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T.A.G. BBS 2.7 Menu Editor
(c) Copyright 1993,1994
by Mark McKay
The Skeleton Closet BBS (Mark & Debbi McKay sysops),
1:275/138,139,140 (804-671-8547, 804-499-5150, 804-473-2217)
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│▓▓▓▓▓ Quick Notes ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓│
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These docs are for now, short. There is a one time configuration when first
running the program.
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│ | | | | | | | | | | │
│ | | | | | | | | | | │
│ \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/ │
│ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ NOTE : You must make a NEW directory for AlaCarte to live in. │ │
│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ │
│ | | | | | | | | | | │
│ | | | | | | | | | | │
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There is very little setup and I have tried to make this file as simple and
as user friendly as possible.
You can run this file from anywhere you like as long as it is it's own
directory.
Mark
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│▓▓▓▓▓ Disclaimer/Legal Stuff ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Although this program has been tested, this software has no warranty,
either expressed or implied. The use of this software is at the user's own
risk. Mark McKay shall in no way be responsible for any special, incidental,
consequential or other damages resulting from the use and/or misuse of this
software. Every effort has been made to test this software and its
documentation for possible errors, but no guarantee to that effect is made.
There are no written or implied guarantees of updates to this program.
This program must be distributed AS IS in it's original archive. This
program may not be distributed as part of any other software package without
the expressed written consent of the author, Mark McKay. It may not be
altered or reverse engineered in any way, shape or manner.
The usual I don't promise it will do anything and if it messes up/you mess
it up, you own the pieces is in affect. If you use it, you alone are
liable for the results.
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│▓▓▓▓▓ Features ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓│
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- Most commands allow use of keyboard or Microsoft compatible mouse.
- Allows point and shoot style editing of TAG BBS menus.
- Allows editing all fields in Menus.Lst.
- Allows adding, deleting and repositioning menu commands.
- All listings are scrollable/mousable.
- Little setup required.
- Files are only opened when actually reading and writing to/from them.
- Can create and edit custom ANSI and ASCII menus from inside the program
with editors of your choice.
- Share, Multinode aware
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│▓▓▓▓▓ When you first run AlaCarte ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
As you may have noticed above, before you run Alacarte you must "Make a
NEW directory" for it. If you are unfamiliar with DOS command, to
make a new directory for Alacarte do the following:
Go to a DOS prompt.
Type MD\<8 character or less name for the directory>
Example : MD\ALACARTE will create a directory named AlaCarte on the drive you
are running from.
Required files:
ALACARTE.EXE - The main executable file
ALACARTE.CFG - Created by the program
ALACARTE.KEY - Key required to run the program
MENUTITL.LST - Needed to show list of available menu commands
from within Alacarte.
Note: AlaCarte will run from a floppy drive but I higly recommend it be run
from a hard disk to speed up the execution of the program.
The first time you run AlaCarte, type "AlaCarte" and hit your Enter key.
If you haven't run AlaCarte before you will see a box with 3 input lines
in it, something like as follows:
Path to Status.Dat
Path to Status.Dat - The full drive and path for AlaCarte to look
for TAG's setup file to find the information
it needs in order do "do it's thing".
You will be asked continually until you enter
a path with Status.Dat in it. Your Main BBS
directory.
Once you enter all the information, hit the Escape key and the
information will be saved to AlaCarte.CFG which will be used from then
on to load the program. You can also edit the .CFG file from the
FBoards.Dat menu.
If you mess up and AlaCarte says Status.Dat not found, delete
AlaCarte.CFG and try again.
The current version is written for T.A.G. 2.7 AND WILL NOT WORK WITH
EARLIER Versions. Version 1.0 of Alacarte works with earlier versions.
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│▓▓▓▓▓ How do I work it? ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓│
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Right now all of the commands are shown on the screen while running the
program. If you can read you can probably figure out how to use it.
To utilize the Custom Menus Editing Feature you will need 3 things:
1. An ANSI Editor that will load a file directory from the
commandline. (I recommend THEDRAW)
2. An ASCII Text Editor that will load a file directly from
the commandline. (I recommend QEDIT)
3. A RIP Graphics Editor that will load a file directly from
the commandline. (I recommend RIPAINT, DEAD PAINT doesn't
work with Alacarte)
The documentation will be updated in the future.
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│▓▓▓▓▓ Registration ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓│
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AlaCarte is not now, has never been and will never be "FREE" software.
AlaCarte is provided as "Shareware" for those T.A.G. BBS sysops looking
for a "Menu Editor" for T.A.G. BBS v2.7.
If you honestly plan on registering the program within 30 days if you
find it useful then feel free to test it out to see if it meets your
needs. If you have no intention of ever registering it, then don't
even bother setting it up. This also does not imply that it's OK to
run each new version for 30 days then wait for a new one. If you use
the program, register it.
AlaCarte will ONLY work for 30 days without your "PERSONAL REGISTRATION
KEY". If you wait until day 29 to send off the registration then plan
on waiting until I receive your registration and you get your "key file"
until the program will run again. Procrastination has it's drawbacks.
You "should" be able to tell within a few days if the program is "what
you have been looking for".
You can thank the "something for nothing attitude" of your fellow
computer users for this crippling. Other than the 30 crap there is
no crippling whatsoever.
I apologize for doing this to those who actually do "register what they
use" if it causes any inconvenience, but like many other things in life,
"the many have to suffer for the actions of the few".
Registration is for you and you alone. You cannot "sell" your key to
your buddy down the street or across town.
Registration is for the version of the program that you tested. There
are no guarantees either expressed or implied of any updates to the
program or addition of any "new features" if you register. You are
registering it "as is". When you do register you are entitled to use
all future versions of "this" program as a "registered user".
If I changed my keyfiles because some loser with nothing better to do
than hack Shareware program then I will attempt to inform all registered
users and make arrangements to get them a new keyfile.
Registrations normally take between 2 days and 2 weeks to get to me.
When I do "receive" it, you will be able to get your key within 1 to 2
days. Sorry, but "Checks in the mail" doesn't work, I've heard it too
many times and as sorry as some people say they are, The US Postal
Service is not that bad.
If you are in "Fidonet" I will send your key file to you within 2
days of receiving your registration. Otherwise you must call my BBS
twice to "pickup" your key file. Once to log on (if I am around and
I see you log on you will only need to log on once) and another time a
day or two afterward to "get your key".
Pricing as of 23 April 1994 :
Number of Keys "Proper Amount"
-------------- -------------------------
1-2 $15.00 each US funds
3-10 $10.00 each US funds
11-20 $7.50 each US funds
20+ $5.00 each US funds
-------------- -------------------------
This means that if you and two other TAG sysops in your area want to
register AlaCarte together you'll each save $5 on the registration.
These rates apply only if it is in the same envelope. It doesn't mean
that if "Joe down the Street" and "Sally next door" registered a month
ago that you get yours for $10. It means that if you, "Joe" and "Sally"
get together and send $30 with the proper info, you will each get a key.
As mentioned above, if the person sending the registration has a valid
Fidonet address I will send the keyfiles via Netmail.
If you have previously registered either TAGFAM or CBVTAG or if you are
registering TAGFAM or CBVTAG with AlaCarte, you may take $3 off the cost
of AlaCarte as my thanks for supporting my efforts.
If you registered both TAGFAM and CBVTAG take $5 off the cost of AlaCarte.
If registering from outside of the United States please send either
a money order drawn on US funds or a bank draft drawn on US funds.
Please, no personal checks from outside of the United States of America.
They are just worthless paper and it won't get cashed and I won't send
a key.
If you send less than "the proper amount", you "won't" get a key,
you will get the amount you sent minus the cost of a stamp and a money
order provided it covers such. Plain and simple. Amounts in excess of
"the proper amount" are cheerfully accepted and considered "donations".
You will receive one key made with the information that "you" supply
below. If you run a multi line system you only need to register one
copy provided the sysop name is the same for all of the nodes.
If you use different names on different nodes you need to register each
one separately.
If the key doesn't work because you gave me the wrong information or you
change the information at a later date then you must pay a $5 processing
fee for the updated key file for the extra time involved in making
"another key" and sending it to you. If "I" messed up then I will give
you a free replacement key. Please ensure the information you give me
is correct.
With the payment include the following information:
Sysop name from your "System configuration" (case sensitive), ie if your
real name is "Anthrax Buttsnorkler" but the name you give on the BBS is
"John Doe" then you need to supply the name "John Doe". If you use the
name "FuNkY sPeLlEr" then give it as "FuNkY sPeLlEr".
If you are a public Fidonet node holder (no points), include your Node
number.
Your Status.Dat Name for AlaCarte key file : _____________________________
Fidonet Node Number (if in Fidonet) : ___________________________
BBS Phone number if not in Fidonet : ____________________________
Send the registration fee (money order preferred) to
Mark McKay
PO Box 68063
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
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└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘