Shareware Overload Trio 2

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.TOPIC: Contents _______ ____|__ | (R) Just-In-Time --| | |------------------- +-------+ Computing | ____|__ | Association of / J / Services | | |_| Shareware / C / -------------------- |__| o | Professionals / S / P.O. Box 4166 -----| | |--------------------- +-------+ Ithaca, NY 14852 |___|___| MEMBER File: DAHELP.TXT Application: DAMENU.EXE, DAINSTAL.EXE, Version 2.0 Date: May 15, 1994 Welcome to DaMenu's Help Facility. To get help on any of the Topics shown below, simply click the mouse on one of the topics, or press TAB to select a topic then press ENTER to jump to it. Using DaMenu's Help Facility What is Shareware? What's New in Version 2! What is the ASP? What Can I Do While DaMenu is On Screen The ASP Ombudsman Setting Up a New Application Disclaimer - Agreement Modifying an Existing Application Contact Just-In-Time Password Protection On-Line Registration Menu Configuration Data Files Invoking an Application System Requirements SubMenus Vendor Information Screen Colors Support Adding Another Menu Page Trouble Shooting Blanking/Saving the Screen Revision History Using DaMenu on a Network Registration Info .TOPIC: Setting Up a New Application Setting up a new application can be done in one of two ways: o If an entry reads "* This Space Available", simply hit that function key to begin setting up the application. If menu alteration protection was set above, the password (initial password = DAMENU) must be entered before continuing. o If an application already resides in the space that you'd like to use, hit the ALT key combined with the function key. This will bring up the 'Modify Entry Screen', from which you can begin Modifying an Existing Application , or setting up a new one, erasing the current entry, or in the case of F9, Adding Another Menu Page . .TOPIC: What Can I Do While DaMenu is On Screen There are several things that can be done while DaMenu is on screen, besides Setting Up a New Application and Modifying an Existing Application Blanking/Saving the Screen . There are two general methods of invoking various other commands: if have a mouse, you can display a list of available options by bringing up the Short Cut Mouse Menu or clicking on the 'Help: Alt-H' text in the title block. If you don't have a mouse, the keyboard commands are shown below. In all cases, the 'ALT' key should be pressed simul- taneously with the letter: ALT H - On-Line Help ALT R - On-Line Registration ALT I - DAINSTAL ALT Z - Calculator ALT C - Control Panel To enter an application that has already been setup, simply hit the function key, or move the mouse to the key number on the screen and click on it. Voila! You're in your app! .TOPIC: Using DaMenu's Help Facility DaMenu's new help facility is really easy to use. Simply use the mouse or keyboard to navigate though Selected Topics that are set off by the left and right arrows as shown above. Single clicking between these arrows will bring up help on that topic. Users without a mouse should use the TAB key to select a topic then press enter. You'll also note that there are four command buttons at the top of the help screen. These allow quick access to the Table of Contents , allow you to Search the topic list to find help on a specific topic, as well as give you a History of help topics that you have viewed during the current help session. The Back command will take you to the previous help topic that you've viewed, basically walking you backwards along the History Path. .TOPIC: Selected Topics While viewing this help file, you may obtain help on any topic that is surrounded by the solid left and right arrow characters. This is a sample topic illustrating this concept. The DaMenu user can add his/her own help to this file in order to add notes or topics of your own choosing. The help file is a simple ASCII text file, and can be edited with your favorite text editor. DO NOT USE A WORD PROCESSOR such as WordPerfect or Word, unless you are familiar with saving the document as a text file rather than a file that is specific to the word processor. The format is quite simple, and once you've viewed the file, I'm sure that you'll be adding additional topics in no time at all. .TOPIC: Search This help command will display all of the available help topics in a scrolling box. Simply choose the topic you want help on using the mouse and double clicking on the topic, or use the ARROW keys to select a topic then press ENTER to jump to that topic. .TOPIC: History This HELP command will show you the path that you taken during this HELP session. Simply choose the topic you want help on using the mouse and double clicking on the topic, or use the ARROW keys to select a topic then press ENTER to jump to that topic. session. .TOPIC: Back This HELP command basically will move backwards through the history list, allowing you to backtrack through your HELP session. .TOPIC: What's New in Version 2! There are a load of new features in Version 2.0 of DaMenu, most of which registered users asked for, and some that are completely new. Here's a list: Control Panel Allows users adjust or set the: Screen Colors Page Switching Delay Screen Blanking Module(s) SpaceBar Page Switching Returning to Launched Menu Page features. SubMenus Allows grouping of similar applications into one Menu Page On-Line Help What you're reading now, available through mouse and/or keyboard control, as well as from the Short Cut Mouse Menu CD-Rom Aware Now you can use DaMenu to invoke applications from CD-Rom drives, and be prompted if the correct CD is not in the drive! Browse Feature Now you can explicitly tell DaMenu which application to use when setting up a new application. Duplicate Apps When searching your hard drive, DaMenu will allow you to choose from applications of the same name from a scrolling mouse aware list. On-Line Registration For non-registered users, allows entry of information right at your computer, without having to fill it out by hand. Calculator A pop-up calculator for the times when you can't seem to locate yours. .TOPIC: Control Panel The Control Panel is invoked by pressing the 'ALT' and 'C' keys simul- taneously on your keyboard, or by pressing the LEFT and RIGHT mouse buttons simultaneously to bring up the Short Cut Mouse Menu , and selecting the Control Panel option from this menu. The control panel allows you to set the Screen Colors of all of the components of the main DaMenu screen, but not any of the optional features, such as Calculator or the On-Line Help screens, as well as a few of DaMenu's other operating parameters. Users without a mouse can navigate through the Control Panel by pressing the ALT key combined with the highlighted letter of the control panel item. For instance, to get to the Cancel button from the Screen Element list box simply hit the ALT-C keys simultaneously. The TAB key will step the user through the available fields on the page. Also see: SpaceBar Page Switching Screen Blanking Module(s) Page Switching Delay .TOPIC: Screen Colors This is the main function of the Control Panel feature in DaMenu 2.0 To change the screen colors of the main DaMenu screen, first locate the object you'd like to change in the Screen Element List . Depending on the object, you'll either be able to set just the background color (e.g. the Desktop Object) or both foreground and background colors. Using the mouse, click on the object from the screen element list, then move over to the foreground color choices and click on one of the colored boxes. If the Background can be set, select this color in the same manner. Users without a mouse should use the TAB key to move between fields, or use the ALT key combined with the highlighted character to jump between fields. Also see: System Defaults User Defaults .TOPIC: Screen Element List The screen element list is basically a list of all the items present on the main DaMenu screen. These are the only items you can change the color of, but since they're on the screen most of the time, they're probably the most important. The following paragraphs describe each of the objects in the screen element list: Desktop Object: This is the major portion of the background of DaMenu, which accounts for lines 7-24 (with line 1 at the top of the screen) and is initially blue. Title Box Object: This is the top portion of the DaMenu screen, and accounts for screen lines 1-6. Initially this is also blue, with a white double line box setting it off from the background. Date/Time Bar: This is a self explanatory object appearing at the center of line 1. It initial color is black on a gray background. Menu Button: This is the item associated with the function keys, and are presented on the screen initially as two rows of red bars, made up of ten separate buttons. Menu Button Focus: This is the color that is used when the mouse 'rolls' over one of the menu buttons. This color is not used on systems without a mouse, and it's initial color is dark gray. Menu Button Select: This is the color the menu buttons turns to when the button is pressed; either by the mouse or by the keyboard. This element's initial colors are light blue on dark blue. Menu Button Shadow: This the shadow that is cast onto the desktop by the menu button bars. The initial color here is dark grey, and can be disabled by making the shadow color the same as the desktop color. Menu Entry Text: This is the color of the menu entries on each of the menu pages, initially light gray. Sleep Time: This is the counter that resides at the top right of the screen, and is initially dark gray. .TOPIC: System Defaults All of DaMenu's screen colors have a preassigned or default color, mainly a blue title box with red button keys and a black button background. This configuration can be selected (or reset from any user defined colors) from Control Panel by clicking on the System Default button. This button also holds default values for the SpaceBar Page Switching feature (Default ON, or checked), the Screen Blanking Module(s) (Default=DATORUS.EXE), the Page Switching Delay (Default=0; fastest) and the Returning to Launched Menu Page feature (Default=OFF, unchecked) Also See: User Defaults Screen Colors .TOPIC: User Defaults This button allows the user to return to the system settings as they were at the beginning of the current Control Panel session. This button serves the same function as the CANCEL button, without quitting the Control Panel session, and is helpful in correcting any .TOPIC: Page Switching Delay This option allows the user to 'slow the menu down' or 'speed DaMenu up' depending on both the users preference and also the CPU speed of the computer that it's running on. This will allow users with 8088 machine to speed up DaMenu, while users with Pentium machines may want to slow Damenu down slightly. The Default value is 0, which means that there is hardly any delay between screens. The best choice for your machine and personal preference will take a few trials to get the feel just right. By the way, only INTEGER or WHOLE numbers can be entered here, like 2 or 3 not numbers such as 3.1 or 5.8. This option resides in the Control Panel .TOPIC: Screen Blanking Module(s) This allows the user to specify a custom module for a screen saver, such as a self displaying image or third party screen saver software, rather than just blanking the screen. A self displaying image is basically a .PCX, .BMP or other graphic image that can be viewed without a special Image viewer. A sample of this type of image is DALOGO.EXE, which is displayed during the initial trial period of DaMenu. You can display DALOGO.EXE at the DOS prompt by simply typing DALOGO. A GREAT program to convert a multitude of image formats to a self displaying image is called GRAPHICS WORKSHOP for either DOS or Windows. It's shareware and can be found on just about any BBS. If you can't find it simply Contact Just-In-Time and we'll tell you where you can find it. As a registration bonus, we will convert any graphics image to a self displaying image file. SImply send along a diskette (or upload the file to our BBS) and we'll include it on your registered version diskette, free of charge. The default screen blanking module is DATORUS.EXE, which is actually a BASIC program written by Microsoft and supplied with their BASIC compiler. This gives you flexibility, in that you can actually write your own screen saver module, that can be as simple as displaying text on the screen, or as complex as include animated graphics. If no module name is supplied, the screen will simply be blanked. This area is grayed if the computer system is unable to display EGA graphics. You can make this available by deleting (or renaming) the DANOEGA.VID file in the DaMenu installation directory, but be forewarned... the DANOEGA.VID file exists because DAINSTAL determined that your computer system could not display the default screen saver, and by deleting this file, you are proceeding at your own risk. .TOPIC: Contact Just-In-Time Just-In-Time Computing Services can be reached in a variety of ways: By Phone: Dial (607) 539 - 6609 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. (there's an answering machine there, we don't work ALL of the time!) By Fax: Dial (607) 539 - 6609 Notice that this is the same as the voice number. That's OK, it's an answering machine and Fax all wrapped up into one. It's smart enough to know if the call is a Voice call or an incoming Fax. Our Home BBS: Dial (607) 533 - 7072 Set your modem to 2400, N, 8, 1. This is a free BBS, you only pay for the phone call. I'm a co-sysop on this BBS, with a Conference for Just-In-Time Computing Services. Here, you can find all of the latest versions of JCS software, along with other ASP Shareware. To join the conference, log onto the BBS, and at the main menu prompt, enter 'J 8' (without the ' , the 'J' means 'JOIN' and the '8' is the conference number on the BBS. If you'd like to leave a message, make sure you address it to me, John Skurka, since I will not be notified by messages left to the 'SYSOP'. On CompuServe: 73020,3205 Send us an E-Mail message at the above CIS PPN number. On America On-Line: JSKURKA1 Send us an E-Mail message at the above screen name. All of the above On-Line services are checked for E-Mail at least three times a week. By Mail: Drop us a line at: Just-In-Time Computing Services P.O. Box 4166 Ithaca, New York 14852-4166 We'll return all E-mail and phone messages just a soon as we get 'em! Thanks! .TOPIC: SpaceBar Page Switching This is an option switch in the Control Panel that allows the user change menu pages with the spacebar rather than having to use the F9 function key. To use this option, simply use the mouse to place an 'X' in the checkbox, or use the TAB key to move to this field and hit the spacebar to change the field. Once the field has been set, be sure to save the setting by clicking on the OK button in this form. This only serves a purpose on menu systems that have more than one page. If you use submenus, you may only have one main page of submenu listings, and only one page in each of the submenus, in which case you will not need this feature. Also see: Navigating DaMenu's Forms .TOPIC: Navigating DaMenu's Forms Users without a mouse can navigate through any of the forms (forms are simply any screen within DaMenu, other than the main screen) by pressing the ALT key combined with the highlighted letter of the particular form item. For instance, to get to the Cancel button from the Screen Element list box in the 'Control Panel' form, simply hit the ALT-C keys simultaneously. The TAB key will step the user through the available fields on the page. Users with a mouse, just point and click on any of the Form's fields, then use the keyboard arrow letter keys to enter information. .TOPIC: Returning to Launched Menu Page Version 1.x of DaMenu always returned to menu page number 1. In version 2.0, there is an option in the Control Panel that allows DaMenu to return to the same menu page that launched the application. This way, you won't have to page through the menus to get back the the original menu page page to launch a different application that resides on the same page. To Use this option, bring up the Control Panel by pressing ALT-C. Once there, simply move over to the 'Return to Launched Menu Page' option and place an 'X' in the check box. With a mouse, simply click on any part of the check box, or with the keyboard, use the TAB key to move the cursor to the check box, then hit the spacebar to place an 'X' in the checkbox. .TOPIC: SubMenus Version 2.0 of DaMenu also includes submenus. This allows you to group similar applications together, or set-up separate menus for different users. To set-up a submenu, first choose a function key to associate the submenu with. If there's an app already set up, hit the ALT key combined with the function key, and choose to setup a new application. If the space is already empty, simply hit the key by itself if. The 'Change Menu Entry' screen now appears. Simply enter a description of the submenu (for instance 'Communications', or 'Patty's Programs') then click on the 'Make this Entry a SubMenu' checkbox to place an 'X' between the brackets. Once this has been selected, all of the remaining selections on this page will be grayed. Once checked, hit 'OK' to return to the main DaMenu screen. Once back at the main Damenu screen, you will see an entry with ellipses ('...') behind the description that you entered above. This let's you know that there is more (another menu page, or submenu) behind this entry. To add an application to this submenu, simply hit the function key with the submenu entry. You will now see a new menu page, with nine spaces available for submenu entries, as well as the submenu name in bright white at the top center of the desktop. Simply follow the rules for setting a new application from this point on. Also See: Setting Up a New Application .TOPIC: Menu Page A menu page is another term for what appears on your screen when DaMenu is started. It's made up of 10 applications associated with the function keys F1-F10. You can have a total of nine Menu Pages with a total of 80 Applications. This is achieved by adding extra menu pages and using F10 for a application rather than 'EXIT TO DOS' on pages 2-9. Note: You cannot modify F10 on Menu Page 1, with the exception of password protection. This must always be 'EXIT TO DOS' See Also Adding Another Menu Page .TOPIC: On-Line Help What you're reading right now! Help can be invoked by one of three methods: o with a mouse: Move the mouse cursor up to the bottom left corner the header screen, and click on the label that says 'HELP: ALT-H' You can also get to the help screen by using the Short Cut Mouse Menu o With the keyboard: By pressing ALT H simultaneously. The help file also serves as an On-Line manual, and can be viewed with any ASCII file viewer or editor. You can add your own help topics by following the conventions present in this file. See Also: History Back Contents Search Using DaMenu's Help Facility .TOPIC: Short Cut Mouse Menu The Short cut mouse menu allows the user to access all of DaMenu's secondary functions without having to use the keyboard. To bring up the mouse menu, hold down the left mouse button anywhere on the screen ( with the exception of the 'live' areas designated by the function keys, help, or the 'about box') then tap the right mouse button. After a second or so delay, the mouse menu will appear. From the short cut mouse menu, you can invoke On-Line Help , or the Control Panel , or the On-Line Registration or the Calculator or the DAINSTAL program. To exit the mouse menu, simply click on the 'Exit' menu entry, or hit the right mouse button. .TOPIC: CD-Rom Aware DaMenu's CD-ROM awareness allows users to enter CD-ROM Applications into one of the menu slots. If the 'Compact Disk Application' checkbox is checked, all you need to do is enter the CD-ROM title in the space provided. If and when you invoke this menu selection, DaMenu will check to make sure the correct CD is in the drive, and if not, will prompt you with to insert the CD entitled: 'xxx xxx', where 'xxx xxx' is the title you supplied when setting up the app. The title of the app can be as long or short as you like. This serves no purpose for hard disks, but as an added level help, DaMenu will always check to make sure the application exists before trying to run it. You'll be notified if DaMenu cannot find the application in the location that you specified earlier (This often happens to me when I remove something from my hard disk, but fail to remove the menu entry from the page!) .TOPIC: Browse Feature This is a new feature that aids the user in setting up a new application. This feature can be used when you know exactly where the application resides on your hard disk, rather than using the 'Search' command (which can take awhile on large hard disks, since the 'Search' command now searches ALL subdirectories on the disk.) Clicking on the Browse button will bring up a standard dialog box with a directory list box, a file list box, a drive list box and a filename text box. Using the TAB key will move the user from box to box, while mouse users only need to point and click. NOTE: The directory list box is not presented in alphabetical order. This is currently a limitation with the software in which DaMenu was written. A sorted directory list box will be a priority for the next version. Once you have navigated your hard disk, simply double click on the filename that you would like to use, or tab/click on the OK command button. Upon return the 'Change Entry Screen' the 'Search' command button will be disabled (grayed). Since you've already found your app, there's no need to search the drive. Also See: Search Feature .TOPIC: Search Feature When setting up an application, you have two options when specifying the filename: the Browse Feature or having DaMenu look for the app on your hard disk. All that you need to do is enter the filename portion of the application (i.e. simply '123' rather than '123.EXE'. Note that if you do specify an extension, it will be truncated) and DaMenu will search your entire hard disk; that mean all partitions and each and every subdirectory. Depending on the size of your hard disk, and whether or not you use disk caching software, this may take quite some time. But, it will find any and all applications that match the filename designation that you specify. If more than one application is found, you will have the opportunity to select the application from a list. Also See: Duplicate Apps Browse Feature .TOPIC: Duplicate Apps In previous versions of DaMenu, searching for an application on disk would only return the very first filename that met the search criteria. For instance, if you were searching for WP (a word processor), DaMenu would begin searching your hard disk until it found the first instance of WP.BAT, WP.EXE, or WP.COM. This selection would be used as the application. This presented a problem, since there is a possibility of more than one word processor using the WP filename (for instance, WordPerfect and MultiMate use WP.EXE as their executable name), not to mention batch files of the same name created by the user. In DaMenu 2.0, there are two ways to get around this problem: o First, you can use the Browse Feature to specify the exact application that you'd like to use, or o You can select the Search Feature to have DaMenu look over your hard disk to find EVERY instance of the application. If there happens to be more than one instance, DaMenu will pop up a list of all the applications that it has found, and you will be able to choose exact app you want from the list. .TOPIC: On-Line Registration DaMenu 2.0 features an On-Line registration form. This means that you can fill out the registration form using your computer, rather than having to print out a blank form and fill it in by hand, or fumbling with the type over feature of your favorite editor. To access the On-Line Registration Form, simply hit ALT-R, or use the Short Cut Mouse Menu to bring it up with the mouse. Filling out the form should fairly straight forward. All that it requires is that you enter the information in all fields that apply to you. Hitting RETURN will move you to the next available field. Once you've finished the shipping information on the first page, simply hit the 'Next Page' command button to tell us how we can contact you via any of the available on line services (i.e. CompuServe, America On-Line, etc.), how you'd like to pay for DaMenu, as well as how many copies of the program you'd like to register (remember, one registration allows you to use DaMenu on only one computer). DaMenu will calculate the appropriate sales tax and shipping charges based on the information that you supplied on page one of the registration form. We also accept Visa, MasterCard and American express, as well as personal checks and money orders. Simply choose your desired payment option by clicking on the appropriate choice, or moving the button using the cursor keys. REMEMBER TO SIGN THE REGISTRATION FORM IF PAYING BY CREDIT CARD! (unless you E-Mail me the form or fax it directly from your PC) Once you're happy with the information on the second page, hit the 'Print Form' command button. Here you will have the option of printing to any of the three possible printer ports, or to a file (use this option for direct fax or E-Mailing the form). Registration is that easy, now all you have to do is send it in along with your payment or CC info, and we'll get the registered version right out to you! Also See: Contact Just-In-Time .TOPIC: Calculator DaMenu has a built-in Calculator that is available from the main screen. To invoke it, simply hit ALT Z at the main screen, or use the mouse to bring up the Short Cut Mouse Menu and select the Calculator from the list with either the mouse or arrow keys. The calculator can use either the mouse or the keyboard/keypad on your computer (the keypad being the fastest),and works like any simply 8 function pocket calculator. When finished with the calculator, there are three ways in which to get back to the main DaMenu screen: o Either set the focus to the 'Close' button by using the TAB key and pressing ENTER, or o Use the mouse to single click on the 'Close' button, or o Hit the Escape (ESC) key on your keyboard. .TOPIC: DAINSTAL DaInstal is not only used for the initial installation of DaMenu, but is also used during DaMenu's operation to set/reset various operational parameters. These parameters are: o Changing the Screen Blanker Delay Time o Changing the Administrator's Password o Protecting Menu Modifications o Changing the Banner Text To invoke DAINSTAL, simply hit the ALT-I keys simultaneously, or use the Short Cut Mouse Menu . .TOPIC: Modifying an Existing Application To modify an existing application, simply hold down the ALT key and press the function key with the application that you'd like to modify. This is helpful, for instance, when you've misspelled the application title that appear on one of the DaMenu screens. Upon pressing the ALT/Function Key combination, the 'Modify Menu Entry' screen will appear. From here you have three (or in the case of F9, four) choices here: Modifying the current application; Set up a New Application; Erase this entry; and in the case of F9, Adding Another Menu Page . Selecting any of the choices can be done in two ways, depending on whether you have a mouse or not. For mouse users, simply point and click on your choice. For keyboard users, simply use the TAB button to highlight the option button group, then use the arrow keys to move the 'dot' button between the parenthesis of your choice. Once the 'dot' button is in the correct location, once again use the TAB key to highlight the 'OK' button then press ENTER. Depending on your choice, one of the following paragraphs will apply: o Modify Current Application This will bring up the 'Change Menu Entry screen with the data for the current application already in place. Spelling corrections and changing options can be done as you would when originally setting up the app. When you are finished making modifications, select the OK button. Hitting CANCEL will nullify modifications that were made. o Erase This Entry Simply clears out the current menu slot, replacing the menu title with * This Space Available. If this option is selected, you are returned to the menu page once OK is selected. o Set Up a New Application This is equivalent to erasing the entry, and then setting up an application in an empty slot. Also See: Adding Another Menu Page .TOPIC: System Requirements DaMenu requires or recommends the following hardware & software: - 640k Base memory Required with at least 400k available - DOS 3.3 or higher Required - Hard Disk w/500k free Recommended - Mouse Recommended .TOPIC: Menu Configuration Data Files The menu data files have the filename notation of MENU_Cx.DAT where 'x' is the number of the menu screen, which is initially one (1), but can range from one to nine (1 -> 9) depending on how many menu screens you have. The menu data files are in ASCII format and have the following format, (numbers in brackets indicate line numbers of the file only, and do not appear in the file itself): [1] 150 [2] MENU DESCRIPTION, MENU PATH, PROT, FTP, PWD, SUBMENU, CDROM [3] " " , " " , " , " , " , " , " . . . [10] " " , " " , " , " , " , " , " [11] Exit to DOS, NULL, PROT, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL The first line of the file contains the menu's screen blanker delay time in seconds. Lines two through ten (2 - 10) contain the menu entries themselves, in which: o The first field is the MENU DESCRIPTION as it appears on the menu screen. o The second field entry is the MENU PATH, the location of the application on your system. o The third field is the PROTection field, which is either a "y" or a "n" depending whether or not the application is protected. o The fourth field is the File To Pass field, which again is either a "y" or a "n" depending on whether or not you want to pass a file or command to the application. o The fifth field is the application specific password. If this is used, the password will appear as garbled text. This is normal! The password is encrypted so as not to be available while viewing the data file! o The sixth field is the Submenu file. If used, this will be a filename in the form of "MENU_Dxx.DAT" depending on which function key the menu is associated with. All other fields, with the exception of the MENU DESCRIPTION, should be 'null' or 'n' as required. o The seventh and last field is the CDROM application flag, which if used, will specify the title of the CD-ROM disk that the menu application resides on. You specify this title in the 'Change Menu Entry' screen. Line eleven is the last record of the file which is either 'EXIT TO DOS', or an application, depending on the menu screen. If at any point you need to initialize a menu entry manually, simply use your favorite text editor to place the following line of text in the menu entry Slot: * This Space Available,null,n,n,null,null,null The valid format for the entire file to be initialized is: 150 * This Space Available,null,n,n,null,null,null * This Space Available,null,n,n,null,null,null * This Space Available,null,n,n,null,null,null * This Space Available,null,n,n,null,null,null * This Space Available,null,n,n,null,null,null * This Space Available,null,n,n,null,null,null * This Space Available,null,n,n,null,null,null * This Space Available,null,n,n,null,null,null * This Space Available,null,n,n,null,null,null Exit to DOS,null,n,n,null,null,null .TOPIC: Invoking an Application To start an application in the menu, all you need to do is hit the appropriate function key, or if you have a mouse, move the mouse cursor inside one of the red boxes (at which point it will toggle to a different color) and click on the left mouse button. .TOPIC: Adding Another Menu Page Adding a new menu page can only be done with the F9 Function key. You have a maximum of 9 menu page available to you. This option should not be confused with SubMenus , which allow you to group similar applications together. If you run out of room on the first menu, another blank menu can be brought up by modifying function key F9. Once the ' Modify Menu Entry ' form appears, simply move the mouse or use the TAB key to get to the 'Add a New Menu Page' and click or press ENTER to activate the option button. DAMENU will then bring up another menu with 8 more selections. Notice that F9 already says 'Next Menu' which allows you to 'circulate' between menu pages. Up to 9 menu screens can be added giving you a total of 72 menu selections. Multiple modifications of the F9 key, on any menu page, will add menu pages at the end of the last page, until a total of nine pages are used. DaMenu keeps track of what page you're currently on in the lower left corner of the title box. See Also: SubMenus .TOPIC: Protecting 'Exit to DOS' To keep the passer-by from exiting to DOS, protection can be set on this function key by selecting ALT-F10. This will bring up the password protection dialogue box. Select <YES> to enable protection, <NO> to disable. If more than one menu screen is available, make sure you do this for every screen! Once 'Exit to DOS' is protected, only the ADMINISTRATORS password will allow DaMenu to return to DOS. See Also: Password Protection Protecting Menu Modifications .TOPIC: Password Protection DaMenu offers two levels of password protection: ADMINISTRATIVE and APPLICATION. The administrative password is used exclusively for protecting menu modifications and for 'Exit to DOS'. However, the administrator's password will also allow access to any application that has a specific APPLICATION Password. NOTE: The initial ADMINISTRATOR's password is DAMENU. If you have upgraded from and earlier version of DaMenu, your old password has now become the ADMINISTRATOR's password. A couple of notes are needed here: First, keep in mind that this will not stop the passer-by from rebooting your computer. During a reboot, the execution of the AUTOEXEC.BAT can be stopped by a CTRL- BREAK which will give access to DOS. If you do have a sensitive application, it is suggested that another means of protection be set (by some other password protection application) so that protection is required before the computer will execute the AUTOEXEC.BAT. Some of the new CMOS setups offer password protection in their setup. Consult your computer's documentation for more information. Secondly, any application that has a DOS Shell, that is, a program (such as MicroSoft Windows) that allows the user to go to DOS while the program is still running, should be password protected through the menu. This will ensure that the program cannot executed, thus giving way to a DOS prompt. Application passwords are just that: a specific password (it should be different from the ADMINISTRATOR'S password) that required to invoke a given application. This way, other people can use specific programs on your system, but not others. Note that when modifying an application that uses a password, the password will appear on the 'Change Menu Entry' screen. You can also set 'global' password protection (using the ADMIN password) by selecting password protection on an application, but leaving the password field empty and selecting 'OK'. DaMenu will leave you a note, just so you are aware that using the ADMIN password can be dangerous if security is important to you. See Also: Protecting 'Exit to DOS' Protecting Menu Modifications .TOPIC: Blanking/Saving the Screen There are three different ways to blank the screen or invoke the custom screen saver module: o by allowing the timer (found in the upper right corner of the title block) to count down to zero; o by hitting the "tilde" [~] key, usually found to the left of the '1' key on your keyboard; o or for mouse users, by moving the mouse to the upper left corner of the screen. In any case, hitting a key on the keyboard (except ALT, SHIFT, or CTRL) will bring the menu screen back. See Also: Screen Blanking Module(s) .TOPIC: Changing the Screen Blanker Delay Time To change the delay time for the screen blanker, run DAINSTAL (don't worry, it knows that you've already installed DAMENU the first time). Select 'Set Screen Blank Delay Time' at which point you will be prompted to enter a new delay time. Simply enter the amount of time (in seconds) that you would like DaMenu to count to before it blanks or invokes the screen saver. Once you hit enter, and leave DaInstal, all menus will updated with this new delay time. .TOPIC: Changing the ADMINISTRATOR'S Password To change the application password, (which is initially DAMENU) run the DAINSTAL . Select 'Change Application Password' from the menu that appears. (Be aware that in order to change the password, you need to know what the current password is.) Enter the existing password when prompted (you will have two tries at this in case you make a spelling error, because the password characters will appear as blocks on the screen) then enter the new password. As a verification of the new password, you will be prompted to enter it again. If you make a spelling error in the verification pass, DAINSTAL will tell you that the verification pass has failed, in which case the original password is reinstated. .TOPIC: Protecting Menu Modifications This option allows only the ADMINISTRATOR to change/modify the menu selections currently set up. This is important in cases where many people have access to your machine, and you don't want the passer-by to change your configuration. If you wish to change the protection on menu modifications, you again need to run DAINSTAL. Select 'Protect Menu Modifications', at which point the Protection dialogue box will appear. Select <YES> to keep protection, <NO> to allow free modification. .TOPIC: Changing the Banner Text All users of the DAMENU system have the opportunity to 'Personalize' the top menu banner. If you would like to change the banner string, run DAINSTAL (ALT-I, or through the Short Cut Mouse Menu ) and select 'Change Menu Banner Text'. DAINSTAL will then prompt you to enter a line of text (52 characters or less). If you hit <return> without entering anything, the menu banner will default to the original DAMENU text. If you don't like the graphical characters that appear on either side of the banner text, simply use your favorite text editor to remove them from the banner text string. The filename of file containing the banner text string is, what else, BANNER.TXT. This file can be found in the main DaMenu directory. .TOPIC: Trouble Shooting You've Forgotten Your Password. ------------------------------- If you've forgotten what your password is, there is a way to get it back. Simply unzip distribution .ZIP file (if you obtained your copy from a BBS) or copy the original DAPASWRD.DAT file from the Distribution Disk. This will give you the original password of DAMENU back. Remember, that the .ZIP file should be kept in a safe place, so that the password cannot be changed without you knowing it. You've Deleted the DAPASWRD.DAT File by Accident ------------------------------------------------ First, if you own a utilities package such as NORTON or PCTOOLS, use the unerase utility to try get it back. If that doesn't work, try the solution for 'Forgotten Password' above. You've exited the menu, and your DOS cursor is gone --------------------------------------------------- With the BETA version of DAMENU, the DOS cursor would sometimes disappear, or change color. This appeared to be fixed in the final distribution version, but your system may be different. If your cursor is gone, simply issue the 'CLS' command from the DOS prompt, which should bring it back. In any case, if your cursor does disappear, please contact Just-In-Time and report it. Please be sure to also read the DAREADME.1ST file for any other additional that may not be included in this HELP file. .TOPIC: Support Shareware users needing help other than that presented here can get more help by contacting us. See Contact Just-In-Time for the various support methods offered to our potential and registered users. DAMENU has been tested on a number of different computer systems, from 8088 to Pentium Class machines. However, every machine configuration can't possibly be tested. If you have a problem, we will do everything we can to correct the problem. If you register DAMENU and have problems with the program in the future which is due to a specific hardware configuration and we can't seem to fix the problem, your registration fee will be fully refunded if you so please. .TOPIC: Using DaMenu on a Network DAMENU has been used on a MicroSoft based network without any major problems, however a couple of notes are in need here. First, when printing from within an application, sometimes the print job will not be released to the printer until the application has been closed and control returned to the DOS prompt. If this is the case in your particular network, DAMENU should also be exited in order for the print job to be released. This may not be true in all cases, and I would be interested in hearing from network users of DAMENU on how it works on their system. Currently DaMenu cannot be run on a network server, which would allow all of the network work stations to access the same menu system. This feature is currently planned for a new version. .TOPIC: Revision History 1.0 Initial release (March 1992) 1.1 Bug fix, which prohibited the installation of the DAMENU system on a drive other C. Also, clarified blinking prompts in the installation program DAINSTAL and in the menu system. These selections can now also be made by typing the first letter of the desired response. 1.2 Bug fix for DAINSTAL. If the user selected to modify the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, the install program would look in the root directory of the installed drive (which is OK if this is C:) rather than the boot drive. 1.21 Fixes a bug that caused DaMenu to 'Exit to DOS' unintentionally when the number 8 key was pressed. 2.0 New Version .TOPIC: Registration Info Remember, DAMENU is user supported shareware, so if you continue to use DAMENU after the 30 day trial period, you must register your copy. To do this, simply fill out the On-Line Registration form. Then send it (or Fax it, most modems now have Fax capability) to the address shown below. Registration cost is $25.00, payable in U.S. Funds. (Check or money order drawn on a U.S. Bank), Visa MasterCard and American Express are also graciously accepted. Registered users will the current version on disk, as well as some bonus shareware titles, a discount certificate for a CD-ROM full of shareware from JCS Marketing (no relation) and additional screen saver modules (with BASIC source code). .TOPIC: Custom Menus Do you like the look and feel of DAMENU? Do you have a need for a custom menu for a specific application? Drop us a line, we can make a custom version of DAMENU to suit you needs. Anyway, hopefully DAMENU will save you some time and you will continue to use it. If you do, remember to SUPPORT SHAREWARE, REGISTER YOUR COPY! .TOPIC: What is Shareware? Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. .TOPIC: Disclaimer - Agreement Users of DAMENU must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "DAMENU is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of DAMENU." DAMENU is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using DAMENU and continue to use DAMENU after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $25.00 to Just-In-Time Computing Services. The $25.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. Commercial users of DAMENU must register and pay for their copies of DAMENU within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Just-In-Time Computing Services. See Also: Contact Just-In-Time .TOPIC: Vendor Information Anyone distributing DAMENU for any kind of remuneration must first Contact Just-In-Time Computing Services at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering DAMENU immediately (However Just-In-Time Computing Services must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of DAMENU.). ASP Vendors: Please see the VENDINFO.DIZ file for more information. You are encouraged to pass a copy of DAMENU along to your friends for evaluation, as long as the DAMENU system is complete and unmodified. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive upgrade information and notification of the latest version of the DAMENU system. .TOPIC: The ASP Ombudsman This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to: ASP Ombudsman 545 Grover Road Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a CompuServe E-Mail message to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. Thanks. John Skurka Just-In-Time Computing Services .TOPIC: What is the ASP? ASP is an acronym for The Association of Shareware Professionals. This is group of author members (people like myself that actually write software), vendor members (people who distribute shareware, charging only for the price of the disk, postage, and possibly a nominal fee for creating the diskette.) and others interested in protecting and furthering the image of shareware.