PC World 1999 February

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WELCOME TO WINBATCH 98e! WinBatch is the Windows Batch Language that you can use to write real honest-to-goodness Windows batch files to control every aspect of your machine's operation. There are more than hundreds and hundreds of different functions that allow you to do *anything* with WinBatch! This package contains all the pieces you need to create batch files for Windows NT, Windows 95, and Windows 98. 16 bit counterparts, --Version 97E-- if required, may be found on the CD-ROM or downloaded from our website at http://www.windowware.com The pieces are: WinBatch Interpreter 32 bit version FileMenu and PopMenu 32 bit version for Windows 95/98 and NT 4.0/5.0 This software package -- if you have the WinBatch+Compiler -- also contains: WinBatch Compiler 32 bit version A 16-bit "WinMacro" utility may be mentioned in the printed documentation. WinMacro is a keystroke recorder and application launcher designed for 16-bit Windows. It is reasonably functional under Windows 95/98 and is pretty much useless under Windows NT. WinMacro is in the process of being phased out. If you wish to obtain this utility, it may be found in the "Other Platforms\Intel 16-bit" subdirectory on the CD-ROM. It is also available for download from the 16-bit download section of our website - http://www.windowware.com This package also contains assorted NETWORK EXTENDERS. They are not installed by default. If you want the network extenders installed, you MUST check the "Install Network Extenders" checkbox during the setup process. If you missed installing the extenders, just re-run setup and try again. Additional Extenders may also be found in the "Extenders" subdirectory on the CD-ROM. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS WinBatch requires an IBM PC or compatible running Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 95/98. ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* * * * Converting scripts to WinBatch 98 * * * * In general we have attempted to make WinBatch 98 backwards * * compatible with WinBatch 95/96/97. However, for various * * and sundry reasons some changes were made that may affect the * * the execution of scripts. * * * * We've attempted to make a list of these changes that might * * break currently running scripts and to give you some * * background on the issues involved so that you can successfully * * modify your scripts to run under WinBatch 98. * * * * * * 1) Because of a Windows 98 modification by Microsoft, the * * WinActivate function works differently. Microsoft modified * * the Windows API to attempt to prevent various windows from * * suddenly popping up on the screen, breaking users' * * concentration, perhaps swallowing some typing and possibly * * executing undesired functions as a result of such typing. * * * * This API change broke the WinBatch WinActivate family of * * functions and the WinBatch SendKeysTo function. As usual, * * applying the requisite amount of rectubular mirrors and the * * usual magic smoke, we have managed to restore functionality * * to the WinActivate and SendKeysTo functions. But of course * * they work slightly differently now. Your scripts will need * * to be tested under Windows 98, Windows NT 5.0 and WinBatch 98 * * to ensure proper functionality. * * * * Scripts that use the WinActivate, WinActivChild,SendKeysTo, * * SendKeysChild,and any script that uses a "Window on top" * * trick via a DLLCall that was published in our technical * * database shouldbe examined and tested. * * * * The Microsoft change also affected various Winbatch DIALOG, * * MESSAGE boxes, ASKLINE and other WinBatch popup windows * * that appear as a result of your script. We think we covered * * most of these reasonably well. * * * * There are a few new IntControls available to modify the * * WinBatch behavior in popping up windows. * * * * * * 2) TimeYmdHms and other time functions have been modified to * * return a 4 year date by default. This was provoked by the * * Y2K problem and in an attempt to help keep our customers * * out of any Y2K problems their scripts might cause. An * * IntControl (41) isa vailable to select 2 year dates * * if desired. Also hours "24" an beyond are not valid. In the * * past the "24" hour was considered the same at the "00" hour * * causing the following two times to be equal * * (and causing confusion) * * 1998:01:01:00:00:00 * * 1998:01:01:24:00:00 * * * * * * 3) Older versions of WinBatch (95/96/97) cannot use the new * * network (and some other) extenders. WinBatch 98 can use * * both new and old extenders. This should not be a problem. * * * * * * 4) The date string returned by the TimeDate function now * * includes a 4-digit year, if this was configured via Control * * Panel. * * * * Please note that the date returned by the TimeDate functions * * should ONLY be used to display the date to an operator. It * * should NEVER be used in computations - e.g., to build a file * * name, or to computer time differences, or to determine the day * * of theweek. Use TimeYmdHms and other time functions for these * * purposes instead. This is because users can modify their * * Control Panel settings and change the format of the date * * returned by TimeDate. Also note that the Control Panel * * settings are merely suggestions to WinBatch on how the date * * should be formatted. It does not format the date to * * *exactly* the Control Panel specifications. * * * * 5) Changed FileRead to treat line feeds as line terminators, * * instead of carriage returns. This means that FileRead now * * supports both DOS files (which have CR/LF terminators) and * * UNIX files (which have LF terminators). This should not * * affect existing scripts. * * * * 6) SendKey (and SendKeysTo and SendKeysChild) now turns * * CAPSLOCKoff while sending keystrokes (and restores the * * previous state when it is done). This fixes a problem that * * was occurring when caps lock was on, and a shifted key * * combination was specified [eg, SendKey("+a")], resulting in * * a lower-case character being sent. Although this was * * faithfully duplicating the behavior of typing keystrokes * * manually ("reverse caps lock"), the intended behavior * * is for SendKey to ignore the caps lock state, and to * * therefore behave consistently whether caps lock is on or off. * * * * 7) Several functions that return a delimited list no longer * * return a trailing delimiter, standardizing the structure of a * * delimited list variable. Unless you are manipulating lists * * outside of the standard functions (Item...) this should not * * cause a problem. * * * * 8) In Windows 98 and NT 5.0 it seems that a great many Windows * * utilities (File Manager, Control Panel, Explorer, etc.) now * * have the new Web-style interface. The SendMenusTo function * * does not work with these utilities. This is also true for * * Office 97. An easy way to tell is to watch the menu items * * as you move the mouse over them. If they "pop out" or have * * other graphical effects, then it is not a "standard" windows * * menu and the SendMenusTo function will not work with * * them. SendKeysTo should continue to work. * * * ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* Improvements from previous versions The file "The list of Fixes and Improvements.txt" details the many bug fixes and enhancements that have been made to the program since many previous releases. About the WinBatch Compiler Also available is our "WinBatch+Compiler," (if you have not purchased it yet). With the WinBatch+Compiler, you can turn your WBT files into standalone EXE files that you can distribute on a royalty-free basis. Have a BIG network? Want all your users to run your WBT files? Compile the WBT files with the WinBatch Compiler and put the EXEs up on the server. Making specialized WinBatch files for clients? Don't want them modifying your files? Just compile the WBT files, and give the EXEs to your client. Are you the "corporate guru"? Get a compiler. Compile those WBT files and hand them out like candy. The WinBatch Compiler, a separate product from the WinBatch Interpreter contained in these files, is available for $495.00, plus shipping, if applicable. The WinBatch Compiler includes a copy of WinBatch. In addition, if you buy a copy of Winbatch, you have 90 days to upgrade to the Compiler and just pay the difference in price. HOW TO INSTALL WINBATCH Use our SETUP.EXE program, which will copy the files for you and install a WINBATCH Start Menu or Program Manager group. To use our SETUP.EXE program... 1) Close down all extraneous Windows applications. 2) Double-Click on the SETUP.EXE program 3) When the setup program asks for a directory, specify initial directory, or accept the given default. NOTE: If you are updating from a previous version, and made any of the WinBatch files READ-ONLY, remove the read-only attribute from the files before running setup. (Or else the setup process will hang) WinBatch can run in English, French, German, and "Val Speak". The strings are controlled by the WWWDLANG.* files. If you just launch WinBatch by itself, it will then automatically run the "default.wbt" file. The default.wbt file has a number of options allowing you to perform various operations, including changing the current language. An order form may be found in the WinBatch help file. Once you are viewing the order form, you can then select the Print button to obtain a hard copy. The following information may be found below: a) Information on our fully functional demos and our "Registration Reminder" screens. b) A basic, concise explanation of our disclaimers. c) Installation instructions for our automated installation program. d) Generic uninstall instructions. e) Our update policy. f) On-line support. g) ASP Ombudsman statement. h) The long, drawn out legalese section, software license information, limited warranty, trademarks, etc. i) Information on other products that we offer. j) Ordering information. k) International Ordering Information. l) How to find the Order Form. REGISTRATION REMINDERS Unlicensed copies of Wilson WindowWare products are 100% fully functional. We make them this way so that you can have a real look at them, and then decide whether they fit your needs or not. Our entire business depends on your honesty. If you use it, we expect you to pay for it. We feel that if we treat you well, you will treat us well. Unlicensed copies of our products do have a registration reminder screen that appears whenever you start the program. This shouldn't really affect your evaluation of our software. We're sure that once you see the incredible quality of our software, you will dig out your credit card, pick up the phone, call the nice people at our 800 number and register the software. If you work for a large corporation, you can purchase most of our products the same way you buy your retail software. Just send the purchase request up the line. Most all the corporate software suppliers (Egghead Corporate, Software Spectrum, Corporate Software, Programmers Shop, and many others) purchase considerable volumes from us on a regular basis. When you pay for the software you like, you are voting with your pocketbook, and will encourage us to bring you more of the same kinds of products. Pay for what you like, and then, more of what you like will almost magically become available. LEGAL MATTERS Of course the usual disclaimers still apply. We are not responsible for anything at all. Nothing. Even if we are held responsible, the limit of our liability is the licensing fees you paid. The full text of our license agreement is found near the bottom of this file. HOW TO INSTALL THIS SOFTWARE Use our snazzy setup program... 1) Close down all extraneous Windows applications. (You do have to be in Windows to run SETUP.EXE) 2) Double-Click on the SETUP.EXE or use the Software install facility (if available) in Control Panel. 3) When the setup program asks for a directory, specify an initial directory, or accept the given default. 4) When the screen comes up that asks you what you want to install, do your selections, then hit the NEXT button to continue. If you want to install Network extenders or non-English language support, this is your opportunity. UN-INSTALL INFORMATION This software may be uninstalled via the uninstall option in the Control Panel Add/Remove software dialog, or by running the uninstal.exe program in the WinBatch/System subdirectory. If you simply delete all the files first, you will not be able to run the uninstall program and there may still be traces of the program in various places on the system. UPDATE POLICY Wilson WindowWare frequently updates its products. There are various kinds of updates, including Major updates, Minor updates, and bug-fix updates. Minor and bug-fix updates for our shareware products are free - - subject only to our reasonable shipping and handling charges for disks. As we are not in the disk selling business, you may find that shareware vendors specializing in disk sales can easily sell disks cheaper than we can. On the other hand, we *always* have the most recent versions of our software. Our shipping and handling charges for update disks are as follows: 10.00 US and Canada for the first product. 5.00 US and Canada for each additional product. 9.50 Surcharge for shipping outside of US and Canada. If you obtain a minor or bug-fix update from our Web site (http://www.windowware.com ) or other online service, a BBS, a shareware disk vendor or from another source, there is no charge from us (of course you will have to pay the on-line service fees for your ISP, disk vendors fees, or at least pay your phone bill for downloading from a BBS). In addition, you may use a single set of disks to perform minor or bug-fix updates on any number of copies of a product. The policy and pricing for Major shareware updates vary. Depending on the nature of the upgrade, length of time since the previous major upgrade, desirability of new features added, the extent of revisions to the printed manuals (if any), work involved and possible price changes for new users, we may or may not charge fees. Update fees for major updates tend to run 20% to 40% of the cost of the product. Major updates tend to occur every few years. ON-LINE SUPPORT Wilson WindowWare has on-line support! Wilson WindowWare lives on the INTERNET. We maintain a World Wide Web Server and an anonymous ftp site WWW URL http://www.windowware.com Tech support database is available at http://techsupt.windowware.com and our WebBBS -- where you can post questions and code -- is available via a link from our Tech Support database. Association of Shareware Professionals Ombudsman Statement Portions of this product have been released as shareware. As such, our professional organization requires us to include the following statement. None of our customers has ever had to resort to the ASP Ombudsman. This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 157-F Love Ave, Greenwood, IN 46142 USA, FAX 317-888-2195, or send email to omb@asp-shareware.org. THE LEGALESE SECTION WINEDIT Copyright ⌐ 1990-98 by Steve Schauer, Morrie Wilson. WINBATCH Copyright ⌐ 1991-98 by Morrie Wilson. WINBATCH+COMPILER Copyright ⌐ 1991-98 by Morrie Wilson. WEBBATCH Copyright ⌐ 1996-98 by Wilson WindowWare, Inc SOFTWARE LICENSES HAREWARE LICENSE - END USER Wilson WindowWare software is not and has never been public domain software, nor is it free software. Non-licensed users are granted a limited license to use our software on a 21-day trial basis for the purpose of determining whether the software is suitable for their needs. Any use of our software, except for the initial 21-day trial, requires registration. The use of unlicensed copies of our software, outside of the initial 21-day trial, by any person, business, corporation, government agency or any other entity is strictly prohibited. SHAREWARE LICENSE - FOR DISTRIBUTION OF SHAREWARE FILES, USER GROUPS, BBS's, ONLINE SERVICES, SHAREWARE VENDORS, and OTHERS A limited license is granted to copy and distribute our shareware software only for the trial use of others, subject to the following limitations: 1) The software must be copied in unmodified form, complete with the file containing this license information. 2) The full machine-readable documentation must be included with each copy. 3) Our software may not be distributed in conjunction with any other product without a specific license to do so from Wilson WindowWare. 4) Vending of our software products in retail stores (by "shareware rack vendors") is specifically prohibited without prior written authorization. 5) No fee, charge, or other compensation may be requested or accepted, except as authorized below: A) Non-profit user groups may distribute copies of the our products to their members, subject to the above conditions, without specific permission. Non-profit groups may collect a disk duplication fee not to exceed five dollars. B) Operators of electronic bulletin board systems (sysops) and web site operators (webmasters) may make our products available for downloading only as long as the above conditions are met. An overall or time-dependent charge for the use of the bulletin board system or web site is permitted as long as there is not a specific charge for the download of our software. C) Mail-order vendors of shareware software approved by the ASP may distribute our products, subject to the above conditions, without specific permission. Non- approved vendors may distribute our products only after obtaining written permission from Wilson WindowWare. Such permission is usually granted. Please write for details (enclose your catalog). Vendors may charge a disk duplication and handling fee, which, when pro-rated to each individual product, may not exceed eight dollars. LICENSED COPIES OF OUR SOFTWARE ARE GOVERNED BY THE FOLLOWING: THIS SOFTWARE IS NOT FOR SALE: The software is subject to the following license terms and conditions. SOFTWARE LICENSE granted, when required fees paid, by Wilson WindowWare, Inc., a Washington corporation, with its mailing address at 5421 California Ave. SW. Seattle, WA 98136. The software contained in this package is licensed to you as the end user. It is not sold. LICENSE: 1.0 The software contained in this package (hereafter referred to as "the Software") is copyrighted material owned by Wilson WindowWare, Inc. Payment of the single copy license fee authorizes one named person to use the Software on one computer provided this copyright is not violated and provided the rules outlined herein are observed. 1.1 One person may use the Software on any single computer. This license can be transferred only once in any twenty-four hour period. You must pay for additional copies of the Software if more than one person uses it during any 24 hour period of time, or if the Software is used on two or more computers. Neither concurrent use on two or more computers, nor use by more than a single individual on a network is permitted without authorization and payment of other license fees. 1.2 You may make copies of the software for backup purposes, as long as all such copies, along with the original, are kept in your possession or control. 1.3 You may not make any changes or modifications to the Software, including, but not limited to, decompiling, disassembling, or otherwise reverse engineering it. You may not rent or lease it to others. You may not use it on a computer network if more than one user can use it during any one 24 hour period of time. LIMITED WARRANTY Wilson WindowWare guarantees your satisfaction with this product for a period of 90 days from the date of original purchase. If you are dissatisfied with the product within that time period, return the package in saleable condition to the place of purchase for a full refund. Wilson WindowWare warrants that all disks provided are free from defects in material and workmanship, assuming normal use, for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase. Wilson WindowWare warrants that the program will perform in substantial compliance with the documentation supplied with the software product. If a significant defect in the product is found, the purchaser may return the product for a refund. In no event will such a refund exceed the purchase price of the product. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED ABOVE, WILSON WINDOWWARE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING,BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT. SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, THE PURCHASER ASSUMES THE RISK OF PAYING THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION AND ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT WILL WILSON WINDOWWARE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT EVEN IF WILSON WINDOWWARE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THIS SOFTWARE IS NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED FOR USE OR RESALE AS ON-LINE CONTROL EQUIPMENT IN HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS REQUIRING FAIL-SAFE PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS IN THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION OR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, DIRECT LIFE SUPPORT MACHINES, OR WEAPONS SYSTEMS, IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF THE SOFTWARE COULD LEAD DIRECTLY TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE ("HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES"). WILSON WINDOWWWARE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES. Use of this product constitutes your acceptance of this agreement and subjects you to its contents. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to standard shrink-wrapped software restrictions. Contractor/manufacturer is Wilson WindowWare, Inc. 5421 California Ave SW / Seattle, WA 98136 TRADEMARKS Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. WinBatch is a trademark of Wilson WindowWare, Inc. WinBatch+Compiler is a trademark of Wilson WindowWare, Inc. WinEdit is a trademark of Wilson WindowWare, Inc. WebBatch is a trademark of Wilson WindowWare, Inc. *** WILSON WINDOWWARE PRODUCTS *** WinEdit 98 - Power Programming for the Windows Environment. Full featured editor, or simple file browser. Super high speed, super powerful. * $99.95 WinBatch 98 - Write your own Windows Batch Files! Dialogs, automatic program control, and powerful data manipulation lets you control your Windows. A must for the power user. Includes FileMenu and PopMenu. * $99.95 WinBatch 98 + - NOT A SHAREWARE PRODUCT. The WinBatch COMPILER! compiler can compile WinBatch batch files into standalone EXE files that may be distributed on a royalty free basis. Great for networks and corporate gurus. Compile your WBT files and then hand them out like candy. * $495.00 WebBatch 98 - Quick and easy scripting language for Web Servers running Windows NT. 60-day FREE eval copies available. Purchase includes a FREE copy of WinBatch. Get an eval copy from: http://webbatch.windowware.com $295 * 16-bit versions of a prior release of these products may be doun in the "Other Platform\Intel 16-bit" subdirectory of the CD-ROM ir they may be downloaded from our web site. The license information provided with the shipped product will also work with the older 97E 16 bit version. ORDERING INFORMATION Licensing our products brings you wonderful benefits. Some of these are: - Gets rid of that pesky reminder window that comes up when you start up the software. - Entitles you to one hour free phone support for 90 days ("your dime"). - Insures that you have the latest version of the product. - Encourages the authors of these programs to continue bringing you updated/better versions and new products. - Gets you on our mailing list so you are occasionally notified of spectacular updates and our other Windows products. - And, of course, our 90-day money back guarantee. An order form may be found in the application help file. Once you are viewing the order form, you can then select the File - Print Topic menu item to obtain a hard copy. INTERNATIONAL ORDERING INFORMATION Our International customers may wish to order our products from their favorite dealers. The following shareware vendors will be happy to provide you with registered copies of any of our products. If your favorite vendor is not listed, ask them anyway. If you wish to order direct from Wilson WindowWare, please see the note on the order form for international customers. AUSTRALIA Lan-Net Pty. Ltd (Bill Otterside) NEW ZEALAND 5 Erith Street Email: billout@ibm.net SINGAPORE Botany NSW 2019 Phone: 61 2 9316 5002 MANILA AUSTRALIA Fax: 61 2 9666 3360 DENMARK Pro - Soft (Jens Rex) Benloese Skel 4 G, 4100 Ringsted Phone: 45 53 61 90 42 DENMARK Fax: 45 53 61 93 91 FRANCE Editions WSKA SWITZERLAND 46 route de Thionville BELGIUM 57140 WOIPPY Phone: 33 87 30 85 57 FRANCE Fax: 33 87 32 37 75 GERMANY SienerSoft GmbH Black&Decker Str.28 D-65510 Idstein Telefon 06126/5950 GERMANY Telefax 06126/51085 E-Mail: 101322.1541@compuserve.com Web: http://www.sienersoft.de SWITZERLAND SienerSoft AG Brⁿggestra▀e 35 CH-2503 Biel Telefon ++4132/267080 SWITZERLAND Telefax ++4132/267088 NETHERLANDS BroCo Software (Eric van den Broek) Birkstraat 95-97 3768 HD SOEST Phone: 31 0 35 6026650 NETHERLANDS Fax: 31 0 35 6014012 ENGLAND, UK Omicron (Mick Ekers) Omicron Systems Ltd. 45 Blenheim Crescent Leigh-On-Sea Essex SS9 3DT Phone: 44 (0)1702 710391 ENGLAND Fax: 44 (0)1702 471113 ARGENTINA ZAMPATTI MAIDA & ASOC. Phone: 54 (1) 825 1602 Larrea 1011 piso 8 Fax: 54 (1) 825 7692 (1117) Buenos Aires Email: zampatti@zma.com.ar ARGENTINA Web: www.zmaconsult.com An order form may be found in the application help file. Once you are viewing the order form, you can then select the File - Print Topic menu item to obtain a hard copy.