OS2 World Community Forum

OS/2, eCS & ArcaOS - Technical => Applications => Topic started by: Rich Walsh on October 23, 2017, 01:28:16 pm

Title: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Rich Walsh on October 23, 2017, 01:28:16 pm

I'm pleased to announce the first beta for XWorkplace v1.0.12.

Beta 1 is available in five languages and two versions:
- "Full", the standard full-featured build
- "Lite", similar to eWorkplace and ArcaOS Desktop

Portions of this update have been underwritten by Arca Noae, LLC.

_______________________________________________________________________

Downloads
_______________________________________________________________________

--[Full]--
English     http://www.e-vertise.com/xwp/xwp-1-0-12-b1-full-en.exe
German      http://www.e-vertise.com/xwp/xwp-1-0-12-b1-full-de.exe
Dutch       http://www.e-vertise.com/xwp/xwp-1-0-12-b1-full-nl.exe
Italian     http://www.e-vertise.com/xwp/xwp-1-0-12-b1-full-it.exe
Japanese    http://www.e-vertise.com/xwp/xwp-1-0-12-b1-full-ja.exe

--[Lite]--
English     http://www.e-vertise.com/xwp/xwp-1-0-12-b1-lite-en.exe
German      http://www.e-vertise.com/xwp/xwp-1-0-12-b1-lite-de.exe
Dutch       http://www.e-vertise.com/xwp/xwp-1-0-12-b1-lite-nl.exe
Italian     http://www.e-vertise.com/xwp/xwp-1-0-12-b1-lite-it.exe
Japanese    http://www.e-vertise.com/xwp/xwp-1-0-12-b1-lite-ja.exe

_______________________________________________________________________

Updates and Fixes
_______________________________________________________________________

XCenter AutoOpen:
- XCenter will now open automatically at startup and after a Desktop
  restart - an icon in the Startup folder is no longer needed. This
  feature can be disabled in the XCenter's properties.

Details view:
- third-party WPS dlls built using the Open Watcom compiler could cause
  the Size field in Details view to be misformatted. XWP now checks for
  the error condition they cause and corrects it.

Class List:
- added descriptive entries for previously undocumented classes and
  updated existing descriptions. [from Lewis Rosenthal]

Trap log:
- added a new section to identify which exception handler caught the
  trap; updated other sections

XStartup:
- fixed trap at startup if XWP's list of Startup folders included
  invalid objects

XFolder:
- simplified the "Worker" thread code; removed obsolete thread priority
  setting from the XWP Setup notebook

Xview:
- revised the Options menu; added a "Compact" option for Details view
- fixed an exception when files were rendered after a drop operation
- improved error-checking and exception handling.

Build system:
- made several changes to reduce the shared-memory usage of XWP's dlls;
  one of these also eliminated the need for translators to use a C
  compiler to build NLS dlls
- removed a misguided optimization which could cause third-party
  XCenter widget dlls to be 8-10 times larger than needed
- for XWP-Lite builds, suppressed Help file references to features
  that are not included.

_______________________________________________________________________
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Martin Iturbide on October 23, 2017, 02:02:50 pm
Thank you (and Arca Noae) very much for keeping this project alive !!!

I will be trying it out.

Regards
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Martin Iturbide on October 23, 2017, 06:11:24 pm
Nice  :)
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Martin Iturbide on October 23, 2017, 06:28:24 pm
Hi Rich.

I was wondering of the Xview option can be included on the "View" menu of the window? (check attached picture)
Or is it that you can not change a window to Xview once the folder/window is opened ?
Or is it that will generate conflict with the "Tree View"? Or is it not as easy to enable and disable like the other views?

Regards
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Rich Walsh on October 23, 2017, 06:43:57 pm
I was wondering of the Xview option can be included on the "View" menu of the window?

The screenshot shows an Xview window displaying *its* View menu. Having an "Xview" submenu item there wouldn't make much sense. The "Icon" and "Details" view items control how Xview's right-hand pane displays objects.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: OS4User on October 23, 2017, 07:03:30 pm

I'm pleased to announce the first beta for XWorkplace v1.0.12.


Tnx for updating XWP.

1) Is it possible to get "Virtual address limit"  not from config.sys but from DosQuerySysInfo ?
    (attached is a sample of the code)
Code: [Select]
    ULONG val = 0;
    rc = DosQuerySysInfo(QSV_VIRTUALADDRESSLIMIT,
                         QSV_VIRTUALADDRESSLIMIT,
                         &val,
                         sizeof(val));
    if (rc == NO_ERROR)
    {
        printf("Virtual address limit: %d\n",val);
    }

2) Is it possible to change the text in Shutdown dialog like that ?
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Martin Iturbide on October 23, 2017, 07:57:57 pm
I was wondering of the Xview option can be included on the "View" menu of the window?

The screenshot shows an Xview window displaying *its* View menu. Having an "Xview" submenu item there wouldn't make much sense. The "Icon" and "Details" view items control how Xview's right-hand pane displays objects.

Hi Rich.

What I was suggesting is if it can be just like the rest of views. On a "Tree View" window you also see the "Tree View" option displayed but grayed out (since it is selected). It will be great if on the the same window that you have open you can switch the view from "Icon View", "Details view", "Tree View", and Xview.

Update: I had noticed (by Ricks' comments) that Xview is not like the rest of views and the views options affect only the right window. Maybe Xview can be like a check/flag that you turn on and off on the view if possible. 

Regards

Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Martin Iturbide on October 23, 2017, 09:42:53 pm
Hi again

Maybe something like this. But I don't know it if can be possible.

Regards
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 11, 2017, 09:46:05 pm
IThe only problem I have had with the beta is that when turbo folders is enabled, the WPS file associations breaks.  Disabling Turbo folders and the WPS file associations work.  I encountered this problem when using both FM/2 and Filestar 2.  Both thought they were text files until I disabled Turbo folders. 

To be more specific, trying to install a *.wpi package under both and the wpi would be treated as a text file.  This is with Turbo folders selected.  Unselect turbo folders and the wpi package installs as it should
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: G. M. Anchieri on December 12, 2017, 10:20:00 am
I have installed this beta version of XWP to test, and I have only a problem using it, I receive always  a window message before opening of eCenter that tell me this:
 The device A: (or S:  T:)  is not ready
 options
 _ return error code to program
 _ retry command
 
     OK     Help (buttons)
I have to flag return error code to program and than key OK button to continue.
The device A: is the reader of old diskette, S: or T: are CD/DVD reader.
with version in ARCAOS 50 I don't have this messages and also in eCS 22 b1.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Rich Walsh on December 12, 2017, 09:30:51 pm
The only problem I have had with the beta is that when turbo folders is enabled, the WPS file associations breaks.  Disabling Turbo folders and the WPS file associations work.

Enabling Turbo Folders also enables "Extended Associations" - by far, the two worst "features" of XWP. Disable Turbo Folders and save yourself a lot of grief.

I receive always  a window message before opening of eCenter that tell me this:
 The device A: (or S:  T:)  is not ready
[...]
with version in ARCAOS 50 I don't have this messages and also in eCS 22 b1.

There were no changes in any code that would directly or indirectly cause this problem. Which version did you install - the "full" or "lite" version? If you installed the "full" version on top of the AN "lite" version, try this:

Open the 'XWorkplace Installation' folder, then open 'XWorkplace Setup'. Click on the 'Features' tab, then expand the section labelled "File Operations". Put a check next to "Replace Drive Not Ready Dialog". If it is already checked, then uncheck it and re-check it.

If that doesn't fix the problem - and you think that the problem is caused by XCenter - try removing some widgets. In particular, remove the "DiskFree" widget(s) if you use one of them, then restart the Desktop.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 12, 2017, 10:42:48 pm
Hi Rich

I just want to say thank you for XWP continued development.  All the fixes have been greatly appreciated.

David
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: G. M. Anchieri on December 13, 2017, 10:31:30 am
Hi Rich,
I've installed the "full" version on top of AN "lite " version, flagged the new file procedure in "feature"  and removed the "diskfree" widget and rebooted the system.

The three message window from XCenter appear always before Xcenter is viewed on desktop. I've never seen this before.


Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Andi B. on December 13, 2017, 01:29:03 pm
Quote
Enabling Turbo Folders also enables "Extended Associations" - by far, the two worst "features" of XWP. Disable Turbo Folders and save yourself a lot of grief.
Since some time with most of my (test) installations I enable Turbo Folders cause I want the extended associations. If you got once through the configurations of the associations I find it very useful.

On older installations I did not enable Turbo Folders cause it does not work well together with wps_wizard on SMP machines. But I think this is a problem with wps_wizard only. So I do not use it anymore. Now Turbo Folders works without problems here.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: roberto on December 13, 2017, 05:12:22 pm
Now Turbo Folders works without problems here.
I'm also happy I was fine. Even the fonts now work well for me.

I also wanted to comment that although it does not have to do with the xwp, since I updated the eco-software ... files has improved everything much.
saludos
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 17, 2017, 12:13:56 am
I never have cared for the shadow icon used by XWP to designate Shadow icons.  True, in ArcaOS and earlier, the shadow text could be designated a different color.  Sometimes it is hard to find the right color for the desktop being used.  XWP solves this problem by inserting an icon like Windows does.

I decided to play around and came up with a few alternatives.  Just rename the original shadow icon in the WARP4 theme directory.  Unzip the attached zipped shadow icons into the WARP4 directory. One is already named shadow.ico.  if you don't like it, select another and rename it shadow.ico.  Enable shadow icon and restart the WPS.  Maybe there is one someone will like.

These were done on a small screen notebook.  As a result, I don't know how they look on a large screen.

David Graser
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Alfredo Fernández Díaz on December 17, 2017, 01:45:54 pm
David, long time no-read : )

Those look good here, as always with your icons. Now, this may not be important --in the end you (I) end up seeing icon X or icon X with 'some overlay' so you know it's a shadow regardless of the actual overlaid image anyway--, but I don't find the check mark or Shadow character images really convey the whole 'proxy icon' idea. Maybe it's worth to explore something more along the lines of arrows or chain links to see what you come up with?

Just a thought, as I said all work for me in the end :)
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 17, 2017, 09:12:11 pm
Its is good to be back.

I tried some arrows.  Chains are no good.  The icon sizes are just too small.  I also played around with other ideas.
I have attached and zipped. them.  I also did a smiley face just for fun. Anyone can modify them if they want.  These are for anyone that wants them.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 18, 2017, 07:39:01 am
Okay Alfredo, this last icon I have uploaded is probably closer to what you would like to see. 

I just did a few more of these icons and re-uploaded the zip. 
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Ian Manners on December 19, 2017, 12:59:33 pm
Hi David,

Thanks for those, learn something new everyday. I like the No 11 shadow icon, instant big modernisation change to my desktop
thanks :)
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 20, 2017, 11:41:53 pm
I created some new XWP logos a few years back.  When I have time I will upload them and see what people think. 

David
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Alfredo Fernández Díaz on December 20, 2017, 11:52:25 pm
Please do, your stuff looks pretty good! : )
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 23, 2017, 05:53:31 pm
I played around with making XWP Boot Logos and have them attached to this post.  I learned quite a bit.

First, transparency does not work for all logos.  As a result, special care must be taken when making the bitmap logo.

Second, as near as I can tell, there is no size limitation on the bitmap.

Third, both Windows and Os/2 bitmaps can be used.

What looks good as a transparency may not look good as a blow up and vise versa.

These logos are named beginning with a BU_ for Blow-up or T_ for transparency.  The transparent ones also have green borders for easy identification when selecting. 
]

David

I had to reupload it again.  I found one bitmap that sneaked by my quick testing.

Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 24, 2017, 01:40:11 pm
I have attached a new transparent boot logo. See what you think.  This is far more advanced than the others I have uploaded. This has been a learning experience.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: OS4User on December 24, 2017, 02:04:54 pm
I have attached a new transparent boot logo. See what you think.  This is far more advanced than the others I have uploaded. This has been a learning experience.

Very nice logo
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 24, 2017, 03:45:05 pm
One more I think very good transparent logo. 

David
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 25, 2017, 08:01:41 pm
The attached is probably my last XWP boot logo.  It has been a fun learning experience.  If Rich finds anything worth while in any of my shadow pointers or boot logos, he is welcome to use them.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on December 27, 2017, 04:59:44 am
I had one last idea for a boot logo.  It involved modifying one of the boot logos.  I have attached it.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on January 02, 2018, 07:14:41 am
I know I should probably (RTFM), but I have never really understood what extended associations are in XWP.  Could someone simply explain them to me?  I believe part of the problem with extended associations is that they are poorly understood by the average user such as myself.

By the way, I have been using this beta and it appears to work great.  Rich has done a great job fixing a lot of the bugs with this beta.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Andreas Schnellbacher on January 02, 2018, 02:30:37 pm
I believe part of the problem with extended associations is that they are poorly understood by the average user such as myself.
I had written here (http://www.os2world.com/forum/index.php/topic,1521.msg14858.html#msg14858) something about assocs.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on January 04, 2018, 06:01:46 am
Andreas

Thanks for the info.

I touched up 4 of my xwp logos.  Although not perfect, they are better.  I made the T_XWPlace.bmp a little smaller and named it T_XWPlace_6.bmp.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Neil Waldhauer on January 11, 2018, 05:59:02 am
What does it mean when I get a message like the one shown in the attachment? This is eCS 2.2 b2 with whatever eWorkplace that was.

Is this a known, fixed issue?
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Dave Yeo on January 11, 2018, 06:13:22 am
Just what it says, your ini files have corruption and have lost your desktops handle. I've had that happen on Warp 4 but never seen that dialog. You could follow the directions are restore your ini files from a backup. IIRC, I've also used checkini to fix it.
Actually, one possibility is that they've grown too big and need something like checkini ran against them.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Dariusz Piatkowski on January 11, 2018, 04:11:08 pm
...Actually, one possibility is that they've grown too big and need something like checkini ran against them.

Whenever I see this issue my first option is to run checkini, if that fails, I restore my INI from backups.

Checkini will almost immediately tell you if it can fix the issue or not. The DESKTOP handle is one of the very first things it checks, if it can not find it nor determine what it should be, it basically stops, at which point in time you know the only other fix is the INI restore.

FYI, there may be other ways of dealing with this, but the above is what my process is, similarly to Dave's I believe.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Andi B. on January 11, 2018, 04:36:24 pm
Quote
The DESKTOP handle is one of the very first things it checks, if it can not find it nor determine what it should be, it basically stops, at which point in time you know the only other fix is the INI restore.
Checkini tells you how to run with the option to set the desktop entry (IIRC /DC:\DESTOP, or for me /DM:Arbeitsoberfläche). This was sometimes useful to me in the past. But of course the inis got corrupted in some way or the other and maybe restoring it from a backup would be a better option in such cases.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Dariusz Piatkowski on January 12, 2018, 09:07:26 pm
..Checkini tells you how to run with the option to set the desktop entry (IIRC /DC:\DESTOP, or for me /DM:Arbeitsoberfläche)...

Andi, great point, I completely forgot about this option since I rarely (if ever?) use it.

I look at the OS2 INI files as the proverbial Achilles Heel of OS/2. They are so touchy, break down so often, or maybe it is just that after years of adding to a base system, then removing stuff, then adding again too much stufff is crammed into a structure that never had the design architecture to permit the growth and/or changes I put it through.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Rich Walsh on January 12, 2018, 10:50:34 pm
In a case like this, I'd add "SET DESKTOP=C:\DESKTOP" (or whatever) to config.sys, then reboot and run checkini rather than letting XWP try to fix it.

Note: the nature of the error message ("PrfQueryProfileSize failed on handles data block from OS2SYS.ini") suggests that os2sys.ini is hosed and that both INIs may need to be restored from backup. Nonetheless, try the simple fix(es) first.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on February 24, 2018, 09:17:36 pm

I'm pleased to announce the first beta for XWorkplace v1.0.12.

Beta 1 is available in five languages and two versions:
- "Full", the standard full-featured build
- "Lite", similar to eWorkplace and ArcaOS Desktop

Portions of this update have been underwritten by Arca Noae, LLC.
_______________________________________________________________________

I have a problem and I am wondering if others have seen it.  When I have shadow icons selected, they show up in all the subfolders, but not on the desktop. 

David
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Rich Walsh on February 25, 2018, 08:56:36 pm
When I have shadow icons selected, they show up in all the subfolders, but not on the desktop. 

Could you clarify the problem? I don't know what you mean by "When I have shadow icons selected". Are you referring to the option "Mark shadow icons"? If so, then it WFM everywhere.
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on February 26, 2018, 02:56:59 am
When I have shadow icons selected, they show up in all the subfolders, but not on the desktop. 

Could you clarify the problem? I don't know what you mean by "When I have shadow icons selected". Are you referring to the option "Mark shadow icons"? If so, then it WFM everywhere.

Hi Rich

Yes , I have the option "Mark shadow Icons" selected.  I just figured out what the problem is and it is something you referred to in an earlier posting.  The problem only occurs in a folder where  Display > Dynamic is selected.  When unselected, the shadow icon appears on the shadow icons as it should.  There is no problem when display dynamic is not selected.  Problem solved. 

David
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on March 19, 2018, 03:24:47 am
I just created 3 more shadow icons for anyone interested in trying them. Just rename your old one in the Warp theme directory.  Change the name of the new one to shadow.ico.  Enable Warp icons in XWP setup and restart the desktop.

David
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: Martin Iturbide on March 19, 2018, 05:05:18 am
Hi.

Talking about icons I just modified this ones for the "System Setup" since I like to have them matching.  It seems that the trick is to have the icon on 40x40 and the 20x20 for the detail view.

Regards
Title: Re: XWP v1.0.12 Beta 1
Post by: David Graser on March 20, 2018, 12:17:22 am
Hi Martin

The icons look good.  I started a few myself years ago, but never finished.  Good job!

David