                        MDesk for OS/2, release 1.00a

                     Copyright (C) John McCalla, 1995.
                            All Rights Reserved.


                               README FILE

THIS PROGRAM(S) IS SHAREWARE.  YOU ARE GRANTED A 30 DAY TRIAL PERIOD AFTER
WHICH YOU MUST REGISTER IT.  SEE THE ON-LINE USER'S GUIDE UNDER "What is
Shareware?" FOR MORE INFORMATION.

               ->  PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHAREWARE CONCEPT !  <-


TO 1.00 USERS:

This is not a _real_ upgrade.  This package simply fixes the problem of 
the infinite loop on startup experienced by unregistered users using MDesk
for more than 3 weeks.

To install (ONLY IF YOU HAVE MDESK 1.00 ALREADY INSTALLED), unzip and copy
MDESK.EXE over the old one.  That's it, don't try to upgrade using the Setup
program.


INTRODUCTION

MDesk is an add-on or shell replacement for the WPS.  The
product offers excellent program launching facilities, as well as numerous
utilities which will increase your productivity with OS/2.

When used as a shell replacement, you save about 2-3 MB of RAM as compared
to the typical memory use of the WPS.

For more information, browse through the "Overview" sections the on-line
user's guide (MDGuide.INF).

This release is referred to as "release 1.00" from now on.

NOTE: Due to numerous name changes in the development process, some messages
      may refer to this product as "MD", or "MDesktop".  Take these labels
      to mean "MDesk".


INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

NOTE: You will need about 500KB of hard disk space to be able to install
      MDesk.

1. Unzip this archive (MDESK1??.ZIP) to a temporary directory.
2. Type MDSETUP from that temporary directory.

The Setup Utility will handle all the installation for you.
In particular:

    1. Copy the files to their new home directory (which you may choose).
    2. Create WPS objects for the programs.
    3. Add the new home directory to the PATH, LIBPATH, and BOOOKSHELF.
    4. Save some settings in OS2.INI.
    5. Create the standard MDesk Folders and Program Objects.

After MDesk Setup is done, exit it and do the following:

3. Delete all files left in the temporary directory.
4. Shutdown, and reboot your system.


KNOWN PROBLEMS

(This is a list of minour problems, and ommissions which are either under
 investigation, or being implemented.)

    1. Seamless Windows supports needs some work (in rapid switching,
       hiding icons, etc..)

    2. UnInstall does not remove MDesk's entries in PATH, LIBPATH, and
       BOOKSHELF directives of the Config.sys file.

    3. The visual appearance of MDesk is greatly on systems where the
       frame colour is set to light grey.

    4. (OS/2 2.1 ONLY) On some systems, the swapfile size displayed on
       the InfoBar is incorrect.  To fix this, make sure you have a
       statement like this in config.sys:

         SWAPPATH=D:\OS2\SYSTEM 2048 8192

       The numbers at the end are what is important.  The first is the
       minimum free disk space to leave, and the second is the initial
       size of the swapfile.  Make sure both numbers are there, but don't
       change anything else.

NOTE: If you find anything you think is bug, and it is  not listed above,
      please report it.  See MDGuide under "Obtaining Support" for
      addresses.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This package was primarily designed by me, John McCalla, which of is also the
origin of the program's name (M for McCalla).  An incredible amount of work
was spent developing this project.  So please, if you want to honour this
work, and insure the software continues to evolve, register !!


NOTE TO INTERNET USERS

A World Wide Web (WWW) site has been setup to help support MDesk.  You will
find late breaking information, an on-line suggestion box, bug reporting
facility, and a product registration form.

You can access The MDesk Support Center with the URL:

  http://www.ee.mcgill.ca/~jmccalla/mdesk.cgi

Although I prefer getting feedback through this site, for those who don't
have access to the WWW I can be email at johnm@cs.mcgill.ca.  See the MDGuide
book for more information.


ENJOY !

...End of README.TXT...
