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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:AMIGA NOTES
Notice:Join us in the *NEW* conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:HYDRA::MOORE
Created:Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5378
Total number of notes:38326

1710.0. "The Compleat Starter Disk" by LEDS::ACCIARDI () Wed Sep 21 1988 22:45


For anyone who is curious, here's the current contents of my Starter disk. 
Whether you're a new user or just a cheapskate who won't buy a modem and
subscribe to PLINK or GENIE, you may be interested in obtaining this disk.

If you are interested, e-mail me and we'll make arrangements.  All I ask is
that you reimburse me a blank disk of reasonable quality.

The contents of the disk change from time to time based solely on my current
neuroses.  If something you'd like isn't there, too bad. :^)

    ARC - This is the famous ARChiving program necessary to tap into the
    wealth of PD software floating around.  For a description of how to use
    ARC, just type 'ARC' with no arguments from the CLI.  Note that ARC
    will always de-ARC an archive in the current directory.  When using ARC
    from the CLI, it's a good idea to CD to RAM: first.  Always keep a copy
    of ARC in your C directory, since most of the directory utility
    programs will look there first.  Runs from CLI only, except when called
    from directory utility type programs. 

    CONMAN.ARC - ConMan is an invaluable little CLI tool that gives
    VMS-like command recall abilities to the Amiga CLI, plus a slew of
    other features. See the included documents for installation and usage.
    One of the all time best PD utilities.  ConMan is installed during the
    Startup-Sequence. 

    DEFDISK - This command sets all logical and physical assignments to the
    device entered as an argument.  See your AmigaDOS book for an
    explanation of logical assignments.  Great for making RAM: or a hard
    drive your system disk. Note that C, SYSTEM, L, LIBS, DEVS and FONTS
    directories must be present on the destination device.  CLI only. 

    DELETERAMDISK.ARC - A revised version of the program included with the
    Recoverable Ram Disk archive (RRD.arc) 

    DISKSALV - Commodore's disk salvaging program, works much better than
    the lousy DISKDOCTOR included with v 1.2.  Two drives required.  Usage
    is DISKSALV df0: to df1:  CLI only. 

    FASTDISK.ZOO - Restructures Amiga floppy format for faster directory
    loading.  Note that this file is compressed with the ZOO format, so
    you'll have to use ZOO to unpack it.  WorkBench or CLI usage. 

    GOMF1.0.ARC - Error trapping program that helps overcome a bug in v 1.2
    that prevents the Amiga from trapping and killing errant tasks and
    processes. Workbench or CLI usage. 

    HANDSHAKE.ARC - Outstanding VT10* emulator.  Supports 48 lines and/or
    132 columns.  I like tis one because it doesn't need a bunch of special
    fonts to correctly emulate the VT character set; they're all imbedded
    ithin the program.  KERMIT doesn't work properly with my VAX, but
    XMODEM works great (the VAX file to transfer must be in STREAM_LF
    format). 

    LACEWB.ARC - Toggles Workbench to and from interlace mode.  You must
    first close any open CLI or CONSOLE windows.  Runs from WorkBench or
    CLI. 

    MACHII - A great utility that includes a mouse accelerator,
    screenblanker, hotkeys, a popup CLI, and more.  This latest version
    includes a menu-bar clock and memory meter. Just put it in your
    startup-sequence.  You can configure MACHII by left-clicking, then
    right- clicking twice in the MACH menu bar.  A configuration menu will
    popup. You can then save the configuration. 

    MORE - Workbench text viewing utility.  Officially part of WB 1.3. 

    NAG17.ARC - A speaking calander that reminds you of appointments.  I
    haven't tried this much, so I can't comment on it's usefullness. 

    NEWZAP.ARC - A disk file editor.  Allows your to search for and change
    any hex or ASCII occurance.  Good for editing requestor boxes to
    reflect your particluar system setup.  Runs from WorkBench or CLI. 

    POPCOLOUR.ARC - Handy gadget that allows you to change multiple screen
    colors on the fly.  Runs from WorkBench or CLI. 

    READ_ME! - This file.  You're using it now. 

    RRD.arc - The famous ASDG Recoverable Ram Disk utility.  By carefully
    following the instructions, you can build a virtual drive in RAM that
    will survive any warm reboot with it's contents intact.  Great for
    debugging/experimenting. 

    RUNBACK.ARC - Allows you to launch a new background task from your
    startup-sequence without keeping the CLI window tied up.  Useful for
    programs that don't close the CLI until they're finished running. 

    SETLACE - This command puts the Amiga into line-doubling mode in any
    screen resolution.  This will make recorded images to a VCR much
    better, since TV signals use an interlaced frame.  Some people feel
    that this mode makes the text look sharper and more filled-in.  This
    mode may cause screen flicker on some monitors.  CLI only. 

    SETPRI - A task priority setter.  I think it has limited use. 

    SHOWIZ.ARC - Super-slick IFF graphics viewer/slideshow program with
    special effects such as tiles, wipes, flips, etc.  A must have. 

    SHOWPRINTII - Easy setup and printing of any IFF graphic.  WorkBench or
    CLI. 

    SNIPIT.ARC - A great clipboard utility.  You can highlight any text
    occurance in any active window, and paste the text into any other
    active window, even on a different screen. 

    SOUND.ARC - Plays any IFF sampled sound from a Workbench icon.  You can
    specify frequency, duration, number of plays, and mono or stereo by
    editing the sound file's project icon tool list. 

    SYSMON is a performance monitor that will show you CPU utilization.
    WorkBench or CLI usage. 

    SHOW - A tiny IFF file viewer.  Make any IFF picture's project icon
    have Show as it's default tool and you can view any picture directly
    from WB. 

    UTILIMASTER.ARC - The latest and greatest directory utility. 

    VWORKBENCH.ARC - Create custom screens up to 1000 x 1000 pixels.  Uses
    the blitter to scroll the screen at blinding speed. 

    WBICONIFY.ARC - Lets you 'iconify' any WorkBench window, just like a
    VaxStation. 

    ZOO142.ARC - Latest version of the ZOO compression program.  You must
    use ARC to unpack this.  (It wouldn't make much sense to need ZOO,
    would it?) 
    
    I really intended this disk to be for rank amatuers, so if you can,
    please check the popular e-net accounts if you have download
    capability.  All this stuff IS available on the net if you look
    for it.
    
    Ed.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1710.1Need more detailed help PleaseGUCCI::HERBALThu Sep 29 1988 23:1912
    I've just received my copy of the "starter" disk.  Having little
    success so far in using it though. You have to realize that I  (and
    my son) are REAL beginners with the AMIGA. We have tried loading
    some of the programs that are on the workbench disk and they seem
    to work fine (from the starter disk menu). The more important ones
    to us thus far are ARC and HANDSHAKE.
    
    Until we are more "Amigatized" more explicit directions/help would
    REALLY be appreciated. Please give us step by step instructions
    on loading and running (from other than Workbench).
    
    Thanks in advance .. Al (and Matt)
1710.2LEDS::ACCIARDIFri Sep 30 1988 03:4318
    
    Al, if you're having problems, call me with specific questions at
    DTN 291-7254.  I thought the "Read_Me!" file that I put on the disk
    was actually pretty good.
    
    Most of the *.ARC files have their own documentation included.  You
    should first read the included docs for instructions on installing and
    using particular programs.  It's a lot of work to wade through
    everything, but I really don't feel like writing a 10,000 word
    dissertation.  :^)
    
    HOWEVER,if you haven't yet bought a second drive, we'll both probably
    develope severe chest pains if I try to walk you through it over the
    phone.  PUH-LEEZE buy a second drive.  Do it now. Today.  Your Amiga is
    literally crippled without it.  Also get the 512K memory upgrade. 
    
    Ed - who loves to help, but ya' needs to get the equipment first.
               
1710.3Sample un-arcing session...LEDS::ACCIARDIFri Sep 30 1988 04:1773
    
    OK, here's a sample session on how to un-arc and set up a disk with
    the HANDSHAKE terminal program on it.
    
    ASSUMPTIONS:
    
    1.  You're using only one drive.
    
    2.  You've somehow figured out how to copy the ARC program into
        the C: directory of your WorkBench disk.
    
        a) OK, if you haven't gotten that far yet... with the WorkBench
        disk installed in the drive, open a CLI window and type 
        
        COPY STARTER:ARC to WORKBENCH:C  
    
    	Intuition will ask you to insert volume STARTER.  Do it.  Intuition
        will then ask you to install volume WORKBENCH.  Do it.  You're
        done.
    
    3.  The disk that HANDSHAKE will be installed on will be non-booting.
        This means that you will have to boot with WorkBench, then swap
        to the HANDSHAKE disk to run the program.  Since the program
        needs essential files on the WORKBENCH disk, Intuition will
        ask you to install volume WORKBENCH whenever it needs it.  Two
        drives would eliminate all this swapping, hint hint.
    
    OK, here's how we do it; WorkBench is in the drive...         
                                   
    From the CLI, type the following... (comments are preceeded by a semicolon)
    
    
    CD RAM:    			
    ;makes RAM: the current directory
    
    COPY STARTER:HANDSHAKE.ARC to RAM:
    ;Intuition will ask for volume STARTER.  Put it in the drive.  The
    HANDSHAKE.ARC file will then be copied to RAM:
    
    ARC E HANDSHAKE.ARC
    ;Intuition will ask for volume WorkBench, since that is where the
    ARC program lives, in the C subdirectory.  Put WorkBench in the
    drive.  The ARC program will begin to (E)xtract the archive.  Yhe
    contents of the archive will be written to RAM: since we made it
    the (C)urrent (D)irectory.
    
    ;The ARC program may take up to a few minutes to unpack the archive,
    so don't panic.  After the CLI prompt re-appears, type...
    
    DIR RAM:
    ;the contents of the archive should list.  If you have a printer
    attached, you could (and should) type...
    
    TYPE >PRT: HANDSHAKE.DOC 
    ;this will send the documentation file to your printer.  The '>'
    symbol is the AmigaDOS redirection symbol.
    
    Now, you could format a blank floppy called 'HANDSHAKE'.  To move
    the terminal program to the new disk, type...
    
    COPY HANDSHAKE HANDSHAKE.INFO to HANDSHAKE:
    
    And you'd now have a new disk with Handshake and it's icon installed.
    
    There are about a zillion other ways to accomplish this same process.
    I'd recommend trying the UtiliMaster program to do it.  It's very
    easy to use, and requires no typing.  You can accomplish the un-arcing
    and file moving, and printing all from an easy to use gadget laden
    screen.
    
    Ed.
                                             
    
1710.4MachII instructions are missing, film at 11:00LEDS::ACCIARDISat Oct 01 1988 01:2729
    
    It's been brought to my attention that the MachII program (screen
    blanker, hotkeys, mouse accelerator) included on the most recent
    Starter disks that I've sent out was written to the disk in it's
    executable form only.  In other words, I've neglected to store it
    as an ARChive with the included documentation needed to explain
    the program's features/uses.
    
    By typing 'RUN MACHII' or 'RUNBACK MACHII' from either the CLI or
    by inserting the command anywhere in your S/Startup-Sequence file,
    the program will load and run by opening a small window on your
    Workbench title bar.
    
    If you click on the small MachII window first with the left mouse
    button, and then the right, the program will pop up a gadget laden
    requestor window that allows you to configure the program about
    10 zillion different ways.  After futzing around with your selections,
    the SAVE gadget will write a small file to your S directory called
    MACH.CONFIG.  It will look here from now on at boot time to setup
    the parameters.
    
    Anyway, since I left out the documentation, you'll be left to your
    own cleverness to figure out what all these configuration gadgets
    mean.  Some are obvious, some aren't.
    
    I will be posting the documentation file as a reply to this note.
                                         
    Ed.
    
1710.5MachII InstructionsLEDS::ACCIARDISat Oct 01 1988 01:38745
MachII	- Mouse Accelerator with Hotkeys (and other stuff).
	  Version 2.4c	09-23-88.


       This program may be freely distributed but may not be used in any
       commercial product without prior written permission.
       Source available. Shareware donations ACCEPTED.


       For those who hate doc files, just type "run MachII" and then
       "Cancel" the "Can't Open Configuration File!". Now activate the
       clock window with your mouse and press the right button. The
       requester displayed has all of your options and hotkeys. Change
       them to what you like and save it. AND TRY THIS; hit Alternate-
       Escape then Amiga-F1 then type (for example) "diskcopy df0: to df1:"
       then hit Alternate-Escape again. Now press Amiga-F1. Also look at
       F1 in the requester. Read on if you're still interested.


    FEATURES

	  Hotkeys	  30 macros activated with the Function keys or the
			  Amiga or Ctl-Amiga-Function keys or by typing the
			  first few letters of the macro. Macros may be
			  automatically recorded and may include mouse
			  buttons.
	  Auto Execute	  Automatically execute macros at startup or at a
			  specific preset time.
	  Help Screen	  Display a chart with the current macro definitions.
	  Accelerator	  Speeds up mouse movements. Adjustable.
	  PopCli	  Execute a NewCLI or any other command.
	  Screen Blanker  Blank or dim the screen after an adjustable
			  period of time.
	  Mouse Off	  Turn off the mouse after a specified number of
			  seconds with no mouse activity.
	  SunMouse	  Activate a window by moving the mouse into it.
	  ClickToFront	  Move a window to the front by single or double
			  clicking in any part of it.
	  Cycle 	  Move a window (or screen) to the back with the
			  left then right mouse button combination.
	  Screen Shuffler Use Left_Amiga-M to push ANY screen to the back.
	  Clock 	  Optional title bar clock with memory display, date
			  and low memory warning.
	  Alarm 	  Set an alarm.
	  Beeper	  Beep every 15 minutes. Adjustable.
	  Meter 	  Maintain online costs. Adjustable rates.
	  Qualifier Accum Accumulate qualifiers to be added to a key or to
			  mouse activity such as Workbench's extended
			  selection.

	  All features may be turned off. Unused hotkeys are passed through
	  and may be defined on the fly. Configuration file is saved to disk.
	  See the SPECIAL KEYS section near the end for a description of all
	  definable keys.



    UPDATES:
      2.4c a.  A primitive method for recording mouse button clicks is now
	       included.
	   b.  \annnn may be used to automatically execute macros upon
	       startup if nnnn = 0 or at the time nnnn (24 hour format).
	   c.  The clock now has a "Memory Only" display option.
	   d.  The date is displayed whenever the clock window is active (if
	       you are in the clock + memory mode).
	   e.  The word "Time" has been removed. (By popular demand)
	   f.  The clock window will now have a border on 1 plane screens.
	   g.  \Pnn may be used to pause nn seconds. Used mainly to delay
	       between mouse clicks but can also be used to allow user input.
	   h.  \G may be used to beep.
	   i.  \Q may be used to remove MachII.
	   j.  \h or \hnnn may be used to pop up a help screen with macro
	       definitions. The optional nnn specifies the screen height.
	   k.  When using Amiga-N or Amiga-M, the window under the pointer
	       will become the active window (if SunMouse is active).
	   l.  The screen blanker has been changed to dim the front screen.
	       The brightness level is adjustable. A value of 0 will blank
	       the screen in the same way as before.
	   m.  A mouse off feature as been added. Adjustable delay.
	   n.  A subtle bug in event timestamps that caused sporadic lockups
	       is fixed. (Finally!)
	   o.  Macros invoking other macros now function in a true recursive
	       manner.
	   p.  A \ may be used to terminate a \fstring or \Xstring.
	   q.  ESCape will abort an executing macro.
	   r.  Task priority is lowered to 4 (below con:) during macro output
	   s.  Moving icons with no clock now works.

      2.4b     Internal upgrade.
      2.4a     Internal upgrade.

      2.3  a.  The clock can be placed on other screens and it can pop to
	       the top screen. Use the gadget WBscreen/Screen Depth/Clock
	       To Top to select.
	   b.  Another new gadget allows you to toggle "Cycle" on and off.
	       "Cycle" allows the cycling of windows and screens with the
	       left-right mouse buttons.
	   c.  You can use the Function keys alone for a total of 30 hotkeys.
	   d.  You can use \Y in macros to write the date. Use \y for the
	       short date form.
	   e.  Accelerator events now have a time stamp so it works properly
	       with programs like Shanghai.
	   f.  The clock has a title ("MachII") so other programs can find it
	   g.  You can use a clock left edge larger than 350 (494 for clock
	       only).

      2.2  a.  There are NO commandline arguments. All options are selected
	       and changed in the requester.
	   b.  The time and memory display alternates with the date. The
	       number of seconds that the time is displayed is adjustable
	       with the `Date Delay' gadget. With clock only, the date and
	       time are displayed together in the format "mm-dd-yy hh:mm:ss".
	   c.  If free memory falls below 50k, the time and memory display is
	       shown in red (pen 3). This value is adjustable.
	   d.  You can execute commands in macros by using \X. Using
	       "\XNewCli >nil: <nil:" in a macro is the same as using the
	       Amiga-Esc Popcli feature.
	   e.  The extra keys of the 500 and 2000 are supported.
	   f.  Using ClickToFront on an already up front window does not
	       try to do a WindowToFront.
	   g.  You cannot create an icon and run this from the Workbench, you
	       should put it in your startup-sequence.
	   h.  Pressing the right mouse button will reset the qualifier
	       accumulator.

      2.1  a.  All options are saved in the config file.
	   b.  You can now load a config file with a hotkey macro by using
	       "\fname".
	   c.  Use "\b" in a macro for instant screen blanking.
	   d.  Use single or double click for ClickToFront.

      2.0  a.  This is a major rewrite of Mach 1.6. Although it can still
	       do everything that the old one could (and more), the method
	       of setting your variables and hotkey macros has changed. It
	       is about 8k larger (about 20k) but if this is to big, you can
	       always use the old Mach. The nicest thing about this version
	       is the ability to define a hotkey macro on the fly and if
	       needed, edit it in a string gadget. There are now 20 hotkeys,
	       the Amiga-Function keys and the Ctl-Amiga-Function keys.

    OVERVIEW:

	 MachII is a utility program that provides many optional features
       for both CLI and WorkBench users (although it cannot be started from
       an icon). Your own configuration may be saved to disk. Each function
       key may be used as a hotkey and hotkeys may be defined on the fly.
       They may also include mouse button clicks.
	 Other features include a SunMouse that automatically activates the
       window that the pointer is over, ClickToFront which allows you to
       bring a window to the front by single or double clicking in any part
       of it and many clock features. It is very easily configurable to your
       own desires. If you don't like a feature, just turn it off. Pop up
       the configuration requester by either activating the clock and
       pressing the right button or by typing Control-Amiga-Escape. A
       configuration file is not neccessary but without one you will get the
       defaults. You will also get a "Can't Find Configuration File"
       requester. After you have setup your macros and other options, you
       can save this to the file s:mach.config.

    USAGE:

       Run MachII

       After it is running, you may either activate the clock with the
       mouse and press the right button or press Control-Amiga-ESC.
       This will pop up a requester jammed full of gadgets. All options
       and hotkeys may be modified here.

    The gadgets are:

     1st ROW
	 1st:  Toggle between Amiga, Control-Amiga and None hotkeys.
	 2nd:  Clear all hotkey definitions.
	 3rd:  Abort a macro definition.
	 4th:  Change the maximum macro size.
     2nd ROW
	 1st:  Select each hotkey with the 'Fn' gadgets.
     3rd ROW
	 1st:  Selected hotkey macro definition.
     4th ROW
	 1st:  Amiga-ESC execute string.
     5th ROW
	 1st:  Activate/deactivate SunMouse.
	 2nd:  Select 0, 1 or 2 clicks for Click To Front.
	 3rd:  Select Cycle on or off.
	 4th:  Activate/deactivate the Amiga-M Screen Shuffler.
     6th ROW
	 1st:  Activate/deactivate the Qualifier Accumulator.
	 2nd:  Toggle the Clock.
	 3rd:  Toggle Online Meter.
	 4th:  Reset Online Meter.
     7th ROW
	 1st:  Select Clock Front or Clock Depth gadget.
	 2nd:  Select WBScreen, Screen Depth, or Clock To Top.
	 3rd:  Select Clock Only, Mem Only or Clock+Mem.
     8th ROW
	 1st:  Set the Clock's left edge.
	 2nd:  Set the Clock's top edge.
	 3rd:  Set the seconds to alternate time and date. 0=time only.
	 4th:  Select online rate. ($00.00 - $99.99)
     9th ROW
	 1st:  Select blanking interval (0-99 minutes).
	 2nd:  Dimness level. 0 = Black, 15 = no change.
	 3rd:  Mouse off delay (0-99 seconds).
	 4th:  Select beep interval (0-999 minutes).
	 5th:  Set the alarm time. 24 hour format.
	 6th:  Change the acceleration rate (0-9).
     10th ROW
	 1st:  Step through the 4 special functions.
	 2nd:  Select a key for the special function.
	 3rd:  Set the memory level to receive low memory warning.
     11th ROW
	 1st:  Select the Alternate qualifier for a special function.
	 2nd:  Select the Control qualifier for a special function.
	 3rd:  Select the Shift qualifier for a special function.
	 4th:  Select the Amiga and C= qualifiers for a special function.
     12th ROW
	 1st:  Configuration file name.
     13th ROW
	 1st:  Done.
	 2nd:  Load configuration file.
	 3rd:  Save configuration file.
	 4th:  Remove MachII.


    HOTKEYS:

       There are 30 hotkeys; 10 Function keys, 10 Amiga-Function keys and
       10 Ctl-Amiga-Function keys. "Hotkey" referred to here will mean any
       one of these. Macro will mean the definition given to a hotkey. In
       the requester you can select each Function key with the 'Fn' gadgets
       and select the Ctl-Amiga/Amiga/None gadget. The macros may be edited
       in the string gadget. The default maximum macro size is 255 charac-
       ters but this may be changed in the size gadget. You cannot change
       the size while you are creating a new macro and the new macro size
       will not take effect until you select "Done". This controls the size
       of dynamic buffers which are allocated only during macro definition
       or when the requester is up. The actual macros take up only as much
       space as they need.

       Macros are invoked either by hitting the hotkey or by hitting Shift-
       Alternate-Escape and then type some of the first letters of the
       macro and then return. The first macro found that matches will be
       executed. If none is found there will be a beep. See the Special
       Keys section for changing the keys used.

    Defining Macros:

       To define a macro, type Alternate-ESCape, then a hotkey and the type
       your macro. During these steps, you will be prompted by messages in
       the clock and by beeps. You may use any keys including qualifiers,
       arrow keys, numeric keypad keys and mouse buttons. When finished,
       hit Alternate-ESCape again. You may now use your macro by hitting
       the selected hotkey or by hitting Shift-Alternate-ESCape, enough
       characters to uniquely match the macro followed by return. You may
       also edit the macro in a string gadget by hitting Control-Amiga-
       ESCape or by activating the clock window and pressing the right
       mouse button. All of these special keys can be changed to your own
       preferences. You may also enter your macro directly in the string
       gadget.

       Sample recording and playback session: (Special keys are shown in <>)

       <Alt-ESC><Amiga-F1>Diskcopy df0: to df1:<Alt-ESC>

       'Diskcopy df0: to df1:' is now bound to the Amiga-F1 combination.
       To play this back, you can type either:

       <Amiga-F1>

       Or

       <Shift-Alt-ESC>dis<Return>

       The second method searches until it finds a macro whose first letters
       match 'dis' and then plays the rest back. This is useful if you don't
       remember the function key but do remember what it begins with. If you
       also had a macro that began with 'disp' and it was before 'diskc...',
       and you typed only 'dis' the first one matching 'dis' would be played
       back. In this case you would need to type 'disk'.

       You may start a learning period, do a series of complex editing
       commands and then replay all of it. Or edit it and save for later
       use. This is especially useful when using word processors that don't
       have macro abilities built in.

    Help Screen:

       A help screen with the macro definitions partially displayed in a
       chart can be popped up by using \h in a macro. Executing that macro
       again will close the screen. \hnnn may be used to also specify the
       height of the screen. You could use a height of 200, push the clock
       to that screen and open the requester and have both available at all
       times. 52 is the minimum height. The screen opens an interlaced screen
       if the front screen is interlaced.

    Recording mouse clicks:

       Mouse clicks may be recorded or entered in the gadget. When a click
       is detected, MachII puts in the mouse's position, which button and
       whether it is pressed or released. For example: "\Mx155\My075\Mld"
       when played back, the mouse will be moved to x = 155, y = 75 and a
       left button down will be sent. A \P will be inserted for every
       second delay between clicks. This will allow for menus to drop or
       requesters and windows to open. You may delete them from your macro
       when not needed. Do not depend on the SunMouse to activate a window
       on playback. The mouse will be moved to the same position as when
       recorded which may not be over the desired gadget or icon. A
       qualifier such as Shift (\S) will be placed before the first \M and
       will have effect over the mouse positioning and the first click.
       e.g. \S\Mx330\My122\Mld.

    Escaped keys:  (all case sensitive)

       The escape character "\" may be used for the following:

	   \N  Newline (return).
	   \T  TAB.
	   \E  ESCape.
	   \D  DELete.
	   \B  BACKSPACE.
	   \\  Backslash.
	   \H  HELP.
	   \u  Up arrow.
	   \d  Down arrow.
	   \l  Left arrow.
	   \r  Right arrow.
	   \0  Numeric pad 0.
	    .
	    .
	   \9  Numeric pad 9.
	   \.  Numeric pad ".".
	   \-  Numeric pad "-".
	   \e  Numeric pad ENTER.
	   \(  Numeric pad "(".  (Amigas 500 and 2000 only)
	   \)  Numeric pad ")".  (Amigas 500 and 2000 only)
	   \*  Numeric pad "*".  (Amigas 500 and 2000 only)
	   \+  Numeric pad "+".  (Amigas 500 and 2000 only)
	   \/  Numeric pad "/".  (Amigas 500 and 2000 only)
	   \F1 Function key 1.
	    .
	    .
	   \F0 Function key 10.


	   \Y  Write the current date in the long form.
	   \y  Write the current date in the short form.
	   \b  Instant screen blanking.
	   \f  Load config file using name following f.
	   \X  Execute the string following X.
	   \Pnn Pause nn seconds.
	   \Q  Quit. Remove MachII.
	   \G  Beep.
	   \a  Automatically execute the macro following "\a" upon startup.
	       More than one macro may have the \a and all will be executed.
	       First executed are the Amiga Function keys 1-10, then the Ctl-
	       Amiga Function keys 1-10, then the Function keys 1-10 with
	       no qualifiers.
	       The \a may be followed by a time in 24 hour format. The macro
	       will be executed at that time. e.g. "\a1045\G" At 10:45, beep.
	   \h  Display or close a help screen with macro definitions. Use
	       \hnnn to specify the screen height. Minimum height = 52.

	     These last ten are unique in that they cannot be recorded
	     live but must be entered in the string gadget. (The \P is
	     however also recorded during mouse clicks).
	     \ffilename and \Xstring must be terminated with a "\" if not
	     at the end of the macro. e.g. "\XNewCLI\Dir\N" or
	     "\XComm\\F1\F2". Note the 2 \s after "Comm". One terminates the
	     "\XComm" string and one introduces a function key.
	     Following a \ffilename with more commands may cause problems
	     when the new config file is loaded unless it has an identical
	     macro in the same location.

	   \M  Mouse info follows this.
		 \Mxnnn  Send Mouse x coordinates.
		 \Mynnn  Send Mouse y coordinates.
		 \Mld	 Send left button down.
		 \Mlu	 Send left button up.
		 \Mrd	 Send right button down.
		 \Mru	 Send right button up.

	 Qualifiers modify the character or mouse activity immediately
	 following these:

	   \C  Control.
	   \S  Shift (either one).
	   \A  Alternate (either one).
	   \L  Left-Amiga.
	   \R  Right-Amiga.

       An example:

	 \Cc\u\A\S\l

	 This plays back the key combinations:
	 'Control-c' 'up arrow' and 'alternate shift left arrow'

    Auto Execution:

       \annnn is the auto execution command. If nnnn = 0 or is omitted,
       the macro will be automatically executed when MachII is started

       An example:
       "\a\XNewCli <Nil: >Nil:" will open a new CLI window automatically.

       If nnnn equals a time of 0001 to 2359, the macro will be executed at
       that time.

       Another example:
       "\a930\XNewcli CON:220/50/200/50/Alarm\Call Joe\G\P3\CXEndCLI >nil:\N"
       At 9:30 this will open a newcli in the center of the screen, print
       the text "Call Joe", beep, pause 3 seconds, delete (control-x) the
       text and end the CLI window. Note the "\" terminating the newcli
       string.

       The first hotkeys executed are the Amiga Function keys 1-10, then
       the Ctl-Amiga Function keys 1-10, then the Function keys 1-10 with
       no qualifiers. \a macros may also be executed manually. The clock
       need not be displayed for this feature to work.

    Miscellaneous:

       Function keys not assigned to a hotkey string are passed through.
       Escaped letters are case sensitive.
       Note above that function key numbers are single digits. This means
       that 0 is F10, 1 is F1, 9 is F9.

       Macros may not be used for input during a \Pause.

       A macro may be aborted during execution with the ESCape key.

       Use \A for any Alternate key sequences rather than entering the
       actual Alternate-key in the string gadget.

       If a hotkey is embedded in a macro and the macro for that hotkey
       is null, the key is passed through. Otherwise the macro is executed.
       Got that?

    ACCELERATOR:

       The accelerator speeds up mouse movements. Its speed is set 0 - 9.
       0 = no acceleration.

    NEWCLI:

       The Amiga and ESCape combination will create a NewCLI. You need to
       have NewCLI and Run in the c: directory. The NewCLI will have the
       same size stack as MachII. You can change this command in the
       execute string gadget. A full window example is "NewCLI
       CON:0/0/640/200/MyCLI". You can also use the \X feature in a macro
       to execute a string.

    SCREEN BLANKER:

       After 5 minutes of no mouse or keyboard activity, the screen will
       dim. You can change the time and brightness defaults in the "Blanking"
       gadget. The first number is the time delay in minutes and the second
       number is the brightness. 0-15 with 0 black and 15 no dimming. The
       numbers 0-6 are the only really useful values. 0 blanks the screen
       by opening a new screen in front. The other values dim only the front
       screen.
       You can use \b in a macro for instant blanking.
       0 delay disables blanking.

    MOUSE OFF:

       After 10 seconds of no mouse activity, the mouse pointer will dis-
       appear. This is adjustable with the third number of the "Blanking"
       gadget. CAUTON: be sure that your pointer is visible when saving
       Preferences. It is best to turn off the Mouse Off feature by setting
       its value to 0 before running Preferences. Mouse Off may affect the
       Preferences settings changed by other programs. When the mouse comes
       back on, ALL Preferences settings are set to what they were when the
       mouse went off.

    SUN MOUSE:

       The window that the pointer is over becomes the active window after
       the first mouse movement. To be able to drag icons, the SunMouse is
       disabled while the left button is held down. The window under the
       pointer will also become active when Amiga-N or Amiga-M is used.
       Turn on or off with the "SunMouse" gadget.

    CLICK To FRONT:

       You can single or double click in any part of a window and bring it
       to the front.
       Select 0, 1, or 2 clicks with the "Click" gadget.

    CYCLE:

       You can push the window that is under the mouse to the back by
       holding the left button down and clicking the right button (the
       opposite of extended menu selection). If there are no windows or
       just one window, the screen will be pushed to the back.
       Turn on or off with the "Cycle" gadget.


    SCREEN SHUFFLER:

       Left_Amiga-M will push the front screen to the back instead of
       pushing workbench to the back. Left_Amiga-N will still bring the
       workbench to the front. This is useful if you have more than two
       screens on at once, especially if they don't have screen depth
       gadgets. The window under the pointer will become the active
       window if SunMouse is active.
       Turn on or off with the "Amiga-M" gadget.

    QUALIFIER ACCUMULATOR:

       Many disabled people find it difficult if not impossible to type key
       combinations such as Control-Shift-F1. MachII has the ability to
       remember qualifiers that are pressed and add them to the first
       non-qualifier key pressed. So you could for example, type Control,
       Alternate, and then F1. The Control and Alternate would be added to
       the F1 just as if they were pressed at the same time. This is not
       intended for someone who doesn't need it as it sometimes may cause
       unexpected results. For example, if you type Control and then change
       your mind, the Control will still be added to the next key pressed.
       Pressing Caps Lock or the right mouse button will reset the
       qualifier accumulator.
       This may also be used with Workbench's extended selection. Hit the
       Shift key, then click on your icons. Hit any non-qualifier key or
       the right mouse button to clear the Shift.
       Turn on or off with the "Qual Accum" gadget.

    CLOCK:

       There is a title bar clock that displays available memory and the
       time. The clock is updated every second and brings itself to the
       front (if covered up) every 4 seconds except when the left button is
       held down. Sometimes this covers up information in the title bar so
       if you don't like this use the "Clock Front"/"Clock Depth" gadget.
       This disables the auto upfront and adds an (almost) invisible depth
       gadget. The date can alternate with the time and memory display. The
       length of time that the time is displayed is adjustable with the
       "Date Delay" gadget. Select 0 to display the time only. The date
       is also displayed when the clock window is active.

    Clock and Memory Only:

       You can select "Clock Only" and get the clock and date displayed
       together in the format "mm-dd-yy hh:mm:ss" or select "Mem Only" and
       get the memory display without the clock.

    Low Memory Warning:

       The time and memory are displayed in red (pen 3) if your total free
       memory falls below 50k. You can change this value in the "Low Mem"
       gadget.

    Positioning the clock:

       You can change the clock's left and top edge in the requester
       gadgets "Clock LE" and "Clock TE". These are the current left edge
       and top edge for the clock. There are 3 methods for setting these.

       1. You can position the clock then pop up the requester and save the
	  new position.
       2. Enter -1 and 'return'. The gadgets will then be updated.
       3. Enter the desired values in the gadgets.

       The width for the clock alone is 146 pixels. Memory only display is
       170 pixels. The clock with memory display is 250 pixels wide.

     The Clock and other screens:

       There is a gadget above the "ClockTE" gadget that will let you make
       three choices.
       1. WBScreen - The clock will remain on the workbench screen.
       2. Screen Depth - This adds an invisible depth gadget to the left edge
	  of the clock. With it you can place the clock on other screens.
       3. Clock To Top - The clock will automatically pop to the top screen
	  when this is selected.
       Options 2 and 3 replace the CloseScreen vector to allow MachII to
       close its windows. Selecting option 1 or removing MachII will put
       back the original vector. If another program also replaced the
       vector, you will be given the opportunity to terminate that program
       before the original vector is replaced. If you get a requester with
       the message "CloseScreen Vectors Were Changed!", either terminate
       the program that changed the vectors and click Retry or just click
       Cancel. You cannot change these options while on another screen.
       If WBScreen is selected, the vectors are NOT changed.

       Turn the clock on or off with the "Clock" gadget.

    ALARM:

       You may set 1 alarm time in 24 hour format. When it goes off, it
       will beep longer than the interval beeper and the screen will
       flash. Set to greater than 2400 for no alarm. Note that with the
       auto execute feature (\annnn) you may create all sorts of fancy
       alarms.

    BEEPER:

       There is a beeper (to keep you awake) which defaults to a 15
       minute interval. Change this in the Beeping gadget.
       \G may be used in a macro to beep; prompt for user input for
       example.

    METER:

       MachII has an online cost meter. Use the "Meter" gadget to toggle
       between the meter and the clock. Use the "Reset" gadget to reset the
       meter. The rate that it uses may be set in the "Rate" gadget.
       The meter runs continuously whether visible or not. The default rate
       is $4.75.

    SPECIAL KEYS:

       There are 4 special functions selectable from 33 (or 38 for the 500
       and 2000) special keys and 5 qualifiers. They all have default
       values but these may be changed in the requester.

       Start/Stop - This starts or stops a macro definition or learning
		    period. Type the key combination, then type the hotkey
		    that you want this macro to be bound to, then type your
		    macro. When finished, type the key combination again.
		    This ends the learning period. You may now execute the
		    macro by typing the hotkey. You may also view or edit
		    the macro in the string gadget in the requester.
		    Default key = Alternate-ESCape.

       Execute -    This executes the NewCli command. You may change the
		    executed command in the requester.
		    Default key = Amiga-ESCape.

       Requester -  This pops up the requester just like the pointer over
		    the clock and the right button does.
		    Default key = Control-Amiga-ESCape.

       Matcher -    This is used to find and execute a macro. To match,
		    type the key combination, then type enough letters
		    to match the desired macro, then type 'return'. The
		    rest of the macro will be executed.
		    Default key = Shift-Alternate-ESCape.

       Note that selecting 'C= / Amiga' allows you to use either the Left
       Amiga (C=) key or the Right Amiga key. Clicking on the left half of
       the Special Key gadget steps down through the keys, clicking on the
       right half steps up. The special keys are: Tab, Escape, F1-F10, Del,
       BackSpace, Return, Help, all arrow keys and all numeric keypad keys.
       The 500 and 2000 have 5 keys that the 1000 doesn't, the numeric pad
       keys "(", ")", "*", "+", "/".


    UNINSTALL:

       Use the Remove gadget to uninstall MachII or \Q in a macro.



    MISCELLANEOUS:

       When a string gadget (or any gadget anywhere) is active, the
       SunMouse will not work.

       When WordPerfect has a requester up, it tries to keep the requester's
       window active. If MachII has the SunMouse option on, every mouse
       move will activate a window and then WP will activate its requester's
       window. The only thing to do is turn off the SunMouse or hold down
       the left button.

       This program will NOT work from Workbench. Put it in your
       startup-sequence. Use RunBack or ARun to allow the CLI window
       to close.

       MachII may fail to run for any number of reasons (e.g. no free
       signals, insufficient memory). You will be informed of this if it is
       started with the Run command. If started from RunBack (public domain
       program that will allow the CLI window to close and available on
       Fred Fish disk # 65) and MachII fails, you won't get any messages.
       The ARP command ARun may also be used.

       The NewCLI brought up by Amiga-ESC will have a stack the same size
       as MachII. Many programs that you may run from this CLI need a
       larger stack so either run MachII with a larger stack or, after you
       get a NewCLI, use the stack command to set your stack to a larger
       value. If programs mysteriously crash when run from the NewCLI, it
       may be caused by the stack size.

       If the macro size is set too small and you try to load a config file
       with longer macros, the macro size gadget will be updated to the
       largest macro . If you set the size too small and then select "Done"
       then activate the requester again, the macro size will be set to the
       size needed for the largest macro.

       Let me know if you find any incompatibilities with other programs.



       Copyright 1988 by Brian Moats
			 Polyglot Software
			 10431 Ardyce Court
			 Boise, Idaho 83704
			 (208) 375-3741

			 PeopleLink - BrianM
			 CI$	    - 76167,2334







  Other programs for the Amiga 500/1000/2000 from Polyglot Software:


  M18Cheater - Lets you cheat in Mean 18 by causing your opponent to
	       slice. Public domain.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  FunBut - Lets you use the F1 key instead of the left mouse button.
	   It's useful when playing games like Defender of the Crown
	   because it sends repeat mouse clicks.  Public Domain.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4 IN ONE - Four easy to play games on one disk.

	     SlotCars	       For 1 or 2 players, arcade type driving and
			       shooting game. Seven screens, great graphics.

	     CircuitMania      For 1 or 2 players, surround your opponent
			       in a maze of wires.

	     ShufflePuzzle     Like the sliding number puzzles that you used
			       to play as a kid but this uses beautiful color
			       pictures.

	     Follow That Tune  Follow the bouncing boy as he jumps from
			       pedestal to pedestal playing musical notes.

	     These games are integrated into an easy to use package.
	     Enjoyable for all ages. All use digitized sound.  $29.95
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Dominoes - 3d graphics, speech, tutorial. More entertaining and
	     challenging than Shanghai.  $24.95
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  The Crossword Creator - Make or solve crossword puzzles. 40,000+ word
			  pattern matching dictionary, med-res or interlace,
			  IFF compatible and many more features. $49.95
1710.6MachII version 2.4c?OPUS::BUSCHMon Oct 03 1988 00:127
Ed,

The copy of MachII on the starter disk you made is at rev 2.1 and the 
instructions refer to a 2.4c release. Where can I find the latest copy 
to upload from?

Dave
1710.7??LEDS::ACCIARDIMon Oct 03 1988 11:125
    
    The instructions and the executable both came from the exact same
    archive on PLINK.  It's less than two weeks old.
    
    Ed.