QDT User Manual - jdh
Contents
1. Eventually this capability will be linked into the Filelnfo2 capabilities and the user can choose for QDT default viewers Filelnfo2 defaults or the before mentioned object specific choice Unknown File These files don t fit neatly into any of the above categories Clicking on them will not do anything unless a specific program is set to launch for the individual object or the object s file suffix associates it with another executable object Printer The intent for this object not yet developed is to allow the user to have one or more printers each tied to its own object After being setup then another object could be dropped onto the printer object and printed This could be a file in a native print format or if a viewer or object specifically assigned program is available that program would launch and print the file This is very preliminary and will likely change before it is ultimately implemented File Management There has been multiple requests for a File Management type folder similar to the File Thing that comes with QPac II The idea here is that this can be used instead of the File Thing or similar File Manager and will be tightly integrated into QDT allowing dragging and dropping between folders and it For example it would be possible to place a File Management object into a folder for a project which would open the directory within it of all the files for the project Without this object individual objects have2. t be too useful Example 1 a text object this would normally point to a text file somewhere on the disk When viewing it or clicking on it a separate program either the default viewer or a user assigned one will open the file for viewing and or editing or some other purpose When this object is deleted or moved the original file is not affected in any way Itis kind of like a post it note with the name of the original file and a note as to where the file is The post it helps the user find the file quickly But when the user throws away the post it the original file still exists even though they might never find it again Example 2 QDT Desktop object this actually points to not just a file but to a couple of databases The first is the actual desktop structure DESKTOP_QDT which is transferred and accessed from local memory during operation and the second is the ICON library ICONLIB_QDT also kept in local memory during operation Example 3 Normal Folder this just points to a data structure It is a piece of the QDT Desktop data structure and can optionally contain objects within it If the user tries to delete a folder when there is still something contained within it QDT will warn them and prevent the folder from being deleted until itis emptied This avoids the loosing of objects within the folder by mistake Data structures and Saving Changes QDT keeps two primary sets of data plus several arrays of text and poin
3. an install problem DESKTOP_QDT qdt log QDT User Manual Page 23 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins B Software License and Warranty The following is a direct copy of the license that is included with the QDT package It can be read from within the QDT installer where the user agreement is required before the installation can be continued The text can also be found in the QDT DOCS_ directory as license_txt QDT QL Desktop License All Official Full Release Versions Copyright 2004 2005 James D Hunkins JDH Software Technologies gt All rights reserved This is a legal agreement between you and JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins covering your use of QDT and any programs included with the original package the Software Be sure to read the following agreement before using the Software BY USING THE SOFTWARE REGARDLESS IF YOU HAVE REGISTERED THE SOFTWARE OR NOT YOU ARE AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE AND DESTROY ALL COPIES IN YOUR POSSESSION The Software is owned by JDH Software Technologies and is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions Therefore you must treat the Software like any other copyrighted material e g a book or musical recording Redistribution of this release package in any form is not permitted Distribu
4. 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins QDT in several cases will lock a window down so that it can not be picked This occurs most commonly when a window calls a separate window such as a drop down menu or a notebook The original window is unlocked when the called window is closed If the user changes their mind and doesn t want to do an entry in one of these called windows in most cases they can do an ESC to get back to their original calling window Auto Boot vs Manual Start The installer when the Easy install or Advanced install with building a boot file are chosen assumes that QDT should autoboot every time the QL is started It therefore places the following line into the boot file assuming the QDT location is wint_QDT_ EX wint_QDT_BIN_QDT_EXE If autoboot to QDT is not desired simply remark this line out QDT can then be manually started after the first reboot by going to the QDT binary directory and typing EX QDT_EXE The QDT binary directory is the QDT main directory that was designated plus BIN_ The user must in either case make sure that all the QDT specific global variables plus any other recommended boot file changes have been included before starting QDT which is why a reboot is normally required QDT Icon Hot Key Access The primary control for QDT is either through its Desktop Icon or through its HotKey menu access A drop down menu gives the options shown
5. QDT User Manual Version History 12 12 04 Original 12 30 04 Fixed SMSQ E version requirement in appendix 01 23 05 Version 1 00 Added user feedback updates throughout Copyright 2004 2005 James Hunkins JDH Software Technologies Website http www jdh stech com Contents QDT User Manual Contents Documentation Overview Introduction QDT Overview Major Features Objects and Misc Desktop Folder Standard Folder Executable Folder Executable Program Text or Graphic File Unknown File Printer File Management Thing Utilities Tabbed Configuration Notebooks Icon Draw Utility OO0WWDWAWWAOAAININAIAIANADAN os w Ll Job Manager Default Icon Manager Theme Manager Installer Integrated Cross System Help Tab LaunchPad Viewers Primary Concepts Objects Data structures and Saving Changes Garbage Collection Saving Desktops Job Ownership Basic Controls Mouse and Keyboard Entries Drop Down Menus 15 Scroll Bars 16 Moving Objects 16 Text Editing 16 Components Detailed Operating 17 Basic Notes 17 Rename an Object 17 Menu Sensitivity 17 Icon Refreshing 17 Locking Windows 17 Auto Boot vs Manual Start 18 QDT Icon Hot Key Access 18 Hotkey Access 18 Desktop Objects 19 Folder
6. and feel of QLs to modern standards e Makes use of hi color and higher resolutions e Full set of support tools QDT User Manual Page 6 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins e Automatic and easy to install and maintain e Open architecture o fully documented O make usable for other programs users Objects and Misc QDT works with what are called objects An object is simply an item gt gt that represents something such as a file an executable program a i printer etc Different types of objects can have different activities and properties assigned to them a The following is a list of all objects currently being planned Desktop Folder This is the main desktop It is the same as a standard folder but e ai can t be deleted and always occupies the entire screen Its background is actually the SMSQ E background The desktop has no loose items found in a normal window so all control instead is Figure 3 Objects done through the QDT object s dropdown menu or through the QDT represented as Icons hotkey dropdown menu All objects sit directly on the desktop as separate programs windows Other windows can sit on top of or behind any of its objects Standard Folder A folder is an object that can contain other objects It can exist on the desktop or within any folder It can be opened into a visible folder on the desktop It is represented by an icon which can display w
7. are Technologies James Hunkins If the Advance install option is used the user picked their own key from the list of available ones If Easy install was used the installer automatically picked the first available key in its priority list that it could find see the Installer User Manual for more information If QDT is not running but the user tries the HotKey the menu program will run But the program will see that QDT is not present and simply quit itself without doing anything Desktop Objects Table 4 Desktop Table 5 Desktop Folder Icon File lcon Menu Menu Desktop objects also have View V Open O If closed drop down menus that vary Properties P Close C If open their content depending on the Rename R Execute E Only for type of object and its state Move M exec type Refresh S Properties P Table 4 shows the normal Delete D Rename R desktop file object menu for About B Move M i both text graphic and unknown Help H Resize Z Only if open files Note that if an associated Refresh z program is not assigned to an unknown type object Add New Obiect A jec then the View option will not actually do anything Add New Folder F About B Refresh in all desktop object menus will affect the Help H desktop icons Table 5 shows the desktop folder menu The entry is dependent on whether the folder is open or not The Execute option onl
8. asic command line WM_MOVEMODE n Value 0 the standard QL move sprite is used Value 1o0r2 if CTRL F4 or picking M from the menu standard QL move sprite is used if clicking on Move from the drop down menu and holding the mouse button down then the outline n 1 or the full icon text n 2 is displayed during the move allowing for more accurate placement Within a folder the full icon image less the text is always visible during an object move regardless of how the move is initiated The first release of QDT does not support object moving between folders This will be enabled in a future release Text Editing When changing labels or filling in text boxes within notebook direct text editing is done with most of the standard QL editing keys along with the standard characters The following table outlines the special function keys used for text editing Table 2 Text Editing Keys Left move cursor left one character Right move cursor right one character Alt Left move cursor to the first character on the left Alt Right move cursor to the last character on the right Delete deletes character under the cursor Back Space deletes character to the left of the cursor Shift Left moves cursor to first non ASCII character to the left such as an or Shift Right moves cursor to first non ASCII character to the right such as an or _ Enter exits edit mode and
9. aunchPad optional e Integrated Cross System Help e Enhanced Icon Draw The major update mechanism being planned is through internet downloads and through the normal distributor floppy drive update methods The QDT installer is being enhanced to add updating capabilities without requiring a full re install each time Through 2005 all updates will be at no charge as additional functionality is added The final functionality level at the end of 2005 will depend on the actual interest in QDT Note that there is a minimum set that is expected to be implemented regardless QDT User Manual Page 29 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins
10. d not be visible Menu Sensitivity Commands from a drop down menu affect different things depending on from where the menu is dropped commands from a folder menu within the folder or from the folder s icon affects the folder directly EX Adding an object adds it to the folder itself not to the desktop or anywhere else EX Deleting will delete the folder itself commands from the QDT icon or the hotkey menu affects the desktop in general EX adding an object here places it directly on the desktop commands from a non folder object just affect that object Icon Refreshing Unfortunately with the current PE capabilities if a window is moved out from under an object s desktop icon that has transparent pixels it still isn t possible to avoid garbage left behind in the icon s transparent sections To clean this up choose refresh from any Desktop object which will cause the desktop to redraw all its icons cleaning up the transparent sections of each This is not an issue within a folder as the icons are drawn directly within the folder window No other windows can get between them Refresh from a folder menu does refresh the icons within that folder just in case it does somehow get corrupted Methods to monitor window stacks are being thought about but this will be fairly complex and is considered a low priority enhancement for a potential future release Locking Windows QDT User Manual Page 17 of29 Last updated on
11. deletions etc occurred it might eventually run into some internal limits of which the user would be warned If this ever does happen simply restart QDT Saving Desktops The internal binary structure of the DESKTOP_QDT file introduces the concept of a local desktop Basically any change done on the desktop is not permanent unless the user physically tells QDT to save the desktop to disk This allows the user to change their desktop for a specific session but keep the original desktop image intact for next time Upon quitting if QDT sees that changes have been made locally but not saved to the disk it will ask if it should save the current desktop QDT does offer the options to archive desktops and recover them up to 4 ata time Please refer to the Desktop Notebook section of the Notebook User Guide for information on how to use this Eventually an additional ability will be available to allow for the maintaining of multiple desktops and switch between them between sessions and even during a session it will require a restart This will be handy if different users use the same system each can have their own desktop or if the user has different types of activities projects that the system is used for Individual desktops can be customized for the specific uses helping to improve workflow efficiency on the computer A limited version of this capability is currently available from the Desktop notebook Job Ownership When a pr
12. distributor for software updates contact JDH Software Technologies by email for assistance at contact jdh stech com NOTE Please do not include this email address in any forum email or websites an attempt to avoid turning it into a spam magnet Always check the website for updated email addresses etc Contacting JDH Software Technologies When contacting JDH Software Technologies for assistance it is very important that you ALWAYS follow the following guidelines to avoid delays and to help us support you better 1 Include in the subject line QDT support 2 Cut and paste the following form or directly enter it into the email body QDT Info QDT Purchaser your name QDT Serial Number QDT Version Number get this from the About selection in the Desktop drop down menu Component Involved if known open folder icon on desktop icon in folder drop down menu notebook etc Detailed description of problem What steps did you go through to make it happen QDT User Manual Page 22 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins Is it reproducible What steps have you tried to work around it System info System Type QPC Aurora Q40 Q60 etc QPC Version if applicable SMSQ E Version Hard drive size Memory size 3 Include the following files if an install or update problem QDTinstall_log DESKTOP_QDT if it generated it if not
13. dware Requirements Configuration Optimal Minimum Drive Type Hard Drive Flash ROM Drive Drive Size Memory 4 Mbytes Resolution 800x600 512x256 Color Mode Hi Color Hi Color Notes 1 not yet supported Software Table 9 QDT Software Requirements Type Operating System SMSQ E v3 07 or higher Windowing System Pointer Environment Included Software QMenu Freeware Shareware Filelnfo2 Env_bin QDT User Manual Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies Page 27 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 James Hunkins F Additional Manuals and Technical Documents As of the latest update of this manual the following documents are either available or in preparation User Manuals QDT Quick Start Guide QDT Installer User Manual QDT Notebook User Manual QDT Icon Draw User Manual Technical and Other Documents QDT Icons Technical Reference G Other Included Software Licensed QMenu Copyright 1992 2003 Jochen Merz Software this is only included with the full release not the demo Share Freeware Filelnfo2 Copyright 1993 1999 Thierry Godefroy documentation included in package Env_bin no copyright found Part of QDOS C68 distribution Original Version Dave Nash C Code Modification Dave Walker SuperBasic Interface Dave Woodman unzip Copyright 1990 1999 Info Zip QL Version developed by Jonathan R Hudson documentation
14. e G e e e e e G m m e o o s o lelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelele oooo sses feleleleha TT Titi elelelelena ooooooooo0oo0o0 oo00 ess elelee Icon Draw Utility e allows a user to draw or modify icons e allows a user to import icons from different systems formats Icon Draw is complex enough and has enough planned enhancements that it gets its own User Manual Please refer to it separately for details There will be a location on the QDT website for sharing of user designed icons Job Manager e Lists running and sleeping jobs e Filters can limit visible jobs e Allows job manipulation e May have additional functionality such as Hot Key configuration This utility has not yet been released QDT User Manual Page 10 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins QDT Icon Manager Co 2661 JD Hunkins Lets 2 Q m Heip rh E Restore Lib Not Implemented Yet Update Icon Defaults Reset Icon Library Restore Icon Defaults Figure 6 Default Icon Manager Default Icon Manager e restores the default icon set e allows a user to override the default icon set with their own custom set QDT comes with its own built in default icon set which are used for initial new objects if an icon is not specified or if an icon is not found These are hard coded within QDT as they are critical for the basic operation The Default Icon Manager has
15. ead is the QDT Notebook User Manual This document gives full details of every notebook information and function available Notebook details are purposely kept at the minimum in this manual This particular manual is laid out in sections which can be jumped to directly For details please see the contents at the start of the document A short highlight of sections and who may want to read them follows here Introduction page 4 this is a friendly introduction to the whys and concepts behind QDT gt not required but should be useful to everyone QDT Overview page 6 this gives details on the structure and architecture of QDT gt mostly for the technically inclined Useful if the user runs into some confusion about why something is done or how something is supposed to be working Basic Controls page 15 covers how to run controls such as mouse keys scrolling etc gt everyone should read this Components page 17 covers all the components and how to use them gt everyone should read this Appendix If You Have Problems page 22 gt if the user has a problem that can t resolve this is required reading BEFORE contacting JDH Software Technologies Appendix Software License and Warranty page 24 the same as in the Install process gt this is what the user is agreeing to by using QDT please read it Appendix Files and Variables page 26 covers naming and required file suffixes locations gt if
16. hether the folder is open or not if the user chooses it to do so This is done by simply defining a different icon to use for when the folder is open versus when it is closed It can contain any type of object other than the desktop object including other folders Executable Folder This is the same as a standard folder but set up to execute an object within it without being opened When picked the default mode is that it runs the executable file within it An optional menu choice is to open it like a normal folder These are useful to group things that are used or required by an executable but to also hide them from normal everyday view Executable Program This type of object can be executed It is basically just an executable file program Command lines can be added to load files when it is launched or access any other functionality that the executable allows with command line parameters QDT User Manual Page 7 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins Text or Graphic File These objects represent either text or graphics files If the object is a text file then clicking on the object will launch the viewer with the file displayed Fora graphics file if the viewer understands the format then the viewer will be A launched and the file displayed T On a object by object bases an override can be made and a specific program can be set to launch when clicking on the object
17. in Table 3 All these functions work directly on the desktop The properties will bring up the desktop notebook which controls the overall desktop functionality plus many of the standard QL system activities such as screen resolution wall paper and screen savers One of the QDT configuration options that is available is to not display the QDT object on the desktop If this is done then the only way to access this menu will be through the HotKey method Table 3 QDT Menu Properties Move Refresh Add new Object Add new Folder Save Desktop Quit About Help LPS l O lt TN Pozu CAUTION do not disable the QDT icon display if the hotkey option is not activated The only way to quit QDT in that case will be to force quit it Adding objects to the desktop will also not be possible Hotkey Access For the HotKey access all the same functions are available except for the Move selection During the install process if every HotKey was not already used very unlikely QDT will have assigned a hot key This hot key will call a program that generates a QDT drop down menu from anywhere on the desktop The user does not have to find the QDT icon to do this Primary commands such as Quit Restore Save and Add are included for easy and quick access see Table 3 for the full list of commands QDT User Manual Page 18 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Softw
18. in what a desktop is Think of a physical desktop at home where someone keeps items like papers folders of like items such as bills a favorite picture or two tools such as a calculator pens and pencils etc Now move this idea to a computer On the screen one might have e anote or two always displayed e some folders which when opened contain documents of some type e another folder which contains programs QDT User Manual Page 4 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins e a folder with programs of a certain type inside it such as a calculator or notepad e apicture of the user s significant other or cats as in my case Looking at a few of today s systems the current QL typical desktop without QDT can be seen on the left of Figure 2 Directly to the right of that is an image of a typical windows desktop L Giaphcs PP A Lotus Customer Suppoit CHS suten Ad Addes Back C Ulitise t E Caula gaa e a alz tanet Exploier ut op ate ET IBM Upda Corrector CA Nonon Clears B Wirdows Upiate QA Obiect Desktop f G Notscape Smartlipdate a Epson gs A F 2 Files Micosolt Referance Pf a toe Favotes ZIKB GIF Image CD Docunents n hot AKB GIF imags A Settings 7KB GIF Imags B OtjacZip ind ms rane 17KB GIFimo 3 24 07 10 57 Pv TE Run Log OF JHUNKINS eA Shit Down Rint SuRERS oad Figure 2 Desktops QL Before QDT and Wind
19. inary icon library database directory QDTBIN_LOC QDT executable file directory QDTTHEME_LOC QDT theme file directory QDTBACKGND_LOC QDT background file directory QDTDOC_LOC QDT documentation directory QDTHELP_LOC QDT help file directory Primary Files Desktop_QDT QDT desktop primary database do NOT hand edit DeskTop_xxxxxxxx_QDT Archive of QDT database XXXXXXXX iS an 8 digit hex number giving a time stamp in seconds standard QL time ICONLIB_QDT QDT binary copy of Icons in use by current desktop xxxx_ICON QDT icon file xxxx_THM QDT desktop themes file xXxxx_STUP QDT startup file Special Files None QDT User Manual Copyright 2004 2005 Page 26 of29 JDH Software Technologies Last updated on 01 23 05 James Hunkins D Limitations Table 7 QDT Demo vs Full Install Limitations Full Install Demo Notes Time Unlimited 30 days_ From date of install Total Objects 500 15 All desktop objects including QDT as one Total Folders 100 5 Total folders in the desktop Objs in a Folder 100 5 Total objects within any one folder E System Requirements For any capabilities this advanced there will be minimum system requirements Here are the QDT hardware and software requirements that are anticipated Please note that the minimum requirements are just that minimum Many of them will impact the quality of the user s experience with QDT but at least it will run Hardware Table 8 QDT Har
20. included in package QDT User Manual Page 28 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins H Design Philosophy Optimize for high color higher resolution e back design for lower Make usable to wide range of users e but don t cripple to support minimum user scenario Reuse and integrate as much of today s existing software as possible e take full advantage of built in and available capabilities Optimize for performance and code size e balance I Release Plans and Updates The code release will be in phases Here is a list of how it is expected to occur The initial column will be the first release Then in approximate priority the items and support in the follow up column will occur It should be noted that even though some of the support will not be initially available the architecture of QDT and code development is being done to ensure a smooth addition of capabilities during the release process Table 10 QDT Release Plans Initial Follow up Hard Drive Required Flash ROM support High resolution and color optimization Full Color Palette Base package Add ons e Basic Desktop Folders and Objects e Drag and Drop e Installer for QDT e Tabbed Config Notebook e basic Tabbed Config Notebook all features fully enabled not all features will be enabled e Job Manager e Icon Draw e Objects Printer FileManager Thing e Theme Manager e Icon Browser e Tab L
21. inimal or expanded desktop automatically e Includes object program search and setup The installer also has its own User Manual Integrated Cross System Help e Hot key activated help for QDT and individual programs e Hot link and illustration capabilities built in This utility has not yet been released Tab LaunchPad e An alternate way to launch programs e Organized in tabbed groupings in an object icon strip This component should be considered a proposed add on Final commitment to produce it has not yet been made QDT User Manual Copyright 2004 2005 Page 12 of29 JDH Software Technologies Last updated on 01 23 05 James Hunkins Viewers QDT has the capability of calling separate programs to view both text and graphics files A default viewer is available for both types along with the overrides per object that can be set in individual object notebooks The viewer is simply a user designated program that is launched when a text or graphics object is clicked on with that related file loaded into the viewer Primary Concepts It is important that the user understands a few basic concepts behind how QDT operates Objects An object is a non physical thing It is simply an icon on the desktop or in a folder that refers to some physical action and has related properties It is even possible for an object to not point to any real file or data and just contain the default values when it got set up Of course that wouldn
22. l open folders are made up of different control areas e Top Loose Items Table 6 Folder e Optional Scroll Bars Loose Items e Open Folder Area e Object Icons Item Short Cut Menu F3 Table 6 shows the loose items and their function going from left to Move oe right For the most part they are standard pointer environment controls Resize ENEES There are a few variations to the standard behavior as follows His Refresh CNT F2 Resize right or down shrinks the window Up or left enlarges it Ea T Title picking this allows the title to be edited without opening the folder s notebook Refresh on a sufficiently fast system unless there has been folder display corruption the results of this selection may happen too fast to be visible Close many users may think of this as a sleep icon and would basically be correct However instead of drawing a separate button the folder just let s its parent object folder icon know that it is closing so that the object can redraw its icon to the defined closed icon image After that the folder physically closes itself and quits its local executable an open folder is actually a separate program that is owned by QDT The scroll bars are only displayed if there are objects that aren t visible because the window is too small If the folder window is enlarged enough the scroll bars will be removed QDT User Manual Page 20 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Co
23. lifornia If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of the Agreement or portion thereof to be unenforceable that provision of the Agreement shall be enforced to the maximum extent QDT User Manual Page 24 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins permissible so as to effect the intent of the parties and the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect This software package may include licensed code from other developers as noted below along with voluntary contributions made by many individuals For more information on JDH Software Technologies refer to the website http Awww jdh stech com Graphics Color Development Support Thorsten Herbert Italy Additional Icons By Roy Wood England Included licensed code in non demo version included in the QDT pricing QMenu menu extensions Copyright 1989 97 Jochen Merz Software Included Non licensed code no charge distribution Fl2config_obj Filelnfo2 FileInfo2_bin Filelnfo2_txt Fl2config_help Copyright 1993 1999 Thierry Godefroy MenuConfig 02 Copyright 1992 2003 Jochen Merz Software QDT User Manual Page 25 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins C Files and Variables Global Variables QDT_LOC QDT base directory location of QDT desktop database file QDTICON_LOC QDT icon directory QDTICONLIB_LOC QDT b
24. nu usage All menu selections can be picked by either a LMB or RMB selection or by pressing the key that is underlined within a menu entry To quit a menu without selection anything simply press the ESC key or click on the ESC icon rice panies View Properties Properties Move Rename Move pias al Refresh Add New Object T Add New Folder Delete About i opn ene He Lp GUL About Help Figure 8 Context Sensitive Drop Down Menus QDT User Manual Page 15 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins Scroll Bars If an open folder has more objects than can be displayed then either vertical and or horizontal scroll bars are displayed within the folder window The width of the darker section is directly related to the visible space versus the space left that would be required to display the other objects which are outside of the folder window Clicking to either side will redraw the window one standard row or column offset from its original position If clicked on the solid part in the middle no response will happen A standard offset is the spacing used by QDT when adding new objects to a folder or the desktop Resizing the folder so that all objects are visible will automatically remove the scroll bars Moving Objects While moving objects on the desktop the is in some cases controlled by the MOVEMODE which is set with the SuperB
25. ogram is launched from within QDT it is owned by QDT and not by job 0 as would be the case when launching a program from SuperBasic This means that if a program is running and QDT is exited or heaven forbid crashes the program will also close and potentially loose any unsaved data To prevent accidental data loss when exiting QDT the desktop will check to see if there are any open programs owned by QDT If it finds any it will let the user know and give an option to abort the quit until the programs have been gracefully exited On the other hand if everything has been saved from the programs and the user doesn t have any concerns about file corruption or other potential issues then they could always choose to just quit and let all the programs conveniently get closed for them CAUTION some programs keep files open while they are running and potentially could corrupt those files if closed forcefully In other words the user should allow the forced closing at their own discretion own risk QDT User Manual Page 14 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins Basic Controls There are multiple ways to trigger QDT to do things They all include the mouse and or keyboards but have visibly different mechanisms as described in this section Mouse and Keyboard Entries The following table shows the response to different mouse and keyboard entries depending on where they occur RMB
26. ows 98 na fai ThirkPed Le ee Many of the components needed for a desktop do exist in the current QL systems Windowing Environments e Pointer Environment tools pieces and framework e ProWesS vectored fonts message passing Utilities e File Managers e File Viewers text and graphics eempenents Disk Directories e Hot Keys e Buttons normal and menu e Q Menu Pointer Driven Menu File Directory Selection e Filelnfo2 File Associations In the world of PCs and Macs the computer user finds operating systems with built in desktops such as Windows 3 1 98 or XP Macintosh 9 or X OS 2 Solaris X Windows etc These all include very comprehensive desktop features and capabilities But of course they come with a price personally find the three worst costs associated with all of them being QDT User Manual Page 5 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins 1 the shear size and complexity of the code 2 the overhead to run the large code base 3 the difficulty to program for them The concept behind QDT is to use as much of the existing pieces of code on the QL system as is possible and fit a wrapper around everything adding functionality where needed QDT takes advantage of several shareware and commercial programs already available to enhance and expand its capabilities and usefulness The following sections will outline the major feat
27. perties e They can access o QDT system and object properties o Config Block Properties o Global Properties o Program specific properties from a designated file To handle the large variety of configurable items within QDT and its components the tabbed notebook approach was taken to manage and present this information Each type of object has QDT User Manual Page 9 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins its own notebook with multiple pages accessed through tabs Please refer to the separate Users Guide for the Tabbed Configuration Notebooks for details i jejeje goo is o ooooooo000 SSS S888 88888888 00000000000 jelelelelelelelelelelels PTT TT Ti Ti iti iii peelsl l lelsiclelelel oooooooooo0o00 ooopoooooo0o000 oooooooo0000 ooooooooooo0 LD Dele lelelelelelelelele lelelelelelelelelelels s ooopoooooooooooo SRERERERE Import Close Return lt Copy BER o s o s o s o s o Ss S on nie of ne oe ae an ne be nie ee oe be BEBE PER ERE RERBEE BEB SEEEEEE tiehene enceng 5 seen LLLLLL a BER a TELTE ELLLLLLLLLLLLLLL PTT IT II i i ii ii TT TTT 3 Beea BE oOo 5 f di o SEBBEBEBE jelelelelelelel M L o eee slslsls sls s s s s s s s s s bad me a ooo leleleleisisieleleleisisisieleleieisisis s Figure 5 Icon Draw Utility Seeeeeeee TTT PTTTTITILIIii n e G e G e e e
28. pyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins The open area between objects is considered the RMB menu selection area Doing a RMB in this area will pull up the same drop down menu that the menu loose item or the parent folder icon generates See Table 5 for a list of menu contents Same as a folder on the desktop Objects within Folders As on the desktop objects are represented by icons within folders By clicking on the icons or the text underneath them different functionality occurs as described in the Table 1 Key and Mouse Entry Actions in the Basic Controls section The drop down menus in this case are the same as those gotten with the desktop objects as shown in Table 4 and Table 5 Other Windows There are several other small windows used by QDT for communications with the user The three most common are Warning Error WARNING Not done yet 4a The warning error reporting window will display a W for a warning or an E for an error A warning is something that is non critical An error is something that has caused an important operation to abort The top message is a category level quick response The Figure 10 Warning Error Message larger window gives additional details as appropriate Window User Response This kind of window will either display an aor pt ia ia Me eae aerate informational message with a single OK button or E ask a particula
29. r type of question with 2 or more o No buttons to choose from Short cut keys are available for any button with an underlined letter Figure 11 User Reponse Window which represents the actual key to be used The current operation will not continue until a button is pressed or ESC is hit If an escape is entered this will be treated as a No or QDT the aL JDH Software Abort response DeskTop Tech 62004 Version About QDT v 62b I0bject v6 62b The about window gives fundamental information about QDT including versions numbers release notes etc Beta release Written by James Hunkins Special thanks go to all the contributers to SNSQ E UMAN and this project Figure 12 About Window QDT User Manual Page 21 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins Appendices A If You Have Problems If you run into any issues and or problems the following are suggested methods to approaching the understanding and resolving them double check the user manual to make sure that you understand how the feature that you are trying to use works check the included readme files for known issues work arounds and unimplemented features check on the QDT website http Awww jdh stech com for e updated lists of issues etc e trouble shooting assistance e software updates check the QL email users lists or your local user group for assistance check with your QDT
30. s 19 Objects within Folders 21 Other Windows 21 Warning Error 21 User Response 21 About 21 Appendices 22 A If You Have Problems 22 Contacting JDH Software Technologies 22 B Software License and Warranty 24 C Files and Variables 26 Global Variables 26 Primary Files 26 Special Files 26 None 26 D Limitations 27 E System Requirements 27 Hardware 27 Software 27 F Additional Manuals and Technical Documents 28 User Manuals 28 Technical and Other Documents 28 G Other Included Software 28 Licensed 28 Share Freeware 28 H Design Philosophy 29 I Release Plans and Updates 29 QDT User Manual Page 2 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins Documentation Overview The QDT User Manual is designed to supply as much information about how to use QDT and the way it works as possible A lot of design detail is included to help the user understand some of the design decisions and how particular behaviors actually work For a quick start it is recommended that the user read the QDT Quick Start Guide first which gives an overview of everything from the install procedure through the basics of QDT After that this manual will help fill in many of the details allowing the user to take advantage of many of the additional items not covered in detail in the Quick Start Guide In addition to this manual there are others that describe in detail different important components One that is a must r
31. saves the edited results ESC exits edit mode and restores the original entry discarding any edits done Text label editing starts in insertion mode Notebook text editing is always in overwrite mode Object labels can be up to three lines in height at up to 16 characters per line To force a line return use the characters n These two characters will not be displayed and do not count as QDT User Manual Page 16 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins part of the 16 characters per line limit They instead will force a line return when the text is displayed on a notebook or on the desktop The two characters will be displayed in the notebook for reference and editing Components Detailed Operating Basic Notes Rename an Object Renaming can be achieved by either choosing Rename in the drop down menu or by right mouse clicking directly onto the object s text field A separate window is opened which displays the current text Most standard QL editing controls are supported To enter a line return use the two characters n Up to three lines of 16 characters of text per object name is allowed If a line exceeds 16 characters it will get wrapped to the next line on the screen If an accidental wrap around occurs and extra line returns are used forcing 4 or more lines or if there are 3 or more line returns the top lines will scroll out of the text region an
32. stands for Right Mouse Button alternate is RETURN key LMB stands for Left Mouse Button alternate is SPACE key and TEXT is direct text entry If a shortcut key is available it has the same response as RMB does Note most shortcut keys are only active if the cursor is in the window where the shortcut key is displayed Table 1 Key and Mouse Entry Actions Location Entry Response Icon QDT LMB No action Icon Desktop or LMB Opens folder or executes program or viewer Folder __lfa folder is already open this picks the folder to the top Icon All RMB Opens a drop down menu Icon Text QDT LMB No action Icon Text Desktop LMB Opens folder or executes program or viewer Or Folder __lfa folder is already open this picks the folder to the top Icon Text All RMB Opens text editing window for icon text Folder Empty area LMB No action Folder Empty area RMB Drop down menu for folder Desktop Empty area LMB No action Desktop Empty area RMB No action Desktop Any HotKey Desktop drop down menu similar to QDT Icon menu e Assumes that HotKey has been enabled Drop Down Menus Drop Down menus are used extensively throughout QDT to give multiple options Depending on the location that the menu is called from the selections vary depending on what actions are available in that particular situation Figure 8 shows two different menus illustrating the context sensitivity of each me
33. ters When it is not running data structures are kept on the disk only When QDT starts up it loads the physical structure database kept in DESKTOP_QDT into memory in a binary form for quick access and manipulation The second structure is the ICONLIB_BIN file Upon startup QDT rebuilds this database from the DESKTOP_QDT file and the individual ICON files referred to in the desktop file This structure stays in the disk file during operation When building this structure QDT sets up a list that points into the file for each icon that it may need and only loads the Icon into memory from QDT User Manual Page 13 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins the structure as needed This is very fast due to the small icon size plus the fact that QL caches files in memory that it has accessed as long as there is enough memory to do so Garbage Collection At the point QDT only partially reuses space when something gets deleted However this type of activity isn t that common per a single session and limits are high enough that it was decided to not perform live garbage collection during a session Garbage collection which would tend to slow down the system and potentially add a lot of extra complexity The current design does begin with all structures clean every time QDT is restarted If however QDT was to be left running for very long extended periods of time and a lot of text changes object
34. the user runs into file conflicts or can t find files this is useful Appendix Limitations page 27 covers demo vs full release limitations gt if the user gets exceeded type message check here for size count limits Appendix System Requirements page 27 gt use to verify that the user s system can run QDT properly Other Appendices gt only for those who haven t had enough yet or might want to thank some of those who have contributed to this effort QDT User Manual Page 3 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins epe Windows NT C drive CMMEES O A pory t rno O at mt GOT trte onty Pee aa a Arg ee ree Len F oai tene vet e Gec ii err4 19 Gec ii e2470 Goc i2 USs35045 Gec t i 20m Pal Q 2 20m 4 joe Ed1Edab8 Figure 1 QDT the modern QL Desktop Introduction The Sinclair QL systems have over many years grown and developed Today based on the original powerful but basic multitasking operating system the QL user community has nearly everything that they could want With the introduction over the last several years of true vector drawing capabilities hi color drivers and the soon to be introduced network access capabilities my personal conjecture and hopes there is only one other major piece missing a true modern desktop environment This is where QDT the QL Desktop comes into the picture First it may be appropriate to expla
35. tion is only allowed through authorized distributors as per agreements made exclusively with JDH Software Technologies Use of this package is permitted by the original purchaser only for their own personal use Separate copies can be put onto different computers as long as only one copy is in use at one time the book usage concept and all copies are only used by the purchaser of this license and or his immediate household or organization Distribution of any additional included software not developed by JDH Software Technologies is controlled as per documentation included with all such software Any usage outside of this described model must receive specific written authorization from JDH Software Technologies The Software and its related documentation are provided AS IS and without warranty of any kind and JDH Software Technologies expressly disclaims all other warranties expressed or implied including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose Under no circumstances shall JDH Software Technologies be liable for any incidental special or consequential damages that result from the use or inability to use the Software or related documentation even if JDH Software Technologies has been advised of the possibility of such damages In no event shall JDH Software Technologies liability exceed the license fee paid if any This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ca
36. to be added to a folder The File Management object would also allow for copying deletion etc of files just like any modern day file management program does This also is very preliminary Thing There might be an special type of object s to launch and or control things with command lines similar to the capability built into Qascade This is just in the initial concept stage and may or may not become reality QDT User Manual Page 8 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins Utilities There are many additional pieces utilities which are used with the QDT desktop Here is a short list and description of each one For more information and image captures of each component go to either the Component Detailed Operating section for it or its separate User Manual as appropriate Y Object IconOpen StartUp YArchive YDisplay Screen Desktop Startup File none E Show Desktop Object on Desktop Use Restore Desktop Alternate File DeskTop _52A90880_0DT lt lt CAUTION gt gt Either button REPLACES Change Restart your Desktop file tart Seve Desktop Save desktop to current choice Seve desktop to alternate desktop Management Programs Theme Manager ODT Configuration Notebook DeskTop Figure 4 Tabbed Configuration Notebook Tabbed Configuration Notebooks e Configuration notebooks are used to setup objects and to set change pro
37. two functions Currently it is used by QDT during startup to initialize and include the default icons in the ICONLIB_QDT binary file which holds the active desktop icons It will be possible in the future to override the default icons to some other user preferred icon The Default Icon Manager will be updated with this functionality included at a later date Theme Manager e allows designing of a desktop and folder color and background theme e allows users to import and share their theme designs There will be a location on the QDT website to allow for sharing of user defined themes This utility has not yet been released QDT User Manual Page 11 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins garam eS ODT The GL Desktop Installer Introduction Read Ne License Select Destination Installation Type Installing Updati Boot File E i Running Program DataBase Scan Parsing drives for desktop object candidates Parsing drive option 1 uini Skipping drive option 2 no selection made Skipping drive option 3 no selection made Starting to build desktop gt Building DEVELOPNENT folder Building COMMS folder Building APPS EDIT folder ildi Setting Up Building APPS folder Desktop Finish Up D o O o O o s s Figure 7 Sample screen from QDT Installer Installer e Automatically installs or updates the QDT suite of programs e Can setup a m
38. ures and components of QDT QDT Overview Major Features The following is a list of major features and concepts included in the QDT architecture and design e Folder Icon Object Based Desktop Environment O O Desktop Icons and Folders both are called objects Objects each object has a prescribed behavior related to different mouse and key strokes Folders Normal store other objects including other folders Folders Executable same as Normal but can execute a program contained within or elsewhere Executable Files these can be directly executed Text Files these can be loaded into a QDT default or user defined program Graphics Files these can be loaded into a QDT default or user defined program Unknown Files these can be loaded into a user defined program Common Look and Feel O O Independent override per object folder Configuration notebook setup for desktop and objects folders e PrinterDrag and Drop of Objects includes file objects onto executable objects program e Independent Windows Jobs takes full advantage of SMSQ E multitasking e Each desktop object is its own job e Uses SMSQ E message passing e Common items windows menus are independent can be moved anywhere on screen e Integration of Existing Software O O O O file association automatic launching of programs by file type drag and drop scratchpad copy paste text and images QMenu e Updated look
39. y shows up for an Executable folder type The default click option for an Executable folder is to Execute the designated program and not to open or close the folder itself The only way to open an executable folder is through its drop down The resize option is only available if the folder is open Most of the entries in this folder menu will directly affect the folder For example if Add New Object is chosen then it is placed within the folder even if the folder is not open at the time The one exception to this is the Refresh command which refreshes the desktop objects To refresh the folder s objects the folder s menu from within the open folder or a loose item s within the opened folder menu must be accessed As was mentioned previously clicking on a normal folder object which is already open will pick that folder to the top This is a convenient way to dig out a buried folder if there is too much clutter on the desktop Folders Folders can hold any type of object A typical folder with its drop down menu activated is shown in Figure 9 An object icon can be added and placed anywhere within a folder They can even overlap However which one is selectable is not well defined so this is not recommended QDT User Manual Page 19 of29 Last updated on 01 23 05 Copyright 2004 2005 JDH Software Technologies James Hunkins Refregh Figure 9 Folder and Folder Menu Add Neu Obj ec Add Neu Folder o For contro
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