A QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION
_____________________________________________________________________
This file is contains a typical question and answer session that
might be conducted with the author. If you are having a problem with
StS and can't find the answer in the DOC file, maybe something in here
will help. This file may be printed.
Q: I put a blank floppy disk in drive A: and now I can't get the
cursor back in the window that is pointed at that drive. How am I
supposed to get out of this situation?
A: StS won't let you place the cursor in, or "hook" an empty window
because there is simply nothing you can do in an empty window. The
real problem that arises is that you can't change drives on that
side because you can't "hook" it. StS provides two solutions to
this problem. (1.) Use the <Alt><1,2,3,...> key pair to change the
un-hooked side drive. Simply hold the <Alt> key and press the
number of the drive you want; 1=A, 2=B, etc. (2.) Open the DOS
command window by pressing <F1> and then change the un-hooked drive
from there.
Q: Is there any quick way to point the right window back at ZDIR?
A: Yes. Press the <Alt><R> keys to reset the right side.
Q: I like the high-res mode of my EGA/VGA adapter. Is there any
method I can use to make StS execute in this mode?
A: Yes. Use the /H option on the DOS command line. Also note that
on VGA equipped systems the /M switch will provide a medium
resoloution mode.
Q: Is there any way to change the video mode while StS is running?
A: Yes. If you have an EGA or VGA card, pressing <Alt><E> will change
between standard, medium(VGA only), and hi-res modes.
Q: It is a drag going through the DOS menu to get into setup mode. Is
there a faster way?
A: Yes. Use the <Alt><S> key pair to get there instantly.
Q: I have my compression program commands so screwed up from trying to
change the way they are programmed that I am ready to start over.
Is there any way to recover the default settings?
A: Yes. Erasing the StS configuration file will cause StS to execute
in its default state the next time you run it.
Q: I like having the ability to independently sort the file windows but
I don't understand how to save the settings the way I like them.
How does this work?
A: Whenever you save the currently defined setup from the setup mode
of StS, the sort types for each file window are saved. What you
need to do is define the sort for each window like you like them
and then go into setup mode and save the settings. From then on,
StS will be set like you want it when it runs.
Q: I find I use the file/exe and ext/file sort types the most but I
have to cycle through all the different types with the <F3> key
just to switch between these. Is there any way to beat the system?
A: Yes. The <ALt><F3> key will cycle through the sort types in
reverse. Since these two sort types are placed in order in the
list of possible types, pressing <F3> and <Alt><F3> will allow you
to toggle between these.
Q: How do I erase or rename a directory?
A: Place the highlight bar on it and press <F8> or <F10> depending
on whether you want to rename or erase it. The directory rename
feature of StS will only work if you are running DOS 3.00 or above.
Directories must be empty before you can erase them.
Q: I keep getting an "invalid path or filename" message when I try to
type in a path in response to a prompt. What am I doing wrong?
A: StS uses standard DOS conventions for pathnames when it is
prompting for input. The last character in the pathname should be
a trailing backslash or a slash. Actually the StS parsing routines
interrogate the last character in the user supplied string to
determine what kind of data it received. If the string ends in a
colon the StS assumes that it only received a drive and it
substitutes in the current path and filename itself. If the string
ends in a slash or backslash StS assumes that it received a valid
path and adds the filename if the situation requires one. If none
of these three characters terminates the string, StS assumes that a
filename was supplied by the user.
Q: I am having trouble getting my external programs to run. What
should I do?
A: By all means you should read the setup section in the .DOC file
especially the part about standard filename conventions. The most
common problem with external programs has to do with the definition
of the drive:\path\filename.ext. CHECK your setup carefully to
make sure that you have defined the program properly. One way to
cross check your setup is to run the program directly from DOS
using the identical file specification you have given StS.
Q: My old IBM display looks like my TV when cousin Earl runs his
powersaw. How can I get rid of the snow?
A: Some older IBM CGA adapters will produce snow when a program uses
direct video screen writing like StS does. You need to go into the
screen section of the setup mode and turn snow suppression on.
Q: Why doesn't StS have a tree structured directory display like I
have seen other shell programs?
A: There are several reasons why StS uses the sidebar technique of
changing directories over the tree method. (1.) StS is intended to
be not only be a primary DOS shell but it is also very useful as a
"pop-up" utility that can be executed from other programs such as
communications packages. Programs that generate tree graphics
must do a search of the entire disk structure to generate the
tree. This process takes several seconds even on the fastest hard
disks and therefor hampers the use of these programs as a quick
utility. StS reads disk information "hot" and can therefor pop-up
almost instantly. (2.) The sidebar method is actually the
quickest method to move around on your disk! Contrary to popular
belief, the user will actually make fewer keystrokes on the
average using the StS sidebar than trying to manipulate the cursor
around a tree. (3.) There are situations where a tree structure
may prove beneficial. In cases where you are not familiar with a
hard disk lay-out you can attach one of the several readily
available tree display tools to one of the programmable user keys,
thus adding the StS tree display yourself.
Q: I have a sub-directory with 1279 files in it. When I look at this
directory with StS it doesn't read all the filenames. Why?
A: In the interest of using a sane amount of memory when executing,
StS will display up to 600 files and 200 sub-directories on each
side of the display. This represents a total of 1600 file and
directory names available to the user at any time. While designing
StS, our research indicated that in 99% of all cases users would
not need to place more than 500 files in any sub-directory, so we
set the limit at 600. If you have a sub-directory with more than
600 files in it, it is probably time to split it up and organize it
a little better. StS does a great job of making new directories
and moving files...
Q: Sure I am using this program but why should I register it? Who's
gonna know?
A: You are going to know. It is obvious that the StS program is not
intended to be a free program. Such things as the opening screen
which includes a large shareware notice and a built in option that
prints a nice registration form for you should be indication
enough. If you continue to use a program beyond a reasonable test
period (30 days) without paying the required registration fee, then
you are cheating yourself out of the pleasures of using the
registered version and you are also cheating the author of the
program out of his due compensation.
Q: What will happen to me if I don't register it?
A: Nothing. At least nothing will happen directly to you immediately.
This program contains no timers, or counters. It is not crippled
and it won't stop functioning. By not supporting the program you
are putting yourself and many others in danger though. Shareware
authors depend on user support to continue their work. Without
support, shareware will cease to exist and the whole of the PC
community (this includes you) will no longer have the luxury of
testing software before you buy it. By paying $25.00 for a quality
program that you have tried, you will be avoiding the dreadful
alternative of paying $250.00 for a program that you can't touch
until the check clears the bank.
Q: OK, I agree that I should register the program. Are there any
advantages to registration other than a clear conscience?
A: Yes. When you register this program you will receive a letter from
the author thanking you for your support and a disk which includes
a copy of the registered version. (you must specify the disk copy)
You will also be granted access to the M.R.E. Support BBS system
Stereo conference area where you can download the latest registered
versions for the next year absolutely free, with almost free
updates thereafter.
Q: What is the difference between the shareware and registered
versions?
A: The most important difference is that the registered version does
not include the opening title/shareware screen and it also does not
include the registration form data. These deletions make the
registered version not only faster to execute but it is also over
8 kilobytes smaller than the shareware version. It keeping with
our "no crippling" policy there is no other functional difference
in the initial 3.00 version release, but please note that the
registered version always evolves more rapidly than the shareware
version. By the time this shareware version was released
registered users who are active on our BBS system had been using
and testing BETA copies of the program for quite some time. It is
the comment section of the registration form and the message base
in the STEREO conference of our BBS that is the source of ideas for
improvements to StS. When registered users speak, we listen and
try to incorporate their suggestions.
-------------------------
Register with us! Support StS...Support shareware today!
Select option (F2) from the opening screen menu of StS and send it
in. It is the best deal in the software world...
-------------------------