Contributing to KO Approach Development

As a developer, you can greatly help improve our product in exchange to exclusive benefits. At present, we encourage our users to create Localizations and provide beta-testing. At minimum, each author of a Language file for a particular version receives a free Basic license from us. Depending on the quality of the work, the license can be promoted to higher types. We also consider your willingness to assist us in localizing new versions to keep the language base in sync with new functionality.

Please note that as our product grows, new oppurtunities will be offered!

Localizing KO Approach

KO Approach features full multi-lingual support for all key program elements, such as dialog boxes, menus, etc. Language-specific data is stored in XML files. End-users can either download existing language files using our Download Page or prepare their own translation. In the latter case, please refer to the Creating a Language File topic which will help you to get started.

We highly encourage you to create localization files for as many languages as possible, as this will help other international users to enjoy Approach even more. Send us your completed work and we will provide free licenses and special offers in recognition of your effort.

Beta-Testing New Versions

IMPORTANT: The following information is for advanced users only as it involves making modifications to the Windows Registry. Please do not proceed if you are not comfortable with making changes to the Windows Registry.

Starting with Version 0.4.1, Approach features a special Trace Mode designed specifically for helping us find errors and bugs. When running in this mode, Approach will write operation-specific data to a file named ApproachTrace.txt each time you exit the program. This log file is located in the KO Approach application directory, i.e. in C:\Program Files\KO Approach).

To enable the Trace Mode, you will need to create a new entry in your Windows Registry under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\KO Approach key. The entry must have the following properties:

• Name: EnableTraceOutput
• Type: DWORD
• Value: 1(dec)

Alternatively, you may download the file approach_trace.zip and add the entry to the Registry by expanding the archive and then double-clicking the output file.

Whenever you encounter an issue with KO Approach, you can contact us at support@koapproach.com and send us the ApproachTrace.txt file along with a written description of the problem. Please be as specific as possible and make sure to include the following information with your description:

• CPU model;
• RAM amount;
• OS Version;
• installed OS Service Packs and hotfixes;
• installed software products, especially other Shell enhancements.

This information will help isolate the problem and come up with the resolution as quickly as possible.