MenuStrip - READ ME
Version 1.6 for Mac OS X
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MenuStrip is a multi-purpose utility for Mac OS X that allows quick access to frequently used settings, such as the computer volume, monitor resolution, and color depth, right from the OS X menubar. It also features a menubar clock with chime and alarm capabilities.   However, the most useful features in MenuStrip are the Hide All/Show All buttons and the 'Single App Mode' toggle button placed in the menu bar. 

'Hide All' Button  -  When pressed, the Hide All button will hide every window on the screen - including all Finder windows - showing only the desktop.  This can be useful in immediately clearing everthing out of the way (without quitting) to start a new project or find a file.

'Show All' Button   -  The Show All button functions in the exact opposite way as the Hide All button.  It will unhide all applications that were previously hidden.

'Single App Mode'  -  When 'Single App Mode' is enabled, all open applications, except for the front-most program, are hidden. When switching between applications, the newly activated application will be visible while all others become hidden. This can be very useful in reducing screen clutter and allowing you to focus on only one task at a time.  It will also alleviate the need to constantly minimize windows that are in the way.

Control-clicking the 'Single App Mode' button performs the same action as clicking the 'Hide All' button
Option-clicking the 'Single App Mode' button performs the same action as clicking the 'Show All' button

Applications can be set so that they will not be hidden by any of the above hide functions.  This preference, along with many other settings, can be set using the 'MenuStrip Prefs' application.

When MenuStrip is run for the first time, it will ask you if you would like it to automatically set up your login preferences so that MenuStrip will always be launched automatically at startup.  This will use menuStrip's current directory as the file path to launch from. Therefore, install the MenuStrip folder to where you would like to keep it before running it for the first time.  If at any later time you would like to move MenuStrip to another location, you can change this setting using the 'Login Items' option in the System Preferences.

Registration:

MenuStrip is not free.  If you find MenuStrip useful and would like to keep it, please buy the program for a modest price of $12 (at http://www.MacPowerUser.com).  The unregistered version will, at times, post an alert box informing you that you have an unregistered copy.  Once you purchase the program, we will send you an unlock code which you can use to register MenuStrip and disable all the nag screens shown in the unregistered version.  If you use MenuStrip, please register it and help us continue development of this and other products. Thank you for your support.

Version History:

Version 1.6
• Resolved a few issues with resolution switching
• Misc. bug fixes

Version 1.5
• Significant update with numerous changes and bugfixes
• More preference options - preferences are now set with a separate application, 'MenuStrip Prefs'
• Each menu button can now be disabled or enabled based on preference
• Drag bar added to move MenuStrip across the menubar.
• Hide button separated into three buttons:
    Hide All button
    Show All button
    'Single App Mode' toggle button
• Applications can designated as not hideable
• Built for Mac OS X Final

Version 1.2.1
• Added a mute button to the volume control
• Volume and hide button states are now saved after quitting
• "0 Hz" refresh rate no longer displayed for resolutions on LCD monitors
• A few misc. bugfixes

Version 1.2
• Added alarm clock and one-hour chime capabilities
• User-selectable sounds for the alarm's buzzer
• Better support for higher resolutions  

Version 1.1
• No longer displays an icon in the Dock
• Added date display
• Added a preferences panel with numerous options for the display of the
 date and time
• The Hide button now toggles between hide modes 

Version 1.0
• Initial release

Distribution License:

Non-profit distribution of MenuStrip is welcomed as long as it is not modified in any way and it is distributed in its entirety (all the associated files must be included.... including this Read Me.)

For-Profit distribution, on Compilation CD's, Online Services, etc., must first receive permission from MacPowerUser.com.

Contact Information:

Web:  http://www.MacPowerUser.com
Email:  feedback@macpoweruser.com

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