MyDisks V 1.22 The floppy disks data base written by Greg Poloczek & Greg Kacy Program and Documentation Copyright (C) Kacy & Fournier Software All rights reserved T H I S I S T H E U N R E G I S T E R E D S H A R E W A R E V E R S I O N ! ! ! Introduction ----------------- Welcome, and thank you for trying MyDisks. This program was designed to help in keeping order in your floppy disks and ease a process of finding and storing files on your floppy disks. MyDisks provides a floppydisk database with fast access to list of your disks, files and archives. The registration and updating of disks is completely automatic. MyDisks allows to find files in the floppy disks database and also finds floppy disks with requested free disk space. MyDisks also provides a program menu from which user can execute programs. Hardware requirements ------------------------- MyDisks was written for the IBM PC, PC/XT, PC/AT and compatibles. It requires MS/PC-DOS 3.30 or above. It works with MDA, Hercules, CGA, EGA VGA and SVGA video adapters. Installation ----------------- To install MyDisks on your system copy all the files listed below to one directory such us C:\MYDISKS. (You can also add the path for MyDisks to you autoexec.bat) Files: smydisks.exe - The executable file (shareware) db_files.dat - The data file db_disks.dat - The data file db_progs.dat - The data file db_cnfg.cfg - Configuration file mydisks.txt - This file orderfrm.txt - Order form Execution --------------- The program was designed around the use of bar menus to allow the easiest possible interface between user and program. All menus include mouse support if a mouse driver is loaded. There are several ways to control the program. You can use the arrow keys to move around menu and Enter key to choose the currently highlighted option (Esc - for go back). You can also use hotkeys Alt + highlighted letter for Main menu or just highlighted letter for the submenu. Of course you can also use the mouse. To choose an option click the left mouse button once when the option is highlighted. To go back press the right button. The menu consists of following options: System ÍÍÍÍÍÍ Execute - this option allows to execute a program from a program menu. Program menu can be modified. Menu items can be added or deleted. (To modify program menu use: Config/Mo- dify program menu). To execute a program you can also use a hotkey F3. Dos shell - Temporarily exit to DOS. To return to MyDisks type 'exit' Dos screen - Shows the DOS screen. About - Shows the information about your version of MyDisks Quit - Quits MyDisks (You can also use the hotkey F10) Disk ÍÍÍÍ New disk - This option allows to register a new diskette to the database. MyDisks registers disk by placing a special 0 bytes long, hidden file on the disk. The name of this file is KdbID where ID is the identification string entered by user during the registration process. Update - Updates the information about already registered disk. You should use this option, if you added or deleted some files from a registered disk. By doing that you will keep your database up-to-date. Optimize - This option optimizes MyDisks database files. Optimized database makes the program to run faster. You should use this option after registering or deleting a large amount of disks. Options ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ List - Shows the list of all the registered disks. The list consists of: disk's ID, type, free disk space and comment for the disk. You can browse this list by pressing the arrow keys or moving the mouse. If you want to get the file list for the highlighted disk press Enter or left mouse button. The other available options during the 'List' are listed on the status bar (Print, Delete, To file, Comment). Print - prints the list on your printer To file - prints the list to file Delete - deletes the disk from database Comment - allows edition of comment Find disks - Finds disks by a keyword in the disk comment. This option allows to find disks with a specific keyword in a disk comment. ( Example: if we enter a keyword: 'sources' we'll get a list of all disks with word 'sources' in a disk comment) Show disk - This option shows the list of all files on the disk. You will be asked to enter the ID of the disk you want to inspect. The list of files consists of: name of file, length, creation date and comment for the file. You can browse this list by pressing the arrow keys or moving the mouse. If you want to get the file list for the highlighted archive press Enter or left mouse button. Then you will be asked to insert the disk to the drive. The list of files in the archive will be shown in the new window. MyDisks supports the following archive formats: ZIP,ARJ,PAK,LZH,ZOO. The other available options during the 'Show disk' are listed on the status bar (Print, Delete, To file, Comment). Print - prints the list on your printer To file - prints the list to file Delete - deletes the file from database [& disk] Comment - allows edition of comment Check disk - Checks if the disk in current drive has been registered in the data base. If yes, you can view the list of files for that disk. Show all - Shows the list of all files on all registered disks. The options and control for this list is similar to the list from 'Show disk' option. Find file - Searches for a file in the database. It is possible to search by filename or by a keyword in a file comment. In search by a filename, user will be asked to enter the name of file he is looking for. You can use DOS wildcards. Example: Enter *.zip for all zip files or a*.c for all 'C' sources starting with 'A' In search by a keyword in a file comment, user will be asked to enter the comment keyword. Example: Enter vga for all files with that comment. Find place - Searches all disks for requested free space. This option is useful if you have a file and you do not know which is the optimal disk to put it on. This option will find the best disk to put it on. After you choose the option you will be asked to enter the amount of disk space you need (in KB). Example: Let's suppose you have a file 'girls.zip' which is 146789 bytes long. You want to save it on one of your disks. Choose the option 'Find place' and enter f.ex 146 MyDisks will find the best disk to put that file on. Config ÍÍÍÍÍÍ Modify program menu - Allows to modify the program menu. User can create the program menu which consists of up to 19 items. Each menu item has a description (name in menu) and command. The command is a string which is used to run the program. (path\programname [+ parameters]) To add a new item press F7, to delete press F8 and to edit an item highlight it with menu bar and press Enter. Change drive - Allows to change the current floppy disk drive. Use this option if you have two or more floppy disk drives and you want to register different type of disks (3,5 or 5,25 inch). Default drive - Sets the default active disk drive on start of the program. Clock active - Toggles the clock ON/OFF Black desktop - Toggles the black desktop ON/OFF Save settings - Toggles saving of the configuration (default drive, on exit clock,desktop,mouse resolution) on exit ON/OFF Mouse ÍÍÍÍÍ Mouse active - Toggles mouse ON/OFF Vertical - Sets the vertical resolution for mouse. The value is resolution between 1..200 Horizontal - Sets the horizontal resolution for mouse. The value is resolution between 1..200 Working with MyDisks ------------------------ First of all you have to register all your floppy disks. To register a new disk use the 'New disk' option. You will be asked to enter the disks ID. The ID is an identification string. It can be up to four characters long (ex: 21, A4, WIN3). However from my own experience I know that a simple number is the best ID. MyDisks registers disk by placing a special 0 bytes long, hidden file on the disk. The name of this file is KdbID where ID is the ID string. During the registration process the program finds all the files on your disk and stores the list and other data in the database. In the last step of the registration process you will be asked to enter the comment for the disk. It is useful to write some short info about the programsyou store on the disk. (You can also add comments for single files). It is recommended to put labels or write the ID on the diskette, too. It helpsa lot... Each time you change contents of any diskette (erase or add files) it is recommended to update the disk database. To do that just insert the disk intothe current drive and choose option 'Update'. If you later look for a certain program or file choose the 'List' or 'Find file'options. And that's basically it! Please read Questions & Answers for more info. Questions & Answers ----------------------- 1. Q: I want to get the list of all 'C' sources on all my disks A: Use 'Find file' option and enter '*.c' in search pattern edit window. 2. Q: I have a file which is 625 KB and I would like to place it on some of my diskettes however I do not know which disk has enough disk space. What should I do ? A: Use 'Find place' and enter 125 3. Q: How to view an archive ? A: Highlight the archive file and press Enter. Then insert the disk for the current drive. 4. Q: I have lost already registered disk. How to update the base ? A: You can either delete disk from database ( [D] in 'List' option ) or take a new (not registered) disk and use option 'New disk'. Enter the ID of the lost disk in the ID edit window. The program will report that this disk is already in the database and will ask if you want to "Register and overwrite old". If you do not choose Cancel this disk will be marked as the lost disk. (Do not forget to write the ID on it) 5. Q: I have formatted already registered disk. The mark has been deleted. A: Choose option 'New disk' and enter it's ID (it should be written on the disk) then choose "Register and overwrite old". 6. Q: I have a disk and I do not know if it is registered. What to do ? A: Insert the disk for the current drive and choose 'Check disk'. 7. Q: I want to register or update the disk, the disk is in the drive but nothing happens (I have already chosen the appropriate option). What to do ? A: Check if the current drive is the one you have your disk in. 8. Q: I do not want disk (f. ex. 21) to be registered in the database anymore. What to do ? A: Use 'List' option, highlight the disk 21 and press 'D'. After your confirmation the disk will be deleted from the database. Then you will be asked if you want to erase the disks ID. It is recommended to erase the ID if you still have that disk. 9. Q: I want the floppy disk drive B: to be a default drive on the start of MyDisks. A: Choose 'Config''Default drive' and select drive B: then make sure that 'Save settings on exit' is checked 'YES' 10. (FOR A SHAREWARE VERSION) Q: I have registered less than 15 disks and I want to register a new disk but the program 'says' that: this is a shareware version and you cannot register more than 15 disks. A: Use 'Optimize' and then try to register a new disk. Shareware limitations !!! ----------------------- This is the shareware version of the program. It allows you to REGISTER ONLY UP TO 15 FLOPPY DISKETTES and it has the words "UNREGISTERED SHAREWARE VERSION" appearing in the 'About' window. In the registered version this limitation is omitted. It has also a unique serial number, user name and the words "REGISTERED VERSION" appearing in the 'About' window. Registration Information ---------------------------- The MyDisks is a copyrighted program protected by all applicable US and International copyright laws. If you have obtained this copy from a shareware disk vendor, an on-line computer service or bulletin board, a friend or colleague, or any similar source, you have the trial (unregistered) copy. You are allowed to use this copy without charge for a limited time as specified under the license agreement. After this time, you must register in order to continue using MyDisks legally. The registration fee for MyDisks is only $6. Payment of this fee entitles you to: - A disk with the extended version of MyDisks registered directly to you. - Notice of future updates to the program A REGISTERED VERSION of MyDisks can be obtained by sending a money order or check and registration form to our US distributor: Kacy & Fournier Software P.O. Box 615 Contoocook, NH 03229 Contact (Support/Suggestions/Bug reports) ---------------------------------------------- Contact: Mike Fournier P.O Box 615 Contoocook, NH 03229 Internet: mike3986@aol.com America on Line: Mike3986 Compuserve: 73511,1614 Bug reports/suggestions/support Greg Poloczek Greg Kacy Kupca 4 Narcyzow 8 43200 Pszczyna 44335 Jastrzebie POLAND POLAND Internet: greg8@homer.iinf.gliwice.edu.pl License Agreement --------------------- The use of MyDisks is subject to the following terms and conditions. MyDisks is copyrighted material. It is protected by all applicable US and International copyright laws. You may not make any changes or modification to MyDisks. You may not decompile, disassemble, or otherwise reverse-engineer the software in any way. Shareware copies are distributed to allow you to try the program before you pay for it. These copies are still Copyright Kacy & Fournier Software. These copies are not to be confused with "public domain" or "free" software. You are allowed to use the shareware copies for a trial period of 30 days. Once the trial period is over, you are required to register for 6$. Title to the licensed software is NOT transferred to the end user. The end user is granted an exclusive license to use the software on one computer or computer work station at any given time. Limited Warranty ------------------ THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. WE FURTHER DISCLAIM ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION REMAINS WITH YOU. IN NO EVENT SHALL WE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES/COUNTRIES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTIALDAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. MyDisks Distribution ---------------------- You may pass the UNREGISTERED version of the program to others, but you must follow these rules: MyDisks MUST be copied in an unmodified form and MUST contain the following files: smydisks.exe db_files.dat db_disks.dat db_progs.dat db_cnfg.cfg mydisks.txt orderfrm.txt No charge may be made for this program (except for the cost of the actual physical disk/duplicating costs). Public Domain Disk Vendors may not charge a fee for MyDisks itself. However you may include MyDisks on a diskette for which you charge a nominal distribution fee. The purchaser of said diskette must be informed in advance that the fee paid to acquire the diskette does NOT relieve said purchaser from paying the Registration Fee for MyDisks if said purchaser uses MyDisks. Operators of electronic bulletin board systems (Sysops) may post MyDisks for downloading by their users without written permission only as long as the above conditions are met. A fee may be charged for access to the bbs as long as no specific fee is charged for downloading MyDisks files without first obtaining express written permission from Kacy & Fournier Software to charge such a fee. Distributors of public domain and user supported software, such as disk vending services, may not charge a fee for MyDisks itself. However you may include MyDisks on a diskette for which you charge a nominal distribution fee. The purchaser of said diskette must be informed in advance that the fee paid to acquire the diskette does NOT relieve said purchaser from paying the Registration Fee for MyDisks. *** END OF FILE ENJOY........***