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Portable links launcher (originally a Convey suggestion)

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May 10, 2007 - 11:23am
#1
alanbcohen
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Portable links launcher (originally a Convey suggestion)

Edit:
Okay, I am not handy with the high level languages used today. But the idea of a USB-based folder containing shortcuts that can be re-referenced along the lines of the Convey Send to links is still relevant.

ede,

Background and problem
I'm very happy with the way Convey Portable is turning out and find it extremely useful as a tool to send a data file to a specific portable app by using the right-click menu. I have gone so far a putting a dummy target on my Desktop (empty text file with .{blank} as the extension) to use bring up the 'Send to' menu item (not very 'portable'). This will bring up most apps with an error message of 'unknown file format' But, I'd like to be able to launch some of my favorite apps without using 'Send to'. I was thinking using a '_QuickLink' folder with shortcuts under Documents might be a suitable solution except for the 'Drive Letter' problem. While batch files with relative paths might be usable, you then lose the ability to pick by spotting the right icon unless you are technically competent to handle batch compilers.

Possible solution
In creating the current 'Send To' menu, you use a set of shortcuts stored in the Links_folder (as pointed to under the ConveyPortable.ini file) and reform them into shortcuts under the 'Send to' menu with the correct temporary drive letter. Could this drive letter reassignment process be used on a second set of links in a different folder? The resulting target folder would then be available for program execution without redirecting an input file via 'Send to'.

This could either be incorporated into the Convey product or a separate stand alone product. Either way, the system tray icon could have an option to open the target folder. If Convey does eventually get merged into a future PAM, the target folder could appear like 'Documents' does now.

I appreciate the opportunity to pass my idea on to someone more technically capable than me!

Alan

Edit:
Just had another idea, if one of the links was to your favorite file manager (if not Windows Explorer), it could also be used to open the links folder instead of the default file manager.

[Bump deleted by moderator JTH. Bumping is not permitted.]

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May 18, 2007 - 9:51pm
ede
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I'm on it

I am working on something similar to this. I am creating an Addon for Convey Portable that would add applications to the Quick Launch folder. This probably doesn't satisfy all your needs exactly, but it is a start.

Why don't you post some of your ideas on how it would work (e.g. a right click menu, a tray launcher, etc)

- ede

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May 19, 2007 - 2:29am
(Reply to #2)
Wences
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Isn't that exactly what his asking for?

I believe that is exactly what his asking for, only he didn't dare mess with allmighty Window's system folders, so he was thinking of just putting all those quick launch icons on a sub-menu of the send-to menu, or something.

He wants to use Send-To to just launch an app, without it getting the name of the file he right clicked as a command line parameter. I think quick launch will suit him perfectly.

Oh! And thanks to both for listening to my suggestion! :):)

Idea:
If you want to lauch X:\PortableApps\SomeApp\SomeApp.exe without any params, you can do it with a file called SomeApp.bat that resides somewhere in Secret (this is vital) and says:

\PortableApps\SomeApp\SomeApp.exe

(Note it starts with a backslash. No drive letter.)
And then you put a shortcut to it in the links folder, and you right click the shortcut and change its icon to some other icon that also resides in Secret
The file name gets passed along to the bat, but the bat (but bat but... well, this was never meant to be a poem anyway) the bat just ignores it, and calls SomeApp without it.

And if SomeApp.exe requires some context, such as to be launched from a certain directory, or some params, you can always do it by adding a line to the bat, or appending the params to that line.

EDIT: You get an extra console window that only lives while the program is running or until you click on its close button. Shame. Until now it seems to be the only caveat with my idea. Anyone knows how to prevent it from appearing?

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May 19, 2007 - 12:33pm
(Reply to #3)
alanbcohen
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Thank you for your consideration

Now I realize you were busy with .98b!

What I'm thinking is an item in the Convey tray launcher menu that simply says something like 'Quicklinks'. It would open a folder of links similar to tose you use for the 'SendTo' process. That's all new code, but the key to making this work would be reusing the code you use reading the Convey Links folder and making the shortcuts in the Quicklinks folder drive letter portable. QuickLaunch would be fine! I don't think a right-click item would be the way to go; you won't generally have an object to click on to provide the context. Does this help fleshout the idea?

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May 20, 2007 - 3:04am
(Reply to #4)
Aciago
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Program Launcher.-

Why don't you just use a Program Launcher able to stay on right click in every place?

Check here... http://www.portablefreeware.com/?c=16&sc=116

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May 20, 2007 - 4:27pm
(Reply to #5)
alanbcohen
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I appreciate the recommendation,

but I'm currently not interested in a keyboard-based launcher. I would prefer a GUI solution. I have a difficult time remembering keystroke combinations.

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May 20, 2007 - 11:09pm
(Reply to #6)
Aciago
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???????

Who talked about Keystrokes?

You asked for help, at least check the web... I sent you the chapter of Program Launchers, including PAM, ASuite, PStart, etc, etc... all GUIs... maybe one of them uses right click...

In fact, I think this is not necessary since all that you need to do is click on a little icon in the system tray, choose, and launch the App you need... all using an Apps Launcher... then why adding it to right click menu?

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I don't have a signature
Should I have a signature?

If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port,
and the bus is interrupted as a very last resort,
and the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort,
then the socket packet pocket has an error to report Biggrin

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