Document 1110
BEGINNERS TIPS

Initials:
	BPT
	10/31/91
	GENERAL

Keywords:
	BEGINNER
	PATH
	COMMANDS
	BATCH
	HELP

Description:

Q-      I'm just beginning to explore computers & DOS and want to know
        what I should look at first?

A-      The most important concept to grasp is that of PATHS. The next
        item is skill with commands such as TREE, XDIR, etc. And perhaps
        the most fun is in the creation of BATCH files. Then the real
        exploration can begin.



PATH:

	The back of the "Users Guide" has an excellent index that 
	will help you find explanations of these primary path commands:

		TREE
		CHDIR
		MDIR
		CD \
		CD ..
		PATH

	It's important to remember that going into a path is much like
	driving a car up a cul-de-sac to find someones house with a map.

	- You start out on a main boulevard that you know (c:\) 
	- take various turns onto side streets (cd \drdos) 
	- and finally find the name your searching for (c:\drdos\tree.exe)
	- To get back home, you must backup and retrace your steps (cd ..)
	or you may know of a shortcut (cd \)


COMMANDS:

	The DR DOS command set is quite a long listing but the first ones
	to get familiar with are:
		
		TREE
		DIR
		REN
		COPY
		DEL
		UNDEL
		
	Some of them, like DEL are quite destructive so exercise caution.
	There are quite often "switches" that will customize the command
	that may suit your purpose better, these can be found by typing
	the command and a /h after it, for instance:

		TREE /H

	Or you can browse through DOSBOOK, just type:
		
		DOSBOOK


BATCH FILES:

	You could say that the machine (PC) is bi-lingual, 
	there are two types of files it reads:

		1.	"Executables" that can only be read
			by the machine it'self, (they just
			look like gobblety gook to us).

		2.	"Text" files that do make some sense!
			I say some sense because they often
			contain instructions for our machine.

	Most of these files are critical to the happy operation of 
	your PC and should not be changed, but it is certainly ok 
	to go and look at them.

	Some of the files that are "Text" based are:

		1.	AUTOEXEC.BAT
		2.	CONFIG.SYS
		3.	*.INI

        A safe way to look at them is to use the command "TYPE".
        Refer to *** below.
Example:

		TYPE AUTOEXEC.BAT /P

	There are things listed in your DR DOS "Users Guide" that 
	will show you what can be done or ways to simplify loading 
	programs, all it takes is making a "Batch" file (text file)
	or editing an existing file.  Look in the back of the guide
	under the words:

		  	BATCH
			CONFIGURATION
			AUTOEXEC.BAT
			CONFIG.SYS
			PROMPT

	There are examples given in the guide that will get you started
	on your exploration of DOS and the PC.  Best of success to you.

***     To do a DOS command like "TYPE", you must know how to get
	to the command line first.  If a machine has been setup by
	a consultant or store, they sometimes put you in a menu 
	program which gives a list of choices, or straight into an
	application like a data base.  Often, these programs or 
	applications offer a way to get to the COMMAND LINE, or as 
	it's sometimes called, the DOS PROMPT.  Typing EXIT will 
	usually return to you to normal, but if it doesn't rebooting
	the machine will start everything all over again.  There is 
	an important rule regarding rebooting, "NEVER REBOOT IF YOU
	ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PROGRAM" you should always exit to 
	the DOS PROMPT or use the "QUIT" option that is usually 
	available from a programs option list.
	

Example:
	
	Page  35 to  44 = Paths/Directories
	Page 145 to 352 = Commands
	Page 113 to 136 = Batch commands
	Page 356 to 397 = Config.sys
	Page 294	= Prompt