Copyright: ® Roger Rene Kommer 1993
Citation: RRKMenu


RRKMenu  Contents
New Menus for Windows 1.2

© 1993-1994 Roger René Kommer

Member of the
Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP)
Dörnbergstr.11

D - 34119 Kassel

Voice. (++ 49 561) 780 150

EMail: roger@architektur.uni-kassel.de

CIS: 100412,3624

Fido: 2:2437/501.10

This software and the accompanying files are distributed "as is" and without any warranties.

The user must assume the entire risk of using the program.

Important

Important - read this first

Getting Started

What you have to read / know

Introduction

Introduction to New Menus for Windows Program

About the Author and the Program

Preliminary Remark

Basic functions

The features

Installation of the Menu

Quick Tips

Keyboard

Special Submenus

Internal commands

Bugs, Limits, Help

How To Do

The API

The Dialogues and Messages

The Inifile


The Dialogues and Messages

The Dialogue Configuration

The Dialogue Menu - General Properties

The Dialogue Menu - Edit Menuitem

The Dialogue Select Icon

The Dialogue - Delete Menuitem

The Dialogue - Delete a Submenu

The Dialogue Menu - Execution

The Dialogue - New Menuitem in an empty Submenu

The Dialogue - Document Association

The Dialogue ShortCuts for Submenus

The Dialog Hotkeys


About the Author and The Program

My first experiences in programming were made with macros in Word and Excel two years ago, at that time I had no idea that I would ever look closer to computers things. (Normally Im busy with the philosophical problems of the Aesthetic of Architecture and Music; by the way, I study Architecture.)

More by accident than by willing, in autumn 1992, I had a contact with Visual-Basic and became amazed with how simple programming for Windows can be.

It was at this time that I first had the idea for a Menu, popped up with the right mouse button, to launch applications - the beginning of my career as a 'leisure time programmer'.

Before the end of 1992 I had created a first version of the Menu in Visual Basic.

This first version supports submenus and Icons (but not with text and Icons).

But the program didnt satisfy me, because it used a lot of system resources.

In spite of how easy Visual Basic might be, it is not usable to create a pop up menu.

The standard in programming seems to be C / C++ (Nothing against Pascal, really!). In spring 1993 I got a C / C++ compiler. Until then I had never heard about Pointers, Classes, sorteable trees, or Callback-functions or Windows-Messages. First I learned the language, and then - because it is boring writing only hello world Programs - I wrote this program: my first and single non-trivial program.

1 1/2 years ago I got an access to Internet, and I looked for other programs, which had the same idea. I realized that the Menu is - seeing it at the historical aspect - a 'Me too' or better still, a 'Me more' program.

(Some of these Programs - actually all that I know - have one fundamental problem: They load the Menu and all submenus at the start of the program. If you want to configure several Submenus, they waste a lot of system resources - and it doesn't matter if you have 32 MB RAM installed in your Computer, the System resources are absolutely limited under Windows. My Menu generates the submenu first, when you open the Submenu, and frees all system resources by clicking on the desktop.)

Until now, I assessed my program only as a fingering-exercise to learn C / C++ and the Windows-API, I didn't thought it might be very interesting to the public. But I realized that a lot of other programmers were not wizards also.

I think that version 1.1 of New Menus for Windows is not a 'Me more' program (excepting my help-files!), because increasing quantity of essential and detailed features becomes to a new quality. I hope it's usable for you, and that you have fun with it.

Used Literature:

Besides the documentation of Borland C / C++ 3.1 and parts of the Windows SDK I used following literature:

•	Schildt, Herbert; C - Befehlsbibliothek; Hamburg 1987 McGraw-Hill Book Company

•	Petzold, Charles; Programmierung unter Microsoft Windows 3.1 (Programming Windows); München 1992 Microsoft Press

•	Schulman, Andrew; Maxley, David; Pietrek, Matt; Undocumented Windows; Bonn (...) 1992 Addison-Wesley

'Stolen' Ideas:

•	'Open Look' by Open Look Foundation
The Pin to stick Menus on the desktop.

•	'Corel Draw 3' by Corel Corporation
The Roll Up Button.

•	'Informant' by James S. Straub
The idea of simulating windows movement in 'real Time' (like NEXT). I improved this simulation through a Message Loop in WM_MOUSEMOVE to restore the uncovered Regions. But it is still flickering.


Preliminary Remark

Why should you use  this program?

The Program Manager of Windows has several aspects, which can't satisfy the (power-?)user.

•	You can't create subgroups in the Program Groups.

•	Often you have to fish the Program Manager out of the overcrowded Desktop.

•	It doesn't seem to be worth to install Documents of your actual Projects in the Program Manager.

Enough of lamentations! How Ive tried to compensate this flaws, see: Basic function of the Menu


Basic functions of the Menu

Some other Graphic User Interfaces dont have a Program Manager, as known by Windows. They use a menu to launch programs. This menu normally appears by clicking on the desktop.

The model for my Menu is the Desktop Menu of OpenLook (which you may recognize by the pin).

After popping up the Menu with the right mouse button, you can start programs or open documents.

You can group all the programs in submenus in a similar way to the Program Groups of the Program Manager. Often used programs and documents in Submenus and seldom used programs and documents in SubSubSub...Menus.

For an overview of the important features of the Menu see: The features of the Menu.


The features of the Menu

•	Only 1 % - 2 % of system resources are used permanently (Program Manager ~ 4 - 5 %).

•	Only ~30 KB of non-discardable RAM needed permanently (Program Manager ~16 KB). But in the time of virtual memory this might be more theoretical. If there is enough RAM, the Menu allocates ~140 KB, the Program Manager ~190 KB).

•	A freely customizable Menu, with as many Submenus as you like.

•	Supports the right as well as the middle mousebutton.

•	You can also use the Menu without a mouse.)

•	Shows automatically the icons of programs and documents in the menus in 3 possible sizes.

•	Freely customizable Menu-font.

•	Freely customizable Menu-Icons.

•	ShortCuts for Submenus

•	HotKeys to launch programs

•	Supports following generic Menu items

•	Supports ambiguous filenames (like c:\mydir\*.txt), so you can list all existent files matching a Searching Directory

•	You can include a small generic 'File Manager' in your Menu, which shows all subdirectories of your hard disk as submenus and all programs and documents as items.

•	You can include the Program Manager or single Program Groups in your Menu.

•	Submenus, which are too long to fit the desktop, will break and be continued in a new Submenu called More... (It was very hard to do this. The obvious things are the most complicated.)

•	A Task-List, to switch quickly to an application.

•	You can stick the Menus with the pin on the desktop.

•	It is possible to hold the sticked Menus on the top of the desktop

•	Minimize the sticked Menus with Roll-Up-Button.

•	Supports Drag and Drop with the File Manager to install Files as Menu items in a sticked Menu.

•	Supports Drag and Drop with the File Manager to open any File with a program, installed in a sticked Menu.

•	You can also stick normal Drop-Down Menus of Win-programs with a pin.

•	Context-Sensitive Menus enhances the functionality of Windows controls.

(I can't describe all features of the Menu here. For more info. please refer to chapter How to do in the Index window and to the file ADDONS.WRI. More functions are also described in the chapter The API


Installing the Menu

Requirements

Installation of the Menu

Install the Menu in a Net environment

The Files


Requirements

The Menu needs following Hard- and Software:

•	Windows 3.1

•	A mouse with 2 or (better) 3 buttons
(It also functions without a mouse)

•	A hard disk cache (like smartdrv) is highly recommended.


Installation of the Menu

For installation and deinstallation please look in the README.WRI.

Lock also: Install the Menu in a Network and The Files


The Files

Please refer to README.WRI for the actual list of the files.

The following files may created in the directory where RRKMENU.EXE was installed:

RRKDAT.xxx

RRKIDX.xxx

If you use the feature to show the program and document Icons, the Menu extracts the Icons from the Programs and write this information in two database files.

The file extensions "xxx" are named after a combination of the Icon size and the color resolution of your graphic driver.

If you use a color resolution with two colors (black and white) the Bitmap-file needs 1 Bit for each pixel (.01x) 16 colors needs 4 Bits (.04x) and 256 colors etc. 8 bit (.08x) etc.

If You use an icon size of 16 Pixel the third 'x' is a 1 (.xx1); by using an icon size of 24 Pixel a 2 (.xx2) and for 32 Pixel a 3 (.xx3).

The file RRKIDX.xxx is the index file for RRKDAT.xxx. It list the offsets of the Icons stored in the RRKDAT.xxx (Not really a Windows-Icon, nor a Windows- Bitmap, more a Core-Dump of a Bitmap, because real Bitmaps would be to slow. This causes the different xxx's. If you use the 32 Pixel Icon size with a Color resolution of 16 million colors this file (RRKDAT.243) may become huge.)


Install the Menu in a Net environment

If you want to install the Menu on a File-Server, you can declare the directory of the RRKMENU.INI as the argument of RRKMENU.EXE

Supposing the File-Server is associated with d:\ and the Menu is installed at d:\windows\rrkmenu and the local users hard disks with the users INI-files is associated with c:\, so you can install the Menu in the Program Manager with the command line d:\windows\rrkmenu\rrkmenu.exe c:\windows\rrkmenu

In this directory c:\windows\rrkmenu the Menu will also create the Files RRKDAT.* and RRKIDX.* for the Icons database.

If you want to use the Menu as the windows shell, you can't declare shell=d:\windows\menu\rrkmenu.exe -menupath c:\my_dir\menu in the SYSTEM.INI, because Windows doesn't support arguments in the shell= statement.

You can handle this problem with a batch file.

First you can define the Menu as Shell in the Dialogue General Properties in the section Miscellaneous with the option As Shell. After that you can create a batch file e.g. WINMENU.BAT:

win -menupath c:\my_dir\menu %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8

This way you also can create different batch files for different users (or uses).

If you want to install the Menu for several users on different computers, it might be desirable to share parts of the menu structure with all others users, which can't be modified by the user. Then it is possible to define external Submenus.


Document - Glossar
Document

A Document is a file associated with a program, identified by the file-extension.

For example: A File with the file extension .wri is a Write - Document.

You can associate Files with Programs in the dialogue Dokument -Association.


Pinned Menus - Glossar
Pinned Menus

You can stick the submenus on the desktop by clicking on the green Pin. In fact, it isn't really a Menu, but it acts like one.

In contrast to normal Menus, the pinned Menus don't disappear by clicking on the desktop. You can move the pinned Menus by dragging them by the top; You can roll them up and down with the red / green arrow button; With another click on the pin you can hold the Menu at the top of the desktop and you can close it with a 3rd click on the pin.


More ... - Glossar
More ...

The menus support an automatic 'menu break'. If a submenu tends to become too long, at the end of the menu a submenu called more ... is appended. This Submenu contains the rest of the Menu items.


Highlight Menuitems to edit a Menuitem - Glossar
Highlight Menuitems to edit a Menuitem

In normal, non-pinned Menus

•	If you want to edit a Menu item, first you have to pop up the Submenu, by pressing the right (respectively the middle) Mouse button.

•	Then you have to highlight the Menu item with the left Mouse button.

•	While highlighting the Menu item, you can use one of the Edit keys (e.g.: F5).

•	After the Menu has disappeared a dialogue appears; you can release the left mouse button.

In pinned Menus

Either:

•	Highlight a Menu item.

•	Press one of the Edit keys (e.g.: F5).

or:

•	In pinned Menus you only have to click with the right (respectively with middle) Mouse button on the Menu item to edit.

•	In the popped up Edit Menu you can choose an edit option.


Default Icons - Glossar
Default Icons

 General program (Windows or DOS), without its own icon.

 Document of a program, associated with a program, without its own icon.

 A COM-Program (DOS-Program).

 A DOS-Batch-File.

 A DOS-Program with a PIF-file.


Popup the Menu - Glossar
Popup the Menu

•	If you have selected the option only Desktop in the Submenu Menu Setup, you must move the mouse cursor to a place, where the background of the desktop is visible.

•	Push the right (respectively the middle) Mouse button.

or:

•	Push the Alt and the Pause - key.

Close the Menu:

•	Click anywhere on the desktop.

or:

•	Push one ore several times the Esc-key.


Menuitem - Glossar
Menu item

A Menu conventional item contains a command like 'File - Open'. In the Menu, normally, a Program will be started by selecting a Menu item.

Some Menu items contain submenus (cascading Menus).


Iconfile - Glossar
Iconfile

Files with the file extension ICO (sometimes also ICN) contain one Windows icon. Often, files with the file extension DLL or EXE also contain one or more Icons.

Some icons can be found in the files PROGMAN.EXE and MORICONS.DLL in the Windows directory.


Drop-Down Menus - Glossar
Drop-Down Menus

Drop-Down Menus are the normal Menus of a Windows program with a menu bar (File, Edit, and so on). If you open a Drop-Down Menu with the right mouse button, you get a graphic Menu with a pin to stick it on the desktop.

See also: Stick normal Drop-Down-Menus with a Pin.


Checked Menuitems - Glossar
Checked Menu items

In normal Windows menus, checked items have a little check mark at their left side.

In Menu, checked Menu items are shown in different ways depending on the chosen style (look).

If you selected the OpenLook style checked Menu items are identified by underlining their description. In other styles it depends, on whether the menu item has an icon. If the menu item has an icon, the icon of a checked menu item has a border (similar to a button). Otherwise the menu item has a little check mark.


First opening of a Submenu - Glossar
First opening of a Submenu

Submenus are initialized the first time they are opened. This means the information for the submenus is read out of the RRKMENU.INI, or calculated in the appropriate way (e.g. in the Submenu "Tasks" the running Tasks are listed etc).

This initialization is also important if you want to convert GRP-Files to the internal format.

No matter how many times you pop up the Menu, its submenus have been initalized only once. You may refresh pinned menus using the F12-key.


Stick Menus on the Desktop

•	Click in a popped up (Sub-)Menu on the green pin.

•	To hold the pinned Menu always on the top of the Desktop, click a second time on the green pin, or press the Shift - Esc - keys.

•	To close the pinned Menu, click a third time on the green pin, or press the Shift - Esc - keys.

Execute a Menuitem of a pinned Menu

A click on a Menuitem will start the corresponding Program will be start, respectively the Submenu will be open. In contrast to normal Menus a Submenu will first open, if the mouse button is released.

If you press the Shift-key while clicking on the Menuitem, the pinned Menu will be rolled up after executing the command line.

If a Menuitem in a the pinned Menu is already marked you only have to double-click on the Title bar of the pinned Menu. This also works, if the Menuitem is a Submenu, or if the pinned Menu is rolled up.


To move the pinned Menus
move the pinned Menus

•	To move a pinned Menu, drag the Menu with the left mouse button on the Headline of the Menu, or use the Shift and the arrow-keys.

See also: Arrange all pinned Menus


MINIMIZE the Pinned Menus

•	Click with the left mouse button on the Roll-Up-Button.

or:

•	Push the Shift and the PgnDown - Key

To restore the size of pinned Menu:

•	Click with the left mouse button on the Roll-Up-Button.

or:

•	Push the Shift and the PgnUp - Key

See also: Arrange all pinned Menus


Arrange all pinned Menu on the Desktop

If you want to arrange all pinned Menus - excepting the Menus with icons only and the pinned Drop-Down Menus - in lines at the top of the desktop:

•	select in the local Editmenu arrange at top,

or:

•	push the F11-key.

If you want to arrange all pinned Menus - excepting the Menus with icons only and the pinned Drop-Down Menus - in columns at the left of the desktop:

•	select in the local Editmenu arrange at left,

or:

•	push the F9-key.


Hold pinned Menus on the Top of the Desktop

It might be desirable to hold a pinned Menu every time in the foreground of the Desktop.

To do that, click with the left mouse button on the pin, so the pin looks like:

You can also use the Shift- and Esc-key.

If you click once more on the pin, the Menu will be close.


Refresh the pinned Menus

In different cases it is useful to refresh a pinned Menu:

•	If you changed the icon- or font size in the Dialogue for changing general Properties

•	If you have a Searching Directory in your pinned Menu, and you create or delete a File.

•	Last but unfortunately not least, if there is nonsense in the Menu, or the Menu becomes too long.

To refresh a pinned Menu:

•	activate the Menu (there are two thin lines showing, when the pinned Menu has the focus).

•	And push the F12-key.

The Menu might disappear, after pushing F12-Key. In this case, the pinned Menu contains a Drive Directory.


The title bar of a pinned Menu


Elements of the INI-file

Entries in the WIN.INI

The INI-file - General Properties

Submenus in the INI-File

Syntax of a Menu item in the INI-file


Entries in the WIN.INI

The New Menus for Windows doesn't remark its existence in the WIN.INI


Inidatei - General Properties
The INI-file - General Properties

This chapter documents the switches for General Properties in the RRKMENU.INI

Language

General Properties

MenuFont

Autostart

ShortCuts

ProgramHooks

WinClasses

Menu_Desktop

Wins_DT


Section [Language] - INI-file
Section [Language]

FirstStart=0
After starting the Menu the first time, it is 0

German=0
1 = German dialogues and help file are used;
0 = English dialogues and help file are used.
(Don't change it manually, it's better to reinstall the New Menus for Windows)


Section [General Properties] - INI-file
Section [General Properties]

Item=default

AsShell=0
0 = Off; 1 = On.
Using the Menu as Shell.
(Don't change this manually, it wouldn't work!)

ShowEnhanced=1
0 = Off; 1 = ON.
Shows the Menu items with a 3-D-effect and customizable Font.

OWL_LIKE=1

0 Standard; 1 OpenLook; 3 beta.

WithIcons=1
0 = Off; 1 = ON.
Shows the Program Icons in the Menu.

IconSize=16
16, 24 or 32
The Icon size in the Menus.

IDXinRAM=1
0 = Off; 1 = On.
Hold the index file RRKIDX.xxx and parts of the REG.DAT in RAM.

mMouseBotton=0
0 = right Mouse button; 1 = middle Mouse button.
The Mouse button to pop up the Menu.

OnlyDesktop=0
0 = Off; 1 = On.
On: The Menu only will pop up, when the cursor is over the background of the desktop

NoClient=1
0 = Off; 1 = On.
If OnlyDesktop=1 and NoClient=1 the menu also can be popped up over a title bar of a window.

IconVisible=1
0 = Off; 1 = On.
Shows or hides the program icon on the desktop (the black arrow).

SaveDT=1
0 = Off; 1 = On.
Saves the sticked menus position on the desktop when quitting and restores them by restarting the Menu.

KeySub=1
0 = Off; 1 = On.
If ON you can use Alt + Pause and hotkeys to pop up the menus.

HookMenus=1

0 = Off; 1 = On.
Normal Drop-Down-Menus of a window application are selectable with the right mouse button.

ClassHook=1

0 = Off; 1 = On.
Context Sensitive Menus are available.

RealMove=1

0 = Off; 1 = On.
Move the sticked Menu in 'Real-time' as in the NeXT desktop.

mnu_sdt=1

0 = Off; 1 = On.
Only available if the Menu is the Windows Shell.
Controls if a menu item in the Submenu Tasks called Save Wins DT is appended. With this Menu item you can save the positions of all Windows on the desktop. If the Menu (and Windows) restart, all Windows (programs) are restored. Unfortunately the documents can't be reloaded.
If you press Ctrl while selecting this Menu item, all positions will be 'deleted'.

SpezialRightMouseButton=1|Tasks|MNU_TASKS

Defines a Submenu you can pop up with the right mouse button over the background of the desktop or over the title bar of a window.
You can also declare a program (e.g. "0|Editor|NOTEPAD.EXE").
This only works, if you normally use the middle mouse button to pop up the Menu.

OldColorNum=0

It's just to remind the Program Manager to restore its icons if you changed the number of colors. (Don't change this by manually!!!!)

FileViewer=NOTEPAD.EXE

FileEditor=NOTEPAD.EXE
Declares programs, which are used, if you select files which arent associated with any application.

SystemMenu=SystemMenu
Name of a Submenu, to be appended to the System menu.

MaxHistory=20
Max. length of the "History" submenu.

HistorywintCommand=0
0=Off; 1=On
If ON, the the internal menu commands will also be stored in the "History" submenu.

SysMenuAlsoInTitle=1
0=Off; 1=On
If you click with the right mouse button on the title bar of a window, you get the system menu.

MMouseEmu=3
1=left + right mouse button
2=Ctrl + right mouse button.
With this combinations you can emulate the middle mouse button.

IsDatFileClosed=1
0=Off; 1=On
Only used for debugging.

CheckFileBase=0
0=Off; 1=On
Only used for debugging.

BackgroundColor=12632256
Color number of the Menu
This feature is not implemented completely!.

NoConfirm=1
0=Off; 1=On
Quit the Menu without confirmation.

DynamicPMG=0
0=Off; 1=On
The Progman-Manager groups are built dynamically. Otherwise the groups are converted to the MNU-format and stored in the PROGMAN.MNU

IncludeHiddenTasks=1
0=Off; 1=On
If ON, the hidden windows will also be listed by default In the "Tasks" submenu. In the System menu, the item "Hide" will be available.

WithTitleLabel=1
0=Off; 1=On
The label of a Submenu also appears on the menu title bar.


Section [MenuFont] - INI-file
Section [MenuFont]

Name=MS Sans Serif

Size=-11

Weight=400

Width=0

Italic=0

Underlined=0

(Don't change this option manually)


Section [Autostart] - INI-file
Section [Autostart]

Is a normal Submenu, excepting that the menu items are executing when Windows is starting.

The Menu has to run as Shell.


Section [ShortCuts] - INI-file
Section [ShortCuts]

A=1|Tasks|MNU_TASKS<0

Ctrl - Char=INI-Statement for a Submenu.
These are the shortcuts to pop up the submenus


Section [ProgrammHooks] - INI-file
Section [ProgrammHooks]

196689=0|Quit|MNU_END<0
LONG-Number=INI-Statement

List of the Hotkeys.

LONG-number: KeyCode .
INI-Statement: A menu items INI-line.


Section [WinClasses] - INI-file
Section [WinClasses]

Edit=1|EditHook|ADDONS.MNU<10
ClassName=INI-Statement
A list of all registered window classes, which have a context-sensitive Menu.


Section [Menu_Desktop] - INI-file
Section [Menu_Desktop]

List of all sticked Menus, which are restored, when the Menu restarts.


Section [Wins_DT] - INI-file
Section [Wins_DT]

Stores a list of open applications windows and their coordinates.


Submenus in the INI-File

Don't delete the sections [MainMenu], [Menu Setup]

This chapter documents the entries for submenus and menu items in the RRKMENU.INI. You don't need to edit the RRKMENU.INI manually; all sections are editable using the dialogues. Nevertheless, I think its important to document the important files.

The RRKMENU.INI has the normal format of Windows INI files. Using my own format might improve the speed of Menu for a few milliseconds, but the disadvantage of human unreadable file format isn't worth it.

Each submenu is marked with brackets "[" "]". Below the Menu items are listed.

Following Submenus are reserved:

[MainMenu]
The root (Sub)Menu.

[Menu Setup]
Some items to configure the Menu.

[Autostart]
When running the Menu as Windows Shell, all Items listed here will be started at the beginning of Windows. (You can create this submenu in the same way as other submenus.)

[Wins_DT]
The Programs which saved with the command MNU_SDT.

[WINCLASSES]
All hooked Windows-Classes are listed here.

[ProgrammHooks]
The hooks to command lines.

[Menu_Desktop]
List of the menus sticked on the desktop, to restore at startup.

Example:

[My Submenu]

;	The name of the Submenu.

0=0

1=0|Paintbrush|pbrush.exe

2=1|Files|NIX

3=2|*.DOC|C:\D\C\MENU\*.DOC

4=8|c:\windows\|c:\windows

Characteristics of a Submenu:

The first entry 0=n is not a Menu item, but a number to describe the characteristics of a Submenu. If the entry 0=n is missing, the default for n is 0;

The number n is interpreted bit-wise:

•	1: The Submenu is showed only with the Icons.

•	2: The Submenu is showed without the pin to stick the Submenu on the desktop.

•	4: The Submenu is showed without the Icons, only with the text.

•	8: The Submenu is locked and thus is not editable with dialogues.

To get combinations of this characteristics just add the numbers.


Syntax of a MENUITEM

MenuitemNumber=Typ of Menuitem|Label|File [Arguments][>Working Directory][<Properties][;Iconfile Iconpos]

[] = optional

•	MenuitemNumber: individual Number in the order of the Menu items

•	Type of Menu item:

0:	normal Menu item
The Label is shown in the Menu and the File will be executed

1:	Submenu
The Label is shown in the Menu as a submenu. It links to another Submenu. The File is a dummy (NIX == Nothing), generated by the Menu.

2:	Searching Directory
The Label is a dummy, generated by the Menu. All Files which are matches to File are listed in the Submenu.

8:	Drive Directory
The Label is shown in the Menu as a Submenu. The File is the starting directory; all subdirectories of this starting directory generate new Submenus, all Programs and Documents are shown as Menu items.

128:	vertical Dividing Line. Label "-" and Filename "x-"; x is an individual number.

256:	horizontal Dividing-Line  Label "'" and Filename "x'"; x is an individual number.

8193: Program Groups
Creates a submenu with the Programs installed in a Windows Program Manager Group.

Modifier (Add the following values to the value of Drive Directory or Searching Directory to modify their behavior):
65536:	List all files, including the files, which aren't documents nor programs
131072:	List files sorted by file extension.
2097152:	List files sorted by date.
4194304:	List files sorted by size.
8388608:	List files in reverse order.

•	Label: see Type of Menu item

•	File: see Type of Menu item
reserved expressions:
For more information, look in Internal Commands

•	Arguments:
The arguments of a Program
Only used if the Type of Menu item == 0
Default is no argument

•	Working Directory
default is the directory of the program

•	Properties:
The size of starting Program
0 = hidden;
1=normal;
2=minimized;
3=maximized
Only used if the Type of Menu item == 0
(Default is the normal)

If the Menu item contains a Submenu the meaning of Properties is:

•	1: The Submenu is shown only with the Icons.

•	2: The Submenu is shown without the pin to stick the submenu on the desktop.

•	4: The Submenu is shown without the Icons, only with the text.

•	8: The Submenu is locked and thus is not editable with dialogues.

(Default is 0= with Icons and text)

To get combinations of this characteristics just add the numbers.

•	Iconfile Iconpos:
If the icon of the menu item is explicit declared, this represents the file which contains the Icon and the IconID. You can also declare a second Icon in the same Iconfile for the highlighted state.

Comment: "Unsinn" is German and means nonsense. Ignore this entries.

"NIX" is a short German word for "nothing" and is used for the filenames in submenus.


Restart Windows - Message
Restart Windows

Yes
Windows will end and then restart.
If you have chosen the Option As Shell, instead of the Windows Program Manager the Menu will start at the beginning of Windows.

No
Windows will not restart.
If you have choose the Option As Shell, instead of the Program Manager of Windows the Menu will start at the next beginning of Windows.

Cancel
Your changes for the option As Shell will be discarded.


Sorry; Drive directories, Searching Directories... - Message
Sorry; Drive directories, Searching Directories and PM-Groups can't be edited in pinned Menus. Use the Edit-Keys.

You can't edit Drive Directories, Searching Directories and PM-Groups in pinned Menus. To change the Menuitem popup the Menu, highlight the Menuitem and use the Edit keys.


There is no Menuitem selected! - Message
There is no Menuitem selected!

You have to select a valid Menuitem, which you want to edit. Use the right (middle) mouse button and click on the Menuitem to edit.


File-Error - File can't be opened - Message
File-Error - File can't be opened.

Restart Windows to close all files.


A Hint: You can only edit the beginning of a Drive Directory! - Message
A Hint: You can only edit the beginning of a Drive Directory!

You highlighted a Menuitem contained in a Drive Directory.

If this Menuitem is not the beginning of the Drive Directory, changes won't take effect.


You have to declare a Label and a File! - Message
You have to declare a Label and a File!

See: The Edit Dialogue


You used a reserved expression! - Message
You useD a reserved expression!

The expression as filename "mnu_"... is reserved. You can't edit Menuitems, containing this expression.


Attention! Do You wish to keep the old Submenu? - Message
Attention! Do you wish to keep the old Submenu?

If you edit (change) a Menuitem containing a Submenu, you have to choose whether the old Submenu should be deleted or preserved.


Exit Windows? - Message
Exit Windows?

Yes:
Exit Windows.

No:
Neither Windows nor the Menu will be ended.


This File-Extension is already associated - Message
This File-Extension is already associated with a Program! Before making a new Association, detach the old one.

See: The Dialogue Document - Association


You have to declare a Program-File and a File-Extension! - Message
You have to declare a Program-File and a File-Extension!

See: The Dialogue Document - Association


The declared Association is not present! - Message
The declared Association is not present!

See: The Dialogue Document - Association


Bugs, Limits, Help - Index

Known Bugs

It doesn't work - Help!!

??Beep!!

Internal Limits


Known Bugs

Problem:

If a DOS-box (or a program which is running in a DOS-box) is activated, editkeys, hotkeys, shortcuts, and the shift-deactivation for the mouse don't function.

Solve:

Sorry, there is no solution available. The Menu can't hook the keyboard, if a DOS-Box is activated. If you want to use editkeys, hotkeys or shortcuts bring another window to the top. If you want to use the context-senstive right mouse button for DOS-Boxes, comment the line

;tty=1|DOS TTY|ADDONS.MNU<10

(write the char ';')

in the section [WinClasses] of the RRKMENU.INI.

Problem:

If you are too fast when selecting Submenus in pinned Menus, it can ignore your mouse-action.

Solve:

Keep calm, do the same, but a little bit slower.

Problem:

Sometimes (maybe depending on the mouse-driver) the Menu annoys you, popping up, although you don't press the right (middle) Mousebutton.

Solve:

Press the left and after that once more the right Mousebutton.

Problem:

Seldom the Menu can corrupt other normal menus. If you recognise that other menus are changed in an abnormal way, you must restart Windows.

There is a serious bug in the Windows-Management of the menus. (CreatePopupMenu(), AppendMenu(...) and DeleteMenu(...) seem to fail sometimes in the depth of the Windows-API by stressing out of the normal efforts. Sometimes calling CreatePopupMenu() I even received the HMENU from the System-Menu!!! (That's a Bug!!!(?)) Any idea?)

Problem:

The vertical Dividing Line does not function in a desirable way. Especially if you stick the Menu, containing a vertical Dividing Line the pinned Menu can become too long.

Solve:

In this version of New Menus for Windows - if you have not fallen in love with this option - avoid it.

Problem:

Some Graphic Boards (e.g. Spea V7) don't draw the border for the new position of the window if you move a pinned menu.

Solve:

Use the option RealMove in the section Miscellaneous of the dialog General Properties.


It doesn't WORK - Help!!

Problem:
The Menu doesn't pop up by pressing the right Mousebutton.

Try it with the middle mouse button or deactivate the Option middle Mousebutton

or

You marked the option Only Desktop

Move the Cursor over the Background of the desktop and try it again.
or:
Deactivate the option Only Desktop.


Internal Limits

•	Shown Menus and Submenus at one time:
If you reach the limit of the System resources a Beep will be sound.
(The Menu frees the System resources, if you click on the Desktop.)

•	Lists only the first 1000 Menuitems in a sorted Searching Directory or Drive Directory (only including programs and documents).

•	Maximum of Submenus and Menuitems
The file RRKMENU.INI must not be bigger than 32 KB.

•	Registered (and shown) Icons in the Database file RRKIDX.xxx
The file RRKIDX.xxx must not be bigger than 32 KB.

•	Pinned Menus
50


!!BEEP??

The New Menus for Windows sounds in the following cases:

You selected a Menuitem and execute it,
The Program or document can't be found.

You have selected a Submenu
You reached the limits of the system resources
The Menu frees the System resources, if you click on the Desktop.

Otherwise:
A general trapped fault - I hope it is not serious.


Quick Tips

What is it?

Call the Menu

Ending The Program

Launch Programs

Configure the Menu


What is it?

The New Menus for Windows are a set of Popup Menus, in which you can install programs and documents to launch.

If you push anywhere the right mouse button, this Menu will be popped up at your mouse cursor position.


Call the Menu

Press the right mouse button!

To close the popped up Menu

Click anywhere with the left mouse button on the desktop.

If you push on the green pin, you can stick the Menu on the desktop. If you want to get rid of this pinned Menu, click two times more on the Pin.


Ending The Program

•	Popup the Menu and select End in the Submenu Menu Setup.

or:

•	Select Close in the System menu of the program-icon (a black arrow).


Launch Programs

The Menu is not configured for your needs.

The Menu is only configured initially with a few Menuitems. I assumed, your Windows is installed at c:\windows. In the case my hypothesis is correct, you can access the Menuitems in the Submenu WinPrograms. Otherwise you have to change these Menuitems.

I also assumed, you have a c:\ disk.

(But this configuration really doesn't exhaust the possibilities of the program.)

If you select a Menuitem in the Submenus or Sub-Submenus WinPrograms, C:\ or Progr. Manager normally a program will start or a Document will open.


Configure the Menu

Because the wishes of the users and also the possibilities of this program are manifold, I give here only a short hint:

If you have popped up the Menu and highlighted a Menuitem with the left mouse button, you can push the F5-key, to edit, insert, add or delete a Menuitem.

See also Keyboard for more Edit keys

and read the chapters of How to do in the Index window.


Special Submenus

Tasks

Setup

Window-Manager

Systemmenu

Printer

History

Context-Sensitive Menus

Systemmenu of pinned Menus

Editmenu of pinned Menus

Startup = submenu Autostart


Submenu Tasks - Special Menuitems
Submenu Tasks

(1|Tasks|MNU_TASKS)

All visible windows (Programs) are listed in the order of theire appearance.

If you enable the option with hidden Tasks in section Miscellaneous of the dialogue General Properties, you get also the invisible Tasks (windows) listed.

If you hold down the Shift-key while opening the Submenu Tasks, also the invisible windows will listed, independent of the with hidden Tasks option.

The invisible tasks are checked. If you click on a invisible tasks in the list, the corresponding window will be showed. The other way, you can hide a window, if you select a task in the list while hold down the Shift-key.

By selecting a Menuitem the window will be bring in to the top of the desktop. But if you press the Ctrl-key while selecting a Task, the corresponding Program will be quit, respectively the corresponding window will be closed.

At the bottom of the task list you can also see the current system resources:

Free Memory and

Free Resources (GDI = resources for graphical objects, USER= resources for window-objects).


Setup - Special Menuitems
Setup

(1|Setup|MNU_SETUP)

Only Desktop

Hide Icon

Configuration

Info

End

Reboot


Only Desktop - Special Menuitems
Only Desktop

(0|Only Desktop|MNU_BACKGROUND)

If you want, that the Menu will only popped-up, when the mousecursor is over the background of the Desktop, you can select only Desktop in the Submenu Menu Setup.

1. The Menu will popped up on every place of the desktop.

2. The Menu will only popped-up, if the mousecursor is over the background of the desktop.

3. The Menu will only popped up, if the mousecursor is over the background of the desktop or if the mousecursor if over a title bar of a window

You can toggle between 2 and 3 with pressing Ctrl while selecting only Desktop.

See also: Avoid Conflicts with other Programs.


Hide Icon - Special Menuitems
Hide Icon

(0|Hide Icon|MNU_HIDEICON)

 Visible.

 Invisible.

One of the aim of the Menu is to clean up the overcrowded Desktop. By consequence you can also hide the program icon of the Menu (a black arrow).

Normally the program-icon is showed at the bottom of the screen. If don't want it on your desktop, hide it.


Info - Special Menuitems
Info

(0|Info|MNU_INFO)

Shows the program information.


End - Special Menuitems
End

(0|End|MNU_END)

Ends the Menu.

If the Menu is running as Windows Shell or if you pressing the Ctrl-key while selecting End, after confirming Windows will shoot down.

If you haven't activated the option Confirm End in the section Miscellaneous of the dialogue General Properties Windows shoot down without a confirmation. You can also skip the confirmation if you press the Shift-key, while selecting this menuitem.

See also: Running a Windows incompatible DOS Program


Reboot - Special Menuitems
Reboot

(0|Reboot|MNU_WIN_REBOOT)

Shoot down Windows without confirmation and restart windows.

If you press the Shift-key, while selecting a MNU_WIN_REBOOT-Menuitem, your computer will reboot (similar to Ctrl-Alt-Del).


Window-Manager - Special Menuitems
Window-Manager

This Submenus are defined in the MNU-file ADDONS.MNU.

Save All, Minimise All and Close All

Arrange Icons, Tile Windows vert., Tile Windows hor. and Cascade Windows

Kill

Save Wins DT, AddDT and DelDT

Arrange Menus at Top and Arrange Menus at Left


Save All, Minimize All and Close All - Special Menuitems
Save All, Minimise All and Close All

This Menuitems effects all opened and visible windows (programs)

With Save All you can ask all running programs for unsaved changes.

(0|Save All|MNU_CALLDLL USER SENDMESSAGE 0XFFFF 0X0011 0 0L)

With the menuitem Minimize All you can minimise all windows.

(0|Minimize All|MNU_DOWITHALLWIN 1)

With Close All you can close (terminate) all running programs.

(0|Close All|MNU_DOWITHALLWIN 2)


Arrange Icons, Tile Windows vert., Tile Windows hor. and Cascade Windows - Special Menuitems
Arrange Icons, Tile Windows vert., Tile Windows hor. and Cascade Windows

This menuitems functions like the buttons of the Task Manager.

(0|Arrange Icons|MNU_CALLDLL USER ARRANGEICONICWINDOWS @DESKTOPWINDOW

0|Tile Windows vert.|MNU_CALLDLL USER TILECHILDWINDOWS @DESKTOPWINDOW 0

0|Tile Windows hor.|MNU_CALLDLL USER TILECHILDWINDOWS @DESKTOPWINDOW 1

0|Cascade Windows|MNU_CALLDLL USER CASCADECHILDWINDOWS @DESKTOPWINDOW 0)


Kill - Special Menuitems
Kill

Be carefully with this menuitem! It really kills the windows; You aren't prompt for save-confirming! Maybe a killed application doesn't free all resources.

It is recommended to reboot windows after a 'kill' action.

(0|Kill|MNU_MOUSE_CAP 1)


Save Wins DT, AddDT and DelDT - Special Menuitems
Save Wins DT, AddDT and DelDT

With the menuitem Save Wins DT you can save all positions of the applications (windows) on the desktop. If you restart Windows, all Application will be restored exactly in the same positions (exceptionally of the applications are in [Autostart]. If you push Shift-key while selecting Save Wins DT the menu will not restore the windows at the following starts of Windows.

This option has only one disadvantage. Of course (?!) the Menu can't figure out, which documents are loaded in the applications, the document-based applications will be restored empty.

(0|Save Wins DT|MNU_SDT)

AddToDT: Save a single windows position to restore, when restarting the Menu.

(0|AddDT|MNU_MOUSE_CAP 10)

DelFromDT: Delete a single window from restore-list.

(0|DelDT|MNU_MOUSE_CAP 11)


Arrange Menus at Top and Arrage Menus at Left - Special Menuitems
Arrange Menus at Top and Arrange Menus at Left

Arrange Menus at Top:

Minimises all pinned Menus and orders them on the top of the desktop.

If an pinned Menu is active, you can also use the 8 on the Numpad or the F11-key.

(0|Arrange Menus at Top|MNU_ARRANGE_TOP)

Arrange Menus at Left:

Minimises all pinned Menus and orders them at the left side of the desktop.

If an pinned Menu is active, you can also use the 4 of the Numpad or the F9-key.

(0|Arrage Menus at Left|MNU_ARRANGE_TOP)


Systemmenu - Special Menuitems
Systemmenu

Also the System Menu is supported by using the right mouse button. The several actions (Restore, Move, Close etc.) are illustrated with icons. The menuitem "Switch to..." is expanded to the Tasks-Submenu. Besides this, you can stick the Window (hold on the top of the desktop).

If you activated the option With hidden Tasks in dialogue General Properties in the section Miscellaneous, is the Menuitem Hide available to hide the window. You can unhide the window with Submenu Tasks.

In the dialogue General Properties in the section Menu - Hooks you can declare a submenu, which should append at the system menu. (default "Systemmenu").

There you also can also appoint, if the system menu should also appear, if you click on the title bar of a windows with the right mouse button.
Unfortunately I haven't found a way, to get the current state (minimised, maximised or normal) of the window. This causes the menuitems of the system menu never showed deactivated. But the good news are, that if an application add own items on System Menu, they are also supported with the right-mousebutton-system menu.

If the application adds menuitems to its system menu, it will also be showed.

But if you use another desktop tool (maybe a similar one to New Menus for Windows), which adds also some items to system menu, this menuitems will normally not showed (it's because some tools are incompatible in this feature).


Printer - Special Menuitems
Printer

In this Submenu all printers, which are installed, are listed. The active system printer is checked. If you select another printer, this printer will installed as the default system printer. If you press the Shift-key and select a printer, you can get the printer dialogue. If the submenu 'Printers' is pinned, this has the side effect, that the Submenu will rolled up.

The Submenu Printer also supports Drag'n Drop with the File Manager: If you drag a file from the File Manager to an Printer, the file will be printed with this printer. If you want insert a new 'Printer'-Submenu, you have to declare MNU_PRINTERS as the file name of the Submenu.

(1|Printers|MNU_PRINTERS)

Include a single Printer in a Submenu

You can also include a single Printer a normal Submenu

1=0|My Printer|MNU_DEV Printerdevice
1=0| : A normal menuitem in a Submenu
My Printer: Free description of the printer (Label of the Menuitem)
MNU_DEV: internal keyword
Druckerdevice: internal description of the printer.

The internal printer description of the active (default) printer you can find in the WIN.INI in the section [windows] after the device= statement.

Another possibility is highlighting a printer in the Submenu Printers and pressing the F6-key to get the internal printer description.

Samples:

1=0|The Fax|MNU_DEV FAXLINE,FAX,COM2:

2=0|Laser in File|MNU_DEV HP LASERJET III,HPPCL5MS,FILE:

For manually defined Printers item in a normal Submenu, you can also define an incon.


History - Special Menuitems
History

In the Submenu "History" all commands (menuitems) you executed with the Menu are listed. In the dialogue General Properties in the section History you can define the length of the Submenu History. If this value is zero, the history-feature will not used. The option With internal commands regulate, if also the internal commands should be listed. (This feature doesn't work properly).

If you press the keys Ctrl-h if the Menu is popped-up, you can jump to the Submenu History, If you press the keys Ctrl+Alt+h you can popup the Submenu History every time. (This are only defaults, which can be changed or deleted.)

(1|History|NIX)

If you call a program via an hotkey, this will not listed in the Submenu History.


Control Panel

This Submenu lists the items in the control panel.

If the items doesn't react and you have Windows in an other language than English, you have to modify the correspondig Item in the RRKMENU.INI

F.e:

The orginal item is

1=0|Colours|CONTROL.EXE COLOURS<0;MAIN.CPL 0

If you have a German version, you have to modify this entry to:

1=0|Farben|CONTROL.EXE FARBEN<0;MAIN.CPL 0

Important is the second 'FARBEN', which is the German Label for the Colour-option in the Control Panel.


Context-Sensitive Menus - Special Menuitems
Context-Sensitive Menus

This Submenus are defined in the MNU-file ADDONS.MNU.

Please refer to the file ADDONS.WRI for available context-sensitive Menus.

See also: Associate a Window-Class with a Menu


Systemmenu of pinned Menus - Special Menuitem
Systemmenu of pinned Menus

This Submenu appears, if you hold down the right (or the middle) mousebutton over the title bar of a pinned Menu.

This Submenus are defined in the MNU-file ADDONS.MNU.

Arrange Menus at Top and Arrange Menus at Left

Hide:

With this menuitem you can hide the pinned Menu.

(0|Hide|MNU_CALLDLL USER ShowWindow @HWND 0)

(See also: Tasks)

Stick it and Unstick it:

With Stick it you can hold the Menu in the front of the desktop.

(0|Stick it|MNU_CALLDLL USER SetWindowPos @HWND -1 0 0 0 0 3)

With Unstick it a pinned Menu can be overlapped by other windows.

(0|Unstick it|MNU_CALLDLL USER SetWindowPos @HWND -2 0 0 0 0 3)

The menuitem Close do exactly what it says with the pinned Menu.

(0|Close|MNU_CALLDLL USER DestroyWindow @HWND)

See also: Stick Menus on the Desktop


Editmenu of pinned Menus - Special Menuitem
Editmenu of pinned Menus

You can get this menu, if you click with the right (res. middle) mousebutton on an item of a pinned Menu.

This Submenu is defined in the MNU-file ADDONS.MNU.

Edit Item

Insert Item

Add Item

Delete Item

Configuration


Edit Item - Special Menuitem
Edit Item

If you want to edit (change) a Menuitem in a pinned Menu, you can click with the right (middle) mousebutton on this Menuitem. Select Edit Item.

In the Edit dialogue you can change the properties of the Menuitem.

(0|Edit Item|MNU_EDIT)

See also: Edit an Existing Menuitem


Insert Item - Special Menuitem
Insert Item

If you want to insert a new Menuitem in a pinned Menu, you can click with the right (middle) mousebutton on the Menuitem, which marks the point to insert. Select Insert Item.

In the Edit dialogue you can declare the properties of the new Menuitem.

(0|Insert Item|MNU_INS)

See also: Insert a New Menuitem


Add Item - Special Menuitem
Add Item

If you want to add a new Menuitem in a pinned Menu, you can click with the right (middle) mousebutton on the Menuitem, which marks the point to add. Select Add Item.

In the Edit dialogue you can declare the properties of the new Menuitem.

(0|Add Item|MNU_ADD)

See also: Add a New Menuitem


Delete Item - Special Menuitem
Delete Item

If you want to delete a Menuitem in a pinned Menu, you can click with the right (middle) mousebutton on the Menuitem to delete. Select Delete Item, an confirm the dialogue to delete.

(0|Delete Item|MNU_DEL)

See also: Delete a Menuitem


Configuration - Special Menuitem
Configuration

Pop up the dialogue Configuration.

(0|Configuration|MNU_CONFIG)


Startup = submenu Autostart

If you run the Menu as windows shell, all items in the submenus, which calls Autostart or Startup are executed at the beginning. These submenus has to be defined in the RRKMENU.INI.

See: Starting Options


Keyboard

The keys to configure the Menu only work if you have popped up the Menu and highlighted a Menuitem - respectively a pinned Menu has the focus.

If you haven't a mouse look at Using the Menu without a Mouse.

F1	shows the Help

F2	invokes a dialogue to change the General Properties

F5	brings up a dialogue to Configure the Menu and edit a Menuitem

F6	Edit a Menuitem

F7	Add a Menuitem

Del	Delete a Menuitem

Ins or F4	Insert a Menuitem

F9 or 4 on the Numpad:

Arrange all pinned Menus left on the Desktop

F11 or 8 on the Numpad:

Arrange all pinned Menus left on the Desktop

F12	Refresh a pinned Menu.

Alt + Pause	to popup the Menu by keyboard

Ctrl and Shift

•	while selecting a Menuitem:
Hold down the Ctrl-key to change the command line before execution

•	If don't use the Menu as Windows-Shell, you can also quit Windows with the Menuitem End. If you push the Ctrl-key while selecting this menuitem, Windows will shoot down. If you push the Ctrl- and the Shift-key, Windows will shoot down without a confirmation.

•	If you open the Submenu Tasks while holding the Shift-key down, also the hidden windows will list in the Submenu.
If you click on a Menuitem of the Submenu Tasks and press the Ctrl-key, the corresponding program will be closed. If you click on an item and press the Shift-key the program (window) will be hidden.

•	If you click on a Menuitem of a pinned Menu with the Shift-key, the menu will roll up after executing the Menuitems command line.

•	If the Menu starts and you press Shift-key, Wins DT (saved with Save Wins DT or the internal command MNU_SDT) will not be restored. Also - if the Menu runs as Shell - the items in Autostart - will not execute.

•	If you execute a Menuitem of the Submenu Printer and you hold down the Shift-key, you can get the to printer setup dialogue.

•	To provide a better compatibility with other desktop tools like PC Tools for Windows or Norton Desktop, you can disable the popup with the right mouse button, if you press the Shift-key. If you press the shift-key you can access the original popup menus of other desktop tools.

•	To refresh the Program Manager groups, press the Shift-key while opening the submenu 'Progman'. If you want to refresh a Program Manager Group, use the same method.


 The Dialogue Menu - General Properties

How to get the Dialogue:

•	Press the F2-key in the popped up.

or:

•	Press gen. Props in the Configuration Dialogue (Accessible through F5).

Explanations

In this dialogue you can change the general Properties of Menu.

The General Properties are divided in following sections:

Style

Mouse

Menu-Hooks

Miscellaneous

History

FileViewer


Style - Index - Dialogue General Properties
Style

Graphic

Icons

Iconsize

Fonts

Style

With title label


Graphic - Dialogue General Properties
Graphic

The menu has a 3d-effect.

With Fonts you can choose a Font for the Menuitems.

Comment: The pinned Menus are always shown with the 3d-effect.


Icons - Dialogue General Properties
Icons

One of the highlights of the Menu is the feature, to show automatically the Icons of Programs and Documents in the Menu.

But if you have a slow Computer and/or use disk compression software, you may not want this option.

Look also at The meaning of the Icons


Iconsize - Dialogue General Properties
Iconsize

The Numbers correspond to the size of the Icons.

The normal size of the Icons - shown also by the Program-Manager - is 32 pixels. 24 and 16 pixels are smaller.


Fonts - Dialogue General Properties
Fonts

A standard dialogue for choosing the menu-font.

The standard font is MS Sans Serif 8 pt.


Style - Dialogue General Properties
Style

Standard is a simple style, but it has the advantage that the menuitems are small and the Submenus are built quickly.

The style OpenLook is overtaken from a Unix X-Windows GUI.

The style, called Beta is just a one-evening-production.

The style, named Motif as some similarities to the X-Window GUI with the same name.

If you change the style to or from Standard all icon database files RRKIDX.* and RRKDAT.* are deleted.


With title label - Dialogue General Properties
With title label

If you activate this option, the Submenu labels are also shown in the title of the Submenu.


Mouse - Index - Dialogue General Properties
Mouse

Middle Mouse button

Emulation of the middle mouse button

Submenu for the right mouse button

Release Mouse after Popup


Middle Mouse button - Dialogue General Properties
Middle Mouse button

If you have a mouse supporting 3 mouse buttons, it is recommended to use this option. To pop up the menu, you can use the middle mouse button instead of the right mouse button.

See also: Avoid conflicts with other Programs.


Release Mouse after Popup - Dialogue General Properties
Release Mouse after Popup

If you check the option Release Mouse after Popup the right mouse button is released after you popup the Menu with the right mouse button. Otherwise you can select a menuitem holding down the right mouse button.


Emulation of the middle mouse button - Dialogue General Properties
Emulation of the middle mouse button

You can emulate the middle mouse button with:

Ctrl + right mouse button

or

left + right mouse button

The order of the Ctrl / left + and right mouse button is important: First press the Ctrl-key / the left mouse button and than the right mouse button.

This option only functions if the option middle Mouse button is activated.


Submenu for the right mouse button - Dialogue General Properties
Submenu for the right mouse button

If the option middle Mouse button is activated, you can assign a Submenu to the right mouse button, which appears if you click on the desktop.

You can assign a Submenu:

1.	by the label if a Submenu (use Browse to select a Submenu).

2.	or you can declare a valid INI-line to execute a single command with the right mouse button.


Menu-Hooks - Index - Dialogue General Properties
Menu-Hooks

Hotkeys

MenuHook (Drop Down Menus)

Context Sensitive

System-Menu also popups over titlebar

Appending for the System-Menu


Hotkeys - Dialogue General Properties
Hotkeys

The Menu can used without a mouse (on notebooks maybe). Using this option, you can popup the Menu by pressing the Alt and the Pause key. To navigate in the Menu and Submenus, use the Cursor keys on the keyboard.

See also: Using the Menu without a Mouse

If you want to use Hotkeys to launch programs this option must be activated.


MenuHook (Drop Down Menus) - Dialogue General Properties
MenuHook (Drop Down Menus)

If this option is on, you can select a drop-down menu of a normal Windows program with the right mouse button. This Menu also has a pin to stick it on the desktop.

See also: Stick normal Drop-Down-Menus with a Pin.


Context Sensitive - Dialogue General Properties
Context Sensitive

If this option is on, the context sensitive popped up menus, described in the file ADDONS.WRI are enabled.

See also: Using Context-Sensitive Menus.


System-Menu also popups over titlebar - Dialogue General Properties
System-Menu also popups over titlebar

If this option is activated and you click with the right mouse button on a windows titlebar, you get the system menu. Otherwise you get system menu only if you click with the right mouse button on to the system menu field.


Appending for the System-Menu - Dialogue General Properties
Appending for the System-Menu

If you click with the right mouse button on the system menu field, you get the system menu. You can append your own items on each system menu. Use Browse to select an existing Submenu.


Miscellaneous - Dialogue General Properties
Miscellaneous

Index in RAM

RealMove

Save DT. (Desktop)

As Shell

Confirm End

Dynamic PMGs

With hidden Tasks


Index in RAM - Dialogue General Properties
Index in RAM

If you dont have serious problems with your RAM, it is recommended to use this option: The menu will be faster this way.


Realmove - Dialogue General Properties
Realmove

If you have a fast Graphic-Adaptor in Your Computer, you can use this option to simulate a real-time movement of the pinned Menus, as seen in the NeXT-Systems (Try it, it is just a joke).


Save DT. (Desktop) - Dialogue General Properties
Save DT. (Desktop)

Saves the pinned Menus on the desktop when leaving the menu and restores them when restarting the menu.


As Shell - Dialogue General Properties
As Shell

To use the menu as shell instead of the Program-Manager.

Look also: Starting Options


Confirm End - Dialogue General Properties
Confirm End

If you use the Menu as Shell and if this option is activated, the Menu wants you to confirm before quiting Windows.


Dynamic PMGs - Dialogue General Properties
Dynamic PMGs

If you have a fast computer or you don't use the Icons in the menus, you can activate this option. This will have the advantage that the Submenus "Progman" and the Program Managers Group Submenus are always up to date, because they are dynamically read out of the group files (*.grp). But I don't recommend to use this option.

See also: The Program Manager as Menu.


With hidden Tasks - Dialogue General Properties
With hidden Tasks

With this option the hidden tasks (windows) are also listed in the Submenu Tasks.


History - Dialogue General Properties
History

With internal command

If this option is activated, also internal commands are listed in the Submenu History

Length of the Menu History

You can declare the maximum length of the Submenu History.

If the length is 0, no executed items are listed.


FileViewer - Dialogue General Properties
FileViewer

You can declare a File-Viewer and a File-Editor.

If you choose a file which is not a program or a document, the file is opened with the FileViewer as default. If you press the Shift-key while selecting such a menuitem the file will be opened with the FileEditor.

The FileViewer and FileEditor are also used in the context-sensitive menus for the File Manager.


OK

To confirm the changes in this dialogue.


Cancel

Selecting Cancel will undo all changes, except the changes in "Fonts".


The Dialogue Delete Menuitem
 The Dialogue - Delete Menuitem

How to get the Dialogue:

•	First, press the F5-Key in the popped-up Menu,.and then select Delete;

or:

•	Press the F4- or the Del-Key in the popped-up Menu;

or:

•	In a pinned Menus select the corresponding Menuitems of the Editmenu.

Explanations

This Dialogue confirms the deleting of a menuitem.

(Sub-)Menu

The submenu, which contains the actual selected Menuitem, is shown here.

Label

The Label of the actual selected Menuitem is placed here.

Filename

The command line of the actual selected Menuitem is placed here.

Working Directory

The Working Directory of the actual selected Menuitem is placed here.


The Dialogue Delete a Submenu
 The Dialogue - Delete a Submenu

How to get the Dialogue:

•	If you have selected a popped-up Menuitem, which contains a Submenu and you press the Del-Key, the Menu asks you, if you want to only delete the Menuitem, without deleting the whole Submenu (Name), or if you also want to delete the entries of the selected Submenu (All).

Comment

It is recommended to delete the whole Submenu if you don't need the Submenu at another place in your Submenu structure.  Remember, the RRKMENU.INI must not become bigger than 32 KB.

Name

By confirming with Name, only the Menuitem, which links to the (Sub-)Submenu in the actual (Sub-)Menu, will be deleted. If you Insert the (Sub-)Submenu in another (Sub)Menu of your Submenu structure, you can access the old Entries. This might be a way to move whole Submenus to other places in the menu structure.

All

By confirming with All, the whole Submenu will be deleted. This will have the consequence, that any other Menuitems with a link to this Submenu will become empty.


 The Dialogue Menu - Edit Menuitem

How to get the Dialogue:

There is more than one way:

•	At first select in the popped-up Menu, a Menuitem, then press the F5-Key and choose (in the dialogue Configuration) one of the buttons: Add, Insert or Edit.

or:

•	At first select in the popped-up Menu, a Menuitem, then press the F6-Key to edit (change) a Menuitem.

•	... the F7-Key to add a new Menuitem

•	... the F4- or the Ins-Key to insert a new Menuitem.

or:

•	Choose, in a pinned menu, the corresponding Menuitem of the local Editmenu.

Explanations

In this Dialogue you can insert, add or change a Menuitem.

Comments

By using the "Drag and Drop-method" from the File-Manager, you can also add or insert new Menuitems into a pinned-Menu, without using this dialogue.

See: Drag'n Drop: Insert files in a Submenu

SubMenu

MenuFile

Label

Filename

WorkingDirectory

Hotkeys

Icons

MenuType

Properties


(Sub-) Menu - Edit dialogue
(Sub-) Menu

The Submenu, which contains the current selected Menuitem, is shown here.


Menufile - Edit dialogue
Menufile

Submenus can also be defined in files other than the RRKMENU.INI. To do this, you should declare the Filename of the Menu-file, which contains the Submenu to be used within a Submenu for .

The Menufiles must have the extension *.MNU.

If you edit a Menuitem, which is defined in a MNU-file, the MNU-file will be shown in this field.


Label - Edit dialogue
Label

The Label is shown in the Menuitem of the Menu. The Label must not be longer than 30 chars. Internally, (As with a link to a Submenu) the case makes no difference.


Filename - Edit dialogue
Filename

Normally a program-file or a Document- is executed by choosing a Menuitem.

(NIX is a short form of 'Nothing').

("MNU_"... is reserved for internal command)


Working Directory - Edit dialogue
Working Directory

You can declare a standard working path for programs.

(This will only have an effect for standard Menuitems.)


Hotkeys - Edit dialogue
Hotkeys

A Hotkey is a combination of keys, that execute a command line, its inclusive parameters, working directories and window sizes - every time the Hotkey is pressed.

To define a Hotkey, put the cursor in the Hotkey edit-box and press the key combination desired.

If the actual Menuitem is a Submenu, you can use this edit-box to declare a ShortCut to the Submenu. ShortCuts can only be used if the menu is still popped-up.

To define a ShortCut for the Submenu, press the Ctrl-key and a char. If this ShortKey is already associated with an other Submenu, the old association will be overwritten.

To define a Hotkey for the Submenu you must check the option Global.

See also: Using ShortCuts or Dialogue ShortCuts.

See also: Using Hotkeys or The Dialogue Hotkeys.


Icon...  - Edit dialogue
Icon...

Opens the dialogue Icons to assign an Icon to the current Menuitem.

See also: Declare Icons for Non-Windows Programs.


Menutype -Index - Edit dialogue
Menutype

Normal Menuitem

Submenu

Horizontal Dividing Line

Vertical Dividing Line

Searching Directory

Drive Directory

Program-Manager

Program-Group


Normal Menuitem - Edit dialogue
Normal Menuitem

A normal Menuitem needs a Label and a Filename.

The Label depends on your imagination. (f.e.: My fine Program)

Use Browse for picking a Program- or a Document- File for Filename. When executing other Files, than Programs or Documents, the execution is preceded with a Beep.

You can also declare Arguments after a whitespace in Filename: f.e.: c:\mydir\myprogr.exe /v /r myfile.dat

In the field Working Directory you can declare a path for the program.

Also you can choose the window size of the starting program in Window-Size.

See also: Internal Command


Submenu - Edit dialogue
Submenu

A Submenu is a cascading menu.

By choosing a Menuitem that contains a link to a Submenu, the Submenu will be opened. The Submenus are defined by their Labels. f.e.: Games and More

Internally there are no differences between capital and small letters (the case). A declaration for a Filename is not necessary (NIX is 'short' form for "nothing").

But if you want to define the submenu in an external Menu you have to declare the MNU-file as Filename.

With Submenus, instead of changing Window Size you can change the Style of a Submenu.


horizontal Dividing-Line - Edit dialogue
horizontal Dividing-Line

Use this, if you want to structure your Menuitems in several horizontal sections.

Note, though, you must only use the suggested entries in Label and Filename.


Searching Directory - Edit dialogue
Searching Directory

This option generates Menuitems by using DOS ambiguous file-names.

If you type c:\mydir\*.txt in the field Filename, then in its Submenu all matching textfiles are listed in the order, you defined with the Properties of the Menuitem. Entries in the field Label won't have an effect, because they are replaced by the found filenames (listed without the path).

You can use Browse to select the directory and a file.

(Comment: You can collect your actual project files in a Submenu, stick this Submenu on the desktop, and, thus, you don't need to use the Menu 'File - Open' in an application.)


Drive Directory - Edit dialogue
Drive Directory

This function puts a little 'File-Manager' in a submenu. In this submenu all directories are shown first, and executable files and documents are listed last in a alphabetical order.

In the field Filename you have to type the starting directories for example c:\ or c:\mydir\mysubdir.

(After selecting this option, you can use Browse to choose the starting path by selecting any Dummy - file.)

In the field Label you can use the defaults offered by Browse or you can declare your own Label.


Window - Size - Edit dialogue
Window - Size

Window-Size can only be chaged on standard Menuitems (i.e. only on executables, or documents assigned to executables, not on submenus, etc.).

If the Menuitem is a Submenu you can declare the Style of a Submenu at this position.


vertical Dividing Line - Edit dialogue
vertical Dividing Line

You can use this item to separate the Menuitems below the vertical Dividing Line in a new column.

(This feature is still 'Alpha')

Note, though, you must only use the suggested entries in Label and Filename.


Progr.- Manager - Edit dialogue
Progr.- Manager

You can include the Program-Manager in the menu with this option.

You must use the suggested default in the field Filename.

You can use the default in the field Label, or you can change it.

Please refer to The Program-Manager as Menu for more detailed information.


Progr.- Group - Edit dialogue
Progr.- Group

You can include a single Program-Group from the Program-Manager in the Menu.

Use Browse search for an existing '*.grp'-file in your Windows-Directory.

In the field Label you can use the default, offered by Browse, or you can declare your own Label.

Please refer to A single Program-Group as Menu for more detailed information.


actual Icon

The actual Icon of the menuitem is shown here.

(Sometimes, when you change an Item, the icon of the old item will still be shown)


Properties - Edit dialogue
Properties

If the Menuitem is a Normal Menuitem or a Searching Directory then for each property selection:

Normal

The program will start in its normal size.

Minimized

The program will start minimized

Maximized

The program will start maximized

Hidden

The program will start hidden. Use the Submenu Tasks to switch to a hidden program.

If the Menuitem is a Submenu or a a Drive Directory: then for each property selection:

Normal

The Submenu and the Menuitems are showed in the default style.

o.Icons

The Menuitems of the Submenu will be showed only with the icons.

o.Text

The Menuitems of the Submenu will be showed only with the describing text.

NoPin

The Submenu will not have a pin to stick it on the desktop.

Locked

You can't edit the Menuitems of the Submenu with dialogues.

All Files

Is only available if the Menutype is Drive Directory

All files are listed even if they are neither programs or documents.

by name

All found files are listed by name.

This option is only available, if the type of the item is drive path or searching directories.

by type

All found files are listed by the type of the file (file extensions).

This option is only available, if the type of the item is drive path or searching directories.

by time

All found files are listed by time (last modified) of the file.

This option is only available, if the type of the item is drive path or searching directories.

by size

All found files are listed by size of the file.

This option is only available, if the type of the item is drive path or searching directories.

reverse

All found files are listed by name, type, date or size in reverse order.

This option is only available, if the type of the item is drive path or searching directories.


OK

After editing the Menuitem, save any changes by clicking on the OK button.


 The Dialogue Menu - Execution

How to get the Dialogue:

You must press the Ctrl-Key while executing a Menuitem in order to get the execution dialogue.

Explanations

You can change the filename and its parameters in the dialogue before executing it.

It is also a great replacement for the Program-Manager "File -Run" command (or similar, I do not have the English Version of Windows)

Command line

Place the Filename of the program or the document here.

Parameter

Place whatever flags or filename expected by the program.

Working Directory

Some programs needs to start in a special directory or they can't find their files.

OK

After confirming, the program executes, and the assigned-document, if any specified, will also be open.


The Dialogue Menu - Configuration

How to get the Dialogue:

•	Press in the popped-up  Menu the F5 Key.

or:

•	Select in the Submenu Menu Setup the item Configuration

or:

•	Select in the Edit-Menu of sticked Menus the item Configuration

or:

•	Select in the system Menu of the program icon the item Configuration

(You see, you can't miss it.)

Edit Menuitem

Opens a Dialogue, to edit the current Menuitem.

Look: Edit a Menuitem
Dialogue Menu - Edit Menuitem

Delete Menuitem

Deletes the current Menuitem.

Look: Delete a Menuitem
Dialogue Menu - Delete a Menuitem

Add Menuitem

Opens a dialogue, to add a new Menuitem below the position of the current Menuitem.

Look: Add a Menuitem
Dialogue Menu - Edit a Menuitem

Insert Menuitem

Opens a dialogue, to insert a new Menuitem above the position of the current Menuitem.

See: Insert a Menuitem
Dialogue Menu - Edit a Menuitem

General Properties

Opens a dialogue, where general Properties of the Menu can be changed.

Look: Dialogue General Properties

(Sub-)Menu

The Submenu, which contains the current selected Menuitem, is showed here.

Label

The Label of the current selected Menuitem.

Filename

The command line of the current selected Menuitem.

Working Directory

The Working Directory of the current selected Menuitem.

Associate...

Starts a dialogue to associate Documents (declared by the file extensions) with a program.

See also: Dialogue - Document - Association

ShortCuts

Opens the dialogue ShortCuts.

Hotkeys

Opens the dialogue Hotkeys.


Browse:

This button will be open a standard-dialogue for picking a file.


The Dialogue New Menuitem
The Dialogue - New Menuitem in an empty Submenu

How to get the Dialogue:

If you insert a new Menuitem, and you highlighted an empty Submenu, this dialogue appears.

Explanations

To insert the first Menuitem in an empty Submenu, you have to highlight the empty Submenu and press the Ins-key.

After declaring the new Menuitem in the Edit dialogue you can choose, if you want this new Menuitem as the first Menuitem in the empty Submenu.

Normal

The blue Menuitem contains the empty Submenu. If you choose Normal, the new Menuitem (green) will be placed at the above position. The empty Submenu will still be empty.

Submenu

The blue Menuitem contains the empty Submenu. If you choose Submenu, the new Menuitem (green) will become the first Menuitem of the empty Submenu.


The Dialogue Document Association
 The Dialogue - Document Association

How to get the Dialogue:

•	Press the F5-key in the popped-up Menu.

•	Select Configuration in the Systemmenu of the program icon (a black Arrow).

or:

•	Select the Menuitem Configuration in the Submenu Menu Setup.

or:

•	Press the F5-key and select the Configuration dialogue in the popped-upn.

or:

•	Click on a pinned Menu with the right (middle) Mousebutton and select Configuration in the local Editmenu.

•	Select Associate

Explanations

In this dialogue you can declare your Windows Documents by associating a file extension with a program.

Comments

Documents are defined by their file extension. For example: A file with the file extension .wri is a Write - Document associated to the program WRITE.EXE.

How To:

Define a Document

•	Declare a File Extension in the field File Ext.

•	Select a Program in the list of Associated Programs

or:

•	Use Browse, to pick up a program file.

Undefine a Document

Select, in the left list, a File Extension to detach and click on the button detach.

The Elements of the Dialogue

File Ext. (File Extension)

In this field You must insert the File-Extension.

List of the existing File Extensions

All File Extensions that associate documents and programs, are listed here.

If you click on one File Extension, in the list Associated Programs the Program associated with the document will be highlighted.

Associated Programs

In this field you must insert the Program filename.

List of the associated Programs

Here all Programs listed, that are registered in REG.DAT

Associate

If You have declared a File Extension in the field File Ext. and a program in Associated Programs You can define (associate) a Document.

Detach

If You have declared a File Extension in the field File Ext. and a program in Associated Programs You can undefine (detach) a Document.

OK

To close the dialogue.


Querverweis von VKN_DIALOG_HELP_ID auf vkndlg


Important  read this first
 Important - read This first

Copyright:

This software and the documentation are copyrighted.

The files BWCC.DLL and BWCC*.DLL (Language add-ons for BWCC.DLL) are copyrighted by Borland International.

Trademarks are - of course - Trademarks.

Agreement for Using / Warranty

This software and the accompanying files are distributed "as is" and without warranties as to performance of merchantability or any other warranties whether expressed or implied.

Because of the various hardware and software environments into which New Menus for Windows 1.28 may be put, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered.

There are some bugs in the program. See Known Bugs.

The user must assume the entire risk of using the program.

Distribution:

This version of  New Menus for Windows 1.28 may be freely distributed, subject to the following restrictions:

The program may be stored in software archives or posted to Bulletin Board systems, and may be distributed by individuals. Apart from reasonable media and handling costs, no charge may be levied for its distribution.

It is prohibited to distribute the software and/or documentation with other commercial products without prior written permission.

The program should be stored with all the files listed in The Files.

Registration / Feedback

New Menus for Windows 1.28 is Shareware - not Freeware nor Public Domain!

Shareware means, you can test New Menus for Windows 1.28 freely for 30 days without any limitations - excepting one reminder screen at startup of New Menus for Windows 1.28. After this period you have to register or delete the program.

Use Write to open the file REGISTER.WRI for more information on registering.

Inquiries, comments, and suggestions regarding RRKMenu are also welcomed and can be sent to

Roger René Kommer

Doernbergstr.11

D 34119 Kassel

Germany

Voice. (++ 49 561) 780 150

EMail: roger@architektur.uni-kassel.de


 What you have to read / know

Chapters you may have to read, to use the Menu:

•	You can get an overview of the features in: The features of the Menu.

•	In the chapters Quick Tips, the essential functions are described.

•	The chapters Bugs, Limits, Help may protect you from unwelcome surprises.

•	The Chapter Avoid Conflicts with other Programs may give you hints to do exactly that.

•	You have to know the Edit keys for customizing your menu.

•	In the chapters How to do the important Actions are described step by step.


Introduction to New Menus for Windows

Windows at your fingertips: New Menus for Windows 1.28 is a Windows Shell, similar to some window managers of X-Windows (GUI of UNIX e.g. Motif, OpenLook).

The Menuing System

The kernel of the program is a replacement for the Progman, in the form  of a popup menu, which you can popup at any time with the right or middle mouse buttons. This popup menu can have as many submenus (like subdirectories in a filesystem) as you like. The menu items can be programs, documents or function calls. The popup menu is not a simple, normal windows popup menu. It doesn't look like one and its behavior deviates. An icon and description are displayed for all programs and documents. Ad libitum these icons can have the size of 32, 24 or 16 pixels - it is even possible to represent menu items as animated icons. By default the icons of the programs or its assigned documents are shown. You can customize these icons. The font and font size is also configurable. For each submenu, you can choose if you want to see only the text, the icon or both. You can choose the look of your popup among 4 styles. One of these simulates the  design of Motif and another is similar to OpenLook.

A nice feature of OpenLook is also implemented in NMFW: Every (sub-)menu can be stuck onto the desktop. You can install new Menu items in much the same way you would in Program Manager (e.g. Menu items which launch new programs). Installation of new menu items is supported by dialogues or via drag'n drop. The first time you run NMFW, the groups of the Program Manager are converted to menu items. To work with documents, you dont have to install each file as a menu item - New Menus for Windows supports wild cards, which automatically fill submenus with matching files. It is also possible to include parts of a filesystem into the menu structure: The subdirectories are represented by submenus and their files appear as the submenus items. These dynamically built menu items can also be sorted by name, extension, date or size (also in reverse order). If you stick a (sub-)menu onto your desktop you can use it as a buttonbar, which also supports drag'n drop with the File Manager. With a menu item you can do more than just launch a program or open a file: you can declare Keyboard macros, call Windows system functions or functions from any DLL. In the Tasks-Submenu you can switch between your running applications - also shown with their icon and title - hide windows, or terminate the applications. In another Submenu you can switch between your installed printers, call its property-dialogue or drag files to print on a specified printer. In a submenu called History, all executed menu items are listed as a command history. Other special features are only listed by name: Rebooting Windows, rebooting DOS; quit Windows - execute DOS-program - restart Windows, Save all documents in all programs; Close all applications; the layout functions of Taskman; Save Desktop (window positions); Kill a window; etc.

The access to the Submenus is very customizable, several mouse button / keyboard combinations are supported (also an emulation of the middle mouse button). You can assign a global hotkey to each submenu or menu item (in combination with keyboard macros you can also redefine your keyboard layout). To jump quickly from one Submenu to another, you can use shortcuts.

Enhancement of the standard Windows applications drop down menus

If you select a normal drop down menu of a windows application with right mouse button (e.g. "Edit" of Write) you get a new designed menu. Besides the nicer (customizable) look of this menu you can stick it onto the desktop and use it as an sort of button bar (e.g. if you have to switch often between several documents in a multi-document based program, you can stick the menu "Window" onto the desktop to have quick access). The system menu has also been improved - the standard functions are illustrated with icons, instead of the item "switch to..." you get a Submenu with all running Tasks, you can force windows to stay on top (like  the clock) and you can append more menu items and submenus to the system menu.

Enhancement of windows controls with context sensitive popup menus

More and more applications use the right mouse button to give a quicker context sensitive access to the objects the mouse is pointing at. New Menus provides some context sensitive menus which have been  'forgotten' by Windows:

Edit controls (e.g. notepad): Copy; Cut; Insert; Undo; Mark all; Search; Save (ANSI, ASCII, UNIX); convert to lower or upper case; statistics.

List boxes: Copy the string of the marked item.

Scroll Bars: Up, down, left, right.

File-Manager: Copy marked files / directories as text string (which

you can use as arguments to other programs); Load file into the File Viewer

or File Editor; Print File; file operations (copy, move, etc.).

DOS-Box: Mark; Copy; Insert

It is relatively simple to customize your applications with other context sensitive menus.

Multi-User Configuration

New Menus for Windows supports different configurations for different users and network administration. You can supply individual INI-files in the command line (also as an argument for the WIN.COM). Each user can modify its own configuration, but a system administrator can also maintain predefined menu files, in a directory in the path, which can be linked as submenus to individual menu structures. These external menus can be locked against changes. If a new application is installed in the network, the system administration will only have to modify one file.

Other features

New Menus has very lean runtime resource requirements. It needs at minimum ca. 40kB non discardable RAM and 2% of the system resources, which doesn't depend on the size of the menu structure. You need Windows 3.1(1) or WfW. New Menus supports all mice and trackballs, but you can also use the Menu without a mouse.


Howtodo - Index

Customize the Menuitems

Insert a New Menuitem

Add a New Menuitem

Edit an Existing Menuitem

Delete an Existing Menuitem

Declare Icons for Non-Windows Programs

Running a Windows incompatible DOS Program

Using Drag'n Drop

Open any File

Insert Files as Menuitems

Include The Program-Manager

The Program-Manager as Menu

A single Program-Group as Menu

Edit Menuitems of a Program-Group

Miscellaneous

Hide the Program Icon

only Desktop

Menus with a 3-D-Effect

Choosing the Menu-Font

Use Icons in the Menus

Change the style of the Menu

Starting Options

Using Hotkeys and ShortCuts

Using Hotkeys

Using several INI-files

Using the middle Mousebutton

Use the right Mousebutton with a Second (Sub-)Menu

Using a Submenu as a Desktop-Panel

Using context sensitive Menus

Improve the speed of the Menu

Avoid conflicts with other Programs

Using the pinned Menus

Stick Menus on the Desktop

Move the pinned Menus

Minimize the pinned Menus

Hold pinned Menus on the Top of the Desktop

Popup the local Editmenu in pinned Menus

Arrange all pinned Menu on the Desktop

Refresh the pinned Menus

Using a Submenu as a Desktop-Panel

Stick normal Drop-Down-Menus with a Pin


Insert a New Menuitem

In standard, non-pinned Menus:

Comment

•	At first you have to popup the Menu with the right (or middle) Mousebutton.

•	After that, you have to select (highlight) a Menuitem with the left Mousebutton to reference the point of insert.

•	At the same time, push the Ins-Key.

•	and release the Mousebutton.

•	In the following dialogue you can declare the characteristics of the new Menuitem.

In pinned Menus:

Comment

Either:

•	You can highlight the Menuitem.

•	After released the Mousebutton, push the Ins-Key.

Or:

•	Push over the Menuitem to insert the right (or middle) Mousebutton,

•	and select in the Editmenu Insert Item.

•	In the following dialogue you can declare the characteristics of the new Menuitem.

Or:

Use the Drag'n Drop Method with the File-Manager.

If you want insert a Menuitem in an empty submenu, you have to highlight the Submenu entry or the title bar of the empty Submenu. If the Submenu is an external Menu (stored in a *.MNU file) you have to highlight the title bar of the Submenu.


Add a New Menuitem

There are the same methods, described in Insert a New Menuitem, with following differences:

•	You have to press the F7-key instead of the Ins-key.

•	The new Menuitem will be add after the current highlighted Menuitem.


Edit an Existing Menuitem

There are the same methods, described in Insert a New Menuitem, with following differences:

•	You have to press the F6-key instead of the Ins-key to edit the current highlighted menuitem.


Delete an Existing Menuitem

In standard, non-pinned Menus:

Comment

Comment to delete a Dividing Line

•	At first you have to popup the Menu with the right (or middle) Mousebutton.

•	After that, you have to select (highlight) the Menuitem to delete.

•	At the same time, push the Del-Key.

•	and release the Mousebutton.

•	Confirm following Dialogue.

In pinned Menus:

Comment

Either:

•	You can highlight the Menuitem

•	After released the Mousebutton, push the Del-Key.

Or:

•	Push the right (or middle) Mousebutton over the Menuitem to delete,

•	and select in the Editmenu Delete Item.

•	Confirm following Dialogue.


Comments

•	If you can't remember all the Edit key, you also can choose the actions via F5 and the dialogue Configuration.

•	Naturally you can't edit Menuitems in Drive Directory.

•	If you want to insert a new Menuitem in an empty Submenu, highlight the Menuitem, which contains the empty Submenu and press Ins.

•	If you insert, add, change or delete a Menuitem in a Program-Group, the changes will also effect the Program-Manager.


Comments

•	Searching Directories and Drive Directories can't be edit in pinned Menus.


Comment to Delete a Dividing Line

It is a little bit difficult to select a horizontal Dividing Line, but principle possible. The selection of a horizontal Dividing Line has no visual feedback by highlighted the Menuitem.

To delete a vertical Dividing Line, you have to select the continuation of the Head of the Menu in the second column.


Drag'n Drop:
Open any File using the File-Manager and a Pinned Menu

Often I want to view the contains of a file, that is not a document. If the file is not to huge, I start the notepad and use File - Open. If the file is bigger than 32 KB I have to use an other Editor. This seems me to be to complicated. Why not use a simple Drag and Drop with the File Manager, to open any file with any Editor?. You can create a Submenu (maybe called 'Browsers') and install all your preferred Text- Hex- and docs-viewer in this Submenu. You can use pinned (Sub-)Menus as Drag'n Drop panel. If you drag files from the File Manager and drop them over an Menuitem, the files are send as arguments to the program installed as Menuitem. Of course, You can also install your Zip- and Unzip batch files in one of these Submenus.

•	Open the Submenu, which contains a Menuitem with a file viewer (f.e. NOTEPAD.EXE) and stick it on the desktop by using the pin.

•	It is recommended to click a second time on the pin, so it is complete pinned. The pinned Menu is now every time in the front of the desktop.

•	Open the File-Manager.

•	Choose the file to open in the File-Manager and

•	Drag the file with the left Mousebutton over the menuitem, which contains the file viewer and drop the file.

•	Now the program starts and normally opens the file.

Of course the file viewer must handle the file. Try to open a text file with Paintbrush will fail. Some programs may also handle more then one File to open.

If you press the Alt-key while dropping the files, the menu will start for each file the application. This is useful, because most of the applications, which only can handle one document (f.e. Notepad or Paintbrush), also accept only one file as argument.

Otherwise the files are send as one package to the application.


Drag'n Drop:
Insert Files as Menuitems in a pinned (Sub-)menu

A very comfortable way to install new programs or documents in a Submenu is using drag and drop with the File-Manager.

•	Open the Submenu, which should contain the new Menuitem and stick it on the desktop by using the pin.

•	It is recommended to click a second time on the pin, so it is complete pinned. The pinned Menu is now every time in the front of the desktop.

•	Open the File-Manager.

•	Choose in the File-Manager the file(s) to install and

•	drag the file(s) with the left Mousebutton over the menuitem, on which position the program or document should insert.

•	Press the Ctrl-key to add the new Menuitem after the position.

or

•	Press the Alt-key to insert the new Menuitem ahead of the position.

and

•	drop the file(s).


The Program-Manager as Menu
The Program Manager as Menu

Comment

There are two modes to include the Program Manager and its child windows in to the menu structure.

It is possible to bind in the Program Managers groups dynamically in the menu. To do this you have to activate the option Dynamic PMGs in the dialogue General Properties in the section Miscellaneous.

If you edit menuitems in the dynamically bound program groups, the changes are also reflected in the Program-Manager itself. If you change an item in the Program-Manager the changes are also showed in the corresponding menuitems.

This dynamically method, to include the Program Managers Groups in to the Menu has the disadvantage, that the icon information had to extract out of the *.GRP-files every time the corresponding Submenus are showed.

Because this dynamically method is relative slow, by default all Program Managers Groups are converted in the internal format and saved in the menu file PROGMAN.MNU.

•	To include the Program Manager in a Submenu as a Menuitem, the same steps are necessary, described in Insert a Menuitem respectively in Add a Menuitem.

•	Select in the Edit dialogue the option Progr.-Manager. The suggested declarations for Filename must, and for Label can be accepted.

The connection between the converted Program Managers Groups and the corresponding Submenus are not automatically refreshed.

If a installation program had add a group or add an item to an existent group, the corresponding submenus ("Progman" or a Submenu) have to be explicit actualized.

To refresh (reread the PROGRAM.INI or a GRP-file) such a Submenu you have to hold down the Shift-key while opening the Submenu at first time. If you changed an item of this submenu, this changes are discarded.


A single Program-Group as Menu

Comment

It is also possible to include a single Program-Group (a sub-window of the Program-Manager) as a Submenu in the Menu.

•	To include a Program-Group in a Submenu as a Menuitem, the same steps are necessary, described in Insert a Menuitem respectively in Add a Menuitem.

•	Select in the Edit dialogue the option Program Group.

•	Use Browse to pick an existing Group file (*.grp) in your Windows-directory.
(If you pick Group file not installed in the Program-Manager the Menu may be crashed!)

If you haven't activated the option Dynamic PMGs in the dialogue General Properties in the section Miscellaneous, you have to hold down the Shift-key while opening the corresponding submenu at the first time. After that the information about the installed programs is written in the PROGMAN.MNU.

(The name of a group (the description) must not begin with a space or be empty.)


Comment

I hope the Program-Manager and the Program-Groups are quite transparent implemented, but there are still some problems.

However, you sure recognized, the Icons are considerably build slower than in normal Submenus.


Edit Menuitems of a Program-Group

Comment

!This help page is only relevant, if you activated the option Dynamic PMGs in the dialogue General Properties in the section Miscellaneous.

Otherwise the converted Progman Manager groups have the same behavior as external Submenus.!

You can use the normal methods to edit the Menuitems in a Program-Group (also Program-Manager) build as Submenus.

You have to notice, that all changes (insert, add, edit, delete) will have also an effect to the Windows Program Manager!! For example: If you delete a Menuitem in a Program-Group, the installation of the corresponding Program in the Windows Program Manager will also be deleted.

But there are following differences:

•	In contrast to normal Menuitems it doesn't make a different using Add or Insert. At all: the positions of the menuitems are taken over in an accidental order.

•	Of course you can only insert normal Menuitems (no Submenus or else) in a Program-Group. In the Edit dialogue this limitation is presented with the option PM-Item.


Comments

•	The Icons are supported, but the short-cuts and the option starting programs icon sized will have no effects.


Menus with a 3-D-Effect

Comment

Instead of the normal appearance of Windows Menus you can supply the menus with a 3-D-Effect (At first it was only a fashion, it becomes more and more a standard. The programmers do anything for the users! ;).

Than you can also customize the Font, using by the Menu.

•	Select in the dialogue General Properties the option Graphic.

If you activated this option 4 different Styles are available.


Choosing the Menu-Font

Comment

To change the Menu font, it is necessary to check the Option Graphic.

•	Select in the dialogue General Properties the button Fonts and choose in the Windows standard dialogue your preferenced font.


Use Icons in the Menus

Comment

Comment 2

One of the highlights of the Menu is the feature, showing Programs and Documents automatically by their Icons. For programs, which haven't an Icon, like DOS-applications, default Icons are used.

The first call needs a little bit more time to extract the Icon and write it in the database (RRKDAT.xxx and RRKIDX.xxx in the directory of RRKMENU.EXE). But normally the appearance is quite fast.

If you have a very slow computer you may deactivate this option.

•	Select in the dialogue General Properties the option Icons.

•	In the field Icon Size you can choose the preferenced icon size. 32 pixels is the normal size, also showed by the Program Manager. 24 and 16 pixels are equivalent smaller.


Comment

If you change the Font- or the Icon size, while pinned Menus exist on the desktop, you can refresh this pinned Menus with the F12-key. (This may be fixed in a later version.)


Starting Options

As Shell:

Normally Windows starts at first the Program Manager for Windows Shell.

If you like the Menu, and find the Program Manager unnecessary for you, you can use the Menu as Windows Shell:

(Comment: At my experience the menu is more economically with the System resources as the Program Manager.)

•	Select in the dialogue General Properties in section Miscellaneous the option As Shell and restart Windows.

You can enjoy the purity starting Windows with a complete empty desktop (All wishes to order and purity tend to negate all things to nothing :-), and like a deus ex machina the Menu waits for you in the background.

But the Menu also supports a Submenu, called Autostart or Startup. It functions in the same way as in the Program Manager of Windows. Create this Submenu, if you want start applications at the beginning of Windows. The Menu also supports the run and load directives in the WIN.INI.

Save the Desktop by ending the Menu

If you have collected our preferences Applications and our Project-Files (may realized with Searching Directories.) in pinned Submenus on the desktop, you can induce the Menu to restore these pinned Submenus by restarting the Menu.

Submenus, build by Drive Directories, will not be restored.

•	Select in the dialogue General Properties in section Miscellaneous the option Save DT.


Using the middle Mousebutton

Although the Microsoft Mouse has only 2 mousebuttons, 3 mousebuttons are supported by Windows. (It depends also by the used mouse driver)

If you have a mouse with 3 mousebuttons, it is recommended using the 3rd, middle mousebutton to popup the Menu.

•	Unfortunately you can't test the 3rd mousebutton in the Windows Control. For precaution at first it is recommended to unhide the Menu icon (the black arrow) by using Hide Icon in the Submenu Menu Setup or stick the Submenu Menu Setup on the desktop.

•	Select in the dialogue General Properties in the section Mouse the option middle Mousebutton.

•	Test the middle mousebutton.

•	If your Mouse doesn't support the 3rd mousebutton, you can use the emulation of the middle mousebutton.

Look also: Avoid Conflicts with other programs


Improve the Speed of the Menu

•	You have to install a disk cache (smartdrv or similar), to use the Menu with an acceptable speed.

•	Don't use the Program-Manager Submenus. They are much slower, as the other Menuitems.

If you haven't serious problems with our RAM (286 / 1 MB) you can improve the speed of the Menu by

•	selecting in the dialogue General Properties in section Miscellaneous the option Index in RAM.

Without this option the Menu needs permanently only ~25 KB non-discardable RAM, with this option ~ 100 KB more (It depends by the number of Document-Associations and registered Icons in the Menu-Database).

Commend


Avoid Conflicts with other Programs

The Menu is a kind of TSR, hooking the mouse actions.

Unimportant which application is actual active, pressing the right (middle) Mousebutton the Menu comes up.

This may be causes problems.

To minimize these problems, the Menu is very jealous of other Programs using the right (middle) mousebuttons. More and more Programs supports the right mousebutton for local edit options. In this case, you normally can't access this features of the Programs, because every time the Menu is popped-up.

•	If you have a mouse with 3 mousebuttons, it is simple to solve this problem: Use the middle Mousebutton for the Menu!

•	Otherwise can use the Option Only Desktop in the Submenu Menu Setup. Then the Menu only will popped-up, when the mousecursor is over the background of the desktop. In the applications the right mousebutton will function in the normal way.

•	An other way to disable the right mousebutton for the Menu, is to hold down the Shift-key while pushing the right mousebutton.

If you select the option Hotkeys in section Menu - Hooks in the dialogue General Properties, you can still popup the menu independent of the position of the mousecursor by pressing the Alt- and Pause- Key.


Comment

This option is activated by default.


Hide the Program Icon

One of the aim of the Menu is, to clean up the overcrowded Desktop. By consequence you can also hide the program icon of the Menu (a black arrow).

Either:

•	Select in the System menu of the program icon the menuitem hide Icon.

or:

•	Select in the Submenu Menu Setup the Menuitem hide Icon.

To unhide the Icon:

•	Of course you can unhide the icon only with the Menuitem in the Submenu Menu Setup.

 visible.

 hidden


only Desktop

If you want, that the Menu will only popped-up, when the mousecursor is over the background of the Desktop, you can select only Desktop in the Submenu Menu Setup.

1. The Menu will popped-up on every place of the desktop.

2. The Menu will only popped-up, if the mousecursor is over the background of the desktop.

3. The Menu will only popped-up, if the mousecursor is over the background of the desktop or if the mousecursor if over a title bar of a window

You can toggle between 2 and 3 with pressing Ctrl while selecting only Desktop.

Look also: Avoid Conflicts with other Programs


Using Hotkeys

To launch Programs, open a Submenu or execute Internal Commands with the keyboard, you can use Hotkeys. In contrast to ShortCuts for Hotkey it is not necessary, that a Menu is popped-up.

If you want use Hotkeys, the option Hotkeys in the section Menu - Hooks in the dialogue General Properties must be activated. It is also recommended that the option Index in RAM in the section Miscellaneous is activated, otherwise the reaction of the keyboard may be slower.

You can define Hotkeys in two ways:

1. In the Edit-Dialogue:

If you define a new Menuitem or edit an existent Menuitem, you can also define a Hotkey in the editbox Hotkey to execute the command line with a key combination.

If there is a checkbox Global (otherwise you declare a ShortCut) you have to check it.

If the editbox Hotkey has the focus, push the key combination.

If for command line (also the parameter, working directory, window size and the Icon is relevant) a Hotkey is defined, the key combination is showed in the editbox Hotkey. If you declare a new Hotkey, and the key combination is already defined for another command line, the old association will be overwrite.

2. In the Dialogue Hotkeys:

If you want to have an overview of the defined Hotkeys, you can use the Dialogue Hotkeys to define and undefine Hotkeys.


Using Context-Sensitive Menus

Context-Sensitive Menus extent the functionality or the comfort of access of a defined Window-Class like EditBoxes, ListBoxes or the DOS-Box. You can get the associated Context-Sensitive Menu with the right mousebutton, if the mouse cursor is over a defined Window-Class.

All defined Context-Sensitive Menus are described in the file ADDONS.WRI.

If you want you the Context-Sensitive Menus, the option Context-Sensitive Menus in the dialogue General Properties must be activated.


Pupup the local Editmenu in pinned Menus
Popup the local Editmenu in pinned Menus

It is possible to edit the contents of a Menu which is stuck to the desktop using mouse functions. After sticking the menu to the desktop, you can choose an item on it by using the right (middle) mouse button instead of the left button and an edit menu will pop up. This menu will allow you to edit the highlighted item, insert or add new items, or delete the item.

See also: Editmenu of pinned Menus


Using the Menu without a Mouse
Using the Menu without a Mouse.

It is possible to use the Menu without a mouse. And even on a system with a mouse, some of the keyboard shortcuts below may make it easier for you to move quickly through the menus.

The following hot-keys are active for New Menus for Windows:

•	Alt-Pause will popup the Menu just like the right (middle) mouse button.

•	Esc will close the current Menu or SubMenu. It may be necessary to hit Esc several times if you wish to back out of the Menu system completely. Menus which have been stuck to the desktop cannot be closed with Esc.

•	Use the Up and Down Arrows on the Keyboard to highlight a Menuitem.

•	Use the Right Arrow or the Return key on the keyboard to open the highlighted Submenu.

•	Use the Left Arrow or the Esc key to close the current Submenu.

•	To launch a program use the Return key.

•	To stick a Menu, highlight the pin head with the cursor keys, and hit the Return-key. When you first open a menu or sub-menu the pin head is highlighted by default. The pin head is at the top of the just above the first menu item, you can get there with the cursor keys.

The following functions can only be used when a pinned menu is the focus.

•	Shift-PgUp will roll up the pinned Menu leaving only the Menu heading visible.

•	Shift-PgDown will roll down the pinned Menu, revealing all the items on the Menu.

•	Shift-Esc will hold a pinned menu on top of all other programs. This has the same effect as clicking a second time on the pin head with the mouse.

•	Pressing the Shift-Esc keys again when the menu is being held on top will close the menu. (In order to close a menu that is not held on top you need to hit Shift-Esc twice).

•	F9 will arrange all the pinned Menus along the left side of the desktop.

•	F11 will arrange all the pinned Menus along the top of the desktop.

•	Using the Arrow keys while holding down Shift will move a pinned Menu.


External Menus

In addition to defining your own sub-menus in the RRKMENU.INI file you can define menus in external .MNU files. These files are defined in the same format as the sub-menus in RRKMENU.INI. To add one of these menu files to your Menu, simply add an item, set the Label that you want displayed for the menu entry, and set the filename to the filename of your .MNU file, and declare it as a submenu item.

You can store .MNU files anywhere on your system. If you do not specify a path for the .MNU filename, New Menus for Windows will first look for them in the same directory as RRKMENU.INI, then search the Windows directory, and finally search the directories in the PATH environment variable.

Advantages to using external menus:

Using external menu files can be very helpful in multi-user network environments. Each user could have their individual RRKMENU.INI file with a sub-menu linking to a menu located on a server that would be common to all users. This allows the network administrator to easily manage a menu system for a large group of people while each individual user can still modify his/her own local menu to some extent.

One additional feature for multi-user environments is the ability to lock Submenu's. If the submenu is defined in the .INI file with the type 0=8, the user cannot change or delete the submenu. The user can only remove the link to that sub-menu. If a user wanted his/her own modified menu, they could copy the appropriate .MNU file to their local directory, delete the link to the network sub-menu, and add a link to their own modified version.

See also: Install the Menu in a Net environment

Note: 	In the standard configuration of the Menu some Submenus (i.e. "Windows-Manager") are actually external menus (in this case ADDONS.MNU).

e.g.


Declare Icons for Non-Windows Programs

DOS-programs, PIF, COM and BAT-Files don't have individual Icons like their Windows counterparts. These programs will be displayed with generic standard icons.

It is possible to define your own icons for DOS applications to display on the Menu. There are two methods that can be used:

The first way is to declare an Icon in the edit dialogue.  To do this, edit the menu item for which you wish to change the icon. This is accomplished by highlighting the menu item and pressing F6, or if the menu has been stuck to the desktop, clicking on the item with the right (middle) mouse button and choosing the edit option from the edit-menu. Next, select Icons, and specify an icon-file (.ICO) to use.

This method has the disadvantage that if you change the icon size, color resolution, or menu style in the general Properties dialogue, any custom defined icons will be lost, and you will have to define them again.

The other method is to take the icon (.ICO) file you were intending to use and make a copy of it with the same name as the application filename in the same directory as the application. For example, if you wanted to create an icon for the program dosapplic.exe, you would create the icon file dosapplic.ico, and place it in the same directory as dosapplic.exe.

After doing this, the icon should show up alongside the menu item pointing to that file. If you don't see the results on the menu after putting an icon file into the appropriate directory, then delete the files RRKDAT.* and RRKIDX.* in the New Menus for Windows directory. These files are used for caching icon graphics.


Using ShortCuts and Hotkeys

It is possible to define ShortCuts, and Hotkeys for your submenus and applications. ShortCuts are Ctrl key combinations that only operate when the menu is open on the desktop. Hotkeys on the other hand can be activated at any time whether the menu is activated or not and can be assigned to any submenu or application.

There are two ways to define a ShortCut for a Submenu: You can edit a Submenu entry in the Edit-dialogue or you can use the dialogue ShortCuts to define new ShortCuts or delete existing ShortCuts.

You can also define the Hotkey for a particular item in the Edit-dialogue by setting the Hotkey and checking the Global box, or by using the Hotkeys dialogue to assign Hotkeys throughout the system.


Use the right Mousebutton with a Second (Sub-)Menu

If you normally use the middle mousebutton to popup the Menu, you can declare a second (sub-)Menu for your right mousebutton. You might use this to normally activate your menu with the middle button, but use the right button to activate a special tools menu, or configuration options.

•	Open the dialogue General Properties and change to the section Mouse.

•	Use Browse to pick a Submenu from the list of available menus.

You can also start an application or an internal command with a single right mousebutton click, but you have to fill in the field Submenu for the right mousebutton with a valid INI-line.


Change the style of the Menu

In the General Properties dialogue you can choose one of four graphical styles for the Menu.

Standard

This is a simple style, the menuitems are small and the menus are updated on the screen quickly.

OpenLook

An imitation of the OpenLook environment available for UNIX machines using the X-Windows GUI of the same name.

Beta

Just a one-evening-production.

Motif

A style drawing from the X/Motif window manager available for UNIX X-Windows based machines.

If you change the style to or from Standard all icon database files RRKIDX.* and RRKDAT.* are deleted. These files store the information for custom defined icons for DOS applications.


Using a Submenu as a Desktop-Panel

 It is possible to install the your favorite and important programs into one or more submenus and stick these Submenus on your desktop. You can also toggle the menus to display the icons only, text only, or both (the default).

Note:	See Drag'n Drop: Drag'n Drop: ... in Pinned Menus for information on working with pinned Menus.

You can set how the menu is displayed in the edit dialogue. The options are Normal, Icon, and Text. Normal will display icons (if they are enabled in the General Properties dialog), and the text description for each menu entry. The Icon option displays only icons, and the Text option displays only the menu text.

Using Drag'n Drop-Panels:

Because the title bars of menus which only display icons are to small to show the pin and the Roll-Up-Button, there have been some special functions added to make them accessible. When first activated the panel looks like this:

In this state you can roll up and down and move the panel with the mouse. After pressing the Tab key, the panel will look like:

Now you can only move the panel with the mouse. Pressing Tab again will make the panel look like:

In this state you can click once on the pin to hold the pinned Menu on the top, or twice to close the menu. Pressing Tab at this point brings you back to the first state of the menu.

Of course the keyboard ShortCuts defined in Using the Menu without a Mouse always work in the normal way.


Running a Windows incompatible DOS Program

Some DOS programs just won't run correctly under Windows. Often this is because they use their own DOS-Extender or the operate in protected mode. Autocad and 3D Studio (the non-windows versions), and some games are good examples of these types of programs. Some programs like disk utilities need direct access to the hardware that Windows doesn't allow.

Unfortunately, there is a way through New Menus for Windows that you can run programs that act in such a manner, they just cannot be run through windows. However, if you have programs which need direct video access, or need to run by themselves to be fast enough (i.e. many games) you can quit Windows, execute one DOS-program and restart Windows with a menu entry.

To do this, create a menu item in the submenu where you want the program to reside. In the command line of the Edit dialogue, enter the command:

MNU_WIN_REBOOT c:\command.com /c c:\my_dir\my_progr my_parameters

This might look a little much at first, but its really pretty simple:

The first parameter on the line (MNU_WIN_REBOOT) is the Menu command to reboot windows.

The second parameter (c:\command.com) is the name of the DOS command interpreter. If you are using a different command interpreter (i.e. NDOS, or 4DOS, you should change this accordingly).

The /c option is to tell the command interpreter to run the following program, and then return to New Menus for Windows control.

The parameter after that (c:\my_dir\my_progr) is the filename of the program you want to run. And the my_parameters option is any parameters you wish to pass to that program.

Set the Label for the program to the text you want displayed on the menu enter, and you can set a custom icon if you desire. Now when you select this menu-item, Windows will shut-down, run the specified program, and reload once the program has finished executing.

If you only use the MNU_WIN_REBOOT command without additional parameters, Windows will simply quit and restart when you select this menu entry. If you hold down the Shift-key when selecting this Menuitem the system (computer) will be rebooted.


 Der Dialog - Select Icon

How to get the Dialogue

Select the Icon... button in the Menu - Edit dialogue.

Explanations

After choosing an Iconfile in the file-dialogue, all Icons of the file are listed. After selecting one of these Icons the program, declared in the Editdialogue will be shown with this Icon.

If you have declared a document in the Editdialogue, the Icon change will not have any effect in the Menu (its icon can only be the icon of its associated executable).

Comments

If you change the size of the icons shown in the menu, or if you change the number of colors under Windows, the Icons assigned to programs shown in the Menu are discarded, and recreated when accessed by the Menu again.

Another way to assign non-Windows (DOS) programs with an Icon (independent of the icon size and the color-resoulution) is described in Declare Icons for Non-Windows Programs.

Icons

Here, all Icons of the selected Iconfile are listed. The black triangle shows the selected Icon.

Browse

Opens a Standard-Dialogue to choose an Iconfile (*.ICO;*.EXE;*.DLL).

OK

The new Icon for the program is only re-assigned, when you confirm it in the Editdialogue

Cancel

Closes the dialogue without defining a new Icon


The Dialogue ShortCuts for Submenus
The Dialogue - ShortCuts for Submenus

How to get the Dialogue

Select the  ShortCuts button in the Configuration dialogue.

Explanations

If you popped-up the Menu you can, then jump to a Submenu with a Hotkey.

These Hotkeys can be declared in this dialogue.

See also: Using ShortCuts.

Comments

It is also possible to declare the right Mousebutton with a second Submenu.

Ctrl - Hotkeys

Here, all Hotkeys assignments in the menu are listed. Click on an item to look at the associated Submenu.

Submenus

Here, all Submenus, defined in RRKMENU.INI, are listed.

Associate

If you type the Ctrl- key with a char as the Hotkey and you have selected a Submenu you can associate the Hotkey with the Submenu.

Detach

Select a Hotkey-char (the associated Submenu will automatically be selected) and push Detach, to detach the Association.


Der Dialog Hotkeys
The Dialogue Hotkeys

How to get the Dialogue

Select the Hotkeys button in the dialogue Configuration.

Explanations

In this dialogue all key combinations for Hotkeys, which are associated with a command line, are listed.

It is also possible to assign Hotkeys for a Menuitem in the Edit - dialogue.

In the field Commandline place the command line -including the parameters, the working directory and a valid window-size. You can also declare an Internal Command as a command line.

You can define a new key combination for a Hotkey by placing the cursor in the KeyComb.: field and then typing the desired keys.

Comments

It is also possible to assign Hotkeys to a Menuitem in the Edit - dialogue. But it might be better to first review all of the already-assigned Hotkeys, because the command line in the - Hotkey - association for a menuitem may be ambiguous.

KeyCombination

Here, all defined Hotkeys are listed.

Command Line

Here, all command lines, which are associated with a Hotkey, are listed.

Associate

Once you have declared a key combination for a new Hotkey and a command line (maybe via Browse) you should then use Associate to assign the new Hotkey.

Detach

If you want to unassigne a Hotkey, then select the Key Combination and click on Detach.

Hotkey

With a Hotkey (a key combination with the Alt and/or Ctrl- and the Shift-key with a char) you can launch Programs or execute Internal Command with the keyboard at any time.

For a valid Hotkey the Alt- or the Ctrl-key and a char must be used (the Shift-key can be used in addition, but not alone).

Examples of valid Hotkeys key combinations:

Ctrl+D; Alt+1; Alt+Shift+T; Ctrl+Shift+Z; Alt+Ctrl+Shift+O

Not valid are following combinations:

Shift+A; Ctrl+#

The Hotkeys only function, if in the dialogue general properties the option Alt+Pause-Popup (Hotkeys) is activated.


The API

Internal Commands

Call a DLL-Function

Simulate keyboard actions with a Menuitem

Calling a Menu from another application or via the commandline

Pop up a Menu with an extern Program

Associate a Window-Class with a Menu

Send Messages to a Window


Internal Commands

MNU_ADD

It doesn't make sense to use this internal command in another place, as in the Edit-Menu of pinned Menus.

MNU_ARRANGE_LEFT

Minimizes all sticked Menus - except the Menus only with icons and the pinned Drop-Down Menus - and arranges them at the left side of the desktop.

See also: Arrange Icons, Tile Windows vert., Tile Windows hor. and Cascade Windows

and: Arrange Menus at Top and Arrange Menus at Left

MNU_ARRANGE_TOP

Minimizes all sticked Menus - except the Menus only with icons and the pinned Drop-Down Menus - and arranges them at the top of the desktop.

See also: Arrange Icons, Tile Windows vert., Tile Windows hor. and Cascade Windows

and: Arrange Menus at Top and Arrange Menus at Left

MNU_BACKGROUND

See Only Background

MNU_CALLDLL

Calls an external DLL-function.

See also: Call a DLL-Function

MNU_COMMAND:

Doesn't exist! because you don't need it. If you want to prompt for a command-line, select a menu item, and press the Ctrl-key while releasing the mouse button.

In the dialogue Menu - Execute you can declare a command line.

MNU_CONFIG

Calls the dialogue Configuration.

MNU_DEL

It doesn't make a sense, to use this internal command at an other place, as in the Edit-Menu of pinned Menus.

MNU_DEL

Declares a Printerdevice.

MNU_DOWITHALLWIN

Only for internal purposes

Executes a function, which is declared with a number:

MNU_DOWITHALLWIN 1: Minimizes all visible windows.

MNU_DOWITHALLWIN 2: Closes all visible windows.

See also: Save All, Minimize All and Close All

MNU_EDIT

It doesn't make a sense, to use this internal command in another place, as in the Edit-Menu of pinned Menus.

MNU_END

Ends the Menu or Windows; with or without confirmation.

See also: End

MNU_HIDEICON

Hide Icon

MNU_INFO

Calls the info. dialogue.

See also: Info

MNU_INS

It doesn't make a sense, to use this internal command in another place, as in the Edit-Menu of pinned Menus.

MNU_KB

Send keyboard actions to the active window.

See also: Generate keyboard actions with a Menuitem

MNU_MOUSE_CAP

Only for internal purposes

Capture the mouse, serves the window, the user clicked with the left mouse button and execute the function, which is declared as number:

MNU_MOUSE_CAP 1: To kill the Window

See also: Kill

MNU_MOUSE_CAP 10: Add a window to saved desktop (See also MNU_SDT)

MNU_MOUSE_CAP 11: Delete a window from the saved desktop (See also MNU_SDT).

See also: Save Wins DT, AddDT and DelDT

MNU_MTW

Sends a message to a window.

See also: Send Messages to a Window

MNU_PRINTERS

Generate a submenu with all printers installed in Windows.

See also: Printer

MNU_PROGMAN

Generate a submenu with all Program-Groups of the Program-Manager.

See also. The Program Manager as Menu

MNU_SDT

With this command you can save all positions of the applications (windows) on the desktop.

See also: Save Wins DT, AddDT and DelDT

MNU_SETUP

It is only used to declare a special icon for the submenu Menu Setup.

See also: Setup

MNU_TASKS

Generate a Submenu with all Windows (programs), the free memory and System-Resources are also shown.

Normally the syntax for MNU_TASKS in a Menu item is:

4=1|Tasks|MNU_TASKS

But it is also possible to declare a Submenu in this way:

[My Tasks-Submenu]

1=MNU_TASKS

See also: Tasks

MNU_WIN_REBOOT

Shoot down Windows without confirmation and restart windows.

You can also execute a DOS-Program or DOS-command.

If you want to execute a DOS-Program it is important to declare a command-interpreter (normally command.com). Otherwise the system halts!

A command-line can look like:

MNU_WIN_REBOOT c:\command.com /c c:\my_dir\myprogram

c:\command.com is the command-interpreter of DOS. /c tells the command.com to execute one program c:\mein_dir\meinprog and after that, to terminate itself.

This option is useful to execute a DOS-Program, which can not run in a DOS-Box of Windows.

If you don't declare parameters after MNU_WIN_REBOOT, Windows will restart with no action on the DOS-level.

If you press the Shift-key, while selecting a MNU_WIN_REBOOT-Menuitem, your computer will reboot (similar to Ctrl-Alt-Del).

See also: Reboot

NIX

is a short form of the German word 'Nothing' and is used for submenus, which don't have internal commands or which aren't stored in external menu (*.MNU) files.

Unsinn

is a German word for nonsense. In older versions of New Menus f. W. I used this word as a debug-default.


Calling a Menu from another application or via the commandline

//Is Not Supportet in this version

You can call a menu from another program.

To do this, you have to call the RRKMENU.EXE pass after the switch /i a complete INI line as parameter:

c:\mydir\RRKMENU.EXE /i 1|MySubMenu|NIX
A condition is, that the RRKMENU.EXE is still running.

If you want to replace the Windows Tasks Manager with the tasks menu, you can insert in the section [boot] of the SYSTEM.INI following line:

[boot]
...
taskman.exe=C:\MYPATH\RRKMENU.EXE /i 1|Tasks|MNU_TASKS;

Edit the SYSTEM.INI in your Windows directory.
[boot]
taskman.exe=c:\mypath\RRKMENU.EXE /i 1|Tasks|MNU_TASKS;
(This should be one line. The semicolon ";" at the end of the line is only important, if you use this line in the SYSTEM.INI.)
Now you get the Submenu "Tasks" if you doubleclick onto the desktop.


Simulate keyboard actions with a Menu item

If you want generate system-wide keyboard actions with a menu item, you can use the internal command MNU_KB.

MNU_KB Char,Schiftstatus secondChar,secondSchiftstatus ...

•	Char:
The key (a char or a VK_scancode declared in windows.h).

•	Schiftstatus:
Shift-, Alt- and/or Ctrl-key as bit-combination.

•	0 = no Shift

•	1 = Shift-key

•	2 = Ctrl-key

•	4 = Alt -key

The Shift-Ctrl-Alt-combinations results out of the sum of the bits. E.g.: to produce the key-combination d-Alt-Ctrl, you have to declare D,6 .

•	The single key-statements are separated with a whitespace.


Call a DLL-Function

It is also possible to call a function you have wrote, in a DLL or call a system function of the Windows API with a menu item.

The syntax of a command line of a menu item:

MNU_CALLDLL Modulname Functionname Parameter

•	MNU_CALLDLL is the internal command to point to function in Pascal-convention.

•	Modulname is the name of the DLL, e.g. my_own.dll (the path to the DLL may be  required.)
The most used modules of the Windows-API are USER, GDI and KERNEL.

•	Functionname is either the name of the function or its exported ordinal-number.

•	Parameter is a list of the parameters for the function. (The parameters are passed in the Pascal-convention.)
For the type of the Parameters you have to consider following conventions:

•	Integer number are written as normal numbers. Negative numbers get an minus sign (e.g. 123 or -321)
If you want write an number in hex you have to begin the number with 0X (null-x): e.g. 0X1A4C)

•	Long Integer (long) ends with a L (1234L or 65L)

•	Floating point numbers are written with a point (2.14 or 12.0).

•	Bytes (a char) are started with a inverted comma ' ('c or 'x).

•	char strings are enclosed with quotation marks ("hello").

Warning!!

Be careful with the parameters. If you declare the wrong type or numbers of parameters you get an GP-fault!

Examples:

A beeping Menu item:

MNU_CALLDLL USER MESSAGEBEEP 0

A Menu item calls a MessageBox:

MNU_CALLDLL USER MESSAGEBOX 0 "And good Bye" "Hello" 4

Even undocumented functions of Windows can be called:

A Menu item to arrange all minimized Windows at the bottom of the desktop:

MNU_CALDLL USER ARRANGEICONICWINDOWS 0XE8C

(0XE8C is the HWND of the desktop)

Arrange all not icon sized Windows next to each other:

MNU_CALLDLL USER TILECHILDWINDOWS 0XE8C

Arrange all not icon sized Windows overlapping:

MNU_CALLDLL USER CASCADECHILDWINDOWS 0XE8C 0

The command:

MNU_CALLDLL USER SENDMESSAGE 0XFFFF 0X0011 0 0L

with 0XFFFF=HWND_BROADCAST and 0X0011=WM_QUERYENDSESSION,

has the function to ask all win-programs, if they have any unsaved changes.

(You can add this command line to the Submenu Menu Setup if you find it is useful.)

The Label of a Menu item, with MNU_CALLDLL in the command line, is ad libitum, you can also declare another icon.


Assoziate a Window-Class with a Menu
Associate a Window-Class with a Menu

New Menus for Windows is not only a Windows-Shell. It also possesses some features to enhance Windows. If you can write a DLL and/or you know some details of Windows-Messages, you can customize and enhance the Windows-functionality of Windows standard elements (like EditBox, ListBox or Window-Classes of your application) with a pop up menu. If you want participate to New Menus for Windows with your application, you haven't change any line of your code.

How this works, was demonstrated with the Window Classes EditBox, ListBox, ScrollBar an tty (the DOS-Box in the 386-modus).

If the option Context-Sensitive Menus in the dialogue General Properties is activated, the Window Classes, listed in the section [WinClasses], are customized with a local Menu. This Menu can be popped up with the right mouse button if the mouse is over a registered class-window.

The file ADDONS.WRI describes the already defined context-sensitive menus.

In the command line of a menu item you can call via MNU_CALLDLL any function of DLL. You can use the expression @HWND for the Handle of class window as a parameter to a function.

If you only want to send a message (via PostMessage(...)) to this window you can use the internal command MNU_MTW.

It is also possible to send keyboard events to a window with MNU_KB.

If you have some ideas to enhance Windows functionality or if you want to use Menus for your applications, please contact me.


Send Messages to a Window

With the internal command MNU_MTW (Message to window) in a command line of a Windows Class Menu you can send Messages to the Class-Window. (Of course it would also function with: MNU_CALLDLL USER POSTMESSAGE @HWND (and so on.)).

MNU_MTW Parent message wParam lParam

•	MNU_MTW sends the message with PostMessage to the Parent of the Window. This means if Parent=0, the message will be sent to @HWND (the Class Window). If Parent=1 the message will be sent to GetParent(@HWND), if Parent=2 to GetParent(GetParent(@HWND)) and so on.

•	message is the message to the window (almost WM_- constants) as UINT.

•	wParam is the first parameter of the message as WORD.

•	lParam is the second parameter of the message as LONG. (Exceptionally you don't have to sign this LONG with a 'L' after the number).

You can also declare message, wParam and lParam as hexadecimal numbers (f.e.: 0X1234).


Stick normal Drop-Down-Menus with a Pin

This feature is only available, if in the dialogue General Properties the option HookMenus is activated.

If you select a Menu from a normal program with a menu bar not with left, but with right mouse button, instead of the normal menu a Menu know by New Menus for Windows appears.

E.g.: If you select the menu 'File' of Write with the right mouse button, you can stick this menu with a needle on the desktop. The pinned Menu stays in the foreground every time. But if you change the focus to an other application the pinned Menus will be hidden.

Attention:

The Menus of an application can be changed (e.g. the menu 'Window'); so, if  the pinned Menus are not up to date they will send wrong commands to the application. The Menus are refreshed after each command, but nevertheless it is not very safe.

This may cause unexpected reactions and effects. The menu items which are not accessible are showed dimmed, but you can still execute them. Be careful with this.