Supporting multi-monitors

Question

I want to provide multi-monitor support in my application.

In the past I have had the simplistic view that multi-monitor support is simply the lack of open multi-monitor related bugs. If it seems to work on a multi-monitor setup, then it supports multi-monitors, right?

But I would like to create some clear requirements about this.

What are the basic requirements I need to adhere to, in order to satisfy most users' expectations so that they might say "yes this application supports multi-monitors"?

For example an obvious requirement is that all windows/messageboxes/tooltips etc must open on the same monitor that the application is on. And any children of those windows must open on the same monitor as their parent.

Can you think of any more? Are there any guidelines about this anywhere?

Answer 1

• if the application was last used in a multi-monitor setup, and started up a second time with none of the additional monitors plugged in, make your application sense this and more all boxes and working areas back into the main screen.

(Eclipse doesn't do this and it annoys the hell out of me)

Answer 2

What makes me very happy is an application that remembers where all of its windows are (be they on the main monitor or second monitor) and re-displays everything in the same layout when I start up the application.