>!StartTask.!Help

                                 StartTask
                                 =========

                        Multiple Application Loader

                 Package Version 0.82, Document Version 0.23

                  (C) Martyn S. Lovell 11th October 1989

Contents
========

1. Introduction

2. Using StartTask 

  2.1 Before using StartTask
  2.2 Making task lists
  2.3 Executing task lists
  2.4 Menu Options

3. Program Information

  3.1 Version history
  3.2 Thanks
  3.3 Planned changes
  3.4 Notes for users  
  3.5 Shareware information (Please read this)


1. Introduction
===============

   StartTask allows the user to start up groups of applications and execute
commands withing the RISC OS desktop. It was designed to provide the same
facility as the -file option of the *Desktop command at any time rather than
just as you enter the desktop. It is also possible to set up files that load
a group of applications when double-clicked and immediately quit StartTask,
making its operation 'invisible'to the user.

   This document describes version 0.82 of StartTask, a beta-test copy.
Please report bugs as soon as possible. A full release will come quite soon.
Even if you don't find any bugs I'd be very interested in your comments on
sections 3.3 and 3.4. You can contact using any of the means described in
3.5.

2. Using StartTask
==================

2.1 Before using StartTask
--------------------------

  You should have a disc with the StartTask icon on it. Double click on the
icon. Click menu on the StartTask icon which is on the right of the icon
bar. Move the pointer out to the right of the option 'Configure' and onto
the sub-option 'Reset'. Click select. Then select 'Quit' from the StartTask
menu. You have now reset StartTask to its initial state.

2.2 Making task lists
---------------------

  A task list is a file containing any commands that can be executed at the
* prompt, including any valid application startup command. You can create a
task list with the !Edit application or with any application that can save
plain text (or ASCII) files.

  It's also possible to create a task list that has its own icon. This sort
of list can be executed simply by double clicking on it. To make one, simply
make a text file version and then issue the command.

  *SetType <filename> TaskList                     

  You should ensure that the StartTask application has been visible in a
window before issuing this command.

2.3 Executing task lists
------------------------

  To execute a task list simply drag its icon the the StartTask icon. You
can initially drag files of type Text, Command or Obey, but you can change
this (see later).

  If the task list has its own icon it can be run simply by double clicking
on it. 

  It is possible to make a tasklist cause StartTask to quit when the list is
exhausted. Simply add the line |StartTask_Quit (exactly that line, with the
same capitalisation) somewhere in the file. This feature allows you to start
sets of applications at one go and then get rid of StartTask, making its
action invisible. An example might be:
  !Edit
  !Draw
  !DTP
  |StartTask_Quit
to load a set of applications suitable for desktop publishing.

  Errors will not stop a task list. If you want to stop a task list
prematurely, press both ALT keys at the same time. (This process will not
work when an error dialog box is visible. In this case you should click OK
and then immediately press both ALT keys at the same time.)

2.4 Menu options
----------------

2.4.1 StartTask menu

  About ...
    Click Select or Adjust to bring up a program information dialog box.
  About ... -> brings up a program information dialog box.
  Configure -> brings up the configure menu
  Quit
    Finish StartTask.

2.4.2 Configure menu

  Filetype -> brings up the filetype dialog. You can enter a numeric value
for the TaskList type. After a Reset this is set to 711. Note that if you
have already made some TaskList files you will have to *SetType them again.
The new type takes effect immediately.
  Accept type -> brings up the Accept type menu.
  Reset
    Click Select or Adjust to reset the program configurations to their
initial values. Filetype is set to 711 and the Accept types options are set
to Text, Obey and Command.

2.4.3 Accept type menu

  Any type
    When this option is ticked then you can drag any type of file to the
StartTask icon. When unticked the types able to be dragged depend on the
other options. You can change the tick status by clicking Select or Adjust.
  Command
    When this option is ticked command files can be dragged to the StartTask
icon.
  Obey
    When this option is ticked obey files can be dragged to the StartTask
icon.
  Text
    When this option is ticked text files can be dragged to the StartTask
icon.

3. Program Information ======================

3.1 Version history -------------------

Version 0.80 20th September 1989
  A pre-release beta test version. Version 0.81 21st September 1989
  Fixed close of about box. Version 0.82 11th October 1989
  Modified icons (thanks, Kevin)
  A few tidyups in the code
   
3.2 Thanks
----------

I'd like to thank Kevin Turner for making my icon for this look nicer and
for all his support and advice during its development.

3.3 Planned changes
-------------------

The following changes are 'in the pipeline':

  Automatic centring of About... dialog (waiting for RISC OS PRM)
  New icon?
  Redo type handling?
  Create new tasklist (save dialog)
  It occurred to me that it might be useful to be able to add a line
|StartTask_Wait to a task list. This would bring up a dialog box with
Continue, Stop and Quit buttons in it. This would allow TaskLists to take
some user interaction in the middle. Would anyone find this useful?
  SubLists? |StartTask_Call <fsp> would execute a tasklist then return to
the current one. Would you use this?
  Loops (|StartTask_Do <N>, |StartTask_Next)
  Repeats (|StartTask_Repeat _Until <OS_Variables condition>)
  While...
  |StartTask_Chain <fsp>
  There's a lot I *could* do to make StartTask more versatile - none of the
above would be very hard. Would you like them done? Let me know...

3.4 Notes for users
-------------------

  Since this is still in 'beta-test', I'm very interested in user comments.
Things of interest to me are, in particular:
  Can it work in a Slot of less than 32k? I only have a 440 (ahhh ;) ) and
can't test less than 32k.
  Do you think the configure options are useful? What would you add or
remove?
  Any ideas for a better icon?
  Do you like the error handling? What would you prefer? Thanks, in advance.

3.5 Sharware information
------------------------

*** Users of other shareware written by me please note - the text below may
*** look the same as others but it is not. Take a few moments to look through
*** it for differences, please. 

*** This has been substantially modified for this RISC OS application.

This package contains:
StartTask 0.82 (21st September 1989): RISC OS application

   The software contained in this package is Shareware. The word 'Shareware'
means many things to many people, so I'll explain what I mean. In fact, some
people would call this 'freeware' or 'public domain software' but it hardly
matters what you call it - your obligations are set out below.
   The program is free. You may make any number of copies and give them away
to anyone (subject to the condition that you give them ALL the files in the
package). You may not sell this software, or use it otherwise for personal
gain without my permission. If you wish to post it on your Bulletin Board or
include it in your Shareware library then that, too, is fine.
   If you want to add any part of the code or data to one of your programs
for your own use, then that's fine too. If you want to add it to something
you plan to sell, or otherwise release as copyright material (whether for
gain or not) then you'll need my permission - I retain copyright on this
program.
   If you like this program and find it useful then I would appreciate a
small donation of, say, 5 or 10 pounds (since this is the result of quite a
lot of work). This donation is a voluntary contribution.
   If you send a donation and say which version of the package you have then
I will send you an update if there is one. This disc will also contain
up-to-date copies of as much of my shareware as will fit, plus any other
stuff I can fit. There may be no update, since this program is nearing
completion. Thus I don't guarantee that, if you send me money, I'll send you
a new version of the program. You will, however, get a disc with things on
it. If you'd prefer to wait until there is a disc with a new version on it
then please say so. In this case you'll get a thankyou note.
   This program has been tested with RISC OS 2.00.  It is not suitable for
Arthur 1.2.
   This software carries no warranty, either express or implied. I've tested
it and, to the best of my knowledge, there are no bugs. If you come across a
bug then I'd be delighted if you got in touch with me. I can't guarantee to
fix it but I'll probably have a good try. My address is:
        Martyn Lovell
        16, Fairwater Park,
        Barnwood,
        Gloucester.
        GL4 7HF 
No telephone calls please. 
However, I can be contacted as:
Cix:       MartynL 
Janet:     ZCEEB02@UK.AC.UCL.EUCLID 
Interspan: Contact via Janet at above address 
Eureka II: Martyn Lovell (112) 
Note that, during university terms, I read all this EMail sites regularly 
but in the holiday periods I may read them less regularly. 
For bug reports please send the following information:
        Machine Type
        OS Version
        Software Version
        Modules Installed
        Modules Unplugged
        Podules Installed
        Drives Installed
        RAM Available
        Monitor Type
        Other applications installed
        Type of file in use
        Is the bug repeatable?  

and everything else that seems relevant.
 