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============================================================================
SeaShell February 1993
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 0.8 [Beta] Copyright (C) 1993, James Bell
============================================================================
[ Beta version ]
This is a beta version of SeaShell. This version has been well tested,
but a certain number of problems, inconsistencies, and errors are to be
expected.
This version is officially out-of-date and should be replaced after
March 31st 1993. If you have this version after that date, you should
seek out a newer copy.
[ What is SeaShell? ]
SeaShell is a program launcher for Windows 3.1 or greater that includes
extensive status-reporting capabilities. You can make buttons for your
favorite programs, and keep track of things like system memory, disk
space available, Date and Time, etc.
[ Shareware ]
SeaShell is Shareware, which means you are free to use and copy this
program for as long as 10 days. If you decide to keep it, you must
register to continue use. If you make copies, you must include this
documentation file, the install program, and the order from file with
the SeaShell executable.
[ Registering ]
SeaShell can be registered two ways:
1. For $15.00, you can purchase a License for this version which will
continue to work for (at least) all versions 1.x and 2.x.
2. For $20.00, you can purchase a License and have a copy of the latest
version shipped to you.
Please print out and use the ORDER.FRM file that comes with SeaShell to
place your order.
Please send checks in US dollars only. Please note that you cannot
simply write in "US Dollars" on a foreign check and send it. An
international or postal money order will work just fine.
If the ORDER.FRM file is missing, please indicate what you're purchasing,
and send your check to:
James Bell
PO Box 57336
Jacksonville, FL 32241-7336
Please include $2.00 for shipping if outside the United States.
Please include $1.00 if you'd like a 3-1/2" diskette.
Site Licenses are required for use on a network or on multiple machines.
Please contact the above address for information on Site License
discounts.
============================================================================
Installing SeaShell
-------------------
Just run the included INSTALL.EXE from Windows File Manager, or from the
"Run..." choice on the "File" menu of Program Manager.
This will copy SEASHELL.EXE to your Windows directory and start SeaShell,
then the SeaShell Setup screen will appear.
When you register, there is a place in the Setup screen where you should
type in your License Information.
Setting-Up SeaShell
-------------------
The SeaShell Setup screen lets you arrange SeaShell's display to your own
liking. Here are the options available as they look on the Setup display:
===============
General Options
===============
[X] Launch... [ progman.exe ]
If this box is checked SeaShell will let you launch some other program
(like Windows' Program Manager, or Norton Desktop) when you start
SeaShell.
[X] Play Asterisk sound on the hour.
This option makes SeaShell play whatever sound is defined as the
"Asterisk" sound, once on the hour. You can change the "Asterisk"
sound in the "Sounds" section of Windows' Control Panel.
[X] Stay On Top
This makes SeaShell's window stay above other windows, which keeps
SeaShell visible at all times.
[X] Minimize after 1 minute
This makes SeaShell turn into an icon after 1 minute of inactivity.
It will return to the bar display as soon as you wave the cursor over
SeaShell's icon.
===========================
Information Display Options
===========================
[X] Date & Time
If this box is checked, the date and time will be displayed in
SeaShell's window.
[X] Busy Level
This displays a moving indicator that shows how busy the system is.
[X] Disk Space Free
This will display the amount of free space on the default drive. The
display is either a number indicating megabytes free, or a graph that
shows free space as a percentage of total disk space.
[X] Memory Free
This will display the amount of free system memory. The display is
either a number indicating megabytes free, or a graph that shows free
memory as a percentage of ram used since SeaShell was started.
[X] System Resources Free
This will display the amount of free "system resources". The display is
either a number indicating percent free, or a graph that shows free
resources on a bar chart.
[X] Number of Tasks Running
This displays a count of the number of programs running at the current
time.
======================
Button Display Options
======================
[X] Quick Exit Windows
This shows a small button marked "EXIT" that will let you leave Windows
quickly.
[X] Start DOS Box
This is another small button that will automatically start a DOS window.
Note that the DOS button attempts to start whatever is defined in your
system's COMSPEC variable. If it isn't defined, SeaShell will try to
start COMMAND.COM.
User Buttons
------------
The Setup display also has eight boxes for program names. When you fill
in the name and path to a program's EXE file, SeaShell will show that
program's icon on the display bar.
For example, after you first install SeaShell, it will put NOTEPAD.EXE in
as the first button, the others will be blank, like this:
1. [notepad.exe ] <-- a button for Windows' Notepad Editor.
2. [ ]
3. [ ] <-- a blank, unused button.
.
.
.
8. [ ]
You can put any program's EXE filename you like in any of the button
positions. DOS programs will show an "MS-DOS" icon.
For example, if you have Microsoft Word installed in a directory called
"C:\WINWORD", you could put Word's icon on the bar by typing in
"c:\winword\winword.exe" in the next free slot.
Install Button
--------------
The "Install" button lets you put SeaShell in place of Program Manager
when you start Windows. Simply click this button, and click "Yes" when
you are asked if you'd like to use SeaShell as your shell. If you click
"No" SeaShell will be installed on the "Load=" line of your WIN.INI file.
You can use the Install program that came with SeaShell to un-install
SeaShell completely from your system if you change your mind later.
Using SeaShell
--------------
To activate a button on SeaShell's display, simply click on it once with
the left mouse button.
To move SeaShell's display, just click and hold the left button and drag
it (slowly!) to where you'd like the display.
To show SeaShell's setup screen, just click with the left mouse button
on one of the information displays (not on the icon buttons).
You can also display a system menu to Exit Windows, Close SeaShell, and
show the Setup screen by single clicking with the RIGHT mouse button
anywhere on SeaShell's bar.
About SeaShell
--------------
SeaShell was written in QuickC for Windows. It has been tested in Windows
3.1 and the October beta release of Windows NT. SeaShell is roughly 1000
lines of code. This is the first beta release of SeaShell.
About the author
----------------
I have a BS in Computer and Information Sciences from the University of
Florida. I am currently freelancing as a Computer Consultant and
continuing my Shareware programming.
I've written several other successful Shareware programs, including
Statline - a status line for Windows, IEdit - an icon editor, and
Surf - a WAV audio file effects toolbox.
If you have suggestions and/or comments, please write to me at:
James Bell
PO Box 57336
Jacksonville, FL 32241-7336
Or send Internet e-mail to: "jb1@cis.ufl.edu". You can send mail to
Internet addresses from Compuserve, any Internet site, Usenet, and AT&T
and MCI e-mail services.
James Bell 3/93
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S. "Windows", "Word for Windows" and "QuickC" are TM Microsoft. Other
products mentioned are TM their respective owners.