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[PCjs Machine "ibm5170"]
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FORGOT.DOC
So What Have I Forgotten?
Hopefully not too much <grin>. File Magician is a huge extremely complex
system of coding.. Its speed and power are mainly contributed to coding that
bypasses Window's Translated functions. I've tested FM every way that I can
think of, but I'm the one that programmed it so.. Any problems that I find
or am notified of, I will at my cost send corrected versions to all paid
registered users of FM. Large Complex programs have been a speciality of mine
for quite some years now so hopefully everything is fine. But I'm sure as hell
not perfect! (GRIN)
Thanks
Terry Bullard
INSTALL.DOC
INSTALLATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Currently there is not a installation program that goes with FM, its been
a debate with me if there should even be one. Personally I feel a great deal
of discomfort with installation programs that change what I've so painfully
set up without even telling me about to begin with. File Magician has no need
to change or add to any of your startup files or any .ini files in your windows
directory. The best method to install FM is.
Step 1: Create a directory on your hard drive with File Manager or whatever
you are currently using as a file manager, call the directory
FM or whatever name you wish to use. (as long as it is nice)
Step 2: Copy all the files from the FM disk or .zip archive to that
directory.
Installation complete. Now all you need to do is assign it a icon and
throw it in a group somewhere.
With PCTools.
---------------
Step 1: Go to the File Menu and Select 'New File'.
Step 2: Enter in the Title box File Magician V3 .
Step 3: Click on the 'Browse' Button and find your way to the FM Directory
that you created and select FM.EXE, then push 'OK', the
command line entry box will fill in automatically.
Step 4: Click on the 'Icon' button. Select the icon that turns you on
and select 'OK'.
Step 5: Select 'OK' again from the File Item Box.
Thats it. for PCTools
With Program Manager
----------------------
Step 1: Go to the File Menu and Select 'New'.
Step 2: Select 'Program Item' then 'Ok'
Step 3: Enter in the Description box. File Magician V3
Step 4: Click on the 'Browse Button' and find your way to the FM Directory
that you created and select FM.EXE, then push 'OK', the command
line entry box will fill in automatically.
Step 5: Click 'Change Icon'. You will get a message that says "There are
no icons available for the specified file", no sweat, select 'OK'.
Step 6: Select a Icon that you like and click on 'Ok'.
Step 7: Select 'Ok' again.
See, piece of cake.
With Norton Desktop
---------------------
Step 1: Go to the File Menu and select 'New'
Step 2: Choose the group list you want. I would hope it would be
'AutoStart'. Select 'OK'
Step 3: Select 'Item' for Type.
Step 4: In Title section type 'File Magician V3', don't press return,
use the mouse pointer to select 'Program/document/script:'
Step 5: Click browse, find your way to the FM Directory that you created
and select FM.EXE, then push 'OK', the entry box will file in
automatically.
Step 6: Click the 'Startup Directory' box and enter in the directory path
that you used for FM. examp. c:\fm
Step 7: Click on 'Icon'. Then select that icon that suits and select 'OK'.
Thats it for Norton. His is probably the most difficult to set anything up
for but it really isn't that bad. Presently I favor Norton in a number of items
even if the rumors are true. Quite often rumors are simply user error created
with impatience. I haven't examined PCTools all that well but it too seems to
be a fine program. So far I don't realy see a need to switch desktops from
the program manager but the utilities that accompany Norton and PC are quite
quite handy when used by File Magician!!
LICENSE.DOC
This registration is good for use on one computer only. Use on more
than one computer requires a Site License.
USE ON MORE THEN ONE COMPUTER:
To use File Magician in a commerical, educational, governmental, or
Private agency on more then one computer, it is necessary to purchase
a SITE LICENSE. The Site License allows the organization to use the
software package on up to the number of computers licensed. Site License
fees are based on the total number of computers that will use the
software package. Distributing, repackaging, or reselling of the
software to third parties is NOT ALLOWED. Call for Site License Pricing.
NOTICE.DOC
Notice:
One thing that I felt that is worth mentioning again, just in case you
missed it in the doc. The Magic.Dat File IS the configuration for MY system
and it is provided ONLY as a Example. The CMD's will probably be the most
confusing part of the whole program. Examine my setup and you'll really see
that it is quite easy. Keep in mind that Not all programs will function as
CMD's but a huge percentage will. Wolf3d and one other (whos name escapes me)
wouldn't work.
NOTE: The Magic.Dat File is not included with FMV3. I think that it might
have created more confusion then as a example.
BBS Registering...
Now I also can provide a BBS that you may register through Trust Mail if you
like. The BBS is local to me and the sysop has agreed to create a special
conference for File Magician.. The BBS also has Amiga and IBM conferences.
It is a FREE BBS.. but it does have ratios .. It is open 24 hours and the
Number is 206-384-2591. You also will be able to get online support there and
report any bugs that might be in the program.
One last thought I had just before archiving this monster together. I occured
to me that a lot of people might wonder just who the hell Terry Bullard is and
how come we have never heard of him before. Lets see, I'm a 43 year old (next
month) male, married with 5 kids (thats right 5! I more then realize my
mistake now!) and I've been programming the Amiga Computer since 1985. I've
programmed for different software companies and computer magazines for a long
time. Anyhow some close friends of mine told me that I'm wasting my time
programming for a dying computer and that I really should bring my stuff into
the PC world. They told me that the PC world had a definitly different class
of people. I hope their right, maybe I'll get some bills paid. grin
The other thing is that I've very competitive and will program to great lengths
to make my projects the best of best!!
Thanks!
Terry Bullard
ORDER.DOC
How To Register
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are a couple of ways to register 'File Magician'. First you can send
a check or money order for $40.00 US Funds to:
Terry Bullard
Bullard Software
3291 Mt. View Rd.
Ferndale, Wa. 98248
OR
by Trust Mail.
Trust Mail
~~~~~~~~~~
Trust Mail is a term that we invented. Most places insist that first you
send them money and then they will send you your requested items. You trust
them to do this after you have parted with your money. With trust mail, we
will send you our software first and when you receive it, we will trust that
you will send us back a check or money order for it. All you need do is to
pick up your phone and dial the number supplied below and then register.
Don't be surprised if you get just a "Hello" instead of "Hello this is Bullard
Software". I have a really hard time being so formal! After you register
we will within 24 hours have 'File Magician' on its way to you, first class
and postage paid by us. As our company grows with your support we will add
additional lines for ordering and support. For now you can order between
5:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time. Keep in mind that there is
three hours difference between here and the east coast.
Also I must keep Trust Mail limited to the USA and Canada. Don't get
me wrong for those that don't live there, I must see how this works out first.
I do hope you understand.
CALL NOW: 1-(206)-384-6740
What You Get
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once you register, we will send you 'File Magician' without the dialog boxes
that appear when any item is first clicked. The program will be the lastest
update of File Magician. A printed manual that to begin with will be soft
bound. With the planned growth of File Magician it is not feasible to have
any other type of manual. The cost of re-printing such would be terribly high
and unfair to pass this unneccessary cost on to you.. You would be placed
on our mailing list and would be notified immediately by mail of future
updates of File Magician and any new products we develop. The package will
be postage paid by us.
Comment: Also we decided that paid in full registered owners will receive the
the first update free, postage paid by us. If you are on a payment plan,
before you receive a free update you must be paid in full, I do think that is
fair.
Thank you very much
Terry Bullard
READ1ST.DOC
This is a insert from the main documentary file and really must be stressed!
First and Most important before running File Magician!
For Best results..
1. Double Click on Window's pif editor.
2. Select 'Open' from the File Menu.
3. Select _default.pif from the selection box, then press 'OK'.
4. Locate 'Windowed' button and select to on. This is a radio button
and if a dot appears in the middle of the circle it is then on.
5. Locate 'Close Window On Exit' button and select to on. This
is a X type button and a 'X' in the square is on.
6. Now from the File Menu select 'Save As'.
7. The filename and path "C:\Windows\_default.pif" should be hi-lited
in the file name box, if so, press 'OK', if not enter in your
windows path adding the _default.pif filename and click 'OK'
8. A Dialog box will appear and inform you that the file already
exists and ask you if you wish to 'Replace existing file?'. Select
'Yes'
Doing this is the only windows adjustment that you must make. You may then
decide where you wish place File Magician and what icon you may want it to
have.
NEXT Important thing.. File Magician's Configuration..
Thanks!
V3.DOC
File Magician V3.0
Copyright 1993-1994
by Terry Bullard
for Windows 3.1
Release Date: Apr. 3, 1993
TOPICS in ORDER
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Introduction
A Couple of Questions
Ordering Hours
Calls of Thanks
Can I Improve my HD Performance?
Upgrades
Site Licenses
Club Rates
What you can do for us
Whats New in V3
Palette Control
CMD/Task Loader
The Exchange
Font Selecter
DlClk Task Control
Auto File Listing on Bootup
File Copy Modes
Double Clicked .zip Files
Last Minute Stuff
Add2List for Archiving
Dos Button
Ent Com
Move Drive Selections
Multiple Mouse Selections
Menu
Save Configuration
Use Desktop Palette
Use System Desktop Palette
Clock
New Stuff to Come
Installation
With PCTools
With Program Manager
With Norton Desktop
Some of the Old Stuff
Description
Just What is File Magician
Requirements
How To Register
Trust Mail
What You Get
First and MOST important before running File Magician!
Next Important thing
CMDs or Tasks
Archive compressers (Pkzip, lha, arj)
Archive Commander
Double clicking
Path Bars
Split
Duplicate
Menus
Compression
Utilities
View Windows
Selection
Title Bar
Keyboard
Push Buttons
Drive Buttons
Parent
All
Clear
Copy
Rename
Move
Delete
Read
Byte Request
MakeDir
Run
INTRODUCTION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to File Magician version 3.0! For those of you unfamiliar with
File Magician Please read the setup section for FM carefully, pay particular
attention to the steps in changing the _default.pif file. For those of you familiar with
FM will find huge differences from version 2.0. First and most important
FM does not gobble resources as it did in v2.0. I have a hard time labeling
this as a FM bug when in reality it is a compiler problem. This sounds like
passing the buck but it really isn't! Anyway I found a way to work around it and now
the resources behave properly. FM has added 123K to the .EXE coding and to
keep FM as independent as possible I had to change a few things to keep it within
the hardware limits for a basic 4 meg setup. The F1 help has been removed to
make room for additional error control coding, this was all pretty basic stuff
and is covered quite well in the documentation. If this is unsatisfactory to
everyone I'll bring in winhelp (gasp). The other behind the scenes thing with
FM is the directory and file limitation. FM will handle up to 100 directories
and 300 files per root listing instead of the 50 and 200 as before. This was an
oversite on my part and I just don't have a good excuse! The next release
of FM will have unlimited file and directory listings. I plan to bring in a
Amiga method of virtual memory control to handle it. This will take 80 to 100
hours of time to make the conversion so it will have to be in the next release.
File Magician has been tested with 'Norton Desktop', 'PCTools', and 'Dash
Board', without encountering any problems. Also FM does does quite a good job
of running all of their fine utility programs too, so one might keep in mind
that one could benfit by their programs and still remain under MS's program
manager. Oh yes almost forgot, FM was tested with the Program Managers too.
A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are a couple of questions and reasons to clear up before proceeding with
what is new in V3.0...
Ordering Hours. As stated before they are 4:00pm to 9:00pm Pacific Standard
Time. You may call during the day if you wish but you may very easily get one
of those nasty answering machines. If you do, please leave your name and phone
number and I WILL call you back. As soon as I get enough registrations I
WILL put in a toll free number and WILL be here during the day.
NOTE: When leaving a message on the answering machine, please speak slowly when
leaving your name and number. Its either me or the machine that doesn't
hear so well <grin>
Several people who have called have thanked me for being here for them. This
surprised me a bit. In my opinion if a programmer releases software to the public
he or she SHOULD be there for the people who use or want to use their
software! If not then they had better find a new line of work!! I AM here for
everyone and WILL continue to upgrade FM to the best of my ability, and your
calls help me acheive those goals.
How can I improve my Hard Drive Performance?
This question has been asked me many times. Optimizers are good but you must
keep your hard drive organized. Do NOT have a lot of files and directories
in a single root directory. Create new embedded directories and store your
files in a organized manner. Anything more then 200 listings in a root directory
slows hd performance and a great number of other things. Plus a good guess is
that your hard drive will need to be replaced sooner.
Upgrades. When you register you will receive the lastest version of FM and
the next upgrade will be sent to you FREE by mail. If you have been following
the different releases of File Magician you will know that upgrades have NOT
been minor fixes, but have been major additions. If for some reason FM has to
be released for some minor fix, you WILL receive this release BUT it will not
be counted as a free upgrade. Minor fixes are my fault not yours.
Site Licenses. Yes we do have Site Fees. These are NOT Site copy fees but
reduced fees based upon the number of copys ordered from us. You will need
to call for pricing.
Club Rates. This was something that I had not thought about until a few days
ago when it was brought to my attention. I am totally in favor of Computer
Clubs and how beneficial they are to all users. I am developing a plan that
WILL benefit the club as well as its members. Have your club representitive
call me.
Keep in mind that I'm from a small hick town in Washington state and I'm
a good generation older then 90 percent of the current shareware programmers.
So it is safe to assume that my beliefs and business practices are a bit old
fashion especially in regards to where the customer comes first! But as to
new ideas and mechanical programming, those young whippersnappers had better
sit back and watch how its done! <grin>
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR US
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One final thing and we'll get to whats new. Please upload this evaluation
copy of FM to all the Bulletin Boards you call. Fast distribution is always
a problem. Then if you like FM please call or write your favorite computer
magazine. All of the above would help me and you! For me, it gets FM known.
For you, it allows me to devote more time to FM's continued development!
Now if you don't like FM, call me and tell me why, this will help me make
FM even better! File Magician WILL be if its NOT ALREADY the best file
managing and archive managing program for the PC. With your help it will be
and remain to be Number One! (Documentation might be another story!) EEK!
OK On to What's New........
Palette Control
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Palette control is located under the utilities menu. The palette control
consists of 48 different items which enables you to change the current color.The
first 21 are the standard Project Manager controls and the last 27 are independent
items for FM. This will give you almost complete control over FM's color
selections, you can change it to what is pleasant to your eye. The
function 'The Exchange' explained below will allow you to save your palette as
an independant file or load up someone elses palette.
After loading the palette selector you will be presented with a dialog box
containing the different controls you can use to make the necessary changes.
The upper left quarter of the box are three slide gadgets that will allow you
to adjust the different color shades. The upper right quarter of the box contains
a list box of all the different items you can change. The bottom third of
the dialog box contains six push button controls and a comment field.
OK Button - This button accepts the color selection you have chosen for any
particular item. Once you are satisfied with an items color, press
this button. Ok must be pressed for each item you change
if your satisifed with the color.
SAVE Button - The save button only needs to be pressed once when you have
finished with all your selections. Save will save the entire
palette configuration to disk.
TEST Button - This button will change the color of the current item you are
working to see how it actually looks. For me and I'm sure
everyone else it is difficult to see how something will look
like without actually seeing it visually. After choosing
'Test' you must either choose 'OK' or 'Stop Test'.
STOP TEST - Stop Test will stop the testing mode of the palette selecter and
reset the selected item back to the orginial color plus reset
the color selector gadgets back to what they were orginally.
There were pros and cons in reseting the color selector gadgets
back to where they were orginally or just leaving them at the
last current state of selection. Returning back to the default
won out for the simple reason that it was too hard to remember
exactly where default really was and it was best to just start
out with a new selection. It worked for me, I hope it works for
you.
DEFAULT - This button will reset any selected item back to my orginal
color selection for FM. The Color basis is from the stock
settings of Windows.
CANCEL - Cancel is the Same as Exit. Cancel means to cancel any further
palette Selections. Perhaps it should have just been called
Exit.
COMMENT - This comment field can contain up to 80 characters. The reason
for this comment section is so you can label your different
palette creations with your name or any comments you might have
concerning that palette. Also when using "The Exchange" to load
other peoples palettes you can see who and what they have to say
concerning that palette. See the 'The Exchange' section below
for further info.
Proceedure: - The best way to use the palette selector is to first select a
item from the list box in the upper right corner than adjust
the color control bars. When you find something that might look
neat, push the 'Test' button. If it looks suitable then go
ahead and select ok. Then proceed onto the next item. Now if
you are totally satisfied with your selections you may select
either 'SAVE' or 'CANCEL'. Selecting 'SAVE' will write the
configuration to disk. Selecting 'CANCEL' will allow you to use
the palette settings only for the current secession.
PALETTE BACK - This menu item will read your disk configuration and load the
palette you last saved to disk. This comes in handy if
you decide your palette choices weren't all that neat after all.
CMD LOADER
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The CMD (command) Loader is really a 'Task' Editor for center buttons and
menus of File Magician. The loader itself looks a bit complicated but really
isn't too bad to use. Most Task programs require that the task you wish to run
is located within the path environment such as your windows directory etc. FM's
method will allow you to run an external program that DOES NOT reside within the
path environment. There are two ways to configure CMDs which will be explained
below. To those who haven't heard of CMDs or Task launchers... CMDs or TASKs
are programs that can be launched (run) from one main program. These programs
(using FM) can be either DOS based or Windows Based and once configured they
can be run by simply choosing a menu item or pushing one of the central buttons.
Version 2 of FM had a simple window entry program that resided in the
configuration section which you could enter in the CMD name and path, this was
a bit confusing for non-dos people so considerable thought was spent in creating the
loader to make life easier in setting them up correctly. The loader consists
of a dialog window that contains the following....
An entry box to supply a search name
A list box where file searches will be presented.
A Clear button to clear entries in the search list box.
An entry box that will contain the .exe filename
An entry box that will contain an argument for the .exe file if one is needed.
An entry box that will contain the path name and path setup for the .exe
An entry box that contains the filename of a file previously selected
before entering the loader
An entry box that will contain the .EXE name for testing purposes
An entry box that will contain the .EXE's Path name for testing purposes.
An entry box that will contain the Button or Menu name of the .EXE file.
A X button that is used to indicate if a argument or path is to be used.
A Radio button to indicate if a preselected file is to be used.
A group box containing radio buttons to choose which CMD you want to use.
A Drive selection list box.
5 PushButton controls, "Accept", "Search", "Help", "Save", and "Exit".
Now there are several ways to do this and we'll start with the most basic.
As a sample CMD we will use the Solitary game windows supplies. This program
is located in the windows directory and is called 'Sol.EXE'. We will start
from step one and continue on. So far you have not loaded the CMD loader so in
this order do the following....
Step 1: Double click on the Windows directory to open it. (any window is fine)
Step 2: Single click on the 'Sol.EXE' file, which highlights it.
Step 3: Select CMD Loader from the menu.
Step 4: Select the CMD you wish to use from the group box.
Step 5: Select the "Use Selected" button.
Step 6: Select the "Use Path" button.
NOTE: The entry boxes 'Program Name', 'Path Name', 'Prg. Name', and 'Argument'
will automatically fill themselves in with the correct information
FM needs.
OPTIONAL: If you wish to make sure your selection is correct and the program
runs then click on the test button.
Step 7: Enter in the "Button Name" box, the name you wish the menu or
button to display.
Step 8: Click the 'Accept' Button.
Thats it for the easy way. Note that for every CMD you change or add you must
click on the 'Accept' Button, this fills the necessary program structure with
information it needs. When you are completely done with your CMD selections you
may click on 'Save' to save the configuration to disk.
You currently have 20 CMDs, 10 are button and 10 are menu, (this will increase
in later versions of FM). Under the column of CMDs 1-10 is the word buttons.
This means that CMDs 1-10 are button cmds and CMDs 11-20 are Menu cmds.
When entering the CMD Loader you MUST first choose a CMD before proceeding with
any of the other setup. When choosing a CMD, this clears all previously entered
data, so that is the reason why you need to choose the CMD to work on FIRST!
Another method of using the CMD Loader is to use its search features. This is
especially useful when editing more then one task. To do this open the CMD
Loader from the menu then complete the following steps. Once again the windows
Solitaire game will be the example.
Step 1: Select the CMD you wish to use from the group box.
Step 2: Select the Drive you wish to search from the Drive Box.
Step 3: In the 'Search Name' box enter in the full file name or just the
few letters of the name OR if you are unsure of just exactly what
the file name is, enter in .EXE for all the executible files. Many
times this will jog ones memory (grin)
Step 4: Push the 'Search' Button.
Step 5: Select the correct file from the search list box. When the item
is selected, FM will fill in the correct path and file names as
mentioned above.
Step 6: Select the 'Use Path' button.
OPTIONAL: You may test the program just as it was explained above.
Step 7: Enter in the 'Button Name" box, the name you wish the menu or
button to display
Step 8: Select the 'Accept' Button if you are satisfied.
(This all sounds a lot more complicated than it really is, just mess around
with it a bit, I guarantee your computer will not explode!) grin
The argument field is a hold over from V2.0 and it
is still functional but with the Double Click Task Controller it really is
obsolete. A %s located with in the argument field would indicate to FM that
it is to insert the filename and path of a selected file.
(This all sounds a lot more complicated than it really is, just mess around
with it a bit, I guarantee your computer will not explode!) grin
THE EXCHANGE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Exchange is a feature that will allow you to load or save different
parts of your configuration of FM. If you have come up with a really neat
palette selection for FM and you want to share it with others on a bulletin
board, computer club, or just friends you can save the palette as a seperate
file and upload it or pass it out on disk. Or if you wish to view someone elses
idea for a palette you can load theirs and keep it or modify it as you wish.
The exchange also supports configuration segments for Pkzip, Pkunzip, Lha, and
Arj. For most people including myself it is somewhat confusing to understand
just what setting does what etc. without going into great study. Well some
people have a real nak for it and with any luck these talented people will
allow others to observe their talents in creating settings files for other
people to use. The Palette and all the Archive settings dialog boxes have a
'Comment' box which can be used for notations or signatures of who created
it. To use The Exchange use the following steps.
Step 1: To load or save a file you can first click on a file before
loading The Exchange. After the file is highlighted you would
use the menu to start The Exchange. When the exchange appears
the file you selected will show up in the 'Selected File'
box. If you wish to use that filename select the 'Use Selected'
button. I know this is more then one step but...
Step 2: If you do not use the 'Use Selected' step enter in the 'Filename'
box the name and path of the file you wish to load or save.
Step 3: Select one of the configuration buttons, 'Palette','Pkzip' etc.
Step 4: Click either load or save depending on what you are doing.
Thats it.! The new configuration will take effect immediately. If you wish
to retain these settings you must load up the configuration screen and chose
'Save' to save to disk.
FONT SELECTER
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Font Selecter will allow you to use two different fonts in the main view
of FM. The first menu item is 'View Windows'. 'View Windows' are the fonts that
display the files and directories located in the right and left view windows.
Any type or size of font may be used. FM will adjust accordingly. Of course
if you pick too large of a font the file name and file size will interweave
making for a very difficult display to read, hehe. Keep in mind when a
different font other then the system font is used, the display when repainting
is noticably slower. At least it is on my low end clone. It would be interesting
to see how it reacts on a good machine.
Underline and Strikeout are allowed as well as the different point size but
color is not, even though it is indicated. The font color can be set with the
palette control. I have a rather limited supply of fonts to test but everything
I do has seemed to work well. My favorite selection is having "small.fon" with
point size 6 as the buttons and "Terminal.fon" 9 as view.
The 'Background Fonts' menu item is set for the button controls of the main view
screen. Once you are happy with your font selection, choose 'Save Font's' from
the menu. This will save to disk the font structure and when you boot up FM
next time your fonts will be displayed. Also depending upon your machine keep
in mind it takes a bit to load the fonts from disk when first booting.
DLCLK TASK CONTROL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the real work horse of File Magician! DlClk Task Control is ONLY
similar to Windows File Manager in one way. You can double click a file and
the appropriate program is loaded to run the associated double clicked file.
Most programs use the file extension method to associate a given file to a
given program. FM DOES NOT! Too many different types of files have the same
bloody extension and there is nothing more aggrevating then getting an
unrecognized winhelp file or you have to make an extension association with
every bloody .txt, .doc, .c, .h, etc etc. The only true way, is to recognize
the files binary header which 99 percent of them have that identifies what type
of file they really are. Well this is what FM does. Ok, now I was presented
with a couple of different choices on how to do this. The first and most obvious
was to examine every file I could get my hands on and construct FM to
recognize that header and do its thing provided you had the correct manager
to run that file. Well I sure couldn't afford to cover the hundreds or, better
yet thousands of filetypes available to the PC and I had to have some
way to satisfy everyone. So, one of the two days I took off since starting
FM,( it came to me while panning gold in one of Canada's beautiful rivers), why
not give FM the ability to learn the different filetypes and store them away
for use. That day was a nice one and I did find more gold then usual but I
cut it short and headed home to add the feature to FM. It wasn't an easy task
in making it easy to use for everyone at all levels, but I think it came out
fairly well as long as the users take the proper steps in setting it up.
A double click function must have a task to work on the double clicked file.
For instance if you wish to view a .gif picture file you would use one of
the many great gif viewers that are available. So you would do the same when
setting up a double click configuration. From now on I'll refer to the Task
(gif viewer) as a Manager. So the first thing to do is figure out what type
of file we wish to have as a double click control. We'll use the .gif
as an example and the name of manager can be GifView.exe. Now the first thing
that has to be done is to load the Manager. The best way to do this is to
use the search functions. So step by step
Step 1: Load the Task Dispatcher from the menu.
Step 2: Select the drive to search from in the drive box.
Step 3: Enter in the full Manager's name or first few letters of the
Manager's name in the entry box labeled 'Search Name or .ext'
If you are unsure of the filename enter .EXE to search for all
executibles.
Step 4: At the end of the search, select the listing you believe is the
correct manager for the task you wish to do.
Step 5: Select the Manager Button. The name of the manager will appear in
the entry box labeled 'Manager name'. Now it is time to teach FM
what type of files that manager should work on.
Step 6: On the bottom of the dialog box are four radio buttons labeled
'Match' and then a number 1-4.
NOTE: Match is the number of bytes FM will compare when learning about
the different filetypes. Selecting Match 3 (default) is quite
accurate but some files like .bmp, .pif have only 1 or 2 beggining
header bytes that are the same. So if at first you don't match
3 or 4, try a lower number. FM will tell you what your odds are.
The next step is to locate a number of files that contain the same
.ext as the manager should work on. Keep in mind that many files
have the same extension so you may very well have to adjust the
extension file selection. Ok now use the search feature again.
Step 7: Enter in the 'Search Name' box the name of the extension you
wish to use like .gif
Step 8: Choose the drive you wish to search, if it is different then the
one you used to search for the manager.
Step 9: Push the Search button.
Step 10: After your search ends you may select all the entries in the search
box by pushing the 'Select All' or you can select any number of
entries manually with the mouse.
Step 11: Push the 'Learn' Button.
NOTE: FM will scan all of the selected files and compare them with the
first entry in list. If no matches are found you will be told to
deselect the first entry and try again. Hopefully your won't have
to do this too much before FM Finds a successful match. If the
first entry only matchs a few of the files FM will give you the
percentage of matches and deselect all of the files that didn't
match. At that point you take over and decide if you wish to
accept this selection. If so then use Step 12
Step 12: Push the 'Accept' Button.
Thats it. See, piece of cake! Now you can double click any .gif file
in either view window and FM will call GifView.exe to load and show the selected
.gif file. Hm... almost makes drag and drop obsolete huh..
The three buttons "Clear Sel", "Select All", "Clear Box", are pretty basic.
Clear Sel - Clears all the selected listings in the search list box.
Select All - Selects all the listings in the search box.
Clear Box - Deletes all the listings in the search box and resets the box to
zero.
The two buttons "Task List", and "Del Entry" are for viewing and deleting
previously accepted Matches. To view the list of matches, press the 'Task List'
button. To delete a match, select a match from the search list box and then
press the 'Del Entry' Button.
The last button that hasn't been described yet is the 'Load List' Button.
This button loads a previously selected list of files that were selected on the
Main screen of File Magician. The Main screen of FM has two collective buttons,
'Add2List' and 'Del List'. Currently these buttons are dedicated to the
DlClk Task Controller in selecting files for FM to learn from. Later these
same buttons will be used to Archive files from different directories and
different drives all in one shot. In using the buttons with DlClk Task
Controller you would first Clear the list by pressing 'Del List'. Then you
can roam around your HD and select different files with the proper extension
you want FM to learn about. After you select these files, push the button
'Add2List', then move on to the next directory or drive, select more files,
'Add2List', etc. Once you have selected all the files you want to select
you can then load the DlClk Task Dispatcher. You then enter in the Manager's
name and next you select the 'Load List' button. This button will load all
the files you have previously selected with the 'Add2List' button. Then
you can continue on with the learn process.
Have no fear with this function, the worst that can really happens is the
manager program you selected won't work and the FM will just ignore your
double click message. If FM does ignore it then you have either the wrong
manager or the manager tries to load the wrong files.
Currently File Magician recognizes the following files. .EXE, .ZIP, .LHA, .ARJ
and All text files. Double Click editing should be avoided for these filetype
because FM will over ride the configuration.
Text Files should be explained a little here. FM is accompanied with a seperate
file called read.exe. This is a very simple text file reader that only took a
few hours to program. When FM encounters a double clicked text file it will
load the reader to read the file. Currently my efforts have been to add to File
Magician's abilities and as of yet I have not had enough waking hours to
enhance the reader problem and for this reason I have added a slot within the
configuration window where the reader program can be subsituted for some other
reader or editor of your choice. Qedit works very well for large files and
notepad is quite good for files under 32k. To accomplish this, open the config
window by pushing the "Config" button and in the group box labeled Names, replace
the Read name with the filename of your choice. The filename must either be
in the same directory as FM or it must reside within the Path Environment.
Auto File Listing on bootup
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
File Magician can now be set to have either view window contain a pre-defined
file and directory listing. To accomplish this, enter the configuration control
and in the group box that is labeled "Paths" you will see ..
Left Boot Drive
_________ _____
| | | |
|_________| |_____|
Right Boot Drive
_________ _____
| | | |
|_________| |_____|
Left Boot of course is for the Left view window and Right Boot is for the right
view windows. Enter in the drive and or directory you wish File Magician
to load when you first load File Magician. The drives and or directories should
be entered in as the following example.
C:
C:\windows
etc.
The drive box contains the actual number of the drive. Only a number can be
entered here and it must relate to the drive that is indicated in boot box.
Failure to enter the correct drive number could result in some unexpected results.
The values are as follows
A: = 1
B: = 2
C: = 3
D: = 4
E: = 5
etc.
FILE COPY MODES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The copy command button has been changed. You now have available three
different copy methods when copying file or directories.
1) Copy Standard
2) Compress while Copying
3) Decompress while Copying
Copy Standard - This is the standard copy procedure used in the previous
versions of FM. All selected files are sent to the destination
area and the originals are left untouched.
Compress While Copying - This method will copy files to the destination area
and compress each file in route to the destination area. This
method uses MicroSoft's compression routines. The filenames
are left unchanged and the command will maintain the directory
tree if any directory has been selected. I've recorded up to
a 74 percent compression ratio in some tests. The great
advantage to this function is there is always a visual reference
of the compressed files and the need to remember or view a
zip file for its contents is not needed. The downside of this
function is it will pad extra bytes to a file when
compressing a file that has already been compressed by some
other archiver. These padded are stripped when the file is
recopied using the Decompress While copying mode. FM is in
no way trying to compete with any other existing archiver but
simply giving you another file compression advantage.
All files are sent to the destination area and the orginals are
left untouched.
Decompress While Copying - This mode will decompress any file that has been
previously compressed with File Magician. If multiple files
have been selected and only some have been previously
compressed, FM will decompresss only those files that are
compressed and standard copy the files that are not compressed.
There is no need for you to try and determine which files are
compressed and which files aren't. FM will do this automatically.
All files are sent to the destination area and the orginals
are left untouched.
Check For Disk Space - With this button selected, File Magician will check the
destination area before each file it copies to make sure
there is enough free space. If not enough free space is
available, FM will abort the process and inform you of the
problem.
Cancel - The Cancel of course aborts the procedure either before the
copy process begins or will abort the process during the
copy session.
DOUBLE CLICKED .ZIP FILES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Double clicking of any .zip file has been changed. Now when a .zip file is
double clicked a dialog box will appear and give you the option of extracting
the file to the indicated destination area or loading the file into the 'Archive
Commander'. You also have the option of changing the destination area that
is indicated in the entry box. The entry box will automatically be defaulted
to what path is showing in the destination area. Lha and Arj will still auto
extract to whatever the destination area is when double clicked.
LAST MINUTE STUFF
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Add2List - Use List for Archiving
I've added the 'Use List' Function to Pkzip, Lha, and Arj. This allows you
to archive any files or directories from any drive with a single call from any
of the archivers. This works for archiving from multiple drives at the same
time too. Its quite easy to do..
Step 1: Select the 'Del List' button. This clears the list.
Step 2: Use either view to select any file or directory that you wish to
archive. Then select the 'Add2List' button. You can then change
directories or drives and select additional files. Each time you
select files or directories, use the 'Add2List' button before
moving on to the next drive or directory listing.
Step 3: Call up whatever archiver you will use and select the 'Use List'
button from the dialog box. Then enter the balance as you normally
would when creating a archive.
Thats it! How this works is when everytime you push the 'Add2List' button FM
will write all your selected files to a file called 'Selected.Lst' in your
configured 'Work Directory'. File Magician appends each selection to the end
of this file, so the 'Selected.Lst' will continue to grow for each Add2List
entry you make (the file is NOT over written, but continued). So this is why
you should use the 'Del List' button when you begin something new. If you
don't then all the previously selected files from another process that you
did before would be included with whatever you are currently doing. Remember
'Selected.Lst' is a file and will always be there every time you boot FM,
unless you push the 'Del List' button. Ok I'm going over this several times
but I just wanted to get it clear <grin>
DOS BUTTON
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pushing the 'Dos' Button will give you the dos shell. File Magician expects
to find the Windows supplied, "dosprmpt.pif" file. This file can reside in the
windows directory or any directory that is included in the Path Environment.
ENT COM
~~~~~~~~~~~
This is short For 'Enter Command'. Here you can enter a most dos commands
from this line. There is a few exceptions and there is a few rules for the
non exceptions. Windows is not very free with giving programmers control using
dos functions and one would think that it is strongly discouraged at times. So
if you wish to run a .pif file or a .com file you must include the extension.
.EXE file are fine without the extensions. Anything that is within the Path
Environment can be called without using the full path name, other then that you
must use the full path name.
Example in command line...
format.com a:
The MS_DOS commands such as 'dir', 'type', well forget it.
MORE DRIVE SELECTIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FM now supports up to 12 drives. At least I hope it does. I've only been
able to test a: to d:, but the coding is basically the same so there shouldn't
be a problem. If so please notify me. With screen space getting very limited
I split the orginal drive button space to add the additional 6 drives. In a
higher resolution mode it looks quite cool. Well at least I think so.
MULTIPLE MOUSE SELECTION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Multiple files and/or directories can be selected or de-selected by holding
down on the Left Mouse Button and moving the pointer up or down the view
window.
MENU - SAVE CONFIGURATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When selecting this item from the utilities menu, this will save all branches
of the configuration, such as palette, Archive Settings etc.
USE DESKTOP PALETTE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This item will absorb the current palette setting that you have made for your
program manager desktop and apply them to FM's base palette.
USE SYSTEM DESKTOP PALETTE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This Menu Item will load the stock Program Managers system palette settings and
apply them as FM's base palette.
OPTIMIZATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In laymen terms I've applied some special optimized coding to bring the
.exe filesize down from 284K, to at this writing, 246K, almost 40K of disk
savings and much faster execution. With the last minute stuff there still
was 148K of additional .EXE coding to FM V3.0 over FM V2.0, just in case
anyone was interested. Remember the 18K of F1 help was removed also.
CLOCK
~~~~~~~~~
File Magician has two types of clocks. One a window and one for the menu
bar, your choice. If you would like the clock to be present when you boot up
just save the configuration while one of the clocks are active. When FM first
boots windows does it thing in a certain order so when you pass your mouse over
a section of the background window the clock will auto-activate. The background
window is classified as anything other then the view windows. To de-activate
the window clock you can do one of the following... Use the box clock menu
again, it is always on toggle. Click on the clock to activate the window and
use the close gadget, ESC key, or ENTER key. To de-activate the menu clock you
must toggle the menu item again.
NEW STUFF TO COME
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You bet! I still have a slug of ideas that I want to put into FM and I'm
getting a slug more from the people that have called me. I know that many of
the people that have called with suggestions will see that these ideas are
in this version of FM. Thank you all very much!!!! A couple of the things
that will be different with the next version of File Magician will be first,
The Archive Commander. This will not only have a different look but it will
have twice the control over the archives as it does now. I've been holding
off a bit on this because I wanted to hear from the Pkware boys but I guess
they must be too busy. Anyhow this will be a lot different. A second thing
will be the actual archiving controls, this will change and give you more
power over what you are doing. And a third is the graphic look of FM. Right
now it is quite plain and it was left purposely this way until I had a chance
to do something about it. Also I can't see why this can't be configured by
the user of FM and why FM cannot have these configurations saved and loaded.
INSTALLATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Currently there is not a installation program that goes with FM, its been
a debate with me if there should even be one. Personally I feel a great deal
of discomfort with installation programs that change what I've so painfully
set up without even telling me about to begin with. File Magician has no need
to change or add to any of your startup files or any .ini files in your windows
directory. The best method to install FM is.
Step 1: Create a directory on your hard drive with File Manager or whatever
you are currently using as a file manager, call the directory
FM or whatever name you wish to use. (as long as it is nice)
Step 2: Copy all the files from the FM disk or .zip archive to that
directory.
Installation complete. Now all you need to do is assign it a icon and
throw it in a group somewhere.
With PCTools.
---------------
Step 1: Go to the File Menu and Select 'New File'.
Step 2: Enter in the Title box File Magician V3 .
Step 3: Click on the 'Browse' Button and find your way to the FM Directory
that you created and select FM.EXE, then push 'OK', the
command line entry box will fill in automatically.
Step 4: Click on the 'Icon' button. Select the icon that turns you on
and select 'OK'.
Step 5: Select 'OK' again from the File Item Box.
Thats it. for PCTools
With Program Manager
----------------------
Step 1: Go to the File Menu and Select 'New'.
Step 2: Select 'Program Item' then 'Ok'
Step 3: Enter in the Description box. File Magician V3
Step 4: Click on the 'Browse Button' and find your way to the FM Directory
that you created and select FM.EXE, then push 'OK', the command
line entry box will fill in automatically.
Step 5: Click 'Change Icon'. You will get a message that says "There are
no icons available for the specified file", no sweat, select 'OK'.
Step 6: Select a Icon that you like and click on 'Ok'.
Step 7: Select 'Ok' again.
See, piece of cake.
With Norton Desktop
---------------------
Step 1: Go to the File Menu and select 'New'
Step 2: Choose the group list you want. I would hope it would be
'AutoStart'. Select 'OK'
Step 3: Select 'Item' for Type.
Step 4: In Title section type 'File Magician V3', don't press return,
use the mouse pointer to select 'Program/document/script:'
Step 5: Click browse, find your way to the FM Directory that you created
and select FM.EXE, then push 'OK', the entry box will file in
automatically.
Step 6: Click the 'Startup Directory' box and enter in the directory path
that you used for FM. examp. c:\fm
Step 7: Click on 'Icon'. Then select that icon that suits and select 'OK'.
Thats it for Norton. His is probably the most difficult to set anything up
for but it really isn't that bad. Presently I favor Norton in a number of items
even if the rumors are true. Quite often rumors are simply user error created
with impatience. I haven't examined PCTools all that well but it too seems to
be a fine program. So far I don't realy see a need to switch desktops from
the program manager but the utilities that accompany Norton and PC are quite
quite handy when used by File Magician!!
SOME OF THE OLD STUFF
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What I'm going to do is to insert a lot of the old docs and COMMENT: the
different changes that have been made. After that a NEW ADDITIONS: section.
Also bare with me on this, documentation is a definate short coming for me!
Description (old)
~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, enough said on that subject! Now to tell a little about File Magician.
File Magician has a similar interface as Disk Master v1.4 for the amiga, if
you own a amiga and don't have Disk Master, get it , it is a must have.
File Magician has two view windows, one is always the 'Source Window' and one
is always the 'Destination' window. Source and Destination can be swapped by
clicking the LMB in the window or in the path bar above the window. The
clicked area will then become the 'Source' window. The 'Source' window will
have a red box around it plus the little toggle bar between the windows at the
top of the screen will also point to it. In the center of the screen between
the two windows will be a column of push buttons. The first six buttons are
for your drive configuations. The program will automatically configure to
your current devices. The following buttons will perform the different
functions as is explained below. Let me add at this point that File Magician
is a shareware program and that it is for evaluation only. Somewhere there
had to be a stopping point with File Magician as a evaluation program.
File Magician can only grow from this point. I have over 50 planned functions
that File Magician will have as time goes on, not counting new ideas that will
be generated by time and user input. Basically File Magician has unlimited
growth potential! User registation increases that potential many times over.
Comment: I keep saying over 50 planned functions. jeez that has still has to
hold true. The further along I get the ideas start doubling.
File Magician V3 is evolving way past just a "File Manager" or "WinZip"
type program. I don't look at it as a desktop replacement, even when
it will easily double as one. Hm.. well, File Magician will be a
tool that they always wished they had before, one that can do what
others have always lacked. With the great response that I'm getting
from people, I really don't see how it can be anything else.
So Just What Is File Magician?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
File Magician is a program that EVERY PC owner must have. If you own a
computer, at sometime during your computer lifetime you will Have To make
some type of file or directory adjustment to your hard drive or floppy disks.
File Magician is designed to be as simplistic as possible in allowing you to
manage your files and directories. File Magician is for all levels of users,
beginning to advanced.
Requirments
~~~~~~~~~~~
A computer
Windows 3.1
Be Registered
How To Register
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are a couple of ways to register 'File Magician'. First you can send
a check or money order for $40.00 US Funds to:
Terry Bullard
Bullard Software
3291 Mt. View Rd.
Ferndale, Wa. 98248
OR
by Trust Mail.
Trust Mail
~~~~~~~~~~
Trust Mail is a term that we invented. Most places insist that first you
send them money and then they will send you your requested items. You trust
them to do this after you have parted with your money. With trust mail, we
will send you our software first and when you receive it, we will trust that
you will send us back a check or money order for it. All you need do is to
pick up your phone and dial the number supplied below and then register.
Don't be surprised if you get just a "Hello" instead of "Hello this is Bullard
Software". I have a really hard time being so formal! After you register
we will within 24 hours have 'File Magician' on its way to you, first class
and postage paid by us. As our company grows with your support we will add
additional lines for ordering and support. For now you can order between
5:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time. Keep in mind that there is
three hours difference between here and the east coast.
Also I must keep Trust Mail limited to the USA and Canada. Don't get
me wrong for those that don't live there, I must see how this works out first.
I do hope you understand.
CALL NOW: 1-(206)-384-6740
What You Get
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once you register, we will send you 'File Magician' without the dialog boxes
that appear when any item is first clicked. The program will be the lastest
update of File Magician. A printed manual that to begin with will be soft
bound. With the planned growth of File Magician it is not feasible to have
any other type of manual. The cost of re-printing such would be terribly high
and unfair to pass this unneccessary cost on to you.. You would be placed
on our mailing list and would be notified immediately by mail of future
updates of File Magician and any new products we develop. The package will
be postage paid by us.
Comment: Also we decided that paid in full registered owners will receive the
the first update free, postage paid by us. If you are on a payment plan,
before you receive a free update you must be paid in full, I do think that is
fair.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW For Version 2.0
First and Most important before running File Magician!
For Best results..
1. Double Click on Window's pif editor.
2. Select 'Open' from the File Menu.
3. Select _default.pif from the selection box, then press 'OK'.
4. Locate 'Windowed' button and select to on. This is a radio button
and if a dot appears in the middle of the circle it is then on.
5. Locate 'Close Window On Exit' button and select to on. This
is a X type button and a 'X' in the square is on.
6. Now from the File Menu select 'Save As'.
7. The filename and path "C:\Windows\_default.pif" should be hi-lited
in the file name box, if so, press 'OK', if not enter in your
windows path adding the _default.pif filename and click 'OK'
8. A Dialog box will appear and inform you that the file already
exists and ask you if you wish to 'Replace existing file?'. Select
'Yes'
Doing this is the only windows adjustment that you must make. You may then
decide where you wish place File Magician and what icon you may want it to
have.
NEXT Important thing.. File Magician's Configuration..
Nothing to it really but it might seem a bit complicated at first. V1.0
had a seperate configuration program, it was scrapped in favor of using
multiple dialog boxes and just to avoid confusion.
The configuration is done within the program during runtime. When the
configuration is saved, a file called Magic.dat is created which contains your
configuration in binary form. This can be changed at anytime and resaved.
Included in the archive should be a sample of the configuration that I use,
examine it if you wish and change it to suit your needs. When the program
first boots up it will search for the Magic.dat file, once finding it, it will
then load the settings. If the file is not available a requester will inform
you of such and switch automatically to a default settings mode.
Next click on the 'Config' button, a rather large dialog box should appear.
The three boxes to the left of the dialog contain configurations for Pkzip,
Pkunzip, Lharc, and Arj. To use these compression programs you must have the
compression programs located in your path stream, such as c:\dos etc.
change the default settings you must first have a working knowledge of these
fine programs or except my usage of them. No attempt to explain their usage
is located within the program. By clicking on the button with the programs
name will open another dialog box where you may change the current settings
to what you desire. The Dlbck button in each box tells File Magician to
decompress a file when it is double clicked. (see below on double clicking)
The next box to the right labeled 'Warn' tells the program to warn you if
you are about to 'Copy', 'Delete', or 'Move' Files, if these boxes are not
checked then the operation will commence without giving you the choice of
backing out.
The Next box to the right called 'Paths' is, for this release, a tempory
working directory for the program. Here File Magician will sometimes write
necessary files for its operation when handling dos assignments. The program
will clean up after itself with the exception of two files that it re-uses
at times. This directory will not grow, nor is there a real need to worry
about it. BUT it must be there for the program to function properly!!!
The final box for this release is called 'Names'. The top 4 entries are
for Pkzip, Pkunzip, Lha, and Arj. If by some chance you call these programs
by a different name you may enter your name to the right of the orginal
programs name. The next choice down is 'Read'. There are many fine file
reading programs available and the one I supply hasn't had enough time to
be developed to a full potental, so if you wish to supply a different file
reading program, enter in the programs name in the right box. The other
program must be in the path stream or located in the same directory as
File Magician. The following five boxes are left blank. For now these boxes
can be used as CMDs and follow the same rules for Cmds, a bit further down
will explain Cmds.
Attributes - Pressing this button will display a configuration box that
will allow you to chose what files with what attributes that you would like
File Magician to display for your use. The 'Help' button will give you a
very brief description of what each attribute is. 'OK' will allow the changes
to be saved in the configuration save option.
CMDS
~~~~~
CMDS - Short for Commands. File Magician allows you to run other programs,
either dos or windows, ones that operate on files or are stand alone. There
are 10 Command Button Cmds and 10 Menu Command Cmds. After you press the 'Cmd'
button you will see 4 columns of string boxes. The first two columns are for
buttons on the command screen and the second two columns are for the menus.
The first row for either set, labeled 'Prg. Name' is the name of the program
that you wish to use and it will be the name that will appear in the button
box or menu box. The .exe extension is not necessary. The second column in
either section labeled 'Argument' is the Path of the program if it isn't in
the path stream or the program argument that is needed to make the program
run. Most argument type programs work on files and/or have optional settings,
needed to run the program. So in the second column you supply the needed
settings/arguments and if part of those setting require a file name you would
add '%s' without the quotes. This tells File Magician to substitute the %s
with the file that has been selected in the active window.
Again: %s = File selected in active window.
Example Pkunzip (1st col.) -d -$ %s a:\ (2nd col.)
You would click on a .zip and then click the Pkunzip (example name). Pkunzip
would then decompress the selected .zip file to drive a:
Now for a program that you like that isn't located in your path stream.
We'll use WFinder.exe as a example
WFinder (1st col.) Path c:\utils\ (2nd col.)
Path tells the program that it is a path file not a argument file.
You may run nearly anytype of program using cmds. The power that this
configuration set gives you can be pretty awesome indeed!!
Clicking the default button will preset everything back to my orginal
settings. Clicking save will save all the adjustments that you have made to
Magic.dat which will reside in the same directory as where you placed File
Magician, so if you move File Magician be sure to move the Magic.dat file
as well.
FINALLY...
Now that you have configured File Magician you can put it to work. The
program has all the Copy, Move, and Delete functions of multiple files and
directories (explained below) as a lot of the rest of the management programs
but also has some other goodies.
I should insert here about selecting file(s). File Magician has the ablility
to select (tag) any amount of files at one time. You need not select all or
only one as I've seen a lot of programs do. For those that wonder, I
do NOT use the Windows List Box proceedure. It is a good idea and everyone
uses it but I find it too limiting and to tell the truth a bit ugly. So
everything is handled enternally with a big glob of extra coding by me.
Yes I know that list boxes can select multible files but like I said I just
don't like it.
Compression:
There are several ways to decompress .zip, .lha, arj files.
1. The File menu. First click on the file to decompress then go to the
menu method and choose 'Extract'. If you only have a source window
active the program will assume you wish to extract to the same directory
as the source window indicates. A dialog box will appear asking you to
'Enter destination path', if you wish to extract there choose 'OK'. If
you wish to extract to a different directory or drive, enter that path
and choose ok. Or you may cancel the operation if you wish.
Now if you have a destination window operational the program will assume
that you wish to extract to that directory. If not you may follow the
same proceedure above.
2. Double clicking. Provided that you have set your configuration section
to double clicking you can use this method. Double clicking does not
give you a choice to cancel, it is for fast and dirty work. If you do
not have a destination window operational the program will extract to
the source window. If the destination window is visible the program will
automatically extract to destination window.
This method works for all .zip, .arj, .lha files! File Magician can
determine what type of file it is dealing with by binary means, extensions
mean absolutely nothing and when a program deals with extensions in my
opinion is a pretty stupid program.
For .exe compression files, the file will only decompress in the source
window area for now. This will be explored later.
See double clicking below for additional abilities.
3. The Archive Commander... see below..
Archive Commander!
For now the commander deals with .zip files only, later releases will
have additional functions and possiblily other compression types.
With the commander you can select up to 30 .zip file for enhanced
handling. The program will do the counting for you so don't worry about
being exact. Select the files that you wish to work on and then either
from the menu select 'Archive Commander' or click the push button
'Command'. You will then be presented with a whole new screen.
The two view windows, one called 'Archived Files', which is the big one
on the left, and the other called 'Selected Archives', which is the
smaller one in the center, then to the right are nine buttons. In the
Selected Archives window will appear the .zip files you have previously
selected, you may work on only one at a time for now (what I have planned
is totally awesome but damned if I want to give the idea to someone else
right now!). Select a file and click the 'Process' button or just
double click the .zip, same thing, things will hum for a bit and the files
that are within the archive will be displayed in the left view window.
Here you may extract, read, delete any of the files by first selecting
them and then choosing the operation button. If you wish to read or
run a archive file just double click on it, the program determines
the type through a binary method and works accordingly.
To extract a file(s) first pay attention to the 'Destination' button.
This button indicates below the button column as to where the extracted
files will be sent. The options are ..
'Destination Window' - The destination path of the main command screen.
'Source Window' - The Source path of the main command screen.
'Your Specification' - Here a Dialog box will appear and allow you
to type in the path of where you wish the extracted
file to be sent to.
Now Select the File(s) and push the extract button. The selected files will
be sent to where you have set the Destination to be.
The Commanders buttons:
Process - Displays the selected .zip file's contents to the left window.
same as double clicking the .zip file
Extract - Explained above. Extract one or more of the contents of a
archive.
Delete - Deletes one or more of the archives contents. Just select
which files you wish to delete and pust this button.
Run - Select a file to run in the left window then pust this button.
If the file is a stand alone program it should function
correctly. Double clicking the file will also run it or read
it if it is a .exe or any type of text file. Extensions DO NOT
apply.
Test - This Calls Pkunzip to test the archive and the File Magician's
'Reporter' displays the results.
All - Selects all the files in the 'Archive Files' Section.
Clear - De-selects any selected file in the 'Archive Files' Section.
Destination - Changes the extraction destination path to either the
previously set 'Source Path', or 'Destination Path' from the
main command screen. OR Allows you to specify a different
path where extracted files should be sent.
Double-Clicking
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
File Magician does NOT use the extension method to determine filetypes.
The program will read a binary header from the file and determine what type
of file it is dealing with. Currently File Magician understands .exe, .lha,
.zip, .arj and text files. Must time WILL be spend in expanding the different
filetypes for future updates. This will be one of the many major strengths
that File magician will have. Currently you can double click a text file to
read it, a .exe file to launch it and de-compress archived files as explained
above.
Path Bars
~~~~~~~~~~~
The path bar which is located above each view window shows the complete
directory/device path to the current directory that the view window is
displaying. With version 2.00 you can revalidate the file listing for that
window just by clicking somewhere in the path bar. This is a lot better then
hitting f2 or f3, which btw are still active for this function.
Split
~~~~~~~
The Split function will split any selected file into two equal parts
without harming the orginal file. Split will use the first four letters
of the filename (or less if the file has less) and create two equal halfs
with the _D1 _D2 tacked on. If the file is a odd byte size the second half
will be 1 byte larger then the first. Files may be text to binary format.
Duplicate
~~~~~~~~~~~
The Duplicate functions will duplicate a file in the same directory as
the selected file. It too will take the first four letter and tack on a
_Dup to the end. The file can then be renamed to something else. This
command works on files only. I have thought about duplicating entire
directories and files but before I do that I would like to hear some
feed back on it if there is a need.
Menus
~~~~~~~
Menus are new in this version of File Magician. In my opinion menus are
nice only when you run out of room for push buttons! grin. With 38 push
buttons on the main command screen and a ton more stuff to add, menus became
necessary.
*** Compression Menu ***
_ Create Archive
/_ Extract Archive
Pkzip--/__ Pkzip Settings
\__ PkUnzip Settings
Create Archive - Select the files in a source window that you wish
to compress as one archive. Select this option from
the menu. You will then be asked to supply a archive
name and supply a path for the archive to be created
in if you do not like the default path. The default
path will be the destination window if it is
operational or the source if it isn't. You may
specify whatever path to whatever device you wish.
Selecting 'OK' will start the process.
Extract Archive - Select the file to decompress and then select this
option. A Dialog box will appear and ask you to
enter the destination path. Default paths are the
same as above.
Pkzip Settings - If you wish to alter the current configuration
settings for Pkzip you may select this option to do
so. Altering the settings at the menu DOES NOT save
to the configuration file. The settings will be
active for the current session only.
PkUnzip Settings - The same rules apply here as for Pkzip
__ Creat Archive
Arj--/__ Extract Archive
\__ Arj Settings
__ Creat Archive
Lha--/__ Extract Archive
\__ Lha Settings
For Arj and Lha, the same proceedure applies to them as it does Pkzip
*** CMD's ***
See CMDs and The Configuration Section. Once the Cmd configuration for
the menu section is setup and the configuration file is saved, File Magician
will automatically rename the menu items to your specification.
*** Utilities ***
Drive status - will access the device that are current to both the Source
and Destination window and display in the Title bar of the
main screen the number of bytes that the disk has free.
This function use to be automatic using a timer function
but the timer it seems would always go off at the wrong
time and access the drives therefore slowing down whatever
I was trying to accomplish at the time so the function was
stuck in a menu called extras. Extras will fill up as time
and demand goes on. Now the only time a byte free function
is called is when it is currently accessing the drive for
some given reason.
Command Buttons
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All of the command buttons on the main view screen are pretty much
described below not counting the CMD buttons. Also there are seven buttons
that are unaccounted for so to speak. The first one is in the last position
of the first column of buttons. Currently it has no function attached to
with this release. The other six are located in the right column starting
with the fourth button from the top. The First of the six is also blank
with nothing attached to it. The next five down have been temporary assigned
as CMDs as explained above. The reason for this is future expansion and
screen layout. The last five buttons that are assigned as CMDs will be
assigned to something else unless public feedback demands that they stay as
they are. If so I'll figure something to attach the assignments too.
With version 1.0 there was only 1 column of buttons with the first 6 buttons
assigned to drive specifications. Now the drive specifications are assigned
to the first 3 buttons of each column.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now the Grit (old)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now if you haven't already loaded File Magician you are one of the select
few. Who reads the docs anyhow? (g) I'll try and keep it as brief as
possible, but please read below on "what you can do for us".
View Windows
~~~~~~~~~~~~
File Magician has two view windows. One is the 'Source' and one is the
'Destination'. The source window will always be the one with the red box
around it. The Source and the Destination window can be swapped. To activate
a 'Source' window, click in the window itself or click in the path bar above
the window. Once a 'Source' window is established the opposite window
automatically defaults to the 'Destination' window. Often a directory will
have more file and directory listings then the view window can display. Use
the scroll gadget to the right of the window to view the additional listings.
The bottom scroll gadget is inactive with this release but is there for
future compatability.
Selection
~~~~~~~~~~
The left mouse button (LMB) is used to select a file or directory. Clicking
once will select the listing and the listing will be hilited. Double clicking
a directory will instruct the program to enter and display to the view window
that directory listing. Double clicking a file listing causes No Action with
this release of File Magician. The next release of File Magician will contain a
a smart mode file selection. Smart Mode will be one of the main arteries of
File Magician!
When a file or directory is selected it means that the next command action
will be taken on all files and directories selected. Changing to a different
directory will de-select automatically all of the previous selections.
No action will be taken on any file or directory that has Not been selected.
Title Bar
~~~~~~~~~~
The title bar is used as a action display. There the program will show you
the current action that is taking place such as, copying, deleting, or moving
listings, bytes free on destination and source windows, files selected and
total bytes of selected files. Currently there is a 5 second timer after a
title information display before it defaults back to a byte free display. This
may change to something else, what I'm not sure yet.
Keyboard:
~~~~~~~~~
F1 - Removed in version 3.0
F2 - F2 will re-display the file and directory listings on the left view
window. This sometimes becomes necessary when de-compressing files
or using the help mode feature.
F3 - F3 will re-display the file and directory listings on the right view
window.
ESC - Will exit the program.
Buttons:
**********
Drive Buttons:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first six buttons from the top of the screen are reserved for your
drive devices. The program will automatically configure to the first six
drive names in the list. Clicking the LMB on one of these will display the
root contents to the window that is active. The view window will display
yellow text as directories and white text as file. To enter a directory
double click the name of the directory.
COMMENT: See Drive Buttons for V3.0
Parent:
~~~~~~~
The 'Parent' button will direct the program to reassign the current
directory back one directory. For instance, when you double click a directory
name the program will display the contents of that directory to the view
window, then you click the parent window, the program will re-display the
previous directory. This command is completely harmless. The parent button
only works on the 'Source' window.
All:
~~~~
The 'All' command will select all the files and all the directories that
are in the current directory of the 'Source' view window. If a directory has
more files and directories then the view can be displayed, those files and
directories will also be selected.
Clear:
~~~~~~
'Clear' will de-select any file or directory that has been previously
selected. All files and directories outside of the view window will also be
de-selected.
Copy:
~~~~~
To use the copy function, first select a view window that you wish to
become the Destination point. Next go to the opposite window and select the
files or directories that you wish to copy. Press the 'Copy' button. Thats
it.
Copy will copy all files or directories that have been selected to the
Destination device (view window). If a directory has been tagged, the
program will create and copy all files and directories within the selected
directory to the Destination point. This release Does Not have an option to
check first to see if there is enough room in the destination area. The next
registered release will. You may use the 'Byte Req' button on the Source
directory before copying.
COMMENT: See Copy for V3.0 above
Rename:
~~~~~~~
To rename a file or directory first select the item then press the 'Rename'
button. A dialog box will appear. Enter in the new name excluding the full
path, the program keeps track of the location of the listings internally so
just the new name will be enough. Select OK.
Move:
~~~~~
The move function will move all files and directories that have been
selected to the location of the destination area. Moving a selected listing
means that basically the file is copied to destination area and then deleted
from the source area. So once a listing is moved it will no longer reside
in the source area! If a directory is selected, all files and directories
that are buried within that selected directory will also be moved.
COMMENT: See Move for V3.0 above
Delete:
~~~~~~~
The 'Delete' button will delete all selected files and directories that have
been selected from the 'Source' window. All files and directories that are
buried within a selected directory will Also be deleted. With this version
of File Magician, when the 'Delete' is first invoked, a dialog box will appear
giving you the option of aborting. A later version of the program will allow
you to discontinue this option.
Read:
~~~~~
COMMENT: Read has been replaced with notepad.exe, until I can spare some time
to make the reader that I really want to show.
QEdit works very well for large files above 32K.
Byte Req.:
~~~~~~~~~~
This function will total the bytes of all selected listings. If a
directory is selected, all the bytes of all the files that are buried within
that selected directory will be totaled and displayed on the title bar at
the top of the screen. This function is very handy to use before moving
or copying files to another device and just to know how large a directory might
be.
MakeDir:
~~~~~~~~
'MakeDir' will create a directory in the location that the 'Source'
window is displaying. Push the 'MakeDir' button, a dialog box will appear.
Enter in the name of the new directory that you wish to create. Press 'OK'
Run:
~~~~
The 'Run' function will attempt start any program that has been selected.
'Run' works on: .pif , .bat, .exe (dos or windows), .com (dos or windows),
files. A little care must be used when using this command, it is not harmful
but currently it has no way of checking to see how much memory an external
application will use. Good judgement and a knowledge of how much memory your
computer has and how fast your computer is makes a large difference with
the results of this function. Personally I haven't had too much trouble
using a 486(25) with 4 megs of memory and I was actually surprised on just
what it would handle.
Jeez I hope I didn't miss anything (probably did but it should be easy to
figure out, after all that is the idea!)
Current source size is well over 1.6 megs. So I'm sure I forgot something.
GRIN
Note:
If you have read down this far be damn sure and call now and order!!!!
Terry Bullard
Bullard Software
3291 Mt. View Rd.
Ferndale, wa. 98248
(206)-384-6740 between (5:00 P.M. to 9:00 PM PST)
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #3872
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
GO BAT 68 7-15-93 4:18p
BULL PIF 545 4-03-93 12:28p
FILE_ID DIZ 587 4-03-93 12:28p
FM EXE 249856 4-03-93 12:38p
FORGOT DOC 691 4-03-93 12:28p
INSTALL DOC 3616 4-03-93 12:28p
LICENSE DOC 656 4-03-93 12:28p
MAGIC SEL 684 4-03-93 12:28p
NOTICE DOC 2073 4-03-93 12:28p
ORDER DOC 2520 4-03-93 12:28p
READ1ST DOC 1334 4-03-93 12:28p
V3 DOC 78937 4-03-93 12:28p
SHOW EXE 2040 9-12-88 10:48a
13 file(s) 343607 bytes
12288 bytes free