Chapter 8 - Powermarks User Guide

Configuration
Chapter 8

Powermarks is highly customizable but at the same time, very usable in its default state. All Powermarks options are stored in the file pm35.ini located in the Powermarks directory. If you wish to copy your setup to a new computer, moving this file is all that is required.

8.1 Options Dialog

Select Options from the View menu to display the Options Dialog. The dialog window is broken into two parts: the Selection Tree on the left hand side and the Options pane which resides on the right side. The Selection Tree is used to choose what category of options you wish to edit and the Options pane is used to make the changes.

8.1.1 Startup

Click on the Startup entry in the Selection Tree to view the Startup options:

Reload last file

Powermarks remembers the name of the file that was being used when Powermarks was last quit. When checked, this option causes this file to be reloaded when Powermarks is restarted.
Import Browser bookmarks when Powermarks starts

When checked, Powermarks will scan existing browser bookmarks and import new ones that are not present in the Powermarks collection. Importing Internet Explorer Favorites, Netscape Bookmarks, Opera Hotlist and Mozilla Bookmarks can individually be enabled or disabled. This is done by checking the option "Include Favorites/Bookmarks/Hotlist when Synchronizing"; See Sections 8.1.13, 8.1.14, 8.1.15, and 8.1.17.
Start Powermarks when Windows starts

When checked, Powermarks will include itself in the Windows Startup Folder so that it is automatically started when Windows is started.
Run Minimized

This option only applies to starting Powermarks when Windows Starts and will be disabled (grayed out) if the above option "Start Powermarks when Windows starts" is not checked.. When this option is checked, Powermarks will start in the minimized state.

8.1.2 User Interface

Enable Tooltips

Tooltips are small yellow hints that are displayed when the mouse cursor is moved over top of a toolbar button. When this option is checked, Powermarks will display tooltips. When unchecked, they will not be displayed.
Flat Toolbar

When checked, the toolbar buttons do not display 3D effects unless the mouse is moved over top of one.
Confirm when deleting single bookmarks

When checked, Powermarks will ask for confirmation when you delete a bookmark.
Confirm when deleting multiple bookmarks

When checked, Powermarks will ask for confirmation when you delete multiple bookmarks.
Create backup file

Powermarks actually creates two backup files. These files have the same name as the original bookmark file but have extensions of .ba0 and .ba1. The file with the .ba0 extension is just the last file revision that existed before your most recent changes. The .ba1 file is a bit more complicated. In this file, Powermarks attempts to capture the largest collection of bookmarks that existed in the past couple of months.
Hide http:// and ftp:// prefixes

When checked, Powermarks does not display http:// and ftp:// prefixes in the bookmark display.
Minimize Powermarks after displaying bookmark

Minimize Powermarks when a bookmark is selected and opened in a browser window.

Do not track the number of times a page is visited

Powermarks normally counts the number of times each bookmarked page is visited so that it can display the usage count. Users who are very concerned about privacy may not desire this feature and should check this option.

Automatic Saves

When checked, Powermarks automatically saves the currently loaded bookmark file at the specified interval.

8.1.3 Fonts

Display Font

The display font is used to display the bookmark, macro and dictionary windows. By default, the Display Font will match the default Windows font, however, this option allows customization of the font.

8.1.4 Colors

Headers

Headers are the title bars displayed at the top of the bookmark, macro and dictionary windows. This section allows the color selection for these items.

8.1.5 System Tray

Display Powermarks icon in System Tray

When checked, Powermarks will display a small icon in the System Tray. The functionality of both this icon and the System Tray is discussed in Section 5.9.
Display Fast Add Powermark icon in System Tray

When checked, a small fast add icon is displayed in the System Tray. The functionality of both this icon and the System Tray is discussed in Section 5.9.
Display Add Powermark icon in System Tray

When checked, an add icon will be displayed in the System Tray. The functionality of both this icon and the System Tray is discussed in Section 5.9.
Close to the System Tray

Specifies whether to close MP3rat to the system tray when the when the upper right corner of the program is clicked.
Hide Powermarks when minimized

When checked, Powermarks will remove itself from the Windows Taskbar when minimized. This is useful when you want to focus on other tasks but keep Powermarks running. Powermarks only removes itself from the Taskbar when minimized.
Maximum bookmarks in Menu

Right clicking on the PM icon in the System Tray will display a popup menu, as discussed in Section 5.9. This menu will contain the bookmarks currently displayed in the Powermarks window. In many cases, the number displayed in the Powermarks window is greater than the number that will fit in the popup menu. This setting allows you to control the number of bookmarks included in the popup menu so that it is both convenient and fits on your screen in a reasonable manner.

8.1.6 Date and Time

Date and Time Format

Set custom time and date formats. Use the arrow button to the right of the format field to insert the year, month, day, hour, minutes or seconds.

8.1.7 Hotkeys

Switch to Powermarks

Display the Powermarks window
Add Bookmark to Browser

Add the current browser URL to the Powermarks bookmark list and allow for editing.
Fast Add Bookmark from Browser

Adds the URL currently in the Browser to the Powermarks bookmark list.
Add Bookmark from Clipboard

Searches the clipboard for a URL and adds it the Powermarks bookmark list. Powermarks will attempt to contact the site and retrieve the name, keywords and description of the new bookmark.

8.1.8 Status Checking

Check Pages even if known to be new

When checked, Powermarks will status check pages even if they are already marked as having changed. Normally this option is unchecked because once a page has been found to be changed it does not need to be checked again.
Repair bad links as they are found

When checked, Powermarks will update the URL of a bookmark when it receives a permanent redirection response while status checking.
Use ICMP packets to check for network connection

When checked, Powermarks will use ICMP packets (the same as many ping programs) to check for a network connection. ICMP packets provided a more reliable means of monitoring a network connection than other methods windows provides. For further details on ICMP packets, please refer the to the Q&A Section.

Maximum Connections

A separate connection is required for each page Powermarks status checks. Thus, the maximum connection value limits the number of pages that may simultaneously be status checked. Larger values increase the rate at which pages can be checked (to a limit). Smaller values reduce the rate of pages being checked, but reduces the load on your Internet connection so that other programs are not slowed up. Eight is usually a reasonable value for this parameter even with a 14.4kps modem, which is considered a relatively slow connection.

8.1.9 Icons

Icon Selection

This section allows you to set which icon you prefer to have associated with different bookmark statuses. To change the icon associated with a status message, select the desired status message in the left hand list and then click on the desired icon you wish to associate with this message.

8.1.10 Internet Proxy
As discussed in Section 4.3.2, a network proxy is an intermediate computer that sits between your browser and the Internet. It may be in the form of a firewall that exists for security purposes or a system that caches browser request with the intention of speeding up access to frequently accessed pages. In either case, Powermarks must be configured to use the Proxy or Firewall server so that it can properly status check pages. If a username and password is entered, Powermarks will perform Basic Authentication when interacting with the server.

No Proxy

Disable the Proxy feature and connect directly to web sites.
Use Proxy

Use a proxy server when connecting to web sites.
Server

This is the name of the computer that acts as the proxy server (proxy.mycompany.com for example).
Port

The standard port for HTTP requests is 80 or 8080. If neither works, contact your system administrator or ISP for the correct value.
Username

If your Proxy or Firewall requires authentication, enter the appropriate user name in this field. If no authentication is required, leave this field blank.
Password

Enter the password that corresponds to the username entered. If no password is required, leave this field blank.

8.1.11 Proxy Exceptions

Exceptions

Proxy Exceptions are the servers that you do not want to use the proxy when accessing. Typically, servers local to you are included in the list of exceptions. Exceptions may be specified two ways: either by name or IP address. When specified by name, Powermarks attempts to match the specified string with the end of the host name it wishes to access. If it matches, the proxy is not used. IP addresses are specified by entering a full IP address and a trailing mask count. Below are examples of both. Multiple entries may be entered, separate with a comma.
Examples:

.mycompany.com, www.company2.com, 127.0.0.0/8, 192.0.0.1/32

The first item excludes use of the proxy for any servers whose name ends in a ".mycompany.com". The second entry is similar but specifies a specific machine. The third entry excludes all machines on the 127.* subnet. The trailing /8 means match only the first 8 bits of the address, hence only the 127 is matched. The final entry matches a specific IP address, 192.0.0.1 because the mask is 32, which indicates all the bits of the IP address should be matched. Because IP addresses are 32 bits, the number of bits that can be matched ranges from 1 to 32.

8.1.12 Browsers

Preferred Browser

Select the browser that Powermarks should use when opening a page or adding a URL.
Use preferred browser even if another is running

If the preferred browser is not running but another browser is, Powermarks has two choices: use the running browser even though it is not your first choice, or start the preferred browser. When this option is checked, Powermarks will opt for the later and start a new browser.
Fast Add Keywords

When the Fast Add command is invoked, Powermarks will silently add a new bookmark for the site you are visiting. However, it sometimes is useful to go back and edit these new bookmarks at a later time. By adding a default keyword to all bookmarks added using the Fast Add command, it becomes quite easy to locate these new bookmarks. This field allows you to specify what keyword(s) should be automatically added.

8.1.13 Internet Explorer

Location of Internet Explorer Program

Specify the location of Internet Explorer so that Powermarks can run it when needed. Usually Powermarks will locate the program automatically.
Favorites Directory

This specifies the location of the Internet Explorer Favorites. As with the program location field, Powermarks will usually locate the directory automatically and you should not require changing. When specifying the location of Favorites, just enter the folder they start in and Powermarks will automatically traverse the sub-folders.
Launch at Startup

When checked, Internet Explorer will be started every time Powermarks is run.
Ignore

When ignored, Powermarks will act as if IE is not installed on your system and not try to launch any links in the application.
Run Maximized

Powermarks will start the browser maximized when the this checked.
Always Open in New Window

Powermarks will open all links in IE in new windows when this is checked.

Include Favorites when Synchronizing

When checked, Powermarks will scan the Internet Explorer Favorites for new bookmarks when the Sync with Browser Bookmarks command is selected.
Display toolbar in IE

When checked, Powermarks will insert 3 items into the Internet Explorer link bar. These items can be used to display the Powermarks window, add & edit a bookmark, and fast add a bookmark.
Communication Method

This drop-down list allows the specification of the method used to communicate with Internet Explorer. The preferred method is COM with is the most modern method provided by Microsoft. If you have problems adding bookmarks or opening bookmarks in Explorer, try either Direct or DDE.

8.1.14 Netscape

Location of Netscape Program

Specify the location of Netscape so that Powermarks can run it when needed. Usually Powermarks will locate the program automatically.
Location of Bookmarks

This specifies the location of the Netscape Bookmarks. As with the program location field, Powermarks will usually locate the bookmark file automatically and you should not require changing
Launch at Startup

When checked, Netscape will be started every time Powermarks is run.
Ignore

When ignored, Powermarks will act as if Netscape is not installed on your system and not try to launch any links in the application.
Run Maximized

Powermarks will start the browser maximized when the this checked.
Always Open in New Window

Powermarks will open all links in Netscape in new windows when this is checked.

Include Bookmarks when Synchronizing

When checked, Powermarks will scan the Netscape bookmark file for new bookmarks when the Sync with Browser Bookmarks command is selected.
Bypass DDE

DDE stands for Dynamic Data Exchange and is a method Powermarks uses to communicate with Netscape. In some cases, there may be problems opening and adding bookmarks due to DDE. When this option is checked, Powermarks does not use DDE and instead uses an alternative method.
Use Netscape 4

This option tells Powermarks not to look for the new version of Netscape on your system. Powermarks automatically attempts to use the latest version of Netscape when available, this feature overrides that functionality for Netscape.

8.1.15 Opera

Location of Opera Program

Specify the location of Opera so that Powermarks can run it when needed. Usually Powermarks will locate the program automatically.
Location of Opera Hotlist

This specifies the location of the Opera Hotlist file. As with the program location field, Powermarks will usually locate the hotlist file automatically and you should not require changing
Launch at Startup

When checked, Opera will be started every time Powermarks is run.
Ignore

When ignored, Powermarks will act as if Opera is not installed on your system and not try to launch any links in the application.
Run Maximized

Powermarks will start the browser maximized when the this checked.
Always Open in New Window

Powermarks will open all Opera links in new windows when this is checked.

Include Opera Hotlist when Synchronizing

When checked, Powermarks will scan the Opera hotlist file for new bookmarks when the Sync with Browser Bookmarks command is selected.
Clear saved window when Starting Opera

Powermarks can either start Opera with no windows or with the last browsing windows open. When checked, Powermarks will start Opera without any windows active.

8.1.16 NetCaptor

Location of NetCaptor Program

Specify the location of NetCaptor so that Powermarks can run it when needed. Usually Powermarks will locate the program automatically.
Location of Internet Favorites

NetCaptor uses IE's Internet Favorites for bookmarks. This path will be the same as the one listed under IE.
Launch at Startup

When checked, NetCaptor will be started every time Powermarks is run.
Ignore

When ignored, Powermarks will act as if NetCaptor is not installed on your system and not try to launch any links in the application.
Run Maximized

Powermarks will start the browser maximized when the this checked.
Always Open in New Window

Powermarks will open all NetCaptor links in new windows when this is checked.

8.1.17 Mozilla

Location of Mozilla Program

Specify the location of Mozilla so that Powermarks can run it when needed. Usually Powermarks will locate the program automatically.
Location of Mozilla Bookmarks

This specifies the location of the Mozilla Bookmarks. As with the program location field, Powermarks will usually locate the bookmark file automatically and you should not require changing
Launch at Startup

When checked, Mozilla will be started every time Powermarks is run.
Ignore

When ignored, Powermarks will act as if Mozilla is not installed on your system and not try to launch any links in the application.
Run Maximized

Powermarks will start the browser maximized when the this checked.
Always Open in New Window

Powermarks will open all Mozilla links in new windows when this is checked.

Include Mozilla Bookmarks when Synchronizing

When checked, Powermarks will scan the Mozilla bookmarks file for new bookmarks when the Sync with Browser Bookmarks command is selected.

8.1.16 Diagnostics

Create diagnostic log file

When checked, Powermarks will log internal actions to assist in debugging.
Filename

Name of log file.
Log Options

Select which actions should be logged.