Contents - TakeIt Help
TakeIt Help

© Copyright 1994 - Damon Janis.  All rights reserved.

Software published by G'VosayTM.

Overview

What is TakeIt?

Basic steps

Reference Information

How do I?...

Keys

When to load the briefcase

Contacting G'Vosay

Technical support

Ordering TakeIt


What is TakeIt?

Summary

TakeIt provides access to network files when you are not connected to the network.  Instead of dialing up over phone lines to access your network, you simply take the files you will need with you.  They appear to still be on the network.  When you return to your office, or re-establish a network connection, then TakeIt synchronizes your files so they are up to date.

Description

TakeIt has an electronic briefcase that is used to store the network files.  The briefcase resides on the local hard-drive of your mobile computer.

When you are connected to your network, you run TakeIt to put the files you will need into the briefcase.  When you are not connected to your network, you load the briefcase and access the files in it as if they were still on the network.  You use the same drive and directory path.

TakeIt synchronizes the files in the briefcase and the files on the network.  When you are connected to the network and want to return the files in the briefcase, just run TakeIt and it will be done automatically.

TakeIt always performs a read-after-write when moving or copying files.  This ensures that data will not be lost or corrupted.  TakeIt also keeps track of network files so that if they have changed, you will be notified.  This ensures that you won't write over changes someone else may have made while you were remote.

What TakeIt is Used For

Mobile computers users use TakeIt for many purposes.  Here are a few ideas that might help you see what TakeIt can do for you.

Managers use TakeIt when they go to meetings where there is no connection to the network.  Many conference rooms and off-site locations do not provide access to the network.  By putting documents such as spreadsheets and project schedules in the briefcase, managers access them during the meetings as though they had a connection.  If changes are made, then the files on the network will be updated when the manager returns to their office.

Programmers use TakeIt to develop and debug their programs at client locations or at home.  Since TakeIt lets you access the files in the briefcase as though they were still on the network, they don't need to change environment settings.  Before TakeIt, you had two choices: 1) dial-up and program remotely, which is very slow and in some cases incurs expensive phone charges, or 2) manually copy the source code and supporting files to the hard drive such as C:.  This meant changing environment variables to map to the C: drive instead of the network drive, as well as compiler settings.  TakeIt eliminates both of these problems.

Professionals who do presentations at client sites use TakeIt to take their presentations with them.  Instead of manually copying the files to the notebook computer, they put them in the briefcase and let TakeIt manage where they are and any changes that are made.  Since access to the briefcase is instantaneous, their presentations are not slowed down at all.

Anytime you need access to your network files, just use TakeIt to put those files in the briefcase.  Word processing documents, spreadsheets, applications, source code, presentation files, scripts, can all accessed quickly when you aren't connected to your network.

Advantages of TakeIt

Since TakeIt does not rely on analog, digital, or wireless links to connect you to your network, and it accesses the briefcase on your local hard-drive, access is instantaneous.  If you have used remote access software with a modem, you know that network access is much slower (in some cases unacceptable) than when you have a direct connection.

Since the files appear to still be on the network because they reside on the same drive and in the same directory path, you don't need to change your environment.  Also, you don't need to remember where you put the file, since it looks like it's still on the network.

When it is time to synchronize the briefcase files and the network files, TakeIt automates the process and ensures that new data will not be lost or corrupted.  TakeIt is very fast and easy to use.  DOS command line programs let you automate tasks manually or in batch files.  The Windows program provides a simple drag-and-drop interface to put files in the briefcase and return them to the network.


Basic steps

Below are three steps that outline the basic procedure for using TakeIt.

Step 1	Put office files in the briefcase.

Connect to your office (your network), select the files you want to put in the briefcase, then select File/TakeIt.

Step 2	Leave the office and use the briefcase files.

Load the briefcase by running LOADBC from DOS, before you run Windows.  Or, if TIBOOT is executed inside AUTOEXEC.BAT, then select Yes to load the briefcase.  Now access the files just as you would if you were still at the office.  When you are done using the briefcase, exit to DOS and run UNLOADBC before turning off your machine.

Step 3	Put the briefcase files back in the office.

Connect to your office, select the files in the briefcase you want to return to the office, and select File/ReturnIt.


How do I?...

Put files in briefcase

Return files to office

Load the briefcase

Unload the briefcase

Check briefcase files

Get briefcase information

Delete briefcase files

Create briefcase

Delete briefcase

Select multiple files

Get file information

Navigate the office


Keys

The following list shows all of the shortcut keys available.  These are also visible on the menu.

Ctrl+A	Take All files in current office directory.

Ctrl+C	Check briefcase for differences in office.

Ctrl+D	Delete file from briefcase.

Ctrl+E	Return All files in briefcase to office.

Ctrl+F	Display file information (date, time, size) in briefcase and office.

Ctrl+I	Display briefcase information.

Ctrl+R	Return files to the office.

Ctrl+T	Take files from the office and put them in the briefcase.


When to load the briefcase

Overview

The briefcase must be loaded when you want to use the files in it.  Loading the briefcase causes drives and directory paths to be allocated that match your office environment.  Once the briefcase is loaded, you can access the files in it as if they were still in the office, using the same drive letter and path.  There are two ways to load the briefcase:

1.	Run LOADBC.EXE from DOS command prompt.

LOADBC simply loads the briefcase.  You should run LOADBC anytime you are disconnected from your office and need to access the files in the briefcase.  LOADBC should not be executed inside a Windows DOS prompt.  Run LOADBC before running Windows, and the briefcase files will be available inside of Windows.  Note that UNLOADBC.EXE is provided to unload the briefcase before you reboot or turn off your machine.

2.	Add TIBOOT.EXE to your AUTOEXEC.BAT so it will execute each time your machines boots.

TIBOOT is designed to be executed inside the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.  It will ask you if the briefcase should be loaded or not.  If you are connected to the office, then don't load the briefcase.  If you are not connected to the office and will need to access the files in the briefcase, then select Yes to load it.  Having TIBOOT execute each time you boot your machine alleviates the need to run LOADBC and UNLOADBC.


Office

Everything your computer can see or attach to while it is in your office.  For example, while your notebook computer is attached to a file server, suppose drive G: is connected to it.  The office in this case is drive G:.


Electronic Briefcase

Like a physical briefcase, the electronic briefcase holds a subset of your work.  The electronic briefcase holds files from your office environment that you need to take with you.  When you are on the road, you access the files in the briefcase using the same drive and path as when they were on the network.


Put Files in Briefcase
Put files in briefcase (TakeIt)

When you are leaving your office and want to take files with you, put them in the briefcase.  Once in the briefcase, access the files using the same drive and path as when they were on the network.

Keyboard

1.	Press TAB until highlight is in the Office file list.

2.	Use arrow keys to highlight the file you want, or Shift+ArrowKey to highlight multiple files.

3.	Press Alt+F, T.

Shortcut

After selecting the files in the office you want to take, press Ctrl+T.

Mouse (using Menu)

1.	Click on the files in the Office file list that you want to take.

2.	Select File, TakeIt.

Mouse (using Button Bar)

1.	Click on the files in the Office file list that you want to take.

2.	Click on the [image] button.

Mouse (using Drag and Drop)

1.	Click on the file in the Office file list that you want to take, or click on the subdirectory in the Office subdirectory list that you want to take.

2.	Hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse pointer to the briefcase.

3.	Release the left mouse button.

Hint

Select the Take All button [image] on the button bar to take all of the files in the highlighted directory.


Return Files To Office
Return files to office (ReturnIt)

Return briefcase files to your office after re-establishing a connection to your network.  The files will be automatically resynchronized.  The following steps describe how to take files out of the briefcase and return them to the office.

Keyboard

1.	Press TAB until highlight is in the Briefcase file list.

2.	Use arrow keys to highlight the file you want, or Shift+ArrowKey to highlight multiple files.

3.	Press Alt+F, R.

Shortcut

After selecting the files in the briefcase you want to take, press Ctrl+R.

Mouse (using Menu)

1.	Click on the files in the Briefcase file list that you want to return.

2.	Select File, ReturnIt.

Mouse (using Button Bar)

1.	Click on the files in the Briefcase file list that you want to take.

2.	Click on the [image] button.

Mouse (using Double Click)

1.	Double click on the file in the Briefcase file list that you want to return.

Hint

Select the Return All button [image] on the button bar to return all of the files in the briefcase.


Check Briefcase Files
Check briefcase files (CheckIt)

Use this function to determine the differences between your office files and what is in the briefcase.

Menu

1.	Select Briefcase/Check from the menu.

Shortcut

Press Ctrl+C.

Button bar

Select the CheckIt button [image] on the button bar.


Get briefcase information

Select this to display the following information about the briefcase...

1.	Where the briefcase is located.

2.	How much drive space is available in the briefcase.

3.	How much drive space the briefcase is currently using.

4.	The number of files in the briefcase.

The briefcase information window is updated every 5 seconds.

Keyboard

1.	Press Alt+B, I.

Shortcut

Press Ctrl+I.

Mouse

1.	Select Briefcase/Information.

Button bar

Select the Briefcase Information button [image] on the button bar.


Delete briefcase files

When a file is left in the briefcase and you don't need to return it to the office, you may delete it.

Keyboard

1.	Press TAB until the highlight is in the briefcase.

2.	Use the arrow keys to highlight the file you want to delete, or Shift+ArrowKey to highlight multiple files.

3.	Press Alt+F, D.

Shortcut

After selecting the files you want to delete, press Ctrl+D.

Mouse

1.	Select the file or files in the briefcase you want to delete.

2.	Select File/Delete file.

Button bar

Select the Delete file button [image] on the button bar.


Create briefcase

If there is no briefcase installed on any of your local drives, TakeIt will inform you.  Selecting this function creates the briefcase on a drive of your choosing, or if there is only one local drive, it is created there.


Delete briefcase

Deleting the briefcase will also delete any files that are in it.  After deleting the briefcase, TakeIt will not be functional until you select Create Briefcase.


Selecting multiple files

Multiple files can be selected in the Office file list and the Briefcase file list.  Selecting multiple files allows you to mark all of the files that you are taking or returning, and then perform the operation in one step rather than taking or returning one file at a time.

Keyboard (consecutive files only)

1.	Press TAB until the highlight is in the Office file list or Briefcase file list.

2.	Move the highlight to the first file you are selecting.

3.	Hold down the ShiftKey and press the Up or Down ArrowKey until the files you want are selected.

Mouse (consecutive files)

1.	Click on the first file in the group.

2.	Shift+LeftClick on the last file in the group.

Mouse (any files)

1.	Ctrl+LeftClick on each file you want to select.

Hint

In the Briefcase file list, you can select multiple files quickly by LeftClicking on the first file, holding down the mouse button, and then moving the mouse pointer up or down.  After selecting the files you want, release the mouse button.


Getting file information
Get file information

Displays file information (date, time, size) for a file in the briefcase and office.  This is helpful when you want to see how much a file has changed in size since being put in the briefcase, or when the office file was last modified.

Keyboard

1.	Highlight the file in the Briefcase file list that you want information on.

2.	Press Alt+F, F.

Shortcut

After highlighting the file, press Ctrl+F.

Mouse

1.	Select the file in the Briefcase file list that you want information on.

2.	Select File/File Information.

Shortcut

After highlighting the file you want information on, press the right mouse button.

Button bar

Highlight the file in the Briefcase file list, then select the File Information button [image] on the button bar.


Navigating the office
Navigate the office

The office in TakeIt consists of four boxes which are:

1.	File specification

2.	File list

3.	Directory list

4.	Drive list

You can get to any file on any drive by using these boxes, which are described below.

File specification

This box allows you to view only files in the File list that match the specification.  For example, if you enter *.WP in the File specification box, you will only see files in the file list box that have WP for an extension.

File list

This list displays all of the files that are in the currently selected directory list.

Directory list

Displays directories for the currently selected drive in the drive list.  To move into a directory, double click on it.  To change to a different directory, double click on the directory you are changing to.  Changing directories will update the file list.

Drive list

Lists all drives on the computer, including floppy drives, local hard drives, and network drives.  Use the up and down arrow keys to change the drive.  Changing the drive will update the directory and file lists.


Load the briefcase

When you want to access the files in the briefcase, you load the briefcase.  There are two ways to do this.

Run LOADBC.EXE from the DOS command line.  This should not be done inside a Windows DOS prompt.

-or-

If TIBOOT.EXE is called from inside AUTOEXEC.BAT, select Yes to load the briefcase.

Once the briefcase is loaded, you will see the same drives and directory paths as when you were connected to your office.  Run UNLOADBC.EXE to unload the briefcase.


Unload the briefcase

Run UNLOADBC.EXE to unload the briefcase.  Unloading the briefcase will free up the drives allocated for the briefcase.  You should not run UNLOADBC from a Windows DOS prompt.  You should run this program before turning off your machine.


Take All

Takes all of the files in the current office directory, and puts them into the briefcase.  This is a quick method to add files to the briefcase as a group.

Keyboard

1.	Press TAB until the highlight is in the Office directory list.

2.	Highlight the directory you want.

3.	Press Alt+F, A.

Shortcut

After highlighting the directory you want, press Ctrl+A.

Mouse

1.	Highlight the directory in the Office directory list that you want.

2.	Select File/Take all.

Button bar

1.	Highlight the office directory you want to take.

2.	Click on the Take All button [image] on the button bar.


Return All

Returns all of the files in the briefcase to the office.  This is a quick method to return files as a group.

Keyboard

1.	Press Alt+F, E.

Shortcut

Press Ctrl+E.

Mouse

1.	Select File/Return all.

Button bar

1.	Click on the Return All button [image] on the button bar.


Technical support

Call G'Vosay at (801) 374-1623 if you have any questions or problems.


Ordering TakeIt

To order TakeIt, call G'Vosay at 800-700-8840.  We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and purchase orders.  One license of TakeIt is $39.95.  Shipping and handling per order is $7.00.  Site licenses are available, please call for pricing.

To order via mail, send a check or money order to:

G'Vosay

811 West 1340 South

Provo, UT  84601

If you need TakeIt fast, we can send it via Compuserve mail the same day you order it, for no charge.  Or, for $12.00 we can send it overnight gauranteed to most locations in the United States, and for $14.00 gauranteed overnight to all locations within the United States.