README FILE FOR WCL ------------------ The Windows/Win-OS/2 Command Line Processor (WCL) is a program that presents a fully featured DOS-like command line interface for Microsoft's Windows 3.1 and IBM's Win-OS/2. For Windows users, it is the best way of avoiding the dreaded "MSDOS PROMPT", while still having the benefit of a command prompt, and all the benefits of the Windows environment. For OS/2 users, it is one of the easiest ways of starting "seamless" Windows sessions, and in all cases, it is always a *far* better option than using Program Manager's "File, Run" menu, or opening the "MSDOS PROMPT" WCL basically simulates the DOS "C:\> prompt", but from within Windows or Win-OS/2. The WCL main Window is a small, unobtrusive window which defaults to the top left corner of the screen. It occupies very litte screen space, meaning that most of the rest of the screen is visible. You can then run Windows and DOS programs by typing their names and pressing , just as you would do at the DOS command line. If you are running OS/2 version 2.1, then you can also run OS/2 programs from within WCL. OS/2 users should please NOTE that WCL will only run DOS and OS/2 programs under OS/2 as well as the Program Manager will run them, since WCL uses the same API calls to run programs as the Program Manager. Some OS/2 programs will not run at all, if run from a Win-OS/2 session, and some DOS programs behave quite strangely if run from Win-OS/2. WCL is a neat, fast, and effective way for multi-tasking under Windows, and Win-OS/2, and can replace the Program Manager as your Windows or Win-OS/2 Shell. It also supports most of the internal DOS commands (e.g., COPY, DIR, CD, MD, DEL, REN, ATTRIB, DATE, TIME, SET, etc.) through built-in technology. This file only contains instructions as to how to setup WCL. Full documentation is contained in the on-line help, which is available if you type "HELP" at the WCL command prompt. Please read WCL.INI, and the on-line help, especially the section titled "LEGAL STUFF" ** BEFORE ** attempting to use WCL. ------------------------------------------------------ WHY SHOULD YOU USE WCL? PLEASE SEE THE FILE "WHY.TXT" ------------------------------------------------------ Files ----- The WCL package contains the following files; Essential Files --------------- 1. WCL.EXE (WCL main executable) 2. WCLDLL.EXE (library needed by WCL.EXE) 3. BIGWCL.EXE (the "big" windowed version of WCL) 4. BWCC.DLL (library file needed by all the executables) 5. WCL.INI (initialization file for WCL. Please read it!) 6. WCL.HLP (WCL help file) 7. WCL.SUM (an alphabetical list of internal commands) 8. KEYS.WCL (file for assigning commands to function keys) 9. REGISTER.TXT (form for REGISTRATION requests) 10. ORDER.FRM (fill-in form for ordering a registered copy) Non-Essential Files ------------------- 11. README.TXT (this file) 12. HISTORY.TXT (file that shows changes between WCL versions) 13. WHY.TXT (explanation of WHY you need WCL) 14. INSTALL.EXE (WCL (optional) installation program) 15. WINSTALL.INF (information file for the installation program) 16. WINSTALL.HLP (ON-LINE HELP file for the installation program) Bonus Programs supplied with REGISTERED VERSION ONLY ---------------------------------------------------- 17. EXITWIN.EXE (exits Windows without fuss or question) 18. RUNWIN.EXE (shuts down and restarts Windows without fuss) 19. WINGREP.EXE (Windows version of the GREP utility) Note: BIGWCL.EXE is a full alternative to the combination of WCL.EXE and WCLDLL.EXE. If you prefer to use the small window of WCL.EXE, then you can safely delete BIGWCL.EXE and save some disk space. If, on the other hand, you prefer the big window of BIGWCL.EXE, then you can safely delete both WCL.EXE and WCLDLL.EXE. ************** * Note also: * ************** The initialization file WCL.INI contains a lot of settings which will determine the attributes of the main windows of both WCL.EXE and BIGWCL.EXE. I have designed the program to be highly customizable by these settings. It is important that you read this file, as it contains a lot of information/comments on particular settings. Feel free to experiment with the settings. You can call up this file into the Windows NOTEPAD by typing "CHG2" at the WCL prompt. It is also important to read HISTORY.TXT to see full details of the new features that have been implemented. This is essential even if you are a new user, since the information in the file can also serve as a feature summary. Setting up WCL -------------- There are two methods of installing WCL; 1. You may install WCL by simply copying the "essential files" listed above onto your hard disk, preferably into a separate directory. If you use this method, then you need to create Program Manager items for WCL.EXE and BIGWCL.EXE. You may need to add the WCL directory to the "path" statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, or alternatively, to move BWCC.DLL into a directory that is in the "path" statement. 2. You may run the optional installation program (INSTALL.EXE). What this installation program does is; [a] install the "essential files" into a directory specified by you [b] optionally that directory to the "path" statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. This may be needed to allow Windows to locate the library file BWCC.DLL [c] optionally create a Program Manager group for WCL and Program Manager items for WCL.EXE and BIGWCL.EXE To run the installation program, take the following steps; 1. Select "File, Run" from within Program Manager, and type "A:INSTALL" (if your installation diskette is in floppy drive "A:" If you are installing from another drive/directory, then substitute it for the "A:") 2. When the installation program loads, click on the check box titled "Click here to create Program Manager Item", if you want the installation program to create a Program Manager Group/Item for WCL. If you want to do this manually, then you can leave the check box unselected. 3. To start the installation, click on the button labelled "Start Install". When you do this, you will be presented with a dialog box which indicates the directory that you are installing FROM (source directory), and the default target directory (i.e., the directory that you want to install the program to). You can edit the TARGET directory if you do not like the default. 4. When satisfied with the source and target directories, click on the button labelled "Install Now". If you want to go back to the beginning, click on the button labelled "Abort". When the installation is finished, the install program will volunteer to add the new program path to the "PATH" statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. You will be invited to confirm or skip this process. If you want WCL to load each time you start Windows, you can put "WCL.EXE" on the "run=" or "load=" lines in your WIN.INI file, or put it in your STARTUP group. ------------ REGISTRATION ------------ This program is published under the SHAREWARE principle. This means that users are entitled to use it for an evaluation period of 30 days. If you wish to continue using it after this evaluation period, you are requested to please REGISTER your copy. Please look in REGISTER.TXT or in the on-line help for details of my world wide REGISTRATION SITES (you will probably find one that is local to you). PLEASE PRINT OUT ORDER.FRM, or the REGISTRATION FORM in the on-line help. REGISTRATION FEE: £18.00 (U.K. STERLING) $26.00 (U.S.) $30.00 (Canadian): British Columbia residents should add 7% Sales Tax $40.00 (Australian) Kr170.00 (Danish) Registration provides the following benefits: 1. A copy of the most recent update of the program, licensed to you, and without all the registration messages. 2. Support for the program 3. A clear conscience 4. The satisfaction of being an honest person 5. Complimentary copies of some of my Windows utilities, namely; [a] EXITWIN.EXE (click on the icon of this program, and you quit Windows - no fuss, no warnings, no questions) [b] RUNWIN.EXE (click on the icon of this program, and Windows is shut down and restarted again - useful for those occasions when you need to reboot Windows, e.g. you have just installed a new device driver, or something has corruped Windows, and you want to restart it). [c] WINGREP.EXE (a Windows version of the popular GREP utility - to search for string patterns in ASCII files). Please note that there is no printed manual. Please send payment to: Dr. A. Olowofoyeku 268 Horwood, Newcastle, Staffs ST5 5BG ENGLAND. Internet: laa12@keele.ac.uk chief@mep.com OR to your local REGISTRATION SITE