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1991-07-03
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M E G A B A S E v 3.0 Demo
----------------------------
Top Sprite software © 1991
----------------------------
Written by Ben Ashley
----------------------------
AMOS is © 1990 Mandarin/Jawx
----------------------------
Sorry for the dealy of this demo. Y`see, so much has been going on, that
you would not believe!!! Lots of other programs have been put into
production, while Megabase v3.0 Demo was being arranged and touched up. So
it is not ALL Bone idleness!
Well, complaints are over, here it is and you can`t change that! Hi to,
Adam Lock, Nick & Matt Tucker and a few other people who know me! Adam
Lock is the new member of TOP SPRITE software. I`m planning a GULF WAR
game soon, it`s in my mind......
History
-------
Megabase was originally programmed, as a small database for myself. I
wanted somewhere to keep things, such as Charts,Address`s and
Hi-Scores e.t.c.
This first version, v1.0 was REALLY primitive, BUG full and it WAS NOT
User Friendly. So, I decided to make it BRILLIANT.......
Then, I decided it would be best, If I put it in the AMOS PD, so after a
few modifications, out it went.
I have not seen much of it, as this update has been written literally
weeks after the release of v2.0.
Now, I present to you, the Amiga-Public..... Megabase v3.0
But, alas, this is only a PRE-RELEASE Version. In other words, not all of
the features are working. Unlike what you get on Coverdisk`s, which are
really only just USABLE Demo`s, all I`ve done is, is waited till a certain
stage in programming, and give you the unfinished version.
What the Un-Finished version lacks, is the SERIAL Option, the Finances
option and anything else which will be incorporated into the final version.
What Megabase does`nt try to do, is to be the best. I know of other
databases in the AMOS P.D which thrash the pants of this. But, mine is
simple! And I do believe, it`s the first to encorporate a CLI Module. My
CLI module is o.k, and it does the job as it should!
( By the way, I`ve completed S.W.I.V, with a score of 1.884.720!!! )
Using Megabase v3.0
-------------------
When MEGABASE has finished loading, you will be presented with a main
menu. There are lots of different options to choose from, each doing it`s
own unique thing. For starters, there is the GAME CHARTS, here you can
store... Guess What???... Game Charts, and then there is Hi-Scores, where
you can store Hi-Scores from games. You can store Address`s aswell. There
is much more to this database, and I will explain each section
individually. It will take some time, and you will have to have patience.
Megabase v3.0, is TOO LARGE to be loaded as an accessory, so don't bother
trying it!
Menu:1
------
GAME CHARTS Option 1
---------------------
In this option, you can store charts of games. There are 2 elements to
each entry. One is the GAME NAME, and the other is the COMPANY NAME, ie:
the company which produced the game.
The list is displayed from 1 to 20. Above this, is a small bit, where
there is text, telling you where the pointer is, and the game and company.
Above this, are the controls. The controls are:
(N) for Next position
(P) for Previous position
(E) to Edit
(Z) to print
(Q) to quit.
So, you use the keys, (N) & (P) to move up & down the charts, and use key
(E) to change it.
The file is automatically updated when a change is made. When printing,
the text won`t be centred on the printer paper.
HI - SCORES Option 2
--------------------
This, is basically the same as the GAME CHARTS, but it deals with
Hi-Scores. There are all the same basic controls. This time though, there
are 3 elements to each entry. The Score, the Game, and the Player who
scored it. In future releases of Megabase, it will automatically organize
the scores from Highest to lowest. This is not done at the moment.
ADDRESS & TEL Option 3
----------------------
This one is probably the most useful, although it does not store the names
in alphabetical order!
The only limit to the number of entries, is DISK-SPACE.
As with GAME CHARTS, it uses the SAME controls. This option though as 4
elements to each entry. The Person/s name, The Address, The Telephone
Number, and some information.
The first 3 elements are Self-Explanatory,. The 4th element, `Info', is
just a short message, giving the user information on that person. It could
be something like...`Might be moving soon to Doncaster...'
WRITE A NOTE Option 4
---------------------
Notes, are flashed up at the bottom of the screen, on the 2 menu Displays.
Initially, they are credit notes. But, I included this option, so you
could have the notes REMINDING you, as note are for!!!! For this option,
the main controls apply.
DISK OPERATION Option 5
-----------------------
This is a very useful option, and is one of the only option where there is
just unique controls.
(R) to read in the current Directory, and to
count the files and Dir`s, and to display it.
(P) to print the directory to the printer
(K) to kill a file. You can choose one using the
File selector when it appears.....
(C) to copy a file. This can copy ANY sort of file,
so it will be useful. It users standard File
Requesters.
(Q) to Quit
CHANGE THE DATE Option 6
------------------------
This option, should be saved to the configuration file, but at the moment
it is a stand alone option. Here, you can specify the last update date for
future reference. There are 2 controls.....
(C) to change
(Q) to quit
The date is entered as standard Day, Month, Year. Each inputted
separately.
ABOUT Option 7
--------------
This just gives you an ABOUT... screen. It also displays current FREE
MEMORY, FREE DISK-SPACE and FREE TEXT BUFFER.
COMPACT SPELLER Option 8
------------------------
Well, here is a new feature eh?
It`s VERY easy to use, if a tad slow, but you`ll find it useful anyhow.
The first thing you should remember is, is that this checker is for
manually checking REAL-LIFE documents. So it does not load computer doc`s.
Firstly, it`ll load the dictionary up. I advise you to go and make a cup
of tea here, as it takes some time!
Then, you`ll be prompted. At this prompt you should enter the word that
you are unsure of.
Now, The speller will locate the correct point in the dictionary, and put
pointers. The section to start searching, and where to stop. This is all
done automatically.
It`ll go through all of the various possibilities. So, be prepared for a
long list. When words occur more than twice, it is very likely that that
is the word you`re looking for. If it ain`t then don`t press anything.
If it IS the word you want, press ESC and the list will stop, and you can
copy the correct spelling.
Finally though, the list will stop after all the possibilities have ended.
Here, you`ll be asked whether or not you wish to add the word to the
dictionary, if so type `y' followed by RETURN, anything else will count as
a NO. of course, this makes it tedious if you`re just building up the
dictionary, so there is a command in SPECIAL SPELLER COMMANDS......
Speller Commands:
#end Will return to the main menu after the
dictionary has been Re-Saved
#list Lists all of the current words. ESC to abort!
#print Prints all of the dictionary. ESC to abort!
#add Lets you start adding words to the dictionary.
It`ll Re-Sort when you type #end at the prompt
instead of a word to be added.
There you go!
You`ll notice, that is is quite slow. As I write this document, I`m
trying to write quicker routines to search the arrays. I`ve written
quite alot of words into the dictionary, and it`ll take AGES to load
up! So, as mentioned earlier, do something else while this loads!
The bigger the dictionary, the longer it`ll take for operations to be
completed. In fact, some faster methods have already been implemented.
Did you know, that the first complete working copy of the Speller, had
to check the WHOLE dictionary for possibilities? Now, it can locate
the general area, and find possibilities from there!
INSTALL PASSWORD SYSTEM Option 9
---------------------------------
On menu 2, there is a USER LIST editor which lets you edit and change the
users. If you have important information in MEGABASE, like important
messages, then you my want to protect the option which lets you edit the
people who can use MEGABASE.
When you activate this option, you are prompted for a 10 letter password.
Whatever it is, it MUST equal 10 chars. This will then protect the USER
LIST. If you, however FORGET your password, then I`m afraid there is not
alot you can do. But, If you are an AMOS programmer, as most people are
these days, I`m sure you can find away around this matter!
DISABLE PASSWORD SYSTEM Option A
--------------------------------
Well, you know what this does!!! Also, you have to of registered
yourself, to activate this option......
I gets rid of the password facility which guards the USER LIST editor.
USER DATA Option B
------------------
This is a nice option. With it you can store up to 40 records, and each
of them can have up to 20 fields, or lines of text. So, you could store
stuff such as Lists, Diaries e.t.c.
There are 3 options....
(L) to load a previously saved file
(C) to CREATE a new file
(Q) to quit
When you load in a file, it will automatically be displayed after being
loaded in.
When you create a file, you`ll be prompted for a path and a filename.
You can have up to 2 headings, 40 record and 20 lines of text per record.
Each record can have a name. Megabase will prompt for everything, and then
you can input the lines of text, line-by-line.
ENVIRONMENT EDITOR Option C
---------------------------
I had to have one of these in!!
It tags the Config file with the current version of MEGABASE, so that
future versions will be able to load it.
You can turn Requesters On & Off, The Copper Bars. Ask MEGABASE to close
the Editor and the Workbench when loading, and the maximum amount of
Bulletin Board Messages allowed.
Because of the new options, you can now specify:
Amount of Script lines allowed in MegaDOS
Maximum number of words in the Dictionary
Whether or not to delete `Autoexec.bak' on loading
HELP OPTION Option D
--------------------
Simple! It simply displays a LONG scrolling text about Megabase, and will
remind you of the general controls.
If you want to read the whole scrolly, you can, but I would advise you to
of loaded some music up via MegaDOS to listen to while it does it!
X to RE-ASSIGN COLOURS Option X
-------------------------------
This is a bug fixer, rather than an option.
Sometimes, when the MEGABASE screen is opened, colour number 3(Initially
Yellow) is set to $000, so pressing this key will Re-Assign yellow to
black...
Menu:2
------
The first few options on this menu are really easy to get to grips with.
It`s just options like:
NEW DISK : To use another disk to store MEGABASE files on.
This is supplied for using other disks with Megabase.
So, No problem eh?
USER LIST : To view and Edit the USER LIST
You can only access this option if you have registered.
It CAN be protected by Password, if you want.
REGISTER : To register yourself. At the moment, this only
lets you receive messages, and have control over
the password system, but it will enable more in
the future.
CHECK BB : Have a look at the bulletin Board. Any Messages???
This option will open the B.B window, and sift through
messages. If you`ve registered, then if it find your
name, then it`ll print the message left for you.
To see and example of how this works, register yourself
as Mega-User, and go to the B.B option!
LEAVE BB : Leave a Bulletin Board Message to someone.
Brings up another standard window, and options like
(N)ext (P)revious, (E)dit and (Q)uit.
FILE CLEAR: Format all MEGABASE files, for use....
You`ll be asked which files you wish to be formatted, and
then it`ll clear the relevant ones
Then, there are the more complex ones:
MEGA DOS Option 7
-------------------
MegaDOS was an idea I had while adding finishing touches to Megabase v2.2.
It is simply, a sort of CLI Module. It acts the same as CLI, and indeed
some of the commands are directly taken from CLI.
The general purpose for MegaDOS, is to provide a simple, easy to use
Command Line Interface from within Megabase. So, you can do loads of
standard operations, and more.
MegaDOS differs from the CLI, because all `Actions' are enclosed in speech
marks. This is not Necessary in CLI unless a filename contains spaces.
As with CLI, you can execute MegaDOS script files. The length of these
script files can be changed with the Environment Editor.
MegaDOS has many advantages over CLI, and many Disadvantages. I`ll name a
few just for the record.
An Advantage, is the fact that each commands is not loaded. So, there is
no need to have Megabase in and drive to execute commands on other disks.
So, in CLI-English, all commanda are `Resident'.
A Disadvantage however, is that Non-Programmers can`t create their own
commands. In CLI, you just type the name of a command or `Program' as they
really are, and away you go. This is not possible in MegaDOS, unless I
programmed a completely new Language to construct commands (Like `C' for
instance!).
Script Files are really easy to make. They are stored as standard ASCII
code, and can be loaded and executed with a single command. There are a
few Tutorial and Example Script files included.
A really nice feature though, is the Macro Commands. These are created and
executed JUST like Script Files, but they are stored in Memory instead.
Each macro has it`s own name. You could call it `Macro 1',`1' or even if
you`re really Outrageous,`Macro Numero Uno if you really Want to run it!'.
Command Summary
- - - - - - - -
Here is a list of ALL of the available commands and a DESCRIPTION......
Please Note: ALL COMMAND NAMES (Ie, Copy) MUST BE ENTERED IN LOWER CASE!!
COPY:
Usage: Copy "Path/Name" to "Path/Name"
For : To copy single files from one place to another
Ex : copy "Disk1:Utils/Blast.Snd" to "Samples:Blast.Snd"
DELETE:
Usage: Delete "Path/Name"
For : To delete single files
Ex : delete "Disk1:Files/More_v2.121"
RENAME:
Usage: Rename "Path/File" to "Path/File"
For : To Rename files on an AmigaDOS Disk
Ex : rename "Disk1:Utils/Blast.Snd" to "Disk1:Utils/Explosion"
CD:
Usage: Cd "path"
For : To change the current directory
Ex : cd "Df0:Utils/"
DIR:
Usage: Dir "path"
For : To read in the current directory
Ex : dir "Df0:Utils/"
SETDIR:
Usage: Setdir "Directory-Filter"
For : To change the Directory Filter
Ex : setdir ".info/*.info/*.*.info"
PROMPT:
Usage: Prompt "New-Prompt"
For : To change the current prompt (`>' is added)
Ex : prompt "MegaDOS 1"
WAIT:
Usage: Wait "Nº in 50th of a second"
For : To wait a certain amount of time
Ex : wait "50"
WAITKEY:
Usage: Waitkey
For : To wait for the user to press a key
Ex : waitkey
PEN:
Usage: Pen "Colour, 0-7"
For : To change the current PEN colour
Ex : pen "3"
PAPER:
Usage: Paper "Colour 0-7"
For : To change the current PAPER colour
Ex : paper "2"
ECHO:
Usage: Echo "Text-to-be-printed"
For : To print a line of text in the current PEN colour.
Ex : echo "Welcome to MegaDOS"
CECHO:
Usage: Cecho "Text-to-be-printed"
For : To CENTRE a line of text in the current PEn colour.
Ex : cecho "Ben Ashley"
EDMAC:
Usage: Edmac "name-of-macro"
For : To edit a macro using standard MegaDOS commands
Ex : edmac "macro 1"
EXECUTEMAC:
Usage: Executemac "name-of-macro"
For : To executed a macro of standard MegaDOS commands
Ex : executemac "macro 1"
ED:
Usage: Ed "name-of-script"
For : To Edit a standard MegaDOS script file, which will be saved
to disk.
Ex : ed "Examples/Welcome.Script"
EXECUTE:
Usage: Execute "name-of-script"
For : To run a standard MegaDOS script file from disk,
Ex : execute "Examples/Welcome.Script"
LOAD MUSIC:
Usage: Load Music "name-of-AMOS-Music-File"
For : To load and play standard AMOS Music
Ex : load music "Examples/Piano-Piece.Abk"
MUSIC STOP:
Usage: Music Stop
For : To Stop and erase any music being played
Ex : music stop
COMMANDS:
Usage: Commands
For : To display a list of ALL of the commands
Ex : commands
MOVE:
Usage: Move "Source" to "Destination"
For : To Move a file to another place.......
Ex : move "Df0:File1" to "Df1:File1"
There are LOADS more commands, but they can all be listed with the
command `COMMANDS'.
Video Tape Storer Option 9
----------------------------
Acts JUST like the address option, but stores Video Tapes INSTEAD.
BOB GRAB Option A
-------------------
Yet another rather large feature of Megabase. Except, that this one is
a graphical utility, again only useful to AMOS users.
This replaces the old PICTURE UTILITY, which once rested on Menu 1 as
option `8' (Now the Spelling checker).
This, in effect, does alot more than the original picture utility.
When you first load up, the screen will go to Lowres, 16 colour. there
will be a 2 colour Hi-Res information screen at the bottom.
The mouse pointer will be turned on, shaped like CROSS-HAIRS.
Like the original `Pic-Util', you can Load & Save in both IFF and Compacted
screens.
But, Now you can Load & Save, Icon & Bob Banks.
And, the useful feature is, is the fact that you can CUT-OUT Bobs and Icons
for your games.
If you`re producing a promotional screen for your game, you can PASTE Icons
and Bobs, to do MOCK screen shots!
Viewing Banks is an easy options aswell. You specify the START bob, and
the END bob. Then you cycle through them, pressing a key to see the next
one. This is exactly the same when viewing Icons.
But, there is an even more useful feature. It`s not very pretty, but it
IS useful. And I am going to have to design it better.
It allows you to TEST animation.
Firstly, you select whether you want to TEST ANIMATION using the Joystick
or the MOUSE. Then, you`ll be prompted for Start Images and End Images for
each of the 4 Joystick directions, and then a delay number. Your
Bob will appear, and you can see how animation will look!
Press Fire to End...
It`s the same for the mouse, except you only enter 1 START and END number
and the DELAY. Press LEFT mouse button to Quit.
Love Compare Option B
-----------------------
This is a computerised version of that popular trick that kids used to play
on you at school. Y`know, they ask you your name, and the person you
like`s name, and then work out the percentage. This does just that, but it
gives you more! You can select whether you`re a boy, girl or Homosexual(?)
, and then it`ll ask you your name, followed by your lover`s. Then, the
percentage will be shown, and a short helpful message. Press a Key to do
it all over again. Of course, it`s the most useless option out of the
whole series, but I can tell you this: It is definitely the most amusing,
and you and your mates will have fun comparing people!
Known Bugs:
-----------
There is the colour problem, explained above. But, also, I found that
when running this on an A500 machine, it does not Re-Draw the screen after
a window has been closed!!!, if this happens, press `Esc' on either menu!
Actually, after saying that, it`s best not to run this program on a half
meg machine at all!
Using Megabase
--------------
Before you select any options,
you MUST use option 6, Megabase FILE CLEARER before using Megabase`s
options. The reason for this, is because, like Disks, the files have to be
PREPARED.
Technical Bit
-------------
Megabase is BIG, just over 90k to be precise! I have programmed MEGABASE,
to be really expandable.
It has it`s own custom Warning and Message routines, which are Really
simple and nothing special.
Trouble Shooting Guide
----------------------
Q. Can I Use other disks with Megabase ???
A. Yes, that's what the NEW DISK option is for!!!
Q. What is the point of having the USER LIST???
A. As the moment, it`s only use is access to the Bulletin Board, but I
included it, because future releases of Megabase will have a really
massive set of USER options. It was supplied with this version for
compatibility purposes.
Q. Why is RAMOS v1.2 crunched???
A. For More Disk Space
Q. Why is Megabase, dull and has no buttons ? ? ?
A. Simple! If I added Buttons and Jazzy sliders, it would be Licensware
quality, and you lot would have to pay an extra quid for it! So, to
keep the cost down it`s not touched up in that way. Anway, Megabase
would not be megabase if it was`nt anything like it is.