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JP Software
4OS2 Shareware README.DOC
Version 2.52 -- April 17, 1996
[Copyright 1988 - 1996, JP Software Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Published by JP Software Inc., P.O. Box 1470, E. Arlington, MA 02174
USA, (617) 646-3975. 4OS2, 4OS2/16, and 4OS2/32 are trademarks and 4DOS
is a registered trademark of JP Software Inc. OS/2 is a trademark of
IBM Corporation. Other product and company names are trademarks of
their respective owners.]
Greetings, and thanks for trying 4OS2!
This file contains a variety of information you should read before using
4OS2, including:
* About this version * Using the 16-bit version of 4OS2
* Files included with 4OS2 * Technical support
* Installation instructions * Bulletin board support
* Upgrading from 4OS2 2.5 * Shareware and ASP policies
If you have tried a shareware copy of 4OS2 and want to place an order,
see the product and ordering information in the file ORDERINF.DOC, or
call us at (800) 368-8777 (USA only, orders only please!) or (617) 646-
3975. An order form is included separately in the file ORDER.FRM. JP
Software also offers Take Command, an exciting new command processor for
Windows and Windows NT; and other products which complement 4OS2, like
the 4OS2 Utility Disk.
For complete installation instructions, see page 6. These instructions
cover installation procedures for both new users and those upgrading
from a previous version of 4OS2.
The license agreement which governs your use of 4OS2 is included
separately in the file LICENSE.DOC. Please read it before ordering.
The text is written in plain English, and clearly explains your rights
and responsibilities as a user of 4OS2. For more information on the
shareware system under which you obtained this copy of 4OS2, see page 7.
This file, like all 4OS2 ASCII documentation files, is formatted at 58
lines per page, and contains form feeds and page footers. It can be
viewed with a file viewer such as the 4OS2 LIST command, or printed on
most PC printers using the command:
copy readme.doc prn
Printing it with a program that formats the pages is not likely to work
due to the formatting included in the file.
(04/96-2.52)
4OS2 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 1
About This Version
Version 2.52 is a maintenance release of 4OS2. It contains minor
changes and bug fixes. For a complete list of changes, see
UPDAT252.DOC. This release coincides with similar maintenance
releases of our other command processors: 4DOS 5.52, 4DOS/NT 2.52,
Take Command/16 1.02, and Take Command/32 1.02.
If you missed previous major upgrades, such as version 2.0 or 2.5,
you may want to obtain a copy of the corresponding update files
(UPDAT20.DOC and/or UPDAT25.DOC) so you know what was new in those
versions. These files are available in our CompuServe, BBS, and
Internet download areas (the section on "Upgrades" below explains how
to access these areas).
Extensive online help is provided with the software, and a full
printed Reference Manual will be included when you license 4OS2. If
you already have a 4OS2 2.0 Reference Manual, you can receive a
printed Addendum Manual by purchasing an upgrade through JP Software.
Files Included with 4OS2 2.52
Please note that the way your copy of 4OS2 is "packaged" will vary
depending on the distribution method (5.25" disk, 3.5" disk, or on-
line). In general there will be one 5.25" 1.2MB disk, or one 3.5"
1.44MB disk. On-line copies will be in one .ZIP file, typically
named 4OS2252.ZIP.
ZIP files distributed by JP Software will display the message
"Authentic files Verified! # VHJ325 JP Software Inc." when they
are unzipped. If you do not see this message, the ZIP file you are
using has been modified. This does not necessarily indicate a
problem, but it does alert you to the fact that the file has been
changed since it was created by JP Software.
The following files are included with this version of 4OS2:
4OS2.EXE 4OS2 program file
4OS2DLL.DLL DLL for use with OS/2 Warp
4OS2-16.EXE* 4OS2 16-bit program file
4OS2.DOC ASCII copy of the 4OS2 Introduction and
Installation Guide
4OS2.INF 4OS2 help text for use with OS/2's VIEW.EXE
4OS2A.ICO A sample 4OS2 icon
4OS2B.ICO Another sample 4OS2 icon
4OS2-16A.ICO* A sample 16-bit 4OS2 icon
4OS2-16B.ICO* Another sample 16-bit 4OS2 icon
4OS2H.MSG 4OS2 quick-help text (for "/?" help)
ALIASES Sample aliases
BATCOMP.EXE Batch file compression utility
4OS2 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 2
LICENSE.DOC The 4OS2 shareware license agreement
ORDER.FRM 4OS2 shareware and upgrade order forms
ORDERINF.DOC Ordering and product information
README.DOC This file
SAMPLES.BTM Sample 4OS2 batch files (all samples are
included in one file)
SHRALIAS.EXE Utility program for retention of global alias
and history lists
SHRALS16.EXE* Similar utility program for 16-bit 4OS2
SUPPORT.BBS Information on Channel 1, the independent BBS
used for 4OS2 support
SYSOP.DOC 4OS2 information for BBS sysops
TOUR.DOC The 4OS2 Guided Tour documentation
TOUR1.BTM Batch file used for the 4OS2 "tour" (see
and TOUR2.BTM TOUR.DOC)
UPDAT252.DOC Information on changes in 4OS2 2.52
VENDOR.DOC 4OS2 information for shareware disk vendors
* NOTE: Files marked with an asterisk are part of the 16-bit
version of 4OS2. The standard files contain the 32-bit
version. See "Using the 16-bit Version of 4OS2" on page 5 for
details.
Installation Instructions
(These instructions do not cover diskette installation, because when
4OS2 is installed from diskette this file is not visible until after
installation is complete.)
Whether or not you presently have 4OS2 installed, create a new
directory for 4OS2 2.52 (do not install it in the same directory as a
previous version of 4OS2). Decompress your downloaded 4OS2 2.52
files into this directory. You can print the 4OS2 Introduction and
Installation Guide, or any 4OS2 documentation file (including this
one), by copying it to the printer with the COPY command.
Please note that the 4OS2 Introduction and Installation Guide is
about 30 pages long, and the Reference Manual is over 380 pages long!
If you don't want to print these files they can be viewed on-screen
with a file viewer such as the 4OS2 LIST command. Most of what's in
the Reference Manual is also available in the 4OS2 help system.
For a guided tour of 4OS2 features see the instructions in TOUR.DOC.
To install 4OS2 completely, follow the manual installation
instructions in Chapter 1 of 4OS2.DOC, disregarding the discussion of
extracting files from the diskettes.
If you install 4OS2 manually, be sure to read the notes in Chapter 1
of the Introduction and Installation Guide about modifying the
BOOKSHELF environment variable to make 4OS2's full cross-referenced
help work properly, and about modifying the DPATH variable to make
the "/?" quick help work properly.
4OS2 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 3
Upgrading from 4OS2 Version 2.51 to Version 2.52
Be sure to go over the changes in version 2.52, in the file
UPDAT252.DOC, before you start using it. 4OS2 2.52 can be run in
"test drive" mode over previous versions of 4OS2, so you can test the
new version before fully installing it. 4OS2 2.52 should always be
installed in a different directory than any earlier version of 4OS2.
To upgrade from 4OS2 2.51 to version 2.52, make the following changes
in your system configuration:
* Modify the SET OS2_SHELL line in your OS/2 2.x CONFIG.SYS file
(or the PROTSHELL line in your OS/2 1.x CONFIG.SYS file) to
reflect the new directory where 4OS2.EXE is stored. Make a
similar modification to the SET COMSPEC statement in
CONFIG.SYS.
* If you keep any 4OS2 startup or exit files (4OS2.INI, 4START,
or 4EXIT) in your 4OS2 directory, be sure to move or copy the
old files into the directory where 4OS2 2.52 is stored. (If
the files are in the root directory of the boot drive they do
not need to be moved.)
* Be sure that any OS/2 objects which explicitly name 4OS2.EXE
(rather than using the "*" to start the default command
processor) are modified to reflect the new directory where
4OS2.EXE is stored. See the 4OS2 Introduction and Installation
Guide for complete details on using settings for OS/2 and 4OS2
objects.
* Make sure 4OS2DLL.DLL is in your 4OS2 directory, or a directory
which is included in your LIBPATH setting in CONFIG.SYS (such
as \OS2\DLL).
* If you own 4OS2 version 2.5 or 2.51 you can "brand" your copy
of version 2.52 and convert it to a registered copy. To do so,
be sure 4OS2 2.52 is not running (because you cannot brand a
running program under OS/2). Copy the BRAND program from 4OS2
version 2.5 or 2.51 into the same directory as the version 2.52
files, and run it (from a 4DOS, COMMAND.COM, or CMD.EXE
session) with the command BRAND. Follow the on-screen
instructions to install your name and serial number into 4OS2.
The information needed to brand your copy is on the small blue
or yellow "Brand ID Card" which came with your copy of 4OS2.
If you cannot find this card with your branding codes, you can
order a replacement from JP Software for $5.
If you own 4OS2 version 2.0 or earlier you will not be able to
brand version 2.52. Instead you must order an upgrade from JP
4OS2 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 4
Software. You can use your downloaded shareware copy of
version 2.52 while you wait for the upgrade to be shipped to
you.
See the ORDERINF.DOC and ORDER.FRM files for more information
on upgrades and our upgrade policies.
Once you've made these changes, you can reboot your system and you'll
be running 4OS2 2.52.
Using the 16-Bit Version of 4OS2
4OS2 comes with both 16-bit and 32-bit versions. In general you
should use the 16-bit version for OS/2 1.x and 2.0, and the 32-bit
version for OS/2 2.1 and above. See the 4OS2 Introduction and
Installation Guide for further details.
Occasionally you may find that the 16-bit version will allow you to
"work around" bugs in some network software with inadequate 32-bit
support. If you have trouble accessing files on network drives you
may want to switch temporarily to the 16-bit version of 4OS2 as a
test for this problem.
If you have a diskette copy of 4OS2 with our automated installation
program, the correct version is installed automatically. Options on
the INSTALL menu also allow you to install either version manually.
If you have a downloaded copy of 4OS2, the files you extract will
contain both the 32-bit and 16-bit versions. The standard files in
the downloaded archive are the 32-bit version; the four 16-bit files
have names with "16" in them to differentiate them from the 32-bit
files.
To use the 16-bit version from a downloaded copy of 4OS2, you must
substitute the files 4OS2-16.EXE, 4OS2-16A.ICO, 4OS2-16B.ICO, and
SHRALS16.EXE for the standard 32-bit files 4OS2.EXE, 4OS2A.ICO,
4OS2B.ICO, and SHRALIAS.EXE. You can either use the 16-bit files as-
is (for example, by changing your desktop objects or batch files to
refer directly to the 16-bit files), or you can rename the 16-bit
files to use the standard names. A typical sequence of rename
commands for the latter approach might look like this (reverse these
commands to switch back from the 16-bit to the 32-bit version):
ren 4os2.exe 4os2-32.exe
ren 4os2.ico 4os2-32a.ico
ren 4os2b.ico 4os2-32b.ico
ren shralias.exe shrals32.exe
ren 4os2-16.exe 4os2.exe
ren 4os2-16a.ico 4os2a.ico
ren 4os2-16b.ico 4os2b.ico
ren shrals16.exe shralias.exe
4OS2 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 5
Note that you cannot rename these files while they are in use; for
example, you could not rename 4OS2.EXE from a 4OS2 session (this is a
feature of OS/2). To work around this, perform the REN commands from
a 4DOS, COMMAND.COM, or CMD.EXE session.
Technical Support
We support 4OS2 in our own CompuServe area, section 10 of the PC
Vendor B forum (GO PCVENB). If you are not currently a CompuServe
subscriber, consider a special offer CompuServe has made to 4OS2
users: call 1-800-848-8199 (outside the US and Canada call 614-457-
0802) and ask for operator 178 to receive a free CompuServe
introductory membership, including user ID, password, and a $15
connect time credit.
For technical support on the Internet send mail to
support@jpsoft.com.
Support is also available by phone (617-646-3975), fax (617-646-
0904), and mail (JP Software, PO Box 1470, E. Arlington, MA 02174).
Telephone support hours and availability may vary depending on our
current staffing pattern and workload; there may not always be a
support representative available when you call, in which case we will
take a message and call you back. We return calls as soon as
possible, and our normal policy is to return all calls within at most
24 hours (weekends and holidays excluded).
Bulletin Board Support for 4OS2
4OS2 product support is always available on our support BBS, Channel
1 in Boston. Channel 1 is an independent BBS (not operated by JP
Software) which has generously offered to provide a home for 4OS2 BBS
support. Phone 617-354-3230 to access Channel 1 at 2400 - 14,400
baud (no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit). Use 617-349-1300 for
28,800 baud v.34.
If you have access to a local bulletin board which is a member of any
of the major BBS networks (RIME / PC Relay, ILink, SmartNet, or
FidoNet), you can discuss 4OS2 with other users, and obtain limited
support from JP Software, by leaving messages in the network's "4DOS"
conference.
Downloading 4OS2 Files
You can download 4OS2 upgrades and other files from CompuServe or the
Channel 1 BBS (see above), or from our Internet ftp site. To
download 4OS2 updates from CompuServe, go to the PC Vendor B forum
(GO JPSOFT or GO PCVENB) and look for the files you want in Library
10. On Channel 1, join conference 5 and then download the files you
4OS2 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 6
need (as long as you join conference 5 before downloading you will be
able to download 4OS2 files even if they appear to be too large for
your remaining time on the system). On the internet, download the
files you need via ftp from ftp.std.com, directory /vendors/jpsoft
(for general JP Software files) or directory /vendors/jpsoft/4os2
(for 4OS2-specific files). You can also download the files from our
web site at http://www.jpsoft.com/.
Shareware Copies of 4OS2
If you obtained 4OS2 from a shareware disk vendor, an on-line
computer service or bulletin board, a friend or colleague, or another
similar source, you have an unregistered (trial) copy. As the
copyright holder for this software, JP Software allows and encourages
you to use this trial copy without charge for a limited period of
time, under the terms of our license agreement (see LICENSE.DOC).
After this time is up, you must purchase (register and pay for) the
product to continue using it.
This method of distribution is known as shareware. It allows you to
determine whether the product meets your needs before you pay for it.
Payment of the shareware registration fee for 4OS2 entitles you to a
complete copy of the product with typeset-quality printed and bound
manuals; the ability to download an upgrade to the next major release
of the product; continued technical support via electronic mail or
telephone; and a subscription to "The Prompt Solution", JP Software's
customer newsletter.
Association of Shareware Professionals
The authors and publisher of 4OS2 are members of the Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP), an organization formed to strengthen
the future of shareware. Its members, all of whom are programmers
who subscribe to a code of ethics, are committed to the concept of
shareware as a method of marketing.
The ASP sets standards for its members and their shareware products
which provide that programs produced by ASP members must be fully
documented, non-crippled, and offered with at least a minimum level
of support. It also sets standards for shareware disk vendors and
provides information to the public about shareware.
ASP Ombudsman Statement
JP Software is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals
(ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for
you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with
an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to
4OS2 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 7
help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem
with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for
members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover
Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a
CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
4OS2 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 8