◊ This program is distributed as Shareware: if you like it or use it please honor the shareware system by sending $3 to the author at the address above. Since collecting international cheques is very expensive, please send cash only. If you MUST send a cheque, keep in mind that the banks will gobble up more than half of it.
◊ NOTE: Getting some bucks is what you write shareware for, but getting a note, a postcard or anything else is a lot better than getting nothing. I'd like to know how far this program has gone, so remember that you can do something nice even if you don't have a couple of $$$ to spare.
• WHAT IS IT ?
◊ DBugR is a cool Control Panel for programmers and hackers who often have to break into MacsBug (or any other debugger supporting the _DebugStr trap). It puts a floating "small bomb" icon on your desktop which acts like a button. If the mouse button is pressed and released inside the icon, there's a user interrupt and MacsBug is called. DBugR can show some basic info about the current application (name, free memory, max free block) and/or send one of two user-configurable MacsBug commands to be executed immediately upon breaks (hold down the Option key when clicking to send the alternate command). The icon may be moved anywhere on any monitor by holding down the Shift key and dragging it around.
• KEY COMBINATIONS:
◊ You may hold down the following keys when clicking in the DBugR icon:
1. [SHIFT] lets you drag the DBugR icon somewhere else;
2. [COMMAND] forces DBugR to send a MacsBug command even if the "Always send" option is not checked (if the option is checked, the Command key has no effect);
3. [OPTION] makes DBugR send the alternate command string (this key may be combined with the Command key).
• HOW MUCH MEMORY DOES IT ALLOCATE ?
◊ DBugR only takes about 6K of system memory and 16K of disk space.
• WHAT'S IN THE CONTROL PANEL ?
◊ This is what you'll see in the Control Panel:
1. [On/Off] Activate/deactivate in case you don't have a startup/extensions manager;
2. [Info] Brings up a brief shareware notice;
3. [Corner] Sets the default corner for the DBugR icon, which can later be moved by holding down the Shift key;
4. [Set Cmd] Change the command strings that can be sent to MacsBug at breaks;
5. [Always send command] …or do it only when the Command key is down;
6. [Show application info] Show current application's name and free memory or don't;
7. [Show icon at startup] Display DBugR's icon at startup time or don't.
• DISCLAIMER
◊ Guess what? I don't guarantee anything. If you manage to blow up your Mac with this stuff, it's your own business. Use it entirely at your own risk.
• VERSION HISTORY:
◊ 1.1 - Now checks for a low-level debugger before calling it;
◊ 1.05 - Minor fixes;
◊ 1.04 - Now works under System 6 (checks the BitMapToRgn trap before calling it);
◊ 1.03 - Changed key combinations: Shift moves the icon, Command sends a command, Option activates the alternate command string;
◊ 1.02 - Added a second command string that replaces the first when the Command (now Option in 1.03) key is held down; also, holding down the Shift (now Command in 1.03) key will force DBugR to send a command string even if the "Always send command" option is not checked.
◊ 1.01 - Added control panel interface and user-configurable MacsBug command. Most changes to the control panel settings take effect immediately.
◊ 1.00 - First cut. DBugR icon floats and calls MacsBug without any trouble; it shows some basic application info and can be moved by holding down the Option key. No control panel yet, but can be configured with ResEdit.
• THANKS TO:
◊ Fabrizio Oddone, who came out with the original idea, suggested the alternate command string and also did the beta-testing;
◊ Alberto Ricci, who didn't do anything except being a good friend as always;
◊ Richard E. Brown and Paul L. Merchant Jr. for their hint on debugger checking.
• HAVE FUN! And don't forget to $$$ SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTION $$$ so that more cool utilities will see the light in the near future, at the low-low-low costs of shareware.
