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===============================================================================
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FileBar - Version 2.05
An OS/2 Application Launch Facility and WPS Replacement
Written By Eric A. Wolf - Copyright (C) 1995 - All Rights Reserved
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================
== Introduction ============
FileBar, quite simply, is a menubar for your desktop. It is intended to ease
the operation of launching frequently used applications and from jumping from
task to task within OS/2. Spanning across the top or bottom of your desktop,
FileBar is intended to give you quick and easy access to your most used
applications (whether they are DOS, Windows or OS/2 applications).
With FileBar, you have eight menus in which you can place a maximum of 38
different items in each. With FileBar 2.xx, menu items may also be grouped
via the use of sub-menus, a great way to organize your applications. With
submenus (each menu item can be a menu of 38 additional items), a user may
have over 10,000 total menu items!
Each menu item may represent a command shell to boot, a script file to
perform a task or even your favorite application. With FileBar, you're just
one click away from your favorite and most used programs (DOS, OS/2 or
Windows programs). Also, FileBar can be used as a regular application or you
can use it to replace your existing Workplace Shell.
If you feel OS/2 is too slow or swaps to disk a lot, FileBar may be what you
need. When acting as a replacement shell, because of its small size, FileBar
can give back two to three megabytes of memory to your system for use
with other applications. This results in a faster system since swapping
to disk is less frequent.
This program is ideal for network situations where network drivers use vast
amounts of precious memory or in portable computers with limited memory.
FileBar also allows password protection and system administrator access
features for network or group access restriction situations.
{PLEASE NOTE: FileBar -will- work with BOTH OS/2 Warp and OS/2 2.1.
Even though the documentation may reference a specific version in certain
areas below, FileBar can be used with BOTH versions of OS/2!)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
== Installation ============
(FileBar 2.xx's new configuration file format is not compatable with)
(earlier versions of FileBar. So, even if you are a previous user of)
(FileBar, you will need to proceed through the following instructions.)
Installing FileBar is simple. Read the README file and once you agree to
register the product if you continue to use it, unzip the second zipfile,
FILEBAR.ZIP. Now, simply go to an OS/2 prompt, and type INSTALL from the
same directory where you unzipped the files. That will invoke a REXX script
that will create a FileBar program object/icon on your OS/2 desktop for you
to use to start FileBar.
To immediately start FileBar, double click the program object on the
desktop. And to make FileBar start every time you boot OS/2, drag the
object (or a copy or shadow thereof) to the startup folder that is found in
the OS/2 system folder.
(NOTE: You should proceed to unzip the second zipfile ONLY if you agree to
the registration requirements presented both in the README file and
in the registration text at the end of this document.)
If you are upgrading from a previous version of FileBar, you will need to
completely erase the current version of FileBar first. If you are using
FileBar 2.00 or greater, you may keep your configuration files and your
registration code (*.reg). All other files must be removed before
installing a new version.
Note: If you are using FileBar as a shell replacement, in order to
completely erase a previous version of FileBar, you will need to switch
back to the WPS. You need to do this temporarily because OS/2 will place
a lock on the FileBar DLL which will prevent you from replacing it. When
upgrading, though, previous 2.xx level configuration files can be used
with this version of FileBar.
Installing FileBar as a WPS replacement:
----------------------------------------
FileBar has the capability to be used as a replacement shell. This means,
instead of using the Workplace Shell (further abbreviated WPS in this text)
which is your familiar "desktop" that comes with your OS/2 system, you can
use FileBar. Doing this greatly reduces the amount of memory OS/2 requires
and can give your programs an extra two and to three megabytes of memory (on
average) to run in. This results in *very* noticeable speed increases on
most systems.
If you wish to use FileBar over the WPS as your shell, simply edit your
OS/2 config.sys and change the line that reads:
SET RUNWORKPLACE=PM_Shell_Path\PMSHELL.EXE
to
SET RUNWORKPLACE=Put_Complete_FileBar_Path_Here\FILEBAR.EXE
For example, if you installed FileBar in a directory on your C: drive called
\OS2\APPS\FILEBAR and your OS/2 system is installed on drive D:, then you
would edit your config.sys file by typing the line: e d:\config.sys <enter>.
Then, you would find the SET RUNWORKPLACE= line in that file and change it to
the following:
SET RUNWORKPLACE=C:\OS2\APPS\FILEBAR\FILEBAR.EXE
(**NOTE:** DO NOT modify the PROTSHEL setting in the OS/2 config.sys!!)
Also, you will need to copy the FILEBAR.DLL file to your \OS2\DLL directory.
(This is necessary only if you are running FileBar as a WPS replacement.)
You will also need to add the directory where FileBar is located to your
OS/2 path. (See the OS/2 documentation for full details on adding things
to your path).
Or, instead of copying the DLL to /OS2/DLL, you can add the directory that
FileBar's DLL resides in to your LIBPATH= statement in your config.sys
file. Either should suffice.
After doing both of these things, the next time you boot OS/2, you will
have FileBar as your shell. To change back to WPS, simply change the line
back to PMSHELL. You may switch between PMSHELL and FileBar as often as you
like. There is no harm in switching.
Please note that replacing the Workplace Shell will no longer give you access
to folders or objects. These are both entities of the WPS and are not
accessible without it. If you need these objects on a continual basis, please
use FileBar in conjunction to your WPS desktop. If you need objects/folders
on a limited basis, use FileBar as your shell while using WPS only when you
need it (WPS can be launched as an application from the FileBar menubar); by
using FileBar, you will save A LOT of memory.
WARNING: You MUST remove FileBar from your WPS startup folder if you intend
to use FileBar as your replacement shell AND wish to start the WPS
from inside FileBar.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
== Using FileBar =============
Once FileBar is started, you will see the FileBar across the top of your
screen. You access functions in FileBar like any other menubar that is in
any other OS/2 application. The menubar may be positioned at the top or the
bottom of your desktop (see the instructions below on moving it). The current
time and or date may also be displayed on the FileBar for convenience (again,
see below for details) in addition to many other features. See below for
details on all available functions in FileBar.
The first time you boot FileBar, it comes preconfigured with several menus.
The first two, FileBar and Task List are static (that is, unchangable by the
user) but the remaining menus may be added to, changed or even deleted and
replace by more of your own menus.
The functions available to you via the first two (static) menus of FileBar
are explained below:
FileBar Menu
------------
OPEN: In FileBar, you can set up menus and options to your liking. Often
times, it is convenient to keep multiple sets of menus and options
(perhaps for different users on a single machine). You will use
this option to open different configuration files. FileBar 2.xx
configuration files usually end in the .INI suffix. Use the
file selection dialog to select a new configuration file to use or
select cancel to abort the operation.
SAVE: Whenever you make changes to your FileBar menu structure or change
FileBar options, you will want to save those options to the current
configuration file. Use this option to do this. Even though your
configuration file will be saved whenever FileBar is closed or,
optionally, whenever you load a new configuration file, it is wise
to save whenever you are making changes.
SAVE AS: This command operates very is identically to the save command
above except it allows you to specify the file name to save to
rather than using the currently opened file name.
LOCKUP SYSTEM: This command allows you to lock your computer; thus,
preventing use from unauthorized users. When invoked,
the screen will darken except for a single password
dialog. Your computer will be locked (unable to perform
any actions) until the appropriate password is entered
in the dialog. This password used is set via the System
Administrator Password option in the Options... menu
(see below).
To avoid screen burn-in, the lockup dialog will reposition
itself on your screen every 5 minutes. This way, you
can lockup your computer leaving your monitor on and
leave it knowing it is safe from both other users and
harmful screen burn-in.
EDIT MENUS: This topic is too long to cover in this context. A special
section below, "Editing FileBar Menus", can be found below
which discusses this topic in detail.
OPTIONS: There are seven option menus that cascade off this menu choice.
See "FileBar Options" below for information on each of these
different selections and what each provides.
WORK AREAS: FileBar 2.xx allows users to have a virtual desktop that is
9 screens large. When you start FileBar, when work areas
are enable via the options menu, you start in area #1.
Selecting a new area will move you to that virtual area.
The layout of your virtual work areas is determined by
the layout of your virtual work area control window.
See the Work Areas Option item in the "FileBar Options"
below for information on how to configure virtual work areas.
PRINT SPOOLER: Since OS/2's WPS provides a print spooler of its own, this
item is usually only useful when FileBar is acting as your
shell (see above for how to make FileBar your replacement
shell). When selected, a print spooler representing all
your output devices (printers, faxes, etc.) appear as in
dialog on your screen.
From here, you can select either entire print queues or
individual jobs. Queues can be paused and resumed while
individual print jobs can be paused, resumed, and deleted.
While the spooler will update itself every 5 seconds,
clicking the refresh button will force the dialog to
update its contents immedialtely. Clicking the Dismiss
button will remove the dialog from your screen.
ABOUT: This option provides you information about the version and author
of FileBar. If you have not yet registered FileBar to the
full version, this dialog gives you the oppurtunity to do so.
After dismissing the about dialog, you will be presented with
a dialog that will allow you to register FileBar 2.xx. Once you
register (see below), you will be given the information necessary
to fill in the three entry fields in the registration dialog.
Once you fill in the dialog with valid information, click the
Register Now button. If you have not yet registered, click the
I'll Register Later button.
Once you register FileBar, information about you will appear in
the about dialog to show the world you are a proud, registered
user of FileBar 2.xx! Once you register, the registration dialogs
no longer appear.
If you find FileBar useful and use it on a regular basis I urge
you to register it! It is only with your support that I can
continue to develop and support quality shareware applications for
OS/2.
EXIT: This command saves your current menu configuration file and closes
FileBar. This option is not available while FileBar is a
replacement shell. The only way to close FileBar in that case is
to shutdown your system (see Task List menu below).
Task List Menu
--------------
TASK LIST: The tasklist menu, whenever "pulled down", shows a list of all
the currently running applications on your system. From this
menu, you can perform a number of different options. Simply
selecting the application name will jump to that application;
giving control to it and restoring it if necessary.
Each running application can be switched to, closed,
maximized, minimized, hidden or shown using the cascading menu
to the right of each item. You may also move an individual
task to a different virtual work area very easily via the task
list, if virtual work areas are enabled.
Close should be used for PM applications and Kill used for
WIN-OS/2 sessions or DOS or OS/2 command sessions.
SHUTDOWN SYSTEM: It is required of OS/2 (and most advanced operating)
systems that you not simply just turn off your computer
when are done using it. You need to tell the system
you are finished using it so that it can save any open
system files, flush the disk cache, and generally clean
itself up before quitting. Use this option to signal
that you are done using OS/2. After doing so, you are
free to reset or turn off your computer.
User Defined Menus
------------------
Each item in a user defined menu may be launched (started) by selecting it.
The item will be launched with the data as defined in the edit item dialog
(see See the "Editing FileBar Menus" section below).
User menu items may be edited by selecting them with the right mouse button.
Click and hold the right mouse button over the menu you want. Slide the
mouse to the item you want to edit (still holding the right mouse button)
and then release it. You will now be able to edit it. Note that this is
only available when FileBar is displayed across the top or bottom of your
desktop. If using FileBar as a popup menu, you must use the edit item
command under the FileBar menu.
The contents of user menus can be modified. See the "Editing FileBar
Menus" section below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
== VIRTUAL WORK AREAS ========
The "Virtual work areas" feature of FileBar 2.xx allows users to maintain
a desktop much larger than their single physical display. FileBar gives
you 9 "virtual" work areas. These work areas are like separate displays
which share the same background and icons.
Virtual work areas are arranged in a 3x3 grid. Items may be moved from one
area to another by sliding a window half way off the screen in the direction
you want it to go, selecting the new work area and then grabbing the half
of the displayed window and moving it into the desired position.
Your virtual work area selector can also be arranged either in a single
row or a single column. You may also enable an option so that you may
change work areas by simply moving the mouse pointer to an extreme of your
screen. These are enabled through the Work Areas option dialog.
How can I use virtual work areas?
---------------------------------
Say you are at home and have your word processor, spreadsheet and a game
program running. If you like to view both your word processor and your
spreadsheet but want to avoid having to mess with minimizing and restoring
applications, they you can launch your word processor in one area and launch
your spreadsheet in another. You can flip quickly between them by selecting
the work area each are in. And your game program we mentioned is all the
while running in a 3rd area. So, when someone comes in, you can quickly
switch back to your spreadsheet or word processor and people may believe you
are actually at work! :)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
== EDITING FILEBAR MENUS ====
FileBar's main feature is the ability for users to easily set up menus so
they can access their applications easily and quickly. In this section,
how to set up menus will be addressed.
Editing Top-Level Menus
-----------------------
To add, remove or edit your existing menus, select the "Edit Menus" item
from the FileBar menu. This will bring up the edit menu dialog. From here,
you can move menus left or right on your menu bar by clicking the Move
Menu < or Move Menu > options. You may remove an entire menu, including all
the items it contains by clicking remove menu. Removing a menu will remove
all the items in the menu -and- all the submenus (and their items) in a given
menu structure.
You can add a menu by selecting the add menu button. Simply type in the name
of the menu you wish to add and press enter. Remember that you are limited
to a total of eight user defined menus. You may have no more than eight
user defined menus on your FileBar (although you may have many, many
submenus!). You may edit the contents of any menu by double clicking a
menu with the left mouse button. Or, another way to edit a menu is to
select it and click the edit menu button. Editing menu items are discussed
below.
Editing Menu Contents
---------------------
After you selected a top-level menu to edit, you will be presented with a
new dialog that lists that menus contents. Here, similar to the top-level
menu dialog, you can move items up and down in the menu structure. You
can also delete items (deleting a submenu will delete all items that
submenu contains!).
In menus, you can add separator lines, as well. These lines are used
as dividers, primarily, and are useful in providing another level of
organization in your menus. You can separators to your menus via the
add separator button.
A powerful features of FileBar 2.xx is the ability to add submenus.
Submenus act like and are treated just like regular menus. To add a
submenu, click the add submenu button and enter a title for your
submenu. After doing so, you will get a new, blank menu to fill.
Submenus can be moved, added and deleted just like regular
individual items (see below).
You can also add individual menu items (see editing individual menu
items below). This is how you will add your own applications to
the FileBar. For more details on adding or editing individual menu
items, please see the next section.
You may edit the contents of any individual menu item by double clicking
the desiried item with the left mouse button. Or, another way to edit an
individual menu item is to select it and click the edit item button.
Editing individual menu items are discussed below.
Editing Individial Menu Items
-----------------------------
This section is useful in adding, removing or editing menu item entries in
a menu, As mentioned above, you may edit a menu item by selecting it from
the edit menu dialog. Or, you may also edit a single menu item by holding
the right mouse button over the menu of the item you wish to edit (this
is not available when FileBar is activated via the pop-up menu). Still
holding the button, drag the cursor down to the item you want to edit and
release the button. You may now edit this item just as if you had selected
it using the Edit Menus item.
When editing a menu item, you will see a dialog with many options. The
first is the item's title. You may enter a title for the item you wish
to enter (this title will be displayed in the FileBar as the item text for
this item). You may edit this text at any time.
Next, below the title, is the Item Session Type area. Here you will
specify the type of application you want to add. If the program is an
OS/2, DOS or Windows session (and windowed or full-screen), click the
appropriate choice. If you are running a Windows application, you
also have the additional options of running the application in a
separate Windows session and/or running it in Windows 386/enhanced
mode. See your IBM OS/2 Warp documentation for more details on what
these actually mean.
Below the session type area, is the Item Startup Options area. Here, you
can tell FileBar whether to start the specified application minimized,
maximized, hidden or whether or not you want this program started
everytime you start FileBar. (See the Startup List Options entry under
the Options... Section above for more details on what this means).
To the right of the session type information is the passwording
information. If you wish to password protect the starting of this item,
check the password checkbox. You will also need to click the Change
Password button to set a password for this item. If you do not do this,
your default password is 'filebar' (7 letters, all lowercase). Using
this option helps protect various programs from being launched by just
anyone on your computer. The correct password will be needed before
they can launch this item. If you wish to also password protect
editing menu items, see System Administrator Options above.
Below the password information is the information regarding the
application you are setting up. The first field, "Pgm Path" specifies
the complete path to the application you wish to execute when this
menu item is selected. The "Arguments:" field specifies any
command line arguments you need to specify for the application.
If you need to specify arguments at run-time, enter those parameters
on the argument line enclosed in braces. For example, if you have a
telnet client that always runs on port 4523 but connects to many
hosts, you may construct your Arguments: entry as:
[enter host] 4523
This will prompt the user to enter the first parameter at run time (with
the prompt 'enter host') and using 4523 as the second command line
parameter. Any number of arguments can be specified at run-time and
you are free to intermix static and dynamic command line arguments.
The "Directory:" field points to the default directory this application
should be started in.
Next, is a drop-down list box that determines which virtual work area (if
you are using them at the time), the given application will start in.
Meaning, when you launch this application, FileBar will automatically
move to this work area and start it there for you.
The settings button will be described below in the DOS Settings section.
The Find File button, under the entry fields, allows you to easily
location an application you want to define. Click find file and you
will be presented with a file finder dialog. Traverse the file system
and select a *.BAT,*.CMD,*.COM,*.EXE or similar executable to use as
the application to launch. Once you select an application, all
relevant information about the application will be filled in for you.
You probably would want to change the item title, however. Also, you
want to be sure the session type is correctly defined (automatic
sensing is not always what it is cracked up to be!)
SPECIAL NOTE: If you are unsure how to set up a specific application,
please look at the SAMPLE1.INI and SAMPLE2.INI files
provided with FileBar. They can serve as good examples
as how to set up different applications.
Opening WPS Objects
-------------------
Below the two buttons is a drag and drop area. Here, you can drag and
drop WPS objects you wish to open via FileBar. WPS objects can only
be opened when FileBar is NOT the replacement (when you replace the
WPS, WPS objects are gone, too!)
To use this feature, simply drag a copy of the WPS object you want to
open to the rectangular area marked on the dialog and drop it. The
dialog will then configure itself to open that object whenever the
menu item is selected. Once you drop the object, simply click OK
because the settings are correct. You may also click the
settings button to modify the WPS settings for that object.
DOS Settings
------------
If you are setting up a DOS or Windows application, and you want to
specify specific DOS settings for this application, you will need to
use the Settings: field on the edit individual menu item dialog.
To use settings, first enter a unique pathname into the settings field.
This should be a filename which does not currently exist on your
computer. Settings files can reside anywhere on your file system but
are often useful if placed with the application and named appropriately
(with a *.set or *.ini extension, for example).
NOTE: Two or more applications -can- share a single settings file. If
you wish to do this, simply specify the full pathname to the
settings file in the settings: entry field. There will be no
need to click the settings button (the settings are already
defined).
Once a filename is entered into the Settings: entry field, you can
click the settings button to edit those settings. Editing DOS
settings is just like editing DOS settings under Warp. See the IBM
OS/2 documentation for more information.
NOTE: A sample Windows settings file, WIN-OS2.SET, is supplied with
FileBar. This file is a DOS settings file and is meant to be
used with Windows applications. To use this sample file when
setting up your own Windows applications, simply enter the
complete path to the WIN-OS2.SET file in the settings field of
that item. The settings will then be used.
Modifications made to WIN-OS2.SET will affect -all- menu items
that reference that file.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
== FILEBAR OPTIONS ===============
FileBar has many options that be configured by you. Selecting the Options
item from the FileBar menu will present a list of seven different options
areas that you can modify. They are each presented below. Settings values
are saved when you save your configuration file. It is suggested that you
select Save from the FileBar menu after making option changes.
GENERAL: FileBar's general options are set here. You may choose to have
the bar at the top of the screen or at the bottom of the screen.
You may also choose whether the FileBar and Task List menus
are displayed in long form or short form. You may set whether
if FileBar asks for confirmation before closing an application
from the task list or not.
You can also set whether the WPS desktop (when present), is
resized so that when FileBar is at the top of the screen, it
does not cover any portion of the WPS.
"Force on Top/Auto Resize" specifies whether your FileBar should
always float on top of all other running applications. When
turned on, FileBar will never be covered up by another
application and it will resize applications who try to cover it
so they fit under it.
Lockup on Startup will lock up the system when FileBar is started.
"Remove from task list when shell", if enabled, will remove
FileBar from the task list if it is acting as the replacement
shell. Do not check this item to keep it on the task list.
WORK AREAS: Options concerning the virtual work areas are set here. The
first option, "Enable virtual work areas", is to decide if
you want to use the virtual work areas feature at all.
If you are using virtual work areas and you want your
Warp WPS launchpad to be present in all virtual work areas,
select the second option. Note that your launchpad must be
named "LaunchPad" on the General page in the LaunchPad
settings notebook for this to work properly.
(This feature does not work when you use FileBar as your
shell replacement and launch WPS as a secondary application).
Also, if you would like to use the 3x3 button pad to help
you select virtual work areas, select the 3rd option. You
can also select the arrangement for the virtual work area
control box. It can be aligned in a 3x3 grid, a horizontal
row or a vertical row. You may also select whether or not
you want to be able to change work areas by moving the
mouse cursor to the extreme of your screen.
TIME/DATE: This option dialog allows you set the style and format of the
time and date that appears on the far right side of your
FileBar. You may also enable or disable an hourly chime
feature in FileBar. If enabled, you may enter the complete
path to a .WAV sound file to play at the top of each hour.
You may also use the Find .WAV File button to help you locate
a .WAV file to use. Selecting Test Chime will play the
.WAV file specified in the entry field.
POP-UP MENU: In addition to the menubar that is positioned at the top or
bottom of your screen, you can also define FileBar to act
as a pop-up menu when a specified mouse button combination
is pressed.
The first option is whether or not to enable the pop-up
menu feature, at all. Selecting "Hide Primary FileBar
Menu" will hide the main FileBar menu. If you use this
option, you must use the mouse-button combination to summon
the FileBar menu. Using this behavior, with FileBar as your
replacement shell, causes your OS/2 to act more like a
X Window display station with a pop-up root menu.
The third option, "Pop-up over any window", deicdes whether
the FileBar pop-up can be summoned over any window or if it
should be allowed -only- over the background window.
SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION: FileBar has the facility to allow primary FileBar
functions to be protected by password. This is
called the System Administration Password. If you
wish primary FileBar functions to be protected,
select the protection check box. If you wish
to set the password used, click the "Change
Password" button.
This feature will not protect user items from
being selected. That is set via the passwording
options for each menu item. Please refer to the
section on editting menu items for more
information.
This feature can be used to help make a secure
system. You can lock out all FileBar functions
and then password protect menu items and provide
users limited access to your system.
Remember, your default password is "filebar" (all
in lower case!). While you should change it from
that if you use it, that is the password used when
you use the sample .INI file.
STARTUP LIST: This dialog allows you the specify the starting order for
any items you may have flagged as needing to be started
whenever FileBar starts. You may move items up and down
in the starting order; items at the top of the list launch
before items at the bottom. You may also remove items from
the startup list here, too.
The "Launch Startup List on Boot" enables all the items on
the startup list to be launched everytime FileBar starts.
The "Launch only if shell replacement" feature launches
your startup list (if Launch on Boot is enabled), if and
only if FileBar is acting as your shell.
BACKGROUND: This options defined in this dialog take effect only when
FileBar is your shell. It does not override the background
settings when you are using FileBar in conjunction with the
WPS. If FileBar is your replacement shell, you may specify
if you want the background to be a solid color or a bitmap.
If you wish it to be a color, you may alter its shade by
moving the red, green and blue components of it.
If you wish to use a background image, enter the name of the
image in the entry field and select the style of how you
want the image presented. Just like the WPS, only .BMP
images may be used as background bitmaps.
NOTE!!! There is a problem with IBM Warp v3.0 that the
background feature does NOT work for bitmap images! This is
a problem in Warp and NOT in FileBar. IBM is aware of this
problem (IBM PMR #: 4X472) and is working on it. Future
versions of Warp should work but v3.0 does not!
FUNCTION KEYS: This menu option allows you to change the CTRL+ keys that
are used to activate different FileBar functions from other
OS/2 PM applications. While FileBar comes pre-configured
for use with certain keys, you can change some or all of
the keys that are used. If you do not wish to specify a
key for a particular function (thus, effectively disabling
that keyboard accelerator for that function), simply
specify it as '\0' (for null).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
== TIPS, SHORT CUTS and MISC ITEMS ===============================
For various features in FileBar, there exist "short cuts" that allow to
access certain features with a fewer than usual number of steps. These
short cuts, some tips and techniques and other misc. topics are listed
below:
* You can use CTRL+TAB to jump to FileBar's task list from any PM
application
* You MUST remove FileBar from your WPS startup folder if you intend
to use FileBar as your replacement shell AND wish to start the WPS
from inside FileBar. [Thanks to Pete Petit for pointing this out.]
* CTRL+SPACE is a global hotkey that gives focus to FileBar. Pressing
this key combination in any application will immediately cause FileBar
to become active.
* If you are using virtual work areas and you have chosen that you want
your Warp WPS launchpad to be present in all virtual work areas,
remember that your launchpad must be named "LaunchPad". This is set
on the General page in the LaunchPad settings notebook.
* Your desktop must be named "Desktop", also, for your WPS background to
be present in ALL virtual work areas. You can verify its name by
checking the general page for the desktop settings notebook. If your
desktop is not named Desktop, there is a general option available for
you to enter what its name is. German users, for example, need to
enter the name of their desktop into this area (FileBar comes
configured for US English version of OS/2). The same is true for
the launchpad.
* When starting FileBar, and running OS/2 Warp, it accepts a command line
parameter, if specified. You may launch FileBar with the optional name
of the initialization file you wish to use with it by specifying it on
the command line.
For example, to use FileBar as your replacement shell when FileBar is
in C:\OS2\APPS\FILEBAR and OS/2 is on drive D: and the configuration file
is E:\OS2\FB_INIT\SAMPLE.INI, then you would modify your OS/2 config.sys
(on drive D:) to read:
SET RUNWORKPLACE=C:\OS2\APPS\FILEBAR\FILEBAR.EXE E:\OS2\FB_INIT\SAMPLE.INI
or, you may start FileBar from the command line with the same parameter:
start C:\OS2\APPS\FILEBAR\FILEBAR.EXE E:\OS2\FB_INIT\SAMPLE.INI
* You may edit individual menu items by holding the right mouse button over
a menu, sliding the mouse down to the specified item and release the right
mouse button over it.
* You may switch virtual work areas (screens) by holding the CTRL key and
by pressing a number 1 through 9. This works in ANY application except
for DOS and OS/2 command sessions.
* You can select items in a list box in various dialogs by double clicking
the desired list box item.
* You may move the virtual winows selector box by holding the right
mouse button over the window and drag the window to a new location.
* Remember, your default password is filebar (7 letters, all lowercase!)
It is a good idea to immediately change it if you use the password
feature of FileBar.
* Also remember that if you are using the password protection system, be sure
to change your passwords frequently and that you keep your FILEBAR2.INI
file out of view from anyone (passwords are stored in that file).
* If you would like to set up the VIEW command (to view the OS/2 command
reference or other .INF materials), the program path field in the item
settings should be set to VIEW.EXE and the argument field should point
to the .INF you would like to view (ie: D:\OS2\BOOK\CMDREF.INF)
* When entering command line parameters, you can specify that some or all of
the options be entered when the program is started. If you enclose one
or parameters in brackets ('[' and ']') then FileBar will prompt you to
enter the parameter(s) when the item is launched.
* You may drag a font to the FileBar (from the Font Palette) if you wish
to change the font FileBar uses for its menus. After you drop a font,
the menu bar will change to accomdate this new font. The font you drop
will be remembered next time you start FileBar. If you find yourself
running out of room on your menubar because you are using long menu names,
simply drag and drop a smaller font to FileBar (from the font palette in
the OS/2 system folder).
* If the time is not displayed (but you have the option under Time/Date
options set to display a time/date), you probably need a smaller font.
If there is not enough room for the entire time and/or date, OS/2 will
simply not display it.
* You may also drag colors (or schemes) to FileBar from the color or scheme
palettes that come with OS/2.
* You may use the tilde (~) in your menu and item names to signify that the
character immediately following the tilde should be used as an
accelerator for accessing the respective menus or items.
* All changes made (time/date, bar position, menu contents, etc.) are saved
each time FileBar is closed (or the system is shutdown or an explicit save
operation is requested). FileBar is restored to the state it was saved in
next time it is executed. Changes are saved ONLY during these times.
* When editing menu items, you can drag WPS objects to the "drop area"
and FileBar will open that object when you select that item.
* When using FileBar as a WPS replacement, WPS features such as folders and
program objects are no longer functional. Please remember this if you are
trying to open a WPS folder via FileBar when FileBar has replaced the WPS.
* The configuration information for the FileBar is stored in a file named
FILEBAR2.INI (in the directory where FILEBAR.EXE is located) and may be
backed up by the user for added protection. It is a strictly text file
and may be backed up by copying a valid FILEBAR2.INI file to another,
unused filename (ie: COPY FILEBAR2.INI BACKUP.INI).
-- It is recommended that you make a backup copy of --
your FILEBAR2.INI on a regular basis!
* FileBar comes with two sample FileBar configurations, SAMPLE1.INI and
SAMPLE2.INI. To try these out, copy one of them over your FileBar .INI
file (ie: COPY SAMPLE1.INI FILEBAR2.INI). NOTE! This will overwrite your
current FileBar configuration and destroy the contents it currently has.
These contain samples for how to launch DOS windowed and full screen
sessions, OS/2 windowed and full screen sessions, and Win-OS/2 windowed
and full screen sessions, among other things. Refer to these for tips on
how to set up your own FileBar!
* If you wish to add items that launch OS/2 command shells (DOS windows,
DOS full-screens, WIN-OS2 sessions, etc.), see the SAMPLE1 or SAMPLE2
.INI files. For OS/2 and DOS sessions, simply select what type of command
shell you would like (from application type section) and then leave the
Program Path empty. That will start a command shell (DOS window, DOS
fullscreen, OS/2 window, and OS/2 fullscreen sessions).
However, if you want to start a WINOS/2 windowed session, put PROGMAN.EXE
in the program path (it will start program manager for you). Again, see
the SAMPLE1.INI or SAMPLE2.INI files for specific details.
* Two or more DOS or Windows applications CAN share settings information.
For the first application, you will need to enter a unique pathname and
set the settings information. For all subsequent applications you want
to use this information, simply enter that same pathname into their
settings: entry fields as well (on the edit individual menu item dialog).
Using this idea, you can make a couple of general settings files that
may come in handy for a number of applications. For example, you can
make a "DOS_GAME.INI" DOS settings file. This settings file could be
set up with games in mind and referenced by all your DOS games. This
way, you would only need to specify the settings once!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
== COMMON QUESTIONS ================
Q. Wow! With FileBar, things are a lot faster. But what else can I do to
get more memory back for my applications to run in?
A. FileBar is a great start. You are saving a lot of memory already.
However, if you are trying to get the most memory possible out of your
computer, you probably should refrain from using the background bitmap
option (found in both the WPS and FileBar). Most backgrounds, while nice
to look at, use a good deal of memory. You can usually save quite a bit
of memory when not using this option.
Also, you may want to look into tuning your disk cache, eliminating
unnecessary drivers, using OS/2 native applications versus Windows
applications and much more. There are a number of good shareware or
freeware sources for this type of information as well as a number of
good commercial software and books.
Q. How can I set the font and colors FileBar uses?
A. You can drag and drop both schemes (and/or colors) and fonts onto FileBar
from the WPS. You need to run FileBar as a regular application, do any
color or font adjustments you need to, and then either continue to run
FileBar or configure FileBar to run as your shell (explained in the
installation section at the top of this file). All changes you make
will be remembered the next you start FileBar.
Q. My time and date is gone. After I added a few menu items and now it is
no longer displayed. Where is it? How can I get it back?
A. It is not displayed when there is not ample room on the menubar to
adequetly display it. You need to drag and drop a smaller font to the
FileBar menu. Go to the OS/2 Font Palette and select a smaller font
(as described in your OS/2 documentation). Now, drag and drop this
font to FileBar. The change will be remembered whenever FileBar is
started.
Q. When I switch to a WIN-OS/2 full screen session, switch back to my OS/2
desktop and then switch to the WIN-OS/2 session again, the screen is
not drawn correctly. What can I do?
A. You need to make a settings file for that full screen session or
application that sets the VIDEO_SWITCH_NOTIFICATION to ON. Some video
cards require this setting. See the section on using DOS settings for
complete details on how to do this.
Q. I have a configuration file from FileBar 1.90. How can I use it with the
new FileBar?
A. Yes, you can. Use the CONVERT.EXE application found in the same
directory as FileBar. Its documentation can be found in CONVERT.TXT.
This small utility will convert the menu structure from 1.XX
configuration files to the new 2.xx format.
Q. I registered version 1.80 of FileBar. Why do I need to register this
one, too?
A. The registration fee for all FileBar software prior to release 2.00
was $10.00 AND included the source code that generated it. With release
2.00, the source code was removed from the archive and the fee was
increased. $10.00 simply did not cover the costs of the time and
development that goes into developing and maintaining this application.
Version 2.00 is a complete rewrite of FileBar. FileBar is now MUCH
more stable and handles memory in a much cleaner way. It also adds
a LOT of new features. Because of this, and my continued efforts
and development planned for FileBar, I feel justified in this
decision.
Many, many users wrote saying I could easily get $60 to $80 for an
application of this type. Wanting to keep the software affordable,
however, I opted to set up the pricing structure as I did. (Keeping
it affordable!)
(Registered users are still getting a discount on the new upgrade price.)
Source code is available for this product for an additional charge.
Contact technical support to find out more details.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
== Registration ============
If you like FileBar and plan to continue to use it, I ask you to register
your copy of the program. The registration cost is only $15.00 for
users who have registered previous versions of FileBar and $25.00 for new
FileBar users.
Upon registration, you will be sent a registration certificate. To
complete your registration, you will need to enter the information found on
this certificate into FileBar. Start FileBar and select the About...
option. Click OK to dismiss the informational dialog. Now, enter the
name, place and serial # into the appropriate fields EXACTLY as shown
into the entry fields. Once you are done, click Register Now and that's it!!
You're done! Please keep your registration certificate in a safe place in
case you need to re-enter this information. You registration entitles you
to all future 2.xx releases. (See "Updates" section below)
Please see the enclosed ORDER.TXT form for more complete details. Orders
can be placed by mail, fax, phone or computer. All major credit cards are
accepted and international orders are welcome. Please print it out the
ORDER.TXT form, fill it out and send it with your payment to the address
given on that form.
If you are registering FileBar for the first time (ie: not upgrading!) you
may also register FileBar via CompuServe. Type GO SWREG to go to the
shareware registration area and enter product ID #5707.
[Note that the fee is $30.00 ($25.00 FileBar registration fee + $5.00
Compuserve processing fee)]
THANK YOU!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
== Updates to FileBar ==================
As updates to FileBar 2.xx are made, they will be released publically over
an array of distribution channels. These include shareware CDs, BBSes,
BMT Micro's BBS, the Internet, CompuServe, Delphi, America Online, etc.
Announcements will also be made along similar channels to alert users to its
availability.
Once you register, the registration information you receive will unlock
ALL 2.xx versions of FileBar. Remember to keep that information in a safe
place when you receive it after registering.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
== Distribution of FileBar ========================
You are free to distribute FileBar to whomever and however you wish as long
as the following conditions are satisified:
- FileBar should ALWAYS be distributed in its entirety. This includes
all documentation, executables, and setup files. Under no circumstances
should FileBar be distributed without all of its original files.
Distribution of FileBar (in any way possible!) is strongly encouraged
both by individuals and software houses!
- If you use FileBar, you MUST register it (directions for doing so
preceeded this section of the text). Upon registration, you will
receive information that you can enter into FileBar to unlock it and
make it a full version.
HOWEVER! Once you register FileBar and receive your registration
information, you may NOT share your registration information
with anyone!