Copyright: Game Tool Technologies, Copyright 1995©


Adding  and Removing Applications to NetTools
Adding  Applications to NetTools (c)  You can add virtually ANY application to NetTools. Use the following methods to add either windows or DOS based apps.

1. Click on the NetTools icon within your selected group on The Windows Program manager.    This will bring up the NetTools speed bar.  The bar will be blank and consist only of the bar itself and a 4 key panel on the right side of the bar.

2. Select the [+] key.  This  brings up a dialog box instilled "Locate the Application to Add".  This dialog box consists of two scrollable windows. Use the right most window to scroll through the directory structure of the appropriate drive to find the file containing the program you wish to add.  Clicking with the mouse on top of the appropriate file will result in a list of available executable files    within that group appearing in the left hand dialog box window.  Select the executable file of your choice and click the [OK] button.

3. After identifying the path of the application you wish to add, NetTools will prompt you for the name you wish to call the application and extracts its icon from the  .exe file itself.   Please make sure to name each icon.  Failure to do so will  make removal or modification of the apps more difficult for you in the future if you wish to make a change.  Click [OK]  on the dialog box and you are finished!

Removing Applications from NetTools  Applications may be removed from NetTools with ease by reversing the process of installation.

Click on the [-] key at the right side of the NetTools Bar.  This brings up a  windowed dialog box containing a list of applications installed on the speed  bar.  To remove a program, simply use the mouse to highlight that application  and click [REMOVE].  A second dialog box will pop asking if you are sure  about the removal.  If your answer is yes, then click [OK] and the selected entry will disappear from the bar.  Noting Item 3 above, if you failed to name  your entries on creation and installation, the titles of the applications will  not appear. Making specific removal more difficult.  If you choose, you may totally reconfigure NetTools by simply deleting the nettools.ini file.  This will clear the bar entirely upon next start up.

 CAUTION:  Registered users must make sure to open the *ini file to note their registration number  prior to deleting the *.ini.   Registration information will need to be filled  in again on re-launch so that NetTools again knows it is a registered copy.


Changing the order of NetTools Buttons
Changing the order of NetTools Buttons  Users of Version 1.1 or later may change the order of the buttons already installed on the NetTools bar face.  Placing your mouse on top of the bar face, simply right click to reveal the menu dialog box.  Choose "Change Order".  A new dialog box will appear providing a list of installed applications. Highlight the application you wish to move and then using the up and down arrows adjacent to the file list, move the application up or down through the list.  Once the chosen application is placed appropriately, choose "OK".  This closes the dialog box and NetTools will automatically reconfigure itself.


Contacting Game Tool Technologies
Contacting Game Tool Technologies   Sometimes, despite all the help files ever made, you need more help...We understand....Therefore we can be reached for further assistance by Internet Mail and through the Internet Worldwide Web.

To Email us:

Game Tool Technologies may be contacted via Internet email at support@gttweb.com for Tech Support, or info@gttweb.com for information regarding pricing, quantity discounts and site licensing. We'll be back to you within 24-48 hours, but likely sooner.

 On the WWWeb:

Since we originally designed NetTools as a speed bar for our own Internet authoring tools, it only stands to reason that  we support NetTools through the Net....This help file plus any late breaking news, hints, patches or new versions will be available for download direct from our home page.  Which is: " http://www.gttweb.com ".

Thanks for trying NetTools.  We enjoyed making it...we hope you enjoy using it.  Look for other Game Tool Technologies products soon!


Contents
NetTools 1.2 for Windows (c)

Thank you for using NetTools 1.2 for Windows (c) from Game Tool Technologies. NetTools is  a dynamic speed bar application that allows virtually any application currently installed on your PC to be launched from the bar.

Version 1.2 represents a significant advance over earlier versions of NetTools. New with this version are: a floating timer bar indicating connection times on-line, new and more powerful drag and drop possibilities allowing the use of win95 LNK files, and generally tighter and more robust code.

The Unregistered version is now full featured! Previous versions of NetTools (unregistered) had limited the user or only 8 icons on the tool bar. With version 1.2, we introduce a fully capable application that will accept up to 100 icons on the bar.  We want you to enjoy the full range of benefits NetTools brings to your PC desktop prior to making a purchasing decision.  So, for 30 days, you may play at will!  After 30 days, the application will (nicely!) ask you to purchase the application or cease to use it.

NetTools works with Windows 3.1x and under Windows 95.  This product, was in fact developed on the Win95 platform.  It was designed specifically as a 16 bit application in order to preserve backward compatibility with older Windows versions.  Future versions will be released in 32 bit format.

Contents

How to Install NetTools

Adding and Removing Applications to NetTools

Changing the order of NetTools Buttons

Using Drag and Drop Application Addition

Using the NetTools Timer Bar

Scrolling through the NetTools Bar

Registering NetTools

Installing Your Registration Number

Contacting Game Tool Technologies


How to Install NetTools
How to Install NetTools   NetTools is easily installed and consists of a single file called "nettools.exe".  After installation and configuration, a second file called "nettools.ini" will appear in the directory.  This file tells NetTools how to configure the tool bar each time you launch the application.

To install under Windows 3.1x:

1. To install NetTools, create a new directory called C:\NETTOOLS. This can be either done from Windows 3.1 (tm)  file manager or from a DOS prompt.

2. Copy nettools.exe into the C:\NETTOOLS directory. If you downloaded NetTools from an on-line service, NetTools will be contained in a compressed zip file. (Use of Nico Mak's excellent WinZip (tm) will both create the directory and insert   nettools.exe in one step.)

3. Use the Windows 3.1 (tm) Program Manager to create a new item in a program group of your  choice. Optimally, NetTools should be placed in the Startup Group to make it immediately available on boot up.

To install under Windows 95: simply cut and paste nettools.exe from your A Drive disk or temporary directory to a new folder called NetTools.   WinZip again, will do both operations effectively if you downloaded the product.  You may then add NetTools to your Start Menu by dragging nettools.exe to the start button.  It will then appear as a shortcut on the Start Menu for future sessions.


Installing Your Registration Number
Installing Your Registration Number  Inserting your registration number inside NetTools is fairly easy.   Please select the tall key button on the NetTools toolbar facing.  Clicking this button brings up a two button dialog box informing you on how to register and recording your registration number.  Having by now gotten your unique registration number from GTT, please click on the button that says [Register Now].  A new dialog box will now appear requesting your name , date of registration and unique registration key number.  Please fill these out exactly as they were given to you on your registration receipt.  Failure to fill these blocks in exactly as presented will cause NetTools to reject your registration. Should you mistype, simply start the process over and enter the correct information.


Registering NetTools
Registering NetTools  NetTools is Shareware, not Freeware.  It may be used for free during its 30 day evaluation period.  Registration is cheap at only $10.00 US Dollars per copy.  Site Licensing is available subject to individual quotation.  Please email ejoiner@gttweb.com for details.

NetTools may be registered in a couple of ways. First, and easiest is using the CompuServe (TM) SWREG facility.   If you are a CompuServe member, you may GO SWREG and register on-line.   Choose search within the SWREG facility using either NetTools 1.0 (that's right version 1.0...that's the way that CIS has it in their records..) to search by application name, or Game Tool Technologies to search by author. SWREG allows immediate registration by debiting your CIS account and notifying Game Tool Technologies of the debit.   Usually it takes CIS about 2 days to get around to this.  Once notified, we will send you a unique registration number to insert inside the application as directed.  Make certain to record your registration number.  It is the only one you'll get.

The NetTools SWREG number is 6960.

NetTools, may also be registered by sending a cheque or money order directly to Game Tool Technologies.   Cheque's will be accepted from US registrants only.   All funds should be made payable to Terry N. Goldman. Payments should be sent to: P.O. Box 3698   Carmel, California  93921.  Please allow approximately 5 business days for reply.   All direct payments will be sent an email receipt via the Internet confirming your payment and advising your registration number.  Foreign orders should be paid in guaranteed US funds only.  Regrettably Credit Cards are not accepted..they cost too much relative to the price we charge.


Scrolling through the NetTools Bar
Scrolling through the NetTools Bar:  Version 1.1 and later provides for three ways to move through the NetTools bar.

1. Clicking on the right or left arrows on the button face, moves the bar one button in either direction.

2. Using the right mouse button to click the right or left button faces will scroll the NetTools bar one full page in either direction. Use this option to move quickly through a long list of available button choices.

3. Hot key movement is provided by hitting either [R] or [L] to page through the button bar in the same way as in item two.  This is very handy for laptop users.


Using Drag and Drop Application Addition
Using Drag and Drop Application Addition:  Users of registered versions 1.1 or later will be able to add buttons to the NetTools bar by dragging an icon from either their windows desktop, File Manager or Win95 Explorer directly onto the NetTools button bar.  Once placed on top of the NetTools bar, a dialog box will appear requesting the title to display for the application indicated.  Simply type in the name you wish to call the button, and voila! You are finished!


Using the NetTools Timer Bar
Using the NetTools Timer Bar  NetTools 1.2 adds a dynamic new feature to it's list of assets.  In response to a strong market request from the Internet Service Provider Community, we have added a dynamic timing device to allow users to know how long they have been connected to the on-line service of their choice.  This device works by continuous polling of the active comm port your modem is attached to.   Thus it can give a general indication of connect time regardless of whether you are connected to a local bbs, the Internet or even America On Line.  To activate the timing bar, use your mouse to right click on the NetTools bar.  This brings up the list of available options.  Choose "Options" from the dialog box.   Within the 3 section tabbed options dialog box,

please choose "Timer Bar Preferences".

Under Timer Bar Preferences will be a list of available options.  To activate the timer bar and its range of optional choices, please check the "Use Timer Bar" check box.  This will immediately activate the timer bar selection choices.   The NetTools Timer Bar is a free floating palette bar that can be positioned anywhere on the PC desktop.   Radio button choices allow the user to make a decision on where he would like it to appear at start up.  Other choices include the ability to decide when the bar will be visible.   Choosing "always" will force the timer bar to be visible whether your comm port is active or not.  In instances when you aren't connected, the bar will display the current system time and your available PC resources.  The "only when comm port is active" choice will cause the bar to visible only when connected.

Connection Lag Time: Another important choice for users is the selection of an appropriate lag time between when your PC opens its comm port and when you have an active connection.  Because NetTools' Timer Bar gives approximate connect times based on comm port opening, it is important that users select an average length of time between the time of dial up and the time you begin to be charged for the service.   Because this utility is intended for general use across a broad spectrum of available on-line services, we chose to poll the comm port as opposed to a more invasive method of taking control of the port itself.  A good average is 10 seconds.

Counter Reset Mode:   The timer bar may be reset by two methods.  One is "Auto" where the

timer bar resets itself to zero with every new use.  The second selection is "Manual". "Manual" allows the timer bar to display a cumulative connection time over a range of sessions

Additional choices on the Timer Preferences Page include the ability to select an alarm level for available PC Resources, including GDI, System and User Resources.  When the selected alarm percentage values indicated are exceeded resource numbers on the bar will be presented in red.