OS/2 Shareware BBS: 5 Edit/05-Edit.zip/spike.zip/SPIKE.TXT

Text File | 1996-01-07 | 6KB | 130 lines

                                SPIKE

Files:
       SPIKE.TXT      this file
       SPIKE.ICO      optional icon
       SPIKE.EXE      The Spike program
       SPIKE.C        Source code

        Place these files in a directory of your choice (e.g. Spike).

                      Chapter 1 - The Story
                      --------------------

A name that is hopefully indicative of the spike found on many
desktops in many offices.  This is the place where all memos
and postit notes go after they have been read.  It looks like a
spike mounted on a pedestal.

What I found I needed in OS/2's desktop, was a place to quickly
place, and save, clipboard data that I wanted stored for future
reference.  In the past, I had to copy to the clipboard, make a
temporary text file, place the text file on the desktop for easy
access, then open the file, then append the data, then close
the file.  I found this procedure rather tedious, so I called a
good friend, and asked him if such a thing could be made....

His response was enthusiastic and he suggested that I make
an icon for it.  He further suggested that the icon would take
more time than the actual program.  He was right!


                        Chapter 2 - The Installation
                        --------------------------

We discussed the method of installation and decided that we
would not write an installation script.  This decision was made
 so that we could use Spike as a lesson in OS/2's association
methods.  Most of us already know how to use common
associations with exe files.  This file will show you how to
make a new data file type, associate it with a spike.exe file,
and then make the data file into a template.  The reward for
going through this lesson will be a free utility that I think
a lot of you will find useful.  Plus as a benefit, you will be able
to use this knowledge in many other areas.


                        Chapter 3 - Off to work we go
                        -----------------------------

Open your template folder, drag off a DATA FILE template.
Drop itinto the same open template folder.  Change the name
to SPIKEFILE.

Next, go to the settings folder of the new SPIKEFILE.  Open its
settings notebook to the first page (TYPE PAGE).  Go to the
field NEW TYPE:.  Next, type in SPIKEFILE.  To the left of it,
there is a pushbutton called << New,  push on it.  This adds
a new data type file to the list of available types.

After doing this, go to the CURRENT TYPES box and notice that
the current type listed is Plain Text.  This is the default type
for all data files.  Highlight the Plain Text selection, and hit
the << Remove pushbutton.  Next scroll down through the
types available and select your new type SPIKEFILE.  Then
after highlighting the new SPIKEFILE selection, push the
Add >> pushbutton.  This adds the spikefile selection to the
current types. This operation makes SPIKEFILE the first or
default action that is invoked when you click on its icon later.

Now scroll through the list and find the Plain Text selection
that we removed before.  Highlight it and then use the
Add >> button to again add it to the current types box.
What this does is allow for two associations.  The first one
is an association to the data type SPIKEFILE, and the
second type is the plain text type.

For the moment we are now finished with this data file
(just leave it open) and will set up the actual executable
file.  We drag a program object onto the desktop from the
templates folder, and we add the path and filename
(?:\Spike\spike.exe) to the appropriate fields.  We then
 add the SPIKEFILE to its association settings. From
Available Types select SPIKEFLE then push the Add >>
button. At this point we should see the icons appearing.
Click on the General tab and change "Program" to "Spike"
and close the program notebook.

Now to finalize this lesson we go back to the template
folder where we first made the new data type, and open
the spikefile settings notebook, if not already open, and
select the General tab. Ensure that the title is SpikeFile,
or a similar name, then click on the check box for Template
then close the settings notebook.  This allows us to rip off
as many SPIKEFILES as we want, to deal with as many
different subjects as we need.  Simply rename the files
as you see fit.

To use the spikefile, simply drag a spikefile template
from the templates folder, and drop it wherever you
wish.  Now when you have a clipboard full of data you
wish to save, simply double click on the spikefile icon,
and the text contents of the clipboard will be appended.
If you wish to read/edit the file, simply right mouse
button to bring up the spikefile's menu, select the >
arrow to the right of open and then select the editor
from the pop-up that you have associated with
PLAIN TEXT.  Note that you can associate the spikefile
editor with one or more editors of your choice.

To tidy up the installation process drag the SPIKEFILE
program object off the desktop and into the Spike folder.
You can also make a copy of the SPIKEFILE template
and place it in this folder as well.  Now rip off a template
and keep it in this folder, rename it for applicable use
and then create a shadow for it on the desktop.  You
can repeat this last process for as many "Spikes" as
you need on your Desktop for various purposes.  Using
this method you always keep your data files in a
directory on the drive and can delete any shadow
not required from the Desktop at any time.

                       Chapter 4 - All the other stuff

SPIKE was created by a couple of members of
TEAM OS/2 Vancouver, BC SIG. It is freeware.
All we ask is that you include all files when passing
it on to others. There is no support from the author,
we ask that you help other users requiring help as your
"dues" for the free software.