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╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ THIS DOCUMENTATION GOES WITH VERSION 1.0 OF LEGROOM(tm) ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
TABLE OF CONTENTS
─────────────────
1. SHAREWARE CONCEPT
2. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
3. PACKING LIST
4. WHAT IS LEGROOM?
5. HOW TO USE LEGROOM
6. USAGE NOTES
7. DISCLAIMER
8. DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND LICENSE
9. ON-LINE, HYPERTEXT VERSION OF THIS README DOCUMENT
1. SHAREWARE CONCEPT
────────────────────
"Shareware" is a term used to describe a system for distribution of
software. Under the shareware concept, software may be freely
copied and passed along to others, or distributed through bulletin
board systems, shareware distribution companies, etc.
As a recipient of a shareware program, you may use the software for
a short trial period to determine if it meets your needs. If it
does, you pay the registration fee. By paying the fee, you are
granted the right to retain the software for your use. If the
software is not suitable, then you may discard it.
The shareware system provides substantial benefits to the computing
community (of which YOU are a member):
a) You get to try out the software BEFORE you buy it so you know
exactly what you're buying.
b) Shareware is substantially less expensive than most commercial
programs. You don't pay for costly marketing programs and
fancy packaging.
c) You get access to a MUCH broader base of available programs.
Thousands of excellent programs have been written by expert
programmers who would never consider marketing commercially.
Through the concept of shareware, these people make their
programs available to the community. Usually, all they ask in
return is a small fee to reward them for the time and effort
they've put into the program.
The system is based entirely on the honor system, and generally
works quite well. (Most people are honest and wouldn't violate the
trust placed in them by the author of the software.)
Shareware is NOT free software - the author counts on your
integrity. Please register using the form in the file REGISTER.FRM.
You are encouraged to copy this software and pass it along to
others who may be interested in using it.
In exchange for registering your copy of LegRoom(tm), you will
receive the current version without the registration reminder and
the next version of LegRoom (tm) when it is available.
In addition, you will receive a listing of other Ivden products.
2. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
──────────────────
LegRoom(tm) was developed by Phil Grenetz and is published by
Ivden Technologies, Inc. as part of a line of memory resident
utilities.
(c) Copyright 1992 Phil Grenetz
The hypertext documentation was developed using the authoring system
DeskTop Advisor(tm), also published by Ivden Technologies, Inc.
3. PACKING LIST
───────────────
LEGROOM.EXE Executable File
REGISTER.FRM Registration Form
README.1ST Conventional Documentation File
DA-BROWS.EXE DeskTop Advisor (DA) Hypertext Documentation Browser
DA_1.HLP DA help file
DA_2.HLP " " "
DA_3.HLP " " "
LR_KB.DTA Hypertext Documentation File
LR_KB.MAP " " "
LR_KB.WDX " " "
LR_KB.XRF " " "
LR_KB.WLK " " "
LR_KB.TWX " " "
LR_KB.CWD " " "
4. WHAT IS LEGROOM?
───────────────────
LegRoom(tm) is published by Ivden Technologies, Inc. as part of its
line of memory resident utilities. LegRoom was designed to solve
two problems:
a) shelling to DOS from applications that don't have a DOS shell
function
b) shelling from applications which have a shell function, but
give too little memory at the DOS prompt to do any useful work.
LegRoom(tm) allows you to Shell to DOS from any text and most
graphic applications. It loads as a TSR (Terminate and Stay
Resident) program and is triggered when you press a hot key.
5. HOW TO USE LEGROOM
─────────────────────
LegRoom(tm) runs on any IBM compatible computer running MS-DOS,
Version 2.0 and up, or 100% compatible operating system.
Load LegRoom(tm) by changing to the directory where you installed it
and entering the command: LEGROOM. You can also add that command to
your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to load LEGROOM whenever you boot your computer.
That way, it will stay in memory for use whenever you need it.
LegRoom(tm) auto-detects the presence of extended and expanded
memory and takes advantage of them. If available, it loads itself
into expanded memory. It keeps only a small 'stub' in conventional
memory, about 1.5 KB in size.
When you press the hot key, the current application is suspended.
It is moved to a holding area in extended memory, expanded memory,
or your hard disk, depending on which is available. The program, its
data, video memory, and mouse state are saved, as are your current
drive and directory.
When you are finished running other programs, type EXIT to return to
the suspended application. Its state is restored to that saved prior
to pressing the hot key.
You needn't have an expanded memory board to have expanded memory.
Memory managers such as EMM386, QEMM386, and 386MAX emulate
expanded memory for applications which call for it.
There are three command line parameters you can use to control the
behavior of LegRoom(tm). These parameters are described below:
LEGROOM [/D | /N] [/Hn] [/U] [/?],
where:
/D creates a disk file (LEGROOM.$$$) for holding the current
application, instead of using extended or expanded memory;
/N uses extended memory, if available, for holding the
current application, but DOES NOT use expanded memory;
this makes it run compatibly with QEMM in 'stealth' mode;
/Hn changes the default hot key from Ctrl-Shift-0 to
Ctrl-Shift-n, where n is between 0 and 9;
/U unloads LegRoom(tm) from memory;
/? displays help information without loading LegRoom(tm).
To trigger LegRoom(tm), press the default hot key or the hot key
you requested if you used the /Hn parameter as described above.
Use the standard number keys on your keyboard, NOT the numeric
keypad.
To unload LegRoom(tm) from memory, enter the command LEGROOM /U from
the DOS prompt. LegRoom(tm) will not allow you to unload it when you
have shelled to DOS using it.
6. USAGE NOTES
──────────────
You cannot load LegRoom(tm) into upper memory with the load high
facilities of a memory manager. This is a minor limitation, since
a 386 based memory manager can load LegRoom(tm) into expanded
memory, leaving a very small piece of the program in conventional
memory.
Ctrl-Break is disabled at the new DOS prompt after triggering
LegRoom(tm). Use Ctrl-C instead of Ctrl-Break to break out of a
process launched from the new DOS prompt.
DON'T SHELL FROM A SHELL! You cannot trigger LegRoom(tm) when at
the DOS prompt. This would be a waste of memory or disk space.
However, LegRoom(tm) does not detect the presence of a DOS prompt
created by using an application's built-in shell feature. Use one
or the other, but not both.
You can use LegRoom(tm) from multitasking environments such as
DesqView and Microsoft Windows. But, these environments provide the
facilities for creating a DOS environment and entering it at will.
The advantages of LegRoom(tm) are greatest in a single tasking DOS
environment.
Do not use LegRoom(tm) to shell from a communication program while
transferring data. Shelling with LegRoom(tm) suspends the current
application. It does not keep running in the background. Data will
be lost if you use LegRoom(tm) to shell to DOS while performing a
file transfer.
You should, in general, not load a TSR into memory when you have
shelled to DOS from an application. When you exit the application,
you will have a 'hole' in your conventional memory pool where the
application was. This is called fragmentation. It reduces the
largest block of memory available to programs. This applies whether
you are shelling with LegRoom(tm) or using the DOS shell feature of
an application.
If it is necessary for LegRoom(tm) to use swap files, they are
maintained in a subdirectory named 'temp' under the directory where
you installed LegRoom(tm). They are stored with System and Read-Only
attributes to reduce the risk of inadvertent deletion or renaming
while LegRoom(tm) is loaded.
LegRoom(tm) supports any number of concurrent users on a network. A
unique name is assigned to each user's swap file in the 'temp'
subdirectory to avoid 'collisions'.
Rebooting or turning off the computer without first unloading
LegRoom(tm) results in old swap files in the 'temp' subdirectory.
Old swap files are removed automatically when LegRoom(tm) is loaded.
Old swap files are those which have been on the network for more
than two days.
LegRoom(tm) supports all standard graphic modes and Super VGA modes
up to a maximum video memory requirement of 256 KB.
7. DISCLAIMER
─────────────
IVDEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (IVDEN) HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IVDEN WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT OR SIMILAR DAMAGES DUE
TO LOSS OF DATA OR ANY OTHER REASON, EVEN IF IVDEN OR AN AGENT OF
IVDEN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO
EVENT SHALL IVDEN'S LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES EVER EXCEED THE PRICE
PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE THE 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.
8. DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND LICENSE
──────────────────────────────────
Distribution Policy
───────────────────
Bulletin boards and non-profit user groups may include this software
in their libraries. LegRoom(tm) is shareware and may be copied or
posted for downloading for trial usage by others subject to the
following conditions:
1) All files must be distributed together in original, unmodified
form as ORIGINALLY NAMED.
2) NO files may be added to the archive.
For-profit distributors of shareware may distribute it subject to
the following conditions, in addition to conditions 1) and 2)
above:
1) Information is provided, in catalogs and point-of-purchase
displays, making it clear that this software is distributed
under the SHAREWARE concept and that the user has NOT paid for
the software. Users are urged to support the software by
registering.
2) The cost per disk charged for distribution cannot exceed
$15.00.
3) Ivden Technologies, Inc. is notified in writing within 30 days
of adding it to the list of products carried (so we know who is
distributing LegRoom(tm) and can keep distributors up to date).
4) Distribution is terminated immediately on written request from
Ivden Technologies, Inc.
5) The product name and trademark symbol must be properly used and
displayed as shown here:
tm
LegRoom(tm) or LegRoom
6) All customer complaints and/or problem reports are referred to us
at:
Ivden Technologies, Inc. (215) 328-1145
87 Arbor Road CompuServe ID: 71221, 3602
Churchville, PA 18966-1007
License to Use LegRoom(tm)
──────────────────────────
LegRoom(tm) is a copyrighted software package. It is being
distributed as user supported shareware. By using or distributing
this package, you agree to the following:
You are granted a limited license to try this program, LegRoom(tm),
for 30 days. If you find this software useful and wish to continue
using it after the 30 day evaluation period, you must pay the
registration fee. Registration for use on a single personal computer
is $19.95. You may, instead, register for installation on a local
area network (LAN) server. The LAN registration fee of $99 permits
an unlimited number of concurrent users on the registered server.
Register for each personal computer and each LAN server on which
LegRoom(tm) is installed. To register, fill out the registration
form (see REGISTER.FRM) and send it or a note with the registration
fee.
No other license or rights are granted by implication or otherwise.
After evaluating LegRoom(tm), if you continue to use it, you MUST
register.
NOTE TO DEVELOPERS:
If you would like to seamlessly integrate the LegRoom(tm) technology
into programs you distribute for profit, Ivden Technologies, Inc.
maintains an interrupt-triggered version. The developer version of
LegRoom(tm) loads in advance of your program and resides in memory
as an interrupt service routine dedicated to your program(s). You
just call a specified interrupt and the DOS shell is triggered.
No saving / restoring your screen. No worrying about how little
memory will available at the DOS prompt. LegRoom(tm) takes care
of everything. No link libraries to bother with. No memory models
or compatibility issues to hassle with. Any language which has an
interrupt call function is supported.
Contact Ivden Technologies, Inc. for our very reasonable runtime
license fee.
9. ON-LINE, HYPERTEXT VERSION OF THIS README DOCUMENT
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
A hypertext Readme document is also provided with this package.
It was created using another Ivden product, DeskTop Advisor(tm),
a hypertext document authoring system.
In DeskTop Advisor(tm), information is organized in topics. From any
topic, you can select other topics to explore by pressing Alt-T.
To browse the DeskTop Advisor(tm) documentation, change to the directory
on the disk where you installed LegRoom(tm). Then enter the command:
DA-BROWS
from the DOS prompt. The system will guide you from there. It is
menu-driven and does not require a mouse.
Every time you visit a new topic, a bookmark is placed at the current
topic. No matter how deeply you go into the guide, you can retrace
your steps, one topic at a time by pressing Ctrl-PgUp or pressing
Alt-T and selecting ** PREVIOUS TOPIC **. To return to the beginning
of this document from any topic, press Ctrl-Home or press Alt-T and
select ** INTRODUCTION **.
The Master Topic Index
──────────────────────
You are not limited to using Alt-T for topic selection. You can
access any topic wherever you are in the document.
From any topic, you can view the master index of topics by pressing
the Space Bar. Next, using the PgUp, PgDn, arrow keys, and keys
for the first letter of a topic, you can highlight a topic of
interest. Then, press Enter to proceed to the selected topic.
As always, you can return to the previously visited topic by pressing
Ctrl-PgUp or pressing Alt-T and selecting ** PREVIOUS TOPIC **.
Using Key Words
───────────────
On any screen there may be key words about which you would like to
get more information. By pressing the Tab key, you will make all
such words appear highlighted. The first key word on the screen is
blinking, indicating it is currently selected.
You can highlight a key word in which you are interested by using
the Tab, Home, and End keys. Press Enter and a menu of topics
which reference the key word appears. Select a topic which seems
to be relevant to your needs. That topic will pop up in a window.
Use the up and down arrow keys to view each page on which the word
is used.
When finished viewing the selected topic, return to the underlying
topic by pressing Ctrl-PgUp. Select another related topic to
explore or press ESCape to return to the underlying screen.
DeskTop Advisor(tm) has a few other features, not included here, such
as graphic images and sound overlays. Sound Support(tm), a recorded
voice supplement to the standard help screens, is also included with
the product. In addition, a DeskTop Advisor(tm) document can be made
memory resident, to be triggered by a hot key as needed.
That's all there is to it! We know LegRoom(tm) is so easy to use it
doesn't really need hypertext documentation. But, we want as many
computer users as possible to be exposed to the concept. We hope to make
DeskTop Advisor(tm) a standard tool for publishing on-line documentation
for software. Thanks for trying it. Your feedback is requested.
Of course, we hope you find that LegRoom(tm) makes your DOS environment
more productive. If you like the product, please register it. If you
have comments -- positive or negative -- please share them with us.