Silver Wolf Desktop (SWD) 5 December 1994 Version 1.0 INTRODUCTION ------------ The Silver Wolf Desktop (SWD) brings the best of Windows 95/Chicago and Macintosh to Windows 3.1 today, and more. DOS directories become "folders" with files and other folders (subdirectories) inside. These folders are displayed in windows on the desktop and can be opened, moved, copied, aliased, and deleted. Every item -- file, directory, or list -- on the Desktop can be displayed with it's icon to give you a quick visual cue what application is needed to view and change the item as appropriate. The Silver Wolf Desktop brings the "desktop" idea inherent in future GUI environments to your computer, today. HIGHLIGHTS ---------- PKZIP v2.04g files are supported as (read-only) List windows. This means you can open a "zip" file like a directory and copy, open or execute the files found within. Full drag & drop. Desktop objects -- such as disk drives, windows, and Command Icons -- automatically change to say whether they can accept the item being dragged about. Text/hex/hybrid viewer added as the default "View" Command Icon. This viewer will display a file in ASCII text, Hex view with file offsets, or the hybrid ASCII view (non-printable characters are shown as periods). You can easily change this default to use your own viewer if desired. QuickPrint utility added as the default "Print" Command Icon. The Desktop's configuration can now be updated online using the Options | Edit Preferences menu command. This is a Visual Basic v3.0 application and requires VBRUN300.DLL which is not distributed with the zip-file release (it is provided with the diskette package). It is also available on the Silver Wolf BBS. INSTALLATION ------------ The Silver Wolf Desktop is released in two forms; on diskette and within a ZIP file. Zip File Installation --------------------- The ZIP file release provides a fully-functional package designed for efficient file transfer from electronic services. 1) To install from the zip file, create a directory (we recommend C:\SWD) for the SW Desktop and unzip the files into it. You may also create a subdirectory called STARTUP. Anything placed in this subdirectory will be automatically run when SWD starts. 2) After unzipping, you may run SWD using the Program Manager File | Run menu. 3) After running SWD, you may then create a Program Manager icon for SWD by simply opening the C:\SWD directory (or whatever you called it in step 1), and dragging the SWD.EXE program icon into the Program Manager group you wish to contain the icon. 4) (Optional) The file SWD.REG contains a number of definitions you should add into the Windows Registration Database to provide full functionality to the Command Icons "View" and "Edit" for .PIF and similar files. To install these definitions from within SWD, simply drop SWD.REG on REGEDIT.EXE (in your Windows directory). Alternatively, also from within SWD, open the Windows directory (dbl-click on your Windows directory icon or use the Window | Open menu and enter C:\Windows), select REGEDIT.EXE (using the mouse or arrow keys), press ALT-R to run with a parameter and enter SWD.REG. Although not necessary, you can do this before bringing up SWD for the first time, by using Program Manager's File | Run menu and entering the program name, REGEDIT.EXE, followed by a blank space and SWD.REG (add any directory names as applicable). For more information on how these work and adding your own View, Edit, and other commands for various file types, see the "Advanced Topics" and "Command Icons" sections of the Help file (SWD.HLP). Once done, you will be able to drag files with the defined suffixes onto the View or Edit icons and have the appropriate viewer and editor run. Diskette Installation --------------------- The diskette release provides the same software found in the zip file release PLUS a regular SETUP utility and a convenient configuration utility to make customizing the Desktop to your needs as simple as navigating the dialog boxes. To install SWD from the diskette, you need to run the SETUP.EXE program on the disk and follow the instructions. This can be done by choosing File | Run and entering "a:setup.exe" (replace "a:" with the appropriate disk drive letter and path). All files associated with the SW Desktop will be installed into the same directory. No modifications to any Windows environment files (eg: WIN.INI or SYSTEM.INI) are necessary. Configuration ------------- A configuration utility, called CONFIG.EXE, is provided with the diskette release to manage how the desktop will look and feel. This program is a Visual Basic v3.0 application which provides an easy way to change the desktop's configuration. This is accessed from within the Desktop by using the Option | Edit Preferences menu choice. Of course, you may also modify the Desktop's initialization file, SWD.INI, directly. Users of the ZIP file release must edit SWD.INI manually, and the Edit | Preferences menu choice is not shown. The CONFIG.EXE program and it's accompanying files (including VBRUN300.DLL and THREED.VBX) may also be downloaded from the Silver Wolf BBS. RUNNING SWD ----------- Once the SW Desktop is installed, you can run it from Program Manager's File | Run menu. The online help describes more advanced installation configurations such as installing the SW Desktop to replace Program Manager as your Windows shell but running the Desktop as noted is a good way to begin. All currently running applications, including Program Manager may be minimized to icons as the SW Desktop initializes. Your files and directories will not be reorganized or modified in any way. FILES IN THIS RELEASE --------------------- README.TXT This file. SWD.EXE Silver Wolf Desktop executable. SWD.INI SWD initialization file containing default settings for options such as action confirmations (ie: copy, overwrite, etc), color schemes, etc. SWD.HLP Online help documentation. DOSCMD.PIF Used when doing menu choices which are DOS commands (the DOS Shell itself uses the Windows default). DEFAULT.DT Default DeskTop file containing intially open folders. If you want the SW Desktop to come up with no open folders you can delete this file. CTL3D.DLL Three-D Dialog boxes and controls similar to Excel and Windows95. Although not required (if it's not there SWD won't use it), it does add a "modern" look and feel to the Desktop. This file can be installed into your Windows "system" directory or it can be placed into the same directory with SWD.EXE. SWD.REG Contains a number of definitions that can be added to the Windows Registration Database. This database can be viewed using Options | Edit Associations. Files Created by the Desktop DEFAULT.HST This file contains the list of files and programs run during the previous session. The SW Desktop maintains a History List of all files you explicitly open using the Desktop and save the most recent items in this file as the Desktop is brought down. An initial DEFAULT.HST may be included with the release package. If you want the History List to start fresh each time you bring up your computer, add a line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to remove this file. DESKTOP.INF This HIDDEN file will be created in EACH DIRECTORY you have opened and modified (resize window, etc) within the Desktop. The window size, position, long names for items, etc are kept in this file. If a directory's DESKTOP.INF file is removed for any reason, all long names, and the Directory window's positioning information WILL BE LOST. Loss of this file, however, does not affect access to the files and directories on your computer. Additional Files CONFIG.EXE A convenient add-on utility to make configuring the SW Desktop easier. If this file is present in the directory with SWD, a new choice will appear on the Edit menu called "Edit Preferences" update the Desktop's configuration. VBRUN300.DLL Provides support for Visual Basic applications such as config.exe. This file may be found on a number of electronic services including GO MSBASIC on the ConpuServe forum. THREED.VBX A library similar to CTL3D.DLL but for Visual Basic applications. This file will be copied into the SWD installation directory. CONFIGURATION ------------- The SWD.INI initialization file contains the SW Desktop's configuration information. CONFIG.EXE is provided as a utility to quickly and easily change the configuration. SWD should come up and run with the supplied initialization (SWD.INI) and configuration files. The SWD.INI file does NOT have to be in the Windows directory and the directory where you installed the Silver Wolf Desktop does NOT have be included in your PATH statement. A file called DEFAULT.HST will be created by SWD to maintain the list of files and applications you have used (opening folders does not affect the History List). This file keeps the history over time, but if you would like the list cleared each time you start your computer delete it from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Recommendations While evaluating SWD, we recomend defining the SWD.EXE program in Program Manager's "startup" group. In this way, the SW Desktop will automatically run every time Windows is brought up. We also recommend leaving all "confirm" options set to TRUE until you are more familiar with their purpose and feel comfortable with how SWD works. Running SWD as Your Windows Shell If you decide to run SWD as your Windows "shell", the LOAD and RUN lines in WIN.INI are fully supported. Program Manager groups are treated as folders which you can open and use so you don't lose your current program definitions. REGISTRATION ------------ The Silver Wolf Desktop (SWD) is not free and if not being placed into the Public Domain. This fully functional evaluation package is being provided to give you the opportunity to see if and how the Silver Wolf Desktop can work for you. Evaluation Period You are allowed a limited evaluation license of 21 days to decide if the SW Desktop is for you. During this time, Silver Wolf will provide free technical support via email to answer any questions you may have. After the 21 day evaluation period has elapsed, and you wish to continue using the SW Desktop, you need to register your copy and pay the $39.00 (US$) license fee plus $3 (US$) for shipping and handling. Registering Registering is easy. There is a Registration form in the online help which you can print and mail in with your check, money order or MasterCard/Visa information. Send paper mail to: Silver Wolf Software PO Box 4232 Laguna Beach, CA 92652 Attn: SWD Support When registering by US mail (paper) and paying by credit card, you MUST also include your signature. Or, you can email your credit card information directly; send us the following information: * Full name; * Organization name (optional); * Address and voice telephone number; * Number of copies to register; * MasterCard or Visa account number, EXPIRATION DATE and name as it appears on the card to one of our email addresses below: CompuServe Internet ---------- -------- 71441,1637 71441.1637@compuserve.com 76470,245 76470.245@compuserve.com SWS Support BBS --------------- (714)376-9240 (28.8; N/8/1) With registration, you will get a Registration Number to validate your copy of this software. The valid Registration Number, entered into the Trial (or "nag") screen will hide that screen forever! Registration also gets you technical support via email, and the opportunity to learn more about other Silver Wolf products (don't worry, neither your mailbox nor email will be inundated with "junk" mail - we only use it for upgrade notifications and the like). Technical support begins from the date we receive your payment and runs for 1 year. When you upgrade to the next release level, your technical support period is extended. Be sure to let us know the version of the SW Desktop you are using so you can get the latest release. TECHNICAL SUPPORT ----------------- Silver Wolf provides all basic technical support via email at the addresses listed above or by using our support BBS. Different levels of telephone support for corporate and government users are also available for a fee; contact Silver Wolf for details. COPYRIGHT --------- Copyright (c) 1991-1994 Silver Wolf, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This software and documentation are covered by US Copyright laws. Duplication or use of these materials other than defined by the LICENSE AGREEMENT is a violation of the law. LICENSE AGREEMENT ----------------- One license is valid for one computer where the software is installed. Site and Corporate licensing is available as well (contact us for more details) and discount pricing is available for quantity Government and Public Service (eg: public libraries, etc) organizations. You may use the software for a period of 21 days to evaluate the product's suitability to your needs. Use of this product after 21 days constitutes acceptance of the product and, if not registered, is a violation of this License Agreement. Distribution The Silver Wolf Desktop (SWD) is the property of Silver Wolf, Inc. You may freely copy and distribute this fully functional evaluation package so long as all files released by Silver Wolf Software -- the "readme", help file(s), and executable -- are included without modification or represented as your work. No fees, other than nominal duplication costs, may be charged for this product. Electronic Bulletin Board (BBS) Sysops may post this evaluation package for download by their users. Contact Silver Wolf if you would like to include this product in mass duplication or distribution services, bundled with other products, or delivered with your offered services. LEGAL STUFF ----------- Silver Wolf Software is a dba for Silver Wolf, Inc of Laguna Beach, California USA and, as such, all references to Silver Wolf Software or Silver Wolf, Inc are applicable to the other entity. Silver Wolf Software provides this product AS IS. Silver Wolf Software makes no warranties, whether express or implies, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a specific purpose, functionality, data integrity or protection. This product may manipulate the contents of a computer's disk drives, whether removable media or otherwise, and the user is required to read all accompanying literature and instructions, in paper or electronic form, to understand the expected results of using this product or a specific feature of this product. No part of this documentation, or the software, may be copied, duplicated, reproduced, translated into another language or computer language by any means, whether it be electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Silver Wolf Software. The Evaluation Product Package, as defined and distributed by Silver Wolf Software, may be freely distributed so long as the entire Evaluation Product Package, including this note and all associated files and documentation, are provided intact and without modification. No fee, other than a nominal duplication fee, may be charged, collected or required when distributing the Evaluation Product Package for this software product. If this Evaluation Product Package is to be included in a commercial redistribution package or bundled with another product, products, or service, the distributor or service provider must contact Silver Wolf Software prior to including this Evaluation Product Package in such package, bundled product package, or service. Silver Wolf Software is interested in such agreements but requires notification and approval before Silver Wolf Software products may be included with other products or services. ### Silver Wolf Desktop is a trademark of Silver Wolf Software. PKZIP is a registered trademark of PKWARE, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are used for identification purposes only and are the property of their respective owners.