.X1 ======================================= (D)IRECTORY.100 (2.0) Tape Management Made Easy! By Rick Phillips, 1986 71666,1721 ======================================= .X2 (D)IRECTORY.100 is a reliable system for effective cassette tape management. I've used the system for more than two years now and I swear it's "goof-proof"! (D)IRECTORY's simple and it really works. At first, it takes a modest measure of discipline but it soon becomes second nature. With it, I happily wrangle a library of over a hundred "C-20" static archive and "volatile" text and data tapes. And the library keeps growing! I have re-edited (D)IRECTORY to clear up a few typos in the 1984 version (1.0) and to make the file compatable with my new version of FXTXT.100 (vidtext carriage return stripper) recently uploaded to DL 0 (02/10/86). This file now contains various "dot commands". After downloading, process the file with FXTXT.100 (3.0) and the file will be ready for printing with WRITE+ ( or SCRIPSIT) with all paragraph breaks and list formats intact. .X1 Step 1: ------- .X2 Use only long, leaderless, cassettes - the "C-20" size are ideal. With (D) IRECTORY, there's no reason to use short tapes. They only cost more and take-up more room per data stored. Also, put away pencil and paper. You need simple cassette lables but gone for good are those scrapy (and usually out of date!) hard-copy tape logs. .X1 Step 2: ------- .X2 Store the contents of "Appendix" (see below) in RAM under a suitable file name (I use "TAPE"). Keep this file permanently in RAM for future use! .X1 Step 3: ------- .X2 Open another RAM file and name it "D". Leave this file empty for now. It will become a "workspace" in Step 4. .X1 Step 4: ------- .X2 You are now ready to manage your first tape! In RAM, paste a copy of "TAPE" into "D". In "D", enter the appropriate information under the headings. You will note that "(D)rctry" is already listed as a file starting at cue 0, and that cue 15 is where your first recorded file will start. DO NOT ALTER THESE ENTRIES! To make entry of heading information easy, prompts are provided. To use, press , then a ".", and then . The cursor will be at "Tape title:". To reach "Tape No.:", press , then . And so on. When finished, exit "D". .X1 Step 5: ------- .X2 Rewind the tape and set the counter (cue) at 0. Fast-forward the tape to counter 15 - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Sarting at counter (cue) 15, record (save) your first file. After file is saved, enter "D" and move cursor to bottom (one "tab" to right of cue 15). Enter name of file just recorded plus other info (if you wish) on this line. Then press and type the number (cue) currently on the counter. Then press and exit "D". Repeat this step for each new file recorded during this session. As you can see, each new file starts at the cue number marking the end of the previous file. .X1 Step 6: ------- .X2 At the end of session, rewind the tape to 0. Record (save) "D", entering the name "D" when prompted by "Save to:". For safety, record twice: there's plenty of room unless "D" is excessively long. DO NOT RECORD PAST COUNTER (CUE) 15 OR YOU WILL DESTROY YOUR OTHER FILES! After you finish, errase (F-6) the contents of "D" (you could kill "D" if you wish but I find it convenient to leave "D" in place as an empty file). .X1 Step 7: ------- .X2 That's all there is to it! The next time you access the tape, rewind, set the counter at 0, and load "D" ( into "D", of course!). Update "D" as required during the session. When you finish, follow Step 6. The updated "D" will record over the old "D". Remember "TAPE" in RAM? Always copy from "TAPE" to "D" when starting a new directory (Step 4). .X1 Some Hints: ----------- .X2 - Develop a rational tape classification system. I use a title (like "Resumes") , and a letter-number (like "R-1" for Tape No. 1 of "Resumes" series). Account or job numbers can also be used. - Remember to label your tapes (I use "Avery" sticky-backs - easy to remove!). Just the tape title, tape number, and side number are needed. Use one label for each side and one on the case. - If you forget to label a tape, all is not lost! Remember, the directory is always called "D". Just load "D" to find out the tape name, number, side, and contents. - "D" is called "D" for a reason. Since the directory is loaded and saved at least once during each tape session, a single letter name makes keying these operations a cinch. Also "D" is easy to remember! - The tape counter is everything! Always rewind the tape and reset the counter to 0 before starting a session. NEVER RESET THE COUNTER DURING A SESSION. - (D)IRECTORY makes it very easy to record over old files while conserving tape. Pick an old file (or series of old files) that is longer than the new file. Cue the tape to the start of the old file. Record the new file. When finished, note the end-of-file cue number and update "D" accordingly. Naturally, any old files that start at higher cue numbers will remain on tape and noted in "D". If the new end-of-file falls short of the start of the next old file, note the difference as per the following example: .X1 1. Before: 00 (D)rctry 15 OLDFL1 25 OLDFL2 30 OLDFL3 40 OLDFL4 52 2. Record "NEWFL" starting at 25 and ending at 33: 00 (D)rctry 15 OLDFL1 25 NEWFL 33 (eof) 40 OLDFL4 52 .X2 Now you know that if you ever wish to record over "OLDFL4", you can start at 33 instead of 40! .X1 Finally... ---------- .X2 So there it is. Still haven't bought that Chipmunk yet, eh? Don't let (D) IRECTORY stop you! Disks really are easier, believe me!! .X1 Appendix: --------- Copy following file (including top blank line) into RAM (Step 2): DIRECTORY Tape title: . Tape No.: . Side: . Updated: . Cue: File: 000 D (Drctry) 015