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Night Owl 6
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Night Owl's Shareware - PDSI-006 - Night Owl Corp (1990).iso
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CLONE.DOC
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1990-11-08
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10KB
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184 lines
HELP FOR NEW USERS & PROBLEMS YOU MIGHT HAVE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT FRUSTRATION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are no greater masters of frustration than experienced PC users. They
have gone through the long and arduous process of learning how to use the
PC Disk Operating System. LEARNING D_O_S NEVER, EVER HAPPENS WITHOUT HEAD
BANGING AND OCCASIONAL EXPLOSIONS OF TEMPER. That's how it goes when we're
learning. We push ourselves to the limit until we hit the wall. So if you're
frustrated, good. That means you have been learning the very hardest part of
computing. If you know what I'm writing about, then you are more than likely
half way there. The point I am making is the one critical thing that stands in
the way of your becoming a competent PC user: Do not let frustration become a
symbol of failure to you. Understand that frustration is merely the signal
that you have learned enough for now and ought to take a break. That's all it
is. Believe it or not. Become an expert with your own system or not.
Have you seen the advertisement on TV where two businessmen in an office
watch to see which computer is used more, the Macintosh or the IBM Compatible?
They observe that the Mac is used more and is easier to learn. What the ad
does not tell you is that a Nintendo is easier to learn, too. PC users will
not be left behind with antiquated knowledge. The users who choose the Mac
because it is "easier" never become flexible power-users. Eventually they will
become fringe users -- who come to you for help. Never give up your investment
of learning. Do not take a step back into the easier, softer way of becoming an
applications user instead of a computer user. When things get rough, hunker
down and stick to it. Soon you will learn what you need.
When you finally become frustrated, take a break. Turn your equipment off
for a while. Whatever it takes. When you're ready, get back to work. You're
on the right road.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ONWARD.....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public domain/shareware software can be very easy to use if you are familiar
with a few basic "DOS" commands. These commands are "COPY", "DISKCOPY", "DIR",
"TYPE", "FORMAT", & a few others. Program distribution disks are not "bootable",
which means that you cannot place the disk in your computer and turn it on.
The first thing to do is put a WRITE-PROTECT TAB OVER THE NOTCH ON THE
ORIGINAL DISK. Then make a backup copy of your disk with the following command:
A>DISKCOPY A: B: <enter> - (will copy all files from 'A' to 'B')
In the event that you get some sort of error message when using "DISKCOPY",
you will then have to use the "COPY" command to make a backup of your original
disk. Place a blank FORMATTED disk in the "B" drive, the original disk in 'A"
and enter the following command at the "A>" prompt:
A>COPY *.* B: <enter> - (will copy all files from 'A' to 'B')
PUT AWAY THE ORIGINAL AND MOVE THE COPY TO DRIVE A.
Now put the original disk away and use the working copy. The next thing
to do is see what files are on the disk. Place the working copy in the
"A" drive and enter the following command:
A>DIR <enter> - will display the filenames
or A>DIR /W <enter> - will display the filenames in "wide" format
or A>DIR >PRN <enter> will PRINT OUT a listing of the disk files.
Now you will see many different filenames. A filename consists of two parts;
the filename & the extension. The filename will be on the left (up to 8
characters long) & the extension will be just to the right (up to 3 characters
long):
filename.ext
You will be looking for certain EXTENSION names; which will tell you
something about that type of file.
******************************************************************************
* .EXE - a program file - type in the name & press the enter key. *
* .COM - a command file - type in the name & press the enter key. *
* .BAT - a batch file - many uses, type in the name & <enter>. Can be edited.*
* .DOC - A DOCUMENTATION FILE - instructions about the program - READ THIS *
* .TXT - A DOCUMENTATION FILE - instructions about the program - READ THIS *
* .MAN - A DOCUMENTATION FILE - instructions about the program - READ THIS *
* .ARC - an ARCHIVED file. ARCing is an obsolete file compression method. *
* .ZIP - a PKZIP and PKUNZIP compressed file. (replaced .ARC) *
* .BAS - a BASIC program file. Uses GWBASIC, BASICA or BASIC to run *
******************************************************************************
You may also see files like MANUAL, READ.ME or README.1ST or just README.
These are all documentation files that will tell you about the program or how
to work the program properly.
VERY IMPORTANT: READ DOCUMENTATION FILES FIRST BEFORE RUNNING THE PROGRAM!!!
===============================================================================
To view a documentation file on your screen, use the "TYPE" command.
With your program disk in the "A" drive enter the following command:
A>TYPE filename.ext (enter)
-- where filename.ext would be whatever the filename is that you wish to view.
This will display the documentation to the screen. To stop the text
from scrolling by, press "CTRL S" (the CTRL key and "S" key at the same
time), any other key to resume scrolling. To obtain a printout of the
documentation simply replace the "TYPE" command with the "DOS" command
"COPY". Turn your printer on and enter the following command:
A>COPY filename.ext PRN <enter> - where filename would be README.DOC or
whatever file you wish to print.
Alternatives to the TYPE command are the files VIEW.COM and SHOW.COM.
SHOW CLONE.DOC <enter>
or
VIEW CLONE.DOC <enter>
If this is all new to you, it is suggested that you print CLONE.DOC on your
printer and then try each activity: COPY, DISKCOPY, VIEW, and SHOW. You'll
soon get the hang of it!
===============================================================================
An "EXE", "COM", or "BAT" file extension means that when you enter the
filename, the computer will do something. For instance, if the filename were
"POKER.EXE", or "POKER.COM, or "POKER.BAT" you would enter the following at
the "A" prompt:
A>POKER <enter> - the poker program would now come up on the screen.
TYPE or SHOW any files with a .DOC , .TXT or .MAN (for 'manual') extension
to see what the .COM or .EXE program of the same name will do, or copy it
to the printer (PRN).
===============================================================================
To run a BASIC program (Example: FOOBAR.BAS):
-Put your DOS system disk in drive B: and the program disk in A:.
-At the A> prompt, enter B:BASICA FOOBAR (recommended)
or
-Enter B:BASICA and when the screen says 'OK', type RUN"FOOBAR
Those with GWBASIC will replace BASICA with the word GWBASIC.
By the way, when your BASIC program is finished you will most likely
find yourself "in" BASIC. To get out, type the word SYSTEM.
-- Helpful Beginner's Tip #445,092
===============================================================================
Hopefully this help sheet will enable you to understand & use your disks.
If all this still sounds like "GREEK" to you, then we strongly suggest that
you purchase the following disks:
DOS TUTORIAL - an beginners program teaching about your
computer & how to use "DOS" commands. The
disk also provides a DOS HELP facility --
on-line help screens for "DOS" commands.
TUTORIAL FOR DOS - an absolutely complete DOS tutorial.
Four disks.
YOU SHOULD HAVE THESE DISKS! THEY WILL SAVE YOU AN
AWFUL LOT OF TIME AND HEADACHE AND WILL MORE THAN
LIKELY SAVE YOU MONEY TOO.
EASY DOES IT!
===============================================================================
MANDATORY UTILITIES FOR THE BEGINNER.
DOS was originally slapped together when the PC was introduced to compete
with the other Personal Computers on the market. It was not complete then and
it is not complete now. One prime DOS deficiency is that when files are
DELeted, they are gone forever. UNDEL.COM and UNERASE.COM are available as
Public Domain software. Better, PMK.EXE, Professional Master Key, recovers
deleted files (and performs other jobs) from a very easy-to-use menu.
Another example is the lack of a MOVE instruction. To move a file from one
drive or directory to another, one first has to COPY the file to the new
location and then DELete the file from the original location. MOVE.COM performs
both tasks with one command.
===============================================================================
Further, at your earliest convenience, we recommend your upgrading to 4DOS
which will replace your COMMAND.COM file and provide over 70 other useful
commands. 4DOS also contains a built-in F1-key HELP system. 4DOS disks are
available from CLONEWARE.
===============================================================================
***THANKS FOR BUYING YOUR SHAREWARE FROM CLONEWARE***
***IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER MORE SOFTWARE, WRITE:***
CLONEWARE,
21 Metcalf Ave.
North Providence, RI 02911
*** IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR SOFTWARE ***
*** TITLE, OR IF YOU NEED A CONSULTANT TO CUSTOM- ***
*** CONFIGURE YOUR EQUIPMENT, PLEASE CALL: ***
Michael Walsh (401) 353-6891 Free RI delivery on 10 or more disks.