Copyright: Copyright ® 1993-1994 Thomas A. Reed


Help Contents
Contents

Introduction

Copyright

What is Drag and Drop Desktop ?

Registration

Software Support

Setup

What You Will Need

Installation

Updating the Software

Removing the Software

How To...

Use the Desktop Control Panel

Use the Object Menu

Create Objects on the Desktop

Start Applications

Use Multiple and Virtual Desktops

Use Common and Private Desktops

Reference

Commands

Keyboard Commands

Drag and Drop

DDE Interface


Copyright

Drag and Drop Desktop Version 3.51 for Microsoft Windows NT.

Build 187, December 1994, Intel Processors.

Copyright (c) 1993-1994 Thomas A. Reed, All Rights Reserved.


What is Drag and Drop Desktop ?

Drag and Drop Desktop is a fast an efficient Windows shell: it provides a simple and intuitive object oriented user interface that makes Windows faster and easier to use.

It enhances your desktop by allowing you to drag objects directly on and off the desktop window.

Launch applications easily by pointing and clicking, or by dropping a document, on an application object.

Cleanup your desktop: get rid of those Program Manager overlapping windows and the pain of managing them. Drag and Drop Desktop puts application and document objects directly on the desktop where it's natural to have them.

Utilize the power of Windows NT. Virtual desktop capability greatly expands the desktop working area, allowing you to use more application program windows simultaneously.

Features

•	Provides complete drag and drop client and server functions.

•	Quickly launch applications just by double-clicking, or by dropping documents, on application objects.

•	Maintains up to 64 separate desktop windows per user.

•	Virtual desktops expand working area for application programs.

•	Enhanced Run command. Includes command history, and process priority and separate address space options.

•	Operates as the Windows NT shell or as a stand alone utility.

•	Completely emulates Program Manager DDE interface. Setup programs operate normally with Drag and Drop Desktop.

•	Support for multiple users providing private and shared desktops.

•	Support for NTFS long file names. UNC file name support allows use of objects on networked computers.

•	Provided with a setup program for simple installation, update, and removal of the software.

•	Distributed as completely functional shareware with only one reminder to register upon exit.


Registration

Thank You for trying Drag and Drop Desktop.

This program is shareware and distributed in an unregistered form. You may use and copy the unregistered version of this program freely.

If you find this program useful and would like to remove the registration reminder message, please register your own copy.

Please DO NOT copy registered versions for other users.

You may register the software for $ 20 by mail or CompuServe. Registration gets you a serial number and authorization key code to enable you to unlock and encrypt the program with your name.

Registered users also benefit from the following;

•	Automatic notification of future updates.

•	No charge to register all future versions of the program.

•	No charge to register Drag and Drop Desktop for Windows, or Windows NT for the DEC Alpha and MIPS computers (subject to availability).

•	Unlimited software support via E-Mail or US Mail.

To register by mail:

Send a note with your name, address, E-Mail address, and phone number to the address shown below. Enclose a check or money order for $ 20. If you supply an E-Mail address, your serial number and key code will be promptly sent to you via E-Mail, otherwise US mail will be used.

Reed Consulting

2312 Belvedere

Toledo, Ohio 43614

To register on CompuServe:

Login to CompuServe in the usual way and type GO SWREG at the CompuServe prompt. Select register software from the menu and specify registration ID 2374. Your serial number and key code will be promptly sent to you via CompuServe E-Mail.


Software Support

Installation support is provided to all users at the addresses shown below. Product support is limited to registered users only.

CompuServe: 76237,516

Internet: 76237.516@compuserve.com


What You Will Need

Drag and Drop Desktop is a fast and efficient shell program, any computer running Windows NT should be able to run this program without any problem. Specifically, the following hardware and software are required;

•	An IBM compatible personal computer with one or more Intel 80386, 80486, or Pentium microprocessors.

•	At least 250KB of free disk space on the drive containing Windows NT.

•	A Windows compatible mouse or other pointing device.

•	Microsoft Windows NT, version 3.10 or later.


Installation

Drag and Drop Desktop is provided with a setup program that is used to install, update and remove the software from your computer.

After the welcome message, the setup program will present you with the opportunity to register the software using a serial number and authorization key code. If you have not registered your copy, simply select Skip and installation will proceed normally. To register the software in the future, just run setup again.

The setup program will prompt you to install as the Windows NT shell or as a separate utility program. It is recommended that you install Drag and Drop Desktop as the shell, replacing the Windows Program Manager. You may change this mode of operation at any time in the future by running the setup program again and selecting a different option.

Note: You must be logged on with administrative privileges to install as the Windows NT shell.

To Install Drag and Drop Desktop:

1.	Insert the program diskette in the floppy drive of your computer, normally drive A or drive B.

2.	Select Run from the File menu of the Windows Program Manager.

3.	Type A:SETUP.EXE for the command line, substitute B for A if the program diskette in drive B.

4.	Follow the instructions presented by the setup program to complete the installation. If the setup program reports any errors or "Installation Failure" refer to the section Software Support for assistance.


Updating the Software

Once Drag and Drop Desktop is installed on your computer, you can use the setup program to update the installation. Updating the software allows you to register or change any of the original installation options while preserving all of your desktops and objects.

Note: You must be logged on with administrative privileges to update the software if installed as the Windows NT shell.

To Update Drag and Drop Desktop:

1.	Insert the program diskette in the floppy drive of your computer, normally drive A or drive B.

2.	Select Run from the File menu of the Windows Program Manager.

3.	Type A:SETUP.EXE for the command line, substitute B for A if the program diskette in drive B.

4.	Click the Update button on the first setup dialog box.

5.	Follow the instructions presented by the setup program to complete the update. If the setup program reports any errors or "Update Failure" refer to the section Software Support for assistance.


Removing the Software

If you decide not to use Drag and Drop Desktop, you can use the setup program to completely remove the software and all files it has created, leaving your computer as it was before installation.

Note: You must be logged on with administrative privileges to remove the software if installed as the Windows NT shell.

To Remove Drag and Drop Desktop:

1.	Insert the program diskette in the floppy drive of your computer, normally drive A or drive B.

2.	Select Run from the Drag and Drop Desktop main menu, or File menu of the Windows Program Manager.

3.	Type A:SETUP.EXE for the command line, substitute B for A if the program diskette in drive B.

4.	Click the Remove button on the first dialog box.

5.	Follow the instructions presented by the setup program to complete removing the software.

Note: The first time a user operates Drag and Drop Desktop, an entry is made in the Windows NT registry for that user. Because of restrictions imposed by the Windows NT security system, the setup program can only remove registry entries for the currently logged-on user.

A work around is to logon with the other user IDs that have executed Drag and Drop Desktop and run the setup program again. Specify /CLEAN on the command line, this option causes setup to delete all of the appropriate entries in the registry for the currently logged on user.


Use the Desktop Control Panel

The desktop control panel contains the main menu and is used to access most all of the functions in Drag and Drop Desktop.

Unlike many Windows programs, the control panel and main menu are normally hidden from the user, and are only activated when needed to carry out a command. The control panel can be configured to remain open, see File, Preferences for more information.

To access the Desktop Control Panel:

Place the mouse cursor on the desktop window and click the right mouse button. Note that the left mouse button can also be used, see File, Preferences for more information.


Use the Object Menu

The object menu is accessed by clicking the left mouse button while pointing at an object. The object menu contains the following selections;

Object Open

Object Move

Object Copy

Object Delete

Object Properties

Object Mail


  Create Objects on the Desktop

Drag and Drop Desktop Objects are program or document files that are represented by an icon and title on the desktop window. Any file on your computer can be an object on the desktop.

Once an object is created on the desktop it can be easily moved, copied, executed, and dropped on any other Windows application that supports drag and drop.

There are several ways to create new objects on the desktop:

•	Drag one or more files from the Windows File Manager on to the desktop window.

•	Select the New command from the Object Menu. Complete the information in the dialog box, and click on OK. See Object Properties for more information.

•	Select Import from the Edit menu. See File, Import for more information.


Start Applications

It is easy to start applications using Drag and Drop Desktop, choose one of the following methods;

•	Put the cursor over the object to activate and double-click the left mouse button.

•	Select the object with the arrow keys or mouse, and press the ENTER key.

•	Select Open from the Object menu. See Object Open for more information.

•	Use the New command from the Task menu. See Task, New for more information.

•	Drag a document file from the desktop or from File Manager and drop it on an object on the desktop.


Use Multiple and Virtual Desktops

The idea of using multiple desktops came from the observation that most people use several different applications often when working on a project or routine task, and that the applications are different for different projects or tasks.

Drag and Drop Desktop provides up to 64 separate desktop windows per user. By creating a separate desktop for each project or task, you can keep your desktop organized with only the applications and documents needed for the particular project.

This design allows you to operate Windows more naturally, organizing documents and applications as you would like. This is different from the Windows Program Manager that tends to be application oriented, organized by software vendor.

Some examples of typical desktops are; Personal Finance, Sales Proposals, Network Maintenance, Software Development, Games, Administration.

Virtual desktop capability expands the desktop working area, allowing you to use more application program windows simultaneously. Use the Preferences command from the File menu to enable this function.

Run some application programs and then change desktops using the desktop control panel. You will notice that the application programs will only be visible on the desktop that they were launched from. Hidden programs continue to execute normally.

Related Topics;

Desktop New

Desktop Delete

Desktop Properties

Object Move

Object Copy

File, Preferences


Use Common and Private Desktops

Drag and Drop Desktop provides a method for multiple users to share objects, and for users to keep objects private. This is done using common and private desktops.

Common desktops are loaded by all users upon login or startup, then the users private desktops are loaded. The desktop type is changed using the Desktop Properties command.

If the current user is a member of the Administrators or Power Users groups, the user can create, delete, and edit common desktops.

Regular users only use the objects on common desktops, any changes made are temporary and do not effect other users.

Objects are shared between users by moving or copying them between private and common desktops.

Related Topics;

Use Multiple and Virtual Desktops

Desktop Properties

Object Move

Object Copy


Commands

File, New Object

File, Import

File, Preferences

File, Exit/Logoff

Desktop New

Desktop Delete

Desktop Properties

Desktop, Cascade

Desktop, Tile

Desktop, Arrange Icons

Desktop, Undo

Desktop, Save

Desktop, Screen Saver

Task, New

Task, Minimize

Task, Maximize

Task, Hide

Task, Close

Task, Switch To

Help, About

Object Open

Object Move

Object Copy

Object Delete

Object Properties

Object Mail


File, New Object

The new object command is used to create a new object on the desktop. Enter the information for the object in the dialog box as described below.

Title

The title is used to identify the desktop object. Any combination of up to 255 characters can be used.

File Name

The file name is used to relate the desktop object to a program or document file. The file name can optionally contain a drive and path specification, up to a total of 260 characters in length.

The file name must conform to MS-DOS file naming conventions if used on a FAT (MS-DOS) partition. Windows NT long file names are supported on NTFS partitions. If the file name contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotation marks.

Icon File Name

All objects are represented on the desktop with icons. The icon file name determines which file contains the icon to use. Objects can use the icons in any executable (EXE), icon (ICO), or dynamic link library (DLL) file.

If the specified file does not contain any icons, a default icon will be used based on the object file type.

The file name must conform to MS-DOS file naming conventions if used on a FAT (MS-DOS) partition. Windows NT long file names are supported on NTFS partitions. If the file name contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotation marks.

Icon

The icon list box is filled with all of the icons in the file specified by the icon file name. To change the selected icon, click on the icon in the list box.

Directory

If a directory name is specified, the program will be executed from the specified directory when the object is opened. The directory name can be up to 260 characters.

The directory name must conform to MS-DOS file naming conventions if used on a FAT (MS-DOS) partition. Windows NT long file names are supported on NTFS partitions. If the directory name contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotation marks.

Window

The window buttons are used to select the initial size and location of the program window when this object is opened.

Process Priority

Low Priority indicates a process whose threads run only when the system is idle and are preempted by the threads of any process running in a higher priority class. An example is a screen saver.

Normal Priority indicates a normal process with no special scheduling needs.

High Priority indicates a process that performs time-critical tasks that must be executed immediately for it to run correctly. The threads of a high-priority class process preempt the threads of normal or idle priority class processes. An example is Windows Task List, which must respond quickly when called by the user, regardless of the load on the operating system. Use extreme care when using the high-priority class, because a high-priority class CPU-bound application can use nearly all available cycles.

Highest Priority indicates a process that has the highest possible priority. The threads of a highest priority class process preempt the threads of all other processes, including operating system processes performing important tasks. For example, a highest priority process that executes for more than a very brief interval can cause disk caches not to flush or cause the mouse to be unresponsive.

Run in Separate Memory Space

This option applies to 16 bit Windows and MS-DOS applications. Selecting this option causes the object to be executed it a separate memory space, isolating it from other Windows or MS-DOS applications.

Accept dropped objects

The accept dropped objects check box is used to indicate if this program can accept other objects dropped on it. Any application that accepts the name of a file to open on the command line can accept dropped objects.


File, Import

The import group command is used to import items from the Windows Program Manager on to the current desktop. Select the name of the group that you wish to import from the list box and click the OK button.

The Desktop, Undo command can be used to undo this action.


File, Preferences

There are a number of operational preferences that may be selected. Note that the setting of these preferences applies to the current user only. Selecting Preferences from the File menu presents the following dialog box;

Desktop Control Panel

The Desktop Control Panel is the main user interface for Drag and Drop Desktop. The Open on Left/Right Click options are used to select which mouse buttons are used to activate the Desktop Control Panel. If no buttons are selected, the right button is used by default.

The Automatic Close preference, when selected, will make the Desktop Control Panel operate like the Windows Task Manager, closing when another window or the desktop is selected.

If Automatic Close is not selected, the Desktop Control Panel will remain open until closed by the user, selecting Close from the system menu.

Virtual Desktop

Drag and Drop Desktop can virtualize the desktop by swapping out the application windows when changing desktops. Applications operating on other that the current desktop operate normally, but are hidden from the user until the desktop is selected. To use the virtual desktop capability, one or both of the Swap Application preferences must be selected. The List Hidden Applications preference is used to show all swapped (hidden) tasks in addition to those on the current desktop.

Other

The Enable Sound Effects preference is used to turn on, or off, all of the sounds produced by Drag and Drop Desktop.

The Quick Startup preference can be used to reduce the amount of time required to startup the program. If this preference is selected, Drag and Drop Desktop will not extract the icons for all of the objects until the desktop is selected for the first time. You should select this option if using a large number of desktops and objects.

Related Topics:

Preferences, Font

Preferences, Color

Preferences, Sounds


Preferences, Font

The Font preference allows you to select the font that is used to draw the object titles and in the list boxes on the Desktop Control Panel.


Preferences, Color

The Color preference allows you to select the text color of the desktop and task list boxes. The color selection dialog box is shown below;


Preferences, Sounds

The Sound preference allows you to assign unique sounds to a number of different events. All of the sounds must be in the WAV format, and be located in the Windows directory.


File, Exit/Logoff

The Logoff  or Exit command is used to logout of Windows NT, or quit Drag and Drop Desktop.

If installed as the Windows shell, the following dialog box is displayed to confirm ending your Windows session;

If your user profile allows you to shutdown the computer, the shutdown option will be displayed as shown above.


Desktop New

The new desktop command is used to add a new desktop to the present list of desktops. Drag and Drop Desktop supports up to 64 desktops per user.

Upon selecting the new desktop command, the following dialog box will be displayed;

Title

The title is used to identify the desktop. Any combination of up to 30 characters. If the Show Desktop Title option is selected, the title is displayed with the computer and user name, at the top of the desktop window.

Type

Specifies the type of desktop. Common desktops are visible to all users on this computer, while Private desktops are private to each user.

Note: You must be a member of either the Administrators or Power Users groups to be able to change or select the desktop type.

Wallpaper File

The wallpaper file specifies the bitmap file to be used as the background for this desktop. All bitmap files must be in the Windows directory to be used with Drag and Drop Desktop.

Wallpaper Type

Select the Center type to display the bitmap in the center of the desktop window. Select the Tile type to tile the desktop window with the bitmap image.

Object Snap

Select Object Snap and Grid Size. If Object Snap is enabled, all objects on the desktop are aligned on the specified grid size.

Note: The automatic placement of objects and the horizontal size of the object title are controlled by the Windows icon spacing value. The icon spacing was adjusted to an optimum value for your display resolution the first time you executed Drag and Drop Desktop. You can change this value using the Control Panel desktop settings.


Desktop Delete

The delete desktop command is used to remove the active desktop and all objects o it. You will be prompted to confirm before deleting the desktop.

Note: You can not undo this command, be careful.


Desktop Properties

The desktop properties command is used to change the title, type and the background wall paper of the active desktop.

Title

The title is used to identify the desktop. Any combination of up to 30 characters. If the Show Desktop Title option is selected, the title is displayed with the computer and user name, at the top of the desktop window.

Type

Specifies the type of desktop. Common desktops are visible to all users on this computer, while Private desktops are private to each user.

Note: You must be a member of either the Administrators or Power Users groups to be able to change or select the desktop type.

Wallpaper File

The wallpaper file specifies the bitmap file to be used as the background for this desktop. All bitmap files must be in the Windows directory to be used with Drag and Drop Desktop.

Wallpaper Type

Select the Center type to display the bitmap in the center of the desktop window. Select the Tile type to tile the desktop window with the bitmap image.

Object Snap

Select Object Snap and Grid Size. If Object Snap is enabled, all objects on the desktop are aligned on the specified grid size.

Note: The automatic placement of objects and the horizontal size of the object title are controlled by the Windows icon spacing value. The icon spacing was adjusted to an optimum value for your display resolution the first time you executed Drag and Drop Desktop. You can change this value using the Control Panel desktop settings.


Desktop, Cascade

The cascade window command is used to order all active application windows on the display screen so that the windows overlap each other, with the window with the input focus on top.


Desktop, Tile

The tile window command is used to order all active application windows on the display screen in such a way that all of the windows are visible at once.


Desktop, Arrange Icons

The Arrange Icons command is used to order all of the objects on the desktop. This includes all Desktop objects as well as all of the minimized applications. Objects are ordered in the order they were created in, and placed horizontally and vertically along the top and right of the desktop window. Minimized applications are placed horizontally along the bottom of the desktop.

You may use the Undo command to restore the desktop prior to logging out, exiting, or executing the Desktop, Save command.

Note: The automatic placement of objects and the horizontal size of the object title are controlled by the Windows icon spacing value. The icon spacing was adjusted to an optimum value for your display resolution the first time you executed Drag and Drop Desktop. You can change this value using the Windows NT Control Panel, desktop settings.


Desktop, Undo

The Desktop Undo command is used to remove all changes made to the active desktop since login, startup, or executing the Desktop, Save command.

Once you logout or exit, all changes are saved to disk and can not be undone in the future.


Desktop, Save

The Desktop Save command is used to save the current state and contents of the active desktop.


Desktop, Screen Saver

The screen saver command causes the currently installed screen saver program to activate immediately. Use the Windows NT Control Panel to change the functions of the screen saver.


Task, New

You can use the New Task command to start an application that you have not yet added to the desktop.

Drag and Drop Desktop maintains a list of the last 32 applications that you have executed for quick access.

Command

The command specifies the application program to execute. The command can optionally contain a drive and path specification, up to a total of 260 characters in length.

The command must conform to MS-DOS file naming conventions if used on a FAT (MS-DOS) partition. Windows NT long file names are supported on NTFS partitions. If the file name contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotation marks.

Window

The window buttons are used to select the initial size and location of the program window when the command is executed.

Process Priority

Low Priority indicates a process whose threads run only when the system is idle and are preempted by the threads of any process running in a higher priority class. An example is a screen saver.

Normal Priority indicates a normal process with no special scheduling needs.

High Priority indicates a process that performs time-critical tasks that must be executed immediately for it to run correctly. The threads of a high-priority class process preempt the threads of normal or idle priority class processes. An example is Windows Task List, which must respond quickly when called by the user, regardless of the load on the operating system. Use extreme care when using the high-priority class, because a high-priority class CPU-bound application can use nearly all available cycles.

Highest Priority indicates a process that has the highest possible priority. The threads of a highest priority class process preempt the threads of all other processes, including operating system processes performing important tasks. For example, a highest priority process that executes for more than a very brief interval can cause disk caches not to flush or cause the mouse to be unresponsive.

Run in Separate Memory Space

This option applies to 16 bit Windows and MS-DOS applications. Selecting this option causes the object to be executed it a separate memory space, isolating it from other Windows or MS-DOS applications.


Task, Minimize

The Minimize task button is used to change the selected task to an icon. To restore a minimized task; double-click on its icon or use the Switch To command.


Task, Maximize

The Maximize task button is used to maximize the window of the currently selected task.


Task, Hide

The Hide Task command is used to swap out (hide) the currently selected task. The task can be un-hidden by switching to it, see Task, Switch To for more information.


Task, Close

The Close Task command is used to terminate a selected task.


Task, Switch To

The Switch To task button is used to activate and set the input focus to a selected task. If the task is minimized, it's window will be restored to the previous size and position prior to setting the input focus. If the task is hidden, it will be shown prior to activating it.

You can also switch to a task by double-clicking on the task name in the task list box.


Help, About

The about command displays a dialog box with information on the version of Drag and Drop Desktop, who the program is licensed to, the serial number, the version of Windows NT, and information on the state of the Windows NT memory manager.

Physical Memory is the total amount of RAM installed on the computer.

Virtual Memory is the total amount memory that is currently available to processes on this computer. It is determined by adding the amount of total physical memory and the current maximum size of the paging file.

Memory Load specifies a number between 0 and 100 that gives a general idea of current memory utilization, in which 0 indicates no memory use and 100 indicates full memory use.


Object Open

The open object command is used to execute the program specified by the object file name. If the file name specifies a document file, the program that is associated with the document is executed.

The Windows File Manager is used to associate document files with applications.

The open object command can be executed from the main menu, by double clicking on the object, or by pressing the ENTER key.


Object Move

The move object command is used to move the selected object to another desktop.

To move the object on the current desktop, simply drag the object using the mouse to the desired location.

Select the desktop to move the object to from the list box and click the OK button, or press the ENTER key.


Object Copy

The copy object command is used to copy the selected object to another desktop.

To copy the object on the current desktop, press and hold the CTRL key and then drag the new object to the desired location.

Select the desktop to copy the object to from the list box and click the OK button, or press the ENTER key.


Object Delete

The delete object command is used to remove the selected object from the desktop.

You may use the Undo command to restore any objects that were deleted since login or executing the Desktop, Save command.


Object Properties

The object properties command is used to change the appearance and function of the selected object on the desktop.

Title

The title is used to identify the desktop object. Any combination of up to 255 characters can be used.

File Name

The file name is used to relate the desktop object to a program or document file. The file name can optionally contain a drive and path specification, up to a total of 260 characters in length.

The file name must conform to MS-DOS file naming conventions if used on a FAT (MS-DOS) partition. Windows NT long file names are supported on NTFS partitions. If the file name contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotation marks.

Icon File Name

All objects are represented on the desktop with icons. The icon file name determines which file contains the icon to use. Objects can use the icons in any executable (EXE), icon (ICO), or dynamic link library (DLL) file.

If the specified file does not contain any icons, a default icon will be used based on the object file type.

The file name must conform to MS-DOS file naming conventions if used on a FAT (MS-DOS) partition. Windows NT long file names are supported on NTFS partitions. If the file name contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotation marks.

Icon

The icon list box is filled with all of the icons in the file specified by the icon file name. To change the selected icon, click on the icon in the list box.

Directory

If a directory name is specified, the program will be executed from the specified directory when the object is opened. The directory name can be up to 260 characters.

The directory name must conform to MS-DOS file naming conventions if used on a FAT (MS-DOS) partition. Windows NT long file names are supported on NTFS partitions. If the directory name contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotation marks.

Window

The window buttons are used to select the initial size and location of the program window when this object is opened.

Process Priority

Low Priority indicates a process whose threads run only when the system is idle and are preempted by the threads of any process running in a higher priority class. An example is a screen saver.

Normal Priority indicates a normal process with no special scheduling needs.

High Priority indicates a process that performs time-critical tasks that must be executed immediately for it to run correctly. The threads of a high-priority class process preempt the threads of normal or idle priority class processes. An example is Windows Task List, which must respond quickly when called by the user, regardless of the load on the operating system. Use extreme care when using the high-priority class, because a high-priority class CPU-bound application can use nearly all available cycles.

Highest Priority indicates a process that has the highest possible priority. The threads of a highest priority class process preempt the threads of all other processes, including operating system processes performing important tasks. For example, a highest priority process that executes for more than a very brief interval can cause disk caches not to flush or cause the mouse to be unresponsive.

Run in Separate Memory Space

This option applies to 16 bit Windows and MS-DOS applications. Selecting this option causes the object to be executed it a separate memory space, isolating it from other Windows or MS-DOS applications.

Accept dropped objects

The accept dropped objects check box is used to indicate if this program can accept other objects dropped on it. Any application that accepts the name of a file to open on the command line can accept dropped objects.


Object Mail

The Mail Object command is used to create a new mail message with the selected desktop object embedded in the mail message. The mail service will be started if not already running.


Keyboard Commands

If the desktop window has the input focus, the following key commands are supported;

Key	Normal	Shifted
F1	Help	Help
F2	Main Menu	Main Menu
F3	File, New Object	Desktop New
F4	Object Delete	Desktop Delete
F5	Error! Bookmark not defined.	Error! Bookmark not defined.
F6	Object Properties	Desktop Properties
F7	Object Move
F8	Object Copy
F9	Screen Saver	Screen Saver
ENTER	Open Object
INS	File, New Object
DEL	Object Delete
TAB	Next Desktop with rollover to first desktop	Previous Desktop with rollover to last desktop
HOME	Main Desktop
END	Last Desktop
PgUp	Next Desktop
PgDn	Previous Desktop


Drag and Drop

The Microsoft Windows File and Program Managers use drag-drop functions to allow you to drag files from file manager to a group window of the program manager.

The Program Manager is a client only, it accepts files from other applications, but will not allow items to be dragged from it.

The File Manager is a server only, it allows you to drag files from it to other applications, but it will only accept files from itself.

Version 3.1 of Microsoft Windows documented the functions to implement the client side of the drag-drop operation. Drag-drop is supported on all Windows platforms including Windows NT.

Many programs now accept dropped objects. To date, the server side of drag-drop operations remains undocumented, although now implemented by a number of programs including this one.

Drag and Drop Desktop is both a client and server. You can drag objects off the desktop and drop them on the Program Manager, and you can drag files out of the File Manager and drop them on the desktop.

Drag and Drop Desktop will work with any Windows or Windows NT program that supports the drag-drop protocol. Also, any program that will accept the name of a file on the command line can be used as a drag-drop client, even if it does not normally support drag-drop functions. See Object Properties for more information.


DDE Interface

Drag and Drop Desktop contains a Windows NT Program Manager compatible Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) interface.

Most all application setup programs use Program Manager DDE to create a program group and add applications to it.

When a setup program issues a create group command, Drag and Drop Desktop creates a new desktop for the application. Use the Object Move or Object Copy command to copy or move the application objects to other desktops.

If Drag and Drop Desktop is operating as the Windows NT shell, it will completely emulate all DDE functions of the Program Manager, responding to application and topic of "PROGMAN".

If operating as a utility program, the DDE interface is active, but responds to "DESKTOP" application and topic. This prevents some setup programs from becoming confused when two Program Managers appear to be running at the same time.

For specific information on Program Manager DDE, refer to the Microsoft Windows Win32 API documentation; "Shell Dynamic Data Exchange Interface".


Glossary of Terms

Administrative Privileges

Administrators

Client

DDE

Dragging

Dropping

FAT

HPFS

Icon

Launch

NTFS

Object

Objects

Power Users

Program Manager

Registry

Server

Shareware

Shell


Administrative Privileges

Controlled by the Windows NT security system; indicates that the user is a member of the administrators group.


Administrators

Controlled by the Windows NT security system; members can fully administer the computer/domain. Members can also create, edit, and delete common desktops, and Program Manager common groups.


Client

In the context of drag and drop; a client program accepts one or more objects dropped on it from a drag and drop server program. The Windows Program Manager is a drag and drop client program.


DDE

Dynamic Data Exchange. A method of exchanging data and executing commands between different application programs.


Dragging

Moving the mouse while holding down the left mouse button on one or more objects.


Dropping

Releasing the left mouse button while dragging one or more objects.


FAT

The file system used by MS-DOS. Also, the File Allocation Table. A table that contains the status of various segments of disk space used for file storage.


HPFS

High-Performance File System. File system that supports extended attributes and long, mixed-case filenames, and improves operating system performance by implementing several levels of caching. Windows NT does not recognize the extended attributes of a file created on HPFS.


Icon

A small bitmap that graphically represents an object.


Launch

The term launch refers to running, opening, or starting an application program.


NTFS

New Technology File System. File system that supports object-oriented applications by treating all files as objects with user- and system-defined attributes. NTFS provides all the capabilities of FAT and HPFS without many of their limitations.


Object

In the context of Drag and Drop Desktop; an object is a program or document file that is represented by an icon and a title on the desktop window.


Objects

In the context of Drag and Drop Desktop; objects are program or document files that are represented by an icon and title on the desktop window.


Power Users

Controlled by the Windows NT security system; members can share directories and printers. Members can also create, edit, and delete common desktops, and Program Manager common groups.


Program Manager

The Program Manager is the shell program provided with Windows.


Registry

The database where configuration information is registered. This database takes the place of most configuration and initialization files for Windows and new applications.


Server

In the context of drag and drop; a server program allows the user to select one or more objects with the mouse and drag them on to a client program. The Windows File Manager is a drag and drop server program.


Shareware

A form of software distribution that allows the user to operate and evaluate software products before purchasing or licensing them.


Shell

The shell is a program that provides the primary user interface to Windows. Upon login, the shell is the only program running. All application programs are started by the shell program.