BUTTON MANAGER INFORMATION
==========================

Welcome  to  Button Manager Pro for Windows!  The  topics  listed
below  are  discussed within this file, and more  information  is
available  in  the other text files included with  this  document
(Section 3 describes what is contained within each of the files).
Note  that  ALL  this information is located  within  the  Button
Manager  Help file, which can be accessed by executing it  within
Windows.


1.   INTRODUCTION TO BUTTON MANAGER FOR WINDOWS
2.   INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
     A)   MANUAL INSTALLATION
     B)   DISTRIBUTION KIT INSTALLATION
3.   REQUIRED FILES
4.   REGISTRATION
     A)   BY CREDIT CARD
     B)   VIA COMPUSERVE
     C)   BY CONTACTING US
5.   CONTACTING US


1.   INTRODUCTION TO BUTTON MANAGER FOR WINDOWS
===============================================

Welcome  to  Button  Manager, an application which  provides  the
windows  user  with  more control over their  Windows  workspace.
This application is best-suited for those people who are tired of
hunting  for  applications in Program Manager, and want  to  have
their favourite applications at their fingertips.  Button Manager
allows you to organise your favourite applications into groups of
buttons  (defaults  to  Program Manager  Groups),  and  instantly
launch any of the applications at the touch of a button.

This  application  allows  you  to manage  your  Program  Manager
application  groups as button sets, which can  each  be  resized,
reconfigured, minimized, moved, and arranged in the way that best
suits  your needs.  For those cases where a set of buttons should
always be available, you can even force the group to float on top
of all other applications.

Each  button  displays the icon associated with  the  application
that  will be launched when it is pressed.  Additionally, if  the
button  help  option  is selected, the user  will  be  shown  the
application details when the mouse crosses over the button.  And,
further to the topic of HELP, context-sensitive help is available
from anywhere in the application by pressing F1.

Instead  of  replacing the functionality of Program  Manager,  as
other  applications  do, this application  compliments  it.   The
advantage  here is that the application groups can be  maintained
in  one  place  so  that no matter what changes are  made  within
Program Manager, the same changes will automatically be reflected
in  Button  Manager.  However, unlike Program  Manager,  you  can
limit  the amount of information you see by displaying only those
groups that interest you most.

Button  Manager also provides the ability to search and sort  the
list of buttons that are currently active (in a textual list), so
that  you may more easily find those applications that "just seem
to   be   misplaced".   This  list  provides  detailed   property
information  for  the buttons, which is far more convenient  than
looking up each button individually using Program Manager.

Additionally,  Button Manager remembers your setup  from  run-to-
run.   Therefore,  you  could,  for instance,  "load"  groups  of
buttons  around the perimeter of your screen the first  time  you
start  Button  Manager.  Then, every time  you  start  up  Button
Manager the same groups would be loaded in the same location  and
shape.   This option provides the most power when Button  Manager
is  added  to  the  STARTUP group in Program  Manager.   In  this
instance,  your  same  application  workspace  would  be   loaded
automatically every time you start Windows.

Button  Manager is fairly intuitive to use, but context-sensitive
help has been provided for the application to make it even easier
to  use.  Also, a drop-down menu will appear on the button groups
when  you  right-click on any button in that  group.   This  menu
provides  access  to  the most commonly used functions,  such  as
exiting  windows,  searching  for applications,  configuring  the
environment, and the like.

We  hope that you find this product as beneficial as we have.  If
you  do,  we ask that you please support shareware by registering
this  product.   Registered users receive a disk of  the  current
version  of  the product, a license that applies  to  any  future
version  of  the program, no registration reminder  screens,  and
unlimited technical support via e-mail, mail, phone, and fax.


2.   INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
==============================

To  install this application, it is necessary to determine  which
set  of  files  you have.  If one of the files  is  SETUP.EXE  or
INSTALL.EXE,  then refer to the INSTALLATION KIT INSTALL  process
documented   below.   Otherwise,  please  refer  to  the   MANUAL
INSTALLATION discussion (note that registered users  receive  the
full  installation kit on disk, if they elect to have a disk sent
to them).

When  you  perform the installation, please ensure that no  other
Windows  applications are running at the same time.   If  another
program  is  using a DLL the installation kit wants  to  install,
then  it  wont be able to complete the installation process  for
that  file (it will tell you this).  As a result, when you go  to
run  Button  Manager,  it will not work.  If  this  does  happen,
simply  stop the other Windows applications and re-install Button
Manager.


DISTRIBUTION KIT INSTALLATION

The   distribution  kit  contains  all  the  files  required   to
automatically set up and run the application.  When  the  product
is  registered,  this is the type of kit the user  receives  when
they  order  disks.   It will install all files  and  create  the
appropriate Program Manager groups by just typing SETUP.

An  alternate  size-conscious kit is distributed which  does  not
install  the VBRUN300.DLL file, as most people have this file  on
their  machine  (the size-conscious kit can be recognized  easily
because  the  installation  program is  called  INSTALL.EXE,  not
SETUP.EXE).  The installation program will do all the same things
that  SETUP  will do, except it will not install the extra  file.
If you do not have this file in your windows system directory, it
can easily be downloaded from most BBSs.  Alternatively, the full
kit can be mailed to you on disk when you register the product.

Once  installed,  the  files that are moved to  the  installation
directory on the hard drive include:

     BTNMGR.EXE   The Button Manager program
     BTNMGR.HLP   The context-sensitive Windows Help
                  file
     FILE_ID.DIZ  The information for the BBSs
     LICENSE.TXT  The license and warranty
                  information
     README.TXT   Introductory information about the
                  product
     REGISTER.TXT The registration form
     VENDOR.TXT   The vendor-specific information

The  files that are moved to the Windows System Area include  the
following two files (THEREFORE, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUST COPY THE
INSTALLATION DIRECTORY TO PASS THE SOFTWARE ON TO SOMEONE ELSE!)

     THREED.VBX   Used for the 3D controls
     VBRUN300.DLL Run-Time module, needed to make
                  everything work (not included in
                  the size-conscious kit)


MANUAL INSTALLATION

If  you do not have a file called SETUP.EXE or INSTALL.EXE,  then
you  will  need  to perform a manual installation of  the  files.
This is fairly simple, and requires the following steps:

1.   First, look to see if you have the Visual Basic runtime file
     (VBRUN300.DLL) included with the set of files.  Sometimes, a
     BBS may exclude this file from the set you have, to save  on
     space.   Assuming this is the case, and you do  not  already
     have   the  file  in  the  windows  \SYSTEM  directory  (eg.
     d:\WIN31\SYSTEM\VBRUN300.DLL), you  will  need  to  download
     this  file  as  well.   It is available from  most  bulletin
     boards.   Alternatively, you could register the product  and
     receive  all files on a single disk in the DISTRIBUTION  KIT
     INSTALLATION format, described above.

2.   Create  a  directory in which you would like  to  store  the
     files (i.e. C:\BTNMGR).

3.   Store the files in the directory you just created (this will
     require  that  the files be decompressed using  the  PKUNZIP
     utility if you downloaded from a BBS).

4.   Move  THREED.VBX  and VBRUN300.DLL into the windows  \SYSTEM
     directory.

5.   Finally,  set  up an icon for the BTNMGR.EXE application  in
     the  STARTUP  group of the windows Program Manager.   Please
     consult  the  Button Manager help file under  TIPS:  Startup
     Group, if you are unfamiliar with how this is done.


3.   REQUIRED FILES
===================

As  described in the Installation Instructions Section, there are
two versions of this product that are distributed.  Depending  on
which  kit  you have, there will be a different set  of  required
files.

The  DISTRIBUTION KIT contains all the required files, and allows
the  application to be installed by just typing SETUP.   This  is
always  the  kit  that  is distributed to  registered  users.   A
smaller  distribution kit is also distributed, which  performs  a
complete  install  with the exception of the  large  VBRUN300.DLL
file (which most people already have on their machine, and can be
obtained from most BBSs).  This kit can be distinguished from the
other  distribution  kit by the fact that the  setup  program  is
called INSTALL.EXE, not SETUP.EXE.

The  MANUAL  INSTALLATION  KIT contains  only  the  bare  minimum
required  files, and requires manual installation.  The only  way
you  would  have  this  set of files is if someone  uploaded  the
Button Manager files instead of the Distribution Kit.  Please  do
not  distribute  the  files this way if you  can  distribute  the
DISTRIBUTION  KIT  instead, as a manual installation  takes  more
work than having someone just run the installation program.


DISTRIBUTION KIT REQUIRED FILES

     FILE_ID.DIZ      The information for the BBSs
     LICENSE.TXT      The license and warranty information
     README.TXT       Introductory information about the
                      product
     REGISTER.TXT     The registration form
     SETUP.EXE        Setup Program.  SETUP is full version
     (or INSTALL.EXE) containing the VBRUN300.DLL file,
                      INSTALL is the size-conscious version
                      which does not contain that file.
     VENDOR.TXT       The vendor-specific information


MANUAL INSTALLATION KIT REQUIRED FILES

     BTNMGR.EXE       The Button Manager program
     BTNMGR.HLP       The context-sensitive Windows Help
                      file
     FILE_ID.DIZ      The information for the BBSs
     LICENSE.TXT      The license and warranty information
     README.TXT       Introductory information about the
                      product
     REGISTER.TXT     The registration form
     VENDOR.TXT       The vendor-specific information
     THREED.VBX       Used for the 3D controls
     VBRUN300.DLL     The Visual Basic run-time module


4.   REGISTRATION
=================

The  process of registering this product is very simple, and  can
be  done  by  credit  card  (phone, fax,  e-mail  or  mail),  via
CompuServe,  or  by mail order.  Each method is described  below.
Note  that  by registering you can receive a disk which  has  the
latest  version of the application (if you do not  want  a  disk,
then the registration fee is reduced - but only if you order from
AKC via mail).

If you do not receive your registration kit within 2-3 weeks, you
can  contact  us  via  one  of  the methods  provided  under  the
Contacting   Us   help  topic  (or  see  the  README.TXT   file).
Generally,  once  we  have  your order,  you  will  receive  your
registration  kit in the mail within 3-10 days.   Please  do  not
contact the Credit-Card-Order numbers regarding the status of the
mailout, as they are an order-taking company only.


A.   REGISTERING  BY PHONE, FAX, E-MAIL, OR MAIL USING  A  CREDIT
     CARD
  
  ***** FOR CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY *****
  
  You  can  order  with MC, Visa, Amex, or Discover  from  Public
  (software) Library by:
    o  calling 800-2424-PsL or 713-524-6394; or
    o  FAX to 713-524-6398; or
    o  CIS Email to 71355,470; or
    o  mailing  credit  card  orders to  PsL  at  P.O.Box  35705,
       Houston, TX 77235-5705, USA.
  
  Please  remember to provide your credit card number,  the  name
  on  the  card, expiry date, and signature, as well as the  name
  of the product (Button Manager) and your return address.
  
  ***** THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR ORDERS ONLY *****
  
  The  $20US cost is the same as was detailed in the registration
  form.   All  credit card orders result in a disk of the  latest
  version being sent to you.

  Any  questions about the status of the shipment of  the  order,
  refunds,   registration  options,  product  details,  technical
  support,  volume  discounts,  dealer  pricing,  site  licenses,
  etc.,  must  be directed to AKC Applied Knowledge  Corporation.
  Please  refer  to the Contacting Us help topic for  information
  on how we can be reached.
  
  To  insure that you get the latest version, PsL will notify  us
  the  day  of  your order and we will ship the registration  kit
  directly to you.


B.   REGISTERING BY COMPUSERVE
  
  Compuserve  has a shareware registration facility available  to
  all  its  users.   Follow  this procedure  to  register  Button
  Manager through Compuserve.
  
  a.   From within Compuserve, type GO SWREG.
  
       This will take you to the Software registration area.
  
  b.   Indicate that you would like to register Button Manager.
  
       It  is  quickest to access the Button Manager Registration
       by  using ID #2823, but you can also search for it by name
       if necessary.
  
  c.   Immediate Registration.
  
       By  registering on this service, the registration  fee  of
       $20US  will  be  charged to your Compuserve  account,  and
       they  will  immediately forward your name and  address  to
       us.   We will then send the registration kit to you in the
       mail.
       

C.   REGISTERING BY MAIL

  Note  that only cheque and money-order orders are processed  by
  this  method.   If  you  wish to order by credit  card,  please
  consult the Credit Card Order topic, above.

  a.   Fill in the Registration Form.
  
       This  form can be produced by printing the associated help
       topic,   or  by  printing  the  file  REGISTER.TXT.    The
       registration screen, which is shown to unregistered  users
       when  they  start up Button Manager, has a button  in  the
       lower  left corner which will allow you to edit a copy  of
       the registration form.  The button is called "Fill Form".
  
  b.   Mail in the Registration Form, with the registration fee.
  
       Mail  the registration form to the address stated  on  the
       form,  with  a  cheque or money order for the  amount  you
       have indicated on the registration form.
  
  c.   Register Product.
  
       Once your registration form has been received, it will  be
       processed and you will receive a Registration Kit  in  the
       mail  containing  any disks you have ordered  as  well  as
       your personal registration number.


5.   CONTACTING US
==================

We  can  be  contacted in several ways, each of which  is  listed
below.   If you are waiting on a registration kit from us, please
allow  2-3  weeks for delivery.    Generally, once we  have  your
order,  you will receive your registration kit in the mail within
3-10 days.

Technical support can also be obtained by contacting us using any
of the methods listed below.

  
     Mail:                  6128 Red Willow Drive,
                            Gloucester, Ontario,
                            Canada, K1C 7J8
     Phone:                 (613) 841-6020
     Fax:                   (613) 841-6021
     E-Mail on Compuserve:  70252,1364
     E-Mail on Internet:    70252.1364@compuserve.com
  

