Copyright: Associate v1.3


Introduction

This program is for those of us that find Windows 95 to be somewhat inadequate, and downright faulty at times in regard to setting up file associations. Let me begin this introduction by explaining exactly what a file association is.

In either File Manager or Explorer, you can double-click on a TXT file, and it will be quickly displayed using the Notepad applet. That is because TXT files are associated with Notepad. This program will allow you to easily change that association to a more powerful text editor, if you wish. It will, of course, also allow you to associate any file extension with whatever program you wish.

If you are uncertain as to the usage of any of the controls in this program, please consult the context-sensitive help. This can be accessed by clicking on the [image] button.

This evaluation version will perform 10 file associations. If you would like to use the program beyond that, it will be necessary to register the program.


command
This represents a list of commonly used file association commands. The default is open. The open command will be called whenever you double-click on a file. If, on the other hand, you choose view, view will then appear as a right-click context menu item for the selected file extension, but will have no effect in regard to double-clicking on a file.

You are not bound to the commands in the list. If you wish to use a different command, simply type it in.


extension
Enter the file extension that you wish to associate here. If there is an existing association, that information will be displayed.


icon
If you wish to display a particular icon for the file type you are associating, you can make that selection here. You may either type in the path to the file, or browse for it. The icon selected will be displayed. If you select an EXE or DLL file containing many icons, you can click on the View Icons button to display all of the icons contained within the file. Double-clicking on an icon in the ensuing dialog will automatically select it.


dde
Click this if the program uses DDE (dynamic data exchange). If checked, you may click on the DDE Info button to retrieve or modify the DDE commands.


program
Select the program you wish to associate with your file extension here. You may either type in the complete path or browse to find the file.


ddemessage
Specifies the DDE command for the specified action. Use the %1 replaceable parameter to represent a filename. The %1 is replaced with the selected file when the command is carried out.

For example, if the specified action is Open, the DDE command for opening a file is [open("%1")]. This option will work only with programs that support DDE.


ddeapplication
Specifies the DDE application string to use to initiate a DDE conversation with the program.

If you leave this area blank, the command specified in the Application Used To Perform Action box will be used.


ddenr
Specifies the DDE command to use if the program is not already running. Use the %1 replaceable parameter to represent a filename. The %1 is replaced with the selected file when the command is carried out.

For example, if you want to specify the action for printing when the program is not running, you would type: [open("%1")][print()][quit()].

If this area is blank, the value in the DDE Message area is used.


ddetopic
Specifies the DDE topic string to use to initiate a DDE conversation with the program. If you do not complete this area, "System" is used.


icon2
Displaying Icons

If you wish to display a particular icon for the file type you are associating, you can do that quite easily. You may either type in the path to the file, or browse for it. The icon selected will be displayed. If you select an EXE or DLL file containing many icons, you can click on the View Icons button to display all of the icons contained within the file. Double-clicking on an icon in the ensuing dialog will automatically select it.


viewicons
This will invoke a dialog that will display all of the icons contained with the selected icon file. You can simply double-click on the icon of your choice to select it as the default.


selicon
Double-clicking on the icon of your choice will automatically select it as the default for the current file extension.


moreback
If you are viewing the contents of a file containg a very large number of icons, they cannot all be displayed at once. Clicking on this button will allow you to navigate through the icons. When all of the icons have been displayed, the caption of this button will change to Back. Clicking on the Back button will return you to the beginning of the list for further perusal.


menu
Menu Items

Delete Entry

If you wish to delete a file association, type in the file extension, and optionally select the command before selecting this menu item. A message box will then ask you if you wish to delete only the selected command. If you answer yes, that is exactly what will happen. If you answer no, all association references to that file type will be deleted from the registry.

Backup Registry On Edit

If checked, the program will make a backup copy of your registry before each edit.

Restore Registry

Selecting this menu item will restore the registry with the last backup files that Associate created.


Registration

CT Software

4510 E. Muriel Dr.  -  Phoenix, AZ 85032

USA

(800) 617-7740

This program is shareware, and, as such, may be used a total of 10 times. If you find this nifty little utility useful, and plan to continue using it beyond the trial period, you are required to register the program.

By supporting the shareware concept you are helping to ensure its continuation, which, I think you'll agree, will benefit us all.

If you wish to register the program, we do accept American Express, Visa and Master Card. Our toll-free registration number is (800) 617-7740. The cost of registration is $12.00. If you would like a copy of the program on diskette, there is an additional $3.00 shipping and handling charge.

You can purchase and immediately receive the Registered Version of this program on the Internet through our Registration & Download Center. Transactions are via Credit Card over a secure server. Please go to:

<< http://members.aol.com/ron2222 >>

Click on the "Buy It" button to register this software.

If you are a CompuServe subscriber, the program can be registered on-line. Go SWREG - the SWREG# is 15458. Upon receipt, a registration number will be e-mailed immediately.

If you prefer mail, please send a check in the amount of $12.00 to the above address. Be sure to include your name, address, e-mail address, and the exact name of the program, so that we can immediately send you the registration information. If you would like a copy of the program on diskette, there is an additional $3.00 shipping and handling charge.

CompuServe:  75264,3237

America Online:  Ron2222

Internet:  Ron2222@aol.com


Home Page
On-Line Support

Please feel free to visit our World Wide Web site, from which you can download all of our software, and access complete product descriptions of the very latest versions of the shareware offered by CT Software, in addition to offering links to many other excellent shareware sources. The CT Software Home Page URL is:

"http://members.aol.com/ron2222"


Programs
Other Programs by CT Software

CT Calendar

CT Calendar is a small 32-Bit desktop calendar. We have tried to keep it small enough to keep on your desktop, but not so small that you need a magnifying glass to see it. It has many customizable features including color and loading position.This program is free of charge with the registration of any CT Software 32-bit shareware program.

CT HotSpot

CT HotSpot is a small utility with which you can create 2 hotspots - 1 to turn your screensaver on, and the other to turn it off. This can be quite useful when downloading a large file, doing a tape backup, or when using the Windows 95 utility, DEFRAG. Having a screensaver come on during any of these activities can wreck havoc with your computer and your files.

CT Launcher

CT Launcher is a small 32 bit program which places an icon in the Windows 95 taskbar tray. Right-clicking on this icon will bring up a menu of programs to launch. This menu is totally user configurable. You can add, edit, and remove items (including optional command parameters) from the menu through the CT Launcher Setup program, which can be accessed by left-clicking on the taskbar icon.

DiskCopy

DiskCopy is a simple little 32-Bit program for formatting and creating duplicate disks. DiskCopy will prompt you for the number of copies you have in mind, making for a very quick operation. DiskCopy does not perform an actual track by track copy, it simply copies the directory structure and files, but 99% of the time, that is all that is really required.

FormPost Edit

FormPost Edit is a special text editor for those of us who have to contend with posted Web forms. In addition to the many standard editing capabilities that the program has, its specialty is interpreting the extraneous characters contained in posted Web forms, turning them into easily readable text. Of course FormPost Edit can then either save or rename the form, as you wish, and also send it to your printer. In addition:

1. FormPost Edit offers full font and color control, and will save your settings.

2. FormPost Edit features a toolbar, complete with help balloons, which can be toggled on and off, as you wish.

3. FormPost Edit will allow you to both print and save to a file selected text only, if desired. Simply select the text with the cursor before invoking the print or save as command, and only the selected text will be considered.

Notebook for Windows 95

There is one, and only one point to this program - to replace Notepad. Notebook is not a word processor. It's sole purpose is to view and edit text files. Notebook does have 6 major features (and several minor ones) which we believe make up for Notepad's inadequacies:

1. It will open very large files, and allow you to edit them.

2. It features full font control - you can set the font name, style, size, and color, and your settings will be saved when you exit the program. It will look better on your screen, and do a much better job of printing.

3. Notebook has a toolbar complete with help balloons.

4. Notebook features DRAG AND DROP text editing. If you want to move a block of text, just use the mouse to select it, and drag it to where you want it.

5. Notebook supports overtype mode. While the default editing mode is insert, hitting the INSERT key on your keyboard will change that to overtype.

6. Notebook can both print and/or save to a file selected text only, if desired.

QuickCopy

If you find yourself frequently accessing or typing the same text over and over again for copy and paste operations, this is a program you'll like! QuickCopy is a small 32 bit program which places an icon in the Windows 95 taskbar tray. Right-clicking on this icon will bring up a menu of text files, which can be very quickly copied to your Clipboard. This menu is totally user configurable. You can add, edit, or remove items from the menu through the QuickCopy Setup program, which can be accessed by left-clicking on the taskbar icon.

Reminder

Reminder is a little program that does just what the name implies. It leaves reminders for you or for someone else who also uses your PC. This reminder will appear the next time the computer is turned on. You can send yourself or someone else a note, a "things to do" list, or whatever tickles your fancy. Once you click on the POST button, a shortcut is created to the document, and placed in your StartUp folder. Upon loading the file, the shortcut is automatically deleted, so if you choose to edit a previously posted note, you will need to post it again. The files the program generates are easily maintained. The currently loaded reminder can be deleted with the click of a button, and by clicking on PURGE, all of your reminders will be sent to the Recycle Bin.

Safety Net Pro

Safety Net Pro is a highly acclaimed utility for backing up key files by file extension. It has one default setting - to backup key "windows" and system files including INI files, Registry Files, CONFIG.SYS, and AUTOEXEC.BAT- and 5 user configurable options. Safety Net Pro could easily backup all of the document and/or database files on your drive, for example, with the directory structure intact, and it can zip them to disk. Safety Net Pro has several advanced features that Safety Net lacks, including built-in 32-bit zip compression (PKZ v2.04 compatible) and the ability to span zip files across multiple disks Safety Net Pro can also print file lists, print your directory tree, and make a boot disk.

SnapShot

SnapShot is a program for those of us who like to keep a close eye on our WINDOWS and WINDOWS\SYSTEM directories. SnapShot will compare the current contents of the these directories with the last time you ran it, and any differences will be reported. The program will allow you to both print and copy to the clipboard either the current snapshot or the current contents of the directory. You can also print or copy just the differences between the two, if you wish.

Winsock Swapper

The purpose of Winsock Swapper is to automate the process of swapping various WINSOCK.DLL files for those of you who use more than one Internet service provider with your default Web Browser. With one quick double-click, you can swap up to three DLL's, and optionally launch your browser. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

YahtC

This game is a clone of the immensely popular game, Yahtzee. YahtC combines attractive 3D graphics with extreme ease of use. There are no complicated instructions, and no hidden forms. Each player's score is always visible. A sound card, while certainly not necessary, will greatly enhance the game, which produces sound effects when a player rolls the dice, "zeroes" out a scoring category, or rolls a "YahtC". The game will also keep a permanent record of High Scores, which can be easily cleared at any time. YahtC is fully functional, and supports up to 4 players.

ZipWorks

ZipWorks is a full featured 32 bit ZIP file manipulater for Windows 95. The built-in 32 bit compression is fully compatible with PKZIP v2.04. With this program you can ZIP, UnZip, add comments to your ZIP files, test archive integrity, and repair damaged ZIP files. This program can create files across multiple disks, and can store directory structure, making it a pretty fair choice for a backup utility, though its "cousin", Safety Net Pro, might be a little better suited for that purpose. There is an option in the Preferences dialog to associate ZipWorks with the file extension "ZIP". We highly recommend that you take advantage of this very useful feature, which will add 3 right-click menu items to your appropriate zip files in Explorer - open, UnZip, and UnZip To Path.