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suggestion for future versions fo the PortableApp Menu

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risingevil
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suggestion for future versions fo the PortableApp Menu

I really love the Autostart option that you can set on applications, but sometimes I just want to quickly check my email and log off of a computer. So, it would be great if I can have the option of using Autostart or a button on the menu that starts a set group of applications, (and I know this second part is probably not doable or even unsafe, but let me know if it's possible to have a button that closes all applications that is opened by the PortableApps menu).

thanks for the great work.

solanus
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Starting a group of apps is easy

Using simple batch files, and a skeleton folder structure, you can make your own menu shortcuts that will open groups of apps with a single click.
This example will open 3 apps that you may want to use for website editing and management.

First, create the folder structure. We'll call the main folder QuickStart1.

X:\PortableApps\QuickStart1\App\Appinfo\

You'll need a simple appinfo.ini and an appicon.ico, and a batch file.

First, make a batch file called quickstart1.bat:

echo off
start ..\KompoZerPortable\KompoZerPortable.exe
start ..\FilezillaPortable\FilezillaPortable.exe
start ..\GimpPortable\GimpPortable.exe

Put it here:
X:\PortableApps\QuickStart1\quickstart1.bat

Now make an appinfo.ini file:

[Format]
Type=PortableApps.comFormat
Version=2.0

[Details]
Name=WebApps QuickStart
AppId=WebAppsQuickStart
Publisher=Starts Kompozer, Filezilla, and GIMP
Homepage=PortableApps.com
Category=Utilities
Description=
Language=
InstallType=English

[License]
Shareable=true
OpenSource=true
Freeware=true
CommercialUse=true

[Version]
PackageVersion=0.0.0.0
DisplayVersion=0.0alpha

[Control]
Icons=1
Start=QuickStart1.bat

Put it here:
X:\PortableApps\QuickStart1\App\Appinfo\appinfo.ini

Find or make an icon that's 48x48 and rename it appicon.ico.
Put it here:
X:\PortableApps\QuickStart1\App\Appinfo\appicon.ico

Refresh the icons in the menu and you will see "WebApps QuickStart" with your icon.
Hover the mouse over it and you will see
WebApps QuickStart 0.0alpha
Starts Kompozer, Filezilla, and GIMP
X:\PortableApps\QuickStart1\

It pulls this from the appinfo.ini file "Name" "DisplayVersion" and "Publisher" fields.

Click on the WebApps QuickStart shortcut and all 3 apps should open at the same time.

If you make this a favorite it will live at the top of the menu.

Making a second one is as easy as copying the folder structure and tweaking the batch file and appinfo.ini.

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

solanus
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You COULD also make a batch file to kill specific apps

So you could make another batch file matched to that one that will specifically kill those apps.
QuickEnd1.bat

echo off
taskkill /F /IM KompoZer.exe
taskkill /F /IM  Filezilla.exe
taskkill /F /IM  Gimp-2.6.exe

You need to match the process name to the name in the TaskManager, which is why its "Gimp-2.6.exe"
It may not be the most elegant way to close them, and I don't know whether it saves settings or not. But it does the job.

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

Benedikt93
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Joined: 2009-12-17 14:46
in 2.0?

Didn't John mention somewhere that this kill all PAc apps feature will be in an upcoming beta of the 2.0 platform?

"Der Klügere gibt nach, deshalb regieren Dumme die Welt."

John T. Haller
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Joined: 2005-11-28 22:21
I have

I have mentioned it and it will be included. It's integrated into the Eject button (which also works fine on your main C: drive as the actual Eject part of it will be skipped) and properly closes apps and understands the difference between an app and a launcher.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

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