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                SUPER Sparkle (tm)
                      and              by         Rob W. Smetana
                  Menu Magic (tm)                 and Pro~Formance

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                      Super Sparkle (tm) & Menu Magic (tm)


                           **  Version 4.2 (12/97)  **


      ==================================================================
         Note:  With version 4.x, we introduced SUPER SPARKLE -- a
                combination of the original Sparkle and Sparkle_2.
                We also added several NEW features (See What's New).
      ==================================================================


      ==================================================================

         Copyright (C) 1990-1997, Rob W. Smetana  All Rights Reserved

              (415) 863-0530       Rob-Smetana@Worldnet.Att.Net

              132 Alpine Terrace  San Francisco, CA  94117


         Sparkle, Super Sparkle, Menu Magic, Pro~Formance, P~F, and
                  P-Screen are Trademarks of Rob W. Smetana

      ==================================================================
                                                                      


      ==================================================================
                                   Contents
      ==================================================================

           Introduction ...................................... a
           A Summary of Super Sparkle's Main Options ......... c
           What's New ........................................ d

           Warranty and Disclaimer ........................... e
           Limited License ................................... f
           Registering INSTANTLY! ............................ g
           Distributing Sparkle .............................. h


           MENU MAGIC ........................................ MM.1

             Using MM ........................................ MM.2
             Creating ".Com" Screens or "Drawing" Menu Screens;
                Entering File Names .......................... MM.4
             Choosing Colors ................................. MM.6
             More Options .................................... MM.8


           SUPER SPARKLE ..................................... SS.1

             Debugging Batch Files; Sparkle's Error Codes .... SS.3
             Changing the "Text Marker" -- Setting SPM=? ..... SS.4

             Sound Effects ................................... SS.5
             Scrolling Bar Menus ............................. SS.6
             Ask (a 3rd menu option, or just to pause) ....... SS.9
             Big! Font ....................................... SS.10
             Quick Print ..................................... SS.11
             Windows ......................................... SS.12
             Pause ........................................... SS.13
             Monitor ......................................... SS.14
             Paint ........................................... SS.16
             Reverse Paint (Reverse Screen Colors) ........... SS.17
               Notes on Paint and Reverse Paint .............. SS.18
             Bright Background Colors ........................ SS.19
             Get Input ....................................... SS.20
               Using "Named Parameters" ...................... SS.33
             Get DOS Version ................................. SS.23
             Viewing Files ................................... SS.24
             Dynamic Prompts ................................. SS.25
             Dark Blue Background Colors ..................... SS.26
             BIG! SCROLLING Messages ......................... SS.27
             Fades (Dramatic Screen Transitions) ............. SS.28
             Broadway Screen Font (VGAs only) ................ SS.29

           Appendix I:   A Note on Testing Errorlevels ....... A.1

           Appendix II:  Choosing COLOR Numbers .............. A.2

           Appendix III: ASCII Codes for Keyboard Characters . A.3

           Registering, Ordering ...................  Last 2 Pages  


      ==================================================================
                                Introduction                           a
      ==================================================================

      Super Sparkle (SS) and Menu Magic (MM) are designed to BOTH add a
      little sparkle to your batch files (and to your day), AND to write
      your batch files for you!

       * Super Sparkle offers m-a-n-y options to add sparkle, con-
         venience and hard-to-achieve options to batch files:  menus
         (3 options, including "scrolling bar menus" with mouse support);
         sound effects; tall, scrolling messages; colors (384 of them,
         including "bright background" and "dark blue" colors); windows;
         file viewing; dramatic screen transitions; and more.  Run
         Demo.Bat to see most of Super Sparkle's options in action.

       * Menu Magic (MM) is a fill-in-the-blanks menu designer.  Just
         type in your menu options, and MM will WRITE YOUR BATCH FILES
         FOR YOU -- complete with colorful, scrolling bar menus (with
         mouse support)!


      PLEASE START BY . . .  We urge you to START by running DEMO.BAT --
      the demo batch file.  It demonstrates most of Sparkle's features.
      Once you "see" these features in action, the discussion of each
      option below might make more sense.  NOTE THAT Demo.Bat requires
      several files that come with Sparkle.  It relies heavily on these
      files (especially examples of "executable .COM screens") and
      therefore can't run unless all required files are on the current
      drive/directory.


      Included are:       SS.Exe     Super Sparkle's main program
                          MM.Exe     Menu Magic's main program
                          SS.Doc     This brief manual
                           *.Bat     Demo batch files (run DEMO!!)
                           *.Com     Examples of "exe-   \  created using
                                     "executable .COM     ) P-SCREEN, our
                                     screens"            /  screen-designer

                    REGISTER.Exe     To instantly convert Shareware versions
                                     into fully registered versions.

      Run:          Demo.Bat      For a demo of all current options.

      Purpose:      Sparkls adds a little sparkle to your day or your
                    batch files.  Menu Magic will even create your scrol-
                    ling bar menus and write your batch files for you!

      For help:     For help, run Super Sparkle like this:   ss <Enter>.

                                                                      


      ==================================================================
             SUPER Sparkle -- The Latest in the Sparkle Series         b
      ==================================================================

      With version 4.x, we introduced SUPER Sparkle.  What's the dif-
      ference between Sparkle and SUPER Sparkle?


       * Early versions of Sparkle consisted of just Sparkle.Exe.
         When we decided to add options, we created Sparkle_2.Exe.


       * SUPER Sparkle COMBINES Sparkle and Sparkle_2 -- to make
         Sparkle easier for you to use.  Super Sparkle also ADDS
         more options!


      As we developed early versions of Sparkle, we tried to keep
      .EXE sizes as small as possible -- so your batch files would
      run as quickly as possible.


      When we added options, instead of adding them to the original
      Sparkle.Exe, we left it as-is (to keep it small), and created
      Sparkle_2.Exe -- ie., we created the Sparkle "series."


      But as computers (and hard disks) got faster and faster, it
      became less essential to keep .EXE sizes so small.  And by
      combining Sparkle.Exe and Sparkle_2.Exe into ONE file, we've
      made it easier for you -- you have to manage just one .EXE
      file.  This gives you safety and convenience, and makes it
      easier to use Sparkle.

                                                                       


      ==================================================================
               Here is A Summary of SUPER Sparkle's MANY Options.      c
      ==================================================================

       * SCROLLING BAR MENUS -- WITH MOUSE SUPPORT   Turn ANY text-mode
         screen into a vertical -or- horizontal SCROLLING BAR menu!  Menu
         Magic can even create your scrolling bar menu screens for you!

       * ASK   Turn ANY screen (text -or- graphics) into a menu, or use
         Ask just to pause.  You may print a prompt on any row or column,
         in any color.  And you specify which keys are "valid."

       * BIG! FONT    Print 8-line-high messages, in any color!
         BIG! SCROLL  Display TALL, SCROLLING messages, in any color,
         using either the "normal" font or a custom "Broadway" font.

       * WINDOWS   250+ frame styles; with/without shadows, in any color.
         FILL  Fill areas of the screen with any character in any color.

       * QUICK PRINT   Print text anywhere on the screen, in any color.

       * SOUND EFFECTS   Over 35 sound effects, from simple to elaborate.

       * PAUSE   Pause from 1/3 second to as long as you want.

       * MONITOR   Determine what type of display adapter/monitor is active.

       * PAINT   Paint areas of the screen, in any color you choose.

       * REVERSE COLORS   Reverse colors areas of the screen.  Repeat this
         effect as many times as you like to call attention to areas.

       * BRIGHT BACKGROUNDS   Enable or disable bright backgrounds (on
         EGA or VGA monitors).  Use alone, or with Paint and/or Reverse.

       * DARKBLUE   On VGA monitors, turn on "dark blue" background colors.

       * GET INPUT   Get input from the user, from 1 - 80 characters.
         Sparkle will pass this back to you EITHER in an environment
         variable, or by writing it to a file.  You control:  where on
         the screen to get input, which colors to use, and both the
         maximum AND minimum number of characters to accept.

       * PROMPT   Prompt users for a keypress with attention-getting:
         Twirling Batons, Exploding Buttons or a Scrolling Banner.

       * VIEW FILE   View ASCII text files of ANY size:  inside any-size
         window on your screen, and in any color you like.

       * DOS VERSION   Determine which version of DOS is being used.

       * FADES   Select from many, dynamic screen fades (screen transitions).

       * BROADWAY Screen Font  On VGA screens, select a tall broadway text-
         mode screen font.  Display both normal & Broadway at the same time!
                                                                       


      ==================================================================
                                 WHAT'S NEW                            d
      ==================================================================

      This summarizes improvements to and changes in Sparkle.  If you
      have an earlier version of Sparkle, pay close attention to this.
      NOTE especially the changes to the Scrolling Bar menu option.

      Version    Date   What's New
      -------    ----   ------------------------------------------------
      4.1c-4.2  12/97   Fixed bug in Register.Exe (thanks Rick P.).

      4.0-4.1    8/95   COMBINED Sparkle and Sparkle2 into SUPER SPARKLE.
                        Then we ADDED more options:  Fades, Dark Blue
                        Backgrounds, Big! Scroll and a VGA Broadway font.
                        And Sparkle's "Window" option now lets you FILL
                        areas of the screen with any ASCII character.

                        We ALSO added options to:  1. Help you DEBUG
                        batch files (we'll display errorlevels for you);
                        and, 2.  Let you CHANGE the "text marker" --
                        the character you use on the command line to
                        mark the beginning of text.  The "text marker"
                        is normally "/".  But if you need to use "/" in
                        messages, just "SET SPM=?" to change the text
                        marker to anything you like.

                        MENU MAGIC:  1. No longer displays a fixed
                        prompt at the bottom of .COM menu screens (we
                        now give YOU the option to print what YOU want);
                        and, 2. No longer <D>raws menu screens by "pad-
                        ding" menu options with ASCII 176 (we now use
                        spaces -- as with .COM menu screens).

      3.4-3.5     '94   Refinements, speed-up, fixed mouse slow-down.

      3.1        9/92   Added an EXPLODING window option (option -6).

      3.0       11/91   Added Menu Magic to create bar menu screens
                        and write your batch files for you.

      2.9/2.9c  10/91   Restored color parameter in SCROLLING BAR menus.
                 6/91   You can now repeat sound effects (suggested by
                        Mark Dodd of Texas); tamed the "shareware re-
                        minder" (thanks to V. Baxter of California).

      2.8        5/91   Added mouse support to Scrolling Bar Menus.
                        Eliminated "color" parameter in Bar menus.

      2.7       11/90   Added "Phone" sound, "Pause" and "Monitor options.

      2.4-2.6    9/90   Added 250+ frame styles to the "Window" option.
                        Fixed bug: ASK didn't return 27 if Esc pressed.

      2.3        6/90   1st public release.                          


      ==================================================================
                            WARRANTY & DISCLAIMER                      e
      ==================================================================

      This product is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind.
      The entire risk as to the results and performance of this pro-
      duct is assumed by you.  We warrant only that any disks we sent
      you are free from physical and workmanship defects under normal
      use and service for a period of 90 days from the date shipped.

      Our entire liability, and your exclusive remedy, as to the disk,
      shall be, at our option, to either (1) return the purchase price;
      or, (2) replace disks which don't meet our limited warranty.
      Since you can try "user supported" versions of our programs before
      ordering them, we offer no other warranty beyond that stated
      here.  We'll gladly replace defective disks; but no refunds or
      credits can be issued.

      Neither Pro~Formance nor RWS & Associates nor Rob W. Smetana, nor
      any of their officers or employees shall be held responsible for:
      failures of this product to satisfy any needs, damages due to using
      this product, or any effects this program has on you, your business
      or operations.

      This product, its manual and any supporting materials may be
      modified or changed from time to time.  They may contain opera-
      tional inaccuracies or typographical errors which may be cor-
      rected by future versions, if any.  Registered users may be
      notified of available updates.

                                                                       


      ==================================================================
                              LIMITED LICENSE                          f
      ==================================================================

      *** See the next page for details on registering INSTANTLY. ***

      Sparkle is NOT public domain or free software.  It is "user-
      supported" software.  Unauthorized copying or distribution of
      registered versions of this program is strictly forbidden.  See
      the next page for details on REGISTERING INSTANTLY.

      UNREGISTERED users of this software are granted a limited license
      to "try out" the user-supported version, on a private, non-
      commercial basis, for the express purpose of determining whether
      it suits your needs.  At the end of this trial period, you must
      either register your copy or stop using it.

      * Running Sparkle 15 - 20 different times should allow you
        to decide if it's going to be useful to you.  Therefore
        the "trial period" is set at 30 days.


      REGISTERED users may make copies of SS.Exe and MM.Exe for
      archival, backup purposes only, and NOT for distribution.


      SINGLE-USER versions of Sparkle and Menu Magic are licensed like a
      book.  That means you may use them at home, at work, or on your
      laptop -- on as many PCs as you like -- provided they are NEVER
      used on more than one PC at the same time.


      MULTI-USER/DEVELOPER versions of Sparkle are available.  These
      versions may be used in offices (e.g., to create menuing systems
      many users might take advantage of), on distribution disks (e.g.,
      software vendors create menus for catalogs), etc.  The cost?

                                              1-Time Fee
                                              ==========
                Up to 20 users:                  $ 69

                Unlimited # of users:            $169

      ==================================================================
         WARNING:  You MAY NOT use this program in any organization
         or in the conduct of any business activity without a prior
         purchase or license arrangement.

         Each copy used must be licensed -- either by an individual
         license, or via a site license or quantity discount agreement.

         Sparkle MAY NOT be distributed in any way without a prior,
         written license arrangement.  A single-user license does NOT
         grant the right to give or make it available to others in any
         form, including its use on networked PCs.
      ================================================================== 


      ==================================================================
                            Registering INSTANTLY                      f
      ==================================================================

      You can register for Sparkle in two ways:  1. By mail (use the
      registration form at the end of this manual); or, 2. INSTANTLY by
      phone (with a Visa or MasterCard number).  Regardless of how you
      register, we'll send you latest, registered version of Sparkle.

      Shareware versions of Sparkle include REGISTER.Exe.  Run Register
      to convert shareware versions into fully registered versions.

      SHAREWARE VERSIONS OF Sparkle and Menu Magic ARE FULLY FUNCTIONING!

      They have ALL the features of registered versions, with NO limita-
      tions.  However, shareware versions will periodically remind you
      to register by displaying something like this message:

       Reminder:  This is an unregistered version.  Run Register.Exe

      This reminder disappears when you run REGISTER (or receive a
      registered version from us).

      Early versions of Sparkle had NO built-in reminder, and TWO people
      registered!  Enjoy Sparkle, but remember it is "user-supported."

               To register INSTANTLY using REGISTER.Exe . . .
               ==============================================

      Step 1:  Be sure that SS.Exe, MM.Exe and REGISTER.Exe are on the
               drive/directory you're logged onto (SS.Exe and MM.Exe
               MUST be).

      Step 2:  You'll call us twice at (415) 863 - 0530.

               * The first time you call, give us your name, address
                 and Visa or MasterCard number.

               * We'll verify the credit card information and add your
                 name to our database so we can notify you about updates.

      Step 3:  BEFORE you call us the 2nd time:

               * Be sure SS.Exe is on the current drive/directory.  Now
                 run REGISTER.Exe.  REGISTER will ask for the name of
                 the program you want to register.  Type in "ss"
                 (without the quotation marks and without .EXE).

               * REGISTER will then print a number.  CALL US when that
                 number is on your screen, tell us what the number is,
                 and we'll give you a DIFFERENT number to type in.

               * REGISTER will then ask you to enter your name.  Type in
                 your name and you'll have a fully-registered version.
                                                                       


      ==================================================================
                            DISTRIBUTING  Sparkle                      h
      ==================================================================

      Bulletin board Sysops, clubs and shareware distributors may dis-
      tribute SHAREWARE ("user supported") versions of Sparkle, provided:

          *** Your company name IS NOT:   California Freeware ***
                                            American Freeware
                                                  US Freeware

          or any company which uses terms like "freeware", "free" or
          "free software" to misrepresent "user-supported" software.

      (1) It is distributed in completely unmodified form, and you
          include all these files intact:

          SS.Exe, SS.Doc, Demo.Bat, MM.Exe, *.Com, and related files.

      (2) You charge nothing other than a "disk distribution fee"
          of up to US $8.00 to cover distribution and handling.

      (3) You state YOUR fee is NOT payment or registration for
          OUR software.

      (4) You clearly encourage registration by stating that con-
          tinued use justifies sending contributions to the developer.


                                                                       


      ==================================================================
                           Using MENU MAGIC  (MM.Exe)               MM.1
      ==================================================================

      Menu Magic is a fast, easy-to-use program that helps in 2 ways:

        1. Run it, then just "fill in the blanks" to create SCROLLING
           BAR MENUS -- with mouse support, colors, drop shadows, etc..

        2. It will then write your batch files for you!

      When you've finished running MM.Exe, you can immediately run and
      test the batch file MM created.  But note that as you select menu
      options, your batch file will simply tell you which option you
      selected.  MM can't know what you want done as each option is
      selected.  So it's up to YOU to EDIT this batch file:  jump down
      to the middle/end of that file and edit each "option section" --
      to accomplish what YOU want to happen as menu options are chosen.

      MM is a "front end" to Sparkle.  Use MM to design your menus and
      write your batch file.  When you run this batch file, Sparkle
      takes over and turns your "menu screens" into colorful, scrolling
      bar menus, complete with mouse support!  Using Menu Magic couldn't
      be easier:

       * Just type in your menu options (and a title if you like).

       * Choose the colors you want.

       * Then press a key and MM will write your batch file for you.
         You should then edit this batch file to customize the last
         section -- so that as you choose menu options, your batch file
         does what YOU want it to do.

      MM offers TWO ways to display your actual menu screens.

       * You can save menu screens as executable ".COM" screens.  Just
         "run" these screens to display your menu screens instantly!

         - You can see examples of .Com screens by running Demo.Bat.
           It runs several .Com screens we included with Sparkle.
           We created these .Com screens using our P-Screen program.
           P-Screen offers you more screen-design options than MM can.
           See "More Options" for details.

       * Or, if you prefer, MM will write your batch file in such a way
         that Sparkle "draws" your screen -- with colors and shading --
         using Sparkle's "window" and "quick-print" options.
                                                                       


      TO USE MM:                                                    MM.2
      ==========


      At the DOS prompt type:    MM <Enter>


      Creating menus takes 4 simple steps:

       1. Enter your menu options (and a title if you want one).

       2. Tell MM how to "create" your screen (create an "executable"
          .Com screen, or "draw" your screen using Sparkle's options).

       3. Give us a name -- the name of your batch file.

       4. Choose colors.


      When you run MM, a screen like the one below appears.


      ==================================================================

        Title:   ___________________________________
                                                       Ŀ
       Option:   ___________________________________    Working on:    
                                                                       
       Option:   ___________________________________       Title       
                                                                       
       Option:   ___________________________________                   
                                                                       
       Option:   ___________________________________    Alt-C = Center 
                                                        It is now: OFF 
       Option:   ___________________________________                   
                                                           Esc = Quit  
       Option:   ___________________________________                   
                                                         <F10> = Done  
       Option:   ___________________________________   

       Option:   ___________________________________


        Enter a TITLE for your batch file menu (optional), plus up to
        8 menu options (1 - 40 characters each).  You may leave any
        field blank.   Press <Esc> to quit (exit MM and save nothing).

      ==================================================================

      NOTE:  Press <Esc> (the Escape key) to exit MM to DOS.  Nothing
      will be saved.  So press <Esc> only if you're sure you want to
      cancel whatever you began.

                                                                       


      Using MM (continued)                                          MM.3

      Entering a Title
      ================

      When MM starts up, it highlights the area beside "Title" (shown
      as "_____" above).

      Enter a title if you like -- it's optional.  NOTE:  Titles
      are always centered on the top line of your menu.  Feel free
      to center it on MM's screen if you like.  But you don't have
      to since we'll center it when we later draw your menu.


      Entering Menu Options
      =====================

      Once you enter a title (or not, it's your choice), press <Enter>
      or the Down cursor key.  MM then highlights the first menu "Option."


       * You can enter up to 8 menu options.  Each may have 1 - 40 char-
         acters.  If you need more than 8 options see "More Options."


       * MM begins with "centering mode" ON -- when you press <enter>,
         anything you typed in will AUTOMATICALLY be centered.

         Press alt-C to turn "centering mode" OFF (or back on again).
         If centering mode is OFF, menu options will appear exactly
         as you enter them.

         Toggling centering mode on/off does NOT affect anything you've
         already entered -- just the line you're currently on, and any
         others you type in later.


       * You can leave any of the 8 options blank.  This lets you
         separate 1 or more options from others by leaving blank
         lines in between.

         For example, some people like to separate "Quit" from their
         main menu options.  Or they separate "clusters" of related
         options from other clusters -- with blank space in between.

                                                                       


      Creating <C>om Screens, or <D>rawing Screens                  MM.4
      ============================================

      Press function key <F10> when you're done entering menu options.
      (Press <Esc> to quit to DOS without saving what you started.)
      When you press <F10>, MM will ask two questions:

       1.  Do you want to save your menu as a ".COM" screen?  Or
           should MM DRAW your menu using Sparkle's options.

       2.  What NAME should MM use to create batch file(s)?


      The first question will actually look like this:

         "Do you want to display the menu with a COM screen, or draw
          it using Sparkle's options?  Press <C>om or <D>raw."

       * Note that if you press <D>, you're telling MM to write your
         batch file in such a way that Sparkle's "Window" and "Quick-
         Print" options will be used to display your menu.

         .Com screens display instantly.  So they're often the best
         way to display menus.  But .Com screens are separate files.
         If you're concerned that this file might be separated from
         your batch file, you might want to <D>raw your menu -- the
         safest (but slowest) option.

       * MM is v-e-r-y easy to use.  So experiment with both approaches
         to see which you prefer, which suits your needs the best.


      The 2nd question actually looks like this:

         Enter a 1 - 8 character file name [default = MENU].  DON'T
         add an extension (e.g.,'.Bat').  We'll add ".BAT" for you.

       * Just type in a 1 - 8 character file name, then press <Enter>.

       * If you leave the name blank, MM will create "MENU.BAT."

       * Please DO NOT enter extensions.  We'll add ".Bat" to
         your batch file name.  And if you asked to save a ".COM"
         file menu screen, we'll create an "executable screen"
         with a name **similar** to your batch file -- but with
         a ".COM" extension.  More on this "similarity" shortly

      Warning
      =======

      If you enter a file name that already exists, MM will OVERWRITE
      it -- without warning!  So, if you're not sure if a .Bat or .Com
      file already exists, enter a very unusual name (like 999_xxx).
      Then, after MM saves your files, just rename the .Bat and .Com
      files to anything you like.  And be sure to edit your batch file
      to update the name of .Com screen you're displaying.           


      Executable .COM Menu Screens                                  MM.5
      ============================

      If you tell MM to save "executable" .COM screens, it saves them
      with the "file name" you entered -- but with the first letter
      changed to "!".  For example:

       * If you save MENU.BAT, MM saves your COM screen as !ENU.COM.

       * If you save LOGON.BAT, MM saves the COM screen as !OGON.COM.


      The reason for the unusual (ugly?) names for .Com files is that we
      CANNOT save both a .Bat and a .Com file with the same name.  Why?

       * Suppose we saved both Menu.Com and Menu.Bat.  Later, when
         you type "menu <Enter>" to run Menu.Bat it would NEVER run!
         Menu.Com would run instead!

       * That's because when you run a program, DOS first looks for a
         .Com file by that name.  If found, DOS runs it.  If DOS can't
         find it, it looks for an .Exe file by that name.  If found,
         DOS runs it.  If not found, DOS then looks for a .Bat file.

         Since ".BAT" files are LAST in this "pecking order," if
         you have a batch file with the SAME NAME as a .Com or .Exe
         file, your batch file may never run!


      Feel free to rename the file(s) MM saves to anything you like.
      But if you change the name of .Com screens, be sure to edit
      your batch file to reflect the new file name.

                                                                       


      CHOOSING COLORS                                               MM.6
      ===============

      Finally, once you tell MM HOW to save your menu screen, it will
      display your menu screen and give you a chance to choose colors.


      By default, MM creates menus with:

       * a blue shadowed window

       * a single-line border around the window

       * a green backdrop (to highlight the blue window)


      You may change one of these, all of them, or any combination.  To
      do so, just press the cursor pad keys (you'll see instructions at
      the bottom of your screen).  As you press the cursor pad keys,
      you'll see your menu change.

       * Press ARROW keys to change the colors of the menu window itself.

         - Press Up/Down to select from 15 different foreground colors.

         - Press Left/Right to select from 8 background colors.


       * Press HOME or END to change the border style.  There are
         5 alternatives.  Try them all to see which you prefer.


       * Press PgUp or PgDn to change the color of the backdrop.

         One of the options is black.  If you choose this, you'll
         see no backdrop AND no shadow under the menu window --
         since black shadows are invisible on black backgrounds.


      NOTE:  The menu options themselves are printed in white on black.

       * We opted for simple colors here so your menu options would
         be "readable" on ANY monitor -- color or monochrome.

       * If you prefer different colors, select the <D>raw option (not
         the .Com screen option).  Then edit the batch file and change
         the colors Sparkle uses to display text.


      Press <Escape> when you like what you see.  MM will then save
      both your screen and your batch file to disk.  

                                                                       


      Vertical (not Horizontal) Menus.  Why?                        MM.7
      ======================================

      MM creates VERTICAL scrolling bar menus.  But Sparkle can handle
      either vertical -OR- horizontal scrolling bar menus.  Why can't
      Menu Magic create horizontal menus?  For two reasons.

       * First, we offer another program (P-Screen) with which you
         can create almost any text-mode screen you like.  You can
         save these screens to "compressed" .Com screens (or to
         "screen libraries" or ASCII files, etc.).  P-Screen's
         ".Com" screens are about 1/2 the size of those MM creates --
         thanks to P-Screen's screen compression.

         And P-Screen makes it very easy to add colors, draw lines
         and boxes, add shading, move things around, copy or erase
         things, add Big! Font messages (in over 20 Big! Font styles
         for bold, attention-getting titles), etc.

         You'll see several of P-Screen's screens when you run Demo.Bat
         -- which also demonstrates Sparkle's other menu options.


       * Second, we wanted to keep Menu Magic small, fast and to-the-
         point.  Since vertical bar menus are the most popular and
         flexible type of scrolling bar menus, and since we didn't want
         to duplicate capabilities that already exist in P-Screen, we
         built MM to offer the most widely used option.


      Menu screens DON'T mention <Escape>!
      ====================================

      Menu screens that MM creates do NOT mention that you can press
      <Escape> to exit menus altogether -- but that option DOES exist!

       * Once Sparkle turns your screen into a bar menu and takes over,
         users must select an option -OR- press <Escape> to exit.

       * But what should we do if users press <Esc>?  We can't know
         what YOU'D want to do, so we don't mention it.

       * Some people create menus with explicit options to "Quit."
         Others prefer to use <Escape> as the Quit key.  If you want
         users to know they can press <Escape> to do something, display
         a message (using "Echo" or Sparkle's "Quick Print" option) to
         tell users to press <Escape> to quit.

                                                                       


      More Options (More than 8 Menu Options)                       MM.8
      =======================================

      MM lets you enter up to 8 menu options.  This lets us display
      options attractively, without crowding.  But if you need more
      than 8 options, you have several choices.

      First, note that Sparkle can handle up to 25 menu options on
      VERTICAL scrolling bar menu.  And Sparkle can also create
      horizontal scrolling bar menus.  Finally, if you use Sparkle's
      "ASK" option, you can to turn ANY screen (text -OR- graphics) into
      a menu -- with as many options as you like.  Just display a screen
      telling users to press a key to make a choice.  Then run Sparkle
      and tell it which keys the user is allowed to press.  When users
      press one of these keys, Sparkle will exit, telling you which key
      they pressed (Sparkle sets the DOS errorlevel to let you know).

      In other words, Sparkle can turn ANY screen into a menu.  You don't
      necessarily need MM to create the screen for you.  But if you use
      Menu Magic, and you need more than 8 menu options, you can:

       1.  Include, on your menu, the option to go to another menu,
           which can display up to 8 more choices.  There's no limit
           to the number of menus you can have.  And each menu can
           branch to other menus -- one option going forward, and
           another option branching back go to an earlier menu.  To
           elect this format, use MM to create 2 or more batch files.
           Then merge them together into one batch file.

       2.  Create your menu screen in other ways.

           * Use the batch ECHO command to display your menu.

           * Use Sparkle's Window and Quick Print options to display
             your menu -- with windows, shadows and colors if you like.

           * Or use our P-Screen program to create any text-mode screen 
             you like.  P-Screen lets you save screens to screen libraries 
             or ASCII files, which you can later edit.

                                                                       


      ==================================================================
                        Using SUPER SPARKLE (SS.Exe)                SS.1
      ==================================================================

      Sparkle is fun!  So please experiment with its many options, sounds,
      colors, etc.  For a list of options, type: SS <Enter>

      Sparkle will display this (PRINT this as a quick reference guide):

         Sounds  SS  1 # #2  (# = 1 to 35, 88 or 99; #2 = # of times)
       Bar Menu  SS  2 TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol Color Direction
            Ask  SS  3 Row Column Color /ValidKeys /Text
      Big! Font  SS  4 Row Column Color CharacterCode /Text
      QuikPrint  SS  5 Row Column Color /Text
         Window  SS  6 TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol Color Frame /Text
          Pause  SS  7 HowLong (optional:  99 = allow interrupt)
        Monitor  SS  8 (optional: 99; Errorlevel = 1 if mono monitor)
          Paint  SS  9 TopRow LeftCol BotRow RtCol Color  # (1=All, 0=Border)
        Reverse  SS 10 TopRow LeftCol BotRow RtCol #Times # (1=All, 0=Border)
      Bright BG  SS 11 # (1=Bright Backgrounds On, 0=Off)
      Get Resp.  SS 12 Row Column Color Length # (1=Env./0=File) /Text /Name
       DOS Ver.  SS 13 (Errorlevel will be 21, 30, 40, 62, etc.)
      View File  SS 14 TopRow LeftCol BotRow RhtCol Color /File Name
         Prompt  SS 15 Row Column Color # (# = 1, 2 or 3)
      Dark Blue  SS 16 # (1=Dark Blue background on VGAs, 0=normal colors)
      BIGScroll  SS 17 Color Char.Code Font# (1=B'Way, 2=Normal) #Times /Text
      Fade_outs  SS 18 # (option 1 - 9) Color Slowdown (1 - 20)
     B'Way Font  SS 19 # (1=B'way, 0=Normal) VGA Appears w/ LOW intensity text

      Choosing Options
      ================

      Note that each option has a NUMBER.  To select options, just run
      Sparkle and type in a number.  For example:  SS 1  (sound effects).
      Each option also has sub-options (or instructions) you send Sparkle.
      In general, run Sparkle like this:

                     SS  Option_#  1  2  3  4 ..... <enter>

           Where:   Option_# is a number from (1=Sound, 2=Menu, etc.)

                    1, 2, 3 ... etc. are sub-options (or instructions)

          Notice:   * A space MUST separate each item on the command line.

                    * If we ask for numbers, send only numbers (not A - Z).

                    * When you send us text, begin it with "/" (we'll
                      explain shortly how to begin text with other than
                      "/" -- in case you must use "/" in your text).

           Color:   Several options require a Color -- a # from 1 - 255
                    telling us which foreground AND background color to use.
                    See "Choosing Color Numbers" for tips on choosing colors.

      Errorlevel:   Some options return a DOS Errorlevel.  See "Testing
                    Errorlevels" and the description of each option.   


      Examples:                                                     SS.2
      =========

      SOUNDS        SS 1 14

                    1 = Sound Effects.  14 = the 14th sound effect.


      BIG! FONT     SS 4 1 1 112 219 /Big! Font

                    4 = print Big! Font messages.  Other items tell us:

                    - WHERE to print it (row 1, column 1 in this example).

                    - The COLORS to use (112 in this example:  black
                      letters on a white background).

                    - Which character to CONSTRUCT your message with
                      (ASCII 219 in this example; use ANY number 1 - 254).

                    - And WHAT to print ("Big! Font" in this example).


      ASK           SS 3 25 35 15 /123 /Press 1, 2 or 3

                    3 = Ask (print a message or prompt and wait for a
                    key).  Other instructions tell us where to print it,
                    what color to use, and what message to print.


      PROMPT        SS 15 25 23 78 3

                    15 = Prompt (print a dynamic prompt or message to
                    tell users it's time to press a key).

                    - "25 23" tells Sparkle to print the prompt on line
                      25, column 23.

                    - "78" tells us to use color 78 -- bright yellow on
                      a red background.

                    - And "3" selects the 3rd prompt option:  a scrolling
                      "Press any key to continue . . .".

      An IMPORTANT Note about sending TEXT
      ====================================

      For many Sparkle options, you'll specify "text" you want displayed.
      TO PAD BOTH ends of that text with <spaces>, begin AND end that
      text with "/" (or the "text marker" you've chosen; more on this
      later).  For example, to SCROLL a tall message across the screen
      AND have it clear itself, send Sparkle instructions like this:

         SS 17 4 219 0 0 /Scroll this message          /
                                             ^^^^^^^^^^^
      The extra spaces followed by "/" causes the message to clear
      itself from the screen.                                          


                Debugging Batch Files; Sparkle's Error Codes        SS.3
      ==================================================================

      Sometimes batch files (like any "program") do things we didn't
      anticipate.  And we sometimes make mistakes when developing them.
      But figuring out what went wrong can often be difficult -- since
      batch files don't give us obvious feedback about our mistakes.

      Fortunately, Sparkle lets you turn "test mode" (SPT) ON.  This
      tells Sparkle to DISPLAY the results of various options.  To do
      this, at the DOS prompt type (note: "SPT" means Sparkle Test):

                SET SPT=?<enter>  (NO spaces except after "SET")

      where "?" is:

        - Any character -- which will cause Sparkle to display the
          ErrorLevel at row 25, column 77, then move on.

        - PAUSE (the word PAUSE) -- which causes Sparkle to print the
          ErrorLevel, then wait for you to press a key before moving on.

      To turn this option OFF, type:  SET SPT=<enter>  (nothing after "=").


      How does this help?
      ===================

      Suppose you run Sparkle and nothing happens.  Why?  If you don't
      SET SPT=, you may never know.  But if you SET SPT=, Sparkle might
      suggest that you did something wrong by displaying one of these
      error codes (and by setting the DOS errorlevel to these numbers):

        255 - Option number out of range:  you specified no option,
              or the option number you specified was GREATER than
              the highest option Sparkle offers.

        254 - Illegal screen coordinates (e.g., a Row or Column of 195)

        253 - No menu options found (scrolling bar menus); or,
              File not found (View File); or,
              No text sent (for options that print text, Big! Fonts, etc.)

      Or, suppose you use Sparkle's dynamic PROMPT option and want to
      BRANCH depending on which key a user presses.  You add "If error-
      level ..." statements to your batch file -- but they're not
      working.  If you turn SPT ON, Sparkle will display the ASCII
      values of keys pressed.  You might discover, for example, that
      you asked users to press <Space>, but didn't count on someone
      pressing <Enter>.  Or you might have expected UPPER case letters,
      and didn't anticipate lower case letters.


      NOTE:  SET SPT= requires "environment space."  See "Running out of
      Environment Space" later in this manual.
                                                                       


            Changing the "Text Marker" -- SET SPM=?    (edit "?")   SS.4
      ==================================================================

      Several of Sparkle's options ask for text (e.g., Window), or a mes-
      sage (Big! Font) or a prompt or list of "valid keys" (Ask), etc.

      By default, Sparkle expects you to begin text with "/" --  Sparkle's
      "text marker."  But sometimes you must include "/" as part of your
      text or message.  If so, you can CHANGE the text marker.  To do so,
      at the DOS prompt (or in batch files), enter:

      SET SPM=?  ("SPM" means Sparkle Marker; NO spaces except after "SET")

      where "?" is ANY ASCII character you want to use to begin text.

      For example:   SET SPM=~   \   These tell Sparkle you'll use "~", or
                     SET SPM=[    )  "[" or "@" to mark the beginning of
                     SET SPM=@   /   text.  You can then use "/" AS text!

      To turn this feature OFF (to restore "/" as the text marker), type:
               SET SPM=<enter>   (notice there's nothing after "=").

      NOTE:   See "Running out of Environment Space" below.

      ALSO NOTE:  If you run a batch file and Sparkle prints NO TEXT,
      the likely cause is that SET SPM= and your batch file are out-of-
      synch:  your batch file is using one text marker, but you've used
      SET SPM= and told Sparkle to look for a different marker.


                         Running out of Environment Space
      ==================================================================

      DOS sets aside a small amount of RAM memory ("environment space")
      to store "environment variables" (in DOS 6.2, the default amount
      of environment space is 256 bytes).

      DOS stores several things in this "environment" -- your PATH
      statement, your PROMPT $... choices, COMSPEC=...., etc.  To
      see what's already in your environment, type:  SET <enter>.

      256 bytes isn't much.  And if your environment is already full,
      you may not be able to use SET SPT= or SET SPM=.

      Similarly, Sparkle's "Get Input" option lets you ask users to enter
      a 1 - 80 character response (like their name).  Sparkle can then save
      their response, either to a file, or in the "environment variable"
      you specify.  But, if a user's environment space is full, Sparkle
      will fail -- it won't be able to SET the variable you specify to
      what users enter (it WILL set the ErrorLevel to 100+, however).

      You (or your users) can INCREASE environment space by editing your
      CONFIG.SYS file and add/editing a line that looks this:

                     shell=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM  /e:512

      "/e:512" reserves 512 bytes of RAM for environment variables.    


                            Option 1:   SOUND EFFECTS               SS.5
      ==================================================================

      To use:   SS  1  #  #2  (# = 1 to 35, 88 or 99) (#2 = # of times)

      Purpose:  To give you over 35 simple-to-complex sound effects.  You
                may also repeat sound effects "#2" times (-or- until
                users press a key).   This is optional; you can omit #2.

                 * Sound #88 = a ringing phone

                 * Sound #99 = part of the William Tell Overture

      Examples:

              SS 1  99
                 ^  ^
                 |  }"99" means play part of the William Tell Overture
                 |
                 }option 1 (Sound Effects)

          Replace "99" with 88 or any number from 1 to 35.  Numbers 6
          through 14 offer compound sounds -- trills, "Oh Oh," etc.
          Other numbers are simple tones of various durations.

              SS 1  6  25
                 ^  ^  ^
                 |  |  }repeat the sound 25 times, OR until a key is pressed
                 |  |
                 |  }sound effect #6
                 |
                 }option 1 (Sound Effects)

          If you include "#2" ("repeat sounds"), Sparkle plays the sound,
          then repeats it # times (for a total of 26 in this example).
          This is useful, for example, when you want to begin a LONG
          process (like de-fragmenting your hard disk), ignore your PC
          as it happens, then have Sparkle alert you when it's done.

          You can repeat sounds up to 9,999 times!  This effectively
          means that sound effects will continue until you press a key.
          Depending on which sound you choose, 9,999 times could mean
          a few minutes, a few hours or a few days!

            * Remember, you can press a key to stop!
            * But you'd better tell users that.

          You can press a key at any time to stop sounds played multiple
          times.  Between each sound effect, Sparkle pauses just a bit
          to ensure the sounds don't blend into one.  Sounds 88 and 99
          may NOT be repeated -- they're simply too long.

      NOTE:  Sparkle checks to see what type of CPU is being used.  It
             does this to ensure sounds are comparable regardless of
             whether an 8088, 286, 386, 486, Pentium, etc. is used.  In
             other words, the sounds should be similar regardless of how
             fast the PC is.  But speakers will affect sounds.         


                        Option 2:  SCROLLING BAR MENUS              SS.6
      ==================================================================

      To use:   SS 2 TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol Color Direction

      Purpose:  To turn ANY text-mode (not graphics-mode) screen into
                a Vertical -or- Horizontal scrolling bar menu -- WITH
                mouse support!  Here's what you do:

      1. Display a screen.  You can use Sparkle's Window and Quick Print
         options to create a menu.  You can "echo" text in a batch file.
         Or you can run "executable .Com screens" and blast screens up.

      2. Then run Sparkle like this:

             SS 2 TopRow LeftColumn BotRow RightColumn Color Direction

         Where:

             - "2" = Option 2 (Scrolling Bar Menus)

             - TopRow, LeftColumn, BotRow, RightColumn indicate WHERE
               the menu options are on your screen (screen "coordinates").

             - Color is a number from 1 - 127 (usually) indicating the
               color we should use to HIGHLIGHT menu options.  If zero,
               we'll use 112 (black on white).  See "Choosing Color
               Numbers" for help on determining this color number.

             - Direction = 1 (vertical menu) or 2 (horizontal menu)

             NOTE:  To determine TopRow, LeftColumn, BotRow and RightColumn:

                    1) Run "Ruler.Exe" -- our RAM-resident ruler.  When
                       your menu screen is visible, call up Ruler.  Move
                       the cursor to the top left corner of your menu.
                       Write down the Row/Column, then move to the bottom,
                       right corner.  Note its Row/Column, then uses
                       these numbers in your Sparkle command.

                    2) Or you can manually count rows and columns.

      3. Test Errorlevel.   (See "A Note About Testing Errorlevels")

         Sparkle returns a DOS Errorlevel indicating which option was
         selected.  Interpret the Errorlevel like this:

         1 to x    = The number of the option chosen (1 = the 1st option,
                     2 = 2nd option ... x = last option)

         27        = Esc was pressed

         254 or 255= Either your screen location variables were "wrong"
                     (e.g., Top Row <<greater than>> Bottom Row).

                     Or we found no TEXT / Menu Choices in the area
                     of the screen where you said your menu would be.  


     Scrolling Bar Menus (continued)                                SS.7
     ===================================================================

              SS 2  5 45  20 78 79 1
                 ^  ^ /   ^ /   |  ^
                 |  |/    |/    |  }It's a Vertical menu (choices up/down)
                 |  |     |     |
                 |  |     |     }Highlight menu options in White on Red
                 |  |     |
                 |  |     }menu ends on row 20, column 78
                 |  |
                 |  }menu starts on row 5, column 45
                 |
                 }option 2 (Scrolling Bar Menus)

      IMPORTANT NOTES on Creating Bar Menus: : : :
      ============================================

       1.  Once you define your menu's " screen coordinates," we scan
           the screen looking for "menu text."  We ignore blank lines
           and lines with only "graphics" (lines, boxes or shading).

           - ANY text found inside your screen coordinates WILL be
             considered menu text -- UNLESS you begin that line of text
             with ASCII character 255.  Character 255 tells Sparkle to
             ignore lines of text (which might explain what users should
             do, that you use to introduce something, etc.).

             You can enter character 255 in two ways:

             a) Create menu screens using our P-Screen program.  Move
                the cursor to the beginning of each line of text you
                want us to ignore.  Press Alt-A to display the "ASCII"
                chart.  Move the cursor to the last character in the
                chart (it will look blank).  Press <Enter> to accept it.

             b) Most word processors or editors let you enter "High
                ASCII" characters.  Load your menu screen into your word
                processor.  Move the cursor to the beginning of any line
                of text you want us to ignore.  Hold down the Alt key,
                then type "255" on the NUMERIC KEYPAD of your keyboard
                (DON'T use the numbers at the top of your keyboard.

             Character 255 looks blank space on your screen.  You can
             "paint" it any color you want, or move, copy or delete it.

       2.  In Horizontal menus, use character 255 to "link" 2 or more
           words that are part of the same menu option.  For example:

                  Lotus 123    Paradox    WordPerfect   Quit

           This menu has 4 options.  But notice the space between
           "Lotus" and "123".  If we don't plug that space with char-
           acter 255 (or ANY non-space character), Sparkle WILL treat
           "123" as a menu option -- giving us 5 not 4 options.
                                                                             


      Important Notes on Scrolling Bar Menus (continued)            SS.8
      ==================================================================

       3.  In VERTICAL menus, each line should be a single menu choice.

            * Each line can include as many words as you like (and you
              needn't fill blanks between words with character 255).

            * If a menu option needs 2 or more lines, start the 2nd,
              3rd, etc. lines with character 255 -- so we ignore them.


       4.  In HORIZONTAL menus, ALL menu options must be on ONE line.
           And the first line of text we find that does NOT begin with
           character 255 will be treated as your menu line.  NOTE:
           TopRow and BotRow are usually the SAME for horizontal menus!


       5.  Sparkle HIGHLIGHTS menu choices using the color you specify.

           To ensure the highlight is visible, BE SURE to use a color
           that contrasts with the basic colors of your menu.  If you
           don't, the menu highlight will be hard or impossible to see.
           For example, if your menu is blue or red (i.e., dark), try 112
           (black on white).  But if your menu is light (cyan, white,
           yellow, etc.), consider a red (79) or blue (31) highlight.

           See "Choosing Color Numbers" for a chart that can help you
           choose a "color number."

           NOTE:  In earlier versions of Sparkle we highlighted menu
           option by REVERSING colors.  This simplified your task since
           you didn't have to tell us what color to use.  BUT, we got
           reports that *some* reversed colors were invisible on some
           monitors.  So we returned to the earlier approach (speci-
           fying a color) to give YOU greater safety and flexibility.


       6.  Using a MOUSE to select options in bar menus:

            * Click the LEFT button on any option to *highlight* it.

            * DOUBLE click the LEFT button on options to *select* them.

            * Sparkle uses only the left mouse button; it ignores others.
                                                                           

       7.  Using the KEYBOARD to select options in bar menus:

            * *Highlight* an option, then press <cr> to accept it.

            * To highlight options, press the Up or Down cursor keys,
              -or- press the first letter of the option you want.  If
              2 or more options begin with the same first letter, keep
              pressing that letter until we highlight the option you want.
                                                                       


                               Option 3:  ASK                       SS.9
      ==================================================================

      To Use:   SS  3  Row Column Color /ValidKeys /Text

      Purpose:  ASK lets you turn ANY screen into a menu screen.  Or
                use ASK to pause until users press a key.  You can:

                1) display messages anywhere on the screen (text mode ONLY)
                2) display them in any color you want
                3) wait for users to press one of the keys you specified,
                   then report an Errorlevel indicating which key was
                   pressed.  (See "A Note About Testing Errorlevels")

       YOU specify which keys we should exit on (Sparkle also exits when
       Escape is pressed).  For example, suppose you display a menu and
       ask users to choose options by pressing 1, 2, 3, 4 or Q to Quit.

        - Just tell us the Valid Keys are 1234Q.

        - If "ValidKeys" is NULL (empty or nothing), we'll wait until
          ANY KEY is pressed, then exit with Errorlevel set to 0.

       Example:

               SS 3 25 35 112 /1234q /Please press 1, 2, 3, 4 or [Q]uit
                  ^  ^ /  ^   ^      ^
                  |  |/   |   |      }print the message beginning with "/"
                  |  |    |   |
                  |  |    |   }wait until user presses one of these keys
                  |  |    |
                  |  |    }print the "prompt" in color 112 (black on white)
                  |  |
                  |  }print on Row 25, Column 35
                  |
                  }option 3 (ASK)

      NOTES on Ask
      ============

       - If ValidKeys AND Text are both blank, Sparkle prints nothing
         and simply waits until users press ANY key.

       - Sparkle sets the DOS Errorlevel to indicate which key was pressed.

         -- 27 means Escape was pressed.

         -- Otherwise it's the Ascii code of the UPPER CASE key pressed.
            APPENDIX III lists the Ascii codes for many keyboard charac-
            ters.  Note that Sparkle returns UPPER case keypresses.  We
            don't distinguish a from A.  But your list of Valid Keys can
            be in upper or lower case (or both).

         -- See "Notes on Testing Errorlevels" for examples of how to
            deal with these.

       - IMPORTANT:  You MUST use the "text marker" (/=default) to begin
         BOTH your list of valid keys AND the text to be printed.       


                                           SS.10
                                                  
                                     
                                          
                                        
                                             
                                   
      ==================================================================

      To Use:   SS  4  Row Column Color CharacterCode /Text
                   -4  Row Column Color CharacterCode /Text

      Purpose:  Big! Font, prints messages 7 - 8 lines high.  Each
                character will be 8 columns wide.  You can:

                - display Big! Font messages anywhere on the screen
                - display them in any color you want
                - "build" messages using ANY ASCII character

         NOTE:  Using "-4" tells Sparkle to use ALTERNATING colors.
                While foreground colors are fixed (run Demo.Bat to
                see examples), you STILL send a Color # to tell Sparkle
                which BACKGROUND color to use.

      Example:

                 SS 4  9  1 12  219 /Hi There !
                    ^  ^ /  ^   ^   ^
                    |  |/   |   |   }print the message beginning with "/"
                    |  |    |   |
                    |  |    |   }"Build" characters using ASCII character 219
                    |  |    |
                    |  |    }print in color 12 (Bright Red on Black)
                    |  |
                    |  }begin printing on Row 9, Column 1
                    |
                    }option 4 (Big! Font)

      NOTES on Big! Font
      ==================
       * Since each character is 8 columns wide, only 10 Big! Font
         characters fit on 80-column screens.

       * "Row" is the TOP row on which to begin printing.  Most Big!
         Font characters will have 7 lines.  But characters with
         descenders (g, y, q, p, etc.) also need the 8th line.

         - Be sure to specify a Row 7 - 8 lines above the bottom of your
           screen -- or you won't see the bottom of the characters.

         - Sparkle WILL print on 43- or 50-line screens.

       * Sparkle "builds" characters using the ASCII character you specify.
         If you specify "0" we'll build each character using THAT char-
         acter (ie., we'll build a "G" with Gs, an "X" with Xs, etc.).
         - Use 219 - 223 for bold, solid or "striped" characters.
         - Use 1 or 2 for "happy faces," 176 - 178 for shaded characters.
         - ANY ASCII character from 1 to 254 will work.                


                            Option 5:  QUICK PRINT                 SS.11
      ==================================================================

       To use:   SS  5  Row Column Color /Text

       Purpose:  Quickly print text ANYWHERE on your screen in ANY color.
                 You can print ANY Ascii character from 1 - 255 -- you're
                 not limited to printing normal keyboard characters.

       Example:

                 SS 5  25 25  112  /Good Morning
                    ^   ^ /   ^    ^
                    |   |/    |    }print the message beginning with "/"
                    |   |     |
                    |   |     }print in color 112 (black on white)
                    |   |
                    |   }begin printing on Row 25, Column 25
                    |
                    }option 5 (Quick Print)

                                                                       


                             Option 6:  WINDOWS                    SS.12
      ==================================================================

       To Use:   SS  6  TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol Color Frame /Text
                 SS -6  Draws an EXPLODING window (all else is the same).
                        Exploding windows GROW to the size you specify.

       Purpose:  Quickly display windows (boxes) on the screen in any color.
                 - Choose from over 250 frame styles!
                 - Windows can be shadowed (send NEGATIVE Frame #), or not.
                 - You can include a "title", centered on the top row.
                 - NEGATIVE color #s mean FILL areas with ASCII characters.

       Frame     Sparkle offers over 250 frame styles.  Select these by
       styles:   setting "Frame" to 1 to 255.  Frame #s 1 - 5 include:

                   1 = Single line all around                        ()
                   2 = Double line all around                        ()
                   3 = Double horizontal line, single vertical line  ()
                   4 = Single horizontal line, double vertical line  ()
                   5 = Bolder solid line                             ()
                   6 = Like 5, but 2 corners are "notched"

                 Frame numbers from 7 - 255 tell Sparkle to draw window
                 in that ASCII character.

      Filling    NEGATIVE color numbers tell Sparkle to FILL areas with the
      Windows    ASCII character you send as a Frame #.  For example, try:

                   7, 249 or 250 = dots of various sizes  (can't show here)
                    32 = The Space character -- a solid patch of color
                    etc.  You get the idea.  Experiment!

       Frameless ASCII characters 32 and 255 are blank.  Use these frame
       Windows:  "styles" to create frameless splashes of color!  Use
                 -32 or -255 to get shadowed splashes of color!

       Titles:   Sparkle centers "/Text" on the top row of the window.

       Shadow:   To request a "drop shadow" for windows, send Sparkle a
                 NEGATIVE frame number (e.g., -2).  Shadows are drawn
                 right of and below your window.  Be sure to allow for
                 TWO extra columns on the right, and ONE extra row on
                 the bottom of shadowed windows.

       Example:

                SS -6  5 7  20 75  79  -1  /My Window
                    ^   ^ /  ^ /    ^   ^   ^
                    |   |/   |/     |   |   }Center this title on the top line
                    |   |    |      |   }Frame style 1 (negative = shadowed)
                    |   |    |      }Use color 79 (White on Red)
                    |   |    }Window ends on row 20, column 75 (shadow below)
                    |   }Window starts on row 5, column 7 (shadow on right)
                    }option -6 (Exploding Window)                      


                             Option 7:  PAUSE                      SS.13
      ==================================================================

       To Use:   SS  7  HowLong  99 (99 is optional; it means let users
                        press a key to interrupt the pause)

       Purpose:  To allow batch files to briefly pause, then continue.

                  - You may pause from 1/3 second to several minutes.

                  - By adding "99" you'll let users "interrupt" (bypass)
                    the pause, and move on.  This is optional.

       Examples:

                 SS 7  12
                    ^  ^
                    |  }Pause for 4 seconds (each # = 1/3 second)
                    |
                    }option 7 (Pause)


                 SS 7  15  99
                    ^  ^   ^
                    |  |   }Pause, but let user "press a key" to go on
                    |  |
                    |  }Pause for 5 seconds (each # = 1/3 second)
                    |
                    }option 7 (Pause)

      NOTES on Pause
      ==============

       * "HowLong" is measured in 1/3 second increments.  "12" tells
         Sparkle to pause 4 seconds (12/3 = 4).  Similarly, "24" means
         pause 8 seconds (24/3 = 8).

         An easy way to decide what number to use is to decide how
         many SECONDS you want to pause, then MULTIPLY that by 3.

       * To let users "press a key" to interrupt the pause and move on,
         send Sparkle 2 numbers:  HowLong -AND- 99.   For example:

            SS 7 6 99   (pause 2 seconds; but let users proceed)

       * Sparkle checks to see what type of CPU is being used -- to
         ensure pauses are the same regardless of whether an 8088, 286
         386, 486, Pentium, etc. is being used.

         HOWEVER, the speed of disk drives WILL affect pauses.  That's
         because Sparkle must load first, and then pause.  While Sparkle
         is small and loads quickly, floppy disks are 10 - 20 times
         SLOWER than hard disks.  If your batch files will run off of
         different types of disks, test them on different drive types to
         determine the length of a pause that's a "happy medium" on all
         drives.                                                    


                             Option 8:  MONITOR                    SS.14
      ==================================================================

       To Use:   SS  8  99 ("99", optional, is explained below)


       Purpose:  Report what type of display adapter AND monitor is
                 active.  This can help you select colors to use in batch
                 files -- those appropriate for color or mono monitors.


       Example:

                 SS 8
                    ^
                    }option 8 (Monitor type)

                 SS 8  99
                    ^  ^
                    |  }Set Errorlevel=1 if a monochrome monitor is detected
                    |   (regardless of the type of display adapter present)
                    |
                    }option 8 (Monitor type)

      NOTES on Monitor
      ================

       * Option 8 tells Sparkle to set the DOS Errorlevel based on BOTH
         the type of display adapter AND the type of monitor detected.

         If you run Sparkle with NO options (ie., Sparkle 8), it sets
         the Errorlevel as follows:

           1 = Monochrome adapter            2 = Hercules adapter
           3 = CGA adapter
           4 = EGA adapter/Mono monitor      5 = EGA adapter/Color monitor
           6 = VGA adapter/Mono monitor      7 = VGA adapter/Color monitor
           8 = MCGA adapter/Mono monitor     9 = MCGA adapter/Color monitor
          10 = EGA adapter/CGA monitor      11 = IBM 8514/A adapter

       * NOTE that options 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 ALL indicate a monochrome
         monitor is being used.  If all you must know is if the monitor
         is Color or Monochrome, run Sparkle like this:   SS  8  99

          - "99" tells Sparkle to set Errorlevel = 1 when monochrome
            monitors are detected (ie., if Sparkle would normally report
            1, 4, 6 or 8).

          - This can simplify testing Errorlevels to something like:

            If Errorlevel 3 goto ItsColor   'If greater than or equal to 3..
            Goto ItsMonochrome              'Otherwise, assume it's mono.

       THE NEXT PAGE has examples of how you can use Option 8 to set
       options "on the fly" in batch files.                            


       Option 8 MONITOR  (continued)                               SS.15


       Two DOS features (SET and "named parameters") can help customize
       batch files (select appropriate colors) -- depending on the type
       of monitor Sparkle tells you is active.  (These features may NOT
       be available with early DOS versions -- 2.x or earlier.)

       "Named parameters" let you define "variables" you can use later
       in batch files.  Basically, you:

        * Use DOS' SET command to SET variable(s) to specific values
          (e.g., SET ErrSound=12, or SET MyColor=15, or SET HiLite=112).

        * Run Sparkle and use variable NAMES rather than values (e.g.,
          SS 1 %ErrSound% -- note "%" on BOTH sides of "ErrSound").


       Here's an example.  Notice how we will:

         1.  Run Sparkle to see if a color monitor is being used.

         2.  Depending on the type of monitor detected (color or mono),
             we SET a variable called "WhichClr" to a color appropriate
             for that monitor.

             "WhichClr" will now be available to every other line in
             our batch file -- as long as we use the variable name.

         3.  We then use the variable NAME to tell Sparkle which color
             to print with.

             -- NOTICE that when we use variables in batch files,
                we place it between TWO percent signs (e.g.,
                %WhichClr%).  This is REQUIRED by DOS!

                 SS 8 99                       '"99" since we only need to
                                               'know if it's color or mono

            If Errorlevel 3 goto _PrtInColor   'if 3 or higher, it's color

            Set WhichClr=112                   'If 1 or 2, it's a
                                               'monochrome monitor; use
                                               'simple Black on White.

            SS 5 21 15 %WhichClr% / MONOCHROME monitor detected

            goto Got_Monitor ("jump" over the Color section)

            :_PrtInColor

            Set WhichClr=78                     'It's color, SET "WhichClr"
                                                'to 78  (Yellow on Red).
            SS 5 21 15 %WhichClr% / COLOR monitor detected

            :Got_Monitor  (continue. . .)                            


                            Option 9:   PAINT                      SS.16
      ==================================================================

          Note:   Paint and Reverse Color work in similar ways.  And
                  you can use paint and reverse in quick succession
                  to create some interesting displays.  See "Notes on
                  Paint and Reverse Color."


         Syntax:  SS  9  TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol Color_#  #


        Purpose:  Paint any area of text screens in any of 255 colors.

                  - Paint anything from 1 character to the full screen,
                    or any rectangular area in between.

                  - You can paint using blinking colors if you like.  And
                    you can paint the entire area, or just the border
                    around the area.

                  - If you "turn on" bright backgrounds (option #11), and
                    then paint with blinking colors, they'll be displayed
                    as stunning bright backgrounds (on most color monitors).
                    See Option 11, Bright Backgrounds for details.


      To Use it:  SS 9 TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol  Color_#  #

                  Where:
                    - "9" = Option #9 (the Paint Screen option)

                    - TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol  indicate the
                      rectangular area of the screen you want to paint.

                      The top left corner of your screen would be row 1,
                      column 1.  The bottom right corner of 25-line
                      screens would be 25, 80.

                    - Color_# is a number from 0 to 255 indicating both
                      the foreground and background color.  See "Choosing
                      Color Numbers" for details.

                    - "#" is 1 or 0.  If it's 1, Sparkle paints the
                      entire area you specified.  If it's 0, Sparkle
                      paints just the border around the area.

                                                                       


                         Option 10:   REVERSE COLOR                SS.17
      ==================================================================

          Note:   Paint and Reverse Color work in similar ways.  And
                  you can use paint and reverse in quick succession
                  to create some interesting displays.  See "Notes on
                  Paint and Reverse Color."


         Syntax:  SS  10  TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol  Times  #


        Purpose:  Reverse colors in any area of text screens.  By
                  "reverse" we mean that the foreground color becomes
                  the background, and the background becomes the
                  foreground.

                  - "Times" means "how many times."  If it's greater
                    than 1, we'll reverse the colors, pause about 1
                    second, then reverse them again, then again, then
                    .... as many times as you specify.  This is very
                    handy to draw attention to areas of the screen,
                    then move on.

                    If you reverse areas an EVEN number of times,
                    you'll end up with the original colors.

                  - You can reverse anything from 1 character to the
                    full screen, or any rectangular area in between.

                  - If the final parameter ("#") is "1," we'll reverse
                    the entire area.  If it's "0," we'll reverse just
                    the border around the area.


      To Use it:  SS 10 TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol  Times  #

                  Where:
                    - "10" = Option #10 (the Reverse Colors option)

                    - "TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol " indicate the
                      rectangular area of the screen you want reversed.

                      The top left corner of your screen would be row 1,
                      column 1.  The bottom right corner of 25-line
                      screens would be 25, 80.

                    - "Times" is a number from 1 to (anything) indicating
                      how many times we should reverse colors.  Remember,
                      every second time restores the original colors.
                      So use EVEN numbers to end up with original colors.
                      Use ODD numbers to end up with the colors reversed.

                    - "#" is 1 or 0.  If it's 1, Sparkle will reverse
                      the entire area you specified.  If it's 0, just
                      the border around the area will be reversed.    


                       Notes on Paint and Reverse Color            SS.18
      ==================================================================

       * Reverse Color literally reverses the foreground and background
         colors in areas you specify.  Please note that some color com-
         binations look fine in normal mode but NOT when reversed.  In
         fact, text may be unreadable if you reverse certain colors.

         - IF you want text to be readable whether it's in normal or
           reversed mode, begin with highly contrasting colors (eg.,
           White on Black or Blue), and AVOID bright foreground colors.

         - OR, make sure you reverse colors an EVEN number of times so
           that when we're done, your original colors are restored.


       * If you enter "illegal" screen coordinates (e.g., a top row
         greater than the bottom row), one of two things may occur:
         1) nothing; or, 2) a strangely painted screen.

         In other words, nothing tragic should occur.  For example, if
         your screen is in 25 row by 80 column mode, and you tell Sparkle
         to paint column 10 to column 5343, Sparkle will keep wrapping
         around the screen until it paints about 5300 characters.


       * Both Paint and Reverse work fine on 43 or 50 line screens.  Of
         course it's up to you to put your screen in these modes first.


       * To paint with Bright Background colors, first turn bright back-
         grounds on (see the next page), then paint something using
         blinking colors.  You get blinking colors by choosing a color
         from the color chart you'll find later, then adding 128 to the
         color number.

                                                                       


                        Option 11:   BRIGHT BACKGROUNDS            SS.19
      ==================================================================

         Syntax:  SS  11  #    ("#" is 1 = ON, 0 = OFF)

        Purpose:  To display things in colors you normally can't get.
                  To turn bright background colors on -or- off.

      IMPORTANT:  In text mode, PC monitors can normally display 128
                  colors (by combining 16 foreground with 8 background
                  colors).  You can also make these colors blink, giving
                  you 128 more colors.  BUT, on color monitors, you can
                  turn blinking colors into striking bright backgrounds.

                  Bright backgrounds are achieved by using BLINKING
                  FOREGROUND colors, and then telling the PC to display
                  blinking as bright backgrounds.  This means:

                  - You CAN'T mix blinking foregroundq and bright back-
                    grounds on the same screen:  they're exclusive.

                  - You CAN, however, mix bright and normal backgrounds.

                  Bright backgrounds can ONLY be displayed on color-
                  capable monitors.  If you print or paint with bright
                  backgrounds on Hercules or monochrome monitors (and
                  older IBM CGA monitors), you'll get BLINKING INSTEAD!

                  In short, you need a CGA, EGA or VGA monitor to success-
                  fully use this option.  On some older IBM CGA monitors,
                  you'll get blinking instead of bright backgrounds.  If
                  you're unsure what type of monitor will be in use when
                  your batch file runs, you may want to AVOID this option.


      To Use it:  SS 11 #

                    - "11" = Option #11 (the Bright Background option)

                    - "#" = 1 (turn ON) or 0 (turn OFF) bright backgrounds

      Once you turn bright backgrounds on:

       * Anything currently on your screens that's blinking will stop
         blinking and appear with bright backgrounds.

       * Anything you subsequently print or paint with blinking colors
         will be displayed with bright backgrounds instead.

         - To print using bright backgrounds, choose the color you want
           to print with from the Color Table below.  Then add 128 to it
           to turn it into a blinking color.

       * If you print or paint using bright backgrounds, then turn bright
         backgrounds off, at least part of your screen will start blinking.

                                                                       


                          Option 12:  GET INPUT                    SS.20
      ==================================================================

         Syntax:  SS  12  Row Column Color Length # /Prompt /Name


        Purpose:  This sophisticated option lets you get input from
                  users (from 1 to 80 characters), then save it to
                  either a file -or- an environment variable.  For
                  example, get passwords.  Or get users' names, and
                  then "customize" batch file messages by including
                  users' names using DOS' "named parameters" feature.
                  See the section called "Using DOS' Named Parameters"
                  for details.

                  - Setting environment variables may NOT work with DOS
                    versions 1.x or 2.x.  Therefore, before using this,
                    you might want to use Sparkle's "Get DOS Version"
                    option to see which version of DOS is being used.

                    There must ALSO be enough ENVIRONMENT SPACE (memory)
                    to save information in environment variables.  We'll
                    discuss this issue below.

                  - If you tell Sparkle to set an environment variable,
                    you can use DOS' "named parameters" feature to use
                    this variable later in your batch file.

                  - You can specify a prompt (eg., "Enter your ID #--> ").

                  - You can specify the MAXIMUM number of characters to
                    accept.  If "Length" is NEGATIVE, it tells Sparkle
                    the # is also the MINIMUM.  In this case, you MUST
                    enter, say, exactly 6 characters.  No more, no less.

                  - You can specify where on the screen we'll print the
                    prompt, and what colors to use.  Prompts are optional.


      IMPORTANT:  This is the only Sparkle option that might cause
                  errors.  As Sparkle exits this option, it sets the
                  DOS Errorlevel to let you know what happened.  See
                  "A Note On Testing Errorlevels."

                  If the Errorlevel is 0, no error occurred.  If it's
                  greater than 0, an error occurred, possibly due to:

                   - Disk or Drive errors when saving output to a file.

                   - Errors creating an environment variable (105 = too
                     little environment space, 103 = illegal variable name).

                   - You entered illegal screen coordinates (eg., you told
                     us to print the prompt or get input in column 90 on
                     an 80 column monitor).
                                                                       


                                                                    SS.21

      To Use it:  SS 12 Row Column Color Length # /Prompt /Name

                    - "12" = Option #12 (the Get Input option)

                    - "Row  Column" indicate where on the screen we should
                      print the prompt (if any), then pause to get input.

                    - Color is a number from 0 to 255 indicating both
                      the foreground and background color.  See "Choosing
                      Color Numbers" for details.  We use the same color
                      to print the prompt and while you're typing.

                    - Length is the maximum number of characters to
                      allow.  If Length is NEGATIVE, you're telling
                      Sparkle to accept EXACTLY the number of characters
                      you specify -- no more, no less.  Be careful here.
                      If you use NEGATIVE length numbers, BE SURE to
                      tell users to enter EXACTLY the # of characters
                      you insist on.

                    - "#" is 1 or 0.  "1" tells Sparkle2 to save what's
                      entered to an environment variable.  "0" means
                      save what's been entered to a file on disk.  In
                      either case the NAME used will be the name you
                      specify in the "/Name" variable.

                    - "/Prompt" is the prompt string you'd like us to
                      display at Row, Column.  This is optional.  If
                      /Prompt is blank, we'll pause at Row, Column to
                      get input.  You MUST include the "/" even if you
                      want no prompt.

                    - "/Name" is the name of a file -or- environment
                      variable we'll use to pass what's been entered
                      back to you.  If "/Name" is blank, we'll use "SS".


      NOTE:   If you tell Sparkle to save user input to a file (# = 0),
              we'll APPEND that input to the file.  This means that if
              you use this option several times, the file would end up
              with several lines in it -- one for each time you invoked
              this option.  IF you need one-line files, delete the file
              before running Sparkle.  For example:

              REM  ------ We're creating a file called SP_TEMP ------
              if not exist SP_TEMP goto Proceed
              del SP_TEMP
              :Proceed
              SS  12  1 10 79 -12 0 /Enter PASSWORD --> /SP_TEMP
                                                                       


                         Using DOS' Named Parameters               SS.22
      ==================================================================

      Sparkle's "Get Input" option lets you SET environment variables
      equal to what the user enters.  You can later use DOS' "named
      parameter" feature to access these variables.  Please note that:

       1. Early versions of DOS may not allow this.  You might consider
          using Sparkle's "Get DOS version" option before trying this.

       2. You MUST have free "environment space" to SET variables.

          - The amount of environment space needed is equal to the
            length of the variable NAME, PLUS the length of user input.
            For example, if you ask for "PASSWORD" (a NAME with 8
            characters), and the password can enter 10 characters, you
            will need about 20 bytes of environment space.

          - DOS typically doesn't tell you how much environment space
            is free.  But programs like QuarterDeck's Manifest can.

          - To INCREASE environment space, edit your CONFIG.SYS file.
            Add a line like (or edit the line that looks like) this:

                     shell=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM  /e:512

           "/e:512" reserves 512 bytes of RAM for environment variables.
           Note that DOS already allocates some environment space to
           store things like your PATH statement, your PROMPT $..., etc.
           For example, by default, DOS 6.2 reserves 256 bytes.

      Using Named Parameters
      ======================

      To use the variables that Sparkle SETs, use DOS' "named parameter"
      feature.  "Named parameters" let you define "variables" you can
      use later in your batch files.  Basically, you:

       * SET variables to specific values (eg., SET PASSWORD=MyName).
         Sparkle's Get Input option can do this for you.

       * Later in your batch files, you refer to (or access) variables
         by surrounding variable NAMES with "%" as in "%PASSWORD%"
         DOS replaces "%PASSWORD%" with that variable's "value."

      For example, suppose you use Sparkle's Get Input option to ask
      for users' names, telling Sparkle to SET an environment variable
      called USERNAME.  Later in your batch file, you could refer to
      users by name like this:

             Echo  Thank you %USERNAME% for considering our product.

      DOS would replace %USERNAME% with the name they entered earlier.
                                                                       


                         Option 13:  DOS Version                   SS.23
      ==================================================================

         Syntax:  SS  13


        Purpose:  Determine which version of DOS is being used.  This
                  can be useful to determine if an early versions of DOS
                  is being used -- a version which won't allow you to do
                  things later versions allow (like setting DOS environ-
                  ment variables, as you might when using Sparkle's Get
                  Input option).


      IMPORTANT:  This option takes no parameters.  It simply returns
                  a DOS Errorlevel indicating which version of DOS
                  currently being used.

                  The number (errorlevel) will be a 2-digit number
                  indicating the MAJOR and MINOR parts of the DOS
                  version.  For example, if you're using DOS 4.1,
                  Sparkle returns an Errorlevel of 41.  DOS 5.0
                  would be returned as 50.


      To Use it:  SS 13      (that's it; no parameters)


                   In your batch files, test the Errorlevel like this:

                   If Errorlevel 60 goto ....    ::DOS 6.x or HIGHER
                   If Errorlevel 50 goto ....    ::DOS 5.x or HIGHER
                   If Errorlevel 40 goto ....    ::DOS 4.x or HIGHER
                   If Errorlevel 30 goto ....    ::DOS 3.x or HIGHER
                   Goto WrongDOS                 ::DOS 2.x of LOWER is
                                                 ::being used


                   Note we test Errorlevels from HIGH to LOW!  This is
                   required by DOS.  See "A Note on Testing Errorlevels"
                   for more on this.
                                                                       


                         Option 14:   VIEW FILE                    SS.24
      ==================================================================

         Syntax:  SS  14  TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol Color /Name

        Purpose:  Display ASCII text files in any color in a "window"
                  on your screen.  The "window" can be any size -- from
                  the full screen, to just part of it.  Run Demo.Bat to
                  see an example of displaying files in a partial window.

      To Use it:  SS 14 TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol Color /Name

                    - "14" = Option #14 (View File)

                    - "TopRow LeftCol BotRow RightCol" indicate where
                      on your screen we should display the file.

                      The top left corner of your screen would be row
                      1, column 1.  The bottom right corner of 25-line
                      screens would be 25, 80.

                    - "Color" is a number from 1 to 128 indicating what
                      color we should use to display text.  While this
                      could be greater than 128 for blinking colors, it
                      might be unkind to expect folks to read screens
                      full of blinking text.

                    - "/Name" is the name of the file to display.  BE
                      SURE to include the drive/directory if your file
                      is NOT on the current path.


          Notes:  * YOU must verify your file exists before using this
                    option.  You'd do that in batch files like this:

                      If not exist FileName.Ext goto ErrorSection
                      SS 14 30 25 75 27 /FileName.Ext

                  * It's also up to YOU to tell users what to do once we
                    display the file.  Normally, you'd display an "in-
                    struction screen", then ask Sparkle to display your
                    file inside some window of that instruction screen.

                     - Cursor pad keys (Home/End, Left/Right/Up/Down,
                       PgDn/PgUp) work as they do in most word processors.

                     - Press ESCAPE to exit View File and move on.

                  * Only 3 errors are likely to occur.  And Sparkle sets
                    the DOS Errorlevel to let you know what happened:

                         0 = No error
                         1 = File not found
                         2 = Too little memory (about 5k is required)
                         3 = A Row, Column or Color number was LESS than 1
                                                                       


                     Option 15:   DYNAMIC PROMPTS                  SS.25
      ==================================================================

         Syntax:  SS  15 Row Column Color # ("#" = 1, 2 or 3) /Text

        Purpose:  Display a dynamic prompt, wait for a keypress, set
                  the DOS Errorlevel based on the key the user presses.

      To Use it:  SS  15  Row Column Color #

                    - "15" = Option #5 (Prompt)

                    - "Row Column" mean the row and column on the screen
                      where we should display the prompt.

                    - "Color" is a number from 1 to 128 indicating what
                      color we should use to display text.  While this
                      could be greater than 128 for blinking colors,
                      these prompts are already dynamic.  But feel free
                      to try blinking colors.  You could also turn on
                      bright backgrounds, then use blinking colors.

                    - "#" indicates which prompt you'd like to use.

                        1 = A Twirling Baton
                        2 = An Exploding Button
                        3 = A Scrolling "Press any key to continue..."

                    - "/Text" is optional.  If included AND you specify
                       prompt #3, Sparkle scrolls YOUR text across the
                       screen -- instead of "Press any key to continue..."


          Notes:  * If you specify prompt #3 and do NOT include "/Text,"
                    Sparkle will scroll "Press any key to continue..."
                    But, if you specify #3 AND you include "/Text,"
                    Sparkle will scroll YOUR message across the screen.

                  * "Press any key . . ." is about 35 characters wide.

                    To CENTER it on the screen, specify COLUMN = 23.
                    If you specify a COLUMN greater than 45, PART of the
                    banner will wrap around to the next line!

                  * When the user presses a key to go on, Sparkle sets
                    the DOS Errorlevel to tell you which key was pressed.

                    See "A Note on Testing Errorlevels" below.
                                                                       


                     Option 16:  DARK BLUE BACKGROUND COLORS       SS.26
      ==================================================================

         Syntax:  SS  16  #   ("#" is 1 (Dark blue ON) or 0 (off))

        Purpose:  Turn ON (or off) dark blue background colors.

      To Use it:  SS  16  #

                    - "16" = Option #16 (Dark Blue Backgrounds)

                    - "#" is "1" (turn it ON) or "0" (off)


          Notes:  This option requires a VGA monitor -- nothing will
                  happen on non-VGA monitors.

                  You can SAFELY include this option in all batch files.
                  If Sparkle detects a non-VGA monitor, it ignores this
                  command -- your PC won't crash.

                  Many people find it easier to read text printed in
                  highly contrasting colors.  For example, white on
                  black, or black on red are often easy to read, while
                  light cyan on green may not be very readable.

                  But black backgrounds can get tedious.  That's why
                  many people switch to blue backgrounds.  But that
                  also might get a little old after awhile.

                  Sparkle's Dark Blue background gives you an alternative
                  to black and normal blue backgrounds.  And since the
                  background is fairly dark, most colored text is quite
                  readable.

                                                                       


                      Option 17:  BIG! SCROLLING MESSAGES          SS.27
      ==================================================================

         Syntax:  SS  17  Color CharacterCode Font #Times / Message /

        Purpose:  Display a TALL message which SCROLLS across the screen.
                  NOTE:  Scrolling can be "jittery" on slow or very fast
                  PCs -- because we have to move so much stuff around
                  the screen

      To Use it:  SS  17  Color CharacterCode Font #Times / Message /

                    - "17" = Option #17 (BIGScroll)

                    - "Color" is a number from 1 to 128 indicating what
                      color we should use to display text.  While this
                      could be greater than 128 to make text blink,
                      scrolling text is already dynamic.  But feel free
                      to try blinking colors.  You could also turn on
                      bright backgrounds, then use blinking colors.

                    - "CharacterCode" is a number from 1 - 254 indicating
                      which ASCII character we should use to "build"
                      each tall character with.  If 0, Sparkle defaults
                      to ASCII character 178.

                    - "Font" is the number "1" or "0".

                       -- "0" selects the normal screen font (the same
                          one used in Sparkle's Big! Font) in which
                          characters are 7 - 8 lines tall.

                       -- "2" selects the a custom Broadway font in
                          in which characters are 13 - 14 lines tall.
                          This is the "attention-getting" option.

                    - "#Times" indicates how many times we should scroll
                      the message across the screen.  "0" means scroll
                      CONTINUOUSLY -- we won't stop until you press a key.
                      This is useful to display messages like "Out to
                      lunch!  Be back at 1:30!" -or- "The backup is done!"

                      If a key is pressed at any time, we'll stop scrol-
                      ling -- but we WON'T clear the screen.  Since you
                      would normally continue in your batch file, you
                      can clear the screen (CLS) before proceeding.

                    - "/ Message /" is the text you want displayed.

                      NOTE:  "message" can contain almost ANY ASCII char-
                      acters.  And we URGE YOU to LENGTHEN messages with
                      blanks so they scroll completely off the screen.  Do
                      this by adding 8 - 10 SPACES to the end of messages,
                      followed by "/" (or your "text marker") -- like this:

                         SS 17 27 219 1 1 / Clear with spaces          /   


                     Option 18:  FADES (screen transitions)        SS.28
      ==================================================================

         Syntax:  SS  18  # (1 - 9) Color Slow_it_down (1 - 20)

        Purpose:  Clear the screen in dramatic ways, in any color.

      To Use it:  SS  18  # (1 - 9) Color Slow_it_down (1 - 20)

                    - "18" = Option #18 (Fades)

                    - "#" = is a number from 1 - 9 indicating which
                      screen transition you want to use:

                      1 = Close In (top/bottom)  2 = Open Out (top/bottom)
                      3 = Slide Up               4 = Slide Down
                      5 = Explode out            6 = Vertical Blinds
                      7 = Columns Up & Down      8 = "Old TV" Shutdown
                      9 = Wild Spiral

                    - "Color" is a number from 1 to 128 indicating what
                      color we should use to clear the screen.  All op-
                      tions EXCEPT #9 use this color to clear the screen.
                      #9 (Wild Spiral) uses colors already on the screen.

                    - "Slow_it_down" is a number from 1 - 20 which lets
                      you control how fast screen fades occur -- the
                      higher the number, the slower it will occur.  #9
                      (Wild Spiral) does NOT use this -- since too much
                      is happening already.


          Notes:  We've made each option as fast as possible -- to
                  give YOU maximum flexibility, and to let YOU fine-
                  tune these screen effects based on your PC's speed.

                  But, depending on what colors and text are on the
                  screen, some fades may be TOO FAST.  No problem, just
                  use a "slowdown" number of, say, 3 - 5.  A slowdown
                  number of 15 - 20 is v-e-r-y slow.

                  Also note that option 9 (Wild Spiral) grabs whatever
                  exists in column 1 of row 25 and starts spinning that
                  around the screen.  So you might want to control what
                  appears in row 25, column 1 BEFORE you use Wild Spiral.
                  And Wild Spiral does NOT scroll row 25.

                                                                       


                 Option 19:  Sparkle's BROADWAY SCREEN FONT        SS.29
      ==================================================================

         Syntax:  SS  19  # (1 = load Broadway Font, 0 = use Normal Font)

        Purpose:  On VGA screens (only) install a tall, Broadway screen
                  font.  This will appear on text-mode screens only, and
                  ONLY with text printed in LOW intensity colors.  Text
                  in HIGH intensity colors will appear in the normal
                  screen font -- letting you get two text-mode fonts
                  on the screen at the same time!  Run Demo.Bat and
                  select the "Menus" option to see an example -- on VGAs.

      To Use it:  SS  SS  19  # (1 = Broadway Font ON, 0 = Normal Font)

                    - "19" = Option #19 (Broadway font)

                    - "#" = is 1 (load the Broadway font), or 0 (Normal)

          Notes:  Sparkle's Broadway font comes from our FONT PAK utility.
                  Font Pak (available in both DOS and PROGRAMMERS' ver-
                  sions) offers about 100 screen fonts, and many utilities.

                  Many people aren't aware that on EGA or VGA monitors
                  one can "download" 1 - 8 different fonts, then switch
                  among them quickly and easily.  You can also display
                  2 fonts at once on the same screen -- in TEXT mode!

                  Note that this Broadway font is v-e-r-y TALL -- too
                  tall for EGA screens.  And because it's so tall, it
                  is NOT well suited for displaying consecutive lines of
                  text all in the same Broadway font.  RATHER, it's
                  better suited for titles, menus or highlighting words
                  or phrases -- with lines immediately above/below it
                  either blank, or appearing in the normal font.

                  Once you load the Broadway font, YOU determine what
                  text appears in the Broadway font, and what appears
                  in the normal font.  You do this by controlling the
                  INTENSITY of the color(s) you use to display text.

                   * Any text appearing in LOW intensity colors will
                     appear in the Broadway font.  Text in HIGH
                     intensity colors appears in the normal font.

                   * Several Sparkle options let you print things in
                     colors you prefer (or change the colors of text):
                     Windows, Quick_Print, Paint and Reverse Colors.

                  NOTE:  For an interesting effect, load the Broadway
                  font, display some text, then alternately PAINT that
                  text with Low, then High intensity colors -- pausing
                  briefly in between.  As you paint it, the text will
                  switch from the Broadway to the normal font.
                                                                     


                APPENDIX I:  A Note on Testing Errorlevels           A.1
      ==================================================================
      Also see APPENDIX III:  ASCII Codes for many keyboard characters.

      Always test Errorlevels from the HIGHEST number to the LOWEST.
      This is a DOS restriction.  For example:
             If Errorlevel 2 goto no         \   this sequence
             If Errorlevel 1 goto yes        /   is correct

             If Errorlevel 1 goto yes        \   this sequence
             If Errorlevel 2 goto no         /   is WRONG

      Here's why this is important.  DOS tests the phrase:

                    If Errorlevel 1 goto yes

      as if it read "If Errorlevel greater-than-or-equal-to-1 goto Yes."

      So, if you start testing with "If Errorlevel 1 goto Yes" (note
      "1"), DOS will almost ALWAYS go to "Yes" -- since most everything
      is "greater-than-or-equal-to 1".

      Examples:
      =========

      For example, here's how you might test errorlevels after getting
      a choice from a scrolling bar menu.

      Note that we first test for Escape (Ascii code 27).  Bar menus
      return the NUMBER of the option chosen.  Suppose this menu had 5
      choices.  We first test for Escape, since 27 is higher than 5.  We
      then test for which option was chosen with "If Errorlevel 5 ...."

          :_MainMenu
          SS  2  5 5 5 76 112 2
          If Errorlevel 27 goto _End
          If Errorlevel 5  goto _End
          If Errorlevel 4  goto _BarMenus
          If Errorlevel 3  goto _Sounds
          If Errorlevel 2  goto _Windows
          If Errorlevel 1  goto _Intro
          goto _MainMenu                   (just in case tests fail)

      Here's what a batch file might look like if you used ASK.

        * NOTE:  Here we test for Escape LAST!!  That's because ASK
          returns the ASCII value of the UPPER CASE key pressed.  The
          ASCII code for "Y" is 89, the code for "N" is 78.  The code
          for Escape (27) is LESS THAN 89 or 78, so we test for it last.

          :_AskAgain
          SS 3 25 20 112 /YN /Do you want to go on?  Press [Y]es or [N]o
          If Errorlevel 89 goto _YesPressed
          If Errorlevel 78 goto _NoPressed
          If Errorlevel 27 goto _AskAgain     '--- We'll ONLY accept Y or N!
          goto _AskAgain                      '--- Ditto for any other key.
                                                                       


                    APPENDIX II:  Choosing COLOR NUMBERS             A.2
      ==================================================================

      Several Sparkle options ask for a COLOR NUMBER:  ONE number indi-
      cating BOTH Foreground AND Background colors.  Here's how to
      determine it.  (Tip:  Print this page as a quick reference guide.)

      Step 1:  In the table below, move your finger DOWN the left column
               until it's on the FOREGROUND color you want.  Notice that
               the first 8 colors are "normal" (low) intensity, the next
               8 are "bright" ("high intensity") versions of the first 8.

      Step 2:  Now move your finger ACROSS the columns until it's under
               the BACKGROUND color you want.  Use the number you see
               there (under your finger).  NOTE that, as you move across
               the columns, numbers increase by 16.  If you prefer for-
               mulas to tables:  Color = ForeGround + (Background * 16).
               Foreground colors range from 0 - 15; Background from 0 - 7.

      Step 3:  OPTIONAL:  For blinking -OR- bright background colors,
               add 128 to the number you got in step 2.  If you want
               bright background colors, BE SURE to first use Sparkle's
               option to turn Bright_BG colors ON.

                                   BACKGROUND COLORS
                                   =================

                    Black  Blue Green  Cyan  Red Magnta Brown White
                   ---0-----1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7----

       F    Black     0    16    32    48    64    80     96   112
       O    Blue      1    17    33    49    65    81     97   113   N
       R    Green     2    18    34    50    66    82     98   114   O
       E    Cyan      3    19    35    51    67    83     99   115   R
       G    Red       4    20    36    52    68    84    100   116   M
       R    Magenta   5    21    37    53    69    85    101   117   A
       O    Brown     6    22    38    54    70    86    102   118   L
       U    White     7    23    39    55    71    87    103   119
       N
       D    Grey      8    24    40    56    72    88    104   120
            Blue      9    25    41    57    73    89    105   121   B
       C    Green    10    26    42    58    74    90    106   122   R
       O    Cyan     11    27    43    59    75    91    107   123   I
       L    Red      12    28    44    60    76    92    108   124   G
       O    Magenta  13    29    45    61    77    93    109   125   H
       R    Yellow   14    30    46    62    78    94    110   126   T
       S    White    15    31    47    63    79    95    111   127

      For Example:
      ============
             Any color on black background:     1 - 15
      Black foreground on white background:      112   (visible on any monitor)
         Bright white on a blue background:       31
                 Black on a red background:       64
       Blinking black on a cyan background:      176   (48 + 128 = 176)

                                                                       

        
          APPENDIX III:  ASCII Codes for many keyboard characters    A.3
      ==================================================================

       Use the chart below to help add "If Errorlevel # ...." statements
       to your batch files.

       When you use several of Sparkle's options (like Ask and Prompt),
       Sparkle sets the DOS Errorlevel to let you know which key users
       pressed.  The chart below lists the ASCII values for most key-
       board characters.  Note:

        * We list ASCII values of just UPPER CASE letters.  Lower
          case letters have values 32 higher than those shown.

        * Remember to test errorlevels from HIGH to LOW.  Appendix I,
          "A Note on Testing Errorlevels," explains why.

                            ASCII                          ASCII
             Key Pressed    Code             Key Pressed   Code
             ===========    =====            ===========   =====
                  A           65                  B          66
                  C           67                  D          68
                  E           69                  F          70
                  G           71                  H          72
                  I           73                  J          74
                  K           75                  L          76
                  M           77                  N          78
                  O           79                  P          80
                  Q           81                  R          82
                  S           83                  T          84
                  U           85                  V          86
                  W           87                  X          88
                  Y           89                  Z          90

                  0           48                  1          49
                  2           50                  3          51
                  4           52                  5          53
                  6           54                  7          55
                  8           56                  9          57
                                                                   

     ===============================================================
                          To Register or Order
     ===============================================================

     Because we offer so many programs, our order form has 2 pages.

      * THIS PAGE lists our programs and the per-copy cost of each.
        Please read CATALOG.DOC for a description of each program.

      * THE NEXT PAGE is the actual order form.

        - On the next page, fill in the name of each program you're
          ordering.  PLEASE BE CAREFUL here and use the names listed
          below.  If we're not sure which program you're ordering,
          we may have to return you're order.

        - If ordering by Visa or MasterCard, fill in the section
          for credit card orders.  BE SURE TO SIGN it.

       Program Name                                          Per Copy
       ==============================================================
       Multi-Print      $19 if ordered w/ ANY other program  $19/$29

       Font Pak "Pro"   Programmer's Fonts & Mouse Shapes      $49

       Font Pak "DOS"   Hundreds of DOS text-mode fonts        $29

       PDT              The Pro~Formance Data Tool            $139
       PDT Tool Kit     (FREE when you order PDT!)             $39

       inform-Z         Professional Forms Design              $29

       Mail Call        With MC Express                        $29

       Pro~Scribe & PS Express                                 $29

       P~F Presents     Professional Version                   $79

       P-Screen Professional                                   $49
           "    Plus                                           $29

       Pro~Stamp        Stamp Collection Manager               $29

       Ram-Man          RAM-resident Text File Browser         $19

       Sparkle AND Menu Magic                                  $29

       The Survey Catalyst                                    $395

     =================================================================
     PACKAGE DISCOUNTS  Call about quantity discounts & site licenses.
     =================================================================
       THE WORKS!  One of each program (except The Catalyst)  $299
       Sparkle -AND- P-Screen                                  $49
       inform-Z -AND- Mail Call                                $49
       P-Screen Pro -AND- P~F Presents (Pro versions of both)  $99
                                                                     


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     Or e-mail us:  Rob-Smetana@Worldnet.Att.Net

     F __________________________________________   M    Rob W. Smetana
                                                         Pro~Formance
     R __________________________________________   A T  132 Alpine Terrace
                                                         San Francisco, CA
     O __________________________________________   I O      94117
                                                         (415) 863-0530
     M __________________________________________   L
                                                         Make checks payable
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