
















                              *------------------------*
                              The Screen Maker Utilities
                              *------------------------*
                                     Version 1.0









                     (C) Copyright 1993       Randall W. Jenkins
                                  All Rights Reserved









































             *----------------------------------------------------------*
             Introduction
             *----------------------------------------------------------*

             The Screen Maker Utilities are a collection of DOS
             executable programs that perform screen generation and
             manipulation on color text computer systems. These programs
             are shareware programs as defined below.


             The Screen Maker Utilities include:

             o Screen Maker (SCREEM.EXE) a screen generation program.

             o Show It (SHOWIT.EXE) a screen display utility.

             o Batch Menu (BATCHMEN.EXE) and menu generation utility for
             use in batch files.

             System Requirements for the Screen Maker Utilities are as
             follows.

             IBM Compatible Personal Computer using DOS version 2.1 or
             later and using a color monitor.


             Definition of Shareware:

             Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
             before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and
             continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual
             programs differ on details -- some request registration
             while others require it, some specify a maximum trial
             period. With registration, you get anything from the simple
             right to continue using the software to an updated program
             with printed manual.

             Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial
             software,and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a
             few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors
             are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors,
             and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases,
             there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference
             is in the method of distribution. The author specifically
             grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either
             to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some
             authors require written permission before a commercial disk
             vendor may copy their Shareware.



















             Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.
             You should find software that suits your needs and
             pocketbook,whether it's commercial or Shareware. The
             Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because
             you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low,
             prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back
             guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for
             it.

             DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT

             Users of The Screen Maker Utilities must accept this
             disclaimer of warranty: "The Screen Maker Utilities are
             supplied as is.  The author disclaims all warranties,
             expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the
             warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any
             purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct
             or consequential, which may result from the use of The
             Screen Maker Utilities."

             The Screen Maker Utilities are a collection of "shareware
             programs" and are provided at no charge to the user for
             evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your friends, but
             please do not give it away altered or as part of another
             system.  The essence of "user-supported" software is to
             provide personal computer users with quality software
             without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for
             programmers to continue to develop new products.  If you
             find this program useful and find that you are using The
             Screen Maker Utilities and continue to use The Screen Maker
             Utilities after a reasonable trial period, you must make a
             registration payment of $ 25.00 USD to Randall W. Jenkins.
             The $ 25.00 USD registration fee will license one copy for
             use on any one computer at any one time.  You must treat
             this software just like a book.  An example is that this
             software may be used by any number of people and may be
             freely moved from one computer location to another, so long
             as there is no possibility of it being used at one location
             while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be
             read by two different persons at the same time.


             Commercial users of The Screen Maker Utilities must register
             and pay for their copies of The Screen Maker Utilities
             within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.
             Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Randall
             W. Jenkins.


















             Anyone distributing The Screen Maker Utilities for any kind
             of remuneration must first contact Randall W. Jenkins at the
             address below for authorization. This authorization will be
             automatically granted to distributors recognized by the
             (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware
             distributors, and such distributors may begin offering
             The Screen Maker Utilities immediately (However Randall W.
             Jenkins must still be advised so that the distributor can be
             kept up-to-date with the latest version of The Screen Maker
             Utilities.).

             You are encouraged to pass a copy of The Screen Maker
             Utilities along to your friends for evaluation.  Please
             encourage them to register their copy if they find that they
             can use it.  All registered users will receive a copy of the
             latest version of the The Screen Maker Utilities system.

             Send your completed registration form to:

             Randall W. Jenkins
             1800 Viking Ave.
             Orrville, Ohio  44667

             Compuserve: [72130,1730]


             Distribution Files:

             The Screen Maker Utilities must be distributed with all of
             the following files intact.

             SCREEM.TXT - This User's Guide.
             SCREEM.EXE - The Screen Maker Program.
             SHOWIT.EXE - The Show It screen display program.
             BATCHMEN.EXE - The Batch Menu Program.
             SCRDEMO1.SCR - Part of demo package.
             SCRDEMO2.SCR - ditto.
             SCRDEMO3.SCR - ditto.
             SCRDEMO4.SCR - ditto.
             DEMO.BAT - An Impressive Demo of the limitless capabilities
             of these most useful utilities.
             BDEMO.BAT - Another impressive demo featuring the Batch Menu
             program.
























             *----------------------------------------------------------*
             Getting Started
             *----------------------------------------------------------*

             Before you begin using the Screen Maker Utilities, you
             should create a backup copy of the programs. Simply copy all
             of the files specified above to a formatted floppy diskette.

             Example:

             A:\> Copy A:\*.* B:\*.*

             Then press the enter key <enter>.

             Installing The Screen Maker Utilities:

             Once you have made a backup copy, use the backup copy to
             load the program or if your system has a fixed disk, copy
             the contents of the backup disk to a selected directory on
             the fixed disk. Once the programs are copied to a working
             hard disk or diskette then you are ready to use The Screen
             Maker Utilities.












































             *----------------------------------------------------------*
             Screen Maker (SCREEM.EXE)
             *----------------------------------------------------------*

             This program is the screen generation portion of The Screen
             Maker Utilities. Use it to create unique and exciting
             screens to use as introduction screens, animation sequences
             (text based animation in conjunction with the SHOWIT.EXE
             program), program prototyping, batch file magic. The
             possibilities are limited only by your creativity.

             The Screen Maker Program is executed by typing the
             executable file name at the DOS prompt.

             example:
             C:\>Screem <enter>

             The Screen Maker Program begins by displaying an
             introduction screen. Press <enter> to continue to the main
             editing screen.

             The main editing screen has a bar at the top and the bottom
             of the screen. The top bar displays the name of the program
             and the help key (F1 function key). The bottom bar shows the
             x and y coordinate location of the cursor, the current
             character, the foreground and background color selections
             and the specific editing mode of the program.


             THE MAIN MENU

             To activate the main menu, press the ESC key. To remove the
             main menu from the screen, press the ESC key again. The main
             menu contains the normal program selections you will need to
             load, edit and save screen files. The main menu consists of
             the following selections.

             New File - Select this to clear the current file from Screen
             Maker memory.

             Load File - Select this to load a file from a floppy or
             fixed (hard) drive.

             Save File - Select this to save the current screen data to a
             floppy or fixed drive.

             Data Path - This selection allows the user to change the
             default data path for loading and saving files. The default
             value is the drive and directory from which the screen maker
             program is loaded.
















             Paste - Use this selection to paste selected screen data to
             the currently loaded screen.

             Show Screen - Selecting this removes the colored bars at the
             top and bottom of the screen to show what the screen file
             will look like when displayed.

             Colors - This selection allows the user to change the
             default foreground and background colors for characters
             placed when editing a screen.

             Character - Select this to change the currently selected
             editing character.

             Select Mode - This allows the user to select from one of six
             special character placement modes.

             Options Menu - This brings up a second menu that allows the
             user to change default parameters of the screen maker
             program.

             Exit - Quit Screen Maker and return to DOS.


             THE MARK MENU

             This menu appears anytime a section of the screen is marked
             (in mark mode). This menu contains many useful commands to
             be performed on the marked portion of the screen.

             Cut - Removes the marked area from the screen and saves it
             for later retrieval using the Paste menu selection.

             Copy to Scrap - Copies the marked area of the screen
             (leaving it in place) and saves it for later retrieval using
             the Paste menu selection.

             Clear - Clears the marked area with space characters. This
             will also use the active foreground and background colors.

             Recolor - Recolors the marked area with the active
             foreground and background colors.

             Character Fill - This will fill the marked area with the
             current character in the active foreground and background
             colors.

             Fill with black - This will fill the marked area with space
             characters using black as the background color and white as
             the foreground color.

             Exit - exit the menu leave the marked area as it was before.














             *----------------------------------------------------------*
             Show It (Showit.EXE)
             *----------------------------------------------------------*
             Show it is used to display the screen files generated by
             Screen Maker.

             Usage:
             Showit <[@]Filename.ext> [/Dxxx, /MDxxx, /W, /C /Ox /R]

              <Filename.ext> - Screen data file to display
              <[@]Filename.ext> - File containing multiple screen files
              to display. This option allows the user to display multiple
              files in the time frame necessary for screen animation. Run
              Demo.Bat for a Mind boggling example of this feature.


             Options:
              /D - Delay xxx amount of time in seconds.
              /W - Wait for key to be hit before continuing.
              /C - Clear screen before displaying file.
              /MD - Millisecond delay between multiple screen files
                   (animation).

              /O - Special options as listed below:
                   x=[S], Scroll after display complete.
                   x=[B], Back scroll after display complete.
                   x=[L], Left scroll after display complete.
                   x=[R], Right scroll after display complete.
                   x=[T], Clear screen with special effect.
              /R - Repeat option, repeats the screen sequence until a key
                   is pressed.
              /S - Slow Display (Use only if screen flicker is a
                   problem).

































             *----------------------------------------------------------*
             Batch Menu (BATCHMEN.EXE)
             *----------------------------------------------------------*

             This program is used to display a menu from within a batch
             file. Selections from within the batch file can then be made
             because Batch Menu returns an errorlevel value corresponding
             to the selection the user chooses. An errorlevel of 0 is
             returned if the ESC key is pressed.

             Usage: BatchMen  Row, Col, Selection(s)... [/T<title> /R /C]

              Selection(s) - This is a list of menu selections
                 separated by spaces that will appear in the menu.

              Row - The row of the upper left corner of the menu.
              Col - The column of the upper left corner of the menu.

              /T<title> - the optional title for the menu
              /R - Restore the original screen on exit.
              /C - Clear screen before displaying menu.





































