Staz: you have got to have the patience of a saint..(don't let the saint thing go to yer hed bubba..) futurebasic-digest-help@... wrote: > futurebasic Digest 10 Aug 2000 09:00:19 -0000 Issue 1400 > > Topics (messages 19780 through 19804): > > PICT resource in Dialog? > 19780 by: Hans van Maanen > 19781 by: Pete > 19782 by: Hans van Maanen > 19783 by: AlStaff.aol.com > 19786 by: Joe Lewis Wilkins > > Re: FN ChangeTypeCreator > 19784 by: Jamin > 19787 by: Lars Gafvert > > Turtle Graphics [FB^3/PG] > 19785 by: Stu Cram > > C++ help! > 19788 by: Sylvain Guillemette > > Re: How to get a feature added > 19789 by: Edwards, Waverly > 19793 by: Chris Stasny > > [FB3] Flashing elements upon unhiding a window > 19790 by: Paul Bruneau > 19791 by: AlStaff.aol.com > 19792 by: Joe Lewis Wilkins > > Pict'on, Pict'ed off. > 19794 by: Robert Covington > 19795 by: Robert Covington > > Finder Quits [X-FB] > 19796 by: tedd.sperling.com > 19797 by: Joe Lewis Wilkins > 19801 by: MattBeedle.aol.com > > Help systems > 19798 by: David Cottrell > 19799 by: Pete > 19800 by: Joe Lewis Wilkins > 19802 by: David Cottrell > > STR31 & STR32 > 19803 by: Michael S Kluskens > 19804 by: Alain Pastor > > Administrivia: > > To subscribe to the digest, e-mail: > futurebasic-digest-subscribe@... > > To unsubscribe from the digest, e-mail: > futurebasic-digest-unsubscribe@... > > To post to the list, e-mail: > futurebasic@... > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: PICT resource in Dialog? > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 13:40:56 +0200 > From: Hans van Maanen <hans@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > Hi -- > > Just a quick one: > > How do I put a picture, saved as a resource, in a dialog? > > I know how to do dialogs, but do I first make an (invisible) user > item? How do I put the picture in place, do I use a handle? > > Any help appreciated, > > Hans van Maanen > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] PICT resource in Dialog? > Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 21:46:05 +1000 > From: Pete <furbies@...> > To: <futurebasic@...> > > Hans van Maanen <hans@...> on 9/8/00 9:40 PM scribed : > > > Hi -- > > > > > > Just a quick one: > > > > How do I put a picture, saved as a resource, in a dialog? > > > > I know how to do dialogs, but do I first make an (invisible) user > > item? How do I put the picture in place, do I use a handle? > > > > > > > > Any help appreciated, > > > > Hans van Maanen > > Assuming that you're building the dialog in ResEdit: > > Add a pict item to the dialog/alert > > hth > > Pete... > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] PICT resource in Dialog? > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 13:57:39 +0200 > From: Hans van Maanen <hans@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > > > Hi -- > > > > > > > > > Just a quick one: > > > > > > How do I put a picture, saved as a resource, in a dialog? > > > > > > >Add a pict item to the dialog/alert > > > >hth > > > > See, I knew I was too quick. > I want the pict to change according tot the situation in the game. If > the player hits a Colonel, I want to show a dialog with a Colonel > (stored as a PICT resource), plus some text and an OK button. If he > hits a Major, I want to show the Major, etc... > > Hans > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] PICT resource in Dialog? > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 08:15:10 EDT > From: AlStaff@... > To: futurebasic@... > > >I want the pict to change according tot the situation in the game. If > >the player hits a Colonel, I want to show a dialog with a Colonel > >(stored as a PICT resource), plus some text and an OK button. If he > >hits a Major, I want to show the Major, etc... > > If you're creating the window in FB, use PICTURE FIELD. If you're using > resource dialogs, you need something like this: > > CALL GETPORT (oldport&) > Dlg&=FN GETNEWDIALOG(305,0,-1) 'get hndl for DLOG resource > LONG IF Dlg&>0 > ' set any DLOG buttons and text items here > CALL DRAWDIALOG(Dlg&) 'draw DLOG window on screen > CALL SETPORT(Dlg&) 'set grafport > CALL SELECTWINDOW (Dlg&) 'set output to DLOG window > ' any drawing you do now will be sent to the dialog window > pictH& = FN GETPICTURE (pictNum) > LONG IF pictH& <> 0 > PICTURE (100, 100), pictH& > END IF > > DO > CALL MODALDIALOG (0, but%) > > UNTIL but% = 1 OR but% = 2 > CALL DISPOSDIALOG (Dlg&) > XELSE > CALL PARAMTEXT("Can't get a needed resource.", "" , "" , "") > but% = FN STOPALERT (129, 0) > END IF > CALL SETPORT (oldport&) ' set output back to FB > window > > Al Staffieri Jr. > > AlStaff@... > http://members.aol.com/AlStaff/index.html > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] PICT resource in Dialog? > Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 07:53:41 -0700 > From: Joe Lewis Wilkins <PepeToo@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > Hans, > > Of course, if you're real lazy, the easiest way is to use a different > dialog/alert for each condition, with each one having its own, distinct > picture. This WILL use more resources and make your app larger in size. It > will also have the advantage of being "flicker free", and maybe even a bit > faster. I guess it depends on how many conditions you have. > > Joe Wilkins > > AlStaff@... wrote: > > > >I want the pict to change according tot the situation in the game. If > > >the player hits a Colonel, I want to show a dialog with a Colonel > > >(stored as a PICT resource), plus some text and an OK button. If he > > >hits a Major, I want to show the Major, etc... > > > > If you're creating the window in FB, use PICTURE FIELD. If you're using > > resource dialogs, you need something like this: > > > > CALL GETPORT (oldport&) > > Dlg&=FN GETNEWDIALOG(305,0,-1) 'get hndl for DLOG resource > > LONG IF Dlg&>0 > > ' set any DLOG buttons and text items here > > CALL DRAWDIALOG(Dlg&) 'draw DLOG window on screen > > CALL SETPORT(Dlg&) 'set grafport > > CALL SELECTWINDOW (Dlg&) 'set output to DLOG window > > ' any drawing you do now will be sent to the dialog window > > pictH& = FN GETPICTURE (pictNum) > > LONG IF pictH& <> 0 > > PICTURE (100, 100), pictH& > > END IF > > > > DO > > CALL MODALDIALOG (0, but%) > > > > UNTIL but% = 1 OR but% = 2 > > CALL DISPOSDIALOG (Dlg&) > > XELSE > > CALL PARAMTEXT("Can't get a needed resource.", "" , "" , "") > > but% = FN STOPALERT (129, 0) > > END IF > > CALL SETPORT (oldport&) ' set output back to FB > > window > > > > Al Staffieri Jr. > > > > AlStaff@... > > http://members.aol.com/AlStaff/index.html > > > > -- > > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to <futurebasic-unsubscribe@...> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] Re: FN ChangeTypeCreator > Date: 09 Aug 2000 22:32:01 +1000 > From: Jamin <benjamen@...> > To: <futurebasic@...> > > On Tuesday, 8 August 2000, lcs@... wrote: > > > > Wake me up guys if this functionality is already > >conveniently available --- which a priori seems > >overwhelmingly likely. Only one of the converters I > >have has this at all, and it is partial and > >inconvenient. > > > > > > Yeah, I think Quicktime Exchange does this. Open up your Quicktime control panel and select "Quicktime Exchange". > > This does it eveytime you open a folder, or is it when a file is created... > > Jamin > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] Re: FN ChangeTypeCreator > Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 20:03:27 +0200 > From: Lars Gafvert <gafvert@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > > On Tuesday, 8 August 2000, lcs@... wrote: > > > > > > Wake me up guys if this functionality is already > > >conveniently available --- which a priori seems > > >overwhelmingly likely. Only one of the converters I > > >have has this at all, and it is partial and > > >inconvenient. > > > > > > > > > > I don't know if there are any application that do that for you, but I'm actually developing something like that right > now. That was why I asked before about the Desktop manager application list thing. Though it is intended to be more > of a generic filetype/creator changer it could be used for what you want to do. > > /Lars Gafvert > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Turtle Graphics [FB^3/PG] > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 08:34:06 -0600 > From: Stu Cram <stu.cram@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > I've put together a small program (in FB^3 with PG) that emulates turtle > graphics (a very scaled-down LOGO) to be used to introduce my class to the > concept of a computer program. The turtle responds to just 6 simple > commands and students can write 'programs' to make it draw various designs. > They also develop some geometry concepts along the way. > > If anyone is interested in this, e-mail me privately for a copy of the source > > - Stu Cram, Regina, SK CANADA > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: C++ help! > Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 15:42:21 EDT > From: "Sylvain Guillemette" <futurebasic@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > Hi, > > I think my original message got lost somewhere > in the wires. > > Here it is again: > > I would like to know how I can > put ang get a long& at offset x > given a pointer in C++... > > 'FutureBASIC example------------------- > DIM MyBlock.128 > DIM MyBlockPtr& > DIM MyLongInt& > MyBlockPtr& = @MyBlock > > 'How do I convert the next two lines ? > > MyBlockPtr&.64& = MyLongInt& > MyLongInt& = MyBlockPtr&.64& > '-------------------------------------- > > My guess: > (*paramPtr)[64] = (long)MyLongInt; > and > MyLongInt = (*paramPtr)[64]; > > Could anyone shed some light on this please ? > > 'Learn C++ in 5 minutes' didn't work for me :-) > > Thanks, > Sylvain > > PS. I hope my email is not classified X-FB > because I think a little bit of knowledge > of C++ is not bad for FB programmers. > > ________________________________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: RE: [FB] How to get a feature added > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 15:50:26 -0400 > From: "Edwards, Waverly" <wedwards@...> > To: "'futurebasic@...'" <futurebasic@...> > > Now thats funny! > > W. > > -----Original Message----- > From: MattBeedle@... [mailto:MattBeedle@...] > Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 03:21 > To: futurebasic@... > Subject: [FB] How to get a feature added > > Here is my official guide on how to get your features added to future basic. > > - make it so real, you could almost see it, make up fake screen shots and > show him how awsome this feature would be. > > - mention the words 'class action law suit' every now and then > > - tell his mama he isn't being good, and tell bubba > > - send 5 emails a day to staz@..., and 1 to this list. > > - call STAZ each day in the morning, ask him if he saw your email, and call > him just before he leaves, to ask him to sleep on it. > > - tell him that you could get annoying if you have too > > + ------------------------------------ > + Matthew Beedle > + President & Co-Founder Foxchange Software > + http://www.foxchange.com > + Games 4 Mac > + http://www.games4mac.com > + FutureBASIC Village > + http://www.futurebasicvillage.com > + ------------------------------------ > > -- > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to <futurebasic-unsubscribe@...> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: RE: [FB] How to get a feature added > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 15:43:40 -0500 > From: Chris Stasny <staz@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: MattBeedle@... [mailto:MattBeedle@...] > >Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 03:21 > >To: futurebasic@... > >Subject: [FB] How to get a feature added > > > > > >Here is my official guide on how to get your features added to future basic. > > > >- make it so real, you could almost see it, make up fake screen shots and > >show him how awsome this feature would be. > > > >- mention the words 'class action law suit' every now and then > > > >- tell his mama he isn't being good, and tell bubba > > > >- send 5 emails a day to staz@..., and 1 to this list. > > > >- call STAZ each day in the morning, ask him if he saw your email, and call > >him just before he leaves, to ask him to sleep on it. > > > >- tell him that you could get annoying if you have too > > > >+ ------------------------------------ > >+ Matthew Beedle > >+ President & Co-Founder Foxchange Software > >+ http://www.foxchange.com > >+ Games 4 Mac > >+ http://www.games4mac.com > >+ FutureBASIC Village > >+ http://www.futurebasicvillage.com > >+ ------------------------------------ > > > >-- > > Matt is actually speaking from experience here. > > Best, > > -STAZ ~)~ > > 800.348.2623 Orders http://www.stazsoftware.com > 228.255.7086 FAX mailto:staz@... > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: [FB3] Flashing elements upon unhiding a window > Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 16:05:35 -0400 > From: Paul Bruneau <paul_bruneau@...> > To: FBII List <futurebasic@...> > > Hi- > > In my application, I hide a window, update a bunch of edit fields and > buttons, and then I show the window. > > Upon showing the window, the edit fields and buttons all disappear and > then reappear immediately, creating a disconcerting "double flash" sort > of effect. > > Has anyone else ever seen or solved this problem? The program does > basically this: > > Hide the window (with Window -x) > Change the contents of a bunch of edit fields (Using edit$(field) = "text" > Change the status of several checkboxes (Using the Button command) > Change the text content of some buttons (Using the button command) > Show the window (with a Window #x command) > > Then all the above elements appear on the window > > Then, like a millisecond or so later, all the above elements disappear > (window stays) > Then, like a millisecond after that, they all reappear. > > Then, my app's window refresh event happens where some drawing (using > quickdraw) is done on the window. (this part is fine) > > This problem has been around since my program was in FBII, and has > persisted into FB3. > > Help? > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] [FB3] Flashing elements upon unhiding a window > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 16:18:37 EDT > From: AlStaff@... > To: futurebasic@... > > >In my application, I hide a window, update a bunch of edit fields and > >buttons, and then I show the window. > > > >Upon showing the window, the edit fields and buttons all disappear and > >then reappear immediately, creating a disconcerting "double flash" sort > >of effect. > > > >Has anyone else ever seen or solved this problem? The program does > >basically this: > > > >Hide the window (with Window -x) > >Change the contents of a bunch of edit fields (Using edit$(field) = "text" > >Change the status of several checkboxes (Using the Button command) > >Change the text content of some buttons (Using the button command) > >Show the window (with a Window #x command) > > > >Then all the above elements appear on the window > > > >Then, like a millisecond or so later, all the above elements disappear > >(window stays) > >Then, like a millisecond after that, they all reappear. > > > >Then, my app's window refresh event happens where some drawing (using > >quickdraw) is done on the window. (this part is fine) > > > >This problem has been around since my program was in FBII, and has > >persisted into FB3. > > > > Some things to look at. No idea if any of these will solve the problem. > 1. Do any of the buttons or edit fields overlap slightly? I'm thinking that > could cause a double redraw. > 2. Try using AUTOCLIP = _false before the changes and AUTOCLIP = _true after > you're done. > 3. Try a VALIDRECT(windowrect) after you're done making changes. > > Al Staffieri Jr. > > AlStaff@... > http://members.aol.com/AlStaff/index.html > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] [FB3] Flashing elements upon unhiding a window > Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 13:19:28 -0700 > From: Joe Lewis Wilkins <PepeToo@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > Hi Paul, > > Just make your edit field and button changes, FB will handle the refreshing in > the doDialog FN automatically. Any hiding, or showing of them on your part is > what causes the flashing. This is not to say that you MAY not want to hide > the Window, make the changes, and then show the Window, but you may find that > even that is not necessary. The less you do, the better FB handles > everything. (Most of the time) When you do anything that the Window's record > will not know about, like drawing some lines, etc., then, yes, you will have > to do this refreshing yourself. The best approach is to make everything in a > window something that FB's Window Records will know about. > > I hope I haven't misstated anything, but I'm pretty sure that what I've said > is correct. > HTH, > > Joe Wilkins > > Paul Bruneau wrote: > > > Hi- > > > > In my application, I hide a window, update a bunch of edit fields and > > buttons, and then I show the window. > > > > Upon showing the window, the edit fields and buttons all disappear and > > then reappear immediately, creating a disconcerting "double flash" sort > > of effect. > > > > Has anyone else ever seen or solved this problem? The program does > > basically this: > > > > Hide the window (with Window -x) > > Change the contents of a bunch of edit fields (Using edit$(field) = "text" > > Change the status of several checkboxes (Using the Button command) > > Change the text content of some buttons (Using the button command) > > Show the window (with a Window #x command) > > > > Then all the above elements appear on the window > > > > Then, like a millisecond or so later, all the above elements disappear > > (window stays) > > Then, like a millisecond after that, they all reappear. > > > > Then, my app's window refresh event happens where some drawing (using > > quickdraw) is done on the window. (this part is fine) > > > > This problem has been around since my program was in FBII, and has > > persisted into FB3. > > > > Help? > > > > -- > > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to <futurebasic-unsubscribe@...> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Pict'on, Pict'ed off. > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 18:09:35 -0400 > From: Robert Covington <artlythere@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > Wisdom of this list, > > I have an app that opens PICTs using an old FB fn. > It returns a handle to the image. > > I have two questions, the first is specific to OS generated screen grabs, > the other is more general to all picts. > > 1. > >From the Offscreen gWorld bas example of yore and today: > > PictH = FN OpenPict > gRect;8 = [PictH]+_PicFrame > > Works fine usually. However when opening a screen grab PICT, apparently > Apple saves the frame in global coordinates, because that is what I get. > All other images I open work fine. > > Is it my responsibility in coping with this to check that if gRect.left and > gRect.top both <>0 and that I now need to tranlate the rect to one that is > more standard form (0,0,right,bottom), or is there something in the header > that will allow me to grab that without doing more work? Some other way > than the below... > > Long If gRect.left% or gRect.top%<> 0 > Blah blah translate > END IF > > 2. > I am stuck with screen resolution currently. If I open a PICT with a DPI > more than 72, FB scales it (or quickdraw does) down, the big shrink. > Basically I open 72 DPI PICTs, save them as 72 DPI PICTs, all I know how to > do currently. > > Reading through Inside Mac Quickdraw, I note that the DPI is stored within > the record for the image, and the you tend to have to multiply or divide by > your intended display resolution to get things looking right on screen if I > am correct? > > I need to know how to : > 1 Open a PICT that is at say 300-600 DPI > 2 Have it be on the screen at 72 DPI, or at whatever scale allows it to be > seen comfortably > 3 Be able to save the result back as the original or other DPI resolution. > > I hope I am clear enough for someone to understand . > > Thanks, > Robert Covington > > ps > >From some C code, I found this, but not sure how to implement it in a Save > (or get it from a read) > > picheader.srcRect = frameRect; > picheader.hRes = 72 << 16; > picheader.vRes = 72 << 16; > picheader.version = -2; > picheader.reserved1 = 0; > picheader.reserved2 = 0; > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] Pict'on, Pict'ed off. > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 18:49:34 -0400 > From: Robert Covington <artlythere@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > >1. > >From the Offscreen gWorld bas example of yore and today: > > > >PictH = FN OpenPict > >gRect;8 = [PictH]+_PicFrame > >Works fine usually. However when opening a screen grab PICT, apparently > >Apple saves the frame in global coordinates, because that is what I get. > >All other images I open work fine. > > I fixed question one myself. Grabbed my rects before I was offsetting the > main one before drawing. Moot problem now. (Argh.) > > Still in quest of DPI though! > > Thanks (and thanks Robert:)) > > Robert Covington > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Finder Quits [X-FB] > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 19:13:20 -0400 > From: tedd@... > To: futurebasic@... > > Hi gang: > > I'm still having problems with my Finder quiting while I'm doing email and > net stuff. We talked about this before, but I don't remember anyone coming > up with a solution -- has anyone? > > TIA > > tedd > > http://sperling.com/ > _______________________________________________________ > Thinking about buying Jewelry? > Try our site: http://earthstones.com > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] Finder Quits [X-FB] > Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 16:57:13 -0700 > From: Joe Lewis Wilkins <PepeToo@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > Hi tedd, > > I know that this is the obvious, but sometimes we overlook it. Finders > quitting has almost GOT TO BE associated with memory - one way or another. I > run my iMac on the Net from dawn to dusk and beyond and never have a Finder > quit on me unless I try to do something (use another application while I'm > doing eMail too) that requires more memory than I have. You didn't give us an > update on your Mac/Sys config so we can compare, but my iMac/333/96 RAM - 50 > MB for Navigator 4.5 never gives me a problem - except for the slowing down to > a few second halt/pause while I'm typing now and then. I think I've solved > this last problem by clearing a VERY cluttered desktop and rebuilding it - > though I'm not sure about that yet, having done it but a scant 2 hours ago. > > I recall Matt Beedle having the problem (or similar, to yours), but I recall > his commenting about diddling with his hard drive - maybe even a new one, > which fixed HIS problem, OR did he just decide to live with it - Matt doesn't > live with anything for too long. Can you believe that he must have put Staz > through? for real! > > Joe Wilkins > > tedd@... wrote: > > > Hi gang: > > > > I'm still having problems with my Finder quiting while I'm doing email and > > net stuff. We talked about this before, but I don't remember anyone coming > > up with a solution -- has anyone? > > > > TIA > > > > tedd > > > > http://sperling.com/ > > _______________________________________________________ > > Thinking about buying Jewelry? > > Try our site: http://earthstones.com > > > > -- > > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to <futurebasic-unsubscribe@...> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] Finder Quits [X-FB] > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 23:01:08 EDT > From: MattBeedle@... > To: futurebasic@..., PepeToo@... > > I had the same thing, but fixed it by deletin the Application menu in ResEdit > and making a new one > > In a message dated 8/9/00 4:58:10 PM, PepeToo@... writes: > > >Hi tedd, > > > >I know that this is the obvious, but sometimes we overlook it. Finders > >quitting has almost GOT TO BE associated with memory - one way or another. > > I > >run my iMac on the Net from dawn to dusk and beyond and never have a Finder > >quit on me unless I try to do something (use another application while > >I'm > >doing eMail too) that requires more memory than I have. You didn't give > >us an > >update on your Mac/Sys config so we can compare, but my iMac/333/96 RAM > >- 50 > >MB for Navigator 4.5 never gives me a problem - except for the slowing > >down to > >a few second halt/pause while I'm typing now and then. I think I've solved > >this last problem by clearing a VERY cluttered desktop and rebuilding it > >- > >though I'm not sure about that yet, having done it but a scant 2 hours > >ago. > > > >I recall Matt Beedle having the problem (or similar, to yours), but I recall > >his commenting about diddling with his hard drive - maybe even a new one, > >which fixed HIS problem, OR did he just decide to live with it - Matt doesn't > >live with anything for too long. Can you believe that he must have put > >Staz > >through? for real! > > > >Joe Wilkins > > > >tedd@... wrote: > > + ------------------------------------ > + Matthew Beedle > + President & Co-Founder Foxchange Software > + http://www.foxchange.com > + Games 4 Mac > + http://www.games4mac.com > + FutureBASIC Village > + http://www.futurebasicvillage.com > + ------------------------------------ > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Help systems > Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 11:41:35 +1000 > From: David Cottrell <David.Cottrell@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > Hi Guys > > While I tend to think good software rarely needs a help system, a large project I've been updating is so specialised it really does need one. > > I have just spent about 8hrs converting all my help documentation to html and have implimented the standard apple help. I would have to say I'm rapt with it. > > I get pictures, text, it is searchable, easily changed, very easy to get working (after allowing for spelling mistakes) and help from my app is available from the apple help centre as well as from a help menu which requires no coding on my part . It looks very professional. > > I get the benifit of being able to put the documentation on line with no extra work. > > Strongly recommend you have a look at the Apple Help SDK. > > David > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] Help systems > Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 12:22:25 +1000 > From: Pete <furbies@...> > To: <futurebasic@...> > > David Cottrell <David.Cottrell@...> on 10/8/00 11:41 AM scribed : > > > Hi Guys > > > > While I tend to think good software rarely needs a help system, a large > > project I've been updating is so specialised it really does need one. > > > > I have just spent about 8hrs converting all my help documentation to html and > > have implimented the standard apple help. I would have to say I'm rapt with > > it. > > > > I get pictures, text, it is searchable, easily changed, very easy to get > > working (after allowing for spelling mistakes) and help from my app is > > available from the apple help centre as well as from a help menu which > > requires no coding on my part . It looks very professional. > > > > I get the benifit of being able to put the documentation on line with no extra > > work. > > > > Strongly recommend you have a look at the Apple Help SDK. > > > > David > > I hope you used Australian spelling! > Spell Color with a u (colour) > > Pete... > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] Help systems > Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 19:44:57 -0700 > From: Joe Lewis Wilkins <PepeToo@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > Hi David, > > When you say "no coding", you mean the system allows you to paste text and graphics/pictures right into it and you only have to provide what - "topics" or "names" or "concepts"? Also, is it something that can be used by someone who is not online, though presumably they will > need a browser of some sort? The default browser is not IE I hope, or did Gates rope Apple in on that too. 175 M$ investments should only entitle so much! I've encountered several things on my Mac that open IE by default, and against my wishes. > > I lose track, but in the past day or so, someone suggested that "the Book" should be in HTML. Is this what was being referred to. It may have even been you David. > > Thanks for the info and insight, > > Joe Wilkins > > PS -- How's the speed of this thing? Particularly if it contains graphics. I trust it is not as slow as some of the Websites. > > David Cottrell wrote: > > > Hi Guys > > > > While I tend to think good software rarely needs a help system, a large project I've been updating is so specialised it really does need one. > > > > I have just spent about 8hrs converting all my help documentation to html and have implimented the standard apple help. I would have to say I'm rapt with it. > > > > I get pictures, text, it is searchable, easily changed, very easy to get working (after allowing for spelling mistakes) and help from my app is available from the apple help centre as well as from a help menu which requires no coding on my part . It looks very professional. > > > > I get the benifit of being able to put the documentation on line with no extra work. > > > > Strongly recommend you have a look at the Apple Help SDK. > > > > David > > > > -- > > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to <futurebasic-unsubscribe@...> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] Help systems > Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 12:58:54 +1000 > From: David Cottrell <David.Cottrell@...> > To: futurebasic@... > > >Hi David, > > > >When you say "no coding", you mean the system allows you to paste text and graphics/pictures right into it and you only have to provide what - "topics" or "names" or "concepts"? > > No- not quite, you construct html pages. There is no FB coding required to add the help system to your help menu etc. > > > Also, is it something that can be used by someone who is not online, though presumably they will > >need a browser of some sort? The default browser is not IE I hope, or did Gates rope Apple in on that too. 175 M$ investments should only entitle so much! I've encountered several things on my Mac that open IE by default, and against my wishes. > > It uses the apple help viewer (systems 8.5 -> X I'm told) > > > > >I lose track, but in the past day or so, someone suggested that "the Book" should be in HTML. Is this what was being referred to. It may have even been you David. > > Not me - I quite like the book. This is a help system that will at least survive the next OS update. > > Cheers > > David > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: STR31 & STR32 > Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 23:11:34 -0400 > From: Michael S Kluskens <mkluskens@...> > To: FutureBASIC@... > > It appears that STR31 & STR32 are not documented in the reference > manual as variable types, only STR255 is. Are they documented > someplace else? > > I know the editor and compiler in Release 2 recognize at least STR31 > (I didn't discover these myself, Robert Purves sent me an example > using STR31). > > Michael > > ps. I haven't seen Release 3 yet so I can't comment on it. I hope > the new features of Release 3 are documented somewhere. > -- > Michael Kluskens <mkluskens@...>, alternative <mkluskens@...> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: [FB] STR31 & STR32 > Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 08:45:45 +0200 > From: Alain Pastor <pixmix@...> > Reply-To: apastor@... > To: futurebasic@... > > Michael S Kluskens wrote: > > > It appears that STR31 & STR32 are not documented in the reference > > manual as variable types, only STR255 is. Are they documented > > someplace else? > > Hi Michael, > > You will find updated manuals on the CD Release 3. I have not yet received the > latest official CD and I don't know if Staz has left the revised date of the > definition that have been modified, but if this is the case I think you could > perform a search with the keyword revised and then browse all the changes in > the Reference manual. > > > > > > > I know the editor and compiler in Release 2 recognize at least STR31 > > (I didn't discover these myself, Robert Purves sent me an example > > using STR31). > > > > Michael > > > > ps. I haven't seen Release 3 yet so I can't comment on it. I hope > > the new features of Release 3 are documented somewhere. > > The Start here doc on the CD contains information about each release. I don't > know if Staz has added a separate revision doc, but the new features are > already presented, if not fully documented, on the Staz web site and on the > euro.futurebasic site. You won't find here info on STR31 though, this is not > an enhancement, it was just an omission recently pointed out by Robert again. > > Cheers > > Alain