I just release ASuite 1.3.1 stable version. For who doesn't know it, ASuite is an application launcher (like famous PStart, but ASuite is opensource launcher 
) for USB sticks, hard drives, iPods, etc...
Major changes:
- Added new launcher and software/group software options
- New variable
- Magnetic window (like winamp)
- New Options window
- Bugfix
Project page (on sourceforge)
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No comments? Ok.
Future ASuite 1.4 changelog:
Added
- Function to sort alphabetical the list
- Window Update launcher (like Firefox)
- Download/Install software from portableapps.com and winpenpack.com
- Window for Scan executables
- Read Only Mode for CD/DVD
- Scheduler
- Software/group software (quante volte è stato avviato, ecc...)
- Unicode (maybe)
- Copy/paste keyboard shortcut
- Autorun on asuite's startup and on asuite's shutdown
- New menu like winXP's menu (it replaces cascading menu) and option to choose classic menu (cascading menu) or new menu
Various
- Improve function cache
- New window Card
Eventual bugfix
I want to know yours opinion on ASuite 1.3.1 and future version 1.4? Thank you.
the ability to drag and drop is nice! so that a major improvement in my book!
Slackware 12 for system
MCP (For XP and Server 2003)
Network + Certified
aim is "nycjv321" (minus quotes)
Thank you.
Um, hate to break it to ya, but PStart has DragNdrop already. What it could use is in-line editing of menu entries, instead of via invoking a separate properties box...
"I don't hate cats...as long as they stay on the freeway, where they belong."
- Brad Stine
Any idea on when that will be done? Im looking forward to the new menu look. Also is there anyway to add a notes section like pstart. thats the only draw back about using this compared to pstart, the ability to save notes in pstart. that really comes in handy some times.
I will released in later january or in february.
In these days, I'm working on function Search (I rewrite it), but my computer (windows XP) had many problems and today I formatted it.
Aww do i have to wait that long
ASuite 1.4 Status Update
After one month, I completed these changes:
Added
- Multiselect in Search
- Function to sort List
- Variables $Drive and $ASuite in working dir and parameter of software (and group)
- Export list
- Font options
- Read Only Mode for CD/DVD
- Custom icon for systray
Various
- Rewrited function Search
- Group software limited to 10 items
- Fix some memory leak
Bugfix
- ASuite doesn't show software's Info window with an this software's option "Run and hide ASuite" actived
- Cache doesn't work properly
- ASuite show "List index out of bounds (-1)" when add two or more items in a software group, without an extra click in list
- ASuite delete software's desktop link on close sofware's Property with software option "Create shortcut on desktop when ASuite is running" inactive.
El Salvador,
First, Happy New Year!
Second, thank you very much for having written a great piece of software.
Third, thank you for having released it under GNU GPL.
Fourth, thank you for continuing to improve it.
I have been debating to switch from PStart to ASuite for a couple of days now and you are making the choice easier: import from PStart.xml, almost all of the PStart options, very stable, etc.
After reading this last post, I was just wondering why - Group software limited to 10 items? Does this mean that there can only be 10 Groups or each Group can only have 10 programs in it? I currently have 9 groups with more than 15 programs in the biggest Group. Is this a technical limit or something?
Thanks. CD
First, Happy New Year!
Second, thank you very much for having written a great piece of software.
Third, thank you for having released it under GNU GPL.
Fourth, thank you for continuing to improve it.
Happy new year, too. And thank you to try my launcher.
After reading this last post, I was just wondering why - Group software limited to 10 items? Does this mean that there can only be 10 Groups or each Group can only have 10 programs in it? I currently have 9 groups with more than 15 programs in the biggest Group. Is this a technical limit or something?
For group software, I don't mean categories (used to arrange list), but Group software, a list item to run one or more software at once (like more or less batch file).
Didn't even know that this was a feature. But now that you mention this, seems very interesting!
Thanks. CD
Variables $Drive and $ASuite in working dir and parameter of software (and group)
Does this mean that variables now work in the "Parameters" field? This has been the major bug for me.
A few other comments:
By the way, kudos on the feature which retrieves version info out of the executables. I like to keep track of that for knowing when to upgrade. You might want to run it automatically as part of the "scan for executables."
Congratulations Salvador. I just changed my autorun.inf to load ASuite instead of PStart on USB key insert...I think that this says it all. I find that ASuite seems to work a bit faster (with cache turned off), but uses a bit more RAM than PStart.
Some suggestions for improvements/tweaks:
I'll post more as they come to mind.
Didn't realize how much I needed this app until I gave it a try.
Nicely done!
Sic semper tyrannosauro.
-------------------
Sic semper tyrannosauro.
Does this mean that variables now work in the "Parameters" field? This has been the major bug for me.
I ever thought that variables were useless for parameters.
The dialogs (options, properties, etc.) insist on popping up centered in the display. On dual monitor systems this means that they straddles the monitors and I have to drag them onto one monitor before I can use them. Even on single-monitor systems It would be better to place the popups over the parent window. It's unintuitive to be working in a corner of the display and have the dialogs appear somewhere else.
Ok. ASuite 1.4 will open property, option and other forms (except card/about window) over main window.
The main window should be resizable by default. (i.e. the "hold window size" option should default to false). My first reaction was "Why can't I resize this stupid window?" It wasn't until later that I stumbled across the option.
Ok.
It would be nice to have a hotkey combination to open the system tray menu and not (just) the main window.
I will add it in ASuite 1.5.
Like most portable application launchers, it needs an "eject drive" feature. For mucho bonus points: keep track of which applications are running on the drive and close them automatically.
A short time ago, I tried to develop a function Eject drive, but I didn't succed. I will try again when I develop ASuite 1.5.
You might want to run it automatically as part of the "scan for executables."
In scan for executables, ASuite retrieve version info automatically (I add this in ASuite 1.3).
Include numbers (0-9), Win and PrintScreen keys in hotkey combinations.
PrintScreen no, but I will add numbers and win button in ASuite 1.5.
Include option to hide items from the menu, but not application window (like autoexecute items).
Ok. I will add it in next release.
Combine all the icons into one .dll file (or even into the program file itself) so that they take up less disk space. Current 14 files are 15.7 kb in size, but take up 56 kb on FAT32 key.
You are right on size of files, but I created function cache for speed up asuite's startup (especially for large list) and it doesn't extract icon from executables (or dll) every time.
Move above dll and selected language file (others can be deleted) to the program directory instead of having subdirectories.
In ASuite there are 10 languages file and it is necessary a subdirectory for these. But I can add in language system the asuite's path (with subdirectory Lang). In this way, ASuite search language file in itself directory and subdirectory Lang. Ok?
Thank you everybody.
Variables:
I confirm that Variables do not work in the Parameter field. I tried to load a truecrypt volume on the same USB key via paramaters and $Drive variable does not seem to work.
Hotkeys:
Great. Thanks.
Icons:
My fault for not explaining better. I am not referring to the cache icons (I do not use the cache function -- ASuite is fast enough). I am referring to the default icon folder with the 13 default icons and the 1 default cursor. But now that I think about it, you might be leaving these separated in case people want to change/customize the icons and cursor...Your call. I am just concerned about program size on the USB key...
Language subdirectory:
Great idea!
Lastly, I noticed that my USB drive light blinks a lot now and I don't really know where it is coming from (could be from a million different sources). Can you just confirm that ASuite does not access the drive at regular intervals when launched, but not directly accessed. I have cache and security backup turned off.
Thanks. CD
My fault for not explaining better. I am not referring to the cache icons (I do not use the cache function -- ASuite is fast enough). I am referring to the default icon folder with the 13 default icons and the 1 default cursor. But now that I think about it, you might be leaving these separated in case people want to change/customize the icons and cursor...Your call. I am just concerned about program size on the USB key...
Ah, sorry. ^^"
Yes, I leave these icons separated in case people want customize icons.
Lastly, I noticed that my USB drive light blinks a lot now and I don't really know where it is coming from (could be from a million different sources). Can you just confirm that ASuite does not access the drive at regular intervals when launched, but not directly accessed. I have cache and security backup turned off.
ASuite checks all files of list every 2 seconds.
May I ask what it checks for, simple existence of links/files? Without knowing the answer to the first question, every 2 seconds seems very very frequent. That's nearly 15,000 times in an average 8 hour day. I wonder if other launchers (or other programs) do this as well.
I assume that this is just a disk read and not a disk write (drive endurance issue)...Idea for version 1.5 would be to either be able to adjust the time (much longer) or to turn it off (depending on the answer to the first question).
Ciao. CD
I ever thought that variables were useless for parameters.
It's not common but it's definitely not useless.
A short time ago, I tried to develop a function Eject drive, but I didn't succed. I will try again when I develop ASuite 1.5.
If it was easy all the launchers would have this feature.
This is actually the situation I use variables in the parameter field for. I have a VBS script on my drive that I call to dismount it. It's kind of a fragile point-solution, though, which is why I'd love to have something more robust built into the launcher.
In scan for executables, ASuite retrieve version info automatically (I add this in ASuite 1.3).
Whoops. My bad. I was playing around with both the scan and the import from PStart. I didn't pay attention to when I was looking at the version info.
May I ask what it checks for, simple existence of links/files? Without knowing the answer to the first question, every 2 seconds seems very very frequent. That's nearly 15,000 times in an average 8 hour day. I wonder if other launchers (or other programs) do this as well.
ASuite checks (only read, no write) if file exists or no. If file of a software doesn't exists, ASuite change its icon (an exclamation mark).
I could adjust the time (5 seconds? 10? More?) in ASuite 1.4 and add an option to turn off this function in ASuite 1.5. Ok?
It's not common but it's definitely not useless.
Now I know.
I could adjust the time (5 seconds? 10? More?) in ASuite 1.4 and add an option to turn off this function in ASuite 1.5. Ok?
I like that idea.
Or allow for the user to designate how often to check?
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Sic semper tyrannosauro.
-------------------
Sic semper tyrannosauro.
Or allow for the user to designate how often to check?
Yes, this is better. I can add an trackbar (values from 1 seconds to 60 seconds) and checkbox Enable function etc... like option backup and MRU. Thank you.
Ah, I changed idea: I will add these options in ASuite 1.4, not version 1.5.
Super!
Thank you.
No - thank YOU for this wondeful app, and for the ongoing support of it.
I know how much work goes into something like this.
-------
Sic semper tyrannosauro.
-------------------
Sic semper tyrannosauro.
After an another month, I completed these changes:
Added
- Scheduler
- Software option: hide items from menu trayicon
- Launcher options: Time interval (in seconds) for check list and an option to turn off it
- Launcher option: Hide tab Search and Stats
- Window for Scan folder (ex scan for executables) - Screen
- Update system - Screen
- Two tabs (General and Advanced) in Software Group Property
Bugfix
- ASuite popups window in desktop center and on dual monitors this means that they straddles the monitors (thank you mjcarman)
Next (and last) changes for ASuite 1.4:
- New menu like winXP's menu (it replaces cascading menu) and option to choose classic menu (cascading menu) or new menu
- Support a folder structure outside ASuite (like Portable Apps Suite) for new menu
- Install software from portableapps.com and winpenpack.com
- Update function Import List (add Scheduler options from PStart)
Thank you everybody and good surfing.
Why are all posts here - from about 3/4 of the way down onward - formatted in italics?...
"I don't hate cats...as long as they stay on the freeway, where they belong."
- Brad Stine
There were a heap of problems:
Basically, if you don't know HTML, don't use it.
----
Ryan McCue
Person 1: Oh my god. You will never believe what just happened.
Person 2: What?
Person 1: I can't remember, I've forgotten.
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Wonderful! Thank you as always. CD
When are you going to release it?
I hope to release a beta version in this month.
I just released ASuite 1.4 Beta. Unfortunately, I didn't add new menu and function to install software because I didn't have time to develop their. I will add in ASuite 1.5.
Download http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=171280
Sweet looks good, i like being able to put my own icon in now. But i still would like to see some type of notes entry, like pstart.
@El Salvador
(It seems that the changelog is something irritating as I can't run ASuite 1.4b from my writeprotected tumbstick. Or - as I don't test it with a real CD - does the CD/DVD-support routine just looks for "read only"-attributes at the ASuite-files?)
Very nice piece of software and a really good (open source) replacement for PStart.
Adding CD/DVD-support (aka writeprotected tumbstick-support) and you can delete PStart
@jlay1989
If you need some PIM or outliner functionality why not use a standalone application. I don't think it is reasonable to bloat a lightweight launcher application with unrelated functionality which can be better covered by other existing applications. Just search here or at www.portablefreeware.com for KeyNote, MemPad, ScribblePapers, EverNote, NeoMem, EssentialPIM, TreeLine ...
Cya Ryushi
I just like seeing stuff all in one program, but now that i see this MemPad i like it better, Thanks.
Very nice piece of software and a really good (open source) replacement for PStart.
Adding CD/DVD-support (aka writeprotected tumbstick-support) and you can delete PStart Eye-wink (It seems that the changelog is something irritating as I can't run ASuite 1.4b from my writeprotected tumbstick. Or - as I don't test it with a real CD - does the CD/DVD-support routine just looks for "read only"-attributes at the ASuite-files?)
To test it, I used Daemon Tools (disk image emulator) and Folder2Iso (to create a file iso with ASuite).
But i still would like to see some type of notes entry, like pstart.
I don't like to add features unnecessary in ASuite. It is just launcher.
I've been using 1.4b for a few days now (moved over from PStart). And I've noticed that my hotkey assignments keep getting reset to "Alt" + whatever key I wanted. I was using "Shift + Alt" + key.
Anyway, great software.
One suggestion, for hotkeys, it was really nice on PStart to be able to use the Windows key in top of shift or alt or whatever, since there's very few programs that use it and there would be much less conflictions with other programs (Photoshop comes to mind).
It's a small bug of beta version. For windows key, I will add it in next version (asuite 1.5).