Mountain Software Presents: Easy-Go (The Program Launcher) By Anthony Watson 1.0 - Introduction 1.1 - System Requirements 1.2 - Setting It Up 2.0 - Assigning Menu Selections 2.1 - Adding a file to the menu 2.2 - Renaming a button 2.3 - Clearing a button 2.4 - Moving a menu item 2.5 - Replacing an existing button 3.0 - Running a program from Easy-Go 3.1 - Missing files 3.2 - Multiple files (Chaining programs) 4.0 - Miscellaneous Controls 4.1 - Exit to desktop 4.2 - Cancel 4.3 - Show Owner 4.4 - Resolution Change 5.0 - Shareware Information 5.1 - Bug Reports 5.2 - How to reach the author 5.3 - Registration Information 6.0 - Program Revision History 7.0 - Appreciation ------------------------------------------------- 1.0 - Introduction ------------------------------------------------- I know, I know, just what you need, ANOTHER program launcher! Well, I don't promise to have anything better or different than any other program launcher. Just my own personal touches, to suit what I was looking for. I hope you find this little utility useful, it was 'fun?' writing it! I think Easy-Go is unique in that it 'SHOULD' work in any resolution. In addition, each resolution has it's own file selection menu. In other words when you are in ST Low resolution you'll have one list of files, and when you are in ST Medium resolution you have a different list. It's all automatic and you don't need to do a thing different to access them. What this allows you to do is to store only the files that run in that particular resolution, and not the ones that don't work in that resolution. If you have several graphics modes (TT?), you should end up with several lists. Of course, if you have a program that runs in more than one resolution, you'll have to store it in all the resolutions it works in. Easy-Go makes use of the system file selector. If you are not already familiar with it's operation it is suggested that you read your Atari owners manual first and become familiar with how it is used. The Demonstration version is limited to the top ten menu items. 1.1 - System Requirements ------------------------------------------------- Easy-Go should work on any ST or TT in any graphics resolution. While intended for Hard Disk Drive owners, Easy-Go should run from a floppy disk or RAM disk as well. Easy-Go requires 150K of system RAM to run. 1.2 - Setting It Up ------------------------------------------------- You can run the EASY_GO.PRG file directly. Or better yet, set it up as an application to run at the press of a function key! Of course, you could also set it to 'AUTO' status in the 'Install Application' menu, and have it automatically loaded after each boot. It WON'T run from the AUTO folder! NOTE: If you have an early TOS, you'll have to use something like the STARTGEM.PRG program to autorun EASY-GO. ------------------------------------------------- 2.0 - Assigning Menu Selections ------------------------------------------------- Easy-Go is designed to be easy to operate while remaining as flexible as possible. You can set or clear any button at any time, or you can move an item from one button to another. 2.1 - Adding A File To The Menu ------------------------------------------------- Click on the button in the menu where you wish to store a file. The file selector will appear allowing you to locate the file you wish to add to the menu. NOTE: Only files ending with the extensions .TOS, .PRG, and .APP are allowed. If you select any other file type the process will abort. After you have located your desired file you will be asked to enter a menu title for that program. The title is entered in upper case only and may be a maximum of 14 characters long. If you click the mouse outside the selected button, or just press RETURN without entering a title, the program filename will be used as the title. 2.2 - Renaming A Button ------------------------------------------------- To rename a menu item click on the title bar at the top of the screen. Next, click on the 'RENAME' button. Then click on the button you wish to rename. Finally, type in a new title and press return. 2.3 - Clearing A Button ------------------------------------------------- To clear an item from the menu click on the title bar at the top of the screen. Next, click on the 'CLEAR' button. Finally, click on the button in the menu you wish to clear. 2.4 - Moving a Menu Item ------------------------------------------------- To move an item from one button to another click on the title bar at the top of the screen. Next, click on the 'MOVE' button. Then click on the button you wish to move. Finally, click on the button you wish to have the item moved to. 2.5 - Replacing An Existing Button ------------------------------------------------- To replace an existing menu item with a new file, hold down the CONTROL key while you click on the desired button. Then proceed as if it was a new file addition. ------------------------------------------------- 3.0 - Running A Program From Easy-Go ------------------------------------------------- To run a program from Easy-Go, simply click on the button with the title of the program you wish to run. After you exit the program, you will be returned to the Easy-Go menu. 3.1 - Missing Files ------------------------------------------------- If you have moved or deleted a file since assigning it to the Easy-Go menu, you will be told that the file is missing. At that time you will be asked to add the file to the menu. Proceed just as if adding a new file. If you do not select a new file, that button will be cleared. 3.2 - Multiple Files ------------------------------------------------- If you have a program which itself runs another program, control will return to Easy-Go after the last file in the chain has run. NOTE: An example of this type of program is the popular TURTLE hard drive backup utility. This program is actually two programs. A .TTP file which does the actual work of backing up the drive, and a shell program for configuring the backup procedure. ------------------------------------------------- 4.0 - Miscellaneous Controls ------------------------------------------------- There are a few other program controls not previously mentioned that should be described. 4.1 - Exit To Desktop ------------------------------------------------- You may exit Easy-Go by clicking on the title bar at the top of the screen. Then click on the 'DESKTOP' button to leave Easy-Go. 4.2 - Cancel ------------------------------------------------- You may accidently select the edit menu by clicking on the title bar at the top of the screen. You may exit the edit mode by clicking on the 'CANCEL' button. 4.3 - Show Owner ------------------------------------------------- If you hold down the CONTROL key while clicking on the title bar, the current registered owner will be displayed. This will display 'Demonstration Version' if you have not registered. 4.4 - Resolution Change ------------------------------------------------- When Easy-Go is run from ST low resolution the screen is temporarily switched to ST medium resolution for the Easy-Go menu. When you run a program or when you exit Easy-Go, the screen is switched back to low resolution. Easy Go still maintains a seperate file for low resolution. NOTE: It is not possible for Easy-Go to incorporate a resolution change when running programs. (i.e. To be able to run low and medium resolution programs from the same menu.) This is due to the fact that the Application Environment System in your computer cannot be made aware of a resolution change without rebooting your computer. (Bummer huh?....) ------------------------------------------------- 5.0 - Shareware Information ------------------------------------------------- I welcome all user suggestions to this or any Mountain Software program. I strongly believe in the shareware concept. It benefits YOU with lower costs, more support, and faster updates when necessary. It also benefits ME with improved feedback from the user, a larger portion of the program fee, and personal recognition. For shareware to work you must do your part and register the programs. Naturally, if you do not find a program useful or enjoyable then you are not expected to register. But if you regularly use a shareware program, please show your support by registering that program. Programs take a long time to write and debug properly whether they are shareware OR commercial. However, commercial software is generally 2 to 3 times the cost of shareware due to fancy packaging and dealer overhead. By supporting me, I will in turn support you and continue to write new software. If I do not receive your support then I will be forced to examine the commercial route or abandon writing software altogether. I don't expect to get rich at this but I've got bills to pay just like you! Ha. Ha. 5.1 - Bug Reports ------------------------------------------------- If you find a bug in this program please notify me of it! I try to test my programs extensively before releasing them, but it is unavoidable that I will miss something. If you don't let me know it exists, I can't fix it! If you find something in the documentation which is confusing or misleading, please inform me of this. Because of my familiarity with the program I may tend to overlook something when trying to describe it fully. 5.2 - How To Reach The Author ------------------------------------------------- If you have a question about any Mountain Software program please feel free to contact me. I can't promise to always have the answer but I'll do my best to find an answer for you! Anthony Watson 6911 NE Livingston Road Camas, Washington 98607 GENIE: A.WATSON6 (Or see Mountain Software message topic) Fnet: #648 - Anthony Watson Atari Net: 51:3/9 - Anthony Watson Fido Net: 1:105/139 - Anthony Watson 5.3 - Registration Information ------------------------------------------------- The demonstration version of Easy Go is limited to the top 10 menu items. A fully operational registered version may be obtained by sending $10 to: Anthony Watson 6911 NE Livingston Road Camas, Washington 98607 ------------------------------------------------- 6.0 - Program Revision History ------------------------------------------------- Version 1.0-1.1 ------------------------------------------------- The original, a few minor bug fixes and first attempt at multiresolution operation. Version 1.2 - Released November 20, 1992 ------------------------------------------------- This version incorporates the new Mountain Software registration feature. The program is appoximately 3000 bytes smaller than it previously had been. Also, registered owners will no longer need the EASY GO key file. Other than these items, this version is identical to the previous version. Version 1.3 - Released January 5, 1993 ------------------------------------------------- Fixed the problem of not being able to run a 'chain' of programs. (Shell type programs) Updated the screen drawing routines to newer more stable code that is also just a bit faster. Reworked the menu to allow 65 menu items instead of 52. Increased button title length from 12 characters to 14 characters. Added resolution change code for switching to medium resolution when run from low resolution. Rewrote the documentation. Eliminated the need to reload Easy-Go from the disk drive when returning control back to Easy Go. The new menu should improve the '3D' effect on monochrome monitors. ------------------------------------------------- 7.0 - Appreciation ------------------------------------------------- I would like to thank Don Schmidt for his assistance in giving this program a 'real world' testing. Without your comments, I never would have known of many of the bugs! And I would like to thank my wife Peggy for inspiring me to write the first version of Easy-Go. It's because of you that I tried to find a simpler way of running programs.