DMEXMenu
Explorer Contextmenu Extension


copyright (c) 1994-99
by André Rübel

 

You are the flame in my heart
You light my way in the dark
You are the ultimate star

You lift me from up above
Your unconditional love
Takes me to paradise

I belong to you
And you
You belong to me too

You make my life complete
You make me feel so sweet

                                                Lenny Kravitz

 


User Manual

Experienced DMEX users look at the Changes/Fixes section at the end
of this file for a list of new features.

The DMEX Explorer Extension appears as new Submenu in the File or
"right mouse button" menu. The new entry is named DMEX and has a
strawberry to its left side.

The following describes all available menu entries in English
(or what I suppose to be English (I'm sorry)) and gives a short
introduction.
I'm sorry that no help can be given for the commands in the other
languages at the moment. However most items should be more or less
self-explaining. If you really have troubles send me an e-mail.

Note: Most of the window commands are for use with the
"two column style" Explorer window (the one with the tree on
its left side).
If you always want this Explorer style to open (eg. if you select
the "My Computer" Icon on the desktop) do the following:
From the Explorer menubar choose the "Options" item which
is located in the "View" Menu. In the "File Type" tabsheet choose
"Folder" than "Edit". Down there is a listbox called "Actions".
Choose "Explore" than push the "Set default" button.
That's it.

The DMEXMenu is able to handle different languages. The
languages German, English and French are maintained by the author.
However you are encouraged to add your own translations.
How to do that you can read at the How to add languages section.
PLEASE help other users!
If you have translated DMEX please send me a copy of your translation
and I will share it to other users and try to include it in the next version.


Available Menu Entries

Change Filename or date
Select Files
Deselect Files
Create Subdirectory
Open DOS Window
Create Substituted Drive
Extract Archive
Set as Wallpaper

Full expand tree
Full colapse tree

Centre current Window
New Explorer Window
Two Windows vertical
Two Windows horizontal
Tile all vertical
Tile all horizontal
New Subwindow
Clean up all Windows

Change Directory to
FTP sites
Execute

Interval Starter
Help
Configuration


1. Change Filename or date
Changes Name or Date of multiple Files.

This menu entry opens the Rename dialog:

Dialog Box Title:
Change Filename / Date

This dialog gives the possibility of changing the name, date or
attributes of all selected files at once. Which files will be
changed and how can be checked by opening the control listbox with
the "^" - or "Test" button.

For changing the name you may enter either just the new name or use
special commands which are described below:
Available keywords (case sensitive):
- [Name]
- [Ext]
- [N:a:b]
Entering the keyword [Name] (with brackets) with include
the old filename while entering [Ext] will include the old file
extension. Note that [Ext] includes the leading delimiter (point)
of the extension. Note also that the brackets are obligatory.
If there are missing brackets the keyword is not recognised and
will just be taken for pure text.

You can also include the keyword [N:a:b] for automatic numbering
of the files where 'a' and 'b' are optional numbers which have to be
separated by a colon. 'a' denotes for the 'width' formatting of the
number what means if the number has less digits than 'a' leading
blanks are inserted and 'b' denotes a constant number to add to 'N'.

Examples:

Original Filename is Test.txt
[Name] returns Test
[Ext] returns .txt

BUT TAKE CARE

[Name gives [Name !!! The closing bracket is missing !!!

You can also cut out part of the filename or the extension by
writing [Name(Startpos,Endpos)] or [Ext(Startpos,Endpos)]
Note that the round brackets and the separating comma are also
obligatory. An endpos number higher than the name length returns the
maximum length of the name.

Original Filename is Test.txt
[Name(2,4)] returns est
[Ext(1,2)] returns .t
[Ext(3,255)] returns xt

You may need some time to learn the syntax, but it is much more
powerful than the normal DOS Wildcard syntax. In the beginning
use the Test Button to become familiar with the syntax and to
be sure that the files are really renamed in the manner you want
them to. Be aware of missing brackets, numbers or commas.
Watch out for error messages in the dialog if it does not work.

More examples:

- You want to rename all selected files to *.bak
(Test.txt to become Test.bak)
You have to enter:
[Name].bak

- You want to insert a tilde ~ as first character of the extension.
(Test.txt to become Test.~xt)
You have to enter:
[Name].~[Ext(3,255)]

- You want to rename many Files to have the same name but to
be numbered.
(All "*.bmp" files to be named "My Girlfriend xx.bmp" where xx
denotes for a number)
You have to enter:
My Girlfriend [N].bmp

[N:0:0] is the same as [N]
[N:3:1] will case the first name to be
My Girlfriend __1.bmp
(Note the two underlined blanks that make 1 to become a three
digit number (parameter a=3) and the first file starts with one
instead of zero (parameter b=1).
^


2. Select Files
Selects Files by Mask.

This opens a dialog to enter a mask for selecting files similar to
the DOS Syntax. All Files in the current directory matching that mask
will be selected.
Note: Also directories will be selected if their names match!
A file without extension and directories will only be selected
if no extension is specified! (test* and not test*.*)
By default all files will be selected (*).

NEW: With the checkbox "select additionally" you can choose whether
the selection is cumulative to the existing selection (checkbox selected)
or if all files are deselected first (checkbox unselected is default).
Be careful. If you rightclick on a file to open the DMEX Menu this file
becomes selected. If you then choose "additionally" you maybe have one
file selecte too much!
^


3. Deselect Files
Deselects Files by Mask.

NEW: This opens a dialog to enter a mask for deselecting files similar to
the DOS Syntax. All Files in the current directory matching that mask
will be deselected.
Note: Also directories will be de selected if their names match!
A file without extension and directories will only be selected
if no extension is specified! (test* and not test*.*)
^

 


4. Create Subdirectory
Creates a new Subdirectory.
{Only available if selected item is a directory}


A new subdirectory is created in the current directory.
The new name is either

"New Folder xx" (Long Filenames) or
"Foldrxx" (8.3 Filenames)

where xx represents a number if there already exists a
directory with the same name.
If the new directory will be visible in the right panel of the
explorer window, it's name will be selected and the edit mode
is activated so you can just enter the new name.


5. Open DOS Window
Opens a new Command Shell Window in the current Directory.
{Only available if selected item is a directory}


This opens a new command shell window. The default directory
will be the current selected directory.
This command needs the %comspec% environment variable to be set.

If you want to specify commandline parameters for the
DOS Box (For example to load doskey macros.) you now can use an
environment variable with the name DMEXCOMSPEC. If this
variable exists it will be used instead of %comspec%.

Example:
(This executes the script init before opening the DOS Box)
dmexcomspec=c:\winnt\system32\cmd.exe /kc:\init.cmd

The program specified by the %dmexcomspec% variable will be executed.
You can also specify any different command interpreter.

Hint:
To enter a new environment variable on a NT system do:
Open the Control Panel and select the System option.
There you can enter the variable on the Environment panel.
^



5. Create Substituted Drive
Substitutes selected Directory as a Drive.
{Only available if selected item is a directory}
{Only available on Windows NT}

This opens a submenu including all unused drive letters.
Selecting one of these drive letters will redirect the
current directory to this drive.
The redirection will be lost on next reboot or login.
The redirection also can be terminated by selecting the same
drive letter for the same directory again.
^


6. Extract Archive
Extracts from ARJ,LZH,ARC,ZIP,PAK,ZOO and CAB Archives.
{Only available if selected item is an archive}

This command creates a new directory with the same name as the
selected archive and extracts all files contained in the archive
into this directory.

This command is very simple and does not want to enter into
competition with the lots of archive interfaces on the market.
So no parameters or options can be chosen at this time.

Note:
The DOS archive utilities have to be located in a directory
available through the %Path% environment variable.
The utilities are NOT part of this program.

Also Note:
The Command is executed in a minimised DOS Box. If nothing
happens you may have to open that DOS Box do look after an error
message from the archive program eg. if you have to enter a
password.
^


7. Set as Wallpaper
Install the selected Bitmap as current wallpaper.
{Only available if selected item is a .bmp file}

The selected bitmap file is set as wallpaper.
^


8. Full expand tree
Opens all subdirectories of the current directory.

NEW:
The treestructure below the current directory in the left
hand window of the explorer is completly expanded.
All subdirectories are made visible (like clicking on all +
symbols left to the directoy names).
If you expand very big structures (e.g the Windows NT
directory this may take some time. Don't blame me. This is
an Explorer problem. So please be patient).
^


9. Full collapse tree
Hides all subdirectories of the current directory.

NEW:
The treestructure below the current directory in the left
hand window of the explorer is completly hidden.
All subdirectories are made invisible.
^


10. Centre current Window
Centre the current Explorer Window.

Centres the current Explorer Window, leaving a small space around
the window to be able to reach the desktop icons.

If you press the Ctrl key while choosing this menuentry the
current Explorer window position is saved and than used as default
position for "Centre current Window" or "Clean up all Windows"
commands.

If you press the Shift key while choosing this menuentry the formerly
saved Explorer window position is deleted and is set back to the
original DMEX values (1/20 of screenwidth as border) for
"Centre current Window" or "Clean up all Windows" commands.
^


11. New Explorer Window
Open a new Explorer Window at the specified path.

Opens a submenu with the saved Hot Paths. Selecting one ot the
directories will launch a new Explorer window using the specified
directory. Up to four Explorer windows are arranged side by side
afterwards.
To add Hot Paths to the submenu use the "Change Directory to..."
tabsheet in the Configuration dialog.
A right mouse click on the listbox there enables you to select a new
directory. (Add Directory)

You may also use the "Add Directory" item in the
"New Explorer Window" submenu to go to the configuration dialog.
^


12. Two Windows vertical
Tiles two Explorer Windows vertical.

Tiles two Explorer Windows vertical. A new window is opened if
necessary.
^


13. Two Windows horizontal
Tiles two Explorer Windows horizontal.

Tiles two Explorer Windows horizontal. A new window is opened if
necessary.
^


14. Tile all vertical
Tiles all existing Explorer Windows vertical.

Tiles all existing Explorer Windows vertical.
^


15. Tile all horizontal
Tiles all existing Explorer Windows horizontal.

Tiles all existing Explorer Windows horizontal.
^


16. New Subwindow
Create a new Explorer Subwindow.
{Only available if selected item is a directory}

Open a new Explorer window (The one without the tree at its side)
The current directory of the new window is the selected
directory.
^


17. Clean up all Windows
Closes all Explorer Windows except the current.

Closes all other Explorer Windows except the current and centres
the current.

If you press the Ctrl key while choosing this menuentry the
current Explorer window position is saved and than used as default
position for "Centre current Window" or "Clean up all Windows"
commands.

If you press the Shift key while choosing this menuentry the formerly
saved Explorer window position is deleted and is set back to the
original DMEX values (1/20 of screenwidth as border) for
"Centre current Window" or "Clean up all Windows" commands.
^


18. Change Directory to
Quick change to a Hot Path Directory.

Opens a submenu with the saved Hot Paths. Selecting one of the
directories changes the directory of the current window.
To add Hot Paths to the submenu use the "Change Directory to..."
tabsheet in the Configuration dialog.
A right mouse click on the listbox there enables you to select a new
directory. (Add Directory)


You may also use the "Add Directory" item in the
"Change directory to" submenu.
^


19. FTP sites
Quick change to a FTP site.
{only available with Internet Explorer 4 or higher plus extensions installed}

NEW:
Opens a submenu with the saved FTP sites. Selecting one of the
directories changes to the chosen FTP site.
To add Sites to the submenu use the "Add FTP site" item in the submenu
tabsheet in the Configuration dialog.
Therefore you have to open a FTP site by typing in the name to the adress
bar of the explorer. Than choose the menuentry "Add FTP site" from the DMEX
menu by right clicking on any directory from the tree above (without deselecting
the FTP site). This is a little bit complicated. I'm sorry.

To change the position in the list or delete FTP sites from the menu use the
FTP Tabsheet from the configuration dialog.
^


20. Execute
Executes User Programs.

Opens a submenu with the saved user programs. Selecting one
will launch that program.

As default three entries are included in this menu:
1: List Directory
Executes the dmexlist.bat file from the Windows directory which
will list the current directory including all subdirectories and
opens the result in the Notepad Editor.
You will get a system error message using this command on a file.
Edit the dmexlist.bat file to change the behavior or list format.
2: Print Directory
Executes the dmexlist.bat file from the Windows directory which
will print the current directory including all subdirectories by
opening the result in the Notepad Editor.
You will get a system error message using this command on a file.
Edit the dmexlist.bat file to change the behavior or list format.
3: Notepad
Opens the current file in the Notpad Editor.

To add programs use the "Execute" tabsheet in the Configuration
Dialog.
A right mouse click on the listbox there enables you to select a new
program including its working directory. (Add Program and
Set Working Directory) If the current selected file should be
passed on the command line select the according menu entry.
(Add selected File to Commandline)

You may also use the "Add Program" item in the "Execute" submenu
to go to the configuration dialog.
^


21. Interval Starter
Executes Programs at System Startup

Opens a Dialog where programs can be defined which should be executed
on system startup. An interval in days can be given for every
program. If you want to do a backup once day or a chkdisk every week
use this tool.
First push the new button. Enter a unique name in the first line. The
default name will be 'Noname'. You have to change this name otherwise
the settings won't be saved. Enter the program path in the second
line or use the "..." button to select one. The default time interval
is 7 days.

If there are any entries in this dialog the starter will be launched on
every system startup. It executes all programms (one after another to
minimize CPU consumption) which have elapsed their time interval.

If you don't want the starter to be launched delete all entries in this
dialog.
^


21. Help
Opens this HTML file.
{Only available if a HTML browser is installed}

NEW:
Opens this HTML file and changes to the Content section.
A Browser Software has to be installed
^


22. Configuration
Configure the DMEX Menu extension

Opens the DMEX Configuration Dialog.

It has five different tabsheets:

DMEX Menu Entries:
This is a complete list of all available menuitems.
Vou can exclude menu entries from being shown in the DMEX menu by
removing the check mark in the listbox.

Change directory to:
This lists all saved Hot Paths which are shown in the
"Change directory to" and the "New Explorer Window" submenus.
You can add or delete entries from the listbox by using the
right mouse button context menu or keyboard hotkeys:
Strg-Insert: Add a directory.
Strg-Delete: Delete the selected directory.
Strg-Arrow: Move item up or down.

NEW: FTP sites:
This lists all saved FTP sites.
You can delete entries from the listbox by using the
right mouse button context menu or keyboard hotkeys:
Strg-Delete: Delete the selected directory.
Strg-Arrow: Move item up or down.

Execute:
This lists all saved user programs which are shown in the "Execute"
submenu.
You can add or delete entries from the listbox by using the
right mouse button context menu or keyboard hotkeys:
Strg-Insert: Add a program.
Strg-Delete: Delete the selected program.
Strg-Arrow: Move item up or down.

Options:
Here you may select whether the Explorer Window related commands
are shown in a submenu or not, if the strawberry is shown on side
the menu and select the language from the "Language" combobox.
The "Add Environment Directories" button adds the following directories
to the Hot Path menu if they are defined as environment variables:
%userprofile%, %windir%, %temp%.

About:
This shows some program related information. Using the context menu
you may also view the files: readme.txt and manual.txt (this file).
^

 



How to add other languages

You can add your own languages to DMEX. All information depending on the languages
is stored in the "dmexlanguage.ini" file in your Windows directory.
To add a new language open the "dmexlanguage.ini file in a windows text editor e.g. Notepad.
You have to create a new section for your language or better copy the english [English] section
and rename it. For Spanish e.g. it should be:

[Español]
1=...

The & (and) sign in the entries with the numbers from 10 to 99 determine the letter after
the & to be a hotkey and to be underlined in the menu.

After you have translated the strings add the name of the language to the [Available] section:

[Available]
Español=1

Note that it is very important the the language name is written identical everywhere.

Now you should already be able to choose the language from the combobox in the
configuration dialog.

Also note that the "dmexlanguage.ini" file is overwritten at each installation. If you have
changed that file make a copy of it before a new installlation or your changes will be lost!

Please send me a copy of your new "dmexlanguage.ini" file. I will try to add more
languages in the next version of DMEX.

 


System changes:

This is a COMPLETE list of system changes which are carried out by
DMEX. Not all of the changes may be necessarily occur on your system.
This depends on which options you have used with the DMEX menu.
Any other changes not mentioned below are not due DMEX.

Uninstall should work in any case!

However it is fair to tell you what DMEX changes on your system and how
to get back to the original state.

If there are any troubles and you want to remove DMEX at your own
do the following (Complete list of system and registry changes):

BUT BE CAREFULL WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH THE REGISTRY!
DON'T BLAME ME IF YOU DELETE ANY OTHER ENTRIES AND YOUR SYSTEM CRASHES!

IF YOU ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE REGISTRY:
PLEASE DO ONLY USE THE UNINSTALL OPTION!

1.) Delete all DMEX files (DMEX*.*) in the Windows directory.

2.) Delete the following keys in the registry (some may not exist):

- Menuhandler Context Entries:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\DMEX
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\DMEX
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\DMEX

- DMEXStarter Run Command:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\DMEXStarter

- Menuhandler CLSID Definition:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{2D1D33E0-8A8F-11D1-9626-444553540000}

- DMEX Uninstall Option:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\DMEXMENU

- DMEX User settings (remove whole section):
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\dmex

 


 


Known bugs:

- Truly bad English in this manual.
Won't be fixed in future? ;)

- On Multiuser Systems (NT) only current user settings are deleted
if DMEX is uninstalled.
Every user who used DMEX may delete the whole section
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\dmex
from the registry.

- You can't define individual User settings for Hot Paths and
Program Execution.
(Not really a bug. That's laziness in implementing the
functionality)

- If no Wallpaper was shown before a new Wallpaper selected by the
"Set as Wallpaper" item is not shown until system is restarted.
(Don't ask me why.)

- The program seems to misbehave on some Windows 98 machines.
(No more complains since version 3.11)

- Two people reported about problems with the "Centre Window"
command. The systems remembers a wrong maximised window position.
This seems to be a specific Windows 95 problem and only in very
rare cases. I don't know what is the reason at all.
However I tried to work around in version 3.10, but don't know
if this brings cure.
(No more complains since version 3.11)

- In some languages the hotkey for DMEX (M) interferes with the hotkey for
other Explorer menuentries. If you don't like this you can remove the hotkey using
the "nokotkey.reg" file which is shipped with the original "DMEXxxx.zip" installaltion
file. Doubleclick on the file and the shortcut is removed. To get it back use the
"hotkey.reg" file.

 


Changes/Fixes:

version 3.12

- The way files are selected using the "Select files" command was changed.
An additional menuentry to deselect files was added.
(Added after user suggestion)
(See section 2 and section 3 for details)

- The Name of a new created subdirectory is now language dependend,
not only German as before.
(Changed after user reminder)

- Two new menuentries let the user expand or collapse partial tree branches.
(Added after user suggestion)
(See section 8 and section 9 for details)

- A new submenu to access FTP sites was added.
This works just like the "Change directory to" submenu.
Only available if Internet Explorer 4 is installed with extensions.
However, FTP'ing with the explorer is not nice before IE5.
(See section 19 for details)

- Manual is now an HTML file with references for easier navigation.

- Help menuentry opens this file.
(See section 21 for details)

- The way different languages are handled was changed completely.
Now you are encouraged to add your own language.
See how to add languages for more details.

 

version 3.11

- Internet Explorer 5 compatibility.
(Nearly everything went wrong afer installation of Explorer 5)
Now "Change Directory to..." and all Window functions work properly again.

- You can save now the default Explorer Window Position used for
"Centre Window" or "Clean up all Windows" commands.
(Added after user suggestion.)

- Two new entries in the "Execute" Submenu give the possibility to list or
print the current directory contents.

- [N] statement in rename file dialog has changed. Now you add a constant
number to the index and add leading blanks to keep the order right.
(Added after user suggestion.)

- Bug fixed: [Name] statement while renaming of file gives now full name
even if it contains more than one separator (point).

 

version 3.10

- French language version available !!!
(This is the reason why this is a major version step)
Many thanks to Stef Mevel.

- Files can now be numbered while renaming using the [N] keyword.
(Added after user suggestion.)

- The "New Window" command has a completely new functionality now.
You can choose the base directory of your new window out of the
Hot Paths list.
(Added after user suggestion.)

- New Hot Paths and Programs can now be added using a new menu item
in the according submenus.

- Name editing is activated in the Explorer window when adding a new
subdirectory.
(Added after user suggestion.)

- Commandline parameters for the DOS Box are now available using the
dmexcomspec environment variable.
(Added after user suggestion.)

- Changing Date/Time problem should really really be fixed now.
Timestamp is correctly converted to local time forth and back.

- Programs from the "Execute" submenu will now be run on all the
selected files.

- Automatic language detection while installation.

- Fixed some non translated entries.

 

version 3.01

- Change Date/Time did not function unless system
time settings were hh:mm:ss.

- Clean up all windows had problems on some machines.
Should be fixed now.

- File attributes can now be changed using name/date change dialog.

- Hints in Explorer statusbar should be shown correctly now.

- Added the fabulous DMEXStarter option.

 


This is the end of the file as I know it.