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DISKOVER Users Manual Dec. 30, 1986 DISKOVER (C) Copyright 1986 by Karson W. Morrison DBA Caleb Computing Center Written by Karson W. Morrison Documentation by Dex Hart, Miami Fl. This program is licensed subject to the following conditions: 1. The program DISKVR5X and its derivatives may not be copied or shared. It is for the use on one CPU. The user- supported version DISKVR4X and its derivatives maybe copied and shared subject to the following included conditions: 1. This program may be copied ad lib providing the owners copyright notice and disclaimers of warranty are reproduced in full. 2. Copies of the program may not be sold, the only charge may be for copying services. (No more than 10 dollars) 3. That all copies furnished to others include the program, DISKOVER.DOC, and the README.1ST files, and that the DISKOVER.DOC file contains the form to be used when registering the program with the author. 2. The authors copyright notice are not to be removed. 3. The program and documentation is supplied as-is and the author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and the warranties of fitness for any purpose. 4. The author further reserves the right to make changes to the program or documentation without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes. DISKOVER Users Manual Dec. 30, 1986 DISKOVER (C) Copyright 1986 by Karson W. Morrison DBA Caleb Computing Center Written by Karson W. Morrison Documentation by Dex Hart, Miami Fl. What is DisKover? _________________ DisKover is a utility which prints sleeve inserts for floppy disks. This seemingly simple objective is accomplished with style and lets you find programs and files without inserting a disk in your computer and without using a complex disk filing program. DisKover does some other neat things too, but we'll get to those later. This program is for PC/XT/AT and compatible computers. A dot-matrix printer or HP LaserJet capable of condensed print (17 cpi or similar) is required. We've discovered most users don't want (or need) what is essentially a data base (disk filing) program just to locate a file. The filing system we ourselves use (and we have a LOT of floppies) is to use plastic 50-75 disk storage boxes with dividers. We label the dividers with headings such as 1-2-3, BBC Utility, Hard Disk Utility, DOS, Data Base, Word Processing, Back Up and so on. The idea is to roughly cluster disks by type. Sample DisKover (Ver. 5.0) printed on Epson FX100 printer When you use DisKover, you get a sleeve insert with a neat, double-column, condensed-type printout of a sorted disk directory. This is a full-info printout, with files sorted (your choice of sort type with version 5.0) and time and date stamped. The time and date of insert creation is also included, along with disk free space and a plus--bytes occupied by the files. Plus volume-ID, if present. The program does not give you a file count, but then you're looking at them. Using DisKover makes for a simple system, and finding a particular program rarely takes more than a few seconds--find the general category (which "shoebox") and then scan just a few disk inserts. You quickly DisKover the file you want. ________ Diskover Users Manual Page 2 DisKover prints your directory listing inside a disk-sized border--just cut on the dotted lines and your insert will slide neatly into the sleeve, "Kovering" your disk. If the file count exceeds the size of a floppy, the length is doubled, with a neat fold-line indicated. The need for this is rare, but when you know you face a disk loaded with files, it's neatest if you print that one at the top of a page, to prevent the intrusion of a perf line. (If you do get a perf line inside a DisKover printout, the program is smart enough to skip to the next top-of-form so the alignment is retained; you can either redo the cross-perf printout or just reinforce the perf line backside with transparent tape.) Normally, two DisKovers are printed per page. Perf skip and form feed are automatic, of course. And when you exit, your printer is on the original perf-line and reset to default mode. Neat and tidy...."well-behaved." File Explosion: _______________ One of the neatest tricks DisKover can do is split out (explode) *.arc and *.lbr files. If you so elect. If you're not a software freak and don't download programs from electronic bulletin boards, this may not mean much to you. Let's explain: ARC means an "archive" file (LBR stands for "library"), which is simply a group of files individually squeezed and then collected into one. This is done to allow a multi-file program to be downloaded via your modem in a single step (only one file name) and more quickly because the *.arc file is much smaller than the sum of its unsqueezed parts (you don't want to waste Bulletin Board System (BBS) time--and you may be on long distance). Once downloaded, you will split and unsqueeze the *.arc file at the same time, with a single command, easily, fast, and reliably. There are single purpose programs from Phil Katz or Vern Buerg that do only this. You may have received the text you are now reading as part of an ARC'd DisKover version (version 4.x) from a friend, a user group, or a bulletin board. Sometimes you split up a file, look at it, and want to save it even though you have no immediate use for it. So save just the *.arc file and discard the rest. Yet you may elect to list all the files in the arc when you create the sleeve insert with DisKover even though the "members" of the arc file have not been extracted. DisKover prints the arc contents without disturbing the arc file or filling your floppy with actual files. You save a lot of floppy space this way and also keep all the program members in one place--nothing gets lost. If you have the full-size ARCHIVE.EXE utility itself (which allows you to create arc files, and even run a program from within an arc file, you may go in and read the doc or "read- ______ me" file without even bothering to un-arc the whole....IF you know it exists and what the name is. With DisKover you will. Diskover Users Manual Page 3 If you have a hard disk and split up an *.arc file to try it out and later want to discard it, how do you know which files on your crowded directory belong together? The easiest way is to look at the floppy containing the *.arc file in question, read the DisKover insert, and you'll find a complete list of the files in question. Deletion then becomes easy and safe. The fact is, the ability to split out the contents of an *.arc or the similar *.lbr (library) file without actually having the file members on disk is a major feature, and when combined with easy file location simply makes your life a lot easier (and deletion of unwanted files from your hard disk a lot safer). That's what a good utility is supposed to do and we believe you'll rate DisKover among the select few of your favorite utilities. If you're a power user, we think you'll put DisKover into the class of list, where, sdir, archive.exe and the single- ____ _____ ____ ___________ purpose arc-splitter programs. (And if you don't have those programs, you should get them, as they, like DisKover, add joy ________ and speed to using your computer.) Other abilities: ________________ DisKover will also print out the contents of a hard disk directory, or for that matter, the whole contents of a hard disk--all directories. Printing is similar to that of a floppy, boxed and standard floppy size up to a directory count of about 70 standard files. Exceed that limit and the box is extended, but only as far as needed, not doubled as is the case with many- file floppies. The program is intelligent. If a directory file count is big enough, or a new directory is started without enough space to be completed on that page, a bottom-of-page dashed line will be drawn with the notation "Cont. Line", the perf line skipped and the box begun again with this notation so you know you're looking at a continuation of the same directory. All directories are labeled, of course. When you start the program you can choose to print immediately or write the print file to disk. For example, if you desired the complete double-column printout of 18 megs of data, you would definitely write the file to disk. Then when nothing else is going on you can type "print filename" and go have a cup of coffee. DisKover tries not to waste your time. You can also write to disk the DisKovers for a stack of floppies and again print them at your leisure from the named disk file. A number of printers are directly supported (11 of the most widely used as of Dec 86) but most others can be easily customized via a short menu, assuming you can recognize the appropriate codes in your printer manual. For color monitors, Diskover Users Manual Page 4 you can customize two different screen types with a multitude of choices--have it your way or accept the default selection (hit ESC twice) which we have carefully selected for legibility. DisKover Versions: __________________ DisKover is available in two basic versions, 4.x and 5.x. Versions 4.x are shareware, available free from bulletin boards but registration (and payment) is encouraged as you also will then receive version 5.x containing several improvements, including the insert title printed in large type (greatly speeding quick-and-easy file location which is the primary reason for using the program), larger file-count capacity (for listing hard disk directories), and some improved customization options which speed normal use. However, version 4.x is a fully useful program, not a "crippled" version of the type often offered free. We'd like to gently encourage you to register, not force you. (Businesses must register.) Registration is just $20 (see the form at the end of this manual) and you will get a personalized, serialized copy of the current release. On that disk will also be a serialized copy of the current shareware version. Distribute this copy of 4.x and for every registration we get with that serial number you are rewarded with a $5 "profit-sharing" payment. We do this to encourage wide distribution of what we think is a gang-busters program and we are scrupulous about making those payments, modest though a single one may be. Wide distribution combined with enthusiastic comments (what else could they be?) could result in a cluster of $5 bills. Even if you don't spread the word, _______ you'll get a truly useful program worth every penny of the modest cost. We ask registered owners to NOT distribute copies of 5.x, as it is not shareware, but modestly-priced commercial software. Play by the rules and we can afford to keep improving an already useful program and meanwhile develop others. HOW TO USE DISKOVER Installation: _____________ It will probably take less space to tell you how to use the program than we used to tell you how useful it is. Use is a snap, and once you've started you'll never have to refer to this manual again. You probably could get by without reading it at all, but many users feel more comfortable with a manual as backup. But before we use the program, it must be installed. If you buy version 5.x (or register 4.x) you get diskvr5x.com, the install program, diskinst.com, this ____________ ____________ manual in printed form, and a disk file called "readme.1st" which may contain information not available or changed since the manual was last printed. When you run diskinst.com the first time, ____________ Diskover Users Manual Page 5 you must respond to the first menu item in which you indicate ____ the input filename (diskvr5x.com is the default) and your preferred output filename (diskover.com is the default). Other menu items are optional but you should at least pick a printer (or input your print codes if your printer is not listed). We also suggest you elect to always explode *.arc and *.lbr files if you expect to encounter these types of files. Version 5.x install menu The 4.x version installs itself, and you may make changes (reinstall) any time you use the program; the sequences are a simplified version of the 5.x version install sequence. The 5.x version uses a separate install program as there are more options and the separation allows a smaller working program to save disk space. You can reinstall either version as many times as desired should you want to change printers or colors or any other option. If you get DisKover in archive form or from a friend, when you split it you will get the three 4.x version files: diskvr4x.com, this doc file on disk, and readme.1st Diskover Users Manual Page 6 Start menu for version 5.x; you must choose the first item; other choices are optional That sounds too complicated, so let's just do it. Put the DisKover disk in A: (you made a back up, didn't you?) and type "diskvr4x" (or "diskinst" if setting up 5.x). You will see a text screen on 4.x to nudge your conscience to register and get the somewhat-more-capable 5.x version as a reward. Then follow the directions. After setting the filename and other options in version 5.x you will see two color selection screens (these are the opening screens in version 4.x after which you make the printer election and version 4.x installation is complete). Color selection screen. Pick the combination of text and background you prefer, for main screen and windows. On the color selection screen, mono people may just hit ESC twice (color people too, if you accept our choices, which we took pains to make legible on IBM color monitors). Otherwise move the cursor Diskover Users Manual Page 7 to color combinations of your choice and hit return. You make two selections, don't worry about which is which (for the record, you first choose the main screen colors, then window color combination). If you don't like what you did, do it over. You can change selections every day if you want, so don't worry about making a bad choice. You get a choice of (as this is written) 11 popular printers which probably include the majority of printers in use in terms of unit count. If you own one of these, just pick the matching number and hit return. Your printer not on the list? Type 12 and hit return and you can enter ASCII codes for condensed type, top-of-form, printer reset, 8-lines-per-inch spacing and, for 5.x versions, expanded print code to allow for a more readable insert title. Enter codes in ASCII, leading zero not required; enter a zero in any unused code entry location. Select a printer or choose a custom installation. On versions 5.x, you'll be asked if the printer is ready. If Y, a full-width small box is printed with 50 digits running through it. The idea here is to see how many wide-mode digits can be printed within the cut-line borders (the width of a floppy). Note the right box edge is identified by the two vertical bars above and below the line of numbers. See how many numbers hang out to the right, subtract from 50 and give that answer. Just to make sure, DisKover will print the box again, this time using the number you indicated. If all the digits are within the box, type Y for yes. If not, you type an N and you'll be given a chance to do it again and try a number 1 or 2 digits larger or smaller. Hard to go wrong. And from then on we won't let you enter a title that won't fit on the insert--but we give you room for the longest title possible. Diskover Users Manual Page 8 In this example, a user would indicate that 24 letters fit into the available space. Note also that if you choose a custom printer install, you can send codes for double-wide AND italics _______ Now you'll be asked to select a left margin (usually zero) and you're installed. The program has been renamed "diskover.com" so to run it at any time, just type "diskover" and hit return. The install program with version 5.x allows you to redo a program with a different name if you've renamed it. If you have a hard disk, stick the program somewhere on the path and you'll be able to call it from anywhere. Use: ____ Everytime you start a 4.x version you'll see an option selection, press (escape) should you want to change the printer or color options. What could be easier? With either version you just chose from the mini-menu to print a sleeve insert (enter a 1) or write a file of inserts to disk for later printing (enter a 2). Then you'll be asked a short list of short questions requiring very short answers. ____ Select option 1 (print) or option 2 (file to disk) You'll be asked if you want to add a volume-ID if there isn't one. If you choose Y you can type in a volume label if none existed before. (If you have version 5.x you also have an option to change the volume label if one exists.) You'll be asked if you want to expand *.arc or *.lbr files if they exist. Y or N. If you ever use these types of files choose Yes. (The above comments apply mostly to version 4.x. Version 5.x allows you to pre-answer some of these questions to save time during each program use. Even so, you can elect to change most options at print time with an enlarged menu--usually you'll just ignore those options as that's why you set the defaults as you did.) Diskover Users Manual Page 9 You'll be asked whether you're working from a floppy or hard drive. Type F or H. Most times you'll choose F. You'll be asked for a drive ID. Type A or B, wherever you've stuck the disk. Note that by alternating drives, you can speed up the process when you're doing real-time printing of multiple floppy inserts. DisKover will read and sort the files and invite you to type in a title line (which will be printed in large type by version 5.x; this version also allows you to preselect sort modes other than filename). (If you are not sure what you want for a title, hit the F2 key and you see a DisKover of your floppy on the screen. All the files and other data are displayed so you see what's on the disk you're about to title. Because you may decide to do nothing with this disk, you must reenter a drive ID to continue, along with your newly formulated title line.) Hit return and that's it. Keep in mind that if you have a disk loaded with files, start it at the top of a page, as it may print a "fold-line" and a second "page". Normally you'll get two inserts per 8 1/2 x ll printed page. Just cut on the dotted lines. Select drive and type in the title If you elected to write a file to disk earlier (you entered "2"), the file will be created in your current subdirectory (version 4.x) or in your preselected subdirectory (version 5.x). If you choose to read a hard disk you elect to print the whole disk or just a directory (A for All, D for Directory). Choose Directory, and you enter the directory name, no drive ID is needed. For Diskover Users Manual Page 10 subdirectory UTIL, just type "util"; you don't need a c: or a \. If you want to print a second-level directory, separate the names with the customary \, for example, UTIL\TAX. Keep going as long as you want. The printouts will all be condensed, wide titles in 5.x, labeled, and neatly boxed. No printing atop the perf lines. A very civilized program. Sub-Directory \ is the same as the entire hard disk. The program prints the Sub-Directory and its siblings. If you actually wanted to print the whole hard disk, it would be wise to have selected number 2 from the early menu, thus writing the resulting file to disk (dir.dir). A hard disk containing about 17 megabytes results in a 70K file. That'll take a while to print, so that's the kind to send to disk and then type "print dir.dir" and disappear for awhile. And that's why we offered the disk file of directory listings. You may want to use the disk file when doing a great pile of floppies too--like when you're first (and at last) beginning the Great Organizing Job. The disk file, a "directory of directories" is called dir.dir in version 4.x; users of 5.x can customize the name to their taste at installation time or skip that choice and stay with dir.dir as the default. Version 4.x can handle a total file count of about 650 on a device (floppy or hard disk); version 5.x has a limit of 800 files within a subdirectory, unlimited on the device. That's really about it. We've including a registration form for those of you who've not yet registered but who have now realized how valuable this program really is. And would like the improvements offered by the 5.x version--a little selfish interest is OK. When we supply a version 5.x disk, we also include your serialized version of 4.x. This is the one you can legally pass out to friends. Give them all three 4.x files, but please don't give them the 5.x files. For our kind of plan to work, we rely on the basic honesty of our users. This is a well- written, very useful, modestly-priced program. We've done our part...we ask that you do yours as well. A final miracle: At this ridiculously low price we still offer support (and invite comments). You can call us at the number listed on the registration form. As a final gesture of good will on our part and an indication of our commitment to our product we will help install new or unusual dot-matrix printers. You must be registered, of course, but just send us photocopies of the printer-code pages and we will give as much help as possible and perhaps include that printer in future versions of DisKover. Appendix to Diskover User Manual Page 11 Notes from the author: 1. To print this documentation do - PRINT DISKOVER.DOC <enter> 2. The commercial version of this program is sent along with a printed copy of this document and there is an actual exhibit where the blank spaces show on the disk version of the documentation. 3. Printer codes: The only standardization that exists in the printer world is no standardization! Some people have been kind enough to send me copies of the print codes for the printers that are shown in the install menu. I have not been able to verify that they all do work. If you try one of the pre- installed printers and it does not work correctly, please send me the revised codes that you do get to work. 4. When you try to figure out what codes you want to enter into the program, look at the BASIC examples that are provided in most printer manuals. You may see something like this LPRINT CHR$(27);"0"; That code is the EPSON code for 1/8th Line Spacing. To enter that code into my program you would enter for the first code 27, (the same as CHR$(27) above), the second code 48, which is the internal machine decimal value for the number 0. These codes are usually listed in the manual. But you might have to look for them. 5. Laser Jet Printing: There is some special coding in the program for laser printers. They cannot print through a perf line, and the number of lines on a page are less than a continuous form printer. If you are using a laser printer other than an HP Laser Jet you should tell this program you are using an HP Laser on the menu, and then enter your codes for each of the separate items. Please send the codes that you get to work to me so I can include them in the install menu. (This can only be done on the commercial version of the program.) Appendix to Diskover User Manual Page 12 6. The user-supported version of DISKOVER allows up to six codes for each required field. The commercial version allows for 10 codes. The extra code fields are needed when you start using expanded codes or for those who have color printers; to print the title in a color, say red. Most dot matrix printers allow you to mix codes to get different print styles. You could have: Condensed; Condensed, Expanded; Condensed, Expanded, Italics; Expanded; Expanded, Italics; Each of these codes could be sent to the printer as you print your diskover. You must remember though that if you turn it on, you probably also need to turn it off. On the Default Epson-FX that is in the issued commercial version of DISKOVER I use: Condensed_Print = 27 53 27 15 27 70 00 00 00 00; 27 53 = Cancel alternate character set (italics) 27 15 = Set condensed print mode 27 70 = Cancel Emphasized print mode Top_Of_Form = 12 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00; 12 = Top of form Reset_Printer = 27 64 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00; 27 64 = Initalizes the printer Note: Not all printer have this code, you may have to enter Condensed off, 1/6th line spacing Line_Spacing = 27 48 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00; 27 48 = 1/8th Line spacing Expanded_Print = 18 27 52 14 27 69 00 00 00 00; 18 = Cancel Condensed print mode 27 52 = Selects Alternate Character set (italics) 14 = Sets enlarged print mode 27 69 = Sets emphasized print mode Experimentation can be fun; Try different codes, when you get one to work rename that version to hold for a while, why you try other codes. 7. The left margin option is used mainly for a hard disk printout where you may want a left margin so you can punch holes and put it in a binder. The program is issued with a value of 50 you should change it to a value of 0 (zero). Appendix to Diskover User Manual Page 13 8. In order to use the expanded print option properly, you must run the section of the program where it asks if the printer is available. Because, it is in that portion of the install that I determine how long a description title line you can have. If you don't do this portion of the program install, the title line will probably extend past the right margin of the diskover. ************ Registration form here ************* Please register me as an owner of a copy of the USER-SUPPORTED software program DISKOVER. I agree to your disclaimer of all warranties and your restrictions on copying, and agree that the commercial version that I receive will not be copied or shared. Your Name ____________________________________________ Your Address____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Your Phone Number ____ _____________ in case I need to contact you for any reason. (Not Required.) Mail this form with your $20.00 to receive the enhanced commercial version of this program to: Caleb Computing Center RD 1, Box 531 Ringoes NJ. 08551 (201) 788-1846 Include: Old Serial Number _____________________ Old Version Number ____________________ Printer this program will be used with _________________ The printer codes you used for any not preinstalled in the Menu. Condensed ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 1/8th Line spacing ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Top of Form ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Reset Printer ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___