Night Owl 9

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Text File | 1993-03-28 | 16KB | 414 lines

DISKALOG REGISTRATION: I am enclosing my registration for one copy of DISKALOG. I understand that this registration fee entitles me to use DISKALOG, and that I will be sent the latest version. (Please print the following info. clearly!) Name __________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________ City ______________________ State _______ Zip Code ____________ Indicate disk format desired: ____ 5.25" 360K ____ 3.5" 720K DISKALOG single user registration: $11.00 $_______ ** Virginia residents must add Va. sales tax: $_______ Addresses outside of U.S. add $4.00 shipping: $ 4.00 $_______ Total enclosed payable in U.S. dollars: $_______ *** Make funds payable to: Philip Kapusta P.O. Box 5423 Falmouth, VA 22403-5423 USA PLEASE ALLOW 3-4 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY. Do you have any suggestions to improve DISKALOG? Let us know: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Please let us know where you obtained your copy of DISKALOG: _______________________________________________________________ ** Companies and organizations must contact author for site license pricing. *** Canadian ($19) or British (£10) cash is acceptable (wrap well and consider mailing via registered mail). DISKALOG Purpose: DISKALOG is a utility that allows the user to add descriptions and comments (up to 300 characters in length) to each file name (including directories) on a disk. For instance, in DOS, the "DIR" command will result in the following directory listing: Volume in drive B is EXAMPLES Directory of B:\ BROWN_R EST 1725 5-23-86 2:30p COMMAND COM 23612 3-21-86 12:03p TELCOM COM 1523 12-23-86 11:34p CHECKIT EXE 9680 3-01-86 10:21p PCSTRING $$$ 8234 4-11-86 12:00p BCKUP EXE 23404 7-07-86 5:27p 6 file(s) 245323 bytes free Not bad for DOS' DIR command. But if you don't have an excellent memory, how do you keep track of what each file does? Or what are the contents of each file? This is where DISKALOG can help. For instance, the above directory listing after being DISKALOGed can become this: FILES: 6 FREE: 245,323 USED: 68,178 TOTAL: 362,496 DATE: 05-14-1991 DIRECTORY: B:\*.* VOLUME: MISC_DATA DISK #: UTIL01 DISK NOTES: Misc. utility programs BCKUP .EXE 23404 07-07-86 17:27 ..RA Backs up one or more files BROWN_R .EST 1725 05-23-86 14:30 H.RA Cost estimate quoted to Richard Brown CHECKIT .EXE 9680 03-01-86 10:21 ..R. Scans the disk and checks for errors COMMAND .COM 23612 03-21-86 12:03 ..RA Starts the DOS command processor PCSTRING.$$$ 8234 04-11-86 12:00 H.R. Spill file created during error TELCOM .COM 1523 12-23-86 11:34 .... Telecommunications file transfer |___________________________________| | User added notes Requirements/limitations: DISKALOG will run on IBM PC's (and true compatibles) using DOS 3.0 and above and a minimum 128K RAM. Versions 1.x and 2.x limited the user to a maximum of 250 files per directory. This restriction has been removed with version 3.x. The maximum number of files displayed is now 1200. To begin: At the DOS prompt, type ---> DLOG then <ENTER> The above command will load DISKALOG and will instruct the program to read the default drive. If the user wishes to load DISKALOG but read a directory other than the one on the default drive, then add the pathname after "DLOG". Here are some examples of proper format: DLOG B: <ENTER> DLOG C:\DOS <ENTER> DLOG A:\BASIC <ENTER> After loading, DISKALOG will present the user with a file directory listing (somewhat similar to DOS' DIR listing display). At this point you can begin adding any file comments and notes by pressing the <ENTER> key. A pop-up window will then appear in which you can add your comment notes. Cursor movement: You can select the file you wish to add comment notes to by using the cursor control keys. For example: DOWN ARROW: Moves the highlighted bar down to the next file. UP ARROW: Moves the highlighted bar up one position. If at the top of the first page, the cursor moves into the "DISK NOTES:" field, where the user can add a general comment concerning the files on that particular disk/directory. PAGE UP: Moves the bar up to the top of the page. If the bar was already at the top of the page, then <PG UP> will display the previous page (if one exists). PAGE DOWN: Moves the bar down to the bottom of the page. If the bar was already at the bottom of the page, then <PG DN> will display the next page (if one exists). HOME: Will move the marker bar to the very first file. END: Will move the marker bar to the last file. Entering descriptions, comments, notes: As previously stated, to add a description to any file simply press the <ENTER> key. The pop-up comment note editor works much like a text editor. While in the comment note editor the <LEFT ARROW>, <RIGHT ARROW>, <DEL>, <INS>, <BACKSPACE> keys will be available for editing your work. <CTRL-END> will erase/clear all characters from the cursor position to the end of the line. <CTRL-LEFT ARROW> and <CTRL-RIGHT ARROW> will move the cursor to the next word (left and right respectively). When you are finished entering your comment notes, press the <ESC> key. Although the user can enter a file comment up to 350 characters in length within the comment note editor, only a certain number of characters can be displayed when you return back to the file display list. The number of characters that will be displayed can be expanded by using the <SHIFT> + <TAB> keys (hold down the <SHIFT> key, and at the same time press <TAB>). This key combination will toggle the screen mode display. <ALT> keys: If you wish to leave DISKALOG temporarily, press <ALT-S> for a temporary shell to DOS. <ALT-S> will permit the user to shell out to DOS (if the COMMAND.COM file is on the default disk, or COMSPEC is set to indicate COMMAND.COM's location). To return to DISKALOG, enter "EXIT" at the DOS prompt. Several other useful <ALT> key functions are also available: <Alt-2> - Duplicates/copies the highlighted file to a new file. <ALT-A> - Allows the user to change the attributes of a file. <ALT-B> - Will run the utility program "BROWSE"* with the high- lighted file. <ALT-C> - Will move up/down the directory tree to the highlighted directory. The user can move UP the directory tree by using <ALT-C> while the highlighted bar is over ".." directory listing. <ALT-D> - Will delete the highlighted file or directory. <ALT-G> - Quick glance of contents of highlighted file. <ALT-L> - Will run the utility program "LIST"* with the high- lighted file. <ALT-M> - Will prompt for a new subdirectory name and then make/ create it. <ALT-O> - Will enable the file display list to be sorted according to the user's preference. The display list can be sorted by 1) file name, 2) file name extension, 3) file size, or 4) file date. <ALT-R> - Will prompt for a new file name to rename the existing file. <ALT-T> - Will perform a DOS "TYPE | MORE" command with the high- lighted file. This is only useful if the file to view is a text file, and DOS' MORE command is accessible. <ALT-U> - Depending on the file extension, this will run either PKUNZIP or LHARC on the highlighted file (.ZIP/.LZH only). After decompression, DISKALOG will re-read the drive/directory and update the file list. PKUNZIP and LHARC must be accessible to DISKALOG for this function to work. .ZIP files can be viewed prior to decompression. <ALT-X> - Will run the .EXE, .COM, .BAT file that is currently highlighted. Parameters can be passed by two methods: 1) manual entry - after the <ALT-X> key combination, type in the parameters on the request line at the prompt, or 2) automatic - any cha- racters that are found within { } brackets in the file descrip- tion line will be transferred to the parameter line automatically after the <ALT-X> key combination. An example of the "automatic" parameter passing follows: UNZIP .COM 25634 05/14/88 14:30 ...A Restore archived files {-A} WP .EXE 231321 12/21/89 12:00 ..RA Word Perfect word processing {/M ALTI} If the <ALT-X> entry is input while the highlighted bar is over WP.EXE above, then at the parameter line "/M ALTI" will appear automatically, because it was included in the file descrip- tion enclosed in { } brackets. * These programs are available from most shareware/public domain distributors and are not a part of the DISKALOG package. Main Menu: Access to the Main Menu is available by pressing <ESC>. Choose one of the five menu options: E - Export all directory/file notes to a dBase III .DBF file N - New file (exit the current DISK.LOG file on the screen and begin a new one) P - Print file (print the current DISK.LOG file) Q - Quit (terminate DISKALOG and return to DOS) R - Return (return to previous screen) S - Save file (save the current DISK.LOG file) IMPORTANT NOTE: The entries/descriptions that the user adds will NOT be saved unless the user selects "S" from the Main Menu line. DISKALOG does NOT automatically save your work, although it will remind you if you have made any changes without saving your work! Remember, the user must initiate a "S"ave! Printer options: If your printer is capable of printing in a condensed mode (15 or more characters per inch) you might be interested in creating a .PTR file. Or if you are using a printer port besides "LPT1:" creating a .PTR file will be necessary in order to perform printer operations. Before DISKALOG performs its first print job it looks on the default drive/directory for a file named "DLOG.PTR". If "DLOG.PTR" exists, then DISKALOG will load it and use its data to perform subsequent print jobs. "DLOG.PTR" can be created in a number of ways. Any line editor will work (see your DOS disk for EDLIN) or see examples of COPY CON DLOG.PTR below. Although one can externally set many printers for a condensed character pitch, there is a benefit in creating a "DLOG.PTR" file. Besides not having to remember to set your printer pitch each time, if a "DLOG.PTR" file exists DISKALOG will create a printout in a handy 5" by 5" (approx.) format with (cut along dashed line) borders. This printout format is only avail- able IF a "DLOG.PTR" file exists and the proper printer parameter codes have been entered into it! DISKALOG, if it finds a "DLOG.PTR" file, expects it to be in the following sequential format... Printer port Escape code number Escape code number " " " " " " Escape code number EOF marker The easiest way to create such a "DLOG.PTR" file is the following. At the DOS prompt, type the following... COPY CON DLOG.PTR <press ENTER> LPT1: <press ENTER> 15 <press ENTER> <press F6 key> <press ENTER> Valid printer ports are LPT1: LPT2: (don't forget the colon). It will be necessary when entering printer escape codes to have your printer manual at hand. Enter only the ASCII value after the escape code Chr$(27) or ESC. For instance, according to the owner's manual, a Hewlett Packard Deskjet/Plus/500 printer must receive the following escape code to print in condensed type: (s16.67H In order to create the correct "DLOG.PTR" file for the HP Deskjet you must enter each character following the ESC with its corresponding ASCII value. ESC ( s 1 6 . 6 7 H COPY CON DLOG.PTR <press ENTER> | | | | | | | | LPT1: <press ENTER> | | | | | | | | 40 <press ENTER> ---/ | | | | | | | 115 <press ENTER> ------/ | | | | | | 49 <press ENTER> ---------/ | | | | | 54 <press ENTER> ------------/ | | | | 46 <press ENTER> ---------------/ | | | 54 <press ENTER> ------------------/ | | 55 <press ENTER> ---------------------/ | 72 <press ENTER> ------------------------/ <press F6 key> <press ENTER> Here's another example. If your printer manual says that ESC Chr$(15) must be sent to the printer to enable condensed print, then the appropriate "DLOG.PTR" file would be created thusly... COPY CON DLOG.PTR <press ENTER> LPT1: <press ENTER> 15 <press ENTER> <press F6> <press ENTER> If registered users have problems creating a "DLOG.PTR" file, contact the program author with a large SELF-ADDRESSED U.S. STAMPED ENVELOPE and a copy of your printer manual's printer codes. Exporting to .DBF DISKALOG can create (and append) a dBase III format file (.DBF) by selecting " Export " from the Main Menu. The user will be prompted to enter a file name (user should add the .DBF extension for compatibility). The default export filename is DISKALOG.DBF. This file can be placed anywhere by modifying the filename with a pathname. The export that DISKALOG will perform involves exporting the following data from a DISK.LOG file for each file/directory listing THAT HAS A FILE NOTE: DISK_ID: 7 characters that correspond to DISK #: FILENAME: 12 characters PATH: 24 characters (corresponds to directory/path where FILENAME is located NOTES: 67 characters - user added notes If the export is performed with a new .DBF file, then the .DBF file will be created by DISKALOG. Subsequent exports to the same file will cause DISKALOG to append to the end of the existing .DBF file. You must have given your DISK.LOG file listing a DISK #: prior to exporting. You will not be permitted to create/append a .DBF file if no DISK #: has been entered. The DISK #: can be entered at the top left of the screen. Press <CTRL> + <HOME>, then press <UP ARROW>, then enter a DISK #:. The DISK #: can be any unique number or name (example: MONEY01, APR_92, etc.). Make sure you save your work to disk! Caution: DISKALOG does not check for duplicate exports to the same .DBF file. If you export the DISK.LOG data from one floppy more than once, you will find the resulting .DBF file will probably have many duplicate records. This is your responsiblity. If you want to perform updated exports, then you should first search and mark/delete your .DBF file, pack it by removing the marked/deleted records, and then use DISKALOG to export and update the .DBF file. Any popular xBase product will do the record maintenance for you (Alpha4, FoxPro, dBase III, etc.). DISKALOG was not written to search, purge, or maintain a .DBF file. DISKALOG simply provides the user the ability to export data to a .DBF file. The rest is up to the user.