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OPENDOOR Operating System (5.0) User's Reference Guide (c) Copyright Bil. Alvernaz 1989 COMPUTER RESOURCES COPYRIGHT/DISCLOSURE NOTICE: This User's Guide and Technical Reference Guide are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. These documents may not, in whole or part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or machine readable form without prior consent from Computer Resources and Bil. Alvernaz. (c) Copyright Bil. Alvernaz 1989 - All rights reserved. Computer Resources Postal Box 426 Livingston CA 95334-0426 209.394.8188 <<>>MCI MAIL: 207-8825<<>> OPENDOOR, Crystal Ball Life Reading Index, Jerk-O-Meter, Stars!, Death Simulator, and What to Eat?? Decision Maker are all trademarks of Computer Resources International. Computer Resources reserves the right to make improvements to these products. These guides, as well as all material in relation to OPENDOOR, are provided as is, without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The author and publisher have used their best efforts in preparing this material. The author, the publisher, dealers, distributors, clubs, groups, organizations and anyone else involved in the distribution and resale of the OPENDOOR shall not be liable in any event for incidental or consequential damages in connection with, or arising out of, the furnishing, performance or use of anything presented or suggested in this index. All of the sub-programs in OPENDOOR should NOT be taken seriously, because they generate answers randomly and, therefore, they are NOT fact-oriented. These sub-programs are intended solely for fun and enjoyment! Document Number: 570585418-1a (OCT89 revision) [printed in the United States of America] TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE - What's Really Going On! ................... 1 CHAPTER TWO - Jump Start ................................ 3 For Advanced Users .................................. 3 For Beginners ....................................... 3 CHAPTER THREE - Introduction ........................... 4 Welcome ............................................. 4 What OPENDOOR Is .................................... 4 What You Can Do With OPENDOOR ....................... 5 What You Can't Do With OPENDOOR ..................... 5 Why OPENDOOR? ....................................... 5 System Requirements ................................. 5 Disk Space .......................................... 5 CHAPTER FOUR - Installing OPENDOOR ...................... 6 What To Do First .................................... 6 Setting Things Up ................................... 7 For Hard Disk Systems ............................... 7 For Floppy Disk Systems ............................. 7 CHAPTER FIVE - Using OPENDOOR ........................... 8 Starting OPENDOOR ................................... 8 Quitting OPENDOOR ................................... 8 Turning Off CAPS/NUM Lock ........................... 9 OPENDOOR Prompt ..................................... 9 Esc Key ............................................. 9 Help (to a certain degree) F1 ....................... 10 Fatal Errors ........................................ 10 CHAPTER SIX - Working With OPENDOOR ..................... 11 Commands ............................................ 11 Crystal Ball - F8 ................................... 11 Crystal Ball (Bad Reading) - [ ...................... 12 Crystal Ball (Good Reading) - ] ..................... 12 Database - F3 ....................................... 13 Death Simulator - F10 ............................... 13 Graph - F5 .......................................... 13 Help - F1 ........................................... 14 Jerk-O-Meter - !/1 .................................. 14 Lie Detector - ?// .................................. 14 Lock - L ............................................ 15 Multi-Tasking - F7 .................................. 15 Phone (Ringing) - F9 ................................ 16 QUIT - F6 or Q ...................................... 16 Spreadsheet - F4 .................................... 17 Stars! - */8 ........................................ 17 What To Eat Decision Maker - E ...................... 18 Word Processor - F2 ................................. 18 CHAPTER SEVEN - Creative Things To Do ................... 19 DOS Command Line Switches ........................... 19 Deciding What To Eat ................................ 20 A Ringing Phone ..................................... 20 Relieving Frustrations .............................. 20 YES/NO Answers ...................................... 20 Looking Busy ........................................ 21 The Look Of The Lock ................................ 21 Studying Eternity (Death Simulator) ................. 21 CHAPTER EIGHT - Qualifying Statement(s) ................. 22 Numbered Disk Drives ................................ 23 CHAPTER NINE - Problems/Solutions ....................... 24 CHAPTER TEN - Fatal Errors .............................. 25 CHAPTER ELEVEN - Command Summary ........................ 26 - page 1 - Chapter One WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON! OPENDOOR is an operating system, of sorts. Actually, it's more of an illusion than anything else, because at many points it just presents nice looking screens on your computer's monitor. From word processing and databases to spreadsheets and graphs, OPENDOOR displays screens which are quite familiar looking. Of course, none of them really work - they're intended to make it look like work is being done on your computer. There are, however, many parts of OPENDOOR which do work. And, there are others which simulate your computer NOT working. That's the whole idea here . . . . . . The main purpose of OPENDOOR is to provide plain and simple fun - all without doing any harm to anyone's computer (or ego). You can use OPENDOOR to make it look like you know what you're doing with a computer, while only needing to remember a minimum number of keystrokes. You can also use OPENDOOR to play jokes on others (including power users). There are fun aspects to OPENDOOR, too, like the Jerk-O- Meter, Crystal Ball Life Reading Index, Lie Detector, and What to Eat Decision Maker. A computer lock is also included as part of OPENDOOR, and even though it doesn't really lock the computer, it looks like it does. There's even a dark side to OPENDOOR with the Death Simulator. With OPENDOOR you don't really need much in the way of computer skills to have fun. And, if you're a power or an advanced user, you'll easily be able to come up with some inventive ways to squeeze the most out of OPENDOOR. OPENDOOR introduces a new, anti-program category of software. That simply means that while you can't do word processing, database, spreadsheet or other types of work, you can generate a smile or two at break time or in between normal work projects. OPENDOOR isn't a program in the traditional sense, because it doesn't really do any work. It is intended solely for fun - as a break from all of the other stuff you do with your computer. - page 2 - Be forewarned that while OPENDOOR isn't really an honest to goodness operating system, it looks and feels like one; and it does have a way of growing on you . . . just for the fun of it. WARNING: OPENDOOR isn't like the other software you're used to using. OPENDOOR is designed: - to be quirky; - to seem like it's NOT working right at points; - to do some funny, off-the-wall things; - to produce Fatal Errors (which are harmless); - to have unique features (that really do work); and - most important of all, to be fun! - page 3 - Chapter Two JUMP START If you're like most computer users, you won't read this entire manual. No one ever does - at least not until something goes wrong. So we're going to dispense with all of the obligatory fluff and get down to what it is you really want to know - i.e., the fastest, humanly possible way to start using this program on your computer. For Advanced Users Copy the OD.EXE file from OPENDOOR program disk to your hard disk (that's assuming you're enough of an advanced or power user to have a computer with a hard disk). Then read Chapter Five on using OPENDOOR. You can skim through Chapter Seven to get an idea of the creative ways OPENDOOR can be used. Have a look at Chapter Eleven, especially the part covering the DOS command line switches. For Beginners Read Chapter One so you're sure about what's going on here. Read Chapters Three, Four, Five and Six to get a good, solid start. Take your time and don't rush through things. Make notes in this manual, too. Keep in mind that you can press F1 for a little help. - page 4 - Chapter Three INTRODUCTION We all know that computer manuals start off with so much STUFF to wade through that it's just plain physically draining to figure out where to start and how to install the stupid software. So, if you aren't interested in reading this introduction, do yourself a favor and just go on to the next two chapters about installing and using OPENDOOR. For those who are interested, this introduction is provided to a) make you feel better because it's here; or b) be useful in helping you understand just what OPENDOOR is and what you can do with it; or c) be something to fill up the pages so you think you're getting your money's worth (i.e., perceived value). Welcome to a fun kind of computing OPENDOOR was born out of boredom. Originally we developed OPENDOOR to be a program that did nothing right. The idea was to break the monotony of working with computers. Early on in the OPENDOOR project we realized that what was really needed was a program that did some things wrong, some things right, but most things in an odd and fun, but familiar kind of way. So over time we put together bits and pieces for OPENDOOR from the perspective of creating a program that would serve only one purpose . . . to be fun. Well, it quickly became obvious that none of the current operating systems would be suitable for OPENDOOR. The reason for that was mainly because those operating systems have no sense of humor. So we decided to create what looked like a whole new working environment. That's why OPENDOOR is called an operating system, except in this case, it's an operating system devoted totally to having fun. With OPENDOOR you enter a new realm of computing. One that sort of looks familiar, but one that goes beyond the boundaries of the day to day computer programs and one which allows you the freedom to goof off. What OPENDOOR is OPENDOOR was designed to look like an operating system, but it really isn't. OPENDOOR is an anti-program which means that it really isn't like most other programs. Beyond its good looks (i.e., presenting different screens which look good, but do nothing else), OPENDOOR lets you do some very different things with your computer. - page 5 - OPENDOOR can best be described as an illusionary operating system (caught somewhere between your computer and your imagination), which offers a variety of little sub-programs, with a fun mixture of odd quirks and twists all along the way. If OPENDOOR doesn't make you smile (while either using the program or reading this manual) then you probably shouldn't be using it. What you can do with OPENDOOR You can have a lot of fun with OPENDOOR, plus answer important questions like, Where should we go for lunch today? The Jerk-O-Meter, Lie Detector and Crystal Ball surely will come in handy at some point during each and every working day. Oh, and don't forget about the Death Simulator either. It'll make you stop and think, hopefully. The best thing to do with OPENDOOR is to forget all the computing rules you've imposed on yourself and just sit back and fool around with it. What you can't do with OPENDOOR You can't do any work with OPENDOOR. So don't even try. It wasn't designed to do anything close to resembling work. OPENDOOR does, however, "put up a good front" for those times when you want to make it look like you're working. OPENDOOR is simply for having some fun. That's it! Why OPENDOOR? Why not? In this world gone mad about faster and faster computers and all of the newer, flashier operating systems, OPENDOOR is intended to be a breath of fresh air . . . basically, a way to do nothing much of anything in between all of the work you do. Simplicity and ease of use are the keys to unlocking the magic of OPENDOOR. System Requirements OPENDOOR runs on any IBM PC/XT/AT, PS/2 or compatible computer. You'll need DOS 2.0 or higher and 256K or RAM (internal memory). It will work on hard disk or floppy drive systems. Disk Space OPENDOOR doesn't take up very much room on disk. You'll need less than 100K of disk space. Be sure you make a back up copy, too, and that you store the original program disk in a safe place. - page 6 - Chapter Four INSTALLING OPENDOOR There isn't much to this chapter because it covers what you've probably already figured out on your own. If you haven't yet figured out how to put OPENDOOR on your computer system, you'll probably stumble your way through it just fine anyway. All computer software companies include chapters like this one so they can tell their tech support people (i.e., the folks who answer all of the questions on the phones) that everything has been done to insure that the user is getting started on the right foot. That all sounds good, but, let's face it, people, computers, and software are a natural mix for goofy things to happen. So, there will be mistakes made and people will need help. No amount of text in any chapter of any manual (especially a computer software manual) is going to change that. The bottom line is this: If you need help, call us. That's what we're here for. We put this program together, you bought it, and now we're in this together. So, let's be nice and see we what we can do to work with each other. The best way to get started on the right foot (if that's really possible) is to be sure you have things set up properly on your computer. That's what this chapter is all about. But, hey, if you run into any kind of problem . . . CALL US! What to do first Check to be sure you have everything. You already know you've got the manual, because that's what you're reading right this very instant. The only other thing you'll need is the program disk . . . that's either going to be one 5 1/4" disk or one 3 1/2" disk. That's all you need - the manual and the software. Oh, of course, you'll need your computer, too, but you'll have to supply that. - page 7 - Setting things up Before you can use OPENDOOR you'll need to either a) copy it to your hard disk; or b) copy it to another floppy disk. That then gives you a working copy of OPENDOOR so you can store your original program disk in a safe place. Listed below are the details for setting up OPENDOOR on a hard disk or floppy disk based system. For Hard Disk Systems If you have a hard disk, you'll first have to decide where you want to put OPENDOOR. Once you make that decision, put the OPENDOOR program disk in Drive A and then, at the DOS prompt, type in: COPY A:OD.EXE C: If your hard disk is labeled something other than C:, then replace the C: with the correct drive letter. As an example, if your hard disk is Drive D, you would then type in: COPY A:OD.EXE D: For Floppy Disk Systems Assuming you have a dual floppy drive system, you would put the OPENDOOR program disk in Drive A; a blank, formatted disk in Drive B; and then, at the DOS prompt, type in: COPY A:OD.EXE B: If you only have a single disk drive system you would type in the same thing. Although it does take a little longer, you can copy from one disk to another on a single disk drive. You'll start by having the program disk (which will the Source Disk while you make copies) in Drive A. Keep a blank, formatted disk handy because that will be your Target Disk (i.e., the disk you copy to). At the appropriate points DOS will instruct you to take out the Source Disk and replace it with the Target Disk. There are many users who bypass all of this and just work with the program disk. That's okay, but keep in mind if your program disk gets destroyed or lost, it'll cost you $1,000 to get a duplicate copy from us . . . NO, that's just a joke. But, seriously, why even subject yourself to the risk of having to call and ask us for a replacement disk when making a backup copy right now would save you all of that trouble and embarrassment? Go ahead, right now, while you're thinking about it, make those copies (NOT the ones for your friends, the ones you'll need in case your program disk gets misplaced, left somewhere, or chewed up by the dog). - page 8 - Chapter Five USING OPENDOOR This chapter explains the basics of using OPENDOOR. Here's what will be covered: Starting OPENDOOR (in color or monochrome) Quitting OPENDOOR Turning off CAPS and NUM lock The OPENDOOR prompt Using the ESC key Getting Help Living with Fatal Errors Starting OPENDOOR OPENDOOR runs on color or monochrome systems. Before you do anything be sure that the OPENDOOR program file (OD.EXE) is in the directory or on the disk where you plan to work. Also, be sure the CAPS and NUM lock keys are OFF. To start OPENDOOR, type the following at the DOS prompt: SYSTEM WHAT TO TYPE For Color: OD For Monochrome OD BW When typing in OD BW for monochrome systems, be sure there is a blank space between the letters D and B. Those with laptop computers also should use the BW following the OD on the DOS command line. If you have a color monitor and want to run OPENDOOR in black and white, then you also can use OD BW at the DOS prompt. The BW after the OD is known as a DOS command line switch, which modifies how the program works. In this case, it actually changes the colors to black and white so OPENDOOR will look good on a monochrome monitor. OPENDOOR has other DOS command line switches you can use to go right into specific parts of the program. Read Chapter Seven to learn more about these switches. Quitting OPENDOOR There are two ways to stop using OPENDOOR: F6 - Pressing Function Key 6 at any point in OPENDOOR will end a session and return you to the DOS prompt. - page 9 - Q - The letter Q also ends your OPENDOOR session, returning you to the DOS prompt. You will also be returned to the DOS prompt whenever there is a Fatal Error in OPENDOOR. See the last section of this chapter for more information. Turning off CAPS/NUM Lock Be sure that the CAPS lock and NUM lock keys are OFF before you start using OPENDOOR. If either of those keys is ON you will experience Fatal Errors each time you press a letter or number key. OPENDOOR prompt You will see the OPENDOOR prompt on your screen when you first enter the OPENDOOR operating system. The top three lines of the screen are devoted to the trademark and copyright notices, as well as the version number. Just below those three lines you will see the OPENDOOR prompt on the far left side of the screen. While it appears that you should make entries at that prompt (like some other operating systems), you can't really do anything at that prompt. It's just there to look nice and to make you feel comfortable. The bottom of the screen displays five of the Function Keys at your disposal. The rest of the Function Keys are covered under Help, which you access by pressing F1. Working with OPENDOOR is as simple as pressing a Function Key or one of the other live keys. Live keys are certain number, symbol and letter keys which you use in OPENDOOR to start sub- programs. Live keys are covered in the next chapter. Most of the sub-programs will be displayed in windows which take up a major portion of the screen, except for the OPENDOOR trademark symbol at the top part of the screen and the Function Key symbols at the bottom of the screen. Pressing any other key at the OPENDOOR prompt will cause a Fatal Error, which won't hurt your system . . . it just looks BAD, which is exactly what it was designed to do. You'll notice that at the OPENDOOR prompt, the drives are numbered instead of lettered. There are many reasons why this was done, but primarily it's to let you know that you are working within the OPENDOOR operating system. This prompt is explained in more detail in Chapter Eight. Esc Key Pressing the Esc Key always takes you immediately back to the OPENDOOR prompt. So wherever you are working (i.e., which sub-program of OPENDOOR you are using), you can jump to the OPENDOOR prompt by using the Esc Key. - page 10 - Pressing any key, when one of the sub-programs is running, also takes you back to the OPENDOOR prompt. However, it's important to re-emphasize that pressing any key, other than the Function Keys and other live keys, at the prompt will result in a Fatal Error; and you'll be booted back to the DOS prompt. Help (to a certain degree) - F1 Pressing F1 while you're using OPENDOOR will cause the Help Screen to be displayed. This provides a summary of what each Function Key does. Fatal Errors OPENDOOR will produce Fatal Errors when you press any key, other than the Function Keys and live keys, at the OPENDOOR prompt. Also, if the CAPS or NUM lock keys are on, you will get Fatal Errors when you press any of the live keys. Fatal Errors won't do any harm your system. They were included in OPENDOOR to spice things up. Fatal Errors are covered in great detail in Chapter Ten. When you get a Fatal Error in OPENDOOR and get rudely bumped back to the DOS prompt, don't take it personal. Remember that the Fatal Errors are also simulations. They don't do anything to your computer. Fatal Errors, like everything else in OPENDOOR, are designed totally for looks. Fatal Errors are also designed to keep you on your toes. If you use the Function Keys and F6 or Q to quit, then you won't ever see (or hear) one of the Fatal Errors. By the way, the Fatal Error numbers don't mean anything either. They're all part of the illusion, too. The specific numbers for Fatal Errors are generated randomly. However, we have a included a totally nonsensical chapter on Fatal Errors (Chapter Ten) which goes to great lengths to explain the facts and myths about Fatal Errors. You might get a chuckle or two out of that chapter . . . anyway, that's the whole point of that chapter. Also, it helps fill up this manual. SPECIAL NOTE: There is a way to avoid the loud sounds which accompany Fatal Errors. Your OPENDOOR program disk contains a special "mute" version of OPENDOOR which doesn't make a peep when you get a Fatal Error. The ringing telephone and other sounds are still included as part of this mute version. That mute version of OPENDOOR is the ODM.EXE file on your master program disk and, if you want to use it, you'll need to copy it onto your hard disk (or another floppy disk). See Chapter Four if you have any questions about installing it. When you use the mute version of OPENDOOR everything is the same, except that you should type ODM wherever you see OD in this manual or the Command Summary. - page 11 - Chapter Six WORKING WITH OPENDOOR This chapter provides an alphabetical listing of each command in the OPENDOOR operating system. The commands will be listed, along with the purpose they serve and how to use them. The Function Key or live key will also be listed next to each command in the subsection heading. Commands You issue an OPENDOOR command each time you press a Function Key or a live key. The Function Keys - F1 thru F10 - are all commands. The live keys - Esc, 1, 8, [, ], /, Q, E, and L - are also commands. So, each time you press one of those keys you also are issuing a command. You'll be working with the OPENDOOR commands to do anything in OPENDOOR. Remember that you won't be using the OPENDOOR prompt . . . it's just there to look nice. It's main purpose is to flash - kind of like a heart beat to let you know OPENDOOR is alive and breathing. Each time you use an OPENDOOR command you'll really be starting one of the sub-programs within OPENDOOR. It's not that you're leaving OPENDOOR when you use one of the commands. You're just activating another part of OPENDOOR, similar to what other operating systems do. Of course, since OPENDOOR really is an illusionary operating system, it only simulates, or makes you believe, another part of the operating system has been called into play. "Play" is the operative word here. During most of the time that you use OPENDOOR, you'll be able to see the OPENDOOR trademark symbol at the top of the screen and the five Function Key symbols at the bottom the screen. Everything else happens in the center area of your screen in windows (except for Stars and the Death Simulator which require the full screen). The bottom line is that OPENDOOR has commands (illusionary, simulated, or otherwise), which you use. So any time you want to do something in OPENDOOR you'll be using commands. Remember that F1 presents a Help Screen listing the ten Function Keys. For a complete list of all commands in OPENDOOR, including the DOS command line switches, see Chapter Eleven for the Command Summary. Crystal Ball - F8 PURPOSE: Presents your Life Reading Index Meters for various aspects of your life. Each reading includes the factor, level or potential in relation to: Creativity / Ingenuity Luck / Chance to Win Stress / Pressure Physical Stamina Mental Alertness Making Money Accidents / Mistakes Also, provides a YES/NO/MAYBE answer to questions. HOW IT WORKS: Press Function Key 8 to see the Crystal Ball in OPENDOOR. Press any other key to exit the Crystal Ball. To access the Crystal Ball from the DOS command line, type in OD C for color systems and OD BWC for monochrome systems. COMMENTS: The theory here is that if you want to get a random look at how your day shapes up, then this Crystal Ball will do that for you. It even provides an answer to your YES/NO questions. If you get a reading you don't like, just keep pressing the F8 key until you get one you do like. There is a way to "rig" things with the Crystal Ball which allows you to either a) always get a good reading or b) always get a bad reading. You do this by using two other live keys on the keyboard. The next two explain how to do this. Crystal Ball (bad reading) - [ The Crystal Ball, shown in Figure 2, normally generates its readings based on random numbers. That's what happens each time you press the F8 key. However, you can "fix things" so that the Crystal Ball will ALWAYS give a bad reading. You do that by pressing the left bracket key, which is the key immediately to the right of the letter P on most keyboards. Whenever you press the left bracket key [ the Crystal Ball screen will appear with a bad reading. See the next section on how to always get a good reading from the Crystal Ball. To get to the bad reading on the Crystal Ball from the DOS command line, type in OD CL for color systems and OD BWCL for monochrome systems. The CL is a switch which stands for Crystal Ball Lo. This will take you from DOS right into the Crystal Ball, which will be displaying a bad reading. Crystal Ball (good reading) - ] To always get a "good" reading from the Crystal Ball, just press the right bracket key ] which is just to the left of the ENTER key on most computers. Remember that to get a totally random reading from the Crystal Ball (i.e., like a draw of the cards) you should press Function Key 8. The purpose for allowing you to get good or bad readings from the Crystal Ball is simply to give you the power to control readings . . . especially for those points when you want to play a joke on someone. To get to the good reading on the Crystal Ball from the DOS command line, type in OD CH for color systems and OD BWCH for monochrome systems. The CH is a switch which stands for Crystal Ball Hi. This will take you from DOS right into the Crystal Ball, which will be displaying a good reading. Database - F3 PURPOSE: Displays a database entry screen. HOW IT WORKS: Press Function Key 3 whenever you want to display the Database screen in OPENDOOR. Press any key to exit the Database. COMMENTS: You can't do anything with this Database screen. It's purpose is just to make it look like you're working with a database on your computer. From this screen you can press any of the Function Keys or live keys to activate any other sub-program in OPENDOOR. Pressing Esc or any other key takes you back to the OPENDOOR prompt. Death Simulator - F10 PURPOSE: Displays a blank screen with a short message about Eternity which briefly pops up at various places on the screen about every three seconds. HOW IT WORKS: Press Function Key 10 whenever you want to use the Death Simulator in OPENDOOR. Press any key to stop it. To access the Death Simulator from the DOS command line, type in OD D for color systems and OD BWD for monochrome systems. COMMENTS: The Death Simulator is also a good screen blanker when you want to protect your screen. Graph - F5 PURPOSE: Displays a bar chart on your screen. HOW IT WORKS: Press Function Key 5 to display the OPENDOOR bar chart you see in Figure 4. Press any key to return to the OPENDOOR prompt or press one of the Function Keys or live keys to activate one of the other OPENDOOR sub-programs. COMMENTS: You can't do anything with the OPENDOOR graph. It's purpose is just to make it look like you're doing something constructive with your computer. Pressing Esc or any key (other than the Function Keys or live keys) takes you back to the OPENDOOR prompt. Help - F1 PURPOSE: Displays a summary of the ten function keys. HOW IT WORKS: Press Function Key 1 to get this help screen. Press any key to return to the OPENDOOR prompt or press one of the Function Keys or live keys to activate any of the other OPENDOOR sub-programs. COMMENTS: When you can't remember which Function Key to use, press F1. The uses for Function Keys 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 are displayed on the bottom portion of the screen most of the time in OPENDOOR. Jerk-O-Meter - !/1 PURPOSE: Displays a special Jerk-O-Meter which supposedly rates the person you're talking to. HOW IT WORKS: Press the number 1 key (the one on your keyboard which also has the exclamation point on it) to see OPENDOOR's Jerk-O- Meter. Press any key to return to the OPENDOOR prompt or press one of the Function Keys or live keys to activate any of the other OPENDOOR sub-programs. To access the Jerk-O-Meter from the DOS command line, type in OD J for color systems and OD BWJ for monochrome systems. COMMENTS: The whole idea with the Jerk-O-Meter is that it is a put-on and meant to be a joke . . . one which should help to ease frustrations. If there's a person on the phone giving you a bad time, you can secretly be running the Jerk-O-Meter, all without the person ever knowing about it (or the results). Lie Detector - ?// PURPOSE: Displays a quasi-looking Lie Detector screen which provides readings on a scale ranging from the TRUTH to an outright, shameful lie. HOW IT WORKS: You get the OPENDOOR Lie Detector whenever you press the slash key (i.e., the one which also has the question mark). The question mark makes it easy to remember which key to press - just don't hold down the shift key when you press it. Press any key to return to the OPENDOOR prompt or press one the Function Keys or live keys to activate any of the other OPENDOOR sub-programs. To access the Lie Detector from the DOS command line, type in OD ? for color systems and OD BW? for monochrome systems. COMMENTS: This Lie Detector is NOT based on anything close to fact. It's just another way to have fun with OPENDOOR. Let your imagination be your guide for this one. If you don't believe that last statement, test it out using OPENDOOR's Lie Detector! Lock - L PURPOSE: Presents a screen that makes it look like your computer is locked. HOW IT WORKS: Press the letter L key to lock your computer with OPENDOOR. Once you press the letter L a message about your computer being locked with be displayed in the center of the OPENDOOR prompt's screen. The message reads: "Enter PASSWORD". And, that's all you have to do. Just simply type in the word password and your computer will be unlocked. COMMENTS: Like so much else in OPENDOOR, the Computer Lock is more looks than anything else. It really doesn't lock your computer, but in a way it can keep people from using your computer. The lock also looks kind of over-powering, too. However, if you press a Function Key or one of the live keys and then the ENTER key you can avoid typing in the password. Multi-Tasking - F7 PURPOSE: Displays a screen with five windowed applications, to give the appearance of multi-tasking work being done. HOW IT WORKS: Press Function Key 7 to display the OPENDOOR multi- tasking screen. Press any key to return to the OPENDOOR prompt or press one of the Function Keys or live keys to activate any of the other OPENDOOR sub-programs. The multi-tasking screen displays a spreadsheet, chart, calendar (with the correct date if you have a clock calendar on your computer), word processor and "Beat The Cat" game. COMMENTS: If you want someone to think you're extremely busy, then you should flash this screen up on your computer. While it looks like you're really doing something (A LOT!), you can't do anything with this screen other than look at it. To impress a relative new-comer to computers you might want to quickly zip back and forth among the Function Keys (avoiding F6) and then come to rest on this screen for an impressive finale. Phone (ringing) - F9 PURPOSE: Simulates the sound of a ringing phone. HOW IT WORKS: Press Function Key 9 to cause OPENDOOR's phone to ring. When you do this, the screen won't change but the phone will ring. It will ring up to nine times or stop once you press the ENTER key or any other key. Whatever was displayed before you pressed F9 will remain displayed on your screen. If you don't press any key the phone will ring nine times and then you will be returned to the OPENDOOR prompt. If you press one the Function Keys or live keys while the phone is ringing that will activate one of the other OPENDOOR sub-programs. You can make the phone ring from the DOS command line, by typing in OD P for color systems and OD BWP for monochrome systems. The screen will remain blank while the phone is ringing, but as soon as you press a key or the phone rings nine times the OPENDOOR prompt will be displayed. COMMENTS: The OPENDOOR ringing phone was designed for all of those times when you can't seem to get someone out of your office or away from your desk. Well, now you can easily simulate the sound of your phone ringing . . . at which point you can a) pretend to answer it (to find out about the meeting you're late for) or b) rush the person away from your desk so you can "answer the phone". QUIT - F6 PURPOSE: Ends your OPENDOOR session. HOW IT WORKS: Pressing Function Key 6 or the letter Q is how you exit the OPENDOOR Operating System. COMMENTS: At any point, while you are using OPENDOOR, you can press either F6 or the letter Q (for Quit) to stop working with OPENDOOR. You will then be transported back to the DOS prompt. Spreadsheet - F4 PURPOSE: Displays a spreadsheet, loaded with numbers, on your screen. HOW IT WORKS: The OPENDOOR spreadsheet that will be displayed when you press Function Key 4. Press any key to return to the OPENDOOR prompt or press one of the Function Keys or live keys to activate any of the other OPENDOOR sub-programs. COMMENTS: While you can't do anything with this screen - other than look at it - it does look impressive on your screen . . . sort of like you're working on an important project or something constructive and useful. Stars - */8 PURPOSE: Displays all kinds of characters, numbers, symbols and letters "all over the place" on your screen. If you have a color monitor these will be displayed in a variety of colors. HOW IT WORKS: Press the number 8 key (the one on your keyboard which also has the asterisk on it) to see OPENDOOR's Stars. Press any key to return to the OPENDOOR prompt or press one of the Function Keys or live keys to activate any of the other OPENDOOR sub-programs. There are two phases or parts to Stars. The first phase is called the "rolling" phase because everything displayed on your screen rolls or scrolls upward. When you press any key that starts phase two which is the "filling in" phase. The rolling then stops and Stars begins to fill up the screen. While this looks like something really WHACKO has happened to your computer (although it is quite intriguing looking, too) it doesn't do any harm to your system. The first and second phases are independent of each other and will continue working until a key is pressed. Pressing a key during last phase returns you to the OPENDOOR prompt. Pressing one of the Function Keys or live keys during either phase will activate that particular sub-program. To access the Stars from the DOS command line, type in OD S for color systems and OD BWS for monochrome systems. COMMENTS: Stars is a great way to create an effect to make someone think a computer (your's of their's) is in serious trouble. What to eat - E PURPOSE: Displays a screen that actually helps you decide what to eat by picking the type of food you should eat from two lists. And, it gives you two choices. HOW IT WORKS: Press the letter E key on your keyboard to call up the What to Eat Decision Maker. Press any key to return to the OPENDOOR prompt or press one of the Function Keys or live keys to activate any of the other OPENDOOR sub-programs. To go directly into the What to Eat Decision Maker from the DOS command line, type in OD E for color systems and OD BWE for monochrome systems. COMMENTS: There probably isn't a day that goes without someone you know saying, "Where do you want to go for lunch today?" We all know the standard response (which ALL of us have uttered in a mono-syllabic way) is, "I dunna know. Where do you want to eat?" The same is true to a certain extent for dinner, too, but this dilemma of what and where to eat truly plagues this Nation's work force each and every day right about noon time. So, next time you're perplexed about the subject of food, just call up the OPENDOOR What to Eat Decision Maker. It'll save you time and that just might mean beating the lunch crowds and even getting your favorite table. Word Pro - F2 PURPOSE: Displays a word processing screen, complete with a file being worked on. HOW IT WORKS: The OPENDOOR word processing screen will be displayed when you press Function Key 2. Press any key to return to the OPENDOOR prompt or press one of the Function Keys or live keys to activate any of the other OPENDOOR sub-programs. COMMENTS: As with the spreadsheet, database, graph and multi-tasking screens, you can't do anything with this word processing screen. Like the others it is designed to make it look like you're doing something with your computer. - page 19 - Chapter Seven CREATIVE THINGS TO DO This is a short chapter of "rapid-fire" ideas, just in case you're having a hard time figuring out what to do with OPENDOOR. Don't forget that the whole idea of OPENDOOR is to provide a way for you fool around with your computer. If taking a break with your computer seems hard to do, then you are, INDEED, a primary candidate for working with OPENDOOR. Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo, relax! Lean back in your chair, rest the keyboard on your lap and put your feet up on the desk. Now you're ready to get started. DOS command line switches A DOS command line switch is nothing more than a series of letters or characters you type in at the DOS prompt when you start OPENDOOR. You can get by without ever using these switches. However, by typing a few extra keystrokes at the DOS prompt you can immediately go to the exact part (i.e., sub-program) in OPENDOOR that you want to use. If you have a monochrome monitor you're already using one of OPENDOOR's switches each time you type BW, following the OD on the DOS command. Typing BW is what causes OPENDOOR to run in black and white. As an example, if you want to use the What to Eat Decision Maker to decide where to go for lunch you can just type OD E at the DOS prompt. By doing that you will start OPENDOOR, but instead of getting the OPENDOOR prompt, the What to Eat Decision Maker will already be running for you. These DOS command line switches provide you with a great amount of flexibility, especially if you want to put OPENDOOR on someone else's system and play a joke on them. A common way to play a joke on someone is to modify their AUTOEXEC.BAT file to run a program, in this case it would be OPENDOOR, when they start their system. Using the OPENDOOR's DOS command line switches, you can have a person's computer automatically start up with any of the following (even if you aren't there!): - page 20 - SUB-PROGRAM COLOR MONOCHROME Crystal Ball OD C OD BWC Crystal Ball (lo) OD CL OD BWCL Crystal Ball (hi) OD CH OD BWCH Death Simulator OD D OD BWD Jerk-O-Meter OD J OD BWJ Lie Detector OD ? OD BW? Lock OD L OD BWL Phone (ringing) OD P OD BWP Stars OD S OD BWS What to Eat OD E OD BWE Deciding What to Eat Whenever you can't decide where to go for lunch or dinner, the OPENDOOR What to Eat Decision Maker can help you out. From the OPENDOOR prompt, press the letter E to activate the What to Eat Decision Maker. See the section of this manual the What to Eat Decision Maker for more details on how to use this OPENDOOR sub-program. Keep in mind when you do run the What to Eat Decision Maker that if it comes up with something that you don't like, just press the E key again . . . in fact, you can press it as many times as you like, until you get the choice you want. A Ringing Phone Whenever you need to get someone out of your office, use this option in OPENDOOR. Pressing F9 activates the sound of a ringing phone. It will ring up to nine times, if you don't press any key. Sometimes it's fun to just make a ringing phone sound and pretend like you don't know anything about what's going on, as others try to figure out which phone is ringing. Relieving Frustrations OPENDOOR is a great way to relieve your frustrations, in a way that won't hurt anyone (or their feelings). The OPENDOOR Jerk-O-Meter is probably the best of all frustration relievers because it actually gives you a jerk rating on the person you're talk to. The OPENDOOR Lie Detector is also a good way to put someone through the "third degree" while having some fun and relieving a few frustrations. Playing a joke on someone relieves frustrations and can break the tension in an office, too. As an example, you can run Stars and then ask someone to help you figure out what's wrong with your computer. Be careful not to cry wolf too often though. YES/NO Answers Whenever someone has one of those YES/NO questions that desperately needs to be answered, well, you can use the OPENDOOR Crystal Ball to get an answer to the question. And remember that you can "rig" things with the Crystal Ball so it will always answer a question yes or no. - page 21 - See those specific sections on the Crystal Ball for more details and the different ways to use it. Looking Busy For those points when you don't feel like doing anything you can use OPENDOOR to look very, very, very, busy. You can pop up a word processing screen (F2), a database entry screen (F3), a spreadsheet (F4) or a graph (F5) whenever you want to. Also, if you zip back and forth between them when the "right person" is looking, well, it will look like you're working your little heart out. And, don't forget about the multi-tasking screen (F7). That really makes it look like you're doing several projects at once. Then, as soon as the coast is clear, you can go back to whatever else it was that you were doing in OPENDOOR. The Look of the Lock Even though the computer lock in OPENDOOR doesn't really lock your computer, it looks like it does - at least it will to most people. The purpose of the lock is to let people know that you want them to NOT use your computer when it is locked. An added benefit of the OPENDOOR prompt is that because it does look different enough from what people are used to seeing on personal computers, most people will probably NOT touch your computer if you just have the OPENDOOR prompt displayed. Studying Eternity (Death Simulator) And then there's the Death Simulator. Though this presents somewhat of a "dark side" (as in nothing on the screen) to OPENDOOR, it really isn't intended to have any social, political, spiritual, governmental, artificial, non-artificial, corporate, business, non-profit or hidden meanings. The Death Simulator is just there, with a brief message about Eternity, which may or may not be true. Have a look for yourself at the Death Simulator and see what you think of it. Pressing F10 gets you into the Death Simulator; any other key gets you out. - page 22 - Chapter Eight QUALIFYING STATEMENT(S) This is the part of the manual that's supposed to be completely boring and totally confusing. We've put a lot of work into doing just that - so as to not disappoint you. It should further be mentioned that from this point on, nothing will make much sense, except for the Command Summary, Price List, Order Form and Registration card. We felt it was our duty to include what follows. Actually, if you really want to know what's going on, in terms of using OPENDOOR, then you should read the Users Guide. Although OPENDOOR might confuse some, it will greatly confound others (especially if they read the following parts of this manual). The OPENDOOR Operating System is illusionary to an extent. However, it is real from the standpoint that it exists in the world and does work on personal computers. That is not to say that illusion and reality are the same, but more so it probably would be correct to say that while illusion and reality are quite different, sometimes they do bump into each other. Such is the case with OPENDOOR. Grasping OPENDOOR's principles and concepts is both complex and simplistic. It all depends on one's ability to blend and harmonize different factors within the physical universe. And, that's the beauty of working with computers: the computer allows you to do confounding and conflicting things which you might not otherwise have been able to do, have attempted to do, thought about doing or experienced. While the Greeks looked at mind and body as one, today we can look at the computer and YOU as one, which is exactly what the OPENDOOR Operating System is all about . . . . . . OPENDOOR extends the reaches of your mind, while giving it some well deserved time off. You really don't have to think too hard to use OPENDOOR and if OPENDOOR happens to make you laugh then you can contemplate the phenomenon of laughing and what it all means in today's world. If you're not laughing (or at least experiencing a giggle or two) then you should try to understand why you aren't. If all else fails, then use the What to Eat Decision Maker to decide where to take yourself for lunch and FORGET about all of this. - page 23 - Numbered Drives Drives are numbered instead of lettered in OPENDOOR. If you are working on a hard disk, then Drive C would be Drive 1. On a floppy disk based system, Drive A is Drive 1. However, if you use Drive A on a hard disk system to run OPENDOOR, then that drive will be Drive 1, in which case your hard disk drive would be Drive 3 (there is no Drive 2) and, if you happened to have a RAM drive, then that would be Drive 5 (Drive 4 is reserved for use at a later time). If you start on Drive 1 (which can be Drive A or Drive C) and move to Drive 5, you will then be working on Drive 15 since the unique and sophisticated numbering system used to track which drive is being used carefully calculates what is being done, so as to not confuse the matter any. When you change drives several times you might find that the numbers on your drives get quite high. This is a good indication that you are changing drives too often and should think more about giving those poor little guys a rest! - page 24 - Chapter Nine PROBLEMS/SOLUTIONS See Chapter Eight. See Chapter Ten. - page 25 - Chapter Ten FATAL ERRORS Fatal Errors will not hurt your system. They are only a sign that something went wrong (i.e., you SCREWED UP!). Here is a listing of what the Fatal Errors mean: FATAL ERROR 3560 - This either means you hit the wrong key or your shoe laces are untied. If your shoes don't have laces, check for gum on the bottom of either shoe. FATAL ERRORS 3561-3 - Check to be sure that the lighting fixture next to the computer is free from dust and any kind of finger prints. FATAL ERRORS 3564-5 - Coffee stains on your keyboard usually cause these errors. Otherwise, the messy drawers in your desk need cleaning out. FATAL ERROR 3566 - Your keyboard is dirty (more like filthy) and desperately needs to be cleaned. FATAL ERRORS 3567-8 - The mouse or cursor arrow keys are lonely and feel left out. Either talk to them more often or pet them every once in awhile. FATAL ERROR 3569 - You are leaning too close to the computer monitor and staring too intensely - thus making your computer quite nervous and "error-prone". - page 26 - Chapter Eleven COMMAND SUMMARY A quick overview of the commands and keystrokes for OPENDOOR. Color Monochrome To start OPENDOOR type: OD OD BW To use the program: Key DOS Switch* Crystal Ball F8 C Crystal Ball (HI) [ CH Crystal Ball (LO) ] CL Database F3 Death simulator F10 D Graph F5 Help F1 Jerk-O-Meter !/1 J Lie Detector ?// ? Lock L L Multi-tasking F7 QUIT F6 or Q Ringing phone F9 P Spreadsheet F4 Stars! */8 S What to Eat?? E E Word processor F2 The Esc key backs you up to the OPENDOOR prompt. Pressing any other key at the OPENDOOR prompt will result in a "Fatal Error" message, and you'll be "booted" out of the program back to the good 'ole DOS prompt. Be sure the CAPS lock and NUM lock are in the OFF position before starting OPENDOOR. * The DOS command line switches are used in combination with keystrokes at the DOS prompt to start OPENDOOR. Color systems - enter OD then press the space bar and type in the switch. Monochrome systems - enter OD BW then type the switch immediately after the BW (with no space). OPENDOOR - Operating System (6.* newest version) PRICE LIST @E 2 = Retail Price (per copy): $49.95 (+ $5.00 shipping) @PRICING = Volume sales pricing schedule: 1 - 3: $49.95 per package 26 - 50: $42.45 per package 4 - 10: $47.45 per package 51 - 100: $39.95 per package 11 - 25: $44.95 per package 100+ $37.45 per package Site Licensing: Site licensing only shall apply in those cases of 50 or more copies. Each site shall purchase one copy of OPENDOOR - Operating System at full price, which will include the disk and the manual. Additional copies of OPENDOOR for the site shall be copied from that initial copy. The cost for each copy made is listed below. Additional Quick Guides and handbooks may be purchased (only through the Site Licensing agreement) for $7.95 each (plus tax, if applicable, along with handling and shipping) - copies not to exceed the number designated for the Site Licensing agreement. SITE LICENSING PRICE SCHEDULE: First copy of OPENDOOR - Operating System to be purchased at full price. Additional copies of OPENDOOR - Operating System may then be made based on the following schedule: 50 - 100: $19.95 per copy 201-300: $13.95 per copy 101-200: $16.95 per copy 300+ $10.95 per copy <<This price list is in effect until December 31, 1990.>> COMPUTER RESOURCES Box 426 Livingston CA 95334-0426 209.394.8188 <<>>MCI MAIL: 207-8825<<>><P255D> +-----------------------------------------------------------+ ! OPENDOOR - Operating System Extended Edition ORDER FORM ! +-----------------------------------------------------------+ Just follow the steps below to order OPENDOOR. Mail this form and your check to COMPUTER RESOURCES at the address you see below. For more info/details call or you can send an MCI MAIL message. STEP #1 What size disk(s) do you need ....... Size of Disk(s): /__/ 3 1/2" or /__/ 5 1/4" ITEM PRICE QUANTITY AMOUNT **** ****** ******** ****** STEP #2 How many copies ... OPENDOOR $49.95 x = $ ---------------------------------------------- California residents: STEP #3 Add sales tax ..... State sales tax + $ ---------------------------------------------- Shipping/Handling: STEP #4 Add shipping ...... U.S. - add $5.00 for first unit ($2.50 for each additional unit) + $ ---------------------------------------------- OUTSIDE U.S. STEP #4a FOREIGN ORDERS .... 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