goScreen
 Virtual Desktop Manager for Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT
version 2.1

 

WEB home page: http://www.aracnet.net/~andgur/software/goscreen.html
Copyright © 1998-99 Andrei Gourianov
E-mail: andrew-guryanov@usa.net

 

Contents

What is it.
What makes it better than other virtual desktop managers.
How to install it.
Command summary.
     to move goScreen panel
    to resize goScreen panel
    to attach goScreen panel to the task bar
    to invoke About dialog box with the configuration parameters
    to close goScreen
    to change active page name
    to change active page wallpaper
    to activate a page.
    to move an application from inactive page to the active one
    to "sends back" notification windows from other pages
    to perform an action (maximize, minimize, restore, close) for all windows on the active page
    to find an application on inactive pages and move to corresponding page
 Just move the mouse in.
     to see a list of applications which are running on a desktop page
    to see a list of all running applications
    to see a hot key for a desktop page
    to see hot keys for all desktop pages
 Configuration.
Registration.

 

What is it.

   goScreen helps you better organize your computer monitor screen area by creating up to 40 virtual pages on it. It adds another dimension to your Windows taskbar. Now you can group your applications by themes and avoid an overcrowded desktop. When you switch pages, all your running Windows programs just disappear from your screen and from the taskbar - but they are right there waiting when you switch back.

   Think of your desktop as a sheet of paper. It has one visible surface. Now imagine that there is a number of surfaces, or pages, with only one visible at a time. All the pages are of the same size – size of your monitor screen and are placed "one above other". That is how goScreen works.

   It creates a number of virtual pages on your monitor screen. The only limit is your computer resources. Normally, when a program is started – it is given a button on the Windows taskbar. With goScreen your taskbar gets "deeper" too. So, there is still a taskbar entry for each program, but there are many taskbars – one for each virtual page. That is why, when you switch pages – all the taskbar buttons are being changed as well.

What makes it better than other virtual desktop managers.

How to install it.

   No installation is necessary. There is a single EXE file - goScreen.exe. Just run it. No de-installation is necessary as well.
  Still, for your convenience, there is a Setup program - gsSetup.exe. Its purpose is to copy the package files to a location you specify and to configure goScreen to be started at Windows start-up.
  So, to install goScreen - run gsSetup.exe and specify desired options.
  To uninstall goScreen or change setup options - go to Start - Settings - Control Panel menus and invoke Add/Remove Programs. Then select Andrew Guryanov's goScreen item and press Add/Remove button.

Command summary.

   When you start goScreen for the first time, you see several buttons which represent virtual desktop pages, plus <?> and <x> buttons.
   Each numbered button represents a virtual page. Raised button is for inactive page, sunken - for the active one. Button "with ribs" means that this page is empty, that is there are no running applications on the page. You can assign character names to pages and change its number from 2 to 40.

"Left click" stands for "single click with the left mouse button"
"Right click" stands for "single click with the right mouse button"

To move goScreen panel:
   Move mouse cursor to the non-button area. Press the left mouse button and, while holding it down, move the mouse. Release the left mouse button to drop goScreen.

To resize goScreen panel:
   Move mouse cursor to the top or bottom of non-button area of goScreen until it changes to a "resize" cursor. Press the left mouse button and, while holding it down, move the mouse. Release the left mouse button to release goScreen.

To attach goScreen panel to the task bar:
   Double click the non-button area with the left mouse button.

To invoke About dialog box with the configuration parameters:
   Left click the <?> button. Or press F1 on the keyboard.

To close goScreen:
   Left click the <x> button. Or press Alt+F4 on the keyboard.

To change active page name:
   Right click the active page button and select Page name menu item.

To change active page wallpaper:
   Right click the active page button and select Page name menu item. Then fill in the information in the Wallpaper section.
   You can only use MS Windows bitmaps as a page background. And, be aware, it is slow. Maybe 1-2 seconds. Everything else works much faster.

To activate a page:
   Left click corresponding goScreen panel button.
   Or, using keyboard: activate goScreen pressing Alt + Tab. Then press either a single number key (1 to 9) – to activate corresponding page, or three keys: the minus sign on the numeric keypad and two numeric keys – for pages 1 to 40 (for pages 1 to 9 in this case first digit should be 0).
   Also, you can install and use system-wide HOT KEY to activate a page. Specifying your own hot key combination is necessary to avoid possible conflicts with other applications. Right click the active page button and select Page name menu item. Then fill in the information in the Keyboard activation section.

To move an application from inactive page to the active one:
   Right click inactive page. A menu will be shown with the list of applications on that page. By selecting an item you move the application to the current active page.

To "sends back" notification windows from other pages:
   Left click active page button.
Or, click keyboard hot key which corresponds to the active page.

To perform an action (maximize, minimize, restore, close) for all windows on the active page:
   Right click active page button and select an action.

To find an application on inactive pages and go to corresponding page:
   Right click non-button area. A menu will be shown with the list of all applications on currently inactive pages. By selecting an item you activate corresponding page and the application.

Just move the mouse in.

To see a list of applications which are running on a virtual desktop page:
   Stop the mouse cursor over the page button.

To see a list of all running applications:
   Stop the mouse cursor over the non-button area.

To see a hot key for a desktop page:
   Stop the mouse cursor over the page button while holding Ctrl key down.

To see hot keys for all desktop pages:
   Stop the mouse cursor over the non-button area while holding Ctrl key down.

Configuration.

   All the configuration parameters can be found in the "About" dialog box.
   You can change:

Disclaimer.

   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event the author of this program is liable to you for damages, including any general, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the program. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the program is with you.

Registration.

   This is a shareware program.  You may try it for a period of one month. After that all the navigation features "expire". To restore them you should register your copy. As a result of the registration you will be given a special numeric key that "unlocks" the program. Also, all future versions will be free for you.

For on-line registration click here:

https://www.regnow.com/softsell/nph-softsell.cgi?item=1596-1

Alternatively, send $10 US, or $15 Canadian (no other currencies please) to the following address:

Andrei Gourianov
PO Box 40057, RPO Marlee
Toronto, ON, M6B 4K4
Canada
 (Please, before sending anything by mail, visit goScreen's WEB page to verify this information)

Send cash (preferable) or cheque. Make the latter payable to Andrei Gourianov. Do not forget to specify your name and e-mail address. As soon as I receive your letter, I will send you your personal registration number by electronic mail.

 

If you have any questions, comments or problems
please do not hesitate to write me to
andrew-guryanov@usa.net

 

Andrei Gourianov
January 23, 1999.