Program supplies a working command line similar to the "Run" menu on your desktop, with a few extras tacked on.
Updates since 1.2:
-Command line history schema changed - now a viewable/not viewable list that responds to arrow keys to load previous commands typed
-Resizable instead of a fixed window
-"On Top" option added
-App now makes full use of registry for settings (shoulda done this long before)
-Slightly new interface, misc menu changes to support new features.
Updates since 2.0
-Various bug fixes not worth mentioning
-Added long filename compatibility
-Added DOS command shortcut option
-Replaced funky Move command with a more reliable alternative
-Added functions to launch file browse dialog
-Added alias functionality
Updates since 2.1
-Fixed "Subscript out of range" bug
-Misc menu reshuffling
-Added history saving
-Added "permanent history" function
Requirements:
The standard Visual Basic 5 runtime files and the common dialog ActiveX control (COMDLG32.OCX), available from several net locations and not included in this archive to minimize download time. There are links on the app homepage if you have a lot of trouble finding them.
Description:
Just like you use the Windows95 Start Menu Run... command. Type in a command and press return. Include the path to any application not in your system path. You can also launch documents by their associated program and Windows95 shortcuts, with or without specifying the .LNK extension.
If you need to utilize long filenames in your command line or parms,
In order to run a DOS system command, you need to preclude the command with "command /c". However, you can substitute the symbol "%" for speed. (Ie. %dir /w /p)
The program supports the concept of aliases; keywords substituted for a longer command line. Once an alias is defined, typing that alias keyword will effectively execute the command line you've associated with it. These are defined in the "Define Aliases" dialog.
The program also supports a couple of sorts of history saving. The first is an automatic storing of all commands in your history list at shutdown. The second is user-defined items that will always appear in the list. See the FAQ from this archive for more info.
In this dialog, fill in the fields with your alias keyword and command line and click "Add" to include it. Double click an alias to remove it. Make use of the browse button if you need some help pointing out the executable/document. Once you close this window, the aliases are saved and made active.
Left clicking the button on the left border of the app gives you Command Line's control menu.
-"On top" allows you to specify whether the program will "float" above other windows.
-"Browse" offers the standard file dialog to specify your executable. You can also achieve this by entering "browse" (without the quotes) as your command line.
-"Define aliases" allows you to do just that.
-"Clear Command History" does just that.
-"Exit" shuts the program down.
-"Change text color", "Change background color" and "Use Window's default colors" does exactly what it sounds like.
-The up and down arrows allow you to navigate through previous commands. You may also resize the form beyond the normal size of the data entry box and get a list of these previous commands. You can click on these to load them similarly.
Right clicking on the button allows you to drag the window to a new location, which it will remember from then on. Right click once to begin dragging, then left click once when it reaches the desired destination.
Known bugs:
-Some commands with parameters just don't get handled properly even though they logically should. Still working on this. A workaround would be to create a Windows95 shortcut to the app you normally use, including all the parms and switches and launching the shortcut instead of the app. It's annoying, but that's what you get with free software occasionally.
Planned upgrades:
-Saving command line histories as soon as I can figure out a good way to limit registry bloat.
Licence:
BR Command Line is offered as freeware for non-commercial uses. This means that although I retain the copyright to this program, you are free to use and distribute it without making payment of any sort to me as long as you're just using it for your own personal enjoyment and not to fulfill the goals of a business or business venture. So if you're using it at
work, or to accomplish work goals, you're not eligible for freeware use. Bottom line - if
it's helping you or another company make money, you owe me some :)
A single license is available for $5 US funds for business users, or you have the option of negotiating a reasonable site license. Contact the author for details.
You are also not licensed to resell the product by itself or as part of a larger package. This is because while I enjoy sharing my creations with others who can use them, if anyone gets paid for the use of this program it should be me :)
I would appreciate your comments by email. Email is cheap enough that it won't inconvenience you and I'd just like to know how many people actually got some use out of this program. The responses of satisfied users is basically what keeps me posting my apps, so be sure and let me know if you liked.
This application began as a ridiculously simplistic box with more bugs than features, but completely filled my needs. It's developed into a pretty comprehensive little toy due to the comments of users who took the time to drop an email. Your input DOES make a difference. I don't add you to a mailing list or anything or sell your addresses to spammers or post them anywhere that a spammer could get to them. I don't track you with the intention of future direct mailings or shareware notices. I just like to know who gives a hoot about the things I'm doing. That helps me make a decision when I have a few spare hours to add a feature to some app of mine.
Support Policy:
As I receive no payment for this program, I guarantee no support of any kind. You may send questions via email, and I will attempt to answer them at my leisure, but use of this program in no way guarantees technical support of any kind. It is known to be quite funky in places, so you blaze forth at your own risk.
The Email/Web info is valid as of this date (5/98). In the future, should these addresses change, you should probably look through the major shareware/freeware sites for a reference or do a search for my name via some of the web search engines. I plan to keep my apps out there, but we all know the web is a changing media.
Disclaimer:
I do not guarantee (expressly or implied) that this program is suitable for your use or free from bugs. Every effort has been made to properly test it for my own use, but this is not to be seen as a statement of quality. You use this program at your own risk; I will not be held responsible for any losses incurred as a direct or indirect result of using this program.
Note:
You may also wish to consult the included FAQ for tips and tricks.
