Name/Version: Vol 1.0
1st Release : 26.09.2002
Last Update : 26.09.2002

Short Description
Alternative to the Standard Windows Systray Volume Control

Reason for the Development
When I start using XP I thought this is not part of it anymore.
So I coded an own one because it is an often needed feature by me.
Today I know it is still part of XP but Vol is ready now and has a
lot of additional features.

Note
Vol is also part of RemoteKeys.

Features (additional to the standard Windows control)
- 2 Run modes: "Systray" and "Normal application"
  "Normal application" allows
  - 2 Open modes: "At screen center" and "Under mouse pointer"
    "Screen center" temporary saves last coordinates for next open
  - 2 Exit modes: "When mouse leaves form" and "By exit button"
- Slider/Mute can be assigned to 7 different devices
- Form always fixed on top
- Form moveable
- Volume value shown in slider
- Auto-Mute-Off when slider moves
- Slider form offers access to Windows mixing console and system settings
- Popmenu has an "Exit" item
- 5 changeable volume presets
- Parameter (attribute) start for program settings
- Parameter (attribute) start for Windows mixer remote access
- Same outfit for all operation systems (W95-XP)


Appearance
Language ..........: English
User Interface/Form: Yes
Input  by Interface: Yes
Input  by Attribute: Supported (this.exe par/)
Input  by Clipboard: No
Input  by Drag&Drop: No
Input  from Disk ..: Supported (settings)
Input, Other ......: No
Output by Interface: Value/Mute only
Output to Clipboard: No
Output to Disk ....: Supported (settings)
Output by Drag&Drop: No
Output, Other .....: System Value/Mute settings

More Requirements
No

Instructions

Use it like the standard Windows control.

"Set"-button offers menu to open
 - Device (Slider/Mute can be assigned to 7 different devices)
 - Program settings and info (About...)
 - System settings
 - Windows mixing console
 - Exit (remove from systray or alternative to ...when mouse leaves form)
Systray popmenu offers the same features.
Values of "Preset" buttons can be changed in "Program Settings"

Settings:

1. Place Icon in Systray
If checked Vol works nearly the standard Windows control.
If unchecked it can be used as a normal program.
Because the slider form is fixed on top of the screen,
the form can be moved to the favorite position and is shown permanently.

2. Start hidden in Systray
If 1. is unchecked this option is not selectable.

3. Open Form under Mouse Pointer
If checked Vol works nearly the standard Windows control.
If unchecked it will open its form on screen center.
After it was moved to another screen position, it will temporary
save its coordinates for the next time the form opens.

4. Exit when Mouse leaves Form
If checked Vol works nearly the standard Windows control (Windows
control needs an additional mouse click).
If unchecked the form has an additional exit button [x].
If 3. is unchecked this option is not selectable.

Remember that changes will be available on next program start only.

Device-Setting from Popmenu:

The Slider can be assigned to different devices (Speaker, CD etc.).
This setting will not saved on disk and set always to "Speaker" when
Vol starts. Open the Windows mixing console when trying these
settings to watch the effect.

Attribute for program settings:

Normally Vol reads the settings from disk (vol.dat).
Especially designed for RemoteKeys, Vol can be opened with attributes.
In this case the file settings will be ignored and can not be changed.

Attribute syntax: vol.exe <P>/<nnnnn>

<P> = Fixed mark for "Parameters"

<n> = n1-n4: Values 0 or 1 (disabled or enabled):
      First 4 <nnnn represents the 4 Vol checkbox settings in the same order as shown:
      1. Place Icon in Systray
      2. Start hidden in Systray
      3. Open Form under Mouse Pointer
      4. Exit when Mouse leaves Form

If 1. is "0" then automaticly 2. is also "0".
If 3. is "0" then automaticly 4. is also "0".

      n5: Values 0 to 6 (device selection):
      Last n> selects between one of the 7 devices from popmenu in the same order as shown:
      0=All (default) - 1=Line - 2=Mic - 3=Synth - 4=CD - 5=Wave - 6=Aux
      If not set then default (0=All) valid.

Examples: vol.exe P/1111 or vol.exe P/00115

Attributes for Windows mixer remote access:

Vol can control the Windows mixer console, starting with attributes.
In this case no form will be shown and vol will be automaticly
finished after it has change the user defined system setting.

Attribute syntax: vol.exe <Mode>/<Device>/<Value>

<Mode>   = <S> : Direct value setting
         = <A> : Add/Sub value from current setting
         = <M> : Mute, on/off
         = <C> : Mute, change (swap) current setting

<Device> = <0> : All (Speaker)
         = <1> : Line In
         = <2> : Microphone
         = <3> : Synthesizer
         = <4> : CD
         = <5> : Wave
         = <6> : Aux (not XP ?)

<Value>  = <0> to <100> for mode <S> and <A>
         = <0> or <1>   for mode <M>
         = free         for mode <C>

Example: Set speaker output volume to 75%
vol.exe S/0/75

Example: Substract 5% of CD volume
vol.exe A/4/-5

Example: Mute Wave output (Mute = on)
vol.exe M/5/1

Example: Swap current Microphone Mute setting (off to on or on to off)
vol.exe C/2

Suggestion 1
Open Windows Mixer Console when testing these attributes.
The changes should be shown immediately.

Suggestion 2
Most simply way to check is using RemoteKeys.

{End of instructions}

Limitations
On my XP system, device setting "Aux" donīt works.
A check on Win98 and NT works without complication.

Special Thanks
to an unknown author for mixer api module.

Future Planning
Maybe multible languages
Maybe balance changing support

Updates
1.0    26.09.02 > New: First Release
