The Arsenal Files 6/The Arsenal Files 6 (Arsenal Computer).ISO/ra/filesra3.zip/FILESRA.DOC

Text File | 1996-02-10 | 6KB | 128 lines

Filesra.doc   Q&A style.


     Thank you for choosing to use FILESRA.  Just a quick note, FILESRA has
gone shareware.  There is now a $15.00 registration for this program. This
registration will be valid for future releases of FILESRA upto and including
the next major version release (ie: from 3 to 4).  See REGME.DOC included
with this archive.

NOTICE:  This program still doesn't update any File echo tosser datafiles.

    See HISTORY.DOC for most recent changes.


***** What is FILESRA *****

    For those of you that are new to FILESRA, this is a program designed to
    allow reorganization of your file base.  If you like areas to be in
    an order, then this util can help you.

***** What are the function keys *****

    First, all the function descriptions where moved to a help screen.  Now
    just press the F1 key to see a list of all the functions and the keys
    that activate them.  But here is a brief list of what you can do.

    F1 = Brings up a help box screen with the following info.

    I = Insert a single area.
    D = Delete a single or tagged areas.
    M = Move a single or tagged areas.
    N = New description for currently highlighted area.
    K = Kill unused records from the end of the file.
    S = Change to single/double column mode.
    SpaceBar = Tag/Untag areas.
    ESC = Exit move mode else exit program.
    Enter = Complete move mode else redraw screen.
    Del or Delete key = same as D key
    INS or Insert key = Same as I key
    Home = Very top of files.ra file
    End = Very bottom of files.ra file.
    PgUp = Up 18/36 records at a time for Single/Double column mode.
    PgDn = Down 18/36 records at a time for Single/Double column mode.
    Arrowkey work as expected.

***** What should I do to make the program work *****

    Just put it in a directory of it's own.  It will find Config.ra,
    files.ra and file base files by locating the RA environment
    variable.

    Make sure you have an RA environment variable for Filesra to find.

***** Can I run this program while the board is loaded *****

    Yes, But NO!!!

    Do Not run this program while the board is loaded.  If you do,
    you risk corruption of files base files as well as other data files.
    This program isn't optimized for Desqview, topview, windows or any other
    multitasker.  This program won't be optimized for any multitasker.  Reason
    being is that if it doesn't work well in multitasker then you be more
    likely to use it in normal dos or normal mode of your OS.  This isn't to
    be mean.... it's just to be safe.  This program has functioned well in
    a DOS Box and a VBM of OS/2.  If you are using OS/2, be sure that your
    bulletin board is shut down.

***** Is there any limitations to the number of bases *****

    Yes.  For now, there is a 10,000 file base limit.

***** Why Can't I remove these UNUSED areas *****

    The way RA 2.0x stores the file information, the location of the
    record in the file is the filebase number minus 1.  Say if you had
    2 areas.  The first is area 3 and the other is area 100.  Now if you
    remove the UNUSED records between area 3 and 100 then you'd have 2 areas
    with the first being area 3 and the second area 4.  If you removed the
    UNUSED areas from the beginning of the file to the first base then you'd
    have 2 bases with the first area at 1 and the second at 2.

    A lot of people have asked me to code that into the program.  If the
    above situation is something that you don't consider a problem, then
    let me know.  I'll put it in the program.

    RA 2.50 supposedly corrects this so that the files.ra file isn't
    cluttered with UNUSED records.  But, still, from a display point, you'll
    still see a patch of Unused file base numbers.

*****  Will this program work with RAlike boards *****

    I haven't tested this program with any other product than RA 2.02.  This
    program will work with RA 2.00 thru 2.02.  If you choose to test it,
    backup all of your data first.

*****  Will this program work with RA version 2.50 and up *****

    Not yet.  I have the structures for RA 2.50 so this ability will soon
    be added.  The program will try to detect 2.50 and exit with a message
    if it sees it.

***** Why did you make this program shareware *****

    Expenses!!!!  I didn't really want to do it, but expenses have gotten
    almost out of hand in my personal life.  Moving, new phone service,
    electric, kid....   it all costs.  But, for the work that this program
    does, I don't think that $15.00 is too much to ask.

***** Thanks *****

    Thanks to the many people that have replied in kind about my msgra and
    filesra utilities.  Many people around the country and in Canada have given
    me ideas to put into the program.  A couple have been added to this
    version and others will be added and released as updates.

**** NOTICE of LIABILITY *****

    I, Richard Currier, take absolutely NO RESPONSIBILITY for the action of
    this program.  This program has been tested, but this is no guarantee
    that it will work in your setup.  Please, make backups before using this
    program.  By using this program YOU, the end user, takes FULL
    responsibility of this software.

    This program will not backup and data files before use.
    This program will only use the FILES.RA pointed to by RA environment.
    This program was written using STRUCT.200 for RemoteAccess copyrighted
    by Andrew Milner.