March 2, 2000 The TextTalker IIgs v1.3 - GS/OS v6.01 special system boot disk ShrinkIt archive is available for public access and download here as TxtTlkGSv13sdk.bin This GS/OS special TextTalker configured boot disk is for use with the Echo and/or Echo Plus card with the Apple IIgs and is very useful to have for those with visual impairments or visual handicaps, who might need the use of speech synthesis to help them navigate and use certain modes, options and programs with their Apple IIgs. It is setup to be used with either an Apple IIgs ROM 1 and/or ROM 3 machine. It requires at least 512k of RAM memory to function. It is also suggested that you have 2.5 MB¹s of RAM memory and up, to be able to use the boot disk with the TextTalker function and its mode - to its fullest ability. This ShrinkIt GS v1.1 - disk archive: TTGSv1.3.SD.SDK is a self-booting GS/OS v6.01 special custom system disk that contains TextTalker GS v1.3, for use with the Echo and/or Echo Plus speech card/synthesizer system. It also contains the alternate ProDOS 8/16 & GS/OS program selector Squirt-16. This system disk will boot with either an Apple IIgs ROM 1 or ROM 3 machine. Full documentation for the Squirt-16 is listed below. Squirt-16 An Alternate ProDOS 8/16 & GS/OS Program Selector By Steve Stephenson Copyright 1988 by Synesis Systems Squirt-16 is an all assembly language program written using Merlin-16. Squirt-16 is designed exclusively for the Apple IIgs -- use the earlier SQUIRT for the other Apple II's and compatibles. To use ProDOS, you have two choices: reboot the computer on each new disk; or select the next program by using a selector. If you are rebooting the computer every time you switch programs, then Squirt-16 just may help you become more comfortable with ProDOS. If you are already aware of the power of a selector, then Squirt-16 just may impress you with it's speed and powerful interface. All current ProDOS 16 selectors use the rather slow hi-res screen and pull-down windows. While this interface is very good for some applications, Squirt-16 will demonstrate that it is not a requirement for selectors. Squirt-16 is a ProDOS 16 application (S16 file type) and may be run by any of three different methods: First, you may select the file SQUIRT.SYS16 from your present selector just as you would select any other application. Second, you may copy the file SQUIRT.SYS16 onto you system boot disk, placing it as the first file ending with ".SYS16" in the root directory. To ensure that it will be the first program to run, you must also delete the existing file "START" from the SYSTEM folder. Third, you may copy the file SQUIRT.SYS16 onto your system boot disk, placing it in the SYSTEM folder and renaming it "START". This will guarantee that Squirt-16 will be the first program run. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE NOTE This special custom GS/OS boot system disk with the TextTalker v1.3 function, files and mode for use with the Echo and/or Echo Plus card is already set up as such to allow the Squirt-16 selector to be the first program --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Squirt-16 Description ===================== Squirt-16 has four areas: the main selector, the help screen, the run list, and the preferences. Each of these areas will be covered in a moment. Some things that are universal throughout the program are the input and the error handling. Whenever you are supposed to press the Apple key with another key, you may use either the Open-Apple key or the Option (Closed-Apple) key. The keys do not need to be pressed together -- you may press and release either Apple key and then press the appropriate key. If you press an invalid key (after the Apple key) you will need to restart the sequence over by pressing the Apple key again. At no point in the program is more than one key required at a time. The Escape key will always undo, retreat, or cancel an action. The four directions (up, down, left, and right) may be entered with either the mouse or the four arrow keys. A single click of the mouse button is the same as pressing the Return key. Anytime a disk error happens, a window will pop up informing you. Once an error has occurred, the program will usually restart at the main disk selection menu. The Main Selector ================= Squirt-16 begins by polling all of your disk drives and listing the names of all of the ProDOS disks that it finds. Use the up or down arrow keys or move the mouse to highlight the volume name that you are interested in. If the disk you want does not appear in the list you may insert it into one of your drives and press the Clear key (or Control-X); the polling will start over and this time the new disk should appear in the list. (Please note: Squirt-16 will only find ProDOS disks; if you insert a non-ProDOS disk, it will be ignored.) When you have selected the volume and it is highlighted (shown in inverse text), press the Return key. The volume's main or root directory will be read in and displayed on the screen in four columns of sixteen names each. The volume's name will also be shown near the top of the screen as the 'Current Path:'. You will be shown ALL of the files at the volume's root level -- even if these files may not be run. The filename's type is shown to the right of the file name using the standard three letter abbreviation. To choose one of these files, you may press any of the four arrows or move the mouse to highlight the filename. The down arrow will take you down the first column to the bottom and continue at the top of the next column to the right; when you reach the bottom name in the last column, you will wrap around back to the first name. The up arrow works the same way except the direction is reversed. The left and right arrows will jump straight across from column to column; when the farthest column is reached, you will wrap around back the nearest column. Mouse movement is the same; moving the mouse in any of the four directions will be the same as an arrow key to the program. You may alternately touch the letter key of the first letter of the filename. If there are several files that begin with the same letter, simply press the key again. Each time another file will be highlighted. When there no more names that begin with that letter, the first filename on the screen will be re-selected. Some of the filenames will not highlight when you select them. These names instead have a checkerboard symbol next to the file's type. This is to symbolize that the file is 'dimmed' and not selectable. When a filename is 'dimmed' it is because it is of a type that may not be run. The exceptions to this are the Binary code type and the Text file type; these may be shown as either selectable or unselectable (more on these later). To finish the selection process, simply press the Return key or the mouse button. If the name that was highlighted was a program, it will be launched. Otherwise, the name was a subdirectory (or folder). When you select a subdirectory, the name of the subdirectory will be appended to the 'Current Path' at the top of the screen and all of the names (up to 64) in it will be read and displayed as before. You may continue selecting subdirectories until you find the file that you are interested in. If you don't find the file you were looking for, you may retreat back up the levels to the top by repeatedly pressing the Escape key. Each time you press the Escape key, one level is removed from the 'Current Path' and the subdirectory is re-shown as it was before. You may also jump back to the top of the main selector by pressing the Clear key (on the keypad); this will instantly clear the Current Path and bring you back to the beginning for the selection of a new volume. If you select a subdirectory that doesn't contain any files, you will be informed and your next keypress (or mouse click) will take you back to the previous directory. The length of your total path (volume name plus all subdirectory names) plus the final file name may not exceed 64 characters. As mentioned earlier, there are certain types of files that you may run anytime; some that may never be run; and some that depend on certain conditions. The types of files that you may always select are: ProDOS 16 applications (S16; $B3), ProDOS 16 shell files (EXE; $B5), ProDOS 8 applications (SYS; $FF), and subdirectories (DIR; $0F). The conditional files which may be selected only if your boot disk contains BASIC.SYSTEM and BASIC.LAUNCHER are: Basic programs (BAS; $FC), Binary code files (BIN; $06), and Text files (TXT; $04). All other file types will be shown as unselectable. The Binary files and Text files are in a special category. Only a few of these files are actually capable of being run. Most will cause SYNTAX ERRORS or crash your system. However, some Binary files may be BRUN and some Text files are really EXECable command files. If you know for certain that your particular file is capable of being run, you may have it show as selectable by pressing either Open Apple-B or Open Apple-T. This will re-display the current list of files with the BIN and TXT files shown the opposite of the way they were (the key toggles the selectability on or off). This selectability will remain the same as long as you are actively in Squirt-16; each time you enter Squirt-16, these file types will default to off. You may make this more permanent by changing it in the preferences. If you would prefer not to see ALL of the available files on your disk, you may toggle the display to show only the files that may be launched with Open Apple-A. This may also be made more permanent in the preferences. As with most ProDOS 16 applications and desktop programs, you may quit the program by pressing Open Apple-Q. If you ran Squirt-16 from some other selector, then you will return to that selector. If you booted into Squirt-16 first, then the system will get confused because there is nowhere for it to 'go back' to. When this happens, the system will present you with a menu of three choices: (1) reboot the computer, (2) re-run the START program, and (3) enter a path of your choice. The first choice is obvious; it will reboot your computer. The second choice will usually get you back to Squirt-16 (it's at least worth a try). The third choice will bring up some blank lines for you to type the complete path of where you want to go (just like the old days before selectors!). If you don't want to enter this 'Twilight Zone', then don't use Open Apple-Q; I put the feature in for those who may have need of it and to achieve greater compatibility with current standard interfaces. For your convenience (and possibly to assist in selecting files), there is a single 'catalog' line at the bottom of the screen. It shows a fairly standard display of the information on the currently highlighted file name. The main selector screen is arranged in four columns of sixteen names each. This will allow 64 names maximum. This will be sufficient most of the time. If you have more than 64 entries in a subdirectory (ProDOS has a limit of 51 at the volume level), you will only be shown the first 64 names. If this becomes a problem, you may rearrange the entry names so the application files are at the top; or I would recommend that you create another subdirectory and move some of the files. Help ==== Anytime you are at the main selector level, you may view the help screen. Simply press Open Apple-?. You may also forget the shift key (and just enter "/"); the Open Apple key isn't really required either. The Run List ============ Since ProDOS will not run any of your programs without knowing the pathname, and you probably have more than one program that you run from time to time, either you or your computer will have to remember the pathnames. Remembering thing is something that the computer is rather good at, so to aid you in running your most common programs, there is a Run List where you may keep up to ten pathnames. These programs may be run by simply pressing their number key from the menu list. This way you only need to follow the path to your program once. To activate the Run List you must return to the main selector and press Open Apple-R or the "*" key on the keypad. The Run List window will pop up with some helpful information and the currently loaded list of programs. When the window first opens, you will see only the program names; however, you may toggle between viewing the program names only and the complete pathnames by pressing the 'E' key at any time the Run List window is open. The choice of whether the paths are shown or just the names may also be saved in the preferences section. When Squirt-16 first loaded into the computer, it also attempted to load the file "SQUIRT.PATHS" from the same directory. If this file was not present, you will not find any names in the Run List when you first view it. The following Run List options will be discussed: Adding a program to the list, Removing a program from the list, Running a program on the list, Saving a list, Loading a list, and the Optional Startup feature. Adding a path to the Run List ----------------------------- To add a program's path to your Run List, you will need to perform all of the steps that you normally would to run the program EXCEPT don't press the final Return (when the program's name is highlighted). Instead, leave the program highlighted and press Open Apple-R or "*" on the keypad. When the Run List opens, it is always in the 'Run mode', or ready to run a program just by touching its number. To add an entry, you must switch to the 'Add mode' by pressing the 'A' key. The name of the program (or the full path) you have selected is shown near the top of the window. Press the number (0-9) you want to assign to this program. The complete path to your program will be added and displayed (you may see only the name, depending on the whether you have the pathnames expanded) in the Run List. To add another, press Escape to close the Run List window and return to the main selector; and once again, build the path to the new program. Removing a path from the Run List --------------------------------- To remove a program's path from your Run List, press the 'C' key to enter the 'Clear mode'. Then press the number of the path entry you wish to remove. The spot in the list will be cleared. You may also remove a path by replacing it with another path; in other words, the list item doesn't have to be blank to add a new path. Running a program from the Run List ----------------------------------- Anytime you are at the main selector, you may press the keypad asterisk (*) and the number of a program in the list. That's it - just two keystrokes to run a program! If you hit a number that does not have a pathname, the number will be ignored. Since you may have programs in your list that are on different disks, Squirt-16 verifies that the path is good first. If the path you selected requires another disk that is not present, you will receive an error message and be taken to the top of Squirt-16 to restart. Whether you are running a program from the Run List or manually from the main selector, when your chosen program is finished it will (should) return you to Squirt-16. Saving the Run List ------------------- Setting up a list of pathnames would not be worth much unless you could not save it. So, when you have the list displayed the way you want it, you may press Open Apple-S and it will be saved. A file named "SQUIRT.PATHS" will be written to the designated saving directory. The designated directory is always shown at the bottom of the window. When you first enter Squirt-16, this designated path is set to the same as where Squirt-16 was loaded; as this is the most likely place for your Run List to be kept. If you would prefer to save the Run List elsewhere, or you are creating an additional Run List, you may change the designated directory by pressing Open Apple-P. Whatever "Current Path" is shown at the top of the screen will become the new designated directory. The designated directory will remain set until you change it; this will allow you to select the different paths for your Run List entries and be able to save the Run List at any time by simply pressing Open Apple-S. If a previous SQUIRT.PATHS file exists, it will be replaced with the new file. If none existed, one will be created. If you wish this Run List to be loaded automatically when you boot, then make sure you save SQUIRT.PATHS in the same directory as that of Squirt-16. Loading a Run List ------------------ What do you do when you have more than ten pathnames that you'd like to keep in a Run List? Have more than one Run List! You may have as many Run Lists as you have directories to store them in! You may find it convenient to keep a Run List on each of your commonly used disks and switch to the new list when you switch disks. To load a Run List, establish a current path to the SQUIRT.PATHS file that you previously saved. You may think of this process as if you were going to run the SQUIRT.PATHS file; but don't (you need not highlight the file, but you must be able to see it on the screen). When you can see the file, press Open Apple-R or the keypad asterisk (*) to activate the Run List (don't worry about the names that are currently shown), then press Open Apple-P to set the designated loading path, then press Open Apple-L to load the new list. After a moment of disk activity the new Run List will replace the previous list. If you wish you may immediately run your desired program by pressing its number. The current Run List will remain valid until you load another; even if you remove the disk that it was loaded from. Optional Startup ---------------- Do you have a favorite program that you always start you computer session with? That program can be made to run automatically when you first boot and Squirt-16 will wait in the background for it to finish. This feature will only happen when you first boot; it won't automatically run your program again unless you cold boot the system. To setup this Optional Startup, first save your program's path in the Run List as number zero (0). Then save this Run List in the same directory with Squirt-16 so it will be automatically loaded on boot. Finally, go to the Preferences and set the Optional Startup option to Yes. The next time you cold boot your computer, your program will be run first. Please note that you may freely use the number zero choice as long as the Optional Startup feature is turned off. In fact you may freely use the #0 choice on any Run List that you manually load; as this feature only happens on boot, only the bootup Run List is affected (and then only if you avail yourself of the feature). If the file SQUIRT.PATHS or the Optional Startup program is not found on boot then Squirt-16 will make a normal start. No error is reported as this is not really considered an error. Preferences =========== From the main selector, press Open Apple-Z to open the Preferences window. You may customize Squirt-16 to your taste by changing the values in this window. The first option is to activate the Optional Startup feature. Set this to 'Yes' to allow the program of your choice to be automatically run on a cold boot. See also the information above under the Run List for establishing the file's path name. If you are a programmer, you are aware of the built-in ROM Classic Desk Accessories (available in the ROM 01). Normally, these CDA's are activated and added to your Desk Accessory list only by making a trip into the monitor and entering a pound sign (#). However, if you would like these CDA's to be added to your list automatically on bootup, set this option to 'Yes'. If you are not a programmer or you already have a full list of CDA's, set this option to 'No' and they will not be installed. If you have many BRUNable Binary files or EXECable Text files and don't want to toggle their selectability on each time, you may change the option to 'Yes' and BIN and TXT will be selectable from bootup. There aren't many "Invisible" files, yet; and my guess is that they will be non-runnable support files anyway, but if you would like to see all files displayed, set the Invisibility option to 'Yes'. If you don't want to see all of the available files in each directory, you may change the option to 'No' and only the launchable files will be shown from bootup. You may still toggle this option on or off at any time. You may select the option of starting Squirt-16 with the Run List already opened and being displayed. You may select whether you see the Run List entries displayed only by the filename or by the full pathname. You may set the responsiveness of the mouse movement in this program. The default values are an average that most people will find acceptable. If you would like to "slow down" or make the mouse move farther before registering, then assign a higher number. If you feel it should be more "lively", then change the setting to a lower number. The values of your Preferences will remain valid while Squirt-16 is running. You may also save your Preferences for next time by pressing Open Apple-S while you are viewing the Preferences screen. Your Preference information will be written to disk in the file "SQUIRT.PATHS" along with the current Run List. The file "SQUIRT.PATHS" will be written to the designated saving directory shown at the bottom of the window. Setting and changing the designated directory is the same as described under "Saving the Run List". In fact, when you save, load, or change the designated directory in Preferences, you are also affecting the Run List. And the opposite is also true; when you load and save a Run List, your Preferences will also be affected. Just as you may load different Run Lists, you may also load different sets of Preferences with the Open Apple-L. A new Run List with its pathnames and Preferences will be loaded from the designated directory. Should you feel at any time that you would like to restore the Preferences to their original state, you may do so by pressing the Clear key (on the keypad) or its equivalent, Control-X while the Preferences screen is visible. Some Tips ========= You should be aware that there are some ProDOS 8 files that show as "SYS" (system application) files when in fact they only contain data. If you try to select these files, you will most certainly crash your system. An example of this is AppleWorks. The only SYS file that will actually run is APLWORKS.SYSTEM; the others will definitely cause a crash if you select them. If you are not certain which file will start an application, you will usually have success by choosing one that has a name ending with ".SYSTEM". You may also consult the program's manual under the section for running it from a hard disk; generally the starting program's name is listed there. By the way, this problem only exists with ProDOS 8 System files; I know of no corruption of ProDOS 16 files. So, you should be able to run any S16 file you see. One use for the EXEC feature of Squirt-16 could be to boot from other drives. For example, with a properly constructed EXEC (TXT) file it is possible to simulate a reboot from a disk in a Drive 2. A suggested use for the Optional Startup feature is to have it run a special program on bootup that will set your printer to any special modes. You could enter a simple Applesoft file that sent the necessary commands to your printer and end it with the command "BYE". After the printer setup program finished, control would transfer to Squirt-16. Note: When you receive your officially registered disk from me, you can expect to find some miscellaneous programs on it to do some of these suggestions. If you downloaded Squirt-16 from an Electronic BBS, you may or may not receive any of these extra files. And now a word from our sponsor... Your prompt payment for Shareware programs will help ensure their continued existence. Neither I nor any other Shareware author will be inclined to spend the time creating programs for no reward at all. I don't believe that any of us expect to get rich by producing Shareware; but we all like to feel that our work has value. So, if you like it and use it, please pay for it. You may mail your Squirt-16 payment (cash, check, or money order) of $20 to: Synesis Systems P.O. Box 1308 Gilbert, AZ 85234 When I receive your payment, I will mail you the most current version of Squirt-16 with your own personal registration number on a 3.5" disk. (The disk will not include ProDOS and not be bootable; just copy the files to your own startup disk). Please include (with your payment) the Registration number that is on the copy that you are currently using. I will credit that person's account with $2 for each Squirt-16 order. This credit may be used toward future purchases, or updates, of Synesis Systems products. Update policy From time to time, I may update Squirt-16. I will notify all registered owners of the new version, the price, and what it contains. When I receive your payment I will send you the newer disk. If you have enough credit in your account, you will automatically receive the new disk.