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JP Software
4DOS for Windows NT Shareware README.DOC
Version 2.5 -- October 12, 1994
[Copyright 1993 - 1994, JP Software Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Published by JP Software Inc., P.O. Box 1470, E. Arlington, MA 02174
USA, (617) 646-3975. 4DOS is a registered trademark of JP Software Inc.
Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Other product and
company names are trademarks of their respective owners.]
[PLEASE NOTE: This product is named "4DOS", and this version is more
fully described as "4DOS for the Windows NT Operating System". For
brevity, in this file and throughout our documentation we refer to "4DOS
for Windows NT", to "4DOS/NT", or to the program file name, 4NT.EXE or
4NT. When "4DOS" is used by itself the reference is to our DOS product.
See ORDERINF.DOC for information on 4DOS, 4OS2, and all JP Software
products.]
This file contains a variety of information you should read before using
4DOS/NT, including:
* Changes in version 2.5 * Technical support
* Files included with 4DOS/NT * Bulletin board support
* Installation instructions * Shareware and ASP policies
* Upgrading from 4DOS/NT 2.0
For complete product and ordering information, see the file
ORDERINF.DOC, or call us at (800) 368-8777 (USA only, orders only
please!) or (617) 646-3975. The order form is included separately in
the file ORDER.FRM.
For complete installation instructions, see page 4. These instructions
cover installation procedures for both new users and those upgrading
from a previous version of 4DOS/NT.
The license agreement which governs your use of 4DOS/NT is included
separately in the file LICENSE.DOC. Please read it before ordering.
For more information on the shareware system under which you obtained
4DOS/NT, see page 6.
This file, like all our ASCII documentation files, is formatted at 58
lines per page, and contains form feeds and page footers. It can be
viewed with a file viewer such as the 4DOS LIST command, or printed on
most PC printers using the command:
copy readme.doc prn
Printing it with a program that formats the pages is not likely to work
due to the formatting included in the file. (10/94-2.5A)
4DOS/NT 2.5 [10-12-94] README.DOC page 1
Changes in Version 2.5
Be sure to read the installation instructions in this file before
installing 4DOS/NT 2.5!
Version 2.5 is a major new release of 4DOS/NT. It coincides with
similar major releases of our other command processors: 4DOS version
5.5 and 4OS2 version 2.5.
If you are a current 4DOS for Windows NT user, be sure to check over
the list of changes in this version, in the file UPDAT25.DOC, BEFORE
you begin using version 2.5! The list below gives only a very small
sample of what's new in this version. If you're a new 4DOS/NT user,
you can skip UPDAT25.DOC.
Here is a partial list of the new features in this version:
* The new FFIND command can quickly locate a file by name,
or find text within a file, anywhere on your system. You
can even use extended wildcards for both filenames and
text, allowing fast, flexible searches.
* The maximum file description length has been increased
to 511 characters.
* Colors can now be specified as either digits or the
color name to help those who are running out of room for
ColorDir specifications.
* LIST now supports wildcards in searches, so you can look
for text using all the extended wildcard features you
already use to search for files.
* KEYSTACK automatically calculates scan codes for you,
making it easier to enter keystrokes for troublesome
programs that require them.
* New variables and functions for batch programmers
include keystroke detection, binary file reads and writes,
string formatting, and conditional calcualations.
* Errors in batch files display the batch file name and
the line number where the error occured.
* All file processing commands now support file selection
by attribute (e.g. you can easily delete all hidden files
or copy all read-only files)
* Directory histories are inherited and can be global like
aliases and command history.
* @FINDFIRST/@FINDNEXT now support include lists.
4DOS/NT 2.5 [10-12-94] README.DOC page 2
Files Included with 4DOS for Windows NT Version 2.5
Please note that the way your copy of 4DOS for Windows NT is
"packaged" will vary depending on the distribution method (5.25"
disk, 3.5" disk, or on-line). In general there will be one 5.25",
1.2MB disk, or one 3.5" 720K disk. On-line copies will be in one
.ZIP file, typically named 4NT25.ZIP or 4DOSNT25.ZIP.
In addition, you may choose to download the 4DOS, 4OS2, and 4DOS/NT
Reference Manual (the file is named REFMAN.DOC, and is typically
stored in the file JP4REF.ZIP). This is a large file and much of the
same information is available in the online help system, but we do
make the ASCII version of the manual available for those who wish to
download it.
Similarly, if you have a printed version of the previous 4DOS/NT 2.0
Reference Manual and want to download the addendum to update it to
version 2.5, look for the file JP4ADD.ZIP, which contains
ADDENDUM.DOC. The addendum is shipped to you automatically if you
order an upgrade to version 2.5 from JP Software.
ZIP files distributed by JP Software will display the message
"Authentic files Verified! # VHJ325 JP Software Inc." when they
are unzipped. If you do not see this message, the ZIP file you are
using has been modified. This does not necessarily indicate a
problem, but it does alert you to the fact that the file has been
changed since it was created by JP Software.
The following files are included with this version of 4DOS for
Windows NT:
4NT.EXE 4DOS for Windows NT program file
4NT.DOC ASCII copy of the 4DOS for Windows NT
Introduction and Installation Guide
4NT.HLP 4DOS for Windows NT help text
4NT.ICO A sample 4DOS/NT icon
ALIASES Sample aliases
BATCOMP.EXE Batch file compression utility
LICENSE.DOC 4DOS/NT shareware license agreement
ORDER.FRM 4DOS for Windows NT shareware order form
ORDERINF.DOC Ordering and product information
README.DOC This file
REFMAN.DOC 4DOS, 4OS2, and 4DOS/NT combined reference
manual (must be downloaded separately, see
above)
SAMPLES.BTM Sample 4DOS/NT batch files (all samples are
included in one file)
SHRALIAS.EXE Utility program for retention of global alias
and history lists
SUPPORT.BBS Information on Channel 1, the independent BBS
used for 4DOS/NT support
SYSOP.DOC 4DOS/NT information for BBS sysops
4DOS/NT 2.5 [10-12-94] README.DOC page 3
TOUR.DOC The 4DOS for Windows NT Guided Tour
documentation
TOUR1.BTM Batch file used for the 4DOS/NT "tour" (see
and TOUR2.BTM TOUR.DOC)
UPDAT25.DOC Information on changes in 4DOS/NT version 2.5
VENDOR.DOC 4DOS/NT information for shareware disk
vendors
Installation Instructions
(These instructions do not cover diskette installation, because when
4DOS/NT is installed from diskette this file is not visible until
after installation is complete.)
Whether or not you presently have 4DOS/NT installed, create a new
directory for version 2.5. Decompress your downloaded 4DOS/NT 2.5
files into this directory. You can print the 4DOS/NT Introduction
and Installation Guide, or any documentation file (including this
one), by copying it to the printer with the COPY command.
For a guided tour of 4DOS/NT features see the instructions in
TOUR.DOC. To install 4DOS/NT completely, follow the manual
installation instructions in Chapter 1 of 4NT.DOC, disregarding the
discussion of extracting files from the diskettes.
Upgrading from 4DOS/NT Version 2.0 to version 2.5
Be sure to go over the changes in version 2.5, in the file
UPDAT25.DOC, before you start using it. 4DOS/NT 2.5 should always be
installed in a different directory (or if you have a floppy-disk
system, on a different disk) than any earlier version.
To upgrade from 4DOS/NT 2.0 to version 2.5, simply modify any objects
on your Windows NT desktop which refer to the version 2.0 files to
reflect the new directory where version 2.5 is stored. For example,
your version 2.0 object might be set up like this:
Command Line: C:\4NT20\4NT.EXE
Working Directory: C:\
To modify this for version 2.5, simply change the first line to
reflect the new directory, for example:
Command Line: C:\4NT25\4NT.EXE
Working Directory: C:\
If you keep any 4DOS/NT startup or exit files (4NT.INI, 4START, or
4EXIT) in your 4DOS/NT directory, be sure to move or copy the old
files into the directory where version 2.5 is stored.
4DOS/NT 2.5 [10-12-94] README.DOC page 4
Once you have 4DOS/NT version 2.5 in the proper directory, obtain a
copy of the BRAND program which came with your registered copy of
4DOS for Windows NT version 2.0, put it in the same directory as the
version 2.5 files, and run it with the command BRAND. Follow the on-
screen instructions to install your name and serial number into
4NT.EXE. The information needed to BRAND your copy is on the small
blue "Brand ID Card" which came with your copy of 4DOS/NT. If you
cannot find this card with your branding codes, you can order a
replacement from JP Software for $5.
Technical Support
We support 4DOS for Windows NT in our own CompuServe area, section 10
of the PC Vendor B forum (GO PCVENB). If you are not currently a
CompuServe subscriber, consider a special offer CompuServe has made
to 4DOS/NT users: call 1-800-848-8199 (outside the US and Canada
call 614-457-0802) and ask for operator 178 to receive a free
CompuServe introductory membership, including user ID, password, and
a $15 connect time credit.
For technical support on the Internet send mail to
75300.1215@compuserve.com.
Support is also available by phone (617-646-3975), fax (617-646-
0904), and mail (JP Software, PO Box 1470, E. Arlington, MA 02174).
Telephone support hours and availability may vary depending on our
current staffing pattern and workload; there may not always be a
support representative available when you call, in which case we will
take a message and call you back. We return calls as soon as
possible, and our normal policy is to return all calls within at most
24 hours (weekends and holidays excluded).
Bulletin Board Support for 4DOS/NT
4DOS for Windows NT product support is always available on our
support BBS, Channel 1 in Boston. Channel 1 is an independent BBS
(not operated by JP Software) which has generously offered to provide
a home for 4DOS/NT BBS support. Phone 617-354-3230 to access Channel
1 at 2400 - 14,400 baud (no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit).
If you have access to a local bulletin board which is a member of any
of the major BBS networks (RIME / PC Relay, ILink, SmartNet, or
FidoNet), you can discuss 4DOS/NT with other users, and obtain
limited support from JP Software, by leaving messages in the
network's "4DOS" conference.
4DOS/NT 2.5 [10-12-94] README.DOC page 5
Downloading 4DOS/NT Files
You can download 4DOS for Windows NT upgrades and other files from
CompuServe or the Channel 1 BBS (see above), or from our Internet ftp
site. To download files from CompuServe, go to the PC Vendor B forum
(GO JPSOFT or GO PCVENB) and look for the files you want in Library
10. On Channel 1, join conference 5 and then download the files you
need (as long as you join conference 5 before downloading you will be
able to download 4DOS/NT files even if they appear to be too large
for your remaining time on the system). On the internet, download
the files you need via ftp from ftp.std.com, directory
\\vendors\jpsoft (for general JP Software files) or directory
\\vendors\jpsoft\4dosnt (for 4DOS/NT-specific files).
Shareware Copies of 4DOS/NT
If you obtained 4DOS for Windows NT from a shareware disk vendor, an
on-line computer service or bulletin board, a friend or colleague, or
another similar source, you have an unregistered (trial) copy. As
the copyright holder for this software, JP Software allows and
encourages you to use this trial copy without charge for a limited
period of time, under the terms of our license agreement (see
LICENSE.DOC). After this time is up, you must purchase (register and
pay for) the product to continue using it.
This method of distribution is known as shareware. It allows you to
determine whether the product meets your needs before you pay for it.
Payment of the shareware registration fee for 4DOS/NT entitles you to
a complete copy of the product with typeset-quality printed and bound
manuals; the ability to download an upgrade to the next major release
of the product; continued technical support via electronic mail or
telephone; and a subscription to "The Prompt Solution", JP Software's
customer newsletter.
Association of Shareware Professionals
The authors and publisher of 4DOS/NT are members of the Association
of Shareware Professionals (ASP), an organization formed to
strengthen the future of shareware. Its members, all of whom are
programmers who subscribe to a code of ethics, are committed to the
concept of shareware as a method of marketing.
The ASP sets standards for its members and their shareware products
which provide that programs produced by ASP members must be fully
documented, non-crippled, and offered with at least a minimum level
of support. It also sets standards for shareware disk vendors and
provides information to the public about shareware.
4DOS/NT 2.5 [10-12-94] README.DOC page 6
ASP Ombudsman Statement
JP Software is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals
(ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for
you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an
ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to
help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem
with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for
members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover
Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe
Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
4DOS/NT 2.5 [10-12-94] README.DOC page 7