[Algorithms] Can I do this?

[Jim O. <j.o...@in...>]

I'll save you guys the lengthy situation introduction (my situation
introductions tend to end up being very logn, but it is available on request
though...) and get right down to the point:

Can I have my application request a few applications to shut down if my
resources are below a certain level? (I.e. my application is running on a
machine with 64 Megs-o-RAM, but since the user has also running, say, 3D
Studio MAX in the background, nearly 90% of system's resources are already
used and locked away - trust me these things happen and if you have a little
bad luck will even completely trash the system, even if all running
applications are essentially stable) I stress the 'request' bit, as in
sending some applications (.exe files only) the same window message Windows
uses when you choose to switch off your computer, there is no way an
application could get away with just 'killing' other applications.

Is this a reasonable solution, or I am just being selfish?

(I know that I can always use a popup to warn the user that resources are
low, but I figured it would be nice behaviour if the application assists the
user in freeing up the necessary resources...)

Jim Offerman

Innovade
- designing the designer