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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #1835)
[PCjs Machine "ibm5170"]
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Information about “MENUEASE”
MENUEASE is a program designed to help the user easily access
application programs present on your hard disk. You can also create
menu items which move an application program through up to 16 steps
whenever you start it. Great for plowing through intro screens, or
instantly getting to the portion of an application you usually use.
Features:
~ Ability to save up to 16 command sequences per menu
~ A menu can call any other menu
~ Custom title setting for every menu choice
~ Instant DOS access from within MENUEASE
~ Colors customization for the menu display
~ Passwords can determine access to menu items, menu maintenance, DOS
access, and configuration
~ Automatic screen blank after six minutes
~ Context-sensitive help
~ Logging of user, project, menu selection, date, time spent.
CRITIQUE.DOC
MenuEase Critique/Questionnaire
Please fill out the following questionnaire so I can better serve you.
If you have further comments or questions please write or call me.
Thanks for your support.
Name _____________________________________________________________
Position_____________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
City _____________________________________________________________
State _______________________________________ Zip ________________
Phone _______________________________________
List type of business _______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
REVIEWERS PERSONAL DATA:
Check the line which most closely fits your job function
COMPANY OWNER _________ END USER __________ MIS STAFF ___________
MANAGEMENT ___________ ENGINEER ___________ TECHNICIAN __________
OTHER _______________________________________________________________
Technical experience with PCs YES________ NO________
How many years experience with PCs ? __________
Can/do you write batch files for your PC? YES______ NO______
Reviewers age ________
Years of advanced education (past High School) ______________
What type of degree do you have (if any) ___________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
DO YOU PRESENTLY USE A MENU SYSTEM? YES_______ NO_______
If so which one? (include version) ______________________________
What was the price you paid for it? $____________________________
Would you buy it again today? YES______ NO_______
Why was it worth the price when you bought it? __________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What do you like about your current menu system ________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What do you dislike about your current menu system ______________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
#####################################################################
#####################################################################
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS FOR MENUEASE CRITIQUE
Was the program easy to install YES_______ NO______
If NO explain the trouble you encountered ___________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What feature(s) did you dislike and why? ____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What feature(s) did you like and why? _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
How would you improve this product? _________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Was the program easy to use? _______YES _______NO
If NO explain _______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Did you find any part of the documentation confusing? ____YES ____NO
If YES what part of the manual ? ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Did you like the Menu display with the 1,2, or 3 columns of menu
items? _______YES _______NO
Explain what you would prefer _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Did the program's help facility help? YES_______ NO_______
Explain what you would change to improve it _________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Would you buy this program as it stands now? _______YES _______NO
If YES how much would you pay? $__________
Explain what you would add/change to improve MenuEase _______________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What, in your opinion, should a Menu program do to help you be more
productive ?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Thanks for your input. Please mail all reviews to:
Douglas C. Gruver
8868 Continental Dr.
Riverside, Ca. 92504
ATTN: MenuEase Product Review
FILE1835.TXT
Disk No: 1835
Disk Title: MenuEase
PC-SIG Version: S1.1
Program Title: MenuEase
Author Version: 1.3.3
Author Registration: $35.00
Special Requirements: None.
This menu program offers context-sensitive help at the touch of a key.
MENUEASE also allows you to automate your application with a keyboard
macro: it still sends keystrokes after your application has started.
Great for plowing through intro screens, or instantly getting to the
portion of an application you usually use.
Features:
~ Ability to save up to 16 command sequences per menu
~ Custom title setting for every menu choice
~ Instant DOS access from within MENUEASE
~ Colors customization for the menu display
~ Passwords for the command sequence.
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989 PC-SIG, Inc.
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< Disk #1835 MENUEASE >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ To start program, type: NM2 ║
║ ║
║ To print documentation, type: COPY MANUAL.DOC PRN ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
MANUAL.DOC
MenuEase
Creative Computer
Version 1.3.3
USER'S MANUAL
Creative Computer
8868 Continental Dr.
Riverside, Ca. 92504
(714) 688-1924
DEC 1989 Release
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SINGLE USER LICENSE AGREEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
INTRODUCTION TO MENUEASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
DOS and MenuEase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DRIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FILE EXTENSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
BATCH FILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
MENUEASE CONVENTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
<F1 - F10> FUNCTION KEYS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ENTERING/EDITING MENU ITEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SIMPLE EDIT EXERCISE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
MENUEASE EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Menu Item Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Loading New Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Direct Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Editor Function Key Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Edit Menu Title <F2> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Test Menu - Show/Set Number of Columns <F3> . . . . 14
System Command Help <F4> . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Save/Load/Create Menu File <F5> . . . . . . . . . . 15
Jam Keyboard <F6> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Menu Item Command <F7 - F10> . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Undo Last Command <F7> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Insert Command <F8> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Move Command <F9> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Delete Command <F10> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
CONFIGURATION SCREEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Field Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
LOG ON TO MENUEASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Setting Up the User's Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Privilage Level Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Usage Log: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
CUSTOMIZING ON-LINE HELP FILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Direct/Batch Commands: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Problem Solving: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
ERRORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
FUTURE UPGRADES and POLICIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SINGLE USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
(C) Copyright 1988,1989 Douglas C. Gruver and Creative Computer
for this software, documentation, and user interface. Riverside,
California, United States of America. All rights reserved.
Creative Computer licenses you the right to use this copy of
MenuEase. You may use this copy of MenuEase software product on
the express condition this software is used on one COMPUTER (i.e.
with a single CPU) at a single location. If you require multiple
users and/or multiple computers you must register for a MULTIUSER
LICENSE. You are in violation of this copyright if your using a
SINGLE USER LICENSE with multiple users/computers.
Support from users enables us to develop additional features and
future versions of the MenuEase product. To critique our product
fill out the critique document supplied on your disk and mail to
us at:
Creative Computer
8868 Continental Dr.
Riverside,Ca 92504
THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS OF PARTICULAR PURPOSE, PERFORMANCE, OR OTHERWISE; ALL
WARRANTIES ARE DISCLAIMED. BY USING THE MenuEase PRODUCT, YOU
AGREE THAT NEITHER CREATIVE COMPUTER NOR ANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES,
AFFILIATES, OWNERS, OR OTHER RELATED PARTIES WILL BE LIABLE TO
YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY USE OF (OR INABILITY TO USE) THIS
SOFTWARE, OR FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER. EVEN IF WE ARE APPRISED
OF POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OCCURRING.
This software may not be reversed-engineered or disassembled, and
includes certain trade secrets and confidential information of
Creative Computer.
1
INTRODUCTION TO MENUEASE
MenuEase (C) 1988,1989 is a program designed to help the user
easily use programs and utilities present on your hard disk.
Typically the programs will reside on different directories or
drives on your computer's hard disk. Remembering where these
programs are and how to invoke them can be frustrating especially
when there are more than a couple present. MenuEase will allow
you to type in the commands and assign a character text string to
it. These text strings are displayed on the screen in one to
three columns. You select the desired program by highlighting it
using cursor keys and pressing the <ENTER> key.
The MenuEase help manual is available at any point within the
program by pressing the <F1> key. As you change activities (ie.
the editor from the maintenance sections) the appropriate help
file will load each time you press <F1>.
FEATURES
* Save yourself valuable time by remembering complex
command sequences for programs and utilities. Set up
the sequence once and forget it!
* Present each command sequence as a menu item text
string that you define.
* Unlimited sub-menus.
* Integrated Editor with menu file management.
* You can save up to 16 command sequences per menu.
* Each menu has a title that you set.
* Instant DOS access from within MenuEase
* Auto screen blank after six (6) minutes.
* Adjust the colors for the menu display.
* Set passwords for menus, menu items, DOS access, and
editor.
* Usage Log; tracks users, projects, menu item used, date,
and hours spent on menu item.
* Semi-automate your application with a keyboard text
string, eliminating the constant use of commands and/or
menus within the program.
As always, Creative Computer welcomes suggestions.
We can be reached at:
(714) 688-1924
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MenuEase User's Manual - DEC 1989 Release
DOS and MenuEase
You probably have seen the letters "DOS" in other reference books
for your computer, and the applications for it. The letters,
stand for Disk Operating System. This is simply a program that
runs your computer. It handles tasks such as input and output
functions like displaying text on your screen, inputting keyboard
characters, or printing data on your printer. You may see one
aspect of DOS each time you turn on your computer. This is the
DOS prompt that always greets you: "C>" for a fixed disk.
Several versions of DOS exist, MenuEase will work with versions
greater than 2.0 . To see what version of DOS you have type the
following at the DOS prompt:
C> ver <ENTER>
The prompt "C>" is displayed by the computer and may differ on
your computer, don't type "C>" just "ver" and press the <ENTER>
key.
MenuEase has the capability to enter DOS commands directly by
pressing the <F4> function key. Press <F4>, type "ver" , then
press <ENTER> to see the your DOS version.
Types of Commands
DOS uses two types of commands: internal and external.
Internal commands are loaded into the computer's memory from
a file called COMMAND.COM. These commands remain in memory
until the machine is turned off. They are referred to as
"resident" or internal commands. When your computer is
turned on (boots up) these internal commands are loaded
automatically.
External commands are located on your DOS disk. They are
loaded into memory only when you enter commands from the
keyboard or batch files. They are referred to as external or
non-resident commands.
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MenuEase User's Manual - DEC 1989 Release
DRIVES
A DRIVE is a physical device that holds programs, information, or
any other data required by the computer and it's programs. DOS
maintains a list of drive letters i.e., A: B: C: etc., that
reference the physical floppy disk and hard disk. Normally after
power up, the following letters signify the listed physical
drive:
A: - Floppy disk drive 1
B: - Floppy disk drive 2 (optionally purchased)
C: - Hard disk drive 1 (optionally purchased)
D: - Z: optionally set by hard disk partitioning
software, additional hard disks on your system, or
by the ASSIGN command. This command allows you to
assign a drive letter to a different drive. Please
see your DOS manual for further information on the
ASSIGN command.
When performing a DOS operation, i.e., copy, delete, rename,
etc., the operation will occur with the current drive unless
specified in the prefix of the file specification.
To view the current drive: and directory type the following
at the DOS prompt: (or use the MenuEase <F4> function)
cd <ENTER>
SUBDIRECTORIES
DOS version 2.0 and subsequent versions have the capability of
organizing your fixed disk into "subdirectories." This means you
can divide your fixed disk into many smaller "disks," or
subdirectories, which gives you much more flexibility in
organizing your files. It also prevents any one directory from
becoming so large that the process of locating files and
executing commands is slowed.
A subdirectory under the current directory can be created by
using the "md" or "mkdir" command. If you want to create a
directory '123data' under the current directory you would use the
following at the DOS prompt: (or the <F4> function inside
MenuEase)
md 123data <ENTER>
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MenuEase User's Manual - DEC 1989 Release
A subdirectory actually is a specific section of your disk
(floppy or hard disk) that contains a group of related files. The
concept of subdirectories is important in your use of MenuEase.
You will have many occasions to work with subdirectories when you
create your menus.
A directory is similar to a table of contents of the files on a
specific part of the disk. You might think of it as a file
drawer. The main directory, is called the "root" directory. DOS
identifies the root directory with a backslash (\). Each lower
subdirectory is shown with the backslash separating it from other
subdirectories.
In the root directory may be many file folders. These are the
subdirectories that are connected to the root directory like
roots on a tree. A typical group of file folders might be
connected to the root directory like this:
\ (ROOT DIRECTORY)
|
___________|____________
| |
(subdirectories) | |
| |
| \PROJECTS \SALES
|
________|___________
(more | |
subdirectories) | |
| |
\QFILE \QMENU
(file name) QFILE.DAT
Notice that there is a specific path from the root to, say, your
QFILE.DAT data file. If you wanted to access that data, you would
have to tell your system what path to take to get to that data.
To do this your path would be: \PROJECTS\QFILE\QFILE.DAT. The
\PROJECTS tells the system to go to that directory. Then the
\QFILE directs the system to the next lower directory. Notice
each lower subdirectory is separated by a backslash.
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MenuEase User's Manual - DEC 1989 Release
FILE EXTENSIONS
The last term, QFILE.DAT, represents the specific document in the
\PROJECTS\QFILE\ file folder that you want to see. All files on
your system have a name similar to this. The term, "QFILE," is
the primary name given the data. The .DAT term is known as the
"extension." This describes the type of data in the file.
Extensions are always separated from the name by a period (.).
MenuEase uses the extension (.QMN) for a MenuEase Nested file and
(.HLP) for its help files. The file on your DOS disk have
extensions such as (.COM) for command, (.EXE) for executable, and
(.BAT) for batch file. DOS allows you complete freedom in naming
the file name and extension. You should plan what convention
you'll use in naming your files/extensions and stick to it
without exception. This forward planning will save a lot of time
in the future when trying to search for specific data that may be
many months or years old.
BATCH FILES
A batch file is a series of DOS commands collected into a single
file that can be executed any time. You will find uses for batch
files to enhance and ease using DOS. Batch files can also be used
with MenuEase to substitute one command line for many commmands.
One batch file in the DOS root directory is AUTOEXEC.BAT. This
file is used by DOS to get your computer running, or operating,
when you first turn it on. MenuEase will be most useful if it is
called up when your system is first turned on. We can make this
happen by putting commands in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file that
automatically take you to MenuEase. Just add the following lines
at the end of your C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
CD [directory where you installed MenuEase]
ME
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MenuEase User's Manual - DEC 1989 Release
EXAMPLE: You installed MenuEase program files in the directory
\menu. Append the following two lines to the AUTOEXEC.BAT
file:
CD \menu
ME
This will invoke MenuEase and display a menu from power up.
NOTE: New computer installations will require the installer to
create the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. MenuEase can do this within the
installation program. Please see the readme.1st file on the
distribution disk for further details.
MENUEASE CONVENTIONS
When you are required to type at the keyboard this text will
prompt you by enclosing the text with double quotes; Example:
"text to be typed" All main control keys of the keyboard are
within less/greater than signs (i.e. <KEY_NAME>).
Example: "dir" <ENTER>
Instructs you to type the text in at the keyboard within
the double quotes and press the key marked <ENTER>. Don't
type the double quotes!!
GENERAL KEY DESCRIPTIONS FOR MENUEASE USAGE
<ENTER>, <RETURN>, <CR>, or COMMAND EXECUTE.
Some people refer to this key as the command execute key or
return key. Used to terminate input or signify that a command
should be processed by the computer. We'll use the <ENTER> key
for the remainder of this manual.
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MenuEase User's Manual - DEC 1989 Release
<BS>,<DEL>,<INS> EDITING KEYS
These three keys augment cursor movement and text entry.
<BS> = Backspace, delete text to the left of the cursor
pulling text to the right of the cursor with the cursor.
<DEL> = Delete, delete text under cursor and pull text from
the right into cursor.
<INS> = Insert, Typing this key toggles the overwrite/insert
mode of text entry. Insert mode allows you to insert text at
the current cursor position. Overwrite types over the text
already present. Insert mode is denoted with a block style
cursor while the overwrite mode with a underline cursor.
<ESC> = ESCAPE, Typing this key normally exits you from
whatever you were doing and places you in a previous part of
the program (i.e. exits editor and puts you in the
maintenance section of the program.)
<F1 - F10> FUNCTION KEYS.
These are the function keys to the left (or top) of your
keyboard. The function sometimes changes when in different
sections of the program; look at the bottom two status lines to
confirm their use.
<F1> HELP KEY.
Can be typed at any place within the program to get help. The
help files may be modified for your own needs, instructions on
modifying them are located toward the end of the manual.
<F4> SYSTEM COMMAND.
The <F4> system command function allows you to access DOS
commands directly from MenuEase. If you would want to copy a file
named "myfile.dat" to the a: drive, press <F4> and type "copy
myfile.dat a:" <ENTER>. The command will execute as if it were
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MenuEase User's Manual - DEC 1989 Release
typed from the DOS prompt. The <ESC> key will exit you from the
prompt without executing the command entered. MenuEase VER 1.3.3
and above will allow you to enter DOS on a semi-permanent basis
so you may enter many commands. Press <F4> function key the
second time to enter DOS on a semi-permanent basis. To return to
MenuEase type "exit" <ENTER> (the DOS prompt will remind you of
this).
See your DOS manual for further details of DOS commands.
Cursor Movement
These keys are used to enhance cursor movement during keyboard
input.
<HOME> place the cursor at the beginning of the field.
<END> place the cursor at the end of the field.
<CURSOR_RIGHT> advances the cursor to the right.
<CURSOR_LEFT> advances the cursor to the left.
<CONTROL><D> delete the field.
<INS> Insert key, toggle between insert and overwrite.
ENTERING/EDITING MENU ITEMS
Since each user has different programs on their hard disk it will
be necessary to customize each installation. You enter the EDIT
mode from the main menu by pressing the <ESC> key (usually just
to the left or right of the main section of your keyboard). The
screen will clear and you will enter the maintenance section of
the program. Press the <F2> key and you'll enter the editor.
To recap: Press <ESC> - Enters maintenance section
Press <F2> - Enters editor
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MenuEase User's Manual - DEC 1989 Release
SIMPLE EDIT EXERCISE
EXAMPLE: You want to add the menu name `Lotus 123' for a menu
entry at slot A). (Insure your in the editor!)
MENU TEXT FIELD
Press <PgUp>/<PgDn> keys until slot A) is highlighted at the top
left side of your screen. Type <F8> to insert a blank slot if a
menu item is already present in slot A). In the upper right of
your screen find a box labeled `Menu Item Editor'. The top field
within the box is labeled `Menu text :'. Type in "Lotus 123"
<ENTER>. `Lotus 123' is now the text that will appear on your
menu.
DRIVE:\DIRECTORY FIELD
The cursor inside the box should be on the `Directory :'line.
Enter the drive:\directory name where the Lotus 123 program
resides, usually at `C:\123' (the back slash signifies the root
or top most directory on the drive) So type "C:\123" <ENTER>.
PASSWORD FIELD
With the cursor on the `Password :' field, type in a password
that you'll remember. If you don't need a password just type
<ENTER>.
COMMAND#(1-7) FIELD
Advance to field `Command #1: ' using the UP/DN cursor keys if
necessary. You'll see a underline cursor blinking there. Type in
the name of your program the way your application manual
indicates. (i.e. the same way you'd invoke the program in DOS)>
For this example it would be `123' <ENTER>. If you want to enter
more commands, just enter them in the following command lines
typing <ENTER> after each command. All valid DOS commands and any
executable program can be entered.
EXITING THE EDITOR
Press <ESC> key to exit editor and enter the maintenance section.
A YES/NO requester will pop up asking you if you want to save
your changes. Type either 'Y' or 'y' to save edits; any other key
to use your changes temporarily in MenuEase. When MenuEase
returns from the program that was called, the last used menu file
is read. If you don't save your edits they will be lost. Press
<F3> to enter the main menu where you can test the changes.
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MenuEase User's Manual - DEC 1989 Release
MENUEASE EDITOR
The active function keys are listed below
F2 Edit menu title F7 Undo for F8-F10 commands
F3 Check menu looks, set columns F8 Insert blank space new item
F4 Send DOS command to system F9 Move, change order of items
F5 Save/Load/Create menu file F10 Delete item
F6 Jam keystrokes for application
Editor Navigation Keys
Use the same keys as shown in the previous section.
General Information
To enter the editor from the main menu press <ESC> then <F2>.
The editor allows you to set up control of the menu environment
presented to the user and save them in a file for later use. This
file will be used by MenuEase to later display the menu text and
invoke the commands you set within the editor.
The editor works with one menu file at a time. A menu file has
the extension '.qmn'. Menu files are created after a editing
session followed by a 'save' command. As a menu may call any
number of other menus, a menu hierarchy may be set up easily. No
structure is enforced with the menu calling sequence, your free
to use any structure you like.
A menu may have up to sixteen items, and each item can have a
password associated with it. You can move, delete, insert menu
items within this 16 item limit. These 16 item slots are on the
left side of the editor screen labeled A) - P).
Each menu item has several pieces of information associated with
it. On the right side of the screen is the editor box labeled
`Menu Item Editor', here is where you can edit menu item data.
The left list gives you an overview of menu items, to select a
item to edit type <PgUp> or <PgDn> and observe the highlighted
text on the left. In the `Menu Item Editor' box, displayed data
will represent the menu item selected, changing in response to
it.
The bottom two rows of the screen are for function key definition
and special help for the current operation.
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MenuEase User's Manual - DEC 1989 Release
Menu Item Fields
These fields are within the upper right hand box. Each of these
fields pertains to the menu item. The field names are listed
below with their definitions:
Menu text : Enter the text here you wish to appear in the
menu. 23 characters maximum are allowed. MenuEase
will not recognize an item that has no name; the
command fields will be ignored if the menu text is
missing. This allows you to put an empty place
holder in your menu. The empty place holder helps
by spacing your items apart. Effective when used
between every 4th or 5th menu item.
Drive:\Dir : Enter the drive:\directory where the program
resides. Leaving this blank will keep you in the
current drive:\directory. If you have only one
drive you don't have to enter the drive: prefix
letter. When a menu item is invoked, MenuEase
looks here to switch directories. Upon completion
of the menu item MenuEase switches back to the
original directory. Type a " ~ " in front of the
drive:\file specification to keep MenuEase in the
directory you specified here after commands 1-7
are processed. Otherwise MenuEase will return to
the current directory. Changing to a new
drive:\directory is useful when changing menus.
Example: ~c:\menu
Password : Enter a password for the application or menu.
Leaving this blank will avoid the password prompt.
All users will have the same passwords for
applications (if the menu file is the same). Menu
passwords are set here also.
Command#(1-7): Enter the program name, the same as in DOS. This
could be a *.bat,*.exe, or a *.com file plus any
normal DOS command. Commands may also include the
batch file flow commands, (eg. if , goto etc.).
Flow commands are only valid in the BATCH mode of
operation (the default).
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NOTE: Command#1 can be prefixed with an ampersand `&' to
signify a new menu file is to be loaded, the password field
will then be used as the menu's password. Command#1 field
can also be prefixed with a '!' to signify a direct command.
Please see the TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS section for more
system information on the Command #1-#7 fields.
Loading New Menus
To load a new menu file an ampersand '&' must prefix the file
name on Command #1 : field. The menu files all have the same
extension '.qmn'. This extension is not needed when you type in
the menu file name, MenuEase will append it automatically for
you.
Commands #2-#7 will be executed as normal DOS commands or
programs. This allows you to switch directories, copy files,
execute any other DOS command or batch file before a new menu is
loaded.
Example:
Menu text : Utilities Menu
Directory : c:\util
Password : sample ;will prompt user for the "sample"
;password (if passwords enabled)
Command #1 :&util ;load menu file util.qmn
Command #2 :dir /p ;get a directory listing
Command #3 : ;blank here, could be used for more
: ;commands...
:
Command #7 : ;blank
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Direct Commands
It is recommended that you use the Direct Command mode for
implementing DOS commands. To use MenuEase in the DIRECT MODE and
keep it resident while executing commands, place a '!' prefix in
front of `Command #1 :' field. Commands #2-#7 are executed with
MenuEase remaining resident as Command #1. This is useful in
doing batch files, implementing a menu entry for dos commands
such as 'dir', or when you know an application memory
requirements takes less than:
Memory available - 200K > application memory requirements
Example: You have 640k ram installed in your machine. 640K - 200K
= 440K. So you could keep MenuEase resident if your application
took less than 440K of ram.
Editor Function Key Definitions
Edit Menu Title <F2>
Typing the <F2> function key pops up an input requester where you
can enter a title. The menu title will be displayed in reverse
video on top and centered to the menu body. Placing a space
before and after the title text makes the title easier to read.
You can test your menu title by typing the <F3> key (after you've
exited from the title input requester).
Typing <ESC>,<ENTER>, or any function key will exit you from the
input requester.
Test Menu - Show/Set Number of Columns <F3>
The <F3> function key asks for the desired number of columns
(defaults to the previously set number) for your menu. Your
allowed 1,2, or 3 columns. If you ask for too few columns, the
program will increment the number of columns by 1. If this occurs
MenuEase will inform you with a message. Once the number of
columns is set MenuEase will display the columnized menu items
for you. After looking at the displayed menu, press return to
continue. After you
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press return MenuEase will ask you if you want to see the
columnized menu again. This will be your chance to select a
different number of columns. (select 'Y' or 'y')
System Command Help <F4>
The <F4> system command function allows you to access DOS
commands directly from MenuEase. If you would want to copy a file
named "myfile.dat" to the a: drive, type <F4> and type "copy
myfile.dat a:" <ENTER>. The command will execute as if it were
typed from the DOS prompt.
Save/Load/Create Menu File <F5>
All file functions use a common drive:\directory prefix defined
in the configuration section. To get to the configuration screen
exit the editor by typing <ESC> "Y" to save any edits and then
<F8>.
The SAVE feature is entered by typing "S" or "s" after
typing <F5>. The feature allows you to save the current menu
file to disk. It first prompts you for a file name with the
current file name already typed in for you. Just type
<ENTER> to save to the file name shown. If the file already
exists MenuEase will display a YES/NO requester asking you
if it's all right to overwrite it. Type "Y" or "y" to
overwrite, any other key to abort the SAVE function. If the
file will not be overwritten then MenuEase saves the new
file with no prompt.
The LOAD function is entered by typing "L" or "l" after
typing <F5>. MenuEase will then prompt you with the message
`Save current menu file?', enter a "y" or "Y" to save the
menu file your working on or any other key not to save the
current file. The function then displays a list of all *.qmn
files in the common drive:\directory (set in the
configurationn screen) of MenuEase. The display area is
limited to 17 menu files, using the <HOME>, <END>, and
cursor keys will allow to scroll through the file list, the
file highlighted will be loaded if you press <ENTER>. Type
<ESC> to exit the file load function without loading a file.
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The CREATE function is entered by typing "C" or "c" after
typing <F5>. The function then displays a prompt asking for
the file name to CREATE. If you leave this field blank and
type <ENTER> you'll be put back into the editor with nothing
changed. You can enter up to eight characters for the file
name. Type <ENTER> to CREATE the typed file name, if the
file exists in the common drive:\directory you'll be
prompted to overwrite it with a YES/NO requester. Type "Y"
or "y" to overwrite the file, any other key to abort the
CREATE function.
Jam Keyboard <F6>
The jam keyboard function enables you to semi-automate your
application. This helps you overcome layers of a menu system
built into the program. MenuEase "types" in your saved keyboard
sequence just before invoking the program.
Example: You want to get to a listing of possible documents to
edit within Q&A Integrated (c). After editing the menu item, type
the <F6> key. Select the 'Write' module by typing "w|" (the '|'
equals a <ENTER>). Select the 'Get File' function for all *.doc
files by typing "g*.doc|". So the total string entered at the
input requester would be: "w|g*.doc|".
Menu Item Command <F7 - F10>
These function keys operate on the whole menu item. This means
the Menu text,Directory,Password, and Command# 1-7 fields are
affected by the following:
Undo Last Command <F7> (Move, Delete, or Insert Command)
The undo command allows you to recover from the last command.
Type <F7> to restore the menu file previous to the last <F8>,
<F9>, or <F10> command. The <F7> command may be also used to copy
the last menu file into a newly created menu file. Once the new
file is created the editor will have no data in it. Press <F7> to
place the last file's data into the newly created one. Be sure to
save the new file after all of your edits!
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Insert Command <F8>
The insert command will insert a blank menu item (space) at the
current menu item (highlighted). Use a blank space to separate
menu items for better legibility.
Move Command <F9>
The move command allows you to move the current menu item (A - V)
to another slot (A - V). Input requesters guide you through the
process. Use the <ESC> key to exit from the move function without
moving a menu item.
Delete Command <F10>
The delete command deletes the current menu item. The delete
command is confirmed with a simple yes/no requester.
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CONFIGURATION SCREEN
The configuration screen is used to set up several parameters for
the program. (i) Drive:\directory and file names for the system.
(ii) password for DOS access and Maintenance access. (iii) Colors
for the screen, text, menu background, menu border, and one
spare.
Note: MenuEase has a hard coded configuration password
"config". Enter this text string when prompted for a
password.
Quick Reference:
Use the following keys to change fields:
<CURSOR_UP> - Move cursor to previous field
<CURSOR_DOWN> - Move cursor to next field
<ENTER> - Move to next field
Use the following keys to edit a file/password field:
<CURSOR_RIGHT> - Move cursor next character to the right
<CURSOR_LEFT> - Move cursor to previous (left) character
<HOME> - Move cursor to beginning of field
<END> - Move cursor to end of field
<CONTROL><D> - Delete field's contents
<INS> - Toggle between insert and overwrite
<DEL> - Delete text to right of cursor
<BS> - Backspace, delete text to the left
Use the <ESC> key to exit the configuration screen. A pop-up
requester will ask if you want to save your configuration
changes. Type a 'Y' or 'y' to save changes.
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Field Definitions
Company Name: The Copyright notice at the top of the menu screen
may be changed by typing in a text string here. It will be
centered where the original copyright notice was. You may put
pertinent company information here or any other text you deem
important.
Drive: Enter the drive letter of your hard disk where the
MenuEase files reside. Defaults to the drive you specified with
the `install' command. Valid drives are C: through Z:. Once this
is set it should never be changed. If you decide to change this
drive or directory specification reinstall MenuEase to that
directory.
Directory: Enter the directory where MenuEase files reside.
MenuEase will look at the DRIVE:\DIRECTORY for all required
MenuEase control files.
Execute on Exit to DOS: Type in a program name or DOS command to
execute when you leave MenuEase and enter DOS.
Password on Exit to DOS: Type in a password here so DOS can only
be accessed by authorized users.
Password for Menu Maintenance: Type in a password here so only
authorized users can change the menu.
Usage Tracking File Name: Type in here the usage tracking log
file name you want to use for your system. Usage tracking is
supported in versions 1.3.3 and up. Usage tracking allows you to
track usage of your computer system. When enabled MenuEase will
save the user, project, menu item used, date, and time used with
a program or application. This file is generated with the file
name you set here.
Usage Tracking Enable/Disable Toggle: Use <CURSOR_RIGHT> and
<CURSOR_LEFT> to select whether usage tracking is 'on' or 'off'.
Color Options: You can set up different colors to suit your
taste. Use the <CURSOR_UP> and <CURSOR_DOWN> keys to move to the
color to change, <CURSOR_RIGHT> or <CURSOR_LEFT> to change color
values. The monochrome displays are limited in the different
values. CGA/EGA/VGA have a choice of sixteen colors to choose
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from. The colors are updated automatically when changed so you
can see their affects immediately. Please experiment for best
results.
LOG ON TO MENUEASE
Setting Up the User's Account:
The user's account file is users.act . This file controls the log
on user name, password, and access level. The access levels are
DOS, maintenance, configuration, and applications. These access
levels mean that a password requester will be disabled for that
user. When the log on mechanism is active MenuEase will display a
log on box as shown:
*****************************************
* MenuEase Log On Process... *
* *
* User's Name _____________________ *
* *
* Project _____________________ *
* *
* Password _____________________ *
* *
*****************************************
The user enters their name and password to enter the Menu system.
MenuEase ships with this feature disabled. To enable
the log on feature you must edit your users.act file.
The file is located in the drive:\directory you
specified in the configuration screen. Use your ASCII
text editor (word processors that export to ASCII work
fine) to create a file with the following format (all
data is case sensitive!):
USER_NAME LOG_ON_PASSWORD PRIVILEGE_LEVEL
-ASCII- -ASCII- ASCII decimal
Where -ASCII- is keyboard text, number, and any punctuation
you can type in at the keyboard. It does not include
function, control or alternate keys.
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ASCII decimal is the numbers 0 - 31. To set a privilege
level the following numbers are valid.
Privilage Level Definition
0 No privilege
1 No privilage
2 DOS privilege
4 Maintenance privilege
8 Configuration privilege
16 Application privilege
31 SUPER USER - no passwords asked
The Privilege_level allows the user to circumvent password
requesters that pop-up automatically for the above accesses. You
can add privilege levels together to obtain special types of
access.
Example1:
Roger pencil 31
This example sets the user name to `Roger', the log on
password to `pencil' and the privilege level to 31.
Example 2:
Roger pencil 31
Ruth bobcat 8
Tom Barber 12 2 levels of access - Maintenance &
Configuration.
This example shows you that you can create a simple list of
log on entries with multiple access levels for each user.
You can disable the log on feature by inserting the following
text on the first line of users.act: "NOLOG" (don't type the
quotes!).
There is a users.act file that is shipped with MenuEase and has
the first line set to "NOLOG". Below that line are more examples
of setting the privilege level. You can delete the "NOLOG" line
and experiment with the provided users/passwords.
Usage Log:
The configuration screen contains a YES/NO toggle to
enable/disable the usage tracking option. The above log on box
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will appear if usage tracking is enabled or when the users.act
file has no "NOLOG" text on the first line of the file.
When you logon to MenuEase your asked to type in your name,
project, and password. The password field may be skipped if the
users.act file has the "NOLOG" text as the first line. This
information is used to log the usage of the menu items or
programs. As each menu item is invoked MenuEase will write the
information to the usage log file specified in the configuration
screen. The configuration screen also has on/off toggle to enable
the usage track option. MenuEase is shipped with the usage log
disabled. You may view the saved data by typing at the keyboard:
type usage.log | more <ENTER>
This command line will display the usage log to the screen
one page at a time.
CUSTOMIZING ON-LINE HELP FILES
MenuEase allows you to customize the help files to your needs.
The files that are referenced are listed below. On the right side
of the '=' (equals sign) are the file names that are referenced.
main user menu = qm_show.hlp
maintenance = qm_main.hlp
editor = qm_editi.hlp
editor exit = qm_edtex.hlp
DOS/sys commands = qm_sysc.hlp
jam keyboard = qm_jam.hlp
menu title = qm_title.hlp
configuration = qm_cnfg.hlp
registration = qm_load.hlp
Each file can be up to 300 lines(approximately 15 screens). All
other pages will discarded. You can use a simple Word Star(tm)
type editor that produces ASCII text. All characters outside the
normal ASCII bounds will be displayed as IBM graphic characters.
Set the following for your word processor:
margins delta = 76 characters max.
left margin = 0
The help display routine will 'center' the text within a 76
character window; all extra text will not be shown for the line.
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TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
MenuEase file types:
*.hlp ASCII text help files
*.cfg Binary configuration file
*.qmn Binary menu files
users.act ASCII text MenuEase log on file
The two ASCII text files can be modified by word processors that
can export to ASCII (don't use the wordprocessor's normal save
function!) or by simple text editors such as the one supplied by
the Norton Commander. The Binary files are modified by MenuEase's
(NM2.EXE) internal editor. If you attempt to edit the binary
files with a text editor you may corrupt them, causing MenuEase
to act erratic.
MenuEase normally operates as part of a batch file mechanism,
ME.BAT starts the process invoking the batch file QUICKMEN.BAT.
QUICKMEN.BAT next loads the MenuEase program NM2.EXE. MenuEase
displays the menu and waits for the User to select a menu item.
Once a menu item is selected, NM2.EXE writes out a new
QUICKRUN.BAT file with the commands you typed in at the editor.
NM2.EXE then terminates, returning control to QUICKMEN.BAT.
QUICKMEN.BAT then invokes QUICKRUN.BAT which performs the
commands. QUICKRUN.BAT will then call QUICKMEN.BAT again
completing the cycle.
MenuEase Loop for Batch Commands:
ME.BAT
QUICKMEN.BAT
-->execute NM2.EXE
;wait for user selection...
;write out new QUICKRUN.BAT file
goto QUICKRUN.BAT
QUICKRUN.BAT
-->run menu commands/programs
loop back to QUICKMEN.BAT
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Batch files are treated differently by MenuEase then *.com and
*.exe files when running in the Batch Mode. Batch files will
normally execute and return to DOS. This would make it difficult
to implement them; MenuEase circumvents this by automatically
prefixing them with the string: `command /c'. This makes the
batch file behave as a *.com or *.exe program (i.e. it returns to
the caller). MenuEase automatically senses whether the file is a
batch file and prefixes the batch file name with `command /c'.
This makes it easier for people to mix any type of batch file and
program file with out worry.
Direct/Batch Commands:
Two different modes of command operation occurs with MenuEase.
The BATCH mode is the default mode, this mode takes the commands
you entered from within the editor and puts them in the
QUICKRUN.BAT batch file. This mode is useful for most any program
invocation, except DOS commands. The DOS command `pause' can
allow the user to type <CONTROL><C>, the DOS 'break' command.
This would be disastrous because the user could circumvent the
batch file process and put her/him in DOS directly. The DIRECT
mode of operation avoids this problem by invoking the commands
from MenuEase, avoiding the batch file 'break'(eg. <CONTROL>
<C>). Prefix Command #1 within the editor with a '!' character.
Please look at the MenuEase editor section for more details.
Problem Solving:
In the batch mode of operation proper execution depends on the
system finding the NM2.EXE file. If this file cannot be found the
last Batch Mode program executed will be executed forever. It is
imperative that the MenuEase DRIVE:DIRECTORY as stated when you
installed the program be part of the search path for DOS
programs. Please look at the INSTALLATION section of this manual
for information on setting the 'path' DOS environment variable.
If you use a lot of DOS "set" commands in your system boot file
(eg. c:autoexec.bat file) you may run out of environment space.
By default DOS allocates only 128 bytes, approximately four (4)
to eight (8) "set" commands. Problems may arise if DOS runs out
of environment space when it trys to set a new path for MenuEase.
If this happens the problem noted in the above paragraph may
occur. Use the configuration command "shell" to change the
default environment space in the C:\config.sys file.
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The following example is for MS-DOS Ver 3.0 and greater. DOS
version 2.0 does not support environment size changes.
Example: Append the following line at the end of the
C:\config.sys file.
shell=c:\command.com c:\ /p/e:nn
In this example, substituting nn with 512 (MS-DOS VER
3.20 and 3.30) sets the command environment space to
512 bytes (4 times the default). You may increase the
environment space up to 32K bytes but this is not
necessary. 512 to 2048 bytes is usually more than your
computer system will ever need.
NOTE: Only MS-DOS VER 3.0 and above support the
environment size changes. For versions 3.00 and 3.10
the nn defines the number of paragraphs to allocate
(one paragraph equals 16 bytes) and this value can be
from 10 to 62 (giving environment sizes from 160 to 992
bytes). For MS-DOS 3.20 and 3.30, the nn defines the
absolute number of bytes to allocate to the
environment, from 16 to 32768. If you use a lot of TSR
programs note that each one will use the same size of
environment space as you define here. The Computer must
be rebooted or turned off then on for the changes made
to the config.sys file to take effect.
ERRORS
Any File Not Found:
Invariably the biggest problem with set up is a mis-spelled
DRIVE:\DIRECTORY specification in the configuration screen. If
you've spelled it wrong here all MenuEase files will mysteriously
'disappear'.
If you've mis-spelled the menu file name for a menu file,
MenuEase will display an error message and give you a chance to
examine the full path name to the menu file. To re-edit you must
enter the editor and change Command #1 field's text for that menu
item.
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FUTURE UPGRADES and POLICIES
Creative Computer is always trying to improve their products.
Through active listening we can improve our products and their
performance. Here are some of the improvements already planned
for MenuEase:
* Input/Output Panels for Interactive User Input
* Usage log option (included in VER > 1.3.2)
If you have an idea, please don't hesitate to let us know in
writing or by phone. Again, thanks for your support.
Creative Computer
8868 Continental Dr.
Riverside, Calif.
92504
ATTN: MenuEase Suggestions
PHONE: (714) 688-1924
27
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #1835
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
SERIAL NUM 41 3-15-90 11:48a
README 1ST 11468 1-25-90 4:17p
INSTALL BAT 4088 1-25-90 3:52p
QUICKMEN BAT 19 11-21-88 12:52p
QUICKRUN BAT 15 11-21-88 12:48p
MANUAL DOC 61402 1-28-90 8:32a
CRITIQUE DOC 8806 1-01-90 1:21p
USERS ACT 89 1-21-90 1:54p
NM2 EXE 112064 1-28-90 9:15a
GETYN EXE 3904 6-10-89 7:31a
SETPATH EXE 13632 12-11-88 6:14a
REM_EOF EXE 8560 1-14-89 9:04p
QM_EDITI HLP 11677 7-30-89 5:25p
QM_CNFG HLP 3417 1-28-90 8:40a
QM_EDTEX HLP 585 7-24-89 6:23a
QM_JAM HLP 694 7-24-89 6:25a
QM_LOAD HLP 1970 9-01-89 12:52p
QM_MAIN HLP 2951 7-24-89 7:04a
QM_RGSTR HLP 3152 1-17-90 1:32p
QM_SHOW HLP 5226 9-01-89 12:54p
QM_SYSC HLP 652 11-04-89 6:48p
QM_TITLE HLP 533 7-24-89 6:48a
MENU001 QMN 412 5-07-89 3:42p
DISK QMN 888 2-17-89 4:14p
TEST QMN 1076 6-04-89 9:19a
TEST2 QMN 882 6-04-89 5:14p
NEWPATH BAT 101 3-15-90 11:52a
GO BAT 38 1-01-80 1:37a
GO TXT 540 1-01-80 2:53a
FILE1835 TXT 2369 4-23-90 2:58p
30 file(s) 261251 bytes
44032 bytes free