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Night Owl 6-1
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Night Owl's Shareware - PDSI-006-1 - Night Owl Corp (1992).iso
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m28arc.exe
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README.TXT
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1991-12-10
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******************************************************************************
********* Read Me file for Mountain Menus 2.8.1 ******************************
*************************************************** Updated Tue 12-10-1991 **
******************************************************************************
******************** Last minute notes ... ***********************************
******************************************************************************
We can not stress enough, be sure to read the license agreement BEFORE
using the software. Use of the software, at all, means that you agree to be
bound by the agreement found in the file LICENSE.
******************************************************************************
Contents:
First round of problems fixed........Line 20
Fixes Part II........................Line 68
First round of additions made........Line 122
Additions Part II....................Line 179
New Feature in INSTALL program.......Line 234
Installation.........................Line 242
Revision History for 2.8.1...........Line 278
*******************************************************************************
These problems have been fixed since the first release of the menu system.
*******************************************************************************
1) Several loose ends concerning the help system have been tied up. The menu
was failing to update the help file when an item's text was changed. Also,
the help files were not being updated properly when a help screen was
changed. Extra lines were being added to the help file.
2) The 'hot-letter' for an item is displayed in bright yellow or white on
color systems. On monochrome systems, the 'hot-letter' was not showing
up at all.
3) The mouse speed was not being set immediately when it was changed in the
'Global Settings' screen. Instead you had to leave the menu and re-run it.
4) The screen blanker was kicking in sometimes as soon as the menu came up.
This was due to a global variable which was not getting initialized.
5) Returning from the 'View System Environment' option on the 'System Menu'
caused a fatal error if a mouse driver was NOT loaded.
6) When the top or bottom item on a menu was disabled, the highlight bar would
no wrap around. That is, you could not press the up arrow from the top item
to get to the bottom item.
7) A problem specific to running the program under Netware was found. The
problem occured if the menu file was NOT in the current directory, but
in the PATH (ie. Z:\PUBLIC). The help and security files assoociated with
the menu file were being mis-named. This caused the menu to NOT FIND either
or both of these files even if they were present. If password security was
enabled during installation, a fatal error occured when the menu was run.
This also caused the <F1> key to be disabled even if a help file existed.
8) a flaw in the 'move item' routine was causing the menu to crash by
allowing the item to be moved outside of it's menu window. This only seemed
to happen if the mouse was moved very quickly.
9) pressing the 'down' arrow when on the 40th (last) line of the 'command edit
window' was causing a fatal error.
10) On some machines, use of the hot-keys to run menu items caused the menu to
re-run the item as soon as the menu returned. This amounted to an endless
loop which only a quick CTRL-C could break out of.
11) The INSTALL program was molesting the interrupt table. This did NOT cause
a problem with the installation process, but did upset certain software
which was run after the installation.
------------------------ FIXES PART II - Tue 12-10-1991 ---------------------
12) When switching back and forth between the mouse and the keyboard with
'One Click Mode' enabled was causing the mouse to loose control of the
highlight bar until a button was clicked. This made the operation
inconsistant. Once you take the highlight bar away from the mouse, using
the arrow keys, simply moving the mouse will cause the highlight bar to
jump back to the mouse cursor.
13) The speed of the screen on CGA systems has been GREATLY improved. The
display is still 'snow free' (of course).
14) In the various 'edit boxes' (text entry), the down arrow, up arrow,
TAB key, and probably a few other keys, were exiting the edit box as if
ENTER had been pressed. Now, only ENTER and ESCAPE will end a single-line
edit box.
15) I added single-line borders to the drop-down menus. This makes them stand
out better against a busy backdrop. It also makes them SAA/CUA compliant.
(take a look at the drop-downs in Windows).
16) When an item's text was edited, there was an un-explained hesitation before
the dialog box went away. The hesitation is because the menu is searching
the 'help file' to see if the modified item needs to be updated there also.
While the hesitation is still there (it is necessary to update the help
file as item text is changed), it now explains what it is doing. (On a 286
there's even time to read the message)
17) VENV (The 'View Environment' option) now is more careful about parsing the
input before putting it in the environment. It was allowing certain things
to be added that were not DOS legal. It also was not removing items
correctly. REMEMBER, since VENV and MSET update COMMAND.COM's environment,
changes will not be seen immediatly by the menu. You must run something
and come back. This is because an EXE file only reads COMMAND.COM's
environment once when it is first run. After that, it uses it's own 'copy'.
18) Items, which were disabled due to environment conditions, were still being
allowed to run via a Hot-Key if one was assigned to that item.
19) When password protection was enabled, and 'return to sub' was enabled, the
menu prompting for passwords as it made it's way back to the sub (as it
should). If proper passwords were entered, everything happened properly.
HOWEVER if an improper password was entered, the menu was not aware of it,
and would end up running something it shouldn't.
20) The menu 'explode' routine has been re-written. It now performs a more
natural looking explode, and also fixes a bug which conflicted with certain
memory resident (TSR) software.
21) The keyboard stuffing routine has been re-written to respect the true
location of the keyboard buffer, even if it has been relocated by a TSR
or device driver.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These additions have been made since the first release of the menu system
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) The color attributes of the message line are no longer fixed. Instead, the
message line uses the menu window attributes of palette-9. This means that
by changing the palette-9 attributes, you can change the color of the
message line.
2) The 'YES/NO' dialog box attributes have been changed so that it is easier
to tell which of the two items is highlighted.
3) The 'Global Settings' Dialog window has been revamped so that it is less
cluttered. This allowed me to free up some room for future items. Several
of the other dialog boxes have been cleaned up also.
4) In fact, there are already THREE NEW ITEMS on the 'Global Settings' screen.
Notice the addition of;
1) Global Sort
2) Global Justify
3) Global Return to Sub
These items are FALSE by default. If set to TRUE, each will override the
settings which are assigned to each submenu. This means that you do not
have to set each submenu to 'Sorted' if you want them all that way.
If any of these are TRUE, the respective item on the 'Menu Settings' menu
in 'Menu Edit Mode' will be disabled. If 'Global Sort' is TRUE, the
'Move Menu Item' on the 'Item Settings' menu will always be disabled (as
it is when the active submenu has SORT set to TRUE).
5) The screen blanker now displays the time so that you can tell that the
monitor is turned on, or up, and the station IS alive. The time display
is randomly located and relocated every once in a while.
6) TIMED EXECUTION of menu items has been added. You can now specify a time
for any item at which it will take off running!!! Here are the rules for
time execution; The time at which a menu item is run is entered from the
'Items Settings' menu (second item up from the bottom). The time is entered
in military format. Valid times are from 00:01:00 (one after midnight) to
23:59:00 (one til midnight). To STOP an item from running at a preset time,
enter all zeros or spaces. Only one item will run per minute, even if the
first item returns before the minute is up. Items which are disabled by an
environment condition WILL run at their selected time. Items which have a
password or prompt WILL NOT run. No items will run while the 'station
security lock' is active, and no items will run while in 'Menu Edit Mode'.
7) When assigning a hot-key to an item, any hot-keys which are already
assigned will be disabled. You must un-assign a hot-key letter before you
can assign it to a different item.
8) A new item has been added to the 'Sys Settings' menu to allow you to view
which hot-keys are assigned to which menu items.
9) Once any of the three menus in 'Menu Edit Mode' is dropped down, the left
and right arrow keys can be used to switch between them.
10) The EXIT TO DOS screen clearing now happens instantly. It used to 'paint'
down the screen before returning to the DOS prompt.
--------------------- ADDITIONS PART II - Mon 10-21-1991 --------------------
11) The 'Master Password' now acts as a 'Master Key' for any item which is
password protected.
12) A new utility program (MMMBRK.EXE) is provided for those with extreme
security requirements. MMMBRK is a TSR (memory resident) program which
disables the CTRL-C and CTRL-BREAK keys during batch file execution.
*** CAUTION *** it is up to YOU to unload it before your applications run
or these two keys will remain disabled!! Some applications may not like
that. Also, do NOT load any TSR's AFTER MMMBRK is loaded or you will NOT
be able to unload MMMBRK.
Here is an example of how it might be used:
MMMBRK <== load the utility first thing
ECHO Copying necessary files...
COPY Y:\DATA\*.DAT F: <== do whatever
COPY Y:\NEWFILES\*.* F:
ECHO Finished copying.
PAUSE
F:
MMMBRK OFF <== but unload it before running anything
WP
MMBRK <== load it back up if necessary
ECHO Returning files to data directory...
COPY *.DAT Y:\DATA
MMMBRK OFF <== unload it before returning to the menu
13) When adding a new menu item to a sub-menu, an additional prompt appears
after you select 'COMMANDS' (instead of 'SUBMENU'). This new prompt asks
if you wish to SELECT an executable file (.BAT, .COM, .EXE) that the new
item will run. After you choose a file, The necessary commands will be
placed into the 'Command Edit Window' for you. You may simply accept these
commands, or modify them as needed.
The 'Selection Menu' is very powerful, and allows you to navigate
between any directory on any hard drive letter available on your system.
The first selection on the menu is always 'Drives'. If this is selected,
a list of available drive letters is presented. Once a drive letter is
picked, the menu will show each directory leading up to the current
directory (each level is indented). Below the current directory (which is
always displayed at the bottom of the screen) are any sub directories off
the current directory (all indented the same amount). Below the sub
directories are any executable files in the current directory.
You may continue to move between drives and directories by simply
selecting them. Once a FILE is selected, you will be returned to the
'Command Edit Window' where you will find the necessary commands already
there. The commands may be edited as desired, or simply accepted.
14) The fixed items: "Exit Menu", "YES", and "NO" have been added to the
MMMTRANS.DAT file so that they can be translated.
15) Another NEW SETTING in the MMMENU.CFG file allows the time to be displayed
in a 24 hour (military) format. The item: 24HRCLOCK, is FALSE by default.
It can be toggled from the 'Global Settings' input window.
16) The INSTALL program now has a PART 4. This added feature will
automatically create a MAIN2.MNU file. This menu file will contain
entries for any of the programs which are searched for on your hard
drive(s). Currently, about 150 programs are searched for. The file is
named MAIN2.MNU so as not to conflict with any MAIN.MNU which is likely
to exist on a network. It can be renamed or used as is. This menu file
will provide you with an excellent 'starting point' for your menu system.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareware (downloaded)
The shareware version of the menu is distributed as a self-extracting
archive file. Simply run it at the DOS prompt, and all of the programs files
will be extracted. There is no need to run the Install program which will be
in the archive. You will need it when you register to enter the serial key.
All of the files should be left together in the same directory. On a network,
PUBLIC is the obvious choice, although the menu will run from any directory.
Network administrators may want to install the shareware version in a private
directory to test it. You CAN put the shareware version into full production
if you like.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registered (purchased)
Installation of the registered version must be done with the INSTALL
program on the floppy disk. First change the default drive to the floppy,
then run the install program ie.
A:
INSTALL
Please read the INSTALLATION section of the user manual for details.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Network Notes:
Once again, PUBLIC is the best choice for an installation directory.
Installing the menu in PUBLIC will not disrupt anyone currently using Novell's
menu. HOWEVER, you should NEVER run Mountain Menus FROM Novell's menu, or
Novell's menu FROM Mountain Menus!! There is a REAL potential to get caught in
an endless loop of one menu calling the other!! Only a well timed CTRL-C will
get you out of this delemma. It is safest to RENAME Novell's executable file
MENU.EXE, to MENU.BIN so it will not execute (make sure everyone is out of it).
Then COPY MMENU.BAT to MENU.BAT (DO NOT RENAME MMENU.BAT, COPY IT).
-- also --
If Novell's menu program is in use, Mountain Menus will not be able to
access the menu files which it is using (they are locked).
******************************************************************************
******************************************************************************
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Revision History >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
******************************************************************************
/* Thu 11-01-1990 tighten up config file read */
/* Thu 11-01-1990 allow disable of system menu commands in config */
/* Thu 11-01-1990 fix mouse for help screen location to just text box */
/* Thu 11-01-1990 one click mode for speed */
/* Thu 11-01-1990 ability to disable explode and shadow */
/* Sun 11-11-1990 allow menu title justification */
/* Sun 11-11-1990 use true @1 @2 @3 to command prompt */
/* Sun 11-11-1990 add ability to pad menu items to increase menu width*/
/* Sun 11-11-1990 setup PALETTE1,2,3etc. in config file */
/* Sun 11-11-1990 allow different border type for each sub */
/* Fri 11-16-1990 possible move commands to far memory */
/* Sun 11-25-1990 replace return to sub */
/* Sun 11-25-1990 replace first letter selection */
/* Sun 11-25-1990 allow menu widths to 78 */
/* Sun 11-25-1990 verify max width vs. declarations for titles and items */
/* Sun 11-25-1990 move SHADOW,EXPLODE,SORT to submenu level */
/* Sun 11-25-1990 impliment message system */
/* Sun 11-25-1990 impliment verify (continue yes-no) prompt */
/* Sun 11-25-1990 optionally use text file for background */
/* Sun 11-25-1990 add EURODATE option to config file */
/* Thu 12-06-1990 make RET2SUB a submenu function */
/* Thu 12-06-1990 make return to sub recognize a wrong menu file */
/* Sat 12-08-1990 lack of x,y coord should center menu */
/* Sun 12-09-1990 hot key macros to run any item on any menu */
/* Sun 12-09-1990 disable item with environment variable */
/* Sun 12-09-1990 make sure the program is INTERNATIONAL */
/* Sun 12-16-1990 use of environment variables throughout */
/* Fri 12-21-1990 revamp the naming and use of AK.BAT */
/* Fri 01-10-1991 fix control break problem */
/* Mon 01-14-1991 allow recursive batch operation */
/* Mon 01-14-1991 allow number or file name for BGFILE */
/* Wed 01-16-1991 add an ABOUT dialog box */
/* Sun 01-20-1991 entry logging to history file */
/* Thu 02-21-1991 fix problem with deleting batch */
/* Sun 02-24-1991 remember mouse location on return */
/* Sun 02-24-1991 write a mpause routine */
/* Wed 02-27-1991 password protection scheme */
/* Tue 03-05-1991 change date under system menu does not support formats */
/* Tue 03-05-1991 finish builder menu item descriptions */
/* Sun 03-10-1991 add a hot letter */
/* Sun 03-10-1991 disable all items if .SEC file not found */
/* Sun 03-17-1991 disable system menu items via env condition */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 disable help function if no help file available */
/* Mon 05-13-1991 write install program */
/* Mon 05-13-1991 check password action on both item types */
/* Tue 05-28-1991 impliment single user semiphore */
/* Sun 06-02-1991 impliment TRANSLAT.DAT file for drop down items */
/* ************************************************************************* */
/* ********************* THE MENU EDIT MODE ADDITION *********************** */
/* Sat 03-02-1991 Use global to route system menu to builder menu */
/* Sat 03-02-1991 add new hotkeys/hotspots to smenuext */
/* Sat 03-02-1991 build 3 new drop-down menus in MMMBLD.C */
/* Thu 03-28-1991 provide hot letters for bld menu items */
/* Thu 03-28-1991 move rebuild flags deeper */
/* Sun 03-31-1991 decide on disabling bld menu items */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 allow all items in menu edit mode */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 build a menu edit mode help screen */
/*========== Sys Settings ============*/
/* Sat 03-23-1991 add return to 'run mode' with save flag */
/* Sat 03-23-1991 build save routines */
/* Wed 03-27-1991 Palette build/edit routine */
/* Sun 03-24-1991 change background routine */
/* Thu 03-28-1991 global settings dialog */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 build a new menu routine */
/*========= Menu Settings ===========*/
/* Sat 03-30-1991 Move Menu */
/* Sat 03-30-1991 custom width */
/* Sat 03-30-1991 color palette choice */
/* Sun 03-31-1991 border type choice */
/* Sun 03-31-1991 menu title edit */
/* Mon 04-15-1991 menu title location */
/* Sun 03-31-1991 toggle center/justify */
/* Sun 03-31-1991 toggle sorted/menu file order */
/* Sun 03-31-1991 toggle shadow on/off */
/* Sun 03-31-1991 toggle explode on/off */
/* Sun 03-31-1991 toggle return to sub */
/*========= Item Settings ===========*/
/* Sat 04-06-1991 edit commands */
/* Sun 04-07-1991 relocate item */
/* Tue 04-02-1991 edit item text */
/* Sun 04-07-1991 add item */
/* Sat 04-06-1991 delete item */
/* Sat 04-06-1991 restore item */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 add message line */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 add prompt box */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 assign password */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 assign hot-key */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 assign hot-letter */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 assign 'disable unless' condition */
/* Sat 04-13-1991 edit item's help screen */
/* ************************************************************************* */
/* Mon 04-15-1991 ****** RESULT OF BETA TESTING ************************ */
/* Tue 04-16-1991 fix bug with reading blank lines in menu file */
/* Tue 04-16-1991 fix bug with too many commas in menu save */
/* Tue 04-16-1991 fix global file names to full path on startup */
/* Wed 04-17-1991 overhaul of mouse calls */
/* Wed 04-17-1991 allow routine not handling NULL condition */
/* Wed 04-17-1991 hot letter cannot be removed */
/* Wed 05-08-1991 find glitch in time - date entry */
/* Wed 05-08-1991 double check on mouse location at startup */
/* Wed 05-08-1991 fix highlight bar when hot letter is pressed */
/* Fri 05-10-1991 try to get mouse to let go on keypress */
/* Fri 05-10-1991 fix am/pm to change at midnight */
/* Fri 05-10-1991 un-blank screen on mouse movement */
/* Sat 05-11-1991 treat allow condition as a form */
/* Sat 05-11-1991 allow backout from add item */
/* Wed 05-22-1991 bug find by MJW secure system fails after command edit */
/* Sun 06-02-1991 Fix CGA code forever (I hope) */
/* Sun 06-02-1991 Turn logging ON by DEFAULT to UNREG.LOG */
/* Sun 06-02-1991 Enable Exit if SEC violation to allow exit */
/* Mon 06-03-1991 fix bug in MF variable when menu run from root */
/* Mon 06-03-1991 recognize commands in menu file expanded SPACE/TAB */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 fix text in hot-key dialog box */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 new menu not setting msaveflag unless it is modified */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 change [System Security] to [Station Security Lock] */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 change [Builder Menu] to [Sys Settings] */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 switch BREAKOFF / ECHOOFF in AK write */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 pressing <ESC> at @1 prompt still runs batch */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 locate cursor to 0,0 at stuff quit */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 fix problem with removing message,prompt,password */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 change version numbers throughout */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 check on fixed help screen read */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 en/ds sysmnu items NOT immediate on return to run mode */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 fix border on time etc. windows */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 MEM option on sysmenu cannot be FALSE */
/* Thu 07-04-1991 fix wn_gdate and check wn_gtime */
/* Sat 07-06-1991 add CENTURY to config file default=1900 */
/* Sat 07-06-1991 swap VENV mouse button functions */
/* Sat 07-06-1991 HELP needs serious help */
/* ************************************************************************ */
/* Final Changes to the source */
/* ************************************************************************ */
/* Fri 07-19-1991 Have program return consistant ERRORLEVEL to DOS */
/* Fri 07-19-1991 Help should search for screen first, before window open*/
/* Sat 07-20-1991 fix moving between MEM menus with keyboard */
/* Sat 07-20-1991 set mouse limits into and out of VENV */
/* Sat 07-20-1991 have menu detect VENV.EXE or disable item */
/* Sat 07-20-1991 fix 'move menu title' dialog box */
/* Sat 07-20-1991 fix palette number dialog box */
/* ************************************************************************ */
/* POST-release problems */
/* ************************************************************************ */
/* Sun 08-25-1991 return to sub on network */
/* Sun 08-25-1991 Help system still not right */
/* Sun 08-25-1991 hot letter not showing on mono */
/* Sun 08-25-1991 mouse speed not being set immediately */
/* Sun 08-25-1991 blanking on start-up */
/* Wed 09-04-1991 save message on system menu saved only six of seven */
/* Wed 09-04-1991 extern declaration of MI and FM were NOT correct */
/* Thu 09-05-1991 move menu item mouse bug */
/* Thu 09-05-1991 down arrow on last command in comm edit win */
/* Fri 09-06-1991 hot keyed items are re-running on some PCs */
/* Sun 09-08-1991 fix wn_smenu to allow wrap if top/bot item disabled */
/* Sun 09-08-1991 exiting menu edit mode when disabled item is hi-lited */
/* Wed 09-11-1991 edit item text was allowing preceeding spaces */
/* Fri 09-13-1991 the elusive device driver/TSR conflict */
/* ************************************************************************ */
/* POST-release wish list */
/* ************************************************************************ */
/* Sun 08-25-1991 Assign message line to palette 9 mw */
/* Sat 09-07-1991 set atribs on yes/no dialog */
/* Sat 09-07-1991 clear up clutter on dialog boxes */
/* Sat 09-07-1991 allow global SORT and JUSTIFY and RETURN2SUB */
/* Sat 09-07-1991 have screen blanker DO something */
/* Sat 09-07-1991 lighten up on the shareware windows */
/* Sun 09-08-1991 assigned hot-keys are disabled on menu */
/* Sun 09-08-1991 hot-key option disabled if item calls sub */
/* Sun 09-08-1991 add time executed menu items engine */
/* Sun 09-08-1991 add 'List Hot-Keys' option to 'sys settings' */
/* Mon 09-09-1991 add 'Item AutoExecute Time' to 'Item Settings' */
/* Mon 09-09-1991 left/right arrows in menu edit mode */
/* ************************************************************************ */