From: ahersee@dcs.warwick.ac.uk (Andrew Hersee)
Subject: Re: Sprite dragging/New Filer/Replacement ToolSprites
Organization: Department of Computer Science, Warwick University, England
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 17:52:31 GMT

This article should be read after Nick Smith's article concerning the joint
PD Filer and other 'little bits'. Depending on the news system you may get
this first. Who knows?

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From the number of options that we are likely to add it sounds as though a
application will be required to allow easy settings of variables. And it
should broadcast a message when they are changed so the Filer and anything
else can alter it's variables. This will save us having to add several menus
on the filer for new options etc. It also allows the other aspects to be 
included into the project easily. ie It can set the toolsprites, solid drag
and other options.

Regarding longer filenames in the filer:
 We could take the approach that Sun's file manager takes. ie find the widest
 filename (up to a configurable maximum) and use that as the column width when
 'formatting' the filer window.

Hot Keys In The Filer
 I also suggest adding some hot keys to the filer.
 Ideas are:
  Ctrl-X delete (I often do this but it does not work surprise surprise)
                Maybe it should be configurable so that it asks for 
		confirmation or another Ctrl-X to avoid the vary dangerous
		oops I did not want to delete that!

  Ctrl-F File Search

  Ctrl-T SetType

  Ctrl-S Stamp

  Ctrl-I Info

'Edit' scrolling
 When scrolling a window in Edit you will notice that it always aligns the
 line nearest to the icon you pressed (up or down) so that it is completely
 visible. Adding this would allow you to keep your place in a list of files
 easily by selecting small icons and adjusting the window so that it contains 
 one column of files. Then you can step through files one at a time by clicking
 on the scroll down icon.

Two stage icons.
 Anyone like the idea of being able to define another sprite when an icon
 is clicked on? eg an open file and closed one. (Just an idea :-) a little
 impractible but may please certain people)

Improved settype menu
 Allow the user to define a menu of commonly used types which could be
 selected. Also allow recursive SetTypes.

??? File Tree ???
I have had mail from people suggesting that we add a tree structure to
the display options. I think this is too much for a hack and would require
a total rewrite. In fact I doubt it would materialize.

Improved FilerAction or is that another project :-)
 Add a percentage to many operations. (How about altering the pointer
 into an hourglass when over the FilerAction window)
 Add a button for CLOSE when you get the error 'File Open'

New templates and sprites for many apps.
 I already have a module which implements the following commands:

 *RegisterFile <Filename1> <Filename2>
 This registers the file 'Filename1' with the resource filing system as file
 'Filename2' thus you can alter the templates that Draw uses by executing:
 *RegisterFile MyTemp Resources.Apps.DrawApp.Templates (I can't remember
 the exact path name.)
 
 *DeRegisterFile <Filename>
 This will deregister a file added by *RegisterFile and reallocate the memory.

 With this I have designed new templates for Draw so that it's toolbox is
 the same width as a scroll bar and it's icons designed to match those that I
 use for the window boarders.

 If we are going to start redesigning sprites perhaps we should also think
 about the look of other apps. This module will allow us to alter the sprites
 that are used by paint etc in it's windows.

 I know a similar module was posted to NewCastle but that supplied no commands
 it simply allowed you to 'compile' a module containing the files.

Perhaps this project should be called RISCOS 4 :-)

We need your views to implement a Filer (etc) with features you wish Acorn
had included.

Andrew Hersee