The !NewSaver application provides a new, simpler, yet familiar and hopefully intuitive way to save work from any Acorn Risc OS program. !NewSaver also specifically adds new saving facilities to the very popular !MyWorld application (not included).
NewSaver has two main modes of operation. The first mode can also be used in two ways - either via a large window (which looks like a normal MyWorld popup window) or via a much smaller window which holds the user’s name. The second mode uses the normal saving menu from any MyWorld2 screen. Both modes can be used together.
!NewSaver is a simplified filing system where files are stored in directories named after the people who use them or after the general nature of the items stored inside. This named directory, the Current User’s directory, is accessible at all times in any number of easy-to-use ways.
Running !NewSaver
Create a backup copy of the !NewSaver application before running it for the first time. !NewSaver is not copy protected in any way. It creates a daughter application called “!All work” in the directory from which it is run. Although this does not normally cause difficulties the program will fail and give an error if it is run from a write protected disc (such as the master disc on which it is supplied).
!NewSaver is intended to be run from a hard disc either on a stand alone machine or over a network but it will also run from a copy on a floppy disc if required.
Once copied, Load !NewSaver in the normal way and it will display a blue world icon on the icon bar. Initially the name displayed under the icon will read “Work area” but after it’s first use this name will change to read the name of the current !NewSaver saving directory, this is known as the <Current user=>cuser>, (this is because the name of the directory could be that of the current user of the system).
The Window method
The !NewSaver main window has four icons: New user, Show users, Still to finish and Work done.
Clicking on “New user" creates a new current user.
“Show users” displays a window showing previously created user’s directories.
“Still to finish” opens a scratch-pad directory owned by the current user.
“Work done” opens the main saving directory where all the current user’s competed worked is stored by default.
This main “New Saver” window can be displayed at any time on top of any other application’s window by moving the mouse to the bottom left corner of the screen and clicking Select (as long as “New Saver” is running).
Clicking on the “Work done” icon in the main green window will open the current user’s main saving window at a fixed point on screen with the Large Icons and Sort by Date display options implemented (irrespective of the main filing system’s display settings).
The “To finish” icon works in a similar way to “Work done”, but it’s window is opened on the far left of the screen with the Large Icons display option selected.
Logging on
To use !NewSaver for the first time click once on “New user” and a window will open with the title “Please type your name here”. This window is “Live” once it is open. All you have to do is type. The usual rules as to which letters and symbols can be used for a file name apply here as this name is used to create a directory into which the named person’s work can be saved. Spaces can however be used.
When a name has been entered it will appear in the "Current user" window at the top left of the screen - if enabled to do so from the icon bar’s options. If no name is entered then a default directory is created with a name derived from the current date and time; such automatically generated names are very likely to always be different. When a name has been entered the user’s main filing window will be opened ready for use.
The default date derived name is in the form 09Mar14-36 , having been created on that date at half past two (and a bit) in the afternoon. Any such directories can be renamed at any time using the computer’s normal filing system facilities. Ensure that a leading exclamation mark ! is added or the directory will not function correctly as an application. Any work saved in such a date named directory will remain accessible after the directory has been renamed. The "Current user" facilities won't work until the directory has been renamed in this way.
Each newly created directory has three sections which are not normally visible to the user all at once, a "Work done" section for finished work (the user’s main filing window mentioned above), a ‘To finish’ section for work in progress (also as mentioned) and a ‘To print’ section which is best suited for use with MyWorld2, (see later).
The directories are automatically regenerated under the Current user’s name when needed (ie is they have been inadvertently wiped). All files in all three of the Current user’s directories can be locked against wiping in one go by use of the "Lock files" option from the main menu. No other form of file protection is provided but any existing protection software should be usable with !NewSaver files without problem. See the section on Configuration later.
All Work
Each and every user’s saving directory application is stored in a single application directory called “All Work”. This is automatically created the first time !NewSaver is run. “!All Work” (as it is named on the computer) is intended to be kept in the same directory as the !NewSaver application but once it has been created it can be placed anywhere within the computer’s filing system as long as it is “Seen” by the computer as it boots up. It is probably best to keep both the !NewSaver and !All Work“ applications in the MyWorld Screens directory if one exists. Otherwise keep both applications in the root of the main hard drive. !NewSaver can be run over a ”Peer to peer“ hard disc sharing network but it is advisable to turn off the ”Store Current Users“ option in this case to prevent the possible confusion caused by students saving work into another student’s directory. !NewSaver has not been specifically written to operate with Acorn’s Level4 Network filing system although many of it’s facilities will prove of use if a copy of !NewSaver is stored in each user’s personal space or if one copy is accessed from a ”Public“ area on the network in which case it will operate normally. Early versions of NewSaver have been used in this way in schools during development.
Advanced users may wish to hide either or both of the !NewSaver and !All Work applications and boot them up using the computer’s auto boot system. When the “Store Current users” option is enabled !NewSaver keeps track of !All work which can then be placed anywhere as long as it is accessible - even if it has not been seen during the boot up sequence.
The contents of the “!All Work” application can be viewed by clicking on the “Show users” icon in the main green window. “!All Work” can also be opened by a menu entry on the icon bar, by double clicking Adjust over the “Current user” window or by clicking Adjust at the left hand side of the screen. “!All Work” will also open by default when no user has yet logged on and the “Store Current Users” option is not enabled - as must be the case when used over a network (unless each user has their own copy of !NewSaver). In all cases the contents of !All Work are shown in a window which for technical reasons is called “!All Work.Work area” on screen. The files in it are shown with display options set at full information, sorted by date .
Whenever the list of users is visible the process of clicking on any named application directory (which starts with an exclamation mark) will effectively log on that named user and change the name shown in the “Current user” window as well as change the name shown on the icon bar. If the “Log on” window is already open it will close automatically preventing accidental creation of date default named users.
New user
The main green window’s “New user” icon brings up the “Log on” window which is described in its own section of this manual - with the additional facility of opening the list of already existing users when it is first used in any session. Entering a name at the “Log on” window will also close the user list.
!NewSaver can create any number of saving directories up to the maximum allowed by your filing system (normally 77). If more than 77 files are required or if you wish to group named directories in classes for example the directories can be copied inside another existing directory by means of standard filer operations - see the user guide for more details.
The X-Files system can be used for greater file storage if required as can PC format disc image files.
Current user
Any files dragged to this window will be saved in the named directory - which for example keeps all of one student’s work in one place. Directories can easily be found later by calling up the "All work" window which displays all the created directories in one normal filing window.
If “!NewSaver” is quit after a user has logged on the user remains current and logged on until either the computer is turned off or “!New Saver” is restarted and another person logs on. This has the advantage that if “!New Saver” has been accidentally quit the user does not have to log on again. This facility is irrespective of the “Store Current Users” option setting which retains the current user even after the computer has been turned off or even totally reset.
A vestigial “TinyDir” application will be shown on the icon bar when !NewSaver shuts down which shows the Current User’s name and gives access to their files.
Once a user has logged on and their name is visible in the “Current user” window (if active); their work is also accessible via the icon bar. By clicking Menu on the “!NewSaver” icon on the icon bar and selecting “Current user” all the user’s files will be displayed as if the “Work done” icon had be clicked. The Current User window will also be displayed if not already visible.
The “Current User” window can be configured to show itself anywhere on screen. Its position can be saved and used at any time. Pressing Select and Adjust at the same time will force the window to go to it’s stored place. If “CU window pos” Default option is enabled Select + Adjust will move the window to its default position, otherwise it will return to the stored position.
The window can be turned off for five seconds by pressing and holding or dragging the Adjust button.
The window will pop to the top of the pile of windows every five seconds - ensuring that it can always be seen. Remember, it can be turned off from the icon bar.
“The User list”
A major new facility for this release is available when you click Menu on the Current User window. It brings up a list of the ten last directories visited. Click on one to return to it. If the “Store Current Users” option is not ticked in the Options window then the list will only hold two entries, that of the current user and the main All users window. The list is saved in full when the option is ticked. It will automatically reset itself if none of the users listed can be found.
The Main menu
The menu on the icon bar is named “New Saver” and has eight entries. From the top down:
“Info” opens on to the standard info box which holds the version no. of this release.
“Options” will be described later.
“Saver window” opens the main green window with the four main control icons.
“New user” opens the “Please type your name here” logon window.
“All work” opens the filing window showing the list of existing users.
“Lock files” will lock all the Current user’s files and directories against deletion .
“Current user” will turn the “Current user” window on if it is not already displayed or off - and will open the saving directory (but not shut it).
“Quit” shuts down “!NewSaver” but does not log off the user.
Options
The “!NewSaver” application’s icon bar menu has an “Options” sub window which contains tick boxes for altering the way in which “!NewSaver” works.
From the top down these are:
“Auto-open Green menu” will, when ticked, open the green menu when “!New Saver” is first run.
“Auto-open Logon window” will do the same for that window.
“Store Current users” will allow !NewSaver to retain the "Work done" and "User list" settings and use them when it is next run.
“Close windows on quit” when ticked closes all !NewSaver’s open filer windows when “!NewSaver” quits.
“Work done" window” when ticked will display the named window in the position it was last shown.
“CU window pos” holds two buttons: When the “Default” icon is ticked the "Work done" window will spring to its default position at the top left of the screen. When not ticked the last stored position is used.
Clicking on “Store” will save the CU window position immediately, there is no need to click on “Save”
The list of “File open times” determines how long filer windows will stay displayed after !NewSaver has opened them.
“OK” and “Save” will both close the “Options” window with “Save” updating the save settings on disc. All settings automatically save themselves, these buttons are just there for completeness.
Quick saves
The full power of !NewSaver’s saving facilities really shows itself when the user wishes to save files but has forgotten or is unable to open a window in which to drag and drop the data. As long as the Current user window is displayed, dropping an application’s “Save As” icon onto it will open the Current user’s window directly under the pointer and allow the data to be saved there. The window will automatically close a fixed five seconds later.
If you wish the window to stay open simply double click Select on the "Current user" winodw or click Adjust in the open filing window once and it will open in the normal way at the centre of the screen.
If the "Current user" window is not displayed (or even if it is) files and SaveAs icons can also be dragged to the extreme left hand side of the screen when the Current user’s directory will again open allowing the data to be saved. This window will only close automatically if the options on the icon bar menu have been set for it to do so. If work is part complete the “To finish” saving window can be opened by dragging files etc. to the extreme bottom of the screen when that window will open as normal.
If NewSaver has shut down then the last user’s icon will be displayed on the icon bar, by double-clicking on this “tinydir” icon the Current user’s directory will open even though NewSaver is not running. If the last "Current user" has placed an icon in their directory (by editing the !Run file to use a !Sprite file - see later) this icon will be used on the bar, if not, the directory will be displayed with a special icon to show that NewSaver is not running. This facility has been provided for belt and braces saving should !NewSaver ever be inadvertently quit.
Advanced users section
Auto-configure
A further facility intended for advanced users is hidden within the !Run files of each user’s application. Acorn computers have a Pinboard on the backdrop of the desktop display on which any file or application can be stuck. A screen of pinboard items can be saved and displayed for each individual user. When a new user logs on the pinboard keeps step. To make use of this facility you have to know a little of how the computer works.
Pinboards
The Pinboard is the dull grey area of the desktop which just sits there doing nothing - until you stick something on it. A picture can be displayed in place of the grey expanse and icons dragged from any filer window can be stuck on screen and used from there as normal. A pinboard file will store it all
To use the Pinboard files, the current user’s !Run file has to be edited to remove the | from the start of the line "<Student$dir>.Pinboard." Then the !Run file must be re-saved to the same place.
To make a pinboard file, stick the items which you wish to display on to the backdrop by dragging them there. Then click the mouse’s menu button over a still blank area of the backdrop/pinboard and drag the pinboard’s Save icon in to the user’s application directory. Pictures used as backdrops and tinydir settings will also be saved in this way.
A pinboard file then has to be created and saved in to the user’s application directory along with the altered !Run file. This file can be found by looking at all the user’s files by clicking on the “Show Users” icon on the NewSaver main window. Then, hold down the SHIFT key on the keyboard and double click on a user’s application as if you where intending to run it, the application will open like a normal directory. This is where to save the pinboard file.
When first opened a user’s application directory will show three files and three directories, !Run, UseCmos and SaveCmos are the files, To Print, Work done and To finish are the directories. Add the file called Pinboard here.
CMOS settings
NewSaver can automatically run CMOS settings files. A CMOS file stores all the settings for screen displays, keyboard repeat rates, memory usage, network station numbers and so on in a chunk of battery run memory called CMOS Ram. !NewSaver has the ability to store and recall all this information and have different settings for each user. This facility can be dangerous in the ‘wrong hands’ and so it is present but disabled in the files created by !NewSaver. To use these extra facilities several things have to be done.
To use the Cmos computer configuration facilities the UseCmos file has to be changed by first removing the top line. If this is not done a warning message is displayed.
Secondly the !Run file has to be altered (as in the Pinboard example above). Load the !Run file in to a text editor and remove the first character on the lines indicated in the !Run file itself. This will enable CMOS Ram loading and running. However, there is as yet no Cmos Ram file to load, and so this has to be created.
An essential step is to make a backup file of the default setting of the computer’s Cmos ram file. Read the manual which came with the computer to learn how to do this by using the !Configure application - or just run the SaveCmos file to be found in each User’s directory - the CMOS file will be automatically added in with the !Run and other files as shown.
However you save the CMOS data move it to somewhere safe and label it as coming from that particular computer. Loading another machine’s Cmos data can cause considerable problems which can only be overcome by reloading the original settings (as saved earlier) or by performing a Cold Rest which could stop some functions of the computer working or cause problems when running over a network amongst many other things.
Once this safety net has been constructed it is safe enough to alter the Cmos Ram settings for the individual user. When the settings are correct for the current user, ensure that the user’s name is displayed in the NewSaver current user window and then run the copy of the SaveCmos file which is in their application directory. This will create a standard Cmos file as above. It is the same sort of file as used by the !Configure application (which comes with the computer). When the !Run file has be correctly configured the CMOS file will be run every time that particular user logs on to NewSaver. Each user can have their own individual settings. To restore the computer to its original state a default user could be created (for each machine) in which the starting Cmos Ram settings file can be kept. With correct use this is a powerful facility but it is not to be used by the faint hearted. Once running it will operate without any need for further effort - and invisibly to the user.
MyWorld2 section.
The above technique of saving using “!NewSaver” will also work within a “MyWorld2” screen (as well as any other) but a second method has been provided which eases the process of saving under the normal “MyWorld” system. It is no longer necessary to open a target filing window before saving work as when “!NewSaver” is running it will automatically open the correct user’s directory when the application’s “Save” or “Save as” icon is clicked on and held pressed (as in normal dragging). The Current user’s “Work done” filing window will also open if the “Current user” window - the one holding their name - is double clicked on with the Select mouse button. (As before, clicking and dragging with Select will move the ‘Current user’ window, clicking menu will open a view of the last ten users and double clicking Adjust will show the "All Users" window.)
If work is not complete or if temporary notes need to be saved then the “To finish” window can be opened by clicking on the area of the normal “Save as” window where the “Save as” file name is typed. This area is not intended as a permanent store and so the window is small and opened at the far left of the screen. Work will arrange itself in date order in a column down the screen as the directory fills. The display is set to Large Icons irrespective of the desktop settings.
In order to prevent the situation where the “Work done” window may open when saving unfinished work a time delay has been built in which disables the opening of the “Work done” window during the process of dragging the icon to the “Still to finish” window. If the “Still to finish” window has been opened by accident users may find that the “Work done” window will not open for five seconds after the mouse buttons have been released. In normal use this should not prove to be a problem.
There is a third way of saving work in MyWorld2 and this is also catered for by !NewSaver. The “Save as:” option available from the Print option on the normal MyWorld2 menu window now opens a “Save print” window when the icon is clicked and held (as if starting to drag the icon). Again, this window does not have to be open before dragging, it opens as you start. All three windows will close automatically after a predetermined time. This is currently set at 10 seconds but there is a configure option for this delay available from the Icon bar with the Options settings.
At all times moving the pointer to the bottom left hand corner of the screen and clicking Select will bring up “The Saver window”. Any filer window opened from the saver window will have to be closed by clicking on the Close icon as normal.
As is normal with Risc OS, once a file has been saved it is possible to save an updated version to the save destination (with the same or an altered name) by simply clicking on the OK icon in the main Save sub-menu (this option is not available from the Print sub menu).
And finally - Extras and contacts
#fH2: Extras and Contacts
The !NewSaver distribution disc includes two other small applications, “!AutoRunOn” and “!AutoRunOff”. Running these applications will configure !NewSaver to either run automatically when its icon is first seen by the filer or disable the function respectively. The auto run function can be changed at any time by this means.
This manual is also included on the disc as a compressed Impression file and within the NewSaver application itself as a !Help text only file.
A small extra application called !MakePhase has also been provided which allows NewSaver to save work created by the Phases series of word processors. Create a new user and then run the !MakePhase application which will automatically generate the three directories required by Phases - Phases_n, Phases_p and Phases_d for Notes, Pictures and Drawings. The normal Phases Work file will be saved outside of these directories in the current user’s main directory.
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This software and documentation may only be copied for use at the registered site.
ECS reserves the right to update and otherwise alter and improve this product at any time.
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Electronic Control Services
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Copyright Simon Anthony and Electronic Control Services Nottingham LTD 1998/9
