ThrobOff
(c) 1999 Nathan Lineback - Distribute freely.
e-mail: lineback@toastytech.com
web page: http://toastytech.com/linebackn

Hey Bill Gates! *THROB OFF!*

That is, turn off that ridiculous animated "Throbber". :)

What is a "throbber?"
---------------------

For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, a "throbber" is the
animated graphic that appears in the upper right corner of most web
browsers. The function of a throbber is to let the user know, by displaying
animation, that the browser is busy retrieving information.

Unfortunately, Microsoft has started throwing throbbers in everything they
touch in the name of "web integration." Normally throbbers can be hidden by
hiding the toolbars, but there is no option given in Microsoft's Internet
Explorer 4, the IE 4 "shell update", Internet Explorer 5, or Windows 98 to
hide the throbbers.

What is "ThrobOff?"
-------------------

ThrobOff is a small collection of Windows registration files that lets you
choose to display or not display the animated throbber - without breaking or
altering Windows or IE in any way. To use it, unzip the Throboff.zip file in
to a folder and double-click the desired Windows registration file. The
files are as follows:

IEThrobOff.reg - Hides the throbber and toolbars in Internet Explorer 4 and
5.

IEThrobOn.reg - Restores the throbber and displays all toolbars in Internet
Explorer 4 and 5.

ShellThrobOff.reg - Hides the throbber and toolbars in the IE 4 "enhanced"
shell and the Windows 98 shell.

ShellThrobOn.reg - Restores the throbber and displays all toolbars in the IE
4 "enhanced" shell and the Windows 98 shell.

For the best results, close any Explorer or Internet Explorer windows before
loading the registration file.

Note that although the toolbar settings are altered by these files, you can
set them back however you want them using the Windows Explorer or IE "View"
menu. This is the result of having to save the complete toolbar
configuration rather than just the throbber setting.

How does "ThrobOff" work?
-------------------------

All the registration files in ThrobOff do is clear a single bit in each of
the toolbar setting keys.

There are three keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\ShellBrowser
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\Explorer
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser
With binary values named "ITBarLayout" that contain information about the
layout of the toolbars.

The bits in the byte at offset 10h in "ITBarLayout" determines which toolbar
elements are displayed. The bits function as follows:

Bit 1 -navigation buttons
Bit 2 -address bar
Bit 3 -links
Bit 4 -throbber
Bit 5 - Always on?
Bits 6-8 - nothing

Internet Explorer and the "enhanced" shell have options in their "View" menu
that change bits 1, 2 and 3, but not 4. Bill doesn't want you to turn of the
throbber. Now go turn it off.