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EZ MENU Hard Disk Management System Version 2.2 Copyright (C) 1991 James B. Adams Blue Ace Software All rights reserved Blue Ace Software 290 Oakmere Drive Alpharetta, GA 30201 Compuserve ID: 70421,3554 _______ ____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .............................................. 3 Features of EZ MENU ............................... 3 INSTALLATION .............................................. 4 List of EZ MENU files ............................. 5 CUSTOMIZING EZ MENU ....................................... 6 EZCONFIG Customization Utility .................... 6 EZCONFIG Command Line Functions ................... 6 Customize Command Line Functions .................. 7 Adding or Changing your Password .................. 7 Changing EZ MENU Colors ........................... 8 Changing EZ MENU Screen Blank Time ................ 8 Default settings .................................. 8 Menu-Definitions Command Line Functions............ 9 Menu Name ......................................... 9 Program Path Specification ........................ 9 Optional Parameters ............................... 10 Program Description ............................... 10 Defining EZMAIN ................................... 10 Sub-Menus ......................................... 11 Defining a Sub-Menu ............................... 11 The EZ MENU Hard Disk Management System ................... 13 EZ MENU Command Line Functions .................... 13 Using the Datebook/Calendar ....................... 14 Datebook Command Line Functions ................... 14 Changing the Year ................................. 14 Large Calendar .................................... 14 Editing and Adding a Datebook Entry ............... 14 Edit Commands ..................................... 15 Deleting Datebook Entries ......................... 15 Packing the Datebook Data file .................... 16 Printing a datebook entry ..........................16 Setting the Date and Time ......................... 17 Locking the Keyboard .............................. 17 Screen Blank Feature .............................. 17 PROBLEMS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT ............................ 18 User support ...................................... 18 Commonly asked Questions .......................... 18 Error messages .................................... 20 DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE ................................... 21 DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT .................................... 22 REGISTRATION FORM ......................................... 24 WELCOME TO EZ MENU! EZ MENU is a menu driver program for easy selection of your favorite MS-DOS/PC-DOS application programs. With EZ MENU you can select a program with one keystroke or the click of a mouse. FEATURES of EZ MENU Eighteen selections per menu with unlimited sub-menus. Full Mouse Support. Custom Colors for text and background. Optional user defined password for entry security. Keyboard Lock-out with user defined password for protection from inadvertent keyboard input. Nice if you have small children around that like to play on the computer. Automatic Screen Saver. Protects your monitor from image burn-in. Calendar/Datebook with highlighted day and matching datebook entry. Can be used as an electronic diary, scheduler or reminder system. Prints datebook entry to your printer. Change DOS system time and date. Context sensitive help messages. EZ MENU is marketed under the shareware "try before you buy" concept. If you find this program of value to you, please regis- ter it with Blue Ace Software for only $25 per single installa- tion. You will find a registration form at the end of this instruction manual. By registering your copy of EZ MENU, you will be entitled to unlimited phone support for quick answers to questions you may have. You will also be notified of any changes and latest ver- sions. Special Deal! Help us market EZ MENU! Upload EZ MENU 2.2, in it's entirety just as you received it, to a BBS that DOES NOT already have EZ MENU 2.2, and I will reduce the cost of register- ing to only $15. Send a printed screen-dump of the BBS opening name/logo and include the location and BBS phone number with your registration fee. Send all correspondence to: Blue Ace Software 290 Oakmere Drive Alpharetta, GA 30201 EZ MENU pg 3. INSTALLING EZ MENU To install EZ MENU on your hard drive, make a subdirectory for your EZ MENU files; copy all EZ MENU files to this subdirec- tory and then type EZ. Follow these instructions. Installation for a floppy is similar. 1. Change to the drive that will contain EZ MENU by typing {drive:} Example: Type C: 2. Create a subdirectory for your EZ MENU files by typing MD {\subdirectory} Example: Type MD \EZMENU22 3. Copy ALL EZ MENU files to this new subdirectory by typing COPY *.* C:\EZMENU22 4. Now change to the new subdirectory by typing CD {\subdirec- tory} Example: Type CD \EZMENU22 5. Now you are ready to start configuring EZ MENU. Type EZ. 6. Refer to "CUSTOMIZING EZ MENU" for information on customiz- ing and setting up your menu definitions. Make a list of the programs you wish to install in EZ MENU. You will need to know the path of your programs such as {drive}{directory}{program name and extension}. Example: C:\EZMENU22\EZMENU.EXE. 7. If you want EZ MENU to come up automatically every time you turn on your computer you need to add EZ.BAT to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. First add your new EZ MENU directory to the PATH= statement. Example: PATH=C:\EZMENU22. This will allow you to type EZ from any prompt and access the EZ MENU system. If you have a long PATH= statement it is preferred if you put the EZ MENU directory near the front. Second, add EZ.BAT as the LAST statement to AUTOEXEC.BAT. This causes the EZ.BAT file to be executed as the LAST item in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Example AUTOEXEC.BAT: @ECHO OFF CLS PATH=C:\DOS;C:\EZMENU22 PROMPT $p$g MOUSE.COM EZ.BAT EZ MENU pg 4. List of EZ MENU files EZMENU.EXE The EZ MENU program file. EZCONFIG.EXE The EZCONFIG customization program file. EZMENU.DOC This documentation. EZLN.COM Non-registered Start-up Program. EZLR.COM Registered Start-up Program. README.1ST Important information. Read before installing EZ MENU. EZ.BAT The batch file to run EZ MENU program. EZCMD.BAT The batch file created by EZ MENU to run your application program. *.HLP Help files that hold the help text. *.MNU The user created menu definitions. EZMAIN is the first and "Main" menu file. EZMENU.CFG The user created customization file. ????DAT.DB The Datebook data files by year. ????DAT.IDX The Datebook index files by year. ORDER.FRM EZ MENU order form. EZ MENU pg 5. CUSTOMIZING EZ MENU EZCONFIG Customization utility. Use the EZCONFIG Customization utility to custom configure your EZ MENU system. To navigate around EZCONFIG, you can use the arrow keys, the PGUP/ PGDN keys, or the HOME and END keys. To make a selection from the command line, press the ALT key to highlight the first letter of the command item and press the appropriate letter. If you have a mouse, select a command by placing the mouse cursor over the command and press the left mouse button. You can make rapid arrow key like movements by holding down the right mouse button and "dragging" the mouse in the direction you would select with the arrow key. The right mouse button also has the effect of the ESC key. The command line functions are covered below according to "page". Duplicate functions such as Help, Save, and Back are the same in each page and are only covered once. EZCONFIG Command line functions Help <ALT+H>. To select context-sensitive help information. After reading the message, press any key to delete the help window. Customize <ALT+C>. To select the configuration page to input the password, color and screen blank time. Menu-Definitions <ALT+M>. To select the menu definitions page. Quit <ALT+Q> or F10. Quits to the EZ MENU system. EZ MENU pg 6. CUSTOMIZE Command line functions Save <ALT+S>. To save your selections to the EZMENU.CFG file. You will be returned to the main front page. Config-Default <ALT+C>. To reselect the default values. The values you see when you enter the customize page, if you have not created an EZMENU.CFG file are the default values. Notice that the default for the password is nothing. Back <ALT+B> or F10. This returns you to the beginning front page without saving. You will be prompted for another chance to Save. Even if you made no changes. CUSTOMIZE field definitions Adding or Changing your Password. System Password: To use a password, enter up to eight characters. Any print- able character may be used. The password will be echoed here in the EZCONFIG password entry field to allow you to see and change the password. However, the password is NOT echoed when entering EZ MENU or EZCONFIG. DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSWORD! The password will be required to initially enter EZ MENU or anytime when entering EZCONFIG. The password is case sensitive. If you forget your password, unless you have some sort of hardware security also installed in your computer, you can reboot your computer with a system diskette in your "A" drive. This will allow you to gain access to the EZMENU.CFG file. By doing the DOS type command TYPE EZMENU.CFG, you will be able to read the pass- word as the first field in the list. THE PASSWORDS AND SECURITY IN EZ MENU ARE NOT, NOR ARE THEY MEANT TO BE, A TOTAL FOOLPROOF SECURITY SYSTEM. EZ MENU pg 7. Changing EZ MENU Colors. Colors. You can enter up to 16 text colors and 8 background colors. The background colors MUST be 0 - 7. When selecting a color, enter the number that corresponds to the color box display. You can see immediate results to your selections by hitting the ESC key, or if you are in the bottom field, the Enter key. Text Color: The color of the window text, window border and titles are the same as the text that you choose for that window. Background Color: The background color for a window. Text Highlight Color: The color of the text used in high- lighted areas such as the menu selection bar. Background Highlight Color: The color used for highlighted areas such as the menu selection bar background. Help Text Color: The color of help window text. Help Background Color: The background color for help windows. Calendar Text: The color of the text and numbers in the calendar window. Calendar Background: The color of the calendar window back- ground. Calendar Day Highlight: The color of the highlighted day on the calendar. The default settings can be reset by selecting Config- Default <ALT+C>. Changing EZ MENU Screen Blank Time. Screen Blank Time: The time interval in minutes between screen blanks. You can choose a value up to 99 minutes. Choose a number low enough to protect your screen. Four to ten minutes are recommended. EZ MENU pg 8. MENU-DEFINITIONS Command line functions Edit/Add-Menu <ALT+E>. Displays a window to enter the name of the menu you want to edit or add. You will not be allowed to enter a name longer than eight characters. This name corresponds to the MENU NAME field. Delete-Line <ALT+D>. Deletes the entire line pointed to by the cursor. A window is displayed for conformation of Yes or No. Insert-Line <ALT+I>. Adds a line by moving all entries below the cursor down one line. MENU-DEFINITIONS Field definitions MENU NAME: The name of the menu you are currently defining. You may only use a maximum of eight characters. This name is appended with the extension .MNU and is used as the name for the menu definition file. Therefore, the characters MUST be appropriate for DOS filenames. This name is also used as the menu window title. The main level menu name is always "EZMAIN". You can not change this. DISK:\PATH\PROGRAM The path of your application programs. A pathname is a sequence of directory names followed by a filename. Each directo- ry name is separated from the previous one by a backslash (\). The general format of a pathname is as follows: {\directoryname}{\directoryname...}{\filename.ext}. Enter the disk and directory where the program is located; enter the program filename AND extension. EZ MENU will not be able to access your program without the extension. Example: C:\ezmenu.exe C: is the drive and the program ezmenu.exe is located in the root directory. C:\ezmenu22\ezmenu.exe EZ MENU pg 9. C: is the drive; \ezmenu22 is the directory; ezmenu.exe is the filename. A path may have multiple subdirectories. If you list the name of a sub-menu, do not include a path. EZ MENU uses the NAME of the menu, not the path in this instance. OPTIONAL PARAMETERS: Some programs accept additional switches or parameters for optional program operations. You may add them to the end of your program name just as you would if you were writing a batch file to start your program. For Example: C:\wordproc\program.exe /b. The /b might start the program in black and white mode. Notice the space after the program extension. DESCRIPTION: The description of your program or sub-menu as it will appear in the EZ MENU menu window. You may use one or more words as the description of your program or sub-menu. Defining EZMAIN 1. Enter disk, path, and program name information for the programs for this menu. 2. Enter program or sub-menu descriptions that will appear in the menu window. 3. After you have defined your EZMAIN menu, save it Save <ALT+S>. Example: /---------------------------------------------------------------\ |MENU NAME: EZMAIN | | | |DISK:\PATH\PROGRAM OPTIONAL PARAMETERS DESCRIPTION | |c:\wordproc\wordpro.exe Word Pro 3.0 | |c:\spread\spreadez.exe Spread Easy | |UTIL Utilities | \---------------------------------------------------------------/ If you are executing a batch file as one of your programs, you must add EZ.BAT to the end of the batch file if you want to return to EZ MENU on completion of the batch file. It is the same as for AUTOEXEC.BAT as discussed in INSTALLING EZ MENU on pg 4. EZ MENU pg 10. SUB-MENUS You can have unlimited sub-menus in EZ MENU. Each sub-menu may have the same 18 selections as EZMAIN. The name you give your sub-menu is used for three things. First, it is appended with .MNU to form the menu definition file that EZ MENU accesses to create the menu. Second, the name is used as the title of the sub-menu you are defining. Third, it is used in the "calling" menu as the menu you want to access, just like a program. Defining a Sub-Menu 1. To define a sub-menu choose Edit/Add-Menu <ALT+E>. 2. Type in the name of menu as described above in MENU NAME. 3. Enter disk, path and program name information for the pro grams or sub-menus for this menu. 4. Enter program or sub-menu descriptions to appear in the menu window. 5. After you have defined your sub-menu, save it Save <ALT+S> and go back to the menu Edit/Add-Menu <ALT+E> where the sub-menu will be selected FROM. Enter the menu name just as you did in the MENU NAME field when you defined the sub-menu. Put the menu name in a position in the list where you want the menu selection to appear in the current menu. Example: /---------------------------------------------------------------\ |MENU NAME: EZMAIN | | | |DISK:\PATH\PROGRAM OPTIONAL PARAMETERS DESCRIPTION | |c:\wordproc\wordpro.exe Word Pro 3.0 | |c:\spread\spreadez.exe Spread Easy | |UTIL Utilities | \---------------------------------------------------------------/ The UTIL sub-menu could be defined as: /---------------------------------------------------------------\ |MENU NAME: UTIL | | | |DISK:\PATH\PROGRAM OPTIONAL PARAMETERS DESCRIPTION | |c:\util\virbustr.exe Virus Buster | |c:\util\diskwash.exe Diskwash 1 | |d:\memfind.exe Memory Find | \---------------------------------------------------------------/ EZ MENU pg 11. You define sub-menus the same way that you do for EZMAIN. Remember to list the name of your new sub-menu on the previous menu in order to access it. You can "chain" your menus together by having a sub-menu listed on EZMAIN and then a sub-menu listed on the previous sub- menu and so forth. Or you can list all of your sub-menus on EZMAIN. By hitting the Esc key, EZ MENU always returns to EZMAIN. After application program execution, EZ MENU always returns to EZMAIN. If you would like to be able to access a menu other than EZMAIN from a sub-menu, put the sub-menu name in the program list for that menu. That way you can select it without having to return to EZMAIN with the Esc key. EZ MENU pg 12. The EZ MENU Hard Disk Management System Using EZ MENU is much like using the EZCONFIG customization utility. To navigate around EZ MENU, you can use the arrow keys, the PGUP/ PGDN keys, of the HOME and END keys. To make a selec- tion from the command line, press the ALT key to highlight the first letter of the command item and press the appropriate let- ter. If you have a mouse, select a command by placing the mouse cursor over the command and press the left mouse button. You can make rapid arrow key like movements by holding down the right mouse button and "dragging" the mouse in the direction you would select with the arrow key. The right mouse button when clicked also has the effect of the ESC key. To select a program from the menu, highlight the program either with the arrow keys and press Enter, or move the mouse cursor over the item and press the left mouse button. The command line functions are covered below according to "page". Duplicate functions such as Help, Save and Back are the same in each page and are only covered once. EZ MENU Command line functions Help <ALT+H>. To select context-sensitive help information. After reading the message, press any key to delete the help window. Datebook <ALT+D>. To select the Datebook/Calendar utility. Configure <ALT+C>. To select the EZCONFIG customizing utility. Time/Date <ALT+T>. To select the Time/Date change utility. Lock <ALT+L>. To select the Keyboard Lock-out feature. Quit <ALT+Q> or F10. Quits to DOS. EZ MENU pg 13. USING THE DATEBOOK/CALENDAR When entering the Datebook/Calendar area, you will notice that the current date in digital form is highlighted on the calendar and the current date in text form is displayed in the datebook window. Also, if you have any text entered in the date- book, it will be displayed in the datebook window in "low" inten- sity color. To move to a new day, you can use the arrow keys, the PGUP/ PGDN keys and the HOME and END keys; or you hold the right mouse button and "drag" the mouse in the direction you want the date to go. The corresponding text, if any, will change according to date. Datebook Command line functions Changing the Year Year <ALT+Y>. Allows you to change to a different year. You will be prompted by the datebook function asking if you want to create a new database for the new year. If you answer Yes, a new database with a file name of yyyyDAT.DB will be created in a subdirectory called \DATEBOOK. You will then be allowed to make datebook entries. By hitting Esc <Escape> the year change window will be deleted and you will not be in the Year Change mode. After selecting a new year, hitting HOME will return you to the cur- rent year. Large Calendar Calendar <ALT+C>. Selects a large six-month calendar. The months and years may be changed the same as the main calendar. Dragging the mouse (holding down the right mouse button and moving the mouse in a direction) is a rapid way to change months and years. Editing and Adding a Datebook Entry Edit <ALT+E>. If the database is open, and it should be if a yyyyDAT.DB file exists, you can enter and edit datebook entries. You will notice that a highlighted cursor appears in the datebook window. This is the point at which you may start entering text. After entering some text you will notice that the text is highlighted, unless you choose a bright color for your text in the EZCONFIG customization utility, in which case you will notice no differ- ence. When you save your work, the text returns to your normal text color (brightness). EZ MENU pg 14. With the scroll lock on you will be in the Auto Paragraph Align mode. In this mode, should you delete words or lines, the text is reformatted into a nice neat paragraph automatically. You can manually reformat your paragraphs by choosing Align <ALT+A>. If you have typed in several lines of text and decide you want to start all over, you can clear the entire page by choosing Clear <ALT+C>. This will clear the page and return the cursor to the top. Do not confuse this with the Delete Entry command which deletes an entry from disk. If after entering some text, you decide not to save your work, you may choose Esc <Escape>. You will be prompted "EXIT WITHOUT SAVING? Y/N". Enter Y to exit without saving your work. Enter N and you will return to the edit mode and have another chance to Save/Exit <ALT+S> which saves your work to disk and exits to the main datebook page. Following are the edit commands: -------Cursor Movement------- --------Page Movement------------- arrows = move text cursor Ctrl+Home = Beginning of File Alt+T = Top of Window Ctrl+End = End of File Alt+B = Bottom of Window PgUp = Beginning of Page Ctrl+ -> = Next Word PgDn = End of Page Ctrl+ <- = Previous Word Home = Beginning of line --------Editor Control------------ End = End of line Scroll Lock = Auto Paragraph Align ---------Block Controls----- ---------Edit Commands------------ Alt+A = Align Paragraph Alt+S = Save and Exit F5 = Mark Block Beginning Alt+C = Clear Page F6 = Mark Block End Ins = Toggle Insert Mode F7 = Move Block <-- = Backspace F9 = Copy Block Ctrl+T = Delete Word F10 = Unmark Block Ctrl+Y = Delete Line Deleting Datebook Entries Delete <ALT+D>. Allows you to permanently delete a datebook entry. The empty space is reused by the next datebook entry. You will be prompted for a chance to change your mind. EZ MENU pg 15. Packing the Datebook Data file. Filepack <ALT+F>. "Packs" the database by recovering the disk space held by deleted entries. You should perform Filepack after you have deleted several datebook entries if you want to keep the size of your datebook database file from becoming too large. Print <ALT+P> Prints to your printer the current datebook entry. You will be given a chance to set up your printer after selecting Print <ALT+P>. If you would like "Bold", "Condensed", "Elite" etc., set it up on your printer at the "Align paper and press ENTER" prompt according to your printer manufacturer. If your printer does not have the capability to set print fonts and styles at the printer, EZ MENU prints in normal or "Draft" mode. Back <ALT+B> or F10 This returns you to the main EZ MENU page. EZ MENU pg 16. Setting the Date and Time Time/Date <ALT+T>. Use the EZ MENU Set Time/Date feature to set or reset the computer system time and date. It functions like the DOS Time and Date routines. You will see immediate results after choosing Save/Exit <ALT+S>. Hit Esc <Escape> to return without making any changes. If you have other than your computer's OEM clock/calen- dar, you may need to execute the particular manufacturers clock/calendar software to make permanent changes. Locking the Keyboard Lock <ALT+L>. This feature is designed to protect against children playing on the computer and possibly entering areas that they should not. However, it can be used to lock out anyone without having to turn off the computer. To lock the keyboard, enter three unique key combinations or "password". Hit the Esc or Enter keys to abort the key lock process BEFORE the final key is entered. The password may contain a combination of a CTRL+{key}, ALT+{key} and SHIFT+{key}, i.e ALT+F10. For a complex password, you can have for example ALT+F10,CTRL+A,SHIFT+INSERT. It is wise to choose a password that you will remember however. To unlock the keyboard, reenter the three unique key combi- nation. If you make a mistake, hit the Esc key or the Enter key and start over. Remember, the security of this feature can be circumvented by rebooting the computer. Screen Blank Feature The screen blank feature is added to protect your monitor from image "burn-in". EZ MENU marks the time after all keyboard or mouse activity, and should the time between keyboard or mouse activities equal the time entered as the screen blank time, EZ MENU blanks the screen. You will see a floating window with the words, "EZ MENU.... press any key!" in the center and the time at the bottom. The window moves to a different position every 10 seconds. You may see that part of the window is off the screen at times. This is normal. The screen blanking feature is disabled during text or data entry. EZ MENU pg 17. PROBLEMS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT User Support Registered EZ MENU users will receive unlimited technical support. However, should you have trouble setting up EZ MENU for evaluation purposes, I will be glad to help you. Please send me a note about your problem. Commonly asked Questions Here are some of the most common problems that may occur in the setup and operation of EZ MENU. Q. I have a color monitor, but EZ MENU is in black and white. A. You have the DOS mode set for BW80 or MONO. Change to mode CO80. EZ MENU uses the mode for determining how the user wants to view EZ MENU, even if a color graphics card is in place. Likewise, if you have black and white monitor and a color graphics adapter, change to mode BW80 or mode MONO. Q. I just finished defining my menu and exited EZCONFIG but EZ MENU gave me a message stating that it could not find the menu definition file. A. Make sure that EZCONFIG and EZ MENU are in the same directo- ry. EZCONFIG puts the EZMENU.CFG file in the same directory as itself. EZ MENU looks for EZMENU.CFG in that directory. Make sure all EZ MENU files are in the same directory (except the datebook data and index files). Q. I typed EZ but got a message "Bad command or filename". A. You either do not have your EZ MENU directory listed in your AUTOEXEC.BAT PATH= statement or your EZ.BAT file does not exist. Check your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to make sure the PATH= statement has your EZ MENU directory listed. If you do not have EZ.BAT, start EZCONFIG by typing EZCONFIG, then exit EZCONFIG, Quit <ALT+Q>. EZCONFIG creates a new EZ.BAT. Q. I just selected a program from the menu, but the screen blanked for a split second and nothing happened. A. There has probably been a DOS related error, such as not enough memory. Or your application program could have prob- lems loading. Quit EZ MENU and double-check by starting your application program manually. EZ MENU pg 18. Q. When I select a program from the menu, I get a message that says "Unable to access program!". A. Determine if you typed your path and filename correctly and also added the extension to your program name. EZ MENU looks for the program in the path you defined before it executes the program. If your program is in the root direc- tory, make sure you add the backslash after the drive to let EZ MENU know it is in the root directory. Q. I defined a sub-menu, but I can't figure out how to access it. A. You did not list its name on EZMAIN or another sub-menu where you want to select it FROM. Remember to list its name in one of the DRIVE:\PATH\PROGRAM fields. It must be in the FIRST eight spaces. Also list the description in the DESCRIPTION field so the description will appear in the menu. Q. Thank you for the Keyboard Lockout feature, but after my children have played on the keyboard, I can not reenter my password on the first try. A. Try pressing the Esc or Enter to clear the keyboard buffer. Then you can enter your password on the first try. Q. Why can't I get any of the help windows to come up? A. The help information comes from files with the extension .HLP . Make sure these files are in the same directory as your EZ MENU files. Q. When I enter Edit Datebook my text remains as bright as before. It makes it hard to tell if I'm in edit mode. A. You have defined your regular text color to be a "bright" color (8 through 15). EZ MENU uses bright colors to indicate when you are in edit mode. Change your text color to a "dim" color (0 through 7). Q. I entered the Datebook area and saw a message "Datebook Index file missing or corrupted!", followed by "Building new index". What does this mean? A. EZ MENU uses the index file associated with the yyyyDAT.DB file to match entries with the proper days. If the computer is turned off or loses power for some reason during editing, EZ MENU pg 19. the index file may become damaged. EZ MENU automatically tries to build a new index file. The new file may not be accurate if the yyyyDAT.DB file was also damaged. In that case you may have to edit your datebook file to correct the accuracy of the entries. Q. I want to see the day that Columbus Discovered America but I get an error message that says "Date must be above 1583" when I try to change to that year. How come? A. EZ MENU's calendar is based on the Gregorian calendar which came into being in the year 1583, give or take a year. Dates earlier than that are not calculated by EZ MENU. ERROR MESSAGES 1. "Unable to access program". EZ MENU was unable to find your program according to your path statement. The most common error is a missing extension. 2. "No menu definitions found! Run EZCONFIG? Y/N". EZ MENU could not find the EZMAIN.MNU file. 3. "The file yyyyDAT.DB does not exist!" "Do you want to create it?". When opening a datebook, there must be a yyyyDAT.DB file in order to add entries. Answer Yes to create and open the file. 4. "The datebook file must be open!". Trying to add an entry to a datebook file that was not created. Return to the main EZ MENU page and reenter the Datebook area. Answer Yes to the prompt. 5. "Date must be above 1583". Changing to a year earlier than 1583 is not allowed. 6. "Datebook Index file missing or corrupted". The yyyyDAT.IDX file is missing or damaged. 7. "Unable to pack database!". The datebook file could not be packed most probably due to lack of disk space. 8. "Hour must be 23 or less!". Hour should be 0 - 23. 9. "Must be 59 or less!". Minutes and seconds should be 0 - 59. 10. "Month must be 12 or less but greater than zero!". Months are 1 - 12. 11. "Day must be ?? or less!". Depending on the month, days are either 28, 30 or 31. (Note: EZ MENU does not check for Feb 29th). EZ MENU pg 20. 12. "DEVICE ERROR: Check disk drive and press Enter!". Normally a disk drive door is not closed, but could be another hard- ware related problem. 13. "Help file not found!". EZ MENU or EZCONFIG could not find their respective help files. 14. "Screen Blank Time must be greater than zero!". You can not have a zero minute blank time. 15. "Background colors must be 7 or less!". The computer limits background colors to "dim" color values. 16. "Color must be 15 or less!". CGA graphics mode only allows 16 different color values. 17. "Numbers only". Data field is limited to numbers only. 18. "Printer not ready!". The printer is off or out of paper. DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With Registra- tion, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial soft- ware, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accom- plished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the pro- grams are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permis- sion before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. EZ MENU pg 21. DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT Users of EZ MENU must accept this disclaimer of warranty: EZ MENU is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warran- ties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of EZ MENU." EZ MENU is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using EZ MENU and continue to use EZ MENU after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registra- tion payment of $25.00 to Blue Ace Software. The $25.00 regis- tration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of EZ MENU must register and pay for their copies of EZ MENU within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Blue Ace Software. Anyone distributing EZ MENU for any kind of remuneration must first contact Blue Ace Software at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guide- lines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering EZ MENU immediately (However Blue Ace Software must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of EZ MENU.). You are encouraged to pass a copy of EZ MENU along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the EZ MENU system. EZ MENU pg 22. The Association of Shareware Professionals This program is produced by 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 member's 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. EZ MENU pg 23. E Z M E N U REGISTRATION FORM Date: ___________ Remit To: James B. Adams DBA Blue Ace Software 290 Oakmere Dr. Alpharetta, GA 30201 Please send Check or Money order. From: Name: _________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________ Version ______ Where did you acquire your copy of EZ MENU? _____________________ ________________________________________________________________ Quantity Description Unit Price Total ________________________________________________________________ EZ MENU Disk Management System _________ Single User Registration $25.00 ______ _________ Disk and Printed Manual $40.00 ______ Check one: ____ 5 1/4" Disk ____ 3 1/2" Disk _________ Upgrade from previous version $10.00 ______ Comments/Suggestions: EZ MENU pg 24. NOTES EZ MENU pg 25.