------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tab2Desk V2.1.2.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tab2Desk is a Windows 9x/NT 4/Windows 2000 application that lets you use the Taskbar's "Minimize All Windows"/"Undo Minimize All" facilities with the familiar Alt+Tab keystroke. Tab2Desk - Copyright (c) 1996-2001 JD Design, All Rights Reserved ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note ---- You might like to print this file so that you can easily refer to it during installation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Installation ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tab2Desk is supplied as a self installing executable. You can execute the file directly from a web browser, or download it and run it locally. The installation will expand the following files into your Windows system shellext folder and add relevant registry entries. Tab2Desk.exe The program Tab2Desk.txt This file Tab2Desk.inf Setup Information Installation copies the files to the target location on your machine, modifies relevant registry information, and enters a shortcut to run Tab2Desk from your startup group. NOTE: For non-English installations where the Windows Startup group has a different name, you'll need to move the shortcut into your language dependent startup folder. To start Tab2Desk now, choose Start, Programs, Startup, and the Tab2Desk item. With the link in your Startup group, Tab2Desk will start automatically. How Do You Use Tab2Desk? ------------------------ This takes longer to explain in writing than it does if you try it, you'll find it easier to run Tab2Desk and use Alt+Tab to activate the Tab2Desk icon to see what it does. Once Tab2Desk is running you won't be aware of it except when you use the Alt+Tab task switch facility. If you have any windows open and switch to the Tab2Desk application (which will indicate "Minimize All Windows"), Tab2Desk will use the taskbar's facility to minimize all windows. Additionally, it will activate the desktop so that you can use the keyboard cursor keys to move around any icons on your desktop. If you switch to Tab2Desk when all open windows are minimized, it will indicate "Restore Windows to Desktop". It will now use the taskbar's "Undo Minimize All" facility to restore any previously minimized windows. Under Windows 98 and above, Tab2Desk now defaults to use the "Show Desktop" toolbar command to effect its operation. This gives a slightly different effect to the normal "Minimize All Windows" command in that it will minimize applications that have modal dialog boxes open. If you'd prefer to continue using the old method, use Regedit to navigate to the HKCU\Software\JD Design\Tab2Desk registry entry (or create it if it doesn't already exist). Under there, create a binary value named ShowDesktopMethod, and set it to 0. If you're not familiar with editing the registry - don't do it! Problems? --------- See the FAQ on our web site for answers to common problems. Note ---- Tab2Desk refreshes its caption text slowly so as not to provide any noticeable extra load on your system. If you're quick with trying out Tab2Desk, you may find that it displays the wrong caption. However, in normal usage we don't expect that you'll see any problems. If you do, please let us know. Tab2Desk will indicate "Restore Windows to Desktop" if you have manually minimized all open windows. In this situation the taskbar has its "Undo Minimize All" menu item disabled, so nothing will happen. Closing Down Tab2Desk --------------------- Because of the way that Tab2Desk works, closing it down is a little convoluted. Use Alt+Tab to display the Tab2Desk icon item, release the Tab key and hold down the Ctrl key, then release the Alt key (again, it's easier to do than it is to explain). This brings up the Tab2Desk About box. From here you can close down Tab2Desk using the Exit button, or allow Tab2Desk to continue. Alternatively (as you can't use the prior method under NT4 or Windows 2000), if you start up another copy of Tab2Desk, it will display the dialog box and allow you to close down in the same way. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Registering ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The easiest way to register is online using a credit card via a secure web site - see our web pages for the details and links to the secure site. Alternatively, anyone with a UK bank account can register by sending a cheque made payable to "J Lowndes" at: 162 Mow Cop Road Mow Cop Stoke-on-Trent ST7 4NH England The current prices are: Code Product Price (GBP) JDU1 ExpPrint 7 JDU2 TouchPro 7 JDU3 ConCat 7 JDU4 Tab2Desk 7 JDU5 Space Patrol/Control 7 JDUP Partial Set (JDU1...4) 12 JDUF The Full Set (JDU1...5) 15 You can find the latest prices on our web site, or by calling us on +44 (0)1782 516923. When you receive your registration information, enter your registered name and number into the About dialog box. You must enter the information exactly as it appears. The case, spaces, and punctuation of the name are significant, and the number is composed of the characters 0-9, A-F and again, the case of the letters is significant. If you register the set of utilities, be sure to use the correct registration number for each product. You can check that registration has worked by re-displaying the About box from the main dialog. When the product is successfully registered your registration name is displayed in the About dialog rather than the entry fields. Updates ------- Any updates to the current version are free to registered users by downloading the latest version from our web site. Your current registration number will continue to work with updates. Removal ------- Before you remove Tab2Desk, you need to close it down - see the section "Closing Down Tab2Desk" above. Use the Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs item. Select the Tab2Desk item and click the Add/Remove button. Revision History ---------------- V2.1.2.0 16 March 2001 ----------------------- Under Windows 98 and above, Tab2Desk now defaults to use the "Show Desktop" toolbar command to effect its operation. V2.1.1.0 13 July 2000 ---------------------- Worked around a problem caused by 3'rd party software that tries to be helpful by centering dialogs on-screen. With Tab2Desk, this had the unfortunate cosmetic effect of showing the small Tab2Desk window on-screen. V2.1.0.5 18 Sept 1999 ---------------------- Modified the About dialog. Changed the registration number field to make it a little easier to enter the number. Updated the home page URL and added a mail link. V2.1.0.4 30 January 1999 -------------------------- Minor change to allow international registration names. V2.1.0.3 December 1998 ---------------------- Rebuilt and updated documentation to reflect the self extracting installer. V2.1 October 1997 ----------------- New registration system. Support ------- We maintain a list of frequently asked questions on our web site. If you have a technical question, please check there to see if you can find an answer before contacting us. We will post the latest versions of our utilities on our web site as soon as they are available, so please take a look to keep up to date and to see what other software and services we offer. Web Site: http://www.jddesign.co.uk/ If you have any suggestions for improvements to any of our utilities, please contact us via email (our up-to-date address is on our web site's contacts page). It's always good to hear from people using our products, and we appreciate your taking the time to tell us. Thanks JD Design