Precision Software Appli…tions Silver Collection 1/Precision Software Applications Silver Collection Volume One (PSM) (1993).iso/children/kgmnu114.exe/MENU.DOC

Text File | 1992-10-17 | 6KB | 153 lines

        Kids Graphics Menu Program
            KGMNU114.ZIP

I tried to make this program easy for kids to use.  Might just as
well make it useful for adults too.


Features:
    Easy to use, point and click.
    Executes batch, exe, and com files
    Screen blanker (only while menu displayed)
    TSRs installed by any executed batch files removed
    Can use environment variable to locate data file
    Can change colors and data file easily.


Requirements:

This program was written to run on an IBM PC, XT, AT, and / or
a clone.  It requires a hard disk, EGA or VGA graphics adapter, and a
mouse.  The mouse driver must be installed for proper operation.


Standard Disclaimers.

I am not responsible for anything this software does.  If you use this
program you do so at your own risk.


Installation:

Make a directory on your hard disk, and copy all the files into
it. The program will look for all of its files via either an
environment variable if present, or the path used to execute the
main menu.exe file if the environment variable is not present.
MENU.EXE is the only file required to be in your path if you wish
to return to the menu from any DOS prompt.  The environment variable
can be set by the following command:

    set MENU=c:\menu

Notice that there are no spaces after the 'M'.  The c: says the
files are on drive C.  The \menu says the files are in the menu
sub directory of the root directory.


Use:

To execute the program, just type menu at the DOS prompt. The menu
should appear on your screen.  If you wish to customize the menu
to your system (which I strongly recommend) read the next section.


Customization:

The colors, title, and entries may be easily customized.  Changing
an entry or title is as simple as selecting the item to change by
placing the mouse cursor over it, and typing the <insert> key.
The colors can be modified by typing the <F2> key.  Help for the
needy can be reached via the <F1> key.

Changing the color scheme of things is simple.  Type the <F2> key
and a color selection screen will appear.  At the top will be
four boxes allowing you to select the background color, fill color,
foreground color, and exit.  The next item down on the screen is a color
bar chart.  Select either a color to change or exit via pointing to the
appropriate box with the mouse, and clicking any button.  After selecting
which color to modify, just point to the new color on the color chart
and click.  The sample menu will indicate what the finished product would
look like.  When you like the color combination selected, just select exit.

    The background color will fill the screen behind the menu boxes
    The fill color will be for the background color inside the menu boxes.
    The foreground color is the color used for text and lines.

Changing the menu title is also easy.  Just put the mouse cursor
over the title and type the <insert> key.  An edit window will
open at the top of your screen.  You enter this window in
'overtype mode', this means anything you type will type over the
current character at the cursor.  You can change to insert mode by
typing the <insert> key. Insert mode, inserts the characters you
type at the cursor position, and moves the following characters to
the right. The <escape> key will erase the entire line.  The <F10>
key will accept what you have entered, and return to the menu
screen. <home> places the cursor on the beginning of the line
<end> puts the cursor on the last character.  The cursor arrow keys
will move the cursor within the line.

Changing the menu entries is a little more difficult.  You select
the entry to change by placing the mouse cursor over the item, and
then typing the <insert> key.  An edit window will appear at the
top of your screen.  You now have several items to edit.  All of
the edit commands are the same as above with the addition of the
up / down cursor keys and the enter key, these will move the
cursor from one item to the next.  The fields to edit are:

    Title: 8 characters to represent the program to run.

    Path: The full path including the drive where the
    executable file exists.

    File: The filename.ext of the program to be executed
    when this item is selected.

    Wait: Do you wish to wait after executing this file before
    returning to the menu.  This is useful if you wish to read
    a screen of data before overwritten by the menu screen.


Exceptions:

The only menu entry that is special, is the last one in the last
row.  It will return you to DOS.  It also contains the menu title.


EDIT COMMANDS:
    Cursor keys    Move cursor
    ESC        Clears line
    Home        Beginning of line
    End        End of line
    CTRL-C        Exit menu
    Insert        Enter insert mode
    F10        Exit and save edit
    Enter        Go to next line

Comments:

This program is being put into the public domain as freeware.  There are no
fees required for its use.  This can be freely distributed as long as this
menu.doc file accompanies the programs.  Credit must be provided for the
original author.

The source, written in Turbo-C (2.0), is available for a small sum.  Please
contact me if you are interested.

If you really love this program I am willing to accept contributions!

I would appreciate a postcard or email if you find this program useful.
Any flames should be directed to /dev/null.  Suggestions are also welcome.

    Sheldon Kolansky        Internet: [e-mail]
    10 Jarvis Way
    Westford, Massachusetts 01886-3944
    USA

Known Bugs:

I only know of one problem at this time.  One of my sons programs will not
run when started from the menu.  The program things that the Metafile driver
has been loaded, and does not reload it.  The program then won't run because
the driver was not loaded.