People who like to use Windows 95 applications but miss the DOS style
navigation will love Command Line97. 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 Line97 allows the user to
execute DOS commands and files as is done in DOS while staying in the
graphical environment. Command Line97 also accepts Windows' program
filenames. For example to execute Windows' Solitaire, instead of looking
for the Solitaire icon and double clicking it, simply type the Solitaire
filename 'sol' in Command Line97.
Command Line97 is shareware and may be freely distributed. If you find this
program useful please register it.
Contents
1a) Installation
1b) UnInstallation
2) Using Command Line97
3) Options
4) Registering Command Line97
5) For your Information (read if having problems)
6) New for Command Line97
7) Last minute notes
1a) Installation
- Just copy the contents of the zip file to your favorite directory.
- Create a shortcut in the startup folder.
1b) UnInstallation
If you wish to remove Command Line97:
- delete the files in the directory you chose for Command Line97.
* Command Line97 will leave information in the Windows 95 system registry. It is perfectly fine to leave this information where it is. It holds information such as your personal registration information, etc.
If you would like to remove this information from the system registry use the following steps. (WARNING IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED NOT TO ALTER THE SYSTEM REGISTRY UNLESS YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT. ALTERING THE WRONG INFORMATION CAN CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS TO OTHER SOFTWARE ON YOUR COMPUTER)
If you would like to remove Command Line97 from the registry:
(1) Press the Start button and click on the Run menu item
(2) enter the word regedit and press return
(3) From the Edit menu select Find
(4) Enter the word Sealesware and press enter (this may take several seconds)
(5) In the left window click in the + to the left of the word Sealesware
(6) Command Line97 will be the name of a folder listed below the Sealesware folder
(7) Select the Command Line97 folder (by single clicking on the words Command Line97)
(8) From the Edit menu select Delete
(9) When the message box pops up asking "Are you sure you want to delete this key?" press Yes.
That's it. There is no trace of Command Line97 in you system's registry.
2) Using Command Line97
Command Line97 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 Line97 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 Line97 executes Explorer. Explorer becomes the active window.
Alt-F4 will close this window and return control to Command Line97. While
using the system the user may be using many other applications and Command
Line97 will become buried below the other windows. Alt-TAB is a quick way
of switching back to Command Line97.
Mouse Buttons:
- Pressing the left mouse button the the Command Line97 tray icon will
make the program visible.
- Pressing the right mouse button will hide the Command Line97 window.
Other:
When the user enters a filename, Command Line97 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 check box (Command Line97 Always on Top) allows the user to keep
Command Line97 the top most window or allow it to be buried.
- The check box (Start hidden) will start Command Line97 hidden and
place its icon in the Windows 95 tray. Clicking the icon with the left
mouse button will display the Command Line97 window. Clicking the icon
with the right mouse button will hide Command Line97.
- The check box (Display icon in tray) will place the Command Line97
icon in the Windows 95 tray. If the (Start hidden) check box is displayed
the Command Line97 icon will be placed in the tray automatically.
- The check box (Use Sounds) allows the user to turn the system sounds on or off.
This option is only valid when using path window messages.
- New for Command Line97 is command association. From the Info dialog box press the 'commands' button. This will display another dialog box. Enter a single word in the first field. Then enter the program (path and any parameters) to be executed. Then press the 'add' button. Now when you enter the command name in the Command Line97 window the program that was specified in the second field will be executed. To delete a command simply select the command to be deleted in the list box and press the delete button. If you need to change the properties of a command, first delete the command then enter the command as a new one. This small annoyance will be fixed in the future with an edit button.
4) Registering Command Line97
The easiest way to register is to fill out the registration form, included
within the ZIP file, and send it along with $10.00 to:
(Please make checks payable to Joshua Seales)
Joshua Seales
4620 Briar Hill Rd.
Cortland NY 13045
USA
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 $10.00 to the address above.
Comments are welcome.
Benefits of registering Command Line97...
- gets rid of the annoying nag screen.
- entitles you to future versions of Command Line97 free.
- entitles you to tech. support.
You will be sent back a registration name and code. 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 (The good 'ol U.S. postal service).
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:\ ).
- 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 Line97
- changed the look
- added the feature of using personal commands
- changed and updated some information in the text files.
7) Last minute notes
- If you happen to delete crucial commands such as 'dir' or 'copy' and do not know how to enter them you can press the 'reset' button from the Command Association Dialog. This will reset the 'dir' and 'copy' commands but will also delete the rest of the commands in the list box.
DISCLAIMER
Command Line97 has been tested to the best of our abilities for bugs. The
author of Command Line97 is not responsible for any damage that may incur
to the user's system or data as a result of using Command Line97.
Microsoft, MS, Windows, and the Windows logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Corporation in no way endorses or is affiliated with Command Line97 or Sealesware. All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.
