The QLATter front end program is being provided as freeware for QLAY users. QLATter will run on a QLAY emulation whose host PC only has 4 Meg. of memory. QLATter is based on QLAMBer. QLATter does not require TK2_EXTensions, and therefore lacks the functions which rely on TK2 code. For those who are familiar with some of my earlier programs, QLATter is to QLAMBer as QLUTter is to QLUSTer. The internal program functions [COPY, DELete, etc.] are accessed by the FUNCTION keys. Since QLAY uses the host’s clock, the clock setting function of QLATter is superfluous, but remains. QLATter is QRAM (HOTREXT) and TASKMASTER compatible, and can be used as an alternate utility program for these TASK SWITCHing, front end programs.
QLATter may be distributed freely. Although this document is NOT extensive, please include it when distributing the program.
USING QLATter The TAB and SPACE keys are used when navigating the ‘opening’ screen. The ARROW or FUNCTION keys are used after an opening screen window is accessed. Some alphanumeric input is required for selecting “other” devices. When the main screen is displayed (this will show the files on the device), the ARROW (cursor) keys are used for moving the “box” from filename to filename. 76 filenames are shown per screen. The ENTER key is used for selecting the filename to be acted upon. Sub_DIRectories are accessed by moving the highlighting box over the DIRectory name as if it were a file, and pressing the ENTER key. QLATter provides five file management functions accessed by pressing one of the function keys when looking at the program menu: COPY …… copy from any valid medium to another DELete …. delete file from any valid medium PRINT ….. print recognizes “_doc” extension FORMAT …. format any valid QDOS medium — use caution VIEW …… interruptable file viewing In addition, you can EXEC_W a program from within QLATter.
SOME KEY PRESSES The internal program functions [COPY, DELETE, etc.] are accessed by the FUNCTION keys. The (esc)ape key is used to return to the opening screen from one of the program’s functions; and, the TAB key is used to slide the highlighted box to the right on this page, with the SPACE key used to open the selection. SHIFT key combinations expedite shifting screen “pages. “SHIFT + ARROW key to page up or page down if there are more files to be accessed. SHIFT + FUNCTION key combinations expedite shifting screen “pages” when the physical medium has been changed in a device. The (esc)ape key is used to return to the opening screen from one of the program’s functions; and, the TAB key is used to slide the highlighted box to the right on this page, with the SPACE key used to open the selection. Changing DEVice type All valid QDOS devices are accessible; however, DEV_USE devices are problematic, and sub_DIRectories should be accessed directly.
To change the DEVice type:1) Simply presses ‘0’/’zero’ (i.e., you want a new device number);2) Move the highlighted green (shaded) bar over the appropriate DEVice type (flp/ram/win) using the up/down cursor key(s) (the highlighted bar will also move if you press the first letter of the device name),3) Change the numerical value (1-4) using the left/right cursor key(s) if necessary (for numerical values greater than 4, then press the appropriate number key); 4) Press the ENTER key to accept your selection. Use the “other” option for selecting an option that is not otherwise available. Move the shaded/green bar over the “other” selection; input ‘f’, ‘r’, ‘w’, ‘n’ (‘flp’, ‘ram’, ‘win’, ‘ndk’) or the full three character designation; press ENTER, indicate a numerical value between 1 and 8, then press ENTER again.
If it is a valid, non-protected device on your system, its file DIRectory will become available to you. NFS_USE access is viable as long as the device name conforms to the three character medium name standard. The device designate “ndk”/n(etwork)d(is)k is suggested as the name of the file server’s devices. THE DISPLAY As with many programs, QLATter’s window size is dimensioned to fit a PAL television, thus providing as many as 76 (4 x 19) filenames per screen, with a 608 filename maximum (i.e., eight pages).Unlike programs which “order” the files, QLATter displays the filenames on the screen in the order they appear in a normal, command line DIRectory request. The filenames are stored in a dynamic file (FLIST_imp)and displayed on the screen in the order they appear in a normal command line DIRectory request. If Quill is your primary program (for example), then put it first on the disk and you won’t have to page through several pages of filenames to access it. Put other often used files on your start-up disk near the beginning of the DIRectory to expedite access.
PROGRAM USAGE You must first SELECT the device being accessed. If it is other than win1_, then move the (green) highlighting bar to the appropriate device name using either the UP or DOWN ARROW key. If you want to change the device number, either use the LEFT or RIGHT ARROW key or a NUMBER key. After you are satisfied with the selection, press the ENTER key. The highlighted box will move over to EXEC_W. If you press the SPACE BAR, then you will open the main screen from which you can EXEC_W an EXECutable program. You can TAB the highlighted box to the right and select UTILITIES, CLOCK, EXIT, OR SELECT_DEVICE (again), ad infinitum. If you TAB over to UTILITIES press the SPACE_BAR to open this feature, and then press the appropriate function key. If you encounter a flashing cursor key at any time, you must respond to it. Pressing the ENTER key is an adequate response. In the COPY function, you can indicate a new (different) filename on the destination device. To VIEW the contents of a file, you would:1) Press ‘F5’ to access the pre-VIEW function;2) Move the highlighted box over the filename;3) Press the ENTER key to select;4) View the contents of the file. File “viewing” can be interrupted and the viewing window is large enough to make text viewing convenient.
Quill _doc files will be roughly formatted on the screen under most circumstances. ASCII characters are inked “black” and non-ASCII characters are inked “green.” To DELete a file, you would:1) Press ‘F2’ to access the de-FILE FUNCTION;2) Move the highlighted box over the filename;3) Press ENTER to select;4) Confirm (y/n).And, so on. Hard-COPY looks for line feeds, so raw SuperBASIC LISTings should first be imported into Quill. Hard-COPY recognizes “_doc” files and will generated loosely formatted output. FORMAT can be exited by pressing the (esc)ape key. If you accidentally press the wrong function key and indicate the wrong device, then input MORE THAN 10 characters, press the ENTER key, and you will be able to re-select.
Different colored screens are used for de-FILE (red field with white ink) and FORMAT (green field with black ink) since these are potentially destructive to data. The screen color for the non-destructive utilities is white with red ink. The screen color for the EXEC_W screen is white with black ink. CONTACT What makes one front end program easy to use and what makes one not is often subjective. Some of the features which I have found (or, about which I have been told) that make a program easy to use have been incorporated into QLATter. While QLATter is very easy to use, this is a very minimal document. If you have questions, you can contact me via the postal service or e-mail.
AL FENG
914 RIO VISTA CIRCLE SW
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87105 USA
[e-mail address omitted] Feedback is welcome, though even really good suggestions may take time before being implemented.
HAPPY TRAILS,
AND COMPUTING, TO YOU …