1*(_ffghhi  GroupWorker Version 1.2 Multiple Program Launcher for Windows Copyright 1991 All Rights Reserved Miller Software 1113 Lutz Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 CIS: 75016,2406 Introducing GroupWorker Microsoft Windows is all about creating personalized workspaces of multiple applications to fit the specific work needs for each task. Windows 3.0 offers a rudimentary one-time capacity to open a group of applications, upon starting Windows, through the Load and Run capacities in Win.ini. GroupWorker picks up from here, and greatly enhances your capacity to set up individualized workspaces. With GroupWorker, you can set up as many combinations of multiple applications as you like, and have them all instantly running at the push of a button. And it's really that easy. Installing GroupWorker Installing GroupWorker is very simple. 1. Copy the GrpWrker.exe, GrpWrker.hlp and Sample.gwp files to the directory of your choice. Although it is easiest to place GroupWorker in your Windows directory, there is no requirement to do this. All subsequent files created by GroupWorker will be stored in the directory that you choose. If you later move the GrpWrker.exe file, remember to move all of the Grpwrker.* and *.gwp files with it. 2. The Microsoft VBRUN100.DLL file, available at no cost on almost any public BBS, must be present in your Windows directory for GroupWorker to be able to run. (On Compuserve, the VBRUN file is available in both the MSLANG and WINADV Forums.) 3.GroupWorker can be installed as a program in Program Manager in the usual manner. In addition, individual work groups can also later be installed as icons in Program Manager. This will allow you to start specific groups just by clicking on their icons. 4. Optionally, an association can be established between GroupWorker .gwp files and grpwrker.exe using File Manager. This same association can be manually established by editing the [Extensions] section of Win.ini using a pure ASCII editor. Simply add the line gwp=drive:\directory\grpwrker.exe^.gwp to the bottom of the list of other extensions already there. Remember to substitute the drive and directory names of where you installed grpwrker.exe when entering this line. Starting and Using GroupWorker Starting GroupWorker is very easy. There are five basic ways to start it in either Windows Standard and Enhanced modes. (GroupWorker is not able to run in Real mode.) Method 1: Click on the GroupWorker icon in Program Manager. Method 2: Click on the grpwrker.exe file in File Manager. Method 3: If installed, as described above, click on a *.gwp file in File Manager. Method 4: Use the Run command in the File menu list in Program Manager. The advantage of using this method, after application groups have been established, is that the name of a group can be entered on the Run command line. Using this option, all of the programs in the group are immediately launched and the GroupWorker program is never even seen. If you want GroupWorker to remain running for use, simply include it as part of the group. N.B.The name of the group to be launched must include its .gwp extension. Thus one could have GroupWorker immediately launch the Finances work group by entering the following information on the Run line: drive:\directory\grpwrker finances.gwp Method 5: If installed, click on a *.gwp icon in Program Manager. Installing a specific group in the Program Manager involves going through the Program Manager File menu list to add a New Program Item. The description can be anything that you like, while the command line would be exactly as explained in Method 4 above. Once running, GroupWorker is a breeze to use. The Initial Screen comes up with all of the Defined Groups showing in the box on the left. (When first run, the Sample.gwp group, included with the program will be present in this box.) Clicking on a group reveals its group contents in the Contents window. Once selected, the group can be deleted by pushing the Delete Group button OR immediately be run by pushing the Run Group button OR be modified by pushing the Modify Group button. Both the Modify Group button and the Make a New Group button will take you to the Setup Screen where you can either modify or make groups. Groups are easily established and changed on the Setup Screen. Upon entering the Setup Screen, the Drive, Directory and Files present in the directory in which you placed GroupWorker are already showing. To add an application to a group, simply double click the program's name in the Programs-Click to Add box. The program name is then automatically (and alphabetically) loaded into the ProgramsSelected- Click to Delete Box. You can move around drives and directories using the Drive and Directory boxes, and change the kind of executable file you wish to add by pressing one of the four buttons (*.exe, *.com, *.bat, *.pif) under the Programs-Click to Add box.. (Please note that if you add a .pif file AND are operating in Windows Standard mode, your group execution will be halted until the non-Windows program is closed.) Programs, by default, are added to the Programs Selected box in capital letters, indicating that they will be started by GroupWorker in their normal Windows size. If you wish to have some programs started as minimized icons, just press the min button on top of the Programs-Click to Add box before selecting them. Filenames for these programs will be listed in small letters. Re-setting the default start-up window size is easily done by clicking the Norm button. If you make a mistake, or just change your mind, about a file you've added or its starting size, you can easily delete it by double-clicking it's name in the Programs Selected- Click to Delete Box. Once you are happy with your new group, it is easily saved with the Save Group button, which will lead to your being asked for the name of your new group. Back in the Setup Screen,you may proceed to set up as many work groups as you like. When you have finished setting up your groups, simply press the Done button, and you will be returned to the Initial Screen, where all of your new groups are waiting for your use. If you ever have any questions about using GroupWorker, you can click the Help menu button, where these instructions will be displayed. (To close the Help window, just use the control box in the upper left hand corner.) When you are finally finished using GroupWorker for now, just click on the File menu item Exit. GroupWorker will then vanish until next called for use. Some Mildly Technical Stuff about GroupWorker GroupWorker sets up and uses three kinds of files. Registration information, when entered and verified, is stored in a one line file called GrpWrker.ini.GroupWorker checks and validates this file every time it is run. The Help text is stored in a read-only ASCII file called GrpWrker.hlp. Group information is saved in a series of individual *.gwp files. *.gwp files are pure ASCII files and, for those who like to edit them directly, they can be edited in any pure ASCII editor . The internal format for *.gwp files is a very simple listing of each of the full file pathnames in the group, preceded by the text "app=". (Technically speaking, the drive and directory designations need not be included if the applications reside on the DOS path.) Files with names in capital letters will be started in their normal Windows state, while those in small letters will be started as minimized icons. Registering GroupWorker This is Version 1.2 of GroupWorker. Problems, bug reports and any suggestions for improvement are all greatly appreciated. Please feel very free to forward comments whether you decide to register at this time or not. GroupWorker is neither free nor public domain software. It is a program that is copyrighted by Miller Software. GroupWorker is distributed as shareware. Under this concept, you are welcome to use GroupWorker for a limited period of time without charge, and may make copies and distribute them, without charge, to others (including posting on BBS). After the evaluation period, however, you are expected to pay the registration fee or cease using the software. The shareware version of GroupWorker is fully functional. It requires registration, however, to remove the registration request screen. The registration fee for GroupWorker is only $10.00. When you register, you will receive a registration code that will remove the registration request screen forever. N.B. A one-time registration will allow access to all future releases of GroupWorker. To register your copy of GroupWorker simply send your name, address, and $10 US in a check or money order to: Miller Software 1113 Lutz Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 Please include a Compuserve ID, if you would like to receive your registration number through CIS E-Mail. Otherwise, your number will be sent via regular mail. Upon receiving your registration number, it can be entered in the opening registration request screen. Once entered correctly, GroupWorker will never again bother you with a request to register. (And you will enjoy the benefit of knowing that you are an honest person.) This product is provided on an as-is basis. Miller Software makes no warranty whatsoever regarding this product and specifically disclaims any implied warranty or liability of any kind which results from its use. History of GroupWorker .5 6/91 Beta Release 1.0 7/5/91 First Public Release 1.1 7/26/91 Major Enhancements: Added capacity to have apps start in Normal or Minimized window states Added Help Screen Added message warnings at potential user-error points 1.2 8/8/91 Major Enhancements: Faster loading Added sample application group Improved error handling Increased capacity for keyboard operation Improved Help Screen bout using GroupWorker, you can click the Help menu button, where these instructions wwrnjhdbM^fYUQM($@ wsnje`\XpT{PLH wsokgc_[l W R N J w s o kR g] cG _S [| W S O K - w8 so)kGgUco_}[4W<S|OK wsokgc_/[LWXSOK wsokgc7_B[WSO2K 2mwsswok gc_[BWMSOK wsok8gZc_[ WSOK ws5o@kTgXc_[WS5O9K 9DwHsJoUkgb^ZJVWRbNJ ws"oHkafcaz]Y<U>P@NLJ Lws o k/!g:!c!_![R"WW"S"O"K ""w"sy$o$k %g%c%^&Y*(UW"S"O"K iWTTTTQQQQQQQ xxxxxxx9xJxMfuuuO}xi l 9 ; x z   Y x x  @BbdFHac>@!y!v!!!P"R"""##.#x9#xT#xV#xX# % %%v%%&&&&&B&D&f&&x&v&B'r't'''''(*(,(&&<<f=/2!;(tered correctly, GroupWo'3'ther you with a request to register. (And you will enjoy the benefit of knowing that you are an honest p HelvThis product is provided on an as-is basis. Miller Software makes no warranty whatsoever regarding this product and