Looking for a desktop "cropper"

[yukichigai]

I never actually thought I'd see the day when I needed this, but I'm looking for a program which will let me custom define an area within the existing desktop and limit programs so they can only operate in that area. Confused? Lemme try to explain a little better.

A good example of this would be the ol' NetZero banner bar, for any of you who've ever used NetZero free. It hangs out at the top of your screen, but the interesting thing is that even when you maximize programs they only go to the bottom edge of the banner bar. (Sort of like how they stop at the taskbar) That's the kind of functionality I want, but customizable, with one on each side of the screen.

Why, you ask? I have an AverKey Plus I'm using for the upstairs computer. For what it does it's a steal at $5, but it doesn't compensate for the "cropping" on the edges of the TV screen. This is a problem for many programs, since I usually can't see scroll bars or the title bar. The taskbar is also off the screen. Because of this I can't use the TV as the only monitor; sometimes I need the regular monitor. Finding a program like I described above -- or even finding out exactly how the program does it so I could code it on my own -- would fix the problem.

 

[yukichigai]

This is me, bumping

 

[HN]

Not sure exactly what you're describing but let me take a shot at something that might work (if i think what you're saying is what i'm thinking)
Sizer (http://www.brianapps.net/sizer.html) allows you to define a specific window size and/or userdefined window position. you can set up one called "TV" or something, define the area, and click it when you want it in that certain position.
I think that's might work as a workaround.

 

[yukichigai]

Sizer kinda does the job; it let me specify a window size and position which compensates for the TV overscan, but it doesn't do it automatically, nor does it do it in the same "this is now the size everything maximizes to" way. It's a lot better than it was though. Gracias.

Still looking, however. And so far I haven't found anything that can reposition the taskbar like I'd like it.

 

[Jeff7]

Sign up for Juno, Netzero, etc, and use their little ad banners in all 4 corners.

Interesting solution for this problem though; I wouldn't even be sure what such a program would be called in order to search for it.

 

[corkyg]

This may provide a clue as to definitions and terms to search for . . .

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