PsL Monthly 1993 October

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U2-02: DOS Menu / Shell Programs ----------------- 0275 DOS Menus #1 Small Programs Disk ----------------- Application Menu 1.0 (AM) Graham, Keith P. $0 is a very neat little menu system for novice users as well as experts. EGAMenu Krosnowski, Robert A. $0 is an unusual DOS menu program for EGA/VGA systems. It uses graphics to add a little pizazz to the menu. It includes a screen blanker function that prevents screen burn-in by putting on a bouncing-line display. Sub-menus are supported and QB4 source code is included. EXE Hall, C. Q. $10 is a type of DOS menu program, but no menus have to be set up in advance. Instead, it displays all the EXE, COM, and BAT files in the current directory and lets you select the one to run. A View option in the program was not explained in the docs and we could not get it to do anything. Menu3 is simple DOS menu program. PCPF is a menu programmer roughly similar to IBM's Fixed Disk Organizer. SkipDOS is a DOS menu program. SLMNU is a DOS menu program. SYORG is a menu program and usage logger. -------------------------------- END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #0275 -------------------------------- ----------------- 2398 DOS Menus #2 Small Programs Disk ----------------- Automatic Menu 3.10 (AMENU) CompuTech Group $25 displays a multi-column list of all executable files in a directory, allowing you to select and execute any of them, including BASIC files. Subdirectories are also displayed and you can change directories simply by selecting one with the cursor keys. It does not allow entering command line parameters, which limits its use for running DOS utilities and some other types of programs. ASDEMenu (ASDEMEN) ASDE Inc. $10 is a tool for creating batch file menu systems. (The authors can no longer be reached at the address provided in the documentation.) FreeMenu (FREEMNU) Smith, Martin K. $0 is a freeware DOS menu program that is easy to use and to modify. It can handle 18 command lines per program name and 19 program names per menu. It uses less than 3k while running other programs. When setting up menus, it will let you search through directories for programs and will write the command lines to call a highlighted program for you. An additional program, SpeedRun, will display up to 50 EXE/COM files in a directory and let you quickly select one to run. (The author is no longer at the address provided in the documentation.) Menu Maker 1.4 (MNUMAKR) Cravener, William $10 allows you to create pop-up shadow box window menus. The five sample COM files that are included are enough to make you want to try this program for yourself. Mickey Menu 1.0 (MKYMNU) Gary Maddox $15 is a quick, easy, mouse driven system for accessing up to 1000 applications. Ok, so we said we would add no more me-too menu systems, but how could we turn down a mouse-oriented DOS menu system named "Mickey Menu"? Also, while there are dozens of complex menu programs that support the mouse, this one will meet the needs of those who want a fast, simple, bare-bones DOS menu program. -------------------------------- END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #2398 -------------------------------- ----------------- 4056 DOS Menus #3 Small Programs Disk ----------------- External Works 1.0 (EXWORKS) Roepenack, Scott Nathan $25 lets you quickly and easily create small menu files for specific applications. For example, in seconds you could create a menu file for compiling and linking a particular program's source code, or a menu for your favorite games, etc. Icon Shell 1.7 (ICONSHL) Sureau, Denis G. $45 is a DOS shell with a Windows-like Graphical User Interface. Up to 20 icons are allowed per screen and an unlimited number of screens may be created. Requires VGA. Medley ButtonWare, Inc. ASP $0 is a tiny, easy-to-use DOS menu program. This program is great for laptops. It features a screen blanker, user defined hot keys, and a menu designer utility. Menu2 is for setting up a menu-driven operating system. MenuMedia 1.1 (MENUMED) 09-93 CD EFD Systems $8 is a quick and easy DOS menu application. You can create a menu data file with any text editor (or even using COPY CON:) with each line containing the menu prompt followed by the program name to run if the prompt is selected. Programs to run can include COM, EXE and batch files, as well as calling MenuMedia to execute a submenu or parent menu. You can also specify a "wallpaper" in the form of a PCX file of your choosing or ANSI graphics. (Not on this disk. Ask for disk #18137.) SlickMenus 1.1 (SLICKMN) Olbrich, Drew $25 is an easy-to-use DOS menu program with some unique features. It has a program usage monitor that tells you the top five most used programs and how many times they have been used. The menu system is slick and easy to use and has context sensitive help. Features include network support, screen blanking, timed execution of programs and mouse support. A sliding-tiles game is included. -------------------------------- END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #4056 -------------------------------- Director Baumbach, Dan ASP $40 #7063/1526 is an outstanding DOS menu and file/directory management utility. It will move directories as well as delete directories that are not empty. Director can handle up to 500 directories of up to 1000 files each. It is LAN compatible, as well as DESQview and UltraVision compatible, and features PKZIP and LHA support. The pop-up menu can have up to 24 programs that can run at the press of a key, and can have unlimited submenus. You can bring up a file list, mark files, and pass those names to a program, such as a file archiver, for example. Directory tree information is optionally saved to disk, making future loads faster. It can move or copy entire directory/file structures between drives. It will display a sorted file list for any drive or combination of drives, show duplicate files and create file listings in ASCII or DBF formats. Other features include swapping to disk or EMS to reduce overhead to 2K when other programs are being run. It can view files in a variety of formats including Lotus 1-2-3; dBase; WordStar; Microsoft Word; Windows Write; Word for Windows; Quattro, Quattro Pro, Symphony and compatible spreadsheets; WordPerfect 5.0+; FoxBase, FoxPro, Clipper, Quicksilver and compatible DBF files; as well as PCX picture files and compressed files in ZIP format. HDM IV 4.55 MicroFox Co. ASP $39-$54 #7063/1854 is an excellent, flexible DOS menu shell. It has a 99-level security system for users and menu items, timed execution of programs, enhanced network support for up to 254 users, user-definable help screens, mouse support, and more. It will support up to 1000 menu files. Other features include mouse support, European and Military date and time formats, and support for DR-DOS, EZ-DOS, and 4DOS. This is one of the top rated DOS menu programs. Menu Commando II Progressive Solutions, Inc. $50 #7063/2298 is a powerful DOS menu program with numerous features. Features include mouse support; customizable menu security in both the single-user and multi-user modes; unlimited multiple users; program usage log; allows programs to be executed with a keypress; formats 5.25" and 3.5" disks; searches for file names; and more. Mountain Menus McCurry, Mark M. $20-$50 #7063/2742 is a mouse-driven, network friendly menuing system. You can define one main menu and up to 29 submenus, each with up to 20 selections with a user-defined full screen help window for each item. It uses no RAM while running selected programs. Features include screen blanking, passwords, on-line help, and environment editing. Requires DOS 3+. BatMenu Gloistein, Donald $30 #7256/1602 allows single key selection of up to 32 menu choices at a time. Features include printer control, password, multiple hard disk support and DESQview compatibility. The author is no longer at the address provided in the documentation. C(ommand) M(ouse) MorganSoft $30 #7256/2495 is a mouse-based hard disk manager and menu system. It lets you list, edit, archive, unarchive, move, copy, delete, and execute files. If you have a mouse and like using it, you should give this program a try. CounterPoint Busarow Software $74 #7256/2542 is a graphical menu system that runs any application from an icon. Features include up to 255 sub-menus, unlimited nesting, drop-down menus, 40 icons per screen, passwords, on-screen clock with sweep second hand and date with day-of-week, built-in screen saver, and a graphic editor included for customizing icons and the logo. Requires 640x350 16-color EGA/VGA and a mouse. For maximum speed, it can be made to stay resident while other programs are running, or it can remove itself to run memory-hungry programs. If you would like a Graphical User Interface and don't like MS Windows, CP is worth a look. Easy Access Tengware Enterprises ASP $25 #7256/1656 is a hard disk menu system. Features include a simple setup and maintenance; user defined colors and headings; 26 options per menu with unlimited sub-menus; usage logging with user log on (optional); no memory overhead when in your application programs; screen saver; calender and reminder subsystem; point & shoot capability; mouse support, International date formats, user defined function keys Alt-F1 through Alt-F10 and the option to always return to the Top Menu rather than returning to the last menu accessed. DOSview 1.5 [DOSVIEW] 09-93 CD Bremer, Skip $40 #12504 is a 3k shell for DOS which displays two directory windows at the top of the screen while giving you a DOS prompt at the bottom. The left window displays whichever directory you specify while the right window changes automatically as you change drives and directories at the prompt. The window display may be toggled off for a full-screen view of DOS. Function keys let you view, edit, copy, delete, and rename files. A menu can be brought up for other functions. Although the program was designed for networks, it works well on a single system and is ideal for anyone who does a lot of work with files in DOS. <DOS_VIEW.PCX> BCS Menu Bristol Computing Systems, Inc. ASP $35 #7257/3469 is a flexible and colorful DOS menu program. It is mouse compatible, with an unlimited amount of menus with up to 100 entries per menu. Commands are executed directly from memory, not batch files, and the program uses only 2.5K RAM during execution. You can add up to six lines of help per menu item, and add password protection for any menu item or DOS exit. Other features include screen blanking, advanced color palette control on EGA/VGA, and a Command Helper that searches your disks for executable or menu files. DOS 3.0+, 512K memory, and a hard disk are required. EZ Menu Adams, James B. $25 #7257/3471 is a menuing program that allows easy access to programs using one keystroke or the click of a mouse. Features include 18 selections per menu with unlimited submenus; a calendar/datebook which can be used as an diary or reminder system; password protection; keyboard lockout capability; automatic screen blanking; date and time displays and date and time change capability. Gallery D'Amico, Michael $30 #7257/1646 employs a graphical user interface. You can create your own menus quite easily, selecting an icon to use for each menu item by scrolling through the available pre-drawn icons. The icons are composed of the IBM character set, so a graphics monitor and card are not required. The file manager is a stand-alone program that also uses icons. Magic Menus Custom Technologies ASP $? #7257/1086 is a DOS menu program that lets you choose among up to ten different sets of AUTOEXEC and CONFIG.SYS files. Features include up to 100 menu selections, five levels of password protection, screen blanking, context-sensitive help, pop-up windows for directory listings, printer control, calculator and DOS command recall. Mouse support is included. Magic Desk 3.0 [MDESK] 09-93 CD Virtual Magic Software ASP $33 #12467 is a Windows-style graphical interface menu for DOS. It uses standard Windows icons to represent your programs. Features include multiple levels of nested menu pages that can hold thousands of programs, password protection for programs and pages, hotkeys, variable program parameters, file pick-lists, built-in icon editor, built-in screen saver, usage log, and PCX background images. Magic Desk can run any COM, EXE, or BAT file, or any DOS command, and it does not remain in memory while running other programs. Requires EGA/VGA, 512K RAM and a hard disk. MarxMenu Perkel, Marc ASP $63 #7258/2374 [2 disks] is a DOS menu programming language that is easy to use. It lets you design screens any way you like. It supports 43/50 screens on EGA/VGA. It can be used on networks and uses no memory when running other programs. Other features include floating point math, clock control functions, looping structure, data scrambling, mouse support, screen blanking, and more. Also included is: DOS Toolbox ($38), a collection of 17 powerful and simple to use DOS utilities, such as Directory Master, Pick Directory, and DoList. Many of the utilities included are similar to standard DOS commands. Some of the programs are written for beginners, others for intermediate and advanced users. A hard disk is required for both of these systems. Menu Construction Set Optimal Solutions of NH $48 #7258/2071 is slick, colorful, and easy to install and use. Each prompt can run a batch file or display an info screen or call up another menu. Up to 100 items are allowed per menu and no limit is imposed on number of menus. Features include mouse and network support, screen blanking and an integrated batch file editor. Menu Manager Personal Business Computer Services Inc. $10-$25 #7258/1198 This disk contains three programs: MENU MANAGER ($25), HELPME ($10), and FASTFOOD ($18). MENU MANAGER is a simple to use, menu driven, hard drive organizer. You can customize this program to meet your own specific needs relatively easy. HELPME is an easy to use DOS command guide for the computer novice. See the Misc. section for a description of FASTFOOD. Launch Pad Brandyware $8-$30 #7337/2829 [2 disks] is a DOS menu and disk manager with a phone and address book, appointment book, calendar, memo pad, alarm, print spooler, program timer, auto-dialing with phone log, personal logo, instant time change, and complete/partial backup. Other features include mouse support, extended password protection, and the ability to use no RAM while running other programs. DOS 5.0 is supported, with instant access to the built-in editor. A hard disk and color video are required. InContext 1.10 Rams'Island Software ASP $64 #7488/3257 [2 disks] is a DOS shell with many features, including directory and file management, menu creation, task planning, calendar management and more. It will launch programs automatically based on the type of data file selected. Internal archive viewers are included and ther is operational support for ARC, ARCA/ARCE, SEA's ARC 6.02, PKPAK/PKUNPAK, ARJ, PAK, and ZIP. The program is easy to install and use. Requires a hard disk, 512k RAM and DOS 3+. A mouse is optional. Logik Menu LogiVision, Inc. ASP $55 #7489/3187 is a DOS menu system with automatic installation. It optionally starts by scanning all user-specified drives for all BAT, EXE, and COM files. It lists the files and lets you select which ones to install. Other features include event tracking, EGA/VGA 43/50 line mode supported, mouse support, passwords, screen saver, hidden hot keys, customizable help, up to 50 items per menu, 50 sub-menus (multiple levels), and 80 commands per item. It does not use any memory while your own programs run. You can generate various reports. Requires 384K and DOS 3.0 or higher. Menugame Hyperware Software $10 #7489/2747 is basically a simple DOS menu program, but it is enhanced with animated EGA graphics, based on the F-4 Phantom II. The menu system is completely self contained and automatically creates batch files for the program's operations. Also included is an installation program to completely set up your hard disk in the menu system. PC Pro Imagine Software $45 #7489/3263 builds an initial menu system based on popular programs it discovers on your hard disk system. It also provides file management functions, including displaying a directory tree of your hard disk. PC Pro is intelligently designed and easy to use. The automatic installation only picks up "popular" programs, such as WordPerfect and 1-2-3. (Compare to Logik Menu, which we've made part of a MegaDisk set with this program, which optionally automatically installs all executable files on the hard disk.) However, it is very easy to add other programs and the overall design of the program is excellent. Picture Shell Menu 1.5 Green, David R. $40 Canadian #4114 is a hard drive menuing program that uses beautiful 256-color icons and 3D screens to let you visually access applications on your system. It is completely mouse driven, with 4 pages of 25 menu selections. P.S.Menu features AdLib/SoundBlaster/Roland sound board support for special effects. It includes 55 icons, and you can easily modify them or create your own with the built-in drawing program. The executable file requires little or no system overhead when running programs. If you're looking for an impressive GUI, but don't have enough hardware for Windows, this is an excellent alternative. Requires a mouse, hard disk, VGA, DOS 3.3+, and 512K. Painless Accounting Menu Manager Pierce, Kendall B. $20 #7259/1855 has unlimited menu options, scrollable menus, a calculator, calendar, notepad, word processor, phone directory and dialer for COM1-4, mouse support, and an appointment schedular. It utilizes extended and expanded memory to switch between programs which means a much faster response time. The program also has file management functions and can check a disk, park hard disk heads and more. None of these applications are very powerful (eg: the calendar does not let you record appointments), but they are handy additions to what would otherwise be just another of many DOS menu programs. The only problem we had was that the program aborted back to DOS when we tried to load a file too large for the word processor. PowerMenu Plus Brown Bag Software $97 #7259/1579 [2 disks] is an excellent DOS menu program and file manager. Features include a directory tree display; a file finder; full support for the European keyboard and European, American and Asian date formats; support for 24 or 12 hour time formats; and extensive disk/file management. (Note: Brown Bag does not allow the latest versions of their programs to be distributed as shareware. The registration fee shown is for the latest version.) QuikMenu 1.07d On-Site Computer Services $40 #7259/2548 is a graphical user interface DOS menu program. It works in all standard graphics modes. It automatically creates buttons for most major applications and makes it easy to manually add others. Other features include network compatibility, passwords, time tracking, text viewer, free form layout, multiple menu pages, on-line help, mouse support, DOS shell, and more. Compared to CounterPoint (#2542), QM works on more types of video, such as CGA, but CP has fancier features, such as icons for programs (versus a simple program-name-in-a-box for QM) and an on-screen clock. However both programs are very attractive and fast and easy to use. Softset Triple-T Software $60-$80 #7259/1768 consists of two programs: Tag_Along is a DOS menu and disk/file manager. GlueStick is a 113k pop-up screen annotation program which allows you to create and save memos about whatever has been displayed on the screen by whichever program you are running. For example, you could "attach" an explanatory memo to a number displayed by a spreadsheet program. GS will also let you save notes unrelated to the contents of the screen and will let you capture screens to disk files. The only drawback is the large amount of memory the program uses. System Directory Utility Southtech Computing $15 #7260/1088 is a DOS menu program. Features include directory maintenance, directory navigation, reminder alarms, a user log file, DOS commands, and more. Systems Manager MiCord $10 #7260/2300 is a fast point-and-shoot DOS menu system. It automatically generates time records and reports of user purposes and applications for business productivity management purposes. It displays date and time, offers password protection, and automatic installation. The*Menu Joyner, Bill $10 #7260/1089 is a DOS menu program that also contains an appointment reminder system. The Waiter Raney, Dennis L. $20 #7260/1408 is a DOS menu system that allows up to 10 menus with 10 selections. Menus may branch off of other menus; after running a program you are always returned to the last menu selected. Features include a log for time, date and program selected, passwords for individual programs and for limiting access to DOS and to the operator's menu, screen blanking, and much more. DOS 3+. Window Menu Texas Computer Cattle Company $40 #7261/1831 is a sophisticated menuing system. Features include up to 105 selections per menu categorized under up to seven window titles across the menu bar. You can also chain to other menus, which allows you to have an unlimited number of menu options. You can assign menu selections to function keys for immediate execution from anywhere in the menu. All selections can be password protected, including exiting to DOS. A help system is built in that you can customize for each menu item. WM supports networking and offers true point-and-click mouse support. (The authors are no longer at the address listed in the documentation.) Wyndshell Wyndware $30-45 #7261/1448 [2 disks] is a combination file and directory manager and DOS menu program. If you have EGA/VGA, it automatically uses the 43-line screen mode. The Menu section allows unlimited menu choices. DOS 3+ is required and a mouse is supported. An unlimited number of menus and submenus that can be set up. Network support is provided. Also included is Wynd-DOS ($30), a utility which allows you to perform functions such as formatting disks, copying and deleting files, and creating subdirectories. Wynd-DOS is available from within the WyndShell environment, but can also run as a stand-alone, floppy-based application. Menu-EZX 1.12 EZX Corporation $45 #7515/3259 sets up your hard drive with simple menus, passwords and more. It allows you to run programs based on input to prompts. You can create a menu system on floppy diskettes. You can easily edit menu, batch, or other text files using the text editor. Systems can be configured so anyone can use the computers without having to know DOS. This program uses less than 4K when running other programs. Requires a hard drive and DOS 3.0 or higher. CMenu Moore, Chris $20 #7515/3264 (formerly QuickMenu) is an easy to use hard disk menuing system, with many additional features. It contains directory and file utilities, a DOS command interface, and security options. System information and date/time are displayed, and there is a Batch Utilities section for the creation and maintenance of batch files. When a selection is executed from the menu, the menu itself is taken out of memory, allowing maximum memory for your application. You can also print files and compare two text files. A mouse is supported but not required. DOS 3+ required. RO Software DOS Utilities RO Software $10-$70 #7515/3271 is an integrated DOS menu/utilities package. Components include File Management, Programmers Text Editor, Pop-up DOS Command Help, Directory and Tree utilities, File Recovery and Directory Sort, Equipment List and Memory Map, File Location, Pop-up clock and calendar, and more. Each utility can operate as a stand-alone application, or be accessed from the menu. Other features include virus detection, very low memory overhead, automatic ANSI file generation, and automatic screen layout of menus. You can have an unlimited number of menu pages, with up to 32 entries each. A hard disk and color monitor are required, and mouse support is included. SIMS Stewart, David Thomas $15 #7515/0841 creates DOS menus to aid in running your programs. It makes good use of colors and ASCII graphics and is very fast. Also offers optional password protection to selected menus. PullDown 5.0 MicroDynamics Development ASP $55 #7533/2834 [3 disks] is a pulldown DOS menu shell system. It features password protection, command line prompts, screen blanking, user-defined help for each menu item, dialogue boxes, mouse support, unlimited menu branching, 100% CUA Compliance with help lines and menu titles, extensive pathing support for LAN installations and custom requirements, up to 440 menu items on a screen via pulldown menus, interactive installation of programs, and batch file enhancement and compiler. Three other shareware programs recommended for use with the program (and which have separate registration fees) are included in this set for evaluation: DAZZLE, and excellent EGA/VGA graphics program; FLEXIBAC +, a hard disk backup system; and POWERBATCH, a programming language and compiler. A hard disk and 400K of free RAM are required. IconDOS 1.5 08-93 CD EFD Systems $25 #12223 is an application launcher for DOS similar to Window's Program Manager, complete with icons and wallpaper. Multipage icon menus and sub-menus provide unlimited menu size. Other features include a built-in clock, calendar, calculator, screen saver, 100 icons, 20 different wallpapers and a graphical editor for producing custom icons and wallpaper. VGA & mouse are required. Systems Manager MiCord ASP $10 #3333 is a DOS menu program that will track the time spent in different areas. It will automatically keep track of time by any combination of user, software type, project or client. Usage reports can be used for client billing. Features include passwords and direct access to up to 60 programs on one screen. Requires hard disk. TaskMaster FmP $80 #3866 is a DOS menuing language. Supplied end-user tasks make it suitable for beginners, and its programmability makes it suitable for experts. It can launch even the largest of applications. It offers several security features, including passwords, user names, system log, and restricted access to the DOS prompt, applications, and directories. Taskmaster performs scheduling of periodic routine tasks such as backups. It can report and act on results from any application. ToyBox Virtual Magic Software $15 #3764 contains a unique graphic interface designed specifically for children ages three and up. It displays large, three-dimensional buttons with brightly-colored icons which act as a graphical menu of your children's favorite programs. Children can select any of their programs with a single keystroke or click of the mouse. Up to 20 program buttons can be displayed on a VGA monitor, 16 on an EGA system. A collection of 72 colorful icons is included in this package. The program also protects the rest of your system from inquisitive young minds by letting you set options which prevent children from exiting the ToyBox environment. Although the program is targeted toward children, it is is no way childish and could be used by anyone seeking a simple and effective graphic menu program. 512K and a hard disk are required, and a mouse is recommended. ]]]]]