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The Atari Compendium (Toad Computers) (1994).iso
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SOLAPAK.DOC
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1988-05-18
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==========================
=== SOLAPAK v3.03 DEMO ===
==========================
This SOLAPAK demo set consists of the following files:
SOLAPAK.DOC - this file
SOLAPAK.PRG - installation program to place in AUTO folder
SOLAPAK.ACC - desk accessory to place on boot disk
DESKTOP.INF - saved desktop file with disk "M" pre-installed
- SolaPak is a multifunction utility program that loads on boot up when placed
in your AUTO folder. It has a companion desk accessory for control of some
of its features. The use of the desk accessory is optional in most cases.
SolaPak provides the following functions:
Screen Clock
Screen Saver
Reset tolerant ramdisk with file autoloading
True Print Spooler
Print Buffer
Sets time & date
Sets printer width
- Unlike some multipurpose desk accessories which take up RAM for
functions you're not interested in using, SOLAPAK v3.0 is different.
A new dynamic loading method has been introduced. Upon boot up, the
functions of the program which are not desired are removed from the
program image resulting in less memory used. So if you've already
got your favorite screen clock, for example, just disable SOLAPAK's
and there will be no penalty in RAM wasted.
=== PRINT SPOOLER ===
Up to 8 files queued for printing, each can have different print
attributes. 32 user defined print option buttons lets SolaPak support
nearly every parallel printer. Setups for dozens of printers are
provided along with a utility for making your own custom printer control
buttons. Built-in features exist for producing top, bottom, and left
margins as well as printing double or triple spaced text. Queue controls
let you pause and continue printing or delete individual files from the
queue.
New PRINTERCEPTOR feature intercepts printer output from programs using
standard TOS calls and redirects it thru the spooler. Unlike most spoolers
or print buffers, SolaPak does not require a separate spooler buffer. It
"borrows" space from the integrated ramdisk.
=== RAMDISK ===
Low overhead, ultra fast, reset tolerant, autoloads user specified files on
boot up. User selected ramdisk size, drive ID, number of files. Hard
disk compatible.
=== SCREEN SAVER ===
Turns your monitor off during periods of keyboard and mouse inactivity.
Restores screen instantly at the touch of a key or mouse movement. New
modem activity sensor makes it great for BBS's.
=== and MORE... ===
SolaPak is not copy protected; will automatically install at boot; works
in all screen resolutions; sets time and date; disables disk write verify;
sets printer width; includes new screen clock; 30 page manual on disk;
An installation utility makes nearly every feature OPTIONAL! SolaPak is
written entirely in assembly language for the fastest speed and smallest
code.
===========================
=== Ramdisk Autoloading === excerpt from the SolaPak manual
===========================
Built into SOLAPAK.PRG is the ability to load a user specified list of
files into the ramdisk. With this option enabled SolaPak looks for a
file called COPY2RAM.DEF in the AUTO folder of the boot disk. If this
file is found it is opened and used as the list of files to be loaded.
If this file can't be found then the line specified in SPMOD by
'RAM LOAD =xxxxx' is used. This line is treated as the equivalent of
COPY2RAM.DEF with a single line in it.
The ramdisk loading algorithm supports wildcards of '*' and '?'. It
will copy folder structures and files under those folder structures down
to a level of approximately 4 folders deep. It supports a "from,to"
syntax that lets you rename files, move files out of folders, or move
files into folders as you load them into the ramdisk.
Syntax: <source file> [, <dest file>] [; comments ]
Examples: file1.prg , \tools\file1.prg ; move down 1 level
file2.prg , \tools\editor.ttp ; move and rename
\auto\file3.doc, file3.doc ; move up 1 level
B:\include\*.h ; wildcard usage
\source\*.* , \source\*.* ; replicate a folder
\source\*.* ; copy folder into ramdisk
*.doc , \fold1\fold2\*.* ; move down 2 levels
A:\fold1\fold2\*.* , \fold2\*.* ; copy and move up 1 level
*.asm , *.s ; wildcard renames too!
====================
=== Memory Usage ===
====================
The following table identifies valid combinations of the five major
functions of SolaPak and the corresponding RAM usage resulting from
the installation of that particular combination. (numbers may vary
slightly for the DEMO version).
R S I
A P N
C S M O T
L A D O C
O V I L E
C E S E P RAM
K R K R R usage
===================== =====
* - - - - 1536 bytes
- * - - - 512
- - * - - 512 +
- - * * - 1536 +
- - * * * 3072 +
* * - - - 1536
* - * - - 1536 +
* - * * - 2560 +
* - * * * 3584 +
- * * - - 1024 +
- * * * - 2048 +
- * * * * 3072 +
* * * * * 4096 +
=====================
"+" denotes additional ramdisk overhead.
The ramdisk overhead is determined by the size of the ramdisk plus the
number of files to be supported. We have tested many other ramdisks
(YARD, ETERNAL v2.0, SI_RAM, MEGAMATIC v1.18, INTERSECT v4, L-RAM v1.0)
and believe that SolaPak has the lowest overhead of them all when
configured only as a ramdisk.
The desk accessory memory usage is ~8,500 bytes. The use of the desk
accessory is optional, except when the use of the SPOOLER is desired.
The ramdisk speed has been benchmarked with the following results:
transfers of 1K files @ 1,241,200 bytes/second.
transfers of 100K files @ 1,500,350 bytes/second.
=======================================
=== limitations of the SOLAPAK demo ===
=======================================
- The demo will only print the first 8000 bytes of a file using the spooler.
However, files printed using the PRINTERCEPTOR are not limited.
- The demo does not come with SPMOD, a utility for changing the options and
configuration of SolaPak.
- The demo does not come with the full instructions. The commercial version
includes a 30 page instruction file on disk.
- The demo is set up with printer codes and printer buttons for an EPSON
FX-85 printer. The commercial version (real thing) lets you redefine
all buttons. The real thing comes with some example button definitions
for over 17 common printers. Printers not supported can be easily set up
by the user.
- You are prompted as to whether to install the SCREEN CLOCK. This can be
set as enabled, disabled, or prompt on boot-up in the real thing.
- The screen clock digits use the "digital" font in monochrome mode. This
can be changed to a regular font on the real thing.
- You are prompted as to whether to install the SCREEN SAVER. This can be
set as enabled, disabled, or prompt on boot-up in the real thing.
- The screen saver is set to sense modem activity as well as mouse and
keyboard activity. Modem sensing can be disabled on the real thing.
- You are prompted as to whether to install the PRINTERCEPTOR. This can
be set as enabled, disabled, or prompt on boot in the real thing.
- You are prompted as to whether to install the SPOOLER if you respond no
to installing the printerceptor. This can be set for enabled, disabled,
or prompt on boot in the real thing.
- The RAMDISK is always installed to allow 16 files on drive "M" using a
100K ramdisk. The real thing lets you enable, disable, or prompt on boot
for a ramdisk if you responded no to the printerceptor or spoo