I'm using Microsoft Lync 2010, version 4.0.7577.4072.  I note that even when I'm in "Name View," I only can see 37 users at one time in the display (1920 x 1200) with the pane stretched as tall as possible.  Compare this to Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2, version 3.5.6907.236 in which I could see 49 users.

Is there anything I can do to maximize the number of users I'm able to see at any one time (without scrolling)?

I'd like to have a "Compact View"!

 

Hi,

I didnt find something like that. it seems something related with the user interface design.

If the height of a contact reduces, then more users can be displayed in Lync window.

Regards,

Lisa

Yes, it is a user interface design issue.  Lync takes up more space to show the same information than did Microsoft Communicator.  There is unnecessary space between names and there is window decoration that can't be turned off.

Please note that I have turned OFF "Picture View" -- it's a terrible waste of space to show pictures.

Even with "Name View", I can now see only 37 users at one time.  With Communicator, I could see 49!

Is there any way I can make it so that I can see at least the same number of contacts as before I "upgraded" to Lync?  Is there any way to have an even more compact view for contacts so that I can see even more contacts?

 

Hi,

I am afraid not, in the Name View, the height of a contact is fixed.

Regard,

Lisa

• Proposed as answer by Lisa.zhengMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Thursday, April 05, 2012 1:31 AM
• Marked as answer by Noya LauModerator Friday, April 06, 2012 9:54 AM

 

Hi,

I am afraid not, in the Name View, the height of a contact is fixed.

Regard,

Lisa

• Proposed as answer by Lisa.zhengMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Thursday, April 05, 2012 1:31 AM
• Marked as answer by Noya LauModerator Friday, April 06, 2012 9:54 AM

The GUI design/function of Lync is so flawed I prefer not to argue the point.

But to the previous comments, why would Microsoft NOT have an option to a 'compact view'; to see more contacts at a time -- is it because it doesn't fit in with your 'touch' interface? And just how many corporations/companies are using a touch interface with all their workstations? Why remove features from an application in a so-called upgrade? Is it so hard to understand that desktop real estate is valuable and that's why most companies have two monitors for workstations? Pretty isn't productive, and sometimes productive can't be pretty...

I recently had to update from Microsoft Communcator for work and at this point, I think I could've vomited a better GUI than Microsoft has 'planned out'.

It's hard not to be sarcastic on this one, but good job on the roll out and execution of Lync Microsoft; good job. Way to look out for the users...
Next time I need a 'train wreck' execution of an upgrade, I will keep you guys in mind.

You'd been a heck of a lot better just replacing Lync with Skype...
Isn't that why you buy ccompanies like Skype for $8bn dollars?

Later,
Larry
 

Larry said it all.  Count me in on the group that wants a nice compact view.

I just switched from Name and Details to just Name.  At least now i have a few more contacts showing up.

Bob....

count me in too.  wasted space = no good

me too!  now I am having to perform multiple clicks just to see if people are available.  Something I could do just at a glance with communicator.

Me too! (Starting to feel like an old-school mail storm)

Both name view and the window view are a massive waste of space. I don't want to be continously scrolling around my contacts trying to work out who is online.
Similarly I don't want to have to scroll backward and forwards in a message window. 

Luckily, I've been able to rollback to 2007, but I'm guessing that this will stop working at some point.

Some people like it, but in the end, an office tool should be adaptable enough to work the way I want to work to be the most productive. If I need to change the way I work to accommodate the tool, then the tool is flawed.

Please log this as a feature request. A compact view for both the contacts list and within a conversation window. 

Larry said it all.  Count me in on the group that wants a nice compact view.

I just switched from Name and Details to just Name.  At least now i have a few more contacts showing up.

Bob....

Thanks for that.  Even after you mentioned it, I had to hunt around to find how to set it.  (It's the options dropdown just above the list which actually is quite intuitive, but I was looking for it in Settings).  With that set, it's a nice compact list.

But it's not just the contacts list.  There is a sh*t load of wasted space through out the window.  1 line wasted on "What's happening today".  3 lines wasted on my name, status and location.  All of that could have gone into 1 line at most, but even better into the title bar.  2 lines wasted on huge icons that I never use.  And then finally we come to the "find contact" text field - the first useful line.  Then another wasted line on Groups/status/relationship.  I mean seriously!

I like the Frequent Contacts section.  That's good, but really, allow me to get rid of the rubbish on the top.

• Edited by os2baba Thursday, August 30, 2012 7:40 PM

Larry said it all.  Count me in on the group that wants a nice compact view.

I just switched from Name and Details to just Name.  At least now i have a few more contacts showing up.

Bob....

Thanks for that.  Even after you mentioned it, I had to hunt around to find how to set it.  (It's the options dropdown just above the list which actually is quite intuitive, but I was looking for it in Settings).  With that set, it's a nice compact list.

But it's not just the contacts list.  There is a sh*t load of wasted space through out the window.  1 line wasted on "What's happening today".  3 lines wasted on my name, status and location.  All of that could have gone into 1 line at most, but even better into the title bar.  2 lines wasted on huge icons that I never use.  And then finally we come to the "find contact" text field - the first useful line.  Then another wasted line on Groups/status/relationship.  I mean seriously!

I like the Frequent Contacts section.  That's good, but really, allow me to get rid of the rubbish on the top.

• Edited by os2baba Thursday, August 30, 2012 7:40 PM

Larry said it all.  Count me in on the group that wants a nice compact view.

I just switched from Name and Details to just Name.  At least now i have a few more contacts showing up.

Bob....

Thanks for that.  Even after you mentioned it, I had to hunt around to find how to set it.  (It's the options dropdown just above the list which actually is quite intuitive, but I was looking for it in Settings).  With that set, it's a nice compact list.

But it's not just the contacts list.  There is a sh*t load of wasted space through out the window.  1 line wasted on "What's happening today".  3 lines wasted on my name, status and location.  All of that could have gone into 1 line at most, but even better into the title bar.  2 lines wasted on huge icons that I never use.  And then finally we come to the "find contact" text field - the first useful line.  Then another wasted line on Groups/status/relationship.  I mean seriously!

I like the Frequent Contacts section.  That's good, but really, allow me to get rid of the rubbish on the top.

I agree this is a trainwreck of a GUI, The developers are a few stubbies short of a six pack.

Agree... GUI is aweful coming from Communicator

Add my name to the list of users dissapointed with the gui.  Having two lines of space between each contact is unacceptable.  I can't believe it wasn't raised during UAT.  Or mabe they just ignored the testers....

Yes add me to the list as well for disappointed users!

I want a very compact view, Lync is a monster and taking up too much valuable screen space! Please create a beady-eyed UI with less horizontal space, when I am using the tool, I want to communicate not create a social network and post pics of myself. Compact flexible communication tool, that is what I want... Lync completely the wrong direction.

Please create a patch/upgrade to include this feature.

Thanks 

Just like you guys, I was frustrated with the non-compact view in Lync.

However, there is finally a solution!  Check out Tools --> Options --> Contacts List --> Contact name only (one line)