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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #1881)
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Information about “HELP!/POP-HELP”
Finally, the help that we've all been looking for! HELP!! And POP-
HELP are a combined on-line reference manual to DOS that comes when
it's called and is always there when you need it. Both HELP!! And POP-
HELP are DOS utilities with a complete listing of DOS commands through
DOS version 3.3. HELP!! Is available at the DOS command line. POP-HELP
is memory-resident, so it is available anywhere you are. This is the
program that every husband should give his wife (and vice versa)
unless,
of course, you wish to appear incredibly knowledgeable.
Both HELP!! And POP-HELP are easy to use. POP-HELP's command keys can
be set so that they will not conflict with your program commands. There
are very clear instructions to allow you to add extra
FILE1881.TXT
Disk No: 1881
Disk Title: Help!/Pop-Help
PC-SIG Version: S1
Program Title: Help!/Pop-Help
Author Version: 2.01
Author Registration: $15.00.
Special Requirements: None.
Finally, the help that we've all been looking for! HELP!! and POP-
HELP are an on-line reference manual to DOS that comes when its called
and is always there when you need it. Both HELP!! and POP-HELP are
DOS utilities and contain a complete listing of DOS commands through
DOS 3.3. HELP!! is available at the DOS command line. POP-HELP is
memory resident, so that it is available anywhere you are. This is the
program that every husband should give his wife (and vice versa) un-
less, of course, you wish to simply appear incredibly knowledgeable.
Both HELP and POP-HELP are easy to use, POP-HELP's command keys can be
set so that they will not conflict with your program commands. There
are very clear instructions to allow you to add extra information and
your own commands to HELP!! and POP-HELP.
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989 PC-SIG, Inc.
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< Disk #1881 HELP!/POP-HELP >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ To start program, type: POP-HELP (press enter) ║
║ ║
║ To print documentation, type: COPY HELP201.DOC PRN ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
HELP201.DOC
HELP / POP-HELP USER'S GUIDE
Version 2.01
Copyright 1987, HELP SOFTWARE
16706 Bradley Ct.
Belton, MO 64012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SHAREWARE CONCEPT ............................. 1
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VERSION 2.01 AND OTHERS .... 1
WHAT DOES HELP!! DO ?? ......................... 2
INSTALLING HELP!! ............................. 2
USING HELP!! .................................. 3
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HELP!! AND POP-HELP ....... 5
MODIFYING AND ADDING HELP!! COMMANDS .......... 5
USING HELPINDX ................................. 7
SHAREWARE CONCEPT
HELP!! and POP-HELP represent many months of very hard work. I
urge you to support the Shareware concept and fight the high cost
of software.
HELP!! and POP-HELP are user supported programs. They are not
public domain programs and they are not free. You are granted a
limited license to use HELP!! and POP-HELP on a trial basis. If
you wish to continue using HELP!! and/or POP-HELP after the trial
period, you must register by sending either
(1) $15.00 for registration only (no disk) or
(2) $25.00 for registration and the latest version on disk.
(Indicate the version that you currently have.)
Discounts are available for purchases over 10 units. Write for
details.
Send all registration fees to:
HELP SOFTWARE
16706 Bradley Ct.
Belton, MO 64012
Whether you find this program useful or not, you are encouraged
to share this program with others, but not for money.
Both HELP!! and POP-HELP have been thoroughly tested, but if you
should find a bug or have an idea how HELP!! could be improved,
please let me know.
The user hereby agrees that regardless of the form of any claim,
liability for any damages or loss incurred because of this product
shall not exceed the registration fee.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HELP / POP-HELP 2.01 AND PREVIOUS VERSIONS
If you have been using other versions of HELP, there are a few
key differences between HELP 2.01 and previous versions. They
are listed below.
1) CONVERT has been replaced by HELPINDX.
2) SETUP has been replaced by HELPINST.
3) HELP.DAT is no longer created for you. HELPINDX (which
replaces CONVERT) indexes a text file and does not create
HELP.DAT. As a result, if you want to create a new text file or
if you want to use a file other than the HELP.DAT text file
supplied, you will need to rename the text file that you use to
the new filename HELP.DAT. For example, if you wish to use the
file BASIC.HLP which contains all of the BASIC interpreter
commands, you would index it using HELPINDX and then rename it
(or copy it to) the new filename HELP.DAT. This change allows
HELP to use significantly smaller data files (roughly half the
size) and saves you a lot of disk space.
4) POP-HELP uses considerably less RAM memory (about 20% less).
WHAT DOES HELP!! DO ??
HELP!! is an on-line reference manual. You can create your own
file of commands so that HELP!! can be tailored to your needs.
HELP!! comes with a text file (HELP.DAT) that contains a complete
listing of DOS commands through DOS 3.3. It is designed to be as
flexible as possible.
HELP!! is available from the DOS command line at any time. POP-
HELP is a pop-up or memory resident version of HELP!! There are
a few minor differences between HELP and POP-HELP and they are
explained in a later section.
The text file that HELP!! uses (HELP.DAT) is included on this
disk. You can add commands, edit commands, or personalize it any
way you want. (See the section on Modifying and Adding HELP!!
Commands for instructions).
INSTALLING HELP!!
The installation of HELP!! is either a one or two step process.
If your copy of HELP!! was downloaded from a bulletin board, you
may need to run the HELPINDX program before HELP!! will be
usable.
Here's how to tell if you need to run HELPINDX. Check your
directory for two files. If you do not have the files HELP.NDX
and HELP.DAT, then you will need to run HELPINDX. (See the
instructions in the section labeled USING HELPINDX). If you do
have these files, then go on to the next step.
Next type HELPINST and press Enter. A screen will be displayed
prompting you to enter several pieces of information.
The first thing that HELPINST will ask for is the drive and path
where the file HELP.NDX can be found. HELP.NDX is the index file
that HELP!! and POP-HELP use. Just type in the name of the drive
and directory for HELP.NDX (Example C:\HELP or A:).
The next thing that HELPINST will ask for is the drive and path
where the file HELP.DAT can be found. HELP.DAT is the data file
that HELP!! and POP-HELP use. Just type in the name of the drive
and directory for HELP.DAT (Example C:\HELP or A:).
Next HELPINST will ask you if you want to force color to
monochrome. Both HELP!! and POP-HELP are quite capable of
figuring out what type of adapter that you have. However, if you
have a monochrome monitor that is attached to a color adapter,
(such as a Compaq Computer or a composite monitor of some sort)
you may have trouble reading the screen because of the colors
used. By forcing color to monochrome you will be able to read
the display much easier.
The last thing that HELPINST will ask you for is the key sequence
to use to start POP-HELP. Remember that POP-HELP is the pop-up
or memory resident version of HELP!!. The key sequences that can
be used are:
ALT and 0 through 9
ALT and A through Z
ALT and F1 through F10
CTRL-Home, CTRL-End, CTRL-PgUp, and CTRL-PgDn
You should have enough choices so that POP-HELP's startup
keystrokes won't interfere with your other programs.
When you are finished entering the required information press
F10. HELPINST will ask you if you are sure. Press "Y" to save
and exit or "N" to return to HELPINST.
If you want to ESCape without saving any changes simply press
ESCape. HELPINST will ask you if you are sure. Press "Y" to
exit without saving or "N" to return to HELPINST.
You may use the up and down arrow keys to move back and forth
between the different choices.
USING HELP!!
HELP!! and POP-HELP are so easy to use and you will probably not
even need to use the documentation. Nevertheless, documentation
is provided.
There are two key differences between HELP!! and POP-HELP and you
will want to be sure to read the section that explains the
differences.
Before you are able to use POP-HELP, you need to load it into
memory by typing POP-HELP and pressing enter.
Once you have loaded POP-HELP, just press the key sequence that
you defined (using HELPINST) to start POP-HELP. When you press
the proper key sequence, POP-HELP will display the list of
available commands.
To start HELP!! all that you need to do is enter HELP and an
optional command name from the DOS command line.
The syntax for HELP!! is: HELP [COMMAND]
[COMMAND] is optional. If HELP is entered without a COMMAND, a
list of commands will be displayed and you will be able to select
one using the cursor keys.
If HELP!! is entered with a COMMAND name, HELP!! will search the
list of commands for the command entered. If HELP!! finds the
command entered then the list of commands will not be shown.
Instead the HELP information for the command entered will be
displayed.
If COMMAND is not found then the list of available commands will
be displayed and you may scroll through them using the cursor
keys.
While you are in the list of commands, you may use the following
cursor keys:
UP and DOWN arrows scrolls one COMMAND NAME at a time
PgUp and PgDn scrolls one screen at a time
Home and End scrolls to the first and last COMMAND NAMES
Enter selects the COMMAND that is highlighted
ESCape exits the program
While you are in the window which displays the HELP!! text, you
may use the following cursor keys:
UP and DOWN arrows scrolls one line at a time
PgUp and PgDn scrolls one screen at a time
CTRL-PgUp displays the previous command
CTRL-PgDn displays the next command
Home and End scrolls to the first and last lines
C selects the command window
ESCape exits the program
Any time that the second window (HELP window) is displayed, you
may display the COMMAND WINDOW by pressing C.
The COMMAND WINDOW provides an easy way to enter the command that
you need help with. The COMMAND WINDOW is designed to allow you
to enter the command that you have requested help with while you
are still able to read the help information.
Even when you are in the COMMAND WINDOW you still have access to
all of the information in the HELP window (second window). You
are still able to scroll the help information up and down using
the cursor keys.
When you are using HELP, the command that you enter using the
COMMAND WINDOW will be processed immediately and you will remain
in HELP!!
When you enter a command using the COMMAND WINDOW with POP-HELP,
nothing will happen right away. In fact, nothing will happen at
all until you exit POP-HELP. When you do exit POP-HELP, the
command that you entered will be sent to the keyboard buffer just
as you entered it.
REMHELP is available if you need to remove POP-HELP from memory.
All that you need to do is type REMHELP and POP-HELP will be
removed from memory.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HELP!! AND POP-HELP
There are two major differences between HELP!! and POP-HELP
1. When using HELP!! (from the command line) you may specify the
optional command name. An example of this would be invoking
HELP!! with the command HELP MODE. After issuing this command,
HELP!! will look in its list of commands to see if it can find
the command MODE. If it finds the MODE command, then HELP!! will
immediately display the information available for MODE. If
HELP!! cannot find the MODE command then the list of available
commands will be displayed.
POP-HELP obviously has no way to allow for this since it is
invoked by a HOT key sequence.
2. The second difference has to do with the way that HELP!! and
POP-HELP handle a command entered from the command window.
If you enter a command from the command window using HELP!! it
will be executed immediately and you will remain inside HELP!!
When you enter a command from the command window using POP-HELP
nothing will happen right away. In fact nothing will happen
until you exit POP-HELP. When you do exit POP-HELP, however, the
command that you entered will be passed to the keyboard buffer
just as you entered it.
MODIFYING AND ADDING HELP!! COMMANDS
One of the great things about HELP!! and POP-HELP is that you can
add your own commands or you can change the text for the commands
that are supplied.
If you want to add to the list of DOS commands you can simply
edit the text file using a word processor or the EDLIN line
editor. If you wish, you may create a completely new file using
any name that you choose.
IMPORTANT:
When you are modifying the text to be used by HELP!! there are a
few things that you must remember.
1. The maximum length of any line is 40 characters. Any text
over 40 characters will be cut off.
2. The minimum length of any command is 128 characters. If you
want to use a short command (less than 128 characters) then you
must pad it with blank spaces. If you use commands containing
less than 128 characters, you may not be able to retrieve the
correct information for that command.
3. HELP!! and POP-HELP can handle a maximum of 500 different
commands. Each command may have up to 135 lines of text. Each
command name may be up to 11 characters long.
4. HELP!! and POP-HELP expect to find an index file so that they
know where to find the individual commands. After you have
finished modifying your text file, you must run the HELPINDX
program to create an index file.
5. HELPINDX is very particular about how the commands are
separated. Be sure to read below about how new commands are
recognized. (Using Ctrl-A)
SPECIAL CHARACTERS:
There are a few special characters which will cause special
effects when used in the text file. They are listed below.
^A (Ctrl-A) - notes the start of a new command. HELPINDX expects
Ctrl-A to be the first character in the text file being indexed.
HELPINDX also expects the command name to immediately follow the
Ctrl-A. You may want to take a look at how the HELP.DAT file is
set up.
An example of how HELPINDX would expect a text file to look is
given below.
^ANEW COMMAND
This is the start of a new command.
(Blanks...)
^A2nd COMMAND
Here is some text for the second
command.
(Blanks...)
^E (Ctrl-E) - makes text yellow on a color monitor or high
intensity white on a monochrome monitor.
^B (Ctrl-B) - makes text green on a color monitor or high
intensity white on a monochrome monitor.
^N (Ctrl-N) - creates blinking text. Text will be blinking red
on a color monitor or blinking high intensity white on a
monochrome monitor.
^ (Shift-6) - returns text to normal. Normal text is light blue
on a color monitor or light gray on a monochrome monitor.
USING HELPINDX:
After you modify your file, you will need to run HELPINDX to make
your changes usable by HELP!! and POP-HELP.
When you run HELPINDX, you will be asked for the full path where
the text file to be indexed is located. For instance, if you are
using the file HELP.DAT and it is located in C:\DATAFILE then
enter C:\DATAFILE\HELP.DAT.
You will then be asked the full path where you want the index
file to be placed. If you want the file placed in C:\HELP then
enter C:\HELP, if you want the file placed in the current
directory then just press enter.
At this point, HELPINDX will display the commands that it is
indexing until it has indexed the entire file.
If you create a text file of your own, or if you want to use a
file other than the HELP.DAT file supplied on this disk, you will
need to make sure that you name your file HELP.DAT before using
it. Both HELP and POP-HELP expect to find a file named HELP.DAT.
The best way to change the name of your file is to use RENAME or
COPY.
After this is finished, you are ready to use HELP!! or POP-HELP
and your new commands or modified commands will be included.
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #1881
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
POP-HELP COM 25034 7-15-88 1:16p
HELP COM 29631 10-02-88 12:12p
REMHELP COM 4992 10-03-87 8:22p
HELPINST COM 20462 10-03-87 8:20p
HELPINDX COM 7544 10-03-87 8:18p
HELP INF 28 3-28-89 7:19a
HELP NDX 1200 6-05-88 12:53p
HELP DAT 83200 6-05-88 12:53p
HELP201 DOC 18455 6-30-88 7:56p
DOS33 HLP 83189 6-05-88 12:52p
PROGRAM HLP 17412 9-06-87 7:37p
INVOICE 1612 1-27-88 10:46p
FILE1881 TXT 2295 12-27-89 12:43p
GO BAT 38 1-01-80 1:37a
GO TXT 540 12-27-89 2:55p
15 file(s) 295632 bytes
17408 bytes free