This is a rho-version of my 'AntiTask' program...

  And this is a rho-!Help text, which means, that it is brief. Very
brief :-)

AntiTask will allow you to stop multitasking and run a single
application alone. 'Why on earth would anyone want to do that!?!' you
may ask.
  This is why: It is very fine, that some programs perform their
miracles while others continue to run. But for some purposes (eg.
raytracing, mandelbrots etc.) you are quite aware, that the process
will take several hours. And you know, that if you move the mouse a
millimeter, let alone dragging a window or crashing the machine, this
time will increase. So you don't move the mouse, but go away and do something else.
  Who needs multitasking when you're sleeping? Sysop's, yes, but what about the rest of us..?
  And if you don't need it, there's some speed to gain from disabling
it. Fortunately, good written programs allow you to click on a 'Single
task' option, but not all.

  Use AntiTask.

  When you've started it, you may be able to select the program to
single-task in the iconmenu. If, it isn't there, you will have to
start AntiTask *before* the other program.

  Once selected, you start the program doing whatever it ought to, and
click on the AntiTask icon. It should become red, and multitasking is
now stopped.
  Should you wish to restore the situation, hold down 'Action'. When
the light becomes green, you are able to proceed.
  Try running one of those 'demo in a window's to see what I mean.

  Finally, you should know this:
  This is a definite kludge, and therefore may present problems
together with certain programs. Until now, I've experienced these:

  1. RiscOs 3 has a new WindowManager, so there's a chance it won't
     work with it. I haven't been able to test this.
  2. AntiTask grabs the SWI-vector, and certain programs (which does
     the same, but in a dirty way) will not work with it.
     'TurboFontList' is one.
  3. The way in which singletasking is done, is by returning from
     a call to Wimp_Poll or Wimp_PollIdle at once. Now, Wimp_PollIdle
     isn't meant to return until after a specified time, so some
     programs get confused when it comes back instantly. This is bound
     to happen, and I don't see a way around it... if you do, say so!
     Anyway, the result is, that when restoring multitasking, these
     programs continue to wait until some time THEY'VE calculated has
     elapsed. So nothing happens for a while after you've pressed
     Action. One can live with it, but it's annoying.

Otherwise, it seems to be ok, so enjoy it while you are away!

Thomas


