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-
-
- -------------------------------------
- PullDown, v1.11
- Released 4/21/90
- (c) MicroDynamics Development 1990
- All rights reserved
- Shareware file: PULLDN3B.ZIP
- -------------------------------------
-
-
-
- DESCRIPTION:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- A sleek professional-style pulldown menu shell for MS-DOS systems.
-
-
- FEATURES:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * MS/Compatible Mouse support
-
- * User-defined HELP subsystem, with scrolling dialog boxes
-
- * Full color, background character, and screen blank timing control
-
- * Automatic detection of and support for Color, 25, 43, 50 line screen
- modes.
-
- * Menus up to 8x36, or 288 selections (limited by screen mode)
- with user-defined help for each selection, or any subset
-
- * Command line registration system permits quick upgrades
-
- * CRC .EXE checking provides a level of anti-virus protection
-
- * 100% DOS Error/Event handling, sets ERRORLEVEL on exit
-
- * Consultant/Dealer on-site registration system available
-
- * 286/386 specific version available to registered users
-
- * Future enhancements: Secure password subsystem, defined pathing
- for .DEF and .CNF files, Automation of installation.
- Bug fixes as required in under one week, if possible.
-
-
- THE BASICS (Advanced Users Please Skip to INSTALLATION)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Common ground for understanding how to successfully configure PullDown is
- the DOS Batch Language. It is assumed that you are at least familiar with DOS
- command such as CD and how to start an application. But......
-
- When you start an application in DOS, you usually have to change to the
- directory that contains the application you want to use, then start it.
- An example is starting Lotus 1-2-3(tm) from Lotus Development. You likely
- type the following (or something close) at the C:\> (or C>) prompt...
-
- CD\LOTUS
- 123
-
- Pressing [ENTER] after each command. All a batch file is just a little
- collection of keystrokes that DOS puts in for you... this saves you keystrokes
- and is quicker than keying all of the CD etc. commands. To create a batch
- file that automates starting 1-2-3 you might type:
-
- COPY CON 123.BAT
- CD\LOTUS
- 123
- [F6] [ENTER]
-
- The [F6] function key leaves a ^Z on the screen, and [ENTER] ends the batch
- file. What you just did was copy the contents of the CONsole (the screen, or
- what you typed in after the command...) to a FILE called 123.BAT. After you
- have done this, you can type 123 [ENTER] and enter 1-2-3... you'd see this on
- your screen:
-
- CD\
- 123
-
- And vwolla, 1-2-3 would start. You can do this for any application, any time.
- Once the batch file is created you can use it over and over again. So, you
- can see why people use them. You could also create the file 123.BAT with a
- text editor or a word processor in some cases. (See notes later...)
-
- All PullDown does is creates a batch file called TEMPPULL.BAT, based upon the
- DOS commands you put in a file called PULLDWN.DEF. (DEFinition file) The
- file you use to start PullDown, PULLDWN.BAT is just a collection of a couple
- of commands calling PullDown, then the temporary batch file. If you think
- about it, the only other things the menu system needs to know are:
-
- * The title you want displayed on the screen for the selection
-
- * Which key will be "hot" for the selection (different color in the menu, and
- by pressing that key alone the menu highlight bar will move to that
- selection in the menu.)
-
- * Which of the PullDown menus the selection will appear under.
-
- * Which lines to totally ignore (comments)
-
- If you have ever used WordPerfect(tm), PCSHELL(tm) in PC Tools Deluxe,
- Quattro/Pro, or the menu shell in DOS 4.0 you have used PullDown menus.
-
- To facilitate defining what the menus look like, PullDown has a small set of
- commands you need to be familiar with. The first is DEF. DEF just tells
- PullDown that the next title is a title on the top bar of the screen under
- which subsequent title and batch commands will appear. The titles are
- preceded by a percent symbol %, and comments you want the menu system to
- totally ignore are preceded by a '. The BATCH commands used to start the
- application itself follow the TITLE and PullDown knows what they are only when
- you put a plus sign in front of them, +. So, to create a simple three
- selection menu with one top bar selection that would look something like this:
-
- Applications
- --------------
- | Lotus 1-2-3 |
- | MS Word 5.0 |
- | Quattro/Pro |
- --------------
-
- The PULLDWN.DEF contents would be:
-
- DEF
- %Applications
-
- %Lotus 1-2-3
- +cd\lotus
- +123
- +pulldwn
-
- %MS Word 5.0
- +cd\word5
- +word
- +pulldwn
-
- %Quattro/Pro
- +cd\qpro
- +q
- +pulldwn
-
-
- The last command is PULLDWN, which is the batch file that starts the PullDown
- menu system. If you did not put this in as the last command, or misspelled
- it, you would end up at the DOS prompt instead of back in the menu system.
- (Installation is covered later....)
-
-
- Getting fancier, to create TWO menus with the SECOND appearing as:
-
- Applications Communications
- ----------------
- | Qmodem 4.1B |
- | Relay Gold |
- | ProComm |
- |----------------| << This is an non-selectable LINE,
- | 3270 MainFrame | placed in the menu for appearance.
- ----------------
-
-
- You would ADD to the above .DEF file contents the following:
-
- DEF
- %Communications
-
- %Qmodem 4.1B
- +e:
- +cd\qmodem
- +qmodem
- +pulldwn
-
- %Relay Gold
- +d:
- +cd\relay
- +relay
- +pulldwn
-
- %ProComm
- +c:
- +cd\procomm
- +procomm
- +pulldwn
-
- %-
-
- %3270 MainFrame
- +pc3270 t
- +pulldwn
-
- Note the use of the lone %- defined a non-selectable horizontal bar. This is
- a nice feature allowing readability of long menus. Notice also that you did
- NOT have to tell PullDown that the second occurrence of DEF in the file was
- the menu to the right, and that everything under it goes with the
- Communications option... this is all automatic. Now, let's explore defining
- highlight keys.
-
- A highlight key is just a key that, when pressed, moves the highlight bar to
- a selection. There can only be one per selection. If you press and hold the
- ALT key, then press the highlight key, the selection is made automatically.
- That is, it is the same as moving the highlight bar with the arrow keys and
- pressing enter to select a choice.
-
- For example, to highlight the key "M" in the 3270 Mainframe selection you'd
- need to add a line below the title like this:
-
- %3270 MainFrame
- HI=5
- +pc3270 t
- +pulldwn
-
- Now, WHY 5? The starting position is considered 0 on the 3 in 3270. Count
- over 0,1,2,3,4,5 from the 3 in 3270 (ignore the %) and there is the M.
-
- 01234567890123
- %3270 MainFrame
- HI=13 <<<< Would highlight the e in MainFrame <
-
- A couple of rules: HI must immediately follow the % definition, can have
- leading blanks, and must be valid for the selection. If it is invalid it is
- ignored. If there is more that one highlight key with the same KEY definition
- conflicts are resolved as the first occurrence in the menu top to bottom. So,
- if the M in Qmodem (either one) AND the M in mainframe were highlighted, then
- if you pressed ALT+M you'd get Qmodem. The highlights are NOT case-sensitive.
-
- The sample file PULLDWN.DEF is a good starting point and is fully commented.
- A word about editing this file (and the PULLDWN.HLP file discussed below):
- When most commercial word processors edit a file, and you save it, they save
- what are known as control characters inside the file. You never see them on
- your screen, but they are in the file. Suffice it to say that what you see on
- screen and what is printed is NOT what is stored in the file. The distinction
- is important when you start creating batch files, OR editing files that
- require PURE text (none of those control codes...) like PULLDWN.DEF and
- PULLDWN.HLP. Just as DOS will not understand the goop that a word processor
- typically saves in a batch file, PullDown will not comprehend the .DEF and
- .HLP files a word processor saves. There are ways to avoid this:
-
- 1) Edit PULLDWN.DEF and PULLDWN.HLP with a text editor. Text editors are like
- word processors, but don't have fancy bold, underline, and centering
- features like word processors. They are designed to NOT save those control
- characters required to make the bold, underline, etc. typefaces on your
- screen or on a printer. If you don't have one, consider the following
- shareware editors: QEDIT or ZE (Zia). Commercially, try PE2, or PE3.
- All of these products save files in a compatible, clean format. You can
- not only use them to edit the PullDown files, but to create and edit DOS
- Batch files. e.g. to create that 123.BAT file we discussed at the top you
- would start a text editor, type in the commands, and SAVE the file as
- 123.BAT.
-
- 2) Edit PULLDWN.DEF and PULLDWN.HLP with a word processor fully capable of
- saving the file a UNFORMATTED, or ASCII. CAUTION: Some word processors
- HAVE the option but it fails to create a file with the same format as a
- text editor (an example of this MS WORD 4.0). WordPerfect, Professional
- Write, and the shareware word processor PC-WRITE can save correctly
- formatted files. Beyond these, you will have to experiment. Making backup
- copies of the .DEF and .HLP files is suggested. If you inadvertently save
- a file with the wrong format, errors in PullDown operation WILL result.
- Whacky menus, weird help screens, and unexpected batch commands will be the
- symptoms of this. You CAN save the file by reloading it into the word
- processor that trashed it, and then save it as ASCII or UNFORMATTED text.
- If that fails also, then restore your backups and edit the files with a
- text editor. [A future version of PullDown may include an editor if enough
- users request it...]
-
- Summarizing, the general format of the .DEF file is:
-
- DEF - Defines a top menu bar title to follow. Up to 8 are supported
- % - Followed by a title for the top bar
-
- % - A title for a submenu, appearing under the parent DEF (above)
- HI= - Followed by the desired highlight key number, counted 0+ from left
- + - The batch commands PullDown will execute to use the program defined
- by the % title preceding it.
-
- %- - Puts an unselectable bar in the menu.
-
- And so on, up to 8 DEFs, 36 %'s under a DEF (limited by your screen mode)
- Which brings up screen mode... if you are unfamiliar with this term, it just
- means the number of ROWS on your screen. Lotus 1-2-3 Rel 2.2 and 3.0 can
- utilize more screen rows. For most purposes the number of screen rows is 25,
- and thus your menus are limited to 23 selections, INCLUDING the unselectable
- bars in each.
-
- PULLDWN.HLP - Help Subsystem Definitions
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- About the PULLDWN.HLP file. You will notice on the PullDown menu screen that
- there is an [F1]=HELP key available. This does NOT provide help on the
- operation of PullDown, but rather is a help screen for the selection the user
- has highlighted with the menu bar. The help is user-defined, up to 50 lines
- long (longer available), and kept in a separate file named PULLDWN.HLP. When
- you press F1, PullDown looks for this file, opens it, and then searches for
- the EXACT alphanumeric match to the title you have highlighted on the screen.
- When it is found, PullDown reads the lines beneath it until a special end of
- help symbol ### is detected (or until 50 lines, or end of file).
-
- The format of the file is extremely simple. For example, to define help for
- all of the menu commands created under APPLICATIONS above:
-
- Lotus 1-2-3
- 1-2-3 is the leading spreadsheet. Use it
- to crunch numbers, make presentation slides,
- or produce simple graphs.
- ###
-
- MS Word 5.0
- Word Processing. Use for letters, notes,
- memos, or even envelopes.
- ###
-
- Quattro/Pro
- Probably the new leading spreadsheet
- application for professional analytic
- work. Financial Analysts are already
- switching in droves. Lotus Development
- has serious competition in this product.
- ###
-
- See the section on TroubleShooting for reasons why you might get an
- unexpected help screen, but in brief here are the limitations:
-
- 1) Lines must be under 69 characters (Dialog Box limitation on screen)
- long. Longer lines (up to 80 characters) are truncated. Really long
- lines, like those saved by a word processor (typically) will give you some
- definitely strange results.
-
- 2) Forgetting the ### at the end of a screen definition will result in more
- help on another subject (unless it is the last one).
-
- 3) Smiling faces and other bizarre results are certainly the control
- characters saved in the .HLP file by a word processor.
-
- Finally, how to edit the files:
-
- Start your text editor (or compatible word processor) and LOAD the file
- PULLDWN.DEF. Change it to your specifications and save it to disk. Then,
- edit the file to produce help as desired (e.g. delete the leading % and +
- batch commands out, along with the DEFs...). Just type in the help under
- each, end with ### and save the file as PULLDWN.HLP. All done.....
-
- Similarly, you will need to load and edit the following BATCH files...
-
- PULLDWN.BAT
- MENU.BAT
-
- Each contains simple commands that point to the directory you install PullDown
- in.
-
-
- INSTALLATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Required expertise: Working familiarity of DOS. You will be asked to
- modify some files using a text editor (NOT a Word Processor, in general)
- and change Autoexec.bat, if desired. Ask for help if you do not know how
- to handle these tasks.
-
- 1) UNZIP the distribution file to the directory you will install
- PullDown in. The directory does NOT need to be in your DOS PATH, but the
- two batch files, MENU.BAT and PULLDWN.BAT *MUST* be. If you are uncertain,
- you may install all files in the ROOT directory of your boot drive... e.g.
- C:\......
-
- The command to install the PullDown system is:
-
- [D:\path\]PKUNZIP PULLDN3B.ZIP C:\INSTPTH
-
- where:
- [D:\path] is optional, being the drive/directory PULLDN3B.ZIP is in, and
- C:\INSTPTH is the drive/directory you wish to install PullDown in.
-
- EXAMPLE: Your PULLDN3B.ZIP file is on drive A:, and you want to install
- it to C:\UTILS... type
-
- PKUNZIP A:PULLDN3B.ZIP C:\UTILS
-
- Be aware that PKUNZIP cannot create a subdirectory, so you will have to
- create it first.
-
- This will extract and copy all of the required files to the subdirectory
- of your choice. If PullDown will be installed in a directory that is NOT
- in your DOS path, an additional step is required. (HINT: to see the
- paths that are in your DOS path, type SET and press enter at the command
- line.... to SET the pathing, edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to contain a
- SET PATHS=c:\;... statement) Copy the files MENU.BAT and PULLDWN.BAT to
- a subdirectory in your DOS path, and edit them to reflect the directory
- you installed PullDown into above. Either way edit them to reflect
- the subdirectory you installed the menu system in.
-
- 2) Attempt to start the system, type PULLDWN or MENU and press enter.
- You should get a dialog box on the screen. If you don't
- make sure step one was performed correctly. PullDown traps all
- error conditions such as missing files etc. If it succeeds, you will
- be presented with a dialog box requesting initialization. Press [ENTER]
- or click the <OK> command button. PullDown detects exactly what type
- of monitor and video card you have, and installs the .CNF file. This
- .CNF file contains all your options such as color etc. It is a double
- encrypted binary file, so attempting to edit it directly will only
- corrupt it. (See TROUBLESHOOTING). After this initialization step
- PullDown will display a sample menu system. You will customize all
- parts of the system in step 3. Quit the menu system and start your
- text editor.
-
- 3) EDIT PULLDWN.DEF - Edit this file with a TEXT EDITOR ONLY. If you
- edit it with a word processor and save it, the format will be
- incorrect. The result will be junk on the screen, or worse yet
- PullDown will not start at all. (Always keep a backup)
- The structure and syntax of the .DEFinition file is contained in the
- header lines of the file... the example file is meant as something you
- can learn from and adapt to your needs. Suggestions:
- * Edit the .DEF file, only changing the EDIT PULLDWN.DEF and .HLP
- options for YOUR particular path used in setup. Within the file
- it assumes the path C:\UTILS. Change it to your path/editor then
- restart the menu system. Select those options to edit the .DEF
- file, exiting then takes you back to PullDown to see your result.
- * Examine BOTH the .DEF and .HLP files before you start. This will
- show you how easy it is to add help. IF YOU WANT TO DISABLE THE
- HELP SUBSYSTEM entirely, delete the PULLDWN.HLP file and skip step
- -3-.
-
- 4) CREATE PULLDWN.HLP - This is the HELP subsystem file. It is a parallel
- file
- to PULLDWN.DEF in that when you press F1 for HELP in the system PullDown
- searches the .HLP file for the EXACT title heading within PULLDWN.HLP, then
- displays all lines between the heading and the end of help sign ###.
- Again, view PULLDWN.HLP before you attempt to create a new one so you
- can see the example that came with the package. It is strongly recommended
- that you edit the .DEF file, then copy it over to form the basis of
- your help file. You will see that the formats are different in only a
- minor way. A detailed example with documentation follows. Advanced users
- might want to just skip it and edit the files right away.
-
- 5) Optionally erase PULLDN3B.ZIP (Might serve as a good backup...)
-
-
- USING THE KEYBOARD, MOUSE AND MENUS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- When you start the menu system, the first menu and first selection will be
- highlighted. Using the keyboard, just press the up, down, left, right, home
- and end keys to navigate. Press [ENTER] to select, [F1] for context help, if
- defined in PULLDWN.HLP, [F2] to redefine the colors, screen blank timer limit,
- and defaults. The color system is self-explanatory... [F10] saves the setup,
- and [ESC] exits to the menus. [ESC] from the main menu exits to DOS
- immediately without confirmation. The highlighted hotkeys have a dual
- function. Then pressed withOUT the ALT key held down the highlight bar moves
- to that selection. When the ALT key is also held down, the selection is
- executed. The MOUSE behaves as expected. To get help using the mouse: Press
- the left button, drag to the selection, then instead of releasing the key roll
- the mouse off horizontally to the left or right. Releasing the mouse key will
- then have no effect. Click on the [F1] tag line for context help.
- Alternatively, drag off to one side and release the mouse button on the [F1]
- tagline. Note also that this technique works on the color and exit options.
- It is suspected that many users will stop reading here and take off to explore
- the menu system. Enjoy! For those who want to know more, or discover how to
- register this software, the rest of the documentation details the .DEF and
- .HLP file formats and presents a short but comprehensive troubleshooting
- guide.
-
-
- ** This following is advanced.... see THE BASICS if you get confused **
-
- DETAILS ON PULLDWN.DEF and PULLDWN.HLP, WITH SAMPLE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- FORMAT OF PULLDWN.DEF
-
- ' - Anything the menu system does not understand will be ignored,
- but ' denotes a clear comment.
-
- DEF keyword delimits the TOP ROW menu cuts. As outlined
-
- % Title. If the first under a DEF (Max. 7 DEF @ 70 CHAR TOTAL) defines
- the MAIN title.... afterward subordinate titles.
-
- %- Defines a draw line. COUNTS AS A TITLE toward the 20 MAX under each
-
- HI=xx Tells the menu system which letter to highlight... default is the
- first letter of the menu pick..... INVALID on the top line.
-
- + Batch commands for a selection. See documentation on maximums. No
- practical limit to the number under each.
-
- Leading AND trailing blanks ignored. Case sensitive. Be SURE DEF is caps.
-
- See also: PULLDWN.HLP - the user defined HELP subsystem for PULLDWN.
- the best way to approach is to work out the .DEF file, then edit it
- to produce the .HLP file, as PullDown EXPECTS the heading of the HELP
- to be exactly the same as the title in .DEF files.... and will select
- the first occurrence of the title for help.
-
- This sample (a portion of the actual PULLDWN.DEF on the distribution disk)
- produces a simple menu that looks like.....
-
- Applications Exit
- ------------------
- | Quattro/Pro |
- | WordPerfect |
- |------------------|
- | Harvard Graphics |
- | MS Windows v3.0 | Highlight keys not shown.....
- ------------------ This is what appears on startup...
-
- DEF
- % Applications
- ' This would be the top line. NO HI= allowed.
- ' Of course, no "+" batch commands make any sense without %'s below
- '-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- %Quattro/Pro
- HI=0
- ' Note the highlight character in the first position is 0
- +echo off
- +cls
- +c:
- +cd\qpro
- +q
- +PULLWN.BAT
- ' Always call pulldwn.bat as last menu selection to continue into menu system
- '-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- '0123456789012345 HiLite the P in perfect....
- %Word Perfect 5.1
- HI=5
- +c:
- +cd\wp51
- +wp
- +pulldwn
- '-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ' The sole - on the following line makes the horizontal bar.
- %-
- '-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- %Harvard Graphics
- +echo off
- +cls
- +c:
- +cd\harvard
- +hg
- +pulldwn
- '-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- %Windows v3.0
- +e:
- +cd\win
- +win3
- +pulldwn
- ' The BETA of Windows 3.0 looks fantastic.. but slow.
- '=============================================================================
- DEF
- ' Second menu choice across the top. You get 8 of these max. Falling off
- ' to the right means that there are too many characters total across the top
- ' of the menu screen. Reduce the length of these titles to stop that from
- ' happening.
- '-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ' Sample to create your own exit routine.....
- DEF
- %Exit
- '-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- to DOS
- HI=1
- +echo off
- +cls
- +echo Type PULLDWN [ENTER] to return to the menu system.
- +echo.
- ' echo. will echo out a blank line.
- ' you could thus make it anything....
- ' e.g. a special logo file etc.
- '-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- %Shell to DOS
- +echo off
- +cls
- +echo Type EXIT [ENTER] to return. (RAM OHD=3.5K)
- +echo.
- +command
- +pulldwn
- '=============================================================================
-
- Which is in fact pretty simple. The HI commands, if absent, will result in
- the first letter of the selection being the HotKey. Pressing a HotKey is the
- same as selecting it with the mouse, or with the highlight bar. The
- PULLDWN.HLP file is very simple... it is just a text file of HELP, with blocks
- delimited by the EXACT titles above (only selections, not the top bar DEFs)
-
- A sample .HLP file follows.... again a ' is a comment
-
- Quattro/Pro
- Quattro is the latest challenger to 1-2-3, and many are switching
- rapidly to this system.
- ###
-
- Harvard Graphics
- An easy to use and relatively bulletproof graphics system
- ###
-
- NOTES:
- * If you define no help for an option, PullDown pops a dialog box
- saying so.
- * The maximum line length is 69 characters, and 48 lines.
- (If you need more lines, call for a custom version.)
-
- * The system stops at the end of the file, 48 lines, or ###, whichever
- comes first. The lines below the FIRST occurrence of the EXACT titles
- as defined in PULLDWN.DEF. Be SURE not to save long lines in this
- file with a word processor.
-
-
- TROUBLESHOOTING
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- You execute PULLDWN.BAT and DOS give you 'Bad Command or Filename' - Check
- your PATH definition in PULLDWN.BAT (see installation). Or, check to be sure
- PULLDWN.BAT is in a directory that IS in your DOS path.
-
- PullDown starts, then 'Bad Command or Filename' whizzes by when you select
- something. Check the PULLDWN.DEF file contents for error under that
- selections. Most likely you have a typo in there!
-
- No menu selections: PULLDWN.DEF is not in the same subdirectory as
- PULLDWN1.EXE, has been edited using a word processor, or does not exist.
-
- Menu system says "no help available" but you defined help. PULLDWN.HLP is
- not in the same subdirectory as PULLDWN1.EXE, there is a spelling error
- in the file (i.e. no match was found).
-
- Help is whacky. Duplicate string occurrences of the exact selection are
- possible. If the results are unexpected, chances are the you have two of
- the same thing in the file, with the first being before the help you defined.
-
- Help has smiling faces and bizarre characters in it. You used a word
- processor to edit the .HLP file and saved it with control characters in
- it. You can attempt to load the file again and save it without formatting,
- but this at times will NOT result in a file with a CR/LF at the end, which
- is what PULLDWN.HLP requires.
-
- Help file looks OK, but truncating and weird screens are being popped in
- the help box. You have edited the file with an editor or word processor
- that does not place a CR/LF at the end of each line. Try QEDIT.
-
- Menu system displays whacky results. PULLDWN.HLP lines are too long (any
- over 69 are truncated), it was edited using a word processor, or the file
- was corrupted by some means.
-
- PullDown starts and then displays an error message. All error messages
- are meant to be very explicit and self-explanatory. If you get one that you
- cannot understand, or the system just locks up, please call for technical
- support. (Registered or not the author will try to help)
-
- You type PULLDWN or MENU and get "Bad command or filename" with no menu
- display. Your PULLDWN.BAT and MENU.BAT files need to be edited to
- reflect the path you installed PULLDWN1.EXE and the .DEF/.HLP files in.
-
- Results are unpredictable. This is caused by an omission in MENU.BAT or
- PULLDWN.BAT... the following sample is recommended in general... where
- MENUDIR is YOUR subdirectory in which you installed PullDown:
-
- echo off
- cls
- c: <<<<< YOUR DRIVE
- cd\MENUDIR <<<<< YOUR SUBDIR*
- REM ^^^^ Substitute your subdirectory here.
- pulldwn1.exe %1 %2
- IF ERRORLEVEL=1 GOTO :END
- REM PullDown generates an errorlevel code on exit and prints the
- REM error message appropriate for the condition encountered.
- temppull.bat
- :END
-
- * It is likely the omission of this line, pointing to the subdirectory
- PULLDWN1.EXE is in that may cause whacky results. PULLDWN1.EXE
- creates the TEMPPULL.BAT file. If you have TEMPPULL.BAT files
- all over your drive this is why.
-
- PullDown starts, you select a choice, and then DON'T return to the
- menu system. Be sure you have PULLDWN or MENU as the last command in
- every menu definition. If that is true, then try putting the following
- BEFORE the command to start the selection in the .DEF file...
- COMMAND/C
-
- See the sample selection for Magellan.... some programs "clear the stack"
- which means that although you execute TEMPPULL.BAT, DOS cannot find
- the batch file on exit from the application. The overhead for invoking
- the second command.com by using command/c is small.
-
- Fatal Error at ####:#### Call for tech support. Write down the error message.
-
- More help. Call the tech support numbers shown in TECH SUPPORT sections
- that follow.
-
- REQUIREMENTS:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- 256K Available RAM, DOS 3.xx (Untested under DOS 2.xx), MS or Compatible
- mouse optional. Disk space requirements will vary depending upon the
- size of the user-defined files. Tested on: Zenith Z series, CompuAdd,
- Compaq DeskPro and Portables, IBM PS/2 Models 30-70 A21, IBM AT, Austin,
- and IBM PC. If the .EXE fails to start or locks your system, please
- notify the author.
-
- FILES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- PULLDWN DEF .......................... User-Defined menu selections
- PULLDWN HLP .......................... User-Defined Help for menu selections
- PULLDWN BAT .......................... Batch file to start menu system 1/2
- MENU BAT .......................... Batch file to start menu system 2/2
- PULLDN3B DOC .......................... Documentation
- PULLDWN REG .......................... Registration Help Screen
- REGFORM DOC .......................... Registration mailer
- PULLDWN1 EXE .......................... Main .EXE to run system
- P286 EXE .......................... 80286+ specific version (Reg only)
-
- Command to start PullDown is:
- PULLDWN [REGISTER] [HELP] [/?] or
- MENU [REGISTER] [HELP] [/?]
-
-
- REGISTRATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- The flat registration fee is $20 per copy, per machine. Commercial operations
- are explicitly restrained from using this software in the unregistered state.
- Non-profit organizations may apply for a reduced registration fee.
- Individuals are bound by the unwritten "shareware" trail/registration
- tradition. Please consider supporting the shareware you use and enjoy, it
- keeps the hobbyist going!!
-
- Print the form REGFORM.DOC, fill it out, and send it to:
-
- MicroDynamics Development
- 1445 Mensch Lane
- Gilbertsville, PA 19525
-
- You will receive in the mail a valid registration number and name. To
- validate your registration and enable advanced features simply
- start the menu system in a slightly different way by following the
- usual command with the word REGISTER. A dialog box will appear requesting
- your name and registration number. Type EXACTLY what appears on the return
- form as the algorithm to register your copy depends upon your name.
-
- An authorized dealer/consultant can perform all of the registration for you
- on-site and upon installation. You then remit through your representative.
-
- WHERE TO CALL FOR HELP:
- MicroDynamics Development consists of one person, Sam Horton, and you can
- reach him on the following BBS lines:
-
- * MicroDynamics Technical Support Conference #5, RunWay BBS
- (215)-399-1328 [or (215)-399-9590 HST Private Node upon registration]
- Enter the BBS by logging on and then type J;5 [ENTER]
-
- * GEnie: Mail address S.HORTON1
- * CompuServe: Coming soon
- * EXEC-PC (Subscription BBS, 100 Lines) (414)-789-4210
- * Programmer's Corner (301)-596-1180 HST/2400 roll, 3 lines
- (301)-995-3744 v.32 9600, 3 lines
- * DelChes BBS System (215)-363-6625, Requires Mail-in registration, no fee.
-
- Unless otherwise noted above, leave a message for SAM HORTON and your
- questions will be handled promptly. Dealer/Consultant agreements with
- fee to dealer available. Call or write for details.
-
- OTHER SOFTWARE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- MicroDynamics also offers XCONFIG, a menu-driven multiple boot control
- utility as FREEWARE (Public Domain). An update offered as shareware will
- be enhanced significantly. Coming later in 1990: ZipPak/Pro, a PKZIP(tm)
- shell of considerable power. AutoHelp.BAS, a subprogram available for
- the QB/QBX programmer who owns DIALOGIC from Dialog Software. (AutoHelp
- is used to pop the user-defined help to the screen in PullDown v1.00+)
- AutoHelp is a commercial product. Write for a demo copy.
-
- THANKS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- To all those who encouraged the development of PullDown.......... and
- especially to those who registered it!
-
- LICENSE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- SHAREWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT ACCEPTED BY YOUR USE: As a non-commercial
- private user you are permitted to use/evaluate this product at no charge
- for a period of 30 days. At the end of that period, if you feel that this
- work has some value to you, please consider a donation of $20 to register
- the product.
-
- Commercial business users are restrained from using the product in the
- unregistered state under ALL circumstances.
-
- Contributing BETA TEST sites receive free registrations for their efforts.
-
- DISTRIBUTION: PullDown v1.11 MUST be distributed in its original, unmodified
- form on only public-access BBS systems. Any distribution for remuneration
- beyond the cost of the diskette/mailing is strictly forbidden without the
- written permission of MicroDynamics and the author. User group demo
- and distribution for member donation excepted. Consultants/Dealers can
- obtain an on-site registration system upon acceptance of the "Dealer"
- agreement obtained from MicroDynamics.
-
- CREDIT WHERE DUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- PKZIP(tm) PKWARE, INC 1990
- WordPerfect(tm) WordPerfect Corp 1981-1990
- MS/Microsoft MS Word et al (c) Microsoft Corp. 1980-1990
- Quattro/Pro(tm) Borland International
- Harvard Graphics (c) 1988-1990 SPC
- 3270 Emulation Spec (c) IBM, PE2/PE3 (c) 1984-1990 IBM
- And the others I might have forgotten: Please don't sue me! <grin>
-
- Follow the motto of shareware, ENJOY!!!
- slh
- 4/90
-
-
-
-