eXpress is an application that installs some code which allows you to access the Process menu (the one on the far right side of the menu bar in System 7.x) from anywhere on the screen. After using System 7 for a while, I got sick and tired of running the cursor to the menu bar to change to a process that didn't have a visible window to click in. Because of this, I wrote eXpress. If you want to know the nitty gritty of eXpress, see the Program Code Overview at the end of this file.
Using eXpress
=============
Using eXpress is very simple. You launch the application and click to dismiss the splash screen. That's all there is to it. eXpress installs some code, much like an INIT does, and then quits.
Once installed, eXpress allows you to access the Process menu (the one on the far right side of the menu bar) from anywhere on the screen. Simply hold down the control key and click the mouse button. The Processes menu will pop up right at the cursor.
eXpress needs to be run each time you start your Mac in order for it to do its magic. I suggest throwing it in your Startup Items folder. Then you will always be able to take advantage of eXpress.
eXpress is very memory friendly, taking only about 200 bytes of memory once it is installed so don't worry about it taking over all your RAM. eXpress gives you a lot of bang for your byte.
Legal Stuff
===========
I, the author, assume no responsibility for any harm you may cause to your hardware or software by using the program eXpress. eXpress carries no warranties, expressed, written, or implied. You use this software at your own risk. If you screw over your machine with it too bad for you. The author assumes no liability for any damage caused by eXpress. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
You are free to distribute eXpress for non-commercial use provided it is distributed WITH the respective documentation file. You MAY NOT CHARGE for any redistribution, be you an individual or business (this INCLUDES Sheerer houses that charge on a per disk basis). If eXpress is distributed via an online service (e.g. Compu$erve), it MUST be made available as a "free download." If you had to pay to get your copy of eXpress, please contact the author immediately.
eXpress is Scholarware. If you use eXpress on any computer, or store it with the intent to use it at a later date, you are required to fulfill your obligation as it is laid out in the following section of this document. eXpress becomes Freeware in June of 1996. On the 1st of June, 1996, all Scholarware obligations are rescinded. DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN EFFECT.
Scholarware
===========
Scholarware is a new type of software distribution system that I am pioneering. I am going off to college in the fall of 1996 and would like to apply for a few scholarships between now and then. Therefore, if you use this software, you are obligated to send me information on AT LEAST one scholarship available for incoming college freshmen.
If you can't do this, you are obligated to contribute to my college fund (as much as you want). I would prefer scholarships that are school independent, but I won't turn down any information you send. College isn't cheap, help me make it through.
As far as scholarship qualifications go, I am not a minority or a woman, so those scholarships are out. I am qualified (GPA of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0) for academic scholarships and am highly involved in school activities.
Contacting the Author
=====================
I can be reached by the following methods.
Internet E-mail: mrmacman@pro-algonquin.mn.org
or
do485@cwru.edu
Phone: (612) 450-1652 - Voice line
(612) 457-5478 - Data line and answering machine
IRC: Look for me as Anonymous, Macman, or Stephen on #macintosh,
#CXDebate, #penpals, and #TECCA
Snail: Stephen E. Maas (Maasware Enterprises)
1271 Cherokee Ave.
W. St. Paul, MN
55118-2005
I always enjoy reading questions, comments, concerns, suggestions, corrections, bug reports, flames, and the like. Please send them all off to me. E-mail is preferred as always. You probably won't get a written response if you send stuff snail. You never know though.
Acknowledgements
================
There are a select few people, places, and things without which eXpress would never have come to be. Listed in no particular order, they include the following:
* Mike Schoberg -> Cray Research Explorers Post leader
* Cray Research Park in Eagan Minnesota -> Access to the SPARC
* Sun Microsystems -> I got the idea while working on a SPARC 4
* The creators of X-Windows -> Gave me the idea
* Apple Computer -> The computer and most of the code ;)
* Mom, Dad, and the rest of the family -> Moral support
* Phil Kearney III -> Showed me how to write a jGNE filter in C
* The Internet -> How else would I have met Phil?
* A few billion electrons -> No explanation necessary
* Robert Berger -> His USENET post introduced me to SystemMenu()
I thank each and every one of them for the contributions they have made to the creation of eXpress.
About the Author
================
eXpress was written by Stephen Maas. He is currently a high school student at Saint Thomas Academy in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Along with Macintosh programming, Stephen can be found buying and selling used computer equipment or hanging out on the local BBS's. He is almost always slaving away at his Classic II 4/120 churning out programs as Elton John's and Michael W. Smith's latest songs throb in the background.
In his "non-computer time", Stephen likes to hang out at the local tennis court, play pinball, kick the soccer ball around, read Agatha Christie novels, watch "The New Twilight Zone" or "ST:TNG", and get ready for the next year's debate season.
Stephen ascribes to the Macintosh programming philosophy of "Make it small and make it fast." He hates large cumbersome programs and loves programming elegance ( he wrote this document with TeachText). Other programs of his, such as Memory (soon to be released), are prime examples of this philosophy.
Program Specifics
=================
eXpress is a uniquely written piece of software. I hate INIT's so I wrote eXpress as an application that "installs" code like an INIT.
When launched, eXpress installs a jGNE filter into the System heap and then exits. The jGNE is then called repeatedly as all jGNE's are. When it intercepts a control-mousedown event, the jGNE gets a handle to the System Processes menu and pops this menu up at the location of the control-mousedown event.
When the PopUpMenuSelect() trap returns, the menu item selected is executed by calling SystemMenu() with the respective menu item in the low word. Finally, the original event is set to a nullEvent and life goes on.
