NeoDesk CLI "Read Me" File March 23, 1990
==========================
This file contains important additions which you should read. You might
find it useful to print this file and keep it with your CLI manual.
Path Handling in the NeoDesk CLI
--------------------------------
When running a program from the CLI, paths are handled differently if
you are using NeoDesk 2.05 or a newer version of NeoDesk:
In version 2.05:
Whenever you execute a program from the CLI, the system path is set to
the same path as that program. This is identical to how NeoDesk runs
programs. The CLI always remains at its original path.
In version 3.00 or later:
Whenever you execute a program from the CLI, the system path remains
in the "current CLI path". This is closer to how most text based
environments work. If you are trying to run a program that requires
that its files be in the "system path" then make sure that you change
the CLI path to the path of that file before running it.
Using the CLI from Inside Other Programs
----------------------------------------
If you open the NeoDesk CLI from inside another program, the CLI path
will be set to the current "system path" to prevent problems. Some
applications do not expect their path to be changed by the CLI. If you
do change the path in the CLI you should try to return it to the original
path used by that program before continuing to use that program.
Using TOS 1.0 & Redirection
---------------------------
Due to a bug in TOS 1.0, you should not read from or write to the same
disk file without closing it first. If you manually set .INPUT and
.OUTPUT to the same filename within a batch file, it may cause
unexpected results.
Using the "<->" characters to redirect both input and output does not
suffer from this problem because it shares the same file handle. Newer
ROM versions fix this problem.
Using the PATCH205.PRG Program
------------------------------
The included patch program will modify your copy of NeoDesk 2.05 to
correct several small problems in it. If your copy of NeoDesk has
already been patched or it doesn't need it, you will be so informed.
Newer versions of NeoDesk (beyond 2.05) do not require this patch.
Using "NeoDesk Accessories" with MultiDesk
------------------------------------------
There are some things to keep in mind if using any "NeoDesk Accessories"
from inside of MultiDesk (from CodeHead Software).
First of all, make sure you run the included PATCH205.PRG if you are
using NeoDesk 2.05. Newer versions of NeoDesk (beyond 2.05) do not
require this patch.
Due to a limitation in the way GEM handles accessories and applications,
there is no way for NeoDesk to communicate with accessories that are
inside of MultiDesk IF you have a MultiDesk accessory open. This
limitation has several end effects:
1) You cannot open another "NeoDesk Accessory" while a MultiDesk
accessory is open. Remember, MultiDesk was only intended to allow
you to gain access to a larger number of desk accessories, not to be
able to open them all at the same time. Trying to do so will simply
result in NeoDesk attempting to display the accessory file to the
screen (as if it had not been installed).
2) If you have any "NeoDesk Accessories" inside of MultiDesk, you
should always try to make sure that you CLOSE any MultiDesk accessory
that is open before running a program. This is necessary so that
NeoDesk is able to communicate with the "NeoDesk Accessories" that
are inside of MultiDesk and inform them that it is going to run a
program.
If you do run a program and you forgot to close any open MultiDesk
accessory, then make sure you do not access any of the "NeoDesk
Accessories" that are inside of MultiDesk until you return to the
NeoDesk desktop.
3) "NeoDesk Accessories" that execute a program and then automatically
reopen when you return to NeoDesk should best be run outside of
MultiDesk in one of the standard accessory slots.
This is because once the "NeoDesk Accessory" reopens after running a
program, NeoDesk is unable to communicate with any remaining "NeoDesk
Accessories" inside of MultiDesk.
Installing the included NeoDesk CLI Icon
----------------------------------------
We have included an icon for the NeoDesk CLI. You can draw your own or
use this one. Some newer copies of NeoDesk 2.05 already have this icon
in the resource file. To add this icon follow these simple steps:
1) Run the NeoDesk Icon Editor.
2) Open the NEO_CLI.NIC file and "Load and Add" the NEO_CLI.ACC icon.
3) Drag the "new icon" icon over to the "*.acc" icon (it is the one
with the Atari logo). This will insert a brand new icon before it.
4) Copy the new NEO_CLI.ACC icon to the brand new icon that you just
created.
5) Rename the new icon you just copied to "NEO_CLI.ACC" and delete the
original CLI icon.
The main reason for this is to insure that the NEO_CLI.ACC icon falls
before the "*.ACC" icon. NeoDesk reads the icons from left to right,
top to bottom. This means that if it will assign the first matching
icon it finds to a file.
Piracy
------
If you are reading this file from a pirated copy of the program, then
please read what we have to say:
The Atari market is not very big. We are simple developers who are
trying to make an honest living from the software that we write. We
have worked very hard on this product and would appreciate it if you
could please buy a legitimate copy. We can only continue to produce
quality software for the Atari ST if the public continues to buy our
software. If sales are not sufficient, we will be forced to look towards
other means of income, since we still have to pay rent and we like to
eat every once in a while.
We believe that we are charging a reasonable fee for this software. You
get a complete manual and unlimited technical support. You also gain
access to future upgrades and other benefits. You can purchase a
legitimate copy from your dealer, or from:
Gribnif Software
P.O. Box 350
Hadley, MA 01035
Tel: (413) 584-7887
Fax: (413) 584-2565