
MRFIX
Version 1.0
Copyright  T. Hutchison, 1993.  All rights reserved


    Welcome and thank you for trying MRFIX.

    The first part of this file is an introduction to MRFIX,
briefly stating it's capabilities and intent.  The second part
is installation intructions.  Complete documentation for
using MRFIX is contained within MRFIX.DOC.

    MRFIX is not just a quick, easy file manager; it's an
evolution.  MRFIX has all the standard features ("standard"
for programs costing several times as much) like a directory
tree, diskette formatting, copying, moving, etc., but it goes
far beyond typical "shells".   Imagine never having to
remember, or even type, those cryptic file names.

    MRFIX can be popped-up over the DOS command line or
any other text based program and it doesn't just work over
them; it works with them.  Any file you select from MRFIX
can be sent to the underlying application in just two
keystrokes.  Now, all your programs can have directory
trees and descriptive notes for each file.  Those notes
are just as easy to use as those stick-on pads scattered
around every office.  Everything about MRFIX is designed
to make your work easier and faster.

    It's difficult to summarize MRFIX but here is a list of
features:

            Very quick
            Non-resident option ("normal" executable)
            Small memory requirements
                Optional disk/EMS swapping requires just 6K
                Configurable from 77K to 125K
            Senses hardware automatically
            Menu driven
            Mouse compatible
            Short-cut (letter key) navigation
            Scrolling lists with scroll bars and paging
            Directory tree (saved in file for quick access)
            Format diskette (options for density and label)
            All disk/file operations have full error handling
            Directory operations
                Rename dir
                Remove dir
                Make dir
                Rescan tree
            File list with complete information
            Mutiple extensions and exceptions for file specs
                (ie: *.* EXCEPT .EXE.COM.BAT)
            Multiple file specs that can be flipped through
                (saved in file, optionally)
            Sorting by file name, extension or date
            Directory/Disk usage reports
            One key tagging/untagging
            Tagging entire list with one key
            File operations (single or multiple tagged)
                Set attributes (read-only, etc)
                Copy (allows formatting and changes in midstream)
                Move (select destination from tree)
                Delete (individual verification is optional)
                Rename (validates correct name)
            View (browse) text files
            Large notes for each file (up to 256 characters each)
            Complete management over notes
                All file operations (Copy, etc.) maintain notes
                Select note source file (normally automatic)
                Import notes from other sources (3 options)
                Packing the note source file (2 options)
                Close the note file
            Automatic (one key) macros to other programs
                Immediate
                Delayed
                Launch (executable file)

    MRFIX may not have the most features of all the available
file managers, but it doesn't take up 5 megs of disk space
and 640K of memory either.




                 ** Installation **


    I must assume that you have already unarchived the package
if you are reading this and you received this package as an
achive. The exact method of archive (.ZIP, .LZH, etc.) is up
to the distributor.  Please copy all the files in this package
to a directory on your hard disk, if you haven't already done so.
Please forgive me for not including an installation utility,
but they just don't offer flexibilty.

    Example: From the DOS command line type ...

        C:                      Make hard drive current

        CD \                    Change to root directory

        MD \MRFIX               Create a directory for MRFIX files

        CD \MRFIX               Change to the new directory

        A:                      Set drive to floppy containing MRFIX

        COPY A:*.* C:\MRFIX     Copy the files from the floppy to
                                the hard disk.  "\MRFIX" is optional.

        C:                      Go back to the hard disk

        COPY MRFIX.DOC PRN      (Optional)  Get a print-out of the
                                documentation.

        COPY REGISTER.TXT PRN   Am I being too pushy, yet?

    To give MRFIX a quick try:

        MRCLIP                  Load small TSR.
                                Must be loaded before MRFIX.

        MRFIX                   Load the main program as a TSR.
                                Type <Ctrl - space>.
                                If you would rather load MRFIX
                                as a "normal" program (non-TSR),
                                type MRFIX /N instead.
                                There are other switches that
                                you can use to control or optimize
                                MRFIX which are documented in
                                MRFIX.DOC

    Later, you will probably want to edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file to include MRCLIP and MRFIX along with the configuration
switches you want.

    Hard copy is not needed because  MRFIX has it's own file viewer
and can read it's own documentation at any time.  The documentation
is about 14 pages long.  If you are reading this with Vern Buerg's
popular LIST.COM, printouts are available by typing <P> and then
paging through the file.  Please read the documetation completely;
it isn't long enough to be considered boring and it contains important
information.


    This package includes the following files:

        MRFIX.EXE               Main program
        MRCLIP.EXE              Small "clipboard" utilty
        COUNTER.EXE             Reports largest directory for optimizing MRFIX
        README.                 You're reading it.
        MRFIX.DOC               Text file documentation
        MRFIX.FIX               Contains notes like these, except larger
        FILTERS.MRF             Sample file filters
        MRFIX10.ZIP             All these files in compressed archive
        REGISTER.TXT            Registration form that should be printed,
                                filled in and sent back to me.

     Again, thank you for trying MRFIX.


