The Desktop Helper
Copyright (C) 1991 Robert E. Alleger
All rights reserved.

Robert E. Alleger
317 Monroe Avenue
Edgewater Park, NJ 08010

CompuServe EMAIL-  70240,264



The Desktop Helper is a Windows 3.x Desktop utility that provides
capabilities missing from Microsoft's Program Manager while also
providing the more important capabilities of the Task Manager.  The
features include:

        - Convenient pop-up menu at the click of a button.

        - Pop-up menu available from any window.

        - Configurable launch list of frequently executed programs.
          No need to use an editor to maintain the list.  Why
          should anyone have to leave the Windows environment in
          order to maintain a Windows program?

        - Switch to or terminate a task, even if the task is not
          currently visible (ie. hidden by other windows).

        - Display free system resources.

        - Able to exit Windows without being queried about saving
          Desktop changes.

        - Pop-up file selector browser to choose a file to run.

        - No useless ICON to clutter up the Desktop.

        - Small memory usage- occupies less than 20K of memory (code,
          data, and stack) when not in use.  When activated, small
          (less than 4K) segments of program code are loaded into
          memory.  When finished performing a task, Windows is free to
          remove these extra segments if the memory space is needed by
          other applications.


The contents of this package are:

        READ.ME     -This file (ASCII text file)
        HISTORY.TXT -Revision history (ASCII text file)
        ORDER.TXT   -Order form (ASCII text file)
        DH.WRI      -Installation & use documentation (view with WRITE)
        DH.INI      -Sample initialization file
        DH.EXE      -The Desktop Helper executable program
        DHHOOK.DLL  -Dynamic Link Library used by DH.EXE


The Desktop Helper is distributed as shareware.  The Desktop Helper
may be freely copied and distributed for evaluation as long as the
following rules are followed:

        1.  The program (DH.EXE and DHHOOK.DLL), and the documentation
            (READ.ME, HISTORY.TXT, ORDER.TXT, and DH.WRI) are not modified
            in any way, shape, or form.

        2.  A copy of all files are provided with each copy of The Desktop
            Helper.  These files are: READ.ME, HISTORY.TXT, ORDER.TXT,
            DH.WRI, DH.INI, DH.EXE, and DHHOOK.DLL.

        3.  No charge, other than a media and handling charge (not to
            exceed $5.00), is made.

        4.  A user may use the program for thirty days before paying the
            registration fee.  If the program is used after the thirty-
            day evaluation period, an obligation to register and pay
            the registration fee is incurred.

            If at the end of this trial period you do not feel that
            this program is worth the registration fee then you are
            obligated to discontinue the usage of The Desktop Helper.

The registration fee for The Desktop Helper is $15 (U.S. Dollars).
Payment of this fee entitles you to technical support via mail (EMAIL
or U.S. postal) and encourages the author to add new features.  You
will receive a registration number valid for any version 1.x of The
Desktop Helper.  Proper registration will disable the occasional beg
for money.  See the DH.WRI or ORDER.TXT files for further details and
a mail-in registration form.  Update disk available at extra cost.

Please support the Shareware concept.  Register your copy of DH.



*****************************
* Current Bugs/Restrictions *
*****************************

1.  No known bugs.

2.  DH will only work properly in Windows 3.0 and above environments.
    This is because DH makes use of support only available as of version
    3.0, such as- floating menus, multi-level menus, proportional fonts
    in all dialog boxes, etc.

3.  DH only works on a 80286 or greater processor.  It runs in Windows
    Standard or Enhanced mode of operation.


Please see HISTORY.TXT for a list of recent revisions.