Welcome to GoMac - the only Program Bar, Start Menu, and Keyboard Switcher for the MacOS!
This file, which is primarily for new users, has been kept very short. Its purpose is to reveal those features of GoMac which are useful, but not so obvious.
Both experienced and new users ought to read the Version History which lists the bugs fixed in version 1.2 and describes some known problems which still exist.
Requirements and Installation
GoMac works best with System 7.5.3 or later, although it will run with some limitations under System 7.0. And while color is not required, GoMac works best with at least 16 shades of gray.
There is nothing more to installing GoMac than copying it into your Control Panels folder and rebooting.
To uninstall GoMac, remove it from the Control Panels folder and reboot.
The Two Minute Tour
GoMac was designed to be as intuitive and user friendly as possible. In general, buttons and menus do exactly what you would expect them to do. Also, GoMac rather obviously imitates the look and behavior of the task bar in Windows 95. Below are outlined the primary features of the Program Bar, Start Menu and Keyboard Switcher.
The Program Bar
There are four main features of the Program Bar.
1. Clicking on an open program's name will switch to that program.
2. Files dragged and dropped onto programs in the program bar will be opened by that application.
3. Clicking and holding your mouse (or option clicking) on a program in the Program Bar brings up a menu from which you can quit or hide the program. The menu also displays the memory which the program is currently using.
4. Clicking on the clock pops up a perpetual calendar.
The Start Menu
The main features of the Start Menu are listed below. They will be familiar to anyone who has used Windows 95.
1. At startup, GoMac checks the "Start Menu Items" folder in your active System Folder. Any files or folders placed in the Start Menu Items folder appear at the top of the Start Menu. This works exactly like the "Apple Menu Items" folder. Drag items onto the Start button to have GoMac automatically create an alias of them in the Start Menu Items folder, effectively adding them to the Start Menu.
2. Also at startup, GoMac looks for the Applications and Documents folders on the root level of your startup drive. If found, GoMac includes the menu items "Programs" and "Documents" in the Start Menu. The "Programs" menu acts slightly different from the other directory listings in that it only lists applications and it lists the programs at the top of the menu apart from the folders.
4. If you check the "Add Drives menu" in the Start Menu settings page of the GoMac control panel, GoMac will add a dynamically updated list of the volumes available on your Macintosh.
5. And if you have the Apple Menu Options turned on to record recent programs, documents, and servers, GoMac will add a "Recent" menu from which you can access these folders. GoMac does not include the code to record recent programs and documents; it relies on the software provided by Apple.
3. Finally, there is a Settings sub-menu in the Start Menu from which you can easily reach common features of the MacOS. The menu gives you direct access to your Control Panels, Extensions Manager, Chooser, Monitors, and (of course) GoMac.
The Keyboard Switcher
The Keyboard Switcher in GoMac allows you to manage open programs from your keyboard. The details are…
1. Besides being able to turn on and off keyboard switching from the GoMac control panel, you can now also specify which key combination should invoke the switcher.
2. While the Keyboard Switcher is up, you can have GoMac quit a program by pressing 'Q' or 'X', or hide a program by pressing 'W' or 'H'.
3. GoMac keeps track of the layering of your programs, so that switching between two programs is always a matter of pressing the Keyboard Switcher once.
Other Useful Features
To complement the primary features of GoMac, there are several other minor, but very handy ones.
1. GoMac allows you to configure your Macintosh so that programs in the background are always hidden. This can be very useful, especially when you have many programs with many windows running. Check the "Hide programs after switch" button in the Program Bar settings. (You can dynamically toggle this feature by holding down the option key when you switch programs.)
2. To give GoMac greater flexibility and make it more compatible with other system extensions, you can turn on or off the "sticky menus" feature.
3. Auto hide can be turned on and off quickly by Command clicking on the Program Bar. Note that the change is only temporary, so GoMac returns to its originally configured state when the system is restarted.
NOTE TO USERS OF NOW UTILITIES: Users of Now Utilites ought to be aware of several minor issues. First, since Now Startup Manager disables the Apple Menu Options when Now Menus is turned on, to use GoMac's Recent menu you must delete the Link which prevents the Apple Menu Items from being used simulataneously with Now Menus. You may continue using Now Menus; just be sure to turn OFF the SubMenus in the Apple Menu Options control panel.
Also, there is a conflict with Now Menus which causes clicks in the Program Bar to be interepreted as clicks in the Menu Bar. This causes the Now menus to drop down when you click on the Program Bar directly beneath them. We're sorry about the inconvenience, but this is a problem with NowMenus, not with GoMac. Please contact Now Software to have the problem fixed.
If you found a bug that we didn't (check the Version History), send your description of the problem to <feedback@proteron.com.>
For More Information
A list of frequently asked questions is available on the internet at <http://www.proteron.com/gomac>.
Registering GoMac
GoMac is not free. However, you may use it for a month without registering. We believe that you will become convinced of GoMac's utility. During the trial period, GoMac will periodically (very rarely) remind you that you have not registered and will give you the opportunity to register while offering you a tip about GoMac. However, after a month, the longer you wait to register GoMac the more frequently you will be reminded to do so.
We at Proteron have streamlined the registration process to make it easy for you to register. If you are connected to the internet, you can register GoMac from within the GoMac control panel, or by visiting the Proteron web page at <http://www.proteron.com/gomac>. If you are not on the internet, the registration form can be printed out and mailed to our address below.
Distribution of GoMac
Feel free to give away copies of GoMac, as long as GoMac has not been modified in any way. Please be sure to include this Read Me file with any public distribution of GoMac. Also, we would appreciate receiving notification if you include GoMac in a publicly distributed software collection.
That's it. Thank you for your time.
Proteron, L.L.C.
9600 East 150 Highway
Kansas City, MO 64149
http://www.proteron.com
<mailto:gomac@proteron.com>
Disclaimer
Proteron, L.L.C., assumes no responsibility for any loss of time, data, money or other assets resulting from the use of GoMac (the Program). Proteron is in no way liable for any such losses. It is understood that the Program is used by the User at his/her own risk. User agrees to these terms by installing the Program.
