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- ------------------------------
-
- 4FILES VERSION HISTORY
-
- & UPDATE DETAILS
-
- ------------------------------
-
-
- FINDING FUTURE VERSIONS
- ======================= For keywords & future file names, etc.,
- see end of this file.
-
- ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
- ║ NOTE: The .CFG format was changed starting with ║
- ║ version 2S.0. Older configuration file MUST BE ║
- ║ DELETED and a new configuration must be made ║
- ║ from scratch. Hit <ALT-F10> to configure. ║
- ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
-
- Version 2T.7 (Jun-21-92)
- ========================
- a) Bug fix. Screen attributes for the logoff message were being written beyond
- the end of the last line, causing problems if programs were loaded high right
- behind the first page of video memory.
-
- Version 2T.6 (Jun-12-92)
- ========================
- a) When 4FILES is running under DESQview and is waiting for keyboard input, it
- now returns its time slice during each loop, allowing more time for programs
- running in the background.
-
- b) A bug which sometimes garbled command line fields (for copy, G**, etc.) was
- fixed.
-
- Version 2T.0 (May-17-92)
- ========================
- a) Now MS-Windows and DESQVIEW aware! (Works with OS/2 too.)
-
- b) Modified to work-around OptiMouse driver quirks.
-
- c) The mouse is now disabled when making utility calls if 4FILES was invoked
- via SHROOM, or if SWAPDOS is used to make the call. When 4FILES' memory is
- released, the mouse handler is likely to be overwritten by the program being
- called, resulting in a crash if the mouse is bumped or used. I forgot to
- mention in the manual that the mouse should be disabled via the config
- screen if 4FILES might be swapped-out, but now this is unnecessary if
- swapping is done with SHROOM or SWAPDOS. 4FILES will eventually have
- built-in EMS/XMS swapping, allowing the mouse to remain functional.
-
- d) Returning from a utility call, the video mode is reset only if the number
- of screen rows or columns (as obtained from BIOS data) has been changed.
- This is for compatibility with utilities like PC-Magazine's EGA43.COM, in
- which case a "simple" restoration of the original video mode actually causes
- a change from the 80x43 to an 80x25 display.
-
- e) Fixed problem with returning from utility calls with the /T/D switches set.
-
- f) When calling .BAT or .BTM utilities, the filename & extension are now both
- used (already the case for .COM/.EXE utilities) rather than just the name.
- Also, utility calls are now attempted only if the utility port configuration
- is for .COM, .EXE, .BAT, .BTM or .ALS.
-
- g) Re-enabling of character blinking for HGC, MDA and CGA monitors (at exit or
- for utility calls) now works properly.
-
-
- Version 2S.6 (Apr-12-92)
- ========================
- a) In the configuration tail for a utility port, $N loads the current filename
- without its extension in the utility, and $F loads the name with extension.
-
- b) Fixed display garbling with some video modes of over 80x25.
-
-
- Version 2S.2
- ============
- a) /+ command line switch added to force video modes of over 80x25. Needed for
- HGC/MDA/CGA only. Because of BIOS incompatibility of some of these cards,
- 80x25 is assumed unless the switch is set.
-
-
- Version 2S.0 (Mar-7-92):
- ========================
- a) The config menu has been rearranged so that SWAPDOS can be used to its best
- advantage. Utility names & command tails can be up to 30 characters. To
- use SWAPDOS, type its filespec into the utility field, and type the
- filespec of the utility or application you wish to run under SWAPDOS in the
- tail field, along with any command line switches for both SWAPDOS and the
- program being called. (SWAPDOS is shareware; it can swap 4FILES to EMS, XMS
- or the hard disk.)
-
- b) Full filespecs are no longer needed in utility port configurations if the
- program is in your PATH. The file extension must always be given.
-
- b) Help and the manual are now in separate files. F1 displays help and
- ^F1 displays the manual (the browser port must be correctly configured
- first).
-
-
- Version 2R.0 (FEB-18-92):
- =========================
- a) Total bytes used and marked in the current directory are shown on-screen in
- File Mode in the upper right hand corner. In note mode the 4FILES version
- number is shown.
-
- b) Keyboard handler now compatible with HYPERKEY, PROKEY, NEWKEY and others.
- NEWKEY must be configured to allow other programs to use Ctrl-ESC.
-
- c) Modified for proper keyboard action and list-sorting based on country
- code and code page. Setup is automatic for DOS 3.3+; otherwise enter the
- code in the configuration menu.
-
- d) LCD.EXE (Led's Change Directory) and ACD now supported via a utility port,
- allowing partial pathspecs in the <G*><G*> field. New-Dir, Kill-Dir and
- Rename-dir operations update the LCD/ACD path database.
-
- e) NEW KEY COMMANDS:
-
- <G*><G*><G*> makes an immediate change to the previous drive:directory,
- returning to the old cursor-bar position.
-
- <^F2> utility port added (acts like <F2>). Use it for a word processor,
- alternate editor, or any utility you wish. The <F2> denied extension list
- (in the configuration) applies to <^F2> also.
-
- ^X command added. Similar to ^E, but provides instant execution. If the
- result of execution flashes off screen, reconfigure the "DOS Pause" switch,
- or use ^E with the "++" flag. ^X is ideal for use with 4DOS "executable
- extensions".
-
- <Alt-F9> command added to copy the _whole_ note to the buffer with one
- keystroke. Active only in Note Mode.
-
- f) Cut or copied note text can now be pasted into notes in any other drive or
- directory.
-
- g) The help file is now found automatically rather than via a configuration
- listing.
-
- h) The screen capture feature in Back & Forth now works with 4FILES.
-
- i) Config menu switches were added to determine whether DOS color & blinking
- are restored at exit, or whether all is left as setup by 4FILES.
-
- j) Modified so if 4FILES is left running unattended over more than one
- midnight, the date will advance for each day.
-
-
- Version 2P.x (Oct-Dec 1991)
- ============================
-
- COMPATIBILITY:
- --------------
- a) When quitting 4FILES under the new 4DOS-4, the cursor shape was changed to
- an over-line. A normal cursor now shows.
-
- b) The new 4DOS-4 extended DESCRIPT.ION specification is recognized. If an
- extended file note is detected (no programs are using these yet) a warning
- is given. A future version will give complete support.
-
- c) Modified to read file notes over 80-characters and give a warning. Use
- of over 40-characters is not recommended until 4DOS fully supports the
- longer notes. The specification for longer basic notes is being drafted.
-
-
- IMPROVEMENTS:
- ------------
- d) Built-in configuration routine added (@-F10).
-
- e) A new utility port for archive files only is mapped to the <^G+> key.
-
- f) <CR> on a blank line generated by ^E^E shells to DOS.
-
- g) "Root Full" shows if the disk root directory is full.
-
- h) <CR> can be configured to duplicate the function of the <G+> key, IN FILE
- MODE ONLY.
-
- i) ^Y completely deletes a note or entered text in an input field, rather than
- (as previously) moving the string to the cut buffer.
-
- j) The <F9> key now _copies_ text to the paste buffer. <^F9> now _cuts_
- text while copying it to the paste buffer.
-
-
- Version 2N.0 (Oct 1991)
- ========================
- a) COPY, MOVE, and RENAME functions added. These functions are very
- rudimentary, and are stop-gaps for your convenience until V-3.0 is released.
-
- b) Video modes higher than 80x25 are now recognized automatically, and the /8
- switch forces 80x25 mode if necessary.
-
- c) Deleting a file now requires a double-tap of "Y", to avoid accidents from
- typing "dynamic", etc.
-
-
- Version 2-Minus.D, (Sept 1991)
- ==============================
- a) Directory listings may now be sorted in several ways, and either on-the-fly
- or from the command line.
-
- Version 2-Minus.4 (July 1991)
- ===============================
- a) Now starts in "file mode"; <TAB> toggles to "note mode". <NUM-LK> toggles
- between file attribute and file time displays.
-
- b) File management functions added & mapped to : N, K, A, ^A, D, ^D, F5, & F6.
-
- c) ^E and ^E^E command line added.
-
- d) New utility ports: <F3> & <F4>.
-
- e) A 2nd tap on <G*> (or <G-Scl-Lck> on some keyboards) displays a drive:path
- input field.
-
- f) Sound can be configured off.
-
-
- EARLIER RELEASES:
- ================= 1.6, 1.5, 1.3, 1.2 & 1.1. 1st release: Nov '90.
-
-
- Finding Future Versions
- ======================= The best keywords to look for are: 4F, 4FILE, 4DOS,
- NDOS, or FILE MANAGE. Releases on BBSs will appear as 4FILES??.ZIP or
- 4FILE???.ZIP, and a corresponding .INF information file may also be present. A
- good search string for the files would be 4F*.*, which will find both files.
-
- Since CompuServe supports only six-character filenames, releases there
- are always 4FILES.ZIP. Check the date or browse the CIS description to see if
- your version is outdated.