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                Q-DOS Network Manager Help Index  
                ════════════════════════════════  

    I - Introduction to Q-DOS       F1 - Help
    A - Attribute                   F2 - Status Screen
    C - Copy                        F3 - Change Drive
    D - Directory                   F4 - Previous Directory
    E - Erase                       F5 - Change Directory
    F - Find                        F6 - DOS Command
    M - Move                        F7 - Set Search Specifications
    P - Print                       F8 - Sort Files
    R - Rename                      F9 - Edit
    S - Space                      F10 - Quit
    T - Tag                        
    V - View
    1 - APPENDIX A -- Valid File Names in DOS
    2 - APPENDIX B -- Organizing a Hard Disk
    3 - APPENDIX C -- Error Messages
    4 - APPENDIX D -- New Features in Q-DOS   
    5 - APPENDIX E -- QED (The Standard Editor)   
           ╔═════════════════════════════════╗ 
           ║      INTRODUCTION TO Q-DOS      ║ 
           ╚═════════════════════════════════╝ 

Q-DOS lets you easily manage DOS directories and files.  You can   
create directories with a few keystrokes and see them displayed on a
"directory map." You can find "lost" files located anywhere on the
disk and you can also edit files in any directory.
 
Q-DOS lets you mark files and move, copy, rename, print, or erase   
them without ever typing file names.  You can load and execute
programs or any DOS commands.  You can hide files so no one but you
can find them, or you can protect files against accidental erasure. 
Q-DOS does all of this, and more.   

If you are new to computers, Q-DOS will help you understand your   
computer.  If you are an experienced PC user, Q-DOS will let you   
perform certain DOS functions up to 10 times faster than DOS itself. 
Q-DOS is an invaluable tool for organizing your hard disk.   


     HOW TO SELECT A Q-DOS COMMAND   
     ═════════════════════════════   
As you enter Q-DOS, you will see the Main Screen with the main   
commands listed on the top line.  One of them will be "highlighted,"
making it appear more brightly lit than the others.

As you move the Command Cursor (the highlighted bar that moves over
the commands) with the left and right arrow keys, the line
immediately below gives a brief summary of the highlighted command.

You may select a command by highlighting it with the Command Cursor
and pressing the ENTER key, or by pressing the first letter of the 
command.

Several of the main Q-DOS commands have options that appear on the   
top line when you select the command.  These options are selected in
exactly the same way.




     HOW TO HIGHLIGHT FILES AND DIRECTORIES
     ══════════════════════════════════════
The body of the Main Screen lists files and directories, one of which
will be highlighted.  This highlighting bar, called the "File
Cursor," moves one line at a time when you press the Up and Down
arrows.  PgUp and PgDn move the File Cursor one page at a time, while
Home and End key move it to the top or bottom of the list.

Holding down the ALT key, while at the same time pressing a letter
key (A - Z) or a number key (0 - 9), will move the File Cursor to the
next file whose name starts with the specified letter or number.

The same is true when selecting directories to display from the Q-DOS
directory map -- it will cause the cursor to highlight a directory   
beginning with that letter or number.  If no directory starting with
that letter or number exists, the cursor will not move.  (See the
DIRECTORY section of this help file for more information.)

In addition, when you are looking at the file listing, the '+' and
`-' keys move the cursor to the next or previous directory,
respectively.
     HOW TO TAG FILES
     ════════════════
Six Q-DOS commands -- COPY, ERASE, RENAME, PRINT, ATTRIBUTE, and   
MOVE -- can operate on several files at once.  You identify multiple
files for the same operation by tagging them.  The "tag" is a
triangle-shaped pointer that appears in the file list immediately to
the left of the file name.  Directory entries cannot be tagged.

You may tag or untag files by highlighting the file you wish to tag,
and pressing the SPACE BAR; or, you may use the TAG command.  The TAG
command lets you (a) tag all files in a directory at once, (b) remove
all tags, (c) reverse tags, (d) tag files by name, using the DOS
wildcard characters ("*" and "?" -- see APPENDIX A, or (e) RETAG
previously tagged files to repeat commands.







     THE Q-DOS FUNCTION KEYS   
     ═══════════════════════   
On the left side of the main screen are special function keys.  They
are: F1 - Help, F2 - Status Screen, F3 - Change Drive, F4 - Previous
Directory, F5 - Change Directory, F6 - DOS Command Line, F7 - Set
Search Specifications, F8 - Sort Files, F9 - Edit, and F10 - Quit. 
This HELP file describes the operations of each key.

You may find on occasion that a program you are running has taken
over the F-keys for some other purpose.  If that happens, you may
still execute the special Q-DOS functions by holding down either   
the ALT, SHIFT, or CTRL key and then pressing the desired function
key.

     THE ESC KEY
     ═══════════
The Escape (ESC) key returns you to the Main Screen.  When pressed in
the middle of a command, it will cancel the command and restore you
to a position where you can begin again.  This is particularly useful
if you make a mistake.

     FILE SIZE AND FILE COUNT BOXES
     ══════════════════════════════
The upper-left part of the Main Screen shows 5 boxes.  They are (1)
the File Count Box, which shows the number of files in the displayed
directory; (2) the File Size Box, which shows the total size of those
files; (3) the Directory Count Box, which shows the number of
subdirectories in the displayed directory; (4) the Tagged File Box,
which shows the number of tagged files in the directory, and (5) the
Tagged Size Box, which shows the total size of the tagged files.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║           ATTRIBUTE              ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The ATTRIBUTE command allows you to display and/or
════════   change file attributes.

To use:    To display the file attributes, select ATTRIBUTE
═══════    DISPLAY.  To change the attributes of a file,
position the file cursor so that it highlights the file; to change
the attributes of several files, tag all the files whose attributes
you wish to modify.  Then, select the ATTRIBUTE command.

There are six possible file attributes: NORM, DIR, HID, SYS, R/O, and
ARC.  A file may have more than one attribute at a time; the
following is a description of the file attributes:





     NORM (Normal)
     ═════════════
Means the file is not a Directory.  Program and data files are
Normal.  Normal files may also have the SYS, HID, R/O, and ARC
attributes.

     DIR (Directory)
     ═══════════════
Means the file is a directory or subdirectory.  Q-DOS will let you   
make directories Hidden, if you wish.

     HID (Hidden)
     ════════════
Means the file is not normally shown in directory file listings.  Use
care with this attribute.  Several software companies use it as part
of copy-protection schemes.  If you unhide a Hidden file used in such
a scheme, the program may detect it and "crash" permanently.




     SYS (System)
     ════════════
Means the file is used to help boot your computer.  In some DOS
versions, assigning this attribute to a file makes the file invisible
to all DOS commands.

     R/O (Read-Only)
     ═══════════════
Means the file cannot be erased or modified.  Read-Only files can be
copied, however.  You can safely assign the Read-Only attribute to
most program files (COM and EXE).  However, data files that are
modified by programs should not be Read-Only.  This could prevent the
programs from properly working with them and could cause the programs
to crash.  If you make the file "QD2.EXE" Read-Only, you will not be
able to modify the screen colors with QDCOLOR.COM, and you won't be 
able to configure it with QDSTART.EXE.

     ARC (Archive)
     ═════════════
Means the file needs to be backed up.  DOS sets this attribute
automatically each time a file is changed; the next backup by the DOS
backup command (or by BACK-IT, also from Gazelle Systems), turns it
off again.  Under certain situations described under the COPY
command, Q-DOS will also turn off the ARC attribute.  When you   
modify the ARC attribute, you either request a backup for that file
or cancel it.

     USING THE ATTRIBUTE COMMAND
     ═══════════════════════════
Select this command in the usual fashion: i.e., highlight the
ATTRIBUTE command at the top of the screen and press ENTER, or press 
the letter "A".  Then, select DISPLAY to show the attributes of all
files, or select HIGHLIGHTED or TAGGED to change the attributes of
either the highlighted or the tagged files.

If you select DISPLAY, the Main Screen will then show the file
attributes for all files in the directory.  The attributes appear in
the boxes that formerly displayed size, date, and time.  Q-DOS   
will continue to display attributes until you press ESC from the Main
Screen or from within the ATTRIBUTE command.


To actually change the attributes of files, use the cursor keys to
highlight the file whose attributes you wish to change, or tag
several files if you wish to change the attributes of more than one
file.  Then, select either ATTRIBUTE HIGHLIGHTED or TAGGED.

The possible attributes will appear in a row in the middle of the
screen.  Use the right and left arrows to move the cursor from
attribute to attribute across the row.  The SPACE BAR acts as a
toggle switch, allowing you to set the mode for the attribute to ON
(sets the attribute on), OFF (sets the attribute off), or N/C (the
attribute will not be changed -- this option is available only when 
modifying attributes of tagged files).

[NOTE: Normally, you should not change the ARC attribute files, since
backup programs sometimes use this setting to determine which files
to backup.]

Press ENTER when you have selected the proper combination of 
attributes; or, press ESC to cancel the ATTRIBUTE mode and return you
to the Main Screen with size, date, and time once again displayed.

Hidden files do not ordinarily appear in a directory's file list. 
However, when you return to the Main Screen after setting a file's
HID attribute, the file will still appear until you re-enter the
directory through the DIRECTORY command or the F3 - CHANGE DISK
command, or by resetting the F7 - SET SEARCH SPECIFICATION.

Use caution when changing the attributes of files.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║              COPY                ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The COPY command copies individual files from the
════════   displayed directory to any other directory on any
drive; or, it can copy one or more directories to another disk,
replicating the complete directory structure of the source drive on
the destination drive.

To use:    To copy one file, position the file cursor so that it
═══════    highlights the file; to copy several files, tag all
the files that you wish to COPY.  Then, select the COPY command.  If
you wish to copy complete directories to another disk, select the
COPY command.  Then, choose either HIGHLIGHTED, TAGGED, or DIRECTORY.

If you want to do a DIRECTORY copy, skip the following section and go
to COPYING DIRECTORIES below.



     COPYING HIGHLIGHTED OR TAGGED FILE(S)
     ═════════════════════════════════════
Q-DOS asks you to indicate the destination drive.  Copying to the
same drive, and copying to another drive, follow slightly different
sequences of steps.

      COPYING TO THE SAME DRIVE
      ═════════════════════════
Step 1.  Q-DOS will immediately display the Directory Map of the   
drive.  You have three options: (a) you may press ESC to quit and
return to the Main Screen; (b) you may press "S" to scan another
disk; or (c) you may use the arrow keys to place the Directory Cursor
over the destination directory and then press ENTER to continue the 
COPY process.

Step 2.  If you press ENTER, you will see a list of the files to be 
copied, as well as the names of the source and the destination
directories.  You again have three options at this point: (a) you may
return to the Main Screen by pressing ESC; (b) you may return to the
Directory Map by pressing "D" (and repeat Step 1); or (c) you may
continue the COPY process by pressing ENTER. 
Step 3.  If you press ENTER to continue the COPY process, you are 
asked this question: "Overwrite existing files of the same name?
(Y/N)" If you answer "Yes," copying proceeds without interruption,
and any file of the same name will be overwritten.

If you answer "No," Q-DOS looks for a file of the same name in the   
destination directory before copying each file.  Then, if a
same-named file is found, Q-DOS pauses, indicates that a file of   
the same name has been found, and asks you if you want to overwrite
it.  If you answer "Yes," copying proceeds.  If you answer "No," the
file is not copied and copying proceeds with the next file.

NOTE: Step 3 is an important and valuable check.  Since DOS allows
you to use the same file name in different directories, you may not
always know whether a file of the same name exists in the destination
directory.  In such cases, you will want Q-DOS to check for a   
same-named file before proceeding.  DOS, by itself, simply overwrites
without warning.



      COPYING TO A DIFFERENT DRIVE
      ════════════════════════════
When you copy to a different drive, Q-DOS assumes that you will   
copy to the highlighted directory on the directory map for that
drive.  It therefore skips the Directory Map and begins with step 2,
which displays the list of files to be copied, along with the source
drive and the presumed destination directory.  If you want a
different destination directory or drive, you simply press "D." Q-DOS
then displays the Directory Map, which actually places you in Step   
1 of the COPY sequence.  From this point, copying proceeds exactly as
described above.

     COPYING DIRECTORIES
     ═══════════════════
Q-DOS allows you to copy all or selected directories from one disk   
to another.  You can use this command in conjunction with the F7 -
SET SEARCH SPECS command to copy all files that need to be backed up. 
(See BACKING UP FILES below.) After you select the DIRECTORY option,
you must specify the drive to copy the files to.  You must specify a
drive other than the source; otherwise, Q-DOS will tell you the   
destination drive is invalid.
At this point, Q-DOS displays the directory structure of the   
source drive.  You must then tag the directories you wish to copy. 
You can tag individual directories with the SPACE BAR, or you can tag
or untag a given directory and all of its sub- directories at the
same time by pressing "T" to tag or "U" to untag the directories. 
(To quickly tag all the directories, move the cursor to the root
directory and press "T".)

As you tag or untag directories, Q-DOS displays the total size of   
the selected files in the tagged directories.

When you have selected the directories you wish to copy, press
ENTER.  Q-DOS will then ask if you wish to automatically    
overwrite files in the destination directories that have the same
name as the files to be copied.  This step is exactly the same as
"Step 3" in the section COPYING TO THE SAME DRIVE above.

After you answer the overwrite question, Q-DOS will copy the files   
from each of the tagged directories, automatically replicating the
directory structure on the destination disk, if necessary.  You can
press ESC at any time to stop the copy process.
If you press ESC before Q-DOS is finished, the directories that   
have not yet been completely copied will still be tagged, and Q-DOS
will display the contents of the directory that was being copied,   
with the uncopied files tagged.

     COPYING OVER "READ-ONLY" FILES
     ══════════════════════════════
If Q-DOS encounters a "read-only" file in the destination   
directory with the same name as the source file being copied, Q-DOS   
II will point this out to you and allow you to overwrite the
"read-only" file if you wish, or skip to the next file.

     COPYING TAGGED FILES
     ════════════════════
When Q-DOS copies a tagged file, it untags the file and updates   
the tagged count and size boxes when it is finished with the COPY
command.  The files that were copied are tagged with a small '∙' tag. 
The TAG RETAG command will retag all these files, if you wish.  Any
tagged files that were not copied remain tagged so that you can make
adjustments and re-execute the COPY command if you choose.

     BACKING UP FILES
     ════════════════
If you select the "ARC" flag in the F7 - SET SEARCH SPECS command,
Q-DOS will turn off the "ARC" attribute after it copies files.  In    
fact, you can make Q-DOS backup only the modified files by    
selecting only files with the ARC attribute (i.e., turn off all other 
attributes, including NORM, before selecting COPY DIRECTORY).

     DISK FULL ERROR
     ═══════════════
When the destination disk becomes full, Q-DOS stops copying files   
and tells you to insert a new disk.  The file Q-DOS was trying to   
copy at the time the disk became full was not copied.  To continue
copying that file onto the new disk, press the "C" key.  If the file
is too large to fit on any disk (i.e., the file is larger than your
floppy disk), press the "S" key to tell Q-DOS to skip the file and   
restart copying with the next file.

Q-DOS will only copy files that can fit completely onto the   
destination disk.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║            DIRECTORY             ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The DIRECTORY command displays the structure of your
════════   disk directories in a tree diagram (called the
Directory Map), and allows you to make or remove directories, or
display the files in any directory.

To use:    Select the DIRECTORY command.  Q-DOS will display   
═══════    the structure of the current drive.

The Directory Map consists of directories sorted alphabetically and
connected by lines showing their hierarchical (parent-child)
relationships.  One of them is highlighted with the Directory Cursor.

The LEFT ARROW key moves the Directory Cursor to the parent directory
of the currently highlighted directory (i.e., one column to the
left), while the RIGHT, UP, and DOWN ARROWS, and the PgUp and PgDn
keys, move the cursor in the indicated direction.  The BACKSPACE key
backs the cursor up the directory map (it is the opposite of the
RIGHT ARROW).  The HOME key moves the Directory Cursor directly to
the "root" directory, while the END key moves it to the bottom-most
directory.  Maps that are larger than a single screen will scroll up,
down, left, or right as necessary.

Holding down the ALT Key and pressing a letter (A - Z) will cause the
cursor to jump to a directory beginning with the letter you pressed. 
Repeating this ALT-Letter combination will find the next directory
beginning with that letter, and so on.  If a letter key is pressed
and there is no directory which begins with that letter, no cursor
movement will occur.

At the bottom of the screen are the directory commands.  You may
(M)ake a new directory with the highlighted directory as its parent;
(R)emove the highlighted directory, provided it is empty; (S)can
another disk for its Directory Map; or (L)og onto another disk,
without scanning it (if a log file exists).  Also, you may display
the contents of the highlighted directory by pressing ENTER or the 
F5 function key.  Pressing ESC returns you to the Main Screen.


Normally, Q-DOS maintains a log file (QDOS.LOG) in the root  
directory of each disk; this log file contains the directory map
information for that disk, allowing Q-DOS to instantly display the   
map of that disk.  Each time you MAKE or REMOVE directories, or
select the SCAN command, Q-DOS will update this log.  However, you   
may use the QDSTART program to disable this automatic logging, if you
wish.

Once you view a Directory Map that has subdirectories, Q-DOS   
remembers it.  The DIRECTORY command will continue to show you that
map until you ask Q-DOS to scan another directory.   










     MAKE DIRECTORY
     ══════════════
The MAKE Directory command lets you create directories on your disk. 
Each new directory must be attached to a "parent" directory.  Any
directory can be a parent.  When described in relationship to its
parent, the new directory is called a "subdirectory." Each disk has a
single "root directory" at the top of its hierarchy, a sort of
"great-granddaddy" of them all.

To make a new directory, highlight the directory you have chosen as
parent, then press "M" and an input box will appear.  Enter a valid
DOS file name (see APPENDIX A) and press ENTER.  DOS will create the 
new directory, and Q-DOS will display the updated directory map.   

The new directory will appear in the column directly to the right of
its parent, connected to the parent with a line showing the
directory-subdirectory relationship.  If you make a mistake, you can
immediately remove the directory by first highlighting it with the
cursor bar and then selecting the REMOVE command.


If DOS does not accept the new directory, it is because: (1) the name
is already being used within the parent directory for either another
subdirectory OR another file; (2) the disk is full, which you may
verify from the Main Screen with the SPACE command; or (3) the name
may contain invalid characters, which you may verify by referring to
APPENDIX A.















      REMOVE
      ══════
The REMOVE command deletes directories from the disk.  Use the arrow
keys to place the Directory Cursor on the directory to be removed and
then press "R." DOS will remove the directory from the disk, and
Q-DOS will display the updated Directory Map.   

The root directory (the first one on the directory map), and any
directory that contains files or subdirectories can not be removed. 
Before removing a directory that contains files, you must first erase
the files from that directory, and then you may remove it.

If Q-DOS refuses to remove a directory that (a) appears to be   
empty and (b) is not the root directory, it either has a subdirectory
of its own or it might contain a hidden file.  To erase a hidden
file, you must first display it.  Use the F7 - SET SEARCH
SPECIFICATION command to turn on the "Hidden" attribute as a search
specification so that hidden files may be seen.  Then, use the ERASE
command to erase the files (review the F7 - SET SEARCH SPECIFICATION
and ERASE commands for more information).

      SCAN
      ════
The SCAN command tells Q-DOS to scan the designated disk and then   
display its Directory Map.  Press "S" to make an input box appear. 
Then, enter the letter of the drive that you wish to scan.  Q-DOS   
will then quickly read and display that disk's Directory Map.

If you make or remove directories from outside of Q-DOS, use the   
SCAN command to make Q-DOS update the log file; then, the next   
time you wish to log onto this disk, you can simply use the LOG
command.  Directories that are hidden will not be displayed unless you 
select the HID attribute with the F7 -- SET SEARCH SPECIFICATIONS 
command.


         (Press PgDn for next screen)





      LOG
      ═══
The LOG command tells Q-DOS to read the log file from the   
designated disk and then display its Directory Map.  If no log file
exists, or you have disabled disk logging with QDSTART.EXE, it will
automatically SCAN the disk and create the log file.

Use the LOG command to instantly view the Directory Map of your
disks; since it simply reads the log file from that disk's root
directory, it only takes a fraction of a second.

      SELECT
      ══════
The SELECT command tells Q-DOS to display the files and   
subdirectories of a selected directory.  It is activated by placing
the Directory Cursor over the directory to be displayed and then
pressing ENTER or the F5 function key.  Q-DOS will then display    
the files and subdirectories of that directory.  If you have used the
F7 - SET SEARCH SPECIFICATIONS command to restrict the attributes of
the files to be displayed, you will see only those files that match
your criteria.

Each time you SELECT a new directory, Q-DOS remembers the contents   
of the directory you were just looking at.  You can return to that
directory using the F4 - PREVIOUS DIRECTORY command.

You may also view other directories by using the File Listing Screen. 
If the SEARCH SPECIFICATIONS (see F7) are set to display directory
entries, you may view the contents of a sub-directory by highlighting
that directory entry and pressing the F5 function key (see F5).


[NOTE: When you are looking at the files in a subdirectory, you may
change to that directory's parent by pressing the "." (period) key;
this is analogous to the DOS command "CD ..", which tells DOS to go
to the parent directory.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║              ERASE               ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The ERASE command deletes files from the displayed
════════   directory. 

To use:    Highlight a file, or tag one or more files, that you
═══════    wish to ERASE.  Then select the ERASE command.  If
there are tagged files, Q-DOS will present two options at the top   
of the screen: HIGHLIGHTED or TAGGED.  Choose the appropriate option. 
If there are no tagged files, Q-DOS defaults to HIGHLIGHTED and   
goes directly to the next screen.

Q-DOS then lists the files to be erased.  To continue, press ALT-E   
(this helps protect you from accidentally erasing valuable
information).  Then, Q-DOS deletes file names from the list as   
they are erased from the disk.  If you press ESC before the ERASE
process is complete, Q-DOS will finish erasing the file it is   
working on before returning to the Main Screen.

If Q-DOS encounters a Read-Only file during the ERASE sequence, it   
will tell you that the file cannot be erased and will skip that file;
then, it will continue the ERASE sequence through any files remaining
in the list.  (See the ATTRIBUTE command for information on changing
file attributes.)

When the ERASE process is complete, Q-DOS will display the updated   
directory file list (without the erased files), and the file size and
count boxes will be properly adjusted.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║              FIND                ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The FIND command searches every directory on the
════════   current disk and finds files based on (1) the file
name and (2) the file attributes.

To use:    [NOTE:  The FIND command searches the disk you are
═══════    currently working with.  To find files on a different
disk, use the F3 - CHANGE DISK command first.]

Before you begin, you must decide what file(s) to search for (and,
optionally, you can decide the file attributes that will guide the
search).  The file name may be any valid DOS name and may include
wildcard characters.  If you do not include an extension, Q-DOS   
will assume you wish to use ".*" as the extension, which means any
extension is valid.



The wildcard characters let you FIND groups of related files.  The
"*" in a file name means that any letter or group of letters may take
its place, and the "?" means that any single letter may take its
place.

[NOTE: If you wish to search for files with specific attributes, you
must define those file attributes with the F7 - SET SEARCH
SPECIFICATION command before using the FIND command.  These
attributes include NORM, DIR, SYS, HID, R/O, and ARC.  For example,
HID is an attribute that causes a file to be hidden from view.  To
FIND all hidden files, you should set the HID attribute to "YES," and
all other attributes to "NO." That way, only Hidden Files that also
match the name specification would be displayed.  For additional
information, see the ATTRIBUTE and F7 - SET SEARCH SPECIFICATIONS
sections.]


Select the FIND command from the Main Screen.  Q-DOS immediately   
displays an input box and asks you to enter the file name.  Simply
type in the information you would like and press ENTER.  If you 
would like to repeat the last filename you entered using the FIND
command, simply press CTRL-R (hold the CONTROL key down while
pressing the letter "R").  This will insert the previous find command
into the input box and allow you to edit it as you wish.

After entering the desired file specification and pressing ENTER, 
Q-DOS then asks you this question: "Pause when match is found?   
(Y/N)".






                (Press PgDn for next page)







      PAUSE WHEN MATCH IS FOUND
      ═════════════════════════
If you ask Q-DOS to pause, it stops searching when it finds a file   
with matching name and attributes.  You then have four options: (1)
(C)ontinue searching; (2) (V)iew the matched file; (3) (J)ump to the
directory where the file resides; or (4) (ALT-E) to erase the found
file.

Pressing "C" causes Q-DOS to continue searching.  Pressing "V"   
lets you view the contents of the just-found file (see the VIEW
command).  After viewing the file, you again have the same options. 
Pressing "J" causes Q-DOS to display the found file's directory,   
with the found file highlighted.  Holding the "ALT" key while
pressing the "E" key will cause the found file to be erased.  The
screen will indicate that the file was erased and the search will
continue.

The FIND command gives you power far beyond DOS.  For example,
suppose you want to run the program CHKDSK.COM, but don't know where
it is.  Select the FIND command and enter "CHKDSK.COM" (or, you can
simply enter "CHK*") as the file name.  Tell Q-DOS to pause when   
it finds a match.  If CHKDSK.COM is anywhere on your disk, Q-DOS   
will find it almost instantly, at which point you press "J".  Q-DOS
then displays the directory and highlights the program; it can now   
be executed.  (See F6 - DOS COMMAND.)

     NO PAUSE WHEN A MATCH IS FOUND
     ══════════════════════════════
If you tell Q-DOS to not pause at each match, it will display the   
names of all matching files, scrolling them quickly on the screen. 
Pressing any key will suspend the search until another key is
pressed, allowing you to examine the files that were found.

At any point in the FIND process, pressing ESC returns you to the
Main Screen.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║              MOVE                ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The MOVE command lets you move files from one
════════   directory to another on the same disk.  (Moving files
between disks is done with the COPY command.)

To use:    Highlight or tag one or more files that you wish to
═══════    MOVE.  Then press "M."  If there are tagged files, 
Q-DOS will present two options at the top of the screen:   
HIGHLIGHTED or TAGGED.  Choose the appropriate option.  If there are
no tagged files, Q-DOS defaults to HIGHLIGHTED and goes directly   
to the next screen.

Q-DOS then displays the Directory Map of the current disk.  Use   
the arrow keys to place the Directory Cursor on the destination
directory; then, press ENTER. 



Q-DOS then lists the files to be moved, shows the source and   
destination directories, and gives you three options: (1) you may
return to the Main Screen by pressing ESC; (2) you may return to the
Directory Map by pressing "D"; or (3) you may proceed with the MOVE
command by pressing ENTER.  If you press ENTER, you will see Q-DOS  
remove files from the to-be-moved list and move them to their new   
location.  You can interrupt MOVE at any time by pressing ESC.

MOVE is often preferable to COPY for these reasons: (1) there is no
copying, and MOVE can easily rearrange the files on a disk even when
it is full; (2) The command is very fast -- moving a 100,000-byte
file is no slower than moving a 15-byte file.

If Q-DOS fails to complete a MOVE, it is generally because the   
directory already contains a file of the same name, in which case
Q-DOS will give you a warning message, skip the file, and continue   
with the MOVE.  Skipped files remain tagged in the Main Screen
directory listing.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║             PRINT                ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The PRINT function allows you to print the Directory
════════   Map, file listing information and file contents.

To use:    Upon selecting the PRINT command, you are given 4 
═══════    options.  Selecting HIGHLIGHTED or TAGGED will print the
contents of the selected files.  Selecting FILE LISTING will cause
Q-DOS to print the sorted directory listing screen as displayed.    
DIR MAP will produce a printed hard copy of the Q-DOS directory map.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║             RENAME               ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The RENAME command lets you assign new names to files
════════   in the displayed directory.

To use:    Highlight a file, or tag one or more files, that you
═══════    wish to RENAME.  Then select the RENAME command.  If
there are one or more tagged files, Q-DOS will present two options   
at the top of the screen: HIGHLIGHTED or TAGGED.  Choose the
appropriate option.  If there are no tagged files, Q-DOS defaults   
to HIGHLIGHTED and goes directly to the next screen.

At this point, Q-DOS displays (1) the current name of the first   
file to be renamed, and (2) an input box for the new name.  Type the
new name and press ENTER.  If you are renaming several tagged files, 
Q-DOS lists them all and allows you to rename them one at a time.   



The new name can be any valid DOS file name as described in Appendix
A.  The new name may include the DOS wildcard characters, "*" and
"?".  For example, if you wish to change TEST.COM to LAST.COM, you
could enter "LAST.*" for the new name.

Another feature to make renaming a file easier is using CTRL-R. 
Holding down the "CTRL" key while pressing "R" will display the
selected file's name in the edit box and allow you to use the
standard editing keys to modify it (i.e., left- and right-arrow,
Home, End, Insert, Backspace and Delete).

When you rename files, Q-DOS will not re-sort the files unless you   
tell it to do so using the F8 - SORT FILES command.  Any files that
were tagged before you renamed them will no longer be tagged.

You may exit the RENAME command at any time by pressing ESC.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║             SPACE                ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The SPACE command displays: (1) total size of the disk
════════   in bytes; (2) number of bytes currently used, and (3)
total unused disk space in bytes.

To use:    Select the SPACE command.  Q-DOS immediately   
═══════    presents an input screen and asks for a drive letter. 
Enter the letter (without pressing ENTER), confirming first that 
there is a disk in the drive.  Q-DOS automatically looks at the   
disk in the selected drive and gives you its status.
 
If you enter the letter of a non-existent drive, Q-DOS will give   
you a brief error message.  You may confirm which drives are valid by
selecting the STATUS command (F2) from the Main Screen.

To return to the Main Screen, press any key.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║              TAG                 ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   A "tag" is a triangular pointer that appears on the Main
════════   Screen directory list immediately to the left of the file
name.  The TAG command allows you to tag or untag a group of files
with a single command.  You can then apply the COPY, ERASE, MOVE,
ATTRIBUTE, PRINT, or RENAME commands to all the tagged files at once.

To use:    You can tag single files at any time by highlighting
═══════    them and tapping the SPACE BAR, without having to
select the TAG command.  A tag marker will appear to the left of the
file name, and the File Cursor will be "bumped" down to the next file
in the list.  If the file is already tagged, it will become untagged.

If you attempt to tag a directory entry using the SPACE BAR, Q-DOS   
will beep, indicating that it cannot be tagged, and the File Cursor
will move down one line.  Directories can, however, be tagged using
the COPY DIRECTORY option.  When copying directories, tagging is
performed from the directory map.  (See the COPY command.)
If you wish to tag two or more files at a time, you must activate the
TAG command.  The TAG command offers five options: (1) ALL; (2) CLEAR
ALL; (3) INVERT; (4) SEVERAL; and (5)RETAG.  Select the desired
option by moving the command cursor or by pressing the first letter
of the command.

The following is a description of each of these options:

      ALL
      ═══
The ALL command tags all of the files in the directory.

      CLEAR ALL
      ═════════
The CLEAR ALL command removes tag and retag markers from all of the
files in the directory.





      INVERT
      ══════
The INVERT command reverses the tags in the directory.  Untagged
files become tagged, and tagged files become untagged.  This option
is particularly useful when you want to tag all but a few of a long
list of files.  Simply tag those few that you do not want tagged,
then activate the INVERT command.

      SEVERAL 
      ═══════
The SEVERAL command lets you specify files to be tagged by name. 
When you execute the SEVERAL command, DOS prompts you for a valid DOS
file name, which may include the DOS wildcard characters, "*" and
"?." The "*" means that any letter or group of letters may occupy its
position.  The "?" means that any single letter may occupy its
position.

Entering the name "*.COM," for example, tags all files whose name
includes the extension "COM".  The name "D?T*.*" tags all files whose
names include "D" and "T" as the first and third letters, such as
"DATAFILE.DAT" and "DDT.EXE.  The wildcard characters make this
command most useful for tagging groups of related files, although you
may also use it to tag an individual file by name.  (See APPENDIX A
in this help file for more details on DOS file names and the wildcard
characters.)

      RETAG 
      ═════
You will notice that after a command has successfully been performed
on a tagged file, a small "∙" dot appears to the left of the filename
(where the triangular tag was).  This mark only indicates which files
were tagged.  If you would like to perform another function on that
same group of selected files, simply select the RETAG command and
the normal "Tag" markers will appear.  If you would like to clear the
display of the dot, select the CLEAR command and the dots will
disappear.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║             VIEW                 ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The VIEW command displays the contents of a high-
════════   lighted file in a NORMAL (or ASCII) mode, similar to
the TYPE command in DOS, or in a programmer-style HEX DUMP.

To use:    Place the File Cursor on the selected file using the
═══════    arrow keys and select the VIEW command.  The file is 
displayed in the last-used display mode, or in NORMAL mode if using
VIEW for the first time.  Every character in the file is shown (if
the Filter if OFF).

The highlighted arrow on the bottom of the screen shows you the
current scrolling direction.  You select continuous scrolling by
pressing any number key from 1 through 9; "1" is the slowest, and "9"
is the fastest speed.  Pressing any other key stops the scrolling. 
Adjusting the scrolling speed is as simple as pressing a different
number key.

The UP and DOWN ARROW keys scroll one line at a time, and PgUp and
PgDn scroll a screen at a time.  Pressing the HOME key jumps to the
start of the file, and the END key jumps to the end.  All of these
keys will change the default scrolling direction indicated by the
arrow on the bottom of the screen.  You may return to the Main Screen
at any time by pressing the ESC key.

When scrolling backwards in the NORMAL mode, Q-DOS can't properly   
format large paragraphs until it finds their beginning.  Once it
finds the beginning, it reformats the entire paragraph.

You can switch between the HEX and NORMAL (or ASCII) display modes by
pressing "H" for HEX or "N" for NORMAL.  (You may also use "A" for
ASCII to select the NORMAL mode.) When switching display modes, Q-DOS
preserves your position in the file.   

The VIEW command includes a filter that replaces any non-ASCII
characters with SPACE characters.  The filter is accessible from both
the HEX and NORMAL display modes and is toggled with the letter "F"
key while viewing a file.  Pressing "F" once will cause all
non-printable IBM characters to be dropped out of the display. 
Pressing "F" again will activate a special filter used to view
WordStar(tm) text files (note the W/S in the filter box in the
upper-right hand corner).  The last-used filter setting is remembered
each time you select the view command.

      NORMAL
      ══════
The NORMAL display mode is equivalent to the TYPE command in DOS,
except that (1) all of the characters in the file are displayed, and
(2) an embedded "CTRL-G" will not cause the computer to beep.

      HEX DUMP
      ════════
The HEX DUMP display mode presents the file in three parts.  The
left-most part gives a hexadecimal offset into the file; the middle
section displays the characters in hexadecimal (base 16) notation. 
The right-hand section displays the same characters in ASCII
notation.  To understand the difference, use the VIEW command to
compare the way .COM or .EXE files are represented in the two modes.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║          F1  --  HELP            ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   This command causes Q-DOS to display part of the   
════════   help file.

To use:    Press the F1 key.  Q-DOS will then display help   
═══════    for the command you were using.  Use PgUp and PgDn to 
see the complete help information.  Press the "I" key to go to the
main help index, or press the "G" key to get general information on
getting started with Q-DOS.   

When you have finished with HELP, press the ESC to return to the
point you left when you pressed the F1 key.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║      F2  --  STATUS SCREEN       ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   This command causes Q-DOS to display several items   
════════   of information that you can not normally see.

To use:    The status screen displays seven items of information:
═══════    (1) date and time; (2) files selected for display; 
(3) startup drive; (4) sort sequence; (5) drives available; (6)
special key status; and (7) memory status.

     DATE AND TIME
     ═════════════
The date and time are entered when you turn your computer on, and may
be changed using normal DOS commands.





     FILES SELECTED FOR DISPLAY 
     ══════════════════════════
"Files Selected For Display" describes the files Q-DOS will find   
each time it reads a disk or directory.  It has two parts.  The
left-most field shows the file name definition; the right-most fields
show the file attributes definition.  The file name is defined
initially as "*.*," which causes Q-DOS to display all files   
without regard to file name or extension.

The file attribute definition is represented as a row of six
highlighted bars.  The names of selected attributes appear within
their corresponding bars.  Bars representing unselected attributes
are blank.

When Q-DOS reads disk directories, it will ignore files whose   
names and attributes do not match the current search specifi- cations
as they appear on the STATUS screen.  You may change the
specifications using the F7 - SET SEARCH SPECIFICATION command.



     STARTUP DRIVE
     ═════════════
The "Startup Drive" is the default drive that was in use when Q-DOS
was started.   

     SORT SEQUENCE
     ═════════════
The "Sort Sequence" shows the order in which file names will be
sorted when Q-DOS reads a disk or directory.  There are five   
choices: (1) by NAME, (2) by EXTension, (3) by SIZE, (4) by DATE or,
(5) Unsorted.  You select the sort sequence using the F8 - SORT FILES
command.

     DRIVES AVAILABLE
     ════════════════
"Drives Available" shows your disk drives currently available to DOS
(ranging from A through Z).




     SPECIAL KEY STATUS
     ══════════════════
The boxes on the bottom left show the status of three keys: (1) CAPS
LOCK, (2) NUM LOCK, and (3) SCROLL LOCK.  The keys are described as
either OFF or ON, and you can see the status change as you press the
keys.

     MEMORY STATUS
     ═════════════
"Memory Status" shows (1) the amount of memory installed in your
computer, and (2) the amount remaining for other programs that you
might execute from within Q-DOS.  [NOTE: If your computer has more   
than 640K of internal RAM installed, the numbers in this box will not
be accurate.]

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║      F3  --  CHANGE DRIVE        ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The CHANGE DRIVE command causes Q-DOS to read the   
════════   current directory of the disk you specify.

To use:    Press the F3 - CHANGE DRIVE key.  Then, enter the
═══════    letter of the drive you wish to change to.  The CHANGE
DRIVE command "logs on" the new disk, displaying its current 
directory, when you switch disks in a drive; however, it does not
make Q-DOS change to that disk's directory map.   

Each time you change to a new drive, Q-DOS remembers the contents   
of the last directory you were using.  You can switch back to it with
the F4 - PREVIOUS DIRECTORY command.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║    F4  --  PREVIOUS DIRECTORY    ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The PREVIOUS DIRECTORY command allows you to switch
════════   instantly between two directories  --  Q-DOS always   
remembers the contents of two directories.

To use:    To use this command, select the first directory you
═══════    wish to look at with the F3 - CHANGE DRIVE command or
with the DIRECTORY SELECT command.  Then, select the second directory
by the same method.  This process makes both directories available to
you, and you can instantly switch between them by pressing F4.  With
this command you could, for instance, very easily compare two floppy
disks.

Each directory window has its own file cursor, and each will remember
all the tags on the files.  Every time you select a new directory,
Q-DOS "pushes" the information from the directory you were just   
looking at into the background, without deleting the file
information.  This command lets you instantly recall it.
           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║     F5  --  CHANGE DIRECTORY     ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The CHANGE DIRECTORY command gives you a quick way to
════════   to view the contents of a subdirectory without using 
the DIRECTORY command.

To use:    If a directory has a subdirectory, the file listing 
═══════    screen will display that entry as a <DIRECTORY> in the size
column.  To quickly examine the files in this directory, simply
highlight the directory entry and press F5.  This will produce the
same results as if you had used the DIRECTORY command to select the
directory.  To help you quickly locate the sub-directory entries in
the file listing you may press the "+" (plus) or "-" (minus) keys,
which will cause the highlight bar to jump to each subdirectory entry
in that directory.

Also, you can press the "." (period) key while viewing any
directory (other than the Root directory); this will cause Q-DOS   
to instantly display the parent directory.
           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║       F6  --  DOS COMMAND        ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   This command allows you to access the DOS prompt line
════════   so that you may enter any DOS command. This allows you
to execute any DOS command or application.

To use:    If you need to access the DOS command line, simply 
═══════    press the F6 function key. This will display a DOS 
prompt (if using drive C, the prompt will be "C>") in the place where
Q-DOS normally lists the path of the current directory.   

Upon selecting the F6 command, the command line appears near the top
of the screen and a cursor is displayed allowing you to enter the
desired commands.  The lower left-hand side of the screen displays
the special function keys that work with this command.  At this
point, you may enter any command you wish (i.e.  execute a program,
perform a CHKDSK or DIR on a disk...etc.).


The function keys are redefined to make entering these commands
easier.  F2 will type the highlighted file name (not including the
extension).  F4 will type only the extension of the highlighted
filename.  F6 will type the filename complete with its extension. 
This allows you to run programs files and combine them with selected
data files.

Pressing F8 will immediately put you into DOS; if you use this
function key, you must type "EXIT" to return to Q-DOS.  [NOTE: The   
command actually runs another copy of COMMAND.COM on top of Q-DOS.     
Q-DOS is still in memory, taking up part of RAM.  If you need all    
or part of this RAM, you should quit Q-DOS and then run your other    
programs.  Then, when you are finished, type "QDN" to get back into 
Q-DOS.]   

For example, suppose you wanted to find a word processing document
and use the word processor to edit it.  You could use Q-DOS to   
quickly find the document.  After the file is highlighted, you would
then press the F6 key.  After the DOS prompt is displayed, you would
type the command to execute the word processor (i.e.  "WP").  Then,
by pressing the F6 key, Q-DOS will type the full filename for you   
(i.e.  " LETTER.TXT") so that all you need to do is press ENTER.  
This offers you a simple way to compose whatever DOS command you need
quickly and easily, without having to type the full filenames.  [NOTE: 
See also the F9 - EDIT command.]


Another example would be to have Q-DOS find the FORMAT command.    
After highlighting it, pressing F6 would bring up the DOS prompt,
pressing F2 will display the first part of the filename (i.e. 
"FORMAT "), and all you then need to do is insert the proper drive
designation (i.e.  "A:") and press ENTER. 

The F3 key (and ctrl-R) will redisplay the last-used command.  Also,
you may use the editing keys (INS, HOME, END, and the arrow keys).

[NOTE: The INS keys toggles between overwrite mode (small underline
cursor) and insert mode (larger block cursor).]

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║ F7  --  SET SEARCH SPECIFICATION ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   The SET SEARCH SPECIFICATION command lets you change
════════   the rules Q-DOS uses when reading and displaying   
the directories of your disks.  The STATUS screen (recalled by F2)
shows the current settings.

To use:    Q-DOS normally scans the disk for Normal and   
═══════    Directory entries, and skips Hidden or System files.  
If you desire, you can make Q-DOS display only files that end with   
the extension "COM," for example, or only Hidden files.  Or, you can
expand the search rules so that Q-DOS lists Hidden and System   
files in addition to the Normal and Directory files that it usually
reads.

This command proceeds in two steps.  The first defines the file name;
the second defines the file attributes.


      RESTRICTING FILE NAMES
      ══════════════════════
Press the F7 key; Q-DOS responds by displaying the input field for   
entering a new name definition with the current definition already
displayed and ready for you to edit.  The new name definition must be
a valid DOS name that may (and most likely will) include the DOS
wildcard characters, "*" and "?".  The wildcard characters allow you
to define a related group of file names.

The normal default file name definition is "*.*", which causes Q-DOS
II to read all names.  Here are other sample file name specifications
and their meanings:

     *.COM       Files having COM as the extension.
     *.BAS       BASIC program files (those with BAS as the
                 extension).
     C*.*        Files that start with C.
     ?D*.*       Files with D as the second letter.



      RESTRICTING FILE ATTRIBUTES 
      ═══════════════════════════
Pressing ENTER, with or without changing the file name definition, 
takes you to the second step of the SET SEARCH SPECIFICATION command. 
A new screen lists the six file attributes arranged in a row from
left to right.  The word "YES" appears beneath those that are turned
on; "No" appears under those that are off.  If you wish to leave the
file attribute definition as it is, press ENTER. 

If you wish to change the file attribute definition, use the right
and left arrows to position the cursor over the attribute you wish to
change.  To change the YES/NO status of the high- lighted attribute,
press the SPACE BAR, which functions as an YES/NO toggle switch.

When you have selected your new file attribute definition, press
ENTER.  Q-DOS will then display only those files that meet the    
new search specifications for both file name and attributes.
 
The next section in this help file describes the meaning of each of
the file attributes.  In addition, each attribute has special
characteristics that you should know:
     NORM
     ════
NORM tells Q-DOS to display all Normal files, in addition to any   
others selected.  A normal file is one that is not a DIRectory.  NORM
will also display R/O files and/or ARC files, whether or not those
attributes are in the search specification.


     DIR
     ═══
DIR tells Q-DOS to display all directory entries.   


     HID
     ═══
HID tells Q-DOS to display all Hidden files and directories,   
regardless of their other attributes.




     SYS
     ═══
SYS tells Q-DOS to display System files.  However, even when you   
select SYS as a search specification, Q-DOS will not display   
System files that are Hidden unless you also select HID.  Since
System files are normally Hidden, you should make it a practice to
select both HID and SYS as search specifications when your intention
is to display all System files.

     R/O
     ═══
R/O tells Q-DOS to display Read-Only files.  If NORM is already a   
search specification, selecting R/O adds nothing.  The R/O attribute
is most useful, therefore, when you want to display nothing but
Read-Only files.  Hidden Read-Only files will not be displayed,
however, unless the HID attribute is also selected as a search
specification.




     ARC
     ═══
ARC tells Q-DOS to display files with the ARC attribute.  If NORM   
is already a search specification, selecting ARC adds nothing.  The
ARC attribute is most useful, therefore, when you want to display
nothing but files having the ARC attribute.  Hidden files with the
ARC attribute will not be displayed, however, unless the HID
attribute is also selected as a search specification.

Press ENTER to complete the SET SEARCH SPECIFICATION process and 
display those files that match the new specifications.

Pressing ESC before completing the process causes it to abort at that
point.  If you enter a new file name definition before pressing ESC,
the change will be accepted.  However, the Main Screen that appears
will not show the change.  To see the change you must re-enter the
Main Screen from another command.




The SET SEARCH SPECIFICATION command also sets the rules that guide
the attribute selection part of the FIND command.  For example, to
list all hidden files on a disk, set the attribute definition to HID
only.  Then execute the FIND command, searching for "*.*".

The STATUS screen (F2) shows the new search specifications.  They
remain in effect until they are again changed through the SET SEARCH
SPECIFICATION command, or until you exit Q-DOS.  You can also    
change them permanently with the QDSTART.EXE program.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║      F8  --  SORT FILES          ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   This command allows you to change the way files
════════   are sorted on the screen.  You may sort files by 
NAME, EXTENSION, SIZE, or DATE, in ASCENDING or DESCENDING order.  An
UNSORTED display is also available.

To use:    Q-DOS sorts files before displaying them on the   
═══════    Main Screen. It sorts by a variable that you select
through the SORT FILES command.  The five variables are: (1) Name,
which is the default selection, (2) Extension, (3) Size, (4) Date,
and (5) Unsorted.  The direction of the sort, either Ascending or
Descending, is also selectable, except with the Unsorted option.

To select a sort variable, press F8.  Q-DOS will display the   
current sorting direction and the following choices: (N)ame,
(E)xtension, (S)ize, and (D)ate.  Use the right or left arrow keys to
change the sort direction, if desired.  Then, press the letter that
identifies the new sort variable.
The Main Screen will then display the files sorted in their new
order, and the STATUS screen (F2) will list the new sort order.

[NOTE: When you sort files, the displayed directory will be sorted
according to your selection.  However, the second directory in memory
(see F4 - PREVIOUS DIRECTORY) will not be re-sorted unless you 
specifically tell Q-DOS to re-sort it.]   

     NAME
     ════
NAME sorts files and subdirectories in alphabetical order, first by
file name, then by file extension.

     EXT
     ═══
EXT also sorts alphabetically, but by extension first, then by name. 
EXT therefore causes files with the same extension to appear as a
group, ordered within that group by the alphabetical order of their
file names.


     SIZE
     ════
SIZE lists files in order of their size.  Files of the same size are
grouped together, then listed alphabetically by file name within that
group.

     DATE
     ════
DATE sorts files according to their date.  "Date" refers to the last
date on which the file was updated.  Files of the same date are
grouped, then listed by time.  Files with the same date and time are
grouped, then listed alphabetically by name.

     UNSORTED
     ════════
UNSORTED displays files in the order they appear on the disk.  Some
programs allow altering the position a file has in a directory.  This
feature displays the files in the same order as the DOS DIR command. 
It should be noted that Q-DOS does NOT physically sort the files   
on the disk, but only displays them sorted (or not).

Once you change the sort criteria, all directories you view will sort
the files by the new variable until you leave Q-DOS or change the   
variable through the SORT FILES command.  You can permanently chang 
the default sort method with the QDSTART.EXE program.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║          F9  --  EDIT            ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Purpose:   If you would like to modify files on your disk, the 
════════   EDIT command makes it simple.

To use:    Highlight the file you would like to edit and press
═══════    the F9 key. This will cause your editor to start editing
the highlighted file.  To create a new file (or to start with a blank 
screen), press the ALT-F9 key combination.

Q-DOS comes with its own editor (QED) which allows you to      
modify the file in either NORMAL or HEX mode.  To replace this
program with your own editor or word processor, use the QDSTART.EXE
program.  For more information on the operation of the Q-DOS   
editor QED, refer to APPENDIX E.   
           ╔═══════════════════════════════╗   
           ║      F10  --  QUIT Q-DOS      ║   
           ╚═══════════════════════════════╝   

Purpose:   The QUIT Q-DOS command returns you to DOS and   
════════   releases the memory occupied by Q-DOS.   

To use:    There are 2 ways to exit Q-DOS: pressing the    
═══════    F10 key or "Q" key. After selecting the QUIT command,
a box appears giving you 3 more options.

Q-DOS allows you to press F10 a second time (or press "O") to exit   
Q-DOS and reset the "Current DOS Directory" to the one Q-DOS      
started with (the original directory).  To set the "Current DOS
Directory" to the one displayed on the Q-DOS screen, press "C".   

If you would like to cancel the QUIT command and return to the main
screen, you can press the ESC key.

Pressing ENTER will display both the "Current" and "Original" 
options.
To understand the above options, you must understand the meaning of
"current directory." In a general sense, "current directory" simply
means the directory you are working in.  However, Q-DOS operates,   
in a sense, within two current directories.

You were in a directory within DOS when you loaded Q-DOS.  While   
you are in Q-DOS, DOS remembers that original directory as its   
current directory.  For purposes of this explanation, therefore, we
shall call it "current directory/DOS." Within Q-DOS, you move from   
directory to directory, thereby changing what Q-DOS defines as its   
own current directory.  This current-directory-within-a-current
directory therefore becomes "current directory/Q-DOS."   

When you select the QUIT Q-DOS command and choose between options   
(2) and (3), you are in essence answering this question: "Shall we
continue to consider 'current directory/DOS' (the original current
directory) as DOS's current directory (press 'O')? Or shall we ask
DOS to reassign that position to 'current directory/Q-DOS,' which   
is the one you were displaying when you selected the QUIT Q-DOS   
command (press 'C')?."
            ╔══════════════════════════════════════╗
            ║ APPENDIX A - VALID FILE NAMES IN DOS ║
            ╚══════════════════════════════════════╝

You must give each file a unique name within a directory.  All file
names must follow certain DOS rules.  Those that follow the rules are
"valid" DOS file names; all others are invalid and will not be
accepted.  Directory names follow these same rules.

     VALID FILE NAMES
     ════════════════
Valid DOS file names consist of a name and an optional extension. 
The name may consist of 1 to 8 characters; the extension may consist
of 1 to 3 characters.  Name and extension are separated by a period
("."); no spaces are allowed.

The following are valid characters for DOS file names:

     The letters "A" through "Z"
     The digits "0" through "9"
     12 special characters:  $ & # @ ! % " ( ) - { } _
No other characters are valid.  The characters "/" and "\", for
example, are used to separate directories in a directory path.  DOS
converts lower-case letters to upper case.

     "WILDCARD" OR "GLOBAL" FILENAME CHARACTERS
     ══════════════════════════════════════════
Several Q-DOS commands (and most DOS commands) let you use the   
"wildcard" characters "*" and "?".  They are "variable" characters  
that let you define groups of files with a single name.

"*" can represent no characters or a string of one or more
characters; "?" represents a single character only.  For example, the
wildcard QD*.* would match both "QD.EXE" and "QDCOLOR.COM".  Note
that in the filename "QD.EXE", the "*" matches no characters, as there
are none between the "D" and the ".".  In the case of "QDCOLOR.COM",
however, the "*" matches a string of 5 characters.

The position that "*" and "?" occupy in the name defines the position
that must be occupied by the character or characters that they
represent.  The "*" must occupy the last position in the name and/or the
extension part of the wildcard you specify.
These are valid DOS wildcard names:

  "*.*" represents all names with any (or no) extension.
  "*.COM" represents all files with the COM extension.
  "?.COM" represents all COM files with a single-character name.
  "D?D.*" represents all files with three character names that
      consist of "D," followed by any valid character, followed
      by "D."  The file name may have any extension, or no
      extension at all.

These are invalid file names:

   "TEST/A.EXE" ("/" is an invalid character)
   "ABC . BAT" (contains spaces)

You may be required to enter valid DOS file names in order to execute
these Q-DOS commands: MAKE DIRECTORY, TAG SEVERAL, FIND, RENAME,   
F6 - DOS COMMAND, and F7 - SET SEARCH SPECIFICATION.  See each command
for details.           

            ╔══════════════════════════════════════╗
            ║ APPENDIX B -- ORGANIZING A HARD DISK ║
            ╚══════════════════════════════════════╝

DOS versions beginning with DOS 2.0 organize the disk into areas
called "directories." Directories let you group related files
together: spreadsheets in one directory, word processing files in
another, and so on.  This reduces clutter and confusion, since files
for one program or purpose need not get mixed with other files. 
Directories let you create data structures that represent the logic
of your tasks; a good structure makes you a more efficient computer
user.

There is no limit to the number of directories and files you may have
-- except within the root directory.  The root directory is generally
limited to about 512 files (less on floppy drives).  This limitation
alone often creates good reason for dividing your files into
subdirectories.



Q-DOS takes advantage of this powerful DOS feature by letting you   
create directory "maps" or "trees." Directories are hung on the
various branches, so to speak, according to type, user, language,
purpose, or whatever other logic may guide you.
 
The heart of Q-DOS's power is the ease with which you can create,   
organize, and work with directories and files.  That power is most
apparent when working with hard disks, although Q-DOS simplifies   
floppy-disk management as well.  The DIRECTORY command lets you add
or remove directories, and displays the directory structure of any
disk.  The MOVE command moves files from one directory to another,
and the COPY command lets you copy files to any directory on any
disk.

Don't be afraid to experiment with the DIRECTORY command and the
other Q-DOS features.  The more you use them, the more you'll   
discover the power of both Q-DOS and your computer.   

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║  APPENDIX C  --  ERROR MESSAGES  ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

The following error messages are listed alphabetically.  Messages
that begin with a filename are listed under the letter "F" as
"FILENAME.EXT ...".

CANNOT COPY ANY MORE FILES -- DIRECTORY IS FULL
═══════════════════════════════════════════════
  You get this message when you are trying to copy files to the
  root directory of a drive and that root directory is full. 
  Under DOS, the root directory has a limit to the number of
  files and directories it can contain; subdirectories, on the
  other hand, have no such limit.

  To resolve the problem, you must do one of the following:
  remove some of the files from the root of the destination disk,
  copy the files to a different subdirectory on the disk, or copy
  the files to another disk.

CANNOT OPEN SOURCEFILE
══════════════════════
  In the COPY command, Q-DOS could not find the first file in   
  the "to be copied" list on the source disk.  The main reason
  this may happen is that you removed the source diskette from
  the floppy drive from which you were copying.  

  Other possibilities are that you are working with two copies of
  the same directory (see the F4 - PREVIOUS DIRECTORY command for
  more information), and you may have RENAMEd, MOVEd, or ERASEd
  the file from one directory window and switched to the other
  one which still contains the entry for the file name.

CANNOT OPEN THE HIGHLIGHTED FILE
════════════════════════════════
  In the VIEW command, if you switched disks, or if you erased,
  renamed, or moved the file while using another copy of the
  directory (see the F4 - PREVIOUS DIRECTORY command), Q-DOS   
  will not be able to find the file.


  Make sure you have a fresh copy of the directory you are
  working with (use either the F3 - CHANGE DRIVE command, or the
  SELECT option of the DIRECTORY command to do so).  Then, you
  can VIEW any file listed in the directory.

CAN'T FIND QDN.HLP -- PRESS LETTER OF DRIVE 
═══════════════════════════════════════════ 
  Q-DOS cannot find QDN.HLP, the help file; it looks for it    
  first in the directory you specified in the QDSTART program  
  (C:\QDOS is the default directory),
  then in the root directory of that drive.  It displays this
  error message if it was unsuccessful in finding it.

  To remedy the problem, either enter the letter of the drive
  that has the help file on it, or insert a floppy disk with
  the help file into drive A and tell Q-DOS to look at   
  drive A for it.




CAN'T RENAME THE FILE 
═════════════════════
  There are three reasons why DOS cannot rename a file, and the
  reason is specified with the message.  Here are the reasons:

  -- IT IS MARKED 'READ-ONLY'
     The file is protected from having either its name or its
     contents modified.  To rename it, select the ATTRIBUTE
     command to turn off the READ-ONLY attribute.  Then, the file
     can be renamed (or erased, also -- don't forget to reset the
     READ-ONLY attribute once you have renamed the file).

  -- ONLY DOS 3.XX ALLOWS THIS
     You must use DOS 3.0 or higher to rename directories.  Also,
     if you rename a directory, you must then re-SCAN the disk to
     update the directory map (see the DIRECTORY command).

  -- THERE IS ANOTHER ONE OF THE SAME NAME
     All file names within a directory must be unique.  The name
     you selected is already being used by another file or
     subdirectory in this directory.
     To solve this problem, select a different name for the one
     you wish to rename.

DESTINATION FILE OF SAME NAME IS R/O - OVERWRITE?
═════════════════════════════════════════════════
  A Read-Only (R/O) file of the same name as the to-be-copied
  file has been found in the destination directory.  Q-DOS   
  informs you of this fact and prompts you whether to overwrite
  the file in the destination directory.

DISK HAS BEEN CHANGED
═════════════════════
  In the ERASE or MOVE command, Q-DOS cannot find the copy of   
  the file to be erased or moved.

  Make sure you have a fresh copy of the directory you are
  working with (use either the F3 - CHANGE DRIVE command, or the
  SELECT option of the DIRECTORY command to do so).  Then, you
  can ERASE or MOVE any file listed in the directory.


DISK X IS FULL -- INSERT NEW DISK AND (C)ONTINUE OR (S)KIP FILE
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
  During a COPY command, the destination disk is too full to copy
  the current file.  If the cause of the problem is that a floppy
  diskette has become full, simply insert a new floppy and press
  "C" to continue.

  Occasionally, the cause of the message will be that one
  particular file is too large to fit on the destination disk,
  while other smaller files in the source directory will still
  fit on the destination disk.  In this case, press the "S" key
  to skip the large file and continue COPYing the smaller files.

DRIVE IS NOT READY
══════════════════
  Either there is not a disk in the drive or the drive door is
  not securely closed.  In other instances, this may mean that
  DOS does not recognize that drive.



FILENAME.EXT EXISTS IN DESTINATION DIRECTORY -- CANNOT MOVE IT
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
  In the MOVE command, you cannot move a file into a directory if
  there is already a file of the same name inside that directory.

  Either select another destination directory for the file, or
  rename either the file in the source directory, or the one in
  the destination directory.  Then, move the file.

FILENAME.EXT EXISTS ON DRIVE X -- WILL NOT BE COPIED
════════════════════════════════════════════════════
  When you have selected not to overwrite same-named files using
  the COPY command, and a same-named file does exist in the
  destination directory, Q-DOS will inform you that the   
  filename already existed in the destination directory and that
  the file of the same name in the source directory will not be
  copied.




FILENAME.EXT IS MARKED READ-ONLY -- CANNOT ERASE IT
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════
  Any file marked Read-Only can't be erased; the Read-Only
  attribute protects the file from accidental erasures.

  If you still wish to erase the file, select the ATTRIBUTE
  command to eliminate the Read-Only attribute from the file, and
  then erase it.

FILE NOT FOUND OR NOT ENOUGH MEMORY
═══════════════════════════════════
  Currently, Q-DOS cannot tell the difference between a file   
  not being found and not having enough memory to run the program. 
  If the program file is indeed on the disk, then there is not
  enough memory to run that program.

  To solve this problem, exit from Q-DOS (use the F10 - QUIT   
  command) and then run your program from the DOS prompt.



GENERAL DISK ERROR
══════════════════
  Q-DOS interprets this error message which comes from DOS; it   
  means that DOS could not read a certain part of the disk.  The
  usual reasons for this are: there is a bad sector on the disk,
  or the read/write heads of the disk need to be cleaned.

INVALID DRIVE
═════════════
  The drive letter you entered is invalid.  If you have only one
  floppy drive, Q-DOS will not allow that drive to be called   
  the B drive.  In some situations, the hardware configuration
  switches don't match the actual drives installed, and Q-DOS   
  will not know they exist.  Use the "F2 - Status Screen"
  command to check the drives currently available to Q-DOS.   
  
                                                                      
                                                                      
                                                                      
                           

NOT ENOUGH SPACE TO READ IN ENTIRE DIRECTORY
════════════════════════════════════════════
  Q-DOS can handle 800 file names in one directory.  There    
  can be thousands of files on the disk, however, but this 
  does not affect Q-DOS since it works with only two given     
  directories at once.

  When Q-DOS looks at a directory with a large number of   
  files, it automatically clears the memory used by the previous 
  directory in order to display all the files (this means the 
  F4 command will not work while viewing this directory).

  Generally, you should never have more than 200 files in any
  directory; if you have more files than this, it may be wise to
  divide the directory into a couple of subdirectories. 
  Unfortunately, there are some occasions where certain programs
  simply require an extra-large number of files all in one
  directory.



PATH (OR FILE) NOT AVAILABLE -- YOU MUST HAVE CHANGED DISKS
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
  Q-DOS can't find the file or directory "path" that it   
  thought still existed.  This happens if you remove a disk while
  you are still working with its directory.

THAT NAME IS INVALID -- THERE IS ALREADY A DIRECTORY BY THAT NAME
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
  Try using a different name for the directory.

THAT COMMAND WON'T WORK WHEN THERE ARE NO FILES
════════════════════════════════════════════════
  The command you selected will only work on files; use DIRECTORY
  SELECT, F3 - CHANGE DRIVE, or F7 - SET SEARCH SPECIFICATION to
  read a disk directory; then retry your command.






THE DESTINATION IS THE SAME AS THE SOURCE
══════════════════════════════════════════
  When copying or the moving files, you must specify a
  destination directory that is different than the source
  directory.  In the COPY DIRECTORY command, the destination and
  source drives cannot be the same.  Q-DOS will not allow a   
  file or directory to be copied on top of itself.

THE DIRECTORY IS NOT EMPTY
═══════════════════════════
  Please review the REMOVE section of the DIRECTORY command for a
  full explanation of this message.

THE ROOT DIRECTORY CANNOT BE REMOVED
════════════════════════════════════
  Please review the REMOVE section of the DIRECTORY command for a
  full explanation of this message.




THERE ARE NO TAGGED FILES IN THIS DIRECTORY
═══════════════════════════════════════════
  You will see this message if you try to COPY, ERASE, MOVE, or
  RENAME the TAGGED files when no files are tagged.  You should
  either tag the files for this command first, or you may want to
  work with the HIGHLIGHTED file (one at a time) instead.

  Please review the help section for the command you were using.
THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MEMORY TO RUN THIS PROGRAM
═══════════════════════════════════════════════
  You will need to exit Q-DOS to run the program; use the F10    
 - QUIT command to quit Q-DOS, then run the program from the   
  DOS prompt.

TOO MANY DIRECTORIES
════════════════════
  Q-DOS can only keep track of 550 directories and   
  subdirectories on any given disk. 



WRITE-PROTECT ERROR
═══════════════════
  The disk you are trying to COPY or MOVE to, or on which you are
  changing file attributes, has a write-protect tab.  If you are
  certain you need to continue, remove the tab from the diskette
  and retry the command.


YOU CANNOT VIEW A DIRECTORY
═══════════════════════════
  Q-DOS allows you to view the contents of files with the VIEW   
  command.  If you want to see the contents of a directory, use
  the DIRECTORY command to see the directory map of a disk,
  position the cursor on top of the desired directory, and press
  ENTER.  This will display the contents of the directory. 


YOU CAN'T CHANGE DIR, NORM, OR VOL ATTRIBUTES
═════════════════════════════════════════════
  DOS does not normally allow these to be changed; imagine, for
  example, the confusion that would be created if you changed a
  directory into a normal file -- all the files that used to be
  in the directory would no longer be found!  Q-DOS does not   
  override DOS in this respect.

YOU CAN'T COPY DIRECTORIES
══════════════════════════
  Use the COPY DIRECTORY command to copy directories.


YOU CAN'T ERASE DIRECTORIES
═══════════════════════════
  You must use the REMOVE option of the DIRECTORY command to
  remove directories from your disk.

YOU CAN'T MOVE DIRECTORIES
═══════════════════════════
  Currently, Q-DOS cannot move directories.  You can move all   
  the files in one directory to another, however.



YOU MUST CHANGE TO A DRIVE FIRST
════════════════════════════════
  In order for Q-DOS to search a disk for files, it must know   
  which disk you wish to search.  To select a disk, use the
  CHANGE DRIVE (F3) command.  Then, retry the FIND command.


YOU MUST USE DOS VERSION 2.00 OR HIGHER TO RUN Q-DOS       
════════════════════════════════════════════════════     
  Q-DOS will not work with version 1.XX of DOS.   
           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║   APPENDIX D  --  NEW FEATURES   ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

The following is a list of features that are either new or that have
been changed in this newest version of Q-DOS.  For full   
information on each of these enhancements, please refer to the
indicated sections of the help information.  [NOTE: The new Q-DOS   
program has a much larger ".EXE" file than prior versions of Q-DOS;
however, the total memory requirements in RAM is only about 2k
greater!]

CONFIGURE PROGRAM - QDSTART
═══════════════════════════
Many of the features and selections of Q-DOS are now   
"configurable"; i.e., you can modify Q-DOS to work just the way   
you want.  The items you can configure are: the default sort method,
the path where the help file is located, the editor (or other
program) to run when the F9 key is pressed, turning automatic
disk-logging on or off (and, you can also tell Q-DOS whether to do   
this logging on all drives, or to do it only on your hard disks), and
the default search attribute and search specification.  Use the
QDSTART program to modify your QD2.EXE file.

AUTOMATIC LOGGING
═════════════════
Q-DOS will now automatically maintain a directory-log file (which   
is a copy of each disk's directory map); this file is kept in the
root directory of each disk.  The biggest advantage this gives you is
that Q-DOS can now display the directory structure of any disk in   
about 1/2 second.

This log file is created on each disk if Q-DOS does not find it in   
the root directory; it is updated when you use Q-DOS to make and   
remove directories, or when you select the SCAN command from the 
directory map (the LOG command simply reads the log file if it is 
there, but it will create it if it doesn't exist).  You can also
force Q-DOS to rescan the disk from the beginning, in case you   
have used other programs to modify your disk structures.  The logging
feature can be turned on or off.  (See the DIRECTORY command.)


THE EDITOR
══════════
Q-DOS can now edit any file under 61,440 bytes (60K) in length by   
simply pressing the F9 key (see APPENDIX E).

SELECTING DIRECTORIES
═════════════════════
Due to many requests, we have enhanced and simplified directory
changing.  You can now select a new directory from the file-listing
screen; simply position the cursor key on the directory you wish to
change to, and press F5.  To change back to the parent of the current
directory, press the "." (period) key; this is somewhat analagous to
the "CD .." command in DOS.

Also, to aid you in moving the cursor to the directories, you can 
press the "+" and "-" keys to jump immediately to the next or the 
prior directory.




EDIT KEYS
═════════
Any time you are entering more than one character (when entering a 
file name or a DOS command, for example), you can use the left- and 
right-arrow keys to move the cursor.  In addition, HOME will place the 
cursor at the start of the edit string (the name or command you are 
entering), and END will place it at the end.  CTRL-BACKSPACE will
completely clear the edit string, and (in some cases) CTRL-R will 
recall the last-used edit string.

Also, the INS key toggles between INSERT mode (block cursor) and 
OVERWRITE mode (small cursor).

PRINT
═════
You can now print Highlighted or Tagged files from Q-DOS.  You can    
also print the directory map or a list of the files in the current 
directory (see PRINT).  Also, the editor will let you print all or
part of a file (see APPENDIX E).


XECUTE
══════
This has been replaced by the "F6 - DOS Command" key.  It provides
more functionality, and is more complete, than the older XECUTE
command (see F6 - DOS Command).

FIND
════
In addition to the View, Continue, and Jump options, we have added an 
Erase option (press ALT-E to erase the file).  This will essentially 
allow you to erase all occurrences of files that match your search 
specifications, regardless of the directories in which they exist (see 
FIND).  Also, pressing CTRL-R will recall the last search string.


ATTRIBUTES
══════════
The attribute command has been enhanced.  In Q-DOS, you must select    
ATTRIBUTE DISPLAY to display the attributes; and, you can change 
attributes on either the Highlighted or the Tagged files (see
ATTRIBUTE).  Also, you can change attributes of directories to hide
or unhide them.  (Hidden directories will only be displayed if the
search attribute includes the HID setting -- see F7 - SET SEARCH 
SPECIFICATIONS.)

OTHER CHANGES
═════════════
Pressing "Q" from the main screen is the same as pressing F10.  Also,
to quit Q-DOS, you can still press F10 and then "C" to change to the   
current directory, or "O" to change to the original directory. 
However, the "C" and "O" options only show up when you press ENTER 
after pressing the F10 key.

A RETAG feature has been added to the TAG command (this will retag 
files that were tagged and then copied or printed, or that had their 
attributes changed).

The ALT-letter feature that previously worked on just the file screen
now also works on the directory map.  You can also press ALT plus a 
number key.  (By the way, some of you never realized the ALT-letter 
command existed -- please see the INTRODUCTION for more information.)

A special "WordStar" (tm) filter, for files written with that word 
processor, has been added to the VIEW command.


Q-DOS also remembers the last directory you were looking at on the   
directory map of each drive, rather than forcing you to start at the
root directory.  The the first time you access the map for a
drive, the directory map cursor starts at the current directory. 
Also, the COPY command will now select this last-used directory to
copy the files to, rather than selecting the current directory from
DOS.

           ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
           ║    APPENDIX E -- QED (EDITOR)    ║
           ╚══════════════════════════════════╝

Perhaps the biggest change reflected in Q-DOS is the addition of a 
text editor that will let you modify ANY file, as long as it is no 
more than 61,440 bytes (60K) long.  You can also easily create files; 
with this editor, you will never again wonder how to modify *.BAT 
files or CONFIG.SYS.

This editor is super-fast, and has a special feature that allows you
to edit files in a hex mode, if you wish.

Q-DOS comes with the F9 key pre-configured to run the editor,    
located in the C:\QDOS directory.  If you do not want to use this 
editor, or you wish to place it onto another drive or into another 
directory, you MUST use the QDSTART program to modify QDN.EXE before
you use it.



How To Use QED   
══════════════   
QED does NOT need to be used with Q-DOS; if you wish, you can       
run it as a stand-alone editor (for writing programs or editing files) 
by simply typing QED from the command line and pressing return.  You 
can also specify a file name, including its drive and path, on the 
command line.  However, QED is most easily started from within    
Q-DOS by simply pressing the F9 key when the file cursor is    
highlighting the file you wish to edit.  (To start QED on a blank    
screen, press ALT-F9.)

These instructions are brief, but they will get you started using the 
editor; and, once you are started, you can refer back to these 
instructions as a reference manual to help you understand all the 
capabilities of this super-fast editor.

The Screen
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The top of the screen lists the commands available to you.  When these 
commands are displayed, you can press the SPACE BAR to move the 
command cursor to the right.  You can select the highlighted command 
by pressing ENTER, or you can press the first letter of the command. 
The bottom part of the screen shows either Command, Insert or
Overwrite, depending on the current mode.  It also shows whether you
have selected auto-indent, and whether you are in ascii mode or hex
mode.  The right part of the bottom line shows the cursor position, 
line, and the column where the cursor is located.


When you operate in Insert mode, the cursor is a large block; 
otherwise, it is a small underline.




             







The Special Keys
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These are the special keys in QED:   

    HOME:       Move cursor to start of line
    CTRL-HOME:  Move cursor to top of file
    END:        Move cursor to end of line
    CTRL-END:   Move cursor to start of last line in file
    INS:        Toggle between insert and overwrite (see display at
                    bottom of screen)
    DEL:        Delete char
    BKSPACE:    Delete char to left
    SPACEBAR:   Selects command (when in Command mode only)

Other arrow keys perform their normal functions.

Creating a New File
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To create a new file, you can start QED from the command line with   
the command QED.  It comes up with a blank screen, and allows you to
start editing.  Or, if you use QED from within Q-DOS, press F9.       
If the cursor was on a file, that file will be displayed on the
screen.  If not, you will see a blank screen.

To stop editing a file and change to another one, press ESC until the 
commands are displayed at the top of the screen; then, select QUIT 
INITIALIZE.  If you then type the name of a file, QED will attempt    
to load it for editing.  If the file you specify does not exist (or 
you do not specify a file, but simply press ENTER), QED's screen     
will be cleared and you can start editing a new file.

When you are ready to save your file, select the QUIT command, and 
then either BACKUP or SAVE (see below).  If you have not yet named the 
file, QED will ask for a file name and then save it for you.   

[NOTE:  If you try to EXIT or INITIALIZE after modifying a file, 
QED will warn you if you have not yet saved your changes.]   




Main Commands in QED   
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Here is a list of the main commands in QED.   

    AGAIN
Repeats the results of the last FIND or REPLACE command.

    BUFFER
Puts the designated block of text into the buffer.  Use the cursor
keys to select the end OR the beginning of the block.  As you move
the cursor, the top of the screen shows the number of characters that
will be placed in the buffer and an up-arrow if you move the cursor
to a point before the starting cursor position, or a down-arrow
otherwise.  Press B when the block has been designated; the new
buffer will then replace the old one.

The in-memory buffer will hold up to 4000 characters.  If you buffer
more than that, the buffer will automatically be written to a
temporary disk file on the default drive/directory.  This is
completely automatic.  (When the editor ends, this temporary file
will be deleted.)
    COPY
Inserts the contents of the buffer (from either the BUFFER or the
DELETE commands) at the current cursor position, and redisplays the
screen.  The contents of the buffer will not change (i.e., you can do
multiple copies by successive COPY commands).  If the contents of the 
buffer, when inserted at the cursor position, would exceed QED's    
60k file size limitation, the COPY command will not work.

    DEL
Same operation as in BUFFER (see above), except that, when you press
the D key, the designated block is deleted from the file and placed
in the buffer.  (NOTE: You can simulate a MOVE command by deleting
the block of text first, positioning the cursor to the new location,
and selecting the COPY command next.)

    EDIT
Go into INSERT mode (same as pressing INS key the first time).  The 
name of the file you are editing is displayed at the top of the 
screen.


    FIND
Search for any text string.  When entering the string, if CTRL-R is
the first keystroke, the prior search string from the last search
will appear.  You can edit the string, using the normal function
keys.

Once you specify the string, pressing Y (or ENTER) to the "Ignore 
upper/lower case?" question will cause a match in the file regardless
of case; if you press N, an exact match -- taking into account both
upper- and lower-case -- must occur before FIND is successful.

    HEX
Go to hex-mode screen.  F4 will toggle the cursor from the hex side
to the ascii side.  To insert, delete, or overwrite, first press the
INS key.  When the cursor is on the hex side and you wish to insert or 
overwrite data, you must enter a valid two-character hex value using 
the digits 0 thru 9 and the letters A thru F.  When on the ascii side, 
you may enter any character directly from the keyboard.



When in the hex mode, the center of the bottom line displays the 
character the cursor is on in its normal displayable form, its hex 
value, and its ascii value.

[NOTE:  When entering data in hex mode with the cursor on the ascii 
side, pressing ENTER will enter a carriage return only (0D hex), and  
not the normal carriage return/line feed combination (0D0A hex).]

    JUMP
Jump to a marker you have set with the TAG command, jump to a
specific byte in the file, or to a specific line.

    PRINT
Works very much like the BUFFER command; when you press P, the
designated block will go to the standard DOS printer.  Tabs are
converted to spaces, according to your SET TABSIZE command.

    QUIT
Allows you to BACKUP or SAVE the file.  Select EXIT to end, or
INITIALIZE to edit another file (to start from scratch without
editing a file, don't enter a file name).
BACKUP will create a same-named file with the "*.BAK extension, while 
the SAVE option will simply overwrite the original file.

    REPLACE
Allows you to replace any string in the file with any other.  See
FIND above.

    SET
INDENT will toggle auto-indent on and off; when on, QED will copy   
the leading blanks and tabs from the line just above when you press
the ENTER key.  TABSIZE sets the size of tabs (from 2 to 9). 

    TAG
Specify a marker in the text; use JUMP command to go back to a
marker.






Hints and Helps With QED   
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You can enter any ascii character (when in Insert or Overwrite mode) 
by holding down the ALT key and typing a one- to three-digit number 
from 0 thru 255.

Currently, QED does not let you "include" other files into the one   
you are editing.  To transfer all or part of one file into another,
do the following:

  1)  Edit the file with the part to be transferred.

  2)  Place the cursor at the beginning of the block of text to copy.

  3)  Select the BUFFER command, and move the cursor to the end of the 
      block of text.  Then, press "B" to place this block into the 
      buffer.

  4)  Quit this file, and initialize the one to receive this buffered 
      block of text.

  5)  Move the cursor to the destination point, and press "C" to copy 
      the buffer into the file at the cursor position.  If there is 
      enough room, this will successfully place the block of text 
      where you want it.

QED has no line-length limit.  However, when editing binary or   
certain data files with very few line feeds, you might notice QED   
slowing down on lines with over 10,000 characters.  In such a case,
you may want to switch to Hex mode when you need to move the cursor,
as it will move faster on the hex screen.  Or, use the JUMP POSITION
command to jump to the byte you are looking for instead of scrolling
to it.

NOTE: In ascii mode, the very first position in the file is called
position 1, while in hex mode that same position is shown as position 
(or offset) 0.
