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The CDPD Public Domain Collection for CDTV 4
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CDPD_IV.bin
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amfm
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amfm6
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utilities
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proplay2
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proplay.doc.pp
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proplay.doc
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1994-06-20
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ProPlay V2.0 - The Module Player
Written by Ivar Hagen
ReqTools & PowerPacker libraries © Nico François
Designed by Ivar Hagen & Göran Larsson
Custom gadgets, icon & documentation by Göran Larsson
General note about the documentation
This docfile is written on a basic level, especially the section "How to
use the ReqTools filerequester". I wasn't sure whether I should remove it
or not, but I've decided to keep it. I'm quite sure that everyone except
absolute beginners will skip it.
However, I have have tried to write this doc in a way so it will be easy for
everyone to find the part they are looking for. I hope you like it!
Disclaimer
ProPlay is distributed 'as is'. It has shown to be stable in everyday use,
but we take NO responsibility for software and/or hardware (VERY unlikely :-))
damage caused by use of this program.
PD/SW distributors may only sell ProPlay for a nominal fee, ie. the
cost for magnet media and shipping.
ProPlay is ShareWare. This means that if you use it and like it, you should
pay a small amount of money to the author, Ivar Hagen. For more info, look
in the end of this docfile. Support the ShareWare concept!
Preface
ProPlay was meant to be a small and fast program which behaves well together
with other programs, where many other module-players fail. Since the last
release, 1.3, ProPlay has grown dramatically in features.
ProPlay V2.0 features
* Supports ProTracker/NoiseTracker/StarTrekker/SoundTracker type of modules
* Written in 100% assembly language
* Requires KickStart & Workbench 2.04 or higher
* Uses ReqTools.library by Nico François
* Supports modules crunched with PowerPacker
* Executable from both Workbench and Shell
* Creates it's own process from Shell
* Tape-alike controlpanel for easy and fast use
* Real-time timer :)
* Zoom gadget
* Random play mode
* Muting mode
* Shows remaining or elapsed time of the module playing
* Configurable Module directory, Pattern, Muting Level and Random Play
* Keyboard shortcuts for all options. Now you will never have to use your
mouse! :-)
* Won't mess upp with NTSC Amigas, uses CIA timing for correct speed
* Works on ALL Amigas
How to install ProPlay
The ProPlay archive should contain the following files:
* ProPlay Guess! :-)
* ProPlay.info
* ProPlay.doc The file you are looking at.
* ProPlay.doc.info
* Install Libraries Script to install the libraries required
* Install Libraries.info to run ProPlay.
* ReqTools.library Library by Nico François for nice requesters.
* PowerPacker.library Library by Nico François for crunced modules.
Running ProPlay from Shell
Simply type "ProPlay" in the Shell. It's as simple as that. :-)
Running ProPlay from WorkBench
Is very easy, you will only have to doubleclick the ProPlay-icon. A window
with some info and the copyright notices appears.
When you've got rid of it by either pressing <Return>, clicking on the
"Click Anwhere" gadget or clicking anywhere else the filerequester pops
up.
How to use the ReqTools filerequester
All gadgets in bold type can be executed by pressing <Return>.
Scrolling: You can scroll up/down in the file listing with the scroll
bar on the left side of the window, or by the small arrows
below the scroll bar.
Directory If you want to load a tune from a different directory than
selection: the current one, there are several ways to do that.
#1. Press right mousebutton. Now you will have a listing of
devices and assigns instead of the file listing.
If you select an assign it will naturally list the device and
directories it is assigned to. Let us say that you have
assigned ST-00: to DF1:Music, then if you select the
assign ST-00: ProPlay will jump to DF1:Music.
#2. Type the device and directory name directly into the directory
window, like this:
DH0:Music/Tracks
Then ProPlay will show the file listing of the directory
Music/Tracks on the device DH0:
If you write the device name instead of the volume name,
ReqTools will change to the name of the volume. For example,
if you write as exemplified above, and the name of the
(hard)drive is HardDisk 1:, ReqTools will change
automatically to that.
The Get- If you are in the device- and directory list and want to return
gadget: to the last directory you were watching, press the Get gadget.
This gadget also updates the file listing in the current
directory.
Module When you are in the directory you want to, you can select a
selection: track by doubleclick on it's filename or write it in the
filename-window. If you want to select several tracks at
one time, press the <Shift> key, and keep it down while
you click on the tunes you want to listen to.
NB! If you choose multiple files no error messages will
be displayed. If a file error occur the next module
will automatically be loaded into memory, thus
providing you with non-stop music.
The All- To select all tracks in the current directory,
gadget: press the All gadget.
The Clear- This gadget will remove all marked files in the current
gadget: directory.
Pattern- In the pattern window you can select what filenames
gadget: that should be displayed by default in the filerequester,
using wildcards.
For example if you want to list all files with the four
first letter "Mod.", then you just write "Mod.#?" in the
pattern window.
Or more complex filelisting such as:
(mod.[a-e,p-x]#?|#?.pp)
This will list mod. files starting with a through e and
p through x as well as all files ending with ".pp".
The Match Here you can mark several files with a special pattern, using
gadget: wildcards. Read about wildcards above for more info.
The Hide/ This gadget disables/enables the showing of .info files.
Show .info The default setting is hide.
gadget:
The Disks If you click this gadget you will have a list of devices and
gadget: assigns in your system. You can also select this option by
clicking right mousebutton.
If you want to get back to the last directory you were in,
press the Get gadget.
For more info, read the "Directory selection" section.
The Parent If you click this gadget ProPlay will jump one step back in
gadget: the directory tree.
The Cancel & Will result in the same thing, i.e. ProPlay jumps to its own
quit-gadget: window where you can quit the program.
If you have not selected any module for playing ProPlay
continues to play the active module, or if there isn't a
current module ProPlay will respond "Now playing: Nothing"
The ProPlay-window
Is quite self explanatory, anyway, here are some short instructions:
|<< The Skip backwards gadget.
If you have selected several tunes, this will load the last
one playing. Otherwise, it will open the filerequester.
Keyboard shortcut: Arrow up
<< The Rewind gadget.
Jumps one position back in the tune. This is also possible
when the tune is paused or stopped.
Keyboard shortcut: Arrow left
|| The Pause gadget.
Pauses the tune. You can restart it by pressing this gadget
again, or press Play.
Keyboard shortcut: P
> The Play gadget.
When you load at tune, it will automatically start playing.
However, if you have pressed the Pause gadget and select
Play the tune will continue from its current position.
If you have pressed the Stop gadget and press Play, the
tune will restart from the first position.
Keyboard shortcut: <Return>
[] The Stop gadget.
Use this one only if you want to replay the tune from the first
position.
Keyboard shortcut: S
>> The Fast forward gadget.
Similar to the Rewind gadget, but does the opposite.
Keyboard shortcut: Arrow right
>>| The Skip forward gadget.
If you have selected several tunes, this will load the next
one. Otherwise, it will open the filerequester.
Keyboard shortcut: Arrow down
Timer Mode: There are two timer modes. Remaining shows how much time there
is left on the tune playing, and Elapsed shows for how long
time the current tune has been playing.
Modules with lots of tempochanges the calculated time will not
always have 100% accurate time (99.9% is more likely :-)).
Keep in mind that some modules have empty spaces in their
last pattern so moments of silence is likely to occur.
Small Window: Removes all the gadgets on ProPlays window thus giving a smaller
window. The keyboard shortcuts are still working, ofcourse.
Random: If you select several tunes to for playing, you can play them
in random order by using the Random gadget. Select some tunes
in the filerequester, press OK, and then press Random on the
ProPlay window. If you want to (randomly) skip to the next
tune, press the Skip Backwards or Skip Forward gadgets.
If you want to select new tunes for random playing you have to
stop the music with the Stop gadget or simply deselect random
playing by pressing the Random gadget.
Muting: Mutes the volume. Nice when the telephone rings and you can't
reach your stereo or its remote control to turn the music
down! :)
Info: Displays some info about the tune currently loaded. The module-
name may differ from the filename, ProPlay shows the name of
the module, not the file.
You can also view the samplenames by clicking on the Samples
gadget.
Config: Here you can configure the following things:
Module Dir: The place where ProPlay will look for modules.
Default setting is ST-00:Modules
Pattern: The pattern used (see the section "How to use the
ReqTools filerequester/Pattern-gadget").
Default setting is Mod.#?
Muting Level: The level ProPlay will mute when that option is
turned on. Default setting is 70%.
Random Play: Decides if ProPlay will have random play as
default. Default setting is off.
Save: Will save the current settings to the file
S:ProPlay.config
Note: older versions of ProPlays config-file are
not compatible with the 2.0 version.
Use: Keeps the current settings in the system but will
not save them.
Cancel: Exits with the settings you had prior to entering
the config window.
Future plans
Auto adapt to screen font settings
Double-buffered playing of separate 8SVX samples
ARexx-port
Full-screen oscilloscope
Thanks to
Greetings to the users at these bulletin board systems for helping me
program my first real system-friendly program:
"Home Sweet Home" the home of Crusaders in Norway NiKom and Camelot
in Stockholm, Sweden
Thanks to all the talented musicians who create excellent music with
the Amiga.
Also thanks to Göran Larsson for typing this doc file, helping me with
the non-programming stuff and extensive (?;)) beta-testing.
__
__ ///
\\\///
Thanks to \XX/ Amiga for beeing the BEST computer ever!
Known bugs:
ProPlay can sometimes cause the serial device to loose incoming
signals. I don't know why this happens nor how to fix it.
Just press the stop gadget, or close down ProPlay and restart
it to get around the problem for now.
At last...
Write to me for paying the ShareWare of $15, bug reports, suggestions etc.
Mail: Ivar Hagen
Äppelgränd 5
151 68 Södertälje
SWEDEN
FidoNet: 2:201/632 - ArtLine BBS
UseNet: Ivar_Hagen%cave@sweden.eu.net - The Misty Cave
"Support the programmers and the programmers will support you!"
And if you want to reach me, Göran, for any reson...
FidoNet: 2:201/344.0 - SkyNet BBS
UseNet: Goran_Larsson%cave@sweden.eu.net - The Misty Cave
... send all your flames to Ivar! ;-)