PalmBytes |
This is the readme for version 2.00 of AutoExec.
AutoExec will automatically run the application that you select when you soft-reset your handheld.
AutoExec has, what I hope, a simple and intuitive interface. The first thing that you see is a checkbox that reads "AutoExec Active". If this box is checked, then autoexec will perform its duty of running the app that you have selected, on a reset.
The next thing you see is a popup list of all applications that are installed on your handheld. You can select one of them, and it will be "the one" that's run automatically. Of course, if you select "None" then the app will not do anything.
The confirm duration is a safety measure. It allows you to cancel an automatic launch, so that you don't get into a tight situation if, for some reason, the launched program crashes your handheld. If it does crash, and resets your handheld, AutoExec will happily launch the same program again, since it has no way of knowing that the launched program was causing a crash. As you can imagine, this would cause an endless cycle and much grief to you.
When you select a confirm duration between 1 and 5 seconds, AutoExec will give you a chance to cancel the launch within the specified period. If you do not want to be bothered with this extra step, then select None in the duration. However, I recommend that you select a duration of at least 2 seconds, just to be on the safe side.
A new feature introduced in version 1.15 is the ability to toggle the backlight on or off when the confirm dialog is being displayed. To do this, just tap on any empty space within it. If you turn the backlight on in this manner, it will remain on even after AutoExec exits.
The startup delay is needed only if you have a program like HackMaster or its clones like TealMaster or X-Master installed. After a reset, these apps bring up a dialog box that asks if you want to reinstall active hacks (also known as system extensions). If you don't set a delay, you will never see this box and cause your hacks to remain inactive. I recommend that you set this to at least 2 seconds.
When a startup delay is set, AutoExec will detect if an app is displaying a dialog box and wait for it to close before resuming its operation.
The only other thing that might need an explanation is the "Reset" button. It does what you might expect - perform a soft reset on your handheld. This is useful if you want to reset your handheld and don't want to hunt for a pin of some sort.
Thanks to Rudy Tedja for suggesting that I add the ability to cancel an automatic launch.
Thanks to Steven B Blumberg for pointing out the compatibility issue with HackMaster and inconsistent behavior when restored from memory card after a hard reset.
Thanks to Brenda Gann for suggesting the backlight toggle feature.
This application has been built with Metrowerks CodeWarrior 9.3, and PalmOS SDK 5 R3.
This app has been tested on a Palm Zire 71, Handspring Visor with OS 3.1H3 and on Palm OS 3.5 , 4.0 and 5.0 ROMs in the POSE (Palm OS Emulator) / Simulator.
The latest version of AutoExec can be found on the PalmGear website http://www.palmgear.com or at my website http://palmbytes.tripod.com.
AutoExec is copyright ©2001 by Chetan Rao <palmbytes@hotmail.com>
WebPage : palmbytes.tripod.com
You can distribute this app freely. If you find any bugs or have other comments, please let me know.
I have taken great care make sure AutoExec is bug free, and at the moment there are no known bugs. However, AutoExec is provided without warranty of any kind, express or implied. I can accept no liability for data loss or any other problems caused directly or indirectly by the use of this application.
none.
2.00 - Apr 04, 2004
1.17 - Oct 12, 2001
1.16 - Oct 08, 2001
1.15 - Oct 07, 2001
1.14 - Sep 23, 2001
1.13 - Sep 22, 2001
1.12 - Sep 21, 2001
1.1 - Sep 20, 2001
1.02 - Sep 18, 2001
1.01 - Sep 16, 2001
1.00 - Sep 10, 2001