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Disk 23 program notes
DIRECTORY MANAGER
WRITTEN BY MICHAEL NICHOLAS
INSTRUCTIONS
............
On the menu screen you will be able to access a number of hidden
options by using various key controls.
Use the cursor keys to move the cursor which is represented as
one of the programs but inversed.
When using the options like ERASE and PROTECT, the program which
is ERASED or PROTECTED is the one which the cursor block is
currently covering.
F9 This option will bring down a menu which allows you
to SAVE the current disk directory into memory.
First of all you will be asked to give this directory a
reference number from 1 to 56 and then a name which can
be upto 10 characters long.
The name of the directory musn't be one that's been used
before and the number musn't be one that has been used
before either. Otherwise an OVERWRITE option will appear.
This system of naming and numbering the directory gives it
a unique address in memory and will help you when you
wish to call up a directory or when you want to search for
a program. So it's best to name and number them sensibly.
For convenience, this option only saves the directory to
memory and not to the disk. See F6 option for this.
F8 This option allows you to load up a currently saved
directory from memory by using a number. If you want to
call it up by using it's name then type 00 and then the
option will appear.
If for some reason you want to find a program, but can't
remember which disk it is on then type SEARCH and you will
be able to search through all of the saved disk directories
for the specified program you type in.
If the search is successful then all the disks the program
was found on will be displayed. The directory name, number
and the row at which it can be found is displayed. You
must press a key after each one has been shown.
F7 This toggles on a help menu and briefly explains all of
the hidden options.
F6 This option saves the current information on all of the
directories in memory to disk. All of the directories
numbered from 1 to 56 are saved in this option. The name of
the string file that contains all of these directories is
called "DIRECT$" and this is on your supplement disk, so
make sure that you remove the write protection on this disk
before using the F6 option.
F5 This destroys/erases the current memory directory which
you have on display ( if you have one on display). A note
of the directory erased is displayed.
F3 Allows you to save the Directory Manager to another disk.
If you have 2 diskdrives then this will be recognised by
the program, just follow the instructions appropriately.
F0 This displays the current disk directory. This is useful
if you have just called up a directory from memory and
want to return back to the present one.
INV Alters the palette colours to your choice.
EDIT Toggles on other options which are available - these are
displayed at the top of the screen and you must return
back to the first one before you can use the cursor
keys. They are self explanatory and should not present
any difficulties when used properly.
NOTES:
The COPY DIR option lprints the currently displayed directory to
an EPSON compatible printer.
If you want to alter the program in anyway then look at the
program notes at the end of program listing. These tell you
usefull variables. Also most of the DEFined PROCedures are
highlighted for easy recognition.
All error messages and extra information are displayed on the
line which displays the ROW number of the cursor.
----------------------------------------------------------------
PULLDOWN MENUS by Dave Tonks
I wrote this routine more as an exercise in programming than
anything else, but it may be useful to someone.
The program itself is from line 9000 onwards and has the LABEL
"MENU".
Any other lines may be used by the programmer for their own use,
and there is not much setting up required.
Line 9010 holds 3 variables, W, D and C
W is the width of the pulldown menus.
D is the depth of them.
C is how many menus there are.
These are all in characters and you will get an error if you
have set the menus so that the width multiplied by the count is
greater than 32.
The data for the menus is stored from line 11000 onwards. It
takes the form:- "TITLE","NAME 1","NAME 2" and so on for each
menu. As all the menus have to be the same size, you can put in
a null string (""), and the program will automatically make this
"-------" on your menu.
If you pull down a menu and click on either the title or a
"------", then all the menus close down without further action.
The menus can be put over a "BACKGROUND" screen, as this is
restored as the menu is closed.
There is a REM statement to tell you where the program stops
with F$ containing your selected file, and this is where you put
your own LOAD/SAVE actions. depending on the contents of F$.
I thought that this type of menu may be good for those messy
discs that contain utilities, games and other sorts of file, as
you can group them into different menus.
I would be interested to see what use is made of this program by
members (if any!).
HOLIDAY COSTS by K.Pirie
An out of the ordinary utility, which works out the cost of your
holiday for you. Simple follow the on screen prompts and the
program does the rest.
----------------------------------------------------------------
WINDMILL by D.A.Lorner
Yet another great little card game from our friend Mr Lorner.
Instructions are included within the program, and I am
personally addicted to this one so be warned!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------
LIBERTY BELL by Tim Hards
Another Sound Machine file for you to listen to or play around
with. Use the SAVE option within the program, as it is stored on
the disc in a cut down form.
----------------------------------------------------------------
UTILITY PROCS by Andy Wright
A varied selection of useful DEF PROCS for you to use in you own
programs. A description of what each one does is
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