Gregorian Programmers Guild -- README.TXT -- Introduction and information on dwm applications. Copyright (C) 1994, Gregorian Programmers Guild, all rights reserved. Published by Gregorian Programmers Guild, 4112 Hotel de Ville Montreal, Quebec, H2W 2H1 Canada (514) 281-6425 Thanks for trying out the dwm package, we hope you enjoy using it. In this document you will find a brief description of the major applications in the dwm package, product support, as well as an overview of the shareware concept and the Association of Shareware Professionals. This document is fairly long, so you may want to print it out. It has page breaks/form feeds every 55 lines with footers (we suggest you use a monospaced font, like Courier 12pt, or the printout might be a bit wierd). The basic system requirement for using dwm and the other dwm applications is that you must be running at least Windows 3.1. Note that dwm will not work properly in Windows NT. For installation instructions see the file INSTALL.TXT or see below for a brief description of the install process. The license agreement which governs your use of dwm and the other dwm programs appears in the file LICENSE.TXT. This file also outlines the rights and responsibilities of the user, along with a details of warranty on our products. Please read it before using the software, or before ordering. Order information is available in the file ORDER.TXT, and also from the Help system of the installed package. Quick Install (see INSTALL.TXT for details) o if you obtained the distribution uuencoded - uudecode the distribution file - this will produce a file called dwm120.zip o if you obtained the distribution as a ZIP file - copy the file dwm120.zip to a temporary directory somewhere on your harddisk - unzip the dwm distribution archive dwm120.zip o if you obtained an unzipped distribution on diskette - insert the diskette in your A: or B: drive o From the Program Manager File Menu choose Run and run the file setup.exe (either from the floppy or whichever temporary directory in which the dwm distribution files are stored) o Click on the install button to install dwm o Click on the Progman button to create a dwm Program Group o Exit setup & run dwm.exe from the Program Manager dwm group Gregorian Programmers Guild README.TXT Page 1 Features and description of the dwm applications ------------------------------------------------- * dwm * Dwm window manager. Designed to be used as a Windows shell, dwm must be running for the other applications (blanch, dobs, vern) to work. It's main interactive function is to act as a program manager, and to provide an interface for launching applications through pop up menus. Menus are activated by clicking on the desktop, with different menus assigned to left and right mouse clicks. Menus can be quickly altered or edited using a built in graphical menu editor. Dwm also keeps track of all the desktop objects between windows sessions (this includes the states and positions of vern, dobs, and blanches). Items can be dragged from a dwm pop up menu and dropped onto the desktop, leaving a *blanch* (see below). * dobs * Desktop disk objects. Dobs main function is to act as a file and disk manager, and provides an interface for quickly manipulating (copying, renaming, deleting, changing attributes etc.) files and directories through pop up file/directory list windows. Files and/or directories can be dragged between dobs (for moves or copies); dragged from a dob window and dropped onto the desktop (leaving a blanch); or dropped onto a blanch with variable effect (depending on the nature of both the file and the blanch). Dobs also acts as a drag and drop server for loading files into running programs, and can also be used to modify dwm pop up menus. * blanch * Desktop button launcher. Blanch provides the user with a dynamic way of creating buttons on the desktop which are used to launch applications. Blanches are created by dragging items out of dwm pop up menus, or dob file list windows, and dropping them on the desktop. Once a blanch is in place, it can be used in several different ways. Double clicking on it will launch the program or file it represents, along with any user specified options or command line switches. Dropping another file onto a blanch will have variable effect, depending on the nature of the dropped file and the state of the blanch. Blanches can be easily edited, and their launch, file and options parameters changes, to customize the blanch or redefine the blanch function. * vern * Virtual desktop environment. Vern makes your computer act as though it has many independent monitors attached to it. Vern appears on the desktop as a matrix of rectangular cells (vernspace), each cell repre- sents a different full screen view. The user can have many applications running with their windows open, distributed on various virtual screens, avoiding the typical clutter of having many windows on the same screen. Verncells also contain miniature representations of all open windows within their space. These mini windows can be dragged from one verncell to another, changing the nature of their corresponding full screen views. Vern also allows the users to glue down program windows, so they appear in each screen of the virtual environment. Gregorian Programmers Guild README.TXT Page 2 Product Support Contact GPG for support for dwm and the related dobs applications through: Internet: dwm@cam.org Fax: (514) 843-6898 Voice: (514) 281-6425 Mail: Gregorian Programmers Guild 4112 Hotel de Ville Montreal, Quebec, H2W 2H1 Canada Telephone support is generally available during business hours, North American Eastern time. Availability of help by phone may vary, depending on workload and staffing, but you should be able to leave a message, and we will return your call or contact you as soon as is possible, usually within 24 hours. Queries via electronic mail will usually be answered within a day or two. Users with internet access can keep themselves updated on bugfixes or new developments by anonymous ftp to our server. Contact us by email at dwm@cam.org for the location of the most current ftp site. The Shareware Concept Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details - some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific excemptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality (in both cases there are good programs and bad ones!). The main difference is the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee - if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. Gregorian Programmers Guild README.TXT Page 3 If you obtained your shareware copy of dwm from a friend or aquaintance, a disk vendor, a bulletin board or other computer service, or through some source, you have an unregistered (trial) copy. As the copyright holder on the software, Gregorian Programmers Guild grants you a trial use license, and encourages you to use this trial copy without charge and to make copies for your friends or associates, within the restrictions of the shareware license agreement (see LICENSE.TXT). After this time is up, you must register (i.e.: pay) the product to continue using it. Information on registering copies is found in the file ORDER.TXT. Paying the shareware registration fee for the dwm package entitles you to a complete copy of the product with a user registration code and certificate, (a discount is offered to users who choose simply to convert their shareware to a registered version using a code provided by GPG, without receiving a diskette; the shareware and registered versions are functionally identical), a printed manual, a voucher for a discount on the next major release of the product and continued technical support by phone, fax, mail or electronic mail. The Association of Shareware Professionals The authors of dwm and it's related applications are members of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). The ASP is an association for shareware authors and distributors with the general goals of educating shareware authors, distributors and the public, setting standards and sharing resources and information among members. It's members, both programmers and distributors/vendors are bound by a code of ethics, and are committed to the concept of shareware as a method of marketing. The ASP sets standards for its members and their shareware products which require that programs produced by ASP members must meet certain criteria. Software produced by ASP members must be a 'complete' program, that is it performs all of the major functions normally expected of a program of its type, unlike a commercial demo which normally has a major function disabled. In addition to this policy of 'no crippling', ASP members also follow guidelines which provide that programs they produce are fully documented, and are offered with at least a minimum level of support. ASP Ombudsman Statement Gregorian Programmers Guild is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at: ASP Ombudsman, 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI, USA 49442-9427 Fax (616) 788-2765, You can also send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. Gregorian Programmers Guild README.TXT Page 4