OS/2 Shareware BBS: 2 BBS/02-BBS.zip/fms0178.zip/fms.INF

OS/2 Help File | 1994-02-12 | 40KB | 465 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Preface ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Preface

Hello people,

finally I have a first version of this package ready to use, but, please, read
all this little doc before use it, otherwise you can loose your data (files or
descriptions).

I spent about 100 hours to develop this program (in about four month), I try to
make it as OS/2 as possible, without make it big, slow and hard to use.

I request a little registration fee, 10$, please send it to me if you use the
program.
The only difference in the registered version is the absence of the initial
wait dialog box.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. What FMS do ? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What FMS do ?

I have a little Maximus BBS and I love OS/2, so I'm trying to delete all DOS
programs from my hard disk. Some time ago I decided to trash my old MFM and
write something to manage the files.bbs and the file areas.

FMS is a simple files manager for Maximus (really all files.bbs based systems
can use it).

It do all you can expect from that kind of software: moving, renaming, changing
descriptions etc.

This is a list of the key features:

* drag and drop enabled !
* full multithread
* support for multiple Filearea.Ctl
* global search around all areas
* global dupelist
* direct manipulation of files reported from search or dupelist
* copy and move files from areas and to other drop enabled applications (eg
Workplace)
* direct files rename and delete
* direct description change
* touch of files date
* abandon, adopt
* view LZH,ZIP,ARJ,ARC and ZOO contents (may be more will be in next release)
* associations to external programs (like GIF viewer)
* generate "full files list" and "new files list"
* sort containers in various order
* update description with GIF,TIFF or JPG info on request
* will grow version by version in feature, stability and usability


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Installation and configuration ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Installation and configuration

Install FMS is very simple.

You should only move FMS.EXE into the directory you want and (optionally)
create an icon to run it in the workplace.

Now run FMS, an empty windows will open, click rigth mouse button on it and
select Options.

You will see a configuration notebook. In the first page there is a list of all
FILEAREA.CTL associated to FMS.
It is empty, so press the Add button and choose your FILEAREA.CTL file.

Added all FILEAREA.CTL to the list close the notebook and after that close also
FMS.

Run again FMS, it should now show all your file areas in the MAIN FOLDER (the
first window it open).

Now you can configure all the other options.

Confirmations

Layout

Archivers

Associations

Files List

Registration


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Confirmations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Confirm update on exit

If you check this option FMS will prompt you when exiting from an AREA FOLDER
asking a confirmation for all the changes done in the area.

If you confirm FMS will delete all files flagged as deleted (red), rename all
files flagged as renamed (blue), update the files.bbs rewriting it on the disk.

If you don't confirm FMS will not rewrite files.bbs on disk and will note
delete and rename files you deleted or renamed in the area. FMS will instead
delete all files dropped on the area (green).

Confirm rename on copy

When FMS move or copy a file it check if a file with the same name still exists
on the target directory. If it exists FMS rename the old one with a .OLD
extension.

If you check this option FMS will prompt you before renaming the target file.
Othewise the rename is automatic.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2. Layout ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Auto save position

If you check this option FMS will automatically save the window position,
colors and fonts when closing it.

FMS remember theese information for each kind of windows it open, and for the
AREA FOLDER it remember this information on an order basis. So you can have
more AREA FOLDER opened in different positions.

Hide Comments

When checked FMS will not display the comments in the AREA FOLDER.

Attention: the comments are still in the container, you can view the comments
selecting Hide/Comments from the context menu of the folder. Any sort will
affect the hided comments lines too !!

Container Titles

If you want see container titles check this options, otherwise uncheck it.

Split Bar

In the AREA FOLDER you can have a split bar before the description field. Check
this option if you want it.

The position of the split-bar is saved with all other attributes with Save
Position (or when auto save position is in effect).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3. Archivers ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Archivers

Actually FMS can manage four kind of archives: ZIP, LZH, ARJ, ZOO and ARC.

In the next versions I will add others support (may be).

FMS is able to list the contents of theese archives without external program
support, but using external program you can also see the contents of the files
in the archive.

FMS is not an archive manager, you can register FM/2 if you need such a
software, but I develop some archive support because it is a need when managing
file areas of the BBS.

In this notebook page you can change the association between archives and
external programs, and choose the right parameters for each external program.

Beware, you MUST choose parameters to avoid any prompt and override (replace)
any files.

You can also choose in which directory FMS must write its temporary files.

ATTENTION: FMS will erase all the contents of such a directory and remove it
when exit.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4. Associations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Associations

Here you can associate a file extension with a program.
When you select a file from one of FMS containers, it will use that program to
display/run/manage it.

You can change the program name, the parameters and the working directory for
each extension, but you can change the extension filed itself.

To add a new extension you should editing the extension filed, and after press
the Add button.
Now you can change the parameters.

The first of the associations is used also for all the unlinked extensions, I
use e.exe or listpm.exe to manage unexpected extensions.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5. File lists ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

File lists

FMS is able to produce a simple (for now) file list. Really two, one total and
one for new files.

You can here specify the header file (used in both news and total list), the
name of the two lists, the number of days to consider a file new, the width of
the list (commonly 80).

You can also exclude file areas by Access keyword. In the rigth listbox there
are all the Access key you used, you can choos one or more of theese to exclude
areas from the lists.

In the left listbox there are all the file areas, the excluded are
automatically selected as you select the associated Acces key in the rigth.

The left list is for view only (for now).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.6. Registration ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Registration

Here you can simply insert your registration key.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Using FMS ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Using FMS

I hope you will use FMS easily, because it look and feel exactly as Workplace
do.
But there are some things you will found strange, as the rename or others.

When FMS start it open a windows, really a container, containing all the file
areas.

You can see it as icons, names or details, and here you have a context menu
with some options:

   o View: it simple change the mode MFS show you the area list.

   o Find: you can find text in yours file areas. The find is ever a separate
     thread, when done you will have a container (File Basket) with all files
     founded in all areas. You can also manipulate the founded files directly
     in the File Basket (rename, orphan/adopt, delete, change descriptions,
     touch, etc).

   o Dupelist: you can find all the dupes in your file areas. The find is done
     in three way, as you choose: total match of file name, no extension match
     or partial match. As in the previous option you can manipulate directly
     the result of the dupe search. Both Search and Dupelist thread run at low
     priority to avoid system hang.

   o Arrange: arrange the container in the icon view.

   o Save positions: save the positions of the windows and its presentation
     attribute (fonts, colors).

   o Sort by: the container is sorte by area tag, but you can sort it in
     FILEAREA.CTL order.

   o Options: start the options notebook.

   o Edit files.bbs: you can edit directly (e.exe) the files.bbs file
     (sometimes this can be usefull).

   o Write filelist: write the file lists as you specify in the notebook.

   o Info: show the about dialog. The release number is in this dialog, please
     take note of it when reporting bugs.

   o Exit: a do nothing menu entry to pull off the context menu.

Double clicking an area will open the Area Container.

This container show you the file list.
The file name are painted in different color:

Black: normal listed file
Red: deleted file (they will really deleted when you close the Area Container)
Brown: orphan file
Light grey: comments
Dark grey: missed file (description withouth file)
Blue: renamed file

Colors really show the file status. Some status is proritary about other, so a
file deleted and orphan will be displayed in red.

To edit a file description you can use the standard OS/2 key/mouse combination
(normally Alt+left mouse button). To terminate the editing you can click
outside the edit box or simply press return.

To rename a file use the same tecnique on the name field and change it. The
file will be really renamed when you will close the Area Container.

You can select as many file you want, when you click right button FMS activate
a context menu. The context menu contains many commands. The commands apply to
the record of the container under the mouse at click time.
If the record under mouse is in selected status the command will apply to all
the selected record in the container, otherwise only this record is affected.

The command available in the context menu are:

   o Add comment: add a line of comment after the record under mouse.

   o Delete/Undelete file: delete or undelete (set/unchek delete flag) the
     record under mouse (or all selected record). The records will be really
     deleted when you close the container.

   o Abandon/Adopt file: abandon or adopt the records. As for the delete
     command this is a flip/flop command. Apply two time the command to the
     same file leave its status invariate. Orphan a comment will delete it from
     the files.bbs.

   o Move (top/bottom): this command will move the record(s) to the top or the
     bottom of the list.

   o Touch: touch the date of the record(s). Both update and create dates are
     updated.

   o Get pic info: put a simple info in the description from the GIF,TIFF or
     JPG file selected. It's an experimental command, if you like it I can
     extend it.

   o Save files.bbs: update immediatly FILES.BBS. I will remove this command in
     future.

   o Save positions: same as in the Main Container.

   o Sort by: sort the list in various kind. The list will be saved in the
     order you see it when closing the container.

   o Hide/Show: hide or show comments, orphan files or missed files. The hide
     do not affect the save or the sort of the list.

   o Info: info dialog

   o Exit: do nothing.

In the File Basket (the container you obtain after a Search or a Dupelist) are
available some of the commands of the Area Container, and also an Export List
On File options to save the list on a temp file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Keys

I changed some keys functionality in the direct edit of OS/2.

When editing you can update the field simply pressing return (instead of
finding the mouse and click outside the edit box), also you can use arrow up
and down keys to update the box and go to edit the next (or previous) record.
Beware, there is a bug, if you go beyond the last record visible the container
will not automatically scroll.

F3 always close the current window.
When in the file list F2 (or Ins) start the editor. F4 (or Del) delete del file
(or selected files).

When the focus is in the Main Container you can start Search with Ctrl-F and
Dupelist with Ctrl-D.

More keys can be activated, please query for it, I'm a mouse maniac......


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Known problems and bugs ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Known problems and bugs

Actually FMS don't check for free space before move or copy files. This will be
fixed in a little time.

The updating from the File Basket (after a search or a dupelist) should be
optimized.

FMS use many memory to retain Area Container informations, so sysops with very
big file areas (some thousands files in a single area) will notice bug memory
allocation from FMS.
I will work surely on it to save as many memory is possible.

Please report others problems, bugs or suggestions to:

Mario Pacchiarotti
Fido: 2:335/320 Internet: [e-mail]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Development team ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Development team

I'm the biggest of the two !


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Disclaimer ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Disclaimer

FMS is supplied as it 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 consequential, which may result from the use of FMS.

FMS 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.

FMS package, all programs, the documentation and support files are copyrighted
1994 by Mario Pacchiarotti.
All rights are reserved.  You may copy this package for backup purposes. You
may also copy and share unmodified copies of the whole package, providing that
the copyright notice is reproduced and included on all copies.

You may not sell the product for a fee and/or distribute the product along with
other products without written permission,  nor may you modify or remove the
Copyright Notices from the programs or the documentation files.
User clubs, if they are NOT commercial, are allowed to ask a small amount of
money for distribution and storage when they want to share this package amongst
their members.

It is forbidden to modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile and/or
disassemble the software in the FMS package.
Patching the medium at places that carry the software is seen as a program
change and is also forbidden.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. How to register ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

How to register

FMS is not freeware, nor PD, it's Shareware.

Surely you know what Shareware is, so I will not bore you explaining it.

If you use FMS you must register it.

I choose to require a minimal registration fee. FMS price is ten dollars, so
you have no excuses to avoid registration.

To register send me $10 or about equivalent money in your currency to:

Mario Pacchiarotti
Via Campania, 10
00040 Cecchina (Albano) RM
ITALIA

You can send money, postal check, international check, or other collectable
credit title. Sorry no credit cards.

When registering please specify your e-mail address (fido or internet).

You will receive the registration key to avoid initial wait dialog box.

This is the only difference from unregistered to registered version.
The about dialog will wait more any day you use FMS, so you will not bored in
the initial days when testing it.

You can write me to:

Fidonet: 2:335/320
Internet: [e-mail]