TaskBox V3.01 ------------- (c) Copyright 1996 Kevin Ash e-mail: k.a.ash@newcastle.ac.uk [ valid till June '97 ] snail mail: see section 4 Description: A simple OS/2 task manager 0. Contents ------------ 1. Files 2. Installation 3. Usage 3.1 Running 3.2 General 3.3 Settings 4. Getting in touch 4.1 Updates 5. Misc 6 Legal 1. Files --------- TaskBox.txt -- this file TaskBox.exe -- TaskBox.dll -- install.cmd Clock\ -- directory containing clock module AppStart\ -- directory containing appstart module Resource.zip -- source resource files 2. Installation ---------------- In most cases running the install script should be sufficient. However if you don't use the wps or want to start TaskBox( or the clock) from a command prompt you may want to add the directory that the files are contained in to the libpath and path statements in the config.sys file. 3. Usage --------- I hope you find this program relatively self explanatory, but if you do have a problem and can't find the solution in this document you can always e-mail me. 3.1 Running ----------- To run TaskBox double click the WPS icon( or alternatively enter a command prompt and change to the directory in which TaskBox is contained in( eg cd D:\bin\TaskBox ) and then type TaskBox ). 3.2 General ----------- To make the TaskBox Visible( or move it to the top if already on screen) move the mouse over the activation bar . A mouse button 2( right) click on the TaskBox background will bring up the TaskBox menu, from which you can choose. i) Lower -- To Lower the TaskBox ii) Settings -- Enter the Settings Dialog ii) Quit -- Quit this program Click with mouse button 2( the right mouse button ) on a task window activates the task menu from which you can select various options. The colours and fonts can be changed by drag 'n' drop. Clicking a task with mouse button 1( usually the left button), or mouse button 3( or a ctrl mouse button 1 click) is a short cut to one of task menu options, this can be chosen from the settings notebook. NB: You can also select the tasks by using the arrow keys and enter/space simulates a button 1 click( or with ctrl for button 3 click). The Task menu for the desired task may achieved by first selecting the task you want with the arrow keys and then pressing shift + F10. The TaskBox may be moved by holding down the button 2( usually the right mouse button) and dragging it to where ever you want it. The TaskBox can be resized like any normal window( i.e. by holding a mouse button down on the border and dragging it). 3.3 Settings ------------ NoteBook Settings Dialog ------------------------ TaskBox Settings page 1 ------------------------ Display ------- This is used to decide what information appears on the TaskBox. Maximum/Minimum width --------------------- The slider control on this page allows the width of each task window on the TaskBox to chosen, it ranges from a minimum value of 44( or 28 if MiniIcons selected) to a maximum of whatever the Maximum width spin button displays. NB: these will be disabled if display is set to Icon only Button Actions -------------- This group is used to customize the menu shortcuts. For both mouse buttons you can choose one of the following options. (1) Minimize/Restore -- If window can't be minimized and can be hidden it will hidden instead (2) Maximize/Restore -- (3) Switch to. -- Switch to this task (4) lower -- change the windows z-order Mouse button 1( usually the left mouse button) is equivilent to pressing the space( or enter) key on the selected task( you can the select the task by using the arrow keys). Mouse button 3( the middle mouse button) is equivelent to a Ctrl-Button 1 click. ( i.e. holding the control key down and click mouse Button 1( or space/enter). TaskBox Settings page 1 ------------------------ Activation Bar Pos ------------------- The activation bar is the bar( along the bottom of the screen the first time you run the program), that causes the TaskBox to be pushed to the front of the screen when the mouse moves over it. Activation Bar width/height --------------------------- This lets you choose the width of the bar. TaskBox to edge --------------- With this option checked the TaskBox will be snapped to the edge of the screen. The edge of the screen is same as the Activation Bar. Without this option checked the TaskBox will remain in the same position. TaskBox Always Visible ---------------------- As it says if this is checked the TaskBox will remain visible all the time. NB: it does not automatically float to the top so it may be covered by other windows. Bubble help ----------- switch the bubble help on/off. Keep on desktop --------------- with this checked you won't be able to move the Taskbox of the desktop. Remove List ( the list box ) ----------- This contains a list of all the programs that you have chosen to remove from the TaskBox. By Selecting the tasks and selecting "Remove from list" the task's selected will no longer be removed from the TaskBox. You can add new tasks to be removed by typeing into the entry box and pressing enter. ( You can include wildcards currently only understands ?( any single character) and *( any number of characters). ) NB: All TaskBox's settings are saved into TaskBox.ini, so if the worst comes to the worst you can always delete this file and revert to the default settings, This file can be located in the same directory as the executable, but it may be hidden. 4. Getting in Touch ------------------- If you use this program and like it, let me know by sending an e-mail message to the address at the top of the document or better still send a postcard with any comments to:- 41 Abbot Court, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE8 3JY, ENGLAND. If you don't like this program, discover any bugs or have any suggestions, please let me know why or what they are by e-mailing a message to the address at the top of the document. 4.1 Updates ----------- You should be able to get the latest version from:- http://www.ncl.ac.uk/~n4050728/os2/ 5 Misc. ------- TODO - improve the drawing routine for the Task boxes( it's not very effient at the moment) - allow the user to choose an alternative icon for a program - better documentation Known problems - if lockup is selected from the launchpad the activation bar is still displayed( It doesn't work though ) New since V3.00: - got rid of the clock( had got alot of complaints about the fact you couldn't turn it off ) - fixed problem with it crashing when selecting lockup - fixed problem with random crashes due to memory access violations( SYS3175 errors) - improved the resizing routine. - I now allow you to add programs to the removed list in the settings book. - added a module box( so modules can have windows on the taskbox and not just entries on windows ) Thanks - to everyone who has made suggestions, etc( too many to list but you know who you are ) 6 Legal Stuff ------------- TaskBox is (c) Copyright 1996 by Kevin Ash. TaskBox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.