AppBar is an adaption of my pLayer hack to show all running visible applications. This window will float above all applications. Just click on the icon to switch to it. (And it was all done without patching a single trap!) (Using a GNEFilter isn't patching a trap, is it?)
Now uses TSMHelper to get more clicks and cleanly quit. TSMHelper is not required, but is useful.
DISCLAIMER
While the copyright is owned by CE Software, this is a private, non-commercial project of Donald Brown. You may freely copy the program and use it. It may be uploaded to BBSes and included in software library exchange disks, provided this file is copied along with it. Programmers may use the code provided in their own projects so long as acknowledgement is given.
As a private, non-commercial project, NO SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PROGRAM, either for users or programmers. It is guaranteed to have bugs (no significant ones I am currently aware of, but it is possible they exist). Neither Donald Brown nor CE Software will be responsible for any problems encountered while using this software. Comments/recommendations/complaints may be sent to the author on the following accounts: AppleLink: DON.BROWN. America Online: Don Brown. CompuServe: 70712,305. I look forward to your feedback, but cannot promise any responses.
REQUIREMENTS
AppBar requires System 7.1. If you don't have System 7.1, you'll crash.
HOW TO USE IT
Just run it. A floating window will appear, with the small icons for the running applications. Click on one to switch to that app. As you switch applications (either through AppBar or through "normal" means), all other apps' windows are hidden, and the appropriate application is highlighted.
LIMITS/BUGS/IDEAS FOR ENHANCEMENT
These are thoughts I've had about possible changes to AppBar. They may, or may not, be changed in the future.
(1) On rare occassions, clicks on the pallette will "bleed through" to the application's window. This is less rare with DAs than regular applications. Mac Developer Tech Support says that GNEFilter (which I'm using to avoid patching traps) doesn't see all clicks. If pLayer were to become an INIT, and we were to patch _GetOSEvent, this problem would be solved. TSMHelper helps, but is not perfect.
(2) AppBar is screaming for configuration. The ability to turn on and off the ability to hide other windows. Where the window appears (right now it grows from the bottom right corner of the screen). Whether to use large icons instead of small. Display the icons vertically instead of horizontally. Of course, as a background app, doing a preference dialog would be, um, tricky.
CHANGE HISTORY
1.0d1, AppBar, (June 17, 1993)
Written for MacHack. From conception to entry: 2 hrs., 22 minutes.
