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Batch Menu Operating System BATMENU Version 4.00 (c) Copyright 1987 by Donald Gloistein All rights reserved May 3, 1987 Table of Contents Introduction.............................................. 1 Description of Use........................................ 3 Menu Screen............................................... 5 Installation.............................................. 7 Files Included........................................ 7 Quick Setup........................................... 7 Environment........................................... 8 Sub-Directories....................................... 8 Options................................................... 9 Passwords............................................. 9 Back Door......................................... 9 Encryption............................................ 9 Multiple Configurations.............................. 10 Screen Blanking...................................... 10 Printer Setup........................................ 11 Revising Configurations.................................. 12 System Settings...................................... 14 Menu Settings........................................ 17 Extended Menu Settings............................... 17 Printer Configuration................................ 19 Help Screen.......................................... 20 Functions/Helps.......................................... 21 BATMENU.BAT.......................................... 21 MENU.BAT............................................. 21 Chaining Menus....................................... 22 Calling Other Batch Files............................ 22 Gomenu function...................................... 22 Exit function........................................ 23 Park function........................................ 23 Doagain function..................................... 23 Converting Versions...................................... 25 BATCONV.EXE.......................................... 25 BATMENU.TXT.......................................... 26 Update History........................................... 28 Restrictions/Limitations................................. 29 License / Registration / Source Code..................... 31 Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 1 Introduction Dear User, Thank you for trying this program. It was developed for use on business PC's. It is a master menu shell system for IBM PC XT/AT compatible computers. I have installed it on various computers when hired to set up PC's at small businesses. The different options were added because of the needs of the businesses. The biggest one was the ability to have more than one person operate the system. Also, encryption of the configuration files was added. I have used this in conjunction with an encryption program I install to protect some files, but still allow access by authorized people. See the section on options for further details. This program is not for commercial use. It is offered under the shareware concept. If you find it useful for your own personal computer, I do ask that you register it. The fee is modest, and there are some benefits to registering. If you are a computer consultant or programmer, I require registration for support and updates. With the registration and licensing, you will be able to install and support this program on others computers. The program will be slightly modified to include your name on the menu screen, a custom logon and help screen with your message, and your own master password for the system. You will then receive the master update to pass on to your own customers. For corporate users or programers, there are additional features of custom password, custom help screen and menu screen. Registered users will receive free update for a 'first' bug report, priority service for additional features programming. If you have any suggestions, please write me or leave me an EMAIL on Compuserve. Don't leave a message just on one of the SIGS, I sometimes don't check on for quite a while. Donald J. Gloistein 2500 Fairway Dr. #922 Alvin, TX 77511 (713)331-9372 CIS # 76010,474 Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 2 The following registered trademarks appear in this documentation: MSDOS, Microsoft Corportation. IBM, International Business Machines. Tandy, Radio Shack. Turbo Pascal, Borland International. AT&T PC 6300, American Telephone and Telegraph. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 3 Description of Use Purpose: This is a general purpose menu system for IBM compatible computers. It will generate a batch file for running application programs. The menu system has the capacity of 32 choices with up to ten commands per choice. Command Format: MENU [CONFIG_FILENAME] or BATMENU [CONFIG_FILENAME] Remarks: The system is user configurable, including color choices, help message, encryption of configuration file for security, multiple configuration files, chaining of menus, configuring parallel port printer. Password security is available on multiple levels, including entry, exit to DOS level, invoking commands, changing options. Logon Screen: A logon screen is displayed if BATMENU is called without a parameter. It is shown on the first entry from DOS level. After the batch file takes control, it will not be seen. It does remind you which version (major and minor) you have, the name and address of the author, and copywrite notice. I dislike programs, that cannot disable this screen. So if you use the command line with the configuration file name, it is by-passed. eg: MENU BATMENU <CR> or BATMENU BATMENU <CR> Major revisions are noted by the numbers, eg. 3.01. The minor revision is to keep track of cosmetic changes, eg. a. The minor revisions do not require BATCONV to be used on configuration files. With major revisions, you must use BATCONV to ensure compatibilty. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 4 This program, the configuration and batch file is a system for implementing a menu control for an IBM compatible computer. It uses standard calls to the system. So there should be no compatibility problems with MSDOS operating systems. It does use some direct writing to the video buffer. It appears to work on both monochrome and CGA color cards. If there are compatibility problems, please contact me and they will be worked out. Security: It is impossible to completely protect an IBM machine without taking over a lot of interupts and keeping total control. If I did that it would decrease the compatibility of the menu system. The primary goal of the menu system was to write a program that would not conflict with any other software. This was possible by writing a very fancy batch file system. If the program will operate from DOS batch files, it will operate from the menu. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 5 Menu Screen When executed, a screen simular to the following appears: 02-22-87 DGWare Menu Operating System Menu 16:49.15 MASTER MENU 4.00 ╔═════════════╤══════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ Command │ Description ║ ╠═════════════╪══════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ DOS │ DOS Commands (Enter MENU to continue) ║ ║ INFORMATION │ Information Data Systems ║ ║ MONEY │ Budget Manager ║ ║ LANGUAGE │ Compiler Language Development ║ ║ SYMPHONY │ Symphony Master Menu ║ ║ WORD │ Word Processing Menu ║ ║ XTALK │ Telecommunications Menu ║ ║ - │ ║ ║ Blank Disk │ Format a DOS diskette in drive A: ║ ║ Copy Disk │ Copy a DOS diskette from A: to B: ║ ║ Time & Date │ Set the system clock or date ║ ║ Utilities │ Various Utilities ║ ║ - │ ║ ║ OFF │ Leave the micro computer system ║ ║ OFF │ Park the disk and turn off computer ║ ╚═════════════╧══════════════════════════════════════════╝ Type the letter of command or use cursor keys and RETURN <F1> = Help <F2> = Extended Menu <CTL><S> toggle screen figure 1. Sample Menu screen The options under command are selected by either pressing the first letter of the Command or using arrow keys to select the option, then press <RETURN>. The space bar moves cursor down one command. Page up and home move cursor to top of selections, page down and end move cursor to bottom of selections. <ESC> will exit the menu program. If more than one command begins with the same letter, only the FIRST one is selected by using the letter. The second option must be selected by cursor. This is by intention. The keys can be selected and executed rapidly, and it protects if there is a command you want to used only by intention. Eg: OFF to leave the system, or OFF to park the disk and shut down. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 6 Special keys: <F1> function key 1 displays help screen. <F2> function key 2 displays choices 18 to 32. <CTL><S> control S toggles the screen blanking option. <CTL><Z> control Z selects configuration editing. <CTL><P> control P selects printer configuration. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 7 Installation Files Included: MENU.BAT ........ main menu batch file to start up the system. BATMENU.BAT ..... startup subdirectory batch file. BATMENUX.EXE .... menu system executive file, produces the batch files. BATCONV.EXE ...... file for converting old configuration files to recent version. This is included to make it easier for upgrades. Also configures default printer configuration in BATMENUX.EXE and BATCONV.EXE BATMENU.CFG ....... sample default configuration file. DEMO.TXT .......... sample menu quick setup file. DEMO.CFG .......... sample menu for application programs. Quick Setup: (before setting up or converting configuration files, please read the BATCONV section. If you wish to configure the BATMENUX.EXE and/or BATCONV.EXE file for your printer, you should do so first. Follow the directions in BATCONV section. Then do the following steps.) 1. Copy BATMENUX.EXE and BATCONV.EXE to one of your directories in the PATH setting. 2. Edit MENU.BAT to change the directory to the startup directory. On my system that is C:\DOS. This will the the master menu directory. 3. Copy the edited MENU.BAT to the PATH directory. 4. Copy BATMENU.BAT to each directory you will be setting up a menu in. This is for chaining menus. ( Optional step). 5. Enter command MENU <CR>. 6. Enter <CTL><Z> to gain access to the options settings menus. You now can enter the commands, and make menus. See the detailed instructions. 7. Change to each subdirectory you wish to install a menu configuration and simply type : eg.: CD\subdirectory <CR> BATMENUX <CR> <ESC> CD\next_subdirectory <CR> The needed files will be written. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 8 The initial setup of the selections can be done using a formatted text file and the BATCONV program. If you wish to use this see section on BATMENU.TXT. Environment: In version 3.01 the BIN file needed to be in the PATH. This is no longer necessary, as the file is not used. If you have the old version, you can delete the file. The PATH should still point to the directory that has the MENU.BAT and BATMENUX.EXE files. Sub-Directories: The programs BATMENUX.EXE, BATCONV.EXE files and MENU.BAT file should reside in the one of the directories in the PATH= command. The files BATMENU.CFG and BATMENU.BAT must be in each subdirectory you wish a new menu to run from. If you wish to add additional menus later, just go to the directory and use the BATMENUX command or use the chaining feature documented later. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 9 Options The Batch Menu System is rich with features. It can be either an easy menu system for your home computer, or a fairly sophisticated operating shell for applications at work. Take some time to read through the manual. I am not very experienced at writing these things. So some of the information may be out of order. I will try the best I can to make sense of it for you. Passwords: The starting password is PASSWORD. If you want to make an option accessible to every one, set the password to PASSWORD. Entry to the system can be protected with a password, each of the commands, exit by the escape key or by use of a code phrase "exit" as a command. If you leave the System Password set to PASSWORD, then anyone can get in and change it. You must set this password for all of the features to have effect. Back Door: (Registered/Custom Copies Only) There is another feature of the menu program, it has a "back door" for the programmer or installer to read out the system and master passwords. This has been very helpful with me when a customer forgets the master password and the file is encrypted. This MASTER PASSWORD is available to all who register their copy of this program for sale and installation on others computers. (See Registration/Licenses for more information.) The menu system operates quite well without knowing this password, in no way is the program crippled. In fact, it is redundant if you are only installing it on your own computer. If you want to install this program on other people's systems, for a fee, I require that you become a registered user and obtain a license for resale. Once this is done, I will compile a copy of BATMENU.EXE and BATCONV.EXE with any password you select, a custom logo screen, and you will be free to use this program as I do, and you will have the responsibility of distributing the updates to your customer. Encryption: If you enable encryption, the configuration file is encrypted. The routine that does this adds a little time to read the configuration file. You may notice about a 2 second delay. That should be all. If you change the encryption flag Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 10 from the System Menu, you will be asked to save the file, when you do, it will be encrypted and the old file with .CFG will be changed to an encrypted file with .CRY extension. Be sure to set the MASTER password if you want encryption security. This was originally set up to be used in conjunction with an encryption utility. The commands would first decrypt the data file, run the application and then encrypt the file again. All this without the operator knowing the command or the passwords. If someone goes into the dos level and looks at the .CRY file, they see a series of random bytes. So they can't see the password commands. This feature was found useful now that many companies have computer literate operators, it will help keep them out of programs and information. Corporate customers can have access to the CRYPT program. It is a quick but efficient encryption program. Fairly hard to break. (I hesitate to say impossible, but time consuming to say the least.) Multiple Configurations: The master program takes a passed parameter. This is the name of the configuration file, without an extension. The batch files will pass this parameter properly to the BATMENUX program. Thus if more than one person wants a customized menu for the computer, you could call the configurations by a name other than BATMENU. eg: BATMENU DONS <CR> This will start up the menu system with DONS.CFG being the configuration file. This feature also enables you to activate a number of choices in excess of the program's limitations. I use it for a set of batch commands I use frequently, but don't want it cluttering up my main menu. Screen Blanking: BATMENU can be set to blank the screen if no key is pressed. Since many of the resident screen blanking utilities test for screen write, they don't operate properly with BATMENU. The menu program continually updates the time. If you set the blanking feature to 1-9 minutes, after that much inactivity, the screen will clear. This is done safely, it will not harm any video board as no playing with the hardware is done. If you choose to leave a resident blanker active, then you will have to press a key twice, once for the menu and once for the resident blanker. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 11 The screen blanking is toggled from the menu with the keys <CTL><S>, or can be set in configuration of the system. Once the screen blanks, any normal input key will toggle it back on. Printer Setup: The menu system comes setup to configure a printer connected to parallel printer port 1 (LPT1). To access it from the main menu, press <CTL><P>. However, if you try it initially, it will not work. It will only display the default headings. If you make a selection, you will get the message "Option not installed." You must first use the printer configuration option to put the setup strings into the configuration file. (Also See Helps/Hints.) The program firsts tests if a printer port is connected and active. If it is not you will receive a message saying the printer is not ready. On the IBM PC and AT, the Compaq portable, and AT&T 6300 I have tried it out on, the only problem is that if you turn the printer off during operation, the program will not know it the first time. On TANDY (Radio Shack) machines, if the printer is off, it will appear like nothing is happening. It is because it is timing out. Until the operating system acknowledges the time out, it is frozen. So on Tandy machines, be patient. It is not hung up, it will recover. Tandy printer also seems to respond to the system check by initializing the printer. CAUTION: This writes the configuration string selected to the printer port using a BIOS call. It will work properly on any MSDOS machine. However, if you have a spooler active and printing a print que, it is NOT recommended you use the feature until it is done printing the que. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 12 Revising Configurations: To change the default options, or change the commands and prompts, from the main menu screen press <CTL><Z> keys at the same time. You will get the following selection screen: ╔════════════[ Editor Menu ]═════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ Main Menu Options ║ ║ ║ ║ Extended Options ║ ║ ║ ║ Printer Configuration ║ ║ ║ ║ Change Help Screen ║ ║ ║ ║ System Options ║ ║ ║ ╚════════════[<ESC> to exit]═════════════╝ figure 2. Editing Menu At this point, choose the selection you wish to edit by pressing the first letter of the selection. If the selection change routine is protected by a password, you will be prompted for the password. This may be entered in upper or lower case. Each of the selections will call up the appropriate editing window. Remember, if the window is titled a Menu, use the first letter to select an option or use <ESC> to return to previous menu. If the title includes EDIT, then the following keys will be useful (the editor uses MicroSoft's suggested key meanings): Cursor Keys: these do the expected things. <TAB> selects the next changable field. <SHIFT-TAB> selects previous field. <RET> or <ENTER> changes line and selects the next field. <HOME> moves editing cursor to beginning of line. <END> moves editing cursor to the end of the line. <PGUP> moves cursor to first editing field. <PGDN> moves cursor to last editing field. <DEL> deletes current character. <CTL><HOME> moves cursor to beggining of line and clears line. <CTL><END> erases from cursor to the end of the line. <ESC> aborts all editing of the screen. No changes made. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 13 When the cursor is on an editing line, a help line with possible options or information will be displayed at the bottom of the screen. The current editing line is shown by a reverse color bar. If you edit and wish not to make changes, use <ESC> before you move from the bottom line of the screen. Once the bottom line is changed, the option is modified. If you only change a few line in the beginning of the selections, use <PGDN> to get to the last item. Then press <CR> to register the changes. If you make any changes to the current configuration, when you use <ESC> from the Editor Menu, you will be asked if you wish to save the changes. Press 'Y' if you do, otherwise press any key to continue. If you do not save configuration, the changes will only be active for that session. If you changed the name of the configuration file, you will be asked if that is what you wish to do. Again, press 'Y' if you wish to change, any other key to continue without change of name. If you change the name, the old file is still on the disk, without changes. If it is not encrypted and has password information, you may wish to delete the file. Try out the options, they are easy to change back and forth. If you make a mistake, just use <ESC> and remember not to change the configuration. Exit and reenter the menu, and it will be reset to the old configuration. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 14 System Settings: If you select the System Options from the Editing Menu, you will see the following screen: ╔═══════════[ EDIT SYSTEM DEFAULTS]════════════════╗ ║File Name : BATMENU ║ ║Version : 4.00 ║ ║Title : MASTER MENU ║ ║\DOS ║ ║Master Password : OTHER ║ ║Bottom line : ║ ║Exit :N Password:PASSWORD ║ ║<ESC> :N Password:PASSWORD Printer Port:1║ ║Menu :N Password:PASSWORD Edit text: 6_║ ║Extend :Y Password:ANOTHER background:4║ ║Help :N Password:PASSWORD Window text:0║ ║Encrypt :N background:3║ ║Entry :N Password:Password ║ ║Blank 0-9 0=NO :0 ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ figure 3. Edit System Defaults These are the user configurable system settings: File name: This is the name of the current configuration file. Maximum of eight letters are used for the name. If you change this name, you will later be prompted if you wish to change the name of the configuration file and save to the new name. Version: This is the current major version of the file, it is not changable by user. It is for information only. Title: This is the tile used on the menu screen. You may wish to use Master Menu (Default) for your initial configuration, and a discriptive title for the other menu files, eg: Word Processing Menu. \DOS: Actually, this will be the current subdirectory. This is set by the program. It is not changable by user. This is the subdirectory the batch file will return to unless you chain menus or exit. If you copy an existing configuration file to another subdirectory, you must use BATCONV to change this option. Otherwise, the menu program will not operate correctly. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 15 Master Password: This is the master system password. You will be prompted for this password if you change from the default. It is the word you need to know to access the System Editor. This will access all password protected levels, even if the other passwords are different. This password MUST be set for any other password to work. (This is logical, because if it is not set, anyone can enter the system options editor and set and find the passwords.) Bottom Line: This will change the bottom prompt line displayed on the menu screen. If left blank, the default prompt for <F1> <F2> etc, is displayed. The Printer Editor does not have a separate option or password. It is considered part of the system, therefore protected by the Master Password. Exit: 'Y' will enable password protection of the EXIT command. See EXIT FUNCTION. The user will not be able to access to DOS level if this is enabled, unless the user has the system password. This also enables password protection for the PARK FUNCTION. <ESC>: Same as Exit, but for the escape key. I usually leave this set to Y so that the escape key is protected and I don't leave the menu system by accident. Menu: Extend: Help: 'Y' will password protect the respective editors. These passwords are separately set. The Password screen will only be shown (in the middle of the screen) if you enter 'Y' in one of the options. Encrypt: 'Y' will enable the encrypting of the configuration file. This is a powerful feature. Used with the various levels of password security, it make as secure a system as the PC Dos will allow. (There is also a rapid CRYPT utility available that will code and decode data files quickly. This is useful in the batch processing to keep sensitive data secure.) Entry: 'Y' will enable password protection of entering the menu program with the present configuration. One inconvenience is that the program will ask first and then upon return from the application. The re-inquiry can be disabled by the "doagain" command. See features section. Blank: A number from 1-9 will set the screen blanking feature on. After the set minutes of inactivity, the screen will be blanked. The program actually does this in a non-destructive way, no touching the video controler ports, so it is safe on Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 16 ANY video card that allows direct video buffer access. This includes Hercules. Text/ Background Colors: These are entered to change the various windows that appear in the program. Edit text/background will set the colors for the Editing screens. Window text/background will set the colors for the help windows and any other windows added in the future. For color with monochrome monitor, I like 6,4,0,3. The colors separate nicely. The numbers correspond to the standard color codes for IBM PC. They are listed on the help line if you need a reminder. Passwords: If you enable any option that requires a password, this section of the screen appears. If you press <ESC> you will be returned to the main system default editing. Note that only those options that are enabled can have the password changed. The other passwords are set to PASSWORD. If you put a leading blank in the password, then the whole password is set to PASSWORD. If you enable an option, the default password is set to the system password. If you disable an option, it is reset to PASSWORD. This is an added convenience for single user systems. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 17 Menu Settings: Extended Menu Settings: From the Edit Menu, select either the Menu or Extended menu settings. This will select either prompts 1-17 or 18-32. Then select the number to proceed with the editing. ╔═══════════[Program Prompts]════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ 1 DOS 2 INFORMATIO ║ ║ 3 MONEY 4 LANGUAGE ║ ║ 5 SYMPHONY 6 WORD ║ ║ 7 WINDOWS 8 XTALK ║ ║ 9 GAMES 10 - ║ ║ 11 Blank Disk 12 Copy Disk ║ ║ 13 Time & Date 14 Utilities ║ ║ 15 - 16 OFF ║ ║ 17 ║ ╚════════════[<ESC> to exit]═════════════╝ Select number or <ESC> to exit: nn figure 4. Edit Options (select command number) A sample menu screen is shown below: ╔══════════[ EDIT PROMPT COMMANDS ]════════════╗ ║Prompt : WINDOWS ║ ║Description : Windows Environment ║ ║Password : PASSWORD ║ ║Directory : C:\WINDOWS ║ ║Test Program: c:\window.flg ║ ║Command 1:win ║ ║ 2: ║ ║ 3: ║ ║ 4: ║ ║ 5: ║ ║ 6: ║ ║ 7: ║ ║ 8: ║ ║ 9: ║ ║ 10: ║ ║ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════╝ figure 5. Edit Commands (changing directory) Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 18 Prompt: This is the Menu name of the program. The first letter is significant in the Menu and Extended menu options. These letters should be different for one key selection. Otherwise, you will need to use the cursor controls. The first letter is not case sensitive. CAUTION: The menu program stops displaying choices when it finds the first blank prompt. Therefore, if you want a break in the menu and still display choices following it, you must have a prompt that consists of at least a leading space and one character. eg.: Prompt : __- (two spaces and a hyphen) Otherwise, the selections following the prompt will not be displayed. (see DEMO.CFG). Description: This is the description you want for the command option. Sub Directory: This is the sub directory you want the program started in. The batch file will switch to this directory before executing the other commands. It will return to the current subdirectory after all commands are executed. This can be left blank if the application is a command in the PATH environment. Test Program: This is the name of a file that will be checked before executing the batch file. If it is not found, menu displays an error message and continues. This should have the drive and path specification as well as the file name. Commands: There is space for ten user commands for inclusion in the batch file. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 19 Printer Configuration: From the Editor Menu, select the Printer Configuration Option. You will see an editing window with the current printer settings. You can change the Title, Option prompts and the printer values. The values are 0-127. The printer string MUST end with the number -1. This is how the program knows it is through. If your printer does something weird after configuring, check the settings for a -1 at the end of each string. Any number is converted to a single byte, so anything over 255 will be undefined. Consult your printer manual for the values. The values must be entered in decimal values. eg: \27 \34 \27 \15 \-1 \ \ \ \ The final option is setting the printer port, this should be between 1 - 4. When through, press <CR> after the last prompt. If you press <ESC> at any time, any changes up to then are discarded. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 20 Help Screen: This feature is included for inserting a set of reminders or instructions for the user to check when pressing <F1>. This is revised from the Edit Menu. The first line is the title line of the help screen. The next 15 lines are the text. If you delete the first line of help text, the default screen is reset. The default screen on the public version is the sign on screen. In licensed copies, it is a custom screen written for the licensee. The best use right now is to have ready access to a phone number and address for the operator to use in contacting the programmer. For personal use, it has little value at present. In the future, there may be a need for help screen that are context sensitive. I use this feature when I set up applications menus for clients. It could be to remind when to use certain options, such as backing up, how to format disks, etc. The nice thing is that it is easily changed when I install a system, so the customer can dictate the needs. I used function key <F1> to be compatible with most programs with help screens. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 21 Functions/Helps BATMENU.BAT: This file is generated by the menu program. Please do not change or delete this file while using the menu system. Occasionally, you may get a file not found, or illegal command. These will take care of themselves, as the menu program will rewrite the correct file. The menu program will generate a batch file similar to the following: (command) (remarks) echo off batmenux %1 (menu generating program) C: (drive from subdirectory option) CD\DOS (subdirectory of program) commands commands (from the 10 user commands) C: (return to original drive) CD\DOS (return to original subdirectory) batmenu config_name (restart menu program) For the technically minded, this has all the limitations of batch files. Especially if you use another batch file as a command. If you do that DOS will exit the BATMENU.BAT file and stop after the new batch file. This is a limitation of the DOS system. If you wish to use other batch files, you either must end the batch file with a command to restart the menu (eg. MENU or BATMENU) or use an extra copy of COMMAND.COM as illustrated later. MENU.BAT: This file starts the entire system from either the DOS prompt or an AUTOEXEC.BAT file. The file should be in a subdirectory included in the PATH environment setting. The contents of the file are as follows: (command) (remarks) ECHO OFF C: (drive of the batmenu program) CD\DIRECT (directory of the main menu) BATMENU %1 (start menu system) You may write this file with an ANCII text editor, or use the command COPY CON MENU.BAT to start writing a file. Type in the appropriate commands and press <F6> <CR> to stop the writing. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 22 The following helps refer to entering commands from the EDIT PROMPT COMMANDS screen. They are meant to help expand the utility of the menu system. Chaining Menus: The program can be used to chain to other menu configurations. This is done either by changing the subdirectory option in the command editing to the new subdirectory and adding the command BATMENU BATMENU (or config file name) as the last command. You also can have multiple configuration files in the same directory. The command would then be BATMENU CONFIGNAME to stop the current processing and start a new chain of menu processings. Also see gomenu function. Calling Other Batch Files: Since DOS will not allow chaining of batch files, there is an easy way to call other batch files and return to the menu program. Use the following command line instead of just the batch file name: command 1: COMMAND /C BATCH_FILE_NAME This will allow the batch file to process as normal and on exit, it will release the second copy of command.com and return to the original BATMENU.BAT CAUTION: Do not use this command to install memory resident programs. There will be unpredictable results. Gomenu function: Version 4.00 added a new way of chaining menus. This will also decrease the time, as a batch file is not used, so another program is not run. The command is : command 1: gomenu command 2: config_name The subdirectory must be set for the subdirectory of the configuration file. Thus, you can run all the menus from one subdirectory. Or use this function to just read the new menu as if you started in that subdirectory. This can be a little confusing. The command sequence is the equivilent of : command 1: batmenu batmenu Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 23 The addition of this function makes for a very rapid change of menu configurations, greatly expanding the utility of the program. Exit function: If you enter the command EXIT as the last command on the screen, it will end the BATMENU.BAT file at that point and when the batch is finished, it will NOT return to the menu system. This is to enable the use to exit to the DOS prompt level. (It is the same as the Escape key from the menu, but allows for command processing first.) It is entered as if it was a command. No commands followinging this will be processed. This is not the same as the DOS exit command. The DOS command exits an extra copy of the command processor. This does the LOGICAL equivalent with a batch file. Park function: Rename the hard disk parking utility, often called SHIP.EXE or SHIPDISK.EXE to PARK.EXE (if it is a .COM file, use that extension). When the menu program sees the command PARK, it will write out the batch file and terminate processing, with no more disk reads. This is so the disk head will not move. This is password protected with the EXIT protection. Some programs lock the computer, so the operator has to reboot. Others will park the disk, but you can enter more commands (eg. AT&T system.) Therefore, the PARK command is password protected with the EXIT protection. Doagain function: This function is used when the configuration file has the entry protection enabled. If the system is left to itself, you would have to enter the password after every application process. If you use this command, you can return to the menu without having to reenter the password. There are some system checks, to stop someone from bypassing the menu protection sytem. So it will only work if you return to the same subdirectory as the menu. In other words, don't do fancy changes, let the menu system do the work. eg.: command 1: symphony command 2: doagain This will run symphony and then return to a protected menu without requiring the password. However, once you leave the Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 24 menu to another menu configuration, if you return, you WILL need the password again. If you forget this function, don't worry. The only inconvenience is having to reenter the password an extra time. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 25 Converting Versions BATCONV.EXE: This program serves three purposes: Convert configuration files. Configure Printer Defaults. Convert formatted text file to configuration file. To use the program to convert previous versions the command line is: BATCONV [/F] [ FILENAME.EXT | FILENAME ] <CR> This program must also be used if you copy a configuration file to a subdirectory OTHER than the one it was made in. This will reset certain values the file needs. The /F option 'F'orces the converting program to use it's printer defaults instead of the current configuration file's. This is useful if you change printers or forgot to reconfigure the program before installation. If it finds more than one file, it will ask for the file name WITH extension. It does not take guesses on which file to change. If the command line is blank, the default it looks for is BATMENU. Please be careful with this utility. It tries to make sure the file is the right one. It will tell you what it is doing. If the file is up to date, it will change nothing. It will convert encrypted configuration files without needing a password. This file will be upgraded with each version. That way, if you are a couple of versions out of date, it will still be able to convert everything from the last version installed to the latest version. It normally will not upgrade a minor revision, as the configuration files do not change. To use the program to configure the printer strings, the following commands are used: BATCONV /C configures BATCONV.EXE defaults. BATCONV /P configures BATMENUX.EXE defaults. NOTICE: The programs must reside in the current directory. It will not search the path. This is so you know which file it is changing. Because it writes to the file, it checks to make sure the file has not changed. DO NO USE AN EXE PACKING PACKING PROGRAM ON BATMENUX.EXE or BATCONV.EXE. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 26 When configuring, you will get an editing window as described in Configuring Printer section. If you use <ESC> you stop the changes. When through editing, you will be asked if you want to save the changes. Press 'Y' if you do, any other key to exit without saving. For convenience, you should configure both programs before installing on your machine. That way you will not have to edit each configuration file. Your printer will be the default. BATMENU.TXT: The third function is a quick setup using a file called BATMENU.TXT. This will help in setting up large menus. However, you still will have to check each entry and enter the drive and subdirectory the program resides in if needed. The BATCONV program is set to read a special file called BATMENU.TXT. It will convert the ASCII file to the configuration file. For the first time setup, this is easier than starting the program and setting up all the commands one at a time. This method has some limitations. You can not setup a help screen from the text file. Also, the subdirectory the program resides on is always the current subdirectory. It is easy to change those one at a time, or you can override by using a cd\path command directly. However, this uses up one of the ten commands you place in the batch file. The program places special meaning for some symbols: | separator for the options } carriage return in the command column ~ replaces with a DOS pipe symbol (|) ^ used to tell program to ignore the text carriage return and continue on next line. Use the '^' symbol if your text editor uses an auto wrap on the 80th character. The editor I use allows lines up to 512 characters, so I never hit the restriction. This was added for compatibiltiy with other editors. If you make a mistake, don't worry, the original text file is still there or you can use the <CTL><Z> key to edit the menus and system options. I left the capability in for convenience. This program is planned to be revised to allow for easier reading and insertion of commands to an existing configuration file. The format is as follows: Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 27 TITLE of MENU| Program|description | commands} |c:progm.test|password - | QUIT | Quit system and park disk |park}| DOS | Dos level (type MENU to continue|exit}| Line one is the title of the local menu. Line two has a full program command line. The program.test is optional. It is included to test if the listed command file is present. If it is not installed, then a message is displayed. This is useful for multi systems using the same menus but not all having the same programs installed. You may also include a password to be checked before running the program. If any of the options are left out and you wish to include others, separate by a single pipe '|', otherwise the conversion program looses it's place on the line. Line three is the format for a space in the menu. Notice the use of the pipe symbol '|'. This must be last symbol on the line. Line four is a command line without a test program. Notice the idea is to stop the batch file after the head is parked. The command "park" is made. This is what you must rename the parking utility for your hard disk. BATMENUX treats this command differently, and will halt the batch processing following this command. This is a special command to BATMENU to not chain the batch files. The final line is a sample use of the EXIT function. The limit for a line is 1024 characters before a carriage return. This should give plenty of room for changing things and getting a program running. Included is the old master menu text file from my computer along with some sample subdirectory menus. This should give you some ideas. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 28 Update History Version 1.00 August 1, 1985 -first version. Version 1.10 February 14, 1986 -added features included use of path environment. -date and time update. -corrected logic faults. Version 2.00 February 22, 1987 -revised added help screen, menu prompt line, windows, extended options menu. -encrypted file and passwords added. -improved logic and speed. Version 3.00 March 12, 1987 -added a second password to master system, for entry to menu. If the password fails, program exits with a batch file call to MENU.BAT. The first master menu should not have protected entry. -enhanced passwords, selection of colors by user, corrected some bugs in the windows, memory allocation errors. -centered screens, cleaned up file crypt and detection. -first release to public Shareware. Version 3.01 March 20, 1987 -added different passwords for protection from DOS level. -corrected some passwords being improperly checked. -revised entry password testing to allow for reentry of the menu program without asking for password again. Version 3.01b April 5, 1987 -minor cosmetic in version 3.01a -revised test program screen. Version 4.00 May 3, 1987 -added gomenu function, revised configuration file reading to allow for multiple files, resetting defaults. -changed encryption to rename file, effectively erasing the old configuration file so it couldn't be found easily. -added option to BATCONV to reconfigure printer and print port defaults. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 29 Restrictions/Limitations * MSDOS Version 2.0 or later is required. This program is known to operate correctly with IBM, AT&T and Tandy OEM (using 1000SX) versions of MS DOS version 3.1. I assume any standard implementation of MSDOS will work. Please let me know if you have compatibility problems. * ANSI.SYS is not required for the program. However, I usually have NANSI.SYS installed, and the program works properly. * It was developed on an AT&T 6300 using version 3.1 DOS and MicroSoft C v4.00. This program should work properly on well behaved IBM compatibles. Program tests for current mode and then sets to MODE CO80, it will reset to the original mode when exiting. This also works properly on Hercules card with B&W monitor. The colors looked alright to me on both B&W and Color. I have added some ability to change color configuration. * If you use a screen saver (blanking) program, the Menu program updates the display constantly with the time. If the screen saver monitors for writes to screen it will not blank the screen. You must be able to deactivate monitoring the screen for the programs internal blanking program to work properly. * I have not tested this on the EGA card. It should work properly; however, if this program does not access an EGA properly, please let me know. BATMENU is supplied for personal, private use. Feel free to distribute the Shareware ARCHIVE in the unmodified form, with documentation, given these restrictions: * The program shall be supplied in its original, unmodified form which includes this documentation. * No fee is charged. * Commercial use without a license is prohibited. * The program may not be included - or bundled - with any other goods or services. Exceptions may be granted upon written request only. This applies to clubs and distributors. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 30 NOTICE: No warranty as to the the design, capability, capacity or suitability for use of the software. Software is offered/licensed on an "AS IS" basis, without warranty. No responsibility for damages or loss of business arising out of the use or incorrect use of this software on the user's computer is assumed. This includes, but is not limited to, any interruption of service, loss of business or anticipatory profits or consequential damages resulting forom the use or operation of this software. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 31 License / Registration / Source Code The Batch Menu System is supported at a variety of levels: Sharware Supporter: If this program is useful to you, I ask a small donation for my time and effort, suggested is $15.00. This will place you an a mailing list to receive notice of upgrades. Full Registration: You may register the program as a single user. It is a single user not a single CPU license. You will receive telephone support (you pay the charges) and will receive priority service for any bugs you report. If you would like to take advantage of registration support and upgrades, a license fee of $30.00 is requested. The suggested registration price will assure you of being on a mailing list for any updated versions. The first one will be mailed free. After that, I either need a disk and mailer from you, or will need $5.00 to cover costs of disk, mailer and postage. For computer consultants: If you would like to use and supply this program to your customers, please contact me for a custom copy of the program, screen, and documentation. You will receive a resale license for the program and its support. You would provide support from your custom copy of the program. In addition to the single user registration, you also would receive priority service on program modifications you would like in the program you are installing for others. For use by corporations or other institutions: Please contact me at listed address for a site licensing agreement. I assure you, I am reasonable about this. Corporate customers will have access to the crypt program and a custom program to maintain and upgrade the configuration files. Other utilities making the menu system more convenient are also available. This will aid in keeping all the PC systems compatible. The menu screens and program can be customized by request. SOURCE CODE: Unfortunately, I have adapted many sources for the library, and as such, I would not be able to distribute it without copyright violations. However, the source to the program itself and the library files in MS C compiler version 4 format, would be available. I am looking for a limited number of people who like the program and would like to collaborate on testing on compatibles with non-CGA video cards. I would like to be able to test the program better. Batmenu Operating System Version 4.00 page 32 Registration Form Batch Menu Operating System 4.00 (C) 1987 by Donald Gloistein Yes, I have decided to keep BATMENU as part of my software library. Please register my copy. My check for a single user system is enclosed. I understand that registration entitles me to the latest program disk, documentation and free upgrades. (Free if I send a blank disk, $5.00 to cover disk, mailer and postage, otherwise.) For resale license, or multi-user, please contact me. Name: _____________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________ City: __________________ State: _______ Zip:_______________ Phone#: (days) ________________ (night) ____________________ Version Number: 4.00 Enclosed : (Check only one) $15.00 ___ (Shareware supporter) $30.00 ___ (Registered user) Name of Contact Person (for Corporations, schools, etc.): ______________________________________________________________ Any special needs, comments or ideas for improvements ? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Send this form with check made out to: Donald Gloistein 2500 Fairway Dr. #922 Alvin, TX 77511