═══ 1. Introduction ═══ AV does a lot of things, but its primary use is usually as an Archive Viewer (hence the name). An archive, in case you didn't know, is a collection of files bundled together, usually compressed to make them smaller, into one file, making them an efficient storage method. Archives are often used to distribute files over Bulletin Board Systems, and for backup purposes. Files on installation diskettes for commercial programs are also often archived. AV can view the contents of archives, including reading text files and executing programs from inside the archive. It can also extract files from the archive so that they become individual, normal files on disk. All this is accomplished with the help of the archive program itself (the program that created the archive, usually referred to generically as an "archiver"). Registered versions of AV can also build archives without having to resort to the command line. AV can also be used as a program launcher, to start applications, and as a file maintenance tool, to find, delete, copy, move, rename, and encrypt files and directories, and more. For more detailed information on AV, click the Index button on the help manager screen. ═══ 1.1. Installing AV ═══ Installing AV is fairly easy: Copy AV's help file AV.HLP to the directory named in the HELP environment variable (usually C:\OS2\HELP). Copy ARCHIVER.BB2 to a directory listed in the PATH or DPATH environment variables. It is possible to use the Launching and Groups portions of AV without installing ARCHIVER.BB2; you won't be able to view archive contents, but the rest of the program will function normally. Optionally, copy AV.EXE to a directory listed in the PATH environment variable. This lets you execute AV from any OS/2 command line. Otherwise, place AV.EXE in any directory you choose. DOS archivers will not work with AV, nor do I intend to try to make them work. DOS viewers, editors and associations will work, however. Files used by AV: The ARCHIVER.BB2 file is what AV uses to know about archives. The file is fully commented to allow you to make changes to it. Changes may have to be made when you upgrade your archivers, or if you use a different archiver than those listed in the file. ARCHIVER.BB2 may be editted manually, and in some cases will have to be editted manually, although AV provides an internal editing dialog that will suffice for most purposes. AV stores Associations in a file named AVASSOC.AV2. By default, this file goes in the first directory listed in DPATH. You can copy it somewhere else on your PATH or DPATH and AV will keep it there afterwards. AV makes a back up of this file whenever it changes it, named AVASSOC.ASB. AV stores Groups in a file named AVGROUP.AV2. Same notes apply as for AVASSOC.AV2. The back up file is named AVGROUP.AGB. When directory trees are saved, they are saved as AVTREE._? where ? is the letter of the drive. Location is as specified for AVASSOC/AVGROUP above. AV saves the names of the last few directories accessed in a file named AVDIRS.AV2 in the location as specified for AVASSOC above. AV stores other information in an .INI file named AV.INI. This is an OS/2-maintained file and AV does not provide a backup. In the event of data corruption, you can erase these files (or restore backups) to bring AV back to its default (or saved) state. Some of these files may be editted manually if you're bold and curious. See also: Select Files Replacing the Workplace Associations Groups Starting AV ═══ 1.2. Replacing the Workplace ═══ To install AV as a Workplace replacement: Follow the steps under Installing AV. Change your CONFIG.SYS file to SET RUNWORKPLACE=<\dir\>AV.EXE. Shutdown OS/2 and reboot so the change can take effect. Note that if you REM out the existing SET RUNWORKPLACE line you can replace it if AV isn't what you thought it would be. If you have the memory to run Workplace, I recommend you do so. You should really only consider using AV as the Workplace if you have less than 8 megs of RAM. If you ran OS/2 1.2 or 1.3 you know the basic type of functionality to expect. See also: Select Files Installing AV Starting AV Group Manager ═══ 1.3. Starting AV ═══ AV can be started from a command line prompt by typing "AV" followed by the enter key. Optionally, you can follow that with a space and one or more filenames that AV will act upon at once. If you enter a directory (ended with a backslash), AV will move into that directory at once. You can also start AV from an OS/2 2.0 Workplace program object. I suggest you place %* in the Parameters field of the object's Settings so that dropping an archive onto AV causes AV to be loaded and view the archive at once. You might also want to associate common archive extensions (*.ARC, *.ZIP, *.LZH, etc.) with AV under the Associations Settings, so double-clicking an archive object will cause AV to be loaded. Basic rules when starting AV: o The directory in which you start AV is the extract directory when AV starts. o A directory with ending backslash following AV.EXE on the command line designates a directory to which AV moves on startup. o If a filename follows AV.EXE on the command line, AV moves to its directory, then views it automatically. o If the "Extract Follows" toggle is on, the command line is always wherever AV is; when AV switches directories, the extract directory changes too. Otherwise the extract directory remains stationary unless you change it manually. o Combining all this, if you start AV from a work directory with AV.EXE E:\DLS\ AV uses the work directory for extracts and looks into E:\DLS\ on startup until you change it or the "Extract Follows" toggle is on, in which case E:\DLS\ becomes the extract dir on startup. Command line examples: AV C:\ARCHIVES\ANARC.ARC (Starts AV, immediately views archive C:\ARCHIVES\ANARC.ARC) AV C:\ARCHIVES\ ANARC.ARC AZIP.ZIP ANLZH.LZH (Starts AV, moves into directory C:\ARCHIVES, immediately views the three archives) AV C:\ARCHIVES\ANARC.ARC C:\MORE\AZIP.ZIP (Starts AV, immediately views the two archives) AV C:\MYFILES\ (Starts AV, moves to directory C:\MYFILES\ AV C:\MYFILES\*.TXT (Starts AV, moves to directory C:\MYFILES\ and sets filemask to *.TXT) AV (Just starts AV) The first thing you'll probably want to do in AV is go to the Config->Prog Setup and Config->Toggles menu items to look at and play with the settings there. ═══ 1.4. Ending AV ═══ If AV is not in Launcher mode, you can end it by pressing the Escape key. The F3 key also ends AV, as does the End->End menu item (note that when AV is run as a replacement Workplace Shell, it reads Shutdown->Shutdown instead, and does perform a system shutdown after confirmation). Here's the easy description: Menu items named "Exit" close a window. Menu items named "End" close AV (end the program). If running AV as a replacement Workplace Shell, menu items named "Shutdown" shutdown the system (also ending AV). ═══ 1.5. Questions and Answers ═══ Commonly asked questions, commonly given answers: Q: When I select a file that's not an archive, I get a message box telling me the file is not an archive and asking if I want to view it. How do I prevent the message box from appearing? A: Turn off (uncheck) the "Confirm View" toggle (Config->Toggles->Confirmations submenu). Q: I can't seem to view .PAK or .SDN archives. A: There's no OS/2 version of PAK available yet. Q: Sometimes when I start AV it tells me the extract directory already exists. Why? A: You probably either quit AV while another program (probably a viewer) had a file open that was in one of the temporary directories AV creates while running, so AV couldn't clean up behind itself, or shut down dirty (power loss) while AV was running. Click Yes on the message box. Things should proceed normally from there. Q: AV usually works right, but when I try to look at an archive on a diskette a DOS friend sent me, AV acts weird. Why? A: Did your well meaning friend "helpfully" put the DOS archiver on the diskette as well? If so, delete it, or set your archiver command strings to include a drive and path. AV's trying to use it since it's in the default directory. Q: How do I use a specific work directory for extracting and start up in my downloads directory to view new archives I've just received if AV won't save my extract directory? A: Start AV from the work directory with the path of the download directory on the command line (works from program objects, too). Be sure the "Extract Follows" toggle is off (unchecked). Q: How do I make AV let the extract directory "float" to always be the directory at which AV is looking? A: Turn on (check) the "Extract Follows" toggle (Config->Toggles->Modus Operandi submenu). Select Config->Save Settings if you want it to become the default setting. The Extract directory will "follow" the main window's right-hand listbox directory. Q: How does AV behave with regard to the extract directory when I double-click an Associated archive? A: The extract directory is whatever directory AV starts in (as determined by the "Working directory" entry field on the first page of it's object's settings, or by where you are when you type "AV" on a command line. In the case of associations, the "Working directory" of the object with which the filemask (i.e. *.ZIP) is associated is used as the extract directory (AV starts there, then switches to the directory containing the ZIP file). If you leave the object's "Working directory" entry field blank, OS/2 will use the directory in which the ZIP file resides as the startup (and, therefore, the default extract) directory. In other words, when you start AV by double-clicking an associated archive, AV starts just as though you'd typed "AV " on the command line from the "Working directory" named in the object associated with the archive's file mask, or from the archive's directory if there's no "Working directory" assigned to the object. Q: How do I get AV to automatically let me edit a file by selecting it instead of just Viewing it? A: Check (turn on) the "Edit Mode" toggle (Config->Toggles->Modus Operandi). Q: I have a lot of .INF files stored one-per-archive. How do I get AV to skip the contents screen when I select one and just display it? A: Check (turn on) the "Viewer Mode" toggle (Config->Toggles->Modus Operandi). Q: What's "Launcher Mode?" A: AV normally defaults to viewing a file when you select it via double-click. If Launcher Mode is on, AV tries to execute the file first, directly or by Association, and views it only if that fails. Q: How do I change a file's icon with AV? A: The Files->Attributes command. The dialog box that pops up will show the file's current icon. Drag an icon file onto that icon and the icon will be set. Q: Exactly what do I do to change an archiver's settings when I start getting the "Weird, no files..." popup because I changed archivers? A: Answer the popup by clicking on Yes. That will take you to the internal archiver setting dialog. Extensive help is available there, and the listbox on the right will contain what the archiver listing command produced, so you can probably pick start and end strings right out of it. Q: I run a DOS BBS all the time and AV sometimes doesn't respond when I ask it to delete, move or copy a file. What's wrong? A: DOS boxes are hogs. Check Config->Modus Operandi->Normal priority threads to give AV's background threads a boost. ═══ 2. Accelerator Keys ═══ Accelerator keys for various windows (macros also available in all listed windows except Group and Group Manager): Select File F1 Help F2/^r Rescan directory F3 End AV F4/^v View Selected File(s) F5 Collect File(s) sF5 Uncollect File(s) aF5/^e Edit Selected Files(s) F6 Default Action on Current File F7/^b Build Archive from Selected File(s) F8/^g Group Manager F9/^z Command Prompt F10/^p Program Setup aF2 Exec Current File immediate ^aF2 Exec Current File w/ args saF2 Exec Current File w/ args and options aF5/^e Edit Selected File(s) aF8/^A Associations Dialog ^a Archives Only Filter toggle ^c Copy Selected File(s) ^d Delete Selected File(s) ^k This help ^m Move Selected File(s) ^t Directory Tree ^w Walk Directories ^x Exec Selected File(s) via default method ^B Instant Command (Batch) File Dialog ^C Pick command from Commands group to run on Current File ^E Extract from Selected File(s) ^G Grep (File Finder) Window ^P Pick from recently used directories ^R Rename Selected File(s) ^HOME Clear current file/current list box ^END Marks all files in current listbox ^sEND Marks all files and directories in current listbox ^\ Root directory ^. Parent directory ^/ Complete filename in long entryfield below filemasks Archive Contents F1 Help F2/^r Rescan F3 Exit Contents F4/^V View Current File F5/^E Edit Current File F6/^x Extract File F10/^p Program Setup ^d Delete Marked Files ^k This help ^t Directory Tree ^v View+ File (includes Associations, default) ^w Walk Directories ^A Associations Dialog ^P Pick extract directory from recently used directories ^HOME/- Unmark All ^END/+ Mark All Directory Tree F1 Help F3 Exit ^a Make directory ^d Delete directory ^i Disk information ^k This help ^m Move directory ^r Rebuild tree ^v Archive directory Viewer/Editor F1 Help F2 Set font F3 Quit viewer F4/^f Find first occurence of string F5/^n Find next occurence of string F6/^I Toggle search case sensitivity F7/^w Toggle word wrap F8 Select All F9 Deselect All ^c Change Filename ^i Import File ^k This help ^l Load File (into current window) ^o Open File (create new window) ^s Save File ^x Export File ^y Delete current line ^G Grep external files ^N New File ^S Save File As... ^0...^9 Goto Bookmark # s^0...s^9 Save Bookmark # Note that not all are available in Read Only mode. Grep F1 Help F3 Exit ^a Archive Selected Files ^b Change Attributes of Selected Files ^c Copy Selected Files ^d Delete Selected Files ^e Edit Selected Files ^k This Help ^m Move Selected Files ^r Rename Selected Files ^v View Selected Files ^x Execute Selected Files ^y En/decrypt Selected Files ^E Extract from Selected Files ^HOME Unmark all files ^END Mark all files Group Manager F1 Help F3 Exit Group Manager F5/^m Select File ^d Delete Group ^k This help Groups F1 Help F3 Exit Group F4/^g Group Manager F5/^m Select File ^d Delete program from Group ^k This help Collector F1 Help ESC/F3 Exit Collector ^a Archive Selected Files ^b Change Attributes of Selected Files ^c Copy Selected Files ^d Delete Selected Files ^e Edit Selected Files ^k This Help ^m Move Selected Files ^r Rename Selected Files ^v View Selected Files ^x Execute Selected Files ^y En/decrypt Selected Files ^E Extract from Selected Files ^HOME Unmark all files ^END Mark all files Pseudo legend: ^a = CTRL+"a" ^A = Shift+CTRL+"A" aF1 = ALT+F1 saF1 = Shift+ALT+F1 ^aF1 = CTRL+ALT+F1 s^0 = Shift+CTRL+"0" Note that menus usually list the accelerator keys corresponding to their commands (i.e. "View ^v"). ═══ 3. Select Files ═══ The Select Files window contains two large listboxes that show the contents of two directories. The first time you run AV they will be set to the same (default) directory; change the left one and select Config->Save Settings so that the next time you run AV the left listbox will "remember" a different directory. The right listbox always starts in the default directory. There are a couple of concepts to master here: one is "current file" and the other is "current listbox." Some AV actions take place only on the current file, but most (marked with an asterisk in the Files menu) take place on all selected files in the current listbox. The current file is displayed in the long entry field near the top of the window below the mask dropdown lists. The current listbox is pointed to by a large arrow button near the center of the screen above and between two entry fields that give the current path of the two listboxes. Selecting a file in either listbox changes the current file. Clicking the large arrow button or either of the listboxes changes the current listbox. Each listbox can have its own current file. As stated previously, each listbox is associated with a directory. To change the directory associated with a listbox, make it the current listbox, then click either the icon of the tree (directory tree), the walking stickman (walk directories), or the pointing hand (pick directory). Change to the desired drive and directory and AV fills the listbox with any files in the new directory. You can select files in either listbox and "drag" them to the other listbox to move the files from one directory to another. Hold down the CTRL key before beginning the drag to copy the files instead. Alternatively, select Move or Copy from the Files pulldown menu. The toolbar icon buttons across the bottom of the window are "shortcuts" duplicated in the pulldown menus. Pass the mouse pointer over them and they'll tell you, at the top of the window, what they are (some of the icons have popup menus; the help prompt for these has an asterisk on the end). You can "drag" files from a listbox to some of the icons, or click on any of them like buttons. You can control which toolbar buttons show up, and whether the help line shows, via the Config->Toggles->Toolbar buttons menu item; there are more buttons available than show under the default configuration. Note: The Move and Copy toolbar buttons have a slightly different behavior than the accelerator keys and menu selections: You will be prompted for a directory into which the files will be moved/copied when clicking the toolbar buttons. To complete our tour of this window, below the pulldown menus are two drop-down listboxes for entering or selecting filemasks. Finally, four numeric text fields flank the arrow button, indicating how many files are in each listbox and how many are highlighted (selected). If you double-click on a filename in one of the listboxes, one of two default actions occurs. If Launcher Mode is not active (you see three folders in AV's System Menu icon at the top left of the titlebar), the file is Viewed; if it's an archive, you get an Archive Contents window. If Launcher Mode is active (you see a spaceship taking off in AV's System Menu icon), AV first attempts to execute the file, directly or by Association, and Views the file only if it's neither executable nor Associated. See also: Hints Files Menu Dirs Menu Masks Menu Config Menu Misc Menu Ending AV Archive Contents Prog Setup Associations Build Archive Group Manager Registration Installing AV Starting AV Filemasks Replacing the Workplace Directory Tree Accelerator Keys ═══ 3.1. Hints ═══ When the cursor is in a directory listbox you can double-click the second mouse button (usually the right button, the one you use to drag) to get a menu of the most likely choices for that listbox's items. You'll still need to preselect the item(s) on which to work, in most cases. You can also get a context popup menu using the second mouse button in the directory path entry fields and from some toolbar buttons. You can use the Collector to select files from disparate directories, and even entire directories, and perform an action on all selections at once. AV allows you to both add files to and remove files from the Collector so that you can perform "ORing" and "ANDing" on the selection set. Drag and drop looks neat, but usually just selecting a menu item or pressing an accelerator key is faster, unless you need to interact with an object outside of AV. However, the choice of interface type is yours; experiment a bit and use what suits you best. I've been accused of subscribing to the Tool Time philosophy of More Power; hopefully it's to your benefit. ═══ 3.1.1. Drag and Drop ═══ First, select the item(s) you want to drag. Then press and hold mouse button 2 (usually the right button for right-handed mice). Then move the mouse. You should see a small file or directory (folder) icon appear with the mouse pointer; it may take a while to appear if you are dragging many items. Now drag the mouse pointer with the icon to the window or object where you want to drop it. A "cannot drop" icon may appear when the pointer is above some windows and objects; these spots do not support drag and drop, at least with the type of item(s) you're dragging. When you have the pointer over the desired destination, release mouse button 2. Modifier keys may be pressed during drag and drop: CTRL: Copy the file or directory. The default action is to Move the file or directory (in AV). SHIFT: Move the file or directory (also AV default). CTRL+SHIFT: Link the directory with the current listbox (in AV). In other words, switch to the dragged directory. PM gives you visual feedback as to which type of dragging you're doing. Moves are indicated by the pointer and drag icon being solid. When Copying, the pointer and icon are halftoned. When Linking, a rubberband line extends from the original listbox to the pointer. You can cancel a drag in process by pressing the ESCape key. Drag and drop with external targets and sources (WPS objects, etc.) should work as normal. ═══ 3.1.2. Common Errors ═══ Some common OS/2 error codes: File not found 2 Path not found 3 Too many open files 4 Access denied 5 Invalid handle 6 Arena trashed 7 Not enough memory 8 Invalid block 9 Bad environment 10 Bad format 11 Invalid access 12 Invalid data 13 Invalid drive 15 Current directory 16 Not same device 17 No more files 18 Write protect 19 Bad unit 20 Not ready 21 Bad command 22 CRC 23 Bad length 24 Seek 25 Not dos disk 26 Sector not found 27 Out of paper 28 Write fault 29 Read fault 30 Gen failure 31 Sharing violation 32 Lock violation 33 Wrong disk 34 FCB unavailable 35 Sharing buffer exceeded 36 Code page mismatched 37 Handle eof 38 Handle disk full 39 Device in use 99 Disk change 107 Drive locked 108 Broken pipe 109 Open failed 110 Buffer overflow 111 Disk full 112 No more search handles 113 Invalid name 123 Mod not found 126 Busy drive 142 Same drive 143 Dir not root 144 Dir not empty 145 Is SUBST path 146 Is JOIN path 147 Path busy 148 Is SUBST target 149 Label too long 154 ═══ 3.2. Archive Contents ═══ The Archive Contents dialog box contains a listbox showing the files contained in an archive selected at the Select Files dialog. The title bar of this dialog box shows the archive's name. There are two entry fields at the top of the window; the left is for the filemask used to filter the files displayed (default is "*" for all files), and the right is a "finder;" enter part of a filename and AV will attempt to find it in the listbox and move it to the top. AV will also place the "current filename" in this field when you're selecting files in the listbox. At the bottom of the window is an entry field where you can see and change the extract directory. A pushbutton marked by a "W" in the lower right corner of the screen pulls up the familiar Walk Directory dialog for "walking" to a new extract directory, another marked by a "T" calls up the trusty Directory Tree, and another marked by a "P" lets you pick from the most recently used directories. A third button marked by a left-facing arrow copies the path from the left-hand listbox of the Select Files window to the extract directory. If you highlight a file in the listbox and press [Enter] (or double-click on it), AV temporarily extracts and views the file (checking your Associations to see if a custom viewer should be used). Note that the listbox allows multiple selections; only the last selected file is viewed. If the file being viewed is an archive within the archive, another Archive Contents dialog box appears. If you have Confirm View checked in the Config dialog, a file which is not an archive will display a message box asking if you want to view it. This is the action performed by the "View+" command under the Files submenu. The "View" command will perform similarly, but will not check Associations before viewing. You can perform other actions on files in the archive, or the archive as a whole. The menus allow you to delete files, edit a file (and optionally refresh the archive with the editted file), convert the entire archive to a different format, extract files, and test the entire archive. They also allow you to highlight, or mark, all files in the archive (deletion and extraction require files to be highlighted), and give you access to the Prog Setup dialog box. If you want to extract all the files in the archive, use the Archive->Extract All command instead of highlighting all the files and selecting Files->Extract. It's a bit faster, especially on large archives, due to OS/2 limitations on command line length with DosStartSession. You can give AV a mask to selectively filter the files displayed in the listbox. Filtering doesn't remove files from the archive, just from the display you see. This can be a powerful tool in archives containing many files. Hints: When the pointer is in the list box, the second button (usually the right button) will bring up a menu with the most likely choices. You'll still need to preselect the item(s) with which you want to work. You can drag files onto the listbox, and they'll be added to the archive. If the files already exist in the archive, they'll be overwritten. Although you can drag files from the archive to extract them, don't; it's slow, inefficient and weird if dragged to WPS objects. I know you're going to try it anyway, so remember that I told you so. Because many OS/2 programs require support files to run (DLLs, help files, etc.), AV's Files->Exec option extracts all highlighted files then runs the current file. Therefore, select all the support files first, and select the executable file last when executing files from an archive. This can simplify things greatly when you want to testdrive a new program without creating a directory, unpacking, etc., then cleaning up when you're done. The Config->Toggles->Modus Operandi->Extract Follows menu item on the Select Files window can be checked to cause the extract directory to "follow" the directory represented by the Select Files right listbox. See also: Select Files Associations ═══ 3.3. Files Menu ═══ The Files Menu offers you many choices of things to do to a selected file: View View the selected file(s). Primarily useful for text files, but AV can view some files in a special manner in conjunction with software you specify (see the Config->Prog Setup and Config->Assoc menu items). ArcView (Note: this option reads Exec/View if you aren't using AV with an ARCHIVER.BB2 for archive viewing) Performs the default action on the current file, as explained under the Select Files topic. Delete Deletes the selected file(s). Copy Copies the selected file(s) to the Target Path. Move Moves the selected file(s) to the Target Path. Rename Lets you rename the selected file(s). They can be moved to a different directory at the same time, but in this case must remain on the same drive. Encrypt/Decrypt Encrypt or decrypt the selected file(s) (the key phrase used in the encryption/decryption process can be modified from the Files->Config submenu). Encrypted files get the extension ".ENC" and decrypted files get the extension ".DEC". Attribs Allows you to change the attributes, time and date, and icon of the selected file(s). Desktop If you are running AV as a replacement Workplace Shell, allows you to set the desktop to the currently selected bitmap file. This option is disabled if you aren't running AV as the Workplace Shell; use the Desktop's own popup menu to set the background in this case. Mark All Marks (highlights, or selects) all files in the current listbox. Unmark All Unmarks (dehighlights, or deselects) all files in the current listbox. Edit Invokes the configured editor (see Prog Setup topic), or the internal editor if no editor is configured, to edit the selected file(s). Command If you have a Group named "Commands" this allows you to pick a command from that Group to run against the current file. If not, you'll get a dialog box into which you may enter a command. Exec Leads to a submenu that allows you to execute files: Exec Default Attempts to execute the selected file(s) in the Default execution style (see the Config->Toggles menu item). Command Execute a command with the filename as the argument. If you have a Group named "Commands," AV lets you pick the command. If not, you get a popup box to fill in a command. This works on the current file. 2Command Execute a command as above with the current filenames from both listboxes as arguments. XCommand Execute a command as above with all files from the current listbox as arguments. This may cause more than one execution if command line overflow occurs. Exec Now Attempts to execute the current file, without asking for any optional parameters. Can be used to override the Default execution style. Exec w/ Args Attempts to execute the current file, asking for a command line first. Exec w/ Options Attempts to execute the current file, asking for a command line and allowing you to set other execution options first. Build Archive If you have registered AV and a valid ARCHIVER.BB2, this lets you create an archive containing the selected file(s) in a couple of easy steps. Extract Extracts files from the selected archive(s). Leads to a separate dialog that allows you to tweak settings. Does not require you to look at the contents of the archive(s) first. Create Objects Creates Workplace objects from selected file(s). If only one object is selected (highlighted), creates the object on the Desktop. If multiple objects are selected, first prompts for the name of a Folder, creates the Folder on the Desktop, then creates the objects in that Folder. Executable files are created as program objects, icons and bitmaps are recognized by their extensions, directories are ignored, and everything else is created as a datafile object. This behavior changes slightly if the Config->Toggles->Modus Operandi->All objects shadows toggle is on; all objects are then created as shadows. See also: Prog Setup Select Files Config Menu ═══ 3.3.1. Extracting from archives ═══ To extract from an archive, select the archive in a Select Files listbox, then click the Extract toolbar button, or select the Files->Extract menu item. Alternatively, drag the selected archive(s) onto the Extract toolbar button (it looks like a pair of pliers pulling a nail). AV presents you with a dialog that allows you to select the method of extraction, add masks for files to extract, tweak the command line for exotic settings, and select the extraction directory (the directory to which the files will be extracted) by several methods (Walk directories, Tree, Pick and copy the left Select File's listbox directory; in other words, the same options available in an Archive Contents window). Click Okay to begin extracting from the archive, or Cancel if you change your mind. You can also extract files from the archive in the Archive Contents window using that window's menus. ═══ 3.3.2. Build archive ═══ To build an archive, select some files in a Select Files listbox, then click the Build Archive toolbar button, or select the Files->Build Archive menu item. Alternatively, drag the selected files onto the Build Archive toolbar button (it looks like a safe). AV will ask you for the type of the archive by presenting you with a listbox from which to pick an archiver. After that, another dialog appears to let you modify how the archive will be created. You'll need to at least enter a filename for the archive, unless you are adding to an existing archive by dragging files onto its Archive Contents window. Additional masks may be entered, the archiver command line tweaked, and so forth. Click Okay to create the archive, or Cancel if you change your mind. Note that the archive name may be an existing archive, in which case it's modified by adding the new files. If some of the files are already in the archive, they're replaced. Build Archive is available only in registered versions of AV. See also: Select Files Registration Filemasks Directory Tree ═══ 3.4. Dirs Menu ═══ The Dirs Menu Tree Presents you with a simple directory tree in a listbox from which you can select (double-click) any directory on the current drive without "walking" the drive. You can also change drives and perform directory maintenance, such as deleting, moving and creating directories. Selecting a directory from the tree returns you to the Select Files window and fills the current listbox with files from the new directory. Walk Presents you with a simple listbox that lets you "walk" through your directory structure. Directories connected to the current directory are shown in one listbox, drives in another. As you select (double-click) directories or drives, the listbox is refreshed allowing you to make another choice. Clicking Okay returns you to the Select Files window and fills the current listbox with files from the new directory. Pick Presents you with a listbox containing recently used directories. Rescan Rescans the current directory, refilling the listboxes. The accelerator key for this command is F2. Selecting the menu command causes both listboxes to be refreshed, but using the accelerator key causes only the current listbox to be refreshed. ═══ 3.5. Masks Menu ═══ Add Mask Adds the current mask to the mask listboxes. Double-clicking on a mask in a listbox or typing in a mask makes it the current mask. Delete Mask Deletes the current mask from the mask listboxes. Save Masks Saves the masks in the mask listboxes. The next time AV is run the masks will be recalled to the listboxes. Note that AV will set up some default masks for you in the unregistered version if you have none saved to help you evaluate the product. Save at least "*" to avoid this, if desired. ═══ 3.6. Config Menu ═══ The Config menu lets you change the way AV works to your satisfaction: Associations invokes the Associations dialog. Prog Setup invokes the Prog Setup dialog. I played a bit here. If you don't like that and have registered AV, check the Config->Toggles->Miscellaneous->Weird off item and it'll all go away. If you haven't registered AV, suffer, or get a sense of humor. :-) Defaults restores AV to the state it was in when you first loaded it (rereads all Groups, Associations, masks and toggles from their respective files). Edit Arc lets you edit an existing archiver data entry, assuming you have any to edit. Add Arc lets you add a new archiver data entry. Edit Macros lets you change the commands assigned to your macro keys (Shift-F1 -> Shift-F12 and CTRL-F1 -> CTRL-F12). Set Cryption Key lets you change the keyphrase used to encrypt and decrypt files. Although AV performs quite secure encryption on your files, note that only mild encryption is performed on your keyword when storing it (via Config->Save Settings). For real security you should never save the keyword you use on sensitive materials; change it before saving! Toggles invokes a submenu of submenus that lets you set the state of various toggles that control the way AV behaves. The Filters submenu contains toggles that control, together with the current filemask, which files appear in the Files listbox. The Modus Operandi submenu contains toggles that control default behaviors (like Launcher mode). The Confirmations submenu contains toggles that control whether AV will confirm different actions, like deleting a file. The Default Exec Level submenu contains toggles that let you decide how AV should execute files by default. Toolbar Buttons lets you turn on and off toolbar buttons individually, and allows you to turn off the brief help line at the top of the window that tells what they are when the mouse passes over them. The Miscellaneous submenu contains other toggles that didn't fit those categories. Save Position saves the current Select Files window size and location. Save Settings Saves toggles, programs, paths, etc.; just about everything but positions and filemasks. See also: Prog Setup Associations Macro Keys ═══ 3.6.1. Associations ═══ The Associations dialog lets you associate a filemask (like *.dwg) with a particular program. Then, when AV is in Launcher mode, if you enter or double-click on a filename that matches the mask, the program is run with the datafile as part of its argument string (in our *.dwg example, it might start AutoCAD to edit or plot the drawing). Other examples might be associating *.mak files with a compiler make utility and *.c files with a text editor, or *.WKS files with 123. You can Clone AV to "tear off" a Select Files window. You might leave this cloned window "looking into" a particular pair of directories filled with datafiles, and use it to launch an application on selected files as needed. The Associations dialog is reached via the Assoc item under Select Files' Config submenu. In the Run entry box you can use the special symbol "%*" to mean "place the selected filename here." Otherwise, AV concats a space and then the filename to the string you enter in the Run field. The special symbol "%!" can be used to insert the full directory path where the selected filename resides. See also: Select Files ═══ 3.6.2. Prog Setup ═══ AV's Prog Setup dialog lets you change the programs that you use to view and edit files. The Viewer field is the default reader used to view files, unless you leave it blank, in which case AV uses a cheap internal MLE Viewer. There are several excellent shareware viewers available for OS/2, like Vern Buerg's LIST. If a file has a special extension (i.e. .INF, .ICO, .MET, .BMP, .PKT or .GIF), a special viewer is invoked, as indicated in the entry fields. "Packets" refers to Fidonet type 2 message packets. The Editor field is the program used whenever you request to edit a file. AV attempts to use defaults for these programs that you might have around (the default editor is a cheap MLE internal), but you can change them as you prefer (you might, for example, want to use EPM.EXE instead, a much better editor that also comes with OS/2). Include extensions on all programs. Save As Defaults must be checked for AV to permanently save these items into AV.INI. Otherwise your changes are only retained for the current session. The toggles under Select Files' Config->Toggles submenu and the internal Viewer's font and toggle settings are also saved. See also: Select Files Archive Contents Filemasks Editting Archiver Details ═══ 3.6.3. Editting Archiver Details ═══ This dialog box allows you to edit the details of an archiver. Entry boxes are present for all the twenty one fields represented in ARCHIVER.BB2. In the event that you attempt to list an archive and AV feels you've probably bungled the entry in ARCHIVER.BB2, you'll be given an opportunity to use this dialog to fix the entry. In this case, you'll see the listbox at the right of the dialog filled with the listing of the archive that your archiver made. You can highlight a line and click the << button next to the Start List or End List fields to move the line to that entry field (these are the most common mistakes, and AV cannot find any files if the Start List string is wrong). You can double-click on a listbox line to have AV "parse" it into the Fld# text boxes for you, to make it easier to judge field positions for sizes, dates, and filenames. The filename field in particular is extremely important. If it's too high, AV finds no files. If it's "in range" but wrong, AV gets the wrong fields for filenames. You may still need to refer to your archiver's documentation, or run it to get the help on its command syntax. AV can't do everything for you, but it holds your hand as best it can. Refer to the ARCHIVER.BB2 file that came with AV for additional information and an example. When you've completed editing the archiver's details, click Okay. AV will ask you if you want to rewrite ARCHIVER.BB2 (be sure you save the original copy for its complete notes; AV will back it up one version to ARCHIVER.BAK). If you don't rewrite ARCHIVER.BB2, changes are good only for the current session (handy for testing). You can also get to this dialog box from Select Files' Config submenu. See also: Archiver Details Fields ═══ 3.6.3.1. Archiver Details Fields ═══ ID This field contains an ID for the archiver; something for human consumption. It's a good idea to include the version number of the archiver for reference. An example might be "LHArc 2.11". Add This field should contain the command that creates and adds files to an archive. An example might be "PKZIP.EXE -a". Note that commands should include the extension so that AV can check them without guessing. Above this field is a button labeled "See." If clicked, the program named in this field will be run (you'll be given the opportunity to add arguments to the command line) in another window. This lets you check command syntax and archiver version. Move This field should contain the command that moves files to the archive (adds then deletes the file). An example might be "ARC.EXE mwn". Extension This field contains the extension normally associated with files created by this archiver. An example might be "ZOO" for files created by the Zoo archiver. Extract This field contains the command that extracts files from the archive. This command should not delete the files from the archive when it extracts them, and *must* be present for AV to show you a member of the archive (commands other than Extract and List may be left blank if necessary). An example might be "PKUNZIP.EXE -o". Note the "-o" option given; this tells PKUNZIP to automatically overwrite any existing files (AV will check to see if any of the files exist and warn you if so). It's important to always include your archiver's "don't stop for user input" option; some things occur as detached processes and you can't interact with them; the program would be hung, which is uncool. Above this field is a button labeled "See." If clicked, the program named in this field will be run (you'll be given the opportunity to add arguments to the command line) in another window. This lets you check command syntax and archiver version. Note: It may be necessary, in the case of broken archivers like some UNZIPs, to make this the same as the following "Extract w/Dirs" field to get viewing of archive members to work. This is because some archivers will not extract a file that is stored with paths without the path when you ask it to do so. Extract w/Dirs This field contains the command that extracts files from the archive and places them into directories embedded in the archive. An example might be "LH.EXE x /o /s". Signature This field contains the signature for the archive type. There is usually a byte or few in a particular place in any archive that indicates that it is, indeed, an archive of that type. AV uses these signatures to "sniff out" which archiver is used to manipulate the archive. Since these signatures sometimes contain characters which are "unprintable," you can use \x to represent any "strange" characters. A side effect of this is that two backslashes are required to represent a single backslash ("\\" == "\"). To determine what an archiver's signature is, either ask the archiver's author or check several different archives of the type for one or more bytes present in each at the same location, usually near the beginning of the file. This field must be entered and valid for AV to detect this type of archive (see also Sig(nature) Pos(ition)). List This field contains the command to list the archive's contents. This command *must* be present and correct for AV to work properly with this type of archive. An example might be "ZOO.EXE v". Test This field contains the command to test the archive's integrity. An example might be "PKUNZIP.EXE -t". Add with paths This field contains the command to add files to the archiver with their paths (i.e. \AV\AV.EXE instead of just AV.EXE). This can be omitted if the archiver doesn't support the command. An example might be "ZIP.EXE" (Zip defaults to adding paths). Move with paths As above, but moves the files instead of just adding them. An example might be "PKZIP -m -P". Add and recurse Adds files to the archive, with paths, and recurses into subdirectories. An example might be "LH a /s". Delete This field contains the command to delete files from the archive. An example might be "LH.EXE /o /d". Sig(nature) Pos(ition) This field contains a number indicating how many bytes into the file the signature is located. If this number is negative, AV looks from the end of the file instead of the beginning. F(ile)Name Pos(ition) This field tells AV which field on the line of an archive listing is the filename. Fields are numbered from 0. This field must be present and correct for AV to get the right filenames from the archive listing. To understand what "field on the line of an archive listing" means, think of a text line as being broken up into tokens, or words, separated by spaces. These tokens, or words, are fields. Therefore, I like Ike. contains three fields. Field 0 is "I", field 1 is "like", and field 3 is "Ike." OldS(i)z(e) Pos(ition) This field tells AV which field on the line of an archive listing is the old (uncompressed) size of the file. If this isn't available or you don't care about it, you can enter a -1 to disable detection of this field entirely. NewS(i)z(e) Pos(ition) This field tells AV which field on the line of an archive listing is the new (compressed) size of the file. If this isn't available or you don't care about it, you can enter a -1 to disable detection of this field entirely. Date Pos(ition) This field tells AV which field on the line of an archive listing is where the time/datestring is. If this isn't available or you don't care about it, you can enter a -1 to disable detection of this field entirely. NumDateF(ie)lds This field tells AV how many fields comprise the time/datestring. Here's an example of an ARC listing (5.12mpl, command "ARC l"; you may need to widen the help windows for this to look right...): Name Length Date ============ ======== ========= <--this line is start-of-list MAKEFILE 374 28 Nov 89 QSORT.C 14279 29 Nov 89 QSORT.EXE 24629 29 Nov 89 STUFF.H 371 29 Nov 89 ==== ======== <--this line is end-of-list Total 4 39653 Note the filename is in position 0, old length in position 1, and the date starts in position 2, with 3 parts, and there's no new length field (so it'd be -1). Compare that to the archiver entry for ARC 5.12mpl in the "stock" ARCHIVER.BB2 and you should get a feel for what all those fields mean. ═══ 3.7. Misc Menu ═══ The Misc menu contains all the junk that didn't seem to belong anywhere else: Group Manager Invokes the Group Manager dialog. Note that AV creates two default Groups for you in the unregistered version to aid you in evaluating the product. One of the Groups is named Example and the other Commands. The Commands Group can be used with the Files->Exec->Command menu item. Command prompt Calls up a copy of CMD.EXE (or whatever you're using as a command interpreter). Instant command file Calls up an MLE (text editor) dialog and allows you to write a one-shot command (batch) file right then and there, and execute it. Clone Creates a clone Select Files window which can be left pointing into different directories. Usually used with Associations. Grep Scans files for occurences of a text string, with simple pattern matching if desired. System commands Contains some "Workplace-like" commands: Save Apps broadcasts a message to all frame windows requesting that the application save its state. Switchlist calls up the CTRL-ESC Window List, also available from the System Menu. Minimize All broadcasts a message to all windows requesting that they minimize themselves. AV itself is unaffected. Restore All reverses this effect. Priority would let you adjust the priority of running processes if not for OS/2 2.0 bugs... Kill Processes lets you kill renegadge processes that the task list can't shut down. Undelete Files lets you undelete files (if you have the DELDIR environment variable appropriately set for the drive and have UNDELETE.COM on your Path). WPS Objects leads to an expert-only dialog that lets you directly create Workplace Objects. This is not the same as the Files->Create WPS Objects command, which is safe. This command can be hazardous to your Workplace; you can create non-deleteable objects, for example. Do not use this Objects dialog unless you know about the internal workings of Workplace Objects. About Shows the AV about box with info on version number and registration status. See also: Group Manager Grep ═══ 3.7.1. Objects ═══ Here you can create and delete (if you know the object id) objects. It's not a good idea to play around here unless you understand the underlying principles of the WPS. If you just can't resist, keep a copy of BLACKHOLE, an object class written by Gregory Czaja, lying around. You can create undeletable objects with this, but Blackhole will get rid of them (as will Delete Last Object, but you may forget). ═══ 3.7.2. Object Setup ═══ The setup string contains a series of "keyname=value" pairs, separated by semicolons, that change the behavior of the object. Each object class defines the keynames and the parameters it expects to see immediately following. Note that all parameters have safe defaults, so it is never required to pass parameters to an object. If a comma or semicolon is needed in the setup string, the escape character ^ (caret) can be used. The following table shows the keyname-value pairs supported by most objects. Note AV has a separate field and default value for OBJECTID in the dialog. ┌───────────────┬───────────────┬──────────────────────────────┐ │KEYNAME │VALUE │Description │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │TITLE │Title │This sets the object's title. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ICONFILE │filename │This sets the object's icon. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │HELPPANEL │id │This sets the object's default│ │ │ │help panel. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │HELPLIBRARY │filename │This sets the help library. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │TEMPLATE │YES │This sets the object's │ │ │ │template property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │NO │This resets the object's │ │ │ │template property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │NODELETE │YES │This sets the object's no │ │ │ │delete property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │NO │This resets the object's no │ │ │ │delete property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │NOCOPY │YES │This sets the object's no copy│ │ │ │property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │NO │This resets the object's no │ │ │ │copy style. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │NOMOVE │YES │This sets the object's no move│ │ │ │property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │NO │This resets the object's no │ │ │ │move property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │NOSHADOW │YES │This sets the object's no link│ │ │ │property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │NO │This resets the object's no │ │ │ │link property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │NOTVISIBLE │YES │This sets the object's not │ │ │ │visible property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │NO │This resets the object's not │ │ │ │visible property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │NOPRINT │YES │This sets the object's no │ │ │ │print property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │NO │This resets the object's no │ │ │ │print property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ICONRESOURCE │id,module │This sets the object's icon. │ │ │ │'id' is the identity of an │ │ │ │icon resource in the 'module' │ │ │ │dynamic link library (DLL). │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ICONPOS │x,y │This sets the object's initial│ │ │ │icon position. The x and y │ │ │ │values represent the position │ │ │ │in the object's folder in │ │ │ │percentage coordinates. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │OBJECTID │ │This sets the object's │ │ │ │identity. The object id will │ │ │ │stay with the object even if │ │ │ │it is moved or renamed. │ │ │ │An object id is any unique │ │ │ │string preceeded with a '<' │ │ │ │and terminated with a '>'. │ │ │ │This is the field you need │ │ │ │to know to delete an object │ │ │ │using AV's DelObj button. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │NORENAME │YES │This sets the object's no │ │ │ │rename property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │NO │This resets the object's no │ │ │ │rename property │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │NODRAG │YES │This sets the object's no drag│ │ │ │property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │NO │This resets the object's no │ │ │ │drag property. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │VIEWBUTTON │HIDE │Views of this object will have│ │ │ │a hide button as opposed to a │ │ │ │minimize button. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │MINIMIZE │Views of this object will have│ │ │ │a minimize button as opposed │ │ │ │to a hide button. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │MINWIN │HIDE │Views of this object will hide│ │ │ │when their minimize button is │ │ │ │selected. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │VIEWER │Views of this object will │ │ │ │minimize to the minimized │ │ │ │window viewer when their │ │ │ │minimize button is selected. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │DESKTOP │Views of this object will │ │ │ │minimize to the Desktop when │ │ │ │their minimize button is │ │ │ │selected. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │CONCURRENTVIEW │YES │New views of this object will │ │ │ │be created every time the user│ │ │ │selects open. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │NO │Open views of this object will│ │ │ │resurface when the user │ │ │ │selects open. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │OPEN │SETTINGS │Open settings view when object│ │ │ │is created or opened. │ ├───────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────────────────┤ │ │DEFAULT │Open default view when object │ │ │ │is created or opened. │ └───────────────┴───────────────┴──────────────────────────────┘ ═══ 3.7.3. Grep ═══ Grep lets you scan sets of files for the occurence of strings, then manipulate matching files using the Found Files submenu. Search submenu: Search begins a search. You should have filled in the Filemask entry field and any Search string you want used as search criterion before selecting this item. All Harddrives prompts you for a simple filemask, then constructs a string for the Filemask entry field that will search for that filemask in all directories of all drives. You can stop a search in progress by clicking the Stop menu item and waiting a second or two. Clear listboxes clears out the listboxes for a fresh search. Toggles submenu: Checking the Absolute search menu item disables regular expression pattern matching. Grep's simple supported regular expressions can be briefly summarized: '*' matches any string '?' matches any single character '['XYZ']' matches any of X, Y or Z ' ' matches 0 or more whitespace characters C matches C Checking the Case Sensitive menu item makes searches case sensitive, so that "s" won't match "S". Checking the Search Subdirectories menu item causes Grep to recurse into any subdirectories off of the specified directory. Specifying the root directory of a drive and checking this option causes the entire drive to be searched (all directories are subdirectories of the root directory). You can enter multiple filemasks into the File entryfield separated by semi-colons. Grep will process all of them (up to 24) sequentially. Standard OS/2 filemask matching techniques are used. Only one search string at a time may be entered. Using Grep without a search string results in a simple file find being performed. ═══ 4. Group Manager ═══ The Group Manager dialog box lets you control your Groups, collections of programs that can be launched. These Groups are somewhat similar to the Groups under OS/2 1.3. Under the Misc submenu: Save causes the position of all open Groups on the desktop to be saved (except minimized groups). Exit closes the Group Manager (which may be reopened from Select Files or any Group). Master gets the Select Files dialog back. Password can be used to put AV into Secure Group mode in registered copies of AV, in which a user who doesn't know the password can only run programs from pre-setup Groups. Entering the correct password allows maintanence to be done on the machine by a supervisor. Selecting Relinquish returns the machine to Secure Group mode. The Lockup command prevents anyone from interacting with the machine until the password used to lock the machine is reentered, or the machine is rebooted. This feature is not actually related to Secure Group mode. Don't input a password if you don't want to wind up in Secure Group mode (which is only secure, by the way, when AV is run as a replacement Workplace Shell). If you do so by accident or curiosity, enter it again to get control, then enter yet again and press [Enter] for a blank password. The next invocation of AV will be in normal mode. If you forget the password on a secured system (shame on you), your only recourse is to boot from a floppy and erase AV.INI. Under the Groups submenu: The menu commands here are used to manipulate your Groups. If in Secure Group mode you will not be able to create, delete or edit Groups. An existing Group is opened by double-clicking on its listbox title, or highlighting the title with the spacebar and then pressing [Enter], or highlighting and selecting Open from the Groups submenu. New Groups start out with no program entries (naturally). Note that Groups are limited in unregistered copies of AV; only two Groups may be saved, although many may be created. You should be able to evaluate AV's Groups with this restriction. See also: Groups Adding/Editting Groups Registration ═══ 4.1. Adding/Editting Groups ═══ Selecting Add or Edit in the Group Manager brings up this dialog box. To add a Group, simply enter a title. Optionally, you can check the Autostart or Start Minimized buttons. Autostart Groups are opened when AV begins. Start Minimized Groups come up initially as icons (or in the minimized window viewer if so configured by the OS/2 2.0 Workplace). See also: Groups Group Manager Adding/Editting Programs ═══ 4.2. Groups ═══ Groups are limited in unregistered copies of AV only. They behave something like groups in OS/2 1.x, and are intended for situations where AV displaces the OS/2 2.0 Workplace as the primary program launcher, such as might be desired on a low memory machine. The basic idea is that you create Groups containing your programs, then run your programs from these Groups. This lets you organize your workspace (the desktop) and get to all related utilities simultaneously, while keeping other Groups minimized or turned off to avoid clutter. Then, when you begin a different job, you can switch Groups to get the proper environment for the new job. For instance, you might have Groups for programming, word processing, system utilities and games, and keep only the Group you're currently using programs from "open," keeping the others minimized or closed. Save saves the Group's current position on the desktop. Group Manager calls up the Group Manager. Master gets the Select Files dialog back. The other menu commands manipulate the programs in the Group. If AV is in Secure Group mode you will not be able to change the contents of the Group. See also: Adding/Editting Groups Adding/Editting Programs Group Manager Registration Move/Copy Between Groups ═══ 4.2.1. Move/Copy Between Groups ═══ This dialog is used to select a Group from a listbox. The Group selected is the Group to which you want to Move or Copy a program. You cannot Move/Copy a program to a Group if the Group already has a program with the same title. Change the title of one of the programs if there is a conflict, then try again. See also: Group Manager Groups Adding/Editting Programs ═══ 4.2.2. Adding/Editting Programs ═══ This dialog lets you add a program to a Group. The Title entry field is an arbitrary name; no need to use the program's name. The Prog field is for the fully qualified pathname of the program (including drive and directories). The Path field specifies the drive and directory in which the program is started. The Minimize, Maximize and Fullscreen radio buttons control how an application is started (obviously you can't minimize or maximize a fullscreen-only app, nor run a PM app fullscreen). The Keep checkbox determines whether a window closes when the program terminates. The Autostart checkbox determines whether the application is automatically started when the Group is started. The Prompt box determines whether you are given an opportunity to edit the command line before it's passed to OS/2, probably to add arguments to the program (for instance, to add a filename to the command line that calls up a text editor). Double-clicking, or highlighting with the spacebar and pressing [Enter], on a program in the listbox causes it to be executed. You can even add WPS objects to groups. Objects have names like "" for the system clock, "" for the Drives object, "" for the Minimized Window Viewer, "" for the Color Pallete, "" for the Font Pallette and "" for the Scheme Pallette. Obviously, WPS objects are not available if you're using AV as the desktop unless you first run PMSHELL.EXE. See also: Group Manager Groups Adding/Editting Groups ═══ 5. Registration ═══ Limitations in the unregistered AV: You can save only two Groups. You must click past an intial About box. The limit for files within an archive is 200. Secure Group mode is unavailable. The Config->Toggles->Miscellaneous->Weird off toggle has no effect. Listboxes that allow multiple selections will not use the OS/2 2.0 extended selection (drag select, etc.) method. The Build Archive toolbar button is disabled. These minor restrictions should not prevent you from reviewing AV as to suitability, nor present major handicaps to personal users who cannot afford to register. How to register AV: AV can be registered by private individuals by sending $35.00 US in check or money order (sorry, no plastic) to: Mark Kimes 542 Merrick Shreveport, LA USA 71104 (318)222-3455 data Fidonet#1:380/16 Include $5.00 US handling more for orders shipping outside the continental U.S., or a stamped, self-addressed diskette envelope mailable from the U.S. The unregistered version of AV may be used by private individuals without charge (but you have to pay to get the registered version with its extra features). Obviously, AV will be improved faster and better if more people register (because my wife won't complain so much if some money comes in; tickles her to death to see the hobby help pay for itself :-). Registration is mandatory for use by businesses, governments or religious organizations; any commercial use and/or for a profit. Commercial licenses are $75.00 per machine (bulk rates available on request). Personal registrations do not permit commercial use. Registration entitles you to a copy of the current AV without any of the unregistered restrictions, and free upgrades for at least one year/one full version (i.e. 1.70 -> 2.70). Versions prior to the full version change will remain registered forever. Upgrades beyond this will cost $15.00 US plus the usual $5.00 US for shipping outside the continental U.S. A form (REGISTER.TXT) has been included in the shareware distribution archive for your convenience. If you have more questions, ask the author at the addresses above. AV is copyright (c) 1992/93 by M. Kimes -- all rights reserved ═══ 6. Filemasks ═══ Wildcard matching is not case-sensitive. If a filename does not have a period, an implicit one is automatically appended to the end during matching operations. If multiple filemasks (separated by a semicolon) or a single filemask with a trailing semicolon are used, some characters have the following special meaning: ? A question mark matches one character, unless what it would match is a period, slash or backslash, in which case it matches no characters. * An asterisk matches characters from the source to the target until it finds a filename character that matches the non-wild character following it in the filemask, or a period, slash, backslash or the end of the filename and/or filemask. Therefore, "*.f?o" matches "anything.foo" but not "anything.foe". If only a single filemask is used, standard OS/2 wildcarding rules apply. Up to 24 masks may be "cascaded" by separation with semicolons. When specifying multiple filemasks, you can use '\' as the first character of a mask to mean _don't_ match this filespec. Exclusions should usually be listed before inclusions to attain the desired effect. Masks may be saved and recalled from the dropdown listbox. To put masks into the listbox, select the Config->Masks->Add Mask menu item and the current mask will be added to the listbox. To delete the current mask from the listbox, select the Config->Masks->Delete Mask menu item. To save the wildcards that are in the list, select Config->Masks->Save Masks. The masks are automatically loaded when AV starts, and reloaded if you select Defaults from Select Files' Config submenu. The masks are saved in AV.INI. Note that the "Archives Only" and "EXEs Only" filters work with your filemasks; files that get through must meet all criteria. ═══ 7. Program Arguments ═══ Enter any optional arguments to the program here as you would on the command line. Remember that, when passing commands to CMD.EXE like DIR, it's CMD.EXE /C DIR, not just CMD.EXE DIR. If this is the full dialog, the various buttons have the following meanings: Full Screen, Maximized, Minimized, Default: control how the program will be run. Default is usually in a window with OS/2 controlling the size of the initial window. Note that PM programs will always run on the desktop in a window and programs marked full screen only will always run in a full screen session. This corresponds to START /FS, /MAX, /MIN or just START. Keep: determines whether the window will remain until you close it, or go away when the command completes. It's like START /K. Pri Low, Pri Norm, Pri Crit: set the initial priority of the program. Most programs should be run at Pri Norm, but you may want to run lengthy background processes at Pri Low. There's seldom, if ever, a good reason to use Pri Crit. See also (in the online Command Reference CMDREF.INF): CMD.EXE START command ═══ 8. Viewer/Editor ═══ First, note that this is just a simple MLE (Multi Line Edit window) viewer/editor; you can use better ones by entering programs in the Viewer and Editor entry fields of the Config dialog. The same code is used for both the Viewer and the Editor; in fact, you can toggle the Misc->Read Only menu item to change from one mode to another. In Viewer mode (Read Only on), you can't change the text in the MLE. Viewer's pulldown menus let you search for text in the MLE, change the font and wrap style, save the View window's size and position, and copy portions of the MLE's text to the clipboard (in Read Only mode). The Editor lets you do most of the common functions of editors (when Read Only mode is not on). When wrap is off, text appears in the MLE as it will appear on disk. Lines can exceed the width of the window. When wrap is on, lines appear wrapped on your screen -- they do not exceed the width of the window -- but the "hard line breaks" remain as they were when wrap was off. Save Formatted commands save the text as it appears in the MLE. Save Raw commands save the text as it "actually is;" as it appears if you turn off wrapping (the only "hard line breaks" saved are those you manually entered). MLE keystroke editing commands: Escape Exit the viewer Ctrl+Ins Causes the selection region to be copied to the clipboard. Dn Arrow Sets the cursor point to the closest insertion point on the following line, then sets the anchor point to the cursor point. Shft+Dn Arrow Causes the cursor point to be moved to the closest insertion point on the following line. The anchor point does not move. Up Arrow Sets the cursor point to the closest insertion point on the preceding line, then sets the anchor point to the cursor point. Shft+Up Sets the cursor point to the closest insertion point on the preceding line. The anchor point is not moved. Rt Arrow Sets the cursor point to the insertion point one character following the cursor point. The anchor point is set to the cursor point. Shft+Rt Causes the cursor point to be set to the insertion point immediately following the previous cursor point. The anchor point is not moved. Lft and Shft+Lft Work analogously. Ctrl+Rt Moves the cursor point to the insertion point immediately preceding the next word in the text including trailing spaces, and sets the anchor point to be equal to the cursor point. The EOL (hard line-break) and tab characters are treated as words. Ctrl+Shft+Rt Moves only the cursor point in the same way as Ctrl+Rt, but leaves the anchor point unmoved. Ctrl+Lft Moves the cursor point to the preceding insertion point at the beginning of a word, and sets the anchor point to be equal to the cursor point. The EOL (hard line-break) and tab characters are treated as words. Ctrl+Shft+Lft Moves only the cursor point in the same way as Ctrl+Lft but leaves the anchor point unmoved. Pgdn and Pgup Cause the display to be scrolled one screen at a time in either direction. This behavior is the same as would be encountered during a pgdn or pgup caused by the scroll-bar. Ctrl+Pgdn and Ctrl+Pgup Cause the display to be scrolled one screen at a time to the right or left respectively. This behavior is the same as would be encountered during a pgrt or pglft caused by the scroll-bar. Home Sets the cursor point to the insertion point at the beginning of the line containing the cursor point, and sets the anchor point equal to (insert mode) or one character following (overtype mode). Shft+Home Moves the cursor point to the insertion point at the beginning of the line. The anchor point is not moved. End Sets the anchor point to the insertion point at the end of the line containing the cursor point. If the last character on the line is a line-break character, the anchor is positioned just before it. The cursor is set equal to the anchor. Shft+End Moves the cursor point to the insertion point at the end of the line, as above. The anchor point is not moved. Ctrl+Home Moves the cursor point to the insertion point at the beginning of the document. The anchor point is set equal to (insert mode) or one character following it (overtype mode). Ctrl+End Moves the anchor point to the insertion point at the end of the document. The cursor point is set to be equal to the anchor point (insert mode) or one character preceding it (overtype mode). Ctrl+Shft+Home Moves the cursor point in the same way as Ctrl+Home, but leaves the anchor point unmoved. Ctrl+Shft+End Moves the cursor point in the same way as Ctrl+End, but leaves the anchor point unmoved. Insert Toggles between insert and overwrite modes. Ctrl+Insert Copies the current selection into the clipboard. Shift+Insert Replaces the current selection with the contents of the clipboard. Shift+Del Deletes the current selection into the clipboard. Del Deletes the current selection. If there is no selection, deletes the character to the right of the cursor. Ctrl+y Deletes the current line. ═══ 9. Macro Keys ═══ Shift-F1 -> Shift-F12 and CTRL-F1 -> Ctrl-F12 are macro keys, active in the Select Files, Archive Contents, Viewer/Editor, Directory Tree , Grep and Collector windows. Whatever is assigned to these keys will be executed when the macro key is pressed. Macro key definitions are saved along with other AV information via Config->Save Settings. ═══ 10. Directory Tree ═══ The Directory Tree dialog presents you with a listbox containing all the directories on the current drive. You can change drives using the dropdown box on the left, and the Directory Tree is rebuilt. Selecting a directory here changes the directory in the dialog from which this dialog was called. You can drag a selected directory from this listbox to the Collector, or to the Delete or Archive toolbar buttons, or to one of the listboxes on a Select Files window (use Linking (Ctrl+Shift) to change the listbox's directory instead of copying or moving the directory for this latter). The Dirs Menu allows you to rebuild the saved directory tree (needed if you save the trees to disk (see Select Files' Config->Toggles submenu) and you've modified the drive's directory structure outside of AV. You can also make, delete, move and rename directories. Note that AV's make directory command can create directories several levels deep at once, and the delete directory command can wipe files and subdirectories in one pass. You can also archive a directory from this menu. You'll first be presented with a listbox from which to select the archiver to use. Then another dialog will appear to let you adjust the filename and archiver command line to be used. You can cancel the command at any time until you click Okay in that dialog. Finally, you can Collect selected files from a directory (and, optionally, its subdirectories). Archiving Directories Collector ═══ 10.1. Archiving Directories ═══ The Mask entry field's contents are appended to the command line; most archivers allow you to specify multiple masks. Use * to archive everything. The Filename entry field's contents are also inserted into the command line. Change the filename to whatever you'd like; AV's default probably won't be what you want. The Move, Recurse and Include Directories Not all archivers may support all options. The Archiver Command Line is updated when the other fields are changed. You can also edit it directly to activate archiver-specific functions (like encryption or validation). Click Okay when finished, or Cancel to abort if you change your mind. ═══ 11. Pick From Recent Directories ═══ This dialog allows you to pick from recently used directories. As you move between drives and directories, AV "remembers" where you've wandered and saves the last 40 paths in the listbox in this dialog. You can then recall a directory you use frequently with fewer picks. The Remove button takes the currently highlighted directory out of the listbox. It does not touch the directory on your hard drive. If the listbox gets too full for you taste you can prune seldom-used directories from it using this button. Highlight the directory you want, then click Okay (or double-click the directory in the listbox). Click Cancel if you change your mind. ═══ 12. Walk Directories ═══ The directories off of the current directory are displayed in a listbox. Selecting (double-clicking) one "walks" into that directory, and more choices are displayed. You can also change drives. Click Okay when you have the new directory shown as the current directory on the bottom line of the dialog, or Cancel to abort if you changed your mind. ═══ 13. Collector ═══ The Collector window is an imaginary place to temporarily store files and directories. I say "imaginary" because it doesn't exist on disk, nor does it alter the files and directories it contains in any way just to hold them. However, the items it contains may be manipulated en masse in most of the ways you can manipulate items in the Select Files window. The Collector window is "connected" to the Collector toolbar button on the Select Files window. If you drag files onto the toolbar button, they turn up in the Collector window as if you'd dragged them to the Collector window. You can also drag files to the Collector to remove the files from the Collector. To do this, drag with the control key held down. This allows you to do things like place all the *.doc files in a directory into the collector, then use Grep to find all the doc files containing a particular phrase and remove those files from the Collector. ═══ 14. Filename Conflicts ═══ The Filename Conflicts dialog (also called when renaming files) helps you select a new filename that doesn't conflict with other filenames. Enter a filename in the entry field. AV tells you if it conflicts with other filenames. Click Overwrite to overwrite an existing file, or Okay if there is no conflict. Abort will stop all pending operations, and Skip will skip over this particular file. Remember, when renaming you may also move the file as long as it remains on the same drive.