Thanks, Mike... I'm getting there.

So I take it that at some time I would start the MONTAGE application (assume first time, so no saved entities).

Do I next use MONTAGE to start my regular apps up, or do I just go about my business of starting what apps I want to?

I'll assume that I just start up my apps. as regularly.

Some time later I decide that THIS IS THE WAY I LIKE THINGS. What do I do to have MONTAGE remember that for me? Does it present me with some list that I check-off (so I can have it ignore some if I want) or does it take everything or what?

What is a "child" MONTAGE and how do I go about making one of them?

Can I have it 'remember' that certain apps are minimized and start them that way?

Does everything run "under" MONTAGE or independently of it?

I've developed a way to work with Windows that may not be the best, but it is one I have become comforatble with. And it mainly centres around keeping the Explorer window open and using it to go from task-to-task that I want to START. I have 3 icons beside the "Start" button (IE, ShowDesktop and Outlook Express) and I have a few Desktop icons. I generally start something and leave it running. But because of the stupid way that IE positions itself when I've opened/closed a few instances (in random order) I generally restrict my usage to a single one and when I start another (open in new window) I try to remember to close those first before closing the original.

I take it that MONTAGE helps me very nicely with the IE part, correct?

Sorry to be such a bother.

cheers


>Jim,
>
>(replies in-line)
>
>>Mike,
>>
>>I read that MONTAGE is designed to help me be more productive, and that I can use it to instantly put screen-using apps. back to their original positions.
>>
>>That might be helpful, but I'm not at all sure.
>>
>>Can you provide basic information like:
>>
>>1) What do I do to make it 'save' the status of things;
>
>When you close a montage, by default it saves the state of itself and all associated apps, and then closes them. Also you can explicitly do a Save View at any time via the menus.
>
>>
>>2) What do I do to gt that status back;
>
>Reopening the montage restores everything as of its last saving. You can also restore the state of individual objects separately while the montage is open.
>
>>
>>3) What would be a typical situation where I would use it to advantage?
>
>The first thing I do when I start up my computer is to open my main montage, for which I keep a Windows shortcut on my desktop. This proceeeds to open about 10 applications I normally keep open, including some Explorer windows, IE windows, WS-FTP, Outlook Express, and a few "child" montages. The child montages deal with specific activitites, like detailed development planning, help authoring, web site maintenance, volume management (backups), graphics, etc. Montage not only launches multiple windows, but it also restores their exact arrangement, and it gives me a visual way of organizing things.
>
>>
>>Call me thick, but I'm just not "getting it".
>
>I would never call you thick, Jim! I've been so immersed in this, it's easy for me to lose sight of what may or may not seem obvious to others. Thanks very much for your input!
>
>>
>>cheers