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- HELP FOR NEW USERS & PROBLEMS YOU MIGHT HAVE
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ABOUT FRUSTRATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- There are no greater masters of frustration than experienced PC users. They
- have gone through the long and arduous process of learning how to use the
- PC Disk Operating System. LEARNING D_O_S NEVER, EVER HAPPENS WITHOUT HEAD
- BANGING AND OCCASIONAL EXPLOSIONS OF TEMPER. That's how it goes when we're
- learning. We push ourselves to the limit until we hit the wall. So if you're
- frustrated, good. That means you have been learning the very hardest part of
- computing. If you know what I'm writing about, then you are more than likely
- half way there. The point I am making is the one critical thing that stands in
- the way of your becoming a competent PC user: Do not let frustration become a
- symbol of failure to you. Understand that frustration is merely the signal
- that you have learned enough for now and ought to take a break. That's all it
- is. Believe it or not. Become an expert with your own system or not.
- Have you seen the advertisement on TV where two businessmen in an office
- watch to see which computer is used more, the Macintosh or the IBM Compatible?
- They observe that the Mac is used more and is easier to learn. What the ad
- does not tell you is that a Nintendo is easier to learn, too. PC users will
- not be left behind with antiquated knowledge. The users who choose the Mac
- because it is "easier" never become flexible power-users. Eventually they will
- become fringe users -- who come to you for help. Never give up your investment
- of learning. Do not take a step back into the easier, softer way of becoming an
- applications user instead of a computer user. When things get rough, hunker
- down and stick to it. Soon you will learn what you need.
- When you finally become frustrated, take a break. Turn your equipment off
- for a while. Whatever it takes. When you're ready, get back to work. You're
- on the right road.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ONWARD.....
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Public domain/shareware software can be very easy to use if you are familiar
- with a few basic "DOS" commands. These commands are "COPY", "DISKCOPY", "DIR",
- "TYPE", "FORMAT", & a few others. Program distribution disks are not "bootable",
- which means that you cannot place the disk in your computer and turn it on.
- The first thing to do is put a WRITE-PROTECT TAB OVER THE NOTCH ON THE
- ORIGINAL DISK. Then make a backup copy of your disk with the following command:
- A>DISKCOPY A: B: <enter> - (will copy all files from 'A' to 'B')
- In the event that you get some sort of error message when using "DISKCOPY",
- you will then have to use the "COPY" command to make a backup of your original
- disk. Place a blank FORMATTED disk in the "B" drive, the original disk in 'A"
- and enter the following command at the "A>" prompt:
- A>COPY *.* B: <enter> - (will copy all files from 'A' to 'B')
- PUT AWAY THE ORIGINAL AND MOVE THE COPY TO DRIVE A.
- Now put the original disk away and use the working copy. The next thing
- to do is see what files are on the disk. Place the working copy in the
- "A" drive and enter the following command:
- A>DIR <enter> - will display the filenames
- or A>DIR /W <enter> - will display the filenames in "wide" format
- or A>DIR >PRN <enter> will PRINT OUT a listing of the disk files.
- Now you will see many different filenames. A filename consists of two parts;
- the filename & the extension. The filename will be on the left (up to 8
- characters long) & the extension will be just to the right (up to 3 characters
- long):
- filename.ext
-
- You will be looking for certain EXTENSION names; which will tell you
- something about that type of file.
-
- ******************************************************************************
- * .EXE - a program file - type in the name & press the enter key. *
- * .COM - a command file - type in the name & press the enter key. *
- * .BAT - a batch file - many uses, type in the name & <enter>. Can be edited.*
- * .DOC - A DOCUMENTATION FILE - instructions about the program - READ THIS *
- * .TXT - A DOCUMENTATION FILE - instructions about the program - READ THIS *
- * .MAN - A DOCUMENTATION FILE - instructions about the program - READ THIS *
- * .ARC - an ARCHIVED file. ARCing is an obsolete file compression method. *
- * .ZIP - a PKZIP and PKUNZIP compressed file. (replaced .ARC) *
- * .BAS - a BASIC program file. Uses GWBASIC, BASICA or BASIC to run *
- ******************************************************************************
-
- You may also see files like MANUAL, READ.ME or README.1ST or just README.
- These are all documentation files that will tell you about the program or how
- to work the program properly.
-
- VERY IMPORTANT: READ DOCUMENTATION FILES FIRST BEFORE RUNNING THE PROGRAM!!!
-
- ===============================================================================
-
- To view a documentation file on your screen, use the "TYPE" command.
- With your program disk in the "A" drive enter the following command:
- A>TYPE filename.ext (enter)
- -- where filename.ext would be whatever the filename is that you wish to view.
- This will display the documentation to the screen. To stop the text
- from scrolling by, press "CTRL S" (the CTRL key and "S" key at the same
- time), any other key to resume scrolling. To obtain a printout of the
- documentation simply replace the "TYPE" command with the "DOS" command
- "COPY". Turn your printer on and enter the following command:
- A>COPY filename.ext PRN <enter> - where filename would be README.DOC or
- whatever file you wish to print.
-
- Alternatives to the TYPE command are the files VIEW.COM and SHOW.COM.
-
- SHOW CLONE.DOC <enter>
- or
- VIEW CLONE.DOC <enter>
-
- If this is all new to you, it is suggested that you print CLONE.DOC on your
- printer and then try each activity: COPY, DISKCOPY, VIEW, and SHOW. You'll
- soon get the hang of it!
-
- ===============================================================================
-
- An "EXE", "COM", or "BAT" file extension means that when you enter the
- filename, the computer will do something. For instance, if the filename were
- "POKER.EXE", or "POKER.COM, or "POKER.BAT" you would enter the following at
- the "A" prompt:
- A>POKER <enter> - the poker program would now come up on the screen.
-
- TYPE or SHOW any files with a .DOC , .TXT or .MAN (for 'manual') extension
- to see what the .COM or .EXE program of the same name will do, or copy it
- to the printer (PRN).
-
- ===============================================================================
-
- To run a BASIC program (Example: FOOBAR.BAS):
- -Put your DOS system disk in drive B: and the program disk in A:.
- -At the A> prompt, enter B:BASICA FOOBAR (recommended)
- or
- -Enter B:BASICA and when the screen says 'OK', type RUN"FOOBAR
-
- Those with GWBASIC will replace BASICA with the word GWBASIC.
-
- By the way, when your BASIC program is finished you will most likely
- find yourself "in" BASIC. To get out, type the word SYSTEM.
- -- Helpful Beginner's Tip #445,092
-
- ===============================================================================
-
- Hopefully this help sheet will enable you to understand & use your disks.
- If all this still sounds like "GREEK" to you, then we strongly suggest that
- you purchase the following disks:
-
- DOS TUTORIAL - an beginners program teaching about your
- computer & how to use "DOS" commands. The
- disk also provides a DOS HELP facility --
- on-line help screens for "DOS" commands.
- TUTORIAL FOR DOS - an absolutely complete DOS tutorial.
- Four disks.
-
- YOU SHOULD HAVE THESE DISKS! THEY WILL SAVE YOU AN
- AWFUL LOT OF TIME AND HEADACHE AND WILL MORE THAN
- LIKELY SAVE YOU MONEY TOO.
-
- EASY DOES IT!
- ===============================================================================
- MANDATORY UTILITIES FOR THE BEGINNER.
-
- DOS was originally slapped together when the PC was introduced to compete
- with the other Personal Computers on the market. It was not complete then and
- it is not complete now. One prime DOS deficiency is that when files are
- DELeted, they are gone forever. UNDEL.COM and UNERASE.COM are available as
- Public Domain software. Better, PMK.EXE, Professional Master Key, recovers
- deleted files (and performs other jobs) from a very easy-to-use menu.
- Another example is the lack of a MOVE instruction. To move a file from one
- drive or directory to another, one first has to COPY the file to the new
- location and then DELete the file from the original location. MOVE.COM performs
- both tasks with one command.
-
- ===============================================================================
- Further, at your earliest convenience, we recommend your upgrading to 4DOS
- which will replace your COMMAND.COM file and provide over 70 other useful
- commands. 4DOS also contains a built-in F1-key HELP system. 4DOS disks are
- available from CLONEWARE.
- ===============================================================================
-
- ***THANKS FOR BUYING YOUR SHAREWARE FROM CLONEWARE***
- ***IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER MORE SOFTWARE, WRITE:***
-
- CLONEWARE,
- 21 Metcalf Ave.
- North Providence, RI 02911
-
- *** IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR SOFTWARE ***
- *** TITLE, OR IF YOU NEED A CONSULTANT TO CUSTOM- ***
- *** CONFIGURE YOUR EQUIPMENT, PLEASE CALL: ***
-
- Michael Walsh (401) 353-6891 Free RI delivery on 10 or more disks.
-
-