Programmable Function Keys

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PROGRAMMABLE FUNCTION KEYS


 +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
 |              +------------------------------------+             |
 |              | Programmable Function Key Settings |             |
 |              +------------------------------------+             |
 |                                                                 |
 |  Alt-F1  List SubDir Tree             Alt-F2  NW Non Doc Mode   |
 |  Alt-F3  NW Doc Mode                  Alt-F4  Run File Patch    |
 |  Alt-F5  Smart Spreadsheet            Alt-F6  Smart Word        |
 |  Alt-F7  Fast Arc Extract             Alt-F8  QEdit File        |
 |  Alt-F9  Arc File                    Alt-F10  PkArc File        |
 |                                                                 |
 | Ctrl-F1  Chkdsk                      Ctrl-F2  Pick Directory    |
 | Ctrl-F3  Memory Res Progs            Ctrl-F4  Park Hard Disk    |
 | Ctrl-F5  Zip File                    Ctrl-F6  Ice File          |
 | Ctrl-F7  Type File                   Ctrl-F8  Programs that Run |
 | Ctrl-F9  Directory of A:            Ctrl-F10  MarxEdit File     |
 |                                                                 |
 | Shft-F1  Format A: 360k              Shft-F2  Format A: 360k /S |
 | Shft-F3  Format A:                   Shft-F4  Format A:/S       |
 | Shft-F5  Format B: 720k              Shft-F6  Format B: 720k/S  |
 | Shft-F7  Format B: 1.4m              Shft-F8  Format B: 1.4m/S  |
 | Shft-F9  Directory of A:            Shft-F10  Directory of B:   |
 |                                                                 |
 +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

You may custom program up to 30 key combinations to do special tasks. You can program these keys to execute any program, DOS command or batch file. These keys can be programmed so that you can position the pointer next to a file, press the Function Key combination, and run the appropriate program on that file. The 30 keys which may be programmed are the Alternate Function keys (Alt F1-F10), the Control Function keys (Ctrl F1-F10) and the Shift Function Keys (Shft F1-F10). For help, press the "Tab" key to view the default Programmable Function Key Settings. For information on reprogramming the Keys, go to Help Screen No. 2 by pressing F1 twice. To begin reprogramming press F8 and choose 1) Change Alt Function Keys; 2) Change Ctrl Function Keys or 3) Change Shft Function Keys.

Programmable Function Keys allow you to write a command to tell the computer what to do when that key combination is pressed. You will write commands using regular DOS syntax for the command line. (See "About the Command Line") At the same time you write a DOS command for the key combination, (Alt-F1) for instance, you will also need to write the "help text." This will appear on the screen entitled "Programmable Function Key Settings" so that you will remember what the key does.

You may want to program a key combination to execute a file that takes up a lot of memory. Since DM takes up about 100k of RAM, be sure that your computer has enough memory to execute your commands. (See "Execute a File"). In the examples below, we will assume that you have a hard disk computer with at least 512k of RAM. Here are a couple of uses for the Programmable Function Keys. The DOS commands and help text are included.

Command Help Text Explanation/Use

FORMAT A: Format Formats a disk in drive A. This is helpful if you have files marked to be copied to a floppy disk, and have forgotten to format a disk.

DIR A:/P Dir A: Reads the directory of the disk in drive A, pausing when the screen is filled.

For practice, let's program Function Keys for the two above examples. Press the F8 (Edit Commands) key to pick an option:

1 Change Alt Function Keys 2 Change Ctrl Function Keys 3 Change Shft Function Keys 4 Change AutoRun Commands

Don't choose option 4 now. Instructions for the Autorun Key come later. For this practice session, let's program the Alt F1 and Alt F2 keys. Therefore, choose Option 1, "Change Alt Function Keys." The following display will appear in the File Window.


        ================================
        |  Esc to Exit     Help Line: 1
        |  Alt F1 .... _
        |  Alt F2 ....
        |  Alt F3 ....

You will type in your help text and DOS commands on these lines. The first line is for the help text for the Alt F1 key. The next line is the DOS command for the Alt F1 key. Use the arrow keys to position the cursor on the desired line. The "line guide" in the upper right-hand corner of the window tells you which line the cursor is on. Using our two examples, type the help text on the help line and the command on the command line for each key, as shown below.


        ================================
        |  Esc to Exit  Command Line: 2
        |
        |  Alt F1 ......Format
        |  FORMAT A:
        |  Alt F2 ......Dir A:
        |  DIR A:/P _
        |  Alt F3 ......

When you've finished typing in the help text and commands, press the Esc key, then test your newly programmed keys. After testing, you must save the configuration of your newly programmed Function Keys to disk in order for them to be there the next time you use the program. Type "F8" and choose option (6) "Save to DM.COM."

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