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Amiga Collections: Taifun
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Taifun 036 (1987-11-15)(Ossowski, Stefan)(DE)(PD).zip
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Taifun 036 (1987-11-15)(Ossowski, Stefan)(DE)(PD).adf
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SiliCon
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README
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1989-01-18
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[Revision 8707.1]
First Sili(Con:)
________________
This is a revised first release of a Smart Input Line Interpreter for the
Amiga. (I still consider it a first release since this revision is mainly
bug fixes and added peripheral programs. To you subscribers who are
expecting an updated version in the mail -- this still isn't it! I
apologize for the delay in adding the new features I intend to, but time
has just pressed on me too hard. I have not forgotten my promise though.)
Sili(Con:) provides you with a separate Command Window, with full editing
and recall of previous commands. At the same time, it gives you all the
standard DOS facilities, and more. It even lets you forget about the
'EXECUTE' command. See the accompanying sili.DOC file for details,
operating instructions, and conditions of distribution.
This version [8707.1] has -- I believe! -- all the known bugs fixed:
1) Memory is no longer lost when sili can't open a redirection file.
2) You can now include tabs (and other control characters) in a quoted
text string.
3) You no longer lose the text you are editing when you click in
another window, then return to sili's string gadget.
One added feature makes it easier to get at the CLI window (for pausing
long printouts, and responding to requests from a program): if you hold
down the right Amiga key while typing a return, in addition to the
Sili(Con:) window moving to the back, the CLI window now becomes the active
one. Note that this will happen EVEN IF Sili(Con:) isn't currently
selected.
In response to requests, I have removed the limits on the Sili(Con:) window
size, so you can make full use of an interlaced screen. You can have up to
45 visible history lines if interlace is on.
As a small aside, maybe I should comment on Sili(Con:)'s relation to
"ConMan". Some people seem to treat them as rivals, but this really isn't
so: in fact they work very well together. Although they look similar
at first glance, they are really solutions to different problems. ConMan
improves CONSOLE interaction with the user: Sili(Con:) improves COMMAND
interaction. It is obviously a matter of personal philosophy, but I want
my command input separate from other interactions, so I have quick and easy
access to the history and so on without confusion from my inputs to other
programs; also Sili(Con:) keeps the recent history visible and accessible
with the mouse -- which is often much more convenient than skipping
backward with the arrow key. The great thing about Sili(Con:) and ConMan
as a team is that you then have two separate histories: stuff you type to
programs is kept around for re-use, but separate from commands.
The other feature that makes Sili(Con:) so important to me is that it
accepts command scripts just like any other commands (no "EXECUTE").
Nearly all the commands I use regularly -- for invoking editors, listing
directories and so on -- are actually short scripts which start the program
as a separate process, usually with a new window; this means that my
Command window (and its history) is always available for use when I need
it, without ever having to fire up a NEWCLI.
% % %
This software is NOT public domain. It is donation supported: if you use
it please remember the months that the author spent developing it, and send
in a fair recompense. $25 will get you an update and support, but if you
can only send $10-$15 -- and get your friends to do the same -- that's OK
too. A registration form (the file "reg_form") is included on the disk for
convenience.
The "s" directory on the disk contains some example scripts adapted from
ones I use with Sili(Con:). Note the self-typing document "quickref".
The "ttyp", "mmor", and "mk" scripts are as described in the June Notes
sent to registered users. The "ls" script is an extended version of the
one described in the Notes: it allows more than one directory window at
once if you include one of the switches "1", "2", or "3" in the command
line. For example:
ls -l ;display the current directory
ls 1 -l dir c: ;displays c: in a new window while the first is
;still open.
ls dir df0: 2 ;..yet another (the switch can be anywhere)
(By the way, these scripts only function at a reasonable speed if most
of the commands they invoke are in RAM:. Use the PATH, or one of sili's
"Cx:" directories as described in Sili.doc. Look at the "setram" and
"unram" scripts for suggestions.)
%%%%%%%%%%%
If this disk is a complete copy of the original package you will find
that the "XICON" package -- release 2.00 -- has been included on it as
well. This allows you to set up icons that invoke CLI command scripts. This
package may be used and distributed freely (although it is copyright).
Added to this release disk is an icon for invoking Sili(Con:) from the
WorkBench. It needs Xicon to run. See the file Sil-Icon_README for
details.
Also in the original package is a string and file matching program "Mat",
that works well with Sili(Con:) (though it is totally independent and can
also be used with the standard CLI). You may find as many uses for it as I
have -- once you get familiar with its necessarily rather complex command
syntax!
Pete Goodeve
3012 Deakin Street #D
Berkeley, CA 94705
August 1987