On win98 os.path.expanuser('~') does not result in a useable directory. The MSDN recommendation for user specific directories is the use of shell.ShGetSpecialFolder, so use it. For details see: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/shell/reference/functions/shgetspecialfolderpath.asp

#!/bin/sh

hg
hg -q
hg help
hg -q help
hg add -h
hg add --skjdfks
hg help diff
hg help status
hg -q help status
hg help foo
hg skjdfks

exit 0