A.C.E. 3/ACE CD 3.iso/files/docs/candodoc.lha/CandoHelp.doc

Text File | 1994-11-27 | 97KB | 2,736 lines

THESE ARE SOME MESSAGES FROM CANDO BBS. BY READING THESE YOU CAN GET A GOOD
IDEA OF WHAT CANDO CAN DO. IT HELPED ME OUT SOME..

From:    Martin Murray
To:      All                                      Msg #1, 22-Aug-89 01:10pm
Subject: CanDo screen shots

Hey, everybody!  Check out the file CanDo.ZOO in file area 5.  It contains
screen shots from our upcoming product release, CanDo.  CanDo is an
interactive, audio-visual authoring system that lets anybody easily create
applications using sounds, graphics, Gadgets, Menus, etc., all with a simple
point-and-click interface.  Hope you like it.
  -Martin




From:    Martin Murray
To:      All                                      Msg #2, 23-Sep-89 08:22pm
Subject: New CanDo demo

Hello everyone,
  There is a new, interactive CanDo demo in file area 5 for download.  I know
that its big, but everybody's download times have been upgraded to let them
get it.  BTW, the demo is also available on CIS and should be on BIX in a few
days.  The file is called CANDOD1.ZOO.  Try it, you'll like it.
  -Martin




From:    John Dubler                              Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #10, 07-Oct-89 12:31pm
Subject: Product comparison

Martin,

I've been leaving messages on CI$ for more information about your product with
no response from anyone at Inovatronics.  (As an aside, it might be useful and
probably to your benefit to have someone there leaving messages to really sell
your product!)

Anyway, as there now appear to be TWO hyper-card like Amiga products on the
market at very similar timing (not coincidentally  :-)  ), I'd like to try to
understand the differences between CanDo and UltraCard.  Are the two products
targeted for different audiences?  Different Features? Different prices?  What
can you tell me that makes the produces DIFFERENT?

I am aware that UltraCard had a really rough start in terms of reliability,
and don't care for this discussion to digress into the problems of that
product.  I'd really like to hear more to help me decide which product is the
best.

BTW, how many people are working on the development of CanDO?

*** John



*** There is a reply. See #142.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      John Dubler                              Msg #13, 07-Oct-89 03:16pm
Subject: Re: Product comparison

John,
  I appreciate the purpose of your inquiry, but we're really not trying to
compete with UltraCard; that is far too small a market.  We are not producing
a product just for people who what to play with HyperCard on the Amiga.  CanDo
is for anyone who wants to use the Amiga!

  Our goal with CanDo, is to exponentially raise the quality level of Amiga
software by making it possible for non-programmers to create excellent Amiga
software armed with a paint program, a sound digitizer and CanDo.

  Can I send you a CanDo information flyer?  Just leave your name and address
for me here in a private message and you'll get it ASAP.  That goes for
anybody else, as well.

  I will tell you this now:
   CanDo supports all Amiga display modes, 4-channel digitized sound,
pictures, brushes, brushAnims, text-editing, ARexx, Workbench and CLI, DOS
command launching, and "subroutines".  It has a simple to use scripting
language (an example in a second), and an interactive, WYSIWYG interface.
When you're done with your project, you can create a standalone application
which you can distribute without royalties or any kind of license.

  Sample script for playing a sound from disk (double-buffered, using only 2K
of CHIP ram):
      PlaySound "filename"
Simple enough?  To show a brush in your window you perform:
      ShowBrush "filename",X,Y
You don't even have to type these things in though, because CanDo has tools
called EditorTools that work with the CanDo script editor.  They allow you to
point, click, find files, etc., with the mouse and will then type all of the
commands needed to do what you've indicated into your script for you!

  Inovatronics has been in the Amiga market since 1985.  We are 100% Amiga.
There are 4 programmers working on CanDo.  They are also principals in the
company.  The business employs 5 full-time people and we have several
consultants that we work with regularly.

  And you can quote me on it.

  Let me know if I can tell you anything more.

  -Martin
P.S., I'm on CIS.  73270,3600.



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Bruce Durocher                           Rec'd
To:      Bruce Durocher                           Msg #28, 21-Oct-89 08:56am
Subject: Re: Product comparison

    One brief comment, having downloaded your product comparison information
form Compuserve.  I agree with your idea of creating a product that is
superior to Hypercard and which uses the capabilities of the Amiga, however it
would make life much easier if there was some way to get data files from
Hypercard/Supercard/Plus into CanDo.  For example, if someone managed to get a
*large* database set up like, say, the full contents of "Leonard Maltin's TV
Movies" in one of those programs, I'd prefer to avoid reinventing the wheel by
retyping the 15,000+ entries into the Amiga.  Along the same lines, since I am
not a social scientist I would probably have a horrible time transferring
Alias by Brodie Lockard to the Amiga, and Mr. Lockard probably wouldn't want
to take time off from Stanford to learn the Amiga for a port.  However, if
there was a way to get data files across I could contact him and The CAT
Project (and possibly Kinko's Copies, who distribute it) to get permission to
produce an Amiga version, then bring over the data from the Mac Alias instead
of starting from scratch.  This would apply to less specialized items as well.
     I wouldn't expect a "fire it up and go" situation--your plans for CanDo
indicate you have bigger fish to fry, and I agree with you!  But there is a
large amount of material out there that I would like to see available on the
Amiga that already exists in some form of stackware, and it would add to the
attractiveness of CanDo if it were possible to gain access to that data
without having to get an A-Max.
     By the way--I talked to one of our customers who ran CanDo's demo at a
user group meeting, and was forced to hold up the meeting until everyone had
copies--people were *throwing* disks at him to use!  I'd say that's a pretty
favorable reaction...



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Bruce Durocher                           Msg #30, 21-Oct-89 12:35pm
Subject: Re: Product comparison

Bruce,
  I understand what you are saying about importing HyperCard stacks. That is
something that we will look at in the future, but right now we honestly have
no outlined plans for dealing with it.  But, keep asking about it and after
the product gets out, who knows?
  Thanks for letting us know about the reaction to the demo in that user
group.  We have been getting good responses from people all over.  It's
encouraging.
  -Martin



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Bruce Durocher                           Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #31, 22-Oct-89 01:44am
Subject: Re: Product comparison

     Thank you for your speedy reply--it makes quite a difference to know
that
there is someone listening when you contact a developer!  I have on three
different occasions spoken to developers of video title software about an
enhancement that would make their programs even more popular with  users.
Each time I was told "That's a great idea!"  Twice I was told that "We'll get
it in the next edition!"  Need I say that it hasn't shown up in any
commercial
program yet--I had to hire a hungry programmer to write something that
would
do it, and he managed to produce what I needed in under a week from
scratch.
Rather discouraging.
     I didn't want to sound as if I was crying in my beer when you haven't
even had a chance to release the program yet, but it seemed an important
point
to raise, expecially after going through Kinko's Academic Courseware
Exchange
catalog again (OMNI is about 1 mile from an Academic Computer Consortium
school, so we get to see goodies like this regularly and drool after the more
interesting ones).
     Your demo has proved to be one of the most popular in the store, even
though the snores tend to startle some of our more sedate customers--but
they
usually end up asking for a copy!



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Bruce Durocher                           Msg #32, 24-Oct-89
01:37am
Subject: Re: Product comparison

Bruce,
  Thanks for your kind remarks.  We are moving rapidly towards completion
here.  The product looks great.  Prepare yourself for a great demo showing
off
previously non-emphasized aspects of CanDo's abilities!  This will be fun.
  -Martin



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Bruce Durocher                           Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #33, 24-Oct-89
03:27am
Subject: Re: Product comparison

     I'm sure that your new demo will meet the quality of your last demo,
and
thereby be as big a hit as CanDo will be when released.  Good luck!



*** This is a reply to #32.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Lee Gillie                               Msg #39, 03-Nov-89
12:56pm
Subject: Re: Reply

Lee,
  Amazing Computers here in Dallas has agreed to provide special User Group
pricing.  They can be reached at 214-386-8383.  Ask for Sonia when you call.

Hope this is what you need.  Thanks.
  -Martin



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Bruce Durocher                           Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #48, 30-Nov-89
12:09am
Subject: DigiView 4.0

     Have you been able to get information from NewTek about the new
Hi-res
HAM format that the new DigiView software supports?  The demo file I
downloaded off a local board indicated that NewTek would make information
available on how it's done so that developers could support the standard.
Since CanDo supports all previous resolutions of Amiga graphics, I'd assume
that they'd be willing to get you details so that you could support it in a
future version of CanDo.  Any comment?




From:    Cash Foley                               Rec'd
To:      Bruce Durocher                           Msg #51, 02-Dec-89
08:41am
Subject: Re: DigiView 4.0

If the DigiView 4.0 produces anything similar to SHAM it will
require a special viewer.  Sliced Ham changes the color palette
on any given Scan Line of the display.  This provides potentially
many more colors.  It also makes it very difficult for a product
like CanDo to use these types of displays.
    CanDo puts Buttons, Fields, and other types of things on the
display.  If the Color Palette is changing on every line in the
screen, it makes for a very unpredictable image.
    However, CanDo will have no trouble "Running" a viewer to display
these types of images.
    Realisticly, these types images are good for nice slide shows.
While CanDo can be used for this type of thing, its strong points
and power lie in doing more with your images.  None the less,
we will consider supporting any standard graphic images but it
will be have to be in a subsequent version of CanDo.
   Cash Foley



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Bruce Durocher                           Rec'd
To:      Cash Foley                               Msg #53, 03-Dec-89
02:14pm
Subject: Re: DigiView 4.0

     Fair enough.  I didn't expect CanDo to be able to handle the images
directly in the initial release--after all, the digitizing software to use
with DigiView isn't out yet!  I would say that NewTek is using SHAM from
your
description; that or something close to it.  I'll tell you this--SuperView
doesn't like it at *all*...
     And congratulations!  Byron at Southern informs me that CanDo has
arrived
the, with the bulk of thier orders to ship on Monday.  Good work!



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Dave Harms                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #55, 09-Dec-89
11:44am
Subject: CanDo Inital release

Martin....Just picked up CanDo yesterday from Amazing and have been playing
with it this A.M. and wanted to let you know something I've found and ask a
?.
   1.  You should set the default tool for the ReadMe docs to Reader.  As

I have been around an Amiga for a while it was easy to figure out
when
I got error "212" what was happening, but a newcomer may        frustrated
with it.

   2.  I tried getting the phone list working it the tutorial example and
found it was not in the CLI-Utilities directory.  When I did find        it in
the CanDo:Decks directory it will not let me define it as a        DOS
application to the button.  It gives me the error message that        it is
not a valid application.  I would like to know why this        happens
because
when you run the deck from the icon it works just        fine.   This
question
is for my learning purposes.

Thanks in advance for your help.  Any other comments will be
appreciated.....Dave Harms



*** There is a reply. See #56.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Dave Harms                               Msg #56, 09-Dec-89
01:25pm
Subject: Re: CanDo Inital release

Dave,
  Thanks for the tip on the Reader/ReadMe problem.  We will errata that or
fix
it right away.
  The problem you're having with the PhoneList is a little more complex. The
PhoneList will become an application if you use TheBinder program on it.
The
tutorial you're referring to (the Second Project, page 2-9) is obviously
mistaken in some of its references.  Sorry about that!  Anyway, the DOS
EditorTool that you use to find the programs that go on the PowerPanel
insists
that they be executable programs.  Just use TheBinder on the phonelist and
then use the output from that for the PhoneList command.  Clear?  Or am I
just
making things worse?
  I would also be very interested to know what you think of the product
overall.  Please rate, if you have a minute, the manual, software, examples,
etc.  We are very curious and anxious for feedback.
  Thanks, and let me know if more questions arise.
  -Martin



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Dave Harms                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #57, 09-Dec-89
10:44pm
Subject: CanDo Initial Release

Martin....Thanks for the info.  You have cleared up my questions so far. I
believe you have a very good product and that most of the errors that I see
are probably attributed to rushing the product out so as not to entirely miss
the Christmas sales season.  I would compare it to a high powered race car
the
first time out on the track you have to do some fine adjusting to bring it up
to peak performance.  The manual has the right size of print and most of it
makes sense.  I know that my biggest problems ahead are in the syntax of
the
scripting language.  I have programed in Pascal and am now using F-Basic 2.0
on the Amiga and will change some of the applications over to CanDo as soon
as
I feel comfortable with it.  By the way, Are you going to do PowerWindows
for
F-Basic?  If so when will it be out?  If you need a proof reader on your
next
manual I would be happy to look at it and offer suggestions where I can.  If
it was one thing I did in College it was learn to write to communicate well
and maybe I could learns something about the Software business which is
something I've wanted to do for a while.

In closing I would like to know are you going to start charging for access to
this board?  I saw the flyer in my packet and it said it would cost $30 for 6
hrs on the CanDo board.  I will stay in touch as I get into the program more
and more.  As I have some ideas of programs to write from time to time I
would
like to bounce some of the ideas off of you.....Later.....Dave Harms



*** This is a reply to #56.


From:    Dave Harms                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #58, 10-Dec-89
08:34am
Subject: Binding

Martin....After the binding of the phone deck has been complete it still goes
back to Cando and asks for the Cando.library.   Will it be required to port
the Cando.library along with the applications I generate or is this a problem?
As always your comments are appreciated.



*** There is a reply. See #59.


From:    Cash Foley                               Rec'd
To:      Dave Harms                               Msg #59, 10-Dec-89
12:50pm
Subject: Re: Binding

Dave,
    The Binding program has two options, one that requires the
library and one that doesn't.  The non-library versions are larger
but it is not as large as the library.
    An additional note about the Phone.  The AfterStartup script
in the first card assigns the variable DataFile to the string
"CanDo:Text/PhoneList.txt".  This is the sample entries in the
Phone List.  You might want to change this default file name.
I plan to enhance this application somewhat and I will upload
it as soon as it is available.  (the title bar should indicate
double clicking an entry brings up the Detail Entry)
    Cash



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Jim Marias                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #60, 11-Dec-89
12:04pm
Subject: CanDO first Impressions

Hiya Martin,

        When I didn't get my overnight CanDo Thursday or Friday, I
was feeling a might irate.  But on Saturday there was a knock on my door
from
the Federal Express man, and BINGO!  Thanks for the Service
!!

        Frist thing,  you should include an "S:cando.Defaults" file
listing every option possible in its default mode.  This would make it a whole
lot easier for users to modify paths and such without having to do a lot of
typing.

        There is something in my normal working environment that doesn't
like CanDo. Without fail, I will GURU running the program under my normal
conditions.  By nmormal, I mean with a bunch of system utilities both PD and
commercial. (about 8 or 10 all told)  I have not yet isolated the conflict and
it is not at a consistent point in running CanDO.
(sometimes loads, sometimes runs for a minute)  THE PROGRAM WORKS FINE

BY ITSELF.  So I am not saying its a bug, just a conflict with my system.

        The only unusual thing so far is when I created a HAM screen
with invisible buttons (are area type, no borders)  When I was done editing I
got a message saying that CanDO had a problem compiling this script or
somesuch.  I don't know why.  The buttons only did a couple of "playsounds".

AND  IT all worked fine.

        Tha'ts about it so far.  I have a lot of learning to do.  Overall,
it looks fantastic !  I've got to get through the manual though or else I
think I'll be cheating myself.  By the way, I absolutely LOVE your helpo
facility and Automatic Script creator.  I feel so much in control with just a
mouse !!

A question.  Is the library distributable ?  It would sure be helpful in
keeping the executables down to size.  I knwo Hisoft allows their basic
library out so I thought I would ask.

                        See ya.......Jim Marias

Now how do I get out of this editor....hmmm
/exit
/quit

















endit



*** There is a reply. See #62.


From:    Jack Murray                              Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #61, 11-Dec-89
10:25pm
Subject: Cando

Thanks Martin for a GREAT product.  This is certainly going to change theway
we use our Amiga's.  I have had the program since last Friday, but have been
out of town, and have not had a chance to put it to good use yet.  However,
I
took the manual with me and was very impressed with the presentation.  This
is
a quality product and the Amiga will only be enhanced by it.  Thanks again.






*** There is a reply. See #63.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Jim Marias                               Msg #62, 12-Dec-89
11:58am
Subject: Re: CanDO first Impressions

Jim, thanks for all the feedback. I'll answer what I can, right now. Please
let me know if I've missed anything important.
  We'll look into the problem you're having with PlaySound Commands in
scripts.  Someone else reported this also.  If you can narrow it down to a
simple example, so much the better.
  The same holds true for your situation with some piece of software not
liking CanDo.  If you get that isolated, we will look for the problem with a
vengance.
  The library is not distributable, but we are fixing up a distributable
version of the DeckRunnerNoLibrary program which will run Decks standalone.

This we will put on the boards, including this one, of course.
  Lemme know what I missed.  Later.
  -Martin



*** This is a reply to #60.


From:    Martin Murray
To:      Jack Murray                              Msg #63, 12-Dec-89
12:04pm
Subject: Re: Cando

Jack,
  Thanks, and let me know if the software lives up to the manual in your
eyes.
  -Martin



*** This is a reply to #61.


From:    Alex Nivichanov
To:      Tim Martin                               Msg #64, 12-Dec-89
03:14am
Subject: Hi

Just dropped in to say hi and to thank you for your fast response in sending
CanDo.  I love it!  There are a couple of bugs which I mentioned earlier, but
for the sake of general information ... they are
1: The problem of trying to run CanDo from the powerpanel example
   ( you've mentioned that that has already been fixed and my copy
     of the floppies are on their way back for the update )
2: The problem of the DOS script editor not allowing for a space in
   the program name (i.e. "run dh1:MaxFiles/Maxiplan Program").
As it turns out, whenever someone states that something is "foolproof"
THIS fool finds that it isn't.
   I want to compliment you again on your display and graphics of CanDo.
I've worked on an Integraph CAD system ( million dollar setup ) and I've
found
that your graphics are at least as good as ( if not better in my opinion )
than Intergraph's gadgets and displays ( resolution not withstanding ).
Keep up the great work.
Alex



*** There is a reply. See #77.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Alex Nivichanov                          Msg #65, 12-Dec-89
07:20pm
Subject: DOS Run Problem

Alex, I just tried out a powerpanel that attempted to do what
you did (isn't multitasking wonderful!) while online.  I didn't
have the problem you did because I used the following approach:

    Dos "Run >Nil: <Nil: ""dh0:My Program"""

which worked just fine.  If you attempted to run your program
from the CLI the way you tried from your powerpanel, you'd have
the same problem:  AmigaDOS wouldn't be able to find your program.

Good luck!  (I will probably always rue the day the Amiga folks
decided to allow spaces in file names!)
  - Joel



*** This is a reply to #64.


From:    Dave Harms
To:      Cash Foley                               Msg #66, 12-Dec-89
08:12pm
Subject: Re: Binding

Cash...Have followed you suggestions on changing the default of the phone.txt
to s:phone.txt and everything works well until I want to go to the second
card
in the deck.  Then I get a system requestor asking for CanDo: .  When I
cancel
that I see a CanDo requestor asking for the file "Left1.br" .  Is there a
reason this file is not bound.  Other than that it seems to work well,  just
can't get it to stand alone.  Is it me? Thanks in advance for your advice.



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Dave Harms                               Msg #67, 12-Dec-89
10:40pm
Subject: Re: Binding

Dave, it's not you that has a problem, it's the concept of binding.
Binding merely takes your deck (a Project) and binds it with either
a tiny program called DeckRunner or a much bigger program called
DeckRunnerNoLibrary, depending on which you choose when you run
TheBinder.  The resulting file is a Tool.

A Project cannot run by itself.  Projects require Tools (e.g., the
CanDo "ReadImportant!" needs a file reader).  Tools, on the other
hand, are executable; to execute them, you simply click on a Tool's
associated icon or type in the Tool's name (and press return) at the
CLI prompt.

However, Tools created by binding decks with the DeckRunner program
are not stand-alone in the sense that CanDo.library will be opened
by these Tools if it is not already in memory.

I will continue this later; I only have a minute left.

--Joel



*** This is a reply to #66.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Dave Harms                               Msg #68, 13-Dec-89
12:19am
Subject: Re: Binding

To pick up where I left off:

Tools created by binding decks with the DeckRunner program are not
stand-alone in the sense that CanDo.library will be opened by these
Tools if it is not already in memory.  Those Tools made by binding
decks with DeckRunnerNoLibrary already have the necessary library
routines attached; such Tools don't need CanDo.library and are
therefore called "stand-alone".

The problem:  Brushes, pictures, sounds and other data files used
by the so-called "stand-alone" program are not bound together with
The deck by the binder.  This is actually a good thing.  The application size
is as small as possible to take up as little RAM
as possible when loaded.  Sounds and pictures can then be loaded
when needed, and discarded to make room for other sounds and pictures.
(I believe that many CanDo applications will run on 512K Amigas
without problems.)  The grief you (and I, and others) are experiencing
is due to the fact that these brushes/pics/sounds/etc. have to be
explicitly referenced in the application, in order for the application
to find them on disk.  The phone deck needs four brushes (the left and
right arrows, raised and depressed).  It looks for them in the
CanDo:Brushes directory.  This is why you get prompted for CanDo:.

INOVAtronics is looking into the situation.  Meanwhile, there are a
couple of things you can try.  If you have a Brushes directory on the
floppy or hard disk on which you installed CanDo, you can open a CLI
and type "ASSIGN CANDO: DF0:" (or DH0: or Workbench: or whatever).
This will allow the phone deck to find the brushes it wants--if they
have been copied into this directory from the CanDo: disk.  If this
works, try putting this command in your startup-sequence file.

Another fix:  Bring up CanDo and load the Phone deck.  Go to the card
that has the left/right arrows.  Edit both these buttons and change
the type of button from Image to Text.  For text, use <- and ->.  Save
your changes.  The deck SHOULD no longer need the arrow brushes.




From:    Joel Guerra
To:      All                                      Msg #69, 13-Dec-89
01:15am
Subject: Helpful Hint #1

If you want to make stand-alone programs for your own use (this
assumes you own CanDo), do NOT bind the programs with the
DeckRunnerNoLibrary module.  Bind them with DeckRunner.

The reason:  This saves space and time.

DeckRunner loads in your application and looks for the CanDo.library
file.  If it is already in memory, it doesn't reload it; it just uses
it.  This library can be shared by many CanDo programs at the same time.

However, binding your deck with DeckRunnerNoLibrary adds about 100K
bytes to your application.  This takes up space on diskette and in
RAM.  If you are giving this application to a friend, or selling it,
you must bind it with DeckRunnerNoLibrary to make it run without
CanDo.  But if you have CanDo.library in your libs: directory, you
will save about 100K PER APPLICATION by binding it with DeckRunner.

You may want create two different applications, then: one
distributable one for others, and one space-saving one for yourself.



*** There is a reply. See #72.


From:    Brian Wright                             Rec'd
To:      Joel Guerra                              Msg #70, 13-Dec-89
04:57am
Subject: Opening Windows

Joel, is there a way to open more than one window on the same card?
If so that would open a door to page flipping or a slide show.  Is there
a way to bind a program with the deckbinder program in the c: directory?
I like to use CLI frequently.  I have had the program since Saturday and
think it is fantastic.  I have hadd no problems with the playsound routine as
other people have said.  The program works great.



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Brian Wright                             Msg #71, 13-Dec-89
09:34am
Subject: Re: Opening Windows

Well, Brian, the present (note the qualifier) release of CanDo allows
only one window per card, even though CanDo.library supports more.
You still can have many cards per deck.  Also, you can easily do a
slide show with the LoadPicture/ShowPicture commands, with pauses from
the Delay command, or event-driven pauses from a timer, or the push
of a button, or when a sound finishes playing.

You can bind a CanDo application to the DeckRunner from the CLI with
the DeckBinder program.  Just type:

C:DeckBinder C:DeckRunner{NoLibrary} YourCanDoDeck YourApplication

Let me know if this is not what you are looking for.
  --Joel



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Joel Guerra
To:      All                                      Msg #72, 13-Dec-89
09:57pm
Subject: Helpful Hint #2

Disregard Helpful Hint #1.

Actually, I'm kidding.  But I need to add a caveat, to wit:

If you plan on making any changes to a deck, make a copy of it
before you bind it.  Once you bind a deck to a DeckRunner, you
will not be able to reload it into CanDo to edit it (at least
not without the kind of surgery needed to separate Siamese twins).

Meanwhile, you do not have to bind a deck to run it outside of
CanDo.  Just click on its icon, or type "c:DeckRunner YourDeck"
(followed by a return, of course) at the CLI prompt.



*** This is a reply to #69.


From:    Ron Kotlik                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #73, 14-Dec-89
05:25pm
Subject: File Requester

Martin,
       First of all CanDo is a GREAT product. I'm having only one
problem. I can't get the file requester working. I keep getting a
unknown command error.
                                       Please Help
                                       Ron Kotlik


?
?
?
help
?
?
? save




*** There is a reply. See #74.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Ron Kotlik                               Msg #74, 14-Dec-89
05:56pm
Subject: Re: File Requester

Ron, you will get "Unknown Command" if you try to use a function
as a command.  The "new commands" information on diskette should
have separated the commands from the functions.  (A function
always returns a value.  This is indicated by the equals ("=")
sign before the function name in the documentation.)

You can use a function anywhere CanDo expects a value.  For example,

   PlaySound AskForFileName("Sounds:","Which Sound?")

is a valid, but dangerous, script command.  (You will get an error
if the user selects Cancel on the file requester.)  Usually, functions
are used with the Let command:

   Let TheSelectedFile = AskForFileName("Sounds:","Play what sound?")
   If TheSelectedFile = ""
       PrintText "No sound selected.",10,20
   Else
       If FileType(TheSelectedFile) = "Sound"
           PlaySound TheSelectedFile
       Else
           PrintText "That wasn't a sound!",10,10
       EndIf
   EndIf

--Joel

P.S.  Please note that AskForFileName() returns the complete file
specification (i.e., both path and file name).



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Brian Wright                             Rec'd
To:      Joel Guerra                              Msg #75, 14-Dec-89
08:11pm
Subject: Re: Opening Windows

Thanks Joel this answers my question.  Every once in a while I will click on
an OK gadget to get back to the ADD/EDIT menu and the program will just
quit.
I have three megs I don't think it's running out of memory unless it's out of
chip memory.  Any suggestions?  I have also found that a deck will run
smoother and faster if in the superbrowse mode than in browse.  Any idea
why?



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Bruce Durocher                           Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #76, 14-Dec-89
09:44pm
Subject: One suggestion...

How about an index to the manual?  PLEASE!  The commands are nicely
indexed,
and
table of contents at the front is well-laid out, but an index would be a
*major*  help.
     And my apologies for the odd characters that may pop up in this
message
tomnight, but line noise off-island is horrendous tonight...



*** There is a reply. See #80.


From:    Eddie Churchill                          Rec'd
To:      Alex Nivichanov                          Msg #77, 15-Dec-89
12:40am
Subject: Re: Hi

Howdy Alex

I have notice two things about the DOS command...

1st.  Beware of programs that output things to the console.
      This might cause the system to crash
      DOS "Run Dir"

      The DOS command uses the Execute() function of the operating
      Dos.Library.  We give that function the device Nil: for both
      StdOut and StdIn, but because of the Run command being used
      the `Dir' command gets a goofed up StdOut and StdIn.  To be
      safe use the following command.
      DOS "Run <Nil: >Nil: Dir"

      This will force the run command to give the proper StdOut and
      StdIn to the `Dir'.

      (the `Dir' in the above example can be replace with any command)

2nd   The space problems of the DOS editor tool will be fixed in an
      Upcomming update.  Sorry for the inconvence,  I forgot to
      take into account for spaces in filenames.

Thanks for you support
Eddie Churchill
INOVAtronics, Inc.







*** This is a reply to #64.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Brian Wright                             Msg #78, 15-Dec-89
01:09am
Subject: Re: Improper Quitting

Brian, CanDo is not supposed to do that. (But you knew that already.)
It may be that there is an unusual error condition that is not properly
notifying you of the problem.  Try running the program from the CLI
(if you are not already doing so) and see if anything is reported at
exit.  If you can, change your defaults (see page 7-8 in the manual) to
save a "crash deck".  If one is created upon exit, Tim Martin will
want to know this (and may request that you upload it) when you talk
with him (call 214-340-4992 between 10 am and 5 pm -- best bet).

Re: SuperBrowse allowing your application to run faster than Browse:
I don't doubt it.  SuperBrowse allows your application to run almost
as if it were running without CanDo supervising it, as I understand it.
Browse is more like Orwell's Big Brother in the novel "1984"--CanDo is
watching EVERYthing.



*** This is a reply to #75.


From:    Eddie Churchill                          Rec'd
To:      Brian Wright                             Msg #79, 15-Dec-89
02:08am
Subject: Re: Opening Windows

Please try to run CanDo from a CLI and upload what it spits out
to the Console.  It would be a great help, I am updating Cando
with all the latest bugfixes this weekend and the more information
you can provide the better.

Thanks in advance,
Eddie Churchill
One of those CanDo guys...

P.S. Superbrowse shuts down everything but the error trapping system.
     So you application should run at full speed (within reason that
     is).  Otherwise with CanDo we will monitor everything your soft-
     ware does (improved error tracking and other such neat stuff).

See Ya Later....



*** This is a reply to #75.


From:    Eddie Churchill                          Rec'd
To:      Bruce Durocher                           Msg #80, 15-Dec-89
02:16am
Subject: Re: One suggestion...

You can bet that in a future version of the manual we will include a full
index.  Due to time constrants we did not get a full index in
the initial release.

Also if you have any other suggestion please feel free to post them.

Thanks in Advance...
Eddie Churchill
One of those CanDo guys...



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Jim Marias                               Rec'd
To:      Eddie Churchill                          Msg #81, 15-Dec-89
11:12am
Subject: File req requests

I just started playing with the file requestor and have a couple of
suggestions/requests.  When it is loading in the default directory, it ids
uninterruptable...meaning that when it is loading a huge directory, I have to
wait for it to finish before changing directories or clicking on any gadget.
I'd like to be able to override it ala ARP file requestor. My other
"complaint" (if you want to call it that) is that if you Hit a gadget that
calls the requestor, wait for it to load the default, select or cancel,  then
immediatley hit the gadget again, requestor pops up and must reload the
entire
default directory even though it should be buffered since no changes were
made
to it.  This porblem may go away when I figure out what in my normal
startup
is causing conflict with cando and will use Blitzdisk again.

                      Thanks.....Jim



*** This is a reply to #80.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Steve Walter                             Msg #83, 15-Dec-89
12:54pm
Subject: Re: CanDo

Steve,
  Glad to help.
  You asked two main questions:
  1) Do you need to install CanDo on your Workbench disk if you already
have
it working from the CanDo disk and want to run it from the CanDo disk
only?
Answer: No.  The instructions on installing CanDo on your Workbench disk
are
there solely for those people who wish to do so for whatever reason.  Run it
from the CanDo disk as much as you please, just be sure to make a backup
first!
  2) How can you do full-screen animations?  Answer: 1) Convert the
animation
to a BrushAnim with the supplied utility AnimToBAnim and then run it
through
CanDo.  2) Launch an animation running program through the DOS command.
  If I have mangled either of your questions so badly that I haven't told you
what you want to know, ask me again!
  Thanks for your interest and enjoy CanDo.
  -Martin



*** This is a reply to #82.


From:    Joel Guerra
To:      All                                      Msg #84, 15-Dec-89
09:06pm
Subject: Helpful Hint #3

You do not have to bind your CanDo applications in order
to execute them from another CanDo application with the
DOS Run command.  Just use "C:DeckRunner YourApplication".
For example, you might want a button on your powerpanel
to call up the Phone program and another button to call
up the CanDo Appointment Calendar.  Use the following:

   Dos "C:Run <Nil: >Nil: C:DeckRunner CanDo:Decks/Phone"

and

   Dos "C:Run <Nil: >Nil: C:DeckRunner CanDo:Decks/ApptCal"

If you do not have the Phone or ApptCal decks in CanDo:Decks,
put in the appropriate pathname.  (You get the idea.)

Just think:  You can have one deck start other decks, which
can start OTHER decks, etc., etc....  Pretty soon, your
display will be covered with CanDo application windows!




From:    Dave Harms                               Rec'd
To:      Brian Wright                             Msg #85, 16-Dec-89
08:31am
Subject: Re: Opening Windows

Brian....You are right about the chip memory.  I have a 1.5 meg 1000 and I
can
run CanDo with only 512K free memory,  however I cannot run very many
cards in
the deck.  If you reboot with the CanDo disk or shut down other chip
memory
intensive applications you should have no problem.

The manual explains that the Superbrowse shuts down nearly all CanDo
functions
to let you test your program at full speed.  You get CanDo back by going to
the WB and clicking on the small box it left open..Dave Harms



*** This is a reply to #75.


From:    Donald Youngner
To:      All                                      Msg #86, 16-Dec-89
10:04pm
Subject: Stack change in CanDo

I can't seem to change the stack size from CanDo can anyone Help me out
with
this Problem im having

Don



*** There is a reply. See #87.


From:    Eddie Churchill
To:      Donald Youngner                          Msg #87, 16-Dec-89
10:52pm
Subject: Re: Stack change in CanDo

What do you mean by change the stack size in CanDo.

Eddie Churchill
INOVAtronics, Inc.



*** This is a reply to #86.


From:    Alex Nivichanov
To:      Eddie Churchill & Joel Guerra            Msg #88, 17-Dec-89
01:54am
Subject: Thanks

Thank you Joel for the suggestion ... I haven't tried it yet, but I'
m sure it'll work.
   Thank you Eddie for your help.  I have a couple of other questions.
1)     When creating a button, with the options of click, drag, release
and double-click, is there a way to make these mutually exclusive
       i.e.  when you perform a drag, the release is disabled.
       I've tried putting different commands for release and double-click
       and what i get is one command at double-click and two commands at

release.
2)     Have you heard about the NULL: device?  WHEN I find it, I will

upload it here.  There is a version of "runback" on one of the
       Fred Fish disks which has this device as part of it allong with
       some information from Matt Dillon about the NIL: device not being
       a real device. If you have heard about, let me know .. else I'll
provide you with what info I have.
Alex



*** There is a reply. See #92.


From:    Bruce Durocher                           Rec'd
To:      Eddie Churchill                          Msg #89, 17-Dec-89
12:57pm
Subject: Thanks!  A few questions, though...

     I am extremely impressed by CanDo.  Up to now, I've had to try to get
my
friends who are programmers to take time from their work to come up with
"little goodies" that folks could use, but would never be major commercial
successes.  At long last I've got a tool I can use to do this sort of thing
myself!  Thank you!  I'll look forward to a future manual, but for now will
be
able to use what's provided.
     A quick question or two on Document Objects.  As part of a project I
need
to be able to display longer text files in sections without using a scroll
bar, with a new section each time the mouse is clicked.  I'd like to be able
to preformat a text file by inserting a chosen character into the file (say a
[*]) and then display the text in a Memo editor.  For example:

     This is the first line of the first display
     This is the second line of the second display*
     This is the first line of the second display
     This is the second line of the second display
     This is the third line of the second display
     This is the fourth line of the second display*
       *
     This is the first line of the fourth display
     This is the second line of the fourth display*

     This would allow me to set up demos where the contents of text displays
on screen could be changed to meet circumstances by anyone with a word
processor--a nice capability for shows, etc.  I have a Director script written
by a friend that will do this, but frankly I'd rather use CanDo for the whole
demonstration.  Can a Memo be set up to do this, and can you suggest how
to do
so?
     On another matter--can a Memo display text Ragged Left or Centered? I
didn't find a command to do so in the manual, and was wondering...
     And finally, is there a way to open CanDoDemo1 to see how you handled
the
Sound Sequencer portion of the demo?  If you've used the Binder on it, is
there any chance of an unbound version?  Thanks!



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Dave Harms
To:      All                                      Msg #90, 17-Dec-89
03:02pm
Subject: ReDirection of DOS Output

I am using the DOS command "dir" on a button trying to make it work.  I am
able to get the command to work but it does not display the info to the
current window the button is in.  Do I need to create a window for the
output
to be sent to?  If so what would be the syntax for the re-direction.  Thanks



*** There is a reply. See #94.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Bruce Durocher                           Msg #91, 17-Dec-89
03:40pm
Subject: Re: Document and Sound Questions

Bruce, load the "WhatIsCanDo" application into CanDo and look at
the ToDo card.  The PageMark variable is used to separate one
large text file into smaller blocks of text.  A special character
is used as a delimiter.  This allows the ToDo portion of the
"WhatIsCanDo" demo to display the ToDoList.txt file in "pages".

On your sound question:  Look at PlaySoundSequence example on page
6-42 of the manual.  Also look at QUEUE and QUEUEPREVIOUS options
on the next page.  Page 4-34 shows how to perform a script when
a particular sound starts or stops.

I hope these suggestions are in the ballpark of your questions.



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Alex Nivichanov                          Msg #92, 17-Dec-89
03:54pm
Subject: Mutual Exclusion Stuff

Alex, you ask if there is a way to make the click, drag, release and
double-click options mutually exclusive.  In my opinion, only double-
click should disable the other options and vice versa, or paint programs could
not be created with CanDo.  But you have a very good
point.  Try setting a variable (like DragIsTrue) to TRUE in your Drag
script, then test for the variable in your Release script, like so:

   If DragIsTrue
      Let DragIsTrue = FALSE
      ExitScript
   EndIf
   ...the normal Release script goes here...

This way, if you drag, your release script won't cause you problems.

If you have both Double-Click and either Click or Release scripts,
and you want to disable one of them, I recommend the following:
Click on the button of the event you don't want.  This calls up
the script.  Now clear the script with the menu option or Amiga-/.
Then select OK.  This removes the script associated with that button.



*** This is a reply to #88.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Donald Youngner                          Msg #93, 17-Dec-89
04:24pm
Subject: Re: Stack Change in CanDo

Donald, if you are using the Dos Run command, edit your s:Shell-Startup
script and add the command "STACK XXXXX" where XXXXX is the size you
want.  There is also a STACK option in the INFO screen when you select
INFO from the Workbench menu after single-clicking on the CanDo icon.
(I'm not sure this works, though.)

Even so, these are workarounds.  I'll be prodding the appropriate folks
at Inovatronics to have child processes inherit the stack setting of
the parent in the next release of CanDo.

P.S.  If the STACK command is not made resident by your startup-
sequence or your path does not include the C: directory (I think
it does by default), you may need a "C:" in front of "STACK" above.
Good luck!



*** There is a reply. See #103.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Dave Harms                               Msg #94, 17-Dec-89
07:52pm
Subject: Re: ReDirection of DOS Output

Dave,
  You might try any of the following suggestions:
  1) Redirect the output of C:Dir to a file in ram:.  Read the file in and
display it in a List Document Object.
  2) Redirect the output of the C:Dir command to a window with the
>CON:0\0\320\200\ (or whatever size you like).  The problem with this is that
the window will close right away after the dir has gone by.
  3) If you have ARexx and WShell, you can send a message to a WShell
telling
it to do the dir command!
  4) If what you are trying to do is read and display the directory, however,
the easiest thing of all is to create a List Document Object and read the
directory into it using the InsertDirectoryList command.  If you would like an
example of such a Deck, let me know and someone here will whip one up!
  -Martin



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    James Hebert
To:      Inovatronics                             Msg #97, 18-Dec-89
05:53pm
Subject: CanDo

Hello!  I picked up CanDo the other day.  Hadn't expected to actually buy
anything... but the store was willing to demo the program and I was quickly
hooked.  I couldn't work with it for a couple of days, so I pored through the
manual.  It's very nicely laid out - sensible and easy to follow (I've written
many manuals in my time, so I feel competent ot make such an evaluation!).
The software looks impressive - I can see I'm going to be BUSY with this
program!  Thanks for making a prospect of programming (without schooling) a
reality, and an exciting one at that. I also have two questions for you...
    1 - Re: Menu Items and SubItems.  One of the things I like about certain
packages is that their Menu Items allow you to toggle the state of a
function.
The indicator for this appears as a checkmark next to the Menu Item (or
SubItem).  Is this something you could incorporate into CanDo?  (Hey, I know
it's minor.. but I like it!)
    2 - I'd like to put together something that can best be described as a
'viewer' program.  Let me give you an example, since it's simpler to talk in
specifics here.  Suppose I wish to take 10 airplane profile images and create
an application where the viewer can simply click on a button and
mix-and-match
one plane's nose with another plane's cockpit with a thrid plane's tail
section.  Can you give me some direction as to how to go about putting this
together?  I was thinking of saving each airplane's profile as, say, four
separate brushes, for a total of 40 image files.  Following this, I would
design an opening screen (card), then a second screen upon which there
would
be four evenly spaced buttons.  Clicking on a button brings up a 1/4 image.
Subsequennt clicks would run through 10 possible noses, cockpits, whatever.
      Am I making sense?  Offhand, I know CanDo can do this.  The
question is,
Can I?  CanDo and programming are new to me.  I'm excited by the
possibilities
and a bit hesitant about how to approach such a project.  I'd appreciate any
input you can offer to get me started.
     That's about it for now.  I gotta get back to work (can't leave CanDo
alone too long...).  Hey, if you guys have the time, a couple more tutorials
utilizing menus and other advanced CanDo features would be welcome.
Studying
them proves very valuable.
     Talk to you soon.
                                            James



*** There is a reply. See #100.


From:    Chris Horka                              Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #98, 15-Dec-89
10:30pm
Subject: CanDo

Well, I've only had CanDo for a couple of hours, but already I'm VERY
excited about the possibilities of the program!  I had UltraCard previous
to purchasing CanDo and returned UltraCard because it was impossibly
unfriendly, and terrible to work with.

CanDo seems to be the solution to my problems. What a GREAT interface!
Easy to use, intuitive, and fast after you get used to it. Thanks for the
nice piece of work, INOVAtronics. I'm looking forward to creating a custom
environment for my system. Should be easy and fun with CanDo.

Chris Horka
5 Dalecrest Ct 102
Timonium, Md 21093

ps. Thanks so much for the access to the BBS and the files to use with
CanDo!



*** There is a reply. See #101.


From:    Todd Butson
To:      Chris Horka                              Msg #99, 16-Dec-89
01:05am
Subject: Me

I also bought CANDO and am Amazed at the Power of this application!  It
almost
scares me...  Those of use that do commercial developement could be in
trouble
with this package!  Even the novice will be producing great programs!!
Ohhh
Nooooo!!!!!    :-)   Hats off to Inovatronics on this one!!    (PS:  Can I buy
stock now ??   Hehe)

Todd



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      James Hebert                             Msg #100, 18-Dec-89
07:55pm
Subject: Re: CanDo

James,
  First let me answer a question that you and many others have asked about
the
CanDo BBS.  That is a separate support system being run by an independent,
third-party company.  We are happy to see it, and will be working with them,
but we will continue to support all of our products on this system, and on
BIX, and on CIS for gratis.  Nuff said.
  What you are taling about in terms of a project seems very feasible to me,
but I'm going to invite some others around here to kick in their two cents
worth to get some ideas rolling about how to do something like what you
have
described.
  I noticed that at some point you mentioned showing a "1/4 image".  Are
you
talking about a smaller representation of an image?  CanDo cannot shrink
images in any way.  Do you already have the images and brushes that you
want
to use in this application?
  Could you upload a Deck with a sample interface for the program you're
talking about?  That would help in visualizing this project.
  -Martin



*** This is a reply to #97.


From:    Martin Murray
To:      Chris Horka                              Msg #101, 18-Dec-89
08:02pm
Subject: Re: CanDo

Chris,
  Thanks.  Let me know if you have any problems or questions.
  -Martin



*** This is a reply to #98.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Todd Butson                              Msg #102, 18-Dec-89
08:04pm
Subject: Re: Me

Todd,
  Sorry, no stock offering yet, but thanks for all the kind words.  Say, if
you have any sample Decks you've made, upload them here for us all to see.
If
you don't I'm going to have to write something.
  Gee, I think I'll write something anyway.  Just got an idea.  Back later
with goodies...
  -Martin



*** This is a reply to #99.


From:    Eddie Churchill                          Rec'd
To:      Joel Guerra                              Msg #103, 18-Dec-89
10:10pm
Subject: Re: Stack Change in CanDo

If you want to make a spawned task (DOS "foo") with specific stack size,
here
is the trick.  Due to a little known feature of the
AmigaDos Execute() function (we call that with the DOS command) you
can have more than one line executed with the spawned DOS process.

(see if this makes sense)...

Let foo="run <nil: >nil: WP:WP"

Let foo="stack 10240" || Char(10) || foo

Dos foo

the char(10) will insert a linefeed into the string we hand off to the DOS
command.  This will cause the spawned DOS process to first
execute the stack command and then the run command.  there is a 255
character limit on the string to be passed to the DOS command, but
within that string there can be multiple lines.  Another way around the stack
problem you were having, is to pass use a execute script
and give the DOS command the following string (DOS "execute blabla").
Have fun and keep those questions comming.

Eddie Churchill
One of those CanDo guys...



*** This is a reply to #93.


From:    Edward Ramos                             Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #104, 18-Dec-89
09:45pm
Subject: CanDo

WOW !!!! what a program Thanks.
Ed Ramos, Houston, TX.




From:    Martin Murray
To:      All                                      Msg #105, 19-Dec-89
12:25am
Subject: a start anyway

Everyone and anyone,
  Check out IconMakr.ZOO in DL area 5.  All my friends say I have no color
sense, (and they may be right), but gee, I only spent 25 minutes on it.  It
will let you double-click on a valid brush file and will display it.  Then,
you can select from the menu the way in which you want to save it as an
icon.
  It's a little brain-dead now, but if somebody will mess with it, I think we
could get something interesting from it.
  -Martin




From:    Jim Marias                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #106, 19-Dec-89
06:45pm
Subject: Help suggestion

Hi Martin,

        I have a question and a suggestion.  First the suggestion.
 It would be nice to see a way of injecting commands found using the
help function back into the script editor.  I used help to give me the syntax
and such for some brush anim commands and I thought it woould be nice to
saave
typing by clicking and hitting a button to send the command to the editor.

        My question is regarding the brushanim commands.  I was playing
with showing brush anims and could start them and stop them but could not
remove the last frame image from the window.  I had thought that
"Removebrushanim" would clear the window but it does not. At least
for me it doesn't.

        I have got to decide what my first useful project should be.
I've been experimenting a bunch, but it's time to start TODO something.
If I come up with anything useful to others, I'll certainly spread them
around.

                       See ya.... Jim



*** There is a reply. See #107.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Jim Marias                               Msg #107, 20-Dec-89
12:20am
Subject: Re: Help suggestion

Jim,
  Others have suggested being able to get syntax of a command back into
your
editor, so you can probably safely look for that in a later release.
  As for the RemoveBrushAnim command, are you using the
RESTOREBACKGROUND flag
on the BrushAnim.  You set that with the SetBrushAnimFlags command.
  Godd luck, and I am looking forward to seeing whatever project you pick!
  -Martin



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Jim Marias                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #108, 20-Dec-89
07:01pm
Subject: Re: Help suggestion

Martin,
        I have not set the flag you mentioned.  I'm sure that must
be it, it sounds right.  One thing I like about CanDo is that even though the
command words are long, it is very clear what they do.

Glad to hear about the Help -> script function for the next release
!

                        See ya...Jim



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Dave Harms                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #109, 20-Dec-89
08:26pm
Subject: Re: ReDirection of DOS Output

Martin...Yes I would appreciate an example of this.  What I want to
eventually
do is make myself a customized Directory Utility.  Thanks for the offer of
your help I will be most appreciative of any and all help...Dave Harms



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Dave Harms                               Msg #110, 21-Dec-89
03:47am
Subject: Directory Utility Building

Hi, Dave.  First the bad news:  Your name was drawn TWICE at the Amazing
Computers store Christmas party this last Saturday.  Take heart; neither was
for the computer system prize.

Meanwhile, I've uploaded DIRBROW.ZOO, which hopefully will be placed in the
CanDo file area (5) by the time you read this.  This DirBrowser has a few
examples of what you can do with document objects.  The file lister excludes
all .info files, but you can re-include them easily if
you want them.

The nice thing about DirBrowser is that CanDo knows the type of file and
that
makes it easy to "act" on the file.  If it's a picture, DirBrowser
automatically shows it; if a sound, DirBrowser plays it, if a text file,
DirBrowser displays it; if a BrushAnim, etc.
I hope you find it useful.     --Joel



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Dave Harms                               Rec'd
To:      Joel Guerra                              Msg #111, 21-Dec-89
09:47am
Subject: Re: Directory Utility Building

Thanks Joel I'll check it out.   Just my luck at Amazing always a dollar short
and a day late...Dave



*** This is a reply to #110.


From:    Jim Marias                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #112, 21-Dec-89
12:07pm
Subject: Window Colore/resize

Hi Martin (or Joel or any other genius.... you guys are smart)

Heres the scenario....  I make a workbench window with a resize gadget. I use
a different window background color than the workbench screen.
 It all looks fine except the area above the resize gadget (vertical
bar) remains in the old background color.  Further,  when resizing the
window,
the background color does not refresh.

Any thoughts ??         Thanks,  Jim



*** There is a reply. See #113.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Jim Marias                               Msg #113, 21-Dec-89
09:40pm
Subject: Re: Window Colore/resize

Jim,
  I tried the same (I think) thing here and it seemed OK.  I made a
half-width
WB Window, gave it color 3 for background, then put a button on it to
ClearWindow.  It always cleared to color 3.  Now, the title bar above the
Window was still in another color.  Those colors are controlled by the other
two color indicators in the WindowColors Requester.
  If you still have problems, upload the Deck so I can see what you are
describing.
  -Martin



*** This is a reply to #112.


From:    Jim Marias                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #114, 22-Dec-89
12:23pm
Subject: colr above resize gadget

Hi Martin,

        I had forgotten to put a clearwindow in the resize script,
I have now so that part works just fine.  Thanks !!

I still can not get the window to be solid in the background color in the area
above the resize gadget.  It has a vertical bcnd of the regular WB background
color above said gadget.  I threw together a sample which I have U/L'd to
you
called "Jim.Zoo"  I timed it and it took all of 20 seconds to make (I love
this thing).

I appreciate the help and I'm sorry if I'm bugging you with a bunch of
supposedly obvious questions.  I really need a vacation so I can spend LOTS
of
quality time with this system !!

                        Thanks, Jim



*** There is a reply. See #127.


From:    Ron Kotlik                               Rec'd
To:      Joel Guerra                              Msg #115, 23-Dec-89
07:44am
Subject: Re: File Requester

Joel,
     I found the problem, I forgot to use the LET command.
     Are you going to support real numbers in a future version.
                                          Thanks
                                              Ron



*** This is a reply to #74.


From:    Brian Wright                             Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #116, 23-Dec-89
01:49pm
Subject: Arrays and other things

Is CanDo capable of numerical or text arrays such as name(x)?  This would
help
on the application I am writing.  I think I have found a bug in CanDo also.
Whenever the Error scriptor comes up along with the error requestor the
script
screen goes away and the editor requestor pops up. The text form the errored
script comes up and overlays on the requestor but the requestor is still
active.  Strange! But it gets stranger.  If the Ok or Cancel gadget is hit
both screens go away to the menu screen. Then if the errored
doc/button/field
is clicked on and the requestor is brought up and the script is clicked on the
mouse pointer changes to ZZ.
It looks like nothing has happened but the script is there the gadgets are
there but cannot be seen.  If the OK gadget is clicked (where it should be) it
will say something like "the errored script has been replaced and we will go
to the design mode".  Once all of this has been done then the program works
fine until another error.  The program doesn't crash though.  I guess I will
have to use DoOnErr to help.



*** There is a reply. See #126.


From:    Bruce Durocher                           Rec'd
To:      Joel Guerra                              Msg #117, 24-Dec-89
12:51pm
Subject: Re: Document and Sound Questions

     Thanks!  The document answer sounds just like what I wanted to know
(although I'd still like to know if CanDo supports either Ragged Left or
Centered text in Memos in the current version :) ).  The sound support
answers
will come in helpful too, although I was thinking more about rying to take
the
demo apart to find how you managed the requestor structure--the list of
sounds
available in one window and the list of those that should be played in
another.  I was thinking about using that structure to make a shell for the
Join command in AmigaDos.  I will look at the suggestions you've suggested
right away!  Thanks for the help--it's nice to know that you can get answers
about a new product without having to jump through hoops!  (There is a
leading
Amiga software company that I helped a customer deal with on Thursday that
should rename their services the Unhelp line.  I had to work on it fifteen
minutes until I found a person who would help the customer.)  Trust me, it is
GREATLY appreciated.



*** This is a reply to #91.


From:    James Hebert
To:      Martin M                                 Msg #118, 25-Dec-89
02:07am
Subject: Image you requested

Fer sure!  I'll upload what I consider to be the Main Screen in the image
shower I'm working on.  If you want to see more, let me know.  Most of the
images are complete - I just need to way to put it all together (enter the
makers of CanDo... the timing on this is almost frightening).
Look for a file called MainScrn.Arc.  The buttons will call up various images;
the 2 middle windows are intended for the images to be shown; the lower
windows are intended for text decriptions.
   To answer your question (a bit late, I realize), these images are not
shrunken - they've been designed with this window size in mind.  I plan on
saving them each as a brush, to save disk space.
    I've found apossible bug in CanDo I also wished to run by you.  I run
CanDo on a 500 with 2 drives and 2.5 megs.  I boot with the program disk
and
extras disk.  However, whenever I wish to load an image from a disk other
than
the extras disk, and I do so, then I call up another function that requires
reinsertion of the extras disk.  At this point I get prompt to put the extras
disk back in the drive (and I can either RETRY or CANCEL the requester).
The
catch: If I CANCEL, I get dumped out of CanDo and back to workbench, and
the
program has been unloaded.  Instant exit!
However, if I change disks and choose retry, the requester goes away, the
pointer goes to Z'z, and nothing happens.  None of the CanDo requesters
returns, the pointer remains Z'd, and all I can do is Amiga N or M back and
forth.  The mouse moves, so it's not a total lockup.  It's just that I can do
no further work in CanDo.  Kinda odd.  If you could give me a quick solution
for this, I'd appreciate it.  I'm not sure how to get going with CanDo at this
stage.
   Final question: I assume that I should start with a single disk that has
all my images on it (interface and window pictures).  What other drawers
would
CanDo need on that disk to utilize it for normal operation?  Or is there a
simpler way to do get the whole thing going?  I'm a little confused, as you
can probably tell.  If I've made no sense, tell me and I'll re-think it.
   Hey, I'm still having fun with this program and what I can do.  (I didn't
want to give you the wrong impression).
    Have a terrific holiday.
                                   James



*** There is a reply. See #125.


From:    Eddie Churchill                          Rec'd
To:      James Hebert                             Msg #119, 25-Dec-89
06:12am
Subject: Re: Image you requested

Howdy James...

The problem of the ZZZ pointer is a simple one.  When the System
AutoRequester
window comes up the system rearranges the screens.  The cando screen is
still
there just hiding behind all the others.  We have fixed the bug (future
revision) but there is a quick workaround.  What you need
is a program like MachII 2.4 (I will try to upload it if you can't find it).
This program has a feature that redefines what the LeftAmiga
`M' does.  Normally it just moves the WorkBench screen to the back
(or front I never can remember these things) well MachII makes it push
whatever screen is in the front to the back.  Using this you can get to the
CanDo screen again.

As for the Bug, well I will note it and try to reproduce it with the new
version I'm working on.  Oh thanks for reporting the bug.

See Ya Later,
Eddie Churchill
Just a CanDo type of guy.



*** This is a reply to #118.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Ron Kotlik                               Msg #120, 25-Dec-89
10:53am
Subject: A Real Question

Ron, you ask if Inovatronics is going to support real numbers
in a future version.  The answer is in the bottom paragraph on
page 6-6 in the CanDo manual.  (Hmm.  "Real" numbers--sounds like
Pascal, or maybe even FORTRAN.)  Until then, I understand you can
use ARexx to do floating-point math.

(To All:  Please follow the advice about using % for Integer Division.
This way, you won't get a floating-point answer when you really wanted
an integer [in future releases].)




From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Bruce Durocher                           Msg #121, 25-Dec-89
11:36am
Subject: Ragged Left and Centered Text

Thanks for the encouragement, Bruce.  I didn't mean to ignore your
question earlier about Memo text manipulation.  I wanted to try out
some things before I reported back.

There is no direct command to center or make ragged-right.  It can
be done, but you'll have to do some "programming".  For example:

   Let LineLength = NumberOfChars(TrimString(TheLine))
   Let MyLine = DupeString(" ",(MaxLength-LineLength)%2)||TheLine

This will create a centered line MyLine, which you will have to
"Type" into your document.  Don't forget to delete the original
line.  You will also have to perform some tests to make sure that
NumberOfChars(TrimString(TheLine)) is not greater than MaxLength,
and that you are not working with a blank line.

If you want Ragged Right, remove the "%2" in the example given.
(Note that I used "%" rather than "/" for integer division.
MaxLength is the maximum number of characters on a line.)

Let me know if you would like a more specific example.



*** There is a reply. See #146.


From:    James Hebert                             Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #122, 25-Dec-89
12:21pm
Subject: System Requesters Locking Up

This is a followup to my last msg.  It seems that whenever I need to switch
disks, if the system requester pops up to tell me to either insert the disk or
cancel the operation, the cursor goes to never never land.
There seems to be no return from that point, I have to reboot.  I don't know
how to establish a recoverable ramdisk so I must reboot from zero every time
-
and the boot time takes a while.  It's really hampering any work sessions I
attempt, as I want to begin working with CanDo to get a grip on its
operation
in order to create a deck successfully.
    Anyway, before I get into some disgusting whining and griping (I hate
when
people crawl), I'll git.  Just wanted to let you know that it doesn't seem
related to any particular operation - just whenever I need to access another
disk.  Lemme know if you can fix it.  Thanks.



*** There is a reply. See #131.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Bruce Durocher                           Msg #123, 25-Dec-89
03:44pm
Subject: Ragged Left and Centered Text

Well, I should have waited.  Bruce, the example I gave in my last
message works only with text that is left-justified to start with.
Also, I said "Ragged Right" when I meant "Ragged Left".  Here's the
text of a working menu script to center a document:

WorkWithDocument "Test"
Let MaxLength = 65
MoveCursorTo STARTOF DOCUMENT
While TheLineNumber < LinesInDocument
   Let MyLine = TrimString(TheLine)
   Let LineLength = NumberOfChars(MyLine)
   If LineLength < MaxLength
      Let MyLine = DupeString(" ",(MaxLength-LineLength)%2)||MyLine
   EndIf
   Clear LINE
   Type MyLine
   MoveCursor DOWN
EndLoop

Again, for Ragged Left, remove the "%2".  You could make this a routine
which accepts a DocumentName and a MaxLength as parameters.  You might
also want to put in code to test for blank lines and skip them; this
code inserts half a line of spaces on blank lines (a full line on Ragged
Right).  Again, let me know if you still have questions.  --Joel



*** There is a reply. See #147.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      James Hebert                             Msg #124, 25-Dec-89
07:01pm
Subject: Re: System Requesters Locking Up

James, Eddie's workaround can solve the problem you are having.  An
alternative would be to copy the CanDoExtras diskette to RAM: (you
say you have 2.5 meg RAM) and then assign CanDoExtras: to RAM: with
the Assign command (after removing your CanDoExtras diskette from the
drive).  This way, you won't get the requester in the first place.

You have to execute the Assign command from a CLI or Shell.  Just
double-click on Workbench's CLI or Shell icon.  You will see a prompt
that ends in ">".  Type "ASSIGN CANDOEXTRAS: RAM:" (leave off the
quotes) and press the return key.  Then type "ENDCLI" followed by the
return key to close the CLI.  Then proceed to execute CanDo.

Please let us know after you try this.  (You must be serious about
program development to call this board at 2 AM on Christmas Day!)

-- Joel




From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      James Hebert                             Msg #125, 25-Dec-89
08:28pm
Subject: Re: Image you requested

James,
  I'll look at the picture until I get an idea of what you are trying to do.
I hope you also catch some of the replies to you about the system
requester problem.
  Happy holidays.
  -Martin



*** This is a reply to #118.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Brian Wright                             Msg #126, 25-Dec-89
08:31pm
Subject: Re: Arrays and other things

Brian,
  CanDo has no support for arrays right now, except for the Document
system.
With the Document manipulation commands, you can create a text file in ram,
and put different data on each line.  With the PositionOnLine Command and
the
various System Variables that let you get and change the current document
line, you can create systems that are similar to arrays in concept and
functionality.
  Let me know if you need som concrete examples.  (Start with the file
requesters in DirBrowser and the WhatIsCanDo demo.)
  -Martin



*** This is a reply to #116.


From:    Martin Murray                            Rec'd
To:      Jim Marias                               Msg #127, 25-Dec-89
08:34pm
Subject: Re: colr above resize gadget

Jim,
  I've got the file and will be looking at it ASAP.
  -Martin



*** This is a reply to #114.


From:    Andrew Egol
To:      Innovatronics                            Msg #130, 25-Dec-89
09:34pm
Subject: CanDo

Thanks for your prompt delivery of your new program CanDo. I think!
Your program is quite sophisticated. It appears that its capabilities are
limited only by the users imagination. However, another strong limitation is
the users understanding and ability, both of which appear to be very limited
in my case. I am the Medical Director of a Critical Care Center in Miami. I
have been interested in Computer Assisted Learning for some time and I have
put together lecture programs using TV*Show by Zuma, CLAS and AiRT. Your
program appears much more capable than these but quite honestly these were
easier for me to learn and understand. I have been trying to pore through
the sample decks to gain some understanding of the "flow" of each deck. I
am better but not there yet. I have some simple questions and constructive
criticisms at this early stage:
1. How can I pause an ongoing application? For example, an ongoing lecture
using speech, graphics and text is ongoing, the user needs to do something
and wants to "pause" the demo so they don't have to start all over. Any
ideas?
2. I couldn't figure out how to get a sound to play more than once but I
think I've found it in one of your scripts.
3. Having a disk based tutorial on how the program works would be great. Or
a demo of how the commands work. While it may be extensive, I'm sure I
would
be willing to pay for it if it could help me learn.
4. Need more sample decks, they are useful and helpful. If there could be a
"print all" that would print all the scripts from each card it would be
easier to understand ( particularly if where it came from was printed as the
first line).
5. In transitions from one picture to the next, it would be great if you
could have some built in transitions (wipes, fades, dissolves, etc.) This
would enhance the program quite a bit.
In summary, I think what you have done is great for people like me, and it
will be more satisfying and less frustrating once I get over the learning
curve hump.
-Dr. Andrew Egol-
-Baptist Hospital of Miami-
-Critical Care Center-
P.S. This file was sent line by line of a letter I had written. Obviously your
program didn't exactly agree with ED as to where lines should end.
I don't normally type the way it was sent.



*** There is a reply. See #132.


From:    Eddie Churchill                          Rec'd
To:      James Hebert                             Msg #131, 26-Dec-89
04:35am
Subject: Re: System Requesters Locking Up

Sorry about the problems you are having but I think a simple QUICK FIX to
your
problem is in message 119.

See Ya Later
Eddie Churchill
A CanDo type of Guy



*** This is a reply to #122.


From:    Eddie Churchill                          Rec'd
To:      Andrew Egol                              Msg #132, 26-Dec-89
04:43am
Subject: Re: CanDo

We are working on a print utility for the next CanDo release.  There is no
date slated for that release yet.

Eddie Churchill
INOVAtronics



*** This is a reply to #130.


From:    Jim Marias                               Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #133, 26-Dec-89
11:26am
Subject: Another suggestion

Hi Martin,
        Got your message about receipt of my sample and will look foward
to hearing back from you.

        Got another suggestion for a future version.  While in the
script editor, it would be nice to be able to click on a routine name in the
window and have that routine come up in a window for analysis and such.  It
would make looking at these sample decks easier than having to go back to
the
main window all the time to check out a particular routine (see variable
names
and such)

               Hope your Xmas was Jolly !!   Jim



*** There is a reply. See #141.


From:    Matt Shaw
To:      All                                      Msg #134, 26-Dec-89
02:49pm
Subject: Cardmoviing

I talked to Tim earlier today (tuesday) about an inability to get to
a card once it was created.  This is usually because of a Nextcard aor
card goto command in the startup or leaving script.  Well, the deck I have
with the inability to go to certain cards has a slightly different
problem.  I can't get to the card because the Afterstartup script has a
gotocard "    " in it.  The problem seems to be that I used the card basically
as a gosub like routine,  show an anim, and then go back to the main file
requestor card.  Seems that if Cando doesn't have some user input in the
card,
it will attempt to execute the whole kit and kaboodle when even you go to
the
card to edit it.
               Let me know what you think.
                 Matt Shaw   New Age Computers.
.



*** There is a reply. See #145.


From:    Matt Shaw
To:      All                                      Msg #135, 26-Dec-89
02:56pm
Subject: displayProgram

I'm attempting to upload a opt 5 anim player that runs on a slideable,
pushbackable screen.  Enjoy.
       Matt Shaw
New Age Computers.




From:    James Hebert
To:      Martin, Eddie, Joel.. Et Al.             Msg #136, 26-Dec-89 07:13pm
Subject: Ongoing Conversation

Thank you for your responses.  At one time I received a copy of MachII and
will give it a try.  Should that fail, I will load the Extras Disk into ram:
and assign access thataway.  Yay!  In the meantime, I played with the two
tutorials, adding buttons, menus, subitems, the generally rude things to see
what it (and I) could do.  Wonderful stuff.
Can't wait to get back into the program now.
   Martin, feel free to post my private message on the BBS.  I think the
input
of others would be valuable on it.  Thanks for asking.
   I also came across a behavior oddity (note the conspicuous albsence of the
word 'bug').  Seriously, I don't consider it a bug.  I just noticed this and
wanted to ask about it.  When creating menus and using the ALTERNATE
TEXT
setting, I've noticed that if the original menu item text and the alternate
text don't completely mask each other out.  If there is a space anywhere in
either word(s), or one is shorter than the other, you get a combination of the
two at times when highlighted by the pointer.
It does not affect operations at all, it simply looks like something ain't
right.
   2am Christmas morning is probably insignificant compared to the hours you
likely spent creating CanDo!  Thanks for your attention and support.
Lemme know if there's anything that someone 'on the outside' can do.
   See ya.
                                               James
                                (Not one of the guys from CanDo)
                                (but who thinks it'd be fun)




From:    Kimo Hardy
To:      All                                      Msg #137, 26-Dec-89
08:00pm
Subject: can do exiting

k
More thanks for the great program, along with some simple questions.
 We're running it on a 1 meg 500 with 2 floppies and have frequently
had CanDo neatly remove itself in the middle (or somewhere) of the tutorials
(designing).  Sorry I can't be more specific, but haven't been able to tie it
down to any particula4r sequence of operations-
was wondering if this could be due to memory limitations ?  There are no
requesters or warnings - just "back to workbench".  Also, I have been tryhing
to pare the disk files down to the minimum possible in order to free up df2:
for a quasi -data disk .  It still holds the Help and Object Editor files
along with the object data drawers , all o\f which were reassigned through
the
icon tools.  Problem - in doing this I removed the diskrunnernolib program,
reasoning that the decks I would be working with in the design stage would
not
need it.  The program (CanDo) however, refuses to load in, getting to
"attaching
internal resources" before just dying back to workbench.  Is diskrunnernolib
really required for CanDo to run in any circumstances, or should I

seek my problem elsewhere ?  Lastly, do you envision adding a feature
to allow keyboard shortcuts in programming - most especially in skipping
through or out of multliple nested rewquesters.  Perhaps just an Escape

key sequence to return to the main control panel.  Without a hard drive
those
intermediate requesters can get tedious, especially on the way out.  Not that
I don't appreciate them - I feel CanDo's control panel/
button scripting abilities have surpassed Hypercard in accessibility and ease
of use.

Good grief, this isn't finished yet - I have lost my registration card.
 Can I send you some kind of receipt from my dealer, manual cover,
or blood to register ?  In the excitement of tearing open the long-
awaited yellow box, well....  At least the disks didn't get mangled.
Thanks again, sorry for the verbiage....Kimo




From:    Bill Knox
To:      Can-Do Guys                              Msg #138, 26-Dec-89
09:36pm
Subject: Mysterious Exit

When trying to work with Image buttons and 640x400 resolution memory,
CanDo
will just up and exit.  I mean exit.  Not just screen to back, but clean up
memory and we'll see ya later type exit.  Kinda weird but it could be my
fault.  I'll get back to you later with more info. I just noticed other
messages and want my two cents in also.

/s



*** There is a reply. See #140.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Kimo Hardy                               Msg #139, 26-Dec-89
10:24pm
Subject: Re: CanDo Exiting

Kimo, it turns out that the current release of CanDo is not always
reporting the error conditions it encounters--when run from Workbench.
Anytime CanDo exits in the manner you describe, some error has been
detected and handled, or there would not have been a clean exit.

To find out what the error is, try running CanDo from a CLI or shell.
Any exit from CanDo due to an error will be reported.  In the case
where CanDo exits after you removed DeckRunnerNoLibrary--you probably
removed something else as well, which CanDo needs.  Running CanDo from
the CLI should indicate what the problem is (and the problem is not
the lack of DeckRunnerNoLibrary--you were right to remove it).

If you are running out of memory, you might look at the ASNEEDED
LoadFlag discussion on page 7-7 of the manual.  If the error message
doesn't make sense to you, call the support line at [phone]
if you need immediate help, or post the message here.

Good luck.  --Joel




From:    Joel Guerra
To:      Bill Knox                                Msg #140, 27-Dec-89
12:04am
Subject: Re: Mysterious Exit

Bill, it turns out that a certain class of errors (including an
out-of-memory error) are not being reported to the user when CanDo
is run from Workbench.  In order to find out what the error is,
run CanDo from a CLI or shell.  Since you are working with a HiRes
window with image buttons, you are probably running out of memory.
See the discussion under the ASNEEDED LoadFlag, page 7-7 in the
CanDo manual.

If you are not having an out-of-memory problem (or a user-fixable
problem), let us know.

Regards.  --Joel



*** This is a reply to #138.


From:    Eddie Churchill                          Rec'd
To:      Jim Marias                               Msg #141, 27-Dec-89
01:47am
Subject: Re: Another suggestion

That suggestion is already being worked on for a future release of the Editor,
No date yet.

Eddie Churchill
INOVAtronics





*** This is a reply to #133.


From:    Jim Mckenzie
To:      John Dubler                              Msg #142, 27-Dec-89
01:30pm
Subject: Re: Product comparison

I have purchased UltraCard and found that you musst concentrate on the
scripting aspects on the product over the object oriented aspects. As such it
really is not a "HyperCard Killer" at all.

In the short time I've used CanDo I must say it has a better and more
professional "feel" and interface.





*** This is a reply to #10.


From:    Robert Coates                            Rec'd
To:      Martin Murray                            Msg #143, 27-Dec-89
04:01pm
Subject: Like to See's

Martin,
Great program. It certainly is powerful and I've only begun to scratch the
surface. Thanks to you and everyone for your prompt replys to questions I
have
found several answers to previous questions in the messages. I do have two
suggestions for the future. (1) I'd like to have a way to highlight and copy a
section of script when in the editor, and then be able to paste it in a script
for another object in the same deck. (2) Some built-in visual effects when
moving from card to card (wipes, slides, dissolves, etc.) would really add
polish. Also, a question, is there a way to hide a document and have it
appear
when a button is click and disappear when the button is released. Thanks in
advance and keep up the great work.




From:    Mark Mcbreen                             Rec'd
To:      Joel Guerra                              Msg #144, 27-Dec-89
07:03pm
Subject: Binary read

I've been trying to read binary from a file using FileReadChars.  No
data gets put into my variable (length is zero).  I have tried varying the
length of the read down to one char, but no data!  Whats up?



*** There is a reply. See #148.


From:    Joel Guerra                              Rec'd
To:      Matt Shaw                                Msg #145, 27-Dec-89
08:35pm
Subject: Re: Card Moving

Matt, both Startup and AfterStartup scripts are always performed
when you get to a Card, even when you merely want to edit a card.
Unfortunately, this means that any GoToCard or other card
movement command in one of these scripts will be executed--and
you will not be able to edit the offending card's script.

Startup scripts are meant for the initialization of variables and
the preloading of brushes, pictures and documents.  AfterStartup
scripts are intended for operations that require the window or
buttons to be available for use; you can't draw, show a picture
or print text in a window that hasn't been created.  (While we're
here:  Leaving scripts are good for cleanup, like flushing
no-longer-needed images and sounds from memory.)

As I understand your situation, it sounds like you go to a new
card to show an animation.  In the AfterStartup of that card, you
do a ShowBrushAnim, followed by (I'm guessing here) a Delay
command to allow the viewer to see the animation.  When the delay
is over, you perform a GoToCard "FirstCard" or some such.  If
this is the case, you'll have to delete the card and create a new
one.  In this card, put the ShowBrushAnim in the AfterStartup as
before, but either 1) add an Interval timer, with the interval
set to the delay you want, and put your GoToCard "FirstCard" (or
whatever) in the timer's Occurred script, or 2) if you are using
a specific BrushAnim, and only want to show it once, select the
Animation Object button, specify the BrushAnim name, and then put
your GoToCard into an At Destination script (if you are moving
the BrushAnim) or put the GoToCard command into the last frame
via the Add Frame button.  In either case, no user input is
required.

Let me know if I wasn't in the ballpark of your problem. --Joel

To All:  At this time, it's not wise to put a card movement
command (like NextCard or GoToCard) in any Card script (Startup,
AfterStartup, or Leaving).  (A frequent candidate for a Card
Movement command is in the Window CloseButton script; just
replace the default "Quit" with a GoToCard "MainCard", for
example, if that's what you want to do.)



*** Part of a conversation.


From:    Bruce Durocher                           Rec'd
To:      Joel Guerra                              Msg #146, 27-Dec-89
09:58pm
Subject: Re: Ragged Left and Centered Text

Thanks for the help!  I imagine that the knowledge that it can be done will
do
for now--it'll take me awhile to get the application I'm working on in CanDo
to reach the point where it beats the lash-up my friend wrote in Director, so
I can wait on a specific example for the time being until I get the rest of it
running.  One nice feature of Director is that there is some sort of automatic
centering ability built-in for text, which let me just pour in text and have
it just the way that we wanted.  I was pretty sure that there was some way
to
do the same in CanDo, but had no idea as to how to go about doing so.  I'll
worry about centered or right-justified text after I get the main body of the
thing running, which will take me a bit as I'm not much of a programmer.  I
hope that someone does a program of tutorials to let us novices get a better
idea of the way things work, but until then I'll do the best I can.  Thanks
again, and good luck!



*** This is a reply to #121.


From:    Bruce Durocher                           Rec'd
To:      Joel Guerra                              Msg #147, 27-Dec-89
10:05pm
Subject: Re: Ragged Left and Centered Text

Thanks for the follow up.  I'll work on using it ASAP, however I hope that
my
earlier thanks don't seem rather confused.  (I can see you staring at the
screen, mumbling "Just what were we talking about?")



*** This is a reply to #123.


From:    Eddie Churchill                          Rec'd
To:      Mark Mcbreen                             Msg #148, 27-Dec-89
10:36pm
Subject: Re: Binary read

Sorry, Mark

        There seem to be a bug in the FileReadChar command, well let's
put it this way, it doesn't seem to work at all!

This will be fixed in a future release, no date on that release yet.

Sorry again,
Eddie Churchill
INOVAtronics, Inc.



*** This is a reply to #144.


From:    Jeff Persyn
To:      All                                      Msg #149, 28-Dec-89
04:42pm
Subject: DeckBrowser

The program called DeckBrowser 1.01 in the file section;I can;t find on either
CanDo disk. which program is this an update too? Is it DEckRunnerNoLibrary?




*** There is a reply. See #150.


From:    Eddie Churchill
To:      Jeff Persyn                              Msg #150, 28-Dec-89
06:56pm
Subject: Re: DeckBrowser

Yes

Eddie Churchill
INOVAtronics



*** This is a reply to #149.


From:    John Obenauf
To:      All                                      Msg #151, 28-Dec-89
10:42pm
Subject: window sizing

   How do I refresh a window with a picture loaded on it after I've resized
the window?  Also I was wondering what the limits are for size with gadgets
(buttons) or drop down menus.  Can I use a HAM brush for drop down
menus?

 Thanks for any help.




From:    Michael Powell
To:      Inovatronics                             Msg #152, 30-Dec-89
06:36am
Subject: Stuff...

Howdy.... been *kinda* enjoying CanDo....
I've been a long time UltraCard owner.... and I went through hell just to
create a stack with that darned program (although the latest versions are
getting pretty stable), but anyway, CanDo craps almost as often at the 1st
release version of UltraCard does (the joke was that UltraCard would crash if
you just let it sit long enough).  CanDo apparently runs into a problem and
then dumps itself... (as others here have noted). I do launch CanDo from CLI
and see the 'error messages'.  The messages are semi difficult to
understand..... especially when they reference (for example) line six of a
script as having a problem..... although there IS NO line six (none of my
decks have more than one line scripts at this point).  It is furstrating to
restart CanDo 5-10 times per hour just to finish a deck (although the
"Crash-Deck" save has been working well... but we really shouldn't need such
a
safety net should we?).  Also I have had a little difficulty with some VERY
SIMPLE buttons.... errors that say "sorry... I had problems compiling that
button"  What kind of problems?  Why is CanDo allowing me to create these
troublesome buttons?  I still havn't found out what the problem is with
them.... but I find that attempting the exact same proceedure a second time
*usually* does the trick.
But don't let all this negitive stuff get ya down... I still think that CanDo
is a VERY promising program.....  Requestor speed MUST be improved
though...
When I start thinking too fast for Amy, then I KNOW something's wrong :-)

   Special Tip:  When pressing the scroll arrows in a document field, these
can be 'held' down for continuous scrolling.... although the speed is rather
slow.  By quickly double or triple clicking the scroll arrows, the document
can be made to scroll by at much higher speeds..... hope someone can make
use
of this tidbit.
TTYL  -Mike-

--- FILES: CanDo ---

CANDO.ZOO      37120 08-22-89* Screen shots and info on CanDo
CANDOD11.ZOO  348032 10-03-89* new and improved CanDo demo 1
SILMON.ZOO      2304 12-09-89* Simon Type Game, this needs CanDo to run.
SQPUZZLE.ZOO    3712 12-11-89* v1.1 of square puzzle, needs cando
REXXBROW.ZOO    2688 12-15-89* Rexx Browser Deck
DOODLE.ZOO      1664 12-15-89* Doodle Paint Deck
BROWSER.ZOO    72064 12-14-89* version 1.01 of the DeckBrowser
ICONMAKR.ZOO    2048 12-19-89* v0.1 of an IconMaker CanDo Deck
READER.ZOO      2048 12-20-89* a simple Deck using file requester, etc.
DIRBROW.ZOO     5735 12-21-89* v1.0 of a versatile file browser