DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners by Chet Langin Langin Software 532 W. 3rd St. Centralia, IL 62801 CIS: 73770,615 _______ ____|__ | (tm) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER <<< Page 2 >>> DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners Copyright (c), 1990, 1991 by Chet Langin, all rights reserved MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Users of "DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners" must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners" is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of it. Table of Contents Welcome 3 What is DosEA? 3 Who is DosEA for? 4 What is DosEA 1? 5 Installation 6 Tutorial 6 Appendix A -- A list of files 9 Appendix B -- Troubleshooting 9 <<< Page 3 >>> *************** ** Welcome ** *************** Welcome to "DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners." ********************** ** What is DosEA? ** ********************** The series name, "DosEA," is a play on words which means a dossier on DOS. But, what is it? Specifically, DosEA is a series of hypertext programs which explain DOS. The series, so far, consists of . . . DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners DosEA 2 -- What is DOS? DosEA 3 -- 10 Easy Commands DosEA 4 -- Find That Command! More programs are under development. A key element in the presentation of the DosEA series is hypertext. Once you get the idea behind hypertext, you can read and comprehend material extremely fast. Hypertext lets you select just what you want to read. If you understand what you are reading, just keep at it. Otherwise, the hypertext leads you immediately to further explanations. Understanding hypertext is so crucial to the DosEA series, that the first program, "For Absolute Beginners," is all about how to use hypertext. Even though the DosEA series is about DOS, the first program isn't about DOS, at all. Rather, it's about using hypertext. The second program in the series, "What is DOS?", then uses hypertext to introduce DOS. The succeeding programs also use hypertext to explain further details about DOS. <<< Page 4 >>> ************************* ** Who is DosEA for? ** ************************* DosEA is for people who want an easy way to learn about DOS. It is for people who need to use personal computers, but do not have the time to get a degree in Computer Science. This includes . . . > Business people who need to get business done. > Employees who need to get work done. > Students wanting to get ahead fast. > Home computer users trying to get up to speed. > User groups helping new members. Experienced computer users may find this program helpful in another way. When you are asked those endless streams of questions about . . . "how does this . . . " . . . or . . . "why is it that . . ." . . . just pass along this program. The recipient will be grateful and you may save yourself a lot of explanations. <<< Page 5 >>> ************************ ** What is DosEA 1? ** ************************ "DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners" is a hyperbook which introduces hypertext. Odds are, you have never seen a hyperbook before. Simply stated, it is one of the easiest ways to read and learn new information. Here are some reasons why: > It has chapters like a regular book, so the reader has a feeling for "beginning," "middle," and "end." > It has an index which can be accessed at the press of a single key. > It has "hyperwords," which are highlighted words in the text. If you come across a highlighted word and you know what it means, just keep reading; otherwise, select it like a menu item and immediately get more information. "DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners" introduces these features and explains how to use them. Some of the other DosEA programs use these features to explain DOS. Some of the other DosEA programs have hands-on practice for MS-DOS commands. The hypertext explains a command. Then, the computer demonstrates it. Next, the user tries it. The computer double checks the effort and, if a command is not entered correctly after three tries, the computer shows how it is done. How often have you read a computer book which used technical lingo you did not understand? How frustrated have you become digging in vague indexes and flipping through pages? DosEA solves that. If you are reading DosEA and come across a highlighted technical word you do not understand, all you have to do is place the cursor on the word and press . The computer will immediately display a detailed explanation. To go back, just press , and you do not even lose your place. But, why read about it, here? Why not learn about hypertext with hypertext? The DosEA 1 program is written like a hyperbook to illustrate what a hyperbook is. <<< Page 6 >>> ******************** ** Installation ** ******************** What this program needs: > 512K of memory > Any monitor > MS-DOS 2.0 or higher No installation is required. **************** ** Tutorial ** **************** If you are reading this on your computer screen, you should first print the manual. Exit the program you are using to read this, and then, assuming the DosEA program is in the "A" disk drive . . . Enter: A: Enter: PRINTMAN It is assumed that you will be looking at the printed manual as you try out the program. The tutorial is a series of 20 steps. 1) Start the program: Enter: DOSEA1 2) Read the cover, then continue: Press: 3) Read the disclaimer, then continue: Press: 4) Read the trademarks notices, then continue: Press: <<< Page 7 >>> 5) Select the Introduction from the Table of Contents: Press: Press: 6) In a couple of seconds, the Introduction will appear. To see how to read the introduction . . . Read the text and press: Read the text and press: Read the text and press: Read the text and press: 7) To see how to select a highlighted phrase, read the text down to the highlighted phrase "Chapter 4". Use the arrow keys to move the cursor on top of the highlighted phrase "Chapter 4". Go to Chapter 4: Press: 8) After a couple of seconds, Chapter 4 will appear. Return to the Introduction: Press: 9) Read the remaining text and continue: Press: 10) To see how to read a footnote, read the text down to the highlighted asterisk (*). Use the arrow keys to move the cursor on top of the highlighted asterisk. Select the footnote to read: Press: 11) Return to the Introduction: Press: 12) Finish reading the text. To see how to go to the next chapter, use the arrow keys to move the cursor on top of the highlighted phrase "Next Chapter". Then, go to the next chapter: Press: <<< Page 8 >>> 13) To see how to get help, notice that the cursor is already on top of the highlighted "Help" word. Press: 14) Read the help information. Return to Chapter 1: Press: 15) To see how to use the Index: Press: 16) In a couple of seconds, the Index will appear. Suppose that you want to read topic A. Use the arrow keys to place the highlight on top of the "A". Press: 17) Read the topic on "A". To return to Chapter 1: Press: 18) To see how to quit the program: Press: 19) You will be asked if you are sure: Enter: Y 20) Read the final notice and press any key. The computer will quit the program. <<< Page 9 >>> ****************** ** Appendix A ** ****************** The files included with DosEA. DOSEA1.EXE The program, itself. DOSEA1.OVL More of the program. MANUAL.TXT This file! PRINTMAN.BAT A batch file to print the manual. README.TXT A file with important information about DosEA. README.BAT A batch file which displays README.TXT. ORDERFRM.TXT The order form to register. REGISTER.BAT A batch file to print the order form. VENDOR.DOC A text file with information for vendors. ****************** ** Appendix B ** ****************** Troubleshooting. >>> You get a "file not found" message. The default disk drive and directory may not be correct. Assuming that the program is on the disk in the "A" drive . . . Enter: A: Enter: CD \ Enter: DOSEA1 Otherwise, you did not get all of the program files. See Appendix A for a list of files. >>> You get a "window failed" message. Probably the defaults are not set correctly. The program must be able to access the DOSEA1.OVL file. See the explanation directly above on how to set the defaults. You may not have enough memory in your computer.