NeXT Application Bar © version 3.12 - July 1992

Introduction

Setup

NEXT3.INI File

The Application Bar

Other Features

Author's Information


Introduction

This program was inspired by the Application Dock on the NeXT machines. Before the program was written, there were at least 2 other variations of the NeXT Application Bar that existed. This program was written as an improvement over those. The programmer sincerely hopes that this program will be of use to you.


Setup

For the program to work properly, you have to copy the following files into the WINDOWS directory. If you use SETUP.BAT to install the program, this will be done automatically for  you. The files are: NEXTDLL.DLL, NEXT3.INI, and NEXT3.HLP.

Next, edit the file NEXT3.INI to indicate correctly the location of the NEXT.EXE, windows EXE & ICO files.

(NeXT Application Bar is not to be loaded as minimized.)


NEXT3.INI File

Application Entries

Position

Clock

ClockHour

Eyes

ActiveWindow

OnTop

Sleep

NeXTPath

TopOfBar

Offset


Application Entries

The number of applications that can be launched from the NeXT Application Bar is no longer limited to the vertical dimension of the screen (as in most other variations). In fact, you can have up to 50 entries in the NEXT3.INI file. As a matter of interest, the number 50 was chosen arbitrarily, and not because of programming constrains.

Each application entry must be in the following format:

entry number = application file ; [icon file] ; [icon number]

[ ] - indicate optional.

Note that there should be no blank spaces immediately before and after the semi-colons. Also, specify full pathnames for the files. While the icon file & icon number fields are optional, the semi-colons aren't!

 The icon file field can take on ICO, EXE & DLL file types. Both EXE & DLL files can contain more than one icon; the icon number option allows you to select a particular icon. If you aren't sure which icon to choose initially, leave the field blank (and NeXT Application Bar will default it to 0). You can make selection on the icon directly from the Bar later on. If the icon file field is left blank, NeXT Application Bar will extract the icon from the application file instead.


Position

Nobody says the Bar has to be on the right side. For those who want it on the left, just change the value of position to 1. In short, 1 for Left & 0 for Right.


Clock

An optional digital clock is included in the Bar. It shows "seconds" too. It can be enable by setting clock to 1 (0 to disable).


ClockHour

You can choose between a 12-hr clock and a 24-hr clock. The value of ClockHour should be set to either 12 or 24.

For the 12-hr clock option, a small depressed hole at the top left hand corner of the clock icon signifies AM, while a small depressed hole at the bottom right hand corner of the clock icon signifies PM.


Eyes

A pair of "eyes" that tracks the mouse cursor and does nothing else is included in the Bar. It is optional and can be enabled by setting eyes to 1 (0 to disable).


ActiveWindow

Have you ever experienced moving from one window to another and having to click on the destination window to make it active? Now, you can be saved the trouble of clicking. When the value of "ActiveWindow" is set to 1, by positioning the mouse cursor on any (well, almost) visible part of a window will make it active. This feature needs a bit of getting used to. Due to the strange way WINDOWS' windows are created, sometimes you may experience a "flipping active windows" effect though you may be moving within the same window. However, this effect should not cause any harm.


OnTop

A Windows 3.1 feature. When enabled (set to 1), the Bar will always be on top. That is, it will not be overlapped by any windows accept those that are defined as always-on-top too.


Sleep

A screen blanking feature is available. Blanking time is variable by changing the value of sleep (in number of seconds). If the value is 0, screen blanking is disabled.


NeXTPath

Indicate the location of the NEXT.EXE program. Needed for the Restart feature to function properly.


TopOfBar

System variable used by the NeXT Application Bar. Do not alter value.


Offset

System variable used by the NeXT Application Bar. Do not alter value.


The Application Bar

Alignment

Exit

Icon Selection

Launching Application

Movement

Restart Feature

Scrolling

Tool Icon


Alignment

Double click the right mouse button once on the Bar (except on the NeXT Logo Icon) will cause the Bar to be aligned with the top of screen (if it is not already aligned). Double click it a second time will move it to the bottom of the screen, revealing only the essential system icons.


Exit

To exit NeXT Application Bar (or Windows if NeXT Application Bar is the shell), double click the left mouse button on the NeXT Logo Icon. Location of the Bar the Icon selection changes will be saved


Icon Selection

If the application contains more than one icon, you can select a particular one directly from the Bar. Position the mouse pointer directly on top of the program icon you want to change. Then, use the keyboard Right & Left arrow keys to scroll through the icons. The changes you make will only be saved upon exit. Using the Restart feature will cause the icon selection changes to be discarded

.


Launching Applications

Application are launched by double clicking the left mouse button on the program icons. Similar to the Windows  Program Manager, an application will be launched as minimized if you hold down the Shift Key while you double click.


Movement

Just like on the NeXT machines, the Bar can be slided vertically. To move it, place the mouse pointer on any part of the Bar. Then depress the right mouse button. Keep the button depress and move vertically, and the Bar will follow. Release the mouse button to stop.

On slower machines, the Bar movemnt may not be able to catch up with the mouse pointer. Thus, you may want to move a bit slower.


Restart Feature

After making changes to the NEXT3.INI file while in WINDOWS, you have to execute the restart procedure. You can restart the NeXT Application Bar by double clicking the right mouse button on the NeXT Logo Icon. Note that changes made to the selection of icons directly from the Bar will not be saved.


Scrolling

If the NEXT3.INI file contains more application entries than the Bar can show at any one time, you can scroll the program icons on the Bar using the keyboard Up & Down arrow keys. Home key will bring you to the top of the program icons and End key will bring you the the bottom.

Another way to scroll the icons is to make use the Tool Icon.


Tool Icon

The second Icon of Bar (the one just below the NeXT Logo Icon) is called the Tool Icon. It has 4 child icons that can be separately selected by double clicking the left mouse buttton.

The 'e' child icon allows you to edit the NEXT3.INI file. (Remember to restart after making changes.)

The '?' child icon brings up the About NeXT Application Bar Dialog Box.

The 'Up' & 'Down' arrow child icon serve to scroll the programs icons on the Bar up and down. You can also make use of the keyboard to do this. (See Scrolling)

You if double click on the background of the Tool Icon, it will bring up this Help File.


Other Features

Immediate Blank Screen

Loading NeXT Application Bar as the SHELL


Immediate Blank Screen

If the Sleep option is set to any value other than 0, you can blank your screen immediately by resting your mouse pointer on the top right hand corner of your screen.


Loading NeXT Application Bar as the SHELL

Yes, the NeXT Application Bar can be loaded as the SHELL, replacing the Program Manager. To do that, edit the file SYSTEM.INI located in your WINDOWS directory. Under the keyword shell, replace the filename program.exe with {path}next.exe.


Author's Information

I hope you have found this program useful. The NeXT Application Bar is NOT a FREEWARE. The programmer has spent many hours to write it and is constantly improving it. You can keep and try it out for a maximum period of 10 days. After that, if you so decide to continue to use it, you are to register by sending US$15 to the address given below. Registered users will be given a registration number and will receive future upgrades at NO additional cost (less shipping & handling).

DISCLAIMER. You use this program at your own risk. The programmer will not be held responsible for any ill effects that this program may cause to your system and any damage that may result.

The programmer welcomes any queries and suggestions. Please indicate the version number of the program you are currently using when you write.

Address before August 26, 1992

LEE CJIN PHEOW
Blk 3, Delta Avenue,

#09-22,

Singapore 0316

Republic of Singapore

Address after August 26, 1992

LEE CJIN PHEOW

6 N. Charter St. Apt #2,

Madison, WI 53715

United States of America

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Copyright © July 1992