EDM SHELL 2.20 by David Holmes
Copyright (c) 1991 David Holmes
GEnie address: D.HOLMES14
This is the latest version of an easy-to-use shell for
handling ARC, LZH, ZIP, and ZOO functions. It has been
designed for use by both beginners and advanced users.
Everything is already set-up for basic use, but it is also
very versatile and configurable. Its editable command lines
ensure future compatibility while providing maximum
flexibility. It also adds a powerful CONVERT function which
can convert an archive into any another format
This program should run on any ST/STe/TT in any resolution.
Please let me know of any incompatibilities.
The program does not use GEM; instead, it uses a remarkable
new interface called EDM. Read the section on Using EDM for
more information. (NOTE FOR USERS OF VERSIONS BEFORE 2.00:
EDM has been upgraded to 2.2, with several new features,
listed in the section on EDM below.)
This program is SHAREWARE. If you use it, you must pay for
it. Please read the REGISTER.DOC file for information on
registering.
I'm open to suggestions for this program. If there's
ANYTHING you would like added or changed, just let me know.
Write to me using the address in the REGISTER.DOC file, or
send E-Mail on GEnie to [D.HOLMES14]. (Through U.S. Mail,
please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope or a GEnie
address if you would like a reply.)
You can also leave a message in the ST RoundTable BB on
GEnie, page 475, category 2, topic 6.
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Starting with version 2.20, this DOC file uses a new
STEP-by-STEP system of organization, hopefully making it
easier for everyone to understand. Instructions for most
tasks are listed as a series of steps, each main step
numbered, each sub-step lettered, with full indenting. Let
me know what you think of the new organization!
NEW STUFF
Owners of previous versions, please read the included
READ_ME.DOC file for features added since 2.00. This manual
contains all features present in the current version 2.20.
WHAT IS AN ARCHIVE SHELL?
Most archive programs do not support GEM, and you must use
command lines to operate them. An archive shell, such as EDM
Shell, will handle all of the messy command lines, and allow
you to only worry about what you are trying to accomplish.
Using this one program, you can handle ARC, LZH (both lh1 and
lh5), ZIP, and ZOO files all from one screen, hardly ever
using the keyboard, if you so desire.
SETTING UP
1. For easiest use, place all of your archiving programs and
this shell program in the same directory. The first time you
run the program, it will assume that the archiving programs
are in the same folder as itself.
2. If you chose to leave your archive programs in separate
folders, you must configure the program.
a. To change the location of any of the archiving
programs, select "Configuration" from the Main Menu.
b. In the upper-left is a list of all the five
archiving programs. Select the button of the program
you wish to locate, and you will be presented with
the "Set-Up Program" dialog box.
c. The current filename of the program is at the top.
To change it, either edit the filename manually, or
click on the "Locate..." button below it, then use
the fileselector to select the program.
d. Click on "OKAY".
e. Repeat steps b-d for each of the other archive
programs you will be using.
3. You can install EDM Shell as an application for the
following extenders: ARC, LZH, ZIP, and ZOO. If you do this,
any time you click on an archive file, EDM Shell will launch
and ask what you want to do with the file. You can also pass
filenames any way your alternate desktop allows.
a. To install EDM Shell as an application from the
GEM desktop, click on EDMSHELL.PRG.
b. Select "Install application" from the Options
menu.
c. In the text input field, enter "ARC".
d. Repeat steps b and c, replacing "ARC" with "LZH",
"ZIP", and "ZOO".
4. The program can run in either beginner mode, with five
functions, or advanced mode, with ten. The button at the
bottom ("Use Advanced Menus" or "Use Beginner Menus") of the
Main screen will toggle between them. (The five new
functions are user-definable! See CONFIGURATION.)
USING THE PROGRAM
Use the five buttons on the right to select whether you want
to use ARC, LZH1, LZH2, ZIP, or ZOO. The reason for two LZH
buttons is because there are currently two, incompatible
versions. (These are normally referred to -lh1- and -lh5-
compression types.)
If you are using the EDM Fileselector (see CONFIGURATION,
default is to use the EDM Fileselector), you will only be
able to select between the two LZH programs. This is because
the EDM Fileselector uses multiple search masks, and will
automatically assign ARC, ZIP, and ZOO files to the
appropriate archive program; however, since the LZH extender
is used for both LZH compression methods, you must select
which you wish to use.
Following is a brief description of the five main functions.
For more information, read the docs included with the actual
archive programs.
> ADD: Select this to add files to an archive or to create a new
archive.
1. You will be presented with a fileselector. Select the
ARC/LZH/ZIP/ZOO archive to add to. To create a new archive
file, set the fileselector to the desired path, then type in
the name of a new archive file.
2. From the next fileselector, select the file you want to
add. (Wild cards are allowed.) Clicking on "OKAY" without
selecting a file will default to "*.*", and every file in the
current directory will be selected.
3. If "Multiple Add" is selected from the Configuration
screen, the fileselector will reappear for you to choose
another file. Click on "Cancel" when you have no more files
to add.
> EXTRACT: With this, you can extract all files from an
ARC/LZH/ZIP/ZOO file.
1. A fileselector will come up, where you should select the
archive file to extract from.
2. Then set the path you wish to extract to. (Do not select
a file.)
a. If you are using the EDM Fileselector, clicking on
"To Folder" will create a new folder (in the
currently displayed directory) using the name of the
archive file, minus the extender. All of the
extracted files will appear in this folder.
b. If you are not using the EDM Fileselector, but
"Prompt to folder?" has been turned on in the
Configuration screen, an alert box will come up
asking if you wish to extract to a folder. "OKAY" go
ahead as described in {a} above. "Cancel" will
extract the files into the directory selected from
the fileselector.
> LIST: This will list all of the files in an archive.
- Select the ARC/LZH/ZIP/ZOO file you want information on
from the fileselector. A listing of the files in the archive
will be displayed.
> MOVE: This is similar to ADD, except that after a file has
been added to an archive, the original file will be deleted.
- See ADD for instructions on how to use this function.
> CONVERT: This will convert an archive to a different
compression type (i.e. ARC to LZH). This is an internal
function of EDM Shell.
1. First select the file you wish to convert. (Note: The
original file will not be deleted.)
2. From the following dialog box, you can change the name of
the new file after converting or set a new destination, in
two possible ways.
a. Use the keyboard to edit the path and filename of
the new archive. Be sure to end it with an extender,
preferably ".xxx", since the program will
automatically change it.
OR...
b. Click on "Browse..." and you will be presented
with a fileselector. Set it to the destination path
you want, and type in the filename of the new
archive.
3. Finally, click on the compression type you want to convert
the file to. The program will automatically handle
everything else.
> CONFIGURATION will call up the main configuration menu.
> USE DESK ACCESSORIES will bring up a normal GEM menu for you
to use any desk accessories. Click on "Return to Main Menu" in
the File menu when done.
> BROWSE FILE will let you view a text file.
1. Before you can use this function, you must locate
a file viewer to use. See "Set Paths" under
CONFIGURATION below.
2. After selecting this button, a fileselector will
come up allowing you to select any text file. After
doing so, EDM Shell will launch your selector file
viewer, passing the name of the file you just
selected.
3. Quit your file viewer to return to EDM Shell.
> QUIT will quit the program.
> USE BEGINNER/ADVANCED MENU will toggle between two layouts
for the Main Menu.
- The Beginner Menu has only the five basic functions. The
Advanced Menu contains the five basic functions, plus five
user defined buttons. These user defined buttons are
originally set up for "Verbose List," "Test," "Update,"
"Freshen," and "Delete."
> Passed filenames: From install application or launching a
program passing a filename.
EDM Shell will also accept passed filenames. If the program
has been installed for the ARC, LZH, ZIP, and ZOO extenders,
anytime you double-click on any of these files, EDM Shell
will run and ask you want you want to do with the file. Your
choices are "Extract," "List," or "CONVERT." Read the
respective descriptions above for information on each
function.
CONFIGURATION
On the lower right of the Configuration Menu is a list of
options.
- "Hold Screen" will have the program wait for a keypress
after doing any function.
- "Multiple Add" will have the program continue to present
you with a fileselector to add additional files until you
select "Cancel." Otherwise, you will return to the Main Menu
after adding a file.
- "Ask Delete" will have the program ask you if you want to
delete an archive after extracting from it.
- "Use EDM Fileselector" will toggle between the EDM
Fileselector and the normal GEM Fileselector (or any
replacement you have installed).
- If EDM Fileselector is not selected, "Prompt Folder" will
have the program present an alert box asking if you want to
extract to a folder when doing any extract function.
> SET PATHS will let you change the default paths and locate a
file viewer.
1. After selecting this button, a screen will come up showing
the current defaults for the archive path, the add/extract
path, and file viewer. The archive path will be used
whenever the program asks you to select an archive file. The
add/extract path will be used when you are asked to select a
file to add, or a path to extract to. The file viewer will
be used whenever you use the "Browse file..." function in the
Main screen.
2. There are two ways to change either the archive path or
the add/extract path.
a. Use the keyboard to edit the currently displayed
path, making sure to use existing folders.
OR...
b. Click on "Set path..." You will be presented with
a fileselector which you can set to the path you
desier.
3. There are two ways to locate the file viewer. It MUST be
able to accept a passed filename in the command line. (NOTE:
I recommend using either the freeware Mini_TX2 1.50a, or the
shareware TX2 File Viewer 1.42c, which uses the EDM
interface. Both were written by myself and should be
available on most online services.)
a. Use the keyboard to edit the currently displayed
path and filename, making sure enter the name of a
program that exists.
OR...
b. Click on "Locate file viewer..." You will be
presented with a fileselector which you can use to
locate and select a file viewer program.
> Editable command lines: You can create new functions or edit
the existing ones.
1. To name the five user defined functions, type their names
in the five text fields in the upper right of the
Configuration Menu. These names will appear on the buttons
in the Main Menu and in the Program Set-Up dialog box.
2. To edit the command lines for any particular program (or
to locate any of the programs), simply select its button from
the upper-left of the Configuration Menu.
3. In the Program Set-Up dialog box, the nine boxes below the
archive filename are for the command lines for that
particular program. This is to ensure future support of all
archive programs as well as for you to create your own
functions. If the command line for your program is different
from the defaults, just change it.
4. The command line usually consists of two things: the
command plus the filenames to pass. For example, to add a
file, most archivers use "a file.arc anyfile.ext". The "a"
tells it that it is to add a file. The "file.arc" is the
name of the archive file to add to. Finally, "anyfile.ext"
is the file to add. In the editable command lines, you
should have the command, followed by control keys to
represent the filenames, making sure to include proper
spacing, etc. Each time EDM Shell finds a control key, it
will present the appropriate fileselector. They are as
follows:
[CONTROL]-[A] Select archive file (this must always
be present)
[CONTROL]-[F] Select file to add
[CONTROL]-[X] Select extract path
[CONTROL]-[N] Enter filename (presents a dialog box
in which to enter the name of one file)
Use the present command lines for examples.
Be sure to save the configuration when you are finished, so
that you will not have to go through all that again.
When you save the configuration, the program will write the
actual screen colors to the file, so if you don't like the
default, simply change the colors using the control panel,
then save the configuration.
Hope you enjoy the program, and don't forget to read
REGISTER.DOC!
USING EDM
------------
New for version 2.2:
- EDM has been made more resolution independent. It should
take advantage of color in higher resolutions.
- "3-D Grey" should now work in monochrome resolutions.
- Text fields can now be selected with the mouse.
- The first version of the new EDM Fileselector has been
added. It is not yet finished, but it is still usable.
- Drag bars, "hot spots," and dynamic buttons have been
added.
------------
The dialog boxes used in the program are not GEM. The
program uses a new interface known as EDM, which can emulate
GEM, but offers many additional features.
There are three types of buttons:
"Action buttons" close the dialog box and either perform an
action or take you to another dialog box. Their look differs
depending on what mode you're using (see below).
"Flag buttons" are shadowed rectangles. When darkened, they
are "on." When blank, they are "off."
"Option buttons" are shadowed rectangles with curved corners.
Only one option can be selected from each group.
Any of these can be select by left-clicking on them with the
mouse. The keyboard can also be used.
In action and flag buttons, there will usually be a
highlighted letter. When running the program in a color
graphics mode, they will appear in a different color; in
monochrome, they will be underlined. You can select the
buttons by pressing [ALTERNATE] plus the highlighted letter.
(The "?" button can also be selected by pressing [HELP].)
You will notice that one of the action buttons has a thicker
border. This is the "active" button. You can cycle through
the buttons by using the [TAB] key. To cycle backwards, use
[SHIFT]-[TAB]. The active button can always be selected by
pressing [RETURN].
Text fields will appear as a row of underline characters.
Just type in what you want; only the allowable characters
will appear. You can use the left and right arrow keys, the
[BACKSPACE] key, and the [DELETE] key as normal. Also, the
[ESC] key will clear the field. To change to another field,
use the up and down arrow keys (not [TAB]). You can also
click on a text field to move there.
In the upper-left corner of most dialog boxes will be an "X"
button and a checkmark button. The "X" button is like a
close box. It will simply exit the dialog box as if you
selected "Cancel". Note if you have changed some options in
the dialog box, these changes will be lost unless you use
"OKAY".
Click on the checkmark button to bring up the EDM Set-Up
Menu. From this menu you can choose from three distinct
looks, and three different ways to press buttons.
The three looks are as follows:
"GEM clone" does what it says. EDM attempts to make the
dialog boxes look like a normal GEM dialog.
"Decorative" is the default look. It uses shaded buttons and
a highlighted title bar.
"3-D Gray" presents everything drawn in shades of gray,
creating a 3-D effect.
You can also choose three ways to press action buttons:
"Push buttons" will have it appear as though the button is
being pressed in. This does not work in GEM clone mode.
"Highlight buttons" will simply change the color of the
button.
"Flash buttons" is similar to highlight, except that the
button flashes a few times after you first select it. Note
that this works on all buttons, not just action buttons.
Experiment with the different looks and feels and select the
one you like the best. Note that the change will not take
place until you exit this menu.
Also in the EDM Set-Up Menu, "Save defaults" will save the
selected look and button press to a small file called
"EDMSHELL.EDM".
Using the EDM Fileselector 0.1
The EDM Fileselector is different from the standard GEM
fileselector in many ways. There are two scrollable areas:
the left box is for directories, the right is for files.
Between the two boxes are the search masks. At the top is
the current path, and the currently selected file is on the
right, just above the exit buttons and drive selector.
To change drives, click on the drive's button in the box on
the lower right. To change directories, click on the
directory in the box on the left. You can also edit the path
at the top with the keyboard. Click in the left box NOT over
a directory name to change to the directory you typed in.
Note: ".." means the previous directory. It is the same as
the close box in the GEM directory. This is the more common
way of referring to a previous directory. (A quick way to
get to the root directory is to click on the driver letter in
the box on the left.)
The EDM Fileselector supports multiple search masks. Each of
the highlighted extenders will be presented in the file list.
Selecting "*.*" will turn off all of the other masks and
display all files in the directory.
To select a file, click on it in the box on the right, or
type in the filename. Then, select an exit button on the
right. They are usually "OKAY" and "Cancel", but can change
depending on the fileselector's function. Double-clicking
will select the file and the top exit button.
Program and instructions copyright (c) 1991 David Holmes
GEnie address: D.HOLMES14