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DOSmenu (C)Copyright 1993 by Skip Bremer Version 4.1 10/25/93 TABLE OF CONTENTS ============================================================================== Topic Section ----- ------- Introduction ...................................................... 1 Miscellaneous ..................................................... 2 Requirements Recommendations Limits Start-Up Options Required Files Optional Files Quick Start ....................................................... 3 Start-Up Batch File ............................................... 4 Commands .......................................................... 5 DMUtil Utility Program ............................................ 6 Command Parameters The Menu File Editor DMQuery Batch Input Utility ....................................... 7 Setup ............................................................. 8 Initial Menu Creation Menu Configuration Noticing .......................................................... 9 Menu Definition ................................................... 10 Server-Based Convention Rules-Based Convention Notes Testing Your Menu Menu Rules ........................................................ 11 Rules Notes Loading Additional Menus Sub-Menus ......................................................... 12 Compiling Menu Files .............................................. 13 Translating Menu Files ............................................ 14 Temporary Batch Files ............................................. 15 DOS Environment Variables ......................................... 16 Examples .......................................................... 17 Init File Menu File Credits ........................................................... 18 Version Updates ................................................... 19 Shareware ......................................................... 20 Evaluation Copy Distribution Registration Disclaimer INTRODUCTION (1) ============================================================================== DOSmenu was designed as a simple yet powerful menu system for both network and DOS stand-alone environments. We work in an environment that demands an easily changeable, concise menu system to help us provide proper support for a large Netware 386 (tm) wide area network domain spanning Texas. The menu system we needed had to be both easy to use and very flexible and yet it had to stay out of the way as much as possible for our user operations. Quite simply, we couldn't find one, so we wrote our own. We hope it helps you as much as it has helped us in controlling our environment. Please use DOSmenu as you see fit, but if you continue to use it, please abide with the Shareware section of this documentation. Here is a quick overview of DOSmenu: o Small executable size. o Unlimited number of menus. o No memory taken by the menu system when running commands. o Run anything from the menu system including Terminate and Stay Resident programs (TSRs). o Many options to determine whether menu item is usable by a user such as user name(s), server name(s), node address(s), member of group(s), directory(s) available, file(s) available, password, and combinations of all of them. o Automatically knows Netware users, groups, servers and connection numbers. Substitutes are easily defined on other networks and stand-alone environments when necessary. o All switches/options and menus and their associated commands may be changed on-the-fly while users are using the menu system. They will all take effect after the next command run by each user. o Optional compilation of menu files provides ultimate menu security. o Can translate netware menu files. o Full mouse support with registered version. DOSmenu was written in Turbo Pascal 7.0 (real mode) with assembly extensions. MISCELLANEOUS (2) ============================================================================== Requirements ------------ DOSmenu's only known requirement is that it must run under DOS 3.1 or higher. It runs fine from a Windows DOS session and from DOS shells. Recommendations --------------- Consider placing the command SHELL=C:\COMMAND.COM /E:512 /P {or more} in all CONFIG.SYS files using this menu system. Although not required, if DOSmenu cannot find enough DOS environment variable space to write a menu command to a DOS variable, then it will not be able to run the command. Typically this involves only a few bytes, but it could take up to 80 bytes of environment space for the local machine running the system, depending on the associated command(s) for menu items. See the DOS Environment Variables section for a discussion on the use of DOS variables. Limits ------ Maximum menu files: unlimited Maximum menus per menu file: 20 (or less, depending on memory available) Maximum entries per menu: 20 Maximum DOS commands per menu item: 10 Maximum rights per menu item: 10 Maximum items per right: 10 Maximum length of menu items : 50 Maximum length of menu rights : 80 Maximum length of menu commands: 80 Maximum length of help lines: 61 Maximum question length: 50 Maximum active notices per user: 15 Maximum number of lines per notice: 10 Maximum length of notice lines: 70 Start-Up Options ---------------- DOSmenu is started with the command DOSMENU in a batch file. However, within this batch file, you may specify a user ID, a server name and/or a node address on the DOSmenu command line (after /BATCH). Normally this is not necessary because DOSmenu picks the user ID and server name up automatically on Netware networks and you may define DOS variables to be used within the DOSmenu init file which will then be used to determine the active user and active server on stand-alone environments. See the Setup section for complete information on this subject. Required Files -------------- The following files are necessary to run DOSmenu: DOSMENU.EXE The DOSmenu program. DMUTIL.EXE The DOSmenu utility program. Used to generate, edit, compile and decompile menu files. DOSMENU.INI The default DOSmenu init file initially generated and edited with DMUtil. This file is used to configure your menu system environment. DOSMENU.MNU The default DOSmenu menu file initially generated and edited with DMUtil. This file is your menu. MENU.BAT The start-up batch file initially generated and edited with DMUtil. This file may be called any name you wish. Optional Files -------------- DOSMENU.NTE The default DOSmenu note file initially generated and edited with DMUtil. This file holds user notices. You can edit this file any time you wish because it is dynamic from the users' standpoint. DMQUERY.EXE An external utility that gets and uses batch file input. See the DMQuery section for more. NOBRK.* This very useful utility can help to guarantee security within your menu system with an approach that is different than the inherent DOSmenu {r=nobreak} rights option. See Menu Definition for more on this right and NOBRK.ZIP for more on the NOBRK utility. Many additional utility programs and full mouse support are shipped with the registered version. QUICK START (3) ============================================================================== To quickly get the menu system up and running, do the following (check the documentation later for specifics): o Copy all DOSmenu files to a permanent home directory o Change to that home directory o Run 'DMUTIL /G' to generate the default menu files o Run 'DMUTIL /I' to setup the menu environment o Run 'DMUTIL /M' to setup specific menu items o Run 'DMUTIL /N' to setup specific user notices -optional o Run 'DMUTIL /C' to compile the menu file -optional o Move MENU.BAT to a directory in your users' path o Run 'MENU' to start the menu system START-UP BATCH FILE (4) ============================================================================== As part of the initial file generation performed by DMUtil, the file MENU.BAT will be made in DOSmenu's home directory. MENU.BAT must be in your users' path, but DOSMENU.EXE should remain in its home directory, where this batch file will look for it. All users must be able to 'read' this directory. DOSMENU.INI, DOSMENU.MNU and DOSMENU.NTE must always be in the same directory as DOSMENU.EXE. Here is a commented MENU.BAT: @echo off ;Cosmetics only ::this batch file must be in users' path f:\login\dosmenu /batch %1 %2 %3 %4 ;Point to and run DOSmenu {with parameters ; if desired (not required on Netware) ; and optionally enter a menu file name ::quitting the menu system? ;255 is passed when quitting is ok if errorlevel 255 goto END ;If so, then leave loop and batch file ::call variable set by dosmenu ;Otherwise, run the selected command or %_dosmenu% ; batch file passed by DOSmenu ::do it again ;Keep running the batch file (and the menu menu %1 %2 %3 %4 /rerun ; system) and until the system is stopped :END ;Place to go to when quitting Do not change the %_dosmenu% line! It is discussed under the Menu Rules section. Parameters are normally only needed if you are not running on Netware and have not set the names of the user ID variable and server name variable to be used by DOSmenu in the menu file and you are not running in a stand-alone environment. The DOS variable _dosmenu is loaded with either the actual menu command (if there was only one) or the temporary batch file path and name made by DOSmenu when it combined the commands for the selected menu item. Quitting will move to the end of the batch file, thereby stopping the system. You can place a quit command on your user's menu to do the same thing by defining the actual DOS command for that menu item to be 'goto END'. COMMANDS (5) ============================================================================== DOSmenu has very few commands. All users are required to do is point and shoot. There are a couple of commands, however, that at times may be worthwhile. F1 HELP DOSmenu contains context sensitive help. Press it anytime. F2 DOS This key will allow a user to perform any DOS command from within the confines of the menu system. You may password protext this command from within the init file. See the Setup section for complete information on this subject. F3 VIEW This key will always view the current DOS screen. This is useful after running a command that puts information that you need to see on the DOS screen. F9 NOTICES This allows the users to review any notices that were directed at them, and any new notice that may have been added since the last time they accessed the note file. F10 QUIT This key will quit DOSmenu (and quit the start-up batch file by passing a 255 errorlevel). You may password protext this command from within the init file. See the Setup section for complete information on this subject. ESC PREVIOUS Anytime a user is in a sub-menu, pressing Esc will back them up to the previous menu. This key forces the screen saver at the main menu. Esc also backs users out of prompts such as the command parameter prompt, if necessary. MOUSE (registered version only) Normally, the left mouse button simulates the Enter key and the right mouse button simulates the Esc key. However, you may also use the mouse to manipulate the scroll bars, point directly to menu items and then click on them to run them. DMUTIL UTILITY PROGRAM (6) ============================================================================== COMMAND PARAMETERS ================== The DMUtil program is designed to keep all of your menu maintenance requirements in one utility. Anything that you need to do to your menu system can be done with DMUtil. Here is the command syntax: DMUTIL /G|M|I|N|C|D|E|T [[PATH]FILENAME] where: /G = Generate the default DOSmenu batch, menu, init, and note files (discussed throughout the documentation) /B = Edit the DOSmenu start-up Batch file (MENU.BAT) (provides specific help for editing the start-up batch file) /I|M|N = Edit the DOSmenu Init|Menu|Note file (DOSMENU.INI|MNU|NTE) (provides specific help for editing the specific file type) /C|D = Compile|Decompile the DOSmenu init, menu, or note file (discussed in Compiling Menu Files section) /E = Edit any text file less than 64K in size (for convenience only) /T = Translate netware menu files (discussed under Translating Menu Files section) /B always defaults to MENU.BAT while /M|C|D always default to DOSMENU.MNU. /E|T require a filename while a filename is optional for /B|I|M|N|C|D. After you have compiled a menu, init, or note file, then when editing one of those files with DMUTIL /M|I|N, DMUtil will automatically decompile - edit - recompile the file for you. THE MENU FILE EDITOR ==================== The editor is a simple ascii text editor that has specific help screens depending on the menu file-type you are editing to give you some on-line help about that type of file. In actuality, any ascii editor can be used to edit the start-up batch, init, menu and note files. Here are the internal editor commands by keys: Normal Function Keys -------------------- F1 ?HELP Specific menu file-type help. F2 SAVE Saves the file being edited and continues editing. (^KS) F3 CUTB≈L Cut either the current line or the current block (if a block is highlighted) for later pasting. F4 PUTB≈L Pastes the last line or block that was cut (once). F5 COPYB Copies the marked block to the cursor position. (^KC) F6 MOVEB Moves the marked block to the cursor position. (^KV) F7 BEGINB Defines the beginning of a block. (^KB) F8 ENDB Defines the end of a block. (^KK) F9 HIDEB Toggles showing and hiding of a marked block. (^KH) F10 QUIT Quits editing. Alternate Function Keys ----------------------- F1 EHELP Basic editor help. F2 PRTB≈F Prints the highlighted block or the entire file to LPT 1, 2 or 3. (^KP) F3 DELB≈L Deletes the current block or line. (^KY) F5 WRITEB Writes the current block to a file. (^KW) F6 READB Reads a file into a block. (^KR) F10 DISPLAY Shows all file parts separate from non-file parts. A great way to find extra spaces at the end of lines. Also toggles between showing actual control characters and an easier-to-identify representation of them. (^OD) Miscellaneous Keys ------------------ Ins Toggles insert/overtype modes. (^V) Del Deletes character at the cursor. (^G) ^T Deletes word. ^BkSp Deletes word left. (^H) ^Y Deletes current line. ^QY Deletes line right. (AltK) ^QL Restores current line. (^U) ^OI Toggles auto indent mode. ^P Enters a control character with the next character typed. To enter an Escape character, press ^P and then Escape. ^QF Finds case insensitive. (^Z) ^QA Finds and replaces. The replace string case sensitive. (^A) ^L Does the next find or replace. (AltZ or ShiftTab) Note ---- Although the editor has blocking, it is only line oriented. DMQUERY BATCH INPUT PROGRAM (7) ============================================================================== DMQuery is a utility that can be used to provide input for batch files made with DOSmenu. Here are the command line parameters: DMQUERY N [/R|U|E|Danswer] where N = A number from 1..9 /R = Input is required (an answer must be given) /U = Input will be forced to upper case /E = Input will be echoed to the screen afterwards /Danswer = Input default answer will be ''answer'' (must be one word only) The DOS variable '@N' is temporarily used. DMQuery may be run from DOS or a DOS shell; however, it must be queried for and acted upon within the _same_ batch file, like this: @echo off'); echo What is your name? {your question}; dmquery 1 /r/e /dJoe {answer required, put in var @1, def=Joe}; if errorlevel 255 goto.. {not enough env space? -optional} echo %@1% {use answer variable @1 as you wish!} Here is an example DOSmenu menu item: ;----- Directory echo Directory of what? dmquery 1 echo Switches (/w, /p, etc)? dmquery 2 dir %@1% %@2% pause ;----- SETUP (8) ============================================================================== DOSmenu has two setup phases, the initial default file creation and the editing of those files. INITIAL MENU CREATION ===================== After moving all DOSmenu files to a permanent home directory, and then moving to that directory, you must run DMUTIL /G to generate the initial menu file set consisting of DOSMENU.INI (the init file), DOSMENU.MNU (the menu file shell), DOSMENU.NTE (the note file) and MENU.BAT (the start-up batch). DOSmenu must run from a batch file for the reasons discussed below. We will use the name MENU.BAT throughout this documentation, however it may be named anything you like as long as it ends in .BAT. MENU CONFIGURATION ================== After DOSMENU.INI is created, you need to edit it in order to set the environment to your specific system. You should edit this file with DMUTIL /I to get specific help about this file's options. (Then you will need to edit DOSMENU.MNU to make the actual menu(s)). The init file contains various options and switches that control how DOSmenu will work for you or your users. These are discussed here. Use Mouse= ---------- Default=yes. With the registered version, you may optionally use your mouse to manipulate your menu. A mouse driver (like MOUSE.COM) must be loaded on the work station to enable mouse support. Using Netware= -------------- Default=yes. This switch tells DOSmenu whether it should make Netware API calls to determine the actual user and server in force when it is running. These two pieces of information can be overridden by you whenever you wish by one of the following methods: Set DOS variables equal to the current network user and file server. This option is desired when running on non-Netware networks. For instance, if you set the DOS variable USER to the actual user ID in the network start-up script, then it will be found and used by DOSmenu if you enter USER as the user DOS variable with the option below. Non-Netware DOS User Var=uname Non-Netware DOS Server Var=sname Or you may place them directly in the batch file, like [path]dosmenu /batch /u:%uname% /s:%sname% or type them when running the batch file, like menu /u:uname /s:sname The priority DOSmenu uses to obtain this information is as follows: 1. Actual Netware information if Netware=yes and on a Novell network. 2. Already set DOS variables (this will override 1.). 3. Command line parameters (this will override both 1. and 2.). Non-Netware DOS User Var= ------------------------- Default={nothing}. As discussed above, this option allows DOSmenu to find the user ID for the person running the menu system when not on a Netware network (or when you decide to override the API method). Non-Netware DOS Server Var= --------------------------- Default={nothing}. As discussed above, this option allows DOSmenu to find the server name for the person running the menu system when not on a Netware network (or when you decide to override the API method). Any-Network DOS Node Var= ------------------------- Default={nothing}. This option allows DOSmenu to use the work station network node address as a determinant as to whether a menu item will be available or not (See Menu Definition section to learn how this is done). You may format the node address anyway you wish, as long as your network start-up script for each user uses the same format. Private Directory= ------------------ Default=c:\. DOSmenu will write an on-the-fly batch file for running menu commands embedded within the menu file ONLY when there is more than one command for the chosen menu item. When this happens, it is important that this batch file be written to an area within the user's network environment where that user has actual 'write' rights, else the batch file cannot be written. Typically, on most networks, a 'private' area is mapped for each user on start-up that is their personal mapped drive (actually just a network directory based on the user's ID) on the server. In such a case, you should place that location here. An example might be H:\ if you had mapped F:\USERS\%LOGIN_NAME to H:\ (on a Novell network). If no such directory is mapped or used on your network, then we suggest using C:\, which should always be private to the user for every session. If you would rather have all users write their on-the-fly batch files (when necessary) to the same location, that is ok as long as you are on a Novell network because DOSmenu also knows and uses the actual user connection number as part of the batch file name, e.g., @DMBAT4.BAT, where this user is using connection number 4. In this case, simply define the Private Directory as any place on the network where all users have 'write' rights. Remember, this batch file is only written if more than one DOS command is defined as part of a chosen menu item. If all of your menu items call already-created batch files or actual DOS EXE, COM, or BAT programs, then the Private Directory option will never be used by DOSmenu. You may actually specify two private locations for this option, like Private Directory=h:\,c:\ to help take care of special cases like when a user does not have the proper network mappings. On a stand-alone environment, you do not need to define a Private Directory. And in that case, any temporary batch files will be written to DOSMENU.EXE's home directory. Support Comment= ---------------- Default=For HELP Please Call Computer Support. This phrase will be shown at the bottom of the main help window in blinking fashion so that your users will easily know what to do in case they need help. We recommend placing the support telephone number with this phrase. Desktop Color= -------------- Default=71(for color machines) or 70(for monochrome machines). This number determines the color of the menu system's desktop background. The first number represents the standard MS-DOS foreground color code, and the second number represents the standard MS-DOS background color code. If you enter only one color, then it will represent the background color and the foreground color will be 0. Entering nothing or 0 or 00 will disable the desktop background. For example: 71 = white fore on blue back 70 = white fore ob black back 7 = black fore on white back 0 = no desktop background The standard MS-DOS colors are: 0=black 1=blue 2=green 3=cyan 4=red 5=magenta 6=brown 7=white Both the foreground and background numbers are limited to a range between 0 and 7. Screen Saver Time= ------------------ Default=5. The default means that after 5 minutes of keyboard inactivity, the screen saver will become active. This is only true if the quit time (discussed below) does not approach first. The screen saver simply slides a soft information line around a blank screen showing the date and time, the user ID, and the time remaining before an automatic menu quit (if defined). Enter nothing or 0 to disable the screen saver, else enter the number of minutes before screen saver activity commences. F2 Run DOS Password= -------------------- Default={nothing}. If filled in, then DOSmenu will require this password before allowing users will have the option of composing and running their own DOS command, just as they would at the DOS prompt. This may be considered a security/safety issue within your environment. If so, place a password here and later compile the DOSMENU.INI file with DMUTIL /C DOSMENU.INI. When F2 is pressed, an answer box will pop up asking the user for the DOS command to be run. If nothing is entered then the command is ignored. Also for safety reasons, if a user enters a command that has the word 'command' anywhere within it, then it will also be ignored. This is to prevent a user from actual going to DOS by loading another copy of COMMAND.COM. F10 Quit Menu Password= ----------------------- Default={nothing}. If filled in, then DOSmenu will require this password before allowing users to quit the menu system. This may be considered a security/safety issue within your environment. If so, place a password here and later compile the DOSMENU.INI file with DMUTIL /C DOSMENU.INI. If no password is defined, then the user will be prompted to be sure they wish to quit the menu system. Timed Quit Menu Time= --------------------- Default=0. This option, if enabled, allows you to control your user's allowed time of inactivity before forcing them off of the network (or simply out of the menu system). On our, network, connections are at a premium, and therefore we use this option to remove users from the network after 30 minutes of no activity on their part. We do this by entering the command 'logout' for the Quit Menu Command (discussed below). Entering 0 or nothing disables this function, else enter the number of minutes before automatic menu quit. Timed Quit Menu Command= ------------------------ Default=logout. If automatic quitting is enabled via the option above, then what ever is placed in this option will be run when the automatic quit is invoked. Obviously entering 'logout' will log the user out of the network. If you simply wanted to remove a user from the menu system at automatic quit, then enter 'goto end' here. This in affect will take the user out of the MENU.BAT internal loop that normally keeps DOSmenu going. Entering nothing here essentially disables your automatic quit system as well because DOSmenu will issue no command and, instead, the menu will run again via the loop in the MENU.BAT file. After defining the above switches/options, you are ready to set up DOSMENU.MNU which contains the actual menus that will be used by the menu system. Please see the Menu Definition section for specifics on that task. NOTICING (9) ============================================================================== The file DOSMENU.NTE is used to leave notices to any and all users -dynamically. Here you may place notices based on the rights defined for each notice (See Menu Definition section below for rights specifics). Each notice consists of at least two lines; line 1 contains the rights and the following lines (up to 10) contain the actual notice, like: ;----- {g=paradox} {s=server1} Paradox will be down on SERVER1 all day today. Hopefully it will be up tomorrow... ;----- Here, only users in group PARADOX on server SERVER1 will get this notice when they next start up the menu system. Each user may have up to 15 active notices in the file at one time. Each notice may have up to 10 lines, and each line may be up to 70 characters long. You can add and subtract from this section anytime throughout the day. When a user starts the menu system, the notices are checked and shown, if appropriate. Additionally, each time a user runs a menu command, the DOSMENU.NTE file time is checked, and if it is later than the last time the user saw the notices, they will se them again. This gives the noticing system a dynamic quality that can be very useful to you as an administrator! (The time of the file when the user reads notices is kept in a DOS variable called _DMNTE. This variable is checked each time a user reloads the menu system after running a command. If you have made a change to the DOSMENU.NTE file during that time, then the user will see the notices again, and the variable will be updated.) MENU DEFINITION (10) ============================================================================== There are two conventions used to control the menu or menus a user gets when running the menu system, server-based and rules-based. These conventions are much more difficult to explain than to actually use, so we will briefly both describe and show example code, offset with ';-----', throughout. Comprehensive examples will be shown at the end of the section. Note that a small example is also made for you when your first run DMUTIL /G to create the default menu files. SERVER-BASED CONVENTION ======================= Approaching the DOSMENU.MNU menu file from the top down, the system can be thought of as a server-based system. This can become quite robust, as in our eight-server domain or quite simple, as in the case of a single server or a stand-alone environment. Basically, the file is divided vertically into server sections that are defined by the actual server name. An all encompassing name is also allowed and it is called ALL. Each server name, and the ALL choice, must start at the beginning of a line with a colon, e.g., :OUR_SERVER or :ALL. Although not very practical, you can have more than one section defined with the same server name. Actually, defining an :ALL section at the beginning and at the end can be a good idea because it allows you to show certain all-encompassing menu items at the top and also at the bottom of each user's menu. Here is a segment of a menu definition showing the vertical server-based method: ;----- %Main Menu :ALL Word Perfect wp :MAIN_SERVER Paradox paradox Lotus 1-2-3 123 :SECOND_SERVER Proprietary application ourapp :ALL Logout of the network logout ;----- In the above example, you can see that a person who is running on the main server would get the following main menu: ───── Word Perfect Paradox Lotus 1-2-3 Logout of the network ───── while a person running on the second server would get: ───── Word Perfect Proprietary application Logout of the network ───── Note that any menu items (and sub-menus and their items) may be accessible depending upon which section they are placed, subject to the next convention of discrimination, rules-based, which is discussed below. Also note that for a stand-alone environment, you would only need to place one :ALL line near the top of the menu file (in fact this would be required). RULES-BASED CONVENTION ====================== A secondary, and much more powerful means of segregating the menu file between users, is the rules-based method. Whereas the server-based convention may be viewed as vertical, we like to think of the rules-based convention as horizontal. In other words, after deciding which server a user is using, we then must decide what the rights of that user are, and this convention does just that. There are several methods to determine and define menu rights for a user. All but one of them are enacted by placing one or more phrases to the right of the menu item, each enclosed in braces {}. Another is enacted by placing nothing to the right of the menu item. Let's discuss each method in detail. All rights assumed ------------------ Rule = enter nothing to the right of the menu item. This method is the quickest and least secure way of checking users rights because it checks nothing. In other words, a menu item will show up on a user's menu if it is under the correct server name (or ALL), period. Here, you will be relying on your defined network rights to determine whether a user will be able to run an item or not. As an example, if the user has no rights to the Paradox directory, then the user will not be able to run that item (although it will still be shown on the menu). This method is, of course, exactly what you would use if you were on a stand-alone environment. ;----- Paradox paradox ;----- User gets item if it is available, period. Directory rights ---------------- Rule = {d=directory name or d=directory name1,directory name2 ..}. Here, instead of relying on the network to determine after the fact whether a program can be run, you check it before hand. DOSmenu will look to see if any of the listed directories exist for the user when it reads the menu file, and if all of them do not, it will not place the item on the user's menu. Obviously this is a better scenario for the user as he/she should normally be able to run all items that are displayed. ;----- Paradox {f:\apps\paradox} paradox ;----- User gets item only if F:\APPS\PARADOX is 'visible' in the user's environment. File rights ---------------- Rule = {d=file name or d=file name1,file name2 ..}. Here, instead of relying on the network to determine after the fact whether a program can be run, you check it before hand. DOSmenu will look to see if any of the listed files exist for the user when it reads the menu file, and if all of them do not, it will not place the item on the user's menu. Obviously this is a better scenario for the user as he/she should normally be able to run all items that are displayed. ;----- Paradox {f:\apps\paradox\paradox.exe} paradox ;----- User gets item only if F:\APPS\PARADOX\PARADOX.EXE is 'visible' in the user's environment. Server rights (Netware only unless DOS variable/command line parameters used) ------------- Rule = {s=server_name1 or s=server_name1,server_name2 ..}. Do not confuse this method with the server-based convention. They are not attached in any data way. Here, by placing one or more server names beside a menu item, you are saying only show this item when the user is logged into one of those servers. The main use for this option is under the :ALL section(s). You may have defined 'Logout..' as a menu item under :ALL, but you may wish for users only on particular servers to actually have that item on their menu. This would be a shortcut to otherwise having to place the command in each server section on which you wish to allow the command. ;----- Paradox {s=main_server} paradox ;----- User gets item only if the user is logged into MAIN_SERVER. Group rights (Netware only unless DOS variable/command line parameters used) ------------ Rule = {g=group_name1 or g=group_name1,group_name2 ..}. This is a more specific method for deciding whether a user sees a menu item or not. Normally you define groups to group certain users that you can later assign trustee rights to, thereby giving them access to certain programs. This method allows you to use that work when discriminating your menu system. There is an advantage here, however, in that even if you do not bother with trustee rights and your network is fairly open, DOSmenu will act like it is all set up just right. In other words, DOSmenu doesn't care about the actual rights; it only cares about whether the user is in the group name or group names that you tell it. If not, then the user does not get the menu item displayed (and therefore cannot run it). Note that the group method is ignored on a stand-alone system. ;----- Paradox {g=paradox} paradox ;----- User gets item only if a member of group PARADOX. User rights (Netware only unless DOS variable/command line parameters used) ----------- Rule = {u=user_id or u=user_id1,user_id2 ..}. This method takes the discrimination down to the actual user id running the system. If the user name is in the list, then the user gets the item on their menu (if any other specified rights are also approved and the server-based convention allows it). ;----- Paradox {u=joeb} paradox ;----- User gets item only if his user logon ID is JOEB. Node rights (DOS variable/command line parameter is required for this right) ----------- Rule = {n=node_address or n=node_address1, node_address2 ..}. This method takes the discrimination down to the actual user's work station. If the node address is the same as that of the work station, then the user gets the item on their menu (if any other specified rights are also approved and the server-based convention allows it). ;----- Paradox {n=fa164505} paradox ;----- User gets item only if his work station's address is FA164505. You must pull the work station's node address to DOS by setting it to a DOS variable from within the network's initial start-up script. Only then can you check for it from the menu system. Password rights --------------- Rule = {p=password where password is any alphanumeric, non-case sensitive, from 1 to 10 characters long}. Placing a password on a menu item means that when the user selects this item (no matter what type it is - command or submenu), he or she will be prompted for the correct password. If the user does not know the password, then the user cannot access the item. This right does not actually remove a menu item from the user's menu (as all of the other rights do); rather it simply restricts access. ;----- Paradox {p=restrict} ;----- User gets item only if he or she can answer the password prompt with RESTRICT. Question rights (not really a 'right') --------------- Rule = {q=your question that demands a yes/no answer?} This method does not disable the menu item from the user's menu system. Instead, it simply pops up yoour question and asks for a Yes or No answer. If the answer is no, then the item will not be run. ;----- Paradox {q=Are you sure?} ;----- Run rights (not really a right) ---------- Rule = {r=nobreak}. This is where you determine whether batch files will be run with a second copy of the DOS command processor (NOBREAK) or not. This right is only appropriate when running multi-line commands (which DOSmenu turns into batch files) or by running batch files; it should not be used unless batch files are being run (and then it is your choice). One disadvantage of running NOBREAK is that netware search mapping commands within batch file will not work. ;----- M My batch file {r=nobreak} dir \ pause ;----- ;----- WordPerfect {r=nobreak} wp.bat ;----- Location rights (not really a right -for notices only) --------------- Rule = {r=one_to_three_letters}. You may optionally place this right on a notice to set the location of it on the screen, like ;----- {l=tl} A note ;----- where T=top, L=left, B=bottom, and R=right (side of screen), N=noise and f=Flash title. NOTES ===== More than one of the above methods may be used at one time, either within the same right grouping or by having two or more groupings separated with a ';'. For example, you can place both a server (s=) method and a group (g=) method on the same menu item, like: ;----- Paradox {g=paradox} {s=server1} paradox ;----- Here, it is read as member of paradox group _AND_ on server1. ;----- Paradox {g=paradox;s=server1} paradox ;----- Here, it is read as member of paradox _OR_ on server1. Note that when using more than one grouping, each of the groupings must be true for the item to be shown (they are ANDed). When using one or more methods within the same group, they are ORed. Placing a '!' before a name means 'not'. Where {g=paradox} means if the current user is a member of group paradox, then display the menu item; {g=!paradox} means display the item only if the current user is NOT a member of group paradox (they are ORed only within each set of braces {}). You may use spaces instead of commas. The syntax {g=group1,group2} is the same as {g=group1 group2}. The biggest rule that you must remember about the rights methods are that withing each set of braces {}, the answer must be true. So if you use more than one set of braces for a menu item, they all must be true. For example: ;----- P Paradox {g=paradox} {u=joe,jim;n=fa164505} {s=!server2} ;----- will only show on the menu if the user is a member of the PARADOX group _AND_ the user is JOE _OR_ JIM _OR_ the node address is FA164505 _AND_ the user is not on SERVER2. TESTING YOUR MENU ================= After you have placed a lot of restrictions on your menu items, you may find it frustrating to see what the final outcome of an item looks like. There is a way around this. Enter a bogus user id and server name from the command line. For instance, if you reside on SERVER1 but wish to check the appearance of SERVER2's menu, then enter the start-up batch file with the command MENU /U:USER_ID /S:SERVER2 where user_id is the name you wish to check for SERVER2. You can do this for all of your servers and any user. MENU RULES (11) ============================================================================== The syntax for the menu file requires certain conventions. In most cases, DOSmenu will issue an error message if it has trouble interpreting the file because of a syntax violation of one of the below described rules. If you get stuck in an error loop within the batch file, press Alt-F10 at the read error message window to quit. RULES ===== Main menu name -------------- The first line of the file must be the main menu's name, starting with a percent symbol '%'. You can optionally place the starting x and y coordinates of the menu window after the menu name, like: %Main Menu, 5, 10. This means the upper left corner of the menu will be 5 columns from the left edge and 10 rows from the top (after the banner line). Server sections --------------- There must be at least one server name before any menu items, even if operating in a standalone environment, like :ALL. Use :ALL as a minimum just after the main menu title and the one REQUIRED blank line. Comments -------- Any line starting with a semi-colon ';' is a comment for you only. Keep them to a reasonable number to help keep your menu file small unless you plan on compiling your menu files. Blank lines ----------- Blank lines are only allowed before a server section and before a menu title. Remember, blank lines are always REQUIRED before all server sections, e.g., before any line starting with a colon ':', which are lines designating server sections and names like :SERVER1 or :ALL and they are REQUIRED before sub-menu title lines, e.g., before any line starting with a '%', which are sub-menu item titles. See the Menu File Example section for a properly formatted file. Menu action character --------------------- The first letter of a menu item will always be highlighted and will be searched when the used presses a key to move to a particular menu item. It may or may not be part of the first word of the menu item. For example, Lotus 1-2-3 and L Lotus 1-2-3 offer the same result. It is a cosmetic choice that you must make. Of course, you could also use 1 Lotus 1-2-3. Indenting --------- All server name lines and menu item lines must NOT be indented. All help lines, rights lines and DOS commands MUST be indented at least one space. A tab character is allowed for the indentation. Parameters ---------- Single-command menu items may be setup to ask the user for a parameter prior to actually running the command associated with the menu item. This is not allowed for multi-command menu items. Place a question mark '@' at the exact location you wish to add input to the command. Here are some examples: dir @ /p chkdsk @: format @: /u For multi-command items, use the DMQuery syntax (see DMQuery Input Utility section). Sub-menu names -------------- All sub-menu names, both when called as a command and when entered as a sub-menu title, must start with the percent symbol '%'. There MUST be a blank line before the sub-menu name. Sub-menus must come somewhere _after_ the menu item that calls them. Help lines ---------- Help lines for each menu item, if used, must be indented and start with a number symbol '#'. There can be a maximum of one help line per menu item. NOTES ===== You may rename DOSMENU.MNU to another name or copy it to another menu file because DOSmenu will run any menu file that you have as long as you specify that file name on the command line. MENU [/U:USER1] [/S:SERVER1] MYMENU.MNU and MENU MYMENU.MNU will both attempt to load MYMENU.MNU from DOSmenu's home directory (where all menu files must be located) instead of the default DOSMENU.MNU. LOADING ADDITION MENUS ====================== You may switch menu files from within the menu system by LOADing them. This is accomplished by placing the /LOAD MENU_FILE as the first and only command line for a menu item, like: ;----- Support Menu /load support.mnu Word Perfect wp ;----- Here, if Support Menu is chosen, then the system will load the SUPPORT.MNU menu file from DOSmenu's home directory to replace the active menu file. You may do this an unlimited number of times. SUB-MENUS (12) ============================================================================== Sub-menus are just like the main menu except that their title is the first line of their definition. The main menu's title is the first line of the menu file. Their title must start with a percent '%' character, and when called from another menu, this percent character must be included. Here is an example: ;----- %Main Menu Word Perfect wp Utilities %Utility Menu Paradox paradox ;The , 5, 10 is optional and determines x and y menu window coordinates %Utility Menu, 5, 10 Directory of... dir @ /p Check disk chkdsk @: ;----- Here, the sub-menu '%Utility Menu' is called from one of the main menu items. Sub-menus follow the server-based convention along the vertical development of the menu file. In other words, if a sub-menu is found under the :SERVER2 server name line, then it will not be accessible from a menu calling it which is situated under :SERVER1. Sub-menus are typically placed at the end of the menu file under an :ALL alias server name section. Sub-menus can only be shown on the screen once, yet they can be called from more than one menu. For example, if the main menu calls sub-menu2 with one of its items, it is ok for sub-menu1 to do the same thing. However, if sub-menu2 calls sub-menu1 also, and you select sub-menu1 from the main menu, then select sub-menu2, and then try to select sub-menu1 again, DOSmenu will issue a non-destructive error explaining that sub-menu1 is already on the work space. No harm will be done, but you will have to back up to use sub-menu1 again. There is, of course, no way to call the main menu from a sub-menu because of the above restriction. When viewing a sub-menu on the menu screen, a right arrow will be added to the sub-menus menu item text to denote the fact that it is a sub-menu. COMPILING MENU FILES (13) ============================================================================== The DMUtil program will compile and decompile init and menu files, if desired. The syntax is: DMUTIL /C [FILE_NAME] (filename only needed if not DOSMENU.MNU) The output compiled file will be the same name. You can then later decompile the file with the command: DMUTIL /D [FILE_NAME] (filename only needed if not DOSMENU.MNU) in order to edit it. Compiling init and menu files is not, repeat not, required. Your users can run DOSmenu all day long without ever comiling one file. However, there are a couple reasons why you may wish to consider compiling them after they have been tested. Reasons to compile: o DOSmenu loads them a little faster. o You menus are much more secure when compiled. Even smart users will not know what rights you have put where, what the passwords are, etc. The choice is yours. DOSmenu is smart enough to know what type of file is being loaded. TRANSLATING MENU FILES (14) ============================================================================== You can easily translate netware batch files to DOSmenu batch files with the DMUtil utility with the following command: DMITIL /T NETWARE_MENU_NAME The server name flag :ALL will be placed two lines after the main menu title. If your netware menu used any @variable"fill-in lines", then you must change them within the new menu file to DOSmenu's format as it uses the external DMQuery utility for this purpose with additional options. See DMQuery Input Utility section for more. TEMPORARY BATCH FILES (15) ============================================================================== When a selected menu item has more than one DOS command listed below it, it is called a multi-command menu item. Normally DOSmenu simply takes the DOS command and stuffs it in the DOS variable _dosmenu so that the start-up batch file, MENU.BAT, can then run it after DOSmenu quits. However if their is more than one DOS command, this approach would not work. Therefore DOSmenu instead will make a temporary batch file and stuff the name of that batch file to the variable instead. The location and name of the temporary batch file is as follows: Name ---- On a Novell network, the name will be @DMBATXX.BAT where XX is the actual network connection number taken by the user's work station. This way, a user could actually run the menu system from two different work stations under the same login ID without problems. If not on a Novell network, then the batch file is named @DMBAT.BAT. Location -------- If the Private Directory option in the menu file was filled out with a directory, then the batch file will be written and run from that directory. If not, then it will be written and run from DOSMENU.EXE's home directory, which is fine for stand-alone environments. Notes ----- Each time a temporary batch file is made, a '@echo off' is automatically placed at the top of the file, relieving you from having to add that cosmetic line to every multi-command menu item. Example ------- If a menu item looked like this: ;----- Word Perfect f: cd\apps\wp51 wp h: cd\ ;----- then the corresponding batch file would look like this: @echo off f: cd\apps\wp51 wp h: cd\ DOS ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES (16) ============================================================================== DOSmenu uses up to five DOS variables to make the system work without _any_ overhead; a variable for the user ID, a variable for the server name, a variable for the work station node address, a variable to hold the command for a selected menu item, and an optional variable to hold the last time the DOSMENU.NTE file was changed (for noticing). The node address variable is always needed if you intend to rstrict any menu items by comparing a work station's node address. IN a Novell network, you could define this variable like: DOS SET _NODE="%P_STATION"<<4 where the <<4 takes the first 4 number away from the actual twelve digit address. The user ID and server name variables are only needed if you are not running on Netware and are not on a stand-alone environment. In this case, you define and load two DOS variables once during the user login start-up script with the correct information. In the case of Novell (where this procedure is not necessary) you would add these lines to the login script: DOS SET _USER="%LOGIN_NAME" DOS SET _SERVER="%FILE_SERVER" where _user and _server and be called anything you wish. You would then add these two names two the menu file options/switches section so DOSmenu will know what they are called. It takes care of the rest. The variable for the menu item command is called _dosmenu and is always used. When a menu item is selected that has an associated command that is not another menu (sub-menu command), then DOSmenu either places that command in this DOS variable if it was a singular command or else DOSmenu makes a batch file out of the multiple DOS commands for that menu item and then passes the name of the batch file to this variable. Either way, the MENU.BAT file then runs that command kept in the variable _dosmenu. The last variable, _DMNTE, is used when you wish to leave dynamic notices to any and all users. See the Noticing section for specifics. DMQuery also uses environment variables. It will use up to 9 variables named @1, @2, .., @9. EXAMPLES (17) ============================================================================== INIT FILE (network -commented) ========= ;These are options/switches that control the menu system. They are defined in ;the Setup section. ;Novell netware in use? Using Netware=yes ;If yes, then ignore these two. Otherwise, name of DOS variable to be used. Non-Netware DOS User Var= Non-Netware DOS Server Var= ;The node address of the work station (optional) Any-Network DOS Node Var= ;A directory users can write to. Private Directory=h:\ ;Help screen support notice. Comment Line=For HELP Please Call Support At 512-590-4444 ;What color should the screen background be? Desktop Color=71 ;Enter 0 to disable. Number represents minutes. Screen Saver Time=3 ;Password to allow users to run DOS commands with the F2 function key F2 Run DOS Password=dos ;Password to allow users to quit the menu system. F10 Quit Menu Password=secret ;Enter 0 to disable. Number represents minutes. Timed Quit Menu Time=30 ;If timed out, what command should we run? ;This could also be 'goto end'. Timed Quit Menu Command=logout MENU FILE (network -commented) ========= The below network menu file example is listed with a generous helping of legal and illegal comments. Note that comments must commence only at the start of a line and NOT at the middle to end of a line even though we use it here to better comment the code for you. ;The menu name for this overall main menu below. %Our Network Menu, 10, 5 ;numbers optional: 10 = x, 5 = y on screen ; placement of upper left corner of menu window ;This server section means any server and/or a stand-alone environment. ;These commands will be at the top of every user's menu. ;Remember to place a blank line before all :SERVER_NAME lines :ALL M Mail ;All members of EMAIL_USERS will get the Mail menu item. {g=email_users} ;The help line for this item (shown at the botom of the screen) #Send and receive mail to and from other users ;If selected, the command/permanent batch file EMAIL will be run. email ;This section is for CENTRAL server users only. :CENTRAL P Paradox {g=support,paradox} {p=restrict} ; #Database program ;This is a multi-command item that f: ; generates a temp batch file. cd\apps\paradox paradox W WordPerfect {g=wp_central} #Word processor f:\apps\wp51\wp 1 Lotus 1-2-3 {g=lotus_users,finance} #Spreadsheet program lt123 ;The next item ask a yes/no question first. C Check printing {u=check_printer} {q=Are you sure you want to print checks?} #Print all due checks to the upstairs printer checkprt I INSAPP {g=insapp_users,support;u=adm} {s=server1} #Our main database application ins C Checks printed by and for you so far this week {g=insapp_users} checks V Vendor list vendors S Support Menu ;Another complete menu file which is called /load support.mnu ; with this line. ;This section is for BRANCH_ONE server users only. :BRANCH_ONE A Central connection {g=awlan} #Connect with the home office by modem connect W WordPerfect {g=wp_branch} #Word processor wp H Home office support (setup modem) {r=nobreak} {f:\utils\awlan} f: cd\utils\awlan awlan -u=%user% h: cd\ ;This server section means any server and/or a stand-alone environment. ;These commands will be at the bottom of every user's menu. :ALL U Utility Menu #Various utilities %Utility Menu B Backup Server Menu #Backup options %Backup Server Menu L Logout of network {q=Are you sure?} #Log out of the network logout ;You could also enter 'goto end' to simply quit ; the menu system, if desired. ;Remember to place a blank line before all %SUB-MENU NAME lines %Utility Menu, 5, 10 ;Display at xy coords 5 and 10 on screen P Change your network printer capture@ ;This command asks a question first. C Calculator #An electronic calculator calc D Directory of... #Obtain a directory listing: press F3 after to view the list again dir @ /p ;This command asks a question first. D Directory of (another way)... echo Directory of what? dmquery 1 ;DMQuery external batch utility echo Switches (/w /p, etc)? dmquery 2 dir %@1% %@2% pause %Backup Server Menu D Daily backup procedure bud W Weekly backup procedure buw M Monthly backup procedure bum CREDITS (18) ============================================================================== Turbo Pascal is a trademark of Borland International. MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Netware and Novell are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Trademarks of other companies or products mentioned in this file are the property of their respective companies. VERSION UPDATES (19) ============================================================================== 4.1 o Full mouse support added (with registered version only) 4.1a o Bug fixes in notices and additional LOCATION right added for notices. 4.1b o Forces DOSmenu to 25 line screen is not already there. SHAREWARE (20) ============================================================================== Evaluation Copy --------------- THIS IS NOT FREE SOFTWARE! You may evaluate and use this product, but if you decide to make use of it on a regular basis, you must register your copy. Note: Businesses, government agencies and institutions are required to register this software package before extended use. We offer several inducements to you for registering. First of all, you will receive the most up-to-date copy of the program -- and we update the program on a regular basis. Second, full mouse support is available in the registered version. Third, we have additional mini-utilities that work nicely with DOSmenu not included in this package that we will ship to you upon registration. Fourth, you will never see the shareware message again. Make no mistake, however -- this is a fully functional version of DOSmenu that is not "crippled" in any way. Distribution ------------ This is "user-supported" software. You are hereby granted permission to distribute this evaluation copy of DOSmenu and its documentation, subject to the following conditions: 1. Shareware DOSmenu may be distributed freely without charge in evaluation form only. 2. DOSmenu in its shareware form may not be sold, licensed, or a fee charged for its use. If a fee is charged in connection with DOSmenu, it must cover the cost of copying or dissemination only. Such charges must be clearly identified as such by the originating party. Under no circumstances may the purchaser be given the impression that he is buying a registered version of DOSmenu. 3. Shareware DOSmenu must be presented as a complete unit with documentation. Neither DOSmenu nor its documentation may be amended or altered in any way without permission of the copyright holder. 4. By granting you the right to distribute the evaluation form of DOSmenu, you do not become the owner of DOSmenu in any form. Any other use, distribution or representation of DOSmenu is expressly forbidden without written consent from the author. Registration ------------ The non-commercial single-user registration fee for DOSmenu is $40.00 US. ($5 shipping is included.) The commercial/government and multi-system site fee for DOSmenu is: Non-network environment: Per machine - $110.00 US. Network environment: Per server - $160.00 US. ($10 shipping is included.) Send a check, money order or company P.O. for the appropriate amount to: Skip Bremer - DOSmenu 3401 Cactus Wren Way Austin, Texas 78746 No credit cards. Thank you. Telephone: 512-328-2465 Compuserve ID: 71614,2556 Disclaimer ---------- The author does not warrant that the functions contained in this program will meet your requirements or that the program operation will be uninterrupted or error free. The author specifically disclaims all other warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of fitness for any particular purpose and of merchantability. In no event will the author be liable to you for any damages, including but not limited to any lost profits, lost savings, commercial damage or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use this program, or for any claim by any other party.