Contents

DoDOS v 1.2

© 1994, Matt McLeod

Welcome to the DoDOS manual!

Introduction

Legal Stuff

Upgrading from a previous version

What's New?

Installation

Using DoDOS

The DoDOS Command Line

Registering DoDOS

Support

Other Products

Comments and Suggestions

Vendor Information


Introduction

Do you run a mixture of DOS and Windows applications, and find that some of your DOS applications are not as stable as they should be?  Or that you like to run Windows in enhanced mode, but of course your games won't run at full speed?

DoDOS is the answer to your problem.  DoDOS allows you to execute any DOS command without the overhead of Windows running - but from within Windows!

Possible uses for DoDOS include:

1	Running communications programs at high speed - Windows is notorious for not being very good at handling high-speed communications.

2	Running games from the Program Manager - Many games (and other timing sensitive programs) slow down quite a bit when run under Enhanced Mode Windows.  Using DoDOS you can avoid this problem but still have the convenience of launching with a double-click.


Legalities
Legal Stuff

DoDOS version 1.2 - copyright 1993-1994, Matt Mcleod

This product is not free, and is not in the public domain.  It is marketed as shareware.

You are licensed to use this product for fourteen days for the purpose of evaluation.  If you continue to use this product after the allowed fourteen day trial period, then you are breaching this license.  If you do not agree to the terms of this license, you may not use the product, even for the fourteen day period.

The author makes no representations as to the suitability of this product for any purpose, and accepts no liability for any damage or loss that may be caused through use of this program.

Users may not distribute their registration ID's.

Vendor Information


Installation

Installing DoDOS is easy.  Just follow these steps:

1	Copy the DODOS.EXE file to your Windows directory (or any other directory on your path), along with the WINDOWS.BAT file.

2	Make sure that you've defined the TEMP environment variable in your AUTOEXEC.BAT.  Windows usually sets this up for you when you install it, but just look for a line like:  SET TEMP=C:\TEMP

3	Copy the DODOS.INI file to your Windows directory.

4	Invoke Windows with WINDOWS.BAT rather than the WIN command (if you are loading Windows from your AUTOEXEC.BAT, you should use the command CALL WINDOWS.BAT.

5	Set up any program items in the Program Manager (see below).

DoDOS is now installed.

Click here if you're upgrading from a previous version!


Using DoDOS

To set a program up to use DoDOS, use the following procedure:

For a new program, use the following procedure:

1	.Select the File|New|Program Item in the Program Manager.

2	You should now have a dialog box like this one:

3	Enter the description of the program.

4	There are now three ways of using the DoDOS command line.  The first, is the originail method, where the syntax is:

DODOS <command 1>^<command 2>^...^<command n>

5	The next option is to use the new -f switch.  Create a text file containing the commands you want to run (just like a batch file) and then invoke it like this:

DODOS -f <filename>

6	Make sure you include the filename extension.  I advise using the extension .DDS, as this makes it easier to keep these files seperate from ordinary batchfiles.  It also means that you can use the Associate command (in the File Manager) to make DDS files automatically run DoDOS (so then you can just name the DDS file in the Command Line setting, and not worry about specifically calling DoDOS).

7	The final option is to use the -i switch.  Open up the DODOS.INI file in any text editor, and you will see that there is one section called [DoDOS Commands].  Inside that section you can define command-sets for DoDOS to use, with the following syntax:

<CommandName>=<Command-1>^..^<Command-n>

8	Then use the following command for the Command Line setting:

DODOS -i <CommandName>

I strongly advise the use of the -i command, as it makes things a lot simpler for you.  The -f command is provided for use with my upcoming DoFloppy program, and the old syntax is supported for compatibility.

9	Set the icon as usual then click OK.  Double clicking the new icon will shut down Windows, run the commands you've set, then go back into Windows.

Changing an existing program icon is similar:

1	Click once on the icon

2	Press Alt-Enter to get the Properties box

3	Change the Command Line to call DoDOS with the required commands.

NOTE:  Many games are supplied with a batch-file to start them.  If you are using DoDOS to start up a batch file, make sure you do this using the CALL command.  For more information on the CALL command, consult your DOS documentation.


The DoDOS Command Line

If you run DoDOS with no arguments, you will see the license box which tells you who owns this copy of DoDOS:

If you run DoDOS with a set of DOS commands (including the names of programs to run) DoDOS will place these in a batch file which it will run once it's shut Windows down.  You should separate commands with the caret ('^') symbol.

For example, I use the following command to start up Pirates Gold:

DODOS C:^CD\GAMES\PIRATES^PIRATESG

Alternately, you can use the -f switch to make DoDOS read it's commands from a file, or use the -i switch to make DoDOS read the commands from the DODOS.INI file.

The DODOS.INI file supplied includes an example command entry.

That's all there is to it!


Registering DoDOS

When you register DoDOS, you will receive a registration code which will get rid of those annoying shareware reminders.

Price:

Orders from within Australia:	AU$15

Orders from overseas:	US$15

(These prices include postage where necessary).

Payment should be in the form of a cheque or postal order - sorry, no credit cards accepted.  Orders will be dispatched immediately the cheque clears.  Also, please include your e-mail address if you have one - I can e-mail you your registered copy much faster than I can send it on floppy.  Finally, if you wish a copy on floppy, please state which size (3.5" or 5.25").  I will send you a 3.5" disk by default.

Orders should be sent to:

Matt McLeod

16 Prudence Close

Whitebridge   NSW   2290

Alternately, CompuServe members may register the program via the CIS SWREG service.  The Registration ID code is 1622.

When you receive your registration code, run the DDREG.EXE program, then enter your name and registration code in the spaces provided.

Please note that unless a copy of DoDOS on floppy disk is requested, you will receive only a registration ID.  So, if you absolutely need a copy on floppy, please say so when you register.


Support

Registered users have will have access to telephone support during business hours.  The number to call is +61 49 42 3565.

Alternately, anyone may contact me by post or by electronic mail:

Matt McLeod

16 Prudence Close

Whitebridge   NSW   2290

Internet: 	matt@toaster.hna.com.au

CompuServe: 	100237,213


Other Products...
Other Products

(or Gratuitous Plugs)

I also produce a Lite version of DoDOS (DoDOS Lite) which is hard coded to run only one particular program.  This is intended for use by publishers of software which has difficulty coping with Windows (such as games authors).  Very good terms are offered, so contact me if you are interested.


Upgrading from a previous version
Upgrading

Upgrading from a previous version is simple.  Just copy the new files over the old, and that's it!

If you're a registered user of an earlier version, contact me for a registration code (previous versions of DoDOS didn't use a registration code system).

You should note that this is really only a minor upgrade.  No new functionality is added - all that is new is the manual and the registration tool.

What's New?


What's New?
What's New in 1.2?

This is really only a minor upgrade.  The new bits are:

1	The manual - it's been improved somewhat, and put into hypertext format.

2	A new "registration code" scheme has been introduced.

That's it.  This isn't the major upgrade I've got planned for the medium-term, but it's enough of an improvement to warrant releasing a new version.


Comments and Suggestions
Comments and Suggestions...

I welcome all comments and suggestions.  If you feel that DoDOS is not worth registering, please write and let me know why.

Suggestions from users will form a big part of the next major version of DoDOS.


Vendor Information

ASP Approved Vendors may distribute DoDOS without prior permission.  If you are not an ASP Approved Vendor, please contact me for permission to distribute prior to adding DoDOS to your catalogue

DoDOS may be included on CD-ROMs and compilations produced by ASP Approved Vendors without prior permission.

Please note that I am not an ASP member - DoDOS is not a sufficiently large application to qualify for ASP membership.