[Coco] MShell Update - New Version

Mon Nov 17 13:56:24 EST 2014

Hi Bill,  I have been playing with the latest MShell and I  not noticing any PC file implementation yet, is this right or am I trying things wrong.  Selecting drive only shows my boot file ‘/x#’ but no other options.  I know you have been doing DW links to PC but haven’t figured it out in MShell.  Been kinda waiting for your implementation to exchange raw PC files via DW versus Mess Winimage utility.

Bill Nobel

> On Nov 17, 2014, at 11:10 AM, Bill Pierce via Coco <coco at maltedmedia.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> I have just uploaded the new version of MShell with a few bug fixes that I found while trying to make a video of the features. In all the bug chasing last night, I found what was plaguing the Internet Updater and ficed it. So now the Internet Updater is back online and MShell will be able to get it's updates straight from my "dropbox" to your Coco via DW4. This is a DW4 enable feature only do you must read the included text file to see what system requirements are needed for the updater.
> 
> 
> I'm, still working on getting some more utils into the code, but memory is hanging on the edge at the moment. I have to move more things out to subroutines. 
> Once you download and install the package, (and if you're running DW4) you can try the updater. From the main screen, just click the "UTILS" (or press 'u'), then click "Update MShell" (or press 'u' again), then follow the prompts.
> BEFORE ANYONE EMAILS ME ABOUT THE VERSION NUMBERS.......
> The version on the updater site is ALWAYS set one or more versions high than the actual version available. This allows me (and you) to test the updater even when no updates are available. When no updates are available, you are not given an option to download, so I keep the numbering that way for testing. The version you download will show the "real" version number, which at the moment is the same as the one available.
> 
> 
> Mshell Works on a 512k Coco3 and Coco 3 emulators running OS9/NitrOS9. For DriveWire features you must be running NitrOS9 w/DW and for the emulators, you must have Becker port versions.
> 
> 
> MShell Site & Download:
> 
> MShell website, blog and download
> https://sites.google.com/site/dabarnstudio/mshell---the-ultimate-os-9-gui
> Download MShell direct:
> https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/23059963/MShell/MShell%201.0.2q.zip
> 
> 
> 
> I am also trying to get a video up as so far, no one has actually seen the real meat and potatoes behind this software and why I consider it "The Ultimate OS9 File Manager". I'll be working on the video today so maybe it will be up by tonight.
> 
> 
> Since I know some missed my original post on MShell, here is a recap of what it will do
> 
> 
> 
> WARNING: The PC file/directory functions work ONLY on a Windows Dw4 server. I am currently trying to figure out what is happening when trying to read a Linux server and will give an update when I get it solved. All other dw4 functions (reading/writing to dw4 VHDs) work properly on a Linux server. Trying to read a Linux PC dir will crash the Coco or emulator, destroy large cities, reverse street signs, stop up your sewers, and steal your left shoe... you were warned!! (I actually considered renaming MShell to "Experiment 626")
> PS, I need someone with a Mac DW4 server to test this.
> 
> 
> What is finished you ask? Even if you didn't ask, I'm going to tell you :-P
> 
> 
> MShell's Special "Features":
> 
> Virtual memory buffers - MShell will use most of 512k (required) and up to most of 2meg for buffers when needed. This is not saying it needs that much memory, but will use all it can get when it's there.
> 
> Automatic RBF Device Enumeration - Mshell recognizes all drive systems on your  system and creates a custom point-n-click drive selection for your system.
> 
> User Custom Defaults - MShell allows you to choose the 2 directories it starts up in, L or R mouse/joyport, standard/hires interface, and  screen colors, etc... all set as defaults and loaded each time MShell is run.
> 
> Dual Panel/Directory GUI - MShell uses 2 panels with 2 text columns in each panel to display 42 directory entries in each panel (84 total), each independantly scrollable and selectable.
> 
> Mouse/Joystick/Keyboard - MShell caters to mouse or joystic, with or without a hires interface, or you can use the keyboard shortcuts with no mouse/joystick.
> 
> DriveWire4 Compatible - MShell will use dw4 (if present) for many functions, including reading and writing files to and from the server's hard drive (dw4 only). Dw4 is NOT required to run MShell, but definately gives it more power.
> 
> Menu Driven - MShell uses 5 different menu styles (mouse select, check box, key select etc) using absolutely no OS9/MultiVue menu functions (or graphic calls for that matter)
> Graphics Handler - MShell has it's own "graphics shell" that runs in it's own 64k workspace in the background, handling all graphics functions, text printing and menu drawing.
> Status Bar -MShell display drive and file stats on the bottom bar for various functions.
> No User Input Required - MShell requires absolutely no user input therefore eliminating "User Error". All functions/features are menu/list selectable.
> 
> 
> MShell's Functions (or, what it can do):
> 
> Browse OS9 directories
> Copy OS9 file to OS9 file.
> Copy OS9 file to RSDOS file
> Copy OS9 file to PC file (dw4 only)
> Make new OS9 directories
> Delete OS9 files
> Move OS9 files (same as copy above but deletes the original)
> Browse RSDOS disks and partitions
> Copy RSDOS file to OS9 file
> Delete RSDOS file
> Move RSDOS file (same as copy above but deletes the original
> Browse PC directories (dw4 only)
> PC file to OS9 file (dw4 only)
> Mount ".dsk", ".vhd", and ".os9" images from the PC directories into Dw4 drive slots (auto recognized)
> Internet Update - Mshell can update itself from the internet update site direct to your Coco (dw4 only)
> 
> 
> MShell's "Coming Soon" (or wish list):
> 
> Copy RSDOS file to RSDOS file (was included but removed due to lack of memory, soon to be back)
> Copy RSDOS file to PC file
> Copy PC file to RSDOS file
> Set OS9 file attributes
> Batch copies/deletes/moves on ALL levels
> Copy directories (OS9 only)
> Delete directories (OS9 only)
> Sort directories (OS9 only)
> Memory check
> Free Drive space check (OS9 only)
> Run other MShell modules. I will be adding more modules to MShell soon. MShell will "chain" these modules with the ability to come back to MShell from all modules (remember DeskMate?).
> 
> 
> MShell Site & Download:
> 
> MShell website, blog and download
> https://sites.google.com/site/dabarnstudio/mshell---the-ultimate-os-9-gui
> Download MShell direct:
> https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/23059963/MShell/MShell%201.0.2q.zip
> 
> 
> MShell is a culmination of everything I've learned about OS9 in 25+ years and some I'm still learning. It won't take long after running MShell to see that the limits of OS9 are pushed to the outer core.
> 
> 
> The error trapping system is not exactly comeplete yet, so, don't try to do something it's not meant to do. If it ain't in the menus, it don't do it.
> If you get a weird error, or MShell crashes, let me know so I can laugh at you... seriously though, let me know if something is out of place or does not work. This software is not yet finished, so it's still got plenty of bugs to be squahed.
> 
> 
> !!!PLEASE READ THE INCLUDED TEXT FILE BEFORE RUNNING!!!
> Most if not all "key commands" and functions are listsed in the text file as are system requirements and setup instructions.
> I will ignore any questions on things that are explained in this file.
> 
> 
> And as with all "Barn Studios" releases, all complaints and suggestions will be ignored and compliments appreciated :-P
> And.... THROW MONEY!!!
> Enjoy MShell......
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Bill Pierce
> "Today is a good day... I woke up" - Ritchie Havens
> 
> 
> My Music from the Tandy/Radio Shack Color Computer 2 & 3
> https://sites.google.com/site/dabarnstudio/
> Co-Webmaster of The TRS-80 Color Computer Archive
> http://www.colorcomputerarchive.com/
> Co-Contributor, Co-Editor for CocoPedia
> http://www.cocopedia.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
> E-Mail: ooogalapasooo at aol.com
> 
> 
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