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README.DOC
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1994-03-09
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STAR MENU
Star Menu has been designed as a convenient DOS-based menuing program. It has
the capability of running virtually any executable program (with an EXE, COM,
or BAT extension). It also has the capability of loading different sets of
autoexec.bat & config.sys boot files into the root directory, to allow
convenient rebooting into any desired environment. This feature is especially
useful to load optimized Microsoft Windows-specific drivers when running
Windows, and to then to re-load a different set of optimized DOS-specific
drivers when running DOS applications. Star Menu can also use multiple line
commands (DOS commands, programs, etc.) similar to a DOS batch file.
Note that a hard disk caching program (such as Smartdrive included with DOS)
will greatly speed up disk-intensive programs such as Star Menu, and is
strongly recommended.
STAR MENU FEATURES:
* Runs virtually any executable program with a convenient menu to
choose programs from
* Multi-User & Multi-Access levels (Basic, Standard, Advanced, &
Expert)
* Rebooting feature allows easy changing of environments using
different sets of autoexec.bat & config.sys files (Multi-Boot)
* Multiple command lines, replaceable parameters, & DOS command
line interface (CLI) supported
* All hard drive types supported, including Stacker & Doublespace
* Floppy drives supported
* Removable drives supported (rewritable optical, etc.)
* Star Menu can be installed on either hard of floppy drives (great
for notebook users without hard drives!)
* Different groups (Utilities, Games, Applications, etc.) can be
custom configured
* Up to 200 menu items (any combination of Programs, Groups, Reboot
files and/or Multi-line commands) per group allowed, number of
groups limited by hard or floppy disk size only!
* Built-in "bouncing slinkies" screen saver with optional password
screen if desired
* Passwords may be set for main system and/or for each menu item
* Graphical selection of Subdirectories and Files makes for easy
setup of programs and groups
* Built-in mouse support, hot key support, and cursor key support
all available simultaneously!
* Fully-featured scientific calculator with unique on-screen
memories, transaction log, MUCH more!
* Personal Organizer including: Calendar, Monthly Planner, Weekly
Planner, Day Planner, To Do List, Cardfile(s), MUCH more! (pro
version only)
* Backup/Restore section using PKZIP/PKUNZIP compression to backup
& restore graphically selected subdirectories from any drive.
* Activity log time & date stamps all activities by user.
* Run/View (program launcher & file viewer) included, to quickly
and easily run any DOS program, even if it hasn't been set up on
the menu, or to quickly view the contents of any file.
* File viewing options available when ADDing or INSERTing a new
program onto a group, very handy to read DOC or TXT files before
selecting the executable or batch file to setup.
* DOS Shell option, to allow any DOS command to be executed while
still running Star Menu
* Star Menu setup utility (setsd.exe) to allow easy moving of Star
Menu to other subdirectories
* No more annoying "UNREGISTERED VERSION" displays!
* Delay screens found in Star Menu are gone!
** PLEASE REGISTER TODAY!! **
Package Contents
The following files are included with the shareware version:
Filename: Description:
DIRC.BAT sample multi-line command
DIRD.BAT sample multi-line command
INSTALL.EXE installation program
ORDER.FRM REGISTERED VERSION ORDER FORM!
RFQ.FRM Beyond Software Request For Quote form
STARMENU.EXE Star Menu program
TEST87.EXE math coprocessor test program
SETUPx.DAT Star Menu data files
SM.BAT Star Menu "looping" batch file
SM.CFG default Star Menu Top group file
SM.DAT Star Menu data file
SM2.CFG sample DOS Commands group
QUICKREF.DOC Star Menu Quick Reference Guide
LATEST.NFO Latest Star Menu Information
SM.ICO WINDOWS 3.1 Star Menu Icons
README.DOC this file
The additional files are also included with the REGISTERED** version:
SETSD.EXE Star Menu external setup utility (allows easy
movement of Star Menu)
SMR.DAT Registered serial number file; with this file, the
annoying UNREGISTERED COPY displays and delay
screens are eliminated.
** COMPREHENSIVE MANUAL for Star Menu is also available with the REGISTERED
version for a small additional fee!
** PLEASE REGISTER TODAY!! **
Installation
To install Star Menu, simply change to the drive and/or subdirectory where the
Star Menu files are located, and run the install program as shown below:
Installing from floppy A at the DOS prompt, type in the following:
A: [and hit enter]
INSTALL [and hit enter]
Installing from floppy B at the DOS prompt, type in the following:
B: [and hit enter]
INSTALL [and hit enter]
Installing from subdirectory D:\XYZ
at the DOS prompt, type in the following:
D: [and hit enter]
cd\XYZ [and hit enter]
INSTALL [and hit enter]
The install program will prompt for the hard drive to install Star Menu on to,
and the subdirectory name (which will contain the Star Menu files). The
default hard drive is "C", and the default subdirectory name is "STARMENU";
press enter only when prompted to use these defaults. If you are re-installing
Star Menu or upgrading from a previous version, the install program will not
overwrite the data files without asking first (only the old executable files
are overwritten automatically). The install program will also prompt for a
video type, which can also be modified in the Config section of Star Menu at
any time later.
After Star Menu is installed, change to the drive and subdirectory where it
was installed and type "SM" to run Star Menu as shown in the example below.
Assuming default drive/subdir:
at the DOS prompt type in the following:
C; [and hit enter]
cd\STARMENU [and hit enter]
SM [and hit enter]
To avoid having to manually change to the Star Menu drive/subdir., for the
above example add "C:\STARMENU;" to the PATH statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file (consult your DOS manual for further information on modifying
autoexec.bat files).
Configuring Star Menu
To configure the main Star Menu options, hit function key F1 at the main menu
screen. This will allow you to change video and printer types, change program
colors displayed, set the computer date & time, toggle the mouse on & off,
enter a Star Menu main system password, configure the top level menu group,
and select reboot options.
Star Menu Setup
To access the Star Menu setup screen, hit function key F2 at the main menu
screen. This section will allow setup of custom programs, groups, and
multi-line commands. Note that even with a hard disk caching program, the
initial disk scan used with the Add and Insert options will be relatively
slow. Once the subdirectory structure is stored however, repeated attempts
will be much faster.
Use the Add option to add new menu items for a given group. Menu items may
consist of any combination of executable programs (EXE, COM, or BAT files),
groups (e.g. Utilities, DOS Commands, Games, Applications, etc.) and
multi-line commands (similar to DOS batch files). Up to 200 menu items can be
added to one group; the number of possible groups is limited only by disk
space, so that a massive array of groups with literally millions of files is
possible.
Use the edit option to edit menu items. The insert menu item is identical to
Add except that as implied the program, group or multi-line command may be
inserted anywhere in the group, at the insert number specified. Use the create
option to create new groups and multi-line command files. Use the load option
to load groups. The view option allows viewing the multi-line commands. The
mouse option toggles the mouse on and off.
NOTE: