PopKi Popup Closer by Ranfo.com V2.0
Keep PopKi running while you browse the Internet and it will give you
control over unwanted "Popup" browser windows. Popki lets you allow
popups and new browser windows when desired. PopKi is extremely easy
to use. There is no setup or lists to create and it will not change or require
you to change any of your browser or network settings. Version 1.3
includes an "Allow One" button, enhanced automation and even lower
CPU usage. Version 2.0 has enhanced user interface, a Auto Hide
selector and a 'Don't Close' keyword list.
You can put a shortcut to PopKi in your startup folder and leave it running
in the background.
Thank you for trying the RanFo PopKi Popup Closer. Version 2.0
Please let me know how if this works or why it doesn't so I can make
improvements in future versions.
To use, run PopKi before opening your Internet browser. PopKi will start in
'Allow One' Mode. When you open your browser, PopKi will allow the first
instance and then automatically switch to 'Allow None' mode. (The task
bar icon will turn red and the 'Allow None' button will light.)
You can also start PopKi after you have started your browser. If you do
this, PopKi will close all but one browser window and then switch to
'Allow None' mode.
When in 'Allow None' mode, PopKi will close any additional browser
windows.
If you need to allow a new browser window to open, click the 'Allow One'
button to change modes. While in this mode one browser window will be
allowed to open and then PopKi will automatically switch back to 'Allow
None' mode. The windows you allowed to open will remain open and
only additional windows will be closed. You can have up to 12 open
browser windows.
Clicking the 'Allow All' button will stop PopKi from closing any browser
windows. It will stay in 'Allow All' until you change it to another mode.
You can also change modes by left clicking on the tray icon. This will go
through the three modes with the icon indicating the current mode.
A right mouse click on the tray icon will bring up the popup menu with
selections for Allow Modes, Show and Exit.
Setup (New in V2.0) - Clicking the setup button will display the setup
window.
Autohide (New in V2.0) - When checked, PopKi will disappear from the
desktop three seconds after the next time it is started. Right click on the
Task Bar icon to bring up the popup menu.
Don't Close (New in V2.0) - A list of keywords that if found in the title bar
of a Web page, will prevent it from being closed by PopKi. This will not
add that page to the allow list, so if you navigate that window to a non-
exempt page the window will close. This list is entirely optional. Any
keywords that come with the program are for example only and can be
removed.
Popup Close Sound (New in V2.0) - This is an optional sound that is
made when PopKi closes a browser window. Select a sound from the
drop down list on the setup window. The sounds listed are contained
in the C:\WINDOWS\MEDIA folder. If you wish to use a custom sound,
put a copy of it in this folder. It is strongly suggested that you use a small
sound file, under 5 Kb. If no sound is desired, select "None" from the
drop down list.
Don't Close Example - While browsing the XYZCORP.COM Web site you
find that all the information links open in a new window. Click the Task
Bar icon and allow one of the new browser windows to open. Look for a
unique identifier in the title bar. In this example the title bar says
"XYZCorp Board of Directors - Microsoft Internet Explorer" Open the
Setup Window and add xyzcorp to the list. (The list is not case sensitive.)
Now, when you browse the XYZCorp Web Site the information pages will
not be closed.
The PopKi Popup Closer only work with the following browsers: Netscape,
Mozilla and MS Internet Explorer.
PopKi will not change your browser settings or your network settings.
PopKi will not interfere with any other networking or communications
software. This program does not make changes to your operating or
networking systems. PopKi works entirely by scanning the open windows
on your desktop and sending API (Application Programming Interface)
messages back to the operating system.
To uninstall PopKi, all you need to do is delete the program file. There are
no system files to worry about. You can remove the PopKi registry key if
desired, but it does not harm anything if you leave it.
To report an error, please write to randy@ranfo.com and be sure to
include a detailed description of the error, your Windows and Browser
version, PopKi version and if possible the address of the Web site where
the problem occured. Your help makes future versions of PopKi possible.
Version Information:
VB.0 - First operational version.
V1.0 - Added tray icon and right mouse button popup menu. Added
information form.
V1.1 - Fixed intermittent problem when closing Netscape. Rearranged
user interface.
V1.2 - Added command line parameter to automatically switch to hidden
mode. Added automation that switches to allow mode when all browser
windows are closed (Resets program.) and switches back to not allow
after first browser is opened.
V1.3 - Added 'Allow One' button (Allows one additional browser to open
then switches back to not allow mode.) Created delay in reset after
closing last browser allowing you to close the last browser without
additional popups. Greatly reduced the amount of CPU time used while in
allow mode.
V1.4 - Improved error trapping and made slight change to timing in the
MSIE closer routine.
V2.0 - New graphics! All new user interface featuring three lightup mode
buttons. Setup window that allows you to set the Auto Hide parameter
and a 'Don't Close' keyword list. The command line H to make PopKi
autohide is no longer applicable or nessesary. Now uses the registry to
remember settings. Reads regitry to get the browser title bar text.
Registry Keys (New in V2.0)
PopKi creates and maintains the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\RanFo\PopKi
Exempt - List of exempt keywords from the Setup window.
Autohide - Autohide check box value.
Formtop - Startup position of main form.
Formleft - Startup position of main form.
Soundfile - file used for popup close sound
PopKi was created and written by Randy Ford, http://ranfo.com
E-mail randy@ranfo.com
Special thanks to:
John Ayres for his books on the Win32 Core API.
Andy Fielding for helping with the documentation.
CoolForm 1.5 component, http://www.lawrenz.com/coolform/
Bunches of Books, http://bunchesofbooks.com
Nonags, http://www.nonags.com and the many other sites that have
linked to the PopKi Web page.
Jeff, Ron, Earl, Healer, Arye and everyone else who wrote in with
suggestions and complements. Thank you all.