JP Software 4DOS for Windows NT Shareware README.DOC Version 2.52 -- April 17, 1996 [Copyright 1988 - 1996, JP Software Inc., All Rights Reserved. Published by JP Software Inc., P.O. Box 1470, E. Arlington, MA 02174 USA, (617) 646-3975. 4DOS is a registered trademark of JP Software Inc. Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Other product and company names are trademarks of their respective owners.] [PLEASE NOTE: This product is named "4DOS", and this version is more fully described as "4DOS for the Windows NT Operating System". For brevity, in this file and throughout our documentation we refer to "4DOS for Windows NT", to "4DOS/NT", or to the program file name, 4NT.EXE or 4NT. When "4DOS" is used by itself the reference is to our DOS product. See ORDERINF.DOC for information on 4DOS, 4OS2, and all JP Software products.] This file contains a variety of information you should read before using 4DOS/NT, including: * About this version * Technical support * Files included with 4DOS/NT * Bulletin board support * Installation instructions * Shareware and ASP policies * Upgrading from 4DOS/NT 2.5 For complete product and ordering information, see the file ORDERINF.DOC, or call us at (800) 368-8777 (USA only, orders only please!) or (617) 646-3975. The order form is included separately in the file ORDER.FRM. For complete installation instructions, see page 3. These instructions cover installation procedures for both new users and those upgrading from a previous version of 4DOS/NT. The license agreement which governs your use of 4DOS/NT is included separately in the file LICENSE.DOC. Please read it before ordering. For more information on the shareware system under which you obtained 4DOS/NT, see page 5. This file, like all our ASCII documentation files, is formatted at 58 lines per page, and contains form feeds and page footers. It can be viewed with a file viewer such as the 4DOS LIST command, or printed on most PC printers using the command: copy readme.doc prn Printing it with a program that formats the pages is not likely to work due to the formatting included in the file. (04/96-2.52) 4DOS/NT 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 1 About This Version Be sure to read the installation instructions in this file before installing 4DOS/NT 2.52! Version 2.52 is a maintenance release of 4DOS/NT. It contains bug fixes and other minor changes. For a complete list of changes, see the file UPDAT252.DOC. The release coincides with similar maintenance releases of our other command processors: 4DOS version 5.52, 4OS2 version 2.52, Take Command/16 1.02, and Take Command/32 1.02. If you are a current 4DOS for Windows NT user, be sure to check over the list of changes in this version, in the file UPDAT252.DOC, BEFORE you begin using version 2.52. If you're a new 4DOS/NT user, you can skip UPDAT252.DOC. If you missed previous major upgrades, such as version 2.0 or 2.5, you may want to obtain a copy of the corresponding update files (UPDAT20.DOC and/or UPDAT25.DOC) so you know what was new in those versions. These files are available in our CompuServe, BBS, and Internet download areas (the section on "Upgrades" below explains how to access these areas). Extensive online help is provided with the software, and a full printed Reference Manual will be included when you license 4DOS/NT. If you already have a 4DOS/NT 2.0 Reference Manual, you can receive a printed Addendum Manual by purchasing an upgrade through JP Software. Files Included with 4DOS for Windows NT Version 2.52 Please note that the way your copy of 4DOS for Windows NT is "packaged" will vary depending on the distribution method (5.25" disk, 3.5" disk, or on-line). In general there will be one 5.25", 1.2MB disk, or one 3.5" 720K disk. On-line copies will be in one .ZIP file, typically named 4NT252.ZIP. ZIP files distributed by JP Software will display the message "Authentic files Verified! # VHJ325 JP Software Inc." when they are unzipped. If you do not see this message, the ZIP file you are using has been modified. This does not necessarily indicate a problem, but it does alert you to the fact that the file has been changed since it was created by JP Software. The following files are included with this version of 4DOS for Windows NT: 4NT.EXE 4DOS for Windows NT program file 4NT.DOC ASCII copy of the 4DOS for Windows NT Introduction and Installation Guide 4NT.HLP 4DOS for Windows NT help text 4DOS/NT 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 2 ALIASES Sample aliases BATCOMP.EXE Batch file compression utility LICENSE.DOC 4DOS/NT shareware license agreement ORDER.FRM 4DOS for Windows NT shareware order form ORDERINF.DOC Ordering and product information README.DOC This file SAMPLES.BTM Sample 4DOS/NT batch files (all samples are included in one file) SHRALIAS.EXE Utility program for retention of global alias and history lists SUPPORT.BBS Information on Channel 1, the independent BBS used for 4DOS/NT support SYSOP.DOC 4DOS/NT information for BBS sysops TOUR.DOC The 4DOS for Windows NT Guided Tour documentation TOUR1.BTM Batch file used for the 4DOS/NT "tour" (see and TOUR2.BTM TOUR.DOC) UPDAT252.DOC Information on changes in 4DOS/NT version 2.52 VENDOR.DOC 4DOS/NT information for shareware disk vendors Installation Instructions (These instructions do not cover diskette installation, because when 4DOS/NT is installed from diskette this file is not visible until after installation is complete.) Whether or not you presently have 4DOS/NT installed, create a new directory for version 2.52. Decompress your downloaded 4DOS/NT 2.52 files into this directory. You can print the 4DOS/NT Introduction and Installation Guide, or any documentation file (including this one), by copying it to the printer with the COPY command. For a guided tour of 4DOS/NT features see the instructions in TOUR.DOC. To install 4DOS/NT completely, follow the manual installation instructions in Chapter 1 of 4NT.DOC, disregarding the discussion of extracting files from the diskettes. Upgrading from 4DOS/NT Version 2.51 to version 2.52 Be sure to go over the changes in version 2.52, in the file UPDAT252.DOC, before you start using it. 4DOS/NT 2.52 should always be installed in a different directory (or if you have a floppy-disk system, on a different disk) than any earlier version. To upgrade from 4DOS/NT 2.51 to version 2.52, simply modify any objects on your Windows NT desktop which refer to the version 2.51 files to reflect the new directory where version 2.52 is stored. For example, your version 2.51 object might be set up like this: 4DOS/NT 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 3 Command Line: C:\4NT251\4NT.EXE Working Directory: C:\ To modify this for version 2.52, simply change the first line to reflect the new directory, for example: Command Line: C:\4NT252\4NT.EXE Working Directory: C:\ If you keep any 4DOS/NT startup or exit files (4NT.INI, 4START, or 4EXIT) in your 4DOS/NT directory, be sure to move or copy the old files into the directory where version 2.52 is stored. If you own 4DOS/NT version 2.5 or 2.51 you can "brand" your copy of version 2.52 and convert it to a registered copy. To do so, be sure 4DOS/NT version 2.52 is not running (because you cannot brand a running program under Windows NT). Copy the BRAND program from version 2.5 or 2.51 into the same directory as the version 2.52 files, and run it (from a 4DOS/NT 2.51 or CMD.EXE session) with the command BRAND. Follow the on-screen instructions to install your name and serial number into 4DOS/NT. The information needed to brand your copy is on the small blue or yellow "Brand ID Card" which came with your copy of 4DOS/NT. If you cannot find this card with your branding codes, you can order a replacement from JP Software for $5. If your current version of 4DOS/NT is version 2.0 or earlier, you will not be able to brand version 2.52. Instead you must order an upgrade from JP Software. You can use your downloaded shareware copy of version 2.52 while you wait for the upgrade to be shipped to you. See the ORDERINF.DOC and ORDER.FRM files for more information on upgrades and our upgrade policies. Technical Support We support 4DOS for Windows NT in our own CompuServe area, section 10 of the PC Vendor B forum (GO PCVENB). If you are not currently a CompuServe subscriber, consider a special offer CompuServe has made to 4DOS/NT users: call 1-800-848-8199 (outside the US and Canada call 614-457-0802) and ask for operator 178 to receive a free CompuServe introductory membership, including user ID, password, and a $15 connect time credit. For technical support on the Internet send mail to support@jpsoft.com. Support is also available by phone (617-646-3975), fax (617-646- 0904), and mail (JP Software, PO Box 1470, E. Arlington, MA 02174). Telephone support hours and availability may vary depending on our 4DOS/NT 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 4 current staffing pattern and workload; there may not always be a support representative available when you call, in which case we will take a message and call you back. We return calls as soon as possible, and our normal policy is to return all calls within at most 24 hours (weekends and holidays excluded). Bulletin Board Support for 4DOS/NT 4DOS for Windows NT product support is always available on our support BBS, Channel 1 in Boston. Channel 1 is an independent BBS (not operated by JP Software) which has generously offered to provide a home for 4DOS/NT BBS support. Phone 617-354-3230 to access Channel 1 at 2400 - 14,400 baud (no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit). Use 617-349-1300 for 28,800 baud v.34. If you have access to a local bulletin board which is a member of any of the major BBS networks (RIME / PC Relay, ILink, SmartNet, or FidoNet), you can discuss 4DOS/NT with other users, and obtain limited support from JP Software, by leaving messages in the network's "4DOS" conference. Downloading 4DOS/NT Files You can download 4DOS for Windows NT upgrades and other files from CompuServe or the Channel 1 BBS (see above), or from our Internet ftp site. To download files from CompuServe, go to the PC Vendor B forum (GO JPSOFT or GO PCVENB) and look for the files you want in Library 10. On Channel 1, join conference 5 and then download the files you need (as long as you join conference 5 before downloading you will be able to download 4DOS/NT files even if they appear to be too large for your remaining time on the system). On the internet, download the files you need via ftp from ftp.std.com, directory /vendors/jpsoft (for general JP Software files) or directory /vendors/jpsoft/4dosnt (for 4DOS/NT-specific files). You can also download the files from our web site at http://www.jpsoft.com/. Shareware Copies of 4DOS/NT If you obtained 4DOS for Windows NT from a shareware disk vendor, an on-line computer service or bulletin board, a friend or colleague, or another similar source, you have an unregistered (trial) copy. As the copyright holder for this software, JP Software allows and encourages you to use this trial copy without charge for a limited period of time, under the terms of our license agreement (see LICENSE.DOC). After this time is up, you must purchase (register and pay for) the product to continue using it. This method of distribution is known as shareware. It allows you to determine whether the product meets your needs before you pay for it. 4DOS/NT 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 5 Payment of the shareware registration fee for 4DOS/NT entitles you to a complete copy of the product with typeset-quality printed and bound manuals; the ability to download an upgrade to the next major release of the product; continued technical support via electronic mail or telephone; and a subscription to "The Prompt Solution", JP Software's customer newsletter. Association of Shareware Professionals The authors and publisher of 4DOS/NT are members of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP), an organization formed to strengthen the future of shareware. Its members, all of whom are programmers who subscribe to a code of ethics, are committed to the concept of shareware as a method of marketing. The ASP sets standards for its members and their shareware products which provide that programs produced by ASP members must be fully documented, non-crippled, and offered with at least a minimum level of support. It also sets standards for shareware disk vendors and provides information to the public about shareware. ASP Ombudsman Statement JP Software is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. 4DOS/NT 2.52 [04-17-96] README.DOC page 6