PCjs Machines
Home of the original IBM PC emulator for browsers.
PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #2517)
[PCjs Machine "ibm5170"]
Waiting for machine "ibm5170" to load....
MANUAL.TXT
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| THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM |
| THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM |
| THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM |
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| |
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| By: Victor J. Falgiano |
| By: Victor J. Falgiano |
| By: Victor J. Falgiano |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
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| VERSION 1.0 2/17/90 |
| VERSION 1.0 2/17/90 |
| VERSION 1.0 2/17/90 |
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\-----------------------------------/
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION..................................... 2
Installing the ICON Program on a hard disk....... 3
Creating the ICON.PFX file....................... 3
Making custom icons with Paintbrush.............. 4
Running the ICON program......................... 5
1
INTRODUCTION
____________
The product, called the Icon Menu Selection Program, creates an
operating environment in which other programs are selected and
executed by mouse or keyboard control. The original intent of
the program was an easy to use, picture oriented environment for
a small child to select and run programs such as educational
games from a hard disk. As the project developed, it was appar-
ent the program would also be useful for adults as well.
The Icon Menu Selection Program is designed to run on an IBM or
compatible PC with a minimum of EGA graphics, 256K of video
memory and 512K or more main memory. If custom icons are desired
the user must obtain a copy of PC-Paintbrush (product of Z-Soft
Inc.). Also, a hard disk and Microsoft or compatible mouse, are
desirable but not required.
The Icon program consists of the executable file, the PIF (Pro-
gram Information Files) and a set of icon graphics files (one for
each icon). There are also utility programs to aid in icon
creation and PIF file editing. Once the program is set up for
your applications, it is extremely simple to use by simply point-
ing to icon representing the application and selecting it (point
and shoot).
2
THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM
Installing the ICON Program on a hard disk
__________ ___ ____ _______ __ _ ____ ____
The ICON program is easily installed on a hard disk by doing the
following:
1) Select drive you want to install program on, typically
C:.
2) Create a subdirectory named ICON from the root directory.
3) Go to the subdirectory, put the distribution disk in
drive A: and type copy a:\*.*
4) Type copy a:\icons\*.* to copy the icon files to the
current directory.
The installation is now complete.
Creating the ICON.PFX file
________ ___ ________ ____
Creating the ICON.PFX file is a simple process, using the
utility PIF_ED.EXE supplied with the program. Go to the directo-
ry where the program resides and simply type PIF_ED at the DOS
prompt. The program will ask you to supply the information
required for each icon display on the ICON program screen. The
icons are numbered 1-12, starting from the upper left corner of
the screen. The PIF_ED program will automatically create a file
named ICON.PF0, if this file exists, the current file will be
modified. If you want to create more than one PIF file, at the
command line type PIF_ED ICON.PFx ( where x is a number from 0 to
9. During operation of the ICON menu program, the other addi-
tional PIF files can be accessed by using the PAGE UP and PAGE
DOWN keys.
3
THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM
Special note: When the ICON program is used to execute a batch file to
indirectly execute a program, the batch file must reside in the same
directory as COMMAND.COM, typically C:\.
If you want the icon program to prompt you for command line
arguements put an @ for the command line arguement in the
ICON.PFx file entry for the application.
The ICON.PFx entry for batch applications must be in the follow-
ing format:
* The icon image file name
* The Comment text.
* The path must be "C:\"
* The filename must be "COMMAND.COM"
* The command line arguement "/cBATCHFILENAME" without the
extension (.BAT).
Making custom icons with Paintbrush
______ ______ _____ ____ __________
The ICON program is supplied with pre-drawn icons for many popular
application programs as well as some generic icons such as kid's games,
text editor and word processor. If you wish to create your own icons
you must have a copy of PC-PAINTBRUSH or MICROSOFT PAINTBRUSH.
Assuming you have the paint program, the ICON program has a template
file for quicker icon creation. To create an icon execute the
PAINTBRUSH program as you normally would. Load the file
\ICONS\ICONTMPL.PCX, the icon template will appear. Next, inside
the box in the upper left corner, draw your custom icon.
4
THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM
When you are done creating the icon, seclect the cutout option
and supply a cutout file name such as \ICON\ICONFILE.PCC. Now,
select COPY CUTOUT from the menu and place the cutout box around
the icon so that you have about a 1/16 inch white border around
the icon. Note, the *.PCC file must reside in the same directory
as icon.exe before you proceed.
The image file must be prepared before using it in the ICON
program. To prepare the image file go to the ICON program direc-
tory and at the DOS prompt, type PREPICON filename.pcc. If the
program returns a message "The file has been prepared successful-
ly" the icon is ready for use. If the program returns an error
message, the program could either not find the file or the file
has been damaged or not created correctly. If the file was bad,
it will probably need to be recreated.
Once the above steps have been completed, go back to the PIF_ED
program and select the number of the icon where you want the new
one placed. Supply the information the PIF_ED program asks for
and save the file. Start the icon program and verify that your
new icon and application works correctly.
Running the ICON program
_______ ___ ____ _______
The ICON program serves as a total visually oriented operating
environment. Below are some ways the program can be run on your
computer. Also, below lists some cautionary notes to avoid any
conflict or operational problems. The user should note the ICON
program resides in the computer's RAM and uses about 100 kilo
bytes of memory when it is running. Be sure your machine has
sufficient memory to run the ICON program and the applications
you will be using.
5
THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM
The ICON program can be run in the following ways:
1) Selecting the \ICON directory and typing ICON at the DOS
prompt.
2) Placing the \ICON directory in the PATH command in your
autoexec.bat file and typing ICON from any directory in
PATH.
3) Adding the following commands to your autoexec.bat file
so that the ICON program executes at startup.
a) drive: (If not installed on current drive)
b) cd \ICON
c) ICON
NOTE: Load all TSR programs before executing the ICON program to avoid
memory conflicts.
Once you execute the ICON program the controls are very simple, the
operation is as follows:
1) Either moving the mouse or using the cursor arrow keys on
the keyboard causes the cursor to move around the screen.
2) To select an application to run, move the cursor to the
icon you want and either press any mouse button or the
keyboard ENTER key.
3) To leave the ICON program simply press the ESC key.
4) To execute the DOS shell from within the ICON program
simply press the keyboard exclamation point (!) key. To
return back to ICON from the DOS shell, type EXIT at the
DOS command prompt.
6
THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM
5) To change between PIF files, press the page up or page
down key to select another set of icons (if installed).
The name of the current PIF file is displayed in the
lower right corner along with the time and date.
Special note: In order for the DOS shell to operate, the ICON
program assumes that COMMAND.COM is installed at C:\. If this is
not the case on your particular machine, either copy COMMAND.COM
to C:\ or do not use the DOS shell. Also, DO NOT load TSR pro-
grams from within the DOS shell, doing so will leave a memory
"hole" or possibly hang the machine when the ICON program is
terminated.
7
FILE2517.TXT
Disk No: 2517
Disk Title: Icon Menu Select Prgm #2 (2516 also)
PC-SIG Version: S1.01
Program Title: Icon Menu Selection Program
Author Version: 1.01
Author Registration: $24.95
Special Requirements: 512K RAM (EGA - 256K RAM). Hard drive & mouse reco
Most menu programs are just a list of program names -- BORING! That was
until the ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM. Now your menus can include
pictures (icons) to represent program selections, instead of just lines
of text. It's also fun. Use the cursor keys or the mouse to select the
icon/program you want to run, and off you go!
Icons are included for generic applications (word processing, kids
games, etc.) and many specific applications (Lotus 1-2-3, Harvard
Graphics, etc). In addition, you can create icons if you're using a
paint or graphics editor that supports PC-Paintbrush files. While it
takes a little more time to set up than other menu programs, the ICON
MENU SELECTION PROGRAM is a great way to jazz up a computer or make
it accessible to a child or anyone else who has trouble reading
text-based menus.
As an added extra, a disk catalog and label program for both 5.25 and
3.5 in. disks accompanies the package (currently supporting Epson or
compatible printers only). The unique features of this program are the
intuitive user interface ("pop-up" style windows), the ability to enter
a bin number (for people with more than one disk box), and the ability
to use more than one database file. Also, the program allows you to
print a custom footer on the label such as "Property of: ..." as well as
disk name, catalog number, and bin number.
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989 PC-SIG, Inc.
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< PC-SIG Disk #2517 ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM >>>> ║
║ Disk 2 of 2 (also #2516) ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ NOTE: Diskgraff (DSKGRAF) and Disklog (DSKLOG) need to be extracted ║
║ to their own subdirectories as there are files in each program ║
║ that have the same name, but unique information inside each. ║
║ ║
║ To extract the two different files, type the respective name of ║
║ each file after each is in its own subdirectory. For example, ║
║ C:\DISKGRAF>DSKGRAF (press Enter) ║
║ ║
║ To print the DISKGRAF documentation and installation instructions, type:║
║ COPY DISKGRAF.DOC PRN (press Enter) ║
║ ║
║ To print the DISKLOG documentation and installation instructions, type: ║
║ COPY MANUAL.DOC PRN (press Enter) ║
║ ║
║ To print the registration form of either program, type: REGISTER (Enter)║
║ * * * * * ║
║ NOTE: To view/print the documentation and installation instructions ║
║ for ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM, press ESC, ENTER, and PGDN. ║
║ ║
║ ║
║ Copyright 1991, PC-SIG, Inc. ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
MANUAL.TXT
/-----------------------------------\
/-----------------------------------\
/-----------------------------------\
| |
| |
| |
| THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM |
| THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM |
| THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| By: Victor J. Falgiano |
| By: Victor J. Falgiano |
| By: Victor J. Falgiano |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| VERSION 1.0 2/17/90 |
| VERSION 1.0 2/17/90 |
| VERSION 1.0 2/17/90 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
\-----------------------------------/
\-----------------------------------/
\-----------------------------------/
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION..................................... 2
Installing the ICON Program on a hard disk....... 3
Creating the ICON.PFX file....................... 3
Making custom icons with Paintbrush.............. 4
Running the ICON program......................... 5
1
INTRODUCTION
____________
The product, called the Icon Menu Selection Program, creates an
operating environment in which other programs are selected and
executed by mouse or keyboard control. The original intent of
the program was an easy to use, picture oriented environment for
a small child to select and run programs such as educational
games from a hard disk. As the project developed, it was appar-
ent the program would also be useful for adults as well.
The Icon Menu Selection Program is designed to run on an IBM or
compatible PC with a minimum of EGA graphics, 256K of video
memory and 512K or more main memory. If custom icons are desired
the user must obtain a copy of PC-Paintbrush (product of Z-Soft
Inc.). Also, a hard disk and Microsoft or compatible mouse, are
desirable but not required.
The Icon program consists of the executable file, the PIF (Pro-
gram Information Files) and a set of icon graphics files (one for
each icon). There are also utility programs to aid in icon
creation and PIF file editing. Once the program is set up for
your applications, it is extremely simple to use by simply point-
ing to icon representing the application and selecting it (point
and shoot).
2
THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM
Installing the ICON Program on a hard disk
__________ ___ ____ _______ __ _ ____ ____
The ICON program is easily installed on a hard disk by doing the
following:
1) Select drive you want to install program on, typically
C:.
2) Create a subdirectory named ICON from the root directory.
3) Go to the subdirectory, put the distribution disk in
drive A: and type copy a:\*.*
4) Type copy a:\icons\*.* to copy the icon files to the
current directory.
The installation is now complete.
Creating the ICON.PFX file
________ ___ ________ ____
Creating the ICON.PFX file is a simple process, using the
utility PIF_ED.EXE supplied with the program. Go to the directo-
ry where the program resides and simply type PIF_ED at the DOS
prompt. The program will ask you to supply the information
required for each icon display on the ICON program screen. The
icons are numbered 1-12, starting from the upper left corner of
the screen. The PIF_ED program will automatically create a file
named ICON.PF0, if this file exists, the current file will be
modified. If you want to create more than one PIF file, at the
command line type PIF_ED ICON.PFx ( where x is a number from 0 to
9. During operation of the ICON menu program, the other addi-
tional PIF files can be accessed by using the PAGE UP and PAGE
DOWN keys.
3
THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM
Special note: When the ICON program is used to execute a batch file to
indirectly execute a program, the batch file must reside in the same
directory as COMMAND.COM, typically C:\.
If you want the icon program to prompt you for command line
arguements put an @ for the command line arguement in the
ICON.PFx file entry for the application.
The ICON.PFx entry for batch applications must be in the follow-
ing format:
* The icon image file name
* The Comment text.
* The path must be "C:\"
* The filename must be "COMMAND.COM"
* The command line arguement "/cBATCHFILENAME" without the
extension (.BAT).
Making custom icons with Paintbrush
______ ______ _____ ____ __________
The ICON program is supplied with pre-drawn icons for many popular
application programs as well as some generic icons such as kid's games,
text editor and word processor. If you wish to create your own icons
you must have a copy of PC-PAINTBRUSH or MICROSOFT PAINTBRUSH.
Assuming you have the paint program, the ICON program has a template
file for quicker icon creation. To create an icon execute the
PAINTBRUSH program as you normally would. Load the file
\ICONS\ICONTMPL.PCX, the icon template will appear. Next, inside
the box in the upper left corner, draw your custom icon.
4
THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM
When you are done creating the icon, seclect the cutout option
and supply a cutout file name such as \ICON\ICONFILE.PCC. Now,
select COPY CUTOUT from the menu and place the cutout box around
the icon so that you have about a 1/16 inch white border around
the icon. Note, the *.PCC file must reside in the same directory
as icon.exe before you proceed.
The image file must be prepared before using it in the ICON
program. To prepare the image file go to the ICON program direc-
tory and at the DOS prompt, type PREPICON filename.pcc. If the
program returns a message "The file has been prepared successful-
ly" the icon is ready for use. If the program returns an error
message, the program could either not find the file or the file
has been damaged or not created correctly. If the file was bad,
it will probably need to be recreated.
Once the above steps have been completed, go back to the PIF_ED
program and select the number of the icon where you want the new
one placed. Supply the information the PIF_ED program asks for
and save the file. Start the icon program and verify that your
new icon and application works correctly.
Running the ICON program
_______ ___ ____ _______
The ICON program serves as a total visually oriented operating
environment. Below are some ways the program can be run on your
computer. Also, below lists some cautionary notes to avoid any
conflict or operational problems. The user should note the ICON
program resides in the computer's RAM and uses about 100 kilo
bytes of memory when it is running. Be sure your machine has
sufficient memory to run the ICON program and the applications
you will be using.
5
THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM
The ICON program can be run in the following ways:
1) Selecting the \ICON directory and typing ICON at the DOS
prompt.
2) Placing the \ICON directory in the PATH command in your
autoexec.bat file and typing ICON from any directory in
PATH.
3) Adding the following commands to your autoexec.bat file
so that the ICON program executes at startup.
a) drive: (If not installed on current drive)
b) cd \ICON
c) ICON
NOTE: Load all TSR programs before executing the ICON program to avoid
memory conflicts.
Once you execute the ICON program the controls are very simple, the
operation is as follows:
1) Either moving the mouse or using the cursor arrow keys on
the keyboard causes the cursor to move around the screen.
2) To select an application to run, move the cursor to the
icon you want and either press any mouse button or the
keyboard ENTER key.
3) To leave the ICON program simply press the ESC key.
4) To execute the DOS shell from within the ICON program
simply press the keyboard exclamation point (!) key. To
return back to ICON from the DOS shell, type EXIT at the
DOS command prompt.
6
THE ICON MENU SELECTION PROGRAM
5) To change between PIF files, press the page up or page
down key to select another set of icons (if installed).
The name of the current PIF file is displayed in the
lower right corner along with the time and date.
Special note: In order for the DOS shell to operate, the ICON
program assumes that COMMAND.COM is installed at C:\. If this is
not the case on your particular machine, either copy COMMAND.COM
to C:\ or do not use the DOS shell. Also, DO NOT load TSR pro-
grams from within the DOS shell, doing so will leave a memory
"hole" or possibly hang the machine when the ICON program is
terminated.
7
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #2517
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
DSKLOG EXE 86523 4-02-91 2:50p
DSKGRAF EXE 117312 4-02-91 2:45p
LIST COM 20951 9-05-90 8:04a
FILE2517 TXT 2813 7-15-91 10:25a
GO BAT 58 7-10-91 5:03a
GO TXT 2003 7-10-91 6:38a
DOCS <DIR>
ICONS <DIR>
8 file(s) 229660 bytes
Directory of A:\DOCS
. <DIR>
.. <DIR>
MANUAL TXT 12771 9-08-90 2:33p
3 file(s) 12771 bytes
Directory of A:\ICONS
. <DIR>
.. <DIR>
GNCADICN PCC 2996 10-21-89 1:58p
PBRSHICN PCC 4138 10-21-89 1:59p
ORCICN PCC 2704 9-10-89 6:36p
KIDGICN PCC 3524 9-10-89 8:31p
TICON5 PCC 3482 9-10-89 8:30p
HGICN PCC 3678 9-01-89 9:33p
TICON2 PCC 4325 9-10-89 7:07p
ACDICN PCC 4459 9-10-89 7:33p
SYMICN PCC 2787 9-10-89 8:03p
SPICN PCC 2868 9-10-89 7:45p
MASMICN PCC 2926 9-10-89 9:08p
TXTICN PCC 3958 9-10-89 7:07p
MCADICN PCC 3212 9-10-89 8:31p
QBICN PCC 2741 9-10-89 8:54p
SIMICN PCC 3140 10-01-89 10:03a
SWAYICN PCC 4084 10-21-89 2:56p
BATCHICN PCC 4731 10-21-89 2:56p
EGABCICN PCC 3929 11-06-89 9:27p
ORCPICN PCC 2907 11-08-89 2:09a
CKEYICN PCC 3214 11-17-89 11:26p
EZFLOICN PCC 3650 11-18-89 11:58p
FTAPEICN PCC 4683 11-26-89 12:17a
PRODICN PCC 3954 12-12-89 8:05p
TUTICN PCC 4728 12-16-89 1:06p
WSICN PCC 4064 1-29-90 9:33p
DISKLOG PCC 4126 12-10-90 11:34p
DGRAF PCC 4908 12-14-90 9:53p
29 file(s) 99916 bytes
Total files listed:
40 file(s) 342347 bytes
3072 bytes free