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Loadstar 128 36
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q36.d81
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t.disk file '97
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2022-08-28
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D I S K F I L E ' 9 7
Original Disk File by Bill Crooks (in the public domain)
Additional enhancements and modifications by Doreen Horne
Loadstar 128 version and text by Bob Markland
FENDER'S PREMUMBLE: This is the text for Bob Markland's late-1997 upgrade
of DISK FILE 128. Doreen Horne, along with many other users from Australia,
is more familiar with the original program, and has asked that I publish
the original, rather than the upgrade. However, on the 5.25" version of LS
128 #36, there's room for only one version so I decided to run Bob's
version, to which the following text applies. If anyone who gets the 5.25"
version feels that they MUST have the original version, write me and ask,
and I'll send you a disk with the original program (which has minimal docs)
on it. Bob didn't change all that much, so the docs below more or less
apply to the original version too. Here are Bob's docs, which are so large
they must be broken into two parts.
Doreen Horne, LOADSTAR's programmer from downunder, needed a program to
catalog her large disk collection. After some searching, she found Disk
File for the 128 but it didn't quite fit her needs. So, she did what any
Commodore owner with an interest in programming can do. She modified and
enhanced it, adding new features and capabilities, until it did exactly
what she wanted.
Doreen added lowercase/uppercase capabilities, wild card search, edit
of the IDs, and partial saves, but retained the original PD look. What you
will find here is a package that features menus, liberal on-screen prompts,
and instructions. The custom font aids in reading filenames, particularly
GEOS, which contain graphics characters as viewed from the directory.
Following this metamorphosis, Ron Schahrer, Bill Crooks and Doreen may
not recognize their program, but I trust they will be pleased. There are
some things we may have done differently, but DISK FILE '97 is large and
complex. With its sort capabilities and capacity for 2100 records,
virtually no area of memory remains unused.
DISK FILE '97 is a maze of options and features. We have added
additional error trapping and made the cataloging process as user friendly
as possible, but we were unable to recreate every conceivable condition or
situation. For those with a penchant for poking some "off-the-wall" key
just to see what happens -- you won't be disappointed - DISK FILE '97 will
probably crash.
Because of its size, DISK FILE '97 consists of three modules, 128 Disk
File, the Printer Module, and DCMR Conversions. These are NOT free-standing
units and cannot be run independently. Always enter the program via the
DISK FILE '97 Boot Menu. The printer module is accessible from the Boot
Menu or the main program.
The data files created with DISK FIlE '97 can become very large and
there is limited free space on the LOADSTAR disk. Use LOADSTAR's "Copy It"
or a file copier to transfer all of the DISK FILE '97 files to a blank
disk. Data files may be added or stored on a disk of their own.
Although DISK FILE '97 was designed to catalog programs, it can be used
for catalogs of Print Shop icons, magazine articles, word processor
documents, etc. In fact, it is also useful for record, video tape or photo
collections.
DISK FILE '97
-------------
Begin from the Boot Menu and use CRSR DN/UP and RETURN to select either
DISK FILE '97 or DCMR CONVERSIONS. If you already have data stored in the
DCMR disk catalog format, you may wish to skip ahead to the conversion
instructions and create DISK FILE '97 compatible files now. Otherwise,
select the DISK FILE '97 option.
When cataloging for the first time, take a few minutes to plan how you
want the catalog laid out. DISK FILE '97 can accommodate 2100 records in
each of 15 different categories. If you don't expect the total number of
records to exceed 2100, a single catalog may be the best choice. Or you can
catalog groups of like items such as LOADSTAR, Utilities, GEOS,
productivity, etc. in separate catalog files. The choice is yours, but a
little planning can save time in the future as you add more data. Don't be
overly concerned, though, DISK FILE '97 is capable of combining categories
or saving selected parts of one category to another.
Each time the program is run it asks for your disk drive configuration.
First, identify the drive that will hold the DISK FILE '97 catalog files.
Then select the drive from which to read data to be included in your
catalog. Choose 8 at both prompts for a single drive and you will be
prompted to swap disks when necessary. DISK FILE '97 is compatible with
1541, 1571 and 1581 drives. It has also been tested with CMD native mode
partitions. If you find a need (on a MULTIPLE DRIVE system ONLY) you can
pre-configure a sub-directory on a 1581 drive before running the program.
Next, choose the case conversion option as follows:
(1) - All data retrieved from directory reads is converted to lowercase.
This eliminates cryptic graphics characters found in GEOS filenames and you
can later print your catalog in either lowercase or uppercase.
(2) - All directory data is processed in its original form. True GEOS type
filenames are retained.
Under nearly all circumstances it is preferable to use option 1. The
printed catalog is easier to read and some printers will not print graphics
characters in the 5 column condensed mode.
NOTE: To facilitate editing directory input, the custom font is configured
in such a way that all text appears on the input screen in
lowercase/uppercase format. When using option 1, the case change becomes
apparent when you view a catalog on-screen or use the printer module.
All DISK FILE '97 options are available from the Main Menu. Use CRSR
DN/UP and RETURN to select. Many of the options have sub-menus and options;
use CRSR DN/UP or answer the prompt as requested. The system is color
coded. Standard functions are blue. Errors and actions which may be
destructive to all or part of the data are red or black. Advisory messages
are purple or cyan.
Create or Add to a Record File
------------------------------
This is the area where new data is entered, using any of the various
options. When there are no records in memory you are asked if you wish to
start a new catalog or return to the menu to load an existing catalog.
To create or add to a catalog use one of the following methods:
Manual Input (With Directory Read)
----------------------------------
From the sub-menu the directory in the designated drive may be viewed
to determine what information you will manually enter into the catalog. You
can skip the directory and immediately move to the data entry mode or abort
to the main menu.
Once in the data entry mode, enter any four character ID. The purpose
of this ID is to identify the disk from which the information came. For
example: Suppose you have disk boxes (labeled A, B, C, etc.) and that each
box holds numbered disks containing several types of programs. An ID of
A69S would identify the files on a disk from box A, numbered 69, which
contains Spreadsheet programs.
Both lowercase and uppercase are supported, but keep the ASCII values
in mind for sorting purposes -- numbers 0-9 come before alphabetical
characters, lowercase a-z come before uppercase A-Z.
Use delete or cursor left and right to correct any errors, then press
RETURN when you are satisfied with the ID. To quit at any time enter a
single lowercase "q" and press RETURN.
Next, enter a name consisting of from 1 to 16 characters and press
RETURN. It is generally preferable to enter all text in lowercase, however
uppercase is supported.
Input from Disk Directory
-------------------------
This function automates the process of assembling a catalog. Place the
disk to be cataloged in the requested drive, then enter an ID as described
above.
NOTE: With some commercial software you will encounter non-standard
directories. In some cases filenames contain color and control characters
which prevent the directory from listing normally. DISK FILE '97 IS NOT
equip