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Conference 7.286::atarist

Title:Atari ST, TT, & Falcon
Notice:Please read note 1.0 and its replies before posting!
Moderator:FUNYET::ANDERSON
Created:Mon Apr 04 1988
Last Modified:Tue May 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1433
Total number of notes:10312

321.0. "Creating an accessory" by DISCVR::FISTER () Wed Nov 30 1988 12:31

    
    	   Does anyone out there know the proper way of creating a desktop
    accessory? I may be beating my head against the wall here, but the
    only language i've got is GFA basic (w/compiler).
    	   My plans are to make an accessory that lists a series of
    names, and clicking on them auto-dials through the modem. A stand-alone
    program is easy to do, but I'm not sure how to, if at all possible, create
    a DTA. A computer is a nice place to store phone numbers, but it's
    a true pain if you have to jump out of an application to get to
    them.
    
    					Les
    					 \8^)
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321.1Don't reinvent the wheel.BENTLY::MESSENGERDreamer FithpWed Nov 30 1988 14:158
    I don't know that much about DA's, but I do know you'll need to
    link with a special library (at least for C). Have you checked your
    compiler docs?
    
    But what I really wanted to say was: there's a public domain DA that
    already does that -- I use it all the time. If you would like, I'll
    make it available to the net...
    				- HBM
321.2??? umm... ???DISCVR::FISTERWed Nov 30 1988 14:4818
    
    	   Boy, lots of questions!
    
    	1. How does one get things off the net? I normally use the terminal
    	at DEC and have no access to a phone-line hookup, 'tho I would
    	like one. Is there another way of getting it ( perhaps on GEnie)?
    
    	2. This accessory would be nice to get, but I would still like
        to create DTA's, so anyone else out there familiar with 'em,
    	???
    
    	3. As for DTA's, i've heard there is one that allows you to
    	use more than six. THAT would be a good thing to have! 
    
    					Thankz,
    					  Les
    					    \8^)
    
321.3Try FlexcessoryTEA::PETERSDon Peters, CTS1-2/H6, 287-3742Wed Nov 30 1988 16:1218
Its my understanding that it is not possible to make Desk Accessories
with GFA Basic. At least this is true with version 2.0. Sometime ago there
was a note posted that said you might be able to create Desk Accessories
when version 3.0 comes out. But I assume the compiler is necessary to
do that, and the 3.0 compiler is not due out until March, 1989, according
to a recent talk I had with Michtron.

There is a commercial program called Flexcessory that will allow you to
run PRG type programs (such as are created with the GFA Basic 2 compiler)
as if they were Desk Accessories (file type of ACC). There is also a
related program called Multidesk(I think) that allows you to run many
more than 6 DAs, and to load and unload them at will. However, they must
all be true DAs, and not PRG files. I friend of mine who has evaluated
both says that Multidesk is far superior, however.

So, the choice seems to be, 1) Use an existing public domain program that
already does what you want, 2) Wait for v3 of GFA Basic, or buy
Flexcessory.
321.4Getting files off the net without a telephonePRNSYS::LOMICKAJJeff LomickaFri Dec 02 1988 13:307
Are you in a situation where you could bring your computer to work?  If so, you
could simply hook up your computer where your terminal is now, and use Uniterm
or Whack terminal emulators, along with VAX Kermit or STRANSF, to copy stuff
down to your computer.  You might want to bring a good book and spend the
evening copying files.  You would also be well off to copy everything you
want to your own local machine, so that you wouldn't be at the mercy of the
network connectivity when the time came to do the actual copying.
321.5Ah HA!DISCVR::FISTERFri Dec 02 1988 13:509
    
    	   Sounds good! I use Interlink as a term emulator. Will that
    do the job? I can copy files with no problem, but they go into my
    disk space. I am unaware of how to transfer from there to a personal
    computer.
    
    					Thanks (to all)
    						Les
     
321.6Read note 52.3LEDDEV::WALLACESat Dec 03 1988 01:5419
    As Jeff mentioned you need programs (on both the ST and the Vax that
    handle Kermit transfers. Check your documentation for Interlink
    to see if it does. For the Vax there is a program called KERMIT
    available on the net.
    
    You should read note 52 and it's replies (especialy 52.3) they will
    probably answer most of your download questions including where to copy
    KERMIT from.
    
    For the physical connection you want to connect the RS232 cable,
    that normally goes to your terminal, to the ST's serial port. Then
    run Interlink and set the baud rate to whatever you normally have
    your terminal  set to. Preferably use 19200 baud if you can.
    
    Now log into the Vax and run KERMIT on the Vax. Then start up Kermit
    in your terminal emulator on the ST.
    
    
    	Ray