Sortmenu for Win'98 version 2.2
Copyright '98 Orca Software

Requirements: Windows'98 and the Visual Basic 5 Runtime files

NOTE: 	THIS PROGRAM IS FOR WINDOWS'98 ONLY!! 
	AND IS OF NO USE IF YOU	HAVE WINDOWS'95

Legal stuff:

Use this software at your own risk.  Orca Software cannot be held liable
for any damage, consequential or actual, to hardware, software or data
because of the use of this software.  Orca Software allows you to put
this freeware version of SortMenu software on your homepage for
downloading or give it to a friend, only if you leave it as it is.
You shall not, and will not, reverse engineer, sell, or copy, this Software,
in whole or in part, or include the same on CD's, magnetic disks,
magnetic tape, other electronic or non-electronic media, or use it for
commercial purposes without contacting and receiving written
authorization/permission from Orca Software, first.


Changes from 2.1 to 2.2 :
-Single button operation (All groups are sorted everytime)
-added some tips (move your mouse over the picture of the startmenu)
-added option to set the Start Menu speed

Overview:

I found it very annoying, that everytime I installed a new program in 
Win'98, I would have to rearrange the startmenu items by hand.
This handy program will force Windows'98 to sort the startmenu for you.
You will have to reset the Windows explorer before you can see the effects
because Windows has to reread the changes this program makes.
I hope you will find this a usefull program.

Installing:

To keep the distribution file as small as possible,this program has no
setup.Just unzip sortmenu.zip to any place you like.

NOTE:	SORTMENU NEEDS THE VISUAL BASIC 5.0 RUNTIME FILES TO RUN !
	Windows'98 should contain these files already!

Sortmenu was programmed in Visual Basic 5.0.

Visual Basic programs, like Sortmenu, are not "stand alone" programs. 
Like Sortmenu, they need the Visual Basic runtime files to work.  If
you don't know if you have these files, then just try to run Sortmenu.exe
If a message appears about a missing ".dll"  you must first
download the VB5 runtime files from any major shareware site, e.g.,
www.microsoft.com, or from the Orca Software website at:
http://www.horizon.nl/~rvosta.

Running:

Doubleclick the Sortmenu.exe icon to run Sortmenu 

Start Menu Speed:
This will set how fast the Start Menu will open the selected group.
Just set the slider to the desired speed.
Setting it to the left will open the group with no delay.
Setting it to the right will delay the opening of groups a few seconds.
Note: If you left-click a group it will still open without the delay
Just see what you like best.

To proceed click 'Sort now'.
Now choose one of the methods to force Windows to refresh your Start Menu:

-Log off and on ;
THIS WILL CLOSE ALL RUNNING APPLICATIONS and restarts Windows explorer.
This is fast and safe, but you have to type your password (if any) 

-Reset Windows Explorer ; 	
THIS WILL CLOSE ALL RUNNING APPLICATIONS and restarts Windows explorer.
This is the fastest way, but may not work with every configuration.
If you get errors, use the 'log off and on' method instead.

-Restart Windows ; 
Use this after you have installed some new software and need to restart anyway.	

Now take a look again at your startmenu and you will see it has been sorted.

If you would like to have your startmenu sorted every time, just check the
box that says: 'Auto Sort on Win'98 startup' and sortmenu will add a
reference to the registry that tells windows to sort the startmenu on every
startup. Uncheck the box and the reference will be deleted.


Notes:
Not every start menu group can be sorted. Some groups aren't even shortcuts
but entries in the registry (like the Control panel).They are maintained by
windows and can not be rearranged.
In general only the subgroups of the startmenu that can be rearranged by hand
can be sorted by SortMenu.
If you have added items or groups to the startmenu itself, you will have to
move them to the programs group if you want them to be sorted.
Left-click on the item and hold down the button, now drag the item to the
desired subgroup and let go.

The sorting will occur like this:
-Folders with a number in front e.g.(3Dsomething): 0 to 9
-Folders: A to Z
-Items with a number in front: 0 to 9
-Items: A to Z

Tip:
Create general groups like :	-Office      to store your shortcuts
				-Games
				-Hardware
				-Sound
				-Graphics
				-Internet
				-CdRecording
				-etc.....

This will improve speed when you open the startmenu, because Windows doesn't
have to read all the items but only the main groups.
This will also prevent the annoying scrolling list when you have too many items
to put on screen at once.

You can do this by right-clicking the start button and selecting 'explore'.
Now click on the programs group in the left hand pane.
Right-click in the right hand pane and select New > Folder to create a new
general group.
When you have created all the general groups you like,left click and drag the
single items to the new general group that best fits the description. 


That's all, enjoy!

If you like this program and would like to make a small donation, please
send it in a sealed envelope to:

Orca Software P.A.
De Jongsingel 28
5492 CS St Oedenrode
The Netherlands

or to my bankaccount: 13.82.82.056 (Rabobank Nederland)

Please include your email address or email me, so I can thank you!


This will keep me encouraged to keep on writing freeware programs!! 


Be sure to take a look at: http://www.horizon.nl/~rvosta 
for other freeware and shareware released by Orca Software.

Send all comments or remarks to: rvosta@horizon.nl



