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/----------------\ | | | PURGE | | | | Version 2.2 | | | \----------------/ Copyright (C) 1991,1992 by Software Designs, Inc. All Rights Reserved Software Designs, Inc. is a Registered AutoCAD Developer and a Member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) _______ ____|__ | (tm) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER SHAREWARE VERSION MANUAL . TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- Page # ------ 1) What is PURGE? 1 2) Why use PURGE? 1 3) What is the definition of Shareware? 2 4) Disclaimer - Agreement 3 5) Installation 4 6) Using PURGE 5,6 7) If you have problems or questions... 7 8) What do I get for Registering Purge? 8 9) Pricing Policies 9 10) Ordering PURGE 10 11) Comment Form 11 Appendices: A) What is Shareware?/What is the ASP? 12,13 B) The ASP Ombudsman 14 C) Who is SDI? 15 What other AutoCAD utilities does SDI sell? D) Note to Vendors and Foreign Users 16 E) Revision History 17 F) Acknowledgements 18 . 1 - WHAT IS PURGE? ------------------ PURGE is a utility which allows multiple file purging at high speed without using scripts or batch files. PURGE will read in the current directory and allow you to select any or all drawing files for purging. PURGE can root out those deeply nested blocks and layers 100% in a SINGLE pass and save LOTS of disk space! Highlights: -Multiple File Capability -Do any or all of: Blocks, Layers, Styles, Dimstyles, Linetypes, Shapes -High Speed -Purge files in a SINGLE pass -Windowed Environment -Complete Before-and-After Size Reports -Compatible with Versions 2.5 - 11 2 - WHY USE PURGE? ------------------ Having used AutoCAD in a production environment for 5 years now, we've seen how much productivity decreases when the user has to: a) wait increasingly longer to bring drawings up, b) deal with the confusion involved with a drawing that has 26 unused blocks, 10 unused layers, etc. and c) shell out of AutoCAD to figure out a way of "creating" an extra 50K of disk space to save their work The only way we have found to deal with this SOMEWHAT effectively is through the use of script files and performing a massive purge at the end of each week. This involves writing a script to bring up every drawing and invoke the AutoCAD purge command SEVERAL times. This is necessary since the AutoCAD purge command won't always purge the drawing in a single pass (PURGE does). If you haven't dealt with script files, don't worry, PURGE will eliminate this. If you have used this technique, you know what we're talking about. As you might have guessed by now, the answer to "why use PURGE?" is that PURGE WILL INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY!!! We use it in an engineering environment everyday and LOVE IT. Another question that you might ask yourself is "If PURGE is so good, why not go retail instead of Shareware?" (If you're not familiar with the Shareware concept, read the next section and then read the following). The answer is simple: we believe that the Shareware concept is a more FAIR way of distributing software! We've bought enough commercial programs that either don't do what we wanted (we wouldn't have bought them if we knew they wouldn't) or have had bugs and had to wait for work-arounds or patches from the manufacturer. Not to mention that we don't have a million-dollar advertising budget! In any case, go ahead and integrate PURGE into your AutoCAD environment. If it doesn't suit your needs, just erase it. If you fall in love with PURGE, as we're sure you will, just follow the registration procedures and register with us. The registration instructions and terms will appear later in this document... _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 1 3 - WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE? (See appendix A also) ---------------------------------------- DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The shareware author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are also low. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 2 4 - DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT -------------------------- Users of PURGE must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "PURGE is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse- quential, which may result from the use of PURGE." PURGE is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using PURGE and continue to use PURGE after a reasonable trial period, you must make a reg- istration payment of $69.95 + applicable tax + S/H to Software Designs, Inc. The $69.95 + applicable tax + S/H registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of PURGE must register and pay for their copies of PURGE within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by con- tacting Software Designs, Inc. Anyone distributing PURGE for any kind of remuneration must first contact Software Designs, Inc. at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering PURGE immediately (However Software Designs, Inc. must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of PURGE.). You are encouraged to pass a copy of PURGE along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the PURGE system. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 3 5 - INSTALLATION ---------------- Quick Start: ------------ Simply copy all of the PURGE files into a directory in your path (e.g. ACAD). Move to the directory where the drawing files exist then type 'PURGE' at the DOS prompt. Set the PURGE filters (keys 1-6), tag the drawings you want to purge and hit ENTER. That's it! Troubleshooting: ---------------- If PURGE doesn't come up when you type PURGE at the DOS prompt, try the following: - Go to the directory where PURGE was copied. - Check to see that PURGE is there by executing the directory command. If not, try copying PURGE to the directory again. If it is, make sure that this directory is actually in your path. Type "PATH" at the DOS prompt and check to see if this directory is contained in the path. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 4 6 - USING PURGE --------------- Use the space bar to tag the .DWG files to be purged and press ENTER. To purge a single file, simply highlight the desired file with the cursor keys and press ENTER. Use the number keys 1-6 to toggle whether any or all of Blocks, Linetypes, Dimstyles, Layers or Shapes/Styles should be purged. If the 'Defaults' option is off, the current layer, linetype and style will not be purged (whether or not any entities use these current settings). If 'Defaults' is on and no entities use the current default settings, the current defaults will be changed to the base settings (layer 0, linetype continuous, style standard) and the default settings will be purged. This option is included in case you don't want to purge any layers, linetypes or styles that are not used but are the current defaults. Press ESC to quit processing at any time. The current drawing file being processed will not be purged. NOTES: ------ - If ESC is pressed while a drawing is being processed, PURGE will finish purging the current file, then rewrite the finished file with the .BAK file. Therefore, no changes will have been made to the file that was being purged. - Although PURGE uses a highly-optimized and efficient algorithm for purging, large drawings can take a long time to purge. Please don't reboot while PURGE is running - if you need to stop purging in middle of a number of files, hit ESCAPE. This will avoid any problems with lost or bad drawings. - .BAK files are generated automatically. There is no option to not generate backup files. This was decided on to prevent the losing the original drawing in case there is a power outage or hard-disk crash while PURGE is running. We suggest that the purged drawings be tested in AutoCAD before erasing the .BAK files to verify that an undetectable "brown-out" or "kicked-disk" did not corrupt the purged drawing. If proper precautions are observed, PURGE will provide reliable operation consistently. - The purged drawings will retain the date and time of the original drawing file. We suggest that you use a date change utility if you would like the purging date reflected on the new drawing file. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 5 - Most users have found that having more than 500 files in a directory is just about the maximum that they could manage. Therefore, PURGE only allows 250 .DWG files to be processed at a time (2 x 250 = 500). We suggest that you break your files into directories of 250 each if you need to process a very large amount drawings. Troubleshooting: ---------------- If you receive any of the following messages while in PURGE, please write down exactly where the error occured and give us a call: - Floating point Error - Stack Overflow - Any AutoCAD-generated error when loading a drawing into AutoCAD Almost all problems involving these errors are a function of your unique system configuration. Please contact us immediately for help. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 6 7 - IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS... ---------------------------------------- The quickest response will be through the use of Compuserve or BIX since we check for mail every night at 5:30 EST and usually post responses before 8:00 EST. If you have a Compuserve or BIX account, direct your mail to: Compuserve: 70353,1604 BIX: sleonardis If you don't have access to Compuserve or BIX, we can be reached at the following address and phone #: Software Designs, Inc. 858 Austerlitz Rd. Paris, Ky. 40361-9055 (606) 987-6129 (please leave a message - we WILL get back to you) The phone number 606-268-8908 has been confused with SDI lately. Please don't use this number - only 606-987-6129 is valid. Thanks. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 7 8 - WHAT DO I GET FOR REGISTERING PURGE? ---------------------------------------- When you register, you'll be entitled to the following: - Updates for major upgrades (just S/H of $6, $9 for overseas) - A disk for each machine registered (except for network users running a single copy of PURGE from a server) - Your registered copy of PURGE will perform IDENTICALLY to the shareware version you've been using except that the register screen won't appear. - Unlimited support by Cserve, BIX, telephone, US mail, etc. (*) - The satisfaction of supporting a solid, useful Shareware program... (*) Please note that our "Unlimited Support" policy is for questions or problems related to our products only. Like you, we have severe demands on our time and can't answer non-PURGE related questions. HOWEVER, any comments or questions related to PURGE and it's use are fair game and we DO encourage you to call for help. Also, while evaluating PURGE, please call us if you have any questions about pricing, using PURGE or integrating PURGE into your environment. The documentation that you'll receive will be pretty much identical to this document except the ordering instructions, etc. won't appear. Registered users will receive updates when available. We'll upload shareware versions to BIX and Compuserve when any of our products are newly released or updates are needed for our shareware versions. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 8 9 - ORDERING POLICIES --------------------- Our pricing policy is pretty straightforward: 1) We accept the following: - Check - Money Order - Visa - Mastercard - Invoiced Orders (Purchase Order) Please call for other ordering methods or credit cards 2) Pricing: Single or Dual machine users: Each machine should be registered for $69.95 More-than-two machine users: 2 copies times $69.95 plus $19.95 each for each machine over 2 and your total number of machines PURGE will be used on Network Users: Same as "More-than-two" machine users whether PURGE will be installed on each machine or a single copy will be run off of a server Tax: 6% Kentucky Sales Tax for Kentucky residents only Shipping/Handling: $ 3.00 for Non-Overseas customers $ 6.00 for Overseas $11.00 for UPS Overnight $16.00 for Federal Express Here's the bottom-line including tax and S/H: Overseas Kentucky # of copies Total Price Total Price Residents -------------------------------------------------------------- 1 $ 72.95 $ 80.15 $ 77.15 2 $142.90 $148.90 $151.33 3 $162.85 $168.85 $172.44 4 $182.80 $185.80 $193.59 5 $202.75 $205.75 $214.74 6 $222.70 $225.70 $235.88 7 $242.65 $245.65 $257.03 8 $262.60 $265.60 $278.18 9 $282.55 $285.55 $299.32 10 $302.50 $305.50 $320.47 Note: These prices are valid until December 31, 1992, please call for updated pricing after this date. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 9 10 - ORDERING PURGE ------------------- INVOICE/REGISTRATION FORM PURGE - VERSION 2.2 For mail orders, please include this form. If possible, please use a text editor to enter the following information in overstrike mode and print with your printer. a) Total number of copies = ___ b) Enter number of copies (2 OR LESS) ___ x $69.95 = _____ c) Enter number of copies (MORE THAN 2) ___ x $19.95 = _____ d) Subtotal = _____ e) KY residents: add 6% KY sales tax = _____ f) Enter S/H = _____ g) Total Due = _____ Please make your check or money order payable to: Software Designs, Inc. Non-US customers should get a certified bank draft in U.S. dollars. Mail to: Software Designs, Inc. 858 Austerlitz Rd. Paris, KY 40361-9055 Credit Card Customers: (Call if you wish to use a different credit card) ---------------------- VISA / Mastercard (circle one) Card number: ____________________________________ Expiration date: ________ Signature: _____________________________________ (Must be signed) Shipping Address: ----------------- Name:____________________________________________________________ Company name:____________________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip/Country:__________________________________________ Your order will be shipped within a few days of the receipt of this form. Special shipping conditions can be arranged if an order is placed by phone for PO customers. Please include the customer comment form with your order - your comments are very important to us. THANKS FOR YOUR ORDER! _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 10 11 - COMMENT FORM ----------------- 1) Did you find PURGE easy to use? Yes__ No__ Somewhat__ 2) What would make PURGE a more "usable" product? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 3) Does PURGE have all of the features that you need? Yes__ No__ Somewhat__ 4) What else would you like to see added to PURGE? _____________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 5) Any wishes for future AutoCAD add-on products (preferably DOS-level utilities like PURGE)? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 7) What version(s) of AutoCAD do you normally use? 9__ 10__ 11__ 8) From your experience with using Shareware products, how do you feel about the "Register screen" concept? ___ a) I don't like them ___ b) Doesn't bother me at all. ___ c) It is a fair way of reminding me to register. ___ d) If the product is worth paying for, I'll register whether it's there or not ___ e) It disturbs the evaluation process ___ f) Other: ________________________________________ 9) If you have registered with a Shareware author, why did you feel it was worth doing? ___ a) The program was not available commercially ___ b) The program is better than what is available commercially ___ c) "It's the right thing to do legally/morally" ___ d) Other: __________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 11 APPENDIX A - WHAT IS SHAREWARE?/WHAT IS THE ASP? ------------------------------------------------ What Is Shareware? This file will help you understand what shareware is and how the "shareware system" works. It was written by the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP -- a professional association of shareware authors) at the request of the Shareware Distribution Network (SDN -- an association of BBS Sysops providing reliable distribution of shareware around the world), for the express purpose of giving BBS users a better understanding of shareware. You've probably heard the terms "public domain", "freeware", "shareware", and others like them. Your favorite board probably has many programs described by one or more of these words. There's a lot of confusion about and between these terms, but they actually have specific meanings and implications. Once you understand them you will have a much easier time navigating the maze of programs available to you, and understanding what your obligations are, or aren't, with each type of program. Let's start with some basic definitions. "Public domain" has a very specific legal meaning. It means that the creator of a work (in this case, a piece of software) who had legal ownership of that work, has given up ownership and dedicated the work "to the public domain". Once something is in the public domain, anyone can use it in any way they choose, and the author has no control over the use and cannot demand payment for it. If you find a program which the author has explicitly put into the public domain you are free to use it however you see fit, without paying for the right to use it. But use care -- due to the confusion over the meaning of the words, programs are often described by others as being "public domain" when in fact they are shareware or free, copyrighted software. To be sure a program is public domain you should look for an explicit statement from the author to that effect. "Copyrighted" is the opposite of public domain. A copyrighted program is one where the author has asserted his or her legal right to control the program's use and distribution by placing the legally required copyright notices in the program and documentation. The law gives copyright owners broad rights to restrict how their work is distributed, and provides for penalties for those who violate these restrictions. When you find a program which is copyrighted you must use it in accordance with the copyright owner's restrictions on distribution and payment. Usually these are clearly stated in the program documentation. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 12 Maintaining a copyright does not necessarily imply charging a fee, so it is perfectly possible and legal to have copyrighted programs which are distributed free of charge. Such programs are sometimes termed "freeware", though this term was in fact trademarked by the late Andrew Flugelman and the legality of its use by others could be questioned. In any case, the fact that a program is free does not mean that it is in the public domain -- though this is a common confusion. "Shareware" is copyrighted software which is distributed by authors through bulletin boards, on-line services, disk vendors, and copies passed among friends. It is commercial software which you are allowed to try out before you pay for it. Shareware authors use a variety of licensing restrictions on their copyrighted works, but most authors who support their software require you to pay a "registration fee" -- the purchase price of the software -- if you continue to use the product after a trial period. Some authors indicate a specific trial period after which you must pay this fee; others leave the time period open and rely on you to judge when you have decided to use the program, and therefore should pay for it. Occasionally a shareware author requires registration but does not require payment -- this is so-called "$0 shareware". The shareware system and the continued availability of quality shareware products depend on your willingness to register and pay for the shareware you use. The registration fees you pay allow authors to support and continue to develop their products. As a software user you benefit from this system because you get to try the software and determine whether it meets your needs before you pay for it. Authors also benefit because we are able to get our products into your hands with little or no expense for advertising and promotion. As a result it is not unusual to find shareware products which rival retail software that costs several times the amount of the shareware registration fee. ASP members' shareware meets additional quality standards beyond ordinary shareware. Our members' programs must be fully functional (not crippled, demonstration, or out of date versions); program documentation must be complete and must clearly state the registration fee and the benefits received when registering; members must provide free mail or telephone support for a minimum of three months after registration; and members must meet other guidelines which help to insure that you as a user receive good value for your money and are dealt with professionally. We also provide an Ombudsman program to assist in resolving disputes between authors and users. For more information on the ASP or to contact the ASP Ombudsman, write to ASP, P.O. Box 5786, Bellevue, WA 98006. You can also contact the Ombudsman on CompuServe via an EasyPlex (electronic mail) message to 70007,3536. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 13 APPENDIX B - THE ASP OMBUDSMAN ------------------------------ This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable 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 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 14 APPENDIX C - WHO IS SDI? ------------------------ Software Designs, Inc. (SDI) is a Kentucky-based corporation. We've been in business since June, 1990. We've been involved with AutoCAD for quite a while now and use it extensively in our work. Software Designs, Inc. became an AutoCAD Registered Developer in April of 1991. For those of you unfamiliar with the program, it's an Autodesk sponsored program for companies and individuals who write third-party software for AutoCAD. Also, Software Designs, Inc. is now a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). What other AutoCAD utilities does SDI sell? ------------------------------------------- We market one other program, AC11TO10. AC11TO10 is identical to PURGE in terms of look and operation except for it's function. AC11TO10 allows those users that haven't upgraded to Release 11 to convert Release 11 drawings to Release 10. As with PURGE, there are ABSOLUTELY NO DXFS INVOLVED - all processing takes place at DOS directly on the .DWG files. In a nutshell, if you have a client who uses only Release 11, AC11TO10 is a perfect alternative to upgrading. See Ralph Grabowsky's review in the Utilities column of the October, 1991 issue of Cadence. Then look for a shareware copy of AC11TO10 in the ADESK forum on Compuserve, your favorite BBS or from your local User's Group. If you can't find it, give us a call at 606-987-6129 - we'll send it right away!!! _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 15 APPENDIX D - NOTE TO VENDORS AND FOREIGN USERS ---------------------------------------------- Please notify Software Designs, Inc. at the following address if you would like to include PURGE or AC11TO10 in your library: Software Designs, Inc. 858 Austerlitz Road Paris, KY 40361-9055 Compuserve - 70353,1604 BIX - SLeonardis For foreign vendors or foreign BBS operators: Please contact us at the address listed above if you would like to translate this document into another language. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 16 APPENDIX E - REVISION HISTORY ----------------------------- Changes from V2.0/V2.01: - The defaults option has been added by request. - The shell option has been removed. - Drawing file dates are no longer changed to the current date, i.e., the original date of the file is preserved - Single drawings can be purged by simply highlighting the file name and pressing ENTER. There is no need to tag a single file if only one drawing is to be purged. If any files are tagged and a non-tagged file is highlighted when ENTER is pressed, the highlighted file will NOT be purged - only the tagged files will be purged. - Various minor bugs have been removed including: a) the correct number of drawings purged is reported now b) the sort by size function now updates the display _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 17 APPENDIX F - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ----------------------------- The following trademarks are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by Autodesk, Inc.: ADI, AutoCAD, AutoCAD AEC, ATC, AutoCAD Training Center, Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, AutoLISP, AutoShade, and AutoSketch. _______________________________________________________________ PURGE V2.2 Documentation - Software Designs, Inc. Page 18