MAXimize Basic Edition, Version 3.1 =================================== From MAX SOFTWARE ============ 9121 141st West Taylor Ridge, IL 61284 Phone number: 309-798-2533 CompuServe user ID: 71170,740 Copyright (C) 1988-1990 by Don Cappaert. All rights reserved. This is the Basic edition of MAXimize. The following are related files: MAXUTL31.ZIP --> The optional utilities for usage log reporting, license control and AutoMenu (MDF) conversions (MAXLOG.EXE & MAXCONVT.EXE) MAXGLD31.ZIP --> The Gold edition of MAXimize If you are unable to locate either of these files, you may request them by sending $5 to the address above. Be sure to include the version number of MAXimize you are using and your address. Table of Contents: ================== Introduction.............................................2 Other Documentation Files................................2 Installing MAXimize......................................2 Starting MAXimize........................................2 Getting Started Quickly..................................2 Ordering MAXimize........................................3 Getting Help.............................................4 Common Problems..........................................4 2 Introduction: ============= This document contains information more current than the manual. It explains what documentation files are available, has information to get you started quickly and includes a history of changes made to MAXimize. For the shareware version of MAXimize, a shareware panel will appear when it is started. This panel should appear once a day. Also, MAXIMIZE.INI is a special initialization file that must not be deleted! See the "Common problems" section below, if you get the DOS prompt after running a selection. Other Documentation Files: ========================== FEATURES.DOC - lists the major features of MAXimize Gold & Basic. WHATSNEW.DOC - lists the new features of version 3.0 ORDER.DOC - order form and instructions for ordering MAXimize. VENDOR.DOC - vendor distribution form. MANUAL.DOC - copy of manual (licensed copies get a nicely printed and bound manual). Installing MAXimize: ==================== To install MAXimize, simply run the INSTALL.EXE program provided. This program should be located in the directory you unpacked the files into. Starting MAXimize: ================== After installing MAXimize, you can start it by either entering MENU or MAX at the DOS prompt from the MAXimize directory. For example, C: CD \MAX MAX Getting Started Quickly: ======================== If you want to get started using MAXimize quickly and know a little about DOS, then keep the following in mind: 1) After starting MAXimize, sample menus will be displayed. The selections on these menus will either: A) Display another menu (These selections have "menu" added to the end of their descriptions as in "Games menu"). 3 B) "ECHO" a statement to the screen. These selections should be changed to run your program. Simply change the "ECHO" to your program name and clear or change the "Parameters." C) Perform some work. This is done in the menus that start with "SAMP" only. An "ECHO" is usually done, such as with the "Word Processor" selection. These menus are provided to give you one possible way to organize your applications using the menus. Feel free to update these menus to fit your particular needs. NOTE: Any menu starting with SAMP will be replaced when you upgrade. The "SAMP" menus are displayed by selecting "Samples menu" from the main menu. Also, the sample menus assume that the directory containing DOS is in your PATH. 2) The menu bar is displayed in the top line of the screen. It is activated by the slash (/), Alt or F10 keys. From the menu bar, you may choose file to display another menu or exit from MAXimize. The edit selection in the menu bar has selections to update the menu displayed or the selections within the menu. The options selection allows you to change MAXimize's options (such as the colors). And the help selection in the menu bar allows you to get help for a selection, for MAXimize or about MAXimize (its edition and version). 3) The status line is the bottom line of the screen. It contains a list of keys most often needed. These keys will change as you do different tasks (such as add, update, delete, etc.). In general, you should look at the status line if you're not sure which key to press. 4) If you need help at any time, simply press F2. MAXimize contains extensive help that is context sensitive (that is, MAXimize displays help that pertains to the operation you're currently doing). If you are not sure how to use the help facility, simply press F1 for an explanation of the help facility. 5) To modify a selection, simply highlight it by using the arrow keys or mark it by pressing the space bar (you may mark several selections in ONE menu). Then press "Alt+E" to Edit. You may then add, update, delete, copy or transfer the selection(s). 6) To modify the menu, simply display it and press "Alt+E U M". 7) To change options (colors, passwords, etc.), simply press "ALT+O". Ordering MAXimize: ================== When you order MAXimize, you will receive a beautiful manual, a reference card and the latest version of MAXimize on a diskette. Max Software will provide support for any problems or questions you might have for at least 90 days after you order MAXimize. You will also be notified when there are updates to or newer versions of MAXimize. 4 To order MAXimize (or additional copies of MAXimize), simply print off the order form. The order form can be printed by entering "PRINT ORDER.DOC" at the DOS prompt from the MAXimize installation directory. Then simply follow the instructions on the order form. If you will be using MAXimize on a LAN, be sure to specify a LAN license (the software is different for LANs). Getting Help: ============= To get help, you may: 1) Send a letter to: Max Software 9121 141st West Taylor Ridge, IL 61284 2) Send a message to CompuServe user ID 71170,740 3) Call the MAXimize phone line at 309-798-2533 Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and company name (if applicable). The text of the letter should adequately describe the problem you are having. If a selection is causing the problem, please include information about the selection. Common Problems: ================ 1) If after your selection runs you have been returned to the DOS prompt instead of in MAXimize. Then you probably are running a batch file from a selection and that batch file runs another one without using the DOS CALL (or COMMAND /C) when doing this. 2) If you lose position on the sub-menu (main menu is displayed) after the selection runs, then the commands invoked through the selection has probably invoked MAXimize again. This may have been done because of the first problem above (going back to the DOS prompt after running a selection). Remove the line that invokes MAXimize again from the commands.