People who like to use Windows 95 applications but miss the DOS style
navigation will love Command Line95. The graphical interfaces of the new
operating systems, like Windows 95, have replaced DOS commands with the
mouse. Copying files, changing directories and executing files are reduced
to a mouse click or two. Although this is easier for newer computer users,
it can become slow and annoying for people who prefer the command line(DOS)
for maneuvering around their system. Command Line95 allows the user to use
commands and execute files as is done in DOS while staying in the graphical
environment.
Command Line95 is shareware and may be freely distributed. If you find this
program useful please register it.
Contents
1) Installation
2) Using Command Line95
3) Options
4) Registering Command Line95
5) For your Information (read if having problems)
6) New for Command Line95 v1.1
1) Installation
- Just copy the contents of the zip file to your favorite directory.
- Create a shortcut in the startup folder.
If you wish to remove Command Line95:
- delete the CLine95.ini in you windows directory.
- delete the rest of the files in the directory you chose for Command Line95.
* If you own Command Line95 v1.0, follow the uninstall instructions in the document except DO NOT DELETE THE CLINE95.INI file in your Windows directory. Command Line95 v1.1 will use you current CLine95.ini file. If you delete the file you will have to enter your registration information again.
2) Using Command Line95
Command Line95 mainly consists of typing in DOS commands. There are
however a few Windows 95 key combinations that greatly improve the speed at
which the user can navigate and use Windows 95. Using the Windows 95 key
combinations along with Command Line95 will soon become automatic.
Commands:
CD, CHDIR - change to a new directory.
COPY - this command executes the xcopy command.
DEL, DELETE - deletes files. (* and ? are permissible)
DIR - this command executes the Windows 95 explorer.
MD, MKDIR - make a directory.
RD, RMDIR - remove a directory.
REN, RENAME - rename a file.
Windows Key Combinations to Remember:
Alt-F4 - closes the active window.
Alt-TAB - switches between running applications within Windows 95.
These two key combinations are very useful. When the DIR command is entered
Command Line95 executes Explorer. Explorer becomes the active window.
Alt-F4 will close this window and return control to Command Line95. While
using the system the user may be using many other applications and Command
Line95 will become buried below the other windows. Alt-TAB is a quick way
of switching back to Command Line95.
Other:
When the user enters a filename, Command Line95 executes the file. If the file entered is a DOS file it will pop up in a DOS window or possibly go to a full screen text mode. The user can customize the window by setting the properties of that window.
Also the up\down arrow keys will move through the history list which hold
the last twenty commands\files entered.
3) Options
Pressing the INFO button displays an information box with seven check boxes.
- The first check box (Command Line95 Always on Top) allows the user to keep Command Line95 the top most window or allow it to be buried.
- The second check box (Directories displayed in explorer) will display the files split screen as if executing explorer.exe. If the option is not checked files are displayed in one window.
- The third check box (Start hidden) will start Command Line95 hidden and place its icon in the Windows 95 tray. Clicking the icon with the left mouse button will display the Command Line95 window. Clicking the icon with the right mouse button will hide Command Line95.
- The fourth check box (Display icon in tray) will place the Command Line95 icon in the Windows 95 tray. If the (Start hidden) check box is displayed the Command Line95 icon will be placed in the tray automatically.
- The fifth check box (Use Message Boxes) allows the user to have messages displayed in a message box or display in the path window (where the directory path is displayed). Personally I did not like the message boxes popping up all the time. When a message is displayed in the path window it stays there until another command is entered or the <enter> key is pressed (pressing enter alone does not sent to the history window).
- The sisxth check box (Use Command Line Message Sounds) allows the user to turn the system sounds on or off. This option is only valid when using path window messages.
- The seventh check box (Display title bar) displays the title bar. When the title bar is not displayed the Command Line95 window can not be moved.
There are also three buttons located in Command Line95 Information Dialog box. OK returns you to the main Command Line95 window. Register will display the registration window to enter your registration information. Save will save all settings (window position, check boxes, etc...) without exiting the program. The options are also saved when exiting the program.
4) Registering Command Line95 v1.1
The easiest way to register is to fill out the registration form, included
within the ZIP file, and send it along with a check for $5.00 to:
Joshua Seales
1313 Kennedy Plaza*
Utica, NY 13502*
USA
* This address is only valid until May 15, 1996 so register your copy today.
or
On a 3x5 card print the following information. Your Name, Address,
Phone Number, the Name you want the product registered to, your email
address (if applicable) along with a check for $5.00 to the address above.
Comments are welcome.
Benefits of registering Command Line95...
- gets rid of the annoying nag screen.
- entitles you to future versions of Command Line95 free.
- the knowledge that you are helping a starving college student.
- the privilege of knowing you did the right thing by supporting shareware.
You will be sent back a registration code for the registered name you
requested. Simply enter the name and number in the registration box
(accessible from the start screen or from the info button) and your done.
If you would like the registration code sent by email, include your email
address. Otherwise your registration information will be sent via snail
mail.
5) For Your Information
- As in the DOS window, long filenames must be included within quotation marks.
- If the filename of the file you wish to execute has a period in the name (ex: My.Program.Exe) you must enter the EXE extension.
- Since the Copy command actually executes the DOS xcopy, if you wish to use long filenames, they must be included inside quotation marks (ex: Copy "My Long Named Program.Exe" C:\ ).
- Command Line95 saves information in an .INI file located in your Windows directory. This will be moved to the registry in the future.
- Deleting files does NOT send the files to the recycle bin.
- REN in addition to renaming files can rename directories (folders). It can also be used as a rename and move. When using REN, if two different paths are specified for the filenames the file will be renamed and moved. (Example: REN C:\TEMP\TEST.TXT C:\TEST.DOC) File TEST.TXT will be moved from C:\TEMP to C:\ and renamed to TEST.DOC.
- If to change to a directory with the & symbol it will not display the & symbol and the next character will be underlined. A minor annoyance that will be fixed in future versions.
6) New for Command Line95 v1.1
- Fixed multiple bugs. The big one was with the REN command. If REN was called with only one parameter it hung the system (although CLine95 could be shutdown by pressing CTRL-ALT-DEL without affecting the system).
- Added many new features (described above).
- Changed the help from a Windows Help file to a dialog box with quick reference information. The rest of the help is in this document.
Disclaimer:
Command Line95 has been tested to the best of our abilities for bugs. The
author of Command Line95 is not responsible for any damage that may incur
to the user's system or data as a result of using Command Line95.
Wow!
If you have read the document to this point I am impressed. If the response
to this product is good then I will continue to improve this product. Thank
