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#                     IcoBar                                  #
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What is IcoBar ?
================

  IcoBar is a simple application launcher in form of an icon 
  bar. A double click on one of the icons starts a  
  corresponding application. With the Drag&Drop technique you 
  can pull an arbitrary application or file from the Windows 
  File Manager or Explorer under Windows 95 and drop them over 
  the IcoBar window.


How can I install it ?
======================
  If you work with Windows 95,copy the file icobar95.exe to 
  your hard disk and add this program in your Start-Menu 
  (f.i.in StartUp folder). For Windows 3.1. or Windows 3.11  
  installation copy the file icobar3x.exe to your disk then 
  add a new entry in any of the Program-Manager groups.  
  At the first time you start IcoBar,an empty slot appears,  
  so you can configure the assembly of your favorite programs.


IcoBar3x vs. IcoBar95
=====================

  There are two versions of IcoBar, one for Windows 95 and 
 another one for Windows 3.1 or 3.11, accordingly named 
 IcoBar95 and IcoBar3x. The first difference between the both 
 programs is how the data will be saved.
 The Windows 95 version uses the registry for storing its 
 data whereas the Windows 3x version uses the profiles.
 The second difference affects the positioning on the screen.  
 IcoBar95 arranges its position dependent on the position of 
 Windows95 shell.
 The Windows 3x version takes the place in the left lower 
 corner of the screen.


The elements of IcoBar
======================

  The IcoBar window contains the program icons you have 
 chosen from the File Manager or Explorer. You can also use 
 more pages at the same time to form some thematically groups 
 of programs. The count of the icons simultaneously seen on a 
 page is dependent on the resolution of the screen as follows: 

        1. 640x480  pixel - 16 icons.
        2. 800x600  pixel - 20 icons.
        3. 1024x768 pixel - 26 icons.

 Each icon reside in a square of 40 pixel length. Underneath 
 of this icon you can read the "nick-name" of the current 
 program. This name will be automatic generated every time you 
 create a new entry and it can be also changed. If you click 
 one icon with the mouse it behaves like a normal Windows 
 button.


The mouse vs. keyboard.
======================

 The IcoBar is thought to be used with a computer mouse or 
 other similarly input device and you almost don't need your 
 keyboard. Only completely few operations demand the use of it.

 The following operations are possible :

 1.To start a program
   MOUSE: A double click with the left mouse button on the 
          program icon you want to start.
   KEYBOARD: Choose the program  with the cursor keys 
            (left,right) and then push the <Enter> key.

 2.To scroll one page down
   MOUSE : Click an icon with the left mouse button,hold it 
           down and drag it towards the bottom. While the 
           cursor changes into the arrow release the button.  
   KEYBOARD:  <TAB>,<left SHIFT>,<1>,<cursor down>, 
 
 3.To scroll one page up 
   MOUSE: Click an icon with the left mouse button,hold 
          it down and drag it towards the top. While the cursor 
          changes into the arrow release the button.  
   KEYBOARD: <q>,<w>,<<>,<y>,<x>,<cursor up> 

 4.To delete an icon 
   MOUSE:  Click the icon you want to be deleted with the left 
           mouse button,drag it outside the IcoBar and then 
           click with the right mouse button.  
    KEYBOARD: Press the <Ctrl> then drag the icon outside 
              the IcoBar and release the button. Notice, the 
              cursor changes.

 5.To move an icon on a new position
   MOUSE: Click the icon you want to move and drag it on the 
          new position then release the button. The cursor 
          changes.

 6.To move an icon on the other page
   MOUSE:
   KEYBOARD: Click the icon to be moved,then press one of the 
             keys to scroll the page up or down. The current 
             page will be changed. Now you can choose the new 
             position and then release the mouse button.  

 7.To iconize IcoBar 
   KEYBOARD: Press ESC key.

 8.To exit IcoBar 
   KEYBOARD : <alt F4>

The right mouse button.
=======================
  If you press the right mouse button th property dialog will 
  be shown. You can change the parameter of the corresponding  
  program and do some additional operations for IcoBar.  
    - You can set the IcoBar to stay at the top of all visible 
       windows.  
    - You can make the page scrolling visible (soft-scrolling) 
    - If the position of the IcoBar window has been changed 
      you can restore the default position.  
    - If you empty any of the pages,you can cut out the 
      empty one and restart the program.  
    - You can also exit IcoBar.


History
=======

  As I once read the book from Charles Petzold "Programming 
 Windows 3.1" I decided to write a small test program that 
 uses a couple of techniques from this book. At this time I 
 have seen several shareware programs that provide a kind of 
 application launcher for starting of the preferred 
 programs. So I decided to write my own version. This program 
 should be very small and consume as little of system 
 resources as possible and it should simply suit into the 
 outlook of Windows95 or Windows 3x.So I have done it. Among 
 other programs I write every day is IcoBar the smallest and 
 simplest one,but I like it and I use it more as I could ever 
 think. You should decide ,whether this program is useful for 
 you. I have installed a counter that tells you, how many times 
 you have used neither the File Manager nor the Explorer but 
 just this simply application launcher to start a program.


EXCLAMATION
===========

 This program is not freeware it is SHAREWARE.
 You can use it for a period of 30 days then you must 
 register.

 To register you transfer $10 on my account as I have declared
 at the end of this document.
 Then you send me a postcard from your city and I send you 
 back an unique customer number.





 I am thankful for any suggestions and error reports.
 Have a fun with IcoBar.!!!

 Marius Skibka October 1995.

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  ADDRESS........ :   Marius Skibka                 
                      Fuerther Strasse 10            
                      64689 Grasellenbach 1         
                      Germany                       
                                                    
  INTERNET....... :  0625321845-0001@T-Online.de 
                      or 0625321845-1@btxgate.de
                                                    
  BANK CONNECTION :  GERMANY                        
                     Bezirksparkasse Heppenheim (Odw)
                     ACCOUNT : 12114661             
                     BANK ROUTING CODE:  509 514 69 
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