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1995-02-28
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The Shareware Installer v1.1
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(C) Copyright 1995 Relative Software Innovations. All Rights Reserved.
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Relative Software Innovations
1515 N. Town East Blvd., Suite #138
Mesquite, Texas 75150
(214) 681-8131
Compuserve ID 73611,127
BBS Support:
We maintain an RSI BBS on BBS AMERICA.
BBS AMERICA - Dallas, Tx
(214)680-1451 - 9600bps V32
(214)680-3406 - 9600bps V32
(214)994-0093 - 2400bps(rollover lines)
FIDO NET: 124/6506
At the BBS America Main Menu, Select 4 for support BBS.
At the Support BBS Main Menu, Select R for the RSI BBS.
The Shareware Installer v1.1 1 of 9
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WARRANTY
Relative Software Innovations specifically disclaims all warranties,
expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties
of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Your sole and exclusive remedy in the event of a defective diskette
is expressly limited to replacement of the diskette. If the diskette
should fail, return it to RSI with a brief statement describing the
defect.
Relative Software Innovations shall not be liable for indirect,
special, incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use
of this product.
THE SHAREWARE CONCEPT
The Shareware Installer is distributed as shareware. Shareware is com-
mercial software distributed in an unconventional manner. Microcomputers
copy information very easily. Instead of trying to frustrate this through
copy protection, shareware takes advantage of it to reach as many users
as possible at the lowest cost. Anyone may copy a shareware program and
distribute it to whomever they desire, provided they do not charge a
fee for the program or alter it.
Shareware isn't free. Serious shareware is as polished as any
conventional commercial product, and represents just as much program-
ming effort. If you use it regularly, the authors expect compensation.
However, unlike conventional distribution, shareware allows you to
evaluate the product before you decide to purchase it. The price is
often lower, as well, because there are no advertising, packaging, or
distribution costs.
It can only work with your support. If you are still using a share-
ware product after a couple of weeks, then it is obviously worth some-
thing to you, and you should register it.
ABOUT THE SHAREWARE INSTALLER
The Shareware Installer is a small, fast, and easy to use installation
program for software developers, programmers, and anyone who distributes
software files. Although the name says shareware, it is excellent for all
types of software installation, including commercial and custom software
as well as for distributing data, graphics, and other files.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(c) Copyright 1995 Relative Software Innovations
The Shareware Installer v1.1 2 of 9
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for evaluating The Shareware Installer! It is quite simple to
use and is easily customizable. The main files you should have are:
SHINST.EXE - The file you copy to the first disk to install the
software programs to your users disk media. You
may rename this file anything you wish (INSTALL.EXE,
GO.EXE, RUN.EXE, etc.).
INSTALL.INF - The script file that SHINST.EXE reads. DO NOT RENAME
THIS FILE. The EXE file looks for this file and will
not run if it cannot find it.
The Shareware Installer will extract self-extracting EXE files or ZIP
archive files using PKUNZIP. You need to you make sure that you have
a license to distribute self-extracting EXE files for the utility
you are using. PKWare requires you have a license to distribute self-
extracting EXE files since it includes an unzipping program in the EXE
header. PKWare also requires a license to distribute PKUNZIP.EXE
WARNING: If you will be distributing self-extracting archives with your
installation disks, you may want to leave the BACKGROUND switch OFF. If
the user tries to reinstall a file group that includes a self-extracting
EXE file, the archive will prompt to overwrite the existing files. If
the BACKGROUND switch is ON (meaning the files are installed in the back-
ground, unseen by the user) the prompt will not be seen and the user will
think the program is locked up. The files installed from ZIP files will
automatically overwrite existing files.
SET-UP
To create a disk or disk set for distribution, copy the SHINST.EXE and
INSTALL.INF to Disk #1. You can rename SHINST.EXE (INSTALL.EXE, GO.EXE,
etc.) as long as you don't rename INSTALL.INF.
Next, copy the ZIP and/or EXE archive files to the disks. Copy the
files to make the best use of the disk space on each disk. Then, list the
disk numbers and file names in the INSTALL.INF file on Disk #1 along with
the file description and total bytes needed for installation.
Then copy PKUNZIP.EXE to each disk in the set that contains zip
files.
You can include up to 5 subprograms along with the main programs files.
Each subprogram (including the main program) can include up to 5 archive
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(c) Copyright 1995 Relative Software Innovations
The Shareware Installer v1.1 3 of 9
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files for a maximum of 30 archive files per installation. See the sample
INSTALL.INF file included with The Shareware Installer for an example of
the MyGraphics Program installation script.
INSTALL.INF
The data in the INSTALL.INF file is read by the SHINST.EXE file while
the program is loading. You can set the foreground and background colors
for the background screen and the display windows. You can also enter a
fill character value for the background screen. Set the BACKGROUND switch
to OFF to show the installing of the archives on the display screen.
NOTE: During testing it is best to run with BACKGROUND = OFF so you can
see the files being installed and make sure everything is being installed
correctly.
The syntax for the first switches are:
BackGround = On
CPURequired = 286
DosVerRequired = 320
VideoRequired = 4
ConvMemRequired = 400
ExtMemRequired = 0
Switch Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Background On or Off.
CPURequired 86, 286, 386, or 486.
DosVerRequired 320 is for version 3.20, 600 is version 6.00, etc.
DO NOT use a decimal. The program will format and
display the DOS version correctly after it checks
it against the installed value.
VideoRequired 0 - 11. See VIDEO CARD AND MONITOR CHART on page 9.
ConvMemRequired Number K bytes required to run the program. 400 is
400,000 bytes of memory.
ExtMemRequired Number K bytes of extended memory required. 1000 is
1 mb.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(c) Copyright 1995 Relative Software Innovations
The Shareware Installer v1.1 4 of 9
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The next set of switches are enclosed into either the SCREEN or WINDOW
sections of the script file so that both the foreground and background
colors for each can be set. See FOREGROUND AND BACKGROUND COLOR CHART on
page 7 and SCREEN FILLCHARACTER CHART on page 8.
[SCREEN]
Foreground = Gray
Background = White
FillCharacter = 176
[END]
[WINDOW]
Foreground = White
Background = Blue
[END]
NOTE: All the section headers listed in brackets ([]) must be entered
exactly as shown so the SHINST.EXE file reads in the variables correctly.
Next are the main files and sub files sections. The main files section
lists the program information for the main part of the program. If you do
not have any sub or optional files to install, then this section will be
the only one you need to fill in. The sub files section is identical to
the main files section in syntax.
The first line is for the program name and description (up to 50 char-
acters) and the disk space required of all the files in the main program
after they have been unzipped. The information on each line is separated
by an asterisk (*). The program reads in the first line and reads the
program name/description and the total bytes needed.
The second line tells the program the disk number and file name of each
of the archive files needed to install the main program. You can list up
to 5 archive files for the main files and for each sub file group.
The third line is the default drive and directory to install the program
to. The Syntax is:
[MAINFILES]
MyGraphics Program - Includes Fonts, Clipart, & MORE * 550000
1 * mygraph1.exe * 1 * mygraph2.exe * 2 * mygraph3.zip
c:\mygraph
[END]
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(c) Copyright 1995 Relative Software Innovations
The Shareware Installer v1.1 5 of 9
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The syntax for the sub files is identical to the main files except you
can list up to 5 sub file groups, each with up to 5 archive files. That's
a maximum of 30 archive files for each program you want to distribute. The
sub files default path can be the same as the main files or a it can be a
subdirectory of the main files directory. If the default path is changed
by the user then the subfiles path will be changed also.
For example, if the default path was C:\MYGRAPHICS and the font package
default path was C:\MYGRAPHICS\FONTS and the user changed the path to be
D:\MG then the fonts path would be changed to D:\MG\FONTS.
The syntax for the sub files section is:
[SUBFILES]
MyGraphics Font Package * 350000
2 * mgfonts.zip
c:\mygraph\fonts
MyGraphics Clipart Package * 1200000
2 * mgclart1.zip * 3 * mgclart2.zip
c:\mygraph\clipart
MyGraphics Printer Drivers * 90000
2 * mgprtdrv.zip
c:\mygraph
[END]
The blank line between each group is for clarity only. They can be re-
moved before distributing the file.
The next sections are for the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files. You
can include up to 5 lines that may need to be added or increased in each
of the files. They will be presented to the user and they will have an
opportunity to modify the files. If you do not have anything that needs
to be added, you can remove the section from the file or place the [END]
on the next line as shown in the first section below. The syntax is:
[AUTOEXEC.BAT]
[END]
[CONFIG.SYS]
FILES = 15
BUFFERS = 20
[END]
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(c) Copyright 1995 Relative Software Innovations
The Shareware Installer v1.1 6 of 9
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The RUNCOMMAND section allows you to place one line containing a file
name or DOS command to be run after the installation is completed. If
there are several commands that need to be run when your program is
loaded, place them in a batch file and install it with your main program
files. Then enter the name of the batch file in the RUNCOMMAND section.
If you wish to display a text file and included a file viewer such as
LIST.EXE in with your main files, you could display the text file READ.ME
by placing LIST READ.ME in the RUNCOMMAND section. The syntax is:
[RUNCOMMAND]
mygraph.exe
[END]
The Intro, Install, and Exit message sections are for listing text
to be displayed in those windows. Up to 18 lines can be entered in each
window. Blank lines can be inserted anywhere in the text but only the
first 18 lines will be read.
The syntax for the message sections are:
[INTROTEXT]
The Shareware Installer - Software Distribution Made Easy!
Thank you for evaluating this program. Although the name is The
Shareware Installer, it's perfect for shareware, commercial, and
custom software installation as well as the installation of data,
graphics, and other files. Software developers, programmers, and
anyone distributing files can edit the sample INSTALL.INF file
and create a distribution disk (or set) quickly and easily.
FEATURES: Personalized Intro, Install, and Exit messages; edit
screen/window colors; user selectable file groups for partial
installation, upgrades, etc.; disk space check; conventional and
extended memory check; DOS version check; CPU check; video card
and monitor check; supports multiple disks and files; optionally
modify AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files; installs self-extract-
ing EXE files or ZIP files using PKUNZIP; and MUCH, MUCH, MORE!
[END]
[INSTALLTEXT]
You can display up to 18 lines of information in each of the
text message screens.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(c) Copyright 1995 Relative Software Innovations
The Shareware Installer v1.1 7 of 9
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The Shareware Installer prompts for each disk required for
the selected files and displays the file name and destination
directory on the bottom of the screen as it is being installed
If you selected BACKGROUND = OFF, the installation will run in
the foreground and the user will see the files listed on the
screen as they are being unzipped.
If you included lines in the CONFIG.SYS and/or AUTOEXEC.BAT
sections, the user will have an option to edit those files.
[END]
[EXITTEXT]
The Shareware Installer will exit to the default path. If you
entered a program, file name, or DOS command in the RunCommand
section, the selected file or command will be run upon exiting
the installation program.
Thanks again for evaluating The Shareware Installer! You can
contact us at the address listed below:
Relative Software Innovations
1515 N. Town East Blvd., Suite #138
Mesquite, Texas 75150-4149
Phone/Fax: (214) 681-8131
CIS ID: 73611,127
Contact: Steve Moore
[END]
FOREGROUND AND BACKGROUND COLOR CHART
Below is a list that show the valid names for the foreground
and background colors.
Foreground Colors: Background Colors:
Normal Bright
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black BrBlue Black
Blue BrGreen Blue
Green BrCyan Green
Cyan BrRed Cyan
Red BrMagenta Red
Magenta Yellow Magenta
Brown BrWhite Brown
White White
Gray
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(c) Copyright 1995 Relative Software Innovations
The Shareware Installer v1.1 8 of 9
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SCREEN FILLCHARACTER CHART
Below is a list of fill character values and what they look like.
Some ASCII characters are used by the PC as control codes (8, 10, 12,
13, etc.) and will cause unpredictable results when printing to a
printer or the screen (unless you print directly to display memory as
The Shareware Installer does). ASCII characters 9, 10 and 13 would not
print to this file. ASCII value 9 is a thin circle and 10 is reverse
of 9 (like 8 is reverse of 9). Number 13 is a single note similar to
14's double. Number 32 is a space and can be used to display a solid
background.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
33 ! 34 " 35 # 36 $ 37 % 38 & 39 ' 40 (
41 ) 42 * 43 + 44 , 45 - 46 . 47 / 48 0
49 1 50 2 51 3 52 4 53 5 54 6 55 7 56 8
57 9 58 : 59 ; 60 < 61 = 62 > 63 ? 64 @
65 A 66 B 67 C 68 D 69 E 70 F 71 G 72 H
73 I 74 J 75 K 76 L 77 M 78 N 79 O 80 P
81 Q 82 R 83 S 84 T 85 U 86 V 87 W 88 X
89 Y 90 Z 91 [ 92 \ 93 ] 94 ^ 95 _ 96 `
97 a 98 b 99 c 100 d 101 e 102 f 103 g 104 h
105 i 106 j 107 k 108 l 109 m 110 n 111 o 112 p
113 q 114 r 115 s 116 t 117 u 118 v 119 w 120 x
121 y 122 z 123 { 124 | 125 } 126 ~ 127 128 Ç
129 ü 130 é 131 â 132 ä 133 à 134 å 135 ç 136 ê
137 ë 138 è 139 ï 140 î 141 ì 142 Ä 143 Å 144 É
145 æ 146 Æ 147 ô 148 ö 149 ò 150 û 151 ù 152 ÿ
153 Ö 154 Ü 155 ¢ 156 £ 157 ¥ 158 ₧ 159 ƒ 160 á
161 í 162 ó 163 ú 164 ñ 165 Ñ 166 ª 167 º 168 ¿
169 ⌐ 170 ¬ 171 ½ 172 ¼ 173 ¡ 174 « 175 » 176 ░
177 ▒ 178 ▓ 179 │ 180 ┤ 181 ╡ 182 ╢ 183 ╖ 184 ╕
185 ╣ 186 ║ 187 ╗ 188 ╝ 189 ╜ 190 ╛ 191 ┐ 192 └
193 ┴ 194 ┬ 195 ├ 196 ─ 197 ┼ 198 ╞ 199 ╟ 200 ╚
201 ╔ 202 ╩ 203 ╦ 204 ╠ 205 ═ 206 ╬ 207 ╧ 208 ╨
209 ╤ 210 ╥ 211 ╙ 212 ╘ 213 ╒ 214 ╓ 215 ╫ 216 ╪
217 ┘ 218 ┌ 219 █ 220 ▄ 221 ▌ 222 ▐ 223 ▀ 224 α
225 ß 226 Γ 227 π 228 Σ 229 σ 230 µ 231 τ 232 Φ
233 Θ 234 Ω 235 δ 236 ∞ 237 φ 238 ε 239 ∩ 240 ≡
241 ± 242 ≥ 243 ≤ 244 ⌠ 245 ⌡ 246 ÷ 247 ≈ 248 °
249 ∙ 250 · 251 √ 252 ⁿ 253 ² 254 ■ 255
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(c) Copyright 1995 Relative Software Innovations
The Shareware Installer v1.1 9 of 9
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VIDEO CARD AND MONITOR CHART
The VideoRequired switch accepts a number of 0 through 11 to set the
required video adapter and monitor. Below are the values and corresponding
meanings.
For example, VideoRequired = 7 means that a VGA w/Color Monitor is the
minimum required for this particular program.
Value Means Value Means
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 Any Video Adapter 6 VGA w/Mono Monitor
1 Monochrome Adapter 7 VGA w/Color Monitor
2 Hercules Monochrome 8 MCGA w/Mono Monitor
3 CGA Adapter 9 MCGA w/Color Monitor
4 EGA w/Mono Monitor 10 EGA w/CGA Monitor
5 EGA w/Color Monitor 11 IBM 8514/A
COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, ETC.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to write or
call us. Also, if you have any problems with The Shareware Installer, let
us know so we may be able to correct any problems for future updates.
Thank You.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
(c) Copyright 1995 Relative Software Innovations