*-----------------------------------------------------------* | | | MaxiFile 3.0! | | | | By Charles F. Johnson | | | | *** DEMO VERSION *** | | | | Copyright 1989,90,91 CodeHead Software | | | | Demo Documentation by Charles F. Johnson & John Eidsvoog | | Revised: Friday, April 5, 1991 | | | *-----------------------------------------------------------* ****************************************** * * * This demo program and the accompanying * * text file may be freely distributed as * * long as both files are included, and * * neither file is modified in any way * * whatsoever. * * * ****************************************** Included Files: --------------- MAXIDEMO.ACC The MaxiFile demo desk accessory. This file should be copied to the root directory of your boot disk. When you restart your computer, it will load automatically and be installed in the 'Desk' drop down menu. MAXIDEMO.TXT The file you're reading now. Why It's A Demo --------------- It's a demo because it has a time limit of 15 minutes, because it runs ONLY as a desk accessory (the real thing also runs as an ordinary program), and because you can't save your configuration or print a full directory listing with the "Print Dir" function. Aside from this stuff, the demo version of MaxiFile works exactly like the release version (for 15 minutes). Since It's A Demo... -------------------- ...we aren't going to give you full documentation about how to use every single one of MaxiFile's features. The release version of MaxiFile comes with a manual that's over 80 pages long and an addendum which is almost as big (which gives you some idea of the power of the program). However, the fact is that MaxiFile, like most other CodeHead products, is incredibly easy to learn to use. You should be able to navigate your way around the demo even if you have only a basic knowledge of ST point-and-click techniques. (Remember that the ST mouse has TWO buttons!) There Are A Few Things We Should Tell You... -------------------------------------------- To select a drive to display with MaxiFile, click with the left mouse button on the word "Source:" or "Dest:" at the top of the main dialog box. This will bring up a "drive selector" box that lets you choose a drive to use for either the source or destination. To exchange the source and destination paths, click on the right-facing arrow next to the path area (or type the Backspace key). If you right-click on either "Source:" or "Dest:" you'll see MaxiFile's "Default Paths" box, which has space for up to twenty preset paths. Click on the number next to each line to select a path for that slot. Once you've set up some preset paths, you can instantly set any of them simply by typing its associated function key. If you hold Control while typing a function key, the path will be assigned to the destination line. To enter folders, double-click them in the list of items, or right-click them and choose "Open". To back out of folders, click on the little "close" symbols next to the words "Source:" and "Dest:", or click directly on the name of the folder you wish to back out to. To select and deselect files in the MaxiFile menu, click on them with the left mouse button. The right button activates the "Show Info" feature for any file or folder. And remember that almost all functions of MaxiFile have keyboard equivalents, in most cases mnemonically related to their associated commands. The Help key will give you a complete screen full of keyboard commands and most of MaxiFile's dialog boxes also show you the available keyboard commands. Don't Miss... ------------- Make sure to enter the Filters Box (it's the icon in the upper right corner). It lets you choose the criteria by which the files will be shown. But it also lets you take advantage of MaxiFile's powerful search functions. Try selecting "PRG" and "ACC" and then click on "Search". The Search Box will appear, allowing you to select which drives you'd like to search. When you select OK, MaxiFile will start finding all PRG and ACC files and will list the first 20 it finds. You can continue searching or click on one of them to select the directory containing that file as well as all of the matching files. Another "don't miss" feature is the Graphic Disk Info box. You'll find it by clicking on the Door icon and selecting Graphic Info, or hit the space bar followed by "G". This box lets you quickly gather information about the drive usage on any combination of your available drives. You can select drives by pressing the corresponding key or by clicking on the bar or letter for that drive. You can also select or clear all drives at once or all non-floppy drives. Don't forget to try viewing a text file with MaxiFile's new, powerful View feature. To View a file, right click on it to bring up the file info box and select "View". Or double RIGHT-click directly on the file. Or...well there's a bunch of different ways to get there, but once you do, hit the Help key to learn how to use the various viewing features such as "Finding" text in the file by searching forward or backward, tab settings, and half-height text. The Auto-Swap button in the More box (Door) changes the way the mouse works in the destination listing. The Open/View button in the Mouse box changes the way the right mouse button works. If you select these buttons, it will change the way MaxiFile operates and you may think that it is not operating correctly. These options allow you to customize MaxiFile in many ways and they are described thoroughly in the MaxiFile 3.0 addendum. Interface With HotWire ---------------------- MaxiFile has a unique and powerful interface with our popular HotWire "shell", that lets the two act together almost as if they were one program...giving you an incredibly powerful MODULAR alternate desktop system for the ST. ("Modular" means that even if you have limited memory, you'll still be able to use MaxiFile with HotWire.) You'll need version 1.4 (or later) of HotWire to use these features, however; if you haven't tried HotWire, you're missing a real treat! HotWire is the fastest, easiest, most _fun_ way to run programs on the Atari ST. (It puts an end to the drudgery of clicking through window after window, looking for a particular program...) We've also posted a demo version of HotWire on all the major info services, and you can call us at the number below for more information. Although they are of course available separately, HotWire and MaxiFile are also bundled together and sold as a package, called HotWire Plus. If you buy both programs at once this way, you save $20.00 off the retail price. HotWire Plus is sold for $69.95. As of this writing the lastest version of HotWire is 3.0 and sells for $44.95. You Be Careful Now, You Hear? ----------------------------- The MaxiFile demo gives you the power to delete files very easily on your drives. This means that the potential for damage can be very high if you recklessly rummage around through the MaxiFile demo without knowing what you're doing. There are 13 different kinds of warnings that can be enabled or disabled. If you turn them all off you may be asking for trouble. With no warning it only takes a press of the "E" key or a click on the trash can to begin deleting all of the files and folders currently selected. If you first press "[", all of the files in the current directory would be selected. So Be Careful! And REMEMBER: if something does -- by some incredibly far-fetched coincidence of ill-fated circumstances -- start going wrong, you can abort any MaxiFile operation by holding down the ALTERNATE key! CodeHead Software cannot be held responsible for any loss caused by the use or misuse of the MaxiFile demo. Ordering Information -------------------- The retail price of MaxiFile is $44.95. You may purchase MaxiFile at your local ST dealer, or order it directly from us at (213) 386-5735 during business hours (9-1 PST). We accept most major credit cards. If you don't want to order by phone, you can send a check or money order for the amount indicated plus $3.00 shipping (Canada $4, Europe $6). Prices and hours are subject to change without notice. CodeHead Software P.O. Box 74090 Los Angeles, CA 90004 Enjoy the MaxiFile demo! - Charles F. Johnson, John Eidsvoog CodeHead Software April 5, 1991