GEMini Atari/GEMini_Atari_CD-ROM_Walnut_Creek_December_1993.iso/zip/utility/rampls12.lzh/RAMPLUS.DOC

Text File | 1990-06-06 | 10KB | 191 lines

     -- RAMPLUS.PRG --
     RAMPLUS is a combination ramdisk and print spooler with a few other
     features included.  The ramdisk is the fastest I've seen, and also
     uses the smallest amount of memory for a given ramdisk size.  The
     spooler is an automatic design that uses available ramdisk memory,
     and thus does not require a separate memory buffer.  The ramdisk and
     spooler contents will stay in memory through screen resolution
     changes, and system reset.  There is also a Mouse Doubler, Screen
     Saver, and a GEMDOS fix that will increase the storage of all your
     floppy disks by 2K (Explained later).

     RAMPLUS.PRG should be placed in the AUTO folder of your boot disk or
     hard drive.  You should also use the desktop 'Install Disk' function
     to install a disk icon with the drive letter RAMPLUS is configured
     for, and save the desktop.  Then the boot process will be completely
     automatic.

     Screen resolution changes will not effect the contents or operation
     of the ramdisk, but system reset will replace the original disk I/O
     vectors.  At this point, all the data is still intact, but the
     ramdisk needs to be reinstalled.  If the AUTO folder with RAMPLUS is
     in drive A, (or on an auto-boot hard drive), this will happen
     automatically.  Otherwise, you may double click on RAMPLUS.PRG to
     manually reinstall it.

     The default configuration of RAMPLUS can be setup with the PLUSMOD
     program. You can also change the configuration during power up, by
     pressing the Spacebar at the beginning of the boot process, (any time
     before RAMPLUS has loaded).  The program will then display a menu of
     the configuration options. To change one of the settings, press the
     key indicated within parenthesis.

     (R) - Change the Ramdisk size, in 1K increments.  Then enter a number
           up to the size of available memory, and press Return.  Note:
           The maximum size displayed can only be used if you have no
           other AUTO programs or Desk Accessories.
     (D) - Drive letter.  Then press a single letter from A-P to set the
           Ramdisk drive.
     (P) - Toggle the Print Spooler on and off.
     (M) - Toggle the Mouse Doubler on and off.
     (S) - Toggle the Screen Saver on and off.

     (I) - Install.  Installs RAMPLUS with the chosen settings.
     (B) - Bypass.  Exits without installing RAMPLUS.

     Configuration only works on initial power up.  Once RAMPLUS has been
     installed, the settings cannot be changed without turning off the
     computer, and rebooting.

     A ramdisk size of 0 will disable the ramdisk and print spooler, but
     the mouse doubler, cluster fix, screen saver, and write verify
     setting will still be usable.

     -- Print Spooler Option --
     The print spooler, when enabled, automatically intercepts all output
     sent to the printer.  There are no special commands or modes to use.
     Just print your files normally.  All the print data will be stored in
     available ramdisk memory as if it were a data file.  As the
     information gets printed, the memory is released 1K at a time so it
     will always leave as much memory available as possible.

     The spooler will always reserve at least 1K of the ramdisk, (more of
     course when printing), and also an extra 512 bytes of system memory.

     The spooler output can be aborted by holding down both Shift keys and
     the Alternate key.  Keep them pressed until you see the screen flash
     a different color, which may take several seconds.  The printer must
     still be running during this time.  After you see the color flash,
     you can release the keys, and reset the printer.

     -- Mouse Doubler --
     I beleive this Mouse Doubler has the best feel and compatibility of
     any of the mouse accelerators.  The most important feature of it, is
     that the mouse response is balanced for all three resolutions.  No
     doubling is done in low resolution.  In medium res, only the
     horizontal distances are doubled.  In high res, both horizontal and
     vertical are doubled.  This makes the mouse response feel the same in
     all three resolutions.  In other words, the distance needed to move
     the mouse pointer from one side of the screen to the other, is the
     same for all resolutions.

     Doubling is always disabled when the mouse is moved slowly, so that
     you can still get accurate positioning when it is required.  In
     addition, there is a manual control for disabling.  With the Control,
     Left Shift, and Alternate keys held down, click the right mouse
     button to disable doubling, and the left button to turn it back on.

     -- Screen Saver --
     When the mouse and keyboard have been inactive for approximately 7
     minutes, the screen saver will be activated.  This will reduce the
     intensity of all the colors, and alternate back and forth between
     light and dark colors. Any mouse or keyboard activity will restore
     the normal screen.  This feature is designed to protect your monitor
     if it is left unattended.

     -- PLUSMOD.PRG --
     PLUSMOD.PRG should be run before using the ramdisk.  It lets you
     configure the default memory size, drive letter, and other functions.
      PLUSMOD will try to find RAMPLUS.PRG in the AUTO folder of the boot
     drive.  If it can't find it, you will need to give the location and
     filename of RAMPLUS using the GEM file selector.  After RAMPLUS has
     been loaded, a menu will appear showing all the current settings.
     Setup your preferences, and select OK. You will then see a message
     allowing you to set the keypress RAMPLUS looks for to change
     configurations on power up.  Press the desired key, (press the
     Spacebar to continue using it as the default), and RAMPLUS will be
     modified to your specifications.  Configure choices are as follows:

     Ramdisk Size - Enter the default size for the ramdisk from 1 to 9999.
     Slightly more memory will be reserved due to ramdisk overhead.

     Max # of DIR Entries - Part of the overhead is allowing space for the
     directory.  Enter the number of files you will need on the main
     directory. (This does not limit the number of files inside folders).

     Drive Letter - This is the Drive the ramdisk will install to.  Enter
     a single letter from 'A' to 'P'.  This is also the drive you must
     manually install from the desktop.  If you enter an A or a B, RAMPLUS
     will take the place of one of your disk drives.

     Print Spooler - This will enable or disable the print spooler
     function.

     Write Verify - When 'OFF' is selected, the verify after write
     operation for floppy disks will be disabled.  This make all floppy
     write operations twice as fast, and in the opinions of many people,
     does not significantly effect reliability.  Getting through the write
     process itself checks correct disk operation.

     Mouse Dbl - The AUTO mode sets up the doubler in the balanced mode.
     The mouse is doubled in both horizontal and vertical directions when
     using high resolution, horizontal only for medium, and not doubled at
     all for low resolution.  In the ON mode, the mouse is doubled in both
     directions regardless of screen resolution.  In the OFF mode,
     doubling is disabled.

     Cluster -2 Fix - There is an apparent bug in GEMDOS, that causes the
     last 2K on a disk to never get used.  GEMDOS starts assigning
     clusters on the disk beginning with number 2, and finds the disk full
     when it gets to the top cluster.  Since the numbers 0 and 1 are not
     used, there is always room for two more clusters, even after GEMDOS
     thinks the disk is full.  My solution was to add 2 to whatever size
     the operating system returned for the disk size, and thus GEMDOS will
     use the last two clusters.  This will instantly add 2K of free space
     to every disk you have.

     GEMDOS does not check the upper limit when loading a file, so you
     will have no trouble reading the disks in the future, even on systems
     that don't have RAMPLUS.

     There are only 2 problems I can think of for this type of solution.
     First, if Atari fixes the bug in GEMDOS, (not yet as of TOS 1.4) and
     it correctly uses free space, the 2K added by RAMPLUS would be
     incorrect and unusable. Second, some programs might also be aware of
     the bug and attempt to fix it themselves, adding an additional 2K
     onto the already adjusted total.  If either of these conditions
     happen, you should turn OFF the Cluster -2 Fix.

     Screen Saver - This turns the screen saver feature on and off.

     -------------
     You may make copies and distribute these programs, as long as the
     program and documentation files remain unchanged, and are distributed
     together.

     RAMPLUS and DESKFMT are shareware.  If you enjoy using them, please
     send $10 to the address below.  You may use the enclosed
     self-addressed envelope by printing out the ENVELOPE.TXT file, and
     following its instructions. Your printer should be set to start
     printing at the very top edge of the paper for best results.
     Ideally, the bottom flap should be long enough to reach the middle
     fold line.  If it is too short, you may use a word processor to
     delete a few lines from the top of the file, and reprint it.

     $10 contributions may also be made using GEnie's Gift of Time
     feature.  To access it, type 'GIFTOFTIME' at any of the menu prompts.
     It allows you to give a $10 GEnie credit, and gets added to your
     monthy billing.  GEnie does don't give On-Line confirmation of Gift
     of Time's, but sends a notice through the mail.  To guard against
     lost mail, and also to let me know what program you are registering,
     please send an EMail notice as well.

     I hope you enjoy the program, and let me know of any comments.
     PLEASE send suggestions for improvements and/or bug reports.

     John Harris
     45346 Graceway Dr.
     Ahwahnee, CA 93601
     [phone]
     GEnie: J.HARRIS32