Microsoft KB Archive/12267

SUPERCHARGING MS-DOS by Van Wolver PSS ID Number: Q12267 Article last modified on 12-04-1986 PSS database name: PRESS

from qedp Subject: SUPERCHARGING MS-DOS by Van Wolverton MICROSOFT PRESS BOOK ORDERING INFORMATION: For single copy orders, call 1-800-638-3030 For volume purchases, contact Kathryn Yates, 206-882-8080

SUPERCHARGING MS-DOS by Van Wolverton $18.95 320 pages ISBN: 0-914845-95-0 Pub. Date: December 1, 1986

SUPERCHARGING MS-DOS The Microsoft Guide to High Performance Computing for the Experienced PC User

Special Companion Disk Offered

First published in 1984, Van Wolverton’s bestselling RUNNING MS-DOS is acknowledged as a classic: “…simply the definitive handbook of PC-/MS-DOS.” – BYTE “RUNNING MS-DOS by Van Wolverton proves how-to books don’t have to be pedantic, ugly and full of mistakes. A book even the PC-DOS mavens turn to, it is written by a human being, for human beings, in a strange and wonderful tongue: English.” – Jim Seymour, PC Week “…it is the best MS-DOS user’s book I’ve come across.” – Jerry Pournelle

Now, Van Wolverton has written SUPERCHARGING MS-DOS, a guide to high performance computing for the experienced user. This title is set for publication on December 1, 1986, and will be supported by a major advertising campaign. Picking up where RUNNING MS-DOS leaves off, Van Wolverton shows readers how to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities of PC-/MS-DOS (all versions through 3.2) to use their computers more productively. The first section of SUPERCHARGING MS-DOS lays a foundation of techniques that are employed in the specific examples found later in the book. Wolverton details the IBM extended character set, ASCII characters, hexadecimal numbers, and how to use the ANSI.SYS device driver to control the display and keyboard. He demonstrates the Debug program and teaches advanced batch file techniques and how to use them when creating a menu system. The second section of SUPERCHARGING MS-DOS applies the methods taught in chapters 1-7 to specific parts of a computer. Readers will learn how to customize their systems by creating a number of batch files and programs. Included are examples for: * Designing screens using bold, reverse video, and color to display menus, help information, or instructions * Creating, examining, or changing any file–even a program * Setting up a customized menu system that allows any program to be run by simply pressing one or two keys. These programs and batch files, taken as a whole, are a valuable library of utilities that will be used again and again by business users, professional programmers, and students. Comprehensive appendixes provide quick references to ANSI.SYS commands, the ASCII and IBM extended character set, hexadecimal numbers, and the key codes used with ANSI.SYS commands. In all, SUPERCHARGING MS-DOS will help experienced users get the maximum efficiency, productivity, and creativity from their personal computers. To save readers time and effort in typing in the various files and programs, Microsoft Press is offering a companion disk containing all the batch files, script files, and programs included in the book. The disk is priced at $15.95 and is available directly from Microsoft Press. A professional writer since 1963, Van Wolverton has had bylines as a newspaper reporter, editorial writer, political columnist, and technical writer. He wrote his first computer program–one that tabulated political polls–for the Idaho State Journal in Pocatello, Idaho, in 1965. His interest in computers and writing have been intertwined ever since. Van has worked at IBM and Intel and has written software documentation for the major national software companies, including Microsoft Corporation. His book, RUNNING MS-DOS, is a classic with more than 300,000 copies in print. Van and his wife, Jeanne, live in Alberton, Montana. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ “MSFT”), based in Redmond, Washington, develops, markets, and supports a wide range of software for business and professional use, including operating systems, languages and application programs as well as books and hardware for the microcomputer marketplace.

Microsoft, MS-DOS, and the Microsoft Press logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986.