Microworks Custom Control Object Library.
Version 1.01.
Copyright (c) 1992-93,
Jeff Franks, (Microworks),
Sydney, Australia.
Compuserve 100026,1134.
Release date: July 1, 1993.

Dear Colleague, 		 		

		Hopefully by now you've thoroughly browsed 
through the object library and had a chance to appreciate its 
worth. Not bad for freeware! As I mentioned in the readme.txt I 
had several reasons for releasing it, one 
of which was 'I need your help'.

		Severval months ago I found my programming 
efforts hit the wall. After exhausting all the available sample 
source code from places like the examples directory and the 
Bpascal forum I had no where to turn. I scoured around and 
discovered everything I needed to know on the 'Go MSDNLIB' 
forum (Microsoft develeopers library) on Compuserve. 
Unfortunately, I don't speak hieroglyphics! I bought a book on 
basic C but it will take a while before that's of any help. 
After a great deal of frustration I was left asking myself a few 
questions. Did I learn the wrong language? What do programmers 
do when their programming 'hits the wall'? Surely I can't be 
the first one to face this crisis!

		I wrote this library to share with you in the 
hope you might share something with me. If you can't because 
your fairly new to programming, or something, not a 
problem! You might have something to share in the future. 

  		I write this shareware program which is 
beginning to stir up some interest and with good reason - its 
one of the most functional shareware desktop replacements for 
windows available. Think of a cross between NDW and the OS/2 
workplace shell and you've got the picture. The odds are you've 
been too busy with your own programming to have come across it 
yet. 

		My program is currently in its 3rd release and 
what I have planned for the 4th should knock'em dead. 
Unfortunately the program has reached the point where its inner 
workings need to be overhauled. If I can't do that then no 
ammount of fancy window dressing can justify its continued 
developement and it will die an untimely death. What a shame! 
It's one of those 'right programs at the right time' type of 
programs. 

		As you can see by this object library my area 
of interest is interface design and ofcourse my shareware 
program. I find it takes most of my time with very little left
to delve into things like fancy bitmap and icon manipulations. 

		I've worked on this library for two months 
solid but it's more than that, it's the culmination of twelve 
months worth of ideas and hard work. If you find it useful 
thats great, use it with my compliments, if you can help me 
in return even better! There are several things I need to know.

1. There are two sample programs in C, GDIRSRCS.ZIP and    
   SHOWGROU.ZIP. Gdirsrcs.zip shows you how to convert bitmap,    
   icon and cursor resources from one to the other on the fly.    
   Specifically I need to know how to convert an icon to a 
   cursor. There is a function in the sample code called 
   'IconToCursor'  which shows you how to do this. I have tried 
   to convert it myself but without luck. 

   ShowGrou.zip (ShowGroup) shows you how to read PM group 
   files.I have toyed around with the 'Groups'(a Win 3.0 file) 
   sample on the BPascal forum on compuserve but it doesn't work. 
   I expect it's because the group files have changed in Windows 
   3.1. 

   If some kind person could translate these two sample 
   programs into Borland Pascal I would be extremely grateful 
   (I'm sure many other people would too).

2. Continuing my wish list I would like to know how to 
   read/write and add multiple icons to a single file on the fly.

There are many other things I would like to know but if I can 
score the above, it'll keep me busy for the next 6 months.

Pleadingly


Jeff...

P.S. I'm open to any ideas, offers or suggestions if you 
     you can back them up with 'KNOW HOW'!
