
               FASTMINDER INTERFACE 2.3 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
               FOR USE WITH IBM AND IBM-COMPATIBLE COMPUTERS ONLY
               
               Absolutely essential:  80286-based computer system
               Strongly recommended:  12MHz or higher clock speed
               
               WARNING: PROGRAM SHOULD BE INVOKED IN 25-LINE MODE
               PROGRAM SHOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY WITH CGA MONITORS


  
  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
  behavior of the semicolon (;) key has CHANGED, so 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)

  
  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 
  
  ALSO COVERS VERSION 2.1

       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.

  
  REGISTRATION INFORMATION 
  

       FASTMINDER version 2.3 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 after August 1 should be mailed to the new address shown below.
  Also, please distribute the program with its documentation in original form

       Version 2.3 was developed and compiled with the following packages:

       COMPUTER:  FastMicro FastData ValueLine 486SX-25, Super VGA Color
        EDITORS:  Video Display Editor 1.65 & Programmer's Workbench 2.1

       COMPILER:  Microsoft (R) C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 7.00
        options:  /Bm4096 /G2 /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 2.4 should incorporate Wilson Hitchings' INPUTIT data-entry routine
  Version 2.5 was slated to include memory swapping but this may be postponed

  Name, CompuServe ID:       Douglas Mohn (72124,2713)
  Old Mailing Address:       18 Straw Hat Road, Apt 3C, Owings Mills MD 21117
  New Mailing Address:       21 Brucester Bridge Court, Catonsville  MD 21228

  
  LATE-BREAKING INFORMATION 
  

  Recent testing of the interface revealed the need for this final paragraph:

       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 password 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 2.3E and might very well be retained in future releases

  
  END OF FILE 
  
