Minimum Requirements

• run:protocols - Used to run the shortcuts inside X-File
• Internet Explorer 6 with MSXML Parser 6.0 or Firefox
• Notepad - or any other utility capable of editing XML files

Recommended

• Firefox - Allows for use of advanced CSS styles
• Knowledge of XML - So you can create your own version

IMPORTANT: Do NOT edit 'finder.dtd'. If you are creating a theme use the most up to date version of the Spotlight theme for an example and only edit the XSLT/CSS and graphics files (If you need new tags added to the DTD contact me with the suggestion).

Unzip X-File.zip
Unzip the file into a new folder (Location isn't important) making sure that your zip file utility keeps the folder locations intact.

Install run:protocols
If you already have this install then don't worry. Otherwise search Google for "run:protocols" and download the latest version. Follow the installation instructions for run:protocols and then return to X-File

Create the XML File
Open Example.XML in your personal choice of XML editor. Example.XML contains comments (Designated by a '<!--' before the text) to help you edit the XML.

Create any PNG Icons you need
For the default spotlight theme, icons are shown in 16x16 format, although you can use standard 128x128 dock icons if you want.

Open your XML file
Open your XML file in a web browser and see if all the links work correctly. If you are having problems running some applications see the workarounds section for advice on running the application. If the workarounds do not work, contact me at Aqua-Soft.org.

Note: Example.xml should work straight out of the zip file, so use that for testing.

What is X-File?

X-File is an XML based alternative shortcut system. It was designed to be a useable alternative to the Windows Start Menu. I started designing X-File when I finally got fed up of how complicated and wasteful my Start Menu had become. I couldn't even remember the purpose of half the shortcuts in it and could never find the applications I used the most (and this is in XP with it's fancy recently used box).

So I slimmed down my Start Menu to the essentials and then added a permanent link to an HTML webpage I created full of all the other shortcuts with descriptions of what they were. This worked fairly well and at the beginning of 2006 I started looking for a better way of building it. I stumbled across a webpage built using XML and XSLT, I knew XML but didn't realise XSLT could convert it into an HTML file, and so the designing of X-File began.

X-File allows a user to edit a small, simple XML file and create a shortcut system for use in an XML compatible browser.

X-File 1.0 manages to achieve most of what I intended when I started the project, and it's still advancing, but I now need to look outside for more improvements. With X-File 1.0 you can:~

• Organise your shortcuts into sections (Pages) and subsections (Foldout Sections)
• Add Descriptions to your shortcuts allowing you to find what you want easily.
• Use PNG icons with your shortcuts (Firefox Only)
• View multiple sections at once
• Use different themes and multi-format themes.

Unfortunately you can't currently:~

• Edit the shortcuts inside X-File
• Use ICO icons with your shortcuts
• Move shortcuts between sections inside X-File
• Generate live data for use with X-File (e.g. Search Tool data)

Why use X-File?

I created X-File to cut down on the ammount of shortcuts in my Start Menu. Once Firefox/Internet Explorer is running it doesn't take any longer to find and run a shortcut in X-File than it does using the Start Menu, so you could use it for the same reason as me.

The other use for X-File, that comes from it being built as a XML application, is that it can be viewed inside any application using Internet Explorer for it's viewing window (e.g. NeXplorer), allowing you to have customisable folders in those applications.

I am hoping that the more I find out about XML, the more features I will be able to add the X-File, and hopefully others will help me improve the concept.

X-File v1.0 - 01/MAR/06

• Folders reorganised for release version
• Fold Out section system fixed for IE6
• Readme and Example.xml file Written

X-File v0.35 - 27/FEB/06

• Description Tag CSS fixed
• Icon Support added to menus
• Theme Support modified

X-File v0.3 - 24/FEB/06

• Multi-Format Theme Support Added
• Shortcut Icon Support added
• Aero theme removed for redesign
• More application workarounds noted

X-File v0.2 - 20/FEB/06

• Support for Multiple Sections added
• Menu system disabled in IE6
• Spotlight design created

X-File v0.1 - 18/MAR/06

• Menu System Added
• Aero design created
• Conversion to XML/XSLT

e-finder - 25/SEP/05

• Initial HTML version created
• Decision to use run:protocols
• Some application workarounds noted

Some applications are more complicated to run than others. This section lists applications that need a .LNK shortcut file and information on how to create the shortcut file.

Start In Folder Error
Most applications have a problem running through run:protocols because it doesn't support the Start In field. Usually these just need a shortcut created with the Start In field filled in with the location of the application.

Shortcut Switches
Shortcut switches are not supported by run:protocols either. This means if you need to use switches you'll have to create an LNK file to open instead.

Steam Shortcuts

All Steam Applications

These all require switches, although Steam itself can be opened without a switch.

Half-Life

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 70"

Half-Life: Opposing Force

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 50"

Half-Life: Blue Shift

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 130"

Half-Life: Deathmatch Classic

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 40"

Half-Life 2

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 220"

Half-Life 2 Deathmatch

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 320"

CounterStrike

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 10"

CounterStrike:Source

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 240"

Codename Gordon

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 92"

Team Fortress Classic

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 20"

Day of Defeat

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 30"

Richochet

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 60"

Source Dedicated Server

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 205"

Source SDK

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 211"

Half-Life: Dedicated Server

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 5"

?Unknown Half Life Mod?

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 120"

?Half-Life 2: Lost Coast?

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 280"

?Day of Defeat:Source?

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 300"

?Unknown Full Price Mod?

Where you've placed Steam "\Steam.exe -applaunch 340"

Applications that require a workaround

Chankast

Start In Folder error

PearPC

Requires Switch and Start In info

Battlefield 1942

Start In Folder error

Heroes 3

Start In Folder error

Apprentice

Start In Folder error