J.O.B.S. Job Organization and Backup System The shareware version of JOBS (JOBS-SW) is a subset of JOBS+, which adds support for hard disk backup and restore, a menu manager, EASY menus to simplify access to JOBS' extensive command set, and a set of macros that make short work of many of the most common housekeeping tasks. The basic JOBS may be best categorized as a power user's tool. JOBS+ adds features that combine the best of both worlds; ease of use for the casual user, power for the serious user. For specifics on how to install and use JOBS-SW, see the file JOBS-SW.DOC. To find out about JOBS+ and what it can do for you, read on. ======================== BECOME A WIZARD ======================== wizard (wiz'erd) n. 1. a magician; sorcerer. 2. [colloq.] a very skillful person. Computer Wizard: one who possesses the skills of a typist combined with a thorough knowledge of DOS and its commands. With apparent ease, computer wizards can perform feats such as changing directories, copying files, renaming files, creating new directories, searching for files, etc. The rest of us find ourselves searching through manuals for commands, typing and retyping until we get them right (or give up). With JOBS, the neophyte can perform tasks that even a wizard would envy and with an economy of keystrokes well suited to the hunt and peck school of typing. The wizard gains new power and efficiency. ======================== WHAT IS JOBS? ======================== JOBS is an acronym for JOB Organization and Backup System. Perhaps our most difficult task has been to explain what JOBS is. It doesn't fall neatly into a single category. Maybe it is best described as a housekeeper. As a housekeeper, JOBS performs those tasks that are performed outside of application programs. We consider PCs to be machines specifically designed to run applications, ie., word processing, accounting, planning, drafting, design, etc. Housekeeping tasks are those that are necessary but incidental. Housekeeping tasks include: 1. DOS related operations, such as directory creation/removal, file copy, erase, rename, etc. 2. Execution of application programs. 3. Installation and removal of programs and utilities. 4. Backup or archiving of data created by applications. 5. Miscellaneous functions to display, organize, and manage application data; ie., tools used to print, search, sort, compare, etc. 6. The ability to automate or customize frequently performed operations. This is a broad list. As you look through the feature list that follows and as you use JOBS-SW, compare its abilities with the list above and with other programs providing similar functions. You'll find that JOBS-SW goes a long ways towards filling this 'shopping list'. JOBS+ goes the rest of the way and adds improved ease of use. ==================== WHAT WILL JOBS+ DO FOR ME? ==================== In terms of efficiency gains, the JOBS+ Task Manager is probably the single most useful feature. Without programming or writing batch files, you can create and maintain menus that are custom tailored to your needs, your applications. Menus greatly simplify and speed up access to your most frequently used programs. JOBS+ also comes with an alternate set of command menus called EASY. With a single keystroke, EASY replaces the existing JOBS menus with Lotus style menus that provide access to the most frequently performed DOS operations. EASY has its own context sensitive help system, tailored to the needs of the more casual user. At those times when the more extensive JOBS command set is need, EASY may be turned off; again with a single keystroke. In addition, JOBS+ currently (it keeps growing) adds approximately 30 high level commands referred to as the Extension Set. The Extension Set contains commands that bundle JOBS' basic capabilities together, allowing a few keystrokes to do the work of many. These commands perform selective backup and restore, file searches, text searches, and much more. (see the feature list below) THe Task Manager, EASY, and the Extension Set are fully integrated within JOBS. With a minimum of keystrokes you can select the level of operation suited to the task at hand. Easily go from the simple to the powerful, the options are always there. ==================== WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM JOBS+ ==================== In an effort to meet your various needs, JOBS+ is growing even as you read this. Several versions ago, NASA's AMES Research Center purchased JOBS for use throughout their facility. Using everything from Cray super computers to PC's, their MIS department supports perhaps the most diverse group of PC users to be found anywhere. As one of our largest customers, AMES has provided us with a unique environment to put new features through their paces. JOBS' flexibility allowed us to readily add and test enhancements in response to their needs. Many of the JOBS+ features are the result of this cooperation. Feedback, they and others provide, continues to be our primary guide when adding new features or improving existing ones. To facilitate adding new features to JOBS+ without continually needing to change the program itself, we developed the JOBS Extension Language (JXL). We used it to create the Task Manager, EASY, and the Extension Set. Future enhancements, additions, and even custom solutions can and will be provided to users of JOBS+ without the need to fully upgrade their software each time. Note: For some examples of what JXL can do, check out the "READY TO RUN MACROS" section in the .DOC file. As explained there, all of the commands marked 'EXT' were created with JXL. ======================== FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS ======================== Here is a list highlighting what JOBS-SW can do. Following that is a list of some of the additional features supported by JOBS+. DIRECTORY LEVEL FEATURES Graphic representation of directory trees o Not just one, but two directory tree screens o Quick and easy movement among directories and disks o Current directory follows the directory pointer o Automatic scrolling for large directory trees o Supports all 32 directory levels allowed by DOS Versatile find file command o Wild card search string o Find only files that have been changed o Find files by date and time o Limit search to any branch of a directory tree o Sorted results written to disk Create, Erase, and Rename directories Rename or add disk volume labels FILE LEVEL FEATURES Extensive directory display features o Not one, but two directory display screens o Quick sort on file name, type, size, or date/time o Limit the displayed files o By name, date/time, changed, or selected o With wild cards o Using AND, OR, and NOT logic o Complete file statistics, including attributes o Disk and memory statistics o Disk capacity and percent of disk used o Space required to copy to destination Powerful file selection methods o Select by pointing o Select with multiple wildcards including a NOT operator o Select by time and date o Select by comparing two directory's contents o AND, OR, and NOT logic may be applied to the above methods o Save list of selected files for later recall Batch commands - multiple file operations o Copy, erase, move, rename, or print o Change attributes, date or time o Copy with directory structure to destination Immediate single file commands, 'point and do' o Run programs or batch files. o Rename or erase a file o Change the attribute of a file Configurable print utility o Pagination with optional page header o Variable tab expansion, page size and margin o Easily send control codes to printer Miscellaneous commands o List directory contents to disk or printer o Type or hex dump file DOS SHELL FEATURES Runs other programs o Point and run o Run another program or batch file and return using less than 2k of memory (1/2 of what DOS uses). o Recall of last DOS command o JOBS is an excellent base of operations Edit the command line o All prompted input can be edited o WordStar key equivalents supported o Default choices may be inserted and edited o Filenames and paths may be 'captured' from the screen to be inserted at prompts. Control the environment o Set Verify, Break, Date and Time o Enhanced access to and control of the DOS 'Set' environment SPECIAL FEATURES Programmable with a 'Learn' mode o Create your own commands (macros) o Easy to use macro learn mode o Special macro commands o Create your own menus and help screens o Window editor for interactively creating pop-up windows for use with your custom macros. Links to your editor o Use your editor as an integral part of JOBS Time clock functions o Job timing - punch in, punch out, and total o Unlimited number of jobs OTHER FEATURES Easy installation o Smart install with thorough context sensitive help. o Support for mono or color card (color selection) o Control memory requirements (90k to 130k) Not memory resident o There when you what it, gone when you don't o 100% well behaved o Compatible with other programs, including concurrent/multi- tasking utilities. Slim and quick o Will run in as little as 90k of available memory o Loads and runs quickly o Quick enough to use just to change directories o Single key selection of commands o Support for expert, rapid entry of commands Extensive on-line help o Over 200 context sensitive help screens just a key away Thorough error trapping o Full screen explanations and suggestions. o Graceful recovery wherever possible ============ ADDITIONAL FEATURES PROVIDED WITH JOBS+ ============ Task Manager o Ready to use function key menus. o Interactively create, edit, and delete menu tasks as needed. o No programming required. o Automatically generates macros to execute tasks, quicker and more reliable than batch file based menus. o Each menu has a note area to provide help text, keep reminders, etc. o Pop-up mini directory tree and directory list. o handy for those quick peaks or to change a disk. o point and run a program o point and edit a file EASY menu system o An alternate Lotus style menu set that simplifies access to JOBS' commands. o Easier for the occasional user, with shortcuts for the serious user. o Shorter more concise context sensitive help, with index. o Single keystroke access, toggle between EASY menus and JOBS' menus. o Provides ease of use without compromising on power and versatility. Extension Set o A collection of macros to extend JOBS' basic capabilities. o Over 30 high level commands, accessed through pop-up menus. o Commands to simplify those most frequently performed chores. o Hard disk backup and restore o Directory structure as well as files are backed up. o Backup may be limited to selected directory branches. o Backup all files, or just those that changed. o Backup files specified in a selection list. o Unlimited number of selection lists supported. o Includes an interactive list builder. o Accepts lists created by the Find file command. o Lists may specify files to exclude. o Backup based on file dates and/or times. o Two Update commands o Quickly update previously created backup disks. o Update a single directory or multiple directories with a single command. o Restore o Automatically recreates original directory structure. o Not order dependent, only restores the latest versions. o Optional log of backup/restore transactions. o File search o may be limited to selected directory branch. o 5 variations o Fast find, single wildcard search. o Wildcard search for files that have been changed. o Wildcard search for today's files. o Find a single file and display its directory with pointer located at matching file. o Multiple wildcard search. o Search results written to disk. o Redisplay last search results. o Utilities o Create a batch file and execute it. o Move a directory branch within the directory tree. o Search for text within selected files. o Search selected files in current directory. o Use selection list to search files in multiple directories on one or more disks, creates result list. o Format a disk. o Climb (visit each directory) a directory branch and clean out unwanted files specified with multiple wildcards. o Climb a branch and run a macro at each directory. o Batch erase all files in current directory. o Batch erase selected files in current directory. o Batch clear archive bits on selected files. o Select files by comparing two directories. o select the newer files. o select those with same dates and times. o select the older files. o select those that are not in the other directory. That's as brief as we could make it and the list continues to grow. As you can see, JOBS+ adds some very powerful and useful capabilities. In some cases (the text search commands for example) single commands provide the functionality of individual programs selling for as much as the entire JOBS+ package. Try JOBS-SW, invest a little time in learning what it can do. We guarantee that the time you spend will be repaid many times over in time saved and frustrations avoided. Included with JOBS is 15 minutes of free support, and you may purchase additional support as needed. This allows us to provide high quality support and at the same time sell a superior product and at bargain price. (Let's face it, support and advertising are the largest components of software costs.) Have a special housekeeping problem, or need a tutorial for new users? A custom macro command might be the solution you've been looking for. Give us a call. As a registered user, let us know what you are doing with JOBS or would like to do. As our existing customers can verify, your ideas and needs are the design criteria for future releases. RCT Design PO Box 1726 Novato, CA 94948 (415) 892-2713 (408) 749-9826 We always keep the latest copy of JOBS Shareware on the Portal System. In addition you may contact Robert 'Bob' Tellefson, JOBS' author, by Email at: tellefson@portal.cup.com WHAT IS PORTAL? Here is a brief description of Portal communication's services. It's an excellent service and a great bargain in communication. If you are not already aware of Portal (or better yet a subscriber), we enthusiastically recommend that you check it out soon. It's extremely well thought out, friendly and easy to use. That in itself is something new in computer communications! The Portal System is an online communications system for individuals, groups and companies. It is designed to serve the needs of both home and business users who find communicating online useful for saving time and energy, or interesting for learning or recreation. Portal is a unique system which finally makes online communications affordable with an extremely low price - only $10 per month! Portal can be viewed as a huge online environment, within which are many ways of communicating with others. Inside this environment you will find bulletin boards, conferencing systems, electronic mail networks, advertisements, information bases, surveys, and a reflection of the community in which we live and work. Portal can be your connection to this community. Finally, Portal is inexpensive, only $10 per month. You can call as much as you like, at any time, at any speed. The low cost of Portal means you don't have to worry about racking up large online bills. You don't have to stay up late waiting for the rates to go down, or worry about the extra cost of a 2400 bps connection. The signup fee is only $15.00, and it includes our 80+ page guidebook. For long distance callers, Portal is especially low priced when combined with Telenet's PC Pursuit. PC Pursuit allows users to pay a fixed monthly charge of $25 and enjoy unlimited use of the Telenet network between 6pm and 7am Monday through Friday, and all day on weekends. If you are a PC Pursuit customer, you make a local call to access Portal from any of the 600+ Telenet cities. If you connect via Telenet without using PC Pursuit, there are additional Telenet charges. To connect to portal using Telenet's PC Pursuit, enter: C PORTAL,USERID,PASSWORD at the first @ prompt. You will be connect directly to Portal without waiting for a telenet dialer. When you first connect to your local Telenet number, be sure to begin with D to select 8N1 protocol. For $35 a month ($10 to portal and $25 to Telenet), you enjoy unlimited off-hours access to Portal. Once connected to Portal you see the following prompt: Enter name, NEW, INFO, or HELP: Enter NEW to receive more detailed information about Portal. Enter NEW to open you Portal account immediately, using Visa or MasterCard. You may also contact them directly at the following numbers. Portal Communications Company 19720 Auburn Drive, Cupertino, CA 95014 408/725-0561 (300/1200 bps) 408/725-0569 (2400 bps) 408/973-9111 (Customer Service) See you online!