Thanks for your interesting comments. 

 

I've been playing with Visual Studio 2010 with the Aero Snap feature turned
on.  VS allows me to dock windows horizontally, e.g. "Start Page", below
that "Class View", below that more docked windows. I can adjust the splitter
between the docked windows to create unique heights for each.

 

The effect is similar to splitting windows with C-x 2 in Emacs, and
adjusting the divider to make unique window heights.

 

It appears VS uses proportionality to position it's sub-windows.  The VS
frame can be height extended, restored back to its original size over and
over and each time the window positions are consistent.  Emacs doesn't use
proportionality to position the window sizes so the window positions are
inconsistent as "snap" height extends then restores. Hence my frustration
with the snap feature and Emacs.

 

For editing text, I actually prefer the Emacs method, and reading your
comments regarding minimizing differences between Emacs and windows I agree
with you and will take the issue up with the MS folks.

 

Thanks for you help.