AmigaOS Manual: Workbench Basic Operations - Revision history

Janne Peräaho: /* Using Floppy Disks */

2021-01-31T15:00:10Z

Using Floppy Disks

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:00, 31 January 2021
Line 145:		Line 145:
	Floppy disks must be write-enabled and formatted before information can be written on them. To write-enable a floppy disk, turn the disk to its back side and push the plastic tab in the upper left corner down to cover the hole. Conversely, to write-protect a floppy disk, push the plastic tab up, uncovering the hole Figure 2-5 illustrates the write-enable/protect tab on a floppy disk. Formatting floppy disks is described in Chapter 3.		Floppy disks must be write-enabled and formatted before information can be written on them. To write-enable a floppy disk, turn the disk to its back side and push the plastic tab in the upper left corner down to cover the hole. Conversely, to write-protect a floppy disk, push the plastic tab up, uncovering the hole Figure 2-5 illustrates the write-enable/protect tab on a floppy disk. Formatting floppy disks is described in Chapter 3.

	[[File:WorkbenchFig2-5.png\|~~center~~\|frame\|Write Protecting/Enabling Floppy Disks]]		[[File:WorkbenchFig2-5.png\|none\|frame\|Write Protecting/Enabling Floppy Disks]]

	The disk from which information is copied is referred to as the source disk (FROM disk). The disk to which the information is copied is referred to as the destination disk (TO disk). The source disk should always be write-protected to avoid accidental erasure. The destination disk can be a blank disk or a previously used disk whose contents are no longer needed. This disk must be write-enabled to accept the information from the source disk.		The disk from which information is copied is referred to as the source disk (FROM disk). The disk to which the information is copied is referred to as the destination disk (TO disk). The source disk should always be write-protected to avoid accidental erasure. The destination disk can be a blank disk or a previously used disk whose contents are no longer needed. This disk must be write-enabled to accept the information from the source disk.

Janne Peräaho: /* Ghosted Menu Items */

2021-01-31T15:00:01Z

Ghosted Menu Items

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:00, 31 January 2021
Line 108:		Line 108:
	If a menu item is not available for a particular operation, it is ghosted or displayed less distinctly than the others, as illustrated in Figure 2-4.		If a menu item is not available for a particular operation, it is ghosted or displayed less distinctly than the others, as illustrated in Figure 2-4.

	[[File:SG6-3.png\|frame\|~~center~~\|A menu with ghosted items]]		[[File:SG6-3.png\|frame\|none\|A menu with ghosted items]]

	== Canceling an Operation ==		== Canceling an Operation ==

Janne Peräaho: /* Using Menus */

2021-01-31T14:59:53Z

Using Menus

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 31 January 2021
Line 93:		Line 93:
	Hold down the menu button to display the menu bar as illustrated in Figure 2-3. Hol down the menu button while pointing to the different menu headings to show the available items listed beneath each. To choose a particular item, move the pointer down and release the menu button when the pointer touches it.		Hold down the menu button to display the menu bar as illustrated in Figure 2-3. Hol down the menu button while pointing to the different menu headings to show the available items listed beneath each. To choose a particular item, move the pointer down and release the menu button when the pointer touches it.

	[[File:LibFig2-4.png\|~~center~~\|frame\|Sample Menu Bar and Menu]]		[[File:LibFig2-4.png\|none\|frame\|Sample Menu Bar and Menu]]

	Some menu items have submenus, which are additional related options that appear to the right of the menu item when it is selected. The symbol » after the item name indicates a submenu. If a menu has submenus, select one of the submenu options. Choosing a main menu item without choosing one of its submenus has no effect. In addition to the » symbol, other symbols may appear on the menu:		Some menu items have submenus, which are additional related options that appear to the right of the menu item when it is selected. The symbol » after the item name indicates a submenu. If a menu has submenus, select one of the submenu options. Choosing a main menu item without choosing one of its submenus has no effect. In addition to the » symbol, other symbols may appear on the menu:

Janne Peräaho: /* Using the Mouse */

2021-01-31T14:59:42Z

Using the Mouse

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 31 January 2021
Line 57:		Line 57:
	AmigaOS computers come equipped with a mouse, illustrated in Figure 2-2, used to communicate with the system through the pointer. The mouse pointer is positioned by moving the mouse. Manipulating the mouse so that the pointer is located over various objects and pictures on the screen and pressing the mouse buttons tells your Amiga what to do.		AmigaOS computers come equipped with a mouse, illustrated in Figure 2-2, used to communicate with the system through the pointer. The mouse pointer is positioned by moving the mouse. Manipulating the mouse so that the pointer is located over various objects and pictures on the screen and pressing the mouse buttons tells your Amiga what to do.

	[[File:WorkbenchFig2-2.png\|~~center~~\|frame\|Amiga Mouse]]		[[File:WorkbenchFig2-2.png\|none\|frame\|Amiga Mouse]]

	== Holding the Mouse ==		== Holding the Mouse ==

Janne Peräaho: /* Booting/Rebooting Your System */

2021-01-31T14:59:29Z

Booting/Rebooting Your System

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 31 January 2021
Line 25:		Line 25:
	3. The Amiga Workbench screen appears, as illustrated in Figure 2-1.		3. The Amiga Workbench screen appears, as illustrated in Figure 2-1.

	[[File:Wb.png\|480px\|~~center~~\|Workbench Screen]]		[[File:Wb.png\|480px\|none\|Workbench Screen]]

	4. Workbench runs any programs that are set up in the WBStartup preferences. By adding programs to the WBStartup preferences tool, you can also customize your system startup.		4. Workbench runs any programs that are set up in the WBStartup preferences. By adding programs to the WBStartup preferences tool, you can also customize your system startup.

Steven Solie: /* Booting/Rebooting Your System */

2014-04-22T20:44:12Z

Booting/Rebooting Your System

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:44, 22 April 2014
Line 10:		Line 10:
	= Booting/Rebooting Your System =		= Booting/Rebooting Your System =

	Booting powers on your computer and loads the operating system information from a disk to the computer's memory. Each time the Amiga is booted, the system must find the Amiga system software on a bootable disk device such as a hard disk, USB drive, compact flash card, or on the original ~~Commodore~~ Amiga systems, a floppy disk. If there are no bootable disks when the system is powered on, depending on your system, you may see an animated screen requesting insertion of a bootable disk into a floppy drive or a BIOS prompt, such as that provided by U-Boot, CFE, or Open Firmware.		Booting powers on your computer and loads the operating system information from a disk to the computer's memory. Each time the Amiga is booted, the system must find the Amiga system software on a bootable disk device such as a hard disk, USB drive, compact flash card, or on the original Amiga systems, a floppy disk. If there are no bootable disks when the system is powered on, depending on your system, you may see an animated screen requesting insertion of a bootable disk into a floppy drive or a BIOS prompt, such as that provided by U-Boot, CFE, or Open Firmware.

	Rebooting resets you computer without turning off the power. This process terminates any active programs and erases any data stored in the Amiga's memory.		Rebooting resets you computer without turning off the power. This process terminates any active programs and erases any data stored in the Amiga's memory.

Eldee Stephens at 22:47, 15 February 2014

2014-02-15T22:47:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:47, 15 February 2014
Line 25:		Line 25:
	3. The Amiga Workbench screen appears, as illustrated in Figure 2-1.		3. The Amiga Workbench screen appears, as illustrated in Figure 2-1.

	[[File:~~WorkbenchFig2-1~~.png\|~~center~~\|~~frame~~\|Workbench Screen]]		[[File:Wb.png\|480px\|center\|Workbench Screen]]

	4. Workbench runs any programs that are set up in the WBStartup preferences. By adding programs to the WBStartup preferences tool, you can also customize your system startup.		4. Workbench runs any programs that are set up in the WBStartup preferences. By adding programs to the WBStartup preferences tool, you can also customize your system startup.
Line 93:		Line 93:
	Hold down the menu button to display the menu bar as illustrated in Figure 2-3. Hol down the menu button while pointing to the different menu headings to show the available items listed beneath each. To choose a particular item, move the pointer down and release the menu button when the pointer touches it.		Hold down the menu button to display the menu bar as illustrated in Figure 2-3. Hol down the menu button while pointing to the different menu headings to show the available items listed beneath each. To choose a particular item, move the pointer down and release the menu button when the pointer touches it.

	[[File:~~WorkbenchFig2~~-3.png\|center\|frame\|Sample Menu Bar and Menu]]		[[File:LibFig2-4.png\|center\|frame\|Sample Menu Bar and Menu]]

	Some menu items have submenus, which are additional related options that appear to the right of the menu item when it is selected. The symbol » after the item name indicates a submenu. If a menu has submenus, select one of the submenu options. Choosing a main menu item without choosing one of its submenus has no effect. In addition to the » symbol, other symbols may appear on the menu:		Some menu items have submenus, which are additional related options that appear to the right of the menu item when it is selected. The symbol » after the item name indicates a submenu. If a menu has submenus, select one of the submenu options. Choosing a main menu item without choosing one of its submenus has no effect. In addition to the » symbol, other symbols may appear on the menu:
Line 108:		Line 108:
	If a menu item is not available for a particular operation, it is ghosted or displayed less distinctly than the others, as illustrated in Figure 2-4.		If a menu item is not available for a particular operation, it is ghosted or displayed less distinctly than the others, as illustrated in Figure 2-4.

	[[File:~~WorkbenchFig2~~-4.png~~\|center~~\|frame\|~~Ghosted~~ ~~versus~~ ~~Available~~ ~~Menu~~ ~~Items~~]]		[[File:SG6-3.png\|frame\|center\|A menu with ghosted items]]

	== Canceling an Operation ==		== Canceling an Operation ==

Eldee Stephens at 22:07, 14 February 2014

2014-02-14T22:07:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:07, 14 February 2014
Line 161:		Line 161:
	Be careful when using RAM: for storing important files. If the Amiga loses power, has a software failure, or you reboot, everything stored in RAM: is lost. Be sure when working with RAM: to regularly back up any important files onto disk.		Be careful when using RAM: for storing important files. If the Amiga loses power, has a software failure, or you reboot, everything stored in RAM: is lost. Be sure when working with RAM: to regularly back up any important files onto disk.

	{{Note\|You cannot copy a disk to RAM: by dragging the source disk icon over the Ram Disk icon. To copy a disk to RAM:, open the Ram Disk icon and drag the ~~floppy~~ disk icon into the Ram Disk window. This creates a drawer with the name and contents of the ~~floppy~~ disk.}}		{{Note\|You cannot copy a disk to RAM: by dragging the source disk icon over the Ram Disk icon. To copy a disk to RAM:, open the Ram Disk icon and drag the source disk icon into the Ram Disk window. This creates a drawer with the name and contents of the original disk device.}}

	== Backup Disks ==		== Backup Disks ==

Eldee Stephens at 21:42, 14 February 2014

2014-02-14T21:42:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:42, 14 February 2014
Line 5:		Line 5:
	* Using the mouse		* Using the mouse
	* Handling disks and using disk drives		* Handling disks and using disk drives
	* Creating and accessing files and directories		* Creating and accessing files and directories


	= Booting/Rebooting Your System =		= Booting/Rebooting Your System =
Line 21:		Line 22:
	2. The Startup-sequence executes a script file called User-startup, if you have created it. In general, User-startup files contain your own customized configurations, resident commands, and directory assignments. It also executes a script file called Network-startup. This script is designed to have any programs added to it that may require the networking to be functional before running programs that require it. The script is called in a special way so as not to delay the boot process while the network is initializing, but it will defer programs that rely on the network while it does.		2. The Startup-sequence executes a script file called User-startup, if you have created it. In general, User-startup files contain your own customized configurations, resident commands, and directory assignments. It also executes a script file called Network-startup. This script is designed to have any programs added to it that may require the networking to be functional before running programs that require it. The script is called in a special way so as not to delay the boot process while the network is initializing, but it will defer programs that rely on the network while it does.
	Appendix B offer some instructions and suggestions of items that you can place in the User-startup and Network-startup files.		Appendix B offer some instructions and suggestions of items that you can place in the User-startup and Network-startup files.


	3. The Amiga Workbench screen appears, as illustrated in Figure 2-1.		3. The Amiga Workbench screen appears, as illustrated in Figure 2-1.

Eldee Stephens at 21:40, 14 February 2014

2014-02-14T21:40:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:40, 14 February 2014
Line 9:		Line 9:
	= Booting/Rebooting Your System =		= Booting/Rebooting Your System =

	Booting powers on your computer and loads the operating system information from a disk to the computer's memory. Each time the Amiga is booted, the system must find the Amiga system software on a bootable hard disk or ~~floppy~~ ~~disk~~ ~~inserted~~ ~~into~~ a ~~disk~~ ~~drive~~. If there are no bootable disks when the system is powered on, an animated screen ~~requests~~ ~~that~~ ~~you insert~~ a bootable disk into a floppy drive.		Booting powers on your computer and loads the operating system information from a disk to the computer's memory. Each time the Amiga is booted, the system must find the Amiga system software on a bootable disk device such as a hard disk, USB drive, compact flash card, or on the original Commodore Amiga systems, a floppy disk. If there are no bootable disks when the system is powered on, depending on your system, you may see an animated screen requesting insertion of a bootable disk into a floppy drive or a BIOS prompt, such as that provided by U-Boot, CFE, or Open Firmware.

	Rebooting resets you computer without turning off the power. This process terminates any active programs and erases any data stored in the Amiga's memory.		Rebooting resets you computer without turning off the power. This process terminates any active programs and erases any data stored in the Amiga's memory.

	For information about booting and rebooting floppy-only systems, see Appendix B.		For information about booting and rebooting older floppy-only systems, see Appendix B.

	Each time the Amiga is booted or rebooted, the following events occur:		Each time the Amiga is booted or rebooted, the following events occur:
Line 27:		Line 27:
	[[File:WorkbenchFig2-1.png\|center\|frame\|Workbench Screen]]		[[File:WorkbenchFig2-1.png\|center\|frame\|Workbench Screen]]

	4. Workbench runs any programs that are set up in the WBStartup preferences. By adding programs to the WBStartup preferences, you can also customize your system startup.		4. Workbench runs any programs that are set up in the WBStartup preferences. By adding programs to the WBStartup preferences tool, you can also customize your system startup.

	Do not alter the Startup-sequence file, doing so can prevent the Amiga from booting properly.		Do not alter the Startup-sequence file, doing so can prevent the Amiga from booting properly.
Line 33:		Line 33:
	To reboot your system:		To reboot your system:

	# Be sure that all disk activity has stopped and that ~~all~~ floppy disk drive ~~and~~ hard disk drive lights are unlit.		# Be sure that all disk activity has stopped and that any floppy disk drive, hard disk drive lights, and USB device activity lights are unlit.
	# If you are rebooting from a floppy disk drive, insert a copy of the Workbench disk into a floppy disk drive.		# If you are rebooting from a floppy disk drive, insert a copy of the Workbench disk into a floppy disk drive.
	# Simultaneously hold down the Ctrl (Control), left Amiga, and right Amiga keys and then release them.		# Simultaneously hold down the Ctrl (Control), left Amiga, and right Amiga keys and then release them.
Line 55:		Line 55:
	= Using the Mouse =		= Using the Mouse =

	~~The~~ ~~Amiga~~ ~~comes~~ equipped with a mouse, illustrated in Figure 2-2, used to communicate with the system through the pointer. The mouse pointer is positioned by moving the mouse. Manipulating the mouse so that the pointer is located over various objects and pictures on the screen and pressing the mouse buttons tells ~~the~~ Amiga what to do.		AmigaOS computers come equipped with a mouse, illustrated in Figure 2-2, used to communicate with the system through the pointer. The mouse pointer is positioned by moving the mouse. Manipulating the mouse so that the pointer is located over various objects and pictures on the screen and pressing the mouse buttons tells your Amiga what to do.

	[[File:WorkbenchFig2-2.png\|center\|frame\|Amiga Mouse]]		[[File:WorkbenchFig2-2.png\|center\|frame\|Amiga Mouse]]
Line 121:		Line 121:
	== Using the Amiga Without a Mouse ==		== Using the Amiga Without a Mouse ==

	All mouse actions can also be done using the keyboard. Certain key combinations allow use of the keyboard to move the pointer, select icons, and choose menu items. Keyboard shortcuts appear in the menu boxes to the right of some options. Holding down the right Amiga key and simultaneously pressing the letter displayed attains the same results as activating that menu option. Using the keyboard shortcuts instead of the menus speeds your work. For a full description of key functions, see the hardware manual for your Amiga model.		All mouse actions can also be done using the keyboard. Certain key combinations allow use of the keyboard to move the pointer, select icons, and choose menu items. Keyboard shortcuts appear in the menu boxes to the right of some options. Holding down the right Amiga key and simultaneously pressing the letter displayed attains the same results as activating that menu option. Using the keyboard shortcuts instead of the menus speeds your work. For a full description of key functions, see the hardware manual for your Amiga model. Key shortcuts to manipulate the pointer directly can be found in your Workbench help files on your system disk.

	= Using Disk Drives =		= Using Disk Drives =

	Disk drives are devices from which information is retrieved or to which information is written or stored. An Amiga can have one or more hard disk drives, as well as floppy disk drives, depending on the model. ~~All~~ Amiga floppy disk drives can use low density floppy disks. However, if you have a high density floppy disk drive on your Amiga, you can also use high density floppy disks. Refer to the hardware manual that came with your system if you are not sure about the type of floppy disk drive you have.		Disk drives are devices from which information is retrieved or to which information is written or stored. An Amiga can have one or more hard disk drives, as well as floppy disk drives, depending on the model. Classic Amiga floppy disk drives can use low density floppy disks. However, if you have a high density floppy disk drive on your Amiga, you can also use high density floppy disks. Refer to the hardware manual that came with your system if you are not sure about the type of floppy disk drive you have.

	Each disk drive has a device name, such as DF0: for the internal floppy drive. (Additional floppy drives are designated DF1:, DF2:, and DF3:). A disk icon is displayed on the Workbench screen for each disk inserted in a drive and for each hard disk partition.		Each disk drive has a device name, such as DF0: for the internal floppy drive. (Additional floppy drives are designated DF1:, DF2:, and DF3:). A disk icon is displayed on the Workbench screen for each disk inserted in a drive and for each hard disk partition.

			A similar convention is used for other disk devices. For example the default device name for your internal hard disk is DH0:, with additional devices designated DH1:, DH2:, and so forth. These devices may correspond to a physical disk or a disk partition. USB devices which are automounted typically are designated USB0:, USB1:, and so forth. Optical media drives, such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive follow a similar convention, with disk devices starting with ICD0: followed by ICD1:, ICD2:, and so forth. All disk device names are user editable.
⚫	The device name and the volume name are two ways of identifying a given disk. For most purposes use either name to refer to the disk when entering a path or within a file requester. The device name refers to the disk that is in the specified disk drive. The volume name refers specifically to a particular disk. For example, if you have a ~~floppy~~ disk in device ~~DF0~~: with a volume name of Mydisk, you can reference it as either ~~DF0~~: or Mydisk~~:. Referencing the disk as Mydisk: lets you insert Mydisk into any drive, not only DF0~~:.

		⚫	The device name and the volume name are two ways of identifying a given disk. For most purposes use either name to refer to the disk when entering a path or within a file requester. The device name refers to the disk that is in the specified disk drive. The volume name refers specifically to a particular disk. For example, if you have an internal hard disk labeled as device DH0: with a volume name of Mydisk, you can reference it as either DH0: or Mydisk:.
⚫	~~Each~~ ~~drive~~ ~~has~~ an activity ~~light~~ that is lit when ~~the~~ device is in use, either reading or writing data.

		⚫	Most disk drives have activity lights that are lit when a device is in use, either reading or writing data.
⚫	{{Note\|title=Caution\|text=Never reboot or turn off you Amiga and never remove a ~~floppy~~ disk ~~from~~ a ~~floppy~~ ~~disk~~ ~~drive~~ when any of the drive activity lights are lit or you risk damaging the drive and/or the files on the disk.}}

		⚫	{{Note\|title=Caution\|text=Never reboot or turn off you Amiga and never remove a disk (of any kind) from your Amiga when any of the drive activity lights are lit or you risk damaging the drive and/or the files on the disk.}}

	== Inserting Floppy Disks ==		== Inserting Floppy Disks ==
Line 201:		Line 203:
	The following rules apply for naming files and drawers:		The following rules apply for naming files and drawers:

	* ~~Names~~ can be up to 30 characters long. Names can contain upper case letters and any punctuation marks that are not reserved.		* Name length depends on the file system your disk is using; usually files can be up to 107 characters long. If you want your files to be used in pre-Release 4 systems, the name length must be limited to 30 characters. Names can contain upper case letters and any punctuation marks that are not reserved.
	* Colons (:) and slashes (/) are not allowed within a name. These characters are reserved for path statements. However, other non-alphabetic characters can be used.		* Colons (:) and slashes (/) are not allowed within a name. These characters are reserved for path statements. However, other non-alphabetic characters can be used.
	* The use of spaces before or after names should be avoided due to the possibility of omission.		* The use of spaces before or after names should be avoided due to the possibility of omission.