Ferret is a powerful search utility for the Psion Series 5.
It provides file search functions based either on the name or characteristics of the file, or by text contained within the file. It is programmed in C++ and operates quickly, in the background if necessary, searching for files that fit the search criteria and displaying them in a table output.
To commence a search, click the Find button or Ctrl-F. After a brief pause, the search dialog pops up. Enter the filename in the box - wildcards are accepted using the standard wildcard convention (* represents any character(s), ? represents any single character).
To search for text within a file, enter in the Text to be found box.
Important: Text searches currently do NOT search within open files.
Choose the search type - either by Disk drive (select the disks to search by using the right arrow or by clicking in the option button) or by selected folder.
Selected folder search: choose the appropriate drive, then select Look in this folder and hit the Tab key (or double click in the entry area). After a pause, the directory tree for the chosen drive apprears. Scroll through to the chosen directory and hit return. Click on Include subfolders if you want to cover nested folders within the one chosen.
uDFerret is Shareware and is not a free program. It took several months to program and shareware is Nutshell Systems only source of income, so if you would like to use it, please register.
If you wish to register, which removes the search limit and nag screen, the cost is
10. You can register in several different ways:
Go to the Nutshell website (www.nutshell.co.uk/ferret/registration) and complete the form.
Phone Nutshell Systems (+44 171 630 7110), ask for Ferret registrations, and be ready to quote a Visa/Mastercard/American Express number.
Post cheque or money order for
10.00, denominated in UK Pounds Sterling, payable to Nutshell Systems Limited at the following address: 6 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EN. Please remember to include contact details (preferably e-mail address) to receive your unlock code.
Credit card payments incur an additional
2.00 handling charge. All people registering will be sent a unique code to unlock the software (under Tools/Register) - there is no need to re-install. Registered users will also be mailed updates and any bug fix versions, and have access to support (see 'Support').
BFirst, please hit the Nutshell site (www.nutshell.co.uk/ferret) and check the Bugs and Enhancements log. If you are not running the most recent version of Ferret, there is a good chance your problem has been picked up and solved.
If you are still having problems, please mail us at ferret-support@nutshell.co.uk with a description of the problem. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.
If it's urgent, and we're likely to be awake, phone Carlos on +44 171 630 7110 asking for Ferret support.
KAIf you have any suggestions for enhancements to Ferret, please mail us on ferret-support@nutshell.co.uk or post them on the form on our website (www.nutshell.co.uk/ferret). If you would like to enquire about including Ferret functions, search routines or capabilities into your software, please also mail us on the above address.
jF1. Call up the Ferret search dialog by hitting the Find button or Ctrl-F.
2. Enter the name of the file to be searched for in the File name text box. Leaving this box blank searches for all files. Searches are NOT case sensitive. Wildcards can be used as follows:
"*" searches for any characters. eg. Fer* finds fer, Ferret, Ferdinand, ferry
"?" searches for any one character. eg. "F?t" finds fit, but does not find Ferret.
combined: eg. F?r* finds Ferret, forest
3. Enter any text that is to searched for within files. Wildcards can be used as above. Open files are not currently searched (this will be a future enhancement). Text searches are slower, so choose a smaller search target (ie. just one drive, or within a defined directory) if required.
4. Choose whether to search in selected drives or in a selected folder
5. Selected drives search: choose the drives to be searched, and check the Include subfolders box if nested searches are required (ie. searching folders within other folders).
6. Selected folder search: Select Look in this folder box. Press Tab or double click on the empty box - be patient - the Psion is now building a file directory using built-in functions and it's a bit slow! Browse through the scrolling list to choose the directory to search within (pressing the first letter jumps to the next entry starting with that letter). Click the Include subfolders box if nested searches are required
7. Press OK. Ferret now starts searching through the chosen directory structure using the set search criteria.
8. The search can be stopped part way through by hitting the Esc key or by clicking on the Stop button.
AAlthough Ferret has been through a Beta test version and extensively tested, there is no guarantee that errors and/or bugs do not exist.
As with any new installation, please do a full back-up before running Ferret searches for the first time.
Nutshell Systems makes no warranty, either express or implied, regarding Ferret. Nutshell Systems cannot be held liable in any way for damages, direct or consequential losses arising either directly or indirectly from the use of this software.
Ferret - Quick StartM
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Registration
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Support
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Product Development
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Employment
If you would like to join a young, growing company developing systems for Psions and other mobile computing platforms, please mail us on jobs@nutshell.co.uk.
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To Search
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Go To
Files that Ferret has located that are executable can be started by hitting return when selected in the output screen, by hitting the Go to button, or clicking the selected entry on the screen. This option opens the file as a new task.
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View Preferences
Show lines: Lines on the output grid can be shown, choosing between None, Horizontal, Vertical and Both: When checked, the time modified will be shown as well as the date modified.
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