Computer Toybox/Computer Toybox.iso/programs/smiler/readme.txt

Text File | 1994-05-27 | 16.3 KB | 332 lines

README.TXT: SMILERSHELL 2.1  QUICK START AND INSTALLATION


QUICK START / HINTS AND TRICKS

Windows makes many things easier, but it also makes some things harder.
Even in this era of the graphical interface, there are tasks that can be
done much more easily by typing in a command than by menus and pointing and
clicking and such.  That's what SmilerShell is for.

SmilerShell is the ultimate Windows command line.  It's just like
shelling out to DOS.  You type a command and press Enter.  It supports pipes,
redirection, and internal DOS commands (and runs Windows programs too).
There's even a place to list all your favorite applications; click on one and
it runs.  It works just like the DOS command line.  But SmilerShell is the
best command line you've ever seen, as if the plain-vanilla DOS prompt was
enhanced by lots of handy utilities.  Here's how to get the most out of it.

INSTANT INSTALL:  You can install SmilerShell automatically, using the
enclosed installer.  To do this, simply run install.exe from Windows using
File Manager or the Run item on Program Manager's File menu, or in whatever
other convenient way you choose. Give it the directory to put SmilerShell's
files into, and the Program Manager group name for the SmilerShell icons
(defaults are suggested).  It'll do the rest.  The installer will make no
changes to your system setup.  It just copies files to the directory you
specify, and adds icons to the Program Manager group you specify.  If you
decide to uninstall, just delete the specified files and icons.

FAVORITE APPLICATIONS:  List your favorite applications under the Apps menu
item.  Then just click on one to either select it into the command line, or
run it straight off (you can set it up either way).

COMMAND HISTORY AND SEARCH: Every time you run a command, it is saved in
the command stack.  To find a previous command of interest, type the first
letter or two of that command, then press the up or down arrow key.  Up-
arrow searches back, down-arrow searches forward.  It's a circular buffer,
the last command is connected to the first, so you can search in either
direction.  Arrows on a blank line show all commands in order.  A full
command history list is available from the File menu.

COMMAND LINE EDITOR: A retrieved previous command, or anything else you
type, can be edited to suit.  Think of SmilerShell as a one-line word
processor.  It supports insert mode, overtype mode, and clipboard
cut/paste.

ALIASES: When you press Enter, the first word of the command is compared to
the alias list.  If it matches, the alias is substituted for that first
word.  You can skip the alias testing by starting the command with an
equals sign.  You can also hang aliases off the function keys F2 through
F12; hit the key and the command runs.  Both kinds of aliases are set up in
the ini file.  A full alias list is available on the File menu.

GET SMALL:  SmilerShell has a very small window, but you can make it even
smaller.  Use the Options menu to get rid of the menu and title bar.  Or
type Alt+M to toggle the menu, Alt+L to toggle the title bar.  Then mouse
SmilerShell as small as you like.  It'll go smaller than an icon!

QUICK DIRECTORY CHANGE: Type DC and the first few letters of the directory
you want to be in.  If it's unambiguous, boom, you're there, otherwise a
list box pops up with the first possible match highlighted.  If you haven't
used DC yet, you'll be asked for permission to scan the drives listed in
DC's ini file parameter.  If you scan more than one drive, DC can change
drive as well as directory to get you where you want to go.

SMILERSHELL NEVER FORGETS:  In the ini file, set winwidth=PREV and
SmilerShell will start up next time in the same directory, same screen
position, and with the same settings, as when you shut it down this time.

CHANGE INI FILE SETTINGS ON THE FLY:  Hit the Edit Ini File item on
SmilerShell's File menu.  It'll fire up Notepad with your ini file (and
create one first if needed, filled with reasonable defaults).  When you're
done editing and you close Notepad, SmilerShell will know.  It'll read in
the new ini file and reset itself as indicated there.

DOS IN A WINDOW: Do you prefer to have DOS commands run fullscreen or in a
window?  Toggle this on the fly with the DOS In Window menu item.  Or to
run one command as if DOS In Window is set to the opposite of its current
value, start that command with a right-bracket (for example >dir).

INACTIVES STAY VISIBLE:  After you run a DOS command, do you want the
command's inactive window to stick around, or immediately vanish?  Toggle
this flag, called Inactives Stay Visible, from the Options menu.  Or to run
one command as if Inactives Stay Visible is set to the opposite of its
current value, start that command with an asterisk (for example *dir).

REMOVE INACTIVES: Too many inactive windows cluttering your screen?  Get
rid of 'em with this Edit menu item, or just type Alt+R from the keyboard.

CLOCK:  Toggle the titlebar clock from the Options menu, or just type
Alt+C.  Prefer 12-hour or 24-hour time?  Use the timeformat ini file
parameter.

WORK WITH FILES: The built-in command SHOW is often a useful alternative
to DIR, since SHOW's file list lets you click on a filename to select it
into the command line.

FILE ASSOCIATIONS: With File Associations simply type in the filename
without the program name, and quite often SmilerShell will know which
program to run.  For example give "FILENAME.WRI" and SmilerShell knows to
run Windows Write on this file.  This works very nicely with SHOW: use SHOW
to pick a file, then press Enter to run the proper program with that file.

CURRENT DRIVE/DIRECTORY IN THE TITLE BAR:  Toggle this from the Options
menu, or just type Alt+D.

SYSTEM RESOURCES:  Toggle the System Resources display onto the menu bar
from the Options menu, or just type Alt+S, to see a real-time running
report of your available Windows memory and resources.  If you toggle off
the menu, the resources report will appear in the command line.  Don't
worry, nothing you type will be overwritten by the resources report!
Just type, your text will reappear exactly as you left it.

INSERT OR OVERTYPE MODE: Toggle this from the Options menu, or just type
Alt+O.  In overtype mode a flag appears in the title bar.

TOPMOST WINDOW: Make SmilerShell a "topmost" window from the Options menu,
or just type Alt+T.  That way, it's always visible and ready for use, even
when you're working in another window.

GET RID OF THE MENU:  Hit Alt+M to make SmilerShell even smaller.  Hit
Alt+M again to bring the menu back, or use the Show SmilerShell Menu item
on the System menu (the dash thing in the upper left corner).

SAVE YOUR STACK: You can save the current command stack to a file and
reload it automatically at startup, or at any other time.  This gives you a
preloaded batch of commands you can search on.  The startup loading is set
up in the ini file.

HANDY CONFIGURATIONS: Make SmilerShell "topmost," turn on the clock, turn
off the menu, mouse it as small as it goes (about as big as two icons) and
stick it in the corner.  The clock shows, and it's always ready for action.
Or turn off the titlebar too, and mouse it even smaller.  To move it on the
screen without the titlebar, click the right mouse button in the edit area
and hold it down while you move SmilerShell where you want it. Or make
SmilerShell "topmost" and maximize it.  When maximized, it only takes up
the top line of your screen, not the whole display.

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS: SmilerShell has a lot of keyboard shortcuts that can
speed things up quite a bit.

These SmilerShell commands work immediately, without going through a menu.

Alt+C           Clock in titlebar
Alt+S           System Resources report in menubar
Alt+D           Current directory in titlebar
Alt+O           Overtype/insert mode
Alt+T           Topmost window
Alt+L           Show/hide titlebar
Alt+M           Show/hide menubar
Alt+I           Inactive windows stay visible
Alt+W           DOS commands windowed/fullscreen

You can display any menu, or use any menu item, from the keyboard.  To
display a menu press its Alt key combination.  When in a menu, press
any item's underlined key to run that item.

Alt+F           File menu
Alt+E           Edit menu
Alt+N           Options menu
Alt+A           Apps menu
Alt+P           Help menu

These standard Windows commands are available in SmilerShell:

F1              Help
ALT+F4          Exit
Alt+Bksp        Undo last action
Ctrl+Z          Undo last action
Shift+Del       Cut selected text, send to the Clipboard
Ctrl+X          Cut selected text, send to the Clipboard
Ctrl+Ins        Copy selected text, send to the Clipboard
Ctrl+C          Copy selected text, send to the Clipboard
Shift+Ins       Paste contents of Clipboard into commandline
Ctrl+V          Paste contents of Clipboard into commandline
Delete          Clear selected text
Escape          Clear entire commandline
Ctrl+Esc        Show task list of all running programs



SHAREWARE: TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Thank you for trying SmilerShell.  You are welcome to test it for a week or
two.  I hope you like it.

SmilerShell is marketed as shareware.  As with all shareware, you are
encouraged to try it for a short time on your own system, to see if it
meets your needs.  If you find it useful and you keep it on your system for
more than two weeks, you are obligated to send in the registration fee.  If
you don't find it useful, simply delete it from your system.

To register SmilerShell, send $19.95 plus $3.50 for shipping to:

Bardon Data Systems
1023 Key Route Blvd.
Albany, CA 94706

Outside North America please add $6 for overseas shipping charges.

While testing SmilerShell, take a few minutes to try the demo of
SmilerShell Pro, which has some rather nifty features (described below) not
found in the regular SmilerShell.  SmilerShell Pro is available for $29.95
plus $3.50 for shipping.

You can order SmilerShell or SmilerShell Pro through Bardon, or through our
toll-free telephone order-taking service [phone] (weekdays 7 to 6
Central time), or on Compuserve, or through distributors worldwide.
Details and addresses are in the file ORDER.TXT.

If ordering through Bardon, you can print and mail invoice.wri, the invoice
that came with this package.  It's in Windows Write format.  With a
MasterCard or Visa you can order by phone, at [phone], in which case
you'll be given your registration number immediately so you can get rid of
those reminder screens right away.  Or simply mail in your card number and
expiration date.

Registered users get a registration number that will turn off the reminder
screens, a printed manual, support, update notices, and a disk with the
most recent version.

Registered users also get these Extra Free Bonuses:  Two more handy Bardon
utilities (WHATSNEW lists files not yet backed up, or directories
containing such files; PR/PRFILTER format output for printing, and add a
header with filename, size, create date, and print date), discount
certificate for JCSM shareware CD-ROMs at half price, discount on PsL
shareware-by-mail (up to 2/3 off!), free Compuserve startup kit, other
Windows shareware I think you'll like, and whatever other goodies I can
fit on the disk.

All these bonuses are also included with SmilerShell Pro.



SMILERSHELL PRO

As mentioned above, SmilerShell Pro has some rather nifty features not
found in the regular SmilerShell.  Take a few minutes to try the demo of
SmilerShell Pro.

* PRESS THE BUTTON:  SmilerShell Pro takes up no space on your desktop.
None.  That's because it's usually a tiny button that hops unobtrusively
into the titlebar of whichever application is currently active.  Press the
button to bring up the command line window.  Click the SmilerShell menubar's
Hide item (or type Alt+H) and the command line window vanishes again.  You
can customize where the button appears in the active app's titlebar -- or
elsewhere!  And try this to save time: right-click the titlebar button, and
the commandline appears with the Apps menu already displayed, ready for you
to click on one of your listed apps and run it.  It's the fastest way to
start programs!

* MULTIPLE COMMANDS ON ONE LINE: You can type multiple commands on one
command line.  Hit Enter and they are submitted in order.  And unlike
everything else in Windows, SmilerShell makes sure the previous command
ends before it starts the next one.

* RUNTIME PARAMETERS IN ALIASES: Runtime parameters (%1, %2, etc.) make
it easier to tell aliases what to do when you run them.  And if you alias
multiple commands on one line, the alias acts almost like a batch file,
all within SmilerShell!

* CHANGE YOUR PATH: By default SmilerShell Pro uses the DOS search path.
You can change this by typing a PATH command, just like in DOS.  Later,
go back to the old DOS path by typing PATH= (an equals sign but no
parameters).  As you'd expect, PATH by itself shows the current path.

* A TINY WINDOW:  Want the smallest possible window?  With SmilerShell
Pro, if System Resources is enabled and you toggle off the menu, the
resources report will appear in the command line.  Press any key and
your command line returns.  The cursor is where you left it, selections
are still selected, and the key you pressed is typed into place in the
command text.  Turn off the titlebar as well as the menu for an
incredibly small SmilerShell, with no loss of information!

* IT'S FAST:  Because of special software technology, SmilerShell Pro runs
commands faster than SmilerShell Standard Edition or SmilerShell Lite.

Here's a good way to use SmilerShell Pro: mouse the window to the size you
prefer, and set up your favorite display options (clock? current directory?
resources?)  Then "Hide!" the command line window.  SmilerShell Pro is
always just a mouse-click away.  The activation button hops into the
titlebar of whichever app you're currently using.  Like regular
SmilerShell, SmilerShell Pro can remember its setup and screen location
from session to session, so you only have to configure it once.



INSTALLING SMILERSHELL

SmilerShell includes the following files:

  smishell.exe      the program
  smishell.hlp      the documentation, in Windows help file format
  readme.txt        overview and installation instructions
  install.exe       automated SmilerShell installer
  sample.ini        sample initialization file
  sample.stk        sample command stack file
  file_id.diz       45 column x 10 line text description, for BBS uploads
  vendor.doc        gives distribution permission
  invoice.wri       registration invoice (direct to Bardon Data Systems)
  register.txt      order toll-free and through distributors worldwide
  whatsnew.txt      new features and revision history
  demopro.exe       demo of SmilerShell Pro

You can install SmilerShell automatically, using the enclosed auto-
installer.  To do this, simply run install.exe from within Windows.  You
can run it using File Manager, or the Run item on Program Manager's File
menu, or in whatever other convenient way you choose.  Give it the
directory to put SmilerShell's files into, and the Program Manager group
name for the SmilerShell icons (appropriate defaults are suggested).  It'll
do the rest.  The installer will make no changes to your system set-up or
to any systemwide files.  It copies the SmilerShell files to the one
directory you specify, and puts its icons in the one Program Manager group
you choose.

Optionally, you can set up an initialization file.  But if you start
SmilerShell without an initialization file, you'll be asked if you'd like
SmilerShell to create one and fill it with reasonable values, then
let you edit it in Notepad before proceeding.  See the section The
Initialization File in the documentation.

Optionally, give a non-default location for the initialization file. See
the section The Initialization File in the documentation.

Optionally, you can create a command stack file, having a list of commands
that you want loaded into SmilerShell.  See the section Command Stack Files
in the documentation.



SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Requires Microsoft Windows 3.1