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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

2963.0. "The Ultimate, No Really, Directory Utility" by LEDS::ACCIARDI () Wed Sep 27 1989 19:29

    
    I've just uploaded to NORSE what must be the finest directory utility
    available for the Amiga, commercial or otherwise.  It's called SID, and
    is so feature packed that you won't believe it.
    
    Here's a short description of SID and some of the tricks it can do...
    
    SID will open up on the WorkBench screen or on an interlaced or
    non-interlaced custom screen.  You can specify the size and location of
    the wondow.  It looks like the usual two-window utility with a bunch of
    gadgets in the lower portion of the window, but it has powers far
    beyond other mortal directory utilities.
    
    SID has it's own built-in defaults, but can be extensively modified via
    a configuration file, which is extensively documented.
    
    Some of the tricks SID can do:
    
    *  Automatically recognizes just about every Amiga file type; ie, IFF
    sound, IFF graphic, ASCII text, ARC archive, ZOO archive, executable
    object, etc.  By double clicking on any file, SID will perform the
    appropriate action.  For example, if you were to double click on a ZOO
    archive, a little window would pop open listing the contents of the
    archive.  Double clicking on an IFF graphic would display the graphic. 
    Double clicking an ASCII file would display the file contents, etc. 
    Single clicking selects a file for moving, deleting, copying etc.
    
    *  If you intend to move a bunch of files from one device to another,
    SID will tell you if the files will fit on the destination device.
    
    *  Easily allows you to change all 8 AmigaDos file protection
    attributes.  All attributes are maintained during move/copy operations.
    
    *  Lets you select a bunch of files for archiving, and you can specify
    the format (Arc or ZOO) on the fly.
    
    *  Explore mode lets you direct any subdirectory listings to the
    alternate window, preserving the parent directory listing.  This can be
    toggled on or off by a gadget.
    
    *  Lots of little gadgets built into the window allow quick selection
    of Parent directory.
    
    *  Another little gadget will re-highlite any files you may have
    selected and accidently de-selected without having to pick thru them
    all again.
    	
    *  Instantly provides all pertinant info about any file, such as
    creation date, size, format, protection, 
    
    *  Any commands to be passed to selected files can be optionally
    modified thru a requestor window.
    
    *  Iconification of it's window.
    
    *  And more that I can remember right now.
    
    I've been playing with SID for a few hours and haven't seen any serious
    bugs yet, HOWEVER, the author has made this version (1.03) freely
    distributable, but there is a version 1.04 available for registered
    shareware users (suggested contribution: $25)
    
    Ed.
    
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2963.1LEDS::ACCIARDIThu Sep 28 1989 00:5116
    
    Well, I knew SID was too good to be true... I have found a rather nasty
    little bug, but there IS a workaround...
    
    If your run SID (whether from Workbench or it's own custom screen) and
    then run another program that opens it's own custom screen, and if you
    go directly from the second program's screen to the SID screen and
    double click directly on an entry in the SID window, (which is ghosted,
    or inactive at first) it's guru city.
    
    The workaround is to first SELECT the SID window by clicking anywhere
    in the title bar.  You can then double click on any directory entry
    with no problems.  SID just doesn't seem to like using a directory
    entry as the 'activate window' gadget.
    
    Ed.
2963.2WJG::GUINEAUImpossible ConcentrationThu Sep 28 1989 10:374
Checked out SID last night. Looks like DiskMaster is on it's way out!

John
2963.3Wicked GoodHYSTER::DEARBORNTrouvez MieuxThu Sep 28 1989 12:444
Whew!  Goodby to all those other CLI tools!

Randy

2963.4I like it!DECWET::DAVISmidiot without a cueThu Sep 28 1989 19:4012
    SID is really something!  I guess I'll have to go "fishing" for HEAR,
    DiskX, and some of the other utilities.  
    
    re: .1
    
    I had a situation similar to .1 except instead of a GURU, all
    my disk icons disappeared and my pull-down menu selections (Mymenu)
    wouldn't work.  
    
    All 'n all, it's great.
    
    mark
2963.5LEDS::ACCIARDIFri Sep 29 1989 02:418
    
    Mark:
    
    Look on TAPE or NORSE for a file called SOUND.ARC.  It contains a nifty
    IFF sound (8SVX) player and a few sampled sounds.  SOUND works from CLI
    or Workbench.
    
    Ed.
2963.6give me your bugsRISE::BEAUREGARDread manual as a last resortFri Sep 29 1989 13:4617
    I started playing around with the program last night. It's very good
    BUT, My present workbench color selection does not look very good with
    SID. I do not want to change my workbench colors so, I called Timm
    Martin this morning and inquired if he could add color changing support
    for custom screens. He said " wow!, that's a good idea, I never thought
    of it". He also said that he will have a new revision within a couple of
    weeks and he will incorporate this feature in the new revision. I will
    be sending him my shareware check early next week. Perhaps we can beat
    the hell out the program this weekend and try to uncover as many bugs
    as possible. I would like to include a list of bugs that we can find
    with my check so he can clear up some of these problems in the next
    revision.
    
    
    
    Roger
    
2963.7A bug...FRAMBO::BALZERChristian Balzer DTN:785-1029Fri Sep 29 1989 14:3612
    Re: .6
    
    You wanna bug? There ya go...  ;-)
                                 
    SID will get little use in it's current incarnation by me, since
    it doesn't allow me to open a custom SIZED screen. Ya know, that
    PAL and overscan stuff. ;-)
    And no, my workbench is crowded enough without it. ;-)
    
    Regards,
    
    <CB>
2963.8SOUNDS and stuff...DECWET::DAVISmidiot without a cueFri Sep 29 1989 15:4114
    Thanks, Ed, I'll give it another try.  I say another because everytime 
    I've tried to download SOUNDS.ARC it was corrupted. (I know how to use
    CVTARC ;^)).   BTW, congratulations on the new addition to your
    household Ed!
    
    How about your choices for viewers?  I have "V" and "ShoWiz".  Any
    suggestions?  
    
    How about window iconifiers(?).  I used to use "Wicon" but it seems 
    to GURU my machine when used with "Mymenu" more often than not.
    
    How about...(just kidding)
    
    mark
2963.9TALLIS::MCAFEESteve McAfeeSun Oct 01 1989 00:0828
    
    If you're sending him SID suggestions, you might ask for a startup
    switch to have it come up all ready shrunk.  That way I could put this
    in my startup and have it there all the time.
    
    Also, EDIT does not work with CygnusEd.  It really looks like it
    isn't supplying the full path name, but I can't be sure.  I select a
    file and then click on edit, CygnusEd starts up and the file name is at
    the top of the screen (minus the path) but the contents aren't there.
    I changed the editor and it seems to work with others.  Just cygnused
    doesn't work.
    
    It looks like the SID window width is fixed.  I'd like to see it use
    the full screen width. I use morerows with a 660 wide display.
    The hidden "parent" gadgets are difficult to select when you don't have
    the right side of the display to slam the mouse up against.
    
    Also, I think the device gadgets would be more usefull if he would
    allow names not equal to 3 chars.  Seems like a minor detail and would
    make all those fields more useful.  For example, if I want to use one
    for c: I have to make something up for the text like CCC.  Minor
    detail.
    
    Nice program though.  Thanks Ed.
    
    regards,
    
    steve
2963.10WindowHeight=SHRINKDECWET::DAVISmidiot without a cueSun Oct 01 1989 00:399
    There is a startup "shrunk" switch.  In Sid.config set WindowHeight=
    Shrink.
    
    Also, if you set absolutepath=yes, and place two volumes with the same
    label in your lists, it will only accessone of the volumes.  There is
    a menu flag you have to change to get it to work correctly or set
    absolutepath=no.
    
    mark
2963.11almost perfectHYSTER::DEARBORNTrouvez MieuxMon Oct 02 1989 13:1911
It's a great utility, but I'm starting to have problems with it 
while running other programs.  I have had it bomb all the way to 
the KickStart requester several times now.  Each time, I was 
running another program, like a GIF viewer or other graphics 
programs.  Often, I get the feeling that I was asking it to do to 
much, too fast.

This has happened more than once.  Not just a guru...straight to 
KickStart.

Randy
2963.12LEDS::ACCIARDIMon Oct 02 1989 14:1412
    
    Most long-time Amiga users develop a very good feel for when the
    machine is going to crash.   After a year or more of totally crash-free
    operation, I find that SID is too shakey for me.  You get the feeling
    that you're walking on eggs when using it.  Shame, really, since it's
    potential is so great.
    
    Maybe I'll call the author and see if he's aware of his bugs before I
    send a shareware contribution.  I'd really like SID to work, but for
    now... I'll take DiskMaster out of the trash.
    
    Ed.
2963.13Can you quote it?YUPPIE::WILSONTony in Bumin'hamMon Oct 02 1989 19:544
    SID seems to be a good button utility.  However, I changed my editor to
    TXEd and it doesn't like the fact the SID wants to pass the target
    filename in quotes (").  There are several utilities like this acquired
    from various sources.
2963.14SID v1.04 AvailableDECWET::DAVISMark Davis - 206.865.8749Fri Jan 05 1990 17:435
    I have SID v1.04.  If there is interest I will upload it.
    
    
    mark
    
2963.15yes, Please doMSVAX::BARRETTWait'll they get a load of meFri Jan 05 1990 18:531
    I was just about to download the older version
2963.16old before its timeCACHE::BEAUREGARDread manual as a last resortFri Jan 05 1990 20:006
    Hold off, I just downloaded Sid 1.06 last night off PLINK. I will try
    to upload it to norse::[upload] sometime this weekend.
    
    
    Roger
    
2963.17it's in thereCACHE::BEAUREGARDread manual as a last resortSat Jan 06 1990 00:046
    Sid106.lzh is now on @ norse::amiga:[upload]
    
    Enjoy
    
    Roger
    
2963.18Availability...KERNEL::HOGGANDMon Aug 19 1991 13:438
    Hi,
    
    Where can I get hold of this beast? It's not on TAPE or CRISTA..
    
    Dave
    
    Or is there a better dir utility?
    
2963.19SID V1.06 on FF338CRISTA::CAPRICCIOGarth, take your Ritalin...Tue Aug 20 1991 15:1112
2963.20BAHTAT::LEECHS::hiltonHow's it going royal ugly dudes?Wed Aug 21 1991 07:209
2963.21Small overview of SID 1.06TRUCKS::BUSSINK_EIt's Nothing PersonalWed Aug 21 1991 07:519
    SID 1.06 is good, because you can customize it. You can modify the 
    parameters easely. ie to view pictures, I use Mostra 1.04 thru SID, you
    can also compress/decompress/listCompressedfiles in 6 different modes
    (Zoo,LHarc,arc,zip,pak) naturally you need to install those
    compression/decompression programs in the C: and modify the
    S/Sid.config file. 
    When started it can also load an directory of a specific path.
    
    							Erik
2963.22but to what end???SALEM::LEIMBERGERWed Aug 21 1991 08:3326
    DiskMaster has worked well since I bought it. It allows you to save a
    config file. It will of course format disks, but it has the option of
    doing a fast format on disks that have already been formatted once.
    You select clear from the format requester, and in a second your full
    disk has been cleaned. This is pretty much how Quarterback tools does
    it. The program simply cleans out the section of the disk that holds
    the directory info.This gives you the option to reclaim files if
    needbe.It comes up seeing several devices,and has the option to set
    those you use most in the config file, and also access the others when
    needed.(I have eight partitions across 2 drives) Yuo can view pictures,
    play sounds, move, rename, delete, create directories, run a cli
    command,set colors as with any other program of this type. The new
    version will be supporting multiple windows. It also allows the
    unarcing of files . This version supports arc,zoo,and lharc. You select
    the file chose the method, select the source drive when requested, and
    it does it's thing. I gave up in SID after my first guru. I read a note
    like this on how to aviod this problem, and that problem etc, and find
    myself wondering what is going on. I would rather go without a utility
    than to deal with problems, especially with a utility that deals
    strictly with my sacred data. The advantage of a multitasking system is
    you don't need a jack of all trades, master on none program, because
    you can run several programs that are masters in their own right. Of
    course I paid for DiskMaster. But I have never lost a file, crashed,
    and burned or such while using it. I feel thia type of utility is
    useless if it isn't bulletproof.
    								bill 
2963.23file typeSTAR::GUINEAUbut what was the question?Wed Aug 21 1991 12:169
I use SID 1.06 - when I use a directory utility.

One feature I'd like to see (don't remember if it's in SID 2.0) is action
based on file TYPE (as in file name "name.typ" convention). 

For example, I'd like to be able to specify my own applications to operate on
a .IBG file.

john
2963.24Cain't use no dots in my name...HSSTPT::WILSONTLLead Trumpet (Read that...LEED!)Wed Aug 21 1991 12:517
I thought SID already did some things based on file type (display IFF, 
play sounds, execute scripts,etc.)  As far as I know, SID either reads part of 
the file to determine its format or uses protection bits (is it executable?).
I should think that the use of a piece of the filename as a determinant would 
not work very well.  The concept of filetype (separated from a file "name" by 
a period) is just as foreign to AmigaDOS as it is to Unix, even though we use it
for our own comfort.
2963.25still usefullSTAR::GUINEAUbut what was the question?Wed Aug 21 1991 13:2620
> I thought SID already did some things based on file type (display IFF, 
> play sounds, execute scripts,etc.)  As far as I know, SID either reads part of 
> the file to determine its format or uses protection bits (is it executable?).

Yes, that's what it does.

> I should think that the use of a piece of the filename as a determinant would 
> not work very well.  The concept of filetype (separated from a file "name" by 
> a period) is just as foreign to AmigaDOS as it is to Unix, even though we use it
> for our own comfort.

How else can SID provide a way of doing "out of band" actions? If I have
a file that is not IFF, Executable or whatever, all it's scheme can do is
fall through to "display file information".

I think, even though the file type concept is meaningless on these systems, 
it is still a usefull means of distinguishing actions in the absense of
integration with existing standards.

john
2963.26Diskmaster also supports thisVSSCAD::GATULISFrank Gatulis 226-6140Wed Aug 21 1991 13:4915
    
    Diskmaster II also has a method of automatically executing user defined
    actions when you double click on a particular file.  It's called
    "auto-cmd" mode.   If you double click a file, Diskmaster looks at a
    user specified number of bytes of the file, for a user specified pattern,
    and if there's a match, carries out the user specified action.  An
    example setup to display pictures for some period might be:
    
     AddAutoCmd FORM????ILBM,ShowPic %s;wait 4
    
    The diskmaster concept seems to work exactly the same as SID but seems
    more configurable.
    
    Frank
    
2963.27RE: .26HSSTPT::WILSONTLLead Trumpet (Read that...LEED!)Wed Aug 21 1991 14:332
Excellent!  That's about all Diskmaster needed to be complete, IMHO.  I bought
Diskmaster and like its style as well.
2963.28TRUCKS::BUSSINK_EIt's Nothing PersonalWed Aug 21 1991 14:369
    I had some problems to use Diskmaster II on KS&WB 1.3
    And I personally don't like all those windows appearing and dissappering.
    There was a problem with some pictures, that it couldn't show & some
    samples where not played at the right speed.
    
    			
    This topic looks like an DiskMaster-SID duel ;-))))
    
    						Erik
2963.29ELMST::MCAFEESteve McAfeeWed Aug 21 1991 16:4311
    DW has all these things and is available at
    
    EOT::AMIGA:[AMIGA.UTILITIES]DIRWORK_131.LZH
    
    DiskMaster hangs the system on WB2.0, although I understand DiskMaster II
    is supposed to work.  So much for being bulletproof :-).
    
    I don't know anything that DW is missing offhand and it runs under all
    workbench versions.
    
    -steve
2963.30Diskmaster works on my 2.0HSSTPT::WILSONTLLead Trumpet (Read that...LEED!)Wed Aug 21 1991 17:210
2963.31ELWOOD::PETERSWed Aug 21 1991 19:258
    
    re .29 .30
    
    	Diskmaster II has the official 2.0 support sticker. My copy has
    worked great on both 2.0 and 1.3 .
    
    			Steve P.