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- I - Table of Contents INTRODUCTION Introduction to DIR-DESC ................. 1 - 3 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Hardware ................................. 4 Software ................................. 4 FILE LISTING Files and purpose ........................ 4 GETTING STARTED Getting Started With DD .................. 5 IMPORTANT NOTES What you should know ..................... 6 DIR-DESC'S MENU SYSTEM Overview ................................. 7 FUNCTION KEYS Arrow & Function Keys .................... 8 Mouse .................................... 8 DIR-DESC'S SUB-MENU SYSTEM File ..................................... 9 Description ........................ 9 Copy ............................... 9 Move ............................... 9 Rename ............................. 10 Erase .............................. 10 View ............................... 10 Dos Shell .......................... 10 Quit ............................... 10 Directory ................................ 11 Change ............................. 11 Tree ............................... 11 Select Drive ....................... 11 Make ............................... 11 Remove ............................. 11 Kill ............................... 11 Print .................................... 12 Diskette Jacket .................... 12 File ............................... 12 Description ........................ 12 Current Directory .................. 12 Convert ............................ 12 DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - II - Table of Contents Locate ................................... 13 File name .......................... 13 Selected text ...................... 13 Sort ..................................... 14 File name .......................... 14 Extension .......................... 14 Description ........................ 14 UN-sort ............................ 14 Note's ............................. 14 SYSTEM ATTRIBUTES (a first look) ............................ 15 Attributes ............................... 16 Hide ............................... 16 UN-Hide ............................ 17 Protect ............................ 17 UN-Protect ......................... 17 System ............................. 17 Non-System ......................... 17 Archive ON ......................... 17 Archive OFF ........................ 18 Change Date ........................ 18 Change Time ........................ 18 Utilities ................................ 19 Tag All ............................ 19 UnTag All .......................... 19 Format ............................. 19 Volume Label ....................... 19 Set Date ........................... 19 Set Time ........................... 19 Help ..................................... 20 About DIR-DESC ..................... 20 Help ............................... 20 INFORMATION LINE On-line help ............................. 20 REGISTRATION Warranty ................................. 21 Registration ............................. 22 EZ-DB Description ........................ 22 Registration Form ........................ 23 DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 -1- INTRODUCTION Think of all the people that tried to organize their home finances or business data etc. before the mighty home computer, that is a lot of file cabinet space and shoe boxes. Now that almost every other household owns one form of a computer or another, whether it's shareware or shelf stock there is just as much software out in the market. From taxes to recipes, the kids homework, your personal documents and yes lets not forget your programs. Even with the advancement of computers keeping files on a computer and knowing what they all are can be very cumbersome. Here are some examples of what I'm talking about and most likely you could use a program like DIR-DESC. Say you are a programmer, and on your computer of course you have one or more directory's for your language. Is there an easy way of keeping track of all your files? How well can an eight character filename really explain what this program does? Not too! Even if you have your programs, functions, data files, include files etc. in different directory's, their still hard to match up. Imagine, a very well built, powerful menu system that you can add fifty-five characters to every file and directory name on your computer. Just think that when you go looking for a program you can have the information right there telling you what that program does, the data file that is associated with it, and much more. What about the kids files, everything from the homework to letters for friends. I know that if I don't keep track of these files, my computers memory fills up fast with a lot of files that I don't have a clue what they are used for. I find it a great waste of time cleaning my directory's when I don't know what the files are. If your kids use the computer take a quick look at your root directory or WP directory and see what I mean. Teach the kids to use DIR-DESC, it will help save time with your file cleaning, and also inform you when a file should not be read in fear of the kids embarrassment. Documents, documents, documents, everybody saves more documents than they know what to do with. A secretary types out letters for just about everybody and every thing in the office at one time or another. What if (s)he were on vacation or sick, good luck finding files on someone else's computer with DIR- DESC to help you. So how long do you think it would take for a good secretary to type out less than fifty-five characters? At thirty words a minute with the average word five letters long, well you can figure that one out. Secretary's are very busy and if a program like DIR-DESC can save her five minutes every time she needs to access an old document, that saves the company money. The old saying is very true "Time is Money". And don't be fooled, a sectary is always looking up old time sheets, letters the boss sent out and (s)he can't remember exact words which are needed for the conference call in 15 minutes, or maybe just a resume that (s)he typed up for the guy three cubes down on the left, you know ah what his name. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 2 - Introduction (Continued) There are so many useful ways to use DIR-DESC I obviously cannot name them all but the ones I did name should give you a good idea why we created a utility with such useful tools. Don't go through the time consuming task of looking at all those files one by one, use DIR-DESC to tell you what you need to know and fast. Looking for a needle in a haystack should have gone out with bell- bottoms and flower power. Give DIR-DESC a fair chance and try it, I think you'll like it. File names in dos are only allowed eight characters plus a three character extension, but with DIR-DESC you can now easily attach up to fifty-five characters to those files, and they will never look the same. Here is an example of what you see on your computer when looking at your files in the root directory. Volume in drive C has no label Directory of C:\ COMMAND COM 25307 03-17-87 12:00p DD EXE 104234 10-30-94 3:05p $$$$$$$$ DES 235 03-30-91 2:15p DOS <DIR> 03-02-90 5:00p UTIL <DIR> 03-23-90 7:39p MENU COM 16389 02-13-85 6:01p AUTOEXEC BAT 111 01-01-80 10:30a CONFIG SYS 13 01-01-80 12:42a GAMES <DIR> 02-23-89 9:15p WP <DIR> 09-06-88 3:49p MENU DAT 339 07-21-89 3:15p COMM <DIR> 02-01-92 4:01p CHESS EXE 10-23-93 5:45p 13 File(s) 21520448 bytes free DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 3 - Introduction (Continued) To some individuals wadding through these names, numbers and symbols is a confusing way to understand what is available on the system. DIR-DESC is here to help those users for an easier way to navigate throughout the system. The following is an example: (the same directory using DIR-DESC) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6:25 pm C:/ Mar 25, 1990 FILE NAME DESCRIPTION IO SYS THIS IS A MS-DOS SYSTEM FILE *DO NOT MODIFY** MSDOS SYS THIS IS A MS-DOS SYSTEM FILE *DO NOT MODIFY** COMMAND COM COMMAND COM MS-DOS VER 6.2 DD EXE DIRECTORY MANAGER USED TO ADD DESCRIPTIONS TO FILES $$$$$$$$ DES DATA FILE USED WITH DIR-DESC DOS <DIR> MS-DOS 6.2 FILES ARE KEPT HERE COMM <DIR> COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORY MENU COM XYZ MENU SYSTEM AUTOEXEC BAT DOS'S AUTO START FILE WILL BE EXECUTED ON START-UP CONFIG SYS LOADS SYSTEM PARAMETERS GAMES <DIR> GAMES DIRECTORY (VARIOUS ARCADE GAMES) WP <DIR> VARIOUS WORD PROCESSING PACKAGE'S MENU DAT DATA FILE FOR USE WITH XYZ MENU SYSTEM CHESS EXE GAME HIDDEN FROM NOSEY PEOPLE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As you can see there is a big difference with the listings, dos only shows you their file names. DIR-DESC allows you to customize a description for every file and directory on your personal computer. This is just one of the many useful functions that DIR-DESC is used for. This utility also allows you to search for files or the descriptions of files. How would being able to sort your descriptions and the ability to print out that data in various different ways, well that's all included with DIR-DESC. Having a customized description that you create for any file that you want can greatly decrease the time spent searching for one or more files. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 4 - SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS System requirements are the minimum amount of hardware, software, or a brand name personal computer ( EXA.. IBM, MAC ) that can be used with this utility. - Hardware: DIR-DESC is fully operational on an IBM PC, XT, AT or a compatible clone. The minimum amount of ram that you can operate this utility with is 640K. Although it is not necessary for a hard drive to be present it is recommended for the sake of speed. DIR-DESC works with MDA, CGA, EGA, VGA, and SVGA monitors. - Software: A personal computer running a version of DOS 3.0 or greater is also required. FILE LISTINGS File Names Purpose ================================================================================ README.1ST Simple informational text file INSTALL.EXE Install software to specific area DD.EXE The main executable file DD.HLP Help file accessible while running DIR-DESC DD.DOC Detailed information text file (MANUAL) ORDER.FRM Registration form, simple text file ================================================================================ DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 5 - GETTING STARTED Once the files have been loaded onto your computer, if you put DD.EXE into your path (EXA. PATH=C:\DIR-DESC\DD.EXE) then re-boot your computer, you will be able to run DIR-DESC without being in the directory that the executable file resides in. If you prefer not to put DIR-DESC into your path, you must change to the directory where those files reside. By typing dd DIR-DESC will start, with the first screen that you see is just a reminder that if you keep using this utility you must register with us using the form provided on the last page of this file or using the file named order- form. This first screen can be bypassed by hitting any key like the space bar, the return key or a mouse button. DIR-DESC is a full colored menu with the time and date in the upper corners, and the name of the hard drive and directory that you are in are located in the upper middle of the screen. At the bottom of the screen is a help file that explains what each function does when they are covered by the highlight bar. Above that is the size of the file with the date it was created on, with the time of the file and it's attributes. The main concept for shareware is to keep the high cost of software down, so that more people can enjoy good software for a fraction of the cost. Many long hours are put into these programs and we need your support. If you continue to use this utility, please send Ten dollars to us and we will send you this utility personalized to you. You will also be notified of any upgrades to the software. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 6 - IMPORTANT NOTES When you add a description to any file(s) within a directory, the file(s) descriptions are stored in a new file created within that directory. For example, if you have a directory named "UTIL", a file is automatically created within the directory UTIL called, UTIL$$$.DES. It is important that you do not delete or rename these files once they are created. If you do, the information that you typed in as descriptions for your files will be deleted, and there will be no descriptions for that directory. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 SHAREWARE is being distributed as a fully functional program, the ending screen will display a message reminding you that you must register. This screen will also tell you how many times you have used DIR-DESC Ver 2.16. This is only a reminder and has no effect on the operation of the program. If you continue to use the program after 30 days you must register. DIR-DESC has been expanded to hold up to 499 files per directory. If a directory contains over 499 files only the first 499 files will be displayed, all additional files will be ignored by DIR-DESC. If you have a directory with this situation, we suggest that you re-organize your drive and possibly create a few sub-directories. DIR-DESC requires longer time periods (1 minute) to process any directory which contains 499 files and above. There is mouse support in DIR-DESC. You must load the mouse driver that came with your mouse for DIR-DESC to function properly. When a SUB-MENU is pulled down, the left button acts as the ENTER key and the right acts as the ESCAPE key. By pressing the right button, you will cancel out of any operation or SUB-MENU. The left button accepts the current selection and continues. By clicking the left button on the mouse, the highlighted bar will move to that file when the cursor is located. At the right hand side of the screen there is a SCROLL BAR, this bar tells you where you are in the current directory. To scroll the screen one line at a time, position the mouse cursor on one of the arrow keys on the SCROLL BAR and hold down the left mouse button. If you wish to scroll a page at a time then place the mouse cursor onto the shaded bar right below or above the arrows in the shaded fields. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 7 - DIR-DESC'S MENU SYSTEM Overview At the top of the screen is a main menu bar which offers eight choices or SUB-MENUS: File Handles file operations (rename, delete, move, copy, ETC..) Directory Various directory features include change directory, remove current directory, make a new directory or KILL a directory. Print Allows you to produce a hard copy of the current directory, file, descriptions, or even a diskette jacket. Locate Search current directory for specified file name/description. Sort Allows you to sort the directory alphabetically in ascending order by the eight character DOS file name, the three character file name extension or the custom description appended to file names. Attributes Lets you modify the current file name(s) attributes (see Pg15 for a description of the attributes you can assign to a file. Utilities Allows you to format a diskette, add or modify the current drives volume label (give the drive a new name) or set the system time or date. Help Quick help on using DIR-DESC This page is used as a description for the menus. The utilities are explained in detail further along in this book, starting on page 9. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 8 - FUNCTION KEYS Access to the MENU'S and DIALOG BOXES can be accomplished it three ways. 1) This feature was installed for the use of the keyboard so peoples hands would not have to leave the home keys area. This step is fast and very useful for the person that dislikes the use of the arrow keys. Using the uppercase first letter of each pick will highlight and access the sub-menus. Once the dialog box has been selected you have a choice of which function you want to perform in the same manner, by picking the highlighted letter in the dialog boxes. 2) The RIGHT and LEFT arrow keys are an efficient way to move the highlight bar across the menus. Having found the proper menu the return key will access the sub-menus. The two previously mentioned routines are followed with using the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select the function you want to perform with return starting the function. Another form of accessing these sub-menu's is made fast and easy by pressing the highlighted letter in the pull down sub-menu and pick a function you want to perform. 3) For the user who likes to push and click we have installed a mouse option that makes this application very user friendly. By placing the mouse cursor over the appropriate menu pick just click the left button to pull down the sub- menu options. Again place the mouse cursor over the function you want to run and click the left button once. To escape from a selection press the right button which acts as an escape key. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 9 - FILE SUB-MENU DESCRIPTION: When you select the DESC function, a window will appear on the screen with the file you want to add a description to. A blinking cursor is placed where you are prompted for a fifty five character description of the currently selected file name. Any keyboard character can be used in the description field you are working on. Having a custom description or personal notes of the file is the most accurate way of keeping track of your files and directories. If using a mouse, select OK if you would like to keep your changes or cancel if you wish to abort the operation and not make any changes. Use the TAB key to either highlight the enter box or the cancel box. The enter key will accept your new description or the ESCAPE key will cancel and not save the new description or the changes. COPY: The COPY function is used to copy a file (which is lighted by the highlight bar, and can be moved by using the arrow keys) or a number of files to another drive or to your media. If you are copying to your media please specify the drive, (EXA. A:filename) it does not matter what type of drive you have it will copy to any floppy disk. If you want to copy multiple files they must be TAGGED and in the current directory. NOTE> The dos wild cards will not work with this function. NO CHECKING is done to see if a file with the same name already exists in the destination directory, if there is a file in the destination directory it will be over written as in early dos. The new file will have the same ATTRIBUTES as the original file, which can be changed at a latter date. Once the copying is finished it will return to the main menu. If an error occurs during the copy you will be prompted to try again or to cancel the copy. Take a look at what you typed in, its probably an easy mistake, like a ( typo ) which you can fix in seconds. MOVE: The MOVE function will move a file to a new directory on the current drive. When a file is moved, it retains its name and all attributes. Files may only be moved on the same drive. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 10 - RENAME: Allows you to change it's name, (any DOS file name is valid). Those parameter(s) are any letter of the alphabet A thorough Z, the underscore _, and any combination of numbers 0 thorough 9. If the file name already exists, an error will occur telling you access denied and you will be prompted for another file name. Type in a new name and press enter or click your left mouse button over OK. You can press the escape key or press the left mouse button over cancel at any time to exit the function without altering the name. ERASE: A dialog box will appear on the screen, prompting you to confirm the deleting of the currently selected file name(s) "ERASE: [FILE NAME]". If you want to remove more than one file use the TAG function (which can be found under the Utilities menu) and then press the ENTER key to continue or the ESCAPE key to cancel. NOTE> Once you have erased the file or files there is no way of restoring them with DIR-DESC in this version. VIEW: This function allows you to look at a text file as text or instantly change it to a hexadecimal format. At the bottom of the screen there is an option on how to display the file you have chosen, A) ASCII H) HEXADECIMAL or use the escape key to return to the main menu. The option to page up or down is also given as a pick. Your mouse is supported for picking and option or for scrolling the file. On the right side of the screen is a vertical bar which can be used by the mouse. DOS SHELL: DIR-DESC will temporarily take you to the dos prompt where you can perform any dos command as long as you have the proper memory requirements. When you enter into dos, there is a reminder on how to return to DIR-DESC but it scrolls off of the screen so don't forget, when you are finished in DOS simply type EXIT and press the ENTER key to return to DIR-DESC. This is a useful item when you want to run dos commands or batch files without quitting DIR-DESC. QUIT: Terminates DIR-DESC and returns you to the DOS prompt. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 11 - DIRECTORY SUB-MENU CHDIR: If a Directory is selected (having the highlighted bar across the directories name) it will automatically change into that directory and read the directory into memory. If not, you will be prompted by a dialog box asking for a new directory path, "ENTER NEW PATH:" At this prompt you can enter the drive and the directory. If the drive is not the current drive you must also include the path. (EXA D:\) This example changes to the root directory of drive D and proceeds to read the directory into memory. TREE: This is a great function that allows you to get a look at your drive in a format called a tree. This will give you a view (even if they are hidden to dos) of your directories and their sub-directories in order from the root directory. There is mouse support for this option. SELECT DRIVE: Here is an option that allows you to change to any of your other drives with the ease of pressing the letter and automatically changing with no other work. The arrow keys and also the mouse can be used just as easily. MAKE: This is a simple utility that allows you to create directory's and sub-directory's on your personal computer or a floppy diskette. You will be prompted for a directory name (Make Directory), enter a name for the new directory and press ENTER (or press ESCAPE to abort), if the name you use is a valid directory name then the directory will be created, if the name is not valid then you will receive a error and prompted to try again. REMOVE: If you have a directory that needs to be discarded from your hard drive this utility will work providing that there is no files or sub-directories under that menu. This utility does delete directories. KILL: This feature will ERASE the current directory and all files and sub-directories within and under that directory. (USE THIS FEATURE WITH CAUTION!) DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 12 - PRINT SUB-MENU DISKETTE JACKET: This is a great feature that prints the outline of a diskette jacket with lines that tell you to either cut or fold to form, with the file names of the current directories and sub- directories right on the front. Try writing ten or more names of files and sub-directories on a diskette label, GOOD LUCK!. Once this prints out you can easily cut on the marked lines, fold and tape together a handy diskette jacket. Note: this version only supports 5 1/4" diskette jackets. FILE: Send the currently selected file to the first printer configured on your system (LPT1). DESCRIPTION: This utility will print the current directories, files, and there descriptions that you have added. CURRENT DIRECTORY: print the current directory and all the files in DOS format. CONVERT: Convert the current ".DES" file to an ASCII file suitable for most WP editors. The new file name will have the same name as the ".DES" file but with the extension of ".DAT". (ex. UTIL$$$$.DES will be converted to UTIL$$$$.DAT) This is the file that holds your description information. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 13 - LOCATE SUB-MENU FILE NAME: Allows you to search the current directory for a specific file name. It will only find the first file in the directory that matches your search criteria, so you must be specific on the filename that you give to the program. Dos wild cards are accepted. (* or ?) SELECTED TEXT: This feature works like the file name but instead of looking for a file name, it finds a specific file by searching for a specified description in the description field. A handy utility for the use of the descriptions. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 14 - SORT SUB-MENU FILE NAME: This function will sort the current directory alphabetically in ascending order by the eight character file name. In this version of DIR-DESC 2.16, the information is not saved in any form or file. It will return to normal upon exiting and returning into DIR-DESC. EXTENSION: This function will sort the current directory alphabetically in ascending order by the three character extension. In this version of DIR-DESC 2.16, the information is not saved in any form or file. It will return to normal upon exiting and returning into DIR-DESC. DESCRIPTION: This function will sort the current directory alphabetically in ascending order by the fifty five character description. In this version of DIR-DESC 2.16, the information is not saved in any form or file. It will return to normal upon exiting and returning into DIR-DESC. UNSORTED: This function will display the current directory in an unsorted format the way the directory resides in dos. Note: All sorts are performed as "QUICK" sorts and are only sorted on the specific field. (By sorting a directory more than once, you may see a different result but it will still be sorted on only the specific field.) DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 15 - SYSTEM ATTRIBUTES (a first look) Dos uses five different file attributes which give a file name a special status. A file may have several of these attributes concurrently (but not all). File attributes serve useful purposes in MS-DOS. The file attributes tell dos whether the file needs special handling or protection. A files attributes can be any combination at the following attributes. With the exception of the (D)irectory attribute (it can only be hidden or un-hidden). - (H)IDDEN By marking the file as a hidden file, the file remains HIDDEN from the user during normal dos operations. - (R)EAD ONLY If a user or an application attempts to modify or delete a protected file, dos will return the message "ACCESS DENIED" and the file will remain intact. - (S)YSTEM A file used by the operating system (DOS). These files are normally hidden from the user and should not me modified or deleted from the system. Also moving them from the directory that they reside in could cause the system not to work properly because the system would not know where to look for them. - (A)RCHIVE If the file has not been backed up since it was created or last modified, the file will be marked as an archive file. When a backup is performed all archive attributes are cleared. They are marked as having been backup and will not change that status until the file is modified or you do it. - (D)IRECTORY Sub-directory instead of a file, that holds similar information about other files. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 16 - ATTRIBUTES SUB-MENU DIR-DESC has the capability to modify the ATTRIBUTES of a file and or a sub- directory. By using the up or down arrow keys and the tag function you would select a file of which attributes you want to modify. HIDE: You can mark the current file or sub-directory as a hidden file (File will become invisible to the DOS "DIR" command). A hidden file will remain available to most applications. If the file you hide is a program, it is likely that it will still execute when you type in its name from the appropriate directory. (This feature is a good way to hide games from your boss!!!) As you can see just by hiding a few files that no one needs to see, it makes for a much cleaner "DIR" (Does anyone REALLY need to know that "$$$$$$$$.DES" is the Description file for this directory or that it even exists???) DOS "DIR" Command: BEFORE hiding files with DIR-DESC AFTER hiding files with DIR-DESC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume in drive C has no label Volume in drive C has no label Directory of C:\ Directory of C:\ COMMAND COM 25307 03-17-87 12:00p DOS <DIR> 03-02-90 5:00p DD EXE 104234 03-30-90 3:05p UTIL <DIR> 03-23-90 7:39p $$$$$$$$ LST 235 03-30-90 2:15p GAMES <DIR> 02-23-89 9:15p DOS <DIR> 03-02-90 5:00p WP <DIR> 09-06-88 3:49p UTIL <DIR> 03-23-90 7:39p COMM <DIR> 02-01-87 4:01p MENU COM 16389 02-13-85 6:01p AUTOEXEC BAT 111 01-01-80 10:30a 5 File(s) 21520448 bytes free CONFIG SYS 13 01-01-85 12:42a GAMES <DIR> 02-23-89 9:15p WP <DIR> 09-06-88 3:49p MENU DAT 339 07-21-89 3:15p COMM <DIR> 02-01-87 4:01p CHESS EXE 231999 03-04-86 2:23p 13 File(s) 21520448 bytes free ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Any files that are hidden cannot be modified or deleted by ordinary DOS commands. However, they can be read and or accessed using most DOS commands and most programs. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 17 - Attributes (Continued) UN-HIDE: The file will return to the "UN-HIDDEN STATE" and it will become visible to the DOS "DIR" command and any one that logs onto your personal computer. It is recommended that you leave the dos files that came hidden out of harms way and do not use this command with these files. PROTECT: You can mark the current file as a READ-ONLY file, (File will not be able to be deleted or modified from dos and most applications). Important documents should be marked as a READ -ONLY so the file cannot be accidently deleted or modified. UN-PROTECT: The file will return to an UN-PROTECTED state and the file can be modified or deleted at any time. It is recommended that you do not change any dos system files attributes, doing so will endanger the performance of your personal computer. The manufacture has put certain restrictions on certain files so that they will not be altered or destroyed. SYSTEM: The currently selected file will be marked as a system file. NON-SYSTEM: If the currently selected file is marked as a system file, it will be then UN-MARKED as a system file. WARNING!! files marked as SYSTEM files are usually used by the operating system (DOS) to boot your personal computer. If you remove the SYSTEM attributes from a system file, your system may not boot correctly. Please be careful when it comes to your dos system files, for without them your computer will not serve you in the manner that it was designed for. Please read your dos hand book on system files and the attributes that were assigned to them. ARCHIVE ON: The file will be marked as an archive file (File has not been backed up). The next time a backup is performed, this file will be backed up to whatever media that you choose. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 18 - Attributes (Continued) ARCHIVE OFF: If the file is marked as an archive, it will be un-marked and the file will be marked as being backed up. Therefore the next time a backup is performed, this file will NOT be backed up. It is recommended that this feature is not used, (and all files) should be regularly backup in case of a hardware failure or you accidentally delete them. Sure you might have the original copies of the software you purchased, but having a recent backup of all the files on your personal computer would prevent the loss of important data (as far back as the last backup), that you have created and does not come with software packages. Please consult your dos hand book for further information on this subject matter. CHANGE DATE: If a file is currently selected with the highlight bar, you will be prompted for a new date for that file. Fill in the new date and press ENTER, valid dates are "01/01/80 to 12/31/99" or "01-01 -80 to 12-31-99", invalid dates will produce an error and you will be prompted to correct the date or exit by pressing the right mouse button or the escape key to abort. CHANGE TIME: If a file is currently selected with the highlight bar, you will be prompted for a new time for that file. Fill in the new time and press ENTER. The time feature uses a 24 hour clock, so to enter in a time of 2:45 PM you would use 14:45, this is called military time. An invalid time will produce an error message and you will be prompted to correct the time. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 19 - UTILITIES SUB-MENU TAG ALL: Tag all is a function that allows you to mark all the files in in that directory. This will allow you to perform different functions on those marked files. Pressing the space bar on the highlighted file of your choice it will tag just that file. You can tag as many files as you want. UNTAG ALL: Untag all will un-mark all the tags that have been placed on the files. FORMAT: Allows you to prepare a new diskette for use, valid drives are A: or B:. You may also specify a parameter 1=360k, 2=720k, 3=1.2meg, 4=1.44meg. Example (A: 1) will format a 360k diskette in the A drive. If the diskette has been previously formatted, then the system will perform a QUICK format on the diskette. You will see the letter Q appear on the screen in the head and track fields of the format status screen. Otherwise, the diskette will be completely formatted, and you will see the progression of the format procedure on the screen displaying the current head and track number. If an error occurs, you will be prompted for correction or to start the format procedure over. VOLUME LABEL: A volume label is the name given to the hard disk. You will be prompted for a new volume label. Enter a name for the disk and press ENTER (or press ESCAPE to abort). If the name you use is a valid file name, then the VOLUME LABEL will be changed and brought back to the main menu. If the name that you used is not valid then you will get an error and prompted to try again. Sometimes if you press return again it will accept the label like ( (C) PETRIE ). SET DATE: You will be prompted for a new date for the system. Fill in the new date and press ENTER. Valid dates are "01/01/80 to 12/31/99" or "01-01-80 to 12-31-99", invalid dates will produce an error and you will be prompted to correct the date. SET TIME: You will be prompted for a new time for the system. Fill in the new time and press ENTER. The time feature uses a 24 hour clock, so to enter in a time of 2:45 PM you would use 14:45, this is called military time. An invalid time will produce an error message and you will be prompted to correct the time. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 20 - HELP SUB-MENU ABOUT DIR-DESC: Simply displays information about DIR-DESC. Press ESCAPE or ENTER continue. HELP: Displays a quick help screen which contains useful help on using DIR-DESC Ver 2.16. Keyboard and mouse controls are active, press the ESCAPE key when you are finished viewing the help file. The help text is stored in the file "DD.HLP" this is a standard ASCII text file which may be modified for your own personal needs. INFORMATION LINE There is a file info-line at the bottom of the screen, Information on this line includes the following: File Size: Is the amount of space on the disk that the currently selected file occupies in bytes. (i.e. Filesize is 23745 means that the file takes up 23,745 bytes on the disk.) Created on: Is the Date the currently selected file was created or the date the file was last modified. At: Is the time the currently selected file was created or the time the file was last updated. Attributes: In the lower right hand side of the screen, you will see the attributes of the currently selected file. These attributes can be changed by selecting the appropriate function from the attribute SUB-MENU. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 21 - DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY This program is provided AS IS without any warranty, expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular purpose. Petrie Software shall not be liable for any damages, whether direct, indirect, special or consequential arising from a failure of this program to operate in the manner desired by the user. IN NO EVENT WILL PETRIE SOFTWARE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 22 - REGISTRATION If you find DIR-DESC to be of use, and continue to use this program after the 30 day trial period you must register by sending $10.00 U.S. dollars to: Petrie Software Co. P.O. Box 904 Northboro, MA. 01532 With each registration you will be a registered user of DIR-DESC with Petrie Software, All registered users will receive the following: - The right to continue using a registered version of DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 The latest version. (with the opening and ending screens removed) - You will be informed of further updates of DIR-DESC and any other new software that Petrie Software will be distributing. EZ-DB Description EZ-DB is a simple database program that is easy to use but has very powerful tools associated with it. The light blue screen, (if you have a color monitor) makes using this database easy to read from. These features include: create your own personal database, search for certain or multiple criteria using relational & logical operators, re-index the data file, and it has a full print selection. This database program will hold up to two billion records. EZ-DB is a great use for keeping track of your personal and or business data, creating mailing lists, mailing labels and much more. EZ-DB is also equipped with an easy to use editor for creating personalized letters, form letters and labels. On the order form you will find that each program costs $10.00 to register. If you register DIR-DESC we will give you EZ-DB for $5.00. That's only $15.00 for two very useful and well constructed programs. Please see the last page to register your software. Thank You DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994 - 23 - =============================================================================== REGISTRATION FORM DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 =============================================================================== Send to: Petrie Software Co. P.O. Box 904 Northboro, Ma. 01532 Voicemail / BBS (508)-393-1732 For proper registration the entire form must be completed. The information is important to both you and my company. THANK YOU! Name ______________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City ______________________________________________ State ____ Zipcode ______________ Telephone Number (Optional) (____) - ____ - ______ Where did you obtain DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 ____________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Specify Disk size: 5 1/4______ or 3 1/2______ ____ Please send me DIR-DESC for the low price of $10.00. ____ Please send me EZ-DB for the low price of $10.00. ____ Please send me both DIR-DESC & EZ-DB for the low price of $15.00. Additional comments/suggestions: ______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ If you register DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 & EZ-DB we will cut the registration fee from $20.00 to $15.00 for the two programs. Thank you for supporting our software and the shareware concept. DIR-DESC Ver 2.16 (C) Copyright Petrie Software 1994