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QUIKMENU USERS GUIDE (version 1.05-D) -------------------- Located at the top of the screen are several command buttons used to control various aspects of QuikMenu. To activate a command button, either click the button with a mouse or hold down the ALT key and press the underlined letter of the desired command. As you have no doubt already discovered, help can be obtained by pressing the F1 function key. To exit the help screen, press the ESC key or select the Done command button. The following is a description of the command buttons: Modify Allows you to make changes to the menu, such as adding programs, setting passwords, changing page titles, background color, etc. Page Displays a list box showing all 20 page titles. Selecting a page from the box will display that page on the screen. You can also create page buttons to move between specific pages. DOS Allows you to temporarily leave QuikMenu to perform DOS operations. Log Allows you to display, sort and print a report of program usage. Exit Leaves the QuikMenu environment completely. Help Displays this screen. Use the PAGE DOWN and PAGE UP keys to view the help or select the Print command to send the file to your printer. MODIFYING THE MENU ------------------ The Modify Command is used to add, edit, copy, move or delete a page or program button. In this mode, you may also change page titles and the initial menu setup. The Modify command can be Password protected. (See Setup below.) ADDING NEW ITEMS TO YOUR MENU ----------------------------- The Add command allows you to add new buttons to your menu. Once the Add command button is selected, you will be asked which type of button you want to create: Software Button or Page Button. ADDING SOFTWARE BUTTONS ----------------------- Software Buttons allow you to run programs, format disks, backup directories and so on. If you select Software Button from the Add dialog box, you will see a screen with the following options: Speed Key This is the key on your keyboard that will be used to activate the Software Button. Valid choices are letters A through Z and numbers 0 through 9. Name This is the text that will be displayed inside the Software Button for reference - usually the name of the program that the button will activate. Location This is the drive and directory where the program or DOS option is located. (See List Programs below.) Command This is the command that DOS uses to run the program or DOS option. For example, if you normally load your word processor by typing WP at the DOS prompt (C:\), then enter WP here. (See List Programs below.) If you want to automatically load a document, macro or some other file with the program, type the file's name at the end of the command line. For example: WP C:\FILES\MEMO.LTR You may also include any command line options, parameters or switches required to make the program work. There are a number of options that can be added to the command line that make QuikMenu very powerful. Placing a pair of [] brackets on the command line with a question between them will prompt you whenever the item is activated. For example, a command like: FORMAT [Which Drive?] will prompt you with the question "Which Drive?" each time you activate the Format button. Your response, if any, is then passed along to the FORMAT program. You can even place multiple questions on the same command line. For example: COPY [Source File?] [Destination?] You can also have the button display a list of files to choose from simply by putting an equal sign (=) inside the [] brackets. For example, a command like: WP [Which File?=C:\FILES\*.DOC] allows you to choose from a list of files in the C:\FILES directory that have the extension .DOC. The *.DOC is a standard directory mask used by DOS to display only certain types of files. See your DOS manual for more information about masks. By using two equal signs (==) instead of one, you can search for files across an entire drive. For example, a command like: WP [Which File?==C:\*.DOC] will find every file with the .DOC extension on C: drive, regardless of which directory it's in. If you use the equal sign (=) or double equal sign (==) without a mask, the List Files box will display only executable program files (*.BAT, *.COM and *.EXE). For example: [Select a Program=] You may also combine the above examples and even place questions within questions. For example: WP [Select a File=[Type of File?]] There is also an option you can use on the command line for viewing ASCII text files. For example, to view your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, use the command: @VIEW=C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT Another command line option built into QuikMenu allows you to create and edit ASCII text files. For example, to edit your CONFIG.SYS file, use the command: @EDIT=C:\CONFIG.SYS For more information about QuikMenu's text editor see Editor below. You can even use the @VIEW and @EDIT options with other command line functions. For example: @VIEW=[View what?=C:\*.*] To run a program without returning to QuikMenu, simply place the !BYE option at the end of the command line. For example, to run a hard drive parking utility use the command: PARK !BYE List Programs This option is used to locate a program on your hard drive and place the information in the Location and Command fields. Drive and directory names are enclosed within brackets ([]) to make them easily distinguishable from files. Selecting a directory, such as [WP51], displays a list of all program files within that directory. Selecting the parent directory, [..], moves up one level in the directory tree while the [\] symbol takes you all the way back to the root directory of the current drive. The find option allows you to change what type of files will be displayed in the List Programs window. You may use any standard DOS file name specifications; for example, the wild card options * and ?, parts of file names, extensions and even full file names. Select the Search Entire Drive option to find files across an entire drive. Password This option allows you to protect a Software Button from being activated and/or modified by unauthorized users. Options This option allows you to select the fill, text and border colors for the Software Button. You can also change the button's font style and size. Pause Select this option if you want the program to pause after it's finished running and prompt you with a "Strike any key when ready..." message. Ask For File This option inserts a question ([Select a File=*.*]) into the command line requesting QuikMenu to display a list of files whenever this button is activated. Editor This option allows you to create or modify DOS batch files. Selecting this option starts QuikMenu's text editor and automatically loads any batch file found at the beginning of the command line. If the command line is empty or does not contain a file name then the editor is evoked with a blank screen ready for text entry. If the file on the command line does not already exist, you will be asked if you want to create it. File size is limited only by the amount of available RAM. Editor commands include: Key Action ------------------------------------------------ UP ARROW Up one line DOWN ARROW Down one line LEFT ARROW Left one character RIGHT ARROW Right one character PGUP Up one screen PGDN Down one screen HOME Beginning of line END End of line CTRL + HOME Top of file CTRL + END End of file TAB Inserts 5 spaces INSERT Toggles insert/overwrite CTRL + T Erase current line CTRL + Y Delete line ENTER Inserts a line (insert mode) DEL Delete right BACKSPACE Delete left ALT + S Save and continue editing ESC, ALT + D Save and exit After you have completed your modifications, choose the Done command from the top of the screen. You will be asked if you want to save the changes. If the file already exists, you will also be asked if you want to replace it or save the changes under a new name. No backup file (*.BAK) will be created in either circumstance. You can also use the editor to modify other ASCII text files (see Command above). ADDING PAGE BUTTONS ------------------- Page Buttons are used to move between pages within the menu. For example, page one might contain a button labeled "Games" which is linked to page five. Page five might contain several items related to game software as well as a "Go Back" button for returning to page one. If you select Page Button from the Add dialog box, you will see a screen with the following options: Speed Key This is the key on your keyboard that will be used to activate the Page Button. Valid choices are letters A through Z and numbers 0 through 9. Name This is the text that will be displayed inside the Page Button for reference - usually a description of the contents of the page the button is linked to. Link to... In this field, type the number of the page you want to link this button to. Valid page numbers are 1 to 20. (See List Pages below.) List Pages This option serves as an alternative method for filling in the Name and Link fields above. Selecting this option displays a dialog box containing a list of page titles for all 20 QuikMenu pages. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to reach the page you want and press ENTER. Options This option allows you to select the fill, text and border colors for the Page Button. You can also change the buttons font style and size. EDITING MENU ITEMS ------------------ The Edit option allows you to change the appearance and behavior of a button. After selecting the Edit command, select the button you want to change by typing its speed key or clicking it with the mouse. A dialog box like the one used to create the item will appear. (See Adding Software and Page Buttons above.) COPYING MENU ITEMS ------------------ The Copy command will allow you to make an exact duplicate of an existing button. Copied buttons can be placed anywhere on the current page or even moved to another page by pressing the PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN keys. This is handy when you want to place the same button on multiple pages. (See Moving Menu Items below.) MOVING MENU ITEMS ----------------- The Move command will allow you to change the position of a button. To move a button, select the Move command from the top of the screen. Next, select a button by typing its speed key or clicking it with a mouse. Position the button by using the arrow keys or by moving the mouse. To move the button to another page, press the PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN keys until the desired page appears on the screen. To anchor the button, press ENTER or click the mouse. From the modify mode, you can also move a button by typing its speed key or clicking it with a mouse without selecting the Move command. SIZING MENU ITEMS ----------------- The Size command allows you to alter the dimensions of a button. To size a button, select the Size command from the top of the screen. Next, select a button by typing its speed key or clicking it with a mouse. Size the button by using the arrow keys or by moving the mouse. When the button has reached the desired proportions, press ENTER or click the mouse. The button cannot be smaller than the width and height of the text inside it. DELETING MENU ITEMS ------------------- Use the Delete command to remove unwanted buttons from your menu. To delete a button, select the Delete command from the top of the screen. Next, select a button by typing its speed key or clicking it with the mouse. You will be asked if you are sure you want to delete the button. Press ENTER to delete it or ESC to cancel. CHANGING PAGE TITLES -------------------- The Title command allows you to assign titles to each of QuikMenu's 20 pages. Menu titles appear at the top of each page and may contain up to 40 characters. This allows you to identify your menu screens with descriptive names like "DOS Commands", "Games", "Sally's Programs" or whatever. When you choose the Title command, a dialog box will appear with the title of the current page already displayed. To change the title, backspace over the existing text and type the new title. You can also change the title of other pages by pressing the PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN keys until the desired title appears in the text field. The number of the affected page is displayed at the top of the dialog box. USING THE SETUP COMMAND ----------------------- The Setup command provides you with the means to personalize many features of QuikMenu. You can use Setup to change the background color, set the date and time, change the mouse speed and set password protection. SCREEN Background You can change QuikMenu's background color by holding down the ALT key and pressing B (ALT-B) until the desired color is highlighted. If you have a mouse, just click on the color you want. Sound Sound effects can be turned on or off by pressing ALT-S or clicking the sound effects button with a mouse. (The option is on when an X appears inside the button.) Confirm Confirmation of applications can be turned on or off by pressing ALT-C or clicking the confirm applications button with a mouse. Select this option to request a confirmation (Yes/No) before activating a program. Interface QuikMenu's 3-D interface can be turned on or off by pressing ALT-I or clicking the 3-D button with a mouse. Speed Keys The speed keys can be turned on or off by pressing ALT-D or clicking the display button with a mouse. This option allows you to hide the speed key characters normally displayed in front of the button text. Display Grid QuikMenu's grid display can be turned on or off by pressing ALT-G or clicking the display grid button with a mouse. Snap to Grid The grid snap can be turned on or off by pressing ALT-S or clicking the snap to grid button with a mouse. This grid is useful when moving and sizing buttons. Screen Saver The Screen Saver option allows you to set the time interval for the built-in screen saver utility. The screen saver continuously monitors your mouse and keyboard. If no activity has occurred for a period of time equal to the chosen interval, then the QuikMenu screen is replaced by an exploding clock. To restore QuikMenu, press any key or move the mouse. The screen saver may also be activated by pressing the F5 function key. NOTE: The screen saver only works while you are in QuikMenu, not in other programs. PASSWORD The Password function is used to prevent unauthorized users from running the DOS Shell, modifying the menu, viewing the Time Log and leaving QuikMenu. Type your password in the text field and select the items you want to be protected. Protected items appear with an X next to them. If you use this feature, be sure to remember your password. A forgotten password means you will not be able to access the protected options. TIME LOG The Time Log option allows you to turn the log on or off and to change the name of the file used to store the log information. The default name of the log file is QM.LOG. To turn the log on or off, just hold down the ALT key and press the letter K. If you have a mouse, just click on the "Keep a time log..." button. It's a good idea to change the name of the time log periodically - once a month or once a quarter if you use a variety of programs each day. The log size is limited only by the space available on your hard drive. However, the smaller the file, the faster the searching and sorting will be. (See Log below.) DATE/TIME The system Date/Time can be set by tabbing to each field and changing the numeric value to match the date and time. AM or PM can be selected by holding down the Alt key and pressing A or P. If you have a mouse you can just click on the AM or PM buttons. NOTE: This function may not work on some XTs since there is no standard among XT clock cards. MOUSE Use this option to adjust the sensitivity of your mouse. The higher the setting, the less desk space you'll need to move the mouse across the screen. LEAVING THE MODIFY MODE ----------------------- When you have finished modifying your menu, select the Done command to save your changes and return to the main mode. USING THE TIME LOG ------------------ QuikMenu's Time Log can be a valuable resource for consultants, secretaries, lawyers or anyone who keeps track of expenses on the basis of time. The Time Log allows you to view, sort and print reports based on how long and how often you use your computer. The log keeps track of programs by the names you assign to your Software Buttons. It may be helpful to keep a separate pages of Software Buttons for specific projects and give each button a unique project name. For example, page six could have a "Jones Word Processor", a "Jones Database" and a "Jones Spreadsheet". If you select the Search command button while in Log a dialog box with the following options will appear: Report Title This is the title for the report that will be printed at the top of each page. Sort by Select the Program button to sort log entries alphabetically by name. Choose the Date button to sort log entries in chronological order. View as This option controls the level of detail displayed in the time log. The Summary option displays each log entry only once and shows the total number of times each item was used. The Detail option shows time in, time out and the total time for each item. Find Use this option to locate specific programs or projects within the time log. For example, typing "Word" will find log entries for "WordPerfect", "Wordstar" and "Word Processing" - anything that begins with "WORD". Start date If you want to search a specific date range, type in the month, day and year in numeric format, ie: 10-12-1990. Leave this field blank to search from the beginning of the file. End date If you want to search a specific date range, type in the month, day and year in numeric format, ie: 10-22-1990. Leave this field blank to search to the end of the file. To turn the Time Log on or off or to change the log file name, see Setup above. USING QUIKMENU WITH TSR PROGRAMS -------------------------------- This option is for those who like to use those handy Pop-Up calculators, note pads, outliners, etc. QuikMenu includes a handy TSR window that allows you to easily access your favorite TSR utilities. Simply load your TSR's as you normally do, then activate QuikMenu. From the QuikMenu main or modify screens, press the F3 function key. Quikmenu's graphical display is replaced by a text-only window. At this point, input the key combination required to bring up your TSR. When you're finished, exit your TSR and press ESC to return to QuikMenu. USING QUIKMENU ON A NETWORK --------------------------- QuikMenu can be used with Local Area Networks. Network users should start Quikmenu by entering QNET "user-name" at the DOS prompt. For example: QNET Doris - or - QNET Fred If you don't have a QNET file, try installing QuikMenu again. Be sure to specify that you're using QuikMenu on a network. Network users may also wish to use the !USER variable on the command line of Program Buttons. When a button with this variable is activated, the user's name will be substituted for !USER in the command line. For example, if each user had their own directory on the network, you could create a program button that would start a program and list files from the user's directory. The command might look like: WP [Files?=F:\!USER\*.*] This variable can be used in any situation that requires the user's name, ie: custom batch files, etc. COMMAND LINE OPTIONS -------------------- You can specify several options when starting QuikMenu. An option consists of a slash (/) followed by an option letter followed by information about that option. Video Mode QuikMenu automatically determines what type of monitor you have and loads the appropriate software driver. If you have an unusual video card, you may want to override the built-in video detection routine. The /G allows you to run QuikMenu in a variety of different graphics modes depending on your hardware. WARNING: CHOOSING AN INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER MAY CAUSE UNEXPECTED RESULTS AND SOME EXTREME CASES DAMAGE TO YOUR MONITOR OR VIDEO CARD. DON'T TRY THIS OPTION UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Usage: /Gx x = one of the commands below Video Mode Command --------------------------- Hercules 7.0 CGA 1.4 MCGA 640x200 2.4 MCGA 640x480 2.5 EGA 3.1 EGA 64K 4.0 VGA 9.2 AT&T 640x400 8.5 IBM 8514 640x480 6.0 IBM 8514 1024x768 6.1 Other Menus This option can be used to create or access other QuikMenu (*.MNU) menu files. Usage: /Mx x = filename Example: QM /Mmymenu.mnu Hello Message The /H option displays a greeting message each time QuikMenu is loaded. Possible messages include: "Good Morning", "Good Afternoon" and "Good Evening" depending on what time of day it is. Usage: /H