From: K5B (David J.MacGraw.)
Subject: 512 and DOS+ (Part 5)
Probably every 512 user is aware of the
remarkable set of utilities produced by
Robin Burton and Mike Ginns, under the
appropriate name of Essential Software.
I have no connection with either, other
than meeting with Mr.Burton one evening
whilst he happened to be 'down my way',
but can certainly recommend most of the
programs as being essential software!
The majority of programs use 'hotkeys',
usually a combination of Crtl/Shift and
some letter key, and reside in the host
to minimise 512 memory use and interact
directly with the system I/O hardware.
The hotkey combination and condition of
each loaded program can be displayed by
using the STATUS and NEWSTAT utilities.
The hotkeys may be easily changed using
NEWKEYS, then SAVEKEYS to store the new
definitions in a HOTKEYS.DEF file. The
use of LOADKEYS in the 512 AUTOEXEC.BAT
file will then automatically prime your
set of hotkeys. However, this increases
bootup time, more so if using floppies.
A preferred hotkey set can be installed
by editing only the first utility used.
If you always run SUPRSTAR first, then
editing this will prime all hotkeys for
programs subsequently loaded. As usual,
DON'T DO THIS ON A MASTER DISC, only on
a backup or work disc. NB: This mod.has
not been vetted by ES but it does work
and saves running LOADKEYS every time.
It also presets ES's CLMOUSE button and
sensitivity settings and their SOUNDACK
on/off setting (the blip-blip-bleep can
be very disquieting - pun intended!).
Analysis of the HOTKEYS.DEF file shows
ES's hotkeys are based on host internal
key numbers and Ctrl/Shift bit settings
of the keyboard status byte. This data,
plus ES's and my own settings for each
utility is included in the accompanying
file HOTDEF. This may be MOVE'd to DOS
then loaded into ES's MEMOPAD by using
PADLOAD HOTDEF thus allowing editing of
the relevant program using a hex editor
with the associated data immediately to
hand or hotkey! Alternatively, reformat
the file for printing etc. Offsets for
each file's data table come from MY set
and must be verified by a check for the
hex string 37 25 23 42 before editing.
The 50 byte data table occurs in all of
the programs shown but only the FIRST
one run needs to be edited; subsequent
ones do not change the table contents,
(except those that are meant to!). Each
utility has an internal key byte and a
parallel byte for Ctrl (b7) and Shift
(b6) bits set respectively if required.
The full set of internal key numbers is
included in the HOTDEF file, including
those for the Master Series keypad. For
consistency, edit NEWKEYS.COM's default
byte table so that everything agrees.
My version of NEWKEYS.COM dated 16.6.91
doesn't recognise the FAXPRINT command;
the above method is one way to achieve
hotkey redefinition. Also my version of
CURSOR.COM again 16.6.91, which enables
the 512's cursor shape to be changed or
even disappear, insisted on using ES's
default hotkey Ctrl/Shft/Copy when run.
As this conflicts with Problem Solver,
I changed the byte at offset 0896 from
69 Copy to 28 underline; problem cured!
My version of NEWSTAT.COM dated 10.6.91
didn't complete the box properly around
the display on screen; changing the CR
byte at offset 086F from 0D to 0A (LF)
allows the box's lower line to be seen.
I use a batch file to call ES's STATUS
and NEWSTAT commands, separated by a
PAUSE and CLS, as I usually need both!
Next time, a salutary warning based on
recent experience and some interesting
tips/information gleaned as a result -
Winchester users especially take heed!