** Netscape DDE Interface (w) (c) 1998 Ulrich M”ller **
   Version 1.0


README
======

    This file is the only documentation for the NETSCDDE.EXE file
    in this package. Since it's not too complicated too handle,
    this should suffice.

    This package is FREEWARE. No warranty. See bottom for details.


INTRODUCTION
============

    Are you annoyed too by the fact that double-clicking on HTML
    files on your hard disk will always start a new instance of
    NETSCAPE.EXE instead of just using the already running
    instance of Netscape?

    NETSCDDE.EXE is the solution. You can associate it with HTML
    files, so that when you double-click on them, either Netscape
    will be started or, if it's already running, the HTML file
    will simply be passed to the running instance.


INSTALLATION
============

    Place the NETSCDDE.EXE file whereever you want. Create a
    program object for it and associate *.HTM and *.HTML files
    with it. Put the command line parameters you wish in the
    "Parameters" list of the program object.


  REQUIREMENTS:
  -------------

    Either OS/2 Warp 3 or 4 with Netscape installed.


COMMAND LINE PARAMETERS
=======================

    The NETSCDDE command line accepts the following (simply
    double-click on NETSCDDE.EXE for a summary):

    netscdde [-[x|X]n]] [-p <exe>] [-P <params>] <URL>

    with:

    <URL>  a Uniform Resource Locator; you can even open files
           on the Internet with NETSCDDE by specifying http://
           or ftp:// and such. For local files, Netscape
           tolerates the plain path and file name, so that
           a simple C:\docs\text.html will open this file in
           Netscape. (This is why NETSCDDE works with the
           WPS associations mentioned above, BTW). Example:
                NETSCDDE C:\docs\text.html

    Options:

    -x      If Netscape is not running yet, do NOT open a new
            instance of it. NETSCDDE will then simply exit.
    -X      If Netscape is not running yet, DO open a new
            instance of it without asking.
    Per default, NETSCDDE will prompt you for whether you wish
    to open a new instance of Netscape.

    -n      Request a new browser window for <URL> from Netscape,
            if it's already running. (If Netscape is not yet
            running and a new instance is opened, a new window
            will always be opened, of course.) Per default, <URL>
            will be opened in the last active Netscape browser
            window.

    -p <exe>
            Here you can specify the full path of NETSCAPE.EXE,
            if it's not on your PATH. This is only evaluated if
            Netscape is not yet running. Per default, NETSCDDE
            will search the PATH for NETSCAPE.EXE. Example:
                NETSCDDE -p "C:\NETSCAPE\NETSCAPE.EXE" <URL>
            The use of quotes is only neccessary for paths which
            contain spaces, but never hurts.

            See "Tips & Tricks" below.

    -P <params>
            Here you can specify command line parameters for
            a newly opened instance of Netscape, such as "-3"
            for Netscape 3.0 identification (see the Netscape
            documentation for details.) Example:
                -P "-3"
            Again, the use of quotes is only neccessary if the
            parameter list contains spaces, but never hurts.

    -m      start Netscape minimized.

    -mh     start Netscape minimized and hidden (see "Tips &
            Tricks" below).


TIPS AND TRICKS
===============

    Here's an unintended, but maybe useful side-effect: Since
    OS/2 can share its DDE environment with a Win-OS/2 session,
    NETSCDDE can even pass URLs to a running WINDOWS(!) copy
    of Netscape Navigator. This includes Communicator (Netscape 4).
    The only thing you have to do is enable WIN_DDE in the
    Win-OS/2 session settings of your Windows Netscape program
    object. By specifying your Windows Netscape EXE file with
    -p <exe> (see above), NETSCDDE.EXE even provides for proper
    WPS integration of Windows Netscapes.

    You can now (V1.1) also specify a command file with -p and
    -P to have certain commands executed before and after
    Netscape is actually started. Example (NETSCAPE.CMD):

    @echo off
    rem do some initialization here, e.g. change directory
    cd D:\WebStuff
    rem now call Netscape
    netscape.exe
    rem now the .cmd file is put to sleep until Netscape is
    rem terminated; subsequent calls to NETSCDDE will contact
    rem this running Netscape instance
    rem after Netscape is terminated, execute this:
    call cleanup.cmd
    rem or whatever you want

    Thanks, Marcus de Guys, for this suggestion.


HOW IT WORKS
============

    This is done with the use of Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE),
    for the OS/2 version of Netscape 2.02 understands just the
    same DDE commands as the Windows versions do. These are
    (horribly) documented at
        http://developer.netscape.com/library/documentation/communicator/DDE

    These documents assume a precise knowledge of how DDE works,
    and believe me, some things ARE different on OS/2.


LICENSE, COPYRIGHT, DISCLAIMER
==============================

    This package is freeware.
    All rights reserved.
    There is NO WARRANTY whatsoever. Use at your own risk.

    (C) Copyright Ulrich M”ller, 1998


RELEASE HISTORY
===============

    V1.02 (May 1, 1998)
    -------------------
        NETSCDDE can now start any program specified with
        -p, for example a batch file. New "-m" and "-h"
        parameters.


    V1.02 (May 1, 1998)
    -------------------
        NETSCDDE does not any longer block the PM while
        waiting for Netscape to answer.


    V1.01 (March 8, 1998)
    --------------------
        Bugfix for local files which contain spaces.


    V1.0 (March 5, 1998)
    --------------------
        Initial release.

CONTACT
=======

    Ulrich M”ller
    e-mail: ulrich.moeller@rz.hu-berlin.de
    www:    http://www2.rz.hu-berlin.de/~h0444vnd/

    The above WWW address is also the place where
    you will other halfway famous OS/2 software:

    -- the XFolder package, which greatly improves all your
       WPS folders;
    -- the OS/2 IconPak with more than 400 hi-res icons;
    -- the OS/2 CommandPak, which improves work at the
       OS/2 command line.


