NetLaunch (program launcher) type replacement for XP ?

J

John Fitzsimons

I use NetLaunch with '98SE as a handy way to have right click access
(in the system tray) to a number of program shortcuts. Apparently the
freeware version that I have been using will not work on an XP
computer I have set up.

If I do NOT need the dial up part of NetLaunch then what would be the
closest equivalent for XP please ?

In other words I want program launcher that has an icon in the tray of
XP that I can right click and see a list of programs to launch.

What I like about NetLaunch is that it shows the program icon and the
name of the program. Which makes quick program selection very easy.

Regards, John.
 
A

Aqua

Traybar http://www.snapfiles.com/get/traybar.html is small simple and very effective.



I use NetLaunch with '98SE as a handy way to have right click access
(in the system tray) to a number of program shortcuts. Apparently the
freeware version that I have been using will not work on an XP
computer I have set up.

If I do NOT need the dial up part of NetLaunch then what would be the
closest equivalent for XP please ?

In other words I want program launcher that has an icon in the tray of
XP that I can right click and see a list of programs to launch.

What I like about NetLaunch is that it shows the program icon and the
name of the program. Which makes quick program selection very easy.

Regards, John.
 
J

jmatt

Just in case you missed it John, NetLaunch now have a version for XP.

http://www.blackcastlesoft.com/netlaunch/default.asp

Build 320 of NetLaunch for XP has been released and is available here.
It has been developed specifically for Windows 2000/XP. It's somewhat
compatible with Windows 98/ME/NT4 ... not all features have been
implemented for Windows 9x platforms.
http://www.blackcastlesoft.com/NetLaunch/download.asp

The best place to get information and support is the NetLaunch
Newsgroups
news://news.blackcastlesoft.com
 
S

schrodinger's cat

In other words I want program launcher that has an icon in the tray of
XP that I can right click and see a list of programs to launch.
Click to expand...

I am curious as to why you would want to load an additional utility when
XP has similar functionality already built in. Why don't you simply drag
the apps to the Quick Launch toolbar? In order to save space on the Task
Bar you can unlock the Task Bar, shrink the Quick Launch toolbar by
dragging the right end to the left until all the apps you don't need to
see are hidden, then re-lock the Task Bar. Then you just click on the
double arrow to pop up the list of apps (showing both icons and names).
Alternatively, you can create an entirely new toolbar by right-clicking
on the Task Bar if you prefer these apps to be on the right side of the
screen next to the tray (or just drag the Quick Launch bar to the right
side). Neither of these methods require the installation of a third
party program to accomplish what you are trying to do.
 
F

Frank Bohan

John Fitzsimons said:
I use NetLaunch with '98SE as a handy way to have right click access
(in the system tray) to a number of program shortcuts. Apparently the
freeware version that I have been using will not work on an XP
computer I have set up.

If I do NOT need the dial up part of NetLaunch then what would be the
closest equivalent for XP please ?

In other words I want program launcher that has an icon in the tray of
XP that I can right click and see a list of programs to launch.
Click to expand...

There are several ways to do this in XP without a separate program.

Use the Quick Launch Bar (just to the right of the Start button), either by
putting the shortcuts in the QLB or making a folder containing the shortcuts
and making a shortcut to the folder in the QLB.

Put the shortcuts (or the shortcuts folder) on the desktop and use the
desktop toolbar (Right click on the taskbar > Toolbars > Desktop). This buts
a double-chevron on the taskbar which displays links to everything on the
desktop, including folder contents and sub-folders.

Alternatively you can also make a new toolbar (Right click on the taskbar >
Toolbars > New Toolbar).

If you prefer to use a separate program, have a look at Tray Commander Lite:

<quote> Tray Commander Lite is a free tray launcher that lets you gain quick
access to your most frequently used applications and system commands via a
customisable menu. The tray menu in its turn pops up as you click on the
program icon in the system tray. You can add your own programs to the menu,
specify other options and then only access the programs you need most with a
single click. The program is freeware and has an attractive interface.
</quote>

http://www.ardamax.com/info_tcl.html

===

Frank Bohan
¶ He who laughs, lasts.
 
J

John Fitzsimons

On Mon, 19 Sep 2005 08:32:48 +1000 John Fitzsimons
Click to expand...
I am curious as to why you would want to load an additional utility when
XP has similar functionality already built in. Why don't you simply drag
the apps to the Quick Launch toolbar?
Click to expand...

Habit ? :)
In order to save space on the Task
Bar you can unlock the Task Bar, shrink the Quick Launch toolbar by
dragging the right end to the left until all the apps you don't need to
see are hidden, then re-lock the Task Bar. Then you just click on the
double arrow to pop up the list of apps (showing both icons and names).
Click to expand...

Ah ! I hadn't noticed that. One of the main reasons I seldom use my
quick launch bar in '98 is because I have so many items that I thought
it could take up the whole width of my screen ! :)

So I didn't get around to discovering that I should click the double
arrow. I usually just widen the bar if I want something that is hidden
on it.
Alternatively, you can create an entirely new toolbar by right-clicking
on the Task Bar if you prefer these apps to be on the right side of the
screen next to the tray (or just drag the Quick Launch bar to the right
side). Neither of these methods require the installation of a third
party program to accomplish what you are trying to do.
Click to expand...

Yes, I knew about that option. I rejected it as NL is only a single
tray item. A bar is much longer. Even if docked to the side. I might
however do a re-think about this.

Thanks you for many comments. Much appreciated.

Regards, John.
 
J

John Fitzsimons

On 18 Sep 2005 16:58:32 -0700, (e-mail address removed) wrote:
Click to expand...
< snip >
Click to expand...
Thanks Matt,
Click to expand...
I knew an XP version was being worked on but I wasn't sure whether it
was still freeware and/or actually finished and/or crippled in some
way.
Click to expand...

Unless I have an incorrect download my XP version of NetLaunch says
"shareware" when being installed.

Unlike the earlier version it also does not seem to have multiple
lists of items if one has more than the depth of one's screen. One
needs to scroll downwards.

Regards, John.
--
****************************************************
,-._|\ (A.C.F FAQ) http://clients.net2000.com.au/~johnf/faq.html
/ Oz \ John Fitzsimons - Melbourne, Australia.
\_,--.x/ http://www.vicnet.net.au/~johnf/welcome.htm
v http://clients.net2000.com.au/~johnf/
 
J

John Fitzsimons

On Mon, 19 Sep 2005 09:51:20 -0400, schrodinger's cat
Click to expand...

< snip >

Update. When I tried that my XP Quick Launch toolbar would NOT
shrink to only the one icon. IIRC the minimum width was about four
icons. :-(

Regards, John.
--
****************************************************
,-._|\ (A.C.F FAQ) http://clients.net2000.com.au/~johnf/faq.html
/ Oz \ John Fitzsimons - Melbourne, Australia.
\_,--.x/ http://www.vicnet.net.au/~johnf/welcome.htm
v http://clients.net2000.com.au/~johnf/
 
K

Klaatu

In other words I want program launcher that has an icon in the tray of
XP that I can right click and see a list of programs to launch.

What I like about NetLaunch is that it shows the program icon and the
name of the program. Which makes quick program selection very easy.
Click to expand...

Take a look at PStart at http://www.pegtop.net/
 
S

schrodinger's cat

< snip >

Update. When I tried that my XP Quick Launch toolbar would NOT
shrink to only the one icon. IIRC the minimum width was about four
icons. :-(
Click to expand...

Hmm, you are right. I never noticed that because I always keep 6 or 7
icons visible in my Quick Launch bar. Just tried to shrink it and could
only get it down to 3 icons. However, I created a new toolbar next to
the tray, created a new folder to hold the shortcuts for it, and gave
the folder a one character name, and I could reduce that bar to the
single character plus the double arrow. Still slightly wider than one
icon, but not by much.
 

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