BYZANS TASK MANAGER (TM) (Version 0.9) Copyright © 1993, Yorgo Vergos * CONTENTS - Overview - Disclaimer Of Warranty And Agreement - Definition Of Shareware - File List - Why Register - Registration Procedure - Installation - Using BTM - Getting To Know BTM - Vendor Information - Release 0.9 Information * OVERVIEW The Byzans Task Manager (BTM) is a replacement Task Manager for MS Windows 3.1. BTM combines the functionality of the Windows Task List and Program Manager. Although BTM could also be used as a Windows Shell in place of the Program Manager theoretically, it is meant to complement not replace the Windows Program Manager or any other Shell that you might be using. BTM is available on demand at any moment during your Windows session. It is only a mouse click or Ctrl+Esc away so you don't have to search for it on your Desktop. BTM consists of the following sections: - A Tool Bar with the commonly used Windows Accessories - A visual Task List - A button group for manipulating items in the Task List - A button group for Desktop Management - A Runner Bar that remembers - An Application Strip to launch your favorite applications - An Information Bar at the bottom of the window - A pop-up Floating Menu * DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY AND AGREEMENT THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. GOOD DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY SOFTWARE BE THOROUGHLY TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT. THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE SOFTWARE. IN NO EVENT, WILL THE PROVIDER OR AN AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR OF THE PROVIDER BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. ANY LIABILITY OF THE PROVIDER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS LICENSE, UNDERSTAND IT AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey. It is your responsibility to determine if the program will work reliably on your equipment and for your particular business environment. That's why evaluation copies are made available to you. BTM is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using BTM and continue to use BTM after a thirty day trial period, you must register your copy of BTM. * DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. * FILE LIST The BTM-09.ZIP archive contains the following ten files: - BTMTASK.EXE - BTMTASK.INI - BTMLIB.DLL - BTMINFO.TXT (this file) - README.TXT - SETUP.EXE - SETUP.INF - REGISTER.DOC - VENDOR.DOC (*) - FILE_ID.DIZ (*) ****************************WARNING**************************** If any of the files mentioned above (other than the ones followed with (*) ) are missing in the package that you received do not use them as they might have been tampered with. To get the latest set of files send a check or money order drawn from a US bank for the amount of $5.00 in US funds to: YORGO VERGOS WORLD PLAZA SOUTH 316 PROSPECT AVENUE 7F HACKENSACK NJ 07601-2575 USA Also make sure to include on a piece of paper where you obtained this package your name and address and what size of floppy disks you use. The $5.00 shipping and handling fee will be deducted from the total of your order when you decide to register BTM. *************************************************************** * WHY REGISTER These are some of the reasons why you should register BTM: - When you register BTM you will receive a unique registration number and a license that will entitle you to use BTM legally beyond the 30 day evaluation period. - You will receive the upcoming version (1.0) of BTM free of charge when it becomes available. (You will also save some money since the registration fee for version 1.0 will probably be slightly higher.) - You will receive a comprehensive printed manual and a disk with version 1.0 at no charge. - You will be entitled to free unlimited support. (Limited to mail support in the time being.) - As a registered user you will have the opportunity to influence future development of BTM (including version 1.0) This means that features that you think would be useful to you might be incorporated into BTM, making BTM a greater value for you. - You will receive a registered version of "SOLUS" a board game for MS Windows 3.x valued at $10.00. - You will also receive a utility that allows you to exit or restart Windows at the click of the mouse from an icon on your desktop. This utility is not available to the general public. Comparable programs are sold for anywhere from $5.00 to $10.00. - You will encourage the future development of quality shareware products, which will translate to overall, high quality and affordable software products for you, the end user. Note: We reserve the right to append new items or make changes to the benefits above as we see fit, without any further notice. * REGISTRATION PROCEDURE BTM is licensed on a per user basis. The license grants the user the right to install and use the software on one or more computers so long as the total number of users does not exceed the license quantity. To register your copy of BTM use the registration form supplied with this package in the "REGISTER.DOC" file (we recommend that you use the "Register" option from the BTM System Menu or the BTM Floating Menu to fill and print the form). Or send a check or money order drawn from a US bank for the amount of $30.00 in US funds to: YORGO VERGOS WORLD PLAZA SOUTH 316 PROSPECT AVENUE 7F HACKENSACK NJ 07601-2575 USA Cash is accepted but not encouraged. Note: International orders add $5.00 for shipping and handling. For the benefits that come with registration please read the section titled "Why Register" above. * INSTALLATION To install BTM on your machine follow these instructions: - After decompressing the distribution archive file BTM-09.ZIP either copy all the files to a formatted blank floppy disk, or to a temporary directory on your hard drive. - If you copied the files to a floppy disk start up Windows, go to the Program Manager, select the "File" menu and then the "Run" option. Type either "A:\setup" or "B:\setup" according to the floppy drive you are using, and hit OK. - If you copied the files to a temporary directory on your hard drive, i.e. "C:\TEMP", go to the Program Manager, select the "File" menu and then the "Run" option. Type "C:\TEMP\setup" and hit OK. - When SETUP comes up follow the on screen instructions to complete the installation of BTM. - Setup will copy all the BTM files to a sub directory called "BTM" it will also create a Program Manager group called "Byzans" and modify your system.ini file. - In order for BTM to become active you MUST restart Windows. - During Setup BTM modifies the "TaskMan=" line in your system.ini file. The old setting is saved as in: ;TaskMan=taskman.exe It is very important that you do not delete or modify the above line, as BTM needs it to reset your original Task Manager when you decide to uninstall BTM (we don't think you will, unless of course you'll have to if you don't register your copy of BTM at the end of the 30 day evaluation period). - To uninstall BTM follow the above instructions to start up SETUP, select the uninstall option and hit OK. - Setup will remove all the BTM files, remove the "BTM" directory, delete the Byzans Program Group and reset the TaskMan entry in your system.ini file to its original value. Note: If you used a temporary directory such as "C:\TEMP" you may delete the directory and its contents since it is not required for the normal operation of BTM. * USING BTM To start up BTM use one of the following methods: - Double click on the BTM item in the Byzans Program Group. - Double click with the left mouse button any where on your Windows Desktop. - If there is no Desktop area visible, use the Ctrl+Esc key combination to activate BTM. * GETTING TO KNOW BTM BTM consists of the following sections: - A Tool Bar with the commonly used Windows Accessories - A visual Task List - A button group for manipulating items in the Task List - A button group for Desktop Management - A Runner Bar that remembers - An Application Strip to launch your favorite applications - An Information Bar at the bottom of the window - A pop-up Floating Menu A red frame around most of the items mentioned above shows you where the focus is located at any particular moment. The Tab and Shift+Tab key combinations allow you to move from one section to the other. You can also use speed keys such as Alt+S for to navigate quickly. - THE TOOLBAR The Toolbar gives you access to the most commonly used Windows accessories: File Manager Control Panel System Editor Clipboard Viewer DOS Window Notepad Calendar Calculator Character Map In addition to the above there are the following three options: Setup : It brings up the BTM Setup dialog. From here you can add, modify or delete application strip items. You can change system wide parameters such as command line buffer overflow warning and application strip order. Help : Brings up the BTM on-line help main screen. (not available in version 0.9) Exit : Allows you to exit BTM. BTM will also be terminated the moment another application is activated or you click on the desktop. All the above items are also accessible from the Floating Menu, for more information on how to activate this menu please read the section titled: Floating Menu. - VISUAL TASK LIST The Task List gives you a visual representation of all the currently running applications in your system. You immediately recognize the items listed because the icon of each application is displayed together with the descriptions. By double clicking on an item in the Task List you can switch automatically to that application. You can also highlight an item in the Task List and use it in conjunction with the Task Buttons located to the right of the Task List. - TASK RELATED BUTTONS Switch To : Switches to the highlighted application in the Task List. End Task : Terminates the highlighted application in the Task List. More... : Brings up a dialog box with more information about the highlighted application, such as module name, path of the executable file, handles for the window task, module, instance and so on. Information provided in this dialog box can be highlighted and copied to the clipboard if needed. - DESKTOP MANAGEMENT BUTTONS There are four buttons in this group that allow you to change the positioning of the windows on your desktop. Tile Horizontally: Tiles the windows in a horizontal fashion, like a word processor. Use this when you need to see information contained in windows such as word processors or spread sheets. Tile Vertically: Tiles the windows in a vertical fashion. Use this when you don't have any applications such as word processors or spread sheets running. Cascade: Cascades the windows on the desktop diagonally, beginning at the top left corner. Arrange Icons: Arranges the iconized windows on the desktop. - RUNNER BAR The Runner Bar has a Command Line field that allows you to type the path for a file and run it. If you are not sure about the exact path for a file you can use the Browse feature to search for it. The unique thing about this feature is that it allows you to merge program files with document names, so that you can launch your application with that particular document opened. Browse lets you pick between program files and all other files. This allows you to merge them automatically i.e. : Lets say you select Browse and pick the executable for the Windows Notepad. Now you should have something like "C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE" in the Command Line field. Now lets select Browse for a second time. As you see it defaults to the all files setting and the Merge option is checked. If you don't change any of the settings and select a file name you get something like this "C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE C:\BTM\REGISTER.DOC" When you select Run BTM will launch the Notepad and open the file Register.doc. If you push the down arrow to the right of the Command Line field, a list box drops with the contents of the Command Line buffer. This buffer can hold up to twenty items. If you like to run one of these items just click on it and select Run. The Command Line buffer works on a first in first out basis. In other words if the buffer already contains twenty items and you try to run a new item, the buffer overflows. This generates a buffer overflow warning. If you go ahead, the first (the oldest) item in the buffer is flushed (discarded). This warning can be enabled or disabled from the BTM Setup dialog box (see above). You can also use the Delete option to clean the buffer; get rid of items that you don't need anymore in order to avoid the overflow situation. - APPLICATION STRIP The Application Strip can be used to set up to nine of your favorite applications, so that they are always one mouse click or Ctrl+Esc away. When you setup an application you can specify whether it should start up iconized or not. If your application accepts a command line argument (see Notepad example above) you can enable the File Log feature. This feature is similar to the Command Line buffer in the Runner Bar, it keeps a log of the files that you use with your application. - Adding An Application Strip Item Select Setup from the Tool Bar or the Floating Menu. Select Add New Item and enter the information for your application. Or If one of the Application Strip items is highlighted, has the red focus frame around it, hit the Insert key on your key board to go to the add new item screen directly. - Modifying An Application Strip Item Select Setup from the Tool Bar or the Floating Menu. Highlight the item that you want to modify, select Modify Item and change the information for your application. Or Highlight the application item that you want to modify and hit the Alt+Enter keys to go to the modify item screen directly. - Deleting An Application Strip Item Select Setup from the Tool Bar or the Floating Menu. Highlight the item that you want to delete, and select Delete Item. Or Highlight the application strip item that you want to delete and hit the Delete key on your key board. Once the focus is in the Application Strip, one of the items has the red focus frame around it. You can use the little arrows on either side of the Information Bar to move from one item to the other or you can use the Home, End or left and right arrow keys on your keyboard. - INFORMATION BAR The Information Bar displays the current day and date by default It also displays information about a selected item: when you scroll up and down in the Floating Menu and, when you click and hold the left mouse button on the Tool Bar or on any application item. - FLOATING MENU The Floating Menu is activated by clicking the right mouse button anywhere on the BTM screen. It contains the items listed in the Toolbar and two more options: About: Displays the About BTM dialog box Register: Brings up the Windows Notepad, assuming you have not deleted the notepad.exe and opens the Register.doc file. You can fill and print the registration form from here. These two options are also available from the BTM system menu. * VENDOR INFORMATION Any person or organization that wants to distribute BTM for profit should read the "VENDOR.DOC" file, or contact: YORGO VERGOS WORLD PLAZA SOUTH 316 PROSPECT AVENUE 7F HACKENSACK NJ 07601-2575 USA * RELEASE 0.9 INFORMATION This release is a prelude to version 1.0, which every registered user will receive free of charge when it becomes available. Version 0.9 is a fully working copy of the program, its only limitation is that there is no on-line help available yet. This is where BTMINFO.TXT (the file you are reading) comes in. Version 1.0 will provide context sensitive on-line help but will also try to incorporate any improvements that users like you would like to see in BTM, or any ideas that you might have to make BTM better fit your working environment. So please, send all your comments (good or bad) or ideas to: YORGO VERGOS WORLD PLAZA SOUTH 316 PROSPECT AVENUE 7F HACKENSACK NJ 07601-2575 USA Or E-Mail them to CIS ID# 70242,3524 Windows is a trade mark of Microsoft Corporation.