home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Boston 2
/
boston-2.iso
/
DOS
/
HILFEN
/
4DOS
/
4FILES
/
4F.VER
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-12-01
|
12KB
|
286 lines
------------------------------
4FILES VERSION HISTORY
& UPDATE DETAILS
------------------------------
NOMENCLATURE
============ For past file naming conventions, see end of file.
FINDING FUTURE VERSIONS
======================= For keywords & future file names, etc.,
see end of file.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ NOTE: The .CFG format was changed starting with ║
║ version 2S.0. The old configuration file MUST ║
║ BE DELETED and a new configuration must be made ║
║ from scratch. Hit <ALT-F10> to configure. ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Version 2S.8 (Apr-22-92)
========================
a) In making the 2S.7 changes, ability to find a utility via the PATH was
defeated if a PATH entry of ".." was encountered. This has been fixed.
Version 2S.7 (Apr-21-92)
========================
a) When calling utilities with a .BAT or .BTM extension, the filename &
extension are now both used rather than just the name (as was already the
case for .COM & .EXE utilities). Also, on utility calls execution will be
attempted only if the configuration for the called program has an extension
of .COM, .EXE, .BAT, .BTM or .ALS.
b) Attempts to rename the ".." directory are now bypassed within 4FILES, to
avoid the lengthly 2-page LCD error message which otherwise results (without
LCD the error message given was no problem -- clean and very brief).
Version 2S.6 (Apr-12-92)
========================
a) $N is now recognized in the configuration tail for a utility port to send
send the current filename, without its extension, to the utility. $F sends
the name with extension, as before.
b) Eliminated an incompatibility with some keyboard buffer extender utilities.
Version 2S.5 (Apr-11-92)
========================
a) Fixed bug causing a screen color problem when logging onto a blank disk with
a 4FILES sorting switch set.
Version 2S.4 (Mar-29-92)
========================
a) Multiple pastes from the paste buffer will now work correctly.
b) The cursor now advances correctly when going into the expanded note field.
c) Utility calls were working with the .ALS extension but not .BAT or .BTM;
corrected.
Version 2S.3 (Mar-23-92)
========================
a) The display was garbled in some video modes of over 80x25; fixed.
b) The cursor bar movement routine has been speeded up.
Version 2S.1 & 2S.2
===================
a) Fixed problem with notes for files with eight character file names not
displaying.
b) Characters entered in utility port configuration fields are no longer
forced to upper case (so case-sensitive switches can be typed-in).
c) ^X key reconnected. (Adding a new key left the jump table count one short.
The count is now calculated automatically from the table offset limits.)
d) /+ command line switch added to force video modes of over 80x25. Needed for
HGC, MDA and CGA only. Because of BIOS incompatibility of some of these
cards, 80x25 is assumed unless this switch is set (so the program will run
"out of the box" for all normal video configurations).
Version 2S.0 (Mar-7-92):
========================
a) The configuration menu has been rearranged so that SWAPDOS can be used to
its best advantage. The utility name field and command tail fields are now
both 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 which will
swap 4FILES to EMS, XMS or the hard disk.) Full filespecs need no longer be
given if the program is in your PATH, but an extension must always be given.
b) Aliases, internal commands, and batch files with single character file names
(plus extension) will now execute, as will file names with mixed-case
extensions.
c) The cursor will now display properly on CGA monitors.
d) Help text and the manual are now in separate files. F1 displays help and
^F1 displays the manual (the browser port must be correctly config- ured
first). The files are 4F.HLP and 4F.DOC.
e) Lock-out of the "keyboard code" switch by having "Y" in the "other keyboard"
switch was corrected.
Version 2R.0 (FEB-18-92):
=========================
a) Total bytes used and marked in the current directory are both shown
on-screen in File Mode in the upper right hand corner. In note mode the
4FILES version number is shown here, as before.
b) Keyboard handler changed for improved compatibility. 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 or higher; other-
wise enter the code in the configuration menu.
d) LCD.EXE (Led's Change Directory) and ACD are now supported via a utility
port. When set up, a partial pathspec in the <G*><G*> field will take you
where you want to go quickly. Used with LCD/ACD, the New-Dir, Kill-Dir
and Rename-dir operations will update the path database.
e) <G*><G*><G*> will now make an immediate change back to the previous
drive:directory, returning to the old cursor bar position.
f) <^F2> utility port added. It acts just 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.
g) ^X command added. Similar to ^E, except it 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".
h) <Alt-F9> command added. It copies the _whole_ note to the buffer with
one keystroke. Active only in Note Mode.
i) Note text which is cut or copied in one directory with <F9>, <^F9> or
<@F9> can now be pasted into notes in any other drive or directory.
j) The help file is now found automatically and no longer appears on the
configuration menu. If 4FILES is renamed, the help file MUST be similarly
named and have a .DOC exension. Both files must be in the same directory.
k) The screen capture feature in Back & Forth now works with 4FILES.
l) On dual monitor systems, 4FILES will now appear on the active monitor.
m) Added config menu switches to determine whether the command line
color and blinking are restored at exit, or whether all is left as setup by
4FILES.
n) Modified so if 4FILES is left running past more than one midnight, the
date will be correct.
o) If a configuration change is session-only, the exit prompt will now
allow you to save it by typing (P)ermanent.
Version 2P.x (Oct-Dec 1991)
============================
CHANGES FOR COMPATIBILITY:
-------------------------
a) When quitting 4FILES under 4DOS-4 the cursor shape was changed to an
over-line. A normal cursor is now shown.
b) Now recognizes the new 4DOS-4 extended DESCRIPT.ION specification. 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) Initial program loading and directory changes are now 2-4 times faster,
depending on the directory size and number of described files. [2P.a]
e) Configuration is now done via a 4F.CFG file. [2P.d]
f) The number of marked files is displayed, and subdirectories will no longer
be marked. [2P.d]
g) A new utility port is mapped to the <^G+> key, and is active only for
archive files. [2P.N]
h) <CR> on a blank line generated by ^E^E will brings up the secondary shell's
own command line. [2P.b]
i) A "Root Full" message will show if all root file slots are full. [2P.d]
j) A configuration switch has been added to make <CR> to to duplicate the
function of the <G+> key, IN FILE MODE ONLY. [2P.m]
k) The ^Y key completely deletes a note or entered text in an input field,
rather than moving the string to the cut buffer. [2P.m]
l) The <F9> key now _copies_ text to the paste buffer. <^F9> now _cuts_
text while copying it to the paste buffer. [2P.n]
FIXES:
----- Several fixes were made, including corrected special handling of A/B
drives in single floppy systems.
Version 2N.0 (Oct 1991)
========================
a) In 2M.D I absent mindedly assigned <SCL-LK> to reverse the file searching
direction, forgetting that on 83-key keyboards it plays a *key* role in
directory navigation (like <G*> on other boards). This nav feature was
therefore disabled on 83's. For 83's only, the search reverse key is now "5"
on the Cursor-pad, but on other keyboards it is still <SCL-LK>.
b) COPY, MOVE, and RENAME functions have been added. These functions are
very rudimentary, and are stop-gaps for your convenience while the V-3.0
functions are being written.
c) Acceptance of video modes higher than 80x25 is now fully automatic, and.
the new /8 switch will force 80x25 mode if necessary.
d) Deleting a single file now requires a double tap of the "Y" key, to avoid
inadvertent file deletions from Note Mode by, for example, typing "dynamic".
Version 2-Minus.D, (Sept 1991)
==============================
a) The directory listing may now be sorted in several ways, either on-the-fly
or from the command line.
b) Utility port command-tail configurations now must have a "$F" entry for
the current filename to be placed in the tail.
Version 2-Minus.4 (July 1991)
===============================
a) Now starts in "file mode", with toggle to note mode via <TAB>. <NUM-LK>
toggles between file attribute and file time displays.
b) File management functions added: (N), (K), (A), (^A), (D), (^D), (F5),
and (F6).
c) ^E and ^E^E command line added.
d) There is now an internal configuration routine, activated with <@-F10>.
e) New ports mapped to <F3> and <F4> were added.
f) A 2nd tap on <G*> or <G-Scl-Lck> now displays a drive\path input field.
g) Sound can be turned off via configuration menu.
h) Mouse support is now internalized.
EARLIER RELEASES:
=================
Versions 1.5, 1.3x, 1.2 and 1.1. The first release was made in November 1990.
NOMENCLATURE
============ The numbering of 4FILES versions has become a bit confusing and
inconsistent for various reasons, and will get back on track with version 3.0.
There were no versions 2.0 through 2L. The "2" series started with 2M.0,
which stood for version "2-Minus". It was so named because it did not have
all features promised for version 2.0, but 1.x numbering was no longer
appropriate. This series continued to 2N, 2P and now 2R. 2Q was a beta
only. What would have been 2.0 will be called 3.0 to avoid confusion, and all
registered users will receive a free upgrade to it.
Finding Future Versions
======================= Keywords to look for are 4F, 4FILE, 4DOS, NDOS, FILE
MANAGE or NOTE. Releases on BBSs will appear as 4FILESxx.ZIP or 4FILExxx.ZIP,
and a corresponding 4FILES.INF or 4FILE???.INF information file will be
uploaded for each release. A good search string would be 4F*.*, which will
find both files. Since CompuServe supports only six character filenames,
releases there will be such as 4F-xx.ZIP or 4F-xxx.ZIP and 4FILES.INF.