Arc Menu

Arc Menu is a secure multi-user DOS menu program
Arc Menu is a menu system which you can use to run all of your favorite programs. It doesn't use memory and it is network-compatible.

It caters for all levels of users by being very easy to setup, use and modify. Advanced users like its rich command structure and unrestrictive design, while beginners like its apparent simplicity and attractive windowed presentation.

Main features of Arc Menu:

Uses no memory to run commands. This makes it perfect for Networks where low RAM is at a premium. It can also be used to load and unload TSRs. It is also great as a menu system for CD-ROMs, because it is fast and slick.

Immediate access to all of your commands. Hot keys (single key presses) allow quick access within a single window, while shortcuts (key combinations) allow instant access to far reaches of the menu, and to items not in the current window. Every item can have a shortcut and multiple hot keys.

Network & multi-user. Support includes Novell, LANtastic and Banyan Vines. Arc uses file locking to prevent conflicts.

Security. Access to DOS and to editing can be restricted. You can also prevent users from changing their passwords, color schemes and preferences.
Authority levels provide a passive system that requires no interaction from the user after login. The user cannot even see or modify any items with a higher authority than their own.
Passwords provide an active system that requires intervention from the user. All passwords are comprehensively encrypted.

AutoBuild makes adding new programs as easy as point-and- click. However, if you want to get your hands dirty, Arc allows a batch file of up to 64K for each menu item.

Auto installation detects ALL programs and adds them to the menu. It can classify over 360 programs.

Context-sensitive system help (over 80 pages) with index.

User-defined help can be added to each menu item, edited and updated on the fly. Up to 64K can be defined per menu item.

Full point-and-click mouse support.

Attractive user interface which is extensively customizable. Separate color configuration and settings are maintained for each user. The color palette can be edited, so with EGA you can choose 16 of 256 colors, or on VGA, 16 of 262,144 colors.

Usage tracking. Maintains a chronological record of who ran what and when. Successful logins, failed logins, logins where the user was logged in automatically, applications run etc.

User accounts. Use our Add_user utility to automatically add new user accounts to Arc based on a no-privilege template as users log in!

You can convert the entire menu structure to text format, edit it using your favorite editor (e.g. search/replace drive letters) and import it back in again. Also useful for revision control. Can also generate a structure tree (like a directory tree) for documentation purposes.

No limit on the number of items per menu or on the menu depth, the menu resizes and scrolls as required. Separate structure files can be linked together (either always or only when accessed), and up to 100 may be stored in each directory. Links are great for creating common menus.

Reset recovery. If the PC loses power, is turned off or rebooted, Arc can re-run the program that was running. This is great for BBS, fax machines etc that have to remain on all the time.

Can have items that don't return to Arc after running. Very useful for logout options on a network.

Can have items pause after running - to show you the output.

Items can prompt for log comments before running. Very useful for keeping track of billing information.

Prompt the user for input with Edit fields (with history lists), radio buttons, check boxes, command buttons. Extensive on- line documentation for errors that can occur while interpreting these commands.

Environment variables can be edited. E.g. PATH, TEMP and PROMPT etc can all be edited.

Built-in screen saver. You can also use your own screen saver, disk unfragment program, tape backup, virus scan etc.

Supports every text mode. EGA/VGA 43/50 line 80/132 column modes - you name it, Arc will use it!

SBRK.EXE - a program to disable (totally) [Ctrl+C] and [Ctrl+Break].

LUSERS.EXE - a program to limit the number of users using a limited licensed product.

REBOOT.EXE - a program to perform a warm or cold start.


What's New in This Release:

Documentation update

Bug fixed for Installer to discard folder names longer than 255 characters, and to correctly handle very long PATH settings.

Free Download ( Evaluation | 587 KB )

Buy Now ( Full version | $20 )