From: foxidrive@server.invalid   
      
   On 11/07/2014 09:54, jonwcarey88@gmail.com wrote:   
   >> On 11/07/2014 08:57, jonwcarey88@gmail.com wrote:   
   >>   
   >>> Greetings, fellow DOSians.   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> In a spate of DOSbox-inspired nostalgia, I've recently embarked on a quest   
   to recreate a DOS-based menu system that my father made for my siblings and   
   myself when we were all little and the computer ran Windows 3.1 . But despite   
   my best efforts we    
   haven't been able to locate a working copy and I am trying to recreate the   
   program with whatever scraps he remembers and our own command-line experience,   
   and I'm asking for a little help in the process.   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> What I definitely recall about the program:   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> 1. In the bottom-right corner there was a real-time clock with the date.   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> 2. The background was blue and the text white. (this, at least, was cake   
   to rediscover)   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> 3. Navigation was a hybrid system of arrow keys and numbers. You could   
   either use the Up or Down arrow keys to move a little cursor like this: <--   
   and then hit "Enter" to run the entry or push a number and it would do the   
   same thing.   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> 4. Each 'page' had ten numbered entries from 0-9 to match the number keys.   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> 5. By pressing a certain letter ("E" if memory serves), the currently   
   selected entry would go to a little page where you could Edit it like a   
   mini-batch file with a single DOS command per line and each command executed   
   in sequence.   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> 6. A similar command (the "R" key) would Rename the current selection. You   
   backspaced out any letters/numbers to blank it out.   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> 7. It did not require any sort of high memory - UMS/EMS, etc.   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> What I DO NOT remember:   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> 1. If the program was entirely self-contained in one batch file/executable   
   or if it was split into parts. I SUSPECT that it was self-contained.   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>> 2. If it was entirely written in "native DOS" or if it required a   
   programming tool. I SUSPECT the whole thing was one or a series of   
   well-written batch files.   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >   
   > Darn good guess, and it look similar in some ways, but I'm afraid it's not   
   quite the same! Our menu had absolutely no graphics anywhere, I don't even   
   think lineart-boxes. Totally text-driven and no mouse use anywhere.   
   >   
   > What features in particular weren't available?   
   >   
      
   Editing and rename are functions that are very difficult without calling a   
   separate external editor   
      
   The real time clock can't be implemented with an updating time - the prompt   
   command can place a   
   clock on the screen but it only updates when you press enter.   
      
   The arrows pointing at a menu selection that move up and down are not a built   
   in feature of MSDOS.   
      
   Using TSR programs you can get this functionality but I get the impression   
   that it was a menu   
   package, or your father added several programs together (TSR, editor, time   
   display etc) to develop   
   the menu system.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)