WINSCRIPT 1.00                                         4th November 1995
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Welcome to WinScript!
---------------------

Thank you for trying WinScript, the simple programming language for
Microsoft Windows.  WinScript's aim is to allow you to quickly develop
simple programs or automated procedures (scripts) for Windows with the
same ease as you might have written a batch file or Basic program for
DOS.  Most WinScript programs can be written and tested in a few minutes.

The WinScript language has a simple syntax, variables are typeless, and
programs can be tested instantly using the WinScript interpreter with
its integrated editor and debugger.  Full context-sensitive help,
including a language reference and examples, is provided.

WinScript runs under both Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.  It is a 16-bit
application, but it has been written with Windows 95 very much in mind.

Examples of things you can use WinScript to do are:

*	load applications at start-up, depending on options you choose
	from a dialog; position them where you prefer on the screen;

*	control applications using DDE;

*	schedule regular activities like backups, virus scans,
	collecting email;

*	create software installation programs;

*	create simple utilities such as databases;

*	create front-ends for DOS programs, which can run invisibly in
	the background;

*	produce visual educational tools that display bitmap images and
	allow users to interact with them.

Several example scripts are included, such as an address book database,
a chiming clock and resource monitor, a calculator, a file housekeeping
tool and a Zip shell.

If you write an interesting or useful utility using WinScript, please
let us know, or upload it to an online service where others can have
access to it.  We will be producing an electronic newsletter containing
hints, tips and example scripts which will be sent to registered users.

Installation
------------

To install WinScript, run the program SETUP.EXE, which will copy the
files to the desired directory (if they aren't there already), create a
Program Manager group and set up Registry or INI file entries so that
WinScript will run properly.

Removing WinScript from your system
-----------------------------------

WinScript adds files to no other directories than its own.  To remove
it, simply delete all the files in the WinScript directory and then
remove the directory.

Registering WinScript
---------------------

We hope you like WinScript and find it useful.  However, WinScript is
not free or public domain software.  You are granted a free licence
to use the software for the purpose of evaluation only for a period
of not exceeding 28 days.  If, on the expiration of this period, you
wish to continue using the program, you are required to register.
Details of the terms of the license agreement, and of how to register,
will be found in the online help.

The version of WinScript you have here is fully functional.  However,
while it remains unregistered the software will display its About
box, with a reminder to register, whenever you launch the IDE.  The
About box is also displayed on termination of any script which is run
directly.  We hope that this will not unduly affect your ability to
evaluate the product.  When you register the product and enter the
personal serial number which you will receive, the About box will
cease to appear except when you want to see it.

Other benefits of registering include:
-  receipt of the latest version of WinScript;
-  free technical support;
-  a regular email newsletter containing information, techniques
   and news about WinScript;
-  the warm feeling that comes from knowing that you now have a
   legal copy and that you are supporting further development
   of the product.

About the examples
------------------

To give you an idea of what WinScript can do, we have included several
example scripts.  These examples have been installed in the WinScript
group and are ready to run.  We hope you find them useful, either in
their own right or in provoking ideas for your own applications.

A number of shorter examples are also found in the online help.  These
examples are intended more to illustrate various techniques, though
you can easily copy / paste the code to WinScript's script window and
then run them.

ADDRESS BOOK:  This script implements a simple address database, with
text search and the ability to copy an address to the clipboard.  The
data is stored as a comma delimited text file.  Address Book takes
advantage of WinScript's powerful string list feature to store the data,
making the program itself surprisingly simple - less than 140 lines!

CALCULATOR:  WinScript can be used for all kinds of applications.  This
calculator demonstrates the mathematical functions available in
WinScript, as well as being a more unusual example of what is possible.

CLOCK:  Clock displays a useful panel at the top left of the screen
showing the time, date and information about the system status.  If you
have a sound card then a cuckoo clock chimes the hour!  If you click
the little button that is supposed to look like an alarm clock then
you can set an alarm message.  You may wish to add to the status
information displayed by, for example, reporting the space remaining
on drives other than D:.

DRAG'N'PLAY:  This very simple script (only 25 lines!) implements a
drag-and-drop WAV file player.

FLUSH:  This useful application searches all the directories on a
specified drive for files matching a particular specification, such
as *.TMP, which are then displayed in a list.  Individual files can
be reprieved, and all the files listed erased, at the click of a
button.  This is a good example of WinScript's file handling
capabilities.

LAUNCHPAD:  This script demonstrates a number of features: displaying
bitmaps, processing mouse clicks, popup menus and drag and drop.  Drag
a Windows EXE from File Manager to the LaunchPad to add its icon;
double-click on the icon to launch it.  Right-click to pop up a menu
from which icons can be deleted, and an About dialog displayed.

REGISTER:  WinScript is shareware.  We hope that you find the program
useful and will want to continue using it after your 30-day evaluation
period.  To do this legally, you must register (details of how to
register are contained in the online help.)  On registration, you will
receive your own unique serial number.  Use the Register script to enter
this, and your personal details, so that WinScript will unlock any
registered-user-only features and disable the 'nag' dialog that is
displayed at start-up.

SETUP:  Not shown in the program group, the Setup script is worth
examining as it is an example of how to use WinScript as an install
program.  Techniques demonstrated include testing the Windows version,
copying files, updating INI files and the Windows 95 Registry, and DDE
communication with the Program Manager to create a program group and
install icons in it.

ZIP SHELL:  This script creates a Windows shell for running the DOS
shareware utility PKZip to create archive files.  You add files to the
list by using drag and drop from File Manager.  Edit the name and path
of the output Zip file.  Then press the Zip button.  The program
PKZIP.EXE must be in the DOS path, or you must edit the script to
specify the full path to the program.  Under Windows 95 you may have to
edit the property sheet for PKZIP.EXE to get the program to run
minimized and to close the DOS window on exit.

Note:  We hope you find the example scripts interesting and useful.
Doubtless you will also think of improvements to them.  We leave the
incorporation of extra features and the elimination of any bugs as an
exercise for the reader!

Technical support
-----------------

Technical support is available by Internet email, only to registered
users.  However, we will endeavour to answer any questions that may
arise during your evaluation of the product.

Support is provided via internet email at: support@jmtech.demon.co.uk.
CompuServe members may also obtain support via CIS ID: 100015,1242.


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J M Technical Services, 11a Cedar Lane, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9HN.
                             United Kingdom.
