▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓ ▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓ ▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓ ▓░░▒───░░░▒▒ ▓░░▒ ░░░▒▒ ▓░░▒ R ░░░▒▒ ▓░░▒ e ░░░▒▒ P L E T H O R A (tm) v1.4 ▓░░▒ f ░░░▒▒ ▓░░▒ e ░░░▒▒ The Next Step Forward in GUI System Software! ▓░░▒ r ░░░▒▒ ▓░░▒ e ░░░▒▒ By Brandyware Software ▓░░▒ n ░░░▒▒ ▓░░▒ c ░░░▒▒ The Complete System Software! ▓░░▒ e ░░░▒▒ ▓░░▒ ░░░▒▒ ▓░░▒───░░░▒▒ ▓░░▒▒▒▒░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓ ▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓ ▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓ ▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓ ▓░░░░░░░░░░▓ ▒░░▓ Copyright 1994 ▒░░▓ Brandyware Software ▒░░▓ ▒░░▓ ▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▓ ▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── C O N T E N T S ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Introduction.....................................Sec. 1 ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Installation ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Requirements.....................................Sec. 2 Installing Plethora on your Hard Drive...........Sec. 3 ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Command Button Reference ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Help.............................................Sec. 4 Add..............................................Sec. 5 Plethora Keys/Status Lights/Dir. Structure.......Sec. 6 System...........................................Sec. 7 Utilities/GIF viewer/Password....................Sec. 8 DOS Line & Macros................................Sec. 9 File Manager.....................................Sec. 10 Calendar/Reminders/Alarms........................Sec. 11 Clock Button/Alarm...............................Sec. 12 Musical Note Button/Sound........................Sec. 13 Clicking on the Time to Change the Time..........Sec. 13 Screen Button/Saver..............................Sec. 14 Lock to DOS......................................Sec. 15 Graph Button/Memory..............................Sec. 16 Folders (?)......................................Sec. 17 Left & Right Arrow Buttons.......................Sec. 18 Up & Down Arrow Buttons..........................Sec. 18 DOS Turbo Spooler................................Sec. 19 Sound Button.....................................Sec. 20 Esc..............................................Sec. 21 Disk Icon/Format.................................Sec. 22 Log Icon/Program Log.............................Sec. 23 Letter Icon/LetterWrite..........................Sec. 24 Modem Icon/Communications........................Sec. 25 Phone Icon/Address Book/Dialer...................Sec. 26 Bandido Button/Game..............................Sec. 27 ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Product Support/License/Warranty ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Product Support..................................Appendix 1 Trouble Shooting.................................Appendix 2 License Requirements........................See License.Doc Update Availability..............................Appendix 3 Warranty & Disclaimer............................Appendix 4 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Introduction Section 1.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ Welcome To Plethora V 1.4 ║ ║ The Next Step Forward in GUI System Software! ║ ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Plethora is a state of the art graphical user interface! Designed to aid and guide you on your way to taking command of your computer! Plethora will launch ALL your software programs from one convenient, easy to use, graphical DOS interface. One click on a program name is all it takes to launch a program. When you're finished with the program, you will be returned to Plethora, ready to launch another program! Highlights of Plethora: Calendar/Reminders, File Manager, Phone & Address Book, Formatter, a LetterWriter, Turbo DOS Spooler, DOS Line with Macros, Communications, Program Log, Graphic Viewer, Screen Saver, System Statistics, Password Protection, and too many other features to even try to mention here! >>>─────> For SPECIAL Options!! <─────<<< >>>─────> See file: OPTIONS.DOC <─────<<< ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Requirements Section 2.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Plethora requires an EGA/VGA monitor, a Microsoft compatible Mouse, 512k memory, and at least DOS 3.3. It will run on anything from an: ╓─────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ XT (8088/8086 processor) to an ║ ║ AT (80286/80386/80486 processor) ║ ╙─────────────────────────────────────╜ Upper memory is NOT required! Even for the PCX or GIF screen saver. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Plethora is great for systems that don't have 4-8 megs of upper memory. Nor does it need 10 to 20 megabytes of extra valuable hard drive space like some GUI's require! All of Plethora's programs will run in 512k or less memory! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Installing Plethora on your hard drive / Auto Install Section 3.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Plethora MUST be installed onto your Hard Drive! You have a choice of three drives to install it onto: ┌─────────────────────┐ │ C, D, or E drive. │ └─────────────────────┘ These are the ONLY three drives it will operate on correctly. Place the Plethora disk in A: drive and type "INSTALL". You must have at least 1.5 megabytes of hard drive space available to install Plethora. Once the install program has loaded, select the "Install" button by clicking on the button with your mouse. The install program will then create the necessary directories, and copy the files to these directories. When all the files have been copied, you will be asked if you want to AUTO Install your programs onto Plethora. This will search ALL your individual drives for programs and then place them onto the Plethora menu. ┌──────────────────────────────┐ The AUTO install looks for about │ 100 Commercial and Shareware │ programs. └──────────────────────────────┘ The AUTO install is very fast and should only take a few minutes to search all your drives. UNLESS you have a CD-ROM, then it will take a few more minutes.. but it's worth the wait! [ The file A1.BRW is the AUTO install file. By following the listed format of the file, you can add up to 2,500 more programs to be installed at a later date. The file is a plain ASCII text file and can be edited anytime with an editor. ] Once that is completed, you will be placed on the drive you selected and in the PLETHORA directory. It MUST be called the PLETHORA directory to operate correctly, you can NOT rename it later! If any files are missing, you will be advised of this and a list of all the missing files will be displayed. Copy these names down and ask your dealer for them, they should have been included! Now, all you have to do is type P to run, "Plethora". To re-enter Plethora once you have left, type: ┌────────────────────────┐ │ CD\PLETHORA and then P │ └────────────────────────┘ For best results and operation, place this command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file after your PATH & PROMPT commands: ┌─────────────┐ │ CD\PLETHORA │ │ P │ └─────────────┘ This will allow Plethora to be started automatically when you boot up your computer. Note: A file called BRUN45.EXE will be copied to the PLETHORA directory, and the ROOT directory (this is to insure a successful installation). Place this file somewhere on your PATH for correct operation of Plethora, and delete the second copy from your hard drive. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── HELP Section 4.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The file you are reading now is your On Line Reference. To find a certain subject, either see the contents, or use the SEARCH option. Type in a word that best describes what you're looking for (partial words are accepted) and the SEARCH function will find all matches in the complete On Line Reference. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ADD (add a program to the Plethora Menu) Section 5.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── To ADD, DELETE (erase), or EDIT a program in Plethora, click on the ADD Button. A menu of the above selections will be displayed. Click on the Button of your choice. ┌──────────────────────────────────┐ │ Adding a program to Plethora │ └──────────────────────────────────┘ You have two ways to do this, with Assistance or Manually. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- ASSISTANCE (receive help on loading a program) a.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Assistance will first ask you which folder to place the new program onto. The Folders (see FOLDERS) are your separate menus, you have seven of them, and each one can hold 23,976 programs for a total of 167,832 programs. ╔══════════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ Default Folders ║ ╟──────────────────────────╢ ║ 1. Applications ║ ║ 2. Business ║ ║ 3. Utilities ║ ║ 4. Communications ║ ║ 5. Graphics ║ ║ 6. Games ║ ║ 7. Misc. ║ ║ ║ ╚══════════════════════════╝ The next step will be to select the drive you want Assistance to search on. Move the Mouse or use the Arrow keys to select the drive. Then you will be asked: FULL DRIVE or SELECT DIRECTORY. If you select FULL DRIVE then it will search the complete drive for all EXE, COM & BAT files (these are the ones that RUN a program). If you select SELECT DIRECTORY then a list of all your directories will be displayed for you. You may then select the directory of your choice. All files with the extension of EXE, COM & BAT inside that directory will be displayed. Hi-light the file and click on ACCEPT to load the file onto Plethora. You will still have to guess as to which one starts the program. If you read the files READ.ME, or PROGRAM.DOC, they should tell you which one to use as the start-up file. The next step is to enter any program switches. SWITCHES are commands you add next to the start up file's name for added, extra, or optional functions of a program. If you don't understand this, don't worry about it, just press ENTER to skip this option. You can delve into this later when you are more familiar with the program(s). You will then be asked: Enter YOUR name for this program. Enter any name you like that you think best describes the program you are loading onto Plethora. You are allowed 20 characters per program description. That's it! You may now either ADD another program, or quit and return to Plethora. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- MANUALLY (enter a program manually) b.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Select Manually if you understand PATHS and know exactly where the program is located and you know the program's name. _____ The first step is to select the FOLDER (see FOLDERS) you wish the program to be placed into. ______ The second step is to enter the DRIVE the program is located on. Just enter the letter and NOT the colon. _____ The third step is to enter the DIRECTORY the program is located on. USE the CD\ command NOT C:\DIRECTORY\FILE ┌─────────────┐ Example: │ CD\BUSINESS │ _____ └─────────────┘ The forth step is to enter the files executable NAME. _____ The fifth step is to enter the program's 20 character description. Done! You may now ADD another program or quit to Plethora. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- DELETE (erase) a program c.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- To DELETE a program from Plethora. Select DELETE from the ADD menu. You will be asked which FOLDER (see FOLDERS) to delete the program from. The next step is to select the PAGE number it is on (for accurate results.. move to the Folder and Page you wish to DELETE the program from before you click on ADD. That way you can view the programs while you delete them). Then enter the program's number (1-24). Yellow numbers numbered from 1 to 24 will pop-up for your convenience. You may now DELETE more programs or return to Plethora. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- EDIT a program's Name/Drive/Directory/Switches/Description d.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Select EDIT from the ADD menu. Select the FOLDER (see FOLDERS) you want to EDIT programs in. You will then be shown all the programs in that paticular folder. Select the program you want to EDIT with the hi-light bar (use the Mouse or Arrow keys) then click on ACCEPT or press ENTER to EDIT that program. A window will pop-up showing you all the information on that program, edit the part you wish, then press ESC to SAVE the edited information and return to the program listings. You may now either EDIT another program in that folder, or switch to another folder to EDIT other programs, or you may return to Plethora. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Plethora Keys Status/Lights/Directory Structure/Cmd Ln Section 6.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Plethora is intended to be used by the Mouse (NOT the keyboard) for the purpose of speed, but these keys have been added for the people who like to run programs from the keyboard. Keys ~~~~ ╔═════════╤══════════════════════╗ ║ Key │ Action ║ ╟─────────┼──────────────────────╢ ║ <- -> │ Changes Folders ║ ║ │ Changes Pages ║ ║ Alt-R │ Run Program ║ ║ Alt-G │ Select GIF/Saver ║ ║ Alt-C │ Chime Composer ║ ║ Alt-T │ Cubetris (game) ║ ║ B │ Bandido (game) ║ ║ H │ Help ║ ║ A │ Add ║ ║ S │ System Statistics ║ ║ D │ DOS Line ║ ║ U │ Utilities ║ ║ F │ File Manager ║ ║ C │ Calendar ║ ║ F1 │ Function Help ║ ║ F6 │ Set Time ║ ║ F7 │ Set Sound ║ ║ F2-F5 │ Direct Time (set) ║ ║ F10 │ Detect phone ring ║ ║ V │ Screen Saver ║ ║ K │ Lock exit to DOS ║ ║ G │ Memory Graph Bar ║ ║ ? │ Rename Folders ║ ║ T │ Turbo Spooler ║ ║ N │ Sound ║ ║ R │ Format ║ ║ O │ Log ║ ║ L │ LetterWrite ║ ║ M │ Modem/LaunchComm ║ ║ P │ Phone/Address ║ ║ L-Mouse │ Run Program ║ ║ R-Mouse │ Doodle! ║ ║ C-Mouse │ GIF Selection ║ ║ Esc │ Exit ║ ╚═════════╧══════════════════════╝ ░░░░ Command Line Parameters ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ Note: To confirm a LAUNCH, edit the "P.BAT" batch file and add this command to it: S Example: CD \PLETHORA PMP.EXE S The extra "S" at the end of the file name PMP.EXE is considered a switch or added parameter. This switch will add a confirm Y/N option on all launch's. Other parameters: PMP.EXE U --- Speeds Up buttons (action buttons) PMP.EXE D --- Slows Down buttons or combine them... PMP.EXE SU --- Safety on and speeds Up buttons PMP.EXE SD --- Safety on and slows Down buttons ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ Status Lights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ┌─Status of the AT clock battery │ ┌─Password status ╔═════════╦═════════╗╔═══╗ ║ Battery ║ Pass ║║ E ║ ╠═════════╬═════════╣║ S ║ ┌ ─ ─ ─> ║ Printer ║ Alarm ║║ C ║ │ ╚═════════╩═════════╝╚═══╝ Lit up indicates turned ON! │ └─Calendar Alarm Status └─Printer Status 1. Battery Light...This is the status of the AT clock battery. If it turns RED, then the battery needs to be replaced. 2. Password Light..If the Password light is lit up, then the password option is turned on. 3. Printer Light...If lit up, then the Printer is On Line. 4. Alarm Light.....Status of Calendar Alarm. If lit up, then an alarm has gone off in the calendar. Directory Structure ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PLETHORA──┐ ├─ADDRESS <-- Address Book information │ ├─CALENDAR <-- Calendar and reminder information │ ├─LETTER <-- Letters for LetterWrite │ ├─PHOTOS <-- All PCX photographs for Address Book │ ├─GIFS <-- GIF Screen Saver files │ ├─DL <-- Download directory for LaunchComm Note: If a box is pressed in, then that indicates the option is turned ON. Also.. if a light is green, then the option is turned ON. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── SYSTEM Section 7.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── System shows you your systems hardware, and allows you to change your Mouse speed, Keyboard Rate, and Swap Printer Ports (1 & 2). ╔═════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ Information checked & Displayed ║ ╟─────────────────────────────────────────────╢ ║ Processor and Speed of processor & Numeric ║ ║ Base Memory (low) ║ ║ Extended Memory (high or upper) ║ ║ Expanded Memory (high) ║ ║ Expanded Memory Available ║ ║ XMS Memory ║ ║ Serial Ports ║ ║ Parallel Ports ║ ║ Game Ports (joystick) ║ ║ DOS version & BIOS Date ║ ║ Number of Floppy drives & size ║ ║ Monitor and Type (color or monochrome-B&W) ║ ║ Mouse and IRQ status (not the same as port) ║ ║ Keyboard status (regular or enhanced) ║ ║ Network or not ║ ║ Detect CD-ROM - Starting Drive & how many ║ ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════╝ By clicking on STATS, you will be shown the drives available space, used space and unused space. You will also be shown the drives serial number (hard drive or floppy) and other important features like how many Sectors, and Clusters per Sector your drive has. You will be shown 2 different pie charts of available space on your hard drive or floppy. The bottom BLUE pie chart shows a 3 way comparison of your drive. The top slice shows all available space on the drive, the bottom two pie slices show a comparison in relation to the top slice, used space and available space. The second pie chart (top RED) just shows a comparison between used and available space. The BAR graphs to your bottom left, will show you the Sector and Cluster information on your hard drive or floppy. If you wish to gain information on a different drive or floppy, click on the CHANGE DRIVES button (if you select a floppy, make sure you place the floppy in the drive first or you will be brought back to C: drive by default (normal setting)). You have the option of setting your keyboard rate from slow, to lightning. You may also set the speed of your mouse, and swap printer ports 1 and 2, which will stay that way until you swap them back again. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Utilities Section 8.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── You have 7 specially added utilities that you might find very useful! Below are the 7 descriptions of the added utilities identified as (a thru g). ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Swap Config.Sys or Autoexec.Bat files a.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The first button inside the utilities window is, Swap Config.Sys\ Autoexec.Bat. This option allows you to boot up your computer with a different Config.Sys or Autoexec.Bat file. This can be very handy if you want to unload any TSR's (terminate stay resident programs. Programs that stay in memory). Or for any other reason you need to swap files for boot up. The first step is to select which one, Autoexec.Bat or Config.Sys. Once you have done that you may view the contents of the file with the VIEW option. You MUST have at least two files of either the Autoexec.Bat or Config.Sys files to use this option. You can create a second one for each using LetterWrite. You are unlimited in the number of files you can have as long as the first 8 characters are either CONFIG or AUTOEXEC. Examples: ╒═════════════════╤════════════════════╕ │ CONFIG.001 │ AUTOEXEC.001 │ │ CONFIG.002 │ AUTOEXEC.002 │ │ CONFIG.003 or │ AUTOEXEC.003 or │ ├─────────────────┼────────────────────┤ │ CONFIG.SY1 │ AUTOEXEC.BA1 │ │ CONFIG.SY2 etc.│ AUTOEXEC.BA2 etc.│ ╘═════════════════╧════════════════════╛ ┌───┐ Any extension is accepted EXCEPT │BAC│ this is used to swap the files before a re-boot. └───┘ Once you have selected a hi-lighted file, the program will swap file names with the original file. So if you select say; CONFIG.001 the program will rename CONFIG.001 to CONFIG.SYS and CONFIG.SYS will be renamed to the hi-lighted file CONFIG.001, that way you know what happened to the now OLD CONFIG.SYS file. To swap them back, select CONFIG.001 again and you will have the original CONFIG.SYS file back again. The same applies to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. As soon as you ACCEPT the hi-lighted file, the computer will re-boot with the new file in place. You may need to EDIT one or more files before you swap them. To do this, click on EDIT, the default editor (EDIT.COM that comes with DOS) will load the file for you to edit. To change Editors, go into the File Manager and click on the SET button, this allows you to change editors as often as you like (see File Manager). ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Back-Up your hard drive b.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The second button inside the utility window is Back-Up. This allows you to back-up your hard drive to floppies (diskettes) using the DOS command BACKUP.EXE The first step is to select which drive to back-up by clicking on a drive button. The second step is to select which method. You have two options here: The first one will back-up the complete drive. The second one will back-up ONLY the files that have been changed since the LAST time you backed up your hard drive. Have plenty of preformatted disks ready for this option! (see Formatting) ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Password protection c.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The third button inside the utility window is Password Protection. This allows you to password protect your files and Plethora options like; Formatting and the File Manager. The first FOLDER is NOT password protected! This folder you would use for other people using Plethora, or for files that do not need password protection. Password protection will also protect ALL the command buttons on Plethora with the exception of; BANDIDO (game) and Sound. The rest require the password to access them including this reference. [the reference is password protected because you don't want unauthorized persons getting the information about to be displayed] The password option will keep track of any illegal attempts to gain access to the other system options in a file called CHKPW.BRW, this file will display the time and false password entered, if any attempt is made to break your password. The TIME stamp will give you an idea of who tried to gain access (who was near your computer at the time of the illegal attempt). Use the LetterWriter to view this file, or any text editor. You may change passwords as often as you like, or you may disable (turn off) the password protection by clicking on this button again. Please remember the password.. if you forget it, you can overcome this option by deleting (erase) the file MOUSE.BRW (a text file). This is NOT encrypted for one reason, we at Brandyware Software can NOT help you if you lose it or forget it! We have no way of knowing your password, and to prevent you from having to start all over again, we placed it this time in a regular TEXT file called MOUSE.BRW. (if we called it PASSWORD.BRW then that would be too easy to break if you allow other users to access DOS) ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Optional Screen Saver (PCX or GIF) d.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The forth button inside the utility window is Optional Screen Saver. The optional screen saver allows you to add any 16 color or B&W PCX file as a screen saver instead of the default Brandyware box. Or.. you can add a 16 to 256 color GIF graphic file. (upper memory is NOT required to use this option!) PCX: To use this option, click on the "Optional Screen Saver" button and then place the PCX file in the PLETHORA directory and rename it (use the File Manager) to SCREEN.PCX. For best results, make the background of the PCX file, BLACK! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIF: Viewing a GIF file is a little more work, but worth it! You can have up to 20 different GIF files as screen savers! Just number them SCREEN.001 thru SCREEN.020 and place them in the GIFS directory. The first thing to do, is copy the GIF(s) file to the GIFS directory, then rename it to SCREEN.001. Next, use a text editor (LetterWrite) on the file GIF.LST, in the GIFS directory, and enter on the FIRST line: ~~~~~~~ SCREEN.001 <-- file name 0 <-- Left side starting position (of GIF, not screen) 0 <-- Upper left top starting position (of GIF) 640 <-- horizontal dimension 480 <-- vertical dimension Hawaiian Beach <-- GIF description (up to 19 characters long) SCREEN.002 0 0 1024 678 Grand Canyon DO NOT add any spaces before any of this information! Enter the information like the examples in the file GIF.LST. By changing the horizontal and vertical dimensions, you can adjust for borders, logos, and advertisements. To clip off the last inch of say SCREEN.001, enter 620 for the horizontal dimension. Enter 0, if..the GIF only moves vertically. Or.. 0 for the vertical dimension, if.. the GIF only moves horizontally. Entering your own dimensions, allows for a lot more freedom in how you display the GIF file! Once you have set up the file GIF.LST, click the MIDDLE mouse button to select any one of the 20 GIF files. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Plethora will search the GIFS directory for any file called SCREEN.001 - SCREEN.020 first, then the PLETHORA directory for SCREEN.PCX, if a GIF file is not found. Plethora will move the PCX/GIF file around the screen to prevent screen burn-in (screen burn-in occurs when any image is on your screen for too long, it will actually burn-in the image to your screen, and when you turn off your monitor, you will still see a faint image on the screen, not good!). Note: You will need a VGA for most GIF's, but it will display 16 color EGA GIF's and PCX's. SEE Options.Doc for extra screen saver options! ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Show Environment e.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The fifth button inside the utility window is Show Environment. This will display your computer's environment (see your DOS manual on what the environment is and how to use it to your benefit. See also the SET command). The environment will display your PATH command, PROMPT and anything else you have added. Click the left button to exit this screen. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Execute Timed Program f.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The sixth button inside the utility window is Execute Timed Program. Use a text editor (LetterWrite) to enter the Time, Date, Drive, Path and program(s) name in the file "Script.Txt". Example: Script.Txt file ╒═════════════╕ │ 09:30:00 │ <-- first line must be TIME │ 02-05-1993 │ <-- second line must be DATE │ D: │ │ CD\UTILITY │ │ ULTRA.EXE │ │ C: │ │ CD\PLETHORA │ ╘═════════════╛ This will run the program at 9:30am on Feb, 5, 1993... Switch to D: drive and the Utility directory then RUN the program Ultra:Base and then return you to the PLETHORA directory. You may add as many other programs as you like! ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- GIF Graphic Viewer g.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The seventh button inside the utility window is GIF Graphic Viewer. This will view the popular graphic GIF files you find on most BBS's and electronic services. When you are looking at the GIF file, you may move the screen by using the: ╒══════════════╤═══════════════════════════════════╕ │ Key │ Moves GIF │ ├──────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤ │ Arrow keys │ 10 pixels in direction of arrow │ │ PgDn │ 50 pixels down │ │ PgUp │ 50 pixels up │ │ Home │ 50 pixels left │ │ End │ 50 pixels right │ │ Ctrl-Arrow │ 20 pixels in direction of arrow │ │ Ctrl-PgDn │ 150 pixels down │ │ Ctrl-PgUp │ 150 pixels up │ │ Ctrl-Home │ 150 pixels left │ │ Ctrl-End │ 150 pixels right │ ╘══════════════╧═══════════════════════════════════╛ The Esc key will bring you back to the GIF menu. Note: If you only have an EGA monitor, then you can ONLY see 16 color GIF's and NOT the 256 color VGA or SVGA GIF's. - Auto-Detect! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── DOS Line, Macros and Drop to DOS Section 9.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Click on the DOS button to access the DOS Line, DOS Macros, and to Drop to DOS. Macros ~~~~~~ You have 9 Macros (some are already added as default, you may change them any time you wish by clicking on MACROS (macros are pre- typed commands that you use frequently). You are able to access them by either clicking on the macro button from the DOS Line or by pressing the corresponding function key. Or, you may enter any valid DOS command manually on the DOS Line. Click the LEFT button or press ENTER to activate the DOS command. To change a Macro, click on the Function key button, then type in any valid DOS command. Pressing ENTER will save the macro. Before you save a macro, you have the option of pressing the macro function key again to restore the old macro. DOS Line ~~~~~~~~ The DOS line allows you to enter a DOS command from inside Plethora. Available Commands: _____ PAUSE after the DOS command. This will stop the screen when the DOS command is finished doing its task so you can view the results. Re-click on this button to turn off/on the pause function. ______ MEMORY will display the last command you issued. If you need to use this same command again, click on this button and it will be added to the DOS Line for you. _____ CLEAR will clear the DOS Line of any DOS commands. ____ _______ SAVE and REPLACE will save the current DOS command on the DOS Line and replace it with the F9 Macro. ______ For three button mice, click the MIDDLE button for the repeat MEMORY function. _____ To EXIT the DOS Line screen, click the RIGHT button or press ESC. DROP TO DOS ~~~~~~~~~~~ This option allows you to drop to DOS and stay there until you type the EXIT command. You may change drives or directories without having to return to the PLETHORA directory on EXIT. Plethora will bring you back to the PLETHORA directory automatically! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── File Manager (a graphical and easy to use DOS interface) Section 10.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Click on the FILE button to access your File Manager. The File Manager is a very powerful DOS tool! You will most probably be spending a lot of time in this program, so it's a good idea to get familiar with its many DOS and non DOS functions. You also have On Line Help for any of the File Manager commands. Click on the ? button and then click on the subject of interest to be shown a quick explanation of the command. We will start by explaining the Main Window, and then the Second Main Window, then the different buttons (commands) from LEFT to RIGHT across the screen. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Main Window (file and directory listings) a.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The MAIN WINDOW (the large box in the center of the screen) displays all the files on the current drive in the current directory. There are six different types of files displayed here: ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕ │ 1. Files with a RED box next to them. │ │ 2. Files with a BLUE box next to them. │ │ 3. Files with a GREEN box next to them. │ │ 4. Files with a MAGENTA box next to them. │ │ 5. Files with an AQUA colored folder next to it. │ │ 6. Files with a YELLOW folded paper next to them. │ ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛ 1. The RED box,indicates that the file is an executable file. These are the files that RUN a program or BATCH file. Clicking the RIGHT button or ENTER will RUN the program. 2. The BLUE box , indicates the file is an executable TEXT file. The file viewer is automatically invoked on these type of files by hi-lighting the file, and clicking the RIGHT mouse button. 3. A GREEN box, indicates an executable GIF file. Click the right mouse button to view the GIF file. 4. The MAGENTA box, indicates a compressed file, ZIP, LZW, LZH, ARJ, and PAK. Your Archiver is invoked by hi-lighting and clicking on EDIT, or just pressing "A". 5. The AQUA colored folder, indicates a directory. Clicking the RIGHT button will move you into the hi-lighted directory. 6. The YELLOW folded paper, indicates a standard file, most likely used by a program in the current directory. MOVING around the Main Window is as simple as clicking on the desired file or moving the arrow keys: Up, Down, or to the Left or Right. To change pages, you may either click on the scroll bar to the Right of the Main Window, or by pressing the PgDn/PgUp keys. You will notice some DOTS at the top left portion of the Main Window. These DOTS allow you to move down a directory (single dot), or down to the ROOT directory (double dots). Once hi-lighted, just click the RIGHT mouse button to change directories. The same applies to Aqua colored FOLDERS, just click the RIGHT mouse button on a hi-lighted folder to display the files inside that directory. Note: You may view a 16 color/B&W (EGA) PCX by hi-lighting the file and clicking the right mouse button! ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Second Main Window (system & file statistics) b.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- To the RIGHT of your screen you will see a second large window, this window will display the system and file statistics of the current directory and drive. Displayed are: ╒═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕ │ 1. The Drive you are currently on. │ │ 2. The current directory. │ │ 3. Total number of files in the current directory. │ │ 4. Total amount of space on the current drive. │ │ 5. Total available free space on the current drive. │ │ 6. The Volume Label. │ ╘═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛ Displayed at the bottom of your screen will be a partial PATH (location) of the current directory. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Copy (copy a file) c.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The COPY command will do just that, copy a file (or group of files, see TAGGING) from one drive or directory to another, or to a diskette. To COPY a file, hi-light the file with the hi-light bar and then click on the COPY button. You will be asked which drive to copy to, if it's the same drive you are currently on, then just re-select the drive again. Next will be a selection of Manually or Automatic. Manually lets YOU enter the PATH. Automatic searches for all direct- ories for you to select from a list by hi-lighting. You will then be asked what directory on the selected drive to COPY the file to. You will be shown a list of all the directories on the selected drive. Click on the Down/Up arrow buttons to select the directory, then either click on ACCEPT or press ENTER to copy the file or group of files to the selected directory. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Delete (erase a file) d.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The DELETE command will delete any hi-lighted file (or group of files, see TAGGING) on the current drive and current directory. Hi-light the file you wish to delete and then click on the DELETE button. It's that simple! The file is now deleted from the current directory. An upside down question mark will now be displayed to the LEFT of the now deleted file to indicate that it has been deleted! The reason for the question mark ICON is because you DO have the option of UNdeleting the file once it has been deleted (see UNDEL). ╓────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ ║ Special Precaution! ║ ║ ║ ║ DELETE will also delete a COMPLETE directory ║ ║ with ALL the directories files! ║ ║ ║ ║ To DELETE a Directory, hi-light the directory ║ ║ with the hi-light bar and then click on the ║ ║ DELETE button, the complete directory will now ║ ║ be removed from your hard drive. ║ ║ ║ ║ If the Safety button is on (see SAFETY) you will ║ ║ be asked if this is really what you want to do! ║ ║ ║ ║ The UNDEL (see UNDEL) command will NOT work with ║ ║ this command! ║ ║ ║ ║ PLEASE be CAREFUL with this command!! ║ ║ ║ ╙────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜ Note: See UNDEL for a special safety option on deleting files! ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Rename (rename a file) e.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The RENAME command will rename the hi-lighted file to any valid DOS file name you wish (see your DOS manual on valid DOS file names). To RENAME a file, hi-light the file with the hi-light bar and then click on the RENAME button. A window will pop-up for you to enter the NEW file name. Press ENTER when you're finished. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Special command! RENAME will also rename any hi-lighted DIRECTORY! To RENAME a directory, hi-light the directory and then click on RENAME, a box will pop-up and ask you to enter the NEW directory name (see your DOS manual on valid directory names). Enter the new name you wish the directory to have, then press ENTER to accept the new name. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Note: Do not RENAME any file with an extension of EXE, COM or BAT unless you know for sure it will not affect the way the program runs. This can also apply to ANY file that belongs to a program. See the programs documentation file first to make sure! Also, do not start a files name with these characters: ╔═══════════════╗ ║ Comma , ║ ║ ║ ║ Diphthong ` ║ ║ ║ ║ Period . ║ ╚═══════════════╝ They are used as identifiers in Plethora. Another word of precaution! Do NOT put a SPACE in a file name. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Move (move a file) f.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The MOVE command will copy a hi-lighted file (or group of files, see TAGGING) to any selected drive or directory and then delete the file from the current directory. This way you don't have two copies of the same file. To MOVE a file, hi-light the file with the hi-light bar and click on the MOVE button. First, you will be asked which drive to MOVE the file to, then you will be asked which directory on the selected drive to MOVE the file to (see COPY). Note: You must be hi-lighting a file for tagged copies. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Label (rename the volume label) g.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The LABEL command will allow you to change the drive or diskettes Volume LABEL to any valid DOS 11 character name (see your DOS manual for valid LABEL names). The Volume Label is used as an identifier for you to distinguish between drives or diskettes. It may also be used as a copy protection scheme for some programs (mostly on diskettes). To use the LABEL command, click on the LABEL button. A window will pop-up for you to enter in the new LABEL name. Press ENTER when you are finished to SAVE the new LABEL name. You may also delete the LABEL name by erasing the LABEL name from inside this window. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Info (file information) h.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The INFO button will show you information on the hi-lighted file. To get information on a certain file, hi-light the file with the hi-light bar and then click on the INFO button. The file's Name, Size, Date, Time and Attribute will be shown. You will also be shown (if available) a short description of the type of file it is. Example: Text, Data, Executable, programming file, etc.. If you are using the FIND command, the PATH will also be displayed. You also have the option of changing the files Attribute to: ╔══════════════════╗ ║ Hidden ║ ║ Read Only ║ ║ Hidden/Read Only ║ ║ Archive/Normal ║ ╚══════════════════╝ Note: See your DOS manual on what an Attribute is, and how to use them to your advantage. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- View (view a text file) i.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- This option allows you to VIEW the contents of a TEXT file. To use the file viewer, click on the SET button (see SET) to add your viewer (the program LIST has been added as a default). Hi-light the file you want to view, then click on the VIEW button to invoke the viewer on that file. If you see a BLUE box Icon next to the file, then all you have to do is hi-light the file, and click the RIGHT button to invoke the file viewer on the hi-lighted file. The BLUE Icon will detect a file with the extensions of: ┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ TXT, DOC, ME (for read.me), LST, README │ └─────────────────────────────────────────┘ Note: You must have a text file viewer already, and it must be located on your PATH. See your DOS manual about the PATH command. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Edit (edit a text file) j.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- With the EDIT command you can edit the contents of a TEXT file. To use the editor, click on the SET button (see SET) to add your editor (the program EDIT.COM that is supplied with DOS 5.0 and up, has been added as a default). Hi-light the file you want to EDIT, then click on the EDIT button to invoke the editor on that file. If you get a DOS message "Out of Memory", then click on the SET button (see SET). You will notice the second button reads, "Use all Memory for DOS or Editor", click on this button, it will allow you to use ALL your computer's memory. The Memory button will stay active until you turn it off again! Note: You must have a text editor already, and it must be located on your PATH (see your DOS manual about the PATH command). Note: If you hi-light a compressed file, you will invoke the archiver. You may also invoke the archiver by pressing "A". See SET to add your archiver! ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Compress (compress a file) k.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Compressing a file (making it smaller in size) is a great way to save valuable hard drive space. The built-in file compressor will compress any type of file by up to 50% or more in size. As you can see, this will give you a lot of free hard drive space. To compress a file, hi-light the file you want to compress with the hi-light bar, and then click on the COMPRESS button. The file will then be compressed by 14 bit Lempel-Zev-Welch (LZW) file compression (the larger the file, the better the compression). It will now have the file extension of LZW. The original file will NOT be deleted in case of error (we have not seen one yet). * * * * * * * You may also use the program PKZIP (this allows tagging). Place it on your PATH for Plethora to find it. Go to SET and activate! ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- UnCompress (uncompressing a compressed file) l.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- To UNCOMPRESS a compressed file, hi-light the compressed file with the hi-light bar and click on the UNCOMPRESS button. The file MUST still have the file extension LZW for it to recognize the file. The file will be uncompressed, and given a new extension of TMP. You must then rename (see RENAME) the file to it's original extension. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Tag (tag a file) m.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- To TAG a file, is to include it in a group command. Say you want to copy 25 files to a diskette or to another drive or directory. Instead of copying the files one at a time (very time consuming), you can TAG all the files you want to copy, and then copy them all at once to the drive or directory. This is a much faster way to get the job done! To TAG a file, hi-light the file and then click on the TAG button. A black diamond will appear to the left of the file to represent the file has been tagged. When you have all the files you want, tagged, you may now use the COPY, MOVE, or DELETE command on the TAGGED files. * To TAG ALL the files in the current directory at once, click on the TAG + button. Note: The TAG command works with the following commands: ┌──────────────────────────┐ │ COPY, MOVE, DELETE, FIND │ └──────────────────────────┘ * PKZIP-Compression ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- UnTag (untag a tagged file) n.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- UNTAG will untag a hi-lighted tagged file (exclude it from the tagged group of files). To UNTAG ALL the files in the current directory at once, click on the TAG - button. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- UnDel (undelete a deleted (erased) file) o.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- This is a very handy command to have. If you have the safety button (see SAFETY) on, then any file you delete can be undeleted. Great for those times you delete a file on accident, even if you have written over the space the file was located at with another file. The reason for this is because you now have a HIDDEN directory (DOS will not display this directory in a DIR command) on your hard drive called PHIDE (for PLETHORA Hide). And any file you delete (from any drive or directory) will automatically go to this HIDDEN directory instead of really being deleted. This directory was created with the INSTALL program. It's purpose is to hold all the files you delete (erase) with the built-in graphical DOS File Manager. To view this directory, click on the DIRECTORY button (see DIRECTORY), then the "Show Hidden Directory" button. Once you have done this, you can hide or unhide the PHIDE directory at will. Once a month, (at the beginning of each month) you will be reminded to delete the files in this HIDDEN directory. The reason for this reminder is that if you don't delete them once in a while, the directory will fill up with the unwanted files and take up a lot of valuable hard drive space. To do this, unhide the directory, move into the directory (see MAIN WINDOW on how to move) and click on the TAG + button, then once all the files are tagged (see TAG), click on the DELETE button. This will delete all the files in the HIDDEN directory at one time. Every time you exit the File Manager, the deleted file's name will be forgotten, and the UNDEL command will not remember the file name either. The UNDEL command only remembers the LAST file you deleted. But.. you can always go to the PHIDE directory any time during the month (or last directory deletion) and copy the file back to the original directory again. Note: The HIDDEN directory is located right off the ROOT directory of C: drive. ┌──────────┐ │ C:\PHIDE │ └──────────┘ The UNDEL command does NOT work with the TAG command. (If the file was in a group with other tagged files.) It only works with individual files. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Find (find a file on the current drive) p.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- FIND is another handy and powerful command to have! Find will search your entire hard drive for a certain file, or a group of files (same extension, or a number of different ways), and then display all the files in one directory like structure for you to see. Examples: type in the file name to find: ╒════════════════════╕ │ LETTER.TXT or.. │ │ LETTER* or.. │ │ LET?????.??? or.. │ │ *.TXT │ ╘════════════════════╛ For a good example of the different ways you can FIND files on your hard drive, go and use this command to get familiar with it. A window will pop-up and give you a list of examples on how to search for files. Try some of them out, you can't hurt anything! And you will see for yourself how powerful this command is! If you use the INFO command on any found file, you will also be shown the PATH (location) of the file. This is also a handy way to find all the duplicate files on the entire hard drive. This would appear to do something DOS cannot do, and that's to have more then one file with the same name in the same directory. Commands that work with FIND: ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ COPY, MOVE, DELETE, INFO, VIEW, EDIT, TAG, UNTAG │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Note: To FIND files on a different drive or diskette (floppy), use the "Change Drives" command (see CHANGE DRIVES). ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Change Drives (move to a different drive) q.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- All you have to do to CHANGE DRIVES, is click on the "Change Drive" button and then select which drive to move too. Plethora will automatically detect all the drives on your system and display them in a selection box for you. Hi-light the drive you want to move to and then click the LEFT mouse button to accept the hi-lighted drive. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ Center Buttons (the 6 buttons above the Scroll Bar) ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Below are the descriptions of the 6 center buttons. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The question mark (?) (help) r.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- For extra help, click on this button, then click on the subject of interest. A window will pop-up and explain the option! ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Safety (+) (used for the extra safety features) s.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The top center button is your SAFETY button (+). With this button on, (a green light indicates ON, a red light indicates OFF) you will have added safety features. Like: You will be asked if you really want to delete the hi-lighted file or not, or do you really want to copy the hi-lighted file to another drive or directory. This may slow down file operations a bit, but the added security is sometimes worth the extra time involved. If you prefer to bypass this security feature, just click on the SAFETY (+) button and it will light up RED to indicate that the safety feature has been turned off. Note: The UNDEL command will not operate with the SAFETY feature turned OFF! ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Refresh [R] (refresh the screen) t.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The REFRESH command [R] will clear the Main Window and refresh it with a new one. This comes in handy whenever you delete a file or directory from the current screen and you want to see a TRUE updated screen. To use the REFRESH command, just click on the REFRESH button (the R button) to get a fresh, updated screen. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Date (change a files Time & Date stamp) - Calendar Icon u.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The DATE command will change a hi-lighted files TIME and DATE. To use the DATE command, hi-light the file you want to change the Date & Time on. Then click on the DATE button (the D button), and a pop-up box will appear for you to enter in the NEW files Date & Time. The first prompt is for the Month, then Day, and Year. Next you will enter the NEW Time, Hour, Minutes, and Seconds. Fill these out COMPLETELY! Do not leave any spaces or blanks! The format for the DATE goes as follows: MM (two numbers for Month) = 09 DD (two numbers for Day) = 29 YYYY (four numbers for Year) = 1993 which equals; 09-29-1993 or September 29, 1993 The format for the TIME goes as follows; HH (two numbers for Hour) = 13 MM (two numbers for Minutes) = 30 SS (two numbers for Seconds) = 10 which equals; 01:30:10 The TIME must be entered in 24 hour mode (military, computer time). Examples: ┌────────────┐ │ 1am = 01 │ │ 2am = 02 │ │ 3am = 03 │ │ 4am = 04 │ │ │ │ 1pm = 13 │ │ 2pm = 14 │ │ 3pm = 15 │ │ 4pm = 16 │ └────────────┘ You get the idea! Now you can click on INFO (see INFO) to view the NEW file DATE and TIME. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Clock Icon v.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Shows the current time. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Printer Icon w.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- This option will check to see if your printer is ready and then print the hi-lighted file. It will NOT be formatted in any way, but print the file as is! ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Scroll Bar (changes pages inside a directory) x.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The scroll bar will allow you to change pages forward or backward. You may also click on the top of the scroll bar to move to the top of the directory. The bottom buttons... ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Directories (create, show hidden) y.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Here is where you go to add a NEW directory or Hide/Unhide the hidden directory (PHIDE). See your DOS manual on valid directory names. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- File Spec (File specifications) z.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- File Spec allows you to view certain files. Say you only wanted to see all the EXE files, then you would enter *.EXE or *.TXT to view just the text files. To find special files or to use a wildcard, see FIND file. Note: To return to viewing all the files once again. Type: *.* ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Set (set system memory, editor, viewer, archiver, & DOS) a1.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Use the SET button to enter the name of your file editor, viewer, and archiver. Here is where you would also set the amount of memory to use for the editor, viewer, archiver, and DOS. You may also use the program PKZIP as the default compressor, which allows the tagging of files. You MUST have the program PKZIP somewhere on your PATH to use this, the File Manager will NOT check for it! When you enter the names, do not enter the file extension, this way it will default to BAT, then COM, and finally EXE. This insures that it will find the program, and allows you some flexibility. All settings are saved until you need to reset them again. Note: Entering the names of your editors here, affects and sets the editors in LaunchComm, and the Bootup file swapper in utilities. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- DOS (drop to DOS) b1.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Clicking here allows you to drop to DOS and enter DOS commands manually. When you're finished entering DOS commands, type the EXIT command to return to Plethora. Note: If you need more memory when you drop to DOS, see SET. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Calendar (reminders/alarms) Section 11.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The Calendar is a handy feature to have, you may add as many Alarms and Reminders as you like! You can move around the Calendar by using the ARROW keys or by clicking on the date with your mouse. Change years, and months by clicking on their buttons (the + symbol moves you forward, the - symbol moves you backward). To return to today's date, click on TODAY. To move to a certain year and month, use the GOTO button, just enter the month and year (not day). To add a REMINDER/ALARM, click on the day you want to add a reminder too. A reminder screen will pop-up for you for that day. You may now either click on the reminder button to add a reminder icon for that day, or enter an alarm (or multi-alarms) for that day. A full page of text is also offered to write-in any information you want to add for that reminder. Use (DEL)ete to erase any reminder. You can break up the reminder page into sections and keep your appointments for the day this way, and set an Alarm for each section. Use the SEARCH option to find ANY text in ANY reminder. Partial words are allowed. Example: Birth, will find all Birthdays mentioned in any reminder. Use the REPEAT button to continue looking for the next match. FootNotes - You have 12 footnotes, one for each month. Use for a constant reminder throughout the month. FUN - Quotes - Here you can enter as many quotes as you like up to 32,000. They will come up at random. Great for jokes too! Icons - Here you can select one of 18 different icons or.. disable the border. Note: If you set an alarm and you are back at the main Plethora interface, the ALARM box will light-up white to indicate an alarm has gone off in the Calendar. To shut this alarm off, enter the Calendar. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Clock Icon (set time and date) Section 12.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Click here to change the system time and date. Fill-out the time and date completely! Use 24 hour mode: Example: ╒═════════════════════════════════════╕ │ Time 15:00:00 = 3:00pm │ │ Date 09-29-1993 = Sept. 29 1993 │ ╘═════════════════════════════════════╛ Note: An innovative idea! You may also change the time, by just clicking on the time on the main interface. The LEFT button moves you up, the RIGHT button moves you down. Or.. use the first 4 function keys! (F1-F4) ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Musical Note Icon (set sound options/alarm/chimes) Section 13.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Here you will set your sound options. you may select from the PC speaker, Adlib/SoundBlaster, or turn the sound off/on. If selected, the CHIMES will sound off on the half hour, or on the hour. An optional ALARM and alarm message are also offered. You can have this alarm go off at the same time everyday by selecting AUTO ALARM. A red musical note by the clock will light up to indicate that Auto Alarm is ON! This alarm is intended for daily events. You must SET the alarm before you select Auto Alarm! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Screen - Screen Saver (turn on/off) Section 14.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── This will turn On/Off the screen saver. The screen saver will activate after a few minutes of inactivity. Moving the mouse or pressing a key will restart the timer. By moving or clicking the mouse or by pressing any key while the screen saver is active, will bring you back to Plethora. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Lock (lock/unlock exit to DOS) Section 15.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── This will lock the exit to DOS to prevent accidentally dropping to DOS. Click here again to turn off the lock. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Graph button (displays all 3 memories) Section 16.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── This is a graphic display of all three types of available memory. It will display the available memory for: ╒═══════════════════════════════════════╕ │ 1. BASE memory (up to the 640k limit) │ │ 2. Extended memory (up to 32k) │ │ 3. Expanded memory (up to 32k) │ ╘═══════════════════════════════════════╛ The values shown, displays what is available right now. Click on this button, to see in actual numbers what is available. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ? (Folders) Section 17.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── You have 7 different folders to place your programs into. You can change the names of these folders anytime you like by clicking on the ? button and following the on screen instructions. Having your programs organized this way makes it a lot easier to find them. Each folder has 999 pages, and each page holds 24 programs, for a total of 23,976 programs per folder. ┌──────────────────────────┐ │ Total programs = 167,832 │ └──────────────────────────┘ To move from one folder to another, click on the arrow buttons right below the program display screen. If for any reason you would like to switch the programs from one folder to another, you can rename them using the file manager. The folder names are: PROGRAMS.001 thru PROGRAMS.007 Example, switch folder 1 with folder 7: REN PROGRAMS.001 PROGRAMS.BAK <--renames #1 to a BAK file REN PROGRAMS.007 PROGRAMS.001 <--renames #7 to #1 REN PROGRAMS.BAK PROGRAMS.007 <--renames BAK file (#1) to #7 Note: If you have decided to use the password protection, the first folder is NOT password protected. This way, others can use Plethora without getting to your important files. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Arrow Buttons (folder arrows, page arrows) Section 18.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Use these arrow buttons to change folders and pages. You may use the left and right arrow keys to change folders, and the up and down arrow keys to change pages. (see keys) ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Turbo Spooler (saved DOS commands) Section 19.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The Turbo Spooler will hold 99 DOS commands in permanent memory, and run them one after another like a batch file. When the commands are done, you will be returned to Plethora. You may run the Turbo Spooler as often as you like, or rewrite the commands at anytime. The Turbo Spooler is intended for tasks that you have to perform everyday. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Sound button (turn on/off sound) Section 20.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The sound button will turn on/off the sound in ALL of Plethora's programs. Either PC Speaker or Adlib/Sound Blaster. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Esc (exit Plethora) Section 21.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── This button allows you to exit Plethora.. if LOCK is off and password is disabled (otherwise enter the password to exit). ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Disk Icon (format diskettes) Section 22.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┌─────────┐ Only │A: and B:│ drives are allowed to be formatted! └─────────┘ There is a built-in format which will NOT add a serial number to your diskettes nor will it ask for a volume name. you can use the standard DOS format command that will add the serial numbers and ask for a volume name. * The built-in formatting will format a 5.25 floppy, 360k to 1.2m, and the 3.5 floppy, 720k to 1.4m. Just click on the disk icon of your choice! If you choose the standard DOS format commands, a list of format commands will be displayed for you. Just select the command you want by the corresponding letter. Example: Format a 720k disk with the system files on it (bootable). Note: If you want to format your hard drive, drop to DOS and perform the format from there. See your DOS manual! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Log Icon (Program log file) Section 23.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The Log, is a file that displays all the programs you have run from Plethora's main menu. It keeps track of the programs NAME, the DATE, the time you STARTED the program, the time you ENDED the program, and displays in real time how long you were using the program. By using the REPORT option you can display how many times you used a program and how many hours/minutes the grand total is for that program. The report can be daily/weekly/monthly or whatever you want by entering the starting and ending dates for the report. The report doesn't have to be on one program.. it can be for ALL the programs run in a specific time. Note: If your LOG file gets pretty big (say 200k) you may delete it at anytime and start again by using the ERASE button. Print it out first if you like to keep records! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Letter Icon (LetterWrite, ASCII text editor) Section 24.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── LetterWrite is an ASCII text editor intended for quick letters or batch files 1000 lines or less! It is NOT complicated or loaded with features that take months to learn! It has a pop-up edit-keys list so you can start typing out a letter right away (standard edit keys are used)! You may load in files or create new files with LetterWrite. You can even save them under a different name to save the original letter in its original form. Please read the help file inside LetterWrite. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Modem Icon (LaunchComm, communications) Section 25.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Please see BBS.DOC for information on LaunchComm and the SCRIPT language used. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Phone Icon (address book) Section 26.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The phone and address book is a very powerful tool for keeping track of friends, clients, or businesses! A nice feature of being able to have a PCX (16 color/B&W) photo of the person you are calling displayed while you talk has been added! If you have a modem, you can have the modem dial out for you and keep track of the time you have been on the phone! Click on the ? button for more on line help. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Below is a list of all the command buttons (a-p). ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Setup (set Comm port, BAUD rate, and Type) a.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The FIRST thing you want to do is go into SETUP and set your COM port and BAUD rate (if you have a modem). [ Chances are that if you're mouse is on COM1, then your modem is on COM2 ] The BAUD rate is NOT important because it will just dial the phone for you and not connect up to a service where the BAUD rate would matter (see LaunchComm - BBS.Doc, to be able to call an electronic or BBS service). Now select the phone TYPE, Pulse (rotary), or Tone (push button). For now that is all you have do! You can go and add records and have the modem dial the phone for you! The current address book name is displayed on the bottom of SETUP. For more info on other SETUP features read below. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pause ~~~~~ The Pause button is for people who need to dial a 9 first, then pause and wait for a second dial tone before proceeding with dialing the phone number. Redial ~~~~~~ Enter in the number of times you want the modem to redial the current record before moving on to the next record or stopping. Valid redials range from, 0 to 999. Log ~~~ Turns ON/OFF the address log. The log will keep track of all your calls.. Person, Date, Time on, and Time off. You can print this log in full, or by the month by using the PRINT button (see PRINT). Create Address Book ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There are two ways to create a NEW address book. 1. Click here and then type in a new name for a new address book. The extension ".AB" will automatically be added to the file. Any valid DOS file name is accepted. 2. Tag current records in the current address book and then go into SETUP again and click on "Create Address Book from tagged records". This will create a NEW address book with only the tagged records in it (see Tag). A name of DIALxxxx.AB will automatically be given to the new address book. [ xxxx being the next available number ] Load ~~~~ Load in a different address book. [ the number of address books is unlimited ] They MUST have the file extension of ".AB" (Address Book) to be found. All you have to do is select the address book you want loaded from the supplied list, and Plethora will unload the current book and load the selected one for you. Add a PCX photo to the current record. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To add a PCX (16 color or B&W only) photo, first copy the PCX file to the PHOTOS directory, then display the record you want to add the photo to and click on SETUP. Then click on add PCX photo and enter in the file's name. That's all there is to it! The photo will be cropped to the upper left corner of the PCX file, about 3" x 5" in size. If smaller then that, you will receive a PCX file error. You CAN use a full screen PCX that has the photo in the upper left corner of the PCX, but that would slow down display time a little. There are plenty of graphic programs around that will crop the file to the desired size for you if you want them to load faster. [ even full size photos load pretty quick! ] To view the photo while you are talking, press "P" right after you dial the number, and before the phone is answered. Click on PHOTO anytime, to view otherwise. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Add (add a record to data base) b.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Click on the ADD button to add another record to the address book. Just fill out all the fields you want, and then press ESC to exit and SAVE the record. Use the ARROW keys, or press ENTER to move to the next field. All the fields are self explanatory with the exception of maybe the PRIORITY field. ~~~~~~~~ The priority field has been added to use as an index. You can type in any alphanumeric character as a code for that person or business, and then sort on the priority field. When you go to call the tagged (see TAG) records, they will be called in order of priority. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Edit (edit a record) c.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Editing allows you to change a record or update a record. Editing works the same way as ADDing a record (see above). Press ESC when you're finished editing to save the new information. Normal editing keys apply! Insert = Insert a letter Del = Delete above letter Backspace = Delete letter to left Crtl-C = Clear line Arrows = Moves cursor in that direction Alt-U = Undo current line Tab = 8 spaces to right Shift-Tab = 8 spaces to left Home = Beginning of line End = End of line ENTER = Accept/Save line ESC = Accept/Save record ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Display (display all records in sorted order) d.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Display will show you 17 records at a time in sorted order. The arrow buttons and PgDn/PgUp moves the display forward and backward 17 at a time. Press ESC to exit display mode. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Sort (sort records) e.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Sort will sort the records by any field you select. The default field is the LAST name of the person. You can view the sorted records one at a time, or use DISPLAY to view them 17 at a time (see above). ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Search (search for a certain name) f.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The SEARCH option will find any person or business you are looking for. You can enter the full name, or enter a partial name and Plethora will stop on the first match and ask you to continue, or stop at the current record. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Tag (tag records) & Tag All/Untag All g.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Tagging allows you to call just the tagged records and skip the rest. [ includes a record, in a group of records to be called ] You can tag one record at a time, or tag all the records in the current address book at once. Tagging works two different ways: 1. See SETUP on how to create a NEW address book by tagging records. 2. Calls all tagged records - if you have a modem connected to your computer. To tag a record, click on the TAG button and the current record will be added to the list of other tagged records. You can see how many are tagged in the window below the priority window. Also, a red phone icon will be displayed to verify that it has been tagged. The two small buttons next to this window are the buttons you use for tagging/untagging ALL the records in the current address book at once. ~~~ ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- UnTag (Untag records) h.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- UnTag will untag the current record (see above). ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Dial (dials the current record) i.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Dials the current record or starts dialing all the tagged records. The built-in dialer is GREAT!! for salesmen, tag all the records you want to call first, then click on DIAL to start calling the tagged list (see Tag). Select which number to dial by either clicking on the phone number you want to call, or by using the arrow keys to hi-light the number. Whichever number you hi-light: Phone #1, Phone #2, or Fax, will be the same for ALL tagged records. In other words, if you select Phone #1, then the modem will call Phone #1 in all the tagged records. So.. keep this in mind when you enter the phone numbers. The modem will dial the number, and if it is busy, it will redial the number as many times as you have it set to in SETUP (see SETUP). When the phone RINGS, press ENTER to hang up the modem (the phone will not hang-up, just the modem) and start the TIME counter. The time counter will keep track of the time you are on the phone, press ENTER again when you hang up to stop the counter. [ A time window will pop-up for you to view the elasped time counter ] If you tagged any other records, it will go to the next record and start to dial the phone for that record. Press ESC anytime to abort the call! If you receive an error "Check Printer/Modem", go into SETUP and make sure you have selected the correct COMM port, then check to see if your modem is turned on, and the phone wire is connected. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Calendar (invokes the calendar) j.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- This button allows you to jump to the calendar to check reminders and appointments, or to add them! Once inside the calendar, just press ESC to return to the address book. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Print (prints address book or log) k.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Printing also has two functions: It first checks to see if your printer is ready, if it is, it will: 1. Print the complete address book. [ Standard or mailing labels ] 2. Print the phone log. [ complete log or monthly ] This is a great way to check your monthly phone bill for times and durations of calls. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Erase (erase record) l.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- This will erase the current record from the address book. You will be asked if this is what you really want to do. If you answer, "Continue" (erase record), then you won't be able to get the record back again, so please be sure you want to erase the record. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Codes (area codes) m.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- A quick reference on phone area codes! There are two listings of area codes. 1. The area codes are listed in order of State. 2. The area codes are listed in numerical order. You may add or change the list by using a text editor (LetterWrite), and inserting your new codes. The files to edit are ACODE1.BRW which should be in the PLETHORA directory. ACODE2.BRW Click on the FLIP button to change between the two different codes. ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- T & B buttons (top & bottom buttons) n.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The T & B buttons stand for TOP and BOTTOM. Top will take you to the top of the address book. ~ Bottom will take you to the bottom of the address book. ~ ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Up and Down arrow buttons o.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The Up & Down arrow buttons move you through the address book forward and backward one record at a time. They also move you 17 records at a time when you are using DISPLAY (see display). ─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- Letters (letters to right of screen) p.─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─-─- The letters have been added to give you direct access to any letter in the address book. By clicking on a letter, you will be brought to the first alphabetically last name under that letter. Use the arrow buttons (see above) to move through one record at a time. If there isn't any names under that letter, you will be brought back to your last position in the address book. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Bandido Icon (slot game) Section 27.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Brandyware's Bandido! Bandido is a slot machine game we added just for the fun of it! Good luck! and may the great senora winds be to your back, pilgrim! ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────End of Reference──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Product Support Appendix 1.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Brandyware Software has a 8 hour a day, six days a week support line. Just call the number above, or call our 24hr 7 days a week BBS line. (Mountain time) 9am to 5pm Mon-Sat On the BBS you can download bug fixes (if any) or ask any question regarding "Plethora" or any other Brandyware Software programs. In most cases you'll get a reply within 24 hours. You can also obtain a product and price list of all of our software. OUR lines are NOT 900! We don't charge you for a service you've already paid for! But it will cost you the REGULAR phone charge to call us...and nothing more! ((!)) Please be at your computer with Plethora loaded when you call, so we can guide you through any problems you may be having. Call: (602) 756-1580 ask for tech support! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Trouble Shooting Appendix 2.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Below is a chart for frequently asked questions and solutions. If you don't find an answer to your problem, please call tech support. (602) 756-1580 9am-5pm Mon-Sat Mt. time ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗║ Trouble Shooting ║╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝╔═════════════════╤═══════════════════════════════════════╤════════════╗║ Problem │ Solution/Reason │ See Also ║╠═════════════════╪═══════════════════════════════════════╪════════════╣║ "Error in File" │ You may have received a bad copy of │ ║║ │ Plethora. Call your dealer for a │ ║║ │ replacement. │ ║╟─────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┼────────────╢║ "Bad Command or │ Chances are you entered in the wrong │ ║║ File Name" │ drive, directory, or file name when │ Section 5 ║║ │ you added the program to Plethora. │ ║╟─────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┼────────────╢║ Wrong Password │ Delete the file "Mouse.Brw" │ Section 8 ║╟─────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┼────────────╢║ GIF file error │ The GIF file you are trying to view │ Section 8 ║║ │ may be corrupt or needs a VGA Monitor │ ║╟─────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┼────────────╢║ "Cannot find │ Plethora's Bonus programs (File, │ ║║ file(s)" │ Calendar, Modem, etc..) are setup to │ ║║ │ run with Plethora ONLY! │ ║╟─────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┼────────────╢║ Alarm does not │ Either you didn't enter it in 24hr │ ║║ go off at the │ (computer/military) time, or you set │ Section 11 ║║ right time │ it on the wrong day. It will go off │ Section 12 ║║ │ on the time and date of the reminder │ ║╟─────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┼────────────╢║ Log writes to │ The program log holds all the programs│ Erase every║║ back-up file │ you've launched in memory, so.. you │ 500 or so ║║ │ must erase them once in awhile │ ║╟─────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┼────────────╢║ Phone won't │ Make sure your COM port is set to the │ Section 26 ║║ dial out │ correct port & phone wire is connected│ ║╟─────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┼────────────╢║ Modem won't │ Check your initialization string, COM │ See ║║ dial out │ port, & BAUD rate. Type AT to see if │ BBS.DOC ║║ │ modem responds with OK. Check wires │ ║╟─────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┼────────────╢║ Won't Format │ Check to see if the file FORMAT.COM is│ Section 22 ║║ with regular DOS│ in your DOS directory & on your Path │ ║╟─────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────┼────────────╢║ Won't execute │ Make sure the first line is the TIME, │ ║║ timed program │ and the second line is the DATE in the│ Section 8 ║║ │ Script.Txt file. │ ║╚═════════════════╧═══════════════════════════════════════╧════════════╝ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Update Availability Appendix 3.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── You will be informed by mail of all updates to "Plethora". The updates price will be included in the mailing! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── * WARRANTY & DISCLAIMER * Appendix 4.──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any other language or computer language in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, whether it be electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise, without prior written consent of Brandyware Software. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Warranty ~~~~~~~~ Brandyware Software disclaims all warranties as to this software (Plethora), whether express or implied, including without limitation of any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, functionality, data integrity or protection. SEE LICENSE.TXT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Trademarks ~~~~~~~~~~ Plethora (tm), is a registered trademark of Brandyware Software (r) LaunchComm (tm), is a registered trademark of Brandyware Software (r) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. GIF is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc. (H&R Block) PCX is a registered trademark of ZSoft Corp. ZIP & PKZIP are registered trademarks of PKWARE Inc. BRUN45.EXE Run-time module written by Microsoft Corporation. Trademarks of other companies mentioned in this documentation or program appear for identification purposes only and are the property of their respective companies. All rights reserved worldwide! ▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓ Copyright 1994 (c) ▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓ Brandyware Software ▒░▓ 1930 S. Westwood St P L E T H O R A (tm) v1.4 ▒░▓ Suite 47 ▒░▓ Mesa, AZ 85210-5961 ▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▓ 602 756-1580 Phone ▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓ 602 756-1581 Fax
