1993 - Last Resourt

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Last Resort is licensed to:

1 VE-RTISOFfl SYSTEMS. IN C 1

SUPERIOR SQFT \V A~E SOcUT ! ONS

By \Norkii~g Software. lnc. P.O . Box i 8.+-+ Santa Cruz. C:ilifornia 9506 l - l 34-+

Technical Support (803) 269-5311 Vo ice ( 803) 269--+7 l 9 FAX CornpuServe: 7 i 333.J.J.3 or GO VERTISOFT

.~n:eri~~1 Online: \ 'ertisoft

Last Resort Users Guidc Rc\ision i.OV - July 1993 Aii Righ ts Reserved Prnted in the USA

Vertisoft Systems

Software License Agreement Venisoft Systems, Inc. is providing the enclosed material to you, the end-user, on the express condition that you agree to this software license. By using any of the enclosed diskettes , yo u agree to the terms set forth below.

Titles to and ownership of the software and the User's Guide shall atal! times remain with the copyright owner.

YouMay

Use the software on one tem of compatible hardware that you own or use in person, or in your business or profession.

You May Not

Make copies of the software distribution diskettes or any files contained therein for any purpose other than backup.

Provide or otherwise make available the software. the User's Guide, or any portion thereof, in printed, machine readable. or any other form without the written approval of Vertisoft.

Disclaimer Vertisoft Systems. Inc. and Working Software reserve the right to make periodic changes. enhancements. revisions and alterations of any kind to the software and/or user's manual(s ) without any prior notice to any person. institution or organization.

Preface

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Limit-ed Warranty Vertisoft Systems, Inc. warrants that the physical diskette enclosed herein is free of defects in materials and workmanship, and that the programs are properly recorded upon the diskette, for a period of 30 days from the date of purchase.

Should any of the above mentioned defects be discovered within the warranty period. contact your dealer for a replacement at no charge.

The sole remedy for a breach of this warranty shall be limited to replacement and shall not encompass any other damages. including but not limited to loss of profit. special, incidental. consequential. or other similar claims.

VERTISOFT SYSTEMS. INC. AND WORKING SOFTWARE, INC. SPECIFICALL Y DISCLAIM ALL OTHER W ARRANTIES. EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. Vv1TH RESPECT TO THIS SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION. INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT ABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AS A RESUL T, THIS SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTA TION ARE LICENSED "AS IS", AND YOU, THE LICENSEE. ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THEIR QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE. VERTISOFT SYSTEMS. INC. AND WORKING SOFTWARE. INC. SPECIFICALL Y DENIES ANY LIABILITY FOR LOSS OF PROFIT OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGE. INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SPECIAL INCIDENTAL. CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHER SIMILAR DAMAGES RESUL TING FROM THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE.

Product Registration If you purchased this product directly from Yertisoft Systems. you have been pre-registered and no furthe r action on your pan is required. If you purchased thi s product through any other channel. then you must fil! out :rnd retum the enciosed product registration card. Registered users are el igible far technical support, warranty services. and reduced rate upgrades and updates.

ii Last Resort User s Manual

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Product Replacement Should the distribution disk become damaged after the warranty period. contact your dealer for replacement at a nominal charge.

Customer Support Should ym1 encounter any difficulty in using the software, or if the product does not operate as described, first consult this User's Manual and other instructional material. This documentation should contain answers to most questions. If your difficulty is still not resolved. contact your dealer. Your dealer is knowledgeable about the product and should be able to provide you with information and assistance.

Trademarks Last Resort is a registered trademark of Working Software Inc. Other products mentioned in this document may be trademarked by their respective companies and have been used for identification purposes only.

Preface 111

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Copyright The Last Resort User's Guide is copyrighted by Working Software, Inc. and Vertisoft Systems, Inc. Your rights of ownership are subject to the limitations and restrictions imposed by the copyright laws.

It is against the law to copy, reproduce, or transmit inc!uding -without limitation electronic transmission over any network, any part of the manual or program except as perrnitted by the Copyright Act of the United States, Title 17, United States Code. Under the law, copying includes translation into another language or format. However, you are perrnitted by law to write the contents of the program into the machine memory of your computer so that the program may be executed. You are also perrnitted by law to make working copies of the program, solely for your own use, subject to the following restrictions: (1 ) Working copies must be treated in the same way as the original copy; (2) If you ever sel!, lend. or give away the original copy of the program. all working copies must also be sold, lent. or given to the same person, or destroyed: and (3) No copy (original or working) may be used while any other copy (original or working) is in use except within the terrns of the license. The copyright notice that is on the original copy of the program must accompany any working copies of the program.

The above is notan inclusive statement of the restrictions imposed upon you under the Copyright Act. For a complete statement of the restrictions imposed upon you under the copyright laws of the United States of America, see Title 17, United States Code.

Last Resort Users Guide 1993 Working Software. Inc . and Vertisoft Systems, Inc .. Ali Rights Reserved

Last Resort 1991-1993 Working Software. Inc .. Al! Rights Reserved

iv Last Resort User's Manual

Vertisoft Systems

Table of Contents Quick Start For Windows Users .................................... vii Quick Start For DOS Users ............................................. ix Chapter 1 Introducing Last Resort. ................................. 1

System Requirements .. ........ .... ... .......... .. ...... ....... ... l , 2

Contacting Technical Support ........ .. ........ .......... ....... 2

What Last Reson Can Do For You .. ......... ... ...... .... .... 3

Chapter 2 Last Resort For Windows ............................... 5

Install ing Last Resort For W indows .. ..... ....... ..... ....... S

Using Last Resort For Windows ..... ......... ... .... .. ... ..... . 6

Opening T he Last Resort Window ..... .. ..... ......... ... .... 6

Opening Last Resort from the Task List.. .. ..... .. ......... 7

Configuri ng Last Resort For Windows

Getting Help

About Last Resort for W indows

Recovering Y our Keystrokes

Retrieve Text to File

Abour the Keystroke File

Hints & T ips ..... .

ANSI Characrers For Windows

Questions and Answers

Table Of Contents

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Chapter 3 Last Resort For DOS ...................................... 21

About Last Resort for DOS ........... ..... .... ...... ........ ... 21

Installing Last Resort for DOS 22

Automatic Installation ............................................. 23

Guided Installation 24

Using Last Resort For DOS

DOS Startup Options 26

Stopping Last Resort... ............................................. 29

Passwords and Security ........................................... 29

Recovering Your Keystrokes 29

Creating a Keystroke Text File 30

About The Keystroke Text File 31

The Backspace Key ................................ ................. _32

Using a Keystroke Text File 33

Hints & Tips 34

Network Disk Usage 35

Questions and Answers 36 Last Resort Error Messages .................................... 37

Glossary ............................................................................ 39

Index ................................................................................... ..il

VI Last Resort Users Manual

Vertisoft Systems

Quick Start For Windows U sers This section contains quick setup information far those of you who are in a hurry. When you have more time, please refer to the table of contents and the index to locate the details you need. You can view Last Resort's online help by choosing Help from the Last Resort program window. Installing Windows Last Resort

1. Turn on your computer and start Windows. You must be in Windows to use the Last Resort diskette installer program.

2. Place the Last Resort diskette in your floppy drive.

3. Use a word-processor toread the README file on the Last Resort diskette for installation instructions that did not make it into the manual.

4. Seiect Run from the Fiie menu. type A:WININST (one word. no spaces), and press [Enter]. Substitute B: or another letter in place of A:. if appropriate for your computer.

The installer copies the needed files to your hard disk. It prompts you to enter the name of the directory into which to copy the files necessary to run Last Resort. The installer modifies your Path statement in the AUTOEXEC.BAT, if necessary.

S. Exit Windows and restan your computer.

Quick Start Vil

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Using Last Resort For Windows The installer creates a Program Manager group and icon for Last Resort in Windows 3.0. If you use Windows 3.1 or later, the installer places the Last Resort icon in your Control Panel.

l. To change Last Resort' s settings, select the palm tree icon. open it, and choose the Configure Last Resort option.

Last Resort is set to Autoload, so that Last Resort will run automatically each time you start Windows. That way you don't have to wonder if Last Resort is saving your typing. You might forget that Last Resort is there. until you need it.

2. You might wish to change the Last Resort storage file size from the factory setting of 64 kilobytes. The size you choose depends on how much and how fast you usually type.

3. When you need to recover the text from your Last Resort keystroke file, select Retrieve Text to File and open the resulting plain text (ASCII) file with any word-processor.

4. Please read the "Perform Backspaces/Show Backspace As" section of this manual to understand why your keystroke file might not contain sorne text you know you typed.

Vil! Last Resort User's Manual

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Quick Start Por DOS Users Here is quick startup information for those of you who are in a hurry. We recommend also skimming the Table of Contents for information that might be pertinent to you. Installing DOS Last Resort

1. Place the Last Resort floppy disk in the diskette drive.

2. Read the document README.LR, if there is one on your Last Resort disk.

3. Type A:DOSINST (one word. no spaces). Substitute B: or another letter in place of A:, if appropriate on your computer.

4. Choose the Automatic installation, which installs in C:\RESORT with preset standard options, or choose Guided Installation to insrall according to your wishes.

5. Resrart your computer.

When you need to see your saved keystrokes

1. Change to your Last Resort directory (probably C:\RESORT).

2. Type: RESORT select option c. and specify a filename. 3. Use the resulting text file to help you recover your work.

DO NOT trv to edit Last Resort' s ori2:inal kevstroke recording file directlv.

-L Type RESORT and select option 'A' (or type RESORT /?) at any time for online help.

Quick Start IX

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Chapter 1 Introducing Last Resort

Thank You Thank you for purchasing Last Resort for Windows and DOS. Last Resort provides a way to recreate your work in Windows or DOS applications by saving keystrokes while you work. Last Resort create a disk-bast file containing ali keystrokes entered during a DOS or Windows session. If you experience a power failure or system crash. Last Resort can help you recover your work. E ven if other recovery methods ha ve failed, Last Resort can help you reconstruct your documents.

System Requirements Last Resort far Windows

Any Intel-based. FC compatibie computer system running MS Windows version 3.0 or later in 'Standard" or .. 386 Enhanced" mode. Last Resort will not operare in "Real" mode.

A t least 2 megabytes of memory.

64 KB of Windows system memory

300 KB of hard disk space for the Last Resort program :md related files, plus space for the keystroke recording file which can range from 1 KB to 32 MB depending on the way you work.

A mouse is recommended but not required.

Chapter 1 Introducing Last Resort

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System Requirements Last Resort for DOS

Any Intel-based, PC compatible computer system running MS or PC DOS version 3.0 or later.

A hard disk or networked disk (For networked drives, see Networks in the "Hints and Tips" section.) When installed, Last Resort will occupy about 3 Kb of RAM.

Contacting Techncal Support If you have a problem with Last Resort:

Please read this manual as well as related portions of the Windows manuals carefully.

Check/adjust Last Resort' s settings. Sean your computer for viruses .

Reinstall Last Resort from the original locked diskette .

Be sure that you have the most recent versions of Last Resort, Windows, and the applications you are using.

Try to determine if you are encountering a conflict with another Windows program.

Windows Users - Make sure your computer is running in Windows Standard or 386 Enhanced mode. Last Resort cannot run in Real Mode.

If the problem persists. please contact Vertisoft Technical Suppo11. at:

(803) '.269-531 l Voice (803) '.269-..J.7 l 9 FAX CompuServe: 71333.443 or GO VERTISOFT America Online: Vertisoft

2 Last Resort Users Manual

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What Last Resort Can Do For You Last Resort saves every character you type. including spaces. carriage retums, tabs, and backspaces, in the order you type them. This can help you recover your work in case a power failure, system crash, ora late night's grogginess wipes out your work before you ha ve a chance to save it. Even if other recovery methods have failed, Last Resort can help you reconstruct your documents.

Last Resort does not store function keys, cursor control (arrow) keys, pictures. or mouse clicks. It a!so does not store any text or pictures that you copy .or cut from one document and paste into another document.

The Last Resort Keystroke File As you type. Last Resort stores your keystrokes in a disk stor-age file named LRESORT.BIN. You can set the size of this storage file from l kilobyte to 32,000 kilobytes. When you have typed enough keystrokes to fill the fiie, Last Resort returns to the beginning of LRESORT.BIN and records from beginning to end again over the original keystrokes in the file. The process of returning to the beginning of the file is called "wrapping" .

Recovering Your Typing When you need to recover your typing, Last Resort converts LRESORT.BIN into a text (ASCII) file that you can read with any word-processor. DO NOT try to editor read LRESORT.BIN itself with a word-processor because this will damage it.

Last Resort records your keystrokes in the exact sequence in which you type them. Because of this sequential recording. the resulting keystroke files will not look exactly like the docLtments you work on. especially if you click around your Jocuments with a mouse .and insert or delete text here and tltere. With a little bit of editing. however, you can recover much of your work and save yourself hours of time in reproduction of ideas.

Chapter 1 Introducing Last Resort 3

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Making Hard Disk Backups Y ou can count on Last Resort when other backups fail because it is a!ways there, working in the background, recording every-thing you type. However, Last Resort is NOT a substitute for making no1mal backup copies of your important documents. For example, if your hard disk suffers a complete mechanical failure Last Resort cannot save you. Its recording file is lost too.

Next Steps If you are a Windows user, go on to Chapter 2. If you will be primarily using Last Resort from DOS, skip to Chapter 3 which describes Last Resort for DOS.

4 Last Resort User's Manual

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Chapter 2 Last Resort For Windows

Windows 3.0 Users!

Windows 3.1 (or later) Users

lnstalling Last Resort For Windows

1. Tum on your computer and start Windows. You must be in Windows to m n the diskette installer program.

2. Place the Last Resort diskette in the diskette dri ve.

3. Read the README file with a word-processing program, in case there are any last minute instructions that did not make it into this manual.

4. Select the Run command from the File menu.

5. Type A:WININST (one word. no spaces) and press [Enter]. Substitute B: or another letter in place of A:, if appropriare on your computer.

6. The installer prompts you to enter the name of the directory in to which to copy Last Resort' s files . If you type nothing, it chooses your Windows directory. _

If you choose to install the Last Resort files into a direc-tory that is not in your DOS path. the installer modifies the Path command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT for you. If you prefer. you can modify the path command in the AUTOEXEC.BAT yourseif after the installer copies Last Resort to your hard disk.

If you allow the installer to modify your AUTOEXEC.BAT, your original is saved as AUTOEXEC.LRS. If you're not sure how to modi fy your DOS path. please let the installer do it for you.

If you use Windows 3.0. the installer creates a Program Manager group and icon for Last Resort.

If you use Windows 3.1 or later. the installer piaces the Last Resort icon in your Control Panel.

Chapter 2 Last Resort For Windows 5

Vertisoft Systems

6. To change Last Resort' s settings, select its palm tree icon and double-click it (if you use a mouse) or press [Enter] if you are working from your keyboard.

7. Read the "Configuring Last Resort" section of this manual.

Using Last Resort For Windows For Last Resort to save your keystrokes, the Last Resort pro-gram must be running (loaded in memory). Last Resort stays in memory even if you minimize its window or hide its icon. If you close Last Resort, you remove it from memory and it stops recording your keystrokes.

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Unless you change Last Resort's configuration. Last Resort Ioads automatically (Autoload) every time you start Windows. That way, Last Resort is ready to capture your keystrokes immediately. You might forget it' s there until you need it.

To leam how to prevent Last Resort from Autoloading, please read the "Autoload" section of this manuai. If you disable the Autoload feature, you must run Last Resort manually each time you start Windows.

Opening The Last Resort Window

Last Resort

The Last Resort icon (shown above) appears at the bottom of your desktop while Last Resort is running. To access the Last Resort program window and make configuration changes. select and open the Last Resort icon from the desktop.

If you hide Last Resort's icon. you may open the Last Resort program window (for configuration changes, recovery of text.


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pausing of keystroke recording, help, the "About" window, or closing the program) only from the Last Resort Program Manager group or through the Control Panel.

Running Manually (Windows 3.0) To run Last Resort manually in Windows 3.0, double-click (or choose and open) its palm tree icon in the Last Resort Program Manager group. lf Last Resort is already running, this proce-dure opens the Last Resort program window without runn ing Last Resort again.

Running Manually (Windows 3.1 or Later) To run Last Resort manually in Windows 3. 1 or later, doubie-click the palm tree icon in the Control Panel. lf Last Resort is already running, the Last Resort program window open directly.

Opening Last Resort from the Task List Another way to open the Last Resort program window (while Last Resort is loaded in memory) is to select Last Resort from the Task List. Press Ctrl-Esc and use an arrow key to highlight Last Resort. Then Press Enter on your keyboard.

Last Resort does not appear in the Task List if you hide its icon.

Configuring Last Resort For Windows To change L::ist Resort's settings. open the Last Resort Program Window as shown below:


Vertisoft Systems

= 1 Last Resor1 1 T

1 R~~Text to File 1 ,-Configure Last Re-;~rt -

1 / Pause Last Resort 1

l 1 c~:~~-~~t Resort 1 1

1 Help 1

1 About Last Resort J . 1

Click the Configure Last Resort button. The Last Resort Configuration Window will appear as shown below:

1 = 1 Configure Last Resort 1

[- Storage File Size: ~ Kilobytes 1 !;ll' Autoload O Hide lcon

. j B:ckspace character options during file ex1ract1on - 1 1

'( > Perform Backspaces 1 I 1

Vertisoft Systems

the keystroke recording file "wraps" when it reaches its capacity and Last Resort retums to the "beginning" of the file to record new keystrokes from "beginning" to "end". Click the About Last Resort button in the prograrn window to check when the recording file last "wrapped". If it wraps severa! times each day, you might wish to increase the storage file size. (See the "About Last Resort" section of this manuai to read more about determining the time of last wrap.)

Reducing The Storage File Size If you decide to reduce the size of your storage file , you rnight wish to Retrieve Text to File befare changing the size. Then any data contained in the larger storage file that might not fit in smailer storage file will at least appear in the resulting text file .

Autoload The Autoload option causes Last Resort to load automaticaliy whenever_you start Windows. When the Auto load option is 'ON' , a Last Resort execution cornmand appears in the LOAD line of the WIN.INI file in your Windows directory. If you disable this option. Last Resort removes the LOAD instruction frorn the WIN.INI file, and Last Resort does not automatically run the next time you start Windows.

If Autoload is 'OFF' you must run Last Resort from its Program Manager group (Windows 3.0) or from the Control Panel (Windows 3.1 or later) each time you start Windows. until you re-select the Autoload option. Remember. if Last Resort is not running, it is not saving your keystrokes.

Hide lcon When the Hide Icon option is active. Last Resorfs palm tree icon disappears from the desktop after you rninimize it. To open the program window when the icon is hidden, you must select and open its icon from the Last Resort Program Manager group (Windows 3.0) or from the _Control Panel


lmportant

Perform Backspaces

Warning

Vertisoft Systems

(Windows 3. 1 or later). Last Resort does not appear in the Task List when its icon is hidden.

Perform Backspaces/Show Backspace As This option specifies how Last Resort displays the backspaces you have typed.

This setting affects only how the backspaces are displayed after the information in the LRESORT.BIN srorage file is converted to a readable text file. The storage file is not altered.

When you press the [Backspace] key, Last Resort saves aspe-cial character in the LRESORT.BIN storage file. Even the characters you erase (by pressing the [Backspace] key) appear in the storage file . During the Retrieve Text to File process, Last Resort either deletes characters immediateiy preceding the backspaces (Perform Backspaces), or it translates the backspaces into the character of your choice (Show Backspace As). Last Resort is configured to Perform Backspaces unless you change the program settings.

If you choose the Perform Backspaces option, Last Resort checks the number of backspaces you ha ve typed. deletes them, then deletes the same number of characters typed immediately before these backspaces. For example, suppose you type the following:

A mistke [Backspace] [Backspace ] ake

With the Perform Backspaces option, your Last Resort text file (and your original document) will look like:

This is a mistake

Use caurion if you choose the Pe1jonn Buckspces option. If you press rhe [ Backspace] key ajter clicking to around a docu-ment with your mol/Se, Last Reson will erase the wrong characters in your keystroke file .


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Show Backspace As

Vertisoft Systems

If important text is not appearing in your Last Resort files when the Perform Backspaces option is 'ON', switch to the Show Backspace As option, and re-Retrieve Text to File.

The Show Backspace As option causes Last Resort to display the character of your choice wherever you ha ve typed a [Backspace]. That way, you can tell where the backspaces are. From the drop down list, choose the character you want to rep-resent backspaces. The characters in the drop down listare special ANSI characters for use with Windows. If you open your keystroke text files with a DOS program, the character you have chosen might be displayed differently by that DOS program.

Recalling our previous example, suppose you type the following:

A mistke [Backspace] [Backspace)ake

The document you typed will look like:

A mistake

With the Show Backspace As option (using the ANSI value of 32 which is the code for a space character), empty spaces represent the backspaces you typed originally. Your Last Resort text file will look like this:

-;o._ mistke ake

Advanced Options Click Advanced Options in the Configuration Window to see the Advanced Configuration Window (Figure 4). These Advanced Options allow you to specify how often Last Resort records keystrokes to your hard disk.


Keystroke buffer size

Note

Auto save every

Pause Last Resort

Vertisoft Systems

=I Advanced Configuration Keystroke buffer size: Gcharacters (10-256)

1 i

Auto save ever: [3 seconds (1 0-60)

1 ~ J~cancel

For efficiency, Last Resort holds sorne characters in memory before saving them in the disk storage file . You can adjust this Keystroke buffer size setting to tell Last Reso1t how many characters to hold in memory (RAM) befare saving them. The keystroke buffer can hold from 1 O to 256 characters. The default value is 20 characters--about half of one line of text.

To change the Keystroke buffer size. type in the desired setting can ciick OK.

This setting determines the maximum number of characters you might lose in the event of a system crash. If you set a small keystroke buffer size, you can lose no more than a few characters: however. sorne systems may run more slowly since Last Resort will be saving to disk more frequently.

After your system is idle for this number of seconds. Last Resort saves the keystroke buffer to disk. The mnimum Auto save every setting is l O seconds and the maximum setting is 60 seconds. The default setting is ! O seconds. To change the Auto save every setting. type the setting you wish to use and click OK.

Last Resort records whatever you type in Windows, including passwords and confid(':ntial information. To stop Last Reson s keystroke recording while yo u entera password ( or e!ectronic


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Security

Close Last Resort

Getting Help

Aboilf Last Resortfor Windows

Vertisoft Systems

mail gossip ora !ove letter to your sweethea1t), open the Last Resort program window and click the Pause Last Resort button.

When Last Resort is paused, it does not save keystrokes, and the button says UnPause Last Resort. The About Last Resort window tells you if Last Resort is recording keystrokes or paused. If the button reads UnPause Last Resort, click it. The button again read Pause Last Resort, and keystroke recording resumes.

If you have security concerns, you should not leave Last Resort keystroke files where other persons can access- them. You should treat Last Resort' s files as you would treat any other secure info1mation on your computer.

The Close Last Resort option removes Last Resort from mem-ory, and stops keystroke saving until you run Last Resort again. If Last Resort is configured to Autoload. it will run the next time you start Windows.

Clicking Help or pressing the F 1 key while the Last Resort program vvrndow is open causes Last Resort to display online help.

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About Last Resort

Last Resort v 1.0 Copyright 199::

Working Software, lnc.

Programmers: Lar Mader Jim Wright

flast Resort Status Time of Last Wrap: 11 :22 pm 2 10 1993 Last Resort is recording keystrokes. File Size is 64 Kiiobytes.

~ Last Resort User's Manual

Retrieve Text to File

Yertisoft Systems

Choose About Last Resort to check Last Resort's status. The About Last Resort Window (shown above) displays Last Resort's version number, time of last wrap, whether keystroke recording is active, and the storage file size.

Recovering Your Keystrokes E ven if other recovery methods have failed. Las-t Resort can help you reconstruct a text document from the contents of your keystroke file. The ease of recovering text depends on such thjngs as how you type, how frequently you leave one application or document and start another, how often you jump to different parts of your document. and if you click around documents with your mouse.

For example. if you create a document by typing from the be-ginning to the end of the document without backspaces._then the Last Resort keystroke file will look almost exactly like the original document. However, a document that you spend severa! days to construct with text copied and pasted from other sources and with extensive modifications or formatt ing changes will be very difficult to reconstruct.

When you need to recover lost text. open the Last Resort Pro-gram Window and click Retrieve Text to File . Last Resort copies the LRESORT.BIN storage file's data into a plain text fil e that you c:m review or edit with your favorite word processor.

Unless you type a different filename, Last Resort names the keystroke text file LRESORT.TXT. Unless you specify a different directory, Last Resort saves the text file in the same directory wi th your Last Reson program files.

Last Resort remembers the last filename you use for the keystroke file and the last directory to which you saved text. The next time you need to Retrieve Text to File, Last Resort will prompt you with !ast fi!ename and directory you used.


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Important

About the Keystroke File

Time & Date Stamp

Other Differences

Un usual Keystroke File Contellts

Vertisoft Systems

If you ha ve already created a keystroke text file, it is a good idea to change the filename of subsequent keystroke text files. That way the subsequent files will not replace previously saved files.

Last Resort keystroke files will not look like the original documents you created. They will contain "Time & Date Stamps" and other differences from your original documents.

Last Resort pastes a Time & Date Stamp into the keystroke file each time it is started. This helps you locate the text you typed during a particular Windows session. A Time & Date Stamp will look like this:

This text typed after 2 : 35 pm, 2 - 2 - 1993

The keystroke files might not show recorded corrections you made with the backspace (see the "Perform Backspaces/Show Backspace As .. section of this manual).

They will not contain formmting or pictures.

They will not contain texr copied from one documenr and pasted into another document.

They will not contain function keys you ha ve pressed.

They will contain incorrect text along with your cor-rections. especially if you use the Show Backspace As op-tion .

As a result. the keystroke text file may appear strange to you at first. If you look closely, though, you will see pieces of your text. perhaps interspersed with unfamiliar characters.

Sorne of the unusual groups of characters may represent char-acters you type when making menu selections. For example. when you exit a program in Windows you might pcess Alt-f-x. The Alt will not appear in your keystroke file. but the fx might. If you press Ctrl-F4 to close a window. neither keysrroke will appear in your keystroke file.


Appearance of Backspaces

Vertisoft S ystems

Backspaces appear either as the printed character of your choice or they do not appear atal! (because they ha ve de leted the characters preceding them). See the "Perform Backspaces/ Show Backspace As" section above for more details.

Hints & Tips

Creating a Program Manager Group (Windows 3.0) Please fol!ow this procedure only if you ha ve not run the WININST program to copy Last Resort to your personal computer and only if you are running Windows 3.0. For more informa~ion about creating Program Manager groups, or about adding items to a Program Manager group, please refer to your Windows 3.0 manuals.

1. After copying the appropriate Last Resorr files to your hard disk and noting the directory into which you have copied them. select New from the Program Manager F ile menu.

2. Make sure the Program Group option is selected and choose OK. The Program Group Properties window open s.

3 . In the Description box, type Last Resort and press [Enter]. The Last Resort group window opens.

4. Select New from the File menu. The New Program Object window opens.

5. Make sure Program Item is selected and choose OK. The Program Item Properties window opens.

6. In the Description box. type Last Resort.

7. Type C:\PATHNAME\LRESORT.EXE in the Command Line box. The PATHNAME describes the path to the directory containing the Last Resort fiies . For example. if you store Last Resort in a directory called "MYDIR'' which is located on the root directory of your C Dri ve, you will probably enter C:\MYDIR\LRESORT.EXE. Choose OK.


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Now, you should have a Last Resort group anda Last Resort icon.

ANSI Characters For Windows When you choose the Show Backspace As option in the Configuration Window, a drop down list activates. This list displays the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) characters for Windows, i.e., the characters you can substitute for the backspace characters while working in Windows applications. The numeric values beside the characters are ANSI values for these particular characters when they are displayed in Windows.

If you open the keystroke files with a DOS word-processor, the characters you chose as replacements for backspace characters may look different.

Questions and Answers Should I set the Perform Backspaces option or Show Backspace As option? You have to decide based on the way you type. If you make lots of little mistakes, catch them while you are typing, backspace over them, and type corrections. use the Perform Backspaces option. If you click around documents and then press the [Backspace] key severa! times to delete en tire sen-tences or paragraphs, use the Show Backspace As option.

I use the Perform Backspaces option. Sorne text I typed is missing from my keystroke text file. How can I recover it? Before you panic, remember that the characters preceding the backspaces are not actua!ly deleted until the keystroke file is converted to text. This means that you can re-Configure Last Res01t to Show Backspace As and then re-Retrieve Text to File to recover your work. Please read the .. Perform Backspaces/Show Backspace As .. and the Retrieve Text to File" sections of this manual.

1 run more than one \Vindows version on the same computer. Can Last Resort work in more than one


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Windows environment (version) on the same personal computer? Yes. as long as you use Windows 3.0 or later. Run the in-staller in ali Windows environments to make sure that the proper files are copied for each version of Windows. Also, be sure to read the Running Last Resort section of this manual to learn how to access Last Resort in each environment.

Will Last Resort for Windows save my keystrokes if I enter DOS via the DOS Prompt? No. Last Resort for Windows saves keystrokes only while you are in Windows. A different version of Last Resort is necessary for DOS.

Does Last Resort record the function keys? No, Last Resort does not record function keys (F 1, F2, etc.), or Ctrl, Alt. Ese. or delete keys. It does not record clicks of the mouse. graphics (pictures), or cursor control keys (arrow keys). It also does not record text or pictures that you paste into your word processing documents.

May I stop doing regular backups of my hard disk? No, please don't. Last Resort cannot help you if your hard disk suffers a complete mechanical failure. Last Resort helps you rebuild individual documents notan entire hard disk.

Chapter 2 Last Resort Fer Windows 19

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Chapter 3 Last Resort For DOS

About Last Resort for DOS Last Resort is a program that maintains an on-disk backup of keystrokes, to help you recover your work in case of a power failure or other problem. Last Resort is installed as a memory-resident program (also called a TSR) that takes up 3 KB of memory. This means that it runs invisibly in the background, while you work with your regular software.

The Last Resort Last Resort stores ali your typing keystrokes in a disk file Keystroke File called a recording file. You determine the size of this file as

part of the installation process. As you type, all your keystrokes are kept in this file. When it fills up, Last Resort automatically "wraps" around to begin storing at the start of the file. replacing the o!dest text.

Function and cursor keys are not saved in the keystroke recording file. It also will not contain pictures or text that you paste into your documents. In other words, the recording file will contain ali the text or characters that you type at the key-board. When disaster strikes, such as a power failure when you have not saved your work. you can use Last Resort to copy your recent typing into a text file. You can then use this file to recover work that otherwise would be lost, (the recording file itself is in a special forrnat. so you should not try to edit it.)

You can count on Last Resort even when other backups fail, because it is always there. working in the background. saving every word you type. However, it is NOT a substitute for making normal backup copies of your important documems: if your hard disk suffers a complete fai!ure, you will lose your Last Resort file along with everything else on the disk.

Last Resort is a single program file. RESORT.EXE, that is normally run from your startup file. AUTOEXEC.BA T. Once Last Resort has been started. you can use program options to

Chapter 3 Last Resort For DOS 21

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check on its status, or to copy the recording file to a text form you can read and edit.

lnstalling Last Resort for DOS We have provided an automatic installation program on the Last Resort disk. We recommend that you use this automatic option. However, if you prefer. you can have the installer guide you through installation in a step-by-step manner.

To begin the installation of Last Resort far DOS, 1. Start your computer.

2. Insert the Last Resort diskette into the diskette drive.

3. Read the file named README.LR. It contains additional notes and instructions. Use your word processor to view this text file , or type at the DOS prompt:

TYPE README . LR i MORE

4. When you are ready to begin the actual installation, type:

A : DOSINST _ENT~

If the Last Reson diskette is not in drive A:. substitute the appropriate drive letter.

Press ~, to dismiss the introductory screen . The next screen will appear as follows:

Th1s prog:::::-am w1 _ l inst.all~asc Resor:::. for you . ::f yo'....: choose che a~comacic option, Last Resor: w~l : be i~sca: : ed wi:~ ~he defa~lt se:tings described - ~ ::.~e manual .

If ou do not choose ::.h aucomacic op:ion his i~s:::.alle:::::-tJil guide you through nsta-=._latior. . :::~ w 11 move tr.e :.as::. Res rt :iles to a direc ory o: your c::oos:. ; , a.;-,_.j N-.:_::_..:._

co~ igure che program to suit your needs .

lease press :he [Space bar] proceed w~ch guided ins:al -a::.ion . !~ you wish ~o i~sca Las~ Resort ~anually press he 2scape key co quic the in aller .

Press :

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'A ' : or Au~omatic insta lation [ Soace bar] for Guied nstallation ~s~ ~e leave :he inscal er

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S. You will now be asked to select either an Automatic or Guided installation.

Choosing Automatic causes the installation program to install Last Resort on drive C: using Last Resort ' s default settings.

Choosing a Guided installation lets you decide how and where Last Resort is installed. Choose a guided installation if you are installing to a floppy disk, on a network. or in any other unusual configuration.

Automatic lnstallation In an Automatic installation;

The Last Resort program files are installed on Drive C: in a subdirectory called \RESORT.

The keystroke recording file size is set to 40K.

The keystroke recording file is stored in the \RESORT directory.

The command to start Last Resort with these settings is placed in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

You will be asked if you use a mouse with your DOS applications. (A mouse or joystick that you use only when playing games does not count for the purposes of this question. ) If you use a mouse, press I. Otherwise, press

SPACEoA~ .

Once the automatic installation is finished, you will see a message instructing you to remove diskettes from the flopp y disk drives and press S to restart your computer.

After your system has been restarted. Last Resort \vil! begin providing the security of recording your keystrokes. If you chose an Autorrrntic installation of Last Resort, skip the next section and go on to the section titled:


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Guided lnstallation In a guided installation you will be asked to supply a drive and subdirectory as well as other operating parameters for Last Resort. Press ~~.M_IL to select a Guided installation. l. At the next screen, you wiil be asked to press ~ACEBAIL' to

accept C:\RESORT as the directory for Last Resort installation orto type in a new drive and/or directory and press ' ENTEIL .

The install program will now copy the Last Resort files to the drive and directory specified.

2. At the next screen, you will be given the option of having the installation program place an entry in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so that Last Resort is started automatically each time you start your system, orto allow you to make this modification yourse!f.

Press ~ME_ to have the installation program modify AUTOEXEC.BAT or ~ if you do not want the installation program to make these changes.

3. At the next screen, you will be given the option of having the Last Resort place its keystroke file in the same directory as its program files, or in a directory that you specify.

Press ~PACEB_t\L to have Last Resrt place its keystroke file in the same directory as its program files. or type-in an alternare directory name and press ENTER

4. You will now be asked to select certain options to optimize Last Resort's operation. (These options can be changed later.) Press .~r~cE~~ to continue.

5. Now specify the length of Last Resort' s keystroke file determines how much keyed input is saved. Select a size for this file, in kilobytes. If you are unsure of what to

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en ter here, press . ENTER. and the default size of 40 KB will be used.

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The file size you specify determines how much of your work will be saved in the keystroke recording file. This file is written in a circular manner. so the oldest keystrokes are replaced as you type new text. When Last Resort reaches the end of the keystroke file, it wraps around and starts replacing the oldest keystrokes with the newest. If you can afford the disk space. set a Large file size to protect more of your work from disaster.

6. Next. you will be asked if you use a mouse for your DOS applications. (A mouse or joystick that you use only when playing games does not count for the purposes of this question.) Press 1>1. if you use a mouse, otherwise. press ~' Last Resort works a little differentiy depending on whether or not you ha ve a mouse or other pointing device. These differences involve the way that Last Resort handles the backspace key.

7. You will now be shown a summary of the options ch osen. Press :Y to confirm these choices or press ~ to repeat the selection process. Remember that you can change the options selected here at any time later on. Press _ese to quit the installation program without making any changes to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

8. The last step is to determine where in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to insert the RESORT command line. You will see a window displaying the contents of your current AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Use the Up or Down arrow keys to move the highlight bar to the location within your AUTOEXEC.BAT file where you want the Last Resort TSR command to be inserted. Normally, it is best to put it right at the start because the Last Resort command should appear before any command that starts a menu or shell program. Press Jl-Jm when you have indicated the proper location.

9. You will now see a message instructing you to remove diskettes from the floppy disk drives and press lE_ASEM

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Last R50.tT l. O Copyright 1991 Working Soft.vare, Portions copyright Pete Maclean .

Creat ing C : \RESORT. KEY (only the tirst time after installation) Opening e: \RESORT. KEY (whenever you run it after the first time)

?osicioning . Recording .

Using Last Resort Fer DOS Once installed, Last Resort starts automatically every time you turn on or restart your computer. When Last Resort starts you will see:

Last Resort. :!.. . O Copyr ight 1991 Working Sof:t,'lare, Por:;:ions copyright

,. Pete Maclear:..

Creat ing C: \RESORT. KEY (only the first time after installation) Opening C : \ RESORT. KEY (whenever you run it after the first time)

?osicion i ng . Recording.

Last Resort runs in the background while you work with your other software. Yo u can forget it' s there - until you need it.

DOS Startup Options Last Resort provides a number of command line options which are detailed below. This section is provided for you use in fine-tuning the operation of Last Resort, but is not required reading for most users.

The command line in AUTOEXEC.BAT that starts Last Resort is in this format:

d: \path \RESORT [ / R] [ / S=nn] [/M]

Where:

The d:'yxllh refers to a location on disk, with d: representing the drive, and \path representing the directory. If you installed Last Resort in C:\RESORT, the program files are on Drive C in the directory named \RESORT, and this part of the command line will read C:\RESORT\RESORT. To run the


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Last Resort program, its location must be specified. This has been included automatically if you used the insta!ler to add the command to your A UTOEXEC.BA T file.

The IR switch tells Last Resort to load itself as a memory-resident program (TSR). If you type the RESORT command without the IR, you will see severa! options which are discussed later.

The IS parameter allows you to specify the size. in kilobytes, for the keystroke-recording file . IS= 100, for example, tells Last Resort to allocate a file 100 KB in size. If you omit this option then a default size of 40 KB is used.

The size that's best for you depends !argel y on how fast a typ-ist you are. Except for the disk space used, it always helps to use a big file - and the bigger it is the more safety margin you have. The range of supported file sizes is l to 32,000 KB (that's 32 megabytes) . Sorne tips are given later on to help you seiect a suitable file size.

The best way to decide if your keystroke file is the right size is to check on it from time to time. You can use the "Time of Last Wrap" information (see "Checking the Status of Last Resort" below). Or you can create a keystroke text file from time to time, and review it to see how far back its information goes (see "Creating a Keystroke Text File" later in the manual).

Note that. if you reduce the size of the file, part of your current keystroke recording file will be lost the next time you restart your computer. Before you restan, make a copy of the current file, or use the /C option discussed later to create a text version, if you want to avoid losing sorne information it currently holds.

The /M option should be included if you ha ve a mouse and use it to position the cursor when entering text. If you ha ve a mouse but use it only, say, when playing garues, then you can safely omit the option and are better off doing so.


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Displaying Last Resort Status When you type RESORT 1ENTER i all by itself at the DOS prompt, Last Resort (if it has been loaded in memory) displays it current status and the version number . Here is a sample of what you will see:

Last Resort i -s-- loaded anci recording you::- keys::.ro~es . 1'eyscroke file : C : \RESORT\RESORT . KEY File size is 100 kilobytes . Time of last wrap : 11 : 23am 10-24-91 Please select an oocion :

Press ' A ' for iformation about loading Last Re~ort in your AUTOEXEC.BAT

Press ' C' to copy che keystroke file in arder to retrieve lost text

Press Enter to quit O:;::.i.on?

The first line tells you that Last Resort is loaded and run-ning.

The following two lines tell you the name of the recording file and its size.

The fourth line indicates when the file last 'wrapped,'' that is, the time when Last Resort reached the end of the allocated recording space and started writing over the beginning of the file. By checking the wrap time once in a while you can get an idea of how much work Last Resort is saving at any one time. You may then want to adjust the file size. You will also be prompted to press:

- A to see a help screen - C to copy the keystroke file to a DOS file - ENTER, to exit back to the DOS prompt

Getting Help To view a help screen for Last Resort. type;

RESORT /? ENT~j

at the DOS prompt. you see a screen of help information describing how to invoke Last Resort from the DOS command line or from within a batch file such as AUTOEXEC.BA T.


Protecting Your Password

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Stopping DOS Last Resort To stop Last Resort from recording keystrokes you must remove the line starting d:\path\RESORT ... from your AUTOEXEC.BAT and then restart the computer.

No other option is provided for unloading Last Resort from memory. Since it's so small and should never get in the way, we think that security is better served by not providing an unload option. For the same reason, we provide no way to disable keystroke recording except when you are entering a password, as we'll see next.

Passwords and Security Last Resort records whatever you type. including passwords and confidential information. In general, if you have security concerns. you should not leave Last Resort keystroke files where other people can access them. You should treat Last Resort s files as yo u would treat any other secure information on your computer. However. you may occasionally need to type a password that you don't want recorded. Last Resort gives you a way to temporarily suppress keystroke recording for any single line you type.

When you type a password. you normally terminare the line by pressing JNTER If. instead. you hold down the Shift key while pressing Jl'JTER , Last Resort suppresses recording of that line. Thus if your password is CABOOSE. you would type:

CABOOSE_SHIF_l it!I ER ,

The text will be passed through to application program exactly as typed. but the infom1ation wi 11 not be recorded in the Last Resort keystroke file.

Recovering Your Keystrokes Last Resort is designed to be there when you need it most. such as when sorne mishap like a power failure wipes out your


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recent work. Even if other methods of recovery ha ve failed, Last Resort can help you reconstruct a text document from the contents of your keystroke files.

The ease with which you will be able to recover text depends on such things as how you type, how often you leave one application or document and start on another, and how often you jump to different parts of your document.

For example, if you create a document by typing from the be-ginning to the end of the document without backspaces, or jumps to different places, then the Last Resort keystroke file will look very much like the original document. However. a document that was created over severa! days with text that is coped into it from places other than the keyboard and with extensive modifications made throughout the document will be diffrcult to reconstruct.

Creating a Keystroke Text File Last Resort records keystrokes in a special file named RESORT.KEY. This file contains program formatting information, and usually does not contain your keystrokes in the order you typed them, since it is constantly being updated in a "circular" manner. For these reasons, you should not try to edit or read this file.

When you need to recover Iost text, you cause Last Resort to copy the keystroke recording file into a plain text file that you can review or edit. In the process of making this copy, Last Resort "unwraps'' the saved text so that, instead of appearing as a Iooped file with a "seam" somewhere in the middle, it becomes a document containing your most recent keystrokes in sequence. Y ou can then use this file to recover lost work, as discussed in a later section.

To create a keystroke text file which you can read and edit, type:

RESORT_fNT~


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at the DOS prompt. A status screen will appear similar to the one shown below:

Last rtesor is loaded and recording your ~eys t ~oKes . Keystroke iie : C : \RESORT\RESORT . KEY File size s 100 kilobytes. Ti me of l ast wrao : 11 : 23am 10-24 - 91 ?lease s e lec t an ootion :

Press ' A' far i~ f ormation about loading Last Resort in your AUTOEXEC . BAT

Pre ss ' C ' to copy the keystroke file in orde:::- to retrie,1e lose cext

Press En t er to quic Ootion?

Press .,8 to copy the keystroke file. When prompted for a filename, type the name you want for your keystroke text file, for example:, SA VED.TXT. This will create a file called SA VED.TXT that you can edit.

About The Keystroke Text File Last Resort keystroke files will not usually Iook exactly like the original documents that you created. For one thing, you will see date and time information for each time you started up your computer, or restarted it. In addition:

The keystroke files may not have recorded corrections you made with the backspace (depending on whether you specified the Mouse option when you installed - see below).

They will not contain formatting or pictures.

They will not contain text that was pasted into the document.

They will not contain function keys you have pressed.

They will contain incorrect text along with your corrections.

As a result, the keystroke text file may look pretty strange at first. If you look closely, though, you will see pieces of your text, perhaps interspersed with unfamiliar characters. Sorne of the unusual groups of characters may represent char-acters you typed to make a selection from a menu. For ex-


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ample, if your word processor requires the keystrokes Alt-F 10. S, Y, E to save and resume editing, you will see sye in tfie keystroke file. The Alt-F lO is not recorded, but the Ietters or numbers you type to make menu selections will appear in your text.

The Backspace Key Another explanation for unusual looking text has to do with the use of the backspace key. Exactly what Last Resort records when you type a backspace depends on whether or not you are using the Mouse option.

If you specified No Mouse when you installed, Last Resort performs a backspace when you press the backspace key. So, for example, if you make a correction like this:

A correctn McKsPcEion

Both your document and the Last Resort keystroke file show the right text:

A correction

However. if you chose the Mouse option when you installed, a different rule applies. Last Resort has no way of knowing whether you have used the mouse to move the cursor before you press the Backspace key, and so it can't know just what correction you are making. For that reason. it stores the backspace as a character. For example, if you typed the following into your document:

A mistke ~cKsP~ ~CKJPce_ ake

the result in your original document wi ll appear as:

;>, mis t ake

but the Last Resort keystroke file will show:

A mistke ake


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With a little practice, you will see quckly how to fit together the mist and ake, deleting the characters in between. to correct the text.

NOTE - If you frequently use the backspace key to delete text that you might change your rnind about later, be sure to enable the Mouse option. This way, even text deleted by backspacing immediately after typing will be saved by Last Resort.

Using a Keystroke Text File Once you have created a readable keystroke file, there are severa! ways you can use it to recover your work:

You can view the contents of the file using the command:

TYPE 1 MOREENTER

(The 1 is the vertical bar character.) For , substitute the name of the keystroke text file you created in the previous section. The file will be displayed one screen ata time. with the word MORE at the bottom. Press Enter when you want to view the next screen, or press Ctrl-C to stop displaying the file. Reviewing the contents of the keystroke file al!ows you to see what you have done previously and decide how to use the file.

You can edit the fi le using your word processor. Open the file as a plain text. or ASCII, document, if your word processor has this option. You may then want to remove irrelevant parts and store the useful portions as a new document. Or you may be able to cut and paste the useful sections into your original document(s). Or you may want to print the useful portions of the file to help you reconstruct your work.

You may want to keep a series of archive copies of your keystroke files as a running record of your work. In this case. you can use sequential filenames for the text keystroke files you create, or include the date of each one _as part of its filename.


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Hints & Tips

Microsoft Windows & Last Resort DOS Version Last Resort DOS is compatible with Microsoft Windows, but it does not save keystrokes that are typed into Windows applications. It does save keystrokes that are typed into DOS applications running in Windows.

When you run "remate-control" programs such as Carbon Copy, CO/SESSION, TakeOver and pcAnywhere, you may find that Last Resort does not record your keystrokes. These programs, of necessity, take over the PC ata very low level and short-circuit the trap that Last Resort uses to intercept keystrokes.

We could make Last Resort work with such programs. but it would ha ve to be considerably bigger and more cumbersome. We decided the best compromise was to provide a utility that is very small and unobtrusive .

Batch File Text Retrieval Here' s a batch file yo u can use to crea te a keystroke text file and retrieve it with your word processor. This batch file uses the command Iine argument IC= to create a text file.

Our example assumes you start your word processor with the command WP; substitute whatever is appropriate for you.

e cho off c l s \d : \pa t h \RESORT / c=\d : \path \ wp \d : \ path\< fi lename>

Create this file as a plain text (unformatted) file with your word processor. Store it with a name such as LRTXT.BAT in your root directory or DOS directory.

Then you type LRTRXT at the DOS command line to create a keystroke text file and retr.ieve it for review or printing. If you are a Windows user, you can create a .PIF file (using the PIF


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Editor) that includes the name of this batch file, and creare an icon far it. Then you can create the keystroke text file and view it in your word processor by double clicking the icon.

HINT: Y cu may be able to simplify the commands somewhat. If your Last Resort directory is included in your_P A TH statement, and you are willing to have the text file created in your root directory, you can rewrite the third line to read:

RESORT / c = \

ANOTHER HINT: if you replace both places where it appears in the batch file wi th % l , yo u can crea te different text files. Run the batch file by typing: LRTXT . You can then use a different text filename each time you use the batch file.

Backspaces If you frequem!y use the backspace key to delete text that you might change your mind about later. be sure to enable the Mouse option during installation. This way, even text deleted by backspacing immediately after typing will be saved by Last Resort.

Network Disk Usage You may install the Last Resort program (RESORT.EXE) on a network, provided you have purchased a license for each workstation that might load it.

You can install the keystroke file on a network drive , if neces-sary, although performance will be better if you store it on a local drive. If you do place keystroke files on a network drive, ali users must place their file in a different di rectory and, of course, they ali must have write permission for their directory.

The IBM PC LAN program creates an AUTOUSER.B A T file in addition to AUTOEXEC.BAT. The Last Resort command will be placed in AUTOUSER.BAT, if one exists. rather than in AUTOEXEC.BAT.


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Questions and Answers When 1 look at Last Resort's keystroke recording file, 1 see strange characters, and the text is not in chronological order. Y ou are viewing the raw data file kept by Last Resort. U se the command RESORT /c= to create a text version of this file in chronological order. Then view or edit that file. See the section "Recovering From Disaster."

How come there are no pictures in my Last Resort keystroke file? Last Resort only' saves characters that you type on the key-board. Last Resort also does not save text that is copied into a document.

May 1 stop doing regular backups? No. Last Resort will not help you if your hard disk fails. Last Resort is for use as a last resort for rebuilding text documents.

Is Last Resort compl!tible with all hardware and software? We have tested Last Resort extensively, although it is not possible to test it with every combination of hardware and software. We have found no incompatibilities other than those limitations discussed earlier.

Will Last Resort work with databases? Yes. Last Resort works with databases. Ali the keystrokes are recorded, but the inforrnation will not be in database format. It may be necessary t print the relevant portions of the Last Resort text file , and use it to retype the data in the database program.

What happens if my disk fills up? When Last Resort is started, it creates a file of the size you specified, and the file never grows or shrinks. Last Resort will not fill up your disk.

How often are keystrokes moved onto the disk from memory?


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Keystrokes are sent to the disk whenever you type Retum or Enter with at 1east 20 characters waiting in memory, or when 80 characters are waiting in memory.

Last Resort Error Messages Last Resort checks carefully for error conditions to increase reliability. If it detects an error Last Resort will display one of the following error messages:

IC option must be followed by "= This appears if the program is run with /C and no filename.

Dupiicate pathname argument This appears if you include more than one pathname argument.

lnvalid option You wi!l see this if an invalid option appears on the command line, such as "/X".

!C is valid only when Last Resort is resident This means you must load Last Resort as a TSR (resident) program before you can create a text file of saved keystrokes .

Cannot access this path You probably typed the pathname incorrectly. Check it and try again.

This program requires at least version 3.0 of DOS To see what version of DOS is running. type the command VER ENTER . at the DOS prompt.

Bad syntax on file-size option The IS argument must indicate the size you want in kilobytes for the keystroke recording file . For example. 15=60 indicares a 60K file.

A file size of O is not acceptable You would see this only if the command line included "/S=O" .

Arrggh! Cannot locate DOS Critica! Error Flag


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This outburst would only appear with sorne unusual version of DOS.

Error opening . Error reading . . . Error writing . . . These occur either upon initialization of the keystroke file or on copying it. The messages continue with details of the error.

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Glossary

ANSI - (pronounced "ANN-see"), is short for American National S.tandards Institute. It provides the standard numer-ical way of referring to particuiar characters you see displayed in Windows. See the "ANSI Characters For Windows" sec-tion for more information about ANSI characters and how they differ from DOS to Windows.

Argument - Nota verbal duel, but a piece of information or a setting that you specify as part of a program command; also called a parameter. Thus, when you type RESORT /? the !? is considered an argument.

ASCII - A system of codes that represent characters. An ASCII file is a plain text file that includes no formatting or other encoded information. The Last Resort keystroke text file is a plain ASCII file.

AUTOEXEC.BAT - The startup file on your PC that runs au-tomatically whenever you turn on or restart the computer. This rnight contain a PA TH command which tells DOS and Windows which directories to search when looking for certain files and commands. (See also PATH.)

Command line - A line that you type at the DOS prompt to run a program or perform sorne other function. The DOS prompt usually shows the disk drive followed by an arrow, or sornetimes by the name of the current subdirectory, like this: C> or this: C:\RESORT>.

Directory - A location on a disk (or other storage mediurn) that can contain files. A directory that is within another di-rectory is called a subdirectory.

Document - Whatever you create wirh an application pro-gram -informarion you enter. modify. view, or save. See also file.

File - Any collection of information stored on a disk under a filename. Application prograrhs and documents are examp!es

Glossary 39

1

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of files . You make a file when you create text or graphics, give the material a name, and save it to disk. The term file is often used as a synonym for document.

Keystroke recording file - The program file used by Last Resort to store your keystrokes. It contains sorne program information, and is written in a "circular" manner, with new text stored at the beginning once the file has filled up.

Keystroke Text File - Windows - A plain text (ASCII) file Last Resort creates from the LRESORT.BIN file when you choose the Retrieve Text to File option from the Last Resort program window.

Keystroke Text File - DOS - A file you create from the keysrroke recording file using the /C form of the RESORT command. This is a plain text file you can read or print with your word processor.

Kilobyte (also K or KB) - Just over 1,000 bytes (1024 bytes). A byte is a basic unit on computers, and corresponds roughly to one typed character in a text file. Disk capacity is specified in kilobytes or megabytes (MB). (One megabyte is 1024 kilobytes.)

PA TH - Also pathname. A complete description of a disk location. including subdirectories. if any. For example: C:\WINDOWS\LRESORT. This specifies Drive C, in direc-tory called \LRESORT that is a subdirectory of \WINDOWS. The AUTOEXEC.BAT file can contain a PATH command that searches certain directories far program (.EXE) files. Plain text -Another name for an ASCII file (see above).

Storage File - The program file (LRESORT.BIN) used by Last Resort to store your keystrokes. Do not open or edit this file with a word-processor because doing so can damage it.

TSR - A TSR is a program that is loaded into memory and then terminates, but remains active in the background (TSR stands for "terminare and stay resident"). Last Resort is a TSR.


Vertisoft Systems

Index A About Last Resort - Windows Advanced Configuration Window - Windows Advanced Configuration - Windows

Auto save every Keystroke Buffer Size

Advanced Options - Windows ANSI Arrow Keys - Windows ASCII Auto save every - Windows AUTOEXEC.BAT AUTOEXEC.LRS Autoload - W indows Automatic Installation - DOS

B Backspaces

DOS Windows

Batch file text retrieval

e Clase Last Resort - Windows Configuration Window - Windows Configuring Last Resort - Windows Control Panel - Windows Copyright Customer Support

D Databases Directory DOS Programs in Windows Yersion

E Error Messages - DOS

lndex

9. 14. 15 12 13 i3 13 13

12. 18. 39 3,19

39 13

5,21 , 24. 25. 39 5

6. 8. 10. 14. 16 23

31, 32, 35 11 34

14 8, 18 7, 13

5, 6. 7, 10. 14 IV

iii

36 39 !9

37

41

1' .n, ,;.. ___ _

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F Full disks Function Keys - Windows

G Guided Installation - DOS

H Hard Disk Backups Hardware Requirements - Windows Help screen - DOS Help - Windows Hide Icon - Windows

I Icon - Windows Installation

DOS

K Keystroke Buffer Size - Windows Keystroke File - DOS

Editing Size

Keystroke Recording File - DOS Size

Keystroke Text File - DOS Appearance Backspaces Contents Creating Suggestions for Using

Keystroke Text File - Windows

36 3, 16, 19

24

3, 19,36 1

28 14

6, 7, 10

6

22

13

29 27

21. 30. 36 24 40 31

31. 32 31

30, 31 33

12, 15, 16. 18. 40


Vertisoft Systems

L Last Resort

Program directory Last Resort DOS

Compatibility with other software Description Using with Windows

Last Resort Icon - Windows License Agreement LRESORT.BIN LRESORT.TXT

M Mouse (installation option - DOS)

N Network disk usage

o Options - DOS Options - Windows

p Palm Tree Icon - Windows Passwords

DOS Windows

Pasted Text - Windows Path Pause Last Resort - Windows Perform Backspaces - Windows

Missing Text Pictures Product Registration Product Replacement Program Manager Group - Windows Program Manager lcon - Windows Program Window

Indcx

24

34 21 34

6, 7, 10, 14

1, 3, 9. 11, 13, 15, 40 15

27, 32

35

26 13

10. 14

29 13

3, 16, 19 5, 26,40

13 11. 18 11. 18

3, 19. 31. 36 11

111

6. 7. l 14. l 7 17 7

43

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Q Quick Start

Windows DOS

R Recovering Text

DOS Windows

Removing Last Resort from memory - DOS RESORT.EXE Retrieve Text to File - Windows

s Security

DOS Windows

Settings - DOS Settings - Windows Show Backspace As - Windows Startup options - DOS Status screen - DOS Status - Windows Stopping Last Resort - DOS Storage File Size - Windows

Reducing Setting

System Requirements

T Table of Contents Task List - Windows Technical Support Time & Date Stamp - Windows Time of Last Wrap - Windows Trademarks Troubleshooting TSR

u UnPause Last Resort- Windows Using Last Resort - Windows

VI

IX

29 15 29 21 15

29 14 26 13

11. 12, 16, 18 26 27 15 29

3, 9, 15 10 9

V

7. 10 2

16

!!!

2 40

14 6


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V Version Number

DOS Windows

w Warranty WIN.INI Windows 3.0 vs. later versions Wrap - Windows

Index

27 15

11

10 5. 14, 18

3, 9, 15

45

1993 - Last Resourt

Documents

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