                  DisKount/DisKark - December 1992
                          Version 8.8a

I begin from the premiss that no one EVER reads the instructions!!!

However, I'm also sure you will have heard the adage "if all else fails,
read the manual". To that end, please try to read the following FIRST plus
all document (*.DOC) files included in the package!

All DisKount programs can be run as DOS applications from within Windows
(versions 3.0 and 3.1 tested).

Some brief notes on DisKount/DisKark......

The system requires/assumes you have the following.......

MSDOS 3.2/3.3/4.01/5.0 or DR-DOS 6.0
A CGA/EGA/VGA colour monitor
At least 446k of spare RAM
Ideally, a 64k RAM disk (but works fine without)
A hard drive (C: or above)
Floppy drives designated A: and/or B: (can be mixed densities)

***************************************************************
COMMAND.COM  *MUST* be available somewhere in the standard path
***************************************************************

***************************************************************************
IF YOU USE 4DOS, PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE TEXT FILE REGARDING RUNNING
DISKOUNT WITH 4DOS!!!  SEE DK4DOS.DOC
***************************************************************************

***************************************************************************
******* New to version 8.8 - No longer requires any of the supported  *****
******* Archivers (.ZIP, .LZH, .ARJ, .ARC - PAK support discontinued) *****
******* and CHKDSK need not be present.                               *****
*******     (See * STOP PRESS * at the end of this document).         *****
***************************************************************************

DEVICE=ANSI.SYS should be in your CONFIG.SYS file.

===========================================================================

Brief product description:

The system is, in the main, menu or prompt driven, so I hope I can avoid
those 65 page manual jobs that seem to be getting popular these days!!

*****************************************************************************
***** AT NO TIME DOES THE SYSTEM ATTEMPT TO WRITE TO YOUR FLOPPIES!!! *******
*****************************************************************************


DisKount      Allows you to catalogue your disks by merely shoving them
              one after the other (under prompts of course) into A: or B:
              floppy. The system can handle 8000 such filenames (see more
              below). Once entered, you may then conduct a (sorted) search,
              printout, and various other requirements on the list.

              All files in all (sub) directories are automatically entered
              for you (with the exception of the "exclusion list" below).
              Start by attaching small sticky labels numbered from (say)
              1 on up, and use these numbers as your entries into DisKount.
              You may number your disks anywhere between 1 and 999, and
              have up to fifteen data sets (of up to 8000 names each) on
              each sub-directory.


DisKark       As DisKount, but is a companion program. USE DISKOUNT FIRST!
              Unlike DisKount, DisKark ONLY looks at .ARC, .LZH, .ARJ and
              .ZIP files. It then extracts all the filename details from
              them and places them into a data base in much the same way
              as DisKount. See below for filename limitations. The idea
              is, that once you have entered your disks into DisKount, you
              then run them through DisKark using of course the same disk
              numbers that you allotted during DisKount entry! Once done,
              you can then search for that elusive file buried within an
              archive (e.g. "where IS that utility called RAMTEST.COM -
              ah, I see from my search, that it is contained within
              UTIL.LZH on disk 74")..... etc. etc.


Konfig        Used to setup the system and initialize new data files for
              DisKount & DisKark. ***** YOU MUST RUN THIS FIRST ***** see
              more below.

*******************************************************************
***** AGAIN, COMMAND.COM MUST BE AVAILABLE TO THE SYSTEM!!!!! *****
*******************************************************************

PLEASE PLACE THE FOLLOWING IN THEIR OWN SUB-DIR (suggest x:\DISKOUNT) where
x: = your hard drive (C: etc.)........


                        DISKOUNT.EXE
                        DISKARK.EXE
                        KONFIG.EXE
                        KOMBINE.EXE (Registered users only)
                        KONFIG.TSK
                        EXCLUDE.DEX
                        HFDS.EXE    (Registered users only)
                                    Please note that HFDS.EXE can go in any
                                    directory of your choosing and would be
                                    best placed in a directory contained in
                                    your PATH.

**** THE FIRST THING YOU MUST THEN DO IS RUN KONFIG.EXE *****

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>> Registered users who are up-grading do not need to re-configure <<<
>>>  their system - the existing KONFIG.TSK data file is fine        <<<
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


Follow the bouncing ball.

This will allow you to set-up where you want to run things to/from as well
as nominate different filenames - toggle sound on/off etc.


Don't forget to tell Konfig where the data files are sitting (in the above
example of course this will be C:\DISKOUNT - assuming your hard drive is C:)

Although in theory not vital.....PLEASE KEEP THE DATA FILES IN THE SAME SUB
DIRECTORY AS THE PROGRAMS - DO NOT RUN FROM THE ROOT DIR - ENSURE AN
EXCLUSIVE SUB DIRECTORY FOR USE BY DISKOUNT/DISKARK!!!!!


Then (still using KONFIG) you will need to create your first (empty) data set.

For this you use the menu options "Initialize DisKount Data File" and
"Initialize DisKark Data File". See options "B" and "C" on the menu.

It helps if you use some form of mnemonic for your data set filenames i.e.
I called my first one "1ON" and then, when it was (nearly) full, renamed
it to reflect the actual contents (1TO93, meaning disks 1 to 93), and then
created a new one called "94ON" and carried on up.

I suggest that you NOT let a data set fill up, rather allow around 7950 (for
DisKount) or 5950 (for DisKark) names and then start on up again. This will
allow you to go back in and update any disks without "overflowing".
I call DisKark data sets "ARK1ON" etc.


Limitations:

               Number of filenames     Number of data            Number of
               per data set            sets per sub-directory    Archives
                                                                 per data set
               -------------------     ----------------------    ------------
DisKount       8000                    15                        N/A
DisKark        6000                    15                        1600


A total of around 500 file names are permissible PER FLOPPY - if you have a
floppy with more than this (does anybody????), the system will alert you
that it cannot handle a disk with this many files - reduce them or live
without that particular disk in DisKount/DisKark.



At the bottom of most screens, the number at the extreme left hand side of
the screen is the number of files currently in the data set in use. In DisKark
the other number just to the right is the number of Archive (.LZH etc.) files
in the data set e.g. 1234 145 would mean you have 1234 (out of a poss 6000)
filenames and 145 (out of a possible 1600) Archive filenames in use. Also the
name of the current data set in use is always displayed in the top box on the
main menu screen.

A brief word on the search wildcard (*) option - this does NOT work the same
as MSDOS * type searches. Basically, you use it to "peg" the search from left
to right.... Some examples:-

B* (or b*) will find ALL (and only) filenames starting with letter "B"

*BAS - ALL (only) files ENDING in BAS (PRINT.BAS etc.)

CO*EXE - ALL files that begin "CO" and end "EXE", with any remaining letters
in between being "carried" along (COmpare.EXE - COver.EXE etc.).
You may notice that in the above example, no "." was/is required.

Non-use of the wildcard (*) will force a "match any part" type search, the
effects of which are different......

"INT" as a search pattern would yield ANY filename CONTAINING "INT" e.g.
PINT.COM - PRINT.EXE etc. etc. - whereas .COM would reveal all (only) files
that end in .COM.

Just pressing <ENTER> without a search string defaults to displaying ALL files
(as *.* in MSDOS).

One final word....When you catalogue a disk(s), the system looks for a disk
name (volume), and if found, offers you the chance to auto add this name to
the current list. If you take the offered option to add a disk (volume) name
to the list, this will be forced to upper case, all (any) spaces will be
removed and the name will then terminate with an "*" character so as to be
distinguishable from an ordinary file name.........
e.g. Disk volume (name) "util 45" will become "UTIL45*" etc.

To search for disk (volumes) names use: "**" as your search string pattern.

Needless to say, in the above examples, you do not actually enter the ""
(quote) marks when searching for a file!

This is definitely one of those occasions where you'll learn far more in ten
minutes "playing" than any written word could explain. I leave it to you to
discover the many (and powerful) search options that are open to you.



The bottom line.....

Version 8.8 now offers the following new features:

*  Automatic support for MS-DOS versions 3.2 to 5.0 as well as DR-DOS 6.0.

*  User defined "exclusion" list (supports forty file names  with
   an  editor  built right into DisKount/DisKark and  includes  a
   wildcard option for exclusion names). See EXCLUDE.DOC.

*  Forward/Backward (PgDn - PgUp) searching.

*  A visual warning is given when you are approaching the filename limits of
   the system (suggests you start new data set).

*  A new option that allows you to automatically update a disk i.e. put
   diskette in drive, enter its number, and DisKount/DisKark will do the
   rest - update the data base to reflect the new status of that disk.

*  A utility called KOMBINE.EXE will allow you to merge existing data files
   into one big file (registered users only).

*  Now includes an on-screen indication of the number of pages a print-out
   will require if/when the option is taken "To Print the list".

*  New option to display a log of unused disk numbers for those occasions
   where, by deleting a disk, you leave a 'hole'. For example, suppose you
   entered 30 disks into the list, then went in and deleted say disk number
   7, in this instance, DisKount will report disk 7 and disk's 31-999 as
   being free etc. etc. geddit? See LOG.DOC.

   My sincere thanks to registered user Mr Arup Sinah for not only
   requesting this new feature, but also for beta testing DR-DOS 6.0
   compatibility......thanks Arup.

*  The "engine" for DisKount/DisKark has been re-written to make them
   completely independant of external programs...... CHKDSK - PKUNZIP
   LHARC etc. etc. need no longer be available to the system.

*  A new option allows you to search for disk free space by both bytes
   and kilobytes...... i.e. you can search for (say) 92160 or 90K and
   the results will be the same.
   (Thanks to John Pettitt for requesting this one).

*  New option (that you can toggle ON/OFF from within KONFIG.EXE) to
   warn of any archives buried within other archives (a .ZIP file that is
   contained within another .ZIP for example).

*  A new utilty called HFDS.EXE that allows you to search both hard and
   floppy drives for those illusive files/sub directories. See separate
   instructions supplied with your registration/upgrade.
   (Registered users only).

*  Support now added for the ARJ archiver (PAK support now discontinued).

*  A re-styled screen whilst you are cataloging disks now provides an activity
   indicator bar.

*  Many small bug and cosmetic fixes.

Other upgrades are planned.

************* Registered users only ****************

I will notify you direct of any changes to DisKount.

****************************************************


If you require latest info on the system, this will always be available on
BARNABAS BBS, telephone (UK) 0708-670068, where you can also obtain ALL of the
current Archivers supported. Sysop is John Barton (thanks John).


I will do my best to support any registered users, and they are welcome to
ring me direct on the number given below....please try to restrict calls to
between 7pm and 9pm UK hours (7 days a week!!!).

As and when upgrades to the Archivers themselves are released, it is again
my intention to update and keep pace with developments, and provide any such
updates at a very nominal cost (as of this writing 3.00 pounds for an upgrade
inc disk & postage).

(Please note, that as PKZIP (.ZIP) & LHA(ARC) (.LZH) now seem to be the 'front
runners', I only intend to fully support these two now - howls of protest will
change this decision!).

If you have a maths co-processor, I can provide optimized versions for that 
as well as for 80286/80386/80486 machines....please let me know when you
register if you require these (not forgetting the size floppy - 3.5" or 5.25"
that you would like the package supplied on).

Various other systems have successfully been used, and to that end, my
sincere thanks are owed to: John Barton - Simon Pindar - Jon Brooks -
Arup Sinha - Ian Penfold - John Pettitt & Alan Stenning....thanks guy's.

It may well be possible to offer you a "personalized" version if you have any
special requirements. Please contact me if you have any such needs.

Registered users will also receive four extra programs including KOMBINE.EXE
(a utility to merge data files into one big one) and HFDS.EXE (allows you to
search hard and floppy drives for those illusive files/sub directories)......
full details with registered pack.

Full registration is 25.00 ($50) inc p&p - Please make cheque payable to:

                              T.J.Simpson

and forward (along with details of your machine & floppy disk size rqd) to:


                         Terry Simpson (TSoft)
                             33 Church Lane
                               Wymington
                               Nr Rushden
                                N'hants
                                NN10 9LW
                                England

Tel: UK         (0933) 55629       (7pm - 9pm seven days)
     Europe     +44 933 55629      (equiv to above UK hours)
     USA        011 44 933 55629   (equiv to above UK hours)

                  (Fax possible by prior arrangement)


Enjoy......

Best regards.

Terry Simpson, Wymington, February 1992


                          ********************
                          **** STOP PRESS ****
                          ********************

                              Version 8.7a

You may now "roll your own" regarding file names that you do want 
adding to your data (see separate document file EXCLUDE.DOC).


MS-DOS 4.x users:
-----------------
A  bug has been fixed to cure the problem of DisKount  "offering" 
MS-DOS   4.x   disk  serial  numbers  as  possible   disk   names 
(volumes)...........i.e.  "Disk is called Serial Numbe -  add  to 
list" etc. etc.

Other  small  bug/cosmetic fixes have been applied but  the  most 
significant thing about version 8.x is that it makes use of a new 
version of the compiler I use. Amongst the new benefits are  that 
the code runs faster and the .EXE program files are smaller!

The new LHARC (LHA) version 2.13 is supported.

Sub directories within .ZIP files now supported.

MS-DOS 5.0 now fully supported.

DR-DOS 6.0 now supported - DR-DOS sometimes returns errors in a different
manner to MS-DOS, so I cannot always guarantee that my customised error
messages will reach the screen....i.e. DR-DOS error message may be reported
rather than my (more meaningful) one! Not a real problem though.

At last (I think) the cure for the reason for my having to write KLEEN.EXE
(remember that - do you ever run it?). Just to remind you, I reported way back
in Nov 1990 that I may have identified a bug in DisKark (DisKount Ok), and
offered KLEEN.EXE as a way of finding suspect Archive file names 'stranded'
in the list (see your original doc file for KLEEN.EXE). Well it's taken a year
to track this one down, but I think I've finally found the culprit to be
spurious EOF (End Of File) markers in the VERY occasional archive file....in
other words it wasn't a bug after all! However, to remain perverse to the
last, I found that my fix highlighted a bug that was lying dormant, and which
would surly have followed sods law sooner or later (you know the one, "if a
thing can happen, sooner or later it will"). All should now be well, and a
rather pretty screen box comes up to warn you of any of these beasties!

                                  -=-

                              Version 8.7b

New to version 8.7b is the ability to run KONFIG.EXE from within either
DisKount or DisKark thus making it a totally 'enclosed' system now. You
will see this option on the first menu as you go into either program.
Also, fixed a very obscure bug if a floppy contains only hidden files
that nevertheless are required to go into the list.


                               ----==----

                      Version 8.8a - December 1992

The "engine" for DisKount/DisKark has been re-written to make them
completely independant of external programs...... CHKDSK - PKUNZIP
LHARC etc. etc. need no longer be available to the system.
DisKount is very much faster than ever before (DisKark could be a little
slower on large archives).

A new option allows you to search for disk free space by both bytes
and kilobytes...... i.e. you can search for (say) 92160 or 90K and
the results will be the same. Just take the existing menu choice ("H") and
you will see the new prompt.
(Thanks to John Pettitt for requesting this one).

New option (that you can toggle ON/OFF from within KONFIG.EXE) to
warn of any archives buried within other archives (a .ZIP file that is
contained within another .ZIP for example).

Support now added for the ARJ archiver (PAK support now discontinued).

A re-styled screen whilst you are cataloging disks now provides an activity
indicator bar.

A new utilty called HFDS.EXE that allows you to search both hard and
floppy drives for those illusive files/sub directories. See separate
instructions supplied with your registration/upgrade.

                                  -=-

I am currently working on yet more upgrades to make DisKount/DisKark even
(I hope) better including a true Windows 3.1 version.


Enjoy......

1st December 1992 - Terry Simpson - Wymington.


31/01/93................

DisKark works with PKZIP ver 2.04c & 2.04e (you should be using 2.04e now).
