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- From: ahersee@dcs.warwick.ac.uk (Andrew Hersee)
- Subject: Re: Sprite dragging/New Filer/Replacement ToolSprites
- Message-ID: <1992Nov11.175231.9297@dcs.warwick.ac.uk>
- Sender: news@dcs.warwick.ac.uk (Network News)
- Nntp-Posting-Host: behind
- Organization: Department of Computer Science, Warwick University, England
- Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 17:52:31 GMT
- Lines: 93
-
- This article should be read after Nick Smith's article concerning the joint
- PD Filer and other 'little bits'. Depending on the news system you may get
- this first. Who knows?
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- From the number of options that we are likely to add it sounds as though a
- application will be required to allow easy settings of variables. And it
- should broadcast a message when they are changed so the Filer and anything
- else can alter it's variables. This will save us having to add several menus
- on the filer for new options etc. It also allows the other aspects to be
- included into the project easily. ie It can set the toolsprites, solid drag
- and other options.
-
- Regarding longer filenames in the filer:
- We could take the approach that Sun's file manager takes. ie find the widest
- filename (up to a configurable maximum) and use that as the column width when
- 'formatting' the filer window.
-
- Hot Keys In The Filer
- I also suggest adding some hot keys to the filer.
- Ideas are:
- Ctrl-X delete (I often do this but it does not work surprise surprise)
- Maybe it should be configurable so that it asks for
- confirmation or another Ctrl-X to avoid the vary dangerous
- oops I did not want to delete that!
-
- Ctrl-F File Search
-
- Ctrl-T SetType
-
- Ctrl-S Stamp
-
- Ctrl-I Info
-
- 'Edit' scrolling
- When scrolling a window in Edit you will notice that it always aligns the
- line nearest to the icon you pressed (up or down) so that it is completely
- visible. Adding this would allow you to keep your place in a list of files
- easily by selecting small icons and adjusting the window so that it contains
- one column of files. Then you can step through files one at a time by clicking
- on the scroll down icon.
-
- Two stage icons.
- Anyone like the idea of being able to define another sprite when an icon
- is clicked on? eg an open file and closed one. (Just an idea :-) a little
- impractible but may please certain people)
-
- Improved settype menu
- Allow the user to define a menu of commonly used types which could be
- selected. Also allow recursive SetTypes.
-
- ??? File Tree ???
- I have had mail from people suggesting that we add a tree structure to
- the display options. I think this is too much for a hack and would require
- a total rewrite. In fact I doubt it would materialize.
-
- Improved FilerAction or is that another project :-)
- Add a percentage to many operations. (How about altering the pointer
- into an hourglass when over the FilerAction window)
- Add a button for CLOSE when you get the error 'File Open'
-
- New templates and sprites for many apps.
- I already have a module which implements the following commands:
-
- *RegisterFile <Filename1> <Filename2>
- This registers the file 'Filename1' with the resource filing system as file
- 'Filename2' thus you can alter the templates that Draw uses by executing:
- *RegisterFile MyTemp Resources.Apps.DrawApp.Templates (I can't remember
- the exact path name.)
-
- *DeRegisterFile <Filename>
- This will deregister a file added by *RegisterFile and reallocate the memory.
-
- With this I have designed new templates for Draw so that it's toolbox is
- the same width as a scroll bar and it's icons designed to match those that I
- use for the window boarders.
-
- If we are going to start redesigning sprites perhaps we should also think
- about the look of other apps. This module will allow us to alter the sprites
- that are used by paint etc in it's windows.
-
- I know a similar module was posted to NewCastle but that supplied no commands
- it simply allowed you to 'compile' a module containing the files.
-
- Perhaps this project should be called RISCOS 4 :-)
-
- We need your views to implement a Filer (etc) with features you wish Acorn
- had included.
-
- Andrew Hersee
-
-
-
-