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EnigmA Amiga Run 1996 February
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EnigmA AMIGA RUN 04 (1996)(G.R. Edizioni)(IT)[!][issue 1996-02][Skylink CD III].iso
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mousev1b.lzh
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README.TXT
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1995-11-19
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Mouse V1.0
November 20, 1995
Turn your Newton into a Drawing Tablet for your computer !
This is "Mouse", a serial mouse emulator for MicroSloth PC's and Amiga's,
and if the drivers are available, UNIX/LINUX machines with serial mouse capability.
It is a really GREAT example of HOW NOT TO program the Newton.
Inspired by NewtTablet, which turns the Newton into a Mac Mouse (only works on
some Macs).
You should be able to read this file okay, MOUSE.ZIP was put on a PC before archival.
Source code is available for NTK 1.5, DOS, Amiga or Mac disk format.
Semi Legal Junk :
Except for the mouse drivers, which are freely redistributable,
everything in this archive is copyrighted by ME, the author. You may freely
distribute it, and may NOT sell it. You MAY use it for educational purposes and fun,
you MAY NOT use it to conquer the world or other nefarious schemes.
It is provided "As Is" with no warranty, use at your own risk, read the bug report
below before using. Back up your Newton before using. WARNING : This is
my first effort at programming the Newton, I've tested it to the best of my ability.
Distribution MUST include all files listed below.
If this distribution is incomplete please delete it and email me for a complete
copy : Paul Cimino, cimino@mdso.vf.ge.com
What's here :
Mouse.pkg Newton Serial Mouse emulation package
README.TXT This file
AMIGA.UTL A directory containing Amiga files : mouse drivers
which allow the Amiga to use a serial mouse,
some with source code
IBMPC.UTL A directory with PC mouse driver
Getting Started :
Load the Mouse.pkg as you normally would, with the Connection Kit, or
(I highly recommend) YAPI, by Scott Herndon SHern@eworld.com
(see History, below).
Once loaded, connect the Newton via NULL modem cable. Find an Apple modem
cable (8 pin DIN to 25 D-Sub connector). You may need a NULL modem adapter,
a gender changer and possibly a 25-Pin to 9-Pin adapter. Any and all of these
things are available (expensively) from CompUSA or similar. You can get them
cheap mail order. I believe the cable that comes with PC Connection Kit will
work as is, a 25 pin to 9 pin adapter is included. Or you can order a cable
from me, which will work with YAPI. (See CABLES, Below)
Now load the driver on the computer and start "Mouse". Hit the "Connect" button
and you're ready to go.
Use :
First thing you may want to do is press the "Cal" (Calibrate) button. This should
move the pointer on your computer screen to the Upper Left Hand corner. You may
may notice a mark in the upper left corner of the box of the Newton "Mouse"
screen. Draw a line in the Mouse box and watch your screen. Mouse draws a line
following your movements and puts a mark where you left the pointer. You do
not have to put your pen down where you stopped, Mouse remembers (sort of, see
the bug report) where you left off.
Notice the faster you move your pen, the faster the mouse moves (see bug report)
The Calibrate button I already mentioned.
Connect/Disconnect hooks you up with your computer.
The Erase button wipes the Screen clean, but leaves the marker in the last position.
Manual/Automatic Button toggles drawing behavior. Manual let's you do the "Erase"
while Automatic keeps the screen uncluttered.
The "Right" and "Left" buttons correspond to tapping the mouse right or left
button (sorry, no middle key). Similarly, the "Hold" buttons hold down the
listed key, so you can do things like move down a menu, drag and drop, etc.
About the screen size :
Originally, I intended to use a scaling factor so one screen width on the Newton
but you would lose resolution (Each Newt pixel = n CRT pixels). So the
Label Picker for screen modes DOES NOT DO ANYTHING YET ! I hope to add capability
to this program to scroll the screen around as you move the pen closer to the edge.
In the mean time, you can draw horizontal lines or vertical until the mouse
moves to where you want, the screen Newton screen won't look pretty, but oh well.
Hopefully I can fix this little problem.
At the time of this writing, I would like to add :
New Auto mode, which only draws lines when one of the keys is held down,
and a scrolling drawing area, since the Newt drawing area is much smaller than
any PC screen, and scaling would result in lost resolution.
Bugs:
I still need to learn more about communication endpoints and exception handling.
As a result, Mouse works fine when you connect it, but after you disconnect, you
can not reconnect, you have to exit Mouse and restart.
For some reason, if you draw on the Newton screen too fast, it messes up
the last end point for the line. I've noticed similar bugs in programs using
the Newton's drawing routines.
History :
I think the Newton is great, but I really love my Amiga (I won't bore you
with how great it is, ahead of it's time, still pretty impressive for a PC,
or even compared to some work stations, yadda yadda yaddda)
One of my biggest complaints about Apple is their overwhelming desire
to make every aspect of their machine proprietary. There are always good
reasons to make your own design, but anything that communicates with the
outside world should be as flexible and open as possible (i.e. the Serial
Port and any communication protocals being used) unless you are actually
adding value, and not just trying to lock up your market in a strangle hold.
This is why I like YAPI so much, it allows package installation from any
computer with XModem and the proper cable (see below).
I am working on a program which makes Newton books on the Amiga/Unix
platforms, similar to Paperback (another excellent
program) which is available for Macs and IBM.
I would also like to figure out the Newton protocal, allowing package installation
onto the Newton without YAPI. I have finally received my Apple License package
which includes info on the Newton package formats. So hopefully I'll be able
to find time to put into these efforts.
A compiler would be nice. I know of one person working on a Gnu compiler for
the Newton : Ross Sponholtz, ross@wwa.com, http://miso.wwa.com/~ross
CABLES :
To use Mouse, you need a Null modem cable with an 8 Pin DIN for the Newton,
and the appropriate connector on the other end. Sparc (I'd like to see a serial
mouse on a Sparc ! :-) ) users just need the standard Apple cable, 8 Pin DIN on
both ends.
Most PC users can buy an Apple Modem cable, which has a DB 25 connector on one
end, then buy a Null Modem adapter, a Gender Changer, and if needed, a 25 to 9 pin
adapter. If you own the PC Connection Kit, you're all set.
However, these cables will not work with YAPI because you must have the proper
wiring for the Hardware Handshake. PCs mostly use software error checking,
so the cables usually lack the right wire. Rumor has it you can get a
Mac<=>Modem cable WITH the correct wiring, I haven't seen it myself.
If you'd like to order a cable from me, I will provide a NULL Modem cable which
will work with YAPI, and have a DB25 FEMALE or DB9 FEMALE connector on one
end, and an Apple 8 pin DIN on the other. Price is $20 prepaid, includes S&H in
the continental US. I probably won't be making any money at that price,
and you can probably get it cheaper if you can find someone who sells the
correct cable.
Source code is also available for "Mouse", send $10 US (domestic mail only,
$20 foreign delivery US funds) to me, specify Amiga, PC or Mac disk.
I can be contacted at :
Paul Cimino
564 Worthington Rd
Chester Springs, PA 19425
cimino@mdso.vf.ge.com OR on CompuServe 73677,1761
If you try to reach me via CompuServe, I may be slow getting back to you.
Semi Legal Junk :
Amiga is a registered trade mark of Escom Gmb
MacIntosh, NTK, Newton, and NewtonScript are registered trade marks of Apple.
RunNewt is copyrighted by Steve Weyer (weyer@netaxs.com)
Paperback is by David Fedor