#Changing types
23 messages in this thread
I got involved with computers through word processing, then I progressed
on to spreadsheets and databases. Now, I just enjoy computing as a
relaxing, but frustrating hobby. I get a kick out of logging on to BBS's,
downloading and unpacking various files, trying to figure out how they
work and what they are for.
I do try to work things out for myself, but it is really impossible at
times and I have to ask for help from those who are far more knowledgable
than I. That's why I am so grateful for the sympthetic response my appeals
for help receive here on CIS. No one is ever patronising, but just offer
warm, friendly help.
Having said all this, most sincerely I assure you, I do have rather a
basic problem. I want to change a tool icon to a system drawer as I want
to load a program from WB, not the shell. I can't figure out how to do it.
The strange thing is, some of the icon information boxes, for files I have
downloaded from CIS, appear to be a cut down version. There is no tool
types or a default tools windows. I know this is quite normal, but I can't
find these small icon information boxes covered in any of my expensive,
but useless, 'How too…' books.
So..your advice will be appreciated.
Sorry, I'm so long-winded.
Nancy
Nancy,
You can create a new 'drawer' icon (which means creating an icon for a
_directory_) by opening up any partition on your hard drive (or opening up
a floppy disk) and then selecting "NEW DRAWER" from the workbench "WINDOW"
menu… then renaming the drawer to what you want… example: let's say
you want to create a directory on your WORK: partition to hold all of your
DTP programs and documents… from the workbench, you would double click
on the WORK icon, and then select NEW DRAWER from the WINDOW menu, and
then rename it DTP (or whatever you want. This would create the new
directory AND the new drawer.
Now, if you want to run an executable file program (not a script) from the
WB and it doesn't have an icon (.info file), in your TOOLS drawer, you'll
find a program call ICON EDIT… this will allow you to load an existing
icon, change the type of icon to TOOL (or drawer or project) and then save
the new icon as a new file; or you could just use ICON EDIT to create a
new icon of your own design, select the TOOLTYPE and save it as the .info
file for a program.
The only icons that have a 'default tool' are 'PROJECT' icons, that is,
files that are created by tools (for instance, a document created by a
Word Processor, or a file downloaded by a term program, or a spreadsheet
file created by spreadsheet program).
Look in your AmigaDos/Workbench manuals for the chapter on ICON TYPES and
ICON EDIT.
Hope this helps a bit.
Thankyou..my problem is, that the file I want to make bootable from
WB, has icons, but there is no .info file for either the "Draw" icon,
which I click on to get the tool icon, so ! can't load them into
IconEdit.
you managed to confuse the heck out of me! If a file has icons,
then it absolutely must have an .info file unless it is defaulting to
the standard on your system. I've defined those on my system, but it
took some work to do. Either you have a defined set of default tool,
project, etc., icons, or something is odd.
One question. If you double-click on the "Draw" icon, does it
bring up a requester that asks what options to use with this
program? If it does not, there should be no .info file associated
with this icon. If if does, you will need to "steal" an icon from
another source, as there is no .info file.
I still can't make heads or tails of this post, but one thing you
might look into is a program called "MakeReal" which turns "default"
(i.e. system provided) icons into real icons. You can load these
into IconEdit and edit them to your hearts content.
I seem to have everyone scratching their respective heads. Let me just
explain before I go away to study your replies; the files in question
are from a program I downloaded from a BBS in Scotland. The program
unpacked to three files only 1. DODCDUMP 2. DOCDUMP.DOC
3.DOCDUMP.INF. They all, {of course had tool icons and information
boxes, but NO .info files. Hope I have explained myself a little bit
better.
Anyway, as I said, I'll go away and see if I can work it out. Thanks
all who answered me.
Nancy,
I would suspect that if you rename DOCDUMP.INF to DocDump.info, you may
solve the problem. Some boards (those based on PC's) automagically unpack
all files posted to the system to check them for viruses and such. If the
poster hand included a file with a .info extension, it would have been
truncated. I used to run into that problem on a board where I was one of
the few Amigan's. One of the more beastly features of PC-DOS, imho.
Thanks Brian, I shall give it a go. Automagically? I like that, is it
your own innovation, or is it some sort of buzz word used in the world of
PC's?
Nancy
Nancy,
I really don't know if I picked up "automagically" or invented it.
I've been using since 1975, but may have heard it from a fellow student.
Brian-
Trivia of the day-
In 1953 Otis Elevator Company released the Automagic Dispatch Controller
for regulating elevator dispatching based on actual building traffic
demands. You know, like every car haul down to the lobby in the morning
and then go to the 42nd floor at Ten O'clock to pick up the executives for
their luncheon cocktail routine.
This feature has made a lot of elevator mechanics very wealthy for decades
🙂
Me and my Toasters say thankyou Elisa (Otis) RIP 🙂
–Paul < Motorola Inside >
Paul,
thanks. I thought the term had been around for a while.
Brian
Well I followed your suggestion and changed DOCDUMP.INF to .info and it
changed, like a butterfly from a chrysalis, into a beautiful DOCDUMP icon!
Fascinating stuff.
Incidentally, I downloaded the Virus Checker VC632 (the latest one)
and it seems a bit problematical. Clicking on INSTALL didn't work,
nor could I boot it from the Shell, so following instructions in the
DOCS, I dragged the VC Icon into the WBStartup and it caused the
computer to crash. I just couldn't boot up. I had to load up the
Workbench floppy so that I could delete the VC file. Did I do
something wrong, or is it bugged?
I don't quite understand why this is in the USING 2.0 – 3.0 section, I
thought I place this in FORUM HELP!!
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
i had the same problem. as soon as i double clicked my machine
kicked… i then tried Virus Z which works great under 1.3 and 2.1.
-mark-
I think you need to make sure the libraries are installed before running
it, it works fine on my machine.
//
-Karl \X/ Amiga and Autopilot: The *only* way to fly!
Nancy,
I'm glad the first item worked. I am a bit stumped about your problems
with VC632. I encountered problems with it at well, but that was due to
my using an old version of LhArc.
One thought that comes to mind is that you do not have Installer in
your Sys:C directory. The install icon won't work without Installer
present. Now that I think about it, you are not the first to run into
that. So far as I know, the only way to get a copy is to grab it off of
the install disk for AmigaDOS. You'll find it in the root directory of
the Install 2.1 disk.
I booted my computer several times and couldn't find the problem you
reported. I would hazard a guess that one of the files that was installed
was not put into the correct directory, but it's only a guess. That might
cause it to lock. Maybe.
Sorry I'm not more help.
Well Brian, with regard to my problem with VC632, let me get this
straight, the file INSTALLER is not the same as file INSTALL which I
have in my C/directory? If I've got this right, then where do I get
the INSTALLER from? You mention 2.1 but I have WB2.05 and I can't
see this file in the INSTALL floppy.
Nancy
What the hell does imho stand for?
zzzzz…..
The Sandman…..
IMHO => In My Humble Opinon
-bill
Michael,
imho == In My Humble Opinion. Other favorites are:
imao == In My Arrogant Opinion.
btw == By The Way.
etc. ad nauseum. There is a whole file of them, I believe, called
LINGO.ARC in section 2.
>>…but there is no .info file for either the "Draw" icon, which I
click on to get the tool icon, so ! can't load them into IconEdit.<<
Ok, if I'm interpreting that correctly, what you mean is that there is no
DRAWER icon for the directory… that's easy to take care of:
Let's say the programs are in a directory called "NewApp" on your Work:
partition. Also on your Work: partition are some drawers, one of which is
called "DOCS". Here are two ways to accomplish what you want…
1) Open a shell, CD to WORK: and enter
COPY DOCS.INFO NEWAPP.INFO
then close the shell, open the Work: partition (close it if it was
open during the COPY xxx.info) and you'll see your new drawer icon
sitting on top of the old DOCS drawer… now drag it to a new
location thatisn't blocking the old icon, and snapshot it.
or,
2) From the TOOLS drawer, run ICONEDIT, load any DRAWER icon of your
choosing or use the default icon and change the TOOLTYPE (from the
menu) to DRAWER and save it back out as "WORK:NEWAPP".
That's it! Now, when you open up your NEWAPP drawer, you'll see the
exisiting icons for your program.
There are several programs in the "Icons and Fonts" library of AmigaUser tht
can change the type of an icon for you. I haven't used any of these in quite a
long time, but I had one called IconMaster that I liked a lot. Look through
the library and you should find more than one that will do the job.
I believe, though I'm not home and can't check it out right this minute, that
the newer icon editor that comes with Amiga OS2.x will change the type of the
icon, too.
Betty
Yes the Icon editor in WB3 does everything, but as I explained to Michael
Gerard, my problem is icons with no .info files!! Nancy
Nancy,
they you really _need_ "MakeReal." It turns default icons into real
ones.
"…my problem is icons with no .info files"
That doesn't make any sense. An .INFO file contains the data for an
ICON. Without one, you can't have the other. That is, unless you are
using the WORKBENCH 'SHOW ALL' and 'VIEW BY ICON' settings from the
WB menu…