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			  AlacartE (TM) - Version 4.62 
			 
			    Copyright SHANIT Australia

				  TABLE OF CONTENTS

			  1.  INTRODUCTION
			  2.  SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
			  3.  INSTALLATION
			  4.  OPERATION
			  5.  SETUP
			  6.  HINTS AND SPECIAL FEATURES
			  7.  QUIT OPTIONS
			  8.  SECURITY
			  9.  USING THE MOUSE
			 10.  COLORS SETTING
			 11.  ALADOSKEY
			 12.  REGISTRATION AND SUPPORT


 1.  INTRODUCTION

 AlacartE (TM) is a user configurable  menu system,  for
 the IBM PCs, IBM PS/2s and clones,  operating under IBM
 DOS, MS-DOS, DR-DOS, MS-Windows, Windows95 and NT.
 
 The AlacartE menu system  provides a friendly,  easy to
 set and operate interface into the DOS environment. For
 the novice user  a preset menu  will improve efficiency
 of the  PC day to day  operation,  by avoiding the need
 for a time consuming navigation through DOS directories
 in order to invoke various commands. The  advanced user
 will benefit  through  the  fewer key strokes  that the
 menu system requires,  in order  to perform  repetitive
 operations, eg. backups, prints, etc. A preset AlacartE 
 menu  may be utilised as a friendly front cover  to any 
 software package,  or  merely  as  an aid  for software 
 distribution.  The AlacartE Setup named ALASETUP.EXE is 
 a stand alone utility that may be removed from the disk
 ensuring that the preset menu is not alterable.

 Any option activated from the AlacartE menu,  will have
 no further  memory constraints,  as  AlacartE  does not
 remain resident during programs execution.   This means
 that the activated option operates exactly as if it was
 started from the  DOS prompt,  making use of the entire
 available memory space.



 2.  SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

  * 8086,  8088,  80286,  80386,  80486 or Pentium based
	 system running MS-DOS version 4.0 or later.

  * Monitor - monochrome, or preferably a colour monitor
	 CGA, EGA, VGA, Super VGA or better.

  * Hard disk installation occupies approximately 400 Kb
	 If the setup utility AlaSetup.exe  and the help
	 (User Manual)  file  AlaURead.txt  are  removed 
	 the standard installation  requires only 120Kb.

  * Mouse is optional.



 3.  INSTALLATION

 Copy all files on the distribution diskette to the hard
 disk, preferably to a subdirectory.

 For example,  presuming a subdirectory called AE on the
 C: drive is allocated to this installation:

 * Create the subdirectory first :

	C:\>MD AE<Enter>

 * Copy  files  to  subdirectory :

	C:\>COPY A:*.* C:\AE<Enter>


 * To start AlacartE  automatically on switch-on, insert
	the following lines  at the end of  the  AUTOEXEC.BAT
	file found in the bootable disk root directory :

	CD\AE
	A


 The following lists the distribution files:

 File name       Function
 

 A.BAT        -  AlacartE startup batch file.
 ALAREGIS.EXE -  AlacartE registration utility.
 ALACARTE.EXE -  AlacartE menu system executable file.
 ALASETUP.EXE -  AlacartE Setup utility executable file.
 ALACARTE.HLP -  AlacartE Menu help file
 ALASETUP.HLP -  AlacartE Setup utility help file.
 ALACARTE.CNF -  AlacartE example configuration file.
 ALASCRSV.EXE -  AlacartE Screen saver character mode.
 ALASPACE.EXE -  AlacartE Screen saver second option.
 ALAUREAD.TXT -  AlacartE User manual - this file.
 ALASECUR.EXE -  AlacartE security utility.
 ALAUNLCK.EXE -  AlacartE unlock utility (multi-user).


 4.  OPERATION

 AlacartE is run  with  the simple command:  "A<Enter>".
 This command  may be  inserted  as the last line in the
 AUTOEXEC.BAT  file of the bootable disk root directory,
 such that  AlacartE  is automatically run  on start-up.

 <F1> is the Help key.  Help is provided at any stage of
 operation.  The help window position is controllable by
 press and hold the <Shift> key while striking  an arrow
 key, or by clicking the left mouse button on the arrows 
 displayed on the screen's footer line.

 The screen's footer line  is continuously updated  with
 the active keys. Navigation through the menu options is
 achieved by striking the arrow keys.    Fast horizontal
 moves may be achieved by press - hold  <Shift> or <Alt>
 key,  and pressing a horizontal menu "hot-key".

 Activation  of a pre-defined option  is achieved either
 by selecting the option first  and  then invoking it by
 pressing the <Enter> key,   or by striking the relevant
 pre-assigned "hot-key" from the current vertical menu.


 To quit AlacartE  - either press <Esc>  or press - hold
 the <Shift> or <Alt> key and press the <Q> key.
 Alternatively select the "Quit" option first, using the
 arrow keys, then press the <Enter> key.  Confirm 'Quit'
 by pressing the <Y> key.


 5.  SETUP

 The  <F2>  key is a "hot key" that switches to and from
 AlacartE menu and AlacartE set-up mode.   The <F10> key
 serves as Save/Continue key.    During operation of the
 Setup utility  the current relevant set-up is displayed
 and confirmation is required prior to save.    While in
 Setup,  pressing the  <F2>  key will switch to AlacartE 
 menu.   Please note that if the  <F2>  key  is pressed, 
 prior to  <F10>-Continue,  the latest changes that were
 not confirmed will be discarded and lost.

 The horizontal menu may contain up to  NINE  categories
 each calling up to  TEN  "commands" that are preset and 
 called via pull-down vertical menus.   Any alphanumeric  
 character of the horizontal option title  may be set as 
 a "hot-key".

 AlacartE assumes that each line on  your monitor screen  
 contains eighty characters. Therefore the titles of the 
 horizontal menu may not exceed eighty characters. While
 configuring the horizontal titles a warning:  "Too many 
 characters..." may appears.  A change in the background 
 colour  of the configured  title fields  indicates that 
 the maximum number of horizontal characters was reached
 Abbreviate the horizontal menu titles until the warning 
 disappears.
			      
 The  vertical menus  may contain up  to TEN operations,
 each initiating a preset command, started from a preset
 path (drive and directory). Each named operation may be
 associated with a "hot-key" from the option title.   If
 two or more similar "hot-key"s are selected, a warning:
 "Key selection error" will appear following <F10>-Save.
 Answer <N> to the "Confirm..." question,  then rectify.

 Please note,  "hot-key"s  are case sensitive  only when
 displayed.   For operating purpose  "hot-key"s  are not 
 case sensitive. For example, if a menu title is "Tools" 
 and "T" was set as the "hot-key", striking  either  "T"  
 or "t" will activate the "Tools" menu command.  Setting
 unique hot keys is therefore, best practise.
 
 "Path" is the drive and directory from which the preset
 command is to be executed. For example "C:\DOS", "D:\",  
 or "A:\BACKUP", etc.  Path maximum length is limited to
 eighty (80) characters.

 "Commands" are any DOS internals  eg.  DIR, COPY, TYPE,
 etc., or executable files, .COM, .EXE,  or  .BAT  batch
 files.  The command length is limited to 80 characters.



 6.  HINTS AND SPECIAL FEATURES


 6.1  SPECIFIED DOS COMMAND OR COMMAND TAIL

 A DOS command or a variable command tail execution  may
 be set-up by inserting a "->" in the "Command" field of
 a vertical menu,  eg.  "DIR->" will prompt for the rest
 of the command tail, prior to execution.       Type the
 command or the command tail then press either <F10>  or
 <Enter> to execute.


 6.2  BATCH FILES EXECUTION

 In order to facilitate batch files execution  from  the
 AlacartE menus, the following must be performed :

 * The  DOS PATH  must contain  the path of the AlacartE
   installation, eg.: PATH = C:\AE.   This may be preset
   in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

 * Due to  DOS inherent limitations in versions prior to
   3.30,  batch files activated from  AlacartE  need  to
   include a last line reading: "~shanit2".  If your DOS
   version is 3.30 or later,  batch files  will not need
   any modification, to be run from the AlacartE menu.


 6.3  SHELL TO DOS

 Any one of the vertical options may be configured as an
 "Exit to DOS Shell" using the command: "COMMAND".    To
 return to AlacartE from DOS Shell, type: "EXIT<Enter>".


 6.4  DELETING HORIZONTAL MENU OPTIONS

 Options in the horizontal menu  are  merely titles  for
 categories of functions, or programs.  Deleting options
 from the AlacartE  horizontal menu  is allowed  only if
 all the attached vertical menu options are cleared.

 To clear a vertical menu, press  <F2>  to switch to the
 Setup utility.  Select the "Vertical menu options" from
 the SETUP MENU.  Select the relevant horizontal option.
 Press the <F4>-Clear All key,  then <F10>  to continue.
 Confirm by pressing <Y>,  then press  <Q>  or  <Esc> to
 return to SETUP MENU.  Select "Horizontal menu options"
 by pressing <H>.  Delete the relevant horizontal option
 by pressing  <F8>  while in the  "Title"  and the "Key"
 fields.   Press  <F10>-Continue,  <Y> to confirm,  then
 press <F2> or <Esc> to return to the AlacartE menu.

 Deletion of multiple horizontal menu options in any one
 session  is  allowed  only  if  the  deleted horizontal
 options are grouped together,  or  else you may  delete
 only one horizontal menu option at a time.


 6.5  DELETING VERTICAL MENU OPTIONS

 To clear vertical menu option(s),  press <F2> to switch
 to the Setup utility.    Select "Vertical menu options"
 from the SETUP MENU.     Select the relevant horizontal
 option. Using the mouse or <TAB>, <Shift><TAB>, <Enter>
 or the arrow keys place the cursor in the "Title" field
 of the vertical option to be deleted.         Press the
 <F8>-Clear field, then <F10>-Continue. Confirm deletion
 by pressing <Y>,  then press  <Q> or <Esc> to return to
 the SETUP MENU.   Press <F2> or <Esc>  to return to the
 AlacartE menu.

 
 6.6  MOVING MENU OPTIONS - (Registered software only)
 
 To change the order  of the  already defined horizontal
 or vertical menu options,   press <F2> to switch to the
 Setup utility. Select the relevant option,  "Horizontal
 menu options" or "Vertical menu options".     Point the
 cursor to the option  that is to change  position, then
 press <F5>.  An arrow is displayed pointing to the row,
 that was selected.  Move the cursor to the new position
 and press <F6>. If you have made a mistake, press <Esc>
 and repeat.  To save the new setup press <F10> followed
 by <Y> confirming the save action.     If when pressing
 <F5>  the cursor row was wrong,  cancel the "Move menu" 
 mode  by pressing <F6>  before moving the cursor to the
 another row.
 
 
 6.7  KEYBOARD TIMEOUT AND SCREEN SAVING

 While in the menu system,  press hold the  <Shift>  key
 and strike the <Esc> key to test the set screen saving.
 The screen saving utility is defined in the Setup.  The 
 character mode screen saving utility  ALASCRSV.EXE  may
 be used for both colour and monochrome monitors.   This
 utility displays a pattern at random coordinates on the
 screen,  until any key is pressed or the mouse is moved
 or clicked.   The screen saver utility is automatically 
 triggered by  a keyboard timeout,  as defined in Setup, 
 minimum 10 seconds, to a maximum of 32000 seconds.  The
 ALASPACE.EXE secondary screen saving utility may be run 
 in various ways, depending upon the command line.   The 
 default is a display of 40 white stars at any time. The 
 number of stars  is  defined  through  the switch -Nxxx  
 where xxx is the number of stars, minimum 10 to maximum 
 100.   The stars are displayed in random colors, if the 
 -C switch is added to the command line.
 
 Please note that other  screen saving  utilities may be
 utilised,  eg. slides displays or animated company logo
 may be invoked at screen saving time. Customised screen 
 saving utilities should be  terminated when  any key is 
 pressed or if the mouse is moved or clicked.


 6.8  CONTROLLING SOUND.

 Whenever  an  invalid key is pressed,  a short sound is
 activated as a warning to the user.   Some TSR programs
 may be activated using "hot keys" that combine  <Shift>
 and/or <Alt> thus interfering with the "quick" AlacartE
 horizontal selections.  It therefore is imperative that
 in such case the  "Invalid key stroke sound"  is turned
 OFF.  You can turn the sound ON or OFF in Setup.


 6.9  CHANGING USER INTERFACE STYLE.

 Two modes of display are available, CUI (Character User
 Interface) or GUI (Graphics User Interface).    The GUI
 mode is marginally slower,  thus it is  more suited for
 faster processors ie. 80386 upwards.  GUI mode operates
 on VGA, Super VGA,  or better resolution displays only.
 On some monitors  you may experience some problems when 
 using GUI mode under MS-Windows, WindowsNT or Win95.
 

 7.  QUIT OPTIONS - (Registered software only)

 The 'Quit'  functionality can be customised through the
 'Custom settings' and the 'Menu settings'. The 'Restore
 defaults' is  a quick reset of the 'Custom settings' to
 the original defaults.


 7.1  QUIT CUSTOM SETTINGS (registered software only)

 The message  'Quit. Are you sure? [Y/N]'  is  displayed 
 on 'Quit'. If confirmed AlacartE exits to DOS. AlaSetup  
 allows full configuration of the  Quit message and Quit
 style. Select 'Quit options' from the AlaSetup menu and 
 define whether a message should be displayed on 'Quit'. 
 You can also define your own 'Quit' message, not longer 
 than 40 characters.

 The available 'Quit' styles are: 

 0 or 3 - for the standard 'Quit and exit to DOS.
 1 or 4 - for executing a DOS command / program and then
	       return to the menu, ie. there is No Quit!
 2 or 5 - for executing a DOS command / program and then
	       exit to DOS.
  
 Styles 3, 4 and 5 provide a "fade-out" effect.

 The 'Quit' program Command  and  Path are relevant only
 for styles 1 or 2.  Use "AlaSecur -Q" to protect a Quit
 to DOS.


 7.2  QUIT MENU SETTINGS (registered software only)

 Just like any  other menu option,  the standard  'Quit' 
 and  'Q'  hot-key  may  be customised, to suit the menu 
 language or environment.  For example, you could select
 'Exit' with the hot-key 'x'  as  your preferred 'Quit'.
 The length of the custom  'Quit Text'  alias is limited
 to 20 characters  and the hot-key,  not case sensitive,
 has to be found in the 'Quit Text' alias.
 

 8.  SECURITY (registered software only)

 Two security modules are available:
 
 AlaSecur - displays a randomly generated key and awaits
 a matching or a Master Password. The Master Password is
 pre-set with AlaSetup. Unless the user enters a correct 
 Password, within a maximum of three retries,  access to 
 the 'protected' menu option is denied.  If AlaSecur was
 triggered unintentionally, you may press <Esc> or click 
 the mouse right button to return to AlacartE.

 Preceding a Path  in a  Vertical menu option with a '#' 
 marks the command  that is associated with  that option 
 as password protected.   To protect Quit (to DOS), type 
 "AlaSecur -Q"  in the Command field of the Quit options 
 and select Quit style 1.

 "AlaSecur -x"  could  also be invoked as an option from 
 the menu.  Only a correct password or a matching random
 key would unlock access to your personal computer. When
 run in this mode terminating with <Esc> is disabled.
 
 A demonstration only AlaSecur is included  with the non
 registered version of AlacartE. Password and random key
 verifications are disabled in the demonstration version 
 and any entry is accepted as the correct password.
     
 AlaUnlck - accepts a  hexadecimal 12 digits  key entry, 
 of the type  that  might be displayed by  AlaSecur  and
 displays  the matching  12 hexadecimal digits password.
 AlaUnlck allows a central point of control,  the option
 of generating  the correct password, for a given random
 key,  allowing  controlled programs execution, or Quit.

 AlaUnlck is only included with a multi-user, registered 
 version of AlacartE.


 9.  USING THE MOUSE

 The use of the mouse is optional  but  very convenient.
 The left hand button is used to Select, while the right 
 hand button  (and the centre button,  where available),
 emulate the <Esc> key.  The mouse may be used to either
 'point and click'  or  'drag and drop' to select any of
 the menu options displayed on the screen  or any of the
 options displayed on the screen's footer line.

 If your software is registered,  you may  use the mouse  
 to change the  positions  of the horizontal or vertical 
 menu options.  After selecting Vertical menu options or 
 Horizontal menu options in the Setup utility, press and 
 hold the left hand mouse button until the row is marked 
 with arrows.     While holding the mouse button pressed 
 point to another row and release the button.    The row 
 selected first is inserted in this new position. If the
 row  selected  first  was  selected  by mistake, simply 
 release the mouse button while pointing  the  cursor to
 that same row, to cancel that selection.
 

 10.  COLORS SETTING

 The AlacartE menu colors are fully selectable  when run
 on a colour monitor.   Select and activate the  'Colors
 setting' option from the SETUP MENU  and  select colors
 as indicated.  If at any stage you decide that it might
 be easier to restart from the default colors  selection
 activate this option from the SETUP COLORS menu.
 
 Some 'badly written' TSR  programs address the graphics 
 display and terminate  prior to  restoring the previous
 setup.   If returning to the menu after executing a TSR 
 program, causes the AlacartE menu colors to blink,  use
 the SETUP COLORS menu in Setup, to set use of eight (8) 
 rather than sixteen (16) colors.
 
 
 11.  ALADOSKEY - Advanced users.

 This is a perfect alternative to the MS-DOS  DOSKEY.COM 
 utility that stays resident and occupies about 4Kbytes.
 Unlike the traditional DOSKEY,  AlaDOSKey is a built in
 feature of the AlacartE menu.   It is therefore neither 
 memory resident nor limited in commands storage.   Each
 AlaDOSKey option will store the latest 550 commands and 
 paths, with the most recent on the top of the list, for 
 quickest selection.   Multiple AlaDOSKey options may be 
 configured.    To configure an AlaDOSKey option,  press 
 <F2> to switch to Setup,  then press  <V> to select the 
 'Vertical Menu options' from the SETUP MENU.  Select an 
 horizontal option under which the  AlaDOSKey  is  to be 
 configured.   Type in a title of your choice and set an 
 appropriate hot key for it.    In the 'Path' field type 
 '*' preceded by a file name  that will store the paths. 
 If no file name is entered following the '*'  a default 
 file name (ALAPATH.TXT).   The file storing commands is 
 configured by entering a  '*'  in the  'Command' field,  
 optionally preceded by a file name, or else it defaults
 to ALACMND.TXT.  The last paths and commands are viewed 
 and selected from a pull down combo list that is opened 
 by pressing the  Down arrow key  while  in the relevant
 field. Selection using the mouse is fast and convenient
 especially when many options were already stored.   The   
 AlaDOSKey text files may be deleted so that a clean set
 of paths and commands is started.
 

 12.  REGISTRATION AND SUPPORT

 The registration utility  AlaRegis.exe  must  be run on
 the PC that is intended for AlacartE installation. This
 creates a text file named  AlaReg.txt containing user's
 details that are used with our registration key. Please
 make payment and email this text file to us.   AlacartE
 will be delivered to you in zip format by return email.

 The AlacartE (TM)  software  is  licensed  to  use on a
 single PC system.  Multi-user or site licensed packages
 are  network compatible  and  available on application.


 Upgrades available to  registered users only.

 
 * IBM, IBM-DOS  and  PS/2 are registered trademarks of
	International Business Machines, Inc.
 * Microsoft,  MS and MS-DOS are registered trademarks,
	and Windows,  Windows95  and  NT  are  trademarks of
	Microsoft Corporation.
 

 AlacartE was written for you, enjoy it...

 Our address is :  SHANIT - Software Consulting
					Tedy Shalev
					P.O.Box 292
					CROWS  NEST
					NSW    1585
					AUSTRALIA

 Internet: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~tedysh
 By Email: tedysh@ozemail.com.au

 PLEASE NOTE:
 AlacartE is distributed as shareware,  registration is 
 only US$15 per (PC) user.  Cheques or bank drafts,  or 
 on-line payments  by  major credit cards are accepted.   
 Please visit our web site for details.

 Thank you for your support.

 
 This is a shareware, un-registered copy.
 

