GenericList v1.0 Documentation ------------------------------ GenericList is a quick and dirty GS/OS shell program for listing text and source files. Rather than loading your clumsy editor or using the aggravating type command from the APW/ORCA shell, use GenericList! Features: GenericList is a clean and to the point program which will load a text file and display it. You can scroll up and down, left and right, at very high speed. It can be installed as a shell utility in the APW/ORCA shells. Why did I write this? I've used an MS-DOS (I know, I know) machine for a while now for telecommunications. I buffered my sessions to disk, and viewed them later with a small program called "l". In the spirit of "l", and the need I had to continually view files and the desire not to load up MaxEdit to view one file, GenericList was born. (I also needed something to do after I cleaned my room up this afternoon). GenericList is Copyright 1991 by ventureTech. I ask you give this to EVERYONE YOU KNOW. I won't ask for any money, though I will gladly accept some. What I do ask is that whether or not you like the program or will continue to use it that you send me a note saying that you've tried it. My addresses (email and otherwise) are at the bottom of this file. If you could also tell me where you got it from, it would be appreciated as well. Installing GenericList: ----------------------- GenericList consists of one EXE file (GS/OS Shell Executable) that can be run from anywhere. If you are installing it in an ORCA/APW system, copy it to your UTILITIES directory. Then edit your SYSTEM/SYSCMNDS file and add the following line: L *U List Utility That way, when APW/ORCA is loaded, L becomes available from any directory. Using GenericList: ------------------ Type "L FILENAME" where filename is any valid GS/OS path to a valid text file. Valid files include SRC and TXT files. Sorry, AppleWorks and other word processor formats are not supported. Once loaded, you should see two numbers at the top left. The left number indicates what line you are on, the right indicates how many lines are in the document. To scroll up by one line: Press the left arrow key. To scroll down by one line: Press the right arrow key. To scroll up by one screen: Press the up arrow key. To scroll down by one screen: Press the down arrow key. To scroll right by one column: Press the "." key. To scroll left by one column: Press the "," key. To quit GenericList: Press space bar or ESC. About the Program: ------------------ You may notice that the source code has been included for your viewing pleasure. I emphasize viewing, as you probably won't be able to compile it yourself. GenericList uses many routines from the TextTool Kit from 360 MicroSystems. (more on 360 MicroSystems later). The program is small, and the source code is reasonably well documented. Note: I am not a classical "C" programmer! I have very BAD habits, which are ingrained into me from years of AppleSoft BASIC, Turing (I vow to torture Hume and Holt), and recently HyperTalk. There are some limitations to this program that you may run across. If you load a file that is larger than your memory size, unpredictable results may occur. I have no idea what might happen to your computer. Use caution with big files as the file is completely loaded into the IIgs memory before being displayed. About the Author: ----------------- Matthew Montano is some strange, live by night programmer who works on a variety of projects. Recent IIgs projects include GenericComm v2.0 and several niche market Plus applications (a HyperCard compatible system form IBM's and Macs). GenericComm 2.1 or v3.0 (I haven't decided what version # to give it) is almost done and WILL include Xmodem/Xmodem-1k/Xmodem-4k upload and download abilities. Also recently finished are several programmers utilities for adding quick and dirty help screens to programs. Although my use of computers ranges across MANY platforms, I still have one favorite, the Apple IIgs. I simply enjoy using it and will continue to do little things like this as long as I continue to enjoy using it. The Future of GenericList: -------------------------- I will add, very shortly a "search ability" so you can quickly search a text file for a string of text. I will also make this available from the finder by changing the filetype to s16 and adding code to handle MessageByName messages that pass GenericList a filename. There will also be a command that will take all long line (>80) and wrap them to a single screen. Hopefully within a few weeks I'll get to it. About 360 MicroSystems TextTool Kit: ------------------------------------ The TextTool Kit is a library of routines accessible from "C", Assembler and Pascal ORCA/APW languages. It provides an incredible list of routines for managing text files, windows, mice, text ports, pull down menus, menu-lists, direct screen writes and buttons and controls. They are very well debugged (I only found two, and once notified, they were corrected promptly by 360 MicroSystems). Even with the advent of Apple's fantastic GUI based tools, I still believe there is a place for text based tools and programs. GenericList and GenericComm I think are two righteous programs. As well, 360 MicroSystems has developed and is selling MAXEdit, simply the best editor ever written for the IIgs. For the price it is being offered for, you cannot go wrong. I do NOT work for 360 MicroSystems but have spent just over a $100US with them and am VERY satisfied with the support and products they develop and offer. 360 MicroSystems 12272 Fox Hound Lane Orlando, FL 32826 (407) 365-6714 Getting in touch with me: ------------------------- Snail Mail: PO Box 867, Station F, Toronto, ON, M4Y 2N7 Phone: 416-949-2228 (During Business Hours) Email: America ONLine: MMontano InterNet: sysadmin@pnet91.cts.com Call the Generic BBS (pnet91). 416/237-1204, 416/237-0308. Apple II and high-technology personal computing discussions. 2400bps only. This program is dedicated to my girlfriend, Kerry, who has put up with me for 6 months already. Long live The Cure and decent music everywhere!