Monster Media 1994 #1

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Text File | 1994-03-18 | 31KB | 600 lines

=============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FileBar - Version 1.7b An OS/2 Application Launch Facility and WPS Replacement Written By Eric A. Wolf - Copyright (C) 1994 - All Rights Reserved This program is SHAREWARE! Please read the registration information at the end of this document for details on how to register your copy of FileBar. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- =============================================================================== == Introduction ============ FileBar, quite simply, is a menubar for your desktop. It is intended to ease the operation of launching frequently used applications and from jumping from task to task within OS/2. Spanning across the top or bottom of your desktop, FileBar is intended to give you quick and easy access to your most used applications (whether they are DOS, Windows or OS/2 applications). You have seven menus in which you can place a maximum of 24 different items in each. Each item may represent a command shell to boot, a script file to perform a task or even your favorite application. With FileBar, you're just one click away from your favorite and most used programs. Also, FileBar can be used as a regular application or you can use it to replace your existing Workplace Shell in order to provide you with much more memory for the rest of your programs (thus, speeding up your system). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- == Installation ============ If you are installing FileBar for the first time, please continue to the next paragraph. If you are simply upgrading filebar, keep a copy of your old filebar.ini initialization file. Delete ALL the files associated with the older version of FileBar, unzip this newer version and copy your previous filebar.ini file back into the directory. If you are using FileBar as a WPS replacement, skip to that section below. If not, skip to the Using FileBar section below. Installing FileBar is simple. Read the readme file and once you agree to register the product if you continue to use it, unzip the second zipfile, FILEBAR.ZIP. Now, simply go to an OS/2 prompt, and type INSTALL from the same directory where you unzipped the files. That will invoke a REXX script that will create a FileBar program object/icon on the desktop for you to use to start FileBar. To immediately start FileBar, double click the program object on the desktop. And to make FileBar start every time you boot OS/2, drag the object (or a copy/shadow thereof) to the startup folder that is found in the OS/2 system folder. (NOTE: You should proceed to unzip the second zipfile ONLY if you agree to the registration requirements presented both in the README file and in the registration text at the end of this document.) Installing FileBar as a WPS replacement: ---------------------------------------- FileBar has the capability to be used as a replacement shell. This means, instead of using the WPS, you can use FileBar. Doing this greatly reduces the amount of memory the system uses and can give your programs an extra two and a half to three megabytes of memory to run in (resulting in very noticeable speed increases on most systems). If you wish to use FileBar over the WPS as your shell, simply edit your OS/2 config.sys and change the line that reads: SET RUNWORKPLACE=PM_Shell_Path\PMSHELL.EXE to SET RUNWORKPLACE=Put_Complete_FileBar_Path_Here\FILEBAR.EXE Also, you will need to copy the FILEBAR.DLL file to your \OS2\DLL directory. (This is necessary only if you are running FileBar as a WPS replacement.) After doing both of these things, the next time you boot OS/2, you will have FileBar as your shell. To change back to WPS, simply change the line back to PMSHELL. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- == Using FileBar ============= Once FileBar is started, you will see the FileBar across the top of your screen. You access functions in FileBar like any other menu bar that is in any other OS/2 application. The menubar may be positioned at the top or the bottom of your desktop (see below for instructions on moving it). The current time and or date may also be displayed on the FileBar for convenience (again, see below for details) and you may also schedule items that either launch program items or display reminder notices to you at specified times using the task scheduler. The first time you boot FileBar, it comes preconfigured with several menus. The first two, FileBar and Task List are static (that is, unchangable by the user) but the remaining menus may be added to, changed or even deleted and replace by more of your own menus. The functions of the menus are explained below: FileBar ------- Move to Bottom/Top: This option changes the position of the FileBar on the desktop. Select this option to toggle the position of the FileBar on the desktop. Edit FileBar: This is where you add, remove or change the appearence of Menus: your user menus. When you select this option, you will be presented with all of your currently defined menus. You may remove entire menus by selecting Remove Menu or you may change the order of your menus by selecting a menu and then clicking Move Menu < or Move Menu > to move your menu left or right on the filebar menu. You may also add a menu by simply clicking Add Menu and typing a title for your new menu. You may edit the items of a menu by selecting Change Menu (or by double clicking a menu item) or you may go back to normal FileBar operation by clicking OK. If you choose to change your menu, you will be presented with all the items currently under the selected menu. You may change the name of an existing menu by overwriting the name of the menu in the menu name entry field. You may move items up and down, insert menu separators, delete items or insert (add) items. Selecting OK will return you to the menu selection dialog box. If you choose to add an item (or change an existing item), you will be presented with a dialog containing the item's name (which may be changed by simply typing in the new name into the name entry field), the type of program you wish to run (OS/2, DOS or Windows application), whether the program should start maximized or minimized, the complete pathname of the program to execute if this item is selected off the menu, any command-line arguments that should be passed to the program and the starting directory for the program. (You may also edit a menu item by double clicking it). Clicking OK saves the information and returns you to item editing dialog box. If you click Find File, you will be presented with a dialog box to allow you to browse over your disk drives and find a file you wish to execute. Select Cancel to abort this operation and return to the previous dialog. If you select a file from here, the pathname of the file, the directory and the program type will be set for this program when you return to the item editing dialog box. In the edit item data dialog window, you may click Reset to restore the data for the item you had before you opened the dialog or you may press cancel if you wish to abandon your changes. OPENING WPS OBJECTS In the 'edit item' dialog, there is also a feature to open Workplace Shell objects. To enable this feature, simply drag a copy of the object you want to open to the area marked on the dialog and drop it. The dialog will then configure itself to open that object whenever the item is selected. (Note that you may ONLY drag folder, directory and executable objects to to the dialog! Directory and executable objects are obtained from the DRIVES object or by typing in the directory or executable paths by hand.) Once you drop the object, simply click OK because the settings are correct. USING SETTINGS If you have a program that requires specialized settings, you may mark the program to be launched as a WPS program and you will then be given the oppurtunity to modify any settings you may need to for the program. Remember, in order to use and modify program settings, you must have the program marked as launchable as a WPS object. In order to correctly use this option, you MUST FULLY QUALIFY THE PATHNAME! (instead of entering just FILEBAR.EXE you must enter C:\OS2\FILEBAR\FILEBAR.EXE). This way OS/2 can associate the settings you specify with the executable. Note that each executable only has 1 set of options, If you want to set up a program with two different sets of options, make a copy of the executable and set the 2nd set of options for the new copy of the executable and set FileBar to launch that file. SPECIAL NOTE: You may also use WPS type settings without going through the WPS!! When you specify an application to launch, if there exists a file called SETTINGS.INI in the same directory as the executable (and the explicit use of WPS settings is turned OFF), FileBar will use the settings in SETTINGS.INI for your session. Time/Date Options: This option lets you select what is displayed on the far right of the FileBar at all times. You have the choices of displaying nothing, the current time, the current date, or both the the current time and date and also all of these options in international format. There is also an hourly chime feature that will play a chime sound ever hour. You can enable or disable this feature the feature by clicking the checkbox and you can select a .WAV sound file to play as your chime by either typing the filename of it in the control dialog or using the find file feature to find a .WAV file. Launch Start Up Items: If using FileBar as a shell replacement, when starting FileBar, you have the option of also starting with it up to ten different menu items as well. Simply select the menu items to launch, arrange the order as to your liking and then be sure you check the box to enable them and next time you load FileBar, these other applications will launch, as well. Use Alternate FileBar Menu: Selecting this toggles whether the FileBar System menu will be the name FileBar or just a sigle character symbol. Use the single symbol if you want the menu to use less menubar real-estate. Background Bitmap: Use this option only if you are using FileBar as a WPS replacement. This functions similarly to the WPS background bitmap setting. Select whether you want to display the bitmap or not and also how (scaled to fit screen, normal, or tiled image). The complete pathname of the image should be entered into the entry field. You may use the Find button to help you locate images. (Note that ONLY .BMP images can be used for this option). Confirm on Task Close: This menu item should be checked if you want FileBar to double check with you before terminating an application. Resize Desktop on Boot: If you have FileBar placed along the top portion of your screen, you have the option to resize your Desktop window so when FileBar loads, it will no longer cover any icons or objects that may be placed near FileBar. Force On Top/Auto-Sizing: When this option is selected, FileBar will force itself to stay on top of any other windows that may be on your desktop. Also, when windows are maximized, they will be forced to fit under/or above FileBar so as not to cover it. If you select this feature, FileBar will make it a point to float above any other windows on your desktop. If you find that an application places itself underneath FileBar, simply click in the application area with the 2nd mouse button or click one of the sizing bars with the 1st mouse button and the window will float to the top so you can correctly position it. Save menu configuration: Although menu and configuration information is saved everytime you exit FileBar, you can force FileBar to save your configuration if you select this option. Product Information: This option shows author, copyright and program information. Exit: This option allows you to exit the FileBar application and save its current state in the option file, FILEBAR.INI. The state is only saved when the application is terminated! TaskList -------- Each item in this menu represents a currently active OS/2 task. This menu is updated each time it is accessed and allows you a single-click option to jump between OS/2 processes. Any running OS/2 task will be displayed in this menu. There is also a cascaded menu that may be selected for each item. If you select this additional menu, you will be allowed to switch to the task, close the task, show or hide the task as well as minimize or maximize the task. Note, that if you do not select the cascaded menu, but simply select just a task name, you will jump to that task. There is also shutdown option that when selected will shutdown your system (similar to OS/2's shutdown system command). User Menus ---------- Selecting an item in any of the seven user menus results in the file specified in the item's options information to be started using the information specified in the item information (see Edit FileBar Menus for more information on modifying this information). This is how the user will go about launching applications they want to get to frequently. Task Scheduler -------------- If you press the area where the current time/date information is displayed, you will invoke the task scheduler. You will now be shown a calendar displaying the current month. If you wish to go back a month, press < and if you want to advance a month, press >. If you ever wish to return to the current month, simply press '*'. With reminders, you can specify a .WAV sound file to be played along with the display of the reminder. If the reminder is not serviced within 60 seconds (by default), the sound will be replayed. If you wish to change that 60 second time interval, press the - or + keys. User specified tasks can be placed on -any- calendar day. If you want to see -all- of the currently scheduled tasks, simply press 'Show All'. This will display a list of all the tasks along with their associated times and dates to go off. If you want to revise one of these items, simply double click the item or select OK to return to the calendar. If you wish to schedule a task, simply press the button corresponding to the day you wish to schedule the item for. This will bring up a list of all the reminders currently scheduled for the day you selected. To add add an item, simply select Add Item. (To delete or revise an item, select the corresponding buttons, as well). Once you've selected Add Item, you will be presented with another dialog box. Here, you specify the time you want the task to occur. If you decide you want to move it to another day, you can also adjust the date. Also, you can decide if after the note has been serviced, if you want to reschedule it. You have the option of deleting a note when it is serviced or you can reschedule the same note to appear the next hour, day, week, month or year. If you want a text reminder (for example, a "To-Do" item), simply type the text of your reminder into the Reminder entry field. If you would rather launch an item, select 'launch item' and select an item to launch at the specified time. If you have an item scheduled to launch but wish to change it to a text reminder, simply select launch item and deselect the checkbox signifying to launch an item. You have the option of only playing the specified sound at the alarm time if you select 'sound only'. Also, in order for your .WAV file to play, you must have 'play sound' checked. When a text reminder is displayed, you have the option to reschedule the note (by pressing OK), erasing the note completely (by selecting erase), by revising the note (by selecting revise) or by pressing snooze and this will make the note disappear but re-appear in 9 minutes (the snooze time). Notes: ====== * You may notice that the FileBar will flash for a brief moment. This is because the time has changed and OS/2 is changing the time on the menu bar. Nothing is wrong, this flash is just the way OS/2 updates the menu. * When entering command line parameters, you can specify that some or all of the options be entered when the program is started. If you enclose one or parameters in brackets ('[' and ']') then FileBar will prompt you to enter the parameter(s) when the item is launched. * You may drag a font to the FileBar (from the Font Palette) if you wish to change the font FileBar uses for its menus. After you drop a font, the menu bar will change to accomdate this new font. The font you drop will be remembered next time you start FileBar. If you find yourself running out of room on your menubar because you are using long menu names, simply drag and drop a smaller font to FileBar (from the font palette in the OS/2 system folder). * If the time is not displayed (but you have the option under Time/Date options set to display a time/date), you probably need a smaller font. If there is not enough room for the entire time and/or date, OS/2 will simply not display it. * You may also drag colors (or schemes) to FileBar from the color or scheme palettes that come with OS/2. * You may use the tilde (~) in your menu and item names to signify that the character immediately following the tilde should be used as an accelerator for accessing the respective menus or items. * All changes made (time/date, bar position, menu contents, etc.) are saved each time FileBar is closed (or the system is shutdown or an explicit save operation is requested). FileBar is restored to the state it was saved in next time it is executed. Changes are saved ONLY during these times. * When editing menu items, you can drag directories, executable files or WPS folders to the WPS object area and FileBar will open these objects when you select the menu item. * When using FileBar as a WPS replacement, WPS features such as folders and program objects are no longer functional. Please remember this if you are trying to open a WPS folder via FileBar when FileBar has replaced the WPS. * The configuration information for the FileBar is stored in a file named FILEBAR.INI (in the directory where FILEBAR.EXE is located) and may be backed up by the user for added protection. It is a strictly text file and may be backed up by copying a valid FILEBAR.INI file to another, unused filename (ie: COPY FILEBAR.INI BACKUP.INI). -- It is recommended that you make a backup copy of -- your FILEBAR.INI on a regular basis! * FileBar comes with two sample FileBar configurations, SAMPLE1.INI and SAMPLE2.INI. To try these out, copy one of them over your FileBar .INI file (ie: COPY SAMPLE1.INI FILEBAR.INI). NOTE! This will overwrite your current FileBar configuration and destroy the contents it currently has. These contain samples for how to launch DOS windowed and full screen sessions, OS/2 windowed and full screen sessions, and Win-OS/2 windowed and full screen sessions, among other things. Refer to these for tips on how to set up your own FileBar! * If you wish to add items that launch OS/2 command shells (DOS windows, DOS full-screens, WIN-OS2 sessions, etc.), see the SAMPLE1 or SAMPLE2 .INI files. For OS/2 and DOS sessions, simply select what type of command shell you would like (from application type section) and then leave the Program Path empty. That will start a command shell (DOS window, DOS fullscreen, OS/2 window, and OS/2 fullscreen sessions). However, if you want to start a WINOS/2 windowed session, put PROGMAN.EXE in the program path (it will start program manager for you). If you want to launch a fullscreen WINOS/2 session, put WIN.COM in the program path section of the text. Again, see the examples provided for the exact details on how to launch command shells from FileBar. * If you wish to make an item on one of your menus that is an OS2, DOS or WINOS2 session that has modified settings, follow the instructions below: - For OS/2 sessions, go to the \OS2 directory and make a copy of CMD.EXE. Make FileBar point to this new copy of the executable and mark it to boot as a WPS program object. Now, change the settings as you wish. - For DOS sessions, go to the \OS2\MDOS directory and make a copy of COMMAND.COM. Make FileBar point to this new copy of the executable and mark it to boot as a WPS program object. Now, change the settings as you wish. - For WINOS2 sessions, go to the \OS2\MDOS\WINOS2 directory and make a copy of WIN.COM for fullscreen sessions or PROGMAN.EXE for windowed sessions. Make FileBar point to this new copy of the executable and mark it to boot as a WPS program object. Now, change the settings as you wish. * Since WPS settings are implemented to be tied to the executable of the program that is being launched, if you need two or more programs with the same settings, you will need to make a copy of that executable with a different name and give it different settings. Command prompts work in the same way. (Simply make a copy of CMD.EXE or COMMAND.COM and name it something differently. Give it new settings and when you launched this renamed object, it will come up with the new settings (if using use WPS settings option)). * Alarm tasks will NOT be active when editing individual alarm tasks. In simpler words, alarms are disabled when you are editing items that are alarms. This is to avoid conflict which may arise in having an item you are editing go off when you don't want it to. * FileBar has an hourly chime built in but if you would like a chime to go off on the half of the hour as well (6:30, 7:30, etc), simply set up a task that is 'sound only' and that will reschedule itself every hour. Now, insert the .WAV sound file you want your chime to be, and you will be all set. The hourly chime will go off at the top of every hour and this will go off at the middle of every hour. * If you use the Float on Top/Auto-Sizing feature, this may cause FileBar to remain visible during some screen saver program's activity. If you find this happens with the screen saver you use, simply disable the "Force on Top/Auto-Sizing" feature. Note that this will not affect the screen saver program nor FileBar but if it does bother you, simply turn OFF the float feature. (Also note: Special code has been added with version 1.7 and later versions of FileBar so that the interference caused by BocaSoft's WipeOut has been remedied. I have found no other screen saver that causes problems for FileBar, but if you encounter one, please contact me.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- == Registration ============ If you like FileBar, or perhaps, you enjoy having the complete source code for an OS/2 PM program to aid you in writing your own programs, I ask you to register your copy of the program. The registration cost is only $10.00 and it will ONLY be with your support that I continue to develop for OS/2, and especially, provide the complete source code for any of my works. You can register your copy of FileBar with me for only $10.00. Please send your registration payment as a check or money order (US funds only) to: Eric A. Wolf 498 Wiley Hall NW West Lafayette, Indiana 47906-4223 After 4/30/94, please send your registration payment to: Eric A. Wolf 1630 North Johnson Street South Bend, Indiana 46628-2936 I want to encourage everyone to start writing applications for OS/2, no matter how simple or complex. That is why I am providing the source code with this program. If you've never developed for OS/2 before, now is your time to start and you have this to look off of to get you going. Please note, however, I provide the source code as-is and as a learning tool for aspiring programmers. Please do NOT modify the source code and re-release an exact or similar product. The source is provided solely as a learning device. The $10.00 registration fee is cheaper than any OS/2 programming book and what I provide is a complete, functional OS/2 PM application and ALL component source files that comprise it (how many books do that?) If the response is good enough, and only if it is good enough, I will continue to develop products and ship the source code along with them. I will answer no questions about the source code of the program from an individual until a registration payment has been received. Once registered, source questions can be directed to me via electronic mail only: internet: ericwolf@mentor.cc.purdue.edu If you have general comments or questions about the program, you may also send the electronic address above. Thanks! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- == Source Code =========== This program comes complete with the entire source code that generated it. Please note the following restriction: FileBar's source code is to be modified by the author alone. The source code is provided as a learning tool ONLY! No modifications may be made to it to reproduce a same or similar product. The copyright remains that solely of the author and the program is protected under both United States and International Copyright Laws. The complete source code for this program can be found in the SOURCE directory that was created when you uncompressed this program. It was developed on Borland's C++ for OS/2. A project file (FILEBAR.PRJ) has been provided to facilitate your working with these files. Each source file is documented and you should review the code with some good OS/2 references in hand (PM references, API reference, etc.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- == Distribution of FileBar ======================== You are free to distribute FileBar to whomever and however you wish as long as the following conditions are satisified: - FileBar should ALWAYS be distributed in its entirety. This includes all documentation, executables, and source files. Under no circumstances should FileBar be distributed without all of its original files. Distribution of FileBar (in any way possible!) is strongly encouraged both by individuals and software houses! - FileBar's source code is to be modified by the author alone. The source code is provided as a learning tool ONLY! No modifications may be made to it to produce a same or similar product. The copyright remains that of solely the author and the program is protected under both United States and International Copyright Laws. - If you use FileBar, you MUST register it (directions for doing so preceeded this section of the text). "Use" includes both the actual use of the FileBar application program -or- using the source code as a reference for your own works. If you use the source as a reference, please register your copy ($10.00 is cheaper than any book you can buy on OS/2 programming and what is going to teach you as much??) - Remember, if you like the program (even if you don't care much for the source code) you should still register!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- == Revision History ======================== (The revision history from FileBar's inception to its current release is contained in the HISTORY.TXT file that should have come with this archive file... Please contact the system administrator from the site in which you obtained this archive if you did not receive it or any other FileBar files!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Remember if you like FileBar and use it or if you use or plan to use the source code as a reference for your own works, please register today! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My thanks to those of you who have registered! I appreciate your support!