FILER3a ======= Filer3a is a file management tool for the Psion S3a. It provides: - Fast sorting directory browser - (Meta-) graphical directory tree browser - Drive scanning and (ALL) file sorting - Optional hotkey starting of applications (working on the focused file) - Starting of applications by file extension matching (standard and optional) INSTALLATION: ------------- To install this application there is a common application frame library to install in prior, named Sys$lib2.opo (Version 2.43) to reduce package and disk size; please refer to the installation note in this seperate package. * Copy the filer3a.opa file to any \app directory * Create on the same drive as with the filer3a app a new directory named \app\filer3a * Copy into this directory the ressource files, whereby for - english language you have to copy filer01.rsc and filer01.hlp (optional) and for - german language you have to copy filer03.rsc and filer03.hlp * Copy into this directory the file apps.dat, which contains the standard file extension information database * After running the program the first time, there will be a directory \app\filer3a automatically created on the internal drive (if the applications installation directory is not ram based) to store the configuration file * Install the application by using the install menu item or shortcut from within the system screen * Optional you can copy the hexview.opa hexbrowser application to any \app directory USAGE: ------ This file browser operates on definition startup files, which enables you to select different startup drives and sorting orders by specifying any of these files from the system screen below the Filer3a icon. There are five different views: FILES VIEW: =========== The files view provides sorted lists of one directory at a time. You can navigate through this directories by pressing enter on the highlighted entry, which scans the new directory. File/Copy copies the selected file to any target drive / directory File/Move moves the file to any drive / directory File/Rename renames the highlighted file File/Delete deletes the selected file after asking for deletion File/Attributes enables you to change the file attributes File/Mark markes and unmarkes the file (there are currently no mass-functions, but the system counts the marked files in number and size) File/Mark all changes the marking state of all files in the current directory (Currently there are only those combinations possible: '*' applies the marking to all entries 'xxxx' applies the marking to all entries containing this substring '*.yyy' applies the marking to all entries having the extension yyy) Filter sets a search mask for the scanning process Directory/Make directory creates a new directory in the current directory Directory/Remove directory removes the highlighted directory (if any) Directory/Rename applies a new name onto the selected directory Directory/Sorting specifies the sorting order of all file scannings (if saving=yes is selected, the sort order will be saved to the current definition file Directory/Refresh rescans the directory Directory/Change drive prompts for a selection of a new drive/path or a selection of a previously used one Special/Information provides information about the current disk and file selection Special/Setup/Application/Directory date specifies if you want to have the creation date of the directories in the listings Special/Setup/Application/Refresh specifies the type of refreshing after reentering the Filer3a: asking for refresh, automatic refresh or no refresh at all Special Keys: ------------- Space bar - mark / unmark the highlighted file and move one file downwards Tab - jump to the next defined drive Cursor left/right - jump to the next defined drive and same directory if possible Ctrl-A, Ctrl-B, Ctrl-M select the respective drive (without shift: local drive, with shift: remote drive Any other keys: select a file by name Block or mass functions (registered users only): ------------------------------------------------ If you have selected at least one file and use copy, move or delete you will be asked if you really want to apply this function on the selected number of files. For 'delete' you can either: press 'a' to delete all entries, or: press 'OK' for have a separate dialog for every item (to delete it, skip it or cancel the process) For copy and move you now can select a destination drive / directory. If you then press 'a' for all selections they will be all copied / moved. If you are chosing 'OK' you will be prompted for every entry to chose the new name (or accept the original one) and any destination drive / directory or chose 'skip' to leave the entry as / where it is. TREE VIEW: ========== The tree view scans the current drive for all directories and shows them in hierarchical order (from left to right). Directory/Make directory creates a new directory within or below the current one Directory/remove directory remove the highlighted directory (if empty) Directory/Refresh rescans the current drive Directory/Change drive choses another drive Special Keys: ------------- Enter switches to the files view within the highlighted directory Any other key: selects a directory by its name DRIVE VIEW: =========== In the drive view the current drive will be scanned for files and you can browse through them, while the title line will indicate the full path of the highlighted file. By using this feature, you can e.g. sort all files in descending date order to look for all those files you have lately modified, or find similar file names in different directories after sorting them by name or extension and so on. The menu commands are similar to the file/directory views. CONNECT VIEW: ============= To provide a extension sensitive application activation interface this browser manages the related entries. So enter e.g. Extension: BIO Application: ROM::SYS$PRGO.IMG Command: BioGraf OPA: LOC::B:\APP\BIOGRAF.OPA to invoke the biorhythm app every time when enter is pressed on any *.bio file. All the usual standard applications are activated without special specification, but can be defined new if necessary! TOOLS VIEW: =========== If you want to have instant access to any tool, you can specify a maximum of eight entries with application specifics, which then can be launched by their hotkeys, e.g. Key: h Name: Hex Viewer Application: ROM::SYS$PRGO.IMG Command: RunOpl OPA: A:\APP\HEXVIEW.OPA Message: invokes the hex browser (if installed on A:) by pressing . The entry field 'Message' should be left empty unless your application is ready to receive this message after startup! ABOUT THE PROGRAM: ------------------ This application (version 1.1) is shareware. No additional fee should be charged for it. The package is to be kept unmodified and as it is. Although the program has been tested extensively, the author can not be made responsible for any damage that could result from it's usage. Make backup copies from your important data! PROGRAM HISTORY: ---------------- Version 1.0 * First public S3a Release Version 1.1 * the tree and drive scanning processes may now be interrupted by pressing esc * the hotkey field of the tools dialog is now checked with existing standard hotkeys * tools are now prohibited to start on directories (if they are file based) * tools and extension sensitive application entries are now moved from the startup directory to a file \app\filer3a\tools.dat to be available in every startup file based run * the tools can now have an explicit file based usage * some bugs of the whole-drive-scan have been fixed * the mark-all mechanism has been extended * providing of a directory renaming function * provide block or mass functions for copying, moving and deletion (registered users only) * fixed an application startup parameter error * enhance the drive selection mechanism (avoid startup drive searching) REGISTRATION: ------------- Filer3a is Shareware, so if you use it, please register! If you register your copy of Filer3a you will receive a serial number which enables you to access additional functions. Registration is 20.00 USD in cash, cheque, international money transfer or: GO SWREG on CompuServe to register the application online. Contact me by CompuServe for any further questions, or by mail: Thomas Nemec Gladbeckstraáe 1/12a/10 2320 Schwechat, Austria ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ----------------- For any error reports or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me by CompuServe mail: ID 100024,3461. (C)1994 Thomas Nemec, Vienna, Austria