PLAIN OL' BUTTON BAR, v1.11 Information 6/94 ************************************************************************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This is not freeware and if you like it and use it you should send $15(US) to me at the address that follows ($12.50 if you have registered other programs from me). Please add $5.00 for shipping outside the continental U.S. By doing this you will receive the most recent version without the "nag" screens. Also, the registered version uses lower system resources. To order all three programs (ResDuet+, Your File Cabinet and Plain Ol' Button Bar) send $45 (plus $5.00 shipping outside the continental U.S.). Please send your name & address and the $15 to register this program to: Michael Grice 8234 Excelsior Drive Pensacola, Florida 32514 You can now register through CompuServe Software Registration (Go SWREG) with ID #2339. Please see REGISTER.TXT to register. Also include any comments, suggestions or ideas and any problems. I can also be reached at CompuServe (72144,1537) and America OnLine at Mike32514 (and occasionally the InterNet at mikegrice@ins.infonet.net). Plain Ol' Button Bar will be sent on a 3.5" disk unless requested otherwise. There are no warranties, expressed OR implied. The author is in NO WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING MENTAL, PHYSICAL, MONETARY, ETC., TO THE USER OR COMPUTER OR PETS OR NEIGHBORS OR SPOUSES. U S E A T Y O U R O W N R I S K !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New with this version is the capability to drag and drop files from the File Manager onto the CONFIGURATION... window which will fill in the necessary path boxes with the proper information. Also, the file's icon will automatically appear in the area below the ICON button. Also, changed menu item selections and added popup info box showing button's file path with right mouse click. The menu item "Edit Buttons" will open the plainbar.dat file in Notepad for editing. Any changes here will take effect after you exit and restart the program. You can now place the main button bar's top below the top of the screen. Also, the path information for the files, pictures/icons and working directories will be stored in the plainbar.dat file which will be created when you add applications to the buttons. Since the working directory information is not always necessary, it will not be added unless you add it in the CONFIGURATION... window. The categories in the plainbar.dat file are different with this version also. Sorry for any inconvenience. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& To run The Plain Ol' Button Bar you will need the VBRUN300.DLL Visual Basic runtime file (found on most BBS's) in your Windows or Windows/system directory (as long as this is in your path statement). Then add a new program item to one of your groups (File*New*OK, etc.) using the icon with Plain Ol' Button Bar. I don't know if this will run in Windows 3.0 but it should. The files included with the PLAIN OL' BUTTON BAR are: 1. plainbar.exe - to be placed in any directory (you may want this in your start-up group also). 2. plainbar.txt - this file 3. threed.vbx dfinfo1.vbx cmdialog.vbx commdlg.dll apiguide.dll csform.vbx csinvis.vbx cstext.vbx mlist.vbx qppro200.dll wshelp.vbx ctl3dv2.dll These files need to be placed in your Windows directory (or Windows\system directory if it is in your path) if you don't already have them. (Please make sure this is the most recent version). 4. plainbar.ini - will be created in the same directory as the plainbar.exe file. when you change the button bar position and when you add your programs to the buttons. Once you have added your programs to the buttons, the icons/pictures will be saved to pic#.bmp files in the same directory as the plainbar.exe file (# being a number relating to button location) to coincide with the button selected. If you move these picture files, you must make the necessary path changes in the plainbar.ini file for the pictures only. 5. plainbar.dat - once you have added your programs to the buttons, the icons/pictures will be saved to pic#.bmp files in the same directory as the plainbar.exe file (# being a number relating to button location) to coincide with the button selected. The filename and icon information will now be saved to the plainbar.dat (which will be created) file in the same directory as the plainbar.exe file. If you move these picture files, you must make the necessary path changes in the plainbar.dat file. For those of you who are using previous versions of The Plain Ol' Button Bar, I apologize for these changes and the other changes within the plainbar.dat file. I found them necessary to make this and future versions of The Plain Ol' Button Bar a better program. 6. arw05lt.ico, arw05rt.ico, eye.ico, eye1.ico - should be placed in the same directory as the program file, plainbar.exe. These are arrow icons for the extended buttons and the eye pictures for the configuration window. ================================================================================= BASIC INSTRUCTIONS When you first open Plain Ol' Button Bar, a 2-column vertical button window will appear on the one side of your screen. Depending on your video resolution, it should extend to the bottom of the screen (it fits vertically at 800 x 600). You can change the position, the size (maximum 2 columns by 15 buttons), whether it stays on top of other windows and of course the button's applications by clicking on the "?". A menu will pop-up with instructions and configuration procedures as well as a way to exit the program. PLEASE NOTE, WHEN ADDING YOUR PROGRAMS/APPLICATIONS TO THE BUTTONS, YOUR VIDEO COLORS SHOULD BE NO HIGHER THAN 256. ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THIS, YOU MAY CHANGE TO A HIGHER COLOR (32K, 64K ETC.). The configuration window can also be accessed by clicking on the button with the picture of the tools (top right). Below that button is a button with the eye that will open a window to search for a file(s). The 3 buttons with the purple arrows will open extended button bars with an additional 9 buttons each for your applications. Each of these must be opened when you add your applications to them. Other instructions are available online. ################################################################################# That's about all for me. Thanks, have fun and please register this program, it's only $15.00. Michael Grice Compuserve: 72144,1537 America Online: mike32514 InterNet: mikegrice@ins.infonet.net