Shareware Overload/ShartewareOverload.cdr/utils/ezmenu2.zip/FEATURES.DOC

Text File | 1989-11-29 | 10KB | 169 lines

 The following features are found in the COMMERCIAL version of EZ-Menu,
 and some may be in the Shareware/Userware release.  Registered users
 of Version 3.7 will automatically recieve Version 5.0, which is not
 available in Shareware.

 Not only has EZ-Menu been enhanced, but many areas of the program have been
 completely re-designed for even better security, speed, and ease of use.
 While EZ-Menu's superiority over other menu software has gone undisputed, PCS
 has certainly not opted to sit on its laurels - EZ-Menu version 5.0 is now
 unquestionably the most powerful and easiest-to-operate computer organizer
 available on any known planet in the galaxy (how's that for a colorful
 descriptive - but still true).  Nowadays it seems that the two terms: "power"
 and "simplicity" are usually not associated with a single software package,
 but EZ-Menu 5.0 demonstrates that it is certainly possible to have an
 incredibly easy-to-use software package for the most novice of users, while
 maintaining more flexibility and power than any other similar product.

 *  Multi-level password protection now built into EZ-Menu.  The "run only"
    version is no longer included or necessary.  Within EZ-Menu, in
    addition to being able to assign passwords to any menu entry, you can
    also assign 3 additional global passwords:

    MENU MODIFICATION - if desired, a password can be set that must be
                        required in order to modify the menus
    EXIT TO DOS       - another password can be specified that must be
                        input before a user can exit to DOS from EZ-Menu
    MASTER PASSWORD   - which if set, must be specified before the user
                        can re-configure EZ-Menu; this password will also
                        work in any area of the program where a password
                        is prompted for (and can be used to determine what
                        the other passwords are)

    As would be expected, if no password is specified, such activities can
    be freely accomplished.  These special passwords are encrypted into
    the EZ-Menu program itself for maximum security - a user can copy the
    EZMENU.EXE program, but the passwords will still be in effect.  This
    feature is invaluable for MIS and DP directors since they can set a
    master password and even if employees copy the software, they will not
    be able to reconfigure the system.  Since over 15 additional
    configuration options are introduced with EZ-Menu 5.0, the master
    password/configuration controls a good bit of how EZ-Menu operates.

 *  Context-Sensitive Help - Yes, even though most users claim that reading
    the documenation is unnecessary, we have added a comprehensive context-
    sensitive help system into EZ-Menu.  The help system displays useful
    information automatically in areas of the program wherever necessary.
    This "automatic context-sensitive help" can be optionally disabled
    during configuration.

 *  EZ-Menu's automatic application recognition system, MAKEMENU has been
    enhanced.  Makemnu will automatically search your computer system for
    common applications, which if found will be automatically added to
    the menu that you specify - now you may not even have to configure the
    menus for your particular system - Makemnu, which is part of the
    installation procedure will do it for you.  The newest release of
    Makemnu will check your existing menu and make sure that no applications
    are added more than once - this means that if you've been using EZ-Menu
    for awhile and recently add a new application, you can simply run
    Makemnu again and have it automatically add the menu choice for you
    (Makemnu distinguishes between new applications and ones that are
    already on your menu).  Makemnu has also been designed to allow the user
    to easily add applications to the system to be recognized.

 *  EZ-Menu's usage log reporter has also been enhanced.  A new report
    summarizes your computer usage by day, identifying different types
    of activities and keeping totals of everything.  Readlog will generate
    reports in a variety of formats to the screen, printer, or a disk
    file.  Statistical information on computer usage is also compiled.

 *  Another feature which was desired by many EZ-Menu users has been added:
    the ability to copy menu entries TO submenus.  The SWAP command in
    EZ-Menu which allows you to move your menu choices around the display
    to suit your tastes, now allows you to copy a menu entry to a submenu.
    To do this, simply highlight the entry you wish to copy, press F6, then
    highlight the submenu and press <ENTER>.  EZ-Menu will ask you if you
    wish to swap the entries on-screen, or copy the entry to the highlighted
    submenu - quick and easy.  Now you will never have to re-enter a menu
    choice just because you want to relocate it to a submenu.

 *  As always, we try to make EZ-Menu as infallible as possible with
    respect to invalid user input.  EZ-Menu 5.0 has additional features to
    make sure that the software has been properly invoked, and that
    information input is appropriate.  EZ-Menu will always try to correct
    invalid input rather than just tell the user that he did something wrong.

 *  EZ-Menu's configuration routine has been completely re-designed,
    allowing for greater ease in re-configuration and more descriptive
    explanations of what options are available.  Previously, if you wanted
    to change one option of EZ-Menu's configuration, you had to go through
    the entire configuration process; now you can immediately select the
    option you wish to modify.  The following items are now configurable:

    - The drive and subdirectory where EZ-Menu is installed
    - The title and filename for the initial menu file displayed
    - The bottom line of the display - previously used to indicate a
      serial number or user to whom the software license was granted
    - The name and location of the batch file used to invoke EZ-Menu
      (which has always been MENU.BAT, but now can be changed if desired)
    - Virtually every file that EZ-Menu uses can be specified, and can be
      in any subdirectory on any accessible drive (including the usage log,
      reset re-execution file, LAN users file, and much more)
    - The on-screen clock can be enabled or disabled
    - Context-sensitive (automatic) help can be enabled or disabled
    - The name of the timed-execution menu file (see below)
    - The frequency at which the timed-execution menu is checked (see below)

  *  At the request of many EZ-Menu 4.0 users, a special feature has been
     added, expanding the flexibility and power of EZ-Menu's timed-execution
     capabilities - During configuration, the user can specify an alternate
     menu file which will be checked automatically at a user-defined frequency
     for timed-executions.  Menu choices scheduled for timed-execution can now
     be completely hidden from the user, and certainly do not have to be
     located in the main menu (if desired). During configuration, the user can
     specify that the appropriate menu be checked every 1 to 200 minutes,
     REGARDLESS of whether or not this special menu is the one currently
     displayed.  EZ-Menu's checking of the "Timed-execution menu" is performed
     transparently.

  *  The user can now specify a "Title Page" of 13 lines which will be
     displayed when EZ-Menu is initially entered.  EZ-Menu will display
     the first 13 lines of a file called TITLE.EZ if it exists.  This file
     can contain any ASCII characters (including line drawing and special
     chars).  If this file exists, upon start-up of EZ-Menu the file is
     dumped to the display in the middle of the EZ-Menu screen for 60
     seconds or util a key is pressed - a great way to display company logos
     or important information to users.

  *  While adding a new menu choice, EZ-Menu 5.0 checks to make sure that
     the specified subdirectories and files exist, notifying the user
     beforehand of the possibility of mispelled subdirectory or batch file
     names.

  *  EZ-Menu 5.0 now allows users the ability to seperately configure the
     screen colors for each menu.

   Above are just a few of the configurable options.  Keep in mind that this
   is not a complete listing of features, just a summary of the enhancements
   to be found in the latest version of EZ-Menu.

 ****************************************************************************

 The current Shareware version of EZ-Menu is 3.7.
 The current Commercial version of EZ-Menu is 5.0.


 Registered users of 3.7 will automatically receive version 5.0 postage-paid.

 For information on ordering EZ-Menu contact:

  Progressive Computer Services
  P.O. Box 8721
  New Orleans, LA 70182

  [phone] (information and ordering)
  [phone] FAX
  [phone] BBS (HST 9600bps modem online)
  [phone] (toll-free order line / only for orders & registered users)

We accept Mastercard or VISA and can immediately process an order over the
phone (credit card orders only).  We accept purchase orders from verified
Fortune 500 companies.  Everyone else should send check or money order to
the address above.

For a LIMITED TIME, (Offer expires Jan. 31st 1990) we will honor EZ-Menu 3.5's
pricing schedule, which is $35.00 for the latest version on disk (specify
5.25" or 2.5") or $50.00 for the complete package with printed documentation
in a full-color 9"x5" 3-ring binder.  (LA residents add 9% sales tax).