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1993-04-27
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Menu Wizard (TM) Version 4.0
SilvaSoft Company
P.O. BOX 3401
Kingsport, TN. 37664
615-247-7551
Menu Wizard is a very powerful and easy to use PC Menu
program. The program offers mouse support, an automatic and
manual screen saver, Pop-Up Calculator, Calendar, File Viewer
and Editor along with an ASCII table. Password loading of
menu entries and keyboard locking is supported along with the
ability to disable menu options. Menu-Wizard is not memory
resident. The program is able to unload itself completely
from memory, turn over control to the program you wish to
run, and then automatically reload itself.
A) - Getting Started Creating menu selections.
Adding selections to Menu-Wizard involves setting up heading
information followed by telling the program what to load and
where to load it from. Menu-Wizard uses syntax similar to
that used by PC Batch files.
EXAMPLE1 - Lets say we want to load Lotus 1-2-3 which can be
found in a PC directory called LOTUSV2. We will use the
editor that comes with Menu Wizard to create the menu
selection. Load the Editor by hitting the F6 key on the PC.
For File Name, lets enter "LOTUS.MNU". All Menu Wizard menu
selection files always have the ".MNU" extension.
We are now in the Editor. On the first line we would type -
:HEADING LOTUS 1-2-3 Version 2.2
the second line indicates the path -
CD\LOTUSV2
the third line is how we load the file -
123
We could now hit F7 to save this file followed by F4 to
update our menu. Congratulations, you have just added your
first selection to the menu.
the complete 3 line file above called LOTUS.MNU would look as
follows:
:HEADING LOTUS 1-2-3 Version 2.2
CD\LOTUSV2
123
The first line of any menu file "*.MNU" must always start
with a :. If HEADING is not specified after the : then Menu
Wizard will use the first 7 characters after the : as the
Password to load that menu selection. EXAMPLE2:
:SECRET LOTUS 1-2-3 Version 2.2
CD\LOTUSV2
123
In This EXAMPLE If you try to run LOTUS 1-2-3 from the menu
you will first be asked to supply a Password before you can
continue. If you fail to type in "SECRET", you will not be
allowed to load 1-2-3 and will be returned to the Main
Selection Menu.
All Menu selections on a given level are sorted
alphabetically. If you want to change the order that programs
appear on your menu list you can indent a number of spaces
for your title after the :HEADING area. Menu Wizard assumes
that your Program description starts on column position 10 on
the first line of the *.mnu file. If you insert 1 or more
spaces then all the Program descriptions starting at line 12
will sort before those starting at line 11 which will sort
ahead of those sorting at line 10. EXAMPLE3
Alpha.mnu file first line:
:HEADING Alpha 4 Database
...etc
Harvard.MNU file first line:
:HEADING Harvard Graphics
...etc
Although Alpha 4 Database should sort before Harvard
Graphics, Because we have indented Harvard Graphics to start
at position 12 rather than position 10, We have moved the
Harvard Graphics program ahead of the Alpha 4 Database on the
menu selection.
When calling your program in the *.MNU file, you can code
parameters to automatically pass to the program just as if
you are starting the program from DOS. If you are trying to
use Menu-Wizard to run a DOS Batch file then you must
remember to use the word CALL before typing the Batch file to
run. If you do not do this, then after your Batch file ends,
Menu Wizard will be unable to reload itself automatically.
Lets assume you have a batch file called KQ5.BAT. To load
this file from Menu Wizard we might type:
:HEADING Kings Quest 5
cd\sierra
CALL KQ5
this will allow the program to run correctly and
automatically reload the menu on exiting. If you had just
coded line 3 as KQ5, then on exiting the program the menu
would not have been able to reload itself.
Every time you select F4 - Update Menu Selections, Menu
Wizard reads all your *.MNU file in the current directory and
recreates a new MENU.DAT file. This file gives record
information on the number of menu selections you have, and
which *.MNU file needs to be run when a given selection is
made. You can browse this file if you have forgotten a name
of a *.MNU file you need to modify or erase. You can also
Update menu selections from outside the program by typing:
MENUWIZ CREATE
If you have responsibility in a company for maintaining many
PC's, then the ability to add or remove menu selections and
update systems using the MENUWIZ CREATE option could be a
significant time saver.
F4 - Update Menu Selections
F5 - File Viewer
F6 - Editor
F7 - Ascii Table
You can disable any or all of the four options above when
calling MENUWIZ by passing a NOxxxx OPTION on the command
line to disable that feature.
MENUWIZ NOUPDATE NOVIEW NOEDIT NOASCII
All four options would be removed from Menu Wizard if you
code the command line on loading Menu Wizard as that shown
above. To disable a user from being able to use the EDITOR
you would code
MENUWIZ NOEDIT
The DOS "ESC" key is the normal way that Menu Wizard is
exited. For some situations you may wish to disable users
from being able to EXIT to DOS. You can use the "NOESC"
option on loading Menu Wizard which will prevent users from
exiting to DOS.
MENUWIZ NOESC
A backdoor option to Exit to DOS exists by typing ALT-P.
This option can also be disabled if required by typing
MENUWIZ NOESC NOALTP
You can select programs to load from Menu Wizard using either
the mouse or using the arrow keys. Page Up and Page Down,
Home and End Key all work with the program. Also, you can
type the first letter of a Menu selection and Menu Wizard
will move instantly to that selection. Typing the same letter
a second time will find the next match.
(Hint) - Windows Users may find it convenient to add Windows
as a menu selection. This allows you to freely move between
your DOS and Windows programs with a minimum of
inconvenience.
:HEADING Windows 3.1
cd\windows
win
MENUWIZ for most users should probably be configured in the
AUTOEXEC.BAT to automatically load on startup.
When MENUWIZ is called from the DOS prompt it will
automatically search your DOS path statement to find a copy
of itself and will assume that the *.MNU files also exist in
the area where it finds itself on your computer. This means
that you do not have to change to the directory where MENUWIZ
is located in to use the program as long as MENUWIZ is in
your DOS Path.
IF you are running MENUWIZ on a Monochrome monitor or a non-
color laptop, you may want to load the program in Monochrome
mode. This is done by loading MENUWIZ with the "MONO" command
line prompt.
MENUWIZ MONO
=============================================================
B) - Options with Menu-Wizard
F1 - Screen Saver
Selecting this option will place Menu Wizard in the manual screen
saver mode. Hit any key to return to the normal menu. MenuWizard will
automatically go to the screen saver mode if no key has been hit
on the Keyboard for 5 minutes. Menu Wizard automatically sets the
screen save in graphics mode if you have a VGA monitor. You can
disable the graphics screen save and use the monochrome graphics
save if you prefer by loading Menu Wizard with the NOGRAPH option.
MENUWIZ NOGRAPH
The NOGRAPH option could be selected if you do not like the
Graphics screen saver and prefer a blank screen. The Graphics
Screen saver is only avalable for VGA systems, all others
automatically use a blank screen with the flashing time for
screen saving.
ALT-F1 - Keyboard Lock with Screen Saver
You can automatically force Menu Wizard to Lock your Keyboard and
run the screen saver section of the program by hitting the "ALT-F1"
key combination. On hitting any key, Menu Wizard will ask you for a
Password to Exit. If your password matched the file password you
have created you will be allowed to exit the Screen Saver portion
of the program. For the Keyboard locking option to work you must
create a file with the name "MENULOCK.FIL" in the directory which
MENUWIZ is loaded from. The first line of this file contains your
Keylock password, Up to 7 characters. When ALT-F1 is called to
select the keyboad locking, A user is unable to reboot the computer
by hitting the Ctrl-ALT-Del Key combination. Only a successful
password entry, or a complete power down will exit Key board locking.
F2 - Pop-Up Calculator
This four function calculator should be a natural for anyone
that has used a calculator before. The calculator does show a
tape so you can track you calculations. Also hit the H key
for additional help in using the calculator.
F3 - Calendar
Use the Page-Up and Page-Down Key to move up or down 1 month
at a time. Use the Ctrl-Page Up and Ctrl-Page Down key to
change the calendar 1 year at a time. The up and down arrow
keys will move you 1 week at a time and Left and right Arrow
Keys, 1 Day at a time. The Calendar does offer full mouse
support if your mouse is active.
F4 - Update Menu Selections
Use this option to update your selection menu after adding or
removing *.MNU files. This menu can be disabled by using the
MENUWIZ NOUPDATE option. You can also update Menu Wizard from
the command line by typing MENUWIZ CREATE.
F5 - File Viewer
Use this option to view files in either text mode or HEX mode
for programers. After hitting F5, type the name of the PC
file with drive and path location if required. This menu can
be disabled by using the MENUWIZ NOVIEW option.
F6 - Editor
Simple to use Text Editor. Designed to assist you while
creating the *.MNU files but can have many other uses also. The
editor can be used to create batch files, perform simple edits on
text files, etc. Hit F7 to save your modified or created file while
in the editor or ESC to Quit without saving. This menu can be
disabled by using the MENUWIZ NOEDIT option.
F7 - Ascii Table
Used to show a complete list of all ASCII characters
available on PC. This option is probably most useful to
programers, but is also usable for some word processor users
that need to directly code special ASCII characters. This
menu can be disabled by using the MENUWIZ NOASCII option.
F8 ShareWare Registration
This option lists information on registering your product as well as
gives the option of printing out a registration form for mailing.
MENU-Wizard is not free software. It is being released as
shareware. The basic cost for the product is $15 per copy for up to
10 copies and $13 per copy for 11 to 30 copies. Companies can get
a customized version of Menu Wizard for $400, which allows them to
make unlimited copies of Menu Wizard for use at all their locations
worldwide. Please see the registration for details.
As a thank you for registering your copy of Menu Wizard you
will receive an add-on program to Menu Wizard called DIRUTIL.
DIRUTIL is a very powerful yet extremely easy to use file and
Directory manager. The program offers full mouse support and
is of the highest commercial quality available. DIRUTIL is
not being released as shareware. This program alone is worth
many times the registration fee of Menu Wizard and is yours
free for registering the program. Thanks for supporting the
ShareWare Concept and allowing quality software to be
available for a fraction of the cost of commercial software.
When registering Menu Wizard, please specify if you require
5-1/4 or 3-1/2 disk to receive your copy of DIRUTIL.
**** Menu-Wizard Released as SHAREWARE ****
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details --some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to
continue using the software to an updated program with printed
manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial
software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a
few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are
accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and
the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there
are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the
method of distribution. The author specifically grants the
right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and
sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors
require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may
copy their Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.
You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system
makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before
you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also.
Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you
don't use the product, you don't pay for it.
DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT
Users of Menu Wizard must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"Menu Wizard 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
Menu Wizard."
Menu Wizard is a "shareware program" 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 Menu Wizard
and continue to use Menu Wizard after a reasonable trial
period, you must make a registration payment of $15 U.S.
to SilvaSoft. The $15 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 cannot be read by two
different persons at the same time.
Commercial users of Menu Wizard must register and pay for
their copies of Menu Wizard within 30 days of first use or
their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be
made by contacting SilvaSoft.
Anyone distributing Menu Wizard for any kind of remuneration
must first contact SilvaSoft at the address below for
authorization. This authorization will be automatically
granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to
its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such
distributors may begin offering Financial Wizard immediately
(However, SilvaSoft must still be advised so that the
distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of
Menu Wizard).
You are encouraged to pass a copy of Menu Wizard 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 free copy of DIRUTIL a very powerful
directory and file utility add-on product to Menu Wizard.
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."
Manuel A. Silva
SilvaSoft Company
P.O. BOX 3401
Kingsport, TN. 37664
(615) - 247-7551