What is it …

A Configurable Shell Context-Menu!

OutOfContext is a shell context-menu for Win95. It contains a lot of very common operations and a bunch of others that are not so common. The purpose of them all is to make you more productive in the Win95 environment. 

You can choose from more than 75 items that you can position wherever you want in the menu. This is done via a cute, explorer-like drag-drop interface. You can add, remove, and move both items, separators, and even sub-menus, thereby building a menu-tree that can go to any depth. Each individual item can even be renamed to your own preference

The bottom line is: You are in control!

The Menu …

First of all, notice that you have 3 separate menus available to you depending on if you hold down the shift-key, control-key, or no key at all when you right-click an object with the mouse. They can all be set up individually. Select the menu you wish to configure in the drop-down box in the left pane and confugure the menu. It can contain any of the following items:

Sub-menu	Add as many of these items to the menu as you wish and name them anything you please. This will allow you to construct a menu-tree of your personal choosing, organising items/functions in a sensible manner (To see a few examples, have a look at the pre-set menus).

<separator>	Convenient, this one.  You may add as many of these items as you wish (They'll make your menus quicker and easier to access if you group related operations between separators).
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Explore from here	Opens an Explorer view rooted where you clicked (This function also works with shortcuts).

Open Folder	Same as above, only it opens a standard folder view.
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Copy Name	Copies the name of the object you've clicked on to the clipboard.  This feature can cope with multiple selections. Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "Clipboard".

Copy Target Name	Same as above, but works only for shortcuts and it does not handle multiple selected objects Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "Clipboard".

Clipboard Options….	This will show all options available for Clipboard items by displaying the property-sheet "Clipboard". 

Copy + CR/LF	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Append CR/LF' on the "Clipboard -> Copy to Clipboard" property-sheet.  When checked, copied names will get an end of line marker attached (Use this if you find yourself often copying names into documents).  If this item is unchecked, a space is appended (This is the desired mode if you frequently copy names into dialogue-boxes).  

Copy Uses UNC	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Use Universal Naming Convention' on the "Clipboard" property-sheet.  When checked, copied names will get a "network-look". All paths will be absolute and not depending of your current drive mapping.

Copy Short Path	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Use Short Paths' on the "Clipboard" property-sheet.  When checked, copied names will be in old DOS 8.3 format even if the pathname is a long file name. 

Append Name	Appends the name of the object you clicked on to the clipboard (i.e., what is currently in the clipboard is preserved, and the new names are added behind it.).  This feature can cope with multiple selections. Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "Clipboard".

Append Target Name	Same as above, but works only for shortcuts and does not handle multiple selected objects.  Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "Clipboard".

Append + CR/LF	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Append CR/LF' on the "Clipboard" property-sheet.

Append Uses UNC	This is an option item on the "Clipboard" property-sheet.  It works the same way as the option-item 'Copy Uses UNC'.

Append Short Path	This is an option item on the "Clipboard" property-sheet.  It works the same way as the option-item 'Append Short Path.

Note that the 3 items above can be "disabled" and instead made to follow the similar Copy To CB-items. This option is found on the "Clipboard" property-sheet only.

Show Clipboard	This will display what is currently in the clipboard. It will appear grey if the file Clipbrd.exe is not found in your windows directory.
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DOS Prompt	Opens a DOS session rooted where you clicked. Works for shortcuts too. Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "DOS Prompts". 

C:\ Prompt	Opens a DOS session rooted at C:\ . Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "DOS Prompts". 

DOS Options….	This will show all options available for DOS Prompt items by displaying the property-sheet "DOS Prompts". 

Alternative Prompt	For users of alternative command-line interpreters  (4DOS, NCDOS, etc.). Operation is otherwise same as for 'DOS Prompt'. This item will appear grey if the command-file is not found. This function is pre-set for 4DOS users. This operation has the property-sheet "Alt. Prompt".
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Target Properties	Shows the properties of the object the shortcut points at; Very handy for shortcut to Drives. 

Configure	Runs the configuration program. If you remove this item, the configuration program is accessible through the Control Panel.
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Extension Item	To be useful, this item should be renamed when used in the menu. Rename it to a valid extension without the dot (e.g.,  'exe').  You can have as many as you wish of these. When selected during normal operation, the extensions of all selected objects will be set to the text in the menu-item you've clicked. (Note that it is up to you to organize these items under e.g. a sub-menu.)  After being executed from the menu, this operation can be undone in a normal shell manner (e.g. pressing CTRL + Z). Multiple renamed files are undone one by one.

Add Current Ext	Adds the extension of the currently selected object to the menu (It does not handle multiple objects).  The new item is added before the first Extension Item that is currently in the menu. This allows for quick additions of new extensions. To remove an item, run the configuration program and drag it off the menu.
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Move To Item	To be useful this item must be associated with a directory (This is done by double-clicking the item, and setting the directory in the configuration program). When selected under normal operation, the selected objects will be moved to the directory associated with the item. You can name the item whatever you wish, and it's the associated directory that governs the operation. After being executed from the menu, this operation can be undone in a normal shell manner (e.g., pressing CTRL + Z). Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "Copy/Move Files".

Browse Move	Allows you to browse for the move destination of selected objects. The destination directory will also be added to the "Move History".

Add Move Dir	Adds the selected directories to the "Move To" items. The new item will be added before the first Move To item in the menu. Note that this item will add all selected objects to the menu! Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "General".

Move History	This item is a submenu containing the last few folders you moved files to using "Browse Move"

Move Options….	This will show all options available for Move items by displaying the property-sheet "Copy /Move Files".
 
Overwrite Files	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Overwrite existing files without prompting' on the "Copy /Move Files" property-sheet.

Open Dest. Folder	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'After extract, open destination folder ' on the "Copy /Move Files" property-sheet
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Copy To Item	Same as 'Move To' but will of course only copy the selected objects (These items are shown in cyan in the set-up program.) After being executed from the menu, this operation can be undone in a normal shell manner (e.g. pressing CTRL + Z). Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "Copy/Move Files".

Browse Copy	Allows you to browse for the copy destination of selected objects. The destination directory will also be added to the "Copy History".

Add Copy Dir	Same as 'Add Move Dir' but adds of course to the "Copy To" items.  Note that this item will add all selected objects to the menu!  Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "General".

Copy History	This item is a submenu containing the last few folders you copied files to using "Browse Copy"

Copy Options….	This will show all options available for Copy items by displaying the property-sheet "Copy/Move Files".
 
Overwrite Files	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Overwrite existing files without prompting' on the "Copy/Move Files" property-sheet.

Open Dest. Folder	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'After extract, open destination folder ' on the "Copy/Move Files" property-sheet
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Run/Open Item	The short description: These items operate as the items in the start-menu. To be useful this item must be associated with a file or directory (This is done by double-clicking the item while in the config-program and setting the file/directory).  When selected under normal operation, the selected objects will be run or opened as if it was double-clicked in the explorer. This also means that files of any type can be put there, and they will be opened in the associated program if such an association exists.

Add Run/Open	Adds the current file/directory to the 'File Run/Open' items in the menu. The new item will be added before the first File Run/Open item that is found in the menu (This is probably the most convenient method of adding new Run/Open objects to the menu). Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "General".
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Remove!!	Removes the selected objects completely bypassing the Recycle Bin.  Be careful - this is a no way back operation! 
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Stamp	Selecting this will set the date/time of the selected objects to the current one. This operation has the property-sheet "Stamp". 

Stamp Options….	This will show all options available for Stamp items by displaying the property-sheet "Stamp".
 
Set Creation Date	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Set Creation Date' on the "Stamp" property-sheet.

Set Access Date	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Set Access Date' on the "Stamp" property-sheet.

Set Write Date	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Set Write Date' on the "Stamp" property-sheet.
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Send To Item	The short description: These items operate as the items in the existing Send To sub-menu.  To be useful this item must be associated with a runnable file for example, 'exe' or  'lnk'  (This is done by double-clicking the item while in the config-program and setting the file).  When selected under normal operation, the selected objects will be sent to the program associated with the item (i.e., the program will be opened with the selected file(s) as the document).  Note that if you associate this item with a directory (Or a  shortcut to a directory) all that will happen is that the folder will be opened. If you want to move or copy objects, use the items meant for those purposes.

Add Send To	Adds the current program/shortcut to the 'Send To' items in the menu.  The new item will be added before the first Send To item that is found in the menu (This is probably the most convenient method of adding new "Send To" objects to the menu). Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "General".
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Extract To Item	When chosen in the menu, the selected zip-file(s) will be extracted to the directory associated with the menu-item.  This operation has the property-sheet "Extract".

Add Extract Dir	Same as 'Add Move Dir' but adds of course to the 'Extract To' items. Note that this item will add all selected objects to the menu!  Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "General".

Browse Extract	Allows you to browse for the destination directory for extracted objects. The destination directory will also be added to the "Extract History".

Extract Here	Extracts the file(s) into the same directory where the file(s) is located.

Extract History	This item is a submenu containing the last few folders you extracted to using "Browse Extract"
 
Extract Options….	This will show all options available for Extract items by displaying the property-sheet "Extract".

Overwrite Files	This is an option item.  It toggles the option 'Overwrite existing files without prompting' on the "Extract" property-sheet.

Extract To Same Dir	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Extract all files to same directory' on the "Extract" property-sheet.

Quiet Extract	This is an option item letting you decide if you want a report of successfully extracted files.

Open Dest. Folder	This is an option item.  It toggles the option 'After extract, open destination folder' on the "Extract" property-sheet.
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Compress To Item	When chosen in the menu, the selected files will be added to the associated zip-file using the current options (Properties for these items). Note that if the target file does not exist it will be created. This operation has the property-sheet "Compress".

Add Compress File	Will add the currently selected compressed file to the menu. Note that this item will add all selected objects  to the menu.   Options for this item can be set on the property-sheet "General".

Compress Options….	This will show all options available for Compress items by displaying the property-sheet "Compress".
 
Save Dir Info	This is an option item.  It toggles the option 'Save extra directory info' on the "Compress" property-sheet.

Recurse SubDirs	This is an option item.  It toggles the option 'Recurse sub-directories' on the "Compress" property-sheet.

Quiet Compress	This is an option item letting you decide if you want a report of successfully compressed files.
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Open In	This item is slightly special.  When configured correctly, a sub-menu will attach itself to this item where you can open the selected file(s) with an associated program of your choice. The basic idea is that you can associate any program, and as many as you wish, with any extension.  It allows you to open the file in any suitable program with only one click. Note that you can also configure any 'default' programs which will show up in the menu for files with extensions that you have not explicitly associated with any program (Once configured, you will probably find this feature a real time-saver!). Properties and extension/program associations for this item must be set in the property-sheet "Open In".

Displayed in the menu, items will be stripped of preceding path and extension. To have control over the name of the item, you will have to create a shortcut to the program you wish to add, and then associate the shortcut with the extension.  

You should note that if the command-line is wrong for any of the items listed, or the program that is specified is no longer existing, then the item will not show up in the menu.

Open In Options….	This will show all options available for Open In items by displaying the property-sheet "Open In".
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General Options….	This will show all general options available by displaying the property-sheet "General".

Show Icons In Menu	This is an option item.  It toggles the option 'Show Icons in Menu' on the "General" property-sheet.  One thing: The first sub-menu found in the base menu that belongs to OutOfContext will display an icon. This is to guide your eyes for quick access.

Hide Grey Items	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Hide grey (disabled) menu-items' on the "General" property-sheet.

Hide Grey Root-Items	This is an option item. It toggles the option 'Hide only grey items in the root-menu' on the "General" property-sheet.

Strip Pathname	This is an option item.  It toggles the option 'Remove Preceding Path-name' on the "General" property-sheet.

Strip Extension	This is an option item.  It toggles the option 'Remove File Extension' on the "General" property-sheet.
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Contents	This item is slightly special.  When you right-click a folder, a drive or a shortcut to any of those, a submenu showing the contents of that folder will attach itself to the menu. This menu can be further split up into submenus according to your settings for this item.  A wide selection of options are available for this item in the property-sheet "Contents".

When you select an item from the menu it will be opened as if you double-clicked it in the shell.

Contents Options….	This will show all options available for Contents items by displaying the property-sheet "Contents".

Only a selection of these items are available in the default menu after installation. 

All items above can be moved, removed, and renamed.  Menu-separators and sub-menus can be added/removed at will by simply choosing 'Configure' in the menu.

Many of these functions you might already have installed on your system. These can of course now be removed - Making your menu smaller and easier to navigate. Uninstallation of these items are in most cases done using the "Add/Remove Programs" in the Control Panel.

Unless you have configured items to be unavailable or invisible (not showing) the following text apply:

All items will remain visible regardless of what the context of your click suggests. This will make it easier to locate them after using the menu for a short time. However, some items may appear grey if the operation is not appropriate in the current context, or if it is unavailable due to uninstalled features of your Win95 set-up (Such as with 'Show Clipboard' above).

Some 'hidden' features exist. For example:  If you right-click on a file-object within a folder, 'Explore From Here', 'DOS Prompt', etc. will still be selectable even if executing the operation might logically be ludicrous. What happens then, is that the operation takes place as if you clicked on the folder that contains the file-object.
When there are multiple selected objects, operations that can cope with this will be prefixed with a '+' sign in the menu (e.g.  + Copy Name).

Most operations are also available if you right-click your 'Start' button.

Configuration …

Choose 'Configure' in the menu, or select "Out Of Context" in the Control Panel and manipulate at your heart's desire!

The left pane shows the structure of the current menu, while the right pane contains items that can be added to the menu.  Just drag and drop items between the two panes and click 'Apply' when you are done and satisfied with the changes.

To get an idea of how 'Compress To', 'Move To',  'Copy To', features etc. work, take a look at the pre-set menus. The idea is that these items are organized under their own appropriately named sub-menu. However, since these items have distinct icons (If you have chosen to show icons in the menu) you can organize them in any way you wish.

You should note a couple of things:

•	The actual menu is not updated until you select 'Apply' 

•	You can remove all items in the menu by dragging the root-menu to the right pane.

•	You can drag multiple items from the right pane.

•	Items will always be added below the item you drop them onto.

•	If the target for your drop is a sub-menu, the item will be added first to the sub-menu.

•	If you do NOT want the item you drop onto a submenu to add itself first to the submenu but below the submenu-item itself, hold down the CTRL key when dropping the item.

•	To rename items, do a slow double-click exactly as in a normal explorer-view ('F2' is also available as a shortcut).

•	After you press 'Apply', you can try out the menu immediately by clicking on an appropriate icon on your desktop.

•	The 'Delete' key is operational in the left pane to remove an item from the menu.

•	Some items seem to disappear  when removed from the menu. These types of items are already found in the right pane.

•	Sub-menus which contain nothing will be ignored and will be removed from the menu when you press 'Apply'.

It should be easy to get the hang of it after a short while.

You can save the current menu (As well as all the set properties) by choosing the corresponding item in the file-menu.  This menu can of course later be loaded so that you don't have to change all of the items you've renamed, and rebuild your favorite menu from scratch again. Saved menu-files get the default extension 'drm'.

Keep in mind that for most options you find under 'Properties', you will also find a menu-item that serves the same purpose. So if you just want to change one or two options, you don't have to run the configuration program to toggle the option. 

Tip #1:	If you get lost, then choose 'Current' under the pre-set menus. This will restore your current menu - provided you have not clicked 'Apply' of course.

Tip #2:	You can have the configuration program running while you add new items to the menu (by means of 'Add Extension', 'Add Move Dir' etc.). Then choose 'Current' to update the display.

Tip #3:	In 'Options', select the small, little question-mark at the lower left corner and all fields will display a small hint-box telling you their purpose.

Order ...

HACE OutOfContext  is a shareware-program. You are allowed to try the program out for a period of 21 days after which you have to purchase a licence or remove it from your computer. The licence-fee is $29.95 for each copy you wish to register. For site licences, please send an inquiry by email stating the number of machines you wish to use it on.

Purchasing a licence will entitle you to registration details through email, and free upgrades, big or small, for at least one year. You will also be able to purchase future versions at a discount.

Select "Purchase It" in the Help menu, or "Order" in the icon-bar for ways to order.

Goto the HACE homepage for more info about how to order!

Install / Uninstall …

Installation:

Run Install.exe and select the installation parameters of your choice and finish the installation –  OutOfContext  is now installed.

Uninstallation:

This is done via the 'Add/Remove Programs' in the Control Panel. The program will leave no trace of itself.

Look for "HACE - OutOfContext" and "HACE - dTarget" to selectively uninstall the ordianary menu extention and/or the drag-drop extention respectively.

Shortcomings …

You are offered 3 distinct menus depending if you hold down the control-key, the shift-key or no key at all. When holding down a key the object you click will not be selected. You have to select the object before clicking it with with a key held down. This is a limitation imposed by windows.

Disclaimer …

Software always contains bugs, and this program is probably no exception. Your use of this utility is at your own risk.

Legal Stuff …

All files (but the exception mentioned below) are the sole copyright   ©  of  HACE / Eirik Hansen!

A free copy of the zip/unzip packages utilised in this program can be found at

carbohyd.siobc.ras.ru/torry/
www.objectlessons.com/~ol/

Info-zip offers free zip/unzip utilities. Their homepage is at 

http://www.cdrom.com/pub/infozip/ 

Who is HACE …

HACE is me, Eirik Hansen, and stands for Hansen Applied Computer Engineering. The company was started late 1996 to be able to take credit card registrations for the program PowerDREAM (which is OutOfContext's dad). 

I have been programming computers since the early days when the ZX Spectrum (remember it? :)  was popular - some 12 years ago. Since then there has been the BBC personal computer, the Archimedes, and the last few years the PC.

Programming is fascinating and you never stop learning new things. I've been through most popular languages, BASIC, C, C++, Pascal and also assembler.  The first commercial grade application I did was called Logix and was a simulation package for logic circuits for the Archimedes computer. A lot of small utilities have been developed before then and since then, because mostly I was annoyed with some existing or missing feature of the operating system I was currently using. And I would develope utilities to remedy this and help me do my work faster. This was why OutOfContext  was first begun...

Anyway, programming is hard work, and especially when making programs meant to be used by others. This is why I can't give away these programs for free. So if you like this program and it helps you in your day to day work, please purchase a lisence and support HACE and the great idea of shareware.