Help Contents

    	Contents For WinJade 2.4a Help

WinJade is a simple icon palette tool that runs your selected applications at the click of a button.

To learn how to use Help, press F1.

Introduction

Getting Started with WinJade

How to...

Add buttons to the palette

Move buttons around the palette

Delete buttons from the palette

Change the button properties

Change the button icon

Change the palette properties

Use the (Control) Menu options

Display the available system resources

Running any application

Set WinJade as your Windows shell

Disable the About box on start-up

Contact the author


Getting Started with WinJade

WinJade is a simple Windows (just another) desktop enhancement that allows the quick launch of user-selected applications that have been added to the palette.

To start an application, just click on the icon button with the left mouse button.

To show the title of the application, click and hold the right mouse button down over the appropriate icon button; or pause the cursor over a button if the 'Popup button titles' feature is enabled (see Changing the palette properties).

The whole palette can be hidden and re-displayed by clicking the left or right mouse button anywhere or just on the Windows desktop. This feature can be configured by changing the palette properties.

The set-up of each button can be edited by double clicking the right mouse over the appropriate button; see Changing the button properties.

A System Resource window will appear if you single click the right mouse button over the palette. This informs you of the current date and time, the free memory and disk space and the current levels of internal Windows resources. This window is hidden when the right mouse button is released.

How the palette appears can also be changed - whether a title bar or border is shown, the size of the buttons, running a Program Manager group on start-up, etc. For more details on these and related topics, see Changing the palette properties

Finally, if no title bar is present, you can still control the palette...

1	To move the palette - hold the CTRL key down and click and hold the left mouse button down over the WinJade palette.
2	To access the Control Menu options - hold the CTRL key down and click the right mouse button over the WinJade palette.


drag-&-drop

This is a feature of Windows which allows the 'passing' of selected file names between a 'drag & drop' server, such as the Windows File Manager, and a suitably receptive client, such as WinJade.

Using File Manager, simply select the file (or files) of interest and, holding the left mouse button down, move the cursor to the client application.

The cursor will change to an 'arrow-&-file(s)' if the window beneath can handle drag-&-drop operations. Release the left mouse button to 'deposit' the file names.


Desktop
the desktop

This is the name given to the screen background onto which Windows applications are 'placed'.

It is often filled by a user-selected pattern or bitmap picture (wallpaper) that is set via the Desktop options in the Windows Control Panel application.


Adding buttons to the palette

There are two methods of adding new buttons to the WinJade palette...

1	Bring up the Button Properties dialog box via the Control Menu or right double-clicking over an existing button. Click on the 'Add...' button in order to select a new application file. Hit the 'OK' push-button to confirm any changes. Hit 'Cancel' to ignore any changes. Remember to check the 'Save Settings on exit' box if you want to keep the configuration when WinJade quits OR
2	Using File Manager (or an equivalent), simply select the programs, or files that have a program association, and drag-and-drop them onto the WinJade window (NOT over existing buttons if the button 'drag-and-run' feature is enabled). If the 'drag-and-run' feature is enabled and all the palette space is occupied by buttons, hold down the CTRL key at the start of the drag-and-drop operation and then release the mouse button before the CTRL key at the end.

For each of the programs (or files), a button will be created with the default icon of the (associated) executable file and added to the end of the palette. Any new button(s) can then be moved within the palette.

If a button can not be created, a dialog box should appear with the reason why. This is generally because...

1	The file has no association with an executable file.
2	The file is not of the .EXE, .COM, .BAT or .PIF format and therefore can not be run by Windows.
3	The maximum number of buttons has been reached. In WinJade versions up to and including v2.2, this is set to 40. In WinJade v2.3a and greater, this has been increased to 100.


associations

These are files that have had their filename extension identified as 'belonging' to a certain application, so that when any file with that extension is opened, the application starts automatically.

To associate files with applications, see the File-Associate facility in the Windows File Manager.


Changing the button preferences

Changing the button properties

Changing the start-up properties of the palette buttons is done from the Button Properties dialog box. To display this box...

1	Double-click the right mouse button over the appropriate button OR
2	Select the Button Properties option from the WinJade control menu.
Title	This is the title that is displayed when the right mouse button is clicked and held over the button; or if the cursor is paused over a button when the 'Popup button titles' feature is enabled (see Changing the palette properties). Note that this is limited to 40 characters.
Command Line	This is the command line to run the selected application or associated file. Note that this can include command line parameters, separated from the file name by a space.
Working Directory	This is the directory path to where the application's program files and documents are located. A default path is set when the button is first created, and is the directory where the file is located.
Run State	The start-up state of the application can be set by clicking on the 'Run minimized' or 'Run maximized' check boxes. If neither box is checked, the application will start in it's normal state.
Run on start-up	The application can be launched when WinJade starts by clicking on the 'Run on start-up' check box. Note that WinJade can also auto-launch applications if they appear in the Windows Program Manager group file selected in the palette properties dialog box.
Use first instance	This attempts to switch to an already-running instance of the application rather than start a new copy. This can be useful if you only want one instance of, say, Microsoft Word in order to manage several documents. Some applications, such as File Manager, only allow one instance anyway. WinJade will check for a complete command line match in previous instances. If no other instance match is found then the application is started as per normal. Note that this setting is ignored when using 'drag-and-run'.
Save settings on exit	If this option is checked, the current settings will be saved to the INI file when WinJade is closed. Otherwise, changes made after WinJade was started will be lost.

Hit the 'OK' push-button to confirm any changes.

Hit 'Cancel' to ignore any changes.

Remember to check the 'Save Settings on exit' box if you want to keep the configuration when WinJade quits.


Deleting buttons from the palette

Deleting unwanted buttons from the palette is done via the Button Properties dialog box OR by using the SHIFT key and the right mouse button.

To display the Button Properties box...

1	Double-click the right mouse button over the appropriate button OR
2	Select the Button Properties option from the WinJade control menu.

Select the name of the button to be deleted in the scrolling list box and then hit the 'Delete Button' push-button. It's entry will be removed from the list box, but will only be removed from the palette if 'OK' is hit. Hit 'Cancel' to ignore any changes.

Alternately, position the cursor over the button to delete, hold the SHIFT key down and click and hold the right mouse button.

The cursor will change to [image]. Now move the cursor outside the button palette area and release the right mouse button. The button selected will be deleted.

Remember to check the 'Save Settings on exit' box in either Button Properties or Palette Properties dialog box if you want to keep the configuration when WinJade quits.


Changing the button icon

You can change the icon that appears on the face of the button. This is done from the Button Properties dialog box.

To display the Button Properties box...

1	Double-click the right mouse button over the appropriate button OR
2	Select the Button Properties option from the WinJade control menu.

Select the name of the button to be changed in the scrolling list box.

The current icon will be shown below it. If you now hit the 'Change Icon...' push-button, a Change Icon dialog box should appear...

File Name	The name of the current icon file. This is often the same as the associated program but can be set to any valid icon file. After editing the filename, hit ENTER to view the icons available. If the file is invalid, you will be prompted to change it.
Current Icon	The currently selected icon is shown in this list box. Use the scroll bars to view other icons in the same file. Select the new cursor by left-clicking over the selected icon.
Browse	If you want to select an icon from another application, dynamic-link library or icon file, use this button to open the Browse dialog box.
Help	Display this help text.

In both the Properties and Change Icon dialog boxes, use 'OK' to confirm any changes or 'Cancel' to abort.

Remember to check the 'Save Settings on exit' box if you want to keep the configuration when WinJade quits.


Moving buttons around the palette

To change the button order on the palette...

Position the cursor over the button to move, hold the SHIFT key down and click and hold the left mouse button.

The cursor will change to [image]. Move the cursor over another button and it will be swapped with the original button selected.

Note that you can move outside of the WinJade window to swap with a button on the other side of the palette. Release the left mouse button to terminate the Move-Button mode.

Remember to check the 'Save Settings on exit' box in either Button Properties or Palette Properties dialog box if you want to keep the configuration when WinJade quits.


Changing the palette properties

Changing the appearance and operation of the palette is done from the Palette Properties dialog box. This is selected from the control menu.

The palette properties are organised into four main areas...

Palette Options

Button Options

Palette Style

Start-up

Remember to check the 'Save Settings on exit' box if you want to keep any configuration changes when WinJade quits.


Palette Properties - Palette Options

Always visible	If this option is checked, the palette will always be visible. Clicking the left or right mouse buttons on the desktop have no effect on WinJade
Show/hide with left mouse button	If this option is checked, the palette will be shown or hidden by the action of clicking the left mouse button on the desktop.
Show/hide with right mouse button	If this option is checked, the palette will be shown or hidden by the action of clicking the right mouse button on the desktop.
Show/hide palette anywhere	If this option is checked, the palette will be shown or hidden if the left or right mouse button (as selected above) is clicked anywhere, rather than just the desktop. This is useful in controlling the palette if a window is maximised and thus covering the desktop; but be aware that the normal left and right mouse button actions for that application will be carried out as well.
Show palette at cursor	If this option is checked, the palette will be shown at the current cursor position when made visible by a left or right mouse click on the desktop. This is disabled if the 'Always visible' option (see above) is checked.
Show Jade cursor when hidden	If this option is checked, the WinJade cursor, [image], will be shown over the desktop when the palette is hidden. This acts as a reminder that WinJade is running. If you use third-party software that manipulates the desktop cursor (such as Neko, MetaMouse, etc.) then you might find that this option is best left cleared. This is disabled if the 'Always visible' option (see above) is checked.
Hide palette after running app	If this option is checked, the palette will hide itself after an application is run from WinJade. This is disabled if the 'Always visible' option (see above) is checked.

Hit the 'OK' push-button to confirm any changes.

Hit the 'Cancel' push-button to ignore any changes.

Remember to check the 'Save Settings on exit' box if you want to keep the configuration when WinJade quits.


Palette Properties - Button Options

Popup button titles	If this option is checked, the associated title will popup if the cursor is paused over the button for just less than 1 second. This title will disappear if the mouse is moved or 5 seconds elapse.
Button 'drag-and-run'	If this option is checked, it is possible to open files with an existing button. Just drag a file (or files) from the File Manager and drop it (them) onto a selected button. For example, if you have a Windows Notepad button on the palette, you could open a MS-DOS batch file for editing by simply dragging and dropping it onto the Notepad icon.

Hit the 'OK' push-button to confirm any changes.

Hit the 'Cancel' push-button to ignore any changes.

Remember to check the 'Save Settings on exit' box if you want to keep the configuration when WinJade quits.


Palette Properties - Palette Style

Palette Title	This is the title for the WinJade palette window. Note that this is limited to 40 characters and may appear truncated depending on your chosen palette sizing.
Show Title Bar	If this option is checked, the palette is shown with a title, or caption, bar containing the Palette Title text (see above). Without the title bar, the palette takes up minimum desktop space. Access to the control menu is then via the right mouse button.
Show sizing border	If this option is checked, the window will have a standard sizing border. This allows you to change the palette arrangement, but can be removed to reduce the desktop area taken by WinJade to a minimum.
Keep palette on top	If this option is checked, the palette will keep itself on top of any other windows and thus will not be obscured (unless another application is set to be top-most).
Button size	This option allows the button size to be varied to suit your screen resolution and/or personal properties. The default setting is 100% of the normal Windows icon size (generally 32 pixels), but this can be varied between 25% and 200%. The percentage will be rounded to accommodate the nearest pixel size. Note that, at small sizes, the button faces can be become rather unreadable!

Hit the 'OK' push-button to confirm any changes.

Hit the 'Cancel' push-button to ignore any changes.

Remember to check the 'Save Settings on exit' box if you want to keep the configuration when WinJade quits.


Palette Properties - Start-up

Group File	Enter the name of the Program Manager group file you wish to run when WinJade starts. To find the name of the group file, minimise the selected group in Program Manager and select the File:Properties; the path to the file will be displayed. Most users will probably use the Start-up group ('startup.grp'), but any valid group file can be entered. If only the file-name is specified, WinJade will assume the file resides in the Windows directory. Note that running up large numbers of applications can reduce your free Windows resources severely!
Run the start-up group	If this option is checked, the group file entered above will be run when WinJade starts. Note that WinJade applications can also be launched on start-up if the appropriate 'Run on start-up' check box is set.
Hide palette on start-up	If this option is checked, the palette will appear hidden when WinJade is first started. This is disabled if the 'Always visible' option (see Palette Options) is checked.

Hit the 'OK' push-button to confirm any changes.

Hit the 'Cancel' push-button to ignore any changes.

Remember to check the 'Save Settings on exit' box if you want to keep the configuration when WinJade quits.


Displaying available system resources

Displaying the available system resources

You can keep track of how much free disk space, Windows memory and Windows resources are available via the popup Resources window.

This is displayed by holding down the CTRL and SHIFT keys and the left mouse button anywhere over the WinJade palette OR just the right mouse button if the 'Popup button titles' feature is enabled.

Note that the date and time are shown in the Short-Date and Time format selected via the International section of the Windows Control Panel application.

Releasing the keys and the left mouse button hides the Resources window.


Running an application

This allows the user to start an application or open a document.

Command Line	Type the application filename, including the path, if necessary.  If you want to open a document, type the application filename following by a space and the name of the document.
Run Minimized	Select this check box if you want the application to be reduced to an icon when it starts.
Run Maximized	Select this check box if you want the application to be shown full-screen when it starts.
Browse	If you don't know the name or location of the application or document file, use this button to open the Browse dialog box.
Help	Display this help text.


Setting WinJade as the Windows shell

Normally, Program Manager (or similar) is used as the Windows shell.

This provides the means to organise your workspace and launch applications.

WinJade is also capable as acting as the Windows shell. It also processes any 'load' and 'run' entries in the WIN.INI file - 'load' entries are run minimized, 'run' entries are run normally.

A Windows Program Manager group will also be run if selected (see Changing the palette properties).

Setting WinJade as the Windows shell involves modifying the SYSTEM.INI file.

First make a back-up of this file and then make the following changes using a simple text editor such as Notepad...

(BEFORE)

[boot]

...

...

shell=progman.exe

...

...

(AFTER)

[boot]

...

...

oldshell=progman.exe

shell=C:\WINDOWS\winjade.exe

...

...


Menu options

(Control) Menu options

In order to save space, menu options are 'attached' to the WinJade control menu.

If WinJade has the Palette Title displayed...

Click on the [image] with the left mouse button.

Without a title bar, it is still possible to access the control menu...

Hold the CTRL key down and click and the right mouse button over the WinJade palette. The control menu should then appear and the menu options function as normal.

If the windows sizing border is present, clicking the right mouse button on the top-left sizing corner will also display the control menu.

Save Settings	This option causes WinJade to save all the current settings to the INI file regardless - the state of the Button and Palette Preferences Save Settings check box is ignored.
Restart Windows	This option will cause Windows (not your PC!) to be restarted. A dialog box will appear first asking you to either confirm or cancel the restart.
Run...	This displays the Run Application dialog box, allowing any application command line to be entered and run.
Palette Properties...	This displays the Palette Properties dialog box, allowing the palette settings to be changed.
Button Properties...	This displays the Button Properties dialog box, allowing the button settings to be changed.
Set Popup Color...	This displays a Color dialog box, allowing the background color used for the popup button title and resource windows to be set. This can be useful on some monochrome displays. Note that the nearest solid color to that selected is used when displaying the date and time in the Resource window.
Help	This displays the Help sub-menu that most Window applications are equipped with.


Disabling the About box on start-up

If you like WinJade, $10 or £10 sent to me (the author) will be greatly appreciated and will get you the means of turning off the About box on start-up and news of any future releases. Quantity pricing details are available on request.

If you don't like WinJade, thanks for trying it anyway. Comments or ideas for improvements are always welcome.

Feel free to distribute WinJade - as long as all the original files are copied and remain unchanged.


The author...

Nick Hall,

51, Clowser Close,

Sutton,

Surrey,

SM1 4TP,

ENGLAND.

CompuServe:	100330,2555
Internet:	nhall@dircon.co.uk