To suspend WinShade when it starts up, check this box.


To remove the WinShade tray icon after startup, select this box.

Run the WinShade executable a second time to access configuration options.


To set the timeout (in seconds) for the tray icon, enter a number here.


To display a warning before WinShade closes, check this box.


To automatically unroll all rolled up windows when WinShade closes, check this box.


If you run Norton Navigator, check this box to ensure compatability.


To change the sounds associated with WinShade, press this button.


To remove the sounds associated with WinShade, press this button.


To configure either single click or double click actions, choose the action from this combo box.


To assign a command to the current action, choose the command from this combo box.


To require the use of the SHIFT key in addition to the current action to execute the chosen command, check this box.


To enable WinShade’s control over this button, check this box.


To ensure that single click actions do not occur right before double click actions, check this box.


To assign a hot key to rollup and unroll main application windows, enter the desired key combination in this box.  Press backspace to remove the hot key.


To assign a hot key to rollup and unroll child windows, enter the desired key combination in this box.  Press backspace to remove the hot key.


If you run MS Office 4.x, check this box to ensure compatability.


No Help topic is associated with this item.


Overview

WinShade is a Windows 95/NT desktop utility that makes it easy to switch between programs.  WinShade allows you to assign various commands to mouse clicks that occur on a window’s title bar.  In addition to minimize and maximize commands, WinShade offers two special commands.  The rollup/unroll command allows you to reduce a window to its smallest vertical dimension.  In most cases the window will "roll up" into its title bar, leaving only a thin horizontal window on the desktop.  After working in another application, you can click back on the rolled-up window's title bar and the window will expand to its previous dimensions.  WinShade also provides a “Send to bottom”  feature that allows you to send that window to the bottom of the window stack.  This feature is easier and quicker than the standard Alt+Tab.  WinShade works with almost all windows, including dialog boxes, child windows, and maximized windows.  Customizable options include the ablity to remove the tray icon, change the way various commands are activated, and assign sounds and hot keys.  WinShade comes with a complete help system and can easily be installed or removed.


Version 2.1

The most obvious addition to this version is that rolled up windows have a better, more balanced, look to them.  Another new feature is the On Top/Not On Top command.  By assigning this command to a click action you can keep any window you desire on top of all the others.  In addition, you can now selectively turn WinShade on/off for each mouse button.  A few bugs have also been fixed, including the hot key selection and assignment.  Finally, the system menu option has been removed due to inconsistent behavior.


Version 2.0

WinShade has been completely redone.  WinShade now allows for customization of single and double clicks for both left and right buttons.  In addition to the rollup/unroll command, WinShade now allows maximize and minimize to be assigned, as well as a new send to bottom command.  In addition, a Remove Sounds button was added to ease sound configuration, and compatability was extended to include MS Office 4.x.  Finally, a complete help system and an install/uninstall program have been added.


Version 1.85

New features include the option to have WinShade remove its tray icon after startup.  Also, I added the option to enable SHIFT + mouse click as opposed to just mouse click.  Finally, sound settings are now accessible from the configuration dialog.


Version 1.8

Sound problems with the system menu have been corrected.  WinShade also now unrolls a rolled up window if it is clicked on when inactive.  The assumption is that if you switch to a rolled up window, you probably want to see what is in that window.  Finally, the sound settings were moved from the configuration dialog to the Control Panel Sound applet.


Version 1.7

Some problems with MS Word and MS Excel have been corrected.  I think half my time goes into customizing WinShade to work with these two programs.  They use legacy code that does not conform to current standards.  Anyway, I think everything works now.


Version 1.6

Many new features have been added, including new icons, a new About box, hot key support, system menu support, Norton Navigator support, exit warning and restoring of windows, and better error checking.  Some bugs have been fixed, including a login/logout problem and some minimize and maximize problems.


Version 1.5.0

The dll has been updated for compatability with Microsoft Office.


Version 1.4.0

WinShade is now a tray icon.  In addition, WinShade now sports a configuration dialog box to change options and save them to the registry.  I have also fixed some bugs relating to maximizing rolled-up windows.


Version 1.2.0

WinShade has a new interface:  It is a fading window.  Also new is the ability to hide the WinShade window by invoking the /hide parameter in the command line.  Finally, I added sounds to WinShade's actions.


Version 1.0.1

WinShade is now compatible with maximized windows.


Version 1.0

Initial version.


Registration information

WinShade is marketed as SHAREWARE.  This means that you are free to evaluate WinShade for a period of one week before you are required to register the program.

To register WinShade, print out the Registration form and send US $10 (check, money order, or cash) to:

Mark Rentz

PO Box 6311

Bellevue, WA  98008-0311

Upon receiving your registration, I will add you to an email mailing list to receive notification when new versions of WinShade become available.  See Registration benefits for more information.


Registration benefits

Although WinShade is in no way disabled, registration of WinShade will provide you with a number of benefits.  First, you will feel good about supporting the effort of shareware authors.  Second, you will receive notification of future WinShade updates.  Third, your comments and suggestions will receive top priority.  Fourth, you will be eligible to beta test future versions of WinShade, as well as other future shareware offerings.  Finally, you can optionally be placed on a mailing list to receive notice about other programs that I am currently developing.

To register WinShade, please see Registration information .


Registration Form
WinShade Registration Form

Send this form along with US $10 to:

Mark Rentz

PO Box 6311

Bellevue, WA  98008-0311

Name:_________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________

City: ____________________ State: ____ ZIP: ________

Email: _________________________________________

Where did you find WinShade: _______________________

Thank you for supporting shareware, and in particular WinShade.  I will send you a confirmation email when I receive your registration.  Thanks again.


Suspending on startup

If you want WinShade to suspend itself when it starts up, choose Configure WinShade.  On the General tab, check the box labeled Suspend on startup.


Removing the tray icon

If you do not need the WinShade tray icon, you can elect to remove it. To hide the tray icon, right click the tray icon and choose Configure WinShade.  On the General tab, check the box labeled Remove tray icon.  Decide how many seconds you want the tray icon to appear before it is removed, and enter this number in the corresponding box.

Note:  To get the tray icon back and access the configuration options, simply run the WinShade executable again (WinShade.exe).


Exit warning

If you want WinShade to confirm before it closes, choose Configure WinShade.  On the General tab, check the box labeled Confirmation dialog on exit.  The next time WinShade is shut down it will warn you with a dialog box.


Restore windows on exit

If you want WinShade to automatically restore rolled up windows before it closes, right click the tray icon and choose Configure WinShade.  On the General tab, check the box labeled Restore windows on exit.  If this box is checked, all rolled up windows will be unrolled when WinShade closes.


Compatability with Norton Navigator

If you run Norton Navigator you need to let WinShade know.  Choose Configure WinShade, and on the General tab check the box labeled Check here if you use Norton Navigator.


Compatability with MS Office 4.x

If you run MS Office 4.x  you need to let WinShade know.  Choose Configure WinShade, and on the General tab check the box labeled Check here if you use MS Office 4.x.


Changing the sounds

If you want to change the sounds associated with WinShade, choose Configure WinShade.  On the General tab click the button labeled Edit Sounds....  The Control Panel applet Sounds will appear.  Scroll until you see WinShade, and use the provided controls to set the Rollup and Unroll sounds. See Removing the Sounds if you want to remove the sound associations.


Removing the sounds

If you want to remove the sounds associated with WinShade, choose Configure WinShade.  On the General tab click the button labeled Remove Sounds.  The sounds previously associated with WinShade will be disabled.  See Changing the Sounds if you want to add new sound associations.


Files included

The following files are included in this release of WinShade:

_inst32i.ex_

_isdel.exe

_setup.dll

_setup.lib

data.z

readme.txt

setup.exe

Setup.ins

setup.pkg

uninst.exe

Once installed, the following files should appear:

./program/Rollup.wav

./program/Send.wav

./program/Unroll.wav

./program/WinShade.exe

./program/WinShade.GID

./program/WinShade.hlp

./program/WinShade.cnt

./DelsL1.isu

./readme.txt

If any of the above files are missing, you should download a new copy of WinShade.


License details

WinShade is Copyrighted by © Mark Rentz, 1996, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

This program and associated files may be copied, used and posted on any BBS, FTP site, etc. without charge or permission.  It may be included in a companion disk with any book or magazine, and included in any shareware library/CD-ROM, so long as the program and associated documentation are not modified.  All files listed in Files included must be included.  The program details should be specified (Name, Purpose, Author, Rights, etc.).  If you need to add something, please add a new file, don't append the original ones.  You should charge only for the disk provided (if any) and very reasonable duplication/handling/administrative/etc. costs.  You should specify that the program itself is shareware.

Under no circumstances should this program be included with commercial software or distributed either alone or with other commercial software without prior permission from one of the authors (except for those cases listed above).


Warranty information

This software is provided “as is” without any warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.  Mark D. Rentz does not warrant that the functions contained in the software will meet Licensee’s requirements or that the operation of the software will be uninterrupted or error-free.  The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the software is with the Licensee.

In no event will Mark D. Rentz be liable to Licensee or any third party for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings or other incidental, consequential or special damages arising out of the use or inability to use the software even if Mark D. Rentz has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

By using or copying the Software, Licensee agrees to abide by the copyright law and all other applicable laws of the U.S. including, but not limited to, export control laws, and the terms of this license.  Mark D. Rentz shall have the right to terminate this license immediately by written notice upon Licensee's breach of, or non-compliance with, any of its terms.  Licensee may be held legally responsible for any copyright infringement that is caused or encouraged by Licensee's failure to abide by the terms of this license.


How to contact the author

The easiest way to contact me is to send email to:

lemmings@earthlink.net

Please include “WinShade” and the version number as the subject.  I will respond to your email as soon as I can.  I welcome any comments and/or suggestions.

Also, you can get the latest WinShade information at the following URL:

http://www.bluecarpet.com/

WinShade and other Windows enhancement software is available at this site.  Thank you for giving WinShade a try.

-Mark Rentz


Uninstalling WinShade

Uninstalling WinShade is easy.  Go to the Control Panel, and choose Add/Remove Programs.  Browse through the list box until you see WinShade.  Highlight WinShade, and press the Add/Remove button.  WinShade will be completely removed from your system.  This includes all registry entries, files, and folders.


Setting the parent hot key

If you want to be able to rollup and unroll main application windows using a hot key, right click the tray icon and choose Configure WinShade.  On the Hot Keys tab, select the box labeled Parent hot key: and press the key combination you want to use to rollup/unroll windows.  If you want to remove the key combination press the Backspace key.


Setting the child hot key

If you want to be able to rollup and unroll child windows using a hot key, right click the tray icon and choose Configure WinShade.  On the Hot Keys tab, select the box labeled Child hot key: and press the key combination you want to use to rollup/unroll windows.  If you want to remove the key combination press the Backspace key.


Rolling up/Unrolling a window

There are a number of ways to rollup/unroll a window, depending upon the options selected on the button tabs of the configuration dialog.  Unrolling a window is the opposite of rolling up a window:  The result depends upon the current state of the window.  A few of the possibility are listed below:

1.  Single click the title bar.

2.  Double click the title bar.

3.  Press the SHIFT button and click the title bar.


Sending a window to the bottom

There are a number of ways to send a window to the bottom, depending upon the options selected on the button tabs of the configuration dialog.  A few of the possibility are listed below:

1.  Single click the title bar.

2.  Double click the title bar.

3.  Press the SHIFT button and click the title bar.


Keeping a window on top

There are a number of ways to keep a window on top of all the other windows, depending upon the options selected on the button tabs of the configuration dialog.  If a window is already always on top, you can remove the on top property by performing the assigned action a second time.  A few of the possibility are listed below:

1.  Single click the title bar.

2.  Double click the title bar.

3.  Press the SHIFT button and click the title bar.


Activating/Suspending WinShade

To activate WinShade, press the right mouse button on the WinShade tray icon and choose Activate WinShade.  To suspend WinShade, press the right mouse button on the WinShade tray icon and choose Suspend WinShade.  When active, the tray icon looks like [image], and when suspended, the tray icon looks like [image].


Suspend when starting

To suspend WinShade when it starts up, check this box.

Remove tray icon after x seconds

To remove the WinShade tray icon after startup, check this box.  Run the WinShade executable a second time to access configuration options.

To set the timeout (in seconds) for the tray icon, enter a number in the box.

Confirmation dialog on exit

To display a warning before WinShade closes, check this box.

Restore windows on exit

To automatically unroll all rolled up windows when WinShade closes, check this box.

Check here if you use Norton Navigator

If you run Norton Navigator, check this box to ensure compatability.

Check here if you use MS Office 4.x

If you run MS Office 4.x, check this box to ensure compatability.

Edit Sounds...

To change the sounds associated with WinShade, press this button.

Remove Sounds

To remove the sounds associated with WinShade, press this button.


Check here to enable this button

To enable WinShade’s control over this button, check this box.

Click action combo box

To configure either single click or double click actions, choose the action from this combo box.

Click command combo box

To assign a command to the current action, choose the command from this combo box.

SHIFT+click

To require the use of the SHIFT key in addition to the current action to execute the chosen command, check this box.

Use double click delay

To ensure that single click actions do not occur right before double click actions, check this box.


Parent hot key

To assign a hot key to rollup and unroll main application windows, enter the desired key combination in this box.  Press backspace to remove the hot key.

Child hot key

To assign a hot key to rollup and unroll child windows, enter the desired key combination in this box.  Press backspace to remove the hot key.


Incompatible programs

AOL 2.5:  AOL 2.5 conflicts with WinShade.  However, AOL 3.0 appears to work fine.

mIRC v4.52:  When a child window is made a parent window, the WinShade addition to the system menu does not remove itself.  The problem is being investigated.

MS Word 6.0 help system:  The MS Word 6.0 help system conflicts with WinShade.

OpenGL screen savers:  In some instances, OpenGL screen savers will cause GPFs when WinShade is active.  The cause is not yet known.


Enabling a button

You can selectively enable WinShade’s control over the left and right buttons.  To enable a button, choose Configure WinShade from the tray icon popup menu.  Click on either button tab, and choose Check here to enable this button.


Choosing single and double click
Choosing single click and double click

For each button, different commands can be assigned to both single and double clicks.  To configure a click action, choose Configure WinShade from the tray icon popup menu.  Click on either button tab, and choose Single Click or Double Click from the top combo box.  The options in the top box apply to the current click action, and change to reflect your current choice.  The options in the bottom box apply only to the button, and not the specific click action.

Note:  WinShade overrides the default Windows title bar operations.  However, most of the standard functionality is available through WinShade.  See Choosing click command.


Choosing the click command

There are a number of commands you can assign to click actions.  Once you have chosen the click action you want to configure, you can assign a command to that action.  Choose the desired command from the second combo box.


Setting SHIFT + click

If you want the click action to function only when the SHIFT key is pressed, you need to first choose the click action you want to configure.  Check the box labeled SHIFT+click to require the use of the SHIFT key for the selected action.


Setting the double click delay option

If you choose to assign commands to both the single and double click actions of a single button, you should check the box labeled Use Double click delay.  If this box is left unchecked, the single click command will always be executed before the double click command.  If the box is checked, the single click command will pause for a brief second before executing, waiting for a potential double click to occur.