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DLS.MAN
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1991-02-24
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DLS v2.00
Copyright (c) 1990, 1991
All Rights Reserved
by
James A. Clark
822 Nancy Road 2130 Knollshire Road
Waterloo, Iowa 50701 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
(319) 236-7749 (319) 393-6813
>> Before March 15th << >> After March 15th <<
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
CONTENTS
Warranty and Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
License and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Program Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Using DLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Reading Physical Disks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Reading Catalog Databases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Moving Through the Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Directory Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Edit Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Print Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Configure Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Exit Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Editor Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
String Editor Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Notes Editor Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Incremental Choice Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Pick Window Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Multiple Pick Window Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Revisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Program Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-27
i
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER
The author of DLS makes no warranty of any kind, express or
implied, including without limitation, any warranties or
merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. The
author of DLS 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. The author of DLS shall not be liable for any damage to
data or property which may be caused directly or indirectly by
the use of this program.
IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR OF DLS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY
DAMAGES, INCLUDING 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. YOUR USE OF THIS PROGRAM CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT TO
THIS DISCLAIMER AND YOUR RELEASE OF THE AUTHOR FROM ANY FORM OF
LIABILITY OR LITIGATION.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Microsoft and MS-DOS are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
IBM, IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 and PC-DOS are trademarks of
International Business Machines Corporation.
EPSON is a trademark of Epson Corporation.
CompuServe is a trademark of CompuServe Incorporated.
GENIE is a trademark of General Electric Company.
ii
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
LICENSE AND REGISTRATION
DLS is not in the Public Domain; DLS is not free. As such, it is
made available to the general computing public for evaluation.
Non-registered users are granted a limited 30-day license to
determine whether or not the program meets their needs.
Continued use of DLS beyond this 30-day period requires
registration of the program. Business and government users of
DLS must register in order to legally use this software. The 30-
day evaluation privilege is extended only to non-business users.
Registered users are those users that elect to pay for DLS and
register that payment with the author of DLS (James A. Clark).
By virtue of registration and payment for the program, registered
users are granted a license to continue to utilize the program on
their personal computer for as long as they choose. This license
authorizes the user to use the program on any personal computer
system he or she may own so long as the program is operated on
only one computer system at a time. If you desire to use the
software on more than one computer you must purchase a site
license.
By using DLS you acknowledge that you have read this agreement,
understand it and agree to be bound by its terms and conditions.
The author of DLS retains sole rights to the program. No one may
modify DLS or its attendant files, in any way, for any reason.
The complete set of files are as follows:
DLS.EXE Executable program file
DLS.HLP On-line help file
DLS.MAN Program manual
DIAB_630.PRD Printer codes for a Diablo 630
EPSON_FX.PRD Default Epson FX printer codes
LQ-1010.PRD Printer codes for an Epson LQ-1010
LQ-1500.PRD Printer codes for an Epson LQ-1500
LQ-2550.PRD Printer codes for an Epson LQ-2550
IBM_PRO.PRD Default IBM printer codes
OKI_192.PRD Printer codes for an Okidata 192
STAR_NX.PRD Printer codes for a Star Micronics NX-1000
REGISTER.FRM A registration form
READ.ME This file
ADDRESS.NEW I have a new address. Please Read!!
The complete set of --UNREGISTERED-- program files, as listed
above, may be freely copied and transferred to individual parties
for evaluation purposes. It may be posted on Bulletin Board
Systems (BBS) for electronic access as long as NO FEE is charged
for its distribution except for a regular user subscription fee.
Computer information services such as CompuServe (CIS), Genie,
etc., are authorized to post this product for subscriber access.
DLS may NOT be distributed on diskette by any disk
distributor/vendor that charges more than $6.00 for the diskette
iii
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
upon which the program and attendant files are recorded without
the prior written consent of the author of DLS. DLS may NOT be
distributed with or as a part of any other product or software
package without the prior written consent of the author of DLS.
DLS is a fully functional Shareware product. Shareware is a
computer program distribution/marketing method that permits
potential buyers to thoroughly try the program prior to purchase.
It is NOT free and it is not in the Public Domain. If, after
evaluating the program, you find it to be useful enough to use it
on a regular basis, you are expected to pay for it by registering
with the author of DLS. The registration fee is $15.00 for
single users or a site license is available. Additional
registration information and a registration form is included at
the end of this document.
iv
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
DLS is a product designed to read the main directory files and
any subdirectory files from all types of 3-1/2" and 5-1/4"
diskettes in the A or B drive. You may also read any drive that
has a DOS format with any drive letter from A to Z. You may then
print a label or disk insert (for 5-1/4" diskettes) on your
printer. A volume label is required for diskettes read. You may
also add notes to the label, if desired. A 3-1/2" x 1" label
might look like:
+------------------------------------------------------------+
| -- SAMPLE TITLE -- |
| -Volume Label-----------------------------------360k disk- |
| \ File1 .ext File2 .ext |
| \SubDir1 SubFile1.ext SubFile2.ext |
| Subfile3.ext SubFile4.ext |
| -- Notes -- |
| This is a sample 3-1/2" x 1" diskette label. |
| ----------------------------------------------15 Jun 1990- |
| 7 Files Bytes: 360448 Used 2048 Free |
+------------------------------------------------------------+
In addition to reading physical disks, DLS now supports the
importation of data from several disk catalog programs. At this
time, DLS can read disk databases created by following programs:
- CatDisk
- LogiCat
- PmCat
- Wssindex
The default print driver set supplied as part of the program
should work with Epson FX and compatible printers, if set in the
Epson mode. Several other driver sets are also included with the
program files.
If you send me the appropriate codes for other printers, I will
add the configuration files to future releases. The setup allows
ASCII codes up to #127. Please let me know if higher ASCII codes
are needed for other printers.
Please report any problems or suggestions to me at the address
given at the beginning of this manual. Please be specific about
errors and include your system information: hardware, DOS
version, and a listing of your autoexec.bat and config.sys files.
1
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
The minimum system requirements for DLS are as follows:
Computer Type:
IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or 100% compatible
Operating System:
PC-DOS or MS-DOS 2.0 or higher
Memory:
256K Ram
Other Hardware:
Drives: 2 diskette drives
or
1 hard disk and 1 floppy disk
Printer Port: LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, COM1, or COM2
Printer:
Default: Epson FX or compatible
Other: Configurable
Video:
MDA, CGA, EGA, MCGA or VGA
DLS has been tested on XT's, AT's, PS/2's and compatibles with
various video displays, all types of diskettes, and various Epson
and Epson compatible printers.
It has been reported that DLS works on multitasking systems such
as DESQView. Mouse support is automatically provided if a
Microsoft or compatible mouse driver is present in the system.
2
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
INSTALLATION
The only file that is required for DLS to work is DLS.EXE. Copy
this file to a diskette or to an appropriate (i.e. \Utility)
subdirectory on your hard disk. The file, DLS.HLP should be
copied to the same diskette as DLS.EXE, the same hard disk
directory as DLS.EXE, or somewhere on the DOS path, if the on-
line help system is desired. All program parameters are
configurable within the program. The default settings the first
time you use the program are as follows:
- Monochrome color settings
- Epson FX printer
- LPT1 printer port
- 0 margin
- 3-1/2" x 1" diskette labels
- The program will read diskettes on the A: drive
- Disk volume label is required
- The title will be left justified
- DLS will not read any disk database files
There are several other installation parameters (probably too
many cosmetic parameters!) that can be configured; see the
section below.
CONFIGURATION
When DLS is executed, you will first be presented with an opening
advertisement (unless you have registered the program). After
the initial delay, the horizontal bar of a typical pull-down menu
and a settings window is displayed. See the menu illustration
below.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+--------------------------------------------+
DLS comes configured so that the user can see it on any screen
(monochrome colors) and so that most users could use it without
any modification. Under the Configure menu item, many aspects of
the program can be changed to suit personal preferences and
configurations. The configuration toggles for most non-cosmetic
options are shown in a 'Settings' window that is placed on the
right side of the screen.
The various configuration options, under the Configure menu item,
are illustrated below:
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DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-------------------------+--------------+---+
| Cosmetics > |
| Printer > |
| Label > |
| Drive > |
| drive Type |
| Volume > |
| dataBase > |
| Save |
+--------------+
The remainder of this section explains how each of these options
effect the program.
> Cosmetics: Under the Cosmetics submenu item are the options
that personalize DLS to meet your personal
preference as illustrated below.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-------------------------+--------------+---+
| Cosmetics >-------------+
| Printer | Border > |
| Label | Colors > |
| Drive | Mouse > |
| drive Type | cHaracter > |
| Volume +-------------+
| dataBase > |
| Save |
+--------------+
>> Borders
These options allow you to change the
>>> Top/1st level menu window
>>> Lower level menu window
>>> Information, Data and Error window
borders. The 3 border options are single line, double line,
and mixed (double horizontal lines and single vertical
lines). Simply highlight the desired menu option and press
the <Enter> key to change the border type.
>> Colors
The color of every aspect of the program can be changed to
suit your personal preference. You can choose from the
default monochrome colors or a default color grouping, or
you can change individual color options. These options
range from changing the background color to Error window
colors.
4
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
The color options pertain to the following window and other
program colors.
>>> Background - Change the main background color.
>>> Status - Change the bottom status line color.
>>> Menu - Change the menu colors.
>>> Info - Change the Information window colors.
>>> Data - Change the Program Data window colors.
>>> Help - Change the Help window colors.
>>> Error - Change the Error window colors.
When choosing a color, 2 windows appear on the screen. The
right window is a capsule of what the program colors are
currently. The left window is a grid of possible color
choices. Pressing the arrow keys moves the cursor, $, to an
adjacent color, or pressing the left mouse button moves the
cursor to the indicated color. The right window is then
updated to show the color change. Pressing <Enter> or the
pressing the left mouse button when the mouse cursor is over
the currently selected color changes the default color while
pressing <Esc> or the right button exits without changing
anything.
>> Mouse
The configuration options for the mouse allow you choose a
default "reverse" color block mouse cursor, a default color
diamond cursor, or the actual cursor color and cursor shape
can be selected separately. Choosing a color or cursor
shape is accomplished in the same manner as for the program
colors.
>> Character
The default background character in DLS v2.00, and in
previous versions, is ASCII character 176. Starting with
v2.00, you have the option to use the default or one of 3
other characters. They are ASCII characters 177 or 178, and
a clear background character. Simply highlight the desired
menu option and press <Enter>. The screen is immediately
updated to reflect the desired change.
> Printer: Under the Printer submenu item are the options that
allow DLS to properly interface with your printer.
The options are illustrated below.
5
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-------------------------+--------------+---+
| Cosmetics > |
| Printer >----------+
| Label | Port > |
| Drive | Type > |
| drive Ty| Margin |
| Volume +----------+
| dataBase > |
| Save |
+--------------+
>> Port
DLS can be configured to send printer data to are the LPT1,
LPT2, COM1, COM2, or COM3 port. Only those ports that are
connected to your computer will be available for choosing
from.
>> Type
Menu items under this option allow you to edit or choose
print driver sets. The default print driver set included
with the program should work on standard Epson FX printers
and compatibles. An IBM driver set is also included. The
"Edit" option allows you to edit the current print driver
set, if the default codes do not work for your printer. In
order to edit these codes, you will need to refer to your
printer manual for the correct printer codes.
+---------------------------------------------------------+
| If you contact me for help in getting your printer to |
| work with DLS, please keep in mind that I do NOT have |
| access to the codes for printers other than the ones |
| that I have included as part of the program files. I |
| will be happy to assist you in getting you printer to |
| work with DLS, but you will need to at least have your |
| printer manual in front of you if you call me. Sending |
| me either a photocopy of the complete printer manual or |
| of the appropriate printer codes section would give me |
| the best chance to determine correct printer codes. |
+---------------------------------------------------------+
To edit a driver set, change the printer identification
description and then position the highlight over the
particular code character that requires modification. At
this point use the <Space> bar or "+" key to increment, or
the "-" key to decrement the ASCII code until you have the
correct code shown. Repeat until you have the correct codes
for your printer. Those characters that are shown as "NIL"
are discarded and not sent to the printer.
6
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
The driver set includes the following printer code commands:
Condensed Mode: Set or release condensed or compressed
character printing.
Double Width Mode: Set or release double width character
printing.
SuperScript Mode: Set or release superscript character
printing.
Double Print Mode: Set or release the 2 pass printing mode.
Emphasized Mode: Set or release the emphasized printing
mode.
1/12 Line Spacing: Set 1/12 (or 6/72 or 4/48) line spacing.
1/6 Line Spacing: Set 1/6 (or 12/72 or 8/48) line spacing.
Line Feed: Line feed code.
Initialize Printer: Printer initialization code.
If emphasized or double print modes are not desired, change
all the printer code fields for these commands to "NIL".
For some printers such as IBM printers, the line feed code
will also require the carriage return code, i.e. #013 and
#010. For some printers, an initialization code is not
applicable. If this is so, just set the all the fields to
"NIL" as the only reason I use it is to remove any printer
codes that might have been set prior to executing DLS.
Finally, when setting the 1/12 and 1/6 codes, make sure
that the appropriate "6" and "12" line space fields are #006
and #012, respectively, NOT the characters 6 and 12.
Once you have edited a print driver set and exited with the
<F10> key, you are prompted for a file name (do NOT add an
extension), the edited code is saved in a print driver file,
and the program uses the new codes immediately for printing.
If you have print driver files already created, you can
"choose" a printer file from disk for use by the program.
Please note one qualification to the printer driver editor.
At this time, only ASCII characters up to #127 are
available. If this is a problem for your printer, please
report this so that I can change the program to allow
greater flexibility than I had anticipated needing.
>> Margin
This option allows you to change the left margin for
printing. Please note that the number entered in the
7
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
Settings Window corresponds to spaces, where each 17 spaces
equals a 1 inch change in the margin.
> Label: Under the Label submenu are the options that tell DLS
what type of label you have and how you want to print
these labels. The options are illustrated below.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-------------------------+--------------+---+
| Cosmetics > |
| Printer > |
| Label >---------+
| Drive | Size > |
| drive | Page > |
| Volume| Title > |
| dataBa+---------+
| Save |
+--------------+
>> Size
Options under the Size submenu allow you to choose one of
several default configurations, or you can edit the current
label configuration to create custom labels which are saved
to disk and retrieved as needed.
+-------------------------------------------------+
| Please note that Label Configuration Files from |
| releases prior to DLS v1.20 are not compatible |
| with later versions of DLS! |
+-------------------------------------------------+
The method used to edit a label driver set is the same as
for editing a print driver set. While editing a label
driver, the information at the right will display several
parameters on what a label is capable of accepting for data,
such as lines of data that can be printed per label.
The default label configurations are as follows.
2-3/4" wide x 1" high (nominal), single header.
3-1/2" wide x 1" high (nominal), single header.
4" wide x 1-1/2" high (nominal), single header.
2-3/4" wide x 2-3/4" high, double header.
5-1/4" diskette insert
The option for single or double headers is to allow you to
either print a label with one header (Title and Volume Label
Information) once or twice, respectively. The double header
allows you to fold over part of the label to the back side
of the diskette, such as when using 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" labels
on 3-1/2" diskettes. The double header option is not
available for 1" or 1-1/2" high labels.
8
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
>> Page
The 2 options under this submenu item determine whether all
pages (labels) of information about a disk or just the first
page will be printed.
>> Title
The 2 options under this submenu item determine whether the
label title will be left justified or centered on the label
when it is printed.
> Drive: Choose the desired drive you want to have DLS to read
under this submenu, as illustrated below.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-------------------------+--------------+---+
| Cosmetics > |
| Printer > |
| Label > |
| Drive >-------+
| drive | A |
| Volume| B |
| dataBa| Other |
| Save +-------+
+--------------+
The default disk drive options are to read either the A: drive or
the B: drive. You can also choose a disk drive other than A or B
by choosing the "other" option and directly entering the drive
letter for the disk drive you want to read. Be warned, however,
that trying to print disk labels of hard disks and other high
capacity drives may cause the bottom line to print past the edge
of the label on small width labels.
> drive Type: Tell DLS to check for special drive types or sizes.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-------------------------+--------------+---+
| Cosmetics > |
| Printer > |
| Label > |
| Drive > |
| drive Type |
| Volume > |
| dataBase > |
| Save |
+--------------+
When you choose this option from the menu, as illustrated above,
an entry window will be opened to allow you to enter a disk
description and disk capacity data, in bytes, for 2 special drive
9
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
types that DLS will check against, if it cannot determine that
the disk read was of a standard type. With v2.00, DLS now checks
for 400K and 800K disks as formatted by FormatMaster. Similar
programs may format to slightly different capacities. Please
note that DLS checks for an exact match against the first special
drive type. For the second special drive type, DLS considers
that a match has been made if the disk size read is less than or
equal to the size associated with this second disk type.
The order of checking occurs in this manner:
- against known standards, including 400K and 800K.
- special disk type #1
- special disk type #2
If a match cannot be made, a window will be opened to allow you
to directly tell DLS what type of disk has been read.
> Volume: Options under this submenu, as illustrated below,
determine whether DLS will or will not require a Volume
Label to on a disk.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-------------------------+--------------+---+
| Cosmetics > |
| Printer > |
| Label > |
| Drive > |
| drive Type |
| Volume >-----------+
| dataBas| Require |
| Save | Optional |
+--------| Fake name |
+-----------+
>> Require
As implied by the title, DLS will require a Volume Label to
be present when reading a disk, or you will be asked to
place one on the disk before proceeding. This is the
default configuration and corresponds to the method used by
earlier versions of DLS.
>>Optional
Again, as implied by the title, DLS will not require a
Volume Label when reading a disk. If a disk does not have a
Volume Label, the default phrase, 'DLS LABEL', will be
printed in the appropriate area.
10
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
>> Fake name
If a Volume Label is not required and you are printing a
label for a disk which does not have a Volume Label, a stock
phrase is printed in the appropriate area on the label.
This option allows to change this phrase or remove it so
that nothing is printed in this area of the label.
> dataBase: Options under this submenu allow DLS to locate and
read database files as produced by the programs
illustrated below.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-------------------------+--------------+---+
| Cosmetics > |
| Printer > |
| Label > |
| Drive > |
| drive Type |
| Volume > |
| dataBase >---------+
| Save | None |
+----------| CatDisk |
| LogiCat |
| PmCat |
| WSSI |
+---------+
When choosing a database option, an entry window is opened to
allow you to tell DLS where the database file(s) are located.
DLS does not search the path as defined in the PATH statement of
your AUTOEXEC.BAT file; you must tell DLS the full pathname for
the database files.
> Save: If you have made any configuration changes, this option
will save them. The program is self modifying; there is
no configuration file required to be read by the program.
If you have made any changes and have not saved them with
this option, the program will prompt and ask you if you
want to save them when exiting the program.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-------------------------+--------------+---+
| Cosmetics > |
| Printer > |
| Label > |
| Drive > |
| drive Type |
| Volume > |
| dataBase > |
| Save |
+--------------+
11
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
+-------------------------------------------------+
| As indicated above, DLS modifies itself by |
| writing over the existing information stored |
| within the internal data structure of the |
| DLS.EXE file. Programs such as PKLITE compress |
| this structure which prevents DLS from finding |
| certain pointers located in this area. DLS |
| should work in a compressed format with the |
| exception of this function. If you use PKLITE, |
| perform the program configuration prior to |
| compressing the executable file. |
+-------------------------------------------------+
USING DLS
Once the program is configured to your tastes and requirements,
the program is very simple to use. Just insert the labels or
paper that corresponds with the label type selected into your
printer and a disk into the drive to be read from.
- Reading Physical Disks
Select the "Disk" option under the top-level "Directory" option,
or <Alt><G> (see illustration below), and the program will
retrieve ALL files from the disk. This includes hidden files,
and subdirectories and their associated files.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-+------------+-----------------------------+
| Disk @G |
| Catalog > |
| Browse @F |
+------------+
If the program (actually DOS) cannot determine the type of drive
that has been read, the program will prompt you to choose the
type of drive that has been read. You will be allowed to pick a
standard type or may enter a description directly. This should
not be a problem on diskette drives, only if you decide to read
some drives that DOS cannot recognize as a specific drive type.
This problem will also occur if you are reading a substituted
drive.
If the disk does not have a volume label, you will be prompted to
add one now. If you choose not to, you can press <Esc> and the
program will prepare for a different disk. This can be changed
in the configuration, explained above, to make the Volume Label
not a requirement.
12
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
+------------------------------------------------+
| If you read non-standard drive devices such as |
| tape drives, Bernoulli drives, etc., I |
| cannot guarantee that the Volume Label |
| routines will work correctly. BE FOREWARNED! |
+------------------------------------------------+
At this time, you are prompted to add a label title. If the disk
has more files than will fit in the file window, you can press
<Alt><F> to browse through the file listing and then continue
editing.
If desired, you may then add some notes to the label. Up to 23
lines of data can be entered. While editing, any data that goes
beyond the margin on the 23rd line gets discarded. This is also
true if you change the label size and you have data in the notes
window.
Under the "Print" options, you can then print out a diskette
label, with or without a file listing, or with a listing of file
directories only.
Please note that in most instances, pressing <Esc> will take you
one step back or out of an editor. Press the <F1> key or both
mouse buttons at any time to obtain context-sensitive help. This
can be especially valuable when editing an item.
That's all there is to it!
- Reading Catalog Databases
Select the "Read" option in the submenu illustrated below. This
will read into memory all the disk and associated file
information from the disk catalog database file configured
earlier. Once this information has been read, select the
"Choose" option, or <Alt><C>, and the program will open a window
listing all the disks contained in the database. Browse through
the list, highlight the desired disk name, and press <Enter>.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-+------------+-----------------------------+
| Disk @G |
| Catalog >-----------+
| Browse | Read |
+---------| Choose @C |
| Delete |
+-----------+
At this point, the program essentially behaves as if a physical
disk was read and goes through the same routine as described
above in 'Reading Physical Disks'.
There is one exception to the above statement. When reading
physical disks, DLS retains any notes from one disk read to the
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DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
next disk read. When reading disk catalog databases, any
comments associated with a disk in the database are used and
placed in the "Notes" window. You may modify or delete these
note as desired. Unlike reading physical disks, however, these
notes are not retained from disk to disk.
The disk catalog programs that I am supporting in DLS v2.00 are:
- CatDisk, version 3.50 format through version 4.50
- LogiCat, through version 1.74
- PmCat, through version 5.6
- Wssindex, through version 5.03
DLS should not have a problem with later versions of these
programs, as long as the present file formats remain the same.
These particular programs are widely used, and highly supported
by their respective authors. They also happen to be programs
that I have had the opportunity to try over time...
This does not mean that there are not other very fine disk
catalog programs in the PC market. It simply means that I have
not had the opportunity to obtain a copy of these programs or may
simply not be aware of some of them.
+-------------------------------------------------+
| If you use a disk catalog program that DLS does |
| not support at this time and you want to make |
| use of this feature, please contact me about |
| adding support. I will need to know how to |
| obtain a copy of the program and how to contact |
| the author. If you happen to be an author of a |
| disk catalog program and would like me to add |
| support, please contact me. |
+-------------------------------------------------+
There is one item to keep in mind when using this feature of DLS.
DLS can only extract the information that a particular disk
catalog program saves in the database file. Specifically, for
the programs supported at this time:
- CatDisk
DLS prints labels so that the directory listings are similar
to a directory tree; each subdirectory is directly related
to it's parent directory. CatDisk does not retain this
information to allow DLS to relate directories to it's
parent on 2nd level directories or deeper.
When printing labels from CatDisk databases that contain
directory structures, DLS prints 1st level subdirectories in
alpha-numeric order followed by 2nd level and deeper
directories in alpha-numeric order.
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DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
- PmCat
PmCat does not retain information on how much disk space has
been used by the files contained on a disk. DLS attempts to
use individual file sizes, number of subdirectories, and a
sector size of 1024 bytes to determine the disk type. This
value is then checked against known values. There are a
couple of situations in which this will not work. If the
disk that was read does not use a 1024 byte sector size
(single-sided diskettes, for example) and/or if the disk
contains hidden files, incorrect values for bytes USED will
be obtained.
In both cases, however, this should not pose much of a problem
for most users. I must also stress that the above caveats do not
in any way detract from the usefulness of a particular program
when compared to the others... DLS simply requires very specific
information; other features determine why some people would
prefer one program over another.
If you would like further information about one of the programs
listed above, please contact the author using the information
below. Also:
+-------------------------------------------------+
| DLS uses information obtained from the authors |
| of these disk catalog programs. While the |
| authors of the disk catalog programs have had a |
| chance to review DLS, the software routines in |
| DLS have been written by me. If you have a |
| problem reading a database with DLS, please do |
| not contact the author of the disk catalog |
| program to try to resolve the situation. You |
| must contact the author of DLS, James A. Clark, |
| to resolve any conflicts. |
+-------------------------------------------------+
- CatDisk
Rick Hillier Voice: (519) 888-6763
405 Barrington Lane FAX: (519) 884-4887
Waterloo, ONTARIO CompuServe I.D. # 73307,333
Canada N2T 1H9 The PEARL BBS: (519) 576-6754
- LogiCat
Curtis Little Voice: (209) 522-9269
2413 San Felipe Way CompuServe I.D. # 76276,3004
Modesto, CA 95355 Lost At C BBS: (209) 521-2143
15
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
- PmCat
William C. Scott Voice: (405) 927-3840
P.O. Box 474 CompuServe I.D. # 71406,1251
Coalgate, OK 74538 GEnie address: WILLSCOTT
Coalgate BBS: (405) 927-2541
- Wssindex
Robert W. Babcock Voice: (617) 275-1183 or
WSS Division of DDC (617) 275-9104
4 Reeves Road
Bedford, MA 01730
MOVING THROUGH THE MENUS
There are several methods to tell the program your next command.
The first method is by means of using the arrow keys to maneuver
through the pull-down menus. Using the <Enter> key or pressing
the highlighted alphanumeric key selects the currently
highlighted option and either executes the indicated action or
selects one of several pull-down menus. Options that have a
"down" arrow or "left" arrow to the right of the option have a
lower level menu associated with it while options which have a
"@" symbol to the right of the option or no symbol directly
execute a program function. To return from a lower level menu to
the previous level, press the <Esc> key.
The second method is by means of using the mouse cursor to "pick"
the menu option with the left button. The right button behaves
the same way as the <Esc> key. You may also back out a lower
level menu by "picking" an option from the previous menu.
The third method is by means of directly executing some commands
by using the <Alt> key in combination with a letter. For
example, pressing the <Alt> and "G" key together gets a directory
listing of the currently selected drive in preparation for
printing a diskette label. The menu options that can be executed
using this method have the "@" symbol followed by the matching
alpha key at the right of the option.
Only those options that can be executed will be active and shown
on the various menus. Inactive menu options are not displayed
until they are usable.
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DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
MENU OPTIONS
- Directory
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+-+------------+-----------------------------+
| Disk @G |
| Catalog > |>-----+-----------+
| Browse @F | | Read |
+------------+ | Choose @C |
| Delete |
+-----------+
> Disk (<Alt><G>)
This option reads the currently selected disk drive and
places you in to "Title" edit.
- Directory > Catalog
>> Read
This option reads the currently selected disk catalog
database into memory.
>> Choose (<Alt><C>)
Once a database has been read into memory, use the "Choose"
option, or <Alt><C>, to open a window listing all the disks
contained in the database. Browse through the list,
highlight the desired disk name, and press <Enter>. The
pertinent information is collected for the highlighted disk
and places you in to "Title" edit.
>> Delete
Once a database has been read into memory and you have
printed any labels needed from this database, you may use
the "Delete" option to remove the database from memory.
> Browse (<Alt><F>)
If the disk has more files than will fit in the file window,
you can browse the files with the "browse" option.
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DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
- Edit
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+------------+----------+--------------------+
| Notes > |>---+---------+
| Title @T | | Edit @N |
| Label @L | | Remove |
+----------+ +---------+
> Notes
The "Edit" option, or <Alt><N>, under this menu item places
you in the note window which allows you to add personal
notes to the diskette label. Notes can be removed at any
time by using the "Remove" option.
> Title
This option allows editing of the disk title.
> Label
This option allows editing and change of the disk Volume
Label.
- Print
+--------------------------------------------+
| Directory Edit Print Configure eXit @X |
+------------------+-----------------------+-+
| Align @A |
| Blank @B |
| disk W/files @W |
| disk w/O files @O |
| disk w/Directories @D |
+-----------------------+
> Align
This options allow you to check the alignment of the labels
in the printer. Adjust as necessary and execute this option
again. The need for this is simply that DLS makes use of as
much of the label as possible and if not aligned correctly,
you may print information on the backing instead of the
label itself.
> Blank
This option simply prints a blank label with only a title
and the dividing lines on it so that you can simply write
information as you desire.
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DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
> Disk w/Files
This option prints all the information on the diskette:
directory names, files, notes, etc.
> Disk w/o Files
This option prints all information on the diskette as above
except the listing of directories and files. This is useful
when backing up software and an actual file listing is not
necessary.
> Disk w/Directories
This option prints all information on the diskette as above
except the listing of files. This can be useful when
backing up hard drives and a directory listing would provide
adequate label information without having to print 50+?
labels!
- Configure
See the section above on Configuration.
- Exit
Exit the program to DOS. If you have made any configuration
changes and have not saved them, you will be prompted at this
time to save them if you wish.
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DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
EDITOR COMMANDS
Listed below is the command syntax associated with various
editors used in this program.
-- String Editor Syntax
The string editor is used for editing single line variables such
as the disk title. Syntax is as follows.
<Left> Move cursor left one character.
<Right> Move cursor right one character.
<Home> Move cursor to beginning of variable.
<End> Move cursor to end of variable.
<Del> Delete character at cursor.
<Bksp> Delete character to left of cursor.
<Ins> Toggle insert mode on (fat cursor) and off
(thin cursor).
<Enter>, Left Mouse Button Accept new variable.
<Esc>, Right Mouse Button Abort. Restore the original
variable.
<F1>, Both Mouse Buttons Help. Invoke the help facility.
Pressing <F1> or both mouse buttons
a second time will bring up a
general help index.
-- Notes Editor Syntax
The notes editor is used for editing notes. Syntax is as
follows.
<Left> Move cursor left one character.
<Right> Move cursor right one character.
<Up> Move cursor up one line.
<Down> Move cursor down one line.
Left Mouse Button Move the cursor to the position indicated by
the mouse.
<Home> Cursor to beginning of current line.
<End> Cursor to end of current line.
20
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
<PgUp> Scroll display up one page.
<PgDn> Scroll display down one page.
<Ctrl><PgUp> Move cursor to beginning of notes.
<Ctrl><PgDn> Move cursor to end of notes.
<Tab> Move the cursor to the next tab stop. Any
text to the right of the cursor is moved to
the right of the tab stop.
<Del> Delete character at cursor.
<Bksp> Delete character to left of cursor.
<Ins> Toggle insert mode on (fat cursor) and off
(thin cursor).
<Enter> Start a new line.
<Esc>, Right Mouse Button End note edit.
<F1>, Both Mouse Buttons Help. Invoke the help facility.
Pressing <F1> or both mouse buttons
a second time will bring up a
general help index.
-- Incremental Choice Syntax
The incremental choice editor is used for editing label and
printer code parameters. Syntax is as follows.
<Left> Move one field to the left.
<Right> Move one field to the right.
+ or <Space> Increment field variable.
- Decrement field variable.
<Enter>, Left Mouse Button Accept field edit and go to next
field.
<Esc>, Right Mouse Button Abort. Restore the original
variables and exit.
<F10> Accept edits and exit.
<F1>, Both Mouse Buttons Help. Invoke the help facility.
Pressing <F1> or both mouse buttons
a second time will bring up a
general help index.
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DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
-- Pick Window Syntax
An example of a pick window is the "Files" window of a disk file
listing that can be browsed through if a disk has a large file
listing. Pick windows are also used for "picking" a label or
printer configuration file name. Syntax is as follows.
<PgDn> Display next page of data.
<PgUp> Display previous page of data.
<Home> Display first data entry.
<End> Display last data entry.
<Esc> Exit file browse and pick.
<Enter> Exit file browse or choose pick file.
Right Mouse Button Exit file browse and pick.
Left Mouse Button Exit file browse or choose pick file.
<F1>, Both Mouse Buttons Help. Invoke the help facility.
Pressing <F1> or both mouse buttons
a second time will bring up a
general help index.
-- Multiple Pick Window Syntax
<Up> Previous color background.
<Down> Next color background.
<Left> Previous color or mouse character.
<Right> Next color or mouse character.
<Enter>, Left Mouse Button Accept color or mouse character and
exit. Double click mouse if
needed.
<Esc>, Right Mouse Button Abort. Retain original color or
mouse character and exit.
<F1>, Both Mouse Buttons Help. Invoke the help facility.
Pressing <F1> or both mouse buttons
a second time will bring up a
general help index.
22
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
REVISIONS
v2.00 - 24 February 1991
Added support for some disk catalog programs. DLS can read
the catalog databases produced by
- CatDisk
- LogiCat
- PmCat
- WSSIndex
and print disk labels from these files.
DLS now checks for 400K and 800K disks formatted by
FormatMaster. Additional support has been added for other
special drive types by allowing user entered data for 1 or
2 other drive types.
Added an option to allow the user to set the left printer
margin.
DLS now allows the user to determine whether a volume label
is or is not required when a disk is read. An entry field
has been added to allow the user to customize a fake label
that will be printed on the disk label when the volume
label is optional.
The title can now be left justified or centered on the disk
label.
DLS now allows the user some choice in the background
character.
The color used to display unavailable options can now be
changed. The menu system has also been revised to be more
consistent as to whether an option is available or not.
The help system has been totally revised and is much more
context sensitive than previous versions.
v1.20 - 1 August 1990
Some changes have been incorporated into this release of
DLS that may effect you if you have used various options
from previous releases. The most important are:
- The <Alt><D> command has been replaced by <Alt><G> to
"Get" a directory listing.
- Label configuration files that you may have created
with previous releases are no longer compatible with
the current version. You will have to recreate any
Label configuration files for use with v1.20.
23
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
Other changes to DLS v1.20:
- The format of how files are printed on the labels has
been changed slightly to accommodate the previously
missed fact that a directory name can contain 12
characters as does a file name. The result is that
less information can be printed on each label for
certain label width sizes.
- Added an option to allow you to read virtually any disk
drive that contains a standard DOS directory format.
If you read large capacity drives such as hard disks,
you should print out any labels using at least a 3-1/2"
wide label since the line which contains the bytes used
and free information may print past the label edge on
smaller width labels. In addition, if you read non-
standard drive devices such as tape drives, Bernoulli
drives, etc., I cannot guarantee that the Volume Label
routines will work correctly. BE FOREWARNED!
- A new option to print a directory listing only has been
added to the print options. This option can be
selected by pressing <Alt><D>. Suggested by Brian
Lodge.
- Rewrote and revised the NOTES editor. The editor
behaves like a word processor with continuous wordwrap,
similar to Microsoft Word. As a result, many of the
previous line edit options have been deleted.
- Combined the border option for the bar and 1st level
menu windows.
- Combined the color options for the menu windows. The
bar menu colors can no longer be chosen separately from
the 1st level and Nth level menu window colors.
- The data windows have been moved somewhat and the
"Files" and "Notes" windows are now opened only when
they contain data.
Finally, certain sections of the program code have been
made more efficient, other minor cosmetic changes have been
made, and minor corrections made. The overall result is
the incorporation of a few more options that I hope will
make the program more useful, and at the same time reduce
the size of the program.
v1.11 - 4 March 1990
- Fixed the create volume label routine once again. This
time, the MS-DOS function used to create the label would
truncate any label greater then 8 characters long at 8
characters while DLS would think the complete label was
24
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
created. This is because I originally used one of
Microsoft's "preferred MS-DOS functions" (now abandoned)
instead of an older function that does work.
v1.10 - 26 February 1990
- Corrected a minor bug that invoked an error routine when
creating a disk volume label (whether successful of not)
thus forcing you to read the disk again.
- Revised the double heading label option so that the disk
title is printed in condensed print on the label where it
folds over the diskette thus allowing you to read the
title on the front, back, or top of the disk. Suggested
by Rick Fitzpatrick
v1.00 - 5 February 1990.
- First shareware release.
ENHANCEMENTS
My desire is to tailor this program to what is desired by the
you, the end user. I designed this program to meet my needs and
then enhanced it to make it usable for everyone else. If you see
something you do not like or if you have an idea that would make
the program more functional for you, let me know and I will try
to incorporate reasonable (or feasible) suggestions for
improvements into the program.
REGISTRATION FORM
The following page is an order form that you can use to register
your copy of DLS. Why should you register? I have spent many
hours making this program what it is. I would like to make it
better and the only way I can do this is generate support for
this program. Registration and comments from you are the means
through which this can be done. Please note that even if you
decide not to register this program, taking the few minutes to
write down your comments would be appreciated.
For those who do register, I will send you the registration
information necessary to remove the opening and closing
registration incentives. Please note that distributing a
registered copy of DLS is strictly prohibited!
The registration fee is $15.00 for single users. For site
licenses, please use the following fee schedule.
25
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
Total copies Price PER copy
------------ --------------
1 to 10 $15.00 All checks and money
11 to 50 $12.00 orders must be made out
51 to 100 $10.00 in U.S. Funds.
over 100 $8.00
The following forms of payment are accepted:
Check or Money Order (must be payable through a US bank)
Purchase Order - NET 30 (orders of $100.00 or more only.)
26
DLS - Diskette LabelS v2.00 USER'S MANUAL
DLS v2.00 REGISTRATION FORM
Quantity Amount
________ DLS Registration @ $____________ each
Total: $____________
NOTE: Please make check or money order, made out in U.S.
Funds, payable to James A. Clark
Company: ________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
Comments and Suggestions: _______________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Please send completed form, and check or money order to:
James A. Clark
822 Nancy Road 2130 Knollshire Road
Waterloo, Iowa 50701 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
>> Before March 15th << >> After March 15th <<
27
