Night Owl 6

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Text File | 1991-12-24 | 33KB | 727 lines

MIMENU Hard Disk Menu Program VERS 3.0a By John M. Haro MIMENU Page 2 GENERAL INFORMATION MIMENU (pronounced MY-MENU). It was originally developed due to a need for a user friendly menu program for my job working with the Air Force. Every computer in the office had a different type of a menu program which only had one thing in common and that was they were hard to modify except by the creator of the menu. Using a Quick Silver dBase III compiler I created the first menu program which quickly became the standard for all the MS-DOS computers used throughout the HQ Strategic Communications Division Logistics Section. The program was later converted to 'C' using Turbo 'C' with the CXL window library. FEATURES OF MIMENU ∙ 10 choices per page with a maximum of 10 pages in one set of menu pages. Vertitually unlimited as to how many submenu page sets you can have. ∙ A quick screen system display to determine your systems equipment configuration. ∙ Password protection capability to prevent quiting out of MIMENU. ∙ Password protection capability to prevent unwanted editing of menus. ∙ Individual password protection capability to prevent certain menu choices from being ran by unwanted persons. ∙ Easy transfering or copying menu choices to new locations on any set of menu pages (even across different sets of menu pages). ∙ Built in screen blanking capability or you can run an external screen saver of your choice. ∙ Editing of menu choices, page names are all done on current screen without having to run an external editor. ∙ Mouse supported through out MIMENU. ∙ Option of returning to current menu choice after a program has been ran. ∙ Full support of being able to select different color choices for screen displays. MIMENU Page 3 INSTALLING MIMENU If you are upgrading from an older version of MIMENU, please follow the directions listed in the READ.1ST file. Create a subdirectory such as: MIMENU with the following command. C:> MD MIMENU Change to this subdirectory with the following command. C:> CD MIMENU Uncompress MIMEN30A with the appropriate decompression program such as PKUNZIP, into the MIMENU directory. If the files are already expanded on a disk, just copy them into the directory with the command. C:> COPY A:*.* To allow the MIMENU program to be run from anywhere on your hard disk, copy the file M.BAT to your root directory or to any subdirectory that is identified in your path statement. The AUTOEXEC.BAT file should be modified with the last sentence as M. This will allow MIMENU to be brought up every time the computer is turned on. NOTE: If you want to rename the batch file M.BAT to some other name, change the last line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT appropriately. This M.BAT file needs to be able to execute the MENU.BAT file located in the MIMENU directory. MIMENU is now ready to be used and can be quickly customized to run all your programs or DOS commands. The only information you will need to know is the DOS statements you normally enter to run each program or DOS function. MIMENU Page 4 HOW TO CUSTOMIZE MIMENU When the program is started, the following describes the customization key codes. <F1> -- Gives you a quick help screen which describes all of the following keys and how to maneuver about MIMENU. Press <ESC> to exit from the help screen. M -- Allows you to change the main program defaults through a set of menu choices as follows: Main Defaults: Menu Editing Allowed (Y/N) - No editing will be allowed on any menu page unless this is set to "Y". Normally left in "N" to prevent accidental changes. Date Time Displayed (Y/N) - Answer with a "Y" if you want the date and time to be displayed in the lower left corner of each menu screen. If you use a Clock TSR program and do not want a second clock to be displayed, set it to "N" to disable it. Screen be Blanked (Y/N) - Enter a "Y" if you want the the screen to be blanked after the Blank Time (next item) has elapsed. Screen Blank Time (Secs) - Enter the time in seconds. After the time you have entered has elapsed and the computer has not been used MIMENU will erase the screen to prevent burn in. Pressing any key (except non printable keys like the SHIFT or ALT) will return the menu to the screen. Return to Last Menu Choice (Y/N) - Enter a "Y" if you want MIMENU to return to the current menu page and choice when you exit to run a program. Display Screen Save Message - Enter a "Y" if you want the screen blank message to be displayed after the screen is blanked. This message will constantly move on your screen from side to side and top to bottom. External Screen Save - Enter a "Y" if you want to use an external screen saver program. This option is provided if you prefer your own special program or picture to be displayed. The "Screen be Blanked" option must still be set to "Y". MIMENU Page 5 Screen Save Pgm - Enter the program name of the external screen saver program you want to run if the previous option is set to a "Y". This program must be located in the current directory or in a directory located in the path statement. The program can not load up in Terminate and Stay Ready (TSR) mode, since this is only ran with a second COMMAND.COM loaded. A TSR type program could lock up your computer. Program Start Name - Enter the name of the Batch file to start MIMENU. This is provided in case you want to rename the M.BAT file to some other name such as MENU.BAT or HELP.BAT when it is placed in the Path directory. Menu Title - Enter any title you want displayed at the top of the menu pages. This same title is displayed on all pages. Menu Program Path - Enter the drive and directory where the MIMENU program resides if different from the default. The last statement in this path should be the word MENU which is the default batch file that is executed when returning from a called program or command. Exit Program Path - Enter the commands you wish MIMENU to execute upon exiting. Refer to the Choice Path below for explanation on how to set up the Paths. Change Colors: This allows you to change your menu screen colors. Use the arrow keys to move the flashing pointer to any selection you wish to change. Press <ENTER> and then type in the number from the color spectrum window at the right for the color wanted. Enter a Y or N if you want the foreground to blink. To see a test menu page press F10. When done viewing this menu page press any key to continue. When done editing, press the <ESC> key. If you have a mouse installed, you can use the mouse cursor to point and click at the item to be changed. Then point and click at the color you want for that item. You can select it to blink by pointing and clicking in the Blink box. You can also select the test menu by pointing and clicking at the test menu box. These boxes will only be visible if you have a mouse installed. MIMENU Page 6 Passwords: Enter a "Y" for any area that you want password protection to be provided: Use a Password to run a Menu Choice - Enter a "Y" here if you want a password to be requested before a menu choices is performed. The menu choice you want protected must have a "^" in the first character of the path (or after the "@" if running in shell mode, or after the "%" for a new menu page.) Use this to prevent unwanted access to your computer. Menu Choice Password - Enter in any appropriate characters or words you want for your password. Use above Password to run Function Quick Keys - Enter a "Y" if you want to use the password you enter above as the password for any of the Shift Function Quick Keys. Use a Password to Edit or Modify Menus - Enter a "Y" here if you want a password to be requested before any editing can be performed, or before access is allowed to the modify screen. This is allowed to prevent any unknown changes to be done to your MIMENU. Edit/Modify Password - Enter in any appropriate characters or words you want for your password. Use a Password to Quit MIMENU - Enter a "Y" here if you want a password to be requested before allowing MIMENU to be ended returning to DOS. Be careful, some menu choices could still allow someone to drop to DOS since they are only running batch files. This is only provided as a minimum of security for a computer system. It will not protect your computer from a good computer hacker. NOTE: If you do not want to change any of the above settings, or are done editing you can press <ESC> to end editing. Quit Password - Enter in any appropriate characters or words you want for your passwords. All passwords are case sensitive so if you enter your password in lower case, you must respond to the password prompt with the same characters in lower case. If you should forget a password, the only quick fix you have available to you is to recopy the original MI-RUN.CFG file over your current file. You will have to go back and recustomize any defaults you might have changed. MIMENU Page 7 Function Keys: This area is used to customize the F9 or F10 function key to any DOS command you might like to use on a regular basis. Enter the information as follows: Screen Description - Place a title here for the command you want for either the F9 or F10 user defined function key to display in the <SHIFT> pop up menu. Example: Dir A: (example if you want a different DIR) Functions DOS Command - Enter in the actual DOS command or program you want for the associated function key to execute upon its selection. Example: DIR (does not have to be capitalized) Command Options - Enter in any standard default options you want for this command such as particular flags or switches. These must be able to work if applied immediately after the command line. Example: A:DIR/W The "/W" is the Option Entered. Is a Prompt Required - Enter a "Y" here if you an additional prompt to be requested from you prior to executing the command. This could allow changing parameters to be entered at this time. NOTE: If you do not want to change any of the above settings, or are done editing you can press <ESC> to end editing. NOTE: Use <Ctrl-U> to clear the line from the cursor to the end of the current field. Use <Ctrl-Y> to clear from the cursor to the last editing field on the page. MIMENU Page 8 ******************************************************************* * When the "Edit Menu Allowed (Y/N)" option listed above is set * * to "Y", the following customizations are permitted. * ******************************************************************* E -- This allows you to edit the highlighted menu choice. When pressed, a window opens up allowing you to edit/modify the following items. Press <F1> at any prompt to bring up help instructions for each entry. NAME - Enter the name of this menu choice. DESCRIPTION - Enter any description of the menu choice or a special instruction to be displayed at the bottom of the menu area. If no description is entered here, nothing will be displayed. PATH - Enter the normal DOS commands you would type in to execute this choice. Example, if you normally enter: C:> CD\WP2 {Changes directory to WP2} C:> WD {Runs Dictionary Program, WD} C:> WP {Runs Word Processor Program, WP} These commands would be entered into the path line as: CD\WP2;WD;WP The semicolon is used to separate command statements and its use will be explained shortly. NOTE: Avoid executing a batch file if possible because a batch file will not return to a calling batch file. If it is necessary to execute a batch file due to lengthy commands required to execute a program, edit the end of that called batch file to include the statements that are in the Menu Program Path such as: C: CD\MIMENU MENU This will allow proper return to MIMENU. MIMENU Page 9 Character codes that can be used in the Path input: ; <-- Used to separate commands. This character is replaced with a carriage return and should be inserted whenever you would normally press the Enter key. % <-- Must be placed as the first character followed by a legal DOS file name of 1 to 8 characters with no extension. This will switch to an alternate menu file. This can allow grouped items to be given their own menu selection pages. If the file name given does not already exist, it will be created with one menu page of blank selections except for choice number 0 which will automatically be entered with a return path to the main menu file and choice 9 which returns back to calling menu choice. This choice can be changed to any other choice or deleted if you do not want a return capability. You can also include a particular page and menu choice to start with. Example of usage would be: %GAMES or %GAMES 2 4 to start on page 2 choice 4 Page 10 must be entered as a 0, the same as the last menu choice must also be entered as a 0. # <-- Can be used for an input request prompt such as: TIME # or DATE # When the "#" character is detected, the program halts and requests a parameter input. This input will then be included in the batch file in place of the "#". @ <-- Must be placed as the first character. All the subsequent commands in the path are executed in a shell mode. MIMENU stays in memory but after execution of the commands, it will return to the current position in the menu screen. Example of usage would be: @DIR A: This would display the directory of drive A:. MIMENU automatically pause for any key to be pressed before returning back to the current menu page. ~ <-- If placed at the end of the path command line it will terminate the execution of the path commands and leave you at the DOS prompt. This will allow jumping directly to DOS after any commands have been executed. ^ <-- Must be placed as the first character or immediately after the @ character. If the Password protection for running a menu choice is set to "Y", the ^ character flags the current menu choice as requiring a password before it can be performed. NOTE: The above characters are displayed in a box above the editing box. MIMENU Page 10 A -- Adds a new menu page to the end of the current pages. The screen changes to this new empty menu page. A total of 10 pages can be created within one set of menu pages; but it is unlimited as to how many different alternate sets of menu pages you can create with the "%" described above. I -- Inserts a blank menu page at the current location. The new blank page will take the page number of the current location, and the page at the current location will take the next higher page number. All subsequent pages will be shifted by one page number. D -- This will delete the current menu page. You will be prompted to insure this is what you want to do. Any page can be deleted except for the last available page because the program requires at least one page in order to operate. You will automatically be warned that you are trying to delete the last page and the program will prevent this. P -- This will edit the page name. You will be prompted for a new page name which will be displayed below the Main Title. This can be used to identify particular pages such as word processors, DOS commands, etc. T -- This will allow you to transfer a menu choice to a new location. When you press "T" at the menu choice you want moved, that menu choice will be deleted and a flashing "<T>" will be displayed in the upper left corner. This is to remind you that a transfer is in progress. Move to any other position, on any page, and press "T" again. This will complete the transfer and will write the moved selection to this position. C -- This will allow you to copy a menu choice to a new location. Works similar to "T" but does not delete the original menu choice. A flashing "<C>" will be displayed in the upper left corner. MIMENU Page 11 HOW TO MOVE AROUND IN MIMENU To execute a menu choice, either press the number key which precedes the menu choice, or use the arrow keys to highlight the menu choice. Then press the Enter key. To move to the next or previous menu page, use the PgUp or PgDn keys. To GoTo a particular menu page, press G and you will be shown all the menu page names available. Press the letter of the page number wanted or move the cursor to the page name and press enter (or select the page with the mouse cursor). MIMENU will immediately display that page. To move to the first page, press the Ctrl and Home keys at the same time. To move to the last page, press the Ctrl and End keys at the same time. A mouse if fully supported with a point and shoot cursor. Use the cursor to point at any menu selection and click the left button twice. Two small boxes will be displayed in the upper left area labeled as "Next" and "Prev". Place the mouse cursor in either box and click the left button to change pages in the appropriate direction. Press the right button to activate pulldown menus at the top. Through these menus, all the normal keystroke functions can be activated. MIMENU Page 12 PREPROGRAMMED DOS QUICK KEYS MIMENU has eight preprogrammed DOS quick keys and two user defined quick keys. These keys are activated by pressing and holding down the <SHIFT> keys. This will display a list of key descriptions on a pop up window in the middle of the screen. To activate any choice, press the function key associated with the choice wanted. The commands for F9 and F10 can be changed to your own choices through the Modify command described above. The following describes the preset commands: F1 - Dir - Directory display. Enter in your path for the drive and directory to be displayed. You must end the path with "*.*" or any particular file mask you want to display. F2 - Format - Formats a floppy disk using the DOS format program. You first select the drive to format, and then the drive size (which sets up the appropriate format switches). All drive sizes were provided to be compatible with all drives. Select only the correct size for your computer. F3 - DskCpy - Diskcopy command. Select the source drive and then the destination drive. You are then prompted for any additional switches you want to enter. F4 - ChkDsk - Check disk command. F5 - Copy - Copy file. Enter in the file name and path of the source file and its destination. F6 - Dos - Jumps out to DOS. Type in EXIT to return to MIMENU. F7 - Time - Change your computers time. Prompts you for new time. F8 - Date - Change your computers date. Prompts you for new date. NOTE: Time and Date uses the standard DOS update commands. If your computer requires a separate program to update the real time clock (like RTCLOCK on Zenith Z-248's), it must be ran separately since your clock will not be updated. You could use either the F9 or F10 programmable keys for this feature if you need it. MIMENU Page 13 SPECIAL FEATURES S -- This will give you a quick reference listing of your computer systems equipment as follows: ROM BIOS date if available. Clock Calendar board if equipped (may not display on all computers, depends on how the computer recognizes the installed board). EMS device driver. If equipped, it will display the total pages free and the total pages in 16K blocks. Math Co-Processor if installed. Extended memory available. This memory is only displayed accurately for AT class machines. I have also detected that some device drivers may change the computers information and may not display any extended memory. Expanded memory available. Game port if equipped (usually only for XT's or if a separate board is installed). Mouse if available. Number of floppy drives. Number of parallel and Serial ports. Type of video driver card detected. Type/class of computer. MIMENU Page 14 USER SUPPORT MIMENU is being made available to the general public under the concept of ShareWare. As such, you are free to copy it and distribute it to others provided that all accompanying files are distributed intact and unmodified, and that no fee is charged. The author retains ALL rights to the program and documentation. You are encouraged to try the program for a reasonable period of time to consider supporting the efforts of the author by sending a small contribution to the address shown below. Once you have done so, you are considered "registered", and you can expect a prompt reply to correspondence. You will also receive the latest version of MIMENU if the version you have is not the newest. MIMENU is also being made available to the Air Force and all other DOD agencies with no registration requirements. The program was created to provide a standardized menu system throughout HQ SCCC. The current version should be made available and distributed by the Small Computer Tech Centers. I may be reached at HQ SCCC/SOSSB, Offutt AFB, NE 68113 for any comments or help. I welcome all comments and suggestions regarding MIMENU, please be sure to specify the following information in correspondence: - Current version of MIMENU you have. - What brand and model computer you have. - How much memory your machine has. - What type of video card and monitor you have. - What DOS version you are running. - Any other type of cards your machine has. - Include your name and return address. To register your copy of MIMENU, fill out the registration form at the end of this documentation and send $10.00 to the author at: John M. Haro P.O. Box 13031 Omaha, NE 68113-0031 MIMENU Page 15 FILES PROVIDED ON DISK Below is the list of files included with the MIMENU disk. These files must remain intact and can not be modified. READ.1ST Information file for upgrading MIMENU from a previous older version. M.BAT Initial Start up Batch File. Can be relocated to any Path Dir. MENU.BAT The return Batch file that is executed after the called commands. MIMENU.BAT A duplicate of MENU.BAT. This was included to retain compatibility to older version. It can be deleted if not needed. SCRN1.OVL An overlay file used for MIMENU. MI-RUN.EXE The main MIMENU program. README.DOC This Documentation file. MI-RUN.CFG Data used for the program defaults and configuration. MIMENU.DAT Initial MIMENU menu data. HISTORY.DOC A list of changes and modifications done to MIMENU. CONVERT.EXE A conversion program that converts pre versions of MIMENU 2.6 DEFAULT.DAT and PASSWRD.DAT files into one file now called MI-RUN.CFG. This file will automatically delete itself after it performs the conversion, otherwise, you do not need it in the MIMENU directory. MIMENU.HLP Help file to be used within MIMENU. *.DAT All other submenus will be created with the suffix of "DAT" when your use the "%" alternate menu command in the menu path. For basic or site license registration, fill out the following form and mail it to: John M. Haro P.O. Box 13031 Omaha, NE 68113 Name: ___________________________________________________________ Company: ___________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City: ______________ State: ____ Zip: ___________________ Current version of MIMENU: 3.0a Where did you receive MIMENU from: _________________________________ Type computer running on: _____________________ Comments: __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Thank you for taking the time out to register this program. You will be notified of any updates to MIMENU to include one free update. This update will be sent on a 5¼" disk. If you can not use this size disk, enclose an extra $1.00 for a 3½" disk. Basic Registration $10.00 or _____________________ Site License $45.00 3½" disk update $1.00 _____________________ Total _____________________ Site license registration of $45.00 allows MIMENU to be used on all computer systems within your company. Basic registration of $10.00 allows MIMENU to be ran on a single computer system.