Table of Contents

Overview

License and Warranty

Installation and Removal

Hints and Tips

New for This Release

Win3.1x, Win95, and Win NT Differences

New User Info

Demonstrations

Registration

How To

Functions:

Configuring Stiletto

Info

Bar

Buttons

Special GUI

Window Control

Menu Setup

Menu Contents

Alarm Setup

Alarm Contents

Sound

Paper/Saver

Hot Key/Mouse Actions


Overview

Stiletto is intended for people who want a button bar task switcher/launcher and clock/calendar which takes littledesktop space and which lets them use any mouse button to run a command.  Stiletto includes menus, hot keys, alarms, task scheduling, sounds, screen saver, 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 50 user-configurable command launch menus with submenus.

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 start menu or other desktop

shell groups and their commands.

Hot key, tap key, and screen corner activation of commands.

Hot keys which depend on the active program.

Activate commands by mouse actions including press and hold,

click caption, horizontal/vertical movements.

Show menus from hot keys, mouse actions.

Menu subsections which are displayed only if a given program is active.

Display menus built dynamically from folder contents.

Switch to or close any active task, from a button bar or a menu.

Text label, icon, clock, date, timer, or resource display on any button.

Built-in commands for screen saver,  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.

Scrolling with the middle mouse.

Tray minimization.

Virtual desktops.

Alarms, regular chimes, and scheduled activation/termination of commands.

Wallpaper display and switcher/randomizer.

Save and restore desktop icon positions.

Screen saver switcher/randomizer.

Randomization and testing of system and application sounds.

Send a sequence of keys to a running program or

   to a program that you start with Stiletto.

Tool tip (balloon) help to display the commands for any button.

Wizard to help enter commands.

Stiletto is intended to supplement the Win95/NT 4 shell by providing 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


Stiletto Built-In Commands

Stiletto comes with a set of built-in commands.

You will find the built in commands in the drop down box of the Stiletto command entry controls on the button configuration dialog, launch menu dialog, hot keys and alarms dialog.  This drop down box also allows you to select one of the Windows applets, like File Manager or Control Panel.

Right-click on the command edit box to select a built-in command from an alphabetically sorted menu.

You can also use the command wizard to select a built-in command; many of the more complex commands have special wizard dialogs to help you configure them.

You can find explanations of each command in the following sections or, if you know the command name, you can start with the alphabetical list.

Menu Structure and Format

Active Task Manipulation

Messages, Alarms, Timers

Stiletto Position, Size, Visibility

Exit Stiletto or Windows

Execute Files, Documents, or Shell Commands

Screen Saver Commands

Wallpaper and Sound Commands


Entering Command Entry Controls Information

Command entry controls.

To enter the command you want to run:

If you know the file name (ie the .exe file for commands or your file name for documents with associated commands:)

type it directly into the edit box,

or Browse for the command using the Browse Button,

or drag and drop it from Explorer/File Manager onto the command edit combo box.

If you want to use a built in command or a Windows applet like File Manager:

select one of the built-in  commands from the drop down box.

or right-click on the command-edit box and select from the menu

If you do not know the file name (.exe file) for your command:

cut and paste it from a program manager group,

or start the command you want to use and then use the capture button.

Stiletto supports file associations, so you can enter the name of a document file and Stiletto will run the associated command.  For example, if you are working on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet called mysheet.xls, you can insert this file name as a command (or browse for it and select it).  Stiletto will run Excel on mysheet.xls when you select the command or when the alarm corresponding to the command rings

You can put command parameters in the parameters edit box.  Or, to prompt for command parameters, put a question mark (?) in the command parameter box.  You can put a ? in the midst of other command parameter text, and Stiletto will replace the ? with the prompted-for text.

To determine how the window will look when the command starts:  Using the drop down box under the command entry combo box, you can determine whether the command starts in an ordinary window, minimized, or maximized.  You can also specify that the command windows should start as Always On Top.  Finally, you can specify that the window from the command be hidden: this is intended for commands started by alarms.

To set the work (start-up) directory for a command: type the directory name into the work directory edit box or right click on the box to browse.

You also use the work directory edit box to:

Enter a message for the Message Box command built-in.

Enter a default group for the Program Mgr Groups built-in.

Enter a default starting directory and file extensions for the Browse and Run built-in.

Enter *close or *wait for close and wait alarms.

Enter *exe_file_name for program-specific hotkeys.

Enter |filepath.wav to play the sound “filepath.wav” when the command is started.  If you also want to use a work directory, put the |filepath.wav immediately after the work directory name.  (Works for all commands, including built-ins, except for above four).

Enter ?filepath.exe to avoid launching the program in the command edit box if filepath.exe is running


Command Entry Controls

Stiletto uses the same set of controls to enter commands for button configuration, launch menu, hot keys, timers, and alarms.

There is a command wizard activated by a button at the bottom right of the controls to help you configure commands.  Or you can enter the commands directly into the controls.

With these controls you enter the file to be run when you press a button, or select a menu item, or when an alarm rings.  You can enter a program file (.exe file) or a file name with an associated command (eg .xls file for Microsoft Excel). Stiletto provides many ways to find the file name:  you do not need to type it in.  You can:

 browse for it

drag and drop it from file manager or Explorer

capture it from

a currently running program

or your Start Menu and its submenus (for Win 95/NT4)

cut and paste it from a program manager command

You can also select a built-in  command.

Right click on the command entry box to select a built-in command.

Enter command parameters in the parameters box.  Right click on it to select a menu name for the Launch Menu command or to select a directory name for the Folder Contents command.

You also use the controls to set the start up (working) directory for the command and the initial window size for the command.

You can indicate that Stiletto should always launch a new instance of a program, or should switch to an already running instance if it exists.  (Note, however, that many programs will only allow one instance of themselves to be launched).

Click on the following graphic of the command entry controls to learn about them.

Click here for more details on entering information into the controls.


Switching to another Active Window

Demo

Stiletto provides the capability to switch among active top-level windows using either a menu or a button bar.

To use the menu, you need to put the built-in command “Active Window List” directly into the launch menu or as part of a submenu of the launch menu.  When the launch menu is activated, a list of currently active windows is displayed.  Selecting one of the windows causes that window to be activated.  It will be opened and put on top of the desktop if it is minimized or hidden beneath other windows.

Use the Menu/ Setup dialog to control whether or not hidden windows appear on the active window list, what prefix text to put in front of each entry of the menu to remind you that the selected entry will be activated.

You can ask Stiletto to automatically minimize non-active windows


Submenus

Demo

The Menu Contents dialog allows submenus to be created.  When a launch menu is activated, the titles for these submenus are shown in the main menu.  If you select one of these submenu titles, the submenu will be displayed and you can then select one its entries.

The entries for submenus are shown indented in a launch menu list.  The start of the submenu is marked by >> in the left margin.  The end of the submenu is marked by << in the left margin.

To create a new submenu:

Select the Begin Submenu built-in in command.

Set the menu name to the submenu title.

Insert the Begin Submenu into the launch menu list box with the Replace or Add buttons.

Insert all commands for the submenu.

Select the End Submenu command.

Insert the End Submenu command

To change an existing submenu: delete, cut, copy, add, replace any of its entries.

To remove a submenu: delete the Begin Submenu and End Submenu commands.

To move existing commands onto a submenu: add a Begin Submenu command before the existing commands and add an End Submenu command after the existing commands.


Closing an Active Window

Demo

Stiletto provides the capability to close any active window using either a menu or a button bar.

To use the menu, you need to put the built-in command “Close Window List” directly into a main launch menu or as part of a sub-menu of a launch menu.  When a launch menu is activated, a list of currently active windows is displayed.  Selecting one of the windows causes that window to be closed.  You will first be asked if you want to save any unsaved information.

Use the Menu Setup dialog to control whether or not Hidden windows appear on the close window active window list and to specify prefix text to put in front of each entry of the menu to remind you that you that the selected entry will be closed.

Stiletto will normally use a polite close which a program which has unsaved data may refuse or which a program which is not responding may ignore.  You can try to force such a program closed by holding both the Shift and Control key down when you select the window from the "Close Window List".

You can also close an active task with an alarm or a Stiletto command or close a Stiletto bar from a command


Making a Window Not Always On Top

Demo

Stiletto provides the capability to stop a window staying always on top of the other windows on your desktop.

To use this capability, you need to put the built-in command “Window Not On Top List” directly into the main launch menu or as part of a sub-menu of a launch menu.  When a launch menu is activated, a list of currently active windows is displayed.  Selecting one of the windows causes the window to be no longer be fixed on top of other task windows.

Use the Menu Setup dialog to control whether or not Hidden windows appear on the put on top active window list and to specify prefix text to put in front of each entry of the menu to remind you that you that the selected entry will no longer be on top.

You can put windows on top with Windows on Top.


Making a Window "Always On Top"

Demo

Stiletto provides the capability to make any window stay always on top of the other windows on your desktop.

To use this capability, you need to put the built-in command “Window On Top List” directly into the main launch menu or as part of a sub-menu of a launch menu.  When a launch menu is activated, a list of currently active windows is displayed.  Selecting one of the windows causes the window to be fixed on top of other task windows.

Use the Menu Setup dialog to control whether or not Hidden windows appear on the put on top active window list and to specify prefix text to put in front of each entry of the menu to remind you that the selected entry will be put on top.

You can reverse the on top status with Windows Not On Top.


The Info Dialog

The info dialog appears whenever you select the Configure Stiletto built-in command.  It corresponds to the Info tab.

This dialog indicates whether you have registered Stiletto.  You can enter a registration code through a dialog accessed with the Register button.

For Win95/NT4, you can create shortcuts for Stiletto on any of your Start Menu, your Programs Menu, your Accessories Group, or your Start Up Group (if you put a Stiletto in your Start Up Group, Stiletto will be automatically started when Windows starts).  You can also remove all shortcuts.

You can undo the last set of configuration changes.

There are buttons to save and restore desktop icon positions.

The left hand list box shows how long Windows has been running, what type of CPU you have, whether or not there is a math co-processor present, what mode Windows is running in, and the name of the configuration file used by this instance of Stiletto.

The right hand list box shows the percent of GDI and user resources free  (if the InfoResources internal option is used), the percent of free memory, and the number of free kilobytes on each hard disk drive.  (For Win NT, free resources are not available and are shown as 99).

Use the alarm setup dialog to set a low resource warning alarm.


Configuring a Button

Demo

Quick Help

You use the Configure Button dialog to set the label of a button and the commands which are run when you click the button with the left, middle, or right mouse button.

(You can simulate the middle mouse button by holding down shift while pressing the left button or by pressing both buttons at once after selecting this option from the Bar dialog).

To set the button label, type a label of up to 39 characters into the label combo box or select a special label from the drop down box.  If desired, choose an icon using the Icon Source drop down.  You set text and icon position using the Buttons dialog

Set the commands for each mouse button using the command entry controls.

You can optionally enter help text to be displayed with flyover help.

You can change the size of an individual button by setting the Width Magnify percentage (for horizontal button bars) or Height Magnify percentage (for vertical button bars).

For Win NT4/95, you can specify that Stiletto buttons appear as tray icons.

You can set this button's face and text colors by checking the Own Color checkbox and selecting the colors after pressing the text and face buttons.  If you do not set both face and text, defaults are used (gray for face, black for text).  Unchecking the box causes the button to revert to the bar colors.  Unless you check the freeze color checkbox, you can also dynamically change the button color with the built-in Change Button Color command.

You can set the button text font by checking Own Font and setting the font with the Font button.

There is a drop down list to specify the no-click command execution default.

The Bar dialog lets you set the bar and base button size, bar orientation, button and flyover color, default font for labels.

The button configuration dialog can be accessed by pressing and holding the button to be configured, by selecting the button to be configured from the Buttons dialog, or by dropping a file on the button with the Alt-key held down, or under Windows 95/NT 4, by right-dropping a file to a button with the bar tab item "Show menu for right drag-drop" checked..

If you have swapped the mouse buttons using Control Panel - Mouse, then Stiletto will try to automatically swap the right and left labels on the button dialog.  Automatic label swapping does not work with all mouse drivers, so you can also do it manually with the Bar dialog.


The Bar Dialog

Quick Help

The Bar dialog is selected by clicking on the “Bar” tab from the Configuring Stiletto command.

Use the controls to set the bar position and visibility; here are examples.  You can also position Stiletto by clicking and dragging near the left hand side of the bar (top for vertical bars).  Use Ctrl+left click to select a standard position.  (You can use the internal edges option to disable this feature, if you want).

Use the edit boxes under "Button Sizes" to set the base horizontal and vertical size of the button bar relative to the base size.  (At 100%, Stiletto will be as high as a caption and button width will be based on caption icon width).  Use the "Big Icon Size" and "Small Icon Size" to set buttons size just large enough to hold the corresponding icon. Use the "All buttons have same base size" checkbox to indicate whether all buttons are to have the same base size (if not, buttons without special labels will be half the size of other buttons by default).

Use the buttons at the right of the dialog to set  bar color and default font.  Make sure you uncheck "Use Windows button colors" to set custom colors.

You can use the checkbox to specify that the Stiletto button bar should have a "flat look" like the tool bars for MS Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator 4.  Gray check to give the overall bar a greater 3D look.

You can indicate that bars positioned in the caption are to be hidden if no visible window is active

There is a checkbox to determine what happens when files are right-drag/dropped from Explorer onto Stiletto.

Flyover help is controlled

using the checkbox to control display of  flyover help;  grayed check to show only Left and Right Flyover Help.

using the drop down to determine the delay between the time the cursor is placed over the button bar and the time flyover help appears.

using the checkbox to indicate that mouse button labels are to be swapped in flyover help.

You can indicate that simultaneously pressing the left and right buttons over a Stiletto button should be interpreted as a middle button.

There is a checkbox to determine whether Stiletto should take special steps to make itself invisible if a screensaver is running:  note that checking this option may cause problems with Energy-saving monitors.

There is checkbox to indicated that Stiletto should automatically reconfigure depending on the active window


Menu Setup Dialog

Quick Help

The Menu Setup Dialog is selected by clicking on the Menu Setup tab from the Configuring Stiletto dialog.

This dialog controls what appears on menus listing active tasks, overall menu appearance, startup and shut down menus.

Use the dialog to set a prefix string and whether or not hidden windows are displayed for the active window list, close window list, put-on-top window list,  and put-not on-top window list.

For Win95/NT 4, you can specify that Stiletto should include icons on menus (like the Start Menu).  You can specify special background or text color for Stiletto menus by checking the own box and selecting a color using the button.  You can customize the layout of such menus with icons.  You can omit icons from individual menus.

For menus with icons, you can have Stiletto hold icons in a memory cache by checking the "Cache Icons" checkbox.  Gray check for a larger cache.  Caching icons will speed menu display but will take more memory.

You can specify that Stiletto always attempt to put menus at left of mouse cursor.

You can specify the font, background color, text color for menus by checking Own and Font/Color and pressing the appropriate button to select the color or font.  Press "Use Win Font" to return to the standard windows font.

You can specify that the commands on a launch menu should be run each time Stiletto starts.

You can specify a menu of commands to be run by Stiletto each time you shut down or log off Windows.

(You can specify menus to appear when click the desktop or a part of a window.  You can also specify the offset of these menus relative to the cursor to pre-position the cursor over a part of the menu.  However, these settings are intended for compatibility with older configurations:  use mouse action hot keys instead if you want this functionality for new configurations).


Menu Contents Dialog
Menu Contents Tab

Demo

Quick Help

Stiletto allows you to create menus of commands.  When you select one of the menu entries, Stiletto runs ("launches") the corresponding command; hence these menus are called "launch menus".

One possible use for menus is to use them to access commands or files you use less often than the commands you assign directly to a button.  Using this approach, you assign a few, most-used commands directly to buttons and many less-used commands to launch menus.  Of course, this is just one idea; there are many other approaches (eg some people use no button bar and put all commands on launch menus).

You create or change launch menus with the Menu Contents tab,  which is displayed when you click on Menu Contents on the Configuring Stiletto dialog, or when you click on a button which is assigned a Launch Menu command with the Alt key held down.

You run commands from launch menus with the built-in *Launch Menu command.  A Stiletto launch menu is displayed when you click a Stiletto button which has been assigned the Launch Menu built-in command with a command parameter set to the launch menu name (you can also specify the menu position relative to the cursor).  Another way to access a launch menu is to click on the title bar or desktop with the mouse button selected in the Menu Setup dialog.  Or you can assign the *Launch Menu command to a hot key.

Click here for detailed instructions on entering menu information into the controls.

You can create menus from the contents of file folders and subfolders.

You can also launch or switch to all commands from the menu at once and use launch menus as a form of virtual desktops.

You can specifiy that certain subsets of the menu should appear depending on the which program's window is under the mouse.

See submenus to learn about working with submenus.

You can pin  (permanently display) launch menus.

When you click on a button which is assigned a launch menu command, Stiletto will display the menu:  You can then release the button and select the desired item or, alternatively, move the pointer to the desired item and release.  If you prefer the second method, Stiletto has an internal option to disable the first method.


Alarm Setup

The Alarm Setup dialog is displayed when the alarm setup tab is clicked from the Configuring Stiletto dialog.

Using this dialog you can set check boxes to:

Have Stiletto ring alarms which occur when Stiletto is not active.  Otherwise, missed alarms are not rung but are recycled or discarded according to the alarm setting. (However, alarms less than four minutes old are always rung).

Play the alarm sound  when an alarm displays a message box.

Play the alarm sound when a command is run by an alarm.

Keep a timer log.

Keep an alarm log.

Specify that seconds should be shown on time/date labels.

Specify that am/pm should be shown on 12-hour clock time labels.

Specify that seconds should be shown on timer labels.

Specify that chimes should not be rung while a screen saver is running.

Specify that a ringing alarm should stop any running screen saver.

Specify whether captions for alarm message boxes should be set the to message

Specify whether or not alarm messages should be shown on top of the active window when the alarm rings.  Gray-check to specify messages to be shown "always on top".

Specify whether Escape should close alarm message boxes.

The Alarm Setup dialog also contains several drop down lists which you use to:

Set the screen position for alarm message windows.

Set a chime at a regular time during the hour (eg every 15 minutes).

Play the alarm sound at regular intervals for any timer.

Save timers at regular intervals so that Windows crashes do not cause autosave timer information to be lost.

Set a resource warning level percentage to have Stiletto display a message box whenever GDI or USER resources fall below this level.  You can also monitor resource usage with a button label set by the Configure Button dialog.

Set the interval in seconds at which Stiletto updates timers, checks the resources,  and updates any resource usage button labels set by the Configure Button dialog.

Access the dialog to view or change timers.

Use the Sound dialog to set the sound associated with alarms and chiming.


Alarm Details

Demo

Quick Help

The Alarm Details dialog is displayed when you click on the Alarm Details tab of the Configuring Stiletto dialog.

Use this dialog to set alarm times and the command or messages to be activated when the alarm rings.

Stiletto only checks to see if an alarm should be rung once per minute.  If you set an alarm for now, it will not ring until the next minute.

Click here to learn how to enter alarm information into the controls.

Alarms are usually used to start commands, but you can also use alarms to close or wait for running tasks.

To quickly add a new message box (reminder) alarm, see Adding a Reminder.

You can automatically close Message Boxes with alarms after a specified time period by putting the number of seconds the message is to appear in the parameter box.  For example, to close the message box after 5 seconds:

Command:	*Message Box

Parameter	5

Work/Message	The message for the alarm

When a message box alarm rings, you can change the message text and re-schedule it, if you like.   Also, when the alarm mesage is shown, for message box alarms which you show repeatedly, you can request that the message alarm be copied and shown again in 5 minutes as well as being saved to be shown again at the original time.


Stiletto Sounds

Quick Help

Stiletto sounds are set from the Sound dialog.

You must have a sound card and the appropriate drivers or the PC speaker driver to hear sounds in Windows.

Stiletto supports the standard Windows sounds in the Registry plus these sounds:

Stiletto Chime	Plays whenever Stiletto chimes (see Alarm Setup dialog)

Stiletto Alarm	Plays whenever Stiletto alarms (see Alarm Setup dialog).  Use an asterisk to have the PC Speaker beep for alarms.

Stiletto Noise	Windows background noise:  sound plays at random minutes according to the percentage set in the Sound dialog.


Sound Dialog
Sound Tab

Quick Help

The Sound dialog is selected by clicking the Sound tab on the Configuring Stiletto dialog

The Sound dialog is used to change the sound file (wav file) associated with any of the Stiletto sounds.

(You can play a wav sound file each time you start a command using the work directory on the command entry controls.)

Click here  for step-by-step instructions on entering sound information.

To add spice to your multimedia life, Stiletto can automatically change the sound file you select to any other wav file in the same directory.  Use the How To Change Sound drop down box to determine whether and how Stiletto changes the sound file.  Use the Mins Between Changes drop down box to determine how often Stiletto changes the sound file (this drop down is disabled if you selected No Change from the How To Change Sound drop down).

The buttons in the middle of the dialog box are used to work with sounds from the list on the left.  A button is only enabled when its action is valid; for example, the Replace button is only enabled when there is sound information in the right hand edit box and there is a sound selected from the list to be replaced.

The Stiletto noise sound is played at random in the percentage of minutes set by the “% of mins to play noise” edit box.  Use this feature if you feel drowsy.  The noise sound is changed each time it is played, unless the change method is set to “No Change”.

You may wish to group your wav files into directories (eg startup, shutdown, good, bad) and then use the Stiletto automatic sound file changer to sample the sounds from each directory.

The Change Sound built-in command changes any sounds which have not been marked as No Change.  If you assign this command to a button or put it on a Stiletto launch menu, you can use it to have Stiletto immediately change sounds if a sound pattern that you dislike is selected.


Wallpaper Dialog
Paper/Saver Tab

Quick Help

The Paper/Saver dialog is selected by clicking the Paper/Saver tab on the Configuring Stiletto dialog.

The dialog is used to change the Windows wallpaper or the screen saver.

To specify a wallpaper file, type its name directly into the wallpaper file name edit box, drag and drop it from the Explorer/File Manager, or use one of the browse buttons to display and select from a list of bmp files.  If you want to see the wallpaper as you browse the files, press the Browse and Display button; clicking on a file in the file browse dialog will display that wallpaper.

To add spice to your multimedia life, Stiletto can automatically change the wallpaper you select to any other bmp file in the same directory.  Use the Method for Changing Wallpaper drop down box to determine whether and how Stiletto changes the wallpaper file.  Use the Mins Between  Automatic Changes drop down box to determine how often Stiletto changes the wallpaper file (this drop down is disabled if you selected No Change from the Method for Changing Wallpaper drop down).

Use the "Select Random Directory from Parent Folder" check box to indicate that Stiletto should select a random folder from the parent folder of the current wallpaper file's directory before changing the wallpaper file.  Use this feature when you have various wallpaper "themes" arranged in directories under a parent wallpaper folder.  This random folder is only selected when Stiletto starts.

Use the Tile Wallpaper check box to set whether Windows tiles or centers your wallpaper.

Use the Stretch Wallpaper check box to set whether Windows stretches your wallpaper to cover the desktop (Plus! only)..

Stiletto has a built-in Show Wallpaper command for previewing wallpaper.

You can also associate Stiletto with the bmp extension using Explorer/File Manager.  Double clicking on a bmp file in Explorer/File Manager will then preview that file as wallpaper.

If you have registered Stiletto, you can use jpeg files as wallpaper.  If you check the Include jpeg files checkbox, any file with type .jpg or .jpeg in the wallpaper directory will be usable as wallpaper.'

To specify a screen saver file, type its name directly into the saver file name edit box, drag and drop it from the Explorer/File Manager, or use the browse button to display and select from a list of scr files.  If you want to try the screen saver press the test button.

Use Control Panel to configure the screen saver.

To add spice to your multimedia life, Stiletto can automatically change the saver you select to any other scr file in the same directory.  Use the Method for Changing Screen Saver drop down box to determine whether and how Stiletto changes the screen saver file.  Use the Mins Between  Automatic Changes drop down box to determine how often Stiletto changes the file (this drop down is disabled if you selected No Change from the Method for Changing screen saver drop down).  If you use this feature, you will speed Stiletto search and initialization by copying the .scr files you want to use to a separate directory and working with that directory.


Viewing A Button's Commands

To view the commands associated with a Stiletto button bar button, press and hold down the button for about one second.  Or you can rely on flyover help to show the commands for a button.

The Configure Button dialog will be displayed which will show you the command associated with each mouse button.

To execute one of these commands, press the Stiletto button by clicking the appropriate mouse button; the dialog box is automatically closed when you do this.

You can also press Esc or the Cancel button to close the dialog box.

Of course, you can also use the dialog box to change the button label or any command after you have displayed it by holding down the Stiletto button bar button.


Configuring Stiletto

You configure Stiletto buttons, launch menu contents, sounds, paper/saver, hot keys, and alarms with the Configure Stiletto set of tabbed dialogs.

You start this dialog by left-clicking anywhere on the Stiletto bar with the Ctrl key pressed, or through the Configure Stiletto built-in command.

The command displays a set of tabbed dialogs as follows:

Info shows Windows information and resource usage; allows you to register Stiletto and to put Stiletto on your Start Menu.

Bar allows bar position, font, layout to be set.

Buttons sets button number, order, commands, active task tracking

Special GUI sets functions which customize your Windows interface

Window Control sets functions which customize your Windows interface

Menu Setup controls the format of the active window list, the mouse click used to start alaunch menu by clicking the desktop, and the format of menus.

Menu Contents allows you to change the contents of launch menus.

Alarm Setup controls low resource warnings and the sounds associated with alarms and chimes.

Alarm Contents allows you to add or change alarms.

Sound controls the sounds played for windows and application events and allows you to specify how Stiletto should automatically change them.

Paper/Saver allows you to change the Windows wallpaper or screen saver and to set up automatic changes of either.

Key/Mouse allows you to assign commands to hot keys, mouse actions, or screen corners.

You can switch to a new tab by left-clicking it or by pressing Ctrl+tab on the keyboard.

All the tabbed dialogs share one OK and Cancel button:  If you press OK, all changes made on all tabbed dialogs are saved and Stiletto restarts with the new configuration. If you press Cancel, all changes made on any tabbed dialog are discarded.

Note however that the Configure Button dialog has its own OK and Cancel; if you press OK on this dialog the changes are saved even if you press Cancel on a tabbed dialog.

Several dialogs also have an apply button which allows you to preview changes to the bar appearance.

You can undo the last set of configuration changes using the Info tab.

Stiletto normally positions the tabbed configuration dialog near the bar; if you prefer it to be centered on your screen, you can use the CenterConfig internal option.

You can disable the configuration command with the Lock internal option.


Stiletto License and Lack of Warranty

The Stiletto program, DLL, Help File,  Word Document File, and readme file are all Copyright 1995-1997 by Bruce Switzer.  All Rights Reserved.

The Stiletto icon was created by Jonas Hjortlund.

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 me with comments or questions.

The 32 bit version of Stiletto is neither freeware nor is it in the public domain.

You may try the 32 bit version of Stiletto for 30 days without charge.  If you find Stiletto useful, please register it.  If you decide not to register Stiletto, you must remove it from your system after the 30 day trial.

Stiletto may not be sold nor be used in any profit-oriented endeavor without the express written permission of the author with the exception that Stiletto may be distributed freely via media intended to make shareware available to the public for trial.  All files, including the Stiletto program, DLL, help file, readme file, license file, and all others in the Stiletto zip file, must be included.

All trademarks used in this Help File are the property of their respective owners and are used for explanatory purposes only.

The jpeg conversion routines in this software are based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.


Moving Stiletto

Although it is generally more convenient to have the Stiletto button bar at a fixed place on the desktop, there are times when you want to temporarily move Stiletto out of the way.

The built-in Move Stiletto command does this.  When executed, this command causes the button bar to jump to the other side of your Windows desktop.  If you execute it again, Stiletto jumps back to its previous position.

(Or you can also have a floating button bar through the Position Stiletto built-in command).

The Move command can be assigned to a button on the button bar or put in the Launch Menu.

The Move command is only temporary; the next time Stiletto starts up, it will be displayed in its standard position.

Move handles the split button bar as follows:  if the move command is assigned to the left half, then the button bar will be fused on the right half of the desktop.  If the move command is assigned to the right half of the button bar, then the button bar will be fused on the left half of the desktop.  (Hence you may want to assign the move command to two different buttons.)  When the move command is pressed from a fused button bar, it will be resplit.  Although this may seem complicated, the idea is that a single mouse click near the area you want to clear will move Stiletto out of the way.


Installation and Removal

Installation

For automatic installation, double click on setup.exe after unzipping stil97f.zip to a temporary folder.

If you have never used Stiletto 97:

To install Stiletto, first UnZip the Stil97f.zip file into a temporary directory, then unzip stilinsf.zip into a fresh directory which will serve as your main Stiletto directory.  You can delete the stilinse.zip file and temporary directory when you are done.

If you are already using Stiletto 97:

To install, first make a backup copy of your Stiletto directory, then shut down any running Stiletto bars, and and finally unzip stilinse.zip into your current Stiletto directory, overwriting all files there.  You can delete the stilinse.zip file directory when you are done.

If you used Stiletto 16 bit:

To install Stiletto, first UnZip the Stil97f.zip file into a temporary directory, then unzip stilinse.zip into a fresh directory which will serve as your main Stiletto directory, You can delete the stilinse.zip file and temporary directory when you are done.

You can copy the stiletto.ini file from your 16 bit Stiletto directory to the main Stiletto directory to re-use your configuration.

Double click on stiletto.exe to start Stiletto.  Double click on Stiletto.hlp for information.

If you find Stiletto useful, you will probably want to put in it your StartUp group so that Stiletto starts automatically with Windows.  For Win95/NT 4, use the Info tab on the configuration dialog to do this; you activate the configuration dialog by ctrl+left click on the button bar.

If you used the 16 bit version of Stiletto, you can copy your Stiletto.ini files into the Stiletto 97 directory and access them from the 32 bit version.

Removal

To de-install Stiletto, remove it from your StartUp group and erase the directory containing Stiletto.


Default Configuration

The default Stiletto configuration is stored in the stiletto.ini file that comes with Stiletto.  There is a backup copy in stiletto.cfg in case you ever want to return to the default configuration (by copying stiletto.cfg over top of stiletto.ini in your Stiletto or Windows directory).

(See installation for more about installing and de-installing Stiletto).

The Win95/NT 4 default Stiletto button bar has five buttons with these contents:

Button	Label	Left	Middle	Right
1	Clock/Date	Stiletto Help	Print Manager	Calculator
2	DOS	Command Prompt	Confirmed Restart	Confirmed Win Exit
3	files	Explorer	File manager	Control Panel
4	edit	NotePad	Wordpad	SysEdit
5	menu	Util Menu	Start Saver	Accessories Menu

The NT 3 default Stiletto button bar has six buttons with these contents:

Button	Label	Left	Middle	Right
1	12-Hour Clock	Stiletto Help	Stiletto Move	Stiletto Position
2	Date mmm-dd	WordPad	None	Win Calculator
3	DOS	dosprmpt.pif	Confirmed Restart	Confirmed Win Exit
4	f.s.c	Explorer	File manager	Control Panel
5	Edit	NotePad	Drag/Drop Rename	SysEdit
6	Menu	Util menu	Start Saver	Accessories Menu

The default launch menu starts with three submenus:  switching between active windows, closing active windows, putting an active window on top.  Next comes the built-in  Stiletto commands Prog Mgr/Shell Groups, Configure Stiletto, Browse and Run, Change Wallpaper, Change Sounds, and Exit Stiletto.

Flyover help is turned on in the default configuration.  If you find it distracting, you can it turn off with the Bar dialog.


Stiletto will be positioned horizontally in the top-left corner of the desktop.


Stiletto will be positioned horizontally in the top left of the desktop offset to the right by the width of a system menu box.


Stiletto will be positioned vertically in the top left corner of the desktop.


Stiletto will be positioned vertically in the top right corner of the desktop.


Stiletto will be positioned horizontally in the top right corner of the desktop.


Stiletto will be positioned horizontally in the top right of the desktop, offset to the left by the width of a minimize box plus a maximize box.


Stiletto will be positioned vertically in the middle of the left side of the desktop.


Stiletto will be positioned vertically in the middle right hand side of the desktop.


Stiletto will be positioned vertically in the bottom left corner of the desktop.


Stiletto will be positioned horizontally in the bottom left corner of the desktop.


Bottom Middle Horizontal Position
Stiletto will be positioned horizontally in middle of the bottom of the desktop.


Stiletto will be positioned horizontally in the bottom right corner of the desktop.


Bottom Right Vertical Position
Stiletto will be positioned vertically in the bottom right corner of the desktop.


Stiletto will be positioned horizontally at the top and in the middle of the desktop.


Stiletto will be positioned on the right of the active window caption.


Stiletto will be positioned on the left  of the active window caption.


Stiletto will be split in half and placed horizontally on each side of the top of the desktop.  The left half will be positioned horizontally in the top left of the desktop offset to the right by the width of a system menu box; the right half will be positioned horizontally in the top right of the desktop, offset to the left by the width of a minimize box plus a maximize box.


Hiding Stiletto Warning

If you check the Hide Stiletto when after each command button on the Bar dialog, you should specify a way to make Stiletto visible again.

One approach is to make Stiletto visible when the mouse bumps the screen edge.  You need to select some other entry other than "none" form the "Show Stiletto when mouse bumps screen edge" drop down box.

Another approach is to assign the command built-in command "Show/Move Stiletto" to a hot key (so that it can be executed whether Stiletto is visible or not).

Stiletto will also be initially visible unless you put the command Bar Size 0 in the Startup menu.  In this case, you can make Stiletto visible at start up by holding down the shift key when Stiletto starts which causes the Startup menu to be ignored.


Simulating Middle Mouse Button

If you hold a shift key down while you press the left mouse button, Stiletto will act as if the middle mouse button has been pressed.  (This applies only to selecting commands from the Stiletto button bar.)

You can also set an option in the Bar dialog to cause pressing both mouse buttons at once to simulate the middle button


Drag and Drop onto the Stiletto Button Bar

You can left or right drag and drop a set of one or more file names from the Explorer/File Manager or Explorer onto the Stiletto bar to start a command with the file names as the parameters.

Left drag and drop starts a command with dropped file(s) as the parameter.  Right-drag/dropping file(s) onto the bar activates a menu allowing you to select the button to receive the file or to be configured. Alternatively, you can specify that a right drag/drop should activate the right-button command on the selected button using a check box on the Bar dialog.

For left drag and drop, normally the command corresponding to the left mouse button is started.  But if you hold down the Shift key as you drop the file name, the command corresponding to the middle button is started.  If you hold down the Ctrl key, the command corresponding to the right mouse button is started.  (As another memory aid,  consider this: both “Shift” and “Middle” have “i” in them; both “Right” and “Ctrl” have “r” in them.)

(Stiletto does not check on the Shift or Ctrl keys until after you drop the file.  If you are dropping a file from a floppy disk, you need to hold the key down for a moment after the file is dropped since Windows does not tell Stiletto that the file is dropped until after it checks the floppy drive which takes a second or two.)

You do not have to memorize this rule:  you can right drag and drop a file onto any button and you will be able to select the command to receive the file with a menu.

Stiletto has a built-in drag and drop rename command, Show Wallpaper command for previewing wallpaper,  and Play Sound command for playing wav files.

Sometimes you want to drag and drop files in the middle of the command line.  To do so, put the character "|" at the point where you want the dropped files to be placed.  The "|" will be replaced by the dropped files when the command is run and the text following the "|" will follow the dropped files.  Do not forget a space after the "|", if needed.

You can drag and drop files to Active Buttons, and they will be passed to the executing program (if the program does not accept dropped files, you will hear an error beep).

Stiletto always attempts to start a new instance of a command when a file is dropped on a button.


Drag and Drop Rename

The built-in drag and drop rename command can be used to rename a file with a new name or extension.  The renamed file stays in the same directory.  Long file names and extensions can be used.

File wildcards are not allowed.

You can associate this command with a launch menu or the button bar, but if you want to use the drag and drop capability, the command must be assigned to a button.

Activating the command brings up a small dialog box where you can type the current file path (drive, directory, file name, extension), the new file name, and the new extension.

If you drag and drop a file name from Explorer/File Manager onto the button with the rename command, the current path edit box will be initialized to the dropped file name and the new file name and extension edit boxes will be initialized to the dropped file name and extension.

If you Press the “Ext to .bak” button, the new file extension is set to .bak and the new file name is set to whatever was present in the new file name exit box.


Displaying Button Commands

If you hold the mouse button over the Stiletto button bar without pressing a mouse button, Stiletto will display a small window showing the commands associated with each of the three mouse buttons for the underlying button.  Each of the letters L, M, or R (Left, Middle, Right) appears beside the appropriate command.

After you press a button or move the mouse off the Stiletto bar, this window will disappear.

You can control whether Stiletto displays the help window with the Bar dialog from the Configuring Stiletto built-in command.  You can also use this dialog to control whether resource usage is displayed on flyover help:  Stiletto can optionally display free space for local hard disks; free physical kilobytes, used memory percentage, and GDI/User free percentage (Win 95 only); and timer value for the button and time/date.

Use the Configure Button dialog to set the text displayed with flyover help.  If you do not specify any text, the commands themselves are displayed.

If you have swapped the mouse buttons using Control Panel - Mouse, then Stiletto will try to automatically swap the right and left labels on the button dialog.  Automatic label swapping does not work with all mouse drivers, so you can also do it manually with the Bar dialog.

After you launch a command, flyover help is normally suspended until you move the mouse off  the Stiletto button bar.  This is to prevent problems with full screen Dos commands:  if flyover help is not suspended, flyover help will appear unnecessarily after you activate a full screen Dos command and minimize the Dos window.  But, if you never use full screen Dos and want flyover help not to be suspended, you can use an internal Stiletto ini option to accomplish this.


Accessing Program Manager or Other Shell Groups

You use the built-in Prog Mgr/Shell Groups command to run commands from your existing program manager or other desktop shell groups.  This command will work with any shell which is fully compatible with Program Manager; it has been tested successfully with SideBar and Norton Desktop 3.  (See the end of this section for the Program Mgr Files command, which always uses your Program Manager files).

The Prog Mgr/Shell Groups command displays a dialog box with two list boxes.  The left list box shows the names of all your groups.  Clicking on any one of these will fill the right list box with the names of all the commands (ie icons) in that group.  You can then execute any command in the group by either double clicking on it, or by selecting it with a single click and pressing the Execute button.

The command dialog is normally closed when you run a command; however, if you uncheck the Close When Command Run check box, the dialog will stay open after a command is run.

If you single click on any command name in the right list box, you will see the file paths for the command and its work directory displayed at the bottom of the dialog box.

You can set a Hot Key to immediately access this command.

The command can also be used to cut and paste commands directly to Stiletto command entry controls .

You can set up the command to immediately display the commands for any group when started by typing the name of the default group into the work directory field  of the command entry controls .  For example, if you had several groups you accessed often, you could set up several different commands, one for each group, and assign them to a launch menu with the menu name set to the group name.  Then, when you selected that item from the menu, the Groups command would start with the right hand list box filled with the commands from the default group.

(The built-in command Program Mgr Files is used in the same way as the Prog Mgr/Shell Groups command.  However, it works directly with your Windows Program Manager group files and ignores any other shell which you may be running).


Cut and Paste Commands

You can copy program manager or other desktop shell commands directly to the Stiletto command entry controls  used to enter commands for button configuration, launch menu, hot keys, timers, and alarms.

This is an alternative to browsing for the command when the command file name, parameters, or work directory are not known making it difficult to browse for the command.

Cut and Paste uses the “P” button on the command entry controls . This button will be enabled whenever there is information from a program manager or desktop shell group to be pasted:  Each time you select or execute a command from the groups command, the command name and work directory are made available through the “P” button.

So, to paste a command, you first need to have selected the command from the program manager or desktop shell group dialog.

Follow these steps to cut and paste commands:

Start the Configuring Stiletto built-in command.

Press the Program Mgr/Shell Groups button on the Info tabbed dialog.

If needed, move the Program Manager Groups dialog box so you can access the configure dialog.

Access the command you want to configure through the button configuration, launch menu, or alarms tabbed dialogs.

Select the program manager group and command you want to paste (single click!).

Press the “P” button on the command entry controls to copy the information.

Save the copied command on the menu, if appropriate.

Repeat the above three steps for all commands you wish to copy.

Cancel the program manager dialog and OK close the configure dialog when done.


Resource Usage Displays

Stiletto can display free Windows resources as a button label by selecting the desired display from the Configure Button dialog.  (Free GDI and User resource display are not available in Win NT).

(You can also use the Show System Resources built in command to display system resources).

These displays are available:

Free GDI Res	Displays the percentage of free GDI resources in the form NNg, where NN is the free percentage.
Free USER Res	Displays the percentage of free USER resources in the form Nnu.
Free Physical Memory	Displays free physical memory in Kilobytes.
Free Virt/Phys Memory	Displays free page file plus physical memory and free physical memory in Megabytes.
Free Virtual Memory	Displays free page file plus physical  memory in Kilobytes.
Min of GDI/USER	Displays the minimum of GDI and USER in the form NNf.
GDI/USER	Displays both GDI and USER free resource in the form NNg/MM, where NN is the free GDI resources (shown by the g) and MM the free USER resources
Min and Mem (MB)	Displays the minimum of GDI and USER as well as the free physical memory in Megabytes in the form NN/MM.M, where NN is the minimum of free resources and MM.M is the free memory in megabytes (1024K).
Free Disk Space (MB)	Displays free disk space in MegaBytes.

GDI resources include device-context handles, brushes, pens, regions, fonts, and bitmaps. USER resources include window and menu handles and related structures.

Use the Alarm Setup dialog to set the rate at which Stiletto refreshes  the resource displays.  You can also use this dialog to set a level for Stiletto to automatically monitor USER and GDI resources.

The drive letter is normally shown on the free disk space display; put "ShowDriveLetter=0" under [General] in the stiletto.ini file to avoid display of the drive letter.


Changing the Order of Buttons

You can change the order of Stiletto buttons by right-drag and dropping the button on the Buttons dialog.


Enter command parameters here.  This includes parameters for built-in commands, like the menu name for Launch Menu, Folder Name for Folder Contents, or the Bar Size.  Right click to browse for a menu name or folder name.  To prompt for command parameters when the associated command is run, put a question mark (?) here.  You can enter both parameters and a ? to prompt for parameters in the midst of a command parameter string.


Command Edit
Put the name of the file to be executed here, or select a built-in command using the drop down or by right clicking and selecting from the alphabetically-sorted submenus.  You can type the file name directly; but normally, you use one of the Browse, Paste, or Capture buttons or drag and drop a file name from Explorer/File Manager.  You can use program (.exe) files or files with associated commands (eg .xls file extension for Microsoft Excel files). You can run multiple commands.  If the command name starts with a semi-colon, it is ignored; this is useful for temporarily disabling commands while keeping the text for later re-use.


cmCapture
Press this button to get the file name for one of the programs that is currently active (executing) on your system, or, for Win 95/NT4, to select one of the programs from your start menu and its submenus.  A menu of active windows or your start menu will be displayed.  Select an entry, and its information will be copied to the edit boxes.


cmWork
Enter the name of the working directory to use for the command here (eg will be used for File Opens  by program being run); if you omit a working directory Stiletto will use the same directory as the command.   Right click to browse.  Other Stiletto commands use this field for:
the text for alarm messages
starting directory/extensions for Browse and Run
the target in program-specific hotkeys
You can enter |filepath.wav to play the sound filepath.wav when the command is started.  If you also want to use a work directory, put the |filepath.wav immediately after the work directory name.  You can enter ?filepath.exe to avoid running the program if filepath.exe is active.


cmDir
Press this button to activate the command wizard which will guide you through the entry of command information.   Use it to enter commands for you and to demonstrate how the more complex commands are configured.


cmWindow
Use this drop down to select the window style for the command when it is run:  normal, minimized, maximized, hidden, tray minimized.  You can also set the window to be “always on top”.


cmBrowse
Press this button to browse through your directories for the file to be used.


cmPaste
Press to paste command information from the Stiletto command clipboard, as set from C button or, for NT 3.51, from the Program Manager shell cut and paste dialog.  You may also want to try the Capture button.


Using Alarms to Close or Wait on Active Tasks

You can use alarms to close active tasks or to wait for active tasks to complete.

If you create an alarm with the work directory set to the string *close (or *close force), then the command will be closed when the alarm rings, if it is active (nothing happens if the command is not active when the alarm rings). If you use *close, the program may refuse to close; but if you follow *close by force (in lower case), Stiletto will attempt to force the window closed, at the risk of losing information.  Do not use *close force with Dos programs.

If you create an alarm with the work directory set to the string *wait, then no further alarms will be processed until the command terminates (nothing happens if the command is not active when the alarm rings).  You need to make sure the “Ring Missed Alarms” option is checked in the alarm setup dialog for *wait to work.

Close and wait alarms do not work with Dos programs; they only work with Windows programs.

Here is an example of the use of close and wait alarms:  Suppose you have one modem which you use for two programs:  a fax receiver (program /winfaxx/winfaxx.exe) and an offline mail reader with a script which automatically dials your Internet provider and downloads your mail (program /fedora/fedora.exe myscript.hat).  Now suppose you want the fax reader to be always running on your machine except for 2:00 AM when you want your mail reader to download your mail.  Your problem is that both programs cannot be running at the same time since they both use your single modem.

The following sequence of alarms will solve your problem by closing the fax program at 1:59, starting the mail reader at 2:00, and re-starting the fax program when the mail reader finishes.

Time	Command	Work Directory	After Alarm Rings
1 59 AM	/winfaxx/winfaxx.exe	*close	Alarm again in 1 day
2:00 AM	/fedora/fedora.exe myscript.hat		Alarm again in 1 day
2:01 AM	/fedora/fedora.exe	*wait	Alarm again in 1 day
2:02 AM	/winfaxx/winfaxx.exe		Alarm again in 1 day

Stiletto close and wait alarms are not intended to replace an “industrial strength” scheduling program.  For example, they cannot handle situations where programs encounter errors or have unsaved data and so refuse to close.  You are cautioned to use close and wait alarms only for non-critical data where it is easy to recover manually if exceptional circumstances arise.

Final note:  if you believe that the user interface for close and wait alarms is ad hoc, ugly, and not Windows standard, you have the full agreement of the author.


Running Multiple Stiletto Button Bars

Quick Help

You can have many Stiletto button bars by running more than one instance of Stiletto simultaneously.  For example, you could have your main button bar in the top left of the screen, and a separate button bar in the bottom middle of the screen for drag-and-drop commands like Stiletto rename and your own viewer, editor, or drag-and-drop file deleter.  Each separate button bar uses its own configuration file.

To set up a new configuration file, start with the blank button bar file called blankini.def which is part of the Stiletto zip package.  Copy this file to stilett2.ini (or any other file name you wish) using a Dos copy command:

copy blankini.def stilett2.ini

Now you execute Stiletto specifying this configuration file by creating a command for a button or on a menu which looks like this:

Command:	c:\stilpath\stiletto.exe

Parameter:	stilett2.ini

(Use no directory name with stilet2.ini).  Activate the button command or menu entry.  You will get a blank, one button bar, in the middle of your screen.  Click on the button and re-configure its position, number of buttons, and button contents.  When you are satisfied with your new button bar, you may wish to assign the above command to the Stiletto start-up launch menu of your main bar.

If you wish, you can continue to create other button bars by creating a separate configuration file for each.  All configuration files must be in the same directory as the Stiletto .exe file.

A default configuration file, stiletto.ini, is used when you run Stiletto without a configuration file on the command line.The name of the configuration file Stiletto is using is shown in the Info dialog.

Hotkeys, the desktop/title bar mouse buttons, and application sounds are determined by the first instance of Stiletto that requests them.  Each instance will separately process chimes, alarms, wallpaper and sound randomization, and resource warnings.  Hence, you should isolate your use of these features to one main instance.  This will also conserve your Windows resources.

When you run multiple bars and close the initial bar, all other bars are closed as well.

If you want to start multiple bars at Windows Startup, you should put your main bar in the Windows Startup folder and start the remaining bars from the start up menu of this main bar.  Starting multiple bars from the Windows Startup folder can lead to timing-related problems in Stiletto.


hblu
Stiletto will be positioned horizontally at the left of the bottom of the desktop, raised by the height of a status bar from the bottom of the screen.


hbmu
Stiletto will be positioned horizontally in middle of the bottom of the desktop, raised by the height of a status bar from the bottom of the screen.


hbru
Stiletto will be positioned horizontally at the right of the bottom of the desktop, raised by the height of a status bar from the bottom of the screen


Using Icons to Label Buttons

Demo

Stiletto can display an icon on a button label; to access this feature select the desired display entry from the icon drop down box at the left of the Configure Button dialog.

These displays are available:

Icon from Left	Displays icon from left command.
Icon from Middle	Displays icon from middle command.
Icon from Right	Displays icon from right command.
Icon from File	Displays icon from file that you browse for or key in to edit box.

Controls for working with icons will appear when you select one of these entries.

If there is more than one icon in the file, Stiletto lets you select which icon you wish to display.

You can display both icons and text on label and set the percentage of the button space devoted to the icon using the icon size % edit box.

Stiletto normally selects the large icon and stretches/shrinks it to fix the size of the button face.  If you prefer, you can select a fixed size icon, either large or small (Win95/NT4 only).  This will usually yield a better looking icon.

If you change the command file or icon file, you may need to press the Show Icon button to see the new icons from the selected file.


Position Stiletto

You can position Stiletto by clicking and dragging near the left hand side of the bar (top for vertical bars).  You can return Stiletto to a previous standard position by right clicking near the left edge of the bar.  The cursor changes to show you where to click.

You can change the number of displayed buttons by clicking and dragging the right-hand side of the bar (bottom for vertical bars). Use internal edges option to control.

You can position Stiletto manually anywhere on the desktop by using the Position Stiletto built-in command.

First assign this command to any Stiletto button and to any of the left, middle, or right mouse buttons.  Then use the bar dialog to select any standard vertical or horizontal position, depending on whether you want Stiletto to be oriented vertically or horizontally.  Finally, click on the button with the Position command using the appropriate mouse button and drag Stiletto to wherever you would like it to be positioned.  After you are done dragging, Stiletto will record its position in the configuration file and will return to this position automatically when started.


Caps Lock and Scroll Lock

The Special GUI dialog contains check boxes to permit you to control the behaviour of the Scroll Lock and Caps Lock keys.

You can specify that pressing shift always clears caps lock, to avoid reversed mixed case like sTILETTO.  Or you can disable the caps lock key completely.

By setting the "Shift Clears Cap Lock" check box to the gray-checked state, you specify that shift should clear caps lock only when a letter is pressed with shift.

You can also completely disable the caps lock key.

You can disable the Scroll Lock key.  This key is rarely used, and when activited unknowingly, causes irritating behaviour from the arrow and other keys.

When using this feature with multiple instances, make sure than only one instance uses it and hotkeys.


Use multiple menus to organize your work by collecting all your related work onto menu and attaching the menu to a button.  Example: put all your Internet-access commands onto a menu.  Or, if you work with many spreadsheets, organize them into a menu/submenu hierarchy for quick access.  Remember that you can use the name of the spreadsheet file as a command in the menu.


Check this box if you want Stiletto to simply switch-to a program if it is already running, rather than launching a new instance.  Uncheck this box if you have a command line parameter that you always want processed; this will ensure that a new instance of the program is started to process the parameter.  For virtual desktops, check to have Stiletto always launch the program if it is not running when the desktop is activated.


Active Window Switching with Buttons

Demo

You can create Stiletto buttons which automatically track each top-level window on your system so you can quickly switch to a new active window by left clicking a button and close any visible window by middle-clicking (shift-left) the corresponding button.  This is an alternative to the list of active windows menu item which can also be used for active window switching.  The advantages of buttons are that all active windows are immediately visible on the button bar and that switching is done with a single click.  The disadvantage of the button bar is that extra desktop space is used.

You set up active task buttons with the Buttons dialog.  Check the Active Bar check box and then select options as follows:

Select the start at button:  buttons starting from this number up to the number of displayed buttons as set in the Buttons dialog will track active tasks.  You can set this to 1 if you want the entire bar to track active tasks (see also multiple button bars).

If you want icons to appear on the active task buttons, select icon small, icon large, or icon stretch from the drop down box (see buttons for an explanation of these terms).

If you want icons and text, select an icon type from the drop down box and check the text check box.  The percentage of the button face used for the icon is taken from the percentage set in the start at button.

Use the checkbox to specify that only one window per active task be represented on the bar.

For Windows shell pre-version 4, you can specify that minimized (iconized)  non-Dos windows be hidden.

You can specify whether hidden windows should be displayed.

Finally, you can specify whether the right or middle mouse click should be used to close tasks.

Once you have set the above options, Stiletto will display a button for each top-level window of each active task, starting at the start at button. up to the maximum number of buttons set by the number of buttons displayed in the Buttons dialog.

Flyover help for the left button of the active task buttons displays the window title of the corresponding active window.  You may want to set a small delay for flyover help for the active task buttons using the bar dialog so this information appears as soon as you move the mouse cursor over the active task buttons.

You can use the omit list to cause any active window to be excluded from the active task buttons or to edit the name of text for the active task buttons. Or, you can use the Hide Window built-in command to hide the window.

You can cause activated task windows to be centered using a switch on the Special GUI dialog.   Gray check to center the mouse cursor as well.

Stiletto normally uses the icon in the exe file for the active task buttons.  Some programs create a new icon when they run.  If you wish to use this icon, there is an internal option to do this.

Stiletto normally does not show win95/NT4 toolbar-style windows on the active task buttons; if you would like to see them, use the internal ShowToolbar option.

(Technical note:  Starting with version 1.9q, by default Stiletto no longer uses a timer for triggering active task buttons refreshes.  However, some users have experienced performance problems with this hook and so it is possible to return to the timer using the ActiveRefresh internal option.


Omitting Windows and Words from Active Window Lists

Demo

You can use the omit list edit box on the Window Control dialog to omit either words from a window name or to omit windows completely from the list of active windows  or the active task buttons.

To omit a word, type the word followed by a comma.  For example, you could use this technique to delete vendor names.

To omit an entire window, type the window name as it appears in the caption title of the window followed by a comma, e.g. Program Manager in the omit list will mean that no entry for Program Manager will appear.

If you include a string followed by an asterisk (*) and comma in the omit list, then any active window with caption text starting with that string will be deleted.  For example, 1MBFort* will delete any program name starting with 1MBFort.

You can also delete any window associated with the program filename.exe by including =filename in the omit list (no .exe, no path).


Hiding Windows

You can use the Hide Window built-in command to hide windows.  You might use this if you do not want a window to appear on the list of active windows or the active task buttons.

When you execute a Hide Window command, the cursor changes to a cross.  Left click on the window you wish to hide.  This window, its top-level parent, and all the parent’s children will be hidden.

You cannot hide a Stiletto window or the desktop window.  Some other programs will also refuse to be hidden.

If you execute Hide Window but then decide you do not want to hide a window, left click the mouse on the desktop or on a Stiletto window to cancel the operation.

If you want to show a hidden window, configure the Stiletto list of active windows to show hidden windows using the Menu Setup dialog, assign this command to a menu, then execute the menu and select the hidden window from the list.


Hints and Tips

Following is a list of Stiletto features you may be interested in trying.  Click on the o to see help information.  Also see New for This Release.

o multiple button bars.

o up to fifty named launch menus.

o buttons which track and allow switching and closing of active windows.

o you can use the middle mouse button for several functions.

o drag/drop files from Explorer/File Manager to a button to start the button command using that file.

o configuring a button by pressing and holding it.

o configuring a button by dropping a file on it with the ALT key held down.

o for Win NT4/95, you can access a button using a tray icon.

o configuring a launch menu by dropping a file on a button which references the launch menu or by pressing such a key with the ALT key held down.

o you can use the menu item name to configure mnemonic keys to select a launch menu item with one key stroke.  You can use these mnemonics as hot keys for applications (ie use hot key to bring up a menu, and then mnemonic key to select item).

o positioning anywhere with the built-in Position Stiletto command.

o positioning in the caption of the active window.

o quickly exiting windows with "Quick Win Exit" built-in (no confirmation unless you have unsaved info).

o built-in commands for executing files, of a type you specify from a directory you specify, either by immediately browsing for the file ("Browse and Run") or typing the file to be run ("Tiny Type and Run"); you can start the browse in any default directory.

o built-in commands for immediately starting, enabling, and disabling your screen saver.

o accessing the "middle" button commands by using shift and the left mouse button or by pressing both right and left buttons..

o putting running program windows "on top" or launching programs as "on top" (command entry controls).

o controlling whether or not and how soon flyover help appear.

o making label text run vertically.

o a built-in command  which, when executed, displays a list of all built-in commands from which you can select and execute one:  a  way to make all of them accessible.

o for command line fans, a tiny run box command.

o a built-in command to execute Dos command line commands.

o you can launch or switch to all commands on a menu (and optionally miminize other active windows), providing a form of virtual desktops.

o a built-in Play Sound command for sound play: drop a wav file on a button with this command and Stiletto plays the wav file.  Or you can enter the wav file name in the parameters edit box.

o a built-in Show WallPaper command for previewing wallpaper:  drop a bmp file on a button with this command and Stiletto shows the wallpaper.

o file associations with wav files to play them by double clicking in Explorer/File Manager; file associations with bmp files to preview them as wallpaper.

o a built-in command for showing and optionally temporarily moving all Stiletto button bars to the top; assign this to desktop launch menu and you can then bring any hidden button bars to the top by accessing the menu and selecting the command.  Or you can show only a specific bar by specifying that bar's configuration file name in the command parameter edit box.

o control of caps lock and scroll key behaviour.

o alarms to stop programs or wait on programs to exit.

o resource usage displays.

o deleting phrases or entire entries from active windows lists and the active task buttons.

o prompting for command parameters by putting a ? after the command name.

o right-clicking on the command entry edit box to get an alphabetical list of built-in commands.

o changing the size of buttons

o putting more than one command on a command line.

o using a command to immediately change the number of displayed buttons, add or subtract from the number of buttons displayed (eg to add a new command quickly),  or to make Stiletto invisible.

o configuring commands by drag/dropping the command file name to the edit control, by capturing running program file names, and by copying file information from program manager.

o monitoring of Windows user and GDI resources.

o quick addition of reminder messages as alarms.

o in Win95, menu access to start menu, recent docs, desktop icons

o keep up to 26 timers and optionally use timers as button labels.

o controlling timers by the status of your modem.

o dynamically changing the color of a button face or text.

o running commands when Stiletto starts.

o playing a random sound in a random percentage of minutes (for cheap entertainment).

o If Stiletto is automatically becoming invisible, you can control how long Stiletto stays visible with the autohide delay drop down

o you can send a sequence of keys to a running program or to a program that you start with Stiletto

o Stiletto can automatically minimize windows of inactive tasks

o commands can be assigned  to hotkeys and to moving the mouse to screen corners.

o you can start, stop, and clear timers from external programs such as dialers with appropriate scripting commands


You have successfully clicked.


Running Commands at Stiletto Startup

You can specify that Stiletto should run a set of commands when its starts by putting the commands you want to run on a launch menu and specifying that launch menu on the Menu Setup Dialog.

Menu "0" cannot be used as the Start Up menu.

Note:  if you hold the Shift key down when Stiletto starts, the startup menu will be ignored.  This can be used, eg, to avoid an unwanted hide Stiletto (Bar Size 0) command.


Timers

Demo

Stiletto has 26 timers that you can control and optionally display as button labels.  The timers are identified by the single-letter labels a, b, c, ..., z.

To access timers from a dialog, use the View/Change Timers button on the alarm setup dialog or execute the View/Change Timer built-in command.  Using this dialog, you can start or stop the timer, change its value, associate commands with the timer starting, stopping, and resetting, and specify that timers be started and stopped according to a dial-up connection or the active program.

You can also start, stop, toggle, and clear any of the timers with the built-in commands of the same name.  Put the letter of the timer to be accessed in the command parameters box.  You can access multiple timers by listing all the timers ids, not separated by blanks.  For example,

Command:	Start Timer

Parameters:	bcg

starts timers b, c, and g.

You can also use the Set Timer command to start, stop, or toggle timers and to set their value.

Using the button dialog, you can have Stiletto place a timer as the label on any button.  Use the timer id field in this dialog to indicate which timer is to be displayed.  You can also specify that the timer label is to be shown with the timer value.

A running timer is displayed in the form hhhh.mm (hours, then a period, then minutes).

A stopped timer is displayed in the form hhhhxmm.

Timers are displayed rounded to the nearest minute, unless you specify that seconds should be shown in the Alarm Setup dialog.  In this case, seconds are always shown as .ss at the end of the timer label.

Timers are updated at the same interval as the resource usage check set in the Alarm Setup dialog.  But, unless you specify that seconds should be shown,  the button display is only changed once per minute.

You can have Stiletto play an alarm sound at regular intervals for all timers using Alarm Setup dialog.  The alarm sounds two minutes before the interval to give you time to react (eg alarms every 30 minutes will sound at 28 minutes, 58 minutes, and so on).

You can start and stop timers from external programs, such as dialer scripts.  You can also use the external timer commands to control timers using a command launched from any button.

To automatically clear a saved timers once per day, set up an alarm with these characteristics (using timers c and g for example):

Time:	12:01 AM

After alarm rings:	Alarm again in 1 day

Command: 	Clear Timer

Parameters	cg

The "Ring Missed Alarms" checkbox on the Alarm Setup dialog must also be checked for this to work (unless you start Stiletto each day at 12:01!).  You can use a similar technique to clear timers once per month (ring on first of month at 12:01)

You can start and stop all timers on a button bar based on the status of your modem.

You can ask Stiletto to log all timer events in a file.

Starting with version 1.9s, timers are normally updated by computing the difference between the current clock and the clock setting with the timer was last calculated.  This method keeps timers accurate even if another application monopolizes the CPU for an extended period.  However, it does mean that timers must be manually reset if you change the system time.  An alternative approach which is insensitive to clock changes is to update the timer based on assuming that timer notifications will not be lost due to other applications.  You can ask for this approach with the TickTimer internaloption.


Changing Number of Buttons Displayed

You can change the number of displayed buttons by clicking and dragging the right-hand side of the bar (bottom for vertical bars).

You can change the number of displayed buttons on a Stiletto button bar by executing the built-in command Bar Size n, where n is the new number of buttons to be displayed and is placed in the command parameter edit box.  For example, Bar Size with a command parameter of  12 sets the number of displayed buttons to 12.  The command may be assigned to a button or a launch menu.

This command has exactly the same effect as using the Buttons dialog.

If you omit the number “n”, Stiletto will prompt for it using the command parameters dialog.

You can also make Stiletto invisible by using Bar Size 0.  In order to make Stiletto visible again, use the "Show Stiletto when mouse bumps screen edge" feature on the Bar dialog.  Or, you can assign the built-in command Show/Move Stiletto to a launch menu, attach this menu to the desktop or to the window captions using the Menu Setup Dialog, and execute this command.

You can increase (or decrease) the number of buttons by specifying +n (or -n).  For example, Bar Size +1 adds one more button.  You could use the feature to add a new button to which you can quickly assign a new command by (eg) dropping a file from File Manager with the Alt key held down (see button and Menu Contents dialogs).

If you have a set of different sizes you want to quickly switch among, you may want to set up a submenu of size commands on a launch menu.

You can assign the Bar Size 0 command to the Start Up launch menu specified on the Menu Setup Dialog in order to make Stiletto initially invisible.

This command will be ignored while you are configuring Stiletto or if you put a non-numeric character after  Bar Size.


Internal Configuration Options

Stiletto has a set of internal options to make technical configuration changes.  To access these, shut down any running Stiletto bars, and edit the Stiletto configuration (ini) file to insert one of the following options in the [General] section.

AppBarRestart  Put AppBarRestart=0 under [General] to speed reconfiguration for bars using App Bar setting; you have to restart Stiletto if you change this setting, however.

Autorunmaxwait:  For automatic run menus, specify maximum time Stiletto waits for new windows to become visible after they are first created.

Active Refresh:  Starting with version 1.9q, Stiletto uses a hook rather than a timer to check for the current active window for the active task buttons and for active caption placement.  This may cause delays when moving or resizing windows, so you can return to the timer by specifying ActiveRefresh=n in the Stiletto ini file [General] section, where n is the number of milliseconds between refreshes (eg ActiveRefresh=1000 for refreshes once per second).  You must set n larger than 100.  This option is incompatible with Restore Last Minimized and Force Explorer settings options.

AnimateDisappear:  If you want Stiletto to become invisible in stages, specify AnimateDisappear=1 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section.  Specify AnimateDisappear=2  to get sound effects as well.

Alarm List Date Format:  Stiletto normally uses yy/mm/dd format for  dates of alarms in the list box of the Alarm Details config.  You can change this by putting AlarmListDateFormat=xxx in the Stiletto ini file [General] section, where xxx is one of YDM, MDY, DMY (for yy/dd/mm, mm/dd/yy, dd/mm/yy, respectively).

CenterAll:  Stiletto normally positions the tabbed configuration and browse dialogs near the bar; if you prefer them to be centered on your screen, specify CenterAll=1 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section.  Also centers Add Reminder Msg.

CenterConfig:  Stiletto normally positions the tabbed configuration dialog near the bar; if you prefer it to be centered on your screen, specify CenterConfig=1 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section.

CheckStretch: Stiletto normally checks to ensure that your video device driver can perform the stretch operation needed to display icons.  However, some drivers, although able to perform the stretching, report that they cannot.  To ignore this false report, specify CheckStretch=0 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section.

CheckClose: Stiletto normally verifies whether you want to save any changes if you use the X box to close a dialog; to avoid this check CheckClose=0 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section.

Clipboard character for command parameters:  You can set the character used to copy the clipboard to command parameters to the character "c" by specifying ClipboardChar=c in the Stiletto ini file [General] section, where c is the new character, which cannot be an alphanumeric, comma, or space.

DSTCorrection:  Put DSTCorrection=xxxx in the [General] section of the Stiletto ini file to set the Daylight Savings Time correction to xxxx seconds (default is 3600); only used when Windows indicates DST is in effect.

Drive Letter on Resource Display:  To avoid display of drive letter (eg C:) on free disk usage display on button label, use the internal option ShowDriveLetter=0 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section.

Edges:  Control whether clicking on edges of bar positions bar or changes its size by putting edges=n under [General] in ini file.  Put edges=3 for both, edges=2 for size only, edges=1 for position only, edges=0 for neither.

Fast Menu Appearance on Click: When you click on a button to display a menu, Stiletto will display the menu on the click:  you can then roll to the selected item and release to select an item or release and click again on the desired menu item.  If you prefer the second method, you have to be careful not to move the mouse before releasing (as this is taken as a no selection under the first method).  If you always use the second method of accessing menus, you can use FastMenu=0  in the [General] section of the ini  file to turn off the first method so you don't have to be careful about moving the mouse.

HotKeyAllUpWait  Stiletto will wait for up to 1500 milliseconds for Ctrl, Alt, and Shift to be up before sending keys; you can change the  length of the maximum wait by specifying HotKeyAllUpWait=n under [General] where n is the new maximium wait in milliseconds (may be zero).

InfoResources:  To show GDI/User resources on the info tab,  put InfoResources =1 the ini file [General] section.

KeepInvisible:  To invisible Stiletto hidden when a menu is activiated from the desktop, put KeepInvisible=1 the ini file [General] section.  This may interfere with menu mnemonic keys, however.

Local Date Format on Alarm Config Tab:  To use the local date format to show alarm dates, put UseLocalDateFormat=1 the ini file [General] section.

Lock configuration:  To disable configuration commands, put Lock=1 the ini file [General] section.

MarkerSize  To set the size of the strip used to indicate the screen edge to be bumped to show an invisible bar, put MarkerSize=n in the ini file [General] section, where n is the size of the strip.

Menu Bias  To set the horizontal left-click/right click position of menus, use LeftMenuBias=n or RightMenuBias=n in the ini file [General] section.

NumTrackExplorer  You can reduce the number of explorer windows listed in the menu by putting the internal option NumTrackExplorer=n under [General] in your stiletto.ini file.

Owned windows in active task lists:  Starting with version 1.9q, Stiletto no longer displays "owned" top-level windows in active task lists.  This cuts down the size of such lists.  But if you prefer to see these windows, specify ShowOwned=1 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section.

PressDelay:  Specify PressDelay=n to delay n milliseconds before pressing the default button on a dialog; use 0 for no delay.

Parameter prompt character:  You can change the character used to prompt for command parameters (default ?)  to the character "c" by specifying PromptChar=c in the Stiletto ini file [General] section, where c is the new prompt character, which cannot be an alphanumeric, comma, or space.  To eliminate prompting, specify PromptChar=0.

Rotated text:  Starting with version 1.9t,.if you want rotated text on button labels, you must use the internal option rotatetext=1 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section.

Separator character for multiple commands:  You can change or eliminate the character used to separate multiple commands to the character "c" by specifying CommandSepChar=c in the Stiletto ini file [General] section, where c is the new separator character, which cannot be an alphanumeric, comma, or space.  To eliminate command separation, specify CommandSepChar=0.

Send key delays:  You can control the delays between keys for the *Send Key commands.  In the [General] section, put SendKeyDelayFirst=n to set a delay of n milliseconds before the first key is sent.  Put SendKeyDelayRest=n to set a delay of n milliseconds between subsequent keys.

Scrolling Interval:  For middle mouse button scrolling, you can control the speed by setting ScrollInterval = n, where n is milliseconds between scroll steps, in the Stiletto ini file [General] section.  Set n=0 to disable.

Scrolling Reset:  For middle mouse button scrolling, you can indicate that the mouse cursor should be returned to its starting position by setting ScrollReset= 1 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section

Scrolling Double:  For middle mouse button scrolling, you can indicate that double clicking the mouse should scroll to the end by setting ScrollDouble= 1 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section

Separator character for multiple Dos commands:  You can change or eliminate the character used to separate Dos commands to the character "c" by specifying DosSepChar=c in the Stiletto ini file [General] section, where c is the new separator character, which cannot be an alphanumeric, comma, or space.  To eliminate command separation, specify DosSepChar=0.

ShellPrefix:  You can change the prefix used in the tiny type and run box to text by putting Shellprefix=text under [General] in the Stiletto ini file.

StartMenuDelay:  Put StartMenyDelay=n in the [General] section of the Stiletto ini file to set the delay for moving the Win 95/NT 4 start menu to n milliseconds.

Showtoolbar:  Stiletto normally does not show win95/NT4 toolbar-style windows on the active task buttons; if you would like to see them, put ShowToolbar=1 under [General] in the Stiletto ini file.

Suspended flyover help: After you launch a command, flyover help is normally suspended until you move the mouse off  the Stiletto button bar.  This is to prevent problems with full screen Dos commands:  if flyover help is not suspended, flyover help will appear unnecessarily after you activate a full screen Dos command and minimize the Dos window.  But, if you never use full screen Dos and want flyover help not to be suspended, you can put FlyoverSuspend=0 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section.

System folder location: Put SystemFolderDir=c:\yourpath to force Stiletto to always look in c:\yourpath for special folders for *Folder Contents Menu

Time Delay for Auto-Repeat Buttons:  You can change the interval at which the autorepeat buttons (eg in the alarm dialog) repeat by specifying StrobeInterval=n in the Stiletto ini file [General] section, where n is the number of milliseconds between repeats while the button is held down.

Transparent button bar:   You can ask for a transparent buttons bar by putting transparent=1 in the Stiletto ini file [General] section and making sure that Use Windows Button Colors in the Bar dialog is unchecked.  This may cause some strange (visual only) side effects, especially with multiple Stiletto instances, and may lead to a Stiletto GPF when used with some full screen Dos programs,  so it is being offered only as a "use at your own risk" internal option.  An  bar with buttons cannot be made transparent.

TickTimer:  Starting with version 1.9s, timers are normally updated by computing the difference between the current clock and the clock setting when the timer was last calculated.  This method keeps timers accurate even if another application monopolizes the CPU for an extended period.  However, it does mean that timers must be manually reset if you change the system time.  An alternative approach which is insensitive to clock changes is to update the timer based on assuming that timer notifications will not be lost due to other applications.  You can ask for this approach by putting TickTimer=1 in the ini file [Alarm Info] section.

UChange::  Due to an internal design error, Stiletto will replace ü with a comma in command lines.  To fix this, put UChange=1 in the ini file [General] section.

UseAdmin for NT4 administrator:  To force Stiletto under NT4 to look in the administrator profile for program and other special folders, put UseAdmin=1 in the ini file [General] section.

UseUserProfile: To force Stiletto under NT4 to look in the the environment variable USERPROFILE for program and other special folders, put UseUserProfile=1 in the ini file [General] section.  UseAdmin takes precedence over UseUserProfile, so you must omit UseAdmin if you want to use UseUserProfile.

Visible: To keep bar hidden unless certain window is visible, put

visible=caption

under [General] in ini file, where caption is caption of window which must be visible for Stiletto to be visible.  Use *xxx for captoins ending in xxx, yyy* for captions starting with yyy, and =path for all windows started from path.  This option uses a timer to poll all windows, so it may affect your system's responsiveness.


Controlling Timers Externally

It is possible to start, stop, toggle, and clear timers from external programs, such as batch programs or dialers, if these programs can execute windows commands.  For example, the Trumpet win sockets program script language can do this with the exec command, which looks like this:  exec "c:\exepath\exename.exe parameters".

If your dialer does not support external commands, you can run both the Stiletto timer command and your dialer as multiple commandsto start the program.

The instance of Stiletto with the timers to be accessed  must already be running.  Also, since more than one instance of Stiletto can be running, you need to specify the configuration file for the instance with the timer label that you want to reference.

You can also access timers by running a command like this from a batch file or dialer script:

c:\yourpath\stiletto.exe ini_file [start|stop|toggle|clear] timer_ids

where

ini_file 	is the configuration file of the instance of Stiletto to be accessed

[start...]	is one of the four commands

timer_ids	is one or more timers ids, not separated by blanks.

For example

c:\mypath\stiletto stiletto.ini toggle fg

togges timers f and g in the Stiletto bar started with configuration file stiletto.ini (the default).

You can also use this technique from within Stiletto to clear, stop, or start a timer on a button which is different from the button from which the timer command was launched:  To do so, assign a command of the form given above to a button or menu within Stiletto.

You can play a sound whenever you execute one of these commands by placing |filepath.wav at the end of the command line, for example:

c:\path\stiletto.exe stilett2.ini start g |c:\win\tada.wav

starts the timer g and plays the sound file c:\win\tada.wav.  You need to provide the entire file path, including the .wav, and you cannot  place any blanks after the |.

You can also control timers via the status of your modem.

You can also start and close an instance of Stiletto from your dialer if it supports command execution from scripts.


Adding Reminder Message Alarms

You can quickly set up a reminder message to appear at a specified time with the built-in command Add Reminder.  This command displays a dialog box which provides a short cut way to add an alarm to display a message box.

To enter a message date, enter the year, month, and day as one or two digits separated by a space.  When you enter a valid date, the day of week and date will be displayed beside the date you enter.  You can use the "=" button to reset to the current date, and the "+" and "-" buttons to change the year, month, or day.  (These buttons will repeat if held down.)

To enter a message time, enter the hour and minute as one or two digits separated by a space.  Use a 24 hour clock or put a (for AM) or p (for PM) after the time.  When you  have entered a valid time, it will be displayed in AM/PM format beside the time you enter.  You can use the "=" button to reset to the current time, and the "+" and "-" buttons to change the hour or minute.  (These buttons will repeat if held down.)

After you have entered a valid time, date, and at least one character in the message edit box, the "Add" button will be enabled and you will be able to save the reminder message.

You can use the After Alarm Rings drop down list to have the message automatically re-displayed at regular intervals.

You can specify that the message should be displayed using the Add Reminder dialog (rather than a plain Message Box) which will give you more flexibility in choosing the next alarm date/time if you decide to recycle the alarm.


Positioning Stiletto in the Active Window

You can position Stiletto at the left or right of the active window caption by selecting "L Cap" or "R Cap" as the position in the Bar.

You can have up to three instances of Stiletto positioned in an active caption:  one at the left, on e in the middle,  and one at the right.

You can position an active task buttons in the caption.

When there is no active window to use for the position, or if the active window caption is too small, Stiletto will move to a default position on your desktop.  To set the default, position Stiletto manually using the position command.  Stiletto will use the last position set by this command as its default.

Stiletto normally uses a system hook to change position as the active windows changes, but if this causes performance problems for you then you can try a timer-based check using an internal option for active refresh.


Changing the Size of Stiletto Buttons

You can change the size of Stiletto buttons using the width and height magnify percentages on the Bar dialog and the Configure Button dialog.  Stiletto sets the base button size using the Bar dialog and then modifies this size for each particular button with the percentages from the Configure Button dialog.

These numbers are percentages:  setting them to 100 yields the default button size.  You can experiment with any other value between 10 and 999.

If you choose too small or too large a value, you may find that you can no longer access the button with your Configure Stiletto command.  As long as you can still access any button, press and hold it and then assign the configuration command to that button so you can reset the percentages.  Or, another way to solve this problem is to edit the stiletto.ini configuration file; look in the [General] section and set Ymagnify=100 and Xmagnify=100.


Using Stiletto as the Shell
Using Stiletto as Your Shell

Not applicable to 32 bit version.


Timer Logs

You can ask Stiletto to log timer events by using the Keep Timer Log check box on the Alarm Setup dialog.

The log file will have the same name as the configuration file used in the instance of Stiletto, except that the file extension will be .tlo.  For example, the log file for the default configuration is stiletto.tlo.  The log is always placed in the same directory as the Stiletto ini file.

A log file entry will be written whenever a timer starts, stops, or is re-set.  As well, when Stiletto shuts down, a stop timer entry will be written for any running timers.  When Stiletto starts up, a start timer entry will be written for any automatic start timers.

The logs have fixed-format records structured as follows

Column	Contents

 1	Always blank.

 2-8	Button of last timer command.

 9	Always blank.

 10	Timer id (single character).

 11	Always blank.

 12	Action:  "+" if timer started, "-" if timer stopped, "0' if reset

 13	Always blank.

 14-17	Year when event recorded.

18	Always blank.

19-20	Month.

21	Always blank.

22-23	Day.

24	Always blank.

25-26	Hour (military clock, ie 24 hour time)

27	Always blank.

28-29	Minute

30	Always blank.

31-32	Second

33	Always blank.

34-41	Total timer value in seconds.

42	Always blank.

43-47	Whole hours in the  timer.

48	Always blank.

49-50	Whole minutes in the timer.

51	Always blank.

52-53	Seconds in the timer.

To be clear:  the timer value is shown in two different formats:  columns 29-36 show the timer value in seconds.  Columns 38-48 show the timer value as hours, minutes, seconds.

I tried to find more information so as to extend these fixed-length records to 80 characters (to avoid wasting punched card space), but could not do so.


Running Multiple Commands

There are two ways to run multiple commands:  put all the commands on a menu and use *launch menu xxx *all, or configure the commands to run from a single set of command enty controls using the command wizard.

If you prefer to avoid the wizard, you can also enter the information directly by separating multiple commands with a less than sign (<) in the command entry box and parameters edit box of the command entry controls.

Put the first command name in the command entry box, and put its parameters and the remaining commands and parameters in the parameters edit box.

You need to manually type in the command file names.  It is also possible to use built-in commands, but you have to type the internal name. (It starts with a *:  to find one for an external command, create a dummy entry for the desired name and look in the ini file.  Three important ones are *wait for delays,  *send to send keys, and *color to change button color.  These must always be typed in lower case).

For example:

Command:	c:\win\calc.exe

Parameter:	<c:\win\notepad.exe

starts program calc.exe and notepad.exe.

You can insert pauses between commands with *wait

Command:	c:\prog\splash.exe

Parameter:	<*wait 4<*send ** "hello"

starts the program splash.exe, waits 4 seconds, and then sends the key sequence "hello".

Rather than waiting for a fixed number of seconds, you can use *wait ! to wait for the last command launched by Stiletto to request input.  The wait will last no longer than 10 seconds.  Stiletto will be unresponsive while waiting:

Command:	c:\prog\splash.exe

Parameter:	<*wait !<*send ** "hello"

(Note:  wait ! may not work when the command is launched from a shortcut).

There are situations where you only want to execute a sequence of commands when a preceding command is launched initially, not when it is switched to if active  (example: sending a series of keys at start up).  The built-in command *abifa (abort if active) will stop the processing of a series of multiple commands if a preceding command was switched to, instead of being launched.

If the default separator character causes you problems, or if you want to disable multiple commands, you can do so with an internal configuration option CommandSepChar.

You cannot use long file names with blanks in multiple commands.


Close, Minimize, Maximize, To Back, RollUp, Show, Toggle, Tray Minimize an Active Window

You can close, maximize, minimize, toggle, send to back, hide, on top, not top, rollup, show, or tray minimize a window with a command of the form

Command:	*Stiletto Exec

Parameters:	 action windowId

The easiest way to enter this command is with the Wizard; you can also enter the command parameters directly as follows:

action is close, closeforce, min, max, hide, on top, not top, rollup, toggle, back, show, or traymin

windowId is

* to refer to the active window

the path name to the executable with the window to be closed,

or an asterisk followed by the caption text of the window.

For captions you can optionally replace some ending characters by using an asterisk:  eg *PIF* finds the first window with a caption starting with PIF.  Or you can replace beginning characters:  eg **NotePad to find a caption ending in NotePad. If the caption contains blanks, enclose the windowsID in quotations marks, eg "*PIF Editor*".

To put this command in a command string, use the Command Wizard or use *sexec:

<*wait 2<*sexec max "*My Caption"

waits 2 seconds then maximizes window with caption "My Caption".

Stiletto uses a safe close:  if there is unsaved information the application will prompt you before closing.  However, if you use closeforce instead of close, Stiletto will attempt to force the window closed (at the risk of losing information).  Do not use closeforce with Dos programs.

You can close an instance of Stiletto with a command of the form

c:\stilpath\stiletto.exe stilett2.ini close

where "stilett2.ini" is the file name of the configuration file used to start the instance of Stiletto you wish to close.  Note the word "close" is placed at the end.  This command could be useful in dialer scripts to start and stop a specific button bar with the network access.


Browse and Run Command

The Browse and Run built-in command displays a modified version of the file open common dialog box.  You can search for a file or document and select it (eg by double clicking) to have that file executed.  As discussed in more detail below, you can use this command to show all files of a certain type in a directory for you to select one to execute.  For example, you could have a menu entry called "My Spreadsheets" which executes a Browse and Run command showing all .xls files in a default directory that you specify.

Stiletto will follow any file associations; for example, double clicking on a .txt file will start your default text editor (often NotePad).  You set file associations with the Explorer/File Manager File|Associate.

You can enter command parameters in the appropriate edit box in the dialog.

Stiletto remembers the last 25 commands you execute; you can select one of them from the drop down box.

You can set both the default starting directory for the search and the default file types displayed in the file list box using the Work Directory of the Browse and Run command entry controls.   Using this feature, you can tailor Browse and Run commands to, for example, go immediately to the directory where you keep your Excel spreadsheets and list all the spreadsheets so you can execute one.

To set the starting directory, type it in the work directory box.

Set the default file extensions as follows:  After the default start directory (if used), type a string that consists of a <, followed by the name of the file types, followed by another <, followed by the default exension in the form *.ext.  For example:

c:\mysheets<Excel Files<*.xls

sets the starting directory to c:\mysheets and fills the file list box with all files ending in .xls.  You can specify more that one file extension by separating them with semi-colons; for example:

c:\<Editable Files<*.txt;*.ini

sets the default directory to c:\ and lists all ini and txt files.  You can also work with more than one type of file:

c:\<Word Files<*.doc<All Files<*.*

sets the starting directory to c:\ and fills the file list box with .doc files.  You can select All Files when working with the dialog.


New Features

Following is a list of new Stiletto features for each version.  Click on the o to see help information.

Version 97f

o added shutdown menu

o mouse window activation can be restricted to mouse over caption only

o use Stiletto Exec to show trayminned windows

o to allow faster navigation of large folder hierarchy with *Folder Contents Menu: if NoSubDir specified, only the upper-most folder is scanned and displayed in the menu; selecting a subfolder from the menu scans and displays menu of the selected subfolder.  Use FolderBack to allow return to previous folder.

o Use *Explorer Windows command to re-open file folders recently viewed with Explorer, or to close or minimize all open Explorer Windows

o For folder contents menu, specify explorer2 option to display folder as 2-pane Explorer window

o For folder contents menu, specify autosoftcolall and autocolall to limit column length of main menu and all submenus

o you can automatically run commands when a window with a specified caption is first created.

o plain left clicking on caption (with pause) can now be used as hot key

o you can launch all commands in a menu starting at any point and you can include pauses for outside events like modem connections

o improved wait command to allow for waits on modem, external programs

o Put 1, 2, or 3 in parameters box of *Start Screen Saver command to delay start for 1, 2, or 3 seconds; this can help if the screen saver refuses to start from a hot key

o you can specify that Stiletto should disable the screen saver while a RAS connection is active.

o file commands can now handle rename

o sendkeys can now be specified without blanks between keys by specifying compresskey=1 under [general] in ini file (this is default for new ini files)

o *Hide Stiletto -config.ini hides all bars except the one with config file config.ini.

o you can hide and show a running Stiletto bar by executing a command c:\yourpath\stiletto config.ini hide/show/allhide

o *all and *allclose allow you to execute or close all entries on *Folder Contents Menu

o FolderStart to sort *Folder Contents Menus with Folders at start;  FolderBack to put Back to Previous Folder in menu when nosubdir specified; FolderDots to add "..." at end of Folder names

o after you position Stiletto by clicking and dragging near the left hand side of the bar (top for vertical bars), you can return Stiletto to a previous standard position by right clicking near the left edge of the bar.  The cursor changes to show you where to click.

o For message box alarms which you show repeatedly, you can request that the message alarm be copied and shown again in 5 minutes as well as being saved to be shown again at the original time.

o UChange=1 under [General] to work with umlauted u in command files (ü)

o Visible=caption under [General] to make Stiletto bar visible iff window with caption is visible

o AppBarRestart=0 under [General] to speed reconfiguration for bars using App Bar setting; you have to restart Stiletto if you change this setting, however.

Bug Fixes

rollup to caption improved

better compatiblility with IE 4 preview 2

close window under mouse fixed for click on desktop with hidden icons

caption hot keys now only work when clicked on caption (not on system icons)

restore last minimized now has no effect if that window is no longer minimized

*folder contents menu no longer puts directory names in lower case.

fixed reversal of height, width in pinmenu

Version 97e (June 97)

o you assign hot key commands to clicking left or right half of caption

o you can rollup windows under mouse or use Stiletto Exec to rollup

o you can toggle max/normal windows under mouse or use Stiletto Exec to toggle

o added Restore Last Minimized command

o you can show am/pm on time labels on caption

o you can prevent Escape from closing alarm message boxes

o added maximum stroke time to help fine tune horizontal/vertical movement hot keys

o you can use middle button double clicks and right caption double clicks as hot keys

o you can use numeric pad Ins, Del, Enter as hot keys

o you can force view and arrangement settings for Explorer windows

o you can include Alt-0xxx characters in sent keys

o timers can be set to run only when a specified program is active

o you can specify that alarm message box captions should be set to text

o behavior of *Folder Contents has changed:  you must now put the word embed in work directory to have the *Folder Contents embedded in a menu when the command appears in a menu

o improved help for new users and demonstrations.

Bug Fixes

switch to if active now shows tray minned program

window pan does not move windows too far if mouse cursor moved during panning

hot keys list box now sorted

windows exit from NT now works

multiple alarm messages can now display at the same time

ctrl, alt, shift modifier keys now work with right hold hot key mouse action

Version 97d (May 97)

o added Wizard to help construct commands

o increased maximum number of buttons to 48 (you may need to reconfigure tray icon button)

o you can pin (permanently display) launch menus

o you can use the Win key as a modifier key for hot keys

o mouse clicks on system menu box and minimize box can be used as hot keys

o you can minimize windows to the tray

o you can selectively omit text or icons from menus

o you can give folder contents menus a tool bar look by automatically inserting columns.

o you can omit text and specify a position for folder contents menus

o you can set default no-click mouse button for each button on bar

o added internal options ScrollReset and ScrollDouble to fine tune middle scrolling

o you can set delay time for mouse activation by moving mouse over window

o gray "mouse move shows active window" to change focus only

o Stiletto can pan windows into view when the mouse is held at the screen edge

o you can show only certain hidden windows on active bar/active window menu

o put ?filepath.exe in work directory to avoid launch if filepath.exe is running

o you can specify that windows appear on all virtual desktops

o you can add explorer option to Folder Contents Menu work directory parameters

o you can include waits in the *send keys command; added ability to wait for window with specified caption

o you can include date and time in sent keys

Bug Fixes

Stiletto now shows invisible task bar when exitting

Fixed cursor to default button

Clicking on bar with menu open now closes menu and actives button function

Daylight Savings Time now properly handled in NT

Window under mouse commands now work in caption-position bars

increased maximum number of *send keys to 75

fixed problem with menu icons from files other than the menu command file

removed problems with middle mouse click on desktop menus

sound now played for reset timers if "Play sound for alarm commands" checked

Version 97c (Mar 97)

o you can execute commands, show menus, or switch to active bar windows by moving the mouse over a button without clicking

o you can dynamically reconfigure a bar to use another configuration file

o you can specify that windows be activated when the mouse passes over them

o press and hold hot keys replace press, hold, and release

o Change Wallpaper can now take a file name in Parameter box.

o added shorter wallpaper randomize times and stretch wallpaper option (Plus! only)

o hold down shift while selecting change display setting from menu to avoid making the setting permanent

o added Center Window Under Mouse built-in command

o you can select base button size to correspond to large or small icon size

o you can use Pad-+, Pad , Pad *, Pad / as hotkeys

o two independent sets of hot keys can be maintained if two bars are running; eg one on main bar and one on tool bar

o added switch to/show hidden tasks to virtual desktop menu

o put =filename in omit list to omit all windows from filename.exe from active buttons bar and active menu

o you can save and restore desktop icon positions from the info config dialog

o for NT4, Stiletto now looks at currently signed on user for special folders

o put Lock=1 as internal option under [General] in Stiletto.ini to disable configuration commands

Bug Fixes

Active buttons now work with NT 4 minimized windows

Caption position now updated more reliably

Caption position will not cover title bar icons

Fixed display of stretch icons in button dialog

Multi-column menus with own colors now completed painted

Improved hiding of Stiletto when no active and caption position

Changing number of displayed buttons by dragging right side of bar is now more reliable

For win95, right clicking to select menu items works again

Icons on menu now work for Windows applets

Pressing Show Icon on configure Button no longer clears Icon count

Timer and alarm log files now behave more like .txt files in editors; you may need to start a fresh file

Virtual desk top "do not launch if not active" now works properly with long file names which contain blanks

*Virtual Desktop command now works if launched from hot key

Version 97b (Feb 97)

o you can cache icons for menus to speed icon display

o you can set individual icons for menu items

o you can move mouse cursor to and optionally press default dialog button

o improved virtual desktop support

o you can move Stiletto by dragging left hand side of bar

o you can change number of displayed buttons by dragging right hand side of bar

o you can temporarily move the bar to the mouse cursor

o you can choose any small icon on button dialog (removed limitation to first one)

o added button label date format Day-dd (Day of month)

o you can use horizontal or vertical mouse movements as hotkeys

o you can click on desktop or window title as a hotkey

o you can press, hold, and release a mouse button as a hotkey

o drag any window to a new position with a selected mouse plus modifier key

o you can dynamically change visible buttons by copying buttons on the button bar

o you can omit text from menus with icons

o caption-position bars can change configuration depending on the active window

o simplified control of timers by dial-up (RAS) connections

o Stiletto now waits for Shift, Alt, Ctrl to be released before sending keys

o Gray-check "center activated window" to center mouse cursor as well

o for hidden bars which are shown when mouse bumps screen edge, you can show a narrow strip to indicate where the screen must be bumped

o you can specify that reminders should automatically close after n seconds

o Stiletto now correctly handles 16 bit windows programs under NT

o display change command now handles color depth and refresh frequency (NT)

o use internal option CenterAll to center browse, configure, and Add Reminder dialogs

o use internal options KeepInvisible to keep hidden icon invisible with desktop menu

o removed middle button to back; instead use hot key mouse middle with *Stiletto Exec

Bug Fixes

Fixed problems with active window switching and alarms

Hidden Stiletto now re-hides itself after desktop menu clicked

Sequential screen saver change now works

Problem with menu setup window menu drop down fixed

Fixed *TileWindows for column tile

Sendkeys more reliable when target window is not active

Corrected intermittent failures with tap keys hot keys

Version 97a

o increased maximum number of buttons to 30

o you can specify more than one row or column for the bar

o mouse clicks and mouse chords can be hot keys

o you can set a "flat look" for bar, similar to MS IE 3 or Netscape 4 tool bars

o you can define hot keys which function for certain applications only

o you define portions of menus which only appear if a specified task is active

o seconds can be shown on time/date displays

o you can specify that alarm reminders be shown "always on top"

o you can specify the screen position for alarm message windows

o Stiletto Exec mouse can be used to simulate single or double mouse clicks

o you can copy time and date to the clipboard

o you can change the border color for buttons

o you can specify that Stiletto should allow any key as a hot key

o you can suspend alarm ringing with a Stiletto command

o you can specify that shift should only clear caps lock if a letter is pressed with shift

o you can use the SendKeyDelay internal options to set delays between *Send Keys

o you can use the CenterConfig internal option to center the tabbed config dialog

o you can control text and icon position on button labels

o you can put the contents of the clipboard in the parameter edit box

o you can move windows to a specific screen position.

o you can specify an offset on the *Launch Menu built-in command

o Stiletto now confirms whether to save changes if X used for close; you can avoid with CheckClose internal option

o you can optionally exclude hidden-window commands from recently run commands list.

o jpeg conversion of wallpaper files is now done in separate, background thread

o renamed Hide/Show Prog Mgr commands to Hide/Show Desk Icons to better show their effect under Win95/NT4.

o registration info is now available after registration completes

Added Word 6 document in file stiletto.doc containing help file topics to Stiletto zip file

Bug Fixes

Fixed problems with Stiletto in autohide task bars

Flyover help text now updates correctly as mouse cursor moves

The "Delete" key deletes menu, alarm, and hot key list box items

Fixed problems with "Tray Icon" button on Buttons dialog

Recently Runs Cmd menu now shows only file names

Fixed abort which could occur after deleting an entire menu

Split up some long help topics

Version 96g

o you can scroll windows by moving mouse with middle button held down

o you can position Stiletto in the task bar

o separated buttons dialog from shell dialog on configure tabbed dialog

o you can save and restore desktop icon positions

o added battery display to buttons and resource window

o you can now omit Middle from flyover help, and you can show only resources on flyover help

o removed Store button

o you can put all the menu items from any window's menu bar into a Stiletto menu (win95 only)

o added help on using a three button mouse

o  to show GDI/User resources in info tab, user ShowResources=1 internal option

o you can register online

Bug Fixes

Improved operation of "Shift Clears caps lock"

Removed incompatibility between Stiletto flyover help and some "snap-to" mouse accessories

"Switch to if active" now works with alarms

Fixed problem with optimization and so reduced Stiletto memory requirements by about 90K

Introduced small delay between keystrokes during sending keys to improve reliability

put titles in built-in commands drop down list

Version 96f (Oct 96)

o you can stop chimes from ringing while the screen saver is running.

o you can specify that ringing alarms should force running screen savers to stop.

o you can try to force a non-responding window closed

o you can display system resources with Show System Resources command

o you can specify whether or not an alarm messages are shown on top of the active window

o you can specify font for Stiletto menus

o you can specify how long the mouse has to stay at the screen edge to show Stiletto

o you can use Right and Left for Middle mouse on tray icons if option checked on Bar dialog

o you can change the format of dates in the Alarm Config list with the AlarmListDateFormat internal option.

o put ScreenSaverHide=0 under [General] in ini file if you have problems with Stiletto not being re-shown after a screen saver stops

Bug Fixes

Fixed abort during Folder Contents Menu

Improved screen saver hide operation  (96f1 further improves)

Improved disabling during system power save mode

Fixed problems with Store button on Bar dialog

Improved handling of non-English fonts

Version 96e (Sept 96)

o you can recycle alarm for re-use

o you can request that menus always be displayed to left of cursor

o you can omit icons from individual menus

o you can display timer labels with the timer value on buttons

o you can display timer labels with the timer value on buttons

o you can display timer labels with the timer value on buttons

o you can hide or show the taskbar with Hide Prog Mgr/Taskbar built-in

o you can specify that Stiletto wait for the last launched command to request input before (eg) sending keystrokes

Bug Fixes

Fixed disabling of active task buttons when config dialog activated and OK pressed immediately.

Added drive letters to free disk space display

Fixed abort which occurred when AppBar selected

Fixed problems with tiny type and run and command names with blanks

"Network/sharing error" suppressed for DUN shortcuts

Stopped shutdown dialog for right click on tray window when right-close option set

Improved operation of  Stiletto Start Menu command

Timers no longer display on non-timer buttons

fixed problem with right click in caption to close causing mouse click on bar to be lost

right clicking on desktop with open Stiletto menu no longer crashes NT

Stiletto tries to avoid becoming visible when a screensaver is running

Config tabs are disabled when button dialog is opened from shell/buttons

fixed problem with config changes getting lost by Apply

fixed off-by-one error with menu mnemonics in menus with icons

fixed problems with win short and win long date

center activated windows ignores mzximized windows (96e1)

Version 96d (Aug 1996)

o you can hide bars positioned in the caption if no window is active

o Added builtin command for Win95/NT 4 to clear recent doc folder

o you can choose a random subdirectory when automatically changing wallpaper

o you can show free disk space, virtual memory, and virtual/physical memory on a button

o you can send a window to the back by middle-clicking it or by using built-in To Back Window beneath Mouse

o simplified registration by removing registration id

o you can change highlight and shadow colors for buttons

o you can use any color for bar, flyover, buttons  Not intended for 256-color mode operation.

Bug Fixes

improved caption positioning algorithms

you can now launch .fnd files

shortcuts to directories now are opened by explorer

button dialog closed when right/drag dropping on shell/buttons config to avoid errors

Stiletto Exec used alone no longer causes abort

hidden Stiletto will not appear while scrolling menu at bottom of screen

Windows version checking improved

improved checking for active Explorer window

fixed problem with shift-left click in caption for Windows NT

changing themes no longer destroy icons on active task buttons

hot keys/screen corners disabled when menu open to prevent abort

changed registration info file to reginfo.txt to avoid conflicts with register.exe

fixed Stiletto icon problems if stiletto directory had blank in path name

fixed problem with checking "Show Hidden" for active switch

increased maximum number of *send keys to 40

sounds in list now re-set from registry each time sound dialog opened

Folder Contents now uses "Switch To If Active" setting on launched document

Bring Stiletto to Top now works if attached to hot key or mouse corner

Abort on Stiletto exit fixed

Folder Contents Menu now allows for large fonts when setting entries per column

switching to active window also sets focus to that window

fixed "show Stiletto when mouse bumps screen edge" over last button

parameters now properly handled for folder contents commands and shortcuts

screen savers with long file names now properly handled

Version 96c (July 1996)

  changed help to win95 standard and added quick help

o you can add active task buttons to any Stiletto button bar.

o you can start commands by tapping Shift, Alt, or Ctrl.

o you can maximize or close all windows with the Min/Show/Close all built-in command

o added Change Screen Saver built-in command

o you can re-order and copy buttons by right drag/drop on Shell/Buttons config

o For Windows NT, provide full capability to track exe and so fully implement switch-to if active and icon tracking for active task buttons

o you can close running programs with alt+mouse click on button bar

o right click on parameters edit box to browse for folder, file, or menu

o added Copy button to command entry controls

o added Apply button to configuration dialogs to preview changes to bar appearance

o use Ctrl+tab to select next tab on configuration dialog

o added new Shell/Buttons configure tab and cleaned up configuration dialogs

o added ability to have separate button fonts for each button

o you can undo the last configuration change

o date formats now include Windows long/short dates set for your locale

o you can set the font for flyover help (you will need to reset initial font)

o exit windows and exec dos command now available under win95.

o you can position windows in the top, bottom, right, or left half of the screen

o you can execute commands when timers start or stop

o you can install shortcuts for Stiletto

o you can try to force windows to close with close/wait alarms

o you copy short files to the clipboard

o if blank, menu names and flyover help initialized by dropped or browsed files

o menu config now defaults to last menu configured

o removed small button font (use individual button fonts instead, if needed)

Bug Fixes

menu mnemonics fixed for menus with icons

hot key launching menus now shows menu at mouse cursor position

fixed right-click on title bar to close window

improved visual clues for drag/drop in menu list box

fixed wallpaper randomization when no screen saver randomization

fixed drag/drop to menu bar button which is assigned shortcut

Version 96b (June 1996)

o you can access Stiletto button commands via tray icons.

o you can display free hard disk space, free memory/resources, and time/date info on flyover help

o the active task button flyover help is now updated to current window caption

o you can have Stiletto automatically change your screen saver.

o you can drag and drop menu entries to re-arrange the menu

o for win95/NT 4, you can ask for icons on menus

o you can use right-click for quick close instead of middle

o you can execute commands with timers and have timers which count down

o you can use left and right mouse presses at the same time to mean middle mouse

o you can change display resolution with a built-in command

o you can tile active, top-level windows

o Stiletto sounds are now stored in the Registry so that they can be part of Sound Schemes (you may need to reset your Stiletto sounds)

o added demonstration tutorials

o improved new user help

Bug Fixes:

alarm times now work in non EST time zones (you may have to adjust some alarms)

show visible but hidden button bar fixed

added buttons 17-20 to right drag and drop

right click on command entry controls now works even if edit initially non-blank

middle caption position now works

menu setup commands now ignored on startup menu

cannot use menu 0 as startup

Version 96a (April 1996)

First release of 32 bit version.

o documents from any directory be made available for execution with a menu and the built-in Files/Documents Menu command

o you can display the Windows 95/NT 4 Start Menu from Stiletto button or menu

o button labels can now contain both icons and any text label

o you can add launched documents to Win95/NT 4 recently launched documents menu

o you can specify separate menus for desktop and title bar mouse clicks

o added capability to disable caps lock

o for Windows Ver 4, you can specify that Stiletto should act as an App Bar and reserve screen space as the Task Bar does.

o you can right-click on the command entry edit box to select a built-in command from an alphabetically-sorted menu

o you can specify that middle mouse-clicking (or shift-left) on a window title bar closes that window

o you can launch or switch to all commands on a menu (and optionally miminize other active windows), providing a form of virtual desktops.

o you can dynamically change the color of a button face or text.

o right-drag/dropping a file from Explorer onto Stiletto activates a menu allowing you to select the button to receive the file or to be configured

o Stiletto 96a accesses all the Win95/NT 4 sounds in the Registry

o Modem control of timers works differently from the 16 bit release.

o Timers works differently from the 16 bit release.

o Added context help (? in upper corner) to configure dialogs

o For command line fans, added tiny run box command.

o Added built-in command to execute Dos command line commands.

o You can choose fixed-size small or large icons.

o The Temp Disable Saver command disables the screen saver until you move the mouse

See old history for version history of 16 bit version.


Controlling Timers by the Status of the Modem

Demo

It is possible to start, stop, and clear timers  based on the status of RAS connections using your modem.

The simplest approach to doing this is to use the Timer Control dialog which allows you to indicate that a timer is to run when a RAS connection of the same name is active.

You can also use the *comstart, *comstop, and *comboth commands to give more precise control.

To start timers when your modem is connected, assign the following command to a button or menu and execute it:

comstart b

where b is the timer id to be controlled; you can control multiple timers by listed their single-letter ids, not separated by blanks.

To stop timers when your modem is disconnected,

comstop b

After this command is executed, Stiletto will wait for the modem to be connected and then stop timer b when the modem disconnects.

If you want to both start and stop timers, specify

comboth b

By combining this with the execution of multiple commands, you can put your timers under modem control and start your modem communication program:

comboth ac<c:\comm\commprog.exe

Assuming < (the default) is the command separation character, this command puts timers a and c under control of the modem and then starts the program commprog.

You can also execute these commands from external programs such as dialer scripts., as follows:

The instance of Stiletto with the timers to be accessed must already be running.  Also, since more than one instance of Stiletto can be running, you need to specify the configuration file for the instance with the timer label that you want to reference.

To control a timer externally, you execute a stiletto.exe command as if you wanted to start a new instance of Stiletto with a command line that has three parameters:

1.  The name of the ini (configuration) file; use stiletto.ini if you are running only one instance.

2.  One of comstart, comstop, comboth.

3.  The timer id b.

For example:

c:\path\stiletto.exe stiletto.ini comstart x

puts the timer id x for the Stiletto instance with configuration file stiletto.ini under modem control.  If your dialer supports script files, you can combine external timer commands with modem control commands, like this:

c:\path\stiletto.exe stiletto.ini comstop x

c:\path\stiletto.exe stiletto.ini start x

With these commands in the login script file for your dialer, timer x will be started when the script file is executed and all timers will be stopped when the modem disconnects.

Once you execute a modem control command, it will continue to stop/start timers as long as Stiletto is running.  You can discontinue modem control at any time by replacing the button number b by the word off and issuing any of the above commands.

These commands only work Win32 RAS connections.


Hot Keys and Mouse Action Commands

Demo

Quick Help

The Keys/Mouse dialog is displayed when you click on the Keys/Mouse tab of the Configuring Stiletto dialog.

With it, you can define any of the following hot keys/mouse actions to launch commands:

keyboard keys with optional modifier keys (shift, alt, ctrl,win)

tapping ctrl, alt, shift, caps lock

moving the mouse to a screen corner

clicking or chording mouse buttons with optional modifier keys (shift, alt, ctrl,win)

moving the mouse back and forth horizontally or up and down vertically

clicking on desktop

clicking on the window caption:

anywhere

left half

right half

system menu box

mimimize box (in title bar)

pressing and holding a mouse button.

double clicking the middle mouse button or the right button on a window caption

Click here for a more-detailed explanation of the hot key/mouse actions.

Click here to see details of entering hot key information.

You can assign hot keys/mouse actions which run only when a specified program is active  For configuring such keys, you control whether the target program is displayed in the hot key list box using the button on top of the list box.

You can have up to two bars with independent hot keys:  for example, you could have hot keys defined on one main bar as well as hot keys defined on a context-sensitive tool bar.  Exception:  Screen corner commands can only be assigned to the first Stiletto bar.

You can create global macro keys to paste text phrases or paragraphs with the Send Keys built-in command and possibly the Clipboard commands.

You can assign double click to a mouse action by associating the mouse action with the *Stiletto Exec mouse command.

You can specify a delay in milliseconds for the screen corner commands; the command will only be executed if you leave the mouse cursor in the corner for at least the specified delay.

You can specify a delay in milliseconds for the tap key commands; the command will only be executed if the tap key is held down for less than the specified delay time.

You can specify a minimum hold time for mouse hold hot keys,

You can specify the minimum length, maximum deviation from horizontal/vertical, and maximum stroke time for mouse move hot keys.

The win modifier key is also used internally by Windows; you cannot redefine hot keys that Windows has already defined.

Note on chording:  some mouse drivers "miss" the second mouse up when two mouse keys are released at once leading to strange mouse behaviour; to clear, you may have to press and release each mouse key separately.


Features of NT and Win95 Versions of Stiletto

Stiletto 97 is a 32 bit implementation of the 16 bit (Win 3.1x) version of Stiletto.  There is one version of the program which runs in Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows NT 3.51.

The following restrictions apply to the Windows NT version of Stiletto, resulting from limitations in Windows NT as compared to Windows 95:

Windows GDI and user free resources are always 99

Exit to DOS mode and restart is not available

Drag/drop flyover help is never shown

Stiletto does not handle special font/color settings for console apps

The stildos.pif file used with Dos Commands needs to be changed to suit your system

If you experience problems running 16 bit windows applications under NT, shutdown Stiletto, edit the Stiletto.ini file, and insert

NTEXESearch2=10

under

 [Task Menu Info].

However, certain features of Stiletto (eg checking for active task before launching) will not work for 16 bit Windows programs in this case.

Windows NT is capable of running 16 bit programs in separate Virtual Dos Machines (VDMs).  To do this in Stiletto, set up the command and parameters as follows:

Command:  cmd

Parameter : /c start /separate c:/yourpath/win16.exe commandargs


Alarm Log

You can ask Stiletto to log alarm events by using the Keep Alarm Log check box on the Alarm Setup dialog.

The log file will have the same name as the configuration file used in the instance of Stiletto, except that the file extenstion will be .alo.  For example, the log file for the default configuration is stiletto.alo.  The log is always placed in the same directory as the Stiletto ini file.

A log file entry will be written whenever an alarm rings.  It will consist of the following fields, separated by blanks:

Current Year

Current Month

Current Hour

Current Minute

Current time expressed as seconds since 1970 01 01.

Alarm Year

Alarm Month

Alarm Hour

Alarm Minute

Alarm time expressed as seconds since 1970 01 01.

Alarm command and parameters.

Alarm work directory/message.


Icon Display Problems

Stiletto uses the "stretch" capability of your video driver to display icons as button labels.  You will get an error message from Stiletto if your video driver reports that it does not have this capability.

Stiletto cannot display icons if your video driver does not support stretching.

The standard Microsoft Super VGA  Windows video driver can be used to display icons.

In some cases, Stiletto may show the error message even though icons are displayed correctly.  In this case, you can use the internal option CheckStretch in the ini file to turn off the error message.


Restarting a running instance of Stiletto

You can restart an instance of Stiletto with a new ini file command of the form:

c:\stilpath\stiletto.exe stilett2.ini restart stilnew.ini

where "stilett2.ini" is the file name of the configuration file used to start the instance of Stiletto you wish to restart and stilnew.ini is the new ini file name.  It must be in the same directory as the original ini file.  You must specify the file extension.


Stiletto File Commands

Stiletto has internal file manipulation commands for renaming, copying,  and deleting files.  These are mainly intended for multiple commands where you need to make sure the file operation completes before the subsequent command.

To rename a file:

Command:	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter:	rename FromPath ToPath

Enclose file names containing blanks in double quotation marks.

To copy a file:

Command:	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter:	copy FromPath ToPath

Enclose file names containing blanks in double quotation marks.

To delete a file:

Command:	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter:	delete Path

Enclose file names containing blanks in double quotation marks.


Minimizing a Window

Stiletto provides the capability to minimize an active window.

To use this capability, you need to put the built-in command “Minimize Window List" in a  launch menu or as part of a sub-menu of a launch menu.  When a launch menu is activated, a list of currently active windows is displayed.  Selecting one of the windows causes the window to be minimized.

See also using a command to minimize.


Accessing a Launch Menu via Mouse Click

You can access a launch menu by clicking on the desktop or in a specified position of any window (or both).  Use the Menu Setup dialog to specify which menu and when you want it to appear for clicks on either the desktop or a title bar or both

You can select how to make a menu appear by clicking on desktop:

Right:	right click on desktop

Middle	middle click

Right Center	click in middle 2/3 of screen avoids overlaps with Win95 menus

You can also select to make a menu appear by clicking on any window (including the desktop window):

Title Right	 	right click in non-client area title bar

Title Middle	middle click on non-client area bar

All Shift-left	left click anywhere when shift key held down

All Shift-Middle	middle click anywhere when shift key held down

All Shift-Right	right click anywhere when shift key held down

All Middle	middle click anywhere

All Right	right click anywhere

All Center Right	menu appears with right click in middle 2/3 of screen

If you only have a two-button mouse, you can attempt to use-right click only and insert the Stiletto Exec mouse right command in the menu to access the right menu of the underlying window's program.  Note that plain right clicking for Stiletto menus is disabled over certain windows, eg Explorer, since it would interfere with right drag and drop.

The following types of commands are useful for menus which appear over any window:

list of active windows

access the menu bar of the current window

Close/min/max/hide/on top/not on top/back/center window under mouse

Sending menu accelerator keys to the active window to access frequently used menu items or special scrolling keys (eg *send * ^{ho} sends ctrl-home which often scrolls to top of document).

Specifying that certain subsets of the menu should appear depending on the which program's window is under the mouse.

You can also make menus appear through hot keys and mouse actions by attaching a *Launch Menu command to the hot key.


Automatic Minimization of Inactive Windows

To help keep a neat desktop, you can use Stiletto to automatically minimize all windows except those belonging to the active task.

Since there are circumstances where you want to have more than one window open (eg when dragging and dropping), you control auto minimize mode with a command, not a configuration switch.  You can turn auto minimize mode on or off by attaching the appropriate command to a button or launch menu.

To enable the command, you must first check the "Allow Auto Minimize" check box in the Window Control dialog.  This box is automatically checked for bars with active task buttons.

The AutoMinimize command can then be used to turn auto minimize mode off or on.  Use the parameters edit box to set the function of the command:

on	to turn auto minimize on

off	to turn it off

toggle	to reverse the current auto minimize setting

To start Stiletto in auto minimize mode, put the auto minimize command on the startup menu.

You can use an active window list or the active task button or the Windows 95 task bar to switch among auto-minimized tasks.

It is possible to control which windows are automatically minimized by the Never AutoMin edit box on Window Control dialog.  Put captions of windows you do not want minimized, separated by commas, in this edit box.  If the entry in the edit box ends with a *, then windows with captions starting with the characters before the * will not be auto-minimized.  For example

File Manager, Exploring*

prevents autominizing for both windows with the caption File Manager and windows with captions starting with Exploring.  You can also put =filename to refer to all windows belonging to the program filename.exe (omit path and .exe).

It is also possible to turn off the autominimize process when specified  windows become active; this is most useful for Help since you usually don't want the program which called help to be auto minimized.  Put the captions of such windows in the Ignore For Automin edit box on Window Control dialog. If the entry in the edit box ends with a *, then windows with captions starting with the characters before the * will not cause auto-minimization.  As a special case, if the entry consists of a ? alone, then no window with either the word Help or Search in its caption will cause autominimization.  For example

Exploring*, ?

means that windows with captions starting with Exploring and windows with Help in their captions will not cause autominimization.

Stiletto normally uses a system hook to control auto minimization; if this causes performance problems for you, can try a timer-based control with the ActiveRefresh internal option.


Automatically Hiding Windows

You can specify that Stiletto should automatically hide any windows, should they become visible and inactive.

To enable the command, you must first check the "Allow Auto Minimize/Hide" check box in the Window Control dialog.

Put the comma-separated captions of the windows you want to autohide in the Auto Hide edit box on Window Control dialog. If the entry in the edit box ends with a *, then any windows with captions starting with the characters before the * will be hidden when inactive.  For example,

HideMe

in this edit box will cause any windows with a caption of Hide Me to be hidden if inactive.

Stiletto normally uses a system hook to control auto hiding; if this cause performance problems, you can try a timer-based control with the ActiveRefresh internal option.


Version History of 16 Bit Version

V1.9t (Jan 96)

o Stiletto now supports Windows 95 long file names in browse dialogs

o you can send a sequence of keys to a running program or to a program that you start with Stiletto

o Stiletto can automatically minimize windows of inactive tasks

o Stiletto can automatically hide windows of inactive tasks

o you can insert pauses in multiple command sequences with *wait.

o mouse click for launch menu 0 expanded, including support for Win95

o built-in commands are prefixed with an asterisk (*) to avoid conflicts with long file names in Windows 95.

o if Stiletto is automatically becoming invisible, you can control how long Stiletto stays visible with the autohide delay drop down

o You can have Stiletto automatically set the number of displayed buttons to the number of used buttons.

o you can now put any command on start up menus

o active task buttons positioned in centre of screen move to stay centered as number of active tasks changes

o added builtin command to minimize window from list of active windows

o added Restart Stiletto built-in command to restart Stiletto, possibly with a new ini file

o added Close/Min/Max/Hide window under cursor commands; useful eg for launch menu 0

o put "sort" as a command parameter to sort built-in commands list when the dialog opens

o added ability to Restart an instance of Stiletto with an new ini file using an external command (eg from a batch file)

o add ability to close/minimize running programs from a Stiletto command or by using a builtin Stiletto Exec command.

o add ability to copy or delete files from a Stiletto command or by using a builtin Stiletto Exec command.

V1.9s (Dec 95)

o you can specify a delay for screen corner commands

o added Clear Timer and Toggle Timer built-in commands

o added Execute Dos Command to execute Dos command and then restart Windows

o you can show seconds on timer labels; as well, the method of updating timers has changed

Bug Fixes:

fixed problems with dd-mm time/date

fixed problems with icons for Win95 non-exe files

if alarm rings while typing, the alarm message is no longer over-keyed

added digit "3' to hot keys

fixed wallpaper dialog for case when wallpaper is "(none)"

V1.9r2

o commands can be assigned  to hotkeys and to moving the mouse to screen corners.  (You must manually re-assign hot keys assigned to the program manager shell or launch menu 0 in previous versions)

o you can automatically hide Stiletto after each command is executed

o you can specify that Stiletto be unhidden when the mouse cursor bumps the screen edge nearest the bar position

o Stiletto has been made Windows 95 aware and compatible

o you can specify that right-clicking on a specified part of the title bar closes the associated window (win3.1x)

o you can start the configuration dialog by left-clicking on the bar with the Ctrl key pressed.

o you can minimize all windows with the Minimize All command

o you can restart all Stiletto buttons with the Reset All Stiletto command (useful eg for Win95 after you dynamically change the display configuration)

o you can insert a list of the 10 most recently run commands/documents into a menu with a built-in command (these commands need not have been started by Stiletto)

o the Windows Shutdown built-in command activates the standard windows/win 95 exit dialog

o you can hide all or a specific instance of Stiletto with the Hide Stiletto command

o you can combine time and date on one button face

o there can now be up to 50 menus and they can be given meaningful names

o the command parameters are now entered in a separate edit box, rather than after the command name

o if the working directory is left blank, it now defaults to the same directory as the command

o commands starting with a semi-colon (";") are ignored:  useful to temporarily disable alarms or other commands.

o you can specify that the computer beep be used for the alarm sound by using an alarm sound filename of *

o Stiletto alarms are no longer wrongly affected by Daylight Savings Time (you may have to manually adjust your current alarms)

o you can keep a file log of rung alarms

bug fixes:  	1.9r3 fixes a bug which prevented hot keys involving Alt from properly launching menus

1.9r4 fixes a bug involving windows shutdown and certain TSRs

1.9r4 fixes a bug involving size 0 and Bring To Top

For 1.9qa:

o you can set individual button face and text colors (1.9q2)

o you can ask for a Win95 or OS/2 look for menus (1.9q2)

o you can specify window captions of icons never to be hidden (1.9q6)

o you can use an internal option to specify no sound output for win95

o you can use an internal option to turn off checking for stretch icon capabilities

o you can close an instance of Stiletto from a command line

o Stiletto can now be positioned in the caption of the active window

o the Stiletto button size can be changed; also see button dialog

o you can specify vertical or rotated text for button labels

o you can specify the font for menus and you can ask for a button look for menus

o you can start new columns in menus with the built-in command New Menu Column

o you can configure a menu by dropping a file on a button which launches the menu, or by pressing a button which launches the menu with the Alt key held down

o added built-in Configure commands to go immediately to any tab

o added built-in screen saver start, enable, disable commands

o you can now use Stiletto as a (partial) shell replacement

o you can now start and stop timers based on whether your modem is connected

o active task button now uses hook, not timer, for faster response (but you can revert to using a timer though internal option if you experience delays with moving/sizing windows)

o when using an active task button, you can automatically hide minimized (iconized) windows

o using a built-in command, you can stop windows being always on top.

o added built-in Type and Run command so you can type and run commands

o improved Browse and Run format and made it possible to specify default file extensions as well as starting directory

o changed maximum label length on buttons to 31 characters

o new date formats allow day of week to be included

o alarm and reminder dialogs now have buttons to scroll time and date

o alarm reminder messages have improved format and can be changed when rescheduling an alarm after it rings

o you can now play a sound when executing external timer commands

o you can ask Stiletto to log timer events

o if you drop a file on a command, and there is no default work directory, Stiletto uses the directory of the dropped file for the work directory

o if you drop a file, Stiletto always attempts to start a new instance of the command with the dropped file

o you can increase or decrease the relative size of the button bar dynamically with the  Size +n and  Size -n commands.

o you can now run several commands at once

o you can now close running tasks from the Stiletto command line

o you can now put Launch Menu commands in menus

o you can have a transparent button bar

o the stilethk.dll is now stored in the appropriate windows directory

For 1.9m:

o new built-in Add Reminder command allows reminder message alarms to be quickly added

o you can specify that alarms should be recycled after ringing for the next week day

o you can force menus to appear only after click AND release by putting FastMenu=0 in .ini file in [General]

For 1.9j:

o you can start, stop, and clear timers from external programs such as dialers with appropriate scripting commands

o you can drop files into the middle of a command line by putting a | at the position where the dropped files are to appear

For 1.9I:

o added  Size command to quickly change number of buttonsdisplayed:

o putting UseClassIcon=1 in .ini file in [General]section causes icons established by program window class to be used rather than icon in exe file

o putting FlyoverSuspend=0 in .ini file in [General] section causes Flyover help to appear after you launch command if you leave mouse on button bar (will cause problems with fullscreen Dos)

For 1.9h:

o added optional 1 window only per task on active task button

o putting UseExtractIcon=1 in .ini file in [General] section causes ExtractIcon to be used for icons:  works for 32 bit executables but uses more Dos memory and may cuase GPFs.

o added auto-backup option for saved timers (see alarm info tab)

o added built-in Bring Stiletto to Top command

o added file association support for wav and bmp; associate Stiletto with file type in Explorer/File Manager

o added ability to access launch menu 0 by shift-clicking anywhere on a window

o added stopwatch timers as labels

o added control of text   for button bar and flyover help

For 1.9:

o can now use a button bar to track and switch active tasks

o added ability to specify that if a command is already  running when Stiletto is about to launch, then the active comand is switched-to

o added ability to center window of switched-to active tasks

o added ability to specify help text for flyover help

o added ability to manually specify swapping of mouse labels

o added ability to set delay for flyover help

o flyover help window now moves with cursor over Stiletto bar

o increased maximum number of entries per menu to 200

o added ability to specify a sound file to play when a new instance of a command is launched

o added built-in Hide Window command to select and hide  windows or icons

o added drag/drop Show Wallpaper built-in command

o added "hints and tips" section to help

o added ability to run commands at Stiletto startup

o if Program Manager is hidden, it is shown  when the last instance of Stiletto exits

o Stiletto now checks in the windows directory for the ini file if the file is not found in the Stiletto directory

o you can have Stiletto prompt for command parameters by following the command name with text that includes a ?

bug fixes:

stopped using Dos (low) memory for Icons

stopped lower-casing command parameters

compiled using 286 instructions only

improved omit list description in help

rename, browse/run, Prog Mgr/Shell dialogs now appear near launching button bar

fixed GPF when adding to empty launch menu 0

for 1.9a, Icon from Left/Right now works correctly for swapped mouse buttons

for 1.9b, click for launch menu 0 now works for any combination of title and window settings

for 1.9g, fix display of timers

for 1.9h, switch to active task activates last popup

for 1.9k, alarms now checked for during first minute

for 1.9m, fixed bug which sometimes trashed menus

for 1.9m, accessing launch menu from built-ins list caused GPF

for 1.9m, fix menu positioning from button bars at bottom right

for 1.9q, keys work on hot-keyed menu 0 even if Stiletto not on top

for 1.9q, fixed problems with cancel in configure

for 1.9q, fixed problem with [ in menu names (but you cannot use ý in menu names now)

for 1.9q, fixed problems with key naviagaion of combo boxes

for 1.9q, improved tab sequence on some dialogs

for 1.9q, fixed mistaken active switch to invisible window

for 1.9q, you can now use "," in command line and "[" in menu item name

for 1.9q8, fixed positioning bug for menus launched from other menus

V1.8

o added optional icons on button labels:  see help for buttons

o added multiple launch menus:  see launch menu in help

o  you can now position Stiletto manually (ie floating button)

o added capability to control caps lock and scroll lock key nasties

o added drag/drop button configuration:  see button config help

o added drag/drop play sound command: see Play Sound in built-in help

o you can now specify button color:  see button tab in configure

o added hot key to bring up program manager command access:

o made narrow vertical Stiletto OK if no time/data/resource

o added built-in commands and key/menu options to show/hide Progman:

o added history of commands run and command parameters to Browse/Run

o added Store button to configuration dialog (saves changes made so far even if Cancel subsequently used)

o made flyover help menu topmost so it is always visible-

o added config file name to task name for clarity

bug fixes:

button labels on all buttons dialog now updated after change

cleaned-up some duplicate data in separate instances

dropped "flyover timeout with no button" debugging message

mouse hooks caused problems if 1 of many instances ended

wallpaper/windows now re-painted if Taskman ends Stiletto

V1.7

o added multiple button bars

o added split button bar:  see Buttons Configure

o added 3 new bottom of screen positions:  see Buttons configure

o added hot key to bring up launch menu

o added upper case option for flyover help:  see Buttons configure

o increased maximum number of buttons to 16

o new name for ini file in installation zip to avoid over-writing existing ini during installation

V1.6

o added alarms that close tasks and wait for tasks to complete

o added left/right label swap when mouse buttons swapped

V1.5

o added Capture button to get file name from active tasks

o added capability to re-order buttons

o added common Windows applets to built-in commands list

Bug Fixes:

flyover help caused full screen Dos box to minimize

clarified help on command entry controls and added

hot spot graphic with explanations

V1.4

o added Prog Mgr/Shell built-in command to access command groups from other shells in addition to ordinary Program Manager groups

o added optional cabability to use Windows button colors for button bar

o added ability to drag/drop files for configuration of buttons, menu, sound, paper

Bug Fixes:

error message dialog box wasn't always modal

made it possible to drop more than one file to the button bar

got rid of bolding on Flyover help text

changed name "task menu" to "launch menu" in help

improved "randomness" by using better starting seed

V1.3

o added resource usage display

o added ability to set level at which low resource warns

o added ability to control interval between checks for low resources

Bug Fixes:

changed setup.exe to ssetup.exe to remove conflict with Windows setup

V1.2

o added Program Manager groups (via Files)

o added flyover help

o added drag/drop and drag/drop rename built-in- Bug Fixes:


Folder Contents Menu

Demo

Using the builtin Folder Contents Menu command, you can create a menu which includes the files from a directory tree and then select an entry from the menu to execute that file.  In addition, for Win95/Win NT4, you can also use this command to create menus from any special folder such as "Accessories", or the most recently accessed documents, or the shortcuts on your desktop.

The simplest way to configure this command is to use the command wizard.  You can also enter the information directly as follows:

In the the parameter edit box, enter the name of the directory containing the files to be displayed or the special folders.  You can list many directories or folders, separated by commas. You can use the word "Sep" to show a menu separator.  You can use the word "ColSep" to start a new column in the menu.

Examples:

Command:	*Folder Contents Menu

Parameter:	Desktop

to display a menu of the shortcuts on your desktop.

Command:	*Folder Contents Menu

Parameter:	c:\work\monthly report

to display a menu of the files in c:\work\monthly report.

Command:	*Folder Contents Menu

Parameter:	Control Panel, c:\ut\myfiles, Sep, Programs Startup

to display a menu of your Control Panel, all files in c:\ut\myfiles, programs file Start up, with menu separator after c:\ut\myfiles.

To show an entire disk, use NoSubDir in work directory:

Command:	*Folder Contents Menu

Parameter:	c:\

Work	nosubdir autocol 16

Shows a menu of all files/folders for top level of drive C; selecting one folder shows that folder as menu.  Or, if Shift key held down when selecting from menu, shows entire folder as explorer Window.  (Autocol 16 automatically starts a new column in the menu every 16 entries).

The work directory edit box is used to hold keywords which control which files are displayed and how they are displayed; for example, you can give the menus a toolbar look by automatically splitting them into columns.  Click here for more details.

The command will try to calculate the appropriate number of entries per menu column based on screen resolution and menu font; if you are unhappy with the choice you can set it to n by putting the following line under [General] in the stiletto.ini file:

MaxMenuColumn=n


Information for New Users of Stiletto

It appears this is the first time you have used Stiletto; thanks for trying the program.

The default Stiletto button bar should be shown in the upper left of your screen.  Please click here to test drive the default bar and read about how to reconfigure it to suit you tastes.  Stiletto has many features and taking this test drive will help explain them to you.

Why use Stiletto?

Stiletto provides many tools for running your programs.

Stiletto offers many Windows configuration capabilities.

Stiletto can replace many standalone utilities.

Stiletto can be positioned, colored and sized in many ways.

To see more of Stiletto in action, see Demonstrations.

Read how one user has configured Stiletto.

Review guidelines on how to configure Stiletto.

You can also review hints and tips, and new for this release.  You can also click here to see the overview and from there use the >> buttons to browse through Stiletto help.  There is also a Word 6 version of the help topics in file stiletto.doc if you prefer to print and read a hard copy.

You can add Stiletto to your Start Menu, Accessories Menu, Programs Menu, or Start Up Group.

Use the Exit Stiletto entry under menu to shut down Stiletto.

The 32 bit version of Stiletto is not freeware; if you find it useful, please consider registering it.

If you have any comments on Stiletto, you can contact me electronically via the Internet, or CompuServe, or via regular mail.


Registering Stiletto

Quick Help

The 32 bit version of Stiletto is not freeware.  If you use it regularly, please register it.  You can pay for Stiletto by credit card on the internet, by e-mail, by fax, or by phone; through GO SWREG on CompuServe; or by mailing a money order or cheque to me. Registration costs US$22 (Cdn$28 if you pay by cheque).

You access the registration dialog using the Registration Info button on the info tab of the Configuration tabbed dialogs.

To pay by credit card online through the internet, select the Online Payment button on the register dialog, or use the link on the Stiletto home page:

http://www.inforamp.net/~crs2086/index.htm

or go directly to:

http://order.kagi.com/?BW&S

To pay by credit card through e-mail or by fax, select the Credit Payment button from the registration dialog or execute the register.exe program included in the Stiletto zip file.  The register.exe program uses a service provided by Kagi. You will receive a registration confirmation from Kagi within 3 business days.  If you have not received a Registration Code from me in that time, e-mail that confirmation to me.

To pay by phone,  call Kagi in USA at. +1 (510) 658-5244. There is a $5.00 handling fee and you pay for the call.

To pay through CompuServe, select GO SWREG, search for keyword Stiletto, and follow instructions to register Stiletto.

To pay by cash or cheque, please send one of the following, payable to Bruce S. Switzer:

a check drawn on a US bank for US$22.

a money order for US$22.

a check drawn on a Canadian bank for Cdn$28

a money order for Cdn$28

to the following address:

Bruce Switzer

204 Duplex Avenue

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

M5P 2B2

Please include your e-mail address.   I will e-mail you a registration number to use in the registration dialog so that your name will appear instead of "unregistered" on the info dialog.  You access the registration dialog from the info tab of the configuration dialog.

You can install your registered version of Stiletto on as many computers as you like, as long as only one is in use at a time.

There are several bonuses for registration:  Registered versions of Stiletto do not display the start up splash screen nor do they display the nag dialog (which appears after 30 days for new users of Stiletto and sooner for experienced uses of 32 bit or 16 bit Stiletto).  In addition, the registered version is able to automatically display jpeg files as wallpaper.

Once you register Stiletto, you will also be entitled to future updates at no charge.

Thanks.


Registration Help

Quick Help

Thanks for investigating how to register Stiletto.

To register Stiletto, you need to send me the Registration Name you wish to be registered under. Please see registration for details of how to obtain a Registration Code using this information.

When you have submitted your registration according to the instructions documented there, you will receive via e-mail a Registration Code.  Access the registration dialog from the Registration Info button on the Info tab of the Configuration tabbed dialog.  Enter your Registration Name, exactly as specified in your registration, in the name edit box,  and your Registration Code in the code edit box.  If the code is valid for the name, the Complete Registration button will be enabled.  Press it to complete registration.

There are several bonuses for registration:  Registered versions of Stiletto do not display the start up splash screen nor do they display the nag dialog (which appears after 30 days for new users of Stiletto and every two days thereafter for experienced uses of 32 bit or 16 bit Stiletto)..  In addition, the registered version is able to automatically display jpeg files as wallpaper.

Please keep your registration code in a safe place.


Changing the Timer a Button is Displaying

You can change the timer a button is displaying with built-in timer Id command.  The command

command 	Timer Id

parameters	single letter timer label

changes the timer associated with the button to the single character in the parameters field.  If the button is displaying a timer, the display will switch to the new timer id.

The command always affects the button from which it was launched, either by button or menu.

One use for this command would be to track the time being used by two different online services and switch the button display to the timer associated with the service that you are currently signed on to.

Suppose you are using timer x for service 1, timer z for service 2, and DunDial, the command line RAS dialer that comes in the Stiletto zip file.  You can use multiple commands to start a service and set the timer to be started and stopped along with the modem connection. (Use *timerid for the command in multiple commands).  To start service one:

Command	Dundial

Parameter	service_1<*comboth x<*timerid x

To start service two:

Command	Dundial

Parameter	service_2<*comboth z<*timerid z

Assign both these commands to the button or a menu for the button on which you are displaying the timer.


Stiletto will play the Chime sound (set with Sound tab) at these minutes; eg select 15 for :15, :30, :45.


Stiletto will show a warning dialog message if user or GDI resources fall below the selected percentage (useful in Win95 only).


When showing an alarm message, Stiletto will play the alarm sound as set by the Sound tab is this box is checked (if there is no alarm sound, Stiletto will cause the computer to beep).


Stiletto will execute all alarms if this box is checked; if it is unchecked, alarms older than four minutes are not executed (but will be recycled if there are recycle times set).


When running an alarm command, Stiletto will play the alarm sound as set by the Sound tab is this box is checked (if there is no alarm sound, Stiletto will cause the computer to beep).


Set the interval in seconds at which Stiletto updates time/date and resource displays, timers, and checks for low resources.


Sets the interval at which Stiletto plays the chime Sound for timers; eg. set to 30 to have Stiletto play a sound when any running timer reaches :30, :60, and so on.  Actually, the alarm sound is played two minutes before the interval time.


Sets the interval at which autosave timers are saved (for back-up purposes in case there is a system crash).


Check this box to cause Stiletto to keep a timer log file (stiletto.tlo) which is updated each time a timer is started, stopped, or cleared.


Check this box to cause Stiletto to keep an alarm log file (stiletto.alo) which is updated each time an alarm is executed.


Check this box to have Stiletto display seconds when a timer is displayed as a button label; uncheck to display hours and minutes only.


Use this button to access the timer reset dialog to view, change, start, or stop timers, and to set timers as autosave or auto start.


Enter alarm date as yy mm dd; set to today's date with = button and adjust with +/- buttons under yy, mm, or dd.


Enter alarm time as hh mm; set to now  with = button and adjust with +/- buttons under hh and mm.  Use 24 hour clock or follow mm of time with a (for AM) or p (for PM), with no intervening blank.


Shows alarm time in AM/PM format when a valid time is entered under hh mm.


Shows alarm date and day when a valid date is entered under yy mm dd.


List of alarms, sorted with soonest at top.  To change an alarm: double click and edit using controls at left, then press Replace.  To add a new alarm, select a valid date and time, enter a valid command, and finally press Add.


If you have entered a valid command and alarm time/date, and have selected an alarm from the list box, this button will replace the selected alarm with the alarm info from the edit boxes at the right.


After selecting an alarm, use this button to delete the selected alarm and copy it to the controls on the right for editing.


Removes the selected alarm from the list at the right.


After selecting an alarm from the list box, this button will copy it to the controls on the right for editing and replacement or addition as a new alarm.


Once a valid alarm date/time are selected and a valid alarm command is entered using the controls at the right, this button will add the alarm to the list of alarms to be processed.


Set alarm time to current time.


Sets alarm date to current date.


Enter the message text to displayed when a Message Box or Add Reminder alarm is executed.


Use this drop down to determine what happens to the alarm after it rings (is executed):  it can be erased or recycled to a later date/time.


Increments the corresponding time/date field; hold down to repeat increment.


Decrements the corresponding time/date field; hold down to repeat decrement.


Shows help.


Shows step-by-step help for configuration.


If checked, Stiletto will stay on top of other windows.


Select the number of buttons to be displayed; also used as the maximum number of buttons for an active task button.  Use "Set to number used" checkbox to have Stiletto automatically set number of buttons to highest used button.  Use Bar Size built-in command to change the number of buttons with a command.


If checked, all buttons start at the same larger width; if unchecked, only buttons with time/date labels or certain resource labels are larger.  If you are adjusting button width manually, it can be simplest to start with this checkbox set so that all buttons start at the same size.


If checked, Stiletto shows flyover (tool tip) help after the mouse cursor is over the bar for the number of milliseconds as set by the flyover help delay drop-down box below.  If gray-checked, only Left and Right flyover help is shown.


Check to force Stiletto to always use current Windows system colors for buttons and text, no matter what colors are selected with the buttons below.


Press to access a dialog which allows buttons to be re-ordered.


Press to change button bar background color (use windows colors check box must be clear for this color to take effect).


Sets the font used for flyover (tool tip) help.


Sets the font used for button face text.


Swaps the left/right labels on button configuration and flyover help dialogs; may be needed if you swap these setting if your mouse driver does not properly implement the Windows system indicators for this condition.


Sets the delay in milliseconds that Stiletto waits while the mouse cursor is over the bar before displaying flyover help (tool tips).


Sets the background color for flyover help.


Sets the text color for flyover help.


Press to configure the corresponding button on the button bar.  You can also configure a button by pressing and holding the button on the Stiletto bar.


Change the height of all buttons on the button bar by this percentage.


Change the width of all buttons on the button bar by this percentage.


If checked, Stiletto will become invisible after any command from the bar is executed.  Gray check to show a narrow strip where the mouse can be bumped at screen edge to show as set by the drop down box below. You make Stiletto invisible at start up by including the Bar Size 0 command on the Start Up menu. Make sure you have set up a way to make Stiletto visible again:  use the Show Stiletto drop down (below) or assign the Show/Move Stiletto command to a hot key or a desktop menu.


Controls whether Stiletto will be shown if the mouse bumps the nearest screen edge corresponding to the selected drop down box entry.  Invisible Stiletto bars will be made visible, and visible Stiletto bars which are obscured by other windows will be made completely visible.


This drop down is used in conjunction with the Autohide check box:  it sets the time Stiletto stays visible before being automatically hidden.


If checked, for Win95/NT4, Stiletto will show a menu to control the affected button command when a file is right-dragged/dropped from Explorer onto the bar.


If checked MS Sans Serif 8 is used for the flyover font; if unchecked, Small Fonts 7 is used.


Shows text vertically; mainly used for vertical button bars.


Sets the text color for bar labels; use Windows button colors must be unchecked for this to be effective.


Enter a list of comma-separated strings; these words will be removed from active task button and active menu labels.  If you remove the entire label for an entry, that entry will be deleted.  You can remove all values starting with xxx by xxx*, and all values ending with xxx by *xxx,.  You remove all windows for program filename.exe with =filename, (no path, no .exe.)


This string will prefix each entry of the list of active windows resulting from the built-in Window on Top List built-in command used in menus.


This string will prefix each entry of the list of active windows resulting from the built-in Close Window List built-in command used in menus.


This string will prefix each entry of the list of active windows resulting from the built-in Switch To Active Window List built-in command used in menus.


Check to include hidden (invisible) windows in the list of active windows resulting from the built-in Window on Top List built-in command used in menus. Gray-check to include only hidden windows whose captions match those included in "Show if Hidden" edit box on Window Control tab.


Check to include hidden (invisible) windows in the list of active windows resulting from the built-in Close Window List built-in command used in menus. Gray-check to include only hidden windows whose captions match those included in "Show if Hidden" edit box on Window Control tab.


Check to include hidden (invisible) windows in the list of active windows resulting from the built-in Switch To Active Window List built-in command used in menus. Gray-check to include only hidden windows whose captions match those included in "Show if Hidden" edit box on Window Control tab.


Check to have Stiletto clear the Caps lock key whenever the shift lock key is pressed. Set to the gray-checked state to specify that shift should clear caps lock only when a letter is pressed with shift.


Check this box to have Stiletto disable the Scroll Lock key.


Check this box to have Stiletto center the windows of  an active task when you switch to it using an active task button or the List of Active Windows menu built-in command.  Gray check to center the mouse cursor as well.  Note this centering applies only to switching among active tasks, not to the launching of a new task.


Select a menu of commands which are all executed by Stiletto when it starts.  If you wish to temporarily disable, hold down the Shift key during Stiletto start up.


Press to select the font Stiletto uses for launch menus.  Reset to "system" to use standard Windows font.


This string will prefix each entry of the list of active windows resulting from the built-in Window Not on Top List built-in command used in menus


Check to include hidden (invisible) windows in the list of active windows resulting from the built-in Window Not on Top List built-in command used in menus. Gray-check to include only hidden windows whose captions match those included in "Show if Hidden" edit box on Window Control tab.


Select the look for launch menus:  Standard (ie as displayed by system), OS/2 (3-D), Win95 (useful for Win NT 3.51 only), or button (a menu of buttons).


Check to have hidden (invisible) windows included as active task buttons.  Gray-check to include only hidden windows whose captions match those included in "Show if Hidden" edit box on Window Control tab.


Enter a list of comma-separated strings;  if Allow auto minimize/hide is checked, windows with these captions will be automatically hidden.  You can specify captions starting with xxx by xxx*, and captions ending with xxx by *xxx,.  You hide all windows for program filename.exe with =filename, (no path, no .exe.)


Check this box for active task buttons if you want right-clicking (rather than middle clicking) the active task buttons to close the corresponding window.


If you would like a menu to be displayed by mouse clicking on the desktop,  select the mouse button and desktop area from this drop down and the menu name from the next drop down.


If you would like a menu to be displayed by mouse clicking on a window or on a window title (caption), select the mouse button, shift key and the window portion to be used from this drop down and the name fo the menu to appear from the next drop down.


If you would like to quickly close a window by right- or middle-clicking (or shift-left clicking) on its title bar (caption), select the desired area of the title bar from the drop down box.  Use the check box to select right or middle.


Check this box to enable: the builtin AutoMin command, automatic movement of cursor to button, auto hiding of windows with captions specified in the autohide edit box, and automatic tray minimization of windows specified in the auto-minimize tray edit box.  Will be automatically checked (and grayed) if you have active bar buttons.


Enter a list of comma-separated strings;  this edit box serves two purposes.  If you are using autominimize, the selected windows will be never automatically minimized.  If you use virtual desktops, the selected windows will be kept visible on all virtual desktops.  You can specify captions starting with xxx by xxx*, and captions ending with xxx by *xxx,. You specify  all windows for program filename.exe with =filename, (no path, no .exe.).


Enter a list of comma-separated strings;  if auto minimize is active, windows with these captions will never cause autominize of other windows.  You can specify captions starting with xxx by xxx*, and captions ending with xxx by *xxx.  This edit box can also be used to specify captions of hidden windows which are to appear on the active bar and active menu lists when the corresponding menu setup item is gray-checked.


Check this box to have Stiletto disable the Caps Lock key.


Select the menu you wish to appear when clicking on a title bar (caption).


Select the menu to appear when you click on the desktop.


For Win 95/NT4, check this box to have Stiletto save links to any documents it launches on the windows recent run documents list.  Note that .exe and text files are not considered documents.


Check this box for Win NT4 to have Stiletto use search for active tasks of the same name before launching (note:  in tests on beta of NT 4, this checking was somewhat slow).


For Win 95/NT4, check this box to have Stiletto reserve its strip of screen space as a non-hidden task bar does.


For active task buttons, check to have only 1 button per task (uncheck to have a button for each top level window of a task).


Shows the menu items with submenus indented.  To add an item:  enter a valid command and menu item name, select the item to precede or follow the new item, and press Add After/Add Before.  To change an item, double click on it, change, and press Replace button.  Use the Launch Menu built-in to run commands from the menu.


When a menu list item is selected and a valid menu name/command are entered, pressing this button replaces the selected item by the item described by the controls on the right.


When a menu item is selected from the list, the selected item is deleted and copied to the controls on the right for editing.  Use to move items to another point in this or another menu.  You can also drag and drop to move menu items.


Deletes the menu item selected in the list.


When a menu list item is selected and a valid menu name/command are entered, pressing this button adds the new item,  from the right-hand controls, after the selected item.


When a valid menu name/command are entered, pressing this button adds the new item, from the right-hand controls, at the end of the menu list.


When a menu item is selected from the list, the selected item is copied to the controls on the right for editing.  Use to copy items to another point in this or another menu.  You can also drag and drop with Ctrl held down to copy.


When a menu list item is selected and a valid menu name/command are entered, pressing this button adds the new item, from the right-hand controls, before the selected item.


Enter the name for the item in the menu.


Select the menu to work with.


Add a new menu.  Use the Launch Menu built-in command to access the commands on the menu.


Renames the menu shown in the drop down box.


You can associate a wav file with each of sounds in this list and optionally have Stiletto automatically change them to another sound in the same directory.  The Alarm Setup tab determines how the Stiletto Alarm and Stiletto Chime sounds are used.  The other sounds come from your Registry (HKCU/Appevents/Schemes/Apps/.Default).


Use to have Stiletto change the sound to another in the same directory automatically at the interval selected by the Mins Between Changes drop-down.


Sets how often Stiletto automatically changes the sound file to another in the same directory; enabled when How To Change Sound is not set to No Change.


When a sound is selected from the list, and a sound file entered, this button will be enabled to replace the sound file in the list by the entered sound and its associated "How To Change Sound".


When a sound is selected from the list, pressing this button will clear the sound and transfer its sound file to the controls at the right.


When a sound is selected from the list, pressing this button will copy the sound file to the controls at the right.


Enter the name of the sound (.wav) file to be played for the sound event or browse for it using the buttons below.  Use the Replace button to transfer the sound to a selected list item.


Clears the sound file associated with the selected sound from the list, stopping any playing of sounds for that sound event.


Browse for sound (.wav) file; the selected file is copied to the Sound File edit box.


Browse for sound (.wav) file; the selected file is copied to the Sound File edit box.  As you browse files, you can hear a file by clicking on it in the Explorer dialog.


Plays the sound file.


Stops the playback of a sound file.


If set greater than zero, and if there is a sound associated with the Stiletto Noise event, this sound will be played at random in the set percentage of minutes and will be changed each time it is played.


Enter flyover (tool tip) help text for the above mouse button command.


Shows status of Windows and hard disk resources.


Displays Stiletto dual-list box dialog to select program group and program from this group.  Mainly for NT 3.51 Paste commands to buttons, menu, alarm, keys.


Used to display the dialog to enter your registration code.


Show status of Windows.


List of current active hot keys and screen corner commands.  To add a new one, enter valid command and hot key in right hand controls and then press Add button.  You can duplicate entries to use the same key/screen corner for more than one command.


Use to replace a hot key:  enter new command in controls at right, select the key to be replaced from the list, and press this button.


Select a hot key from the list and press this button to delete it and copy the info to the controls at right for editing.


Removes the selected hot key from the list.


Copies the command and key information from the selected hot key in the list to the edit controls at the right.


To add a new hot key, tap key, or mouse corner command:  select a hot key, set 2 or 3 of Alt/Ctrl/Shift, enter a valid command in edit controls at right, and press Add button.


Select 2 or 3 of Alt, Shift, Ctrl for a hot key to be enabled (not needed or used for screen corner commands).


Select the hot key or screen corner to be used to execute the command.


For screen corner commands, this drop down box sets the interval for which the mouse cursor has to remain in the screen corner for the associated screen corner commands to be executed.


Browse for .bmp files; the selected file is copied to the Wallpaper file name.


Browse for .bmp files; the selected file is copied to the Wallpaper file name.  You can view wallpaper while browsing by clicking on file name in Explorer dialog box.


Stiletto can automatically change wallpaper to another bmp file in the same directory; use this drop down to indicate the method Stiletto is to use to select the new file.


If Stiletto is automatically changing wallpaper to new bmp file in same directory, this drop box indicates how often Stiletto changes the paper.


If Stiletto is registered, you will be able to use .jpg/.jpeg files as wallpaper in addition to .bmp files. (Note:  make sure you have free disk space in your temporary directory as it is needed for conversion of .jpeg files to the temporary .bmp file used to display the jpeg file as wallpaper).


Enter the file name to be used for wallpaper or browse for it.  This file is initialized to the wallpaper file name in your Registry when Stiletto starts (but not if you access the wallpaper file using Control Panel while Stiletto is running).


Check this box to have Windows tile your selected wallpaper; uncheck if you prefer it centered.


Shows the icon currently selected by the icon controls.


Browse for an icon file: .exe., .dll, .ico.


Select next icon in file.


Select previous icon in file.


Enter the file name to be used for the icon, or browse for it.


Enter a string of text to appear as the label or select a special display from the drop down.  You can display an icon using the icon drop down at the left.  To display the icon without text, clear this label edit box.  For active task buttons only, type the word text here on button 0 label configuration to have Stiletto display both icon and text for the active window button.


Enter the single letter timer id of the timer to be displayed as the button label.


For horizontal button bars, change the width of the individual button by this percentage.


For vertical button bars, change the height of the individual button by this percentage.


Check to have the button use its own face and text color.


Sets the button face color.


Sets the button text color.


Select the desired time of day display.


Select the desired date display.


Set the percentage of the button face to be occupied by the icon; the remainder is occupied by the label text.


To display an icon on the button face, select left/middle/right for the corresponding command file, or icon from file to extract an icon from any file.


Executing Dos Commands

The built-in command Dos Command can be used to execute a Dos command line command.  Type the command you want to execute in the parameters box.  Stiletto will copy the command to a bat file called stildos.bat and then use the pif file stildos.pif to execute this command.  For example:

Command:	Dos Command

Parameters	copy c:\path\file1.txt c:\path2\file3.txt

executes the copy command.

You can enter multiple Dos commands by separating them with a semi-colon (use the DosSepChar internal option to change or remove the Dos separator character).

Stiletto sets the current directory to the Stiletto directory before executing Dos commands in order to access the stildos.pif and stildos.bat files.

You can change the pif file Stiletto uses by inserting the pif file name, prefixed by a *, as the first item in the parameters box.  You must include the .pif extension and the pif file must reference the bat file stildos.bat.  For example:

Command:	Dos Command

Parameter:	*mypif.pif dir *.*>output.txt;print output.txt

uses pif file mypif.pif to execute the dir and print Dos commands.

If you want to use the < command input redirector, you will need to change the CommandSepChar with an internal option.

You can execute a Dos command as part of a set of multiple commands by using the *dos command name.

The stildos.pif file shipped with Stiletto is intended for Windows 95; you may need to change it for Windows NT.


Tiny Type and Run Dialog

If you want an easily accessible but unobtrusive command line, use the built-in command Tiny Run Box.  It creates a small window consisting of a single drop down edit box.  You can type any command into this box and press enter to have the command executed. Or,  if you have a three-button mouse, you can execute the command by middle-clicking on the edit box.

You can select the command from the drop down which stores the last 25 commands entered.  You can enter dos commands by prefixing the command with *dos (lower case).

After you first start the Tiny Run Box, drag and resize its width to desired dimensions.  Stiletto will remember the location and width the next time the run box is started.

You can further configure the run box by right-clicking on the edit box (not the caption).  You can then:

specify that the run box should shrink when inactive (see below for details)

specify that the run box should/should not be always on top

specify that all commands expect those starting with "win " should be prefixed by *dos (useful if you use the run box mainly for dos command line commands)

 or specify that all commands expect those starting with "win " should be prefixed by the ksh shell prefix *dos ksh -L -c; you can change the shell prefix with the shellprefix internal option

specify whether or not the caption and resizing window frame should be shown

pick a background color for the window

browse for a file to execute

execute the command in the run box

save the current size to be used as the shrunk size

To keep the run box out of the way when not in use, you can specify that it should shrink when not active.  Follow this sequence of steps in the order given:

1.	Set the caption on.

2.	Move to position so that left of window is at desired location.

3.	Resize the width to desired shrunk width.

4.	Select "save shrunk width" from configuration menu.

5.	Resize to desired large width.

6.	Select "shrink if inactive" from configuration menu.

7.	Turn caption off, if desired.

If you use the keyboard extensively, you may want to configure a hot key to activate the tiny run box (by setting the hot key command to the Tiny Run Box command).

Put the command on the Stiletto start menu if you want the run box to appear when Stiletto starts.

If your command file name contains blanks, you must surround it by double quotation marks.


GPFs while running Stiletto

Some beta testers experienced conflicts between Stiletto and customized control panels used to control video drivers, leading to GPFs when Stiletto is running.  This appears to be a problem in Stiletto and these control panels conflicting over the use of Win32 mouse hooks.

To confirm this, try putting nohook=1 under the [general] section, although this will disable several functions related to the mouse.  This should stop the GPFs.

Some testers have been able to overcome these problems by changing the order in which these programs are started in the Start up groups.

If you experience problems running 16 bit windows applications under NT, shutdown Stiletto, edit the Stiletto.ini file, and insert

NTEXESearch2=10

under

 [Task Menu Info].

However, certain features of Stiletto (eg checking for active task before launching) will not work for 16 bit Windows programs in this case.


Launch or Close All Commands on Menus

Demo

You can launch all the commands on a launch menu at once by following the name of the launch menu in the parameters box by the word *all; for example:

Command	Launch Menu

Parameters	mymenu *all

launches all commands on mymenu or shows them if they are already running and "Switch to If Active" is clicked on the command entry controls.

Stiletto normally starts executing with the first command on the menu.  But if you put the menu item id of a menu item after *all, Stiletto will start at that entry:

Command	Launch Menu

Parameters	mymenu *all cmd2

runs all commands on mymenu starting at the one labelled cmd2.

Use *allclose instead of *all to close all entries.

Stiletto normally executes all commands until the end of the menu, but you can stop execution by the command:

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameters	quitmenu

To make it easier to maintain batch menu commands, you can pack different commands onto one menu:  start each command sequence with an identifying label and end each command with a quitmenu.

You can call another menu by including a *launch menu command in the calling menu.

You can further program batch menu commands with jumps and if-conditions.

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameters	jumpmenu xxx

goes to label xxx of the currently executing menu for the next command.

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameters	ifmenu keyword text

executes the following command only if the condition specified by the keyword and text is true.  If the condition is false, the next command on the menu is skipped.  The keyword can be any of caption, nocaption, path, nopath, modem, nomodem;  these are explained in wait command.

You can use the wait command in a menu started with *launch menu all to wait for some condition.  For example, you could run a dialer, wait for the modem, then run a program whichs accesses the modem.

Click here for more advanced information.


Check to have Stiletto automatically set the number of displayed buttons to include all buttons which have at least one non-blank command.  Cannot be used with active task buttons.


Check to prevent button color being changed by Change Button Color built-in command.


Dynamically Changing Button Color

You can dynamically change the button color with the built-in Change Button Color command.  This command turns the buttons Own Colour flag off or on; (see configure button for details),  unless a button has the Freeze checkbox set, in which case its colors cannot be changed dynamically.

Use *color when combining in multiple commands.

To dynamically change button colors, create a button or launch menu  with the Change Button Color command and put a string with the following structure in the parameters edit box:

[r]  buttons-changed new-colours

where

r	optionally, start with the letter r to reset own color to unchecked for all non-frozen buttons

buttons	button number to change; leftmost (topmost) button is 1:

You can use a range of buttons, like 10-12.

You can use * for all buttons.

You can use the letter b to stand for the Stiletto button from which the Change Button Color command was launched.

new-colours	is used to set the new face and text colors:

Use three numbers between 0 and 255 to specify the Red, Green, Blue components of the colours (eg 255 0 0 for dark red).  See Control Panel|Appearance|Tool Tip|Color for a palette to view various RGB combinations).

You can use = instead of the three numbers to leave the color to the value set with the button configuration dialog.

You can leave out both triplets of RGB value to set both colors to those set in the configuration dialog.

You can use the letter t to toggle the Own Color check box, ie to flip between own color and bar color.

You can use the letter r to reset the Own Color flag, ie set the colors back to the default.

Examples of parameters box

b	Set the own color setting of button from which command was launched..

b t	Toggle own color setting of button from which command was launched.

b r	Clear own color setting of button from which command was launched.

10-12 127 0 0	Set face of buttons 10, 11, 12 to medium red

r 1 = 255 255 255	Reset all buttons, then set text of button 1 to white

You can use color coding and virtual desktops together.


Filling a Launch Menu with All Active Windows

You can create or change a launch menu and fill it with the commands corresponding to all currently open windows which are visible and not minimized.

Use the built-in All Windows to Menu command to do this.

Create a button or launch menu entry with this command and put the name of the menu you want to create in the command parameters edit control.  When you execute the All Windows to Menu command, this menu will be created and populated with the exe files correspondng to all active, visible, non-minimzed windows.

If the menu already exists, you will be asked if you want to replace it.  To avoid this confirmation prompt, put the word *overwrite after a space following the menu name in the parameters edit box.

This command can be used to create the menus associated with virtual desktops.


Press to save all configuration changes and switch Stiletto to new configuration.


Press to discard all configuration changes and exit configuration dialogs.


Stiletto will be positioned in the middle of the caption of the active window.


Setting Up Color-Coded Virtual Desktops

Following is an example showing how to set up two buttons to toggle between two virtual desktops, which can be changed as desired.  The active desktop is color-coded light red.

First, set up two virtual desktops d1 and d2 by Ctrl-right clicking on Stiletto bar (see virtual desktops for more info).

Add two new buttons to your Stiletto bar:

Put the following commands on the first button:

Label	d1

Left Command:	*Virtual Desktop

Parameter:	d1<*color r b 200 0 0

Put the following commands on the second button:

Label	d2

Left Command:	*Virtual Desktop

Parameter:	d2<*color r b 200 0 0

You can now use the two buttons to flip between desktops.


Select stretch to have Stiletto stretch/shrink the icon to fill the icon space on the button, or small/large to choose a fixed-size but possibly more visually-appealing icon.


Press for help.


Built-in Commands:  Menu Structure

Launch Menu	Displays the Stiletto launch menu whose name is entered in the command parameters field.  (Right click on parameters edit box to select menu).  This command can also be used to launch many commands.  You can control the position of the menu on your screen.

Pin Launch Menu	Pins the launch menu whose name is entered in the command parameters field.

Menu Separator	Separates displayed menu entries; only available for launch menus.

Start Submenu	Starts a submenu;  only available for launch menus

.

End Submenu	Ends a submenu;  only available for launch menus.

Start Context Menu	Starts a context menu only available for launch menus

.

End Context Menu	Ends a context menu only available for launch menus

New Menu Column	Starts a new column in the menu; only available for launch menus.  Put NoBreak in the parameters edit box to remove the line between columns.

No Menu Icons	Omits icons form this menu; must be first command and only available for launch menus

No Menu Text	Omits text from menu with icons; must be first command and only available for launch menus.  You can also keep only the first n characters of text by putting n in the parameters edit box.

End Submenu	Ends a submenu;  only available for

Menu of Win Under Mouse	Copies menu bar of window under mouse (Win95 only); mainly used for window menus.

All Windows to Menu	Fills launch menu with all active windows; useful for virtual desktops.

Start Menu (Win 4)	Displays the Win 4 start menu.  If you have problems with the menu not moving properly to your cursor, use the internal option StartMenuDelay to control the delay; you may need to use this feature if Stiletto is an app bar on the Shell/Buttons dialog.  Put nomove in command parameters to stop Stiletto moving menu to mouse cursor.

Folder Contents Menu	Displays and allows you to execute the contents of file directories as a menu.

Explorer Windows	Work with Explorer Windows.

Clear Recent Docs	For NT4/Win95, clears recent docs list.


Built-in Commands:  Active Task Manipulation

Active windows list;	Inserts a list of active windows  into the launch menu.  When a list item is selected, that window is activated.  Only available from launch menu

Close Windows List	Inserts a list of active windows into the menu.  When a list item is selected, that window is ended.  Only available from launch menu.

Window On Top List	Inserts list of active windows  into the menu.  When list item is selected, that window is set to “always on top”.  Only available from launch menu.

Window Not On Top List	Inserts list of active windows into the menu. When list item is selected, that window will no longer be “always on top”.  Only available from launch menu.

Minimize Window List	Inserts list of active windows into the menu. When list item is selected, that window will be minimized.  Only available from launch menu.

Recently Run Cmds List	Inserts a list of the 10 most recently run command lines into the menu. When a list item is selected, that command is executed.  If the last command was the name of a document, the command line will consist of the associated .exe file followed by the document name (only the .exe file in Win95/NT4).  Only available from launch menu.  (In rare cases, this command may cause GPFs when used with File Manager;  if so, you will need to remove it).  Put hidden in command parameters if you wish to include commands from hidden windows.

Close/... Window Under Mouse	Close/min/max/hide/on top/not on top/to back/rollup/toggle/center/tray minimize the window beneath the mouse.  These commands act on the window under the mouse cursor and so are most useful for Stiletto in to the active window caption or on a menu set to appear when the mouse is clicked on the a window or window title.  The action applies to where the mouse was originally clicked, not the menu selection position.  If the mouse is clicked on an MDI child window, the action applies only to that window; else it applies to the main, top-level window.  However, by putting Parent in the parameters edit box, the command will always apply to the top-level window, even if an MDI window is clicked.

Tile Windows	Tile active windows.

Send Keys	Used for sending keys.

Hide Window	Used to select and then hide a window.

Min/Show/Close All	Minimizes all top-level windows if parameter field is blank.  Minimizes them and hides them if parameter field is set to hide.  Shows all hidden icons if parameter field is set to show.  Closes all visible or iconic windows if parameter field is set to close.  Closes all visible, non-iconic windows if parameter field is set to normclose.  Maximizes all windows if parameter edit set to max.

Auto Minimize Mode	Turns off or on  autominimize.


Built-in Commands:  Messages, Alarms, and Timers

Message Box	Displays a message box containing the text typed into the work directory of the command entry controls.  It is intended for alarms, but can be used anywhere.

Add Reminder Msg	Add a reminder message alarm.

View/Change Timer	View/Change the timer information.

Start Timer	Starts a timer.

Stop Timer	Stops a timer

Clear Timer	Zeros a timer

Toggle Timer	Stops a timer if it is running; starts it if it is stopped.

Set Timer	Starts, stops, toggles a timer and resets its value.

Timer Id	Sets the timer id of  the timer displayed on the button.

Show System Resources	Shows system resources


Built-in Commands:  Stiletto Position and Size

Move Bar Across Screen	Makes the Stiletto button bar move to the opposite side of the desktop.

Position Stiletto	You can drag Stiletto to an arbitrary position by clicking and dragging on a button which has been assigned this command.

Configure Stiletto	Activates the Stiletto Configuring Stiletto tabbed folder.  Normally, the Info tab is displayed first, but you can select another tab by entering its index number (1 to 9) in the command parameters field.  You can also start the Configuration dialog by left-clicking anywhere on the Stiletto bar with the Ctrl key pressed.

Show Bar/Move Bar to Cursor	Brings every Stiletto button bar to top, making them visible (but does not change whether they are permanently on top).  To show only one button bar to the top, put its configuration file (ini file) name in the command parameters edit box.  You can also use this command to temporarily move the bar.

Hide Stiletto	Hides every Stiletto button bar, making them invisible.  To hide only one button bar, put its configuration file (ini file) name in the command parameters edit box.  To hide every bar except the one with configuration file config.ini, put-config.ini in parameters edit box.

Reset All Stiletto	Restarts all Stiletto bars.

Reconfigure Stiletto	Restarts Stiletto based on the disk image of the ini file; for details, see here.

Bar Size	The command  Bar Size n changes the number of buttons displayed.


Built-in Commands:  Exit Windows or Stiletto

In Windows NT, and depending on your Windows configuration and login, the windows exit routines may only logout and login.  Also, restart may not occur.  However, the Windows Shutdown command will always function.

Quick Win Exit	Exits Windows to DOS (you will get a chance to save unsaved documents).

Quick Win Restart	Exits Windows to DOS mode and then restarts Windows (you will get a chance to save unsaved documents).  Only available in Win95, not Win NT.

Quick System Boot	Exits Windows and re-boots DOS (you will get a chance to save unsaved documents).

Confirmed Win Exit	After asking you to confirm, exits Windows to DOS (you will get a chance to save unsaved documents).

Confirmed Win Restart	After asking you to confirm, exits Windows to DOS mode and then restarts Windows (you will get a chance to save unsaved documents).  Only available in Win95, not NT.

Confirmed System Boot	After asking you to confirm, exits Windows and re-boots DOS (you will get a chance to save unsaved documents).

Exit Win and Exec Dos	Exits Windows to DOS mode, executes the command in the parameters edit box, and then restarts Windows (you will get a chance to save unsaved documents).  Only available in Win95, not Win NT.

Exit Stiletto	Terminates Stiletto.  Will normally prompt to confirm, but you can avoid the prompt by putting quick in lower case in the parameters box.

Windows Shutdown	Activates standard Windows shutdown dialog.


Built-In Commands:  Execute Files, Documents, or Prog Mgr Commands

Start Menu (Win 4)	Displays the Win 4 start menu.  If you have problems with the menu not moving properly to your cursor, use the internal option StartMenuDelay to control the delay; you may need to use this feature if Stiletto is an app bar on the Shell/Buttons dialog.

Folder Contents Menu	Displays and allows you to execute the contents of file directories as a menu.

Recently Run Cmds List	Inserts a list of the 10 most recently run command lines into the menu. When a list item is selected, that command is executed.  If the last command was the name of a document, the command line will consist of the associated .exe file followed by the document name (only the .exe file in Win95/NT4).  Only available from launch menu.  (In rare cases, this command may cause GPFs when used with File Manager;  if so, you will need to remove it).

Browse and Run	Displays a file selection dialog; the selected file is executed.  Stiletto will follow any File Associations when executing the selected file. Optionally, you can put a default starting directory in the work directory edit box. The browse dialog contains a history of commands/parameters and an edit box for new command parameters.  You can also specify the default file extensions; see Browse and Run for details.

Dos Command	Uses the stildos.pif file to execute the dos commands entered in the parameter box.

Tiny Run Box	Displays a small dialog box which you can type a command to be run.

Type and Run	Displays a dialog with an combo box in which you can type the name of a file (with parameters) or document to run.  Stiletto will follow any File Associations when executing the entered file. The combo box contains a history of commands/parameters from which you can select the file to be run.  You will probably find the Tiny Run Box more effective

Prog Mgr/Shell Grps	Lets you execute a command from any existing program manager or other desktop shell group.

Built-In Cmds List	Displays a list box from which you can execute any of the Stiletto built-in commands.  To have the list sorted when the command starts, put the word "sort" in the  command parameter field.

Stiletto Exec	Used for close/min, clipboard, and filing, positioning, mouse click sending commands.

Hide Desk Icon/Taskbar	Hides Program Manager Window/Icon for NT; hides desktop icons for Win95/NT4.  Put taskbar in parameters edit box to hide taskbar instead.  Put taskbar toggle to switch hidden/shown state of taskbar (ie show if invisible; hide if visible).

Show Desk Icon/Taskbar	Shows Program Manager Window/Icon; shows desktop icons for Win95/NT4.  Put taskbar in parameters edit box to show taskbar instead.  Put taskbar toggle to switch hidden/shown state of taskbar (ie show if invisible; hide if visible).

Restore Last Minimized	Restores the last minimized window; you must check "Enable automin ..." on Window Control dialog for this command to function.

Send Keys	Used for sending keys.


Built-in Commands: Screen Saver

Demo

Start Screen Saver	Starts your screen saver.  Put 1,2, or 3 in Parameters box to delay 1, 2, or 3 seconds.

Enable Screen Saver	Enables your screen saver.

Disable Screen Saver	Disables your screen saver.

Temp Disable Saver	Disables your screen saver while mouse remains where it was when command was executed.  Re-enables saver as soon as mouse is moved (note that enabling is different from starting the saver). Especially useful as a screen corner command.

Change Display Res	Changes screen resolution

Change Screen Saver	Changes the screen saver using the method selected in the Paper/Saver dialog.  If “no change” is selected, the saver changed to a random .scr file in the same directory as the current screen saver file.


Built-in Commands:  WallPaper, Screen Saver, and Sound

Drag and Drop Rename	Used to rename a file.

Change WallPaper	If no file name in Parameters edit box, changes the wallpaper using the method selected in the Paper/Saver dialog.  If “no change” is selected in that dialog, the wallpaper is changed to a random .bmp file in the same directory as the current wallpaper file.  If there is a file name in the Parameters edit box, the wallpaper is changed to that file and future automatic changes will come from the same folder as the new file.  Put an asterisk in front of the file name to change immediately to a different wallpaper file in the same folder as the file name.

Change Screen Saver	Changes the screen saver using the method selected in the Paper/Saver dialog.  If “no change” is selected, the saver changed to a random .scr file in the same directory as the current screen saver file.

Change Sound	Changes the sound files associated with all sounds in the Sound dialog that are not set to the “no change” sound method.  Note that this is different from the Change Wallpaper command:  the  Change Wallpaper command always changes the wallpaper but the Change Sound command only changes sounds where the method for changing is not set to “no change”.

Play Sound	Plays a wav file drag/dropped onto the button. Stops any playing sound if no file is drag/dropped. You can also associate Stiletto with the WAV extension using Explorer/File Manager.  Double clicking on a WAV file in Explorer/File Manager will then play that sound file. Or you can enter the wav file name in the parameters edit box.

Show Wallpaper	Shows wallpaper file indicated by the Parameters box (or drag/dropped onto the button).  Does not save it (use Change Wallpaper for this).

Save/Restore Desktop Icon Pos	Save/restore icon positions.


Alphabetic List of Built-in Commands

Click on the o to see further information.

o Add Reminder Msg	Add a reminder message alarm.

o Active windows list	Inserts a list of active windows

o All Windows to Menu	Fills menu with active windows

o Auto Minimize Mode	Turns off or on  autominimize.

o Bar Size	Changes the number of buttons displayed.

o Browse and Run	Displays a file selection dialog; runs selection

o Built-In Cmds List	Displays a list box from which you can execute

o Change Button Color	Change button color

o Change Sound	Changes the sound files associations

o Change Screen Saver	Changes the screen saver

o Change Wallpaper	Changes the wallpaper

o Change Display Res	Changes screen resolution

o Clear Timer	Zeros a timer

o Clear Recent Docs	For Win95/NT4, clears recent docs list

o Close/... Window Under	Close/min/max/hide/on top/not on top/back/traymin window

o Close Windows List	Inserts a list of active windows  into the menu.

o Configure Stiletto	Activates the Stiletto Configuring Stiletto

o Confirmed Win Exit	After asking you to confirm, exits Windows to DOS

o Confirmed Win Restart	After asking you to confirm, exits Windows to DOS

o Confirmed System Boot	After asking you to confirm, exits Windows and re-boots

o Disable Screen Saver	Disables your screen saver.

o Dos Command	Executes the dos commands

o Drag and Drop Rename	Used to rename a file.

o Enable Screen Saver	Enables your screen saver

o End Submenu 	Ends a submenu

o End Context Menu 	Ends a context menu

o Exit Stiletto	Terminates Stiletto.

o Explorer Windows	Work with Explorer Windows.

o Folder Contents Menu	Display directory contentsas menu

o Hide Stiletto	Hides every Stiletto button bar, making them

o Hide Desk Icon	Hides Desk Icons/Prog Mgr/TaskBar

o Hide Window	Used to select / hide a window

o Launch Menu	Displays the Stiletto launch menu

o Menu Separator	Separates displayed menu entries

o Message Box	Displays a message box containing

o Minimize All	Minimizes/shows all top-level windows

o Menu of Win Under Mouse	Copies menu bar of window (win95 only).

o Minimize Window List	List of active windows in menu

o Move Stiletto	Makes the Stiletto button bar move

o New Menu Column	Starts a new column in the menu;

o Play Sound	Plays a wav file drag/dropped onto the button

o Position Stiletto	Drag Stiletto to an arbitrary position

oPin Launch Menu	Pins the Stiletto launch menu

o Prog Mgr/Shell Grps	Execute a program manager cmd

o Quick Win Exit	Exits Windows

o Quick Win Restart	Exits Windows to DOS mode and then restarts Windows

o Quick System Boot	Exits Windows and re-boots DOS

o Recently Run Cmds List	Inserts a list of the 10 most recently run cmds

o Restore Last Minimized	Restores last minimized window

o Reset All Stiletto	Restarts all Stiletto bars.

o Reconfigure Stiletto	Restarts Stiletto based on a new ini file

o Recently Run Cmds List	Inserts a list of the 10 most recently run cmds

o Save/Restore 	Icon Pos	Save/restore icon positions.

o Send Keys	Used for sending keys.

o Show Desk Icon	Shows Desk Icon/Prog Mgr/TaskBar

o Set Timer	Sets a timer.

o Show System Resources	Shows system resources

o Show/Move Bar	Shows and optionall moves Stiletto bar.

o Show Wallpaper	Shows wallpaper drag/dropped onto the button

o Start Screen Saver	Starts your screen saver.

o Start Submenu	Starts a submenu;

o Start Context Menu	Starts a context menu

o Start Timer	Starts a timer.

o Stiletto Exec	For close/min, filing, clipboard, positioning

o Stop Timer	Stops a timer

o Temp Disable Saver	Disables your screen saver temporarily.

o Tile Windows	Re-arrange active windows.

o Timer Id	Sets the timer id

o Tiny Run Box	Displays a small dialog box for command entry

o Toggle Timer	Stops a timer if it is running;

o Type and Run	Displays a dialog with an combo box in which

o View/Change Timer	View/Change the timer information.

o Virtual Desktop	Create or switch-to virtual desktop.

o Window On Top List	Inserts list of active windows  into the menu

o Window Not On Top List	Inserts active windows into menu.

o Windows Shutdown	Activates standard Windows shutdown dialog.


Copy Characters and Files to Clipboard and Paste to Active Window

You can copy characters to the clipboard with the Stiletto Exec command:

Command:	Stiletto Exec

Parameters	clip chars

where chars is a sequence of characters to be copied to the clipboard, enclosed in quotes if it contains blanks.

The following command copies 1234 to the clipboard and then pastes this string into the currently active window:

Command	Stiletto Exec

Parameters	clip 1234<*wait 0<*send * ^v

Attach this command to a hot key to implement a global shortcut key.

You can also copy files to the clipboard:

Command:	Stiletto Exec

Parameters	clipfile filepath

copies all the characters in file filepath to the clipboard.  The file is limited to a maximum size of 19K.

You can use the same technique illustrated above to create hot keys which paste paragraphs of information, eg if you are a shareware writer sending out many form letters to registered users.

To copy the current time to the clipboard, use cliptime in the parameters box.  To copy the current date in short format, use clipdate or clipshortdate.  To copy the date in long format, use cliplongdate  These follow the time or date format set in your Control Panel | Regional Settings preferences.


Press to configure left, middle, right clicks for tray icon.


Check to have Stiletto show tray icon for button reserved for this purpose.  Configure commands for clicks on  this icon with the Config Tray Icon button.


Check to have Stiletto add three lines to flyover help showing: free space for local hard disks; free physical kilobytes, used memory percentage, and GDI/User free percentage (Win 95 only); and timer value for the button and time/date.


Check to have this button also appear as a tray icon.


Tray Icon Buttons

Using the button dialog, you can specify that Stiletto display a button as a tray icon on the Win95/NT4 task bar.  Left/middle/right mouse clicking on the tray icon runs the same commands as clicking on the corresponding Stiletto button.

The icon displayed in the tray is the one chosen for the button.  If no icon is available, the Stiletto icon is used.

You can show as many buttons as you want as tray icons.  The buttons need not be displayed on the button bar; for example, you could configure a button bar to show buttons 1-16  and to show 17-20 as tray icons.

In addition, there is an extra button which can only be displayed as a tray icon.  It is accessed from the Buttons dialog.


Use to set the interval for automatically changing the screen saver.


Enter the screen saver file name, or Browse for it, or drag and drop from Explorer.


Check to enable the screen saver.


Use to select the method for automatically changing the saver to another .scr file in the same directory.


Press to test the screen saver; this will enable screen saving as well.


Check to have Stiletto include "small" icons beside menu entries.


Press to browse for screen saver (.scr) files.


Accessing commands and documents with Stiletto

With Stiletto, you choose the most convenient way to access your programs and files.   Choose from:

a buttonbar

menus which are completely customized

menus built, like the Start Menu, from programs folders

menus created on the fly from any file directory

menus built from system folders, like your desktop icons

tray icons

hot keys, which are always available to start or switch-to programs

clicking a mouse button or chording several mouse buttons

moving your mouse to a screen corner,

clicking on the desktop or on a window caption

using an Explorer file browse browse

typing the command into a tiny edit box

launching commands at regular times through alarms

launching commands through timers


Customizing Layout of Menus with Icons or Colors

You can customize the look of menus with icons by typing options directly into your stiletto.ini file under the [general] section.

MenuLayoutTop=n	sets the vertical space between entries to n pixels

MenuLayoutLeft=n	sets the left margin to n pixels

MenuLayoutSep=n	sets the separation between the icon and text to n pixels; used even if there is no icon (ie you are just changing menu color)

MenuIconLarge=1	uses large icons instead of small icons

MenuIconsDefault=n	uses the nth system icon if a file has no icons; use -3 for no icon

MenuIconBuiltin=n	uses the nth system icon for Stiletto built-in commands; use -3 for no Icon and -2 for the Stiletto icon

Note: experiment with different small numbers (bigger than or equal to zero) to see the choices for system icons.


New User Configure Tabbed Dialog

To see the full Stiletto configuration dialog, hold the Ctrl button down and left-click anywhere on the Stiletto button bar.  You should see a tabbed dialog.  If you are running Win95/NT4, note the context help ? in the upper corner which you can use to find information on any dialog control.  The tabbed dialog includes these options:

Info shows Windows information and resource usage and allows you to register Stiletto and to put Stiletto on your Start Menu.

.

Bar allows bar position, font, color, look to be set.

Buttons sets button order, number displayed, and active task tracking from a button bar.

Special GUI allows you to customize your Windows interface

Window Control allows you to customize window behavior

Menu Setup controls the format of the active window list, the mouse click used to start launch  a menu on the desktop, and the format of menus.

Menu Contents allows you to change the contents of launch menus.

Alarm Setup controls low resource warnings and the sounds associated with alarms and chimes.

Alarm Details allows you to add or change alarms.

Sound controls the sounds played for windows and application events and allows you to specify how Stiletto should automatically change them.

Paper/Saver allows you to change the Windows wallpaper or screen saver and to set up automatic changes.

Key/Mouse allows you to assign commands to hot keys, mouse actions,  or screen corners.

As an example:  to move Stiletto to a new position, select the "Bar" tab and click on the middle button at the top of the "Click Desired Stiletto Position" group.  Press OK.


New User button configuration

Here is an example of ways to change the default Stiletto button bar.

For example, suppose you want to change the "edit" label to an icon.

Left click on the edit button and hold the mouse down without releasing until the configure button dialog appears.  Notice the three sets of command entry controls for each of the left, middle, and right commands.  At the left of the dialog, there is a drop box which says "no icon".  Change it to "icon from left". Erase the label "edit" in the label edit box.

Press Apply to see the effect of this or other changes.

When you are done, press OK.  The icon from Notepad (the left button command) will now appear on the button.


New User Info:  Standalone Utilities which Stiletto Replaces

Beside providing command launching capability, Stiletto can replace standalone utilities.  For example:

Tray icons used to access desktop items:  use tray icon with Folder Contents Menu for desktop.

Internet session timers:  use timers, timer logs, and modem control.

Hiding desktop icons:  use built-in command *Hide/Show Desk Icons/Task Bar.

Control of Start Menu placement:  use builtin Start Menu command or Folder Contents Menu with start menu as parameter.

Start screen saver by placing mouse at screen corner:  use screen corner command and screen saver builtin commands.

Quick windows exit:  use builtin windows exit commands.

Virtual desktops:  available through special menu.  Also look at autominimize and the Tile Windows built-in command.

Job scheduling:  use alarms or timers

Reminder programs: use alarms or timers

Mouse middle for double click:  use middle mouse hot key and Stiletto Exec mouse left double

Save and restore desktop icon positions.

Hiding windows:  use the builtin Hide Window command


Tiling Active Windows

You can tile active, top-level windows with the Tile Windows built-in command.  It re-arranges active windows as follows:

If the Parameters edit box starts with the letter c or the Control Key is held down, windows are arranged in equal-sized columns.

If the Parameters edit box starts with the letter t or the Shift Key is held down, windows are arranged in equal-sized rectangles.

Otherwise, windows are arranged in equal-sized rows.

You can restrict the affected windows to only those containing "text" in their window captions by putting *text in the Parameters edit box.  For example, *explor means that only Explorer windows are affected.

Use *tile for multiple commands.

To start two instances of Explorer and tile them use the following:

Command:	Explorer.exe

Parameters:	<explorer.exe<*wait 1<*tile *explor

You also need to ensure the "Switch To If Active" box is unchecked.


Setting Timers and Associated Commands

You can access the View/Change Timer dialog by using the built-in command or from the alarm setup dialog.

You can set or clear any timer, start or stop it, and assign a label to the timer (the label can be displayed on the button with the timer and in the timer log.)

You can specify that the timer should start automatically when Stiletto starts.  You can specify that the timer values should be saved and restored when Stiletto starts and stops.  You can indicate that the timer should count down.

You can specify that a timer should run only when a RAS connection is active or when a specified program is active (the foreground window).

To associate a timer with a RAS (dial-up) connection, check the "Run Timer when Dialup (gray program)  Active" check box and set the timer name to the dial up name.  Stiletto will automatically start and stop the timer according to the status of the RAS connection.  You can associate more than one timer with the same connection:  eg have a daily timer and a monthly timer.  (To create a daily/monthly timer, add an alarm which clears the timer daily/monthly).

To associate a timer with a program, gray-check the "Run Timer when Dialup (gray program)  Active" check box and set the timer name to the exe file name of the program to be timed (eg netscape for Netscape Communicator)  Stiletto will arrange for the timer to be running only when the specified program is the foreground (active) program

You can also associate a command with starting, stopping, and resetting the timer using the command entry controls .

The reset command is used in conjunction with the Reset Hour and Reset Minute values.

For timers which count down, whenever the timer reaches zero, any associated command is executed.  If the either of the Reset Hour or Minute is greater than zero, the timer is reset to that value.  Otherwise, the timer is stopped.

For timers which count up, if either of the Reset Hour or Minute is greater than zero, the associated command is executed whenever the timer reaches a multiple of the Reset Hour and Minute.

You can also use the Set Timer built-in commandto set a timer value and state.


Setting Timer Value and State

Use the built-in Set Timer command to set the value and state of one or more timers.  The parameters edit box of the command is structured as follows:

If it starts with +, the timer is started; with - the timer is stopped, and with * the timer is toggled. Use of one of these characters is optional:  if omitted, the timer state is unchanged.

Next come the single letter timer ids of the timers to be adjusted, with no blanks.

Finally, the new timer value is indicated as three numbers:  hours, minutes, seconds, separated by blanks.

Examples:

+a 0 0 0	Clear timer a and start it.

be 0 10 20	Reset timers b and e to 10 minutes, 20 seconds; leave their running/stopped state unchanged.

-c 1 0 0	Stop timer c and set its value to one hour.

Use *setimer (one t, lower case) for multiple commands.


Check to start timer running.


Enter timers hour, minute and second values.


Check to have Stiletto automatically start the timer each time Stiletto starts.


Check to have Stiletto save/restore the timer value each time Stiletto stops/starts.


Select the timer to modify.


Enter a label for the timer.


Zeros the timer hours, minutes, and seconds.


Check to have the timer count down.


For timers which count down, whenever the timer reaches zero, any associated command is executed.  If the either of the Reset Hour or Minute is greater than zero, the timer is reset to that value.  Otherwise, the timer is stopped.  For timers which count up, if either of the Reset Hour or Minute is greater than zero, the associated command is executed whenever the timer reaches a multiple of the Reset Hour and Minute.


Check to have the menu use the text and background color specified through the buttons below.


Press to set menu text colour used when "own" is checked.


Press to set menu background colour used when "own" is checked.


Special Folders for Folder Contents Menu

Using the built-in Folder Contents Menu command, you can display a menu of the special folders used by Win95/NT 4.  To access special folders, the parameters edit box for this command can contain one or more of the following (separated by commas).

start menu	start menu entries

desktop	shortcuts on your desktop

recent	recently accessed documents

templates	standard document templates

personal	personal favourites folder

programs	menu of all program folders (current user for NT4)

programs xxx	menu of programs folder xxx (eg Accessories)

Allprograms	menu of all program folders

Allprograms xxx	menu of programs folder xxx for All Users profile (NT4 only)

AllStart Menu	start menu for All Users profile (NT4 only; note no space after All)

control panel	explorer view of control panel entries

my computer	explorer view of my computer entries

network	explorer view of network neighborhood entries

recycle bin	explorer view of recycle bin entries

printers	explorer view of printers

With NT4 and for versions preceding 97b, Stiletto would use the programs associated with the adminstrator profile.  Starting with 97c, Stiletto uses the currently logged on user, except that the All Users profile is used for AllPrograms.  You can return to the 97b behavior using the UseAdmin internal option.  Stiletto assumes these folders are under your Windows system directory.

You can use in the SystemFolderDir internal option to specify the directory for special folders.

When using Win 95 Start Menu, it is possible to create sub-menus of the contents of special folders like control panel by creating folders with names of the form Control panel {....}.  It is possible to achieve a similar effect in Stiletto as follows:

Create a folder called  (say) control

Use explorer to copy all the entries from the explorer control panel special folder to that new folder.  You should get a series of shortcuts (links).

Create a Folder Contents Menu command and reference the control directory.  Embed the folder contents menu command in a menu or submenu.  You should get a menu of all your control panel applets, like the one you can get on start menu


Check to have right-clicking the title bar close window; gray check to use middle (or shift-left).


Check to have Stiletto interpret pressing both left and right mouse buttons as the  middle button.


Changing Screen Display Resolution

You can change the display resolution, color depth, and refresh frequency (NT only) with the built-in Change Display Res command.

If you use this command with nothing in the parameters edit box, Stiletto will present a menu of valid screen resolutions to choose from.  Select one to change and save the new setting in the registry (hold down shift while selecting to avoid saving the new setting).  For Win 95, if you change the color depth or refresh frequency, you will be asked if you want to restart windows for the settings to take effect.

To set a resolution without the menu, specify:

Command:	Change Display Res

Parameters:	x1 y1 depth freq

where x1 gives the new horizontal pixels,  y1 gives the new vertical pixels, depth gives the new color depth (4, 8, 16, 24), and freq gives the new refresh frequency (NT only). Depth and freq are optional.  For example, to change to 1024 x 768:

Command:	Change Display Res

Parameters:	1024 768

You can alternate between two settings by the following command format:

Command:	Change Display Res

Parameters:	x1 y1 x2 y2

When this command is executed, the display resolution is set to x1 x y1 unless it is already that value; in this case it is set to x2 x y2.

Normally, the new settings are saved in the Registry; if you do no want this to happen put the word nosave after the settings in the parameter field.


Contacting Me for Questions or Support

Find out about the latest Stiletto version at

http://www.inforamp.net/~crs2086/index.htm

You can contact me via e-mail

bswitzer@ican.net

bswitzer@kagi.com

Bruce.Switzer@canrem.com

At Compuserve:

Bruce Switzer, [104722,1260]

Or you can write me at

Bruce Switzer

204 Duplex Avenue

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

M5P 2B2


Demo of Menus and SubMenus

The Stiletto bar shown in the bottom middle of the screen demonstrates different ways to set up menus.  Press the Exit Demo button when you are finished with the demo.  (Note the button widths have been increased using the Bar Dialog).

To see how the buttons have been configured to display menus, right-click on each and hold the button down for a second or so.

The button labeled "Simple" displays a simple menu with a separator.  To see how it has been set up, ctrl-left click on the button bar, select the menu contents tab, and select "Simple" from the menu name drop down box.  Double click on any entry on the list box to see its detailed set up.

The next button displays a menu with submenus.  To see how it has been set up, ctrl-left click on the button bar, select the menu contents tab, and select "Submenu" from the menu name drop down box.  Double click on any entry on the list box to see its detailed set up.

The last item on the menu associated with the Submenus button starts the simple menu;  try it and note how launching this menu differs from a submenu.

The last button demonstrates a Folder Contents Menu which, when left-clicked, displays your programs, recent documents, and desktop as three columns.  When middle-clicked (shift-left), it shows all the .bat files under your c:\ directory. It is also assigned as a tray icon.


Right click on the drop down box to see an option menu, including help.


Demo of Menus for Working with Active Tasks

The Stiletto bar shown in the bottom middle of the screen demonstrates different ways to set up menus for working with active tasks.  Press the Exit Demo button when you are finished with the demo.  (Note the button widths have been increased using the Bar Dialog).

To see how the buttons have been configured to display menus, right-click on each and hold the button down for a second or so.  To see how menus have been configured, Ctrl-Left click anywhere on the Stiletto button bar, select the menu contents tab, and select a menu name from the Menu Name drop down box.  Double click on any entry in the menu contents list box to see its set up in detail.

To provide several tasks for the demo, left click on the File Mgr and the NotePad buttons to start these tasks.

The Button labeled "Active" displays a menu of active task for switching.  Click on this button and select either NotePad or File Manager to switch among the tasks.

The button labeled On Top puts the corresponding active window always on top.  Try it with Note Pad.

The button labeled menus presents all Stiletto menus which work with active tasks as submenus.  You can use the Not On Top list to put NotePad back to Not On Top status.

You can use the Buttons to try other features of menus for active tasks:

Center active tasks when switched-to by checking the box on the left hand side.

For Win95, show icons by check the box on the left hand side.

Show or hide hidden windows using the check boxes at the top of the dialog.

Type the word File into the omit list box and see the effect on the "File Manager" title in lists.  Try File Manager and File* as well.


Demo of Button Configuration

The Stiletto bar shown in the bottom middle of the screen demonstrates different ways to set up buttons.  Press the Exit Demo button when you are finished with the demo.  Note that button widths and heights have been increased using the Bar Dialog.

To see how the buttons have been configured left or right-click on each and hold the button down for a second or so.

Moving from left to right, the buttons demonstrate:

Exit Demo button shows standard button with no icon in label.

File Mgr button shows combined icon and text label.

Notepad button shows button with only icon.

Time/date button shows use of special label.

Pa/Ca shows icon from right, button with own color text and face.  This button is also a tray icon.

Calendar button will toggle colors when right-clicked.

Another tray icon has been configured with the Tray Icon button on the Bar Dialog.


Demo of Hot Keys, Screen Corners, Screen Saver, Tap Keys, Context Menu

The Stiletto bar shown in the bottom middle of the screen demonstrates screen saver, screen corner, and hot key commands.  Press the Exit Demo button when you are finished with the demo.  (Note the button widths have been increased using the Bar Dialog).

To see how the buttons have been configured left-click on each and hold the button down for a second or so.

Saver Commands

Right click on the Saver Cmds button to see a menu of commands related to screen savers.  First, for the demo, select the Display control panel command to activate your display control applet.  Select the saver tab and set the delay to one minute.

Select the enable screen saver command from the menu.  Now, to start your saver, you can either select the start screen saver command from the menu or by left-clicking the button.  (Note that this command will automatically enable your saver in any event).

Select the disable screen saver command from the menu. Do nothing for more than a minute and note that the screen saver does not start.  Re-enable the saver for more demos under screen corners.

Screen Corner

Left click on the button bar with Ctrl held down to activate the configure tabbed dialog and select the Keys/Mouse tab.  Note the screen corner commands in the list box labeled bottom-right, bottom-left, top left.  Double click on any of them to see the set up. Note the drop down box labeled delay for screen corner commands at the bottom of the dialog has been set to 500 milliseconds (1/2 second).

Move the mouse cursor to the top left and leave it there for 1/2 second to activate File Manager.

Move the mouse to the top right to start the screen saver.

Move the mouse to the bottom right and leave it there for more than a minute.  The screen saver is temporarily disabled while the mouse is in the corner.

Hot Keys

Alt+Ctrl+Shift+p start Paintbrush or switches to if when active.

Alt+Ctrl+x shows a confirmed window exit Stiletto built-in command.

Alt+Shift+m shows a menu which you can navigate with the arrow keys.  The c key has also been assigned as a menu mnemonic for Change Display Resolution.

Left click on the button bar with Ctrl held down to activate the configure tabbed dialog and select the Keys/Mouse tab. The list box in the dialog shows three example hot keys which you can view by double clicking.

Caption Hot Keys (Mouse Clicks)

Start notepad using bar.  Right click on minimize button to minimize to the tray of the task bar.  Left click on the NotePad icon in the task bar to restore.  Right click on the system menu icon to the left of the NotePad caption to roll the window up to the caption.  Right click there again to restore.  Finally, right click anywhere on the caption to close NotePad.

To see how these hot keys were configured, left click on the button bar with Ctrl held down to activate the configure tabbed dialog and select the Keys/Mouse tab. The list box in the dialog shows hot keys for right sys menu, right caption anywhere, and right minimize.  Double click on any of these to see the configuration.

Shift+Right Click Menu

This hot key/mouse action brings up the demonstration menu which is also included in the starting bar.

Tap Key and Context Menu

Click the notepad button and then use notepad to read any file.  Tap (press and quickly release) the ctrl key.  A small menu of home, end, and close will appear.  Selecting a menu entry sends a sequence of keys to Notepad which causes the program to scroll text to the top (home), to the bottom (end) or to exit (close).

Use the button to start explorer.  Tap Ctrl again.  Extra commands which apply only to Explorer will appear:  these allow you to select the arrangement of files.

Left click on the button bar with Ctrl held down to activate the configure tabbed dialog and select the Keys/Mouse tab. The list box in the dialog shows a tap key hot key which Launches Menu active.

To see how this menu is configured, look for menu name active in menu contents dialog.


Demo of Desktop and Windows Menus

The Stiletto bar shown in the bottom middle of the screen demonstrates menus activated by right-clicking the desktop and by right-clicking on a window caption.  Press the Exit Demo button when you are finished with the demo.  (Note the button widths have been increased using the Bar Dialog).

To see how the buttons have been configured left-click on each and hold the button down for a second or so.

Ctrl-left click on the button bar to see the configuration dialog and select Menu Setup.  Under  Window menu, note that the menu called Caption has been assigned to right-clicking the window title and that the menu called Desk has been assigned to right-clicking the center 2/3 of the desktop.  Use the Menu Contentstab to inspect these menus.

Left click on the NotePad button to start NotePad for the demo.  Right-click on its title bar to see the Stiletto menu and try various entries.

Right click in the middle 2/3 of the desktop to see the Desk menu.  Of course, Windows also attaches a menu to right-clicking the desktop.  You will normally see only the Stiletto menu if you click and release quickly, and both menus if you click and hold for a moment.

Using Special, this demonstration also uses the middle (or shift-left) button to allow you to close any window by middle-clicking its title bar.

Of course, by using the Stiletto configuration options, you can decide which of the middle or right buttons to use for any of the above capabilities.  Note:  the right mouse button  for accessing window captions does not function in the current NT beta version (build 1234).


Demo of Timers and Alarms

The Stiletto bar shown in the bottom middle of the screen demonstrates timers and alarms.  Press the Exit Demo button when you are finished with the demo.  (Note the button widths have been increased using the Bar Dialog).

To see how the buttons have been configured right-click on each and hold the button down for a second or so.

Timers

The five right-most buttons have all been configured to show timers on their faces.  Note that it is not necessary to actually show the timers on faces to use them; this is done for the demo.

Because Show Resources has been checked on the Bar Dialog, you can also see the timers on the flyover help.

The ids of the timers being tested are, from left to right, a, d, z, I, n.  You can see their settings in detail by left clicking any timer button, and selecting view/change timer from the menu.  The view/change timer dialog is also available from the Alarm Setup dialog.

You can start, stop, or toggle any of the first three timers using the menu accessed by left-clicking a timer button.  Note how the same menu (timer) has been attached to each button. The leftmost timer should be running since it is set to start automatically with Stiletto.  Timers will update once every two seconds, as set in the Alarm Setup dialog.

When you start the timer which starts at 3:00 minutes, it will count down to 0, display a message box, and restart at 1 minute. Stop the timer when you have had enough using the left-click menu.

If you have a Dial-Up networking connection, your can use the fourth button to test timers which start and stop with your modem connection.  Right click on this button to bring up the timers control dialog and change the name of timer i to the name of a dial-up connection on your computer.   Change the path on the dundial and dunhang commands in the left and middle command boxes to refer to your path to the Stiletto folder. Type the name of your connection in the Dundial parameter edit box.  Close the configure dialog and left-click the button to run the Stiletto DunDial program (see dundial.txt in the Stiletto directory).  The timer will start when your connection is made and stop when you hang up.  You can use DunHang to hang up (middle click).

The rightmost timer will start and stop depending on whether Notepad is the foreground window.  Left click the rightmost button to start Notepad.  Note how the timer starts (and the icon appears) whenever Notepad is the active window and how it stops whenever you click on some other window.

Alarms

Ctrl-left click and select the alarm tab to see several sample alarms.  All have been set for 1999; you will need to adjust the time to see the alarms in action.

To see a reminder alarm in action, double click on the "This is a Test" alarm and adjust the time to several minutes from now.  You can start with the "=" buttons beside the timer and date, and then use the "+" under mm.  Close the alarm and wait for a few minutes.  The message will repeat every five minutes until you delete the alarm.

A similar process with the Notepad alarm shows command launch alarms in action.

Finally, the Clear Timer alarm shows how to clear timers on a daily basis.

This demo has both timer logs and alarm logs activated on the Alarm Setup dialog; after you have started/stopped several timers and activated alarms, you can inspect the demoalrm.tlo and demoalrm.alo files in the Stiletto directory to see their contents.


List of All Demonstrations

Bar Positions

Button Configuration

Menu Setup

Working with Active Tasks

Alarms and Timers

Hot Keys, Screen Corners, Screen Saver, Tap Keys, Context Menu

Desktop and Caption Menus

Active Task Buttons

Read how one user has configured Stiletto.

Review guidelines on how to configure Stiletto.


Demo of Active Task Buttons

The Stiletto bar shown in the bottom middle of the screen demonstrates active task buttons.  Press the Exit Demo button when you are finished with the demo.  (Note the button widths have been increased using the Bar Dialog).

To see how the buttons have been configured right-click on each and hold the button down for a second or so.

To see the demo in action, click the Notepad and File Manager buttons and notice the new buttons added to the button bar.  Press these buttons to switch between active tasks.  Middle click (shift-left or both buttons at once) to close the task.

Experiment with the active settings on the Buttons dialog.


Check to add active task buttons to the button bar.


Select icon type: none, stretch to have Stiletto grow/shrink icon to fit button; large/small for a fixed-size but possibly more appealing icon.


Select first button to be used to track active tasks.  Buttons, starting with this one, and up to the highest displayed, will track active tasks.


Check to have text displayed along with icons (text is always displayed for icon setting of none).


Buttons Tab

The Buttons dialog is selected by clicking on the “Buttons” tab from the Configuring Stiletto command.

Use the set of buttons in the top part of the dialog to configure the Stiletto buttons.  Left click on a button to configure it.  Right drag and drop to move or copy buttons.

Use the edit box and spin controls to set the number of buttons displayed, or check "Set to Number Used" to have Stiletto set number of visible buttons to highest button which has a command assigned to any mouse click. You can also change the number of displayed buttons by clicking and dragging the right-hand side of the bar (bottom for vertical bars).

Use the edit box and spin box to set the number of rows of buttons (columns for vertical bar).  (Not available for active task buttons).

Use the drop down boxes at the right of the dialog to control the position of icons and text on button labels.  (The above position applies to vertical button bars only).

At the bottom of the dialog are controls for dealing with Active Task Buttons and No click command execution.


Check to have button use own font as set with Font button.


Select button font; used when Own Font checked (bar font used if unchecked).


Positioning Windows with Stiletto Exec

You can position a window at a specific location or at the top, bottom, left, or right half of the screen with

Command	Stiletto Exec

Parameters	pos windowId p

where

windowId is ** for the program just launched,  the path name to the executable with the window to be moved, or an asterisk followed by the caption text of the window.  For captions you can optionally replace some ending characters by using an asterisk:  eg *PIF* finds the first window with a caption starting with PIF.  Or you can replace beginning characters:  eg **NotePad to find a caption ending in in NotePad. If the caption contains blanks, enclose the windowsID in quotations marks, eg "*PIF Editor*".

p is one of

t	top half

b	bottom half

l	left half

r	right half

left top wid hei	to position at horizontal position left, vertical position top, width wid, height hei

You can omit width and height to use the program defaults.

For example,

Command:	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter	pos *Exploring* b

positions an open explorer window in the bottom half of the screen.

To launch a command and set its position, use *sexec (lower case):

Command:	Notepad.exe

Parameters:	<*wait !<*sexec pos ** 10 50 100 200

waits for Notepad to be opened and then positions the window at horizontal position 10, vertical 50, width 100, height 200.


Enter a list of comma-separated strings;  if auto minimize/hide is active, windows with these captions will be automatically removed from the task bar.  You can specify captions starting with xxx by xxx*, and captions ending with xxx by *xxx,


If checked, alt+mouse click on button closes corresponding program if it is running.


Press to show effect of configuration changes on button bar appearance.


Copies command, parameter, and directory info to Stiletto clipboard; use P button to paste to other command entry controls.


Check to use flat look for button bar.  Gray check for heightened 3d effect for overall bar.


Sets the maximum amount of time a tap key (alt, ctrl, shift) can be held down; if the key is held longer than this, any corresponding tap key command is not executed.


If checked, Stiletto will not attempt to search for exe names corresponding to active tasks (for use in icons for active task buttons and checking to see if a command which is about to be launched is already running)


If checked, Stiletto will keep an internal database of commands it launches to use to search for exe names corresponding to active tasks (for use in icons for active task buttons and checking to see if a command which is about to be launched is already running).


Use radio buttons to determine how Stiletto searches for exe names corresponding to active tasks (for use in icons for active task buttons and checking to see if a command which is about to be launched is already running).


If checked, Stiletto will attempt to use the Registry to search for exe names corresponding to active tasks (for use in icons for active task buttons and checking to see if a command which is about to be launched is already running).


How To

Click on ? for details.

Using Buttons

? Adding or removing a button

? Changing the Commands on a Button

? Changing button color or font.

? Putting Icons on Button Faces

?Putting Time or Date on Button Faces

Bar Layout

? Changing bar color, font, or size.

? Changing bar color, font, or size.

? Changing fixed bar position.

? Changing flyover color, font, contents.

? Moving or copying buttons.

? Making the bar invisible until needed.

Menu Layout

? Adding a new menu.

? Adding an item to a menu.

? Changing a menu item.

? Adding icons or custom colors to a menu.

Alarms

? Running commands at specified times.

? Showing reminder messages at specified times.

? Playing sounds with alarms.

Randomizing Sounds, Wallpaper, Screen saver.

? Randomizing system sounds.

? Randomizing wallpaper.

? Randomizing screen saver.

Working with Hot Keys and Screen Corners.

? Setting a hot key.

? Setting a screen corner command.

? Setting a tap key.

? Changing a key.

? Using a key to paste text.


Add or remove a button

1  Click and drag right hand side of bar to change number of displayed buttons.

OR

1  Hold Ctrl down, left click on button bar.

2  Select Buttons tab.

3  Adjust "number of buttons shown" edit box

4  Preview with Apply button, if desired.

5  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Check "Set to number used" to have Stiletto automatically set number of displayed buttons to include highest button with an assigned command.


Move or copy a button

1  Hold Ctrl down, left click on button bar.

2  Select Buttons tab.

3  Right click on button, drag and drop to new position or copied-to button.

4  Release right button and select from resulting menu.

5  Preview with Apply button, if desired.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Add or change button commands

1  Add new button if not already visible on bar.

2  Press and hold button to be changed until config dialog appears.

3  Enter command(s) under any or all of left, middle, right using Browse for file, Capture from running tasks or Start Menu, or drag/drop from Explorer to command entry edit box.

4  Enter flyover help, if desired.

5  Enter button label text, or set icon, or use both.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Shortcut: right drag/drop a file from explorer to a button and select configure left/right/middle.

You can also configure a button by holding ctrl down, left click on button bar, select "Buttons", left-click on button to be changed.


Putting a time or date on button face

1  Press and hold button to be changed until config dialog appears.

2  Select "Time or Date" from ”Label" drop down.

3  Select desired time display format (if any) and desired date display format (if any) from drop downs.

4  Preview with Apply button, if desired.

5  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Note:  you can also configure a button by holding ctrl down, left click on button bar, select "Buttons", left-click on button to be changed.


Putting a timer on button face

1  Press and hold button to be changed until config dialog appears.

2  Select "Timer" from ”Label" drop down.

3  Set timer id of timer to be displayed.

4  Preview with Apply button, if desired.

5  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

To show seconds on timer, Ctr+left click on button bar, select Alarm Setup tab, check "Show seconds on timers".

You can also configure a button by holding ctrl down, left click on button bar, select "Buttons", left-click on button to be changed.


Showing a menu from a button

1  Press and hold button to be changed until config dialog appears.

2  For any of left, middle, right, set Cmd drop down box to *Launch Menu.

3  Right click on corresponding Param edit box and select menu to be shown from "Stiletto Menus".

4  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Note:  Once the menu is assigned to a button, you can configure it by alt+click on button.

You can also configure a button by holding ctrl down, left click on button bar, select "Buttons", left-click on button to be changed.


Creating an active task button

Active task buttons track active tasks, allowing you to switch among them with a button click.

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Buttons tab.

2  Check "Active Bar" at bottom of dialog.

3  Set "Start At" drop down to number of first button to track active tasks.

4  Set "Number of Buttons Displayed" drop down to number of last button to track active tasks.

5  For text-only label of active task button,  set" Icon" drop down to None.

OR

5  To show icon of active task, select type from "Icon" drop down.  Check "Text Label" for both icon and text on button (% of button face devoted to icon is taken from first active task button %).

6  Press "Apply" to preview, if desired.

7  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

You can also configure a button by holding ctrl down, left click on button bar, select "/Buttons", left-click on button to be changed.


Showing icons on button faces

1  Press and hold button to be changed until config dialog appears.

2  Use the drop down box "Icon Source" to select file for icon.  Press "Show Icon" if the desired icon does not appear after you select an icon source or type a file name.

3  To display only the icon on the button,

delete all text from label edit box.

OR

3  To display both text and icon on the button,

type text into label box,

and select % of button face to be used for the icon from"Size %".

4  Select "small" or "large" to select fixed-size icon, or "stretch" to stretch icon to fill button face.

5  Preview with Apply button, if desired.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

You can also configure a button by holding ctrl down, left click on button bar, select "/Buttons", left-click on button to be changed.


Changing size, color, text font of a button

1  Press and hold button until config dialog appears.

2  If desired, change size using width and height .

3  If desired, change colors by checking "Own Color" and pressing "Text" or "Face".

4  If desired, change font by checking "Own Font" and pressing "Font".

5  Preview with Apply button, if desired.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

You can also configure a button by holding ctrl down, left click on button bar, select "/Buttons", left-click on button to be changed.


Adding a new menu

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Menu Contents tab.

2  Press "Add" at top left beside "Menu Name".

3  Entry new name for menu and press OK.

4  Add entry menu entries.

5  Press OK to accept new menu, Cancel to delete.


Adding an entry to a menu

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Menu Contents tab.

2  Create new menu if the menu name does not exist OR select menu name from drop down.

3  Enter command using Browse for file, Capture from running tasks or Start Menu, or drag/drop from Explorer to command entry edit box.

4  Enter name for menu item under ."Menu  Item Name".

5 To add item at end of menu

Press "Add At End"

OR

5 To add item before/after existing item:

Click on item in list box

Press "Add Before/Add After"

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Shortcut:  to change a menu which is assigned to clicking a button, click on that button with Alt-key held down.

Shortcut: you can drag and drop a file  to a button configured to a launch menu to add that file to the menu.


Change an existing menu item

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Menu Contents tab.

2  Select menu name from drop down.

3  Double click on menu item in list box.

4  Modify command or menu item name.

5  Press "Replace" to change existing selection or "Add Before/Add After" to add new.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Shortcut:  to change a menu which is assigned to clicking a button, click on that button with Alt-key held down.


Adding a submenu to a menu

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Menu Contents tab.

2  Select menu name from drop down.

3  Select "*Start Submenu" from Cmd drop down .

4  Enter submenu name in "Menu Item Name".

5  Press "Add at End" (or select list box item and use "Add Before/Add After").

6  Select "*End Submenu" from Cmd Drop down and add after Start Submenu in list (menu item name is not used but cannot be blank).

7  Add  submenu items after Start Submenu.

8  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Shortcut:  to change a menu which is assigned to clicking a button, click on that button with Alt-key held down.


Moving or copying a menu item

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Menu Contents tab.

2  Select menu name from drop down for menu containing items to be moved/copied.

3  Hold down Ctrl for copy.  Leave up for move.

4  Left click on menu item in list box and drag to new position.

5  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Shortcut:  to change a menu which is assigned to clicking a button, click on that button with Alt-key held down.


Deleting an entire menu

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Menu Contents tab.

2  Select menu name from drop down for menu to be removed.

3  Delete each individual menu item by clicking on first and repeatedly pressing Alt-d,  then down arrow.

4  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.  The menu name is removed when the dialog closes via OK.

Shortcut:  to change a menu which is assigned to clicking a button, click on that button with Alt-key held down.


Startup menu

A Startup menu is a set of commands executed by Stiletto when it first starts.

1  Create the menu and add items.

2  Hold down ctrl, left click on bar, select "Menu Setup" tab.

3  Set drop down box under "Start Up Menu" to name of created menu.

4  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Note:  the Startup menu is not processed if you hold Shift down  when Stiletto starts.


Creating a menu from startup menu or desktop shortcuts

1  If desired, create a new menu.

2  Add an item to the menu with command "*Folder Contents Menu" using Command drop down.

3  For desktop icons, set the Parameters edit box for this command to "Desktop".

OR

3  For programs submenu of start menu, set Parameters edit box to "Programs ProgName", where ProgName is the name of the submenu on the Start Menu (eg "Accessories").

OR

3  For most recently accessed documents, set Parameters edit box to "Recent".

4  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

To combine this command with others on the same menu, you may want to make the *Folder Content Menu command the single entry on a submenu.

For more info, see details.


Showing icons on menus and changing menu colors

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Menu Setup tab.

2  To show icons on menus, check "Include icons on menus".

3  To change menu color, check "Own" under "Color" and set colors with "Text" and "Background" buttons.

4  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Click on the following graphic of the command entry controls for info.

For more info, see details.


Using a standard bar position

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Bar tab.

2  Click on desired position button..

3  Preview with Apply button, if desired (not for caption positions).

4  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Using a floating bar position

1  Click and drag near left hand side of bar.

OR

1  Assign builtin *Position Stiletto command to any button.

2  Click on that button and drag Stiletto to new position.


Changing bar size, color, font

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Bar tab.

2  Make sure "Use Windows Button Colors" is unchecked for color changes.

3  Change height and width with Height %, Width %.

4  Change colors and fonts with buttons under "Bar".

5  Preview with Apply button, if desired.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Adding a second button bar

1  In your Stiletto directory,  copy file blankini.def to stilnew.ini (or any other .ini file name).

2  Create a command on a button or menu with Command Name stiletto.exe and Parameters stilnew.ini.

3  Execute this new command.

4  Configure the new bar as desired.

5  Add the new bar command to your Start Up group or Stiletto startup menu.


Changing flyover (tool tip) color, font, contents

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Bar tab.

2  Make sure "Show Flyover Help" is checked.

3  Change colors and fonts with buttons under "Flyover".

4  Change contents with "Show Resources on Flyover Help"

5  Preview  by pressing Apply button and moving mouse cursor over bar, if desired.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Making bar invisible until accessed

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Bar tab.

2  Select "Any" from drop down "Show Stiletto when mouse bumps screen edge".

3  Check "Hide bar after each command".

4  If desired, set "Delay for autohide" drop down.

5  If desired, test by pressing Apply, pushing any button command, and bumping screen edge nearest invisible bar to make bar re-appear.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Registering Stiletto

1  Pay for registration code.

2  Enter registration code.


Obtaining a registration code

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Info tab.

2  Press Registration Info.

3  To pay by credit card online through the internet

Select the Online Payment button on the register dialog

or use the link on the Stiletto home page:

http://www.inforamp.net/~crs2086/index.htm

or go directly to:

http://order.kagi.com/?BW&S

OR

3  To pay with credit card by e-mail or fax:

Press "Credit Card Payment" (runs program register.exe)

Follow directions to e-mail or fax information to Kagi.

OR

3  To pay via Compuserve:

Search for Stiletto on GO SWREG and register latest version.

OR

3  To pay via phone:

Call Kagi in USA at. +1 (510) 658-5244.

There is a $5.00 handling fee and you pay for the call.

OR

3  To pay by cheque or money order through regular mail:

Mail cheque for US$22 or Cdn$28 to me.

204 Duplex Avenue

Toronto, Ont, Canada

M5P 2B2


Entering a registration code

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Info tab.

2  Press "Registration Info".

3  Enter name in Registration Name edit box.

4  Enter Registration code.

5  Press "Complete Registration" button.


Randomizing your system sounds

1  Create a directory containing sounds (.wav files) you want to randomize.

2  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Sound tab.

3  Double click on sound name in list box that you want to randomize.

4  "Browse" for and select any starting sound file in directory created in step 1.

5  Set "How to Change Sound" and "Mins between changes".

6  Press "Replace".

7  Repeat 3-6 for any other sounds.

8  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Randomizing your wallpaper

1  Create a directory containing paper (.bmp/.jpg) files you want to randomize.

2  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Paper/Saver tab.

3  "Browse" for and select any starting paper file in directory created in step 1.

4  Set "How to Change Paper" and "Mins between changes".

5  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Randomizing your screen saver

1  Create a directory containing screen saver (.scr) files you want to randomize.

2  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Paper/Saver tab.

3  "Browse" for and select any starting screen saver file in directory created in step 1.

4  Set "How to Change Saver" and "Mins between changes".

5  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Running a command at a specified time

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Alarm Contents tab.

2  Set alarm time and date with "+" and "-" buttons.

3  If you want command to run repeatedly, set "After Alarm Rings" drop down.

4  Enter command.

5  Press "Add".

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Showing a reminder message at a specified time

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Alarm Contents tab.

2  Set reminder time and date with "+" and "-" buttons.

3  If you want reminder to appear repeatedly, set "After Alarm Rings" drop down.

4  Set command to *Message Box using drop-down.

5  Enter reminder message text in "Work Directory/Alarm Message" edit box.

6  Press "Add".

7  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Playing sounds with alarms or reminder messages

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Alarm Setup tab.

2  Check one or both of "Play Sound for Alarms Cmd" and "Play Sound for Alarm Message Box".

3  Set Alarm Sound using Sound tab.  Set sound name to * for computer beep.

4  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Creating a hot key or mouse action command

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Keys/Mouse tab.

2  Select desired key from "Hot Key/Mouse Action" drop down.

3  Check at least two  of Alt, Ctrl, Shift, Win or check "Allow any key as hot key".

4  Set command.

5  Press "Add."

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Running command when mouse moved to screen corner

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Keys/Mouse tab.

2  Select desired screen corner from  "Hot Key/Mouse Action" drop down.

3  Set command.

4  Press "Add".

5.  If desired, set screen corner delay using drop down at bottom of dialog.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Running command when alt, ctrl, caps lock, win, or shift tapped

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Keys/Mouse tab.

2  Select desired tap key from "Hot Key/ Mouse Action " drop down.

3  Set command.

4  Press "Add".

5  If desired, set max tap key time using drop down at bottom of dialog.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Changing a hot key/mouse action command

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Keys/Mouse tab.

2  Double click on item to be changed in list box.

3  Set command or new key.

4  Press "Replace" to change existing selection or "Add" to add new.

5  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Creating a global hot key to paste text to any window accepting ctrl-v for paste

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Keys/Mouse tab.

2  Select desired key from "Hot Key/Screen Corner" drop down.

3  Check at least two of Alt, Ctrl, Shift.

4  Set command to *Stiletto Exec" using drop down.

5  Set parameters field to clip text<*wait 0<*send * ^v  where "text" is characters to be pasted.

OR

5  Set parameters field to clipfile path<*wait 0<*send * ^v   where "path" is file containing characters to be pasted.

6  Press "Add".

7  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Note : you can use *send instead of clip.


Benefits of registration

1  You will be able to use jpeg files as wallpaper.

2  The splash screen is no longer shown.

3  You will avoid nag screens which appear at the end of the trial period.

4  You  will be doing your share to help create the information economy of the future.


Adding a tiny command line window

The tiny command window allows you to type commands directly and takes very little screen space.

1  Add built-in command *Tiny Run Box to button or menu.

2  Execute this command.

3  Drag resulting window to desired screen position using caption.

4  Set window size using border.

5  To remove caption, right click on window (not caption) and uncheck "Show Caption".  Set other options as desired.

6  Put *Tiny Run Box command in startup menu, to have window available as soon as Stiletto starts.

See details for more info.


Opening a menu by clicking the desktop

1  Create  menu if it does not exist.

2  Hold Ctrl down, left click button bar, select Menu Setup tab.

3  Under "Desktop Menu", use top drop down to select right mouse, middle mouse, or right mouse only in middle 2/3 of desktop.

4  Under "Desktop Menu", use bottom drop down to select menu name.

5  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

See details for more info.


Closing windows quickly by clicking caption

1  Hold Ctrl down, left click button bar, select Special tab.

2  Beside "Click Caption to Close", select desired portion of caption.  For first time, select "Anywhere".

3  To use right click, check "Right Click Caption Closes".  Leave unchecked to use middle.

4  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Creating tray icons to run commands

1  Hold Ctrl down, left click button bar, select Buttons tab.

2  Press "Tray Icon" button (or base tray icon an any button bar button, visible or not).

3  Check "Tray Icon" in upper left.

4  Configure button to run desired commands or menus and to show desired icon for the tray icon.

5  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

You can create multiple tray icons by repeating above steps.


Clears all fields on button.


Retracts last configuration change.  Enabled after OK button pressed on configuration dialog.


Undoing Configuration Changes

Stiletto lets you undo the last set of configuration changes you made using the "Undo" button on the Info dialog.

This button will be enabled when an undo configuration file is created and disabled when the undo configuration file is used.  The undo file is created when the OK button is pressed from any configuration tab.  The undo file will retract all changes made since the OK button was previously pressed on the config dialog.

Stiletto also keeps a backup file of your configuration file; this backup is created and changed each time you press OK.  The backup file name is config.bki where "config" is the name of the backed up config file (eg stiletto).


Install a shortcut to Stiletto in your Accessories sub-menu.  Disabled if shortcut already is there.


Install a shortcut to Stiletto in your Start Menu.  Disabled if shortcut already is there.


Install a shortcut to Stiletto in your Programs Menu.  Disabled if shortcut already is there.


Install a shortcut to Stiletto in your Start Up Group.  Disabled if shortcut already is there.


Removes all shortcuts to Stiletto.


Creating shortcuts for Stiletto on Start Menu

1  Hold Ctrl down, left click button bar, select Info tab.

2  Press any of Startup, Start Menu, Accessories, or Programs to select shortcut location.  (If button is disabled, shortcut already exists).

3  Press OK to accept new configuration.


Unsaved Information Warning

Information you have entered in data entry controls at right of dialog has not been saved in the list box.  Choose one of the following:

Ignore and Exit	To discard information and exit this config tab

Add and Exit	To add information and exit this config tab

Replace and Exit	To replace current selection and exit config tab

Cancel	To return to this config tab for further work with unsaved info


Check to make Stiletto invisible if a L Cap, M Cap, or R Cap caption position is selected and no window is active; uncheck to have Stiletto move to the position set by the Bar dialog or the last *Position Stiletto command if there is no active window or the active window caption is too small.


Check to have Stiletto choose a random directory from the parent directory of the wallpaper file's directory before automatically changing the wallpaper.


Test Driving the Default Button Bar

The default button bar should be shown in the upper left of your screen.

Move your mouse over it without clicking.  A small flyover help window will appear to show you which commands have been associated with each button.  There are three commands per button:  left mouse-click, right-click, and middle-click (both buttons at once or shift-left if you have a two-button mouse).

Notice that left clicking on the leftmost button will activate Stiletto help (which you are viewing now).

Now try left clicking the button marked Edit.  Notepad should start.  Right click on the same button and System Editor will start.  Close both programs.

Left click on the button marked menu.  A menu of commands will appear.  At the top are four submenus for working with your active tasks:  select an entry from the appropriate submenu to switch to, put always on-top, take off on-top, or close any program currently running on your system.   Note that the close menu has been configured to include hidden windows.

For Win95, right click on the menu button to directly access your Accessories group (if you like icons on your menus, Stiletto lets you have them).

Try the right-hold menu.

Here is some more help on configuring the default bar to suit your tastes:

Changing button label/icon

Changing bar look

Changing bar position

Adding a new button


If checked, middle clicking a window sends it to the back.  You can also use Alt+Shift+Left if you have no middle mouse button.


If "Use Window Colors" unchecked, sets highlight color for bar buttons.


If "Use Window Colors" unchecked, sets shadow color for bar buttons.


If checked, Stiletto will display menus to left of mouse pointer if there is room; if unchecked, menu display will depend on which half of the screen the mouse pointer is in.


Omitting Icons Or Text from some Menus

You can omit icons or text from individual menus when you have enabled icons for menus using the Menu Setup dialog.

To omit icons, insert a command at the start of the menu with the command edit box set to

*No Menu Icons

This command must be the first in the menu.  The menu item name can be anything.

To omit text, insert a command at the start of the menu with the command edit box set to

*No Menu Text

This command must be the first in the menu.  The menu item name can be anything.  You can limit text to the first n characters by using this command with n in the parameters edit box.

You can also omit icons from Folder Contents Menu commands (which are not embedded in other menus) by putting NoIcons anywhere in the work directory edit box.


Check to have chimes ring while a screen saver is running


Check to have any running alarm stop running screen saver before the alarm executes.


System Resources Window

By executing the built-in Show System Resources command, you create a small window which shows GDI/user, memory, battery status, and free disk space and which can be updated periodically by Stiletto.

After you first start the Show System Resources, drag the window to desired position and resize it to desired dimensions.  Stiletto will remember the location and width the next time the system resources command is started.

If you want Stiletto to periodically refresh the values, use the command parameters box to specify a number between 1 and 30;  Stiletto will continually update the display after that number of seconds.

Alternatively, you can specify that Stiletto automatically close the resource windows after n seconds by putting -n in the command parameters box; eg put -3 to close after 3 seconds.

You can further configure the window by right-clicking on the edit box (not the caption).  You can then:

specify that the window should/should not be always on top

specify whether or not the caption should be shown

specify which of GDI/User, memory, battery, and free disk should be shown

specify whether the resource text would appear on separate lines or on one line

Put the command on the Stiletto start menu if you want the resources window to appear when Stiletto starts.


If checked, alarm messages will be shown on top of the active window; if unchecked, they will not take the keyboard focus away from the active window when they are shown.  If gray-checked, messages will be shown "always on top".


Press to set font used for menus when "Own" checked.


Press to reset menu font to Windows default; if disabled, font is already set to default.


Position Stiletto in the Task Bar.  Set the Task Bar to no autohide before setting this position (reset to autohide after setting the positon, if desired).  In rare circumstances, Stiletto may disappear for hidden taskbars; remove autohide then reset it to correct.


Position Stiletto in the Task Bar and remove the Start Button. Set the Task Bar to no autohide before setting this position (reset to autohide after setting the positon, if desired). In rare circumstances, Stiletto may disappear for hidden taskbars; remove autohide then reset it to correct.


Battery Status Display

For portable computers, you can display the status of the battery on a button or in the resources windows.

The display consists of these three fields:

percent of battery power remaining (255% means no information available)

character + if battery charging, - if discharging, ? if unknown charging status

AC if ac connected, DC if battery power being used; ?? if unknown.


Special Configuration Options

The Special GUI dialog is selected by clicking on the “Special GUI” tab from the Configuring Stiletto command.  It is used for customizing your windows interface.

There are check boxes for controlling Caps Lock and Scroll Lock keys.

There is a check box to specify that documents launched by Stiletto should be added to the Win95/NT4 recent documents list.

You can indicate that windows should be centered when switched-to from the active window list or the active task buttons.  You can indicate that Stiletto should show more of windows which it activates and which are mainly off the screen.

You can specify that alt-clicking on a button closes the corresponding program, if that program is running.

You can automatically restore saved desktop icons positions when the screen resolution changes; however, checking this box can lead to Explorer aborts with some programs which change resolution and then display a lot of information (eg those that play movies).

You can specify that Stiletto should act as a Win 4 App Bar and reserve a strip of screen space like the Windows task bar.

You can specify that Stiletto should disable the screen saver while a RAS connection is active.

You can indicate that Stiletto should activate windows when the mouse passes over them and set a delay in milliseconds for how long the mouse has to be over the window for it to be activated.  You can further specify that the active window should only be changed if the mouse is over a caption.

You can indicate that Stiletto should pan (move) windows into view when the mouse is held over them at the screen edge;  you can set the speed of panning by setting the step size in pixels.

You can select a mouse plus modifier key combination to be used to drag any window to a new position.  If you select plain right, then clicking and moving will move the window and clicking without moving will activate normal right mouse functions.  Also, plain right will not move windows where right mouse dragging has a meaning (eg Explorer windows).

You can use the middle mouse button and mouse movement to scroll windows.

You can specify that right-or middle-clicking (or shift-left) on the title bar closes the corresponding window:  however, this setting is intended for older configuration compatibility:  use hot keys captions and window under mouse for new configurations.


If checked, Stiletto will take extra steps to make itself invisible when a screensaver is running; note, however, that this may cause freezes with Energy-Saving monitors.


Check to scroll only if mouse down; gray-check to scroll after middle mouse up until left mouse clicked.  Hold down middle mouse and move in desired direction to start scroll.  For ordinary check, merely holding the mouse button down will maintain scrolling.  For gray-check, scrolling will be suspend when mouse stops moving except if mouse is near window edge.  To scroll pages (instead of single lines), follow the same process but hold down the right or left mouse button as well as the middle mouse button.  To quickly move to the start or end of the file, hold the Alt key down and move the mouse in the desired direction.  Only works with applications that use standard windows scroll bars.


Using the Middle Mouse Button with Stiletto

If you have three button mouse, you may want to use the middle mouse button as follows:

To send double left clicks, set the middle anywhere hot key  to this command:

Command:	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter	mouse left double

You could also attach commands or  menus to middle anywhere or middle hold hot key;  see the Window Menu in the starting button for an example.

You can set further hot keys with the middle mouse by using a modifier key like Ctrl.

In addition to the hot key, you may also want to use it either for scrolling or for moving a window by setting the option on the special config tab.


Check to automatically restore relative positions of desktop icons, as saved by Built-In Save Desktop Icon Positions command, whenever screen resolution changes.


Saving and Restoring Desktop Icon Positions

For NT 4/Win 95, use the Built-in commands *Save Desktop Icon Positions and *Restore Icon Desktop Positions to save/restore the relative positions of desktop icons.  Assign the commands to a button or menu, and execute them to save/restore your desktop icons positions.

Or you can save and restore icon positions directly using buttons on the info configuration dialog.

Normally, you'd only execute the save command after changing or adding a desktop icon.  You can put the command in your start-up menu to automatically execute it each time Stiletto starts if you frequently change your desktop icons.

Positons are stored as numbers which are independent of screen resolution.  If you save positions under one resolution and restore under another, the relative positions of icons on your physical screen will not change.

You can check an option on the special config tab to have Stiletto automatically restore desktop icon positions whenever the screen resolution changes.


Specify the number of rows of buttons (columns for vertical bar).  Not available if there are active task buttons.


Sets the color for the border around the button bar.


Suspending Alarms

You can suspend ringing of alarms by executing the following command (eg though a button or menu item):

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter:	alarms off

To resume alarm ringing, use

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter:	alarms on

To reverse the status, ie suspend alarm ringing if it is active, or resume alarm ringing if it is suspended, use

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter:	alarms toggle

To prompt for the change in alarm status, use:

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter:	alarms ?

When alarm ringing is resumed, alarms which would have rung when alarm ringing was suspended are rung or discarded according to the setting of "Ring Missed Alarms" on the Alarm Setup configuration dialog.


Specify the screen position for windows generated by alarm reminder messages.


Using the Clipboard Contents as the Command Parameter

You can use the contents of the clipboard in the command parameter field as follows:

Use the internal option ClipboardChar=c under [General] in the Stiletto.ini file to set the clipboard character to c, where c is any non-alphanumeric character.  Then put the character c in the parameters edit box of the command entry controls.

Example:

CommandChar=~

Then attach the following to a button:

Command:	c:\yourpath\notepad.exe

Parameter:	~

launches Notepad to edit the file name contained as text on the clipboard.

Command:	c:\yourpath\netscape.exe

Parameter:	~

launches Netscape.exe to view the URL stored as text on the clipboard.


Sets the position of icons on button labels.  Above applies to vertical bars only.


Sets the justification of text on button labels.


Check to allow any key as hot key; uncheck to force at least two of alt, ctrl, and shift to be included.


Virtual Desktops

For Stiletto, a virtual desktop is a set of programs that you launch or switch-to as a group.

You define and switch-to a virtual desktop through a menu that you access by Ctrl+right-clicking anywhere on the Stiletto button bar or by activating the built-in command *Virtual Desktop.  Click here for an explanation of the menu contents.

You can switch to  a virtual desktop named, eg, vdesk, from a button or menu entry by including the desktop name with the *Virtual Desktop command:

Command	*Virtual Desktop

Parameter:	vdesk

You can associate a specific set of buttons on the tool bar with a virtual desktop by copying buttons.  Or, if you create a second button bar with the same .ini configuration file name as the virtual desktop, Stiletto will automatically show this second tool bar when the corresponding virtual desktop is activated.

You can specify that windows appear on all virtual desktops by the Never AutoMin/Show On All V. Desks edit box on Window Control dialog.  Put captions of windows you want on all Virtual Desktops, separated by commas, in this edit box.  If the entry in the edit box ends/starts with a *, then windows with captions starting with/ending with the characters before/after the * will appear  For example

File Manager, Exploring*

includes windows with the caption File Manager and windows with captions starting with Exploring.  You can also put =filename to refer to all windows belonging to the program filename.exe (omit path and .exe).

Virtual desktops are actually menus of programs which Stiletto launches as a group.  If you want to change the contents of an existing desktop, use the menu configuration commands.  Stiletto adds an at-sign (@) to the start of the menu name of a virtual desktop.

You can set up color-coded buttons to switch between virtual desktops.

See Launching All Commands on a menu for more details on the mechanisms used to implement virtual desktops.


Program-Specific Hot Keys

You can define hot keys which only function when a specified program is the active window.  To do so, define a hot key as usual, but add an asterisk followed by the .exe file name of the program to the work directory edit box of the hot key command.

For example, the following command definition sends the key sequence Alt-F S Alt-F4 to NotePad only (this sequence saves the active file and then exits):

Command:	*Send Keys

Parameter:	* "%fs%{f4}"

Work Dir	*Notepad

Note that you must use the .exe file name of the program, eg Excel for Microsoft Excel, iexplore for Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape for Netscape navigator.  The directory path and .exe extension are optional.

If you also want to put a working directory path in the Work Dir edit box, put the * exe name after the path name.

You can define the same hot key several times if you want to use the same command for several programs or you can define the same hot key to mean different things in different programs.

You can define a hot key to have specific meaning for certain programs and other meanings for other programs by defining the hot key multiple times with different Commands and Work Dir entries.  Omit the * .exe name from the Work Dir for hot keys to be applied to all programs.

When you press a key which is a hot key, Stiletto uses the following searches to select from the possibilities:

First, search to see if there are any hot keys defined solely for the currently active program.  If so use it or them (if more than one hot key is specifically defined for this key and program).

If there are no hot keys specifically for this program, but there are hot keys(s) for all programs, execute them.

If the only hot keys which are defined are specific to other programs, then send the raw input key to the currently active program.


Send Mouse Clicks to the Active Window

You can send single mouse clicks to the active window with a command of this form

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter	mouse xxx

where xxx is left, middle, or right.

You can send double mouse clicks to the active window with a command of this form

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter	mouse xxx double

where xxx is left, middle, or right.

For example

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter	mouse right

will bring up the right (context) menu; this is useful, for example, in a Stiletto window (context) menu which you have attached to right-clicking.

For example

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter	mouse left double

sends a left double click to the underlying window.  Attach it to a mouse middle click hot key if you want to simulate left double click by middle clicking.

For single mouse clicks, you can specify the screen coordinates to which the mouse click is sent as two numbers at the end of the Parameters.


Set the horizontal offset for the menu from the mouse cursor; use to pre-position the cursor over a part of the menu.


Set the vertical offset for the menu from the mouse cursor; use to pre-position the cursor over a part of the menu.


Program-Specific Menu Contents

You can specify that portions of a menu should only appear if specified program is active by using the *Start Context Menu and *End Context Menu built-in commands.

These commands are useful, for example, to set up menu entries to send keys in a Stiletto context (window) menu or hot key which depends on the active window under the mouse.  Or they could be used on a button bar attached to active window for the same purpose.

You can create menus which include several different *Start Context Menu sequences so that different parts of the menu appear for each of the selected programs.

To create a program-specific portion of a menu, you insert a *Start Context Menu command into the menu which has the the .exe file name of the target program in its Parameters edit box.  Follow this command by the program-specific menu entries.  End with the *End Context Menu command.

The following illustrates a set of menu entries to send control-I (view images) and Ctrl-arrow-left (go back) only if Netscape Navigator (netscape.exe) is active.

Menu Item Name:	Netscape only

Command	*Start Context Menu

Parameter	netscape

Menu Item Name:	Images

Command	*Send Keys

Parameter	* ^i

Menu Item Name:	Back

Command	*Send Keys

Parameter	* %{al}

Menu Item Name:	End

Command	*End Context Menu

Parameter

You cannot use these commands in menus attached to the desktop.


Enter captions of windows where Stiletto middle scrolling is to be disabled.  Separate them by commas.  Use *xxx to match all windows ending in xxx, eg *Internet Explorer for MS IE.  Use xxx* to match all windows starting in xxx.  Use =progname, (no path, no .exe.) to specify windows from the program with exe file name progname.exe.


You chord two mouse keys by pressing and releasing them at the same time.  Some mice have problems if you press or release keys too closely together leading to strange mouse behaviour:  press and release mouse keys separately to clear if this happens.


en	Enter key

sp	Space

qu	double quote

qn	question mark

gt	greater than sign >

lt	less than sign <

ta	Tab

es	Escape

au	Up arrow

ad	Down arrow

al	Left Arrow

ar	Right Arrow

in	Insert Key

de	Delete Key

ba	Backspace Key

ho	Home Key

ed	End Key

pu	Page Up

pd	Page Down

p+	Numeric Pad +

p-	Numeric Pad -

p*	Numeric Pad *

p/	Numeric Pad /

ds	date in Windows short format

dl	date in Windows long format

ti	time in Windows format

fn	Function Key "n" (eg f1 for function key 1; do not actually use the letter n)


Show/hide the target program to which the hotkey applies (if not all, entered as *program-filename in work directory box)


Displaying a Menu Offset from the Mouse Cursor

To help position the menu near a most-used entry, you can specify a menu offset in the *Launch Menu built-in

 command.  The format is:

Command	*Launch Menu

Parameter	MenuName *x y

where x and y are the horizontal offsets, in screen pixels.  The numbers x and y can be positive or negative;


Changing a Label and an Icon on the Default Bar

Here is how to change the icon on the files button on the default bar.  (NT 3.51 users: please also look here).

While holding down the Ctrl key, left mouse click anywhere on the Stiletto button bar.  This will activate the Stiletto configuration tabbed dialog.

Click on the tab "Buttons".  A dialog showing all potential Stiletto buttons will appear.  Visible buttons are larger than hidden ones.

Since we want to change the files button, click on the button labeled "files".  The button configuration dialog appears.  It has controls for changing the button label and look along the top, controls for icons down the left, and three sets of controls for entering the command to be run for each of left, middle, and right mouse clicks.

Suppose we want to change the label to "docs".  To do so, overtype "files" in the Label edit box with "docs".  Press apply to see the effect.

You may want to eliminate the text label entirely.  Just delete all the characters in the edit box.

To change the icon to that used by File Manager, the middle command, use the drop down box under "Icon source" to select Middle Icon.  Press Show Icon at the bottom of the dialog if the File Manager icon does not immediately appear.  Press Apply to see the effect on the button.

Press OK if you like the new label and icon  Press cancel to go back to the original ones.

After selecting OK or cancel from the button configuration dialog, press OK to exit from the tabbed configuration dialog.


Changing the Look of the Default Bar

While holding down the Ctrl key, left mouse click anywhere on the Stiletto button bar.  This will activate the Stiletto configuration tabbed dialog.

Click on the tab "Bar".

First, try experimenting with the "flat look" check box on the left side of the bar.  Check and uncheck, pressing Apply to see effect.  Move your mouse over the bar after trying a change.  Pick your preferred look.

Perhaps you would prefer a different color for the bar.  Make sure "Use Windows button colors" check box is unchecked.  Then press the Bkg Color button under Bar at the right of the dialog.  Choose a color or create a custom color.  Press Apply  to see effect.  Try different colors until you find the one you like.  You can also change the text, highlight, shadow and border color (the border is the black border that only appears on non-flat look:  try changing it to your button face color for a softer look for non-flat bars).

Press OK when you find the colors you want, or Cancel to return to default.


Changing the Position of the Default Bar

You can position Stiletto by clicking and dragging near the left hand side of the bar (top for vertical bars).  You can then return the bar to its previous position by right clicking near the left side of the bar  The cursor will change to show you where to click.

You can also use the configuration dialog.  While holding down the Ctrl key, left mouse click anywhere on the Stiletto button bar.  This will activate the Stiletto configuration tabbed dialog.

Click on the "Bar" tab.

The various Stiletto positions are shown in the middle of the dialog.  Click one and press Apply to see the effect (you will need to press OK to see the effect of the active caption positions L.Cap, M. Cap,. R.Cap).

Note:  before selecting a task bar position, please make sure the task bar is not auto-hidden.  If you decide to keep Stiletto in the task bar, you can re-set to auto-hide the task bar after closing the Stiletto configuration dialog.

Choose a position you like.  If you prefer a vertical position and have trouble seeing the whole icon, you may want to use the Buttons tab to set the "Icon Position" to "Left" or adjust the buttons to be long and thin using the button configuration dialog.

Press OK to save your new position or Cancel to return to the default.


Adding a New Button

While holding down the Ctrl key, left mouse click anywhere on the Stiletto button bar.  This will activate the Stiletto configuration tabbed dialog.

Click on the tab "Buttons".  A dialog showing all potential Stiletto buttons will appear.  Visible buttons are larger than hidden ones.

The number of buttons shown on the Stiletto bar is controlled by the edit box at the middle-left of the dialog.  (Note you can configure buttons and not show them all the time by using this control).  To add a new button increase it by 1.  The new button on the configuration dialog will get larger.  Press it to configure.

Type "new" into the label field in the top left of the button configuration dialog.

Use wizard button under Left and Right to select commands you want to assign to the button.

Use the icon drop down if you want to select an icon.  To accomodate the icon and label text, you may need to adjust the button size using the Height and Width edit boxes.  You can also change the percentage of the button face devoted to the icon using the Size % edit box.

Press OK to save your new button.  Press OK on the tabbed dialog to exit configuration.

(Power user tip: You can change the number of displayed buttons by clicking and dragging the right-hand side of the Stiletto bar (bottom for vertical bars).  Then, press and hold a new button down and the configuration dialog will appear.)


Entering and Changing Alarms

For an introduction, see alarms.

On the alarm configuration dialog, the left side of the dialog shows a list box containing all current alarms, sorted so that the earliest is at the top. (You can change the format of the dates in the list with the AlarmListDateFormat internal option).

In the middle of the dialog are a set of buttons which are only enabled when the corresponding action can be performed.  For example, the “Replace” button is only enabled when you have entered a valid alarm time and date and command and have selected the alarm to be replaced from the alarm list.

The right side of the dialog contains a set of controls for entering or changing a single alarm, including the alarm time and date, a drop down box to specify what Stiletto should do with the alarm after it rings, and a set of command entry controls to enter the command to be executed or message to be displayed when the alarm rings (use the Message Box built-in  command to display a message for an alarm).

To enter an alarm date, enter the year, month, and day as one or two digits separated by a space.  When you enter a valid date, the day of week and date will be displayed beside the date you enter.  You can use the "=" button to reset to the current date, and the "+" and "-" buttons to change the year, month, or day.  (These buttons will repeat if held down.)

To enter an alarm time, enter the hour and minute as one or two digits separated by a space.  Use a 24 hour clock or put a (for AM) or p (for PM) after the time.  When you  have entered a valid time, it will be displayed in AM/PM format beside the time you enter.  You can use the "=" button to reset to the current time, and the "+" and "-" buttons to change the hour or minute.  (These buttons will repeat if held down.)

To add a new alarm:

Enter the alarm time and date.

Select the fate of the alarm after it has rung.

Enter a valid command, using Message Box built-in command for an alarm message.

Press the add button.

To replace or change an existing alarm:

Select the alarm.

Press copy or double click the alarm.

Enter the alarm time and date.

Select the fate of the alarm after it has rung

Enter a valid command, using Message Box built-in command for an alarm message.

Make sure the alarm you want to change is selected.

Press the Replace button.

To delete an alarm:

Select the alarm from the list.

Press the delete button.


Entering Sound Information

For an introduction, see sound.

The left side of the sound tab on the configuration dialog shows a list of the standard Stiletto sounds and any sound files currently assigned to the sound.

The right side of the dialog contains controls for working with a single sound and its sound file.

To use a sound file, type its name directly into the sound file edit box, drag and drop it from the Explorer/File Manager, or use one of the browse buttons to display and select from a list of wav files.  If you want to hear the sounds as you browse them, press the Browse and Test button; clicking on a wav file in the file browse dialog will play that sound file.

To play the sound file shown in the sound file name edit box, press the Test button.

To add or replace sound file information for a particular sound event:

Enter or browse for the sound file name.

Enter the How to Change Sound and Mins Between Sound, as required.

Select the sound with the sound information you wish to change or add.

Press the replace button.

To work with existing sound file information for a particular sound event:

Select the sound with the sound information you wish to use.

Press copy (or double click).

Change the sound file name, How to Change Sound, or Mins Between Sound.

Select the sound with the information to be changed.

Press the replace button.

To stop the sound for a particular event:

Select the sound to be cleared.

Press Clear.


Entering Menu Information

For an introduction, see menus

At the left of the menu contents tab of the configuration dialog is a list box which displays the currently selected launch menu.  Submenus are shown indented.  You can select which menu is displayed with the drop down box labeled Menu Name.  You can add or rename (up to 50) menus with the add or rename buttons.  You can delete menus by deleting each individual menu entry.

In the middle of the launch menu dialog are a set of buttons used to transfer information between the launch menu list box and the controls used to work with a single menu entry.  These controls are only enabled when their function can be performed; for example, the “Add After” control is only enabled when you have entered a valid Menu Name and Command and have selected an item on the list to be “added after”.

At the right of the dialog are controls for changing, adding, or deleting menu lines (items). The adjacent edit box is used to enter the name of the menu item.  The command entry controls beneath the edit box are used to set the commands to be run when the menu item is selected.

You can use the Move to and Copy To buttons to copy or move a menu item to another menu.  Select an item then press the button to display a list of target menus.  Selecting an entry form the target menu list moves or copies the item to the end of the selected target menu.

If you have checked "Include icons in menus" in menu setup, controls for changing the default icon for the menu item will appear at the bottom of the dialog.

To add a new command to the menu:

Select the menu you want to use or add a new one.

Enter the menu item name on the right hand controls.  If you want a hot-key (mnemonic) letter for the menu item, put an ampersand (&) in front of the letter in the name.

Enter the command, parameters,  and work directory in the right hand controls.

If you want to add the entry before or after an existing entry, or replace an entry,  select it.

Push the button corresponding to how you want to add the new entry to the list.

If you added a new menu, to access it assign the Launch Menu command to a button and set the parameters edit box to the new menu's name.

To change an existing entry:

Select the entry from the list.

Press copy (or double click on the entry).

Change the menu name or command as desired.

Press the replace button.

To move or copy an existing entry:

Drag and Drop it to the new location (hold Ctrl down for copy)

OR

Select the entry to be moved or copied.

Press cut for a move, copy for a copy (or double click for copy).

If you to move/copy to a different launch menu, select that menu number.

If you want to move/copy the entry before/after an existing entry, select that entry.

Push the button corresponding to how you want to add the new entry to the list.

To delete an entry:

Select the entry to be deleted.

Press the Delete button.


Entering Hot Key and Mouse Action Information

For an introduction to hot keys, see hot key.

The left side of hot key configuration dialog shows a list box containing all hot keys and mouse action commands.

The right side of the dialog contains a set of controls for entering or changing a single hotkey including modifier keys (shift, ctrl, alt), a drop down box to select the hot key or mouse action, and a set of command entry controls to enter the command to be executed.

In the middle of the dialog are a set of buttons which are only enabled when the corresponding action can be performed.  For example, the “Replace” button is only enabled when you have entered a valid hot key, command, and selected an existing key from the list to be deleted.

Unless you check "allow any key for hot key", you must select at least two of the modifier keys (shift, ctrl, alt) for hot keys to be valid and the Add/Replace buttons to be enabled.  For mouse actions involving the left mouse, you must always select either alt or ctrl.

You need to specify Shift explicitly to access shifted characters; eg on a North American keyboard you access Ctrl-Alt-! via Ctrl-Alt-Shift-1.

You can assign more than one command to a hot key or mouse action by repeating it in the list.

To add a new hot key:

Check desired modifier keys (not needed or used for screen corners or tap keys but can be used with mouse clicks and chords).

Select the key or screen corner.

Enter a valid command.

Press the add button.

To replace or change an existing hot key:

Select the hot key in the list box.

Press copy or double click.

Check desired modifier keys.

Select the key or screen corner.

Enter a valid command

Select the hot key to be changed from the list box.

Press the Replace button.

To delete a hot key:

Select the hot key from the list.

Press the delete button.


Special Labels for Buttons

See button configuration.

Using the drop down combo box in the top left of the button configuration dialog, you can:

select a time or date display from  the label drop down lists.  (Use Alarm Setup tab if you want seconds on time display)

select one of the resource usage displays from the drop down box.

select battery status display from the drop down box.

select a timer as a label and assign its timer id.


Working with Invisible Bars

The  bar configure dialog contains options for hiding Stiletto.

Check the "Hide Stiletto after command" to make Stiletto  invisible after each command launched from Stiletto.  Gray check to show a narrow strip where the mouse can be bumped at screen edge to show as set by the "Show Stiletto when mouse bumps screen edge" drop down box.  You can change the strip size with the internal MarkerSize option.

Before using this option, make sure you have a way to make Stiletto visible again!  You could use the mouse cursor option (see next paragraph) or attach the built-in command Show/Move Stiletto to a launch menu or to another Stiletto button bar which is running.  If you forget to do this, edit the ini file and remove the autohide option from the [General] section.

Use the "Show Stiletto when mouse bumps screen edge" drop down to determine whether Stiletto should be made visible when the mouse cursor passes over the nearest screen edge.  Stiletto will be shown if invisible or uncovered if hidden by another window.  For vertical Stiletto, the nearer vertical screen edge is used; for a horizontal button bar, the nearer horizontal screen edge is used.  For this option, if "Hide Stiletto after command" is checked, Stiletto will become invisible again when you move the mouse cursor off the button bar, even if no command is executed.

You can control how long the mouse has to be held at the edge with the "held at edge" drop down; you can also can control how long Stiletto stays visible with the "autohide delay" drop down.

Use the Bar Size 0 command in your Startup menu to make Stiletto initially invisible.

You can hide a Stiletto bar from another program by executing the command

c:\yourpath\stiletto.exe config.ini hide

where config.ini is the name of the configuration file of the executing Stiletto bar.  You can show a hidden bar with

c:\yourpath\stiletto.exe config.ini show

You can hide all bars with

c:\yourpath\stiletto.exe config.ini allhide

where config.ini is the ini file of any running bar.

You can animate the disappearance of Stiletto by editing the ini file and putting AnimateDisappear=1 under [General].


Positioning to Stiletto bar

The bar configure dialog contains options for positioning Stiletto.

Use the bottons in the middle of the dialog to set the position for Stiletto on your desktop.  The buttons with no label place Stiletto at a fixed position on the screen.  For help on the individual positions, click on the ? in the upper left of the dialog then click on a position of interest.  (You can also  position Stiletto manually using the Stiletto Position built-in  command.)

There is also a check box to indicate whether Stiletto is to float always on top of all other windows.

Note for task bar positions:  the first time you set a task bar position on an autohide task bar, first disable auto hide, then set Stiletto to a task bar position, then re-enable autohide.  You may also need to disable autohide and restart Stiletto.

You can also position Stiletto by clicking and dragging near the left hand side of the bar (top for vertical bars).  You can return Stiletto to a standard posotion from a maully set position by right-clicking near the left side of the bar (the cursor will change to show the appropriate bar area).


Scrolling with the Middle Mouse Button

Set up middle mouse scrolling using the special configuration dialog.

Check  the Scroll checkbox there to scroll only while middle mouse down; gray-check to scroll with middle mouse up until left button clicked.

To scroll a window, hold down middle mouse and move in desired direction to scroll single lines; For ordinary check, merely holding the mouse button down will maintain scrolling.  For gray-check, scrolling will be suspend when mouse stops moving except if mouse is near window edge.

For ordinary check, you can use the Internal option ScrollReset to have Stiletto return the mouse cursor to the starting point of the screen after the window scroll is completed.

To scroll pages (instead of single lines), follow the same process but click the right or left mouse button while the window is scrolling.

To quickly move to the start or end of the file, hold the Alt key down and move the mouse in the desired direction.  Or you can use the Internal option ScrollDouble and double click the mouse to go quickly to the top or bottom.

Middle mouse scrolling only works with applications that use standard windows scroll bars.

Some applications, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, already support middle mouse scolling.  You can disable Stiletto scolling for such windows by typing the caption of the window in the edit box beside the middle scrolling check box.  Separate captions of different programs by commas.  Normally, you will not type the whole caption, but rather only a part.  Use *xxx to match all captions ending in xxx.  Use xxx* to match all captions starting with xxx.  For example, *Internet Explorer will match MS IE windows.

You can control speed of scrolling with ScrollInterval internal option.


Entering Work Directory Information for Folder Contents Command

See Folder Contents Menu for an introduction.

You can use the work directory edit box to control the files displayed in the menu.

Placing autocol n to automatically start a new column every n entries; this gives the menu a toolbar look (applies to top level menu only, not submenus).

Placing autosoftcol n to automatically start a new column every n entries without including a bar between the columns (applies to top level menu only, not submenus).

Placing autocolall  n to automatically start a new column every n entries; this gives the menu a toolbar look (applies to top level menu and submenus).

Placing autosoftcolall n to automatically start a new column every n entries without including a bar between the columns (applies to top level menu and submenus).

Placing maxtext n limits text labels to n characters.

Placing omit deletes the phrases in the "omit strings..." edit box on the special config tab; omit is applied before maxtext.

Placing offset n1 n2 shows the menu offset n1 characters to the right and n2 characters below the mouse cursor; n1 or n2 can be negative.

Placing nosort in the edit box means the menu entries will not be sorted.

Placing nosubdir in the edit box means no subdirectories will be included.  The names of subdirectories are still shown; if selected, a *Folder Contents Menu is shown for that subdirectory.

Placing folderdots in the edit box means "..." is added to folder names; this is useful with NoSubDir if you do not use icons in menus.

Placing folderstart in the edit box sorts menu entries with folders at start.

Put folderback in edit box to add Back (previous folder) entry when NoSubDir specified.

Placing nosubmenu in the edit box means all files from subdirectories will be listed in the main menu.

Placing embed in the edit box is used if the *Folder Contents command appears in a menu:  it causes the menu entries to be embedded within that menu rather than appearing when the *Folder Contents command is selected (embed must be in lower case).

Place noicons in the edit box to omit menu icons (only works if the Folder Contents menu is not embedded in another menu).

Place explorer in the edit box to add a menu entry "Explore" to all submenus; selecting it will open a single-pane Explorer window on the selected directory.

Place explorer2 in the edit box to add a menu entry "Explore2" to all submenus; selecting it will open a double pane Explorer window on the selected directory.

Place *all in edit box to execute all commands, rather than displaying a menu.

Place *allclose in edit box to close  all commands, rather than displaying a menu.

To create a Folder Contents Menu of the directory subtree of a drive, try setting the work directory to

.xxxx explorer

which will select only files with extension .xxxx (ie none) but will include the Explore option for each directory.  Uncheck "Switch to if active" to allow new Explorer window to open if explorer is already running.

Placing a number n in the work directory edit box means that only files accessed more recently than n days ago will be included.

To include files with only certain extensions, list the extensions separated by blanks including the initial period.

To exclude files with certain extensions, list the extensions to be excluded, separated by blanks, and include a - in front of the period of each extension.

Examples:

autosoftcol 2 offset -15 0 maxtext 5

Start a new column every 2 entries; limit labels to 5 characters, and offset 15 characters to the left of the cursor.

nosubdir .exe 15

Include .exe files accessed less than 15 days ago from main directory

.xls nosubmenu

Include Excel spreadsheets from all subdirectories on one menu.

-.dll -.bak

Exclude dll and bak files.


Sending Key Strokes to Other Programs

You can send key strokes to other programs which are running or to programs which you launch with Stiletto using the Send Keys builtin command. The simplest way to configure this command is to use the command wizard.  You can also enter the information directly as follows:

Command	*Send Keys:

Parameter	window-id "keystrokes"

The following sections provide more information:

Specifying window id to receive the keys

Specifying the keys to be sent

Examples

How to send keys to programs when they are started

Your mouse and keyboard will "freeze" while keys are being sent; this is normal operation.

To set up a global macro key to play a commonly used sequence of keys, assign the Send Key command to a hot key. If you have many such keys you may prefer to create a menu of these keys and attach the menu to a hot key or mouse action.

You can use this technique to set up program specific hot keys or menus of keys.

To send mouse clicks, use Stiletto Exec mouse.

Stiletto will wait for Ctrl, Alt, and Shift to be up before sending keys; you can control the maximum length of the wait with the HotKeyAllUpWait internal options

You can control the delay between sent keys with the SendKeyDelay internal options.

You cannot send keys to Dos windows.


Specifying the Window to Receive the Keys

For the overview, see sending keys.

The parameters of the *Send Key command start with the window id to receive the keys.   You will usually use an asterisk to specify the currently active window (excluding Stiletto; it remembers the window which was active before it).   But there are other possibilities:

*	sends keys to current active window

File Path	sends keys to program run from that "File Path"

*Title	sends keys to window with caption "Title"

*PartTitle*	sends keys to window with caption starting with "Part Title" (Note asterisk at end)

**PartTitle	sends keys to window with caption end  with "Part Title" (Note asterisks at start)

**	sends keys to window of last command started by Stiletto

*t	sends keys to task bar.

If the window file or caption that you want contains spaces, enclose it in double quotation marks.

Stiletto shows and activates the main window of the program to receive the keys.  This window will normally set the keyboard focus to the one of its child windows which should receive the keys.  Sometimes, the wrong child window is chosen.  For example, if you select an item from a listbox and it is not highlighted when keys are sent, this could indicate this problem.  To try to solve it, precede the window Id by an equal sign, eg =* for the active window.  Stiletto will then set the keyboard focus to the child window under the mouse cursor, if this child window belongs to the target program.


Specifying the Keys to be Sent using Send Keys

For the overview, see sending keys.

For a description of the old, blank separator approach, which was the default before 97f, see here.  The new approach is the default with all ini files created with version 97f; the parameter compresskey=1 is included under [general] in these files, and is described as follows:

After the window id, the parameters of the *Send Key command specify the keys to be sent.

Send letters, numbers, and other keyboard characters by typing them as you want them to be sent.  If you are sending spaces, enclose the keys to be sent in double quotes.

To  specify an Alt-prefixed key, prefix it by %; similarly use ^ for Ctrl key, + for Shift, and combine as needed (eg %^ for both Ctrl and Alt).

Use the following character pairs enclosed in {} for special characters:

{pl}	Plus (also can use {+})

{pe}	Percent sign (also can use {%})

{ca}	Caret (also can use {^})

{br}	Curly Brace (also can use {{})

{en}	Enter

{sp}	Space

{qu}	double quote

{qn}	question mark

{gt}	greater than sign >

{lt}	less than sign <

{ta}	Tab

{es}	Escape

{au}	Up arrow

{ad}	Down arrow

{al}	Left Arrow

{ar}	Right Arrow

{in}	Insert Key

{de}	Delete Key

{ba}	Backspace Key

{ho}	Home Key

{at}	Alt Key

{co}	Ctrl Key

{ed}	End Key

{pu}	Page Up

{pd}	Page Down

{p+}	Numeric Pad +

{p-}	Numeric Pad -

{p*}	Numeric Pad *

{p/}	Numeric Pad /

{ds}	date in Windows short format

{dl}	date in Windows long format

{ti}	time in Windows format

{fn}	Function Key "n" (eg {f1} for function key 1; do not actually use the letter n)

Example:  "%fnhello^v%{f4}" sends Alt-F, then n, then hello, then ctrl-v, then alt-f4.

If you have only one key to send,  the surrounding double quotes are not needed.  You can send at most 75 keys.

You can send Alt+0xxx keys (eg alt+0181 =µ) but on some systems these may not work as the first character sent.   Put {sp}{ba}in front to work around this problem (space, backspace).


Examples of Send Key Commands

For the overview, see sending keys.

Command	*Send Keys

Parameter	* ^{ed}

Sends Ctrl+End to the active window.  This key combination often tells the program to go to the end of the information being displayed.

Command:	*Send Keys

Parameter	c:\yourpath\prog.exe ^{ho}abc

Sends Ctrl-Home followed by abc to window started from c:\yourpath\prog.exe.

Command:	*Send Keys

Parameter:	**Notepad %fo

Sends Alt-f followed by o to the window with caption ending in Notepad.  This would select the open command from the menu.

Command:	*Send Keys

Parameter:	+**Down %vl

Waits for up to 3 seconds for the window with the appropriate caption to appear, then sends Alt-v followed by l to the window with caption starting with Down.  This could set the list view for Explorer.


Sending Keys to Programs When They Are Started

For the overview, see sending keys.

To start a program and send it keys at start up, use multiple commands.  For example, to start c:\ql\myprog and send alt-g n, specify

Command	c:\ql\myprog.exe

Parameters:	<*wait !<*send * "a-g n"

Note how * is used to refer to the active window, which will be the command just started.  The sequence <*wait ! causes Stiletto to wait until the program is ready to accept input before sending the keys.

You must put *wait and *send in lower case.

If the *wait ! does not work for some reason, try *wait 2 (or some other digit) to wait 2 seconds.

To save typing, you can omit the <wait ! and put the ! in front of the Window Id:

Command	c:\ql\myprog.exe

Parameters:	<*send !* "a-g n"

You can also wait for up to 5 seconds until a window with a specified caption appears by preceding the caption with a +

Command:	*Send Keys

Parameter:	+**Down "a-v l"

Waits for up to 3 seconds for the window with the appropriate caption to appear, then sends Alt-v followed by l to the window with caption starting with Down.  This could set the list view for Explorer.  This is especially useful with Explorer, where the ! may not work (since Explorer is always running).


For menus with icons, you can have Stiletto hold icons in a memory cache by checking the "Cache Icons" checkbox.  Gray check for a larger cache.  Caching icons will speed menu display but will take more memory.


Enter captions of windows whose default button is to be pressed as soon as they open.  Separate Captions with commas. You must check "Cursor to default button" as well.  You need not enter the whole caption:  enter xxx* for captions starting with xxx or enter *yyy for captions ending in yyy.


Enter captions of windows where cursor is not to move to default button  Separate captions with commas. You need not enter the whole caption:  enter xxx* for captions starting with xxx or enter *yyy for captions ending in yyy.


Check to have Stiletto automatically move the cursor to the default button of dialogs when the dialog opens.  "Enable automin/size/default button" must be checked to enable.  Gray check means that Stiletto only moves mouse cursor and presses button for captions specified in the "Press default button" edit box


Automatically Moving the Mouse Cursor to a Dialog Button

Check the "Cursor to default button" checkbox on the Window Control dialog to have Stiletto automatically move the mouse cursor to default button on a dialog. "Enable automin/size/default button" must be checked to enable.

You can omit certain dialogs by including their captions in the edit box beside the checkbox. You need not enter the whole caption:  enter xxx* for captions starting with xxx or enter *yyy for captions ending in yyy.

You can have Stiletto automatically push the default button by including the caption of the window in the "Press default button" edit box at the bottom of the dialog. You need not enter the whole caption:  enter xxx* for captions starting with xxx or enter *yyy for captions ending in yyy.  Stiletto will wait for 1 second before pressing the button by default; you can change this wait time with the internal PressDelay option.

If you gray check the checkbox, Stiletto only moves mouse cursor and presses the default button for captions specified in the "Press default button" edit box


No icons found in file; press Show if needed to refresh.


Browse for icon file.


The icon which will be shown in the menus for this entry.


Enter file name for icon or browse with ... button.


Number of icons in file.  Press Show if needed to update.


Select icon from file to be used.  Press Show to update icon display if needed.


Press to refresh icon display.


Check to have Stiletto start and stop the timer according whether the RAS (dialup) connection of the same name is online.  Gray check to have Stiletto start and stop the timer according to whether the program with exe name equal to the timer name is the foreground (active) program.


Copying Buttons Dynamically

You can copy the contents of buttons on a button bar with the built-in command

Command	*Copy Buttons

Parameters	n1 n2 n3

copies buttons n1 through n2 inclusive to buttons starting with n3.  For example:

Command	*Copy Buttons

Parameters	22 24 8

copies buttons 22 though 24 to 8 thorough 10.

None of the buttons to be copied can be active bar buttons.

You can use this command to dynamically change the visible buttons.  Use it with Virtual Desktops to show different buttons for each virtual desktop:

Command:	*Virtual Desktop

Parameter	desk1<*copy 20 23 5

switches to virtual desktop desk1 and copies buttons 20 through 23 to 5 through 8.  Presumably, buttons 20 through 23 make available special commands for desktop desk1.

You can make the range of buttons to be copied depend on the active window by listing the .exe file names of the programs to be checked:

Command	*Copy Buttons

Parameters	wordpad=25 27 8 winfile=22 24 8 *=28 30 8

copies buttons 25 to 27 to button 8 thorugh 10 if explorer is active; buttons 22 to 24 to 8 through 10 if File Manager is active, and buttons 28 to 30 to 8 through 10 otherwise.  Put *= last to cover the default case.  If *= is omitted and none of the listed programs are active, no copying is done.

If you assign a *copy command to the middle mouse position of the 30th button of a bar positioned in the caption, then that *copy command will be automatically executed each time that the bar moves.  This allows you to create a tool bar which varies depending on which window it is in.


Showing and Moving the Stiletto Bar

You can show a hidden or covered bar or move the bar temporarily to the mouse cursor with the built-in *Show Bar/Move Bar to Cursor command.

To show the bar only

Command:	*Show Bar/Move Bar to Cursor

Parameters:

shows/uncovers all bars.

Command:	*Show Bar/Move Bar to Cursor

Parameters: bar.ini

shows/uncovers the Stiletto program with configuration file bar.ini.

To temporarily move the bar to the mouse cursor (usually through a hot key):

Command:	*Show Bar/Move Bar to Cursor

Parameters:	*move

moves the bar which executed the command to the mouse cursor.

Command:	*Show Bar/Move Bar to Cursor

Parameters: *move2

If two bars are running, moves the other bar to the mouse cursor.

Command:	*Show Bar/Move Bar to Cursor

Parameters: *bar.ini

moves the bar with configuration file bar.ini to the mouse cursor.

Moving the bar also shows it.

The bar moves back to its original position after the mouse cursor is moved off it and the delay given by the "Delay for autohide/move" on the Bar configuration tab has elapsed.


To activate a horizontal move mouse hot key, move the mouse either right to left or left to right; then back over the originating point.  Do not pause during the motion.  Use the controls at the bottom of the mouse/key dialog to help fine tune:  you can control the minimum length of the stroke (in pixels), the maximum deviation from horizontal (in pixels), and the maximum time for the stroke (in milliseconds; this helps to prevent inadvertent activation).  Similar rules apply to vertical mouse move hot keys.


Set the maximum pixel deviation from horizontal (vertical) for horizontal (vertical) mouse move hot keys.


Sets the minimum length of the horizontal/vertical mouse movements for mouse move hot keys.


Click on any window with the selected key plus mouse click combination and drag the window to a new position.


Specifies the minimum time a mouse button must be held down for the mouse hold hot keys.


Set the color for the marker used for hidden bars when "Hide bar after each command" is gray-checked.


Reconfiguring Stiletto

You can dynamically reconfigure any Stiletto bar to use a new configuration file in two ways:

Manually:  by executing a command

Automatically: depending on the active program


Stretch wallpaper to fill desktop (only if you have Microsoft Plus!).


Reconfiguring Stiletto based on Active Program

You can create a Stiletto bar with a configuration which depends on the active window.  For example,  such a window could act as a tool bar for the active window.

Using the procedures for multiple bars, create a set of configuration files named after the .exe files of programs you want to create tool bars for.  For example, to create tool bars for Netscape Browser, Excel, and Notepad, create configuration files named netscape.ini, excel.ini, and notepad.ini.  In addition, create a configuration file default.ini which will be used for all other active windows.

All configuration files must reside in your main Stiletto file folder.

All configuration files must have "Automatically reconfigure based on active program" checked on Bar tab of configuration dialog.

Now start the default bar by

Command:	c:\yourpath\stiletto.exe

Parameter	default.ini

For example, you could include this command in your Windows StartUp group or your Stiletto Start menu.

Each time the active window changes, Stiletto will switch the configuration file appropriately.


Manually Reconfiguration of Stiletto

Use the *Reconfigure Stiletto built-in command to reconfigure any Stiletto bar to use a new configuration file.  First use the procedures for multiple bars to create a set of configuration (.ini) files that you want to use.  You then have the following options:

To restart the current bar from its existing .ini file:

Command:	*Reconfigure Stiletto

Parameter

The existing .ini file is re-read and Stiletto reconfigured based on its contents.  Use this command if you change the ini file using some other program.

To restart the current bar from newfile.ini file:

Command:	*Reconfigure Stiletto

Parameter	newfile.ini

The existing .ini file newfile.ini is re-read and Stiletto reconfigured based on its contents.

To restart the bar with configuration file other.ini and use the new file new.ini:

Command:	*Reconfigure Stiletto

Parameter	(other.ini) new.ini

The running bar with which has configuration file other.ini is reconfigured to use new.ini.

To restart the nth bar (n is any digit between 1 and 9):

Command:	*Reconfigure Stiletto

Parameter	3 newbar.ini

The bar which was started 3rd will be reconfigured to use newbar.ini.  The digit 9 is a special case:  it always refers to the last bar launched (note that launched means started, not reconfigured).

To restart the other bar:

Command:	*Reconfigure Stiletto

Parameter	=newbar.ini

If only one bar is running, a second bar with configuration file newbar.ini is started.  If exactly two bars are running, the other bar is reconfigured to use newbar.ini.  If more than two bars are running, the bar to use newbar.ini is determined as follows:  If the current bar was the first Stiletto bar started, the second bar is reconfigured.  Otherwise, the first bar started is reconfigured.


If checked, the Stiletto bar will automatically be reconfigured to use the configuration (.ini) file with the same name as the .exe file name of the active window each time the active window changes.  File default.ini will be used if no corresponding .ini file to the active window .exe.


Frequently Asked Questions (with Answers)

Where is my configuration stored?  How do I back it up?  How do I keep my configuration when upgrading?

The configuration is stored in file stiletto.ini.  Take a backup copy of this file to save your configuration.  Installation zips of Stiletto do not include a stiletto.ini file so they do not overwrite any existing configuration when installed:  to upgrade, copy all the files in your current Stiletto directory to a backup, shutdown all running bars, and unzip the Stiletto stilins zip file into your main Stiletto directory.

What are all the files in the Stiletto folder?  Which can I delete?

See filelist.txt in the folder for an explanation.  In addition, Stiletto creates .bki backup files and .udo undo files.  To save space, once you register you can delete files with the names of the form reg*.*.

Where is my registration code stored?  Do I have to re-enter it for each upgrade?

The registration code is stored in the registry.  Stiletto automatically reads it from there.  There is no need to re-enter when upgrading.

How can I start many Explorer windows at the same time?  How can I set the folder that Explorer starts with?

To start many windows from Explorer (or any other program), you much uncheck "Switch to If Active" at the bottom of the command entry controls for each button or menu item which is to start the command.  To learn how to use Explorer to start at any folder, see the file tips.txt that Microsoft includes in your Windows directory.  Put the command parameters described there into the Stiletto Parameters edit box.

How do I resize all of the buttons without having to hit each button configuration? Why can't I change the height of the button bar?

Use the bar tab of the confiugration dialog to set the base size for all buttons and to set the bar height (width for vertical bars).

For win95 and NT4, what is the best way to show a menu by right-clicking the desktop?

If you use the menu setup tab to set a desktop menu, Stiletto will attempt to show both the Stiletto menu you set and the Windows desktop or desktop icon context menu.  This may not always work well;  eg in NT 4, one of the menus may not close properly.

Instead of using the menu setup tab, create a right-desk hot key which executes a *Launch Menu for your desktop menu.  Include the following command in your menu:

Menu Item Name:	Context

Command	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter	mouse right

If you click your mouse anywhere on the desktop, only the Stiletto menu will be shown.  To access the Windows context menu for the item under the mouse, select the Context command.

You may also want to experiment with right-hold hot keys, chord left+right hot keys, and middle mouse hot keys.

How do I use middle mouse button to send left double click?  What else can I do with the middle mouse button?

The middle mouse button can provide many functions with Stiletto:

You can attach hot keys to it: for example, a mouse-all hot key and a mouse-hold hot key.  Use these hot keys for direct commands, like sending a left double click with Stiletto Exec mouse, or for launch menus, such as menu of send key commands to send common shortcut keys or simulate picking menu entries.

In addition to the hot key, you can also use the middle mouse for either scrolling or for moving a window by setting the option on the special config tab.

How can I activate programs which are not files, such as printers or control panel applets?

Use Explorer to create shortcuts to these special programs and then run the shortcuts from Stiletto.  You can create a folder of shortcuts to all your printers or other special programs, and display them all as a menu using Folder Contents Menu.

How do I create a bar in the caption so it looks like the icons of the bar are part of the caption?

On the bar tab of the configuration dialog, check (not gray) "Use flat look for bar".  Select one of the three caption positions:  L. Cap, M. Cap., or R. Cap.  Use the Bkg Color, Border, Shadow, and Hilight buttons to set the corresponding colors to the color of the active title bar.

What do the "C"and "P" buttons on the button config screen do?

You can find out about any button or other control on Stiletto configuration dialogs by clicking on the ? in the upper left corner of the caption, moving your mouse of the control you are interested in, and then clicking on it.  In particular, the C and P buttons can be used to copy and paste commands from command entry point to another- eg a button to an alarm.

If I configure a button bar that's NOT on the caption bar or task bar, how do I use it without minimizing everything on the desktop?

You can choose any of these options, or combine them:

Use Bar tab on configuration dialog and check "Always on top" for Stiletto bar

Select "Show Stiletto when mouse bumps screen edge" option from Bar tab; bumping screen edge will show bar

Assign "Show/Move Stiletto" command to hot key/mouse movement:  activating the key will show Stiletto

I have a caption bar, and I don't want it to go away when there is no active window, but I don't like the way it snaps to the upper right side of the screen  How do I change this behavior?

Drag the desktop bar to the exact position the bar has when it is at the left of a maximized window's caption bar.  Clicking on the task bar then doesn't move it.

How much memory does Stiletto use?

The Stiletto program requires about 400K.  Each bar including the first one will use about an additional 300K.  Icon caches require further memory.

Modern operating systems like NT and Win95 (!) do not keep all components of Stiletto in memory if other programs you are running need memory.  Pieces of Stiletto that are rarely used, for example the configuration dialog or members of the icon cache, will be swapped out to disk automatically.  (Hence there would be little memory saved by providing a separate program for Stiletto configuration.)

System performance monitors will report that Stiletto is using much more memory than the above numbers.  That is because they also include all of the standard operating system routines, like those used to draw windows, which are being shared by all programs on your system.


Push to set Height % and Width % to values just large enough to display small icons.  You must also select small icon size from button configuration.


Push to set Height % and Width % to values just large enough to display big icons.  You must also select large icon size from button configuration.


Select delay in milliseconds for automatic display of menus on a button when mouse cursor passes over button


No Click Command Execution

You can use the Buttons configuration dialog to specify that the commands on a button should be executed when the mouse is over held over the button without clicking.

Using the check boxes on this dialog, you can specify which type of commands to execute:  only *Launch Menu/*Folder Contents Menu commands, active bar buttons, or everything other than menus or active bar commands.  Gray check the Menu checkbox to cause menus to be closed automatically if you move the mouse cursor to another button on the bar

You can use the spin box to specify the time in milliseconds during which the mouse cursor must stay over the button for the command to be executed; separate timers are available for active buttons and non-active buttons.

You can use a drop down list on the button configuration dialog to individually disable no-click command execution for any single button or to set the default no-click mouse button.

Stiletto normally uses the command associated with left button clicking.  However, if the ctrl key is held down, Stiletto will look at the right button command (left if right is chosen as default), and if the shift button is held down, Stiletto will look at the middle button command (left if middle is chosen as default).

For active buttons, if Ctrl is held down, Stiletto will close the associated application.


Set the time in milliseconds for which the mouse cursor must be over a non-active button for clickless command execution to occur.


If checked, the window corresponding to an active bar button will be shown if the mouse cursor is held over the button without clicking.


If checked, if a button is assigned a *Launch Menu or *Folder Contents command, that menu will be shown if the mouse cursor is held over the button without clicking.  Stiletto normally checks the left-button command for a menu, but will instead look at right if ctrl is down and middle is shift is down.  Gray check to cause menus to be closed automatically if you move the mouse cursor to another button on the bar.


If checked, Stiletto will execute any command assigned to a button if the mouse cursor is held over the button without clicking.  Stiletto normally looks at the left-button command for a menu, but will instead look at right if ctrl is down and middle is shift is down.


If checked, Stiletto will execute any non-active, non-menu command assigned to a button if the mouse cursor is held over the button without clicking.  Stiletto normally looks at the left-button command for a menu, but will instead look at right if ctrl is down and middle is shift is down.


Set the time in milliseconds for which the mouse cursor must be over an active button for clickless command execution to occur.


Select default no-click mouse button or disable no-click by selecting no.


Press to save desktop icon positions.


Press to restore saved desktop icons positions.


Check to have Stiletto activate windows when the mouse passes over them.  Gray check to have focus changed only.


Select icon to be used.


Set to set of step for panning window (in pixels):  larger values mean window will come into view quicker.


Check to have Stiletto automatically move hidden portions of windows into view when mouse moved to screen edge.


Pinning (Permanently Displaying) Menus

You can Pin (permanently display) launch menus with the *Pin Launch Menu built-in command.  Pinned menus are displayed in a list box which fills a tool-bar style dialog box.  Double clicking on a menu selection runs the menu item.

To pin a launch menu called mymenu, execute this command:

Command:	*Pin Launch Menu

Parameter:	mymenu

If you want to the option of pinning a menu while it is displayed, you can include a command like the above within the menu.

Right clicking on the menu list box displays a configuration menu which can be used to show or hide the caption, to remove or reshow the sizing border, to put the menu always on top, and to close the menu.  You can also set these options as well as the menu size with the *Pin Launch Menu built-in command by putting an asterisk after the menu name in the Parameters edit box, and following the asterisk with any of these options:

nocaption	removes the caption

noborder	removes the sizing window border

single	single clicking launches command

ontop	put menu always on top

x123	show the menu at 123 pixels from the left of the screen

y22	show menu 22 pixels from the top of the screen

w50	set menu width to 50 pixels

h75	set menu height to 75 pixels

For example,

Command:	*Pin Launch Menu

Parameter:	xyz * x10 y50 w100 h150 noborder nocaption

pins launch menu xyz at screen position 10, 50 and sets its width to 100 and height to 150.  The border and caption are not displayed.

Pinned menus will display icons if menus have been set up to do so.  To avoid the icons, put *No Menu Icons as the first command in the menu.  On the other hand, to remove text (and show only icons), put *No Menu Text as the first command.

You can launch a command and pin a launch menu at the same time as follows:

Command:	c:\yourpath\thecom.exe

Parameters:	<*pin thetool

Submenus, lists of active windows, and context menus are ignored when displaying pinned menus.


Minimizing a Window to the Tray

If you run many programs at once, you can reduce task bar clutter by minimizing a window to the tray.  When you minimize to the tray, Stiletto creates a tray icon for the program and minimizes and hides the window.  Clicking on the tray icon restores and activates the program.  Right clicking on the icon shows a menu allowing the program to be restored, maximized, or closed.

There are three ways to minimize to the tray:  Use the Tray Minimize Window Under Mouse command, the *Stiletto exec command traymin, or place the caption or exe file name in the "Automatically minimize to tray" edit box on the Window Control configuration dialog.

For example, to tray minimize a window with the Stiletto Exec command:

Command:	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter	traymin *

minimizes the active window to the tray.

You can replace normal minimization to the task bar by minimization to the tray by using the edit box on the Window Control configuration dialog.  Separate entries by commas.  If the entry in the edit box ends with a *, then windows with captions starting with the characters before the * will be minimized to the tray; if the entry starts with a *, then windows ending with the characters following the * will be minimized to the tray.  Finally, you can also select windows to be minimized by using =filename to work with the program filename.exe (omit path and .exe).

A convenient way to manually access tray minimizing is to assign the Tray Minimize Window Under Mouse command to the hot key corresponding to right-clicking the minimize box.

You can show a window which Stiletto has tray-minimized with the command

Command:	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter	show windowId

If you hold the shift key down while the tray minimize command is executed, the window is minimized but not hidden.

You can start a command as tray minimized by selecting this entry from the drop down box at the bottom of the command entry controls.


Window Under Mouse Commands

There are a set of built-in commands which act on the window under the mouse.  To use them, assign them to a hot key or to a menu which is displayed by a hot key or mouse action, or to a bar which is positioned in the caption of the active window.

If a command is executed over a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window, then the command will only apply to that window.  If instead you wish to command to apply to the main window, put Parent in the Parameters edit box of the command.

The commands include:

close	closes window under mouse

minimize	minimizes

maximize	maximizes

normal	displays as non-minimized, non-maximized

hide	makes window under mouse invisible

on top	displays always on top

not on top	removes always on top setting

to back	sends window to bottom of stack of displayed windows

center	centers within full screen

rollup	rolls up the window to just caption

toggle	maximizes normal window; makes maximized window normal

traymin	minimizes window to tray


You can replace normal minimization to the task bar by minimization to the tray with this edit box.  Separate entries by commas. if allow auto minimize/hide is checked, windows with these captions will be minimized to the tray instead of the task bar.  You can specify captions starting with xxx by xxx*, and captions ending with xxx by *xxx,.  You tray minimize all windows for program filename.exe with =filename, (no path, no .exe.)


If checked, when Stiletto activates a window through the active bar or list of active windows, and the window is located mainly off the screen edge, Stiletto will move the window further onto the visible screen.


Explanation of Virtual Desktop Menu

Click here for an introduction to virtual desktops.  The following items appear on the virtual desktop menu:

List of Defined Desktops

Select one of the desktop names on the menu, and all the currently open windows will be minimized and hidden, and the programs on the new virtual desktop will be switched-to if already running or activated if not running.  Stiletto will normally launch a program on the desktop if it is not running, but you can avoid this by unchecking the "Check to Always Launch on Virtual Desktop" option on the menu entry for the program (since virtual desktops are actually menus with an @ at the beginning of the name).

New Desktop from Visible Windows

Defines a new desktop from all of the currently open and visible (not minimized) programs.

Replace From Visible Windows

Select the desktop from a submenu and it is redefined to refer to the visible windows.

Modify Existing Desktop

Select the desktop from a submenu and you can edit its entries.  Desktops are actually menus, so this is done through the menu contents tab.

Show All Hidden Tasks

You can show all the programs on all running virtual desktops.  This option is useful when you have configured Stiletto to hide all programs from active virtual desktops except for those on the current virtual desktop.

Show One Hidden Task

Displays a menu of hidden tasks; select one and it will be shown along with the current virtual desktop.

Switch To Hidden Task

Displays a menu of hidden tasks; select one and it will be shown and all other tasks will be hidden.

Hide non-active virtual desktops

Select this menu item to change whether or not the windows on non-active virtual desktops are hidden.  If unchecked, they are only minimzed.  If checked, they are minimized and hidden.


Trying the Window Menu

The window menu is included in the default Stiletto button configuration:  it demonstrates how a hot key mouse action and menu can be combined to access many Stiletto features.

You need to have a program window open to try many of the features of the window menu.  You can use Notepad for testing by clicking on the Edit button on the Stiletto bar.

Press and hold the right mouse button over the Notepad window.  A two-column Stiletto menu will appear.  Select different entries to test their effect:

entries in the first column send keystrokes to scroll and insert text

the close entry will shut down the active window

the active entry shows a menu of active windows for switching

the keys submenu inserts Alt-0xxx keys

entries in the right hand column activate window configuration features

To see how this menu was built, you need to review the Stiletto configuration.  Hold down the Ctrl key and left click anywhere on the bar.  Select the Menu tab, and then select Window Menu from the Menu Name drop down box.  Double click on any entry in the menu list box to see its assoicated command in the command entry controls on the right hand of the dialog.

If you have a three button mouse, you can change the menu to appear by either by pressing and holding or simply by clicking the middle mouse:

Ctrl+left click Stiletto bar

select keys/mouse

double click on right hold entry

change Keys/Mouse action drop down to midde hold or middle anywhere

press Replace

Press OK


Using a Right Hold to Activate the Window Menu

You can change the window menu to make it appear by pressing and holding down the right mouse button:

Ctrl+left click Stiletto bar

select keys/mouse

double click on middle hold entry

change Keys/Mouse action drop down to right hold

press Replace

Press OK

Back to window menu explanation.


Hot Key/Mouse Action Explanations

screen top left	move mouse to top left screen corner

screen top right	move mouse to top right screen corner

screen bottom left	move mouse to bottom left screen corner

screen bottom right	move mouse to bottom right screen corner

left anywhere	left mouse click anywhere

middle anywhere	middle mouse click anywhere

right anywhere	right mouse click anywhere

left desk	left mouse click on desk top

middle desk	middle mouse click on desk top

right desk	right mouse click on desk top

left caption	left mouse click on anywhere caption; if no modifier keys, you must wait momentarily

middle caption	middle mouse click anywhere on caption

right caption	right mouse click anywhere on caption

right caption double	right mouse double click anywhere on caption

middle caption (left half)	middle click on left half of caption

middle caption (right half)	middle click on right half of caption

right caption (left half) 	right click on middle half of caption

right caption (right half) 	right click on right half of caption

middle sys menu	middle click on system menu icon in caption

right sys menu	right click on system menu icon in caption

middle minimize	middle click on minimize icon in caption

right minimize	right click on minimize icon in caption

left hold	press and hold down left mouse button

middle hold	press and hold down middle mouse button

right hold	press and hold down right mouse button

chord l+m	chord (simultaneously press) left and middle button

chord l+r	chord (simultaneously press) left and right button

chord m+r	chord (simultaneously press) middle and right button

horizontal move	move mouse back and forth horizontally

vertical move	move mouse up and down vertically

tap shift	press and quickly release shift key

tap ctrl	press and quickly release ctrl key

tap alt	press and quickly release alt key

tap caps lock	press and quickly release caps lock key

tap apps	press and quickly release apps (Win) key


Adding a context-sensitive menu section

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Menu Contents tab.

2  Select "*Start Context Menu" from Cmd drop down  or use Wizard to enter command.

3.  Enter filename in command parameters, where filename is the exe name of the program to be active when the menu section is shown.  Omit .exe and path.

4  Enter any name in "Menu Item Name".

5  Press "Add at End" (or select list box item and use "Add Before/Add After").

6  Select "*End Context Menu" from Cmd Drop down and add after *Start Context Menu  in list (menu item name is not used but cannot be blank).

7  Add  menu items after *Start Context Menu and before *End Context Menu.

8  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.

Shortcut:  to change a menu which is assigned to clicking a button, click on that button with Alt-key held down.


Making a hot key depend on the active program

1  Hold Ctrl down, left-click button bar, select Key/Mouse Action tab.

2  Create hot key.

3.  Enter *filename in work directory, where filename is the exe name of the program to be active for the hot key to function. Omit .exe and path.  Right click on work directory to browse.

4  Press "Add"  to save hot key..

5  Press "Show Target Program" to see target programs for hot keys.

6  Press OK to accept new configuration, Cancel to return to previous.


Check to show am or pm on 12-hour clock time labels for buttons.  Gray check to omit space before am/pm.


Set the maximium time in milliseconds that can be taken to complete a horizontal or vertical mouse movement.


If checked, Escape key will not close alarm message boxes.


To define a middle double hot key, you must also define the corresponding single middle button hot key; for example, to define Ctrl+middle double as a hot key, you must also define ctrl+middle.  Similar restrictions apply to the right caption double hot key.


Changing Explorer List and View Settings

You can affect the view (large icon, small icon, detail, list) and arrange (date, name, type, size) settings for Explorer in two ways:  you can force the settings for all cases using drop down boxes on the Window Control configuration dialog, and you can change the settings for specific cases by sending keystrokes to Explorer windows.

To force the same settings for all newly-opened Explorer windows, use the drop-down boxes on the Window Control configuration dialog (to enable these controls, make sure "Enable Automin..." is checked).  Set the first drop down to No, Single, Double, or All to select which types of Explorer Windows to force, then select the desired view and arrangement options.  These forced settings will normally override all folders, including the last 50 opened where Explorer also stores a setting,  but if you hold down the shift key while opening the new window, Stiletto will not override the Explorer settings.  As well, you can use the "except" edit box on the Window Control configuration dialog to stop settings from being forced for windows with these captions.  In this edit box, separate captions by commas, use xxx* for captions starting with xxx and *yyy for captions ending in yyy.

For a convenient way to change the settings for Explorer windows while you are working with them, send keys to the active window (of course, you can use the tool bar as well).  For example,

Command	*Send Keys

Parameter	* "a-v i d"

sends Alt-V, then i, then d to the active window which would set date sort arrangement for Explorer.  You could attach the above command to a hot key or a menu attached to a hot key.

You can also use start Explorer at a specific folder and with specific settings as follows:

Command:	c:\windows\explorer.exe

Parameters	/select,D:\Program Files\eudora 3\Attach\*.*<*send  +**attach  "a-v g"

This command launches Explorer and uses the Explorer command parameters to select folder

D:\Program Files\eudora 3\Attach.  It then sends key strokes Alt-v g to select large icon settings.  The +**attach tells Stiletto to wait until a window with caption ending in attach appears before sending the keys.

You could create a menu of commands like the above for favourite folders.

If you send keys to Explorer when it is launched from Stiletto, the settings will replace any settings forced by the Window Control dialog.


Choose initial setting for all Explorer windows or set to None to disable.  Check "Enable Automin" to activate and make sure Window type is single, double, or all.


Window Control Dialog

This dialog is activated by clicking on the "Window Ctrl" tab of the configuration dialog.  Use it to control display of windows.

You can enter an omit list of comma-separated strings which will be deleted from the list of active windows  and active task buttons or which can be used to remove active windows entirely from these two.

You can specify captions for

windows to appear on every virtual desktop (and never to be autominimized)

windows to show on menus of active windows and the active bar if hidden and the corresponding menu setup checkbox is grayed.

There is a check box  to enable auto minimize mode. auto hide and  tray minimization, and other functions (automatically checked if you have active buttons). These check box enables the following features:

You can have Stiletto automatically move the mouse cursor to the default buttons of a dialog.

You can specify that Stiletto should force settings for Explorer view and arrangement.

You can specify that  Stiletto track Explorer Windows for use with the *Explorer Windows command.

You can specify a menu used to automatically run commands when a window with a specified caption is first created.

There are a set of edit boxes which are activated by the "enable automin..." check box:

windows where the default button is be pressed (cursor to default button must be checked too)

windows to be automatically hidden when run.

windows to be minimized to the tray. instead of the task bar

For all edit boxes which specify windows to be controlled, enter a list of strings separated by commas to select the windows by caption or by exe name. You can type the whole window caption, or you can specify captions starting with xxx by xxx*, and captions ending with xxx by *xxx,.  You can specify all windows for program filename.exe with =filename, (no path, no .exe.)


Enter a list of comma-separated strings;  Explorer settings will not be forced for these windows.  You can specify captions starting with xxx by xxx*, and captions ending with xxx by *xxx,


To force settings for Explorer view or arrangement, select single, double, or all.


Check to have alarm message box caption set to message text.


This is a vertical bar with large icon selected from the Button Dialog


This is a horizontal bar with flat look and background color selected on Bar Dialog.  A different color assigned to buttons at right hand side since they are used as Active Buttons.  A time/date label selected for first button and a timer label selected for second.


The flat look and special background color were selected on Bar Dialog.  The TaskBar No Start position was also selected to save screen real estate..  Left clicking the first button is configured to display the Start menu; the middle and right buttons could be assigned other commands.  The remaining four buttons are used to launch programs:  since each button can use left, middle, or right clicking to launch a program or display a menu, there is economical usage of screen space.


Two buttons located in right caption of active window by selected R.Cap position in the  Bar Dialog.


Multi-row bar; number of rows set to 3 in Buttons dialog.


Examples of Bar Positions

The following graphic illustrates five bar positions (vertical, horizontal, multi-row, caption, Task Bar);  click on each or see Bar Dialog for information on how to configure them.  Also possible, but not shown (for obvious reasons),  is an invisible bar.


Window Configuration Features of Stiletto

Here are some of the windows configuration features that Stiletto makes available:

setting or randomizing sounds, paper/saver

switching to, minimizing, closing, on top, not on top, centering, to back any open window

saving and restoring desktop icon positions

starting and stopping timers according to dialup modem connection status or the active program

minimizing any window to the tray

hiding or showing any window

hiding or showing the icons on your desktop

starting, enabling, and disabling your screen saver

shutting down or restarting; the Windows system

instant access to any icon on your desktop by showing them in a menu

panning partially hidden windows into view when the mouse is held at the screen edge

activating a window by moving the mouse over it

disabling caps and shift lock

automatically moving mouse cursor to default button

forcing Windows Explorer to use view and arrangement settings

See also the alphabetical list of built-in commands.


How One User has Configured Stiletto

I have the button bar positioned on the right side of my screen with 8 buttons showing. As small as its footprint is, when not in use, Stiletto hides itself with a slight marker (marker color user selectable) conserving virtually all 'real estate.' When I place my mouse anywhere on the marker, Stiletto appears.

Each button may be left-, right-, or middle-mouse button clicked to execute the 'command' for which that button selection is user-programmed.

My top button is set up to show the time on its face. When I left click it, it brings up a custom menu I have created. The menu contains various commands and sub-menus. When I middle click it, it launches a suite of apps I call my 'home page.' When I right click it, it brings up my 'Start Menu.'

When I press another button, it launches a menu that allows me to change screen resolutions on-the-fly using Stiletto's built-in resolution switcher. I have one button set up to dial my ISP when I left click it, and hang up my connection when I right click it. The dial/hangup facilities are contained within Stiletto (see dundial.txt in Stiletto folder).

I have a button that shows me all running apps, another that lists the last several recent commands. I can set up a button or menu to 'launch' a directory or any subdirectory on any drive. I can task switch, kill apps, or switch to apps with a simple button click.

Stiletto has a built-in scheduler. I use it to launch Net Attache at one time, Diskkeeper at another, etc. The scheduler is the only one I run continuously, so there is minimal cpu overhead when compared to running individual schedulers for each app. In addition to running specific apps, services, or batch files, the scheduler is easily programmed to play a sound of the user's choice when scheduled events are triggered (i.e., it may be used as an alarm).

I use Stiletto's built-in Key/Mouse programming capabilities for all my hot keys and special mouse commands, including double left click when I press the middle mouse button. If I effect a control+left mouse button on my screen background, it launches my Start Menu. If I do a control+right click, it launches my custom main menu with its commands and submenus. If I do a control+left click on an app, it rolls the app up to show only the descriptor bar. If I control+right click on the apps decriptor, it unfolds. Although I haven't employed them, I can program my mouse to do whatever using the alt, shift, and 'Win' keys as well.

When I left click one of my buttons, it launches a menu with a list of text phrases/paragraphs I commonly use. Using the mouse to select on of the menu choices, I send the text to the active app. I happen to have two text strings I use a lot. These are sent to my active apps using a middle or right click on the same button.


Guildelines for Configuring Stiletto

Here are some ideas you may find useful when you think about how to configure Stiletto to suit the way you want to organize your programs and desktop (see also one users setup).

With Stiletto, you decide the way you find most convenient to run programs and Windows configuration commands.

First, you should decide how you want the Stiletto bar to appear.  Most people use the bar to launch their most frequently used commands, either directly from buttons or from menus attached to buttons.  You can use buttons to show special labels, like time/date, timers, or resource usage.  For example, you could have one button that displays a timer associated with ISP usage; clicking on the button could show a menu of Internet-related commands.

Remember that you can also create menus from any folder or from special folders like your desktop icons.  The Start Menu and its sub-menus, desktop icons, and MS IE Explorer Favorites are really just folders of shortcuts which you can also access with the *Folder Contents Menu command (look in you windows 95  directory for Desktop, Favorites, and Start Menu).

After you have chosen a bar configuration and any associated menus, decide which commands you want to attach to hot keys.  If you are mainly a keyboard (as opposed to mouse) user, set up ordinary key strokes or tap keys to launch common commands or display menus.  If you mainly use the mouse, you may want to attach a menu to right hold, similar the Window Menu of the default starting bar, which gives you immediate access to commands or Windows configuration features.  Hot keys for clicking on portions of the window caption are also useful for commands like closing or tray minimizing or rolling up windows.

If you have one, the middle mouse button can serve many functions with Stiletto.

If you want to regain the screen space used by the task bar, look into active buttons.

On the other hand, if you like the task bar, you can position Stiletto there or set up commands to run from tray icons.

If you have scheduled tasks or like to use your computer to remind you of things you need to do, use alarms.

Lastly, investigate the special configuration tab:  it gives you many features for making Windows easier to work with, such as disabling the scroll lock key, automatically moving the mouse cursor to default buttons, and panning partially hidden windows into view when the mouse is over them.


Stiletto will execute all commands on this menu when you log off or shut down windows.


Check to have active window change only if mouse is over window caption.


Working with Explorer Windows

Use the built-in *Explorer Windows command to re-open a folder that you recently used with Explorer, or to close or minimize all currently open Explorer Windows.

You must check the Windows Explorer option "Display the full path in the title bar" on Explorer View|Options.

If you then check "Track Explorer Windows" on the Window Control configuration dialog, Stiletto will remember the last 32 file folders that you open with Explorer.  Activating the command

Command	*Explorer Windows

Parameter

displays a menu these folders sorted by path.  Select one to re-open Explorer for that folder.  You can change the sort by putting recent in the parameters box to sort by most recently accessed or drive to sort by drive and then most recently accessed folder within drive.

Stiletto will remember whether you used a single or double pane Explorer window and use this configuration.  If you wish, you can force a single pan window by holding down shift when you select a folder name from the menu, or you can force a double pane window by holding down ctrl.

You can clear the history of explorer windows with the command:

Command	*Explorer Windows

Parameter	new

Put this command in your startup menu to clear the history each timer Stiletto starts.

You can reduce the number of explorer windows listed in the menu by putting the internal option NumTrackExplorer=n under [General] in your stiletto.ini file.

If the Explorer Windows command is part of a menu, you can embed its contents in the menu by putting embed in lower case in the work directory edit box.

You can also use this command to close, minimize, or show all open Explorer windows.  This command will close all open Explorer windows:

Command	*Explorer Windows

Parameter	close

This command will minimize all windows:

Command	*Explorer Windows

Parameter	min

This command will restore all minimized Explorer windows:

Command	*Explorer Windows

Parameter	show


Check to enable use of *Explorer Windows command to allow recently used Explorer file folders to be viewed and re-opened.


Automatically Running Commands when Windows Open

You can automatically run commands when a window with a specified caption is first created.

Use a menu to do this.  Each item on the menu corresponds to a command you want to run when a window opens.  The menu item name specifies the caption of the window.  Use xxx* as a menu item name to match any captions starting with xxx, and *yyy to match any captions ending in yyy.

Specify the menu name on the Window Control configuration dialog.  Once this is done, each time a new window is opened and the caption matches a menu item name on that menu, Stiletto will execute the corresponding command from the menu.

To press specific buttons on the windows, use send keys to send alt-x, when x is the button mnemonic letter.

You can prevent a command from being executed for a window by holding down the shift key while the window is opened.

You can also specify a menu item name of =exename to match any window created by the program with .exe file name exename (no path, no .exe).

If you only want to run commands if the new window is a dialog, precede the caption/path with a #.  If you only want to run the command if the new window is not a dialog, precede the caption/path with a ~.  If you want the command to apply to single pane explorer windows (folder windows) only, precede it by an !.  If you want the command to apply to 2-pane explorer windows only, precede it by an @.

Stiletto only checks visible windows for automatic commands; you can use the autorunmaxwait internal option to control the amout of time Stiletto wait for newly opened windows to become visible.


Specify name of menu used to control automatic run of commands when windows with specified captions first open.


Check to have Stiletto disable the screen saver when a RAS connection is made and re-enable it when the connection terminates.


Copies the selected item from the listbox to the end of the target menu; pressing the button displays a list of target menus.


Moves the selected item from the listbox to the end of the target menu; pressing the button displays a list of target menus.


Advanced Features of Executing all Commands on a Menu

You can launch all commands and minimize all other running commands by replacing *all by *allmin.  You can both minimize and hide other windows with *allhide.

*Launch Menu with *allhide is the mechanism Stiletto uses to support virtual desktops.

Rather than using the Virtual Desktop command, you may wish to have more direct control of the user interface to virtual desktops.  You can set up a series of launch menus each with the commands you want to appear on a virtual desktop and then create a Launch Menu command with *allmin/*allhide for each of these virtual desktop menus.  Assign the Launch Menu commands to buttons (or another menu) and use them to switch among your virtual desktops.

You can quickly create such a menu using the All Windows to Menu built-in command.

If you use *allmin, then all windows will still appear on your Win95/NT4 task bar or Stiletto active task buttons.  If you use *allhide, then windows will not appear there.

If you use *allhide, you will hide all windows, including any which are not part of a virtual desktop menu.  To reshow such windows individually, use an active task buttons or an active window menu list which is configured to show hidden windows.  Or you can use the built-in command Minimize All with parameter field set to show to show all hidden icons.

You can use color coding and virtual desktops together.


Wait Command

Use the wait command in multiple commands or in when executing all commands on a menu in order to wait for some condition before executing some of the commands.  Following are the wait options:

Wait for n seconds:

Command:	*wait

Parameter:	n

where n is any number waits for that number of seconds.  If n is zero, waits for 1/3 of a second.

Wait until last command executed by Stiletto ready for input:

Command:	*wait

Parameter:	ready

(You can also use an ! instead of the word ready).

Wait until last command executed by Stiletto exits

Command:	*wait

Parameter:	last

Wait for modem to be connected (Dial-Up Networking RAS connection only):

Command:	*wait

Parameter:	modem

You can also put a number ahead of the word modem; Stiletto will wait for either that number of seconds, or until the modem is connected, whichever is smaller.  For example, "8 modem" waits for up to 8 seconds or until the modem is connected.

Wait for modem to be disconnected (Dial-Up Networking RAS connection only):

Command:	*wait

Parameter:	nomodem

Wait until command with specified caption is running:

Command:	*wait

Parameter:	caption xxx

waits until any program with caption xxx is running.  Put caption in double quotes if it contains blanks.  Use xxx* for captions starting with xxx, and *yyy with captions ending with yyy.  You can put a number n ahead of the caption to limit wait to n seconds.

Wait until command with specified caption exits:

Command:	*wait

Parameter:	nocaption xxx

waits until any program with caption xxx exits.  Put caption in double quotes if it contains blanks.  Use xxx* for captions starting with xxx, and *yyy with captions ending with yyy.  You can put a number n ahead of the caption to limit wait to n seconds.

Wait until command with specified exe path is running:

Command:	*wait

Parameter:	path c:\path\prog.exe

waits until any program executed from c:\path\prog.exe is running.  Put path in double quotes if it contains blanks. You can put a number n ahead of the path to limit wait to n seconds.

Wait until command with specified exe path exits:

Command:	*wait

Parameter:	nopath c:\path\prog.exe

waits until any program executed from c:\path\prog.exe exits.  Put path in double quotes if it contains blanks. You can put a number n ahead of the path to limit wait to n seconds.

Wait with a message box and a count down timer:

Command:	*wait

Parameter:	message n text

displays a message box containing text and a countdown timer which starts at n seconds.  If n reaches 0 or the "Start Now" button on the message box is pressed, then the wait ends and the next command is run;  if the cancel button is pressed, the wait ends and all following commands are ignored.  The position of the message box is set by the "Screen position for alarm message windows" on the alarm setup dialog.

You must put *wait in lower case.

If you reconfigure Stiletto, all outstanding waits will be ended.

You can have at most four outstanding waits.

You can terminate all outstanding waits by running the command:

Command:	*Stiletto Exec

Parameter:	quitwait


How to Specify Key Strokes to be Sent (Blank Separator Approach)

Starting with version 97f, the default way to specify keys to be sent uses no blanks between keys and uses {}'s to surround special characters.  However, the older, blank-separator approach is still allowed; it is specified by including compresskey=0 under [general] in stiletto.ini, or by omitting compresskey entirely from the ini file.  Following is a description of this approach.

For the overview of sending keys, see sending keys.

After the window id, the parameters of the *Send Key command specify the keys to be sent.

Send letters, numbers, and other keyboard characters by typing them separated by spaces and enclosed in double quotes.

To  specify an Alt-prefixed key, prefix it by a-; similarly use c- for Ctrl key, s- for Shift, and combine as needed (eg a-c- for both Ctrl and Alt).

Use the following character pairs for special characters:

en	Enter

sp	Space

qu	double quote

qn	question mark

gt	greater than sign >

lt	less than sign <

ta	Tab

es	Escape

au	Up arrow

ad	Down arrow

al	Left Arrow

ar	Right Arrow

in	Insert Key

de	Delete Key

ba	Backspace Key

ho	Home Key

at	Alt Key

co	Ctrl Key

ed	End Key

pu	Page Up

pd	Page Down

p+	Numeric Pad +

p-	Numeric Pad -

p*	Numeric Pad *

p/	Numeric Pad /

ds	date in Windows short format

dl	date in Windows long format

ti	time in Windows format

fn	Function Key "n" (eg f1 for function key 1; do not actually use the letter n)

Example:  "a-f n h e l l o f1" sends Alt-F, then "nhello", then function key 1.

If you have only one key to send,  the surrounding double quotes are not needed.  You can send at most 75 keys.

You can send Alt+0xxx keys (eg alt+0181 =µ) but on some systems these may not work as the first character sent.   Put sp ba in front to work around this problem (space, backspace).