Monster Media 1994 #1/monster.zip/monster/UTILS2/ULTMNU3.ZIP/ULTMU37A.DOC

Text File | 1993-12-02 | 14KB | 278 lines

              UltraSoft ULTRAMENU Version 3.7a Documentation
                         Written by Steve Hansen

                 Copyright (C) UltraSoft 1990,1991,1992,1993
                               Software Division of
                               UltraSystems Hawaii

                          5070 Likini St.
                          Suite 1209
                          Honolulu, HI 96818

                          UltraSoft BBS Support System
                          [phone]

                          ACME BBS - Livermore, CA
                          UltraSoft Product Support BBS - West
                          [phone]
                          [phone]
                          [phone]

                          Dan's Place BBS - Wahiawa, HI, also
                          features UltraSoft Door Games and Products
                          [phone]


     Requirements:

     An  IBM  PC  or compatible with Color video display CGA/EGA/VGA or
     a graphics display that can simulate one of the above. UltraMenu is
     compatible with MS DOS version 3.3 and above. It may operate with
     earlier versions of MSDOS, but has not been tested.

     While  ULTRAMENU is full-featured  and  is not crippled in any
     way, it is NOT Freeware and must be Registered. You may use ULTRAMENU
     subject to the restrictions below. We hope this product is extremely
     useful to you as previous versions have been to others..

     Copying and Distribution:

     ULTRAMENU may be copied and distributed freely in it's ShareWare
     form, but not the Registered version entitled RULTMU37.EXE,
     as distributed from UltraSoft. If you distribute UltraMenu on
     communications systems such as CompuServe, the Source, Genie, BBS
     Systems, etc, you must include all files contained in this package
     which consist of the following:

     AUTOEXE.BAT   -    Produced by UltraMenu
     DESC.SDI      -    A description file used by some BBS Systems
     FILE.LST      -    A List of all Files and attributes
     FILE_ID.DIZ   -    Another description file used by some BBS's
     INSTALL.EXE   -    An Installation Utility for UltraMenu
     MENU.DAT      -    An example Menu configuration
     ORDER.FRM     -    The Registration and Order Form
     PIT.COM       -    A blatent BBS Commercial
     READ.ME       -    Small update info file
     ULTMU37a.DOC  -    The current file you are reading
     ULTRMENU.EXE  -    The main Exe file
     WHATS.NEW     -    A File describing new features and product history
     X.BAT         -    Necessary to run properly

     No fees may be charged for its distribution, other than a minimal
     fee to cover the cost of media and handling without the express
     written consent of UltraSoft.



     INTRODUCTION

     UltraMenu, when appropriately used, is a powerful and flexible
     tool. However, it MUST be installed precisely as defined herein.

     UltraMenu is a Task/Application management utility to organize your
     many computerized job requirements and make them accessible to you
     with ultimate simplicity and speed. It has been described as a
     small, fast version of a Windows-like environment, but is in no
     way a Multi-Tasker and could probably be better not compared in
     this way.

     In writing the many versions and enhancements to this program, we
     have continually endeavored to keep simplicity as our ultimate
     priority. As such, UltraMenu can be used very effectively by the
     novice computer user, as well as the seasoned professional.

     When installing the program, the most efficient way is to
     utilize the INSTALL.EXE program included. Another way is to
     load all files included in this distribution into your root
     directory, or unzip the package into the C:\ directory of your
     hard disk. The packing list should appear as in the list above.

     The install program will alter your Autoexec.bat file to include
     an X at the end. Upon booting your system, the Autoexec.bat file
     calls a small batch file called X.BAT, which in turn activates
     UltraMenu. If it is not desired to have UltraMenu active at start
     up (highly recommended however), then do not elect to alter your
     Autoexec.bat file during Install. In that case UltraMenu would be
     called using simply the X command. Either way, it is not a TSR, and
     takes up no memory space. However, UltraMenu MUST be in your PATH.


     MENU.DAT

     The Menu.DAT file included here, is the actual file which is read
     by UltraMenu, and acted upon. This file is alterable by the user,
     to fit his/her own personal needs, and can be configured by using
     any good ascii (text) editor.

     A major addition to Version 3.50 was the ability to alter the Menu
     from the UltraMenu screen, using the Ins key to insert an entry and
     the Del key to delete an entry. To alter the MENU.DAT file from the
     main screen, simply tap either of these keys and follow the directions,
     keeping in mind that "Next command" refers to sequential commands
     required to activate a given application, as in a batch file.

     We have not attempted to make the Install program an ascii text
     editor since so many good ones are already available including the
     program distributed as a part of MS DOS 5.0 and MS DOS 6.0.

     Each line in Menu.dat ultimately becomes a Job Control function and
     is inserted in a batch file for subsequent execution by UltraMenu.
     The line format is as follows:

     MYPROGRM-,C:,CD\MYPROG,MYPROGRM,X
        |    | |  |         |        |
        |    | |  |         |        Return to UltraMenu after finished
        |    | |  |         Execute THIS program as a result
        |    | |  Change Directory to where Application resides
        |    | Change to C: Drive
        |    If included, allows the insertion of parameters at time of Call
        This is the title which will appear in the Menu. (Caps only)

     If you go into the Root Directory (C:\) and key in TYPE MENU.DAT
     or otherwise display the Menu.DAT file, you will see several
     examples of ways to format command streams.

     Line entries can be up to 60 total in length and 9 commands long,
     for each line. This is more than we have ever needed, and suspect
     you will find it at least adequate. Each line forms one Menu
     Selection and is displayed when UltraMenu is run. To simplify
     understanding, it is a sequence of commands you wish to have
     executed as part of running any application program.

     With Version 3.50 and up, multiple Menus can be used throughout your
     computer environment, using the EXE file in the Root Directory
     alone. Any of these menus can activate each other, by calling the
     appropriate change directory (CD\XX) and then activating UltraMenu
     with an X command. In this case, the SubDirectory switched to should
     have it's own unique Menu.DAT file, to allow the program to run
     properly. Important note: This multiple directory Menus option can
     become more than a little confusing, and if used, is unlimited, but
     the CD\ line must be removed from the X.BAT file, or it will always
     return to the Root Directory. Also it is HIGHLY recommended that
     the first line in each separate Menu.Dat file be called MASTER MENU or
     something similar with a following CD\,X to activate the Master
     Control Menu in the Root Directory.

     NOTES: The dash <-> you see in the example, indicates the
     possibility of parameters being desired when entering a program.
     If a program requires parameters, include a dash at the end of the
     title. UltraMenu will note the dash while presenting options,
     and if it sees a dash there, it will query you for parameters, at
     the top left hand side of your screen, before running a program.
     An example might be DIR- . You will be queried for the directory
     would like to have displayed, etc.. Or DRAW- will query you for
     a possible drawing to load into the program.

     Note: If Parameters do exist but are always the same. do not use the
     dash symbol in your command entry, use the parameters as part of
     the actual MENU.DAT line item entry that calls your application.
     i.e.    Q&A,QA -sc,    etc.
                 |__|

     The X you see at the end of the example is optional. If included on
     a line, the X calls UltraMenu back in, when the application is
     complete. If it is not there, The system is returned to the DOS
     prompt upon completion of the Application or Task. Some applications
     will not allow this, and if this is the case, simply type X after
     the application terminates, to return to UltraMenu. UltraMenu will
     remind you to do this, if it is not automatically called back in.

     UltraMenu also incorporates a screen blanker to protect your monitor
     from burned images in the screen which often haunt us as a computer
     gets a bit older, or is not thusly protected. If the System is
     inactive for several minutes UltraMenu notifies you twice that is
     is blanking the screen, and no concern is necessary. To reactivate
     your display simply tap any key on your keyboard.

     IMPORTANT: UltraMenu's Main Menu Display MUST be active for the
     blanking feature to work. If you are in an application program,
     UltraMenu is not active or in memory and can not blank your screen.
     This is usually not a problem though, since if you are using the
     UltraMenu environment, The Main Menu should normally be present when
     the computer is idle anyway..

     When operating UltraMenu, note that multiple menu pages are allowed
     up to 5, with 12 possible selections for each page (Menu). So you
     are able to include up to 60 applications to be controlled by
     UltraMenu. As previously discussed, the number of possible Sub-Menus
     is unlimited.

     Once we have it in operation, I think you'll realize the
     Ultimate UltraMenu benefits rather quickly.


     OPERATION

     Note that you can select an entry by selecting the first
     letter of the program. If others exist on the same screen
     with the same first letter, select the same letter again
     and UltraMenu will move to the next one, and on and on.
     Also, you can speed select by typing the first letter, and
     then the second and so on. UltraMenu will jump to the first
     entry that includes the letters you have typed so far. Ex:
     "P" will select the first entry in any menu, that begins
     with "P". However, if you then type "C", UltraMenu will
     jump to the first entry in any menu that begins with "PC"
     (i.e. PCTOOLS). If you then type "E" it will go to the first
     entry that starts with "PCE", and so on.

     The Up, Down, Right and Left arrows also select menu entries.
     A moving highlight will show the operator where you are.
     When an application is selected, press <ENTER> to execute it.

     The Esc key terminates the program. To return to UltraMenu,
     simply type "X".


     APPLICATION IMAGINATION

     UltraMenu is not a HUGE program, which makes its possible uses
     almost limitless. It can do almost anything from executing simple
     DOS commands to activating very complex packages such as Word
     Perfect, DBase, Framework, Lotus, or Symphony, with many parameters.

     UltraMenu's possible applications are limited only by your
     imagination and your particular needs. Unique copies of Menu.DAT
     and X.BAT might also be used in various parts of your system where you
     may have certain types of applications categorized. For example: The
     Main Ultra Menu might reside in the Root directory, and the menu
     selections might include calling up as many as 60 Sub UltraMenus with
     categorized or specialized software such as various Stock Analysis
     applications, Communications programs or Software Compilers.
     These UltraMenu EXE file would be in the Root while the Menu.DAT files
     would of course be in their own sub-directories and would be in charge
     of their own unique set of programs or applications. So you are
     limited by only ideas..

     Mouse support is not included in this release.

     Oh, one last but not least item. Be sure your config.sys
     file, in the root directory, contains "DEVICE=ANSI.SYS", or
     your display will appear very confused.

     UltraSoft is always open to new ideas and suggestions relative
     to future enhancements of its products. If you have ideas that
     might be included in a future release, please take the time to
     note them and forward your thoughts to the address included
     herein, or one of the Product Support BBS Systems listed. This
     product and others will continue to evolve with the assistance
     and support of people like yourself.

     DISCLAIMER

     The use of this software is purely at the discretion of the
     user. The author and/or UltraSoft bear no responsibility for
     any complication or damage to personal property which may be
     created or perceived to have been created by it's use.


     Please register and Enjoy!                   Steve Hansen
                                                  UltraSoft