PortableApps.com Platform

"The PortableApps Menu will also work with other apps. You just need to place their executables (exe files) in a directory "next to" the PortableAppsMenu directory."

Using Winamp as an example: I installed Winamp to the PortableApps directory. The installation created a single directory ('Winamp') inside the PortableApps directory. When I then 'refreshed app icons' there were three icons related to Winamp on the start menu, because the Winamp directory has three executables. I only need one executable...for winamp.exe, which launches the program.

I tried moving the Winamp program directory outside the PortableApps directory, and copying just winamp.exe to a directory inside the PortableApps directory. That put the right icon on the start menu, but Winamp won't start under those circumstances. I also tried placing a shortcut to winamp.exe into a Winamp directory inside the PortableApps directory, but that doesn't place an icon on the start menu.

Hey I am probably jumping the gun, but I was wondering if someone could tutor me a little. I know John is working on something like this right now.

I am using PAM now in lieu of PStart and U3.

Nothing against PStart, it is just that John has made the format of the programs and the menu so nice and user friendly.

To my question-
I have already modified my autorun.ini to look like this:
[Autorun]
Open=PortableApps\PortableAppsMenu\PortableAppsMenu.exe
Action=Start PortableAppsMenu
Icon=fficon1.ico
Label=2GB SanDisk Cruzer

This obviously causes Windows XP to recognize the flash drive and ask if you want to launch the PAM, and it sets the icon and name of the drive for Windows Explorer.

how the drive is automaticly renamed to "PortableAapps"? can you change the name to whatever you want it to be? can you change the picture? because I liked how my drive was named before I installed the suite.

When trying to launch PortableApps from my falsh disc i get always two error messages:

1.
Window title: PortableApps Menu: PortableAppsMenu.exe - Application Error
Message: The exception unknown exception (oxoeedfade) occured in the application at location 0x7c59bc81

2.
Window title: Application Error
Message: Exception EOSError in module PortableAppsMenu.exe at 0000DA65.
System Error. Code: 87.
The parameter is incorrect.

I've installed the complete package without modifying anything.
I can launch all the applications without problem directly.

Where can be the problem?

How about adding Cascading Menus to the launcher???

PortableApps Menu makes an annoying mistake than I have seen many programs make.

It uses the system color Window Text for the text, and then manually defines white as the background color for the text.

This creates problems when Window Text is defined as white, because then the text is unreadable. The unhelpful tooltip "Click to launch this app" only adds to the aggravation. Since not every one of my apps has an icon I am forced to change my system colors just to use this app.

Standard solutions for this problem in any app are:
1) Change the background to use the system color Window.

John, you did an awesome job! I love it ...
(even wiped U3 completely now)

Just one question; how do I make an application autorun when the menu kicks in?
One of those applications for me would be RoboForm2Go ...

How about it?
The menu would scan the root for folders and list them below the standard ones (docs, music, pics...)?

Ok, you have the explore button that kind of makes the above redundant. But still, it would look more personal and dynamic... and be in tune with what the apps section of the menu already does.

And,

I ran a test:

1- add a new app ("whatever.exe") to a new folder in PortableApps
1- refresh the menu which added "whatever.exe" to the list
2- close the menu (really close, cicking the X)
3- rename "whatever.exe" to "whatever.exe_"
4- open the menu

I expected the "whatever.exe" entry to be gone, it wasn't, the line was still there with a generic icon...

How hard would it be to put an eject button next to the x on the menu?
that way, you could eject the usb device from there, closing all programs using it and elimate having to click the WINDOWS SAFELY REMOVE HARDWARE.

It's broken on my laptop, 1680x1050 screen. See the screenshot

Everything is all out of place. The close button doesn't work. The right click on the task tray icon doesn't do anything, there should be some rightclick options there like close, hide/unhide.