Help files in Windows

[Brian K. White]

windows explorer 101:

Windows will hide file extensions by default.
That means it also automatically adds them by default and often when you 
want to change or remove them, you can't really do what you want.
You download a blah.htm file, try to rename it to blah.txt, and all that 
really happened was it now looks like blah.txt in explorer windows, but 
really it's now blah.txt.htm
This applies to every windows app that uses the standard windows explorer 
dialog for opening/saving files, which is basically every windows app 
period.

The quickest way to get around this one time, is just to open a command 
prompt
(Start, Run, cmd.exe,, or Start, All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt )
 and cd to the directory and use "ren help.txt help"

If you know this is going to bother you all the time like it should bother 
any sane person,
then disable hiding extensions across the board.
Open up a top level explorer (My Computer)
tools menu
folder options
view tab
uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types"
hit "Apply to all folders"
hit "OK"

If you're this new to XP then you probably still need to edit the properties 
of your filepro icons to change the window size from 80x300 to 80 x 25.

Brian K. White  --  brian at aljex.com  --  http://www.aljex.com/bkw/
+++++[>+++[>+++++>+++++++<<-]<-]>>+.>.+++++.+++++++.-.[>+<---]>++.
filePro  BBx    Linux  SCO  FreeBSD    #callahans  Satriani  Filk!


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Olman" <garyolman at hvc.rr.com>
To: <john at valar.com>
Cc: "Fplist" <filepro-list at lists.celestial.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2006 10:00 AM
Subject: RE: Help files in Windows


> John I think you are absolutely correct, however  I can't seem to rename 
> and
> get the extension off. I have tried it in notepad and wordpad. I must not
> have a add on or something on my new XP system that is missing.
> Gary
>
>  _____
>
> From: John Esak [mailto:john at valar.com]
> Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2006 9:16 AM
> To: Gary Olman
> Cc: Fplist (E-mail)
> Subject: RE: Help files in Windows
>
>
> Gary,
>
> Going out on a limb here... no Windows FP to check on until later today...
> but... yes, "help" will work and "help.txt" will not. However, it is not 
> the
> editor you use which determines whether it works or not, but just the file
> "name". If you open a file with Wordpad or Notepad or Edit it will work as
> long as there is NO extension. So, if one of those programs automatically
> attaches its preferred extension, say ".txt", simply remove it when you 
> are
> done editing by "renaming" the file. (Right-click on the file icon and
> choose Rename. The system may give you a warning something like "If you
> change a file name extension, the file may become unusable." or words to
> that effect. This is okay, you *want* there to be NO extension. You just
> want the name "help" that's all.
>
> John
>
> P.S. - The three editors mentioned above are fine, however, do not use 
> WORD
> or WORDPERFECT to create a "help" file. Even if you remove their .doc
> extension (or whatever) their file format is not going to function as a
> "help" file which must be plain ascii text.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: filepro-list-bounces+john=valar.com at lists.celestial.com
> [mailto:filepro-list-bounces+john=valar.com at lists.celestial.com]On Behalf 
> Of
> Gary Olman
> Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 10:56 PM
> To: Fplist
> Subject: Help files in Windows
>
>
>
> Is it true that in order to set up a help file for use in filepro in a
> windows XP environment, I must build the file in DOS. That is using Dos
> edit. The use of Word or notepad will put the wrong file type on it. This
> means that a help file like Help.txt will not work, but a Help.file will
> work.
>
> Is that right?
> Gary
>
>


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