ggall@apg-4.ARPA (Gene Gall AMSTE-MS 4971) (05/28/85)
Are you familiar with "nswp" (a public domain program for CP/M-based micro's)? How hard would it be to come up with a UNIX-equivalent? "nswp" allows CP/M users to step through their directory, one file at a time, and do various things (skip it, view it, squeeze/unsqueeze, or tag it for "deletion" or "mass copy", etc.). Users have menu-option at each file to "delete all tagged files", "copy all tagged files", etc. A UNIX-version could allow for "mass file-archival" (vs. mass copy) and (1) move tagged files to some directory which could serve as the "pick-up point" for an archival utility (run weekly, for example)...and (2) add a "ls -l" entry to the users' archival directory (/usr/ARCHIVES) which would let the user keep track of what he archived (ie, an index). Such a comprehensive UNIX program would really help Systems Administrators manage user file-space. Many users would clean up their stuff if some tools was available to help them. If nothing else, just stepping them through their directory (file at a time) and allowing them to "skip", "view", or "tag for deletion"; with a "delete tagged files and exit" as a 4th option. What do you think? Gene