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Conference bulova::decw_jan-89_to_nov-90

Title:DECWINDOWS 26-JAN-89 to 29-NOV-90
Notice:See 1639.0 for VMS V5.3 kit; 2043.0 for 5.4 IFT kit
Moderator:STAR::VATNE
Created:Mon Oct 30 1989
Last Modified:Mon Dec 31 1990
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3726
Total number of notes:19516

3384.0. "First impressions of the Bookreader" by RDGENG::HAYWARD (Peter from REO G5, phone 830 3025) Mon Sep 24 1990 12:36

        These are my comments after my first encounter with
        book-reader. 
        
        What I wanted to do was to read a file in DECW$BOOK reader
        format. 
        
        I started the Bookreader by selecting it from my
        Applications menu.  It started, and gave me the chance to
        look at a book named "Using the Bookreader".  All options on
        the two menus were grayed out (apart from Quit).  Two clicks
        on the book name and it opened. 
        
        One thing about all the applications under (behind ?)
        DECwindows is new windows are always created in about the
        most annoying place possible. For example, the long awaited
        DECwrite window splats right on top of the DECterm window as
        you're half way through reading a Mail... 
        
        Anyway, after discovering the "Contents" window (which was
        covered by the "Bookreader" window), I found my way round
        surprisingly quickly. I like the way the concept of a page
        has gone, and the speed in which navigation through
        documents is possible. 
        
        However, I've still not managed to read the document in my
        Login directory.  The book entitled "Using the Bookreader"
        had nothing relevant to me... 
        
        Eventually, after nosing here, and nosing there, I've not
        found a way to display my file, and I'm a Software Engineer
        (I hate to think what what my Secretary or Manager would be
        thinking).  Nowhere in the Bookreader can I find anything on
        how to read my book.  Also, no DCL Help was available for
        the Bookreader. 
        
        I managed to get the file opened, eventually, but I had to
        ask someone, which I believe 'is not on'...  If I may make a
        suggestion to the developers; Why not have an option on the
        "Control" menu allowing direct access to a .DECW$BOOK file ?
         Once-only reading of files is quite common, install guides,
        release notes, A.D. plans etc. 
        

        Regards, Peter Hayward.
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3384.1bulova::bookreaderCLTMAX::dickSchoeller - Failed XperimentMon Sep 24 1990 13:216
Peter,

You might get better response in the conference specifically on the bookreader.
BULOVA::BOOKREADER.

Dick
3384.2PSW::WINALSKICareful with that VAX, EugeneMon Sep 24 1990 15:1624
RE: .0

>        One thing about all the applications under (behind ?)
>        DECwindows is new windows are always created in about the
>        most annoying place possible. For example, the long awaited
>        DECwrite window splats right on top of the DECterm window as
>        you're half way through reading a Mail... 

Where should it go, then?

I'm not sure that there's a universally acceptable answer to that question on
a multitasking system.  Most PCs (including the Mac) are basically
one-application-at-a-time systems.  You start up an application, that
application has control of the system, and then when you're done with it,
control of the system transfers to another application.  In such an
environment, there is no question as to which windows ought to be on top.
The situation is different with DECwindows.  Suppose, for example, you had
started DECwrite and then, instead of reading through mail, you just folded
your arms and waited for DECwrite to come up.  You wouldn't want DECwrite to
come up behind the other windows on the screen.  You'd want it to come up on
top.  I'm not sure how the window manager could be programmed to divine your
intent in these situations.

--PSW
3384.3I'm a little confused - do you really have a file in bookreader format?CVG::PETTENGILLmulpTue Sep 25 1990 01:0820
If yes, then you're currently expected to have the knowledge of a `librarian'
and know how to `catalog' and `file' it.  If you refer to the bookreader
conference, you will find much discussion on that, and many other topics.
At this point it is a matter of priorities; would you rather have a better
assortment of books, or an easier method of cataloging things.  At the moment,
the primary focus is on getting as much as possible of DEC's publications and
of our third party software producers and major customers materials online.

However, not every file is in a format that can be handled by bookreader.
Bookreader requires a very specialized format; only recently has there been
an alternative to VAX DOCUMENT for producing bookreader format material, and
even at that DECwrite is providing very basic functionality compared to what
would be ideal.

And, with all the above to consider, there is a major requirement to hyperize
bookreader by interfacing it to MEMEX.

And, the last time I looked, the number of people working on bookreader was
well less than a handfull.  And much of the DECwindows is like that - 10
manyears of work for every 1-2 persons on the project.
3384.4PSW::WINALSKICareful with that VAX, EugeneTue Sep 25 1990 17:087
RE: .0, .2

By the way, my intent in .2 is to point out some of the design difficulties
that DECwindows faces in managing screen real estate.  I think that .0 has a
valid cricicism.  It's just that it would be difficult to do anything out it.

--PSW