K-INSTALL for DOS and Windows 1.6 Copyright (c) 1994-95 by Rob McDonell, ARK ANGLES All Rights Reserved SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR DEVELOPERS WHAT YOU GET K-INSTALL is written by a software developer for software developers, both amateur and professional. I know the importance and value of a risk free, bug free, hassle free product. K-INSTALL offers many benefits to all users. Unregistered users get limited support during the trial period, but are not licensed to use or distribute INSTALL.EXE or SETUP.EXE with their own software. The unregistered version may only be distributed as a package in its own right. Registered users get support for at least 12 months, and are licensed to use and distribute INSTALL.EXE and/or SETUP.EXE royalty free with any of their own software. They also receive the latest version of the package and a printed manual with index. Customised versions of K-INSTALL are also available such that your options can be hard coded into the program rather than specified in the separate settings file. This not only makes the program even more secure, but also smaller. You just need to send me a copy of your settings file the way you like it, and I will promptly return to you a new EXE file with those settings embedded. Registered users will get prompt resolution of problems, and free upgrades if they encounter bugs. And there are the standard benefits of the ARK ANGLES Triple Guarantee of 1) Quality through standards and testing, 2) Suitability through try-before-you-buy, and 3) Money Back if not completely satisfied. See REGISTER.TXT for full details of licensing options and pricing. PROGRAM HISTORY 1.60 11.05.95. New GROUP variable. Enhancements to RUN keyword and reboot/restart functions. New options on INPUT and DIR keywords to specify longer explanatory questions. Registration data file backed up before overwriting in text format. Beeps with error messages only. Running percentage during install. Some minor problems fixed. DOS version only: BIG and WIN keywords replaced by RUN option, and new GROUP keyword to update Windows Program Manager. Windows version only: new WINDOW keyword to set window size and style, new WINVER keyword and variable for checking Windows version, and Uninstall now deletes SETUP.EXE correctly. 1.50 25.04.95. Basic settings file generator. Maximum of allowable MKDIR, DEL, INSTALL, AUTO, CONF, REG, INI, ITEM and REMOVE keywords limited only by available memory. New options for INSTALL keyword to display file desciptions and run external programs. New option for PATH keyword to add multiple directories. New EXE keyword to add parameters for self-unpacking archives. Additional predefined variables, and all variables now available with FIRST, LAST, INSTALL, RUN and CATALOG keywords. Duplicate "device=" statements handled in SYSTEM.INI. User confirmation not required if installing to root directory. Faster file copying to and from diskettes. Other minor enhancements. DOS version only: new IFILE, ISECT and INI keywords to allow updating of INI files. 1.40 04.04.95. New ~INST variable to perform functions on the install disk itself. User confirmation sought during install if chosen directory already exists, and during uninstall before deleting files from Windows or Windows System directories. Fixed problems with AUTO keywords wiping out a final shell command in AUTOEXEC.BAT. Windows version only: PICTURE keyword no longer causes hang if bitmap does not exist. 1.30 13.03.95. New REMOVE keyword to delete application-generated files during uninstall. New ARCHIVE keyword to define an additional unarchiving program. Windows version only: PICTURE keyword can now read BMP files from disk, has more flexible positioning, additional styles, and bitmap stretching. 1.20 10.03.95. New DOSVER keyword to check DOS version number. Changed INST keyword to INSTALL and MKD to MKDIR. New BUFFERS keyword to check and update BUFFERS value in CONFIG.SYS. Windows version only: New PATTERN and ICON keywords and enhanced PICTURE keyword for greater customisation of K-INSTALL screen. 1.10 23.02.95. First general release. 1:0x Early 95. Various limited release versions for testing. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS It is my aim to make both the DOS and Windows versions of K-INSTALL the most sophisticated and versatile installation programs available. Your feedback and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Electronic communication is probably the easiest - see Internet and CompuServe addresses below. Some of the many enhancements currently under consideration or underway for future versions of K-INSTALL are: * more options for screen layout, graphics and fonts * make uninstall undo changes to AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, INI files and Program Manager A professional version of K-INSTALL is also under development, which is expected to include features such as: * complete customisation of all messages, even for other languages * ability to encrypt the settings file to prevent tampering * animated text and graphics capabilities! * allow optional components to be installed separately at a later time Please contact me with your feedback and requirements. Regards, Rob McDonell Proprietor, ARK ANGLES Postal: P O Box 190, Hazelbrook NSW 2779, AUSTRALIA Phone: (047)588100 or Intl+61-47-588100 Fax: (047)588638 or Intl+61-47-588638 Internet: 100237.141@compuserve.com CompuServe: 100237,141