Application Launcher

Application Launcher, shown below, is a standalone window that can be accessed from the workstation's desktop.

NOTE:  You can replace the Windows desktop with the Application Launcher window. For instructions, see Using Application Launcher as the Windows Shell .

Application Launcher Features

By default, the Application Launcher window is divided into two panes, much like Windows Explorer. In the left pane, Application Launcher displays the following:

• [All] folder: Contains all applications that have been distributed to the user. This is an administrator-controlled feature. By default, it is enabled, which means the folder appears. You can disable the feature if desired.
• NDS trees: Each tree contains the applications, located within the tree, that have been distributed to the user or workstation. Application Launcher displays only the trees to which the user is authenticated.
• Personal folder: Provides a location for the user to create personal folders for organizing applications. This is an administrator-controlled feature. By default, it is disabled, which means the folder does not appear.

When the user selects a tree or folder in the left pane, the right pane displays the items (folders or applications) that are contained within the tree or folder.

Using the Application Launcher window, the user can do the following:

• Run an application by double-clicking the application's icon in the right pane. Depending on the application and how it is configured in NDS, before running the application Application Launcher may install files to the workstation, map drives, or change workstation configuration files or settings.
• View the properties of an application. The properties include a description of the application, information about people to contact for help with the application, the times when the application is available for use, and the workstation requirements established for the application.
• Log in to NDS (or to another NDS tree). You can disable this functionality if desired.
• Disconnect Application Launcher from NDS so that the user can work offline. Disconnecting Application Launcher from NDS does not log the user out of NDS. You can disable this functionality if desired

As administrator, you control the availability of certain features that enable users to do the following:

• Uninstall an application.
• Cache an application's installation files to the user's workstation so that the user can install or verify (fix) the application while disconnected from NDS.

For information about configuring Application Launcher, see Configuring Application Launcher/Explorer .

Application Launcher Files

Application Launcher consists of the following files:

• NAL.EXE: This is the program file that is used to execute Application Launcher. It is located on a server's SYS:PUBLIC directory. NAL.EXE serves as a "wrapper" file by performing some initialization functions, launching NALSTART.EXE, and then terminating. You can use various command line switches with NAL.EXE to control Application Launcher functionality. For information, see Application Launcher/Explorer Command Line Switches .

• NALSTART.EXE: This program updates the Application Launcher files on the user's workstation (if necessary), updates the Application Launcher/Explorer Windows Service (NALNTSRV.EXE) on a Windows NT/2000/XP/XP workstation (if necessary), registers and starts the Workstation Helper (ZENAPPWS.DLL) running under Workstation Manager, and launches NALWIN32.EXE.

• NALWIN32.EXE: This program reads NDS to build a list of the folders and applications that have been associated with the user and then displays the folders and applications in the Application Launcher window on the workstation.