Joe's OS/2 Tips - Number 8

Introduction
Well it's been nearly 2 months since the last tips, and I had better get something down in electrons. Thanks to Rick Berkley in the USA, my tips will be finding their way onto many OS/2 FTP sites around the world. Shortly I'll be joining Internet, therefore I will respond more directly to queries.

What's in this Issue.
 * File Management Utilities.
 * DirMan
 * File Commando
 * FileJet
 * MrFilePM
 * Adding options to your WPS pop-up menus.
 * Compression with InfoZip
 * More on HPFS and FAT usage? When? Why? Access ability?
 * Quickie notes on the March Beta.
 * OS/2 Comms Solutions.

THE GREAT FILE UTILITY ROUND UP
In the spirit of TeamOS/2, I now present a summary of features on the main shareware/freeware packages in use for file Management.

DirMan ver 2.01f
This is a very nice PM-only directory manager, with many features. All functions are accessible via simple icons or pull down menus. DirMan uses the same principles as OS/2's desktop, using the mouse. In that the left button is for action and the right button is for option (this is the right-handed mouse setup), hence everything in DirMan functions as expected.

Unlike a lot of older OS/2 applications, DirMan can handle Long File names. Hence this is a very useful feature on HPFS drives, especially if you have directories like "g:\joes OS!2 Tips\Edition eight."

EG, Double Click on a program and DirMan will then execute it. Special note, any programs you start will remain working until you actually go to those apps and close them down, even if you were to exit DirMan (Unlike previous versions of DirMan, they would also be closed), this is a nice functional idea. This could also be extended to be a nice front end menu-like program for OS/2.

DirMan has many customizable features, from choosing which text-editor you prefer to use, to using files from within archives. With it's easy to use macros, you can easily add many functions to DirMan.

For instance, I like to use the Multi-threaded LIST utility to view text files.

To Install this Option, take the following steps. At this stage we now have the list function active. Try it, go to your Os/2 config.sys file, tag it with left mouse button, then press your right mouse button (to pull-down the Macro menu) and then select LIST. Then presto, list should now be listing your config.sys.
 * 1) With Mouse, select SETUP.
 * 2) Then Macros.
 * 3) Then Push the ADD button.
 * 4) Enter in LIST, as the description.
 * 5) Enter in LIST /, at the macro...NB My List is in my PATH.
 * 6) Select whichever screen mode you prefer.
 * 7) Select Auto Close (same as OS/2 Program folder option.)
 * 8) Press the OK button.
 * 9) Press the Cancel Button (Suggestion to Author, make an OK button).

I should point out that the / (of LIST /) is a special flag which defines a full path name and filename. There are other options for the macros, but in the style of OS/2, just press F1 for extended help on these extra flags (As I am not writing the manual).

All the colours and fonts are changeable either permanently via the OPTIONS pull down menu, or temporarily with OS/2 Font and Colour Palettes. The later option is nice, but I wish the changes made by OS/2 Palettes would be saved, Maybe this will be in future releases.

FILE COMMANDO ver 2.0
This is a very fast text based directory manager. It's best feature is it's ability to display 2 separate directories, this does allow quick tagging, copying or moving functions between directories.

File Commando (FC) uses a text INI file to obtain all the necessary options. You can configure what text file viewer to use, to what program to run when viewing/running a file.

With this kind of simple setup, you can specify that all GIF's should be viewed by VPic, and that all INF files should be viewed by OS/2's VIEW command, or that your LZH archives should be listed with LH32.

FC can also handle long file names.

This program is also executable from an OS/2 boot-disk. Hence it is ideally suited to navigating around your hard drive, to handle things like DLL upgrading or INI backups/restores. I like this application because it's fast and small.

FILEJET
Is another Text based application with many features. Unfortunately, it's crippled via long delays with sign-on screens etc, but then again it does make you register it, if you like it.

FileJet, to me, is too complex for new users. The screen is full of different key combinations, but if you like Xtree you may feel at home as it's layout is similar.

FileJet comes with a DOS version which is identical, except that it can't access long file names, as expected under DOS.

MrFILEPM
This is a program designed by an IBM employee, who prefers speed rather than OS/2 Drive's Object. It's very fast in accessing directory structures, but it has some limitations. It's customizing features are very basic, and would require more work than DirMan's Macros. Also MrFILEPM is a space hungry beast, and when compared to DirMan's space requirements (40k less) and features, I'd have to choose DirMan any day.

Only advantage is that this is free software.

SUMMARY
If you like Text based apps, and lets face it, we all came from some form of Text based system, File Commando is the hackers choice.

Otherwise, for everyday use DirMan is probably the best on offer, for a easy to use interface and it's advanced macro support.

FileJet may be of use for X-Tree Gold lovers and people who need to work in both DOS and OS/2.

MrFilePm is probably only a first release version, but for programmers it may be an answer for a fast and efficient pm file manager.

ADDING MENU OPTIONS TO YOUR POP-UP WPS MENUS
The following steps work on most OBJECTS.

This example is based on the Desktop Folder settings on the same menu that you select Shut-down, I am going to add in DirMan. At this stage, press the right mouse button, and you should notice now that at the bottom of the menu, Dir Manager (Or whatever you called it). Simply click on this option, and up comes DirMan.
 * 1) On the Desktop, Click with right mouse button.
 * 2) Select Open [Arrow], then Settings.
 * 3) On the Notepad, select the MENU page / Chapter.
 * 4) Make sure You have got the "Primary Pop-up Menu" highlighted, if not, use the mouse's left button.
 * 5) Now go down to the 2nd (beside the empty (maybe, depending on your setup) text box) "CREATE ANOTHER" and click on it.
 * 6) Now Type in the title you'd wish to have on the menu. In my case 'Dir Manager'.
 * 7) Go down to the Name field, and type in the full path and file name to DirMan. OR Use the Find Program Option.  Special Note, tell the locate folder the object you are after is a program file, otherwise the find will return no results.
 * 8) Press OK.
 * 9) Close the WPS Folder Notepad.

You can also add things like an Os/2 CMD line and other useful options. One tip, if you make your usual everyday programs part of this menu, you'll have less icons on your desktop, plus it's harder to accidentally delete your menu options.

COMPRESSION WITH INFOZip's ZIP
This is a very interesting program, in that ZIP/UNZIP combo has all the features of PKWares 2.04g plus it can handle long file names and extended attributes. Also, in many cases, can compress better than PKware's zip. The main advantage is that it is an OS/2 program and has (to my knowledge) no known bugs.

More on HPFS and FAT usage? When? Why? Access ability?
Recently I've been getting asked if I should use HPFS or not.

The answer is hard, as some people have ideal hardware platforms and others have lesser systems. So I have decided to give a few guidelines, many of which are in OS/2's readme file normally found on disk 7 (Werid stuff, don't ask me why IBM does it this way, since most problems in installing, are in the first 5 disks! And no one thinks to look past the first 2 disks for a readme file, I didn't first time round).

Deciding Issues

 * CPU type
 * 386SX-25 (and 386DX-20) and below - you're better with FAT, as FAT will use less CPU time.
 * 386SX-33 and above - Depending on system RAM, and partition size go for HPFS. READ ON!


 * SYSTEM MEMORY
 * 6 meg or Less - FAT, as HPFS requires a lot of physical ram, and you will adversely affect your system's performance.
 * 8 meg or More - Go for HPFS, unless your running a low speed CPU. LOOK ABOVE.


 * PARTITION SIZES
 * 30 MEG or less - IBM feels that HPFS advantages will only come into play with larger partition sizes.
 * NB there's is some discussion about this, and as to whether or not the minimum should be higher. For interest sake, I run my BBS software and message base on a 30 meg HPFS partition, with no noticeable performance problems. So I believe the minimum to be 30 Meg.
 * 30 meg or More - If you have enough RAM and a powerful enough CPU, got for HPFS.

This is another question worth further thought. Many DOS programs and OS/2 Applications will be much faster on HPFS than normal FAT, since the caching of HPFS partitions is far superior.
 * WHY HPFS?

The HPFS File System tries to keep fragmentation to a minimum by placing files into available hard drive real estate, so that it won't casue the program to be split up. Many OS/2 programs, can be written to request X amount of Hard drive space and then the HPFS File System will attempt to find, on it's partition, X amount of unused space. Hence Fragmentation is minimal.

TIP. To defragment a partition (HPFS) move your files from that partition to another, or floppies, then copy them back again. This way the HPFS file system will then be able to correctly write, with no fragmentation, your files.

If your running a small hard drive and boot manager to allow you to boot DOS, it's advisable to make all your partitions FAT, so that you can access all your drive space from DOS. (also, partition your drive accordingly, I've discussed this in an earlier edition).
 * ACCESS ABILITY?

Quickie notes on the March Beta
Well, as normal, I couldn't resist to make a few short comments about the current beta, unfortunately I'm bound by a non-disclosure contract, so the details will have to wait......but here are a few quick tip-bits. Has this wet you mouth yet? BTW I recommend people who are running GA, to buy safety belts for your mouse and chair, as your not going to believe your eyes.
 * WinOS/2 is reported to be faster than Windows 3.1 in all functions and now can be run in enhanced mode. Me being Software Racist, won't windows unless someone pays me ;-)
 * INI files have been upgraded for speedier access.
 * Has a good comms driver. (unusual for IBM ;-) sorry)
 * Runs more dos games, straight out of the box. This is from a friend, I have no HDD space for Games.... ;-)
 * More print drivers.
 * More video drivers.
 * More Sound Card drivers.
 * Comes with MMPM/2
 * Generally faster all round.
 * Most, if not all Bugs from December's Beta have been squashed.

OS/2 Comms Solutions
I am glad that Ray Gwinn has gone OS/2, as he (and friends) alone have gone out and produced a BRILLIANT coms driver for OS/2. Even IBM likes it, because until the March Beta, hardly anyone who ran serious high speed coms could rely on OS/2's COM.SYS/VCOM.SYS drivers.

Where COM.SYS/VCOM.SYS fails.
Both of OS/2's comms drivers are ideal if you don't wish to push your com ports to the limits as they can't handle the high speeds required/liked by people like myself...eg most of us OS/2 Sysops don't like getting 1550CPS rates, when you should be able to get 1650+CPS rates out of a v32Bis modem. Nor do we like having continuous CRC failures, or data overruns caused by either faulty or slow CTS/RTS handshaking.

DOS users could not achieve speeds greater than 9600 BPS.
Windows, well it was worse.

Where COM.SYS/VCOM.SYS worked.
Slow coms, OS/2 succeeds nicely, especially if there was no requirements for CTS/RTS handshaking.

Where SIO/VSIO/VX00.sys Works
As of version 58H, Ray Gwinn has included FOSSIL support directly in his DOS coms drivers, hence many of the DOS BBS packages (DOORS etc) will now work without having to worry about what OS/2 wants to do. Ray's drivers allows me to punch 1700cps through my modem in both directions, whereas the COM.SYS would be hard pushed even to get 1550 CPS.

The DOS support is FANTASTIC, in that it's quite easy to obtain similar results under a DOS comms package, but you then face the problem of having a slower system. As always, Use an OS/2 Comms package, you will be better off.

Where SIO/VSIO/VX00.SYS fails
Ray's coms drivers have one small problem, some of the older OS/2 apps are written in mind to use COM.SYS, which has some unusual time critial areas which Ray's versions don't have. Hence this casues problems...TE/2 doesn't really like SIO.SYS, in that it creates CRCs etc, and suffers odd slow downs...(at least in earlier versions of SIO).....

THEREFORE, I recommend Ray's COM Alternatives, it's a ideal performance booster for all your comms work.

THE END
Well unfortunately Borland's C/C++ OS/2 compiler didn't arrive in time to be reviewed, but hopefully I will have some time in the future to do a review. Also, I am expecting to have several Accelerator Video cards to look at running under OS/2. SOFTDATE.TXT wasn't Upgraded this time, as I have not got the time spare to bring it up to date.....Any Takers?

BTW, Please excuse any spelling typos, or bad grammar, as I am being pushed for time. Anyone want to do a few Uni Assignments, boring things really, programming under UNIX or worse Macs (Yuck).

If you wish to contact me, about various topics I have covered, or if you have suggestions, the easy method is via a message in one of the following mail networks in their OS/2 area. WORLDNET            61:6700/1 FIDONET             3:640/830 INTERNET            s303842@cello.cs.uq.oz.au Only a Temporary address, and a lot of the times the University of Queensland's server is down and hence mail has a good chance of being bounced back to you.

Or via SNAIL MAIL Joe's OS/2 Tips 540 Johnson Road Forestdale, QLD, Australia, 4118. Or via the BBS +61-7-800-3521 Hours 0700-0215 Australian Eastern Standard Time 1200-14.4k baud rates. Or Via VOICE +61-7-800-4447 Most times I am around the phone, but the answering machine will take care of you otherwise. Sorry, I can't afford to return an international call.