<> ........... UNPACK DISK ........... This option will allow you to unpack a DDD file (PRODOS type $DD files). A) Even before choosing this option, insert your disk containing the DDD file, as the first thing DDD will do is display the volume window. Once again, use of the of command mentionned previously in the "STANDARD DIRECTORY COMMANDS". Choose the DDD file you wish to unpack and press RETURN. D.D.DeLUXE will then proceed by verifying that the selected file was indeed packed with D.D.DeLUXE. If the DDD file that you wished to unpack was not compatible with the version of D.D.DeLUXE that you are using, then D.D.DeLUXE will prompt you to use a most recent version of the program. B) The next step consists in identifying the location of your target disk, once again D.D.DeLUXE will show you the inventory window of all your connected 5.25, 3.5 800k and 1600k devices, just as in the pack option. Just choose one. NOTES: o If you have no drives available to unpack the DDD file, then D.D.DeLUXE will warn you, For example, if the packed file is a 1600k 3.5" disk and you do not have that type of devices. o If you only have one drive that can unpack the file, then D.D.DeLUXE will skip step B, since it will evidently assume that you will want to unpack on that device! C) Now, D.D.DeLUXE will ask you wether or not you wish to format your target disk (that's the disk where you will unpack your disk onto, not the other way around!). By default, the response will be "YES", if you already know that your target disk has already been formatted in a standard way, (PRODOS, DOS 3.3, PASCAL, CP/M or other standar format), then you do not need to reformat your disk, you can then answer "NO". Just remember that your target disk must have been formatted at least once and that, in a normal method (i.e. not a protected disk). In any other cases, you will have to format your target disk. D) D.D.DeLUXE now proceeds in unpacking your DDD file: a) 1 drive operation: Once again, if your source and target devices are the same, D.D.DeLUXE will assume that only one drive will be used to unpack, you will be then asked to alternatiovelly insert the target and source disks. b) 2 devices operation: If your source and destination disks do not reside on the same device, then D.D.DeLUXE will assume that you are unpacking using 2 different devices, will ask you to insert both the disks to be used at their respective selected locations and start unpacking! c) Information displayed: As it unpacks, D.D.DeLUXE will display the following information: -> "DDD status" : Will tell you what DDD is doing -> "Block #" : the block number that DDD is currently writing on the target disk. -> "Total block": The total number of blocks to unpack -> "Checksum8" : Since DDD loads 8 blocks of data at the same time to decompress them, the checksum8 is the cumulative checksum of these 8 blocks written to disk. -> "message window": The personnal message of whoever packed the disk. -> "Packed by" : The name of whoever packed the disk. -> "Date of packing":The date the disk was packed. d) When D.D.DeLUXE has finished, it will display you the "menu line" (last line of the personnal message). This line will also be displayed on your main menu. If your DDD file has been altered or destroyed (it only takes a lone bad bite!), while unpacking D.D.DeLUXE always verifies the checksum of the file being unpacked against the checksum stored on the DDD file. This way, you are always sure that the unpacked file matches the original. If an error was detected in the checksum, D.D.DeLUXE will stop unpacking immediately and indicate to you the last checksum of the DDD file. (the checksum8 parameter of the status window indicates the checksum of the 8 blocks stored on the disk). In this case, there is nothing you can do with that packed DDD file. Voila! You have just unpacked your DDD file! ................ PRODOS COMMANDS ............... This option will allow you to catalog a directory, delete files, create sub-directories, rename files, convert DDD files to type $DD, view a text file, view DDD file informations and finaly, copy files from a directory to another. Once again, as you select this option, D.D.DeLUXE will display the volume window, as usual the "STANDARD DIRECTORY COMMANDS" described above will apply. Furthermore, D.D.DeLUXE will always default the first catalog to FULL mode. On top of the usual commands, the following additional commands are available (to activate these commands, use the arrow keys to position your scroll bar on the file requested): A) CTRL-C: CREATE A DIRECTORY This option will allow you to create a sub-directory in the working directory. As you press CTRL-C, D.D.DeLUXE will as you to enter the name of the directory to be created, you are allowed 15 characters maximum, then press Return and it's done! Your subdirectory has been created. B) CTRL-T: CONVERT TO DDD FILE This command will allow you to convert a DDD file that would be of a type TXT (text file) or any other file type to a normal DDD file type $DD. This command may be neccessary in instances where your modem transmission program only creates files of type TXT (or other file type like BIN). Once the file received, you must use this option to change this file type back to the usual $DD type. Most of the time, this command will never be used as the majority of contemporary modem transmission programs preserve the file type. If you ever have doubts that a TXT file (or other file type than $DD) was actually packed with DDD, one hint is to use for the usual DDD suffix (.A, .B or .C). You can try this command on any type of files. Prior to convert that file to type $DD, D.D.DeLUXE will verify that this file was indeed packed with D.D.DeLUXE, so have no fear that D.D.DeLUXE will ever convert a file that is not a DDD file. C) CTRL-V: VIEW TEXT FILE This command will allow you to view a text file on the screen. As you choose this option, D.D.DeLUXE will start displaying that file on the screen. D.D.DeLUXE will automatically display that file in page mode, when the display window is full, D.D.DeLUXE will stop further displaying until a key has been pressed on the keyboard (any one except ESC). Once the entire text file has been viewed, D.D.DeLUXE will go back to the directory where you were prior to press CTRL-V. Note that you could always exit from that command before having viewed the entire file, by pressing CTRL-Q (quit). Officially, you are only allowed to view any file of type TXT, but un-officially, you could also view Appleworks file type AWP, but right now the text will not be formatted exactly like Appleworks would. The reason is that Appleworks support is not officially implemanted in this revision, but will be in a subsequent release of D.D.DeLUXE. D) CTRL-V: VIEW DDD FILE INFORMATIONS You may use this option on any DDD file. Take note that it's the same control key as "VIEW TEXT FILE". D.D.DeLUXE identify automaticly which command you wish to use by checking the file type of the file (TXT or DDD). This command is identical to the "VIEW LAST DDD INFO" command. Once D.D.DeLUXE has supplied you with the informations concerning the DDD file, it will go back to the directory where you were. Note that you can also save these informations in a TXT file, just like "VIEW LAST DDD INFO" by pressing CTRL-S. E) CTRL-D: DELETE FILE This option will allow you to delete any file in the working directory. As you press CTRL-D, the file is deleted! Note that to delete a file type DIR, indicating a sub directory, this sub-directory must be empty of any files. In the eventuallity that the directory containned files, you would have first to position into that sub directory, then delete each files containned, one by one. In situations like that, the use of a commercial program such as Copy ][+ maybe more appropriate. F) CTRL-R: RENAME FILE This option will allow you to rename any PRODOS file. As you press CTRL-R, D.D.DeLUXE will prompt you for the new name of the file, as usual you are restricted to 15 characters maximum. As you press Return, the file has been renamed and D.D.DeLUXE would have refreshed the volume window accordingly. G) CTRL-P: COPY FILE This option will allow you to copy a file from the working directory to another directoty. As you press CTRL-P, D.D.DeLUXE will display the volume window, as usual, the "STANDARD DIRECTORY COMMANDS" are available. Just choose the target directory, press the space bar and D.D.DeLUXE will begin copying the file to its intended destination. When the copy has finished, press any key and D.D.DeLUXE will put you at the target directory where you stored the copy file. Note that you can copy a file to another directory on the same device as long that it is not in the same directory as the working directory. Also note that you cannot copy a directory, copy an entire disk to another, or copy a file from one disk to another using only one drive, for operations like that, the use of a disk utility program such as COPY ][+ would be more adequate. You can use this option to do your "housecleaning" in your file, but for users having only one drive and a ram card, this would become a very useful utility. For example, you could pack into the ram disk and then transfer the packed file from the ram disk to another disk. The oposite is also true, transfer the DDD file to the ram disk, then unpack onto another disk. No more disk swapping! (and you don't have to quit D.D.DeLUXE to run a copy program). .................. A) EDIT MY MESSAGE .................. This option will allow you to edit your personal 10 lines message as well as the menu 11th line. Each line consists of 38 characters. You will be using the built-in D.D.DeLUXE MINI EDITOR to compose your message, here is a rundown of the various commands of this editor: CTRL-J : (or down arrow), move cursor 1 line down CTRL-K : (or up arrow), move cursor 1 line up -> : move cursor right 1 character <- : move cursor left 1 character RETURN : move cursor 1 line down and position the cursor at the start of the first character DEL : delete character at left of cursor CTRL-D : delete character at cursor TAB or CTRL-I : toggle insert mode on/off CTRL-N : toggle normal or inverse mode CTRL-Z : center the line CTRL-F : put cursor at first character of the line CTRL-L : put cursor at last character of the line CLEAR or CTRL-X : Clear line CTRL-E : Erase the entire message For ][+ users, the following keys have been added: CTRL-R : Prints the underscore character "_". CTRL-T : Prints the backslash character "\". CTRL-Y : Prints the square bracket character "[". These three special characters have been added since the standard Apple ][+ cannot generate these characters directly from the keyboard, while being able to display them. Note that you can type the characters in normal mode or in inverse mode. This should allow you to be creative in your message. Note also that the insert mode can be turned off by using the CTRL-I command again or by pressing one of the arrow keys or Return. On your status line, D.D.DeLUXE will display the current insert mode (on or off) as well as the character mode (normal or inverse). Furthermore, if you are currently using 80 columns, D.D.DeLUXE will display an index of the various commands available to you at the left of the window. Of course, if you are using 40 columns display, this index will not be seen on the left of the window, but underneath it. Once you have finished typing your personal message (your creation), press ESC to return to the main menu. You can save this message for future use by going to the configuration option, D.D.DeLUXE will save it along with all other configuration parameters. This is the message that will appear as part of your packed file the next time you pack a file. Note that it is not neccessary to go to the configuration option if you only wish the personal message you just typed to affect the files you will be packing in the current session, this is only if you wish to have this message appear as the default message every time you start D.D.DeLUXE. .................. VIEW LAST DDD INFO .................. This option will allow you to read the message from the last disk you have unpacked or the message from the last packed DDD file where you used the "VIEW DDD FILE INFORMATIONS" (from PRODOS COMMANDS), whichever came last. D.D.DeLUXE will display the following informations: o the name of the DDD file o the personal message of that file o the menu line o the name of whoever packed that file o the date of packing o the version of D.D.DeLUXE used in packing (>= 4.0) o the type of device to be used in unpacking (5.25", 3.5" 800k or 1600k). o the version of D.D.DeLUXE which the file can be unpack Once you have finished reading these informations, press any key to return to the main menu, or if you wish to save the information currently appearing on the screen, you can do so by pressing CTRL-S (save message). Here's how to proceed to save all these informations: Insert the disk where you wish to store that file, then press on CTRL-S, D.D.DeLUXE will then show you the volume window. You will then only have to use one of the standard D.D.DeLUXE directory commands, as mentionned previously, to choose the directory where the text file should be saved. When you are at the directory you wish to save the file, press the space bar. All the informations appearing on the screen will be saved in that text file. The filename will start by the prefix "I." (I for Info file). .................... OPTIMIZE PRODOS DISK .................... This option will allow you to erase all the free blocks from a PRODOS disk. What use could that serve? Simple, it will just speed up the packing by making the packed file smaller. An unused block still represents data, an erased block represents the absence of data. While it is not neccessary to back up your disk prior to optimizing it, you may elect to take this wise precaution, just in case! Remember that the optimization option will only be available to PRODOS disks. DOS 3.3, PASCAL and CP/M disks will not be optimized. As you choose this option, D.D.DeLUXE will show you the volume display window, but this time, you will not see the directory window. Using the arrow keys, select the volume you wish to optimize and press Return. Note that if you attempt to optimize a non-PRODOS disk, D.D.DeLUXE will refuse to do so. You can optimize all types of disks (ram disks, harddisks, 3.5, etc..) as long as it is PRODOS. D.D.DeLUXE is now ready to optimize your disk. To start it, just press any key. D.D.DeLUXE will display an information window with the following parameters: -> "Total blocks" : Number of blocks to be scanned to optimize the whole volume. -> "Scanning block #" : The block number D.D.DeLUXE is presently analyzing. -> "Blocks optimized" : The cumulative number of blocks that D.D.DeLUXE has already optimized. Note that the "blocks optimized" are only the free blocks that had not already been optimized (i.e. contains all zeros), they would not be considered. When the optimization routine has completed, your disk has been optimized and is now ready to be packed. .................. FORMAT PRODOS DISK .................. This option will allow you to format any one of your devices connected to your Apple, these include Ramdisk, harddisk, floppy 5.25", 3.5" 800k and 1600k drives, PC transporter 5.25" disk, etc.. When you choose this option, D.D.DeLUXE will give you a display window listing all devices connected to your Apple, using the arrow keys, just choose the devices to be formatted and press Return. D.D.DeLUXE then verifies that the selected devices have a disk inside them and will ask you to confirm that you indeed wish to format them. By default, the answer to this question is "NO", so choose "YES" and press Return. As the formatting is completed, press any key to return to the main menu. NOTES: a) If you wish to format a ram disk, depending on the type of ram disk, you must evidently have loaded its PRODOS driver before starting D.D.DeLUXE. You do not need drivers for the standard /RAM on the //e, //c and //gs, or /RAM5 on the //GS. b) If you wish to format a harddisk, it is possible that the hard disk could not be formatted, just as it could work. This is due to the peculiar method of some hard disk that requires that a special code be sent to its controller, this seems to be a protection built in by the hard disk manufacturer to ensure against accidental formatting of such devices. c) If you wish to format a 5.25" floppy disk, D.D.DeLUXE will immediately verify, after formatting, that it has been formatted correctly. This is due to the fact that D.D.DeLUXE utilizes the Hyper-Format routine, a routine that does not check for errors, so we are playing it safe! d) Note that, in the event where you wanted to format a 5.25" disk while unpacking, D.D.DeLUXE would not verify the formatting as it would pick up formatting errors as it unpacks to it. e) D.D.DeLUXE does not store the standard PRODOS boot on the formatted disk. This implies that disks formatted with D.D.DeLUXE are unbootable. All D.D.DeLUXE uses as a boot code, is a very small message in block #0 and the rest is full of zeroes. Consequently, a disk formatted with D.D.DeLUXE can only be used to store data files (such as DDD files). f) If you are using an Apple //gs and that you are formatting a 3.5 disk on a 3.5 Apple Drive, and if your diskette has bad blocks on it, then D.D.DeLUXE will eject it immediatly upon detection of the error. g) If your disk to be formated is brand new, D.D.DeLUXE will not ask you if you want really format it, it will format it directly. ............. CHECKSUM DISK ............. This option will allow you to do a checksum of a 5.25" floppy or 800k or 1600k 3.5" disks. When you select this option, D.D.DeLUXE will display the checksum window including the following informations: -> Block number : This is the first of the 8 blocks of the checksum, as you already know, DDD computes the checksum every 8 blocks. For example, if the display shows "Block8: 32", then the checksum corresponds to block number 32 to 39 inclusive. -> Checksum : Checksum of these 8 blocks. -> Last block : This is the last block # to be reached -> Total checksum : Checksum of all blicks on disk. When D.D.DeLUXE has finished to compute the entire disk's checksum, you will have the total checksum, in hexadecimal, at the bottom of the screen. Note that if you wish, at any time, to stop the scrolling window (maybe to write down each checksum), you can do so by pressing the space bar once, you would restart it by pressing it again. Also note that you can checksum any type of Apple disk, it may be PRODOS, DOS 3.3, PASCAL, CP/M or any other valid format, even if we mention the term "block" to compute the checksum8. This option is not neccessary to pack or unpack disks, D.D.DeLUXE automatically do so for you. It's just one more utility at your disposal, if you should ever decide to check the checsums yourself. ......... CONFIGURE ......... This option will allow you to customize D.D.DeLUXE according to your personal tastes and hardware. Following is a list of the various parameters available to you: A) DISABLE 5.25": D.D.DeLUXE will only ask you this question if you are using a //GS. A lot of //GS users no longer utilize their 5.25", in which case you may elect to disable them from DDD. This will mean that D.D.DeLUXE will just ignore all 5.25" controllers it finds. Note that if you had disconnected your slot 6 (the usual 5.25" controller slot), then you would have no use for this option, unless you also had other 5.25" controllers in other slots (see configuration #B). The changes are made immediatly after pressing return. It's not necessary to save all the configuration if you want only change this option. B) KEYCLICK: This option will toggle the "noise" made every tiome you press a key. Use it according to your taste. C) YOUR NAME: This is where you register your name, up to 19 characters are allowed. This name will become your default for all further packing. D) PACK DEFAULT DATE: This option should only be used if your Apple does not contain a clock card. Basically, this date will become the default date every time you pack a disk. To adjust this date, follow the same procedure as outlined in the PACK function. E) QUIT PATHNAME: This option will allow you to specify the default pathname to be used upon exiting from D.D.DeLUXE. For more information on this option, check the section "QUIT" later on in the documentation. Just remember that all pathnames must start by "/" and that the name of the called application program must correspond to a file type SYS. F) SYSTEM SPEED: This option allows you to adjust the speed of D.D.DeLUXE according to the speed of your CPU, for example, if you have a ZIPCHIP, chose 4Mhz, for a //GS, chose 2.8Mhz, etc.. Why this parameter? D.D.DeLUXE will adjust the scrolling speed, the keyclick and bell consequently. G) SAVE YOUR MESSAGE: Actually, you do not have any choice! Wether you want it or not, your personal message will be saved! This is just a reminder. After you have finished configuring D.D.DeLUXE, you will be asked a final time wether you still wish to save it on disk, if you decline, you will just be returned to the main menu. If you elected to save it, then you should insert the disk where you have saved D.D.DeLUXE V4.0, press any key and your configuration will be save as D.D.DELUXE.CONF. That's it! You have configured your D.D.DeLUXE. .... QUIT .... You have three methods of leaving D.D.DeLUXE, actually four if you consider turning off the computer! When you choose this option, you will see the default pathname as specified in your configuration along with the following menu: PRODOS.QUIT DEFAULT OTHER A) PRODOS.QUIT: When you select this option, D.D.DeLUXE will utilize the standard QUIT function of PRODOS (like BYE in Applesoft). On a //gs, if you called D.D.DeLUXE via the finder and after using D.D.DeLUXE you wish to return to the finder, you should use this quit option. B) DEFAULT: If you elect to quit to the default pathname, then D.D.DeLUXE will utilize the pathname that you have configured, of course you will have to make sure that the appropriate volume be online. This option will be practical if you always use the same aplication after leaving D.D.DeLUXE, such as a communication program. C) OTHER: This option is similar to the PRODOS QUIT command but is much faster. D.D.DeLUXE will ask you to enter the pathname of the application that you wish to execute upon leaving. Just type the full pathname, the name of the system file to be executed (type SYS) and press Return, D.D.DeLUXE will then load it and execute it. ..................... HOW TO GET MORE SPEED ..................... There are many ways to increase the execution speed of D.D.DeLUXE while packing or unpacking, here are some suggestions: a) If you use a //GS, D.D.DeLUXE switch automatically to 2.8Mhz, compressing mechanism will then go roughly twice as fast as on 1Mhz. You could also use a Ramdisk or a Romdisk (such as the Memory Saver) to store your DDD file. Or you could also use a memory cache program. The speed difference is really interesting, wether you are packing, unpacking, be it on a 5.25", 3.5", ramdisk or hard disk. The best memory cache program is probably "DIVERSI CACHE". Loading such a memory cache program will prove worthwile, especially if you have many DDD files to pack or unpack. b) If you use a ][+, //e or //c, you basically have three methods of speeding up D.D.DeLUXE: 1) The first method is to use an accelerator card, such as Applied Engineering's Transwarp which speeds up your Apple to 3.6Mhz. The best accelerator is probably the ZIPCHIP from Zip Technology which increases speed to 4Mhz, in which case D.D.D. would pack/unpack 3 times as fast (since disk accesses would remain at 1Mhz). 2) The second method would be thru software, once again using a ramdisk. Note that D.D.DeLUXE is compatible with all PRODOS memory cards that fits in the ][+, //e or //c. You only have to load the Prodos driver before booting DDD. D.D.DeLUXE will then recognize your ram card, if you forgot to load the driver, then DDD will not recognize the extra memory. In certain rare cases, it is possible that there will be a conflict between the driver and DDD, in which case you will not be able to use your ramcard. Certain cards have Rom based drivers, and in such instances, no drivers require to be loaded. 3) You can use also a cache program if your ramdisk allows one (check on the diskette that the manufacturer supplied with your RAM card) .......... CONCLUSION .......... I hope that D.D.DeLUXE will please you. Louis Roy has spent countless hours perfecting it, so be creative when you use it while composing your personal message on each DDD file, this idea will revolutioniza the world of packed files! As Louis releases new versions of his packer, be sure that they will remain compatible to DDD 4.0, since he already reserved sufficient space for improvement in the DDD files. He has a lot of new ideas already popping in his mind, he only asks to program them, but for this, he needs your support ($29.95), without support, this will be the last of its kind. =============================================================================== MESSAGE FROM LOUIS ROY, AUTHOR of D.D.DeLUXE =============================================================================== Do not forget that this is a shareware program, it is a copyrighted product of LOGIX INNOVATIONS. If you like this program and use it regularly, you should then send $29.95 (plus $1.50 for shipping and handling) to obtain your registered legal copy from: LOGIX INNOVATIONS 2590 4th Avenue St-Georges Cte Beauce, P.Q. Canada G5Y 3S8 You will then receive your registered copy of the latest version of D.D.DeLUXE along with its documentation (on book format). If I have enough request, I will do a french version of this program. If you wish a french version, send me your request by mail (or E-MAIL) with your address, your name and your phone number. Understand that I need your support to be encouraged to make newer and better versions of the extraordinary packer. Many ideas are already coming to my head to make it even more powerful, without your support, these ideas will never see the light of day! I spent hundreds, maybe thousands, hours programming this program, all these hours, I spent in front of my //GS monitor programming in Assembler to come up with the results you have before you, why? Only to help you, you who are reading this release notice. So you have basically three moral choices: 1) after using the program, you decide that it doesn't suit your needs and you must either erase all your copies or pass it on to a friend. 2) You decide that you wish to keep the program and you mail your $29.95 to obtain your registered copy. 3) You decide to keep the program without sending your contribution and you indicate by this dishonest conduct that you cannot be trusted and that I should stop wasting my time for the like of you. So you see, this $29.95 will not kill you, but it will encourage me to pursue further programming endeavors. Who could have foreseen that DDD 1.0 would become the standard it became? The future of D.D.DeLUXE rests with you. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ---------------- I wish to extend my thanks to the following individuals for their help and their cooperation: Roger Richard (HA! HA!), sysop of THE CASTLE GS BBS from Montreal Roger did all the beta tests of D.D.DeLUXE on his system and helped me debug the program. D.D.DeLUXE exist, thanks to him, who lured me out of retirement to write a new version of my packer. The Broker, co-sysop of the same board The Broker has adapted, translated and typed this documentation from my original text which was written in French, my mother tongue (since my writting skills are better in french than english). Jerry Hewett of LIVING LEGENDS SOFTWARE For his Hyper Format routine which is used to format 5.25" disks in D.D.DeLUXE. Lord Zeus / Olympians Him and the Olympians group have distributed this software. Call: Mount Olympus, 9600 bauds, (215) 797-5116 If you have questions, problems, suggestions, comments or even congratulations, you can reach me, c/o LOGIX INNOVATIONS or leave me electronic mail (E-mail) at THE CASTLE GS bbs (514) 276-4047 where I am available to answer you (user #2). Have fun with D.D.DeLUXE!! Louis Roy, author of D.D.DeLUXE. =============================================================================== .......... COPYRIGHTS .......... DISK DISINTEGRATER DeLUXE is a copyrighted product and a trade mark of LOGIX INNOVATIONS COPY ][+ is a trade mark of CENTRAL POINT SOFTWARE, Inc. MEMORY SAVER is a trade mark of CHECKMATE TECHNOLOGY, Inc. TRANSWARP and PC TRANSPORTER are trade mark of APPLIED ENGINEERING ZIPCHIP is a trade mark of ZIP TECHNOLOGY DIVERSI CACHE is a trade mark of DSR, Inc. APPLE ][, ][+, //c, //e //GS and PRODOS are trade marks of Apple Computers ******************************************************* * CALL: THE CASTLE GS (with a special //e section) * * Support from 1200 to 9600 bauds * * 90 Megs on-line * * (514) 276-4047 Sysop: HA! HA! * *******************************************************