
         .PAS  Pascal source program files * 

         .PIC  Graphic screen image picture files 

         .PRG  DBASE program files * 

         .PRN  Printer files * 

         .TXT  Text files * 

         .WKS  Lotus 123 templates (requires Lotus 123 program) 

         .WS   Wordstar text files (requires Wordstar program) 


         * These file can normally be printed. 

         GUIDE TO USING SHAREWARE AND PUBLIC DOMAIN PROGRAMS 

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         Startup Directions: 

         1. Boot up DOS on your system. 

         Diskette only systems: Place your DOS system diskette in drive A 
         and power on you system. Enter the date and time at the prompts 
         (if applicable). The DOS prompt should then appear as "A:>". 

         Hard disk systems:  Power on your computer. The DOS prompt 
         should then appear as "C:>". 

         2. Make a working copy of the distribution diskettes. 


         If floppy only: DOS disk in drive A, use the DISKCOPY command. 
         Hard disk be sure the DOS directory is in your path statement or 
         change to the DOS directory. 
            
         A:>DISKCOPY A: B: 
                                                                           [] 
         Follow the DISKCOPY prompts which appear.  The "SOURCE" disk 
         refers to the original diskette that you want to make a copy of.  
         The "TARGET" disk refers to the blank diskette you are copying 
         to.  After you complete the backup place your original diskettes 
         back in the sleeves and using the copies proceed to the next 
         section. 
 

         3. Listing the directory on the DISKETTE. 

         Insert the diskette into the drive, type DIR /P at the DOS 
         prompt "A:>DIR /P" (press the ENTER KEY).  The "/P" will pause 
         the directory list if it is longer than one screen, you may also 
         use the /W parameter which will produce a multi-column directory 
         list. 

         If the diskette contains archived files, listed as any FILENAME 
         with the extensions .ZIP, .ARC, .LZH or a single file with the 
         extension of .EXE continue reading this section. 

                                                                           []

         ARCHIVED FILES 

         How to un-arc or un-zip compressed files: 

         Files with the extension .ARC, .LZH, or .ZIP are archived also 
         called compressed files. Before these programs are usable you 
         will need to extract the files This method of storage is used to 
         save space on the distribution diskettes and is done usually 
         because the required files will take more than the 360k of 
         available space on a standard DS/DD diskette.  This means they 
         must be expanded to a hard drive or a larger floppy disk, 
         preferably a 1.2HD or 1.44HD.   

         The Process of UN-Archiving (.ARC,.LZH,.ZIP) : 

         On a HARD Disk System : Create a new subdirectory MD\(DIRECTORY 
         NAME) and copy the entire contents of this diskette into it. 
         Change to the newly created directory CD\(NEW DIRECTORY NAME) 
         and type the following COMMAND: ARCE *.ARC or LHA *.LZH or 
         PKUNZIP *.ZIP then press <ENTER>. After the new files are         []
         created, you may delete the files with the .ARC, .LZH, or .ZIP 
         extension from your disk. This procedure assumes that ARCE, LHA 
         and/or PKUNZIP exist on your hard drive in a directory with DOS 
         path to it. 

         On a Floppy Disk System : If you have a floppy drive system, 
         place the diskette containing the file ARCE.COM, LHA.COM,  or 
         PKUNZIP.EXE and the file with .ARC, .LZH, or .ZIP extension into 
         the diskette drive.  Remember the files when unarchived will 
         take more space.  If your system has two diskette drives 
         unarchive the files to the second diskette drive. Repeat this 
         procedure until all the files have been unarchived. 

         The Process of UN-Archiving (SELF-EXTRACTING FILES) : 

         If no other file is contained on the diskette besides an .EXE 
         file it is likley to be a self-extracting file.  These are 
         archived files which contain there own extraction program as 
         part of the archive file.  To unarchive these files copy them 
         either to your hard disk or floppy disk as described above, then 
         at the DOS prompt type the file name and press the enter key.     []
         
         This will allow the program files to be extracted to your 
         currently logged drive.  

     

         NOTE : Be sure to keep the original diskettes as a backup for 
         your software. 



         4. Read the README Files. 
            
         Most diskettes will contain instructional information to startup 
         the software.  These files are often named as README, 
         README.DOC, README.TXT, READ.ME, FILES.DOC, FILES.TXT, Etc. 

         Use the DOS "TYPE" command to display the file to the screen or 
         printer. 

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         Substitute the correct name of the file for FILENAME. 
           
         A:>type FILENAME "To screen" A:>type FILENAME > lpt1 "To printer 
         if attached to printer port 1." 
            
         Note if printing these files be sure to have your printer on and 
         ready to print and plenty of paper in the printer. 

         You may also use a Word processor or text editor program to read 
         or print these files. 


         HOW TO START A DISK 


         5. Running a PROGRAM. 

         Check the directory for extensions such as; EXE, COM, AND BAT. 
         If there is a file with the BAT extension this is very likely 
                                                                           []
         
         the one you want. This BAT extension is called a batch file and 
         serves only to tell DOS to run a certain program. Sometimes it 
         loads files in sequential order necessary for the operation of 
         the programs. The Text or Document file should explain all of 
         this to you. When you type the program title with these types of 
         extensions, you do NOT type the extensions with them. For 
         example, GO.BAT would be run by typing A>GO (And now press 
         ENTER) Another example would be for a program called, MENU with 
         the extension EXE A>MENU (Then press ENTER). 

         A:>FILENAME (press the ENTER KEY) 

         6. Running a BASIC PROGRAM. 
            
         BASICA can be found on your DOS diskette. To run a basic program 
         you must first load BASICA or an equivalent such as GWBASIC. If 
         you have a PC jr. you must have the BASIC ROM cartridge. 
            
         
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         Place the DOS diskette in drive A: then at the DOS prompt enter: 
         "A:\BASICA"  and press the enter key. This will load BASIC. When 
         the  "OK"  prompt appears on screen you are now ready to run a 
         program. 

         REMOVE THE DOS diskette AND INSERT THE diskette with the program 
         you want to run. 

         To run the program type "( RUN "FILENAME  )". 
            
         Substitute the correct name of the PROGRAM file for FILENAME. 
 
            
         GENERAL INFORMATION                          

         FILE NAME EXTENSION NAMING CONVENTIONS 

         .ABS  Abstracts short program descriptions * 

                                                                           [] 

         .ASC  ASCII text files * 

         .BAS  Basic program source code 

         .BAT  DOS BATCH files * 

         .BIN  BINARY file 

         .C    C language program source code * 

         .COM  Compiled program files .DAT  Data files 

         .DBF  DBASE data files (requires DBASE or compatible program) 

         .DEF  Definition file 

         .DOC  Document file (normally contains instructions for using 
               programs.) .DTA  Data files 
          
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