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CD ROM Paradise Collection 4 1995 Nov.iso
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HDMENU.DOC
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1995-01-09
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Hard Disk Menu System v3.2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright 1992-1994 S.Griffiths, All Rights Reserved
HDMenu is a complete DOS based menu system for the DOS user sick of all
the menu systems out there that have annoying features, and that lack
flexibility. HDMenu offers all the normal menu features with a pleasant
looking screen layout, with full configuration options. HDMenu doesn't
attempt to be a anti-virus package and/or a DOS interface like other menu
systems as there are always plenty of other shareware programs that do a
much better job. The shareware version is not restricted in any way other
that the supplier text at the top of the screen. The shareware version has
a standard shareware blurb when loaded (doesn't display when returning to
menu after loading a menu item). HDMenu also includes a utility called
AutoScan which contains over a thousand programs. AutoScan searches the
hard disks for applications and then creates the menu automatically.
HDMenu is shareware and can be distributed accordingly, if you decide to
use HDMenu the registration fee is only $45 (N.Z.) plus $5 for P&P. The
registered version will display your name at the top of the menu, and the
shareware adverts are of course removed.
There is also the option for computer dealers (or whoever) to purchase
their own copy with there company details (or whatever) at the top of the
screen & the ability to create their own screen blanking logos. For a only
a one-time fee HDMenu can be registered with your specific details (which
then can't be changed), and then that copy of HDMenu can be distributed
freely to who ever you choose and run on as many computers as you want.
Menu Screen Blanking Logo files can be easily designed and encrypted (to
prevent changes) and used with HDMenu to generate repeat business from
your customers.
HDMenu offers:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
o Full Microsoft mouse support.
o On-line Help.
o Passwords available on all options, including Submenus,
Exit to Dos, Menu Maintenance, and Configuration.
o Screen Blanking (with a text logo screen).
o Simple menu editing, including Cut and Paste, Swap,
and a easy add option.
o System Information for details on memory, disk
drives, screen type, printer & serial ports, etc...
o Complete menu is only one 174K uncompressed
executable file (Direct Access v5.1 totals over 620K
of compressed files).
o No memory overhead when running applications, menu
uses batch files.
o Uses extended VGA colours.
o Automatically scan hard disk for applications and
create menu.
o Supports parameter passing.
o Can be run on a Network.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REFERENCE TO HDMENU IN THIS DISCLAIMER AND LICENSE APPLIES TO ALL FILES
AND PROGRAMS CONTAINED WITHIN THE HDMENU ARCHIVE/DISK. THIS SOFTWARE AND
MANUAL ARE SUPPLIED "AS IS". THE AUTHOR HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE AND ITS DOCUMENTATION FILE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGE TO HARDWARE, SOFTWARE AND/OR DATA FROM
USE OF THIS PRODUCT. IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR OF THIS SOFTWARE BE
LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES. YOUR USE OF THIS
SOFTWARE INDICATES THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE AND OTHER TERMS
INCLUDED IN THIS DOCUMENTATION FILE.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF EVOLVING PROGRAMMING AND THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND
SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS IN WHICH THIS SOFTWARE MAY BE USED, IT IS UNDERSTOOD
THAT OCCASIONAL "BUGS" OR UNFITNESS MAY ARISE. THE USER SHOULD ALWAYS TEST
THIS SOFTWARE THOROUGHLY WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT.
LICENSE
~~~~~~~
HDMENU is distributed as shareware. This means that you are granted a
limited license to use it for a period of 30 days. If you find it useful
and decide to continue using it after the trial period, registration is
required. HDMENU is neither free software nor is it in the public domain.
The software and its documentation, this file, are property of the author
and may not be sold without written permission from the author.
Registered users will be granted a just-like-a-book license which means a
registered version of the software can be used by more than one person and
can be moved from one computer to another so long as there is NO
POSSIBILITY of it being used by two different persons on two different
computers at the same time, just like a book can not be read by two
different persons in two different places at the same time.
A dealer license allows you distribute as many copies of HDMENU as you
like, to whomever you please, provided no charge is made and the following
distribution terms are met.
TERMS OF DISTRIBUTION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Redistribution of HDMENU must include the software, its documentation
file, and all supplemental files as a single unit without any modification
AND subject to the following conditions:
1.Any individual is welcome to make copies for his/her friends and/or
colleagues if NO FEE is charged.
2.Electronic bulletin boards, whether they charge or do not charge their
users subscription fee, are welcome to post the program for down loading
as long as they do not charge any fee in particular for the distribution
of HDMENU.
3.Non-commercial user groups and computer clubs may distribute the program
to their members if only a small distribution fee charged.
4.Disk vendors approved by the Association of Shareware Professionals or
disk vendors who explain the concept of shareware in their ads that
quote a price may distribute the shareware version of HDMENU.
5.Other commercial enterprises wishing to distribute HDMENU either alone
or in combination with other hardware, software, books or materials must
obtain permission in writing from the author.
HOW TO REGISTER
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please read this section before filling out the order form. The
registration fee is only $45 and $5 for P&P (N.Z.). Registered users may
obtain a copy of the latest version of HDMenu at any time for $5 (plus $5
for P&P). Registering HDMenu also includes AutoScan.
1. Read the License information (above)
2. Foreign order. Payment in the following forms is accepted:
A. Cash (Please note that the author cannot be responsible
for any loss in the mail)
B. Bank check.
C. International money order issued by banks, etc...
Shipping and handling charges are the same for N.Z. users and foreign
users. For pricing or other information regarding purchasing HDMENU for
your business for UNLIMITED distribution of HDMenu with your own supplier
details at the top, please contact me at the address contained in the
order form.
Installing HDMenu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To install HDMenu the archive file needs to be extracted, which if you are
reading this had already been done. The only file that are compulsory to
run HDMenu are HDMENU.SCN and HDMENU.EXE, the rest can be created from
defaults. Place the following files into a directory (the directory name
is irrelevant):
Archive files:
MENU.BAT - Batch file to start menu (gets created by SETUP or HDMENU)
HDMENU.EXE - Menu Program file
HDMENU.HLP - Menu Help file (text)
HDMENU.SCN - Screen Blanking logo file
HDMENU.DAT - Menu Data file (sample menu supplied)
HDMENU.CFG - Configuration file (gets created by SETUP or HDMENU)
SETUP.EXE - Program to create initial batch file & default config file
HDMENU.DOC
README.DOC
VENDOR.DOC
AUTOSCAN.DBF
AUTOSCAN.EXE
REGISTER.FRM
FILE_ID.DIZ
Run the setup program and select your screen type, which creates
HDMENU.CFG and MENU.BAT. Start the menu by running the batch file
MENU.BAT. The files MENU.BAT and HDMENU.CFG can also be created by running
HDMENU.EXE directly.
Using HDMenu
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The help file within the menu (HDMENU.HLP) contains all the operation
instructions, this can be viewed by pressing F1, or the instructions can
be printed by following the steps in the help file.
Using AutoScan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AutoScan is a utility to make things easier when you are setting up a
menu. What AutoScan does is search all the files on your hard disk(s) for
programs that it recognises. Programs that are automatically detected are
then added to the menu file. The AutoScan database currently contains over
a thousand programs.
When AutoScan is run (without any parameters) it automatically searches
all the hard drives that are available on your computer. AutoScan will
create a HDMENU.DAT file in the directory that it is run, this will
normally be the same as the menu's directory. If a HDMENU.DAT file is
already present (ie. you have the default menu file, or have setup your
own menu items) then when AutoScan starts it allows you to choose how the
current HDMENU.DAT is dealt with. The options available are [O]verwrite,
[A]ppend, or [Q]uit, pressing the first letter of each of these selects
that option. Firstly, overwrite will cause any menu items currently setup
in HDMENU.DAT to be lost, don't run this option if you have already setup
your menu and don't want to lose all the items that are currently on the
menu. Selecting append will first load the existing HDMENU.DAT and then
search the hard disks for other applications adding these to the existing
menu. Select quit by pressing Q if you don't want to do either of these
options. Once AutoScan has started it will search all the hard drives and
save a HDMENU.DAT file and then simply return to DOS.
Options
~~~~~~~
Several command line options (or parameters) are available when running
AutoScan. These can be entered in upper or lower case. A help screen can
be displayed for these commands by type 'AUTOSCAN /?'. The syntax for the
options are:
AUTOSCAN [drive list] [options]
Options: /A - Allow duplicates on the menu
/P - Prevent duplicates on the menu (default)
/D - Display duplicates in database
/M - Go into maintenance mode
The drives that AutoScan searches can be controlled by specifying which
drives you would like searched. For example if you are on a network and
would like to search your own C drive and perhaps the network drives F and
J you would enter 'AUTOSCAN CFJ'. Note no spaces or colons are required
between the drive letters.
The options '/A' and '/P' are basically self explanatory. A duplicate is
determined when two menus item have the same description and are on the
same submenu. For example if you wanted to allow duplicates on the menu
and only search drives C and D you would enter 'AUTOSCAN CD /A'.
The option '/D' searches through the AutoScan database for any duplicates
that may have been created. A duplicate in the database is different to a
duplicate on the menu (explained above). A duplicate in the database is
when two programs have the same description and executable file. When this
option is used no search is performed. This is only available in the
dealer version.
The '/M' options put AutoScan into the maintenance mode to allow the
programs detected to be changed. This is explained in detail below, and is
only available in the dealer version.
Maintenance
~~~~~~~~~~~
When the maintenance mode is used, the database is loaded and a list of
the programs that AutoScan can detect is displayed on the screen. To move
about the list you can use the arrow keys to move up and down or switch
columns, page up and page down will skip a whole page at a time and
control+page up/down will go to the top or bottom of the file. The
programs are always sorted by the program description. The mouse can also
be used to click onto items, or use the scroll bars to move through the
list of items. For full information on the using of the maintenance
screens please see the help file from within HDMenu where this is
explained in full.
Key summary:
INSERT - Adds a item to the AutoScan database
DELETE - Deletes the current item, without prompting
ENTER - Edits the current item
F - Find text
ESC - Exits AutoScan maintenance (prompts for saving)
Each program that AutoScan can detect requires several pieces of
information. These are the description to give the program on the menu,
the executable file that the menu is to run (either a BAT, COM or EXE
file), two other files that are also required for this program to be
present, the submenu it is to go on, and any parameters you may wish to
use.
The executable file requires a full filename to be entered with an
extension, for example 'PARADOX.EXE' or 'BACKUP.BAT'. The two addition
file names are to help verify that AutoScan has detected the correct
program. For example many programs may use a file called 'START.EXE', if
this is all that is entered without any additional files then AutoScan may
detect other programs that were not intended (and hence the description
will be wrong), but by adding the extra file names this can be prevented.
These extra files must also be in the same directory as the executable
file, for example 'MAIN.DAT' and 'SOUNDS.WAV' may also be part of a
program. These additional files must also have a full filename with
extension.
The parameters allow additional information to be supplied to the program
when it is run from HDMenu. The parameters act as if they were entered as
normal command line options. For example if you wanted to add the DOS
command CHKDSK to AutoScan and also use the parameter /F, then
'CHKDSK.EXE' would be the executable and the parameters would contain
'/F'.
The submenu field allows the programs detected to grouped in their
appropriate categories. This can any text that you wish to enter, like
'Games' or 'Utilities', then any programs detected will be placed on that
particular submenu. The existing items in the AutoScan database have
standard submenus for the programs, to use these you can simply use the
standard headings as listed below:
Application
Communications
Database
Desktop Publishing
Dos Utilities
Environment
Educational
Games
Graphics
Integrated Packages
Programming Languages
Project Management
Spreadsheets
Utilities
Word Processing
Windows Applications
If no submenu name is entered then the program will be added to the main
menu, this is best done when the program is a common frequently used
program.
When searching for text the search is done from the current item to the
bottom, if the search is successful the item containing the match is then
made the current item, if no match is found then nothing happens. All
items are searched (description, file names etc...). To search all the
records use [control+pageup] to go the to begining of the list first.
If changes are made the database when exiting a prompt appears to allow
the changes to be saved to disk, otherwise pressing ESC will return to
DOS.