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The Original Shareware 1992
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CATALOG
(Version 1.2)
The Directory Table of Contents
(DOS DIR Enhancement)
The SoftTouch
Copyright 1987
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................03
User's Rights to Copy.............................04
Installation......................................05
Main Windows and Main Menu........................06
- Editing File Descriptions.....................06
- Print Control.................................07
- Changing Displays.............................07
- File Display..................................07
- System Status.................................08
- Configuring to Your Needs.....................08
- Tools.........................................08
- Quit..........................................08
INTRODUCTION
When the DOS DIRectory command was designed, it was set up assuming
diskette use, a small number of files, and only gave you the "bare bones".
It was not designed to give you information about your hard disk (or
diskette) directories which would be, if not vital, extremely helpful.
Information of this type would be: the creation date of a file (not just
the last modified date), and the ability to add a description to a file.
Certain packages actually give you this kind of information about the files
in which "they" are interested. However, from the viewpoint of all files
in all directories this is not done. CATALOG, developed by The SoftTouch,
gives you this type of information.
CATALOG gives you all of the standard DOS DIR information, as well as the
date a file was first created. It also allows you to enter/edit a
description of each file.
USER'S RIGHTS TO COPY
As a PC User you have the right to copy, without charge, CATALOG. If you
are a corporation or business, a donation of $30 is suggested to enable The
SoftTouch to continue to develop quality products.
Given the above clause, you are free to copy and distribute this package
provided:
- This program is not distributed in modified form
- No fee or consideration is charged for copies
- The Userware/Freeware notice is not bypassed
- You believe in the Userware/Freeware concept
- The minimum files which must be distributed are:
CATALOG.EXE
CATALOG.DOC
CATINIT.COM
If you wish to make a contribution mail it to:
The SoftTouch
c/o Bob Patten
7922 Corder Drive
Charlotte, NC 28212
If you encounter problems, wish to suggest enhancements, or wish to obtain
a list of other software available from The SoftTouch, please feel free to
write. I will be glad to hear from you. I will be actively supporting any
SoftTouch product on the following Bulletin Boards:
The BOSS (201) 568-7293
Software Society (201) 729-7410
If you wish to contact me (other than writing) please leave a message on
either board.
The SoftTouch in no way accepts responsibility for your use, misuse, or
inability to use this or any other SoftTouch package.
Regardless of contribution, enjoy and use CATALOG. It will make your life
a lot easier.
INSTALLATION
To install CATALOG simply copy files mentioned in the "User's Right to
Copy" section.
CATALOG can print file information directly to the printer or create a
CATALOG.LST/CATALOG.DAT file at your request. If you do chose to send the
output to a file, this file can be considered temporary and can be deleted
after you print/use it.
MAIN SCREEN DISPLAY and MAIN MENU
CATALOG is designed with the concept of user "friendliness". The main
screen is composed of several different windows. All parts of the CATALOG
package work together through the use of these windows. In this way,
learning time of the system is minimized.
The initial screen will display a window at the top. This window is the
main menu. Here you will instruct CATALOG how to respond. The main menu
contains the following options (note: please see the corresponding sections
for more details):
EDIT - edit descriptions of each file
PRINT - choose one of several printing options
SWAP - change to the secondary display
FILES - choose how to organize your files
STATUS - display several statistics about your system
SETUP - configure CATALOG to your needs
TOOLS - select a special tool needed
QUIT - terminate current session
To choose an option simply move the cursor around the menu, positioning it
in front of the option you need, and press enter. Note: ESC will take you
back a single menu, screen, or display.
The editing window (large center window) is used to display the file
information and allow you to edit the description. You enter the editing
window through the EDIT main menu option.
The last two windows displayed at the bottom of the screen are used to
inform you of any error or status messages and display the current version
and copyright information.
EDITING FILE DESCRIPTIONS
In order to add (edit) descriptions to your files use the EDIT option.
This option will place you in the editing window (window containing files
and other information). Use the cursor keys (or page keys) to scroll up
and down the window. To choose a file to modify, place the cursor in front
of the file name and press ENTER or TAB.
CATALOG gives you standard editing capabilities (ie: insertion, deletion,
backspace, etc.) as well as ESC to terminate changes, HOME to return to the
first character, and END to erase to the right. You have complete control
of the file description which is 40 characters long. To store your changes
press ENTER.
PRINT CONTROL
CATALOG gives you the ability to control how (and if) you want printouts.
Upon selecting the PRINT option, CATALOG will display a sub-menu which
contains the following options:
Print All - print the entire set of information contained
within CATALOG.
Print Main - print the main components; file name, extension,
type, and description.
Print to File - Print the entire set to a printable file.
(ie: CATALOG.LST)
Print as Data - Print the entire set as a data file.
(ie: CATALOG.DAT)
You control the print options and if a printout is to be produced, all with
the PRINT option.
CHANGING DISPLAYS
CATALOG contains more information than is possible to display on a single
screen. Therefore, CATALOG sets up two displays. The first or primary
screen displays the file name, extension, type, and description. The
second displays the file name, extension, size, last modified date and
time, and the creation date. You can toggle from one display to another by
using the SWAP option.
The file name, extension, and last modified date and time are obtained from
DOS. The remaining information is controlled and maintained by CATALOG.
The file type is a table look-up from over 200 different types, matched by
file extension. While this table is extensive (from The SoftTouch
experience, books, journals, and other sources) it is not to be considered
complete or exact. The description is entered by you and maintained
through CATALOG. Since the description is not part of the DOS file
information (FCB), if the file is moved the information is basically lost.
(The information is static for each directory). Finally, the creation date
is obtained from DOS; however, it is actually the date of the file the
first time it was recognized by CATALOG.
Please note: that it is The SoftTouch's plan to enable you to move the
description and creation date to another directory and allow you to modify
the file type even if your system uses a completely different scheme.
FILE DISPLAY
CATALOG gives you two ways to organize your files using the option FILES.
You can sort the files by file name or by file extension. This gives you
the ability to look at files with similar names or types. Upon selecting
the FILES option, CATALOG will display a submenu allowing you to SORT BY
NAME or SORT BY TYPE. Choosing one (moving the cursor and pressing enter)
will automatically redisplay the files in the requested order.
SYSTEM STATUS
The option STATUS will display a general set of informative statistics
about your system, directory and files. Some of the information contained
in this selection is as follows: date, time, number of sub-directories,
number of files, disk space used, disk space free, ROM date, computer type,
etc. To exit this display press any key.
CONFIGURING TO YOUR NEEDS
The SETUP option is used to configure your version of CATALOG to your
needs. Currently there is only a single option; making a backup copy of
the catalog information. However, plans are being made to add the ability
to move file descriptions/creation dates, change print page size/layout,
and modify file types to match your system scheme.
TOOLS
At times you are in need of certain TOOLS which can make life easier.
CATALOG gives you several tools to help. Sub-options are the ability to
change directories, call DOS as a subtask and display on-line help.
QUIT
The final option is the ability to terminate the current session. This
will automatically save your catalog and exit to DOS.