Conference 7.286::atarist

>    Another thing I could use is a simple consistent GEM based
>    text editor which doesn't make any assumptions about the
>    file extention (*.PAS or *.C).  I guess I not a fan of EMACS.

You might by happy with the GEM version of SEDT (See topic 9.  I keep
SEDT on PRNSYS.)  It's pretty fancy, and all of your VMS reflexes work.
Of course, I don't use it, so I can't say much about it.

If you haven't toyed with the latest Emacs, you might want to consider
trying again.  The 3.9n version isn't full GEM, but desk accessories
are accessible by moving the mouse into the upper-right corner.  I've
used it with Thunder with no problems.  (Well, almost no problems. 
Sometimes it crashes on the first invocation of a desk accessory.  Write
your files out before calling on an accessory.)

About your previous question.  I wholeheartedly recommmend getting a
monochrome monitor.  You listed as your two most frequently used
applications:

	- Terminal Emulation
	- Word processing

These applications work much better in Monochrome due to the higher
resolution, and therefore, the better looking text.  I think Uniterm can
give you a 50-line mode in monochrome.  "Whack", my multi-session
terminal emulator (see topic 3) works great in monochrome, but only
so-so in color, due to the limitations on font sizes in medium res mode.

I don't know much about 1st word, but Publishing Partner is almost
unusable in monochrome, because their screen fonts are not tuned for
use in such low resolution.  The default font turns into globs.  (Some
of the loadable fonts are better in this regard.)  Works great (well,
it's more readable anyway) in monochrome.

    Re: .1
    
    Being a TPU user I have avoided SEDT.  However, if there is a
    GEM version out now I guess I'll give it a try.
    
    One reason I have avoided a monochrome monitor is the large
    amount of over scan the tube has.  I have heard that it can
    be adjusted to yeild a full screen image.
    
    
    Does anyone else have a wish list of items they would like to
    have or am I the only one who is dissatisfied?
    
    Martin H.

>    Being a TPU user I have avoided SEDT.  However, if there is a
>    GEM version out now I guess I'll give it a try.

Beyond the keypad, it doesn't resemble EDT that much.  It is reputed to
have some windowing capability, and I'm sure you can re-arrange the
keypad to feel like your TPU bindings.
    
>    One reason I have avoided a monochrome monitor is the large
>    amount of over scan the tube has.  I have heard that it can
>    be adjusted to yeild a full screen image.

There is no overscan in the Atari monochrome modes.  There is lots of
overscan in the color modes, as required by regular TV sets, but the
monochrome mode doesn't do any overscan at all.  Because of this, you
are forced to have black border around the image, instead of a solid
color (or white) border.

Of course, you are referring to the fact that the scanned area on the
monochrome tube is limited to an area of the center of the tube that is
much smaller than the face of the tube.  This is easily corrected by
adjusting the internal width and height controls, and more carefully
adjusting the focus.    
    
>    Does anyone else have a wish list of items they would like to
>    have or am I the only one who is dissatisfied?
    
Yes, I do have a list of software I'd like to have, and I'm writing it
fast as I can. :-)

        You should read note 137, replies .7, .9, .10, .11, and .13 if
        you are considering a monochrome monitor.
        
        As for tools, yes, one of the tools I would like to have is an
        Indexed file system (B-Tree type of file system). Looks like I'm
        going to have to write it if I want it.
        
        Bob

    Re: .4
    
    I keep mulling over the idea of writting a B-tree file structure
    for the ST.  I have no use for them though, I just like indexed
    files.  The main reason I haven't is that I just don't have the
    time.
    
    Martin H.

>I don't know much about 1st word, but Publishing Partner is almost
>unusable in monochrome, because their screen fonts are not tuned for
>use in such low resolution.  The default font turns into globs.

It's been pointed out to me that I meant to say "unusable in color". 
P/P is quite usable in monochrome, but doesn't work well in color.

Sorry if I confused anybody with this error.

    My wish list is to have a simple EDT type editor that requires less
    than say 32K so it runs in a RAM disk. SEDT is brilliant but requires
    too much memory and the EMACS supplied with the MJC PD compiler
    doesn't map to the UK keyboards. Also it would mean learning ANOTHER
    set of commands. By the way the RAM disk is on a 520 and is loaded
    with other things such as assemblers and compilers.
    Simple eh?
    ...Howard.

    > My wish list is to have a simple EDT type editor that requires less
    > than say 32K so it runs in a RAM disk.
    
       I use an editor that is edt based, I don't know how much memory
    it takes up, but I think it is in the 32K range.  It also works well
    under different operating environments (shells, and the like).  Will
    post it this evening, if I get the chance.
    
    Bill Powers
    

    I also look for an editor: It does not have to have any fancy
    formatting or all the other functions of a wordprocessor neither
    does it have to be fully GEM supported. Just a simple  screeneditor
    with insert/overwrite and perhaps <cntrl>-key based as good ol'
    wordstar. The nicest if accessible as accessory.
    Such an editor would help in all that cases where you just want
    to try something out by making some little changes in a .INF file
    or add a remark to a notesbook without performing any lengthy 
    programstartups. 
    
    Anybody has one?
    
    ---markus---
    
    ps:   I use the public domain monitorprogram TEMPLEMON. I alows
    all the things you want--- and you'll never see any bombs on your
    screen: DEVISION BY ZERO ERROR, PC=... USP=... SSP=... LAST INSTR=...
     
                                    
    

    Re .9
    
    There is an .acc called something like WORD400.ACC, which has a
    max of 400 letters and just opens a window when selected and has
    a normal ^z = write file. You can also toggle insert/overstrike.
    
    Problem is that I cannot remember where I got it from, and it is
    archieved at home. If I bring in the ST this week, I will upload
    it (on the LAT, got no modem to use from home).
    
    ����Martin
    
    PS. Keep this topic running , nice initiativ (<thats how I spell
    initiv)

    I need a new shell.  Up until now I have been using Gulam and I
    have been fairly impressed by it. The command recall and the IF
    command are really powerful.  I was never a fan of its built in
    EMACS though.  Recently I have started using microEMACS 3.9 and
    this editor doesn't work well with Gulam (or at least I can't
    get it to).
    
    Can anybody suggest another?
    
    Martin H.

    Re:.-1
    
    > I need a new shell.  Up until now I have been using Gulam and I
    > Can anybody suggest another?
    
    Yes... I recommend either micro C shell or multitasking C shell
    from David Beckenmeyer. They aren't free, but they're really solid.
    				- HBM

    Re: .12
    
    I was thinking of the multitasking shell but I heard many programs
    crash if multitasking is attempted.  Is it worth the extra expense
    over the strait shell?
    
    Do they both support command line recall and an IF construct?
    
    Martin H.

    re: .-1
        
    > Is it [multitasking c-shell] worth the extra expense
    > over the strait shell?
    
    Not in my opinion. I use micro c-shell all the time, and I can easily
    live without it. 
    
    > Do they both support command line recall 
    
    Mine doesn't :-(.
    
    > and an IF construct?
    
    Yes... standard c-shell syntax is supported.
    					- HBM

    I've been in the situation where I'm printing lots of files, some
    NLQ, some Elite, etc. 
    My wish is therefore a 'Print Queue Manager' with the functions:
    	Maintain a queue of 'jobs',
    	optional F/Feed between jobs,
    	different printing characteristics for different jobs,
    	queue editing (delete, etc)
    	priority (allowing sort-by-size/prio/date/etc.)
    	good spooler (with ability to 'panic-stop')
    	test-print facility
    	Accessory !!!!
   
    I've already started coding it. I opted for Lattice -C although
    my Prospero F77 and Modula-2 compilers were considered (the F77
    is BRILLIANT).
    However, as is always the problem, finding the time is difficult.
    If I knew that there was no such Accessory with the above
    functionality, I suppose I would put on a spurt.
    Anybody any comments (eg. "here's what you're looking for..." !) ?
                                                                
    
    Jim Burke 

    I just bought it today, so I cannot give you a review of it yet,
    but NeoDesk by Grifnib (sp?) software has a que manager (also allows
    batch files, 3 different icons for floppy, Hard, and Ram Disks,
    etc. And all for only 29.95! :-)
    
    Bob K.

>    I just bought it today, so I cannot give you a review of it yet,
>    but NeoDesk by Grifnib (sp?) software has a que manager (also allows
>    batch files, 3 different icons for floppy, Hard, and Ram Disks,
>    etc. And all for only 29.95! :-)
    
    Could you tell now something more about it ?
    Like : - Do you start it as an accessory ?
	   - No real ennoying bugs ?

    Cor