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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #840)
[PCjs Machine "ibm5170"]
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Information about “SHORTCUT (DOS SHELL)”
SHORTCUT is a memory-resident manager that makes DOS easier to use.
The program displays a good deal of information about your
directories, system status and configuration, disk and memory status,
DOS, current date and time, and the main commands available to you.
With SHORTCUT you can run, copy, move, type, print, erase, search, or
rename a file. Format and copy your disks, and edit a file with your
favorite word processor from this program.
SHORTCUT has simple menus, with optional on-line help. Once you exit
to DOS, it will remain in memory until you need it again.
AFILE.TXT
What is ShortCut?
ShortCut is many things. It is a communicator between you and DOS,
the operating system of your computer. It is a file manager and disk
organizer. It is a shortcut to getting your work done, offering you
features not available in DOS.
ShortCut allows you to send commands to DOS even if you are using
another program. For example, you might be using your word processor,
spreadsheet, or database manager when you realize you want to copy
some files to another disk. Normally you would have to save your
work, exit your program, type in the DOS command to copy the files,
perhaps type in additional copy commands, restart your program, and
retrieve your work file. Now you only need to call up ShortCut with
one keystroke and "point" at the files, the COPY command, and the
destination of your files. ShortCut does the work. When the files
are copied, you return to your program with one more keystroke. Your
program continues as if nothing happened!
ShortCut takes the hassle out of DOS. You work rapidly and with less
effort. Yet you do not sacrifice flexibility as ShortCut can handle
any DOS command gracefully. Using your computer is simply more fun
and less work.
BFILE.TXT
What is ShortCut?
ShortCut is many things. It is a communicator between you and DOS,
the operating system of your computer. It is a file manager and disk
organizer. It is a shortcut to getting your work done, offering you
features not available in DOS.
ShortCut allows you to send commands to DOS even if you are using
another program. For example, you might be using your word processor,
spreadsheet, or database manager when you realize you want to copy
some files to another disk. Normally you would have to save your
work, exit your program, type in the DOS command to copy the files,
perhaps type in additional copy commands, restart your program, and
retrieve your work file. Now you only need to call up ShortCut with
one keystroke and "point" at the files, the COPY command, and the
destination of your files. ShortCut does the work. When the files
are copied, you return to your program with one more keystroke. Your
program continues as if nothing happened!
ShortCut takes the hassle out of DOS. You work rapidly and with less
effort. Yet you do not sacrifice flexibility as ShortCut can handle
any DOS command gracefully. Using your computer is simply more fun
and less work.
CFILE.TXT
What is ShortCut?
ShortCut is many things. It is a communicator between you and DOS,
the operating system of your computer. It is a file manager and disk
organizer. It is a shortcut to getting your work done, offering you
features not available in DOS.
ShortCut allows you to send commands to DOS even if you are using
another program. For example, you might be using your word processor,
spreadsheet, or database manager when you realize you want to copy
some files to another disk. Normally you would have to save your
work, exit your program, type in the DOS command to copy the files,
perhaps type in additional copy commands, restart your program, and
retrieve your work file. Now you only need to call up ShortCut with
one keystroke and "point" at the files, the COPY command, and the
destination of your files. ShortCut does the work. When the files
are copied, you return to your program with one more keystroke. Your
program continues as if nothing happened!
ShortCut takes the hassle out of DOS. You work rapidly and with less
effort. Yet you do not sacrifice flexibility as ShortCut can handle
any DOS command gracefully. Using your computer is simply more fun
and less work.
COMMND.DOC
USING THE COMMND COMMAND
The COMMND command, <F10>, is so different from the other Command
Bar commands and yet so useful, we decided to devote a file
exclusively to its use.
ShortCut was designed to save you time and make using DOS easier.
Sometimes ShortCut commands cannot do everything you want to do.
Suppose you want to copy MYFILE.TXT on drive A to drive B and you
want the new copy of the file to be named YOURFILE.TXT. You could
use ShortCut to copy the file to drive B and then rename that
file, but that involves two steps. If you are an experienced DOS
user, you might view two steps as not much of a time saver when
you know DOS is capable of handling it in one step.
The COMMND Command
ShortCut provides a way to enter any DOS command without
using the usual ShortCut commands. The COMMND command
provides the same service as the standard DOS input line.
Press <F10> to move to the COMMND command box and hit
<Enter>. The message line will disappear and in its place
you will see what appears to be the usual DOS prompt. This
is the command line.
You can enter any DOS command here. When you press the
<Enter> key, your DOS command is sent directly to COMMAND.COM
without being acted upon by ShortCut. The ShortCut screen
disappears and you will see a blank screen except your
command following the normal DOS prompt and then the normal
screen output that DOS displays when executing commands it
receives. When DOS is finished, the ShortCut screen reap-
pears. You might want to have PAUSE on if you want to read
all of the DOS screen output.
If we go back to our example, you could use COMMND to send
this command to DOS:
COPY A:MYFILE.TXT B:YOURFILE.TXT
If you are familiar with the syntax of DOS commands, you may
consider this simpler and quicker than using ShortCut's COPY
and RENAME commands to accomplish the same thing.
Editing the Command Line
Anytime before you press <Enter> to send your command to DOS
you can edit what you have typed on the command line with the
following keys:
Backspace key Deletes the character to the left and moves
the cursor one space to the left.
Left arrow Moves the cursor one space to the left.
COMMND.DOC - 1
Right arrow Moves the cursor one space to the right.
Del key Deletes the character the cursor is on.
Ins key Turns on insert mode. All typed characters
are inserted in the line and characters to the
right of the cursor are pushed further to the
right until insert is turned off.
F6 Copies the filename pointed at by the screen
arrow to the command line.
F7 Moves the cursor to the beginning of the
command line.
F8 Moves the cursor to the end of the command
line.
Ctrl-Esc Cancels the command line and exits the Command
Bar.
The above editing keys are available for you to use any time
ShortCut prompts you for information. For example, you can
use them when you enter a filename for the RENAME command.
In addition, ShortCut imitates the usual DOS editing keys.
In the following descriptions, the template refers to the
last command that was sent to DOS.
F1 Each time <F1> is pressed one character from the
template is copied to the screen.
F2 Waits for the next character you type and then
copies all characters up to the first matching
occurrence of that character in the template to the
screen. If there is no matching occurrence,
nothing happens.
F3 Copies all the remaining characters from the
template.
F4 Waits for the next typed character and then skips
over all characters in the template until it
reaches the first matching occurrence of that
character. If there is no match, nothing happens.
F5 Enters the current command line as the new tem-
plate, clears the command line, and allows con-
tinued editing of this new template.
Esc key Aborts the current command line and begins a new
one. The current template remains the same and
restarts at the first character.
COMMND.DOC - 2
Whenever you try to type beyond the right edge of the screen,
the command line will scroll to the left once space for each
character you type. You may enter no more than 128 charac-
ters including spaces.
Copy Filename to Command Line
ShortCut gives you an alternative to typing a filename on the
command line if the filename is visible in the Directory
Window. Point the screen arrow at the filename, then hit
<F6>. The filename will appear on the command line. Remem-
ber you can use Locate File (Alt-L) to move the screen arrow
to the filename rapidly.
Command Buffer
ShortCut remembers the last ten commands you sent to DOS and
will display them one at a time on the command line. You can
move back through this list of commands by pressing <F9>.
Press <F10> to move forward.
Once you have the command you want displayed on the command
line, you are free to edit it if you wish. Hit <Enter> to
send the command to DOS.
Entering Multiple Commands with COMMND
Sometimes you will want to enter more than one command.
There is a way you can make ShortCut disappear so you can
enter commands using the usual DOS screen.
Before you type in your command on the command line, press
<Alt-D> for DOS Screen. The ShortCut screen will disappear
and you will see the normal DOS screen. You can now type in
as many DOS commands in succession as you want. You will
still be able to use the command line editing keys and the
Command Buffer. When you want the ShortCut screen to return,
press <Alt-D> again.
Default Drive
The COMMND command uses the Default drive, not the Display
drive. The Default drive box is beneath the Display drive
box. You can change the Default drive by moving the screen
arrow to this box and then pressing a letter of any drive on
your system. Of course, you can always preface filenames
with a drive specifier just as you can when you are using DOS.
COMMND.DOC - 3
DFILE.TXT
What is ShortCut?
ShortCut is many things. It is a communicator between you and DOS,
the operating system of your computer. It is a file manager and disk
organizer. It is a shortcut to getting your work done, offering you
features not available in DOS.
ShortCut allows you to send commands to DOS even if you are using
another program. For example, you might be using your word processor,
spreadsheet, or database manager when you realize you want to copy
some files to another disk. Normally you would have to save your
work, exit your program, type in the DOS command to copy the files,
perhaps type in additional copy commands, restart your program, and
retrieve your work file. Now you only need to call up ShortCut with
one keystroke and "point" at the files, the COPY command, and the
destination of your files. ShortCut does the work. When the files
are copied, you return to your program with one more keystroke. Your
program continues as if nothing happened!
ShortCut takes the hassle out of DOS. You work rapidly and with less
effort. Yet you do not sacrifice flexibility as ShortCut can handle
any DOS command gracefully. Using your computer is simply more fun
and less work.
DWINDOW.DOC
THE DIRECTORY WINDOW
The Directory Window is the heart of ShortCut. Whenever a file is
displayed here, you can perform actions on it using ShortCut's
features.
What is in the Directory Window?
The Directory Window displays the contents of the Current
Displayed Directory including all files and subdirectories
within. You will know which directory is the Current Dis-
played Directory because it will be the directory name that
is highlighted on your screen.
The path that DOS used to reach your Current Displayed
Directory is shown just above it in the Directory Window.
Your root directory will be listed at the top of the Direc-
tory Window and each subdirectory that follows is the next
step in the path through which DOS must travel to reach your
Current Displayed Directory.
If you have no subdirectories on your disk, the root direc-
tory will always be the Current Displayed Directory.
Beneath your Current Displayed Directory you will find all
the files the directory contains if there are any. If the
Current Displayed Directory has any subdirectories belonging
to it, you will see them listed after the filenames.
The subdirectories that are part of the current path are
separated from the subdirectories belonging to the Current
Displayed Directory by the filenames. This should help you
see clearly where you are. You always know that all the
directories displayed at the top of the Directory Window are
part of the path that got you to the Current Displayed
Directory. All subdirectories displayed at the bottom of the
Directory Window are branches from the Current Displayed
Directory.
Let's see what all this means. Suppose your Directory Window
displays the following:
FILENAME EXT DATE
FIXED DISK <ROOT DIR> root directory
LEVEL1 <SUB DIR> a subdirectory of the root
LEVEL2 <SUB DIR> a subdirectory of LEVEL1
BERRY.TXT 6-01-1987 a subdirectory of LEVEL2
SHORTCUT.DAT 6-01-1987 a file in subdirectory LEVEL2
SHORTCUT.EXE 6-01-1987 a file in subdirectory LEVEL2
WILDTIME.TXT 1-01-1987 a file in subdirectory LEVEL2
LEVEL3A <SUB DIR> a subdirectory of LEVEL2
LEVEL3B <SUB DIR> a subdirectory of LEVEL2
REFER.DOC - 1
Pretend LEVEL2 <SUB DIR> is highlighted, making it the
Current Displayed Directory. The first three entries repre-
sent a subdirectory path equivalent to the DOS path \FIXED
DISK\LEVEL1\LEVEL2. The Current Displayed Directory contains
four files. Following the filenames are subdirectories that
belong to the Current Displayed Directory.
Note that there is always only one path back to the root
directory from whatever subdirectory you are in, but there
may be any number of paths leaving from your Current Dis-
played Directory.
Viewing the Rest of Your Files
Since only 16 files and subdirectory names will fit at one
time in the Directory Window, you need a way to see the rest
if you have more on your disk. ShortCut gives you several
ways to do this.
Down Arrow - Moves the screen arrow down one line. When the
arrow is at the bottom of the window and more entries
exist, pressing the down arrow key will scroll the
entries up one by one until the last entry is reached.
Up Arrow - Moves the screen arrow up one line. When the
arrow is at the top of the window and more entries are
above it, pressing the up arrow key will scroll the
entries down one at a time until the root directory
entry is reached.
Scroll Lock - Scroll Lock affects how the up and down arrow
keys work. With Scroll Lock engaged, the screen arrow
will remain stationary while the entry names will scroll
around it. You will hear a beep when ShortCut cannot
scroll up or down any more.
Home - Moves the screen arrow to the top entry in the Direc-
tory Window.
End - Moves the screen arrow to the bottom entry in the
Directory Window.
Home, Home or Ctrl-Home - Moves the screen arrow to the first
entry (the root directory) and positions that entry at
the top of the Directory Window.
End, End or Ctrl-End - Moves the screen arrow to the last
entry and positions that entry at the bottom of the
Directory Window.
PgDn - Displays the next 16 entries in the Directory Window.
The screen arrow will not move below the last entry so a
partial PgDn will occur if there are less than 16
entries below the displayed files.
REFER.DOC - 2
PgUp - Displays the previous 16 entries in the Directory
Window. The screen arrow will not move above the root
directory so a partial PgUp will occur if there are less
than 16 entries above the displayed files.
If you know the name of the file you want to find, you can
move the screen arrow to it quickly with the Locate File
command. Press <Alt-L>. Type the first letter of the
filename. The screen arrow moves to the first file beginning
with that letter. Continue typing letters and the screen
arrow will move to the first filename with the displayed
letters. You need type only as many letters as necessary to
point the screen arrow at the correct file. Press <Enter>,
<Esc>, or the Up or Down arrow key to stop Locate File, or
press the <Space Bar> to stop it and mark the filename. See
Locate File for more information.
Limit on Directory Window Entries
ShortCut limits the number of slots available for file and
subdirectory names in the Directory Window to 250. If the
directory names in your path plus the filenames in your
Current Displayed Directory plus the subdirectories belonging
to your Current Displayed Directory exceed 250, the excess
will not be visible in the Directory Window.
If the 250 limit is exceeded, ShortCut will suggest that you
change the File Pattern. In this way you can use very large
directories and still locate the files you want by screening
out the files you don't need.
Additional File Information
File and directory names are always visible in the Directory
Window. ShortCut can also display the date a file was
created or last updated, the time of day a file was created
or updated, and the size of the file in number of bytes.
Because of the Directory Window size, only one of these
options can be shown at any one time. The current option is
displayed just to the right of the EXT header and will be
highlighted.
To select a different option, move the screen arrow to this
area by pressing the right arrow key from the Directory
Window or the up arrow key from the Display Drive box. Your
options are DATE, TIME, and SIZE. Select the one you want by
pressing the first letter of your choice.
REFER.DOC - 3
FILES840.TXT
Disk No 840
Program Title: SHORTCUT version 2.05
PC-SIG version 1
SHORTCUT is a RAM-resident program that eases your use of
DOS, and displays much information on the screen about your
directories and system status. The main screen also displays the
equipment installed on your computer, the disk status, the memory status,
the DOS version, the date and time, and the main commands available to you.
This program has simple menus, with optional on-line help that can be
viewed from within the program. Once you exit to DOS, SHORTCUT will remain
in memory until you need it again. With SHORTCUT you can run, copy, move,
type, print, erase, search, or rename a file. You can also format and copy
your disks, and edit a file with your favorite word processor from
this program.
Usage: DOS and System Management.
System Requirements: 256K memory and one disk drive.
How to Start: For instructions on printing the documentation and starting
the program, type GO (press enter)
Suggested Registration: $30.00 (plus $5.00 shipping/handling)
File Descriptions:
SHORTCUT EXE Main program.
SHORTCUT HLP On-line help file.
CHATTR EXE Utility program for changing file attributes.
SHORTCUT DAT Configuration data file.
COMP BAT Batch file, must run for single-color moniters with CGA.
COMP DAT Data file for COMP.BAT.
AFILE TXT Sample text file for tutorial.
BFILE TXT Sample text file for tutorial.
CFILE TXT Sample text file for tutorial.
DFILE TXT Sample text file for tutorial.
README 1ST Introduction to SHORTCUT.
START DOC How to get started.
TUTOR DOC A tutorial.
DWINDOW DOC How files and directories are displayed in directory window.
SETUP DOC How to customize SHORTCUT.
COMMND DOC Explains SHORTCUT's CMMND command.
REFER DOC Describes each ShortCut feature in detail.
REGISTER FRM Registration form.
PC-SIG
1030D E Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1987 PC-SIG Inc.
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< Disk #840 SHORTCUT >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ To copy the documentation to your printer type: ║
║ COPY START.DOC PRN (press enter) ║
║ ║
║ To start the program, type: SHORTCUT (press enter) ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
REFER.DOC
SHORTCUT REFERENCE
This file is a list presented in alphabetical order of all com-
mands, features, and concepts associated with ShortCut. It will
provide you with detailed information that goes beyond what you
learned in TUTOR.DOC. Read this section to gain a greater under-
standing of ShortCut's features and refer to it anytime you have a
question about some aspect of the program.
Many of ShortCut's features are available when you pop up ShortCut
while running another program. Those features accessible to you
at this time are indicated with an asterisk (*) to the right of
the feature name at the top of the page.
Much of this section's information is available to you on-line if
the help file SHORTCUT.HLP is on your disk. Press <F1> and
<Enter> to view the main help menu, or you can press <Alt-H> for
context-sensitive assistance.
REFER.DOC - 1
Break * Alt-B
__________________________________________________________________
The Break command turns Break mode on and off. When Break is on,
DOS will check for a control break more frequently. Normally DOS
checks for a control break only when it is doing standard input or
output functions or Asynchronous Communications Adapter opera-
tions. With Break on, DOS checks for a control break whenever a
program requests any DOS function. This will slow down the
execution of the program a bit, but it does give you better
control of your system.
Using Break
Press <Alt-B> to turn Break mode on or off.
When Break is on, the word "break" will be highlighted in
capital letters in the Break box near the middle of the
ShortCut screen just above the Command Bar.
REFER.DOC - 2
Chime * Alt-C
__________________________________________________________________
When Chime is on, a chime will sound every hour on the hour.
Using Chime
Press <Alt-C> to turn Chime on or off. When Chime is
active, a small musical note will be present in the box
ShortCut uses to display the time.
REFER.DOC - 3
Changing Directories *
__________________________________________________________________
Changing Directories in the Directory Window
Move the screen arrow to the directory you wish to make the
Current Displayed Directory. Press the Space Bar.
If the directory you wish to make the Current Displayed
Directory is not visible in the Directory Window, you must
move through your directories until it is, or you can use the
following method to change directories.
Changing Directories with the Tree
Press <Alt-T> to display a visual tree of the directories on
your disk. Move the highlighting with the up and down arrow
keys to the directory you want to make the Current Displayed
Directory. Press the <Enter> key.
Changing to a Marked Directory
If a directory is marked with the Mark Directory command
(Alt-M), you can be in any other directory and the Go to
Directory command (Alt-G) will return you to the marked
directory quickly.
REFER.DOC - 4
Colors, Changing Screen * Shift-F7, 5
__________________________________________________________________
You can use the SETUP command to change the colors of the ShortCut
screen.
Changing the Screen Colors
Press <Shift-F7> to move to the SETUP command box on the
second Command Bar. Hit the <Enter> key. Choose option 5 of
the Main Setup Menu to display the Screen Display Menu.
You can use these options to change the appearance of the
ShortCut screen whether you have a single color or a multi-
color monitor.
For a complete explanation of the options available on the
Screen Display Menu see Screen Display Setup in SETUP.DOC.
REFER.DOC - 5
Command Bar *
__________________________________________________________________
The oblong rectangular box at the bottom of the ShortCut screen is
the Command Bar. It is divided into ten smaller boxes, each
containing a ShortCut command.
Actually, ShortCut has four Command Bars. The first Command Bar
is the one usually displayed. The second Command Bar becomes
visible when you press a <Shift> key, the third appears when you
press the <Ctrl> key, and the fourth pops up when you press the
<Alt> key.
Accessing the Command Bar
To reach the Command Bar, press any function key. A command
box on the Command Bar will be highlighted. You can move to
any other command box by using the left and right arrowy<-
keys. > If you move off the right end of the Command Bar, you
will move to the second Command Bar. Following the second
Command Bar is the third Command Bar and then the fourth.
Finally you will return to the first Command Bar again.
Picture the four Command Bars as sides of a square. By
traveling in any direction along the perimeter, you will
eventually return to where you started.
Each command on any of the Command Bars correspond to a
function key alone or in combination with the Shift, Ctrl, or
Alt keys. You can move directly to a command box by pressing
the proper function key combination. The numbers in the
command boxes tell you which function key to use.
The First Command Bar
The first Command Bar is the one usually displayed on your
screen. Press a function key to move to a command box.
F1 Help * Displays a help screen listing ShortCut
commands. Detailed help is available by
pressing the keys for any command from this
screen.
F2 Run Executes the program pointed at by the screen
arrow. The file must have an extension of
.COM, .EXE, .BAT, or .BAS.
F3 Copy * Copies the marked files to the directory or
drive you select.
F4 Edit Edits the marked file with the text editor or
word processor of your choice. This command
is covered in SETUP.DOC.
REFER.DOC - 6
F5 Type * Displays the contents of the mark file(s).
Files must be an ASCII file or the characters
"typed" on your screen may not be readable.
F6 Print * Sends the contents of the marked file or files
to your printer.
F7 Erase * Erases the marked file or files.
F8 Mkdir * Creates a subdirectory that belongs to the
Current Displayed Directory.
F9 Rename * Renames the marked file or files.
F10 Commnd Displays the normal DOS command line. You may
enter any DOS command. Chapter 5 is devoted
to the use of COMMND.
The Second Command Bar (Shift)
All commands on the second Command Bar use the <Shift> key
plus a function key. For example, use <Shift-F1> to reach
the PATH command.
F1 Path * Displays the path DOS uses to find executable
files, and allows you to change it if you
wish.
F2 Labl * Changes the volume label of your disk.
F3 Move * Moves files from one directory to another on a
disk.
F4 Date * Displays the system date and allows you to
change it.
F5 Time * Displays the system time and allows you to
change it.
F6 Dcopy Formats a disk in drive B and copies all files
from the disk in drive A to the disk in drive
B.
F7 Setup * Allows you to configure ShortCut to your
specifications. SETUP is covered in detail in
SETUP.DOC.
F8 Rmdir * Removes the empty subdirectory pointed at by
the screen arrow.
F9 Search * Searches all directories on a disk for a file
matching a pattern you specify.
F10 Format Formats a disk in drive B.
REFER.DOC - 7
The Third Command Bar (Ctrl)
All commands on the third Command Bar use the <Ctrl> key plus
a function key.
F1 - F10 Your commands
You determine what these commands will be. SETUP.DOC
will tell you how to "install" these commands. The
command boxes will say Ndef for not defined until you
put your commands in them.
The Fourth Command Bar (Alt)
All commands on the fourth Command Bar use the <Alt> key plus
a function key.
F1 - F10 Your commands
You determine what these commands will be. SETUP.DOC
will tell you how to "install" these commands. The
command boxes will say Ndef for not defined until you
put your commands in them.
Executing Commands
Once a command on the Command Bar is highlighted, start the
command by hitting the <Enter> key. Follow any directions
that appear on the message line.
REFER.DOC - 8
Command Buffer F1, F9 and F10
__________________________________________________________________
When you use the COMMND command (F10), you can recall to the
command line any of the last ten commands you sent to DOS with
COMMND.
Using the Command Buffer
Press <F10> to reach the COMMND command box on the second
Command Bar. Hit <Enter>.
ShortCut stores the last ten commands that you sent to DOS
with COMMND in its command buffer. To see your previous
command, press <F9>. To see the command before that, press
<F9> again, etc. When you reach the last of your stored
commands, the most recent command will be displayed again.
<F10> will move you forward through the list of commands.
When the Command you want is displayed on the command line,
you may edit it with any of the other command line editing
keys, and you can press <Enter> to send the command to DOS.
This command then becomes the most recent in the command
buffer.
REFER.DOC - 9
Copy * F3
__________________________________________________________________
The COPY command is used to make a duplicate of one or more files
in another directory on the same or another disk.
Using COPY
Mark the file you wish to copy in the Directory Window.
Press <F3> to move to the COPY command box on the Command Bar
and hit the <Enter> key.
ShortCut will tell you to make the directory to which you
want to copy the marked file the Current Displayed Directory.
If this directory is on the same disk, point the screen arrow
at it. Press the <Space Bar> to make it the Current Dis-
played Directory.
Press <Enter> to complete the COPY command.
You can stop COPY by pressing <Esc> before you press <Enter>
the second time.
You may also use the Tree command (Alt-T) change directories
on the same disk during the COPY command.
Whenever you copy a file to a directory that already contains
a file with the same filename, the file is replaced with the
new copy and the contents of the old file no longer exists.
Copy to Another Disk
If you want to copy a file to a directory on another disk,
mark the file and start the COPY command by pressing <F3> and
then <Enter>.
Move the screen arrow to the Display Drive box and type the
letter of the drive you want the file copied to. ShortCut
will display the files and directories on that disk drive in
the Directory Window. Then make the desired directory your
Current Displayed Directory as above and strike the <Enter>
key.
Single Floppy Drive Systems
COPY also allows you to copy files from one floppy diskette
to another disk on systems having only a single floppy drive.
DOS will give you numerous prompts to change diskettes. Just
follow the messages that appear on your screen.
REFER.DOC - 10
Copying Multiple Files
When you mark more than one file to COPY, ShortCut will copy
all your marked files one after another without requiring any
further action from you. As your files are being copied, you
will see the number of bytes in the Disk Status box change
and the filenames will appear in the Directory Window just
below the Current Displayed Directory name above all the
other files and subdirectories. They will be highlighted and
will not fill their proper positions in the Directory Window
until all the files have been copied.
Copying to a Different Filename
Whenever you use ShortCut's COPY command, a file is created
with the same filename as the original. Occasionally you may
want to copy a file to a different name. You can do this in
two ways.
The first is to use the COMMND command and enter the usual
DOS command on the command line. This will be the preferred
method for those who are familiar with DOS commands as it is
quick.
If you choose to avoid DOS command syntax altogether, you may
use a two step process. First use ShortCut's COPY command as
usual, then use the RENAME command to give the file or files
new names.
Make a Directory while Copying Files
Occasionally you may mark several files to copy to another
directory and then realize you have not created a directory
to put them in.
If this happens to you, press <F8>. ShortCut will prompt you
for a new subdirectory name. Hit <Enter>.
Now you can make the new directory the Current Displayed
Directory and complete the COPY command.
REFER.DOC - 11
Date * Shift-F4
__________________________________________________________________
The DATE command is used to change the system date.
Using DATE
Press <Shift-F4> to move to the DATE command box on the
second Command Bar. Press <Enter>.
ShortCut asks you to enter a date. You may choose either of
these formats:
mm-dd-yy or mm-dd-yyyy
After you hit <Enter>, ShortCut will display the date you
typed including the proper day of the week on the ShortCut
screen.
System Date
The system date is the date your computer thinks is correct.
If you entered a date when you booted up your computer using
DOS, this is the system date. If you have a "clock" in your
computer system, the system time will be determined by this
clock. If you don't have a clock or you did not enter a date
when DOS requested it, the system date will be January 1,
1980. The DATE command will change the system date in all
cases.
REFER.DOC - 12
Dcopy Shift-F6
__________________________________________________________________
The DCOPY command is used to create an exact copy of the floppy
disk in drive A on the disk in drive B. If the disk in drive B is
not formatted, DCOPY will format it while copying the files.
Using DCOPY
To use DCOPY, the DOS program DISKCOPY.COM must be in the
Current Displayed Directory or along the path. Press <Shift-
F6> to move to the DCOPY command box on the second Command
Bar and hit the <Enter> key.
Follow the DOS prompts on your screen. Remember that the
source diskette is the diskette you are copying FROM, and the
target diskette is the one you are copying TO.
If you have only one floppy disk drive, you will need to
switch diskettes several times before DCOPY is finished.
Every time you are told to insert a diskette in drive B, put
the target diskette in drive A.
REFER.DOC - 13
Default Drive *
__________________________________________________________________
The Default Drive is the drive used by DOS. DOS searches for a
file only on the Default Drive if the filename is not prefixed
with a drive specifier and if a path is not set up. ShortCut does
not use the Default Drive as most of its commands work on the
Current Displayed Directory and it will preface the commands it
sends to DOS with the correct drive specifier automatically.
The COMMND command and User commands use the Default Drive, not
the Display Drive. This is because if you use these commands, you
are actually bypassing ShortCut and using DOS.
The Default Drive Box
The current Default Drive is shown in the Default Drive box
as a highlighted capital letter.
Changing the Default Drive
To change the Default Drive, move the screen arrow to the
Default Drive box. Press the letter of the drive to which
you wish to change (A, B, C, or D).
Although only four drives are shown in the Default Drive box,
ShortCut can work with as many as eight drives. If you have
more than four drives, you can also choose E, F, G, or H and
ShortCut will display the files on that drive. You cannot
change to a drive that your system does not have.
If you change to a drive that exists but you don't have a
diskette in it or the drive door is not closed, there will be
a pause and you will eventually get the following message
from DOS:
not ready error reading drive (the drive where the error
occurred)
Abort, Retry, Ignore?
In this case, you should fix the problem (put a diskette in
the drive or close the drive door) and type R for Retry.
You will also get this error if there is some other problem
with your disk drive or your disk and your computer is unable
to read it. Again you should try R once or twice first. If
this does not work, you will have to type A for Abort. This
will essentially restart ShortCut, but no harm will be done.
REFER.DOC - 14
Disk Status *
__________________________________________________________________
The Disk Status box displays useful information about the Display
Drive disk.
Disk Space Statistics
ShortCut shows you the number of bytes that still remain on
your disk that are free for you to use, the number of bytes
that are already being used, and the total number of bytes on
your disk.
If you set up a RAM disk smaller than a full size disk
(360 K) and make it the current Display Drive, the number of
bytes used and the bytes total will not be correct. The
number of bytes free will be accurate, however.
File Statistics
ShortCut also shows you the number of user files in your
Current Displayed Directory. A user file is any file shown
in the Directory Window. This also includes any subdirec-
tories that belong to the Current Displayed Directory.
If you set the File Pattern to anything other than *.*, the
number of user files may change. ShortCut only counts those
files that match the current File Pattern.
The number of hidden files are also shown. Hidden files will
not appear in the Directory Window.
The number of total files sums the user files and the hidden
files.
REFER.DOC - 15
Display Drive *
__________________________________________________________________
The Display Drive is the drive whose files and directories are
shown in the Directory Window. When you first start up ShortCut,
this will be the same as the Default Drive, but you can change it
to any drive on your system.
The Display Drive Box
The current Display Drive is shown in the Display Drive box
as a highlighted capital letter.
Changing the Display Drive
To change the Display Drive, move the screen arrow to the
Display Drive box. Press the letter of the drive to which
you wish to change (A, B, C, or D). ShortCut will display
that drive's files and directories in the Directory Window.
Although only four drives are shown in the Display Drive box,
ShortCut can work with as many as eight drives. If you have
more than four drives, you can also choose E, F, G, or H and
ShortCut will display the files on that drive. You cannot
change to a drive that your system does not have.
If you change to a drive that exists but you don't have a
diskette in it or the drive door is not closed, there will be
a pause and you will eventually get the following message
from DOS:
not ready error reading drive (the drive where the error
occurred)
Abort, Retry, Ignore?
In this case, you should fix the problem (put a diskette in
the drive or close the drive door) and type R for Retry.
You will also get this error if there is some other problem
with your disk drive or your disk and your computer is unable
to read the data on it. Again you should try typing R once
or twice first. If this does not work, you will have to type
A for Abort. This will essentially restart ShortCut, but
don't worry. No harm will be done.
REFER.DOC - 16
DOS Screen * Alt-D
__________________________________________________________________
The DOS Screen command is used to view the normal DOS screen that
was on your monitor just before the ShortCut screen reappeared.
This can be useful if you need to see output from a program such
as CHKDSK.COM and you do not have the Pause mode turned on.
You can also use DOS Screen to enter more than one command in
succession while you are using the COMMND command without return-
ing to the ShortCut screen. Your monitor's screen will look like
you are just using DOS without ShortCut.
Using DOS Screen to View
Press <Alt-D>. When you are through viewing the DOS screen,
press any key to return to the ShortCut screen.
Using DOS Screen to Enter Multiple Commands
Press <F10> to move to the COMMND box. Press <Enter>. Now
press <Alt-D>. The ShortCut screen will disappear and the
DOS screen will be displayed. You can enter as many DOS
commands as you wish without the ShortCut screen reappearing.
When you want to return to the ShortCut screen, press <Alt-D>
again.
REFER.DOC - 17
DOS Version *
__________________________________________________________________
The DOS version box indicates the version of DOS you used to start
up your computer. ShortCut works with DOS versions 2.xx and 3.xx.
REFER.DOC - 18
Edit F4
__________________________________________________________________
The EDIT command is used to start up the word processor or text
editor of your choice for you to use to edit a file.
Your Editor
ShortCut is preset to use EDLIN, the editor that is part of
the DOS package. You can specify a different editor or word
processor by using the SETUP command.
Regardless of which editor you use, it must be in the default
directory of the default drive or along the DOS path. Or you
can specify the drive on which ShortCut will always find your
editor when you set up the EDIT command.
Specifying a File to Edit
If there is a particular file you want to edit, mark that
file before you give the EDIT command. This filename will be
passed as a parameter to your editor. Then when EDIT starts
up your text editor or word processor, the file you want will
be displayed on your screen, all ready for you to edit.
If you do not mark a file, ShortCut will pass the filename
SCRATCH.PAD to your editor. With the SETUP command you can
specify a different filename or prevent any filename from
being passed. If you mark more than one file, only the first
will be passed to your editor.
Using EDIT
Press <F4> to move to the EDIT command box on the Command Bar
and hit the <Enter> key. Your editor or word processor will
be started and you will be editing your marked file if you
marked one.
Specifying Your Editor and the Default Filename
ShortCut allows you to specify which editor or word processor
you choose to use with the EDIT command and the name of the
file you want to edit if you do not mark one in the Directory
Window.
Press <Shift-F7> to move to the SETUP command box on the
second Command Bar. Select option 1 of the Main Setup Menu
and the Edit Setup Menu will appear on your screen.
Two options are available: the editor to be used and the
default edit file.
For a complete explanation of these options and how to use
them, see SETUP.DOC.
REFER.DOC - 19
Equipment Installed *
__________________________________________________________________
The Equipment Installed box displays information about your
computer system.
Disk Drives
Listed first is the number of disk drives on your system.
This is the number of drives that are known to DOS and it can
vary from the actual physical disk drives you can see.
For example, you may have set up a RAM disk which you can't
actually see but DOS and ShortCut know it exists. Also if
you only have a single floppy drive, the number of disks will
be shown as two drives. This allows for the copying of files
using just the one drive. Similarly ShortCut will report at
least three drives for an IBM XT with a single floppy drive:
two floppies and a hard disk.
If you use DOS version 3.0 or greater, ShortCut will probably
tell you that you have 5 disk drives, no matter how many you
actually have. ShortCut gets its information from DOS.
These versions of DOS report the number of logical disk
drives, not physical disk drives, and the default number is
always 5.
You can change this by placing the DOS LASTDRIVE command in
your CONFIG.SYS file. For example, if you have 3 disk
drives, you would enter the command like this:
LASTDRIVE=C
Now when you reboot, ShortCut will report your system as
having 3 disk drives instead of 5.
See your DOS manual for more information about LASTDRIVE.
Ports
Below the number of drives, ShortCut displays the number of
parallel and serial ports your computer has. Also it tells
you if you have a game port installed.
REFER.DOC - 20
Erase * F7
__________________________________________________________________
The ERASE command is used to erase one or more files on your disk.
Using ERASE
Mark the file that you want to delete in the Directory
Window. Press <F7> to move to the ERASE command box on the
Command Bar and hit <Enter>.
ShortCut will ask you if you want to erase a marked file
before it deletes it. This gives you a chance to change your
mind or to prevent a file being erased if you marked it by
mistake. If you respond with Y for Yes, the file will be
erased from your disk and ShortCut's display will be updated.
If you reply with N for No or press any other key, the file
will not be erased.
If you prefer, you can have ShortCut erase your marked file
without seeking your confirmation. See Miscellaneous in
SETUP.DOC on how to do this using the SETUP command.
Erasing Multiple Files
If you have more than one file marked in the Directory Window
when you use the ERASE command, ShortCut will erase one file
after another pausing to seek your confirmation before
deleting each one unless you have set up ShortCut so that
does not ask you first. You may respond with Y for some
files while responding with N for others.
If you have several files marked in the Directory Window,
have Confirm before Erasing turned off, give the ERASE
command, and suddenly realize that is not what you want to do
as you see your precious files rapidly disappearing from the
Directory Window, press <Esc>. This will stop ERASE. You
will have lost some files, but hopefully, you reacted quickly
enough to save others.
REFER.DOC - 21
Exit ShortCut Alt-E
__________________________________________________________________
The Exit command is used to exit ShortCut and remove it from your
computer's memory.
Using Exit
Press <Alt-E> when the ShortCut screen is displayed. This
command will not work when ShortCut is popped up within
another program.
Exiting When Other RAM Resident Programs Are Loaded after ShortCut
If you have other RAM resident programs running that were
loaded after ShortCut, you will get a message to this effect
on the message line and you will not be allowed to exit. You
must first exit these other programs before you can remove
ShortCut from memory. This will prevent you from leaving an
empty space in memory that will confuse your computer system.
Sometimes after you have removed other RAM resident programs
loaded after ShortCut, you will still get a message saying
that there are RAM resident programs in memory. If this
happens, press <Alt-E> again and you will exit ShortCut.
REFER.DOC - 22
Expanded Keyboard Buffer * Shift-F7, 6, 7
__________________________________________________________________
The Expanded Keyboard Buffer option of the SETUP command increases
the keyboard buffer of your computer from 16 to 128 characters.
Even while your computer is busy with some other task, it will
store your keystrokes in a section of memory and then retrieve
them when it is ready for them. To you, this means you will not
have to wait for your computer, but you can continue typing
characters without getting the "beep" that means the buffer is
full.
Using the Expanded Keyboard Buffer Option
Press <Shift-F7> to move to the SETUP command on the second
Command Bar. Hit <Enter>. Select option 6, Miscellaneous,
from the Main Setup Menu. Choose option 7, Expand Keyboard
Buffer. Type Y to expand the buffer size, N to return the
buffer size to 16 characters.
Do not increase the buffer size with ShortCut if you use
programs that also expand the keyboard buffer. This includes
Borland's SuperKey. You will know it if you do as you will
not be able to move the screen arrow at all.
Initially, this option is turned off.
REFER.DOC - 23
File and Directory Names
__________________________________________________________________
ShortCut uses the same file and subdirectory naming conventions as
DOS. A legal file or subdirectory consists of a name from 1 to 8
characters that may be followed by a period and an extension of 1
to 3 characters. For example:
MYFILE.TXT
MYFILE is the name and TXT is the extension.
Most people do not put an extension on a subdirectory name, but it
is perfectly permissible to do so.
Legal Characters
You can use these characters in a file or subdirectory name:
A-Z
0-9
! @ # $ % & ( ) - { } / ` '_
These characters are not permitted:
* + = [ ] : ; " ~ < > ? ,
Wildcard Characters
Wildcard characters match a group of filenames. There are
two wildcard characters: asterisk (*) and question mark (?).
* means any series of characters
? means any single character
Here are some examples of filenames that use wildcards.
*.TXT
Files with any name carrying a TXT extension.
?FILE.TXT
Filenames with any single character followed by the
letters FILE.TXT.
?????.*
Any filename with five characters and any extension.
KITTY.CAT would match this pattern. DOGGIE.DOG would
not because the name has 6 characters.
B*.*
Any filename beginning with the letter B.
*.*
Any file; all files.
REFER.DOC - 24
File Pattern * Alt-F
__________________________________________________________________
The File Pattern command is used to set up a pattern for ShortCut
to use when displaying files in the Directory Window. Only those
filenames that match the current file pattern will be shown.
Using File Pattern
Press <Alt-F>. You will be asked to type in a new pattern.
When you hit <Enter>, ShortCut will display only those files
that match the pattern you specified. Directory names are
not affected.
Creating a File Pattern
A file pattern may contain any acceptable character in a
filename plus wildcard characters.
Here are some examples of acceptable file patterns.
*.TXT
Files with any filename having a TXT extension.
?FILE.TXT
Files with any single character followed by the letters
FILE.TXT.
?????.*
Any file with five characters and any extension.
M*.*
Any file that begins with the letter M.
*.*
Any file; all files.
If you are ever puzzled as to why files you know are on your disk
aren't shown in the Directory Window, check the File Pattern to
make sure it isn't screening out the very files you are looking
for.
REFER.DOC - 25
Format Shift-F10
__________________________________________________________________
The FORMAT command is used to format a diskette in drive B. It
will also add system files to the diskette and create a volume
label, if you wish.
Using FORMAT
To use FORMAT, the DOS program FORMAT.COM must be in the
default directory of the default drive or along the path. If
it is not, ShortCut will request that you insert your DOS
disk in drive A. Press <Shift-F10> to move to the FORMAT
command box on the second Command Bar and hit <Enter>.
ShortCut will ask you if you want to put the system files on
your diskette. System files are COMMAND. COM and two hidden
files used by the operating system. You diskette will be
"bootable" if it contains these files. Answer Y for yes, or
N for no.
Next ShortCut will ask you if you want to create a volume
label. Answer Y for yes or N for no.
If you choose to create a volume label, you will be asked to
type one in. Remember that the label must be no more than 11
characters in length. Press <Enter>.
If you have only one floppy disk drive, you will need to
switch diskettes several times before FORMAT is finished.
Every time you are told to insert a diskette in drive B, put
the target diskette in drive A.
REFER.DOC - 26
Go to Directory * Alt-G
__________________________________________________________________
The Go to Directory command is used to make a directory that was
previously marked with the Mark Directory command (Alt-M) the
Current Displayed Directory.
Using Go to Directory
Press <Alt-G>. ShortCut will switch to the previously marked
directory.
REFER.DOC - 27
Help * F1 or Alt-H
__________________________________________________________________
Help is available on-line for any ShortCut command and most of its
major features.
Using Help
Press <F1> to move to the HELP command box. Press <Enter>.
The Main Help screen will appear on your monitor. For more
information, press the highlighted key or key combination
listed along side the command or topic. ShortCut will search
for the related help screen and display it on your monitor.
When you are done viewing the help screen, you may press the
<Space Bar> to return to the Main Help screen, or you may
press <Esc> to exit the help system altogether.
To exit from the Main Help screen, press <Esc>.
Context-Sensitive Help
If you are in the middle of doing something with ShortCut and
suddenly need help, press <Alt-H>. ShortCut will select a
help screen for you to view based on what you were doing at
the time.
When you are through reading the help text, press the <Space
Bar> to go to the Main Help screen, or press <Esc> to exit
the help system. When you exit, you will return to where you
were before you asked for help.
REFER.DOC - 28
Labl * Shift-F2
__________________________________________________________________
The LABL command is used to change the volume label of your disk.
Using LABL
Press <Shift-F2> to move to the LABL command box on the
second Command Bar. Hit <Enter>.
ShortCut asks you to enter a new name for your volume label.
The label must be no more than 11 characters in length. Type
in the new name and hit the <Enter> key. You will see the
new name appear at the top of the Directory Window in the
root directory position.
Volume labels are handy for identifying a disk, especially
floppy diskettes. If you have not created a volume label for
your disk, NO LABEL will appear in the root directory posi-
tion in the Directory Window.
REFER.DOC - 29
Locate File * Alt-L
__________________________________________________________________
The Locate File command is used to move the screen arrow to a
particular filename in the Directory Window.
Using Locate File
Press <Alt-L>. Type the first letter of the filename. When
you do, it appears on the message line and the filenames are
sorted by Name alphabetically. Also the screen arrow will
move to the first file beginning with that letter. As you
continue typing the letters of the filename, the screen arrow
will move to the first filename that matches the displayed
letters. You may erase typed letters with <Backspace>. You
need type only as many letters as necessary to point the
screen arrow at the correct file.
If you type a letter that ShortCut cannot find, the letter
will blink. Simply type the correct letter over it.
End Locate File by pressing either <Enter>, <Esc>, or the Up
and Down Arrow keys. The <Space Bar> will also stop it and,
in addition, mark the file in the Directory Window.
If the files in the Directory Window are sorted by Extension
when you give the Locate command, the filenames will remain
sorted in this order. Type the first letters of the filename
extension you want. As you type, the screen arrow will zero
in on the correct extension. Stop Locate with <Enter>,
<Esc>, <Space Bar>, or the Up and Down Arrow keys as above.
REFER.DOC - 30
Low Disk Space Warning * Shift-F7, 6, 6
__________________________________________________________________
When the remaining unused space on your disk drops below the
number of bytes specified, the number of bytes free in the Disk
Status box of the ShortCut screen will blink on and off to attract
your attention.
Setting Low Disk Space Warning
ShortCut is preset to warn you when you have less than 10,240
bytes remaining on your disk.
If you wish to change this number, press <Shift-F7> to move
to the SETUP command box on the second Command Bar. Hit
<Enter>. Select option 6 on the Main Setup Menu and option 6
of the Miscellaneous Menu. Enter the number of bytes you
want.
REFER.DOC - 31
Mark Directory * Alt-M
__________________________________________________________________
The Mark Directory command is used to "mark" a directory so that
ShortCut will change to that directory when the Go to Directory
command (Alt-G) is given.
Using Mark Directory
Make the directory you want to mark the Current Displayed
Directory. Press <Alt-M> to mark it. Now you can change
directories and any time you want to return to your marked
directory, give the Go to Directory command (Alt-G) to
quickly return. This can be useful while moving and copying
files.
Only one directory can be marked at any one time. If you
mark a directory when another is already marked, the second
directory becomes the marked one.
REFER.DOC - 32
Marking Files * Space Bar
__________________________________________________________________
You tell ShortCut which files you want the Command Bar commands to
work on by "marking" files in the Directory Window.
Marking a File
Point the screen arrow at the file you wish to mark and press
the <Space Bar>. When a filename is marked, it will be
highlighted.
You may mark a file before or after you have moved to the
Command Bar as long as you have not selected a Command Bar
command with the <Enter> key.
ShortCut always checks to see that the file exists on the
Display Drive before marking it. If ShortCut does not find
the file, it assumes you have changed disks. It will display
a message on the message line and then it will read the new
disk directory.
The Disk Status box displays how many bytes are in all
currently marked files.
Do not attempt to mark a directory by pressing the Space Bar
as this will cause ShortCut to change your Current Displayed
Directory.
Marking Multiple Files
All of the ShortCut file commands on the Command Bar except
EDIT can work on multiple files, one after another. There-
fore, you can mark more than one file in the Directory Window
before you use a command.
To mark all the files in the Current Displayed Directory,
press <Ctrl-Space Bar>. All of the filenames in the Direc-
tory Window will be highlighted.
Unmarking Files
You can "unmark" a file in the Directory Window by pointing
at the marked filename with the screen arrow and pressing the
<Space Bar>.
You can also unmark any marked files by moving the screen
arrow to the Current Displayed Directory and pressing the
<Space Bar>. ShortCut will read your disk's directory once
again and all marking will be removed. This is useful if you
want to unmark all filenames at once.
If you used <Ctrl-Space Bar> to mark all the files in a
directory, you can unmark them all by pressing <Ctrl-Space
REFER.DOC - 33
Bar> once again. This method is quicker than moving the
screen arrow to the Current Displayed Directory and hitting
the <Space Bar>, but either method gets the job done.
Reverse Marking
If you want to mark all filenames except for a few, mark only
those files you don't want to mark and press <Alt-Space Bar>.
The marking will be reversed and all the filenames except
those you marked will be highlighted. To reverse the marking
again, press <Alt-Space Bar> once more.
REFER.DOC - 34
Memory Status *
__________________________________________________________________
The Memory Status box displays how many bytes of random access
memory (RAM) your computer has. It also shows you how many bytes
are free; that is, the number of bytes of memory not being used by
the programs currently running.
Remember that DOS and ShortCut are always in your computer's
memory so the number of bytes free can never equal the number of
bytes total on the ShortCut screen. For example, even if your
computer has 640K of memory, ShortCut will never report that you
have 640K free for you to use as ShortCut itself and DOS already
use some of that memory.
When ShortCut is popped up over another program, you may be
surprised to see that you have 0 bytes of memory free for use.
For example, our favorite word processor uses all available memory
for edit space. Therefore, every time we pop up ShortCut while
using this program, ShortCut tells us we have no more memory free.
ShortCut can only look at the amount of memory free from the
system point of view. Since our word processor gobbles all of it
up, we really can't tell how much memory remains for us to use.
Many spreadsheets will function the same way, and you won't be
able to tell how much space still exists for your spreadsheet
model. This is wholly dependent on how the application program is
designed and ShortCut has no control over it.
REFER.DOC - 35
Mkdir * F8
__________________________________________________________________
The MKDIR command is used to create a new subdirectory on your
disk.
Using MKDIR
Press <F8> to move to the MKDIR command box on the Command
Bar. Hit <Enter>.
ShortCut will ask you for the name of the new subdirectory.
The name must be no more than 8 characters and may include a
filename extension of 3 letters or less for a total maximum
length of 11 characters. After you type in the name and hit
<Enter>, the new subdirectory will be created. This new
subdirectory will belong to or be a branch from the Current
Displayed Directory. Therefore, it will appear after the
list of filenames at the bottom of the Directory Window.
You can also create a subdirectory that belongs to another
directory that is not the Current Displayed Directory. In
this case, you must include the path along with the subdirec-
tory name. You will not see this new subdirectory on your
screen until you make its parent directory the Current
Displayed Directory. Or you can use the Tree command (Alt-T)
to see it.
MKDIR with COPY and MOVE
Occasionally you may mark several files to copy or move to
another directory and then realize you have not created a
directory to put them in.
If this happens to you, press <F8>. ShortCut will prompt you
for a new subdirectory name. Hit <Enter>.
Now you can make the new directory the Current Displayed
Directory and complete the COPY or MOVE command.
REFER.DOC - 36
Modes *
__________________________________________________________________
ShortCut has several modes of operation that can be toggled on and
off.
Some modes have dedicated keys on the keyboard to turn them on and
off. These are displayed on the ShortCut screen in the Modes box.
Caps When on, all letters typed will be capital letters.
Press the <Caps Lock> key to turn Caps mode on and
off.
Num When on, the numeric key pad can be used to enter
numbers and the cursor control keys will not work.
Press the <Num Lock> key to turn Num mode on and
off.
Prn When on, everything you type on the command line
and everything displayed on the DOS screen will be
sent to your printer. Press <Ctrl-PrtSc> to turn
Prn on and off.
Ins Use varies from program to program. Insert mode
can be used to edit the command line in ShortCut.
When on, all typed characters will be inserted in a
line and characters to the right of the cursor will
be pushed further to the right. When it is off,
any characters you type will replace any characters
already on the command line. Press <Ins> to turn
Insert mode on and off.
Scrl Lock Use varies from program to program. In ShortCut,
Scroll Lock affects how the up and down arrow keys
work. With Scroll Lock engaged, the screen arrow
will remain stationary while the entry names will
scroll around it. Press the <Scroll Lock> key to
turn Scroll Lock on and off.
Other modes are Pause, Break, and Verify which are described
individually in this Reference section.
REFER.DOC - 37
Move * Shift-F3
__________________________________________________________________
The MOVE command is used to move files from one directory to
another on the same disk.
Using MOVE
Mark the file you wish to move to a new directory in the
Directory Window. Press <Shift-F3> to move to the MOVE
command box on the second Command Bar and hit <Enter>.
ShortCut will tell you to make the subdirectory to which you
want to move the marked file the Current Displayed Directory.
Move the screen arrow so that it points at the subdirectory
you want. It must be on the same disk. Press the <Space
Bar> to make it the new Current Displayed Directory.
Press <Enter> to complete the MOVE command.
You may also use the Tree command (Alt-T) to change direc-
tories on the same disk during the MOVE command.
You can stop MOVE by pressing <Esc> before you press <Enter>
the second time.
Moving Multiple Files
When you mark more than one file to MOVE, ShortCut will move
all your files one after another without requiring any
further action from you.
As your files are being moved, you will see the filenames
appear in the Directory Window just below the Current Dis-
played Directory name above all the other files and subdirec-
tories. They will be highlighted and will not fill their
proper slots in the Directory Window until all the files have
been moved.
Make a Directory while Moving Files
Occasionally you may mark several files to move to another
directory and then realize you have not created a directory
to put them in.
If this happens to you, press <F8>. ShortCut will prompt you
for a new subdirectory name. Hit <Enter>.
Now you can make the new directory the Current Displayed
Directory and complete the MOVE command.
REFER.DOC - 38
Path * Shift-F1
__________________________________________________________________
The PATH command permits you to view the current DOS path and to
set a new path if you wish.
Using PATH
Press <Shift-F1> to move to the PATH command box on the
second Command Bar. Hit <Enter>.
ShortCut will display the current path.
If no path is set, you will see this:
PATH=,
In either case you are asked if you wish to change the path.
Answer Y for Yes or N for No. If you reply with Y, ShortCut
displays PATH=. Type in your new path and hit <Enter> when
you are through.
The PATH Command while ShortCut is Popped Up
You can use PATH while ShortCut is popped up to view the
current DOS path, but you will not be able to change it.
REFER.DOC - 39
Pause * Alt-P
__________________________________________________________________
When Pause mode is active, ShortCut will delay before changing
from the DOS screen back to ShortCut's screen and prompt you to
press a key.
Whenever ShortCut sends a command to DOS or runs a program, the
ShortCut screen disappears and normal DOS output is displayed on
your monitor. When DOS completes its job, the ShortCut screen
reappears. If the command or program produces screen output as in
a DIR command, or perhaps as a result of running CHKDSK.COM, the
screen will flip back to the ShortCut screen before you have a
chance to read this output. When Pause is on, the ShortCut screen
will not reappear until you press a key.
Using Pause
Press <Alt-P> to turn Pause on or off. When Pause is active,
the word PAUSE will be in capital letters and highlighted on
the ShortCut screen in a box beneath the Memory Status
information.
When you start up ShortCut for the first time, Pause will be
on.
See also DOS Screen.
REFER.DOC - 40
Pop Up ShortCut Alt-Left Shift
__________________________________________________________________
While you are running another program, you can pop up ShortCut and
use many of its features. When you return to your program, you
will find it exactly as you left it.
Using Pop Up
Press <Alt-Left Shift> to bring up ShortCut.
The ShortCut screen will appear and the words POPPED UP will
blink on and off at the top of the screen. This is to remind
you that another program exists under ShortCut.
To return to your program, press <Alt-Left Shift> again.
In general, you will be able to pop up ShortCut when your
program is waiting for a keystroke from you. If your com-
puter is busy with some other task when you press <Alt-Left
Shift>, ShortCut will twitter telling you it can't come up at
the time.
Available Commands
All of the Alt key commands except Exit (Alt-E) are available
while ShortCut is popped up over another program. In addi-
tion, the following Command Bar commands can be used:
COPY HELP MOVE RENAME SETUP
DATE LABL PATH RMDIR TIME
ERASE MKDIR PRINT SEARCH TYPE
These Command Bar commands are not available when ShortCut is
popped up.
COMMND EDIT RUN
DCOPY FORMAT User Commands
Changing the Pop Up Keys
When you use ShortCut with some other RAM resident program,
you may want to change the keys ShortCut uses to pop up to
Ctrl-Left Shift. This will avoid problems with SuperKey and
may help with other programs also.
To change the Pop Up keys, move to the SETUP command on the
second Command Bar. Press <Enter>. Select option 6 on the
Setup Main Menu. Select option 8, Using Ctrl-Left Shift to
pop up ShortCut on the Miscellaneous Menu, and type a Y.
Press <Enter>. Now Alt-Left Shift will no longer pop up
ShortCut but Ctrl-Left Shift will.
REFER.DOC - 41
Print * F6
__________________________________________________________________
The PRINT command is used to send one or more files to your
printer. The file must be in ASCII format or your printed output
will not be legible if it prints at all.
Using PRINT
Mark the file that you want printed in the Directory Window.
Make sure your printer is all ready to go. Press <F6> to
move to the PRINT command box on the Command Bar and hit the
<Enter> key.
Printing Multiple Files
You may mark more than one file when you use the PRINT
command. As soon as one file is printed, ShortCut will send
another marked file to your printer until all marked files
are printed.
Printing Options
ShortCut is preset to make your printer move to the top of a
new page after 60 lines of text have been printed. Also your
printer will move to the top of a new page whenever a file is
finished printing.
You can change these settings and send other printer codes to
your printer using the SETUP command. See Printer Setup in
SETUP.DOC for detailed information about these options. Here
is a list of what is available to you when you use the PRINT
command.
Leading Printer Code - the code(s) sent to your printer
whenever you use the PRINT command.
Trailing Printer Code - the code(s) sent to your printer
after a file has finished printing using the PRINT
command.
Page Size - the number of printed lines on a page.
Expand Tabs - determines if Tabs in your file will or will
not be expanded with spaces.
Tab Size - sets the number of spaces your printer will move
when it encounters a Tab in your file if Expand Tabs is
on.
REFER.DOC - 42
Printer Setup * Shift-F7, 2
__________________________________________________________________
You can use the SETUP command to specify how your output will look
when you use the PRINT command.
Setting Up Your Printer
Press <Shift-F7> to move to the SETUP command box on the
second Command Bar. Hit the <Enter> key. Choose option 2 of
the Main Setup Menu which will display the Printer Setup
Menu.
These options are available to you:
Leading printer code
Trailing printer code
Page size
Expand tabs
Tab size
Send leading printer code now
Send trailing printer code now
For a complete explanation of each of these options see
Printer Setup in SETUP.DOC.
REFER.DOC - 43
Refresh Directory * Shift-F7, 6, 4
__________________________________________________________________
This is an option of the SETUP command that determines if ShortCut
will or will not refresh the listing of filenames and subdirec-
tories in the Directory Window and update the system statistics
when the ShortCut screen reappears after a DOS command.
Setting Refresh Directory
Press <Shift-F7> to move to the SETUP command on the second
Command Bar. Select option 6, miscellaneous, from the Main
Setup Menu. Choose 4 from the Miscellaneous menu. Enter Y
for Yes to turn it on or N for No to turn it off.
When Refresh Directory is off, you will not need to wait
while ShortCut reads a fresh copy of the directory on your
disk. However, if the command you just executed or the
program you just ran altered files on your disk, the informa-
tion on the ShortCut screen will not be correct until you
move the screen arrow to the Current Displayed Directory and
press the Space Bar.
If Refresh Directory is turned on, the ShortCut screen will
be updated every time ShortCut returns from the DOS screen.
This is the original setting.
REFER.DOC - 44
Rename * F9
__________________________________________________________________
The RENAME command is used to rename a file on your disk.
Using RENAME
Mark the file you wish to rename in the Directory Window.
Press <F9> to move to the RENAME command box on the Command
Bar and hit <Enter>.
ShortCut will display the marked filename and ask you to
enter a new name for the file.
You may use wildcards in your new name. For example, if you
want to rename BOY.TXT to GIRL.TXT, you could enter GIRL.* at
the ShortCut prompt. Do not include a drive specifier in
your new filename!
Renaming Multiple Files
If you have marked more than one file in the Directory
Window, ShortCut will rename each marked file one after
another pausing for you to enter the new filename.
REFER.DOC - 45
Rewrite the Screen * Ctrl-Break
__________________________________________________________________
If the ShortCut screen does not look right, rewriting the screen
will usually fix things up.
Using Rewrite the Screen
Press <Ctrl-Break>. This will essentially restart ShortCut.
Your Display Drive may change back to the drive you used to
start up ShortCut, but no harm will be done.
REFER.DOC - 46
Rmdir * Shift-F8
__________________________________________________________________
The RMDIR command is used to remove or delete a directory from
your disk.
Using RMDIR
Before you can remove a directory, all the files and sub-
directories in that directory must be erased or removed. You
can not remove the Current Displayed Directory or any direc-
tory that is part of its path. In other words, the subdirec-
tory you want to delete must be listed after the filenames in
the Current Displayed Directory.
Point the screen arrow at the directory you wish to remove in
the Directory Window. You should not attempt to mark it
because pressing the Space Bar when the screen arrow points
at a directory makes it the Current Displayed Directory.
Press <Shift-F8> to move to the RMDIR command box on the
second Command Bar. Hit the <Enter> key.
ShortCut will remove the directory and update the Directory
Window.
REFER.DOC - 47
Run F2
__________________________________________________________________
The RUN command is used to execute a program file.
Using RUN
Point the screen arrow at the program file you wish to
execute. It is not necessary to mark this file, although no
harm is done if you do. Press <F2> to move to the RUN
command box and hit <Enter>.
The ShortCut screen will disappear and you will see the
command ShortCut sends to DOS on your monitor before the
program is run. When your program is finished, the ShortCut
screen will reappear automatically unless the PAUSE mode is
on. In this case, you will be prompted to press any key to
return to the ShortCut screen.
Executable Files
Not every file on your disk is executable, of course. The
RUN command will work only on files having a filename exten-
sion of .COM, .EXE, .BAT, or BAS. If the file has a dif-
ferent extension, ShortCut will display a message on the
message line telling you that the file cannot be run.
BASIC Programs
If the program you wish to run is a BASIC program (the
filename has a .BAS extension), ShortCut will load BASICA.COM
and then pass the program filename to BASICA. Your program
will begin running without any further action from you. For
this to occur, BASICA.COM must be in your default directory
of the default drive or it must be in a directory specified
by the path.
If your computer system uses a different BASIC, you will want
to use the SETUP command so that the BASIC your computer runs
will be loaded instead.
Whenever you are running a BASIC program and you want to
return to ShortCut, use the BASIC "system" command.
REFER.DOC - 48
Save Configuration * Alt-S
__________________________________________________________________
The Save Configuration command is used to save settings on your
disk that determine how ShortCut appears and operates.
Using Save Configuration
Press <Alt-S> to save your current configuration any time the
ShortCut screen is displayed.
What is Saved?
Any settings that you can change with the SETUP command are
saved with Save Configuration.
In addition, the following parameters are saved:
Which piece of information to display about a file
(DATE, TIME, or SIZE)
How to sort the displayed files (TIME, SIZE, EXT, NAME,
UNSORTED, As, Ds)
Pause - on or off
Chime - on or off
These parameters are saved according to how you have the
ShortCut screen set up at the time you give the Save Con-
figuration command. For example, if Chime is turned on when
you press <Alt-S>, then the next time you start up ShortCut,
Chime will be on.
This information is also saved whenever you answer Y for Yes
when you exit the Setup Main Menu and ShortCut asks you if
you want to save your configuration.
Where is Your Configuration Saved?
When you use Save Configuration, ShortCut searches for the
file SHORTCUT.DAT in your default directory on the default
drive and along your established DOS path and updates it. If
it does not find this file, it creates a new SHORTCUT.DAT in
your default directory of the default drive.
REFER.DOC - 49
Screen Arrow * Arrow keys
__________________________________________________________________
The screen arrow is the small triangular arrow on the ShortCut
screen. It is used to point at filenames and directories in the
Directory Window and to move to other areas of the ShortCut screen
so that you can use ShortCut's features.
Moving the Screen Arrow in the Directory Window
You must use the screen arrow to select files for ShortCut to
perform file operations on. Do this by moving the screen
arrow so that it points at the desired filename in the
Directory Window.
The following keys will move the screen arrow about in the
Directory Window.
Down Arrow - Moves the screen arrow down one line. When the
arrow is at the bottom of the window and more entries
exist, pressing the down arrow key will scroll the
entries up one at a time until the last entry is reach-
ed.
Up Arrow - Moves the screen arrow up one line. When the
arrow is at the top of the window and more entries are
above it, pressing the up arrow key will scroll the
entries down one at a time until the root directory
entry is reached.
Scroll Lock - Scroll Lock affects how the up and down arrow
keys work. With Scroll Lock engaged, the screen arrow
will remain stationary while the entry names will scroll
around it. You will hear a beep when ShortCut cannot
scroll up or down any more.
Home - Moves the screen arrow to the top entry in the Direc-
tory Window.
End - Moves the screen arrow to the bottom entry in the
Directory Window.
Ctrl-Home - Moves the screen arrow to the first entry (the
root directory) and positions that entry at the top of
the Directory Window.
Ctrl-End - Moves the screen arrow to the last entry and
positions that entry at the bottom of the Directory
Window.
PgDn - Displays the next 16 entries in the Directory Window.
The screen arrow will not move below the last entry so a
partial PgDn will occur if there are less than 16
entries below the displayed files.
REFER.DOC - 50
PgUp - Displays the previous 16 entries in the Directory
Window. The screen arrow will not move above the root
directory so a partial PgUp will occur if there are less
than 16 entries above the displayed files.
If you know the name of the file, you can move the screen
arrow to it quickly with the Locate File command. Press
<Alt-L>. Type the first letter of the filename. The screen
arrow moves to the first file beginning with that letter.
Continue typing letters and the screen arrow will move to the
first filename with the displayed letters. You need type
only as many letters as necessary to point the screen arrow
at the correct file. Press <Enter>, <Esc>, or the Up or Down
Arrow to stop Locate or press the <Space Bar> to stop it and
mark the filename. See Locate File for more information.
Moving the Screen Arrow to Other Areas of the Screen
You must move the screen arrow to other areas of the ShortCut
screen before you can use certain features. For example, you
must move the screen arrow to the Sort On box before you can
sort the filenames in the Directory Window.
Use the right arrow key to move the screen arrow out of the
Directory Window. The screen arrow can move to the addition-
al file information box (DATE, TIME, or SIZE), the Display
Drive box, the Default Drive box, and the Sort On box as well
as the Directory Window. Use the right, left, up, and down
arrow keys to move to these areas.
<Ctrl-Right Arrow> will move the screen arrow from the
Directory Window to the Sort On box directly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you find that you cannot move the screen arrow at all, you are
in NumLock mode. Press the <NumLock> key on your keyboard. Now
you should be able to move the screen arrow.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
REFER.DOC - 51
Screen Blank * Shift-F7, 6, 2
__________________________________________________________________
When on, Screen Blank will make your screen go blank when you have
not pressed a key or there is no activity on your screen for a
specified period of time. This feature is designed to save your
monitor's screen from "burn in" damage.
When the same image remains on your monitor's screen for long
periods of time, the screen's phosphor becomes "worn". After a
while, you may see faint images on your screen where characters
were displayed, even if your monitor is turned off. This is "burn
in". Screen Blank can help prevent this.
Using Screen Blank
If Screen Blank is turned on, your screen will be blanked
automatically. Press any key to bring your screen back to
life. We suggest you use the <Alt> key. That way, you won't
do something with the program you did not intend to do.
Some programs are continually writing to the screen, even if
they appear not to be. Because there is screen activity, the
screen will never be blanked.
If you have such a program, you might try this. Whenever you
know you are going to be away from your computer for a while,
pop up ShortCut. Even though ShortCut's screen is continual-
ly being rewritten, we have programmed its screen to be
blanked according to the time interval you specified. Then
when you return, press any key to display ShortCut's screen
and "unpop" back to your program.
Setting Screen Blank
Initially Screen Blank is turned off. To change this, press
<Shift-F7> to move to the SETUP command box on the second
Command Bar. Hit <Enter>. Choose option 6 on the Setup Main
Menu and option 2 on the Miscellaneous Menu. To turn Screen
Blank on, enter Y for Yes. To turn it off, enter N for No.
The time interval that must pass after a key is pressed and
before the screen is blanked is set with the next option on
the same menu. Choose option 3, time in minutes before
blanking screen. Enter a number between 1 - 30 and hit
<Enter>. ShortCut is preset for 5 minutes.
REFER.DOC - 52
Search * Shift-F9
__________________________________________________________________
The SEARCH command can be used to find any file on your disk even
if you do not remember the entire filename.
Using SEARCH
Press <Shift-F9> to move to the SEARCH command box on the
second Command Bar. Hit the <Enter> key. At ShortCut's
prompt, type in the name of the file you are looking for.
You may use wildcard characters if you are not sure of the
correct name. Press <Enter>.
ShortCut begins searching all directories on your disk for a
file that matches the filename you specified. When it finds
a match, you are asked if this is the file you want. You may
respond with one of three options: Y, N, or V.
If you type Y for Yes, ShortCut will make the directory the
file is in the Current Displayed Directory. It will also
mark the file and put it at the top of the Directory Window.
Type N for No and ShortCut will continue searching for
another match.
A V response for View will display the contents of the file
on your screen, just as it is with the TYPE command. This
may help you decide if this is the file you want. Once the
ShortCut screen reappears, you can then type Y to "take it"
or N to continue the search.
If there is no match before ShortCut finishes searching your
entire disk, the message line will tell you this and the
search ends.
However, if you are searching the disk in drive A and there
is no match, you will be instructed to insert another dis-
kette. Then you can continue the search, if you wish. This
is useful if you can't remember which floppy diskette you
used to store the file.
You can stop the search anytime by pressing <Esc>.
REFER.DOC - 53
Setup * Shift-F7
__________________________________________________________________
The SETUP command is used to change the way ShortCut appears and
operates to suit your own tastes.
Using SETUP
Press <Shift-F7> to move to the SETUP command box on the
second Command Bar and hit the <Enter> key.
You will see the Setup Main Menu appear on your screen
listing five options:
1 Editor Setup
2 Printer Setup
3 Third Command Bar (Ctrl)
4 Fourth Command Bar (Alt)
5 Screen Display Setup
6 Miscellaneous
At the bottom of the screen you will see a message that
prompts you to choose an option by typing a number and
hitting the <Enter> key. Each selection will display another
menu that will allow you to change ShortCut's settings.
Editor Setup
This option allows you to designate a text editor or word
processor to use with the EDIT command. It also lets you
specify a filename to edit if no file is marked in the
Directory Window. ShortCut is preset to use EDLIN as the
editor and SCRATCH.PAD as the filename.
Printer Setup
This option allows you to specify how you want your files
printed when you use the PRINT command.
User Commands
These options permit you to put your own commands on ShortCu-
t's third and fourth Command Bars.
Screen Colors
This option lets you specify the colors of ShortCut's screen
for both multi-color and single-color monitors.
REFER.DOC - 54
Miscellaneous
The final option displays a menu that lets you change several
miscellaneous ShortCut settings.
BASIC to be Used - the BASIC interpreter or compiler used to
run BASIC programs. The initial setting is BASICA.
Screen Blank - turns ShortCut's screen saving feature on or
off. The initial setting is N for No.
Minutes before Screen is Blanked - the time interval before
your screen is blanked if Screen Blank is active. ShortCut
is preset to 5 minutes.
Refresh Directory on Return from DOS - determines if ShortCut
should update its Directory Window and system statistics when
it flips back to its own screen from the DOS screen. The
initial setting is Y for Yes.
Confirm before Erasing Files - turns the seeking of your
confirmation before erasing files on and off. ShortCut's
initial setting is Y for Yes.
Low Disk Space Warning - the number of bytes still unused on
your disk when ShortCut warns you about low disk space on its
screen. ShortCut is preset to 10,240 bytes.
Expand Keyboard Buffer - when on, the keyboard buffer is
expanded to 128 characters. Initially, this option is turned
off.
See SETUP.DOC for in-depth information on each of these features
and how to change the initial settings.
Saving Your Changes
When you exit the Setup Main Menu, ShortCut asks you if you
want to save your changes. If you respond with Y for Yes,
your changes will be saved on your disk. The next time you
start up ShortCut, your changes will still be in effect. If
you answer with N for No, your changes will remain active
until you exit ShortCut or reset or turn off your computer,
but they will not be saved on your disk.
You may also save your changes any time the ShortCut screen
is displayed by using the Save Configuration command (Alt-S).
REFER.DOC - 55
Sorting Files in Directory Window *
_________________________________________________________________
Sorting the filenames in the Directory Window will make it easier
to locate a file.
How to Sort the Filenames
Move the Screen Arrow to the Sort On box. Press the first
letter of one of the following options:
Name sorts the filenames alphabetically.
Ext sorts the filenames alphabetically by their extensions
and then by their filenames.
Size sorts the filenames by the number of bytes contained in
each file. Sorting by Size also changes the additional
file information (Size, Date or Time) to Size.
Time sorts the filenames by the date and time the file was
created or updated. The files are first sorted by date
and then by time. Sorting by Time also changes the
additional file information in the Directory Window
(Size, Date, or Time) to either Date or Time. Press T a
second time while in the Sort On box to display the
other information (Date or Time).
Unsorted displays the filenames in the order they are placed
on your disk.
In addition, these sorts can be performed in ascending or
descending order. Press A for ascending (As) or D for
descending (Ds).
As sorts filenames from the least to the greatest. Name
sorts will be in alphabetical order, Ext sorts will be
in alphabetical order by extension, Size sorts will
display the smallest file first, and Time sorts will
list the oldest file first. Unsorted filenames will not
be affected.
Ds sorts filenames from the greatest to the least. Name
sorts will be in reverse alphabetical order, Ext sorts
will be in reverse alphabetical order by extension, Size
sorts will display the biggest file first, and Time
sorts will list the newest file first. Unsorted file-
names will not be affected.
REFER.DOC - 56
Time * Shift-F5
__________________________________________________________________
The TIME command is used to change the system time.
Using TIME
Press <Shift-F5> to move to the TIME command box on the
second Command Bar. Hit <Enter>.
ShortCut will ask you to enter a new time. Use this format:
hh:mm:ss
It is not necessary to use colons to separate the hours,
minutes, and seconds. You can use any character you like.
For example, you could use hyphens to separate the hours,
minutes, and seconds.
You must use military time which adds 12 to any hour after
noon. You don't have to type in the minutes and/or seconds.
In this case, the minutes and/or seconds will be zero.
When you hit <Enter>, ShortCut will display the time you
entered on its screen and will continue to update it every
second.
System Time
The system time is the time your computer thinks is correct.
If you entered a time when you booted up your computer using
DOS, this is the system time. If you have a "clock" in your
computer system, the system time will be determined by this
clock. If you don't have a clock or you did not enter a time
when DOS requested it, the system time will be in the wee
hours of the morning of January 1, 1980. The Time command
can change the system time in all cases.
REFER.DOC - 57
Tree * Alt-T
__________________________________________________________________
The Tree command displays the directory structure of your disk.
It also provides an easy way to change directories.
Using Tree
Press <Alt-T> to display a tree directory of your disk. Your
Current Displayed Directory will be highlighted. Now you can
return to the regular ShortCut screen with <Enter>, or you
can use the tree to change directories.
To change to a new directory, move the highlighting to the
desired directory with the Up or Down arrow keys. You can
also press <Home> to move to the root directory, or <End> to
go to the bottom directory. Press <Enter> and ShortCut will
make your selection the Current Displayed Directory.
If you change the Display Drive and later press <Alt-T> to
see your tree, you will see the directory structure of your
old Display Drive disk. Press <Alt-T> again while the tree
is shown and ShortCut will read the new Display Drive disk.
Each time you modify the directory structure of your disk
with MKDIR or RMDIR, ShortCut will automatically scan your
disk the next time you call up the tree.
The Tree Screen
In the top left corner of the tree screen you will see the
letter of the Display Drive followed by \. For example, if
your Display Drive is C, you will see C:\. This indicates
the root directory of drive C.
The line that descends from the drive letter leads to all
subdirectories that are in the root directory. Likewise, a
line descending from one of these subdirectories leads to all
the subdirectories it contains, and so on.
At the top of the tree screen is the full path of the direc-
tory the highlighting is resting on. This will change when
you move to other directories with the up and down arrow
keys.
REFER.DOC - 58
Type * F5
__________________________________________________________________
The TYPE command will display the contents of a file on your
screen. The file must be in ASCII format or you will not be to
read it.
Using TYPE
Mark the file you wish to view in the Directory Window.
Press <F5> to move to the TYPE command box on the Command
Bar. Hit <Enter>.
The contents of your marked file is "typed" very rapidly on
your screen. If you want the display to pause so that you
can read it, press <Ctrl-Num Lock>. Your screen display will
stop scrolling. When you are ready, press any key to con-
tinue.
If you are tired of looking at the what is being written on
your screen, press <Ctrl-Break> and the display will be
ended.
Typing Multiple Files
If you have marked more than one file in the Directory
Window, ShortCut will immediately start displaying the next
file as soon as the first is completed unless Pause is on.
In this case, ShortCut will prompt you to press any key
before the next file is displayed.
Viewing a File with SEARCH
You can also view the contents of a file while using the
SEARCH command. See SEARCH for more information.
REFER.DOC - 59
Verify * Alt-V
__________________________________________________________________
Verify is used to turn on and off the verification of files after
they are copied.
When Verify is on, DOS will make sure that the data written on
your disk when you copy a file are readable by your computer. The
Verify command toggles this verification on or off.
Using Verify
Press <Alt-V> to turn Verify on or off. The word VERIFY will
be displayed in highlighted, capital letters in a box beneath
the Memory Status box when Verify is active.
REFER.DOC - 60
SETUP.DOC
SETTING UP SHORTCUT YOUR WAY
ShortCut recognizes that you are an individual and you do things
in ways that are unlike any one else. We don't want to cramp your
style, so we allow you to customize ShortCut to suit your own
personal tastes.
In this chapter you will learn about ShortCut's SETUP command.
SETUP permits you to tell ShortCut which text editor or word
processor you want to use for ShortCut's EDIT command. It lets
you determine how you want your ASCII files printed with Short-
Cut's PRINT command. SETUP allows you to create your own commands
for the third and fourth Command Bars. It permits you to color
ShortCut any way you desire if you have a color system, or it
allows you to decide how you want to use highlighting or reverse
video for monochrome systems. Finally, SETUP lets you change
miscellaneous parameters that affect the way ShortCut behaves.
Using the Setup Command
The SETUP command is on the second Command Bar. Press
<Shift-F7> to reach the SETUP command box. Press <Enter>.
You will see the Setup Main Menu appear on your screen
listing six options:
1 Editor setup
2 Printer setup
3 Third Command Bar (Ctrl)
4 Fourth Command Bar (Alt)
5 Screen Display Setup
6 Miscellaneous
At the bottom of the screen you will see a message that
prompts you to choose an option by typing a number or to exit
the Setup Main Menu by striking <Enter>.
Setting Up the Edit Command
The first option lets you tell ShortCut what text editor or
word processor to use whenever you give the EDIT command.
Type 1 and <Enter> to select the first option.
Another menu appears with only two options. The first time
you use ShortCut, the program uses the DOS line editor, EDLIN
to edit files with ShortCut's EDIT command. You will probab-
ly want to change this to a more flexible editor or word
processor. If you do, type 1 and hit <Enter>.
ShortCut will ask you to enter a new value for #1. You
should type the command you would normally use for calling up
your editor or word processor. For example, you would type
WP for WordPerfect, ED for PC-Write, or WS for WordStar.
Although you may precede the editor's name with a drive
SETUP.DOC - 1
specifier, don't include a subdirectory path. For example,
if A is your current drive and you want to use WordPerfect
which will always be on drive B, enter this command in
response to ShortCut's prompt:
B:WP
After you hit the <Enter> key, you will see your command
appear in its proper place on your screen.
When you use the EDIT command on ShortCut's first Command Bar
and you have not marked any files to edit in the Directory
Window, ShortCut will edit a default filename, SCRATCH.PAD.
You can change this name if you wish.
To change the name of the default edit file, choose option
2. You can enter any file name you want in this form:
[drive:][path]filename[.ext]
The information within the brackets is optional. The entire
name must not exceed 40 characters.
If you do not want to edit any file when you have not marked
any files in the Directory Window, you must enter a minus
sign (-). Use the minus sign anytime you want to erase an
option value without replacing it with another.
If you select an option and then decide not to make any
changes, press <Enter> and no changes will be made.
In order for ShortCut to give a filename to your editor,
either because you have marked a file in the Directory Window
or because you have a default edit file specified, your
editor must be capable of accepting the filename as a passed
parameter. Nearly all word processors or text editors will
allow this. Consult your editor manual if are unsure.
When you are through making changes to the Edit Menu, you can
return to the Setup Main Menu by pressing the Space Bar or
you can exit SETUP altogether by hitting <Enter>.
Saving Your Setup Changes
Any time you exit SETUP you are asked if you want to save
your present configuration which will include the changes you
just made. If you type N for No, your changes will remain in
effect until you exit ShortCut, but they will not be saved on
your disk. If you choose Y for Yes, ShortCut will save the
changes you made in its SHORTCUT.DAT file. If ShortCut
cannot find SHORTCUT.DAT in the default directory of the
default drive or along the DOS path, it will create a new
SHORTCUT.DAT file in the default directory.
SETUP.DOC - 2
Trying Out Edit
If you have used SETUP to select an editor for use with the
EDIT command and you have exited SETUP, you can now try using
EDIT.
Press <F4> to move to the EDIT command box. If there is a
particular file you want to edit, mark it in the Directory
Window before you hit the <Enter> key. This marked filename
will be passed to your editor. After you press <Enter>, your
editor will be started up and you will be editing the file
that you marked. If you did not mark a file, ShortCut will
pass the default edit filename you chose with the SETUP
command to your editor.
Printer Setup
If you return to the Setup Main Menu you will see the second
option is Printer Setup. You can use ShortCut to tell your
printer how you want your files printed with ShortCut's PRINT
command. The options available are listed below.
Leading printer code - This code is sent to your printer
whenever you use the PRINT command. No code is entered here
until you put one in. You can enter a code to control how
your printer will print anything you send to it. For ex-
ample, you could specify a leading printer code that would
change the print font to 12 characters per inch, or possibly
to have the file printed in correspondence quality print.
The options available will depend on your printer. Consult
your printer manual for the correct printer codes to use.
The codes you enter must be no more than 40 characters in
length.
To enter decimal printer codes less than 32 or greater than
127, you must use the <Alt> key and the numeric key pad.
Press the <Alt> key and keep it depressed while you enter the
number you want on the numeric key pad. When you release the
<Alt> key, you will see that you have entered a character you
will not find on your keyboard. You may enter one or a
series of printer codes before you press the <Enter> key.
If you don't want to send any leading printer code to your
printer, remember to enter a minus sign (-), not a blank
space.
Trailing printer code - The trailing printer code is a code
sent to the printer after a file has been printed. The
default setting is a page-feed which is a character that
looks like the female symbol. You may change this code in
the same manner as you change the leading printer code.
Remember, if you don't want a trailing code, enter a minus
sign (-). Also, the codes you enter must be no more than 40
characters in length.
SETUP.DOC - 3
Page size - This is the number of printed lines on a page.
The default setting is 60 which means that 60 lines of text
will be printed before your printer skips to a new page. A
page is usually 66 lines long, so printing 60 lines of text
will allow 3 empty lines on both the top and bottom of the
page. You may change the number of lines printed to any
number you wish. It is up to you to make sure the paper in
the printer is properly aligned. In other words, ShortCut
does not provide for top or bottom margins.
Expand tabs - If your printer has preset tab settings, you
will not need to expand tabs. If it doesn't, enter Y, and
the tab characters sent to your printer will be expanded up
to the number of spaces specified in the next option.
Tab size - This sets the maximum number of spaces your
printer will move when it encounters a tab. As you can see,
the default is 8 spaces. You may enter any number you
choose. This option is in effect only if the expand tabs
option is on.
Send leading printer code now - If you choose option 6, your
leading printer code will be sent immediately to your print-
er. You do not have to use the PRINT command to put it into
effect.
Send trailing printer code now - If you choose option 7, your
trailing printer code will be sent immediately to your
printer. You do not have to use the PRINT command to put it
into effect.
User Commands
You can put your own commands on ShortCut's third and fourth
Command Bars. With this capability you can start up any
program as easily as hitting the Enter key, just as you would
give any ShortCut Command Bar command. Or you can put any
DOS command on the Command Bar that ShortCut doesn't already
include. Also you can enter some specialized commands that
make ShortCut even faster and easier to use.
Entering Your Command
To put your commands on the third Command Bar, select option
3 from the Setup Main Menu. The Third Command Bar menu will
appear.
Choose the Ctrl-function key combination you want to define.
For example, if you want your command to use the <Ctrl-F2>
command box, select option 2. You can see that we have
already put a couple of commands on the Third Command Bar.
You may change them to whatever suits you best, but for right
now select another key.
SETUP.DOC - 4
Type in your command. Whatever you type is what ShortCut
sends to DOS. You can enter a DOS command, for example:
chkdsk b:.
You might want to enter command that executes a program. For
example, suppose you want to set up a command box so that you
can run dBase III. You would type dbase, the usual command
to start up the program.
In addition to running programs, you can execute a batch file
to send several commands to DOS at once. Any command you can
give to DOS is acceptable.
ShortCut also allows you to enter some specialized commands.
You already know that you can mark one or more filenames in
the Directory Window and then when you execute a ShortCut
command, these marked files are acted upon. You can have
your third and fourth Command Bar commands do the same thing.
For example, suppose you enter dbase as a command. Often
when you start up dBase you want to begin running a dBase
program immediately. If you mark a dbase program file in the
Directory Window and give the command, dBase will start up
and begin running your marked program file. If you want
ShortCut to remind you that you must mark a filename before
giving the command, type ~M after your dBase command so that
the whole thing will look like this:
DBASE ~M
If you want to have your command repeat for every marked
file, type ~R. For example:
COPY ~R C:\BUSINESS\BACKUP
This command would copy every file marked in the Directory
Window to the C:\BUSINESS\BACKUP subdirectory.
If sometimes you want to use a marked filename when you use a
command and sometimes you don't, type ~N for not required or
you can enter the command alone:
EDLIN ~N or EDLIN
If you want ShortCut to change to another directory before
executing your command, follow this procedure: type in the
full path name of the directory followed by the command. For
example:
C:\SARA\BUSINESS\LOTUS
ShortCut will change both the Display and Default drives to C
SETUP.DOC - 5
and run Lotus 1-2-3. When you exit 1-2-3, you will see that
BUSINESS is the Current Displayed Directory.
Or suppose you want to delete all filenames with a .BAK
extension in the BUSINESS subdirectory. Your command would
look like this:
C:\SARA\BUSINESS\DEL *.BAK
If you just want ShortCut to change the Display and Default
drives to C without running any program and to make BUSINESS
the Current Displayed Directory, you would enter this com-
mand:
C:\SARA\BUSINESS\
Notice that a backslash (\) must follow the last directory in
the path or ShortCut will think BUSINESS is a command and try
to run it.
Of course you can do all these things with ShortCut anyway,
but running commands like these is the quickest way to do
these tasks. If you find yourself repeating the same rou-
tines over and over again, do yourself a favor and put them
on the Command Bar and save yourself some time.
Labeling Your Command
After you finish typing in your command and hit <Enter>, the
third Command Bar will appear at the bottom of the screen.
You will see the cursor in the command box you are defining,
ready for you to type in a label.
Type in a label that will remind you what the command is.
For example, if you are defining a command box to call up
Lotus 1-2-3, you might enter the label 1-2-3 or maybe Lotus.
You should capitalize only the first letter of your label as
the regular ShortCut commands are. Then when you select your
command by moving to the command box of your choice on the
Command Bar, all the letters of your label will appear in
capital letters. Notice that not all of the command boxes
are the same size.
Boxes F1 - F5 are six characters wide.
Boxes F6 - F8 are seven characters wide.
Boxes F9 - F10 are eight characters wide.
You might want to choose where you put your commands based on
the length of your label so that the result is aesthetically
pleasing.
That's it! Just remember to save your changes when you leave
SETUP. Now when you press <Ctrl>, you will see your command
SETUP.DOC - 6
on the third Command Bar, and if you select it, your command
will be sent to DOS.
You can do the same thing with the fourth Command Bar.
Select option 4 from the Main Setup Menu and enter your
command and label as above. Then when you press <Alt>, your
command will appear on the fourth Command Bar.
Screen Display Setup
We think ShortCut is beautiful just as it is but you may have
other preferences. We chose the colors we did so that
ShortCut will be legible on all types of monitors. You can
color ShortCut to suit your own taste. Even if don't have a
color system, you may want to change "colors" to make high-
lighted areas of the screen more noticeable.
The Screen Display Setup menu gives you eight options. If
you have a color monitor, you will use the first four, and if
you have a monochrome or single color monitor, you will use
the final four. After each option you will see a number.
These are the color settings ShortCut uses when it first
comes to you.
There are four parts of the ShortCut screen you can color.
They are:
Normal color - This is the color of the filenames when they
are not marked. Other variable information that ShortCut
must determine is also this color.
Marked color - This is the color of files that are marked and
the color of a directory if it is the Current Displayed
Directory. It is also the color of the message line and the
File Template.
Frame color - This is the color of ShortCut's frame - all
those lines and boxes on your screen.
Mode color - This is the color of active modes. It is also
the color of the date and time.
Each color option number is the sum of two numbers: a fore-
ground color number and a background color number. To get
the color effect you want, select the foreground color you
need from the list of foreground colors on your screen and
add it to the background color you want chosen from the list
of background colors. For both foreground and background
colors, black has a value of 0.
Let's look at some examples.
Suppose you want red on a black background. You would choose
SETUP.DOC - 7
12 from the foreground list and 0 from the background list.
Add 12 to 0 and your color number = 12.
Now you want bright white on a blue background. Bright white
is 15 and dark blue is 16. 15 + 16 = 31.
Suppose you want black letters on a red background. Add 0
for black to 64 for red to get 64.
If you want a foreground color to blink, add 128 to it. For
example, 15 + 128 + 16 = 159. This will produce a bright
blinking white on a dark blue background. This might be
distracting, but if you want to do it, who are we to say you
can't?
If you want everything to have the same color background, add
all your foreground colors to the same background color of
your choice for each color (normal, marked, frame, and
mode).
Once you enter a color option number, you will see its effect
immediately on the text of the color option itself.
Single Color Monitors
If you use a single color monitor, you will notice that
"highlighted" areas on the ShortCut screen are actually
reverse video. If your monitor does not display the intense
color so that it is easily distinguished from the normal
color, you may want to keep things this way.
However, if you can adjust the contrast and/or brightness of
your display so that intense coloring stands out clearly, you
can choose to use true highlighting. In this case, set the
single color monitor normal and frame colors to 7 and the
marked and mode colors to 15.
Try it both ways to see what works best for you and your
system. You can always go back to reverse video by setting
the single monitor color marked and mode colors back to 112.
Viewing Your Colors
To see the total effect of your color changes, you must leave
SETUP. After you have, you will see some of your color
changes in effect. To recolor your entire screen, hit
<Ctrl-Break>. This will essentially restart ShortCut and
your color changes will be in effect.
Miscellaneous
This is a catchall category. Most of these options determine
how ShortCut will operate. You decide what suits your needs
best.
SETUP.DOC - 8
BASIC to be used - The first option of the Miscellaneous Menu
allows you to decide which BASIC interpreter or compiler will
be used to run programs whose filenames end with the exten-
sion .BAS. The default is BASICA which is the advanced
version of Microsoft BASIC used on the IBM PC. If your
computer uses a different BASIC interpreter or compiler, you
will want to enter that name. Enter it just as you normally
would call it up from the DOS prompt. You may include a
drive specifier, but do not include a path.
Screen blank - This feature is designed to save your moni-
tor's screen from "burn in". A Y for Yes means that if you
have not pressed any key on your keyboard for an amount of
time specified in the next option, your screen will go
blank. To get your screen display back, press any key. You
might want to get in the habit of hitting the <Alt> key when
you return to avoid doing something with the running program
you did not intend to do.
Minutes before screen is blanked - This option works with
Screen Blank. You can specify the time interval in minutes
before your screen display is blanked. Enter any number you
want between 1 and 30.
Refresh directory on return from DOS - Usually when the
ShortCut screen reappears after it flips back from the DOS
screen, ShortCut will update the display in its Directory
Window by reading the Current Displayed Directory on your
disk. This does not take long, but if you wish to prevent
ShortCut from doing this to save time, enter N for No. If
you do, remember that the Directory Window may not always be
correct when you return from the DOS screen. The Directory
Window will not be updated until the next time ShortCut goes
out to read your disk. You can always force ShortCut to do
this by pressing the space bar when the screen arrow is
pointing at the Current Displayed Directory.
Confirm before erasing files - You can decide how cautious
you want to be when you are erasing files. Anytime you use
the ERASE command, ShortCut will ask you if you want to erase
each marked file before it is actually deleted. If you do
not want this extra degree of protection, change the setting
for this option to N. ShortCut will then erase all marked
files without seeking your confirmation.
Low disk space warning - When the remaining free disk space
goes below the number of bytes specified here, the number of
free bytes message on ShortCut's screen will blink on and
off. This is to warn you that not much disk space remains
for you to store data. You can change this to whatever
number you like.
Expand keyboard buffer - When this is on, your keyboard's
buffer is expanded from 16 to 128 characters. This means you
SETUP.DOC - 9
can continue typing even if your computer is doing some other
task without getting a beep indicating your keyboard buffer
is full. Set it on with Y or turn it off with N. Do not use
this feature with SuperKey or other programs that have their
own expanded keyboard buffers.
Use Ctrl-Left Shift to pop up ShortCut - Other RAM resident
programs may use <Alt-Left Shift>, the usual key combination
to pop up ShortCut, for a specialized purpose. SuperKey is
an example of such a program. To avoid conflict, set this
option on with Y and then press <Ctrl-Left Shift> whenever
you want to pop up ShortCut. N will reset back to <Alt-Left
Shift>.
Saving Your Current Configuration
You already know how to save any changes you made using the
SETUP command by responding with a Y when you leave SETUP and
ShortCut asks you if you want to save your current configura-
tion. Suppose you decided not to save your changes and later
changed your mind. You can still save your current con-
figuration without using the SETUP command.
Pressing <Alt-S> will save your current configuration any
time. ShortCut must be able to find SHORTCUT.DAT in the
default directory of the default drive or along the es-
tablished DOS path any time you give this command.
Whenever you save your current configuration, you not only
are saving any changes you may have made with the SETUP
command, but also the way the ShortCut screen is set up at
the moment. These things are also saved:
Which piece of information to display about a
file (DATE, TIME, or SIZE)
How the displayed files are sorted (by TIME,
SIZE, EXT, NAME, UNSORTED, and in ascend-
ing or descending order)
PAUSE - on or off
CHIME - on or off
START.DOC
ShortCut(tm)
Dana & Linda Jeffries
Mossy Rock Systems
P.O. Box 420876
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916) 334-5542
(c) Copyright 1987 Mossy Rock Systems All Rights Reserved
TABLE OF CONTENTS
START.DOC - INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What is ShortCut? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ShortCut's Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
GETTING READY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Files on Your Diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
What Files Are Needed to Run ShortCut? . . . . . . . . . 3
Where to Start ShortCut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Starting Up ShortCut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Getting Out of ShortCut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
TUTOR.DOC - GETTING ACQUAINTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A Brief Look at the ShortCut Screen . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Moving Around the ShortCut Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Putting ShortCut to Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
View a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Switch to DOS Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Information on the ShortCut Screen . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Mode Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Disk and Memory Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Date and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Additional System Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Print a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Make a Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Copying Files to a Subdirectory . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Erasing Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Moving Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Copying Files to Another Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
A Tree Diagram of Your Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Remove a Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Changing or Creating a Volume Label . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Shortcuts to Locating Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Searching for a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Wildcard Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Setting Up a File Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Running a Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Pop Up ShortCut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
For Hard Disk Users Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
A Summary of ShortCut Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
DWINDOW.DOC - THE DIRECTORY WINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What is in the Directory Window? . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Viewing the Rest of Your Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Limit on Directory Window Entries . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Additional File Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
SETUP.DOC - SETTING UP SHORTCUT YOUR WAY . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Using the Setup Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Setting Up the Edit Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Saving Your Setup Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Trying Out Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
i
Printer Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
User Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Entering Your Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Labeling Your Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Screen Display Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
BASIC to be used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Screen blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Refresh directory on return from DOS . . . . . . . . 9
Confirm before erasing files . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Low disk space warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Expand keyboard buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Saving Your Current Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
COMMND.DOC - USING THE COMMND COMMAND . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
The COMMND Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Editing the Command Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Copy Filename to Command Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Command Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Entering Multiple Commands with COMMND . . . . . . . . . 3
Default Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
REFER.DOC - SHORTCUT REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Changing Directories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Colors, Changing Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Command Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Command Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Dcopy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Default Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Disk Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Display Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
DOS Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
DOS Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Equipment Installed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Erase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Exit ShortCut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Expanded Keyboard Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
File and Directory Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
File Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Go to Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Labl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Locate File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Low Disk Space Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Mark Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Marking Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
ii
Memory Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Mkdir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Pause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Pop Up ShortCut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Printer Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Refresh Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Rename . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Rmdir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Save Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Screen Arrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Screen Blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Sorting Files in Directory Window . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Verify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
iii
INTRODUCTION
What is ShortCut?
ShortCut is a DOS shell. Instead of the DOS prompt, you get
a whole screen full of information about your system. Short-
Cut makes using DOS and your computer easy and quick. This
is a real boon to the befuddled novice.
Even you guys and gals who are DOS experts will appreciate
that ShortCut nearly eliminates the need to type commands,
path and filenames. We figure you are pretty much like us:
our fingers don't always land on the right keys. ShortCut
gets it right the first time - every time.
Suppose you want the DOS prompt anyway? ShortCut gives it to
you. Only now the command line has full line editing capa-
bilities. You can even recall your previous commands for
editing.
ShortCut is also a RAM resident program. Suppose you are
working with your word processor, spreadsheet, or data
manager. Suddenly you realize you want to copy files to
another disk, erase some files, create a new subdirectory, or
some other common DOS task. Just pop up ShortCut, do what
you need to do, and pop back directly to your application
program.
We probably use the pop up feature most to change direc-
tories. ShortCut makes it so easy to do this with its Tree
diagram of your disk. You only need to "point" at the direc-
tory to which you wish to change and press the Enter key or
Space Bar.
Many programs today allow you to perform DOS functions.
ShortCut provides a standardized way to do these things in
every program.
ShortCut is also a simple menu program. You can put your own
commands, batch, or program files on one of the Command Bars
and start up your program or command with one keystroke.
ShortCut's Documentation
ShortCut's documentation is lengthy - not because ShortCut is
hard to learn - but because it has so many features and we
want to give you complete information so you get the most out
of the program.
We have divided the material into several smaller files. All
of them have the extension DOC. We suggest that you print
TUTOR.DOC first. This file and the on-line help system (F1)
will get you acquainted with ShortCut. After working through
this material, you may decide ShortCut is for you. By
START.DOC - 1
sending us your registration fee, we will in return send you
the latest version of ShortCut along with its typeset manual,
saving you wear and tear on your printer.
If you wish to examine more of ShortCut's documentation and
explore additional features of the program, here is a guide
to the contents of the remaining DOC files:
SETUP.DOC - tells you how to customize ShortCut.
DWINDOW.DOC - explains how files and directories are
displayed in the Directory Window.
COMMND.DOC - explains ShortCut's CMMND (F10) command -
something you power users will not want to miss.
REFER.DOC - describes each ShortCut feature in detail.
The features are listed alphabetically one to a
page.
A simple way to send any documentation file to your printer
is to type this command at the DOS prompt:
COPY [FILENAME] PRN
For example, COPY REFER.DOC PRN.
The remaining information in this section tells you about the
ShortCut files, how to start ShortCut up, and how to quit.
GETTING READY
You should make a copy of the ShortCut files for backup
purposes and for distributing ShortCut to friends, on bul-
letin boards, and to local PC user groups. Please do not
distribute a version of ShortCut you have customized for
yourself.
If you choose to use our tutorial in TUTOR.DOC for getting
acquainted with ShortCut and you have a hard disk, put
ShortCut's files in your root directory. Later we will have
you put your ShortCut files in a special subdirectory of its
own.
Files on Your Diskette
You will find several files on your disk. These are as
follows:
START.DOC - 2
SHORTCUT.EXE
This is the ShortCut program. When you start up Short-
Cut, it is loaded into your computer's memory and it
stays there until you exit from ShortCut or reset or
turn off your computer.
SHORTCUT.HLP
This is the file that contains the help screens for
ShortCut.
SHORTCUT.DAT
This file contains all definitions for the options
available to you for changing ShortCut. For example, if
you elect to change the colors of the ShortCut screen,
when you save your changes they are put in this file.
Then when you start up ShortCut next time, your changes
will be effect. If this file is not on your disk,
ShortCut will start up with the initial settings it
comes with. If you save your changes or exit ShortCut
when this file is not on your disk, a new SHORTCUT.DAT
will be created in the directory you are in.
CHATTR.EXE
A utility program for changing file attributes.
AFILE.TXT
BFILE.TXT
CFILE.TXT
DFILE.TXT
These are sample files for you to use when you are
learning ShortCut in TUTOR.DOC. They may be erased when
you no longer need them.
COMP.BAT
This is a file that needs to be run before you start up
ShortCut for the very first time if your system has a
single-color monitor and uses a color graphics display
adapter.
COMP.DAT
This is a file used by COMP.BAT to correctly set up a
system that has a single-color monitor and a color
graphics display adapter.
START.DOC
TUTOR.DOC
DWINDOW.DOC
COMMND.DOC
REFER.DOC
ShortCut's documentation files.
START.DOC - 3
README.1ST
An introduction to the ShortCut package for old and new
users.
What Files Are Needed to Run ShortCut?
This depends on you. You must have SHORTCUT.EXE to start
ShortCut. Thereafter, if you do not choose to use the
on-line help system, or you do not want to save any changes
you make to ShortCut, it really is not necessary to keep any
of the ShortCut files on the disk you are using.
Where to Start ShortCut
If you do not have a DOS path set up, you must be in the
directory that contains the ShortCut files. This can be
either the root directory of your disk or a subdirectory. If
you do have a DOS path set up, you may be in any directory as
long as the ShortCut files are somewhere along the path.
Starting Up ShortCut
To start ShortCut, type:
SHORTCUT
Hit the <Enter> key. The ShortCut screen appears. (Later
you may want to change the filename SHORTCUT.EXE to SC.EXE so
you can start up ShortCut with SC.)
If you feel a bit overwhelmed by the wealth of information
you see on your screen, relax. We don't expect you to
understand everything you see before you, especially if you
are new to computers. If you don't know a parallel port from
a default drive, that's okay. TUTOR.DOC will teach you what
you need to know.
We have made ShortCut easy to use for beginners but with
enough features to satisfy the most demanding user. That is
why you see so much detail on your screen. You are not going
to outgrow ShortCut.
Getting Out of ShortCut
When you are through using your computer for a session, there
is no need to exit ShortCut. Simply turn off your computer.
Or, if you prefer, press <Alt-E> to exit ShortCut and return
to DOS.
Now that you know how to start and stop ShortCut, you are
ready to begin exploring. The next chapter will acquaint
with the main features of the program. Follow along with us
and you will quickly see how ShortCut can save you time and
effort.
START.DOC - 4
TUTOR.DOC
GETTING ACQUAINTED
This chapter introduces you to the main features of ShortCut. It
is important that you have ShortCut up and running so that you can
try out our suggestions. You will learn most quickly by doing.
Many of ShortCut's commands use the alternate key, the shift keys,
the function keys, and the control key. They are found on the
standard IBM PC keyboard in these positions:
Alt The gray key to the left of the Space Bar
Shift The gray key with an up arrow just above the
Alt key or the gray key with an up arrow above
the Caps Lock key
Ctrl The gray key just to the left of the "A" key
F1, F2, etc. The gray function keys at the very left side
of the keyboard
You will see combinations of keys printed together in this docu-
mentation. For example, you will see <Alt-M > or <Shift-F3>. You
should press the first key and hold it down while you press the
second key. Then release them both.
A Brief Look at the ShortCut Screen
As you look at the ShortCut screen on your monitor, you will
see that there are several sections. Let's begin at the top,
left-hand side of the screen. Here you will see a large
rectangle bordered by double lines. This is the Directory
Window.
In the Directory Window you will see a list of your files in
the current directory. If you started ShortCut from drive A,
you see a list of your ShortCut files. If you have a hard
disk and started ShortCut from drive C, will see the ShortCut
files in your current directory, SHORTCUT. The current
directory displayed in the Directory Window will be called
the Current Displayed Directory from now on.
The skinny rectangle to the right contains Drive boxes on the
top, a Sort On box in the middle, and Modes that can be
toggled on or off at the bottom.
The next large rectangle shows you the status of your disk
drive and your computer's memory. Below this information you
will see four boxes: pause, verify, break, and a box that
says either color or monochrome. These will be explained
later.
The fourth rectangle displays the date and time, the file
pattern, and some additional information about your system.
TUTOR.DOC - 1
The meaning of all these boxes will be described fully; we
just want you to be able to find them now.
Right below these four rectangular columns you will see a
highlighted line of text that says "Press a function key for
the Command Bar. Use the cursor keys to move about". It
will be colored green if you have a color monitor. This is
the message line. As you do things with ShortCut, the
message line will change to say different things. Sometimes
it will ask you to answer a question, sometimes it will
display an error message if you have made a mistake, always
it will give you helpful advice. Get in the habit of reading
the message line if you do not know what to do next.
At the bottom of the screen is the Command Bar. Each box
contains a ShortCut command. Hold down a <Shift> key and you
will see a second Command Bar appear with a new set of
commands. Release the <Shift> key and the first Command Bar
reappears. Now hold down the <Ctrl> key. This is the third
Command Bar. Press and hold down the <Alt> key and the
fourth Command Bar is displayed. Later you will learn how to
put your own commands on the third and fourth Command Bars.
Moving Around the ShortCut Screen
On the left side of the Directory Window you will see a small
triangular arrow. This is the screen arrow and you will use
it point at files and to move around the screen.
Find the down arrow cursor key on your keyboard. Press it
and the screen arrow will move down one file in the Directory
Window. Now try the up arrow cursor key. The screen arrow
moves up one file.
Try pressing the right arrow cursor key from anywhere in the
Directory Window. The screen arrow will jump up and over to
the box that says SIZE in highlighted letters at the top
right of the Directory Window.
If you press the right arrow cursor key again, the screen
arrow moves to the Display Drive box.
Press the down arrow key. The screen arrow moves down to the
Default Drive box. Or press the up arrow key and it moves
back up to the SIZE box.
Press the down arrow key again from the Default Drive box and
the screen arrow moves to the Sort On box. If you press the
down arrow key once more, ShortCut will politely beep at you
informing you that you can't go any further in that direc-
tion.
You can press the up arrow key to go back up to the Default
Drive again, or you can press the left arrow key to move back
to the Directory Window. You can always go back to the
TUTOR.DOC - 2
Directory Window with the left arrow key no matter where you
are.
Spend a moment to practice moving the screen arrow among
these five areas on your screen. If you are in the Directory
Window, you can quickly move to the Sort On box with
<Ctrl-Right Arrow>.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you find that you cannot move the screen arrow at all, you are
in NumLock mode. Press the <NumLock> key on your keyboard. Now
you should be able to move the screen arrow.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Try pressing any function key (F1, F2, etc.). The screen
arrow does not move, but one of the commands on the Command
Bar is highlighted. You can move along the Command Bar with
the left and right arrow keys. Try moving to the COMMND
command box at the far right. Then press the right arrow key
once more. You are now on the second Command Bar. In the
same way you can move to the third and fourth Command Bars
and then back to the first again.
A quicker way to move to a specific command on any of the
Command Bars is to press the function key corresponding to
that command. By looking at the Command Bar you can see that
<F3> is the function key to press for the COPY command.
Commands on the second Command Bar are reached with Shift-
function key combinations, the third Command Bar commands use
the <Ctrl> key along with the function keys, and those on the
fourth Command Bar use the <Alt> key.
Press <Esc> to leave the Command Bar. You can still move the
screen arrow up and down in the Directory Window while you
are on the Command Bar, but you must press <Esc> to leave the
Command Bar if you want to move the screen arrow out of the
Directory Window.
Putting ShortCut to Work
Now that you are a pro zipping around the screen, it's time
to give ShortCut some orders. Let's try renaming one of your
practice files. Move the screen arrow in the Directory
Window to the file named AFILE.TXT.
Press the <Space Bar>. The filename is highlighted. You
have just "marked" a file and told ShortCut this is the file
you want to act upon. You can "unmark" a file by pressing
the Space Bar again. The number of bytes in a marked file
appears highlighted in the Disk Status box.
Mark AFILE.TXT again, if it is not already, and press <F9>.
The Rename command box is highlighted. The message line
tells you what to do next - to press <Enter>. Do it.
TUTOR.DOC - 3
At this point the message line asks you type a new file
name. For now, type MYFILE.TXT and press <Enter>. It does
not matter if you use capital or lowercase letters.
The message line tells you ShortCut is busy renaming your
file and you will see the new file name appear and the old
name disappear in the Directory Window.
If you make a mistake and decide you don't want to give a
command but you have already hit <Enter> while you are in a
command box, press <Ctrl-Esc> and the command will be can-
celled.
Sometimes you may forget to mark a file before you give a
command. Your computer will beep and the message line will
tell you that no files are marked. After you press any key,
you can try again.
View a File
Let's see what is in MYFILE.TXT. Move to the TYPE command
box on the Command Bar by pressing <F5>. Move the screen
arrow to MYFILE.TXT in the Directory Window. Press the
<Space Bar> to mark it. The message line tells you to press
<Enter> to view the contents of the marked file. Hit
<Enter>.
The ShortCut screen will disappear. Don't worry, it will
come back. You will see the contents of MYFILE.TXT "typed"
on your screen. Press <Ctrl-NumLock> to stop the screen
scrolling if you wish. Press the <Space Bar> to continue.
When the end of the file is reached, you will see a prompt to
press any key. Do it and the ShortCut screen will return.
Switch to DOS Screen
Suppose you return to ShortCut's screen and later you wish to
see the DOS screen again. Press <Alt-D> and the DOS screen
will reappear. When you are ready, press any key to switch
back to ShortCut's screen.
Help
Perhaps you want to switch to the DOS screen, but you can't
remember what keystrokes to use. Or you forgot how a Short-
Cut command works. ShortCut is ready to help! Press <F1> to
move to the HELP command on the Command Bar and hit the
<Enter> key. You will see a help screen appear with the
ShortCut commands and features listed. For more in depth
information on any command or feature, press the correspond-
ing highlighted key or key combination.
Let's look at the information available for TYPE, the command
we just used. With the Help Main Menu displayed, press <F5>,
TUTOR.DOC - 4
the command you use to move to the TYPE command box on the
Command Bar. You will see information about the TYPE command
and how to use it. After you have read the help screen you
have the option of pressing the <Space Bar> to return to the
Help Main Menu, or you may press <Esc> to exit the help
system all together.
ShortCut gives you another way to seek help. Simply press
<Alt-H> and a help screen will be displayed. Which help
screen depends on what you were doing at the time you asked
for assistance.
Information on the ShortCut Screen
ShortCut displays lots of useful information on its screen
even without help screens. As you have already seen, you
always know which directory you are in as it is highlighted
in the Directory Window. In addition, the disk drive you are
using is highlighted in the Display Drive box.
The Sort On box tells you how your files are sorted in the
Directory Window. Right now they are probably unsorted. You
will learn how to sort them yourself a bit later.
The box that says SIZE on top of the Directory Window is one
that you practiced moving the screen arrow to. Move to it
now. You can display additional file information by choosing
among three options: Size, Date, or Time. Try pressing D
for Date, then T for Time, and finally S for Size. Date
tells you when the file was created or last updated, Time
tells you what time of the day the file was created or last
updated, and Size tells you how many bytes are in the file.
Mode Indicators
Beneath the Sort On box are several mode indicators. When
these modes are active, they are highlighted and capital-
ized. Press the keyboard key once to turn the mode on and
press it again to turn the mode off. The modes are:
Mode Key Use
Caps CapsLock Capitalizes all letters you type.
Num NumLock Activates the numeric keypad on the IBM
PC - useful for entering columns of
numbers. When NumLock is on, the cursor
control keys will not work.
Ins Ins Insert mode. Allows characters typed to
be inserted in a line and all text to the
right of the cursor is pushed right. You
can use insert any time ShortCut asks you
to enter information.
TUTOR.DOC - 5
Prn Ctrl-PrtSc All keystrokes typed on the command line
and everything displayed on the DOS
screen is sent to the printer.
Scroll ScrollLock Your application programs may or may not
Lock use ScrollLock. ShortCut uses Scroll-
Lock to freeze the screen arrow in the
Directory Window so that the up and down
arrow keys will now scroll the filenames
around it.
Disk and Memory Status
The Disk Status box displays information about the disk you
are using. It tells you how many bytes you have available on
your disk, how many of those bytes you have used to store
files, and how many bytes are still free for your use. It
also informs you how many files are in your directory, how
many of the files are user files (read/write files), and how
many are hidden.
The Memory Status box shows you how much random access memory
(RAM) in bytes your computer has, and it tells you how much
of that memory is still available for you to use.
Date and Time
ShortCut displays the date and time in the top, right-hand
corner of the screen. This is the date and time your com-
puter thinks is correct. You can make changes with the DATE
and TIME commands located on the second Command Bar.
Press <Shift-F4> to reach the DATE command box. Press
<Enter>. ShortCut asks you to enter a date. You may choose
either of these formats:
mm-dd-yy or mm-dd-yyyy
You may leave out any leading zeros.
After you hit <Enter> ShortCut will display the date you
entered including the proper day of the week.
<Shift-F5> will give you access to the time of day. Press
<Enter> and type in a new time. The format to use is:
hh:mm:ss
It is not necessary to use colons to separate the hours,
minutes, and seconds. You can use any character you like.
For example, you could use hyphens to separate the hours,
minutes, and seconds.
TUTOR.DOC - 6
You must use military time which adds 12 to any hour after
noon. You don't have to type in the minutes and/or seconds.
If you don't, ShortCut will display the minutes and/or
seconds as zero. You may omit any leading zeros.
When you hit <Enter>, ShortCut will display the time you
entered on its screen and will continue to update it every
second.
Additional System Information
In the bottom corner of the right-hand side of the screen
ShortCut shows you some additional information about your
computer system. The Equipment Installed box displays how
many serial ports your computer has, how many parallel ports
it has, how many disk drives your computer is set up for, and
whether or not your computer has a game port. If you don't
understand what these things mean, don't worry. You do not
need to know these things to use ShortCut.
By the way, if you think the number of disk drives ShortCut
reports is in error, see Equipment Installed in the REFER.DOC
for an explanation and how to change it if you wish.
Beneath this box ShortCut tells you which version of DOS you
are using.
To the immediate left you will see a box labeled either
MONOCHROME or COLOR CARD. If you and your computer are
using a monochrome display adapter, it will say MONOCHROME.
If you are using a graphics card instead, the box will say
COLOR CARD.
Print a File
Let's get back to bossing ShortCut around. If you have a
printer, you can print any ASCII file. Move the screen arrow
to MYFILE.TXT and mark it by pressing the <Space Bar>.
Press <F6> to reach the PRINT command box. Hit <Enter> and
ShortCut reminds you to get your printer ready for printing
if you haven't already. When you press any key, the contents
of the marked file will be sent to your printer.
You can use this method for printing out the other ShortCut
documentation files.
TUTOR.DOC - 7
Make a Directory
Let's get organized. You are going to create a new subdirec-
tory on your disk and put your practice files in it. Press
<F8> to move to the MKDIR command box. Hit <Enter>. Type
PRACTICE as the name of the new subdirectory and press
<Enter> again.
ShortCut will create a new subdirectory named PRACTICE.
Subdirectories that belong to the current directory displayed
in the Directory Window are listed after the filenames. You
will see the new subdirectory as the last entry in the
Directory Window.
If you have a hard disk, you may have more files and sub-
directories than the Directory Window will hold. You can
press <PgDn> to page through your files to find PRACTICE.
You can press <Ctrl-End> to reach the end of your files.
Return to the top of your Current Displayed Directory with
<Ctrl-Home>.
Copying Files to a Subdirectory
Now mark all of the ShortCut practice files, the ones that
have a filename extension of TXT. Point at each file with
the screen arrow and press the Space Bar. Each filename is
highlighted as it is marked.
Press <F3> to move to the COPY command box. Press <Enter> to
begin the copy process.
Now move the screen arrow to the PRACTICE subdirectory.
Press the Space Bar. You have just changed directories! Now
PRACTICE is the Current Displayed Directory. Following the
instructions on the message line, hit the <Enter> key. You
will see all of the files you marked copied to the new
subdirectory.
Before you go on, take a good look at the Directory Window.
At the top you will see the root directory of your disk.
After that you will see PRACTICE, the name of your Current
Displayed Directory. It will be highlighted as the Current
Displayed Directory is always highlighted. Later you may
want to read the DWINDOW.DOC file for a complete explanation
of how subdirectories are displayed in the Directory Window.
Erasing Files
You now have two copies of the practice files on your disk,
one in the root directory and one in the PRACTICE subdirec-
tory. Let's erase the ones in the root directory.
To get back to the root directory, move the screen arrow to
the first entry in the Directory Window. If you have never
TUTOR.DOC - 8
given your disk a volume label, the root directory will be
called NO LABEL. Otherwise, it will have a different name,
but it will always be the first entry in the Directory
Window. Press the Space Bar to change directories. Now the
root directory will be highlighted.
Mark all of the practice files (those files with a .TXT
extension).
Press <F7> to move to the ERASE command box. Press <Enter>.
ShortCut will erase all of your marked files, pausing before
each one to seek your confirmation.
Moving Files
There is a quicker way to move files to a new subdirectory:
the MOVE command. MOVE puts the files in a new subdirectory
and removes them from the old. Let's try it out by moving
the practice files back to your root directory.
Make PRACTICE the Current Displayed Directory by moving the
screen arrow to PRACTICE and pressing the Space Bar. Mark
all the files. You can press <Ctrl-Space Bar> and all the
files in the Current Displayed Directory will be marked at
once.
Press <Shift-F3> to reach the MOVE command. Press <Enter>.
Change to the root directory once again by pointing at it
with the screen arrow and pressing the <Space Bar>. Press
<Enter> once more. Your practice files are now back in the
root directory, and they no longer exist in the PRACTICE
subdirectory.
Copying Files to Another Drive
Often you will want to copy files from one disk drive to
another. Before you do that, you need to learn how to
display the files of other disk drives on your system. If
you have a second floppy disk drive, make sure it has a
diskette in it before we go any further.
With the screen arrow in the Directory Window, press the
right arrow key twice. The screen arrow will move to the
Display Drive box. Now press the letter of a drive on your
system that differs from the one you are currently on. For
example, if you are using drive A and you want to see the
files on drive B, you would press the letter B. If you are
on drive C and you want to see A, press the letter A.
ShortCut will not let you choose a drive you don't have;
however, if you select a floppy drive, you must have a
diskette in that drive or you will receive a DOS error
message.
TUTOR.DOC - 9
As soon as you press a drive letter, the files of that drive
will be displayed in the Directory Window. Switch back to
the drive from whence you came as this is where you must be
to start the copy process.
Mark all of the practice files once more. Press <F3> and
then <Enter>. Move the screen arrow to the Display Drive box
and select the drive you want to copy the files to. If you
want to put the files in a subdirectory on that drive, make
it the Current Displayed Directory by moving to it and
pressing the Space Bar. When the directory you want to copy
the files to is displayed, press <Enter> and let ShortCut do
the work.
A Tree Diagram of Your Disk
The easiest way to keep track of the directory structure of
your disk is with ShortCut's Tree command. Move back to the
root directory of the disk with the ShortCut files.
Now press <Alt-T>. You will see a visual tree of the direc-
tory structure of your disk. If you are using a hard disk,
you may have many directories; if you are using a floppy
diskette, you will probably see only the root directory and
the PRACTICE subdirectory.
You can change directories with the Tree screen. Press the
Down arrow key until you reach the PRACTICE subdirectory.
Hit <Enter>. The regular ShortCut screen reappears and
PRACTICE is now the Current Displayed Directory!
Use Tree again to go back to the root directory.
Remove a Directory
Now that your PRACTICE subdirectory is empty, you can remove
it. Point the screen arrow at the PRACTICE subdirectory. Do
not mark it! If you try, you will make PRACTICE the Current
Displayed Directory and ShortCut will not let you remove it.
With the screen arrow pointing at PRACTICE, press <Shift-F8>
to move to the RMDIR command and hit <Enter>. Your subdirec-
tory is gone.
Changing or Creating a Volume Label
Your disk may or may not have a volume label. If it doesn't,
the root directory name will say NO LABEL; otherwise it will
have another name. In either case, press <Shift-F2> followed
by <Enter> to change it.
ShortCut will ask you for a new name. Type any name you want
and hit <Enter>. You will see the new name appear at the top
of the Directory Window. You can change it back if you wish.
TUTOR.DOC - 10
Shortcuts to Locating Files
If you have many files in your Current Displayed Directory,
it can take a while to find the file you want in the Direc-
tory Window so that you can point at it with the screen
arrow. ShortCut offers a several features to help you out.
First of all, ShortCut can sort the files for you. When you
first start up ShortCut, the files on your disk will appear
in the Directory Window in the same order that they are
written on your disk. You can change this. Move the screen
arrow to the Sort On box directly by pressing <Ctrl-Right
Arrow>. Press N for Name. Your files will be sorted al-
phabetically (in ascending order).
Try D to sort the filenames in descending order from Z to A.
Press A to get them back in ascending order again. Try S to
see your files sorted by Size, or T to have them sorted by
Date and then by Time. Pressing E will sort them in order by
the filename extensions so that types of files are grouped
together. You can get them back in Unsorted order with U.
Put them back in unsorted order for now.
Just having your files in order will help you find the file
you want. But ShortCut doesn't stop here. The Locate File
command will move the screen arrow to any filename in the
Current Displayed Directory very quickly.
Press <Alt-L> and type the first letter of the filename you
want to find. Suppose you want to move the screen arrow to
MYFILE.TXT. The first letter is M, so that is what you
should type. As soon as you do, ShortCut will sort your
files by Name in alphabetical order and will point the screen
arrow at the first filename beginning with M. If you have
more than one file starting with M, you would continue typing
the next letter and then the next, etc., until the screen
arrow is pointing at the file you want. You may erase typed
letters with the <Backspace> key. You need type only as many
letters as necessary to point the screen arrow at the correct
file.
Press <Enter>, <Esc>, or the Up or Down Arrow key to stop
Locate. You can also press the <Space Bar> which will stop
it and also mark the filename in the Directory Window.
Now move the screen arrow to the Sort On box and sort your
files by Extension with E. This will group all your file
types together.
Press <Alt-L> again. This time the filenames will not be
resorted. Now you type the first letter of a file extension
you want to find. For MYFILE.TXT that would be the letter T.
As you continue typing, the screen arrow will zero in on the
correct extension if it is not there already. Again end
TUTOR.DOC - 11
Locate with <Enter>, <Esc>, Up Arrow, Down Arrow, or <Space
Bar>.
Searching for a File
Great, you say. But what if I don't remember what subdirec-
tory or disk I used to store a file, or maybe I don't remem-
ber the exact filename? ShortCut can help with its SEARCH
command.
You need to set things up a bit to see how SEARCH works.
Starting in the root directory of your disk, make two more
subdirectories using the Mkdir command. Name them ASUB and
BSUB.
Using the COPY command, put a copy of each practice file in
each subdirectory. You can use the Tree command to change
directories while you are using COPY. You will now have
three copies of each practice file on your disk. You know
that each file is identical, but for now, imagine that each
contains different information.
Suppose you want to find a file that you know begins with the
letters MY, but you do not remember the rest of the name and
you do not know what subdirectory you stored it in.
Press <Shift-F9> to move to the SEARCH command and press
<Enter>. When ShortCut asks you for the filename, type
MY*.*. This tells ShortCut to look for a filename beginning
with MY, but any combination of characters may follow and the
file may have any combination of characters for an extension.
When you press <Enter>, ShortCut will search all the direc-
tories on your disk for a filename that matches that pat-
tern. When it finds one, ShortCut asks you if this is the
file you want. Type N for No and the search continues until
the next file is found.
Suppose you are not sure this is the file you want. Press V
to View the file. The ShortCut screen disappears and the
file contents are displayed just as they are with the TYPE
command. Press any key to return to the ShortCut screen.
No, that is not the file you want, so type N again for No and
the search resumes. The last file is the one you want so
this time you respond with Y for Yes. When you do, ShortCut
makes the directory the file is in the Current Displayed
Directory. Also the filename is highlighted and put at the
very top of the Directory Window.
If ShortCut cannot find the file on your disk, the search
stops. If you are on drive A, however, you will be prompted
to put another diskette in drive A and the search resumes
until the file is found or you stop the search by pressing
TUTOR.DOC - 12
<Esc>. This is handy if you can't remember which floppy
diskette you used to store a file.
Wildcard Characters
When you used an asterisk (*) to specify a filename pattern
for ShortCut to use for the search, you used a wildcard. A
wildcard is a special character which means "any character or
characters". Besides the asterisk, there is one other
wildcard - a question mark (?).
* means any series of characters
? means any single character
This may be clearer if we look at a few examples.
*.TXT
Any filename with a TXT extension.
?FILE.TXT
Files with any single character followed by the letters
FILE.TXT. Your MYFILE.TXT file would not match this
pattern but the rest of the practice files would.
?????.*
Any file with five characters and any extension.
BFILE.TXT would match this pattern. MYFILE.TXT would
not.
G*.*
Any file that begins with a G.
*.*
Any file; all files.
Setting Up a File Pattern
ShortCut uses wildcards with another command that will help
you find the file you want quickly. You may have noticed the
*.* pattern in the File Pattern box on the ShortCut screen.
This means that all the files in the Current Displayed
Directory are displayed in the Directory Window. You can
tell ShortCut to display only the filenames that match a
specified pattern.
Go back to the root directory of your disk. Press <ALT-F>
for File Pattern. When ShortCut prompts you, type ?FILE.*.
Strike <Enter>.
Only the files matching this pattern are displayed in the
Directory Window. It is as if ShortCut put all the filenames
through a filter, and only the ones fitting the pattern you
specified made it through. The files are still on your disk;
you just can't see them.
TUTOR.DOC - 13
Use <ALT-F> again and specify *.*. All your files will
become visible again.
Running a Program
Move the screen arrow to a program file such as a word
processor or a spreadsheet. You may have to change direc-
tories or insert another diskette and change drives to find
the file you want. Any time you switch diskettes, you can
force ShortCut to read the new one. Just move the screen
arrow to the Current Displayed Directory and press the <Space
Bar>.
Press <F2> to move to the RUN command box on the Command Bar.
Hit <Enter> to run the program.
Pop Up ShortCut
Now that your program is up and running, press <Alt-Left
Shift> to pop up ShortCut.
The ShortCut screen will appear and the words POPPED UP will
blink on and off at the top of the screen. This is to remind
you that another program exists under the ShortCut screen.
You can now use many of ShortCut's commands and features and
then when you are done, return directly to your waiting
program by pressing <Alt-Left Shift> again.
If you change drives or directories or switch diskettes while
you use ShortCut in its popped up state, you must remember to
return everything as it was before you "unpop" back to your
program or it may not be able to find the files it needs to
run. Depending on the program, the results could be dis-
astrous. Of course, while ShortCut is popped up you must
also remember not to erase any files your program uses.
For Hard Disk Users Only
Up until now, your ShortCut files have been in your root
directory of your hard disk. Now that you are familiar with
how ShortCut works, you will probably want to put your
ShortCut files in a directory of their own.
Press <F8> and <Enter>. Type in a name for the new direc-
tory: either SHORTCUT or SC, and press the <Enter> key. Now
mark all ShortCut files and move them to the new directory
with the MOVE command (Shift-F3).
A Summary of ShortCut Commands
You should now be familiar with most of the commands on the
Command Bar plus a few of ShortCut's Alt key commands. Below
is a list of all of ShortCut's commands with a brief descrip-
TUTOR.DOC - 14
tion of each. An asterisk (*) indicates the command is
available when you have ShortCut popped up over another
program.
The First Command Bar
F1 Help * Displays a help screen listing ShortCut
commands. Detailed help is available by
pressing the keys for any command from this
screen.
F2 Run Executes the program pointed at by the screen
arrow. The file must have an extension of
.COM, .EXE, .BAT, or .BAS.
F3 Copy * Copies the marked files to the directory or
drive you select.
F4 Edit Edits the marked file with the text editor or
word processor of your choice. This command
will be covered in SETUP.DOC.
F5 Type * Displays the contents of the mark file(s).
Files must be an ASCII file or the characters
"typed" on your screen may not be readable.
F6 Print * Sends the contents of the marked file or files
to your printer.
F7 Erase * Erases the marked file or files.
F8 Mkdir * Creates a subdirectory that belongs to the
Current Displayed Directory.
F9 Rename * Renames the marked file or files.
F10 Commnd Displays the normal DOS command line. You may
enter any DOS command. COMMND.DOC explains
this feature.
The Second Command Bar (Shift)
All commands on the second Command Bar use the <Shift> key
plus a function key. For example, use <Shift-F1> to reach
the PATH command.
F1 Path * Displays the path DOS uses to find executable
files, and allows you to change it if you
wish.
F2 Labl * Changes the volume label of your disk.
F3 Move * Moves files from one directory to another on a
disk.
TUTOR.DOC - 15
F4 Date * Displays the system date and allows you to
change it.
F5 Time * Displays the system time and allows you to
change it.
F6 Dcopy Formats a disk in drive B and copies all files
from the disk in drive A to the disk in drive
B.
F7 Setup * Allows you to configure ShortCut to your
specifications. SETUP is covered in detail in
SETUP.DOC
F8 Rmdir * Removes the empty subdirectory pointed at by
the screen arrow.
F9 Search * Searches all directories on a disk for a file
matching a pattern you specify.
F10 Format Formats a disk in drive B.
The Third Command Bar (Ctrl)
All commands on the third Command Bar use the <Ctrl> key plus
a function key.
F1 - F10 Your commands
You determine what these commands will be. SETUP.DOC
will tell you how to "install" these commands. The
command boxes will say Ndef for not defined until you
put your commands in them.
The Fourth Command Bar (Alt)
All commands on the fourth Command Bar use the <Alt> key plus
a function key.
F1 - F10 Your commands
You determine what these commands will be. SETUP.DOC
will tell you how to "install" these commands. The
command boxes will say Ndef for not defined until you
put your commands in them.
Alt Key Commands
All Alt key commands use the <Alt> key plus a letter. For
example, press <Alt-C> to turn CHIME on or off. Alt key
commands are explained in detail in REFER.DOC.
TUTOR.DOC - 16
Alt-B Break *
Toggles Break on and off. When break is active, it
may be easier to stop a program while it is
running. If break is on, the Break box will be
highlighted on ShortCut's screen.
Alt-C Chime *
Toggles on and off. When on, a musical note is
present in the box ShortCut uses to display the
time and a chime will sound every hour on the hour.
Alt-D DOS Screen *
Replaces the ShortCut screen with the DOS screen.
Alt-E Exit ShortCut
Exits ShortCut removing ShortCut from your com-
puter's memory.
Alt-F File Pattern *
Allows you to specify a file pattern (template) and
displays only those files that match that pattern
in the Directory Window.
Alt-G Go to Marked Directory *
Returns to the directory marked with <Alt-M> (Mark
Directory).
Alt-H Help *
Displays context-sensitive help.
Alt-L Locate File *
Sorts the filenames alphabetically and puts the
first filename beginning with the letter you
specify at the top of the Directory Window. If the
files are sorted by extension when <Alt-L> is
pressed, the filenames containing an extension
beginning with the letter you specify are put at
the top of the Directory Window.
Alt-M Mark Directory *
Marks a directory. Once marked, you can leave this
directory and then return to it quickly with
<Alt-G> (Go to directory).
Alt-P Pause *
Toggles Pause mode on and off. When Pause is on,
before the DOS screen is replaced with ShortCut's
screen, you must press a key. When it is off,
ShortCut's screen reappears after a DOS command is
executed without any input from you. Pause gives
you the opportunity to read the DOS screen before
it is replaced with ShortCut's screen.
TUTOR.DOC - 17
Alt-S Save Configuration *
Saves the way you have ShortCut set up at the
present time to the SHORTCUT.DAT file.
Alt-T Tree *
Displays a visual tree of the directories on your
current Display Drive. Permits you to change
directories.
Alt-V Verify *
Used to turn on and off the verification of files
after they are copied.
TUTOR.DOC - 18
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #0840
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
AFILE TXT 1280 5-29-87 5:50a
BFILE TXT 1280 5-29-87 5:50a
CFILE TXT 1280 5-29-87 5:50a
CHATTR EXE 4096 5-29-87 5:50a
COMMND DOC 8277 5-28-87 3:39p
COMP BAT 180 5-29-87 5:50a
COMP DAT 1299 5-29-87 5:50a
DFILE TXT 1280 5-29-87 5:50a
DWINDOW DOC 8953 5-28-87 3:35p
FILES840 TXT 2025 10-12-87 10:27a
GO BAT 38 7-08-87 12:19a
GO TXT 617 10-08-87 4:37p
README 1ST 2276 5-29-87 1:18p
REFER DOC 107795 5-28-87 4:13p
REGISTER FRM 1762 5-29-87 12:49p
SETUP DOC 29310 5-29-87 11:33a
SHORTCUT DAT 1299 5-29-87 5:45a
SHORTCUT EXE 62976 5-25-87 5:00p
SHORTCUT HLP 41600 5-29-87 5:50a
START DOC 20615 5-29-87 12:00p
TUTOR DOC 49995 5-28-87 3:24p
21 file(s) 348233 bytes
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