

                    MNU  Manual          Page 1





                        _______
                   ____|__     |               (R)
                --|       |    |-------------------
                  |   ____|__  |  Association of
                  |  |       |_|  Shareware
                  |__|   o   |    Professionals
                -----|   |   |---------------------
                     |___|___|    Member



                Version 3.00           December, 1994


          MNU, is a batch file enhancer, readme tool, and menu program.
          Its included to help make the overall package easier to use
          and to adapt to your needs, and to show you how you can use
          the remote support/package package with your favourite menu
          program.




          MNU has 3 main modes:  ASK, MENU, and README

          Each of the modes can have behaviour changes depending on
          various settings.  Much of the documentation suggests using
          environmental variables, but you can use the MNU.INI file as
          documented after the mode descriptions instead.


          1) ASK MODE is a simple way of asking for user input within a
          batch file.  It displays the "input string" at the current
          screen position and waits for a one key response.  Only keys
          in the "key list" are allowed:

          MNU ASK <input string>  - The string to display
             <key list>      - Keys that are acceptable responses
             [DEFAULT=c]     - The default key if enter is pressed
             [TIMEOUT=n]     - The number of seconds to wait
             [DEBUG]         - Causes the errorlevel to be displayed
             [NOTIME]        - Time remaining won't be displayed.

          Upon exit it sets the DOS Errorlevel based on the order of key
          pressed.






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          Example:  MNU ASK "<O>ki, <L>aser, <E>pson (press O, L, or
          E):  " OLE

          After displaying "<O>ki, <L>aser, <E>pson (press O, L, or E):
          " it waits for a keypress.If it's in the group (OLEole) it
          sets the DOS Errorlevel according to the order in the key list
          and exits.  Esc exits with 0.  Other options can be placed
          after the key list:

          DEFAULT - This is used to set a Default Key, to be used if
          Enter is pressed or a TIMEOUT is reached.  If "default=a" is
          used, then when the user presses Enter, it would be the same
          as pressing "a".

          TIMEOUT - An example would be "timeout=30".  If no key is
          pressed within 30 seconds the program will terminate.  If
          there is a DEFAULT key set, it will act as if that key were
          pressed.

          DEBUG - (or /debug) This shows the DOS Errorlevel upon exit.

          NOTIME - This prevents the time remaining from being displayed
          when TIMEOUT is active.

          An example linked to TeleShare:

          echo off
          REM This could be part of your autoexec.bat
          REM Put the MNU line, DEFAULT=Y and TIMEOUT=10 on one line.
          MNU ask "Load TeleShare? Y or N?" YN DEFAULT=Y TIMEOUT=10
          REM
          if errorlevel == 2 goto :bypass
          if errorlevel == 1 goto :loadtele
          goto :bypass
          :loadtele
          rem The TSH could be TSR on the 'local' machine
          TSH
          :bypass
          rem continue autoexec.bat

          A similar batch file could load a portion of the Hands On
          remote access package.


          2) MENU MODE is used to paint a menu on screen and allow users
          to select a choice by positioning a light bar, or letter, and
          pressing enter.  Normally the menu is full screen but the NC
          option reduces the menu to a minimum size.  This allows you to





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          stack successive menus, offset if you like, and to have the
          menus pop up anywhere on the screen.  MENU MODE returns the
          DOS errorlevel set to the sequence number of the item
          selected.


          MNU MENU <options list separated by commas or spaces>
          [options]

          - MENU mode is used to pop up a list of menu choices.  When
          the user selects one and presses "Enter", it sets the DOS
          Errorlevel based on the order of the item chosen.

          Example:  MNU MENU "Oki Printer","Laser Printer","Epson
          Printer"

          - A BOX will be displayed giving the options in a LIST.  The
          user may choose an option using the up and down arrow keys and
          then press enter.  It will set the DOS Errorlevel according to
          the order of option chosen and then exit.

          - There is a DEBUG option.  If "debug" or "/debug" is placed
          after the option list it will show the DOS Errorlevel upon
          exit.

          - The LOCATION of the box can be controlled by setting an
          environment variable.  Type the following at the command line
          or in a batch file "set twp=1012".  This would set the upper
          left corner of the box to row 10, column 12.  The coordinates
          must contain 4 numbers.  For instance row 9, column 1 would be
          "set twp=0901". Row 0, column 0 would be "set twp=0000".  If
          you use the MNU.INI file to set TWP you lose the capability to
          'stack' successive menus offset like cards unless you put
          different MNU.INI files in different subdirectories.

          - A title will be placed at the top of the menu box, if the
          parameters include "t:title".

          Example:  MNU MENU "t:Printer Menu" "Oki" "Laser" "Epson"

          - To create overlaid menus, use "NC" as a parameter.  The
          screen won't be cleared before popping up the new menu.  You
          can also use NC to make minimal sized menus.

          Example:  MNU MENU "NC" "t:Printer Menu" "Oki" "Laser" "Epson"

          - You can set an environment variable (TWH) to over-ride the
          default header of "Menu Choices".  If you rename MNU to HOMNU





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          the header becomes 'Hands On Remote Access' without using
          environment space.

          Example:  SET TWH=ACME COMPANY MENU

          - You can set an environment variable (TWSAV) to cause the
          screen to be cleared and your message (up to 60 characters) to
          be displayed.  If you run out of environment space the message
          will be truncated.

          Example:  SET TWSAV=I'm at Lunch.  Return 1:30

          The screen saver activates when you tap F7, and the screen is
          restored when you tap another key.  You can also use the
          command line parameter or switch -NOBURN to have the screen
          saver automatically start up when the menu starts.  It starts
          up every time you restart the menu when used this way, so you
          might consider a 'startup' menu that includes -noburn and a
          'working' menu batch file setup for 'during the day' usage.


          MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "WordPerfect" "Lotus" "Quit" -NOBURN
          # a sample startup with the -NOBURN option

          Note that you can leave this screen saver running while the
          remote access host is resident and waiting for a call, and it
          will appear when the connection is completed.  This also
          provides an initial menu of choices.


          You can add command line password capability by adding -P for
          password and either including a password in the batch file or
          running the batch file with a command line password.  The
          password capability is tied to the screen saver.  If you use
          -P, but do not use -NOBURN the screen saver is activated as if
          you used -NOBURN.

          # an example using password capability as a parameter
          MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "WordPerfect" "Quattro" "Quit" -P%1
          or MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "Qedit" "dBase" "Quit" %1

          # an example including the actual password (demoPASSWORD)
          MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "WordPerfect" "Quit" -PdemoPASSWORD

          The passwords can be up to 20 characters long.  You will note
          that passwords are normally hidden during entry.  However, if
          you disable screen attributes with TSSETUP.EXE on the HOST end
          the 'hiding' commands are disabled and the password will be





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          displayed to you while you enter it.  It continues to be
          hidden on the host machine.


          Here's an entire batch file using MNU MENU MODE:

          SAMPLE.BAT
            @echo off
            ** set twh=Acme Toys Inc.
           :start
           REM The %1 allows you to enter "SAMPLE -Ppassword"
            MNU menu "t:Main Menu" "WordPerfect" "Games" "Quit" %1
            if errorlevel == 4 goto :end
            if errorlevel == 3 goto :games
            if errorlevel == 2 goto :lotus
            if errorlevel == 1 goto :wp
            goto :end
           :wp
            cd \wp51
            wp
            goto :start
           :lotus
            cd \123r24
            123
            goto :start
           :games
            call gamemenu
            goto :start
           :end

          - USAGE TRACKING:  If an environment variable called TWDR is
          set, MNU will record all user menu selections in a DBASE III
          type data file called ACTIONS.DBF.  "TWDR" needs to be like
          "C:", "D:", "F:" etc.  ACTIONS.DBF will be opened or created
          in the root directory of the drive specified by "TWDR".  It
          will also record the setting for the environment variables:
          "LANUSER" and "TWID" (up to 10 characters each).

          Example:  SET TWDR=C:

          If you prefer, you may use "SET TWDR=C" without the ":" and
          the ACTIONS.DBF will be created and maintained in the 'home
          directory' where the MNU.EXE resides.

          You can use the F4 function key to look at and edit the
          entries in the ACTIONS.DBF when the feature is active in MNU.

          We have found that the ACTIONS.DBF can be damaged leading to





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          MNU locking up when it tries to access ACTIONS.DBF.  If MNU
          locks up on you, then first try erasing ACTIONS.DBF

          - MONO MONITOR MODE:  If you're running this on a mono or LCD
          monitor you'll want to set an environment variable TWCLR for
          black & white screens.

          Example:  SET TWCLR=MONO


          3) README MODE is a command line text or ascii file browser.

          "Use `MNU -README' for a *.DOC list.  Then select from the
          list.  `MNU -README \SOMEDIR\*.TXT' for .TXT files. ...

          The README mode has its own command-line usage, and is
          normally run separately from the other two modes.  The initial
          help provided when you just type in "MNU" or F1 help uses part
          of the README browse engine.



          The documentation suggests various environment variables, all
          starting with TW (Tom Woodgerd - the original author).  You
          may use the environment for the purposes suggested here.
          However, the environment is a limited resource and accidental
          miss-use leads to various problems with all kinds of software,
          so this version uses the MNU.INI file.  MNU looks for it in
          the current directory and then the directory where the MNU.EXE
          resides.  The MNU.INI file format is as follows:

          # setup information for mnu
          TWP=1012
          TWID=
          TWDR=C
          TWH=Hands On Remote Access
          USER=
          TWCLR=
          SP=
          TWSAV=  Shareware is simply another software distribution medium
          # <- these allow following comments on the same line

          You can have alternate .INI files that are copied to MNU.INI
          inside your batch file to change the pertinent settings in
          successive MNU menus.








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          Support and Distribution:

          This product is partially Copyright (C) 1993-4 P. C. Softsmith
          all rights reserved.  It is distributed with shareware and
          should be distributed with this documentation.  It is normally
          distributed with other P.C. Softsmith materials that further
          explain the shareware process.  If you wish to distribute it
          with your software or are unable to find the other
          documentation that should accompany this file (such as the
          SHR_WARE.DOC, FILE_ID.DIZ, and the VENDOR.DOC) please contact
          whoever gave you the software or P.C. Softsmith.


          For technical support, either call (604) 433-5189, or write to
          Suite 606 - 6455 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia,
          Canada, V5H 4E4. You may also try leaving a Compuserve message
          at 75020, 2664, or send email to

          INTERNET:vic_williams@mindlink.bc.ca

          You will likely be able to access us on the Vancouver FreeNet
          in the near future.

          Portions (C) Copyright 1993-4 P. C. Softsmith all rights
          reserved.


          History:

          December 12, 1994 vw:  3.02 tidied the "None" readme option
          November 24, 1994 vw:  3.01 added direct browse or readme if
          only 1 file available.  November 20, 1994 vw:  Version 3.00
          added command line README mode, with ties to the F1 help.
          This was a separate browse or readme tool that has now been
          merged with MNU.  November 17, 1994 vw:  Version 2.50 added
          command line PASSWORD capability tied to -NOBURN November 1,
          1994 vw:  Version 2.20 added command line -NOBURN.  September,
          1994 vw:  Version 2.11 minor MNU.DOC changes.

          June, 1994 - vw:  Version 2.1 Added MNU.INI, some minor
          internal changes and changed the screen saver.  Main title
          changes if .exe name changed to HOMNU.EXE for use with Hands
          On remote access.  This version automatically tries to display
          an intelligent error message when something goes wrong.

          May, 1994 - vw:  more interactive screen saver and some minor
          tinkering.  Added the F4 EDIT with ACTIONS.DBF optionally in
          the home directory replacing TWSELECT.DBF in the root





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          directory.

          December, 1993 vw:  Version 2
          This product has been reworked somewhat from the original
          TWSELECT.

          The original version is distributed as TWSELECT, and you will
          find various references to TWSELECT.  This version has been
          renamed to avoid confusion because the two now have some
          differences.  If your copy has some other name just mentally
          substitute that name for 'MNU' and 'TWSELECT' as necessary.
          The original source and .exe can likely still be found in the
          Force area (GO FORCE) on Compuserve.

          This version has full ASP member support, and may still be
          distributed freely.

          -This version has full ASP support, and may still be distributed
          freely.  You can use us for free support.
          -Added self detection of monochrome monitors.
          -Moved help to separate .DOC file, for a smaller .exe and easier
          maintenance.



          TWSELECT was written by Tom J. Woodgerd, using the FORCE
          compiler.  It has been released into the public domain, to be
          used freely.  The author provides no warranty or support, but
          your comments and suggestions are welcome.

          Sept 11, 1992 - Tom J. Woodgerd, 1018 State St., Helena MT
          59601.  You can leave messages on Worthy Computer BBS, (406)
          443-7508.

          Sept 11, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.12
          - Cleaned up the HELP screens and uploaded to several BBS's.
          Worthy Computer, HUGE, FORCE BBS.
          - Changed environment variable WPUSER to TWID.

          July 27, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.12
          - Added mono capabitity.  Just "set twclr=mono".

          July 05, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.11
          - Fixed bug in ASK.
          - Changed USERNAME to LANUSER.
          - Changed to not save history if errorlevel = 0.
          - Added extra info to info screen (F1).






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          June 29, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.10
          - Changed to save all user selections to <twdr>\TWSELECT.DBF if
          the environment variable "TWDR" is set to C: etc.

          June 26, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.09
          - Changed to show time as hh:mm:ss.

          June 17, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.08
          - Added Help Screen.  Added ability to display the TWSAV
          message when in screen saver mode.

          June 15, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.07
          - Unable to fix "timer_entry()" to not conflict with EXTRA!
          and other tsrs.  The clock display and the screen saver now
          only work if the environment variable "TWSAV" is set to "Y".

          June 13, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.06
          - Fixed bug in "civilian" time display.

          June 10, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.05
          - Added option to put the header in environment variable called TWP.
          - Changed timeout to 10 minutes.

          May 26, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.04
          - Changed lead in on menu items to "A. ", "B. ", etc.
          - Changed menu header to use a box.

          May 13, 1992 - TJW: Version 1.03
          - Added ability to jump to menu option when the first character
          of the option is pressed.  Also got rid of automatic upper
          casing on menu items.


          P. C. Softsmith warranty information:

          THE DOCUMENTATION AND ASSOCIATED SOFTWARE ARE DISTRIBUTED AND
          SOLD WITH NO WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING
          ITS MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
          THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENTATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
          WITHOUT NOTICE AND DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMMITTMENT ON THE
          PART OF THE VENDOR.

          OTHER PRODUCT AND BRAND NAMES MENTIONED ARE TRADEMARKS OR
          REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE HOLDERS.
          SPECIFICALLY XBASE IS THE GENERIC DATABASE INDUSTRY
          REPLACEMENT FOR THE REGISTERED TERM DBASE OWNED BY BORLAND
          INTERNATIONAL.





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