Cream of the Crop 26/Cream of the Crop 26.iso/faq/xfl_pm13.zip/XFL_PM13.INF

OS/2 Help File | 1997-06-20 | 58KB | 622 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Snake-Byte Help Intro ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Snake-Byte presents the OS/2 Presentation Manager version of the Automated
Episode Guide.

This is a full-featured OS/2 Presentation Manager program that makes it easy to
view information on this popular TV show.

If you are reading this file from the Online Help (by hitting F1 while the
A.E.G. is running), choose CONTENTS from the OPTIONS menu above for the Table
of Contents to this Help file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Installing This Program ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Installing This Program

NOTE: This version of the OS/2 Presentation Manager Automated Episode Guide
uses "external" disk-based data files for each of the episodes it displays on
your screen.

Therefore, it MUST be installed correctly in order for the executable program
to find the episode data. An incorrectly installed program will result in error
messages when you try to view any of the episode data in the program.

This section describes how to properly install the Automated EpGuide so that it
will work correctly...


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1. Program Installation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Program Installation

Follow these simple (but mandatory) steps...

(1) Unarchive the original .ZIP file into the directory that you want to
*PERMANENTLY* store the Automated EpGuide. Presumably, you have already done
this since you are reading the help file or readme.

NOTE: YOU SHOULD USE THE OS/2 UNZIP.EXE TO UNARCHIVE THE .ZIP FILE! UNZIP IS
"EA" (Extended Attributes) AWARE! UNZIP.EXE ALSO DEFAULTS TO RECREATING THE
DIRECTORIES STORED IN THE .ZIP FILE! KEEPING THE DIRECTORIES STORED IN THE .ZIP
IS CRUCIAL! IF THE AUTOMATED EPGUIDE CAN'T FIND THE EPISODE DATA SUB-DIRECTORY,
IT *WILL* *NOT* *WORK* *CORRECTLY*!

No if's, and's or but's. So, if you don't have the OS/2 UNZIP.EXE, go to any
decent OS/2 BBS or FTP site and download it immediately! You'll be glad you
did! (DOS's PKZIP "may" be able to handle the sub-directories, but it will nuke
any EA's stored in the archive!)

(2) If you used UNZIP.EXE, a sub-directory will be created and all of the
episode data files will be copied to this new sub-directory.

Like I mentioned above, this part of the installation is CRUCIAL! I hard-coded
the sub-directory's path into the program executable.

If the Automated EpGuide program can't find this sub-directory, you will get a
File Error dialog which tells you which data file the program was trying to
load. See elsewhere in this document for details on File Errors. If you ARE
getting these errors, go back to the top of this section and follow the
instructions.

(3) Once you have UNZIP'ed the Automated EpGuide .ZIP file into a permanent
directory, run the REXX .CMD script named AEG_INST.CMD. This script will create
an OS/2 program object on your desktop.

After the program object is created, you can rename it or move it anywhere you
want to (into a folder, onto the LaunchPad, etc.)

(4) Double click on the Automated EpGuide icon to run the program. For more
details on using the Automated EpGuide, read the section entitled How To Use
This Program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2. File Read Errors ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

File Read Errors

If you did everything in the PROGRAM INSTALLATION section correctly, you
shouldn't get any File Read errors. But, there are some circumstances that may
cause the Automated EpGuide to give you a File Read error dialog...

For example, if you ever develop an error on your hard drive that interferes
with the A.E.G.'s data files, you may get a "FILE READ" error.

Other ways of getting "FILE READ" errors are usually caused by HUMAN error...

(1) You accidentally DELETED one or more of the EP###.DAT files;

(2) You accidentally DELETED the OS/2 PM Automated EpGuide's episode data file
directory;

(3) You accidentally RENAMED the OS/2 PM Automated EpGuide's episode data file
directory or one or more of the EP###.DAT files therein;

(4) You MOVED the OS/2 PM Automated EpGuide .EXE program to a directory other
than the one that you originally installed the program.

If you are getting "FILE READ" error messages when trying to view the episode
data, you may have to re-install the OS/2 PM Automated EpGuide. Re-read the
section entitled PROGRAM INSTALLATION for more details...


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3. Error Messages ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Error Messages

If there is some sort of trouble with the disk-based episode data files, you
will get a "FILE READ" error message. The dialog box will tell you the name of
the sub-directory and file that the A.E.G. program is trying to load.

After you hit the OK button, you will get the default "empty" episode data
dialog. Since the program couldn't find the disk based data files (filenames --
EP###.DAT where ### is the episode's number), it uses the default error message
in the episode data dialog.

If you are getting the above errors after running the Automated EpGuide, it is
because the program cannot find the episode data files.

I hope you kept the original OS/2 PM Automated EpGuide .ZIP archive because you
may have to re-install the program to make sure everything is in the correct
location.

Another alternative is to use a recent backup of your system (a tape backup,
for example) and restore the files that were originally copied to your hard
drive from the Automated EpGuide .ZIP file.

If you don't have a recent or working tape backup, I suggest that you delete
the Automated EpGuide directory and start over from scratch.

This will assure that all files are where they need to be. Go back to the
section entitled PROGRAM INSTALLATION for more details.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4. About The Data Files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

About The Data Files

Users of the new versions of the Automated EpGuide may wonder why I "hard
coded" the pathname of the episode data files into the program's executable.

Mainly for convenience, but also, so as to not clutter the A.E.G. directory
with dozens and dozens of obnoxious little data files.

The average TV show featured in the Automated Episode Guide programs has
anywhere from 40 or so episodes (the lower bound, representing approximately
two or three seasons -- Babylon 5 or the X-Files, for example) on up to 150 or
more (the upper bound, representing seven or eight seasons -- the Simpsons or
MST3K).

Each episode is stored in a small data file corresponding to that episode's
"number". Install the new version of the MST3K or Simpsons A.E.G. and you got
yourself 150 data files needed by EACH OF THE A.E.G. .EXE files!

OKAY!!! I'LL ADMIT IT!!! I'm an anal retentive control freak! I just can't
stand to see 150 or more little bitty data files floating around in the same
directory as the rest of the "required" files needed for the A.E.G.'s
execution.

Heaven forbid that some poor, unsuspecting computer novice tries to install an
A.E.G. in the root directory of his-her-it's hard drive. Yikes, I'm getting
dizzy just thinking about it!

Seriously, the main reason was for convenience. I envisioned some mega-A.E.G.
user who has every Automated EpGuide that I've ever released. In this fantasy,
er, scenario...the person has of course registered all of these programs...
***SUBLIMINAL HINT***

By hard coding sub-directories into the program, this poor, troubled
loaner...uh, user can stash all of the .EXE and .HLP files in one "AEG"
directory, with all of the bazillion and three data files stored neatly in
their own little sub-directories.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. How To Run This Program ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

How To Run This Progran

If you are reading this page, you must have figured out how to run the program
on your own (or are reading the .INF help book).

There are several ways to run this OS/2 PM A.E.G.

(These methods assume that you have already unarchived the .ZIP file into a
directory somewhere on your hard drive)

USING THE A.E.G. FROM AN OS/2 COMMAND LINE SESSION:

Simply, CD to the directory that the OS/2 PM A.E.G. .EXE file resides. Type the
filename of the executable file and the PM program window should appear on your
desktop. See the "How To Use This Program" section for details on maneuvering
around the program.

USING THE PM A.E.G. FROM AN OBJECT ON YOUR DESKTOP:

Create a permanent directory somewhere on your hard drive for the PM A.E.G.
Move the contents of the .ZIP file into this permanent directory (the .EXE
file, the .HLP file and the aeg_inst.cmd REXX script are the only "required"
files, you can delete the rest of the files if you want to. But, please read
the shareware notice in this readme.txt before deleting!).

From an OS/2 command line session (full screen or window) run the REXX script
named aeg_inst.cmd. It will create a desktop object for the PM A.E.G. After
this desktop object is created, you can move it anywhere you want to (into a
folder, onto your LaunchPad, etc.) Double click on the PM A.E.G. icon to run
the program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. How To Use This Program ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

How To Use This Program

When you first run the A.E.G., a large PM window will appear on your screen. It
will have the title and version of the A.E.G. on the top border, three menu
titles on the menu bar, and a group of TOOLBAR BUTTONS.

You can choose options from the menus on the menu bar in order to display the
various information contained in the A.E.G. The menus are EXIT, EPISODES and
HELP. Each of these will contain at least one option underneath (but probably
more than one). Certain versions of the Automated Episode Guide also have a
CHARACTERS menu on the menu bar.

NOTE: the buttons on the toolbar perform the same actions as the items listed
on the EXIT and HELP menus


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. The Automated EpGuide Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Automated Episode Guide Window

You can choose program options from the drop down menus or the buttons on the
toolbar (see diagram above).

You can also click the right mouse button anywhere in the program's window for
a Context Sensitive Popup Menu with the same options as the ones on the drop
down menus or toolbar.

If your mouse pointer hesitates over one of the buttons on the toolbar, a
Floating Help Window will appear with a brief description of what action that
button performs.

Here's a rundown of the Toolbar Buttons and the actions they perform

EXIT: Hit this button to quit and exit the A.E.G.

HELP: Displays a Useless Help reminder

DISC: Displays a Standard Weasely Disclaimer about the TV program featured in
this A.E.G.

INFO: Displays a bit more information about the data featured in this A.E.G.

ABOUT: Displays a pointless vanity screen with info on the A.E.G.'s author.

SNAKE: The SNAKE button displays a list of other neat programs available from
Snake-Byte a bargain!

LEFT ARROW: The Left Arrow displays the PREVIOUS episode data dialog. If you
reach the 'TOP' of the available episodes, hitting this button again will 'WRAP
AROUND' and display the LAST AVAILABLE episode data dialog.

RIGHT ARROW: The Right Arrow displays the NEXT episode data dialog. If you
reach the 'BOTTOM' of the available episodes, hitting this button again will
'WRAP AROUND' and display the FIRST AVAILABLE episode data dialog.

DOWN ARROW: The DOWN Arrow jumps to the first episode of the NEXT season. If
you reach the 'BOTTOM' of the available seasons, hitting this button again will
'WRAP AROUND' and display the first episode of the FIRST AVAILABLE season.

UP ARROW: The UP Arrow jumps to the first episode of the PREVIOUS season. If
you reach the 'TOP' of the available seasons, hitting this button again will
'WRAP AROUND' and display the first episode of the LAST AVAILABLE season.

SOME NOTES ON THE NEXT / PREVIOUS EPISODE TOOLBAR BUTTONS:

When you first run the Automated Episode Guide, the program defaults to the
FIRST EPISODE from the FIRST SEASON. In other words, if you were to hit the
RIGHT ARROW button, the FIRST EPISODE data dialog from the FIRST SEASON would
display. If you were to hit the LEFT ARROW button, the program 'WRAPS AROUND'
and displays the LAST AVAILABLE EPISODE data dialog.

Also, if you pick an episode from the drop down menu, or off the context
sensitive popup menu, the A.E.G. 'REMEMBERS' which episode data dialog you just
viewed!

For example, if you were to choose the THIRD EPISODE from the SECOND SEASON
menu then click the OK button to get rid of the dialog, if you were to hit the
RIGHT ARROW button, the next episode data dialog to display will be the FOURTH
EPISODE from the SECOND SEASON. Clicking the LEFT ARROW button would display
the SECOND EPISODE from the SECOND SEASON.

Use this approach to jump past certain episodes and seasons and then
selectively scroll through only the episodes you wish to view!

THE NEXT / PREVIOUS SEASON TOOLBAR BUTTONS.

These two buttons work similarly to the Next / Previous episode buttons. The
Next Season button jumps to the FIRST EPISODE of the season which follows the
LAST SEASON YOU VIEWED AN EPISODE FROM. If you have just started the Automated
Episode Guide and hit the Next Season button, the A.E.G. will jump to the FIRST
EPISODE of the SECOND AVAILABLE SEASON.

The Previous Season button jumps to the FIRST EPISODE of the season immediately
preceding the LAST SEASON YOU VIEWED AN EPISODE FROM. If you have just started
the Automated Episode Guide and hit the Previous Season button, the A.E.G. will
jump to the FIRST EPISODE of the LAST AVAILABLE SEASON.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Menu Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Menu Options

Here's a rundown of each of the menu titles and the options that may appear
beneath (I have paraphrased some menu options because they may be different
depending on the specific A.E.G. that you're running)

EXIT: Contains the Previous Episode option, Next Episode option, the Previous
Season option, the Next Season option and Exit. Use Previous Episode and Next
Episode to cycle through episode data dialogs, one episode at a time. Use Next
Season and Previous Season option to jump to the FIRST EPISODE of the various
seasons of the TV Show. Use the Exit option to Quit/Exit the program.

EPISODES: Usually contains several items, normally SEASON 1, SEASON 2 and so
on.

CHARACTERS: Some versions of the Automated EpGuide will contain a 'Characters'
menu which will contain a list of prominent characters from the given TV show.

HELP: Usually contains several items, normally HELP, DISCLAIMER, INFO, ABOUT,
SHAREWARE and OTHER SBI PROGRAMS.

NOTE: These menu items can be accessed from the drop down menus or via the
context sensitive popup menu (right mouse click anywhere in OS/2 PM A.E.G.'s
window to activate the popup menu)

Also, each item on the HELP and and EXIT menus can be activated by pushing it's
matching button on the toolbar.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. Picking A Menu Option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Picking A Menu Option

To choose things off any of the drop down menus or from the CONTEXT SENSITIVE
POPUP MENU, you simply move your mouse down until that option is highlighted
(the menu option will be reversed, like a button that has been pressed).

Each menu option has one character UNDERLINED. This is the KEYBOARD SHORTCUT
for that given menu option (See the section that follows about Keyboard
Shortcuts).

The MENU OPTIONS on the EPISODES menu and the same items on the context
sensitive popup menu have little arrows pointing to the RIGHT of each option.
These arrows mean that this option has ANOTHER sub-menu.

You can cascade these sub-menus by highlighting the menu option (the sub-menu
will automatically pop up to either side of the menu option that you are
currently highlighting).

You can then move your mouse pointer onto the sub-menu in order to highlight
the various options on that sub-menu. Be sure to hold down the left mouse
button until you are on the sub-menu item that you want to choose! It takes a
bit of dexterity on the longer sub-menus. If that's too hard, read the section
on using Keyboard Shortcuts.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. Keyboard Shortcuts ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Keyboard Shortcuts

The option on the three menus on the menu bar and the various options on the
CONTEXT SENSITIVE POPUP MENU have ONE character UNDERLINED

The underlined character represents the KEYBOARD SHORTCUT for THAT menu option.
Most people prefer to use their mouse pointer to click on the options, but
these keyboard shortcuts perform the same actions as the mouse.

The way to ACTIVATE the keyboard shortcut is to press the <ALT> key on your
keyboard (it should be a small key on either side of your <SPACE BAR>).

When you press the <ALT> key, you will notice that the first menu title on the
menu bar is highlighted (it will look like a button that has been pressed).
This means that the highlighted option is now activated and can be chosen by
pressing your <ENTER> key.

For example, if you hit <ALT> and the EXIT menu title is highlighted on the
menu bar, if you were to hit <ENTER> the menu beneath the EXIT title will drop
down.

Note: You can use your cursor arrow keys to move the highlighted area back and
forth on the menu bar (or up and down within a drop down menu; the same goes
for the context sensitive popup menu).

For example, to pick the second episode of the first season of the TV show in
this A.E.G., use the following keystrokes (in order and don't hold any key down
during the process):

<ALT> E 1 2


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.5. Accelerator Hot Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Accelerator Hot Keys

Certain items on some of the menus may have an F Key or CTRL Key listed on the
far right of a given menu option (F2 on the Help option or F9 on the Exit
option).

These are ACCELERATOR KEYS that can be used as another alternative to the
previously listed methods of executing menu options.

Hot Keys help for this Snake-Byte Program:

<F1>   Summons THIS online help file

<F2>   Totally Useless Help Message Box

<F3>   Weasely Disclaimer

<F4>   More Info On This Program

<F5>   About the program and the programmer

<F7>   Other Snake-Byte Programs

<F9>   Quit and Exit the Program

Ctrl+L   Display Previous Episode dialog

Ctrl+R   Display Next Episode dialog

Ctrl+D   Jump to the First Episode of the NEXT season

Ctrl+U   Jump to the First Episode of the PREVIOUS season

These HOT KEYS can be used at almost any time while the program is running. The
only exceptions are when a message dialog box (the Weasely Disclaimer, for
example) or the online help is activated.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Program History ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The History Of This Program

Version 0.9  Beta version. Honed the mechanics of the OS/2 PM program.

Version 1.0  First release version of this 32 bit OS/2 PM program.

Version 1.01  This version features redesigned Episode and Character dialogs,
new Context Sensitive Menu, a Toolbar, Floating Toolbar Help, Previous / Next
Episode buttons, Previous / Next Season buttons and an Online Help system!

Version 1.1  The new version featuring disk-based data files which makes the
.exe file smaller and more efficient! I also changed the default program icon
from a generic "PM A.E.G." icon to one that is customized for the particular
A.E.G. program. This allows people who have more than one OS/2 P.M. A.E.G. on
their system to tell the programs apart by their icons.

NOTE: These version numbers are just a guide -- the program that you are using
may have had an update released prior to having the above features added,
therefore it's version number may be 1.2 or 1.3. Don't be alarmed! It makes
PERFECT sense to me, the over-worked, easily confused code-weasel.

As of 06/01/97, all versions of the Automated Episode Guide are *FREEWARE!!!
Whooooohoooooo!!!!!!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. Known Bugs and Problems ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Known Bugs and Problems

One small one: The Floating Help Windows use mouse coordinates to calculate
when they should pop up to describe a Toolbar button. If you drop down a menu
from the menu bar and don't release the left mouse button while scrolling down
through the menu options, when you are at the same mouse coordinates as one of
the toolbar buttons, one of the floating help windows will appear onscreen OVER
the drop down menu.

Note: This doesn't affect the operation of the program in any way. It's just a
picky little annoyance.

Work-arounds: If this little bug annoys you, (a) Use the Keyboard Shortcut to
drop down the menu and the cursor keys to scroll down the menu options or (b)
click the left mouse button to activate the drop down menu, then release the
left mouse button. The menu will still be open and active. You can now move
your mouse pointer to whichever option you want without the floating help
windows appearing.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.2. Bug Reports ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Swatting Any Pesky Insects

If you encounter any problems with this program (either bugs in the actual
mechanics of the program, or misspellings and/or incorrect info in the various
episode data fields) please drop me a line at one of e-mail addresses in the
last section of this document. I will try and implement the fix in the next
version of the program that I release.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Other Snake-Byte Programs ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Other Automated Episode Guide programs by Snake-Byte...

Also by Snake-Byte...


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.1. Getting These Programs ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

How To Get Any Of These Snake-Byte Programs

All current versions of Snake-Byte programs are ALWAYS available on the FTP
site at ftp.slinknet.com under the path /pub/snake

You can also point your World Wide Web browser to the following URL:

http://www.slinknet.com/~wmorgan/snake.html


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Credits ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Extra special thanks to Frank Miller, my C programming guru. If it weren't for
Frank, I probably would've given up on C programming within the first few days.
He has helped me solve many of my seemingly endless beginner's problems.

Special thanks to Peter Fitzsimmons and all the OS/2 programming gurus on the
Fidonet OS/2 Programming Echo which is a gold mine of info for OS/2 programming
beginners, like me.

Another special thank you goes to all the OS/2 programming gurus who are
responsible for the Electronic Developer's Magazine, an OS/2 .INF file full of
great information on just about anything you can think of. If you're a beginner
or intermediate who wants to learn some nifty things about OS/2 programming,
RUN, don't walk to the Hobbes OS/2 FTP site or CD Rom and check out these
fantastic help files!

Super-Duper thanks to Janis Kracht for all the work she's done on the
Snake-Byte File Distribution Network! Similar thanks go to the people at US
Robotics for giving amateur software developers the opportunity to start FDN's
and get their programs to a wider audience.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Contacting The Author ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Contacting The Author Of This Program

Want to thank me for such a fantastic program?

Bitch me out for wasting your download time and hard drive space?

Find out my mailing address so you can send me a package of football cards to
reward me for the two years of development that went into this program?
(subliminal hint mode disengaged)...

Lonely and just need a cyber-shoulder to cry on?

Well, for all these reasons except that last one there, you can contact me at
[e-mail]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. The Snake-Byte File Distribution Network ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Snake-Byte File Distribution Network

SnakeByte FDN is carried by all IFDC FileGate HUBs and SuperSites (Zones 1-6),
and EXEC-PC BBS, as well as Planet Connect Satellite Systems, PageSat Satellite
Systems, the FidoNet FileBone, and paonline.com. Files are also available via
FidoNet File Request or first time download at 1:2320/38 (502-245-8117) or
1:2320/100 (502-245-1146), at V.Everything.

International Sites for Snake-Byte FDN  International HUB/SuperSite Map IFDC
FileGate Project <sm>

Zone 1 -- Main Site -- USRobotics  Skokie, Ill.

North American HUBS

o 1:270/101 - George Peace,  PageSat Satellite Systems, Harrisburg, PA
  (FidoNet FileBone)

o 1:3615/50 - Planet Connect, Satellite Systems

o 1:154/280 - EXEC-PC BBS,  Elm Grove, WI

o 1:124/7009-Lee Laird, Garland, TX

o 1:167/234 - Patrick Dufresne, Quebec, Canada

o 1:115/251 - Tony Tang, Wilmette, ILL.

o 1:2320/38 - Janis Kracht, Louisville, KY

o 1:272/44 --  Ted Delamare, Middletown NY

IFDC FileGate International SuperSites

Zone 2 -- United Kingdom SuperSite -- Fareham, UK

2:251/25 -- Graham Print, Fareham UK

Zone2 --  Mainland Europe SuperSite -- Netherlands

2:281/506 - Ron Huiskes, Netherlands

Zone 3 -- Ausralian SuperSite -- Essendon Victoria, Australia

3:50/99 - Steven Lutrov, Essendon Victoria, Australia

Zone 4 -- South American SuperSite -- Bolivia, South America

4:823/1-- Adolfo Justiniano, Bolivia, South America

Zone 5 -- South African SuperSite -- Port Elizabeth, South Africa

5:7104/2 - Henk Wolsink, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Zone 6 -- Asian SuperSite -- Tokyo, Japan

6:731/16 - Bill English, Tokyo, Japan