The Business Master (3rd Edition)

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ The Business Master (3rd Edition) / The Business Master (3rd Edition).iso / files / utilfile / reducer2 / reducer.doc < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1989-01-15 | 18.2 KB | 420 lines

T H E R E D U C E R 1.20 Page 1 Copyright (C) 1989 by Elkay Software - All rights reserved The Reducer is designed to save space on a hard disk system and make it easier to access programs by creating a menu. To accomplish this, Phil Katz's compression utilities, PKARC and PKXARC, must be used. These files are not included with this package and must be obtained from another source, such as a local Bulletin Board System or directly from PKware. The Reducer saves space by making a menu for the hard disk and allowing any subdirectory on the menu to be reduced. It is recommended that this only be done on subdirectories that are accessed infrequently. When selecting a reduced item from the menu, the subdirectory unreduces itself and runs the program in that subdirectory. After working with the program it reduces the subdirectory once again (including all new files created) and returns to the hard disk menu. SHAREWARE This program is distributed under the Shareware concept, which means that you are granted a temporary license to evaluate the software. After 30 days a registration fee of $ 25.00 is required. To register use the file REGISTER.FRM included with this package. The Reducer may be copied and distributed via electronic bulletin board systems or other means. The program must remain unmodified and contain ALL original files. No fee may be charged for this software other than a disk copying fee, which may not exceed $5.00. The benefits of registration are: 1. The latest version of The Reducer on disk. 2. A printed manual. 3. Support from the author via THE ARCHIVES BBS in Orlando, Florida 407/894/3821, 1200/2400 Baud, N-8-1, 24 hours a day. 4. Special discounts on future releases from Elkay Software. Page 2 DISCLAIMER Elkay software is not responsible for any hardware damage or loss of data incurred by using The Reducer. This package is provided "as is" with no expressed or implied warranties including the warranties of merchantability and fitness of this program for any purpose. The Reducer and accompanying documentation are the property of Elkay Software and cannot be disassembled or modified without our express written consent. Elkay Software is in no way connected with Phil Katz, PKware or it's products. Registration of The Reducer does not entitle the user to any benefits from Pkware. The PKARC package must be registered separately with PKware. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS The Reducer requires DOS 2.1 or higher, at least 256k RAM, and a hard drive to run properly. The DOS files "FIND.EXE" and "CHKDSK.EXE" must be in the same subdirectory as your DOS files. Some versions of DOS may use the files "FIND.COM" and "CHKDSK.COM". Either .EXE or .COM will work. THE REDUCER PHILOSOPHY The concept of The Reducer evolved from the fact that no matter how large the hard disk is it soon fills up with programs and data. Some of these programs and data files are used frequently, while others are kept for occasional use. While it is easy to transfer this data to floppies for storage, it is inconvenient to access such data when it is needed. The Reducer solves this problem by retaining all the data on the hard disk while reducing it in size by 40 to 50%. Taking this concept one step further, a menu is created that allows access to this data by entering a one or two digit number. Once finished with the program, the reduction process takes over again and stores the files in less space. This version of The Reducer uses the subdirectories one level deep, which means that you can reduce C:\Lotus but not C:\Lotus\Accounts. Future versions may allow reduction of all subdirectory levels. HOW REDUCTION IS ACCOMPLISHED Those who use Electronic Bulletin Board Systems are familiar with utilities that archive files. Archived files put a great deal of information into a small space and increase both the life expectancy and the storage capability of your expensive hard disk. This advantage is now available to everyone who uses The Reducer. Storage requirements for archived files will average 40 to 50% less than the original files. Text files are usually able to be reduced in size by a much greater degree than .EXE or .COM files. Page 3 THE HARD DISK MENU The Reducer creates a menu for use with the hard disk. This menu is a screen which shows your selections. It is also a collection of batch files that changes subdirectories, reduces, unreduces and runs the programs. Each menu item will list the name of the selected subdirectory and will reduce or unreduce files, depending upon your specifications. EXAMPLE: ╔════════════════════ HARD DISK MENU ═══════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ 0 - Lotus 1 - Dbase ║ ║ 2 - Telix 3 - *Q&A ║ ║ 4 - Procomm 5 - Narc ║ ║ 6 - *Storm40 7 - Outline ║ ║ 8 - PFS 9 - *MDR200 ║ ╚═══ * Subdirectory is reduced ═════════════════════════════╝ To change to the Lotus subdirectory and run the program, type 0 and hit ENTER. After exiting Lotus, the hard disk menu will reappear on the screen. Item #3 is preceded by an asterisk, which indicates that this subdirectory is reduced. Select #3 and the menu will change subdirectories to Q&A, unreduce the files and then execute the program. After exiting Q&A, all the files within the subdirectory will be reduced (including any new files created). The hard disk menu will then reappear on the screen. The Reducer is particularly useful for those who would rather not worry about subdirectories, command line parameters and command names to execute programs. FEATURES OF THE REDUCER: - Has options for adding and deleting menu items at a later time. - Provides an easy method for creating a permanent menu. - Enables more data to reside on the hard disk by automatically reducing the selected programs. - Makes backing up the hard disk simpler, faster and less expensive. - Creates smaller programs and organizes them into related groups. - Includes on-line viewing of enclosed documentation. Page 4 INSTALLING THE REDUCER ON THE HARD DISK THE REDUCER may come to you in one of two forms: If you downloaded this program from an electronic BBS it will be in archived form. Create a subdirectory on the hard disk called REDUCER. EXAMPLE: C:\reducer. Unarc the files into this subdirectory. Copy PKARC and PKXARC into The Reducer subdirectory. At the C:\REDUCER prompt type REDUCER to execute the program. If received in unarced form, create a subdirectory called REDUCER and at the C:\REDUCER PROMPT copy A:*.*. Next, copy PKARC and PKXARC into The Reducer subdirectory. Then type REDUCER to execute the program. NAVIGATING THE REDUCER SCREENS After viewing the opening screen hit ENTER. The main command screen will appear. The interface provides three ways to access commands available. 1. You can toggle to a selection by using the up/down arrow keys. Hitting ENTER will execute the option that is highlighted. 2. Typing the number of the selection will immediately execute the option chosen. 3. Typing the first letter of the command selection will also execute the option. REDUCER COMMAND OPTIONS ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ****WARNING**** ║ ║ ║ ║ OPTION 1 ON THE REDUCER COMMAND SCREEN M U S T BE RUN ║ ║ BEFORE A N Y OTHER OPTIONS !!!!!!!!!!! ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Page 5 OPTION 1 Option 1 creates the menu and reduces user specified subdirectories. THE MENU WILL HOLD UP TO 40 ENTRIES. AN ERROR WILL RESULT IF MORE THAN 40 ENTRIES ARE USED. █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████ Please , please pay attention to the following directions. █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████ Make a list of ALL subdirectories in the root directory. Do not include any subs under major programs. To this list add the commands that will execute the programs in each subdirectory. This data will enable the user to answer the questions The Reducer asks in order to complete the menu. EXAMPLE 1: ┌─────────┐ ┌───────┐ │ ACCTS │<- These will NOT be │ LOTUS ├────┤ FINANCE │ on the menu. ┌──────────┐ │ DBASE │ └─────────┘ │C:\(ROOT )├────┤ PFS ├────┬─────────┐ └──────────┘ │ QB │ │ LETTERS │<- These will NOT be These WILL be ->│ GAMES │ │ DOCS │ on the menu. on the menu. └───────┘ └─────────┘ EXAMPLE 2: LOTUS is the command to start the Lotus program in C:\LOTUS. You need to know the command to start each program in each major subdirectory. Before running The Reducer it is recommended that the DOS command CHKDSK /F be run. This will recover any lost clusters on the hard disk. Page 6 After choosing Option 1 a window will appear on the Reducer command screen. It will ask where on the hard drive the Disk Operating System (DOS) files are located. The responses required are the drive letter and the subdirectory name. The default settings are for C:\DOS. In other words, if you hit ENTER The Reducer will assume that the DOS files are located on drive C: in a subdirectory called DOS. If the DOS files are located in a different subdirectory, type in the drive letter and the name of the subdirectory where they are located. Then hit ENTER. EXAMPLE: C:\ or C:\MAIN or D:\BIN etc. After this question has been answered another screen will appear. You may either press ESC to return to the main command screen or press ENTER to continue with the program. If ENTER was selected the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: Please wait... Checking all subdirectories... Following the subdirectory check the blinking cursor will appear at the middle right of the screen. The top window, labeled "Subdirectory", will contain a subdirectory name, while the middle window (where the cursor will be located) is labeled "Reduction Y/N". This is where you type "Y" or "N", depending on whether or not you want this subdirectory reduced. If it is a subdirectory that you access often, the answer would be "N". If this is a rarely accessed area then answer "Y" and The Reducer will compress this subdirectory to a smaller size. The window below this one is where you will type in the name of the file that runs the program in the subdirectory. If the subdirectory is Lotus, the file that starts the program is called Lotus. Type this in and hit ENTER. This function repeats itself until all the major subdirectories have been processed. The Reducer will then calculate how many bytes have been saved by reducing your choice of subdirectories. The more subdirectories reduced the higher the space savings will be. Upon completion, exit The Reducer to see the hard disk menu that has been created. ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ WARNING! │ │ │ │IF A BATCH FILE STARTS YOUR PROGRAM, THE MENU MAY NOT RETURN TO THE │ │SCREEN AFTER RUNNING THE PROGRAM. IF YOU KNOW HOW TO LOOK INSIDE THE │ │BATCH FILE, FIND OUT THE COMMAND THAT THE BATCH FILE USES TO RUN THE │ │PROGRAM AND TYPE THIS IN INSTEAD OF THE NAME OF THE BATCH FILE. │ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Option 1 ONLY needs to be run the first time that you set up the hard disk menu, however, it may be run at any time to change the entire menu. Page 7 OPTION 2 Option 2 allows the addition of subdirectory entries to the menu. Many times new programs are installed and new subdirectories for them are created. The new entries will not be on the menu until you create a new subdirectory and copy the files there. You will then be able to run The Reducer option 2, which will reduce the item OR add it to the menu so it can be easily accessed. OPTION 3 Option 3 removes an entry from the REDUCER hard disk menu. If the files for this entry are reduced then they will automatically be unreduced and the .ARC file will be deleted. This will leave the files in their original state. If the files for this entry were not reduced then the menu entry is deleted with no other action taken. This option removes only the menu entry and NOT the DOS subdirectory. If you wish to remove the subdirectory from the hard drive use the DOS command "RD" or "RMDIR". OPTION 4 Option 4 will undo all reduction that took place when running option 1. It will also delete the menu and associated data files, returning the hard disk to its original state (before The Reducer was installed). After unreducing a subdirectory for this function the program will pause and give the following prompt: READY TO DELETE ?????.ARC (Y/N ) If all files have been unreduced successfully then you would answer "Y" to this prompt. This will delete the reduced file that is no longer needed. If there was some problem during unreduction then answer "N" and the .ARC file will remain untouched and ready to recover using the PKXARC program. OPTION 5 Option 5 allows you to read the documentation for The Reducer ONLINE. You may use the Pagedown key to see the next page of Reducer.doc or use the Pageup key to go back 1 page. Home allows you to return to the beginning of the document. Pressing ESC at any time returns you to The Reducer command screen. This option may be run at any time from the main command screen. Page 8 OPTION 6 Option 6 is used to exit The Reducer and return to DOS. Upon returning to DOS, the hard disk menu that was prepared by using option 1 is displayed and you may use it to run any of the programs in the subdirectory entries listed on the menu. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MISCELLANEOUS INFO In order to access the REDUCER hard disk menu every time the computer is turned on two lines must be added to the end of the AUTOEXEC.BAT file: 1. CD\REDUCER 2. TYPE ELKAY.MNU ------------------------------------------------------------------------ IF AN UNREDUCED SUBDIRECTORY EXISTS ON THE MENU AND YOU WISH TO REDUCE IT, USE OPTION 3 AND REMOVE THE SUBDIRECTORY ENTRY FROM THE MENU. THEN USE OPTION 2 TO ADD IT BACK TO THE MENU. WHEN YOU ADD THE ENTRY BACK YOU WILL BE ASKED WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE THIS SUBDIRECTORY REDUCED. SELECT THE "Y" OPTION. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ IF YOU EXPERIENCE POWER FAILURE WHEN REDUCING OR UN-REDUCING ANY SELECTION YOU MAY SEE SOME UNUSUAL MESSAGES THE NEXT TIME YOU USE THE REDUCER HARD DISK MENU. EXAMPLES: PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract utility Version 3.61 Copyright (c) 1986-1988 PKWARE Inc. All Rights Reserved PKXARC/h for help Unarcing: DESK.ARC Warning! file ADDRESS.PDM already exists! overwrite (y/n)? ADDRESS.PDM not extracted. Warning! file ALARM.CFG already exists! overwrite (y/n)? ALARM.CFG not extracted. Answer "n" each time "overwrite (y/n)?" appears and no further action is required. When all these prompts are answered the files will continue UN-REDUCE to completion. Remember, this will only happen in the case of power failure and normally need not be addressed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 9 ERROR MESSAGES If you receive an error message at the bottom of the screen it may be that you are missing some of the files required to run The Reducer or have misspelled a subdirectory or file name. IF YOU HAVE NOT RUN OPTION 1 YOU WILL GET AN ERROR MESSAGE WHEN YOU TRY TO USE THE OTHER OPTIONS. If at any time you receive an error message that reads: "Error number ###", use this number when reporting trouble.." Please report this error to the author at The Archives BBS. 407-894-3821 1200-2400 Baud, 8-N-1, 24 hours per day.