 















                             CAT - a - DISK
                             ===============



                         Disk Cataloging Program




                   Copyright 1988,1989 - Andrew C. Manti Jr.



                               Version 3.1
                                 4/12/89


         This program is distributed as User Supported Software.
         Users are licensed to copy and distribute this program freely
         as long as it is in its original form and includes this
         documentation file.   It is however, protected under United
         States Copyright laws and as such can not be sold or in any
         way distributed for profit without the prior written consent
         of the author.

         User Supported Software is made possible only through the
         support and contributions made by satisfied users.  After an
         initial evaluation period, if you find this program useful,
         you are requested to pay a $15 registration fee.  Benefits of
         being a registered user are detailed later in this document.


                        Thank you for your support

                          Andrew C. Manti Jr.
                              2 Deana Rd.
                        Methuen, Massachusetts
                                01844

















                            CAT - a - DISK
                            ==============

                              Contents
                             ----------


         Introduction................................. 1

         Hardware Requirements........................ 2

         Registration................................. 2

         Initial Set Up............................... 3

         Getting Started.............................. 4

         Details of Menu Choices...................... 6

         Initializing Catalogs........................ 6

         Cataloging Disks............................. 6

         Uncataloging................................. 7

         Printing..................................... 7

         Searching.................................... 9

         Creating Disk Identifiers.................... 9

         Adding/Editing File Comments................. 9

         Registration Form............................ 11





























                           CAT - a - DISK
                           ==============

                            Introduction
                           --------------

         CAT - a - DISK is a disk cataloging program written in Turbo
         Pascal (TM Borland Int.).   The program is designed to allow
         the user to compile a catalog of all of their floppy disks

         The features of this program are as follows:

                 1.  Catalog up to 2200 filenames on floppy (unlimited
                     on a hard disk)

                 2.  Ability to select and use different catalog names

                 3.  Catalog filenames from any drive on your system.
                     (The program automatically detects what drives
                      are available.)

                 4.  Monochrome or color monitor operation at the
                     touch of a key.

                 5.  Add comments of up to 30 characters to describe
                     or identify each file.

                 6.  Catalog from disk root directory and up to three
                     sub directories deep

                 7.  Consolidated listings of all files in
                     alphabetical order by filename in 2 column
                     summary or single column with file comments
                     included.

                 8.  Detailed listings including file comments,
                     directory information or both.

                 9.  Listings include filename, extension, file size,
                     and identifier of disk on which the file resides.

                10.  Listing by disk identifier printed in a fashion
                     to be cut and pasted to the front of a standard
                     5 1/4" disk envelope.

                11.  Consolidated listing by disk identifier giving
                     the amount of free space on each disk

                12.  All listings in a format that can be three hole
                     punched.

                13.  Automatic warnings to prevent re-cataloging of
                     the same disk twice or two disks with the same
                     identifier.  (The user has the option to
                     continue with re-cataloging the entire disk or only
                     newly added files.)

                14.  Ability to UN-catalog a disk





                                                                Page 1



                15.  Search routine to locate the correct disk
                     containing any filename.

                16.  Ability to add or edit catalog comments at any
                     time.







                           Hardware Requirements
                           ---------------------

         IBM PC or compatible, minimum 384K RAM, 1 floppy drive,
         DOS 2.0 or higher and an Epson/IBM compatible printer for
         listings.



                              Registration
                              ------------


         This User Supported version of CAT-a-DISK is a fully functional
         program with all its bells and whistles. Catalog information
         created with this version is totally compatible with past and
         future versions.

         Benefits of becoming a registered user include receiving a
         laser printed copy of the full users manual as well as a copy
         of the next release of Cat-a-Disk and notification of other
         programs as they may become available.


         Registering a User Supported Program also supports the concept
         of totally functional software as good or better than that
         found commercially at affordable prices.

         Registration is simple.  Just fill in the registration form
         at the end of this document and also included separately as
         REGFORM.TXT.  Send the completed form along with check or
         money order for $15 (Payable to Andrew C. Manti Jr.) to:

                             CAT-a-DISK
                             c/o Andrew C. Manti Jr.
                                 2 Deana Rd.
                                 Methuen, Ma. 01844

          You will receive your hard copy of the full user manual
          by return mail within 10-14 days.

          I thank you for your support!!







                                                                Page 2




                              Initial Set Up
                              --------------


         All floppy disks to be cataloged must of course have some
         sort of identification.  To make the program compatible with
         DOS 2.0 and 3.X, two methods of identification are
         recognized.  (Both of the methods to be described are
         available to you from within the program itself by selecting
         option 6 at the main menu.)

         The first for DOS 3.X use, is the use of VOLUME LABELS on
         your disks.  Volume labels can be initialized during disk
         formatting with the /V option. (i.e. FORMAT B: /V) Using this
         option will prompt you for a volume label as you format each
         disk.  With DOS 3.2 you can add volume labels at a later time
         by using the LABEL command.  (See your DOS manual for more
         details).


         If you are using DOS 2.X, the program will recognize
         a second method of labeling.  The second method is through
         the use of an IDENTIFIER FILE on each disk.  Although this
         method can also be used with DOS 3.X (separately or with Vol
         labels), it is the ONLY acceptable identifying method for DOS
         2.X!!

         An Identifier (ID) File is a file on each disk which serves
         only to identify the disk and is only 2 or 3 bytes long.
         This file which has the form:

                           DSKIDxxx

         can be created on any disk at any time.  The first portion
         of the ID file name must remain the same on all disks.  The
         last three (3) characters may be anything you wish to
         identify the disk.  The identifier of course must follow
         standard DOS file naming conventions.  For example the
         following are all acceptable disk ID filenames:

               DSKID001      DSKID299      DSKIDABC   DSKIDA7X

         These filenames can be added to an existing disk by typing
         the following at the DOS prompt: (Substitute your ID for xxx)

              COPY CON DSKIDxxx   <ENTER>
              <ENTER>
              <F6>                       (or Control Z)
              <ENTER>

         The computer will respond with '1 File Copied'

         NOTE: The 'DSKID' portion of the identifier MUST remain
               unchanged for the program to operate properly!







                                                          Page 3




                          Getting Started
                          ---------------

         The program file CATADSK.EXE is the only file required to
         start this program.  This file should be copied onto whatever
         disk will hold your catalog files.   CATADSK.EXE and the
         catalog files MUST reside on the same disk.  The program will
         create additional files for catalog data and indexing.
         Once the CATADSK.EXE file has been copied to your catalog
         disk, and your disks have had identifiers added, at the DOS
         prompt type CATADSK to begin.  The program will automatically
         determine all available drives on your system as well as
         which drive is in use and place your catalog files on that
         drive. The automatic detection of drives is totally functional
         if you are operating under DOS 3.xx.  If using a DOS version
         less than 3, a total of 26 drives will be available. The system
         will however, check each drive you attempt to use and will not
         allow you to select a drive which does not exist.  When
         started, a program information screen will appear.  Pressing
         any key will erase this screen and bring up the main program
         menu.

         The main menu will offer you 8 choices:

                       1. Initialize New Catalog Files
                       2. Catalog Disks
                       3. UN-catalog Disk
                       4. Print Catalog
                       5. Search Catalog
                       6. Create Disk ID
                       7. Add/Edit File Comments
                       8. End Program


         Additional options are available at the bottom of the menu
         screen.  These options which are accessed by entering the
         first or highlighted letter (ie [D]) will be described first.
         These are:

         [D]rive to Catalog - pressing the <D> key will change the
                              drive which you wish to catalog from.
                              In the case of a floppy drive, this
                              drive is where you place the disks you
                              want added to your catalog.  If this is
                              a hard drive then the files on the hard
                              drive will be cataloged.  Each time you
                              press <D> the drive letter will change.
                              All drives on your system are
                              automatically identified at startup so
                              there is no need to tell the program
                              what drives exist.










                                                                Page 4





         [S]elect Catalog Name - this option gives you the opportunity
                              to select (or create) catalogs under
                              different file names.  Using this option
                              allows you to have separate catalogs for
                              different types of disks.  (ie.
                              Wordprocessing files, Game files etc.)
                              Pressing the <S> key will display a list
                              of available catalogs and give you the
                              opportunity to enter the name of the one
                              you wish to use. If you type the name of
                              a file that does not exist, it will be
                              created.  The default catalog when you
                              first run Cat-a-Disk is 'Catalog'.


         [F]ile Comments - this option allows you to add descriptions
                              of up to 30 characters to each catalog
                              entry. Pressing the <F> key toggles this
                              option on and off.  Using file comments is
                              described later in this document.

         [M]onitor - this option switches between Monochrome and Color
                              monitor mode. The program initially
                              boots in MONOCHROME mode.  If you wish
                              to run in color mode, simply press the
                              <M> key.  Again, this is a toggle, it
                              will change mode each time you press
                              <M>.


         At the bottom of the main menu screen you will also find the
         word 'Files:'.  This is where you can see a running update as
         to the number of files you have in your catalog.



























                                                                Page 5




                         Details of Main Menu Choices
                         ============================

         Option #1: (Initialize Catalog)
         -------------------------------

         The first time the program is used or at any time that you
         wish to start a new catalog, you must select choice 1 to
         Initialize Catalog Files.   Keep in mind that this choice
         will ERASE any existing catalog data.  With this version,
         if a number of different catalogs are to be kept, a separate
         disk for each catalog is required.  When selected, this
         choice will verify that in fact you want to initialize (and
         delete any existing catalog files) before actually doing
         anything.

         Once you have initialized your catalog files, you are ready
         to actually start building your catalog.


          Option #2: Cataloging Disks
          ---------------------------

         When you are ready to actually catalog your disks, select
         the 'D' option from the bottom of the menu screen.  Each time
         you press 'D' the Drive to catalog will change.

         Once you have selected a drive, you can select option 2 at
         the main menu to actually catalog your disks.  You will be
         prompted to insert the disk to catalog in the selected drive
         and to press <ENTER>.  If you decide to quit at this point,
         merely enter 'X' to abort the cataloging process.

         The disk identifier will now be checked.  If that disk (or a
         disk with the same identifier) has already been cataloged,
         you will be warned and given the option to continue or abort
         the cataloging process.  If you choose to continue, you will be
         given the option of recataloging the entire disk or only files
         which are new or have been added since the last time you
         cataloged the disk. If you elect to recatalog the entire disk,
         all references to that disk will be removed from the catalog
         and the disk will be cataloged as if it were a new one.

         If the disk to catalog has no identifier, you will be warned
         of this also and the program will automatically return you
         to the main menu.

         If the identifier is new or you choose to re-catalog, the
         disk will then be added to the catalog.  If you have chosen
         to include file comments ([F] option) you will be prompted
         for your comments as each file is cataloged.

         If you are using a single disk system, the program will
         prompt you to swap disks as needed to complete the cataloging
         process.  Safeguards are built into the system to verify that
         the proper disk has been inserted in the single drive so
         should the program repeatedly prompt for the same disk, be
         sure to verify which disk you have inserted!



                                                                Page 6





         Once the disk has been cataloged, you will be returned to the
         main menu from where you may catalog additional disks or
         continue with other options.


          Option #3: UN-Catalog Disks
          ---------------------------

          This option allows you to remove all references to any
          specific disk from the catalog without having to have the
          disk available.  This is extremely helpful if you have
          erased a disk since it was cataloged and don't want the old
          file information to remain in the catalog.


          Option #4: Print Catalog
          ------------------------

         Option 4 at the main menu will allow you to print a number of
         different listings giving information about your disks.
         When selected, this option will present you with a second
         menu from which you can select the various report listings to
         print.  All printouts are formatted in a manner such that they
         can be later three hole punched.

         As with the main menu, the print menu also contains some
         additional options at the bottom of the menu screen.  These
         options are:

                [C]omments, which when on will include file comments
                          in your listings. These comments are added
                          to the listings printed from the 'Listing by
                          Filename' option on the print menu (Option 1).

                [D]irectory List, which when toggled on will include
                          the actual directory in which each file
                          resides in your listings by filename.


         The actual reports are as follows:

              1. Listing by filename:

                   This listing will print a header and then a two
                   column listing of all the files which are in your
                   disk catalog.  This listing if selected will give
                   you a list all files in alphabetical order going
                   down the first column and then picking up at the
                   top of the second column.

                   Each filename will be followed by the size of the
                   file and then the identifier of the disk which
                   contains the file.







                                                                Page 7




              2.  Specific Disk Identifier:

                   This option will print a listing by disk of all
                   files and their size in a format which can be cut
                   out and taped to the front of a 5 1/4" disk
                   envelope.

                   The list will begin by printing the identifier of
                   the disk and then the amount of free space left on
                   it.  The program then instructs the printer to go
                   into compressed print mode, and prints all files
                   and their size in a four column format.  The
                   filenames will be in alphabetical order from left
                   to right in each row.  A maximum of 80 filenames
                   will fit in this format.

                   If you are using 3 1/2" disks, the printout can be
                   cut and folded and stored with each disk.


              3. Disk Identifier Listings:

                   The final print option is similar to the first
                   option except that instead of printing filenames,
                   this option lists all of your disk identifiers and
                   shows the amount of available free space on each
                   disk.

                   This listing is helpful when looking to store
                   additional files and needing to know how much space
                   exists on any specific disk.


               4. End Print Routine:

                   This option as you would expect, ends the print
                   routines and returns you to the main menu.



         Option #5: Searching Files
         --------------------------

         Option  5 on the main menu allows you to search your entire
         catalog for specific filenames.  This option is very handy
         when you remember the name (or a part of it anyway) for a
         file you want, but cannot remember which disk it is on.

         When selected, this option will prompt you for the filename
         you wish to locate.  You may enter the entire filename or
         a portion of it or only the extension if you like.  The
         program will then locate and display every like file it
         locates.  Keep in mind that even partial matches will be
         displayed.  As each file found is displayed along with the
         name of the disk it is on, you will be given the option of
         continuing to search for more matches or quitting at that
         point.  If you wish to continue the search, respond to the
         prompt with 'Y'.  Any other response will exit the search.
         When all files have been searched, a message indicating the
         end of the search will be displayed.

                                                                Page 8






         Note that when you enter the filename to search for, your
         input is case insensitive.  In other words, it doesn't matter
         if you use upper or lower case letters,  the program converts
         everything to upper case before searching.


         Option #6: Create Disk ID
         -------------------------

         This option is to take care of the case where you want to
         catalog a disk but have forgotten to previously label the
         disk.  It allows you to add a DSKIDxxx (0K) file, (MANDATORY
         if using DOS 2.x) or to add a volume label if using DOS 3.x.

         If you are using DOS 3.x, you have choice of either method of
         identification.  If the disk you are cataloging already has a
         volume label, this option will change the label.



         Option #7: Add/Edit File Comments
         ---------------------------------

         This is a new option with version 3.1 of CAT-a-DISK. One of the
         major complaints I have received was that if you made a mistake
         during cataloging with [F]ile comments ON, or decided later
         that you wanted to modify a comment, you had no way to recover
         once you had cataloged the disk. Now you have that ability.
         File comments can now be added or edited for any filename in
         your catalog at any time you wish.

         When you select this option, you are first prompted for the
         disk identifier of the disk which contains the filename you
         wish to edit comments for. This is a necessary step since you
         may have files with the same name on a number of disks.  If you
         are not sure of the disk ID, just check your CAT-a-DISK
         printouts.

         You are next asked whether you wish to edit or review comments
         for all files on this disk or a specific filename only.  If you
         select a specific filename you are then prompted for the name
         of the file. You may enter the entire name and extension or
         just the first few letters of the name.  The program will
         search for all files meeting this criteria and allow you to end
         the search and edit or continue searching until you find the
         correct file. At this time DOS wildcards are NOT acceptable.
         Once the file you wish to edit has been found, the screen will
         clear and you will be shown the filename and allowed to enter
         or edit your comments.

         If you select to review all comments, you will be shown ten
         (10) filenames at a time along with any existing comments. For
         each page of filenames you have four options. You may press [N]
         to view the next page of files, [P] to view the previous page,
         [Q] to quit the edit function, or you may enter the number of
         the file you wish to edit. If you enter a number, the cursor
         will move to the beginning of the comment field for that
         filename and you may add or edit the actual comment.

                                                                Page 9





         The program will allow you to view up to 299 files and comments
         in a group.  Should the disk you are editing have more than
         this number you will be given the option of viewing the next
         group when you press [N] at the display of the 291-299th files.
         If you select to view the next group of files you will also be
         allowed to return to the previous group when you press [P] at
         the display of the first 10 files in the group. You can only
         back up one (1) group of previous files!

         The editing commands are straight forward:

                 INS   - switch from insert to overwrite mode
                 DEL   - delete the character under the cursor
                 BS    - (Backspace) erase the character to the left of
                         the cursor
                 Left & Right Arrow Keys - move cursor left or right
                 Home  - Move to start of comment
                 END   - Move to last character in comment
                 ENTER - End edit

         The program will default to a mode to enter new comments. If
         you wish to edit an existing comment and find nothing happens
         when you type, just press the INS key and you will be in
         business.


         Option #8: End Program
         ----------------------

         This option at the main menu is self explanatory.




























                                                                Page 10










                             CAT - a - DISK

                         Disk Cataloging Program
                              Version 3.1

                           Registration Form
                           =================

         Please register me as a user of CAT-a-DISK.  This form along
         with my $15 (Fifteen dollar) registration fee entitles me to
         a printed copy of the user manual by return mail as well as
         a copy of the next release of Cat-a-Disk.


         Name:__________________________________________________


         Address:_______________________________________________


         City:___________________________State:_______ Zip:___________
         =============================================================
         The following information will aid me in determining what
         types of other programs and support might be of interest.
         Please take a second and help me out!


         1. Computer:____________________________

         2. Printer:_____________________________

         3. Is Monitor Color or Mono? _________________

         4. Do you have a hard disk? __________________

         5. Where did you obtain your User Supported version of this
            program?







                   THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT..............


          Please mail with check or money order payable to Andrew C.
          Manti Jr. (NO cash please!) to:

                 CAT-a-DISK
                 c/o Andrew C. Manti Jr.
                     2 Deana Rd.
                     Methuen, MA.  01844