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1994-10-03
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MNU Manual Page 1
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| Member
Version 2.11 September, 1994
HOMNU, or MNU, is a batch file enhancer and menu program. Its
included with Hands On to help make the overall package easier
to use, and to show you how you can use the Hands On package
with your favourite menu program.
The original version is distributed as TWSELECT, and you will
find various references to TWSELECT. This version has been
renamed to avoid confusion because the two now have some
differences. If your copy has some other name just mentally
substitute that name for 'MNU' and 'TWSELECT' as necessary.
The original source and .exe can likely still be found in the
Force area (GO FORCE) on Compuserve. This version has full
ASP member support, and may still be distributed freely.
We have a program where we gather donated computer equipment
from various sources, tune it, and add selected software (eg
emacs, microspell, some games, and a simple menu), then
distribute the results to individuals doing work for
non-profit groups. This software meets our simple free
distribution requirements. We also change it to produce
versions specifically for special needs. All of the special
versions to date have been free on request.
A caution:
The documentation suggests various environment variables, all
starting with TW (Tom Woodgerd - the original author). You
may use the environment for the purposes suggested here.
However, the environment is a limited resource and accidental
miss-use leads to various problems with all kinds of software,
so this version uses the MNU.INI file. MNU looks for it in
the current directory and then the directory where the MNU.EXE
MNU Manual Page 2
resides. The MNU.INI file format is as follows:
# setup information for homnu/mnu
TWP=1012
TWID=
TWDR=C
TWH=Hands On Remote Access
USER=
TWCLR=
SP=
TWSAV= Shareware is simply another software distribution medium
# <- these allow following comments on the same line
You can have alternate .INI files that are copied to MNU.INI
inside your batch file to change the pertinent settings in
successive MNU menus.
MNU has 2 main modes: ASK and MENU
ASK MODE is a simple way of asking for user input within a
batch file. It displays the "input string" at the current
screen position and waits for a one key response. Only keys
in the "key list" are allowed:
MNU ASK <input string> - The string to display
<key list> - Keys that are acceptable responses
[DEFAULT=c] - The default key if enter is pressed
[TIMEOUT=n] - The number of seconds to wait
[DEBUG] - Causes the errorlevel to be displayed
[NOTIME] - Time remaining won't be displayed.
Upon exit it sets the DOS Errorlevel based on the order of key
pressed.
Example: MNU ASK "<O>ki, <L>aser, <E>pson (press O, L, or
E): " OLE
After displaying "<O>ki, <L>aser, <E>pson (press O, L, or E):
" it waits for a keypress.If it's in the group (OLEole) it
sets the DOS Errorlevel according to the order in the key list
and exits. Esc exits with 0. Other options can be placed
after the key list:
DEFAULT - This is used to set a Default Key, to be used if
Enter is pressed or a TIMEOUT is reached. If "default=a" is
used, then when the user presses Enter, it would be the same
MNU Manual Page 3
as pressing "a".
TIMEOUT - An example would be "timeout=30". If no key is
pressed within 30 seconds the program will terminate. If
there is a DEFAULT key set, it will act as if that key were
pressed.
DEBUG - (or /debug) This shows the DOS Errorlevel upon exit.
NOTIME - This prevents the time remaining from being displayed
when TIMEOUT is active.
MENU MODE is used to paint a menu on screen and allow users to
select a choice by positioning a light bar, or letter, and
pressing enter. Normally the menu is full screen but the NC
option reduces the menu to a minimum size. This allows you to
stack successive menus, offset if you like, and to have the
menus pop up anywhere on the screen. MENU MODE returns the
DOS errorlevel set to the sequence number of the item
selected.
MNU MENU <options list separated by commas or spaces>
[options]
- MENU mode is used to pop up a list of menu choices. When
the user selects one and presses "Enter", it sets the DOS
Errorlevel based on the order of the item chosen.
Example: MNU MENU "Oki Printer","Laser Printer","Epson
Printer"
- A BOX will be displayed giving the options in a LIST. The
user may choose an option using the up and down arrow keys and
then press enter. It will set the DOS Errorlevel according to
the order of option chosen and then exit.
- There is a DEBUG option. If "debug" or "/debug" is placed
after the option list it will show the DOS Errorlevel upon
exit.
- The LOCATION of the box can be controlled by setting an
environment variable. Type the following at the command line
or in a batch file "set twp=1012". This would set the upper
left corner of the box to row 10, column 12. The coordinates
must contain 4 numbers. For instance row 9, column 1 would be
MNU Manual Page 4
"set twp=0901". Row 0, column 0 would be "set twp=0000". If
you use the MNU.INI file to set TWP you lose the capability to
'stack' successive menus offset like cards unless you put
different MNU.INI files in different subdirectories.
- A title will be placed at the top of the menu box, if the
parameters include "t:title".
Example: MNU MENU "t:Printer Menu" "Oki" "Laser" "Epson"
- To create overlaid menus, use "NC" as a parameter. The
screen won't be cleared before popping up the new menu. You
can also use NC to make minimal sized menus.
Example: MNU MENU "NC" "t:Printer Menu" "Oki" "Laser" "Epson"
- You can set an environment variable (TWH) to over-ride the
default header of "Menu Choices". If you rename MNU to HOMNU
the header becomes 'Hands On Remote Access' without using
environment space.
Example: SET TWH=ACME COMPANY MENU
- You can set an environment variable (TWSAV) to cause the
screen to be cleared and your message (up to 60 characters) to
be displayed. If you run out of environment space the message
will be truncated.
Example: SET TWSAV=I'm at Lunch. Return 1:30
The screen saver activates when you tap F7, and the screen is
restored when you tap another key. Releases before June, 1994
had a timed screen saver, but it has been disabled. If you
need a timed screen saver, and or password capability yell.
Note that you can leave this screen saver running while HOHOST
is resident and waiting for a call, and it will appear when
the connection is completed. This also provides an initial
menu of choices.
Here's an entire batch file using MNU MENU MODE:
@echo off
** set twh=Acme Toys Inc.
:start
MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "WordPerfect" "Lotus" "Games" "Quit"
if errorlevel == 4 goto :end
if errorlevel == 3 goto :games
if errorlevel == 2 goto :lotus
MNU Manual Page 5
if errorlevel == 1 goto :wp
goto :end
:wp
cd \wp51
wp
goto :start
:lotus
cd \123r24
123
goto :start
:games
call gamemenu
goto :start
:end
- USAGE TRACKING: If an environment variable called TWDR is
set, MNU will record all user menu selections in a DBASE III
type data file called ACTIONS.DBF. "TWDR" needs to be like
"C:", "D:", "F:" etc. ACTIONS.DBF will be opened or created
in the root directory of the drive specified by "TWDR". It
will also record the setting for the environment variables:
"LANUSER" and "TWID" (up to 10 characters each).
Example: SET TWDR=C:
If you prefer, you may use "SET TWDR=C" without the ":" and
the ACTIONS.DBF will be created and maintained in the 'home
directory' where the MNU.EXE resides.
You can use the F4 function key to look at and edit the
entries in the ACTIONS.DBF when the feature is active in MNU.
We have found that the ACTIONS.DBF can be damaged leading to
MNU locking up when it tries to access ACTIONS.DBF. If MNU
locks up on you, then first try erasing ACTIONS.DBF
- MONO MONITOR MODE: If you're running this on a mono or LCD
monitor you'll want to set an environment variable TWCLR for
black & white screens.
Example: SET TWCLR=MONO
Support and Distribution:
This product is partially Copyright (C) 1993-4 P. C. Softsmith
all rights reserved. It is distributed with shareware and
should be distributed with this documentation. It is normally
MNU Manual Page 6
distributed with other P.C. Softsmith materials that further
explain the shareware process. If you wish to distribute it
with your software or are unable to find the other
documentation that should accompany this file (such as the
SHR_WARE.DOC, FILE_ID.DIZ, and the VENDOR.DOC) please contact
whoever gave you the software or P.C. Softsmith.
For technical support, either call (604) 433-5189, or write to
Suite 606 - 6455 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia,
Canada, V5H 4E4. You may also try leaving a Compuserve message
at 75020, 2664, or send email to
INTERNET:vic_williams@mindlink.bc.ca
You will likely be able to access us on the Vancouver FreeNet
in the near future.
Portions (C) Copyright 1993-4 P. C. Softsmith all rights
reserved.
History:
September, 1994 vw: Version 2.11 minor MNU.DOC changes.
June, 1994 - vw: Version 2.1 Added MNU.INI, some minor
internal changes and changed the screen saver. Main title
changes if .exe name changed to HOMNU.EXE. This version
automatically tries to display an intelligent error message
when something goes wrong.
May, 1994 - vw: more interactive screen saver and some minor
tinkering. Added the F4 EDIT with ACTIONS.DBF optionally in
the home directory replacing TWSELECT.DBF in the root
directory.
December, 1993 vw: Version 2
This product has been reworked somewhat from the original
TWSELECT for distribution with other public domain and freely
distributable materials. We have a program where we gather
donated computer equipment from various sources, tune it, and
add selected software (eg emacs, microspell, some games, and a
simple menu), then distribute the results to individuals doing
work for non-profit groups.
-This version has full ASP support, and may still be distributed
freely. You can use us for free support.
MNU Manual Page 7
-Added self detection of monochrome monitors.
-Moved help to separate .DOC file, for a smaller .exe and easier
maintenance.
TWSELECT was written by Tom J. Woodgerd, using the FORCE
compiler. It has been released into the public domain, to be
used freely. The author provides no warranty or support, but
your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Sept 11, 1992 - Tom J. Woodgerd, 1018 State St., Helena MT
59601. You can leave messages on Worthy Computer BBS, (406)
443-7508.
Sept 11, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.12
- Cleaned up the HELP screens and uploaded to several BBS's.
Worthy Computer, HUGE, FORCE BBS.
- Changed environment variable WPUSER to TWID.
July 27, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.12
- Added mono capabitity. Just "set twclr=mono".
July 05, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.11
- Fixed bug in ASK.
- Changed USERNAME to LANUSER.
- Changed to not save history if errorlevel = 0.
- Added extra info to info screen (F1).
June 29, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.10
- Changed to save all user selections to <twdr>\TWSELECT.DBF if
the environment variable "TWDR" is set to C: etc.
June 26, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.09
- Changed to show time as hh:mm:ss.
June 17, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.08
- Added Help Screen. Added ability to display the TWSAV
message when in screen saver mode.
June 15, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.07
- Unable to fix "timer_entry()" to not conflict with EXTRA!
and other tsrs. The clock display and the screen saver now
only work if the environment variable "TWSAV" is set to "Y".
June 13, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.06
- Fixed bug in "civilian" time display.
MNU Manual Page 8
June 10, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.05
- Added option to put the header in environment variable called TWP.
- Changed timeout to 10 minutes.
May 26, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.04
- Changed lead in on menu items to "A. ", "B. ", etc.
- Changed menu header to use a box.
May 13, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.03
- Added ability to jump to menu option when the first character
of the option is pressed. Also got rid of automatic upper
casing on menu items.
P. C. Softsmith warranty information:
THE DOCUMENTATION AND ASSOCIATED SOFTWARE ARE DISTRIBUTED AND
SOLD WITH NO WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING
ITS MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENTATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
WITHOUT NOTICE AND DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMMITTMENT ON THE
PART OF THE VENDOR.
OTHER PRODUCT AND BRAND NAMES MENTIONED ARE TRADEMARKS OR
REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE HOLDERS.
SPECIFICALLY XBASE IS THE GENERIC DATABASE INDUSTRY
REPLACEMENT FOR THE REGISTERED TERM DBASE OWNED BY BORLAND
INTERNATIONAL.