PC FileMasdir A Shareware Product From Mini Data Systems Inc. P.O. Box 641634 Kenner, LA 70064 C O N T E N T S Definition of Shareware . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 System Description DOS/U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 d/Lib . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 System Requirements & Limitations DOS/U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 d/Lib . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Operations - General Information . . . . . . 14 DOS/U Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Disk Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 File Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Search Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Print Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 d/Lib Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Search Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Print Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 License Disclaimer Agreement . . . . . . . . 40 Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. - 1 - SYSTEM INSTALLATION How do I get started with File MasDir? The first step is to install the program on your computer. Please follow the following procedures when installing the program. 1. Switch to the drive that you wish to install the program on by typing the Drive letter followed by a colon. For example, if you wish to install the program on your C Drive you would type the following at the DOS prompt: C: 2. Decide what you wish to name the directory that you wish to install the program in. For example if you wish to place the system into a new directory called DOSU, you would type the following to make a directory: md C:\DOSU 3. Select the directory you have created for the system by typing: CD \ DOSU 4. Insert the File MasDir diskette into your computer. From this directory, the system can be installed by typing: d: Install Where d: represents the diskette drive where the File MasDir diskette is mounted. The system components will be extracted from the file INSTALL.EXE and placed in the directory C:\DOSU. The compression & self-extracting process used in the distribution of this system is licensed from PKWare for this purpose. The directory used for this system should be added to the path in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. This will enable you to start the system from any directory by typing DLIB or DOSU. When you exit the system, you will be returned to the directory from which the system was launched. Please refer to your DOS manual to determine how to modify your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If you do not add the system directory to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file then you will need to follow the procedures outlined below in order to run the system. - 2 - TO RUN FILE MASDIR 1. Turn on your computer if it is not already on. 2. At the DOS prompt log onto the drive where that you have installed File MasDir. For Example, if it is installed on drive C you would type: C: and press [ENTER] 3. Log onto the directory in which File MasDir is installed. For example, if File MasDir is in the DOSU directory suggested in the installation section you would then type: CD\DOSU and press [ENTER] Then Type DOSU at the prompt and press [ENTER] The File MasDir opening screen should appear after proper execution of the steps outlined above. The first time you run DOSU, you will notice a pause while the system is reading the directory structure of the drive. If your system has more than one hard drive, you will notice a pause the first time you select a drive. This will only happen the first time you select a drive. - 3 - PC FILE MASDIR D/LIB DOS/U FILE CATALOGER & DOS UTILITIES File MasDir is a combination of two programs a Diskette File cataloging program referred to as D\LIB, and DOS utility functions referred to as DOS\U. DOS/U DOS/U is a DOS utility program providing easy to use basic DOS functions and some unique functions not provided by DOS. For a complete description of the functions refer to the operations section of this manual. A brief description of the functions are listed below. DISK MENU - Bar Menu - Line 1 - Item #1 Select Drive The default drive is the drive on which this program is installed. Other drives can be selected from this menu. Make Directory Directories are made by using a graphical tree structure on the screen and the cursor positioning keys to "point" to the root or other directory where the desired directory is to be created. Delete Directory Directories are deleted by using a graphical tree structure on the screen and the cursor positioning keys to "point" to the directory to be deleted. Rename Directory Directories are deleted by using a graphical tree structure on the screen and the cursor positioning keys to "point" to the directory to be renamed and by pressing the return key will prompt the user for the new directory name. Read Directories The use of this item is necessary only if the user alters the directory structure outside if this system. - 4 - System Informatiom Provides the following information about your system. DOS version CPU type Paralell ports Co-Processor Serial ports Game ports Base memory Video mode Remaining memory Extended memory Current drive Drives present Selected drive Total disk space Free disk space Format Diskettes This facility provides a very easy way to format any type of diskette. You may do a QUICK FORMAT (only boot sector & FAT) or a FULL FORMAT. Copy Diskettes Create an image file on your hard disk of the diskette to be copied. This image file can be used to make multiple copies as needed without reading the diskette again. If your system does not have enough memory to run this function then run the program (DCOPY.EXE) from the DOS prompt. FILE MENU - Bar Menu - Line 1 - Item #2 Copy Files This is a general purpose file copy routine with some neat refinements in the file selection such as cumulative wild card selections as well as the copy process. File selection begins by pointing to the desired directory on a graphical tree and pressing the return key. The files in the selected directory are then displayed for selection in a panel on the screen. Delete Files The process for selecting files for deletion is the same as outlined above for copying files. When the files to be deleted are tagged and the return key is pressed the user will be prompted to press the Return key to delete the files or the Esc key to abort. - 5 - Move Files Files can be moved from one directory to another directory on the same drive. This function can not be used to move files to another drive. Check it out. Rename Files The file selection process is as outlined above for copying files. The selected files are presented to user in a screen panel showing name and extension. The file name and/or extension may be edited by the user or pressing the return key will leave the file as is and display the next tagged file name. Check/Change file Attributes The file selection process is as outlined above for copying files. The tagged files are presented to the user one by one in a panel on the screen showing the current attributes and prompting use of the space bar to toggle the new combination of desired attributes. Set File Date/Time The file selection process is as outlined above for copying files. When the desired files are tagged the user is prompted to enter the desired date and time to be stamped on the files. SEARCH MENU - Bar Menu - Line 1 - Item #3 Name & Extension This item can be used to search an entire drive for a file or category of files, display the files found on the screen, and indicate to the user that a printed list can be generated if desired. Since the files are sorted by name & extension, duplicate files can be located in a jiffy. The * is used as a wild card for remaining file or extension letters. Date & Time An entire drive can be searched for files with a date stamp between two dates and the files found are displayed on the screen with an option to - 6 - print them. If the user cannot remember the name of a file but can establish the approximate date the file was created this facility may be useful in locating the file. Hidden Files All hidden files on a drive can be located and the directory and filenames displayed on the screen very quickly. PRINT MENU - Bar Menu - Line 1 - Item #4 Name & Extension All file information on a drive is extracted, sorted by file name & extension, and a report is printed containing the directory, file name and extension, file size in bytes, and the date and time stamp. This is a good way to begin a major clean-up of a hard disk. Date & Time All file information on a drive is extracted, sorted by date & time, and a report is printed containing the directory, file name & extension, file size in bytes, and the date & time stamp. By Directory A report is printed for each directory on a drive, sorted by name & extension, and listing the file name & extension, file size in bytes, and the date and time stamp. Directory Tree The graphical representation of the directory tree can be printed. This should be studied from time to time to re-arrange directories to use fewer levels if possible. - 7 - INTERFACE FEATURES A significant effort has been made to make this utility easy to use. Some of the time saving features are listed below. Any function (menu item) can be launched with two keystrokes by using the highlighted letters to select the pull down menu and the highlighted letter in the desired menu function. Lines 24 of the screen is used to display additional information on the highlighted menu function. Line 25 of the screen is used to display additional information on the selected drive & directory and individual file information. Special function key F1 is used to display a help screen for each menu function. When F1 is pressed, a screen panel on the left side of the screen will display additional information regarding the high- lighted menu function. In a panel on the right side of the screen a list of all menu items is displayed which enables the user to browse through the help screens for all menu functions by using the Up/Dn arrow keys. In general these screens outline the process performed by selecting that menu function. During the operation of the system, instructions pertaining to task at hand are placed on the screen in an area not obscuring any information needed for that Function. For example, when the graphical representation of the directory tree is placed in a panel on the left side of the screen, Instructions for selecting a directory are placed in a box on the right side of the screen. When files are to be selected from a panel on the right side of the screen a box containing instructions for file selection is placed on the left screen panel. etc. - 8 - d/Lib d\Lib IS NOT A DISK LABELING PROGRAM! This is a file cataloging program that creates a library on your hard disk of all your floppy disks. It list the filename, date, size, time created and the Disk # where the file is located. You simply swap your disks in and out of a disk drive and number the disk as you proceed. Once the library is created you can search for files using wildcard searches for name and extensions, files created between two dates, or files on a given diskette number. Printed reports can be obtained by name & extension, date & time created, or by diskette number. A brief description of the functions are outlined below. FILE MENU - Bar Menu - Line 1 - Item #1 Add Diskette This function is used to add directory and/or file information to a library volume. As you add diskettes to a volume, the system will put a message on the screen indicating the free space in the volume. Delete Diskette The information in a library volume pertaining to a given diskette can be deleted by selecting this function and entering the number of the diskette to be deleted. Update Diskette The information in a library volume pertaining to a given diskette can be updated by selecting this item and entering the number of the diskette to be updated. Select Volume The system provides for five volumes. The cursor control keys are used to highlight the volume and the space bar toggles the selection. Volumes should be created by diskette category. Select Drive If your system has both A: and B: drives then you must select the drive to be used for adding, deleting, or updating. - 9 - SEARCH MENU - Bar Menu - Line 1 - Item #2 File Name & Extension The selected volume can be searched for all files meeting the search criteria and will display the files found on the screen with an option to print the complete list. Date 1 to Date 2 The system will locate all files in a volume with a creation date within the dates specified for the search and display them on the screen with an option for printing a complete list. Hidden Files The system will locate all hidden files in a volume and display them on the screen with an option to print a list. Sub Directories All sub directories in a volume will be found and displayed on the screen with an option to print a list. Volume Labels The selected volume will be searched for diskette records containing a volume label. Those volume labels found will be displayed on the screen with an option to print a list. PRINT MENU - Bar Menu - Line 1 - Item #3 By Name & Extension All file records in the selected volume will be sorted by name & extension and a complete report will be printed. By Date & Time All file records in the selected volume will be sorted by Date & Time and a complete report will be printed. - 10 - By Diskette Number All file records in the selected volume will be printed by diskette number. VIEW MENU - Bar Menu - Line 1 - Item #4 Browse All records in the selected volume will be displayed on the screen. The cursor positioning keys PgDn, PgUp, Home, End, Up-Arrow and Dn-Arrow can be used to browse through the records. Diskette Records in the selected volume pertaining to a specific diskette number can be displayed on the screen for browsing. - 11 - INTERFACE FEATURES A significant effort has been made to make this utility easy to use. Some of the time saving features are listed below. Any function (menu item) can be launched with two keystrokes by using the highlighted letters to select the pull down menu and the highlighted letter in the desired menu function. Lines 24 of the screen is used to display additional information on the highlighted menu function. Line 25 of the screen is used to display additional information on the selected Volume & drive. Special function key F1 is used to display a help screen for each menu function. When F1 is pressed, a screen panel on the left side of the screen will display additional information regarding the high- lighted menu function. In a panel on the right side of the screen a list of all menu items is displayed which enables the user to browse through the help screens for all menu functions by using the Up/Dn arrow keys. In general these screens outline the process performed by selecting that menu function. During the operation of the system, instructions and/or notes pertaining to task at hand are placed on the screen to prompt the user for input or to provide progress information. - 12 - SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS You must have an IBM PC/XT/AT/PS2 or 100% compatible computer: MS/DOS or PC/DOS version 2.00 or later and a minimum of 512 KB of internal memory. DOS/U If you have a SCSI Drive and have more than 6,500 files on the drive the system will probably not read the entore drive. If you have a machine that uses an older version of the DTK BIOS you will probably have upgrade the BIOS to run this program. Note: This Max applies only to printing the files on the disk. If a directory contains more than 1,000 only 1,000 will be displayed for file functions. DOS/U uses DOS memory to sort file information in memory. The amount of memory available for the sort process will vary in direct proportion to the amount of memory available. If there are TSR programs in use this can reduce the available memory. With 640K memory, no TSR programs active, using DOS 3.0 the print functions requiring a sort of all files on a drive are limited to 6,500 files. For a single directory, the system will obtain file information for a maximum of 1000 files. A limit is placed on the number of "found" files by the search routines to 800 files. If this limit is reached a message is displayed on the screen to this effect. The user should be able to narrow the search criteria and find the desired files. D/LIB The maximum number of records in each volume depends on the amount of memory available in your computer. If your machine has 512K then you should not create a library that holds more than 3,000 files, about 72 diskettes. If your computer has 640K then each library will hold about 5,000 files, 100+ diskettes These numbers will be decreased if you are running the system with TSR programs loaded. Remember you have 5 libraries, which should amount to 750 diskettes. The system will not allow you to create a Library larger than you can load. However if the amount of memory available varies, you may not be able to load a library if less memory is availabe than when the Library was created. - 13 - OPERATIONS - GENERAL INFORMATION TYPOGRAPHICAL CONVENTIONS In this manual the following conventions are used to clarify items used in text. In this manual when you see [ENTER] you should press the Enter Key, sometimes called the Return Key. The term Arrow Keys refers to the group of keys on your keyboard that appear as small arrows pointing up, down,left, and right. These keys will move your cursor in the selected direction. If you see a command that states press Up Arrow Key, then you should press the arrow key pointing up. The term Space Bar Key refers to the long bar located at the bottom of your keyboard. The term Page Up Key refers to a Key by that name or possibly the PdUp Key depending on your keyboard. The term Page Down Key refers to a Key by that name or possibly the PgDn Key depending on you keyboard. The Term Home Key and End Key refer to those two keys on your keyboard respectively. The F1 through F12 Key refers to special function keys located across the top or possibly grouped on the left or right side of your keyboard. The term Text Cursor refers to the blinking item on your screen that indicates the location where information is currently being added or deleted. The term Highlight Bar refers to the item where you Text Cursor is located which has a different background color from the other items that can be selected. When you see the phrase that you should Select the ... you must use your Arrow Keys to move the Highlight Bar to the item specified. - 14 - HOW DO I GET HELP? File MasDir is very intuitive in nature. File MasDir provides a prompt line at the very bottom of the screen which you should refer to while using the program. Please refer to the prompt line, the second line from the bottom of the screen for assistance while running the program, as it will provide you with on-screen assistance while running the program. File MasDir will also display an on-screen help manual if you press the F1 Key while on a menu item. If you press the F1 Key the appropriate section of the manual relative to your location in the program will be displayed. You will also be able to refer to other sections of the Help manual by using the Up or Down arrow keys which will move the highlight bar to other section of the manual. By pressing the Esc Key you will return to where you were in the program. If you have looked in the manual and checked the help screen and need additional assistance registered users can call 504-443-5336 for assistance. - 15 - SELECTING MENU ITEMS At the very top of the DOS/U Screen are a series of words beginning with Disk on the left and Help on the right. These are the primary menu choices that are available. You can select one of these choices in two different ways. 1. By pressing the Highlighted first letter you will select that primary menu item. For example if you press the letter D you will select the Disk Menu, or if you press S the search menu will be displayed. 2. You may also use the Left or Right Arrow Keys to move from one pull down menu to another. Note: Only one keystroke is needed to pull down a menu for any of the functions shown on the first line of the screen. Try pressing the keys corresponding to the highlighted letters in each of the menus shown. Also, only one keystroke is needed to select an item on the pull down menu if you press the highlighted letter in the menu item. Using the highlighted letters to select both menu and menu items can save a lot of keystrokes. Any menu item can be executed with two keystrokes. Using the cursor control keys and the return key may require up to 8 keystrokes. By selecting one of these primary menu choices a drop down menu will appear providing you with additional choices pertaining to the primary item selected. You may then select one of the items on the menu in two different ways: 1. By pressing the Highlighted letter you will select that menu item. For example if you press the letter S while on the Disk Menu you will execute select drive and a window will appear providing you with the choices of drives available. 2. You may also use the Up and Down Arrow Keys to move the highlight to the menu item that you wish to select and press [ENTER]. - 16 - USE OF THE ESCAPE KEY Throughout the File MasDir program the Esc Key will return you to the section of the program where you were prior to your last selection. If you have selected and executed a Menu item, below a primary menu, and you wish to return you can press the Esc KEY and back up through all your selections until you return to the Primary Menu item.You may also use the Esc key to return to the item just previous to the last selection and select a different item and continue from there. READING DIRECTORIES The option to read directories should not be needed unless directories are created or deleted from the DOS command line or some other utility. If DOS\U is used to create, delete or rename directories, the correct directory tree will be created automatically following a change. It might be a good idea to periodically use this menu command to rebuild the tree structure in case you performed any directory changes outside of this program without knowing that you had i.e. within the operation of another program. - 17 - USING THE DOS/U UTILITIES SECTION DOS/U is a Dos shell that allows you to view, move, copy, create and remove directories and files, change file attributes, as well as a whole bunch of other neat features which you will find fast, neat, and easy. It features pull down menus, split screen tagging and provides important information in pop up menus and also features context sensitive on screen help. Try it you'll really enjoy the ease of use. MENU COMMANDS Most functions are controlled through the menus at the top of the screen. This section describes the operation of each of these menus and the options within them. These commands are presented in the order in which they appear on the screen. Use the index for an alphabetical reference to these commands. DISK MENU Description/Application The Disk Menu controls information flow into and out of fILE MasDir. The Disk Menu provides five basic functions: Selecting Disk Drives The first step in starting any DOS Utility operation is selection of the Drive where the operation is to begin. The last line of the screen always shows the Drive currently selected. The System will not permit you to select a Drive that is not present on your hardware. To select a different drive you would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the menu choice and you would press [ENTER]. A window will appear showing the available drives. You would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the drive choice desired and press [ENTER]. Making Directories on Disk To make a Directory you would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the menu choice and you would press [ENTER]. The Arrow Keys are used to position the highlighted cursor at the desired location of the Directory or Sub-Directory. Directories are - 18 - created from the Root Directory (represented on the first line of the Tree by \) and Sub-Directories are created by pointing to (highlighting) the Directory where the Sub-Directory is to be created. After Creating a subdirectory the System will automatically read the directory structure of the Disk. To make a Directory you would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the location where you wish to make the Directory. Once you have positioned the Highlight on the Directory Tree where you wish to make the Directory you would press [ENTER]. A window will appear where you are to type the name of the Directory that you are creating and press [ENTER] when finished. A window will appear showing the path of the directory to be created and the name of the directory. To make the directory you would press [ENTER], or if you made a mistake you would press ESC to exit and not make the directory. If you chose to make the directory a message will be displayed that the directory was created. A window will then appear asking if you wish to make another directory. You may chose to make another directory by pressing [ENTER], or you can return to the main menu by pressing the ESC Key. Deleting a Directory Only empty Directories may be deleted. You would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the menu choice and you would press [ENTER]. The Arrow Keys are used to position the highlighted cursor on the Directory to be deleted. Pressing the [ENTER] key will delete the highlighted Directory. If you try to delete a directory that is not empty, an error message will be displayed. After deleting a directory, the system will automatically read the new directory structure of the disk. Rename a Directory The Arrow Keys are used to point to (highlight) the Directory to be Renamed. Pressing the [ENTER] key will Rename the highlighted Directory. After Renaming a Directory, the system will automatically read the new directory structure of the disk. To rename a Directory you would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the menu choice and you would press [ENTER]. You would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the directory - 19 - name that you wish to rename. Once you have positioned the Highlight on the Directory name that you wish to rename you would press [ENTER]. A window will appear showing the name of the directory to be renamed and providing a space to type in the new directory name and you would press [ENTER] when finished. Three "button" choices are provided to Proceed, Edit, or Exit. You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice. Naming / Renaming a Disk Volume The procedure is the same to rename a Disk/Diskette Volume as it is to Name a Volume. You will be prompted to enter the Volume Name. After entering the name of the volume you will be presented with three"button" choices. Proceed - Name the disk/volume Edit - Change the name you entered Exit - Cancel the operation You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute. Reading Directories If you make or delete directories from the command line then this system should be used to re-read the directories on the drive where changes were made. No input is required. System Information Selection of this menu item will display the following information. DOS version CPU type Parallel ports Co-Processor Serial ports Game ports Base memory Video mode Remaining memory Extended memory Current drive Drives present Selected drive Total disk space Free disk space Format Diskettes The input screen will prompt for a Y/N answer to make the diskette bootable by including the system - 20 - files and COMMAND.COM, the drive to be used, the diskette capacity, and volume label if any. Instructions and prompts are provided on the screen to lead you through the format process. The QUICK format is very usefull if you need to re-use a lot of diskettes. Copy Diskettes If you need to make multiple copies of a diskette and do not have access to a diskette copier then this routine can save you a lot of time. The input screen will prompt you for the operation to be performed. i.e. Create an image file of a diskette on your hard disk or copy an image file to a diskette. You must also select the drive to be used for either process. When copies of an image file are to be made after exiting the session which created the file, the system will request the path and name of the image file. The image file created on your hard disk is not deleted when you exit the system which allows for making additional copies later without reading the diskette again. You can delete the image file when you want. The space on your hard disk is the only limit on the number of image files that can be kept on file for later duplication. If your system does not have enough memory to run this function then exit the system and run DCOPY.EXE from the DOS prompt. - 21 - FILE SELECTION PROCESS At this point we will review the file selection process before discussing the use of each of the file menu items. The file selection process will function the same way throughout the program. The file selection process is an integral part of the operation of this program and you should refer back to this section whenever you are unsure of the steps involved in selecting files. You would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the menu choice and press [ENTER]. You would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the directory name where the disk files are located. Once you have positioned the Highlight on the Directory name you would press [ENTER]. The highlight will move to the right side of the screen where the files in the directory will be listed. You will be able to use the Arrow Keys to position the highlight on the file/files that you wish to select. In the lower left of the screen you will see the directory that you are currently working in and in the lower right you will be provided with information about the file that the cursor is located on including; the size of the file in bytes, as well as, the date and time that it was was created. A window will appear showing the various ways that you can select files, they are: F2 Key = Select all Files F3 Key = Cancel all Selected F4 Key = Wildcard Selection Space Bar = Toggle on/Toggle off to select/unselect a Single File. F5 Key = View File ASCII/HEX Allows you to view file To further clarify the above choices F2 Key will select all files in the directory, while F3 Key will cancel all files selected. F4 Key will allow you to select files based on a wildcard such as, *.txt which will select all files ending with an extension of txt. The * should be used to replace the remaining characters of a file name or file extension. i.e ABC*.TXT will select all files having ABC as the first three characters of the file name and having an extension of TXT. If you press the F4 Key a window will appear where you are to type in the for selecting files. After providing the file name and extension information, three "buttons" will appear to provide you with the opportunity to Proceed, Edit or Exit.You would use the Tab Key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice. - 22 - You can use a combination of Space Bar & Wildcard at the same time to select your files. This allows you to select files that match certain standard formats and then select files individually that you wish to add to the group previously selected. The Wildcard selection can be used repeatedly to select several types of files. For example you could use *.bas to select all of the .bas files and then use *. exe to select all of the .exe files. When using the the Wildcard selection, the files meeting the selection criteria are selected , while files not meeting the selection criteria are not changed. The Space Bar acts as a toggle if the cursor highlight is on a file and you press the Space Bar the file is selected (highlighted), pressing the Space Bar again while the cursor highlight is on a selected (highlighted) file will cancel the selection. All files that have been selected will be highlighted so that you can see the selected files. The View File feature F5 Key allows you to view the file that the cursor highlight is presently on. This allows you to verify that the file/files you are about to select are the ones that you really want to select. By pressing the F5 Key the file that the highlight bar is presently on will be displayed in ASCII format. You can move through the file to view different sections by pressing the Up or Down Arrow Keys. You may also select to view the file in HEX format by pressing the number 2 Key. Remember, in the lower right you will be provided with important information on the file that the cursor highlight is on, including the size of the file in bytes, the date created, and the time created. This information is provided so that you can verify that this is the correct file that you wish to select. Also a separate window will provide you the following information concerning the files that have been selected "tagged". This includes the number of files selected, "tagged", and the total number of bytes that they take up on your disk. Once you have tagged all the files that you wish to select you would press [ENTER]. The file selection process will remain the same for all procedures throughout the program. For each menu item there may be additional input required For example, if you are moving or copying files you would have to designate the location where to move the files. - 23 - FILE MENU All functions on this menu relate to files located on the selected drive of your computer. Copying Disk Files The directory tree will be displayed on the left panel of the screen. Directions for selecting a directory will appear in a box on the right screen Pnael. When the directory is selected, the system will display files from the directory on the right right screen panel and directions for selecting files on the left screen panel. After selecting the files, the system will prompt you to enter the Destination drive and path. A decision to Proceed, Edit the path, or Exit will be requested. To copy disk files you would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the menu choice and press [ENTER]. You would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the directory name where the disk files are located. Once you have positioned the Highlight on the Directory name you would press [ENTER]. The highlight will move to the the screen where the files in the directory will be listed. You will use the file selection process previously explained in this manual to select all the files wanted. Once you have tagged all the files that you wish to copy you would press [ENTER] and a window will appear so that you may enter the destination path where you wish to copy the files. You would enter the path listing the directories separated by a "\". For example to copy all tagged files to a sub directory of a subdirectory of the root called MYTEMP you would Type: C:\1subdirectory\MyTEMP and then press [ENTER]. Three "button" choices are provided to Proceed, Edit, or Exit. You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice. If the file already exist a window will appear - 24 - providing you with the three following choices; S to Skip C to Over Write A to Over Write All By pressing the appropriate letter you will chose to either Skip the file, Over Write the file that already exist in the directory or to Over Write all previous copies of the selected files that are in the directory. Deleting Disk Files The Directory Tree will be displayed on the left panel of the screen. Directions for selecting a directory will appear in a box on the right screen panel. When the directory is selected, the system will display files from the directory on the right screen panel and directions for selecting files on the left screen panel. After selecting the files, the system will request a decision to Proceed with the deletion or abort the procedure. To delete disk files you would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the menu choice and press [ENTER]. You would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the directory name where the disk files are located. Once you have positioned the Highlight on the Directory name you would press [ENTER]. The highlight will move to the right side of the screen where the files in the directory will be listed. You will be able to use the Arrow Keys to position the highlight on the file/files that you wish to copy. You will use the file selection process previously explained in this manual to select all the files desired. Once you have tagged all the files that you wish to delete you will be prompted to press [ENTER] if you wish to proceed with delete or press Esc Key to return to the Main Menu. Moving Disk Files The location AND destination of files to be moved MUST be on the same Disk. The Directory Tree will be displayed on the left screen panel and directions for selecting a directory on the right panel. When the directory is selected, the system will display files from the directory on the right screen panel and directions for selection on the left panel. After - 25 - selecting files, the system will prompt for the destination path and a decision to Proceed, Edit path, or Exit. To move disk files you would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the menu choice and press [ENTER]. You would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the directory name where the disk files are located. Once you have positioned the Highlight on the Directory name you would press [ENTER]. The highlight will move to the right side of the screen where the files in the directory will be listed. You will be able to use the Arrow Keys to position the highlight on the file/files that you wish to copy. You will use the file selection process previously explained in this manual to select all the files wanted. Once you have tagged all the files that you wish to move you would press [ENTER] and a window will appear so that you may enter the destination path where you wish to move the files. You would enter the path listing the directories separated by a "\". For example to move all tagged files to a sub directory of a subdirectory of the root called MYTEMP you would Type: C:\1subdirectory\MyTEMP and then press [ENTER]. Three "button" choices are provided to Proceed, Edit, or Exit. You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice. If the file already exist a window will appear showing a message that the file already exist in that directory. Renaming Disk Files The Directory Tree will be displayed on left screen panel and directions for selecting a directory on the right panel. When the directory is selected, the system will display files from the directory on the right screen panel and directions for selecting files on the left screen panel. You will use the file selection process previously explained in this manual to select all the files to be processed. The selected files will be presented one by one in a box prompting for the new name and new extension. Enter a new name and extension and press [ENTER] OR if no change is desired simply press [ENTER]. - 26 - Once you have entered the new name three "button" choices are provided to Proceed, Edit, or Exit. You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice. Changing File Attributes The Directory Tree will be displayed on the left screen panel. Directions for selecting a directory are on the right screen panel. Files from the selected directory will be displayed on the right screen panel and directions for selection on the left panel. You will use the file selection process previously explained in this manual to select all the files wanted. The selected files and attributes will be displayed one by one with instructions for changing the attributes. (See 8) When the desired attributes are checked pressing [ENTER] will change the attributes. If no change is to be made to the attributes you should just press [ENTER]. Once you have chosen the files a window will appear showing the current file attributes on the left side and choices for change on the right side. You will use the Arrow Keys to position the blinking cursor on the attribute choice selected and press the Space Bar to toggle or select that attribute to change. Setting a File's Date & Time The Directory Tree is displayed on the left screen panel and directions for selecting a directory are displayed on the right panel. Files from the selected directory will be displayed on the right screen panel and the directions for selection on the left panel. Once you have positioned the Highlight on the Directory name you would press [ENTER]. The highlight will move to the right side of the screen where the files in the directory will be listed. You will be able to use the Arrow Keys to position the highlight on the file/files that you wish to copy. You will use the file selection process previously explained in this manual to select all the files wanted after the files are selected, the system will prompt for the Date and Time to be stamped on the files. Once the date and time are entered you would press [ENTER], three "button" choices are provided to Proceed, Edit, or Exit. You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice. The option Proceed will set date and time for all files selected. - 27 - SEARCH MENU All functions associated with searching your hard disks for files reside on this drop down menu. Searching for Files by Name & Extension The system will prompt for entry of the file specifications to use in the search. You may use the "*" as a wild card as follows. Name Ext. ----------- As*.Wks Abcdef.* Ab*.* Once you have entered the filename and or extension to search for three "button" choices are provided to Proceed, Edit, or Exit. You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice. A window will appear showing a listing of all files that have met the criteria entered. You can use the Arrow Keys to move through the file listing a line at a time. The Page Up and Page Down Keys to move through the file listing a page at a time. You can use the Home Key to move to the beginning of the listing the End Key to move to to the end of the listing. The P Key to print the and the Esc Key to return to the Main Menu. Searching for Files by Date & Time A box will be displayed on the screen to prompt entry of a Start Date & End Date. All files with a date between the start and ending date will be displayed. Please note the system will display only 800 files on this search. Too much time between Start Date and End Date may include more than 800 files. You will probably want to constrict the time slightly if you locate more than 800 files. Once you have entered the Start & End dates three "button" choices are provided to Proceed, Edit, or Exit. You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice. A window will appear showing a listing of all file that have met the criteria entered. You can use the Arrow Keys to move through - 28 - the file listing, a line at a time. The Page Up and Page Down Keys to move through the file listing a page at a time. You can use the Home Key to move to the beginning of listing and the End Key to move to the end of the listing. The P Key to print the listing and the Esc Key to return to to the Main Menu. Following entry of the dates a decision prompt to Proceed, Edit the Dates, or Exit will be displayed. Files found will be displayed on the screen with instructions for viewing and/or printing. Searching for Hidden Files No other input is required for this option. All Directories (if any) on the selected drive will be searched for hidden files. Those files found will be displayed on the screen. The functions associated with viewing and printing the listing previously explained in this section are to be used. PRINT MENU All functions associated with printing a hard copy of all files on your hard disk are performed from this menu. The functions available on this menu are very useful, since you can have a printed copy of all files on your hard disk. If you print a desk copy in each of the modes available you will find that it will helpful to quickly locate files. Print a listing by the name and extension, date and time and directory and place in a binder next to your computer. You will also find it a great help when cleaning your hard disk of unwanted duplicate files. Printing Files by Name & Extension No other input is required for this option. All files from all directories on the selected drive will be sorted by name and extension and printed. Before starting this option, make sure the printer is ready and has adequate paper for printing this report. Each Page of the report will contain a page number with starting & ending file printed at the top right corner of the page. Printing Files by Date & Time No other input is required for this option. All files - 29 - from all directories on the selected drive will be sorted by Date and Time and printed. Before starting this option, make sure the printer is ready and has adequate paper for printing this report. Each Page of the report will contain a Page number with starting & ending file printed at the top right corner of the page. Printing Files by Directory No other input is required for this option. Files from each directory on the selected drive will be sorted by name & extension and printed. Before starting this option, make sure the printer is ready and has adequate paper for printing this report. Each Page of the report will contain the Directory (Path) and date printed. Print Directory Tree The system will print the Directory Tree for the selected Hard Drive. Make sure your printer is ready to print before selecting this option. - 30 - MAXIMIZING DOS\U AND OTHER HELPFUL HINTS USE OF THE READ DRIVE FEATURE DOS\U will build a file of the tree structure of each hard disk that it saves for quick reference. The program will automatically rebuild this file if you make any changes while using the program. The reread feature is provided so that you can force it to read the drive at any time, especially when you first load the program. The reason that this might be necessary is if you used DOS to make changes, or if any other changes were made while outside of the DOS\U program, i.e. another program. Even if you use DOS\U only, it is a good idea to reread your drives from time to time. WHEN COPYING TO DISKETTES Although it is a good idea when copying to diskette to copy to a subdirectory, for reasons of speed, DOS\U will not force you to copy to a subdirectory unless there are more than 112 files. You will find that copying to a subdirectory is much faster than copying to the root directory. If you are copying more files than will fit on a single diskette the system will prompt you to insert another diskette once the diskette is full. If this happens you are to remove the first diskette and insert another. If you were copying to a subdirectory on the original diskette that subdirectory name will be carried through on all of the diskettes necessary to complete the copying procedure. - 31 - USING THE D\LIB UTILITIES SECTION D/LIB is a very powerful Floppy cataloging program that will build libraries of your diskettes. It allows updating and deleting of diskettes; allows you to Search & Print the Libraries, by Name & Extension; Date & Time; Hidden Files; as well as Printing by Diskette number; and Browse the Libraries as well as individual Diskette Number.These are features that will provide speed and ease in managing your files, and finding the files that you need to work on. Please note that you can build 5 separate libraries to manage your diskettes. You should group your diskettes into the library that they are most closely associated with if you have a large number of diskettes. For example you may wish to group all word processing diskettes into one library, while building a separate library of your data base diskettes. FILE MENU The file menu contains those functions associated with adding or changing information about your diskettes, the libraries, and your computer. Adding a Diskette to the Library Always check the selected library volume before adding a diskette to the library, this is always visible at the bottom right corner of your screen. The volume currently selected is listed on the last line of the screen. The system will prompt you to mount ("insert") the diskette into the active drive selected. and press the [ENTER] Key. On the screen you will see the associated number to write on the label for the diskette that you inserted into the active drive. Once you have inserted the Diskette into the active drive and pressed [ENTER] a comment screen will appear. If you have not entered a volume name on the diskette the system will automatically insert the diskette number into the volume name field. If you wish to change it you may do so. You will also have to opportunity to enter a comment for each diskette. Once you are satisfied with your entries you are to press [ENTER]. Three "button" choices are provided to Proceed, Edit, or Exit. You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice.The system will transfer volume label, directories, - 32 - subdirectories, and file information from the diskette to the the library. Deleting Diskette Records The system will prompt you to enter the number of the diskette to be deleted. On entry of the diskette number the system will delete all records in the library containing that diskette number. Records for a diskette may be replaced by records from another diskette by using the Update function instead of deleting one diskette and adding another. Please note that if you wish to delete a diskette from a library you should update the disk number with a replacement diskette instead of deleting the diskette number entirely from the library. See the procedure to update a diskette below. Updating Diskette Records The system will prompt you to enter the number of the diskette to be updated. On entry of the diskette number the system will delete all records in the library containing that diskette number and add the records from the diskette in the active drive. Records for a diskette may be replaced by records from another diskette by using the Update function instead of deleting one diskette and adding another. Selecting Diskette Library Volume You may create up to five Volumes of Diskette records in the Library. Care should be given to the selection of diskettes for each Volume. Try to group diskettes by application and/or function. The time required to locate Files in a given Volume is proportional to the size of the Volume. It is best to create several libraries instead of one large library. The process to select a different library is to use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the menu choice and press [ENTER]. You would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor to the volume that you wish to select and press the space bar to choose that volume. Please verify that you have chosen the correct volume by referring to the last line on your screen. Selecting Diskette Drive The System can use either Drive A or Drive B for Adding or Updating Diskette records in the Selected Volume. If an attempt is made to select a drive that - 33 - does not exist then the system will respond with an error message.The process to select a different drive is to use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the menu choice and press [ENTER]. You would use the Arrow Keys to position the highlighted cursor on the drive that you wish to select and press the space bar to make that the active drive. Please verify that you have chosen the correct drive by referring to the last line on your screen. SEARCH MENU The search menu contains those functions associated with searching the library volume selected by the different search methods available. Searching Library by Name & Extension The system will prompt for entry of the file specifications to use in the search. You may use the "*" as a wild card as shown below. Name .Ext -------- --- As*.Wks Abcdef.* Ab*.* The "*" is used as a Wildcard in designating letters. Once you have entered the filename and or extension to search for three "button" choices are provided to Proceed, Edit, or Exit. You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice. A window will appear showing a listing of all file that have met the criteria entered. You can use the Arrow Keys to move through the file listing a line at a time. The Page Up and Page Down Keys to move through the file listing a page at a time. You can use the Home Key to move to the beginning of the listing the End Key to move to the end of the listing. The P Key to print the listings and the Esc Key to return to the Main Menu. Searching Library files by Date A box will be displayed on the screen to prompt entry of a Start Date & End Date. All files with a date between the Start and ending date will be displayed. Please note the system will display only 800 files on this search.Too much time between Start Date and End Date may include more than 800 files. You will probably want to constrict the time slightly if you locate more than 800 files. - 34 - Once you have entered the Start and End dates three "button" choices are provided to Proceed, Edit, or Exit. You would use the Tab key or the Left or Right Arrow Key to position the highlight and Press [ENTER] to execute your choice. A window will appear showing a listing of all files that have met the criteria entered. You can use the Arrow Keys to move through the file listing a line at a time. The Page Up and Page Down Keys to move through the file listing a page at a time. You can use the Home Key to move to the beginning of the listing, the End Key to move to the end of the listing. The P Key to print the listing and the Esc Key to return to the Main Menu. Searching Library for Hidden files No other input is required for this option. Those files found will be displayed on the screen with instructions for viewing and or printing. Searching Library for Sub-Directories No other input is required for this option. All library records will be searched for Sub-Directories. Up to 800 records may be displayed on the screen with instructions for viewing & printing. Searching Library for Volume Labels No other input is required for this option. The system will find and display the volume label record for all diskettes in the library. Instructions for viewing the records will also be displayed. PRINT MENU The print menu contains the functions to print a listing of the library volume selected by the three different methods available. Printing Files by Name & Extension No input is required for this option. All file records in the selected library volume will be sorted by file name and extension then a report will be printed. Before selecting this option, make sure your printer is on line and has an adequate supply of paper. - 35 - Printing Files by Date & Time No input is required for this option. All file records in the selected library volume will be sorted by file Date and Time then a report will be printed. Before selecting this option, make sure your printer is on line and has an adequate supply of paper. Printing Files by Diskette No input is required for this option. All file records in the selected library volume will be printed by Diskette number. Before selecting this option, make sure your printer is on line and has an adequate supply of paper. VIEW MENU The view menu provides those functions that allow you to view each complete library volume as well as each individual diskette in the library. Browsing through the Library The contents of the selected library volume may be viewed on the screen by using the cursor positioning functions to move through the file. Down or Up Arrow key Moves window 1 line down or up. PgUp or Page Up Key Moves screen up one page. Home key Moves to first page. End key Moves to last page. Viewing Records for a Diskette The system will prompt for entry of the diskette number. The system will then find and display all records in the library for the specified diskette. Instructions for viewing and /or printing will also be displayed, and are the same as previously explained in this manual. DOS\U MENU The DOS\U Menu allows you to switch back to the DOS\U features from the D\LIB section. QUIT MENU The QUIT Menu allows you to exit the system and return to the DOS command line. - 36 - MAXIMIZING D\LIB AND OTHER HELPFUL HINTS GROUP SIMILAR FILES INTO SEPARATE LIBRARY VOLUMES Before you begin creating your file library you should keep a few important points in mind. If you have a large number of disk to organize you should separate the disks into groups that contain similar files. For example disks that contain PRIMARILY word processing files go into one group, while disks that contain PRIMARILY database file should go into a different group, and so on. Once you have separated the disks into groups like this you should load them into a different library volume. This will save a lot of time and keep each of your library volumes manageable. Note: DOS/U can be used to view the contents of diskettes if necessary in order to separate the diskettes by category (if each volume is to represent a certain type of file i.e. word processing etc.) then number the diskettes for each library volume1 to xxx. If you find that you have included a disk into an incorrect library you can always update that disk with another disk that belongs, and then add the disk to the correct library. BUILD YOUR DISKETTE LIBRARY NOW! We all tend to put off organizing our diskettes because we don't have time to do it, or don't want to. We all have a huge number of diskettes lying around with no idea of what's on them! Right? We have all wasted hours if not days attempting to find a file that we know we have somewhere! Right? We have all spent hours if not days recreating information because after we spent hours or days trying to find a file we gave up and recreated it again! Right? If you follow the steps that I outline it won't take you long to build your library, and provide you with a return on your time invested that would be illegal! D\LIB was designed to make it as quick and painless as possible. Follow these simple steps. 1. Turn on your computer and load D\LIB. 2. Get a softdrink, a pen and some labels, any kind will do. 3. Gather up a stack of diskettes. 4. Select library volume #1. 5. Select File Menu - Add Diskette 6. Put the designated number on the diskette label and insert it into the active drive. 7. Press Enter - 37 - 8. Review and edit volume name and comment - press Enter 9. Select Proceed 10. Remove Diskette 11. Return to Step 5 and continue for several diskettes. After repeating the steps above perform some searches; print a name and extension list; browse the library and view a diskette to get a feel for how things work. That's all there is to do to build a library. Remember that you should separate the diskettes as best you can into separate stacks to load into separate libraries, if you have a large number of diskettes. Once you get a feel for how the library is built go ahead and build a complete library. It will save you a lot of time and frustration. - 38 - PRINTING YOUR LIBRARY IS A BIG TIME SAVER Although D/LIB allows you to search for files using wildcards in name and extension, date created between 2 dates and browse your entire library, you should still PRINT A COPY OF YOUR ENTIRE LIBRARY. You will find that this is a BIG time saver. There are many times when you are need to find a file, but don't want to exit a program to do an electronic search. Once you build your library you should print a copy of your file library alphabetically, another by date and time created, and still another by diskette number. You should then punch holes and place all in a three ring binder next to your computer. You cannot imagine how much time you will save by having this information available. Remember File MasDir will create the library and allow you to print a catalog in each of the modes listed. Also, you can refer to the catalog listing to find duplicate files, since they will be listed in alphabetical order in the name and extension print listing. You can find all duplicates easily and determine which one is the most recent by observing the date and time created. Many users have eliminated many unnecessary duplicate files in this manner. By referring to the diskette listing you may see that many diskettes can be eliminated by combining files from many different diskettes onto others that contain enough unused space to hold all the files. We tend to grab a new diskette in a hurry instead of trying to use an existing diskette that has enough room left. However, we begin to pay the price when we end up with hundreds of practically empty diskette lying around. Through the use of the print feature, by by diskette we can identify those diskettes that can be combined and those that can be eliminated. - 39 - DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT Users of File Masdir must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "File Masdir is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of File Masdir." File MasDir is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new Products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using File MasDir and continue to use File MasDir after a 30 day trial period, you must make a registration payment as stated in the registration form to Mini Data Systems Inc. The registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of File MasDir must register and pay for their copies of File MasDir within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Mini Data Systems Inc.. Anyone distributing File MasDir for any kind of remuneration must first contact Mini Data Systems Inc. at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering File MasDir immediately (However Mini Data Systems Inc. must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of File MasDir.). You are encouraged to pass a copy of File MasDir along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the File MasDir system. - 40 - REGISTRATION Registered users of File MasDir will receive a printed copy of this manual, the latest version of the system, and technical telephone support. To register your copy of File MasDir send a check or money order corresponding to the following schedule: File Masdir (Both Systems) $40 + $3.50 S & H DOS/U Only . . . . . . . . $30 + $3.50 S & H d/Lib only . . . . . . . . $20 + $3.50 S & H Make check or money order payable to: Mini Data Systems, Inc P. O. Box 641634 Kenner, LA 70064 You may also contact us on Compuserv, Compuserv user ID: 76366,1650. - 41 - Why do I Need File MasDir? To avoid lost programs and data you keep numerous backups, but you don't have time to labels your disks and before you know it you have a whole drawer full of floppies without any idea of what's on them. When you need a file you have to spend hours doing the floppy disk shuffle or you give up and recreate the information again! Does this sound familiar? Well if it does...File MasDir is the utility that you've been waiting for! Now you can find your files lighting fast by searching your entire file library with File MasDir. File MasDir will read all your diskettes and create a file catalog. Now you can search on-screen by name, extension, date & time created using wildcards to quickly identify the floppy or hard disk that contains the file you need. Now you can let your computer find the files that you need electronically! File MasDir will save you many wasted hours searching your floppy and hard disks for files! It will scan all your disks and you will be able to quickly locate the files you need! - 42 -