Mastering Total Commander

[eitang]

Hi all,

One of the most difficult problems in using any intelligent program like TC is not so much the step by step instructions about the basic operations, but finding a solution to any particular problem that I need to find a solution to NOW <g>.

For this purpose, a PDF, HTML etc. program is not enough because it cannot use categories and sub categories of _problems_ (and their solutions.

Programmers know this sort of problem when they know that they have solve a problem long ago, but can't remember in which program...

For this reason I wrote a long time ago a Delphi program called Programmer's Help (freeware, as all my published work). It is a searchable indexed database with category, subcategory and a memo field to enter the source code.

I think that this sort of approach (DBMS) can be better used for an advanced TC "user problem solver". And it can (and should) be easily updated over time.

If anybody is interested, the program can be found and downloaded from my web site:

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/eitang

or, maybe directly downloaded from there:

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/eitang/files/egphnew.zip

Just ZAP the delphi information database files and fill the databases with TC information.

Another great advantage of this system is that it can be easily updated by adding many user's bits of information at any time and posting the updated databases on this site. You can't do that easily with PDF or HTML documents.


Eitan Gilboa

[djk]

2pdavit
One more tip (from TC manual)

You can restrict access to Configure option ("Change directory menu").
Just add to to wincmd.ini a line:

Code: Select all

RestrictInterface=32

Unfortunately you can still remove current directory and add new one.

[jb]

For this purpose, a PDF, HTML etc. program is not enough because it cannot use categories and sub categories of _problems_ (and their solutions.

Why not? Basically I agree with your input, but I think you go to far. Of course you cannot query a document like a database, nevertheless you can add a chapter named something like "Problems and Solutions with TC" or "How to solve advanced tasks with TC". It goes without saying that you can put related problems into subchapters and that you can use cross-references (hyperlinks). Actually such a chapter would be similar to a collection of FAQs. The book "C++ FAQs" is a good example how FAQs can be presented as a full-fledged book.
Unlike a database, a PDF or HTML document can be viewed and nicely printed on many platforms. And although you cannot query an e-document, after all you can search it.

[BritTim]

While not very experienced with TC (maybe in commenting on this subject, that is not all bad) I do have a lot of experience with other software products. The advantage of a data base solution is that it can act as a knowledge base that is easily maintained and searched. Whether this is worthwhile depends on the complexity of the information being covered. On the other hand, a manual can be printed and some people feel more comfortable dealing with stuff in that format.

From a personal viewpoint, I really like a searchable KB. This, though, is largely a function of what I am used to. To those unused to such tools, a manual would probably be easier to use.

[pdavit]

2 Hacker

> I'd scrap the wincmd.ini section. Just a mention that the info is stored there. Anyone willing to mess with the INI will be intelligent enough to figure out the format himself.

The main reason it’s there is for comparison reasons between the doc, code and captured screenshots. In addition, I thought that it might help some users by copy-pasting it to their own ini file to have an easy starting point.


> Apart from prividersName, the syntax usually is
ftp://username:password@ftp.domain.com/any/path/

You are right. That is the correct syntax but I did mention in the doc that the syntax is not the same for every type of FTP server. Mine, for example, do not follow the typical one but places the provider (or domain if you like) before the username; I had that in mind hence my kind of version of the syntax.


> AFAIK the forward slashes are a platform-independent FTP standard.

Since it seams you know more about that, how do you suggest I should phrase my text then, please? I guess now having your name in the Ref section is valid!!!


2 djk

> Creating submenu it's good to add as the first item - the one you use most often. When you use keyboard instead of mouse, after pressing Ctrl+D and choosing the submenu with keyboard shortcut (i.e. with &) it automatically select the first item of the submenu. Then you must only press Enter.

True but then again some users (like me) prefer to keep the dir structure in their directory hotlist, some prefer in order of frequent use, some alphabetically and some in order of some other logical form which I cannot think of.
That is why I’ve also included a paragraph that notes that there is no such thing as the best solution and that everyone has to follow his/her own needs and working behavior.
Finally, what you have suggested here is not really a TC feature but rather part of Windows behavior on menu item focus.

Thanks for the ini-tuning tip. I will update and upload a new version soon which includes some other changes too.

[pdavit]

The new version has been uploaded!

2 Maxwish

I would appreciate if you could add my doc in your corresponding section of your site! Any hope?!

[Hacker]

For instance:

Code: Select all

3. The notation of FTP addresses with the users’ directory area. How the syntax and the directory structure will look like depends on the type of the FTP server. Here is a typical syntax with an example: 

syntax:
cd ftp://username:password@ftp.domain.com/any/path/

example:
cd ftp://johnny:P82X3fG-P@ftp.mozilla.org/dev/stable/

Another syntax might be:
cd ftp://providersName@userLogonName/Path1/Path2/.../PathN/

example:
cd ftp://PowerNet@JackDanniels/html/images/

BTW: I wonder if anyone else is going to write something.

Roman

[Maxwish]

The new version has been uploaded!
I would appreciate if you could add my doc in your corresponding section of your site! Any hope?!

Of course, anything for a TC fan !
will add it at the next update....

[pdavit]

Thanks Maxwish!

I have now uploaded v1.3 with some minor tweaks.

[PeterTBCarp]

Has anything happened to this project?

Over a year since the last posting. Is the zip available - there seems to be an anti-leeching block on pdavit's referred site?

[pdavit]

The project never had any followers in practise letting aside words!

Now, as far as the availability of the file try here: http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/pdavit/

My webspace provider has been cutting down features for the past year or so. They say you get what you pay. Well, that one was for free!

If you experience any problems you can always email me.