IDLE 2.20 (c) Copyright 1993 by UniNova Services Corporation Free Distribution of Shareware Version Encouraged. TABLE OF CONTENTS: ------------------ About This Document....................................... 1 Product Acknowledgement................................... 1 Disclaimer................................................ 1 Introduction to IDLE...................................... 1 Syntax.................................................... 2 Examples............................................. 3 Installation and Use...................................... 3 Distribution Rights....................................... 4 Registration Procedures and Benefits...................... 4 The Back Door........................................ 5 History................................................... 5 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT: -------------------- Please understand that a rudimentary understanding of MS-DOS is expected throughout this manual. If terms such as "DOS PATH" confuse you, it would be to your benefit to spend some time reading your DOS manual. This documentation was written in a compact format in an attempt to save disk space, paper [and associated natural resources], and download time. If you feel it could be made more compact, feel free to contact UniNova Services Corporation ("UniNova" in the remainder of this document). PRODUCT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: ------------------------- Microsoft Corporation: Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks, and Windows is a trademark. Walker, Richer, and Quinn: Reflection is a registered trademark. Other product and service names are recognized here en masse. The lack of a (tm), (sm), or (c) mark does not indicate an attempt to deprive the rightful owner of a trademark, service mark, or copyright their legal rights. DISCLAIMER: ----------- THE SHAREWARE VERSION OF IDLE IS NOT 100% SECURE - UNINOVA HAS INSTALLED A "BACK DOOR" TO ENCOURAGE REGISTRATION! PLEASE READ THE SECTION ENTITLED "REGISTRATION PROCEDURES AND BENEFITS" FOR MORE INFORMATION! You assume all responsibility for the action of this software on your system, and use this software at your own risk. This program has been tested, but no software can be legitimately guaranteed to run without flaw on all systems in all conditions. By using this software, you indicate your agreement to release UniNova of all liability for any damage that might occur. INTRODUCTION TO IDLE: --------------------- The IDLE program is a simple way of providing password security for a system. By adding a line in the beginning of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file that calls IDLE, you will stop unauthorized users from accessing your system. The only way known to UniNova to get out of IDLE without the password is to re-boot, which brings the user back to IDLE anyway (assuming the program is called from the AUTOEXEC.BAT, as recommended, on a DOS 5 [or earlier] system). Due to various multi-tasking/task swapping environments, it is really your responsibility to make sure that a background program can not be brought to the top, compromising the security of your computer. At this time, IDLE will prevent a user from pressing or to exit the program, but it will NOT trap keystrokes such as or . Therefore, if you have a program that uses an or keystroke to "come back to life", you will need to ensure that the program is not active in memory when you run IDLE. Starting in version 2.10, sample .PIF files are included for use as a DOS application within Windows. It is up to you, however, to ensure that the .PIF truly does prevent swapping to a different task. Also, it is your responsibility to not make gross security errors, such as pressing to put Reflection in the background and then running IDLE with Reflection (and a host connection, presumably) still active. SYNTAX: ------- To run the program, you must give it one parameter (your password), and may give it a second parameter (the option list). In place of the password, you may use /REG to generate a registration form. Thus, the formal syntax for the program is: IDLE /REG|password [options] An explanation of each item follows: IDLE - the name of the program. If it is in the current directory, or if it is in a directory listed in your DOS PATH, you do not need to include the directory path when running the program. Otherwise, be sure to specify where the computer should find the program. (See examples below.) Not case sensitive. /REG - Using this as the first (and, presumably, only) parameter will lead you through a brief question-and-answer session, and then the program will either print a registration form to the printer port you specify, or will write it to the current disk and directory, overwriting any other file named REGISTER.DOC that may exist in that directory. Not case sensitive (/reg = /REG). password - what you'll need to type to regain control of your computer. It is limited to 50 characters. Starting in version 2.15, it may contain characters from the extended character set, but it cannot contain tabs, spaces, carriage returns, or "control characters". The password is CASE SENSITIVE! Thus, if you use the password MoNgOoSe, the following WILL NOT exit the program: MONGOOSE, MonGoose, mongoose, etc. (See examples below.) [options] - a list consisting of one or more of the following letters (with the meaning for each as listed): C : The display screen will be colorized using ANSI colors. N : The password will not be displayed on the screen when you type it to exit the program. X : The display screen will make use of extended characters, instead of relying on plain ASCII characters. This allows for a "nicer" display on systems that permit it. The options should be combined without spaces or other delimiters if you wish to use more than one. (See examples below.) Not case sensitive. The order of the options is irrelevant, and you can include other characters (which will be ignored). Thus, the "option" SYNTAX=common would enable color, extended characters, and would prevent the password from being displayed as it's typed. This allows the use of a word or phrase in a batch file that might appear to an onlooker to be part of the password. Examples -------- Program placed in directory: C:\UTILS DOS PATH = C:\;C:\DOS;C:\UTILS;C:\MOUSE Directory where program is called from: C:\DOCUMENT Display options desired: Use no-color plain ASCII, show password as it's being typed. Password: Victorious Call to program: IDLE Victorious Program placed in directory: C:\WHITMORE DOS PATH = C:\;C:\DOS;C:\UTILS;C:\MOUSE Directory where program is called from: C:\DOCUMENT Display options desired: Use colorized extended chars, do not display password as it's typed. Password: VICTORIOUS Call to program: \WHITMORE\IDLE VICTORIOUS CNX Program placed in directory: C:\WHITMORE DOS PATH = C:\;C:\DOS;C:\UTILS;C:\MOUSE Directory where program is called from: C:\WHITMORE Display options desired: Use colorized ASCII, show password as it's typed. Password: ViCtOrIoUs Call to program: IDLE ViCtOrIoUs C Program placed in directory: C:\TOOLS Directory where program is called from: C:\TOOLS Option desired: Create registration form Call to program: IDLE /reg If you forget your password, you can contact UniNova for help - however, the chances of effective help are truly minimal. DON'T FORGET IT! INSTALLATION AND USE: --------------------- If you would like to have IDLE protect your computer when the system is first powered up (and every time it's reset), you'll need to place a call to the program in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Because the keystroke can be used to interrupt a batch file, you should place the call to IDLE as early as possible in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Remember, if you place it before the line that sets the DOS path, you'll need to specify the program's location. As an example, if you place the program in C:\UTILS, and set that directory to be accessed via the DOS path, you could have one of the two following AUTOEXEC.BAT files (the first is the recommended usage): @ECHO OFF C:\UTILS\IDLE YourPassword PATH=C:\;C:\DOS;C:\UTILS\;C:\MOUSE PROMPT $P$G (or) @ECHO OFF PATH=C:\;C:\DOS;C:\UTILS;C:\MOUSE IDLE YourPassword PROMPT $p$g Note that the ECHO OFF prevents the display of the command line that starts IDLE, which includes the password required to exit IDLE. If you place IDLE.EXE in a directory that is part of your DOS PATH, you will be able to use it whenever you need it (not just at boot-up) with relative ease. In other words, if you leave the room to get a cup of coffee, and you don't know if your roommate/co-worker/boss is in a nosy mood, you can just type IDLE YourPassword and your PC is secure until you're back with your java. Even if it's not in the PATH, you can still use it, of course. Just call it with the full path, such as C:\UTILS\IDLE YourPassword (if IDLE is in \UTILS and \UTILS is not in the PATH). DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS: -------------------- Feel free to copy this software and distribute it, PROVIDED THAT: a) The files IDLE.EXE, IDLE.DOC, and REGISTER.DOC are all included; b) The IDLE.EXE file is NOT the registered version; c) The (shareware) program and documentation are not altered; d) You ensure the recipient understands the s/he does not OWN the program but merely has a temporary license to evaluate it; e) You do not charge more than $10 - for materials and handling if you provide a disk with this program on it, or for access to the archived program on an on-line information system ("access" refers to access specifically to the archived program, not to access to the system as a whole); f) No action is taken to remove UniNova's name from the program or documentation, or to prevent the new user from knowing who wrote the program. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES AND BENEFITS: ------------------------------------- Starting with version 2.00, registration is required to obtain an indefinite license to use the software as described below. The license to use is NOT ownership of the software and does NOT give the user any rights beyond the ability to continue running the program and receive updates as listed below. At all times, the software will be the property of UniNova, and UniNova reserves the right to revoke the license to use without refund if a registered user violates UniNova's copyright by actions such as (but not limited to) distributing unauthorized copies of the registered version. 1. IF you decide you will rely on the software THEN you must pay the fee for registration listed under #3 below. Site licenses are available to cover 10 or more computers running the software (see the ASCII text file REGISTER.DOC for restrictions). Print the file REGISTER.DOC to submit payment (you can load it into a word processor if you'd like to edit it and then print it, or use the command COPY REGISTER.DOC PRN to simply copy it to your printer. As an alternative, use the /REG parameter (IDLE /REG) to automatically generate a registration form. There is no set time in which you must evaluate the program - your trial period ends when you begin relying on the program. 2. IF you decide to not use the program, THEN delete it from your system. Thus the beauty of shareware - UniNova doesn't get a penny unless you like the software enough to use it regularly (in the case of this program, probably every time you boot up and then some). 3. Registration fees are as follows for an indefinite license to use the IDLE program: For each computer on which the software is installed: $ 5.00 For each site license to cover more than 9 installations of the software (see REGISTER.DOC for restrictions): $48.00 4. This incredibly low price should allow virtually anybody to register. In addition to the low price, the following benefits are obtained as incentive to register: a) UniNova will give technical support to registered users only - use the address listed in REGISTER.DOC or via the original author's CompuServe account 71221,1737 (or Internet 71221.1737@compuserve.com), or via his BBS if he is currently running one; b) UniNova is more inclined to fix problems reported by registered users; c) UniNova will notify registered users if a newer version of the program is released (which they will be able to obtain at no cost by sending a blank diskette with a postage-paid return disk mailer to UniNova, or via modem by prior arrangement); d) UniNova will notify donating users of other programs available by UniNova or participating authors; e) Registered users will be placed on the mailing list for the quarterly newsletters that UniNova sends out (note that this newsletter is the same as is received by "Executive" level users of the UniNova support BBS); f) The registered version does not say "UNREGISTERED VERSION" after the program is done executing; g) Registered users may request slight customization; h) The registered version does not have a "back door" - please read #5 below for clarification! 5. A "back door" is a method into (in this case, beyond) a program known only to the author(s). UniNova saw fit to continue including the back door from earlier versions. While UniNova does not plan to find systems with shareware versions and "break in", it might be worth it to some users (who might not otherwise register) to get a fully secure program. After all, if a third party were to guess the back door at some point (highly unlikely but not impossible), systems running the unregistered version would be at risk of a security compromise. Is it an ethical method? Or is it a scheme akin to extortion? Good question. UniNova solicits your comments on this approach to registration encouragement. Due to the inability to ensure security when Idle is run under DOS 6, however, future versions are unlikely and the back door will probably not disappear from the unregistered version. HISTORY: -------- Version 2.20 - Added a "failed attempts" report. - New string processing procedure is marginally faster and requires marginally less memory. - The new processing mentioned above should prevent the recurrence of the bug that prevented users from getting out of the program with the correct password. - Program rights transferred to UniNova Services Corporation, and documentation and executable reflect the new ownership. Version 2.15 - Fixed MAJOR bug that would randomly prevent users from getting out of the program. (If this bug re-appears, let us know!) - Added ability to use extended characters in the password, not just the display. - Fixed backspace "bug" (returned to earlier processing method). Version 2.10 - Option added to include ANSI color in the display. - Option added to use extended characters instead of the plain ASCII characters in the display screen. - Option added to prevent display of the password as it is typed in. - Added .PIF files to distribution archive. Version 2.00 - Released under author's name only. - Display now moves to prevent screen burn-in (note this refers to "ghost images" created by leaving a particular set of pixels illuminated for too long, not burning holes in a screen as mis- taught by a teacher of a CWU computer class). - Changed to no-color display using only plain ASCII characters to provide maximum compatibility. - Re-written in C++. - Added requirement to register. Version 1.01 - Version number included. - Requires parameter (password) and explains syntax if it is not used correctly. Version 1.00 - No version number included in executable. - Released under the name "Wicked Weasel Software" (the name of a programmers group that never quite got off the ground). - Written in Modula-2.