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The Datafile PD-CD 5
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DATAFILE_PDCD5.iso
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utilities
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autofast
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!AutoFast
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!Help
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1997-01-07
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AutoFaster
v1.00 (07-Jan-1997)
NB. THIS PROGRAM REQUIRES RISC OS 3.10 OR GREATER TO RUN.
[Not that it would be much use on R-OS 2, since it didn't have multi-tasking
disc operations]
This program is Shareware.
This means that you can copy this program to anyone you like, but if you
find the program useful, you should register, as explained below. This
entitles you to the latest version of this program, and of all my other
applications.
If you do copy the program it should be in its original format, with ALL of
the accompanying files. These are :
!Boot, !Help, !Run, !Sprites, !Sprites22, AutoFaster, MkAutoFast
Purpose
-------
To automatically select 'Faster' on multi-tasking disk operations.
To use
------
Double click on the !AutoFast icon in the filer window. This will install
an icon on the icon bar, just left of the Display Manager icon on RISC OS
3.50 or greater, or just left of the Palette icon on RISC OS 3.10.
Once running, clicking on the icon on the icon bar will toggle whether
the program turns on Faster automatically or not.
The module also offers two * commands : *AutoFaster and *AFIcon
Each of these may optionally be passed a parameter, either on or off.
With no parameter, each command prints the current status.
*AutoFaster turns auto-faster multi-tasking disc operations on or off.
ie, it is equivalent to clicking on the icon on the icon bar, but
will be useful if you've turned the icon off with :
*AFIcon turns the Wimp icon on or off.
If you want the program to start in something other than its default
state (which is icon on, faster on) then load the !AutoFast.!Run into
an editor. The line which says 'RMRun ...' is the line which needs to be
edited.
After the .AutoFaster, add -noicon to make the program start without an
icon on the icon bar. Add -slow to make the program start with faster off.
For completeness, -icon and -fast are also permissable parameters.
Note that there must be a space after the end of AutoFaster.
Limitations
-----------
Currently the program only allocates space for four Filer Action task
handles. This means that if more than four disk operations start up close
together only some of them will have Faster turned on.
If you are in the habit of starting lots of filer actions at once then :
a) How?! I decided I'd have had to write a program to test more than two
disc ops starting that close together, and I couldn't be bothered!!
b) You can change the code : Load MkAutoFast into a decent editor, change
the line which says numoftaskhandles%=4 to whatever number you want.
Save the program, then run it. This should update the module.
However, _please_ don't distribute the program like this.
Known 'features'
----------------
Because the Filer Action Window doesn't believe you if you just tell it of a
menu selection, AutoFaster has to tell it that a menu button mouse click has
taken place, before telling it the result of the menu selection. This menu
appears in the bottom left corner of the screen because I'm too lazy to get
it to appear anywhere else. Due to the sensible nature of RISC OS, it's not
possible (AFAIK) to get the menu to appear off screen. The menu disappears
on the next null Wimp_Poll, so I guess it's not a huge problem.
Bugs & Improvements
-------------------
Please report any bugs found and any possible improvements you can think of
to me at the address shown below.
Registering
-----------
To register, send £5 to me, at the address shown below, stating what version
of which of my programs you have. You can enclose your own disk for the
programs, and if you do so you can deduct 50p from the price. Registering
entitles you to upgrade to later versions of the same programs and to get new
programs for the price of £1. Any additional contributions from overseas
towards postage would be greatly appreciated.
Neil Walker.
16, Finderne Drive.
Wymondham.
Norfolk.
NR18 0HU
e-mail : N.S.Walker@durham.ac.uk (Term time only - valid until June 1997)
Legal Notice
------------
This program is supplied 'as is'. I therefore cannot be held responsible
for any loss of data, profits or any other loss, either directly or
indirectly, that may be incurred by the use (or misuse) of this software,
even if I am aware of the possibility of such a loss. However, I can assure
you that in its original state, the program contains no deliberate viruses,
or damaging procedures, except where these are necessary for the fulfilment
of the program's function.