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- │ │
- │ MakeLoad v1.3 │
- ├──────────────────────────────────────┤
- │ Released 06/10/93 │
- │ Written by: Tony DePasquale │
- │ │
- │ Copyright(c)RamSoft Software,1993 │
- ╘══════════════════════════════════════╛
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- Registered [tm] 1993,
- RamSoft Software
- Post Office Box 840235
- Houston, TX 77284-0235
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- ╒═════════════════════════════════╤═════════════════════════════╕
- │ Office/Technical Support │ Modem Support │
- │ (713) 855-9601 │ (713) 859-8253 │
- ╘═════════════════════════════════╧═════════════════════════════╛
-
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- Table of Contents
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- What is MakeLoad v1.3.........................................3
- In the Future............................................3.1
- MakeLoad FILES and LOCATIONS.............................3.2
- Distribution Release..........................................4
- Shareware Notice.........................................4
- Registration.............................................4.1
- Contract Assignment......................................4.2
- Shareware Transfers......................................4.2
- Why MakeLoad?.................................................4.3
- The Installation TUTOR........................................4.4
- The Program TUTOR.............................................4.4
- What's NEW....................................................4.5
- Getting Started...............................................5
- Reading this Manual......................................5
- THE PRIME DIRECTIVE......................................5
- Where to Start...........................................5.1
- Getting Ready............................................5.1
- Protecting your Data.....................................5.2
- Menu Key action..........................................5.2
- Using the [Esc] Key......................................5.3
- SETUP using the Control Panel.................................5.3
- Changing Packing Drives..................................6
- Changing Size of Volumes.................................7
- Toggle Auto Backup.......................................8
- Editing Description Lines................................8
- Editing the Program Name.................................8
- Using the SET-UP Guide...................................8.1
- Resetting a Floppy.......................................9
- The Bottom Status Line........................................9
- The Boot Menu.................................................9.1
- Booting the Main Menu....................................9.1
- Using a CUSTOM Menu......................................9.1
- Exiting to Dos...........................................9.2
- Automatic File Backup(CRASH Protection).......................9.2
- The Main Menu.................................................10
- Compression Information..................................10
- UNLOAD (Out to Disk or HD)...............................10
- LOAD (Into Directory)....................................10
- BACKUP...................................................10
- RESTORE..................................................11
- PACK (Files & Store).....................................11
- UNPACK (Files for Usage).................................11
- SELECT a Program..............................................11
- DELETE a Program.........................................11.1
- Electronic Help...............................................12
- Printing the Manual......................................12
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- HELP Sections for this Manual are denoted with "<" & ">" characters
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 2
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- WHAT IS MAKELOAD
-
- <MakeLoad is a Multi purpose program, which has become necessary due to the
- increasing size, and complex installations of programs being released on the
- market today. MakeLoad allows you to install and use as many new programs
- as you want, NO MATTER what the size of your Hard Drive, yet always have
- FREE SPACE for more. This is a very BOLD statement to make, but in the case
- of MakeLoad, very TRUE. MakeLoad will utilize your Floppy Drives, and use
- less expensive floppy disks, to FAST LOAD & UNLOAD your newly installed
- programs in ONE COMMAND, as needed. MakeLoad will keep track of your program
- library, and save you not only MASS SPACE on your Hard Drive, but will give
- you the security of an updated AUTOMATIC BACKUP each time it is used. ALL
- of the guess work with your programs is removed, because MakeLoad takes care
- to remember for you... HOW, WHERE, and WHAT your program requires. To sum
- it all up, once you have installed any new program on your system's Hard
- Drive, and you have it running properly to your needs, and you have decided
- that it is a program that you want to keep... just type MLOAD, and MakeLoad
- will take over control of that programs future actions.>
-
- AUTHOR's Note: I made MakeLoad for my own system use, but soon realized the
- importance of sharing it with other Users. To the best of my knowledge there
- is nothing out that does the same or similar function. I use a 386 with an
- 85 meg Hard Drive, yet I control, and use, over 1,842 megs of software on my
- system. I have no desire to buy a larger Hard Drive now or plan to buy one
- in the future because of MakeLoad, even knowing that I will install even more
- software on my system. By the way, of that 85 megs I have, I normally have
- around 40-45 megs FREE for new programs. I allow my children to play hundreds
- of games on my computer when I'm not around, and never worry that they may
- harm something I am working on. I can even swap program disks between their
- 60 meg machine and mine when I am busy, and never miss a stroke reinstalling
- their programs from mine. MakeLoad is so easy and automatic, that my 8 year
- old son can use it by himself. If you can read and press Enter, the rest
- is as easy as putting a floppy in the Drive!
-
- SPECIAL Note: Compression archives performed using MakeLoad is due to the
- programming work of Robert K Jung, and his program "ARJ". MakeLoad is a
- enhancement program for ARJ, and adds an extra, excellent use for compression
- programming, other than the traditional PACK & SEND that is thought of by
- most Users. Several addition programs using ARJ in other ways are also
- planned for in the future, and we hope you will try them as well. ARJ is
- written and a copyright of Robert K Jung. A copy of ARJ.EXE is included
- and installed with MakeLoad. Permission for use of ARJ.EXE with MakeLoad
- has been granted by Robert K Jung, and payment for this usage is included
- and paid for by RamSoft Software from the Registration fee of MakeLoad.
- Additional usage of ARJ.EXE other than with MakeLoad, should be only with
- the permission Robert K Jung, and a separate Registration of ARJ.
- Information on Usage and how to Register ARJ can be obtain by typing...
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- C:\> ARJ /? (at the Command line.)
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 3
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- COMING ATTRACTIONS
-
- There are several plans for future upgrades on MakeLoad, and be assured they
- are added as fast as my little fingers can put them in. Upgrades are announced
- in the "RSS NEWSLETTER" which is sent to ALL Registered Users in a quarterly
- mailing. Listed below are some of the current, being developed, plans:
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- MASKING MENU: This function when ON, will allow Users to totally remove
- the Program directory after PACKING, so that NO TRACE of it is there.
- Programs can be assigned to several DataBase categories, and, when
- called upon to restore will be grouped with similar programs in your
- library. This will also allow you to install as many OFF THE ROOT
- programs as you want (which is where most authors want to put them)
- and not be affected by the DOS 512 Maximum file cripple.
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- WINDOWS: Although MakeLoad is now compatible with Windows, it is NOT
- written for it. A full Windows version is already under development,
- and will soon be released.
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- VGA: A separate VGA/EGA version of MakeLoad with added Mouse and Menu
- control, as well as the Multi Mode version.
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- RECOVERY.EXE: A companion program that will totally restore a complete
- crash of your Hard Drive, using your MakeLoad files, even if you
- start from a freshly formatted Hard Drive with no files present.
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- EXTENDED FORMATTING: Adding a format function to format in standard
- or extended sizes,(360K to 800K+ etc.) that can be used even if your
- in the middle of a packing sequence.
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- COMMAND LINE CONTROL: So you may run the program from a menu or from
- a batch file operation. (Registered versions ONLY)
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- AUTO-RUN: Opens the PACKED files of your program, runs the program
- and returns to MakeLoad for PACKING again, without using any memory.
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- CONFIG CONTROL: Will capture the AUTOEXEC.BAT & CONFIG.SYS file
- settings of any program if different from your current settings, and
- execute a warm or cold boot at the time of AUTO-RUN and return to
- the original settings after use of the program, to PACK it and make
- ready the next program.
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- IMPORT & EXPORT: To transfer programs from system to system, by floppy
- or even null modem network channel, that can first time install the
- program on a second computer, and place it in that systems program
- catalog.
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- But remember, upgrades are ONLY available to Registered Users.
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 3.1
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- MakeLoad FILES, DISKS, and LOCATIONS
-
- MakeLoad v1.3 consist of a TWO disk set (360K) in its' commercial format.
- In a single BBS File is distributed as MLOAD130.EXE a Self Extracting file
- and may be found packaged in several compression formats which will change
- the .EXTension to the format of its' compression. MakeLoad disk use no form
- of Labels and are NOT CRIPPLE or protected. MakeLoad does use a sensitive
- system I.D. of the system it is in, that strongly will act like a SAFE virus
- that will not harm your system or files in anyway, and is not detectable, but
- definitely present and helps MakeLoad to sense its' location. Package forms
- and files are as follows:
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- DISK 1
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- 20010130.RSS --- Part 1 of 3 Program Files COMPRESSED
- INSTALL.EXE ---- The installer system
- ARJ.EXE -------- Third party compression file
- INSTAL00.SCR --- 15 total (Numbered Consecutively)
- Screen files for the Install Tutor
- OPEN00.SCR ----- 3 total (Numbered Consecutivelt)
- Screen files for the Install Tutor
- DISK 2
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- 20010130.R01 --- Part 2 of 3 Program Files COMPRESSED & VOLUMES
- 20010130.R02 --- Part 2 of 3 Program Files COMPRESSED & VOLUMES
- TUTOR.RSS ------ Compression files for the Tutor
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- BBS COPY
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- ALL of the files above are in the package AND
- INSTALL.DOC --- ASCII file that gives instruction
- on how to INSTALL from a Hard Drive.
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- NOTE: The install program for MakeLoad works for FLOPPY or HARD DRIVE type
- installation BUT will prompt for "INSERT DISK 2" If you are installing
- from a Hard Drive or Floppy larger than 360K where all the files are
- present, press [Enter] at this Insert Prompt and MakeLoad will locate
- the DISK 2 File(s) and install anyway.
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 3.2
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- PERMISSION TO DISTRIBUTE
-
- All rights to MAKELOAD are reserved by Tony DePasquale, of Houston,
- Texas. "MAKELOAD" is a trademark of RamSoft Software (tm). The
- program is copyrighted and owned by the author and only the author
- has the right to sell it. However, MAKELOAD 1.3 and its companion files
- may be distributed by anyone. Firms involved in shareware program
- distribution and charging only a reasonable fee to cover disk copying,
- handling, and shipping may also distribute these files.
-
- SHAREWARE NOTICE
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- MAKELOAD Version 1.3 is a copyrighted commercial program developed and owned
- by Tony DePasquale (doing business as RamSoft Software of Houston, Texas)
- and is distributed as shareware.
-
- "Shareware" does not mean free and it does not mean public domain.
- Shareware is a method of software distribution that lets you try a program
- out and pass it along to others to try out. Those who do not find the
- program useful are free to remove it from their system (although they
- may pass it along to somebody else, for evaluation). Those who like
- MAKELOAD, find it useful, and continue using it after a reasonable trial
- period (considered not in excess of 30 days) are expected to pay $25
- for each copy in use, plus $3.50 Shipping & Handling, OR a reduced rate
- per number of copies purchased under the "On Site" lease program, as
- detailed in the registration program contained in the MakeLoad package,
- (plus 8.25 percent sales tax for residents of Texas State).
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 4
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- REGISTRATION
-
- Payment makes you a registered user. Registration for MAKELOAD version 1.3
- brings benefits of technical help by telephone, a printed manual(when
- available), and a copy of all upgrades produced FREE of charge ($3.50
- Shipping & Handling if sent via US Mail), copies of the RamSoft quarterly
- Newsletter, advance copies of NEW release RamSoft productions, and Modem
- support, for a period of one year.
-
- Organizations such as corporations, other enterprises, government agencies,
- educational institutions, etc. should not expect to pay $25.+ for a single
- copy of MAKELOAD then put more than one copy into use. That is as unfair to
- an author as buying a single copy of a book and using a Xerox machine
- to duplicate it for the office staff. Payment of $25.+ is required for each
- copy of MAKELOAD in use within an organization, and discounts are available
- for quantity on site copies.
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- If your organization requires the formality of purchase order and invoice,
- don't let that be a deterrent to payment and registration; contact your
- purchasing agent then let me know the billing procedures. I've worked
- that way with several organizations.
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- We concede that there is no practical way to make anyone pay for shareware.
- Few shareware writers have the stomach for that sort of thing anyway.
- Shareware is an honor system. And it's a valuable system that is bringing
- many high-quality programs at modest prices from talented people who work
- diligently to evolve and perfect their products. It should not be
- exploited through abuse or forgetfulness.
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- Toll-Free, Fax, Modem, and Credit Card Registrations are available by
- using REGISTER.EXE, contained in the MakeLoad Package.
-
- Experience suggests that many people intend to pay for a shareware program
- they continue using. But they postpone it. Then they forget to do it.
- Eventually they might NOT even have the registration form and the address
- around anymore. Because that's human nature, the MAKELOAD Version 1.3
- package includes a companion program, "REGISTER", that lets you register
- in several ways. REGISTER is designed to work with RamSoft Software,
- and will custom tailor the instructions and form needed to register your
- copy of MAKELOAD Version 1.3, but it is IMPORTANT that the copy of REGISTER
- that you use, is the copy made for the copy of the program you are about
- to register. If you compare the HEADER at the top of the screen it is easy
- to see if they differ. Because of internal hard code, MakeLoad will
- NOT operate without the presence of REGISTER.EXE, until MakeLoad v1.3 is
- registered. Once you have registered you may delete REGISTER from your
- directory, but this is NOT recommended if you plan to give a copy to
- someone else to evaluate. RamSoft Software programs differ from others
- because they may be shared even after registration. The artificial
- intelligence of the program can sense where it is and will automatically
- re configure itself to shareware if it is in a system that has not been
- registered itself.
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 4.1
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- CONTRACT ASSIGNMENT
-
- The following program has been released as Shareware..(Try, before you BUY!)
- It is Copyrighted by, and the property of, Tony DePasquale, herein known as
- the Author. The Author, grants the User, temporary 30 day Usage License, for
- the purpose of evaluation. After said time, the User agrees to register the
- program, or remove, and discontinue use of the program, and all support files
- created by the program. The Author also grants permission to all, to copy,
- and distribute the program to other Users for their evaluation, with the
- understanding that ALL original files be included in distributed package, and
- that NO charges be assigned to the transfer, other than handling charges, NOT
- to exceed $10.00 total. The Author states that the program is FREE of any
- cripples in it's ability to work, other than the screens you are viewing, and
- agrees to REMOVE the screens, upon registration of the program by the User.
- The Author also states that the program has been Beta tested, and released,
- to the best of his knowledge, error free, but assumes NO RESPONSIBILITY, for
- the program's content, and offers NO WARRANTY as to its' performance. The
- User by usage of this program, assumes responsibility should any damage occur
- to the User's files or system, due to usage of the program.
-
- All programs that I write are produced using the Progressive Creation method
- of writing. From an idea in my mind a 1.0 beta version is produced, and with
- testing, a 1.1 copy is then released. Even as the 1.1 version is beginning
- to circulate, upgrades and enhancements are started. During development many
- ideas for improvements are noted and become upgrades in later versions. Also
- I like color graphics, with lots of bells and whistles, mouse controls etc.
- but reserve their creation and use to future versions as well. The bottom
- line is that all these extras cost money and take time, which I don't mind
- as long as they are wanted, and needed. The only foundation I have to gauge
- this need is the REGISTRATION of the program. If only a few register it,
- I must assume the need to be only for myself and a few others, in which case
- upgrades will ONLY be sent to registered Users. Your support is what keeps
- me writing, so if you like what you see and want more, please register.
-
- Your Registration gives you... 1 Year of FREE upgrades ($3.50 postage and
- handling) per request, 1 Year of Phone Tech Support, 1 Year subscription to
- my quarterly newsletter (Upgrade info. DEMO Disks, future projects, Q&A, etc)
- Printed manual if available, access to my BBS Service, Custom programming
- and Request service, and MORE!
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- SHAREWARE TRANSFER LAW
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- MakeLoad v1.3 is distributed in 2 file forms. As a TWIN Floppy Disk SET with
- an INSTALL.EXE file, which installs similar to most Commercial Programs on
- the market (Insert the disk in the drive, and type "INSTALL", and MakeLoad
- does the work of putting everything where it belongs). Also as a single
- compressed SELF EXPANDING .exe file called MLOAD130.EXE which is found on BBS
- services. This single file can be expanded in any Hard Drive directory you
- want and will use INSTALL.EXE the same as if it was from a Floppy. Since
- MakeLoad is developed as Shareware, you may give a copy of MakeLoad to a
- friend or upload it to your local favorite BBS. You may use any compression
- program of your choice to re-package it, which would change the extension
- of the name, and the action of the restore, but copyright laws prohibit the
- altering of the DOS File post name "MLOAD120." to anything else.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 4.2
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- WHY MakeLoad?
-
- <Actually this is a 2 part question, "WHY should I use MakeLoad?", and "WHY do
- you call it MakeLoad?". Up till the development of MakeLoad, myself, and I
- think most others, relied on 2 major commercial programs, to do a similar job
- that MakeLoad handles by itself much better. Large Backup Programs have the
- ability to backup complete Hard Drives, and do the job quite well. They also
- can do periodical updates, and appends, but seem to be difficult in this
- type of operation, especially when it comes time to restore. If you plan
- to backup your complete drive then a Backup Program is best, and this should
- be done on a once a week, or month schedule. It is the time between that seems
- to be the problem, when most of the time problems happen. Most of us forget
- to backup and always seem to take the chance that everything will be fine, and
- we can get just a little more done before we backup, just because we don't want
- to take, or have, the time to backup, or just can't seem to get the hang of
- an appending backup. It seems a waste of time and space to backup a complete
- drive, when you have only worked in 1 of maybe 100 directories you have.
- By the time you realize that you have worked in say 30 directories, over the
- course of a month, you then need a FULL backup. But, if a problem developed
- on directory 29's work, that affects your complete Hard Drive, you're in BIG
- TROUBLE.>
-
- <The backup you did last month won't help you a bit now! MakeLoad can and will
- focus on just the directory you are working on at that time, and continually
- updates as you go from one to the other, backing up and restoring, with ONE
- simple command, only what you want, and not affecting any other programs and
- their status. As for DRIVE EXTENDER programs that promise to double your Hard
- Drive size, they just scare me to death. They seem to scramble data so bad
- that if your drive should crash, putting everything back is almost impossible.
- Also some programs just won't work with them in the system. Is it really
- worth it to increase 80meg to 160meg? MakeLoad can extend your usage of drive
- space from that same 80megs to THOUSANDS of megs, and never scramble your data
- to where it can't be replaced, and since it operates in a true Dos environment,
- it will work with ANY PROGRAM. If it worked before your session with MakeLoad,
- it will work after, and ALL of this increase and protection, for just a few
- extra seconds. I am very proud of MakeLoad as you can tell, and hope you will
- truly give it a complete evaluation, before going back to the other way.>
-
- <Now, about the name "MakeLoad"... you must keep in mind that MakeLoad has been
- developing over the last two and a half years. When it was first produced,
- the idea was to make a simple loader, because of the complex load in and out
- installations that accompany most programs. When you bought a new program, you
- took the time to read everything, install it, and get the hang of using it.
- But, then found it necessary to remove it for lack of space and need of some
- other program. This meant when you needed it again, trying to locate all the
- disk and going through the same process again. The only solution seem to be
- BUY a LARGER Hard Drive and leave it on your system, or build some sort of
- batch file that would purge and reinstall for you, something you would probably
- call "My Loader" Hmmmmmmm.... this became MAKE LOAD, which became MakeLoad.
- Today this is what MakeLoad does, it MAKES LOADERS. With additional code, a
- good Database, Artificial Intelligence, compression, features being added to
- the package, it produced all MakeLoad does today, but the name's the same,
- because the purpose is. The feature to extend drive space and do single
- backups, are just a great fringe benefit that was needed.>
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 4.3
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- USE the Installation TUTOR
-
- Hopefully when you installed this copy of MakeLoad v1.3 you selected to run
- the Installation Tutor in INSTALL.EXE, but if not I recommend viewing it at
- least once. Not only will it help you with installation, but with how the
- MakeLoad System works. If you would like to view it now just install as
- before (MakeLoad can be installed over its' own files with no harm to any
- existing data) but when finished viewing, the install program will prompt
- for a PATH Directory. At this prompt type UNKNOWN and install will exit to
- Dos and NOT install.
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- The Program TUTOR (TuT!)
-
- MakeLoad now has a NEW member... TuT! The on board tutor now gives FULL
- instructions on the use of MakeLoad. Some Users prefer a more graphic, less
- reading type of instruct, so this "Buds" for you. From the BOOT Menu just
- arrow to the "TUTOR for MakeLoad (TuT!)" and press [Enter]. The Tutor is
- in full color, and shows actual screen configurations, with TuT! boxes for
- plenty of information on operation of MakeLoad. The Tutor can also be stopped
- at anytime by pressing [Esc] and will resume from where you were at your next
- session. Also the Tutor is equipped with a Subject Menu that allows you to
- see ONLY selected subject screens from the FULL View, making it a great,
- fast reference service while in the program.
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 4.4
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Whats NEW
-
- Many NEW features were added to MakeLoad and they have been inserted where
- needed in this Manual but Bug Fixes and small added applications will be
- noted here...
-
- Version 1.1 (a-d) amendments:
-
- When using the "SELECT Program" feature, if you are trying to change to the
- ROOT Directory of the drive you are currently on, MakeLoad would not do so.
- By adding some additional code, I have fixed a this bug and you may now
- switch to any program in your Program Library even the ROOT Backups using
- the "SELECT Program" feature.
- MakeLoad was designed on a VGA color monitor, but the code allows for use on
- any type monitor, even mono. During test of MakeLoad on mono systems the
- screens could be seen easily, but I noticed that if the contrast was set wrong
- it was hard to see the default information on the lower right corner of the
- screen. The screen was readable, but washed out, so be sure to adjust your
- monitor accordingly.
- I found that if you changed to a Program Directory using "SELECT Program"
- feature, and the MAKELOAD.DIR status file was missing, that MakeLoad would
- replace it, but the description lines would show the same as the last
- Program Directory you exited from. This bug has been fixed, and now will
- display NO LINES at all. The BLANKING of these lines reminds the User
- that there is no current information on that program, and that a purge of
- the directory did take place. The first time you again use the Program
- Directory with some sort of PACKing operation, you will be prompted to ADD
- or CHANGE the Description lines. MakeLoad does NOT capture the description
- lines to any area other than the MAKELOAD.DIR file itself. If it did, you
- would be DOUBLE storing the bytes and this may not be acceptable by some
- Users. The MASKING Menu when completed WILL offer this form of Database
- control, yet not double the size. Some Users like using a SHELL program
- for getting around in their Hard Drive, and if MakeLoad purged everything,
- this would be impossible. I am working on a SHELL attachment that will be
- a feature in MakeLoad, but I need more input from Users on what they
- currently use, and need. There are so many of them out in the market place,
- and requirements by Users vary so much, that extra research on this is a
- MUST. If I plan to make something of this sort, I want to make it the BEST
- around, so as NOT to hurt the sale of MakeLoad, due to a lacking SHELL
- feature. NO User is going to allow DOUBLE use of SHELL programs, for
- obvious memory reasons. Both forms of selection will be available in the
- future so that the User may decide how they want to access their programs.
- Correction was made on a bug which caused "File Open" when attempting
- to "EDIT Program Name", ONLY if you were in the MakeLoad HOME Directory.
- Added NEW v1.20 installer with more detail and instructions for usage
- of MakeLoad. Repaired location of file bug that sometimes happened if you
- were installing on drives other than C:\
- Corrected bug in PACK/UNPACK feature that would sometimes forget the
- file name and cause a parameter string error that would not UNPACK files.
- Corrected the need to change back to the drive you packed on if it is
- different from drive currently assigned as the PACK DRIVE when LOADING or
- RESTORING programs.
-
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 4.5
- MakeLoad v1.2
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Whats NEW (cont.)
-
- Stacker compatibility restored with MakeLoad. Stacker as well as any
- similar transparent extended drive space type program, should now work with
- MakeLoad in all functions.
- Added total assume YES to all query with ARJ so it will not ask the
- User for permission to do any function. This will turn complete control of
- service by MakeLoad, to the Artificial Intelligence System.
- MakeLoad now tested with DOS 6.0 and the 486 system, and found to have
- total compatibility with all.
- Improved on the working features of the INSTALLER and fixed any minor bugs
- on locating directories of choice other than the defaults when sending the
- program files to Drives other than C:\
- Major face lift on the screens for v1.2 (light Blue shades and more graphics)
- as well as adding a more commercial header logo.
- Better Algorithm control for the main MLOAD.EXE file and added a new file
- called MLCUSTOM.COM which controls the actions and memory work for CUSTOM
- MENU actions.
- Added a check algorithm that checks for sluggish floppies which may not copy
- compression files back to the Program Directory yet still delete the
- compression file from the disk. This was a major problem, but is now gone.
- Please note that this was not a MakeLoad problem, but in fact a Dos access
- to a "sleeping 1.44 & 1.2 drives" which when not used for awhile would NOT
- respond to a MakeLoad order. MakeLoad now wakes them and checks just to make
- sure all is correct before deleting the file.
- Fixed bug that would cause a program crash when using the "Change Proper Name"
- AFTER it had already used the directory for some other operation of any kind.
- Added a MAKELOAD.DIR check routine that will check that the file agrees with
- the name of the Program Directory it is currently in. It seems that some
- Users would accidentally, when coping files from one directory to another,
- copy (Dos OVERwrite) the MAKELOAD.DIR I.D. file which gave MakeLoad the wrong
- information. MakeLoad now detects and will correct this with prompts to the
- User.
-
- Version 1.21 amendments:
-
- Bug fixed that prevented the PACKER from working with floppy disks where
- the Pack Size was less than the drive size. e.g. using a 360k size, while
- in a 1.2 drive, or 720k in a 1.44
-
- Added "Automatic Install" and several CLEAR statements with action reports
- to prevent User confussion. This is a MARKED improvement in the install.
-
- MakeLoad is compatible with Windows 3.1 and can be very useful. All the
- features seem to work fine, except for using a custom menu. The system will
- not crash when attempting to use this, but just returns to Windows. This
- problem will NOT be fixed in the DOS Version of MakeLoad. Since Windows has
- a great "Shell Menu" this seems to be not needed, but will be fully
- available in the Windows MakeLoad Version when released.
-
-
-
-
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 4.51
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- GETTING STARTED
-
- There are 2 things that are really needed in order to effectively use any
- RamSoft program, including using MakeLoad v1.3 This manual is in ascii
- format and can be read or printed from the Dos command line, but RamSoft
- uses an Electronic Manual for all RamSoft programs, so it can be used from
- within the program as well. Printing the manual from within the program
- will automatically reset your Epsom codes to IBM codes. So if a better
- looking copy, including the high characters in this manual, are wanted
- it is recommended to use the internal "PRINT MANUAL" selection from within.
- All operation commands needed to run MakeLoad v1.3 will follow in this manual,
- but can also be easily viewed using "HELP" from ANY inner Menu. An Electronic
- Manual allows the User to run the program, even if he or she does not have a
- copy of the manual present. This means that the only 2 things needed to use
- MakeLoad v1.3 or any other RamSoft Program is a general knowledge of what
- the program does, and how to boot it. If you have read Page 3, AND viewed
- the TWIN TUTORS then you have a general knowledge of MakeLoad v1.3, and to
- boot the program just type "MLOAD". Hundreds of hours have gone into making
- MakeLoad v1.3 as fast, easy, and convenient as possible. Easy INSTALL and
- REGISTER programs were produced to make your operation of the program simple.
- I have tried over 1000 shareware programs, and when I write, I make them the
- way that it would have been easier for myself to understand when I was trying
- a new program out. Taking the extra time to make it right and make it simple
- is what I figure to be the MOST important. I keep a backlog of about 100
- ideas on future developments and hundreds of upgrade ideas for current
- releases, but always take time to beta test and USE my programs myself.
- This will give me an insight to what is needed in the market place, and
- hopefully produce a BETTER program. Suggestions and comments on any of
- my programs are always welcome, and I promise to answer all letters and
- calls, but please allow time to respond.
-
- READING THE MANUAL
-
- <As stated before, the Manual of "NEEDED COMMANDS" can be viewed from the HELP
- line from within the program, but this NOT the complete Manual. It is
- still recommended that when time permits, and more knowledge is wanted, that
- you read this manual. In order to keep the memory allocations down, not
- all of this manual can be employed internally in the HELP Command.>
-
- THE PRIME DIRECTIVE
-
- The PRIME DIRECTIVE of MakeLoad is "Anticipate and do anything the User
- wants, BUT protect the User's program files at ALL TIMES!". MakeLoad is
- equipped with Artificial Intelligence and will at times change settings that
- you have made. MakeLoad will allow you to do most anything you want with
- your program files, but if it feels you are going to make a mistake, it
- corrects settings and then attempts to perform the task requested. If for
- some reason everything has not gone as it should and your files are not as
- they should be at the end of any task performed, MakeLoad turns on the
- auto-restore, and will put things back as they were. I think that telling
- you after a mistake, that you made a mistake (and your files are messed up)
- is useless. A program should understand that Users are not programmers, and
- should take over when an error is made. For more information on this SEE
- PROTECTING YOUR DATA, in this Manual.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 5
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- WHERE TO START
-
- As stated above to start the program just type MLOAD, but there are a few
- things of importance to keep in mind. MakeLoad is NOT designed to work in
- its' own Home Directory, as a matter of fact it will not work there. There
- are 3 types of program directories that MakeLoad will not allow packing in.
- First the ROOT of any drive, also directories that use the EXTENDED EXTENSION
- and lastly directories containing MakeLoad system and program files. ALL 3
- of these types of directories can be BACKED UP & RESTORED, but not PACKED or
- UNLOADED to disk.
-
- GETTING READY
-
- As stated earlier MakeLoad utilizes your Floppy Drives to store program,
- compressed data. You will need several pre formatted Floppy disks, ready
- to be written to. There are several EXTENDED FORMAT programs on the market
- that allow you to make the bytes free on your disk more than the standard.
- You may use any of these you wish, and MakeLoad will see and use any of this
- extra byte space when compressing, and storing. ONLY unused, freshly
- formatted, disk should be used. But, MakeLoad will NOT harm other data stored
- on a packing disk, but will change the label on that disk for its' use with
- your files, after giving you a warning prompt. After FORMATTING these disk
- merely number them 1, 2, 3, etc. MakeLoad will prompt you for which disk to
- install BY NUMBER, and the first time the disk is in the drive, MakeLoad will
- alter the label and that disk from then on will be assigned that number.
- MakeLoad uses a label system of MLOAD000000 on the disk, with the 0's being
- the NUMBER of the disk. The MLOAD part must be in upper case and must be
- followed by a 6 part number, even if it is a single digit like 000001. This
- information is provided to you ONLY because things happen, and you may need
- to duplicate a NEW disk to replace a damaged one. This information is NOT
- meant to be used in producing your own custom disk. It is always better to
- allow the program to make the disk and record available byte free information.
- If for some reason something should happen to your disk FORMAT a NEW disk and
- use the DOS LABEL command with the format stated above. After that copy any
- good files still accessible from the old disk and use the "RESET a Floppy"
- selection from the MakeLoad CONTROL MENU to reset the new byte availability
- in the program.
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 5.1
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- PROTECTING YOUR DATA - HOW TO RETRIEVE CRASHED FILES
-
- <Great care has been taken in producing this program to make it work properly
- even in the wildest of conditions, but there is always the chance of a Hard
- Drive crash or loss of a control file. Before going further with the HOW TO
- features of MakeLoad v1.3 it is a good idea to talk about the what IFs. This
- is part of the reason why the use of "ARJ" in MakeLoad v1.3 is used. When a
- program is packed away the only file that remains in the directory shell is
- the control file called MAKELOAD.DIR As long as this file is present or able
- to be installed, and the MakeLoad database and support files in the Home
- Directory are secure, your data is safe. If your program directory and the
- MAKELOAD.DIR file have been erased or deleted, but your database and support
- files are secure, merely go into the "SELECT Program" section from the Main
- Menu. Find the program that has been removed and transfer to that directory
- by asking for the programs number. When MakeLoad finds that nothing is there,
- the Artificial Intelligence will turn on the Auto Restore and replace the
- program as it last was saved. If you have NOT made a BACKUP, a prompt will
- be given for you to reinstall the program, but at least the directory, and
- MAKELOAD.DIR control file will be reproduced.>
-
- <Many Users like to DELETE the program directory completely after PACK UP (with
- the BACKUP ON) so as not to have the drive cluttered with empty MakeLoad file
- directories... and this is fine. MakeLoad will gladly replace it at anytime
- when needed again, and is a major reason for using the MASKING MENU. But
- there is that chance of a major crash or loss of files, so some important
- facts should be known to you. If anything were to happen to the database that
- holds the information for restoring your program you can manually reinstall
- your program by copying the Pack File and any volume files it may have into
- a recreated directory of the same name as the master Pack File. Then at the
- command line type the command> ARJ x {FileName} -jyvc -v This ARJ Command
- will NOT require the MAKELOAD.DIR control file to be present in order to
- restore the original program. This command will then totally replace all sub
- directories and files to your program as they were. You may then repack the
- program with MakeLoad v1.3 and be back as it was before the crash or loss.>
-
- I like knowing that my files are safe and always accessible even if a program
- like MakeLoad v1.3 has scrambled them, and I figured you would too. I would,
- as with any program you use, make a backup of MakeLoad v1.3 If you have
- MakeLoad v1.3 in a safe place and a backup copy of it too, you can rest
- assured that if all of the programs on your system have been MakeLoad v1.3
- secured, then they are ALL safe as well.
-
- MENU KEYS
-
- <All Menus used in MakeLoad v1.3 are Manual & Mouse activated. Manual controls
- include use of the {End} & {Home} key for seeing the top and bottom of the
- menu, with exiting of that menu always at the bottom. You can use the [ARROW
- UP] & [ARROW DOWN] for single movement up & Down, and {PgUp} & {PgDn} for page
- at a time movement. The {Enter} key will activate the current highlighted
- line shown as described by the line. The Mouse if detected at the beginning
- of any session of MakeLoad can also be used. Left Button (1 Click) to set
- to the line wanted and (2 Clicks) to activate. The Right Button for instant
- access to the under menu control (Be Careful... this can trigger very quick
- run ability) The Mouse uses standard Point & Shoot action.>
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 5.2
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- The [Esc] Key
-
- With the introduction of version 1.2 the [Esc] key is now active on all of
- the Menus. You may now use the Arrow Keys or [End] Key to select the bottom
- selection and [Enter] as stated in Menu keys which will return you to the
- Menu previous used. But, some Users reported that most other programs on the
- market allow Escape using the [Esc] Key also. So in keeping with the
- standards set, you can also press [Esc] and Exit back to the BOOT Menu, or
- if you are in the BOOT Menu pressing [Esc] will exit to Dos after being
- prompted for verification of the Exit with a "Y"es or [Enter] to default the
- YES command.
-
- THE CONTROL PANEL
-
- <At the Main Menu the bottom of your screen shows the Main Menu to the left and
- your Control Panel DEFAULT settings to the right. You can access these
- settings and change them as needed by Entering on the "CONTROL Panel" of the
- Main Menu. Settings that are set by you in this area are what will be used
- by MakeLoad during any action to your program pack work. This is with the
- exception to when MakeLoad needs to use other past settings for proper action.
- If MakeLoad changes your settings, they will remain changed for that session
- with MakeLoad, till you EXIT the session, or change them again. As you EXIT
- a session YOUR last requested setting are then restored for your next session.
- Keep this in mind if you use the "SELECT Program" often. You might UNPACK a
- program with settings not as your current settings, and by using the "SELECT
- PROGRAM" end up using these old settings for a PACK UP of another program.>
-
- I use MakeLoad in several ways, for many operations. If I want to PACK away
- a program I will use the floppy drive and leave the AUTO BACKUP "OFF" If I
- plan to use a program for several days, I use the Hard Drive and put the AUTO
- BACKUP "ON". MakeLoad remembers all of these settings though, and restores
- properly, but if an EXIT and use of the program is not made, the settings are
- not changed, if I just change directories using "SELECT Program". Since I use
- MakeLoad for Office, Home, and FUN, many different settings are needed. For
- an example, my company software is very large and produces a file only, backup
- everyday. The main software is on a BACKED UP floppy, but the daily file is
- BACKED UP on Hard Drive in the \STORAGE directory, yet at the end of each day
- I PACK the main file area for space. I purge out my game section completely
- for size and clutter removal, and call for them only when the kids are using
- the system. Still my personal programs and accounts are on a separate floppy
- PACKING, reduced for size only. Since I run a BBS service, I purge and keep
- off line many of the better programs till requested by my members. Storing
- these files on a different floppy, of different style, and reclaim them in
- PACKED .ARJ format to on line status. All of these examples are possible and
- more, just by experimenting with different Control Panel settings.
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 5.3
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- HOW TO CHANGE PACKING DRIVES
-
- MakeLoad compresses programs in their home directory, and sub directories, and
- places the compressed file, or files if volumes are created, out onto floppies
- temporarily when a program is not needed. It then restores that program as it
- was, at the last time of usage, when needed again. This temporary storage will
- require a place to copy compressed files to, which we call a "Packing Disk".
- Packing disks can be a floppy disk drive, or a fixed hard drive, for those who
- have the luxury of a large spare hard drive, with a lot of extra space. Hard
- drives of course are preferred for storage, because of their faster access and
- the ease of not having to change floppies, but this is usually not the case
- with most Users (myself included). Big Hard Drives cost Big Bucks, and
- floppies are much less in price to afford. Another thing to consider is that
- if your Hard Drive crashes all the programs you have stored, will more than
- likely be lost, but if only one floppy goes bad, only the files stored on that
- floppy are affected. Even if a floppy is bad, unless the damage is in the
- boot track, chances are that maybe only 1 or 2 files may be affected and not
- all the files stored on that disk. At any rate you have the ability to use
- either type of drive with MakeLoad v1.3 Another thing to CONSIDER is that
- the principal behind MakeLoad v1.3 is the same as most backup programs,
- which store compressed or working files to floppy disks, or flexible magnetic
- tapes. These programs would not use a Hard Drive to store to either, but
- some do offer that ability also.
-
- <By selecting "CHANGE Pack Drive" you can have your compressed programs
- stored at the drive of your choice. You may select any logical drive letter
- you want. If you select A: or B: your data will be stored there, but these
- two drives may NOT use SUB DIRECTORIES, because they are considered to always
- be floppy type drives and SUB DIRECTORIES would not be needed. The selection
- of any other drive letter (C: thru Z:) and this option of SUB DIRECTORIES will
- be available. If a Hard Drive is selected and the Sub Directory is not
- present, MakeLoad will create the directory needed, provided that PARENT
- DIRECTORIES above that level exist. The ideal selection is a drive which
- contains a 3.5 HD^ floppy drive, which with most expanded format programs on
- the market, you can format out to 1.72 meg. and even with standard format will
- produce 1.44 meg. of free space. 3.5 drives also seem to be able to take more
- abuse and hold data a bit better (I use my 3.5 HD^ with mine), but 5.25 drives
- of any size are fine to use also. MakeLoad v1.3 will accept and use any format
- you give it, and will verify copying of data no matter what size disk, or format
- used. It is IMPORTANT to realize that MakeLoad v1.3 will change the volume
- label of the disk it is writing to, for ID purpose, but it will NOT change the
- label of your Hard Drive.>
-
- This is another good reason to use either A: or B: in your selection of a
- Packing Drive. At the bottom of the Main Menu screen a status line is
- provided that will show the current Packing drive to be used, and any full
- path to be used on that drive as well.
-
- HD^ = High Density
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 6
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- CHANGING PACKING DRIVE SIZES
-
- The idea of packing a program up is to condense all the files in that program
- into one file, that has been compressed as tightly as possible for size
- in storage. For an example, if a program you install has 32 files
- to operate, in a directory call MYPROG, and the total of all the files were
- 2,402,359 bytes, and you wanted to pack this program, you may end up with
- one file called MYPROG.ARJ, at a size of 860,250 bytes. This would be fine
- if you were using Packing Disk in excess of 861K^, but if you're using 360K^
- floppies this would be impossible. For this reason you can set the maximum
- size of the volumes produced. Volumes are automatically produced if the
- total size of the packed program exceeds the space to be stored in on the
- packing drive. In our example above, if you set your "Packing Size" to about
- 362,000 Bytes, then MYPROG.ARJ would be split over 2 1/2 packing disks,
- instead of one. MakeLoad v1.3 at the time of restore would remember which
- disk contain the file sections (volumes), and put the files back together
- again in the proper order. There is no guess work as to what goes where,
- and how to reconstruct things as they were, because MakeLoad v1.3 does all
- the work for you.
-
- <By selecting the "CHANGE Packing Size" in the Main Menu you can either input
- the size you want manually or if you are using drive A: or B: as a Packing
- Drive, have MakeLoad v1.3 check any packing disk to get the maximum size
- automatically for you. MakeLoad v1.3 will prompt for a disk insert if you
- select AUTO-Check, and then verify the size before it continues the program.
- The disk you insert can be of any size or type, and may contain data or not,
- but it must be in the selected Pack Drive, and IBM formatted for a proper
- reading. Packing Size for Hard Drive storage is automatically set to the
- maximum of that drive, and will produce only ONE .ARJ file at PACKING to the
- size needed. The most important thing to remember in selecting a size (If
- PACKing is on Drive A: or B:) is not to enter more volume size then the total
- bytes available on 1 Storage disk. It is best to use to AUTO SIZE feature
- you are prompted about during the size selection. You can always change it
- during the confirm of size, if you feel for some reason it is to large, but
- at least you will know the maximum size of the PACKing Storage Disk. The
- status line at the bottom of the Main Menu will inform you of the current
- maximum size, and after any changes.>
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- K^ = Kilo Bytes (1000 Byte)
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 7
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- TOGGLE AUTO BACKUP
-
- <When the AUTO BACKUP is "OFF", as you LOAD(Restoring) a program back into your
- Hard Drive, the compressed storage copy is NOT kept. This action allows that
- storage disk to be used for some other program. If the AUTO BACKUP is "ON" the
- copy is KEPT, and if something happens to your program while in the usable
- state, this copy can be called upon to restore the program to the point of the
- last backup. Although having the AUTO BACKUP "ON" all the time is a more safe
- way, it also requires more disk to be used. MakeLoad will NOT write over a
- compression backup copy if you decide to UNLOAD or BACKUP the same program
- again. The reason for this is because MakeLoad must always protect your data
- and if while backing up again, you should DECIDE to terminate halfway through
- the process, the overwrite would have corrupted the original compression
- storage disks. If a third BACKUP is performed, of corse then the first copy
- would be made available for use. This rotation of disks means that from BACKUP
- to BACKUP, there are always 2 copies maintained at all times as long as the
- toggle is "ON". This is NOT the case though, if your storage drive is a HARD
- DRIVE. Here, only one copy is kept at a time. MakeLoad's protection will turn
- "ON" the AUTO BACKUP if you have it "OFF", when you BACKUP. It will remain
- "ON" till you end the session, at which time it will be returned to "OFF".>
-
- EDIT DESCRIPTION
-
- <The four description lines for each program, can contain any data you wish to
- be able to recall. This may be loading instructions, key controls, special
- codes, or anything of importance to you. MakeLoad does not use these lines
- for any reason, they are for your benefit only. Each time that you PACK,
- UNLOAD, or BACKUP, you are prompted to edit them again, if desired, but you
- may want to EDIT them while PACKED away, so you may do so at this Menu Line.>
-
- EDIT PROGRAM NAME
-
- <The FIRST time you BACKUP, PACK, or UNLOAD, a program, you will be prompted
- for a "PROPER PROGRAM NAME". This name is the name (and version) that the
- program is recognized by Users. The Dos name for MakeLoad is MLOAD and is what
- Dos knows when you type it at the keyboard, but this may not mean anything
- to you or other Users later when viewing your list of programs. The proper
- name is MakeLoad v1.3 and means much more to you and others. You may even
- want to add more to this title like, MakeLoad v1.3 (Shareware/Dos).
- Since MakeLoad allows you to change your programs files, and upgrades to
- programs are always happening, this Menu Line allows you to change the title
- to reflect the current programs Proper Name / Version / Information.>
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 8
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Using the SET-UP Guide
-
- <The SET-UP Guide is what MakeLoad uses to determine locations and
- information needed to operate third party programs connected with MakeLoad.
- It is a simple select from the LEFT side Menu which line you want to
- change and type in the correct needed information. The TOP select LINE is
- the Guide help to give a further description of what is need for the line
- requesting. There are 14 additional command lines, although only 2 lines
- with this 1.3 version or being used. Full descriptions for each line are
- included in this Manual and via the HELP commands, to give you further
- information not included in the Guide Help.>
-
- <LINE 1: To operate your CUSTOM Shell MENU MakeLoad needs to know where the
- files to this Menu are at. Fill in the DRIVE:\PATH where these files are
- kept. EXAMPLE: C:\NORTON or C:\MENU\COMMAND\NORTON etc. DO NOT add an
- ending "\" mark to this line, MakeLoad will include it as needed.
- LINE 2: This line is the COMMAND used to RUN your CUSTOM Shell MENU. This
- can include any special parameters used with COMMAND if needed. This would
- be what you type when you normally run that Menu.>
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 8.1
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RESETTING A FLOPPY
-
- This feature of MakeLoad may never be needed or used by you, but if you forget
- and change from Floppy to Hard Drive as a compression storage area, it will
- become an important Menu Line. As mentioned in the TOGGLE AUTO BACKUP section
- of this manual, there are 2 copies of the compression storage backup copy kept
- when BACKUPS are frequent and produced on drive (A: or B:). If you should
- decide to CHANGE Packing Drives to your Hard Drive, and have not LOADed the
- program back into your Hard Drive, with the AUTO BACKUP toggled "OFF", then
- when you BACKUP out to your Hard Drive, the first copy that was out on Floppy
- would be TRAPPED. This trapping would cause that disk to never be called
- upon again and cause a space problem.
-
- <When you use the "RESET a Floppy" Menu Line function, you are checking, and
- correcting any disks current value and usage, that you think may not be giving
- a TRUE call upon condition with your packing. You will be prompt to put any
- Compression Storage disk, you want to check on into the drive. This disk will
- be checked by MakeLoad, for usage with MakeLoad's DataBase of current programs.
- If any files are stored on the disk, that are NOT being used by your program
- library (not including non-MakeLoad programs, they are never bothered) then
- MakeLoad will remove them, re size the disk, and record the information. This
- will place the disk back into the chain properly to be called upon for service,
- if needed and available in size. No service will be performed on any file
- stored on that disk that is currently needed or that will possibly be needed
- in the future. DO NOT TRY AND DO THIS MANUALLY on your own, even if you know
- for sure the file on the disk in question is no longer needed. This will free
- up the disk, but MakeLoad would still have NO KNOWLEDGE of your change, and the
- disk would still NOT be called upon for service with NEW program PACKing.>
-
- BOTTOM STATUS LINE
-
- <At the bottom of your screen is a status line of the current program directory
- you are in, of any program that has been added to your program library. It
- will give you additional information about the program not shown in the Control
- Panel. It is also seen, with others in your program library, when you use the
- "SELECT Program" Menu Line of the Main Menu. This line includes (in order)
- (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT)-=> THE PROGRAM NUMBER, PROGRAM MAIN DIRECTORY NAME, THE
- LAST DATE OF PACKING, THE TOTAL BYTES THE PROGRAM USES (including sub any
- directories) WHEN UNPACKED, AND THE PROPER NAME AND VERSION OF THE PROGRAM.>
-
- 000001 MLOAD 01-01-93 560231 MakeLoad v1.3 (Shareware/Dos)
- ┌────┤ ┌───┤ ┌──────┤ ┌────────┤ ┌──────────────────────────────>
- ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
- │ │ │ │ │
- │ │ │ │ └──> The Program's PROPER Name and Info.
- │ │ │ │
- │ │ │ └──> Total Bytes used by the program when UNLOADED
- │ │ │
- │ │ └──> The date the LAST time the program was PACKED in some way
- │ │
- │ └───> The Main Parent Directory Name of the current program is in
- │
- └──> The Programs LOCATION NUMBER, and Assignment Number
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 9
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- THE BOOT MENU
-
- <With the release of version 1.2 the introduction of the BOOT MENU has come
- about. This outer Menu is for the purpose of connect other services of the
- MakeLoad PACKAGE, many of which are not associated with the original MakeLoad
- actions. SOME of these selections display an (*) following the description.
- This mark denotes a service under development and NOT added as of yet and
- that will be in future versions of MakeLoad. You may try any of these MARKED
- selections and be able to read the information on how when finished the
- function will work. This type of display helps in development to RESERVE
- an area, and to get input from Users as to what they would like to see in
- the MakeLoad PACKAGE.>
-
- Booting the Main Menu
-
- <This selection from the BOOT MENU brings you into the Main Menu area. When
- you are at the BOOT MENU you are NOT actually in MakeLoad. The Boot Menu
- allows connection to all of the MakeLoad services, including MakeLoad Proper
- itself.>
-
- USING a CUSTOM MENU
-
- <Many Users have their on favorite Shell Menu that they prefer. It may be
- Norton's Commander, X-Tree, Pop-Dos, or many of the others out on the market.
- MakeLoad allows you to use ANY of these menus you want, while still being in
- the MakeLoad Environment. Before you can select this function you must
- set-up the controls for its' use in the "SET-UP Guide" in the CONTROL PANEL.
- Information for this set-up are described in the SET-UP GUIDE section of
- this Manual. Once you have set-up the controls from then on using this
- selection with just an [Enter] after arrow down, will drop the memory used
- to run MakeLoad, end use of MakeLoad, and BOOT your Shell Menu. MakeLoad
- then stays in the background transparently while you conduct action with
- your Shell Menu, even if you are running other programs. This is NOT a TSR
- function, because it does not use any Hot keys to reappear, but upon exit
- of your Shell Menu in what ever EXIT method it uses, will automatically
- return to MakeLoad. MakeLoad uses only 43K of memory while in this suspended
- state so you have plenty of memory left for your Shell and Programs. Note:
- should be made here that it is important that you are NOT currently in your
- Shell Menu when you Run MakeLoad and then use this selection. This would
- cause a DOUBLE boot of your CUSTOM Menu, taking TWICE the memory. MOST
- Shell Menus hold their own small memory when they run another program also,
- even if they are running MakeLoad, and then MakeLoad is running them.>
-
- It seemed that a major problem reported by some Users of the 1.1 version of
- MakeLoad was having to Exit MakeLoad and boot their Shell Menu Program so
- they could get around in Dos when finished with a MakeLoad session. Dos
- requires a lot of command line typing and these Shell Menus make it far
- easier to get around, copy, delete, view, edit, and even run files. The
- introduction of CUSTOM MENUS with MakeLoad will reduce this problem. You're
- right, you should NOT be made to give up something you like just so you can
- use MakeLoad, and having to type MLOAD in ever directory should NOT be
- necessary either. Even if you start with your Shell Menu Program first you
- still would need to type MLOAD at each PROGRAM Directory you would want to
- access and use.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 9.1
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- EXITing to Dos
-
- <There are actually 3 ways to EXIT MakeLoad, we will talk about the first 2
- here, that are acceptable methods, but the 3rd will be discussed in the CRASH
- Protection area of this Manual. Both of these methods are controlled from the
- BOOT MENU. First, you can arrow down or press [End] to go to the selection of
- the Boot Menu called "EXIT to Dos". Then press [Enter] and MakeLoad will
- Backup that sessions actions and cleanup your files to get them ready for your
- next session with MakeLoad. No Prompt is given, and the program will end.
- The second method is to just press [Esc] and your program will Exit & End the
- same as in method one with the exception that MakeLoad will prompt you to
- acknowledge the Exit with a YES or NO.>
-
- Automatic File BACKUP(CRASH Protection)
-
- <The worst way to Exit MakeLoad is to just press your RESET BUTTON or turn
- off your computer. MakeLoad confuses this type action with a CRASH or POWER
- FAILURE to your system. Every time you run MakeLoad the program checks to see
- if all of your databases and support files are correct. If MakeLoad finds an
- error it automatically restores your files and records to the last time you had
- a GOOD session of MakeLoad. This action would delete all actions performed
- during the BAD session, and you will need to repeat that sessions actions BUT,
- at least your files will be correct. Because of MakeLoad's perfect Data
- Control, the only way this ERROR can occur is with a Power outage or CRASH
- during the session. The Artificial Intelligence senses this crash and repairs
- the files accordingly. One type of Tech. Support problem I don't like
- reported to me is "My DataBase is bad and it can't find my records" so this
- extra foresight prevented that.>
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 9.2
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- MAIN MENU
-
- Typing MLOAD in any directory will bring you directly to the Main Menu, and
- a Directory ID file is created in that Program Directory called MAKELOAD.DIR
- At that time no program number is assigned to the program, but the first time
- the program is PACKed in any way, the next available number is assigned to it,
- and the program is then added to your Program Catalog. The first time you
- start MakeLoad several files will be created, and your HELP files will be
- created, by a scan of the doc file. This first start may take a bit longer
- to bring you to the Main Menu, but after that loading from program to program
- will be quick. MakeLoad learns about your system as it operates and will run
- faster with each continued use. There are 3 types of PACKing functions control
- in the Main Menu with an IN & OUT feature to each. It is important to
- understand functionality of each and how they differ in performance.
-
- COMPRESSION OF PROGRAMS
-
- <No matter which form of PACKing used, files of the program to be PACKed will
- be compressed to the tightest compression available. Compression means to
- reduce all of the files and sub directories of that program into ONE FILE.
- Then this ONE FILE is squeezed together, eliminating all blank spaces, to make
- this ONE FILE as small in size as possible for storage. If this single file
- is still to large to fit to a storage disk MakeLoad can break the file into
- as many sections as needed to fit. These sections are called volumes, with
- the MAIN Starting file extension called .ARJ and volumes called .A01, .A02,
- A03, etc. Files are name according to the program number as ML000001,
- ML000002, ML000003, etc. With file names such as ML000024.ARJ or ML000024.A01
- it becomes easy to distinguish a MakeLoad Compression Storage file.>
-
- UNLOAD (Out to Disk or Hard Drive)
-
- <Unloading a program out to disk will EMPTY the parent and all child
- directories of ALL of its' files with the exception of a 190 - 220 byte
- MAKELOAD.DIR file, no matter what the size of the program to be compressed.>
-
- LOAD (Into Directory)
-
- <Loading a program into its' original directory returns all program files
- as they originally were. If the AUTO BACKUP is "ON" a copy of the compression
- will be left on the Packing Storage disk. If it is "OFF" the copy will be
- deleted after transfer.>
-
- BACKUP
-
- <Backing up a program will make a Compression Copy of your program and send
- that copy out to a Storage Disk, but differs from UNLOAD because it does NOT
- remove the program's files from the directory, making the program still able
- to work. No space has been saved on the drive, but a backup of your work has
- been made up to that point during the day's activity. This is a great feature
- for programmers, or office workers, who occasionally, during their activity,
- need to drop to Dos, and make a GOOD, QUICK, Backup, without running some large
- Backup Utility Program. If the AUTO BACKUP is "OFF" at the time of BACKUP
- MakeLoad will turn it "ON" and it will remain "ON" for the duration of that
- session till you EXIT, or CHANGE the setting. SEE "Why MakeLoad?" SECTION>
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 10
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RESTORE
-
- <Restore will replace all the program files and sub directories as they were
- at the time of BACKUP. The difference between RESTORE and LOAD is that with
- RESTORE, if the AUTO BACKUP is "OFF" it will be automatically set to "ON" and
- will remain "ON" till the end of that session or if manually set with TOGGLE
- Auto Backup.>
-
- PACK (Files & Store)
-
- <Packing a file will compress all of the program files into 1 compression
- storage file and remove the program, but does NOT transfer the Packed File
- out of its' home directory. This feature was developed mainly as a way of
- importing and exporting programs from system to system, or as a temporary way
- to make quick space without use of floppy disks. If you have 2 computers,
- perhaps one at work, and one at home, you then could copy the compressed file
- on to a floppy and take it home, and return it with any changes backed up
- later. Not that I am in favor of taking work home, but sometimes it is needed.
- Also, if you have a game you're in the middle of and save it, you could take it
- to another system and resume it there. As long as you have two copies of
- MakeLoad you have a perfect IMPORT or EXPORT media. If you are installing
- the compressed copy on a host system for the first time you may use the ARJ
- command to restore (C:\> arj x {filename} [at the command line while in the
- directory for install]) and then PACK it for future action.>
-
- UNPACK (Files for Usage)
-
- <Unpacking the program returns all the files as the were at the time of the
- PACK, and removes the compression storage file from the program's home
- directory. Keep in mind that when this operation is completed there is NO
- backup of the program.>
-
- SELECT Program
-
- <When you conduct any action of PACKing in a program directory, after the
- action is completed, a program number is assigned to the program, and that
- program is added to your Program Library. By entering on the "SELECT Program"
- Menu Line, the Program Library is viewed. You may {PgUp} or {PgDn} till you
- see in that screen page the program you wish to work with. When that screen
- is present, press the {Space Bar} and you will be prompted for the program
- number (Seen in the first column to the left) you desire. A tone is sounded
- and the cursor activated above the Program Number column. Type in the number
- you want and MakeLoad transfers to this directory, no matter what drive or
- directory is asked for. If no program in the list is desired, you may press
- {Enter} and exit unchanged. If for some reason the directory is not present,
- MakeLoad will create it, provided that Parent directories above the Program's
- Home directory exist. If MakeLoad finds no MAKELOAD.DIR ID file in the
- directory, MakeLoad will create one to replace it. MakeLoad then assumes that
- a crash of the system has been made and carries out the PRIME DIRECTIVE and
- attempts to replace the program, using the last known BACKUP of the program.
- If no BACKUP is available, MakeLoad will prompt you to reinstall the program
- and will consider the new files you add as current.>
-
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 11
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- DELETE a Program Directory
-
- <With the introduction of MakeLoad v1.2 you can use the "SELECT Program" to
- delete a Program Directory from your Program Catalog. This function works
- the same as Selecting a Program, except that instead of pressing the
- {Space bar} you press the [Del] Delete key. Makeload will then prompt for
- the NUMBER of the Program Directory you want to DELETE. If 0 (Zero) or a
- NULL (None) input is made NO SELECTION is made and you will return to the
- BOOT Menu. If the number exist MakeLoad moves to that directory to work.
- If the program is NOT present (UNLOADED or PACKED) MakeLoad will first
- restore the program then alters all records and assigns that Program
- Directory to a 000000 (NO LISTING) directory.>
-
- That program number then shows on the status line as:
-
- 000045 [[NONE]] 01-01-93 0 RESERVED for next Program
-
- <The next program added to your Program Library will then be assigned this
- number and the records of that program will be kept as that number. MakeLoad
- will NOT actually delete your program files. We feel that this is STRICTLY
- up to the User to handle. Also MakeLoad will insist on restoring the files to
- their original condition before deletion of the record.>
- Some Users may not like the idea of being forced to restore, and want this
- to be an option, not a must, but there is just to much of a chance of error
- by the User, and I do not like asking "ARE YOU SURE?" if you were not you
- wouldn't have ask. This way if you made a mistake then the files are there
- and you can just ADD the program again to your Library (NO HARM, just a
- little time lose).
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 11.1
- MakeLoad v1.3
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ELECTRONIC HELP
-
- <Help from any Menu in MakeLoad is available by using the "HELP Electronic
- Manual" Menu Line. A Subject Menu is then displayed, and you can then arrow
- to the topic you want to check on in the MakeLoad Manual. After viewing the
- HELP Screen, pressing any key will return you to the Subject Menu to get
- another topic, or press {End} and then {Enter} for the Main Menu. Lines
- shown in the HELP Screen are taken from the MakeLoad Manual, located in your
- MakeLoad Directory, in a file called MLOAD.DOC, and may be read using any
- standard ascii file viewer. When viewing the Manual, areas encased with the
- "<" & ">" marks can be seen using the "HELP Electronic Manual" Menu Line.
- It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED when possible to read at least the other lines not
- denoted, for additional information about MakeLoad. The Electronic Manual is
- a complete text of all information and controls, in using MakeLoad. It will
- not differ in any way from the PRINTED manual (IF and when available). HELP
- Screens are lines of text taken from the Electronic Manual, and do not reflect
- the total help available, but contain Control Information for usage of
- MakeLoad, while in the MakeLoad session.>
-
- PRINTING THE MANUAL
-
- <Your MakeLoad Manual may be printed from the Dos command line, while in the
- MakeLoad Home Directory, when typing [copy mload.doc prn] but if you are
- like most Users, your printer is set to an Epson format and high characters
- in the Manual will not be printed properly. Text of course is printed correctly
- but if a better look is desired use the "PRINT MANUAL" Menu Line located at
- the top of the Subject Menu, when using "HELP Electronic Manual". This action
- will set your printer to IBM Mode before printing and produce a much better
- look to your Manual.>
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- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- RamSoft Software 12