Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!leah!itsgw!steinmetz!uunet!portal!cup.portal.com!R_Tim_Coslet
From: R_Tim_Coslet@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: NeoDesk / GEM replacements question
Message-ID: <15398@cup.portal.com>
Date: 5 Mar 89 00:23:15 GMT
References: <6548@saturn.ucsc.edu>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 55

In Article: <6548@saturn.ucsc.edu>
	wraith@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (Cameron Reid) Writes:
>        I would like some information of NeoDesk (and any other
>GEM interface/substitute).  Specificly, I'd like to know;
>- how much memory does it use (or save)?
>- how configurable is it?
>- What does the program do that GEM does not do?
I am running under NeoDesk V2.00, it is a BIG improvement over the DeskTop.

1) Memory requirements: NeoDesk V2 can be run in 2 modes. One mode leaves
   NeoDesk in memory all the time; this mode uses up 150K of RAM. The other
   mode leaves only the "Master Shell" in memory when an application is
   invoked then reloads the rest of NeoDesk when the application terminates;
   this mode uses only 24K.

2) NeoDesk is VERY configurable (and the .INF file is even readable: it
   uses DECIMAL numbers and contains comments identifying the fields).

3) NeoDesk does many things that the regular DeskTop won't do, so many that
   I will not be able to list them all (I can't remember alot of them).
   Some of the additions are...
	7 Windows, "printer" icon, "rubberband" box works in ANY direction
	(not just down to right), 128 character parameter line for .TTP
	parameters (and selection of multiple files enters all file names
	in the parameter line), Selectable "sort" including "nosort"
	(usefull to see actual order of files in folders), Environment
	Variables, Applications may be "installed" on two different file
	entensions, New "program" types: .BAT and .BTP (Batch and Batch
	Takes Parameters), Batch jobs run on user selectable
	"text command Shell", Drag an Icon extended to "move" files too,
	Icons may be placed on desktop for quick access, Disk to Disk
	copies can reformat the disk if necessary, An Icon Editor to
	edit any of NeoDesk's Icons, A NEW Control Panel that includes
	a corner clock and screen saver and will show actual state of
	Blitter and permit you to change it, A Printer Queue Accessory,
	A BOMB trap server that will print an "english" error message on the
	screen (instead of just a bunch of bombs) and can display the state
	of the registers when the bombs occured, Max. viewable files in
	a folder can be extended to 999.

I am sure I forgot alot of things, but that is probably most of the additional
features that NeoDesk offers.... Oh, one more... a "push-behind" button is
added to each window (this will let you push the top window behind all the
rest, without having to resize or move it).

                                        R. Tim Coslet

Usenet: R_Tim_Coslet@cup.portal.com
BIX:    r.tim_coslet 

P.S. I just use NeoDesk (and like it very much). I have no connection with
	Gribnif Software.

P.P.S The NeoDesk Control Panel also includes "warm" and "cold" boot "hotkeys":
	ctrl-alt-del and ctrl-alt-undo that may be used almost anytime.