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TaskBox.txt
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1997-08-28
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TaskBox V3.22
-------------
Description: A simple OS/2 task manager
0. Contents
------------
1. Files
2. Installation
3. Usage
3.1 Running
3.2 General
3.2.1 Activating
3.2.2 Mouse+keyboard Usage
3.2.3 TaskBox menu
3.2.4 Task menu
3.3 Settings
4. Getting in touch
4.1 Updates
5. Misc
6 Legal
1. Files
---------
TaskBox.txt -- this file
TaskBox.exe --
TaskBox.dll --
ka_crt1m.dll -- common code dll
ka_com1.dll --
install.cmd
Clock\ -- directory containing clock module
AppStart\ -- directory containing appstart module
res__src.zip -- source resource files
2. Installation
----------------
In most cases running the install script should be sufficient.
However if you don't use the wps or want to start TaskBox( or the clock) from a
command prompt you may want to add the directory that the files are contained in to
the libpath and path statements in the config.sys file.
3. Usage
---------
I hope you find this program relatively self explanatory, but if you do have a
problem and can't find the solution in this document you can always e-mail me.
command line args
-----------------
/WATCH <timeout> - to customize the length of time the taskbox will allow for task to respond
to messages( timeout is in tenth's of a second).
To disable this set the timeout to -1.
/P:? - used to set priority program runs at
? mark should be one of
I - to run at idle time
R - to run at regular priority
F - to run at foreground server priority
/WC:<OBJECTID> - activate( or moves window to top)
when mouse moves over activation bar
Hint! with Warp 4 specify /WC:WARPCENTER and size TaskBox
to just below( or above ) the warpcenter so it looks like one unit
/TITLE:* - where * is alternative name for the activation bar, and TaskBox
to have( primarily provided for use with multi-desktop utilities,
as with sticky windows most do a substring match and so any window
with TaskBox in the title ends up being sticky.
I'm currently using /TITLE:zxcvbnm
as i don`t think i'll ever label a folder with this name )
3.1 Running
-----------
To run TaskBox double click the WPS icon( or alternatively enter a command prompt and
change to the directory in which TaskBox is contained in( eg cd D:\bin\TaskBox ) and then
type TaskBox ).
3.2 General
-----------
3.2.1 Activating
----------------
To make the TaskBox Visible( or move it to the top if already on screen) move the mouse
over the activation bar.
3.2.2 Mouse Usage
-----------------
Mouse button 1(or 3) -- Pressing on a task button causes that button to be hilited.
<Ctrl> + clicking on buttons allows multiple discrete selection
( you may also drag the mouse over the buttons to multiple
select them).
If however you release the button on the same task button
you`ll access a menu short cut( see Button Actions $3.3 ).
Hint! for those of you without 3 button mouse use <Alt>
mouse button 1 to simulate the 3rd mouse button
Mouse button 2 click -- If mouse is over a task button Task menu will be opened,
otherwise open the TaskBox menu.
Resizing -- Resize as you would a normal window( NB: if lock size is selected
you won't be able to resize te taskbox )
Moving -- Press and hold mouse button 2 and move the window to
the desired location.( NB: if lock pos is selected the taskbox
won't move );
Changing fonts -- Open the `Font Palette` and drag `n` drop the desired font
on to the target window.
Changing colour`s -- Open one of the `Color Palettes` repeat as above.
Changing scheme -- Open the `Scheme Palette` repeat as above.
Hint! You can use the `Scheme Palette` to change the border
size to a small border to conserve on screen space.
3.2.4 TaskBox menu
------------------
i) Lower -- To Lower the TaskBox
ii) Settings -- Enter the Settings Dialog
iii) Size -- to size the TaskBox
iv) Move -- to move the TaskBox
v) Quit -- Quit this program
3.2.5 Task menu
---------------
i) show -- activate selected tasks
ii) lower -- lower the task(s)
iii) tile -- tile the task(s)( doesn`t work very well when the TaskBox is not
on the edge of the screen and is alway`s visible )
iv) cascade --
v) system menu -- access the task's system menu (NB: shortcut`s listed won`t work )
vi) remove from TaskBox -- remove selected task(s) from TBox
vii) TaskBox -- access TaskBox menu
3.3 Settings
------------
NoteBook Settings Dialog
------------------------
TaskBox Settings page 1
------------------------
Display
-------
This is used to decide what information appears on the TaskBox.
(auto) task top
---------------
when checked task's are automatically raised to top when a task button gains
input focus( or when mouse stops over a button )
Maximum/Minimum width
---------------------
The slider and spinbutton control on this page allows the width of each task
window on the TaskBox to be customized.
NB: these will be disabled if display is set to Icon only
Button Actions
--------------
This group is used to customize the menu shortcuts. For both mouse
buttons you can choose one of the following options.
(1) Minimize/Restore -- If window can't be minimized and can be hidden it will
hidden instead
(2) Maximize/Restore --
(3) Switch to. -- Switch to this task
(4) lower -- change the windows z-order
TaskBox Settings page 2
------------------------
Activation Bar Pos
-------------------
The activation bar is the bar( along the bottom of the screen the first time you run
the program), that causes the TaskBox to be pushed to the front of the screen when the
mouse moves over it.
Activation Bar width/height
---------------------------
This lets you choose the width( height) of the bar.
Hint! to change the activation bars colour set it`s width to a higher value
( say 20) before dropping a colour from a colour pallete this will help
prevent missing the bar and changing the colour of the desktop.
Hint! to disable the activation bar set its width to 0( if TaskBox to Edge
isn`t checked to activate it you'llhave to select it from the window list)
TaskBox to edge
---------------
With this option checked the TaskBox will be snapped to the edge of the screen. The
edge of the screen is same edge as the Activation Bar.
Without this option checked the TaskBox will remain in the same position.
Bubble help
-----------
switch the bubble help on/off.
Invisible activation bar
------------------------
Make the activation bar invisible. It has the same width as when visible.
Remove List ( the list box )
-----------
This contains a list of all the programs that you have chosen to remove
from the TaskBox.
By Selecting the tasks and selecting "Remove from list" the task's selected will
no longer be removed from the TaskBox.
You can add new tasks to be removed by typeing into the entry box and pressing
enter.
( You can include wildcards currently only understands ?( any single character)
and *( any number of characters). )
Hint! to remove all wps folders enter "* - * view" into this field
TaskBox Settings page 3
------------------------
auto lower
----------
Set TaskBox to bottom of z-order when not active.
always top
----------
Keep TaskBox on top of all windows
adjust maximized window positions
---------------------------------
Adjust the sie of maximised windows so the taskbox isn't covered.
Note: if the taskbox isn't on the edge of the screen I would recommend turning this
option off.
TaskBox Always Visible
----------------------
As it says if this is checked the TaskBox will remain visible all the time.
NB: it does not automatically float to the top( unless always top is checked) so it
may be covered by other windows.
Keep on desktop
---------------
with this checked you won't be able to move the Taskbox off the desktop.
Lock size/pos
-------------
Prevent the TaskBox from being accidently moved/resized.
Small border
------------
Give TaskBox the smallest border possible.
NB: All TaskBox's settings are saved into TaskBox.ini, so if the worst comes to the
worst you can always delete this file and revert to the default settings, This file can be
located in the same directory as the executable, but it may be hidden.
4. Getting in Touch
-------------------
e-mail: sorry temporalily not connected, but as soon as I get reconnected
I'll release a new version with my new e-mail address.
If you use this program and like it, let me know by sending an e-mail message to
me or better yet send a postcard with any comments to:-
41 Abbot Court,
Gateshead,
Tyne & Wear,
NE8 3JY,
ENGLAND.
If you don't like this program, discover any bugs or have any suggestions, please let
me know why or what they are by e-mailing a message to the address at the top of the
document.
4.1 Updates
-----------
As soon I get connected at home, I'll send a new version to various ftp sites.
5 Misc.
-------
TODO
- allow the user to choose an alternative icons for a programs
- better documentation
Thanks - to everyone who has made suggestions, etc( too many to list but you
know who you are )
6 Legal Stuff
-------------
TaskBox is (c) Copyright 1996-1997 by Kevin Ash.
TaskBox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but with
ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.