Out-and-Back               A DOS Program-Loader for 386 Enhanced Mode Windows
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                 [Windows giveth and Windows taketh away]
     
     
     I know what you're thinking: who needs a program loader for Windows?
Isn't Windows the Mother of All Program Loaders?

     Yes.  Usually.  Mostly.

     But there are a few DOS programs that Windows screws up (or visa versa).
When you run such problem DOS programs, one of several things happens: either
they won't run at all; or they run badly; or they run OK, but they leave
Windows dead or dying.







     Here are the ways, traditionally, we deal with mis-behaving DOS apps:

     1.  We quit Windows and load the application from a prompt. 
     2.  We delete the app from our hard drive and buy the Windows version.

     Out-and-Back offers a third approach, somewhat less tedious than #1 and
less expensive than #2.

     When you run a DOS program using Out-and-Back, Out-and-Back quits
Windows and loads the DOS program.  When you exit the DOS program Windows
re-loads, automatically.

     No big deal, you say?  OK, we don't walk on water.  But at least you     
can launch the difficult DOS program from a nice Windows icon (or menu, or    
whatever) and pretend like everything's normal.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     [Limitations]

     1. Out-and-Back offers convenience--the convenience of launching programs
from Windows as you normally would.  But it doesn't really solve any problems.
An incompatible DOS program is still an incompatible DOS program, and you're
still quitting Windows to run it. The process is just easier with
Out-and-Back.

     2. Since Out-and-Back exits Windows, any other applications that are     
running will be closed as well.  When Windows returns, it returns with a      
blank slate.  (We are working on a version that re-loads previously running
software as well, but it's not working properly yet.  Keep in touch.)

     3. There are some DOS programs that AREN'T SUPPOSED to run while
Windows is running...utilities mostly, like disk optimizers.  Though they
COULD run using Out-and-Back, they probably won't.  Out-and-Back leaves
just enough Windows footprint in memory that they'll think Windows is still
running full-blown.

     
     
     
    
     
     [We beg-off]

     This program is offered without warranty of any kind, meaning that if it
reduces your computer to a hideous, smoldering piece of useless ash (it won't),
don't call us.
     
     
     [We beg]

     These things take time, sacrifice and (yes) some talent to concoct.  A
nice thing to do, if you decide to keep and use Out-and-Back: send a good
$5.00 check our Master:

                        Bob Moroz
                        356 Gladys Avenue
                        Long Beach, CA 90814

               





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The following three files are necessary for Out-and-Back to run:

                READTHIS.COM  -  Included with this package
                OUTNBACK.EXE  -      "        "        "
                VBRUN300.DLL  -  Available on most bulletin boards,
                                 or contact the author at the address
                                 shown above.

If OUTNBACK.EXE and VBRUN300.DLL are available on your computer, double-click
OUTNBACK.EXE (in Windows) for information on using Out-and-Back.
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A note about VBRUN300.DLL...     

     VBRUN300.DLL is the Microsoft VisualBasic runtime library.  The bad
news is that it's a somewhat large file.  The good news is that one copy
of it on your computer will support all of the programs and utilities
written in VisualBasic 3.0...and there are lots and lots of them.
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(c)1994 Bob Moroz / the asilomar project
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