Portable App Development

I have configured and compile Tcl/Tk v8.60 on a USB flash drive that appears to work on whatever Windows 2000 and later operating system without leaving behind files. It's very nice to have a portable scripting language that also works with other portable apps such as Notepad++ and Console v2.00.

One of the Tcl/Tk Google+ community members has asked me to create a portable app version of the Tcl/Tk toolkit. Because I haven't created a true portable application (ie. installer, directory structure and so on) I am a reticent to say "yes". But, I'm willing to give it a go.

I'm currently working on a program called DocEar Portable and it has the option of relying on a PDF reader. In general, all it does is look at the ones installed on the system and then lets you pick, but I was able to track down the line in the preferences file and I was wondering if there was a way of using the custom.nsh file to see if Foxit or Sumatra Portable are installed and putting them in the preferences file by default. Below is the preferences part. Any help would be nice, if possible.

to create new, higher levels, consider adding a new color (dark green, light purple or lavender, etc.) or maybe a wild card (rainbow colored or sparking)

I'm the developer of WaveShop, and I wanted to reply to suggestions made by John T. Haller (via email in Feb.), and also apprise you of recent updates to the app; I hope this is the appropriate forum. John asked me about donations.

I know this is 'crazy' but still. Would the 'calling' PortableApp interfere with the 'called' PortableApp in any way ?

I was looking for a way to redirect reads certain registry keys. I found that detours can do it. But there was a problem: I need it for a commercial application, and detours are too expensive. Therefore I can not use cracked or pirated products. What alternative products can you recommend?
I would be grateful for any advice.

I'm new to this portable app setup, but I intend to try and get Paint.NET portable. I could do with some help if people are willing to give a hand.

TextPad 6 and 7 have gone what I call "semi" portable. If you launch it with two command-line parameters:

-f [directory for the configuration file]

-k [directory for the license key]

it will get its setup etc. from those directories.

I've got the following directory structure:

Clips\
config\
license\
Macros\
Samples\
Spelling\
Syntax\
system\
README.TXT
TextPad.bat
Textpad.exe
TextPad.ico

in "PortableApps\TextPad"

Is it possible to get the portable apps menu to collapse categories when it loses focus so when I "open" it all of the categories are collapsed, this appears to be the default position when it first opens but then it remembers which category I last expanded and keeps it expanded.

Thanks for your help
John

[bump removed by mod JTH]

How to make portable software that is compatible with PortableApps.com?