BobHansen

This was the answer to the question about GUI differences. No mention was made that the XP only runs on XP OS, so this means that it will run on Win9X systems also?

Re this, I was not talking about the end code or its format, but the manner in which the coding is created without doing any of it manually. I was able to create the Gui design below above by pasting the Dialog code you submitted from the previous posting into the script, selecting it, and clicking on a Dialog Design button. So from here I can move/resize objects, add/delete objects from the Toolbar, change properties by right clicking. And when done, the design can be saved for reload and/or can replace the original code. But no manual coding required. I could have started from a blank GUI window vs. pasting in the sample code you provided. The designer looks like this for the submitted code =========================================== Here is the toolbar: And here is the original GUI (Dialog) that is being created with drag/drop tools. Objects have properties that can be assigned with right click. Controls including the GUI window have resizing handles Here is the GUI in design stage after I have resized the window, repositioned a button, added a combo box and a memo box: Also note that in the GUI title, the position/size parameters are shown for the selected object. That is a nice feature And this is the code that is created when saved. And can just edit the code if I want, no need to use the Designer tool. And the values in the Dialog script can be variables. Just offering a glimpse of a tool that I use now with some features that I think would work well in the Designer for AutoItGui. Easy to use, intuitive, no coding required but available if wanted. To keep in line with current GUI thoughts, this does not conflict with absolute/relative positioning, that just becomes a function of how the layout is converted to the code using the new GUICoordMode.

Your "My test gui2.jpg" shows the one I wanted to see. Or was this created with something else and being used as a sample of some of the GUI goals?

I did not understand that this is still in POC stage. That makes me feel even better, not too late to provide some input from a new AutoIt user. Also explains why Clip Library and Help files are so lacking. I will readjust my perspective to the different status of the two different programs........... If you don't have Macro Scheduler, I can provide you samples and screenshots.of Dialog tools. Any chance of getting a copy of the script for jpm's sample from 3/7?

Getting caught up with the subject. I realized that when I first read the messages on the forum they did not mean anything until I downloaded and started using the tool. I just finished reading all the messages from the beginning. I don't know AutoIt or the GUI version well enough to suggest any code at this time, but definitely gets my vote. I too ran into the issue of objects moving because they were relative to other objects. The use of "shorthand" values like 0/-1 may be good for quick data entry, but they should be translated at that time into the absolute values. On the other hand, an advantage of relative positioning is that you could change values on 1 or 2 objects, and all the others would move accordingly, a potential big timesaver. Another advantage of absolutes, as already noted, is the ability to pick up the values from other editing/design tools that will have the absolutes. When the form designer comes out , then a lot of this may become easier because of the drag/drop feature and looped/tagged items that would be handled as a group. The tools for Hor/Vert alignment will also be great. with user definable grid sizes. I can hardly wait! I did not see any option for or help/tips or sound/media files to be triggered on gui/element focus/enter/exit/hover, etc. Would these just be provided using AutoIt functions? Perhaps could be an option on the controls, but I also prefer fewer parameters with each function. After a few blanks, it's impossible to count properly. Thanks for listening......

Wanted to make modifications to my last posting. I now see that I was using the GUI_test vs. the Au3GUI_test last night. So my difficulties are probably not relevant at this point. I am now starting to try out the Au3GUI_test samples. I would still like to see an approach like that used by Macro Scheduler, where the code is written from user dragging objects around.

I have been using Macro Scheduler and recently experimenting with AutoIt3 after seeing come of CyberSlug's postings on TextPad forum. I like what I see a lot. I tried using the GUI stufff last night, you have many more controls, options etc. I am probably doing things wrong right now, but it was tough trying to position objects. Finally figured out what "0" and "-1" do. The Help section is not clear on this at all. I did find it confusing where there is no consistency in the sequence of Left, Top, Width, Height. I know some are optional, but I think this is still a valid observation to be looked at. But the biggest problem I had was trying to figure where the next object would be placed. I could do the 0/-1 OK, but really messed up with using =/- real numbers. But as you think about methods of implementing this, let me suggest you look at the Dialog> command in Macro Scheduler to see how they implement the objects and coding etc. Just need to place, drag, resize objects and code for GUI is created automatically. Very friendly and easy to use. but limited in functionality compared to your GUIs. After this is done, you can then edit it like can do in AutoIt3 GUI Control commands. Or you can edit it with object dragging again, as in original creation. One last comment. The latest Clip Library for TextPad does not have the GUI commands. I have been adding them myself. Are there any other functions not in the Clip Library file? Keep up the good work, I am sure I will be a regular user.

Have you tried using NET USE?

Thanks lots beerman....this was always just a background thought, never actively went looking. This looks like it will do it.......

You wouldn't happen to have a copy of code for Pirate's Island Adventure Game for TI-99, would you? My TI really wants to run that again. Thought perhaps a simulator might work, power supply for the TI is missing. (Think it was probably in some form of Basic).

Edited note: the following information was being composed while the previous replies were being added. I did not see them before I did this. I will check them out. I will also be more correct in my "stopped" terminoligy. Thanks =============================================== Re AutoComplete in TextPad: I tried to figure this out myself before anyone could reply: I added a tool for the Program FullPath\AU3GUI.exe For the Parameter I changed from $File to $SelWord Left Initial Folder as $FileDir Made a hot key = CTL-, (comma) because CTL-J is already assigned. Started typing function name, pressed CTL-, and some type of window object is popping up. Entire new window is filled in with default system colors, can see nothing to choose from. I can resize, and move, but cannot do anything with it. Closes normally so I can continue. Tried using $SelLine vs. $SelWord with same results. I think I am close, but need some help here. Also suggest adding the final definitions to the installation documentation in a section for TextPad. Thanks for listening.

Immediate Results: Working good in TextPad, 4.7.2 Detailed history: 1. Downloaded AutoSense, looked inside Zip and read the readme.txt file. 2. I generally keep all my executables in their own folder under "Program Files\Application\SubFolder\". And I usually keep my data files under a different folder: \Data\Application\SubFolder\. So I moved the two "txt" files and the one "exe" file into Drive:\Program Files\AutoIt\AutoSense\ folder. And I moved the "au3" file into Drive:\Data\AutoIt\AutoSense\ folder. 3. I modified AutoSense.au3 values of $SPEC_FILE and $AU3GUI. Opened AutoSense.au3 in TextPad 4.7.2. Used TextPAd Tool to run AutoSense, saw change in Title Bar. Made new document, saved as TestSense.au3 to get proper syntax. Started to enter some commands, AutoSense appears to be working OK. (Noticed that InitialCaps overwrites my functions when I did in lower case ..... not a problem for me, just an observation). Ran Tool again, Title bar changed, and AutoSense stopped working. Ran Tool again, Title bar includes AutoSense again, and AutoSense working again. 4. As a new AutoIt user, I am really impressed and happy to have such a great tool to learn with. Obviously I will have to do a lot to thoroughly test this out, but not a problem. 5. One suggestion about installation needed in the readme.txt and/or at beginning of AutoSense.au3, maybe line 16? I would like to suggest that you explicitly state the assumption that the two other files are defaulted to be in the same folder as the au3 file. It took me a few minutes to understand where these files, including the au3 file, were supposed to be installed to. I know that the ".\name" used for the variables I changed represent the current directory/folder, but I was not sure what the current folder should be. Is there an expected/suggested default? In any case, I appreciate that you provided the flexibility for me to do my own housekeeping ... Thanks for that. 6. I tried CTL-J for AutoComplete but that did not work. I guess there is a Hot Key I need to define in TextPad? Did not see instructions or specs for that, will have to look closer. Stay tuned for more feedback over the next few weeks as I make time to experiment with AutoIt. Great timing for me! Thanks again......

Two thoughts on previous discussions: 1. RE: Cannot disable CTL-ALT-DEL because of MS. If any one of the three keys is disabled, won't that in effect prevent CTL-ALT-DEL from working? Possibly temporarily disable one of the three until normal need is OK again. 2. RE: Directory security in WIN9x systems. Can make folder hidden and rename it to temp bad name. If PW is good, then rename folder to normal good name and continue execution as normal. Need to rename folder back to temp bad name again when program is no longer runnning. Can also check folder name before prompting for PW, if folder name is normal valid name, then rename it to temp bad name again, then do prompt for PW. I haven't gotten familiar with AutoIt yet, but the concepts should be valid. Someone else will have to provide the code right now. I will be catching up when I can, stay tuned......

Mommy luvs me!

Thanks trids, but something is missing. Not totally working for me. Almost there......Help opens, selected word is in the Index field to look for, but does not open to that page. Still need to scrill through the list to the function needing help. Question about KeyHH, I was under the understanding that it provides more resources and/or overcomes some issues with the normal HTML Help program. It seems that those extra features will be lost if I call the chm file directly? What exactly will that loss be, how will I be affected?

First day user, so consider the source, but I am looking to bring myself up to speed. Changes made by me are in Bold Blue. I did a copy/paste and ran your script. I made a modification on the last line to prevent the copy from executing. I made that a comment line. I then ran the file and it appeared to run OK. I then compiled the file into an EXE. I ran the compiled version with the same result, it looked OK. I removed the scrrun.dll and ran manually again. Got the message that it was incorrect, and copy would be processed. Appears OK. Recompiled, same results. Moved scrrun.dll file to ScriptDir, removed comment to allow copy, and ran manually again. File was copied to folder as desired..runs OK. Compiled file again, and got an error message: Invalid File Install Function() FileInstall(@ScriptDir & "\Scrrun.Dll", @SystemDir & "\Scrrun.Dll") Reviewing the FileInstall function I see that "The source path of the file to compile must be a string; it cannot be a variable. The destination path with trailing backslash can be a variable". So I modified the FileInstall line to the following: Different error Message: Error Adding File. C:\Program Files\AutoIt3\Extra\Editors\TextPad (My ScriptDir right now) So I modified it again to this: Compiled with no errors. The compiled script ran OK. Problem solved! (IMHO) Lesson learned: Be sure not to use a variable as the source in FileInstall function? I feel that this has been a good first day for me with AutoIt3. It's good to have a simple, non-critical (to me), no immediate need, type of problem to learn with. Thanks for the opportunity to learn and to contribute. Test was done on WIN98SE and AutoIt3, version is 3.0.94.0

OK, I have just finished my first venture with AutoIt3. I have made some modifications to the file "_install_syntax_files.au3" to check for User Defined paths for Syntax and Clip Library folders. My new lines are shown below in Bold Red. Existing lines that I modified are shown below in Bold Blue I did find that if the User Defined Folder is changed back to the initial default value, that the Registry setting does not return to "", it now has the string for the default value: C:\PROGRAM FILES\TEXTPAD 4\User. But I think that the changes that I made above handle that also, should not be a problem. Again, this is my first attempt with AutoIt3, so I will appreciate all feedback, hopefully with explanation of my errors. Thanks for the opportunity to learn and to contribute.

Since I brought this up as a new user, I haven't trried any scripts yet. But I thought I should also do some research. I intend to be a contributor here, not just take info away. I checked my settings and found the same as Valik pointed out: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Helios\TextPad 4\Folders has the paths. They are all blank except those that have been changed in Preferences. I confirmed this on three different systems, WIN95, WIN98SE, WIN98ME. So I surmise that the solution will turn out to be a combination of RegRead and If statements. Will need a loop to check all seven Folder options that are not blank. Would this be a good use of an array to set up the names of the seven option key names? Hmmmm, not this time. Only need to look at Syntax and Clip Library values, much easier. (Sorry, kind of thinking out loud right now, trying to address this with tools that I need to learn). Will let one of you long time users address this right now, but look over your shoulder, I will be with you soon.....

1. Would suggest to add one more column defining the Return/Error options. 2. Maybe color code Reserved Words

Thanks JdeB. CyberSlug already got me to that point on the TextPad Forum. This was my response to him: ============================= Thanks CyberSlug I should have done a Find for KeyHH.exe. Like yours, I found it in the Windows folder. Changed the command line in Tools, and it works fine. Did not have to move it to the AutoIt folder since it is already in the Path. Perhaps the install instructions should be modified slightly to help others in the future? Thanks again for your help, looking forward to this new tool......

I just installed AutoIt3, no problems. ================= Configuring TextPad (4.7.2) for use with AutoIt3: Created Class and File Filters in TextPad Installed TextPad Syntax file for AutoIt version 1. Created Tool in TextPad to run current script. Discovered Extra\Editors\TextPad tools under AutoIt. Installed newer syntax file and Clip Library using "_install_syntax_files.au3" Discovered inconvenience #1: My default paths for Syntax and Class Libraries had previously been modified. The au3 script appears to write to the registry directly vs. checking for User Defined path. I was able to move the files to the folders where I wanted them, but think it would be better if a check was done to use User Define Paths for these two files. Classify this as an inconvenience vs. a bug. Suggestion for future enhancement. =================== Installed KeyHH and tried to create Tool for Selected Sensitive Help. Ran into problem #1: No KeyHH.exe file Downloaded KeyHH from their site, and installed. Instructions call to use KeyHH.exe, but no such file exists. What I do get is KeyHH.its which I copied to the C:\Program Files\AutoIt3 folder. I entered KeyHH.its vs. KeyHH.exe as the Command. I entered -#klink $SelWord "C:\Program Files\Autoit3\AutoIt.chm" for the parameter. I cleared out Initial Folder setting of $FileDir I selected a command in the au3 file, activated the tool, and my browser opened but came back with message "This Page Cannot Be Displayed". The URL only shows http://./ Is there a step missing to convert KeyHH.its to KeyHH.exe? Have they changed their file content? What do I need to do to use this? This one is not an inconvenience, it is an instructional bug at this point. (I thought I saw a reference to a Help file for KeyHH, but cannot find it.....it maybe was an MSDN file at time of HHKey installation....may have to reinstall to find it again). Thanks for your help..... PS - Am crossposting this on TextPad Forum also.