!) script after you're happy with it.