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NEODEMO.TXT
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1994-08-18
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NeoDesk 4 Demo Version 8/16/94
----------------------
This is the freeware demonstration version of NeoDesk 4. Follow these
instructions to try out the program. This version is freeware and may be
distributed free of charge, provided that this and all other files are
included, and are not modified in any way. This program may not be
distributed on magazine "cover disks" without the permission of Gribnif
Software. NeoDesk is a registered trademark of Gribnif Software. Program
copyright 1994, Gribnif Software. All rights reserved.
Overview
--------
NeoDesk 4 is a complete replacement for the built-in desktop that comes
with the Atari. It is the easiest and most affordable way to realize
your Atari's true potential.
NeoDesk 4 adds many new features and enhancements over the original
desktop, while keeping full compatibility with your current and future
software.
Not only will your computer be more powerful, it will also be much
easier to use. It doesn't get any simpler. NeoDesk 4 is the ultimate
upgrade for your Atari computer.
Installation
------------
While NeoDesk 4 can easily be installed so that it comes up whenever
you turn on the computer, this demonstration version is not designed to
work that way.
To try out this demo version, you first need to run JAR10.PRG. If you
already own one of our other products which uses this program (like
Geneva or NeoDesk 3) then you probably have already run it. In any event,
it won't hurt to run it a second time.
Note that if you have already run another version of NEOLOAD.PRG
(because you own NeoDesk 3), you must first disable this other version
and reboot your computer. You can also hold down the Alternate key during
the boot process to prevent the old NEOLOAD.PRG from running.
Now, double-click on the NEOLOAD.PRG demo file. Be sure to leave the
rest of the files in the same directory, since NeoDesk needs them. The
NeoDesk 4 demo will load and install itself in memory.
Important Note: You cannot quit this demo version. Doing so will cause a
system reset. Be sure to only run this demo after you
are sure that you can safely reset the computer.
Things to Check Out:
--------------------
NeoDesk has hundreds of features and enhancements available, but these
are some of the more popular features you should to try out:
o Each directory window has its own menu bar, making it much easier to
find frequently used options.
o Each window has its own "parent directory", Show Info, and trashcan
icons. Just select a few icons and drag them. Notice the icons in the
lower left of the window.
o Split-Windows - Easily split a window so that it will display two
different parts of the same directory. Very useful when copying or
manipulating files. To do this, drag the "Split Window Bar" under the
window information line to any window position.
o "Select All" Ability - A new window button (left of the bottom
horizontal bar) lets you select all the files in a single directory,
even if they don't fit in the window. You can even keep files selected
while you scroll the window to a new location by holding down the
[Shift] key.
o Items can be selected from the keyboard, including a search mode.
o Multicolored icons - each icon can have up to 16 colors, and can even
appear completely different when selected.
o Custom Icons - Assign different icons to any file or folder. This
makes it much easier to locate and manage them. Many icons are
included, with more available.
o Icon Editor - This multiple window Icon Editor lets you edit and modify
custom icons for any file or folder. Includes a complete set of
drawing tools. Select "Edit Icons..." to call it. Double-click on the
"NeoDesk Icons" icon on the desktop and then double-click on any icon
in that window to edit it. The editor can read many popular icon
formats, including ones from other platforms!
o Any Degas, Neochrome, Tiny, IMG, or BMP picture can be viewed (by
double-clicking on it) or can be used as the desktop background. Check
out the "Desktop..." dialog in the "Settings" menu.
o File Groups - Now you can arrange commonly used programs and data files
together in the same window, even when they are physically contained in
drastically different locations! Use the "New Group..." option and then
drag icons from other windows to the group window. You can even change
their names with "Edit Item..."
o File Clipboard - Store files and folders temporarily in memory while
changing floppy disks, paths, or reorganizing your hard disk. You can
think of it sort of an automatically expanding and shrinking ramdisk.
The File Clipboard grows and shrinks according to the files you place
within it.
o Desktop Notes - Write important notes, numbers, and more right on the
desktop itself. Simply double-click on the desktop itself and a cursor
will appear. [Esc] clears the line.
o Desktop Icons - Place commonly used programs, files, and folders
directly on the desktop. You can then select the icon and use "Install
Desktop Icon..." to rename the icon and assign a unique key to it.
Selecting that key will select and open the icon.
o Smart File Copying - No more useless disk swaps. In a very efficient
and fast manner, as many files and folders that will fit into all the
available memory are read in at once.
o Smart Disk Copying - NeoDesk can automatically detect the type of
format of the original disk and format the destination disk to match
it. You can even copy identical hard disk partitions.
o Disk copy, file operations, and floppy disk formatting can all occur
"in the background", allowing you to use your computer for other tasks
at the same time. Set the operation speed in the "File..." Settings
dialog. A slower speed gives other programs more time to run.
o Macros - Automate any series of desktop operations like opening
windows, copying/deleting files, executing programs, etc. Then assign
them to any key on the keyboard. Select the menu entry once to start
recording and a second time to end recording. Does not record inside
of running programs or in dialog boxes.
o Active Icons - Drag any group of files to any program icon and that
program will be automatically executed with all the selected files as
parameters.
o Search Files - Easily search your system for one or more files, based
on their name, size, date, or attributes. A file group can even be
created containing the results. This is just one example of the
powerful Filtering options which are also available for file
operations.
o Reorder Mode - You can easily reorder any directory on your system.
Select it once to enter the reorder mode, a second time to exit it.
Disabled Features
-----------------
The following major features are disabled in this demo version:
o You cannot complete a file copy or move operation. The operation will
seem to take place (so you can get an idea of the time and speed it
takes) but it will never be completed.
o You cannot "Save Configuration..." or "Load Configuration".
o You cannot format a disk (though you can look at the format box).
o You cannot "Print Directory..."
o You cannot save edited icons, .NIC files, or desktop patterns. The
clipboard functions in the icon editor are also not available.
o You cannot actually reorder a directory, though you can see how it
works.
o There is no online help.
Comments
--------
NeoDesk 4 has many other features which are only hinted at in this
demo version. Features like a new enhanced Control Panel with its own
screen saver and corner clock, Printer Queue, hypertext