Copyright: Made with Shalom Help Maker www.danish-shareware.dk/soft/shelpm/


Contents

General

Overview

Copyright, Disclaimer

Installation, Data Path

Installation

Variable Drive Letters (Flash Drive ..)

Data Folder (details)

Launcher Window

Launching

Settings Menu

General Settings and Start Options

Categories

Configuration

Configuration Window

Input Fields

Drag&Drop

Keyboard

Launch Targets

Programs

Documents

Web Links

Folders (Explorer Window)

Qsel Launcher Window

Tweaks

Program Icon, Web link Icon


Overview

Qsel is a program launcher that will also launch (registered) documents, web links and Explorer folders. Features:

Launcher window:
  Large or small Icons
  Selectable background color and font
  Option to keep window open (or close when launching)

General settings:
  System Tray mode
  Single click launching
  Start options

Categories:
  Multiple launcher windows (Categories)
  Category Index window (click on title button)
  Alternative Category popup list (right click on title button)
  Backstep button to return to previous window(s)
  Auto alignment of windows (at top left or right corner)

Variable drive letter:
  Adapt current drive letter on USB flash drive, CD/DVD etc.
  Auto or manual control of variable drive letter mode

Configuration window:
  command details, parametrs, working directory
  Drag&drop from Windows Explorer or from existing Shortcuts
  Shortcuts are resolved
  Environmental variables supported
  Selectable Icons, test launch, category title

The extra SetupWiz helps to select a data folder, and makes a shortcut on the desktop.

The first time you run Qsel, the empty configuration window will be opened. Pls. enter launcher title (category name). Later the Configuration and Settings are available through the context menu (right mouse button) in the Launcher window.


Copyright, Disclaimer

Qsel is Freeware © 2004-2007, Horst Schaeffer.

Email:	horst.schaeffer@gmx.net
Homepage:	http://home.mnet-online.de/horst.muc

License agreement

This program is provided 'as is', without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The author shall not be liable for any damages caused by the use of or inability to use this program. This means that the user must assume the entire risk of using this program.

This program may be freely distributed, but may not be sold.

This program may not be distributed as part of other software without prior consent of the author.

Modification of this program or any of it's documentation is prohibited. This program is freeware.

Use of this program indicates you understand and agree to the conditions of this license agreement.


Installation

After unzipping all files to a program folder run SetupWiz to assign the data directory and make a shortcut.

For your information:

Launcher items are stored in configuration files (extension ".qsl") for each category. An extra INI file keeps the settings for all categories.

The data files can be stored in the Qsel program directory, or in Windows' Application Data domain, where SetupWiz can assign a folder for Qsel. Note that it is also possible to use any other directory as data folder. See Data Folder Details.

On a flash drive (USB stick) data and program should be stored in the same directory. A shortcut in the root directory would be nice, however, Windows does not support shortcuts on drives with variable letters. This is why SetupWiz offers to put a copy of Qsel.exe together with the redirection file in the root directory.

Notes:

When you start Qsel, although it is already running, Qsel will not open another window, but just bring the running instance to the foreground. However, you can run multiple instances of Qsel when the configurations are in different folders.

This program does not make any entries in the Windows Registry.
To uninstall remove the files and shortcuts.
When you install an update, your data will remain untouched.


Variable Drive Letters (Flash Drive ..)

Qsel detects "removable" drives or media, like flash drives or CD/DVD drives. In this case Qsel knows that the drive letter may have changed, and will use the right letter. The configuration always shows the currently valid drive letter. You can also remove the drive letters from paths manually, which will always work.

On removable media you will usually have paths to programs and files on this drive only. For access to other drives it is safest to use environmental variables, like %Windir%, %ProgramFiles% or %AppData%, because all drive letters, even the system drive, may be different on other computers. (Use SET command at command prompt to list the available environmental variables).

Notes:

If Qsel cannot recognize a drive as removable (some USB hard disks, for example), or if you want to treat a virtual drive as "removable", you can set the "Variable Drive Letter" flag manually. See General Settings

Inside the Qsel shell (for Qsel and all programs that are launched) the environmental variable %Vdrive% holds the current drive (letter+colon).

Handling of questionable drive letters:

If you use the System drive letter (usually "C:"), or the Home drive letter (where the Documents and Settings are) literally, Qsel assumes that you know what you are doing, and will not touch these drive letters.

To use other drive letters (if that makes sense) note the following condition:

Qsel checks the commands in your item list, and locates the first drive letter other than those excluded above. This is assumed to be the removable drive or medium, and only this drive letter will be replaced with the currently used letter throughout the configuration file.


Data Folder (details)

In case you are interested in more than what the SetupWiz offers, and if you want to use other data folders:

There are three different ways Qsel can locate the data folder:

• path in a redirection file
• path by command parameter
• path given in "Run in" field of shortcut properties

The redirection file is named "QselRedir.ini". It must be in the same directory with Qsel.exe, and holds only one statement specifying the DataPath (relative or full path; environmental variables are supported).

Examples:
DataPath = some\where
DataPath = \tools\Qsel\
DataPath = %AppData%\Tools\Qsel

The data path as command parameter can be appended to the Target specification in a shortcut, for example (enclose in quote marks if necessary). This will override any other data folder assignments. With different shortcuts it is even possible to use multiple data directories.

The data path in the "Run in" field of the shortcut properties assigns the working directory. It is the default directory, if no other data folder assignments are made.

Notes:

The help file may be in the program directory or in the data directory. It will be found either way.

The "?" button (Configuration or General Setup) offers opening the data folder (Explorer window).


Launching

To launch programs or documents:
Double or single click (depending on Settings) on Icon or caption.
Keyboard: use cursor or initial letters to select, then Enter.

When launching, the window either closes or remains open (Settings). Close the window with [x] button or Escape.

In System Tray mode (General Settings) the program remains in the System Tray when the window is closed. Left click on System Tray Icon opens again, right click for menu.

Ctrl+[x] button ("close window" button) exits Qsel in any case.

Large Icons are default. If you select small Icons, you will get a single or multi column list depending on the window sizing. Separator lines can be used in this mode to produce groups.

Right mouse click in launching area brings up the Settings Menu.

Left or right mouse click on title button leads to the Category list, either in a window, or as popup menu.


Settings Menu

Right mouse click in selection area or Menu key will bring up the Settings Menu. This menu is also available in the Configuration window.

Items:

• Configuration for this Category
• General Settings and Start Options

• Large Icons? (default:on; off:small Icons)
• Keep window open? when launching (default:no)
• Font
• Background Color

• Info (About: version, author..)
• Exit Qsel

Colors, font and large/small Icons can also be selected for the Category Index Window.

Note:

When the file Qsel.ini is read-only, the settings and the configuration are not available.


General Settings and Start Options

General Settings:

• Running on drive with variable letter (default: as detected)
• Keep Qsel in System Tray (default: off)
• Single click launching (default: off)
• Window position
• auto aligned at top left or right corner (default: on)
• centered (default: off)
• Category window title (caption in your language)

Qsel Start:

• Load at System Startup (makes Shortcut in Startup folder)
• Minimized in System Tray (window does not show)
• Initial window is Category Index (or Launcher window)
• Load initial Category  (to select; default: last used)

Notes:

"Auto aligned" means that other launcher windows open with the upper left or right corner at the same place (left or right depending on which side of the screen the window is located). The arrow button (to step back) changes position accordingly.

When Qsel starts, it always loads an initial category, though this will not be visible if you decide to have the Index window first. (But the Category will show without delay when you click on the title button.) When you start "minimized in System Tray", the the initial window is prepared in the background.


Categories

Through the title button you can get the Category Index, either as a window or as popup menu:

Left mouse click (or Space bar) displays the category index window, which behaves like a launcher window. Back to the previous launcher window with the same function (or back arrow).

Right mouse click (or Ctrl+Space bar) shows a popup menu with all categories for quick selection. In addition the item "New Category" is offered.

The same popup menu including the "New Category" option is available in the Configuration window.

With the Back Arrow Button (Backspace key) you go back to the previous window(s). This function works with a looping stack.

Notes:

For switching to other launcher windows you can also have Qsel Icons in any launcher window. See Launch Targets.

For a new category the settings (incl. colors and font) are taken from the current window as defaults.

If a category is empty after the configuration (no items) it will be completely removed.


Configuration Window

The left window pane lists the launcher items (always with small Icons). This works like the actual launcher window: you can double click (Enter) to test an item, and right click (Menu key) for the settings.

For a new category pls. change the default title ("New Category") as you like.

Right part, top:

Category Button: to select other categories or "New Category"
Category Title input field
Category Icon for the Category Index window
T: Window always on top (toggle)
?: Help, Info, data folder

Main section for action and input:

Arrows: move the current item up/down (change order)
New Item added below the current item
Separator line added below current item
Delete current item (confirmation required)

While you edit a launcher item (see Input Fields), the item list is disabled until you click Ok or Cancel.

For the entire Category (bottom):
Ok: Save and exit
Cancel: with security prompt
Apply: Save but do not exit


Input Fields

Item Text
Text for the Launcher Icon. If this field is left empty, Qsel will suggest a text from the command file name.  Click on Icon to select an other Icon.

A separator line is represented by a dash (minus sign) with all other fields empty. Separators will only show in Small Icon mode.

Command
that will be launched. Use browse button or drag&drop. The command can be an executable program, a document or a web link. For details see section Launch Targets.

Parameters (optional)
Some programs may accept switches, file names etc..
Enclose file names in quote marks if necessary!

Directory (optional)
Use browse button. By default the directory of the launched program is assumed.

Maximized, Minimized
Check if you want the program to start maximized or minimized.

Environmental Variables:

In the command, parameters and directory fields you can use environmental variables enclosed in percent signs, e.g.:

%windir%\notepad.exe
%ProgramFiles%\tools\Iedit32\IconEdit32.exe

You can get a list of environment variables with the SET command (at the command prompt) or with a little tool that lists the variables in a text window (Download: EnvarList)


Drag&Drop

The easiest way to add a new item is by drag&drop from the Windows Explorer or from the Desktop.

Shortcuts are resolved, i.e. the command, as well as parameters (if any) and the initial directory are extracted, and the icon text is taken from the shortcut name.

You can drag & drop programs, documents or folders; web links only from existing shortcuts (for details see Launch Targets).

When you add a new item by drag & drop, it is accepted without confirmation, i.e. you need not hit the Ok button.

Important:

If you drop an object into the item list, a new item will be added under the item at the drop position (no need to click the "New Item" button first).

If you drop the object anywhere in the right part of the window, the current data will be overwritten (or filled out, if empty).


Keyboard

The Tab key walks through all controls. Shift+Tab backwards.
F2 to jump directly to the item text input.

Use Space bar to hit buttons or toggle check boxes that have the focus.

Enter = Ok button (focus on item list: test launch)
F1 for Help

Button shortcuts by Alt + first letter,
Exceptions: Separator with Alt+E, Category button with Ctrl+Space bar

To move an item up/down: Ctrl or Alt + Cursor up/down.


Programs

A command specifies an executable program file (extension EXE, COM, BAT, CMD).

When the Command field is filled by drag & drop or browse, Qsel will suggest a menu text, if that field was left empty.

Optional command parameters can be specified in the Parameters field. Semicolons are not allowed. For file names in the parameter field use quote marks if necessary!

Specify a Directory if you want the program to run in a directory other than the program's directory (default).

Relative Paths:

Usually a command is specified with full path. Relative paths are based on the directory of the Qsel configuration file.

"Naked" commands like Notepad.exe or TaskMgr.exe will be located by the operating system, if not found in the current directory. However this is not recommended, because the icons will not be found. Better use Environment Variables.


Documents

Documents can only be started if the extension is associated with a program, i.e. if you can double click on this type of document in the Windows Explorer.

For relative Paths see Programs

Note that the Parameters and Directory fields are ignored for documents.


Web Links

Links from your browser you can only be copied (copy&paste) to Qsel.

However, drag&drop works from existing shortcuts (and Internet Explorer's Favorites, which are also shortcuts).

Also possible: mailto:someone@dot.com.

The Icon is taken from your browser (which requires the file "dummy.htm" in your working directory).  You can also define a custom icon.


Folders (Explorer Window)

A menu item can open an Explorer Window in different modes.

Leave the Command field empty, and select a directory (browse or drag&drop). Qsel decides that you want an Explorer window, and inserts "Explorer.exe" in the command field.

Qsel then offers two checkboxes to control the Explorer parameters:

-	split window for a window with directory tree
-	as root to exclude everything outside the chosen directory


Qsel Launcher Window

Another Qsel window (Category) can be configured as a special target with any item text and Icon. (This will not load another instance of the program.)

Command:	Qsel (without path!)
Parameters:	Title of Qsel window (without quote marks)

Case ignored.

Note:

When you double click on such an item in the configuration window, the configuration of the other launcher will be opened right away, after closing the current configuration. Please watch the prompt (Save?).


Program Icon, Web link Icon

The following extra Icons can be defined in the INI file, section [Main]:

ProgIcon = (Icon file path)

The program icon is visible after Qsel is started (Title bar, System tray), and will be the default Icon in the Category Index.

WebIcon = (Icon file path)

Icon for web links. Default icon is the browser's Icon which requires the file "dummy.htm" in the working directory.