As of the final release of DarkStep version .970, we have started off on a new path for configuring the shell. DS.970 makes use of some new configuration panels that include:
- A main DarkStep Configuration window with three tabbed sections -
- A Module Management window
- The standard “About DarkStep” window
This new configuration procedure brings a new ease-of-use that makes the loading, unloading and recycling of individual modules a breeze :) It also greatly simplifies some of the settings and the placement of the DarkStep pop up Console.
OK, let's dig into these new features!
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DarkStep Console Menu
This is what you will see after a right-click on any border of the DarkStep Console. Note that the “Import Settings...” and “Export Settings” are briefly of minimal use, but will be a key function as new themes are developed that will take advantage of these options. Currently you can use these options to export you settings (possibly for back up security) and\or import settings that you may have available (as in the aforementioned back up process:).
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DarkStep Configuration Window
Here we have the main configuration window. When you first install DarkStep .970 you'll need to call-up this dialog for initial configuration of the shell's image path, modules to load and location of the Console itself (if you wish to change it from its default settings and\or location).
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StartUp Tab
The first tab that you'll encounter in the Configuration dialog will be the “StartUp” section :) Just select the box(es) for the feature(s) that you want to implement, select your scripting engine (or stay with the default “jscript”) and enter the path to your image directory (note that there is a button to bring up a browser window to ease the selection for you:).
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Modules Tab
The Modules tab is where you will tell DarkStep exactly *which* modules you would like to load on start up and where to find them :) You probably noticed a radio button on the StartUp tab that allows for the auto-loading\unloading of modules on list changes; well, here's where that option comes into play :) Each module that you select will attempt to read its own, proprietary settings from the step.rc file and, if the settings exist, the module will instantly be activated! As an example: If you load the DSSysVWM module from the Modules tab (and have the auto-load option selected on the StartUp tab) your Virtual Window Manager will quickly appear exactly as specified in the step.rc file :) Now we're beginning to see where Fahim is going with his built-in themeing capabilities! Of course this is just a simple example, but the possibilities are staggering ! ! !
Also on the Modules tab you'll find three buttons labeled “Add”, “Insert” and “Delete”. Each of these buttons performs a uniquely different function (obviously:)...
- Add the module that you select to the *bottom* of the module list.
- Insert a module that you have selected immediately above the currently highlighted module (or to the bottom of the list if no module is selected). This can be very important as some modules are very finicky about where they are placed <g>.
- Delete the selected module(s) from the list so that they will no longer load upon reboot or DarkStep start up. Also handy to manipulate the load order of installed modules :)
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Console Tab
This section is where you will specify the settings for how, and where, the DarkStep Console will appear henceforth :) As you can see, this tab's options allow you to specify (starting from top left and working right and down):
- X Position (Distance from the left of your screen where you want the top, left corner of the Console to appear).
- Width (How wide the console is to be).
- Y Position (Distance from the top of your screen where you want the top, left corner of the Console to appear).
- Height (How “tall” you would like the Console to be).
- What font you would like the Console to display.
- Sets the font size, allowing you to closely match it with the dimensions that you have specified for the Console.
- What bitmap you want to use for the Console background.
- Border (sets the width of each of the four borders or, another way of looking at these settings, actually sets the dimensions for the text area of the Console:)
- Text Color (When clicked upon, brings up a color selection window for you to chose your text color).
- Background Color (Also brings up a color selection window:).
- Draw Close Button (Causes a small “x” to be drawn in the upper left corner of the Console; used to close the Console window).
- Tile Skin Bitmap (Causes the background image to be tiled).
- Word wrap on (Turns on the Windows Word Wrap feature so that long strings of text\commands will not run off of the Console window).
- Auto-save position (Sets the Console to open in the same location that it was last closed, resetting the x and y coordinates each time it is closed:).
- Close Console after execution (Causes the Console to be closed automatically upon execution of any command).
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Module Management Window
(“Loaded Modules” Menu Selection)
This dialog will allow you to dynamically load, unload and\or recyle individual modules :) Previously, and throughout the history of shell replacements, it was necessary to recycle the entire shell in order to see the effect of changes made to module settings, load or unload a module or simply replace one module with another <g>. But now, with the introduction of this feature, one can accomplish ALL of these tasks and never have to leave the shell itself :) Simply select the module that you would like to unload or recycle, or click on the “Load” button to instantly see the results. Very handy dialog in its own right!
Displayed below is a sample of the window that will pop up for you to select which module you would like to load or unload...
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About DarkStep Window
And, finally, here we have the standard “About DarkStep” dialog which displays a simple list of running modules, their version numbers (if available) and the running DarkStep version number.
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