Copyright: Visual Help Copyright® 1993 Firas Bushnaq


CONTENTS
TopGroup

Table of Contents

Expand window and click on topic:

Introduction

Installation

Features

Operation

Configuration

Registration

Registered Version

Troubleshooting

Limitations

Notices

Developer

Registration Form

Copyright (c) 1993 Roger C. Spaeder


Introduction

Welcome to TopGroup

     TopGroup is a fast, low resources program launcher and alternative Windows shell.  With a minimum of clicks you can launch files without navigating Program Manager groups. TopGroup maintains a clean desktop by eliminating Program Manager's windows and icons.  With TopGroup, you click on a single icon - - always on top - - to view a popup menu and run your programs. The launch attributes of each program may be configured, and system resources are monitored for continuous display.  TopGroup's icon supports drag-drop launching of files from Windows File Manager.

     The registered version of TopGroup provides a startup group, multiple program launching via "suites", and customized drag-drop launching from the TopGroup icon. TopGroup is quality shareware offered for evaluation before licensing.

System Requirements

•	A 386 or 486-based PC with a hard drive, Windows 3.1 or higher, MS-DOS 3.3 or higher, a VGA or better color monitor, and a mouse

•	Windows Notepad editor on your system path

•	Visual Basic 3.0 run-time module VBRUN300.DLL in your Windows system subdirectory

The Need for Speed!

     TopGroup distinguishes itself from similar launchers by virtue of its loading speed.  While other shells take forever to load because they establish a dynamic link with Program Manager's groups, TopGroup loads  as fast as your hard drive can read the configuration file. This design, which provides customized menus independent of Program Manager's organization, gives TopGroup the edge!


Installation

The TopGroup Files

•	TOPGROUP.EXE - The executable file for TopGroup

•	TGRELOAD.EXE - A required support file used by TopGroup for reloading

•	TGEXIT - A required support file used for TopGroup's exit Windows option.

•	TOPGROUP.HLP - This TopGroup help file with registration form

•	TOPGROUP.CNF - Configuration file for TopGroup with example entries

•	TOPGROUP.BAK - A duplicate of TOPGROUP.CNF provided as backup

•	TOPGROUP.SMP - A sample configuration file with more extensive examples

•	READ_ME!.TXT - A text file with last-minute information and installation instructions

•	DRAGDROP.VBX - A support file used for drag-drop operations

•	SBCEASY.VBX - A support file used to display the popup menu

•	DWSPYDLL.DLL - Dynamic link library used by SBCEASY.VBX

•	CMDIALOG.VBX - A support file used by Menu Builder

•	You must also have the Visual Basic 3.0 run-time module VBRUN300.DLL on your Windows system subdirectory along with COMMDLG.DLL, which is supplied with Windows 3.1.  If your Windows system subdirectory does not contain COMMDLG.DLL, you should transfer it from your Windows distribution disks.  The VBRUN300.DLL file is available from CompuServe and most BBSs.

Installing TopGroup

•	All above files ending with DLL and VBX should be copied to your Windows system subdirectory.  All other files should be copied to a single directory reserved for the TOPGROUP files, for example, C:\TOPGROUP.

•	TopGroup is launched by running TOPGROUP.EXE.  After TopGroup is loaded, a file named TOPGROUP.INI will be created in the directory. It contains settings and your registration code.

•	Each time you open or modify  the TOPGROUP.CNF configuration file, TopGroup allows you to back up the new file under the name TOPGROUP.CN$.  Unless  you have good reason not to do so, you should back up.  If your configuration file is erased or corrupted, you can always recover by renaming TOPGROUP.CN$ to TOPGROUP.CNF.


Features

Unregistered Version of TopGroup

•	View the popup menu by clicking the TopGroup icon, always on top. TopGroup's menu also appears when the return key is hit.  Free system resources are monitored and optionally displayed in the TopGroup caption.

•	TopGroup's popup menu is configured by user.  As many as 15 favorite programs may be set for instant access.  Ten additional  groups, each containing 25 to 30 programs, are available.

•	Each item can be configured for menu title, program name, startup directory, initial window size, and caption.  The caption setting is used to avoid multiple instances of the same program.

•	Menu configuration is simplified by use of Menu Builder feature. Menu Builder captures the program filename from your hard drive and assembles the menu entry, minimizing format errors.  Menu entries may also be entered manually with Windows Notepad.

•	TopGroup icon is a drag-drop target for files from Windows File Manager.  Files dropped on the TopGroup icon are launched for viewing or editing by Windows Notepad.

•	Additional features, including a Run menu, DOS window, arrange icons facility, and reload after configuration, are included.

Registered Version Enhancements

•	In lieu of Windows Notepad, a user specified program will launch all files dragged to and dropped on the TopGroup icon.

•	Just like Program Manager, the user may specify a group of programs to  run automatically at startup, including for example, an antivirus sentry, screen saver, wallpaper changer, and often-used utilities.  The initial window state of each program may be preset.

•	An additional launch group, known as "Suites", appears on the TopGroup menu.  This feature permits launching related programs (1 to 8) with a single click.  The Suites group will accommodate 25 to 30 groups of multiple program sets!


Operation

Usage Tips for TopGroup

Note: Menu configuration information is available in the next screen.

•	TopGroup is supplied with an initial configuration file, TOPGROUP.CNF, containing examples of menu entries.  An extra copy of the same file, named TOPGROUP.BAK, is also provided.  TopGroup always gives you the option of backing up your configuration file when you modify it.  The backup filename is TOPGROUP.CN$.

•	Click on the Configuration item in the TopGroup menu and see the Menu Builder utility and the Windows Notepad.  TopGroup's configuration file, TOPGROUP.CNF, is already loaded and ready for manual or automated editing.

•	If your original Windows accessories are on your system path, you can run many of the example programs by clicking on the appropriate menu item.  If the program does not exist on your path, an error message will issue.

•	TopGroup may be used as a free-standing program launcher or as an alternative to Program Manager.  When installing new software, Program Manager should be used as your shell because many setup programs require it.  Changing shells requires editing the "[boot]" section of SYSTEM.INI  to substitute TopGroup for your current shell.  For example, the entry "shell=c:\topgroup\topgroup.exe" will inform Windows that your shell is now TOPGROUP.EXE on the C:\TOPGROUP directory.

•	You may drag files from the Windows File Manager and drop them on the TopGroup icon.  The files will be launched for viewing or editing by Windows Notepad editor.

•	Open the TopGroup menu and decide if you want TopGroup to remain "Always on Top".  If not, click to remove the check mark.  We suggest you click the "Show Resources" item, so that free system resources will continuously display in the TopGroup caption.

•	The ReLoad item in the TopGroup menu will reload TopGroup.  Changes in the configuration file take effect on the menu after reloading.

•	The Arrange Icons item reorganizes the icons on your desktop.  The "Form" item displays a registration form that can be printed out.  The Register item permits you to input your registration code, thereby disabling the startup screen and activating the enhancements in the registered version.

•	Regardless of the "Show Resources" setting, TopGroup provides a visual notification if your free system resources fall below 15%.


Configuration

Note: This topic is three full screens high in expanded view.

Menu Entries in TOPGROUP.CNF

•	TopGroup's menu structure is found  in TOPGROUP.CNF.  Changes to this file can be made manually with Windows Notepad or by using the Menu Builder utility described below.  Click on Configuration to access the configuration file and Menu Builder.  Comments begin with a semicolon and are ignored by TopGroup.

•	The first program category, known as Favorites, is preceded by a header "[Favorites]".  From 1 to 15 entries may be set as Favorites.  The next category has the header "[Groups]".  The permissible number of groups is 1 to 10.  Each group accommodates from 1 to about 25 separate programs. Each new group is preceded by a "<xyz>" header where xyz is the name of the group, e.g., "<&Utilities>" for a utilities group with a shortcut key of "U" as indicated by the ampersand (&).

•	Every individual menu entry consist of 5 fields:  (1) menu title, (2) program filename with path, (3) startup directory, (4) initial window state, and (5) caption.  Each field ends with a comma, EXCEPT the last field (caption) which ends with a CARRIAGE RETURN.  Examples are shown in the TOPGROUP.CNF file.  Window state is indicated with an integer code of 0 for normal window, 1 for minimized, and 2 for maximized.

•	EXAMPLE:   "&WinTerm, C:\WINDOWS\TERMINAL.EXE, C:\UTILS, 1, dummy" is a menu entry for the Windows Terminal accessory, using a shortcut key of "W" with a startup directory of C:\UTILS, initial window state minimized (integer code of 1) and a non-functional entry for the caption.  A comma MUST follow each of the first 4 fields and the line MUST end with a carriage return.

•	You should supply information about the location of your Windows Notepad editor.  This menu entry appears immediately after the header "[Notepad]" and follows the standard menu entry format.

•	The caption entry is optional and may be left blank.  If a caption appears in the entry for a launched program, TopGroup checks to see if another running program is displaying the same caption.  If so, TopGroup does not launch the new program but instead restores the earlier program.  The captions must match character- for- character but are not case-sensitive.

Using Menu Builder to Configure

•	Menu Builder is a utility that works in tandem  with Notepad to speed the creation of entries in your configuration file and minimize format errors.  It can be used for all individual menu entries.  Registered version users are advised to use Notepad manually for making "Suites' entries because all suites require a long single-line entry containing all the individual menu fields separated by commas and ending with a carriage return.

•	Menu Builder has its own menu. When you click on Configuration, you will see it and Notepad as well.  Click on Menu Builder's File menu and choose Select to locate an executable file for addition to your menu.  After you select a file with the OK button, Menu Builder will enter the filename with path and the assumed startup directory in the designated boxes.  You must type a menu title, with an ampersand (&) if you wish, and edit the startup directory if needed.  Set the desired initial window state using the drop-down list box.

•	Using Menu Builder's Test menu, you can run the desired program in test mode. Click Menu Builder's Help menu for a quick review of usage tips.

•	Once you are ready to add the new menu item, position the Notepad cursor at the screen location in TOPGROUP.CNF where you want the new entry inserted.  Create a blank line if you need room for an inserted line.  Click on Menu Builder's Paste menu, and the new entry (with a carriage return) will appear in TOPGROUP.CNF. Eliminate the new blank line by hitting your delete key.

•	Click on the Menu Builder File menu, choose Close and save the changes to TOPGROUP.CNF.  Choose OK when asked to back up the new configuration file.  Choose OK to immediately reload TopGroup and see your menu changes take effect.

Configuring Startup Group, Suites and Drag-Drop

•	Users of the registered version have additional configuration options.  The header for the startup group is "[StartUp]" after which individual menu items appear.  These entries will automatically be launched by TopGroup during loading.  The header "[DragDrop]" precedes the menu entry for the custom program that will be activated when a file is dropped on the TopGroup icon.  For the unregistered version, the Windows Notepad editor is the default program launched from the TopGroup icon.  Menu entries for the StartUp and DragDrop categories adopt the same format as individual menu entries.

•	The "Suites" group is preceded by a "[Suites]" header.  Each suite entry consists of a single text line combining two or more individual menu entries in a series and ending with a single carriage return.  The text appearing in the first field on the line will appear as the title of the suite in the TopGroup popup menu.  When a suite entry is typed, a comma is placed after every field except the last field on the line.  The line ends with a single carriage return.  A suite entry is best made using the Notepad editor, although an experienced user can use Menu Builder to create the entire entry.  Care must be taken, however, to avoid adding a carriage return within the line because the return is read by TopGroup as the line's end.


Registration

Advantages

•	As a shareware recipient, you have a license to use TopGroup for a brief evaluation period.  If you use it for a longer period or for a purpose other than evaluation, you must register it.  Registration grants you a license to use TopGroup as you would any commercial software you purchase.

•	Registration allows you to take advantage of significant enhancements available only in the registered version.  A detailed description of these added features appears as the next topic in this Help file.

•	Registration costs only $10 and is quick and painless.  A registration form with all necessary information is the last topic in this Help file.  You can print the form if you wish on your printer.  Fill it out and send it as directed along with your check or money order for $10.

•	Registered users are notified of updates and can obtain technical support by mail or CompuServe.

Procedure

•	Print out the registration form at the end of this Help file or copy the requested information and mail it along with your payment by check or money order.

•	You will receive by return mail a registration code.  Go to the TopGroup menu and click on Registration. Next click on Register, and you will be prompted for your last name.  Enter your last name exactly as it appears on your registration form.

•	You will next be prompted for your registration code.  Enter it from the registration response.  A message will inform you that registration is completed.  Exit TopGroup and reload.  The registration items in your TopGroup menu will disappear.  The registration code will be entered in your TOPGROUP.INI file.  Remember to save a copy of your code in the event your TOPGROUP.INI file is erased or corrupted.

•	Once registration is completed, the startup screen will permanently be disabled.  The registered version enhancements will immediately be available.


Registered Version

Great Extra Features

Note: Configuration of registered version features is described in Configuration screen.

    In addition to all the capabilities of the unregistered version, the registered version of TopGroup offers the following  extra features:

•	The startup screen displayed in the unregistered version is permanently disabled.

•	In lieu of Windows Notepad, a user specified program launches all files dragged to and dropped on the TopGroup icon.  For example, you can specify the Norton Viewer as this program, and all files dropped on the TopGroup icon will be launched for viewing by it.  The launched programs can be run in normal, minimized or maximized mode, as you direct in TopGroup.  Alternatively, you can specify your favorite spreadsheet program, and dropped spreadsheet files will be loaded and launched.

•	The user may specify a group of programs to  run automatically at startup, including for example, an antivirus sentry, screen saver, wallpaper changer, and often used utilities or applications.  The initial  window state of each program may be preset.  The feature emulates the startup group and "load" and "run" functions of Program Manager and Windows WIN.INI settings.

•	An additional launch group, known as "Suites", appears on the TopGroup menu.  This feature permits launching groups of related programs (1 to approximately 8) with a single click.  The Suites group will accommodate 25 to 30 groups of multiple program sets depending on monitor size, resulting in a  capability of launching 175 to 250 more programs than the unregistered version's limit of about 275.  This  puts the registered version's total launch limit at 400+ programs!


Troubleshooting

Problems and Solutions

     This Help file is always accessible from the TopGroup menu or by hitting the F1 key while the popup menu is displayed.

•	The most common problem running TopGroup arises from format errors in individual entries in TOPGROUP.CNF.  Each menu entry must contain a total of 4 separator commas and a terminating carriage return.

•	The caption entry is optional and may be omitted.  If the startup directory field is left blank, TopGroup will start the program from the current drive and directory.  If no entry is placed in the window state field, the initial window size will be normal.

•	The executable filename is essential and should include the direct path to the executable file, unless the file is on the system's search path.  For example, the filename and path C:\MSWORKS\MSWORKS.EXE is preferable to MSWORKS.EXE.

•	When format errors are detected during TopGroup's loading or in program execution, an error message is displayed describing the error and often the suspected cause.

•	The message "Unable to locate PROGMAN.EXE" means that you have entered  an incorrect or incomplete path and/or program name for your shell in SYSTEM.INI.  You should use a DOS editor like EDIT.COM to open the SYSTEM.INI file and correct the shell entry, then restart Windows.

•	TopGroup expects to find its files in the same directory as TOPGROUP.EXE,  with the exception of the files with DLL and VBX extensions.  As indicated, the latter files should be placed in the Windows system subdirectory.

•	The message "Unable to find or load KRNL386.EXE" means that you must reboot before restarting Windows.  See Limitations topic for information about the effect of SHARE.EXE on TopGroup.


Limitations

Menu Limits

•	The Favorites items limit is 15 with a minimum of 1.  The Groups limit is 10 with a minimum of 1.  The number of entries per group is limited only by the height of your monitor.

•	The maximum length of any one configuration file entry is 250 characters, representing a per-line limit of 249 characters plus 1 carriage return.

•	On the registered version, the number of menu titles in the "Suites" group is also limited by the height of your monitor.  The number of separate programs in a single suite is governed by the 250 characters per line limit applicable to the configuration file.

•	On the registered version, the number of programs in your startup group is limited only by available memory and resources.

Other Limits

•	When running a program in the DOS Window, the settings and size of the window are defined by your _DEFAULT.PIF file.

•	Some programs like Windows File Manager will not load a second instance when launched.  Instead, the program is restored to active status.  These internal program features override settings in the TopGroup configuration file.

•	The sample configuration files supplied with TopGroup cannot be rebuilt by the program if they are accidentally erased.  You must archive a copy of TOPGROUP.CNF along with other TopGroup files in the event of a disk  disaster.

•	Whenever SHARE.EXE is loaded in your environment, you should try to exit each running program before closing down Windows.  Otherwise, when you close Windows using the TopGroup "Exit" menu, you may have to reboot to restart Windows.


Notices

Copyrights

     TopGroup was written with Microsoft's Visual Basic 3.0 Professional development system.  Distribution versions of a custom control and dynamic link library from Desaware were used to implement the popup menu at the system control menu.  A public domain custom control from Apex Software Corporation was used to create the drag-drop capability.

•	Copyright (c) 1993 Roger C. Spaeder, All Rights Reserved

•	Copyright (c) 1992-1993 Desaware, All Rights Reserved

•	Copyright (c) 1992-1993 Apex Software Corporation, All Rights Reserved

License Rights

•	The unregistered and registered versions of TopGroup are licensed to you "as is" by the developer.  The unregistered version grants you a limited license to use the shareware briefly for evaluation only.  If you use the program for a longer period or for another purpose, your limited license is void and you must register.  All rights and liabilities surrounding this software are governed by the laws of the State of Virginia.

•	Registration grants you a single-user license for TopGroup.  By electing to register, you agree to comply with the terms of  this license and  you warrant that, to the best of your knowledge, TopGroup operates properly on your computer configuration. The registered version license grants you the right to use one copy of TopGroup on a single computer. You may not copy TopGroup or provide a copy to another person under any circumstances, except that you may archive a personal copy of either version and /or distribute copies of the shareware version without charge to other persons and BBS services.

•	Licensor disclaims all other warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, with respect to the software.  This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights.  You may have others arising under state law.

•	Licensor's entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be , at licensor's option, either (a) return of the price paid for the registered version or (b) replacement of the software that does not meet licensor's limited warranty and is returned to licensor with evidence of purchase within 60 days.

•	In no event will licensor be liable for damages, including any loss of profits, lost savings, lost time, replacement costs, technical assistance, computer hardware or software damage, personal injury, or any other incidental or consequential damages arising from your use or inability to use this software. Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.


Developer

TopGroup

•	Developed by Roger C. Spaeder

•	CompuServe No. 73670,3161

•	7624 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Virginia 22102

•	Copyright (c) 1993 Roger C. Spaeder

Technical Assistance

     Registered users with technical support needs, questions, or bug reports should contact the developer by mail or CompuServe at the addresses above.  Please provide your registration code when making a contact.

     Bug reports or information on other incompatibilites are welcome from unregistered users as well.  Our goal is to satisfy those who use our shareware!

Bonus Utility

     TGEXIT.EXE is a required TopGroup file that can be used as a separate utility, providing you options when closing down Windows.  When TGEXIT.EXE runs, it presents an dialog box with two options: (1) exit Windows or (2) exit and restart Windows.  Although TGEXIT.EXE must remain in the TopGroup directory, you can copy the file to another directory, rename the copy if you wish and place it in your Program Manager startup group.  The utility may be launched as an icon if you check the "run minimized" box.  You can modify the normalized window caption for the utilility by placing your preferred caption on the command line.  For example, launching "TGEXIT.EXE Leaving Now" will display a caption "Leaving Now" when the dialog box is in normal state. TGEXIT.EXE requires the VBRUN300.DLL file in your Windows system subdirectory.


Registration Form

TopGroup Registration

     To print this form, click on this help window's Print button. You may also hit Alt-F, P for printing.  You can skip printing and write the requested information on paper if you wish.

YOUR NAME _______________________________________________________

ADDRESS _________________________________________________________

CITY, STATE & ZIP __________________________________________________

DATE _____________________________________________________________

     Make your check or money order for $10.00 payable to Roger C. Spaeder and mail to:

                                                   Roger C. Spaeder
                                                   7624 Georgetown Pike
                                                   McLean, Virginia 22102

     If you would like to be notified of your registration code by CompuServe ( at no extra
charge) as well as by U. S. Mail, please provide your CompuServe information below:

COMPUSERVE NAME ________________________________________________

COMPUSERVE ADDRESS ____________________________________________

     Your registration code will appear on the line below when this form is processed and returned to you.  Your last name and this registration code are input to TopGroup in response to prompts you receive when you click on the Register item in the TopGroup menu.

TOPGROUP REGISTRATION CODE ______________________________________