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What is 7APL? 7APL is an application launcher made with Windows 7 in mind. You can launch single applications or group of applications with a single hot key or by using the newest features of Microsoft's latest OS -- JumpLists and interactive thumbnails which are well-integrated into the application. This gives you 4 easy ways to launch applications:
Right click access to profiles through JumpLists (whether the app is opened or closed)
Customizable hot keys for each individual profile
Interactive thumbnail to view/launch profiles (hover over 7APL icon in taskbar)
Access profiles through the Desktop Gadget and bring the gadget up at will
Feature List
Profiles - Group applications into profiles to launch them simultaneously.
Profile pictures - Associate pictures with profiles to easily identify between them.
Categories - Categories allow you to group apps into a single profile and launch them individually through Jump Lists
Gadget Mode – The new gadget mode allows you to launch profiles from your desktop and bring up the gadget at will.
Hotkeys - Specify hotkeys on a per-profile basis to launch your applications
Interactive thumbnail - Launch profiles directly from the taskbar
Jumplist support - Launch profiles or tasks directly using jumplists
Toggle Mode - Toggle mode allows you to close the apps you launched (on a per-profile basis)
Exceptions - Pesky applications that won't close can be added as an exception
Pinning - The application pins just fine for those who want it constantly running
Options - Run 7APL at system boot, minimize on startup, and minimize on close ensures you can keep the launcher running at all times if desired
How can I contribute? The best way you can contribute is by first downloading and testing out 7APL. If you encounter any bugs or have feature requests, reply back to this thread, send me a PM, or contact me at my website. If you actually want to help with the development, let me know.
Will you release the source code? Once 7APL is feature-complete and I've optimized the code I'll release the source code via my website and post a link for anyone that's interested.
Version Changelog (Updated 9/24/2009 @ 8:51 PST)
Quote -
Build 09242009-0825 - BUG FIX: Semi-critical bug fixed. Aliases were not being properly detected with shortcuts.
Build 09242009-0825 - ADDED: Gadget will appear in last saved location (multiple monitor support included). ADDED: Navigate profiles with gadget using left and right arrow keys (when focused) and use enter (return) key to launch the profile. BUG FIX: Fixed bug where using arrow keys with gadget would cause non-profile tabs to appear.
Build 09232009-1252 - NEW: Aero glass support and integration. NEW: Introduction of "Gadget Mode". Gadget mode allows you to run the app on the desktop, above all windows, or even remain hidden until a hot key is pressed (4 behaviors in all). BUG FIX: Fixed an issue with aliases being defined incorrectly.
Build 09202009-1533 - NEW: Support for launch arguments (eg. "C:\app_path\app.exe" /silent) NEW: Drag & drop support included. Drag shortcuts and apps into the list box for quick/easy profile creation. Dragging pictures over the profile picture works as well. NEW: Increased maximum JumpList tasks to 14. NEW: Introduction of Profile "Categories". Categories enable you to organize and launch individual apps with JumpLists. These categories are listed as a task with a red arrow next to them. Clicking them will update the JumpList and list each individual app of that profile (which you can launch).
***snipped***
Screenshots:
Main interface
Application settings
Jump List support
Interactive thumbnails
The new Gadget mode
This post has been edited by Se7enVII: Sep 25 2009, 07:32
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To get some additional testers I've updated the OP with a download link for testing. For anyone already testing this app before I publicly listed the download, you should get the latest build as it contains bug fixes and optimizations. Let me know what you guys think.
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Quote - (cpressland @ Aug 15 2009, 16:51)
Yeah I'll test that for you if you're up for it
I've got a lot of experiance in testing beta releases and can file bug reports should it be required.
I asume you wont be making this open source?
/edit: I see the download link, thanks chief
Once the app is out of beta and is feature-complete I'll open source it and put it on my website for anyone interested. Also I haven't spend much time yet organizing/optimizing the code yet as I just wanted to produce a working product. The code at the moment is pretty messy (close to 30 pages worth) so that will take some time as well.
I guess it's just me but I don't get the point of application launchers. How often and how many times do you need to open up a program that isn't already on the taskbar/startmenu or desktop. And how many do you really need to open up at the same time?
I wish I could get into them, they seem cool, but useless.
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Quote - (bman @ Aug 15 2009, 17:48)
I guess it's just me but I don't get the point of application launchers. How often and how many times do you need to open up a program that isn't already on the taskbar/startmenu or desktop. And how many do you really need to open up at the same time?
I wish I could get into them, they seem cool, but useless.
Well in my case I have some overclocking tools and certain apps I run specifically when I'm gaming but it's extra work to open each and every one of them, but at the same time I don't want to pin them to the superbar as they'd use up way too much space. In addition, this app lets you set hot keys to launch apps as well as close them (great for people who prefer keyboard over mouse).
But I started this project mainly because I wanted to get involved with learning the new Windows 7 APIs and an application launcher was the first thing that came to mind that could utilize these features well. I do realize app launchers aren't for everyone though.
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For anyone testing please update to the latest build (just released). It contains a few bug fixes. If you've created any profiles using the previous bulid you can keep them -- all that needs to be replaced is the APLauncher.exe file (or you can safely overwrite any files and your profiles should still work fine).
Edit: After I gave this a try. I like the idea behind it.
Here are some bugs I ran into:
1. if you completely close this. (Using File > Exit), and then re-open it, it is automatically minimized.
2. I ran into this error, after I right clicked the icon and clicked on "close window", the application does not close, and when I restored it manually, that error popped up:
CODE
See the end of this message for details on invoking just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.
************** Exception Text ************** System.ArgumentException: Parameter is not valid. at System.Drawing.Image.FromStream(Stream stream, Boolean useEmbeddedColorManagement, Boolean validateImageData) at System.Drawing.Image.FromStream(Stream stream) at System.Windows.Forms.PictureBox.Load() at W7APL.frmMain.frmMain_Resize(Object sender, EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnSizeChanged(EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.UpdateBounds(Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 width, Int32 height, Int32 clientWidth, Int32 clientHeight) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.UpdateBounds() at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m) at W7APL.frmMain.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
************** JIT Debugging ************** To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this application or computer (machine.config) must have the jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section. The application must also be compiled with debugging enabled.
When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer rather than be handled by this dialog box.
3. I pinned the launcher to the taskbar, and after it is closed, I right clicked the icon. it shows up the launcher menu, but nothing happens when I clicked on it. This is also true to "create new profile" as well.
Here's some suggestion:
1. I'd like to see this in the system tray, rather than sitting in the task bar.
2. When you select applications to launch, you should see if the program can obtain the icons used by the application. I added thunderbird to the launcher, and wanted to add the icon to the profile. Even when I used the thunderbird application, it didn't grab the icon from it.
3. This would make a great pinned application to the superbar. I'd like ot be able to launch application just by right clicking on it, and clicking on the profile.
This post has been edited by Gio Takahashi: Aug 16 2009, 05:31
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Quote - (Gio Takahashi @ Aug 15 2009, 22:11)
1. if you completely close this. (Using File > Exit), and then re-open it, it is automatically minimized.
The first time you run the application 2 options (located under the welcome tab) will be checked: a) Minimize on Close and b) Start minimized
Quote -
2. I ran into this error, after I right clicked the icon and clicked on "close window", the application does not close, and when I restored it manually, that error popped up:
Are you referring to the thumbnail icon? I'll look into this problem and see if I can squash this bug you've encountered.
Quote -
3. I pinned the launcher to the taskbar, and after it is closed, I right clicked the icon. it shows up the launcher menu, but nothing happens when I clicked on it. This is also true to "create new profile" as well.
The default behavior of the application it'd start minimized and minimize on close. If someone decides they like the application and wants to use it for the long-term they'd click the setting on the welcome tab that starts the application when you log into Windows (meant to be running at all times kinda deal). I'll look into getting the JumpList functionality working when the app is closed though .
Quote -
1. I'd like to see this in the system tray, rather than sitting in the task bar.
2. When you select applications to launch, you should see if the program can obtain the icons used by the application. I added thunderbird to the launcher, and wanted to add the icon to the profile. Even when I used the thunderbird application, it didn't grab the icon from it.
3. This would make a great pinned application to the superbar. I'd like ot be able to launch application just by right clicking on it, and clicking on the profile.
1. That is a possibility. Though I thought if I remember correctly, MS wanted less and less programs to use the system tray for things (think I read somewhere that MS thinks the system tray is overly abused) and considers it a bad practice.
2. I'll see about adding an option to pick a profile picture automatically once you add your first application to the list (and see if I can add an option to choose an EXE as a picture and extract the icon from it if possible).
3. Like I said earlier, at least currently, it is meant to be run at all times to use it's functionality (including jumplists). And as I mentioned, I'll see about getting the jumplists working even if the application isn't running.
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Quote - (Livin in a box @ Aug 16 2009, 12:49)
Where can I get the new version?
I would prefer it in the tray also, it looks a bit...meh in the Superbar TBH.
The OP download link will be constantly updated with the latest build and whenever a new build is released I'll update the changelog as well. Also if I recall, the version I PMed you before making 7APL available to everyone does the profiles a bit differently (expects slightly different data). If you download the new build you'll have to delete/recreate your profiles (otherwise it'll cause some problems).
Anyway, I'll keep the system tray idea in consideration. Though if I may ask, is it because the icon that you don't like it in the superbar? I can always come up with something better (didn't spend much time on it).
