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@database TM_English.guide
@Master TM_English.tex
@Width 72
This is the AmigaGuide
file TM_English.guide, produced by Makeinfo-1.50 from
the input file TM_English.tex.
@Node Main "TM_English.guide"
@Next "Copyright"
ToolManager 2.1 Documentation
*****************************
Chapters for @{i}all@{ui} users:
@{" Copyright " Link "Copyright"} Copyright and other legal stuff
@{" Important " Link "Important"} Important notes
@{" Authors address " Link "Authors address"} Where to send bug reports, comments & donations
Chapters for impatient users:
@{" Quick installation " Link "Quick installation"} How to install ToolManager 2.1 the fast way
Chapters for first-time users:
@{" Introduction " Link "Introduction"} What is ToolManager?
@{" Concepts " Link "Concepts"} The concepts behind ToolManager
@{" Tutorial " Link "Tutorial"} A guided tour through ToolManager
@{" Distribution files " Link "Distribution files"} Description of all files in the distribution
Reference chapters:
@{" Objects " Link "Objects"} ToolManager objects reference
@{" Preferences " Link "Preferences"} The ToolManager preferences editor
@{" Library " Link "Library"} The ToolManager shared library interface
@{" Hot Keys " Link "Hot Keys"} How to define a Hot Key
Appendices:
@{" Questions " Link "Questions"} Most asked questions about ToolManager
@{" History " Link "History"} The history of ToolManager
@{" Credits " Link "Credits"} The author would like to thank...
@{" Index " Link "Index"} The Index for this document
@EndNode
@Node "Copyright" "TM_English.guide/Copyright"
@Next "Important"
@Prev "Main"
@Toc "Main"
Copyright and other legal stuff
*******************************
Copyright (C) 1990-93 Stefan Becker
Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this
manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are
preserved on all copies.
No guarantee of any kind is given that the programs described in
this document are 100% reliable. You are using this material at your
own risk. The author @{i}can not@{ui} be made responsible for any damage which
is caused by using these programs.
This package is freely distributable, but still copyright by Stefan
Becker. This means that you can copy it freely as long as you don't ask
for a more than nominal copying fee. This fee @{i}must not@{ui} be more than US
$5 or 5 DM.
@{i}This limit applies to German Public-Domain dealers too!!@{ui}
Permission is granted to include this package in Public-Domain
collections, especially in Fred Fishs Amiga Disk Library (including CD
ROM versions of it). The distribution file may be uploaded to Bulletin
Board Systems or FTP servers. If you want to distribute this program
you @{i}must@{ui} use the original distribution archives @{b}ToolManager2_1bin.lha@{ub},
@{b}ToolManager2_1gfx.lha@{ub} and @{b}ToolManager2_1src.lha@{ub}.
None of the programs nor the source code (nor parts of it) may be
included or used in commercial programs unless by written permission
from the author.
@{i}None@{ui} of the programs @{i}nor@{ui} the source code (nor parts of it) may
be used on any machine which is used for the research, development,
construction, testing or production of weapons or other military
applications. This also includes any machine which is used for training
persons for @{i}any@{ui} of the above mentioned purposes.
@EndNode
@Node "Important" "TM_English.guide/Important"
@Next "Authors address"
@Prev "Copyright"
@Toc "Main"
Important notes
***************
Welcome to the wonderful world of ToolManager 2.1 :-)
- ToolManager and its concepts have drastically changed (see @{"History" Link "History"})
since the release 1.5.
- Starting with the ToolManager 2.0 release, this program has a
@{i}GiftWare@{ui} option. If you like the program and use it very often,
you should consider to send a little donation to honor the work
that the author has put into this program. I suggest a donation of
US $10-$20 or 10-20 DM. Please don't send cheques or money orders
from outside Europe, because most often cashing those items costs
more than what they amount to.
If you don't send the donation or can't afford it, you needn't
feel bad about it. Please send me a note saying that you are using
ToolManager anyway (I like to get fan mail :-). See
@{"Authors address" Link "Authors address"}.
- Users of ToolManager 1.X/2.0 can start with the quick installation
chapter (see @{"Quick installation" Link "Quick installation"}). Some features haven't changed
and the rest is fairly easy to find out by trial & error. For a
detailed description of the new concept & features browse the
reference part of this document (see @{"Objects" Link "Objects"}).
You @{i}must@{ui} remove any running ToolManager 1.X/2.0 or the new version
won't work. The new version cannot read the old 1.X configuration
file format (Sorry).
- First-time users should read the entire document to understand the
concept and purpose of the program. Start with @{"Introduction" Link "Introduction"}.
- ToolManager 2.1 uses some features of AmigaOS Release V38 (and
higher) and it supports the new AmigaOS networking features, which
will (hopefully) be available soon to all Amiga users. If you are
still using Release 2.0 (referred to as V37 in this document), you
need not worry since ToolManager doesn't rely on these features.
All extended features are marked in this documentation.
@EndNode
@Node "Authors address" "TM_English.guide/Authors address"
@Next "Quick installation"
@Prev "Important"
@Toc "Main"
Where to send bug reports, comments & donations
***********************************************
The author can be reached at the following addresses:
Postal address:
Stefan Becker
Holsteinstrasse 9
5100 Aachen
GERMANY
Please use the following address after the 1-July-93:
Stefan Becker
Holsteinstrasse 9
52068 Aachen
GERMANY
InterNet Electronic Mail:
stefanb@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de
@EndNode
@Node "Quick installation" "TM_English.guide/Quick installation"
@Next "Introduction"
@Prev "Authors address"
@Toc "Main"
How to install ToolManager 2.1 the fast way
*******************************************
The basic ToolManager 2.1 installation consists of the following
four parts:
@{b}Libs/toolmanager.library@{ub} => @{b}LIBS:@{ub}
This is the main program of ToolManager. It handles all programs,
menus, icons and docks (see @{"Library" Link "Library"}).
@{b}Prefs/ToolManager*@{ub} => @{b}SYS:Prefs@{ub}
This is the editor for the configuration (see @{"Preferences" Link "Preferences"}).
@{b}WBStartup/ToolManager*@{ub} => @{b}SYS:WBStartup@{ub}
With this utility you can start and stop ToolManager. If it
resides in the WBStartup drawer, ToolManager gets always loaded
when your machine boots up.
@{b}L/WBStart-Handler@{ub} => @{b}L:@{ub}
This program starts programs by the Workbench startup method. It
is a seperate process, so that you can quit ToolManager even if
you have still programs running that were started by it with the
WB method.
After copying these files, you should quit any older version of
ToolManager running on your machine and double-click the ToolManager
icon in the @{b}WBStartup@{ub} drawer. Now you can start the preferences editor
and play around (Use the "Test" button instead of the "Use" button
while testing). You should be able to figure out most features with
trial & error, for further information look into the ToolManager object
descriptions (see @{"Objects" Link "Objects"}).
The distribution includes an example configuration file called
@{b}TM_Demo.prefs@{ub}. You can load it into the preferences editor with the
@{b}Open@{ub} menu item.
@EndNode
@Node "Introduction" "TM_English.guide/Introduction"
@Next "Concepts"
@Prev "Quick installation"
@Toc "Main"
What is ToolManager?
********************
ToolManager is a flexible program to manage the tools in your working
environment. It can start Workbench and CLI programs, ARexx scripts and
generate HotKey events. It even can issue commands to a ToolManager
running on a remote machine. The user interface consists of menus,
icons or dock windows. If you like a noisy computer, you can associate
a sound to each of these items. See @{"Sound objects" Link "Sound"}.
ToolManager can add items to the Workbench @{b}Tools@{ub} menu. If you select
such a menu item, the program associated with it will be started. Every
selected icon on the Workbench will be used as an argument for the
program. This feature is only available when the Workbench is running.
See @{"Menu objects" Link "Menu"}.
ToolManager can add icons to the Workbench window. When you
double-click such an icon, the program associated with it will be
started. If you drop some icons on this icon, the program will be
started with these icons as arguments. This feature is only available
when the Workbench is running. See @{"Icon objects" Link "Icon"}.
ToolManager can create a dock window from a collection of programs.
This window can be opened on every public screen. Each program is
represented by an image or a button gadget. To start a program you
simply click on the image or the button gadget. If the dock window has
been opened on the Workbench screen and the Workbench is running, you
can also drop some icons on the image or the button gadget to start the
program with arguments. See @{"Dock objects" Link "Dock"}.
Additionally you can assign a Hot Key to each program. If you press
this Hot Key, the program will be started. Note that @{i}no@{ui} arguments can be
passed to the program if you use this startup method. See @{"Exec objects" Link "Exec"}.
@EndNode
@Node "Concepts" "TM_English.guide/Concepts"
@Next "Tutorial"
@Prev "Introduction"
@Toc "Main"
The concepts behind ToolManager
*******************************
ToolManager 2.1 uses a new object-oriented approach to provide a
flexible and extendable system. This approach made it possible to
enhance several ToolManager features of the 1.X versions, e.g. you can
now have multiple docks.
An object is a collection of data which describes its features. Each
object has a name and a type. You can create as many objects of each
type as you want, but the name of each object has to be unique, because
it is used as a reference to this object.
Currently there are seven different types of objects: Exec, Image,
Sound, Menu, Icon, Dock and Access. The first three of them are basic
objects; that means they don't reference other objects. They provide
data or services for the complex objects.
The last four object types are complex objects; that means they
reference simple objects and rely on them to get access to data or
services. The reference is done by name, and if no simple object with
this name exists, the complex object will ignore it. Note that this may
reduce the functionality of the complex object, e.g. an Icon object
@{i}needs@{ui} the data from an Image object, so if this object doesn't exist it
won't create an icon.
For a detailed description of all object parameters see @{"Objects" Link "Objects"}.
@EndNode
@Node "Tutorial" "TM_English.guide/Tutorial"
@Next "Distribution files"
@Prev "Concepts"
@Toc "Main"
A guided tour through ToolManager
*********************************
So you haven't understood a word until now? Confused by objects,
programs and links? Don't despair, help is on the way.
I will now guide you through a step-by-step example on how to
configure ToolManager. All you need is to install ToolManager and to
run the preferences editor. After each step, use the "Test" button in
the main window to test the configuration.
As an example we use the text display program More in the drawer
@{b}SYS:Utilities@{ub}. First we must tell ToolManager which program we want to
use. Information about programs is stored in Exec objects. Just select
"Exec" as object type in the main window of the preferences editor and
press the "New" button.
After pressing the button you will see the "Edit Exec Object"
window. Now open the Utilities drawer in your Workbench partition, move
the More icon out of the drawer and drop it on the edit window. As you
can see, the editor has now set the name of the object and the command
to the program name, and the current directory to System:Utilities.
Press the "OK" button to use the settings.
You can't do much with the Exec object alone, so as next step we
want to add this program to the "Tools" menu of the Workbench. Select
"Menu" as object type and press the "New" button. Now you will see the
"Edit Menu Object" window. Change the name of the object to "Display
Text".
ToolManager has to know which program it should start when the menu
item is selected, so we link an Exec object to the menu object. Press
the "Exec Object" button and select the object "More" from the
requester. Now press "OK" button and the "Test" button in the main
window. You can now see an entry in the "Tools" menu. Select a text
file from the Workbench and choose the new menu entry. The program
"More" should start and display the text. This is easy, isn't it?
Now we can go a step further and create an icon object on the
Workbench. For an icon we need some image data, which is stored in an
image object. Select "Image" as object type and press the "New" button.
The "Edit Image Object" window will open. Change the name to "Image for
More" and drop the More icon from the Utilities drawer on the window.
Press "OK" to use the settings.
In the next step we will create the icon object. Select "Icon" as
object type and press the "New" button. Change the name of the object
to "Show Text". Press the "Exec object" button and select the object
"More" from the requester. Press the "Image object" button and select
the object "Image for More" from the requester. Set the X position to
100 and the Y position to 50. Press the "OK" button and the "Test"
button. After a short delay an icon will appear on the Workbench, on
which you can drop the icons of your text files to display them.
I'm sure you now have an idea how to use ToolManager objects and in
which way you have to link them together to build your environment. Now
you can figure out the rest of the features by trying them out one by
one. You may also look at the demo configuration in the file
@{b}TM_Demo.prefs@{ub}.
@EndNode
@Node "Distribution files" "TM_English.guide/Distribution files"
@Next "Objects"
@Prev "Tutorial"
@Toc "Main"
Description of all files in the distribution
********************************************
The complete ToolManager 2.1 distribution consists of several
directories which are explained below. Note that the distribution is
split up into three parts, so you may not have all directories which
are mentioned below.
@{" Docs " Link "Docs"} Documentation
@{" Goodies " Link "Goodies"} Additional program packages
@{" Graphics " Link "Graphics"} Anims, Brushes & Icons
@{" L " Link "L"} Support programs
@{" Libs " Link "Libs"} ToolManager library
@{" Locale " Link "Locale"} Localization support files
@{" Prefs " Link "Prefs"} ToolManager preferences editor
@{" Programmers " Link "Programmers"} Programmer support files
@{" Scripts " Link "Scripts"} ARexx & Shell scripts
@{" Source " Link "Source"} Complete source code for ToolManager 2.1
@{" WBStartup " Link "WBStartup"} Utility programs
@EndNode
@Node "Docs" "TM_English.guide/Docs"
@Next "Goodies"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The Docs directory
==================
This directory contains the documentation for ToolManager. The
documentation is available in four different formats and several
languages. Additionally there is a file in AutoDoc format describing
the ToolManager shared library interface.
Prefix @{b}TM_<language>@{ub}
This file contains the documentation for the specified language.
Currently available languages are: Deutsch, English, Fran
Svenska.
Postfix @{b}.doc@{ub}
This file contains the documentation as plain ASCII text.
Postfix @{b}.dvi@{ub}
This file contains the documentation in TeXs DVI format. To get a
printed manual, run this file through a TeX printer driver.
Postfix @{b}.guide@{ub}
This file contains the documentation in AmigaGuide format.
Although it is only plain ASCII with some commands, you need
AmigaGuide to exploit the hypertext links in it.
Postfix @{b}.tex@{ub}
This file contains the documentation in Texinfo format, as
specified by the Free Software Foundation (FSF). Together with the
@{b}texinfo.tex@{ub} macro package, you can use TeX and @{b}texindex@{ub} to create
a file in DVI format (see above).
@{b}toolmanager.doc@{ub}
This file contains the ToolManager shared library interface
description in AutoDoc format.
@EndNode
@Node "Goodies" "TM_English.guide/Goodies"
@Next "Graphics"
@Prev "Docs"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The Goodies directory
=====================
This directory contains additional program packages which are useful
for ToolManagers operation.
@{b}GetPubName.lha@{ub}
This little program prints the name of the frontmost public screen
either to stdout or into an environment variable. It was written
by Michael "Mick" Hohmann.
@{b}upd1_20.lha@{ub}
The program @{b}upd@{ub} was written by Jonas Petersson. It is a small
program which opens an ARexx port and waits for commands. Via
ARexx you can order @{b}upd@{ub} to play sampled files. ToolManager uses
this feature to implement its Sound objects. See @{"Sound objects" Link "Sound"}.
@EndNode
@Node "Graphics" "TM_English.guide/Graphics"
@Next "L"
@Prev "Goodies"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The Graphics directory
======================
This directory contains a rich collection of images from which you
can choose your favourite ones. Just load them as Image objects into
ToolManager (see @{"Image objects" Link "Image"}).
The files were contributed by various people (see @{"Credits" Link "Credits"}). Each of
them got a seperate sub-directory in the distribution. As the files were
created by different authors, they come from different environments
(palette, depth, resolution, size) and have different design styles. So
not all images may look good on your machine.
To differentiate the image formats that are supported by
ToolManager, each file has a postfix which describes the file format:
@{b}.anmb@{ub}
This is an IFF ANIM file created by a paint/animation program. It
can contain several pictures. Although ToolManager can load
complete ANIM files, you must use something like DPaints
"AnimBrush" feature to cut out the interesting part of the
animation.
@{b}.brush@{ub}
This is an IFF ILBM file created by a paint program. It contains
only one image.
@{b}.info@{ub}
This is a normal Amiga Icon created with IconEdit (or something
similiar). It can contain two images.
@EndNode
@Node "L" "TM_English.guide/L"
@Next "Libs"
@Prev "Graphics"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The L directory
===============
This directory contains only one file, namely @{b}WBStart-Handler@{ub}. You
@{i}must@{ui} copy this file to the @{b}L:@{ub} directory, or otherwise ToolManager won't
be able to start any Exec objects by the WB startup method (see
@{"Exec objects" Link "Exec"}).
The complete package WBStart 1.2 may be found on Fish Disk #757.
@EndNode
@Node "Libs" "TM_English.guide/Libs"
@Next "Locale"
@Prev "L"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The Libs directory
==================
This directory contains only one file, @{b}toolmanager.library@{ub}. This is
the main program for ToolManager and must be copied to the @{b}LIBS:@{ub}
directory.
@EndNode
@Node "Locale" "TM_English.guide/Locale"
@Next "Prefs"
@Prev "Libs"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The Locale directory
====================
This directory contains all files for ToolManagers Locale support. As
locale.library is new with V38, you need not copy these files if you are
using V37. If you are using V38, choose the files for your language and
copy them to the appropriate places.
@{b}Catalogs/<language>/toolmanager.catalog@{ub}
This is a translation file for the specified language. Copy the
file for your language to the directory @{b}LOCALE:Catalogs/<language>@{ub}.
@{b}Languages/<language>.language@{ub}
Some languages are not supported by the standard V38 Locale
distribution. So some of the translators have supplied a @{b}.language@{ub}
file, so that ToolManager can use their translation files. Copy
the file for your language to the directory @{b}LOCALE:Languages@{ub}.
Additional available languages are: Finnish (suomi), Eefeler Platt
(eifel).
@EndNode
@Node "Prefs" "TM_English.guide/Prefs"
@Next "Programmers"
@Prev "Locale"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The Prefs directory
===================
The ToolManager preferences editor and its icon reside in this
directory. Copy both files to the directory @{b}SYS:Prefs@{ub}. For further
information on the editor see @{"Preferences" Link "Preferences"}.
@EndNode
@Node "Programmers" "TM_English.guide/Programmers"
@Next "Scripts"
@Prev "Prefs"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The Programmers directory
=========================
This directory contains all files which are needed by the various
computer languages and their compilers to use the ToolManager shared
library interface. Look into the sub-directory @{b}examples@{ub} for some
examples on how to use this interface. For a complete interface
description read the file @{b}Docs/toolmanager.doc@{ub}.
Currently supported languages/compilers are: AmigaOberon, DICE C,
M2Amiga Modula-2, MANX Aztec C and SAS C.
@EndNode
@Node "Scripts" "TM_English.guide/Scripts"
@Next "Source"
@Prev "Programmers"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The Scripts directory
=====================
This directory contains a collection of ARexx or Shell scripts which
can be used in ToolManagers Exec objects. Note that they may be
specific to the authors environment or shell, so you may have to modify
them.
@EndNode
@Node "Source" "TM_English.guide/Source"
@Next "WBStartup"
@Prev "Scripts"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The Source directory
====================
This directory contains the complete source code to ToolManager 2.1
and its utilities. Each program has its own sub-directory. The author
provides the source code as an example for OS 2.x/3.0 programming.
The @{b}locale@{ub} sub-directory is of interest for translators. If your
language is not supported in this release and you want to do the
translation, look at the file @{b}empty.ct@{ub}. Just fill in the empty lines
and send the file to me. Maybe it will be included in the next release.
@EndNode
@Node "WBStartup" "TM_English.guide/WBStartup"
@Prev "Source"
@Toc "Distribution files"
The WBStartup directory
=======================
Only one program resides in this directory: @{b}ToolManager@{ub}. This utility
starts and stops ToolManager 2.1. Most of the time this utility will
reside in the @{b}SYS:WBStartup@{ub} directory, but it can be used from the
Shell too.
@EndNode
@Node "Objects" "TM_English.guide/Objects"
@Next "Preferences"
@Prev "Distribution files"
@Toc "Main"
ToolManager objects reference
*****************************
This chapter describes the ToolManager objects in detail. Each
object has a type and a name. The name is used to reference the object.
There are six different types of objects:
@{" Exec " Link "Exec"} Exec objects
@{" Image " Link "Image"} Image objects
@{" Sound " Link "Sound"} Sound objects
@{" Menu " Link "Menu"} Menu objects
@{" Icon " Link "Icon"} Icon objects
@{" Dock " Link "Dock"} Dock objects
@{" Access " Link "Access"} Access objects
@EndNode
@Node "Exec" "TM_English.guide/Exec"
@Next "Image"
@Toc "Objects"
Exec objects
============
Exec objects describe programs or actions which are started by
ToolManager. Three different types of programs are supported: CLI,
Workbench and ARexx. Three different types of actions are supported:
Dock, Hot Key, Network. Each Exec object has the following parameters.
The defaults are set in parantheses:
@{b}Arguments@{ub} (Yes)
This switch controls the handing over of arguments to the program.
If a program doesn't support arguments or doesn't need them, you
can switch off the argument passing.
@{b}Command@{ub}
The file name of the program or action to start. This name may be
relative to the current directory. If the type is Dock, the
command describes the name of the dock object, which should be
opened/closed. For the type Hot Key this string must be a
Commodities Input Description String (see @{"Hot Keys" Link "Hot Keys"}). A remote
command (type Network) is described as @{b}object@machine@{ub}, which tells
the ToolManager running on @{b}machine@{ub} to activate the Exec object
named @{b}object@{ub}.
@{b}Current Directory@{ub} (@{b}SYS:@{ub})
The name of the current directory for the program. Note: ARexx
programs ignore this parameter.
@{b}Delay@{ub} (0)
After activation of an Exec object, ToolManager waits @{b}Delay@{ub} seconds
before it starts the program. If this value is negative, the
program will be started every @{b}Delay@{ub} seconds. To stop an Exec
object which is waiting for execution, just activate it again.
Note: If @{b}Delay@{ub} is set, the program will be started without
arguments.
@{b}Exec Type@{ub} (CLI)
This specifies the type of the program or action. It can be one
of: CLI, WB, ARexx, Dock, Hot Key or Network.
@{b}Hot Key@{ub}
You can set a Hot Key for each Exec object. If this Hot Key event
is generated, the program will be started. Note: The program will
be started with no arguments.
@{b}Output File@{ub} (@{b}NIL:@{ub})
This is the file name of the output file. This is only useful for
CLI programs.
@{b}Path@{ub} (path from ToolManager process)
This string sets the command search path for the program. You can
specify several directories by seperating the names with a ";".
This is only useful for CLI programs.
@{b}Priority@{ub} (0)
This sets the priority of the new process which runs the program.
@{b}Public Screen@{ub} (default public screen)
You can set the name of the public screen which should be moved to
front before the program is started. This only works in
conjunction with the @{b}To Front@{ub} parameter.
@{b}Stack@{ub} (4096)
This sets the stack size of the new process which runs the program.
@{b}To Front@{ub} (No)
If you set this parameter the public screen specified by @{b}Public
Screen@{ub} is moved to front before the program is started.
@EndNode
@Node "Image" "TM_English.guide/Image"
@Next "Sound"
@Prev "Exec"
@Toc "Objects"
Image objects
=============
Image objects specify the image data which is used by ToolManager
for icons or docks. This object type has only one parameter:
@{b}File Name@{ub}
This specifies the name of the file from which ToolManager should
read the image data. ToolManager tries to detect the type of image
data automatically:
1. It tries to load it as IFF data. Currently ToolManager can
read ILBM (one image) or ANIM (two or more images) files.
2. It tries to read in an icon file. An icon can have one or two
images.
Animations are currently only supported by Dock objects. Icon
objects only retrieve the first and the second image from the animation
to build a two image icon. If you want to make an animation for
ToolManager, you should follow these design rules:
Image 1
This should be an image which represents the inactive state.
Image 2
This should be an image which represents the selected state.
Normally this is an inverted copy of the first image.
Image 3 to N-1
These are the images for the animation. Each image will be shown
for 1/3 of a second.
Image N
The last picture of the animation will be shown one second. After
this the first picture will be shown again.
@EndNode
@Node "Sound" "TM_English.guide/Sound"
@Next "Menu"
@Prev "Image"
@Toc "Objects"
Sound objects
=============
A Sound object can be used to make ToolManager noisy. ToolManager
itself has no ability builtin to play sound data, it uses ARexx to
activate an external sound player daemon. This object type has two
parameters:
@{b}Command@{ub}
This sets the ARexx command which ToolManager sends to activate
the external sound player. For @{b}upd@{ub} this could be something like
@{b}file samples:boing@{ub} which instructs @{b}upd@{ub} to play the IFF sample
@{b}samples:boing@{ub}. See @{"Goodies" Link "Goodies"}.
@{b}ARexx Port@{ub}
This specifies the ARexx port where ToolManager should send
@{b}command@{ub} to. The default is @{b}PLAY@{ub} which is the port for the
program @{b}upd@{ub}.
@EndNode
@Node "Menu" "TM_English.guide/Menu"
@Next "Icon"
@Prev "Sound"
@Toc "Objects"
Menu objects
============
Menu objects control the entries in the Workbench Tools menu. The
object name is used as the menu text. To activate such an object, just
select the menu entry. Menu objects only work when the Workbench is
running.
This object type has two parameters:
@{b}Exec Object@{ub}
This is the name of an Exec object which should be activated when
the menu entry is selected. Every icon which is selected at this
time will be used as an argument for the program.
@{b}Sound Object@{ub}
This is the name of a Sound object which should be activated when
the menu entry is selected.
Note to ToolManager 1.X users: To simulate the old tool type "Dummy"
just create a Menu object and specify @{i}no@{ui} Exec and Sound object.
@EndNode
@Node "Icon" "TM_English.guide/Icon"
@Next "Dock"
@Prev "Menu"
@Toc "Objects"
Icon objects
============
Icon objects describe application icons in the Workbench window.
Such an object can be activated by double-clicking the icon or by
dropping some icons on the application icon. Icon objects only work
when the Workbench is running.
The parameters for this object type are as follows:
@{b}Exec Object@{ub}
This is the name of an Exec object which should be activated when
the icon is selected. Every icon which is dropped on the
application icon will be used as an argument for the program.
@{b}Image Object@{ub}
This is the name of an Image object. The image data of this object
is used to build the application icon.
@{b}Left Edge@{ub} (default: 0)
This sets the left edge for the application icon.
@{b}Show Name@{ub} (default: Yes)
If this parameter is set, the object name will be used as the name
for the application icon.
@{b}Sound Object@{ub}
This is the name of a Sound object which should be activated when
the icon is selected.
@{b}Top Edge@{ub} (default: 0)
This sets the top edge for the application icon.
Note: The Workbench is @{i}very@{ui} picky about the position of icons. If you
specify coordinates which the Workbench doesn't like, it will ignore
them and place the icon somewhere else.
@EndNode
@Node "Dock" "TM_English.guide/Dock"
@Next "Access"
@Prev "Icon"
@Toc "Objects"
Dock objects
============
Dock objects describe windows. These windows combine several tools
which are represented by images or gadgets. To start such a tool just
click on its image or gadget. Of course you can drop some icons on the
image or gadget to supply arguments for the tool.
Each dock object has several parameters. The defaults are set in
parentheses:
@{b}Activated@{ub} (Yes)
A dock window can be active (open) or not (closed).
@{b}Backdrop@{ub} (No)
This tells the dock window to go immediately to the back after
opening.
@{b}Centered@{ub} (No)
If this parameter is set, the window will always be centered to
the current mouse position when it opens.
@{b}Columns@{ub} (1)
This parameter sets the the number of tool columns. Tools are
always sorted row-wise, starting at the leftmost column and
filling up to the rightmost column.
@{b}Font@{ub} (Screen font)
If you have a dock window with the parameter @{b}Text@{ub} set, you can
choose the font for the button gadgets with this parameter.
@{b}Frontmost@{ub} (No)
If you set this parameter, the dock window will always open on the
frontmost public screen.
@{b}Hot Key@{ub}
You can set a Hot Key for each Dock object. If this Hot Key event
is generated, the activation status of the dock window will be
toggled; that is it will be closed or opened.
@{b}Left Edge@{ub} (0)
This parameter sets the left edge of the dock window. If the
parameter @{b}Centered@{ub} is set, this parameter will be ignored.
@{b}Menu@{ub} (No)
You can add a small menu to each dock window. This menu has two
items:
@{b}*@{ub} @{b}Close Dock@{ub} Close dock window.
@{b}*@{ub} @{b}Quit TM@{ub} Quit ToolManager
@{b}Pattern@{ub} (No)
The dock window automatically adjusts its size to the largest
image. Each dock entry has the same size, and smaller images are
centered, so they have a blank border around them. If you don't
like this blank border, set this parameter and the border will be
filled with a pattern.
@{b}PopUp@{ub} (No)
When this parameter is set the dock window will be closed
automatically after selecting one dock entry. This is especially
useful in conjunction with the parameters @{b}Centered@{ub}, @{b}Frontmost@{ub} and
a Hot Key of the class @{b}rawmouse@{ub} (see @{"Hot Keys" Link "Hot Keys"}).
@{b}Public Screen@{ub} (Default public screen)
Specifies the public screen on which the dock window should open.
If the dock window was opened via Hot Key, the public screen will
be moved to front after the window has been opened. This parameter
will be ignored if the parameter @{b}Frontmost@{ub} is set.
@{b}Sticky@{ub} (No)
Normally a dock window stores its last position when you close it
and pops up at the same position when you re-open it. If you want
the dock window to open always at the same position, you must set
this parameter.
@{b}Text@{ub} (No)
You can choose between images and button gadgets in dock windows
with this parameter. Button dock windows are especially useful
when used in conjunction with the parameter @{b}PopUp@{ub}.
@{b}Title@{ub}
This specifies the dock window title. If you supply a title, the
dock window will be a normal OS 2.0 window with dragbar, close
gadget, depth gadget and a border. If you @{i}don't@{ui} supply a title,
you will get a dock window with only a dragbar and @{i}no@{ui} border.
@{b}Top Edge@{ub} (0)
This parameter sets the top edge of the dock window. If the
parameter @{b}Centered@{ub} is set, this parameter will be ignored.
@{b}Vertical@{ub} (No)
If the dock window has the new window design (that is: only a
dragbar and no border), this parameter sets the orientation of the
dragbar. This parameter is ignored if you supplied a window title
with the parameter @{b}Title@{ub}.
@EndNode
@Node "Access" "TM_English.guide/Access"
@Prev "Dock"
@Toc "Objects"
Access objects
==============
Access objects control the access rights for network requests. Per
default @{i}every@{ui} request is denied, so a remote ToolManager can't harm the
operation of your machine by activating some of your Exec objects. With
Access objects you can allow specific machines to activate some of your
Exec objects.
The name of an Access object has a special meaning. It is matched
with the name of the remote machine from which a network request was
sent. ToolManager uses the following three step matching scheme:
1. Match with the complete host name
2. Match with the realm name
3. Look for the Access object named @{b}anyone@{ub}
If a corresponding object is found, then this object is used for the
access rights of the remote machine. The object named @{b}anyone@{ub} is used
for any network request, for which a corresponding Access object can't
be found.
The Access object type has only one parameter:
@{b}Exec Object@{ub}
This parameter can be used several times and specifies which Exec
objects can be activated from the remote machine. If you don't
specify @{i}any@{ui} object name, then the remote machine can activate @{i}all@{ui}
Exec objects on your machine.
@EndNode
@Node "Preferences" "TM_English.guide/Preferences"
@Next "Library"
@Prev "Objects"
@Toc "Main"
The ToolManager preferences editor
**********************************
With the preferences editor you can manage the global configuration
of ToolManager. This configuration gets automatically loaded when you
start ToolManager. To start the editor just double click its icon. You
will then see the main window.
Most of the gadgets in the editor windows have keyboard shortcuts.
They are marked with an underscore (@{b}_@{ub}). Note that if a string gadget is
active, you must first press the return key before you can use the
keyboard shortcuts.
@{" Main Window Gadgets " Link "Main Window Gadgets"}
@{" Main Window Menus " Link "Main Window Menus"}
@{" Create Objects Window " Link "Create Objects Window"}
@{" Edit Windows " Link "Edit Windows"}
@{" Tooltypes " Link "Tooltypes"}
@{" CLI Arguments " Link "CLI Arguments"}
@EndNode
@Node "Main Window Gadgets" "TM_English.guide/Main Window Gadgets"
@Next "Main Window Menus"
@Toc "Preferences"
Main window gadgets
===================
The main window has several groups of gadgets:
Object type
With this cycle gadget you can choose the type of objects that you
want to create or edit.
Object list
This gadget shows the list of all objects of the current type. You
can select an object by clicking on its name. If you double-click
one item, an edit window will open.
Move object
When an object is selected, you can move it around in the list
with these gadgets. If you click on the @{b}Sort@{ub} gadget, the items in
the list will be sorted alphabetically.
Manipulate object
These gadgets manipulate objects. The @{b}New@{ub} gadget creates a new
object of the current type which is selected automatically. When
you click on the @{b}Edit@{ub} gadget, an edit window for the selected
object will open. With the @{b}Copy@{ub} gadget you can make a copy of the
selected object. The @{b}Remove@{ub} gadget deletes the selected object.
Configuration
You have several choices to save the configuration. With the @{b}Save@{ub}
gadget you can save the configuration permanently into the file
@{b}ENVARC:ToolManager.prefs@{ub}. For a temporary change use the @{b}Use@{ub}
gadget, which will save the configuration into the file
@{b}ENV:ToolManager.prefs@{ub}. This file will not survive a machine reset.
To test the new configuration without leaving the editor, use the
@{b}Test@{ub} gadget. The @{b}Cancel@{ub} gadget will quit the editor without saving.
@EndNode
@Node "Main Window Menus" "TM_English.guide/Main Window Menus"
@Next "Create Objects Window"
@Prev "Main Window Gadgets"
@Toc "Preferences"
Main window menus
=================
The main window has several menu items:
@{b}Project@{ub}
With the menu items @{b}Open@{ub} and @{b}Save As@{ub} you can load and save the
configuration. The @{b}About@{ub} item opens an information requester.
Selecting the @{b}Quit@{ub} item will leave the editor without saving.
@{b}Edit@{ub}
With these menu items you can restore older configurations. The
@{b}Last Saved@{ub} item loads the last saved configuration from the file
@{b}ENVARC:ToolManager.prefs@{ub}. With the item @{b}Restore@{ub} you can load the
configuration that was active before you started the editor from
the file @{b}ENV:ToolManager.prefs@{ub}.
@{b}Settings@{ub}
You can choose with the @{b}Create Icons@{ub} item wether the menu item
@{b}Save As@{ub} should create an icon or not.
@EndNode
@Node "Create Objects Window" "TM_English.guide/Create Objects Window"
@Next "Edit Windows"
@Prev "Main Window Menus"
@Toc "Preferences"
Create objects window
=====================
If you drop an icon on the main window, the "Create objects" window
will open. Here you can choose what objects should be created from this
icon. This can be used to add a program to your configuration very
easily and fast.
You can just create an Exec or Image object from the icon, if you
select one of the first two choices. But you can also create a complete
Menu and/or Icon object if you select one of the last three choices.
@EndNode
@Node "Edit Windows" "TM_English.guide/Edit Windows"
@Next "Tooltypes"
@Prev "Create Objects Window"
@Toc "Preferences"
Edit windows
============
Each object type has a different edit window to set the object
parameters. For a detailed list of all object parameters see @{"Objects" Link "Objects"}.
Every edit window has a string gadget for the object name. This name
is important, because it is used to reference this object. Note that
there is currently no builtin cross-reference. So if you change the
name of an object which is already referenced by another object, this
reference will @{i}not@{ui} be updated. You have to update this reference by
hand.
The button gadgets in the edit windows open different types of
requesters. You can choose an item by clicking on it and pressing the
@{b}OK@{ub} gadget, or you simply double-click it. To leave a requester
without changes, use the @{b}Cancel@{ub} gadget. If you wish to clear a field
which can only be choosen by a requester, open the requester and press
the @{b}OK@{ub} gadget @{i}without@{ui} selecting an item.
The edit windows for the object types Exec and Image have an
additional feature. You can simply drop an icon on them to set the
parameters from this icon.
@EndNode
@Node "Tooltypes" "TM_English.guide/Tooltypes"
@Next "CLI Arguments"
@Prev "Edit Windows"
@Toc "Preferences"
Tooltypes
=========
When you start the preferences editor from the Workbench you can set
several tooltypes in the program icon or configuration file icons to
control it.
@{b}USE@{ub}
If you set this tooltype in an icon for a preferences file, the
editor will install this file as current configuration file.
@{b}SAVE@{ub}
If you set this tooltype in an icon for a preferences file, the
editor will install this file as current and as permanent
configuration file.
@{b}PUBSCREEN@{ub}
This tooltype tells the editor to open its windows on a specific
public screen. If you don't supply this tooltype, the default
public screen will be used.
@{b}CREATEICONS@{ub}
When this tooltype is set to @{b}YES@{ub}, the editor will create an icon
for every preferences file that is created with the @{b}Save As@{ub} menu
item.
@{b}DEFAULTFONT@{ub}
The editor normally uses the public screen font to draw its
gadgets. If you set this tooltype to @{b}YES@{ub}, the editor will use the
system default font instead.
@{b}XPOS@{ub}
This specifies the initial X position of the editor main window.
@{b}YPOS@{ub}
This specifies the initial Y position of the editor main window.
@{b}MINLISTCOLUMNS@{ub}
This specifies the minimum number of columns in the list gadgets.
@{b}MINLISTROWS@{ub}
This specifies the minimum number of rows in the list gadgets.
@EndNode
@Node "CLI Arguments" "TM_English.guide/CLI Arguments"
@Prev "Tooltypes"
@Toc "Preferences"
CLI Arguments
=============
When the preferences editor is started from the shell, it uses the
following command line template:
FROM,EDIT/S,USE/S,SAVE/S,PUBSCREEN/K,DEFAULTFONT/S
@{b}FROM@{ub}
This parameter specifies the name of the preferences file which
the editor should load.
@{b}USE@{ub}
If you use this parameter, the editor will install the file
specified as the @{b}FROM@{ub} parameter as current configuration file.
@{b}SAVE@{ub}
If you use this parameter, the editor will install the file
specified as the @{b}FROM@{ub} parameter as current and as permanent
configuration file.
@{b}PUBSCREEN@{ub}
This parameter tells the editor to open its windows on a specific
public screen. If you don't supply this tooltype the default
public screen will be used.
@{b}DEFAULTFONT@{ub}
The editor normally uses the public screen font to draw its
gadgets. If you use this parameter the editor will use the system
default font instead.
@EndNode
@Node "Library" "TM_English.guide/Library"
@Next "Hot Keys"
@Prev "Preferences"
@Toc "Main"
The ToolManager shared library interface
****************************************
The ToolManager handler is embedded into a Amiga shared library.
This library offers several functions to create and manipulate
ToolManager objects, so that you can use them in your programs.
There are currently six functions available:
@{b}AllocTMHandle()@{ub}
In order to create ToolManager objects you must first allocate a
TMHandle. This handle stores all information about your objects
and is used to reference them. Note that the information stored in
this handle is @{i}only@{ui} accessable by the program which creates it.
@{b}FreeTMHandle()@{ub}
This function frees a TMHandle and all ToolManager objects
associated with it. Each @{b}AllocTMHandle()@{ub} must be matched with a
@{b}FreeTMHandle()@{ub}!
@{b}CreateTMObjectTags()@{ub}
@{b}CreateTMObjectTagList()@{ub}
This function creates a ToolManager object. You must supply a
name, the object type and various tags for the object parameters.
The name of the object is important, as it is used to reference
the object.
@{b}ChangeTMObjectTags()@{ub}
@{b}ChangeTMObjectTagList()@{ub}
You can modify the parameters of a ToolManager object with this
function. The object state will be updated to reflect the new
parameters. Note: Currently Image objects can't be modified.
@{b}DeleteTMObject()@{ub}
With this function you can delete a ToolManager object. If the
object is linked to other objects, these objects will be notified
to update their state.
@{b}QuitToolManager()@{ub}
This function tells the ToolManager handler to quit as soon as
possible.
The complete library interface description is available in AutoDoc
format (see @{"Documentation" Link "Docs"}).
@EndNode
@Node "Hot Keys" "TM_English.guide/Hot Keys"
@Next "Questions"
@Prev "Library"
@Toc "Main"
How to define a Hot Key
***********************
This chapter describes how to define a Hot Key as an Input
Description String, which is then parsed by Commodities. Each time a
Hot Key is activated Commodities generates an event which is used by
ToolManager to activate Exec objects or to toggle Dock objects. A
description string has the following syntax:
[<class>] {[-][<qualifier>]} [-][upstroke] [<key code>]
All keywords are case insensitive.
@{b}class@{ub} describes the InputEvent class. This parameter is optional
and if it is missing the default @{b}rawkey@{ub} is used. See @{"InputEvent classes" Link "InputEvent classes"}.
Qualifiers are "signals" that must be set or cleared by the time the
Hot Key is activated; otherwise no event will be generated. For each
qualifier that must be set you supply its keyword. All other qualifiers
are expected to be cleared by default. If you want to ignore a
qualifier, just set a @{b}-@{ub} before its keyword. See @{"Qualifiers" Link "Qualifiers"}.
Normally a Hot Key event is generated when a key is pressed. If the
event should be generated when the key is released, supply the keyword
@{b}upstroke@{ub}. When both press and release of the key should generate an
event, use @{b}-upstroke@{ub}.
The key code is depending on the InputEvent class. See @{"Key codes" Link "Key codes"}.
@{" InputEvent classes " Link "InputEvent classes"}
@{" Qualifiers " Link "Qualifiers"}
@{" Key codes " Link "Key codes"}
@{" Hot Key examples " Link "Hot Key examples"}
Note: Choose your hot keys @{i}carefully@{ui}, because Commodities has a high
priority in the InputEvent handler chain (i.e. will override existing
definitions).
@EndNode
@Node "InputEvent classes" "TM_English.guide/InputEvent classes"
@Next "Qualifiers"
@Toc "Hot Keys"
InputEvent classes
==================
Commodities supports most of the InputEvent classes that are
generated by the input.device. This section describes those classes
that are most useful for ToolManager Hot Keys.
@{b}rawkey@{ub}
This is the default class and covers all keyboard events. For
example @{b}rawkey a@{ub} or @{b}a@{ub} creates an event every time when the key "a"
is pressed. You must specify a key code for this class. See @{"rawkey" Link "rawkey key codes"}.
@{b}rawmouse@{ub}
This class describes all mouse button events. You must specify a
key code for this class. See @{"rawmouse" Link "rawmouse key codes"}.
@{b}diskinserted@{ub}
Events of this class are generated when a disk is inserted in a
drive. This class has no key codes.
@{b}diskremoved@{ub}
Events of this class are generated when a disk is removed from a
drive. This class has no key codes.
@EndNode
@Node "Qualifiers" "TM_English.guide/Qualifiers"
@Next "Key codes"
@Prev "InputEvent classes"
@Toc "Hot Keys"
Qualifiers
==========
Some keyword synonyms were added to Commodities V38. These are
marked with an @{b}*@{ub}.
@{b}lshift@{ub}, @{b}left_shift@{ub} *
Left shift key.
@{b}rshift@{ub}, @{b}right_shift@{ub} *
Right shift key.
@{b}shift@{ub}
Either shift key.
@{b}capslock@{ub}, @{b}caps_lock@{ub} *
Caps lock key.
@{b}caps@{ub}
Either shift key or caps lock key.
@{b}control@{ub}, @{b}ctrl@{ub} *
Control key.
@{b}lalt@{ub}, @{b}left_alt@{ub} *
Left alt key.
@{b}ralt@{ub}, @{b}right_alt@{ub} *
Right alt key.
@{b}alt@{ub}
Either alt key.
@{b}lcommand@{ub}, @{b}lamiga@{ub} *, @{b}left_amiga@{ub} *, @{b}left_command@{ub} *
Left Amiga/Command key.
@{b}rcommand@{ub}, @{b}ramiga@{ub} *, @{b}right_amiga@{ub} *, @{b}right_command@{ub} *
Right Amiga/Command key.
@{b}numericpad@{ub}, @{b}numpad@{ub} *, @{b}num_pad@{ub} *, @{b}numeric_pad@{ub} *
This keyword @{i}must@{ui} be used for any key on the numeric pad.
@{b}leftbutton@{ub}, @{b}lbutton@{ub} *, @{b}left_button@{ub} *
Left mouse button. See note below.
@{b}midbutton@{ub}, @{b}mbutton@{ub} *, @{b}middlebutton@{ub} *, @{b}middle_button@{ub} *
Middle mouse button. See note below.
@{b}rbutton@{ub}, @{b}rightbutton@{ub} *, @{b}right_button@{ub} *
Right mouse button. See note below.
@{b}repeat@{ub}
This qualifier is set when the keyboard repeat is active. Only
useful for InputEvent class @{b}rawkey@{ub}.
Note: Commodities V37 has a bug which prevents the use of @{b}leftbutton@{ub},
@{b}midbutton@{ub} and @{b}rbutton@{ub} as qualifiers. This bug is fixed in V38.
@EndNode
@Node "Key codes" "TM_English.guide/Key codes"
@Next "Hot Key examples"
@Prev "Qualifiers"
@Toc "Hot Keys"
Key codes
=========
Each InputEvent class has its own key codes:
@{" rawkey " Link "rawkey key codes"}
@{" rawmouse " Link "rawmouse key codes"}
@EndNode
@Node "rawkey key codes" "TM_English.guide/rawkey key codes"
@Next "rawmouse key codes"
@Toc "Key codes"
Key codes for InputEvent class `rawkey'
---------------------------------------
Some keywords and synonyms were added to Commodities V38. These are
marked with an @{b}*@{ub}.
@{b}a@{ub}-@{b}z@{ub}, @{b}0@{ub}-@{b}9@{ub}, ...
ASCII characters.
@{b}f1@{ub}, @{b}f2@{ub}, ..., @{b}f10@{ub}, @{b}f11@{ub} *, @{b}f12@{ub} *
Function keys.
@{b}up@{ub}, @{b}cursor_up@{ub} *, @{b}down@{ub}, @{b}cursor_down@{ub} *
@{b}left@{ub}, @{b}cursor_left@{ub} *, @{b}right@{ub}, @{b}cursor_right@{ub} *
Cursor keys.
@{b}esc@{ub}, @{b}escape@{ub} *, @{b}backspace@{ub}, @{b}del@{ub}, @{b}help@{ub}
@{b}tab@{ub}, @{b}comma@{ub}, @{b}return@{ub}, @{b}space@{ub}, @{b}spacebar@{ub} *
Special keys.
@{b}enter@{ub}, @{b}insert@{ub} *, @{b}delete@{ub} *
@{b}page_up@{ub} *, @{b}page_down@{ub} *, @{b}home@{ub} *, @{b}end@{ub} *
Numeric Pad keys. Each of these key codes @{i}must@{ui} be used with the
@{b}numericpad@{ub} qualifier keyword!
@EndNode
@Node "rawmouse key codes" "TM_English.guide/rawmouse key codes"
@Prev "rawkey key codes"
@Toc "Key codes"
Key codes for InputEvent class `rawmouse'
-----------------------------------------
These keywords were added to Commodities V38. They are not available
in V37.
@{b}mouse_leftpress@{ub}
Press left mouse button.
@{b}mouse_middlepress@{ub}
Press middle mouse button.
@{b}mouse_rightpress@{ub}
Press right mouse button.
Note: To use one of these key codes, you must also set the
corresponding qualifier keyword, e.g.
rawmouse leftbutton mouse_leftpress
@EndNode
@Node "Hot Key examples" "TM_English.guide/Hot Key examples"
@Prev "Key codes"
@Toc "Hot Keys"
Examples for Hot Keys
=====================
@{b}ralt t@{ub}
Hold right Alt key and press "t"
@{b}ralt lalt t@{ub}
Hold left @{i}and@{ui} right Alt key and press "t"
@{b}alt t@{ub}
Hold either Alt key and press "t"
@{b}rcommand f2@{ub}
Hold right Amiga key and press the second function key
@{b}numericpad enter@{ub}
Press the Enter key on the numeric pad
@{b}rawmouse midbutton leftbutton mouse_leftpress@{ub}
Hold middle mouse button and press the the left mouse button
@{b}diskinserted@{ub}
Insert a disk in any drive.
@EndNode
@Node "Questions" "TM_English.guide/Questions"
@Next "History"
@Prev "Hot Keys"
@Toc "Main"
Most asked questions about ToolManager
**************************************
Here are the answers to the most asked questions about ToolManager:
- Why can't ToolManager create multiple "Tools" menus or sub-menus?
Multiple menus or sub-menus are currently not supported by the
system software. To create them, you have to @{i}hack@{ui} them into the
system software, which can result in an unstable system. I don't
want to produce unstable software, so I won't implement such a
thing in ToolManager.
- WB programs won't start, but all other exec types work fine.
ToolManager relies on the program @{b}L:WBStart-Handler@{ub} to start WB
programs. There are two reasons, why ToolManager can't execute
this program:
@{b}*@{ub} The file @{b}L:WBStart-Handler@{ub} doesn't exists. Please copy it
from the distribution archive.
@{b}*@{ub} The execute flag (e) isn't set on this file. Use the
following command to set this flag: @{b}protect L:WBStart-Handler
+e@{ub}
- How can I create a horizontal dock window?
Just set the number of columns to the number of entries in the
dock object.
- How can I create an output window for CLI programs?
Output windows can be created by using the @{b}CON:@{ub} device. Use the
following file name to create an auto-open window with a close
gadget which doesn't close after the program has quit:
CON:10/10/640/100/Output-Window/AUTO/CLOSE/WAIT
The @{b}CON:@{ub} device has many options, please consult your AmigaDOS
manual for further information.
- How can I put the arguments in the middle of a CLI/Arexx command
line?
Normally all arguments are appended to the command line. To insert
the arguments anywhere in the command line, ToolManager uses the
same @{b}[]@{ub} syntax, which is used by the AmigaShell command @{b}alias@{ub}. So
for example
Dir [] all
will insert all arguments before the keyword @{b}all@{ub}.
- How can I clear a link from a complex object to a simple object?
After pressing the "xxx Object" button just press the "OK" button
@{i}without@{ui} selecting an object. This means that you choosed no
object, and therefore the link will be cleared.
- How can I create sub-docks?
You must use Exec objects of the type Dock. Put such objects in
the entries of your main dock and they will open/close the other
docks.
- ToolManager is dead after starting a Network command.
There is currently a problem with the network software, which
doesn't timeout local requests. So if your machine is called @{b}Host1@{ub}
and you have an Exec object of the type Network with the command
@{b}Object@Host1@{ub}, ToolManager will run into a dead-lock when you
activate it. Please use only names of remote machines!
@EndNode
@Node "History" "TM_English.guide/History"
@Next "Credits"
@Prev "Questions"
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The History of ToolManager
**************************
2.1, Release date 16.05.1993
- New Exec object types: Dock, Hot Key, Network
- New Dock object flags: Backdrop, Sticky
- New object type: Access
- Network support
- Editor main window is now an AppWindow
- Gadget keyboard shortcuts in the preferences editor
- New tooltypes for the preferences editor
- Several bug fixes
- Enhanced documentation
2.0, Release date 26.09.1992, Fish Disk #752
- Complete new concept (object oriented)
- (Almost) Complete rewrite
- ToolManager is now split up into two parts
- Main handler is now embedded into a shared library
- Configuration is now handled by a Preferences program
- Configuration file format has changed again :-) It is an IFF
File now and resides in ENV:
- Multiple Docks and multi-column Docks
- Docks with new window design
- Dock automatically detects largest image size
- Sound support
- Direct ARexx support for Exec objects
- ToolManager can be used without the Workbench. If the
Workbench isn't running, it won't use any App* features.
- Locale support
- Path from Workbench will be used for CLI tools
- Seperate Handler Task for starting WB processes
1.5, Release date 10.10.1991, Fish Disk #551
- Status Window: New/Open/Append/Save As menu items for config
file
- Edit Window: File requesters for file string gadgets
- Added a Dock Window (a la NeXT)
- Added a DeleteTool
- A list of all active HotKeys can be shown
- Tools can be moved around in the list
- Icon positioning in the edit window added
- Name of the program icon can be set
- CLI tools can have an output file and a path list
- Uses UserShell for CLI tools
- Maximum command line length for CLI tools is now 4096 Bytes
- AppIcons without a name are supported now
- Workbench screen will be moved to front if you pop up the
Status window
- Workbench screen can be moved to front before starting a tool
via HotKey
- TM will wait up to 20 seconds for the workbench.library
- Added a DELAY switch which causes TM to wait <num> seconds
before adding any App* stuff
- renamed some tooltypes/parameters
- some visual cues added
- some internal changes
1.4, Release date 09.07.1991, Fish Disk #527
- Keyboard short cuts for tools
- AppIcons for tools
- Menu item can be switched off
- Configuration file format completely changed (hopefully the
last time)
- CLI commandline parsing is now done by ReadArgs()
- Status & edit window updated to new features
- Safety check before program shutdown added
- Menu item "Open TM Window" only appears if the program icon is
disabled
- WB startup method changed. Now supports project icons
- several internal changes
1.3, Release date 13.03.1991, Fish Disk #476
- Now supports different configuration files
- Format of the configuration file slightly changed
- Tool definitions can be changed at runtime
- Now supports CLI & Workbench startup method
- Selected icons are passed as parameters to the tools
- Now uses the startup icon as program icon if started from
Workbench
- The position of the icon can now be supplied in the
configuration file
- The program icon can now be disabled
- New menu entry "Show TM Window"
- Every new started ToolManager passes its startup parameters
to the already running ToolManager process
1.2, Release date 12.01.1991, Fish Disk #442
- Status window changed to a no-GZZ & simple refresh type (this
should save some bytes)
- Status window remembers its last position
- New status window gadget "Save Configuration": saves the
actual tool list in the configuration file
- Small bugs removed in the ListView gadget handling
- Name of the icon hard-wired to "ToolManager"
1.1, Release date 01.01.1991
- Icons can be dropped on the status window
- Status window contains a list of all tool names
- Tools can be removed from the list
1.0, Release date 04.11.1990
- Initial release
@EndNode
@Node "Credits" "TM_English.guide/Credits"
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The author would like to thank...
*********************************
ToolManager has gone through many major evolutionary phases since
its first implementation in mid-1990. This development would have been
impossible if I hadn't received the enormous feedback from various
ToolManager users. Many ideas & features resulted from this source...
Therefore I would like to thank:
For Alpha/Beta testing, ideas & bug reports:
Amiga section of our local computer club (Computerclub an der RWTH
Aachen), Olaf 'Olsen' Barthel, Georg Hessmann (Gucky), Markus
Illenseer (ill), Klaus Melchior, Rickard Olsson (Richie), Matthias
Scheler (Tron), Ralph Schmidt (laire), Roger Westerlund (Budda),
Juergen Weinelt, Brian Wright (SteveVai), Petra Zeidler
(stargazer) and many others...
Matthew Dillon
Without your @{i}excellent@{ui} C development system DICE and various other
tools, ToolManager wouldn't exist!
For their excellent graphics work:
Andreas Harrenberg, Georg Hessmann, Michael "Mick" Hohmann, Markus
Illenseer, Oliver Koenen, Klaus Melchior, Rickard Olsson, Jan
Peter, Matthias Scheler, Brian Wright
For the translations:
Tomi Blinnikka (suomi), Jorn Halonen (norsk), Dr. Peter Kittel
(deutsch), Jasper Kehlet (dansk), Klaus Melchior (eifel), Rickard
Olsson (svenska), Rullier Pascal (fran
ais), Marc Schaefer
(fran
ais), Tor Rune Skoglund (norsk), Reinhard Spisser
(italiano), Andrea Suatoni (italiano)
All gals & guys at West Chester:
For developing the Amiga and its superb operating system.
All users who sent me money:
I didn't ask for it in the 1.X releases, but it's nice to see when
someone appreciates my work.
All users who sent me a note:
I really enjoyed reading your letters!
and all I forgot to mention...
@EndNode
@Node "Index" "TM_English.guide/Index"
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@Toc "Main"
Index
*****
@Index "Index"
@{" TeX " Link "Docs"} Docs
@{" Access objects " Link "Access"} Access
@{" Address " Link "Authors address"} Authors address
@{" AmigaGuide " Link "Docs"} Docs
@{" Answers " Link "Questions"} Questions
@{" ARexx scripts " Link "Scripts"} Scripts
@{" ASCII documentation " Link "Docs"} Docs
@{" Bug reports " Link "Authors address"} Authors address
@{" Catalog files " Link "Locale"} Locale
@{" CLI Arguments " Link "CLI Arguments"} CLI Arguments
@{" Comments " Link "Authors address"} Authors address
@{" Compiler support " Link "Programmers"} Programmers
@{" Concepts " Link "Concepts"} Concepts
@{" Configuration " Link "Preferences"} Preferences
@{" Contributed images " Link "Graphics"} Graphics
@{" Copyright " Link "Copyright"} Copyright
@{" Credits " Link "Credits"} Credits
@{" DeleteTool " Link "Goodies"} Goodies
@{" Diskinserted " Link "InputEvent classes"} InputEvent classes
@{" Diskremoved " Link "InputEvent classes"} InputEvent classes
@{" Distribution " Link "Copyright"} Copyright
@{" Distribution files " Link "Distribution files"} Distribution files
@{" Dock objects " Link "Dock"} Dock
@{" Docs directory " Link "Docs"} Docs
@{" Documentation " Link "Docs"} Docs
@{" Donations " Link "Authors address"} Authors address
@{" E-Mail " Link "Authors address"} Authors address
@{" Example " Link "Tutorial"} Tutorial
@{" Example images " Link "Graphics"} Graphics
@{" Examples for Hot Keys " Link "Hot Key examples"} Hot Key examples
@{" Exec objects " Link "Exec"} Exec
@{" Fast installation " Link "Quick installation"} Quick installation
@{" GetPubName " Link "Goodies"} Goodies
@{" GiftWare " Link "Important"} Important
@{" Goodies directory " Link "Goodies"} Goodies
@{" Graphics directory " Link "Graphics"} Graphics
@{" Guided tour " Link "Tutorial"} Tutorial
@{" History " Link "History"} History
@{" Hot Keys " Link "Hot Keys"} Hot Keys
@{" Icon objects " Link "Icon"} Icon
@{" Image objects " Link "Image"} Image
@{" Important notes " Link "Important"} Important
@{" InputEvent classes " Link "InputEvent classes"} InputEvent classes
@{" Installation (quick) " Link "Quick installation"} Quick installation
@{" InterNet address " Link "Authors address"} Authors address
@{" Introduction to Hot Keys " Link "Hot Keys"} Hot Keys
@{" Introduction to ToolManager " Link "Introduction"} Introduction
@{" Introduction to ToolManager objects " Link "Concepts"} Concepts
@{" Key codes for rawkey " Link "rawkey key codes"} rawkey key codes
@{" Key codes for rawmouse " Link "rawmouse key codes"} rawmouse key codes
@{" L directory " Link "L"} L
@{" Language files " Link "Locale"} Locale
@{" Languages " Link "Locale"} Locale
@{" Legal stuff " Link "Copyright"} Copyright
@{" Library documentation " Link "Docs"} Docs
@{" Library interface " Link "Library"} Library
@{" Libs directory " Link "Libs"} Libs
@{" List: rawkey key codes " Link "rawkey key codes"} rawkey key codes
@{" List: rawmouse key codes " Link "rawmouse key codes"} rawmouse key codes
@{" List: Qualifiers " Link "Qualifiers"} Qualifiers
@{" Locale directory " Link "Locale"} Locale
@{" Localization " Link "Locale"} Locale
@{" Menu objects " Link "Menu"} Menu
@{" Objects " Link "Objects"} Objects
@{" Permissions " Link "Copyright"} Copyright
@{" Postal address " Link "Authors address"} Authors address
@{" Preferences editor " Link "Preferences"} Preferences
@{" Prefs directory " Link "Prefs"} Prefs
@{" Printed documentation " Link "Docs"} Docs
@{" Probibitions " Link "Copyright"} Copyright
@{" Program concepts " Link "Concepts"} Concepts
@{" Programm versions " Link "History"} History
@{" Programmers directory " Link "Programmers"} Programmers
@{" Qualifiers " Link "Qualifiers"} Qualifiers
@{" Questions " Link "Questions"} Questions
@{" Quick installation " Link "Quick installation"} Quick installation
@{" Rawkey " Link "InputEvent classes"} InputEvent classes
@{" Rawmouse " Link "InputEvent classes"} InputEvent classes
@{" Reference: Distribution files " Link "Distribution files"} Distribution files
@{" Reference: Hot Keys " Link "Hot Keys"} Hot Keys
@{" Reference: Library interface " Link "Library"} Library
@{" Reference: Preferences editor " Link "Preferences"} Preferences
@{" Reference: ToolManager objects " Link "Objects"} Objects
@{" Scripts directory " Link "Scripts"} Scripts
@{" Shared library interface " Link "Library"} Library
@{" Shell scripts " Link "Scripts"} Scripts
@{" Sound objects " Link "Sound"} Sound
@{" Sound player " Link "Goodies"} Goodies
@{" Source code " Link "Source"} Source
@{" Source directory " Link "Source"} Source
@{" Texinfo " Link "Docs"} Docs
@{" Thanks " Link "Credits"} Credits
@{" ToolManager objects " Link "Objects"} Objects
@{" ToolManager shared library interface " Link "Library"} Library
@{" Tooltypes " Link "Tooltypes"} Tooltypes
@{" Translations " Link "Locale"} Locale
@{" Translators " Link "Source"} Source
@{" Tutorial " Link "Tutorial"} Tutorial
@{" UPD " Link "Goodies"} Goodies
@{" V38 (and higher) features " Link "Important"} Important
@{" Versions " Link "History"} History
@{" WBStart 1.2 " Link "L"} L
@{" WBStart-Handler " Link "L"} L
@{" WBStartup directory " Link "WBStartup"} WBStartup
@EndNode