From: cnadler@vnet.ibm.com (Cliff Nadler)
Subject: Re: Is WPS really better??
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 92 15:33:41 GMT
News-Software: IBM OS/2 PM RN (NR/2) v0.14 by O. Vishnepolsky and R. Rogers
Reply-To: cnadler@vnet.ibm.com (Cliff Nadler)
Organization: IBM T. J. Watson Research

In  <1992Sep30.133147.11085@scott.skidmore.edu>  pvonk@scott.skidmore.edu (Pierre VonKaenel) writes:
> True... but I do that with Windows also.  I have icons that represent
> often used files (speadsheet, say) and when I click on them, Quatro
> comes up with that data file.
> 
> I tried doing what you suggest in OS/2, but here's the problem (maybe
> you netters have a tip to overcome this..) : I'm in a word processor
> (however, it's not an OS/2 program).  I create a new document and save
> it in some directory.  When I return to the WPS, I have to create an
> icon for it, connect it to the right app, etc.  What a pain!  Perhaps
> an OS/2 app that knows about the WPS will create the icon for me -
> Okay that would be fine, no complaints.  But currently, it's not a
> smooth process.

Actually, if you set up your program with an association to the file type
(say *.C) you can just double click on the data object to get the default
association for your object (I have my make file processor associated with
*.MAK and my debugger associated with *.EXE). Double click on the make file
and it starts to run the makefile processor (for .EXE, see my answer below).

> 
> Problem #2:  this is something I've encountered in Windows and other
> OSs that try to be object oriented - I have data files that are
> "connected" to several apps.  I write a C++ program in my Brief
> editor.  Later I use in BC++.  Then back to Brief.  I've had some data
> files that are used in three different apps.  In WPS, I can only
> attach it to one app.  To use it in a different context, I'd have to
> click on the setting for that icon, change the related app name and
> start over.  Or, use two or more icons for the same file, but have
> each associated with a different app?  I think not.
> 
> The description above seems to parallel an earlier question of mine
> (in the DOS apps news group).  In a spreadsheet, is it better to mark
> a block and then issue the del or move or whatever command from a pull
> down menu?  Or to issue the command and then mark the block.  (No
> difference in effort, but what about the human intuitive aspect?)  The
> same goes here...  Do you issue the verb first (choose the app to use)
> and then pick the file (the noun), or the other way around?  True, if
> only one app is associated with the noun, no problem.  The noun is all
> you need.  But what about my point above, several apps for each data
> file?

To use multiple associations, all you have to do is set up the associations
on the program object and then single click with the right mouse button.
Select the arrow to the right of the Open menu item, and voila!, all your
associated objects are listed for you to choose from. Extremely simple (but
I personally would prefer it if the list of assciations were off the main
object menu, not the Open submenu).

> 
> You're right on this, I forgot.  But I'm curious.... do most people
> really prefer to drag an icon around vs. pointing to a verb command on
> a menu.  Maybe it's my advancing years, but it's annoying for me to
> keep my finger down on a button while I move the mouse around.  (I
> guess it must be my age.)
> 

What you can do is go to the special needs sections of the setup (I believe
it's on the keyboard and mouse) and set up a special key that will make
things act like "sticky" keys (this is intended for those who are physically
challenged and cannot press two or more keys at the same time - I beleive that
it also works with a mouse). Or you could get one of the trackball type 
rodents that have sticky-buttons. I've found that they work pretty well on
laptops.

--
Cliff Nadler (cnadler@vnet.ibm.com)
IBM Federal Systems Company - TEAM OS/2

Disclaimer: This post represents the views of the poster, not IBM Corporation.
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.advocacy