





                  MegaD Copyright   1990, 1991, 1992 John L. Jones
                                All Rights Reserved.
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                                     Rambling on
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                        The Concept of MegaD and it's design.

          MegaD started from wanting something to label disk with,
          something quick and easy, that I would not have to type a single
          line in if I did not want to.  I wanted it to have the ability to
          display as many volumes at one time as I wanted to,  thus the
          multiple window format.  At the time I was using DiskMaster(tm)
          as my directory utility.  I had one very large complaint.  My
          system only had two floppy drives, no hard drive and waiting for
          a directory to be loaded that had been loaded once before was a
          waist of my time. Thus, buffered or cache reads of the directory
          were a must in my program.  After the multiple, cache directories
          were working, I was saving my work to disk with Disk Master(tm)
          and the thought hit me.  Why not just add a few directory utility
          type commands to this and I would solve my complaints of reading
          a disk directory more than once.  Almost a year latter MegaD
          still would not print labels but it was doing a nice job working
          with files.  Finally after a couple of years writing and
          learning. (Yes I'm just a novice programer.)  MegaD 1.00 was
          released, then MegaD 1.01 to shareware.  MegaD 1.10 was then
          created from suggestions and comments form the registered users. 
          It had some more good ideas implemented such as a print spooler. 
          This version, MegaD 1.10, was never released to shareware. 
          Registered users received it but I did not feel like giving my
          work away anymore.  This version, MegaD 2.00, was release as
          Try-ware.  If it is un-registered it will not save or read it's
          internal preferences.

          MegaD 2.00 is a complete rewrite of the original program.  I
          learned though the years, as we all do, and when I went back into
          the code of MegaD to make it Workbench 2.0 compatible I found
          that for it to do what I wanted it to do in the future it would
          require major code changes. This recoding took more than a full
          year.

          Due to it's history, MegaD is very unique in it's design and
          structure.  It does not go along with the general rules of other
          directory utilities.  The very first and most obvious is the
          multiple window format. One of the advantages of this is MegaD
          will coexist easily on the Workbench.  It allows windows to be
          place or moved out of the way to reach icons.  Under 2.0 this
          makes the main control window usable as an Application Window.  
          It gives you the ability to work in more than two directories. 
          With this multiple window concept, the limit of just deleting
          files from one directory was removed.  This is a word of warning.
          MEGAD WILL DELETE ALL MARKED FILES IN ALL OPEN WINDOWS!  It will
          warn you if doing so unless you tell it not to with the 'Warn
          before delete' flag found in the Set defaults.






          There are some disadvantages to this.  Multiple windows tend to
          become very confusing if your not use to them.  Thus the two
          window mode was added.  This tends to work like the average
          directory utility.  Two windows, left and right, Device gadgets
          up the center and command gadget across the bottom.  Even in this
          mode extra windows can be forced out by use of the 'Lock' gadget
          at the top.  If both window are locked and a new directory is
          requested, a free floating window will be opened to give it a
          home.

          The below answers to the questions, assume some familiarity with
          the program, MegaD.  If you are new to MegaD, I suggest that you
          read the MegaD.Tutorial for step by step instructions.  There is
          also the MegaD.Doc file that explains each function without the
          step by step approach that tutorial file provides.

          NOTE:     Most of the below questions were asked by users or beta
                    testers.  If you feel something needs to be explained
                    better please let me know.  I will do my best to try to
                    explain your questions here.  My writing skills have
                    never been much more than poor but I will do the best
                    that I can.  If you feel that you can explain something
                    better than what I can. please send it to me.  I will
                    be glad to include it here.

                                  General Questions

          Why can't I copy within the same volume?
               MegaD comes default with a menu set in the Windows menu 'Use
               limits'.  The limits are found just above this item in the
               same menu.  They default to 2 volumes per screen and one 1
               window per volume.  This tells MegaD that you can only have
               1 window open for the volume, this makes it difficult to
               work within the volume in more than one directory.  There
               are a number of ways to change this or override the 'Use
               limits'.

               'Lock' override. (my favorite)
                    Move within the volume until one of the directories you
                    want to work from is being displayed in the directory
                    window.  Select the 'Lock' gadget of that window.  On
                    the first request for a new directory list, a new
                    window will open to work within.  Continue moving
                    within the volume to reach the second directory you
                    wish to work in.  Should you need more that just two
                    windows you may continue repeating the steps 'Lock'ing
                    windows you want to keep on the screen as you go.

               User 'Dest'ination override.
                    This requires that at least two Directory Windows are
                    open to the screen.  First move to one of the
                    directories you want to work from.  Then select the
                    'Dest'ination gadget of the other volume window that





                    you do not need on the screen.  Now within the
                    directory window you want to work out of select a
                    sub-directory or parent directory of the volume.  The
                    user defined 'Dest'ination gadget will force the
                    directory to be loaded into the other window.  Now you
                    may move within the other window to locate the
                    directory you want to work in.  Remember that the
                    window is a destination window and you may need to
                    change the destination gadget to do what you want once
                    both directory window are on the screen that you want
                    to work from.

               Change limits or uncheck the 'Use limits' menu.
                    The varieties are endless here and make it difficult to
                    describe all the ways that you may move to your needed
                    window.  Sometimes it will be a simple move to a
                    directory to get the windows you want, some times you
                    may need to move though 20 directories to get to where
                    you want.  

               Two simple rules to follow for all of the above. 
                    One, once you've found a directory you want to work out
                         of, 'Lock' it.  This way you may continue looking
                         though directories and MegaD will not close that
                         window.  
                    Two, Should you come across the directory that you want
                         to be the destination directory of the task you
                         going to perform, select both the 'Dest'ination
                         and the 'Lock' gadget of that window (follow rule
                         One.)  This forces destination, yet prevents MegaD
                         from trying to place any other directory list in
                         that window.

          Can MegaD replace the Workbench?
               There are some specialty that Workbench handles and MegaD
               does not such as changing or reading .info files.   You can
               execute almost any .info file that is a TOOL (Executable) or
               a PROJECT (Data) .info file.  By double clicking any of
               these .info file (Activate Auto Boot must be checked in you
               Option Menu.)  You will be given the option to Auto Boot
               that file. This works much the same way as actually double
               clicking the Icon of the file if you were working from the
               Workbench.  Should you double click a directory .info file
               then MegaD will load that directory as if you double clicked
               the directory entry itself.

          How can I keep the .info files with my copied files?
               The Keep .info with file option in the Option menu does what
               it says.  If this option is checked you will be telling
               MegaD to do just that.  If you are using the Hide .info
               option and the info files are omitted from the list, the
               .info files will still be worked on. When commands are
               called to work on the actual file such as Copy, Move,
               Delete, Rename.  If you call Copy on a selected file and the





               file has a hidden .info file. It will be copied along with
               the file.  If you delete a file. Its corresponding file will
               be deleted.  If the Hide .info option is not in use you will
               be able to override this option by deselecting the .info
               file once it is automaticly selected.

               NOTE: the Keep extension option only select and unselects
               the extension files.  If they are hidden in the list they
               will not be worked on like the .info files are.


          Can MegaD replace the CLI or SHELL?
               Not as well as it replaces the Workbench, but you can
               execute CLI type programs from within MegaD by a simple
               double click.  In fact any executable file can be started by
               a double click.  What happens, is a window will open with a
               string gadget to enter what you would like to attach to the
               line that will execute the double clicked file.  (Do not
               use the Multitasking Workbench (No IO!) option if doing
               this!)  An example of this would be to go to your C:
               directory.  Double click the date program.  A Program
               Control window will open.  Set the execute type to
               Multitasking Execute W/Hold.  If your not using Workbench
               2.0 you will have to set the Workbench screen to front at
               start and the MegaD screen to front at end checks.  Hit the
               Use gadget.  A CON: window will open for the command to run
               in.  The date will be displayed and being you used the Hold
               option the window will wait for a return.  Hit return and
               the CON: window will close.

               Should the C command needs some type of argument it can be
               added in the Flags to add after Program Name.  To create an
               example of this double click the Avail program in your C:
               directory.  The Program Control requester will open.  Once
               again set the execute type to Multitasking Execute W/Hold. 
               This time in the Flags to add after Program Name string
               gadget type FAST.  Hit the Use gadget.  A CON: window will
               open and should everything go right you will see a number
               printed on the first line.  Press return to close this
               window.

               This set of events can be use on any executable file that is
               used on a command line.  It is actually easier to do this
               type of work from a CLI or SHELL but It can be done within
               MegaD.

          How do I add flags before or after the command line?
               MegaD Program Controls can call programs that need Flags
               before the data file name or after the data file name or
               both.  This means you may do some pretty handy things from a
               double clicked AutoBoot, User Gadget, or Menu Set.  You can
               train it to archives, compile programs,  and other task by a
               quick call.  One of the best uses I have found for it is
               UnPacking .lzh files.  LhArc, LHA, and LZ are a few





               archivers that allow you to define the destination directory
               for the UnPacked files.  This is a quick session of setting
               an Auto Boot Definition to do this.
               1.   Select a few .lzh files in a directory window.
               2.   Select LhArc from the directory that you keep it.
               3.   Select Add To Auto Boot in the Project menu.
               4.   Once the request window opens for you to enter the
                    information required for the Auto Boot Definition enter
                    e in the Flags to add after program Name string gadget
                    then enter RAM: in the Text to append to end of Command
                    Line string gadget.  Set the Execute Type gadget to 
                    Multitasking Execute and select Use.
               You can now double click any .lzh file and it will be
               UnPacked to the RAM: disk.

          How does MegaD handle multiple AutoBoots that recognize the same
          data files.
               A good example of this would be your wide variety of graphic
               file handlers.  Such as Mostra (graphic viewer) and DPaint
               (paint program).  If AutoBoots are set for both of these
               programs that recognize the same type of data file and  you
               double click this type of data file.  A requestor will open
               with Mostra and Dpaint in different gadgets.  You will be
               able to select the program you want to manipulate this
               double clicked file for this time.  

          How can I get MegaD to load certain directories at startup?
               MegaD has an option that will force the load of any
               directories that you want, up to nine of them.  It is done
               by the adding an -L behind the string entered into the
               device definition gadgets in the Set Defaults window.  If
               you have drive df0: and drive df1: simply add -L to the end
               of the string i.e. DF1: = DF1:-L, and it will load those
               volumes at startup.  You may also want to have a defined
               destination directory or Lock the loaded directory to the
               screen once it is loaded.  To do this add 'D' for 'Dest'
               and/or another L for 'Lock' to the flags.  So DF1:-L would
               now be DF1:-LD for Load and 'Dest' or DF1:-LLD for Load,
               'Lock' and 'Dest'.

          How can I get MegaD to display the total bytes for all selected
          files not just Source files?
               By selecting the area of the main window MegaD will ether
               display all files and bytes selected or it will display
               source files and bytes that will be copied to the active
               directory.  If you are using the Two Window mode you can
               access this information from the Byte gadget.

          How can I define where the request windows are opened on MegaD?
               In conjunction with the Save window positions flag in the
               Preferences, Set Defaults window, all windows except the
               directory windows and text windows remember where they were
               once they are closed.  If you dislike any of the location
               where the windows opens, simply move them where you would





               like them and then close them.  After doing this with all
               request window during a session remember to Save
               Preferences.  This will keep track of the location within
               the preference file MegaD2.pf.

          Why can't I quit MegaD sometimes?
               You have started other programs with MegaD and they are
               still running.  What happens as MegaD start another program,
               it allocate memory from the system to keep track of it. 
               Much like Workbench does.  Should MegaD quit at this time
               you will lose valuable memory from your system.  Including
               the memory that the called program is using.  If you need
               the memory that MegaD is using at the time your best bet is
               to Use the 'Free Volumes' Gadget.  This will return memory
               in use for loaded Volumes.  Then select the Iconify
               function.  This will close all MegaD windows and the MegaD
               screen if it has one.  This may give you back enough memory
               to do what you wanted to quit MegaD for.  Otherwise you will
               have to quit all called program by MegaD and then Quit
               MegaD.

               The print spooler will warn you that you may cancel the 
               current print job and if you answer yes the print will be
               canceled and MegaD will close down.


          How can I get MegaD to come up Iconified.
               This is done by checking the flag Iconify at start in the
               Preferences, Set defaults window.  Now when you start MegaD
               it will be in Iconify mode.  This is very useful when MegaD
               is added via the User-Startup file. If User-Startup is used
               start MegaD with this line.

                    run >nil: <nil: MegaD >nil: <nil:

               Or you may place MegaD in the WBStartup drawer.  If you
               place MegaD in the WBStartup drawer you need to set the
               DONOTWAIT tool type in the MegaD.info file.

               Under Workbench 2.0 the icon for the iconified MegaD is an
               Application Icon.  This means that you may drag any
               Workbench Icon over the top of the MegaD Iconified Icon and
               drop it.  If it was a drawer icon it will load that
               directory into a directory window.  If it was a text file it
               will load it into a text window.  If it was a program that
               you have trained MegaD to handle as an AutoBoot it will
               call the AutoBoot for that program.  This make for quick
               easy calls during the Iconified mode.

          When I use MegaD from ToolManager I get the system Requestor
          "Insert Volume PROGDIR:".  What can I do.
               By using the info file tool type
                    "SETTINGS=Your_volume:MegaD_directory"
               you will be able to override the default PROGDIR: calls. 





               Read on to the next question for more information on this.

          Can I tell MegaD to place its settings files in directories other
          than in its current directory?
               Yes.  This is done though the MegaD.info file.  By using the
               Workbench Information function you can set create a tool
               type of
                    SETTINGS=<My_Data_Directory>
               <My_Data_Directory> can be any directory you want to have
               MegaD place the MegaD2.pf file and the MegaD.dic (if you are
               using one.)  A good example of this would be to set the tool
               type to
                    SETTINGS=S:
               This tells MegaD to use your system startup sequence drawer
               for any files it would create or use.  At this writing there
               are only two.  MegaD2.pf and MDMaster.dic that MegaD
               creates.  There are only Two files that it reads. MegaD2.pf
               and the dictionary file that is set at default to MegaD.dic
               but may be changed to any name you wish from set defaults.
