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1994-02-18
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* * KWIKMENU * *
Version 3.2/A
B & B Enterprises
John F. Cram
9788 Eastridge Drive
El Paso, Texas 79925-6816
GEnie address: J.CRAM2
America OnLine address: JohnFCram
Brief Description
First, KWIKMENU itself is not a hard disk menu program!
It merely helps you fill in an attractive menu screen
and generate the little batch files for an efficient yet
amazingly simple batch menu system. The batch menu system
uses very little disk space and absolutely zero memory!
Batch files and menus have been around for a long, long time
and can be made by anyone with a little know-how. So I am
not making any claims of discovery here. I wrote KWIKMENU
to help those who don't have the know-how or perhaps even
some of those who do have the know-how but find KWIKMENU
more convenient to use.
Registration and Distribution
Since I waited until the age of 72 to start programming I
am told I should call my programs "Codgerware" instead of
Shareware. At any rate, for quite some time now, during
an experimental period, I allowed the earlier versions
to be considered "Freeware". Now, I consider the program
a complete, useful utility and cannot treat it so lightly.
Besides, your Social Security Tax will probably rise if I
don't start getting some returns for all my investments in
the program.
You are welcome to use this all-new version of KWIKMENU for
reasonable length of time (30 days?) but if you continue to
use it and enjoy it, then I would expect you to register.
I'm sure you'll want to register and receive all the added
benefits of the 3.2/B version. These valuable added benefits
include the use of several more menu choices, including a
second menu page, and utilities for drive "B", plus removal
of any annoying messages.
You are encouraged to give copies of this program to your
friends or to upload it to any networks or BBS's. Just make
sure that all files are included when you distribute it.
DISCLAIMER
Please note that KWIKMENU is distributed on an as-is basis.
NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS MADE, EXPRESSLY OR IMPLIED,
REGARDING KWIKMENU AND/OR ITS ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION.
B & B Enterprises or John F. Cram will not be responsible
for any damages, whether direct or indirect, incurred by
users as a result of running this program, or due to failure
of this product to meet any and/or all the stated
specifications.
This documentation contains references to both software and
hardware names which are trademarks of various manufacturers.
This program was written in Microsoft BASIC PDS 7.1 and it was
written in part using R.Magnanti's WINDOWS R-E-Z routines.
FILES
* KWIKMENU should contain the following files:
MENU.EXE The main program which includes the
colorful menu screens and the
MENU EDITOR for filling in your menu
and making the little batch files.
KWIKMENU.DOC This file
KWIKMENU.BAT BAT file for starting the MENU EDITOR.
S.BAT to Y.BAT Batch files to do the work in your menu.
1.BAT to 4.BAT Batch files to do the work in DISKMENU.
M.BAT Batch file to return to menu.
FILE_ID.DIZ Info file for BBS and shareware distributors
REGISTER.FRM Easy to print registration form.
READ.ME Quick installation information
SYNTAX.DOC File explaining command line options
* KWIKMENU files you will generate with MENU EDITOR:
MENU.DAT Listings generated by KWIKMENU.EXE and
presented in your menu.
A.BAT to Batch files you make with KWIKMENU that will
E.BAT take you to your favorite program and back.
----------------------------------------
INSTALLATION
If you downloaded KWIKMENU from a network or BBS I hope you
read the long desciption and by now have all the files in a
directory named KWIKMENU. If not, please create the KWIKMENU
directory as follows:
At C:\> prompt type "MD\KWIKMENU" and press <ENTER>.
Then type "CD\KWIKMENU" and press <ENTER>.
Now copy all KWIKMENU files into the KWIKMENU directory. One
file "M.BAT" will be copied into your root directory by
MENU EDITOR at your discretion. That's at the C:\> prompt
where AUTOEXEC.BAT is located. This is necessary so that the
M.BAT file will return you to the menu from any directory or
any drive prompt.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ IMPORTANT! This program assumes that (1) DOS is located +
+ on drive C:, and (2) this program is in a directory named +
+ KWIKMENU on drive C:. KWIKMENU will not work properly +
+ under any other conditions. +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
USING KWIKMENU
It's time now to make the menu listing file MENU.DAT with
KWIKMENU. From the menu prompt C:\KWIKMENU> type "KWIKMENU"
and press <ENTER>. The main menu has a window explaining the
purpose of each item on the menu. The first item you should
select is Make/Edit Menu. You will now see the menu exactly
as it will appear except the first five items are empty.
Assuming you have given some thought to the order in which
you want your programs, all you have to do now is start
with A. and go down the line, typing in your programs. When
you are satisfied that they are correct press F10 to save
the menu to your disk. It's that simple... you have just
made your menu! The only problem is it won't get you to
your programs without those little batch files. Select
"Make/Edit Batch files" from the menu. Select one of the
programs and you will be asked to enter information that is
pertinent to the .BAT file. Enter the drive where your
program is located, then enter the directory that holds the
files for the program and next, enter the filename that
initiates or starts the program. Now press F10 to save the
file and return you to the list for the next program. When
all five are completed, pressing ESC will take you back to
the Main Menu. Now select "Place M.BAT file" and you will be
asked if you want to copy M.BAT to your root directory (C:\>).
Unless you have some specific objection, you should answer
yes (Y) because this is the little file that will return you
to KWIKMENU from any directory prompt on any drive. This
is assuming that your root directory (C:\) is listed in the
path in your AUTOEXEC.BAT.
AUTOEXEC.BAT
CAUTION! Be sure to make a backup copy of your AUTOEXEC.BAT
before attempting any changes!
The only other thing you need to do now is add the following
three lines at the end of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
CLS
CD\KWIKMENU
MENU
If you see that the final line designates another menu or
program, it will have to be removed or typed over by the
above lines. I realize that this file is considered sacred
by some, but for this menu system to work properly some
modification is necessary. I'm sorry, but this is one
task my KWIKMENU doesn't perform. I'm sure that most of you
have a favorite text editor and for those of you using
MS-DOS 5.0 or 6.0, EDIT is a wonderful text editor. Just
remember that the above three lines must be the last in
AUTOEXEC.BAT with nothing following.
USING KWIKMENU
Remember to reboot after making changes to AUTOEXEC.BAT.
Now, when you turn on your computer, the first thing to
appear should be your menu. When you type "A" and
press enter you should start the program described in the
menu (A.). Then when you exit your program the batch file,
(which has been waiting), returns you to the menu. Could
anything be simpler and more efficient? If you find you
made a mistake it's very simple to return to the MENU EDITOR
and correct the menu and the batch files. Incidently,
once the menu and batch files are made, you exit KWIKMENU
and it is not in use when you are actually using the menu.
Repeating, a batch file menu system is simple and yet very
efficient. It doesn't take over your computer and you can
bypass it at any time. I have used this menu for over two
years and have never felt I needed anything else.
One more thing....Most menu programs will ask you to place
their program "in the path". I ask you NOT to place
KWIKMENU in your path. You might find yourself jumping to
an unwanted program when you accidently type a letter and
press <ENTER> at some odd prompt.
REBUTTAL
Whenever you discuss batch file menus, two objections are
usually voiced by some of our more knowledgeable users.
(1) Someone always reminds us that each one of those little
batch files occupies at least 2kb of space on a disk. My
response has always been to agree and say "so what!". Any
menu program you use will take up disk space and most of
them take a chunk of RAM in addition. (2) The other thing
is that to make a selection you must press two keys instead
of just one...First, the letter of your choice and then
<ENTER>. Big deal!!
COLORS
This is my first version with a colored menu and, personally,
I am pleased with it. However, I certainly understand that
preferences can differ. If you decide to register, please
give me your comments. Just remember that the average person
wants something a little colorful, yet pleasing and soothing
to the eye.
REGISTRATION
I hope you like KWIKMENU and will register for the 3.2/B
version which has many more entries and features available.
Just use the form in REGISTER.FRM.
Thank you for using KWIKMENU...