Welcome to GoMac, the only Program Bar, Start Menu and Keyboard Switcher for the Mac OS!
Now with Start Menu icons, OS 8 enhancements, and improved Drag and Drop!
For changes from GoMac 1.4.1 to 1.4.2 see the Version History.
Introductory Comments …at the very least, read this
We know! With every new program you acquire there is the inevitible Read Me. We don't want to write this any more than you want to read it. But it is the only way we can tell you a few things you ought to know. So please take the time. We have kept the file short. Its purpose is to reveal those features of GoMac which make it more useful, but are not so obvious.
If you are already a GoMac user or simply interested, you should also read the Version History. It lists the new features and bug fixes since version 1.4 and describes the (few) known problems which still exist.
Requirements …System 7
GoMac is 100% Mac OS 8 compatible. 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.
Installation
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. Don't you love the Mac OS!
The Two Minute Tour …We'll keep it short. We promise.
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.
I. The Program Bar
• Clicking on an open program's name or icon (if minimized) will switch to that program.
• Files dragged and dropped onto programs in the Program Bar will be opened by the program.
• Dragging file onto the Start Menu makes the menu appear and show which programs can open the files. Choosing a program from the Start Menu opens your files with that program.
• Clicking and holding your mouse or Control-clicking on a program in the Program Bar brings up a menu from which you can minimize, hide or quit the program. The menu also displays the memory which the program is currently using.
• Choosing Minimize from a program's menu reduces the program's button to an icon in the tray next to GoMac's clock at the right side of the Program Bar. Minimized programs do not appear when using the Keyboard Switcher.
• Clicking on the clock pops up a perpetual calendar.
II. The Start Menu
The main features of the Start Menu are listed below. They should be familiar to anyone who has used Windows 95.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 track recent programs and documents; it relies on the software provided by Apple.
• The Settings sub-menu in the Start Menu gives you easy access to common features of the Mac OS: your Control Panels, Extensions Manager, Chooser, Monitors, and (of course) GoMac. Holding down the Control key while clicking on the Start Menu gives you immediate access to the Settings menu.
• Finally, if you use the Apple Menu for your all your launching needs but still want to use GoMac's Program Bar, there is an option not to show the Start Menu. We think there is room for both, but we won't hold it againt you. :-)
III. The Keyboard Switcher
The Keyboard Switcher in GoMac allows you to manage open programs from your keyboard. Note that programs which have been minimized do not appear in the Keyboard Switcher window.
• You can specify which key combination should invoke the switcher from the Program Bar page in the GoMac control panel.
• While the Keyboard Switcher is up, you can quit an open program by pressing 'Q' or 'X'. Hide a program by pressing 'W' or 'H'. Pressing Esc or ` exits the switcher.
• 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.
IV. Other Useful Features …the not-so-obvious stuff
To complement the primary features of GoMac, there are several other minor, but very handy ones.
• 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.
• To give GoMac greater flexibility and make it more compatible with other system extensions, you can turn on or off the "sticky menus" feature.
• Several of GoMac's options can be changed using the Program Bar's contextual menu. To access the menu, hold down the Control Key and click somewhere in the Program Bar which is otherwise unused.
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.
What about undocumented features? …bugs? what are those?
If you found a bug that we didn't after checking the Version History, send your system configuration and a description of the problem to <bugreport@proteron.com>. We really want to know about them.
Registering GoMac
You may use GoMac for 30 days without registering. We believe that you will become convinced of GoMac's utility. During the trial period, GoMac will occasionally (very rarely) remind you that you have not registered and will give you the opportunity to register while offering you a tip about GoMac. The longer you wait to register GoMac the more frequently you will be reminded.
It is easy to register GoMac. Via the internet you can register GoMac from within the GoMac control panel or at the Proteron web page. <http://www.proteron.com/gomac> If you are not on the internet, the registration form can be printed out and mailed to the address below.
Distribution of GoMac
You are free to give away copies of GoMac, provided GoMac has not been modified in any way. Please be sure to include this Read Me file with any public distribution of GoMac. Also, please notify Proteron if you include GoMac in a publicly distributed software collection.
That's it. That wasn't so painful, was it?
Thank you for your time.
For More Information
A list of frequently asked questions is available on the internet. <http://www.proteron.com/gomac>
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.
