============================================================ = Some commonly asked questions and answers concerning = = Disk Librarian for Windows = = -------------------------- = = ©1994 Howard Quarnstrom and QSystems = ============================================================ Q: Just what is a "Library"? ------------------------- A: A Library is composed of a number of floppy disks and the Disk Librarian (.DLB) data-file that describes the disk volumes and their contents. Q: How do I create a new Library file? ----------------------------------- A: 1) Locate a number of disks that you would like to catalog. (Floppies/CD-ROM data disks) 2) Choose Library, New on menu (shortcuts CNTRL+N or choose the Toolbar "New" button) 3) A New Name dialog box will be displayed. Enter the Library name (40 char max). 4) Insert one of the disks to catalog. 5) Choose Library, Add Volume -- then indicate your name and the disk drive for each volume to be added. (Repeat steps 4 & 5 for each disk) 6) Choose Library, Save (shortcuts CNTRL+S or choose the Toolbar "Disk Save" button) and enter the disk name with which to save the Library (8 characters max. + extension of "DLB"). The DLB extension is added automatically. 7) Your new Library is now saved. Q: How do I retrieve an old Library file? -------------------------------------- A: 1) Choose menu command "File, Open" (shortcuts CNTRL+O or choose the Toolbar "Folder" button) If the file is one of the 5 most recently used files, choose it from the bottom of the Library menu 2) Your Library file is now open in its own window. Q: Can I copy an entire directory to my Library? --------------------------------------------- A: Yes. The easiest way to do this is in "Automatic" copy mode. Press the key until the Library Name at the top of the Library window is highlighted. When the Library Name is highlighted, all copy operations automatically choose the best match of available disk space on any Volume (disk) in the Library. 1) Choose Directory, Copy 2) Select the desired directory 3) Check the "Remove Files After Copy" option if a "Move" operation is desired. 4) Click "OK" Q: When I copied my download directory (78 files/14 megs, Automatic copy mode) to floppies, I noticed Disk Librarian asking to change disks quite a lot. What gives? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- A: This is due to the "best-fit" algorithm trying to waste the least space. In a future release a "shuffling" algorithm will be added to eliminate this inconvenience. For now, add one or two empty volumes to the Library before starting the copy. Also, think about copying the directory more often. Q: Several times I have started a long directory copy, but wanted to do something else, but was afraid to cancel the copy. If I cancel a copy, will I have to start over? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A: Feel free to cancel a copy at any time. The files that have been copied are safely resident in their new home. Just be sure to save the Library (.DLB) file!! Q: Can I save my Library (.DLB) file to a floppy? ---------------------------------------------- A: Yes. Choose Save As and when the dialog box is presented, indicate which drive the file is to be saved to. Some users will store the .DLB on a floppy stored with the other disks comprising the Library, making the Library "portable". Q: I just got a CD-ROM disk with over 4000 individual zip files, but they didn't include a program to unzip them. What can I do? ----------------------------------------------- A: 1) Create a new Library (Please see the first question above). 2) Double click on any .ZIP file to see the contents (Menu command "File View" or CNTRL+V) 3) Highlight a file, then choose "File, Unzip" from the menu (CNTRL+U) to unzip. 4) Don't forget the searching capabilities to find the files you want. Q: I tried to catalog all my Bob Marley and Sex Pistols CD's, but all I got was some message about audio network restricted drives. What is this thing? ------------------------------------------------------------------- A: Actually the message reads, "Requested Drive either contains an Audio CD or is a restricted network drive Sorry... Can't do." In Windows 3.1, CD-ROM errors are hard for a program to discern. This is as close as we can come. Q: Can I use cut-and-paste to insert keywords and comments? -------------------------------------------------------- A: Yes. In the "source" application, highlight the text, then press to copy to the clipboard. Switch to the Disk Librarian Keyword/Comment field, then press to insert the text. Q: Is context-sensitive help available? ------------------------------------ A: Yes. In drop-down menus, dialog boxes and even the control menu, all you have to do to access the Help system is press F1. "Help-mode" help is available to mouse users by pressing . In this mode the cursor has a question mark tacked on. Just point to what you want to learn about and left-click the mouse. Q: I like to set the size and position that a program's window will occupy. Can I do this with Disk Librarian? ---------------------------- A: Yes, Disk Librarian will write this information to an initialization (.INI) file so it can use the same values the next time it is run. Q: Is your answer ever no? ----------------------- A: No, that's too damn negative. Q: Sometimes I need a file from a Microsoft distribution diskette. If I make a Library from the Microsoft Windows distribution diskettes, can I uncompress those files using Disk Librarian instead of Microsoft expand? ------------------------------------------------- A: I'm glad you asked that! The answer is yes. Disk Librarian supports the Microsoft compress format used with Windows products. Microsoft uses another (unsupported) format for DOS distribution disks. Choose File, Uncompress. Q: How do I open the statistics windows showing information on various objects? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- A: Just point to the object in question (Library bar, Volume or Directory entry) then press the right mouse button. (finally a use for it!) Q: I don't know what those itty-bitty pictures just below the menu signify. What are they? -------------- A: That area is known as the Toolbar. Each button represents a Menu command, but is easier to use. To learn about individual buttons, click the button all the way at the right (arrow+?) then, click over the button in question. Q: I just added several CD-ROM's to one of my Libraries. Now it takes a long time to load this library. What can I do? ----------------------------- A: The diskette doctor says, "Be patient when loading such Libs!" Usually there is a ton of files per CD-ROM disk, so limit the number of them in each Library. (Remember, if a Library gets too large, one can always use the "Library, Remove Volume" command.)