pgc@cmu-cs-h.arpa (08/10/84)
From: Paul Crumley <cmuitca!pgc@cmu-cs-h.arpa>
Hello,
I would like to bring a new product to the attention of PC/XT users.
SCOUT, a product of Computer Insights, is a program that works with
DOS 2.X forming "paths" to be searched for all files, not just .EXE,
.COM, and .BAT.
SCOUT does this by mapping subdirectories to "imaginary" (Computer
Insights word) drives. These drives use the remaining drive letters.
For example on a regular XT, DOS has A:, B:, and C: drives so you
could use D: thru Z: as imaginary drives. This concept of imaginary
drives is what makes SCOUT so powerful. There are three main
ways to use imaginary drives.
1) You can use an imaginary drive anywhere you would use a regular
drive letter. This lets you due DOS 2.X programs without constantly
changing the current directory. It can also save a great deal of
typing when using long paths.
2) You can have imaginary drives searched for any type of file such as
profile and data files in a manner similara to the DOS 2.X PATH
which works for .EXE, .COM, and .BAT files. This allows you to keep
files such as profiles for editors in one subdirectory rather than
placing them in each subdirectory where you use the editor. SCOUT
saves disk space and the hassle of keeping such things up-to-date.
3) You can declare imaginary drives as READ-ONLY. This can be very
useful. One good example of this function is to define the root
directory as an imaginary drive and make the imaginary drive your
current directory. Since the root is READ-ONLY you can't do crazy
things like FORMAT it by accident while you can always refer to it
as C:\.
I have been using SCOUT for about 4 months and would now be lost without
it. I have found NO bugs or strange side effects with ANY software.
CMU appears to find SCOUT useful as they are bundling SCOUT in with
standard configurations of XTs for campus use. I personally recommend
SCOUT to anyone with a hard disk to keep in order.
SCOUT is available directly form Computer Insights for $24.95, and they
pay shipping. SCOUT has a serial number but the diskette is NOT copy
protected.
Computer Insights' address is:
Computer Insights
P.O. Box 110097
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Paul Crumley
CMU/ITC