
     
                                QuickLOAD 2.1

                        Copyright 1993, Jerry Cooksey


Introduction
------------

QuickLOAD is a utility which will load a file after a stated waiting period.
This is especially useful for use in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, where you might
normally put a default program to load, such as Windows, but may sometimes 
want to stop the autoexec.bat file from executing that command.  By changing
the command in question into a QuickLOAD statement, the system will load the
program if you don't hit a key, but will allow you a user-defined amount of
time to hit a key and stop the program from loading.  Any parameters you 
specify (up to eight of them) will also be passed to the program.  See the
'Instructions for use' section below for the proper syntax.

For information on registering or distributing this program, please see
the section entitled "Registration/Distribution" below.


Features
--------
As with QuickDIAL, a command line phone dialer by the same programmer, the 
main feature in my mind is that this program is small, fast, and does the
job it was designed to do.  (Again, not every program can make that claim!)

QuickLOAD waits a user-defined amount of time before executing a program or
batch file.  If a key is hit, then the specified program is not loaded, and
control is returned to the system, or if used in a batch file, to the batch
file.

QuickLOAD should work with all versions of DOS, although this has not been 
tested.  QuickLOAD should also run on any IBM compatible computer regardless
of memory, due to its extremely small size.

QuickLOAD 1.1 added two beeps to alert the user that QuickLOAD has been
started, so that users placing QuickLOAD in a batch file (such as in their
AUTOEXEC.BAT file) will know when to strike a key when they wish to prevent
the affected program from loading, without having to watch each command
execute.  QuickLOAD 1.2 changed the time calculation so that the time delay
should work properly on all processors.  (On slower machines, version 1.1
sometimes waited longer than the time specified.)

QuickLOAD 2.0 changes to using the system beep sound, and added the use of 
batch files as the program to be loaded.  (QuickLOAD 1.x could not correctly
load batch files, sometimes hanging, sometimes crashing, etc.).  Overall, a
much more stable version, with all (?) bugs fixed and much functionality.

QuickLOAD 2.1 adds more functionality by supporting up to eight parameters
after the program name.  More parameters may be added in the future, if 
sufficient numbers of registered users request it.  Version 2.1 also sees the
addition of a help screen, which you can access by either typing 'LOAD' with
no parameters at the DOS prompt, or by typing '/?' as one of your parameters,
such as 'LOAD /?' or 'LOAD 3 c:\windows\win.com /s /?'.

I have also been playing around with the time calculations again, and would
appreciate input from all users as to how accurate the timing is now.



Installng QuickLOAD
-------------------

For easy access at any time, place QuickLOAD in a directory in your path.  To
determine which directories are in your path, type "PATH" and hit enter at 
the DOS prompt.  

After you have copied the files, the program is ready to run.



Instructions for use
--------------------

QuickLOAD uses the syntax below:

LOAD # c:\dir\prog.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8

# - the number of seconds to wait before loading.
c:\dir\prog.exe - the full path and file name of the program to load.  You
                  MUST use the file extension (usually .exe).
%1 through %8 - the parameters, if any, that you wish the program to use.


For instance, the command:

load 3 c:\windows\win.com /s

will load the 'win.com' program in the 'c:\windows\' directory after 
3 seconds, passing the '/s' parameter.

The last parameters, %1 through %8, are optional.



Registration/Distribution
-------------------------

QuickLOAD is a shareware program.  Under the shareware principle, you may 
freely distribute QuickLOAD to others, but you (and they) are legally and 
morally obligated to pay for this software if you find it useful.  The 
registration fee is only $5.00 for individuals, $15.00 for businesses.  

Registration enables the author to continue programming efforts and
enhancements to this and other programs.  Registration also enables you to
continue to legally use the software should you find it useful.  It will also 
help me support my son and daughter, who are growing faster than the memory 
requirements of many of today's programs!

Registered users will be notified of any future updates as soon as they are
released.

QuickLOAD may be freely distributed to any party, with the only restriction 
being that you must distribute this file (LOAD.TXT) and the program 
executable file (LOAD.EXE) together.

To register the program, remit payment in US currency (check or money order) 
to:

                Jerry Cooksey
                802 Winchester Avenue
                Middlesboro KY 40965-1544 USA

Please enclose a note that the payment is for registration of QuickLOAD,
the version number that you are using, and your name and address.  Also,
please let me know where you got your copy from (BBS, friend, etc.) and the
city, state, and country that the source is located in.  If you have any 
suggestions or comments, enclose them as well.



Technical support
-----------------
For technical support, please write the address above or leave questions
on the Boone's Trail BBS at (615) 869-3657.  On Boone's Trail BBS, join 
conference "Quick Series" and leave your message addressed to me.  I log
on to this BBS about once a week, and will respond with a message addressed
to you as soon as is possible.  

Updated programs in the Quick series, which now includes QuickDIAL 2.0 and
QuickLOAD 2.1, are placed on the Boone's Trail BBS first, so you may want to
look for updates while you are logged on.  Boone's Trail BBS supports up to
14,400 baud modems and MNP 2-5, with file transfers in most popular protocols,
including Ymodem batch and Zmodem.
