Folders full of objects

The view below lists the XE "object" contents of the folder XE "folder" QBP_5_CD on the D: drive. The folder is full of objects. A definition of “object” would do well here. Searching four books on Windows 95, I found no such definition. “Object” appears to be a collective term for subordinate folders, data files, programs, and other files, and sometimes appears in descriptions of Windows operations.

Folders can be opened to display a list of files and other objects. The folders can be identified using either of the two methods above. If the button for My Computer is in the taskbar, click it. Otherwise, minimize all windows, and double-click the icon for My Computer. With that window displayed, double-click on the line for the drive containing your QuickBooks? files. These files are probably in the Qbooksw folder. Double click on it.

The default view of a folder contains large icons for the objects. Some important information can be gathered by switching to the detail view. Click View|Details.

Sorting of the listing XE "sorting:file names" of files is possible by clicking in the heading button at the top of a column, allowing a sort by Name, size, Type or Date Modified, depending on the heading selected. Sorting on Modified (date last modified) is a quick way to bring your data file to the top. Notice Sample.qbw in the view. Clicking again sorts in reverse order.

_Window siz_ e may need XE "window size" to be adjusted. The mouse pointer becomes a sizing arrow as it passes the edge of the window. Holding down the left mouse button, the edge of the window may be dragged.

TIP

The last files changed XE "last files changed" can be identified by sorting on date, and provide hints as to which files to back up. XE "back up:file selection" QuickBooks? , for example will automatically back up your company data file (in compressed form.) Preferences controlling all of QuickBooks? are in qbw.ini and printer settings are in the wpr.dat file. These could well be included in an automatic, mass backup system.

Scrolling brings more files into view. Try clicking in the scroll bar XE "scroll bar" or scroll arrows, and dragging the scroll button, to see what each does. The sense of scrolling movement is that of moving a window up or down, in front of the list, as if the list were not moving.

Column width can be adjusted by dragging the divider on the right side of the button at the head of the column. (The picture shows two mouse pointers. This requires a professional driver on a closed course. Do not attempt this on your computer. Actually, it was done by art work.)

Type column lists the file type, if Windows recognizes it.

Renaming a file XE "renaming:files" merits some caution. Just click once on the icon at the left of the file name. The file name will be highlighted as active. Then, on the menu bar, click File|Rename (or type Alt-F M. ) If the DOS file suffixes are displayed, follow these steps carefully:

1. Press the cursor-move right arrow key, which de-selects the name, but leaves the rename function active.

2. Press the left cursor-move arrow key four times, moving the marker to the left of the period. (If you have a definite reason for changing the suffix, skip this step and provide a suffix on step 4.)

3. Hold down the Shift key and press the left arrow eight times, or enough times to move it fully across the name, highlighting it.

4. Type in the new name, leaving the suffix as it is.

Copying files within XE "copying files" the folder also starts by highlighting the file name. The next step I find to be nothing less than weird. Click Edit|Copy then Edit|Paste. Scrolling down to the bottom of the list, you will find Copy of ... (the file name) waiting to have the name changed.

Copying or moving files between XE "copying files" XE "files:copying or moving" folders is done differently . Before starting this, both the source and destination folders must be displayed. If the destination is a floppy disk, open it by clicking on its icon in My Computer.

1. Highlight the file name.
2. Point at it with the mouse.
3. Hold down the right mouse button, and drag the frame to the new location.
4. Release the right mouse button and get a menu.
5. Copy leaves the original in the old location, and makes a new copy.
6. Move deletes the file from the old location, and makes a new copy.

Advanced users will recognize this as the long way. It is appropriate here, because it is simple and safe.

Multiple file moves are not difficult. Rounding up a herd begins with clicking one file. Holding down the Shift key and clicking another file will select that file and all between. Holding down the Control key and clicking allows selection of non-contiguous file groups. Once the selection is set up, point at any of the files and move as in step 3 and on, above.