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Almathera Ten Pack 3: CDPD 3
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nag08
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nag.doc
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1995-03-19
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*********************************************************************
************************* Nag 1.1 doc **************************
*********************************************************************
`Nag' is an electronic appointment calendar for the Amiga. In
addition to keeping track of your appointments, your anniversary, and
your mother-in-law's birthday, `Nag' can be instructed to gently
remind you by popping up a display of the next `nagged event', and
hanging around flashing or beeping or playing a digital sample and/or
using the Amiga's voice to 'NAG' (remind) you every 30 seconds until
you respond.
You can also TURN THE NAG OFF! (Much better than your mother-in-law!)
REQUIREMENTS: Amiga 500, 1000, or 2000.
Set to 80 column mode.
Default font or custom 8x8 font. (I use Pearl).
NOTE: If you use Nag's VOICE feature, the following
standard WORKBENCH files must be accessible.
devs:narrator.device libs:translator.library
DISCLAIMER: I disclaim responsibility for anything whatsoever
that might occur as a result of using this program.
As a matter of fact, I disclaim any responsibility
for the content of this disclaimer. So there.
GUARANTEE: I guarantee that Nag works well for me, and I will
continue to update and revise as I deem necessary
to try to make it work PERFECTLY for everyone.
*********************************************************************
********************** Getting Nag Set-Up *************************
*********************************************************************
Nag is intended to be run in the background and started from
your startup-sequence following your time-setting procedure. In addition
to the program file, and 2 (or more) "datefiles", Nag now wants a
configuration file (s:Nag.config). This config file MUST be in your s:
directory! You can edit it with Ed or any editor/word-processor, but
be sure to maintain the format given! The first two lines are the
announcement the voice makes before giving the 'nag' information. The
rest of the config file is notated. Be sure that the nagDir path points
to your Nag.198? files. One datefile is required for this year and one
for next year. I keep Nag and it's year files (Nag.1988, etc) in the
system directory of my WORKBENCH disk. If 'sPath' is not blank in the
s:Nag.config file, Nag will load the the digital sound sample into CHIP
memory at startup and/or when re-configuring. (If you are short on RAM,
or need a lot of CHIP RAM, use a short sample or no sample at all!)
Feel free to re-configure the config file, that's what it's for!
The changes will take place the next time you run Nag, or you may force
the changes immediately by selecting the title box from the main menu
(the lower right corner). A requestor will pop up offering a choice
of re-configuration or no-change. If you choose unreasonable values for
any number in the config file, Nag will substitute 'middle-of-the-road'
values. Nag looks for a space to tell where any Path string ends, so
don't put any embedded spaces within the the nagDir Path or in the
soundFile path! Sample config files are included with the .arc file.
Sample year-files are included with this .arc file. They contain
standard holidays and other "important" dates. ;-) Also included are
a couple of config files, to show by example how they work.
Try entering all your birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and
other dates that don't change year to year into the generic 'Nag.year'
file. Then, when you need a new year, just copy Nag.year to Nag.1989.
Using the COPY & RECALL functions makes entering repeated dates,
(like WAG meetings, Car maintenence, "Washday"), etc. quick and painless.
To use these files, 1st, install s:Nag.config in your 's' directory,
then install Nag.1988 and Nag.1989 in your chosen directory. (see above).
(I use the system directory on my df0: ). Then install Nag in your chosen
directory. (I again use sys:system ). Then edit your s:startup-sequence
thus: (this assumes you use what I use).
- - - - (various stuff here)
RTClock (This sets MY system time. The idea is, just make sure
- - - - the time is set before you run Nag).
LoadWb (if you use WorkBench, it must be loaded before Nag)
RunBack df0:system/Nag
- - - - (might be more stuff here)
EndCLI > nil:
NOTE: If you don't have runback, or have problems making Nag work,
try this:
1> Use 'Ed' to make a textfile called s:Nag.x which
contains only one line, 'Run Nag'.
2> Add the following line in place of the 'RunBack df...'
line in the sample startup-sequence above.
NewCli "CON:127/11/100/10/" FROM "s:Nag.x"
OR: Even easier, Nag can be run by clicking on it's icon!
*********************************************************************
********************** Getting Nag Started ************************
*********************************************************************
TO START: Use the mouse to get to the drawer where Nag resides, and
select the Nag icon. (My humble apologies ladies! ;-)
OR: RunBack <path>Nag (from your startup-sequence)
OR: Run Nag (from a CLI you are leaving open)
You may start Nag from any CLI, using "Run Nag", but you will
be unable to close this CLI while Nag is running.
Default buffer size = 20000 bytes. (Big enough for the casual user.)
The buffer needs to be big enough to hold both this year and next
year's files plus what you plan to add when editing. The structure of
the nag entries has been made as memory efficient as possible, so the
default buffer will hold more than 400 entries.
(Minimum size = 6,000 bytes, Maximum size = 4,000,000 bytes. If you
try to use an out of range buffer size, Nag will choose the closest
valid value. SET THE BUFFER SIZE IN THE s:Nag.config FILE!)
To figure out how large a buffer you require, add the filesizes of the
Nag.year files, (Nag.thisyear + Nag.nextyear), plus an additional 1000
or so as Editing space. (a single event will take, AT MOST, 60 bytes
in the Nag.year file.)
NOTE: Nag WILL run without config OR year files, but will complain
bitterly every time you start 'er up.
*********************************************************************
********************** Tiny "Sleeping" Window **********************
*********************************************************************
When first run, the word 'Nag' in contrasting colors will appear
in the workbench display. This is the "sleeping" window. This is Nag
at rest. You may set in the s:Nag.config file exactly where on the
screen you want this little window to stay. If the BACKDROP flag is
set in s:Nag.config, it is possible to slide it up under the WORKBENCH
title. If, for instance, you set the TopEdge of the Tiny Window to 2,
(tPlace in s:Nag.config),, the only visible sign of Nag is a 30 pixel
horizontal line in WORKBENCH color number 3 just under the title line.
This Tiny Window, where ever you put it, will STAY behind all windows.
In fact, in some ways, it is more like a disk icon than a window...
(This is in answer to a request, OK Tom?)
If the BACKDROP flag in s:Nag.config is set to 0, the nag window
will be a normal, albeit small, window. (In this mode the Nag window
will START in front and stay at whatever level you leave it.)
Nag will now hang around waiting for one of two events.
1. The Timer signal arrives. (Time to remind you!)
In this case, the "Nag Window" will pop up displaying the event
which triggered it. (As long as the "Nag" button is "lit", the
"Nag Window" will pop-up in front of all current screens.)
NOTE: If you are editing or searching when the Timer signal
arrives, that window will be closed before the Nag
message arrives.
YOU MUST PRESS THE LEFT MOUSEBUTTON INSIDE THE NAG
WINDOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE NAG AND MAKE IT GO AWAY!
An un-acknowledged nag will repeat every 30 seconds
until it is acknowledged... (soooo irritating... ;-)
or 2. A left mouse-button press somewhere in the word "Nag".
In this case, you are taken to the main display screen and the
current list of upcoming appointments is listed.
NOTE: If there are UPCOMING EVENTS whose reminders have been missed
because Nag has just now started, Nag will open the MAIN DISPLAY
WINDOW when first run, and display what you missed. (Your
startup-sequence will continue in the background.)
NOTE: You may also initiate this "Missing Nags Search", from any date,
by 'SEARCH'ing for a single character.
*********************************************************************
*********************** MAIN DISPLAY WINDOW ***********************
*********************************************************************
The title line displays Today's date and the APPROXIMATE number of
minutes until the next "nagged" event. (This line is updated each time
you select "NOW")
The current list of appointments is displayed in the large area
on the left side of the main display window, each day "headered" with
a date-line. If the appointment or event is within one week of NOW,
the Day-Of-The-Week will be highlighted. 'Today' and/or 'Tommorrow',
as they relate to NOW, will also be indicated.
A 'dot' located between the time and the event indicates that 1 or
more Nag Flags have been set. Black(color #2) = Flash, Red(color #3) =
SOUND nag and White(color #1) = VOICE nag. To determine EXACTLY which
flags and how many nags are set, use the Edit Screen. (see below)
-*- Calendar Display -*-
Dates are intially in black (color #2), then those dates which
have an event are changed to red (color #3), or if there is a 'nagged'
event, that date is changed to white (color #1). You can tell with
a glance at the calendar when your next 'open' day will be.
You may also REVERSE color #1 and color#3 by setting a flag
in the s:Nag.config file. (see below)
CREDIT: Some calendar routines were borrowed from a public domain
program called "calendar". I hereby thank the author of
calendar, for saving me a lot of "grunt work"!
Calendar gadgets: The year and/or month can be changed by pressing the
left mouse button on the "<<< >>>" marks.
(Nag will not update the appointment display
until a day of the month is chosen)
The current day of the month can be changed by
pressing the left mouse button on the selected day.
NOW: Resets Nag to current time and date.
1 NAG or NAG: This is now 2 "flag"s. If one is on (lit), the `nag'
feature is activated. Off means "Nag is gagged".
Selected again will show "1 Nag". This is a single
shot feature. When this flag is lit, only one nag
will appear for each nagged event. You DO NOT have
to respond to the nag when this flag is lit. It
will show for 15-20 seconds and go away ATTEMPTING
to return your machine to the way it was before
the nag began.
EDIT: Takes you to the "Edit" Screen. (see below)
PRINT: Uses preferences thru PRT: device to print hardcopy
of selected appointments. (skips perferation).
Prodedure: Select start date, select PRINT, (gadget
lights to indicate that PRINT is active), select
end date, select PRINT again. When the display
returns to show the start date, control has
been returned to you.
To print currently selected day, just double-click
the PRINT gadget. (selecting a day starts the day
from 12:01am, selecting NOW makes PRINT start
from the current hour.
NOTE: IF YOU NEED TO ABORT THE PRINTING:
Turn off your printer, wait 30 seconds or so for the 'printer
trouble' requestor to appear, and select 'CANCEL'.
IF THAT DOESN'T WORK OR YOU ARE IMPATIENT:
Keep turning your printer on and off until control returns.
(Yes, I'd call this a bug, but NOT MINE.)
SEARCH: Makes a non case-dependent search of the "message"
parts of the entries for the entered string and
displays each occurance on the main screen.
A string of only one character will display all
'missed' nags from the currently selected date.
SHRINK: Returns Nag to the "sleeping" mode.
(This is the proper way to exit Nag. It remains
ready, but in the background waiting. In addition,
any changes in the year files are automatically
saved in case the system goes down prematurely.)
QUIT: Removes Nag from the operating system. Changes in
the year files are saved before Nag gives up if
you select 'Yes' when the Requestor pops up.
TITLE: The title box (lower right corner) is also a gadget.
It re-loads the config file and reconfigures ALL
of Nag if you select the 'Yes' Requestor.
*********************************************************************
************************* EDIT SCREEN ****************************
*********************************************************************
NOTE: Nag only works on, and edits, THIS year and NEXT year.
If you leave your Amiga running thru New Year's Eve,
Please 'QUIT' Nag and re-start to set the new year.
(If you don't, Nag will continue to use the original
yearfiles, and you will be unable to edit next year.)
You are editing ONE day. The day that was set on the `calendar'.
All of the "/\" and "\/" thingies are gadgets. Starting from the upper
left, the first set controls the hours, the 2nd set controls the
minutes, and the 3rd set controls the line number. You may have up to
99 lines per day. The hour control gadgets can be used to set certain
visual flags (BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, !ACTION!) instead of a specific
time. Also, am/pm can be switched by selecting the am/pm gadget.
DELETE removes the currently displayed line.
COPY copies the currently displayed line into the Copy buffer.
RECALL copies the Copy buffer into the currently displayed line.
(The last event copied remains safe in the Copy buffer until QUIT.)
At the upper right is the Nag Flag selection area. You may select
any combination of time periods to be "nagged". (1/4 Hour, Hour, Day,
Week, Month and/or OnTime) previous to the "event", and up to 7 "nags"
per time flag. For example: if you have selected 1/4 Hourly, Hourly,
and Daily, the number of nags is 2, and the "Nag" flag is "lit" on the
Main Display Screen, you will be reminded of the upcoming event at 48
hours, 24 hours, 2 hours, 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 15 minutes before the
upcoming "event". Nag won't nag you at the exact time of the event
unless you have set the "On Time" nag flag.
The fourth set of "/\ \/" gadgets controls the "Nags Per Flag".
When a nagFlag is selected, Nags Per Flag will automatically advance
to 1. When all Flags are de-selected, nags will automatically go to 0.
Note that if no flags are selected, Nags Per Flag can NOT be set.
Above the Nag Flag Selection area are two more selection gadgets
for 'VOICE' and 'SOUND'. You may select either, both or none for each
event. None = flash (Amiga function DisplayBeep). If you want no nags
at all, leave ALL flags OFF for this event, or turn off the NAG gadget
on the Main Display Window. (The latter disables ALL nags)
NOTE: Settings for the VOICE and SOUND are in the Nag.config file.
Any file may be used as the SOUND file, but real digital samples
seem to work best. ;-) If the file is in IFF format, the proper
Period will be computed, otherwise, the value in s:Nag.config
is used. If Nag cannot find your digital-sample-sound-file,
(sPath in s:Nag.config), it will use an internal 16 byte
triangle wave as sound data with the s:Nag.config values.
DONE: Means you are satisfied with editing this day's
appointments. (Changes will be saved automatically
if you 'SHRINK', or Requestored if you 'QUIT'.)
CANCEL: Means you want Nag to `forget' this editing session.
(no changes saved, everything the way it was before
you started to edit.)
SHAREWARE: The shareware message is also a gadget. It generates
a TEST 'nag' using the event and settings you are
currently editing.
To Enter New Appointments:
Make sure you are looking at the "Editing:" screen.
Use the Line # gadgets to move to a blank line. (highest #)
Type in the information to be displayed. (up to 45 characters)
Press RETURN to enter a new "message" string.
Then: If you want to be nagged, light at least one 'Nag Flag'.
(If you select VOICE and/or SOUND first, Nag assumes you want
an 'OnTime' nag and sets that flag for you.)
NOTE: You MUST enter a message string before you can set anything.
NOTE: You MUST set at least one flag before it is possible
to set the number of nags. (That makes sense, doesn't it?)
NOTE: To 'unset' nags, turn ALL flags OFF.
Finally: Select the 'DONE' gadget to 'save' the changes to the main
buffers. (The buffers are saved to disk when you SHRINK or QUIT Nag.)
You may test your new nag by selecting the Shareware Notice.
That's all there is to it!
You can watch your work updating the day's entries in the window below.
When the day looks correct, REMEMBER to select "DONE" to save that day.
*********************************************************************
******************** Nag.config, line by line ********************
*********************************************************************
This file (s:Nag.config), can be edited with most editors or word
processors. The 'Ed' that comes with your WorkBench works fine.
MAINTAIN THE FORMAT! (same # of lines, data starts on space 11,
spaces on either side of data, etc.), or Nag will get confused!
Line 1: The first thing the voice will say.
2: The second thing the voice will say.
3: Size of the buffer in bytes.
4: Full path to the Nag.1988, Nag.1989, etc. files
5: Default hour. Birthdays and other days with no specific hour
entered will be nagged at this hour. (military time!)
6: NagFlag. 1=ON, 0=OFF. If OFF, no nags will occur at all.
7: SingleShot Flag. 1=ON, 0=OFF. If ON, nags will not repeat
every 30 seconds.
8: VOICE: Words Per Minute.
9: VOICE: Pitch of voice.
10: VOICE: Sex and Mode of Voice. 0or2=Male,1or3=Female,>1=Robot
11: VOICE: Frequency at which the voice was sampled.
12: SOUND: Period. Time to play one sample length. (127-65535)
13: SOUND: Volume. 0=MIN, 64=MAX.
14: SOUND: Cycles. Number of sound sample repeats. (1-65535)
15: Left Edge of the Tiny Window. (0-608)
16: Top Edge of the Tiny Window. (0-189) (interlace 0-389)
17: bdFlag toggles Tiny Window. Normal = 0, BACKDROP = 1.
18: ColorFlag. 0 = Normal, 1 = Colors 1 & 3 are reversed.
(This may be of help if you use 'strange' WorkBench colors.)
19: sPath: Full path and filename for digital sound sample.
If the sample is IFF, the Period will be calculated and the
config file sPeriod will be ignored. If the config file has
the Cycles set to more than 10, Cycles will default to 1
to play the digital sample. Volume is ALWAYS read from
the s:Nag.config file. Re-config reloads soundfile.
NOTE: Be sure to maintain the order and format of the configuration
file or you will be in deep guano! Keep the vertical lines
vertical, and the data starting on the 11th character.
*********************************************************************
*************************** SHAREWARE ***************************
*********************************************************************
The Concept: Quality software you get to try in your own computer
environment at little or no cost.
The Pitch: If you find that you continue to use this software,
a $10 donation to the author is encouraged and will
place your name on the official "user's list".
$15 or more will also get you a disk with the latest
versions of Nag and other shareware.
The Address: Richard Lee Stockton (Nag)
21305 60th West
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Bug Reports: Send to the above address (US Snail) OR:
EMail: RLStockton on GENIE & PLINK OR:
call (voice only!) (206) 776-1253 - (Seattle area)
Distribution: May not distributed for profit without prior written
permission from me. Individuals ARE encouraged to
copy and give away Nag??.arc to their friends (and
enemies) and in addition; Fred Fish, Amicus and/or
other public distribution services of like intent are
hereby given permission to distribute Nag as long as
the contents of the arc file and all copyright
notices remain intact.
The Promise: I shall maintain (and update as necessary) this
shareware product in an effort to make it the BEST
software of it's type, commercial or otherwise.
*********************************************************************
************** La lingua de Amiga? Si! Poco a poco! *************
*********************************************************************
**** DON'T PAY BIG BUCKS! *** SUPPORT AMIGA SHAREWARE! ****
*********************************************************************