Stiletto and Windows 95 This is the last release of Stiletto before Windows 95. I am thinking about doing a Windows 95 version of Stiletto. I'd welcome input from anyone on features for the Windows 95 version which build on the Windows 95 desktop personality without sacrificing Stiletto's basic goals of minimal desktop space and minimal mouse click access. If you like, please e-mail any thoughts to bswitze@io.org STILETTO (V1.9q3 Aug 95) INSTALLATION Automatic Installation To install Stiletto, first UnZip the Stiletto zip file into its own directory. Then execute the ssetup.exe program that comes as part of the zip. This program copies the 3d Control library and stilethk.dll to your Windows directory (if you do not already have the latest version of them). After you are satisfied that Stiletto is working, you can delete the .bak files. To start Stiletto, execute stiletto.exe. Stiletto will use the default configuration stored in stiletto.ini. If you find Stiletto useful, you will probably want to put in it your StartUp group so that Stiletto starts automatically with Windows. Starting with version 1.9q, Stiletto stores stilethk.dll in the Windows directory. If you get "undefined dynalink" errors, it means you have an older version of stilethk.dll interfering with proper operation. Check your old Stiletto directories and delete or rename any obsolete versions of this file. Manual Installation To manually install Stiletto, first UnZip the Stiletto zip file into its own directory. Then move ctl3dv2.dll and stilethk.dll to your Windows\system (preferred) or Windows directory. Make sure there is no copy of either of these files in your Stiletto directory. Finally, if you do not have a stiletto.ini file from a previous version of Stiletto, rename stiletto.def to stiletto.ini. To start Stiletto, execute stiletto.exe. Stiletto will use the default configuration stored in stiletto.ini. If you find Stiletto useful, you will probably want to put in it your StartUp group so that Stiletto starts automatically with Windows. Or you may want to use Stiletto as your shell. Starting with version 1.9q, Stiletto stores stilethk.dll in the Windows directory. If you get "undefined dynalink" errors, it means you have an older version of stilethk.dll interfering with proper operation. Check your old Stiletto directories and delete or rename any obsolete versions of this file. Removal To de-install Stiletto, remove it from your StartUp group and erase the directory containing Stiletto. Erase stiletto.ini and stilethk.dll from your Windows or Window\system directory if there. The 3D control library is used by many programs so you should leave it in your Windows directory. OVERVIEW Stiletto is intended for people who want a button bar task switcher/launcher and clock/calendar which always stays at the same place on the desktop and which lets them use any mouse button to run a command. Stiletto includes alarms, task scheduling, sounds control, and wallpaper control: it handles all your desktop needs using a single consistent but unobtrusive interface. Stiletto incorporates these features: A small-footprint button bar launcher (e.g. fits over title bar of maximized window). Use of any mouse button to launch commands. Drag and drop files to start commands. Up to ten user-configurable command launch menus with submenus. Attach launch menu to button bar, desktop, title bar, or all three. Multiple button bars (through multiple instances and configurations). Floating button bar, choice of many resolution-independent standard positions, or place in active window caption. Direct access to program manager or other desktop shell groups and their commands. Switch to or close any active task, from a button bar or a menu. Make any active task or launch any command as always on top. Text label, icon, clock, date, timer, or resource display on any button. Built-in commands for drag and drop file rename, windows exit/restart, browsing and running files (with history), moving the button bar, playing sounds, and others. Control of Caps Lock/Shift and Scroll Lock. Support for file associations. Alarms, regular chimes, and scheduled activation/termination of commands. Wallpaper display and switcher/randomizer. Assignment of sound to application events. Randomization and testing of system and application sounds. Random noise making by playing sounds sporadically as specified. Day-to-day shell replacement. Flyover (balloon) help to display the commands for any button. Since it does not have the ability to add or change program manager icons or groups, Stiletto is not intended to completely replace Program Manager or another Windows shell that you are using, such as Norton Desktop for Windows (as specified by shell= in your system.ini file). Instead, Stiletto is intended to provide quick, minimal-mouse click access to your most used commands while taking up little desktop space, and to provide utilities related to Windows start-up and time, all in one consistent package. LICENSE AND WARRANTY The Stiletto executable program, DLL, Help File, and this readme file are all Copyright 1995 by Bruce Switzer. All Rights Reserved. THIS SOFTWARE IS DISTRIBUTED "AS IS," WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH THIS PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. GOOD DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY PROGRAM BE THOROUGHLY TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT. THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE PROGRAM. You can contact the author with comments or questions at bswitze@io.org. Stiletto may be distributed freely, as long as all files in the package are distributed, including the readme file and the help file. Stiletto is not in the public domain. It may be distributed freely but may not be sold nor be used in any profit-oriented endeavor. In particular, Stiletto is intended for private use or for use in academic/charitable institutions only. Unlimited corporate or government department use licenses are available from the author for a small fee. All trademarks used in the Help File are the property of their respective owners and are used for explanatory purposes only. FURTHER INFORMATON Complete descriptions of the Stiletto default configuration and how to change it are in the Help File, which you can access by: double clicking on Stiletto.hlp, or by Starting Stiletto, pressing and holding a button, and then clicking on Help in the resulting dialog, or by selecting "Configure Stiletto" from the menu button and then clicking on Help in the resulting dialog.