Here is a special key command that you can use while in CLI. This command as well as a few others have existed since the release of the Amiga 1000, and may not be known to new Amiga 500 or 2000 users, as well as new Amiga 1000 owners.
The CTRL-J key combination can save you from sitting in front of your monitor while unarcing a bunch of archived files, or just about anything that takes up time to perform, but does not warrant the trouble of setting up an execute file (Script file) with "ED".
To use the CTRL-J command, type your first command at the first prompt 1> "arc x filename", press and hold down the CTRL, then press the "J" key. You will notice that the cursor has dropped to the next line without the prompt "1>". type your next command and use the CTRL-J key combination to drop the cursor to the next line. After you have completed your list of commands press the RETURN key to activate your list of commands.
For example:
1> arc x myfile.arc
zoo x hisfile.zoo
arc x yourfile.arc
say -x finish.txt
Press RETURN key
The list of commands will unarc myfile.arc, unzoo hisfile.zoo, unarc yourfile.arc and speak a file called finish.txt in the Amiga voice. (I use the Amiga speak to call me when it has completed the list)
If you are not planning to use multi-tasking, this will free you from staring at the monitor. You can now get up and go to the bathroom, take a shower, read a novel, or one of your favorite Amiga magazine until the Amiga calls you when the task has completed.
As you can see, the CTRL-J command is useful for two or more commands that is not consistent as an executable file (i.e., Startup-Sequence) that was created by using "Ed". The possibilities are endless. You can open new CLI's, move or copy files from DF0: to DF1: etc.
Another key combination that I have found useful is the CTRL-X. This command is much faster then using the backspacing key to delete a complete line. I am sure some of you have typed a command that you did not want to type in the first place. (For those of you that use "ED" text editor you probably noticed that CTRL-X is the same as CTRL-B.)
Although the 1.3 AmigaDos version mentions the use of CTRL-X while in AmigaShell, it does not mention it's use while in regular CLI.
The above is not intended to re-direct credit or fringe upon copyrights laws for those supplements published for the Amiga computer. The intended of this article is to inform new users with knowledge that is not supplied with the basic manuals when purchased, and to express my personnel use and experience with the Amiga computer.
