CD ROM Paradise Collection 4/CD ROM Paradise Collection 4 1995 Nov.iso/win/btnmgr.zip/README.TXT

Text File | 1995-01-10 | 18KB | 426 lines

BUTTON MANAGER INFORMATION
==========================

Welcome  to Button Manager Pro for Windows!  The topics  listed
below  are discussed within this file, and more information  is
available  in the other text files included with this  document
(Section  3  describes what is contained  within  each  of  the
files).   Note that ALL this information is located within  the
Button Manager Help file, which can be accessed by executing it
within Windows.

1.   SHAREWARE AND THE ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS
2.   INTRODUCTION TO BUTTON MANAGER FOR WINDOWS
3.   INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
     A)   MANUAL INSTALLATION
     B)   DISTRIBUTION KIT INSTALLATION
4.   REQUIRED FILES
5.   REGISTRATION
     A)   BY CREDIT CARD
     B)   VIA COMPUSERVE
     C)   BY CONTACTING US
6.   CONTACTING US


1.   SHAREWARE AND THE ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS
=============================================================
                  _______
             ____|__     |               (tm)
          --|       |    |-------------------
            |   ____|__  |  Association of
            |  |       |_|  Shareware
            |__|   o   |    Professionals
          -----|   |   |---------------------
               |___|___|    MEMBER


The  shareware concept has made it possible for you  to  obtain
extremely powerful, quality software at a price you can afford,
and it gives you the opportunity to try the software before you
register.

Shareware is kept alive by YOUR support.

Evaluate  this  program for 30-days and  give  copies  to  your
friends for evaluation.  If, after the 30 days, you continue to
use  the  program, then register it by using any of the methods
described  in the registration section of the help  file.   You
will  receive the latest version of the product, a license that
applies  to  any future version of the program, no registration
reminder  screens, and unlimited technical support via  e-mail,
mail, phone, and fax.

Support  the further development of quality Shareware  products
by registering your copy today!

Thank you for your support.

This  program  is  produced by 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 545 Grover Road, Muskegon,
MI  49442-9427  USA,  FAX [phone]  or  send  a  CompuServe
message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.


2.   INTRODUCTION TO BUTTON MANAGER FOR WINDOWS
===============================================

Welcome  to  Button Manager, an application which provides  the
windows  user  with more control over their Windows  workspace.
This  application is best-suited for those people who are tired
of  hunting  for applications in Program Manager, and  want  to
have  their favourite applications at their fingertips.  Button
Manager allows you to organise your favourite applications into
groups  of  buttons (defaults to Program Manager  Groups),  and
instantly  launch any of the applications at  the  touch  of  a
button.

This  application  allows you to manage  your  Program  Manager
application  groups as button sets, which can each be  resized,
reconfigured, minimized, moved, and arranged in  the  way  that
best  suits your needs.  For those cases where a set of buttons
should  always be available, you can even force  the  group  to
float on top of all other applications.

Each  button  displays the icon associated with the application
that will be launched when it is pressed.  Additionally, if the
button  help  option is selected, the user will  be  shown  the
application  details when the mouse crosses  over  the  button.
And,  further to the topic of HELP, context-sensitive  help  is
available from anywhere in the application by pressing F1.

Instead  of replacing the functionality of Program Manager,  as
other  applications do, this application compliments  it.   The
advantage here is that the application groups can be maintained
in  one  place so that no matter what changes are  made  within
Program  Manager,  the  same  changes  will  automatically   be
reflected in Button Manager.  However, unlike Program  Manager,
you  can  limit the amount of information you see by displaying
only those groups that interest you most.

Button Manager also provides the ability to search and sort the
list  of buttons that are currently active (in a textual list),
so  that you may more easily find those applications that "just
seem  to  be misplaced".  This list provides detailed  property
information for the buttons, which is far more convenient  than
looking up each button individually using Program Manager.

Additionally, Button Manager remembers your setup from  run-to-
run.   Therefore,  you could, for instance,  "load"  groups  of
buttons around the perimeter of your screen the first time  you
start  Button  Manager.  Then, every time you start  up  Button
Manager  the  same groups would be loaded in the same  location
and  shape.   This option provides the most power  when  Button
Manager  is added to the STARTUP group in Program Manager.   In
this  instance, your same application workspace would be loaded
automatically every time you start Windows.

Button  Manager  is  fairly  intuitive  to  use,  but  context-
sensitive help has been provided for the application to make it
even easier to use.  Also, a drop-down menu will appear on  the
button groups when you right-click on any button in that group.
This  menu provides access to the most commonly used functions,
such   as   exiting   windows,  searching   for   applications,
configuring the environment, and the like.

We  hope  that you find this product as beneficial as we  have.
If  you  do,  we  ask  that  you please  support  shareware  by
registering this product.  Registered users receive a  disk  of
the  current version of the product, a license that applies  to
any  future  version  of the program, no registration  reminder
screens,  and  unlimited technical support  via  e-mail,  mail,
phone, and fax.


3.   INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
==============================

To install this application, it is necessary to determine which
set  of  files  you have.  If one of the files is SETUP.EXE  or
INSTALL.EXE, then refer to the INSTALLATION KIT INSTALL process
documented  below.   Otherwise,  please  refer  to  the  MANUAL
INSTALLATION discussion (note that registered users receive the
full  installation kit on disk, if they elect to  have  a  disk
sent to them).

When  you perform the installation, please ensure that no other
Windows  applications are running at the same time.  If another
program  is using a DLL the installation kit wants to  install,
then it wonÆt be able to complete the installation process  for
that file (it will tell you this).  As a result, when you go to
run  Button  Manager, it will not work.  If this  does  happen,
simply  stop  the  other  Windows applications  and  re-install
Button Manager.


DISTRIBUTION KIT INSTALLATION

The  distribution  kit  contains  all  the  files  required  to
automatically set up and run the application.  When the product
is  registered, this is the type of kit the user receives  when
they  order  disks.  It will install all files and  create  the
appropriate Program Manager groups by just typing SETUP.

An  alternate size-conscious kit is distributed which does  not
install the VBRUN300.DLL file, as most people have this file on
their  machine (the size-conscious kit can be recognized easily
because  the  installation program is called  INSTALL.EXE,  not
SETUP.EXE).   The  installation program will do  all  the  same
things that SETUP will do, except it will not install the extra
file.   If  you  do not have this file in your  windows  system
directory,  it  can  easily  be  downloaded  from  most   BBSs.
Alternatively, the full kit can be mailed to you on  disk  when
you register the product.

Once  installed,  the files that are moved to the  installation
directory on the hard drive include:

     BTNMGR.EXE   The Button Manager program
     BTNMGR.HLP   The context-sensitive Windows Help file
     FILE_ID.DIZ  The information for the BBSs
     LICENSE.TXT  The license and warranty information
     README.TXT   Introductory information about the
                  product
     REGISTER.TXT The registration form
     VENDOR.TXT   The vendor-specific information

The files that are moved to the Windows System Area include the
following  two files (THEREFORE, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUST  COPY
THE  INSTALLATION DIRECTORY TO PASS THE SOFTWARE ON TO  SOMEONE
ELSE!)

     THREED.VBX   Used for the 3D controls
     VBRUN300.DLL Run-Time module, needed to make
                  everything work (not included in the
                  size-conscious kit)


MANUAL INSTALLATION

If you do not have a file called SETUP.EXE or INSTALL.EXE, then
you  will  need to perform a manual installation of the  files.
This is fairly simple, and requires the following steps:

1.   First,  look  to see if you have the Visual Basic  runtime
     file  (VBRUN300.DLL)  included  with  the  set  of  files.
     Sometimes,  a BBS may exclude this file from the  set  you
     have,  to  save on space.  Assuming this is the case,  and
     you  do  not already have the file in the windows  \SYSTEM
     directory  (eg.  d:\WIN31\SYSTEM\VBRUN300.DLL),  you  will
     need  to download this file as well.  It is available from
     most  bulletin boards.  Alternatively, you could  register
     the  product and receive all files on a single disk in the
     DISTRIBUTION KIT INSTALLATION format, described above.

2.   Create  a  directory in which you would like to store  the
     files (i.e. C:\BTNMGR).

3.   Store  the  files in the directory you just created  (this
     will  require  that  the files be decompressed  using  the
     PKUNZIP utility if you downloaded from a BBS).

4.   Move  THREED.VBX and VBRUN300.DLL into the windows \SYSTEM
     directory.

5.   Finally, set up an icon for the BTNMGR.EXE application  in
     the  STARTUP group of the windows Program Manager.  Please
     consult  the Button Manager help file under TIPS:  Startup
     Group, if you are unfamiliar with how this is done.


4.   REQUIRED FILES
===================

As  described  in the Installation Instructions Section,  there
are   two  versions  of  this  product  that  are  distributed.
Depending on which kit you have, there will be a different  set
of required files.

The  DISTRIBUTION  KIT  contains all the  required  files,  and
allows  the  application to be installed by just typing  SETUP.
This is always the kit that is distributed to registered users.
A  smaller distribution kit is also distributed, which performs
a complete install with the exception of the large VBRUN300.DLL
file (which most people already have on their machine, and  can
be  obtained  from  most BBSs).  This kit can be  distinguished
from  the  other  distribution kit by the fact that  the  setup
program is called INSTALL.EXE, not SETUP.EXE.

The  MANUAL  INSTALLATION KIT contains only  the  bare  minimum
required files, and requires manual installation.  The only way
you  would  have this set of files is if someone  uploaded  the
Button  Manager files instead of the Distribution Kit.   Please
do  not distribute the files this way if you can distribute the
DISTRIBUTION KIT instead, as a manual installation  takes  more
work than having someone just run the installation program.


DISTRIBUTION KIT REQUIRED FILES

     FILE_ID.DIZ      The information for the BBSs
     LICENSE.TXT      The license and warranty information
     README.TXT       Introductory information about the
                      product
     REGISTER.TXT     The registration form
     SETUP.EXE        Setup Program.  SETUP is full version
     (or INSTALL.EXE) containing the VBRUN300.DLL file, INSTALL
                      is the size-conscious version which does
                      not contain that file.
     VENDOR.TXT       The vendor-specific information


MANUAL INSTALLATION KIT REQUIRED FILES

     BTNMGR.EXE       The Button Manager program
     BTNMGR.HLP       The context-sensitive Windows Help file
     FILE_ID.DIZ      The information for the BBSs
     LICENSE.TXT      The license and warranty information
     README.TXT       Introductory information about the
                      product
     REGISTER.TXT     The registration form
     VENDOR.TXT       The vendor-specific information
     THREED.VBX       Used for the 3D controls
     VBRUN300.DLL     The Visual Basic run-time module


5.   REGISTRATION
=================

The process of registering this product is very simple, and can
be  done  by  credit  card (phone, fax, e-mail  or  mail),  via
CompuServe, or by mail order.  Each method is described  below.
Registered users receive a disk of the current version  of  the
product  (if you do not want a disk, then the registration  fee
is  reduced  -  but  only if you order from AKC  via  mail),  a
license  that applies to any future version of the program,  no
registration reminder screens, and unlimited technical  support
via e-mail, mail, phone, and fax.

If  you  do not receive your registration kit within 2-3 weeks,
you  can  contact us via one of the methods provided under  the
Contacting  Us  help  topic  (or  see  the  README.TXT   file).
Generally,  once  we  have your order, you  will  receive  your
registration kit in the mail within 3-10 days.  Please  do  not
contact  the Credit-Card-Order numbers regarding the status  of
the mailout, as they are an order-taking company only.


A.   REGISTERING BY PHONE, FAX, E-MAIL, OR MAIL USING A  CREDIT
     CARD

  ***** FOR CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY *****

  You  can  order with MC, Visa, Amex, or Discover from  Public
  (software) Library by:
    o  calling 800-2424-PsL or 713-524-6394; or
    o  FAX to 713-524-6398; or
    o  CIS Email to 71355,470; or
    o  mailing  credit  card orders to PsL  at  P.O.Box  35705,
       Houston, TX 77235-5705, USA.

  Please remember to provide your credit card number, the  name
  on  the card, expiry date, and signature, as well as the name
  of the product (Button Manager) and your return address.

  ***** THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR ORDERS ONLY *****

  The   $20US  cost  is  the  same  as  was  detailed  in   the
  registration form.  All credit card orders result in  a  disk
  of the latest version being sent to you.

  Any  questions about the status of the shipment of the order,
  refunds,  registration  options, product  details,  technical
  support,  volume  discounts, dealer pricing,  site  licenses,
  etc.,  must be directed to AKC Applied Knowledge Corporation.
  Please  refer to the Contacting Us help topic for information
  on how we can be reached.

  To insure that you get the latest version, PsL will notify us
  the  day of your order and we will ship the registration  kit
  directly to you.


B.   REGISTERING BY COMPUSERVE

  Compuserve has a shareware registration facility available to
  all  its  users.   Follow this procedure to  register  Button
  Manager through Compuserve.

  a.   From within Compuserve, type GO SWREG.

       This will take you to the Software registration area.

  b.   Indicate that you would like to register Button Manager.

       It is quickest to access the Button Manager Registration
       by  using  ID #2823, but you can also search for  it  by
       name if necessary.

  c.   Immediate Registration.

       By  registering on this service, the registration fee of
       $20US  will  be charged to your Compuserve account,  and
       they  will immediately forward your name and address  to
       us.   We  will then send the registration kit to you  in
       the mail.


C.   REGISTERING BY MAIL

  Note that only cheque and money-order orders are processed by
  this  method.   If you wish to order by credit  card,  please
  consult the Credit Card Order topic, above.

  a.   Fill in the Registration Form.

       This  form  can  be produced by printing the  associated
       help  topic, or by printing the file REGISTER.TXT.   The
       registration  screen,  which is  shown  to  unregistered
       users when they start up Button Manager, has a button in
       the  lower  left corner which will allow you to  edit  a
       copy  of  the registration form.  The button  is  called
       "Fill Form".

  b.   Mail  in  the  Registration Form, with the  registration
       fee.

       Mail the registration form to the address stated on  the
       form,  with  a cheque or money order for the amount  you
       have indicated on the registration form.

  c.   Register Product.

       Once  your registration form has been received, it  will
       be  processed and you will receive a Registration Kit in
       the  mail containing any disks you have ordered as  well
       as your personal registration number.


6.   CONTACTING US
==================

We  can  be contacted in several ways, each of which is  listed
below.   If  you  are waiting on a registration  kit  from  us,
please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.    Generally, once we have
your  order, you will receive your registration kit in the mail
within 3-10 days.

Technical support can also be obtained by contacting  us  using
any of the methods listed below.


     Mail:                  6128 Red Willow Drive,
                            Gloucester, Ontario,
                            Canada, K1C 7J8
     Phone:                 [phone]
     Fax:                   [phone]
     E-Mail on Compuserve:  70252,1364
     E-Mail on Internet:    [e-mail]