The 640 MEG Shareware Studio 2/The 640 Meg Shareware Studio CD-ROM Volume II (Data Express)(1993).ISO/educate/ds5qz21.zip/DOS5QUIZ.DOC

Text File | 1992-09-07 | 21KB | 440 lines

                            DOS 5 QUIZ DOCUMENTATION


1.  What is DOS 5 Quiz?
2.  Running DOS 5 Quiz
3.  DOS 5 Quiz Questions
4.  Registration Info

                              WHAT IS DOS 5 QUIZ?

     DOS 5 Quiz is based upon the popular DOS Quiz program, and follows in the
footsteps of Advanced DOS Quiz (ADQ).  DOS 5 Quiz is a test of the user's
knowledge and ability to use the features of Microsoft's latest DOS version,
MS-DOS 5.0.  DOS 5.0 has been widely lauded in the computer industry as the
best DOS ever.  Most users of DOS 5.0 do not use all of its new features.  This
is a shame, since many of them can make your DOS-using life much easier.  If
nothing else, hopefully DOS 5 Quiz will make you look in your manual for
answers, and you will learn something new from there.

     For users who are well-versed in DOS 5.0 and its new features, DOS 5 Quiz
will let you know just how good you really are.  And even you may learn some-
thing new!

     DOS 5 Quiz takes the user through a series of 20 questions, asking the user
to perform tasks in DOS 5.  Unlike in DOS Quiz, none of DOS 5 Quiz's questions
are categorized as basic or advanced.  For the most part, they are not required
knowledge in the everyday use of DOS.  Therefore, you may assume that a high
score in DOS 5 Quiz relates to an advanced knowledge of DOS 5.0.

     At the end of the Quiz, a score screen is displayed, which shows a listing
of all of the questions asked, what the main concept of the question was, and
whether the user answered the question correctly or not.  The number and
percentage of questions answered correctly is also shown on the score screen.

     DOS 5 Quiz may be used to find out who in your office needs work on their
DOS knowledge, or as a screen for new employees.  Though not designed to be a
DOS tutor, along with the documentation, it may make you question how you now
perform tasks in DOS and prompt you to read your manual in depth.  Learning
is the main goal of this program.

                               RUNNING DOS 5 QUIZ

     Running DOS 5 Quiz is really quite simple - all you need to do is type
DOS5QUIZ at the DOS prompt and away you go.  The program is completely self-
contained, so no outside files are needed.  The program is small, so it will run
on nearly any DOS machine.

     This implementation of DOS 5 Quiz uses either a color monitor or a
monochrome monitor.  Monochrome monitors that emulate color monitors (such as
b/w VGA) will work fine in color mode.  The use of color in the program has
been kept to a minimum to allow usage on a wide range of computers.  DOS 5
Quiz will automatically detect the best mode for using DOS 5 Quiz (color or
monochrome) and adjust itself accordingly.  DOS 5 Quiz also detects when EGA
or VGA users have their displays set to 43 or 50 line modes.  DOS 5 Quiz, and
all other DOS Quiz products, use 25-line mode.  But when it exits, the mode
you had going in will be the one you have coming out.  Note that you can force
DOS 5 Quiz to use monochrome mode (if your video allows it) by passing the /m
option to DOS 5 Quiz (ex:  C:> DOS5QUIZ/m).

     After typing in DOS5QUIZ, an intro screen will appear.  After pressing any
key as requested, the user will be prompted for his or her name and Social
Security Number.  This is for score-sheet identification purposes.  The user is
asked to verify his or her entry.  An instruction screen will then appear.
After reading the instructions and pressing any key, the quiz begins.

     After finishing 20 questions, the score screen will appear.  Three
function keys are active here.  F1 will print a scoresheet out on a parallel
printer in port LPT1.  F2 will prompt you for a filename to save a score-
sheet to (with the user's input name as the default filename).  If the filename
given exists, you will be given a chance to change your choice.  F3 quits the
score screen and the user will be asked if the quiz is to be taken again.  This
is a Yes or No question.  If Yes, the screen will go back to the Name/SSN
screen.  If No, then DOS 5 QUIZ will return control to DOS.

     If a user does not know the answer to a question, he or she can either
guess or just press ENTER to skip answering.  DOS 5 Quiz will mark the question
as being incorrectly answered and move on.

                               DOS 5 QUIZ QUESTIONS

     The following is a listing of all questions asked in DOS 5 Quiz, and their
correct responses.  Note that though the "correct" answers are all presented
here in uppercase, all variations of upper and lower case are valid, as in DOS.
Note also that whenever a / switch appears, a space is shown preceding the /.
This space is optional in both DOS and DOS 5 Quiz.  It is used for clarity.

1  Show directory of hidden files

The user is asked to type the DOS command and it switch that will show the
user all hidden files in the current directory (C:\).  This command makes use
of the DOS 5.0 DIR command's /A switch, which allows you to show files that
have a certain attribute byte set.  Valid answers are:

DIR /AH         DIR /AH *      DIR /AH *.*      DIR /AH \*"
DIR /AH \*.*    DIR /AH ./*    DIR /AH .\*.*

The directory portion of the command may be preceded by C:.  Also, the /AH
portion of the command may be typed in as /A:H.



2  Show all files except for subdirectories

The user is asked to type the command and its switch that will show all files
in the current directory (C:\) except for the names of subdirectories.  This
command also takes advantage of the DOS 5.0 DIR command's /A switch, but
illustrates its ability to limit the files it shows, as opposed to including
them, as in question 1.  Valid answers are:

DIR /A-D         DIR /A-D *      DIR /A-D *.*      DIR /A-D \*"
DIR /A-D \*.*    DIR /A-D ./*    DIR /A-D .\*.*

The directory portion of the command may be preceded by C:.  Also, the /A-D
portion of the command may be typed in as /A:-D.



3  Show all files sorted by extension

The last question concerning the DIR command, this question asks the user to
display all files in the current directory (C:\), sorted by file extension.
This command illustrates the DOS 5.0 DIR command's new /O switch, to change the
sort order of the display.  Standardly, the sort order is the order that the
files appear on the disk.  Valid answers are:

DIR /OE         DIR /OE *      DIR /OE *.*      DIR /OE \*"
DIR /OE \*.*    DIR /OE ./*    DIR /OE .\*.*

The directory portion of the command may be preceded by C:.  Also, the /OE
portion of the command may be typed in as /O:E.


4  Show current memory usage and program sizes

One of DOS 5.0's most exciting features is its better use of memory, particu-
larly in 286 and 386 machines.  Along with a memory manager, the MEM command
is included to give the user a better picture of how memory is being used.
Here, the user is asked to type the command and switch that will show the what
programs are currently loaded in upper and conventional memory, as well as
show details of system memory usage.  Valid answers are:

MEM /C    MEM /CLASSIFY


5  Show details of programs currently loaded in memory

Another test of the usage of MEM, the user is asked to type the command that
will show the memory location of each program now loaded, and how large each
program is.  The command also gives a summary of memory usage.  Valid answers
are:

MEM /P    MEM /PROGRAM


6  Show list of DOS's commands

For new users and old users alike, DOS's HELP facilities are an important new
addition to DOS 5.0.  Though many of the on-line help screens can be cryptic
and confusing to new users, they are better than the curt error messages of
the past.  The user here is asked to type a command that will show them a list
of DOS commands, and a brief description of each.  The only valid answer is:

HELP


7  Get help on a command

Having on-line help is fine, as long as you know to get to it.  This
question asks the user to get help on the DIR command.  Valid answers are:

HELP DIR    DIR /?

The /? switch is DOS 5.0's standard switch for getting help on any DOS command.
This standard is being adopted by software authors as well.  For example, all
DOS Quiz programs have help information that is given when the /? is passed.

8  Show list of DOSKEY macros

Macros have become a really big thing in the world of computing - used in
everything from word processors to spreadsheets.  And now, DOS is in on the
action.  Batch files have been around a long, long time, and have found many,
many uses.  But many users of DOS 5.0 are finding that macros cam be even
better.  They can actually replace DOS commands (like DIR); batch files
cannot.  And many DOS users can save a good chunk of disk space by converting
their short time-saver batch files to DOSKEY macros.  This question tells the
user to assume that DOSKEY is loaded in memory, and that a set of macros have
also been loaded.  The macros listed by DOS 5 Quiz include front-ends for
commands, quick aliases for long commands, and a set of work-alikes named
after Unix commands.  Valid answers are:

DOSKEY /M    DOSKEY /MACROS


9  Set DOS version alias for a program

DOS 5.0's developers wanted DOS 5.0 to be the run-all and do-all of the DOS
world.  They were aware that many programs fail miserably when not run under
the version of DOS for which they were designed, but not because of failings
in DOS 5.0's coding.  It was because many programs have required version
numbers hard-coded right into the application.  So DOS 5.0 contains a
utility to fool these programs into thinking that they are running another
version of DOS.  This question asks the user to set the version for a
make-believe program called PROG.EXE to DOS 3.3.  Valid answers are:

SETVER PROG.EXE 3.3    SETVER PROG.EXE 3.30


10 Record file system info for disaster recovery

Many shareware and commercial authors made a fortune by capitalizing "utilities
that DOS forgot."  Two of these utilities have questions detailed below, but
they both, if they are to work best, rely on the MIRROR command to create a
file that contains important information about your disks and diskettes.  Here,
the user is asked to run the command that will create this file.  At the same
time, the user is to load a TSR that maintains a deletion-tracking file to
keep track of files that are deleted from drive C for possible future recovery.
The only valid answer is:

MIRROR C: /TC

11 Show list of deleted files available for recovery

One of the "utilities that DOS forgot" that was written and rewritten by
software authors for years was an undelete utility.  Previous DOS made it very
easy to delete files, but not so easy to recover them.  Rather than reinvent
the wheel, Microsoft went to Central Point and licensed their UNDELETE utility
for use in DOS 5.0.  It can either use the deletion-tracking file created and
maintained by MIRROR or not.  Here, the user is asked to use the UNDELETE
command to show a list of files that can be undeleted from the current
directory (C:\).  The user is told to explictly tell UNDELETE to use the
deletion-tracking file to generate the list (though this is the default).
Valid answers are:

UNDELETE /LIST /DT        UNDELETE *.* /LIST /DT
UNDELETE * /LIST /DT      UNDELETE /*.* /LIST /DT
UNDELETE /* /LIST /DT     UNDELETE ./*.* /LIST /DT
UNDELETE ./* /LIST /DT

The /LIST and /DT switches' positions may be swapped, as well.  The directory
portion of the command may be preceded by C:.


12 Show what will happen if UNFORMAT were to run

A second "utility that DOS forgot" was an unformat utility.  Borrowing again
from Central Point, Microsoft added the UNFORMAT command to DOS 5.0.  When
used on a diskette formatted with a special unformat file on it, the UNFORMAT
command can completely restore a diskette that had been formatted by the
FORMAT command, or which had been restructured by the RESTORE command.  Like
the UNDELETE command, it can also use standard DOS information to reconstruct a
diskette.  This method is slower and less reliable, but handy if needed.  The
user here is asked to have DOS tell the user what it will do with a newly
formatted diskette in drive A.  The user is to explicitly tell UNFORMAT not
to use the special unformat file to gather this information.  The user is also
instructed to have the output of the UNFORMAT command print out to the
printer hooked to the LPT1 port.  The valid answers are:

UNFORMAT A: /TEST /P    UNFORMAT A: /P /TEST


13 Quick format a previously formatted diskette

Convenience is one of the strong points of DOS 5.0.  And one of the most time
consuming things you can do (aside from full-system backups!).  DOS 5.0 gives
you the option of quick-formatting a diskette.  This quick format erases the
diskettes File Allocation Table and all files in the root directory - all
other parts are left alone, as these two actions effectively delete all data
on the diskette.  This procedure is not recommended for diskettes that have
had problems or errors, as it does not check the diskette for integrity.
This question asks the user to quick-format the diskette in drive A.  To make
the format even faster, you may add the /U option which will not create an
unformat file for this diskette, The valid responses are:

FORMAT A: /Q        FORMAT A: /Q /U         FORMAT A: /U /Q

14 Load a program incompatible with DOS 5.0 memory management

Some older programs assume that they will be loaded in a certain part of
memory.  DOS 5.0, however, does a pretty good job of completely taking over
your computer's memory and using it in the most efficient manner.  If you try
to load a program and you see a "Packed File Corrupt" message, then your
program is trying to load itself somewhere it cannot.  By using the LOADFIX
prefix, you can solve these problems.  DOS ensures that your program is not
loaded too low in memory.  This question asks the user to solve the "Packed
File Corrupt" problem by using LOADFIX on the program PROG.EXE.  Valid
responses are:

LOADFIX PROG.EXE    LOADFIX PROG


15 Load a TSR into upper memory

One of DOS 5.0's memory techniques for 286 (and higher) machines is to allow
device drivers and TSRs (Terminate but Stay Resident) to move out of
conventional memory (using precious RAM that your programs need for themselves
and their data), and into upper memory.  Upper memory is better explained in
your DOS manual, so I will assume you will read that.  Suffice it say, moving
your device drivers and TSRs to upper memory can give you more conventional
memory than DOS 2.11 gave you years ago.  This question asks the user to load
a TSR called MOUSE.COM into upper memory.  The valid responses are:

LOADHIGH MOUSE        LH MOUSE
LOADHIGH MOUSE.COM    LH MOUSE.COM


16 Run a QBasic program immediately after loading

A vast improvement over DOS's standard GW-BASIC is DOS 5.0's QBasic.  QBasic
is a Basic interpreter based upon Microsoft's QuickBasic compiler.  QBasic is
great for whipping off small programs that have more capability than batch
files yet are quicker and easier to write than full-fledged programs in C or
compiled Basic.  It is also free with DOS 5.0.  The question asks the user
to load the QBasic program \DOS\PROG.BAS into QBasic and run it immediately
after loading.  The user runs the command from \.  Valid responses are:

QBASIC /RUN \DOS\PROG.BAS     QBASIC /RUN DOS\PROG.BAS
QBASIC /RUN .\DOS\PROG.BAS    QBASIC /RUN \DOS\PROG
QBASIC /RUN DOS\PROG          QBASIC /RUN .\DOS\PROG

The filename portion of the command may be preceded by C:.


17 Run the DOS Shell in text mode

One of the big things keeping many people away from DOS nowadays is the
belief that DOS is just too hard to learn.  Menuing programs, Windows, Desk-
Mate, Ensemble; they have all had success because they insulate the user
from the command line.  The included DOS Shell is intended to do the same
thing - make DOS easier for the novice to use.  The DOS Shell was introduced
in the ill-fated DOS 4.0.  It is improved upon in DOS 5.0, both in terms of
looks and usability.  Though it looks nicest in its graphics modes, here the
user is asked to start the DOS Shell in text mode.  The valid response is:

DOSSHELL /T

18 Call up a history of commands

When DOSKEY is loaded, not only does it keep track of and run macros, but it
also keeps track of the last 10-20 commands that you have run, all dependent
upon how much memory DOSKEY has been given and how long your commands are.
A list of these commands may be called up by pressing the F7 key when DOSKEY
is in memory.  This question asks the user to press the key that will show
them a command history.  Typing on the command line is permitted, but pressing
any function key other than F7 is incorrect.  The valid response is:

<F7>


19 Run a command by history number

When pressing F7, each of the commands displayed is given a command number.
By hitting F9, DOSKEY asks you which command number you wish to pull from
memory.  Once you select a number, you can edit the command at will.  This
question asks just for the keypress.  Typing on the command line is permitted,
but pressing any function key other than F9 is incorrect.  The valid response
is:

<F9>


20 Setting DIRCMD environment variable

The DOS 5.0's DIR command is very handy with all of its new options, but once
you find a favorite listing combination, it can become very tedious to type in
time and time again.  DOS 5.0 makes it easy by allowing you to enter your
favorite DIR switches in the DIRCMD environment variable, much in the way that
you set your default search path in the PATH variable.  The question asks the
user to set DIRCMD so that files are sorted by file name as a default.  The
valid answer is:

SET DIRCMD=/ON

Note that there may be a space on the right side of the = only.

                            DOS 5 QUIZ REGISTRATION

                                  Registration

DOS5QUIZ is shareware, and I retain all copyrights to the program.  If you use
and like DOS5QUIZ, I request that you donate $15 to continue to use it.  If you
do, and also send a diskette (5¼ or 3½ Double or High density), I will include
the newest version of DOS5QUIZ, as well as any bonus utilities I have written at
that time.  Please enclose an extra $1 to cover postage, and be sure to enclose
your address.

If you would like to register your copy of DOS5QUIZ and would like me to send
you a diskette with the latest version of DOS5QUIZ on it, please send an extra
$2 to cover postage and diskette costs.

If you would like a customized version of DOSQUIZ, the cost is $100, including
one license fee.  Site licensing is available.  See the file PRICE.LST for
details.


                  REGISTRATION NOW EASIER FOR COMPUSERVE USERS

You may now register DOS5QUIZ through CompuServe's Shareware Registration
Service.  To use the service, GO SWREG and register program #25.


                SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR USERS OF DOSQUIZ AND/OR ADQ

As mentioned in the Introduction, DOS Quiz is the first in the DOS Quiz series.
ADQ is the Advanced "power-user" test of DOS talents.  These two programs have
quite large following.  If you wish to become part of the DOS Quiz family by
registering any combination of the DOS Quiz programs, you will be getting some
great training/testing tools at a great price.  Any two DOS Quiz programs may
be registered for $20 (a savings of $10), all three for $25 (a savings of $20).
The same diskette and postage charges outlined above apply.  See the enclosed
file PRICE.LST for and invoice and other ordering info.  The latest versions
of all DOS Quiz products can be downloaded from the IBMAPP forum on CompuServe.

Send orders/questions/requests to:

Steve Mount
RR 1 Box 320
Starksboro, VT  05487-9702
USA

Contact me on CompuServe.....: 73720,3404

Contact me on America On-Line: Mountain

Call for support/ordering....: [phone]

I have fax capability at the above number for orders, but you must call me
to have my fax set up before faxing (it is a card and shares the line with
my answering machine).

THE DOS5QUIZ PROGRAM AND THIS MANUAL ARE COPYRIGHTED DOCUMENTS.  THE OWNER OF
THE COPYRIGHT GIVES OTHERS PERMISSION TO DISTRIBUTE UNALTERED COPIES OF THE
PROGRAM AND DOCUMENTATION TO OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.  THIS PROGRAM IS NOT IN
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.  IF YOU USE DOS5QUIZ, PLEASE PAY THE REGISTRATION FEE.  IT
WILL ENSURE CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE PROGRAM FOR ALL USERS.

          DOS5QUIZ AND DOCUMENTATION COPYRIGHT (C) 1992 BY STEVE MOUNT
                              ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.