1994,95 by Martin Lindhorst - All rights reserved@{uu}
@{b}CONTENTS:@{ub}
@{" Introduction " LINK Intro}
@{" Legal stuff " LINK Legal}
@{" Shareware " LINK Share}
@{" Installation " LINK Install}
@{" Usage " LINK Usage}
@{" Requirements " LINK Requires}
@{" History/Future " LINK History}
@{" Thanks " LINK Thanx}
...and never forget...
@{b}O N L Y A M I G A M A K E S I T P O S S I B L E !@{ub}
@endnode
@node Intro "HandyDMS - probably the best GUI for DMS!"
@{b}Welcome to HandyDMS V1.3!@{ub}
HandyDMS is a graphical user-interface (GUI) for the popular packer @{"DMS" LINK Copyright}.
I myself had been looking for a program of this kind for a long time, but none of
the existing ones could convince me; either the user-interface was out of date
and only DMS V1.11 was supported, or the program was 250(!) KB big.
HandyDMS against it was especially adapted to the newest versions of DMS and
thus it supports (almost) every option, it offers a nice user-interface in the
Look and Feel
of OS 2/3 and is just about 15 KB small!
There will be newer versions of HandyDMS as soon as a new DMS with new options
is released.
In contrast with the program @{"DMSWB" LINK Copyright}, which comes directly from M. Pendec, the
author of DMS, HandyDMS is very flexible to use and has (IMHO) LESS BUGS! ;-)
You just have to setup the path of your dms-packer, and you get control over ALL
DMS-operations and options at one sight! Due to the clever and compact arrangement
of the gadgets HandyDMS does not need to adapt its window to every DMS-operation, as
it happens with DMSWB.
Additionally you cannot execute just four DMS-operations, but up to TEN! The amount
is just limited by your RAM (and of course by the amount of drives).
Even another DMS-tool can be used thru HandyDMS, e.g. Mapus!
BLABLA! :-)
@endnode
@node Legal "Legal stuff..."
@{b}Legal stuff:@{ub}
HandyDMS is @{"Shareware" LINK Share}! That means that it may be copied and passed at will,
as long as all files of the original-archive (see below) are copied! If HandyDMS
shall be selled, the price for the disc containing it may not be higher than 6 US$!
These Files must be copied in any case:
HandyDMS/HandyDMS : the main-program
HandyDMS/HandyDMS.info : and its icon
HandyDMS/PrefsUpdate : the prefs-updater
HandyDMS/UpdatePrefs : the wb-prefs-updater
HandyDMS/UpdatePrefs.info : and its icon
HandyDMS/HandyDMS.install : a small install-script
HandyDMS/HandyDMS.install.info : and its icon
HandyDMS/Deutsch/HandyDMS.guide : German AmigaGuide-manual
HandyDMS/Deutsch/HandyDMS.guide.info : and its icon
HandyDMS/Deutsch/Reg.Form : the german registration-form
HandyDMS/Deutsch/Reg.Form.info : and its icon
HandyDMS/English/HandyDMS.guide : English AmigaGuide-manual
HandyDMS/English/HandyDMS.guide.info : and its icon
HandyDMS/English/Reg.Form : the english registration-form
HandyDMS/English/Reg.Form.info : and its icon
HandyDMS/libs/Reqtools.library : the needed library
All files have to be passed the way the @{"Author" LINK Author} has released them,
THEY MAY NOT BE MODIFIED IN ANY MANNER!
The author takes no responsibility for the use or misuse of HandyDMS, USE IT
AT YOUR OWN RISK!
@endnode
@node Share "Shareware..."
@{b}HandyDMS is Shareware:@{ub}
This unregistered version of HandyDMS is crippled by small restrictions
and
nervy-requesters
- the path of the DMS-program can
t be saved, you must set it up every time
you start HandyDMS.
- a requester, which is not very hindering at all, appears at the start and
end of HandyDMS. It should just load your conscience and encourage you to
register!
@{fg highlight}If you like HandyDMS, *PLEASE* register! You would motivate me to improve
HandyDMS and support the concept of Shareware! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!@{fg text}
Registered users will get a personal version of HandyDMS send by mail WITHIN TWO
DAYS after I recieved the Shareware-fee of 10 US$ or 15 DM. The registered
version is of course in no way crippled!
Furthermore registered users are notified (also by mail) shortly before releasing
the respective next version of HandyDMS, if this wish is expressed in the
registration. Registered users can send me a disk WITH ENOUGH RETURN POSTAGE
at any time, they will recieve the newest version of HandyDMS by return.
Please send the Shareware-fee of 10 US$ or 15 DM (cash is the best!) ALONG WITH
THE FILLED OUT REGISTRATION-FORM ("Reg.form") to:
Martin Lindhorst
Rambergstr. 41
30161 Hannover
Germany
@endnode
@node Install "Installation..."
@{b}Installation:@{ub}
The installation of HandyDMS is very simple:
Copy the main-program (
HandyDMS
) and its icon (
HandyDMS.info
where you want them.
Make sure the @{"Reqtools.library" LINK Copyright} V38 is in your LIBS: directory!
If you wish you can use the supplied installer-script to install HandyDMS!
@endnode
@node Usage "Usage..."
@{b}The functions of HandyDMS@{ub}
@{" Functions in the Main-window " link _functions_main}
@{" Functions in the Prefs-window " link _functions_prefs}
@endnode
@node _functions_main "Functions in the Mainwindow..."
@{b}The Mainwindow:@{ub}
@{" Pulldown-menu " LINK _pulldown_main}
@{" Gadgets " LINK _gadgets_main}
@endnode
@node _functions_prefs "Functions in the Prefswindow..."
@{b}The Prefswindow:@{ub}
@{" Gadgets " LINK _gadgets_prefs}
@endnode
@node _pulldown_main "Usage..."
@{b}Menu-items in the Pull-down-menu of the Mainwindow:@{ub}
@{b}PROJECT/About:@{ub}
Information about HandyDMS... (huuuh, really?)
@{b}PROJECT/Quit:@{ub}
Quits HandyDMS, the settings are NOT saved automatically!
@{b}PREFS/Edit Prefs:@{ub}
Opens the @{"Prefswindow" LINK _functions_prefs}.
@{b}PREFS/Load Prefs:@{ub}
The settings are loaded from ENV: and initialised. If there are no HandyDMS-
settings in ENV:, or if loading the prefs failed for another reason, the
windows remain unchanged at all.
Besides, HandyDMS once again searches for drives usable with DMS and refreshs
the drive-list.
@{b}PREFS/Save Prefs:@{ub}
The current settings are saved to ENV: and ENVARC:. Saved is
- the state of all gadgets (except filenames) in the Main- and Prefswindow.
- the current directory of the Filerequester.
- the position of the Main- and Prefswindow.
THE DMS-PATH IS NOT SAVED IN THE UNREGISTERED VERSION!
@endnode
@node _gadgets_main "Usage..."
@{b}Gadgets of the main-window and their function:@{ub}
@{b}WRITE:@{ub}
The selected DMS-archive is depacked to a disk.
Options/Gadgets, that affect WRITE:
@{"From/to" LINK _From_to} @{"Track xx to xx" LINK _Trackxxtoxx} @{"Validate" LINK _Validate} @{"Verify" LINK _Verify} @{"PC" LINK _PC} @{"HD" LINK _HD}
@{b}READ:@{ub}
A disk is packed into the archive with the selected name.
Options/Gadgets, that affect READ:
@{"From/to" LINK _From_to} @{"Track xx to xx" LINK _Trackxxtoxx} @{"Validate" LINK _Validate} @{"Packmode" LINK _packmode} @{"Bitmap" LINK _Bitmap} @{"PC" LINK _PC} @{"HD" LINK _HD}
@{b}VIEW:@{ub}
Information about the selected DMS-archive is shown.
Options/Gadgets, that affect VIEW:
@{"Full info" LINK _Full_info}
@{b}VIEWDIZ:@{ub}
Shows a Dizcription of the selected DMS-archive, if exists.
Options/Gadgets, that affect VIEWDIZ:
@{"Savediz" LINK _savediz}
@{b}TEST:@{ub}
Checks the selected DMS-archive.
Options/Gadgets, that affect TEST:
@{b}REPACK:@{ub}
Repacks the selected DMS-archive with the current settings, THE NAME OF THE
SELECTED TXT-FILE IS IN THIS FUNCTION THE NAME OF THE NEW ARCHIVE!
Options/Gadgets, that affect REPACK:
@{"From/to" LINK _From_to} @{"Track xx to xx" LINK _Trackxxtoxx} @{"Packmode" LINK _packmode}
@{b}APPEND:@{ub}
The selected tracks are packed and appended to the selected DMS-archive.
Options/Gadgets, that affect APPEND:
@{"From/to" LINK _From_to} @{"Track xx to xx" LINK _Trackxxtoxx} @{"Validate" LINK _Validate} @{"Packmode" LINK _packmode} @{"Bitmap" LINK _Bitmap}
@{b}BANNER:@{ub}
Shows the text that was packed with the archive.
Options/Gadgets, that affect BANNER:
@{b}MAKESFX:@{ub}
Creates a SELF-EXTRACTING archive from the selected DMS-file, which gets
the archive-name + extension ".SFX".
Options/Gadgets, that affect MAKESFX:
@{b}USERTOOL:@{ub}
This gadget is FREELY CONFIGURABLE! (See @{"Prefswindow" LINK _gadgets_prefs})
@{b}Get DMS:@{ub}
Opens a filerequester to choose a DMS-archive.
If a DMS-operation is started without an archive being specified, this
requester opens automatically.
@{b}Get TXT:@{ub}
Opens a filerequester to choose a text-file.
If you don
t want a text-file, just leave it blank.
@{b}Get DIZ:@{ub}
Opens a filerequester to choose a File_id.diz-file.
If you don
t want a file_id.diz-file, just leave it blank.
@{u}Refer to the DMS-manual to get a more detailed description!@{uu}
@endnode
@NODE _gadgets_prefs "Usage..."
@{b}Gadgets of the prefs-window and their function:@{ub}
@{b}Get DMS.exe:@{ub}
Opens a filerequester to choose the DMS-packer.
THE DMS-PATH MUST BE SPECIFIED!
@{b}Extern:@{ub}
Opens a filerequester to choose the external program, which shall be started
when activating the "usergadget".
@{b}Syntax:@{ub}
In this gadget you can specify behind the name of the external program with
what arguments it is executed.
- A 1st "%s" stands for the selected DMS-archive.
- A 2nd "%s" stands for the selected text-file.
- A 3rd "%s" stands for the selected File_id.diz-file.
Some @{"examples" LINK _Syntax_bsp} for it.
@{b}Name:@{ub}
In this gadget you can state the name that the "usergadget" should have.
This name can
t be longer than eight chars. It is showed in the gadget
immediately after closing the prefswindow, CENTERED it is however first
after starting HandyDMS again or loading the prefs. Therefor it may come
to ugly "overlappings". That
ll be fixed in the next version!
@{b}Write Output:@{ub}
Here you can specify the attributes of the window, which is opened for the
operation WRITE.
@{b}Read Output:@{ub}
Here you can specify the attributes of the window, which is opened for the
operation READ.
@{b}View Output:@{ub}
Here you can specify the attributes of the window, which is opened for the
operation VIEW.
@{b}ViewDiz Output:@{ub}
Here you can specify the attributes of the window, which is opened for the
operation VIEWDIZ.
@{b}Test Output:@{ub}
Here you can specify the attributes of the window, which is opened for the
operation TEST.
@{b}Repack Output:@{ub}
Here you can specify the attributes of the window, which is opened for the
operation REPACK.
@{b}Append Output:@{ub}
Here you can specify the attributes of the window, which is opened for the
operation APPEND.
@{b}Banner Output:@{ub}
Here you can specify the attributes of the window, which is opened for the
operation BANNER.
@{b}MakeSFX Output:@{ub}
Here you can specify the attributes of the window, which is opened for the
operation MakeSFX.
@{b}Extern Output:@{ub}
Here you can specify the attributes of the window, which is opened for the
operation of the usergadget.
@{u}If you don
t know how to describe attributes of a window, refer to the manual(s)
of your AMIGA! If you just don
t want the windows to stay opened after a dms-
operation is finished, simply remove the word "WAIT" from the "output-gadgets".@{uu}
@endnode
@node _Syntax_bsp "Usage..."
@{b}Examples for using the usergadget:@{ub}
The easiest thing is to use a tool with the usergadget, that only needs the
name of the DMS-archive, e.g. the archive-checker "Mapus". Just choose the
program with the file-requester (or without) and add " %s" to the File-name.
A press on the usergadget now always starts the selected program with the
DMS-archiv as argument.
It is a BIT harder if you need the arguments in an other order than 1. DMS-
archive, 2. Text-file and 3. DIZ-file. Simply write a small script, which
looks like this:
------------------------------
.key dmsfile,txtfile,dizfile
(Your tool/command) ("<dmsfile>", "<txtfile>" or "<dizfile>")
------------------------------
Save your script and set its "S"-flag. Edit in the Syntax-gadget:
"(Scriptname) %s %s %s"
To show the selected DIZ-file with the command "Type" by pressing
the usergadget, the script would look like this:
------------------------------
.key dmsfile,txtfile,dizfile
C:Type <dizfile>
------------------------------
@endnode
@node _From_to "Gadget-description..."
To/from this drive is written/readed.
@endnode
@node _Bitmap "Gadget-description..."
If checked, DMS only packs the blocks/tracks, that are marked as
by Amiga-Dos.
@endnode
@node _Savediz "Gadget-description..."
If checked, DMS saves the dizcription of the archive (if exists) to the selected
DIZ-file.
@endnode
@node _full_info "Gadget-description..."
If checked, DMS shows information about every track of an archive.
@endnode
@node _PC "Gadget-description..."
If checked, disks are written/readed with PC-format.
@endnode
@node _HD "Gadget-description..."
If checked, disks are written/readed with HighDensity-format.
@endnode
@node _packMode "Gadget-description..."
NONE : no compression
HEAVY1: good compression
HEAVY2: excellent compression
BEST : DMS chooses the best packmode for the available memory
@endnode
@node _Trackxxtoxx "Gadget-description..."
To this tracks is depacked/From this tracks is packed.
@endnode
@node _Validate "Gadget-description..."
If checked, Amiga-Dos validates all disk having to do with DMS.
@endnode
@node _Verify "Gadget-description..."
If checked, every written track is tested for errors.
@endnode
@node Copyright "Copyrights..."
HandyDMS is
1994,95 by Martin Lindhorst
HandyDMS is not Public Domain, it
s @{"SHAREWARE" LINK Share}!
All rights reserved!
Reqtools.library, which is used for the marvellous file- and info-requesters
1994 by Nico Fran
DMS is
1988-91 SDS Software
DMS und DMSWB are
1993-94 ParCon Software
@endnode
@NODE Requires "Systemrequirements for HandyDMS..."
@{b}HandyDMS needs:@{ub}
- at least Kick 2.04 (EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE THAT NOW!)
- @{"Reqtools V38" link Copyright} (included in the archive)
- the DMS-executable, DMS V2.04+ would be the best
HandyDMS was programmed (100% assembler) on an A1200 030/MMU and succesfully tested,
it should run on any Kick 2.04+ AMIGA!
@ENDNODE
@node History "History of the program/future..."
@{b}Existing versions of HandyDMS:@{ub}
Version 1.0 (10.08.94): 1st release! (for DMS V2.04)
Version 1.1 (17.08.94): @{"V1.0 -> V1.1" LINK Chg_v10V11}
Version 1.2 (25.01.95): @{"V1.1 -> V1.2" LINK Chg_v11V12}
Version 1.3 (13.02.95): @{"V1.2 -> V1.3" LINK Chg_v12V13}
@{b}Ideas for future versions:@{ub}
- Keyfile-support
- Fontsensitivity etc. (MUI?) (next "major" release)
Ideas for future versions of HandyDMS and bug-reports are very welcome @{"(Author)" LINK Author}!
IDEAS FROM REGISTERED USERS OF COURSE HAVE A MUCH HIGHER PRIORITY! ;)
@endnode
@node Chg_v10V11 "The program
s history..."
@{b}@{u}Changes from V1.0 to V1.1:@{ub}@{uu}
@{b}ADDED:@{ub} - As announced, PC- and HD-disks are now supported.
- The function "MakeSFX" for creating selfextracting archives
is now supported.
- An new gadget, which enables the user to use his "favourite DMS-
tool" with HandyDMS. THIS GADGET IS FREELY CONFIGURABLE, from
the gadget-name up to the arguments, which are given to the extern
tool! Thru this feature you can easily bind an external archive-
tester (for example) in HandyDMS!
- For both MakeSFX and the extern program you can (of course)
specify the output-windows.
- HandyDMS now informs the user, if saving of prefs failed.
@{b}BUG REMOVED:@{ub} - After a failed try to open the prefs, the default-values were
not correctly initialised as it was said in the manual. It could for
example happen, that the gadgets already showed "Track 0 to 79",
while HandyDMS still used older (internal) values.
HandyDMS V1.1 does not change the window/gadgets, if loading of
prefs fails.
@{b}REMOVED:@{ub} - The DMS-"Retries"-option is no longer supported! I don
t think there
are people often changing the value of 3 retries (which is normally
used by dms)! However, If you do, let me know!
@{b}CHANGED:@{ub} - The several file-names (DMS-,TXT- and DIZ-file) are NOT saved with
the prefs any longer! Instead HandyDMS V1.1 saves the current
DIRECTORY, which makes more sense!
- Message-requesters do not appear CENTERED on the screen any longer.
Now they appear the way it is defined in the ReqTools-prefs by the user.
- The built-in-settings were improved (especially for the output-windows).
- HandyDMS V1.1 doesn
t use the font "Topaz 8" for the pulldown-menus
any longer, instead it uses the current "screen-font".
@endnode
@node Chg_V11V12 "The program`s history..."
@{b}@{u}Changes from V1.1 to V1.2:@{ub}@{uu}
@{b}BUG REMOVED:@{ub} - ENFORCER-HITS REMOVED! Every Gadget-click caused a hit! :-(
Thanks to Markus Schmall for reporting!
- Sometimes a "data-congestion" occured, resulting in delayed
gadget-action. Corrected.
- The usergadget
s name always gets properly centred now.
- File-/Pathnames containing spaces are put in quotation marks now.
@{b}CHANGED:@{ub} - dozens of minor changes, optimizations; a few own routines
replaced by OS-functions.
@endnode
@node Chg_V12V13 "The program`s history..."
@{b}@{u}Changes from V1.2 to V1.3:@{ub}@{uu}
@{b}ADDED:@{ub} - All drives usable with DMS are recognized automatically, both
Amiga- (DFx, FFx, RAD etc.) and PC-formats (PCx).
If drives are mounted after the start of HandyDMS you can refresh
the current drive-list via "Load Prefs".
- A small mini-tool to convert the prefs into the respective latest
format.
- HandyDMS now creates a new task and thus detaches itself from shell.
@{b}CHANGED:@{ub} - Prefs-format changed; old prefs can't be loaded anymore.
From V1.3 on the name of the active drive is saved and the drive is
selected (if existing) at every start of HandyDMS.
@endnode
@node Author "Author"
@{b}My, myself and I:@{ub}
@{u}REGISTRATIONS@{uu}, bug-reports or ideas to:
Martin Lindhorst
Rambergstr. 41
30161 Hannover
Germany
@endnode
@node Thanx "Thanks..."
@{b}BIG thanks and greets go to:@{ub}
Anton Koch (Betatester)
Arne Schwettmann (Betatester)
Vasco Steinmetz (for the help with my small problems)
(.txt)