Bubblepad V 1.02 Released



Chris Wohlgemuth releases Bubblepad 1.02 and uploads the file (bubpd102.zip, 140K) on Hobbes.This version replaces Bubblepad V1.01 and older. New features added and some bugfixing. See file 'changes'.Bubblepad is a replacement class for the launchpad of OS/2 Warp 3 and above. It provides bubblehelp for the launchpad buttons. Further more you can minimize the launchpad size by reducing the button distance. Full online help is provided. Full source code is included. NLS for german and english.The installation program needs the emx runtime-libraries.

NEW:
New with this release is an option to remove the drawer buttons. Individual settings for different launchpads are possible now.No more flickering when opening drawers.

Full online help is provided but I don't think you really need it. All Features are selectable.

The package contains a german and an english version of the DLL and the help file. Feel free to translate the resource file and the strings in the file 'inst.cpp' and compile. If you send me the translations I put it together and compile a new distribution.

You can find the Bubblepad homepage at

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Sector/5785/bubblepd.htm

Installation

Unzip the files but keep the directory structure!
The installation program assumes this directory structure
and gets probably confused if something is different.

The package contains the following files:

\Readme this file
\FILE_ID.DIZ short description of the program
\install.exe installation program
\COPYING READ THIS FIRST
\Changes
\source\bubblepd.ico
\source\bubblepddeutsch.ipf
\source\bubblepdenglish.ipf
\source\deutsch.rc
\source\english.rc
\source\inst.cpp
\source\inst.def
\source\makefile
\source\bubblepd.cpp
\source\bubblepd.def
\source\bubblepd.hh
\source\bubblepd.h
\Deutsch\BUBBLEPD.DLL
\Deutsch\bubblepd.hlp
\English\BUBBLEPD.DLL
\English\bubblepd.hlp

FIRST OF ALL MAKE COPIES OF YOUR INI FILES!!
"I don't think it is really necessary but during installation the program registers a new WPS-class and it is always a good idea to have a backup of the ini files if anything goes wrong. You know, Murphy never sleeps..."- saids the Author.

If you are running an older version of BubblePad deinstall it first and
restart the WPS.

Run the installation program 'install.exe'. After choosing the language you can select install, deinstall or exit. After selection of install you can choose the destination directory for the DLL. After copying the files, registering the new class and replacing the original launchpad class WPLaunchPad you must restart the WPS, so the changes can take effect.


Deinstallation

Run the installation program again and choose deinstall. The program will deregister the class and delete all files. You have to reboot to finish deinstallation.

Usage

The new class inserts three pages into the settings notebook. Two pages are for customizing the bubblehelp. It's possible to chose the colour of the bubble and the font. The delay is adjustable, too. Changing colour and font is done by using the color and font palettes inside the configuration folder. You can open these palettes directly from the settings notebook by clicking on the aprobiate buttons. A third options page let you choose if you want to minimize the size of the launchpad. The new distance of the buttons is adjustable.

NEW:
You have an option to remove the drawer buttons with this release. All settings are individual for every launchpad in the system.

Full online help is provided for the new settings pages.


Compiling

Full source code is provided with this package. For compiling of the replacement class you need VAC++3.0 and the Warp 3 Toolkit (both from IBM, commercial). The install program is compiled
with emx V0.9b, the OS/2 version of the free GCC compiler.

It's assumed that both compilers are properly installed.

1. Create a new directory e.g. x:\bubblepad
2. Copy the directory 'source' of this package to the new directory.
3. cd x:\bubblepad\source
4. run 'nmake', the make utility of VAC++. That's all.

Run 'nmake clean' in the source directory to delete all temporary files. If you want to install directly after compiling run 'nmake install'. This changes the directory and runs the installation program.


History

See file 'Changes'.

Known problems

With OS/2 Warp 4 (no FP) sometimes the WPS doesn't start. It loads the background picture and stops with the wait pointer. It's the same problem known with the smartcenter. Try a fixpack solving the smartcenter problem or as a workaround put the statement SET RESTARTOBJECTS=NO in your config.sys. Remove the statement LAUNCHPAD from the AUTOSTART line.

The state of open drawers is only saved on shutdown. So drawers are not reopened when the launchpad is closed and then reopened.

CONTACT AUTHOR:

Chris Wohlgemuth
E-Mail: christopher.wohlgemuth@bch.siemens.de
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Sector/5785/bubblepd.htm

@Macarlo, Inc.
@Macarlo's Shareware & Web
OS/2
Java Lobby Member
Java Site Accredited

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