ProgramBar 2.11 --------------- Copyright 1995 Ian Jefferies. jeffers@teaching.physics.ox.ac.uk Shareware Inspired by the task bar found in Windows95, this program has been written so that the same kind of functionality and ease of use can be brought to Windows 3.1 and Windows For Work Groups. This version incorporates many new usability enhancements over version 1.x. The most significant being a built in configuration editor. My thanks to those of you who have written to me expressing your support for ProgramBar, pointing out bugs and suggesting enhancements. All of the known bugs have been fixed for this release and many of the enhancements included. This file contains information on the features of ProgramBar, how to install ProgramBar, a legal disclaimer, version information about bugs fixed and new features, and a copy of FILE_ID.DIZ for BBS SysOps who lose the original. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Features --------------------------------------------------------------------- * A `Start' button that gives access to much of the functionality of ProgramBar. * Access to, and running of, any program in your Program Manager groups. * Access to all of the Control Panel configuration applets * Each running application is represented on the ProgramBar as a button. A push of the button makes that application active. * Right click on the ProgramBar panel to display a list of active applications that can be closed. * Shutdown Windows, either returning to DOS, restarting Windows again, or rebooting your machine. * Fast access menus for your most frequently used programs, documents and help files. * Access to this help file (click on the ProgramBar logo on the right hand side of the bar.) * Hidden out of the way when you don't need it. May also be permanently visible on your desktop. * Fast search for files on your hard disk. They may be launched or added to the fast access menus. * Run a program specifying the command arguments, or a data file with an association. The file can be browsed for. * Colourful icons help navigation through the main popup menu. * Flyby help hints when you let the mouse hover over part of the ProgramBar interface. * Drag and drop of files from File Manager onto ProgramBar. Automatic separation into Applications, Documents and Help files. * The state of ProgramBar is saved between sessions. * The Control Panel may be inhibited from running in order that a potential clash between ProgramBar and Control Panel is avoided. * Full configuration of ProgramBar via a popup dialog box. * Applications can be excluded from the front panel task switching buttons to reduce clogging up of the panel. * Task switching buttons on the front panel may now be stacked onto more than one row. * ProgramBar may be triggered from any of the four edges of the screen. * Applications/documents and help files added to the fast access menus may be edited to give more appropriate titles, run time arguments, or different working directories. * Task switching now handles modal dialog boxes opened by an application better. * Better support for people who use cursor screen wrap: the size of the region that can be triggered may be adjusted, the time delay before ProgramBar hides again may be increased. * Menu and front panel fonts may be changed from within ProgramBar. A sample box also shows the suitability of the font for reproducing non-standard characters that may be used in titles. * Clock and date displayed on the front panel. * 3D effect on all dialog boxes though the automatic use of CTL3DV2.DLL if present. Tabbed dialog boxes adjusted to look more like their Windows 95 counterparts when used in conjunction with this DLL. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Installation --------------------------------------------------------------------- There are three files required for the correct use of ProgramBar. They are: PROGBAR.EXE The executable that provides all of the functionality of ProgramBar. PBHOOK.DLL A DLL that is used by ProgramBar to monitor system activity, notify of programs being opened or closed. PROGBAR.HLP The Windows help file used by ProgramBar. In addition, the following two files should also be present in the archive: README.TXT Text instructions on how to install the program (this file!) FILE_ID.DIZ A file that assists BBS operators in maintaining their archives. To install ProgramBar follow the steps below: 1. Create a new directory for ProgramBar. (e.g. C:\WINAPPS\PROGBAR) 2. Copy all the files listed above into this directory. 3. Then activate Program Manager and choose the program group that you want to place the ProgramBar launch icon into. 4. From Program Manager's menu chose File|New... 5. Select Program Item, then press the OK button. 6. Fill in the name of the icon and the path where the executable may be found. 7. If you want to have ProgramBar launch when you run Windows, place a copy of the icon in the StartUp group. This may be done by keeping the CTRL key pressed down while clicking on the ProgramBar icon and dragging it to the StartUp group. Clicking on the ProgramBar icon will now run the program. ProgramBar creates an initialisation file called progbar.ini in the windows directory. ProgramBar assumes that both the Program Manager and WinHelp executables are available. Some default icons are taken from these files for display purposes. --------------------------------------------------------------------- About shareware and legal disclaimers --------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareware is a method by which software may be evaluated by the end user before purchase. Almost all of the shrink-wrapped software produced comercially in large volumes (and at comparatively high prices!) provide their installation disks in licensed and sealed packs. On opening the sealed packs the user is no longer allowed to return the software and obtain a refund - clearly you cannot find out if a software package will do what you need without commiting a significant amount of money beforehand. With shareware the end user can evaluate the software and decide if it benefits their working practices. If it doesn't then the software can just be deleted from their hard-disk. If, however, the software is found to be useful then the user is expected to pay for it. Just like shrink-wrapped software. Your continued support of shareware gives the programmer the incentive to continue developing and improving the software. Shareware means distribute the program freely, not use the program freely. ProgramBar is shareware. You have 14 days in which you may evaluate the software before you have to pay for it or delete it from your machine. Once paid for all subsequent upgrades may be used for FREE! All users who showed their support for version 1.x of ProgramBar under its bookware status are not required or expected to re-register. This software has not been crippled, nor has it any timer expiry. It is not my wish to have to add code like this to ProgramBar, I'd much rather be putting in new features for people to use. However, since shareware requires the trust of the user to pay for the product or delete it from their machine then I may be forced into adding a more positive reminder. Users are classified into three groups for the type of payment expected. A single user is entitled to use the software in the same fashion as a hardcover book, that is only one copy may be running on one machine at any one time. My contact details are given later in this file. *** *** Group1: Single user full-time academic students, full-time *** academic staff, or unemployed. *** Members of this group may continue to use this software without charge. If you would like to show your appreciation for this software in a stronger fashion then may I suggest one of the following: * Send me a postcard from your part of the world to the address given below. * If you feel very strongly about how much this program has changed your life and have a good book or two that you no longer read and want to pass onto a good home then please mail it/them to me at the address given below. * If you want to part with hard earned cash then you may pay for ProgramBar as a Group 2 user. Group 1 users who move up to Group 2 and have not registered under any of the bulleted points above are expected pay for this software as a Group 2 user. *** *** Group 2: All other single users not in Group 1 *** Payment for ProgramBar is #10 (ten British pounds sterling) or $15 (fifteen US dollars) whichever is more convenient. Cheque, postal order, or money order are acceptable. Cash is also acceptable but somewhat more risky to send through the post. If you would like a receipt then please indicate this when you send the money. *** *** Group 3: Site license for multiple users *** ProgramBar may be licenced for multiple users. A site is defined as a building or group of buildings with a unique external postal address. Please contact the author if you wish to negotiate on behalf of multiple sites. The number of users is defined as either the number people that will use the software, or the number of machines (including networked workstations) on which the software may be used, whichever is the lower. Usage is limited to those machines for which the company has purchased, hired, or leased. It does not include machines owned by employees of that company. Number of users Price per user # (British pounds sterling) $ (US dollars) First user 10 15 2nd to 5th user 8 12 6th to 10th user 6 9 11th to 25th user 4 6 26th to 50th user 2 3 51st user and over 1 1.50 Unlimited users at 300 450 one site The price is capped at approximately 170 users to #300 or $450. --- DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY --- THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED FREE AND "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE AUTHOR FURTHER DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION REMAINS WITH YOU. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION EVEN IF THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. --- DISTRIBUTION --- You may distribute this software freely on any electronic based medium including but not limited to: uploading to a FTP site, uploading to a BBS, downloadable from a WWW page. May also be distributed as part of a CD-ROM collection of shareware/freeware. Any distribution should not limit my rights (either explicitly or implicitly) to distribute this software using the same medium or any other. The software should be distributed as received in the original archive file. The only charge a distributor may make shall be limited to the cost of the medium by which the software is delivered, and those incurred in handling/distribution. A small shipping and handling charge may be made if this software is distributed as part of a collection. --- OTHER NOTES --- ProgramBar is Copyright 1995 Ian Jefferies. All rights reserved. All rights not explicitly licensed to the user are reserved to the developer. If you write or publish an editorial about ProgramBar then the author would appreciate receiving a copy via either conventional or electronic mail. The most recent version of ProgramBar may be obtained from the SimTel mirror archive at ftp.coast.net in the directory SimTel\win3\desktop or any of the mirror sites as prgbr???.zip, where ??? represents the version number. Versions 2.1 and earlier of ProgramBar were released under the filename system prgbar??.zip where ?? represents the version number. Contact address: Ian Jefferies, 24, Meredith Close, Pinner, Middx, HA5 4RP, England. Tel: England (0)181-428-1466 Internet: jeffers@teaching.physics.ox.ac.uk Windows, Windows95 and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other product names may be copyrighted and registered or unregistered trademarks/trade names of their respective owners. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Version information --------------------------------------------------------------------- Version 2.11, released 1-Dec-95 ------------------------------- * ProgramBar failed to handle a large number of applications on the front panel, generating a `TaskBar overloaded' message. This message should now only appear under extreme unreasonable circumstances (ie when the buttons are so narrow that they cannot display their contents.) * Control Panel applets are now cached, significantly decreasing ProgramBar's load time. If any of the applets used by Control Panel are replaced, deleted or added to then ProgramBar will re-cache the data where required. Data is also re-cached if the screen driver is changed as the icon format may be different. * Control Panel applets in the [MMCPL] section of control.ini are now scanned as well as the [drivers.desc] section. * A peculiar window create/destroy/create cycle that assigned the same window handle in both cases resulted in two buttons being displayed on the ProgramBar front panel. E-mail Connection was the only application seen to exhibit this behaviour. Fixed. * Added a switch that allows the display of elipses (...) on the front panel task switch buttons to be turned off. Useful for when a large number of buttons are displayed. * Confirmation of closure of a DOS box via right clicking on the front panel is now required. A strongly worded message reminds the user that resources may be lost and Windows may be impaired. * The Find file dialog box now defaults to searching subdirectories. * Most error dialog box and menu message strings moved to the resource file for easier internationalisation of the executable. * Multiple arguments may now be specified for file wildcards and directories in the Find file dialog box. Each argument must be separated by a semicolon (;). * Button text colours on the front panel are now fixed to black regardless of the choice of personal colour scheme. * CTL3DV2.DLL now used for dialog boxes if it is installed. The 3D menus and front panel buttons are not and never have been provided using this DLL. Tab dialog boxes provide a Windows 95 look and feel when this DLL is detected. * ProgramBar crash protection code improved, now distinguishes between modules of the same name. * Annoying screen flicker caused by selecting a new dialog page on the configuration dialog removed. * Intermittant problem when switching from a DOS full screen app back to Windows caused the button indicating the active app to have a black background. Technique for drawing buttons changed, fixing problem. * Split menus crashed ProgramBar when sorted after an insertion. Most likely to occur on the fast access menus. Fixed. Version 2.1, released 21-Nov-95 ------------------------------- * Non-standard Windows colour schemes interfered with icon masking using monochrome bitmaps. Menu icons gained lurid clashing colour backgrounds. Fixed. * If both clock and date were not displayed on startup of ProgramBar then a recursive loop was entered, locking Windows. Ctrl-Alt-Del aborted ProgramBar, but Windows was left in an unstable state and running ProgramBar again returned the user to the DOS prompt without warning. Fixed. * Code has been installed to ensure that should ProgramBar crash for any reason, it is now safer to re-run the program. Due to the nature in which ProgramBar interacts with Windows it cannot be guaranteed to prevent further crashes/lockups/unexpected kickouts to DOS. * Browse buttons added to fast access configuration dialogs to complement the drag/drop addition of files. Version 2.0, released 18-Nov-95 ------------------------------- * Added full configuration to ProgramBar via a popup dialog box. Most changes to the configuration dialog are immediately reflected in the appearance of ProgramBar. All changes can be easily cancelled. * The Find File dialog box now provides a default search directory, it will be the root directory of the first fixed or remote disk on your system (most likely C:\). * When using the Find File dialog box to append a second set of files, the first file to be appended was incorrectly placed somewhere in the middle of the first list. Fixed. * Better handling of desktop applications that don't define class icons. * Ability to exclude applications parent windows from the front panel task switching based on module name and window class. Included ability to preview the criterion used to eliminate the parent windows. * Better display of front panel task switching buttons. They can now stack onto more than one row. User configurable. * Full editing of applications on the fast access menus. Entries may now be run minimized/maximized/normal, arguments can be appended, working directory may be changed, title displayed on the fast access menu can be edited. Settings saved to ini file are incompatible with v1.x, but upgrade performed automatically. * While finding the control panel applets, entries in the [drivers.desc] section of control.ini were assumed to be in the Windows system directory. ProgramBar could not find drivers that included a full path in their entry. Fixed. * Added a /d command line option to produce a debugging script during start up. Currently limited to examining loading of DLL's and opening files. * When switching to an application using the button bar, if the application had been disabled by a dialog box then the focus was incorrectly set to the application (not the dialog box). ProgramBar now searches for the most recent dialog box that has disabled the application and sets the input focus there. * ProgramBar may now be accessed from the left, right and top edges of the screen in addition to the bottom edge. * The size of the region that can activate ProgramBar may now be modified. Added for the benefit of those who use cursor wrap and can't hit the edge pixels reliably. * The time delay between moving the cursor off of the front panel and ProgramBar hiding itself may now be adjusted by the user. * Choice of font used on the front panel and in menus moved from progbar.ini to the configuration dialog box. Dynamic adjustment shows what the new front panel will look like (if visible on the desktop) before the change is committed. * Better handling of close down of Control Panel if it has a dialog box open. ProgramBar now attempts to close the dialog box before closing Control Panel. * ProgramBar front panel now appears briefly on startup to indicate an edge that may be used to access the front panel from. For the first time user the main window appears permanently on by default, several people failed to find ProgramBar once it had finished displaying the logo screen. * Enhanced detection of parent windows that may be switched to. ProgramBar failed to handle properly windows that had been hidden or had zero size. In several cases windows were not seen to close by ProgramBar and activating buttons were not removed from the front panel. * Closing an application with a right click now attempts to close dialog boxes associated with the application first. * Clock and date added to front panel. Either a digital or panel font clock may be displayed. If the clock uses the front panel font then the short date may also be displayed. The digital clock is not able to display the date. The fly-by hint associated with the clock displays the long date, as defined in Configuration|Control Panel|International. * Corrected several omissions and factual errors from the help file, as well as writing up all the new features. * Fixed a bug that crashed ProgramBar with a `Divide by Zero' error if there were no programs on the desktop when ProgramBar was run. * Reduced the chance of a text clipping problem occuring on the front panel buttons. Text clipping may still occur because of kerning by the GDI font driver. Version 1.2, released 23-Oct-95 ------------------------------- * Crashing bug. When a popup menu is closed and the cursor is at the very bottom edge of the screen, ProgramBar locks up. Fixed. This is the only improvement to this version, but warrants a new release to prevent data loss. Version 1.1, released 22-Oct-95 ------------------------------- * Task switching to full screen DOS application from the button bar failed, doing nothing. Fixed. * ProgramBar failed to popup if the cursor was at the bottom edge of the screen and sitting over an icon title or window resizing frame. Fixed. * ProgramBar became confused if another application forced ProgramBar to display/hide its main window, refusing to popup when hidden. Fixed. * An application that forced ProgramBar to minimize its main window succeeded. This should now not be possible. * Cursor now changes to an hourglass while ProgramBar loads or performs a time consuming operation. * All menus now display colourful icons to aid navigation. * A Program Manager item that specified a working directory different to the full path prepended to the executable file name could not be run. Items that did not specify a directory in which to find the executable were unaffected. Fixed. * The ProgramBar panel display font and point size may now be adjusted in the progbar.ini file for those people using high resolution display modes. * Flyby hints for the front panel give more information than the (possibly) truncated title text. * While scanning for the DLL's and drivers managed by Control Panel, a non-existant driver will no longer produce a `File not found' dialog box during start up. * Added ability to change fonts used on the front panel and in the menus by user request. * Menu handling improved, menu's now split when they are larger than the screen height rather than a fixed number of entries. The list of Program Manager groups will now split into two if you have an excessive number of groups. This is a hint that you should rationalize the number of groups in Program Manager :) * Added Maximized checkboxes to the file finder and program run dialog boxes. * FILE_ID.DIZ added for the benefit of BBS Sysops. Version 1.0, released 9-Oct-95 ------------------------------ * First public release. --------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE_ID.DIZ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Cut--------------------------- (2.11) ProgramBar - App launch/switch/close ProgramBar brings much of the functionality of the Win95 TaskBar to Win3.1. A button bar at any edge of the screen displays active tasks for switching. All Program Manager groups may be accessed. Control Panel items may be run for configuration. Fast launch of commonly used applications, documents and help files. Easy configuration of most aspects of usage. Copyright 1995 Ian Jefferies. Shareware. jeffers@teaching.physics.ox.ac.uk End Cut-----------------------