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	GroundControl Version 2.03
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GroundControl V2.03 Copyright (c) 1998
by Acrasoft - All rights reserved.

GroundControl is a tool that lets you build your own Window batch files. 
You have at your disposal over 80 functions to do everything from basic 
Window controls to the more advanced DDE and SendKeys features. 
You use the Wizard to add commands to the macro window instead of typing 
them all in, or use the toolbars to add commands at the click of a button.

GroundControl saves the macros as a single file, and you can run other 
macro files from any file. This means you can specialize your macros for 
certain tasks and keep your files small, and using the flow control statements, 
you can make real-time decisions to launch those tasks or not. 
GroundControl comes with a full set of file functions, and a strong suite of 
diagnostic functions to monitor disk space and memory, track and log errors, etc.

GroundControl is not just a blind batch file - it comes with functions for 
user interaction through message boxes, question boxes, and input boxes. 
This means you can use GroundControl as a front end for other applications 
you don't want users to have access to, especially if you take advantage 
of the SendKeys and DDE functions.

All in all, GroundControl is a powerful instrument that is easy to use, 
easy to maintain, and far-reaching in its capabilities. 


What's New in Version 2.03

DDE Extensions! We have enhanced our DDE library to include the ability 
to run three simultaneous DDE conversations, and read data values from 
any DDE server, including those running on other machines!

DdeOpen 	for opening a converation
DdeClose 	for closing a conversation
DdeRead 	for reading a value from the server


What's New in Version 2.02?

GroundControl Version 2.02 includes a couple of enhancements. 
First, the RunProgram command now supports long filenames, specifically, 
directory names with spaces. If you had problems with RunProgram launching 
Windows Explorer, this one’s for you. Second, GetDateTime now 
supports relative identifiers, like TOMORROW, LASTDAYOFMONTH, etc. 
to help you with jobs needing certain time restrictions.

This release also sports two new shiny functions:

GetFileDateTime for checking file change dates and times.
AddString for appending one string to the end of another.


What's New in version 2.01

Fixed bug with GetFromRegistry and MoveFile functions in Windows 95.


What's New in version 2.0

GroundControl Version 2.00 includes 18 new powerful commands, 
which brings the total to 88! Eleven of these are for manipulating 
dates and times. These allow you to perform tasks only during certain 
dates, or certain times of the day. 

GetTime 
GetDate 
IsDateBefore 

Other new features include the ability to control the CAPS lock key, 
and send mouse clicks to the screen automatically.

SetCapsLock 
MouseClickScreen 
MouseDblClickScreen 

The FileExist function has been augmented by supporting wildcards.

FileExist 

New functions exist for reading lines out of text files into variables, 
up to three files at once.

OpenFile 
CloseFile 
ReadLine

The problem with GroundControl breaking out of infinite 
loops has been fixed!


What's New in version 1.03

Variables:
Variables are among the most powerful features of GroundControl. 
They allow you to store results entered by users, or calculated numbers 
from other programs. They can be used to store data like file sizes, 
text strings for registry keys, user names, or clipboard results.
There are 26 variables in GroundControl, and as you might have guessed, 
each variable is named after a letter of the alphabet. The variable name 
begins with a percent sign, so the 26 variables available to you are called 
%A, %B, %C, etc. You can inspect the contents of the variables at any time by 
selecting Macro, then Dump Variables from the menu. A faster way is to 
press Ctrl-Shift-D. A dialog will be displayed which shows you what the 
contents of all 26 variables are.
To put something into a variable, use the PutVar function. For example, to put 
the value six (6) into %A, you write PutVar(%A,6). If you enter this line into 
GroundControl, then select it and push the Test Line button, the value 6 will 
be stored in %A.

New functions for Decrementing and Incrementing variable counters:
Use Decrement to subtract one (1) from a variable. This is useful for logging, 
debugging, etc. Used in conjunction with Increment, these two functions can let 
you count how many times a particular macro file or function block is called.

Use Increment to add one (1) to a variable. This is useful for logging, debugging, 
etc. Used in conjunction with Decrement, these two functions can let you count how 
many times a particular macro file or function block is called.

IsFileLocked:
Use IsFileLocked when you want to check that a file is available for moving, 
deleting, opening, etc. When a process has a file open for reading or writing, 
GroundControl is unable to copy or delete it. This function lets you test for a 
file being used, and so avoid locking problems:

For example, the "gc.exe" file is loaded into memory whenever you run GroundControl. 
If you write a macro that tries to delete "gc.exe", it will fail because the file 
is always locked. You can use IsFileLocked to examine the state of the GroundControl 
file as follows ( your path may be different ):

// this should always beep
If(IsFileLocked("c:\gc\gc.exe"),Beep())

This function is most useful for situations where you are waiting for a file to 
be created so you can further process it. Simply checking for it to exist will not 
work if the file takes a while to create. You actually need the process that is 
creating the file to finish with it before you take control IsFileLocked does this.

Wildcard support for FindWindow function:
Wildcard formats work just like DOS file wildcards. If you’ve ever typed "dir a*.txt" 
to get a list of all .txt files beginning with "a", or "delete *.b?" to remove all 
files ending with a two digit extension, first letter "b", then you know what these 
are all about. GroundControl comparisons are case sensitive:



Distribution

You are specifically prohibited from charging, or requesting
donations, for any such copies, however made; and from distributing
the software and/or documentation with other products (commercial or
otherwise) without prior written permission, with one exception:
Disk Vendors approved by the Association of Shareware Professionals
are permitted to redistribute GroundControl, subject to the conditions in
the license agreement, without specific written permission.

Obtaining the Latest Version

Before distributing GroundControl please verify that you have the latest
version.  The latest version of GroundControl is always available on the
Acrasoft Home page at www.acrasoft.com.

Suggested One Line Program Description

GroundControl v2.01 - Macro Language for Win95/NT 4.0

Keywords

Automation,Batch,Macro,Script

Ordering Information

Refer to online help for ordering information.
When you purchase a registered copy of any Acrasoft Product 
you will receive a registration key, that when installed will remove the 
shareware reminder screens from the application startup. 
All orders for Acrasoft products are subject to their 
individual licensing agreements.

Ordering Online - You can order our products right now using your credit card. 
Online ordering is the easiest and quickest way to place an order. 
Do get started just click the Order Now button.

Other Credit Card Options - If you do not feel comfortable with online 
ordering you can call or fax your order to Public Software Library. 
When using PSL to place your order be sure to use the Product Id 
provided below. If faxing your order to PSL make sure to include all your 
credit card information on the fax, along with either the "Product Order Form" 
or complete description of the product you are purchasing including the Product Id.

For Credit Card Phone Orders
800-242-4775 Extension:15152 or
Fax # 713-524-6398 reference item 15152


When ordering GroundControl use the following Product Id # "15152 "

There are several options for ordering Acrasoft products listed below.
If for some reason the you require additional sales and/or ordering information 
feel free to either email us at sales@acrasoft.com or you can phone us at 



Requirements:  Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 or better

For questions or comments please contact:

Acrasoft
support@acrasoft.com
http://www.acrasoft.com



