Maverick : Release Notes

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Version 3.9.1

• Added a "button-color" value to themes.
  This is now the default value meaning that most button colors will change if you change the theme of a launch window.
• Corrected a problem that could prevent files and folders being created in the Desktop folder.
• Added support for XP Mode in 64bit Windows 7.
  XP mode buttons (created by dragging shortcuts) should be detected automatically if a null operation is used - in this case the *x64 operation will be used automatically when launching.
• This update also includes some changes to default values and other minor changes and corrections.

Version 3.9

This is a major update, however, few changes will be immediately apparent to existing installations.

• The ability to group buttons together has been added. Each group uses a modified launch button as a heading.
• Automatic arrangement of buttons has been reimplemented to accomodate groups, however, existing layouts will normally be unaffected. Minor changes may be noticeable for vertical launch windows.
• Some context menus have been adjusted and icons have been added to some items.
• Some default captions have changed but existing layouts will normally be unaffected.
• Four new star commands have been added.
  *RegisteredApps, *SystemManagement and *SystemUtilities open pseudo-folders.
  *ImportApps opens a dialog dedicated to these pseudo-folders to allow new launch buttons to be created by dragging.
• Startup should be slightly quicker.
• This update also includes some changes to default values and other minor changes and corrections.

Version 3.8

This is a major update, however, most changes apply to visual styles.

• Styles are now theme-based, i.e. you can edit themes and apply them to launch windows, etc.
  Most style information from earlier versions of Maverick will be ignored, however, identical effects can be achieved quickly.
• Themes can be selected for individual launch windows or you can select a global theme for launch windows.
  You may also select a global theme for applets and dialogs and another theme for message boxes.
• Border styles have been adjusted to better accomodate the use of pastel colors.
• Some default settings have been changed including folder colors.
• Image handling has been reimplemented.
  Support has been added for .jpg and .gif images (as backgrounds) but functionality is otherwise broadly unchanged.
• In addition to the major changes noted above, this update includes several minor changes and corrections.
  
  multiple monitors
• Support for multiple monitors has been improved.
  If a program is not opened on the correct monitor automatically, Maverick will attempt to move it.
  
  64bit Windows
  Currently Maverick is only available as a 32bit application. For the most part, it will operate correctly on 64bit versions of Windows, however, as a result of unhelpful decisions taken by Microsoft, some anomalies remain despite considerable efforts. The following additions have been made.

• In the Options dialog, an additional value Use 64bit apps has been added.
• The pseudo-verbs *x32, *x64 may be used to override default behaviour.
• *x86 may be used as an alternative to *x32.
• *xOpen may be used to open utilities that otherwise fail to launch correctly.
• *x32 and *x64 may be used to prefix verbs
  e.g. *x32Edit could be used to open the 32bit version of Notepad to edit a .bat file.

Version 3.7.4

This update can be ignored by users of Windows XP/2000.

• Added support for Aero (Vista/Windows 7 only).
  Aero can now be specified when custom border styles are selected.
• Adjusted clock.
  Unless the date is also displayed, the time is displayed in a smaller font than earlier versions.

Version 3.7.3

This update includes adjustments for Windows 7 (beta) and also improved scaling strategies when Windows is configured to use large fonts (120 DPI). Changes apply to all versions of Windows but are most noticable in Vista. There are also major changes to the internal handling of folders, however, only minor changes in appearance and behaviour will be apparent. Minor changes have also been made to some dialogs and menus.

• On some systems, a minor installation fault may be detected.
  The fault will be repaired automatically but administrator rights may be required.
  This applies to both upgrades and clean installs.
• It is now possible to adjust the caption of a launch button without opening its properties dialog.
  Right-click the button and choose Edit Caption from its popup menu (or highlight the button and press the R key).
• It is now possible to assign the launch window color to launch buttons.
• Maverick now uses the standard Windows "hand" cursor when available.
• The option to use the hand cursor instead of the rocket cursor is now provided for magic actuators located at the top of the screen.
• Some dialogs now use web-like hotlinks.
  An option is also provided to underline checkboxes when the mouse hovers above them.
• The method used to detect special folders (such as the Fonts folder) has been refined and results in fewer false positives. Such folders may require special handling when copying or moving files.
• The *Uninstall folder now includes icons, however, many items may display a default icon.
• The internal folder viewer used by utitilies such as *Touch and *Zip now uses highlighting similar to that used by folder menus.
• The arrangement of items in popup menus may be slightly different. Also, most keyboard shortcuts for folders will result in a beep if the associated menu command would be hidden or disabled.
• The keyboard shortcut Shift-N has been replaced by Ctrl-N. This is used to create a Windows shortcut (i.e. a .lnk file).
• When a drop-down folder menu is open, you may jump to a file by pressing Shift-Letter.
  e.g. to jump to the first file with the extension .txt just press Shift-t x t (provided files are sorted by extension).
• The Task Menu feature has been discontinued due to compatibility issues.
• The Auto Open option on launch windows has been discontinued.
  All launch windows are now loaded when Maverick starts.

 

Version 3.7.2

• The main executable program maverick.exe and the installer program mvrklc.exe are now digitally signed to Microsoft Authenticode™ standards.
• Adjusted context menu construction so that the Windows Send To and Open With submenus are included in folders.
  Also extended the New submenu. This is now a close approximation of the equivalent Windows Explorer submenu, but is not identical.
• Corrected a problem that could prevent renaming of newly created files or folders.
• Corrected a problem that could prevent Print To operations working correctly.
• The positioning strategy of the small popup window that displays "about" information has been restored to that of version 3.7.0

Version 3.7.1

This update includes several minor additions, corrections and adjustments.

• To improve the performance of certain features, the main executable file is no longer distributed in a compressed format. This means that the required disk space is approximately 1MB greater than earlier version (but remains less than 5MB).
• If administrator rights are detected, a shield icon is displayed beside the close button (custom borders only).
  If clicked, security advice is displayed.
• Corrected a problem that could cause error messages to be displayed when attempting to save files for which the user does not have the required privileges. If administrator rights are not detected, no attempt is made to save the relevant data.
• Improved the reporting of file errors that may occur when saving data.
  In addition to the name of the file, the cause of the error is reported, if available.
• Corrected a problem that could, in rare circumstances, prevent launch window settings being saved.
• Added a second detection method to prevent two copies of Maverick begin opened simultaneously by accident. It is now almost impossible.
• Adjusted the style of custom borders on launch windows.
  Rounded corners are no longer used on launch window borders that are located on a screen edge.
• Added option to suppress the popup window displayed by Maverick when the computer comes out of standy/hibernation or when fast user switching occurs.
  In some cases, the position and content will also be different to earlier versions.
• Adjusted the drag-over behaviour of the window selector.
  When dragging a file over the window selector (to change launch window) a short pause is required before the launch window changes.
• Added a Feedback link to the launch window popup menu.
  This connects to a new website page that can be used to make suggestions, etc.
• Corrected a minor display issue when uninstalling Maverick.
  The log is now positioned correctly.
• Adjusted the process of transferring registration from one computer to another.
  In most cases, no change will be apparent.

Version 3.7

This is a major update that includes significant changes to functionality

Magic Actuation

• As an alternative to remnants, "Magic Actuators" can be used at the top and/or bottom of the screen.
• Magic actuators are entirely invisible. They are two pixels high, and extend across all or most of the screen.
• Magic actuators are easily detected. Simply move the mouse to the (top) edge of the screen. If an actuator is present, the mouse pointer will change to a rocket.
• When a magic actuator is clicked, a launch window will appear. This may be the primary launch window or the last active window.
  When a magic actuator is clicked again, the launch window will disappear.
• When a magic actuator is right-clicked, a menu will appear. You may select any launch window (or several other options).
• When a magic actuator is double-clicked, the windows desktop is toggled.
• When a file is dragged over a magic actuator, a launch window will appear and the drag operation may then proceed.
• Magic actuation is not ideally suited to the use of vertical launch windows, so you may wish to make changes or continue to use remnants.
• Also see online help after installation.

Window Selector

• Provided launch windows use the Custom border-style and large icons, a window selector may be displayed below the caption.
• The window selector operates much like a menu bar. Simply click the appropriate item and the window will be activated.
• Pressing the Alt key will focus the window selector. Pressing it again will unfocus it.
• When a file is dragged over the window selector, the active launch window changes and the drag operation may then proceed.

Miscellaneous

In addition to changes required to accomodate new features, this update also includes several minor changes and corrections. The most significant changes are...

• The Remnants page of the properties dialog has been replaced by the Actuate page.
  Broadly, the functionality of the old page is included in the new, i.e. if you prefer to use remnants you may continue to do so, however, all settings from the old Remnants page are discarded.
• Choice of animation effect has moved from the Options page of the properties dialog to the Actuate page.
• The Show clock setting has moved from the Clock page to the Launch Window page of the properties dialog.
  Settings on the Clock page are now global rather than local to a single launch window.
  When this version is installed, date and clock options are reset to defaults due to changes in data storage but alarm data is preserved.
• The Display Name of a launch window is now a separate value - it is no longer specified using the remnant hint.
  This may require manual corrections to be made.
• When auto-arranging buttons, inversion no longer occurs if the launch window is located in the bottom half of the screen.

Version 3.6.2

Functionality is broadly unchanged.

• Added the ability to customise the appearance of Maverick popup menus.
  The default appearance is similar to folder menus.
• Added the ability to display launch button hints in the titlebar provided the Custom border-style is used (with a large icon).
  See the Launch Window Properties dialog.
• Added the ability to split launch button hints into title and text parts using the '|' character.
  When displayed in the titlebar, the title part of a launch button hint is displayed in bold text and includes the ' : ' suffix.
• Context-menu options have been moved to the Options dialog (from the Launch Window popup menu).
• This update also includes minor adjustments and corrections including :-
  The Zip Progress dialog (now larger and corrected Cancel problem when unzipping)

Version 3.6.1

Functionality is broadly unchanged.

• The visual style of folder menus has been updated and additional options have been added.
• Folder monitoring has been reimplemented to reduce CPU usage. Some minor behavioural changes may be apparent.
• Icon handling has been reimplemented to reduce CPU and resource usage.
  To improve startup speed, icons are now loaded only when needed.
  Use of Windows GDI handles has been reduced by about 75% for typical launch windows and more than 90% for typical folders.
• Some launch buttons may require manual correction. Typically, launch buttons that use shortcuts will display "shortcut arrows". To remove an arrow from a launch button, open its properties dialog and tick the box labelled Default icon.
• The folder option Hide shortcut arrows has been discontinued - arrows are no longer displayed in folders.

Version 3.6

Functionality is broadly unchanged, but the default visual style has altered dramatically.

• All Launch Windows can be styled and colored individually.
  All applets, dialogs and message boxes can be styled as a group.
  You may choose to leave message boxes unstyled.
• Clocks can be displayed in the titlebar area but can no longer be displayed in the button area.
• Rainbow borders have been discontinued.
• Alarm messages are now displayed in the bottom-right corner of the screen to make them less intrusive.
• This update also includes some minor corrections.

Version 3.5.2

• Corrected a display problem under Windows 2000 and XP.
  If desktop icons are hidden the desktop is now repainted correctly when windows are dragged.
• Added further options to the popup desktop menu that is available when desktop icons are hidden.
• Added *TaskManager command.

Version 3.5.1

In addition to minor behavioural changes and corrections

• A popup menu appears if the desktop area is right-clicked while icons are hidden.
  Access is provided to the Display Properties dialog in Win XP/2000 (or the Personalization dialog in Vista) and also to commonly-used items such as the internet.
• Error handling has been adjusted.

Version 3.5

This is a major upgrade and includes many changes. The most notable are detailed below.

Remnants

• Semi-automatic clicking is now possible (and is the default option for new installations).
  In semi-auto mode, clicks are only generated if either a launch window or remnant is focused.
• Additional remnant sizes have been added.
  Remnants may now be 32, 48, 64, 96 and 128 pixels in size. Default sizes are unchanged.
• Remnant hints now include an icon and are rectangular (rather than balloon-style).
  Icons may not be displayed in Windows 2000 (and earlier versions).
• Positioning of remnants on short edges is now possible.
• A popup menu has been added to the remnant bar.

Launch Buttons

• The box labelled Use Verb is no longer present in the Launch Button Properties dialog.
  To ensure that a folder button opens using a dropdown menu, its Verb must be blank.
  In a very few cases, existing buttons will require manual correction.
• Buttonbar-styled launch buttons are now drawn with rounded corners.
  If a non-default colour is specified, it is used when highlighting the button.
• Launch buttons can now specify an icon size (which will override the launch window default).
• When buttons are created by dragging or by importing shortcuts, simplifications and corrections are applied automatically. For instance, a trailing '\' character will be removed from the Working Directory. Most buttons created from shortcuts will now use the default icon. Also, if possible, the command path is removed leaving just the filename.
• Changed button creation - the default verb is now always blank.
  An additional pseudo-verb has been defined *AutoSelect but this should be rarely needed.
• Selecting alternate icons for launch buttons has been made simpler by providing access to the standard Windows icon browser.

Launch Windows

• Changed the auto-arrange algorithm and options. Buttons are now arranged in a grid.
• Added a move/resize mode for rearranging buttons. This is entered by double-pressing the control key.
• If the titlebar is hidden, a small area of the launch window is reserved to act as a drop-target, etc.
• A display name can now be specified (for use in popup menus).

General

• Existing program and user files are backed up during installation and can be restored as an alternative to uninstalling Maverick should a problem be identified.
• Added option to hide desktop icons while Maverick is open.
• The *Desktop command has been enhanced and now supports popup menus, Explore and Open verbs, etc.
  To toggle the desktop, the pseudo-verb Toggle or *Toggle must be used.
• Added *Standby command and changed the icon for the *Shutdown command.
• Added *HelpWindows command to open Windows Help.
• The *ScreenSaver command now recognises the pseudo-verb *Lock.
  If used, when the screen saver terminates, Maverick attempts to lock the computer so that a password is required.
• The clock can now display the date and can be treated as a button when auto-arrange is used.
• Alarms have been reimplemented with integer arithmetic to avoid rounding errors.
  The default time for new alarms is now 00:00 i.e. midnight.
• Tooltips no longer follow rules for Windows themes.
  Typically this means that the background will be light yellow, even when using Windows Vista.
• Shortcut arrows can now be removed from folder menus.
• Some standard filenames are now recognised so that default captions can be provided.
• Some standard filename alternatives are now recognised, for instance the filenames dfrg.msc and dfrgui.exe are used by different versions of Windows to open the disk defragmenter. If either name is used but not found, the alternative will be used (if found).
• Internally, string handling has been extensively modified and optimised. Performance benefits may not be noticed but behaviour should be better in non-English locales.
• Internally, icon-search strategies have been improved.

Version 3.1.0.2

• Added a choice of remnant sizes.
  Remnants may now be 32, 48 or 64 pixels in size. In earlier versions, remnants were 32 pixels, however, the default is now 64 for the primary launch window and 48 for other launch windows.
• When upgrading it may be necessary to manually reposition remnants (by dragging) to correct overlaps.
• If you prefer the old remnant size of 32 pixels, this can be selected on the remnant page of the properties dialog.
• To accomodate the requirements of the new remnant sizes, the launch windows and remnants are now aligned on a 16 pixel grid rather than a 32 pixel grid.

Version 3.1.0.1

• Corrected minor fault. The title area of customised applets is now displayed correctly.

Version 3.1

Name Change

• The short name is now Maverick and the full name is now Maverick Launcher.

Registration

• Registration codes for Maverick 2.x are not recognised. However, for a limited period, upgrade codes may be provided on request.
• Registration codes for Maverick 3.0 must be reentered (due to changes to the way this data is stored).

Upgrading from version 3.0 (Swift Launch)

• This version should be installed in a new directory (not an old Maverick directory).
• If either the old version or the new version is installed within the Program Files directory (not recommnded) then user settings will be imported at startup. If multiple user profiles exist, the new version should be run in each user profile before the old version is uninstalled.
• If the old and new versions are both installed outside the Program Files directory (recommended) then all settings should be imported during program installation.
• The old version should be uninstalled after the new version is installed and working correctly.
  DON'T FORGET TO REENTER YOUR REGISTRATION CODE.

Upgrading from version 2.x

• This version should be installed in a new directory (not an old Maverick directory).
• Configuration data is no longer stored in the Windows registry but user settings will be imported at program startup.
• Read the full release notes for version Version 3.0.

General

• The evaluation period is now 28 days rather than 42 days.
  When upgrading, the evaluation period may be 21 days.
  During evaluation, the minimum use is now 14 days, i.e. Maverick may be used at least 14 times even if that means extending the normal evaluation period (using multiple times on a single day counts only once).
• Data Execution Prevention (a security feature of Windows XP Service Pack 2 onwards) is now fully supported.
• Minor corrections have been made to program registration.
• The merged contents of a user directory and its all-user equivalent are now displayed correctly.

Version 3.0

This is a major upgrade and includes many changes the most notable are detailed below.

Name Change

• The full name of this version is Maverick Swift Launch (rather than Maverick Launch Center).
• The short name of this version is Swift Launch (rather than Maverick).

Installation

• This version should be installed in a new directory (not an old Maverick directory).
• When you are satisfied that this version is working correctly, you should uninstall the old version.

Windows Compatibility

• Swift Launch should work correctly on Windows 2000, XP and Vista.
• Older versions of Windows are no longer supported (but Swift Launch may work correctly these platforms).

Backward Compatibility

• Most settings should be imported correctly from earlier versions, however, buttons that use shortcuts as commands may need to be corrected.
• Alarm messages : The escape sequence \r is no longer supported, \n should be used to insert linebreaks.

Registration

• Registration codes for Maverick 2.x are not recognised. However, for a limited period, upgrade codes may be provided on request.
• Temporary transfers are no longer supported (or required).

Data Storage

• Configuration data is no longer stored in the Windows Registry - it is now stored in xml files.
• For backward compatibility data can be read from the registry.

Remnants

• By default, remnants are now placed within black application bars so that they do not overlap the work area of the screen.
• Remnants can be dragged to reposition them.
• Remnants behaviour can be controlled globally from a new properties page.