Program: HELP.EXE
Version: Version 1.2
Date: April 10, 1989

Syntax: HELP [subject]

Where [subject] is an optional parameter to specify the help subject
desired.



INTRODUCTION

The HELP program was created for all users of IBM and compatible PCs.
It contains information about DOS commands, hard and floppy disk
preparation, and DOS command syntax.

To run HELP, just type "HELP" on the DOS command line. You may
optionally specify a help subject if you want to bypass the main help
screen and go directly to the help subject you desire. The subject
string given on the command line only needs to be enough characters
to allow the program to tell the difference between that subject and
another subject.

Example 1:

HELP BACKUP or HELP BAC

would give you help on the BACKUP command.


Example 2:

HELP DISKCO

would confuse the program between DISKCOpy and DISKCOmp. You
should enter:

HELP DISKCOM

to get help with DISKCOMP.


Remember, the subject on the command line is optional. If you type
"HELP" without any parameters on the DOS command line, the HELP
program will display its main help screen. This screen displays all
the subjects available in the HELP program.

Use the arrow keys, and the Home and End keys to move to the desired
subject. Then press Enter to receive help on that subject.






HELP.EXE - Version 1.2 by John Crouch


This version of HELP will allow you to press the first letter of the
desired subject to move the highlight bar directly to that subject.
If there are more than one subject with the same first letter, press
the first letter again until the desired subject if highlighted.

Once in the help subject screen, you may use the PgUp, PgDn, up
arrow, and down arrow keys to move through the pages of help. When
finished, press the Escape key to return to the main help screen.
From the main help screen you may select help on another subject, or
press Escape to exit the program.



INSTALLATION

The HELP program gets the text for each help subject from a file
named DOSHLP.HLP. This file does not need to be in the current
directory, it can be in any directory specified by the DOS PATH
command.



MOUSE SUPPORT

When the program starts it checks for the presence of a mouse on the
system. If a mouse is present, the mouse cursor is turned on and is
positioned in the center of the screen. The mouse can be used to
point to the desired subject. You may point to the desired subject
and click the LEFT mouse button, or you may hold down the left mouse
button and drag the mouse cursor to the desired subject, then click
the LEFT button.


Once you are in the help screen, you can scroll the screen up and
down a page at a time--the same as using the PgUp and PgDn keys. To
scroll the page UP, position the mouse cursor on the up arrow located
in the upper right corner of the screen, and release the LEFT mouse
button. To scroll the page DOWN, position the mouse cursor on the
down arrow located in the lower right corner of the screen, and
release the LEFT button. Once you are finished reading the help
information, you return to the main help screen by positioning the
mouse cursor in the far right column in the area labeled EXIT, then
release the LEFT button. This has the same effect as pressing the
ESCape key.

On the Main screen, you will see the word EXIT in the lower right
corner of the screen, if a mouse is present. Position the mouse
cursor on this word and click the LEFT mouse button to exit the
program.

When the mouse is in a valid selection area of the screen, and the
left button is pressed down, the mouse cursor changes to a check





HELP.EXE - Version 1.2 by John Crouch


mark. This makes it easier to tell when the mouse button is pressed
and in a valid location.

Note: The mouse functions follow the general rules recommended by
Microsoft for use with a mouse. These function are for use with the
Microsoft Mouse and 100% compatibles.

When the mouse functions are enabled you can still use the keyboard
as usual.



VERSION SPECIFICS

Version 1.2 added the following features:

Much of the text in the help program has been proofread by
users, and has been updated accordingly. Many thanks to all
the users who have sent in corrections.

HELP will now support multiple users in a network
environment. This is done by simply opening the help text
file with a file sharing attribute of Read-Only, while
locking others from opening the file in a Write mode. This
allows multiple users on a network to use the help program
and text file concurrently. Of course DOS 3.3 or above is
required for this feature to be enabled. If you are still
having trouble using the program on a network, use the DOS
ATTRIB command to make the HELP text file (DOSHLP.HLP) a
Read-Only file.

The mouse functions will make the mouse cursor a check mark
when the left button is pressed down and in a valid selection
area of the screen. This makes it a little easier to tell
when the button is pressed and in a valid selection area.

When on the Main HELP screen, you can press the first letter
of the desired topic to move the highlight bar to that topic.



TECHNICAL INFORMATION

The HELP program was written and compiled with Borland's Turbo C,
Version 2.0. Many specific functions were created in C and Assembly
language. The Norton Editor was used for most of the program
editing.

The program was not made a memory resident program because I felt
that most people would have problems with DOS commands while on the
DOS command line. HELP will restore the original screen after the





HELP.EXE - Version 1.2 by John Crouch


program is terminated, thus allowing the user to see the mistakes
that were made with a command, before the HELP program was run.

HELP will support color monitors, as well as monochrome monitors.


PLEASE CONTRIBUTE!!

Programmers need your comments and suggestions. Without them,
programs might never be updated. Let me hear what you think of this
program. There are many very good products available on BBS systems
today. You can encourage more programs by giving contributions. HELP
has required many hours of hard work, including time spent revising
the program and proofreading the documentation. If you find this
program useful, please send a $15 contribution to the address below.

I would like to thank all the people who have sent contributions and
suggestions. Some of your suggestions have found their way into this
version of HELP.

As I said, I have spent many long hours entering and editing the text
necessary for this program. I'm sure there are some errors hiding in
the dark corners of this text, but I have tried to keep them to a
minimum. If you find an error, please let me know. Leave a message at
one of the 3 places below telling me what the error is and where it
is (subject name and page number shown in the upper right corner).



Send suggestions for this program, and new ideas for other programs
to one of the following locations:


John Crouch
P.O. Box 1521
Frederick, Maryland 21701

-------------------------

CompuServe EasyPlex Mail The New Micro Connection BBS
71310,2612 (301) 698-0212









HELP.EXE - Version 1.2 by John Crouch


DISCLAIMER

This code is released into the public domain with two restrictions as
to its use.

1. The program must not be modified in any way.
2. The program must not be sold.

The author has taken due care in writing this code, and the code is
supplied as is. The author makes no expressed or implied warranty of
any kind with regard to this code. In no event shall the author be
liable for incidental or consequential damages in connection with or
arising out of the use of this code.