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- This new version of fastmenu GOLD contains many new options and features. I strongly recommend that you read the following recommendations and manual. With all the files that fastmenu GOLD and it's included utility modules, the directory that you copy fastmenu GOLD to can become very crowded and messy. With this in mind I have included in the Setup module, options that allow selecting default paths for the Phonebook, Notepad, and Text file editor to use for saving files to. Using different sub directories for each of these modules to work out of will greatly simplify your file lists and keep them in a much neater manner. The following is a sample of how I would suggest setting up your sub directories for fastmenu GOLD. C:\ --+ |-- GOLD | |- WORD | |- PHONE | |- NOTE | In the setup module, set the default paths as follows: Fax/Text File Editor: C:\GOLD\WORD PhoneBook/Dialer: C:\GOLD\PHONE Calendar/NotePad: C:\GOLD\NOTE If you currently have files created for the Fax/Text File Editor saved in the C:\GOLD directory, move them to this new directory with the DOS/Disk Utility module. All files for the Phonebook/Dialer module should also be moved into the new default sub directory. The Phonebook/Dialer files will have the following filenames: DMACRO.DAT DIALER.DAT VMODEM.DAT All files with the extension of '.FON' *.FON All files for the Calendar/Notepad module should also be moved into the new default sub directory. The Calendar/Notepad files will have the following filenames: All files with the extension of '.NOT' *.NOT Numerous other options found in the Setup module will help in setting your system up for maximum performance. If you neglect reading the following manual, you may miss some of fastmenu GOLD's extended features. Thank you; Jack W Hildenbrand - ╔══════════════════════════╗ ║ fastmenu GOLD (tm) ║ ╚══════════════════════════╝ Version 6.0.0 Copyright (C) 1990-92 by: Jack W Hildenbrand 9500 St.Rt.61 Berlin Hts., Ohio 44814 Phone 1 (419) 588-3608 Distributed By: Kathi J Hildenbrand jwh:SoftWare P.O. Box 410 Berlin Hts., Ohio 44814 - Table of contents. Page ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ Why fastmenu GOLD?......................................... 2 Applications Main Menu..................................... 4 Edit Applications Module................................... 5 Setup/Configuration Module................................. 7 Function Key Password Protection........................... 9 Password Protecting Re-Assigning the Function Keys......... 9 Editing the Logo File...................................... 10 Setting up timed application/batch execution............... 12 Installation Instructions.................................. 12 Re-Assigning the Function Key Icons........................ 13 11 Digit Calculator........................................ 13 DOS/Disk Utility........................................... 14 Disk Utility File List Screen.............................. 17 fastmenu GOLD System Utility............................... 20 AUTOEXEC.BAT & CONFIG.SYS File Switcher.................... 21 Phone Book/Dialer.......................................... 23 Adding applications to the Alternative Applications MENU... 25 Entering multiple commands at the Run File field........... 27 Displaying PCX picture files during screen blanking........ 28 Executing batch files before & after screen blanking....... 29 Sorting Folder Titles or Applications Listed in a Folder... 29 Text/Batch File Editor..................................... 29 Calendar/Notepad module.................................... 33 The End Icon and how it works.............................. 36 Setting up the user ID and logging......................... 36 Trouble Shooting........................................... 37 New Version and Update Policy.............................. 38 NOTE !!!!! IN ORDER FOR THIS PROGRAM TO OPERATE PROPERLY YOU MUST HAVE A PATH STATEMENT TO THE ROOT DIRECTORY, YOUR DOS DIRECTORY, AND THE FASTMENU GOLD DIRECTORY. THIS PATH STATEMENT SHOULD BE IN YOUR AUTOEXEC.BAT FILE. EXAMPLE: PATH=C:\;C:\DOS;C:\GOLD Page 1 - Over the years that computers have been with us, they have gone from very large and complicated units to small desktop and very powerful pieces of equipment. Along with that growth, computers have become an almost must in every business, school and now are becoming a standard in most homes. Also the coming of the ever popular Hard Drive has made computing even more popular among every computer owner from business to home use. Storage capacities of Hard Drives have risen from around one megabyte to now well over 300 megabytes of storage, enabling the user to store and use numerous applications without the need of using floppies for every day applications and data storage. One problem that has arisen from these very large Hard Drive units is that it has become very hard for the user to remember the names of all the directories and the names of all the executable files that start the different applications that they have stored on their Hard Drives. Also, in an office or home situation where there are numerous people that use the same computer to do different tasks and with different ideas about how to setup access to their application, a Hard Drive can become very messy and hard to find your way around in. Also in most business situations the need for fast access to applications is becoming more and more important. As most of us know, since the Hard Drive was born, there has been numerous menu programs written to help deal with this problem, from small applications menuing systems to very large and memory consuming applications. However, there seems to be a very large gap, the small ones being to small and not adequate for most needs and the larger windowing systems needing more computer than most office and home users have at hand. For this reason fastmenu GOLD was created. What fastmenu GOLD can do for you: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ o.. Fast one or two key strokes to your applications. o.. Consumes no memory during applications execution. o.. Allows up to 40 folders up to 20 applications per folder. o.. Allows quick editing of the applications lists. o.. Can be operated with a Mouse. o.. Built in Auto Mouse Detection. o.. PassWord protection on any or all outside applications execution, Module operations and DOS exits. What you need to run fastmenu GOLD: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ o.. IBM PC/XT/AT or Compatible with DOS 2.2+. o.. 640Kb of memory. o.. A Hard Drive and at least one floppy. o.. VGA Color Card and Monitor. Page 2 - QUICK INSTALLATION AND STARTUP. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1>- Make a backup copy of your original disk. 2>- Insert your backup disk into any drive. 3>- Move to that drive and type: INSTALL 4>- Follow onscreen instructions to complete the installation. 5>- Make sure you have a PATH statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT to your ROOT,DOS, and GOLD directorys. 6>- After installation, type 'GOLD' to start fastmenu GOLD. 7>- Add 'GOLD' as the last line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file if you want fastmenu GOLD to automatically start when you turn your computer on. ADDING A APPLICATION. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1>- After you have gotten fastmenu GOLD up and running, at the main menu screen you will see a window with twenty lines lettered A to T. The letters on these lines will be blue. These lines represent the folder titles. Before adding any applications you must first create a folder (some sample folders may already have been created for you) and give it a title. To create folder #1, simply press the 'A' key and at this point you will be given a place to enter the folder title and then press the enter key. 2>- After entering the title for folder A, you will be taken to a blank folder A. At this time you will also see two new prompts, Title and Edit Applications. At this point we want to add a application to this folder, so choose option Edit Applications. 3>- After selecting the Edit Applications option, you will be taken to the applications editor. To Add an application, from the opening menu, select the Add/Edit option by choosing option 'A'. 4>- After selecting the Add/Edit option, an Applications List window will be displayed. We will Add an application to line A, so move the highlight bar to line A, press enter. 5>- After selecting line A, you will be presented with a data entry screen to fill out. At the first field, enter the title or name of the application that you want to execute with this line. 6>- At the Drive field, press the PgDn key and select the drive that this application resides on. At the directory field, press the PgDn key and select the directory that this application resides in. At Run File field, press PgDn and select the file that runs this application. Page 3 - 7>- If you want this application password protected, enter a 'Y' at the Password field. If you are running DOS Version 3.3 or later, answer the Fast Run field with a 'Y'. If you want fastmenu GOLD to pause before execution and ask you for command line parameters, answer the Command Line Parms field with a 'Y'. NOTE ! If you answer this field with a 'Y' then you must also include a (+) plus sign directly after the run filename at the Run File Field. 8>- After completing all fields, press the Esc key to exit the edit mode. 9>- At this time you will be presented with two more fields. if you enter any information in these fields, it will be displayed at application execution or exit. If you do not want any prompt displayed, simply leave these fields blank. When you are finished with these two fields, press the Esc key to exit the edit mode. 10>- At this time you may save this entry by pressing the 'S' key or abort and not save it by pressing the Esc key. Pressing the 'C' key will return you to the editor. If you want, you may also press the 'V' key to display a sample batch file that is created with the information you entered for this application. fastmenu GOLD Applications Main Menu. ====================================:> Option Reaction to option ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Exit.............. Selecting this option will exit you to DOS. NOTE ! If you want, you may have fastmenu GOLD execute a batch file or application uppon exit by clicking your right mouse button (or CTRL+X) on the Exit button and filling out the path information. Y=Setup........... This option should be used the very first time you use fastmenu GOLD. Here you will set the program parameters that will make fastmenu GOLD work properly. This option may be accessed by pressing the letter 'Y' or by pointing the mouse at the prompt icon and then pressing the left mouse button. F1 through F9..... Used as hot keys to Applications. Up-Dn Arrow....... Pressing the up or down arrow keys will page through the Folder Titles or Folders. =................. Pressing this icon will access the Folder or Applications listed on a folder and give you the option of sorting them. Page 4 - *................. Pressing this Icon will toggle between the 3D or flat fonts. ?................. Press this Icon to display registration information. End............... Pressing this Icon will force fastmenu GOLD into screen blanking. fastmenu GOLD Edit Applications Module. ======================================:> Option Reaction to option ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ESC=Exit.......... Using this option will return you back to fastmenu GOLD main menu. Add/Edit.......... This option allows you to add or change programs or applications on this folder. Any application that can run in DOS can be started or executed with fastmenu GOLD, either through the applications menu or through the (S)tart option from the file list menu. Adding a new application. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1>- Choose option Add/Edit from the edit applications menu prompt list then from the applications list select the application or the line that you want to Add/edit. You will be presented with seven questions to answer. 2>- The first question will be asking you for the title or name of the program that you want to run. This title or name can be anything you want it to be, and is only used as a reference. 3>- The second question will be asking you for the name or letter of the drive that this program will be running from. Examples would be: A, B or C. Pressing the PgDn key will list all available drives on your system. 4>- The third question will be asking you for the name of the directory that this program is in. Always separate multiple directory entries with a backslash (\). Press the PgDn key to list all available directories on your system. NOTE ! If you are running this new program from a floppy and/or the program is in the root directory, just press <enter> at this prompt. Page 5 - 5>- The fourth question will be asking you for the name of the file that you normally have to type in to run the program (The executable file). You may also enter any command line switches or parameters here. This is a scrollable edit field that allows entering up to 255 characters. NOTE ! Multiple commands may be entered at this field. This is explained further, later in this manual. ALSO This file will normally have an extension name of either .EXE, .COM, or .BAT. 6>- The fifth question will be asking if you want to password protect this program. If you do not want password protection, just answer this question with a 'N'. If you want password protection for this program, answer this question with a 'Y'. 7>- The sixth question will be asking if you want to use the Fast Load method of launching this application. This method is recommended, but may cause some problems with early versions of DOS. 8>- The seventh question will be asking if you want fastmenu GOLD to pause before execution of this application so you may enter a variable DOS command line parameter. 9>- After answering all seven questions just press the Esc key to exit the edit mode. 10>-At this time you will be presented with two more fields. if you enter any information in either of these fields it will be displayed with a pause during application execution or exit. If you do not want any prompt displayed, simply leave the field blank. After completing these fields, you will be given the options to (S)ave, (V)iew, (C)hange, or Esc. Pressing the Esc key will exit the editor. Pressing the 'C' key will return you to the editor to make any changes. Pressing the 'V' key will display a sample of the command batch file that will be created and executed when running this app. Pressing the 'S' key will save this entry to disk. 11>- At this time, if you chose to password protect this program, you will be given a place to enter the password that you want to use to access this program. You are allowed up to six characters or numbers in this password. After entering this password, you will be prompted to verify it's validity. CAUTION !!! Be sure to remember this password, it cannot be removed from a program listing unless you know the password. This password is totally scrambled before it is written to file and would be very hard to unscramble. Page 6 - Delete App's...... This option is used to delete or remove an existing application. Deleting a listing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1>- Choose option Delete application from the menu list. 2>- After choosing this option, all applications listed on this page will be listed to screen. Select the one that you want to delete with the highlight bar and then press enter. You will be asked to verify your delete List.............. This option will list to screen, all applications or programs that are on this page. NOTE ! If you have password protected any of these programs, their directories and run file names will not be listed to screen. Also at this time you will be given an option to sort all entries. If you select to sort all entries, they will be displayed to screen after the sort is completed and then you will have the option to save this sorted list to disk or return without saving. Edit Title........ This option will allow you to change the Title or Name that is presently being used used for this page. Delete this page.. Choose this option if you want to delete this page from the menu. Update Directory Tree.. This option will update the directory tree list that you see when you press the PgDn key to list the directories. Password Protection for this Folder...... Selecting this option will give you the option for entering or removing password protection for this entire Folder. fastmenu GOLD Setup Module. ==========================:> This module offers several options for customizing fastmenu GOLD along with setting the default drive and directory. The default drive (C:) and directory (GOLD) may be changed from this screen if need be. However I strongly recommend that you leave them at their defaults. If you change them for some reason, you will also need to edit the GOLD.BAT file found in your ROOT, DOS, or GOLD directory. This file contains the necessary drive and path statements to start fastmenu GOLD. Page 7 - Option Reaction to option ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ESC=Quit.......... This option will return you to the fastmenu applications menu. A >-- Select System Fonts ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Selecting this option will take you to a screen with all available fonts listed for your selection. Select a font by clicking your left mouse button on the desired font or press the letter associated with the desired font. B >-- Setup Default program parameters ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SUB MENU ~~~~~~~~ A >- Default Path (Fax/Text File Editor) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Selecting this option will allow you to setup a default drive and directory that the fax/text file editor will use at startup. B >- Default Filespec (Fax/Text File Editor) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Selecting this option will allow you to set a default file spec that the fax/text file editor will use. C >- Default Path (Phonebook/Dialer) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Selecting this option will allow you to set a default path for the Phonebook/Dialer to use. D >- Default Path (Calendar/Notepad) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Selecting this option will allow you to set a default path for the Calendar/Notepad to use. E >- Folder/Applications Sort Option (ON/OFF) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Selecting this option will give you the option of turning on or off the ability to sort the folders or applications listed in a folder from the main menu screen. F >- Display Logo At Screen Blanking (ON/OFF) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Selecting this option will give you the option of turning on or of the display of the logo during screen blanking. C >-- Add/Edit/Delete System Passwords ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A >- Password Protect Exit To DOS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to setup whether or not a user may exit fastmenu GOLD and go to DOS with or without a password. Page 8 - B >- Password Protect The Setup Module ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to setup whether or not a user may enter the Setup module with or without a password. C >- Password Protect The Edit Applications Module ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to setup whether or not a user may enter the Edit Applications Module with or without a password. D >- Password Protect Re-Assigning The Function Key Icons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to setup whether or not a user may re-assign the function key icons with or without using a password. E >- Setup User ID And Activity Logging ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to setup ID and password protection at startup of fastmenu GOLD. This option also provides user activity logging options. More detail is given on these options later in this manual. D >--- Update Directory Tree Files at Startup ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you answer this option with a 'N', fastmenu GOLD will startup much faster, skipping the opening screen and updating the directory tree files. You will need to update the directory tree files manually if any directory maintenance is done outside the fastmenu GOLD environment. E >- Toggle Screen Blanking On/Off ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to select whether you want screen blanking or not. This option will present you with one question that can be answered by either a 'Y' if you want screen blanking or a 'N' if you do not. NOTE ! fastmenu GOLD can also be setup to display PCX picture files during screen blanking. This option is explained in more detail later in this manual. ALSO ! This screen blanking only has an effect on fastmenu GOLD's main menu screen and will not interrupt your applications in any way. During screen blanking, a logo will dance around on your screen, letting you know that fastmenu GOLD is ready to go at any time by pressing any key on your keyboard or moving the mouse. If you have chosen to use the screen blanking option, you will then be asked to enter the amount of time (seconds) that fastmenu GOLD waits before going into screen blanking. The time can be any number of seconds between 1 and 999. Page 9 - F >------- Set Opening Screen Mode ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ fastmenu GOLD will run in either of two screen modes. Mode 1 >- In this mode fastmenu GOLD will display the page titles on the first screen, at startup. Mode 2 >- In this mode fastmenu GOLD will display any of the application folders on the first screen, at startup. You may select the folder that is first displayed. When you select option 'F' from this setup menu, you will be asked if you want the folder titles displayed first. If you answer this prompt with a 'N', then you will also be asked to enter the folder title number that you want displayed at startup. You may enter any folder number between 1 and 40. G >---------------- Edit Logo File ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to edit or change the FASTLOGO.IFO file. This file contains the information that you will see moving about during screen blanking. Also the information in this file is listed to screen on the main menu. After choosing this option you will be presented with a screen that has this file listed in a small editing window. You may make any changes you want to this file and then press the ESC key to exit. You will be asked if you want to save any changes you have made. H >- Password Protect The Function Key Icons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to setup password protection to each individual Function key F1 through F8. NOTE ! The password protection setup through this option only has effect on the function keys and will not affect applications execution from the main menu. Applications run through fastmenu GOLD have their own password protection that may be setup through the Edit Applications module. Choosing this option will take you to a screen where you may select the function keys you want to have password protected. Select the function keys you want password protected by moving the highlight bar to that option and using the space bar to toggle your answer to either 'Yes' or 'No'. Only function keys marked 'Yes' will be password protected. After marking all function keys you want password protected, just press the enter key to advance to the next screen. This next screen will have all function keys listed again along with a place to enter passwords. Also at the top of your screen you will be shown the password number. You are allowed up to 50 different password combinations. When you first enter Page 10 - this screen the prompt will be in the password editor window. At this point you may enter the first password up to forty characters long. After entering the password, the prompt will move down to the modules list. The first option in this list will be asking you if you want to log the use of this password and if you answer this with a 'Yes' then every time that this password is used it will be recorded in a file called MASTER.LOG. The remaining prompts in this box will determine whether or not this password has access to the corresponding function key or not. NOTE ! On the previous screen if you chose not to have some of the function keys password protected, they will show up on this screen in a blanked out mode. Answers placed after these blanked out function keys will be ignored. After entering all information for this password you may use the down arrow key to move to the next password. When the highlight bar is on the last option in the module box pressing the down arrow key will move you to the next password screen. When the cursor is in the password window pressing the up arrow will take you to the previous password screen. After entering all passwords, pressing the F1 key will save them to disk in the MASTER.DAT file. You may edit or change these passwords at any time simply by entering this module, making your changes and then saving them by pressing the F1 key. This password protection not only lets you determine which function keys that you want password protected, but also lets you assign different access to different passwords. I >---------- Delete Function Key Password Protection ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to delete or completely remove all function key password protection. You will be prompted to verify this choice. The MASTER.DAT file will be deleted. J >-------- View Password Log File ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to view the user ID and password log files. If you have chosen to have any of the passwords logged, then they will be listed in this file. K >------ Delete User ID and Password Log Files ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use this option to delete or completely remove all logged user ID or password use. You will be presented with a list of these log files to choose from. You will be prompted to verify your choice. NOTE ! If you delete a log file, it will be re-created if user ID logging or password logging is turned on. Page 11 - L >--- Setup Drive/Directory Path ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you have copied fastmenu to an alternate path, you may want to make the drive and directory path to fastmenu current. M >--- Timed Application execution ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Selecting this option will take you to a menu where you may select any timed event to create or edit from A to J (10). If you want to setup a new timed event, just select a blank line and you will be asked to give a description for this event. After entering the description, you will see it listed as a selection, just select it and you will be taken to the timed event editor. Selecting this option will open a window with data fields for you to fill in. At the first field, enter the time in 12 hr format (civilian time) that you want the application or batch file executed. NOTE ! From midnight to 12:59 afternoon is considered AM and from 12:59 afternoon to 11:59 afternoon is considered PM. At the Date field enter the date that you want this application or batch file to be executed. NOTE ! If you want this execution to be on a daily basis, leave this Date field completely blank. Then answer the Yes/No weekday prompts to tell fastmenu on what days you want this application/batch file to be run. At the remaining three fields, enter the Drive, Path, and the name of the executable file. After completing all fields, press the Esc key to exit then press the 'S' key to save them. At this field, you are allowed to enter multiple commands up to 255 characters in length. fastmenu GOLD installation instructions. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTE ! Before you install fastmenu GOLD I strongly recommend that you make backup copies of your original disk. Consult your DOS manual on making backup copies or using DISKCOPY on your machine. fastmenu GOLD is not a complicated program to setup and does not require a lot of work to get running. The following three steps is all that is needed to insure proper operation. 1>- Insert your fastmenu backup/distribution disk into any drive, move to that drive and type: INSTALL <enter>. Page 12 - Follow on-screen instructions to install fastmenu GOLD. 2>- Make sure your AUTOEXEC.BAT file contains a path statement to the ROOT, DOS, and GOLD directories on your hard drive An example of the path statement: PATH=C:\;C:\DOS;C:\GOLD 3>- If you want fastmenu GOLD to startup automatically, add to the end of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file the following line: GOLD NOTE ! This line must be the last line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. This should complete the setup procedure for fastmenu GOLD. After installation you will have one new file added to the DOS or root directory of your hard drive C: (GOLD.BAT). Also you will have a new directory on drive C: (GOLD). Assigning applications to the function key prompts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To assign a application to one of the function key prompts, simply press the Ctrl key plus the corresponding function key down or click the right mouse button on the function key prompt. Complete the displayed path information and then save it by pressing the 'S' key. fastmenu GOLD 11 Digit Calculator. =================================:> This calculator works somewhat different than most people are used to, in that you first need to enter a number and then enter the operator. To start a calculation you first need to type in the first number and then press the enter key then enter the second number followed by the operand. Continue a chain calculation by entering the number and then the operand. Option Reaction to option ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BackSp............ This option will delete the number at the cursor location and move the cursor left one position. 1 to 0............ This option will enter the chosen number to the calculator. /................. This option is used to divide numbers. *................. This option is used to multiply numbers. Page 13 - -................. This option is used to subtract numbers. +................. This option is used to add numbers. Enter............. This option is used to end a calculation. P................. This option toggles printer on/off. Up Arrow.......... Use this key to enter numbers to memory. Down Arrow........ Use this key to pull numbers from memory. C................. Press this key to clear the tap. M................. Press this key to clear memory. DOS/Disk Utility Module. =======================:> Option Reaction to option ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Format Diskettes.. Use this option to format new diskettes or floppies. NOTE ! For reasons of compatibility between computers, this program uses the standard DOS format program found in your DOS directory. For proper operation, your AUTOEXEC.BAT file must contain the path to your DOS files. Formatting diskettes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1>- After choosing the Format Diskettes option, you will be asked to choose whether you want to format a Non Systems Disk or DOS Systems Disk (Boot Disk). If you choose to format a systems disk, after the format process, the necessary DOS files will be copied to it, creating a bootable DOS diskette. 2>- After choosing the format type you will be asked to choose the drive that you want to format from. 3>- After choosing the drive you will be presented with four more options. A>- The first option in this list will be used if you want to format a disk to the same capacity that is standard for your disk drive unit. B>- The second option in this list will be used if you have a high density 1.2 Meg 5 1/4in. drive and you want to format a low density 360Kb disk. Page 14 - C>- The third option in this list will be used if you have a high density 1.5 Meg 3 1/2in. drive and you want to format a low density 720Kb disk. D>- The fourth option will be used if you want to type in a format switch. You will be presented with a user input field for editing the format command and command switches. 4>- After choosing the format density you will be asked to insert a disk in the chosen drive and press any key to begin formatting. Single Pass DiskCopy. Use this option to copy a floppy disk in one pass without the need of switching disks back and forth during the copy of high density disks. File Maintenance..... Use this option if you want to perform any of the following: Copy, Delete, Rename, View, Edit, or Start files. You may also do directory maintenance from this option. 1>- After choosing this option, you will be asked to choose the drive that you want to perform file maintenance on. 2>- After choosing the drive, fastmenu GOLD will check the drive to see if it has any directories. Select the directory you want and then press enter. At this time you will be presented with the file list that was found on this drive. If no files are found you will be returned to the directory menu. Choosing a directory is done by moving the highlight bar to the directory you want with the Up and Down arrow keys and then pressing the enter key. 3>- After choosing the directory, you will be taken to the file list menu. Help with the file list options can be found later in this manual. DOS DiskCopy...... Use this option to make a duplicate copy of of a diskette. Only diskettes of the same capacity and size should be used here. You will first be asked to choose the Source Drive. The Source drive will be the drive that you will be placing the original copy in. Then you will be asked to choose the Target Drive. The Target Drive will be the drive that you will be transferring your original to. NOTE ! The Source Drive and the Target Drive can be the same Drive. If so, you will be asked to switch diskettes back and forth until the copying process is complete. Page 15 - Creating a new Directory from the Directory Tree screen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After choosing the File Maintenance option, you will be asked asked to choose the drive that you want to work with. After choosing the drive you will be taken to the directory tree screen. From the directory tree screen, you will move the highlight bar to the location that you want this new directory placed. You can do this by moving the highlight bar up or down the directory tree and then pressing enter. NOTE ! To place a new directory from the root directory, you will want to highlight the ROOT option on the directory tree list. If you want to place a new subdirectory off from an existing directory, just highlight that directory. After choosing the directory location, press the 'C' key, enter the name of the new directory and then press enter. Deleting Existing Directories from the Directory Tree Screen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This option can be reached from the Directory Tree Screen, after choosing the File Maintenance option from the DOS/Disk Utility Menu and the drive from the Drive Menu. NOTE ! A directory cannot be deleted without first deleting any files it may contain. Choose the directory that you want to delete by moving the highlight bar to that directory then press the 'D' key. You will be asked to verify your choice. Renaming Existing Directories from the Directory Tree Screen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Select the directory that you want to rename by moving the highlight bar to that directory and then press the 'R' key. You will be presented with the directory name in an editor field, simply edit the existing name and then press enter. Printing the Directory list to your printer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the directory tree screen, you may choose to send a copy of this directory tree information to your printer by pressing the 'P' key. NOTE ! You must have your printer connected to port LPT1. Locate a File(s).. Using this option will take you to a module that you may use to search for a file or a a group of files on any drive or directory on your system. You may also search for text. Page 16 - Update Directory File. Using this option will manually update the directory tree mirror files. NOTE ! fastmenu GOLD automatically updates the directory tree files if any directory maintenance is done with the utility module. If you select not to have fastmenu GOLD update the the directory tree files at startup from the Setup module and you perform any directory maintenance outside of the fastmenu GOLD environment, you may need to use this option to update the directory tree files manually. Include Attributes With Files (Yes/No) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This option allows you to specify whether or not you want the file attributes listed at the files list menu. If you select not to have the attributes listed, the files will list to screen much faster due to not needing to read the attributes in on every file. fastmenu GOLD Disk Utilities File List. ======================================:> Option Reaction to option ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (ESC)............. Using this option will return you to the previous menu. (Up/Dn)........... Use these options to move the highlight bar up and down the file list. One key press will move the highlight bar up or down one file. Holding the key down will fast advance the highlight bar until you release the key or the end of the file list is reached. (-/+/enter)....... Use these options to mark all files for later maintenance. An asterisk will appear to the left of the file name of every file that has been marked. Marking and Un-Marking Files. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1>- Move the highlight bar to the file you want to mark and then press the enter key. If this file has already been marked it will be un-marked. After using the enter key to mark or un-mark a file, the highlight bar will advance to the next file in the file list. Page 17 - 2>- Pressing the plus key will mark all files in the file list. 3>- Pressing the minus key will un-mark all marked files in the file list. (Q)uery........... Use this option to query the file list. DOS wild cards are valid here. NOTE ! The main purpose for including this option was to give you a convenient way of copying or deleting certain groups of files. For example if you wanted to copy all the files with the .DAT extension, you would first query the file list by entering [*.DAT] at the File Spec. prompt. Then mark all these files by pressing the plus key, then choose the (C)opy option to copy all marked files. Querying the file list with (Q)uery option. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1>- After choosing this option, you will be given a place to enter your query instructions and then press enter. After which the file list will again be presented with only the files that meet your query instructions listed. Query Examples: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [*.*]....... This query would list all files. [*.EXE]..... This query would list files with the EXE extension. [FAST??.*].. This query would list files that include the letters FAST as the first four letters in the file name. (U)pdate.......... Use this option to update or re-list the files from the present drive or directory. NOTE ! You may change a disk while you are at the file list screen. After changing to the new disk, just use the (U)pdate option to list the files from the newly inserted disk. (S)tart........... Use this option to run applications outside fastmenu GOLD. This option was added to give you a way to test run an application or to run applications or games from floppy drives. Any program, game or application that can be run from the DOS prompt can also be run through this option. Page 18 - NOTE ! This option will only accept files with the extension of .EXE, .COM or .BAT. Before you can use this option option, you must first mark the file that you want to run. After marking this file, just choose the (S)tart option to run it. (V)iew............ Use this option to read or view text files. Before you can use this option, you must first mark the file that you want to read or view. After marking this file just choose option (V)iew to view it. (E)dit............ Use this option to edit or create any ASCII text file. To edit an existing file you must first mark it from the file list menu. After marking it, just choose option (E)dit from the file list menu. To create a new file, just choose option (E)dit without marking any files. After entering the editor you will be asked to enter the name for the new file. You may use any DOS legal name except names that have extensions of .EXE or .COM. NOTE ! This editor has the ability to edit files with lines up to 255 characters long. When you first enter the editor, the right margin will be set to 255. If you are editing a 80 column document you may want to reset the right margin before you begin. (C)opy............ Use this option to copy a file or group of files from this directory or disk to another directory or disk. Before using this option, you must first mark the file or group of files you want to copy, using the (Up/Dn) and (-/+/ enter) keys. 1>- After marking the files you want to copy just choose option (C)opy to start the copy process. 2>- You will be asked to choose the Target Drive (the drive that you want to copy these files to). After choosing the Target Drive, fastmenu GOLD will check that drive for any existing directories. 3>- If any directories are found, you will be asked to choose which directory you want to copy these files to. 4>- If no directories exist or after choosing a directory, you will be asked to verify the copying of these files. Page 19 - NOTE ! If you have marked more files than will fit on the Target Drive, fastmenu GOLD will copy as many files to the Target Drive as will fit and then prompt you to insert a new disk. After which will continue to copy the remainder of the files marked to this disk. fastmenu GOLD will continue this process until all marked files have been copied. This copy routine was added to give you a means of backing up entire directories or groups of files to floppies without the worry of running out of disk space on the Target Drive. (D)elete.......... Use this option to delete or remove a file or groups of files. Before using this option, you must first mark the file or group of files you want to delete, using the (Up/Dn) and (-/+/enter) keys. 1>- After marking the file or group of files you want to delete, just choose option Delete to start the deletion process. 2>- At this time you will be asked if you want to verify each file before delete or continue without verifying. (R)ename.......... Use this option to rename a file. After marking the file that you want to rename, just choose the Rename option, you will be shown the old file name in a edit field. Edit or change and then press the enter key. (P)rint........... Use this option to send a copy of all marked files to your printer. You must have your printer connected to printer port LPT1 fastmenu GOLD System Utility. ============================:> Set System Time ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This option gives you a way to reset the system Time clock. Set System Date ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This option gives you a way to reset the system Date. Set Mouse Sensitivity ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This option will allow you to adjust the sensitivity or movement ratio of your mouse. Page 20 - Keyboard cursor speed and delay rate ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This option provides a way to adjust the speed of cursor movement and the amount of time before continious movement from holding a cursor keys down. AUTOEXEC.BAT & CONFIG.SYS File Switcher ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (ESC)............... This option will return you to DOS. To create a new file, simply select a blank line from the file list by moving the highlight bar to the line you want to add a file description to and then press the enter key. Enter the title or description and then press enter. At this point you will be taken back to the file list menu and your new file description will be listed. To edit this new file, simply select it from the list again and then press enter. At this time you will be taken to the options menu. The OPTIONS Menu. ================:> This menu will present you with several options that will be active only on the file that you have chosen. (ESC)........... This option will return you to the main menu. A...... This option will take you to the text editor that will allow you to edit or change the chosen file listed at the top of the screen. This editor is a full featured text editor that includes block copy and paste options. NOTE ! This editor provides you also with a way to capture any existing AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS file or any text file on your system. Pressing the F2 key will display a place for you to enter the entire path and filename of the file you want to capture to the editor. B...... This option will install the file that you have chosen to the root directory of drive C as the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. You will be asked to verify all actions. C...... This option will install the file that you have chosen to the root directory of drive C as the CONFIG.SYS file. You will be asked to verify all actions. D...... This option will allow you to completely remove the file listed at the top of screen. You will be prompted to verify this action. Page 21 - Editor Options and Commands: ===============================:> Home/End........ Move cursor to start/end of line. Ctrl-Home/End... Move cursor to top/bottom of window. PgUp/PgDn....... Display previous/next page. Ctrl-PgUp/PgDn.. Display first/last page. Ctrl-Left/Right. Move cursor by whole words. Ctrl-Y.......... Delete the current line. Ctrl-N.......... Insert a new line. Insert.......... Toggle insert mode on/off. Delete.......... Delete character at cursor location and move text left one position. Backspace....... Delete character at cursor location and move cursor left one position. Tab............. Move cursor right four positions. Shift-Tab....... Move cursor left four positions. Arrow Keys...... Move cursor one position in direction of arrow. Enter........... Starts a new line. To copy a block. Move cursor to upper left corner of block then while holding the shift key down move the cursor right or down to the lower right corner of the block. At this point pressing any key except the ESC or delete key will copy block to clipboard. If you press the delete key at this point the block will be deleted and also copied to the clipboard. Pasting a block. Move the cursor to the new location and then press the Shift-Insert keys. NOTE ! Block operations may also be accomplished with a mouse. ALSO ! Once a block has been copied to the clipboard you may return to the files menu, reload or create a new file then from the options menu choose option (1) to load this new file into the editor and then paste a previously saved block to this new file. Page 22 - fastmenu GOLD Phone Book/Dialer. ===============================:> Option Reaction to option ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Esc............... Use this option to exit the phone book module. (I)nsert.......... Use this option to insert a new record to the phone book. The new record will be inserted just above the highlight bar. If the highlight bar is at bottom of file, the new record will be added to the end of the file. If you want, you can insert a new record ahead of an existing record by moving the highlight bar to that record, then choosing the insert option. After choosing the insert option you will be given a new slot to enter the information for this record. You can move between fields with the Up/Down arrow keys. When finished press the Esc key to save it. (C)hange.......... Use this option to change or correct an existing record. To change a record, just move the highlight bar to the record that you want to change, then choose the (C)hange option. After selecting this option, you may move freely between fields with the Up/Down arrow keys. (D)elete.......... Use this option to remove an existing record from the phone book. To remove a record, just move the highlight bar to the record that you want to remove, then choose the (D)elete option. You will be prompted to verify this deletion. (S)ort............ Use this option to sort all records on any field. After choosing the (S)ort option you will be asked to choose the field that you want to sort on. Do this by moving the highlight bar to that field and then press enter. After selecting the field, you will be asked how you want to sort, from Memory or from Disk. Sorting from memory is a much faster sort method, with this method, all records are loaded into memory then sorted, after the sort, all records are saved back to disk. Sorting records from disk can be aborted at any time with the Esc key but sorting takes much longer to complete. Page 23 - (Q)uery........... Use this option when you want to locate a record or group of records from the phone book database. After selecting this option you will need to select where you want the results of this query sent, to screen, printer in list form, or to mailing labels. You will be presented with a screen to enter search instructions. You may search on any one field or a combination of fields Records found that match your search instructions will be listed to screen one at a time with options to Print, Edit, or Dial the phone number. (V)iew............ This option will list to screen, the complete record that is currently highlighted. (D)ial............ To dial a listed number, simply highlight the entry that you want to dial and then press the 'D' key. At the same time pick up the phone receiver and after the number has been dialed just press any key to close the modem port. NOTE !! You may also dial a number simply by clicking your right mouse button on the entry that you want to be dialed. (P)arms........... Use this option to setup optional modem parms. Consult your Modem Setup Manual on available command options. (F)iles........... This option will display a pick list menu with the following options. Open....... Use this option to open an existing phone book database file. Upon selecting this option, you will be presented with a list of existing database files that you may open. Create..... Use this option to create or open a new phone book database file. Upon selecting this option, you will be presented with a field to enter the name of the new file. NOTE ! do not include a file extension, fastmenu will automatically append a ".FON" file extension. Page 24 - Delete..... Use this option if you want to delete an existing phone book database file. Upon selecting this option, you will be presented with a list of existing files to select from. NOTE ! You may not delete a currently open file. Macros..... Use this option if you want to edit or create new phone number macros. Upon selecting this option, you will be presented with a editor window with all existing macros listed. NOTE ! You may embed macros within macros. Up-Dn............. These options represent the up and down arrow keys. Using them will move the highlight bar up or down one record at a time. Continuing to hold one of these keys down will cause the highlight bar to scan until you release the key. PgUp-PgDn......... These options represent the Page Up and Page Down keys. Using them will move the highlight bar up or down a full page at a time. Continuing to hold one of these keys down will cause the highlight bar to rapid scan until you release the key. NOTE ! The phone book module uses a file oriented database and is limited in the number of records only by your disk size. Setting up applications for the Alternate Applications MENU. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTE !! This option was included with fastmenu GOLD under requests from several users and shareware authors, to allow creating applications designed especially to be run through fastmenu GOLD. ALSO !! When fastmenu executes an application through this menu, the VGA (640 x 480 16 Color) screen mode is not switched back to CGA. Therefore if you are installing an application to this menu and it is not capable of running in VGA mode, there may be problems unless the application switches the screen mode internally. To install an application to this menu, you must create a file with a file extension of '.APP'. The filename can be any thing you want as long as the extension of this filename is .APP. Install this file in the same directory that fastmenu GOLD is using. The actual application can be on any drive or directory on the system. Page 25 - The following is a sample of the information that this new file must contain. -------------------------------------------------------------- DISKUTIL.APP Disk Utility UTIL CUTILITY -------------------------------------------------------------- | | || 123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 The above file is named: DISKUTIL.APP The Title to this application is: Disk Utility The executable filename is: UTIL The Drive is: C The Directory is: UTILITY The application title starts at the first character and can be no longer than 32 characters. The Filename starts at character 33 and can be no longer than 8 characters. This filename is the name of the executable file for the application you want run. Do not include the file extension. The Drive character is at character number 41 and is only one character long. This drive character represents the drive that the application is on. The Directory name starts at character 42 and can be no longer than 8 characters. This directory represents the directory that contain the application. There is only one line in this file and a new file must be created for each application you want listed to the menu. Just make sure that you give each file a different and unique filename and include the '.APP' file extension. The applications will be listed to the menu in the same order they are read from disk (Top to bottom). NOTE !! A kit can be downloaded from most BBS's that has some vga screen samples along with a sample application and '.APP' file that may help in the design and setup for applications created for fastmenu GOLD. (GOLDKIT.ZIP) Page 26 - Entering more than one command at the Run File field. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A new option has been added to fastmenu GOLD that allows entering more than one command at the Run File field when adding applications to the menu. The following commands are now allowed at the Run File field: * Any legal DOS command line command. * Any legal DOS batch file command. * Any legal and existing executable file name. * The keyboard character ^ (carat key) Shift+6 * The keyboard character + (plus key) This option will allow doing away with those small batch files you sometimes need to execute an application with. In other words, if you have an application that you want to backup after every time you run it you could enter the following command: Drive: C Directory: CHOICE Run File: FIRST+^ECHO Insert backup disk.^PAUSE^COPY *.DAT A: The above command list would first move to drive C, change to the CHOICE directory, run the executable file FIRST, at exit of the application it would prompt you to insert a backup disk, pause for you, copy the DAT files to drive A, and then return to fastmenu GOLD. Notice the carat character (^) between each command. Also notice that you can mix DOS command line commands and batch file commands. Also notice the plus character (+) after the 'FIRST' run file name. This plus character tells fastmenu GOLD to also ask the user for a command line parameter at execution. NOTE ! Before this plus character will be active, you must also switch the Parms: Y/N field to 'Y'. Any number of commands can be executed, just make sure you separate each command with the carat character (^). If you experience a problem of fastmenu dropping out after executing a batch file, you might try adding the CALL statement just before the batch file name. Page 27 - Example: Drive: C Directory: PCTOOLS Run File: PCTOOLS^CD\BAT^CALL BATCH The above example would switch to the PCTOOLS directory, execute the PCTOOLS executable file, switch to the 'BAT' directory, execute a batch file named BATCH, and then return to fastmenu GOLD. Example: Drive: C Directory: DOS Run File: CHKDSK+^PAUSE The above example would first ask you for a command line parameter, switch to the DOS directory, execute the CHKDSK application with your command line parameter, pause for you to press enter, and then return to fastmenu GOLD. Displaying PCX picture files during screen blanking. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ During screen blanking fastmenu GOLD now first looks for a script file named PCX.DAT. If this file exists, fastmenu will display the PCX files according to the way you have them listed in this script file. You may also include a time parameter with each PCX file that tells fastmenu how long to display each PCX file. The format of this file is as follows: PCX.DAT < FileName of the script file. 4 < The first line is a number representing MOUNTANS.PCX 10 \ the number of PCX files listed in this HOUSE.PCX 10 \ file UNICORN.PCX 5 > < All remaining lines are used to list RACECAR.PCX 15 / the PCX files along with the time (seconds) to display the PCX file. All PCX files and the PCX.DAT file must be located in the same directory that you have fastmenu GOLD in. NOTE ! If this PCX.DAT file does not exist, fastmenu GOLD will still display all PCX files found in the directory. ALSO ! If you want, you may also have fastmenu GOLD display any PCX file you want during start up. Simply rename the PCX file you want displayed to OPENING.SCR. Page 28 - Executing batch files (*.BAT) during screen blanking. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you like, fastmenu will execute a batch file either before or after screen blanking. To use these options, simply create the batch file and copy it to the drive and directory that the fastmenu files are located in. If fastmenu finds a batch file with the name 'BEFORE.BAT', it will be executed just before going into screen blanking. If a 'AFTER.BAT' file is found, it will be executed after screen blanking. If a 'INSTEAD.BAT' file is found, it will be executed instead of screen blanking. These batch files may be used to execute applications or do any system maintenance you would like done at this time. Sorting Folder Titles or The Applications listed in a Folder. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Sort option has been added to fastmenu GOLD's main menu to give you a means of sorting the Folder Titles or the Applications listed in a folder simply by selecting Sort from the main menu. If you select this Sort option while viewing the Folder Titles, you will be asked if you want to sort the Folder Titles. If you answer with a 'Y' (Yes), fastmenu will sort all the Folder Titles in alphabetical order and place all blank lines at the bottom of the list. If you select this Sort option while viewing the Applications listed in a Folder, you will be asked if you want to sort the App's in this Folder. If you answer with a 'Y' (Yes), fastmenu will sort all Applications listed in this Folder in alphabetical order and place all blank lines at the bottom of the list. Available options while in the Fax/Text File Editor. ===================================================:> Option Reaction to option ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Esc................ Use this option to exit the phone book module. F1=Menu............ Use this option to access the Command Menu. Available options while at the Command Menu. ===========================================:> Option Reaction to option ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Esc................ Returns control to the editor. Page 29 - F10=Run Batch...... This option allows you to execute DOS or batch file commands. When you select this option, all lines in the current text file will be executed at the DOS level as if they were executed from a batch file. A>- Save....Return. After selecting this option, the current filename will be displayed in an editor box. You may edit the existing filename and then press enter to save it. After saving, you will be returned back to the editor. B>- Save......Exit. This option works just like the A>- option above with the exception of, you will be returned to DOS after saving the file. C>- Open..Existing. After selecting this option, you will be presented with a field that you can edit the file spec for files that you want listed for opening. DOS wild cards are permitted here. After entering the file spec, all files in the current path that match the file spec will be listed in a scrollable window for you to select from. NOTE ! If you currently have a text file loaded and have made any changes to this file, you will be asked if you want to save changes before opening a new file. D>- Create.....New. After selecting this option, you will be presented with a field to enter a new filename. Any legal DOS filename can be used. NOTE ! If you currently have a text file loaded and have made any changes to this file, you will be asked if you want to save changes before creating a new file. E>- Change....Path. This option allows you to change the current drive and directory that will be used for saving and opening text files from. After selecting this option, you will be given a scrollable window with a list of the drives on your system. Simply move the fighlight bar to the desired drive and press the enter key. After selecting the drive, you will be given a scrollable window with a list of the directories on your system. Simply move the highlight bar to the directory you want and then press the enter key. Page 30 - After selecting the directory, you will be returned to the editor and the new path will be listed at the top of your screen. Any future Saves or Opens will be performed from this new path. F>- Tab......(4 ).. This option provides you with a way of changing the number of spaces the cursor moves to the right every time you press the Tab key. NOTE ! Pressing the Shift key plus the Tab key will move the cursor in the left direction. G>- Margin...(255). This option provides you with a way of setting the right text margin. The right margin may be set anywhere from 10 to 255. Setting the margin to 0 will cause a 255 character right margin. Wordwrap will occur at the right margin setting. H>- Print.....File. Selecting this option will send the currently opened text file to any printer connected to printer port LPT1. I>- Clear...Editor. Selecting this option will clear all text from the editor. NOTE ! If you currently have a text file loaded and have made any changes to this file, you will be asked if you want to save changes before clearing the text. J>- Delete....Line. Selecting this option will delete the line at the current cursor location. NOTE ! Every time you delete a line with this option it is saved and replaces any text that is currently in the paste buffer. You can replace any deleted line by placing the cursor on a blank line and then selecting the Insert option. Just remember, if you have text saved in the paste buffer, it will be replaced with any text from a deleted line. K>- Insert....Line. Selecting this option will insert a blank line at the current cursor location. L>- Copy........... Selecting this option will save any marked block of text to the paste buffer. You must first mark a block of text before this option can be used. Page 31 - Marking a block of text can be done by holding the Shift key down while moving the cursor with the arrow keys or by holding your left mouse button down and dragging the mouse cursor. The block will be marked with dashed lines. M>- Delete......... Selecting this option will delete any marked block of text. Any text that has been deleted with this option will be saved to the paste buffer. Marking a block of text can be done by holding the Shift key down while moving the cursor with the arrow keys or by holding your left mouse button down and dragging the mouse cursor. The block will be marked with dashed lines. N>- Paste.......... Selecting this option will paste any block of text that has been saved to the paste buffer. The block of text will be pasted at the current cursor location. O>- Print.......... Selecting this option will send any block of text that has been previously saved to the paste buffer to any printer connected to printer port LPT1. Editor hot keys and commands. ============================:> Insert............ Toggles between insert and overtype mode. Red cursor designates insert mode. ~~~ White cursor designates overtype mode. ~~~~~ Tab............... Moves cursor right (tab spaces). Shift+Tab......... Moves cursor left (tab spaces). Delete............ Removes the character at the cursor location. Home.............. Moves cursor full left of text at cursor line. Ctrl+Home......... Moves cursor to top of screen. End............... Moves cursor full right of text at cursor line. Page 32 - Ctrl+End.......... Moves cursor to bottom of screen. PgUp.............. Moves text up 25 lines each press. Ctrl+PgUp......... Moves to top of text file. PgDn.............. Moves text down 25 lines each press. Ctrl+PgDn......... Moves to bottom of text file. Up/Dn Arrows...... Moves cursor up/down on line each press. Right/Left Arrows. Moves cursor right/left one space each press. Ctrl+Y............ Delete the line at cursor location. Ctrl+N............ Insert a blank line at the cursor location. BLOCK OPERATIONS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ctrl+Arrow Keys... Mark a block of text. Ctrl+Delete....... Delete a block of text. Ctrl+Insert....... Insert a block of text. Pressing any key except the Esc key will save a marked block. Calendar/Notepad Module. =======================:> Opening menu options and commands ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When you first enter the Calendar/Notepad module you will be presented with a calendar of the current month with the current date highlighted in red. To change the current date you can either click your mouse on another day or press or click on the up or down arrow keys Icons. To change the month, simply press or click on the left or right arrow keys or icons. The menu at the right side of your screen under 'Select Options' has several more options that allow entering/editing notes or printing them. To enter a note for a certain day or date, by using the up/down or left/right arrow keys, move the highlight to the date that you want to post a note for and then click on the Edit Note Icon or simply press the 'E' key on your keyboard. Page 33 - At this time you will be taken to the note editor where you can proceed to enter the text for the note. The editor options are as follows: F1=Save......... Use this option to save your note to disk when it is completed. F2=Clear........ Using this option will totally clear the editor of any existing text. F3=Delete....... Use this option if you want to totally remove a note from the system. F4=Copy......... Before using this option you must first mark a block of text that you want to copy. You can do this by holding your left mouse button down while dragging your mouse to a new location. You will notice a broken line box being drawn as you move your mouse cursor, inside this box represents the text that you want to copy. After marking your text, simply click your mouse on the F4 function key icon. You may also mark a block of text using the Shift+arrow keys found on your numeric pad. F5=Paste........ After copying a block of text to the buffer, you may paste it to a new location in this note or to a newly created note by placing the cursor at the location you want the text located and then clicking or pressing the F5 key or Icon. F6=Print........ Selecting this option will display a small menu that has the following options: A>- Print ALL.... Using this option will send the currently loaded note to any printer connected to port LPT1 on your system. B>- Print Buffer. Using this option will send any text that has been copied to the paste buffer to any printer connected to port LPT1 on your system. Esc.............. Returns you to the editor. NOTE ! All keyboard hot keys that are valid in the Fax/Text file editor are also valid in this editor. Print Notes.. option ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Selecting this option will bring up a small menu with several print options. Page 34 - A>- Print Date... Selecting this option will print any note found at the currently highlighted date on the calendar. B>- Print Week... Selecting this option will print any note found on the currently highlighted calendar date plus any notes found on the next seven calendar days. C>- Print Month.. Selecting this option will print any note found on the currently highlighted calendar date plus all notes found for all days in the rest of the month. D>- Print Year... Selecting this option will print any note found on the currently highlighted calendar date plus all notes found for all days in the rest of the year. Esc.............. This option will return you to the opening calendar menu. Delete Notes.. option ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This option provides a means of removing several notes with a single pass. After selecting this option, you will be presented with a scrollable tag menu with all notes listed. To delete notes from this menu, you must tag the notes that you want deleted. Tagging notes from this menu can be done either of three ways. Simply click your left mouse button on the notes you want tagged, move the highlight bar to the note you want to tag and press the enter key, or by clicking your left mouse button on the up/dn arrow icons and clicking on the enter icon. After you have all notes tagged that you want deleted, simply select the Delete icon from this menu. You will be asked to verify this delete. NOTE !! This Calendar/Notepad module saves all notes in separate disk files and as a result you may have quite a few files created and on disk at any one time. For this reason I recommend creating a sub directory your hard drive to store these files in. The Setup module accessed from the fastmenu GOLD main menu has options for selecting a sub directory for the Calendar/Notepad to use. Page 35 - Using separate files for each note drastically speeds up the display of any note and also results in using less disk space due to not needing to maintain a index file along with the data files. All notes saved to disk files are pure text files with no formatting characters embedded. Most wordprocessors or text file editors will have no problem reading these files. Your Fax Modem will also have no problem reading these files. The End Icon and how it works ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ fastmenu GOLD now has a new Icon located at the upper right of your screen 'End'. This Icon is present in almost all utility modules and screens. Pressing this 'End' Icon at the main menu screen will force fastmenu GOLD into screen blanking. Pressing this 'End' Icon from any other module or screen will immediately return you to the main menu. NOTE !! If you are using the user ID and activity logging option, pressing this 'End' Icon from any screen or module will force fastmenu GOLD into screen blanking. Setting up the user ID and logging ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A new feature has been added to fastmenu GOLD that allows for setting up user ID access to fastmenu GOLD and along with this option you can also select to log all user activity. This user ID and logging is setup through the Setup module, through option 'C>- Add/Edit/Delete System Passwords' and then option 'E>- Setup User ID And Activity Logging'. While at this user ID setup screen, notice, in the window at left you will see slots for up to 20 user names and ID's. By pressing the up/dn arrow keys you can move between three windows, allowing up to 60 users total. To enter user names and ID's, simply press the Edit Icon, you will be placed inside the window where you can begin entering or editing users. In the Users Name fields, enter each users complete name, at the associated ID field, enter that users password or ID that he will use to access the system. After entering all users, simply press the Esc key to quit. If all is OK with the names and ID's and you want to save them to disk, simply press the Save Icon. Page 36 - After pressing the Save Icon, you will be asked if you want to log all user activity. If you select to log all user activity you will also be asked as to how large you want to allow the log files to become before the current one is closed and a new one is created. A suggested size for these files is around 340kb. This allows copying or saving them to 360kb diskettes. These log files can be viewed or deleted at any time from the Setup module options 'J' and 'K'. NOTE !! This user activity logging can be turned on or off at any time by returning to this setup menu and selecting the Log On/Off Icon. This Icon will toggle logging on or off. ALSO You may return to this user ID setup menu at any time and add/edit/change user names and passwords. Trouble Shooting....................... ======================================:> VGA Problems... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ fastmenu GOLD has built-in VGA detection that will prevent it from being run on any system that is not equipped with a VGA color card and monitor. New VGA Color cards are coming out every day from new and existing manufacturers, due to this, you may experience some problems getting fastmenu GOLD to run on these new cards. If you know that you do have a full VGA system and yet you still cannot get fastmenu GOLD to run, a way has been built- in to fastmenu GOLD to bypass this VGA detection. Create a file named: SKIP-VGA.DAT This file should have only one line in it and that line should read: VGA You may use any text editor or wordprocessor to create this file. This SKIP-VGA.DAT file should be copied to the same directory that you have installed fastmenu GOLD to. Input Runtime Module Path:..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ fastmenu GOLD uses a runtime module at various times during operation and must be able to locate it. Page 37 - This runtime module is in a file named: BRUN45.EXE. For proper operation you must have a path statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file telling DOS where to locate this file. Also you should have a path statement to the ROOT directory and the directory that your DOS (DOS, DRDOS, NDOS, DOS50) files are located in. An example of the minimum path statement would be: PATH=C:\;C:\DOS;C:\GOLD -------------------------------------------------------------- This version of fastmenu GOLD was written and compiled using MicroSoft QuickBASIC v4.5. About 30% of the code is in QuickBASIC including all of the VGA screens and windows. The rest of the code is comprised of super fast compiled assembly language routines. New Version and Update Policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Registered users of fastmenu GOLD can obtain a copy of any updated version for one year from the date of registration by sending $8.00 to the below address. New updates are sent out on HD 5 1/4 in, and HD 3 1/2 in disks. A full manual (on disk) is included with each update. Registered users over one year from registration date can obtain a new updated version by sending $34.00. With this type of update, you will receive a copy of the latest version, on HD 5 1/4 in, and HD 3 1/2 in disks, a full printed manual, and one full year of support. DISCLAIMER Users must accept this disclaimer of warranty: This application supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of this manual or the application it describes. jwh: SoftWare PO Box 410 9500 St.Rt.61 Berlin Heights, Ohio 44814 Phone (419) 588-3608 fastmenu GOLD is a product and copyright (c) 1992 by: Jack W Hildenbrand. All rights reserved. MicroSoft QuickBASIC is a product and copyright (c) by: The Microsoft Corporation. Page 38 -