run: protocol handler 2.0

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Version	: 2.0.0.0

Author	: Daan Kets (mailto:runProtocolHandler@blackbit.net)

Date	: 18th of june 2003

Systems : Windows 95,95b,98,98se,NT4,2000,XP

Requires: Visual Basic 6 runtimes (installed or updated automatically).



Description :

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Ever wanted to launch a program or document from an html page?

Doing this using an "<a href="filename.ext">Open/run</a>" type of link,

will allways cause a download dialog, asking if you want to 'save as ...' or

'open from current location'. Now, if you want to run applications directly from an HTML launcher

(an Active desktop theme for example), this is just bullshit.



This protocol handler will take care of this. After installation, you will be able to specify url's of the following kind :



<a href="run:x:\path\filename.ext">Click here to run!</a>



The specified application or document will open immediately, without asking for confirmation!

Executables will be run, documents will be opened with their associated program.



You can also create shortcuts to urls of this kind.



New :

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Security support

	Allows to set a system wide security code. Only urls containing this code can be launched. All other run: url's

	are blocked. This new feature is in order to prevent malicious websites from launching executables on your system.



Suppress error messages

	An option that allows you to discard error messages without showing an error dialog.



Options screen

	Starting run: Protocol Handler without any parameters will now show an options dialog, allowing you to configure the

	two previously described options.



Parameter flags (window mode, security code & shell action) can now appear in any order.



Parameters:

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You can specify the following items :

	1) and file/folder to open/perform a shell action on

	2) parameters to be passed in case the file name is an executable (optional)

	3) the initial window mode for the program (optional).

	4) A shell action to perform on the file/folder (optional, default=open)

	5) A security code that will allow the url to launch on systems with the 'use security code' option on.



Here is the syntax for an Url :



	run:[<WindowMode>]{<action>}#<security code>#<FileOrFolderPath>?<Parameters>

		--> As in cgi, you need to put a question mark between the filename and the parameters.

		Parameters can be separated by spaces. Just make sure the executable understands them correctly.

		The question mark will NOT be passed onto the executable.



You need to include the [] brackets when specifying a window mode. Here is an example :



	run:[Maximized]C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe



	-> this url would launch Outlook Express maximized on my machine.



You also need to include the {} brackets when specifying a shell action. Here is an example :

	

	run:[Minimized]{print}c:\temp\tempdocument.doc



	-> This url would cause the MS-Word document tempdocument.doc to be opened and printed.



	Another example :



	run:{edit}c:\temp\temphtmlfile.html



	-> This url will open the specified html file in the currently selected htm editor.



You also need to include the # characters when specifying a security code. Here is a example :

	

	run:[NormalFocus]{explore}#A1B2C3D4#C:\Temp.

	

	-> This url will explore the 'C:\Temp' folder. The security code allows the url to launch on

		systems that have that security code set in their configuration panel.



The following window modes can be specified :



	(do not use the quotes - the items are NOT case sensitive)

	

	"Hide"	-> The program window will be hidden, and get focus. Not all programs support this mode.

	"Normal" or "NormalFocus"

		-> The program window will show up in its default state and get focus.

	"MinimizedFocus"

		-> The program window will be minimized AND get focus.

	"Maximized" or "MaximizedFocus"

		-> The program window will show up maximized and get focus.

	"NormalNoFocus"

		-> The program window will show up in its default state and NOT get focus.

	"Minimized" or "MinimizedNoFocus"

		-> The program window will be minimized and NOT get focus.



NOTE THAT NUMBERS ARE NO LONGER SUPPORTED AS WINDOW MODES!





The following actions can be specified :

	(do not use the quotes - the items are NOT case sensitive)



	"" or "open"	-> The program/document/folder specified will be opened.

	"print"		-> The document specified will be printed.

	"explore"	-> The folder specified will be explored

	...		-> Other actions are possible depending on the file type. You can find these actions in the registry etc.





Installation :

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Run the .msi (Windows Installer) file to install the program. This readme file will be copied to the installation folder too.

The application is fully uninstallable, and installing does not require a system restart.



Donations :

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If you like this software, and will continue using it, please donate a small amount of money to UNICEF (www.unicef.org), and/or send me a postcard from your home town/village (or a photo). THANKS!

The address is :



Daan Kets

Mechelsesteenweg 139

B-2550 KONTICH

BELGIUM - EUROPE



Precautions :

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This utility can only launch LOCAL executables. This is in order to prevent others from launching malicious code from the internet.