MNU Manual Page 1 _______ ____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| Member Version 3.11 May, 1995 MNU, is a batch file enhancer, readme tool, and menu program. Its included to help make the overall package easier to use and to adapt to your needs, and to show you how you can use the remote support/package package with your favourite menu program. MNU has 3 main modes: ASK, MENU, and README Each of the modes can have behaviour changes depending on various settings. Much of the documentation suggests using environmental variables, but you can use the MNU.INI file as documented after the mode descriptions instead. 1) ASK MODE is a simple way of asking for user input within a batch file. It displays the "input string" at the current screen position and waits for a one key response. Only keys in the "key list" are allowed: MNU ASK - The string to display - Keys that are acceptable responses [DEFAULT=c] - The default key if enter is pressed [TIMEOUT=n] - The number of seconds to wait [DEBUG] - Causes the errorlevel to be displayed [NOTIME] - Time remaining won't be displayed. Upon exit it sets the DOS Errorlevel based on the order of key pressed. MNU Manual Page 2 Example: MNU ASK "ki, aser, pson (press O, L, or E): " OLE After displaying "ki, aser, pson (press O, L, or E): " it waits for a keypress.If it's in the group (OLEole) it sets the DOS Errorlevel according to the order in the key list and exits. Esc exits with 0. Other options can be placed after the key list: DEFAULT - This is used to set a Default Key, to be used if Enter is pressed or a TIMEOUT is reached. If "default=a" is used, then when the user presses Enter, it would be the same as pressing "a". TIMEOUT - An example would be "timeout=30". If no key is pressed within 30 seconds the program will terminate. If there is a DEFAULT key set, it will act as if that key were pressed. DEBUG - (or /debug) This shows the DOS Errorlevel upon exit. NOTIME - This prevents the time remaining from being displayed when TIMEOUT is active. An example linked to TeleShare: echo off REM This could be part of your autoexec.bat REM Put the MNU line, DEFAULT=Y and TIMEOUT=10 on one line. MNU ask "Load TeleShare? Y or N?" YN DEFAULT=Y TIMEOUT=10 REM if errorlevel == 2 goto :bypass if errorlevel == 1 goto :loadtele goto :bypass :loadtele rem The TSH could be TSR on the 'local' machine TSH :bypass rem continue autoexec.bat A similar batch file could load a portion of the Hands On remote access package. 2) MENU MODE is used to paint a menu on screen and allow users to select a choice by positioning a light bar, or letter, and pressing enter. Normally the menu is full screen but the NC option reduces the menu to a minimum size. This allows you to MNU Manual Page 3 stack successive menus, offset if you like, and to have the menus pop up anywhere on the screen. MENU MODE returns the DOS errorlevel set to the sequence number of the item selected. MNU MENU [options] - MENU mode is used to pop up a list of menu choices. When the user selects one and presses "Enter", it sets the DOS Errorlevel based on the order of the item chosen. Example: MNU MENU "Oki Printer","Laser Printer","Epson Printer" - A BOX will be displayed giving the options in a LIST. The user may choose an option using the up and down arrow keys and then press enter. It will set the DOS Errorlevel according to the order of option chosen and then exit. - There is a DEBUG option. If "debug" or "/debug" is placed after the option list it will show the DOS Errorlevel upon exit. - The LOCATION of the box can be controlled by setting an environment variable. Type the following at the command line or in a batch file "set twp=1012". This would set the upper left corner of the box to row 10, column 12. The coordinates must contain 4 numbers. For instance row 9, column 1 would be "set twp=0901". Row 0, column 0 would be "set twp=0000". If you use the MNU.INI file to set TWP you lose the capability to 'stack' successive menus offset like cards unless you put different MNU.INI files in different subdirectories. - A title will be placed at the top of the menu box, if the parameters include "t:title". Example: MNU MENU "t:Printer Menu" "Oki" "Laser" "Epson" - To create overlaid menus, use "NC" as a parameter. The screen won't be cleared before popping up the new menu. You can also use NC to make minimal sized menus. Example: MNU MENU "NC" "t:Printer Menu" "Oki" "Laser" "Epson" - You can set an environment variable (TWH) to over-ride the default header of "Menu Choices". If you rename MNU to HOMNU MNU Manual Page 4 the header becomes 'Hands On Remote Access' without using environment space. Example: SET TWH=ACME COMPANY MENU - You can set an environment variable (TWSAV) to cause the screen to be cleared and your message (up to 60 characters) to be displayed. If you use the environment and run out of environment space the message will be truncated. If you use TWSAV = BLANK, there will be no message. Example: SET TWSAV=I'm at Lunch. Return 1:30 The screen saver activates when you tap F7, and the screen is restored when you tap another key. You can also use the command line parameter or switch -NOBURN to have the screen saver automatically start up when the menu starts. It starts up every time you restart the menu when used this way, so you might consider a 'startup' menu that includes -noburn and a 'working' menu batch file setup for 'during the day' usage. MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "WordPerfect" "Lotus" "Quit" -NOBURN # a sample startup with the -NOBURN option Note that you can leave this screen saver running while the remote access host is resident and waiting for a call, and it will appear when the connection is completed. This also provides an initial menu of choices. You can add command line password capability by adding -P for password and either including a password in the batch file or running the batch file with a command line password. The password capability is tied to the screen saver. If you use -P, but do not use -NOBURN the screen saver is activated as if you used -NOBURN. # an example using password capability as a parameter MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "WordPerfect" "Quattro" "Quit" -P%1 or MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "Qedit" "dBase" "Quit" %1 # an example including the actual password (demoPASSWORD) MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "WordPerfect" "Quit" -PdemoPASSWORD The passwords can be up to 20 characters long. You will note that passwords are normally hidden during entry. However, if you disable screen attributes with TSSETUP.EXE on the HOST end MNU Manual Page 5 the 'hiding' commands are disabled and the password will be displayed to you while you enter it. It continues to be hidden on the host machine. Here's an entire batch file using MNU MENU MODE: SAMPLE.BAT @echo off ** set twh=Acme Toys Inc. :start REM The %1 allows you to enter "SAMPLE -Ppassword" MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "WordPerfect" "Games" "Quit" %1 if errorlevel == 4 goto :end if errorlevel == 3 goto :games if errorlevel == 2 goto :lotus if errorlevel == 1 goto :wp goto :end :wp cd \wp51 wp goto :start :lotus cd \123r24 123 goto :start :games call gamemenu goto :start :end - USAGE TRACKING: If an environment variable called TWDR is set, MNU will record all user menu selections in a DBASE III type data file called ACTIONS.DBF. "TWDR" needs to be like "C:", "D:", "F:" etc. ACTIONS.DBF will be opened or created in the root directory of the drive specified by "TWDR". It will also record the setting for the environment variables: "LANUSER" and "TWID" (up to 10 characters each). Example: SET TWDR=C: If you prefer, you may use "SET TWDR=C" without the ":" and the ACTIONS.DBF will be created and maintained in the 'home directory' where the MNU.EXE resides. You can use the F4 function key to look at and edit the entries in the ACTIONS.DBF when the feature is active in MNU. MNU Manual Page 6 We have found that the ACTIONS.DBF can be damaged leading to MNU locking up when it tries to access ACTIONS.DBF. If MNU locks up on you, then first try erasing ACTIONS.DBF - MONO MONITOR MODE: If you're running this on a mono or LCD monitor you'll want to set an environment variable TWCLR for black & white screens. Example: SET TWCLR=MONO 3) README MODE is a command line text or ascii file browser. "Use `MNU -README' for a *.DOC list. Then select from the list. `MNU -README \SOMEDIR\*.TXT' for .TXT files. ... The README mode has its own command-line usage, and is normally run separately from the other two modes. The initial help provided when you just type in "MNU" or F1 help uses part of the README browse engine. The documentation suggests various environment variables, all starting with TW (Tom Woodgerd - the original author). You may use the environment for the purposes suggested here. However, the environment is a limited resource and accidental miss-use leads to various problems with all kinds of software, so this version uses the MNU.INI file. MNU looks for it in the current directory and then the directory where the MNU.EXE resides. The MNU.INI file format is as follows: # setup information for mnu TWP=1012 TWID= TWDR=C TWH=Hands On Remote Access USER= TWCLR= SP= TWSAV= Shareware is simply another software distribution medium # <- these allow following comments on the same line You can have alternate .INI files that are copied to MNU.INI inside your batch file to change the pertinent settings in successive MNU menus. MNU Manual Page 7 Support and Distribution: This product is partially Copyright (C) 1993-4 P. C. Softsmith all rights reserved. It is distributed with shareware and should be distributed with this documentation. It is normally distributed with other P.C. Softsmith materials that further explain the shareware process. If you wish to distribute it with your software or are unable to find the other documentation that should accompany this file (such as the SHR_WARE.DOC, FILE_ID.DIZ, and the VENDOR.DOC) please contact whoever gave you the software or P.C. Softsmith. For technical support, either call (604) 433-5189, or write to Suite 606 - 6455 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, V5H 4E4. You may also try leaving a Compuserve message at 75020, 2664, or send email to INTERNET:vic_williams@mindlink.bc.ca You will likely be able to access us on the Vancouver FreeNet in the near future. Portions (C) Copyright 1993-5 P. C. Softsmith all rights reserved. History: May 18, 1995 vw: 3.11 now intelligently handles missing homnu.txt or mnu.txt. March 23, 1995 vw: 3.1 changed .DOC default to .TXT December 12, 1994 vw: 3.02 tidied the "None" readme option November 24, 1994 vw: 3.01 added direct browse or readme if only 1 file available. November 20, 1994 vw: Version 3.00 added command line README mode, with ties to the F1 help. This was a separate browse or readme tool that has now been merged with MNU. November 17, 1994 vw: Version 2.50 added command line PASSWORD capability tied to -NOBURN November 1, 1994 vw: Version 2.20 added command line -NOBURN. September, 1994 vw: Version 2.11 minor MNU.DOC changes. June, 1994 - vw: Version 2.1 Added MNU.INI, some minor internal changes and changed the screen saver. Main title changes if .exe name changed to HOMNU.EXE for use with Hands On remote access. This version automatically tries to display an intelligent error message when something goes wrong. MNU Manual Page 8 May, 1994 - vw: more interactive screen saver and some minor tinkering. Added the F4 EDIT with ACTIONS.DBF optionally in the home directory replacing TWSELECT.DBF in the root directory. December, 1993 vw: Version 2 This product has been reworked somewhat from the original TWSELECT. The original version is distributed as TWSELECT, and you will find various references to TWSELECT. This version has been renamed to avoid confusion because the two now have some differences. If your copy has some other name just mentally substitute that name for 'MNU' and 'TWSELECT' as necessary. The original source and .exe can likely still be found in the Force area (GO FORCE) on Compuserve. This version has full ASP member support, and may still be distributed freely. -This version has full ASP support, and may still be distributed freely. You can use us for free support. -Added self detection of monochrome monitors. -Moved help to separate .DOC file, for a smaller .exe and easier maintenance. TWSELECT was written by Tom J. Woodgerd, using the FORCE compiler. It has been released into the public domain, to be used freely. The author provides no warranty or support, but your comments and suggestions are welcome. Sept 11, 1992 - Tom J. Woodgerd, 1018 State St., Helena MT 59601. You can leave messages on Worthy Computer BBS, (406) 443-7508. Sept 11, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.12 - Cleaned up the HELP screens and uploaded to several BBS's. Worthy Computer, HUGE, FORCE BBS. - Changed environment variable WPUSER to TWID. July 27, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.12 - Added mono capabitity. Just "set twclr=mono". July 05, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.11 - Fixed bug in ASK. - Changed USERNAME to LANUSER. MNU Manual Page 9 - Changed to not save history if errorlevel = 0. - Added extra info to info screen (F1). June 29, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.10 - Changed to save all user selections to \TWSELECT.DBF if the environment variable "TWDR" is set to C: etc. June 26, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.09 - Changed to show time as hh:mm:ss. June 17, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.08 - Added Help Screen. Added ability to display the TWSAV message when in screen saver mode. June 15, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.07 - Unable to fix "timer_entry()" to not conflict with EXTRA! and other tsrs. The clock display and the screen saver now only work if the environment variable "TWSAV" is set to "Y". June 13, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.06 - Fixed bug in "civilian" time display. June 10, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.05 - Added option to put the header in environment variable called TWP. - Changed timeout to 10 minutes. May 26, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.04 - Changed lead in on menu items to "A. ", "B. ", etc. - Changed menu header to use a box. May 13, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.03 - Added ability to jump to menu option when the first character of the option is pressed. Also got rid of automatic upper casing on menu items. P. C. Softsmith warranty information: THE DOCUMENTATION AND ASSOCIATED SOFTWARE ARE DISTRIBUTED AND SOLD WITH NO WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING ITS MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENTATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE AND DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMMITTMENT ON THE PART OF THE VENDOR. OTHER PRODUCT AND BRAND NAMES MENTIONED ARE TRADEMARKS OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE HOLDERS. SPECIFICALLY XBASE IS THE GENERIC DATABASE INDUSTRY MNU Manual Page 10 REPLACEMENT FOR THE REGISTERED TERM DBASE OWNED BY BORLAND INTERNATIONAL.