DOCs for CO_PILOT.ARC

        There  are  two  programs in  the  .ARC  that  are 
        essentially  the  same,  but they  have  different 
        names.This is done so that one can be used with an 
        AUTO folder on disk A:\ and the other can be  used 
        with  an AUTO folder on disk C:\,  the hard  disk.  
        When  the program runs it rings the bell  5  times 
        rapidly to get your attention and then prints  out 
        a  list  of messages that remind you to do  or  be 
        aware of certain things.   You write your own list 
        with  either a text editor or a word processor  in 
        ASCII mode.   The list is similar to the checklist 
        that  pilots and copilots go through now and  then 
        on some of the more successful airlines.  
        
        I  wrote  the program because I'm  paranoid  about 
        viruses.   There  is a great program  called  'The 
        Protector'  that prevents writing to any disk  per 
        your selection.  To make the day to day operations 
        faster,   the  program  is  initialized  with  all 
        prevention off, no protection.  When I run a piece 
        of  suspect software,  I can usually  remember  to 
        turn it on,  but then in the process of running  I 
        crash  the  system and forget to  turn  protection 
        back on after a RESET. Potential disaster! As long 
        as  I was taking care of that problem,  I  thought 
        the solution might as well be generalized to print 
        other pertinent information.  The sample .INF file 
        that comes in the .ARC contains the three  warning 
        messages  that I use.   The Protector has  already 
        been mentioned,  Quick Print is an accessory  that 
        simulates the PrtScr key on an IBM PC (sometimes), 
        It   speeds   up  the  printing   of   text   with 
        Alternate/Help  considerably,  when you're  lucky.  
        It  must be activated to the fast mode every  time 
        the system is booted.  The note about the modem is 
        because I often forget to turn it off.

                          Demonstration
        Since  _everybody_  is familiar with a  boot  from 
        disk A:\ ,  the usage procedure for that case will 
        be  described;  the modifications for a hard  disk 
        booting  from disk C:\ will  be  obvious.   Simply 
        add   the program COPILOTA.PRG and the check  list 
        CO_PILOT.INF in the AUTO folder on a floppy  disk. 
        Do either a cold or warm boot with that disk. This 
        boot  will  demonstrate  how  the  program  works.
          
                    Customizing the Check List
        To customize the program for yourself,  prepare an 
        .INF  file with as many one line messages  as  you 
        wish,  using  the  .INF file provided  here  as  a 
        sample.   The file  must be a pure ASCII file with 
        a CR and an LF at the end of each line.  The  file 
        must  be named CO_PILOT.INF and it must be put  in 
        the  \AUTO\  folder.   You can test your  file  by  
        putting  the  .INF  file in your AUTO  folder  and 
        executing the _proper_ program (A:  version  or C: 
        version) as an ordinary GEM program from any  disk 
        root or partition or folder.   It won't work quite 
        right;  the message will flash briefly and then be 
        cleared  but  it  will last  long  enough  to  get 
        a pretty good idea of what you have.  When you are 
        satisfied,  put  the .PRG in the AUTO folder  too, 
        and you should be in business.
        
                        Using a hard Disk
        If you are new to hard disks, do yourself a favor, 
        learn how to boot from a floppy and still get  the 
        disk  icons  that are in the DESKTOP.INF  file  on 
        C:\.   Do this _before_ you get in a jam.   If you 
        put  a bad program in the AUTO folder you can  end 
        up in an infinite loop. The floppy boot allows you 
        access   to  C:\AUTO\  to  remove  the   offending 
        program.   I learned the hard way; the system went 
        into  an infinite loop,  and I had visions of  not 
        being  able  to  even park the  disk  to  take  it 
        someplace  for  help!!   It  turns  out  that  the 
        PARK.PRG works from a floppy too,  try it as well.  
        But  I had a very nervous few minutes!  (There  is 
        also  a potential problem with bad accessories  on 
        C:\ as well,  I haven't solved that one to my  own 
        satisfaction,  yet.)   Once you  feel  comfortable 
        adding new programs to C:\AUTO\,  add COPILOTC.PRG 
        to it.   Note that the spelling for the .INF  file 
        doesn't  change,  just the terminal letter in  the 
        name of the program.
        
                         Happy landings!
                         Merlin L. Hanson
                          March 14,1990