Windoware/WINDOWARE_1_6.iso/winutil/taskma12/taskman.doc

Text File | 1991-02-20 | 12KB | 243 lines

                                                    January 17, 1991

Dear METZ Software User:

          ThreadZ Forms Alliance with METZ Software

ThreadZ Software Design Group, Inc., developers of utilities for
Microsoft Windows, and METZ Software, developers of shareware
utilities for Windows, have announced the formation of a special
alliance, the goal of which is to facilitate timely software
development and provide easy access to solution-oriented products.

The first result of this alliance is the incorporation of two
of METZ Software's shareware programs into a retail product called
ThreadZ File F/X.  ThreadZ File F/X is a group of four utilities
and a bonus of ThreadZ Task Manager, presented in an "a la carte"
manner so as to facilitate ease of use:

F/X File Manager, simplifies the create, delete, copy, rename and
move functions in Windows 3.0 using an intuitive tree directory display.

F/X File Find, a search program enabling users to locate files on
any attached hard drive, provides for the use of DOS wildcards,
specific file extensions, or even file creation dates as search
criteria.

F/X File Undelete provides a list of deleted files, states the
likelihood of a successful recovery, and, when prompted, will attempt
to undelete the chosen file.

F/X Text Search allows users to search a file, path name, directory
or an entire disk for a text string.  A list of matching files is
displayed and may be printed as a report.

The ThreadZ Task Manager, a distinctive replacement for Windows'
Task List, utilizes a menu which may be used to launch applications
and lets you arrange your windows the way that works best for you!

"A wonderful task manager and four other useful utilities makes this
a must-buy for Windows users."   PC Magazine, 1/29/91

ThreadZ File F/X retails for $129.95.  Through March 31, 1991,
however, registered users of METZ Software can order ThreadZ File F/X
for $49.95.  ThreadZ can be reached at 206-869-6292.

Visit ThreadZ at the Windows and OS/2 Conference in San Jose, CA,
March 5-7, 1991.  Also, see us at the Spring COMDEX Windows World in
Atlanta, GA, May 1991.

Sincerely,
Art Metz
METZ Software



                       METZ Task Manager          February 19, 1991

  METZ Software                        Support       (206)-641-4525
  P.O. Box 6042                        Sales         1-800-447-1712
  Bellevue, Wa., 98008-0042, U.S.A.    International [phone]
                                       Fax           [phone]

  GEnie: A.METZ    Compuserve: [73567,1637]

                          Introduction
     After realizing how convenient the Microsoft Windows 3.0 Task
List application was to access, and yet as to how limited it is in
usefulness, we decided to improve on the concept, and thus created
METZ Task Manager.  METZ Task Manager has the basic tools found in
the Microsoft Task List application as well as several additional
features.
     For your convenience, the license number "MASCOT" will allow you
evaluate this application for a limited time without the usual reminder
screens popping up.
     We apologize for the lack of formal documentation or online help,
fortunately, the ThreadZ File F/X applications do have both.  Also,
you can call METZ Software if you have any questions, problems, or
suggestions (please use our support number: [phone]).  We will
be glad to help you any way we can.

                             Overview

     METZ Task Manager is a comprehensive, yet easily understood
replacement for the Microsoft Task List application.  To install
Task Manager, rename your old Microsoft TASKMAN.EXE to TASKMAN.OLD,
then place the new TASKMAN.EXE and METZ.DLL in your Windows 3.0
directory.  You can then access TaskMan by double clicking on your
Windows background or by pressing Ctrl+Esc.
     Task Manager provides the same basic functionality as the
Microsoft Task List app, as well as the ability to quickly run
programs and files, and a customizeable Tools menu.  Additional Task
Manager features include a fully customizable screen display blanker
(screen saver), Windows arrangement functions, directory tree display,
file finder, point-and-shoot file manager, and system memory and disk
space display.
     Task Manager uses under 25K of memory.

                          Installation
     TaskMan should be installed BEFORE you run Windows since the
system can lock up if TaskMan is already running when you replace it.
Please rename or backup your original Microsoft Taskman.exe for safe
keeping.  Copy the new TASKMAN.EXE and METZ.DLL to your Windows 3.0
directory.  Be sure to backup your Microsoft TASKMAN.EXE.
     TaskMan can be used in replacement of the Microsoft Program Manager.
Change the 'shell=progman.exe' setting in the file SYSTEM.INI to
'shell=taskman.exe'.  When you run TaskMan as the shell, you can still
run an application when starting windows, i.e. WIN NOTEPAD.  TaskMan
will run the application and add it to the TaskMan Run box.  Another
nice feature is that TaskMan will leave you in the directory you were
in before you ran windows, so the TaskMan File Manager will default to
your current DOS directory.  TaskMan will also launch the applications
listed on the LOAD and RUN lines of your WIN.INI file.
     If you decide not to use TaskMan as your shell, add TaskMan to the
load line of your WIN.INI file so that you can use the screen saver
feature and to speed up TaskMan's own initialization process.
     When TaskMan is installed you can access it by double clicking
on the Windows background (desktop) or by pressing Control Escape.

                          Using TaskMan
     Some menu items are greyed while TaskMan is loading directory
information in the background (while other apps are running).  You
can add TaskMan to the Load line of your win.ini to speed up this
process.
     You can create a custom bitmap for the screen saver using the
included application Clp2Disk.exe.  Please read the Clp2Disk.doc
file for more information.

IMPORTANT: Running Non-Windows applications from Task Manager may require
an appropriate .PIF file (see the Microsoft Windows User's Guide).

                       Non-registered users
     Use for purposes other than evaluation requires payment of the
registration fee.  Once you register and receive a license number you are
automatically allowed to upgrade to future releases.  It is important
that you register this application to help insure continued support and
development.  Our intention is to provide useful, user-friendly
applications at a low cost, and your support helps make that possible.
     All available functionality is enabled in this version to provide
you the ability to effectively evaluate this application.
     Ordering information is included in the file METZ.ORD or available
by contacting METZ Software.  All orders will receive a disk containing
the latest versions of our products.

                        File Descriptions
     This release is a demonstration version and as such is not to be
sold.  Desktop may only be distributed for free (or at cost) as the
following group of files:

MTM.EXE or TASKMAN.ZIP - Archive file containing the following files:
TASKMAN.EXE  -  The METZ Task Manager program.       (required)
METZ.DLL     -  METZ Software dynamic link library.  (required)
TASKMAN.DOC  -  This file.
TASKMAN.TLS  -  Sample tools file.
METZ.ORD     -  METZ Software order form.
APPS.WRI     -  METZ Software application descriptions.
CLP2DISK.EXE -  Clipboard to Disk utility for screen saver bitmap.
CLP2DISK.DOC -  Clipboard to Disk documentation.
METZTSR.COM  -  METZ TSR DOS program for screen saver support.
METZTSR.DOC  -  METZ TSR DOS program description and instructions.
THREADZ.TXT  -  Special announcement concerning ThreadZ File F/X.

                          Release Notes

     METZ.DLL is a dynamic link library for Task Manager. It must be located
somewhere in your environment path.  We recommend placing it in your
Windows directory.

     We have tried to be as consistent with Microsoft Windows interface
specifications as possible.  Please see the Microsoft Windows User's Guide
for more information regarding the Windows interface.

     Your comments and suggestions are always welcome, and help make
this application a better product.  METZ Software relies heavily on
user input, so be sure to give us your suggestions and comments.

     Information in this document is subject to change without notice
and does not represent any commitment on the part of METZ Software.  No
warranties of any kind are associated with this product.

Thank you for your support.

*  This application has an implementation which will prevent screen saver
   timeouts while you are working in a DOS application under Windows.
   Other screen savers will timeout even if you are actively
   typing away within a DOS Window.  Our the timeout will occur
   only after you are inactive in any DOS Window as well.
   Please read METZTSR.DOC and install the METZTSR.COM application
   if you wish to prevent timeouts while you are working in a
   DOS Window.
*  TaskMan saves up to 20 items for the run line in a combo
   box.  You can select items in the list by pressing Alt down arrow
   or clicking on the down arrow with the mouse.  The list is saved
   from session to session.
*  You can double click on files listed by the File Finder and
   File Manager to execute or load that file.
*  TaskMan uses the Program= setting in the WIN.INI when searching
   for applications entered on the run line that have no extension.
   For example, if you type COMMAND on the TaskMan run line and press
   enter, TaskMan will append each of the extensions listed in the
   program= section of the WIN.INI, in the order they are listed, in
   an attempt to find the executable filename.  You can change the
   programs= setting in the Setup TaskMan dialog.  For best results
   be sure that the program= settings are listed in order of your
   priority.  We are recommending "programs=exe pif com", add "bat"
   if you wish to run batch files as well.
* You can override the optimize default area by placing the following
  line in the file TASKMAN.INI:
     optimize=25,55,200,350
  The values are the pixel positions of the optimization area and
  can be set to your preferences.  In the example, 25 is the left
  position, 55 is the top position, 200 is the width, and 350 is
  the height.  When you select Optimize from the Windows menu,
  these coordinates will be used to position the open windows.
* Optimize can be set to Cascade the windows as well.  Add the word
  cascade to the end of the optimize= line.
     optimize=25,55,200,350,CASCADE
  TaskMan will then Cascade the windows after optimizing them to
  your specifications.

------------ METZ Task Manager version history ------------------

                        Version 1.02
*  If a Tool had a fully qualified application path and a working
   directory, the working directory was overridden by the
   application path.  This has been fixed.
*  The system would hang if you selected End Task for Microsoft
   Excel.  This has been fixed.
*  The file manager was not properly handling the destination
   directory if it was longer than 20 characters.  This has been
   fixed.

                        Version 1.01
*  The file manager was not properly updating the file list if the
   full source directory path selected was longer than about 20
   characters.  This has been fixed.

                        Version 1.0
*  First official release!

               Version 0.1 Beta - released June 1990
* Version 0.1 Beta was released to solicit user input.