---------------------------------------------------------------------- S T E P - U P P R O G R A M M A N A G E R Quick Start ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Step-Up Program Manager v1.60s Welcome to Step-Up Program Manager! This document tells you everything you need to know to get up and running as quickly as possible. This document is organized into the following sections: 1. Introduction. 2. Shareware notices. 3. How to get WorkSpace FREE! 4. Installation. 5. Technical Support numbers. 6. Our favorite features. ----------------------- I N T R O D U C T I O N ----------------------- We designed Step-Up Program Manager to be especially easy to learn and use. We started with the skills you already have from using Windows' Program Manager and added dozens of enhancements that you'll certainly find indispensable. After installation, some of our new features are immediately evident, but you'll notice that Step-Up Program Manager still looks nearly identical to Windows Program Manager. We've done this intentionally to allow you the opportunity to return to work without delay. Everything you know how to do with Windows Program Manager works the same in Step-Up Program Manager. All menus, keystrokes and groups are unchanged, just enhanced with dozens of new features! -------------------------------- S H A R E W A R E V E R S I O N -------------------------------- The shareware version includes the entire product. All features are enabled and ready for you to use. You have a two week evaluation period during which you can decide if you would like to purchase Step-Up Program Manager. As a shareware vendor we rely on customers to purchase this product if it will be used beyond the two week evaluation period. We also hope that you'll like Step-Up Program Manager and will pass it on. We encourage you to build an install disk and give it to others. When you're ready to purchase, Step-Up Program Manager is only $19.95. ------------------------------- FREE Wallpaper and Screen Saver ------------------------------- When you purchase Step-Up Program Manager, you'll receive SlideShow, the wallpaper sequencer and screen saver from Second Nature that include a dozen full screen images from famous artists and photographers. ------------- GET WORKSPACE ------------- Purchase Step-Up Program Manager and we'll also send you the latest shareware trial version of WorkSpace - our Virtual Desktop Manager and Project Switcher for Windows. You love the ability to eliminate desktop clutter by creating new desktops. WorkSpace remembers the applications you have running on each desktop and can automatically restart them for you when you start Windows. ------------------------------- Toll-Free Electronic Purchasing ------------------------------- This version of Step-Up Program Manager allows you to purchase the product using your modem to transmit your credit card information to Step-Up Software. The call is free in the US and takes just a few moments. We'll even configure your modem for you. All you have to do is fill in your name, address and card info and we'll handle the rest. We accept VISA, MasterCard and American Express Cards. If you don't have a modem or prefer to purchase by check, don't worry, we're ready for your call, FAX or Letter. Our address and phone numbers are at the end of this document. ------------------------ Building an Install Disk ------------------------ You'll need a formatted, blank diskette - either a 1.2Mb 5.25" or a 1.44Mb 3.5" diskette will do. Place the disk in drive A (or B) and run "STEPUP.EXE A:" All the files that make up Step-Up Program Manager will be extracted from STEPUP.EXE and copied to your diskette. ------------------------ I N S T A L L A T I O N ------------------------ Nothing could be simpler! 1. Insert the Step-Up Program Manager installation disk in drive A: 2. From Windows Program Manager's File menu, select Run. 3. Type A:INSTALL and press Enter (or click on "OK") 4. Follow the instructions on the screen (some notes and hints follow) The installation program asks you one question -- "Do you want to make Step-Up Program Manager your Windows shell?" If you don't already know what your Windows Shell is, it's the program that Windows runs first every time it starts. The default program that Windows runs at startup is Windows' Program Manager. By checking the box next to this question, you are telling Windows to use Step-Up Program Manager in place of Windows Program Manager as your shell. We recommend that you install Step-Up Program Manager as your Windows shell. Installation should take about one minute (or less). When completed, you must restart Windows so that the changes you've made to your system during the installation of Step-Up Program Manager can take effect. If Step-Up Program Manager is your new Windows shell, you'll see it where Windows Program Manager used to be. ----------------- Technical Support ----------------- If you have any problems installing Step-Up Program Manager, get in touch with us and we'll help. We offer technical support Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am - 5pm Pacific time. You can reach us at (503) 223-6306 (voice) or (503) 223-6632 (FAX). -------------------------- Where do you go from here? -------------------------- You'll find that the on-line help is an excellent source of information for learning about the new features found in Step-Up Program Manager. To help you on your Quick Start, we'll mention a few of our favorite features that you might want to try right away. ------------------------------ A Few of Our Favorite Features ------------------------------ Program Modes - Step-Up Program Manager has three different styles that really make it unique. From the Options menu, select Mode. Try each of the three (Program Manager, Desktop and SwitchBoard) to see which one you like best. Sort Groups - A real time saver if you have more than a few groups. Click the a/z button on the Toolbar to sort the active group or use the View Window As dialog from the Window menu to sort all your groups. Change group icons - Select one of several icons we provide or browse for any other icon you'd like. Display Styles - Display any group as Icons, a List or as a Toolbox. Size the icons to your liking from very small to very large. Select View Window As from the Window menu. Groups within groups - If you have more than just a few groups, consider organizing them by placing groups within other groups. If you have a group that is getting especially large, break it up by creating new sub-groups. For example, make sub-groups of your Games group for each category of game you have -- like "Card Games", "Action Games", "Board Games", etc. Desktop Buttons - Drag any program item or any file from File Manager to the Desktop to create a button for that application or file. This is a great place for the programs and files you use the most. Alarms - Don't be late for another meeting! Select Alarms from the Options menu and fill in the details. You can also set a program to run (like your backup) while you're away. System Resource Monitor - Avoid a common cause of system crashes - low system resources. You'll be notified when your resources drop below a critical level (that you can set) and can take action to lower the strain before a problem comes up. Right Mouse Button - You may have already noticed that a right mouse click will show you a menu of options that apply to the item where you've clicked. It's great for easy access to common commands and really reduces the "mileage" on your mouse. Congratulations! Your installation of Step-Up Program Manager is complete. Step-Up Software Inc. 333 South West Fifth Avenue Suite 405 Portland, Oregon 97204 (503) 223-6306 - Voice (503) 223-6632 - FAX