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Newbie Guides 
New To PC's User Guide
The Software Part 2
This chapter has been split in to two pages. You can get to part 1 of
Software simply by clicking on the previous arrow below.
At the bottom of each page is an arrow, linking to the next chapter, if
you prefer to step through the guide.
The Software - part 2
We are now using DOS 7.0, now you understand what 7.0 means. It means
that DOS is a few years old now and then this is the latest and most "debugged"
version of it so far. DOS language is easy to understand because it is
English. COPY, DELETE, FORMAT, INSTALL, CHKDSK, MSBACKUP, DBLSPACE are
all DOS commands as well as CD MD RD MEM. By telling the computer to do
certain things you can access your TREE (DIR) and you can move around
within that tree to various files using DOSSHELL or other SHELL Programs.
(A shell is a kind of "x-ray" program where you can see the
whole family tree at the same time and can access any part of it you want
instantly. The specific instructions using the DOS language for your computer
as you have it set up to run any programs you may have that need preinstalled
files to run are found in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. This automatically activates
programs that need to be running before other ones can run. (.BAT simply
means that there is a list of more than one instruction - a typical AUTOEXEC.BAT
file has about 6 or 7 files in it).
A typical AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
PROMPT $P$G
PATH=C:\;C:\DOS
C:\DOS\MOUSE.COM
These commands get your DOS command line prompt working; set your path
directories (the files in C:\ directory and C:\DOS directories are accessible
from any DOS prompt); the mouse (if you have one) is engaged and should
run in any program.
Another file that must be run to pre-set the system for other programs
is called the CONFIG.SYS file. Or Configuration System file. This too
is a .bat file in that it has a list of instructions or conditions that
must be present for other programs to be able to run without problems.
A typical CONFIG.SYS file would have the following in it.
FILES=30
BUFFERS=30
DEVICE=-C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH
DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS
STACKS=0,0
This means that you can have up to 30 files open at one time; that you
are storing 30 bytes at a time in the buffer; also that the HIGH MEMORY
storage function is operational, and that the ANSI graphics program is
working; and that the stacking capability for open files is set at default
(0)! Two of the most important files in your ROOT DIRECTORY or MAIN FILE
DRAWER is the AUTOEXEC.BAT and the CONFIG.SYS. Before DOS 6.0 it was a
very difficult and cumbersome thing to run the computer with defective
autoexec.bat and config.sys files. Now at least it is easier to bypass
these files if necessary in order to correct them and then restart the
computer (reboot)! To do this now with the 6.0 as soon as the words: STARTING
MSDOS appear on the screen hit the F5 key and these files will be bypassed.
If you do not have DOS 6.0 you must insert a start-up disk in your A:
(floppy) drive and then restart the computer, at which point you will
have very limited commands at your disposal: one of which is to EDIT the
autoexec.bat or config.sys file.... so that the system may be rebooted
and started properly. Some of the advantages of DOS 6.0 is that it has
a very user friendly BACKUP program. On a regular basis, depending on
how much you use your system, making a COPY of every file on your hard
disk (the disk that is internal and part of the "hardware")
is VITAL to have. Sometimes you need to RESTORE copies when the originals
get messed up somehow... and it can happen, very easily in fact. There
are two destinations to backup the system to: floppy disks, or a tape
drive. A tape drive is like a little tape recorder that occupies the same
space in your computer unit as a floppy drive. Using this device you can
set the MSBACKUP Program to automatically copy the files of the hard drive
onto the magnetic tape of the tape drive ... no fuss no bother. The other
more conventional method is to manually make a copy using a stack of floppy
disks and then storing them in a safe place. Either way you are safe from
anything that could happen to your valuable programs and work. Once a
FULL backup has been made, for a while it is only necessary to make INCREMENTAL
backups, or backups of the files that were added or changed since the
last backup. This is so you don't have to take an hour to backup each
time. Incremental backups usually take only a few minutes. After every
5 or 6 incremental backups it is logical to make another original FULL
BACKUP if most of the information has changed and there is nothing on
the original backup that you want to keep anymore. Like backing up ...
is SAVING your work as you go along. As you are working in programs the
information is stored in local memory on the computer however, what is
in the local memory buffer is not in anyway protected because it is not
yet on a file of any kind.... so it is important to SAVE your information
to a FILE and then re-save the information (overwrite the file) every
few minutes. If there is a power failure, for example, you would lose
all of the work you were currently working on back to the last SAVE. Some
programs have automatic saving that either is already activated or which
can easily be toggled (switched) on by you by hitting the spacebar or
another predetermined key on the keyboard (directions are always either
on the screen or available by pushing F1 (in most cases). It is usually
important to keep updated with the latest versions of programs.... so
you can have the latest changes and improvements at your disposal. Many
programs offer upgrade contracts, where for a lower than retail price,
you can obtain these new products. You can generally run an "install"
program which will automatically upgrade the program without harming the
data already gathered from the older version! Some major programs that
are highly recommended by this author are:
Q-MODEM PRO- communications program: to make use of your modem!
Modem: or interface (plug-into-the motherboard "card") device
which has a built in phone jack so you can connect your telephone line
to it making it possible for your computer to "talk with" other
computers. These come in a variety of "baud rates" or "rate
of byte transfer" speeds: e.g.. 300 baud is 300 characters per second,
which may sound like a lot until you know that it also comes in 1200,
2400, 9600, 14,000 called 14.4k and even higher. These higher speeds allow
information to pass back and forth with as little delay as possible....
this is important especially when "downloading" or "uploading"
files to or from your system and if you are doing this long distance....
the higher the baud rate the faster the transmission the cheaper it is.
A 100K file can be transferred in about 2.5 minutes rather than 10 at
2400 baud (the average)!
PROCOMM PLUS: another very good Communications Program which makes use
of Z-Modem, the fastest form of internal protocol or method of file transfer.
About 232 character/sec is the fastest transfer possible. Z-modem can
give you 232,3 even 4 sometimes depending on the phone line connection.
GALAXY (GALAXY LITE) - The major or stripped down version of a good word
processor program. It is easy to use and is ASCII compatible ... which
means the files it makes follow a standard code, making it usable in other
kinds of programs calling for .txt files. Easy to modify files. Easy to
print files.
WORD PERFECT 3.1 The "mother" of all word processing programs.
A very sophisticated word processing and organising program. A very excellent
program in its own right ... but the receiver of your file also has to
have WP to read your files. This is good for business use where the processing
of verbal information is going to stay in a closed environment.
dBaseIII - DataBase 3.0 An older database program which is also a world
unto itself. Very command line oriented: which means you need to type
in most of the commands you want it to do. Very DOS oriented. Not very
user friendly, but for a business a very excellent way to m make and keep
records.
FILE EXPRESS 5 or 6. A very easy to use, user friendly data basing program.
To make file card records, with a varied sorting ability, and label printing
capability.
PUBLISH IT 2.0 A fairly easy to use Desktop Publishing Program. Make your
own documents, or newsletters, or even books! Many fonts/styles to choose
from (types of print and size etc.). Can even make your own fonts. Very
professional looking! Supports all printer types.
QUICKEN 6.0 The "mother" of all financial tracking programs.
A marvellous and FUN way to keep personal and/or small business finances.
Many different types of accounts available. Excellent reports and graphs.
Ability to print checks. Highly recommended if you only need to balance
a chequebook or are a bookkeeper for a small firm!
LOTUS 123 SPREADSHEET is an excellent SPREADSHEET Program to do that kind
of recordkeeping which demands the use of rows and columns. A large amount
of built-in function codes to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and any
other type of financial function imaginable at the tip of your finger.
Highly recommended. In addition to these basic types of programs there
are many other kinds of APPLICATION and ACCESSORY Programs, far too many
to list here, to do just about anything you need doing, organising, or
compiling. Like I said: you need to look around in the FILE Areas of Bulletin
Boards to see what is available. Just a note here on the concept of SHAREWARE.
MOST program writers produce a program that will be helpful to the user.
It takes a lot of time, effort and skill to write a program. Remuneration
is only right and just for using someone else's authored product. So most
minor non-copyrighted programs (those unlike PUBLISH IT!, LOTUS, Q-MODEM
and the like) are presented to the user in the context of SHAREWARE. This
means they are NOT FREE, even though you effortlessly obtained a copy
of it. If you use the program for a couple of weeks and decide to keep
it and use it permanently then you are bound in conscience to send the
specified amount determined by the author usually at the beginning or
end of the .doc or document text file which gives instructions on how
to run the program, or in a separate VENDOR or REGISTER or README file.
Usually a more complete version and regular upgrades to newer versions
are available to those who do send in their money. If you choose not to
REGISTER or send in the fee, then you should delete the program files
from your disk.
A note on PIRATING: The unlawful distribution of copyrighted programs
is called pirating. Programs that do not have a sophisticated copy protect
mechanism built in are easy to distribute... even for profit. This is
against the law, an infringement of copyright laws, and a felony. Nevertheless,
the practice still flourishes underground. The ethical thing to do is
not to get involved in it!.
In addition to DOS there is also another basic operating system called
Microsoft Windows. Now at version 2000. This is a shell program: meaning
it can be the skeletal framework from which all of your programs can be
run, as well as application programs designed especially for the Windows
shell. Windows is icon/mouse based. One virtually does not have to know
how to write a DOS command, only to recognise the name of it. Windows
uses terms such as OPEN and CLOSE - true "window" terminology.
To open a window one merely has to point to it at a graphic picture of
what it is you want to work with with the mouse pointer and then "click"
it on by pressing the mouse button twice in rapid succession. Icons (little
graphic pictures) can be moved around by dragging them - placing the cursor/mouse
arrow on the object and then while holding the left mouse button down
----moving the object wherever it is you want to go and then releasing
the button once you get there. Windows is meant to make computing easy
and FUN!! even doing the most sophisticated of projects. Windows has its
own WORD PROCESSOR, DATABASE and SPREADSHEET programs for example OFFICE
or WORKS for Windows. These are the basic programs but within the framework
of the fun windows shell. There are countless numbers of smaller programs
meant to run in Windows. A lot of them SHAREWARE.... and most of the very
good and useful for the purpose for which they were written. Again where
do I get these programs! WINDOWS has to be got at a COMPUTER STORE. But
the applications can be found at Computer Shows and on BBS's! One last
word about software at this point: if it is COPYRIGHTED.... like a major
program that can only be bought in retail stores...... then it is NOT
to be passed around for free to other people like your friends. This is
truly copyright infringement and is a crime. SHAREWARE likewise, just
because it is easier to get a hold of, is still NOT FREE, and the fees
must in conscience be sent to the author of the program. FREEWARE does
exist. It is smaller programs that are truly meant to be passed around
for free. Have fun with them and pass them around as much as you like.
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