UtiliMaster
Programable buttons!
ARC Won't hang up on duplicate files!
Two windows (Source & Destination)!
Modify "Standard" buttons!
Icon doubles as configuration file!
Run from Workbench or CLI!
The left display window is ALLWAYS the source, the right
destination. The box above each display shows the current
directory being displayed. The box below is the Disk
or Device name, and the box below the destinatio window
is the Entry (or "E") box.
Swapping a disk while it's directory is
being displayed will automatically get the parent
directory of the new disk in the appropriate window.
To move into a sub-directory, "Double-Click" it's name.
(The time between two clicks to be considered double-clicking
is determined by Preferences.) To move to the parent of
the current directory, Double-Click the directory name
box (Above the list window). Double-Clicking the root
directory will cause Utilimaster to get it from the device
again. (This is useful if something outside Utilimaster
has changed you directory listing.)
If a symbol like a capital Y with a line thru it appears
just to the left of the filesize, that file is protected
to some state other than "rwed". If a C in a circle
appears, the file has a comment attached to it.
Standard buttons:
"Swap" Will swap the source and destination directories. Files
may not be selected in the destination window other than
Double-Clicking sub-directories. If source and
destination are swapped, selected files are not
highlighted in the destination window, but will
be remembered and highlighted in the source window
if directories are swapped back.
"All" Selects all files in source directory.
"AllDirs" Selects all sub-directories in source directory.
"Exchange" De-selects all selected and selects all unselected.
"ExcDirs" Same for directories.
"Clear" De-selects all selected files.
"ClrDirs" Same for directories.
"Copy" Copies all selected files and sub-directories (including
files in sub-directories) to destination directory.
Copy also copies file comments, and if "LOCK" is active,
(The title bar displays a capital L), protection
on the copy is set to the same as the orriginal. (If
protection on the orriginal is "r-e-" then the copy is
set to "r-e-".)
If UPDATE is active,(There's a u with dots above in the
title bar), in the tooltypes, UtiliMaster will
look for the file in the destination directory. If it
exists, but is older, or doesn't exist, it will be
copied, and dated the same as the orriginal.
If it exists and is the same date or newer
you will be notified that "File xxx is up to date".
If UPDATE is off, all files are copied, and have
the current system date as thier creation date.
If you enter a FileName in the "E" box, and copy
a file, it will be renamed in the destination directory.
In this case, copy stops after the first FileName if
more than one is selected.
"Rename" Will rename the FIRST selected file or directory to
the name in the "E"(Entry) box. If no name appears
in the "E" box, a requester appears requesting the
new file name.
"Move" If destination directory is on the same device as source,
selected files will be moved into destination directory.
If not on the same device, an error message is displayed.
"Delete" Will present a requester asking if you are sure. Given
an affirmative, it will delete selected files. Selected
directories will be automatically deleted if empty.
For directories containing files, a requester appears
to remind you if they are not empty. Given an OK,
these directories, and all files and sub-directories
will be deleted. Empty directories are deleted with-
out any requester. (The theory is that an empty
directory is easy to re-create.)
"Lock" Changes the protection on selected files/directories to
"r-e-". They are protected from being written to or
deleted. Lock will protect all files in selected
directories. Lock fails if there is a system file-
lock on a file or directory. If a particular directory
repeatedly fails to lock, it may have something "assigned"
to it, or may be part of the "path" list.
"UnLock" Changes protection to "rwed".
"Read" Displays the selected file(s) to the screen. ASCII files
are displayed in text mode, binary etc. are displayed
as if "c:type opt h" were used, except that the decimal
file position is listed on the right side of the screen.
The Up & Down arrows, or scrollbar may be used to move
forward or backward thru the file. The window-close
gadget exits read. For keyboard instructions, select
a file, click "Read", and once the file is displayed,
push the "HELP" key. The choice of modes is based on
whether any 0 bytes are found. (ASCII text files
SHOULD NOT contain any 0 bytes!)
"FileNote" Attaches whatever is in the "E" box (Even a null
string!) as a comment to each selected file REPLACING
any existing comment. Using FileNote with the "E" box
empty will delete any existing comment.
"GetNote" Displays the comment on selected file(s) in the
Status box and the Filename in the "E" box. There is
a brief delay built in so you have a chance to read
them if more than one file is selected. Note that
commented files display a c in a circle just to the
left of their size in the display window.
"Print" By default, if Utilimaster can find a file named
"c:print" it will be RUN and passed the filename, if
not, an internal routine will print the file to PRT:.
The default external print routine can be changed.
See "Setting Defaults", below.
"Show" By default uses "c:show" to display the selected file(s).
Show can also be re-defined.
"Search" By default opens a window and calls "c:search" passing
it the content of the "E" box as the string to seek,
and selected file(s) to search.
"Arc" "DeArc" & "ListArc" by default all use "c:arc".
"Arc" opens a window and Executes
"c:Arc a Filename <FileName> <FileName>" for selected
file(s).
"DeArc" Opens an interactive window and Executes
"c:Arc x FileName". If duplicate files are found,
this version of UtiliMaster DOES NOT lock up in
the endless loop most others do!
"ListArc" Opens a window and Executes
"c:arc v FileName" The window remains open for
reading until you close it.
"Run" Is equivelant to typing "run > nil: FileName" from CLI.
No window is opened for your file by UtiliMaster.
"Edit" Defaults to "run e FileName"
"Execute" Defaults to "Execute FileName"
"GetDir" Gets the directory in the "E" box, which MUST begin
with a device name. If the "E" box is empty, the current
source directory is up-dated. Usefull if you have added
or deleted a file from some other program.
To get a sub-directory in a window, Double-Click on that
directory's name. To get the parent of any displayed
sub-directory, Double-Click on the Directory
name box at the top of the listing window.
"MakeDir" Will make a directory with the name in the "E" window.
If nothing appears in the "E" window, a requester appears.
If MakeDir was clicked with the LEFT button, the
directory will be created in the source directory.
If the RIGHT button was used, the new directory goes
in the destination.
"Info" Displays the number of USABLE bytes free on each device
in the window where the device name usually appears.
(Or free memory in the case of the Ram Disk) If any
files (NOT directories!) are selected, their total bytes
and number of x-modem blocks is disp[layed in the status
window.
"NewCLI" Will start up a new CLI if Utilimaster can find
"c:NewCLI". If a filename is selected the result is
"NewCLI from filename".
All of the "Device" (DF0: DF1: RAM: etc.) buttons may be
clicked with the LEFT mouse button to get the device
as the SOURCE directory, or with the RIGHT mouse button
to get it as the DESTINATION directory. All of these may
be re-programed to get other devices in the following
manner:
To change "VD0:" to "VDK:", select (SINGLE-Click) the
Utilimaster icon on the workbench screen. Select "Info"
from the workbench menu. Click the "ADD" box next to
the "ToolTypes" window. Click in the "ToolTypes" box
and type "VD0:=VDK:" Please note that "VD0:" MUST be
upper case, but "vdk:" may be lower case if you so
desire. If you want other text in the button for the
device, leave a space and enter up to 8 characters.
EXAMPLE: To change "SYS:" to call your "s:" directory
with the button lbeled "Scripts" add a tooltype line
which says "SYS:=s: Scripts"
EXAMPLE: To change "DH1:" to call up the directory
"SYS:MyFiles" and the button to display "All Mine"
add a tooltypes line of "DH1:=sys:myfiles "All Mine"".
Note that "All Mine" should be entered in the tooltypes
box in quotes!
UtiliMaster defaults to "SYS:" as the source, and "RAM:" as the
destination directories on startup. You can change this
by adding a tooltype line that says
"DEFAULT=Directory Directory". The first directory
listed will become the default source, the second
will become the destination. If only one directory
name is entered, only SYS: will be changed.
UtiliMaster allows you to dictate a command directory other than
"c:" To do so add a tooltype line
"COMMAND=DirectoryName". If the directory does not
exist, Utilimaster will attempt to create it. Utili-
Master will then attempt to copy "c:run","c:newcli",
"c:endcli","c:execute",and "c:assign" into this
directory. It will then attempt to "assign c:
DirectoryName". (This is due to the fact that the
DOS Execute() command invokes "c:run" in order to
function. The manx "exec()" commands don't need
"c:run", but won't function within a program started
from WorkBench!. They've got us between a rock and a
hard place!)
On exiting UtiliMaster, "c:" will be assigned back to
wherever UtiliMaster found it unless you specify elswhere
by a tooltype "REASSIGN=DirectoryName".
If Utilimaster created a new command directory,
it will be deleted. If you assigned command to
an existing directory, it will be left intact on
exiting UtiliMaster. (Including any files
UtiliMaster copied into it!)
Other utilities may be copied into your newly
created command directory via a tooltype
"COPYLIST=FileName FileName FileName (etc.)". All
FileNames should include the Device:.
UtiliMaster may be run in "lace" mode by entering "LACE=1"
as a tooltype entry. This is designed to co-operate
with Access! (V1.27 and higher) when Access! is
also in lace mode. Utilimaster then occupies the
upper half of your display while Access! is in
the lower half.
The clock may be turned off by entering "NOCLOCK=1" as a
tooltype entry. (For those who don't like clocks!)
There are five more buttons which are disabled unless defined
by the user as described below.
USER BUTTONS: (Including changes to Show, Print, Arc,
Search, etc.)
Each of the five user buttons is defined by a tooltype line.
"USER#=FileName ButtonText flags [Perameters] [PromptText]"
Where FileName is the FULL directory name of the program to
invoke.
ButtonText is the text (up to 8 characters) for the button.
Flags are desribed below.
Perameters (up to 20 characters) to pass to function).
PromptText (up to 30 characters) Is the Text to present in a
Requester if your program requires user input.
(Example: A fileName to create). If no promptext
is provided, no requester will appear.
Flags:
If your program is simply to be run (Example "run sys:Clock"),
then add 1 to flags. (You need not enter Perameters or Promptext
unless you want them. If you DO use perameters, then flags
should be entered as 0. If promptext is entered you MUST
enter flags (even if 0) and perameters (even if "")).
To have your program simply execute while UtiliMaster waits,
do not add 1. The result is as if typing:
"CommandName FileName"
from CLI for EACH Selected File. If 1 IS added the result is
like typing:
"run >NIL: CommandName FileName"
from CLI for each selected FileName.
To open a window for your program to output text (It thinks
it's running from CLI!) add 2. You get a RAW window by default,
and will have to close it. By default, you must close it after
EACH filename is processed. To have it remain until all
selected files have been processed, add 8 to flags.
If you wish your program to be executed (or run) even with
no files selected, add 16 to flags.
If files must be selected:
Add 64 to allow selected DIRECTORIES to be passed as
filenames. (If 64 was added, but selection is NOT required,
in the event you click the button with no selection,
UtiliMaster will pass the current source directory as a
filename.)
Add 32 to flags to have ALL selected filenames in one pass.
If you've entered parameters they are normally place
before the filename(s). To have them placed AFTER the
filename(s), add 128 to flags.
If Promptext is entered, you will be prompted for input each
time you command is invoked (unless you pre-enter it in
the Entry box). Text entered at the prompt goes into the
"Entry" buffer and is normally placed AFTER the filenames.
to place is BEFORE them, add 256 to flags.
If you want UtiliMaster to update the directory after your
command has executed, add 512 to flags.
The number entered for "Flags" should be a total of the above
depending on what you want to happen.
EXAMPLES:
If Flags=0 Then the result of clicking the button will be like
typing "CommandName filename" from CLI for each selected file.
No directory names will be passed. If no files are selected,
clicking this button will be ignored!
DEFAULT BUTTON SETTINGS:
Each of the buttons listed may be changed by a tooltypes line.
These examples show what that line would look like to obtain
exactly what the default setting for that button is.
PRINT=c:Print Print 0
"c:Print" is passed a FileName. No directories are
allowed. Control is not returned to UtiliMaster while "c:Print"
runs. If Utilimaster can't find "c:print" (or whatever it's
been redefined to) an internal routine is used. Printer output
will be the same as screen format for "Read". The print button
is a special case. You may re-program it to call any command you
like, however, if at startup UtiliMaster doesn't find your command,
when clicked the print button will attempt to print the selected
file to the printer via an internal routine.
SHOW=c:Show Show 0
"c:Show is started and passed a FileName. Directories are not
allowed. Control IS NOT passed back to Utilimaster until
"Show" is done. This is to prevent Show from being run
simultaniously for several files.
SEARCH=c:Search 198 all "What text?"
A window CON is opened, and the equivelant of typing
"c:Search FileName <"E" box content> All" takes place.
If the "E" box is empty, a requester appears whith the prompt
"What text?". The text then entered is substituted.
ARC=c:Arc Arc 806 A
Equivelent CLI line:
"c:Arc A FileName [FileName] [FileName]"
Arc is a special case. Filenames are checked for length. If
length exceeds 12, you will be prompted for a shorter name.
WARNING: In this case, your file is "Renamed" to the shorter
name, Arc is run, and your filename is then "Renamed" back
to it's orriginal name. If UtiliMaster should in some way
fail, your file may not get renamed back to the orriginal.
DEARC=c:Arc De-Arc 518 V
Equivelent CLI line:
"c:Arc X FileName"
LISTARC=c:Arc "List Arc" 2 V
Equivelent CLI line:
"c:Arc V FileName"
RUN=c:Run Run 0 >NIL:
Equivelent CLI line:
"c:Run >NIL: FileName"
EDIT=c:E Edit 81
Equivelent CLI line: (with file selected)
"c:Run c:E FileName"
Equivelent CLI line: (with NO file selected)
"c:Run c:E SourceDirectory"
EXECUTE=c:Execute Execute 6
Equivelent CLI line:
"c:Ececute FileName"
NEWCLI=c:NewCli "New CLI" 16
Equivelent CLI line: (with filename)
"c:Newcli from filename"
Equivelent CLI line: (with no filename)
"c:Newcli"
Please note that if a new command directory is defined, then
in each of the above examples, the new directory name will be
used in place of "c:".
Also note that any of these may be told to look for the program
in some other directory. For example, if you keep "Newcli" in
your "System" directory, you would then use tooltype
"NEWCLI=System:Newcli "New CLI""
(Note the quotes around "New CLI" for the button. Utilimaster
understands quotes and any group of words/letters inside
quotes is treated as one perameter regardless of spaces.
THE GOOD NEWS: The program in the arc file called UMUtil will
build an icon to your specifications. You can load the image(s)
for a simple or alternat image icon from ANY icon (Even a disk's
icon, or a drawer icon!!) via "Load icon image". Only the image
is then taken from that icon. If you specify a path in the
"DefaultTool" window, it builds a "project" icon which when
click, looks for UtiliMaster under the name entered, and uses
this icon's tooltypes to set UtiliMasters buttons. You could
place UtiliMaster in C: for example, and build several icons
with different arrangements. By entering "C:UtiliMaster" as the
"DefaultTool" in each of these icons, ONE copy of UtiliMaster
can be started with a variety of different "setups". In this
event, however, it is suggested you place one icon in C: with
YOUR favorite defaults so that "UtiliMaster" from CLI sees it.
Otherwise, you get MY defaults!
I reccommend that you use UMUtil to make your icons, as
Workbench's "info" tends to add tooltype lines together!
UMUtil does not!
THE BAD NEWS: UMUtil runs from CLI only! SYNTAX: "UMUtil [iconname]"
Occasionally an error will leave you with what amounts to a
CLI window opened. You escape this window with "Endcli"
Each time UtiliMaster is started (whether from workbench or CLI!)
the icon is parsed for all of the above. Some of these
may be over-ridden when starting from cli as follows:
Utilimaster [noclock] [update | noupdate] [lock | nolock]
[lace | nolace] [directory] [directory]
These may be in any order, except that the first string
containing a colon (":") will be taken as the opening
source directory, and the second as opening destination
directory. You may dictate an icon from which to take
defaults by typing "UtiliMaster icon iconname". These
may be mixed into the above in any position PROVIDED
that "iconname" is the NEXT entry after "icon"!
When run from workbench, Utilimaster opens a background window.
You may change it's size by tooltype
"WINDOW=CON:<Left>/<Top>/<Width>/<Height>/"
If you use this, window MUST be "CON:" and ALL FOUR dimensions
MUST be given! (Unless you LIKE Guru Errors!)
There are some programs (The version of "Arc" that I have, for
example.) which send some of their output to ERROR out instead
of STANDARD out. This output will go to the background window
if started from WorkBench or the CLI from which UtiliMaster was
started. Sorry, I haven't figured out a way around this. You may
see this output by using the "Window to Front/Back" gadgets.
UtiliMaster is public domain software! (It's based on too
many predecessors!) A contribution ($10.00) is requested!
Please send comments and/or sugestions (and contributions) to:
John Scheib
3805 FairWay Circle
Las Vegas, Nevada 89108
OR
People Link: JSCHEIB
Enjoy UtiliMaster!
