This manual contains the complete documention for MenuTrix 1.1. If you're upgrading from MenuTrix 1.0 and want information only on what's new and changed, see the file MenuTrix 1.1 Update Notes. Otherwise read this manual for complete information on this version of MenuTrix.
ShareWare
MenuTrix is ShareWare; please distribute it as widely as possible. MenuTrix may be distributed freely, but not sold for profit without prior written permission. Please distribute only the orignal, unmodified StuffIt archive file that MenuTrix was packaged in. If you plan on mass-distributing MenuTrix by any means, please contact SnakeByte Software first.
You may freely use MenuTrix for a period of ten (10) days. If you find MenuTrix useful and wish to use it after this period, you -must- send in a completed Registration form, along with a check or money order for $5.00 in U.S currency. See the instructions at the beginning of the "Registration" file for more information.
NOTE: If you are a registered user of MenuTrix 1.0, your current registration covers all versions of MenuTrix 1.x, including this version.
A PLEA: Every copy of non-registed Mac ShareWare is one vote against the Macintosh and for the PC. The Mac market needs every good programmer it can get, and the best way to keep enthusiastic Mac programmers around is to pay them for thier work! Don't help to kill the Mac by pirating software. Register your ShareWare programs today!
What Is "MenuTrix"?
MenuTrix is a neat little utility program that performs two useful modifcations to the menu bar on your Mac:
•Memory Bars : MenuTrix puts two small "thermometers" in the menu bar that show how much memory the front application and system software are using, and how much memory is available for each. This will let you see at a glance how much memory you have left to work with.
•Menu Animation : When an application is "switched" and another application becomes current or in front, MenuTrix animates the menu bar by having it momentarily vanish into the desktop & pop back out. This is very useful for knowing exactly when the front application is switched, especially when the switch happens by accident or at times when the switch is difficult to see.
What Does MenuTrix Require?
[1] Any Macintosh computer, running System Software (MacOS) version 7.1 or later.
[2] Color QuickDraw support is required. Note that your Mac might still support Color QuickDraw, even if it has a black & white or grayscale monitor. See the appropriate manuals that came with your computer for details.
[3] A minimum of 100k of free memory.
[4] Enough free disk space for MenuTrix.
[5] StuffIt 3.0 or later, to unpack MenuTrix from its archive file.
How Do I Install MenuTrix?
Follow these steps for the best results while using MenuTrix. While it's notessential that MenuTrix is installed in this fashion, it is strongly recommended.
[1] Extract the file • MenuTrix from the MenuTrix 1.1 .SIT StuffIt archive file.
[2] Move • MenuTrix to the Startup Items folder, located inside of your System folder.
Installation is now complete. The next time you boot your Mac, MenuTrix will start up automatically. To run MenuTrix without rebooting, double-click on the • MenuTrix icon.
How Do I Use MenuTrix?
MenuTrix's normal operation is fully automatic. Just let MenuTrix run "in the background", and MenuTrix will do all of its work with no effort on your part.
Memory Bars: MenuTrix draws two small "thermometers" in the menu bar, just to the right of the application icon. The Application bar (left, blue) shows how much memory the current (front) application is using, with its "empty" part showing how much memory is remaining for that aplication's use. The System bar (right, gray) shows how much memory the system software and all applications combined are using, with its empty part showing how much memory is free for tasks like copying files and launching more applications.
Note that the memory bars read "relative" to the amount of memory they represent. The Application bar represents the amount of memory assigned to the application that's currenty "in front", while the System bar represents the total amount of memory available to your Mac.
Menu Animation: MenuTrix animates the menu bar whenever an application is "switched" and another application becomes current or in front. The menu bar will vanish into the desktop momentarily, and then pop back out. This is very useful for knowing exactly when an application switch happens, especially when the switch happens by accident, or at times when the switch is difficult to see.
MenuTrix Preferences
MenuTrix allows you to choose whether you want to see the memory bars and menu animation effects.
To change whether these effects are active or not, pull down MenuTrix's "File" menu and look at the items "Memory Bars Active" and "Menu Animation Active". These items will be checked if thier respective setting is turned on; selecting either of these menu items toggles thier setting on & off. When you change these settings, they are saved automatically and take effect immediately.
Special Notes for Memory Bars
Note that the memory bars show only an "approximation" of the memory they represent, and not an exact amount. For example, if a bar happens to show that no memory is available, that doesn't necessarily mean that there's absolutely no memory left. But it does mean that you may be getting close to running out of memory and having trouble.
Also note that while in Finder, the Application memory bar almost always shows full. This may be misleading and does not mean that Finder cannot function. As long as there's unused system memory, Finder will function normally. The Finder will warn you and take necessary action if there isn't enough memory left for it to function correctly.
Known Problems
MenuTrix is believed to be stable and free of any serious problems. However, there are some oddities that you should be aware of:
MenuTrix Memory: Due to the way MenuTrix works, the higher the main screen resolution, the more memory MenuTrix needs. MenuTrix will work without modification on all but the biggest monitors with the most colors. If your system has a main screen with an extreme resolution and/or "screen depth" (1024+ by 1024+ pixels, in Millions of colors), it may be necessary to increase MenuTrix's memory allocation in its Finder "About" window. MenuTrix will warn you if it needs more memory to function correctly.
Drawing Delay: There may be a short delay from the time a program switches until the menu bar animates. Also, the memory bars may disappear momentarily from time to time. This is purely cometic, and repairing it would cause serious compatibility problems.
AfterDark® Compatibility: MenuTrix will draw the memory bars when the screen is blanked using AfterDark's "demo" mode. MenuTrix will not draw the bars, however, when AfterDark blanks the screen normally.
Memory Bar Accuracy: The memory bars may not be 100% accurate, nor are they intended to be. Thier purpose it to give you a general idea of your Mac's memory status, not a precise picture. See "Special Notes for Memory Bars" above.
In the event you have a serious problem with MenuTrix, please contact us and tell us what went wrong. We will do our best to try to help resolve any problems with MenuTrix. Reporting any problems you may be having will help ensure that these problems get corrected in future versions.
The Credits
Thanks to the folks on GEnie's Apple II, Macintosh, and PowerPC RoundTables. MenuTrix simply would not exist if it wasn't for thier support.
Special thanks to Cindy Adams, Tim Kellers, Ryan Suenaga, and everyone who helped out with the various phases of MenuTrix's development.
Version History
MenuTrix 1.0 Released Oct. 25th, 1995
0riginal release version
MenuTrix 1.1 Released Nov. 1st, 1995
Many problem fixes, including:
*Fixed a problem with MenuTrix drawing to the menu bar area, even when
the menu bar was hidden.
*Fixed a compatibility problem with screen blankers.
*Fixed a bug in the memory allocation process.
*Added better handling for out-of-memory conditions.
*Performed some minor code tweaks that'll help keep MenuTrix from running out
of memory in the first place.
Disclaimers
DISCLAMER AND LIMITATION OF WARRANTY AND LIABILITY:
NEITHER I, GREG BETZEL, NOR SNAKEBYTE SOFTWARE, NOR ANY OF THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PRODUCT IN ANY WAY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSS OF ANY KIND THAT MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH, RELATED TO, OR CAUSED BY THIS PRODUCT. THIS PRODUCT IS SUPPLIED AS IS WITH NO GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER. ANY AND ALL RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING OR ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PRODUCT IN ANY WAY ARE ENTIRELY THAT OF THE USER.
Apple, Macintosh, Mac, and MacOS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. AfterDark is a registered trademark of Berkeley Systems. GEnie and RoundTable are
registered trademarks and service marks of General Electric Corp. PowerPC is a registered trademark of International Business Machines. StuffIt and Aladdin are registered trademarks of Aladdin Systems. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are held by their respective owners.
