Copyright: Copyright© 1999 Symantec Corporation.  All rights reserved.
Citation: Copyright© 1999 Symantec Corporation.  All rights reserved.


Action Bar Icon Functions

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An Action Bar button can perform one of six functions. As each function is selected in the Custom Icon dialog, the right portion of the dialog changes to display the fields required for that function. The icon functions are:

Menu Command

Send Text

Run Script

Run Program

Dial Entry

Notify Script

Menu Command

When you click on a Menu Command button, its associated menu command is called, just as though you’d selected it from the menu directly. The Custom Icon dialog contains a drop-down list box of the menu items available in the current command button set. Scroll through the list of commands, and select the one you want by clicking on it. To select a command from a different button set, click on the List menus for list box, then click on the one you want.

If you want to use the default icon for this function, click on Set Default Icon. Otherwise, you can browse for a different icon by clicking on the Change Icon... button.

The command’s menu item text is displayed on the Terminal window status line when you click on the button.

Send Text

When you click on a Send Text button, its associated text is transmitted through the active connection just as though you’d typed the text directly from the keyboard.

The Custom Icon dialog allows you to specify help text to be displayed on the status line and the text to be transmitted when you click on the icon. Enter the button’s help text in the Status line message field, and the text to be transmitted in the Send Text field. Click on Change Icon... to browse for an icon graphic to be used with your button.

Run Script

When you click on a Run Script button, its associated script is launched just as though you’d selected it from the Script File list box.

The Custom Icon dialog allows you to specify help text to be displayed on the status line and the script to run when you click on the icon. Enter the button’s help text in the Status line message field. You can either select the script from the Script File drop down list or enter the script filename directly in the list’s edit field.

If the script you want to run is not located in the directory specified in Script File in the Data, Data Options, Paths panel in Setup, you’ll need to specify the drive and path name for the file.

Click on Change Icon... to browse for an icon graphic to be used with your button.

Run Program

When you click on a Run Program button, its associated executable is launched just as though you’d run it from the Windows 95/NT Run... dialog.

The Custom Icon dialog allows you to specify help text to be displayed on the status line and the executable to run when you click on the icon. Enter the button’s help text in the Status line message field. You can either click on Browse... to search for the program’s executable file or enter the filename directly in the Execute Program edit field.

If the DOS directory containing the executable you want to run is not in your DOS PATH, you’ll also need to specify the full drive and path name for the file.

Click on Change Icon... to browse for an icon graphic to be used with your button.

Dial Entry

When you click on a Dial Entry button, Procomm Plus attempts to connect to its associated directory entry or group just as though you’d selected it from the Rapid Connect list box.

The Custom Icon dialog allows you to specify help text to be displayed on the status line and the entry or group to be accessed when you click on the icon. Enter the button’s help text in the Status line message field. Click on the Connect Data to list box to select the entry or group to be accessed when you click on the custom Action Bar button. By default, the Connect Data to list box displays entries available from the currently selected Connection Directory file. You can select a different directory file by clicking on the Connection Directory list box.

Click on Change Icon... to browse for an icon graphic to be used with your button.

Notify Script

When you click on a Notify Script button, a numeric value you specify is passed to the ASPECT $ACTIONBAR system variable. A Notify Script button is typically used to trigger actions or processes in the currently-executing script.

The Custom Icon dialog allows you to specify help text to be displayed on the status line and the value to be passed when you click on the icon. Enter the button’s help text in the Status line message field, and the value to be passed to $ACTIONBAR in the Script ID Number field.

Click on Change Icon... to browse for an icon graphic to be used with the button.

When you’re satisfied with the button’s settings, click on OK to accept them and close the dialog. Your new button will appear in the Current Action Bar list box.


Dragging Buttons

The editing window allows you to "drag and drop" buttons, either between the two button list boxes, or within the Current Action Bar list box itself. This can be very convenient. For example, if you want to add a button to the very top of your Action Bar, you can drag it to its location rather than copying it to the list and using the Move Up button to position it.

As you drag buttons within the dialog, the mouse pointer changes to reflect one of three states:

I	If you’re dragging a button from the Command list box to the Current Action Bar, the mouse pointer is unchanged, but a square outline is drawn beneath it to indicate that the button can be safely dropped.
	The editor displays a small black arrow to the left of the list, indicating the new button’s position relative to an existing button.
	These markers are also displayed if you’re dragging a button within the Action Bar itself to relocate it.
	If you’re dragging a button from the Command list box, the mouse pointer changes to a "not" symbol whenever it’s over a nonresponsive area.
	If you drop a button when the "not" symbol is displayed, the Current Action Bar will be unaffected.
	If you’re dragging a button from the Current Action Bar list box, the mouse pointer changes to a garbage can whenever it’s outside of the list box.
	If you drop a button when this symbol is displayed, the button will be removed from the Current Action Bar list.
	If you're dragging a button from the Current Action Bar list box, the mouse pointer changed to a downward arrow whenever the "dropped" button will be moved into the Procomm Plus Command list box. If you place a customized icon in the Procomm Plus Command list box, it will be appended to the bottom of the list.


Editing an Action Bar

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After you’ve created a new Action Bar or loaded an existing .pwb file into the editor, select Edit | Edit Action Bar... from the menu. The main editing dialog appears. The editing dialog’s most prominent features are two scrolling list boxes, each of which contains one or more icon buttons. The Procomm Plus Command list box contains all of the menu commands available within the Procomm Plus's communication window as Action Bar buttons.

The Terminal window's commands are selected by default if you created a new Action Bar. However, you can select a different communication set by clicking on the List icons for for list box. You can also select User Defined in the list if you want to use buttons that you've previously created and saved in the editor.

Included in each set of buttons in the Procomm Plus Command list is a blank "User-Defined Icon" which you can customize for a variety of purposes. The Current Action Bar list box displays the buttons currently included in the Action Bar you’re editing.

Between the two list boxes are two directional arrow buttons. These buttons act upon the currently selected Action Bar buttons within the lists. The button pointing right copies the highlighted Procomm Plus Command button into the Current Action Bar list, while the button pointing left removes the highlighted button from the Current Action Bar list.

The editing window also allows you to "drag and drop: buttons. See Dragging Buttons for more information.

A mouse is required to use the editing dialog efficiently. See Using the Action Bar Editor for detailed descriptions of using the Action Bar Editor window.


Opening an Action Bar File

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If you want to create a new Action Bar file, select File | New from the editor’s menu. The editor creates a new, untitled Action Bar identical to the default bar included with Procomm Plus Terminal window.

If you want to modify an existing Action Bar file, select File | Open from the menu. The editor presents a standard file open dialog. Action Bar files are stored in the Procomm Plus home directory with an extension of .pwb. The editor’s file open dialog pre-selects this file type for you. Simply highlight the file you want, then click on OK to load it.


Positioning an Action Bar

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To preview your Action Bar in a different position within the editor, select Edit | Change Position... from the Action Bar Editor's menu. Select the position for the Action Bar, then click on OK to accept it and return to the editor’s main window. Your Action Bar will be moved to the new location. To exit the dialog without making a change, click on Cancel.

The Action Bar will always occupy the outside edge of the communication window except when you load it as a floating Action Bar.


Running the Action Bar Editor

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You can launch the editor in one of three ways:

•	By clicking on the Action Bar Editor icon in the Procomm Plus Utilities group on the Start menu.

•	By selecting Tools | Action Bar Editor from any Procomm Plus communication window except for the Fax Manager.

•	By clicking on the Action Bar Editor button on the Tools-related Action Bar included with Procomm Plus.

The editor opens with an empty workspace.


Saving an Action Bar File

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To save an untitled Action Bar, or to save an edited Action Bar in a new file, select File | Save As... from the menu, and enter the new filename in the standard dialog.

To save changes you’ve made in an existing Action Bar, select File | Save from the menu.

Action Bar files must have an extension of .pwb. To be recognized and used by Procomm Plus, .pwb files must be placed in the program’s home directory, typically \program files\procomm plus.


Step-by-Step: Adding a Customized Button

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Adding a customized button to your Action Bar is much like adding one of the predefined Command buttons. To demonstrate, we’ll add a button that transmits a password when it’s clicked. Select File | New from the editor’s menu, to create an untitled Action Bar file, then select Edit | Edit Action Bar... to open the editing dialog.

We’ll add the button in five easy steps:

1.	Copy the "User-Defined Icon" into the Current Action Bar list.

The "User-Defined Icon" is the blank button at the top of the Procomm Plus Command list. Highlight it, then click on the arrow button pointing right. The button is copied into the Current Action Bar list, and the Custom Icon dialog appears.

2.	Specify the Icon Function for the button.

An Action Bar button can perform any one of six functions, as described in Icon Functions. For our example, we don’t need to select a function; the Custom Icon dialog’s default setting for a new customized button is Send Text.

3.	Specify the information required for the function.

The Custom Icon dialog displays different fields depending on the Icon Function you select for your button. A Send Text button has three settings:

Status line message

The text you enter in this edit field will be displayed on the Terminal window status line, and in the ToolTips help when the mouse pointer is left idle over the Action Bar button.

Send Text

The text you enter in this edit field is transmitted to the remote system or host.

Current Icon

This button displays the icon graphic currently selected for the button, if any.

For our example, click in the Status line message field and enter "Send Full Name". Then click in the "Send Text" field and enter your name.  Remember to add a "^M" after the name in the Send Text field. The ^M character pair is translated into a carriage return, ASCII 13, when it’s transmitted by Procomm Plus. Since host systems usually require a carriage return after a name entry, placing the ^M here will save a keystroke.

Now that we’ve selected our button’s function, and specified the information it needs to perform that function, we’re ready to select a graphic for it!

4.	Select a graphic for the button.

Click on Change Icon... to browse for an icon. The currently selected icon file is displayed in the File Name field, while the icons available in that file are shown in the Current Icon list box. Scroll through the list box to locate the icon you want and click on it to highlight it.

If you don’t find an icon that you want to use, you can search for other icon files by clicking on the Browse... button.

If you’re having a problem locating an icon graphic, select progman.exe in your Windows home directory. It contains a library of generic icons you can use.

When you’re satisfied with your button’s graphic, click on OK to return to the editing dialog. The button is complete! The completed button now appears in the Current Action Bar list box:

5.	Position the button, if desired.

The Action Bar Editor places your new button under the insertion point in the Current Action Bar list box. To change the button's position, use the Move Up and Move Down buttons on the right side of the dialog.


Step-by-Step: Adding an Action Bar Button

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It’s easy to add an Action Bar button! To demonstrate, we’ll add a button to the default Action Bar. Select File | New from the editor’s menu to create an untitled Action Bar file, then select Edit | Edit Action Bar... to open the editing dialog.

Adding a button to an Action Bar is a three-step process:

1.	Select the button you want to add.

Make sure that the correct mode is selected in the List Icons for list box, then use the scroll bars at the right of the Procomm Plus Command list box to locate the desired button. Click on it to highlight it.

2.	Copy the button into the Current Action Bar list.

Click on the arrow button pointing right. The new button is copied into the Current Action Bar list, and remains highlighted in that list.

You can also drag and drop buttons to copy them into the Current Action Bar list. See Dragging Buttons.

3.	Position the button within the Current Action Bar list.

Click on the Move Up or Move Down button to change its location in the Current Action Bar list.

You can also drag and drop buttons to position them in the Current Action Bar list. See Dragging Buttons.

When you’re satisfied with the button’s position and settings, click on OK to accept it and close the editing dialog and return to the editor’s main window. If you want to close the dialog without retaining any changes you’ve made, click on Cancel.


Step-by-Step: Removing an Action Bar Button

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To remove a button from the Current Action Bar list:

1.	Select the button you want to remove.

Use the scroll bar on the Current Action Bar list to scroll the list until the button you want to remove is displayed. Click on the button to highlight it.

2.	Click once on the arrow button pointing left.

The button is removed from the list. You can also remove buttons by dragging them out of the list. For more information, see Dragging Buttons.


The Action Bar Editor
The Action Bar® Editor

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The Procomm Plus Action Bar Editor allows you to create your own Action Bars, or load and modify the Action Bars included with Procomm Plus. The editor is easy to use, and features a "drag and drop" edit dialog, where you can:

•	Specify the number of buttons on an Action Bar.

•	Customize each Action Bar button to perform one of six kinds of functions.

•	Customize the icon image displayed on an Action Bar button.

After you’ve finished your Action Bar, you can load it and use it just like the default Action Bars included with Procomm Plus.

Running the Action Bar Editor

Opening an Action Bar File

The Action Bar Editor Window

Positioning an Action Bar

Saving an Action Bar File

Editing an Action Bar

Using the Action Bar Editor

Action Bar Icon Functions

Step-by-Step: Adding an Action Bar Button

Step-by-Step: Adding a Customized Button

Step-by-Step: Removing an Action Bar Button

The Action Bar Editor's Menus


The Action Bar Editor Window

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By default, Action Bars you create or load are displayed at the top of the editor’s main window.

In addition to the currently-loaded Action Bar, the editor’s main window displays a status line identical to the Terminal window’s. However, these features are provided in the editor only to allow you to test or preview your Action Bar.

For example, if you rest the mouse cursor on an Action Bar button, the editor will display its ToolTip, just as it would appear in the Terminal window. If you click on a button, the editor will report the button’s function in a standard dialog or, in the case of the Action Bar list boxes, mimic the control’s function.


The Action Bar Editor's Menus

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Menu | Item	Description
File | New	Creates a new, untitled Action Bar identical to the default bar included with Procomm Plus Terminal window.
File | Open...	Opens a standard file open dialog. Action Bar files are stored in the Procomm Plus home directory with an extension of .pwb. The editor’s file open dialog pre-selects this file type for you.
File | Save	Opens a standard file save dialog, as discussed in Saving an Action Bar File.
File |  Save As...	Opens a standard file save dialog, as discussed in Saving an Action Bar File.
File | Exit	Closes the editor.
Edit | Edit Action Bar...	Opens the main editing dialog, as discussed in Editing an Action Bar.
Edit | Change Position...	Opens the Change Action Bar Position dialog, as discussed in Positioning an Action Bar.
Edit | Large Icons	Toggles the Action Bar display between small and large buttons.
Help | Contents	Opens the on-line help system and displays information about the editor. <Alt><Z> is the keyboard shortcut.
Help | How to Use Help	Opens the on-line help system with a topic explaining how to use the help system.
Help | About Action Bar Editor...	Displays version information about the Action Bar Editor.


Using the Action Bar Editor

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  To Do This...            Do This...

Display a different communication mode's Procomm Plus Command icons.	Click on the List Icons for list box control button, then select the mode you want to use. In addition to Terminal, Telnet, FTP, Mail and News, you can select a special setting, User Defined, that allows you to reuse Action Bar buttons you've created.
Highlight a button	Click on it with the mouse, or move the focus into the list with the <Tab> key and use the cursor keys to move the highlight bar.
Copy a command button into the Current Action Bar list	Highlight the button you want, then click on the arrow button that points right. You can also drag a button from the Command list into the Current Action Bar list. See  Dragging Buttons.
Remove a button from the Current Action Bar list	Highlight the button you want to remove, then click on the arrow button that points left. You can also drag a button out of the Current Action Bar list. See Dragging Buttons.
Edit a button in the Current Action Bar list	You can double click on a button to edit it in the Custom Icon dialog. If the button is already highlighted, you can click on the Edit... button to open the dialog.
	If you copy or drag a "User-Defined Icon" into the Current Action Bar list, the editor opens the Custom Icon dialog for you automatically. For more information, see Adding a Customized Button.
Shift a button’s position within the Current Action Bar list	Highlight the button, then click Move Up or Move Down to move it. You can also move buttons by dragging them. See Dragging Buttons.
Remove the Rapid Connect list box	Disable the Include Rapid Connect list box check box in the editing window. To restore the list box, enable the check box.
Remove the Script File list box	Disable the Include Script Files list box check box in the editing window. To restore the list box, enable the check box.
Close the editing dialog	If you want to accept the current Action Bar settings, click on OK. If you want to close the editing dialog without retaining any changes you may have made, click on Cancel.