★ APPLICATIONS ★ DIVERS ★ EASYPIP|8000Plus) ★ |
| EasyPIP | Applications Divers |
Once loaded, Easypip with its Loco lookalike screen, shows the current logged drive and the current 'mask' -for instance NW??????.COM is a mask for all files beginning with NW and ending COM. The number of files in the directory, the number of files listed and bytes unused on the disc are also shown on the status line. All filenames conforming to the current mask are listed on the main section of the screen. All of Easypip's functions are invoked from the command bar at the top of the screen, either by moving the cursor so the chosen option is highlighted or by entering the capital letter associated with each command name. Directory displays a list of legal drives - select one by trundling the cursor around. The Options window allows a mask to be set, instructs Easypip whether to display directories sorted or not, and toggles "overwrite' on or off - with overwrite off a file will not be copied onto a disc if a file of the same name already exists. The Copy command lets you move the cursor among the displayed filenames and select them with the [+]key for copying. Otherwise you can use a mask to select a whole set, and then copy them all using the 'A' key. Once you have selected the files you simply select the destination drive using the cursor keys. Rename is pretty obvious, as is Erase where files can be selected in the same way as if they were to be copied. With the 'execute' function selected Easypip displays all COM files, by moving the cursor bar over one of them and pressing enter the program will be run. However this option does not behave like Shell - once you exit from the program you are returned to CP/M, not to the Easypip menu. Only those who have an absolute and complete (unnecessary) fear of PIP would need this program, It is far from complete. Other than allowing you to move files and rename them with some ease it does not recognise 'user areas', so not all of the fries on the LocoScript disc are shown, nor is there any way to show them if they aren't in user area (ie. group) 0. The program does recognise files set to 'system' type, invisible to DIR, and treats them as if they were ordinary files, so I suppose that's one mystery cleared up for those trying to copy their SuperCalc disc. I was shocked to find that characters which are illegal in filenames can be included in the mask, which is bound to confuse those who this package sets out to help. For my money, far too many of the powerful PIP functions are lost to the user. Also, if you want to make self booting discs, and use the power of SUBMIT.COM, you can't use Easypip for the transfers to memory drive -so you will have to use PIP anyway. Consider saving your money and getting to know the beast.
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