Copyright: Copyright © 1994 Phase 33 Digital, Inc.


Contents
Contents...

Introduction

Using XFile

Registration Information


Using XFile
Using XFile...

The graphic below represents the XFile user

interface.  Simply click on the area of interest

to learn about the program's various functions...

or check the Program Features.


File & Directory Deletion

Drag & Drop items from File Manager to this button.

Click button for deletion options and settings.

For more information see Delete Button.


Delete Button
Delete Button...

XFile's "Delete Button" allows the user to Drag-and-Drop files or

directories from File Manager to this button for deletion.  Clicking

on the button shows the delete options available to the user.  Users

can then modify the way in which files are deleted from the system.

Note that files and/or directories may only be dragged from the

right hand side of File Manager's drive display.  This is a limitation

of Windows itself and not of XFile.

When XFile is minimized, files and/or directories may still be

dragged to the program icon for processing.


Timed Events

You can review alarms (as well as all pending XFile

events) by selecting the "Review Timed Events"

button available by clicking the Time Status area

of the display, clicking the Timed Execution Button

next  to the Launch List.or holding down the shift key

while clicking on the Timed Execution Button.

Users may review pending XFile events by clicking on

the event name in the left-hand list box.  Associated

data for the event, such as time, message, etc., will be

displayed.  The selected event may be deleted (that is,

cancelled) by clicking the "Delete event" button.  In the

case of resource and memory events, this merely turns

the respective alarms off.


Registration Information

How to become a registered user of XFile:

Users can order using the registration form found in this help file

or register via phone or fax using credit card orders.

For more information about options, benefits, etc. please read on...

XFile is offered to the user as shareware.  If the user finds the program

to be of value and continues to use the application, he or she is expected

to pay the shareware "registration" fee.  Registered users are entitled to

a number of benefits along with notice of any XFile news and upgrades.

By registering, the user both promotes the idea of shareware and allows

XFile to continually evolve and improve.

Since XFile is shareware, the user is encouraged to distribute the program

for others to try, but note that XFile is copyrighted and, as such, may not

be altered or modified in any way.

If you decide to remove XFile from your computer, follow the simple directions

to uninstall.

Registration Benefits:

  A registration number to disable all shareware notices in the application.

  One free upgrade to the next version of XFile.

  Upgrade notices and news releases concerning XFile.

 ·Technical support:  From the date of registration, users receive a

    6 month period of unlimited technical support.

  Direct input to the makers of XFile regarding improvements or new

    features which users feel may enhance the program.

Registration Options:

XFile is offered in both "standard" and "professional" editions.

This shareware edition is identical to the "standard" version,

except for the notice which is displayed at the program start.

The professional edition contains many enhanced and additional

features not found in the standard edition.

How to contact the makers of XFile:

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or criticisms of XFile,

we can be reached by regular US Mail---

Phase 33 Digital, Inc.

1346 Remsen Rd.

Medina, OH 44256

or by email--

Compuserve: 73740,2412

Internet: 73740.2412@compuserve.com

This product was produced by a member in good standing of

the Association of Shareware Professionals.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY:

THIS SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT

WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER

WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.  BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH THIS PROGRAM

MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS

OFFERED.  GOOD DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY

PROGRAM BE THOROUGHLY TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE

RELYING ON IT.  THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING

THE PROGRAM.  ANY LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED TO

PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.


File Finder

Displays a dialog for a mutli-drive

file search.  User selects the drive(s)

and file types to search for.  For more

info see File Finder Button.


System Info

Choose from Windows status, drive

information, display device stats, and

XFile file information.  For more info

see System Info Button.


Help Panel
Move the mouse over the interface

for quick help on area functions.

The help panel can be hidden if

desired.  For more, see Help Panel.


Launch List

A drop down list designed to contain program or file

names for immediate or timed execution.  Note that files

which have been associated with programs can also be

launched from the list.

Adding to the Launch List:

XFile provides different ways to add files to the list.

The simplest method is to "drop" files from a drive list

(say, in File Manager) directly onto the Launch List.

Another method is to use the List Add Button next to

the Launch List.  This provides a browse window for

selecting items.  A third method is to press the INS key

while the Launch List is highlighted to show the browse

window.

Deleting from the Launch List:

Items can be deleted from the Launch List by either

clicking the List Delete Button next to the Launch List

or pressing the DEL key while the Launch List is higlighted.

Executing Programs and Files:

Clicking the Launch Button will immediately execute the

program or file visible in the Launch List window area.

Programs or files may also be scheduled for execution

at a future time by selecting the Timed Execution Button.

Saving the List for next time:

When the menu item "Save Settings" is checked, XFile

will save the Launch List entries for your next session.

Note, however, that you can only save up to 25 entries.

Entries added when XFile is first run:

XFile will attempt to add the following programs to your

launch list if they are found in your system:

File Manager - WINFILE.EXE

Cardfile - CARDFILE.EXE

Calendar - CALENDAR.EXE

Notepad - NOTEPAD.EXE

Paintbrush - PBRUSH.EXE

Calculator - CALC.EXE

Syetem file editor - SYSEDIT.EXE

DOS Prompt - DOSPRMPT.PIF

See also:

Program and File Launcher

Timed Execution

List Add Button

List Delete Button

File Information


Time Status

Shows current system time.  Clicking

the time area shows options for

setting alarms and system time.


Date Status

Shows current system date.  Clicking

the date area shows options for

setting the system date.


Resource Status

Shows the available system resources

as reported by Windows.  XFile provides

a Resource Alarm for monitoring.


Memory Status

Shows the amount of virtual memory

Windows reports as available for use.

A memory alarm can be used if desired.


Launch Button
Program and File Launcher

Executes the current program or file

visible in the Launch List.


Timed Execution Button

Allows the user to schedule the

program or file visible in the

Launch List for future execution.

For more, see Timed Execution.


List Add Button

Opens a drive browse window so the user

may select a file or program to add to the

the drop down Launch List.  Note that using

the INS key while the list is highlighted also

opens the browse window for adding to the

launch list.


List Delete Button
Launch List Delete Button

Causes the currently selected or visible

drop down list entry to be deleted from the

Launch List.  Note that while the list itself is

highlighted, using the DEL key will also

remove the current entry.


Exit Button

To exit or quit XFile simply click

the "EXIT" button on the toolbar

or select "Close" from the menu.

For a quick Windows exit, simply

hold down the shift key while

clicking XFile's "EXIT" button.


Help Button

Clicking the help button invokes this

help file.


Introduction to XFile

XFile is a low-profile, multifuntional utility program for

the Windows environment.  Features include drag-n-drop

file deletion, multi-drive file finder, program launcher, timed

program execution, unlimted alarms, resource monitor,

memory monitor, and general system information.  For

more detailed information please refer to Using XFile or

Program Features.

XFile is offered to the user as shareware.  Users may

register either the standard or professional version of XFile.

For more information about becoming a registered user

of XFile, please refer to registration information.

Program Requirements:

XFile requires Windows version 3.1 or higher to operate.

A mouse or other pointing device is highly recommended.


Title Bar
Caption Bar

A right mouse button click in the caption

area causes the status panel and help

panel to unfold if either or both are hidden.


Program Features

For more information about XFile's features,

select among the following topics:

Alarms

Drag-n-Drop file/directory deletion

Multi-drive file finder

Program Launcher

Timed Program Execution

Launch List

General System Information

Available resources and resource alarm

Available memory and memory alarm

Setting System Time

Setting System Date

Status and Help Line

Exiting Windows


Shareware

Essentially, a "try before you buy"

concept for software.  The user may

try the program for a reasonable

period and gauge its suitability and

usefullness for a given purpose.  If

the user finds the program to be of

value and continues to use the

application, he or she is expected to

pay the shareware fee.


Professional Edition

Phase 33 Digital also offers XFile in an enhanced or

professional edition.  This product contains more options

and features than those found in the standard shareware

version.  If you are considering registering the standard

version of XFile, you may want to spend a few moments

and check out the features listed below which are only

found in the professional edition...

Secure file deletion (file overwrites).

Additional drag-and drop file functions for the

  Delete Button, including file rename and

  group alteration of file attributes.

Advanced file finder search options:

  by date, size, attributes, etc.

  locate duplicate files on one or more drives.

More search results options:

  deletion of specified files found in search.

  ability to launch any file from search results.

Customization of launch list:

  allows user specified names for list display.

  specify launch mode of list files (normal,

    minimized, maximized, etc).

Advanced timed execution options (launch by

  specified day of week, etc.); these can be permanently

  set and saved between sessions of XFile.

Ability to quickly restart Windows.

Utility to view embedded file version information.

XFile is constantly evolving... more functions and

options may have been added by the time you read this.

Users who register the professional edition receive the

professional edition disk, 1 yr. of online technical support,

one free upgrade, along with the benefits afforded to those

who register the standard version.


registration form
XFile Registration Form

To register XFile, simply print out this document and complete

the registration form below.  If you do not have a printer,

simply send the fee along with your name, address, and edition

preference (Standard or Professional) to the address on the

form below.

**************************************************************

XFile(tm) Registration Form

(Version 2.0)

Registration Fee:  $18.95 (Standard Edition)

     $24.95 (Professional Edition)

Make checks or money orders payable to:

Phase 33 Digital, Inc.

1346 Remsen Rd.

Medina, OH 44256

Please fill out the section below:

Standard Edition:____	Professional Edition:___

Name:______________________________________

Address:_______________________________________

City & State:________________________ Zip:_________

Preferred disk size: ____ 5.25"   ____3.5"

Amount Enclosed $_______

***************************************************************

Thanks for your support!


delete options
Delete options...

Clicking on the delete button will display options available for

file/directory deletion.  Options fall into two categories: the level

of confirmation desired by the user and the way in which files are

displayed prior to deletion.  These options are reconfigureable at

any time during program operation.

Please note that XFile will attempt to delete any and all files types

dropped on the delete button, including "read-only" files.

Confirmation:

There are three options for confirmation prior to deletion...

1. Always - user must confirm the group file deletion.

2. System files only - user will be alerted only when

a system file is to be deleted.

3. Never.- user will not receive any confirmation

notice before files are deleted.

Display:

There are three display options for "dropped" items...

1. Immediately - shows a list of files and/or dircetories

as soon as they are received by XFile.  The user

may restore items or cancel the operation from

the list display.

2. On Demand - allows files to be dropped from multiple

sources and processed when the user desires.  The

small arrow on the delete button changes color to

indicate that files are being held.  Processing can be

initiated by selecting "Process Files" from XFile's system

menu or by holding down the shift key while clicking the

delete button.

3. Never - No list display will be shown prior to deletion.

Users should note that setting confirmation to "None" and

display to "Never" will result in items being immediately deleted

from the system without intervention.


System File

XFile includes all files with the "system" attribute

set.  For more information on file attributes, consult

you DOS or Windows manual.


list display


exiting XFile
To exit or quit XFile simply click

the "EXIT" button on the toolbar

or select "Close" from the menu.


Exiting Windows
For a quick Windows exit, simply

hold down the shift key while

clicking XFile's "EXIT" button.


File Information

Users can view information about a file or directory from

any list created by XFile.  This includes the Launch List,

search results list, or any display list of dropped files.  To

view this information, simply use the right mouse button to

click on the selected file within the list.  This will bring up

a dialog containing file size, date, attributes, and any icon

embedded in the file or icon of the program launched when

the file is executed.


System Info Button

Shows a pick list of:

Windows Info

Drive Info

Display Device Info

XFile Info

Windows info shows version numbers, EMS, home

directories, free resources, and memory.

Drive information displays space available for the

selected drive, along with sector/cluster information.

Display Device reports resolution and color depth as

it operates under Windows.

XFile reports its version number, location, and size.


File Finder Button

Allows the user to search for files across multiple

drives.  Available drives are shown on the left side

of the dialog box and can be added to the search

list by highlighting the drive letter and selecting the

"Add Drive" button.  Drive letters may be removed

from the search list by highlighting the drive letter

and selecting the "Remove Drive" button.  The user

may browse files on all drives by selecting the

"Browse Files" button.

The file specification for the search is dependent on

the user supplied string entered in the "File(s) to Find"

edit area at the bottom of the dialog.  Note that the

search criteria can include wildcard characters.

If you are unsure about using wilcard characters in

filenames, consult your DOS or Windows manual.

The search looks for file names matching the user

defined string; it does not search for the text within files.

XFile saves the selected drives between searches.

Search results are displayed in a seperate dialog,

which displays number of files found and the aggregate

size of those files.  Information on individual files is also

available.  Programs or files in the result list may be

directly added to the Launch List by highlighting the

selected item and clicking "Add to Launch List".


Credit Card Orders

XFile is offered in both "standard" and "professional" editions.

This shareware edition is identical to the "standard" version,

except for the notice which is displayed at the program start.

The professional edition contains many enhanced and additional

features not found in the standard edition.

Registration Fee:  $18.95 (Standard Edition)

     $24.95 (Professional Edition)

You can register XFile using Master Card, Visa, Amex, or Discover

from Public (software) Library.  Orders can be accepted by:

- voice to 1-800-2424-PSL or 1-713-524-6394

- FAX: 1-713-524-6398

- Compuserve EMail to 71355,470

- Internet EMail to 71355.470@compuserve.com

For fax and email orders be sure to include your credit card account

number and card expiration date.  Also, be sure to specify this program,

XFILE, along with version desired (Standard or Professional).

NOTE: The above numbers are for ordering ONLY.  The makers

of XFILE cannot be reached through these numbers and email

addresses.  Any questions concerning order status, refunds, and

technical support should be directed to:

Phase 33 Digital, Inc.

1346 Remsen Rd.

Medina, OH 44256

EMail inquiries can be sent to:

Compuserve: 73740,2412

Internet: 73740.2412@compuserve.com


Launch Popup
A drop down list designed to contain

program or file names for immediate

or timed execution.  For more info

please refer to Launch List..


Status & Help Line
Status & Help Line Display

In order to conserve the user's desktop space,

both the status area and help panel can be hidden

or redisplayed at any time.  Here's how...

Hiding the status or help area:

A right mouse button click in either the status or help

area will hide the selected panel.  Users can get the

same result by toggling either "Show Status Line" or

"Show Help Line" from the XFile menu.

Redisplaying the status or help area:

A right mouse button click anywhere in the program

title bar (where "XFile" is displayed) will cause both

the status and help panels to reappear if they are

not currently visible.  Users can get the same result

by toggling either "Show Status Line" or

"Show Help Line" from the XFile menu.

NOTE: Even if the status area is not visible, all

monitors, alarms, etc. continue to function.


Resource Alarm

In addition to viewing the free percentage of resources

as reported by WIndows, an alarm may also be set to

alert the user when system resources fall below a preset

percentage.  Under Windows 3.1, it is more common for

users to experience a lack of system resources than a

lack of memory.  Setting the resource alarm can prevent

lockups and lost data which might otherwise occur if the

system is overburdened.  Here's how to set the alarm...

Simply click on the resource display area to view the

alarm dialog box.  Slide the scroller to the desired

percentage and click OK.  This dialog also allows the

user to easily toggle the alarm on & off by clicking the

"Turn On/Off the Resource Alarm" button.

If "Save Settings" is checked in the XFile menu, both

the state (on/off) and the percentage will be saved for

your next XFile session.


Timed Execution
Timed Program Execution

Allows the user to schedule the program or file visible

in the Launch List.  A dialog box shows the file or program

name and a moveable scrollbar showing the time.  Simply

move the scroller to the desired time and select OK to cause

the program or file to execute at the specified time.

Users can optionally view all pending XFile events by selecting

the "Review Timed Events" button at the bottom of the dialog box.

The standard edition does not save timed execution settings

(such as file name or time) between sessions.  This function is

available in the professional edition.

NOTE: XFile must be running for timed executions to occur.


Alarms
Settings Alarms

Alarms can be set by clicking on the Time Status

area of the interface.  Simply select the "Set Alarm"

button and move the scroller to the desired time.

Click OK to finalize the alarm.  Once the alarm has

been OK'd, you will be asked if you want to attach

a message to the alarm.  Messages attached to

alarms will be displayed when the alarm is triggered.

Messages can be up to 63 characters in length.

You can review alarms (as well as all pending XFile

events) by selecting the "Review Timed Events"

buttons in the dialog box.

There is no limit to the number of alarms which can

be set while XFile is running.


Setting System Time
Setting the System Time

XFile allows the user to reset the system time.

This can be done by clicking on the Time Status

area of the interface.  Simply select the

"Set System Time" button and move the scroller

to the desired time. Click OK to finalize the change.

NOTE: This operation resets the DOS operating

system time.


Setting System Date
Setting the system date

XFile allows the user to reset the system date.

This can be done by clicking on the Date Status

area of the interface.  Simply move the scrollers

to the desired date and click OK to finalize the change.

NOTE: This operation resets the DOS operating

system date.


Memory Alarm

Clicking on the free memory display area brings

up a dialog box for setting a memory alarm.  To

set the alarm, simply slide the scroller to the desired

number (displayed in Megabytes) and click OK.  The

alarm can be toggled On or Off by clicking the

"Turn On/Off Memory Alarm" button.

Note that the free memory displayed is the

amount of virtual memory reserved within

Windows.  This figure does not necessarily

reflect the amount of physical memory your

computer has available, but rather the amount

of RAM and hard disk space used by Windows.

While you may experience memory shortage problems,

it is more likely that a system resource shortage will

occur first.  Please refer to resource alarm for more info.


Launcher
Program Launcher

Executes the current program or file

visible in the Launch List.


Uninstalling XFile

Simply delete the application file, XFILE.EXE, and this

help file, XFILE.HLP, from your system.  XFile also

creates a configuration file called XFILE.INI, which has

been placed in your default Windows directory (usually

C:\WINDOWS).  This file should be removed as well.  If

you are unsure about the location of any of these files,

just use XFile's multi-drive search tool!


File Finder popup
Multi-drive search capability allows

users to look for files according to

a supplied search pattern.


Drag and Drop functions

XFile allows receipt of "dropped" file/directory icons from

the drive display of File Manager (or any compatible  program).

The following program areas support "drag and drop" actions:

Delete Button: Files and/or directories can be dropped

  onto the this button for deletion from the system.  The

  method of deletion depends on options set for the button.

Launch List: Files can be dropped onto the this button for

  addition to the list.

Program Icon:  When XFile is minimized, you can still drop

  files onto the program icon for deletion from the system.

  Again, the method of deletion depends on the options set

  for the delete button.