Suzy B Software 2/Suzy B Software CD-ROM 2 (1994).iso/bootup/boot_a2m/mousebt4/mbdemo.txt

Text File | 1995-05-02 | 20KB | 344 lines

                          - Mouse Boot IV Demo -
                        (C)1992 - Scott R. Lemmon

     This is a Demo version of the new Mouse Boot IV - Mouse Boot has
come a long way since version 3d (the original large-scale Share-Ware
release).  Mouse Boot IV is available only to those  who register a
Share-Ware version of Mouse Boot (3d.x).  Version IV offers many new
features including enhanced graphics available to TT 030, graphic board
and Falcon owners).

     Why not release it Share-Ware like the earlier versions?  Although
every new version of Mouse Boot has been down-loaded many times,  I have
received VERY few share-ware responses.  Perhaps this is my fault for not
disabling the program (as the DEMO is); however, since many people seem to
like the program, rather than abandon it,  I will try experimentally
releasing version IV in demo form.  If this goes well I will continue
development on this and other programs for the ATARI line of computers
(including perhaps software for the new Falcon computer).  Otherwise, as
much as I hate them, I may have to buy one of those wretched IBM electric
abacuses (it's a real pity PC's were never 68000 based as, having seen
assembly code for the Intel chip, the Intel 486 is just a 8 bit chip with
delusions of grandure).

     For the few who did respond to my Share-Ware request, you can receive
the new version by sending me a disk,  mailer and return postage or $5.00
 - whichever is easier.

My address is...

SRL systems
c\o Scott R. Lemmon
2121 Gillis St.
Palatka Fl, 32177
USA

     Because this is a demo only, the file renaming process (started by
clicking on CHANGE or a preset button) has been restricted - it will only
work 70% of the time. This limitation should still allow you to test the
new program; and, of course,will be removed from the actual product (which
is still under 20k of code).  Also, several related programs which are part
of the main release are left out of the Demo - this includes the Batch File
Processor and the Assign.sys File Linker (none of which are essential to
use Mouse Boot, but they do enhance it).

     - Using the Demo -

     If you  already use  the Share-Ware  version of Mouse Boot you can try
this demo of version IV by just copying MBDEMO.PRG to  your boot  drive and
running it  from the  desktop. It will load and use the preset file created
by the Share-Ware program.  Some of the  new features  require you  to save
the preset  file to  take effect  (they will be in effect the next time the
program is run).    Because  of  this,  the  demo  will  let  you  save the
PRESET.DAT file, but before you do BE SURE to make a backup copy of the old
PRESET.DAT file used by your Share-Ware version of Mouse Boot.

     You  can  place  the  demo  version  of  Mouse  Boot  IV  and  the new
WELCOME.PRG in  the AUTO folder if you wish, but you should first remove or
rename the Share-Ware programs to prevent conflict (an easy way  to do this
is to  rename them  to something like MOUSEBT.OFF and WELCOME.OFF while you
test the demo).

     If you are new to Mouse  Boot, you  should first  make a  folder named
MOUSEBT inside  the AUTO  folder of your boot drive. This folder is used by
Mouse Boot  to hold  files like  desktop.inf and   assign.sys  files.  Also
Mouse Boot  saves its  preset data  file here.   To use the welcome screen,
first make a folder named WELCOME inside the  MOUSEBT folder  and then copy
any degas  PI1, PC1,  PI3, or PC3 pictures to this folder.  The WELCOME.PRG
should be placed just before MBDEMO.PRG in your AUTO folder.

     A more complete description can be found in the MOUSEBT.DOC file.

      Since Mouse  Boot uses  a new  method to  bypass itself  (one that
can survive a cold boot) - be sure to use the  new WELCOME.PRG  that comes
with the demo  in your AUTO folder in place of the old one (the old one will
not bypass the new Mouse Boot).

     Here is a list of the new features offered by Mouse Boot IV...

1.   If you have the newdesk TOS or NeoDesk, there is  a new  very easy way
     to add DESKTOP/NEWDESK.INF, ASSIGN.SYS, Mouse Boot batch file, and GEM
     autorun programs to the list Mouse Boot uses. Instead of copying these
     files to  the MOUSEBT folder and renaming them by hand, simply install
     Mouse Boot as an icon on the desktop - use install application  to set
     Mouse Boot to use full paths and the program's directory (clever ATARI
     set the new desktop to default to the more useless options). Next just
     drag any  desktop\newdesk.inf, assign.sys,  batch file,  or program to
     the icon - Mouse Boot will take care  of the  rest.   After confirming
     that you  want to  add the  file, Mouse Boot will let you use the file
     selector to enter a  new name  for the  file and  will copy  it to the
     MOUSEBT folder  giving it  its correct  extender in  the process. If a
     program file is passed to Mouse  Boot, it  will automatically generate
     the GEMrun file needed to autostart it.

     Files can also be added from within Mouse Boot if you ran it from GEM,
     just click on the Mouse Boot title bar and then  click on  the "add to
     MOUSEBT folder" option.  Then use the item selector to pick a program,
     desktop, assign.sys, or batch file - another file selector will appear
     allowing you  to choose  the name of the file to save into the MOUSEBT
     folder.

2.   The GEMrun Method of autorunning programs  can now  be used regardless
     of which  version of TOS you have.  If you are running with TOS 1.0 or
     1.2 simply place MSESTART.PRG (Mouse Start) as the last program in the
     AUTO  folder.    Mouse  start  is  a  rewrite I did of the old program
     STARTGEM; however, instead of looking for a STARTGEM.INF file it looks
     for the  program to  autostart in  the DESKTOP.INF file. This makes it
     compatible with the way TOS 1.4 and higher  autostart programs.  If it
     is run  on a  system where it is not needed, it will display a message
     and bypass  allowing TOS  to do  the autostart  (unlike STARTGEM which
     will bomb)  - if  this happens,  no code  will be left resident.  Even
     with TOS 1.0 or 1.2 Mouse Start leaves  only about  half as  much code
     resident as  STARTGEM (which  left all  of itself  resident). Read the
     Mouse Start doc file for more details.

3.   When offered to reboot the computer, you can now choose between a Warm
     or Cold boot - Mouse Boot is now able to bypass itself in either case.

4.   You can  now have  up to  60 files  in each  type instead of 18 - this
     means 60 desktops, 60 GEMrun programs, 60 Assign.sys files, etc.  This
     is most  likely more than anyone will ever use, but it does allow each
     of the 60 presets to have it's own individual file.   The  main reason
     for the  original limit  of 18  was that I only had enough room on the
     screen for 18!.

     Now you can scroll the type column up or down by holding down the left
     mouse button off to the right of the column and moving the mouse up or
     down - if there are more than 18  files they  will scroll  as you move
     the mouse.  Release the  button when it's where you want - this method
     seems to work quite well allowing you to get anywhere on the list very
     fast.  When you switch between different types or select SHOW from the
     PRESET dialogue, the position of the list will be adjusted to show the
     file that  is currently turned on (if there is one turned on). Because
     of this, even a large list of files is very easy to handle.

5.   There is now a program named ASLINK (Assign.Sys  file linker) included
     as  part  of  the  Mouse  Boot  package.  This program is designed for
     applications like Timeworks Publisher II which require more  than just
     an assign.sys  file to  change fonts.  Aslink will allow you to "link"
     files to the assign.sys file so that when you pick  an assign.sys file
     from Mouse  Boot, the  correct matching  files will  also be copied to
     their selected directories.  This is not part of the demo.

6.   For  alert  type  dialogue  boxes  (like  the  Reboot  or  Save\Reload
     dialogues) you can now select an option by pressing the function keys.
     F1 activates the left-most button, F2 the next button and so on.

7.   Clicking on the Mouse Boot title bar now  reveals a  new configuration
     dialogue which allows you faster access to the different configuration
     options (just click on it to see what I mean).

8.   For all those speed demons out there, you  can now  set Mouse  Boot to
     skip drawing  the selector screen and just draw the preset screen when
     first run - this saves some time and  allows you  to make  a selection
     faster (unless  you are  using a  TT or  a screen accelerator in which
     case it's very fast anyway). To activate this, just click on the Mouse
     Boot  title  bar  and  select  the  fast  draw  option - then save the
     PRESET.DAT file.

9.   The Multidesk Mode feature has been changed - the new  method uses the
     batch  file  processor  to  copy  the  MLT files.  To use it, copy the
     M_*.BAT files included to the MOUSEBT directory and make sure you have
     BATCH.PRG there  too. Also, run Mouse Boot and check to make sure that
     the path of the second custom file type reads 'MLT'.

     Now, when you select a Multidesk file with Mouse Boot, also select the
     batch file  for the  resolution you  will be  using - or select M_AUTO
     which will use the current screen resolution.

     This allows you to use one MLT file  with separate  resolutions - say,
     for example, you boot in TT Medium but have selected a desktop that is
     in ST High - before you would of had to name the MLT file *2.MLT which
     would lock  you into  using it  only with ST High - now you could also
     use that same file for another resolution.

     Because the copying is done with  batch files,  it can  be modified as
     you see fit (or even used for some other purpose entirely).

10.  The ARUN.PRG has been improved, since STARTGEM.INF files are no longer
     needed to auto run GEM programs,  this option  has been  replaced with
     options that  help you add DESKTOP/NEWDESK.INF and ASSIGN.SYS files to
     the MOUSEBT folder - this is mainly for people without the newdesk TOS
     or NeoDesk.  This, also, is not part of demo.

11.  When in  the Mass  merge\extract dialogue,  right clicking on a preset
     will quickly display the files it contains (useful to see  what effect
     the merge will have).  As before, left click on a button to toggle the
     selected file in the preset - you can then right click on  it again if
     you want  to see the resulting merge/extract. Also, you can now switch
     preset pages inside of mass, but be careful - if you switch  back to a
     page you already modified, none of the buttons will remain pressed; it
     will be as if you exited and then re-entered the Mass routine. This is
     originally why  you could  not switch pages in Mass; but since you can
     now  look at the presets, it is  not nearly  as confusing  as it would
     otherwise be.

12.  This is  a new  feature totally unique to Mouse Boot - You can now set
     up  a folder to hold  all  inactive  accessories  (those  named .ACX).
     This   folder can  be anywhere  on your  boot drive  - Mouse Boot will
     automatically move any accessories  you select  to the  root directory
     and any  accessories you  de-select back to the folder (since they are
     on the same drive, this is nearly as  fast as  just renaming  them and
     works far  better than  I first  thought it would).  Since only active
     accessories will be in the root directory any one time, it will be far
     less cluttered.

     To do this follow these steps...

     1.   make a  folder on your boot drive and move all .ACX files into it
          -  check to insure that it contains only .ACX files and only .ACC
          files remain  in the  root directory.   If any of the accessories
          have .RSC files or other extra files leave the extra files in the
          root directory and move only the accessory itself.

     2.   Open a  window and  run Mouse  Boot as you would any GEM program,
          once loaded click on the Mouse Boot title  bar at  the top center
          of the  screen. Choose the ".ACX folder" option then select "Yes"
          to the prompt - this sets Mouse Boot  to handle  accessories this
          special way.

     3.   Now click on done to return to the selector screen, then click on
          the ACC's bar (or right click on the AUTO's bar  if no  ACC's bar
          is present).  Now use  the file selector to pick the folder where
          all the .ACX files have been moved.

     4.   Click on FILE then SAVE to save your work -  that's it.  The next
          time you run Mouse Boot it will move the accessories and maintain
          a clutter-free root directory.

     If you  run into  any problems  (like not  all of  the accessories are
     being shown  or they  are not being renamed correctly) check to insure
     that no .ACX files are left in the  root directory  and no  .ACC files
     are in  the new  folder - although it will do no harm, it will confuse
     Mouse Boot when it  is using  this mode.   Simply  rename or  move any
     out-of-place files, and all should be fine.

13.  The order  of the  "type" files has been changed to give easier access
     to the more commonly used ones, here is the new order...

     1. Desktops
     2. GEMrun
     3. GDOS
     4. Batch
     5. Custom #1
     6. Custom #2

     Also, you can now cycle through the different types by clicking on the
     title bar  (just as  in the  older versions  of Mouse Boot) or use the
     type menu by holding the button down and releasing it over your choice
     (as in  version 3d.5).   This  allows you  to easily cycle through the
     list; or switch to any type you  want  -  allowing  the  best  of both
     worlds.

14.  Mouse Boot is now set to take advantage of screens that have more than
     four colors (like TT Medium).  If you're one of the few out there with
     a TT  or high  color graphic card, Mouse Boot will really show it off.
     If you don't have one of these things, you can still get a small taste
     of what Mouse Boot would look like by running it in low rez - you will
     get a dialogue box  saying Mouse  Boot needs  at least  640 by  200 to
     work, but  the dialogue  will use  the extra colors. Additionally, you
     can pass a desktop or assign.sys file to Mouse Boot in low rez - Mouse
     boot will allow you to do this since the full screen is not needed and
     you will be able to see a little more of the new 16 color display.

     Also, if you  run  Mouse  Boot  on  a  screen  with  extra  colors, an
     additional option  will become available in the configuration dialogue
     - when you select "Fast Draw Start Screen" a second  dialogue box will
     pop-up after  the first  one, asking  you if you want plain dialogues.
     This will allow you to  use  regular  dialogue  boxes  instead  of the
     texture filled  ones. Mouse  Boot will still use the extra colors, but
     the dialogues will just be plain gray.   Screen draws  are faster this
     way -  if less  interesting; any  changes you  make here won't go into
     effect until Mouse Boot is run again.

15.  Mouse Boot finally has a built-in  mouse accelerator,  I tried  to put
     this feature  in the  last version, but had to take it out at the last
     minute because it would cause a  TT to  crash when  run from  the AUTO
     folder -  I finally  got it to work.  It is a non-resident accelerator
     that's only active when Mouse Boot is  run  -  if  run  from  the AUTO
     folder it starts off as being active, while run from GEM it starts off
     as being inactive. This is because Mouse Boot usually runs  before any
     mouse accelerator  program you  normally use  so you  wouldn't have an
     accelerator inside the AUTO folder, while from GEM the accelerator you
     normally use  will be  active and  you wouldn't need the built-in one.
     In either case, pressing the UNDO key inside of Mouse Boot will toggle
     the acceleration on and off.

16.  After you  STORE a  preset you  will be  returned to the main selector
     screen so you can either change  it for  the next  preset to  STORE or
     SAVE the  changes.   This saves a step, as you no longer need to first
     STORE the preset then click  on  EXIT  to  get  back  to  the selector
     screen.

17.  The default  Color\Mono presets now work with TT resolutions so if you
     switch between a color  multisync monitor  and a  large screen monitor
     (for TT High) you can still have default presets.

18.  The welcome  screen will  now work in TT Medium; it will display Degas
     PC1 or PI1 pictures. As it does when run from ST Medium, it will first
     switch to  ST Low,  show the  picture, then switch back to TT Medium -
     this  allows  you  to  use  the  same  picture  files  for  any  color
     resolution.

     Also, in TT high, degas .PI3 or .PC3 pictures will be used - they will
     be centered and framed on the screen creating a nice effect.

19.  If you sometimes select your presets  by using  "hot keys"  instead of
     the mouse,  you can  now make  a choice  even before Mouse Boot runs -
     just press the key twice (this helps insure  against mistakes).   When
     Mouse Boot  loads it  will check  the keyboard  buffer for keystrokes.
     This is particularly useful  if you  use the  welcome screen  since it
     allows you  to select a preset while the welcome screen is being shown
     just by pressing the preset's hot key twice.

20.  a MOVE command has been added to the Batch File Processor -  this uses
     Rename to  very quickly move any files matching the wildcards from one
     place on a drive to another  -  this  only  works  if  the  source and
     destination are  the SAME drive (to move to a different drive just use
     COPY then DELETE).

21.  Mouse Boot IV also comes  with  an  auto  install  program  which will
     automatically do  everything nessessary  to install Mouse Boot on your
     boot drive (including reordering  the AUTO  folder).   Sorry, but this
     also is not part of the demo.

BUG FIXES:  Some small bugs have also been fixed here is a list.

1.   A bug  which would prevent accessories from being turned on and off if
     you selected CHANGE after first  saving  a  PRESET.DAT  file  has been
     fixed.   This  was the source of the "Drive X:" errors on a TT.  On an
     ST no error would be reported by GEM but the  accessories would remain
     unchanged  until  you  ran  Mouse  Boot  again.    If you reloaded the
     PRESET.DAT file after saving or  did  not  save  anything  during that
     session the bug would not occur.

2.   A bug  that would  cause Mouse  Boot to crash if it timed-out from the
     AUTO folder and no PRESET.DAT file  yet existed  has been  fixed.  Few
     people  noticed  this  one  (including  me), since after you saved the
     PRESET.DAT file for the first time the problem would never arise.

     These bugs have also  been  fixed  in  Share-Ware  version  3d.5b (not
3d.5E). All who register their Share-Ware copy will get the fixed version.