Share Gallery 1

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Share Gallery 1 / share_gal_1.zip / share_gal_1 / UT / UT103B.ZIP / PREBAK13.COM / PREBACK.DOC < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1990-04-14 | 36KB | 848 lines

PREBACK 1.3 Registration Request Thank you for your registration. It is sincerely appreciated! -------------------------------------------------------------------- VISA/Mastercard orders are only accepted through telephone orders. Call the Public (Software) Library at 800-242-4775 to order NOW! -------------------------------------------------------------------- _____ Registration of all Patri-Soft Utilities with program disk and User's Guide........................$45.00 When you register the below versions, you will receive registration codes along with the latest version of the utility. _____ PREBACK -- Backup preprocessor and interface........$15.00 _____ PCOPY -- Advanced windowed DOS COPY alternative...$20.00 _____ PALERT -- Warns you of low disk space..............$15.00 _____ PATTR -- Manage attributes of DOS files...........$10.00 _____ PDAILY -- Automatically execute commands once/day..$10.00 _____ PDELETE -- Save space with automatic disk cleanup...$15.00 _____ PPRINT -- Advanced file print w/special formats....$15.00 _____ PSEARCH -- Search for files with specified words....$15.00 _____ Update a registered set with new disk and manual. Registered users only Ser: __________ ........... $15.00 **************************************************************** Name: __________________________________________________ Company: _______________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: ________ Zip: __________ I learned about the PREBACK from: ______________________________ If BBS indicate name and number please._________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Please register the software under the following name: ____________________________________________________________ Send to: Patri-Soft P.O. Box 8263 San Bernardino, CA 92412 P R E B A C K ----------------------------------------------------------- A system to automate the decision of backing up your system ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Users Guide and Reference ------------------------- Version 1.3 April 1990 ┌─────────┐ ┌─────┴───┐ │ (tm) │ │o │────────────────── │ ┌─────┴╨──┐ │ Association of │ │ │─┘ Shareware └───│ o │ Professionals ────│ ║ │──────────────────── └────╨────┘ * Member * Patriquin's BBS 714-369-9766 Copyright 1990 by Patri-Soft PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents PREBACK -- Advanced replacement for DOS COPY . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Features: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Display Screen and Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Implementing PREBACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Command Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Program Maintenance: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Registering The Utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 About the Patriquin Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Site License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Registration form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Reporting Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 i PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PREBACK -- BACKUP preprocessor and interface -------------------------------------------- It is incredible that our fancy computers rely on manual methods and decisions to keep them working! Why is it that we need to manually manage and make decisions regarding hard disk backup? Isn't this why we have computers? PREBACK is a facility to remind us of backup needs, and automate the decision to perform backups... Most every hard disk user has backup facilities implemented to protect their data, but many times backup is simply forgotten or bypassed. There are many reasons for this but the most common one is that backup requires time and we often get in a rush to do other things and delay taking the time to backup our systems. Although it is very important to do backups frequently, they are not necessary every day. Some days we just do not do things of significant enough importance to back them up. I personally found that if I backup my system once every 3 to five uses, this is sufficient. Unfortunately, I often forget how long it has been since my last backup and assume it was done more recently than it really was. In my haste, backup can be forgotten for a couple of weeks before I get to it. Often important data is severely exposed to loss due to my inattention to backup.... PREBACK was developed as a facility to enhance my backup system to help me determine when to perform backups and to remind me when they are being neglected. PREBACK is intended to be implemented in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to be run every time your system is started. Its job is to determine the last backup date, and remind you that backup is needed. In addition, PREBACK can optionally show you the files needing backup and allow you to exclude files from the backup process. This saves backup time and disks. If you prefer to backup your data at the end of each day, PREBACK can be implemented as a DOS command or from a menu to help you manage backup. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are some of PREBACK's features: -- Reminds you once each day that backup is needed. Lets you decide to run backup or not. -- Informs you of the last backup date. This allows you to make an informed decision about backup. -- PREBACK will only remind you of backup, or start backup, when there are files to be backed up. If none exist, you will not be bothered with a reminder to backup. -- Informs you what kinds of files need backup. This also lets you make a better decision about backup. If you can see an important document or file has not been backed up since it was last updated, you are more apt to run backup. We often forget about the things we have been working on. -- Exclude files from backup. We often find ourselves wasting disk space and time backing up files that are not important. You may provide PREBACK with a list of files to be excluded from backup. This often results in very significant savings. -- Since todays backup procedures often backup your data once, then process only updated data, PREBACK can show information about all files on your hard disk or just those updated since your last backup. -- PREBACK will search one or more drives for files to be backed up. -- Forced backup mode. If you are implementing backup procedures for users that must perform daily backup, PREBACK can force a backup when it determines one is needed. As you can see, PREBACK adds a much needed aspect and intelligence to the backup process. Within these features you will find your own additional benefits to using PREBACK. PREBACK lets your computer automate its own decisions! PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The PREBACK Display ------------------- PREBACK has two different displays. The first display is for the default mode of operation that shows you what files need backing up and then asks if backup is to be started... ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ PREBACK 1.3 Copyright 1990 by Patri-Soft ║ ║ -------------------------------------------------- ║ ║ Previous backup: Friday 29DEC89 at 8:42pm ║ ║ It has been 1 days since previous backup. ║ ║ 138 files with 2031152 characters need backup. ║ ║ ║ ║ Backup file extension summary by size (Top 10) ║ ║ #Files -EXT- --Size-- #Files -EXT- --Size-- ║ ║ 8 *.EXE 357738 36 *.OBJ 125002 ║ ║ 29 *.PUB 280879 1 *.CVT 123104 ║ ║ 1 *.NDX 270300 1 *.CAP 112392 ║ ║ 10 *.MAC 256555 5 *.BIT 84799 ║ ║ 1 *.OVL 141296 1 *.MAP 48014 ║ ║ ║ ║ Do you want to start backup? Press <Y> or <N> ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The second display format is used when you do not desire PREBACK to scan disks and show the files needing backup... ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ PREBACK 1.3 Copyright 1990 by Patri-Soft ║ ║ -------------------------------------------------- ║ ║ Previous backup: Friday 29DEC89 at 8:42pm ║ ║ It has been 1 days since previous backup. ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ Do you want to start backup? Press <Y> or <N> ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Implementing PREBACK -------------------- PREBACK is implemented by placing statements to invoke it, and your backup procedure, in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If you prefer to backup your data at the end of every day, you can invoke PREBACK from a separate batch file, or from any end of day routine they may already exist. If you use a menu system, the commands to implement PREBACK may be implemented before your backup menu item. PREBACK is a system that sets the DOS ERRORLEVEL indicator to indicate if backup is to be performed or not. When PREBACK completes, your batch file may issue any backup command to begin backup. Following is the basic PREBACKUP commands to be implemented: Commands in AUTOEXEC.BAT or other .BAT file... --------------------------------------------------- PREBACK /X:*.BAK/R if ERRORLEVEL 1 backup --------------------------------------------------- The above command implements PREBACK to check backup once per day and cause backup processing to ignore update backup processing for files with extensions of .BAK (backup files). Use your normal text file editor to implement PREBACK in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- As another example, following is an example of a normal AUTOEXEC.BAT file without PREBACK implemented: --------------------------------------------------- PATH c:\bat;c:\ut;c:\;c:\dos PROMPT $t$h$h$h$a $e$a[0;31;1m$P$a $Q$Q$Q$G$a $e$a[0;36m ced kbrate a2 set wp=/NC/NK \MOUSE1\cpanel MENU --------------------------------------------------- Below is the same AUTOEXEC.BAT file with PREBACK implemented: --------------------------------------------------- PATH c:\bat;c:\ut;c:\;c:\dos PROMPT $t$h$h$h$a $e$a[0;31;1m$P$a $Q$Q$Q$G$a $e$a[0;36m ced kbrate a2 set wp=/NC/NK \MOUSE1\cpanel PREBACK /X:*.BAK/R <==== PREBACK command IF ERRORLEVEL 1 BACKUP <==== your backup command MENU --------------------------------------------------- Manually starting backup using PREBACK -------------------------------------- A sample batch file (PREBK.BAT) is provided with the PREBACK system. You may modify and use it to implement PREBACK when you desire to manually start backup. The file contains the following statements: PREBK.BAT --------------------------------------------------- echo off preback /m %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 if errorlevel 1 (implement your backup command here) --------------------------------------------------- PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Command Parameters ------------------- PREBACK allows several command parameters to be specified to alter PREBACK operation. All these parameters are optional. If no parameters are specified PREBACK, will scan your current disk to determine updated files needing backup, and will present a window asking you if backup is desired. A quick review of command parameters is always available by entering the PREBACK command with the ? parameter. COMMAND FORMAT: --------------- PREBACK [ (/ parameters) ] /A Process all files. Not just updated files. PREBACK normally assumes a complete backup has already been done and you are only backing up updated files. It normally only shows files that have been updated since their last backup. The /A parameter causes PREBACK to show all files on your disk. To determine if a file needs backing up, PREBACK uses the DOS "ARCHIVE" flag. This flag exists in every file's directory entry and is set when any application or program references a file in the update or create mode. Most applications that read the file will not set this flag. Backup programs use this flag to determine if the file has been changed since it was last updated. In this way, BACKUP programs may add changed files to a backup set and let the user avoid making complete backups of their system every time backup is run. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- /NS Don't scan directories and display files needing backup. PREBACK normally scans directories to determine if a backup is needed and shows what files would be processed by backup. The /NS (No Scan) parameter indicates PREBACK is not to scan disks. It will simply remind you that backup is needed. /L List files to backup during scan process Use this parameter to watch PREBACK as it scans files to determine what ones need backup. /F Force backup, do not allow to bypass. To implement PREBACK to force backups when needed. PREBACK will not ask of backup is to be performed, it will automatically start backup if it is needed. /X: Exclude list of ext names. I.E. /X:*.BAK,*.TMP,TEST*.* You may specify a list of file names to be excluded from PREBACK's statistics of files to be backed up. Use this facility when your backup system will automatically ignore some files. This will make PREBACK's statistics accurate with the action of the BACKUP program. /R Reset excluded files to exclude them from backup. When PREBACK lists all updated files, and the /X:... parameter is used to specify files not to be included in backup, the /Reset parameter indicates PREBACK is to reset the DOS "ARCHIVE" flag for each excluded file. This will have the effect of excluding these files from any backup program only processing updated files. See the /A parameter description for more information about the DOS "ARCHIVE" flag. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- /T Test only, do not reset backup date. /Test is used to verify the action to be taken by the /R parameter. No file dates will actually be reset. /B Scan/show backup totals only. If you want PREBACK to only perform backup if there are updated files to process, but do not want a list of the files to be backed up, use the /B parameter to eliminate the list from PREBACK's display. /M Change check from once a day, to force after every boot. Normally PREBACK will only function one time each day. If you want PREBACK to recheck backup needs every time the system is started in a single day, specify the /Many parameter. /D:xx Disk volumes to be checked. /D:CD PREBACK normally only scans the current disk for files to be backed up. To process an alternate drive or more than one drive, specify the /D: parameter with one or more drive letters to process. /RE Register PREBACK program / Remove evaluation messages. PREBACK issues a evaluation messages to encourage users to register the Shareware. Upon registering PREBACK you will receive registration numbers to deactivate evaluation messages and activate bonus features. The /RE parameter invokes the registration procedure. Note, every registered user will receive a disk with the newest version of PREBACK and copies of other Patriquin utilities. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- /X Exclude files. The exclude facility allows you to provide a list of pathname and filename specifications that are to be excluded from backup processing. Since searching through data on your hard disk requires extensive processing and disk read time, excluding files from the process will save you time. The exclude facility is implemented with two actions. First, you will need to create an exclude specification file and place it in the same directory where PREBACK is installed on your hard disk. This file will contain the names of all the files and paths to be excluded. Name the file PREBACK.EXC. You may specify DOS pattern names to exclude groups of files with a single specification. Like DOS, use the '*' to indicate the last part of a filename or filename extension may be any set of characters. Also like DOS, use the '?' to indicate that any single position of a filename may be any character. In addition to DOS, two additional pattern features are available. You may place an '*' anywhere in the filename to indicate any set of characters may exist in this point in the name. For pathnames, you may place an '**' at the end of a directory path specification to indicate the specification applies to the specified directory and all subordinate directories. Using '**', you can exclude an entire path with a single specification. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Following are examples: 1. *.EXE 2. *.COM 3. TEST*.* 4. *TEST*.* 5. DO?FIX.* 6. PC*XX.* 7. C:\DOS\*.* 8. \TEST\*.* 9. D:\GAMES**\*.* Explanations for the above examples: 1. Excludes all filenames with the extension .EXE from processing. 2. Excludes all filenames ending with extension .COM. 3. Excludes all filenames beginning with the letters "TEST" from processing. 4. Excludes all filenames having the characters "TEST" anywhere in the first portion of the filename. 5. Exclude files having 'DO' as the first 2 characters of the filename, and 'FIX' as the 4th, 5th, and 6th filename characters. The 3rd character of the filename may be any character. 6. Exclude files having a name beginning with the 2 characters PC and where the first portion of the filename ends with the characters 'XX'. Any 0 to 4 characters may exist between the 'PC' and 'XX' in the first portion of the filename. 7. Exclude all files from the DOS directory on drive C:. 8. Exclude all files from the TEST directory existing on any drive searched. 9. Exclude all files from the D:\GAMES\ directory and also exclude all files and directories subordinate to the GAMES directory. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Activating exclude -- Exclude will only be functional when the /X command parameter is specified. When /X is specified, you must have a valid exclude file. PREBACK will not continue without one. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 12 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Program Maintenance: -------------------- Version 1.0 December 1989 -- Developed and released Version 1.1 January 1990 -- Added backup already checked message. Version 1.3 April 1990 -- Added /X and exclude file feature -- Press any key during disk scan to immediately terminate PREBACK. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 13 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Registering The Utilities ------------------------- PREBACK is distributed under the Shareware concept. This allows users to evaluate software for a short time to determine if it is useful to them. If you decide the software is of value to you, you are asked to support it by registering. This concept allows for quality software to be distributed at a reasonable cost. Many of hours of time has been invested in PREBACK. Continued registration will justify the continued upgrading of this utility to insure it remains up to date with current technology. In any case, I do greatly appreciate all users that care enough to register. I try to provide the best possible software for all you faithful supporting users. You may use the order form on the next page when registering PREBACK. Send registration requests to: Norm Patriquin P.O. Box 8263 San Bernardino, CA 92412 The registration cost is a one time fee that entitles you to all future versions of the product. These may either be obtained from normal Shareware sources or directly from our support BBS. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 14 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- About the Patriquin Utilities... The first Patriquin Utility released was developed in 1985 and released in 1986. PSEARCH, a utility to allow users to locate files containing specific words, was developed to aid in in the development of other PC systems being developed by Norm Patriquin. It was developed because other available search facilities on the market did not provide the power needed for the complex systems being developed. Later, PMOVE (later to be called PCOPY) was developed to avoid all the problems caused when the DOS COPY command could not update one disk with files from another without accidently overlaying existing files. Over the years the Patriquin Utilities have been used by power PC users all over the world. Unlike other facilities, the Patriquin Utilities are intended to work in an intelligent fashion and not just provide a slick manual interface for users to manage their files. The Patriquin utilities have been reviewed in the following publications -- PC Magazine "Managing Your Hard Disk" Berliner "MS DOS Utility Programs" Ronny Richardson "Public Domain Software and Shareware" Demaria/Fontaine Computer Shopper Shareware Magazine Compuserve Online Magazine And most recently, PC Computing magazine selected PCOPY as one of their 10 utilities that DOS forgot (Nov 1989). PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 15 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Site Licenses ------------- I do welcome organizations to Site License one or more utilities at a reduced cost. Site Licenses allow you to be confident all users in your organization are using authorized versions of the utilities. Following is a schedule of site license fees at the time this document was created. Site license fees -- 5 - 10 copies $100 51-100 copies $800 11 - 30 copies $300 101-200 copies $1500 31 - 50 copies $500 201-400 copies $2000 Unlimited copy license $4000 A site is considered to be one individual company at a given location. Different departments located as the same address are considered to be part of the same site. To help companies avoid problems with software taken home for personal use, any employee having use of PREBACK as part of a site license agreement, also is allowed to use the software on any machine for their own personal use. This may be at the site location or any other location. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 16 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- VISA / Mastercard / Telephone Registration ------------------------------------------ You may place a telephone order for the utilities using your credit card by calling Nelson Ford's Public (Software) Library. Site license agreements must be arranged directly with the author. Telephone orders: 800-242-4775 The PSL supplies Shareware software at a nominal cost to its customers. Consider them for all your Shareware needs. PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 17 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PREBACK 1.3 Registration Request Thank you for your registration. It is sincerely appreciated! -------------------------------------------------------------------- VISA/Mastercard orders are only accepted through telephone orders. Call the Public (Software) Library at 800-242-4775 to order NOW! -------------------------------------------------------------------- _____ Registration of all Patriquin Utilities with program disk and User's Guide........................$45.00 When you register the below versions, you will receive registration codes along with the latest version of the utility. _____ PREBACK -- Backup preprocessor and interface........$15.00 _____ PCOPY -- Advanced windowed DOS COPY alternative...$20.00 _____ PALERT -- Warns you of low disk space..............$15.00 _____ PATTR -- Manage attributes of DOS files...........$10.00 _____ PDAILY -- Automatically execute commands once/day..$10.00 _____ PDELETE -- Save space with automatic disk cleanup...$15.00 _____ PPRINT -- Advanced file print w/special formats....$15.00 _____ PSEARCH -- Search for files with specified words....$15.00 _____ Update a registered set with new disk and manual. Registered users only Ser: __________ ........... $15.00 ******************************************************************* Name: __________________________________________________ Company: _______________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: ________ Zip: __________ I learned about the PREBACK from: ______________________________ If BBS indicate name and number please._________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Please register the software under the following name: ____________________________________________________________ Send to: Norm Patriquin P.O. Box 8263 San Bernardino, CA 92412 PREBACK Users Guide/Reference Copyright 1990 Patri-Soft Page 18 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting Problems (PREBACK 1.3) I welcome all comments or enhancement suggestions. Please document each item clearly and provide printed examples, if possible. Please be sure to include this form with all requests. It will help to make sure we can provide you with the best possible service. Name: __________________________________________________________ Company: _______________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ City: __________________________________ State: _______________ Zip: ______________________________ Telephone: _______ / ________________________ (Home / Work) Date: _________________________ Machine Type:_______________ Name of Utility: _______________________ DOS Level: ____________ Description of problem or enhancement: ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Suggested solution: ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________