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┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────,
| PLEASE GIVE THE ORIGINAL VF PACKAGE TO YOUR FRIENDS OR UPLOAD TO ANY BBS |
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
<">
VF 5.12
─────────────
Vladi File Manager
────────────────────
(c) Vladi Belperchinov-Shabanski "Cade" 1996
*** S H A R E W A R E V E R S I O N ***
CONTENTS:.......................................[P]
DISCLAIMER......................................[0]
WHAT IS IT? -- INTRO............................[1]
FEATURES........................................[2]
INSTALLING/HOW TO SETUP THE VF..................[3]
USED TERMS EXPLANATION/USAGE NOTES..............[4]
VF.CFG* AND VF.OPT..............................[5]
WHAT IS NEW IN THIS VERSION (HISTORY)...........[6]
KNOWN BUGS......................................[7]
TRICKS/HINTS....................................[8]
FUTURE (AND UNDER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS).........[9]
TROUBLESHOOTING................................[10]
REGISTRATION DETAILS...........................[11]
FINAL NOTES+CREDITS.............................[x]
* See supplied VF.CFG for some details and tricks.
** See chapter 6 for News.
"!!!" POINTS TO IMPORTANT PARTS IN THIS DOCUMENT.
!!! NOTE: All users of VF version less than 4.01
MUST read part 5 AND 6! There is difference in
CFG Items in [USER] Part!
!!! NOTE: Sometimes You may find mistakes in this document
and/or differences between VF functions and their
descriptions here. I'm really sorry, but I cannot
get enough time to update doc along with VF
improvements. :(
!!! NOTE: However, You can contact me for any VF problem
You have. I'll try to respond as soon as possible.
e-mail: cade@bis.bg
fido: 2:3500/33.14
...use subject "VF" if You don't mind
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[0]══> DISCLAIMER [0]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
VF is distributed AS IS w/o warranty of any kind.
The author does NOT guarantee problem-free work
with VF and He will not be liable for any direct
or indirect damages resulted from the use of VF.
During the tests of VF no damages or problems had
been noticed.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[1]══> WHAT IS IT? -- INTRO [1]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Vladi File Manager (VF) is designed to be Fast, Easy
to use and Powerfull file managing utility for DOS.
I don't know if I achieved that, but I hope so.
The main goals I have in mind while developing VF
are:
1. Managing 4DOS/BBS descriptions
incl. Edit/Copy/Move/etc.
2. Set external commands to view/edit/... or shell
over any program.
3. One Key Commands. (w/o few cases -- the keyboards
have only about 100 keys :))
4. Some Unique features as Global Time/Touch/Describe
Global Attr...
x. ...And to collect all tools in ONE FLEXIBLE utility!
...later I implemented much more functions than these
and standart ones (Copy/Move/etc...).
This document (VF.DOC) is not full user manual -
it is just a (brief) reference of using VF.
Probably some parts are more than brief descriptions
but they are few.
NOTE: Initially I think to make VF similar to an old
simple filemanager called just "F".But You MUST
not think that VF is just new version of F -- It
is NEW filemanager (though some VF functions are
exacly like in F) -- VF has New functions, New
options, New design!
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[2]══> FEATURES [2]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
This part (unlike the last revision of this file) will
give You descriptions of all (I'll try cover them all)
vf features.
VF works in 3 modes:
Normal -- working with files in one directory only
Global -- working with files from all dirs and disks
InArchive -- working with files compressed in an
archive file.
This will help to explain the following functions.
The features will be explained through the functions
and their keys.
For short: "^" means Ctrl key,
"@" means Alt key,
"#" means Shift keys.
"@Z" means: Hold Alt and press Z.
F1 On-Line Help
─────────────────────────────────
Full keyboard reference. VF.CFG item list also.
More notes about VF.
^F1 User help
─────────────────────────────────
Show user keys/externals, preset dirs, parameters.
A Arrange directory
─────────────────────────────────
Arrange modes are:
Name (secondary: Ext)
Ext (secondary: Name)
Size
Date/Time
Descriptions (secondary: Name.Ext)
Attributes
Directory (secondary: Name.Ext)
Unsorted
B Browse files
─────────────────────────────────
Browse/View file(s) with internal/external
Viewer/Browser.
Works only for files.
@B Browse current file only
─────────────────────────────────
Just like "B" but only for the selected
file regardless selection.
C Copy files
─────────────────────────────────
Copy file(s)/Dir(s).
@C Copy current file only
─────────────────────────────────
Just like "C" but only for the selected
file/dir regardless selection.
D Change Directory
D+TAB filename completion
─────────────────────────────────
When changing directory You can give partial
name and press TAB key so VF will cycle over
all matching Directory Names!
This is knon as "filename completion".
You can use PgUp, "+", PgDn to complete needed
path.
@D ChDir history 16
─────────────────────────────────
ALT+D will bring You back to one of the
last 16 dirs where You have been.
^D Directory tree
─────────────────────────────────
a) Build and view directory tree for current drive.
b) If Options/TreeDirsSizes is enabled VF will take
subdirs' sizes from the directory tree for the
current disk. It is quite fast, but You have to
build the directory tree first. This method also
will not show any changes before You rescan the
tree.
E Erase files/dir
─────────────────────────────────
Erase file(s)/dir(s).
@E Erase current file/dir
─────────────────────────────────
Erase pointed file/dir only, regardless
selection.
F Change file masks
─────────────────────────────────
VF alows You to specify several(!) masks for
filtering files list. Each mask should be
delimited with space character. There is short
formats for giving masks:
A. "try" becomes "try*.*"
B. ".try" becomes "*.try"
C. "[space]" becomes "*.*"
(if there is no other mask)
D. ".com *.exe vf" will be expanded to:
"*.com *.exe vf*.*".
^F Ch dir mask
─────────────────────────────────
Change directories mask.
@F Ch dir mask
─────────────────────────────────
Change directories mask.
G Global select SEE<4>
─────────────────────────────────
Left#+G add to select.
Rght#+G removes from...
a) If You enter invalid value when use
GlobalSelect/Expression/Several
nothing will happened nor message displayed!
b) The function GlobalSelect/Several actually
handles preset values as follows:
(item) (select size in bytes)
-- for 1440 KB -- 1457000
-- for 1200 KB -- 1213000
-- for 720 KB -- 730000
-- for 360 KB -- 362000
-- for 800 KB -- 806000
i.e. 512 bytes per sector.
User defined sizes are in KBs -- If "150"
entered it will be converted to bytesize:
150*1024.
c) If the sortorder before invoke
GlobalSelect/Several is Unsorted then You need
to press "R" key to restore Unsorted state after
completetion of the function.
d) "Global select/Expression true" replaces
"Select bigger/smaler/equal"! With this function
You can give more precise law for the selection.
Examples:
(s > 100) and (s < 200) -- all files with size
between 100 and 200
bytes will be selected.
(542 <> s) or (s+20 > 300) -- well...You know :)
s mod 100 = 50 -- all sizes ending on "50"
and another one:
sin(s) > 0.5 -- if the "sin" function on filesize
is bigger than 0.5! :)
e) Before You perform GlobalSelect/NEW or NEWER You
should refresh the filelist for refreshing
filetimes.
f) Normally VF will select all files that match to
the given law and deselect the others.
If You hold LEFTSHIFT VF will select the matching
files and will leave the others as they are.
If You hold RIGHTSHIFT VF will deselect the matching
files and will leave the others as they are.
g) GlobalSelect/SelectByNumbers.
You have to enter the file-numbers You want to
select as in ForeachMode/@WAIT or at Upper-Right
side of the main screen. "xxx/yyy=zzz KB."
^^^
You have to use space as delimiter.
H Directory Hook
─────────────────────────────────
You can hook to a directory with Alt+H. After this
You can swith immediatelly to this directory any
time with "H" key. Second "H" will return You back
to the directory from which Hook has been engaged.
I Edit files (txt)
─────────────────────────────────
Lauch TextEditor for selected files.
@I Edit files (txt)
─────────────────────────────────
Lauch TextEditor for current file only, regardless
selection.
J Drives info/Ch drive
─────────────────────────────────
Change drive/view drives information.
By default this function checks all drives.
If You want to by-pass some drives You have
to define allowed drives in Main/JumpToDrives
directive in VF.CFG. Normally You'll list all
available drives without floppies. However
You can always check all drives by pressing
SHIFT+J ( regardless "JumpToDrives" directive )
K Calculator
─────────────────────────────────
Macros:
@SS -- replaced with selection size in bytes
@FS -- replaced with files size (files in the
list)
@Dx -- replaced with total bytes on disk "x"
"x" can be driveletter (a..z) or can
be "@" for current drive.
@Fx -- replaced with free bytes on disk "x"
"x" can be driveletter (a..z) or can
be "@" for current drive.
HEX numbers must begin with "x" or "X".
Well, since I used a procedure for general
evaluations -- You can use and the following
functions that I cannot imagine You'll ever
need but they exist...
Common:
+, -, *, /, \, DIV, MOD
Trigonometric:
Sin(x) Cos(x) Tan(x) ATan(x) ASin(x) ACos(x)
Angle conversion:
R2D(x) D2R(x) R2G(x) G2R(x) D2G(x) G2D(x)
Other:
Random(x) Abs(x) Int(x) Sqrt(x) Exp(x) Ln(x) Lg(x)
Common constants:
Pi, e
Bitwise/Logical operators:
AND, OR, XOR
Compare:
=, >, <, >=, <=, <>
(return 0 if false and 1 if true)
HEX digits must begin w. "x" -- xFF = 255
NOTE! If You enter big number as
"999999999999999999999" or during the
evaluation such a number appear then You'll
get only Real result! Integer will be -1,
Hex -- FFFFFFFF and it is Not Char of course.
L Change volume label
─────────────────────────────────
Launch label.com with new label.
M Move files*
─────────────────────────────────
Move file(s)/dir(s) to new location.
@M Move current file only
─────────────────────────────────
Move pointed file/dir only, regardless
selection.
N File find
─────────────────────────────────
Search for file(s)
O OPTIONS and MORE!
─────────────────────────────────
Options, commands, modes.
P Purge disk! Warning!
─────────────────────────────────
Delete all files defined in VF.CFG/PurgeExt
directive.
Q Exit to cur dir NOW
─────────────────────────────────
Exit to current dir without confirmation.
R Refresh file list
─────────────────────────────────
Reads all files/dirs again.
S Edit description
─────────────────────────────────
Change current file/dir description.
T Tools
─────────────────────────────────
Miscellaneous functions.
a) BinarySplit
This fuction splits current file into pieces of
given size. All parts can be connected again
with "copy /b" command:
copy /b part.c01+part.c02+... parts.all
Original file and parts' info is written to .CIF
file (Chunk Copy InFormation).
Example:
.BIND,menu,,@CS /c opy /b @LF"+" @GF"File name:"
This will connect all selected files into a file.
WARNING: The example works only if Arrange order
is "Name" or "Ext"!
b) Create dir tree
if You enter:
"fff \asd ..\d\f\g\h\",
and the current path is "c:\try" so next dir's
will be created:
-- c:\try\fff
-- c:\asd
-- c:\d\f\g\h
even if "c:\d" does NOT exist!
Well, I hope You got it?!
If You Copy/Move to dir which does not exists
and starts from current directory -- You have
to press "R" to refresh dir/files list!
U,^U,#U,@U User menus
─────────────────────────────────
User defined external commands.
User menus can be defined exactly as User keys, BUT
in the place of KeyName You have to enter:
"MENU", "^MENU", "#MENU" or "@MENU".
This will attach the command to the user menu which
is executed when U,CTRL-U,SHIFT-U or ALT-U key is
pressed.
V Edit VF.CFG and reload
─────────────────────────────────
a) Launch editor and load VF.CFG
b) You can place VF.CFG in different directory than
VF.EXE,(or use another VF.CFG). You should set
environment variable "VFCFG" to the path
SET VFCFG=C:\UTI\
or
SET VFCFG=D:\
etc...
Every time You edit VF.CFG from inside VF, copy of
VF.CFG will be created. The copy is named VF.SEC.
W Wipe files! Warning!
─────────────────────────────────
Wipe files function fills file with "+" and
after this erases it.
It works and for dir's.
To avoid using wipe You
can use "CanWipe" option in CFG file.
(see VF.CFG section)
@W Wipe current file only!
─────────────────────────────────
Just like "W" but only for the pointed file,
regardless selection.
X -not-used-
─────────────────────────────────
-not-used- :)
Y Global attributes set
─────────────────────────────────
Change all selected files' attributes.
@Y Global attributes set
─────────────────────────────────
Change all selected files' date/time.
Z Tree size
─────────────────────────────────
Calculate given dir's size;
@Z Cal dirs sizes
─────────────────────────────────
ALT+Z will rescan current directory's subdirs and
will show their sizes.
It will also rebuild directory tree if pressed in
the root!
8 Descriptions menu
─────────────────────────────────
Menu with descriptions related functions.
9 Clear descriptions
─────────────────────────────────
This function removes descriptions for not existent
files.
+ ChDir/Browse file
─────────────────────────────────
If pointed dir named "DIRNAME" then performs
ChDir DIRNAME...
+ Enter Into Archive
─────────────────────────────────
If pointed file is archive
(UC2, ARJ, ZIP, LZH, RAR, LIM, AIN, HA)
then reads information for files in, and show it
as directory.
Supported archivers are:
UC2 -- Ultra Compressor II revision 3
(Ad Infinitum Programs)
ARJ -- ARJ 2.41 (Robert Jung)
ZIP -- PKZip 2.04 (PKWare)
LIM -- Limit 1.0 (J Y Lim)
RAR -- RAR 1.50 (Eugene Roshal)
AIN -- AIN 2.2 (InfoService)
LZH*-- LHarc 1.14a (Haruyasu Yoshizaki)
HA *-- HA 0.98 (Hari Hirvola)
VF will work and with newer versions unless
files list formats is still the same.
Enter into archive by pressing "+" as if You
want enter into directory
NOTE:
All archive manipulating commands (del/move/add)
are intentionally not implemented to avoid any
damages!
However You can add these functions as UserKeys.
Registered users will get example CFG!
!!! NOTE:
a) Archivers (EXE's) MUST be in your PATH or
available as Aliases or Batch files!
b) Archivers marked "*" does NOT support
list files, so You can extract only single file.
NOTE:
These are the reasons You can't enter
into an archive:
a) Low memory
b) Cannot execute archiver
c) Cannot create list file
- ChDir to parent
─────────────────────────────────
ChDir ..
\ Go to root of the disk
─────────────────────────────────
ChDir \
/ Command Line!
─────────────────────────────────
Gets command and passes it to command
interpreter to execute it.
PgUp will recall last few coomands.
! Command Line.
─────────────────────────────────
Equvalent to "/".
? DOS Shell! (Shift+/)
─────────────────────────────────
Launch program pointed by COMSPEC, normally
this is COMMAND.COM or 4DOS.COM.
, Show User/Shell screen
─────────────────────────────────
Show User/Shell screen
< Show Startup screen
─────────────────────────────────
Show Startup screen
Fxx, ^Fxx, @Fxx, #Fxx, Ins, #Ins, Del, #Del
─────────────────────────────────
External/User support.
These keys can be defined to call external
utilities i.e. VF can be used as Shell over.
In the ShellLine You can place next macro's:
@AI -- Auto increment current position.
It is equivalent to press "DownArrow"
after shell.
@CS -- replaced with %COMSPEC environment
variable
@NOCLS -- do not clear screen before shell
@NOSWAP -- Do not swap in shell
@FN -- current file (pointed filename)
@FJ -- just name of the file (w/o ext!)
@FS -- file size (pointed filename)
@FL -- filename with list of full
filenames of the selection files
If no files selected VF will write only
current file.
@FO -- filename with list of filenames of the
selection files (just names w/o path).
If no files selected VF will write only
current file.
@LF"d" -- list selected files in the command line
with "d" as delimiter.
example:
if You are selected:
tree1.txt
free2.txt
disk1.txt
and the ShellLine:
copy @LF"+" all.txt
will be expanded to:
copy tree1.txt+free2.txt+disk1.txt all.txt
WARNING: You should NOT select many files
because the full list will exceed the
ShellLine length limit.
If no files selected VF will prompt for abort.
@CD -- current path in format x:\ddd\ddd\
@ARC -- crrent archive name if InArchive mode.
@ARC is empty;
@SD -- startup directory (where is VF.EXE)
@WD -- work directory
@UI -- user is prompted to enter string at this
place
@RF -- rescan dir after shell
@KEY -- wait key after shell
@WAIT -- wait key after shell
@FMWAIT -- if the command is executed in non-ForeachMode
then @WAIT is equal to @KEY.
If in ForeachMode then after the shell VF
will show the name of the executed file, its
number in the list and will deselect the file
if You press SPACE. Any other key continues
the execution.
@UI"Text" -- just like @UI but "Text" will replace the
default prompt.
Canceling input will cancel shell procedure.
@GD"Text" -- just like @UI but You have to enter directory
name. The difference from @UI is that You can
use TAB key to cycle between matching dirs
(like in ChangeDirectory/Copy/Move/etc...)
Canceling input will cancel shell procedure.
@GF"Text" -- just like @GD but allows and files.
@EV"Var" -- VF will replace this macro with the Var's
value (Var is Environment variable).
for example:
@EV"comspec" is equal to @CS.
@DL"Text" -- VF will ask for a valid driveletter.
"Text" is prompting message.
*** WARNING: All macros must be upper case!
"@nocls" is NOT equal to "@NOCLS" etc...
External support activates only if current dir
is Not empty, otherwise No Fxx/#Fxx/etc. will
cause any action.
ForeachMode -- I'll try to explain this mode
with an example:
(in ForeachMode)
If You defined INS key to view GIFs, ARJs
and edit TXTs, and some GIFs,ARJs,TXTs are
selected, and You press INS then all GIFs
will show, all ARJ contents -- listed, each
TXT will be under edit.
This mode activates with ScrollLock key.
TAB Edit file Name/Attr/Date/Time
--> Edit file Name/Attr/Date/Time
─────────────────────────────────
("-->" is right arrow)
a) When enter edit mode You can use TAB, UpArrow
DnArrow to switch between Name, Attr, Date/Time
editing.
b) ChangeDate/Time function does NOT check entered
values -- it passes given Date/Time to DOS and
gets it back!
You can enter the following values for "Month":
JAN, FEB, MAR, APR, MAY, JUN, JUL, AUG, SEP, OCT,
NOV, DEC and of cource the digital equvalences:
001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010,
011, 012.
Year number is set as:
19xx -- if xx is > 80
20xx -- if xx is < 80.
so only available dates are between 1-1-1980 and
31-12-2079.
Dirs' Date/Time CANNOT be changed.
c) You can touch files (set current date/time on
files) by pressing H, D and Enter.
GlobalDateTime can be canceled only with ESC!
SPACE Tag file
─────────────────────────────────
Select/Tag file and goes one step down.
#SPACE Tag file UP
─────────────────────────────────
Select/Tag file and goes one step up.
* Go to random file.
─────────────────────────────────
L#* Tag random file
─────────────────────────────────
R#* UnTag random file
─────────────────────────────────
EXIT:
─────────────────────────────────
ESC Exit VF
Alt+X Exit to old dir w/o confirmation
Q Exit to cur dir w/o confirmation
OTHER features:
─────────────────────────────────
1. If You enter (anywhere) path that not exist, You'll
be prompted for create it.
2. Swapping
VF uses either EMS,XMS (if available) or disk for
swapping when shelling -- so EMS,XMS is required
for faster execution of external functions
(Browse, Edit, User defined keys).
3. Upon exit VF can restore the screen as it was when
VF started.
RestoreScreen is executed after ClsOnExit!
So pay attention on these options.
If You use RestoreScreen then it is better
not to use ClsOnExit.
4. If You want to cancel/abort a continuous function
during execution press any (or both) SHIFT.
SHIFT will cancel:
-- Copy
-- Move
-- Erase
-- Wipe
-- ForeachMode (External support + Scroll Lock)
-- File Find
-- Purge
-- Tree Size
-- GlobalSelect/ScanBody
-- other...
5. Binary File Split (BFS)
a) sizes are in KBs -- 1024 bytes. max is 16000 KBs!
b) Files splitted w. BFS must be rebuilt with "copy /b" command:
copy /b file.c01+file.c02+file.c03 file.all
c) Parts sizes are: 1st --size1, 2nd --size2, last size (sizeN)
is default for the rest parts...
examples:
20 30 15 (1st part 20K, 2nd--30K, rest--15K)
1 (all parts are 1K
x. Additional tools.
In the package is included fsx.btm ( sx.btm
is removed). Now it is NOT compressed. Fsx.btm
is archive type abstract tool for Add/Create,
Extract, List, Test archives with automatic
selection of needed archiver.
(*) Only in the REGISTERED Version!
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[3]══> INSTALLING/HOW TO SETUP THE VF [3]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
QUICK INSTALL
─────────────────────────────────
NOTE: Even that this part is called "QUICK", I do not
mean that You can use full VF features after completition
of the next few steps. I just will give You the way...
1. Expand the distribution archive in a directory.
You should have set path to this directory.
2. You must have COMSPEC environment variable properly
set, for example:
COMSPEC=C:\COMMAND.COM
or
COMSPEC=C:\4DOS\4DOS.COM
...
3. You must have path to the next programs:
(access via alias also accepted)
optional:
-- QPEG.EXE/QPV.EXE (to view GIF,BMP,PCX,JPG files with
INS) (this is user defined external support -- You
can change it any time...see VF.CFG for more...)
if You want to access archives:
-- AIN.EXE
-- ARJ.EXE
-- HA.EXE
-- LHA.EXE/LHARC.EXE (LHA is used)
-- LIMIT.EXE
-- PKUNZIP.EXE
-- RAR.EXE
-- UC.EXE
ADVANCED INSTALL
─────────────────────────────────
1. You have to read carefully the part describing VF.CFG
an setup it with your favourite Editor/Browser/Tools.
You have to check options under options menu (key "O").
OPTIONS MENU DESCRIPTION
─────────────────────────────────
+-|OPTIONS|------------+
| T Toggles... > | Toggles -- described below...
| V Video mode... > | Select video mode -- 25 rows/50/mono.
| C Colors... > | Ch.VF colors, (but they're just fine).
| M Record macro | Recording macros... details below.
|-─────────────────────|
| ! Dirs select! : no | Allow selecting directories.
| Z Dirs Sizes : no | Show dir's sizes?
| S Sizes Mode : SiZE| Sizes mode -- Percent/Allocated/...
|-─────────────────────|
| G GLOBAL MODE : no | Switch to GlobalMode (Ctrl+Enter)
| N NORMAL MODE : YES | Switch to NormalMode (Ctrl+Enter)
|-─────────────────────|
| I Internal Edit/View | Force internal editor/viewer.
| R Reload VF.CFG | ...reload vf.cfg... :)
| D Load defaults | ...does nothing by now...
+----------------------+
+--| TOGGLES |-------+
|[a] Auto create BBS | Create FILES.BBS auto?
|[b] Beep allowed | Allow the BEEEP sound...?
|[i] Wipe allowed | Allow file wipe (warning: be careful).
|[s] Cls on exit | Clear screen on exit?
|[c] Colors | File-types colorization on/off.
|[\] Add dir slash | Filename completion add "\"?
|[&] Zap READONLYs! | Erase ReadOnly|System|Hidden files?
|[d] Hide descr.file | Hide description file in 4DOS mode.
|[h] Hide sys shells | ...
|[l] Low case files | Use small letters for files.
|[r] Restore screen | Restore original screen on exit.
|[t] TopDirs | Sort dir's over files.
|[w] WaitBeforeShell | This is debug option -- waits a key.
|[+] LongDDInfo | Show only file names and descriptions.
|[1] Hide System Fil | \
|[2] Hide Hidden Fil | | Hide these files.
|[3] Hide System Dir | |
|[4] Hide Hidden Dir | /
|[|] ESC Clears Sel | Use ESC to clear selection?
|[e] DEL Key Erase | Use DEL for erase. "E" still does.
|[g] Alt GetDir "+" | Use GetDir window rather GetDir line.
|[/] Filter Rdy Disk | Try to filter not ready drivs in
GetDir window.
|[.] Reset ChMaskPos | If disabled VF will try to preserve
+--------------------+ current marker position when ChFMask.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[4]══> USED TERMS EXPLANATION/USAGE NOTES [4]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
USED TERMS EXPLANATION
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
1. GetDir line -- input line which is used to get path,
it features "filename completion".
2. GetDir window -- window which is used to get path
it looks like:
+--------------+
| TMP |
| UC2 |
| UTI |
| WIN |
| WINAPP |
| WORK |
| WWW |
| [A] |
| [B] |
| [C] |
| [D] |
| [E] |
+--------------+
3. ...
USAGE NOTES
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
1. FILE DESCRIPTIONS
─────────────────────────────────
VF will truncate Descriptions extensions,
i.e. descriptions format is:
Description[*<ID>Other program info]...<CR>
"*" is ASCII-4 (Ctrl-D)
so information after "*" will be removed...for now.
I know only one aplication hat uses this format and
this is QPEG, but removing information doesn't affect
QPEG functionality.
2. MACROS
─────────────────────────────────
VF allows to record macros and bind them to any key
from "1" to "9". Let's give an example:
If You want to key "5" swith video mode to 25 lines
You have to do this:
[Key] Notes
---------------------------------------
[O] Call Options menu
[M] Record macro
[5] Which key will be assigned
[O] Macro step 1 -- call options menu
[V] Macro step 2 -- call video modes menu
[2] Macro step 3 -- choose 25 lines video
[F1] End macro recording
Now every time You press "5" the video mode will be
switched to 25 lines.
...And one more example:
Key "2" to save descriptions now:
[Key] Notes
---------------------------------------
[O] Call Options menu
[M] Record macro
[2] Which key will be assigned
[Alt+S] Macro step 1 -- call descriptions menu
[Enter] Macro step 2 -- save descriptions
(This is first option so
"Enter" is enough)
[F1] End macro recording
Maximal macro length is 40 chars.
WARNING: Be carefull with macros -- they can be
possibly dangerous! Never use them for
Quick Erase or something...!!!
3. FILEFIND DATABASE SEARCH
─────────────────────────────────
If You have slow disk drives (such as CDs, slow network)
it is quite faster to search not the drive but database
with files on that drive. VF uses simple text file with
filenames list, for example:
----------------
c:\autoexec.bat
c:\dos\format.exe
d:\uti\vf.exe
d:\uti\vf.cfg
...
----------------
In the VF package is included UpdateDB.exe file which
does database file creation.
UpdateDB usage:
UpdateDB c:\ d:\ e:\ f:\dir > c:\locate.dat
or
UpdateDB c:\dos g:\programs d:\ > c:\uti\locate.dat
or add any dirs you want
Note: UpdateDB will recurse all subdirectories so you
don't need to point all dirs one by one.
NOTE: You must give FULL pathname for database file.
The "FFAutoDBSearch" option in VF.CFG is used to
point drives and subdirs that is included in the
dtabase file.
example:
FFAutoDBSearch=c:\;d:\uti;d:\bp
and You want to search for "*.EXE" in "D:\BP\BIN",
VF will search in the database because "D:\BP" and
it's subdirs are containde into the database.
Note that "D:\" will search all drive D: including
"D:\BP"!
This function will be expanded in the future...
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[5]══> VF.CFG AND VF.OPT [5]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
All options from the "Options" menu are saved to VF.OPT
file. This file is automatically loaded/saved upon
startup/shutdown of VF. VF.OPT file also contains
registration info. If You want to get VF in defaults,
You should simply delete VF.OPT. VF.OPT is also different
for each VF version, so You cannot use the same .OPT file
when moving to new version.
The rest options and parameters are contained in VF.CFG
file. This file is simple text and You can edit it with
any text editor.
Every time You edit VF.CFG from inside VF, copy of
VF.CFG will be created. The copy is named VF.SEC.
However You don't need VF.SEC file, it is just for
backup.
VF.CFG directives are:
─────────────────────────────────
In "{}"s are defaults!
In all "Toggles" You can use:
"1", "YES", "ON", "TRUE" for positive answer/value
and
"0", "NO", "OFF", "FALSE" for negative answer/value
SECTION [MAIN]
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
4DOS=Yes/No
────────────────────────────────
4Dos support (descriptions)
{YES}
Browser=SL
────────────────────────────────
ShellLine for external Browser
(Only @FN macro is valid)
{@CS /c LIST @FN}
Editor=SL
─────────────────────────────────
ShellLine for external Editor
(Only @FN macro is valid)
{@CS /c EDIT @FN}
NotEditExt=.ext.ext.ext.
─────────────────────────────────
list of not editable filetypes
as *.EXE, *.COM in format
.EXT.EXT.EXT....EXT.
must end with "."!
{.EXE.COM.BIN.OBJ.DLL.}
To switch off this option use
"NotEditExt=."
FListName=filename
─────────────────────────────────
specify file for listing
selected files for @FL macro
{C:\$$VFFL$$.TMP}
DesFileName=filename
─────────────────────────────────
description files
filename for 4DOS
{DESCRIPT.ION}
BBSFileName=filename
─────────────────────────────────
file for BBS descriptions
it IS identical to DesFile
but is NOT hidden and
HideDesFile doesn't affect
it! Also BBSFile DO contains
AND files without
descriptions!
BBSFileName can be used ONLY
in 4DOS mode.
"FILES.BBS" for example.
{}
SwapDir=path
─────────────────────────────────
where to swap if no EMS or XMS is
available
{C:\}
TrashCanPath=path
─────────────────────────────────
Used for TrashCan function. This
function moves all selected (or one)
files to TrashCanPath w/o prompting
(Prompt only if size is over WarningSize).
Destination filename in the TrashCan is Unique!
{C:\TRASHCAN.VF}
NOTE: currently this function is suppressed!
CommandLineTail=str
─────────────────────────────────
This string will be added to the
end of command line string.
It defaults to @KEY, i.e. wait after
command line "/". Use @NOTHING to
set empty string.
{@KEY}
FFDatabase=filename
─────────────────────────────────
This points to Your FileFnd database.
(see usage notes for details).
{}
FFAutoDBSearch=str,str,str...
─────────────────────────────────
(please, see usage notes under
"FileFind database search")
PurgeEXT=EXTS
─────────────────────────────────
filetypes for purging. To disable
Purge function You just must NOT
use this option.
BE CAREFULL WITH THIS OPTION!
{}
CheckSnow=YES/NO
─────────────────────────────────
Turns OFF or ON the "SnowChecking".
This is usefull only for CGA's.
{NO}
DirectVideo=ON/OFF
─────────────────────────────────
Turns OFF or ON the "Direct Video Writes".
This is usefull only for CGA's.
{ON}
WorkDir=path
─────────────────────────────────
Work dir is used for misc operations
as SaveDirTree (if VF dir is read-only).
It defaults to StartupDir (where is
VF.EXE).
The path is d:\xx\yy\zz\!
WarningSize=1..13
─────────────────────────────────
If You select files and/or dirs with total
size over WarningSize, VF will ask for
additional confirmation for ERASE, WIPE and MOVE.
The WarningSize is in Megabytes! Defaults to 1MB.
However You can set value over 13MB but it will
truncated to 13. If You set value over 256MB it
will be set back to 1 MB.
NOTE: Well, I think operating with large amount
of files is potentially dangerous. In this
case it was considered that 13 MBs is
"large amount", if You don't think so -- feel
free to send me message...
/Cade.
{1}
Borders=digit
─────────────────────────────────
Defines menus' borders style:
0 -- default;
1 -- single line;
2 -- double line;
3 -- BDS compatible border (Bulgarian users only);
{0}
SECTION [COLORS]
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
CLR is one of "BLUE/GREE/RED/CYAN/PURPLE/YELLOW"
or "BBLUE/BGREE/BRED/BCYAN/BPURPLE/BYELLOW"
for AltExtColors -- see Options/Toggles
To define directories color:
DirColor=CLR
To define filetypes colors:
Blue=EXTS \
Green=EXTS | File types' colors.
Red=EXTS |
Cyan=EXTS |
Purple=EXTS |
Yellow=EXTS /
BBlue=EXTS \
BGreen=EXTS | File types' colors.
BRed=EXTS | bright colors available in
BCyan=EXTS | AltExtColors mode (Options/Toggles)
BPurple=EXTS |
BYellow=EXTS /
NOTE: Bright colors (BBlue,BRed,...) are assumed normal
if AltExtColors is disabled, i.e. BBlue=Blue.
EXTS is in the format .EXT.EXT...EXT. and must end
with "."!
if EXTS="" (empty string) the color is not used
if You add "*" to front or end of "EXTS" You'll get
blinking color:
"RED=*.bak.tmp.swp." or "RED=.bak.tmp.swp.*" will
show all bak's,tmp's and swp's in blinking red.
SECTION [CHDIR]
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
"x"="Path"
─────────────────────────────────
"x" is one of 1, 2, ..., 9, 10
If You press ALT-"x" then current path
will be changed to "Path"
"10" is actually "0"
i.e. ALT-0.
SECTION [USER]
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
In this section user can (pre)define all
CTRL/SHIFT/ALT-Fxx, Fxx, INS, SHIFT-INS Keys to
perform actions on selected files or on single
file or attach an action to menus.
Key/Menu def's format is:
─────────────────────────────────
"Description,Key,Exts,ShellLine"
─────────────────────────────────
Description -- It's up to 10-char text for help about
current Key.
"VIEW GIF,ins,.gif.,@CS svga /s @FN"
If description is longer than 10 chars
it will be truncated.
!!! NOTE! -- If You define MENU item then the first
letter of the description is HOTKEY.
Enter "." if You DON'T want hotkey.
Description limits also are extended
to 20 chars for the menus.
Key -- one of next Keynames:
INS, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10,
#INS, ^F2, ^F3, ^F4, ^F5, ^F6, ^F7, ^F8, ^F9, ^F10,
, @F2, @F3, @F4, @F5, @F6, @F7, @F8, @F9, @F10,
, #F2, #F3, #F4, #F5, #F6, #F7, #F8, #F9, #F10.
MENU, ^MENU, #MENU, @MENU,
ENTER
NOTE: You cannot define ENTER to perform an action over
directory! it defaults to chdir up, just like "+".
Where "#" means SHIFT, "^" -- CTRL, "@" -- ALT
xMENU attaches item to the user menus!
Exts -- is list of filetypes associated to each
action in format:
.EXT.EXT...EXT. and must end with "."!
".dirs." is used to point directories.
Though You cannot set command for a dir with
specific extension.
Example:
.zip.txt.dirs.doc. -- allow command on ZIP's
TXTs, DIRs and DOCs
Well I cannot imagine
how You can use this
example (:)) but I'm
sure You realized it.
Exts tests only pointed file!
if Exts is "" (empty string) then action is
performed every time when pressing "Key" regardless
pointed filetype.
It is NOT alowed to use any space chars in "Key"
and "Exts"!
ShellIne -- It is string that is passed for
execution.
NOTE: Lines from this section are not sorted, so
first line has highest priority and the last
one -- lowest priority.
Please see the sample VF.CFG in the distribution
pack!
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[6]══> WHAT IS NEW IN THIS VERSION (HISTORY) [6]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
! means bugfix
- means function/option modified
+ NEW function/option added
x means function/option removed
% Note
---5.12---------------------------24.Mar.97-----
! 1. Bugfix: CopyDir after copy abort is now fixed.
- 2. Now "B"/Browse function works only over current
file (not over all selected).
- 3. Now "I"/EditTxt function works only over current
file (not over all selected).
+ 4. FreeSpace check before entire copy/move process.
! 5. DirTreeSizes autoload Tree bug fixed. :)))
(right for u sush)
! 6. Some ambiguous keyboard commands resolved.
! 7. Some small bigfixes.
- 8. Now VF will not check the WarningSize when
moving file to the same disk. (it is actually
quite safe operation)
+ 9. Hotkey added for Long DD Info toggle.
+10. Now change dir function will offer by default the
last directory changed from.
+11. "Borders" option added to [MAIN] in VF.OPT.
---5.11---------------------------03.Jan.97-----
x 1. TrashCan removed. If someone wants it I'll
plug it back.
x 2. Options/Colors change is removed for now...
+ 3. DirectoryHook added to "H/ALT-H".
+ 4. ClassifyMove function added ("T"ools menu).
! 5. Minor bugfixes.
---5.10b--------------------------11.Dec.96-----
+ 1. Bright colors for filetype colorization added.
(see Options/Toggles/AltExtColors)
+ 2. New FASTER descriptions engine.
+ 3. Save to file or print On-line help information.
---5.10a--------------------------29.Nov.96-----
! 1. Swapping bug fixed -- 5.10 swaps ONLY in EMS.
Now it is FIXED!
---5.10---------------------------29.Nov.96-----
- 1. SwapEngine is updated to version 3.3.
Now it swaps and in XMS!
The EXEC with memory swap by Thomas Wagner
(see credits below).
+ 2. "CommandLineTail" option added in VF.CFG.
+ 3. FileFind database search added. (see usage notes).
+ 4. "FFAutoDBSearch" option added to VF.CFG.
+ 4. "@AI" shell macro added.
---5.09---------------------------21.Nov.96-----
+ 1. "Reset ChMaskPos" option added. (Opt's/Toggles)
- 2. Jump to drive window expanded to cover big
disksizes.
+ 3. Alt+[driveletter] changes disk in GetDir window.
+ 4. "TrashCan" added (key "H" or "@H").
+ 5. Copy/Move to Unique file name if destination
exists!
---5.08---------------------------15.Nov.96-----
+ 1. New ChDir function and AltGetDir option added.
! 2. Minor bugfixes.
---5.07---------------------------06.Nov.96-----
+ 1. WarningSize added (see "WarningSize" directive
in VF.CFG).
+ 2. DEL key is ERASE (if allowed in Options/Toggles).
+ 3. ZAP files/dirs with ReadOnly flag.
x 4. FDR option is removed.
+ 5. ZAP option added, if activated VF will erase
READONLY files.
- 6. AutoDirTree directive interpretation changed.
---5.06-5.06a---------------------02.Nov.96-----
- 1. Now VF will NOT touch system and hidden files
when updating directory order.
+ 2. Many toggles added. Check Options/Toggles.
- 3. Now key DEL is not available for user defines.
It is replaced by ENTER. ENTER performs kind of
default action over a file, over dir will change
current path.
---5.05---------------------------18.Aug.96-----
- 1. Most of options/directives from VF.CFG are moved
to VF.OPT i.e. You can change them from Options
menu: key "O"
- 2. "Hammers" menu moved to key "T" (Tools).
Make Tree moved to Tools menu.
+ 3. Keyboard Macros are added (See UsageNotes.2)
- 4. GLOBAL mode now works different. You have to give
not drives but start dirs.
---5.03---------------------------18.Aug.96-----
- 1. "AutoDirTree" option is changed. Please see
appropriate part of this doc.
! 2. The bug w. preset dirs is now fixed.
! 3. Bug with ChDir from DirTree is now fixed.
+ 4. For command line now added and "!" key.
+ 5. Now VF will show message if current dir is empty.
+ 6. Added history to command line. (PgUp key)
+ 7. Now VF will save/load some parameters when
shutdown/startup.
(ChDir history, command line history, etc...)
Parameters are in the file VF.OPT.
---5.02---------------------------21.Jul.96-----
! 1. Minor bugfixes.
---5.01---------------------------20.Jul.96-----
- 1. "ConfirmBBS" option is replaced by
"AutoCreateBBS" in vf.cfg.
! 2. "ver 5.0 commming soon" msg has been removed now.
(sorry:))
+ 3. BinaryFile Split function added. Allows different
parts' sizes.
+ 4. User/Extrenal support: added macro ".dirs." to
separate directories from files.
x 5. DirectoryTracker Hammer removed. (for now).
+ 6. Disk free space monitor added. via Hammers key: "H".
---5.00---------------------------05.Jul.96-----
% 1. TOO MUCH CHANGES: I'll describe main ones.
+ 2. Uniform functions for files and dirs
(Select/Copy/Move/Erase/Wipe/...)
+ 3. GlobalMode!
Handle all files from all dirs from all disks.
Including user keys/external support.
+ 4. History for Dir/File input lines, and more...
+ 5. Many new small features...
! 6. Many small bugfixes...
% 7. I just cannot remember all of them.
This version was test for GlobalMode and I
wasn't sure if it would become nice. :)
However: GlobalMode is great!
x 8. Scroller is removed.
x 9. SecondTag is removed.
+10. @FO macro added.
---4.75---------------------------01.May.96-----
+ 1. Copy/Move/Erase directory with its dir
substructure.
---4.70---------------------------xx.Mar.96-----
+ 1. Arrange/Sort by Attributes added.
! 2. Internal Viewer fixed.
+ 3. Hex View mode added to the internal viewer.
---4.61d--------------------------19.Feb.96-----
+ 1. Extensive progress indicators added.
+ 2. BinEd more keys added. F2-Save, F1-Help...
+ 3. Minor bugfixes.
---4.61a--------------------------10.Feb.96-----
+ 1. New Shell macroses:
-- @GF -- input filename (just as @GD but
allows and files)
-- @ARC -- current archive name.
! 2. Now and user menus work in InArchive mode.
x 3. Now paths in directory TREE list cannot be
selected. (I think it was useless...:))
! 4. Now descriptions will be saved even if list is
empty, so You won't lose them if hide all files.
---4.61---------------------------10.Feb.96-----
+ 1. FileCycling added. You can see it in
Hammers/EditFile, Imprt/Export descriptions
etc.
! 2. Some minor bugs were fixed.
+ 3. Sort/Arrange by Descriptions.
+ 4. New: PercentSizes. Options/PercentSizes.
- 5. Copy/Extract path defaults to last copy/move
path again. (note 4.51/2 is now invalid)
+ 6. Import/Export descriptions implemented.
Key:"ALT+S"I/E"
+ 7. Load selection implemented. Key:"2"L"
+ 8. New VF.CFG options:
-- [MAIN] ScreenMode=0/1/2
---4.60---------------------------06.Feb.96-----
+ 1. Internal TxtBrowser added!
It is added in case You haven't got external
viewer at the moment. (Keys: "B" or "+" on file)
Of cource You can install your own.
+ 2. BinEd Text Editor added! It may edit text files
up to 65000 bytes. You still can install external
editor.
+ 3. Descriptions menu added. Key: ALT+S. It includes:
-- Write down/save descriptions.
-- Write/create BBS file.
-- Edit descriptions file with the txt editor.
-- Describe all selected files.
-- Copy descriptions to another directory.
-- Backup/Restore descriptions. (not yet impl'd :()
x 4. So the following were removed:
-- Save descriptions (Alt+S).
-- Save BBS File (Ctrl+Alt+S).
-- Describe selected files. (Alt+S).
+ 5. Command line added. Key: "/"
+ 6. Quick DOS Shell added. Key "?" i.e. Shift+"/".
- 7. Now by default VF will always clear screen before
Shell. @CLS is removed.@NOCLS is added.
+ 8. Now SHIFT will cancel and GlobalSelect/Different
and GlobalSelect/ScanBody.
! 9. Fixed bug with calculating sizes.
+10. VF will automaticly rescan the directory tree
if pressed Alt+Z in the root.
+11. Since VF.CFG is very important file VF will
create second copy of it before "EditCFG".
(second copy is called VF.SEC)
+12. New Shell macroses:
-- @DL"prompt" -- input valid driveletter.
-- @EV"varname" -- get environment variable.
-- @LF"d" -- list files in cmd. line.
-13. If no files selected, @FL or @LF will prompt
for abort.
!14. Fixed bug -- "[COLOR]COLORS" option replaced
with "[COLOR]NOCOLORS" as it was supposed.
+15. Copy/Move function:
-- Check destination freespace and prompt if low.
-- Overwrite only if newer than destination.
-- Strip destination flags when overwrites.
+16. New On-Line Help viewer.
+17. New VF.CFG options:
-- HideSysShells -- hide or not system shells.
-18. ExecSwap engine has been replaced with
Thomas Wagner's Exec procedure. Now VF swaps
out leaving about 2K's in memory!
-19. "SwapFile" has been replaced with "SwapDir".
+20. Now it isn't necessary to give full filespec
in a ShellLine. All missed parts (path and/or
extension) will be filled if possible. If not
ShellLine won't be executed. You must give at
least name.
---4.58b--------------------------18.Jan.96-----
+ 1. ZeroZap can be now canceled with SHIFT.
+ 2. @WAIT is now equal to @KEY
! 3. Fixed problem w. userkey: #ins.
- 4. "DEL" is now available for UserDefinitions.
Redraw/Refresh function added to Hammers.
(Just press "H" and "ENTER")
+ 5. Runtime change text mode between 25/34/50
rows mode. (seee Hammers)
VF saves and restores the original textmode.
---4.57---------------------------12.Jan.96-----
+ 1. Entirely New InArchive manipulations engine.
+ 2. BrowseFiles (One or all selected) is now
allowed in InArchive mode!
+ 3. User keys are now allowed in InArchive mode.
(without ForeachMode)
+ 4. Now You can extract single file from an
HA or LHA/LZH archive.
! 5. Now VF can properly handle ZIP files containing
files with paths.
! 6. ZIP entries dates has been fixed (most cases).
(previously the month and day were reversed)
+ 7. "GoToRoot" function added: Key: "\".
+ 8. @FMWAIT option added. It is specially used in
ForeachMode. See part 5 for details.
+ 9. @GD option added. See part 5 for details.
+10. "Select by number" added to GlobalSelect.
-11. Calculator input line is extended to 200 chars.
+12. DirectoryTracker Hammer added. Key: "H".
+13. ZeroZap/FillFreeSpace Hammers added.
!14. Fixed bug that cause editing only CFG placed in
VF.EXE's dir, regardless VFCFG environment var.
---4.56----------------------------5.Jan.96-----
% 1. This is actually version 4.55, but it's
renamed for the distribution.
---4.55----------------------31.Dec.95-------:)-
- 1. Wait key message now displays on the top
line of the screen.
+ 2. Directory tree view selection added.
+ 3. ExitColor option added in "COLORS" section.
+ 4. "Abort" choice added to Copy/Move fail menu.
+ 5. Include/Exclude to/from the selection added.
(LEFTSHIFT/RIGHTSHIFT)
+ 6. "Show Startup Screen" and
"Show User/Shell Screen" features added.
(via Options menu key:"O")
! 7. Now DirTree is saved as for the right disk.
+ 8. Now VF can erase any directory with all subdirs.
(except the root!)
+ 9. File names Export function. (keys "1" and "2")
+10. Now You can browse files in archives through
plus key "+".
+11. "Wait Before Shell" option in Options menu
added. If enabled VF will wait a key before
any shell command. It is designed for debugging
userkeys, editor, browser comm's etc.
+12. "DirsTree Sizes" option added to Options menu.
---4.54----------------------------25.Nov.95----
- 1. "WorkDir" option added (see part 5 for details).
+ 2. @WD macro added.
---4.53----------------------------22.Nov.95----
+ 1. Save/Load DirTree functions added. (CTRL+Z)
+ 2. Directory order update function added.
(via SortOrder menu, key "A")
---4.52----------------------------12.Nov.95----
+ 1. @SD macro added.
- 2. @CP is now @CD (sorry for the change! :))
+ 3. DirTree functions added. (CTRL+Z).
---4.51----------------------------14.Oct.95----
+ 1. DirSlash option added.
- 2. Target directory for EXTRACTing defaults
always to the current directory.
! 3. Now "!" is accepted in filenames.(old bug :()
---4.50----------------------------10.Sep.95----
- 1. ALT+D will show last 16 paths.
(this function replaces CTRL+D)
+ 2. CTRL+D now will show the [CHDIR] section in
menu.(ChDirs were removed from the UserHelp)
- 3. When TAB-filename completion "\" will be added
at the end of the found path.
+ 4. "Mask select" added. Masks are handled as in
plain DOS.
---4.44-----------------------------5.Sep.95----
+ 1. Added "1/YES/ON/TRUE" positive and
"0/NO/OFF/FALSE" negative toggles.
+ 2. CheckSnow option added.
- 3. Some screen writes were changed, so VF will
probably work fine and on CGA's.
+ 4. Now VF.CFG can be placed in different directory
than the VF.EXE. (see part 4)
+ 5. Now LZH/LHA and HA archives are supported.
(see part 4 for limitations)
+ 6. All DIRS SIZES calculating added.
(ALT+Z, or via Options menu -- key "O")
+ 7. "DirsSizes" option added to the CFG file.
+ 8. Now VF system colors can be customized.
+ 9. GetColor function added. via Options menu.
%10. Now ConfirmBBS option defaults to ON/YES!
---4.40----------------------------28.Aug.95----
% 0. Version 4.40 is renamed v4.36, so the news
are described in 4.36 sect.
% 1. On-line help is rearranged and updated.
---4.36----------------------------11.Aug.95----
+ 1. Added quick Change/Show Disk. Key: J
+ 2. Now "Reafresh Files" (key R) is available and
"InArchive" mode.
+ 3. Select files containing string in the body
+ 4. Select all files with the same EXT
+ 5. Select all NEW or NEWER files
+ 6. Now in the BBS File will not be added any
file with System or Hidden attribute set.
% 7. Now second VF.CFG sample is added. (It's mine)
+ 8. TagFileUp added -- SHIFT-Space!
x 9. Now ALT and CTRL keys will NOT cancel any
function to avoid problems with OS/2, Win, etc.
when switch between tasks.
+ 10.Hold down SHIFT to cancel/abort these functions:
Copy, Move, Erase, Wipe, ForeachMode, FileFind,
Purge, TreeSize.
x 11.CTRL-Esc hotkey removed because CTRL-Esc is used
by OS/2, Win, etc...
You can use "Q" and "ALT-X" for exits!
ESC still works!
! 12.When renaming You'll not loose the description
any more.
---4.35-----------------------------6.Aug.95----
+ 1. User menus added. (U, ^U, #U, @U keys)
% 2. "Usage notes" part of the manual is rearranged
and updated!
- 3. Calculator engine improved.(Added XOR, AND...)
x 4. "Global select/All bigger/smaller/equal"
removed. Replaced with "Expression true"!
+ 5. "Global select/Expression true" see part 4 for
details.
! 6. Now the partial files after Copy/Move fail will
be erased!
---4.23c----------------------------------------
! 1. Now colors for files will be displayed always
right!
---4.23b----------------------------------------
- 1. The routine for the calculator is new! Now
it can handle HEX numbers!
---4.23-----------------------------------------
+ 1. @FJ, @FS Shell options added.
+ 2. @UI"Prompt" Shell option added.
- 3. Now ESC aborts Shell if pressed when entering @UI
value.
! 4. Bug with @UI and nothing entered is now fixed.
("@UI" will not be leaved in the ShellLine)
+ 5. Blinking colors now added in section [COLORS].
---4.22-----------------------------------------
! 1. Few color bugs are now fixed.
! 2. Description now is saved before entering into
an archive.
! 3. Now RefreshList will NOT throw away unsaved
descriptions.
---4.21-----------------------------------------
! 1. Bug with file versions in .UC2 archives is
now fixed.
! 2. Bug with string named months in some archives
is now fixed.
! 3. Now user may not pay close attention when change
4dos mode wich causes descriptions lose :)
Now Options/4Dos-mode change is SAFE.
+ 3. ConfirmBBS optin added. ( see part 5 )
+ 4. Now TabCycleDirSearch (nice word isn't it?! :))
known also as "filename completion"
is available everywhere -- not only in the
change current directory function!
+ 5. Fixed bug with descriptions and erase/wipe funx
- 6. Now Copy/Move will NOT affect destination
descriptions if not in 4DOS mode!
---4.20-----------------------------------------
+ 1. Now all archives will be handled as directories!
So You can enter into archive and Copy files
from it elsewhere. (i.e. extract)
(see part 4 -- Archives)
+ 2. BBSFileName option added. If You specify in VF.CFG
this option then VF will create second description
file called as You said, but it won't be HIDDEN and
will contain and files w/o description.
HideDesFile doesn't affect BBSFileName!
---4.01-----------------------------------------
+ 1. Some details on use added to VF.DOC and
On-Line Help.
- 2. NEW FORMAT for define user keys! (see part 5 !!!)
Now [USER] items should NOT begin with "x=",
and have additional field for describing each.
+ 3. UserHelp added -- CTRL+F1.
(Show all user keys and preset chdirs)
+ 4. Problems w. the input line for editing description
is now fixed.
- 5. Now VF will leave more memory for running external
programs WITHOUT swapping. (about 150-200KB more)
---4.00-----------------------------------------
% 0. Since 3.44 was NOT released You must accept ver
3.44 notes as 4.00 notes.
- 1. Now ChangeDate/Time function is available and
in shareware version.
+ 2. Now Copy/Move will assume default destination
equal to last destination.
+ 3. Use Up/Down arrow to switch modes when edit an
file name/attrs/date/time.
! 4. Now Redraw is slightly faster.
+ 5. Now TAB key can be used for edit
filename/attrs/date/time.
+ 6. SHIFT+TAB edits file Description (if in 4DOS mode).
+ 7. Global Touch/Set DateTime!
+ 8. HOME and END keys for go first/last file added.
+ 9. DirectVideo option added.
+ 10. Now Erase/Wipe/Copy/Move can be canceled during
execution by holding down SHIFT key/s.
---3.44-----------------------------------------
% 0. This version was not released.
+ 1. Now TagColor can be "WHITE"! (and it is DEFAULT!)
+ 2. "Q" shortcut added -- Immediate exit to current dir.
+ 3. HideDesFile option added. See part 5 for details.
! 4. Now Copy/Move will NOT change file date/time.
---3.35-----------------------------------------
! 1. "Select different" function fixed.
! 2. Showing not existing label fixed.
! 3. Fixed Copy function -- Now it Will copy And
descriptions as it should.
+ 4. If You want to cancel ForeachMode/FFind/Purge
during execution hold SHIFT key down.
- 5. Now Erase/Wipe function will remove description
of the erased/wiped file(s) from description file.
+ 6. Purge disk function added.
+ 7. ALT+X shortcut added -- Immediate exit to old dir.
+ 8. Progress indicator is added to Copy/Move/Comp
if processed files are bigger than BufferSize bytes.
(BufferSize is normally 64000 bytes)
+ 9. Global describe function added (CTRL+S).
---3.04-----------------------------------------
! 1. Bug in the Move command (losing tagmark and RTE)
is fixed
! 2. Slightly improved GlobalSelect command.
---3.02-----------------------------------------
! 1. Bugs in the Calculator and FileFind are fixed.
---3.01-----------------------------------------
+ 1. Calculator added! (with macroses) Key "K".
+ 2. "InitialSort" and "Reversed" option added.
+ 3. Additional options when exit -- added.
+ 4. ForeachMode added -- see section 4 for details!
+ 5. Now Copy/Move will ask for overwrite.
+ "Always overwrite" option
+ "Never overwrite" option
+ 6. Tree Size -- key "Z"
+ 7. File Find -- key "N"
- 8. CTRL+D key now DOCUMENTED! see section 4.
+ 9. Now You can tell VF to select those files
that fits on a diskette or UserDefined size.
(shortcut is: "G"A")
+ 10.Now dirs are displayed before files.
(can be disabled via MAIN/TopDirs option)
- 11.Some minor changes in screen and questions
design.
+ 12.Now Copy/Move sets Attr's on destination file.
---2.99-----------------------------------------
! 1. Now You WILL NOT lose your descriptions when
packing the selection.
- 2. Slightly faster descriptions load/save procedures.
+ 3. Added RestoreScreen option. see VF.CFG description.
---2.25-----------------------------------------
The First Officially Released Version.
Implemented all main functions.
------------------------------------------------
Startdate: 26.Mar.95 (7.Feb.95)
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[7]══> KNOWN BUGS [7]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
1. VF will crash if You try to Copy/Move file with
name (for example) AANYFILE.EXT an the count of
files matching AANYFILE.* in the destination dir
exceeds 20,000. But I believe that such situation
is not possible. ...or I hope so :)
2. There is problem with RAR files containing files
with paths. RAR refuses to extract file without
giving the full pathname :(
(Thing that all the rest archivers do)
3. There is problem with the internal viewer --
sometimes it booms. Advice is: use external viewer:
List.com, HV.exe, Hiew.exe, Browse.com, ...
4. DOC file (probably) should be rewritten :)
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[8]══> TRICKS/HINTS [8]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
0. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMENDED TO COMPRESS VF.EXE WITH
EXE PACKING UTILITY LIKE:
1. UCEXE
2. PKLite
3. TinyProg
4. LZExe
5. Other
IF YOU DO THAT VF WILL BE SIZED ABOUT 100K!
NOTE: However I'm checking VF size after compressing
with UCEXE, up to now it rounds off abot 99K,
You may get size about 110-120K with PKLite or
other exepack utility.
1. To get faster Shell/Externals execution You should:
a) Install EMS or XMS manager if You have not.
b) Install DiskCache if You have not.
(it is VERY important if You haven't EMS/XMS)
c) Add "@NOSWAP" to all programs that do not need
much memory.
(such programs are not many :( and of course
VF cannot give too much mem away without
swapping...)
2. Most file browsing programs (such LIST.com) do not
need much memory. You may try add "@NOSWAP" to
the "Browser=" line in section [MAIN] of VF.CFG.
3. You can add menu separator in the user menus:
iUserItem1,menu,.doc.,list @FN
jUserItem2,menu,.txt.,q @FN
this will produce this:
▐▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▌
▐ I UserItem1 ▌
▐ J UserItem2 ▌
▐▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▌
to add separator put "%,menu,,,"
iUserItem1,menu,.doc.,list @FN
%,menu,,,
jUserItem2,menu,.txt.,q @FN
this will produce this:
▐▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▌
▐ I UserItem1 ▌
▐───────────────▌
▐ J UserItem2 ▌
▐▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▌
4. Keep user-menu items sorted as You expect
VF to show them to You. This is very
important if You try put menu separators.
5. Try next line in section [USER]
3=^F8,.uc2.,c:\uc2\uc.exe am @FN @@FL @RF
or
4=^F8,.arj.,c:\uti\arj.exe m @FN !@FL @RF
Both examples will add all selected files to
the archive pointed by TagMark (if pointed file
is *.arj/*.uc2) and after that the filelist will
be refreshed.
6. @UI macros is replaced first when shelling.
So if You have defined this:
[USER]
ECHO,,@CS /c echo @UI"Enter macro: "
...and when You typed @FS (for example) in the user
input line You'll see the size of the current file...
7. Try alternate ESC function:
if selection exist ESC key will remove it otherwise
will prompt to exit VF.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[9]══> FUTURE (AND UNDER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS) [9]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
This is list of features that next version of VF will
probably have.
(features marked with "!" probably will not be done
soon)
1. Customizing common keys.
! 2. Some network related features...
Currently beta versions for Linux and OS/2 are
released. You can check VF home page:
http://www.bis.bg/~cade/vf or FTP site:
ftp://ftp.riss.bg/pub/vf
NOTE: Linux and OS/2 versions haven't (yet) the
functionality of DOS' VF, but basic functions as
Copy/Move/ChDir/etc.. are covered.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[10]══> TROUBLESHOOTING [10]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
1. If You have problems with toggles or VF crahses, try
to delete VF.OPT file and restart VF.
2. If You have problems with screen writes (such as
bad chars on bad places, messages freezing or else)
Press "T" and "ENTER" ( this will clear and redraw
the screen and clear the error flags).
3. If upon exit the text color becomes black set the
"ExitColor" to 7 or whatever You want.
You have to add it to the [COLORS] section:
...
[COLORS]
ExitColor=7
...
4. If command line doesn't work, then You probably
haven't set the "COMSPEC" environment variable
properly. See DOS manual for details.
Examples:
Set COMSPEC=c:\command.com
Set COMSPEC=c:\4dos\4dos.com
...
5. If You have problems with executing external command
first check if You've not missed ".com"/".ext" to the
end of the command.
If You still have the problem put "@CS /c " in the
front (note that You must have path to the needed
command).
You can check the ShellLine if You enable
Options/ShellWait.
6. If You got bad sizes or zero sizes from the tree, You
probably should rebuild it (Ctrl+D and Alt+R)
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[11]══> REGISTRATION DETAILS [11]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
If You like VF and You want to continue using it
more than 55 days YOU SHOULD REGISTER YOURSELF!
After You register You'll get registered Copy of
VF with all features implemented in it! You also
will know if new version of VF is released! The
registration will not expire with the new version!
NOTE! Registered bulgarian users will get
additional doc in *bulgarian*!
Registration taxes are:
1. for Bulgaria -- call
2. $35 for Outside Bulgaria
(see Last section for CREDITS and tax disclaimer)
!!! If You want to register please contact me:
Vladi Shabanski
2:3500/33.14 (FidoNet)
cade@bis.bg (Internet)
http://www.bis.bg/~cade/vf (Official VF WWW Page)
I'm really sorry, but payment method and address are
subject to change. I'm trying to solve this problem
as soon as possible. Thank You in advance!
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[x]══> FINAL NOTES+CREDITS [x]
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
This Part contains some misc Notes related to
Vladi File Manager.
!!! I'd like You NOT to make any changes in any file
!!! in the packet -- VF.EXE, VF.DOC, *.BG, *.DIZ, *.ASC,
!!! *.BTM
!!! except *.CFG -- it can be changed as You wish...
Please Note that most recent powerups in VF may not
be documented here, but they will be added to the
On-Line help. The main reason for that is: *time*.
I mean that I haven't much time to improve the
code, write additional help doc's etc.
"ShellLine" means the command line for executing
external command from inside VF.
VF is entirely written in Borland Pascal 7.0.
!!! There are only TWO things that are not written by me:
1.Exec with Swap by (c) Thomas Wagner
Distributed freely.
2.BinEd 4.0 Text Editor by (c) Borland Int. 1985,87
!!! Registration Tax doesn't includes BinEd!
I couldn't find the conditions for using BinEd
(I suppose it's too old and nobody uses it now)
So IF there is Tax or else for using BinEd You
have to pay it to Borland Int. I'll be glad if
somebody send me info. about BinEd (is there new
version?).
The unregistered version of VF will act as always and
after the 55 day-evaluation period, but post-55-days-use
is not FAIR! :((( ... I hope U know it!...
PLEASE DO REPORT ANY BUGS TO:
Vladi Shabanski 2:350/33.14 (FidoNet)
(via XaX World BBS 2:350/33)
Internet: cade@bis.bg
vladi@riss.bg (alternative: try cade@bis.bg first)
WWW: http://www.bis.bg/~cade
http://www.bis.bg/~cade/vf (Official VF WWW Page)
http://www.riss.bg/~vladi
ANY ADVICES AND/OR NOTES ARE ACCEPTED AS WELL!
/Cade
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────,
| PLEASE SUPPORT VF PACKAGE DISTRIBUTION: YOUR FRIENDS MAY LOVE IT TOO! |
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘