






















                                                TAG!
                                                File and Archive Manager



                                                Manual rev 1.2b, 7/6/1994
                                                by Moser-Soft

                        Table of Contents
                        
        1. What is it?.......................... page 1 
        2. Feature list......................... page 1
        3. Philosophy........................... page 2
        4. Testing methodology.................. page 2
        5. Installation......................... page 2
        6. Command Line Syntax.................. page 2
        7. Configuration operations............. page 3
           1. Colors
           2. Screen Design
           3. View Function
        8. TAG File Operations.................. page 4
        9. Using a Mouse........................ page 8
       10. ZIPTAG Command Line Syntax........... page 9
       11. ZIPTAG Limitations................... page 9
       12. ZIPTAG file operations............... page 9
       13. Order info........................... page 11
       14. Tech Support......................... page 11
       15. Author info.......................... page 11
       16. Order Form........................... page 12


TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  1


WHAT IS TAG?

    Tag is a powerful file manager.  It allows you to look at a list of
    files in a chosen directory, and perform various operations on those
    files.  You can tag multiple files to operate on or you may operate
    on the currently highlighted file.


QUICK LIST OF FEATURES AND OPTIONS FOR TAG!

    F = FILES TO LIST                   S = SELECT FILES TO TAG
    D = DELETE TAGGED FILES             C = COPY TAGGED FILES
    M = MOVE TAGGED FILES               N = NAME LIST FILE
    E = EDIT HIGHLIGHTED FILE           Z = ZIP TAGGED FILES
    A = ATTR TAGGED FILES               I = TIME + DATE CHANGE
    V = VIEW HIGHLIGHTED ZIP            O = ORDER FILE LIST (SORT)
    X = EXIT INTO CURRENT DIRECTORY     R = RENAME HIGHLIGHTED
    T = TREE                            L = LOCATE
    U = UNSELECT                        K = MAKE DIRECTORY
    G = EXECUTE HIGHLIGHTED FILE (Go)   <TAB> = CHANGE SCREEN VIEW

    <F1> = HELP                         <F9> = DOS SHELL
    <F10> = REFRESH                     <SPACE> = TAG FILE
    <ENTER> = CD\ or List               1 - 7 = COLOR CHANGES
    <\>     = Jump to root              <BKSPC> = Jump to parent
    <F8> Configure
    
    <SHIFT><letter> = JUMP WITHIN LIST - ignore sub-directories
    <ALT><letter> =  JUMP WITHIN LIST - include sub-directories
    <CTRL><letter> - Ignore tagged, operate on highlighted file


    Most of the functions that say they work on tagged files, will operate on
    the currently highlighted file if no files are tagged or if the <CTRL> key
    is pressed along with the function key.


WHAT IS ZIPTAG?

    ZipTag is the Archive Manager part of the TAG package.
    It allows you to edit archives in ZIP, ARJ, ARC and LHA formats.
    As in TAG, you may perform various operations on the files within the
    archive, such as Delete and View.

QUICK LIST OF FEATURES AND OPTIONS FOR ZIPTAG!

    F = FILES TO LIST                   S = SELECT FILES TO TAG
    D = DELETE TAGGED FILES             <Enter> LIST file
    X = EXIT INTO CURRENT DIRECTORY     R = RENAME HIGHLIGHTED

    <F1> = HELP                         <F9> = DOS SHELL
    <F10> = REFRESH                     <SPACE> = TAG FILE
    <ENTER> = CD\ or List               1 - 7 = COLOR CHANGES

    <SHIFT><letter> = JUMP WITHIN LIST 
    <CTRL><letter> - Ignore tagged, operate on highlighted file (may not
                     be fully implemented at this time).
TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  2


TAG, THE PHILOSOPHY

    TAG is a very powerful file manager that started out as a mere toy.
    ZIPTAG is a usable, but somewhat less powerful archive manager, when 
    compared to some of the others on the market.  As you can see from the
    feature list on the previous page, not much has been left out, and in
    fact I personally have never seen several of the features in other
    managers.  
    
    The basic philosophy is that for an extremely low price, even by 
    shareware standards, you can put up with the very few limitations
    that TAG and ZIPTAG have.  To be honest, I have looked at most of the file
    and archive managers and TAG does 95% of what they do, at a fraction
    of the cost.  Most of the "extras" the OTHER guys have are not needed
    by most people, including power users like me.  Basically, I have made 
    what I need in a file manager.  

    I am very open to bug reports, suggestions, etc.  Always feel free to
    contact me, preferably via email (see addresses at end of document).


TESTING PHILOSOPHY

    Testing was done by myself, plus several friends, both at work and 
    at home, on many different types of machines.

INSTALLATION

    Installation is a snap.  You can put TAG wherever you want.  You can rename
    it to whatever you want as well.  I personally call it T.EXE, so that it is
    only a few keystrokes away.
    
    TAG.EXE will work fine alone.  General help is available.  More extensive help
    will be available if TAG.HLP is found in the same directory as the executable.
    It must be named TAG.HLP and must be in the same directory as the executable.

    If you want to be able to work with archives, ZIPTAG.EXE will need to be 
    on your path someplace.  You can call it whatever you wish, but you need
    to update the config area within TAG if you want to rename it.  

    The best installation is to simply put TAG.EXE, TAG.HLP and ZIPTAG.EXE in
    your utility directory, or another directory within your DOS path. 

COMMAND LINE SYNTAX = TAG [d:][\path\][filemask]

    When executing TAG from the command line, you may specify
    the area of the disk to list. You may specify the drive, the
    sub-directory, and/or the filemask of files to list. If no
    area is specified, TAG will assume the current sub-directory
    and all files (*.*).

    Examples:

      TAG                Tag will display all files in the current directory
      TAG *.DOC          Tag will display all .DOC files in the current directory
      TAG \UTIL          Tag will display all files in "\UTIL".
      TAG D:\UTIL        Tag will display all files in "D:\UTIL".          
      TAG D:\UTIL\*.DOC  Tag will display all .DOC files in "D:\UTIL"

   If you don't get the idea by now, stop.  Tag is WAY too dangerous for you!
TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  3

TAG OPERATIONS

Configuration

TAG and ZIPTAG are user configurable.

   1. Colors

      You will not like the screen colors I choose as the default.  It is
      some kind of law that programmers and users never have the same
      taste in color combinations.

      Pressing the number keys 1- 7 (on the main keyboard) will change
      the colors used in TAG and ZIPTAG.  This can only be done at the file
      listing, not while you are being asked a question.

      1 = Main foreground color
      2 = Main background color
      3 = Mnemonics color
      4 = File foreground color
      5 = File background color
      6 = Bar foreground color
      7 = Bar background color

      When you find a combination you like, press <F8> to go to the 
      configuration area.  Just press <Enter> and you will be asked if
      you wish to save the current configuration.  Press "Y" and TAG
      will update itself.  (note that TAG.EXE must not be read-only.
      It may be renamed to another name such as T.EXE).


   2. Screen Design.

      Press <TAB> to cycle through the available screen configurations.
      Currently there are only two, but I will probably add more later.

      Again, use the <F8> config key to save your favorite as the default.
      

   3. View Function

      Pressing <F8> takes you to the configuration area.  As mentioned above,
      you use this to save your screen defaults, but it is also used to
      tell TAG what programs you want it to run, based on extension, as well
      as tell it the name of your editor and file lister.

      Press the number you wish to change.
      You will be asked the extension and the command line to execute.

      Now whenever you press "V" while a file with that extension is 
      highlighted, the specified program will be run.

      Example:
        Extension = .GIF
        Program = PICEM

        Now, when I press V from the main file menu, while the highlight bar
        is resting on a .GIF file, TAG will shell to DOS, and run PICEM
        passing it the name of the .GIF file.

TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  4


These are the operations/functions available from the main file list area.


F = FILES TO LIST

   Allows you to enter a selection argument for the file list.
   Only files matching your selection criteria will appear on the file list.
   You may specify a new path and drive here as well, ie, "D:\utils\*.txt".

S = SELECT FILES TO TAG

   Allows you to enter a selection argument, in order to tag
   all of the files matching your selection criteria.

D = DELETE TAGGED FILES  (also activated by the <Delete> key)

   Erases all tagged files unless there is an error.
   You will be asked for confirmation before the erasure.

   If there are no files tagged, or you are holding down the <CTRL> key
   when you press <D>, then the highlighted file or subdirectory will be
   deleted.  Any tagged files are ignored.


C = COPY TAGGED FILES

   Copies all tagged files to a specified directory.
   You will be asked for the path to copy to.

   Any copy errors will be reported.

   If there are no files tagged, or you are holding down the <CTRL> key
   when you press <C>, then the highlighted file will be copied.  Any
   tagged files are ignored.


M = MOVE TAGGED FILES

   You will be asked for the path to move to. 

   Each tagged file will be copied to the specified path. If there
   were no copy errors, then the file will be deleted.
   Any copy or deletion errors will be reported.

   If there are no files tagged, or you are holding down the <CTRL> key
   when you press <M>, then the highlighted file will be moved.  Any
   tagged files are ignored.


N = NAME LIST FILE

   This feature will place the names of all tagged files into
   a specified ASCII file. This file is usually a batch file.
   You will also be asked to enter any text you wish placed 
   before and/or after the file names.

          FORMAT = string1 FILENAME string2


TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  5


E = EDIT HIGHLIGHTED FILE

   TAG will pass the name of the currently highlighted file to 
   the editor you selected in the config area. (see configuration, above).

   TAG will shell to dos with the command : "<EDITOR> <filename>".
   <EDITOR> is the program you specified in config.
   <filename> is the currently highlighted file.

   This allows you to use your ASCII editor from within TAG.

   The file list will not be updated when you exit your
   editor. You may want to press <F10> to refresh the list.


Z = ZIP TAGGED FILES

   You will be asked for a file name for the ZIP file.
   (A ZIP file is a compressed file using PKZIP by Phil Katz)
   All of the tagged files will be Added to the ZIP file or
   Moved to it, depending upon which you choose. Files that
   are Moved are deleted from the directory after being added
   to the ZIP. PKZIP.EXE must be in your path.

A = ATTR TAGGED FILES

   This allows you to set the file attributes of all of the
   tagged files. You will be asked for the attributes to
   change to. The current file attributes will be overwritten
   by the ones you choose. You may choose to have no file
   attributes for the files.

   If there are no files tagged when you press <A>, then the highlighted 
   file will be acted upon, as described above.


I = TIME + DATE CHANGE

   This allows you to alter the TIME and the DATE of all of
   the tagged files. You will be asked if you wish to change
   the DATE, the TIME, or BOTH. You will then be asked for the
   values you wish to change to.

V = VIEW HIGHLIGHTED FILE

   This calls the programs you listed in the configuration area, based
   on the extension of the highlighted file.
 
O = ORDER FILE LIST (SORT)

   This will allow you to sort the file list by Filename, Size or
   Date.  Subdirectories are not included in the sort.


TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  6

X = EXIT INTO CURRENT DIRECTORY

   This will allow you to exit the program into the directory
   that TAG is currently in.

R = RENAME HIGHLIGHTED

   This will allow you to rename the highlighted file or a sub-directory.

<F1> = HELP

   This calls online help for using TAG!.

   The main help screen shows the compile date, so you know what version
   you have.


<F9> = DOS SHELL

   This will allow you to exit to DOS without leaving TAG!.
   The file list is not refreshed when you come back to TAG so if you 
   performed any file operations while in DOS, the file list or the 
   stats such as free space may be wrong.  Press <F10> to refresh.


<F10> = REFRESH

   This will refresh the screen. All tags will be lost.
   This is like re-starting the program.


<CTRL>  =  Ignore tagged files, operate of currently highlighted

   As noted in many of the functions above, pressing the <CTRL> key when you
   call an action (such as Delete, Copy, etc) will force TAG to ignore the
   tagged files, and will operate on the currently highlighted file as if
   no files were tagged.  This does not work on all functions.  Some functions
   will refresh the file list at the end so you will loose your tags.  The
   ones that are used most often attempt to retain your tags.  This may 
   sometimes cause the file list to become "out of sync" with real life.
   Just press <F10> to refresh the list if it seems that the list or stats
   are no longer correct.
   

<SPACE> = TAG FILE

   This will tag a file. A tagged file has a '*' beside it.


<ENTER> = CD\ or List

   Pressing the <Enter> key while on a subdirectory, will cause
   TAG! to change to that directory, and restart. 
   Pressing the <Enter> key while on a file, will cause TAG!
   to call the program you specified as your file viewer lister in the 
   configuration area. This will allow viewing of the file.

TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  7


<SHIFT><letter> = JUMP WITHIN LIST - ignore sub-directories
<ALT><letter> =  JUMP WITHIN LIST - include sub-directories

   Pressing the <Shift> key at the same time that you press a
   letter key (A-Z) will cause the file cursor to jump to the first
   file whose name starts with that letter.  This skips directory names.
   Use <ALT> instead of <Shift> if you want to include sub-directories
   in the jump search


\ = Jump to root of current drive

   Changes to the root directory of the current drive.

<BKSPC> = jump to parent directory

   Changes to the directory above the current directory.


T = TREE

   This will search your hard drive for all sub-directories.
   You may browse them and press <ENTER> on the one you want to
   change to.  TAG will then switch to that directory.
   If you press <ESC>, you will stay in the directory you are in.

L = LOCATE

   This is a file finder.  It will ask for a search mask (like *.BAT, 
   *.DOC, etc) then search the current drive for any files that match.
   They will be presented to you on the screen and you can then perform
   all of the normal TAG functions on those files.
   

U = UNSELECT

   Allows you to enter a selection argument, in order to UNtag
   all of the files matching your selection criteria.


K = Make Directory

   Note that the filelist is not refreshed after this command because
   I felt that you may be making directories after you had tagged file,
   then decided you wanted to copy them to a new directory.  No sense in
   having to re-tag all those files.  It's easy enough to refresh the
   list with <F10>.

G = Go (Execute)

   Shells to DOS and runs the highlighted file as an executable.




TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  8


USING A MOUSE  (The Beta does not have this fully implemented).

   Tag will automatically check for a mouse. If one is found,
   then you may use it to select files on the list, select actions
   on the menu, or scroll through the list.

   TAGING A FILE

   A file may be tagged with the mouse by placing the mouse cursor
   on the file description in the list and pressing the left mouse
   button.

   SELECTING AN ACTION

   An action on the menu may be selected with the mouse by placing
   the mouse cursor on the file description in the list and pressing
   the left mouse button.

   PLACING THE HIGHLIGHT BAR

   The highlight bar may be moved with the mouse by placing the mouse
   cursor on the file description in the list and pressing the right
   mouse button.

   SELECTING A SUB-DIRECTORY

   A sub-directory may be selected and entered with the mouse by placing
   the mouse cursor on the name of the sub-directory in the list and 
   pressing the left mouse button twice, or only once if the highlight
   bar is already on the name.

   SCROLLING THROUGH THE FILE LIST

   The file list may be scrolled through using the mouse by placing
   the mouse cursor to the right of the file list and pressing the
   right mouse button. If the cursor is in the top half of the screen,
   the list will scroll up 1 page. If the cursor is in the bottom half
   of the screen, the list will scroll down 1 page. If the cursor is
   on the TOP line (line 1), the list will go to the beginning of the
   list (like the HOME key). If the cursor is on the bottom line, the
   list will go to the beginning of the list (like END key).

TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  9


ZIPTAG

   As stated at the beginning of this document, ZIPTAG is the archive manager
   part of the TAG package.  It is very basic, but does most everything I need
   it to do, and I do consider myself a power user.

   ZIPTAG supports ZIP, ARJ, LZH, and ARC archive formats.


COMMAND LINE SYNTAX = ZIPTAG [d:][\path\]filename.???

    When executing ZIPTAG from the command line, you must specify
    the archive file to work on.  If you do not specify an extension,
    ZIP is assumed.  You may optionally specify the drive and path.

    Examples:

      ZIPTAG GAMES.ZIP          Tag will display all files in "GAMES.ZIP".
      ZIPTAG D:\KIDS\GAMES.ZIP  Tag will display all files in "GAMES.ZIP".

LIMITATIONS

    As stated above, ZIPTAG is considered very basic.  It can handle archives
    that have paths within them, but only about 40 characters.  Also, it will
    not work well with self extracting archives, if at all.

    These limitations will probably go away in the next release, but for now
    you need to be aware of them.  Again, I almost always work with plain 
    .ZIP files, so these limitations are not a big deal.

    Please also note that more attention is payed to TAG than ZIPTAG
    during development.  Some features that are in TAG and that should 
    obviously be in ZIPTAG, are not.  This will be rectified as development
    continues.    
    

These are the options available from the main file list area.

F = FILES TO LIST
 
   Allows you to enter a selection argument for the file list.
   Only files matching your selection criteria will appear on the file list.
 
S = SELECT FILES TO TAG
 
   Allows you to enter a selection argument, in order to tag
   all of the files matching your selection criteria.
 
D = DELETE TAGGED FILES
 
   Erases all tagged files from the archive.
   You will be asked for confirmation before the erasure.
 
X = EXTRACT TAGGED FILES
 
   Extracts tagged files from the archive.
   You will be asked for a path to extract to.
   The default is the current directory.  Press <ESC> to abort.
TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  10

<F1> = HELP
 
   This calls online help for using ZIPTAG.
 
<F9> = DOS SHELL
 
   This will allow you to shell to DOS without leaving ZIPTAG.
   Type EXIT at the command prompt to return to ZIPTAG.
 
<SPACE> = TAG FILE
 
   This will tag a file. A tagged file has a '*' beside it.
 
<ENTER> = CD\ or List
 
   Pressing the <Enter> key while on a file, will cause ZIPTAG!
   to call the file viewer you specified in the config area.  This 
   allows viewing of the file.
 

<SHIFT><letter> = JUMP WITHIN LIST  

   Pressing the <Shift> key at the same time that you press a
   letter key (A-Z) will cause the file cursor to jump to the first
   file whose name starts with that letter.  


<F8> Configure

   The same routines are obviously used in TAG and in ZIPTAG for the 
   configuration.  ZIPTAG does not currently support the extension config 
   information.  I decided to leave it in ZIPTAG though, since I will
   probably rectify this.

   So right now, <F8> is simply used to save the color configuration.  And it
   should allow you to specify the file viewer.

1 - 7 Color change

   This works the same as in TAG.  Please see that section above.


TAG! File and Archive Manager                                   Page  11

ORDERING INFO

    The registration fee is $5.00 per copy, or $100.00 for a complete
    site license.  

    The site-license allows a company to copy TAG wherever it wants,
    enterprise wide.  You can put it on LAN servers, individual
    workstations, laptops etc, all for the one low price.  Employees
    may even take a copy of TAG home for their personal use, but they 
    may not distribute it past their own home.

    Registrations can be sent directly to me at the address below.  

    You will be sent a letter telling you your registration code and how
    you can use it to remove the shareware "nag" messages.

    Site License orderers will also receive a 3.5" diskette with the latest
    versions of TAG and the utilities.

TECH SUPPORT

    There is no support for any of these utilities, except via email, and
    that is very limited. I will try my best to help you with any problems, 
    but please note that at a cost of $5, I am not in the support business. 

    I am simply making a file utility for you to try and buy if you like it.
    I can't spend too much time on support issues.  Don't get me wrong, I 
    enjoy communicating via email, especially about TAG, but there is a limit
    to how much I can help you solve a problem.  Try TAG on your machine.
    If it works, then buy it.  If not, then tell me about it and I will try
    to fix it, but may end up telling you to buy another product.  TAG has
    worked fine on all the different test machines so far, so you should
    not have any problems.


CONTACTING THE AUTHOR

    This is a public beta test version of TAG.  I am using it to judge
    public opinion, if any.  While I would obviously appreciate the
    small registration fee of $5, I would also appreciate a simple email
    telling me that you tried it, liked it or didn't like it.  Tell me a 
    feature you would like to see or a bug you noticed.

    I will try to email registered or interested people when a new version
    comes out.  Please remember to send me your email address when
    contacting me (including Prodigy, AOL, Compuserve, Internet).

    The best way to contact me is via internet at "BRENTMOSER@AOL.COM".

    See the file WHERE.BBS for more places you can get at me, and TAG.
    
    Send registrations and regular mail to...:  Brent Moser
                                                5154 Martinique Dr.
                                                Lakeland FL 33813

TAG ORDER FORM


 I am registering  ___ $100 Site License      ______ $5 Single License(s)

                                              ______ (quantity)

                                              ______ (total enclosed)



      NAME:       _______________________________________________________

      (COMPANY:)  _______________________________________________________

      ADDRESS:    ___________________________ CITY/TOWN: ________________

      STATE:       _____________ ZIP-CODE: _________ 

      TELEPHONE:  ___________________________________ 

      EMAIL:      _______________________________________________________


      HOW/WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR COPY OF TAG? _______________________

      _______________________________________________________________
      

      WHAT'S THE BEST SELLING POINT OF TAG? (price, features, etc)

      _______________________________________________________________ 

      _______________________________________________________________ 


      LEGAL STUFF!

      By ordering and/or using this software, the user understands:

      1. There is no warranty or guarantee of any kind.  Period.  The author,
         Brent Moser, is not liable for ANY damage caused by this software.
         THE USER USES THIS SOFTWARE AT HIS/HER OWN RISK.

      2. If your state does not allow exclusion of liability, then you
         should not use this software.

      3. Any liability for damages will not exceed the purchase price.

      4. There is no guarantee of support.

      5. The author publishes this as test software.  The user has FULLY 
         tested this software on his machine and has not found any damaging 
         problems with the software.

      6. The user has read and understood the "Known Bugs" section of the
         documentation (in file WHATS.NEW).
