DP Tool Club 26/CD_ASCQ_26_1295.iso/vrac/kinstd20.zip/README.TXT

Text File | 1995-09-09 | 13KB | 252 lines

                     K-INSTALL for DOS and Windows 2.0

             Copyright (c) 1994-95 by Rob McDonell, ARK ANGLES
                            All Rights Reserved


                           IMPORTANT INFORMATION



WHAT YOU GET

  K-INSTALL is written by a software developer for software developers,
  both amateur and professional.  I know the value of a risk free, hassle
  free product.  K-INSTALL offers many benefits to all users.

  Unregistered users get limited support during the trial period, but
  are not licensed to use or distribute INSTALL.EXE or SETUP.EXE with
  their own software.  The unregistered version may only be distributed
  as a package in its own right, including all files listed in VENDOR.TXT.

  Registered users get support for 12 months, and are licensed to use and
  distribute INSTALL.EXE and/or SETUP.EXE royalty free with any of their
  own software.  They also receive the latest version of the package and a
  printed, fully indexed manual.

  Customised versions of K-INSTALL are also available such that your
  options can be hard coded into the program rather than specified in
  the separate settings file.  This not only makes the program even
  more secure, but also smaller.  You just need to send me a copy of
  your settings file the way you like it, and I will promptly return
  to you a new EXE file with those settings embedded.

  Registered users will get prompt resolution of problems, and free
  upgrades if they encounter bugs.  And there are the standard benefits
  of the ARK ANGLES Triple Guarantee of

    1) Quality through standards and testing,
    2) Suitability through try-before-you-buy, and
    3) Money Back if not completely satisfied.

  See REGISTER.TXT for full details of licensing options and pricing.


UPGRADING FROM OTHER VERSIONS

  There are some minor changes in this version of K-INSTALL over earlier
  versions, especially with the INPUT keyword.  See "Documentation Changes"
  below for an overview, and the full documentation for more details.

  Settings files vary only slightly between the DOS and Windows versions of
  K-INSTALL, and simply cater for differences in the operating environment.
  Specifically, this relates to the appearance of K-INSTALL (the WINDOW,
  COLS, PICTURE, ICON and PATTERN keywords) and how the installed program
  is run (the GROUP and ITEM keywords).  See the full documentation for more
  details.

  Settings file functions in K-INSTALL Professional are a superset of those
  in the Standard edition, therefore settings files from the Standard edition
  can be used unchanged in the Professional edition.


DOCUMENTATION CHANGES

  Full documentation for this product is in the files KINSTALL.TXT and/or
  KINSTALL.WRI.  These files are completely up to date with all the latest
  features in this version of K-INSTALL.

  Due to printing delays however, the hardcopy manual sent to registered
  users may not have all the most recent features included.  Please note
  the following updates:

    ARJ keyword: default is "e -y -a".

    COPR keyword: new keyword.

    CPU keyword: new keyword.

    HELP keyword: new keyword.

    INPUT keyword: new parameter inserted at the beginning to specify the
    variable number, rather than relying on the sequence in the settings
    file.  The data parameter has been split into two, the first for default
    value and the second for format using literal characters, wildcards,
    relational operators and AND/OR.  Settings files that use the INPUT
    keyword MUST be updated to reflect the above changes or they will not
    work correctly.

    INSTALL keyword: new option "5" for repl parameter to append to files.

    ISECT keyword: default is blank.

    PICTURE keyword (DOS only): additional height parameter to define number
    of lines in the picture up to a maximum of 10.  Only that number of
    following lines in the settings file are read into the picture, therefore
    this keyword no longer has to be the last keyword in the settings file.

    REBOOT keyword: new keyword.

    RESTART keyword (Windows only): new keyword.

    RFILE keyword: new fmt "A" to append to text files, and "B" to write
    binary strings with no leading length byte or trailing null.  Multiple
    registration data files may be created and/or modified.

    WINDOW keyword (DOS only): new keyword similar to Windows version.

    WINVER keyword (DOS only): new keyword compatible with Windows version.

    ZIP keyword: default is "-d -o -Jhrs".


PROGRAM HISTORY

  2.00  09.09.95.  Uninstall undoes changes to autoexec.bat, config.sys and
                   INI files.  CPU and COPR keywords for hardware checking.
                   FUNCTION keyword to automatically start any functions.
                   HELP keyword to provide installation help.  Modified
                   INPUT keyword to specify variable number, default value,
                   and more powerful format specification.  Multiple PATH
                   and SHELL keywords allowed.  REBOOT keyword to control
                   rebooting of DOS.  Multiple RFILE keywords allowed to
                   create several files, and new append format to add to an
                   existing text file.  Use of original name from compressed
                   file if available.  Improved handling of blank parameters.
                   DOS version only: WINDOW keyword to control screen size.
                   WINVER keyword for compatibility with Windows version.
                   Windows version only:  Program Manager icons not added
                   again on re-install, and uninstall removes installed
                   icons.  RESTART keyword to control restarting of Windows.

                   New Professional version only:  ASK and IF/ENDIF keywords
                   for conditional processing of most functions.  INSTMSG
                   and INSTPIC keywords to change message line and bitmaps
                   displayed during install.  STRING and BUTTON keywords to
                   customise predefined text and provide full multi-language
                   support.  OPTIONS keyword to enable separate installation
                   of optional components.  UPGRADE keyword to check for an
                   existing installation.  DISKID keyword for basic copy
                   protection.  Settings file scrambler.

  1.90  15.08.95.  Support for archives with subdirectories.  DOS internal
                   commands may be used in FIRST, LAST and INSTALL keywords.
                   New replace method '5' for INSTALL keyword to append to
                   existing files.  Installation log file appended to rather
                   than overwritten if it already exists.  DOS version only:
                   added length parm to PICTURE keyword which can now be
                   anywhere in the settings file.  Changed button shadow
                   colour if menu background is black.  Windows version only:
                   fixed spurious error message when updating WIN.INI.

  1.80  31.07.95.  New binary format registration data file for writing
                   strings without leading length byte or terminating null.
                   ISECT default value 'NoSection' no longer provided.
                   Windows version only:  Reduction in size of SETUP.EXE.
                   Enhanced bitmap file error checking and screen refreshing.
                   Fixed occasional GPF error when running external programs.

  1.70  28.05.95.  Improved error handling when updating Program Manager.
                   Minor enhancements and documentation changes.

  1.60  11.05.95.  New ~GROUP variable.  Enhancements to RUN keyword and
                   reboot/restart functions.  New options on INPUT and
                   DIR keywords for longer explanatory questions.  Beeps
                   with error messages only.  Registration data file backed
                   up before overwriting in text format.  Running percent
                   during install.  Some minor problems fixed.  DOS version
                   only: BIG and WIN keywords replaced by RUN option, and
                   new GROUP keyword to update Windows Program Manager.
                   Windows version only: new WINDOW keyword to set window
                   size and style, new WINVER keyword and variable for
                   checking Windows version, and Uninstall now deletes
                   SETUP.EXE correctly.

  1.50  25.04.95.  Basic settings file generator.  Maximum of allowable
                   MKDIR, DEL, INSTALL, AUTO, CONF, REG, INI, ITEM and
                   REMOVE keywords limited only by available memory.  New
                   options for INSTALL keyword to display file desciptions
                   and run external programs.  New option for PATH keyword
                   to add multiple directories.  New EXE keyword to add
                   parameters for self-unpacking archives.  Additional
                   predefined variables, and all variables now available
                   with FIRST, LAST, INSTALL, RUN and CATALOG keywords.
                   Duplicate "device=" statements handled in SYSTEM.INI.
                   User confirmation not required if installing to root
                   directory.  Faster file copying to and from diskettes.
                   Other minor enhancements.  DOS version only: new IFILE,
                   ISECT and INI keywords to allow updating of INI files.

  1.40  04.04.95.  New ~INST variable to perform functions on the install
                   disk itself.  User confirmation sought during install if
                   chosen directory already exists, and during uninstall
                   before deleting files from Windows or Windows System
                   directories.  Fixed problems with AUTO keywords wiping
                   out a final shell command in AUTOEXEC.BAT.  Windows
                   version only: PICTURE keyword no longer causes hang if
                   bitmap does not exist.

  1.30  13.03.95.  New REMOVE keyword to delete application-generated files
                   during uninstall.  New ARCHIVE keyword to define an
                   additional unarchiving program.  Windows version only:
                   PICTURE keyword can now read BMP files from disk, has
                   more flexible positioning, additional styles, and bitmap
                   stretching.

  1.20  10.03.95.  New DOSVER keyword to check DOS version number.  Changed
                   INST keyword to INSTALL and MKD to MKDIR.  New BUFFERS
                   keyword to check and update BUFFERS value in CONFIG.SYS.
                   Windows version only: New PATTERN and ICON keywords and
                   enhanced PICTURE keyword for greater customisation of
                   K-INSTALL screen.

  1.10  23.02.95.  First general release.

  1:0x  Early 95.  Various limited release versions for testing.


FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

  I am working to make both the DOS and Windows versions of K-INSTALL
  the most sophisticated and versatile installation programs available.
  Your feedback and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

  Electronic communication is probably the easiest for all feedback, bug
  reports or other support - see CompuServe and Internet addresses below.
  In most circumstances I will respond within 24-48 hours.

  The are still many features currently under consideration or underway for
  future versions of K-INSTALL, including a native Windows 95 version.  A
  Professional edition has now also been released, including features like:

    *  complete customisation of all messages, even for other languages
    *  basic copy protection facilities
    *  ability to scramble the settings file to prevent tampering
    *  check for pre-existing installation for upgrades
    *  allow optional components to be installed separately at a later time
    *  text and graphics slide show capabilities during installation

  Please contact me with your feedback and requirements.  Upgrade pricing
  will be very competitive.


Regards,

Rob McDonell
Proprietor,  ARK ANGLES
Postal:      P O Box 190, Hazelbrook NSW 2779, AUSTRALIA
Phone:       [phone] or Intl+61-47-588100
Fax:         [phone] or Intl+61-47-588638
Internet:    [e-mail]
CompuServe:  100237,141