Atari Mega Archive 1/Atari Mega Archive - Volume 1.iso/lists/gem/l_1199/868

Internet Message Format | 1994-08-27 | 2KB

Date: Tue, 19 Jul 1994 16:24:34 -0400 (EDT)
From: Rick Flashman <[e-mail]>
Subject: ST-Guide (was Geneva Help)
To: [e-mail]
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On Mon, 18 Jul 1994, Michel Forget wrote about ST-Guide:

> As for pre-loading it as an accessory, I actually prefer this method.
> Not everyone needs online help, or wants it wasting memory.  With
> an accessory, you can add it or take it out any time you want.

The problem is that the users who REALLY could use online will most
likely not have the accessory installed. That's why I'm a big believe in
that online help should always be available, quietly, consuming NO
MEMORY, until actually needed. When you need it, you WANT IT INSTANTLY.

Our online help (in both multasking Geneva mode and in singletasking
NeoDesk 4) mode consumes 0K of memory until needed. But it is ALWAYS
there. This to me is a MUCH more important issue than what help system to
use.

If a singletasker only has 1-2 accessory slots open (since he/she is
running several other necessary accessories) they are likely to hesitate
in installing a help accessory (especially if rarelly used). But when it
is needed, it is reasonable for them to expect some sort of online help
available without having to quit the program and pre-load a desk accessory.

This can be easily solved by offering an executable program version that
can be executed by a program, or by offering source that a programmer can
include in their code (either as a loadable executable or built-in).

--
Rick Flashman, Gribnif Software                        Tel [phone]
P.O. Box 779, Northampton, MA 01061-0779               Fax [phone]
For customer support/information please email "[e-mail]".