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OS/2 Help File
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1995-12-03
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42KB
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218 lines
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. About BTask ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
BTask is simply a Task Switcher, a different Window List, so to speak. It is
small enough and should not interfere with other programs. BTask creates a
button bar, and each button represents a task, tasks are currently represented
by their name (and by their icon, if the user wants to. This way, you know,
Warp could look a bit too much like Windogs 95...). Only the windows that
appear in the switch list will be added to the button bar and buttons are
created and removed as new tasks are opened or closed, so you don't have to
bring up the Window List to switch them. Just press the buttons. You can
perform other operations on the tasks, by using the Task menus, and configure
BTask by using the System menu.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Disclaimer ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
This product comes without warranty, either expressed or implied. The author is
not responsible of damages caused by the use or misuse of this program. If you
don't agree with this, then just don't use BTask.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Installation and system requirements. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The installation of BTask is rather simple :
1) Automatic method
Just run the Install.cmd that was shipped with BTask, and answer the questions.
2) Manual method:
Copy the BTask.exe file, where you want in your HD. Copy btaskdll.dll in a
directory specified in the LIBPATH entry of your Config.sys. Then migrate it to
the Desktop in the usual way.
Technical notes :
I am currently using BTask under OS/2 Warp V3 with FixPack 5 installed, but it
should work with OS/2 V2.1 and above, since BTask was compiled with a V2.1
specific compiler and include files. However, this was not tested.
My opinion is that a 486-33Mhz with 8MB is actually the minimum system to
effectively use OS/2 Warp, although BTask is small and does not have special
needs.
BTask works by intercepting the WM_DESTROY, WM_CREATE, and WM_SETWINDOWPARAMS
(issued to change the title in a VDM window), and by reading the switch list.
Actually I am searching for a better method to do that. If anyone knows if the
task list receives or sends a specific message every time is updated, please
contact me.
BTask actually works, but in some rare cases may happen that the task list is
not updated correctly. If this happens, the user can update it using the Btask
System Menu.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Am I Free to use and copy BTask ? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
BTask is SHAREWARE, you are free to spread the word and the disk, but if you
like it and if you use it, you must send me a small contribution. I decided to
do so because I really need some money to support developing under OS/2. I hate
crippleware, so BTask isn't crippled in any way. Only remember that without a
significant number of registered users, new versions will not be released, or
will be released with some form of nag. (registered users will always have the
new versions uncrippled, though). The price for the registration is 15US$. It's
not very much, I think, but it will help me to buy more sophisticated
developing instruments and to create more sophisticated products in the near
future. So if you really like OS/2, please support the Shareware programmers
too. They will help to keep the scene alive.
How to register...
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. The Task Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Press the right mouse button over a button.
This will pop up the task menu.
Using this menu you can perform several operation on the windows.
Show
Make a window visible if it was hidden.
Hide
Make a window invisible.
Maximize
Maximizes a window.
Minimize
Minimizes a window.
Restore
Restores a window that was previously maximized or minimized.
Close
Closes a window.
Kill
Closes a window by killing its process.
(WARNING!! By killing an application all data is lost !!!)
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. The BTask System Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Press the right mouse button over the BTask window frame.
This will pop-up the BTask System Menu.
Using this menu you can configure, view the product info, and quit BTask.
Float above other windows
When enabled, makes the BTask window float above other windows. (Pressing the
Central mouse button, will pop Btask to the front or behind the active window
if it was already to the front)
BTask 95 Mode
When enabled, task icons are displayed on the buttons.
Set Bar Colors
Opens the Set Colors dialog.
Update task list
Manually updates the BTask's window.
This is not usually needed.
About
Displays a dialog with informations about BTask.
Quit
Quits BTask. Informations about the window and the font are saved.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Switching Tasks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Press the button with the task name you want to switch to..
This will switch to the selected application.
The active application appears highlighted on the bar.
(the window is made visible if it was hidden or minimized).
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Changing The Font ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Drag the font from the Font Palette to the BTask window frame.
This will change the font for all buttons and resize the button bar.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Changing The Colors ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Select Set Bar Colors from the BTask System Menu.
This will open the BTask Colors dialog. Use the spin button to select of what
BTask item you want to change the color of.
The choices are :
Hilite Bright
3D border, bright.
Hilite Dark
3D border, dark.
Bar
The button bar background.
Current Task Foreground
The active task button background.
Current Task Background
The active task button background.
Task Foreground
The buttons foreground.
Task Background
The buttons background.
Use the palette to select the color you want, colors will be updated in real
time. To accept the changes, push the Set button, to revert to the previous
scheme push Reset button.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Contacting the author and Registering ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Well, I hope you will like and use BTask. If so, you can register your copy by
sending the equivalent of 15US$ (cash or cheque) or 20000 italian lire, and
your name & address to the author. Bug reports, suggestions and constructive
criticism are well accepted.
I am also searching contacts with other OS/2 programmers to exchange
experiences and source code.
The address is :
Snail mail :
Enrico Demarin
Via Redipuglia 28, 31100 Treviso (ITALY)
E-Mail :
pmd@paola.dei.unipd.it Enrico_Demarin@p13.f901.n333.z2.fidonet.org