 CHOOSE! v1.0
 By MM                                          

 Table of contents:

 i    INTRODUCTION
  i.i    What is CHOOSE! ?
  i.ii   Requirements

 I.   INSTALLATION FOR NORMAL USERS
 
 II.  INSTALLATION FOR NOVICE USERS
  2.1    Welcome!
  2.2    Checking the files you need 
  2.3    Where to put / extract the files
  2.4    PATH explanation and setup
   2.4.1    What is PATH ?
   2.4.2    What PATH do I currently have?
   2.4.3    Setting up the PATH argument

 III. USING CHOOSE!

 IV.  CREDITS & INFO

 +++++++++++++******

 i. ** INTRODUCTION *********************************************************

      Hi there!. In this text file you'll find explicit information about
      how to setup this helpful utility. 
      
      I felt the necessity to create this program because it makes me execute 
      many frequently used arguments when working in the MS-DOS environment. 
      I'm almost sure you'll love this utility or tiny shell.

      
 i.i ** What is CHOOSE! ? ***************************************************
      
      CHOOSE! is a quick-access utility to modify or execute typical commands
      when working in DOS. A tiny shell, created with an excellent program
      called BATMNU (Batch Menus). With the help of BATMNU, otherwise I would
      have had to code my own program, I added colors, decorations and 
      reference to this useful batch.

      Well, let's get to the point.


 i.ii ** Requirements *******************************************************

      For the Light version of CHOOSE! (included in this zip file):
      a. MS-DOS 3.3
      b. Mouse support (optional)

      For the Extended version of CHOOSE! (also included):
      a. MS-DOS 6.22
      b. Mouse support (optional)

      As I stated above, CHOOSE! needs to be executed along with a program 
      named BATMNU (version 2.1). In order for BATMNU to read its own 
      parameters, you need to have at least MS-DOS 3.3 or higher.

      The light version of CHOOSE! manages the following:

      a. AUTOEXEC.BAT    
      b. CHKDSK          
      c. CONFIG.SYS      
      d. COMMAND.COM     
      e. DC (DOS Controller)
      f. MEM             
      g. SYSTEM.INI      
      h. WIN.INI         

      However, the extended version of CHOOSE! supports:

      a. AUTOEXEC.BAT    
      b. CHKDSK          
      c. CONFIG.SYS      
      d. COMMAND.COM     
      e. DEFRAG          
      f. DC (DOS Controller)
      f. MEM             
      h. MEMMAKER        
      i. SCANDISK        
      j. SYSTEM.INI      
      k. WIN.INI         

      As you can see, the extended version supports DEFRAG, MEMMAKER, 
      SCANDISK and an excellent MS-DOS file manager called the DOS 
      Controller.


 I. ** INSTALLATION FOR NORMAL USERS ****************************************

      Since maybe you're about to extract this file or you done it already,
      I will explain the process of the installation. 

      PKUNZIP 2.04g is recommended.

      
      First of all you should have at least this files:

      1 BATMNU21.ZIP    (BATMNU zip file)

      2 DC.COM          (DOS Controller file manager) <-- You have to try it!
      3 DC.TXT          (DC Documentation)
      4 DC.EXT          (DC Extensions configuration file)    DC is FREEWARE!
      5 DC.MNU          (DC User menu configuration file)

      6 MPAUSE.COM      (PAUSE replacement, supports mouse)         FREEWARE!
      7 MPAUSE.TXT      (MPAUSE documentation)

      8 HOLDIT.EXE      (Another PAUSE replacement, with time-out)  FREEWARE!
      8 HOLDIT.TXT      (Holdit documentation)

      10 CHOOSEL.BAT    (CHOOSE Lite, batch program)
      11 CHOOSEE.BAT    (CHOOSE Extended, batch program)
      12 CHOOSE.TXT     (This text file)    
      13 MC.BAT         (MODIFY CHOOSE batch file)
      14 C.BAT          (Hotkey Access)
 
      When you have unzipped CHOOSE.ZIP you'll have to perform another unzip
      over BATMNU21.ZIP.
       
      You'll get this files from BATMNU21.ZIP:

      1 BATMNU.EXE      
      2 BATMNU21.DOC    
      3 BATMNU21.REG    
      4 BATMNU.NEW      
      5 DP-APPS.MNU     
      6 NORTON.BAT      
      7 NORTONP.BAT
      8 README.1ST

      Since BATMNU is shareware I had to include its original contents as 
      established by the author. You should use this software in order to 
      understand all the batch process if you expect to modify or expand 
      CHOOSE! capabilities.

      Put all the mentioned files (total: 22) in whichever folder you choose, 
      ACCORDING TO YOUR PATH. I suggest C:\DOS (the default settings are 
      C:\DOS and the editor is EDIT.COM to modify your preferences) because 
      it is set already in CHOOSE.BAT and MC.BAT and by default on your 
      machine when you don't have set the PATH argument in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. 
      
      For instance:
      
      -------------------- 
      SET PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\ and so on...
      ---------------------------- 

      is very possible for you to have it set on your AUTOEXEC.BAT, so maybe 
      you'll have to do nothing to your batch file.


 !! IMPORTANT NOTE: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      
      You should modify your own settings on each of them, the CHOOSE! batch 
      (CHOOSEL.BAT or CHOOSEE.BAT), the MODIFY CHOOSE! batch (MC.BAT) and the 
      Hotkey Access batch (C.BAT) in order to get CHOOSE! running properly. 
      (The default batch to access when entering MC or C is CHOOSEE.BAT.)
      For example, if you select to extract or put the files in C:\WINDOWS or 
      any other, then you have to edit C.BAT, MC.BAT and the appropriate 
      CHOOSE! batch, and change your preferences to what you think fit your 
      needs.
      
      The CHOOSE! batch assumes that:

        This file:    is located at:
      
      > AUTOEXEC.BAT    C:\
      > CHKDSK          C:\DOS
      > CONFIG.SYS      C:\
      > COMMAND.COM     C:\
      > DEFRAG          C:\DOS
      > MEM             C:\DOS
      > MEMMAKER        C:\DOS
      > SCANDISK        C:\DOS
      > SYSTEM.INI      C:\WINDOWS
      > WIN.INI         C:\WINDOWS

      If any or more files listed here are in other directory(ies), you 
      should make the necessary changes as I explained before.

      I selected these files to go into CHOOSE! because I think they are the 
      most frequently used by any MS-DOS user. If you need more options go
      ahead and edit your CHOOSE! file. It's really easy.

      Now go to section III. USING CHOOSE!
 

 +++++++++++++******

 II. ** INSTALLATION FOR NOVICE USERS ***************************************
 
 2.1 ++ Welcome! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      Since maybe you're about to extract this file or you done it already,
      I will explain the process of the installation. 
      
      PKUNZIP 2.04g is recommended.
      

 2.2 ++ Checking the files you need +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
      First of all you should have at least this files:
                                                                             
      1 BATMNU21.ZIP    (BATMNU zip file)

      2 DC.COM          (DOS Controller file manager) <-- You have to try it!
      3 DC.TXT          (DC Documentation)
      4 DC.EXT          (DC Extensions configuration file)    DC is FREEWARE!
      5 DC.MNU          (DC User menu configuration file)

      6 MPAUSE.COM      (PAUSE replacement, supports mouse)         FREEWARE!
      7 MPAUSE.TXT      (MPAUSE documentation)

      8 HOLDIT.EXE      (Another PAUSE replacement, with time-out)  FREEWARE!
      8 HOLDIT.TXT      (Holdit documentation)

      10 CHOOSEL.BAT    (CHOOSE Lite, batch program)
      11 CHOOSEE.BAT    (CHOOSE Extended, batch program)
      12 CHOOSE.TXT     (This text file)    
      13 MC.BAT         (MODIFY CHOOSE batch file)
      14 C.BAT          (Hotkey Access)
 
      When you have unzipped CHOOSE.ZIP you'll have to perform another unzip
      over BATMNU21.ZIP.
       
      You'll get this files from BATMNU21.ZIP:

      1 BATMNU.EXE      
      2 BATMNU21.DOC    
      3 BATMNU21.REG    
      4 BATMNU.NEW      
      5 DP-APPS.MNU     
      6 NORTON.BAT      
      7 NORTONP.BAT
      8 README.1ST

      Since BATMNU is shareware I had to include its original contents as 
      established by the author. You should use this software in order to 
      understand all the batch process if you expect to modify or expand 
      CHOOSE! capabilities.


 2.3 ++ Where to put / extract the files ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      Put all the mentioned files (total: 22) in whichever folder you choose, 
      ACCORDING TO YOUR PATH. I suggest C:\DOS (the default settings are 
      C:\DOS and the editor is EDIT.COM to modify your preferences) because 
      it is set already in CHOOSE.BAT and MC.BAT and by default on your 
      machine when you don't have set the PATH argument in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. 
      
      For instance:
      
      -------------------- 
      SET PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\ and so on...
      ---------------------------- 

      is very possible for you to have it set on your AUTOEXEC.BAT, so maybe 
      you'll have to do nothing to your batch file.


 !! IMPORTANT NOTE: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      
      You should modify your own settings on each of them, the CHOOSE! batch 
      (CHOOSEL.BAT or CHOOSEE.BAT), the MODIFY CHOOSE! batch (MC.BAT) and the 
      Hotkey Access batch (C.BAT) in order to get CHOOSE! running properly. 
      (The default batch to access when entering MC or C is CHOOSEE.BAT.)
      For example, if you select to extract or put the files in C:\WINDOWS or 
      any other, then you have to edit C.BAT, MC.BAT and the appropriate 
      CHOOSE! batch, and change your preferences to what you think fit your 
      needs.
      
      The CHOOSE! batch assumes that:

        This file:    is located at:
      
      > AUTOEXEC.BAT    C:\
      > CHKDSK          C:\DOS
      > CONFIG.SYS      C:\
      > COMMAND.COM     C:\
      > DEFRAG          C:\DOS
      > MEM             C:\DOS
      > MEMMAKER        C:\DOS
      > SCANDISK        C:\DOS
      > SYSTEM.INI      C:\WINDOWS
      > WIN.INI         C:\WINDOWS

      If any or more files listed here are in other directory(ies), you 
      should make the necessary changes as I explained before.

      I selected those files to go into CHOOSE! because I think they are the 
      most basic and most frequently used by any MS-DOS user. If you need 
      more options go ahead and edit your CHOOSE! file. It's really easy.

      If you want to know more about PATH or if you don't know how to setup a 
      PATH argument then keep on reading, otherwise skip to section III.
      
      
 2.4 ++ PATH explanation and setup ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 2.4.1 -- What is PATH ? ----------------------------------------------------     
      
      The PATH command is an access route. It indicates which folders or
      directories MS-DOS will search for executable files. MS-DOS uses PATH
      to look for executable files in the folders or directories you specify.
      And it has priority, first over COM extensions, then EXE's and finally 
      BAT extensions.
      
      For example, if you have a file named go.bat inside C:\BATCH, and that
      batch file is a file you frequently use to execute long command strings
      and other things, and you want to execute it every time, nevertheless
      you are in C:\GAMES, C:\MYFILES or any other directory, well, you 
      should have this line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT in order to execute it with 
      no problem at all:
      
      -----------------
      SET PATH=C:\BATCH;C:\...(maybe other things)
      ---------------------------
      
      I didn't know, a few years ago, why I could execute a DOS command in 
      other directory besides C:\DOS. Then I realized that I had set the path
      command along with the DOS folder and other ones. Restful discovery... 
      :-() OOOOOOHHH, I seeeeeee!, Hehe :-).
      

 2.4.2 -- What path do I currently have? ------------------------------------
      
      To see if you have set the path argument, go ahead and type: PATH (at      
      your MS-DOS prompt). 

      If you only get: PATH=C:\DOS, it can be one of two possibilities, 
      either you only have set this line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT: 
      
       SET PATH=C:\DOS 

      or either you don't have set the PATH argument at all. 

      You may want to add a commonly used PATH argument. Keep reading...


 2.4.3 -- Setting up the PATH argument --------------------------------------     
      
      For example, it would be a good idea to put your MS-DOS and WINDOWS 
      folders in your path. You should include it in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
      Go ahead and type the following argument at your prompt (if you're 
      adding it to the AUTOEXEC don't forget to execute it again):

       set path=c:\dos;c:\windows; 

      Then, when you type PATH, you should see this:
         
       PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;
      
      And you're done! (with the PATH stuff)


 +++++++++++++******

 III. ** USING CHOOSE! ******************************************************
      
      Go to your MS-DOS prompt and type:

       c [enter] 
       
      Then:

       mc [enter]

      Then:

       choosee [enter]
       
      Or:

       choosel [enter]

      Well? I am not going to explain to you the instructions, cause, as you 
      can see, it is very easy to understand and use. Pick something to edit 
      or execute, even with the hot keys! And you're done!

 +++++++++++++******     
      
 IV. ** CREDITS & INFO ******************************************************

      CHOOSE! is freeware, this means you are granted to use this program as
      much as you want and do with it whatever you want to do, but asked to 
      you to keep my credit as an author of it, or at least to mention it if 
      you plan to distribute CHOOSE! all over, as well as modifying it. 
      
      However it is important to say that BATMNU is shareware, which means 
      you can try it before you buy. So if you expect to use BATMNU 
      regularly, you must contact the author and register.
      
  Send contributions to : 
      Marcos Moreno
      Paseo del Verano 318
      La Florida, Edo. de Mexico
      C.P. 53160
      MEXICO

      Let me know about your comments, suggestions or bugs, or even my broken 
      english, if I have some:
  
       luis@whoever.com
        luismnava@hotmail.com

   

