Stewart v1.04
=============

Table of Contents

  1. Important!
  2. Stewart is shareware!
  3. Legal
  4. What does Stewart do?
  5. Why Stewart?
  6. System requirements
  7. Distribution
  8. Installation
     8.1 MagiC logo replacement
  9. Configuring Stewart
 10. Registration
 11. Miscellaneous
 12. Known problems
 13. Credits
 14. History
 15. The future
 16. The author
 17. InterActive



1. Important!

Thanks for reading this chapter!

Stewart makes cosmetic changes to the appearance of MagiC. Naturally 
not all of the options will appeal to everyone so everything in Stewart 
is configurable.
Hopefully you'll like enough options to make it worthwhile registering 
your copy to remove the half hour time limit...

Read 'Configuring Stewart' for more details



2. Stewart is shareware!

Even though Stewart is only a small application I've put a helleva lot of 
work into it so it's shareware.

If after using Stewart for two weeks you cannot bring yourself to delete 
your copy then you must register! You can either directly with me or via 
the InterActive support scheme run by Joe Connor, please refer to 
SUPPORT.TXT, included with this distribution, for more details.

To further encourage people to register the unregistered version 
removes itself from memory after half and hour.

Refer to Registration for more details...



3. Legal

All rights to Stewart are reserved by the author although some of the 
functions and look and feel were inspired by other software.

Neither I or any agent I may appoint accept any liability or 
responsibility for any direct or indirect damage that may arise, either 
financial, material or any other kind from either the use or misuse of 
this software and associated documentation. All trademarks used are 
recognised and acknowledged.

But don't panic!
The worst that is likely to happen is a system crash but during the 
entire beta phase no data was overwritten. Naturally you'll have a 
recent backup to hand in the unlikely event that the worst does happen!



4. What does Stewart do?

Stewart offers cosmetic changes to the 'look and feel' similar to those 
provided on the Apple Macintosh platform running the forthcoming 
Copland (aka System 8), including:
   
- Drop down menus may have a grey background
- The corners of the displayed screen may be rounded
- Clicking anywhere on the desktop tops (brings to the foreground) the 
  desktop and all desktop windows
- The GEM grow and shrink boxes are replaced by much sexier spinboxes 
  (rotating rectangles)

Other options not inspired by Copland include:
- The 'Nicelines' option offered by some programs changes the dotted line 
  drop down menu separators with nice lines
- A menu bar clock may be activated (digital or fuzzy text display), 
  because most clocks cannot cope with grey menu bar background colour
- 3D menu text -the same as MagiC v4 uses for window title bars
- The MagiC logo can be switched off convienently
- The MagiC logo can be replaced with a custom icon
- If StIc is installed, Stewart can replace the MagiC logo with an
  application dependent icon
   


5. Why Stewart?

Stewart was inspired by the 'Copland' (System 8) development named 
after the composer Aaron Copland.

There's already a Stewart utility for the Mac platform called Aaron so 
I couldn't call my program that.

During a phone conversation with Dirk Haun he mentioned he'd never 
heard of Aaron Copland but did however know the drummer with the ex 
band Police and that decided it, that's more than enough on this topic!



6. System requirements

Stewart is a MagiC application and doesn't run under TOS. Any version of 
MagiC >= v3.0 or MagiC Mac is supported.

No special hardware is required but Stewart only kicks in when you're 
running at least 640x480 in 16 colours. The spinboxes are obviously 
slower on slower computers, if they're too slow on your system turn 'em 
off.



7. Distribution

Stewart may be freely distributed in non-commercial channels so long as 
its documentation always remains together, complete with all its files 
and documentation.

Commercial PD/Shareware libraries and magazines may NOT distribute this 
software except by prior agreement.
   
Distribution of STEWART.INF or registration keys is strictly forbidden!

The following files comprise Stewart (English release):

 READ_ME.NOW          Important information to read before using Stewart
 STEWART.APP          The executable program
 STEWART.RSC          Resource file, including icon to replace MagiC logo
 STEWART.TXT          Documentation in ASCII format
 STEWART.HYP          Hypertext documentation
 STEWART.REF          Hypertext reference file
 STEWART.UPL          File description for some on-line services
 FILE_ID.DIZ          File description for some on-line services
 


8. Installation

Simply copy STEWART.APP in your APPS folder and next time you start 
your system Stewart will be automatically activated. Do not start 
Stewart from your Auto folder. That's it!

It is recommended that MagiC multitasking during running the 
applications in the APPS folder is disabled (this is a general 
recommendation -not specific to Stewart). To do this delete the line in 
MAGX.INF which begins #_TSL.


8.1 MagiC logo replacement
 
 If Stewart finds a resource file called 'STEWART.RSC' (e.g. in the 
 $HOME directory) it will be loaded and examined for a valid colour 
 icon to use instead of the default MagiC logo in the menu bar.
 
 STEWART.RSC can be edited/created using any RSC Editor so long as:
 
 -The colour icon is in the first tree of the resource (other trees are 
  meaningless!)
 -the icon width and height is exactly 16 pixels (the same as the 
  STEWART.RSC included in this distribution)
 
If this went over your head but you fancy a nice blue and red MagiC 
logo simply copy the supplied STEWART.RSC to the same directory as 
STEWART.INF.



9. Configuring Stewart

Stewart is configured from a dialog box accessed by holding the 
[Alternate] key down and clicking over in the menu bar (as if calling 
the MagiC popup).

Alternatively the dialog appears if Stewart receives a VA_START 
message!
   
The dialog offers the following options divided into themes:


General:

Grey Menus:
Changes the menu bar and drop down menus from white to grey. This 
option only works when running at least 640x480 resolution in 16 or 
more colours.

Nicelines:
Globally activates the 'Nicelines' feature which replaces the dotted 
lines used to separate items in drop down menus with nice lines.

Round corners:
The corners of the screen are rounded (Mac style). This can suffer 
(harmless) optical errors if an application writes to the screen 
corners. 

MagiC Logo:
The MagiC logo can be switched off if desired.

3D text:
The menu titles and entries receive a 3D look, the same look employed 
for MagiC window titles under MagiC 4.

Desktop click:
If this option is active a click anywhere on the desktop will top 
(bring to the foreground) all open Shell windows.

PopUp:
Unused

Start me up:
Unused



Inverse colour:

The selected colour for menus and options can be selected using the 
red, green and blue (thousandth part) sliders. These options are only 
available when running 256 or more colours (refer to vs_colour for more 
details)


 
Menu clock:

Since most currently available menu clocks cannot cope with the grey 
menu bar installed by Stewart a clock option has been built into 
Stewart. The clock appears to the right of the menu bar, adjacent to 
the MagiC logo (if present).
     
The clock can be configured via the popup, the following options are 
available:

Off:         No clock
Standard:    The time is displayed digitally (e.g. 14:45)
English:     The time is described in English (e.g. Quarter to three)
Nederlands:  The time is described in Dutch
     
The text idea was 'borrowed' from Stefan Radermachers Fuzzy-Clock 
program.
     
If Standard has been selected there is also room to display the date. 
If the date option is not selected the date can be displayed on request 
by clicking on the menu clock. The date is then displayed for around 
1.5 seconds.


Spinboxes:

Active:      Switches Spinboxes On/Off. If On is selected the 
             grow/shrink boxes are intercepted and replaced with 
             Spinboxes.
             Spinboxes are exactly the same as grow/shrink boxes except 
             they simultaneously rotate around 180 degrees.
Number:      Sets the number of steps the 180 degree rotation is 
             divided into. The more steps the more rectangles are drawn 
             and the longer it takes, it's up to you to enter a 
             sensible value for your system.
Delay:       If you're running an ultra fast computer you can slow down 
             the Spinboxes so you can see them!

             

vs_color:

Stewart optionally displays menus in light grey. When the mouse travels 
over menu entries the entry is normally inverted. Running 16 colour 
resolutions (or HighColor/TrueColor Resolutions) the inverted colour is 
fixed to dark grey. When running 256 colours the inverted colour is 
hardware dependent (the Mac and Nova graphic cards are set to index 
248).

So the current inverted menu colour is only selectable when running 256 
colour resolutions. The following options are available:

Never:       Simple, eh? Stewart never changes the colour. The inverted 
             colour when running 256 colours is set by the system (not 
             Stewart) and in other resolutions the option isn't 
             available.
Startup:     Stewart sets the colour on starting the system (after any
             desktop accessories have been loaded).
Menu bar:    Stewart sets the inverted colour whenever an application 
             installs a menu bar. Menu entry:  This option installs the 
             colours 0, 1, 8, 9 (White, black, light grey, dark grey 
             repectively) and the inverted colour every time a menu is 
             opened and restores the original colours every time a menu 
             is closed.
             This may be required for some programs which change the 
             first sixteen colours (and/or the inverted colour) of the 
             palette.
             This option is not selectable under Hi/TrueColor.



10. Registration"

If after using Stewart for two weeks you cannot bring yourself to 
delete your copy then you must register! You can either directly with 
me or via the InterActive support scheme run by Joe Connor, please 
refer to SUPPORT.TXT, included with this distribution, for more 
details.

To register directly with me tranfer or send DM 10,- to me and make 
sure you include you name, address and the reason for sending me the 
money!

You will receive a key which should be fed into the Registration dialog 
along with your address details.
 
The Registration dialog can be called by holding the [Alternate] and 
[Left Shift] keys down and clicking over in the menu bar (as if calling 
the MagiC popup).

After entering your address and key details select 'OK' and Stewart 
should confirm successful registration and save your data to a file 
called STWART.INF. If this doesn't happen check and retry carefully 
before asking for help!

When passing copies of Stewart onto other users be sure to pass the 
original distribution and under no circumstances must the STEWART.INF 
be disclosed to anyone!

STEWART.INF may be stored in the APPS folder, the Stewart directory or, 
if available, in the directory defined by the $HOME environmental 
variable.



11. Miscellaneous

Here's a few things which didn't find their way into other pages.

Stewart understands the AP_TERM system message. This is normally used 
to remove all system vectors when Stewart is shut down, however, this 
option is not present in the unregistered version so Stewart cannot be 
ended via AP_TERM.

In order to shut down the system without locking it up add the 
following line in SHUTDOWN.INF:

ignore STEWART 



12. Known problems

- Any program which draws in the menu bar area with a white background 
  disturbs the grey background and menu options will always be white.

- In 256 colour resolutions (at least with graphics cards and Macs) is 
  it difficult (if not impossible) to always determine a valid inverted 
  colour. This problem is typically caused by faulty handling of the 
  VDI colour assignment and beyond my control.

- Gemini (and other programs) may not display menu entries perfectly. 
  The solution is to edit the program RSC file (where possible) until 
  they display correctly. If you don't know what you're doing expect 
  trouble!

- The Rounded corners are always black, there are many Atari 
  resolutions with white backgrounds and I'm hoping to fix this in the 
  next version.
  


13. Credits

Thanks to the beta testers (in alphabetical order):

- Oliver Buchmann
- Dirk Haun
- Thomas Much
- Thorsten Pohlmann
- David Reitter
- Reiner Rosin
    
- Sabine, my future ex-girlfriend (soon to be my wife)

- Joe Connor for the English translation and InterActive support scheme

- Holger Weets for ST-Guide



14. History

 1.00 First German release version
 
 1.01 Problems finding STEWART.INF unless the HOME environment exists 
      now fixed.
 
 1.02 More path recognition problems resolved.
 
      For users of NOVA graphics cards: On accessing every menu (more 
      exactly, with every menu_bar() call) the current colour depth is 
      checked, so if RESWITCH has been used to change the colour depth 
      a black menu list no longer appears.
 
      There was a problem with MENUKEY from the WinCom distribution.
 
      The top rounded corners are now drawn at a different moment in 
      time.
 
      STEWART.RSC introduced, this enables the default MagiC logo to 
      be replaced with a 16x16 pixel colour icon.
 
      If a window is obscured by lower rounded corners it now receives 
      a redraw message on moving.
 
 1.03 The first mouse click following a menu bar change wasn't 
      observed.

      The Stewart clock functions if an application is running in 
      single mode (so long as it has a menu bar).
 
      Different MagiC logos can be displayed.
      
 1.04 StIc support
 
      Rounded corners should no longer suffer redraw problems
      
      First English release version...



15. The future

- Stewart will replace MagiC's popup

- Stewart will be able to activate Thomas Much's Start Me Up! by 
  clicking on an icon in the menu bar.

- Stewart will be adapted to run under other TOS compatible operating 
  systems.

- The Desktop click recognition will be improved.



16. The author

    John McLoud
    Mozartstr. 1a
    65439 Flrsheim am Main
    Germany
    
    Email: John McLoud @ WI2  (MausNet)
    
    Bank details:
    
    Taunussparkasse  BLZ (Sort code): 512 500 00
    Konto Nr.       (Account number): 9 45 02 97
    



17. InterActive

Registration: InterActive software support

If you'd prefer to register in the UK you can take advantage of the 
InterActive software support scheme organised by Joe Connor.
Registration fees are set to cover the currency handling, stationary, 
media and postage costs incurred in mailing out master disks and 
providing comprehensive support. Although primarily a UK support scheme 
anyone may register via InterActive as an alternative to registering 
directly with the author/s.

This offers proven benefits for local users include:
- Local telephone, post and Email support
- Free update service
- No hassle handling foreign currency -if you're in the UK!
- Labelled Master disk and registration letter
- ST-Guide on-line hypertext help (some software)
- Other software (dependent on disk space)

Refer to SUPPORT.TXT included with this distribution which includes 
detailed instructions on how to register, get updates etc.

InterActive software support:
Joe Connor
65 Mill Road
Colchester
Essex
CO4 5LJ
England

Email: jconnor@cix.compulink.co.uk

Telephone: +44 (0)1206 852602 and leave a message on the answerphone!



InterActive software support

Joe Connor
65 Mill Road
Colchester
CO4 5LJ
Engand

Email:
jconnor@cix.compulink.co.uk


   