Front and Center 4+
Classic Window Layering
Hypercritical LLC
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- $4.99
Screenshots
Description
Front and Center lets you control the window layering policy on your Mac. In "Classic" mode, clicking on a window brings all the windows in that app to the front, just like it did in classic Mac OS. In "Modern" mode, only the clicked window comes to the front. In either mode, Shift-click on a window to get the opposite of the chosen behavior.
What’s New
Version 1.4.1
• Fixed a bug that could cause excluded apps to not be excluded.
Ratings and Reviews
Does what it says on the tin
Nuff said.
But I do have a feature request. I am wondering if it is possible to have the window layering policy to be "per-display" for those of us with multiple displays. The idea is that the classic behavior can apply, but it only affects the display where the click event occurred. That way the window layering on other displays is not affected. I love this app when on a single display machine (such as a laptop) but when I am using it on my main setup I find that the "work flow" on my other display is disrupted by windows that I did not intend to be brought to the front on my secondary display.
I am not sure if this is possible, but this may be something to look into. Other than that I love this app and I am glad that someone still has strong memories of how Classic Mac OS did things to make sure that a utility such as this still existed in the post Mojave world
Preparing the way
I took all week to prepare the way for my 1st Mac (Mac Mini) and after hearing the background of the app I decided to let it be my first App store purchase right after a window tile manager. Front and Center does exactly what it says it will do which is a plus into todays world of bait and switch. Having no background in MacOS before now I can tell you that I love having the ability to decide the behavior of windows and I have grown to like the "Classic" feel better than the "Modern" feel. I am looking forward to more apps from this developer who has nailed the boring but highly functional utility app on the head.
Feature requests
Sorely needed, and does what it's supposed to do!
There are two things I'd like to see: one is not to have the app in the command-tab list of running apps; this app can be managed from the dock and/or menu bar, so there's no reason to have to tab over it when switching apps, it's just an exta keystroke.
The other is that I'd like to be able to get "retroactive modern" behavior. For example, if I click on one xterm and they all come to the front as desired, I'd then like to send the ones I'm not interested in to the back of the window stacking order again.
Developer Response ,
If you uncheck the "Show Dock icon" checkbox in Front and Center‘s preferences window, it will no longer appear in the command-tab app switcher.
As for your other feature request, I'm not sure if that's possible in a sandboxed Mac app, but I'll look into it.
App Privacy
The developer, Hypercritical LLC, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Hypercritical LLC
- Size
- 1.9 MB
- Category
- Productivity
- Compatibility
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- Mac
- Requires macOS 11.0 or later.
- Languages
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English
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2020-2023 John Siracusa
- Price
- $4.99
Supports
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Family Sharing
Up to six family members can use this app with Family Sharing enabled.