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1994-04-14
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1994, Abri Technologies, Inc., HC 62 Box 100K, Cacapon, WV 25422
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Member, Association of Shareware Professionals.
1.0 SHAREWARE INFORMATION:
This software was written under the shareware concept. Try it free for
30 days. If you find it useful please register. File REGISTER contains
registration information.
1.1 REGISTRATION BENEFITS:
When you register you will receive all updates, latest corrections and
software support for a minimum of three months. And as a bonus you will
get one or more surprise utilities FREE.
Registration for ABcmd is only $15.
** Please read the shareware agreement near end of this file and the
Registration/Ordering form in file REGISTER which also contains
information on other software available from ATI.
2.0 INTRODUCTION (Version 1.2)
Abcmd is a windows command line interface with intuitive up-front
controls for easy, fast access to programs and functions and having
some additional useful features.
In order to achieve real bottom line performance, the primary
factors in designing ABcmd were:
HUMAN ENGINEERING: - how you work, function or concentrate - to
minimize hand and eye movements and maximize performance. For example
one of the functions of the Escape key is to iconize the main window
when the command line is empty - this takes less concentration away
from your application than mouse hunting for a little button in the
corner or making menu selections.
INTUITIVENESS: You will quickly know how to use ABcmd without having
to learn unique/complex instructions or "software language".
USEFUL FEATURES: The author tried to stay away from including
unecessary "Whiz-Bang" things which simply gobble up more disk space
and take more of your time and concentration in extra menu"ing" and
controls.
Like a fork you will only realize the usefulness of ABcmd after you
use it. Its fun to use a Swiss-Army-Knife with a fork feature, but you
soon get tired of it.
FEATURES
* Human-engineered minimal-time/hand-motion, controls.
* Multiple commands per command line, using the ';' separator.
* 10 handy phone-like memory buttons that permanently store up to
10 command lines for later use.
* Alarm function for reminders or time/date program execution.
* Doskey history emulation.
* Small all-in-one 35K program size.
* Only one file, ABcmd.EXE, required. You don't need a whole subdirectory.
(Unregistered version requires more files.)
* Quick F1 key online help.
3.0 COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS:
Microsoft Windows 3.1 is required. The software uses little memory
and should run on windows with minimum memory requirements.
4.0 FILES INCLUDED:
The files to be found in the unregistered version are:
ABcmd.DOC ABcmd.EXE FILE_ID.DIZ REGISTER.AB VENDOR.DOC
5.0 INSTALLATION
To use ABcmd as your Windows 3.1 system shell, edit the SYSTEM.INI
file to change "shell=progman.exe" to "shell=smshell.exe"
To install the software simply copy it anywhere in a dos PATH
directory - usually the windows directory. Select a Program Manager
group window on your windows desktop - or create a new one with FILE/
NEW/Program-group. Select FILE/NEW/Program-item and fill out the edit
boxes with "ABcmd" in the first box and the complete drive/directory
path in the second box. The third box you can leave empty or indicate
the startup directory you may want for ABcmd. You may want ABcmd to
come up automatically everytime you start windows. In that case simply
install it in the "Startup" group window.
ABcmd automatically creates its own ABcmd.ini file in the windows
directory. ABcmd.exe is standalone and does not need other support
files or its own directory - except for the unregistered version which
requires the REGISTER.AB file to be in the startup directory or DOS PATH.
6.0 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
TITLE BAR
The title bar displays the current directory along with the ABcmd name.
CONTROLS
DirS: Brings up a select drive/directory dialog.
DOS: Starts a new DOS shell.
Wait: Pauses for a key to be pressed after a DOS program is finished.
Top: When checked, ABcmd will stay on top of other windows.
Mem: These are 10 handy buttons (3 if unregistered) that can
permanently store up to 10 command lines in ABcmd.INI file.
TO STORE A COMMAND: Press one of the 0-9 buttons when
there is text on the command line.
TO RETRIEVE: Press one of the 0-9 buttons when the
command line is empty.
NOTE: ALT-1, ALT-2... will also activate button 1, 2,...
S: Saves mem commands, window position and alarm info to the
abcmd.ini file (also saved on CLOSE or ALT-F4).
Alarm: Sets alarm to display a message or start program/commands at
a specified date and time. Follow popup instructions to set
time and message/command. Use the tab key to change from one
box to next. Jumping in with mouse requires Delete or
BackSpace first. The alarm will work up to a year ahead.
However, ABcmd must be loaded in windows to get proper alarm
notification. You can accomplish that by placing ABcmd in
Windows StartUp group. Alarm accuracy is dependent on
accuracy of your system clock.
Keyboard: F1=Help, {Esc,UpArrow, DownArrow}=DosKey., ALT-F1=EXIT.
F10 restores ABcmd to default size.
Esc cancels help, directory and alarm windows and
minimizes ABcmd to icon when the command line is empty.
COMMANDLINE COMMANDS
CD, MD, RD, DIR, DEL, REN, PATH, SET, <drive>: are similar to DOS
commands, except PATH and SET will only display the information.
Other entries will attempt program execution.
MULTIPLE COMMANDS
Multiple commands are allowed using the ";" command separator.
Example:
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│D: ; CD \BUSINESS\ACCOUNT ; STARTUP.EXE ; ACCT.EXE │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The limitation is 12 commands per line and 128 characters per line.
Also remember that windows does not wait for one program to complete
before starting next. So be careful with multiple programs on the same
line. In above example windows will not wait for STARTUP to end before
loading ACCT.EXE. If any one of the multiple programs in the command
line cannot execute or generates an error that ABcmd can detect, you
will be given a choice of continuing or cancelling the sequence.
WINDOWS PROGRAMS
Some example windows programs you can start from command line:
SOL Solitaire game.
NOTEPAD [filename] The notepad editor.
WRITE [filename] Write program.
PBRUSH [filename] PaintBrush.
CONTROL <option> Control Panel <with specific function>
For example, CONTROL PRINTERS on the command line will bring up the
control panel printer setup box. You can setup default printer from any
of your programs. CONTROL COLOR will give you the choice of desktop
color change in middle of your application. You can set ABcmd on top of
every application with the "Top" checkbox and resize it to small size
somewhere out of the way. Other control panel functions are: KEYBOARD,
DESKTOP, FONTS and DRIVERS.
ABCMD.INI FILE NOTES
ABcmd automatically updates the ABcmd.ini file when needed. It is
recommended not to edit the ABcmd.ini file manually since it has a
strict format and a typing error could introduce unpredictable results.
7.0 Custom Programming Info.
If you or your business have specific custom or contract programming
needs contact Abri Technologies.
Abri Technologies, Inc.
HC 62, Box 100K
Great Cacapon, WV 25422
Phone: 304-947-7129 E-Mail: 72345.1623@compuserve.com
* FoxPro/C(Dos-Win)/VisualBasic/Pascal/Assembler/Fortran
* Hardware/software integration.
* $25-$35/hr
DISCLAIMER AND SHAREWARE - AGREEMENT:
Users of ABcmd must accept this warranty disclaimer: ABcmd
is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or
implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of
merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no
liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result
from the use of ABcmd.
ABcmd is "shareware software" and is provided at no charge to the
user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but
please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The
essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer
users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide
incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you
find this program useful and find that you are using ABcmd and
continue to use ABcmd after a reasonable trial period, you must
make the registration payment to Abri Technologies. The registration
fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time.
You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that
this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely
moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no
possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at
another. Just as a book is not read by two different persons at the
same time.
Commercial users of ABcmd must register and pay for their copies of
ABcmd within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.
Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Abri Technologies.
You are encouraged to pass a copy of ABcmd along to your friends
for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they
find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy
of the latest version of ABcmd and software support for a minimum
of three months after registration.
For registration and software ordering view the 'REGISTER' file.
"This program is produced by 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 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 or send a CompuServe
message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536."