File Browser Written by: Chad E. Dionis Clyde the Clever Clam Development The purpose of File Browser is to provide a integrated environment for program execution and dos activities. The program utilizes the undocumented method of drag-drop to move files within the application as well as dropping files on other applications. The screen is divided into three major areas: 1. Navigator icons: The list boxes and the associated icon at the top of the column are the main engine for viewing and executing programs. When the name of the icon is hilighted, that icon is called the Selected Icon. Icons from the Navigator can be drug to any place that the icon image appears. The circle with a slash indicated the icon cannot be dropped there. The folder icon indicates the icon name is a directory. 2. Shelf icons: The empty space above the Navigator icons is called the Shelf. Icons can be drug from the Navigator and stuck on the shelf. When the check box in the File menu for Save State is checked, these icons will be stored between sessions. Icon can initiate a drag from the shelf but will be removed from the shelf. This allows icons to be removed from the shelf. The Shelf is a convenient place to store frequently used programs or directories. Also, the Shelf can be used as a temporary storage for copying files around the hierarchy. 3. System icons: The topmost row of icons is called the System icons. There can be one or more drive icons. The Selected Icon shows the current drive. Also there is a printer and a trash can. These icons cannot initiate a drag but can accept drops from the Navigator and Shelf icons to print or remove files. Files drug to the drive icons are copied to the current path of that drive. How about some terminology for the laymen: Drag-Drop : Press and hold the left mouse button while the pointer is on an icon. With the button depressed, move the pointer to the drop point. (usually another icon, but can be another app. like notepad or program manager) Release the button. If the cursor is a circle with a line through it, and the button is released, the drop is simply ignored. Double Click : Pressing the left mouse button twice really fast WITHOUT moving the mouse. If the mouse moves a slight amount, the double click will not adhere. Multiple Files: Holding the left mouse button while dragging the cursor over multiple files in a list box. Also, holding shift down when the mouse is pressed will hilight from the first entry selected to the current mouse position. Holding the control key down when pressing the mouse button will keep the original selection while selecting a new area. The following are common operations: Select an icon : Single click on a Navigator or Drive icon. This will be the active path for menu operations and update the information in the file inspector window. Selecting an icon on the shelf will reload the Navigator with the path of the Shelf icon. Drag to Shelf : Click and hold mouse on Navigator or Shelf icon. Move to an open slot in the Shelf area. (signified by the file icon as the cursor) Release the button. Execute : Double click on a Navigator icon, Shelf icon, or double click on a name in any of the list boxes. Execute w/ a initial file: With the application icon visible either on the Shelf or in the Navigator, drag the data file on the application icon, and release the button. Copy to directory : Drag file or directory to a folder or drive icon. The default path for floppies, or the last active path for fixed disks, will be used to copy to drive icons. Moving to a directory: From the menu, under options, press Drop Options. In the dialog, select "Drop". Any files drug to folder icons will be copied and deleted from their original spot. (unless the move is being done on the same drive will result in a rename to save time) Delete file or dir: Drag file or directory to the trash can. Viewing information on a file or dir: Select an icon. Choose Inspect File from the File menu. This will pop up an icon viewer window. This window shows the vital information of the file. If the file is a directory or multiple files, the size button will become sensitive. When this is pressed, the selected icon will be size from the current directory and all descending sub- directories. Associating files: This allows a data file to be "executed". The associated executable is launched and with the data file opened upon completion. Files with extensions .ini and .txt are associated with the notepad utility. When these files are executed, notepad is launched and these files are edited. There are many extensions that are predefined upon the installation of windows. (this is why some files in the navigator show the window utilities icon when displayed) There are two methods of associating files: 1. Select a file in the Navigator. Select Associate from the file menu. This will show if any association exists for the file's extension at the time. If so, the association may be edited by pressing the Create/Edit button. If there is no association for the file, the will be hilighted in the combo box. Pressing Create/Edit will create a new key, and associate the current extension with that new key. 2. Select "Drop Options" from the Options menu. Select "Associate". Drag a file to an executable file. This will pop up the Create Association dialog. MAKE SURE you complete the executable line by putting any command line switches AND %1, to allow files to be initial executed. The short and long identifiers are used by you to recognize the key. These should be filled in; but are not terribly important. Renaming Files: On any Navigator icon, double click on the title. This will bring up an edit box. Type the name of the new file or directory. Press enter. Create Directory: Select any Navigator folder icon. Select "Create Directory" from the file menu. This will create a directory called NEWDIR in the selected icon's list box. Rename using the above technique. Printing: Drag a single file to the printer. This file must have an association with an executable that can print it. (I didn't make this scheme up. I think it is ridiculous that a file cannot be printed with out a program to print it. What kind of operating system is this?) This executable can be Write, Notepad, or MS-Word (or similar WP). *Notes 1. If you make new files, or delete files without using the Navigator icons as drop points, or create or delete files using the dos prompt, the Navigator may not reflect the change. If you expect the Browser to be displaying something else, press "Reload Browser" from the options menu. This will reread the directory tree. 2. All windows do not come with the same font set. To change to a font that is on your system, press "Change Font" in the Options menu. The font will be saved and reloaded each session. I often use the "Small Font" size 7. It allows more information on the icon titles. 3. Any place, except for associating files, multiple files can be used. 4. Menu operations are available for coping files to the same directory, or any other operation that is difficult with the browser format. 5. I have been using this program as my shell and I have not been able to crash it. Unfortunately, one of you will be able to. Write down what happened and what you did to initiate the crash to the address below and I'll fix it in the new release. BE GENTLE. Registration Fee: 10$ w/ Source: 15$ Send to: Chad Dionis 2312 10th St. Altoona, PA. 16601