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1994-02-01
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Quick Launch Copyright (c) 1993 by C. Michael LaMantia - All rights reserved.
This file contains the following sections:
-- Overview
-- Brief Tutorial
-- Support and questions
-- Installation and System Requirements
-- Shareware Evaluation Version Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Overview --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick Launch provides fast and easy access to any application. Quick Launch
uses a "Tool Box" or "Tool Bar" metephore. The size of Quick Launch's window
is totally custimizable and can contain up to 80 applications, each of which
will have its own icon. The icon is chosen by the user. The default setting
is to load the icon that is within the EXE file. As an alternative, icons
can be loaded from other EXE files, DLL files, and ICO files. Also, the
application can be started maximized, minimized, or normal size.
Once the applications have been properly defined, with one click on the
appropriate icon, the application will be started. Quick Launch can be
positioned any where on the desktop and will always start in the position it
was last moved to. Also, there is an "Stay on top" option that will keep
Quick Launch on top of all other Windows (similar to the Clock that comes
with Windows 3.1.
Quick Launch can be used in two ways. The first is to use it in conjunction
with the Program Manager (or another shell). This will allow access to all
applications via the Program Manager (or another shell) while providing
"QUICK" access to frequently used applications. The second method of running
Quick Launch is as the Windows shell. Quick Launch can be configured to be
used as the shell by selecting the appropriate option in the Quick Launch
setup. This method will provide a simple interface for users that are new
to computers or the Windows environment.
Quick Launch is distributed as Shareware. This means that users are
encouraged, subject to restrictions described in the License Agreement,
to share copies of this program with friends, associates and bulletin
boards. Please remember that if you use this software you are required
to pay the registration fee of $5 as described in the section titled
Copyright/License Agreement/Warranty.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Brief Tutorial --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section provides a brief tutorial on basic Quick Launch operations.
It assumes the following:
- Your system meets the requirements described in the section titled System
Requirements and you have installed Quick Launch as described in the
section titled Installation.
- You know how to use standard Windows features, such as dialog boxes,
menus, and the drag and drop interface. If you are not are familiar with
these features, please consult your Windows documentation.
When Quick Launch is started for the first time one icon will be shown in
the window. This icon is the SETUP icon and can not be removed or disabled
(if there is an interest, this may be an option in future versions). After
clicking once on this icon you will be given the Quick Launch Setup Window.
This window is divided into two sets of options, the first is titled
"Quick Launch Setup" and the second is titled "Application Information".
Quick Launch Setup options
--------------------------
The options that fall under this are related specifically to Quick Launch,
its appearence and its operation:
- "Stay on Top": This option will make Quick Lanch the top most window,
meaning it will always be visible, even when applications are maximized.
- "Use as Shell": This option will make Quick Launch the shell for Windows.
See the Overview section for a breif description and examples of use.
- "Number of Columns"/"Number of Rows": Quick Launch is totally custimizable,
which allows the users to define how many columns and how many rows of icons
will be shown in the Quick Launch window.
- "Max Number of Apps": Is a read-only field that show the maximum number of
applications that could be accessed based on the number of columns and
rows selected.
- "Preview": This shows an example of the Quick Launch window based on the
number of columns and rows selected.
Application Information options
-------------------------------
The options that fall under this are related to the applications, their icons,
and the type of window (maximized, minimized, or normal) when the application
is started that will be assigned to the Quick Launch window:
- "1": This is a read-only field that shows the information related to that
application. To change the application number, simply click on the up and
down arrows next to the number. The information will change as you scroll
through the applications. Note that Quick Launch will assign the
application icons in the Quick Launch window, starting with number 1 up to
the maximum number of application, right to left, top to bottom.
- "Program Name and Path": This field contains the full path and filename
for the current application. By pressing the FIND button you can use
a dialoge box to find the applications. An application can be a PIF, BAT
EXE, or COM file.
- "Icon Name, Path and Index": This field contains the full path and filename
for the icon for the current application. An icon can be contained in an
EXE, DLL, or an ICO file. The index field contains the icon number of the
selected icon in an icon library. By pressing the FIND button you can use
a dialoge box to find the icon for the current application.
- "Window State": This field describes how the current application will be
started when clicked from the Quick Launch Window.
After Quick Launch has been setup correctly, the Quick Launch window will
provide instant access to the applications that have been setup. The
location of the Quick Launch window will be recorded, so the next time
the system is started and Quick Launch is started it will be located in the
same position.
For best results, Quick Launch should be placed in the StartUp group be
added to the Load line of the WIN.INI.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Support and questions --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical support is available at no charge by sending electronic mail
to 72621,1372 on CompuServe or by sending US Mail to C. Michael LaMantia,
1891 Braeburn Park Drive, Euclid, Ohio 44117. Registered users have
priority but I will try to answer all questions.
When reporting problems with Quick Launch, please include the following
information:
1) Is the problem recreatable? If so, how?
2) Did the problem occur when running Windows in Enhanced, Standard, or
Real mode? You can determine which mode is active by choosing About in
the Program Manager's Help pull-down menu.
3) If a dialog box with an error message was displayed, please include
the text of the message.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- System Requirements and Installation --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
System Requirements:
- Windows 3.0 or Windows 3.1.
- VBRUN300.DLL - Visual Basic run-time module. This module can be found on
Compuserve or the BBS you download Quick Launch from. If you need the file
please contact me either via US Mail or Compuserve E-Mail.
Quick Launch-Related Files:
README.TXT introductory information
LICENSE.TXT license agreement/warranty disclaimer
QL.TXT extracts from documentation in ASCII format
QL.EXE required executable
ORDER.TXT order form
SPIN.VBX module needed for QL.EXE (should be placed in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM)
CMDIALOG.VBX module needed for QL.EXE (should be placed in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM)
THREED.VBX module needed for QL.EXE (should be placed in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM)
Installation:
1) If you already have installed a previous version of Quick Launch, backup
and delete all files in your Quick Launch directory. Otherwise create a
directory to hold the Quick Launch related files. For example, "C:\QL".
2) Copy all Quick Launch-related files to this directory. At a minimum you
need the following file: QL.EXE.
3) Copy all *.VBX files to the Windows system directory. The default
location for this directory is C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.
4) Run QL.EXE. If Windows is not loaded, issue the WIN command, and
specify the full path name to QL.EXE. For example, if you copied the
Quick Launch related files into a directory named C:\QL, issue the
following command from the DOS prompt:
WIN C:\QL\QL.EXE
Alternately, if you are already running Windows, simply double click on the
QL.EXE entry in the File Manager. If you are not familiar with the
File Manager, you can instead follow these four steps to run Quick Launch
for the first time:
a) Activate the Program Manager.
b) Choose Run... from the File menu. The Run dialog box appears.
c) Type the full filename of QL.EXE in the Command Line text box. For
example, C:\QL\QL.EXE
d) Choose OK.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Shareware Evaluation Version Information --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick Launch is distributed as Shareware. This means that users are
encouraged, subject to restrictions described in the License Agreement,
to share copies of this program with friends, associates and bulletin
boards. Please remember that if you use this software you are required
to pay the registration fee of $5 as described in the file LICENSE.DOC.