


                              IMPORTANT!

        Before using your new software it is essential that you:

                           MAKE A BACKUP COPY!







 ABOUT SHAREWARE...      

       Most shareware is every bit as good as commercial software but
 it does have some differences.  Usually the instructions for running
 the software is stored on the disk in .DOC or .TXT files. You may
 also find file names like READ.ME or README.1ST.  Before running the
 programs you should read these files to determine how to install or
 run the software.
       On some disks the program(s) may be stored in a SUBDIRECTORY.
 If it is you will see something like this when you "do" a directory:

            FILENAME1      <DIR>        01-23-90
            FILENAME2      <DIR>        01-24-90
            FILENAME3      <DIR>        02-25-91
            SSHELP   .COM          9767 02-31-89
                   1 File(s)    65734 bytes free

        The <DIR> indicates a sub directory.  To change to a
 subdirectory type the command CD FILENAMEX and press ENTER. (Where
 FILENAMEX is the name of the directory you wish to change to.)  "Do"
 another directory and you should see the files stored in the
 subdirectory.  (See details further in this document.)
       DOS provides only one very poor method for viewing text files,
 the TYPE command.  Simply enter the command, TYPE FILENAME.DOC, then
 use the pause and return keys to scroll through the document.
 (There are many programs available that allow you to view text files
 the same way you are viewing this one.)
       You can print the document by entering the command, COPY
 FILENAME.DOC PRN:.  This will cause the document to be printed out
 on your printer.
       If you would like a FREE catalog listing over 1000 programs
 please write to the following address: 

     Shareware Solutions              ...or call (919)-552-0767
     Route #6 Box 34
     Fuquay-Varina NC 27526

    Our catalog is constantly being updated so ordering a new one
 will insure your receiving the latest products available.

              Don't forget to register your programs!


    Experience has shown that different users sometimes encounter
 the same problems. This help file is designed to address some of
 these problems and to make known some of the more friendly and
 helpful aspects of MS-DOS by explaining certain commands/programs
 and their usage.

 ARCHIVES...

    Occasionally you will find a program in the catalog that will
 have in the description, (Archived File). This means that the
 program has been compressed and stored in an archive to fit it on
 one disk.  Special programs make this possible. ( Disk #477 under
 the UTIL-ARCHIVE section.) Archive programs have many advantages,
 mainly, on an average they can compress files nearly 50%. They
 also group all of a program's support files together in one compact
 file. This saves disk space and reduces clutter. It is particularly
 useful when making back-ups. If you order an Archived file make sure
 you have a compatible de-arcing program or order disk #477. All SS
 archives have been compressed using the .ZIP format.

 BASIC PROGRAMS...

    Some programs in the SS catalog will require a compatible version
 of the BASIC programming language to run, usually GWBASIC or BASICA.
 Using BASICA as an example you can run BASIC programs by having
 BASICA.EXE and the BASIC program, FILENAME.BAS in the same directory,
 then typing, BASICA FILENAME. ( Leave off the .BAS extension.) You
 can also run them by invoking BASIC, then typing the command, RUN
 'FILENAME'.


 DIRECTORIES...

    Often times when a computer system has 360k drives, the users
 tend to overlook the use and convenience of directories. Since the
 SS catalog has Bonus! files, some disks will contain more than 1
 program.  In order to keep the programs and their support files neat
 and seperate, we place each program in it's own directory. The first
 time you "do" a directory on a Bonus! disk you will get something
 like this:

         Volume in drive A has no label
         Directory of A:\

    FILENAM1     <DIR>     12-22-88  9:41p
    FILENAM2     <DIR>     11-05-89 10:23p
    FILENAM3     <DIR>     09-23-89  5:32a
    SSHELP  .COM    10235  05-21-89  6:45p
            1 File(s)    65734 bytes free

    This means there are 3 separate directories on this disk plus 1
 file in the "Root" directory ( The first directory on the disk.). To
 change to a different directory, simply enter the command, CD
 FILENAMX. Now "do" another directory and you should see something
 new.  To change back to the "Root" directory, enter the command, CD\.
 The most commonly used directory commands are:

   MD FILENAME - Make new directory, "FILENAME".
   RD FILENAME - Remove directory, "FILENAME". ( Must be empty first.)
   CD FILENAME - Change to directory, "FILENAME".
   CD\ - Return to "Root" directory.
   CD.. - Move back one directory. (3 dots will move back 2
          directories, 4 dots will move back 3 directories, etc.)

 ( NOTE: By using the PROMPT= command, you can have the prompt display
 the current directory. The command is PROMPT=$P$G. (Consult your DOS
 manual for more details.)  This should be entered in your AUTOEXEC
 .BAT file to make it load each time your computer is started.  For
 more information concerning BATCH files see the FILE TYPES section
 of this document.)

 PRINTING FILES...

    Almost all shareware and public domain programs come with 
 documentation .DOC or .TXT files.  Most of the time you will want to
 print these on paper to use as a reference.  DOS supplies several
 ways of printing files.  The best is to enter the command, COPY
 FILENAME.DOC PRN. This will copy the file to the printer.  The latest
 versions of DOS have a PRINT command that "spools" the file to the
 printer so that you can continue using the computer while printing.
 There are several utilities in the SS catalog that will spool files,
 enhance print quality, even allow you to print on both sides of the
 page.
    As a general rule, 1 page of text uses about 3k of memory or disk
 space, so a 60k file will need about 20 pages of paper.  Changing
 paper supplies in the middle of printing can sometimes cause
 problems, so try to have enough before starting.  ( Some list
 utilities or most any word processor can be used to print partial
 files.)

 VIEWING FILES...

    DOS supplies only one, very poor method for viewing files. To use
 it, enter the command, TYPE FILENAME.EXT, then use the CONTROL-S
 combination to stop and start the scrolling. It's poor but it's all
 DOS has to give.  Inside our catalog are many programs that allow you
 to scroll, search, print, even convert text files into .COM files. 

 FILE TYPES...

    As you try out new software you will find many different types of
 files. The type of file is usually denoted by it's extension. Below
 is a list of the more common file types and their meaning. 
 
 FILENAME.EXE - An executable file. Just type the filename without the
                extension to execute the program.
 FILENAME.COM - A command file. Operates the same as an executable
                file.
 FILENAME.BAS - This type of file requires a BASIC interpreter to run.
                It must be used in conjunction with a program like
                GWBASIC or BASICA. Usually you can learn more about
                the program by "listing" it out and reading the
                internal comments.
 FILENAME.DOC - This is a documentation file. Most always contains
                documentaion for the program it comes with.
 FILENAME.TXT - Sometimes used for documentation. Most often used for
                information files, not necessarily related to
                programs.
 FILENAME.ZIP - This means the file has been archived. Will need to be
                "un-arced" before using. Other more common archive
                extensions are, .ARC, .LZH, .PAK.  SS uses the .ZIP
                extension.
 FILENAME.BAT - This is a batch file, one of the most useful features
                of DOS. Batch files may contain any DOS commands. They
                can display text and perform loops to vastly reduce
                repetitive keystrokes. Batch files are invoked like
                .EXE or .COM files, they will then execute each line
                in the batch file as if it were entered from the
                command line. A special batch file named, AUTOEXEC
                .BAT, will automatically execute when the computer is
                "booted". To create a BATCH file you must use a text
                editor not a word processor.  DOS provide a simple
                text editor called EDLIN.COM.  (See your DOS manual
                for more instructions on creating and using batch
                files.)
 FILENAME.DAT - This type of file will almost always contains data
                that the program needs or has created.

    There will also be many different graphics or picture extensions.
 (.PIC. .IMG, .GIF, .RLE, ect...) Usually graphics with different
 extensions are created differently and are not compatible, although
 there are several programs that read and convert different formats.
    File extensions can be any thing you choose, so there will many
 that are program specific.


