OKScript Status Report #17

February 15, 2002

Dear OKScript User,

The OKScript Status Report is sent to OKScript licensees,
developers and friends when significant updates have been made
to the program. Interesting techniques and applications for the
program will also be distributed in the report periodically. To
update or be removed from the distribution list please see the
links at the bottom of this message or write me at 
yweare@gte.net.

This issue discribes updates to OKScript's help system, three
new predefined macros and several bug fixes.

These changes apply only to the 32 bit version. Development of the
16 bit version of OKScript has been discontinued, however the
most recent release of that version will continue to be available,
along with the current 32 bit version, from http://home1.gte.net/yweare/. 

Your existing license will automatically be active on the new software 
if you install it to the same directory, or copy the okscript.ini file 
from the folder where your licensed program was installed to the 
OKScript's new folder. Alternatively, you can re-enter the registration 
data. The current build is dated February 14, 2002. Click Help | About 
to determine the date of your copy of OKScript. Please note that the
OKScript web site may become sluggish following update announcements.
If you experience this try again later or write me and I'll send 
you the installation package as an email attachment. 


HELP SYSTEM UPDATE

Until now OKScript's help system was based on a Microsoft technology 
called WinHelp that started (I believe) before Windows 3.1. Windows
98 introduced a new help platform called HTML-Help which has
several advantages, including improved navigation (for you) and
easier maintenance (for me). I converted the WinHelp system to
HTML-Help, added several new topics and edited many more. 

The new system will work on any Windows 98 system or later, and Windows
95 and NT-4 sytems that have Internet Explorer 4 or later installed.
A Microsoft program called HHUPD.EXE can also be installed to 
enable HTML-Help on older systems. The latest OKScript can be set up
to use the old WinHelp help file by ensuring that it (OKS.HLP) is 
present in OKScript's directory and OKS.CHM is not present.


NEW PREDEFINED MACROS

Users keep suggesting useful enhancements for OKScript. Three predefined
macros that expand to particular folder paths have been added -

  -DOCS returns the current My Documents folder path.
  -DESKTOP expands to the current Windows Desktop folder path.
  -EXEPATH returns the folder containing the OKScript program.


BUG FIXES

While working through the help system project I uncovered and
corrected a few program bugs - an incorrectly worded error message,
and problems in the MESSAGE and GET commands. A buffer overrun
bug discovered by a user was also corrected.


For more information, or to offer suggestions or interesting 
techniques or applications for OKScript, write me at 
yweare@gte.net, or visit the recently restyled website at 
http://home1.gte.net/yweare/index.htm

Thank you for supporting the development of OKScript.

Michael Mardesich
okb://mikezzz