TabDock Host Control version 1.1 (may, 2000)
--------------------------------------------

See new properties and improvements at revisions section
of this document before using the component.

Description
-----------
This project demonstrates how to use the TabDock Control
Most of the functional code is contained in the UserControl and MDIForm1.
If you have any comments about this project you can contact me by
email at the end of this page.

Advantages
----------
The advantages of using the TabDock and TabDockHost is that you 
don't have to code, re-design or change any line of code from 
your existing forms in order to have docking capabilities. 

The Net
-------
       I've   been  looking  around  the  net  for  a  component
   which could dock my project's forms the same way VB IDE does.
   I've came across many interesting programs  on  the  net  but
   unfortunatly or they've all required a hard coding work in my
   existing forms or they were too expensive to buy and  a  poor 
   student like me can't afford these experiences. So I  decided 
   to solve such a problem creating a simple and  light-weighted 
   control that would do the job perfectly without adding a line 
   of code in my existing forms.

   The code has many third-party functions, classes and
   procedures. The author of each piece of code are mentioned
   in the top of each resource. And I thank you all for the plug.
   If I have forgot someone please let me know.

   I'm a newbie concerning Windows API programming, so
   if you detect any severe mistakes I have made, please
   let me know and I will try to fix them when I have time.

   All comments and improvements related to this control
   are welcomed, so please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

   The code, classes, and functions are freeware. You may use them
   at your on risk! (It's not that bad!)

Before using...
---------------
This control was create and compiled with VB6. I don't know if
it will work in VB5, please try yourself and if it does then
let me know.

This control use SubClassing to handle several tasks, so before
running the demo project you will need to download and install
the SSubTmr6.dll from http://www.vbaccelerator.com web site. 
[;) Thank you guys!]

Before running the project uncheck the
"Remove information about unused ActiveX Control" in 
Project Properties->Make Tab. This project dynamically loads controls 
at run-time and if this option is checked you will receive a
error message.

I have not tried docking MDI child forms maybe with this ones it works 
too.

How to use
----------
1) Create a MDIForm and create some forms you widh to dock/undock.
2) Drop the control in a MDI Form 
3) add the forms you wanna docking capabilities using the 
   "Add()" method of the control. That's all!

Don't you belive! then check the Demo Project please.

Notes
-----
You are free to use this control and source code in any way you wish, 
entirely at your own risk.

This control is still being developed so please don't use it
for commercial applications. (I am warning!)

Many features are not working yet 'cause I'm having examinations at
college and I don't have enough time to spend with this project.

To do List (They may be simple for you!)
----------------------------------------
Building a controls is a lot of work. So, if you are a developer, this
is a list of the things that I'm trying to do, Perhaps you can help.

- If anyone knows how to add controls at run-time without having to
  check the "Remove information about unused ActiveX Control" please, 
  i beg you, let me know.
  
- When changing the docked form caption the toolwindow style is replaced
  by a sizeble normal window with system menu and so on.
  
- If the form has a toolbar the top Panel apperas first then the 
  toolbar
  
- There is much flickering when operating the forms docking/undocking and
  painting the control container. I have used LockWindowUpdate but
  did not solved the problem. If you have a better idea please let me known. 

Sorry my bad english! ;-P

Revisions
---------
  [Date]          [Author]    [Remarks]
  01/05/2000      MVS         > Added Style property	
  06/05/2000      MVS         > Clean up doc
  09/05/2000      MVS		  > Version 1.0 is released	
  10/05/2000      MVS		  > Docking docking/moving/resizing 
  							  > Created metho "TabDock.Show" to
  							  > Display the system panels
  							  > Created Properties PanelWIdht and 
  							  > PanelHeight to furnish the system the
  							  > initial configuration of the panels	
  							  >	was improved and clened up the docs
  							  > MDI support not available
  							  > Top Panel coming first then a
  							  > toolbar in a form was fixed
  							  > Bottom Panel after the stataus bar
  							  > in a form was fixed
  							  > Released version 1.1
  
Author
------
Marclei V Silva
marclei@spnorte.com
So Paulo - Brazil
http://www.spnorte.com

May, 2000