TakeIt(tm) 1.2 Evaluation TakeIt is Copyright (c) 1994 by Damon Janis, all rights reserved. Duplication and distribution of the the evaluation version of TakeIt is authorized. Please see "Ordering TakeIt" below for information on how to get the retail version. NOTE: If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about TakeIt, please send an email message to Damon Janis at Compuserve ID 75600,3137. This text file is organized as follows: 1. What is TakeIt? 2. Ordering TakeIt 3. The Evaluation Version 4. Installation 5. Notes on Loading the Briefcase 6. Quick Tutorial 7. New in Version 1.2 8. Getting More Information 1. 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. 2. 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 information. 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. 3. The Evaluation Version The evaluation version of TakeIt is the entire retail version of TakeIt with one limitation: a maximum of 5 files are allowed in the briefcase. This limitation will allow you to evaluate the software and determine if it is useful to you. The retail version of TakeIt has no limitation to the number of files in the briefcase (assuming you have unlimited disk space). 4. Installation The TakeIt installation program is a Windows program. If you do not have Windows, read the section below entitled "Install Without Windows". Follow these steps to install TakeIt: 1. Run Windows. 2. In Program Manager, select File/Run. 3. Type [path\]SETUP.EXE. For example, "C:\DOWNLOAD\TAKEIT\SETUP.EXE". 4. Follow the instructions on the screen. IMPORTANT! If you did not allow the Takeit installation program to modify AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS, TakeIt may not run correctly. Follow these guidelines to ensure a successful installation: 1. Make sure LASTDRIVE=Z is in CONFIG.SYS. TakeIt can only load briefcase drives that are less than or equal to what LASTDRIVE is set to. If you don't set LASTDRIVE to Z, chances are the briefcase will not load successfully. 2. Add the directory where TakeIt was installed to the PATH line in AUTOEXEC.BAT. Adding the TakeIt directory to the PATH allows you to run the TakeIt programs without having to change into the TakeIt directory. It is highly recommended that you do this. 3. If you would like to be prompted to load the briefcase each time you boot your machine, add the command TIBOOT to AUTOEXEC.BAT. Install Without Windows If you don't have Windows, you can still install TakeIt from DOS. Follow these instructions: 1. Insert the installation diskette in the A: drive (or B: drive). 2. Create the directory where you want TakeIt to reside (MD C:\TAKEIT). 3. Assuming you create the directory C:\TAKEIT, type the following: COPY A:\*.EXE C:\TAKEIT. 4. Make sure LASTDRIVE=Z is in CONFIG.SYS. 5. Add the TakeIt directory to PATH in AUTOEXEC.BAT. 6. Add TIBOOT to AUTOEXEC.BAT. This is optional. Add TIBOOT if you want to be prompted to load the briefcase each time you boot your machine. 7. Run CREATEBC to create the briefcase. LASTDRIVE and other programs TakeIt requires LASTDRIVE to be set to Z, as explained above. There are, however, other programs that require LASTDRIVE to be set to a different value, like E, for example. If you use a program that requires LASTDRIVE to be set to a value less than Z, then you need to use LASTDRV.EXE, which is supplied with TakeIt. The NetWare(R) Shell, NETX.EXE, requires a value less than Z. The NetWare VLMs, however, require a value of Z. So, if you use NETX.EXE (or NET3, NET4, NET5, XMSNETX, or EMSNETX), you will need to use LASTDRV. Using LASTDRV To explain how to use LASTDRV, we'll use an example. Suppose you load NETX.EXE when you need to access your network. Follow these guidelines: Make sure LASTDRIVE=Z is in CONFIG.SYS. When you are going to connect to the network and you load NETX, run "LASTDRV E" before running NETX. Substitute 'E' for the value you need, if necessary. When you are going to use the briefcase, you don't need to run LASTDRV. LASTDRV changes the value of LASTDRIVE, but it can only change it to a value less than what it is set to in CONFIG.SYS. It is important that LASTDRIVE be set to Z, or LASTDRV will not be able to change the drive and the program that needs a lower setting of LASTDRIVE will not run properly. It may be helpful to write a batch file (or modify one you already use) that loads your network. Here is a sample batch file for loading NetWare: @ECHO OFF LASTDRV E NETX ECHO LASTDRIVE changed from Z to E. The point here is to run LASTDRV just before you load or run any program that needs the LASTDRIVE set to a value lower than Z. LASTDRV is not a TSR. When it executes, it changes some internal DOS settings and then is removed from memory. 5. Notes on Loading the Briefcase To access the files in the briefcase, you load the briefcase. When the briefcase is loaded, your briefcase drives are allocated and mapped to the corresponding directory paths. After the briefcase is loaded, you proceed to access the files as though they were still on the network. There are two ways to load the briefcase: 1. Run LOADBC.EXE. This program is run from the command prompt. If you use Windows, only run LOADBC *before* you run Windows. 2. Add TIBOOT.EXE to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. TIBOOT is the TakeIt boot-time program. Whenever you turn on your computer or boot up, it asks you if you want to load the briefcase. You respond by pressing 'Y' for yes, or 'N' for no. The method you choose depends on your preferences. Some people don't like having the boot-up process interupted. If you are of the same opinion, then run LOADBC whenever you want to load the briefcase. If you would like to be reminded to load the briefcase each time you boot your machine, then add TIBOOT to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. 6. Quick Tutorial This quick tutorial is a good start for learning how to use TakeIt. Just follow the instructions, and you will learn how to: put a file in the briefcase, access the file in the briefcase, and return the file to the office. This tutorial assumes that TakeIt is installed, LASTDRIVE is set to Z in CONFIG.SYS, and your TakeIt directory is in your path. We'll assume that the name and path of the file you will be working with is G:\HISTORY\1847\FACTS.TXT. You can use any file on the network you choose (a text file you can modify is recommended for the tutorial). 1. Turn on your machine. If TIBOOT runs from the AUTOEXEC.BAT, don't load the briefcase. 2. Connect to your office. If you are running on a network, connect to the network and make sure your drives are mapped. 3. Type CREATEBC to create the briefcase (if you haven't created it yet.) 4. Type TAKEIT G:\HISTORY\1847\FACTS.TXT (substitute your file name and path) to put the file into the briefcase. 5. Reboot your machine. Don't connect to your office. If TIBOOT runs from the AUTOEXEC.BAT, load the briefcase. Otherwise, type LOADBC, which will load the briefcase. 6. Type TAKEIT /D to display all the files in the briefcase. The file you put there will be listed. 7. Type EDIT G:\HISTORY\1847\FACTS.TXT (substitute your file name and path). The point here is to modify the file in the briefcase. You access it as if it were still on the network. After modifying the file, save it and return to DOS. 8. Run UNLOADBC to unload the briefcase. 9. Reboot your machine. If TIBOOT runs from the AUTOEXEC.BAT, don't load the briefcase. 10. Connect to your office again, and make sure your drives are mapped as before. 11. Run RETURNIT. Your file is taken out of the briefcase and returned to the office. The office file is overwritten with the modified file from the briefcase. The steps above follow three basic concepts. First, put files in the briefcase that you want to take with you. Second, after leaving your office, load the briefcase and then access the files as if they were still on the network. Third, when you return to your office, return the files in the briefcase to their original location. The DOS programs involved in this process are: TAKEIT.EXE, LOADBC.EXE, UNLOADBC.EXE, and RETURNIT.EXE. You can run TAKEITW.EXE, the Windows version of TakeIt, to perform the same functions as TAKEIT.EXE and RETURNIT.EXE. 7. New in Version 1.2 - MOVEBC.EXE lets you move the briefcase from one drive to another. It was originally intended for users without notebook computers who want to take files with them on a floppy diskette, but can be used for any other purpose as well. - TakeIt now has much more robust detection to make sure new data does not get lost or overwritten. A database containing tracking information of each file in the briefcase enables the robust detection. 8. More Information on Using TakeIt For more information and help on using TakeIt, refer to the online help. For the DOS command line programs, type the program name followed by "/?". In TakeIt for Windows, press F1 to bring up the online help. Order TakeIt by calling G'Vosay at 800-700-8840.