Calypso task bar 1.0
====================

Here is my version of the Win95 style task bar.  An improved program 
will be included with version 2 of Calypso, but for now, this should
satisfy most '95 addicts.

If Calypso 1.1 or later is running in the background, pressing the Start
button will bring up Calypso's Start menu, as expected.  The other
features will work just as well without.

I'm rather concerned about the taskbar's appetite for memory, so there
might be another version with less frills.  Thankfully, you can turn it 
off to free up RAM when you don't need it.


The complete Delphi source code is available, directly from me, and
will soon be available from some FTP and web sites which carry Delphi
source.  I'm holding onto it for the moment because there are a couple
of bugs which I would like to sort out if possible.


Email      :  lhh@doc.ic.ac.uk

Snail mail :  Li-Hsin Huang
              59 Bromefield
              Stanmore
              Middlesex HA7 1AG
              England UK



Installation
------------

There are 2 essential files : CALTASK.EXE and TASKHOOK.DLL.
Copy them to your hard disk.  You can put the executable file into
Program Manager's Startup group or Calypso 1.2's Startup menu.


Usage
-----

By default, the taskbar remains hidden until you move the mouse cursor
to the bottom of the screen.  Pressing a button will activate the
corresponding program, either by restoring it (if it was minimized) or
bringing it to the top.


Stickiness
----------

There are two styles of operation

Normal -- the taskbar hides itself when you activate another program
Sticky -- it only hides itself when you press one of its buttons

Whatever mode you're in, you can force it to disappear by right clicking
in between the buttons.  The mode can be changed using command line
switches or one of the menus.


Menus
-----

Right click on any button to show a popup menu.  Task buttons have menu
items to restore, minimize, maximize or shut down a program.  The Start
button has a special menu, allowing you to quit CalTask, change the
stickiness, or terminate a program.



Terminating a rogue program
---------------------------

Sometimes, programs hang or otherwise refuse to shut down.  Even the
Windows Task Manager is unable to end them so it's time to get tough!
Choosing the "Terminate" command will temporarily disable all the
buttons and change the cursor to a circle with a bar through it...

- Left click on a task button to end the related program.
- Right click or press ESCAPE to abort the operation.

Warning:

This feature is often effective in killing programs but you should
only use it as a last resort -- the dying app might decide to clobber
someone else's memory and the system may be left in an unstable state,
with unfreed resources and unclosed files.  You will NOT be prompted to
save your work!


Memory and resource monitor
---------------------------

Leave the cursor over the clock to show free system resources.
Hold down the mouse button over the clock to show free memory.


Parameters
----------

/NoSlide      Makes the taskbar appear instantly rather than slide up
              Useful for slower machines

/NoHighLight  Does not display highlighted (pressed) buttons

/Sticky       Only hides the taskbar when you press one of its buttons
              If you activate another program, the taskbar remains

/24Hour       Uses a 24-hour clock


Bugs
----

When the taskbar is in Sticky mode, some tasks might be missed out if 
their window remains invisible for more than 15 seconds.  Most notably, 
the Windows Help task might not be caught if you enter it from a topic 
search.  Everything should be OK in Normal mode.

Also in sticky mode, the button captions don't change to reflect the
window captions until you hide the taskbar and activate it again.

Some programs which use multiple top-level parent windows will be shown
by more than one button.

With large screen fonts, the Start menu from Calypso might float some
way above the taskbar rather than align with the top of it.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CalTask 1.0 is Freeware and is distributed as is with no warranty,
express or implied, including but not limited to, fitness for a particular
purpose.  You may freely distribute copies of this program, provided that
it remains in its complete form with all support, documentation, and
configuration files.