OS/2 Shareware BBS: SysTools/SysTools.zip/gstart20.zip/GS.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 1996-02-25 | 9KB | 180 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Getting Started ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Introduction...

GroupStart is a tool which starts applications in a variety of convenient ways
and switches between them. Here are some of the options the program provides:

 - Start any selection of applications together with a single button click.

 - Switch between running apps using the popup task switcher GSwitch (included
in the program).

 - Place an icon of a frequently used group of apps on your desktop and start
the group from there, without evoking GroupStart itself. If neccessary, you can
add parameters to the programs within this group.

 - Make a single application or group start at a scheduled time on a chosen
day.

 - Close all the apps you've started with a single button click.

Using GroupStart is simple...

 But first, you must build your AppList. This is the list of programs you wish
to be able to choose from any time you run GroupStart (it can always be edited
later, using exactly the same methods as for building).

 There are three way of adding apps to this list:

 - if you know a program's path and .exe name, simply type them into the entry
box in the top left corner of the GroupStart window and press ADD.

 - if you know which app you're looking for, but are uncertain of its
specifications, press the Locate button. This opens a new window, where you can
enter a search string. When you've found the required app's name, simply
double-click it into the AppList.

 - by drag and drop. This method is especially useful if you want to browse
through all your folders to build an AppList. But note that GroupStart will
only function with 'real' files, i.e. the actual .exe ones and not shadows or
WPS program objects. If you drag a shadow object to the AppList, it will appear
there, but it won't be run as part of any group. To make dragging and dropping
to the AppList easier, GroupStart now includes a tool called Drive View. Select
a drive and open its window, either as a tree view (by pressing the button with
the vertical icon) or as a normal flowed view (the horizontal icon).

   NOTE: The AppList consists of applications you may wish to run together at
any time in the future.  It is saved when you exit GroupStart. Enter as many
programs as you like.

 Using the Job List...

 The Job List consists of programs you wish to work with during a particular
session. Put apps on it by double-clicking their names on the AppList. Any apps
on the Job List will all be run together when you press Run Jobs - similarly,
they'll be included in the fixed groups you create with the Iconize and Use
Options...  functions.

 Switching between apps

 Whenever you have started a group of programs, a tool called GSwitch will be
activated. However, it only actually appears when you drag the mouse cursor to
the very edge of the screen's top right corner. Simply select an icon in the
GSwitch window to switch to the application it represents. GSwitch has a button
that allows you to close entire groups of programs similtaneously. It can also
maximze, minimize and restore windows. It disappears when the mouse cursor is
no longer in its window, but can also be hidden manually should it ever be in
your way.

 NOTE: If you prefer to use another task switcher, disable GSwitch by pressing
the appropriate button in GroupStart's configuration window.

Creating permanent groups...

 You don't need to run GroupStart every time you wish to start a group of apps.
If you have a set group you use frequently, you can place an icon representing
it on your desktop. In future, you only have to double-click the icon for the
group to run. Alternatively, you can schedule a group of apps or a single
program to run at a particular time on a chosen day. These options are
explained below:

Using the Iconize feature:

All you need to do is to put the required programs in the AppList and press the
Iconize...  button. Give the group a one word name when prompted to do so and
press Done.

Use options:

Essentially, you can use this function just like the iconize feature. It
provides one main advantage: you can type in parameters for the selected apps.
(In version 1.3 the disadvantage was that some apps needed to be included in
the path statement of your config.sys to be run from an icon created with the
options button, but in 2.0 this no longer applies).

 Using the Scheduler:

A second option provided with the Use Options...  button is the ability to run
programs on schedule, i.e., to select a time and day of the week for a group
(or a single app) to be run automatically.

 If you've chosen to schedule a group, instead of giving it a name, the
Scheduler must be running for the group or app to be activated at your chosen
time. You can start the Scheduler by pressing the appropriate button on
GroupStart's main panel, or you can cause it to run every time you boot your
system by pressing the respective button on GroupStart's configuration panel. I
suggest  you do this if you wish to make use of the scheduling option on a
permanent basis.

 Please register GroupStart, if you use it regularly!

 I'm asking for 10 US$, if you register via Compuserve's swreg forum, or 15
German marks for registration by normal mail. See the gsreadme file for
details. Upon registration, you'll receive a password which will disable the
registration reminder you see when you start the program or close groups
created with it.

  And that's all there is to it...

  Except that I'd appreciate any comments or criticism you have on GroupStart.
Contact me via my Compuserve ID: 100045,1712.

 Martin Farrent


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. Using the Iconize feature ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 All you need to do to create a permanent group with this panel is to give the
group a name. Just one word titles, please. The icon placed on your desktop
when you press Done represents a new .cmd file in your GroupStart folder.
You'll notice that it's always a GroupStart symbol. If you have a collection of
icons, you may wish to assign a more suitable one to your new group. Do so by
evoking the new WPS object's context menu and selecting Settings. Now go the
page called General and press the Search button. Enter the folder the preferred
icon is in and wait to be presented with a selection from which you can make
your choice.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Help for locate function ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To locate an application simply type a search string into the the entry field
and press OK. Note that wildcards (*. etc.) are not required. For example, to
find a file called 'c\progs\myapp.exe', type something like 'myapp'. When
you've found the file you're searching for, either mark it and press Add or
double-click it. Either way, it will be added to the AppList in GroupStart's
main window. Press New to start a new search and Cancel to close the Locate
window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Help for options window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The options window lets you enter parameters for the apps to be run within a
group. Simply type them in after a program's name in the list box (leaving
spaces as you would on a command line), but be sure to get them right!!!
GroupStart has no way of checking whether the parameters you've chosen actually
work.

Whether or not you add parameters, you now have two choices. Press Name to give
a group a title and place an icon of it on your desktop - then enter a one word
title and press Done.

 Alternatively, press Schedule to make a group of programs (or a single app, if
that's all there is on the list) run at a set time on a set day. Then choose
the day, hour and minute for the group or app to be started. Finally, press
Done. Remember, scheduled jobs only actually take place if the Scheduler is
running. Scheduled jobs run weekly at the chosen time on the set day.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Help for the configuration window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This window lets you decide whether or not to run GSwitch with your groups, by
pressing the appropriate buttons.

 You can also use this window to keep the Scheduler running permanently and
automatically start it every time you boot your system. GroupStart does this by
creating a shadow object of sked.exe in your autostart window. To reverse this
decision, simply delete that object.