Opening file based on selection of value list

May 11, 200520 yr

Greetings everyone!

I have tried to make this work, but have gotten marginal results at best. I was hopeing that someone could either show me the error(s) of my ways, or point me in a better direction. Here's what I've got -

One bit of software I've developed has the main database, and several individual modules that a client can additionally purchase. These modules are not needed for the main database to run, but the modules do depend on the main database as a source of info.

Since each client can order a different "set" of modules than any other client, there is a "custom" main menu file with a bunch of buttons - each button runs a separate script to open up the file needed. This works fine, but maintaining all these buttons for each client can be a chore and takes more time than what I want.

I am visualizing a much easier & faster way to maintain these. It basically involves a value list of all the modules - client selects module from pull-down list, then clicks an "open" button. The pull-down was easy. The values in the pull-down are named exactly as the filename associated with it, minus the extension. The open button (script) was easy - so I though. I'm using the 'Open URL' step. It appears that I have to specify the exact path the file is in for the file to open up.

Unfortunately, clients can and have installed this software in just about any directory on their computer. I have no idea where they are going to put it. Most are using a runtime version, and a few have hosted servers. I could create a text field that the user enters the directory path, but most users won't even know where that is (because it was installed by the IT department), and getting that information will be like pulling teeth. Or what if someone moves the program, and doesn't reset the text field? Even if I do have that field, how does one handle remote(server) connections? These modules will be in the same directory as the main program.

There must be an easier way to do this that'll save me time and work great for them. Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions/comments/etc... that would help me with this?

Thanks!