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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #1914)
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Information about “DISKUTILITIES AND VDOS”
VDOS is a visual DOS interface (shell) for power-users that prefer to
work from a command line, yet want a directory display, quick-key DOS
commands, previous command recall, and other shell features. It
provides direct access to all standard DOS features, plus features not
available in standard DOS. These include a paging file directory
display that lists all files in alphabetical order and shows their file
attributes as well as a visual directory tree for hard drive users.
VDOS provides full command-line editing, and allows recall of the last
18 commands for entry or editing. On-line help is provided for common
DOS operations and frequently used commands can be entered by pressing
one of the function keys. The VDOS interface is user friendly and
always displays the current disk drive, directory, and DOS version.
Disk utilites to easily copy and format disks.
~ QFORMAT -- Quickly format and verify disks in one or more drives.
Supports 5 1/4 and 3 1/2, 180k, 360k, 720k, and 1.4meg drives.
~ QCOPY -- A very fast disk copy program which loads to disks in the
sequence you specify, knows what formats to use and will do so from a
command line or during the running of the program.
FILE1914.TXT
Disk No: 1914
Disk Title: DiskUtilities and VDOS
PC-SIG Version: S1.2
Program Title: VDOS
Author Version: 1.2
Author Registration: $19.95
Special Requirements: None.
VDOS is a visual DOS interface (shell) for power-users that prefer to
work from a command line, yet want a directory display, quick key DOS
commands, previous command recall, and other shell features. It
provides direct access to all standard DOS features, plus features not
available in standard DOS such as a paging file directory display that
lists all files in alphabetical order and shows their file attributes.
VDOS provides full command line editing, and allows recall of the last
18 commands for entry or editing. On-line help is provided for common
DOS operations, and frequently used commands can be entered by pressing
one of the function keys. The VDOS interface is user friendly and
always displays the current disk drive, directory, and DOS version.
Program Title: Disk Utilities
Author Version: 3.1
Author Registration: $15.00
Special Requirements: Hard drive or RAM disk.
DiskUtilites to easily copy and format disks.
~ QFORMAT - Quickly format and verify disks in one or more drives.
Supports 5 1/4 and 3 1/2, 180k, 360k, 720k, and 1.4meg drives.
~ QCOPY - A very fast disk copy program which loads to disks in the
sequence you specify, knows what formats to use and will do so from a
command line or during the running of the program
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989 PC-SIG, Inc.
FILES.TXT
DISKUTILITIES v3.0:
DU DOC 2137 17.02.90 21.14 General information
QCOPY EXE 77472 17.02.90 21.34 Diskcopy program
QCOPY DOC 12814 17.02.90 20.29 Documentation
QFORMAT EXE 45488 17.02.90 21.27 Diskformatting program
QFORMAT DOC 5451 17.02.90 20.24 Documentation
720KA COM 724 17.02.90 21.47 720K in 5¼" drive (drive A:)
720KB COM 724 17.02.90 21.47 720K in 5¼" drive (drive B:)
720K DOC 407 17.02.90 21.43 Documentation
8 files
GO.TXT
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║ <<<< Disk #1914 Disk Utilities and VDOS >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ To start using the programs, type: COPY *.DOC PRN (press enter) ║
║ ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
(c) Copyright 1990, PC-SIG Inc.
VDOS.DOC
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
VDOS
Visual DOS Interface System
Users Manual
Copyright 1989 by Advantage Systems
1 October, 1989
1
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
Table of Contents
I. Introduction and Overview Page
A. Purpose 3
B. Installation 3
C. System Requirements 3
D. Overview of Features 3
E. Concept of Operation 4
II. Description of Features
A. VDOS Editing Features 5
B. VDOS Display Features 5
C. Function Key Useage 5
D. Command Help 6
E. Prior Commands 7
F. File Directory Feature 7
G. Tree Directory Feature 8
H. Listings to Printer 8
I. Changing colors and F-keys 9
III. Administration
A. Warranty 10
B. Support 10
C. Future Enhancements 10
IV. Registration Form 11
2
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
I. INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW
A. Purpose
VDOS is a visual interface to DOS. It replaces the
standard DOS prompt with a visual screen that controls the
input to DOS. VDOS provides you with complete editing
features for standard DOS input and supplements this with
other features that provide an integrated visual interface
to DOS that is easy to use and will quickly increase your
productivity.
VDOS is provided for your use without charge. However,
if you find that VDOS improves your interface to DOS and
you use it on a regular basis, a contribution of $19.95 is
suggested to allow for development of future enhancements.
Contributions should be sent directly to the author at:
Advantage Systems
1981 NE Brogden Ct.
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
All users of VDOS are granted permission to copy and
distribute copies of the program and documentation to others
providing no charges are involved. Distribution costs may
be charged recipients provided they do not exceed $7 per copy.
B. Installation
VDOS should be invoked from the command line by simply
typing: VDOS and hitting enter. No other input is required.
The file VDOS.SCR must be in the same directory as VDOS.COM
or no screen display will appear. Once installed, VDOS will
always replace the standard DOS prompt until you exit from
VDOS. If you use a monochrome monitor with a color card,
you can invoke the mono mode by adding '/M' to the VDOS
command line (ie, VDOS /M and then enter).
C. System Requirements
VDOS is a memory resident utility that will utilize
approximately 24k of memory to produce its features. It
will function with all types of video adapters and with all
versions of DOS (except DOS 1.x).
3
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
D. Overview of Features
VDOS is a visual interface to DOS providing a visual
'enviornment' for the user. In addition to a complete input
editing capability for standard DOS input, the following
additional features are provided:
1. Constant display of the DOS version in use as
well as the current disk drive and DOS directory.
2. Utilization of the Function keys to assist in
standard DOS input and a visual display of F-key functions.
3. A help display of the syntax of most DOS commands
is available for quick review at any time.
4. Your last 18 DOS commands are avaliable on call
for input or editing to create new input.
5. The file directory of the current directory is
available for review (without scrolling!). This display
shows all files and their attributes sorted in alphabetic
order by file name.
6. A visual Tree display of the a disk structure.
7. Full use of color is provided throughout all
displays to enhance the visual interface concept.
E. Concept of Operation
VDOS operates as a TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident)
program which intercepts COMMAND.COM's requests for an
input string. The program puts DOS 'on hold' while it
provides you, the user, with the features of VDOS. When
you hit enter, VDOS supplies your input to DOS and then
remains dormant in memory until the next time DOS requests
user input.
Since it is a TSR, the standard disclaimer must be
made that it may not be completely compatible with the
myriad of other TSR's even though it was designed to be
as inconspicuous as possible. You must experiment with
your own favorite TSR's to test their compatiability.
In addition, since it was designed to function with
DOS, VDOS will be of no use inside batch files. The only
appropriate batch file useage is in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file
where VDOS can be initially 'installed' into memory.
4
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
II. DESCRIPTION OF FEATURES
A. VDOS Editing Features
VDOS provides the full range of editing features for
use in 'creating' your DOS input string. In addition to
normal keystroke editing and the use of the Backspace key
to 'rubout' as you backspace, the cursor keys allow you
to move to any portion of your input string for 'editing'.
The Home key moves you to the start of the input string,
and the End key moves you to the end of your string. In
addition, for long input strings, you may 'tab' forward
with the Tab key and 'tab' backwards with the shift key
and the Tab key. And finally, input may be done in the
standard 'Insert' mode which inserts keystrokes between
existing characters, or in the 'replacement' mode which
overwrites existing characters. The current mode is
always displayed, and the mode can be changed by hitting
the Ins key.
B. VDOS Display Features
The VDOS display is rewritten each time you enter
your DOS command in case DOS 'scrolls' the VDOS display
off the screen with long output or an application uses
the entire screen. The top part of the display always
shows the current version of DOS (even if you change it)
as well as the current drive/directory combination (again
even if you change it). The 'help line' gives you some
quick help to assist you with your current operating mode
and also displays the Ins/Repl status for editing. The
next two lines provide space for you to 'build' your DOS
input string. And finally, the F-key line displays the
current useage of the F-keys. These keys are described
next. The remainder of the screen is used for DOS output.
C. Function Key Useage
The function keys are used to invoke VDOS features
as well as to provide input assistance. Each key and its
useage is described below:
F1: The F1 key invokes the DOS command syntax
help screen. This screen is designed to
provide you with a quick reference to the
many DOS commands available. The help
screen is divided into categories to help
you in quickly locating a command.
5
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
F2: The F2 key recalls a screenful of your prior
DOS command entries. These prior commands
can be 'selected' by moving the cursor down
(or up) keys to the appropriate command.
The command can then be edited as desired
prior to 'inputting' it to DOS. The Escape
key is used to return you to normal DOS
input editing.
F3-F9: These keys (except for F6 and F8 below)
provide input assistance by typing the
text shown with that key into the command
window. The input string can then be added
to or otherwise modified as desired before
it is released to DOS.
F6: This key provides a visual tree display of
the current disk. Viewing is by 'pages' using
the PgDn and PgUp keys. Space is provided
for 300 branches with 200 directories per branch.
F8: This key provides a directory listing of the
current directory. The listing is sorted in
alphabetic order and can be viewed in 'pages'
with the use of the PgDn and PgUp keys.
Space is provided in VDOS to sort up to 500
files per directory.
F10: This key allows you to exit from VDOS back
to the standard DOS prompt and releases all
memory previously allocated to VDOS.
D. Command Help
As described above, the F1 key provides a summary of the
syntax of DOS commands. The display is arranged to allow you
to quickly find your DOS command and to show the syntax for
that command, with all the 'switches' available. It is setup
around DOS 2.x with DOS 3.x additions shown separately.
Because of the number of DOS commands and the differences
between versions, all commands are not on the screen. If you
find that the help display does not suit your needs, it can be
modified as desired through the use of any screen editor (such
as PC Magazines PAINT program - Jan 26, 88). The text and
colors are contained in the separate file VDOS.SCR specifically
for this purpose. Have at it!
6
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
E. Prior Commands
The F2 key provides for recall of a screenful of your
prior 'commands'. Any of these entries can be 'selected'
simply by using the Up/Down cursor key to move to the
desired selection. That selection is then automatically
transferred to the 'command window' for editing. If you
simply wish to re-enter that command, just hit the Enter
key and you are done. However, the commands can still be
'edited' prior to submission to DOS. This feature is very
useful in copying same-names files with different extensions.
Just 'pop-up' the last copy, and cursor to the extension,
and replace the extension only.
F. File Directory Feature
Because of the extensive use of the file directory
display, a 'paging' file display is provided for you by
VDOS. To see a directory listing of the current directory,
simply hit the F8 key. The first 'page' of the sorted
directory listing will then appear. Other 'pages' can
then be displayed with the use of the PgDn and PgUp keys,
with each key moving a 'page' of the display.
The display is in normal DOS format, except that it
is sorted alphabetically and displays all files (including
hidden files). The 'attribute' of the file is also shown.
Files are 'marked' by DOS as Read-Only (Meaning they can
only be read and cannot be overwritten), System (Meaning
it is used by the system) and Hidden (Meaning it is not
shown on the normal directory display). In addition, the
DOS Backup command also 'blanks out' the Archive bit each
time the file is backed up using that command. When a
file is changed after it has been 'backed up', then the
Arhive bit is set to tell Backup that this file has been
changed and needs to be backed up again.
VDOS is arranged to provide room for 500 files which
can be sorted and displayed by page. Directories with
more than this number of files will not be displayed
correctly.
The VDIR command can also be entered with a 'command-
tail' specifying a specific drive, path, and/or files to
be searched for and displayed (similar to the DOS DIR
command). 'Wild cards' are supported, but all paths
entered must end with a '\'. VDOS will display the
actual search string at the top so you will always know
what is being displayed. VDIR will also show the total
actual space and number of all files found.
7
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
H. Visual Tree Directory Feature
For users of hard disks with an extensive tree structure
composed of many subdirectories, a visual display of this
tree structure can be displayed. For the current disk the
tree structure can be displayed directly with the F8 key.
The tree display will show the actual size of all files in
each 'branch' along with the number of files in that 'branch'.
The total number of directories found will also be shown.
If the tree is greater than one 'page' in length, all of it
can be shown by using the PgDn and PgUp keys to cycle through
the display.
VDOS is setup to allow trees of up to 300 'branches' with
a maximum of 200 'sub-branches' per branch. In addition, the
message 'Scanning Disk' will be displayed as VDOS builds the
directory tree for display.
The VTREE command can also be entered with a 'command-
tail' (just like VDIR) specifying another disk. This is
done for disk D: by typing VTREE D: on the command line and
then hitting enter. Any valid disk can be requested.
H. Listing to Printer
Both the Directory and Tree displays (using VDIR or
VTREE) can be listed on your printer by simply using the
key combination CTRL-L (This means simultaneously holding
down both the Control key -CTRL- and also the L key). The
listings will be displayed on your printer by 'pages' using
a page length of 66 lines per page (normal print using 8 1/2
by 11 paper). Each 'page' will have a heading describing
the printed listing and showing the date printed for page one
and the page number for subsequent pages.
To assist in controlling the printer, VDOS also allows
you to send Formfeeds (jump to a new page) and NewLine
(go to the next line) sequences to your printer. A Formfeed
can be sent to your printer by pressing the CTRL-F combination.
A Newline can be sent by pressing the CTRL-N combination.
These extra key combinations will allow you to create listings
of your directories and disk structure as you want them on the
printed page without having to manually control the printer.
8
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
I. Changing Colors and F-Keys
The DOS DEBUG program can be used to change certain
colors used in the program. First, the 'color' for user
command input may not suit your monitor or your tastes.
Colors are stored internally as background/foreground
Hex digits according to the table given below. The default
value for user input is: 7Fh which is 'high white' on a
grey background (as shown in the table). This value is
stored internally at hex location 1F13h. To change this
'color' to another 'color' (say black on grey), you would
use the following DEBUG commands:
DEBUG VDOS.COM
E 1F13 70
W
Q
CAUTION!
Be sure to do this with a copy of VDOS.COM and not with your
original in case of error. The result of the above DEBUG
session will be a 'modified' version of VDOS.COM on disk.
COLOR TABLE: Hex Color Hex Color
0 Black 8 Grey
1 Blue 9 Bright Blue
2 Green A Bright Green
3 Cyan B Bright Cyan
4 Red C Bright Red
5 Magenta D Bright Magenta
6 Brown E Yellow
7 White/Grey(Bkg) F Bright White
Note: For the Background, only the values
0-7 are allowed.
In addition to the 'Input color' shown above the following
additonal colors can also be 'modified' as described above:
LOCATION DEFAULT DESCRIPTION
1F16h 1Fh Standard User Window Color
1F17h 4Eh Highlighting Window Color
1F18h 1Eh File Description Heading Color
1F19h 1Fh File Name Display Color
1F1Ah 1Eh File Attribute Display Color
1F1Bh 1Ah File Size Display Color
1F1Ch 1Bh File Date Display Color
1F1Dh 1Eh File Time Display Color
To change any of these 'colors', simply follow the above
DEBUG commands but replacing the 1F13 location with the
correct location from the above table.
9
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
Similarly, the actual text entered by the F-keys F3
to F9 is stored in a 'table' beginning at 1F9Ah. Each
key is given 32 bytes for 'text' to be entered, and each
entry must end with the hex value 00h (creating what is
called an 'ASCIIZ' string). These values can be changed
by DEBUG to any string you wish. For example, if you
wish the F3 key to 'type' the string 'BACKUP *.* A:',
then you would use the following DEBUG commands:
DEBUG VDOS.COM
E 1F9A 'BACKUP *.* A:',0
W
Q
The table of modifiable strings is given below:
FKEY LOCATION
F3 1F9Ah
F4 1FBAh
F5 1FDAh
F7 201Ah
F9 205Ah
This changes the strings input, but does not change the
F-key display at the top of the VDOS screen. This screen
is located in the file VDOS.SCR and can be modified with
DEBUG or any screen editor.
CAUTION!
As with changing colors, never use DEBUG on your original
VDOS.COM program in case of errors. The DEBUG session will
create a 'modified' version of your VDOS.COM so to 'be safe'
always use a copy of your original program.
Finally, the lines per page value used by the listing
procedures can also be changed. This value is lacated at
568h and is now set to 52 lines (34h). It can be changed
using DEBUG to any value you wish based on your printer setup.
NOTE!
The authors program VBUG can also be used in place of DEBUG
and will give a visual DEBUG display similar to the VDOS
screen. Try it, you'll like it!
10
VDOS Users Manual V1.2
III. ADMINISTRATION
A. Warranty
As distributed, VDOS is supplied without warranty. Use of
this program is entirely voluntary and all risk is borne by the
user. There is no warranty, implied or expressed, by the use
of this product. In no event will the designer of this product
be liable for any damages arising out of the use of this product.
Useage of this product is agreement to the above limitations.
B. Support
Because of the method of distribution, no direct support
can be provided to end users. However, all questions, comments,
or inquiries will be addressed given the time and resources
available to the author.
C. Future Enhancements
Given any support by the user community, the following
enhancements to VDOS are planned. You can assist in this
development by registering with the author and indicating
your preferred priority for any(or all) of these enhancements.
Comments concerning other desired features is encouraged.
1. Allow easy setup of desired F-key text 'macros'.
2. Allow easy setup of colors used by VDOS.
3. Provide an expanded command help feature giving
a full help explanation for each DOS command.
4. Provide a paging menu capability.
5. Allow side-by-side comparison of two directories.
6. Provide a paging file typing capability.
7. Provide mouse support.
8. Add Date and Time displays as well as Caps/Num on/off
displays to the VDOS interface screen.
11
VDOS Users Manual V1.22
IV. REGISTRATION FORM
Please register me as a user/supporter of the VDOS program.
Enclosed is $19.95 in check or money order payable to:
ADVANTAGE SYSTEMS
1981 NE Brogden Ct.
Hillsboro, Or. 97124
NAME______________________________________________________
ADDRESS___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
VERSION__________
COMMENTS__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
12
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #1914
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
VDOS DOC 31231 12-26-89 10:49p
VDOS COM 27588 6-11-90 10:36a
VDOS SCR 4000 6-03-90 1:42p
720K DOC 407 2-17-90 9:43p
720KA COM 724 2-17-90 9:47p
720KB COM 724 2-17-90 9:47p
DU DOC 2137 3-03-90 7:48p
FILES TXT 545 2-17-90 10:15p
QCOPY DOC 12343 3-03-90 8:50p
QCOPY EXE 77040 3-03-90 7:25p
QFORMAT DOC 5510 3-03-90 8:01p
QFORMAT EXE 43664 3-03-90 7:41p
GO BAT 38 1-01-80 1:37a
GO TXT 575 7-12-90 12:32a
FILE1914 TXT 2961 7-13-90 11:35a
15 file(s) 209487 bytes
105472 bytes free