DeskStar
by Mik Towse
                  
To be of real value this program should be loaded when booting the computer. The program uses the variable <DeskStar$Dir> to assess whether the application is already loaded, and thus prevents multiple copies sitting on the icon bar. The program unsets the variable when it is exited cleanly and after an error.


Purpose of DeskStar
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The main purpose of DeskStar is to execute '*' commands from within the Desktop environment. Since almost everything on the Archimedes can be run by the use of '*' commands, this can very useful. The facility to open directory viewers and/or Application directories is included. Another valuable feature is the Wipeout facility. This utilisies the ADFS *WIPE function to delete files.

Using DeskStar
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All the commands are entered in one of the three text files:

Apps  :  All applications which (generally) load onto the icon bar.
Dirs  :  All directory paths required to open a filer window.
Other :  All other OS commands.

For clarity these files should contain only the commands associated with the file name. However, any valid OS Commands may be entered in the Apps & Other files, but ONLY valid directory paths must be entered in the Dirs, because the program will prefix each directory path with the 'Filer_OpenDir' command.

A maximum of 20 commands will be read from each file.

If any of the above files does not exist, then it will be created. If the file exists but is empty, then the menu option associated with the file will not be selectable. This will naturally also apply to the file if it has just been created, since the file will be empty.

N.B. The 'Other' option will always be available, since the program always assigns the first command as the Speaker option.

Each command in the file must be entered on a separate line. The form required is a brief description (up to 12 characters), followed by a comma, followed by the OS command (i.e. <description>,<command>).

The sample files included are to show you the format necessary - they will not work on your machine unless you happen to have your applications/directories in the places described in the files.

It is only possible to enter a single OS command at each option. If more complex commands are required, then create a command file or Obey file and save this in the (say) library directory. The file can then be run by using the file name as the command.


Applications Menu
-----------------
This is intended for applications which install themselves onto the Icon Bar. The full path of the Application must be entered. Systems variables are allowed as part of the path name, e.g. <DTP$Dir>DTPprog.

N.B. If an application does not appear to have loaded (i.e. its icon has not installed on the Icon Bar) this is probably because the application's icons have not been 'seen'. Try adding the following line to its !Run file:

IconSprites <Obey$Dir>.!Sprites OR Run <Obey$Dir>.!Boot


Filer_Open Menu
---------------
The Filer_Open menu allows frequently used directories to be opened via the OS Filer_OpenDir command. For this reason the full path name of the directory must be used, and system variables must not be included in the pathname. This is due to a feature of Filer_OpenDir.

The facility to open Applications has also been provided. To use this facility simply drag the Application icon from the Filer window onto the DeskStar icon. Use Adjust when dragging to close the parent directory after the drag.

Because a Filer window may obscure the menu structure when it is opened, the Filer_Open menu does not observe the Acorn convention of remaining open when items are selected with the Adjust button. The other menus respond correctly.


Other Menu
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The Speaker option is always the first option on the Other menu. If another command is entered as the first item in the Other file, then it will be replaced. When the Menu button is pressed on the Deskstar icon, the current state of the speaker is checked so that the option can be ticked accordingly when the menu is drawn.

N.B. If the Other file is empty, then the Speaker option will still be provided.


Wipeout
-------
This option allows files to be deleted via the ADFS *WIPE command. For this reason there are four deletion options available on the sub-menu. Your preferred defaults can be saved, and will be reloaded when the application is run. The WipeOut facility can be disabled by selecting QUIT on the Wipeout menu. To reactivate Wipeout make the appropriate selection from the DeskStar menu.

N.B. If Wipeout is removed and reactivated, the default settings will NOT be reloaded. The last WIPE options selected will remain active.

Acknowledgment is due to Glynn Clements, whose DeskComm program in RISC User (Volume 4 Issue 2) inspired the writing of this version.
