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   Help File   DS.EXE file utitity    Copyright (c)  Jim Adkins 10/1/1993

   This program was built to make it easy to manuever through directories,
   view files, copy files, delete files, move files, rename files, change
   file attributes, duplicate files, and other such necessary actions.

   The similarity to the popular program LIST by Vernon Buerg is no accident
   since it seems to have the most convenient format of any other program of
   this type that I have tried.  This program acts the same in many cases but
   has a somewhat different set of actions.

   There is, by choice, a limited number of functions compared to LIST.  The
   program features functions that I wanted and key commands that I wanted.
   Thus it has fewer features and some different ones.

   After setting colors, file sorting method, and whether to show hidden and
   system files, the program may be cloned to start up with those settings as
   the default.  Use Alt-7 to make the new copy of DS.EXE.

   The program is easy to use and should be usable without this help file.
   Use F1 to show two pages of help for the file listing mode.  Use F1 to
   show one page of help for the file view mode.  Careful reading of the
   help screens and a little experimenting will make it all very easy. For
   a few functions that may be less obvious than others, Some additional
   help is provided here.

   Columns: (File List Mode)
    Files can be listed in 1, 2, 3, or 5 columns on the screen so from 23
   to 115 directories and files can be listed on the screen at once. Press
   the number for the number of columns you want. The number 4 will work
   the same as the number 5 for 5 columns. In 1 column mode all information
   about the files is visible, including attributes.  Use the arrow keys,
   page-up, page-down, home and end keys to move around, also Control key
   used with home and end moves to the first file or last file (directory).
   Only regular files are shown by default. Use Alt-a to see hidden and/or
   system files.

   Parameters:
    None.  The program starts up by showing all regular directories and
   files.  Then maneuver any way you wish.  Change the file specification
   to view only certain files, enter any directory you wish, etc.  Press
   <ESCAPE> to quit and remain in the startup directory.  Use Alt-x to
   quit in the current directory.  So the program can be handy just to
   change directories after you get tired of typing them.  Also change
   the drive or total path.  Keys to use are on the menu and help screens.
   Use T to toggle between bottom line menus.

   Copying: (File List Mode)
    Copy one or a group of files.  When files are marked for action (+),
   copy will ask if you wish to overwrite or be prompted when the file
   already exists.  Choose overwrite for faster copying.  If file space
   runs out, you will be prompted to change disks if copy is to a floppy
   disk, and after changing disks, copying will continue.  When necessary,
   abort with escape at this point.  Messages will be given for an invalid
   path or other error conditions.



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   Help File   DS.EXE file utitity    Copyright (c)  Jim Adkins 10/1/1993

   Actions: (File List Mode)
    Actions are performed on the file the cursor is on.  All actions can be
   performed on one file at a time.  Files can be copied, deleted, moved on
   the same disk to another directory, printed, duped to a different name,
   and have the attributes changed.   Some actions cannot be performed on
   directories, of course, but directories can be created, deleted, and have
   their names changed one at a time.   Pressing <ENTER> on a directory
   takes you into that directory.  Directories are marked by an arrow, up
   arrow for parent and down arrow for a subdirectory.  Pressing <ENTER>
   on a file opens the file to viewing.  Pressing <ENTER> while viewing a
   file cancels viewing and takes you back to the file listing.  Also for
   convenience, escape and Q also take you back to the file listing.

   Marking Files:  (File List Mode)
    F2 will mark (+) the file the cursor is on for certain actions.  Alt-F2
   will clear the mark if it is marked.  F3 will mark all files listed and
   Alt-F3 will clear all marks.  Files marked can be copied, deleted, moved,
   and their attributes changed.  Directories cannot be marked.

   Printing: (File List Mode)
    A file can be printed using Alt-P.   The file is simply sent to the
  printer as is just the same as DOS copy to the printer.  Files may be
  formatted ahead of time for printing, of course.  Only the file under
  the cursor is printed, marking with (+) is ignored.  Alt-l and Alt-k
  send a line feed and a form feed to the printer.  Also, the directory
  and file listing can be sent to the printer using F10.  The listing
  may also be sent to a disk file using F9.

   Printing: (File View Mode)
    While viewing files one can send screen lines to the printer.  This can
   be very useful.  Use Alt-w or F10 and specify how many lines you want
   printed always starting with the top line.  Simply position the file to
   the first line desired and print.  Alt-l can be used to separate parts
   of files being printed while you view and choose.  Alt-k can be used to
   send a form feed when a page is completed.

   Directory and File Listing: (File List Mode)
    F9 will send the directory and/or file list to a file.
    F10 will send the directory and/or file list to the printer.

   Saving Part of a File: (File View Mode)
    A file may be broken into parts very easily from the view mode.  Open
   the file and position starting point on the top line of screen.   Use
   F9 and a note will appear on the bottom right of screen.  Move to the
   last line to include, and position this line as the first line on the
   screen, and press F9 again.  After specifying a file name, the part of the
   file from the first line specified to the last line specified, inclusive,
   will be saved to the new file.



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   Help File   DS.EXE file utitity    Copyright (c)  Jim Adkins 10/1/1993

   Attributes: (File List Mode)
    After pressing A for attributes, enter 1 or 0 for each attribute, one
   for attributes to turn on and 0 for those to leave off.  This will work
   on one file or marked files as a group.

   Sorting Files: (File List Mode)
    Files may be sorted by name (default), extension, size, and date.
   Also, no sort can be selected.  This sort type can be made default by
   cloning program.

   Search: (File List Mode)
    By pressing N and then entering the first character of the file(s)
   sought, the first one will be brought to the top of screen.

   Search: (File View Mode)
    A text pattern up to 30 characters can be found by using the search
   function.  There is a case sensitive (/) and a case insensitive (\)
   version.  Once text has been found, use dot (.) to repeat as many
   times as desired.  Search does not work in hex display mode.

   Hex Display: (File View Mode)
    Default is always normal text mode.  Toggle hex mode with h or Alt-h.

    Final Note:
       DS.EXE was made for personal use and has worked just beautifully.
    However, new features may be added later.  Any suggestions will be
    considered.  Register by sending a small contribution of ($15-$25).
    You will receive any updates and some other useful programs.  This
    program is not for sale but share it with anyone that might like it.

    Another Final Note:
        Those using Windows may think a program of this type is out of date
    or useless.  Personally, I find it very helpful in certain situations
    in Windows.  Unless one has one of the navigators sold for Windows and
    I don't usually like add-on's much, it can be time consuming just to
    find out some simple fact about files in the directories, etc. so I use
    DS.EXE to fly around the disk system to find what I need to know.  It
    works just great that way.  Have it running minimized and flip to it
    whenever it is needed.

    Disclaimer: Programmer or distributor not responsible for any damage
    attributed to the use of this program.

    Jim Adkins
    109 West 3rd Street
    Front Royal, VA 22630
    Phone: (703) 635-1534

