FusionGuy Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 In Vista there was an option to animate the activity of the icon. I always like to see if there is any activity going on. Now I can't seem to find a way to enable it. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerxes Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 I don't think you can, the Ethernet icon is fixed. The wireless icon is animated though, it will change based on the signal strength but that is about it I believe. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/#findComment-591814734 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MS Bob 11 Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Will this do? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/#findComment-591818754 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoltmanm Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Natively, there is no way to do it within 7. I don't believe the icons are even included anymore. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/#findComment-591818776 Share on other sites More sharing options...
unawave Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Now I can't seem to find a way to enable it. Can only be done with a third party program (German site). Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/#findComment-591826898 Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionGuy Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 Will this do? Can only be done with a third party program (German site). Thanks guys. I think these links are for the same program called LanLights. I'll try it out. Anyways MS should bring this feature back with one of their updates or hotfixes. What is so difficult to make this an option like in Vista. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/#findComment-591827472 Share on other sites More sharing options...
br0adband Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Always has irked me that they changed the network icon to a static non-animated one over the years. I'm just one of those guys that prefers the ability of a quick glance to that icon to see if data is 'flowing' instead of having to do more, aka spin my chair around a bit to position me to see the cable modem on the other side of the room where it's attached to the router. ;) Will see what these LanLights can do. Could end up being incompatible with Windows 7 but, there's always ways around such issues... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/#findComment-591827668 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jamesyfx Subscriber² Posted November 10, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted November 10, 2009 I'm pretty sure Windows 7 design principles state that no tray icons should be animated. They just change to show status. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/#findComment-591828308 Share on other sites More sharing options...
unawave Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 I'm pretty sure Windows 7 design principles state that no tray icons should be animated. This could be for Windows 7 system icons. But I have installed "Avast virus scanner" and the system tray icon of "Avast" shows a rotating "a" when it is scanning. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/#findComment-591828902 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The2 Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 DuMeter has system tray icon with download/upload indicators. Not free, though... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/#findComment-591828918 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jamesyfx Subscriber² Posted November 10, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted November 10, 2009 It's merely a guideline, most apps haven't updated for it (some probably won't) - but of course Microsoft apps will. Here you go, straight from the horses mouth: # Don't change status too frequently. Notification area icons shouldn't appear noisy, unstable, or demand attention. The eye is sensitive to changes in the peripheral field of vision, so status changes need to be subtle. * Don't change the icon rapidly. If underlying status is changing rapidly, have the icon reflect high-level status. * Don't use long-running animations to show continuous activities. Such animations are a distraction. An icon's presence in the notification area sufficiently indicates continuous activity. * Don't flash the icon. Doing so is too distracting. If an event requires immediate attention, use a dialog box instead. If the event otherwise needs attention, use a notification. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/843068-is-there-a-way-to-animate-the-network-icon-on-taskbar/#findComment-591828924 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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