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 <Create New Key>
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