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4F_READ.ME
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Text File
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1993-12-01
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126 lines
READ.ME ................. for 4FILES
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ NOTE: The format of the configuration file was changed in Version 2S.0.║
║ If you are upgrading from a previous version, delete your old ║
║ 4F.CFG file and configure the new version from scratch. ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
CONTENTS: ..... 1) A note to all users,new and old.
--------- ..... 2) A note to registered users.
..... 3) A note for NEW users.
..... 4) Compatibility.
1) TO ALL USERS:
================= If you have difficulties be sure to check the section on
compatibility below, and also press <Alt-F10> to check your configuration. If
that doesn't help, just give me a call, leave a message on CIS, or send me a
postcard or letter.
2) TO REGISTERED USERS:
======================== If this is a registered 4FILES disk, you will find
several un-zipped files ready for immediate use, including your personalized
copy of 4F.COM. The .ZIP file contains all files in the 4FILES package, but
the 4F.COM in this archive is the _shareware_ version, and is not a backup for
the un-zipped 4F.COM (the only differnce between them is the log-off message).
The purpose of the .ZIP file is to have the complete shareware version in one
place, ready to copy for someone else, should you wish to do so. Please treat
this disk like any other commercial shareware -- you should make a backup disk
for safe-keeping, but of course another copy will be sent if you blow it.
It would be a good idea to read the "new users" section below for
features which may be new to you, and you will also find 4F.VER(sion) to serve
well as a quick-start for the new features.
Remember to delete you old .CFG file if it was from a version previous to
2S.0.
3) TO NEW USERS OF 4FILES:
=========================== Thanks for taking the time to give 4FILES a try!
This file provides a few quick notes to help get you started, and has a section
on compatibility. You may find 4F.VER(sion) to be of interest also.
After loading 4FILES for the first time, one of the first things you should
do is hit <Alt-F10> to call up the configuration menu. This is where you set
up 4FILES so it can find your utilities. If a utility is in your PATH you
need give only its filename and extension. If you get garbage on your display
at startup, try restarting with the /8 switch. (The video system detection
should be fully automatic, but there is always the possibility of an
incompatibility.)
If you are operating with 4DOS, its internal browser called LIST will be
activated by the <Grey+> key, but you may wish to recongifure 4FILES to use
a stand-alone browse utility. Vern Buerg's LIST or TV.COM (included in this
.ZIP file) will give much faster performance since running internal commands
like 4DOS's LIST requires shelling to DOS first. The browser is also called by
<F1> and <CTRL-F1> to display HELP and the manual.
Play around a lot with the Grey-Minus, Grey-Plus, and Grey-Star keys in
various levels of your directory tree. (On 83-key keyboards the <Scl-Lk> key
takes the place of Grey-Star.) Grey-Plus has differing functions when the
cursor-bar is on directories, normal files, and archived files. <TAB> will
move you between file-management and note-editing modes. <NUM-LK> will toggle
the display of attributes and file creation time. <Alt-char> will locate a
record starting with the character, and <SCROLL-LK> will reverse the search
direction, either on-the-fly or before a search.
There are a number of other features and a great file note editor, all well
integrated into the keyboard to put a lot of power at your finger-tips in an
easy to learn and remember arrangement. Please lavish a little time on the
manual (4F.DOC) and at least look at "Quick Start" therein for now. I have
worked hard to incorporate a lot of features into 4FILES and to write a
thorough manual. It would be a shame for you to miss the full benefits of that
labor by trying to get-by by running the program by the seat of your pants
(although it's easy enough that you can get pretty far that way).
I hope you enjoy 4FILES and that you will find yourself putting it into
daily, if not constant, use. If not ... well, I'm all ears, I don't mind flak,
and I'm always looking for constructive criticism to help improve the program.
Again, thank you for taking time to try out 4FILES. I look forward to
receiving your registration, and if you need help I welcome your call, CIS
message or letter.
4) COMPATIBILITY:
================= 4FILES is compatible with both MSDOS (2.x through 5.0),
DRDOS 5.x and 6.0, all versions of 4DOS and NDOS.
COMPATIBILITY ISSUES:
--------------------
A) While the IMSI mechanical mouse works fine with 4FILES, the IMSI OptiMouse
does not. This is a problem with the OptiMouse driver, and IMSI is working on
a fix. The MSC Optimouse (apparently the identical product from a different
distributor) has the same problem.
B) PC-Magazine's LOG.COM intercepts calls to the DOS EXEC function, but
trashes the success/non-success data returned by the executed program. This
causes 4FILES to display the "incorrect configuration" message after every
utility call. While LOG.COM _can_ be used, this problem makes it awkward.
The best choices for logging are 4DOS' own internal LOG feature or a shareware
log program.
C) In past versions of 4FILES, some keyboard enhancers conflicted with some
of 4FILES' use of special keys (e.g. with keys without IBM-documented software
scan codes), or were conflicting more directly with 4FILES' keyboard interrupt
handler. Most if not all of these conflicts have now been resolved.
With NEWKEY.EXE, you should run NEWKEYSP.EXE and free-up <Ctrl-Esc> for use
by other programs via one of the menus. If this is not done, this key will be
non-functional in 4FILES.
Conflicts with SWITCH5.COM and a few other freeware key-swap utilities
result from the failure of the offending utilities to properly update the BIOS
data bits for shift key states (including Ctrl and Alt). I have found several
such utilities which either change only the scan codes or do update the BIOS
data, but do so incorrectly for some shifted keys. Programs which avoid using
the BIOS shift data will work properly with these utilities, but for the
moment 4FILES does rely on this data.
A handler for German keyboards called KEYGR has some problems. Use KEYGR16
instead.
D) In past versions there were conflicts with some video systems. These have
all been corrected. Dual monitor systems are now handled properly.