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DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 Table of Contents Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 For Users of the DOS DiskTrak Version 7.xx Program . . . . . . . . . . 5 System Requirements, Compatibility, and Limitations . . . . . . . . . . 6 Using the Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Window Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Shortcut keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Using the Button Box Push Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Open a Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 DOS Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 ACTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Add/Update Disk(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Add/Edit Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Report to Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Report to File . . . . . . DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 CONFIGURATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 OK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Data Disk Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 ZIP Extract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Print Lines/Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Report Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Screen Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 HELP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Future Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 The DiskTrak for DOS Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Version History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Version 8.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Potential Future Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Un-Planned Enhancements . . . . . . DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 Introduction DiskTrak for DOS was designed to provide a "quick and easy" method for keeping track of diskette collections. DiskTrak for DOS will allow you to easily create a database that contains a list of all your diskettes and the files and free space available on each one. Optionally, you can include a comment or description for each file on each diskette. Also, you can have DiskTrak for DOS extract the names of files stored inside "ZIP", "PAK", "ARC", "ZOO", and "LZH" archive files (and you can create comments for these files as well.) Then, anytime you want to locate the disk containing a particular file, simply enter the filename into DiskTrak for DOS and it will tell you the disk (or disks, if there are more than one) that holds the file you're looking for. If you don't know the complete name of the file, key in as much of it as you do know and DiskTrak for DOS will search its database for all disks containing any file that has the partial name you entered embedded in it. DiskTrak for DOS supports this same database search capability for disk names and file comments as well, so if you enter descriptive comments for your file names, DiskTrak for DOS allows you to find the file based on its comment. DiskTrak for DOS also has other useful disk and file related capabilities: it can label and re-label diskettes, identify duplicate files, delete and/or restore files, and produce 5 types of hard and/or soft copy reports of its database contents. Finally, DiskTrak for DOS supports several "usability" functions such as screen color customization, database maintenance, and DOS Shell functionality. Creating and maintaining DiskTrak for DOS databases is easy. After creating a database (see the Make a Database section below for details), use the File Open function to open it and then simply "feed" your diskettes to DiskTrak for DOS. The program will read the directories and subdirectories on each diskette, extract all filenames (including hidden and system files) and the amount of free space, and automatically update its database. If you add or delete files on a diskette, simply "re-feed" it into DiskTrak for DOS; the database will be automatically updated. DiskTrak for DOS is distributed as "shareware", meaning it is allowed to be freely copied and distributed, but if used on a regular basis, must be paid for. If you continue to use DiskTrak for DOS you are obligated to send its registration fee ($25.00) to Peninsula Software. The ASCII text file REGISTER.TXT is provided to make it more convenient to register your shareware. Note that Peninsula Software will also accept Visa and MasterCard orders. Upon receipt of your registration fee, Peninsula Software will mail you a 3.5" 720K diskette (or two 5.25" 360K diskettes) containing a copy of the most current version of DiskTrak for DOS that is registerted to you exlusively. Registered versions of DiskTrak for DOS do not contain the "Registration Motivator" dialog box, and also display the name of the registered user in the "About" window. Finally, registering will allow Peninsula Software to continue further enhancements to DiskTrak for DOS (many features in the current version were suggested by registered users) and to develop other low cost software products. Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 4 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 The following sections describe how to install DiskTrak for DOS and how to use the program. After that is a description of each menu selection. Finally, there is a brief discussion of the DiskTrak for DOS database and a summary of the changes made to DiskTrak for DOS since version 8.00. Installation Installing DiskTrak for DOS is a simple process: (1) Copy the files DISKTRKD.EXE, SAMPLE.DTW, DISKTRKD.IDX, and DISKTRKD.HLP to the directory from which you wish to run DiskTrak for DOS. DISKTRKD.EXE is the DiskTrak program, and SAMPLE.DTW is a sample database you can use for testing/evaluation. DISKTRKD.IDX and DISKTRKD.HLP are, respectively, the topic index and text for the program's online Help function. (2) Start DISKTRKD like any standard DOS application. DiskTrak for DOS will use the file SAMPLE.DTW as a "demonstration" database. You can use this database to try out all of the DiskTrak for DOS functions, including making updates and deletes, before you create your own database. Later, when you're familiar with how DiskTrak for DOS works, create your own database, verify that it works properly, and delete SAMPLE.DTW. (Note -- when you do this BE SURE to first create a DiskTrak for DOS configuration file identifying your database as the one DiskTrak for DOS should use. See the section "Config. Save" below for details on how to do this.) For Users of the DOS DiskTrak Version 7.xx Program Beginning with DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.00, DiskTrak for DOS uses a database format different from that used by the DOS version 7.xx DISKTRAK.EXE program. In fact, the database format used by DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.00 (or later) is exactly the same as that used by the Windows version of DiskTrak. Consequently, all DiskTrak for DOS database files must have a name of the form <name>.DTW. Databases used by DiskTrak for DOS prior to Version 8.00 are all named <name>.DT7. If you have a database of this form and you want to convert it for use by DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.00 (or later), simply copy each of your <name>.DT7 database files to <name>.DTW. Then, when opened by DiskTrak for DOS, you will be asked if you want to convert the database to the format required by DiskTrak for DOS. Replying "Yes" will invoke an automatic database conversion routine that will convert your copied database into the format required by this version of DiskTrak for DOS. Because they contain no directory information, when pre-Version 8.00 DiskTrak for DOS databases are converted to the current database format, all filenames are assumed to be in the diskette's root directory. However, if a file with a comment is actually in a subdirectory, its comment will be lost when that diskette is updated by the current version of DiskTrak for DOS. Losing a comment for a file in a subdirectory occurs because DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.00 (and later) sees files from earlier version's Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 5 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 databases as being in the root directory (based on the contents of the unconverted database), but when updating the diskette determines the file is actually in a subdirectory. Thus, it is not recognized as being the same file and the comment is not carried forward into the updated database. This logic is necessary because DiskTrak for DOS must allow for duplicate named files to exist in different directories on the same diskette, and for each to have its own unique comment. The net result of this is that users of versions of DiskTrak for DOS prior to Version 8.00 who have entered comments for files in diskette subdirectories will have to re-enter them if, and when, they update those diskettes with the current version of DiskTrak for DOS. System Requirements, Compatibility, and Limitations Beginning with Version 8.00 of DiskTrak for DOS, a mouse or other pointing device is highly desired to facilitate selecting the various screen elements displayed by the program. Though a mouse or pointing device is not absolutely required, program operation without one is less efficient because some screen elements cannot be selected directly, but must be tabbed to in a fixed order, or selected using access key combinations. As a DOS application, DiskTrak for DOS is limited by the DOS requirement that all data and program code use no more than 640K of RAM memory. Consequently, on a typical system with 640K or RAM, databases should not exceed 2500 file names (approximately.) Additionally, DiskTrak for DOS is limited by the Visual Basic constraint of no more than 64K of data for a list box (which is what DiskTrak for DOS uses to display its data on screen.) Consequently, although you can make a DiskTrak for DOS database arbitrarily large, DiskTrak for DOS may not be able to display it all, or to produce a print or file report containing it all. In these cases DiskTrak for DOS will issue an error message. Sometimes, however, DiskTrak for DOS may not be able to properly detect an out of memory condition and will abort. In these cases, you should consider using multiple, smaller, databases. Using the Program When DiskTrak for DOS starts, several things happen automatically: (1) If you are using an unregistered version of the program, a Registration Motivator dialog box is displayed requiring you to enter the word "register". This step does not occur with a registered copy of the program. (2) The program looks for its configuration file (named DISKTRKD.CFG) and reads from it the name of the startup database and various other program values (e. g., the color specifications, data disk drive, ZIP option, etc.) If the file DISKTRKD.CFG is not accessible, the default database name SAMPLE.DTW is assumed, along with default values for all other items. Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 6 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 Note: use the Configuration -- Configuration Save option described below to create DISKTRKD.CFG. (3) The program opens the startup database, reads the data in it, and displays the main menu screen reflecting the data in the database and the current program values. If it is unable to open the startup database, the problem may be that it is a database from an earlier version of DiskTrak that requires conversion to the current format. In this case the program displays a dialog box asking if you want to convert. If you select yes, the database is converted to the new format, and the old database is saved in a file whose name is <name>.DTZ. If no is selected, the program opens the Main Menu, but with no database selected. The following diagram shows the Main Menu command line and all sub- commands: File Action Search Utilities Configuration Help Open Database Add/Update Disks Filename Compress Database Help Dos Shell Add/Edit Comments Comment Expand Database About Exit Report to Screen Diskname Make a Database Report to File Dupe Files Sort by Name Report to Print Cancel Sort by Free Space Restore Files Search Show Free Space Delete Disks Results Delete Files Label Disks In addition to the command line, the DiskTrak for DOS display contains seven windows for presenting information. In clockwise order, starting from the upper left, these are: (1) The disk list window, showing all disks in the current database, the amount of free space on each, and the number of files on each. (2) The file list window, showing all of the files for the disk that is currently selected in the disk list window. The characters <C> after a filename in the file list window indicate the file has a comment. (3) The DiskTrak Messages window, where DiskTrak displays messages about its current operation or status. Initially, this window is blank. (4) The button box window that contains "push buttons" capable of selecting program functions. This window does double duty by also showing information about the current status of DiskTrak for DOS and its database. (5) The Comments window, where the comment text is displayed for a file that is selected in the file list window (assuming that file has a comment.) If you selected the Add/Edit Comment function, this window is where you enter/edit comment text. (6) The Date/Time window that displays the date and time stamp of the file Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 7 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 currently selected in the file list window. This window will be blank for files in databases converted from an earlier version of DiskTrak for DOS, and for files whose names are extracted from archive files. (7) The Directory window that displays the diskette directory containing the file currently selected in the file list window. For diskettes having all files in their root directories, this will be the "\" character only. No directory data is available for files converted from earlier versions of DiskTrak for DOS, or for files whose names are extracted from archive files. The Window Focus The "Window focus" identifies which screen item will receive input or will be used to make a selection. A screen element "has the focus" when it is highlighted or contains the video cursor. For example, to display the files for a particular disk listed in the disk list window, you must first select the disk name. Doing this is a two step process: (1) causing the disk list window to "get the focus", and (2) selecting the desired list entry (in this case, disk name.) In general, you can change the focus to different screen objects using one of three techniques: (1) by pressing the Access Key combination of the screen item you wish to have the focus. A screen item's Access Key combination is the Alt key plus the highlighted letter in the item's identifier. For example, the file list's access key is Alt + i. (2) by using the Tab key to move the focus from one object to the next, (3) by single-clicking it (the object you want to have the focus) with your mouse or pointing device. Once you have caused the desired screen element to have the focus, you select the desired item by highlighting it using the keyboard direction keys (arrow, home, end, pgup, pgdn) or by using your mouse, and then selecting it by double clicking you mouse or pointing device, or pressing the Enter key. Shortcut keys DiskTrak for DOS supports a capability called Shortcut Keys that allows you to invoke selected DiskTrak for DOS functions by simply pressing a single key combination; you do not have to select any menu items at all. As a result, you can make selections more quickly by not having to access the main menu command line. Note that using shortcut keys is optional; all of the functions in DiskTrak for DOS can be invoked using standard menu techniques alone. Using shortcut keys with DiskTrak for DOS requires knowing which screen object has the focus because there are some situations where the same shortcut key is used for different functions. For instance, the Del Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 8 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 (Delete) key will invoke the Delete Disk function if the disk list window has the focus, but will invoke the Delete File function if the file list window has the focus. The following table lists all of the DiskTrak for DOS functions that can be invoked by shortcut keys, the focus item required, and the key combination to use. Function Focus Item Shortcut Key Combination ----------------- ---------------- ------------------------ Add/Update Disks Disk List window Ins (Insert) Add/Edit Comments File List window Ins (Insert) Delete Disks Disk List window Del (Delete) Delete Files File List window Del (Delete) Restore Files File List window Ctrl + R Label Disks Disk List window Ctrl + L Sort Disknames Disk List window Ctrl + N by Name Sort Disknames Disk List window Ctrl + F by Free Space Report to Screen Disk List window Ctrl + S Report to File Disk List window Ctrl + I Report to Print Disk List window Ctrl + P Note that (1) each DiskTrak for DOS menu item that can be invoked by a shortcut key shows, on its menu "pull down", the shortcut key combination in parentheses to the right of the function name, and (2) the shortcut key is not always the same as the menu item "selection letter" that is highlighhted in the menu function name. (Remember, you can use the selection letter key to selct a menu function once its menu is in view.) Using the Button Box Push Buttons The button box window contains eight items, six of which are "push buttons" which can invoke program functions. The other two items are text buttons that display program information but are not selectable. The text buttons display the size of the current database and the number of diskettes you have entered into the database. The six push buttons are dual-function; they display current program information, and also invoke program functions when selected (clicked). Each function is also selectable via a main menu "pull-down", all of which are described in the following sections of this document. However, here is a brief summary of each button: The Data Drive button displays the current diskette drive DiskTrak for DOS will use. When clicked, this button changes the drive to the next one (left button clisk) or previous one (right button click.) This function is also available by selecting the Configuration menu item. You must have a mouse or other pointing device to select this button. The Database button displays the current database name. When clicked, Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 9 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 invokes the Open Database function. This function is also available by selecting "Open a Database" under the File menu item. The ZIP button displays the current status of the ZIP extract function. When clicked, changes (toggles) the ZIP function between off and on. This function is also available by selecting the Configuration menu item. The Free button displays the percentage of free space in the current database. When clicked, invokes the database compress function which is also available by selecting "Compress Database" under the Utilities menu item. The Edit button displays the current status of the Comment Text edit function. When clicked, changes (toggles) the Comment Add/Edit function between off and on. This function is also available by selecting "Add/Edit Comments" under the Action menu item (or by using its shortcut key.) The Max button displays the maximum size (number of disks) the current database can hold. When clicked, invokes the Expand Database function which is also available by selecting "Expand Database" under the Utilities menu item. The following paragraphs describe the function of each of the menu options and, as appropriate, the corresponding operational techniques you should use to optimize your use of DiskTrak for DOS. FILE -- Open a Database -- Displays a dialog box allowing you to select the drive and directory from which to select DiskTrak for DOS databases. Note that the data base filename pattern is set to *.DTW and cannot be changed. Change the displayed drive and/or directory by selecting it and pressing the Enter key, or by double clicking it. This function can also be invoked by selecting the Database: button in the main menu button box. After DiskTrak for DOS opens the selected database, it fills in the disk list window and the program information window. The disk list window contains three columns of data: the diskette name, the amount of free space it has, and the number of files on the diskette. (Free space is displayed as xxxK, where K = 1000 bytes, or as xxxM, where M = 1,000,000 bytes.) To see the names of the files on any particular diskette, simply select the diskette's name and DiskTrak for DOS will fill the file list window with the names of the files it contains. You can scroll through the disk names and file names using the mouse or the Up/Down, PgUp/ PgDn, and Home/End keys. File names for which you have added comments have the characters "<C>" after their names. (See the Action Add/Edit Comments section for how to create comments.) Selecting a file name causes its date and time Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 10 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 stamp data to appear in the Date/Time text box, and its diskette directory name to appear in the Directory text box. If the file has a comment, it is displayed in the Comment box. -- DOS Shell -- Selecting this option causes DiskTrak for DOS to start a "child" DOS shell. This means DiskTrak for DOS will appear to end and return control to DOS. In fact, DiskTrak for DOS is still active (in your computer's memory), but has invoked the DOS command processor allowing you to issue any command you would when running under DOS alone. From the DOS shell you can copy files, initialize disks, invoke other programs, etc. However, you MUST remember to return to DiskTrak for DOS by entering the command "Exit" when you have finished with your DOS functions. Note: when in the DOS shell, do not move, rename, or otherwise disturb the DiskTrak for DOS database or configuration file. Changes made to these files while in the DOS shell would be unknown to DiskTrak for DOS, and unpredictable (probably bad) results would occur when DiskTrak for DOS resumes. -- Exit -- Selecting this option ends DiskTrak for DOS and returns you to the standard DOS prompt. As the closing screen indicates, if you use DiskTrak for DOS on a regular basis you are obligated to send the $25.00 (US) registration fee to Peninsula Software. ACTION -- Add/Update Disk(s) -- Shortcut key: Ins (Insert) Selecting this option allows you to enter diskettes into the DiskTrak for DOS database. The diskettes you enter can be either new diskettes, i. e., ones not currently in the database, or a re-entering (called a "refresh") of a diskette currently in the database. After selecting this option DiskTrak for DOS will ask you to insert the diskette into the Data Disk Drive and press Enter when ready. DiskTrak for DOS will then attempt to read the diskette's internal label (sometimes called the volume ID.) If there is no internal label, DiskTrak for DOS will ask you to enter one. This label will be used by DiskTrak for DOS to identify the diskette in its database and will also be automatically written onto the diskette. (See the Label Disk section below for details on the labeling process.) DiskTrak for DOS will then check to see if the diskette is already contained in the database. If not, DiskTrak for DOS will read all the filenames in each directory on the disk, alphabetically sort each directory's filenames, and store them in the database. It also stores the Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 11 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 total amount of free space on the disk in the database. If you specified the "ZIP" option to be enabled, DiskTrak for DOS will extract all filenames from inside archive files of type ZIP, PAK, ARC, LZH, or ZOO. If the diskette is already in the DiskTrak for DOS database you will be asked if you want to proceed and "refresh" the database information. Normally you will want to do this, because (presumably) you have added or deleted files from the diskette, and you want its current status reflected in the DiskTrak for DOS database. However, if you have inadvertently created two different diskettes with the same name, you can abort the Add/Update function at this time, relabel the diskette, and proceed again. DiskTrak for DOS will process only normally formatted DOS diskettes, and will reject an unformatted diskette, or a diskette with a non-standard format, such as those created by some hard disk backup programs. Usage hint: you can invoke the Add/Update function by simply pressing the Ins (Insert) key any time the disk list window has the current focus. Doing this is quicker than selecting the Add/Update function from the Action menu item. -- Add/Edit Comments -- Shortcut key: Ins (Insert) This menu option is a toggle that successively enables and disables the ability to add or edit filename comments. When this option is enabled there is a check mark next to the Add/Edit Comments text in the menu and the Edit button will display as a depressed, yellow-highlighted (lit up) button with its caption changed from "Off" to "On". When the function is disabled the check is removed and the Edit button returns to "Off" status. This function can also be invoked by selecting the Edit button in the main menu button box. When Add/Edit Comments is enabled the text editing cursor will automatically appear in the Comment window after selecting a file in the file list window. You can then proceed to enter and/or edit comment text. Use the Return key to tell DiskTrak for DOS you have finished your edit. When you press Return, the text in the comment window will be assigned to the currently selected file name. You can then proceed to select another file name from the file list window for comment editing. You can delete an existing comment by deleting all its text. When this function is diabled it is not possible to select the comment window, and consequently not possible to add or edit comment text. DiskTrak for DOS starts with this function disabled, but you can enable and disable it whenever you like. Usage hint: you can invoke the Add/Edit Comment function by simply pressing the Ins (Insert) key any time the file list window has the current focus. Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 12 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 Doing this is quicker than selecting the Add/Edit Comment function from the Action menu item. -- Report to Screen -- Shortcut key: Ctrl + S DiskTrak for DOS can produce any of five types of reports (see the Configuration - Report Type option below for details) summarizing its database contents. The Report to Screen option will report the contents of the current database to the screen. All of the report types except type 3 use a single window dialog box. Report Type 3 (filenames and comments) uses a two window dialog box: the first displays the filenames and the first few words of the comment. Selecting a filename with a comment in this window will cause the entire comment text to be displayed in the lower (second) window. To see all the text of a very long comment, use the scroll bars on the right of the comment text window. Select the Close button at the bottom of the DiskTrak Screen Report window to close it and return to the main menu window. Note: due to a Visual Basic limitation, it may not be possible for the Report to Screen option to display all of the data in the current database. In this event, DiskTrak for DOS will display as much as it can, and also issue a message indicating you should use the Report to File or Report to Print option (described below) to obtain the entire database contents. -- Report to File -- Shortcut key: Ctrl + I This option directs the selected report to a disk file named <name>.RPT (where <name> is the name of the current DiskTrak for DOS database) that is created in the default directory. The format of the report file is as specified in the Report Type option below. This option allows you to store the report output on disk and view it with some utility text viewing program (or the DOS "TYPE" command), and then decide if you want to print it by copying the file <name>..RPT to a printer. This option creates no printer or screen output. -- Report to Print -- Shortcut key: Ctrl + P This option causes DiskTrak for DOS to send its report directly to your printer. When you make this selection, DiskTrak for DOS directs its report output to the device attached to your computer's LPY1 port. Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 13 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 -- Restore Files -- Shortcut key: Ctrl + R This option allows you to select a file from the DiskTrak for DOS database and have it copied from its diskette to a hard disk directory you specify. This function is typically called "restoring". Before selecting this function you should first select the file your want to restore from the file list window. Then, when you select the Restore FIles option, DiskTrak for DOS will display a dialog window titled "Restore from Floppy to Hard Disk". This window identifies the name of the file your have selected for restoring, the name of the diskette containing it, status of the restore operation, and a drop-down drive list box and a directory list box that allow you to select the disk and directory to which to restore the selected file. Finally, there is a text box that displays the path (disk and directory) you have selected for the restore operation, and two command buttons: Restore and Close. Use the drive and directory list boxes to select the restore path (remember to double-click on the desired directory to select it.) After selecting the desired disk and directory, select the Restore button. DiskTrak for DOS will then ask if you really want to proceed with the restore operation. Selecting OK will allow the restore to proceed; selecting Cancel returns you to the Restore From Floppy To Hard Disk Window. Selecting the Close button on the the Restore From Floppy To Hard Disk Window will close this window and return you to the main menu window. Before initiating the restore function you should put the required diskette into the Data Disk drive. If you select OK and initiate the restore function, DiskTrak for DOS will attempt to copy the selected file from the diskette you have put in the Data Disk Drive to the selected path (drive and directorty.) Status of the restore operation will be reflected in the Status of Restore text box and in the main menu message window. If DiskTrak for DOS is unable to locate the selected file, the message "Can't open source or target files. Wrong disk?" appears in the status window. You can then insert a different diskette (if you inadvertently inserted the wrong one), select another file for restoring , or select the Cancel button, which closes the "Restore from Floppy to Hard Disk" window and returns you to the main menu window. -- Delete Disks -- Shortcut key: Del (Delete) This option allows you to delete one or more diskettes from the current database. You would want to do this if, for instance, you decided to re-use a diskette for a different purpose and had given it a new internal label and a new set of files. Note that if you keep the same internal Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 14 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 diskette name (volume label) and merely replace all the files on it there is no need to delete the diskette name from the current database. Instead, simply use the Add/Update function described above to "refresh" the database with the diskette's current status. Selecting this option displays a warning message telling you that you have enabled "Delete Disks" mode. You can select OK or Cancel. If OK is selected, DiskTrak for DOS places a check mark next to the Delete Disks menu text and displays a message telling you that you are in Delete Disks mode. From then on, each time you select a disk from the disk list window, DiskTrak for DOS will ask you if you want to delete it from the database. Selecting the Yes button will delete it from the data base; selecting No will not. Return to non-Delete Disks mode by re-selecting the Delete Disks function -- it toggles the Delete Disks mode on and off. Usage hint: you can invoke the Delete Disks function by simply pressing the Del (Delete) key any time the disk list window has the current focus. Doing this is quicker than selecting the Delete Disks function from the Action menu item. -- Delete Files -- Shortcut key: Del (Delete) This option allows you to physically delete one or more files from your diskettes. WARNING: THE SELECTED FILES WILL ACTUALLY BE DELETED FROM YOUR DISKETTES, NOT SIMPLY REMOVED FROM THE DISKTRAK DATABASE. This option exists to make it easy to "clean up" your diskettes; you can easily delete unwanted and/or duplicate files using this option. (You can also delete files you really want to keep if you are not careful!) Selecting this option displays a warning message telling you that you have enabled "Delete Files" mode. You can select OK or Cancel. If OK is selected, DiskTrak for DOS places a check mark next to the Delete Files menu text and displays a message telling you that you are in Delete Files mode. From then on, each time you select a file from the file list window, DiskTrak for DOS will ask you if you want to delete the selected file. Selecting the Yes button will cause the program to check that the required diskette is in the data disk drive (if not, you will be asked to insert it), delete the specified file from it, and then automatically update the DIskTrak data base. Selecting No will not delete the file (and return you to the main menu window.) Return to non-Delete Files mode by re-selecting the Delete Files function -- it toggles the Delete Disks mode on and off. There two major reasons why DiskTrak for DOS may not be able to actually Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 15 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 delete a selected file: (1) the file may actually not be on the diskette (it was deleted by some other program after the diskette was added to the DiskTrak for DOS database), or (2) the file was found on a disk that was write protected, and consequently could not be deleted. -- Label Disks -- Shortcut key: Ctrl + L This option lets you label (or re-label) a diskette from within DiskTrak for DOS, thus eliminating the need to shell to DOS and use the DOS LABEL command. When you select this option DiskTrak for DOS will ask you to put a diskette in the data disk drive. It will then attempt to read the internal label from the disk. If there is no label DiskTrak for DOS will ask you to enter one. If there already is a label on the disk, DiskTrak for DOS displays a message showing the current label and asks you if you want to re-label the disk. If so, enter the new label. When you have finished labeling disks simply select the Cancel button to return to the main menu screen. Note: DiskTrak for DOS checks the label you enter for valid characters and will reject one that is invalid. DiskTrak for DOS displays an error message in this case. The entered label is also checked to see if it duplicates the label of a disk in the current database. If so, you are queried whether or not you want to use it or enter a new one. (Suggestion -- use a different label to avoid duplicate diskette names.) Usage hint: you can invoke the Label Disks function by simply pressing the "L" key any time the disk list window has the current window focus. Doing this is quicker than selecting the Label Disks function from the Action menu item. SEARCH The search functions are the primary reason DiskTrak for DOS was written. These functions allow you to search for a particular disk volume, file name, or file comment. In addition, DiskTrak for DOS can identify all duplicate files in its database. The disk, file, and comment search functions allow you to enter a search argument (called the search text) consisting of a complete or partial disk name, file name, or comment, and have DiskTrak for DOS search its entire database for all diskettes and/or files that match your search text. When searching, DiskTrak for DOS does not differentiate between upper and lower case letters; they are considered the same. Also, note that the search functions employ literal searches based on the exact set of characters you enter. The special DOS wildcard characters * and ? are not recognized as wildcards, and should not be used in the search string. Each of the text search functions works similarly: selecting any one Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 16 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 results in the display of a dialog box requesting entry of the search text. After you enter the search text and select the OK button, DiskTrak for DOS searches the database for all matches. While searching it displays a message telling you how many names are being searched and what the search text is. The function that searches for duplucate file names requires no input; when selected it immediately searches the curent database for all duplicate file names. When the search is finished, DiskTrak for DOS updates the disk list window to show only those disks who match the search text (if you requested a disk name search), or that contain files with names or comments matching the search text (in the case of a disk name or comment search, respectively), or that contain files with names duplicated on other disks. Selecting one of the disk names in the disk list window will display, in the file list window, only those files who match the search text, or only those files that have names the same as others. In other words, following a search, DiskTrak for DOS displays only the information matching the search criteria. Note: After you have examined the results of your search you will want to return to "normal mode" and enable DiskTrak for DOS to display the entire database contents. Use the Cancel Search Results selection to do this. -- Filename -- DiskTrak for DOS will display a dialog box asking you to enter the search text. The current database will then be searched for all disks containing files whose names contain the search text. When the search is complete DiskTrak for DOS will display these disk names (and only these disk names) in the disk list window. -- Comment -- DiskTrak for DOS will display a dialog box asking you to enter the search text. The current database will then be searched for all disks containing files that have comments that contain the search text. When the search is complete DiskTrak for DOS will display these disk names (and only these disk names) in the disk list window. -- Diskname -- DiskTrak for DOS will display a dialog box asking you to enter the search text. The current database will then be searched for all disks whose names contain the search text. When the search is complete DiskTrak for DOS will display these disk names (and only these disk names) in the disk list window. Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 17 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 -- Duplicate Files -- When you select this function DiskTrak for DOS reads all of the file names in the current database, sorts them alphabetically, and then searches the names for duplicates. When the search operation is complete, DiskTrak for DOS shows in the disk list window only the disk names that contain duplicate files. Selecting one of these disk names will display in the file list window the file names that were also found on other disks. -- Cancel Search Results -- This option cancels "search mode", which displays in the disk and file list windows ONLY those items matching the search text, and restores "normal mode", which allows ALL disk and file names to be displayed. You should be sure to select this option after reviewing the results of your search operation so that DiskTrak for DOS can display all of the information in the data base, and not just that that matches the seaarch text. UTILITIES -- Compress Data -- Selecting this option causes DiskTrak for DOS to remove all of the unused space from the current database. To do this, DiskTrak for DOS creates a new database for itself, copies all of the current database information to it, deletes the old one, and renames the new one to the same name as the old. When this operation finishes there will be 0% free space in the DiskTrak for DOS database. This function can also be invoked by selecting the Free: button in the main menu button box. Note: in order for this function to work there must be sufficient free space on the disk with the default directory to accommodate a second file equal in size to the current DiskTrak for DOS database. -- Expand Data -- Select this option if you have to add more disks to your database than it was originally specified to hold. After choosing this option DiskTrak for DOS will ask you for the number of diskettes in the expanded database. You should enter the new TOTAL number of diskettes desired, NOT the increase (delta) over the current number. After entering this new total, DiskTrak for DOS will create a database capable of holding the specified number of disks, and will then copy all of the data in your current database to the newly expanded one. When this is complete, DiskTrak for DOS will delete your current database and rename the new one to your "old" current database name. The new, expanded database will also be compressed, i. e., it will Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 18 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 have 0% free space. This function can also be invoked by selecting the button showing the current maximum number of diskettes in the main menu button box. -- Make a Database -- Use this option to create your own DiskTrak for DOS database(s). You can have any number of databases, but only one can be in use at a time. Multiple databases may be desired, for instance, if there are several people using your computer and each has his/her own set of diskettes. Or, you may have so many diskettes that you want to logically segregate them into groups. To create a DiskTrak for DOS database, select this option and specify the name of the database and the number of diskettes you want it to hold. When specifying the database name, enter only the 1 to 8 character primary extension. (Because all DiskTrak for DOS databases must have a name of the form <name>.DTW, DiskTrak for DOS will automatically add the extension ".DTW" to the name you enter.) When specifying the number of diskettes the database should hold, enter a reasonable number. You can always increase it later by using the Expand function described above. After specifying the database name and number of diskettes it is to hold, select the OK button to cause DiskTrak for DOS to create the database. Select the Cancel button to cancel this fiunction and return to the main program window with no action. The database created by this option will (obviously) be empty. Add diskettes to it by first selecting the new database by using the File - Open a Database function, and then invoking the Action - Add/Update Disk option. Note: since there is no way to reduce the size of a DiskTrak for DOS database you should avoid specifying a total number of disks significantly larger than you are likely to need. You can always expand your database later. -- Sort Disknames by Name -- Shortcut key: Ctrl + N In general, DiskTrak for DOS displays diskettes entered into its database in the order in which they are entered. The Sort Disknames by Name option lets you change the order of the display to alphabetical. New diskettes will continue to be added in the order entered, and will not be listed in alphabetical order unless you re-sort the entire list of names using this option. Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 19 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 -- Sort Disknames by Free Space -- Shortcut key: Ctrl + F This option is similar to the above one, except the list of disks is sorted by available free space. The disk with the least free space is listed first. Disks with unknown free space (showing "?K") are listed last; these are disks from a database that was copied from a DOS DISKTRAK.EXE <name>.DT7 database and that have not yet been entered into the current database by this version of DiskTrak for DOS. -- Show Free Space -- This option shows you the amount of free space on a diskette. After selecting this option DiskTrak for DOS will ask you to insert a diskette into the Data Disk Drive. After doing so, select the OK button and DiskTrak for DOS will read the label of the diskette, determine its total free space (in K bytes, where K = 1000) and display a message containing this information. DiskTrak for DOS will then repeat this process until you select the Cancel button to return to the main menu. CONFIGURATION Selecting this menu item displays a dialog window that allows you to view, change, and save DiskTrak for DOS' configuration items. The following paragraphs describe the selectable items in the Configuration dialog window. -- OK -- Retains the currently set configuration items, closes the Configuration window, and returns you to DiskTrak for DOS' main program window. If you changed any of the configuration items they will be in effect for your current session only; you must select the Save button below to make them permanent. -- Save -- This button creates (if it does not already exist) or updates (if it does exist) a file in the default directory called DISKTRKD.CFG and writes into it all of the current DiskTrak for DOS configuration parameters. These parameters include the current color specifications, the DiskTrak for DOS database name, the diskette drive to use when reading diskettes, the number of lines per report page, the desired report type, and the ZIP status (enabled or disabled). You should use this function to retain any new or changed program settings from one session to the next. -- Data Disk Drive -- Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 20 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 This option allows you to specify the diskette drive DiskTrak for DOS will use for reading diskettes. The default diskette drive is A:, but you can change it to any drive letter A: through P:. DiskTrak for DOS will reject a drive "letter" that is not a character in the range A -- P. You can enter either an upper or lower case letter (no colon). You can also change the data disk drive by selecting the Data Drive: button in the main menu button box. Selecting this button with the left mouse button increases the drive letter by one; selecting with the right button decreases it by one. -- ZIP Extract -- This option lets you specify whether or not DiskTrak for DOS is to extract the names of files stored inside an archive file of type ZIP, ARC, PAK, LZH, or ZOO. The default is NOT to do this. If you select this option the ZIP button will display as a depressed, yellow-highlighted (lit up) button, and its caption will change from "No" to "Yes". DiskTrak for DOS will then add to its database, in addition to the base ZIP, ARC, PAK, LZH, or ZOO archive file name, all of the file names contained inside each one. Note that if you enable this function and then add to the DiskTrak for DOS database one or more disks containing numerous archive files, the size of your database will get very large very quickly. To turn the ZIP option off, simply reselect it; it is a "toggle." This function can also be invoked by selecting the ZIP: button in the main menu button box. The "ZIP" status is saved in the DiskTrak for DOS DISKTRKW.CFG file, so if you want it always enabled, enable it and then select the Save button. -- Print Lines/Page -- This option lets you specify the number of lines DiskTrak for DOS will place on its output reports. These reports can be sent either directly to your printer or to a disk file: see the Action -- Report options above. Because of the title and page number lines DiskTrak for DOS prints on each report page, the number of lines per page must be at least 7. The Print Lines/Page option has no effect on reports directed to the screen. You can retain the number you specify in the DISKTRKW.CFG configuration file (make it permanent) by selecting the Save button. -- Report Type -- DiskTrak for DOS can create five types of reports that summarize the information in its database. Report type 1 lists all files in the database and the diskette name each file is on, sorted alphabetically by filename. Report type 2 contains the same information, but sorts it by diskette volume name. Report type 3 lists every filename and its comment (if present); this report is sorted by filename. Report type 4 lists each disk Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 21 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 and its free space, sorted by disk name. Report type 5 is like type 4, except the sort is by amount of free space. Specify the desired Report Type by selecting the appropriate button. The selected button will have a yellow background color. You can retain the selected report type by selecting the Save button. -- Screen Colors -- This command button lets you set the window and dialog box colors for DiskTrak for DOS. When you select this button, DiskTrak for DOS temporarily hides the Configuration dialog window and displays the color control window. This window contains a set of color controls, a sample color area, a "model" of the DiskTrak for DOS main screen, a series of "radio buttons" allowing you to select the window element(s) for which you want to set the colors, and two command buttons that let you apply the new colors and return to the Configuration dialog window. To set colors, use the following steps: (1) Use the "Select Screen Element..." radio buttons to select the screen element you want to alter. Note that the selected item's name is reflected in the "Now setting colors for" text window. (2) Use the "Foreground/Background" radio buttons to specify whether you are about to set the foreground (text) color or background color. Suggestion: set the background color first, then the foreground color. (3) Use the arrow keys (or mouse) to choose from the color matrix of the standard DOS pallette of 16 colors the color you want the previously selected screen element to have. As you choose different colors from the matrix the color of the small window immediately above the color matrix will change to reflect the current color matrix selection. (4) When you have established the desired color, select the OK button. This will apply the color to the previously selected screen element. The appropriate color in the "model" window in the upper right corner will change to reflect the new color scheme. This action also changes the "real" screen elements. (5) Repeat steps (1) -- (4) until all the screen elements are colored they way you want them. (6) Select the Close button to close the color setting window and return to the Configuration dialog window. Note: your new color scheme will only be in effect for your current session and will NOT be retained permanently UNLESS you perform a Configuration Save function by selecting the Configuration menu's Save button Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 22 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 HELP -- Help -- Selecting Help will display a two-window dialog box that contains an index of Help topics on the left and Help text on the right. Selecting a topic causes the text for that topic to display at the top of the text window. You can scroll through either the index or text window using the scroll bars, PgUp/PgDn keys, arrow keys, etc. When you have finished reading the Help text, select the Return to DiskTrak button to close the Help dialog box. -- About -- If you are using a non-registered copy of DiskTrak for DOS, selecting this option displays a "Registration Motivator" dialog box that requires you to enter the word "register". After doing so, a message window is displayed giving some information about the program and how to contact the program author. If you are using a registered version of the program, the "Registration Motivator" dialog box does not appear, and the message window displays the name of the person to whom the program is registered, along with the other program related information. Future Enhancements Additional enhancements will be developed depending on the degree of interest and support received by the current version of DiskTrak for DOS. Peninsula Software will seriously consider any enhancements suggested by registered users. For example, the report option was added as a result of a suggestion (and sample source code) from Joseph R. Nelis, Jr. (thanks, Jody!) and the comments option resulted from a suggestion by L. P. Thomason. The DiskTrak for DOS Database The distribution DiskTrak for DOS files contain a "sample" database called SAMPLE.DTW. This database contains information from a small set of disks and includes comments containing helpful information about using DiskTrak for DOS. When DiskTrak for DOS starts, it first checks to see if a configuration file exists. (See above section CONFIGURATION -- Configuration Save for more information on creating the configuration file.) If there is a configuration file, DiskTrak for DOS attempts to use the database defined in it. If there is no configuration file, DiskTrak for DOS attempts to use a database called SAMPLE.DTW. In either case, if DiskTrak for DOS cannot open or read the database file, it returns to the main menu with an error message stating it was unable to access the selected database and requests you to select a different one. Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 23 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 The DiskTrak for DOS database contains the names of all the diskettes you have entered, the amount of free space on each, all of the file names on all diskettes, and all of the comments you enter. Beginning with Version 8.00, the database was enhanced to also contain date and time stamp data for each file, and the name of the diskette directory containing each file. There are pointers in the database that connect a diskette to its files, and files to their comments (if present). Finally, there are counters holding the total number of diskettes in the database, the number of "free" file names, and the number of "free" comment characters. "Free" filenames result from files being deleted from diskettes, or from diskettes being deleted from the database. "Free" comment bytes result from files with comments being deleted from the database, or by creating new (edited) comments that are longer than the original comment. The latter two numbers are what determine the "free space" in the data base. Free space results from deleting a diskette from the database, or from "refreshing" a diskette already existing in the database. In either of these two cases, the filenames previously used are flagged as "free" and are no longer usable. (Comments are maintained intact, however, if the filename with the comment is still on the updated disk.) All updates and/or additions to the database are made at the end of the database. Consequently, as time goes on, unwanted "free space" will build up inside the database. This "free space" is reported in the DiskTrak for DOS program information window in terms of a percentage of the size of the entire database. This "free space" is literally unusable, wasted space and should be eliminated when it becomes excessive. The "Compress Data" option under the Utilities selection will eliminate all "free space" from your database. See the section describing that option for more detail. Version History Version 8.00 Version 8.00 is the initial release of DiskTrak for DOS that is based on Peninsula Software's DiskTrak for Windows. There were many earlier versions of DiskTrak for DOS, the last of which, version 7.40, was the basis for the first version of DiskTrak for Windows. Following the release of DiskTrak for Windows, no further development was done on DiskTrak for DOS. Instead, all new features were developed for DiskTrak for Windows. When Microsoft released the Visual Basic for DOS compiler (September 1992) DiskTrak for Windows had evolved to a much more capable program than DiskTrak for DOS. Hence the most effective approach for enhancing DiskTrak for DOS was to convert the Windows version to DOS. Visual Basic for DOS enabled this to occur, and the result became DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.00. Version 8.10 Corrected obscure bug that sometimes caused DiskTrak to not recognize a Version 7.xx database and hence caused the old format database to not get converted to the new format. This, in turn, caused many bad things to Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 24 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 happen when the program tried to access the un-converted database. Thanks to John Rich for reporting this and sending a copy of his Version 7.xx database for debugging purposes. Corrected incorrect default main menu foreground color (black, rather than yellow), thus eliminating the incorrect resetting of the main menu foreground color to black after the first use of the Configuration Save function. Thanks to John Rich for reporting this bug also. Version 8.20 Corrected bug that prevented DiskTrak from accessing archive files in diskette subdirectories when the ZIP function was enabled. More thanks to John Rich for reporting this bug. Corrected formatting for print and file report types 3 and 4. Changed internal program structure to allow maximum RAM usage for database data and eliminate the Visual Basic for DOS default restriction of 64K for data. Related to this, reworded the paragraph in this documenmt describing memory limitations and added additional program checking for out-of-memory conditions and the display of corresponding error messages. Version 8.21 Added code to allow the Database Compress function to operate properly when Search Mode is enabled, and to ensure Search Mode is not enabled when editing comments. Thanks to John Rich for suggesting these changes. Added code to prevent a program failure when using one of the Search functions for a database containing only one disk. Thanks to John Rich for reporting this problem. Version 8.22 Corrected problem causing program crash when unable to delete a file from a diskette. More thanks to John Rich for reporting this bug. Potential Future Enhancements The ability to produce an unformatted disk file report containing only the current database's disk names (thus allowing file input to a disk label printing program), and an unformatted disk file report containing all of the filenames, dates, and times (thus allowing file input into a database program.) Providing an install program like the installation programs accompanying major commercial DOS applications. Optional automatic naming of unlabelled diskettes using a user defined "base" name that is incremented by the program Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 25 DiskTrak for DOS Version 8.22 Availabilty of shortcut keys for more program functions. If you have comments or suggestions about these (or other) enhancements to DiskTrak for DOS, please send them to: Birk Binnard Peninsula Software 28510 Bluythewood Drive Palos Verdes CA 90274 or send a Compuserve E-Mail letter to 72356,556. Un-Planned Enhancements (In other words, these are suggestions I have received but have no plans to implement.) Diskette label printing (i. e., including a function that prints diskette volume labels on a printer into which you have put diskette label paper stock.) "Automatic" import of comments stored in a file by some other piece of software. Including file size in the database. Changing the Registration Motivator to require less user interaction. Peninsula Software -- 28510 Blythewood Drive -- Palos Verdes CA -- 90274 26