DarrenW,
You can use a *.pif file with a "?" as the command line parameter to start a batchfile. First a dialog box will open and whatever you type into the box will get sent to the batch as %1. Right click a pif put something in the commandline box like this:
c:\bat\mybatch.bat ?
You can also use the old Pifedit.exe program from Windows 3x to create your pifs, I find it quicker from the command prompt than Explorer, though it is limited in some respects (8x3 names for one), it will take UNC names.
The Start.exe program can also perform a shell execute from a batch and give you some flow control over you programs. Use the /w to wait, /max to run maximized, /m to run minimized and so on.
<a href="http://www.robvanderwoude.com">Rob's Scripting Page</a> has some good info on batches.
Let me know if you need more help. How much snow do you have up there now?
mole |