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------------------- ===== 4 - F I L E S ===== ------------------- DOCUMENTATION - Version 2U.9 December 31, 1992 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareware by Larry T. Edwards, Copyright 1990-92 All Rights Reserved REGISTRATION $20 Box 6001 Sitka, Ak 99835 TECH SUPPORT: <1> Talk to the author at 907-747-8996; <2> MAS-BBS 718-444-5089 (8,N,1, 2400-14400 baud). Select the Customer Support Area, then the 4FILES Area; <3> CompuServe: send E-mail to Larry Edwards 72037,3607; or <4> INTERNET E-mail to 72037.3607@compuserve.com. _______ ____|__ | --| | |------------------- | ASP wants to make sure the shareware | ____|__ | Association of | principle works for you; its Ombuds- | | |_| Shareware | man can help resolve any dispute with |__| o | Professionals | an ASP member on a shareware related -----| | |--------------------- | problem. Details on page 2. (R) |___|___| MEMBER (Print this manual 6-LPI x 12-CPI) ============================================================================ CONTENTS OF MANUAL ... ======================= File & Note Modes .... 8 DESQview ............ 18 Overview of 4FILES .. 2 Using FILE MODE ...... 9 Safety Features ..... 19 About "File Notes"... 2 Sorting File Lists .. 10 Hot Tips on 4FILES... 21 Shareware Notice .... 3 Utility Ports .... 11-12 Origin/Evolution .... 23 QUICK START ......... 3 Using NOTE MODE ..... 13 Registration Benefits 24 Special Keys ........ 4 Configuring 4FILES .. 15 Agreement for Use ... 24 Drive:Dir Navigation 6 EMS & XMS Swaps ..... 15 Packing List ........ 25 Seeking a File ...... 8 Video & Screens ..... 17 Detail Installation . 26 Mouse Use 7-8,11,16,18 MS-Windows & OS/2 ... 18 Registration Form ... 27 ============================================================================== (Page formatting is for 12 Cpi, 6 Lpi printing) 2. OVERVIEW OF 4FILES ================== 4FILES is a multi-purpose file manager, and includes a full-featured editor for 4DOS & NDOS "file notes". The interface is clean and convenient, and incorporates what may well be the easiest drive and directory navigation method you have tried. 4FILES also serves as a well coordinated "front-end" for several of your favorite utilities, providing rapid-fire, point-and-shoot loading of files into the utilities. There is a "utility port" for a file browser, two for editors or word processsors, three specialized for archive programs or viewers, and an extra port. A built-in configuration routine makes on-the-fly changes to these ports and the other program settings easy. Changes may be used "session-only" or be saved to a configuration file. The screen shows the current directory with subdirectories at the top followed by files, each taking a full line. The list may be sorted any way you like, either on-the-fly or via command line switches. Except for sorts by file name (the default), the key field for the current sort is highlighted on screen. Any video mode over 80x25 is supported (see Quick Start on page 3). File or subdirectory names are displayed on the left half of the screen, one per line, with full statistics. The right half is space for descriptive file notes. If you are using 4DOS or NDOS (superior COMMAND.COM substitutes), a file note will remain associated with its file during copy, move and rename operations. You may also play with file notes under COMMAND.COM, but the notes will be lost during the above file operations. The new 4DOS-4.0 description "extensions" are detected if present, but no programs are using them yet. Any program file or batch file may be executed directly from the listing or be put in an editable DOS command line. Data files with "executable extensions" may be loaded directly into their applications. A real DOS command line (secondary shell) is available too. International keyboards and character code pages are fully supported. Version 3.0 is now in beta testing has several new features including ability to apply file-description-aware copy, move, rename and zip operations to marked groups of files. Registered users will be sent copies beginning very soon; shareware release to the rest of the public will be late fall. ABOUT FILE NOTES & 4DOS ======================= Ability to annotate your files will revolutionize your computer use, and this feature alone is ample reason to replace COMMAND.COM with 4DOS. But the powers of 4DOS do not end there, and you are really (!) wasting time and energy if you aren't using it. It makes the MSDOS command line EASY and adds many features to MSDOS which should have been included all along, but weren' t, even in MSDOS 5.0. I can't recommend 4DOS highly enough! It's shareware by JP Software, Box 1470, E. Arlington, Ma 02174, 617-646-3975. 3. SHAREWARE NOTICE ================ 4FILES is a commercial, copyrighted program, and is distributed as shareware. Shareware is a marketing method which allows you to evaluate a fully functional program before deciding whether you want it. You may not continue use of 4FILES beyond a period of bona-fide evaluation of not over 30-days unless the copy you are using has been properly registered for your use, and your use complies with the agreement near the end of this manual. If you decide not to register, a frank critique or trouble report would be sincerely appreciated, via a collect phone call, E-mail, or a letter. Your distribution of 4FILES to others is highly encouraged, provided that the distribution complies with the agreement at the end of this manual. Permission for commercial distribution may be withdrawn at any time for cause. Larry Edwards is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related dispute or problem with a member, ASP's Ombudsman may be able to help resolve it. ASP does not however provide technical support for members' products. Contact: ASP Ombudsman, 545 Grover Rd, Muskegon, MI 49442 or (via CompuServe Mail) ASP Ombudsman 70007, 3536. QUICK START =========== Capacity: 454 records per directory. Requires: 64K and DOS 2+. SYNTAX: 4F [d:][\][subdir] [/+ /8] [/D] [/E /S /T /N] Items in brackets are optional. The current directory is the default.. ** Installation: Either copy all files into a subdirectory which is in your PATH or write a 4DOS alias to call 4FILES, preferably specifying its full pathspec to speed loading. Storing or accessing 4FILES like this allows you to start it by typing just its name or the alias name, regardless of which drive or directory you are logged onto at any time. If these instructions are "Greek" to you, please read the more detailed instructions on page 26. ** Quitting: <@ESC> quits to the current directory, and <ESC> or <^ESC> quit to the original (startup) directory . Under Windows, only <ESC> gives a total quit; the other keys have their Windows meanings. (In key symbols, "@" means the "Alt" key and "^" means the "Ctrl" key.) ** Configure 4FILES by typing <@F10>. Screen colors & blinking, "utility ports" and many program options are on this menu. Your utilities must be configured here for many 4FILES features to work. For these, a pathspec is unneeded if the utility is in the PATH, but gives best performance. Always give the extension of a utility's name. ** For laptop computer users, keyboard assignments may be awkward in this version and on some laptops some non-standard key combinations may not work. If you otherwise like the program, please register and ask for a beta test copy version 3.0, which can be configured for laptops. 4. ** Replace the Old .CFG File: The config- uration file format was changed in version 2S.0. If your .CFG file is from an earlier version, you must delete it and configure the new version from scratch. ** Switches: /D /E /S /T and /N are command line switches for list sorting (see P.9). /D may be used alone or with any of the other four. /8 is used to force an 80x25 display, in case you want to switch automatically or in case of an incompatibility with the video mode detection. /+ must be used with HGC, MDA or CGA for over 80x25. ** Operation: Use the menu line for guidance, and go with the flow! <TAB> toggles between File & Note Modes. Some keys work in both modes, but are shown only on the menu of one due to line length limits. Navigate with the <G+> key (Grey-plus), <G-> and <G*>. On 83-key keyboards, use <SCL-LK> instead of <G*>. If 4FILES is properly configured, <F1> shows help and <^F1> shows this manual. For a tour of a few features see #6 on page 26. The tour assumes your bootup directory is the current directory, and that it has a \UTIL subdirectory. ** 4FILES may be fully evaluated under COMMAND.COM, but for proper handling of file notes during file copy, move, rename and delete, COMSPEC must be setup to use 4DOS or NDOS as the secondary (if not also the primary) command interpreter, instead of COMMAND.COM. ** For use under MS-Windows, see "Running Under Windows" below for mouse and 4FILES.PIF setup. Again, for regular use (i.e. except perhaps during evaluation) be sure COMSPEC is setup for 4DOS or NDOS. ========================= DOCUMENTATION OF FEATURES ========================= SPECIAL CONTROLS ================ Most keys act as expected, and the others (below) are laid out logically. A special keyboard handler allows nice, normally unavailable key assignments. Symbols: "^" means the CTRL key and "@" means the ALT key. "**" means 4FILES must be configured properly for the feature to work. <F1> -- Help. ** <F2> -- Edit current file. ** <F3> -- File Finder. ** <F4> -- Unzip current file, if archive. ** <F5> -- Mark record. <F6> -- Unmark record. <F9> -- Copy selected text. <F0> -- Paste text (insert). <^F1> - View this manual ** <^F2> - Second editor or a utility. ** <^F5> - Mark ALL file records. <^F6> - Unmark ALL records. <^F9> - Cut selected text. <@F9> - Copy the whole note. <@F10> - reconfigure 4FILES. NOTE: As adjuncts to <F5/F6>, <Space> toggles the current file mark and <^Space> toggles all marks. <^/> and <^\> duplicate <^F5> and <^F6>. 5. NAVIGATION KEYS FOR DRIVES, DIRECTORIES & LISTS ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTE: <G*> is the "grey" star key on the keypad. <G**> is a double hit of this key. Adjacent keys are called <G+> and <G->. On laptops, use <Fn*>, etc. All of these key combinations may not work on some laptops. Version 3.0 is able to substitute "[" for <G*>, "]" for <G->, and <Enter> for <G+>. These keys are very handy on laptops. All who register get a copy of the 3.0 Beta immediately, and will also be sent the final 3.0 release when it is ready. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <G*> -- Change drives. The change is instantaneous when a drive letter is typed. ON 83-KEY KEYBOARDS, THE <SCL-LCK> KEY SERVES THIS FUNCTION; you can force the alternate key choice via the configuration menu. <G**> -- Change drive:directory via a text entry field. LCD, ACD & NCD compatible. On 83-key keyboards, use <SCL-LCK>. <G***> -- Change back to previous directory. Use <SCL-LCK> if 83 keys. <G-> -- Change to the parent directory (from any record). <G+> -- IF RECORD IS: 1) a directory, change to it. 2) a file, browse it. ** 3) an archive, list its constituent files. ** <^G+> -- Calls an archive-only utility. ** <CR> -- ENTER may be configured to duplicate <G+> in File Mode only. <@-F10> -- Shows the configuration menu. <TAB> -- Toggles between FILE MODE and NOTE MODE. <NUM-LK> -- Toggles between showing file attributes and file time. <@-Char> -- Fast scroll to next record starting with the character. <SCL-LK> or <Keypad-5> changes direction (BIOS dependent.) NOTE MODE KEY COMMANDS: ----------------------- ^H -- Destructive backspace (see also File Mode). ^Y -- DELETE NOTE. <Ctrl-PgUp> -- Go to TOP of directory listing. <Ctrl-PgDn> -- " " END " " " <Ctrl-Up> -- Go to TOP of page. <Ctrl_Dn> -- " " END " " 6. <Sh-Up> -- Scroll display to show record ABOVE TOP of page. <Sh-Dn> -- " " " " " BELOW END " " <Ctrl-Lf> -- Shift cursor ONE WORD LEFT. <Ctrl-Rt> -- " " ONE WORD RIGHT. <Sh-Rt> -- 1) Bump any text to the right of the cursor to right margin. 2) If no text to the right, enter Flush-Right (FLR) mode. <Sh-Lf> -- Exit FLR mode (or use <ESC>, <CR> or any bar movement keys). <Sh-BS> -- Destructive "Fore-space", available in FLR mode only. <ESC> -- Like <^ESC>. Can be disabled with a configuration switch. <^ESC> or <@ESC> -- Quit to original or current directory, respectively. (If you use NEWKEY, see page 10.) FILE MODE KEYCOMMANDS: ---------------------- <^E> or <^E><^E> -- Presents a DOS command line with or without the current file name. (See also "configuration".) Appending "++" to a command freezes the screen temporarily after execution. <^H> -- Shell to 4DOS & show the selectable command history window. KEYSTACK.COM (a 4DOS TSR) must be loaded first. <^X> -- Instantly executes records which are .COM, .EXE, .BAT or .BTM files; also acts on data files with "executable extensions". F5 / F6 -- Mark / Unmark A record. ^F5 / ^F6 -- Mark / Unmark ALL records. A / ^A -- Change attributes of current file or all marked files. C -- Copy file. D / ^D -- Delete current file or all marked files. M -- Move file. R -- Rename a file or directory. (LCD 4.0B+ and ACD compatible.) N -- Create a "New" Directory. LCD/ACD/NCD compatible. K -- "Kill" (remove) highlighted directory. LCD/ACD/NCD compatible. R -- Rename a directory or file. (LCD 4.0B+ and ACD compatible) S -- Resort the listed files with a new sort type or order. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Copy, Move, Rename functions are VERY rudimentary, and will be top notch in V-3.0. Internal PKZip and Unzip support will also be included. 3.0 is in beta testing, and if you register you will get a copy of the beta. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRIVE & DIRECTORY NAVIGATION ============================ 4FILES has perhaps the most natural key mapping yet devised for drive and directory navigation. It employs a group of three keys operated by your right hand in coordination with the cursor pad (arrow and page) keys. A keyboard with lefthand function keys will accentuate the 7. efficiency of this layout, and a Northgate or Focus keyboard with this layout would be an excellent investment. On laptop computers, the lack of a separate cursor pad and left function keys sacrifices efficiency, but handy separate keypad units are available from Dalco (only $52; 800-445-5342), Tidal Tech (510-748-7270) or Genovation (714-833-3355). The functions of <G+> and <G-> are also available via mouse buttons. These are the keyboard ( use <Fn> keys if you have a laptop) and mouse layouts: KEYS HIT: | 83 Keys Action 84+ Keys Action NOTE ========= | ==================== =================== ============= <Grey*> | (Use <SCL-LK> key) ----> Fast drive change (Input field) | <Grey**> | (Use <SCL-LK> key) ----> Enter new drive:dir (Input field) | <Grey***> | (Use <SCL-LK> key) ----> CD to previous dr:dir (Instant CD) | <Grey-> | CD to parent dir CD to parent dir (Instant) | <Grey+> | CD to highlighted dir CD to highlighted dir (Instant) | or browse if a file. or browse if a file. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Laptops: Substitute <Fn*>, <Fn+> and <Fn-> key combinations above. MOUSE BUTTONS: | L-- M-- R-- L-R LM- -MR LMR ===============|======================================================== 3 Button Mouse | <G+> <G-> <ESC> <TAB> <PgUp> <PgDn> <F9> | 2 Button Mouse | <G+> <ESC> <G-> NOTE: Under Presentation Manager, OS/2 disables the middle mouse button! 4FILES automatically detects your mouse type and keyboard BIOS type, but it can only assume the layout of your keyboard (based on your BIOS). If the assumption is incorrect, you may force its reversal via the configuration menu' s "Other Keyboard" switch. What you want is three keys adjacent to one another. On the 83-key keyboard they should be in a vertical sequence of <SCRL-LK>, <G-> and <G+>. On other desktop keyboards they should form a dog- leg at the upper right corner of the keypad, using <G*> instead of <SCRL-LK>. On laptops the <Fn*> key combination should be used, and if it doesn't work, reconfigure as above. Proper setup is essential to maximum efficiency. Laptop users will want a beta test copy of version 3.0, which provides an excellent layout for laptop keyboards, available by registering this copy. After hitting <G*> or <Scrl-Lck> you will be prompted to enter a drive letter. A valid entry will cause an immediate change to the drive. A double hit on <G*>, rather than a drive letter, presents an input field for specifying the new directory and/or drive. This <G**> command is compatible with LCD, ACD and NCD (directory changing utilities) if 4FILES has been configured for it, allowing you to type only part of the path name. 4FILES will update the database when directories are created, 8. deleted or renamed ( added "REN" to the config if your LCD/ACD version supports this feature). <G***> makes an immediate change to the previous directory. Hitting <G+> while the cursor is on a subdirectory record will cause 4FILES to change to that subdirectory. If this is the ".." record, the change will be to the parent of the current directory. <G-> will change to the parent directory from ANY record. When changing to a parent directory, the cursor will quick-scroll from the top of the listing down to the record of the subdirectory you just left. This is helpful when inspecting a succession of child directories, since you always return to your last place in the parent, rather than its first record. The scrolling action gives a quick impression of your current location in the list. During a drive change, 4FILES goes to the extra trouble of avoiding the annoyance of the DOS message "Insert Disk for Drive A" overwriting the screen on systems with only one floppy. You will be seamlessly given an opportunity to swap disks without messing up the screen. If faster cursor bar movement is desired, 4FILES handles rates much faster than "normal". Higher settings can be made via software or hardware built into some keyboards (i.e. Northgate Ultra). SEEKING A FILE ON THE LIST ========================== Scrolling to files in a directory listing is easy: just hit an <@-char> key, where "char" is the alpha-numeric first character of the file or directory name. You will be delivered to the next occurrence of a record starting with that character. <SCL-LK> toggles the search direction at any time, including in mid-search. On 83-key keyboards, <Keypad-5> performs this function instead since <SCL-LK> is used for directory navigation. MOUSE USE ========= See the button map on the previous page. The mouse handler is setup so that no action is taken until all depressed buttons have been released. To experiment, for a 'page-down' hold down the right button -- no rush -- and hit the middle button at your leisure. Then lift one finger -- again no rush -- and when the second finger is lifted the action is taken. To use the mouse when running under MS-Windows, the mouse driver must be loaded before loading Windows, otherwise the mouse will not function. FILE MODE & NOTE MODE ===================== 4FILES starts in FILE MODE, with the file management functions are enabled. <TAB> toggles between File Mode and Note Mode. You will notice that the menu changes with the mode, and you will find that while every command on each menu will work in its mode, some will also work in the other mode. There is not a enough space on the single menu line to list all commands for each mode, but they are logical and you'll catch on. 9. USING FILE MODE =============== The file mode commands are mnemonic keys: <C>opy, <M>ove, <R>ename, <D>elete, and <A>ttributes for single files. <^D>elete and <^A>ttributes for operation on marked files. <^C>opy, <^M>ove, <^R>ename and <^Z>ip marked file operations were not quite ready at the time of this release, but are in beta testing and version 3.0 will be provided free to all registered users beginning in mid September. (The 3.0 shareware release is planned for late fall.) <N>ew-directory, <K>ill-directory, <R>ename-directory. <^E>xecute-from-prompt, e<^X>ecute-now, and <^H>istory list execution. Copy, move and rename rely directly on 4DOS resources, and keep the file notes with their files. As implemented here, these commands are very rudimentary stop-gaps which shell to DOS. They will serve until the implementations in Version 3.0 (now complete and in beta-testing) are ready. Ability to copy and move marked files are also included in V-3.0, as well as zipping of single or marked multiple files, with their file notes saved as PKZIP comments. ^E presents a DOS command line loaded with the name of the current record, and the line editor is forced into insert mode. The cursor controls are identical to those for the note editor. ^E^E provides a blank command line in which you may enter any command; just like the DOS command line. ^Y deletes the command. The command typed-in is executed, and when it finishes the return to 4FILES is automatic. In many situations this is desirable, but in some cases (the DOS SET command is an example) the information you want to see flashes off the screen. To prevent this there are two ways to cause 4FILES to delay clearing the screen until a key is hit. One is to set the configuration switch named " Pause after DOS Command" to YES (NO is the factory default). The other is to append ++ to the ^E command line. ++ is a 4FILES flag, and is not actually part of the command. Either <G+> or <Shift=> may be used to generate +. If the switch is set to YES, a "- -" appendage will force an immediate return. If you wish to work directly from the DOS prompt for a while, type ^E^E <CR>. Executing the blank command line will load a secondary DOS shell, and you will remain in the shell until you type EXIT to return to 4FILES (see P.20). Back in 4FILES, you will be returned to the same drive:directory you were in before. <N>ew-directory and <K>ill-directory are the commands to make and remove directories. <R>ename works both for subdirectories and files. If you use LCD, ACD or NCD, the 4FILES N, K & R commands update the directory database. <F5> & <F6> mark and unmark records for such block operations. <^F5> & <^F6> mark and unmark all records. A count of marked files and marked bytes is shown on the second line in the "indicator" color. Marking may be done in both File & Note Modes. Marked file operations automatically pass over 10. subdirectories, and marking of DESCRIPT.ION is blocked. Note however that UPON EXIT OR DURING THE NEXT DIRECTORY CHANGE, if no file notes remain, DESCRIPT.ION will be deleted for you automatically. An empty DESCRIPT.ION may also be deleted via the "D" single file command. <NUM-LOCK>toggles between displaying file attributes and file creation time, and is functional in both File and Note Mode. A & D are the mnemonic commands to change file attributes and delete files. ^A and ^D act on all marked files. D requires a double-tap of the "Y" key for confirmation. If plain A is hit, an editable image of the current file's actual attributes is displayed for modification. If ^A is hit to operate on marked files, a template instead of an actual image is shown. In the template, each attribute letter is initially preceded by a "?" wildcard, indicating that the existing attribute will be unchanged. Repeatedly typing an attribute character (R, A, S or H) toggles the action on that attribute through a cycle of, for example, ?R, +R, -R, and back to ?R. + and - indicate the attribute will be forced "ON" or "OFF" for each file. When the <G+> browse key is hit on an .EXE file, 4FILES checks to see if it is a self-extracting archive in the ZIP, LHARC or LHA format. If so, FV (or your substituted utility) will be called to list the contents of the file. SORTING THE LIST OF FILES ========================= While the subdirectory portion of the list is always alphabetically sorted, the files-portion may be sorted in various ways either on-the-fly or via command line switches. The default sort is alphabetical, in ascending order. To change the sort on-the-fly, type S while in DOS mode. After making a selection, which may involve making settings for both type of sort and for ascending or descending order, a second tap on the last key hit will exit the sort menu and cause the sort to be made. <CR> will exit also. The command line sort switches are described below. /D may be used by itself or in combination with other switches, and affects only the primary sort. The following sorts also apply to on-the-fly setting:: SWITCH PRIMARY SORT SECONDARY SORT ------- ----------------- ------------------ DEFAULT FILENAME .EXT /E .EXT FILENAME /S File Size FILENAME.EXT /T File Time/Date FILENAME.EXT /N File Note FILENAME.EXT /D (Descending Order) (Descending Order) Except when sorting by filename, the primary sort field is highlighted with a color that is set on the configuration menu. International code pages are used for sorting as appropriate. The "tips" section has more about sorting. 11. ============= UTILITY PORTS FILE BROWSING, EDITING, UNZIPPING, DUPLICATE FINDING, etc. ============= ---------------------------------------------------------- Some of 4FILES' most useful functions are performed by automatically execut- ing other programs at the stroke of a key. Utility ports are the means by which you associate such programs with their various 4FILES control keys and setup 4FILES to send the command line information (switches, filenames, etc.) they need to be fed. These ports can be setup on the configuration screen. The use of utility ports allows you to use your favorite utilities or other programs for many important tasks -- a good way to let you customize 4FILES. Several programs are recommended below for varying functions. If you don't have these utilities, they may be downloaded free on your first call to my BBS, which is a subsystem of MAS-BBS in New York. The latest version of 4FILES and a collection of pertinent utilities are found there in separate directories. See the log-on instructions on the first page of this manual. BROWSING FILES ============== The <G+> key is overloaded in a sensible way. Not only will it allow you to " see" the contents of a subdirectory, if the highlighted record is a file, it will call up your favorite file browser or archive viewer with the file loaded. In File Mode, <CR> may be configured to duplicate the function of <G+>, although this is not recommended unless you really need it. 4FILES comes configured with the internal 4DOS LIST command as the browser, but any browser can be used. Shelling to DOS to run this internal command is slow, but by using browse utilities like TV.COM, PC-Magaizine's free BROWSE.COM or Vern Buerg's LIST.COM, your file will be displayed in a literal eye-blink. If the record is a .ZIP, .ARC, .DWC, .LBR, .LZH, .PAK or .ZOO archive, an archive inspector such as ZR.COM or Buerg's FV.COM will be called. FV shows a table of what's in any of the above archive types, but ZR actually browses files inside the archive (only for the .ZIP files, unfortunately). Both can be easily used since an alternate utility port for archives is mapped to <^G+>. Packed .EXE files in the PK, LHARC and SFX formats are handled by FV. While in these and other utilities, the mouse works "as initialized" by 4FILES, and provides scrolling and a quick return via the right button. The combination of <left-button>=<G+> and <right-button>=<ESC>, combined with movement of the 4FILES cursor bar by the mouse, allows one handed "rapid- fire" inspection of multiple files. (Note: if you load 4FILES via SHROOM or call a utility with SWAPDOS, the mouse will be automatically disabled, temporarily. This is necessary since the mouse handler gets overwritten.) In the midst of your rapid firing though, you will sometimes inadvertently exit from 4FILES (even without the mouse). To avoid this, you can reconfigure to disable quitting via the <ESC> key. The <^ESC> and <@ESC> keys still function, and allow you to quit to the original or current directory respectively. Improper <ESC> use will then display a menu of the proper keys. If you use NEWKEY, to enable 4FILES to use the <^ESC> key, run NEWKEYSP.EXE, pick "I" on the menu, and make an entry for <^ESC>. 12. EDITING FILES ============= <F2> calls your editor, loading it with the filename of the current record. As supplied, editor access to .COM .EXE .BIN .OBJ .SYS .LIB .WKS .DB & .OVL extensions and the seven above archive extensions is denied. The denied extensions may be reconfigured. Denials protect the integrity of non- text files. A second editor or word processor (or any utility, such as a .GIF viewer) may be mapped to <^F2>. The denied exten- sions apply to this key as well. If a disk is write-protected, <F2> will give an error message. If you have no editor, pick up PC-Mag's free TED.COM. Note that an "R" switch is provided in the configuration listing for each utility port. It forces reloading the current directory upon return from the utility, and should be "ON" for any editor or other utility which can change file size or directory contents. "W" (wait before redisplaying) should be off, since you will want to return immediately to 4FILES from the editor. To create a NEW file, hit <F2> while on a NON-FILE RECORD. This will not work if the "R" switch is off. You will be prompted for names for the new files, but may hit <CR> on the blank field blank if you wish. Some editors may not be able to utilize more than one filename from the command line. FINDING DUPLICATE FILES ======================= <F3> is initially set up to call a file finder utility called WHERE.EXE, loaded with the current file name. Bruce Gavin's utility FIND.EXE is a good one to use here. A utility of any type may be mapped to this key. UNZIPPING FILES =============== <F4> used to call 4UNZIP, a shareware utility which in turn calls PKUNZIP. A list is shown of the files archived in a .ZIP file, and files can be unzipped singly or in marked groups. Note: the current 4UNZIP version causes a crash (immediately or a soon after use, with or without 4FILES) if certain keyboard buffer-expanders are used. Test your setup! ==================== UTILITY PORTS IN USE ==================== One potential difficulty which 4FILES avoids is that some utilities and editors you might like to call allow you to delete/rename files or change drives/directories. When the utility is exited, 4FILES by default explicitly changes back to its last drive/directory and rereads the directory list. The bar is returned to the last record it was on, or if deleted, to the nearest record number possible. This process takes a little longer than assuming that the directory structure is unchanged, and also destroys the "+/-" note-modified indicators and any file marks, but is SAFE. Alternatively, you may tell 4FILES not to reload the directory by setting the "R" switch for the port. Use this switch ONLY if you know the subject utility is not capable of the operations mentioned in the previous 13. paragraph. Note that the switch for the browser is also operative when displaying Help or this manual with <F1> or <^F1>, since the browser is used to display these files. =============== USING NOTE MODE =============== ANNOTATING FILES ================ 4FILES supports file notes (or "descriptions" in 4DOS parlance) up to 40-characters long, and each directory with annotated files will contain a hidden file named DESCRIPT.ION, containing the note data for all files in the directory. Beginning with release 4.01, 4DOS can handle file notes up to 120-characters long, but 4FILES will not be able to use the extra capacity until a later release. For now though, 4FILES does detect notes of over 40-characters and will warn you of the situation. To limit creation of notes by 4DOS or other utilities to 40 characters, in your 4DOS.INI file be sure the directive DescriptionMax=040 is set, which is the default setting. File copying, moving, or renaming will always work properly however, since 4FILES relies directly on 4DOS resources for these functions. The only caveat is, again, that if a note has been edited, 4FILES will eventually rewrite DESCRIPT.ION, and only the first 40 characters of each note will be written. To put the "*" character in a note, the SHIFT-8 key must be used since <G*> has a special function. Great attention has been devoted to making 4FILES a true power tool for creating or modifying one or a multitude of notes. These are the features: CUT & PASTE & LINE DELETE ========================= <F9> initiates the text-copying mode. Highlight the desired text by moving the cursor horizontally, and then hit <CR> to put it in the paste buffer. <^F9> cuts (rather than copying) the text to the buffer, and <@F9> copies the whole note. <F10> pastes text in the buffer at the cursor position. If a PASTE causes an overflow of the 40-character note space, the note is moved to an 80-character space at the bottom of the screen. This expanded field is fully editable ( see following). Captured text stays in the buffer when changing drives or directories. <F10> is inactive in FLR mode. ^Y deletes the entire line. In earlier versions it cut the line to the cut- buffer, but now the buffer is loaded only via the various <F9> keys. ^Y is functional in notes and all text input fields and command lines. 14. EXPANDED EDIT FIELD =================== Expanded Field Mode is triggered whenever typing or pasting causes the length of the current note to exceed 40 characters, and allows editing over a full 80-character field. The note is moved to a highlighted 80- character field at the bottom of the screen and the 40-character field is blotted out. Two "eyebrows" of contrasting "blot" characters, each 40-characters long, are placed above this field, and act as a guide for where the over-long note will be truncated when <CR> or <ESC> is hit. The effect of the blotted out 40- character field, eyebrows, and highlighted bottom row is to draw your eyes down to the expanded field. To return to the 40-character field, hit <ESC> or <CR>. <ESC> will return to the current record and <CR> moves the cursor to the next record. In both cases the note is truncated after the 40th character. 4FILES will not accept more than 80 characters under any circumstances, and will block pasting or typing which would exceed that size. A 40- character long cut string can be pasted into a full 40-character note. FLUSH RIGHT (FLR) MODE ====================== To create notes which are easy to scan by eye, it is sometimes useful to make part of a note left justified and part of it right justified. Hitting <Sh-Rt-Arrow> provides right justified text in either of two ways: 1. If there is text to the right of the cursor, it is bumped over to the right margin. The cursor is not moved, and 4FILES remains in its normal, left justified editing mode. 2. If there is no text to the right of the cursor, 4FILES enters Flush- Right Mode (FLR). The cursor is moved to the right margin, and highlighted indicators are set-up to show the part of the note field which is available for FLR text entry. Text will grow leftward from the cursor, which is initially outside the field. Editing is forced into insert mode. All horizontal cursor movement keys are active. ^Left & ^Right behave slightly different than in normal mode, putting the cursor between words, and Shft-BS is enabled. Collision of new FLR text with any left-justified text is prevented. Cut and paste are not allowed. QUITTING FLR MODE ================= There are three ways to leave FLR mode, with differing effects on the text cursor and the cursor bar. In all cases, the pre-existing insert or overwrite mode will be restored. The choices: <ESC> Leaves the cursor where it is. <Sh-Left> Sends the cursor home. (Record-change) (All vertical cursor keys act normally.) INSERT / OVERWRITE MODES ======================== The INSERT mode default may be changed from the configuration menu. The active mode may be toggled with <INS>. 15. FULL CURSOR CONTROL =================== 4FILES has nice cursor control key-combinations, several of which are not more commonly available in programs because they are available only by writing a special keyboard interrupt handler. The cursor control keys are listed above in "Note Mode Commands". ============================== INTERNAL CONFIGURATION ROUTINE ============================== CUSTOMIZING 4FILES ================== You can change 4FILES' on-screen appearance, the INSERT / OVERWRITE default, "utility port" setups, and a number of other features. <Alt-F10> displays the configuration menu. Move between fields with the <TAB> or <CR> key. The menu on the bottom row is context sensitive, and changes for each section of the main menu. Changes may be permanently saved in a 4F.CFG configuration file or be used "session-only" without being saved. If 4FILES is renamed, any .CFG file which is created or saved will have a matching name. For loading a directory larger than 4FILES' normal 415 record capacity, the configuration code may be overwritten to increase capacity to 454 records. A switch on the configuration menu either allows this to happen automatically (when needed) or will prompt you to OK an overwrite. When the code is over- written, you will not be able to reconfigure until your next 4FILES session. Data for several "utility ports" is shown at the top of the screen. The first field of each line is the "utility field", and is for an alias name, file name, or complete filespec of a utility or application. A complete filespec may speed loading, but is not necessary if the program is in your PATH. A complete filespec can however dramatically speed loading the utility, and is recommended. In all cases, a file extension MUST be given. Valid extensions include .BAT, .BTM and .ALS. ".ALS" must be appended to aliases or internal commands. It is a flag for 4FILES, and is not included in the actual call. All commands without extensions will fail to execute. If you wish to swap 4FILES to EMS or XMS memory or a hard disk before executing a utility or application, SWAPDOS.COM can be used. Enter SWAPDOS in the utility field. The name of the program to be called then goes in the tail ("T=") field, preceded by any command line switches for SWAPDOS and followed by any of its own switches. Another swap program which can be used for this is SHROOM. 4FILES rather than the utility is loaded via SHROOM, so SHROOM should not be placed in a port's configuration. With SWAPDOS, swapping only occurs for the selected utilities, while SHROOM will swap for all utilities. On the other hand, SHROOM does fast executions via the DOS EXEC function, while SWAPDOS makes a slower shell to DOS. On any utility or DOS calls in which SHROOM or SWAPDOS is active, the mouse will be disabled during the call. Errors in calling .COM and .EXE programs from 4FILES (e.g. file not found) are shown as "configuration incorrect", but execution errors for batch files and aliases are not trapped. If execution is a quick flash on the screen, you need to repeat the operation with a "screen pause" to see what 16. is happening. There are two ways to do this; one global and one specific to the utility. To pause after execution of all utility, set the "Pause after DOS" configuration switch to "Y". This also affects ^E command line. To cause a particular utility to pause after execution, set its "W=" (wait) switch to "Y". Displaying Help and this manual with <F1> and <^F1> (respectively) will work only if the <G+> BROWSE key is configured correctly. The next field in the utility-port block is the command line tail. This sends filenames, command line switches or other parameters to the utility. "$F" inserts the current filename with extension, and may be placed where needed among the parameters. No spaces are needed before or after $F, saving space. $N works similarly for inserting the name of a file without its extension. The "W" field is a YES/NO field which determines whether or not 4FILES waits for a keyhit after the utility has finished executing. Set it to "Y" for utilities which run straight through and exit without any user input. The "R" field is also a YES/NO field which determines whether 4FILES reloads the directory list and DESCRIPT.ION file after the utility exits. It must be set to "Y" if the utility is capable of managing files or changing drives and directories. It should for example be "Y" for an editor or word processor. In the next configuration section, switches are provided for the following: Keyboard Code -- Two letter DOS keyboard-country-code. LEAVE THIS BLANK UNLESS YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. Takes effect next session. Typing Default -- The INSERT mode default can be changed to OVERTYPE. Other Keyboard -- Set this to "Y" if 4FILES assumes the non-optimum keyboard layout for your computer. Selects <SCL-LCK>, <G*> or (on laptops) <Fn*> as active for drive:dir changes. Disable <ESC> -- To avoid inadvertent exits via <ESC> set this to "Y" and exit with <^ESC> or <@ESC>. If you use NEWKEY, see P.10. In MS-Windows this switch has no effect. Enable Mouse -- "N" leaves the mouse set up as-received by 4FILES. Exit Colors -- Selects the previous DOS colors or those set by 4FILES. Exit Blinking -- 4FILES disables blinking to allow all color choices. To restore blinking on exit & in utility calls, set to "Y". Snow Prevention - Set to "Y" if your CGA monitor has a snow problem. Sound On/Off -- The beep is on by default, and may be turned off. Config Overwriting -- Allows AUTOMATIC overwrite of configuration code to increase capacity from 412 to 454 records. 17. Pause After DOS -- If the result of an (^E)xecute flashes off screen, set this to "Y", or alternatively enter "++" at the end of the command line. Both await a keyhit. Last comes a section for selecting colors or monochrome highlights. Navigate this submenu with <TAB>, <G+> and horizontal arrows. Separate data is kept for colors and monochrome highlights, and the appropriate set is activated at runtime, for clean running when moved to any machine. Some color combinations may not work with some "ported utilities". For example, if a utility automatically sets up a black on white cursor bar without clearing the screen to white on black text first, AND if you have 4FILES text set to black on white, you won't see the cursor bar. This occurs with 4UNZIP & VDE.COM. The only solution is to pick text colors for 4FILES which avoid the conflict. Please write to authors of such programs and request a "smarter" set up of screen attributes in the next version. Please notify me as well. On exit from configuration, new and old data are compared, and you are prompted to save the configuration only if there is a difference. ================ DISPLAY FEATURES ================ 4FILES works with any video text mode of 80x25 or higher. Except for HGC, MDA and CGA video cards, if a higher mode is used it will be automatically implemented. For HGC, MDA and CGA running higher modes (such as with UltraVision), the /+ command line switch must be used. The reason is that not all cards in this class are 100% BIOS compatible, in some cases defeating the automatic detection, and this arrangement assures that all systems will run " out of the box" in 80x25 mode. When calling 4FILES from an application running a higher mode, 80x25 mode may be forced with the /8 switch. When calling utilities or shelling, the screen may look its best (depending on your color choice) if ANSI.SYS is not loaded. If a CGA video card is detected a no-snow video writing method is used by default. For faster displays, this method may be configured "off". "T" and "E" indicators near the top and bottom of the screen indicate that the top or end of the listing is shown on screen. Used disk bytes are shown in File Mode, and the 4FILES version number is shown in Note Mode. A file count is displayed at all times. An "S" indicator with an up arrow symbol on the top row means the file search direction is upward. "PROTECTED" and "ROOT FULL" messages indicate that the full range of file management and note editing features are not available for the current disk. Records with altered notes are flagged with a "+/-" character at mid-line. A different character is shown for unaltered notes. A "delta" character next to a filename means the file is marked for group file management. 18. =================================== OPERATING WITH SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTS =================================== RUNNING UNDER MS-WINDOWS ======================== 4FILES runs well as a non-Windows application. Windows is detected automatically, and regardless of the 4FILES configuration setting for the ESC key, the CTRL-ESC and ALT-ESC keys will serve their Windows functions. ESC, unaugmented, is used to terminate 4FILES. Use the Windows PIF Editor to setup for 4FILES. On the PIF Editor screen, enter the pathspec for 4FILES and "4FILES" for the "window title". Set the memory required and desired to 64K and 640K respectively. Set "video memory" and "display usage" for text and full-screen respectively. (In use, ALT-ENTER swaps between full-screen and a smaller window, but the mouse will not function in the small window.) When finished, save the PIF with the "File" "Save-As" menu. To edit the entry later, choose "File" "Open". Next, highlight the 4FILES icon and choose "File" "Properties" from the Program Manager menu. Complete the setup on the menu which is displayed; an icon is provided with 4FILES, or use the Swiss army knife icon. For regular 4FILES use (except during evaluation under COMMAND.COM) be sure your COMSPEC environment variable specifies 4DOS or NDOS. To use the mouse in 4FILES, your mouse driver MUST be loaded prior to loading Windows. Although Windows does not need a pre-loaded driver, 4FILES does. To use 4FILES to its best advantage in Windows, load it automatically for each Windows session via the Windows Startup Group. When you exit 4FILES with Alt-ESC or Ctrl-ESC, this will put the 4FILES icon at the bottom of the screen where it will be accessible from other programs you will be running. Alternatively you can access 4FILES via the Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt) . Having 4FILES readily available should prove very handy since the directory display of Windows applications is typically very terse, and 4FILES allows use of file notes while File Manager does not. RUNNING UNDER OS/2 ================== Users report that 4FILES runs well in an OS/2 2.0 VDM. The author does not yet have OS/2, and has not fine-tuned 4FILES for oper- ation under it, other than using Alt-ESC & Ctrl-ESC as above. Suggestions for use under OS/2 are welcome. An OS/2 icon is provided. In Presentation Manager, OS/2 converts 3-button mice to 2-button action, unfortunately. RUNNING UNDER DESQVIEW ====================== 4FILES is now DESQview (DV) aware, and may be used in small or full windows. Note that even though 4FILES is fully DV-aware, "Writes directly to screen" must be set to "yes" since utilities you call from 4FILES may not be DV-aware. DV's Transfer and Learn functions are fully functional, even though 4FILES does employ its own keyboard handler. 4FILES' time slice will be released while 4FILES is idling. Sufficient memory must be allotted to 4FILES for itself plus the largest utility (or the DOS secondary shell) which will be called from within it. You may wish to have "Open" menu entries for a few copies of 4FILES, each 19. with a different name and its own .CFG file. For example, one copy might be setup to call TED (a small freeware text editor) as the editor so 4FILES can be fully functional with minimal memory requirements; and another copy might call Multi- Edit (a full featured editor) and be set up for 350+K of memory. Due to 4FILES' small size it is realistic to use multiple copies ( each with its own .CFG file) to provide this flexibility. When setting up for 4FILES it is suggested that the filename plus extension be used, causing DV to load 4FILES directly itself rather than calling DOS to load it. This saves several K of memory and saves much time during utility calls since execution will be direct. On utility calls if DOS loaded 4FILES, DV will shell to DOS before the utility is loaded. Also, if a utility is called while 4FILES is in a small window, the utility's screen may appear to be blank and unscrollable, depending on the location of text on the page. In this situation just zoom the window to full size. In the DV setup for 4FILES, set "Uses it's own colors" to yes, but don't use colors which interfere with blinking. For example, when dark grey is used for the 4FILES list background, 4FILES will display correctly but when you switch to another window the whole 4FILES window will blink. Some monochrome highlight choices have this same effect. Under DESQview the 4FILES CTRL-ESC and ALT-ESC keys loose their meaning since 4FILES will always load showing its home directory. These keys can still be useful though, allowing "plain" ESC to be deactivated as described herein. I am not an "ace" DV user yet, and will make refinements as I learn more. Suggestions from experienced DV users are welcome & encouraged! =============== SAFETY FEATURES =============== DISK OVERFLOW PREVENTION ======================== In DOS, a file write which exceeds disk capacity truncates the file, usually with no immediate outward indication of a problem. Automatic protection against such data loss must be provided by the program itself, and 4FILES has an excellent overflow prevention system. Competing programs do not check for disk overflow; some simply truncate the file, and some truncate it to zero length. Some give absolutely no warning, and others warn only after the damage is done. Whenever you change records or directories, 4FILES checks for an over- flow condition. If your edits exceed disk capacity, you are immediately alerted with a message giving the number of excess bytes. At this point the note file is still in memory, and operations which would cause a file write are blocked. These include drive or directory changes, calling browse or edit utilities, and quitting. Meanwhile, you have FULL editing freedom, even text insertion and pasting(!). The overflow bytes message is updated on each record change, and the tally can run up as high as necessary. When the message stops appearing, the notes will then fit on disk and blocked-off functions are re-enabled. 20. Entirely deleting a note deducts more than the note size from the overflow; the length of the "filename.ext" plus three delimiter bytes are also nixed. If you delete a file (as opposed to just its note) or subdirectory with the D or K commands, the space freed up from the record and its note will be properly accounted for. Changes during ^E operations are accounted for also since the directory is always reread afterward. 4FILES pinpoints available disk space down to the last byte. In one unusual circumstance the overflow detection behavior may seem strange, although it is still working correctly. Writing a new file requires at least one cluster of disk space (1024, 2048, or 4096 bytes, depending on the drive). Writing the first note in a subdirectory requires one cluster of available space, but if the disk is already full, doing so will cause an overflow condition. You might try going to another subdirectory that has notes and deleting a few notes, but this probably will not work. You may appear to free up enough bytes, but unless this also frees up a cluster 4FILES will still indicate an overflow since one does in fact exist. READ ONLY "TRAP" AVOIDED ======================== 4DOS and 4FILES can move and edit notes only if the "attribute" of the DESCRIPT.ION file allows a file write. Unfortunately, the "READ-ONLY" attribute can be inadvertently set by some utilities, especially those which can operate on blocks of files (such as XTREE Pro). When loading a directory, 4FILES checks ahead for the READ-ONLY attribute, and will prompt you to clear it. Competing programs aren't so nice. They let you edit notes and appear to save your notes to disk -- but ... uh, uh, surprise! Your work is gone. 4FILES won't let you waste effort making edits which can't be saved, nor will it lose them under any circumstances. If you say "NO" to clearing the attribute during a directory change, you return to the old directory. During 4FILES startup, picking "NO" terminates the program. "YES" clears the bit, and operations are normal. NEVER intentionally mark a DESCRIPT.ION file "READ-ONLY" for any reason. 4FILES catches the error, but 4DOS doesn't check for it. As a result, a file moved or copied TO the affected directory will lose its note. A file in that directory would also lose its note if it is renamed. 4FILES also will not allow you to use the A or ^A commands to change the attributes of DESCRIPT.ION, nor will it allow you to copy or rename it. It may be deleted only if all notes have been erased. Such protections are essential to the safety of the description system. TIMELY INACCESSIBLE-DISK DETECTION ================================== Files on a write protected disk cannot be altered, and if the root directory is full, files can't be added to it. During 4FILES startup and all drive or directory changes an immediate check is made to see if one of those conditions exists. If so, you will be alerted with a prominent "PROTECTED" or "ROOT FULL" message. As appropriate, certain 4FILES functions are disabled, and you will get an error message if you try to use them. For example, in a full root you will not be able to 21. edit notes unless the DESCRIPT.ION file already exists. You can view files on a protected disk, but file management and note editing is impossible. No wasted time writing notes you can't save!! INTERNAL CRITICAL ERROR HANDLER =============================== DOS handles some simple, common problems as critical errors, and can disrupt execution of a program. These problems include leaving a drive door open or calling a drive with no disk inserted. 4FILES has its own INT24 handler to treat such problems seamlessly. It also goes to extra effort to handle use of drives A and B in single floppy systems seamlessly. =========== 4FILES TIPS =========== Here are some ideas for making the most of 4FILES in everyday use. 1) TEAMWORK WITH LARGE APPLICATIONS: 4FILES is a real time saver when used in conjunction with some application programs. For example, you can write a 4DOS alias which loads 4FILES whenever you exit your communications program. Using Procom as an example, if you create this 4DOS/NDOS alias: ALIAS COM = C:\COM\PROCOM ^ 4FILES C:\COM\DOWN /T/D the command "COM" will cause 4FILES to be load when Procom exits. Your download directory will be shown sorted in reverse order by file creation time, placing new files at the top. Using /E/D would put .ZIPS at the top. Then, using <G+> you may view the contents of a new text or .ZIP file. To unzip a file, type F4 to call PKUNZIP or 4UNZIP. For added flexibility in unzipping, you can use the ^E command line. For example, I often send PKUNZIP output to an empty directory, so inconsistently named files in the archive don't get lost in a lengthy directory, and so READ.ME files don' t get overwritten inadvertently. I maintain several directories for this purpose, named \DUMP1, \DUMP2, etc. To get to one of these directories quickly after unzipping, type <G**>, then the directory name; or move through your directory tree with <G-> & <G+>. 2) MORE ROOM FOR BIG APPLICATIONS: To make more room for big applications, you can use SHROOM or SWAPDOS. SHROOM will swap 4FILES to disk, and SWAPDOS will swap it to EMS or XMS memory or to disk. SHROOM may be faster for you since 4FILES is a small swap and the following execution is made via the DOS EXEC function. SWAPDOS shells to DOS to execute the program, and this takes considerable time. The freed-up memory may make the difference between your application running or not running. 3) MULTIPLE 4FILES CONFIGURATIONS: You can write a variety of aliases to quickly load 4FILES in specialized, frequently used configurations. An alias called 4FE might call 4FILES with the /E switch set. Another called 4FT, might make the call 4FILES C:\WP\TEXT. In such aliases, giving the full pathspec to 4FILES may speed loading, or you may want to have the directory containing 4FILES listed early in your PATH statement. 22. 4) SPEED YOUR RETURN AFTER SHELLING TO DOS: use this alias: ALIAS = E EXIT. Then "E <CR>" gets you back to 4FILES (or other shelling program) fast from the secondary shell. 5) REMEMBER THE "DOUBLE-TAP" KEYS: ^E^E, < G**>, and the double strokes to quit the Sort menu. Also <G***> to return to the previous directory. 6) FREEZING THE SCREEN (A): With the ^E command or when using a utility port with a batch file or alias, a message might flash off screen too fast to read, or it might appear that nothing happens at all. Appending a "++" to the command will freeze the screen after execution until a key is hit, allowing you to see what happened. Also, 4FILES can be configured to pause after every execution. 7) FREEZING THE SCREEN (B): Some utilities you may like to use will scroll several pages right off the screen. The solution is to call an alias, as in these examples calling Borland's TDUMP. They are most conveniently placed in an alias file, but can be entered on the command line if the alias expansion is enclosed in single quotes (once entered they are in memory, ready for use). "=" is not needed from the command line. ALIAS HEX=C:\PROG\TDUMP.EXE %1-h | MORE or ALIAS HEX=C:\PROG\TDUMP.EXE %1-h | C:\UTIL\LIST.COM /S The first example pipes to an MSDOS resource which pauses at the end of each page. The later pipes output into Vern Buerg's LIST program, which allows back and forth scrolling through the output. To put this to heavy use, map "HEX.ALS" to the 4FILES F3 key. (This is just an example; it is really more efficient to use LIST.COM's ability to do a hex dump directly by configuring <G+> or <F3> to call it with $F/h in the command tail.) 8) OPTIMUM KEYBOARD: We all get set in our ways so it may take some adjustment, but if your function keys are across the top, getting a keyboard with F-keys on the left will REALLY speed up your work in all programs and make it more accurate. In 4FILES the proximity of these keys to <ESC>, <TAB>, <CTRL> and <ALT> is handy, especially when marking/ unmarking all files with ^F5 and ^F6. My switch to such a keyboard was VERY rewarding! If you have a laptop computer, check out the separate cursor keypad units described above under "Directory Navigation". 9) FAST LOADING OF CALLED UTILITIES: On the configuration screen, provide the full pathspec and filename for each utility, rather than relying on DOS to search for the program in your PATH. Your utilities will load in the blink of an eye; relying on PATH you will probably notice at least some delay, and perhaps a lot if the directory holding the program is deep in your PATH. 10) FAST CHANGE TO ROOT DIRECTORY: ON 101-key keyboards, you can make a quick, one-handed change to the root directory since 4DOS will recognize either "\" or "/" during a directory change. There is a "/" key next to <G*>. So ... just hit: <G**> / <CR> and you're there. Of course, repeated hits on <G-> will be faster if you aren't too many levels down. 23. 11) COLOR SUGGESTION FOR COLOR MONITORS: As supplied 4FILES displays in colors that won't interfere with screen blinking. Through experiment- ation I have come up with two other color schemes which I feel are easier on the eyes, as well as being functional. In particular, they give a good balance between the color of the cursor bar and the colors of both normal text and sorted fields. The best one uses a dark grey background, which may require switch adjustments on the 4FILES configuration menu if you have blinking troubles with utilities which are called from 4FILES (the same attribute bit can mean "dark grey" or "blinking character" depending on whether the blink-enable bit is turned on or off in the BIOS -- and some programs fail to set this bit to the state they need to have it in). COLOR SET #1 COLOR SET #2 ------------------------- ----------------------- FIELD || BACKGROUND CHARACTER || BACKGROUND CHARACTER ------------- || ---------- ----------- || ---------- ---------- NORMAL TEXT || Dark Grey Dark Green || Black Dark Cyan SORTED FIELD || Dark Grey Light Yell || Black Light Yell CURSOR BAR || Light Grey Black || Light Grey Black CUT HI-LIGHT || Dark Red Black || Dark Grey Light Red FUNCTION KEY || Dark Grey Light Grey || Light Grey Black MENU TEXT || Dark Grey Dark Cyan || Black Rust INDICATORS || Dark Red Light White || Dark Red Light Grey ==================================== 4FILES ... ORIGIN & FUTURE EVOLUTION ==================================== 4FILES is coded entirely in assembly language for high speed and small size, and the work involved has been considerable (and the job isn't done). The concept arose from the lack in 4DOS of two things. First, 4DOS has no good means to create or edit the file notes it otherwise handles so well. The 4DOS internal note editor is basic and frustrating to use. Second, while 4DOS has its own internal transfer commands (COPY, MOVE and RENAME) which automatically keep notes with their files, it does not have a good way to perform these operations on marked groups of files. 4DOS unaware utilities capable of block operations (such as XTREE-PRO) are unsatisfactory, since they are oblivious to file notes and will trash them. 4FILES' many file management features do not yet include functions for copying, moving or renaming marked groups of files, BUT these features are up and running in Version 3.0, which is now being beta-tested. 3.0, available in a few weeks, has improved Copy, Move and Rename functions for single files and can also apply them to marked groups of files. It can also zip single or marked files with their file descriptions as PKZIP comments. All registered users will get a free copy as soon as it's ready. Version 4.0 will have an internal ability to unzip and view archived files, 120-character file description ability, and built-in swapping to EMS/XMS. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: My deepest thanks go out to John Fox, Tom Schulte, Mike Bessy, Pierre Jelenc, Ward Yelverton, Mack Tanner, Roland Friedrich, and Ralf 24. Berg who have all been of great help to me in refining 4FILES, finding bugs, and identifying system dependent conflicts. Also, thanks to Roland for the Windows and OS/2 icons, which are in the 4FILES screen colors he uses. ============================================================================ AGREEMENT -- USE / REGISTRATION / DISTRIBUTION / & LICENSING OF "4FILES" ============================================================================ WHAT YOU GET FOR REGISTRATION ============================= Registration is $20 and entitles you to: 1) Free technical support; 2) a copy of the latest version, with personalized exit message, and a free registered copy of V-3.0 by mail immediately upon release. Timely notification of releases beyond V-3.0 will be sent; 3) a nice, printed manual for $3.50 at time of registration, or $5.00 if ordered later; 4) I have also been very liberal about providing free incremental registered upgrades as major features are added on the way to what is promised for V-3.0. 4FILES has been a very time consuming project because I have gone to great pains both to maximize its convenience and power and to assure protection of your data. I regret that V-3.0 is not yet available, but even so, the existing power and convenience is, I believe, considerable. Please recognize this effort by registering your copy promptly if you put it to useful work, and by passing 4FILES on to others who might enjoy it. AGREEMENT FOR USE AND DISTRIBUTION ================================== 4FILES and its documentation are copyrighted intellectual property which are distributed as shareware, and may be used or distributed only in compliance with the terms and conditions which follow. 4FILES is neither free nor in the public domain. All rights are reserved worldwide by the author. Any use of 4FILES constitutes your agreement to all provisions herein. USE & REGISTRATION FOR A SINGLE COMPUTER ======================================== Use of 4FILES is free during your evaluation period. This period ends when you begin to use 4FILES for any useful work which is not incidental to exploring its capabilities, and may not exceed 30-days beyond your acquisition date. When you use 4FILES for the primary purpose of accomplishing useful work (as contrasted to a genuine evaluation) you are obligated to do your "share" of the shareware arrangement by registering your copy promptly. Registration is only $20, and a form is provided in the file 4F-REGST.TXT MULTIPLE USE & SITE LICENSING ============================= A site license is required if 4FILES can potentially be used simultaneously on more than one computer, terminal or workstation in a business, institution, organization, government agency, home, etc. To apply for a license, please fill out the registration form in 4F_REG.TXT. A sample site license and rates are contained in the file 4F-SITE.TXT 25. DISTRIBUTION OF 4FILES ====================== Distribution by any means is encouraged, provided that: 1) The distribution includes all original files (see Packing List, below) in their unaltered forms and with unaltered filenames. If the package is incomplete its distribution is prohibited; please contact me for a complete package. Do not include a configuration file in the distrib- ution. A BBS may add a tag file listing it as the source, and disk vendors may add introductory or installation batch files. 2) A distribution fee does not exceed $8 if 4FILES is distributed alone or $12 (in 1991 dollars) if it is packed on-disk with other programs, UNLESS a higher figure has been approved in writing. Commercial vendors who are not members of ASP must have written permission to distribute. Please inquire as necessary. 3) In any vendor catalog or other publication, it is clearly stated that this is shareware and that $20 must be paid to Hand-Crafted Software if the program is useful, in addition to the distribution fee (if any). 4) 4FILES may not be included or bundled with other goods or services without express written permission of the author. WARRANTY & DISCLAIMER ===================== Any use of 4FILES constitutes your agreement that it is provided "as-is" with no express or implied warranty (other than free technical support), that you assume full responsibility for assuring that it performs acceptably on your system, and that in no event shall Larry Edwards, Hand-Crafted Software or their successors be held liable for any damages arising from use of the program. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope you think my soft "wares" are terrific; much extra effort has been expended toward that end. Your registration will be (or is) much apprec- iated. Please let me know of any improvements you would like. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============ PACKING LIST (All files except 4F.COM & TV.COM are readable text files.) ============ 4F .COM 4FILES Program file. 4F .DOC Full documentation. 4F .HLP HELP text file. 4F .VER Version update details and history. 4F-READ .ME Introductory information, and a word on compatibility. 4F-REG .TXT Registration form. 4F-SITE .TXT Sample site license & rates. 4F-VEND .TXT Info for SYSOPs & disk vendors. 4F-0S2 .ICO Icon for use with OS/2. 4F-WIN .ICO Icon for use with Windows. FILE_ID .DIZ Description for BBSs. TV .COM Public domain file browser. (May be omitted for distrib.) TV .DOC (May be omitted for distribution) 26. =========================================== DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING 4FILES =========================================== For simple instructions see Quick Start on page 3. The following assumes you do not have a text editor, and it will take but a few minutes. "< >" means a keyboard key. 1) The PATH is an internal list of specified drives and subdirectories where DOS will look for a program you are trying to execute, if the program cannot be found on the current drive and directory. To see if you have a PATH set up, type "PATH" on the DOS command line. If the message given is "No PATH", goto step 2. Otherwise, write down one of the paths (there is a ";" separating them) which is listed and in which you wish to store 4FILES. Go to step 3. 2. Change to your "boot" drive and directory by typing C: (or A: if you booted from a floppy) and typing <Enter>. Then type CD \<Enter> to get to the "root" directory. Type DIR<Enter> and look to see if you have the file AUTOEXEC.BAT. If so, go to step 3. We will create an AUTOEXEC.BAT file now. It will be called everytime you boot your computer, setting your PATH and making a nicer DOS prompt. Type: COPY CON AUTOEXEC.BAT <Enter>. Then, substituting your drive for "d", type: PATH=d:\UTIL<Enter>PROMPT=$P$G<Enter><Ctrl-Z><Enter> Then go to step 4. 3. Add a PATH statement to your existing AUTOEXEC.BAT file by typing: COPY AUTOEXEC.BAT + CON AUTOEXEC.BAT<Enter>. What you type on the "console" is now appended to the file. Type: PATH=d:\UTIL<Enter><Ctrl-Z><Enter>, where " d" is the letter of your boot drive. 4. Put the 4FILES disk in drive A: and type: COPY A:4F*.* \UTIL<Enter> to copy all 4FILES files to the directory. (Substitute a different directory for \UTIL as necessary.) Also type: COPY A:TV.* \UTIL . 5. 4FILES is now installed. Since 4FILES is in your PATH now, typing 4F will start it up no matter what drive or directory you are currently in. 6. Start 4FILES by typing 4F. Then hit the <Alt-F10> key. The bar will be on the line for the <G+> key (the "grey-plus" key). It is set to LIST.ALS if the program has its factory settings, allowing file viewing if you have 4DOS installed. We'll change it; type-in d:\UTIL\TV.COM if TV.COM was included with your 4FILES, and type <ESC>P. Move the highlight bar to any file, press <G+>, and TV will display the file and let you browse it. <ESC> quits to 4FILES. Move the bar to the UTIL directory and then press <G+>. You are now in that directory (if this fails, use <Scroll-Lock>). Move down to the 4F-READ.ME file and hit <G+> to browse it. When done, hit <TAB> and type (or modify) a file note. Then hit <G-> to return to the parent directory. Move elswhere in that list and hit <G*> 3 times. Your're back to the previous directory. Quit with <ESC> or <Alt-ESC>. More in the manual. ======================================================================== 27. 4FILES REGISTRATION FORM u9 ======================== Larry T. Edwards // Hand-Crafted Software Box 6001 // Sitka, Ak 99835 USA // (907)-747-8996 ALTERNATIVELY, YOU MAY REGISTER BY PHONE: Call PsL (Public software Library) at 800-2424-PsL to register single copies. The registration fee at PSL is slightly higher to cover a portion of the cost of this service. Your signature here or registration with PsL signifies acceptance of the agreement contained near the end of the documentation. ===== PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY! ===== 4FILES VERSION #____ Your name: _____________________________________ Position:_________________ Company: _______________________________________ Phone: (W) ______________ Street or Box: ___________________________________ (H) ______________ City/State/Zip: __________________________________ Country: ______________ I got 4FILES from (name BBS/vendor/etc):________________, ____________ Forum E-Mail UIDs: CIS ___________. Genie ___________. INTERNET: _________________ Using 4FILES with: __ MSDOS __ DRDOS __Windows __OS/2 Version ____ with: __ 4DOS __ NDOS __ Neither Version ____ Send upgrade by postal mail on: __ 5.25" disk __ 3.5" disk. $__ Our (my) operation can't possibly use more than one copy of 4FILES simultaneously. $20 is enclosed to register one copy. $__ Our (my) operation hereby applies for a site license to install 4FILES for use on up to ___ computers or terminals. Payment according to the schedule in the file 4F-SITE.TXT is enclosed (call if file is lost). $__ Send ___ printed manuals for $4.00 each (one per installation max). $__ Send copies of the shareware & public domain utilities described in this manual for $5.00. ===== $__ TOTAL enclosed. Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _______________ ================================================================ COMMENTS / PROBLEMS / CHANGES OR ADDITIONS YOU DESIRE IN 4FILES: ================================================================ (Please comment on the back of this page.)