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This program allows you to change directories as quickly as possible.
"PD" "Pick Directory" (also called "PickDir"), written for all user levels, allows you to change directories as quickly as possible. It also allows you to rename directories, delete directories, make directories, and hide directories.
Pick Directory has two modes of operation; the graphic tree mode, and the single directory at a time mode. In the graphic tree mode you get to see all subdirectories "the tree" displayed as a picture on your screen. This graphic "tree" allows you to "look" at the directory system in your computer. In the graphic tree mode you can use your arrow keys to move freely about the directory tree. Pick Directory allows you to rename any of the directories, make new ones, delete them, or hide them.
In order to display and use the graphic tree mode a file must be created which contains a list of the directories on your system. The file is called PD.PIC and MUST be "PATH-ACCESSABLE." This means that the PD.PIC file must be located in one of the directories of your path, or in the current directory. In this file is a list of all the directories you want Pick Directory to choose from. An example is as follows:
C:\ C:\GOODIES C:\HELP C:\TURBO5 C:\TURBO5\BONUS C:\TURBO5\DOC C:\TURBO5\TURBO3 D:\ D:\GEMAPPS D:\GEMAPPS\FONTS D:\GEMAPPS\GEMPAGES D:\GEMAPPS\GEMPAGES\PAGENBRSNote that the PD.PIC list can span several drives. The list is created the first time you run Pick Directory. The program will ask you which drives you want to include in your list. Don't include floppy drives A: or B:. If you only have one hard disk just type C. If you have several hard drives or logical drive partitions, you might type CDEF. Pick Directory will then create the PD.PIC file and display the graphic tree. Once in the graphic tree you can move around using your arrow keys.
Remember that [F1] is for help in case you forget what to do. The plus ([+]) and minus ([-]) keys allow you to move up and down in the same column you're in. When you get to the directory you want, all you have to do is press [ENTER]. If you want to go back to the original directory instead, just press [ESC].
As you move through the graphic tree, you'll notice an alphabetical listing on the right side of the screen that tracks the directory you're in. By using the [TAB] key and the up and down arrows you can move through the alphabetical list. While moving alphabetically, each subdirectory highlighted on the alphabetical list will also be highlighted on the full screen graphic tree. Also, above the sorted list is the position meter. This meter lets you know where you are in relation to all the other directories in your computer.
You can use "GOTO" to quickly get to a directory while in the alpha list. Just type [G] and the first few letters of the subdirectory you want to go to. The cursor will move to that directory. As you type, Pick Directory will move to the first directory that contains the characters you typed in.
The [F] key shows you the free space on the current drive. It also shows you how many directories are in the system and how many levels deep they are.
You can rename a directory by pressing the [R] key. A cursor will appear and you just type over the old name. You can also delete a whole directory by pressing the [D] key. If the directory isn't empty, it will ask if you want to delete it anyway. If you answer "Y" then it will delete that directory, all of the directories branching from it, and all the files in them. Be careful! This feature is very powerful and destructive. Remember to make regular backups.
You also can make directories using the [M] key. Just type in the name and Pick Directory will create the directory off of the current directory. The [H] key is used to hide and unhide directories. A hidden directory will not show up when you type DIR from a DOS command line. It's still there, just hidden.
Directories can be created and deleted without updating the PD.PIC file. This means that the graphic tree may show directories that are no longer there, or not show new directories that are there. The [S] key will scan the hard drives and re-create the list. If while moving around, you come upon a directory that no longer exists, Pick Directory will automatically update the list for you.
The [L] key is used to limit the number of directory levels to be displayed. This is used on very large systems to make it easier to see the directories close to the root. If you set a limit of 2, Pick Directory will only show the directories that are 2 or less levels deep. Setting a level of zero (0) will include all directories. Just press the [L] key to set the limit.
In order for Pick Directory to work, the program PipeDir must be in a directory that is included in your path. (See the PATH command in your DOS manual.) PipeDir is another Computer Tyme program that creates the PD.PIC file and allows Pick Directory to delete directories with files in them.
Pick Directory's other mode is the single directory mode. In this mode, only the directories that are accessible from the current directory are listed. You choose the directory by pressing the letter next to the directory you want. A lower-case letter will select the directory and let you choose from the list of it's directories. An upper-case letter selects the directory and exits the PD program. Pressing the CTRL key with a letter selects that drive. (Example: Ctrl-D selects D drive). Press [\] (backslash) to select the root directory or [-] (minus key) to select the previous directory. Press [ENTER] when you get to where you want to go. Press [ESC] to abort.
Even though the single directory mode is not as powerful as the graphic tree mode, it has its usefulness. Since it does not use the PD.PIC file it always gives an accurate representation of the directory structure, without being updated. It also works well on drives that you may not want to wait to scan, such as CD-ROM drives. If you are running computers remotely over a modem, this mode works well.
If the directory or drive you are on is not in the PD.PIC file, then the one directory at a time mode will be selected.
Pick Directory has several command line options. Many of them are for the sophisticated user and can be ignored by the novice user. Pick Directory, like other Computer Tyme products, is easy to use for the novice and small system user; but has powerful features for the professional programmer and for use on large network drives.
PD [directory]This is a quick way to change directories. Pick Directory will scan the list for the closest match and switch you to that directory. A partial directory name is all you need. The directory doesn't even have to be on the same drive.
PD /S [drives] This creates the PD.PIC file without entering the graphic tree mode.Use of environment strings:PD /F This freshens the PD.PIC file without entering the graphic tree mode.
PD /M [directory] This makes the directory and updates the PD.PIC file.
PD /R [directory] This removes the directory and updates the PD.PIC file.
PD /Z Selects the "one directory at a time" (single directory) mode.
PD /O This option can be used only with the /Z option. It forces the use of the standard output device. You lose color and speed, but it allows PD to be used remotely through a modem connection.
PD /$ [filename] This allows you to use another file than C:\PD.PIC.
PD /! [program] [parameters] Pick Directory normally runs PIPEDIR to create its pick file. If you are a programmer and want to use your own program to create the pick file, this command will make Pick Directory run your software instead. The [parameters] is passed on to your program.
Default options can be selected by using the SET command to set your DOS environment strings. This is done by typing SET PD.EXE=string. The string will be interpreted as if it had been typed on the command line.
Examples:
Scenario #1:Immagine you are the sysop of a BBS system and are running it remote. In your AUTOEXEC.BAT file you include:
SET PD.EXE=/Z/OThis allows you to type PD from remote and enter the single directory mode with the standard output device selected.
Scenario #2:You are the supervisor of a large Novell network. You want Pick Directory to show the users only those directories which they can access. You have written a program that compiles a pick file based on who they are. Your program name is called PICKGEN. You want each user to have their own pick file.
SET PD.EXE=/!PICKGEN /$F:\SYSTEM\USER1.PICThis selects the file F:\SYSTEM\USER1.PIC to be the default pick file for station 1 and will execute PICKGEN to regenerate and update the pick file.
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