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1998-02-22
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A BRIEF TUTORIAL
----------------
This tutorial briefly describes the File Freedom environment and what
it offers. More complete information is found in the context-sensitive
online Help.
File Freedom provides two different methods for file handling -
Described first is Drag And Drop file management with which most users
will be familiar, and an alternative file management method which is
described after. Both of these methods are available at all times and
require no setup.
File Freedom uses a split screen which divides the current files source
into two views: Directory Tree view and Files view. These two windows
both contain different views of the same drive - the Directory Tree
view being a graphical view of the source drive directory tree
structure while the Files view is limited to a single directory on that
drive. This allows somewhat easier movement between sub-directories.
Folders in the Tree view can be double-clicked to open that folder
in the Files view. This provides ramdom access to the different
subdirectories. Folders in the Tree view can also be closed with a
single click to collapse the tree without disturbing the files
displayed in the Files view. In the Files view, double-clicking on a
sub-directory will open that sub-directory in the Files view but limits
movement up or down in that window to one level at a time.
The divider that separates the two windows can be adjusted either left
or right.
As mentioned, these two windows both contain different views of the same
drive, which is referred to as the "Source" view. There are two status
bars located across the bottom of the File Freedom window. The "Source"
is indicated in the upper Status Bar and the "Destination" is indicated
on the lower Status Bar. The "Destination" is the default target
drive/directory path for all file movement operations. Although it is
not necessary to preset the Destination when using Drag and Drop, it
is helpful to understand its usage. The Destination is set first by
moving to a drive/directory and pressing the "Set Destination" button
(F7). Then a Source view can be chosen after the Destination is set.
It is simple to display files in the Destination drive/directory by
swapping the Source with the Destination (F8). The Destination view
is used with both file management methods, for instance when files have
been Dragged and Dropped, the Destination is changed to reflect the
target of the drop. By simply swapping Source and Destination (F8), the
files in the target directory can be examined. When using the
alternative method, the destination becomes the target of the operation
automatically.
A Drive bar with pushbuttons for each drive is also always displayed
above or to the side of the windows. These can be opened into the
Source view with a single click.
Drag and Drop File Management
-----------------------------
Drag and Drop file management is fast and easy. Selected files can be
dragged to a Drive Letter Icon by holding down the right mouse key, and
dropped on the desired destination drive. A dialogue will then appear
that will allow a choice of sub-directories on that drive as well as
a chance to specify the operation. Files may also be dropped onto
directories visible in the Directory Tree window (described above).
The default operation is to Move files, but this can be changed to Copy
by holding down the Control key before releasing the right mouse
button. If the desired operation is to Zip a group of files, or Unzip
a file to a destination, these options are available when the Drag and
Drop dialogue appears after the files are dropped onto the Drive Icon.
The Drag and Drop Dialogue also allows the user to select the
sub-directory on the drive chosen, or to enter a path for a directory
not yet created in the case of copy or move operations. One important
point to remember is that the drag operation will proceed differently
depending on whether the mouse pointer is or is not over one of the
selected files when the drag operation is started. If it is not over
a selected file, the file underneath the mouse pointer will be acted on
instead of the selected files. This allows the user to operate on
single files without selecting them. If the mouse pointer is over a
selected file, the entire group of selected files will be operated on.
An Alternative Method
-------------------
File Freedom's alternative method is based on the concept of Source and
Destination file movement. Using Copying a file(s) as an example:
A destination is chosen for the file movement by moving to the drive
and/or directory desired. Click on the destination button (or press F7)
and the destination is set. Then, move to the drive/directory where the
file(s) are stored that must be copied. Highlight the files and press
the copy pushbutton (or press Control C). A dialogue appears with
some options that can be ignored for this example. Click on the "OK"
button. Simple as that!
It must be remembered that all file movements, whether it is copying,
moving, zipping or unzipping, will go the Destination directory, unless
this path is edited at the time of the operation. To copy files to the
same directory, but with a different name, simply make the destination
the same as the source (press F7) and change the file name in the copy
dialogue.
A typical Copying files example:
Imagine that you are in F:\TEMP and want to copy files to a new
destination (E:\NEWDEST) but the current destination is G:\WHATEVER :
1) Set Destination the same as current Source (F:\TEMP) by pressing F7.
2) Change Source to desired Destination (E:\NEWDEST)
3) Swap Source and Destination (F8)
(Source returns to F:\TEMP and Destination becomes E:\NEWDEST)
4) Mark files
5) Do operation
Alternatively, you could:
1) first swap source and destination (F8),
(Destination now is F:\TEMP and Source is G:\WHATEVER)
2) then choose the new destination (E:\NEWDEST) as Source,
3) then flip source and destination again (F8).
4) mark files
5) do operation
That's all there is to it! As mentioned, more complete information is
available in the online Help.
If you have any comments on the program or this tutorial, I would be glad
to hear from you.
Bruce Henry
Red Paint Software
E-mail: brhenry@kw.igs.net