POP1 Launcher v 2.3 FREEWARE

Changes:
v2.3: Name changed to POP1 Launcher and corrected some small errors I hadn't noticed!
v2.2: included options for running programs and sorting the list order. 
v2.1: included more graphic settings (not released.)
v2.0: much improved graphics in the popup.
v1.2: not realeased
v1.0:  Original

Have you ever wanted your program menu to be where you find it most convenient to have it?  Not in the systray or by punching your way through the Start button or on a docking bar etc etc but right where you are working. 

POPit is the answer.  What is it?  It's a skinable program launcher.  Based on a popupmenu which we are all familiar with and with a skin you can choose, you can now have that program menu where you want it.  It?  Them!  You can clone POP1 as many times as you want and create seperate launch lists for each.  You can create a list covering a specific range and use and call it as you need it.  Create a music, graphics or a document list.  Click on an item and the associated program will open.  Add cloned lists to a master list...  Fill your window with clones!!!  Cascade them...

Each clone can have a different skin too.  Any bitmap you want... create your own with the name of the menu!  A picture of your cat? Your child?  Make it small or use 32x32 bitmaps used on buttons.  I've included some for you to play with!  A small footprint bmp will allow you to keep the menu in the middle of the screen without interfering with what you are doing.  Change their colors and font and....

Installing POP1:
Run the install file and POP1.exe will be copied into your selected folder.  A link in your start folder will be created so that POP1 starts work when you do.  POP1 creates an .ini file the first time it is run in its folder that holds all necessary information to run POP1.  BE CAREFUL if you edit it!

Uninstalling POP1:
Use the Add/Remove option in Control Panel.

Using POP1:
Open the launch list by clicking with the right mouse button on the skin. The hint will show the file name. (See cloning further on.)

OPTIONS:

CHANGE SKIN: To change skins, click on the entry and select a bmp file.  The skin will change.  Not all bitmaps work as the process of making it transparent sometimes devastates the graphic!  

OPEN LIST EDITOR:   Opens the Launch List Editor.

The editor is in two parts.  The upper half is concerned with list management and the lower half with cloning.

List Management.
To add items, select a file to run then add a name to the 'Name to show' box.  You can add parameters for the file and also define how you want the window to open.  Don't worry about parameters if it's not something you know about!  The default is to show normal.  Click on Create and you have your first entry!  Right click the skin and you will see an entry with a small bitmap.  Keep adding!  You can amend the listing at any time by selecting a name in the upper box and changing the detail.  NOTE: If you change the name, a new entry will be created.

If you want to delete an entry, select the name in the upper box and click Delete. 

Cloning.
To clone POP1, select or enter a name in the POP1 clone dialog and an exe file and an ini file with that name will be created.  NOT if the exe already exists!!  Call it 'Music' or perhaps 'Utilities'.  The name you choose is relevant as it shows as a hint on the skin.  If you want the cloned list to have the same entries as the one you are working with, select 'Copy launch list to clone' before pressing Create..

To delete clones, select and click Delete.  BE CAREFUL, it doesn't know a POP1 from a zip file!

SETTINGS:

SORTED ORDER?  Select whether you want the last in alphabetical order or not.

REARRANGE LIST: You can rearrange the unsorted order by moving list names with your mouse;

SMALL ICONS?  Select whether you want small or large icons.

SET LIST FONT:  The font used in the list.  You can set any font or size but there is a practical limit!

COLORS:

MAIN COLOR:  Color of the popup.
MARGIN COLOR: Base color used in the vertical strip.
BAR COLOR: Color used to show selection.
DEFAULT: Defaults to fairly standard windows colors.

ABOUT:  Not enabled in cloned lists.

KILL:  Just that! 

That's all there is to it except for the normal:

LEGAL DISCLAMER
---------------

    THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS-IS AND WITHOUT WARRANTY INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  THE USER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD THE AUTHOR HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO USE OF THE PRODUCT.

If you don't agree, don't use it!  

This software is FREEWARE and permission is granted to anyone to use this software for any purpose, excluding commercial applications.  

Any comments, good or bad are welcome.

Copyright by Brian Shepherd (bshepherd@mail.com) Sep 2001

