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METZ Desktop Manager October 28, 1990
METZ Software Support (206)-641-4525
P.O. Box 6042 Sales 1-800-447-1712
Bellevue, Wa., 98008-0042, U.S.A. International (206) 641-4525
Fax (206) 644-6026
GEnie: A.METZ Compuserve: [73567,1637]
Overview
METZ Desktop Manager is a comprehensive, yet easily understood
menu system and file manager for Microsoft Windows.
Desktop Manager is a Windows application program that combines
several important and time-saving features into one cohesive, menu
operated program. The main function of the program provides a capable
menu system for all of your Windows and non-Windows based applications.
A single menu entry allows the user to simultaneously call up and execute
both the application program and any data file that corresponds to that
application, and move to a specified directory.
The menu system can access over 500 items per menu (2 menu lists),
across floppy or hard disk drives and all directories. You have complete
freedom as to menu categories, number of menu items displayed on the screen,
and can add multiple menus when required. Additional Desktop Manager
features include a fully customizable screen display blanker (screen saver),
Windows arrangement functions, directory tree display, file finder,
point-and-shoot file manager, automatic menu generator, and a system
lock utility.
Display options include a 12 or 24 hour clock on screen, a memory
display that details both DOS and Expanded EMS RAM, and current
directory display. Desktop Manager uses about 30K of memory, and comes
with a clearly written users guide.
Using Desktop
Desktop has an application management function (menuing),
consisting of two listboxes containing descriptions of the
applications and files which can be accessed. Associated with the
descriptions are the application to be run and any input files to be used.
The descriptions can be a category heading (as in --Windows Utilities--),
or the name or description of an executable, or a description of the file
passed to an executable on startup. This system allows you to organize
your applications and files into menus according to your needs. You can
specify exactly where the application and files exist and thus avoid
changing directories while accessing Windows applications and/or data.
When you add or update a menu item, there are three fields you can fill
in. First is the description field, which can be anything you want and is
displayed in the listbox on the main screen. Next, is the application to
be run. The path is necessary if the application cannot be found in your
current environment path. The select button allows you to select an
executable file to be placed in the application edit box. Next, is the
parameter list to be passed to the executable along with the path, if
necessary.
IMPORTANT: Running Non-Windows applications from Desktop may require an
appropriate .PIF file (see the Microsoft Windows User's Guide).
Non-registered users
Use for purposes other than evaluation requires payment of the
registration fee. Once you register and receive a license number you are
automatically allowed to upgrade to future releases. It is important
that you register this application to help insure continued support and
development. Our intention is to provide useful, user-friendly
applications at a low cost, and your support helps make that possible.
All available functionality is enabled in this version to provide
you the ability to effectively evaluate this application.
Ordering information is included in the file METZ.ORD or available
by contacting METZ Software. All orders will receive a disk containing
the latest versions of our products.
Release Notes
Metzdll.exe is a link library for Desktop. It must be located
somewhere in your environment path. We recommend placing it in your
Windows directory.
Desktop.dsk is the default sample menu provided with this release.
Desktop.bmp and Desktop.wmf are a sample bitmap and metafile respectively,
for use with the screen saver.
A full keyboard interface is implemented, tab, arrows, paging, and
enter all have functionality.
We have tried to be as consistent with Microsoft Windows interface
specifications as possible. Please see the Microsoft Windows User's Guide
for more information regarding the Windows interface.
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome, and help make
this application a better product.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice
and does not represent any commitment on the part of METZ Software. No
warranties of any kind are associated with this product.
Thank you for your support.
File Descriptions
This release is a demonstration version and as such is not to be
sold. Desktop may only be distributed for free (or at cost) as the
following group of files:
DT.EXE or DESKTOP.ZIP - Archive file containing the following files:
DESKTOP.EXE - The Desktop Manager program. (required)
METZDLL.EXE - METZ Software dynamic link library. (required)
DESKTOP.DOC - This file.
DESKTOP.DSK - Sample menu file.
DESKTOP.MAN - Getting started portion of Desktop Manager manual.
DESKTOP.BMP - Sample bitmap for screen saver.
DESKTOP.WMF - Sample Metafile for screen saver.
METZ.ORD - METZ Software order form.
APPS.WRI - METZ Software application descriptions.
CLP2FILE.EXE - Clipboard to File utility for screen saver bitmap.
CLP2FILE.DOC - Clipboard to File documentation.
METZTSR.COM - METZ TSR DOS program for screen saver support.
METZTSR.DOC - METZ TSR DOS program description and instructions.
These files may not be modified in any way.
------------ METZ Desktop Manager version history ------------------
Version 3.2 Beta
* This version has an implementation which will prevent screen saver
timeouts while you are working in a DOS application under Windows.
In the past, this application would timeout even if you were actively
typing away within a DOS Window. Now the timeout will occur
only after you are inactive in any DOS Window as well.
Please read METZTSR.DOC and install the METZTSR.COM application
if you wish to prevent timeouts while you are working in a
DOS Window. METZTSR has been tested on several different
platforms and we have not experienced any incompatibilities.
* An Exit option has been added to the File menu. This option
closes DeskTop.
* A Tile option has been added to the Windows menu.
* The included Clp2File.exe is an application which will save a
bitmap from the clipboard to a file, which then can be displayed
by the screen blanker. Please see CLP2FILE.DOC for more info.
* The free memory display now displays the total free memory when
running Windows 3.0.
* When you Lock the system under Windows 3.0, the Cancel button
can no longer be selected while locked.
* Clear Icons and Close Icons no longer closes Program Manager
when running under Windows 3.0.
* The Drive pulldown menu now takes into account dynamically added
Network drives.
* When copying or moving files, the disk space available calculation
was not taking into account the size of the same file on the
destination drive. This has been fixed.
* You can now double click on a file listed by the File Finder, and
it will be run.
* The file manager has the following changes:
- Performance of the copy and move process has been improved somewhat.
- The File rename now accepts wildcards.
- The print option will now wordwrap correctly. Previous versions
would break words across lines.
- You can now double click on a file listed by the file manager, and
it will be run.
* DeskTop now supports international characters. Should you find
a situation that doesn't, please let us know.
* A divide by zero error problem with the screen saver has been fixed.
* DeskTop can be used as the shell.
Under Windows 3.0:
DeskTop can be used in replacement of the Microsoft Program Manager.
Change the 'shell=progman.exe' setting in the file SYSTEM.INI to
'shell=desktop.exe'. DeskTop will also launch the applications
listed on the LOAD and RUN lines of your WIN.INI file.
Under Windows 2.0:
Type WIN :DESKTOP to use DeskTop as the shell. The MS-DOS Executive
will not be loaded. DeskTop will also launch the applications
listed on the LOAD and RUN lines of your WIN.INI file.
Version 3.13
* The Select Directory dialog box for menu modifications did not list
all of the drives on it's pulldown menu. This has been fixed.
* The File Manager had a very infrequent update problem occuring when
selecting between source directories with a small number of files.
Sometimes the file list would reflect some of the files previously
displayed. This has been fixed.
Version 3.12
* DeskTop now abbreviates it's title bar while iconic. This should
improve the icon appearance under Windows 3.0.
* The File Finder would only run once per session. This has been fixed.
Version 3.11
* The Exit Windows menu item now works under Windows 3.0.
* Some users with memory boards/drivers (usually in 286 machines)
were experiencing an application error under protect mode. This
is caused by the free memory display, which can be disabled by
deselecting the 'Display free memory' configuration in real mode.
Corrections have been made to eliminate this problem.
* The drive status free memory display should now be accurate and
match that displayed by Windows 3.0.
Version 3.1
* This version is compatible with Windows 2.x and 3.0.
* The option to print the METZ Software order form has been added to
the About dialog.
* The dynamic link library DESKDLL.EXE has been renamed to METZDLL.EXE.
* The change directory dialog now displays a graphical directory tree.
Available drives are listed on a pulldown menu within the dialog.
* The file finder now allows you to select more than one drive to be
searched.
* The Auto Menu Generator now allows you to select multiple drives.
* The Auto Menu Generator now works correctly on directories having
embedded periods.
* All large dialog boxes have been resized to fit on CGA screens.
* The file manager has been revamped. The menu bar now contains the
following options:
File:
Copy: Copy the selected files to another drive/directory.
Move: Move the selected files to another drive/directory.
Delete: Delete the selected files.
Rename: Allows you to individually rename the selected files.
Print: Prints the selected files.
Select all: Selects (highlights) all files in the listbox.
Source: Drive selection for source directory listing.
Destination: Drive selection for destination directory listing.
Attributes: Select the file attributes you are interested in.
(default is all file attributes)
You can now copy/move files to multiple floppy disks. Desktop
will ask for the next disk when there is insufficient space on the
current destination floppy drive.
File copy/move - because attributes were being set and reset, a write
protected disk caused a 'Write Protected' error message to be displayed.
Desktop now will only display a 'Write Protected' error when you try
to Move files from a write protected disk. Files cannot be deleted
on a write protected disk.
* The File manager now has a Print option. All selected files will
be sent to the printer regardless of their type or size. Normally,
you will only want to print ascii text files with this function.
Lines will be wrapped if they are wider than the printer page.
A cancel dialog does appear while Desktop is printing each file so
that you can interrupt the process.
* There is a Configuration-Print option so that you can configure how
the file manager prints files. Select 'Line Wrap' when you want lines
which are longer than the paper width, to be wrapped to the next line
(this is the default).
Set the 'Tabstops' value to indicate what the tabstop interval is.
(A value of 0 will remove tabs from the output.)
* The Utilities menu now has a System Status option. System Status
displays memory and disk information.
Version 3.01
* The current directory display had a cosmetic bug where it would
overlay the old directory text instead of clearing it.
* When updating an entry where a working directory was specified, the
Description inadvertantly had the working directory attached to it.
Version 3.0
* The DESKTOP.MAN file has been included to provide more documentation
on using Desktop.
* The multiple selection listbox has been patched to prevent the
following bug:
< Microsoft has a bug within multiple selection style listboxes.
The File Manager Files listbox is a multiple selection listbox.
If you have any empty area at the bottom of the listbox, the last
entry gets internally corrupted when you click on the empty area
with a mouse. >
The patch now allows you to click in the empty area.
* Lock System has been added to the Utilities menu. With Lock System
you can lock your terminal and prevent unauthorized use. The password
is case sensitive (upper and lower case characters must match).
'Unlock attempt failed...' is displayed if an invalid password is
entered.
This feature will not prevent someone from rebooting or powering off
your machine.
* When you copy or move files with the File Manager, it will now ask
if you want to automatically replace existing files.
* Files listed by the file manager incorrectly displayed the file date of
1/01/00 as 1/01/100. This has been fixed.
Version 2.9
* The File manager now displays files with their size, date, time, and
attributes. Attribute flags are:
R - read only, A - archived, S - system, H - hidden.
* Files can now be moved, copied, and deleted regardless of their
attributes. Desktop automatically manipulates the attributes during
the process. The file date, time, and attributes are duplicated on
the destination file(s).
* Desktop no longer defaults to the root directory when you change drives.
The default directory of the drive is now pre-selected.
* If the Control key is pressed when an application is run, the
application will be maximized (zoomed). Some applications are
not designed to be zoomed, but still work. The decision
whether to zoom, or not to zoom, is up to you.
Version 2.8
* The menu entries now have room for a Working Directory entry. A
Working Directory is the directory you wish to move to before
loading an application and/or file. The entry should be a valid
drive and/or directory, or blank. If Desktop is unable to move
to the Working Directory, you will be asked if it is ok to continue
anyway. When the Working Directory is blank, Desktop will default
to the directory you were in when the menu was loaded.
* If a menu entry contains a Working Directory but not an application,
Desktop will move to that directory. (This can be used as a quick
way to switch directories.)
* The Auto Menu Generator will automatically choose the working
directory for the menu entries generated.
* The file format has been changed so that menu entries are stored
in a more efficient manner. Desktop will automatically convert your
old file to this new format. (When you save the file it will
assume the new format.)
* Running DOS applications is now very reliable and will correctly pass
application parameters. Many DOS applications do require a .PIF file
in order to run correctly under Windows. You can specify a .PIF
file as the application for Desktop to run. Chapter 9 of the Microsoft
Windows User's Guide explains how to run non-Windows applications.
Use the same guidelines for running DOS applications from Desktop.
To run COMMAND.COM with parameters, specify COMMAND.COM as the application
and precede the parameters with a /c as in '/c dir'. Other DOS
applications may have their own command line syntax as well.
* The DOS/Non-Windows checkbox has been removed since it is no longer
required.
* If the Shift key is pressed when an application is run, the
application will be iconized.
* The Run command will append '.EXE' to the application name if there is
no period in the application name.
* The directory tree is now preloaded by Desktop. Change Directory
and File Manager menu items will now load a lot faster. Some menu
items are briefly disabled (grayed) until the tree has been loaded.
* The Auto Menu Generator no longer ignores the drive selection when
processing only the current directory.
* The Auto Menu Generator did not properly distribute the generated
menu between the listboxes when processing only the current directory.
* The crosshair cursor displayed when the Edit Mode is other than Run
no longer has the annoying blink when moved.
* The clipboard can be used to copy/move values between edit fields in
dialog boxes. Use Shift Delete to cut, Shift Insert to paste.
Version 2.7
* The Change Directory dialog now will change directories and exit
when you double click on a directory.
* WIN :DESKTOP filename - will now correctly accept parameters.
(i.e. WIN :DESKTOP DESKTOP.DSK) This syntax will cause Windows to
load only Desktop, and result in more available memory. The MS-DOS
Executive does load resources that are required by some
applications. If your application does not perform correctly, do
not use this option.
Version 2.61
* The performance of the move option of the file manager has been
improved.
* The option to process only the current directory has been added
to the Auto Menu Generator.
* If the filename specified in the file manager was an actual filename,
the files listbox was not always properly filled.
* The Cascade option of the Windows menu did not cause each application
to repaint correctly.
* Listboxes containing drives and/or directory listings occasionally
were not set to the correct default selection. (Usually this was
not noticeable.)
Version 2.6 - released 7/16/89
* We have added a licensing interface which will allow registered
users to obtain free updates. Once you register and receive a
license number you are automatically allowed to upgrade to future
releases. It is now important that you register this application
to help insure continued support and development. Our intention is
to provide useful, user-friendly applications at a low cost, and your
support helps make that possible.
* IMPORTANT NOTE FOR USERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED REGISTERED APPLICATIONS:
You may request a FREE license number by:
Sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to METZ Software, or
contacting Art Metz via Genie mail (A.METZ) or Compuserve EasyPlex
(73567,1637).
* Built in expirations have been removed and automatic registration
reminders (nag-ware) have been added.
* The Help menu has been set up to contain the following:
Licensing Info - information regarding the application license.
Enter License Number - method with which you enter a license number.
About Desktop - copyright info.
* The free memory display now will show EMS memory free. If EMS is
detected the amount free is displayed along with conventional memory
free. A plus sign separates conventional from expanded, with
expanded to the right.
Version 2.5 - released 7/1/89
* When Desktop is re-sized, a horizontal scroll bar and only
one menu will appear if the Desktop window area is small. Use the
scrollbar, Tab key, or right/left arrow keys to switch between menus.
This allows a better view of each menu when Desktop takes up a small
area of the screen.
* The directory display is now re-positioned when necessary so that it
will remain visible.
* Change Directory and File Finder allow you to continue using Desktop
while these dialog boxes are active.
* Dialog box buttons now have accelerator keys associated with them. Press
Alt and the underlined character in the button to activate that button.
* With high resolution monitors beyond normal VGA resolution the
menus displayed more text than the application description. The menus
now will display only the descriptions.
* The cursor is now hidden when the Screen Saver appears.
Version 2.41 - released 6/9/89
* If you are using a 386 system with virtual memory drivers, we do not
suggest typing Desktop at the DOS prompt, instead, use WIN Desktop.
Some 386 systems with virtual memory drivers will hang when Windows
is exited. We will have this problem fixed in a later release.
* The time, free memory, and directory displays were not device
independent which could cause poor appearance. (Slightly noticeable
with a VGA monitor.) They also did not use the user defined windows
configuration colors.
* The change directory dialog box has a better interface now.
Double clicking with the mouse or pressing enter will select the
directory to go to. When a drive is selected, the tree will be displayed
for that drive when you press enter or double click with the mouse.
* The Run option now erases the parameters edit the first time you change
the application edit contents. This prevents passing an invalid file
to the application to be run.
* A Cascade option has been added to the Windows menu. Active windows
are arranged from the top left to the bottom right of the screen.
Each window's caption bar is visible. Remaining windows are iconed.
* A file manager utility has been added. Using a point and shoot
style interface you can copy or move files between directories, or
you can delete selected files.
* A Menu Generator has been added. The menu generator lets you specify
a drive, the types of files to be included, and three different sort
methods. Your entire drive is then searched and a complete menu is
built. No more switching directories!
* A file finder is now included. Searches an entire drive for specified
filename. Wildcards are allowed.
* An order form is now included to make registration easy!
* Documentation will be sent to all registered users.
Version 2.0 - released 5/2/89
* Save would save the menu into the current directory, which
may have not been the original directory where the menu was found.
You may find several menus on your drive as a result. Desktop now
saves the menu to the original location unless specified otherwise.
* A system error would display if the metafile for the screen saver
did not exist. The screen will now be blank if the metafile is
not found or is invalid.
* The menu bar has been re-arranged.
* Time, free memory, and the current directory are now displayed.
* Clipboard functions are now available for maintaining menus.
* Screen Saver - bitmaps are now allowed, included is Desktop.bmp
for an example.
* A Desktop configuration dialog box has been added.
* A Windows menu item allows you to organize applications on the screen.
* A change directory utility has been added.
* Desktop works with and on a network!
Version 1.0 - released 2/89
* Version 1.0 was a prototype used to solicit user input.