At the time, ZTree still supported a single menu file, ZTW_MENU.DAT. In December 2006, the name of this file changed to ZTW.ZAM. In addition, the user can now create and maintain any number of menu (.ZAM) files, adding a level of flexibility that did not exist in XTree.
ZTree's Application Menu is a very special and unique productivity mechanism, not just an add-on to the main program, that many users, sadly, ignore.
One needs to get used to the idea that it is not just (a very sophisticated) program launcher (that surpasses the Start menu in every aspect), but can also completely replace many GUI or command line tools that are used purely out of habit. For example, the Application Menu can replace a basic viewer, editor, outliner, clipboard manager, or a simple organizer. Very often, the user does not need the overhead of full-blown applications, nor can he rely on finding them on every machine he works on.
The Application Menu is ideal for migrating all BAT, CMD, and similar script files into a well-organized hierarchy of "tasks" within one or more ZAM files. Gone are the days of collections of unmanageable, often tiny, files littering the disk.
ZAM files can be packed with considerable functionality and carried around (or made available on a LAN) as part of the portable ZTree toolbox.
(The ZTree Application Menu detailed operation is described in ZTW.HLP, section 3.5.)
(Yes, in addition to the executable scripts, the Application Menu deals surprisingly well with all types of static textual information!)
This repository should be used as a learning tool and a source of freely available items for building private or shared ZTree menu files.
As of March 2007, no new samples will be added to this Library. From now on, please use ZTwiki and its very user-friendly process for submitting Application Menu samples (and ZTree macros).
As we progress along this path-finding adventure, the need for new mechanisms and new #ZTdirectives may arise. It is much easier to justify ZTree Application Menu enhancements with real-life examples than simply wishing for them. This has often happened in the past.
#ZTDesktop=C:\Documents and Settings\user\Desktop
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As can be seen from above, ZTree adds a number of environment
variables to the current process. These can be used by the Application Menu, but also
by eXecute or Batch commands, using the standard %#ZTvariable% mechanism.
#ZTIfDir = TRUE (We have entered F9 from DW)
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You may also want to merge or remove scripts, globally search and replace,
generate menu files programmatically (from applications like Excel, or even
from another operating system), export to text or HTML, and so on.
To make all this easy, you need Ben Kent's excellent
ZTWMenuText tools.
Check here for updates.
Examples: D:\test.zam, \\server\common\TODO_list.ZAM, New, Z:\junk.zam.
Delete a ZAM file as you would any other file on your disk or the LAN.
ZAM files are normally stored in #ZThome, but can be put anywhere
where ZTree can reach them.
Normally, a ZAM file cannot be "unloaded", rather, the user instructs
ZTree to switch to another ZAM file.
To experiment with menu file switching, download these
sample menu files.
Warning:
If multiple ZTree instances are active, and if the Application Menus
write to the same ZAM file, changes made by all ZTree instances will be merged
in interesting ways into the single ZAM file. It is the changes made by the
last ZTree instance to exit the Application Menu that will remain on disk.
By using a macro, this task becomes
extremely easy: in a few mintues, hundreds of text files can be migrated. After
that, some item renaming, grouping and re-arranging is in place, resulting
in a menu file that is perfect for you. No file system can ever offer you the
flexibility of the ZTree Application Menu! Of course, not all data is
appropriate for it, but it must not be considered as just a program
launcher either.
For example, to migrate you poetry files, select all *.POE files in
File Window and then execute the macro starting with the last file in the list.
Then just press Alt+F12 to repeat the macro all the way to the first file in the list.
Hitting F9 will reveal all items created at first level. You may then create levels by
authors, epochs, add comments, reviews, links, biographies, translations,
and so on. Again, all those things you cannot easily do with your collection
if it remains in the form of disk files.
Note that the Load (F2) command also supports the \\server\share\name.ZAM
format, making it unnecessary to create private copies and also simplifying
maintenance and security operations.
Imagine a single, company-wide Start button. Now imagine an infinite
number of company-wide Start buttons! This is exactly what your
ZAM files can be -- tree-like hierarchies of shortcuts to applications
and documents.
Creating and Deleting menu files
To create a new ZAM files, use F9 and the Load (F2) option and
enter a non-existent ZAM file name.
ZTree will offer to create it for you and default all missing parts of the filespec.
Loading menu files into the Application Menu
Loading menu files is achieved in two ways. The standard way is
from the Application Menu (F9), using the Load (F2) option. Another way
is simply Opening a ZAM file in the File Window. This will launch
the Application Menu with the ZAM file already loaded.
Populating menu files with existing files
It is common to migrate .BAT and other script files to the Application Menu
one by one, but this task becomes too hard when dozens or hundreds of
files need to be migrated.
Sharing menu files
Simply mail, upload to a web site, or place a ZAM file on a LAN server.
Any ZTree user can then copy it to #ZThome and Open it for private use
and modification.
Sample menu files (Updated: 20040610)
#ZThome\ZTW.ZAM |
|--My menu file collection (*.ZAM files I downloaded or created)
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Using the powerful and unique outlining capabilities of the Application Menu, it is extremely easy to create elaborate, hierarchical, work environments and procedures that just cannot be achieved within any other desktop metaphor.
#ZThome\SAMPLES.ZAM |
|--Test ZTree parameter passing and directives |--Detecting Windows versions (conditioning the scripts) |--ZTree maintenance: backup, SOS Floppy, Forum (bugs, ZEPs) | |--ZTree environment searching | |--COPY ZTW.ZAM and ZTW.HST to A: | |--RENAME ZTW.EXE and COPY ZTW.HLP to ZTW_yyyymmddhhmm.* | |--Compare ([J]FC) highlighted with file in opposite [F8] panel | |--Start rpVT from within ZTree | |--Start a new ZTree session with /O switch (see Help) | |--Start a new ZTree session with customized Dirspec/Filespec 20060119 | +--Web publishing with ZTree (The page you are reading is uploaded with this script) |--Desktop | |--Lock this computer | +--Screensaver |--Directories and Files | |--Create zero-length file named "0length.fil" (pre-defined name) | +--Create zero-length file with any name (interactive) |--Editors and Viewers | |--Vedit | | +--Macros | | |--Ian Binnie's ZAM editing script (ZtwMenu2txt.vdm) 20070308 | | | +--More scripts and tools from Ian | | +--Invoke Vedit Wildfile macro for Tagged Files 20040628 | |--NoteTab | +--Jim Wilson's V3 viewer | +--Open %7 (short file name) |--Computer Management | |--Encryption, security | | |--Create MD5 file with FSUM, RAR folder, delete files | | |--Clear all "My Documents" links with secure erase | | |--Secure erase tagged files (requires 4DOS/4NT) | | +--Disable/Enable Hosts blocking file 20040727 | |--Norton AntiVirus | |--Scan current file | |--Scan current directory | |--Live Update | +--Download |--Archivers, Compressors: ZIP, ARJ, LHA, LZEXE, EXPAND, ARC, ZOO, RAR, GNU, UPX | +--GUNZIP ? (only does a SINGLE file and DESTROYS originals) | | +--GUNZIP * compress and REPLACE ALL files with their *.gz, CURRENT DIR ONLY | | +-- "" RECURSE INTO DIRS | | +--GUNZIP %1 compress and REPLACE file.ext with file.ext.gz | |--TAR 1.11.2 ? (GNU tar, understands GZIP/GUNZIP) | | +--Download | |--RAR | | |--Extract in subdir, NO prompting, external cmd session | | |--Compress a folder, solid, max compression, testing, and DELETE files | | +--Download | |--UPX, compresses .EXEs and .DLLs | | |--Compress (UPX) %1 20040708 | | |--Compress (UPX) %1, enhanced 20040714 | | |--Compress (UPX) %1 (requires 4NT) 20040708 | | +--Download | +--PKZIP/PKUNZIP/ZIPSPLIT/ZIPSPLT2/PKZIPC ? | |--Test zipfile and password (if it exists) | |--PKZIPC | | +--Register or Unregister PKZIPC on current computer | |--PKZIPFIX %1 Fixes corrupt .ZIPs | |--Extract ALL *.ZIP in current dir, NO prompting | +--Set zipdate to newest |--Network drives (all NET USE commands in one place) | |--Work machines | | |--Linux servers (Samba) | | |--Windows servers and workstations | | |--OpenVMS servers (PATHWORKS 32) | | +--Tru64 Unix servers | +--Home LAN | |--OpenVMS servers | | +--VAX (DECnet and TCPIP) | | +--ping this machine | | +--Alpha (TCPIP only) | | +--ping this machine | |--Map network drives in home LAN | +--Map kids computer drive C: to K: | +--NET SEND a message to kids |--Applications | |--IrfanView | |--Terminal Server Client (Remote Desktop) sessions | |--KEA! Terminal Emulation | |--CD burning with command line tools (mkisofs, cdrecord) | +--Audio extraction (EAC) +--TODO +--Include examples from: http://www.ztw3.com/forum/forum_entry.php?id=3842 |