Windows Users: Keep the DOS Line Open
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   Not everyone agrees about this, but sometimes an easy-to-use graphical 
interface really doesn't make things so easy. Take Windows' File Manager, 
for example. Yes, it lets you copy a file from your hard drive to your 
floppy drive by dragging and dropping.

   But first you have to load File Manager (which means opening the Main 
group), then you have to wait while it reads the disk, then you have to 
click to get to the right directory, THEN you initiate the copy.

   Sure it's easy, but is it faster or easier than typing this at the DOS 
prompt?


      CD \MYDIR
      COPY MYFILE.DOC A:\

   Nope, not by a long shot. That's why we are recommending to you 
Windows-using power users to always keep a DOS session active. That way, 
whenever you need to perform a file operation in a hurry, all you have to 
do is use the Task Manager to get to a full-screen DOS prompt, copy the 
file or whatever, then use the Task Manager to get back to your Windows 
program. It's easy and fast: here's how to do it:

   1) Start a DOS session. In Windows, click on any icon that says MS-DOS 
or MS-DOS Prompt. Now you're at a DOS prompt, just as you were before you 
loaded Windows, but Windows is still there -- you just can't see it.

   2) Return to Windows without exiting DOS. Press CTRL-ESC to call up the 
Task List and click on the name of your Windows program to return to it. 
Your DOS session is still there even if it's not visible.

   3) Use the Task List to go back and forth. CTRL-ESC calls up the Task 
List for "teleporting" among your open programs whether you're in a 
Windows application or a DOS session. CTRL-ESC is quick, but there's an 
even faster way: ALT-TAB. Hold down the ALT key and keep tapping the TAB 
key until the name of the program you want comes up, then let up on ALT -- 
there you are!

   4) Don't forget to "EXIT" the last time. Windows will let you exit its 
system even if Windows applications are open, but it won't let you exit 
while DOS sessions are open. So, before you attempt to exit Windows, ALT-
TAB back to your DOS screen and enter EXIT at the prompt. Now you can exit 
Windows normally.


When to Use File Manager

   Even power users find good uses for File Manager now and then. It 
addresses DOS's weaknesses, namely that DOS works with one file at a time 
-- or all files at a time. If you need to work with only some of a 
directory's files, and those files do not share a common extension or 
other naming characteristic, DOS can turn simple file management into 
drudgery.

   File Manager excels when you need to deal with some files. For example, 
it lets you copy ranges of files: select a file from the directory list, 
hold down a SHIFT key, and click on another file further down the list. 
Notice that all the files in between are selected too. You've selected a 
range of files that can be copied, erased, or whatever.

   The File Manager is also good at selecting files that don't happen to 
fall within a range. Hold down the CTRL key while you click and you can 
select files from all over the directory list.

   File Manager has a built-in MOVE command, which DOS doesn't (though a 
MOVE command has finally been added in DOS 6.x). To "move" a file in DOSes 
up to version 5.0, you must copy it and erase the original. File Manager 
makes moving as easy as selecting your file(s), then pointing at a 
destination directory on your tree display.

   File Manager lets you rename directories. Just try to do that in DOS. 
You can't!

   File Manager also has unarguably better views. You can see every 
possible subdirectory -- or you can collapse the "branches" of the tree 
display to view only the main directories. The biggest plus is, you can 
scroll up and down the tree. In DOS, you can't scroll back to look at data 
that has scrolled up and off the screen. The same holds true with 
filenames in directory displays.

   If your file-management needs require it, you might also consider 
always having a copy of File Manager open and ready for business.


Tips

   []  If you have 4DOS or NDOS, use that instead of a regular 
       MS-DOS session for file-management tasks. After all, 4DOS and 
       NDOS have more power-user features, such as a built-in MOVE 
       and SELECT commands.

   []  You can run a DOS session in a Windows window, not just as a 
       full screen. Try it: press ALT-ENTER to toggle between full-screen
       DOS mode (the "normal" mode) and a Windows window. If you can 
       see the DOS window, all you have to do to activate it is click 
       on it with your mouse pointer -- Task Manager not required.

       If you'd like to see your Windows applications and the DOS window
       at the same time, resize all windows so that it's possible. 
       That way, you can click to move back and forth. We found 
       it interesting to resize the DOS window so that it was no more 
       than three or four lines tall -- more than big enough to hold a 
       DOS command but small enough to stay out of the way. It's 
       like having a DOS-prompt toolbar.

   []  You can have many DOS sessions open at one time -- just keep going
       back to Windows' Program Manager and clicking on the MS-DOS icon.
       Remember, you can run any DOS application from the DOS prompt. So
       you might decide to open three DOS sessions: one for WordPerfect 
       5.1, one for Lotus 1-2-3 and another one for quickly copying files.
       Although if you consistently use Windows to run several DOS 
       programs at the same time, you might consider giving each program
       its own icon in the Program Manager.

   []  If you do run more than one DOS session from Windows, 
       you've probably noticed that they all share the same name in 
       the Task List -- which is more than a little confusing. 
       So you might consider cloning the MS-DOS or MS-DOS Prompt 
       icon -- giving each clone a different name (DOS 1, DOS 2, 
       etc.) -- and using clones instead of the same icon.

       To clone the MS-DOS Prompt icon, click on it once to select 
       it, click on the Program Manager's File menu and select the Copy
       option. In the Copy Program Item dialog box, select the 
       destination group, click OK and you have a cloned icon! To change 
       the new icon's name, click to select it and click on the File menu 
       again, this time selecting the Properties option. In the 
       Description field of the dialog box, type the name and click OK.

   []  Windows 3.1 comes with a group called StartUp. Since any program in 
       this group is automatically loaded on Windows bootup, you might 
       consider copying the icons for the MS-DOS prompt and File Manager 
       into this group. Then they'd always be available -- and you 
       wouldn't have to wait for them to load.

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