VIEW DIR!
                                
                     A Utility for Users of
                          RBBS-in-a-Box

     This system is designed to make it easier for you to search
and list the files available on the RBBS-in-a-Box CD-ROM.  The
utility VIEWDIR (View Directory!) will bring up our master FMS (File
Management System) directory of files in exactly the format you are
used to seeing it on the board with the most recent files displayed
first. There is a built-in help system which is accessed by typing
H while in VD.

     To use VIEWDIR on the RBBS-in-a-Box CD-ROM go to the RBBS
directory on the CD. (The DOS command would be CD\RBBS).  Then type:
VIEWDIR to invoke the program.  It will look for your CDMASTER.DIR and
DIR.DIR files at startup.  (Note: This version supports the "chaining"
of FMS directories, so you will see a brief message indicating which
additional files have been linked to the main directory when using it
with chained directories.)  Once loaded, you can scroll back and forth
through the directory.  Please note that it will be searching the
current file and does so in the normal FMS reverse order, searching
the newest files first.  (One other note: on chained directories, once
it hits the end of the current file, pressing the Down Arrow key will
cause it to automatically continue the search on the next file in the
change.)

   As you are viewing the directory files you can use the up and down
arrow, PgUp and PgDn, as well as the Home and End keys.  Beware of
Home...it works in conjunction with some other options listed below
and it will respond differently depending on which of those options
you have selected. There are several other options which I will detail
for you.

List -    Type L to List directory of Download categories.  Type
          any other key to return to the files listing.

 Dir -    To view a particular category of files, select the Set
          Dir option by type D.  Enter the category number that
          you are looking for as either "15" or "015" (no quotes
          needed.  To begin the display of those files press the
          Home key.  Now, as you scroll back and forth, you will
          only be looking at that specific category of files.

          To return to a view of the entire directory, select the
          Set Dir option again, and then press return in response
          to the prompt for the category.

 Find -   To Find a file type F.  The system will prompt what you
          want to "Find".  This is the same as the Search function
          on RBBS.  It not only searches the filename, but also
          searches the description.  You can search on anything you
          want, but don't use the "*.*" method...this is a straight
          string search, not a DOS search!  It will usually begin
          searching right away.  It can act a little strange if you
          already have performed one search and are now  wishing
          to do a second.  You can stop a search at any time by 
          pressing the * key.  (Don't ask me why!)  Tip:  After
          doing a "Find" I have found selecting "Find" and then
          just pressing return in response to the next prompt will
          return me back to the normal mode.  Play with it...you'll
          get the hang of it.

 Copy -   Will allow you to select a file for copying.  When prompted
          you can enter the name of the file to be copied or hit
          enter to point to the file to be copied.  VIEWDIR will then
          ask for the destination.  Enter the drive or path to which
          you want the file copied, then hit enter.  The file will be
          copied to the specified directory.

 View -   Will allow you to select a file for viewing.  When prompted
          you can enter the name of the file to be copied or hit
          enter to point to the file to be viewed.  VIEWDIR will then
          ask for the destination.  Enter the drive or path to which
          you want the file copied, then hit enter.  The file will be
          viewed by the RBBS add-on program ZipTV by Samuel H. Smith.
          Please see the documentation provied with ZipTV for details
          on its use.  Suffice it to say it will conveniently let you
          look at any file within a ZIP file.

 Unzip -  Will allow you to select a file for unzipping.  When prompted
          you can enter the name of the file to be unzipped or hit
          enter to point to the file to be unzipped.  VIEWDIR will then
          ask for the destination.  Enter the drive or path to which
          you want the unzipped files to be copied, then hit enter.
          The file will be unzipped into the specified directory.

 Exit -   To exit, type X.

     There are a number of other options, but the foregoing are the
ones you will use most often.  If you get stuck, hit the Help key
(Type H).  If you you have suggestions for improving VIEWDIR, please
let us know!!  All suggestions will be carefully reviewed and
implemented when feasible.  Updates will be regularly provided
via both RBBS-PC of Chicago (708) 352-1035 and RBBS-PC of Fargo
(701) 293-5973.

     This handy utility was written by Jim Grettum, a long-time
friend and assistant Sysop in Fargo, North Dakota.  He took over
the operation of my board in Fargo when I moved to Chicago.  You
can reach Jim at RBBS-PC of Fargo at (701) 293-5973.

     I hope this makes your use of RBBS-in-a-Box even more
beneficial!


Loren D. Jones, Sysop
RBBS-PC of Chicago
(708) 352-1035
P.O. Box 127
LaGrange, IL  60525-0127


VIEWDIR.EXE is copyright (c) 1989,1990 James A. Grettum



Doc. Rev 3.1 6/11/91