AmiDock
version 1.2.4
02/06/91
by Gary Knight
What is AmiDock? For those of you familar with the NeXT computer this
will be a short explanation. AmiDock is an Amiga version of the NeXT's Dock.
AmiDock is (of course) more versatile and not as limited as it's NeXT cousin.
OK, now for those of you not familar with the NeXT computer. AmiDock
will provide you with a number of buttons on the WorkBench screen that when
pressed will launch other programs. These buttons are fully configurable to run
any program you want with a single press.
Here a a brief run down of the features of AmiDock:
* AmiDock can run programs that need a CLI or the WorkBench.
* AmiDock uses IFF brushes for the button imagery. The brushes used are
standard IFF files and can be customized to your individual wants and
desires. In fact many of the programs you will add to the dock will need a
brush created for them. I have included a Dock Image Grid for this
purpose, but more about that later.
* AmiDock is compatible with WorkBench 1.2, 1.3, and 2.0 and will run on
any Amiga computer with any amount of memory. (I must say that AmiDock
has not been tested on an Amiga 1000 computer, although I don't forsee
any problems to running on that machine.)
* Amidock supports an unlimited number of buttons. The buttons are kept in
a single line (column or row) and can extend beyond the screen boundaries
with the use of the two scroll arrows.
* AmiDock can be moved around the screen like any normal window, and
can be configured as a vertical column or a horizontal row.
Ok, now what do you need to get up and running with the program?
1) You will need a copy of the arp.library in your LIBS: directory.
This has been included. AmiDock uses the arp.library for it's file
requester.
2) You will need to copy the AmiDock program to your C: directory.
3) Copy the Dock directory to your hard drive or your WorkBench
Boot Floppy. The Dock directory contains the following files and
directories:
Dock/
Interlace/
DockImageGrid2.iff
MainDock/
<misc brush files>
dock.config
Non-interlace/
DockImageGrid1.iff
MainDock/
<misc brush files>
dock.config
4) Lastly assign DOCK: to the directory where the configuration file and
the brushes are kept. This will be either the "Dock/Interlace/Maindock/"
directory or the "Dock/Non-Interlace/Maindock/" directory depending on
if you run your workbench in interlace mode or not. The only difference
in the files are the size of the brushes. The interlace versions are
larger than the non-interlace ones. Either one will work on any screen
(interlaced or not). AmiDock when run from the workbench uses the DOCK:
assignment to find its config file and brushes. This assignment should
be added to your startup-sequence. AmiDock will also use the DOCK:
directory if run from the CLI with no argument given. The only argument
AmiDock takes is the path to it's config file.
5) execute AmiDock.
6) AmiDock comes pre-configured to run a variety of programs. You will
want to re-configure the dock to run the programs you have.
Misc Stuff
In this release the brushes associated with a given dock.config file must be in
the same directory as that dock.config file. The brush requester will allow you to
enter a brush from a different directory, but AmiDock will not recognize the brush
if it is not in the same directory as it's dock.config file.
AmiDock does not need to be "run", it will set itself up as a background process
and return control to the CLI. AmiDock can be added to your startup-sequence and it
will allow the startup CLI to close. If you are using AmigaDOS2.0, AmiDock can be
placed in the wbstartup drawer, just remember to add a tool type of DONOTWAIT to
AmiDock's icon.
AmiDock accepts 1 argument when run from the CLI. This is the path to the config
file and brushes. ex: amidock dh0:dock/interlace/maindock - this will use the path
"dh0:dock/interlace/maindock" as the path to the config file. If AmiDock is run with
no arguments it will use the DOCK: assignment.
The Text button in the Add/Edit/Delete window does not work. (yet..)
Pressing it will not cause any change in operation, AmiDock will still use the
brush.
Included in this distribution should be two files called "DockImageGrid1.iff"
and "DockImageGrid2.iff". They are non-interlaced and interlaced versions.
These files are IFF ILBM pictures of many pre-defined button image's and a bunch
a blank ones that you can fill in with your own designs. To create a new brush or
add a pre-defined one, load the DockImageGrid?.iff into a paint program (DPaint),
draw your new brush inside one of the blank buttons or find a pre-defined you like,
and grab it as a brush. Make sure that the edges of the brush are the edges of the
button. Save the brush in the directory of the dock you want to use it on. If you
come up with any interesting brushes be sure to upload them or mail them to me so
I can include them with future releases of AmiDock.
I want to say a word of thanks to the management of Soft-Logik Publishing Corp.
for the use of their facilities in the distribution of AmiDock. While this is
not in anyway a product of Soft-Logik's they have nonetheless been very supportive
of me while I was developing it (by giving me a day job). A special thanks to
Deron Kazmaier, Dan Weiss, Brad Kazmaier and Mike Loader for their help in
seeing AmiDock born.
Last but not least, AmiDock is a shareware program. AmiDock is not Public
Domain or Freeware. AmiDock is freely re-distributable providing all the files in
this distribution are kept intact. Please give (do not sell) AmiDock to anyone you
like. As stated, AmiDock is a shareware program and as such I request a fee of
$25.00 if you use this program.
When I receive your monetary contribution I will make you a registered user
and send you a "real" manual that explains in greater detail the workings of
AmiDock. As a registered user you will be entitled to free upgrades (via on-line
services) as long as AmiDock remains a shareware product and a discount if
(and hopefully when) AmiDock goes commercial. If you are registered and would
like a copy of the latest version from me, just send a blank floppy and a SASE
that can hold the floppy, and I will send you the latest free of charge. I have
big plans for AmiDock, but they will only be realized if the product gets support
from the Amiga community. In order to make the further development of AmiDock
worth the time and energy needed I need your contributions.
Well that's about all for the readme file. A complete description of the
program and all it's features will be supplied in the manual which you will receive
when you send in your registration card (see below) and money. Please mail the
card and your check (drawn on a US bank) or money order payable to me (in US
Funds) at the address listed below:
Gary Knight
3200 Patterson Place Dr #307
St.Louis, Mo. 63129
I hope you find this program useful! If you have any comments or bug
reports I can be reached by e-mail on:
GENIE: Deron K.
CIS: 76317,3633
BIX: dkazmaier
the Soft-Logik BBS: Quill, or #292
You can also drop me a letter at the address listed above.
Thank You!!!!
cut here and return with payment
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USER REGISTRATION CARD
Product: AmiDock v1.2.4
Name:_____________________________________________________________
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Description of Hardware:__________________________________________
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Primary Use of Hardware: ___Home ___Business ___Fun ___Other
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