   Perfect Screens 1.2 for Windows 95

Copyright © 1996  Petr Pitrinec

Overview

How to use the Perfect Screens

How Do I ...

Application settings

ToolBar settings

Screen settings

Item properties

Application operations

ToolBar operations

Window operations

Item operations

Drag & Drop

Trouble shooting

License agreement

Registration


Overview

Perfect Screens is a shareware program for the Microsoft Windows95 operating system. The program allows you to have MULTIPLE VIRTUAL SCREENS and switch among them.  Running applications (windows) can be moved or copied among screens very easily.  In addition, each screen has its own SCREEN MENU and TOOLBAR to launch applications, open files and view directories (folders).  This menu and toolbar are local on the given screen and the menu is accessible anywhere on the screen (by right mouse button click together with Alt key pressed).

Perfect Screens provides many advantages to the Windows 95 user.  Among them are:

1) The program allows you to run a lot of applications without losing track of them as well as the ability to switch among them quickly.

2) You can create screens for any common activity (document processing, file management, networking, etc.) and avoid the overlapping of windows that have no relation to each other.

3) Each screen can have its own background (color, wallpaper).

4) A local toolbar gives you a better view of installed applications and makes launching easier and faster.  The toolbar window can be moved anywhere on the screen and resized.

5) The Screen menu is very similar to the Start menu but much easier to configure (right mouse button click on a menu item gets item properties).

6) The new type of the screen menu item - directory - gives you very fast access to his most commonly used files. FILTERS can be applied to view only desired files of the given directory (folder).

7) The program does not occupy too much space on the desktop (it may look like Microsoft Office).

8) Everything is easily and fully customizable.

9) The program widely supports the drag & drop feature and right clicking.

10) The installation program automatically creates several screens and makes many of standard Windows 95 programs accessible.

11) and more...

The Perfect Screens widely supports right mouse click.  If you feel the right mouse button should have a sense on some control just try it.


Application Settings

To access application settings, click the Menu button ( [image]) of the Perfect Screens window and choose Application settings... item of the menu shown.

  Position:

Window position - allows you to define position of the Perfect Screens window on the screen.

Relative to screen - the Perfect Screens window has fixed position on the screen.  You can change this position by moving the window.

Relative to... - the position of the Perfect Screens window is relative to the active window.  You still can move window to change the relative position.

In TaskBar - all Screen buttons are put to the TaskBar (as icons) thus the Perfect Screens window does not occupy any space.

Keep window always on top - if checked the Perfect Screens window stays on top of all windows.

  Icons Size

Button icons - allows you to define size of icons in the Perfect Screens window.

Menu icons - allows you to define size of icons in menus.

  Shortcut keys

Next screen - shortcut key that switches you to the next screen.

Previous screen - shortcut key that switches you  to the previous screen.

Pop up the screen menu - pops up the screen menu associated with the current screen.

  Advanced

You can launch screen saver by moving mouse to the upper right corner of the screen.  Let me choose screen saver option brings up the dialog window with all available screen savers.

Save eyes when screens are switching is the special mode that minimizes windows repainting.  If checked the switching is a little bit slower.

Toolbars have grey color - if checked, all Perfect Screens ToolBars have gray color otherwise the color is the same as the screen background color.

Right click on the menu button pops up Screen menu - if checked, the right mouse button click on the Menu button ( [image]) pops up the Screen menu associated with the current screen.

Go to next/prvious screen if cursor on right/left margin of the screen - if checked, if you keep for a while mouse cursor on the left/right margin of the screen the Perfect Screens automatically switches to previous/next screen.


ToolBar Settings

To change the ToolBar settings, select the Menu button ( [image]) of the ToolBar window and choose ToolBar settings... item of the menu shown.

  Position:

Window position - allows you to define position of the ToolBar window on the screen.

Relative to screen - the ToolBar window has fixed position on the screen.  You can change this position by moving the window.

Relative to... - the position of the ToolBar window is relative to the active window.  You still can move window to change the relative position.

In TaskBar - all ToolBar buttons (icons) are put to the TaskBar (as icons) thus the ToolBar window does not occupy any space.

Keep window always on top - if checked the Toolbar window stays on top of all windows.

  Icons Size

Button icons - allows you to define size of icons in the ToolBar window.


Screen Settings

To open screen settings window do right click on a Screen button and than choose Screen settings... item from the menu shown.

Name - the name of the screen.  The name appears on the Screen button (if the Screen button is wide enough).

Shortcut key - shortcut key (combination of Ctrl, Alt, Shift and a key).  It allows you keyboard switching among screens.

Change Icon - allows you to change an icon associated with the Screen button.

Local wallpaper and screen color - if checked, the current wallpaper and background color are associated with the screen.  Next you switch to this screen the wallpaper and the color is restored.

Show Screen menu as a toolbar - shows the ToolBar window consisting of chosen Screen Menu items.

This is the default screen - if checked, the program will switch to this screen after start.


Item Properties

To access an item properties, do right click on the Screen menu item (or ToolBar button) and then choose Properties from menu shown.

Item Name - the name that appears in the Screen menu (and on the ToolBar button if the button is big enough).

Item Type - select from application (or document file), submenu or directory.  Submenu creates new submenu in the menu hierarchy.  Directory (Folder) - if you click on such item, window with files (only relevant file types you define) of the specified directory is shown.

Change Icon - allows you to change the icon associated with the item.

Target - the application (or document file) path.

Parameters - parameters to be passed to the launched application.

Start in - the application default directory.

Shortcut key - allows the you to launch the application from the keyboard.

Open - the initial window state (restored, minimized, maximized).

Separate by ... - if checked, places menu separator above the item in the Screen menu.

Visible in ... - if checked, the item is visible in the ToolBar.

Save size ... - if checked, the program saves the last size and position of the application.

Open automatically ... - if checked, the application is automatically launched when the screen is entered.  This is very powerful - initial state of the screen by just one click!

Close automatically ... - if checked, the application is automatically closed when you are leaving the screen.

Visible on all screens - if checked, the application launched is visible and accessible on all screens.  Useful for applications like clocks, resource meters, etc.


Window Operations

You can perform window operations such as copy window to another screen, copy window to all screen, move window to another screen and remove window from the screen.  There are two ways to get menu of these operation:

1) If you right click on a Screen button, a menu appears.  There is a list of  the windows of running applications under the last menu separator.  If you right click on an item of the list, you get the menu of available window operations.

2) If you do left click on the title bar of a window on the screen together with Alt key pressed you get the menu of available window operations.  (If the window does not have title bar try to click somewhere inside the window.  If the menu will not appear use the first option.)

Copy to here - copies the window from the screen the menu belonging  to the current one.

Copy to another screen - allows you to copy the window to another screen.  When the cursor with the text  Copy to screen appears then click the Screen button of the screen you want the window is to be copied to.

Copy to all - copies the window to all screens.  This is useful for a Clock window or a status window that should be always visible.

Move - allows the you to move a window to another screen.  When the cursor with the text  'Move to screen' appears, click the Screen button of the screen you want the window to be moved to.

Remove - removes a window that it is no longer visible from the screen.

Restore - restores a window on the screen.

Go Back - returns you to the previous menu.


Item Operations

You can copy, paste, insert, delete, etc.  items of the Screen menu (ToolBar).  To get a menu of these operation right click on a Screen menu item (or ToolBar button) and the menu of available operations appears.

Open here - launches application on the current screen (the left button click does the same).

Open - launches application on the screen that the Screen menu belongs to.

Insert new item - inserts a new item to the screen menu.  (The easier way to do this is to use Drag & Drop features.)

Paste - pastes an item that was previously copied to the clipboard using the Copy function.

Copy - copies the item to the clipboard.

Cut - copies the item to the clipboard and removes it from the Screen menu.

Delete - removes the item from the Screen menu.

Go Back - returns you to the previous menu.

Properties - opens window showing the item's settings.


Application Operations

You can move the Perfect Screens window to another position on the screen, resize it, save settings, access Application settings, etc.  To get a menu of these operation click the Menu button ( [image]) and the menu of available operations appears.

Application settings - access to application settings.

Save all settings - saves all settings on disk.  This protects you on loosing your configuration if your computer crashes from any reason.

Add screen - adds new screen.  (To delete screen right click on the Screen button and choose Delete screen from menu shown.

Move - click to this item to move the Perfect Screen window to another position.

Resizing frame - if checked, the Perfect Screens has resizing frame that allows you to change size and shape of the window.

Help - access to some help topics and About dialog window.

Registration - allows you to register your software if you already get the registration number.

Exit - closes the Perfect Screens program.


ToolBar Operations

You can move ToolBar window to another position on the screen, resize it, access ToolBar settings etc.  To get a menu of these operation click click the Menu button ( [image]) of the ToolBar window and the menu of available operations appears.

ToolBar settings - access to ToolBar settings.

Move - click to this item to move the Perfect Screen window to another position.

Resizing frame - if checked, the Perfect Screens has resizing frame that allows you to change size and shape of the window.

All items - if checked, all Screen menu items are visible in the ToolBar.


Drag & Drop

Drag a file from the Explorer (FileManager, Desktop or another program supporting drag & drop features):

1) and drop it on a Screen Button.  You can then choose to:

 	a) Open the file on the screen.

b) Insert the file to the Screen Menu

Note:  Does not work if the Perfect Screens window is put to the TaskBar.

2) and drop it on the screen ToolBar button.  The program associated with the button is launched with the file opened.

Note:  Does not work if the ToolBar window is put to the TaskBar.

3) and drop it on the Menu button of the ToolBar.  The program lets you insert the file to the Screen menu.

Note:  Does not work if the ToolBar window is put to the TaskBar.


Troubleshooting

1)  The Norton Commander opened in the MS-DOS Prompt window may cause a decrease in system performance.  It is preferable to have the window with the Norton Commander minimized when switching screens.

2)  WINHLP32.EXE aborts  (This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shutdown.) during screen switching.

This is a bug inside the WINHLP32.EXE program caused by changing desktop settings (background color, wallpaper, pattern).  To avoid this, do not use the local background on your screens.  (See screen settings)  The problem appears, for example, in Microsoft Visual Basic 4.0 help when the window with an example is opened.

3)  If the program doesn't run properly after upgrading, make sure you have the correct ps32dll.dll library.  The ps32dll.dll file must be from the same package as the Perfect Screens version you have installed.  There may only be one copy of ps32dll.dll file on your system and this copy must be present in the directory that Perfect Screens is installed into.

4)  If switching among screens is too slow try the following:

a)  Disable local wallpaper and screen color in screen settings.

b)  Disable save eyes mode in advanced application settings.

c)  Enhance your video subsystem.


License Agreement

The Perfect Screens program has been released for distribution as SHAREWARE and may be distributed at no cost.  You are granted a license to try Perfect Screens for 30 days.  If after this time, you find the program useful and intend to continue using it, you must register.  The base registration fee is US $25.

ALL WARRANTIES ARE DISCLAIMED, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SOFTWARE.  THE ENTIRE RISK OF THE USE OR THE RESULT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE REMAINS WITH THE USER.


Registration

To register software read carefuly the register.txt file and run Register program.  You will get the registration number that matches your personal information.  Than copy your personal information and registration number to the Registration dialog window of the Perfect Screens program.

See: License agreement


How do I...

How do I put the Perfect Screens window into/out the TaskBar ?

How do I put the ToolBar window into/out the TaskBar ?

How do I show/hide ToolBar ?

How do I change screen settings ?

How do I change ToolBar settings ?

How do I change ToolBar button settings ?

How do I change Screen menu item settings ?

How do I add new ToolBar button ?

How do I add new Screen menu item ?

How do I add new Screen (Screen button) ?

How do I delete Screen (Screen button) ?

How do I copy window to another screen ?


How do I put the Perfect Screens window into/out the TaskBar ?

Click the Menu button ( [image]) of the Perfect Screens window and choose Application settings... from menu shown.  In the Settings dialog window, select In TaskBar (or other item if you want to remove it from the TaskBar) item from the Window position combo box and press OK.


How do I put the ToolBar window into/out the TaskBar ?

Click the Menu button ( [image]) of the ToolBar window and choose Application settings... from menu shown.  In the Settings dialog window, select In TaskBar (or other item if you want to remove it from the TaskBar) item from the Window position combo box and press OK.


How do I change screen settings ?

Right click on a Screen button and than choose Screen settings... item from the menu shown.


How do I change ToolBar settings ?

Click the Menu button ( [image]) of the ToolBar window and choose Application settings... from menu shown.


How do I change ToolBar button settings ?

Right click on the ToolBar button you want to change and than choose Properties... item from the menu shown.


How do I change Screen menu item settings ?

Invoke the Screen menu by right mouse button click together with Alt key pressed.  Point the menu item you want to change settings for and click right mouse button on it.  From the menu shown,  choose Properties... item.


How do I add new ToolBar button ?

Right click a ToolBar button and choose Insert New Item from the menu shown.  In the Item Properties dialog window, specify all the item properties and do not forget to check Visible in the ToolBar.  Then press OK button.


How do I add new Screen menu item ?

Invoke the Screen menu by right mouse button click together with Alt key pressed.  Point the menu item you want to add new item to and click right mouse button on it.  Then choose Insert New Item from the menu shown. In the Item Properties dialog window, specify all the item properties and than press OK button.

To add new item to the end of the Screen menu (last item) click Add New Item.


How do I add new Screen (Screen button) ?

Click the Menu button ( [image]) of the Perfect Screens window and choose Add Screen from menu shown.


How do I delete Screen (Screen button) ?

Right click on the Screen button you want to delete and than choose Delete Screen item from the menu shown.


How do I copy window to another screen ?

Right click on the Screen button and you will see the list of all windows (applications) presented on the screen.  Point to the item corresponding to the application you want to copy and do right click.  From the menu shown, choose Copy to another screen.  Right to the mouse cursor, You will see small window with the message Copy to screen.  Now click the Screen button you want to copy window (application) to.

You can also use mouse button left click together with Alt key pressed on title bar of the window you want to copy.


How do I show/hide ToolBar ?

Right click on the Screen button you want to delete and than choose Screen Settings... item from the menu shown.  In the dialog window shown, check/uncheck Show Screen menu as a ToolBar.


How to use the Perfect Screens

The Perfect Screens program has two main functions

1)  provide multiple virtual screens

2)  provide better launching abilities than Windows95 shell does

Multiple virtual screens allows you to run a lot of applications without losing track of them.  Applications running on one screen are invisible on another ones.  This makes desktop very clear, without plenty of overlapped windows and many application buttons on the TaskBar.   People usually create a screen for each their activity:  networking (e-mails, www, news, etc.), document processing, file management, graphics, etc.  and on these screens run application related to these activities.  To make launching of these applications on the given screen as much easy as possible the Perfect Screens provides

1)  Screen menu (accessible by right mouse click together with Alt key pressed)

2)  ToolBar

Each screen has its own Screen menu and ToolBar with applications associated with this screen.  So, if  you switch to, lets say, document processing screen there is ToolBar with buttons to launch word processor, etc. and if you switch to network screen there is ToolBar with buttons to run e-mail, www browser, etc.   This approach extremely simplifies orientation among installed applications, files and directories you want to launch and access.  In addition, because of  Screen menu, you even can have pretty fast access to applications you run very seldom.

There are some tips how to start using the Perfect Screens program before you discover all features:

1) Create a screen for each your usual activity (networking, document processing, file management, etc.)

2) Because you can define shortcut keys for switching to next/previous screen it seems to be good idea to thing about the order of screens.  Probably, screens for most often activities should be next to each other.

3) On each screen create Screen menu and ToolBar containing application associated with the activity performed on the screen.

4) A few mostly used applications should be accessible from the ToolBar (it maybe confusing if ToolBar contain too many buttons).  Screen menu can contain much more applications, files and directories to access (organized to submenus).

5) Applications you want to have opportunity to launch from all screens you can place to desktop (create shortcut on the desktop) or to standard Start menu.