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IAMS - Version 2.7 Instant Access Menu System Prodigy Technologies 14611 Carmel Ridge Road San Diego, California 92128 U.S.A Written by Tony Gentile Member of the ASP Association of Shareware Professionals TABLE OF CONTENTS ================================================================= INTRODUCTIONS Overview................................................. 1 Program capabilities..................................... 2 Hardware and Software Requirements....................... 2 Warranty................................................. 3 License and Copyright Notice............................. 3 Registration Form........................................ 4 Corporate and Quantity Discounts......................... 5 USING CONFIG.EXE Using CONFIG.EXE......................................... 5 A Little Note............................................ 5 A Word on Help........................................... 6 Valid Keys............................................... 6 Running it............................................... 6 File Validation Screen................................... 6 The Opening Screen....................................... 7 Main Menu Configuration.................................. 7 The Sub Menu Selector.................................... 8 Sub Menu Configuration................................... 8 Configuring a Program.................................... 9 Program Entry Validation................................. 10 Sub Menu Utilities....................................... 11 Password Configuration................................... 12 General Configuration.................................... 13 Configuring AutoExecution................................ 15 Quitting................................................. 17 USING MENUS.EXE Using MENUS.EXE.......................................... 17 Running it............................................... 17 Self Checking............................................ 17 The Main Menu............................................ 18 Passwords................................................ 18 The Sub Menus............................................ 18 The Function Menu........................................ 19 Online Help.............................................. 19 Registration Info........................................ 19 Notepad.................................................. 20 The Turbo Editor......................................... 21 DOS Shell................................................ 23 Screen Blank............................................. 23 Autoexecution toggle..................................... 23 AutoBoot toggle.......................................... 23 ESCaping................................................. 23 Final Note............................................... 23 APPENDICES AutoBoot Information..................................... 24 Programs known to work with Instant Access............... 25 Thanks to those that helped.............................. 26 Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 01 * OVERVIEW * WHAT IS THE INSTANT ACCESS MENU SYSTEM ? The Instant Access Menu System (IAMS) is a program that allows you to organize your software in a centralized fashion. From there, you may "order" which program you want to run, much like you'd order what you wish to eat from a restaurants menu. WHO WAS IAMS DEVELOPED FOR ? IAMS was designed for anyway who wants to get the most out of their computer programs with the least amount of work, hassle and wasted time. IAMS is both an organizational and productivity tool. It's interface allows for easier, and quicker, access to any program on your hard disk. JUST HOW WILL IT MAKE THINGS "EASIER AND QUICKER" ? Once you have entered the information on the programs you wish to run through Instant Access, you no longer have to deal through DOS. For example, if you want to run your spreadsheet, you simply hit "A" (or whatever you wish it to be). The same is true for any type of program. From here on out, you don't have to switch drives and directories, or remember the command to begin the program. Simply said, with Instant Access you can run any program that would normally be executed through DOS. The important difference is that with Instant Access, it only takes two keystrokes! WHO WROTE THIS PROGRAM ? This program is produced by Tony Gentile, a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). The 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 the member's products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at P.O. Box 5786, Bellevue, WA 98006 or send a Compuserve message via easyplex to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. HOW ABOUT SOME SPECIFICS ON IAMS ? For more information on IAMS, including features, functions, setup and use, just continue reading! Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 02 * PROGRAM CAPABILITIES * PROGRAMS : o Run any DOS program using less than 4K of memory. o Run any of 400 DOS programs with just two keystrokes. o Run programs on other [logical] drives. o Run internal DOS Commands. o Run programs on your PATH statement. o Run programs in AutoBoot mode. o Run a program at a specific time and date, or everyday unattended. o Pass parameters to any program. o Password protect any program. CONFIGURATION : o Completely menu driven configuration system. o Program entry is done interactively. o Complete drive, directory and file name validation. o Prompting to confirm exit if changes were not saved. o Edit the Banner message. GENERAL UTILITIES : o User definable colors. o Automatic screen blanking utility. o Usage log for program (time) tracking. o Online Help o A PopUp Notepad. o A Full-functioned text editor. o A DOS Shell. o Running time display. * HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS * IAMS was designed for use on any IBM PC/XT/AT, PS/2, or any fully compatible machine. It requires 172K worth of RAM to load, but less than 4K to run programs. Although Instant Access could be run off a floppy drive, you would not realize the true benefits it provides. Thus, a Hard Disk is also recommended. The only required software is DOS version 2.0 or greater. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 03 * WARRANTY * PRODIGY Technologies makes no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, and warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. PRODIGY Technologies shall not be liable for any damages, whether direct, indirect, special or consequential arising from a failure of this program to operate in the manner desired by the user. PRODIGY Technologies shall not be liable for any damage to data or property which may be caused directly or indirectly by the use of this program. IN NO EVENT will PRODIGY Technologies be liable to you for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of your use or inability to use the program, or from any claim by any other party. * LICENSE AND COPYRIGHT NOTICE * IAMS, the Instant Access Menu System is copyrighted property of Tony Gentile and Prodigy Technologies. You are granted a limited license to use, copy, and distribute IAMS provided the following conditions are met: Copying and distribution fee may not exceed $12.00 IAMS may only be distributed in its original unmodified state. This software is distributed under the user supported software concept. Though IAMS is copyrighted, you are encouraged to copy and distribute this program to others. If you like this product and find it useful, a registration fee of $35.00 is required for continued use. For your registration fee you will receive the current version of the Instant Access Menu System and documentation on disk, technical support, and upgrade notices. Quantity Discounts, Site and Corporate licenses are available. See the registration and order form in this manual. IAMS is user supported. This means that you may copy it freely and give the copies away to anyone you wish. They are in turn required to register if they decide to use it. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 04 SEND TO : Prodigy Technologies IAMS 2.7 14611 Carmel Ridge Road San Diego, California REGISTRATION FORM 92128 U.S.A QUANTITY $ AMOUNT Registration of IAMS ............. $35 each ________ ________ Single Computer Version Includes: 1. Latest IAMS Program disk 2. Manual included on diskette 3. Tech Support (Mail, Phone, BBS) 4. Notice of Upgrades IAMS Site License ........... $500 per Site ________ ________ Includes all of the above, plus a License for unlimited usage at one site. IAMS Corporate License .............. $1500 ________ ________ Includes all of the above, plus a License for unlimited usage for one company. Extra IAMS disks ................. $10 each ________ ________ for any of the above licenses. DISK SIZE: 5 1/4" _______ 3 1/2" _______ TOTAL ____________ PAYMENT MUST BE IN THE FORM OF CASH, CHECK, OR MONEY ORDER. ALL CHECKS AND MONEY ORDERS MUST BE DRAWN ON U.S. ACCOUNTS ONLY. Name: _____________________________ Title: ___________________ Company: ________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________________________________ State/Country: ________________________ Zip: ____________________ Phone Work: (_____) _____ - ______ Home: (_____) _____ - ______ COMMENTS:________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 05 * CORPORATE AND QUANTITY PURCHASES * All corporate, business, government or other commercial users of Instant Access must be registered. We offer quantity discounts starting at the eleventh copy. Corporate or site licensing is available. Purchases of over 75 units may be handled as quantity purchases or as corporate licensing agreements. Licensing agreements allow duplication and distribution of specific numbers of copies within the licensed institution. Duplication of multiple copies is not allowed except through execution of a licensing agreement. Please write for further details. The quantity purchase discounts are as follows: 0 - 10 copies: no discount 11 - 25 copies: 10% discount 26 - 50 copies: 20% discount 51 - 100 copies: 25% discount 101 - 200 copies: 30% discount 201 - 300 copies: 35% discount 301+ copies: 40% discount All prices and discounts are subject to change without notice. Discounts are NOT cumulative; they apply to single orders of like products only. Unit prices are the same as for individual users. NOTE: You may NOT use Instant Access within your organization without a prior purchase or license arrangement. * USING CONFIG.EXE * CONFIG.EXE is the menu driven configuration program for IAMS. It let's you define virtually every aspect of the program in a very simple and straight-forward manner. Enjoy! * A LITTLE NOTE * Just as a note, I wanted to remind you that this manual is not to teach you the niceties of DOS. A basic knowledge of DOS is required to setup this program. If you need an explanation of some aspect of DOS, or if there is something you don't understand about hard disks or subdirectories, please refer to your DOS manual, or ask a friend. Other good places to look for help are your local Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's), or local user group. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 06 * A WORD ON HELP * Help is available to you throughout the configuration program. This manual is more detailed, but the instructions provided within the program will point you in the right direction. * VALID KEYS * Throughout the configuration program, you will be prompted to enter descriptions, and names of different items. During this time, several keys are available to help you with entering (or editing) the items. [Right/Left Arrow]: Hitting the right or left arrow key will move the cursor one space in the appropriate direction. [Up/Down Arrow]: Within the program configuration area, you will have a list of four items to configure for each program. You may use the up and down arrow keys to move through that list. [INS]: The INSert key can be hit to toggle insert mode on or off. [Backspace]: The backspace key will delete the character to the left of the current cursor position. [DEL]: The DELete key will delete the character at the current cursor location. * RUNNING IT * To start the configuration program, type CONFIG (and press return) at the DOS prompt. * FILE VALIDATION SCREEN * When you run CONFIG for the first time, you will be presented with the file validation screen. This screen will display a list of all the data files that are being created or updated. If none are to be created or updated, you will be brought immediately to the Opening Screen. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 07 * THE OPENING SCREEN * The opening screen gives you the following options: F1) View the Opening Screen Help F2) Configure the Main Menu F3) Configure the Sub Menus F4) Configure Passwords F5) General Configuration F6) Configure AutoExecution Esc) Exit to DOS * OPENING SCREEN CHOICES * Essentially, the opening screen presents you with five choices (F2 through F6). This documentation is written to assist you in this order. However, you may edit any section in any order you would like to. * MAIN MENU CONFIGURATION * Upon selecting Function Key Two (F2) from the Opening Screen, you will be placed in the Main Menu Configuration area. In this area, you will define the descriptions of the Sub Menus. Each description can be up to 25 characters long. These descriptions are what you will initially see when the menu program starts. * MAIN MENU CHOICES * [A to T] : When you enter a letter, from A to T, you will be presented with a prompt. You may enter any description up to 25 characters. When you are done, hit return. The program will then update the screen. Common definitions for Sub Menus are: Utilities, Spreadsheets, and so on, but of course, it all depends on the type of programs you use. Please note that you will not be able to access the programs contained in a Sub Menu unless the Sub Menu has a description. [F1] : When you select this choice, you will see a help screen which will list all available commands. [F2] :Choice 2 allows you to save the changes to disk. This choice create a file named MAIN.MEN in the current directory. If the file already exists, it will be over written. [Esc] : The last choice is the ESC key on your keyboard (the ESCape key). Hitting this will return you to the Opening Screen. Please note that if you select this option before saving your changes, the changes you made will be lost. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 08 * THE SUB MENU SELECTOR * When you select Function Key Three (F3) from the Opening Screen, you will see the Sub Menu Selector. This area is your path to each of the twenty different Sub Menus. * SUB MENU SELECTOR CHOICES * At this point, you should see the descriptions you entered in the Main Menu area listed in this menu. From the Sub Menu Selector, you have several choices: [A to T] :Select the Sub Menu that you wish to configure. You don't have to configure all four hundred applications at this time. After entering a letter from A to T, you will be moved to the Sub Menu Configuration area. [F1] : View a help screen on the Sub Menu Selector options. [Esc] : This choice will return you to the Opening Screen. * SUB MENU CONFIGURATION * After selecting a Sub Menu from the Sub Menu Selector, you will be presented with the following choices: * SUB MENU CHOICES * [A to T] : Choosing a letter from A to T allows you to configure the corresponding program. You will have to provide a description, a path, and the executionary name of the program. See CONFIGURING A PROGRAM for more details. [F1] : This choice will display two pages of complete instructions on what you need to do to configure a program. The help is very detailed, and should be more than satisfactory if you happen to need on the spot help. [F2] : This choice saves the changes you have made to a file named SUBMENU.MEN. The changes are saved VERY quickly. [F3] : This choice gives you access to several useful utilities. These include the ability to COPY, KILL, MOVE, SWAP, and IMPORT data. See SUB MENU UTILITIES for more details. [Esc]: This choice will return you to the Sub Menu Selector area. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 09 * CONFIGURING A PROGRAM * When you choose a letter from A to T you will be presented with a prompt for several different items. You will be prompted for all of them at one time. You may use the cursor keys to move between them. When you are done with each one, hit return. After answering all of them, the program will start to validate them. [Prompt 1: Description] A good description might be the name of the program and its version number. These descriptions are what you will see from within the actual menu program, after you have selected the Sub Menu, and entered the correct password. Descriptions may be up to 25 characters long. If you leave the description blank, the program will not run. [Prompt 2: The path] The path must have the drive, followed by a colon, then a slash, and then the subdirectory. For example, lets say that you want to define the Instant Access configuration program. We'll say the program is on drive C (your hard disk), and is in subdirectory MENU. The path would look like this: C:\MENU That's all there is to it. Just remember that it is important that you follow the following syntax: drive[:][\]subdirectory. You may of course, have more then one subdirectory. Just remember that there must be a slash [\] between each of them. Also, the maximum path length is 25 characters. [Prompt 3: Program name] The third prompt asks for the name of the program, and its' extension. It is important that you provide the correct name, and extension. Extensions must be .EXE, .COM or .BAT. Please note that you may enter internal DOS commands (like DIR), or external ones (like CHKDSK.COM). So, lets have an example. If we still wanted to include the Instant Access configuration program, we would enter the following when the configuration program prompts for the program name: CONFIG.EXE [Prompt 4: Parameters] If you wish to pass parameters (also known as arguments / switches) to the program at run time, you should answer either R or S here. If you do not wish to pass parameters, enter N (no). When the menu program goes to run your program, it will check to see the answer to this question. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 10 Entering (R) signals the program that you wish to be prompted for parameters before the program executes. Entering (S) signals the program that you have default parameters that you always want passed to this program. You may enter these parameters following the S. For example: DIR *.* /P ^^^^^^---------- Parameters In the above example, *.* /P are parameters. So, if you always wished to pass these to your program, you would enter S*.* /P at the prompt. Entering (N) signals that you do not want to pass parameters to this program. [Prompt 5: Password] This prompt allows you to enter a 5 character password for this specific program. If you do not wish to password protect the program, simply leave the entry blank (Hit enter when you come to it). [Prompt 6: Pause] If you want the Instant Access to pause after it runs the program, you may enter a Y or y here. If not, you may enter a N or n. * PROGRAM ENTRY VALIDATION * When you hit enter after the prompt for pausing, the configuration program will attempt to validate your entries. Here is a listing of possible messages for each prompt: [Path]: o Path not found - The path you entered does not exist on the drive. You will be prompted to re-enter the path. o Illegal Path - The path you entered did not have a drive, colon, and slash. You will be prompted to re-enter the path. o Path found - The configuration program found the path that you entered. [Program]: o File found: The file you entered was found either in the directory you specified, or on your PATH (DOS Environment). o Internal: You entered an internal DOS command, which, of course was found. o File not found: The file you entered could not be found in either the directory you entered or in your PATH statement. o Illegal '.': You used more or less then one (.) in the filename. o Illegal '*' or '?': Wildcards are not allowed in a filename. o Illegal prefix: You entered more then 8 characters before the extension (.). Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 11 o Illegal extension: Either the extension was too short, or too long. o No definition was entered. As you can tell, a lot of checking is being done here. If you get either message one or two, you will know that the program you entered was located. If you get a message from four to eight, you entered an illegal file name. If you get message three, you will see a list of files in the directory you selected pop up. You may have used an extension of .EXE when the actual name is .COM. By showing you the list, you will be able to check. [Parameters] o You will see a message indicating which type you selected. o You will get a message saying that you entered an invalid selection, and will be prompted to re-enter. [Pausing] o You will get a message indicating whether you wanted pausing or not. o You will get a message indicating that you did not answer with a Y or N, and will be prompted to re-enter. After everything is validated, you will be prompted to strike a key. Following that, the program will update the menu, and allow you to make your next selection. * SUB MENU UTILITIES * When you select F3 (Utilities) from within a Sub Menu, you will be presented with the following choices: [F1] : This option allows you to copy data from one entry to another. The first prompt asks you where you want to copy from. The second asks where you want to copy that data to. The final question confirms that you really want to do this. [F2] : This option allows you to kill data between a specified range. The first prompt asks you the beginning entry to kill. The second prompt asks you the last entry to kill. Finally, you are asked for confirmation. If you only wanted to kill the definition for entry A, you would enter A at the first prompt, A at the second prompt, and Y (for YES) at the final prompt. [F3] : This option allows you to move the data from one entry to another. The first prompt asks where you want to move the data from. The second prompt asks where you want to move the data to. The final prompt confirms that you really want to do this. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 12 [F4] : This option allows you to swap the data between two entries. The first prompt asks you which entry you would like to swap. The second prompt asks you which entry you would like to swap it with. Finally, you are asked for confirmation. [F5] : This option allows you to import data from other Sub Menus and then export that data into one of the choices A to T. When you select this option, you will be asked four questions. [Prompt 1: Submenu] This prompt asks you to enter the submenu from which you wish to import the data from. It must be in the range of A to T. [Prompt 2: Program] This prompt asks you to enter the program in the above submenu from which you wish to import data from. It also must be in the range of a to T. After answering this prompt, the configuration program will show you the data that you just imported. [Prompt 3: Export] This prompt asks you to enter the selection you wish to export this data to. It must be in the range of A to T. [Prompt 4: Confirm] This prompt asks you to confirm that you wish to export the data to the chosen selection. Any data in that selection will be written over with the new information. [Esc] :This selection returns you to the Sub Menu Configuration area. * PASSWORD CONFIGURATION * After selecting Function Key Four (F4) from the opening screen, you will be brought to the Password Configuration Area. Here, you will define the passwords for the different items within Instant Access. * PASSWORD CHOICES * The password configuration area lets you define a password for every aspect of Instant Access. Here are the available choices: [A to T] : Upon selecting a letter from A to T, you will define the password for the corresponding Sub Menu. [U] Configure the password for the DOS Shell. [V] Configure the password for the Text Editor. [W] Configure the password for the Auto-execution toggle. [X] Configure the password for Exiting to DOS. [Y] Configure the password for Configuration. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 13 [F1] Displays the Password Area help screen. [F2] This choice saves the changes you have made to disk. The file that the changes are saved to is named PASS.MEN. [Esc] This choice returns you to the Opening Screen. * DEFINING A PASSWORD * Regardless of which one you select you will be presented with a prompt for the password. Just type in any numbers or letters (for a total of 8), and hit return. The program will then update the screen. * MODIFYING THE GENERAL CONFIGURATION * After selecting Function Key Five (F5) from the Opening Screen, you will be brought to the area where you can modify the two files, MENU.BAT and MENUS.CFG. From this area, you have five choices. Please note that the configuration program automatically creates this file when you first run the configuration program. It uses the current drive and directory for the definition. If you plan on moving the program to another area, or just want to do it yourself, then the following will explain how to do just that. * 2.81 - GENERAL CONFIGURATION CHOICES * [F1] : This selection displays the online help screen. [F2] : This options allows you to save all changes to both MENU.BAT and MENUS.CFG. [F3] : This selection allows you to edit the general configuration. When you select it, you will be able to edit the seven prompts seen on the screen. [Prompt 1: Drive] This prompt asks you to enter the drive where the Instant Access files are located, followed by a colon. If you were on drive C, you would enter C: at this prompt. [Prompt 2: Path] This prompt asks you to enter the path where the Instant Access files are located. It must have a slash, \ , prefixed to it. So, if you were in a subdirectory called MENU, you would enter \MENU at this prompt. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 14 [Prompt 3: Exit Location] This prompt asks you to enter a drive and directory to exit to when you leave the menu program. If you were on drive C, and wanted to exit to your root directory, you would enter C:\ at this prompt. Even if you wish to stay on the present drive, and only change directories when you exit, it is best to specify a drive. [Prompt 4: Editor Name] This prompt asks you to enter the name for the Text editor you wish to use. The default is TURBO.EXE, which is the DOS name of the Turbo Editor. If you wish to use a different editor, you may enter it's name here. [Prompt 5: Editor Location] This prompt asks you to enter the location of the above editor. The format is drive[:]\[Subdir]. So, if the editor was located on drive C, in directory EDITOR, you would enter C:\EDITOR at the prompt. [Prompt 6: Banner Message] This prompt allows you to enter your own message which will be displayed in the Banner. It may be up 43 characters long. IAMS will automatically center it from within the program. [Prompt 7: Blank] This choice asks if you'd like the program to automatically blank the screen after three minutes. This option, when turned on, allows you to protect your monitor from screen burn in. [Prompt 8: MiniLog] This choice asks if you'd like the Mini Log turned on. If so, it will write to a program named MINILOG.TXT every time you execute a program. [Prompt 9: AutoBoot] This toggle determines whether IAMS will be run in Normal or AutoBoot mode. AutoBoot is discussed in full detail in Appendix A. NOTE : Prompts seven and eight may be toggled from within the menu program as well. [F4] This options lets you configure the colors for MENUS.EXE, the actual menu program. There are a lot of prompts here, but they are all very straight forward. First, here is a list of the keys that you can use : Right and Left Arrow Keys : By hitting the right and left arrow keys, you can toggle the colors used for the foreground characters. Up and Down Arrow Keys : By hitting the up and down arrow keys, you can toggle the colors used for the background. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 15 Return or Enter : The Enter key allows you to "confirm" the color you selected, and move on to the next prompt. ESCape : The ESC key will allow you to abort entering changes at any prompt. Now, for the prompts : Banner [Words]: Type 1 Banner [Border]: Type 2 Main Menu [Words]: Type 1 Main Menu [Border]: Type 2 Sub Menu [Words]: Type 1 Sub Menu [Border]: Type 2 Function Menu [Words]: Type 1 Function Menu [Border]: Type 2 Status Line [Words]: Type 1 * All Menu Titles * : Type 1 Background color : Type 1 Background character : Type 3 Type 1 : For these prompts, you may use both the right/left and up down arrow keys. For these prompts, the right/left arrows change the color of the words in the menu. Also, the up/down arrows change the background color. Type 2 : For these prompts, you may only use the right/left arrow keys. These colors change the foreground color of the lines that make up the menu. The background will be the same color as you entered for the words of the same menu. Type 3 : For this prompt, you will need to enter a number. Your choices are 176, 177, 178 or 32. To see which each will look like, you can look at the numbers below the Background Color prompt. [ESC] Allows you to return to the Opening Screen. * CONFIGURING AUTOEXECUTION * Selecting Function Key Six (F6) from the opening screen allows you to configure the AutoExecution function of the Instant Access Menu System. This function is used to execute programs unattended. You have several choices in this area: [A to J] Selecting a letter from A to J allows you to configure the corresponding program. When you select one of these options, you will be presented with six (6) prompts (you are familiar with 4 of them already). Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 16 [Prompt 1:Time] This prompt asks you to enter the time you wish the program to execute. The time should be entered in military (24hr) fashion, down to the second. For example, 8:00 am would be entered as 08:00:00. Likewise, 8:34 pm would be entered 20:34:00. [Prompt 2:Date] The second prompt asks you to enter the data that you wish to execute the program. Enter the data in the fashion of: zz/xx/yy. April 8th, 1989 would be entered as 04/08/90. If you wish to have the program execute everyday, enter the word "Everyday" (without the quotes) for the date. [Prompt 3:Description] This prompt asks you to enter a description for the selection. [Prompt 4:Path] This prompt asks you to enter the path (location) of the program. This path is entered in the same was as when configuring a program: [Drive][:][/][Subdir]. [Prompt 5:Name] This prompt asks you to enter the name of the program. This name is entered in the same was as when configuring a program: FILENAME.EXT [Prompt 6:Parameters] This prompt asks you to enter parameters for the program. For obvious reasons, the menu program will ignore a selection of R (run time parameters) when executing the program. That's all there is to defining a program. It looks like a lot of information, but it's really pretty straightforward. For obvious reasons, there is NO validation (except for time and date) for these selections. [F1] Displays the Auto Execution Area help screen. [F2] Saves your changes to AUTORUN.MEN. [F3] This option allows you to import data from the Sub Menu's you have previously defined, and then export that data into one of the choices A to J. When you select this option, you will be asked four questions. [Prompt 1: Submenu] This prompt asks you to enter the submenu from which you wish to import the data from. It must be in the range of A to T. [Prompt 2: Program] This prompt asks you to enter the program in the above submenu from which you wish to import data from. It also must be in the range of a to T. After answering this prompt, the configuration program will show you the data that you just imported. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 17 [Prompt 3: Export] This prompt asks you to enter the selection you wish to export this data to. It must be in the range of A to J. [Prompt 4: Confirm] This prompt asks you to confirm that you wish to export the data to the chosen selection. Any data in that selection will be written over with the new information. [Esc] This command will return you to the opening screen. * QUITTING * That's all there is to configuring the program. From the Opening Screen, hit Esc, and you will return to DOS. You should now check the current directory. You should have the following programs there: MENUS .EXE <--- The actual menu program CONFIG .EXE <--- The configuration program CONVERT .EXE <--- The file validation/conversion program TURBO .EXE <--- The Turbo Editor NOTE .EXE <--- The NotePad NOTE .HLP <--- The help file for the note pad MANUAL .TXT <--- This file MENU .BAT <--- The batch file MENUS .CFG <--- The configuration data MAIN .MEN <--- The Main Menu descriptions PASS .MEN <--- The Password file SUBMENU .MEN <--- The Sub Menu file MENUHELP.MEN <--- The help file for the configuration/menu program * USING MENUS.EXE * MENUS.EXE is the actual driver for the menu program. From within it you will select the programs you wish to run. * RUNNING IT * To run the menu program, you need to type MENU (the batch file created with the configuration program). This file will take care of the rest. * SELF CHECKING * When you start the program, Instant Access will do a search for all of the data files that you have just created. If they do not exist, a listing of the missing one(s) will be shown, and the program will exit. If this happens, all you have to do is run the configuration program, which will create the missing one(s). Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 18 * THE MAIN MENU * If there are no missing files, the program will proceed as normal, and the main menu will be displayed. Now the description. The Main Menu will contain the descriptions that you entered earlier. At this time, you have many different options. However, we will only discuss those concerning the Main Menu, and Sub Menus. The commands in the Functions Menu will be discussed later. [A to T] Choose the Sub Menu to be active. After entering a letter from A to T, you will be presented with a prompt for a password, if you defined one for that particular Sub Menu. [PgUp] Selecting Page Up (a key on your keyboard) will show the titles for Sub Menus A to J. If those are already displayed, nothing will happen. [PgDn] Selecting Page Down will display the titles for Sub Menus K through T. If those are already displayed, nothing will happen. NOTE: You do not have to have the Sub Menu in order to select it. In other words, if the titles for K through T are currently being displayed, you can still select any of A to J. The same is true if A through J was displayed. This was done so that a user would not be bombarded with 20 different selections (which may or may not be configured yet). * PASSWORDS * A small box will appear, and will prompt you with "Please enter password". At that time, you will need to enter the password that you specified in the configuration program. The cursor will move and an asterisk (*) will be echoed for each character you enter. If you enter the wrong password, you will hear a loud beep, and then be returned to the main menu. If you enter the correct password, you will see the Sub Menu overlay the Main Menu. If you did not define a password, you will be brought immediately to the sub menu. * THE SUB MENUS * Now, you will see the descriptions of the applications that you entered in the configuration program. You now have choices A through T. (You may use PgUp and PgDn to display the other ten just like in the Main Menu). Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 19 NOTE: If you have only one program defined in a Sub Menu, IAMS assumes that you want to run that one. If that program requires a password and/or parameters, you will be prompted for them immediately. If not, it will be executed automatically. After selecting from A to T one of the following will happen: 1. If you left the program name blank, nothing will happen. 2. If the path no longer exists, "Bad Command or File Name" will be displayed on the screen. 3. If you defined the wrong program name, it couldn't be found, or didn't exist, "Bad Command or File Name" will be displayed. If you decide not to run any of the programs in that Sub Menu, just hit ESCape, and you'll find yourself back at the Main Menu. * THE FUNCTION MENU * The commands in the Function Menu are only valid when you are in the Main Menu area. In other words, if you have a Sub Menu listed, you will not be able to execute any of the Functions. The Function Menu provides you with 10 options: F1. Online Help F2. Registration Information F3. Note Pad F4. Text Editor F5. DOS Shell F6. Configuration F7. Toggle : AutoExecute F8. Toggle : Screen Saver F9. Toggle : Mini-Log F10. Blank Screen Now * FUNCTION CHOICES * [Choice 1 : Online Help] : The Online Help Function will display a concise listing of the various commands available, and what they do. [Choice 2 : Registration Information] : The Registration Information is kept online for several reasons. One of them being, that some people never read the documentation, but prefer to skip right to the program. Please remember that to continue using this program past the 30 day trial, you must register it. The cost for this program is around a fourth of what you would pay for a commercial program that does the same thing! Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 20 [Choice 3 : Note Pad] : The Note Pad provides a way for you to leave reminders for yourself or others, store a phone number list, or whatever else you could imagine. It contains a total of 30 lines (displayed 15 at a time), with a width of 60 characters. And since it only modifies a file named Note.Pad, it is safe for anyone to use. Here is a complete list of the available commands: Cursor Movement: <Ctrl>-T: Move cursor to the top of the screen <Ctrl>-B: Move cursor to the bottom of the screen <Ctrl>-Right Arrow: Moves the cursor to the beginning of the next word. <Ctrl>-Left Arrow: Moves the cursor to the previous word. Home: Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current line. End : Moves the cursor to the end of the current line. Tab : Moves cursor to the next tab stop. Shift Tab: Moves cursor to the previous tab stop. Page Movement: PgUp: move the text forward PgDn: move the text backward <Ctrl>-Home: Moves the cursor to the first page of text, and places the cursor at the beginning of that line. <Ctrl>-End: Moves the cursor to the last page of text, and places the cursor at the beginning of that line. Block Commands: F4: Forms a paragraph from the lines marked as a block. F5: Marks the first line in the block. F6: Marks the last line in the block. F7: Moves the marked block to the line where the cursor is positioned. Blocks can not be copied onto themselves. F8: Copies the marked block to the line where the cursor is positioned. This command differs from F7 because the original block remains in place. F9: Deletes the block. F10:Unmarks a block. Editing Commands: F1: List Help. Hitting F1 again returns you to the note pad. F2: Returns you to the Main Menu. F3: Erases all the text in the notepad. Requests confirmation first. Ins: Toggle Insert/Overwrite mode, and changes the shape of the cursor to indicate the mode. Del: Deletes the character under the cursor. Backspace: Deletes the character to the left of the cursor. Ctrl D: Deletes the word on which the cursor is presently located. Alt D: Deletes the line where the cursor is presently positioned. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 21 [Choice 4: The Text (Turbo) Editor] This function has been modified to allow you to run your favorite text editor. Should it happen to be the our Turbo Editor, please read on. As we developed the notepad, we realized that it had one function. This function was to leave notes, which all revolved around the file it creates [note.pad]. There was no way to call up another file. We also noted while writing the appendices that we were referring people to a commercial word processor. To eliminate that need, and to further enhance Instant Access functions, we added a text editor. Those of you who are familiar with WordStar, Sidekick, or any of the Borland programming environments will be instantly at home in this editor. For those of you who aren't, we've tried to make it as painless as possible. With all that in mind, here is a listing of the Turbo Editor commands. Basic Cursor Movement: . Ctrl-S/Left Arrow Moves one character left . Ctrl-D/Right Arrow Moves one character right . Ctrl-A/Ctrl-Left Arrow Moves one word left . Ctrl-F/Ctrl-Right Arrow Moves one word right . Ctrl-E/Up Arrow Moves cursor up one line . Ctrl-X/Down Arrow Moves cursor down one line . Ctrl-W Scrolls screen up one line . Ctrl-Z Scrolls screen down one line . Ctrl-R/PgUp Scrolls screen and cursor up one page . Ctrl-C/PgDn Scrolls screen and cursor down one page Quick Cursor Movement: . Ctrl-Q S/Home Moves cursor to beginning of the line . Ctrl-Q D/End Moves cursor to the end of the line . Ctrl-Q E Moves cursor to the top of the screen . Ctrl-Q X Moves cursor to the bottom of the screen . Ctrl-Q R/Ctrl-PgUp Moves to the beginning of the file . Ctrl-Q C/Ctrl-PgDn Moves to the end of the file . Ctrl-Q B Moves cursor to the top of a block . Ctrl-Q K Moves cursor to the bottom of a block . Ctrl-Q P Moves cursor to its previous location Insert and Delete Commands: . Ctrl-V/Ins Toggle between insert and overwrite mode . Ctrl-N Inserts a line at the current cursor position . Ctrl-Y Delete the line containing the cursor . Ctrl-Q Y Delete from current position to end of line . Ctrl-H/Backspace Delete to the left of the cursor . Ctrl-G/Del Deletes character currently under the cursor . Ctrl-T Deletes the word to the right of the cursor Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 22 Block Commands: . Ctrl-K B/F7 Marks the starting location of a block . Ctrl-K K/F8 Marks the end of a block . Ctrl-K T Marks a single word as a block . Ctrl-K C Copies a previously marked block to the current cursor position . Ctrl-K Y Deletes a previously marked block . Ctrl-K V Moves a previously marked block from its original position to the current cursor position . Ctrl-K R Reads a file from disk, inserts it at the present cursor position, and marks it as a block . Ctrl-K W Writes a previously marked block to a file . Ctrl-K P Prints currently marked block. If no block is marked, it prints the entire file Miscellaneous Commands: . Ctrl-U Aborts current operation [except loading a file] . Ctrl-O I Toggle autoindent on/off. This feature provides automatic indenting of successive lines . Ctrl-Q F Lets you search for a string of up to 30 characters . Ctrl-Q A Searches and then replaces a string . Ctrl-L Repeats the last search . Ctrl-Q N Finds a set place marker . F1 Saves current file to disk . F2 Loads a new file . F3 Quits Editor, returns you to Instant Access . Ctrl-Q L Restores line cursor is currently . Ctrl-K 0..Ctrl-K 3 Set marker #0 to #3 . Ctrl-Q 0..Ctrl-Q 3 Jump to marker #0 to #3 . Ctrl-I/Tab Tabs over 8 spaces Search Options : B - Searches backwards, from the current cursor position toward the beginning of the file. G - Search Globally search the entire file starting at the beginning,or backward if used with the B option. #[a number] - Searches for the nth occurrence of the search string. U - Ignore case and treat all characters as uppercase. W - Search for whole words only; skip patterns embedded within other text. Replace Options: N - Replace without asking. Otherwise, each replace will seek validation. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 23 To enter text, type as though you were using a typewriter. To end a line, press the ENTER [or RETURN] key. Turbo Edit will let you type over 200 characters in a line, but only recognizes the first 149. [Choice 5 : DOS Shell] : This shell provides you with full access to all of the DOS commands. It is just as if you had no program running at all. However, if you do a CHKDSK, you may note that 4K of memory is missing. This memory is being used by Instant Access. You may use this shell just as if it were the DOS prompt. To return to Instant Access type EXIT and hit return. When you type EXIT, you will be returned to the Main Menu. [Choice 6 : Configuration] : This choice allows you to configure the menu program. To do this it runs the configuration program, CONFIG.EXE. [Choice 7: The Auto-Execution Toggle] : This selection allows you to toggle whether Auto-Execution is turned on or off. [Choice 8 : Blank Toggle] : This selection allows you to turn the automatic screen blanking function on or off. [Choice 9 : Mini-Log] : This selection allows you to turn the Mini-Log function on or off. [Choice 10 : Blank Screen Now] : The screen will blank approximately one second after you hit this key. It's just like the Auto Blanking feature, except that you wait one second instead of five minutes. * ESCAPING (ESC key) * This is the exit command. After password verification, you will be returned to DOS. * A FINAL NOTE * Well, that's all there is to it. You will probably find that it takes a little while to get used to a different type of interface, but we believe it to be a much more understandable and productive one. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to drop us a line. Following this are several appendices that cover a variety of topics. Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 24 * APPENDIX A: AutoBoot * Included with Instant Access Menu System v2.7 is the AutoBoot feature. WHAT IS AUTOBOOT? In the simplest words, AutoBoot is an insurance policy for your programs! HOW DO I USE IT? In the General Configuration area, there's a prompt that asks: "Run IAMS in AutoBoot Mode (Y/N)". If you enter "Y", you will be in AutoBoot mode. If you enter "N", you'll be in normal mode. WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT DO? AutoBoot does one simple thing. It automatically restarts any program which did not successfully return to IAMS after execution. HOW ABOUT AN EXAMPLE! Let's say you you're using the Auto-Execution feature to set a backup program at 1:00 am. You go off to sleep, expecting your files to be backed up when you awake. Half way through the backup, the power goes off. Normally, the end result would be a disgruntled user with half a backup! As soon as the power is restored, IAMS senses that a program was not completed. It displays a message, stating that the program will be automatically restarted in ten seconds. If a key isn't hit, the program runs. The result? A successful backup! NOTE: In order for AutoBoot to work, you must start IAMS from your Autoexec.Bat file. Also, you must be sure not to answer YES to the "pause after execution" prompt during program execution. Aside from those small prerequisites, the rest is automatic! HOW CAN I TEST IT? First, enter "Y" for running IAMS in AutoBoot mode. Then, select a program to execute. When the program starts, reboot your computer. When IAMS comes up, you'll have ten seconds to abort the AutoBoot. If you don't abort, the program will run! Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 25 * APPENDIX B: Programs that work with Instant Access * Through all our testing, I have yet to find one program that won't run directly through Instant Access. Here is a list of the programs that definitely will work. Remember, this is by no means a complete listing... after all, nobody could own every program! Turbo C 1.0/1.5/2.0 Lotus 1-2-3 2.01 Turbo Pascal 3.0/4.0 Turbo Tax 5.01 Microsoft Assembler 4.0/5.0 dBase III Plus 1.1 WordPerfect 4.2/5.0 Timeline 1.1 Vopt 2.12/2.2 Desqview 1.03 PCTools Deluxe 4.3/5.0 Harvard Business Graphics 2.1 CatDisk 3.56 Paradox 1.11/2.0/3.0 Windows 1.03 Dac Easy - Accounting 2.0 Fastback 5.1 The Word Processor 4.1 Foxbase 1.0 PFS First Publisher 1.01 Transcopy 4.3 Locksmith/PC 1.2 Cruise Control 3.02 Typing Tutor 4.0 Gramatika II 1.00a Enable 1.5 QDOS II 2.00 Double DOS 4.0 Telix 2.12/3.11 Procomm 2.4.2/Procomm Plus DirMagic Dynadiag 2.05 Eureka 1.0 Express SuperCalc WordStar 4.0/5.0 Clipper PCPaint Brush PCPublisher Quicken Instant Access Menu System Version 2.7 04/08/90 Page 26 * APPENDIX C - THANKS TO THOSE THAT HELPED * Although there are far too many people that have helped PRODIGY Technologies develop Instant Access, I would like to take some time to point out a few: Gerardo Avalos : Gerardo is one of two reasons IAMS development continues. The second is the desire to eat occasionally.<grin> Bruce Bequette : Not only for his great ideas, but also for unselfishly providing his resources. Ivars Bezdechi : Love that green man! A great friend with a tremendous amount of talent. Mike Daniels : I've never met Mike personally, but he seems like a top notch person. I'd LOVE to personally take credit for the AutoBoot idea, but in reality, it was his brain child. Ben Debban : A user I met on a local BBS. He has provided me with some of the most open and valuable criticism. He's now a shareware author himself! John Dwulet : For being a great friend, providing tons of encouragement, an excellent BBS, and, monetary incentive! Rick Fry : Sharing his ideas on user interface, and setup procedures, as well as providing an excellent BBS. Debi Funk : For putting up with me in general, but especially while I'm workining hard. Dan Horn : A great BETA tester and friend; and, he's now a shareware author too! John Newlin : A great shareware author who has gone out of his way for me several times. Bill P : Bill is the SysOp of dBored, an IAMS support board. Aside from running a professional level board, he has been a very supportive friend. Bob Rapp : SysOp of the Anonymous BBS. I've spent many a late night chatting with him about IAMS. His help has been beyond priceless!