[fastcolors]

wow thanks for the quick reply.
I am using the mouse (actually a targus pointer/mouse thing) mainly because it is here and my 6 year old can use it without problems. For myself I usually use either Yatse remote or awxi web interface via my laptop browser. so the frustration with the pop out screen really comes from my daughter This is why I am asking. But thanks for the advice!
I also found if i set this to false, then the side screen doesnt pop out..but it isnt ideal
<control type="group" description="Side menu 9000 group">
<visible allowhiddenfocus="false">ControlGroup(9000).HasFocus() + !Window.IsVisible(traktContextMenu.xml)</visible>

I have already edited the MyVideoNav.xml, which works perfectly, but I guess the issue is when I update, it writes over this so I have to remember to reedit it...my wife doesnt know anything about linux, so she gets mad when it "magically" changes back to what i had "fixed" already So hence I was wondering if there could be something in the settings to set the default view for the entire skin. But if not, no worries, I can always edit the file without issues.
Thanks again for the great skin

no problem, I try to be around when life isn't calling.

eheh, I'm constantly working on wife proofing the skin, but children... that's a whole different game!

Unfortunately there's no setting so far for that... I've been looking for a way to do it all across the skin, but I think ATM the only way would be a Python script to go and change settings in guisettings.xml and viewmodes6.db.

I think this should be a setting feature added in the program core itself, and then given to the skins via built in functions... since i think it would be very useful.

maybe open a thread requesting it? Most likely there's one already around the forum...

here's a thought: I know that the skin overwrites the files with each update ,but I believe that if you manually set each view the way you want (switch to one view, then back to the one you want) than it should stick thorugh the updates... please test it since i'm not 100% sure of it.

of course the problem will represent with clean install. (and I believe it might come back with addons)

BTW: Helix WILL have the menu on the left
cheers,

and apologize to your daughter on my behalf for the frustration