Distribution and installation information for music editor ------------ --- ------------ ----------- --- ----- ------ This music editor is freeware and may therefore be distributed by any means to any person expressing interest. This includes posting the program (consisting of the parts listed below) on an internet website. However, the author requests that no payment be involved. When distributing, it should be borne in mind that users will need to have Microsoft QBasic in order to run the program. This comes with certain versions of MS-DOS and Windows 95+, though will probably not be installed from the disk unless you have installed it yourself. Please note that this software should not be distributed without written permission from Microsoft (which may or may not be given). The files necessary to run this program are MUSIC2.BAS MUSIC3.BAS README.TXT which should be kept together in a single directory. In order to make use of the program easier with Windows, the following have also been provided: MUSIC.BAT MUSIC.ICO These can be used to set up shortcuts and file associations in Windows (see below). They can be placed anywhere on your hard disk, but, it is suggested, perhaps in the same location as the program. To install the program: 0. You will need QBasic installed - this consists of a program QBASIC.EXE and (not essential) the help file QBASIC.HLP. 1. Copy the files listed above into a suitable directory (folder). 2. Open the program MUSIC2.BAS in QBASIC or any text editor. Then specify the name of the directory where you have put the program files (*.BAS, *.TXT) by changing the line starting CONST WorkingDirectory$ = "... which can be found near the beginning of the program, replacing whatever path is given by the path where you have put the files. You must also specify a valid default path for saving and loading files by altering the line beginning CONST DefaultFileDirectory$ = "... Both these path specifications must be in MS-DOS 8.3 format, include the trailing backslash (\), and be enclosed in quotes (" "). Further, you can (but it is not recommended) alter the name of either part of the program, in a similar way. Program1$ specifies the main program and Program2$ specifies the subprogram for drawing the screen (normally named MUSIC2.BAS and MUSIC3.BAS respectively). 3. Repeat step 2 for the program MUSIC3.BAS. You must ensure that the CONST statements in the two programs match after making these changes. 4. If you wish you can set up a shortcut in Windows. Use a command line like c:\windows\command\qbasic.exe /run c:\music\music2.bas where the paths and filenames are correct and written in DOS format, i.e. no Windows 95-style long filenames. (To find the DOS format of a long filename or folder name, you can use Windows Explorer: select the folder or file, then press Alt+Enter or right click and click properties. This will tell you the MS-DOS name for that file or folder, which should be used in the path part of the command line above.) For best results you should specify that the program run in full-screen mode, and you can change the icon for the shortcut to the provided MUSIC.ICO. If you run the program using the shortcut, when the program terminates it should return you to Windows. 5. You can also associate the .MUS extension (the default extension for music files) with the music editor. First, using a text editor such as Notepad, open the MUSIC.BAT file and modify (as above) the third line of this batchfile to read something like c:\windows\command\qbasic.exe /run c:\music\music2.bas Then change the file association for .MUS files as follows: In Windows Explorer (Win 95 version, others similar): 1. Choose (menus) View, Options. 2. Select `File Types' tab. 3. Click `New Type'. 4. In `Description of Type' type `Music Editor File' or whatever (without the quotes!). In `Associated extension' box type `MUS'. 5. Click `New' [Action], type `Open' in the `Action' box and the appropriate path with `MUSIC.BAT' in the `Application used to perform action' box. Make sure `Use DDE' is NOT checked. Then click `OK'. 6. You can also change the icon: click `Change Icon' and then type in the name of the icon file (path + MUSIC.ICO). 7. Keep clicking `OK' or `Close' to get back to WEx! In File Manager (Windows 3.1 etc.): 1. Choose (menus) File, Associate. 2. In `Files with Extension' type `MUS' (without the quotes). 3. In the `Associate with' type the appropriate path with `MUSIC.BAT' (as above). Then, whenever you double-click on a file with a .mus extension in Windows Explorer (File Manager), the Music Editor will launch and the file will be opened automatically. You may also need to specify that MUSIC.BAT runs in full-screen mode. System requirements: To run this program you will need a VGA-compatible monitor. This program requires only MS-DOS or any operating system (such as MS Windows 95) which can run MS-DOS programs (QBASIC.EXE in this case). Also a program, such as Paint, for editing and printing the output BMP files will be needed. Author: The program is under constant review. The latest version will be available on the web at http://www.londonbusroutes.net/miscellaneous/music.htm . If you discover any bugs (i.e. the program crashes or something else unexpected happens) please inform me (email: robert@londonbusroutes.net) and I will try to fix the bug in the next version produced. There is no warrenty, but I am open to comments and suggestions and will do my best to ensure that the program is foolproof. The program is now up to version 1.3.0 incorporating the BMP export function. Robert Munster 2 June 2007.