
               FASTMINDER INTERFACE 2.4 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
               FOR USE WITH IBM AND IBM-COMPATIBLE COMPUTERS ONLY
               
               Absolutely essential:  80286-based computer system
               Strongly recommended:  12MHz or higher clock speed
               
               NOTICE! THE CHARACTER REPRESENTING THE REPLACEABLE
               PARAMETER HAS CHANGED; SEE VERSION 2.4 INFORMATION

  
  INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION 
  
       This key-driven programmable interface does not come with an automatic
  installation system since installation requires copying just two files from
  the diskette to the hard drive. The user should put the MINDER.DAT datafile
  in the MAIN DIRECTORY of the hard drive because that is where the interface
  will be looking for it. The actual MINDER.EXE program may be located in any
  directory on the hard drive. The default drive for writing the datafile and
  for executing the stored command strings is now USER-SELECTABLE through the
  INSERT key, though the program still begins and exits in the root directory.
  Datafiles are read from the LAUNCH drive and written to whichever drive has
  been specified as the default when the program terminates

       After the interface files have been installed, the user should execute
  the program and press THE PLUS KEY to invoke the help section. This section
  should be looked at carefully since it explains the overall organization of
  the interface and how the different features are accessed. For example, the
  semicolon (;) key has CHANGED ITS FUNCTION again; please read the paragraph
  about the key. The help section's warning about direct editing of datafiles
  has vanished, but still applies. Users should not edit these files directly
  because their unique formatting cannot be disturbed without destroying them
  Users should remember that this program functions ONLY with these datafiles

  
  VERSION 2.0 INFORMATION 
  
       Version 2.0 incorporates a REPLACEABLE PARAMETER, which should greatly
  enhance the interface's utility for those individuals with several programs
  that require the filename specification in the middle of the command string
  rather than at the end. The parameter should even be useful for persons who
  automate common tasks by creating single-line, single-parameter batch files
  The inclusion of the replaceable parameter was made possible by Mr. William
  Smith, whose informative article "An Essential String Function Library" was
  published in the January 1993 issue of -The C Users Journal-

       Version 2.0 offers AUTOMATED KEY SORTING, which replaces the primitive
  copy function provided in earlier releases. This automated sorting function
  works with single page copying only, and operates like this: the source key
  settings are copied to the target key and all other settings (including the
  target key's original settings) are moved forward or backward to compensate
  Automated sorting does not apply, however, when copying key settings across
  pages; that function remains unchanged (the source key information destroys
  the target key information without changing the settings of any other keys)

       Finally, Version 2.0 offers users the possibility of reading ALTERNATE
  DATAFILES either from the command line or from within the program. Datafile
  names start with 'minder' and are selected by entering the file's extension
  Extensions may be entered from the command line (C:\> minder ann) or inside
  the interface by pressing the apostrophe key, adjacent to the semicolon key
  The apostrophe key initiates the datafile loading sequence, which begins by
  asking if the currently loaded file should be stored or discarded. Then the
  prompt for the new datafile will appear, UNLESS the original datafile could
  not be stored properly. When this prompt for the new datafile appears, just
  enter the extension of the datafile you want (remembering that the datafile
  must reside in the ROOT directory). This should be useful for multiple user
  environments, power users running hundreds of applications, and persons who
  like to change program colors often. NOTICE: pressing ENTER at the datafile
  selection prompt or executing the program without arguments defaults to the
  'minder.dat' datafile. Press the space bar and ENTER at the datafile prompt
  if you want to load the datafile 'minder' with no extension (this cannot be
  done from the command line)

       When changing datafiles from within the program, users should be aware
  that the current directory will change to the root directory, the directory
  key window will become the active window (the one subject to scrolling) and
  both the directory key and operation key windows will be reset to page zero.
  In addition, the key-lock status and the key-lock codeword will reflect the
  settings of the datafile being loaded. THE AUTOMATIC OPTION SETTING, THOUGH,
  WILL NOT BE RESET but instead will remain constant across multiple datafile
  loading sequences. This preservation of the automatic option setting, while
  not intended, may nonetheless prove useful to persons who use the automatic
  option capability frequently. This programming oversight is therefore being
  retained in version 2.4A and might very well be retained in future releases

  
  REPLACEABLE PARAMETERS 
  
       In versions 1.2 through 1.4 of the program, pressing any alphabetic or
  numeric key would generate an information-window prompt, requesting command
  arguments. The arguments would be tacked onto the end of the command string
  stored inside the datafile. When automatic mode had been activated, however
  the program would execute the specified option string automatically without
  requesting arguments. VERSION 2.0 OPERATES DIFFERENTLY. This version allows
  users to place a single replaceable parameter in each stored command string
  The replaceable parameter (indicated by the percent sign WITHOUT any number 
  following it) marks the position in the command string at which any command
  arguments entered at the prompt will be inserted. Only one parameter may be
  placed into any command string; if multiple parameters are found, the first
  parameter will be used to determine the position at which command arguments
  are inserted

        Because of this added feature, the interface now operates differently
  whenever the alphanumeric keys are pressed. If the command string requested
  by that keypress has a replaceable parameter, the information-window prompt
  for the command arguments will appear. Conversely, if the command string is
  lacking a replaceable parameter, the command will be EXECUTED AUTOMATICALLY
  This method of operation (argument prompts for strings with parameters, and 
  automatic execution for strings without parameters) also works for function
  keys whenever automatic mode has been set. With auto mode set, the pressing
  of directory keys will generate AN ARGUMENTS PROMPT if the automatic option
  string contains a replaceable parameter. If the automatic option string has
  no parameter, however, it will execute automatically. Users should remember
  that ANY PERCENT SIGN in the command string will be seen as a parameter and
  treated as such by the program. Users should also be careful when selecting
  arguments for automatic option commands since these commands will change if
  the operation page changes

  
  VERSION 2.2 INFORMATION 
  
       Version 2.2 makes it possible to replace multiple parameters in stored
  command strings; the first five parameters may be replaced by user-supplied
  arguments. Because parameters remain unnumbered, a command arguments prompt
  is generated for EACH parameter (through the fifth) found within the stored
  command string. For example, the stored operation key  cl %.c %.obj > %.err
  would generate three separate argument prompts, although parameters one and  
  three might represent the same (expanded) filename. Users wishing to expand
  several parameters similarly should note that the F3 key functions the same
  at string prompts as it does at the DOS command line; it recalls the string
  entered immediately prior to the current prompt. Unfortunately, this cannot
  be used to recall strings that were entered several prompts ago; users will
  have to retype such strings manually. Finally, Version 2.2 offers users the
  ability to blank their screens by pressing the back-slash key; this feature
  might prove helpful to people who receive phone calls during computer hours

  
  VERSION 2.3 INFORMATION 
  
       Version 2.3 allows users to select the default drive for the operation
  strings and for writing the datafile. Upon entering the program the default
  drive will remain the LAUNCH drive; the drive will not be reset to drive C:
  until the user selects drive C: with the INSERT key. Pressing that key will
  generate a prompt requesting a drive letter from A to Z (even if the user's
  computer does not have that many drives). Press the letter that corresponds
  to the drive you want to have as your default drive. Pressing the space bar
  will report the current default directory for the current default drive, as
  in previous versions. Version 2.3 also contains better handling of diskette
  drive errors (like those encountered when the drive is accessed but nothing
  has been placed inside it for reading). These error handling routines might
  not function correctly under all circumstances; I was only able to test for
  missing diskettes and not for other types of diskette errors. Please do not
  hesitate to report problems with these routines; I will try to fix whatever
  bugs are found to the best of my (meager) abilities

  
  VERSION 2.4 INFORMATION 
  
       Version 2.4 offers greatly-improved handling of string input, which is
  due entirely to the use of the C source code in EDITGETS.C, one of the many
  public domain programs contained in Snippets and available for download via
  CompuServe. I had originally intended to use another example of source code
  for string input, but EDITGETS.C is about one-third the size of the routine
  initially considered for this purpose. For some time I have wanted to learn
  how to handle string input competently, and EDITGETS.C appears to "fill the
  bill" to perfection, adding very little overhead to the program. The source
  credits for EDITGETS.C are shown below:

  /* editgets.c - line input w/editing                                     */
  /* this code is released to the public domain                            */
  /* written by Jon Burchmore                                              */
  /* modifications & enhancements by Bob Stout                             */

  Because EDITGETS.C is invoked for all string input, the behavior of certain
  functions (most notably the codeword routines) has changed. Previously, the
  codeword routines were extremely primitive, letting users neither leave nor
  correct errors. With this new release, the codeword routines work more like
  regular string inputs, excepting of course the screen display. Also, please
  be aware that a default codeword ("fastdata") will be created when the user
  presses ENTER alone at the create codeword prompt. This was done to prevent
  empty codeword strings from being written into the datafile. Pressing ENTER
  alone at the reenter codeword prompt is equivalent to typing "fastdata" and
  will clear the default codeword

  Apart from this long overdue improvement, there is only one other change of
  real importance in the program. The replaceable parameter, once represented
  by the '%' character, has been changed to the '$' character. This change is
  potentially quite significant, because it permits the storing and execution
  of DOS commands that themselves require the '%' character. For example:

  C:\> for %f in (visual borland watcom) do mkdir %f
  
  This command could be stored as 'for %f in ($) do mkdir %f', thus prompting
  the user only once for all three elements or alternately could be stored as
  'for %f in ($ $ $) do mkdir %f', which would give three prompts to the user.
  Obviously, this example represents merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg
  but should be enough to demonstrate at least some of the potential benefits
  associated with this change

  
  REGISTRATION INFORMATION 
  
       FASTMINDER version 2.4 is public domain software; there are absolutely
  no restrictions of any kind governing its duplication, distribution, or use
  Users are nonetheless urged to report any errors they encounter while using
  the software and are encouraged to share their opinions about the interface
  design with the programmer. Postcards remain the preferred vehicle for user
  feedback and should be mailed to the postal service address displayed below.
  Also, please distribute this program and its documentation in original form

       Version 2.4 was developed and compiled with the following packages:

       COMPUTER:  FastMicro FastData ValueLine 486SX-25, Super VGA Color
                  This is the very same $999 system John Dvorak cited in
                  his "1993 minimum machine" PC Magazine column (the one
                  featured in the PC Magazine issue on the Pentium chip)

        EDITORS:  Video Display Editor 1.65 + Programmer's Workbench 2.1
                  Because of its ergonomic qualities, VDE constitutes an
                  outstanding development environment, while Microsoft's
                  PWB is helpful for fast prototyping and spot revisions

       COMPILER:  Microsoft (R) C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 7.00
        options:  /Bm4096 /Gry2 /Ozaxb2 /W4 minder.c txtonly.obj

         LINKER:  Microsoft (R) Segmented Executable Linker Version 5.31
        options:  /exepack /farcall /noe /noi /packc /packf graphics.lib

  Version 2.5 is slated to include memory swapping, but this may be postponed
  Other potential features include multiple auto options and block key-moving
  Please send any ideas for new features or enhancements of existing ones to:

  Name, Email Address:       Douglas G. Mohn (72124.2713@compuserve.com)
  Post Office Address:       21 Brucester Bridge Court, Catonsville  MD 21228

  
  END OF FILE 
  
