Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Dilwyn Jones [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes In addition I have recently found it useful to set up icons for my own software, whether BASIC or C, as well as look at listings via my chosen editor. For the latter it interfaces with FileInfo2 to pick up favourite editor software. FileInfo 2 is brilliantly easy to interface to and I use it so much it seemed such an abovious thing to allow Launchpad to make use of it. Despite having used FileInfo 2 for so long, it still seems weird to select a non-executable in Launchpad and execute it and the right program magically (usually) appears! Yes, it is a 'cool' feature. And one that I had neglected to exploit that much. Another read of the manual reminded me :-) Another neat thing is to run any Windows application from within Launchpad, as it interfaces with the QPC2 feature to do so. Well, all credit to Marcel for that one. I'm just too lazy to go to Windows to start Notepad etc when I can do it from QPC2 instead if it's related to what I'm doing in QPC2 at the time (usually swapping files between Windoze and SMSQ/E when preparing articles and news columns for Toady). Yes it makes the desktop environment convenient when swapping over files, finding their locations, etc. And strange as it may seem, I do actually use Launchpad myself all the time - what's that, an author using his own software? Unless it gets superceded by QDT of course. QDT looks as though it is going to be more fully featured as a desktop, inevitably. Yet I believe that both will find a place. I have found Launchpad a good aid to programming, for example, as I have put all the icons for the compilers ( BASIC and C ), into one folder called 'Source' - irrespective of the actual directories that they are already placed in on the win drive itself. Along with icons for the source text and their executables. It just makes it more convenient, rather than having to know the directories or searching through the win drive to find their location. The added convenience is what desktops are all about. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
Malcolm Cadman wrote: At present I have configured Launchpad to be extremely useful on my QPC2 system. Could you please tell me how to find the be extremely useful configuration option in Launchpad (and, indeed, in all my other software)? :-) OK ... you got me there, John. Explain more ... ? Roy and Rich understood :-) John ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], John Hall [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Malcolm Cadman wrote: At present I have configured Launchpad to be extremely useful on my QPC2 system. Could you please tell me how to find the be extremely useful configuration option in Launchpad (and, indeed, in all my other software)? :-) OK ... you got me there, John. Explain more ... ? Roy and Rich understood :-) OK ... point taken :-) However, just to go on a bit further ... Launchpad can be configured to your system with 'config_exe'. Once running it can be set up to know the features of your system, there are 2 files that are saved with the information. In addition I have recently found it useful to set up icons for my own software, whether BASIC or C, as well as look at listings via my chosen editor. For the latter it interfaces with FileInfo2 to pick up your favourite editor software. Another neat thing is to run any Windows application from within Launchpad, as it interfaces with the QPC2 feature to do so. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
In addition I have recently found it useful to set up icons for my own software, whether BASIC or C, as well as look at listings via my chosen editor. For the latter it interfaces with FileInfo2 to pick up your favourite editor software. FileInfo 2 is brilliantly easy to interface to and I use it so much it seemed such an abovious thing to allow Launchpad to make use of it. Despite having used FileInfo 2 for so long, it still seems weird to select a non-executable in Launchpad and execute it and the right program magically (usually) appears! Another neat thing is to run any Windows application from within Launchpad, as it interfaces with the QPC2 feature to do so. Well, all credit to Marcel for that one. I'm just too lazy to go to Windows to start Notepad etc when I can do it from QPC2 instead if it's related to what I'm doing in QPC2 at the time (usually swapping files between Windoze and SMSQ/E when preparing articles and news columns for Toady). And strange as it may seem, I do actually use Launchpad myself all the time - what's that, an author using his own software? Unless it gets superceded by QDT of course. -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.298 / Virus Database: 265.6.7 - Release Date: 30/12/2004 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
Malcolm Cadman wrote Yes, Quick Starts are good ... and an 'art' in themselves to write. I wonder how many users on this list are now happily using Launchpad ? -- Malcolm Cadman Not many. Total sales is easily still in 2 figures. A lot of people said they liked the idea but were waiting for QDT, which makes sense as QDT will be THE product to have for those users with leading edge QL products and my guess is Launchpad will find its own little niche on lesser systems as people realise No GD2? No QDT Hvaing used both, Malcolm, how do you see this going? I guess that like many things they both have their good points while being very different and distinct products. -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.298 / Virus Database: 265.6.7 - Release Date: 30/12/2004 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Dilwyn Jones [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Malcolm Cadman wrote Yes, Quick Starts are good ... and an 'art' in themselves to write. I wonder how many users on this list are now happily using Launchpad -- Malcolm Cadman Not many. Total sales is easily still in 2 figures. A lot of people said they liked the idea but were waiting for QDT, which makes sense as QDT will be THE product to have for those users with leading edge QL products and my guess is Launchpad will find its own little niche on lesser systems as people realise No GD2? No QDT Hvaing used both, Malcolm, how do you see this going? I guess that like many things they both have their good points while being very different and distinct products. Indeed, I think you are right. When QDT does get going as full release and gets taken up it will be THE system as a desktop. Which it what it is intended to be. There needs to be a 'standard' system of GUI / WIMP so that all users can share a common experience. At present I cannot do a like for like comparison between Launchpad and QDT. As I have a full copy of Launchpad and only a Demo of QDT. They have similarities and they have differences. At present I have configured Launchpad to be extremely useful on my QPC2 system. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
Malcolm Cadman wrote: At present I have configured Launchpad to be extremely useful on my QPC2 system. Could you please tell me how to find the be extremely useful configuration option in Launchpad (and, indeed, in all my other software)? :-) John ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
On Sun, 2 Jan 2005 19:08:31 -, John Hall [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Malcolm Cadman wrote: At present I have configured Launchpad to be extremely useful on my QPC2 system. Could you please tell me how to find the be extremely useful configuration option in Launchpad (and, indeed, in all my other software)? :-) John ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Yes - EXEC menuconfig and choose the Learn option :-P -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services 26 Oak Road, Shelfield, Walsall, West Midlands WS4 1RQ http://www.rwapservices.co.uk/ ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], John Hall [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Malcolm Cadman wrote: At present I have configured Launchpad to be extremely useful on my QPC2 system. Could you please tell me how to find the be extremely useful configuration option in Launchpad (and, indeed, in all my other software)? :-) You find it next to the 'No Crashing' check box -- Roy Wood Q Branch. 20 Locks Hill, Portslade, Sussex.BN41 2LB Tel: +44 (0) 1273 386030fax: +44 (0) 1273 430501 web : www.qbranch.demon.co.uk ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], John Hall [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Malcolm Cadman wrote: At present I have configured Launchpad to be extremely useful on my QPC2 system. Could you please tell me how to find the be extremely useful configuration option in Launchpad (and, indeed, in all my other software)? :-) OK ... you got me there, John. Explain more ... ? -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
Launchpad is less ambitious a project than QDT but you'd be amazed how many people have managed to make a total mess of it. I went as far as to supply it deliberately misconfigured so that people would have to read the instructions as I wouldn't expect anyone to be able to use it without instructions (Launchpad doesn't work when you get it unless you read how to configure it). Umm ... I know what you are implying here. Yet probably not a good approach to take as you really want people to be able to use it as readily as possible, with a few problems as possible; and not have to do a lot of figuring out for themselves. If you can't see what I'm getting at, you've obviously never been on the receiving end of endless phone calls. When systems get easy enough ALMOST to use without a manual, people will only read the manual if you superglue it to their eyes and tie their arms behind their backs. In essence, configuration is the only thing stopping programs like Launchpad from being 'use it out of the box'. And as it was the first step which was the likeliest problem, this seemed like the best solution and it worked on the whole. Remember that other WIMP ( Windows / Icons / Mouse / Pointer ) environments just appear ready to use on other systems to the user. No 'sweat' involved ... :-) Until you get non-technical people involved. As soon as they want to do different things it's grab an expert and make him/her sweat instead. The approach I took with Launchpad was inspired by Geoff Wicks - the Quickstart Guide. By and large, if you've read Geoff's little Quickstart guides you won't go far wrong with his software, which is what I was trying to achieve. The only real potential problem with Launchpad is the first step, i.e. where am I installed and where are my setup files. Once it's set up with the correct path name for where you placed it on your hard disk it's pretty well fire it up, feel your way and only resort to manuals when you get stuck. As I recall, you didn't get many problems beyond things like the changing of resolutions and colour depths which was a bit naughty of me anyway. The Quick start guides are probably the best way with modern programs, most manufacturers issue them now. The big manual with my Epson 880 printer is pretty useless, the Quick start guide is excellent. One the whole, people want to use it out of the box and resort ot manuals only when the going gets tough. Like the little CD-alarm-clock-radio I got for Christmas, I was able to plug it in and go as far as listening to the radio, setting the time and playing a CD went, and got the 4 page manual out for setting the alarms and setting up playlist programs to play tracks in different orders. Not quite the same order of things as complex computer software like Windows, RISC OS, SMSQ?E and QDT i suppose, but you get my drift I hope. -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.298 / Virus Database: 265.6.5 - Release Date: 26/12/2004 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Launchpad-was Q60 Blues
On Sat, 1 Jan 2005 at 16:10:07, Dilwyn Jones wrote: (ref: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) snip The Quick start guides are probably the best way with modern programs, most manufacturers issue them now. The big manual with my Epson 880 printer is pretty useless, the Quick start guide is excellent. One the whole, people want to use it out of the box and resort ot manuals only when the going gets tough. Printers is a big topic right now with me. I got an HP4250dtn (via Roy and www.hamiltone.co.uk). An excellent printer - pity about the after sales 'help'. I have not had -one- satisfactory exchange with HP, or indeed solutions (from them). This printer is so good, it sends emails. How do I stop it sending XML emails --- It doesn't send emails Urmm, I got the three test emails --- It doesn't have Digital Services What are Digital Services? --- Sending emails Well unless it has a Little Green Man inside the printer typing away, it DOES send emails --- It doesn't I wasn't sure whether he was referring to Little Green Men or emails! At this point I realised there was no point in carrying on, and I told him I would ring back to find someone who knew the product. It was only after I put the phone down, I remembered this help desk was in Northern Ireland! I much later discovered the configuration item in the excellent browser help interface. Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 tony@surname.co.uk http://www.firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
