** BE GREEN! READ THIS DOCUMENT IN YOUR TEXT EDITOR/VIEWER ** _______________________________________________________ | SEARCHER DELUXE | | By Alex Nicholls | | Version 2.01 | | SHAREWARE! For details see end of document | |-----------------------------------------------------| | Resolutions supported | Medium | | | High | | | TT resolutions unknown | | | Any resolution should | | | be supported. | |----------------------------+------------------------| | Parameter passing | Yes | |----------------------------+------------------------| | NeoDesk/DC Desktop icon | Yes | |----------------------------+------------------------| | GEM interface | Yes | |----------------------------+------------------------| | Files required | SEARCHER.PRG | | | SEARCHER.RSC | | | SEARCHER.TXT | |----------------------------+------------------------| | Minimum requirements | 1/2 MEG Atari ST | | | Single sided drive | |----------------------------+------------------------| | TOS 1.4 or higher features | File selector name | | | Support for 32MB GEM | | | partitions | |----------------------------+------------------------| | Tested on | TOS 1.62 (4 MB ST E) | | | TOS 1.6 (1 MB ST E) | | | TOS 1.2 (1 MB ST FM) | ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ I N T R O D U C T I O N ----------------------- CONGRATULATIONS on obtaining "Searcher Deluxe" - the program that does the Spring cleaning on you disks. The program will search any GEM formatted/partitioned drive. Includes: * Floppy drives * Hard disk drives (including 32 MB Partitions!) * RAM disks M A K I N G A B A C K - U P ------------------------------- The SEARCHER DELUXE program is not protected, which means that you can make a back-up or upload the programs on to a hard drive if you have one. The SEARCHER DELUXE program and supporting files must be looked after. You should copy those on to a new, formatted disk and place the original disks safely out of harm's way. So if your disk gets damaged or corrupted, you can go back to the master disk to produce a new working copy. N E O D E S K / D C D E S K T O P U S E R S ----------------------------------------------- The icon for the program is in the SEARCHER.RSC file. For NeoDesk 3 owners: (1) Load up the icon editor (by pressing Control ';') (2) Double click on SEARCHER.RSC file. (3) Drag SEARCHER.RSC icon in the window into the icon box. For DC Desktop Users: (1) Load Icon editor. (2) Select import. (3) Select SEARCHER.RSC file. ************************************************************ I'M FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY CAN I TRANSLATE THE PROGRAM EASILY? ************************************************************ If you are going to translate the files, please do not pass it on to anybody else without permission by me. In light of the European situation I decided to place most text strings in the Resource file (SEARCHER.RSC). All you have to do is edit the forms and strings using a resource editor. Do not change the structure of the forms! There are however some messages I couldn't put in the resource file these are the fatal errors. Remember to translate the document as well. Just remember DO NOT CHANGE THE LOGO OR MY NAME ETC.... ************************** HOW TO USE SEARCHER DELUXE ************************** ************* THE MAIN MENU ************* Once loaded you will be presented with the main screen. (1) Click the drives you want to search. If you want to search a particular path also select the box underneath. Once presented with the file selected go to the drive and path you want to search from and select OK. There is no need for a filename. After choosing the path you will be greeted with a question asking 'Directory only' or 'Recursive directories'. (directories are the same as folders) recursive directories are from that path. For example: supposing you had the following directory structure: I:--------MAIN | MAIN2------ HELLO | TEMP---COLOUR----- GOSH ----- BILLY | DERM | CLEVER --- STUFF | WORDS You selected "COLOUR" as your directory: If recursive directories is selected then it will search directories: COLOUR, GOSH, BILLY, DERM, CLEVER and STUFF. If directory only is selected then it will search the COLOUR directory only. Whenever you wish to stop searching that selected directory just click on the box again and select Cancel in the file selector. (2) Next you select what files you want to search for. If you want to search for more than one type of file just separate it with a comma. For example: WORD*.DOC searches for files beginning with WORD and have an extension DOC. *.* searches for any file. VER?.PAS searches for any file which has VER as the first 3 characters and any one character after that and an extension PAS. *.DOC,*.TXT searches for files with an extension of DOC and then searches for files with an extension of TXT. If you wish to search for particular files with certain flags/dates/sizes select the 'with flags...' box. This is explained later. (3) Decide on what you want to do with the files if found: Information on file(s) - will just output the information. It doesn't alter the file(s). Delete file(s) - erases the file(s) which have write enable status. Alter file flags - Changes file details and program execute information. See section "ALTER FILE FLAGS" for more information. (4) Select 'Go!'. If you wish to abort the search hold down the Undo Key. Aborting is not immediate (especially on non-floppy disk drives) so please make sure everything is correct before selected 'Go!' to prevent unwanted usage of disk editors/file recoverers. If you wish to stop the computer temporarily press and S both together. When you want to resume press Q. ************ OUTPUT SETUP ************ (1) Select your output device. If you choose 'file' as your output device you will be presented with a file selector shortly after selecting 'Go!' from the main menu - Just choose your file there. If you select cancel the search will be aborted. If you choose 'printer' as your output device make sure the printer has enough paper and is On-line. (2) Next you will be given a choice on what to output: An example is given under each output. Why change the Output? Supposing you have created a program that reads in a file containing filenames and copies them to another drive. You would need to select File as the output, and make sure that the only output is on is the drive, path, filename and extension. Comments When comments are displayed on screen they are displayed in inverse video. This informs you what the computer is doing during searching. If it comes across any problems and it is activated it warns you. It also compiles a tally of files and bytes used by the searched files. This option can only be disabled if 'Information on file(s)' is selected in the main menu. Program flags: What do they mean? If ' ' is given between the '*' then the file is either too small or is not a valid program. Flags Definition '_' character in its place ----- ---------- -------------------------- *FRU* ||| ||+-- Use in TT RAM Do not use in TT RAM |+--- Run in TT RAM Do not run in TT RAM +---- Fast load programs Do not fast load programs File flags: What do they mean? Flags Definition '_' character in its place ----- ---------- -------------------------- RSHVA ||||| ||||+- Archive Original |||+-- Volume ID (Drives label) Normal file ||+--- Hidden Visible |+---- System Normal +----- Read only (Write protected) Read & write (Write enable) All the flags (except Volume ID) are explained in the next section. **************** ALTER FILE FLAGS **************** (1) Each file flag, program flag and date time stamp has a separate box beside it with either a 'X' or a tick. X - Leave this flag bit alone tick - I want to change this. For example: Click on the box with an X in it next to 'Hidden' and 'Visible'. The X will turn into a tick and you will be able to select Hidden or visible. Click on that box again. The tick will turn back to an X and you will not be able to select the Hidden/Visible buttons. (2) Select The File Flags you want to affect: Hidden, Visible: --------------- Have you ever tried to hide those files from prying eyes? Well, when Hidden is set the file is not shown in the desktop or the file selector. Giving you a limited amount of privacy. Have you got NeoDesk 3? If you change the label in NeoDesk 3 it creates a file called NEODESK.DAT in the root directory of that drive. This contains the name of the disk! System, Normal: -------------- I have yet to find an Atari File with the system flag set. To my knowledge this is for PC boot disks which create two hidden system files. These just tell the PC it is a system specific file. (Good definition eh?!) Original, Archive: ----------------- Not to be confused with packing programs! Whenever Rainbow TOS or higher has finished writing a file it sets this bit as well as update the time stamp. This tells programs like backup programs the file has been modified since it was backed up last. You can set the backup programs to only backup the files with the archive bit (usually called a daily incremental backup). Once it has backed up those files it sets the bit back to original. Write enable and Write protect ------------------------------ When write protect is on you cannot write to or delete the file. It's acts in the same way as the write protect tab on your floppy disks. Write enable lets you write to or delete the file. ** Write protect file doesn't stop you from formatting the disk though! (causing the file to cease to exist!) Fast load, Use TT RAM, Run in TT RAM: ------------------------------------ In executable files (For example: ".ACC",".PRG",".TOS",".TTP",".APP") there are bits that have special meanings. These at the moment are the ones mentioned above. It tells TOS (from Rainbow TOS - 1.4) to do certain things. Even if you've got a pre-Rainbow TOS machine you can still set the flags and execute the programs. When searching the program does a quick check to determine whether it is a program (this is not a full check though) before setting the flags. However some files appear to be programs and they are not, so to avoid heart attacks etc. make sure you are only searching for program files. Fast load: --------- Only affects Rainbow TOS 1.4 and above machines. It tells TOS not to clear all the RAM before running the program. If it is not set or you have a pre-Rainbow TOS machine it clears all the RAM before executing. Thus considerably slowing down machines with lots of memory. I have been told that CALAMUS and CALIGRAPHER do not like their program flags changed. Use TT RAM: ---------- Only affects Atari TT machines only. When set and the program asks for more memory then TOS tries to give it TT RAM. Run in TT RAM: ------------- Only affects Atari TT machines only. When set TOS tries to load and execute the program from TT RAM. Date time stamp: --------------- Every file contains the system date and time of when it was created or modified. Unfortunately most of us don't have either a clock card or cartridge to set the system clock, so most of the time you don't know when you created the file. If you had correctly time stamped files you will note the usefulness of this. For example: if you have two versions of the same document you can just check to see which has the up-to-date date. If the two versions weren't time stamped properly you would have to view both of the files to see which is more up-to-date! Have you ever wished that you can set the time on the files perfectly to 12:00 or wish to disguise the fact that you where up until 4 O'Clock in the morning creating your assignment? Well you have the option to: * Change both date and time or * Change the date only leaving the time alone or * Change the time only leaving the date alone You can either set it to the Systems time or just enter a new date time. (The date or time input are ignored depending on what option you set) Because of the way GEM time-stamps its files you are restricted in the dates/times you enter. One example of this is that seconds can only be even numbers. ************* WITH FLAGS... ************* (1) Each file flag, date time stamp and file size areas have a separate box beside it with either a 'X' or a tick. X - I don't care which of these flags are found tick - I only want to search for the selected item(s) in this area For example: Click on the box with an X in it next to 'File size'. The size box 'To:' and 'From:', boxes are now selectable. Click on that box again. The tick will turn back to an X and you will not be able to select the 'To:', and 'From:' boxes. (2) Now decide which flags or file details you want to search for: For example: If you want to search for write protected archived files you would: (1) Select the box next to Write protect and Write enable so it becomes a tick. Then click on the Write protected button. (2) Select the box next to Archive and Original so it becomes a tick. Then click on the Archive button. If you wanted to search for files greater than or equal to 100 bytes and less than or equal to 300 bytes you would: (1) Select the box next to the File size area so it becomes a tick. Then click on the from box so it becomes highlighted. Press escape to clear the box and type in 100. (2) Click on the to box so it becomes highlighted. Press escape to clear the box and type in 300. REMEMBER: For the file size and date areas you must also select the boxes so they are highlighted (inverse video, one text on a black background on ST High Resolution mode) Q U E S T I O N S A N D A N S W E R S ----------------------------------------- Q. Isn't there another flag for Volume ID and Directory? A. Yes there is, but since you should only find Volume ID as the first entry on a labeled disk/partition I found no need to mess around with that flag. And for the directory flag: (a) I cannot modify that flag (b) I do not want to modify the flag! Q. I cannot set some of the flags or delete some of the files. A. Most probably it is because the file is write protected. Just set the flag option to Write enable. Q. I typed in the time I wanted it to set to but it sets it to a different time. It's a bug isn't it? A. No, there are two selectable boxes under the time and date boxes one with System written on it and the other with the time. To set the time to your entered time, click on the text with the mouse. If however you want to set it to the system time click on the word Systems. Q. I've passed a parameter to the program from the desktop and it doesn't seem to accept different path names. Why is that? A. This program only accepts one path, all further paths are ignored. However all program search items are accepted (*.BAK,*.TXT,BILL?.DOC etc) Q. Yawwnnnn! It's taking ages! Come on! Can't it go any faster? A. Yes it can! Although this version cannot! (eh?) The program goes through the directory structure a few times. First time it lists all the directory names. Then it does a separate search through the directory structure for all the search items listed. So it would take three times through the directory structure for '*.BAK,*.OLD'. Although I have got the program working faster, it is more likely to be compatible. Q. The programs said I'm out of memory! What do I do - I still want to search those drives! A. Remove any desktop Accessories or ram resident programs. Then do a reset. (If you have an ST E do a cold reset it removes most ram resident programs - ) Q. I've freed all the memory I can but it still tells me I'm out of memory! A. You must have absolutely loads of directories! (I have yet to use 50K of memory for my massive 32 MB partition!) All I can recommend is save up for more memory! (Now where did you put that secret stash?) Q. The program has just crashed! Why? A. Although I've tried to stop it from crashing it could be because: (a) The GEM 40 folder bug. Get FOLDERXXX.PRG this should sort it out. (b) The Disk last checked was corrupted in some way - use a disk checker. *********************************** *SHAREWARE PLEA (NOT ANOTHER ONE!)* *********************************** If you find this program useful and you can't stop using it (I can't!) send me what you think its worth (œ5?) to me (Alex Nicholls) at the address below. If your from another country don't worry just send me your currency to me (the amount must be enough for me to exchange it). JUST REMEMBER I'M A POOR STUDENT... If there are enough registrations (or I'm bored) I will update this program - any recommendations welcomed. If you have any queries or problems please don't hesitate to contact me. (but enclose a stamped addressed envelope for a reply!) My address is: Namaste 5 Hill Street Stogumber Somerset ENGLAND TA4 3TD ************ *DISCLAIMER* ************ I have checked the program from any bugs, and to my knowledge there aren't any. But to stop being in a lawsuit on LA LAW (or any other place) I make this disclaimer. I make no warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to this document or with respect to the software described in this document, its quality, performance, or fitness for any particular purpose. In no event will I be liable for direct indirect or consequential damages resulting from any defect in the software. ********** * THANKS * ********** I would like to thank the following people for ž (beta) testing my program: Paul Thompson Nigel Copps Vimal Shah ************************************** * DIFFERENCES FROM PREVIOUS VERSIONS * ************************************** Version 1 Not released or seen by the general public, this was called "Searcher". It was prone to crashing. Version 2-2.01 Output lines to screen are now wrapped. Unused local variables have been removed.