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DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners
by Chet Langin
Langin Software
532 W. 3rd St.
Centralia, IL 62801
CIS: 73770,615
_______
____|__ | (tm)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
<<< Page 2 >>>
DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners
Copyright (c), 1990, 1991
by Chet Langin, all rights reserved
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Users of "DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners" must accept
this disclaimer of warranty:
"DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners" is supplied as is.
The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or
implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of
merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The
author assumes no liability for damages, direct or
consequential, which may result from the use of it.
Table of Contents
Welcome 3
What is DosEA? 3
Who is DosEA for? 4
What is DosEA 1? 5
Installation 6
Tutorial 6
Appendix A -- A list of files 9
Appendix B -- Troubleshooting 9
<<< Page 3 >>>
***************
** Welcome **
***************
Welcome to "DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners."
**********************
** What is DosEA? **
**********************
The series name, "DosEA," is a play on words which means
a dossier on DOS.
But, what is it?
Specifically, DosEA is a series of hypertext programs
which explain DOS. The series, so far, consists of . . .
DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners
DosEA 2 -- What is DOS?
DosEA 3 -- 10 Easy Commands
DosEA 4 -- Find That Command!
More programs are under development.
A key element in the presentation of the DosEA series is
hypertext. Once you get the idea behind hypertext, you
can read and comprehend material extremely fast.
Hypertext lets you select just what you want to read. If
you understand what you are reading, just keep at it.
Otherwise, the hypertext leads you immediately to further
explanations.
Understanding hypertext is so crucial to the DosEA series,
that the first program, "For Absolute Beginners," is all
about how to use hypertext. Even though the DosEA series
is about DOS, the first program isn't about DOS, at all.
Rather, it's about using hypertext.
The second program in the series, "What is DOS?", then
uses hypertext to introduce DOS. The succeeding programs
also use hypertext to explain further details about DOS.
<<< Page 4 >>>
*************************
** Who is DosEA for? **
*************************
DosEA is for people who want an easy way to learn about
DOS. It is for people who need to use personal computers,
but do not have the time to get a degree in Computer
Science.
This includes . . .
> Business people who need to get business done.
> Employees who need to get work done.
> Students wanting to get ahead fast.
> Home computer users trying to get up to speed.
> User groups helping new members.
Experienced computer users may find this program helpful
in another way. When you are asked those endless streams
of questions about . . .
"how does this . . . "
. . . or . . .
"why is it that . . ."
. . . just pass along this program. The recipient will be
grateful and you may save yourself a lot of explanations.
<<< Page 5 >>>
************************
** What is DosEA 1? **
************************
"DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners" is a hyperbook which
introduces hypertext. Odds are, you have never seen a
hyperbook before. Simply stated, it is one of the easiest
ways to read and learn new information. Here are some
reasons why:
> It has chapters like a regular book, so the reader has
a feeling for "beginning," "middle," and "end."
> It has an index which can be accessed at the press of a
single key.
> It has "hyperwords," which are highlighted words in the
text. If you come across a highlighted word and you know
what it means, just keep reading; otherwise, select it
like a menu item and immediately get more information.
"DosEA 1 -- For Absolute Beginners" introduces these
features and explains how to use them. Some of the other
DosEA programs use these features to explain DOS.
Some of the other DosEA programs have hands-on practice
for MS-DOS commands. The hypertext explains a command.
Then, the computer demonstrates it. Next, the user tries
it. The computer double checks the effort and, if a
command is not entered correctly after three tries, the
computer shows how it is done.
How often have you read a computer book which used
technical lingo you did not understand? How frustrated
have you become digging in vague indexes and flipping
through pages?
DosEA solves that.
If you are reading DosEA and come across a highlighted
technical word you do not understand, all you have to do
is place the cursor on the word and press <ENTER>. The
computer will immediately display a detailed explanation.
To go back, just press <ESC>, and you do not even lose
your place.
But, why read about it, here? Why not learn about
hypertext with hypertext? The DosEA 1 program is written
like a hyperbook to illustrate what a hyperbook is.
<<< Page 6 >>>
********************
** Installation **
********************
What this program needs:
> 512K of memory
> Any monitor
> MS-DOS 2.0 or higher
No installation is required.
****************
** Tutorial **
****************
If you are reading this on your computer screen, you
should first print the manual. Exit the program you
are using to read this, and then, assuming the DosEA
program is in the "A" disk drive . . .
Enter: A:
Enter: PRINTMAN
It is assumed that you will be looking at the printed
manual as you try out the program.
The tutorial is a series of 20 steps.
1) Start the program:
Enter: DOSEA1
2) Read the cover, then continue:
Press: <ENTER>
3) Read the disclaimer, then continue:
Press: <ENTER>
4) Read the trademarks notices, then continue:
Press: <ENTER>
<<< Page 7 >>>
5) Select the Introduction from the Table of Contents:
Press: <DOWN ARROW>
Press: <ENTER>
6) In a couple of seconds, the Introduction will appear.
To see how to read the introduction . . .
Read the text and press: <PAGE DOWN>
Read the text and press: <PAGE DOWN>
Read the text and press: <PAGE DOWN>
Read the text and press: <PAGE DOWN>
7) To see how to select a highlighted phrase, read the
text down to the highlighted phrase "Chapter 4". Use the
arrow keys to move the cursor on top of the highlighted
phrase "Chapter 4". Go to Chapter 4:
Press: <ENTER>
8) After a couple of seconds, Chapter 4 will appear.
Return to the Introduction:
Press: <ESC>
9) Read the remaining text and continue:
Press: <PAGE DOWN>
10) To see how to read a footnote, read the text down to
the highlighted asterisk (*). Use the arrow keys to move
the cursor on top of the highlighted asterisk. Select the
footnote to read:
Press: <ENTER>
11) Return to the Introduction:
Press: <ESC>
12) Finish reading the text. To see how to go to the
next chapter, use the arrow keys to move the cursor on top
of the highlighted phrase "Next Chapter". Then, go to the
next chapter:
Press: <ENTER>
<<< Page 8 >>>
13) To see how to get help, notice that the cursor is
already on top of the highlighted "Help" word.
Press: <ENTER>
14) Read the help information. Return to Chapter 1:
Press: <ESC>
15) To see how to use the Index:
Press: <F1>
16) In a couple of seconds, the Index will appear.
Suppose that you want to read topic A. Use the arrow keys
to place the highlight on top of the "A".
Press: <ENTER>
17) Read the topic on "A". To return to Chapter 1:
Press: <ESC>
18) To see how to quit the program:
Press: <F10>
19) You will be asked if you are sure:
Enter: Y
20) Read the final notice and press any key.
The computer will quit the program.
<<< Page 9 >>>
******************
** Appendix A **
******************
The files included with DosEA.
DOSEA1.EXE The program, itself.
DOSEA1.OVL More of the program.
MANUAL.TXT This file!
PRINTMAN.BAT A batch file to print the manual.
README.TXT A file with important information about DosEA.
README.BAT A batch file which displays README.TXT.
ORDERFRM.TXT The order form to register.
REGISTER.BAT A batch file to print the order form.
VENDOR.DOC A text file with information for vendors.
******************
** Appendix B **
******************
Troubleshooting.
>>> You get a "file not found" message.
The default disk drive and directory may not be correct.
Assuming that the program is on the disk in the "A"
drive . . .
Enter: A:
Enter: CD \
Enter: DOSEA1
Otherwise, you did not get all of the program files. See
Appendix A for a list of files.
>>> You get a "window failed" message.
Probably the defaults are not set correctly. The program
must be able to access the DOSEA1.OVL file. See the
explanation directly above on how to set the defaults.
You may not have enough memory in your computer.