ùWHATúISúMLX?ù                                  <þSubjectúMenuþ>

            MLX CROSS REFERENCED HELP FILE

              Copyright 1990 by Gil Yoder
                     P.O. Box 307
                  Coalgate, OK 74538


MLX is an extended version of ML.  ML was written to provide a
small mouse oriented program for listing ordinary text files.
While there are several excellent programs for listing text
files, there are few if any readily available listing programs
that take advantage of the mouse device.

After writing WINDIR, a mouse oriented directory utility, the
need for a program such as ML was felt.  WINDIR would allow the
user to point at a file in a directory with a mouse and list the
file with a file lister of his choice.  Using an ordinary listing
program meant that the user would need to put the mouse aside
while he was in the lister, and return to the mouse when WINDIR
was re-entered.  ML was written to solve this problem.

MLX takes up where ML leaves off.  MLX adds (1) a þDOSúShellþ,
i.e. the ability to do DOS functions, run programs, etc., and
then return to your place in the file you are reading with MLX;
(2) the ability to list multiple þfilesþ without exiting the
program; (3) a þHyperTextþ capability that is used in this help
text, and may be used in "normal" files (this feature may be used
by authors to document their own programs); (4) a þPopúUpúMenuþ,
and other advanced functions.  See þHistoryþ.




ùSYNTAXúFORúRUNNINGù

MLX [drive:][\path\][filename] [/M]

Where
        drive:                  Drive where the file may be found.
        \path\                  Path where the file may be found on the
                                drive.
        filename                Name of file to list.  This may be
                                ambiguous in which case a list of þFilesþ
                                will be shown matching the ambiguous
                                filename from which you may select the
                                file of your choice.
        /M                      Switch to force monochrome.  MLX will try
                                to determine this itself, but you may need
                                the switch if you are using a monochrome
                                monitor with a color card.

None of the parameters is essential.  However if you specify no parameters
the monochrome mode is selected and the help file will be displayed if it
can be found.

ùUSINGúHELPù                                     <þSubjectúMenuþ>

We have made every effort to make MLX as easy to use as we could
possibly afford.  Pursuant to this effort this file has been
written to provide a quick and easy reference to every feature of
the program.  But first you need to learn how to use the help
system.

Using HELP is simple once the help file has been accessed.
HELP.MLX is viewed like any other file, except that it may be
loaded for viewing automatically (see þHelpúAccessþ).  To move
from one spot to another use the arrow keys, page up and page
down, or "drag" the text with the mouse (see þDraggingúTextþ).

MLX is equipped with a simple HyperText capability.  By placing
the mouse on any word and pressing the right button you force MLX
to search for the next occurrence of that word in the text.  (If
that word does not occur again in the text, an audible beep will
be heard, but nothing else will happen.  If the word does not
occur after the mouse cursor line, but does occur before the
mouse cursor line, an audible beep will sound and the first
occurrence of the word will be displayed.)

A special enhancement of this feature makes HyperText possible.
Subject Buttons (see þHyperTextúPartsþ) are placed throughout the
text.  The term "Subject Button" refers to a word or a group of
words enclosed by two small graphic boxes.  Pressing the right
mouse button on a subject button will cause MLX to find that
subject in the text.  For example if you placed the mouse on
þThisúSpotþ and pressed the right mouse button, MLX would search
for a subject entitled "This Spot" and place the title at the top
of the screen.  Try it now!

ùTHISúSPOTù                                      <þSubjectúMenuþ>

If you tried the example, the title "This Spot" should be at the
top of the screen.

HELP.MLX is a standard ASCII text file with the exception that a
few graphic characters are used to delimit the subject buttons
and subject titles.  Almost any text editor can modify this file.
After you become more familiar with the program you may wish to
edit HELP.MLX and remove the sections with which you no longer
need help.  For example you may wish to remove the paragraphs
beginning with þUsingúHelpþ up to but not including the
þSubjectúMenuþ below.

If you do modify HELP.MLX, please be sure to save the file in the
ASCII mode; MLX cannot read non-standard text files.  Also be
sure not to distribute changes in the file to another user.  MLX
and its associated files should be distributed only in their
unmodified state!  (See þRegistrationþ and þLegalúErrataþ.)


ùHELPúACCESSù                    <þUsingúHelpþ>  <þSubjectúMenuþ>

The help file may be accessed by several means, manually or
automatically. To access the help file manually you can specify
the name of the help file on the command line or select the help
file from the directory list while viewing þfilesþ.  The manual
mode offers the advantage that the help file can be found within
any directory, since the path to the file may be specified.  The
syntax for loading the help file from the command line is...

MLX [drive:][\full\pathname\]HELP.MLX [/M]

All components in brackets are optional.

There are several ways to have the help file loaded
automatically: (1) run MLX without specifying any parameters; or
while viewing another file (2) by pressing F1, (3) by placing the
mouse cursor on help in line number 1 and clicking the left mouse
button (see þRemindersþ), or (4) by selecting help from the
þpopúupúmenuþ.  In order to access the help file by any of these
automatic means the help file must exist either in the current
directory, the DOS path, or (with DOS version 3.0 or greater) in
the directory from which MLX is loaded.



ùSUBJECTúMENUù                                       þOrderúFormþ


Introduction to MLX:              Trying to Function in a Modern
                                  World:
þWhatúIsúMLX?þ
þHistoryþ                         þPopúUpúMenuþ
þTechnicalúSupportþ               þKeyboardúFunctionsþ
þRegistrationþ                    þMouseúFunctionsþ
þLegalúErrataþ                    þSyntaxúforúRunningþ

A Little Help for My Friends:     Special Features:

    þHelpúAccessþ                     þDOSúShellþ
    þUsingúHelpþ                      þWordúSearchþ
    þTheúScreenþ                      þScrollingþ
    þScrollúBarsþ                     þHyperTextþ

Select a subject with the mouse cursor and press the left mouse
button.




ùHYPERTEXTù                                      <þSubjectúMenuþ>

A special feature of MLX is its ability to perform simple
HyperText functions.  This help file uses this feature to provide
a powerful help system for MLX.  Other files such as
documentation files can be written to take advantage this
feature.  Licensed software authors and distributors can write
documentation for their programs and distribution disks to be
viewed with MLX and provide their users with HyperText
documentation.  See þRegistrationþ and þLegalúErrataþ for more
information.

þCreatingúDatabasesþ            þUsingúHyperTextþ
þMakingúButtonsþ                þSuggestionsþ
þMakingúTitlesþ                 þHighlightingþ
þHyperTextúPartsþ


Select a subject with the mouse cursor and press the left mouse
button.





ùSUGGESTIONSù                      <þHyperTextþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Writing a HyperText database is not an easy job, but there are a
few things the author can do to make his database attractive and
useful.  The following ideas may help.

     þAmountúofúInformationþ         Try to keep it down.
     þMarginsþ                       Left and right.
     þBackúTracesþ                   Tracing your steps.
     þEmphasisþ                      Keep it to a minimum.
     þLongúSubjectúTitlesþ           Dealing with them.


Select a subject with the mouse cursor and press the left mouse
button.











ùAMOUNTúOFúINFORMATIONù          <þSuggestionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Try not to put too much information into any single subject.
Generally if your subject takes up more than one screen, it is a
good idea to break the subject up and provide subject buttons for
the new subjects. (This help text does not always follow this
rule.)

















ùMARGINSù                        <þSuggestionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Use margins effectively.  For a large database the left margin
should generally be in column 1, otherwise one byte per left
margin column is added to your database for each line in it.  For
example if your database contains 1,000 lines,  and you have an 8
column margin, then your database will contain 8,000 bytes just
for your left margin.  (You may use tabs for this purpose.)

On the other hand the right margin generally takes up no extra
space in your database (unless your word processor does not trim
trailing blanks). Therefore the size of your database is not
effected by the size of the right margin.  Nevertheless, you may
wish to give some consideration to the right margin.  Long lines
of text are difficult to read on a computer monitor.  After
reading many long lines of text the operator can become easily
tired.  This seems to indicate that text lines should be short.
We suggest about 65 characters.






ùBACKúTRACESù                    <þSuggestionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Provide back traces.  The term "back trace" refers to a special
type of Subject Button (see þHyperTextúPartsþ) that makes it easy
for the user to retrace his steps.  Some HyperText help systems
keep in memory a list of the last several pages the user has
accessed.  Those pages can be re-accessed by pressing a special
key.  MLX unfortunately does not do this, but you can still
provide back traces by placing buttons on the screen to help the
user return to special starting points.  MLX's help text uses
back traces through out the file.  Normally these back traces can
be found at the top of each new subject.












ùEMPHASISù                       <þSuggestionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Keep þhighlightingþ to a minimum.  There are two reasons for this
rule. First MLX automatically highlights Subject Buttons and
Subject Titles (see þHyperTextúPartsþ).  Highlighting might
obscure these spots and make them more difficult to see.  Second,
too much highlighting becomes counter productive.  Highlighting
should emphasize important points, but if you use too much
highlighting, all emphasis is ignored even when it may be
important!














ùLONGúSUBJECTúTITLESù            <þSuggestionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Normally you will want to group all the words in a subject name
in a single Subject Title (see þHyperTextúPartsþ), but there may
be occasions when this is not desirable.  For example if you wish
to have a Subject Button broken in the middle to allow for word
wrapping, you can divide the title in half and create "two"
Subject Buttons out of the parts. These following two Subject
Buttons actually refer to one subject: þRegistrationþ and
þLegalúErrataþ.  Pressing the right mouse button while the mouse
cursor is on either button will cause the same line in HELP.MLX
to appear at the top of the screen, since the two Subject Titles
appear on the same line elsewhere in this file.











ùHIGHLIGHTINGù                     <þHyperTextþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Highlighting is sometimes used in documentation to add emphasis
to important points, and sometimes used to add interest. (See
þSuggestionsþ.) MLX automatically highlights Subject Titles and
Subject Buttons (see þHyperTextúPartsþ), but occasionally you may
want to give emphasis to other portions of your data base.

To add emphasis in a MLX database bracket the text you wish to
have emphasized with ^A, ^B, or ^C.  (The caret-letter
combination {^x} refers to ASCII characters that are entered by
holding down the Ctrl key and then pressing the letter.)  The
normal color for MLX on color monitors is light gray.  ^A toggles
yellow (or intense on monochrome monitors) on and off. ^B toggles
white (or intense on monochrome monitors) on and off.  ^C toggles
gray on and off (useful within another color).

For example to emphasize "example" with yellow - type "^A
example^A".  This word, example, is yellow on color monitors.

One problem entails in the fact that most word processors will
now allow you to type in control characters directly, but on the
other hand most word processors do provide a simple means to do
so.  Many word processors (like QEDIT) follow a method first used
by WordStar to add control characters to text.  That method is to
precede each control character entry with ^P.  In other words to
enter ^A you would need to enter ^P ^A.





ùMAKINGúBUTTONSù <þHyperTextþ> <þMakingúTitlesþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

A button consists of a group of words on a single line of text
separated by a character that does not normally delimit words,
and is bracketed on each side by a small graphic box {þ}.  See
þHyperTextúPartsþ.

The rule concerning delimiters is important!  Familiarize
yourself with the characters MLX uses for þdelimitersþ, so you
will be sure not to use them in the buttons you create.

To make a button you first enter the character for the box {þ}
by holding down both the "Ctrl" and the "Alt" keys and typing in
the number 254 on the number pad.  When you then release the
"Ctrl" and the "Alt" keys, the box will appear.  Then type in the
text that identifies the subject.  If more than one word is used
in the Subject Button, separate the words using a character that
is not found among the MLX þdelimitersþ.  In HELP.MLX we use
ASCII #250.  To use this character in your HyperText database
hold down both the "Ctrl" and the "Alt" keys and type in the
number 250 on the number pad.  Finally finish the button by
entering the character for the box as described at the beginning
of this paragraph.



ùMAKINGúTITLESù <þHyperTextþ> <þMakingúButtonsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

A title consists of a group of words on a single line of text
separated by a character that does not normally delimit words,
and is bracketed on each side by a small graphic dot {ù}.  See
þHyperTextúPartsþ.

The rule concerning delimiters is important!  Familiarize
yourself with the characters MLX uses for þdelimitersþ, so you
will be sure not to use them in the titles you create.

To make a title you first enter the character for the dot {ù} by
holding down both the "Ctrl" and the "Alt" keys and typing in the
number 249 on the number pad.  When you then release the "Ctrl"
and the "Alt" keys, the dot will appear.  Then type in the text
that identifies the subject.  If more than one word is used in
the Subject Title, separate the words using a character that is
not found among the MLX þdelimitersþ.  In HELP.MLX we use ASCII
#250.  To use this character in your HyperText database hold down
both the "Ctrl" and the "Alt" keys and type in the number 250 on
the number pad.  Finally finish the title by entering the
character for the dot as described at the beginning of this
paragraph.



ùDELIMITERSù                       <þHyperTextþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

   MLX uses the following ASCII characters as word delimiters:

 Char  Value   Name                Char  Value   Name
        32     Space                ;      59    Semicolon
  !     33     Exclamation mark     ?      63    Question mark
  '     39     Apostrophe           [      91    Open bracket
  (     40     Open parenthesis     \      92    Back slash
  )     41     Close parenthesis    ]      93    Close bracket
  ,     44     Comma                {     123    Open brace
  .     46     Period               }     125    Close brace
  /     47     Slash                ³     179    Graphic bar
  :     58     Colon                ù     249    Graphic dot

       See <þMakingúTitlesþ> and <þMakingúButtonsþ>








ùCREATINGúDATABASESù

    <þMakingúTitlesþ> <þMakingúButtonsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Writing a HyperText database is both easy and hard.  It is easy
to learn the basics, but writing a useful database is several
orders of difficulty more demanding.  The author must think very
carefully about what he wishes to say and how to say it.  (See
þSuggestionsþ.)  The help file you are now reading, HELP.MLX, is
an example of an MLX HyperText database.  Refer to it often for
examples.

MLX HyperText databases may be created with almost any word
processor. The word processor must be able to save files in
normal ASCII mode, including characters from the extended ASCII
character set.  Characters corresponding to ASCII #254 {þ, box},
and #249 {ù, dot} are required; ASCII #250 {ú, small dot} is
used in HELP.MLX to separate words in Subject Buttons and Titles
(see þHyperTextúPartsþ), but any character not used as a word
delimiter can be used for that purpose.  QEDIT by SemWare is an
excellent choice for the purpose.

A MLX HyperText database is nothing more than a standard text
file with special sections of subjects that begin with a Subject
Title, and Subject Buttons which can be used with a mouse to move
about from one place to another in the database (see
þHyperTextúPartsþ).  Writing a database is a matter of figuring
out where to put the pieces.  That is the hard part, and where a
little artistic flair is essential.



ùUSINGúHYPERTEXTù                  <þHyperTextþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Using HyperText in MLX is easy!  In every MLX HyperText file you
will find three major parts: Subject Buttons, Subject Titles, and
Subject Text. (See þHyperTextúPartsþ.)  Subjects Buttons are used
to move quickly to Subject Titles, which in turn head sections of
Subject Text.  To move among the subjects place the mouse cursor
on a Subject Button (a word or group of words which are yellow on
color monitors and bracketed on each side with a small box {þ}),
and press the right mouse button.  The next Subject Title
following the button, or the first Subject Title in the file,
matching the Subject Button will be brought to the top of the
display and as much of the subject text following it will be
displayed as the display will allow.










ùHYPERTEXTúPARTSù                  <þHyperTextþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

A þHyperTextþ database as far as MLX is concerned consists of
three major parts:

                þSubjectúButtonsþ

                þSubjectúTitlesþ

                þSubjectúTextþ

Select a subject with the mouse cursor and press the left mouse
button.










ùSUBJECTúBUTTONSù                             <þHyperTextúPartsþ>

A button in a MLX database file is a word or group of words which
is directly associated with Subject Titles.  Subject Buttons may
be identified in two ways: On color monitors Subject Buttons will
appear in yellow, and all Subject Buttons will be bracketed with
small graphic boxes {þ}.  When a mouse cursor is placed on a
Subject Button and the right mouse button is pressed, MLX will
search for the subject starting with the next line. If the
subject is not found, the search will continue at the beginning
of the file. There may be several identical Subject Buttons
throughout the file.












ùSUBJECTúTITLESù                              <þHyperTextúPartsþ>

Subject Titles identify the beginning of a subject. They may be
identified in two ways:  On color monitors Subject Titles will
appear in bright white, and all Subject Titles will be bracketed
with raised dots {ù}. When a search for a subject finds its
title, the line on which the Subject Title is found will be
printed at the top of the screen, and the text following it will
naturally follow.  Generally Subject Titles will be unique, but
there is by no means any rule to enforce this generality.  It is
possible to have several identical Subject Titles in the
database. The first Subject Title following a matching
þSubjectúButtonþ is the title displayed when that button is
"pressed."









ùSUBJECTúTEXTù                                <þHyperTextúPartsþ>

This is the text the follows a Subject Title.  On color monitors
most text will normally be gray, but it may also be white or
yellow for emphasis.  Emphasized text can be distinguished from
þSubjectúTitlesþ and þSubjectúButtonsþ by the fact that text
words will not be bracketed by the graphic characters described
above. Subject Text may or may not contain references to other
subjects through the use of SubjectúButtons.















ùTHEúSCREENù                                     <þSubjectúMenuþ>

The MLX screen has been designed to display as much information
in the least amount of space as possible.  It is divided into
several sections. First is the Title Line.  The Title Line is
always the top line of the screen.  On this line to the left you
will normally see the title and copyright notice of the program.
To the right of this line four command þremindersþ are normally
displayed.

The second section to mention is the Status Line.  The Status
Line is always at the bottom of the screen.  Normally the Status
Line displays the filename of the file being viewed, the line
number of the line at the top of the screen, the number of lines
in the file, and the column number of the column viewed in the
first column of the screen.  Also in the status line is the
horizontal Scroll Bar (see þScrollúBarsþ).

The next section is in the last column on the screen.  This is
the vertical Scroll Bar (see þScrollúBarsþ).

The last section of the screen, the Text Window, is the most
important, for it is the window in which the text of the current
file is displayed. This section starts in the second line of the
screen and continues to the line next to last.


ùREMINDERSù <þMouseúFunctionsþ>  <þTheúScreenþ>  <þSubjectúMenuþ>
                                           <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ>

The command reminders at the top right of the screen serve to
remind the user of a few of the harder to remember MLX commands.
They also serve as hot spots for the mouse.  Place the mouse
cursor on any one of the commands and press the left mouse button
to access the command function.
















ùSCROLLúBARSù                    <þTheúScreenþ>  <þSubjectúMenuþ>

                                           ®-Up Arrow
    Vertical Scroll Bar ----------------¯ °
                                          °
                                          Û ®-Vertical Scroll Box
                                          °
                                          °
    Horizontal Scroll Box ÄÄ¿             °
                            ³             °
                    ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ             °
                                          ®-Down Arrow
  Left Arrow-¯ °°°°Û°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° ®-Right Arrow
                              
                              ³
    Horizontal Scroll Bar ÄÄÄÄÙ

The Scroll Bars in the right column and bottom line of the screen
are used to indicate the location being displayed of the current
file.  For example if the box in the vertical Scroll Bar is in
the middle of the bar, a page approximately in the middle of the
file is being displayed.  (See þScrollúBarsú&úMiceþ.)


ùPOPúUPúMENUù          <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ>
                                                 <þSubjectúMenuþ>

A Pop Up Menu is provided to give a convenient access to several
functions.  The menu can be opened either by pressing the letter
"M" on the keyboard, or by clicking the left mouse button with
the mouse cursor on the word "Menu" in the status line (see
þRemindersþ).

In the menu are several options that can be accessed with various
means.  With each active option a single letter is highlighted.
One way to access an option then is to press its highlighted
letter. You can also access an option by moving a wide bar cursor
with the up and down arrow keys and pressing enter. Finally
active options can be accessed with the mouse device (see
þPopúUpúMenuú&úMiceþ).

Note: "Search" and "Scroll" are never active.  Their presence in
the menu serves solely as headers for several subfunctions.
Escape aborts the menu.

þHelpúAccessþ  þHexúDumpþ   þVGA/EGAþ  þDOSúShellþ   þSearchingþ
þScrollingþ   þFilesþ   þQuittingþ



ùSEARCHINGù

There are three options under the Search Heading:  "Ignore case"
implements a search where case is insignificant (see
þFindúTextþ); "Exact match" implements a search where case is
significant (see þCaseúSearchþ); "Next" searches according to the
last search implemented (see þNextúFindþ).  These functions are
also available outside the menu (see þWordúSearchþ).
















ùVGA/EGAù                                        <þSubjectúMenuþ>

If you have an EGA or VGA monitor and adaptor, you can toggle
between 25 line mode and 43 or 50 line mode (depending on the
adaptor) either by pressing "V" while viewing text, or selecting
"VGA/EGA" from the þPopúUpúMenuþ.

















ùHEXúDUMPù                                       <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Some files obviously are not text files, but there may be
occasions when you would like to view them anyway.  For this
eventuality a Hexadecimal Dump is provided.  The Hex Dump
provides the following information:  a hexadecimal representation
for each byte in the file, an ASCII representation for each byte
in the file (both are represented 16 bytes per line), and the
zero based offset for the first character in each line.

MLX can be toggled between Hex Dump mode and Text mode by
pressing "H" while viewing text, by using the left mouse button
on the Hex reminder in the top line (see þRemindersþ), or by
selecting "Dump Hexadecimal" from the þPopúUpúMenuþ.










ùMOUSEúFUNCTIONSù         <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Moving around:

    þDraggingúTextþ
    þPagingúWithúMiceþ
    þScrollúBarsú&úMiceþ

Finding text and things:

    þQuickúSearchþ
    þHyperTextþ
    þUsingúHyperTextþ

Hot Spots:

    þPopúUpúMenuú&úMiceþ
    þQuittingþ
    þFilesþ
    þRemindersþ

Select a subject with the mouse cursor and press the right mouse
button.












ùPAGINGúWITHúMICEù           <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

To page through the text is simple with a mouse.  To page up
place the mouse cursor on the top line and press the right mouse
button.  The bottom line serves in the same function for paging
down.  (See þPageUpþ and þPageDownþ).


















ùQUICKúSEARCHù               <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Quick Search is a special super set of MLX's þWordúSearchþ
function. To perform a Quick Search place the mouse cursor an any
word in the Text Window (see þTheúScreenþ) and press the right
mouse button.  MLX will begin with the following line to search
for the word you selected.  If the word is found below the line
from which you selected the word, it will be displayed at the top
of the screen and the text following it will be displayed as
well. Otherwise an audible beep will sound and the search will
continue with the top line of the file.  If the word is not found
again, an audible beep will be heard, but nothing else will
occur. NOTE: only complete words are searched as defined by the
set of þDelimitersþ defined elsewhere.










ùSCROLLúBARSú&úMICEù         <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

You can use the mouse to make quick adjustments in file position
by pointing at parts of the þScrollúBarsþ and pressing the left
button.  By clicking on one of the arrows you can cause the file
position to scroll in the direction of the arrow.  To make an
even quicker change place the mouse in a Scroll Bar and press the
left mouse button.  The file position will move to the position
indicated by the mouse cursor.















ùDRAGGINGúTEXTù              <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Quick adjustments in file position can be made by using the mouse
with the þScrollúBarsþ (see þScrollúBarsú&úMICEþ).  But to make
fine adjustments in vertical text position use the mouse to drag
text up and down in the Text Window (see þTheúScreenþ).  To drag
the text place the mouse cursor in the Text Window, press and
hold the left mouse button, and move the mouse up or down.  The
text will follow the mouse cursor as it moves up and down.














ùPOPúUPúMENUú&úMICEù         <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

All available menu options (see þPopúUpúMenuþ) may be selected by
using the mouse.  To select an option place the mouse cursor on
the option you wish to select and press the left mouse button.
The option will be immediately selected.

You may also abort the menu by pressing the right mouse button.
















ùKEYBOARDúFUNCTIONSù         <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Moving around:

    þArrowúKeysþ
    þPageUpþ
    þPageDownþ
    þHomeþ
    þEndþ

Special features:

    þRemindersþ
    þPopúUpúMenuþ
    þWordúSearchþ
    þScrollingþ

Miscellaneous:

    þQuittingþ
    þFilesþ










ùDOSúSHELLù                                      <þSubjectúMenuþ>

You may temporarily return to DOS from MLX by accessing the DOS
Shell. The DOS Shell function is available from the
þPopúUpúMenuþ, or by pressing either ^X or Alt-O.

When you are finished with the shell you can return to MLX by
typing "EXIT" at the DOS prompt.  You will then return to the
point in your reading from which the DOS Shell was accessed.















ùWORDúSEARCHù

   <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Three Word Search commands are available from the keyboard:
Pressing the letter "F" implements a search where case is
insignificant (þFindúTextþ); pressing the letter "C" implements a
search where case is significant (þCaseúSearchþ); pressing the
letter "N" searches according to the last search implemented
(þNextúFindþ).  All three functions are also available from
within the þPopúUpúMenuþ.













ùPAGEUPù AND ùPAGEDOWNù

   <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Paging within MLX is performed surprisingly with the Page Up and
Page Down keys!  But you may also page up and down with the
mouse.  (See þPagingúWithúMiceþ.)

















ùFILESù

    <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

The Files function provides a means by which the operator can
access different files within MLX.  The function can be accessed
by pressing Ctrl-End (hold down Ctrl and then press End), or
by clicking the left mouse button with the mouse cursor in the
first column on the bottom line, or by selecting "Files" from the
þPopúUpúMenuþ.

For Files to work it needs an ambiguous filename (a filename with
*'s and/or ?'s) with which to work.  It can take an ambiguous
filename as a parameter when the program is run (in which case a
list of files will immediately appear from which you can pick a
file).  If an ambiguous filename has not been entered, *.* will
be used. This ambiguous filename will be remembered each time you
access the function until you change the filename.

When Files asks you for the ambiguous filename, you can specify a
specific file, and that file will be immediately loaded for
viewing.  Otherwise a list of files matching the ambiguous
filename will be display from which you can select a file for
viewing.  From this point you may select the file by moving the
wide bar cursor to the file using the arrow keys or the mouse
(click the left mouse button), and select the file by pressing
enter or by using the mouse (click the left mouse button while
pointing to the wide bar cursor).  If you wish to change the
ambiguous filename, press Esc from this point or press the right
mouse button.



ùQUITTINGù

   <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

The function of Quitting depends upon the current state of the
program: Quitting from help will delete the help file from memory
and return you to the state from which help was called.  If help
was loaded because you ran MLX without specific parameters (see
þHelpúAccessþ), Quitting will return you to DOS, but if help was
loaded by some other means, Quitting will return you to the
primary file.

Quitting from the primary file will always cause you to return to
DOS (or to the shell from which MLX was called).

You may quit by selecting "Quit" from the þPopúUpúMenuþ, by
pressing the ESC key on the keyboard, or by clicking twice on the
left mouse button with the mouse cursor on the double note in the
bottom right corner of the screen.





ùHOMEù

   <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Pressing the Home key displays text starting with the first line
of text.


















ùENDù

   <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Pressing the End key displays the last page of text.



















ùARROWúKEYSù

   <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

The arrow keys move the window on the text one character or line
at a time.  Ctrl-Left and Ctrl-Right cause the text to move 8
characters to the left or right respectively.  See þScrollúBarsþ.

















ùFINDúTEXTù

   <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

The Find command allows the user to quickly find any string in a
file. The user will be asked for the string to find.  Pressing
enter at this time will start the search.  Pressing escape will
abort the search.  The Find command is case insensitive, i.e.
CASE = case.

You can start the Find command by pressing the letter "F" on the
keyboard, or by selecting "Ignore Case" on the þPopúUpúMenuþ.
(Also see þSearchingþ.)











ùCASEúSEARCHù

   <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

The Case command allows the user to quickly find any string in a
file. The user will be asked for the string to find.  Pressing
enter at this time will start the search.  Pressing escape will
abort the search.  The Case command is case sensitive, i.e. CASE
<> case.

You can start the Case command by pressing the letter "C" on the
keyboard, or by selecting "Exact Match" on the þPopúUpúMenuþ.
(Also see þSearchingþ.)











ùNEXTúFINDù

   <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

The Next command repeats the last find or case command with the
string specified at that time.  Case sensitivity will depend upon
which function, find (þFindúTextþ) or case (þCaseúSearchþ), was
specified last.

You can start the Next command by pressing the letter "N" on the
keyboard, or by selecting "Next" on the þPopúUpúMenuþ.  (Also see
þSearchingþ.)











ùSCROLLINGù

   <þKeyboardúFunctionsþ> <þMouseúFunctionsþ> <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Pressing the letter "A" will cause ML to begin scrolling the file
one line at a time at a specified rate of speed.  To adjust the
rate enter any number from 0 to 9.  These numbers specify a time
to delay between updates, so 0 specifies the fastest speed and 9
specifies the slowest speed.  While scrolling you may press the
space bar to make the next line appear immediately.  Any other
key or any mouse button pressed will cause scrolling to cease.

You may also select "Medium," "Fast," or "Slow" scrolling from
the þPopúUpúMenuþ to start scrolling at speeds of 5, 0, or 9
respectively.









ùREGISTRATIONù and ùLEGALúERRATAù                <þSubjectúMenuþ>

ML and MLX are the copyrighted property of Gil Yoder, 1989.  Both
are distributed via the shareware market to keep down marketing
costs, but neither are public domain or free.  You may try both
ML and MLX on your computer for a reasonable trial period (we
suggest 21 days), but if you like either program enough to
continue their use, we ask you to purchase a license for their
use.  A license for ML and MLX may be purchased for $6.00 (one
license is good for both programs).  Those who purchase a license
for ML and MLX automatically become registered and qualify for
all rights listed below and under þTechnicalúSupportþ.

Registered users are granted the right to use Mouse Lister
(abbreviated ML) and Mouse Lister eXtended (abbreviated MLX) on a
single computer, but may not use MLX on more than one computer at
a time.  (Site licenses are available for use on more than one
computer.)  Note this provision prohibits the use of MLX on a
network without a site license.

ML and MLX may NOT be sold without prior written agreement from
the author and copyright owner, Gil Yoder.  However a limited
license is granted to distributors to copy ML and MLX and
distribute for a reasonable distribution fee (not to exceed $2.00
for ML and MLX alone).

Registered users may include an unregistered copy of MLX with
their þHyperTextþ data bases as a part of their own shareware or
free projects. MLX remains the property of Gil Yoder, and an
unmodified copy of HELP.MLX must accompany MLX.EXE in such cases.
End users should still purchase a license for ML and MLX if
either are used for purposes other than reading the data base
sent with such projects.  (Other commercial uses of ML and/or MLX
are prohibited without prior written agreement with the author
and copyright owner.)



ùTECHNICALúSUPPORTù                              <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Registered users are entitled to technical support via the
address, telephone numbers, or CompuServe number given at the end
of this document. (See þAddressþ)

Update notices of enhancements to ML and MLX will be sent to all
registered users.

No further licensing will be necessary to receive future versions
of the program, but a small fee will be charged to cover media,
shipping and handling if you wish to get an update from the
author.  Future versions of ML and MLX can be acquired at various
places (friends, electronic bulletin boards, etc.).  The latest
version of MLX will always be available at a local bulletin board
(SYSOP: Chris Scott).  The number for this board is 405-927-2541.
At this time the board is opperating at 1200 baud, but 2400 baud
and possibly 9600 baud may soon be available.  Set your protocol
for 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.











ùHISTORYù                                        <þSubjectúMenuþ>

MLX is an extended version of ML.  ML was written to provide a
simple mouse oriented file lister.  Although ML is not public
domain it was introduced through the shareware market in November
1989.  It is still available through various electronic bulletin
boards and shareware distributors, etc.  By placing ML in the
shareware market users are able to see the program and even get a
feel for MLX before making a payment.  After a reasonable period
of time users were expected to pay for þregistrationþ if they
intended to continue use.  By using this scheme the author was
able to keep the cost down (still only $6.00).

Even before we began to programming ML, MLX was in the
brain-storming stage.  We wanted to write a small mouse oriented
lister.  This was done with ML.  We were even able to have a hex
dump.  But before beginning ML we knew that we would want
something with a lot more power.  We wanted the functionality of
ML, but we also wanted a þDOSúShellþ, the ability to change
þfilesþ without exiting the program, a þHyperTextþ capability, a
þPopúUpúMenuþ, and other advanced functions.  All of this is
provided in MLX.

A special license for ML only was granted to all licensees of
WINDIR version 1.4 or greater.  WINDIR is a mouse oriented
directory utility that provides support for several archiving
utilities such as ARC and ZIP.  A license for WINDIR cost only
$6.00 and included a grant to use ML (but not MLX).  WINDIR is
designed to call ML (or a similar utility) to display files.

Both ML and MLX serve a purpose.  Because ML is small it is ideal
for use from within other program (such as WINDIR).  Other
programs can be designed to call ML to list specified files.  But
when working on the command line MLX may be the lister of choice.



ùSHAREWAREù                                      <þSubjectúMenuþ>

From inside the front cover of Public Brand Software Shareware
Catalog, Volume 5, Number 3, Supplement 2:

Shareware is really a simple concept.  Basically, the authors of
shareware retain all rights to the software under the copyright
laws and simply allow distribution of their systems to be done
freely or with few restrictions.  You may, of course, look at,
keep, copy, etc. this type of software, but if you use it you
then register your use with the author.

With your þRegistrationþ of ML and MLX you will receive update
notices, free updates, telephone and CompuServe support from the
author, and two great programs.









ùADDRESSù

Gil Yoder
P.O. Box 307
Coalgate, OK 74538


Phone support:

(405) 927-3459  -  Home
(405) 927-2831  -  Office


CompuServe #: 73237,3103










ùORDERúFORMù                                     <þSubjectúMenuþ>

Please use the following form to place your order for ML and MLX:


  MLX LICENSING FORM                            (please print carefully)



  Name: ___________________________________________ Date _______________


  Company: _____________________________________________________________


  Mailing Address: _____________________________________________________


  City: ________________________________________________________________


  State: _____________________  Zip Code: ______________________________


  Phone: (_______) ______________________________ Ext. _________________


  Please register me as a user of MLX.  My current version is ______.
  A check or money order is enclosed for the following items:



  1.  Basic registration   _____________ @ $6.00 each = $_______________

  2.  Site license      ____  5 to 25     $25.00         _______________


                        ____  Over 25     $50.00         _______________


  3.  Extra copies         _____________ @ $3.00 each =  _______________
      (Unless specifically requested here, one copy
      per order will be sent.)

  4.  Outside USA S/H for ________ disks @ $1.00 each =  _______________


                       TOTAL (includes S/H in USA)      $_______________


  Make check or money order payable to

                            Gil Yoder
                            P.O. Box 307
                            Coalgate, OK 74538

