home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Precision Software Appli…tions Silver Collection 1
/
Precision Software Applications Silver Collection Volume One (PSM) (1993).iso
/
tutor
/
dosguide.exe
/
DOSHELP.ZIP
/
HELP.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1990-11-12
|
14KB
|
374 lines
DOS Help
An Electronic DOS Reference Manual
Program: HELP.EXE
Version: Version 2.0s
Date: November 12, 1990
Copyright (c) 1988-90 by John Crouch and The Computer Connection.
Syntax: HELP [subject]
Where [subject] is an optional parameter to specify the help subject
desired.
INTRODUCTION
The HELP program was created for all users of IBM and compatible PCs.
It contains information about DOS commands, hard and floppy disk
preparation, and DOS command syntax.
To run HELP, just type "HELP" on the DOS command line. You may
optionally specify a help subject if you want to bypass the main help
screen and go directly to the help subject you desire. The subject
string given on the command line only needs to be enough characters
to allow the program to tell the difference between that subject and
another subject.
Example 1:
HELP BACKUP or HELP BAC
would give you help on the BACKUP command.
Example 2:
HELP DISKCO
would confuse the program between DISKCOpy and DISKCOmp. You
should enter:
HELP DISKCOM
to get help with DISKCOMP.
Remember, the subject on the command line is optional. If you type
"HELP" without any parameters on the DOS command line, the HELP
program will display its main help screen. This screen displays all
the subjects available in the HELP program.
Use the arrow keys, and the Home and End keys to move to the desired
subject. Then press Enter to receive help on that subject.
This version of HELP will allow you to press the first letter of the
desired subject to move the highlight bar directly to that subject.
If there is more than one subject with the same first letter, press
the first letter again until the desired subject if highlighted.
Once in the help subject screen, you may use the PgUp, PgDn, up
arrow, and down arrow keys to move through the pages of help. When
finished, press the Escape key to return to the main help screen.
From the main help screen you may select help on another subject, or
press Escape to exit the program.
INSTALLATION
The HELP program gets the text for each help subject from a file
named DOSHLP.HLP. This file does not need to be in the current
directory, it can be in any directory specified by the DOS PATH
command. If you like, put it in your \DOS subdirectory on your hard
disk.
MOUSE SUPPORT
When the program starts it checks for the presence of a mouse on the
system. If a mouse is present, the mouse cursor is turned on and is
positioned in the center of the screen. The mouse can be used to
point to the desired subject. You may point to the desired subject
and click the LEFT mouse button, or you may hold down the left mouse
button and drag the mouse cursor to the desired subject, then click
the LEFT button.
Once you are in the help screen, you can scroll the screen up and
down a page at a time--the same as using the PgUp and PgDn keys. To
scroll the page UP, position the mouse cursor on the up arrow located
in the upper right corner of the screen, and release the LEFT mouse
button. To scroll the page DOWN, position the mouse cursor on the
down arrow located in the lower right corner of the screen, and
release the LEFT button. Once you are finished reading the help
information, you return to the main help screen by positioning the
mouse cursor in the far right column in the area labeled EXIT, then
release the LEFT button. You can also release the RIGHT mouse button
to return to the Main screen. This has the same effect as pressing
the ESCape key.
On the Main screen, you will see the word EXIT in the lower right
corner of the screen, if a mouse is present. Position the mouse
cursor on this word and click the LEFT mouse button to exit the
program. You can also release the RIGHT mouse button to exit the
program.
When the mouse is on a valid selection area of the screen, and the
LEFT mous ebutton is pressed down, the mouse cursor changes to a
check mark. This makes it easier to tell when the mouse button is
pressed and in a valid location.
When the mouse functions are enabled you can still use the keyboard.
VERSION SPECIFICS
Version 2.0s
Official shareware release. This release coresponds with the
release of the non-shareware "deluxe" version of the program.
The program has been tightened up a little, and behaves better
in different hardware envrionments.
Version 1.2 added the following features:
Much of the text in the help program has been proofread by
users, and has been updated accordingly. Many thanks to
all the users who have sent in corrections.
HELP will now support multiple users in a network
environment. This is done by simply opening the help text
file with a file sharing attribute of Read-Only, while
locking others from opening the file in a Write mode. This
allows multiple users on a network to use the help program
and text file concurrently. Of course DOS 3.3 or above is
required for this feature to be enabled. If you are still
having trouble using the program on a network, use the DOS
ATTRIB command to make the HELP text file (DOSHLP.HLP) a
Read-Only file.
The mouse functions will make the mouse cursor a check mark
when the left button is pressed down and in a valid
selection area of the screen. This makes it a little
easier to tell when the button is pressed and in a valid
selection area.
When on the Main HELP screen, you can press the first
letter of the desired topic to move the highlight bar to
that topic.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The HELP program was written and compiled with Borland's Turbo C,
Version 2.0. Many specific functions were created in C and Assembly
language. Much of the window and screen handling functions are done
with the use of The TesSeRact CXL User Interface Development System.
This is a wonderful piece of shareware which allows any C programmer
to make programs with fancy windows and color with easy. For more
information on the TCXL Library, contact:
Innovative Data Concepts
1657 The Fairways, Suite 101
Jenkintown, PA 19046
215-884-3373
On CompuServe type GO PCVENC and
select Section 6 for IDC Support
The program was not made a memory resident program because I felt
that most people would have problems with DOS commands while on the
DOS command line. If you want a memory resident version, just
register this program with us and you will receive the "deluxe'
version which will run memory resident and more! HELP will restore
the original screen after the program is terminated, thus allowing
the user to see the mistakes that were made with a command, before
the HELP program was run.
HELP will support color monitors, as well as monochrome monitors.
SHAREWARE
DOS Help is a shareware program! In the past the distribution
methods of DOS Help has been somewhat unclear.
You are granted a 30 day trial period in which time you may try the
program to see if it meets your needs. If after 30 days it does not
meet your needs, simply erase the program and it's related files.
However, if it does meet your needs then you are required to register
your copy.
When you register your copy you will get a new diskette containing a
new "deluxe" version of the program. This deluxe version has many
features not in the shareware version.
The most notable feature is it's true hypertext abilities. You can
jump to other page references with a single keystroke. An example
would be while reading the description of the Format command, it
would mention that the /S switch will place the system on the newly
formatted diskette. At the same time it would mention that you can
use the Sys command to place the system on a diskette also. With the
hypertext syste you would simple highlight the "Sys" command
refference and press enter to jump directly to the Sys command
description. It's a great way to browse through a manual and find
what you are looking for very easily.
Highlights of the Deluxe Version are:
o Covers DOS 4.0 commands!
o Has Mouse Support
o Can be run in memory resident, shell, or stand alone modes
o True HyperText operation allowing jumps to crosslinks
o User can customize colors
o Split screen and full screen modes available
o Creative exploding windows
o User definable colors
o Special upgrade pricing
Use the order form at the end of this text file to order your copy of
DOS Help today! Or call 301-696-9677 to place your order with Visa
or MasterCard.
We can be reached at the following locations for questions or
comments.
DOS Help Department
The Computer Connection
1306 Bailes Lane, Suite F
Frederick, Maryland 21701
------------------------------
CompuServe EasyPlex Mail The Computer Connection BBS
71310,2612 (301) 696-1393
DISCLAIMER
I, JOHN CROUCH (HEREAFTER KNOWN AS "AUTHOR"), HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL
WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE AUTHOR WILL
NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT OR
SIMILAR DAMAGES DUE TO LOSS OF DATA OR ANY OTHER REASON, EVEN IF
AUTHOR OR AN AGENT OF AUTHOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL AUTHORS' LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES
EVER EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE SOFTWARE,
REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE CLAIM. THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE
BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.
DOS HELP ORDER FORM
Qty Product Price Total
______________________________________________________________
____ DOS HELP for DOS 4.0 @ $ 34.95 __________
__ Check __ Visa __ 5.25" Disks
__ Money Order __ MasterCard __ 3.5" Disks
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Credit Card Information │
╞═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╡
│ │
│ Name ________________________________________________ │
│ │
│ Number ________________________________________________ │
│ │
│ Expiration Date _______________________________________ │
│ │
│ Cardholder Signature __________________________________ │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
CALL 301-696-9677 FOR PHONE ORDERS WITH CREDIT CARDS
Name _______________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
City ___________________________ State ________ Zip ______________
Phone __________________________ Date ____________________________
Please write any additional comments on the back.
────────────────────────────── MAIL TO ─────────────────────────────
DOS Help Orders
The Computer Connection
1306 Bailes Lane, Suite F
Frederick, MD 21701