Copyright: The Software Stable


Adding Configurations

Adding New Configuration Files

See Example at foot of page.

10 Configurations of 2 pages each are allowed. Each Configuration is a separate file on the disk. A master index file, config.inx, holds data on the description of each configuration.

Configurations can be Added by SaveAs, using a new configuration number. Either the current configuration, or a blank configuration, arrived at by choosing "RestartWithBlank" (Xtras menu), can be saved with the new number.

A new configuration can also be arrived at by attempting to load a configuration that does not exist as yet. A blank configuration will be created. This may then be given a description and saved back to disk.

When the Configurations Menu appears, the current configuration number will be indicated in the leftmost column. Selecting another numeric key will change the configuration number. You may TAB into the Description field and enter a textual description. (Note SHIFT TAB will remove the focus from the description field, and allow the single letter Load "L", Save "S" or Delete "D" key presses)

Adding:(Click the "SAVE AS " Control with mouse, or use CTRL S if the cursor is in the Description field, or "S" otherwise). This will cause whatever is current to be saved to disk as that number.

Example:(Current config = 1)

ALT X, R	Restart with Blank.

S, 2, TAB	Call dialogue panel & Enter description for number 2.

SHIFT+TAB	Remove focus from text field.

S	Save Config 2.

L, 1, L	Load number 1 back in.

(Note : nothing is lost by selecting RestartWithBlank, even if AutoBackup is on, unless you explicitly save or alter this blank)

You may "Escape" or CANCEL.

Quick Key:	S, s

0 -9 to Select Configuration Number.

Either Programs or Column Titles may be Added depending on which boxes are used on the pop-up ADD menu.


AlphaSort

Alphabetical Ordering of Items

Directions are given as you proceed through the process.  The initial step is to select Alpha Sort from the Xtras menu.

This feature alphabetically orders items between selected marker positions.  You may choose a small group of items, or anything up to a whole page.

When items are sorted, any gaps existing will not be preserved.  A gap is taken to represent a user preference for grouping items, and cannot be preserved if another (alphabetical) grouping scheme is selected.  If you do not want this to happen, then you can sort on each small group of your choice individually.

You must decide prior to the sort, which page/configuration to use, as you will not be allowed to switch away during the sort process.

It is allowed to choose  the start and finish points for selected items in  either order.

Multiple Column

Note that column identity is preserved in the sort.  If multiple columns are selected, then no items will drift into another column, even if closing of gaps, as described, would make this seem likely to happen.

The first item in the selected  block will occupy the topmost position in its column after the sort, even if this was originally empty.

Group of Items - smaller than a column.

Any part of a column may be selected.  The topmost item, after the sort, will occupy the topmost position of the selected (highlighted) block.  In other words, the  group will sort itself under the top position of the selection.

Quick Keys	O,o


Adding Programs

Adding Programs to a Configuration

Choose Add on the top menu or hit the A key to add a new item

In order to add a program, the Drive, Path, and Filename, collectively known as "Filespec", must be selected. This may be done with the aid of the mouse and the Drive, Directory, and File list boxes,  on the Add Program Pop-up menu. Alternatively the full path and filename may be typed manually into the box titled Program Name.

Next you must select a descriptive name for the program, and enter this in the Program Title box. Now select Add.  You must now indicate by clicking with the mouse the position where you want the program to appear on the main display.

When using the mouse and list boxes, the search for a file may be facilitated if the File Pattern list box is used to filter the search and display only COM, EXE, BAT, or PIF file types.

You may Add a single item, or choose to Add-and-Continue, which returns to the Add Program dialogue panel, as soon as a location for the current Add item is selected. You may Add on top of an occupied box, which fact is made use of by the Edit facility.

A check is made on the file ending, to ensure it is an acceptable type as above, without checking for the existence of the file at this time, although if you use the list boxes, they can only display valid Filespecs.  At any time, the validity of entries throughout the whole configuration may be checked using Validate.

Window Style Check Boxes :

[Determines whether the application launched is full screen, iconised, or normal size.]

Two check boxes are provided  in the Add Program panel, to allows programs to be run Minimised, Maximised, or at Normal size.  'Normal' size depends on the software program. For example, a small calculator application would not be expected to occupy a full screen. 'Normal' might be 1/4 of full screen area as determined by the program. Your WIN.INI may set the normal size for some programs. Others may be set internally.  Note that some programs may refuse to comply with the window size instruction, and will select their own window size.

Minimised:	Minimise  box checked

Normal:  	Both boxes unchecked

Maximised:	Maximise box checked

        You cannot check both  Max and Min boxes.

Adding Column Titles:

If an entry is made into the Column Heading box, then the other box contents are ignored and it is assumed that the Add operation applies only to Column Titles on the main display.

Working / Data Directory

This entry sets the default drive and directory.  This is equivalent in DOS to changing the drive letter, and also changing to a directory, which becomes the current directory.  Sophisticated programs such as Word for Windows will have mechanisms for setting default directories, and setting a value in this entry box will have no observable effect.  Simpler programs such as Notepad will be found to look to the working directory when you attempt to load or save a file.

You may leave this entry blank.  Certain programs may be confused, if the entry is not either blank, or whatever the program expects.  An example is the Windows Compuserve program, which is sensitive to the start up default directory.

Quick Key:	A,a

Either Programs or Column Titles may be Added depending on which boxes are used on the pop-up ADD menu.


Altering Entries

Program entries may be Edited,  Deleted,  Moved,  Copied,  Added or Alphabetically Sorted.  Additionally, entries may have their own individual text and background Colours adjusted to suit.


Auto Backup

Changes to the currently active configuration may be saved by :

Clicking the SAVE + EXIT command button on the main display or..

Clicking the SAVE command button.

Selecting Save Current under the Files menu by ..

i)   Using the Mouse > File / Save Current

ii)  Using ALT F, S keys

iii) Using S, S keys

However, if Auto Backup is ticked (Under Xtras menu) then each change is saved back to the configuration file on the disk, as items are Added, Edited, Deleted, or Moved, as well as when colour changes are made to text or background.

The selection of Auto Backup is also saved to the configuration index file (config.inx), so that this choice is in effect when the program starts.


Beginner Help

Initial Program Use Guidance

When the program is fist installed, an option, which is to be found under the Xtras menu, is activated. This is referred to as Beginner Help. The normal size of the main display front panel is designed to allow visibility of iconised programs beneath its bottom boundary. Selecting Beginner Help will maximise the front panel to a full window size, and display brief help text to assist you to get started.

Removing the tick from this item, once you are familiar with the operation, will prevent it being used thereafter. If you maximise the JumpStart window, then subsequent mouse movement will close it back down to "normal" size.


Block Copy

Copy Sections or Pages Between Configurations

 Block Copy is found under Xtras and can be used to ..

I)  Copy a single item to any destination.

ii) Copy a block of any size,  up to a whole page,  to any destination.

Any identified (highlighted) items may be deposited anywhere on the same page or any other page of any configuration. Items copied will overwrite any existing program data at the point where the drop occurs.

If the dropped items overspill the boundaries of the page, then any overspill is thrown away and the remaining items are dropped at their destination.

If a block which is smaller than a column is copied, then the point identified by the mouse as the drop point is where the topmost item of the block will be deposited.  If items from more than one column are to be copied however,  they will appear in their new location in precisely the same relative positions as at source.  Therefore, only the particular column need be identified (with a mouse click anywhere within) where the drop is to occur.

When you move away from the page with the selection highlighted, then this highlighting is erased.

You may indicate the start and finish points for the copy selection in either sequence, e.g. finish point then start point.

Single item copy may also be accomplished by Edit and Add.

Directions are provided during the process, to request appropriate user action at the various stages.

[Tip: Note that you can copy a colour scheme from one empty area, and deposit it in another]

Quick Keys 	K,k


Comand Line Parameters

Appending Command Line Parameters

(Start up configuration parameters for JumpStart at can be found under StartUpConfiguration )

You may append a parameter to the end of the Filespec in the AddProgram panel provided:

i)  You insert one or more spaces

ii) You use the "/" character

You may use this for example to maintain a configuration of text files that you commonly refer to. For example:

C:\Windows\Notepad.exe  win.ini

Note that the program will expect an explicit "exe" or similar ending to be present. Also if the text program is not on the Path, then the path must be explicitly added to the command line.

When validating programs the existence of the executable file is verified, but any parameters that are added, are your responsibility, and will be ignored.

Note that if you wish to have a configuration page of Windows HELP files, then you can do this by launching Winhelp.exe with the required help file appended to the Filespec.  For example to run Recorder.hlp you would  Add the following to your configuration page.

C:\Windows\Winhelp.exe  C:\Windows\Recorder.hlp


Clearing the Page

Generating a Blank Configuration

RestartWithBlank to be found under the Xtras menu is used to clear the display.

If you want to redefine the current configuration, you may remove all of the current page configuration data to a new configuration number using Save As (Files menu), and then clear all data from the current configuration using Restart With Blank from the Xtras menu

If you want to compose a new configuration without affecting any pages already used, then try to load the new configuration number. If it does not exist, it will be generated. Alternatively, when starting to compose a new configuration, you may remove all the entries of the current configuration from the display, and then save this blank page under a new configuration number.

This does not delete the information, as it still resides on the disk under the prior configuration number, even if Auto Backup is selected. However, you should save under a new configuration number immediately, to ensure you do not accidentally save the new data under the old configuration number. (See Saving Configurations]


Colour Selection

Choosing Text and Background Colours

The front page display is organised as 6 columns wide and 4 groups of cells vertically. When colours are applied, either to the cell background (Box Colour), or to the text itself (Text Colour), the colour selections are applied to a single box, a group of boxes, or a whole column. Group and Column settings do not apply to the Title Box at the top of each column. In fact you may alter Title box colours individually whatever this mode setting is.

When you select either Text Colour or Box Colour from the main menu, a colour selection dialogue panel appears. An on-screen reminder of the mode selection that is in force is given, but you cannot access it here .

After choosing a colour, this may be applied in as many locations as desired, on either PAGE1 or PAGE2, until you are "DONE".

Pressing the "DONE" button in the middle of the screen will return you to "Launch" mode where you can run the programs.  Before you are "DONE" you may change the colour you wish to apply, change whether it is text or box background colour, and alter the mode to be single, group, or column.

AutoBackup does not operate until you have clicked DONE.

You may apply box and text colours copied from another area, page or configuration by using BlockCopy.

Quick Keys:	T,t	(Text Colour)

B,b	(Box Colour)

C,c	(Colour Mode)

S,s	(Single)

G,g	(Group)

C,c 	(Column)

ESC = Cancel

Enter = Select Colour


Configurations

See also:  Adding , Deleting, Saving, Loading, and StartUp Configurations

This program is designed to offer a quick selection of programs that you can launch (run).  From a front panel display, 102 items can be launched by a single mouse click. With another mouse click, or one key press,  a second page of 102 items can be accessed.

The background colours and text colours can be adjusted to highlight or group items together.

In addition to the capability of launching 200 items,  there is a capability to read and save a total of 10 configuration pages. The number of programs that can be launched amounts to a total of 2,040.

Access to the "other" configuration pages can be made in many ways. The configuration may be selected, either at "run time" using "Load/Save/Del" on the Files menu, or, at start up, the user may append a single number (0-9) to the command line to indicate a start up configuration in a batch file.

For Example you may call a batch file, say, "dBaseWin.BAT",  if you had a collection of dBase files under configuration 2. The following line is all you need in your batch file to start Windows with config 2.

Win  C:\Jump\Jmpstart 2

Note the gap before the "2". It is not a "/".

If you wish, once you are up and running,  you may launch several versions of JumpStart simultaneously in order to have more than 2040 items available on-line. The program has been designed to make light demands on your system resources, and running several instances of JumpStart should not be a problem in this regard.

Quick Keys allow for rapid selection of a configuration page number by using the sequence L L (represents the selected number). If you simply want to increase or decrease the configuration number by 1, then you can use the up/down arrow buttons on the main display via the mouse (bottom left), or use the +/- keys on the keyboard.

You may also select a default start up configuration, from within the program, under the Xtras menu. For more information on start-up options see  StartUp .


Copying Programs

Copying one program item within a configuration, to another location.

Where a program description springs to  mind under more than one category, it can be useful to store a copy in several locations. For example, Notepad may be stored under Word Processing or Accessories.

In order to copy a program, you can choose Edit, and then Add,  [or Add and Continue if more than one copy is wanted]

Alternatively BlockCopy can be  used for a single item if required.

Quick Keys:

Edit: E,e	& Select item with the mouse.

Add: A,a	& Select destination with the mouse.


Deleting Configurations

Removal of the configuration file from disk.

10 Configurations of 2 pages each are allowed. Each Configuration is a separate file on the disk. A master index file, config.inx, holds data on the description of each configuration.

Configurations are Deleted by selecting Load/Save/Del from the Files menu (By mouse; ALT F, L keys ; or the "L" or "S" key).  The configuration file is deleted from the disk, after confirmation.

You can get to the Save/Load/Del dialogue panel very quickly by keying "S" or "L" from the main display. "D" is not used as this is reserved for Deleting a program from the main display.

When the Configurations Menu appears, the current configuration number will be indicated in the leftmost column. Hitting another numeric key will change the selected number, if required. Then hitting "D" or clicking on the DELETE control will delete the configuration file, with one warning beforehand.

If you wander into the Configuration Description field, then CTRL D will Delete the selected configuration file. Note that SHIFT-TAB will remove the focus from the description field, allowing the single "D" keypress to delete an item.


Deleting Programs

Removal of program items from the configuration.

Select "Delete" from the main menu. The mouse-pointer will alter to remind you that you are in Delete mode, and a control is presented in the centre of the display titled DONE.

You may make repeated deletions on either page one or two until DONE. You may change pages during the process.

Point and click with the mouse to indicate which items are to be deleted. No confirmation is sought before the deletion occurs.

Quick Key:	D,d


Editing Programs

Used to alter a descriptive title or a column heading,  append parameters, locate a program, or copy a program.

Choosing Edit from the main menu will change the mouse pointer to signify that you that you are in Edit mode [double rectangle].  Click on an item to select the program to be edited. The mouse-pointer changes again when you select Add  in the pop-up panel that appears. You will be returned  to the main display, where you should click in a box to add back the amended program description.  This may be the original box or any other box.  When the pointer returns to an up-arrow, you are back in Launch mode, from where you can run programs.

A Program Title or a Column Heading may be edited. This is achieved by doing an Add (Program or  Column Heading) overwrite, after the original data is retrieved and adjusted.

The major use of this facility is expected to be amending the Program Title which appears on the main display. Other uses are, to reveal where a program is located by inspecting the path, or to change a path to a program which you know has altered.

Selecting either a Column Heading or a Program Title box with the mouse will place the program in Add mode, and attempt to restore all relevant data into the control boxes of the Add Program dialogue panel.

In the case of a Program Edit, the drive, path, and filename, are retrieved (if they are valid), and the focus is given to the Program Name box, on the assumption that this is most likely to be the item to be edited. If the item has become invalid, by for example the program being deleted, then the original Filespec information will be shown for information purposes.

If a Column Heading is selected then this is loaded back into the appropriate text box and this is given the focus, ready for Adding back by overwriting.

Quick Key:	E,e


File Menu

Save, Load, or Delete configurations files.  Append a description to the file.

Save Current  (Configuration) is used where Auto Back has not been selected, and you have made alterations that you now want to save.

Load/Save/Del refers to configuration files 0 - 9, each an individual item held on the disk.

See:

AddingConfigurations

DeletingConfigurations

LoadingConfigurations

SavingConfigurations

Quick Keys:	(All case insensitive)

ALT F, S  	Saves the current configuration.

S, S 	Saves the current configuration.

S, Number (0 -9 ) , S, 	Saves As the numbered configuration.

ALT F, L   	Calls the  Load or Save or Delete dialogue panel.

L,  Number (0 -9 ), L   	Loads the numbered configuration.


Getting Started

The two important items to know about to get started are:

AddingPrograms

LaunchingPrograms

The program can be arranged to start up with different configuration pages, switch between pages,  as well as  launching different types of applications.  For example, in addition to executable programs, you may have a page of help files, or system text files,  such as Win.ini, or Config.sys.  The above topics however show how to add some executable programs and how to launch these.

The Windows File Manager can be invoked directly from the command button at the bottom of the main display.  Access to the two pages of each configuration is provided by hitting the p or P key,  pressing the spacebar if it is active (most times), or  using the mouse to click on the command button.

You may also like to look at the Overview


Launching Programs

Point the mouse at the program you want and click on the left button.

If the program is not available or is corrupt, the launch will abort with a warning and the program will be ready to launch another. You may occasionally get a warning as if the program is invalid,  where all that is actually happening is that the program is already running, where two instances are not allowed to be run simultaneously.

Actuating the "ToPage2" button will display a second page for JumpStart and when this appears, the button will change to show the entry back to "ToPage1". This facility offers over 200 items to select from, using any one configuration file. You may choose to load  one of 10 different configuration files, each of up to 204 items.

You may run more than one copy of JumpStart to have multiple configurations available. The program is conservative in use of your system resources, and multiple copies can easily be supported.

Quick Key:	P, p	To change between pages.

Alternatively, press the Space Bar if this is highlighted (almost always)


Loading Configurations

Bringing a configuration into memory from disk.

See example at foot of page

10 Configurations of 2 pages each are allowed. Each Configuration is a separate file on the disk. A master index file, config.inx, holds data on the description of each configuration.

The most direct way to load new configurations is with the mouse, clicking on the number boxes at bottom left in the main display. You do not see any configuration descriptions however using this method.

Configurations can be Loaded by selecting Load/Save/Del from the Files menu (By clicking on "Files"  then "Load/Save/Del" with the  mouse; or using  ALT F,  Then "L"  keys).  Quicker is to Hit L or S,  which take you straight to the Load/Save/Del dialogue panel.

When the Configurations dialogue panel appears, the current configuration number will be indicated in the leftmost column. Hitting another numeric key will change the selection. You may TAB into the Description field and enter a textual description. (Note SHIFT TAB will remove the focus from the description field, and allow the single letter Load "L", Save "S" or Delete "D" keypresses)

Examples:	(Current config = 0)

L, 1, L	Load 1.

ALT F , 1, L	 Load 1.

You may "Escape" or CANCEL.

(See Also Configurations)


Moving Programs

Reorganising program locations.

Program items may be individually moved to another location on either of the two pages that are available, or between Page1 and Page2 as required.

It is assumed that multiple moves will be undertaken, and a command button appears, centre stage, that you can press when you are DONE.

The mouse-pointer changes appearance to a cross hair cursor when ready to pick up an item, and then to crossed NS-EW arrows for the move and drop item phase.

It is not permitted to drop an item on a box that is not empty. If you wish, for example to interchange two items, the first will need to be initially moved to an empty location while the second is moved into the vacant box.

[Individual, or a selected block of items, can be copied between pages or configurations using

BlockCopy.]

Quick Key:	M, m


Push

Close up or generate a single Item gap.

Push or 'Block Move'

Just when you have the program neatly organised, you find you want to insert another item , or close up an unsightly gap.

Block Move (Push) will help organise your lists, in combination with Move and BlockCopy

PUSH UP

At the chosen insertion point, this item and all others below will move up one space, if there is a vacant box immediately above.

PUSH DOWN

At the chosen insertion point, this item and all others below will move down one space, if there is a vacant box at the bottom of the column.

U for Up

N for Down

[Note D is reserved for DELETE. Do not confuse these. The 'Push Block' cursor is an Up-Down arrow]


Quick Keys

Rapid access keypresses.

Since this application rarely uses keyboard text input, quick key selection can normally be accomplished using a single key press (case insensitive), as opposed to the usual  two key ALT + key or CTRL + key.

Items on the main menu are accessible by the normal quick key - ALT + underlined letter -  method. As well however, most are accessible, where no conflict arises, by using a single key press. For example, to Add a program, simply hit the "A" or "a" key.

One notable exception is where a configuration description is being entered under the Save/Load/Delete configuration submenu (See Files]. In this situation you may use CTRL S to save, CTRL L to load, or CTRL D to Delete. Alternatively by using SHIFT Tab, the focus can be moved out of the text box allowing "S", "L" or "D" to be used.

Another restriction is that where there is a drop down menu (Xtras and Files), you have to use ALT + the underlined letter. A single keystroke will not work, although subsequent selection of sub items only require a single keypress, as shown by the underlined letter.

KEY LIST

All key selections are case insensitive.

A	Add Program or Column Heading

B	Box Colour Select

C	Call Colour Selection Mode Dialogue Panel

D	Delete Program..... or Configuration (Load/Save/Del Panel)

CTRL D	Delete Configuration (Load/Save/Del Panel)

E	Edit Program or Column Heading

F1 or H	Help. F1 gives context sensitive help

K	Block Copy

L	Load Configuration (call dialogue panel)

L # (0-9) L 	Load Numbered configuration

CTRL L	Load Configuration (Load/Save/Del Panel)

M	Move Program Item

N	Block Move Programs DowN

O	Alpha Sort

P	Change Page

S	Save Configuration (call dialogue panel)

S #(0-9) S 	Save current configuration As Number

S S	Save current configuration

CTRL S	Save Configuration (Load/Save/Del Panel)

T	Text Colour Select

U	Block Move Programs Up

V	Validate Entries

0 - 9	Select Configuration to Load

+ or -	Increase or decrease the configuration number by 1.

ESC	Escape/Cancel

Spacebar	Toggle the Page1/Page2 control when it has the focus (most occasions)

Enter	"OK" in many circumstances


Registration

Registration can be accomplished by pressing the R key when viewing the About form.  The Help menu contains the About menu selection item. Once registered, the R key will be deactivated. Registration details will subsequently appear in the About window panel.

As a registered user you will be entitled to updates at distribution cost price.  Future improvements that are under consideration are:  Program Manager replacement,  Search and Grab exe/com  files,  Drag and Drop from Program Manager,  Command Line.  User suggested improvements are welcomed.


Restart with Blank

Throwing away the program data for the currently loaded configuration.

If you get frustrated with your creation and decide to tear it up and start again then you can select Restart With Blank under the Xtras menu.  This clears all items from the current configuration, but without, as yet, saving to disk. It is not saved even if Auto Backup has been selected. You must explicitly save any changes, or make alterations,  before you actually lose the data.

You might consider saving (a copy) under a different configuration number before throwing it all away. You can then delete this later.

Alternatively, when you want to define a new configuration, you can deliberately attempt to load a configuration that does not exist. ( See AddingConfigurations )


Saving Configurations

Generating or updating a configuration file.

See example at foot of page.

10 Configurations of 2 pages each are allowed. Each Configuration is a separate file on the disk. A master index file, config.inx, holds data on the description of each configuration.

Configurations are Saved by selecting Load/Save/Del from the Files menu (By clicking on "Files"  then "Load/Save/Del" with the  mouse; or using  ALT F,  Then "L"  keys). Even Quicker is to Hit L or S which take you straight to the Load/Save/Del dialogue panel.  You can Use "S", then  "S" again,  to Save the current configuration.

When the Configurations Menu appears, the current configuration number will be indicated in the leftmost column. Hitting another numeric key will change the selection. You may TAB into the Description field and enter a textual description. (Note SHIFT TAB will remove the focus from the description field, and allow the single letter Add "A", Save "S" or Delete "D" keypresses)

You may save existing configuration information under another number (a copy), or, having started with a blank, you may Save a new configuration.

The program notes when you change configuration data on your current configuration and will prompt you to save this if the program is shutting down. However since fast access is desirable when changing configurations, for example by using the + or - keys, you will not be prompted if you make alterations and then change the to a new configuration number. AutoBackup is useful in this regard.

Example	(current configuration = 0)

ALT F, S, S	Save current.

S, S	Save Current.

S, 1, S	Save current as 1 ( you would be asked if you wanted to append a

description)

Click on the SAVE command button, to save the current page.

You may "Escape" or CANCEL.

(See also Configurations)


Start Up Configurations

Determining the configuration to be  loaded  when the program starts.

Configurations may be selected, either at "run time" using "Load Config" on the menu. or, at start up, the user may append a single number (0-9) to the command line, or within a batch file, to indicate the start up number.

For Example you may call your batch file, say, "dBaseWin.BAT",  if you had a collection of dBase files under configuration 2. The following line is all you need in your batch file to start Windows with config 2.

Win  C:\Jump\Jmpstart 2

Note the gap before the "2". It is not a "/".

A second method is to choose "Default Start Config" under the Xtras menu. This writes back to the Index file (config.inx - holding configuration descriptions) with the number of the preferred start configuration . This is over-written by the above command line switch, if used. This default remains in place until changed, while the program is running.

Other Start Up Options

Iconised

You may force JumpStart to start up iconised by appending an n or N to the command line or  batch file (preceding the start up configuration number,  if this is used).

e.g.	C:\Jump\Jmpstart.exe n2	or 	C:\Jump\Jmpstart.exe N

Shell

JumpStart can behave like a shell program.  That is, it is capable of organising the shutdown of all other programs at the end of a windows session.  Currently, JumpStart should not be put  into the WIN.INI file under the SHELL =  line, in replacement for whatever shell exists (normally Program Manager).  However it can co-exist with Program Manager in co-ordinating the close of a Windows session. If you have monitored Program Managers use of resources, via a resource gauge software utility, you may be concerned that  it is a  greedy program, and you would like to be able to remove it.  However, the typically 20% or so, system resources that it appears to consume at start up is not in fact attributable to Program Manager. Program Manager consumes a very reasonable  2% or so of resources, even with many groups and icons.  The bulk of the 20% is utilised by the Windows system itself, and it is present no matter what shell program is used.

To cause JumpStart to operate as a shell, you should append an s or S to the command line or  batch file (preceding the start up configuration number,  if this is used).

e.g.	C:\Jump\Jmpstart.exe sn2	or 	C:\Jump\Jmpstart.exe S

or	C:\Jump\Jmpstart.exe NS1	or 	C:\Jump\Jmpstart.exe s0

Start Up Group

You can arrange to have other programs start up along with JumpStart by using a specific Column Heading, within any or all configurations. This heading should be titled start-up  (not case sensitive).  This Column Heading MUST be on page 2 of the configuration. This is similar to the Program Manager Start-up group.  You may have one start-up column heading per configuration, making a total of 10 start-up group options.


Validate

Ensuring Program Items Exist on the Designated Drive

Validating the main executable file.

If you move programs around on your disks or delete items from the disk, the JumpStart entries will get out of date. A facility has been provided to check that each program in a configuration is still valid. The measure of validity is that the file exists where stated on the hard disk. Whether the program is corrupt, or does anything sensible when started, is something that cannot be assessed until an attempt is made to run the program.  If the program resides on a floppy disk, then JumpStart will not check the path, and no indication will be given.

If you select Validate [ Xtras menu ], then all programs in the current configuration are checked, as described above, and if faulty, they are marked with a distinctive patterned pink background and red text. Dont use this combination for normal entries !

[If this combination gives you problems then please contact "The Software Stable" and we will assist. [Address as Order.TXT file.]

You should then inspect the entries to determine what the problem is, and reinstall or delete as necessary.

Parameters following the exe file

When an entry is validated, any Command Line Parameters added after the com, exe, pif, or bat endings, will be ignored, as there are too many possibilities to consider.   Parameters which end with a . in the last 4 characters are an exception to this. Such an entry is  treated as a loadable file, residing on disk, and its existence will be verified.   Thus, for example .Hlp, .Txt, .C, etc  files, are assumed to be loadable data files and are verified.

Working Directories

These are also validated, although a directory is less likely to disappear than is a file.


Xtras Menu

The Following are available under the Xtras menu.

AlphaSort entries

AutoBackup

BeginnerHelp

BlockCopy

DefaultStartConfiguration

MinJmpStartOnUse

RestartWithBlank

ValidateEntries

New Index File:

A Facility exists to regenerate a new Index File (config.inx) which holds the descriptions of the various configurations and the saved defaults. Under normal circumstances, you should never need to use this.  Do not use it unless there is a continuing problem with the config.inx file.


Subject Index

AddingConfigurations	FileMenu

AddingPrograms	GETTINGSTARTED

AlphaSort	LaunchingPrograms

AutoBackup	LoadingConfigurations

BeginnerHelp	MovingPrograms

BlockCopy	OVERVIEW

ClearingThePage	Push

ColourSelection	QuickKeys

CommandLineParameters	RestartwithBlank

Configurations	SavingConfigurations

CopyingPrograms	StartUpConfigurations

DeletingConfigurations	ValidatingEntries

DeletingPrograms	Xtras

EditingPrograms


Filespec

A Filespec is a definition of a file which includes the Drive and Directory Path to the file, plus the Filename.  e.g.  C:\Jump\Jmpstart.exe.

A Path is the same as the filespec,  but with the file name omitted from the end.  The DOS PATH command lists paths that you want to be searched when the system attempts to open a file.


Overview

Why

JumpStart is designed for those who would like an alternative to Windows 3.1 Program Manager as a quick way of starting programs. It is most suitable when the number of programs, plus small utilities grows to the point where you find yourself  using File manager to locate items, instead of Program Manager.  With plenty of space to play with and  the inbuilt customisation of colour scheme and layout, you can finally get organised !

Various quick access utilities exist, sometimes embedded in larger programs such as PC Tools, but these are usually limited to a dozen or so items on the list.

Main Features

This program has been designed to allow you to launch (run) up to 2,040 programs from a "quick list", by selecting configurations of 204 items at a time, out of a choice of 10 configuration files.

As well as a general purpose configuration groups, you may for example wish to define other application categories in "auxiliary" configuration files, such as "Editors", or "Help Files", etc. Duplicates of a program can be held, so that if you have space on a configuration, you may include the item under several headings.  Notepad, for example, may be held under WORD PROCESS(ing) and also ACCESSORIES, assisting rapid selection. (Descriptive Titles are limited to 13 characters max)

You can launch programs in a minimised or normal window size. You can launch .exe, .com, .bat, or .pif file types. You may also include command line parameters after the ending, so that, for example, you can run a word processor and load it with an initial starting file, or execute windows help files with the aid of Winhelp.exe, supplying the required help file as a parameter.

Up to 10  start up groups may be configured to initiate a group of programs when JumpStart is first loaded and executed.  This is similar to the Program Manager start up group.

Appearance Customisation

The Program allows you to select background colours and text colours to use in a matrix of cells or boxes which hold a program title of your choice, plus (invisible) data on the "Filespec" to enable the program to be run.

With such a large number of items in a text list, a colour scheme, when chosen with care, is useful for grouping items for identification. When you make your colour selections, be conservative. When everything is a different colour, then nothing stands out !!

A number of features are provided to edit your data, moving, copying, and deleting, to assist you to experiment and discover the organisation that you are most comfortable with.

[Tip : Try a black background ! This has a very clean appearance, shows up text colours nicely,  and is easy on the eye]

The Software Stable

Registration


Minimise JumpStart On Use

Minimising JumpStart when a program is launched

JumpStart may be minimised, when an application is launched, by choosing this option under the XTRAS menu. This selection applies throught the session, or until the selection under XTRAS is reversed.  The last selected condition is stored on file, and applies at the start of the next session.

Minimising of programs when they are launched, is arranged on an individual basis via the AddProgram drop down panel.