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      I was tempted to write about two programs that unfortunately have the
] same title.  In that way, I could have subtitled this article as ]20"A Tale of
] ]20Two SIDies"]10. Actually, I offer this warning that two programs, both
named SID, do exist and you should exercise some caution in your selection of a
source.  These two SIDs aren't in any way similar in purpose or function.

     (JUMPDISK NOTE: The other SID has been renamed as SIND by its author.
SIND is slated for inclusion on PDQ_7. What's PDQ? See the Ad Drawer.)

      The SID that we'll examine this time is a superb CLI interface program
 with a high degree of intelligence programmed into it.

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] ]60IT'S SHAREWARE ........ ]10The current version (1.06), can be acquired on disk
 number 338 of the Fred Fish collection. The system, written by Timm Martin,
 is shareware with an asking donation of $25.00.  When you consider what you
 get, that's a bargain!

] ]60MONEY'S WORTH ......... ]10If you like completeness, you will find
 an excellent array of configuration and documentation files that's so
] complete it'll boggle your mind.  ]20NOTE: The list may vary, depending on the
] ]20source.  ]10The working files (65,950 bytes worth) usually consist of:
]            ]70MountList ...... an addition for the null-handler
]            ]70null-handler ... for the NULL: device
]            ]70SID ............ the program itself
]            ]70SID.config ..... a generic configuration file
]            ]70SID.info ....... an icon to run SID from the Workbench
 Then, as a complement to those files, the following documentation files are
 also generally included:
]            ]70ConfigDocs ..... documentation for the configuration file
]            ]70MiniDocs ....... a condensed version of "SID.docs"
]            ]70README ......... a list of what is included (similar to this)
]            ]70SID.docs ....... the documentation for SID
]            ]70SID.iff ........ a picture showing the hidden gadgets, etc.
]            ]70SID.readme ..... some notes for the first-time user
]            ]70UpdateDocs ..... the changes made in Ver. 1.01, Ver. 1.02
]            ]70Updates103 ..... the changes made in Ver. 1.03
]            ]70Updates106 ..... the changes made in this version

] ]60WHAT IT DOES .......... ]10SID allows you to quickly perform many of the tasks
 that normally you enter the CLI to accomplish.  You will be able to delete,
 rename, move or copy files one at a time or in a group.  It'll both archive
 and unarchive most files (with the appropriate utilities, of course) in any
 of the supported formats.  You are able to run a program, execute a command
 or even enter your favorite text editor, or list the contents of two disks
 or two directories simultaneously from the same disk.  All that and a
 point-and-click environment, too!
      Thoroughness isn't limited to the volume of files; it also pertains to
 the completeness of the available options.  Once you're up and running, a
 quick check of the title-bar yields a large array of menus and submenus to
 extend this already feature-laden display.  There are menu selections that
 allow you to edit and reload the configuration file.  You can set temporary
 methods of archiving.  There's a menu item to "copy and rename" any file or
 group of files in one operation.  You can also execute a command or call
 your calculator without exiting SID.  These are but a few of the good
 features to be found in the menu.
      In addition to all these standard features, you can do some unusual
 tasks. It permits an ASCII file to be read, a graphics file to be
 viewed, and sound files to be heard.  You can add "comment" text strings to a
 file, or SID might display a window full of pertinent information about that
 file.  If you've provided a drawer icon and defined the path, the "MAKEDIR"
 gadget will automatically provide an icon for each new directory it creates.
 You'll get byte counts or block usage counts, even of subdirectories, which
 is an asset you'll come to appreciate more and more.  Then to make a really
 great program even better, Timm Martin makes it user configurable.

] ]60INTELLIGENCE .......... ]10Built-in artificial intelligence?  Well not really,
 but SID's ability to recognize many of the different file types and archive
 types is enjoyable to use. Double- click on a file and, if it's ASCII, the
 reader is automatically summoned. If the file is a picture, your favorite
 viewer is  called up without any work by you.
      Have you got a file or two downloaded from the BBS across  town?
 Just a double click and bingo ..... well it'll be bingo if the files
 are ARC or ZOO and you've got the appropriate archive programs in a defined
 and accessible location.  Even if those files aren't in ARC or ZOO formats,
 don't worry. Remember, the system is user configurable.

] ]60WHAT YOU SEE .......... ]10The display window can be a full screen, as you see
 below, or a half screen.  Take note of the location for each of the "parent
 directory" gadgets, they're extremely important.

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] ]60CUSTOMIZING ........... ]10Before you begin using all of SID's features, there
] are a few set-up steps that must be made to your program disk.  ]20Please,
] ]20as with any modification, before you make changes, back up the original.
]10Then, to your bootable disk that's got a minimum of 100 kilobytes
 of free space, do the following:
]          ]70STEP 1  -  With your source disk in any convenient drive, copy the
]                     ]70SID program and configuration files to your destination
]                     ]70disk.   ]20NOTE: "SID.config" must be in the "S" directory
]                     ]20of the boot disk.
]          ]70STEP 2  -  With the source disks in any convenient drive, copy the
]                     ]70various programs of choice to your destination disk.
]          ]70STEP 3  -  Repeat step 2 as often as required until each program is
]                     ]70added to your "SID Disk".
]          ]70STEP 4  -  Using your favorite text editor, modify "SID.config" as
]                     ]70follows for a minimum working configuration:
]                         ]70/= SID.config ]30##-##-##       ]70<enter current date>
]                         ]70BytesOccupied=]30NO
]                         ]70EnglishDates=]30NO
]                         ]70Calculator=]30###:####      ]70<where ever you keep it>
]                         ]70FileEdit=]30###:####     ]70(your favorite text editor)
]                         ]70MakeDirIcon=]30###:####  ]70(drawer icon/add this line)
]                         ]70DeviceButtons=]30...RAM...DF0DF1...RAD...
      The above modifications will allow you to begin to use SID.  Your next
 step is to thoroughly read those documentation files so that you'll be able
 to decide which features to implement and which added programs you want.

] ]60SUPPORTED PROGRAMS .... ]10All major archive programs will be employed by SID,
 provided you have their paths defined in the configuration file.  There's a
 built-in text reader and you can define your favorite editors, if they have
 been made available and if a path has been established.
      Although a truly complete list of supported programs is not practical,
 the following compilation includes some of the major utilities that you may
 want to consider:
]          ]20Arc ......... to archive or unarchive ".ARC files"
]          ]20Lharc ....... to archive or unarchive ".LHZ files"
]          ]20Play ........ a "sonix" music player
]          ]20Show ........ a supersmall, ]706600 bytes]20, IFF viewer
]          ]20SuperSham ... a "sliced ham" viewer
]          ]20Zoo ......... to archive or unarchive ".ZOO files"
      SID's configuration file allows virtually any program you've got to be
 called at the click of a button.  Additionally, you're not necessarily just
 limited to those functions named by buttons.  For example, a sham-viewer is
] called by the "PRINT" gadget ]20("Print=C:SuperSham")]10 by a simple modification
 to the configuration file.  As you become more and more familiar with those
 documentation files, you will understand the program's potential.  The main
 point for you to remember is that SID is user configurable.

] ]60RECOMMENDATIONS ....... ]10To the author, Timm Martin, I've only two wishes to
 make!  First, I would like to be able to define the text strings in more of
 the buttons, in a manner similar to the device buttons.  Second, it would
 be nice to have "not deletable" files shown in another color.
      To the commercial software houses, I have only one suggestion.  Before
 you release your product's next upgrade, make an honest comparison with SID
 to see if you're giving your customers their money's worth.
      To the public, I have three major recommendations.  First, acquire it!
 Second, send $25.00 to the author.  Third, use it.