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Text File | 1991-05-24 | 21KB | 366 lines

F I L E - M A N U S E R S G U I D E --------------- --------- --------- Copyright (C) 1987-1991 by David Groome, Micrometric All rights reserved. Welcome to FILE-MAN, a utility program to assist you in your PC disk FILE MANagement! FILE-MAN is a menu driven utility program that aids in managing disk files. Directory and file names are displayed in sorted order with file names sorted by name, extension, date or size. Single files or file groups may be quickly marked and then acted upon. The actions include copy, move, spawn, append, erase, re- name, change attribute status, display, print and locate. Features include con- text sensitive help, macro procedure execution, color display, directory tree, diskette labels and a utility option that allows extensive customization of the program parameters. FILE-MAN will run on an IBM PC, XT, AT or true compatibles operating with PC-DOS or MS-DOS version 2.0 or later although it works best with version 3.0 or later and has been tested through version 5.0. It supports NETBIOS networks and "huge" disk drives. The program will determine what type of display monitor is avail- able and adjust itself accordingly. Memory requirements for the resident mode are less than 9K for the resident data segment and an additional 70K during execution. This users guide is extracted from the FILE-MAN manual, which is available to registered users. It overviews the features, installation and operation of FILE-MAN. All of the program's features are covered in the program's context sensitive help pages and this users guide. FILE-MAN is distributed as SHAREWARE and, as such, may be copied and shared on a private non-comercial basis with others in its unmodified form. Liability is limited to replacing the software for registered users. There is no liability for any damage or loss caused by this software, directly or indirectly. ┌───────┐ ┌────┴──┐ │ │ ┌────┴──┐ │ │ │ │ │ Member, Association of Shareware Professionals │ │ o ├─┘ └──┤ │ │ └───────┘ Epson is a registered trademark of the Seiko Epson Corporation. IBM PC, XT, AT and PC-DOS are registered trademarks of the IBM Corporation. Mouse Systems is a trademark of the Mouse Systems Corporation. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation. FILE-MAN MAJOR FEATURES --------------------------------------------------- * Thirteen Major Options with fifty-four Secondary Options. * Single line menus with a moving selection highlight bar and user modifiable menu highlights. * Four methods for copying files: Copy, Move, Spawn and Append. * When copying to a floppy disk drive and a diskette becomes full, a prompt is given to use another diskette. * No need to type file or directory names. * The ability to store and run up to eighteen user entered macros. * Macros may be run automatically. * Context sensitive help for all actions: fifteen help sections with seventy- four twenty line pages. * Wildcard specifications that can be used for marking, locating and renaming files. * Easily locate and mark a file or a group of files in all of the directories on a drive. * A directory tree of each drive can be displayed with a single keystroke and shows up to six levels of directories. * With the directory tree displayed Add, Erase and Rename subdirectories. * Four ways to sort the directory file name and extension display: Name, Exten- sion, Date and Size. * Formatted display or printer output of the contents of any file. * Formatted printer output of drive data, directory tree and directory listing. * Diskette labels, with four size options, can be produced. * The ability to change four of the attribute bits of any file or files: Read- only, Hidden, System and Archive. * Add or change the volume label on any drive or diskette. * Automatic color display on systems equipped with a color monitor and user selectable colors. * The ability to change many of the program parameters including the printer command characters either on a current execution basis or permanently. * Display directory or change drive/directory quickly with a single command line parameter. * Written in Assembler code with direct screen memory output and direct sector reading of directories for fast execution speed. * Requires only 70K beyond the memory needed for DOS to execute. * Database may be resident to decrease loading time. This resident portion re- quires less than 9K. * Support is included for a PC Mouse. * Printed detailed manual of more than 110 pages available with registration. * Supports NETBIOS networks. * Supports "huge" disk drives of more than 32MB. * Supports the use of extensions with directory names. * Supports DOS version 4.x. * Supports DOS version 5.0. SHAREWARE ----------------------------------------------------------------- FILE-MAN is being distributed as SHAREWARE. The SHAREWARE concept allows users to examine a program on a trial basis at no (or minimal) charge before purchasing it. In addition, by decreasing marketing costs, professional quality software may be distributed for a fraction of the cost of a comparable commercial product. Regardless of whether you register the program, please help distribute FILE-MAN by sharing unmodified copies of it and its files with others. If you feel that FILE-MAN is useful to you, program registration will provide you all of the following benefits: * 7" x 8 1/2" printed and bound manual. * Phone or mail support for one year. * Notification of the next FILE-MAN release. * Sharing and exchange of FILE-MAN macros. * Ability to suppress the shareware message randomly displayed. * Sincere thanks for your support of the SHAREWARE concept. For ease in program registration, the INST-MAN program may be used to generate an order form. This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Profession- als (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principal works for you. If you are unable to to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427, or send a Compuserve message via easy- plex to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. FILE-MAN FILES ------------------------------------------------------------ SYSTEM: FILE-MAN.COM The FILE-MAN program. FILE-MAN.HLP FILE-MAN context sensitive help file. PATH-MAN.COM Program to determine if a file is on a PATH directory FM.BAT Main FILE-MAN execute batch file. FMD.BAT Batch file display current directory. FMC.BAT Batch file changes directories. FMV.BAT Batch file changes drives/directories. PC MOUSE OPTION: FILE-MAN.MSC PC MOUSE present test file. M_FILMAN.COM PC MOUSE program to support FILE-MAN. M_FILMAN.MSC PC MOUSE source program. FILE-MAN HARD DISK INSTALLATION STEPS ------------------------------------- For the procedures to install FILE-MAN and to print this documentation, see the README file on the shareware distribution diskette. FOR PROPER OPERATION, ALL REQUIRED FILE-MAN FILES *MUST* BE PLACED ON PATH REFERENCED SUBDIRECTORIES!FILE-MAN OPERATION -------------------------------------------------------- FILE-MAN is executed by specifying the program name along with any optional switches. The syntax to execute FILE-MAN is: FILE-MAN [/An][/C][/D][/Fn][/I][/M][/R][/U][/V] There should be at least one space between the program name and the optional switches. If there is more than one optional switch, there may be spaces between the switches. The optional switches are: none Execute FILE-MAN and, when done, return control to DOS. The FILE-MAN data- base is used if resident. /An After loading, execute the corresponding <ALT><Fn> macro, where n may be between 2 and 10. When the macro completes execution, control returns to the keyboard unless the macro exits from FILE-MAN. /C Similar to the DOS command "Change Directory". If the FILE-MAN database is already resident, it displays the directory tree for the current drive and highlights the current directory. The highlight may be moved by character and cursor control keys (see the section "Change directory" for more de- tail). When <ENTER> is pressed, the highlighted directory becomes the cur- rent directory and control is returned to DOS. If FILE-MAN is not resident, this switch acts like the /R switch. /D Displays the first page of the current directory in the standard FILE- MAN format and returns control to DOS. If the FILE-MAN database is not resi- dent, this switch acts like the /R switch. /Fn After loading, execute the corresponding <Fn> macro, where n may be between 2 and 10. When the macro completes execution, control returns to the key- board unless the macro exits from FILE-MAN. /I Allows execution of the Initialization Routine prior to loading the FILE- -MAN program. This routine allows editing the macros and changing the pro- gram parameters. (Also entered by pressing <I> while loading.) /M Forces the program to use the monochrome monitor color attributes regard- less of the type of monitor controller detected. These monochrome attrib- utes will be in effect until FILE-MAN is uninstalled. /N Forces the program to use DOS disk I/O rather than direct sector I/O as is the case when the use of NETBIOS is detected. /R Runs FILE-MAN using the resident database. If the FILE-MAN database is not resident, it is loaded, the directories for the current drive are read, the database is made resident and control is returned to DOS. A message is also displayed showing the size of the resident database. /U Uninstalls the resident FILE-MAN database. The memory that was used for the resident database portion thus becomes available to DOS. /VAllows changing both the drive and directory. With the exception of first changing the current drive, this switch acts the same as the /C switch. FILE-MAN BATCH FILES ------------------------------------------------------ There are four FILE-MAN execution batch files provided on the distribution dis- kette. Their use and syntax is described below: FM [optional switch(s)] Execute FILE-MAN with the specified optional switch- es, if any. If PC Mouse support was requested during installation, the driver will be loaded. FMC Execute FILE-MAN with the /C optional switch. The Directory Tree for the current drive is displayed along with a prompt requesting selection of a new current directory. The new current directory is then displayed and control returns to DOS. FMD Execute FILE-MAN with the /D optional switch. The current directory is displayed and control returns to DOS. FMV Execute FILE-MAN with the /V optional switch. The list of available drives is first presenteded for selection. After the drive is set, the Directory Tree for the current drive is displayed along with a prompt requesting selection of a new current directory. The new current directory is then displayed and control returns to DOS. MENUS --------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE-MAN is a menu driven utility program. Each menu is presented as a single horizontal or vertical line of options, between the option highlight marks ">.- ..<", with a moving selection highlight bar. This highlight may be moved by use of the <LEFT> and <RIGHT> (or <UP> and <DOWN>) arrow keys. Selection may occur by positioning the highlight on the desired option and pressing <ENTER> or, for horizontal menus, by entering the first letter of the desired option. MAJOR AND SECONDARY OPTIONS ----------------------------------------------- After the major option has been selected from the menu on line three of the upper display, the non-selected major options are erased and a secondary option menu is displayed on line four. If additional options are presented, the second- ary option selected will be shown on the left of line four followed by any sub- sequently chosen option and additional option menus. If there is any question as to which are previously chosen options and which are part of the current menu on line four, use of the <LEFT> or <RIGHT> keys to highlight the menu options should provide a quick answer. If the <SHIFT> key was depressed when the Major Option was selected, its secondary options are displayed and then the highlight- ed one is automatically selected. This action is taken whether the Major Option is selected by highlighting and then pressing <ENTER> or by entering it's first letter. CONTEXT SENSITIVE HELP ---------------------------------------------------- Context help may be requested at any time the program is waiting for keyboard input by pressing <F1>. The lower display is cleared and the most appropriate help screen for the current major option is displayed. The help option, Quit help, is displayed at the left of line five of the upper display window. Help screens for other procedures within the current major option may also be dis- played using the <PgDn> <HOME> <END> and <DOWN> keys. Context help is discontin- ued by pressing the <ESC>, <ENTER> or <Q> keys. There are fifteen major categories of help with a total of seventy-four help screen pages. These categories include the major options, initialization routine and a general information category. Context help screens will only be displayed if the FILE-MAN.HLP file is accessible on the same directory from which the program was loaded. If it is not, an error message will be displayed and the program will continue without a help display. MACRO HELP ---------------------------------------------------------------- A display of the user defined macros may be requested when the program is at the Major Option level by pressing <ALT><F1>. The macro help screen is displayed in the lower window until either the <ESC>, <ENTER> or <Q> keys are pressed. USE OF THE <ESC> KEY ------------------------------------------------------ To cancel an operation before all of the options have been selected or data has been entered, use the <ESC> key. This key will return the program to major op- tion selection, redraw the upper window, and display the first page of the path in's file names and extensions. Remember however, that the <ESC> key will only become effective when the program requests input. ERROR MESSAGES ------------------------------------------------------------ When FILE-MAN detects an error that it cannot correct itself, it displays an error message on line five of the upper window display, beeps and waits for an operator response. The normal response is to correct the problem (put paper in the printer, a diskette in the floppy disk drive, change floppy diskettes, etc.) and press any key. If you desire to terminate the operation that is in progress, press the <ESC> key. DOS VERSION --------------------------------------------------------------- If your system uses a DOS version prior to 3.0, the full features of FILE-MAN will not be available. Specifically, the context sensitive help cannot be ac- cessed and permanent changes to the program parameters cannot be made. In addi- tion, the directory displayed upon program entry will be that for the root and not the current directory. The current directory may still be accessed but it is not automatically displayed. A warning message is displayed when FILE-MAN is loading if a version of DOS prior to 3.0 is in use. 43 LINE SCREEN ------------------------------------------------------------ If FILE-MAN detects that the display has been set for forty-three lines, limited support will be provided for this feature. The directory tree and file contents data lower window displays will take advantage of the full screen. The file name and extension lower window display is fixed at a maximum of 100 files per screen and does not expand. In addition, the current drive data and help screen lower window displays use only twenty lines and thus are unaffected by the screen size change. PC MOUSE SUPPORT ---------------------------------------------------------- A PC Mouse program has been included for those that use the PC Mouse from Mouse Systems Corp. Use of the mouse allows the user to rapidly move about either the directory tree or file names and select or mark directories or files with ease. The button combinations provided by the program are: Left button..........<ENTER> Middle button........<ESC> Right button.........Quit FILE-MAN Left-Middle buttons..<INSERT> Middle-Right buttons.<DELETE> USE OF MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------- Macros allow the user to define a sequence of operations for a specific proce- dure and to store the keystrokes necessary to accomplish it. FILE-MAN allows eighteen macros to be used each with up to sixty-nine characters. Macros may be executed from the major option level only. This is to assure that the program is at the same known state every time that the macro is executed. Macros are requested by pressing the desired function key <F2> - <F10> or <ALT>- <F2> - <ALT><F10> (F11 and F12, for those that have these function keys, are not used). A verify prompt is included to to preclude accidental use. The macro is then executed with no further operator intervention as long as the Macro Single Step switch has not been toggled on. If this switch is on as - signified by a lower case "s" in the flags at the end of line two of the upper window display - the macro will be executed one character at a time. When exe- cuting in single step mode, the macro character replaces the "s" flag and the program waits for the operator to press any key in order to execute the current macro command. This allows time for examination of the macro during execution. The <ESC> key may be used to terminate the macro during this single step opera- tion. This <ESC> key function is not valid in normal macro operation. MAJOR OPTIONS ------------------------------------------------------------- The major options of FILE-MAN are given on line three of the upper window dis- play. When the utility is waiting for the major option selection, the highlight is at the option that can be selected by pressing <ENTER>. Line four of the upper window display contains a short explanation of the highlighted option. A desired major option may also be selected by pressing the key corresponding to the first letter of that option. For example, <P> will select the PRINT option. After a major option is selected, the non-selected options are erased from the screen. For clarity in both the program and the documentation, major options are refer- red to in all caps while other options have only the first letter of the option capitalized. The major options available are listed below, each with a short description. [M]ARK......Mark various file(s). [D]IR/DRIVE.Change the current drive or directory. [C]OPY......Copy move spawn or append marked file(s). [E]RASE.....Erase marked file(s). [R]ENAME....Rename marked file(s). [A]TTRIBute.Change the attributes of marked file(s). [P]RINT.....Display/print marked file(s) or print data. [S]ORT......Sort the file name(s). [L]OCATE....Locate file(s) on the current drive. [Q]UIT......Terminate the program.