WorkSpacer 2.0 © 1991 is brought to you by WiGuys Software - "Software designed because we THOUGHT we needed it!" Welcome to WorkSpacer 2.0. The Zip should contain the following files : README.TXT - This file WSPACER.WBT - An optional front-end for WorkSpacer WSPACER.WBD - Dialog Box required by WSPACE.WBT WSRUN.WBT - The Batch Builder File to restore workspaces WSMAKE.WBT - The Batch Builder File to create workspaces WSFILE1.WBD - DialogBox used to obtain application file names WSFILE2.WBD - DialogBox used to obtain RunTime file names. WSPACER.NIL - Icons to use with WorkSpacer on your desktop WSPACER.WRI - Windows Write Documentation and User Guide WorkSpacer 2.0 requires the Norton Desktop for Windows Batch Builder and Batch Runner. First, WorkSpacer 2.0 is freeware, with no warranties as to purpose or usability, implied or express. In other words, you use it at your own risk. I have tested WorkSpacer 2.0 on my system, trying to simulate all possible conditions, and thus far, it has run successfully. However...... What is WorkSpacer ? -------------------- Way back when, I tested something called hDc FirstApps. One useful utility included in those applications stored desktop configurations as a named workset, and at your request, would restore that configuration to the desktop. I no longer use hDc FirstApps, but have always liked that concept, and missed the application many times. After some minor experimentation with batch files under the Norton Desktop for Windows, I decided to see if I might be able to accomplish something similar using the Norton Desktop for Windows Batch Builder Language (ambitious, aren't I??). The result is WorkSpacer. How does it Work? ----------------- WorkSpacer 1) obtains appropriate information about your current desktop configuration, 2) stores that information in a private ini file in your windows directory, 3) stores a list of chosen workspace names in a file in your NDW directory, and 4) restores to the desktop a workspace specified by the user. Installation and Defaults ------------------------- Installation of WorkSpacer is simple. Unzip the WorkSpacer ZIP file, and copy all of the WBT, WBD, and NIL files to your NDW directory. WorkSpacer defaults to a setting of " C:\NDW\ " and "C:\WINDOWS\" for the Norton and Windows directories respectively. If these are different on your system, use Batch Builder to open the WSGLOBAL.WBT, and modify the default values for the variables, "ndwdir" and "windir". WorkSpacer 2.0 uses different data storage files than did 1.1 or 1.0. The 2.0 LIB file is WSPACER.LIB, and the ini is WSPACER.INI. See the WSPACER.WRI file for instructions on converting WorkSpacer 1.0 or 1.1 LIB and INI files to WorkSpacer 2.0 format. Operation --------- Full details of the operation of WorkSpacer can be found in the WSPACER.WRI file, but for those who want a "quick" start, here it is. Open and place those applications that you want in the workspace (with or without files... WorkSpacer will get the file info later). Then run WorkSpacer (WSPACER.WBT) and answer the appropriate questions. Simple, ain't it! Legal Stuff ----------- Not sure how this should be worded, but, for legality's sake, any tradenames used in this document are the trademarks of their respective companies. (Does that do it?) Future Stuff ------------ I intend to create a routine that will allow one to edit a previously saved workspace's information, but I'm not sure how to implement this just yet. WorkSpacer 2.0 has a feature which allows you to replace a currently saved workspace with a new version... perhaps that should be sufficient for now. Although I have attempted to optimize sub-routines as much as possible, if I discover a faster/easier way to perform the same function, I will incorporate it. In Conclusion ------------- Any questions, comments, ideas, or suggestions can be addressed to : Gregg Hommel, WiGuys Software, 19 Rushbrook Drive, Kitchener, ON, CANADA N2E 3C1 (519) 745-9717 CIS # 72537,552 I also frequent the following BBS Windows conferences : EchoNet, RelayNet, NaNet, and ILink and can be reached via any of these networks. Take care, and have fun!!! ============================================================ WorkSpacer History : Version 2.0 - Sept. 25/91 - Modified the file selection procedure to use dialog boxes. - modified the procedures for the optional file to load in an application at runtime, so that you may now specify a) no file, b) the same file every time the workspace is resored or c) or a file selected via a browse dialog box when the application is restored. - fixed the "bug" (reported by Lang) which would not allow you to save a workspace application that is an icon. Fixed it by having you set the app in the size and position required when it is NOT an icon, and marking a check box in the Application File Selector dialog box. - added a line at the top of each file selector dialog box that gives the current window name ( I forgot what I was doing once, and picked REVERSI.EXE as the application for a window named "Notepad - (untitled)") - you can now replace a previously saved workspace with a new one using the same name (not quite editing of a space, but....) - added "Global" variable file, to set variable defaults standard for all WBT files. - WorkSpaces can now be deleted, either individually or ALL at once. - designed a small icon library that can be used with WorkSpacer. (Caveat...I am not an artist, so view the icons with that in mind!) - removed the restrictions on the number of windows that a WorkSpace can have - modified the position checking function to allow the user to decide whether or not he wishes to save the "covering" application - the LIB file is now sorted into ANSI sequence when the WorkSpace name is saved. Version 1.1 - Sept. 15/91 - added the ability to load a pre-selected file into an application at run time. - decided to use a path search for all selected files (application and load). Simplified error checking as a result. - added the ability to load more than one copy of an application. - added "position" error checking to ensure that a new window does not "hide" a previously saved one. Version 1.0 - Sept. 13/91 - first "draft" of WorkSpacer. Allowed saving and reloading workspaces, but without any files loaded. ============================================================