John,
What we need next is a utility the can intercept, at the system level, the system check for associated program calls and redirect it to the relavent portable apps.
Then portable really will be portable even to linking between applications.
I know a batch or script can be used that will log the existing FTYPE associations in windows and replace them the with the current portable locations the restore them later.
i.e.
C:\Program Files\Support Tools>ftype http >> CurrentSetting.txt
C:\Program Files\Support Tools>ftype https >> CurrentSetting.txt
would yield a file with:
http=C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE -url "%1"
https=C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE -url "%1"
To set portable:
FTYPE http=C:\PortableApps\PortableFirefox\PortableFirefox.EXE -url "%1"
FTYPE https=C:\PortableApps\PortableFirefox\PortableFirefox.EXE -url "%1"
To restore original:
FTYPE http=C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE -url "%1"
FTYPE https=C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE -url "%1"
But this could leave the existing system unusable if something went wrong.
Do you know of such an application?
Jestre
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I don't. And the natural issue is, what if something crashes, in which case you're stuck with a default browser that isn't your own.
Or, if you meant running and just intercepting every call... I don't know of any software does that, but if you find some... let us know!
John
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
John,
I meant a small program that could be run either manually or automatically when the portable drive is mounted.
The best I can think of is a small exe that stays resident or loads a resident DLL to monitor for the right types of files.
It would then read and store a small table of intercept redirects relative to the newly mounted drive and its' applications filetypes.
The DLL would then monitor for calls to the association manager or the portion of the OS that determines what fille to run and intercept the related filetypes and pass on the others.
I do wish I could program this but I haven't programmed in C since OOP was introduced, except industrial robots and PLC's and that is easy.
Jestre
Don't kick the monster!
Program a robot to smash it, Shoot it, Spear it or even Throw something at it (preferably a grenade), but NEVER kick the monster!
NOTE: does not apply to BLACK BELTS.
Movie Wisdom: Don't kick the monster!
Build mechanized armored assault suit to annihilate it, program robots to smash it, Shoot, Spear or even Throw something at it (preferably a grenade), but NEVER kick the monster!
NOTE: Doesn't apply to Black Belts
Yeah, we've actually been toying with something like this. A French developer was experimenting with this as well.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Ahoy,
Just found this site and I'm sort of gitty. This idea was the first thing I thought of when I read about portable apps. I agree that changing the all of the associations on the host system is not the way to accomplish this because of the potential damages it could (and most certainly would).
Idea 3
The other option would be to create a portable windows explorer application. This way, you could fire up the portable explorer application which could be easily configured to open files with the portable applications. If a file type is opened on the portable explorer that is not recognized, it could be set to open with the systems default program. The more I think of it, the more I like this idea. I think I might just put this one first.
Idea 1
A more subtle approach would be to add something under one single registry key, namely the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\* or HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects .
This way, we could add a context menu to all files and folders on the host system. The context menu (what pops up when you right click something) could contain one item such as "Open with Portable App". The file or folder could then be sent to an executable which checks the file type and opens it with the appropriate portable application.
In case something goes wrong, it would also be very easy to remove. A repair tool could also be created which did the task for you.
Idea 2
The Send to functionality could be used in a similar way.
I'm really enthusiastic about this project, may it prosper!
P.S. Previewing this comment shows the text in one bulk, hope it comes out right in the end.
Murple,
can you post the adress of the site you mention please ?
Um, it was this site, as in PortableApps.com...
You do realize this thread is almost 1 year old?
~Lurk~
~Lurk~
Talk about ressurecting.
----
R McCue
PortaBlog Home and My Website
And before anyone complains about the grammar, I'm so jetlagged that my
hands aren't even in the same time zone...
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Sure, that's a kind of second life for this thread
Anyway, I'm still not so clear whether there is *now* a solution to the issue raised in this post or is the file association interceptor tool as dead as this thread?