From: sms@sys.uea.ac.uk (Steve Sowerby)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Ideas for new MiNT/MultiTOS specific Desktop replacement, PLEASE.
Summary: Has anyone got any ideas for the above, as I'm writing one.
Keywords: Features, Ideas, Suggestions, Wish-list etc.
Date: 23 Nov 92 16:35:19 GMT
Organization: UEA School of Information Systems, Norwich, UK.


	OK, as the tite suggests, I'd like ideas, suggestions etc. for a
MiNT/MultiTOS Desktop replacement.
	I have already written the core of a replacement Desktop which so
far has pretty much the same functionality of the standard Desktop (as of
TOS 3.06).  I'm currently looking at Gemini/Neodesk to look at the current
state of Atari Desktop's.  I'm also trying to find out exactly what NewDesk
(probably tm or something) on the Falcon does or doesn't to.
	I've already got quite a lot of nice ideas, some of which I will
mention, some of which I won't (got to protect your ideas, don't you know :-)).
I'm hoping to have a test version ready by approximately Christmas, but don't
quote me on that.  I will release it as FREEWARE, possibly giving extra goodies
to financial contributors :-)
	If you don't think I should carry on doing this because X is already
doing this but better or because Y, email me by all means... I'll probably
do it anyway just as a kind of exercise/experience trip. Besides, I'm stubborn.

	OK, so far my features are (I'll probably forget some and some of
	these may only be in a design or semi-implemented form but these
	will hopefully all work in the finished program):

	- Looks and feels (and smells :-)) like the Atari Desktop generally
	- All of the features of the TT Desktop (as of TOS 3.06)
	  (i.e. customisable power-keys, reasonable configurability...)
	- Requires MiNT/MultiTOS to run (OK this is a requirement !!!)
	     I decided that everbody should have one or the other and besides
	     it makes it much easier to write that way.
	- Completely MiNT savvy (not MultiTOS yet... I'm not a developer)
 	     Understands about processes/pipes/shared memory/file systems/
	     symbolic links etc
	- Communicates with TOSWin i.e. allows you to automagically run a TOS
          program in a TOSWin window (assuming it's running)
        - File operations are run as separate processes, allowing multiple
          move/copy/delete actions while still using the Desktop.
        - Much more flexible installation of applications than the Atari
          Desktop. Also allows installation of file types.
             o  Programs are installed with their path, an icon, the file
                types which can be dragged onto it, a default flexible command
		line.
	     o  File types can be installed with a short description, their
              	icon, their type (program, text, accessory etc) and an action
        	to be performed when they are double-clicked... this is not
		limited to simply launching an application with the file
		passed as a parameter.
	- User and auto customisable icons for different files or filetypes.
	- Each file window individually customisable (mixed icon/text views,
          user-placeable icons etc.) with saveable configuration.
	- A mechanism for I/O redirection including piping of applications.
	- Full use of the evironment system.  Allows automatic initialisation
	  of environment at startup and full used editing of it.
	- Uses Atari Extended Argument system (i.e. ARGV=? <args> in env)
	- Extended item information system.  File, folder and drive information
	  as before but special information given about pipes, devices, shm's
	  symbolic links etc.

	Errm... that's all I can think of for now and besides I'm hungry.
Please send EMAIL to sms@sys.uea.ac.uk if you have anything to say and I'll
post a summary if there is enough interest.

	I actually have LOTS more ideas but I kind of want to amaze (or at
least impress people... it's kind of trickky to amaze hardened netters :-) )
everyone when I finish it...


	Thanks in advance for any comments, ideas,
	  (financial contributions, offers of jobs after I finish my Ph.D. etc)

		Steve.


P.S. Please don't ask for copies yet as it's still under very serious 
development and I won't give anyone (except perhaps Atari :-) ) a copy
until I'm fairly sure it's sound.

- Steve Sowerby,  Postgraduate Layabout    (sms@sys.uea.ac.uk)
- School of Information Systems, University of East Anglia, Norwich, England.
- # Any opinions expressed above are too stupid to represent UEA etc #