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ATree II ver 1
Introduction
Welcome to Atree II. An Apple II file utility. Originally the project
was called Apple Tree. In order to avoid any legalistic headaches with
copyrighted or registered names I decided to call it simply Atree II.
After branching off into the PC world I had gotten used to a couple of
file utilities. Namely Xtree Gold for MS-Dos and Midnight Commander for
Linux. These are a couple of great utilities. They are not function oriented
as are most Apple II utilities. Instead you are presented with a directory
tree and a list of options to perform. This greatly enhances their usability.
Atree II does not match them in power but uses a similiar interface.
Miscellaneous
Atree II was written in Zbasic 128k version and assembly using Lisa 816.
It requires a 128k Apple II with an 80 column card and 65c02 processor. I
hope this isn't too much of a limitation to you. It is also compatable with
the IIgs in emulation mode. I use it frequently from the Finder when I need
to view files or perform simple maintenance.
Launching Atree is simple. It will launch from the Finder via opening
folders. It will also launch from the desktop or the nifty little utility
Launch List. It will launch from any P8 program launcher which changes to it's
subdirectory. Most P8 launchers do this. It will load from Basic.system if you
manually change to the subdirectory first then type -ATREE.SYSTEM. It must be
launched from it's subdirectory so it can find the runtime modules needed by
Zbasic, and it's support machine language routines. When finished, Atree II
performs a standard Prodos quit call to return you to the last program launcher
you used, either GSOS or P8.
Atree II has most of the basic file functions such as rename, delete,
make subdirectory, copy etc. In it's present form it cannot recurse into
subdirectories. What this means to you is you will have to manually move into
the subdirectories and perform the neccessary functions. This really only
applies to delete and copy functions. Hopefully this will be remedied in a
future release. It will also perform some functions on multiple files. This
will be explained later in this text. The screen layout of Atree II is very
straight-forward. It is divided into several windows and toward the bottom of
the screen is the function menu. It will change from the standard menu to the
alternate menu by holding one of the Apple keys. You must also hold one of the
Apple keys while selecting from this alternate menu. This is not as complicated
as it may sound, after a little practice it becomes quite easy. Hopefully the
menu function names are self explanatory. The very bottom line is used for
prompts and input.
Atree does not change directory settings itself. Instead it uses a standard
P8 subdirectory path. This means it will only work with paths which meet the
Prodos standard of 64 byte lengths. It will currently handle up to 255 files
per subdirectory. This should not be too much of a limitation. Most directories
hold less than this. It will not generate an error if this limit is reached
it will simply ignore the extra files. Error control is limited to Prodos,
so if you enter a bad name it will just tell you it cannot perform the function
requested. The version of Prodos on the original disk has been patched with
Qfix, to allow it to use other characters which Prodos normally doesn't allow.
You should be careful when using this feature. Some programs will not let you
access files with non-standard names. Atree II will. Qfix is provided in a
subdirectory on the distribution disk. I did not write this program and claim
no responsibility for it. I find it a neat little utility and I like the extra
characters in Prodos names.
Atree attempts to identify files by the standard file types as defined by
Apple Inc. This list is based on the most current tech note I could find. Of
course some programmers, myself included ignore this list sometimes. For
instance, my program Amperdos uses the old BA3 file type for it's program code
files instead of the BAS type. Atree will display these files as AMP. Currently
this is the only non-standard file type used.
General Usage
Atree II uses a couple of cursor bars. In the left window is the volume
cursor. You move this cursor by holding down an apple key and pressing any
arrow key. In the center window is the file cursor bar. It is moved by simply
pressing an arrow key. Up and down arrows move by one entry and will wrap
around to the top or bottom of the list. In the file window the left and right
arrow keys attempt to move by 10 entries. This is provided mainly as a user
convenience. It may not always give the results expected though due to the
algorythm used. I will try to make it more accurate in future releases. Once
you have the file hilighted simply select the function desired by pressing the
key framed in {}. For example {C} Copy.
You enter a subdirectory by pressing return on the hilighted subdirectory
filename. You exit a subdirectory level by pressing escape. Atree II will
attempt to remember where in the prior subdirectory you were last at, up to a
level of 16 deep. It does not remember where you were in the directory you
just escaped from. So, you will be set at the top of the file list if you decide
to re-enter that subdirectory. Also, escaping from a directory will lose the
tagged file entries. This is done more as a convenience, it is assumed you have
already performed whatever functions desired on the tagged files. Note: the
escape key will also exit from the file viewing modes at any time.
As mentioned, Atree II will work with multiple files for some functions. To
use this feature you select the files with the spacebar. When selected, the
file will have a mousetext check in front of the name. All functions which work
on multiple files are listed in the alternate menu. Primarily, Lock, Unlock,
Delete, Copy. You can select all files in the current directory by pressing
apple key + {A} or deselect all files by pressing apple key + {T}.
The copy function requires both paths to be online. This causes a limitation
for users with a single disk drive. If you have an extended ram card which
creates a ram disk you can use it to for a two step copy. This does not
apply to the P8 /RAM volume which is disconnected by Zbasic 128k at startup.
It also does not apply if the paths are on the same volume. Note also, if you
run Atree from a floppy disk the floppy may be removed from the drive. The
only drawback is this help file is not available.
The copy function is designed to ease file copying. It does not actually
copy any files. It sets the name in a copy buffer and reminds you to select
a new location. The purpose of this is to allow you to perform any neccessary
functions such as delete, rename or make directory as needed to prepare a
place to put the copy. You must press apple + return to actually copy the file.
This is also handy if you need multiple copies of the same file(s) since the
buffer is not cleared until you select copy again. Technically speaking, once
you've set the copy file(s) you can perform any functions available in Atree II
except copy. If you select copy again it will forget the last filename in lieu
of the new name. Copy functions will reset the copy mode. This means you can
make either multiple copies of a single file OR multiple copies of tagged files.
Locked files in the file display window are designated by the mouse text
diamond. Subdirectories are designated by the mousetext folder characters
as well as the standard descriptions in the info window and on the prompt
line.
View text will attempt to view any file that is hilighted. This can be
very informative for those who are interested in text stored inside some
assorted files. Alternatively, you can list a file in hex mode from the
alternate menu. Currently it will not correctly display an AWP file. You
will see the assorted bytes which make up the formatting codes in these.
This may be changed later also. These two modes will even view subdirectories.
More Miscellanea
I have lots of ideas for improvements but memory is currently pretty tight
in this version. If I can reorganize the code enough to gain more memory I
would like to add features for viewing SHK and AWP files, block viewing and
hopefully other things.
Eventually I plan to use a solid apple menu for other features. It is
suggested you primarily use the open apple key for the alternate menu just
so you don't get used to the solid apple key sequence. I'm not sure yet
if I can squeeze enough memory for these but I would like to add features
for other P8 system functions such as block read/write, changing file types
and attributes etc.
Atree II does most error checking through Prodos. It has been highly tested
by us and seems to be very stable. It currently cannot handle forked files but
they don't cause the system to fail. If you are trying to view a file and Atree
seems to ignore it this may be the problem, check the file type.
I hope this is enough info to get you going. I'm not much on writing docs.
As stated earlier, it is a very easy program to use. I hope you enjoy using
it and it helps to ease your file maintenance. Unfortunately, it does no disk
formatting. You will still need another P8 utility for this.
I haven't tested the copy function with sparse files. Due to the method of
copying used it is liable to ruin them. Copy does 512 byte (not block read!)
of the file's data then writes it to disk. This doesn not allow for the indexes
which Prodos originally reserved for the file.
Legalities
Names used in this program and help file are either registered or copy
righted by their respective owners and used without permissions. No disrespect
to these companies was intended.
Atree II ver 1 is released as freeware. You may use it as you see fit. You are
not required to register this program with the author. But, (ain't there always
a but?) you may register with us if you require support. The registration fee is
$10.00 US funds in cashiers check or money order. See the end of this text for
more details. This is the ONLY version released as freeware. All future versions
are released to registered users only.
This software is not limited in any respects to functionality or time limits.
Any limitations are within the current programming methods used and are not
intentional or are unavoidable.
You may distribute it as you see fit as long as all files from the original
archive are included. However the program is copyrighted by Kandi's Kreations,
1999, 2000, etc. We reserve the rights to change the program without notice to
any persons except those who have registered for support.
As far as Prodos allows, this program is Y2k compliant. Any limitations as
regards Y2k are a part of the P8 kernel and are out of our control. So far the
only limitations I know of are date stamping of files. The only date stamping
we do is in the creation of new directories, in which case the current system
date/time is used. The copy function will use the original file's creation
date/time.
If you use this program you do so at your own risk. You should test it with
disposable data disks to see if it meets your needs. We claim no responsibility
for any damage caused either directly or indirectly by this program. It has been
tested by us and we use it frequently. It was released originally virus free
but you should always check programs with a virus scanner if you are not
certain of the supplier. If you are not sure your copy is clean or you would
like a fresh or updated copy on 5.25 disk you may contact us at the address
listed in this text. We will supply you with one for $10.00 US funds in cashiers
check or money order. This will also register you for support.
Support registration includes technical help via ground mail. If you register
you will be sent the most current version on 5.25 floppy. Updates will be made
available for the cost of media and shipping. Approximately $5.00 US if in the
continental US.
Make cashiers check or money order payable to:
Michael Thomas
and mail to:
Kandi's Kreations
17084 Springfield Dr.
Conroe Tx 77302-7104
I can be reached via email: phoenyx@texas.net