MacWorld: Complete Mac Interactive/Macworld Complete Mac Interactive CD)(1994).iso/The Best of BMUG/Utilities/System 7/Virtual Desktop 1.7/Virtual Desktop Help/Virtual Desktop Help.rsrc/STR#_1029.txt

Text File | 1994-04-01 | 25KB | 1,442 lines



Click here to accept the options and close the dialog.



•  OK







Offset option) to those displayed in the dialog.

Click here to change the default values for all options (except the View



•  Make Defaults







described in this help file.

key pressed to change all options to their built-in default values, the ones

have changed using Make Defaults (see below).  Click here with the Option

Click here to change all options to their default values, which you may



•  Use Defaults







Click here to cancel the changes made to existing door options.



•  Cancel





The default is to stay in Virtual Desktop.



using another application.

door similar to clicking on a persistent Virtual Desktop scroll bar while

which was active before it to return to the front.  This makes opening a

return to the background after opening the door, allowing the application

Desktop.”  If you select “frontmost application,” Virtual Desktop will

You have two other choices, “frontmost application” and “stay in Virtual





scrolls to the door location.

windows are prevalent in the desktop view when the virtual desktop

as the door is opened.  You may want to choose an application whose

This pop-up menu lists all applications which Virtual Desktop can switch to



•  Switch to Application option





The default is not to have a keyboard binding.



will ignore the Switch to Application option and remain active.

pressed when you use the keyboard binding to open a door, Virtual Desktop

As with menu commands and door icon windows, if the Option key is





Command-digit combination to any door.

only when Virtual Desktop is active.  You can bind any F-key or

doors is to have keyboard bindings for them.  These bindings are valid

pressing a combination of keys, another way to speed up your use of

If you don’t have a macro utility which lets you open a door file by



•  Keyboard Binding option





this approach.

See the section entitled “Suggestions for Use” for more information on

or application aliases by the Maybe utility.

inside your Preferences folder, where they can be attached to document

windows, or in your Startup Items folder, or in a special Doors folder

You can place door files on the desktop, as an alternative to door icon





important information in the door file.

different from the name of the door.  This is because the name is the only

dialog which appears asks you not to make the name of the door file

Desktop which gives you a way to open a door through Finder.  The file

Click here to create a door file, a small document belonging to Virtual



°  Create File… option





The default is a drab brown and gray color scheme.





instead of black.

the door color is dark, Virtual Desktop will draw the door name in white

window.  You can use color to distinguish between your various doors.  If

used to draw the “door face” or background “wall” in the door icon

Click on the top or bottom half of the colored square to change the color



°  Door and Wall color options





This option is on by default.





door icon window for every door you define.

Clicking once in the window opens the door.  You may decide not to have a

This small window does not move when the virtual desktop scrolls.

When this option is in effect, a door icon window appears on the desktop.



°  Show Window option







way of opening the door quickly from outside Virtual Desktop.

window, or as a door file with a Finder icon.  Both alternatives give you a

These options control how the door appears on the desktop, as a door icon



•  Graphical Presence options





the new offsets.  This allows you to fine-tune door locations.

If you change these numbers, the virtual desktop will scroll according to





door location above or to the left of the home position.)

home position, horizontally and vertically.  (Positive numbers indicate a

These numbers indicate many pixels the door location is away from the



•  View Offset option





Desktop back to the front after opening the door.

the door using the menu command or door icon window, or bring Virtual

after opening the door, you must either press the Option key while opening

active.  If the door options cause Virtual Desktop to go into the background

To change its options, the door must be open, and Virtual Desktop must be





“Rename Door…” from the Actions menu.

options later on.  To change the name of the door, you must select

You can use the Door Preferences dialog to change the location or other

location on the virtual desktop is the current location of the desktop view.

When you create a new door, its initial options are the defaults.  Its



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xThe Door Preferences Dialog









Click here to accept the options and close the dialog.



•  OK







option) to those displayed in the dialog.

Click here to change the default values for all options (except the Color



•  Make Defaults







described in this help file.

key pressed to change all options to their built-in default values, the ones

have changed using Make Defaults (see below).  Click here with the Option

Click here to change all options to their default values, which you may



•  Use Defaults







Click here to cancel the changes made to existing application options.



•  Cancel





The default is not to anchor the application’s windows to any door.



the next session.

applications will remember meaningful, on-screen window locations for

(so that Virtual Desktop gets to quit first), you are assured that such

or shut down using Virtual Desktop’s Special menu rather than Finder’s

what you want.  By using this option, and by making it a habit to restart

next time you open it, instead choosing default positions, probably not

or shut down your Macintosh, it may decide to ignore those positions the

they quit.  If the application’s windows are off-screen when you restart

for applications which remember the positions of their windows when

if you do keep Virtual Desktop open all the time, this option is necessary

windows stacked up in the home area when you quit Virtual Desktop.  Even

separate the windows of several applications, but then to see all of the

Virtual Desktop open all the time, because it lets you use doors to

that door area.  This capability is important if you don’t intend to keep

Virtual Desktop opens the next time, it will move the windows back to

in the same positions which they occupied relative to that door.  When

quits, it will move the current application’s windows into the home area,

should choose that door from the pop-up menu.  When Virtual Desktop

If the current application is usually associated with one door position, you



may be inaccessible until you open Virtual Desktop again.

desktop when quitting.  If they happen to be outside the home area, they

Virtual Desktop will leave the windows where they are on the virtual

area, you should choose “none” from the pop-up menu, meaning that

If the current application’s windows are usually confined to the home





Scrolling option is on.  It is also not applicable to desktop icons.

This option is not available if the Exempt Application’s Items From All



•  Anchor Application’s Items to Door option





This option is off by default.





PrintMonitor.

provide menu-bar-like functions, and for monitor programs like

stick to the monitor(s).  This option is appropriate for utilities which

desktop.  They retain their position in the desktop view, that is, they

application’s windows (or desktop icons) when it scrolls the virtual

If this option is in effect, Virtual Desktop will not move the current



•  Exempt Application’s Items From All Scrolling option





The default is a color computed by hashing the application’s signature.





application’s radio button and for all of its item images in the picture.

Click on the colored square to change the color used for the current



•  Color option







not available outside of Full View mode.

one whose radio button is selected in the Full View window.  This dialog is

application’s windows (or desktop icons).  The current application is the

menu.  It lets you set options which affect the handling of the current

This dialog appears when you select Application… from the Preferences



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xThe Application Preferences Dialog







If any options are invalid, you are prompted to correct them.





Click here to accept the options and close the dialog.



•  OK







in this help file.

Click here to change all options to their default values, the ones described



•  Use Defaults







Click here to cancel the changes made to existing usage options.



•  Cancel





This option is off by default.



only use the mouse within the dialog box.

This option does not work when a modal dialog is posted, because you can





the background afterwards.

become active while the user operates the scroll bars, but will return to

available when Virtual Desktop is in the background.  Virtual Desktop will

windows when going into the background, so that they continue to be

If this option is in effect, Virtual Desktop will not hide its scroll bar



•  Use Persistent Scroll Bars at Edge of Screen option





This option is off by default.



pointer back.

see the blinking circle, and will have to extinguish it by moving the

button, or if you release the mouse button before the Shift key, you may

then release the mouse button.  If you move the mouse before pressing its

key, then press the mouse button, then release the Shift key, then drag,

The secret is in the ordering:  Position the mouse, then press the Shift

Shift-drag selection in other applications without shifting the desktop.

One trick you will have to learn if you use this option is how to do



is posted.

Like the key combination option, this option works even if a modal dialog



with it.

the blinking circle moves to the new mouse position, and everything else

Virtual Desktop will shift the desktop accordingly.  Whatever was under

When you release the Shift key, if the pointer has moved significantly,



blinking circle, you should extinguish it before releasing the Shift key.

move it back.  So, if you didn’t mean to shift the desktop, and you see a

have moved the pointer a certain distance, and disappears again if you

when the Shift key was pressed.  This marker does not appear until you

A blinking circle on the desktop marks the point where the pointer was





across the desk.

desktop “blotter” holding all of the windows and icons, and pushed it

direction of mouse movement.  It is as if you have put your finger on the

whenever the Shift key is pressed, and scroll the virtual desktop in the

If this option is in effect, Virtual Desktop will track the mouse pointer



•  Move Mouse Pointer While Shift Key Pressed option





but the entire option is off by default.

The default is a Shift-Control-Arrow combination for all four directions,



visible desktop area.

need it to get a look at a modal dialog box which has come up outside the

you must answer before you can do anything else.  Sometimes you may

This option works even if you are facing a modal dialog, the kind which



application is active.

Up, and Page Down keys, which work only while the Virtual Desktop

This option is separate from the built-in support for the Home, End, Page



This will cause Virtual Desktop to ignore the keystroke.

your use of some application, press the Caps Lock key, and try again.

been set to react to it.  If your key combination choices are obstructing

NOTE:  The active application will not see the keystroke if this option has





keyboard.)

keypad are distinct from the like-labeled keys on the main part of the

Desktop to scroll in that direction.  (In this respect, keys on the numeric

four arms of the compass rose to change the key which causes Virtual

Control) which must be down when the key is pressed.  Click on one of the

buttons to select one or more modifier keys (Command, Shift, Option,

keystrokes, even if it is in the background.  Use the individual check

If this option is in effect, Virtual Desktop will react to certain



•  Use Key Combination option





running.

These options are not effective unless the Virtual Desktop application is





scroll the virtual desktop while it is in the background.

It lets you set options which affect how you can ask Virtual Desktop to

This dialog appears when you select Usage… from the Preferences menu.



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xThe Usage Preferences Dialog







If any options are invalid, you are prompted to correct them.





immediately change the Virtual Desktop window display.

Click here to accept the options and close the dialog.  This will



•  OK







in this help file.

Click here to change all options to their default values, the ones described



•  Use Defaults







Click here to cancel the changes made to existing layout options.



•  Cancel





The default is to use a flexible desktop aspect ratio.





backdrop.

images and leaves dark gray or black gutters beside the virtual desktop

coverage in the picture, while a true aspect ratio preserves the shape of

radio buttons.  A flexible aspect ratio distorts item images to maximize

Choose a flexible or true aspect ratio for the Full View picture using the



•  Full View Desktop Aspect Ratio option





The default is for a 128-pixel-wide sidebar.





inclusive.

application names.  Allowable values are between 64 and 256 pixels,

box and radio buttons more width in which to display item titles and

If you have a large main monitor, you may want to give the Full View list



•  Full View Sidebar Width option





The default is for standard 16-pixel-wide scroll bars.





inclusive.

width of the scroll bars.  Allowable values are between 4 and 64 pixels,

you can be with your clicks, you may want to increase or decrease the

Depending on how much screen area you have to spare, and how accurate



•  Scroll Bar Thickness option





The default is a right-handed orientation.





radio buttons at the left side of the Full View window.

scroll bar at the left edge of the main monitor, and places the list box and

using the radio buttons.  A left-handed orientation places the vertical

Choose a left- or right-handed orientation of Virtual Desktop windows



•  Orientation option







windows.

It lets you set options which affect the appearance of Virtual Desktop

This dialog appears when you select Layout… from the Preferences menu.



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xThe Layout Preferences Dialog







probably seen enough recently.

showing, Virtual Desktop spares you the balloon, figuring that you’ve

both Balloon Help and Help on Wheels.  If you already have balloons

It mentions, by way of a balloon, that Virtual Desktop offers help through





“About Virtual Desktop…” command in the Apple menu.

This dialog presents Virtual Desktop’s About box.  It is opened by the




xThe About Dialog







active.

option to switch applications after opening the door, and will remain

If you press the Option key while clicking, Virtual Desktop will ignore any

Clicking once on the door icon window (without dragging) opens the door.



windows can congregate and be visible regardless of which door is open.

reserve a small area in one corner of the main monitor, where door icon

window, you can move it by clicking and dragging.  A good practice is to

window with a special door-shaped cursor.  After you have placed the

to show door icon windows, Virtual Desktop prompts you to place the

When you create a door, unless the default door preference option is not





and can have its own distinctive door and wall colors.

window carries the first few letters of the door’s name for identification,

which does not move when the virtual desktop scrolls.  Each door icon

Every door you define can have a small iconic window on the desktop,



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xThe Door Icon Windows







selection changes accordingly.

When you are selecting items using images in the picture, the list



center the selected item on the main monitor.

outside the desktop view, the desktop view will scroll automatically to

or icon active, and go into the background.  If the item is completely

If you double-click on a list entry, Virtual Desktop will make that window



item’s title.

using the mouse.  You can also select by typing the first few letters of an

You can use Up Arrow and Down Arrow to go up and down the list without



“[defunct]”, or “[retitled]”.

disappears, or changes title, its entry in the list changes to “[moved]”,

Items without titles appear in the list as “[untitled]”.  If an item moves,





of the selected application’s windows (or desktop icons).

The order of entries from top to bottom is the same as the layering order



•  List Box





selection changes accordingly.

When you are selecting items using images in the picture, the radio button



using the mouse.

Shift-Down-Arrow to go up and down the stack of radio buttons without

list and in the picture.  You can use Shift-Up-Arrow and

application’s windows (or desktop icons) and selects the front item in the

Clicking on a radio button fills the list box with the titles of the



you can change it through the Application Preferences dialog.

default, the color is computed by hashing the application’s signature, but

Each radio button is given a color to match the images in the picture.  By





bottom covers all desktop icons.

windows do not appear.  A special button labeled “Desktop icons” at the

order of the applications’ windows.  However, applications without

The order of radio buttons from top to bottom is the same as the layering



•  Radio Buttons





the picture.

the rest of the items, then use the “Refresh” menu command to rescale

a window.  If this becomes a problem, move the window’s image nearer to

very remote position.  This is a technique some programmers use to hide

images very small, because some application has placed a window in a

NOTE:  The virtual desktop may sometimes become very large, and the



the scroll bars.

clears up this situation, redrawing the entire window and repositioning

you cannot do anything with the item.  The “Refresh” menu command

title, the cursor shows a question mark while over the item’s image, and

Virtual Desktop finds that an item has moved, disappeared, or changed its

movements, appearances, or disappearances of windows and icons.  If

The entire Full View window is a static display.  It does not track the



view.

but scrolling will only occur if the item is completely outside the desktop

you can press the Return or Enter key to make the selected item active,

automatically to center the selected item on the main monitor.  Likewise,

clicked was outside the white area, the desktop view will scroll

window or icon active, and go into the background.  If the point where you

If you double-click on an item image, Virtual Desktop will make that



box.

all three parts of the Full View window — picture, radio buttons, and list

the radio buttons or list box.  The current selection is always reflected in

An item becomes selected either by clicking on its image, or by actions on



click point.

selection, but the item dragged will be the one which is frontmost at the

can also click and drag a non-selected item, without affecting the

any point to any other point, without making it active.  By contrast, you

hand-shaped cursor tells you that you can click and drag that item from

filled in.  Even if that item is behind other items at some points, the

At any time, there may be only one item selected.  Its image outline is

The mechanism for selecting and dragging item images is a little unusual.



described above unless the Option key is pressed.

dotted outlines.  They don’t figure in the cursor or balloon behavior

The images of windows belonging to hidden applications appear as thin



information on what the mouse is pointing to.

is in front at that point.  With balloons showing, you can get detailed

changes color as it passes over the images, to help you see which window

others are hatched (cut diagonally).  On a color monitor, the cursor

Where images overlap, the outline of the front item is solid, and the





the owning application’s radio button, for easy recognition.

position.  On a color monitor, the color of the rectangle matches that of

the picture as an outline rectangle with a representative size, shape, and

Every window or desktop icon (collectively known as “items”) appears in



°  Window and Icon Images







white area move accordingly.

diagonal form of scrolling.  If you use the scroll bars, you will see the

the desktop view relative to all windows and icons.  This is effectively a

and drag this white area to another point on the virtual desktop, moving

in the white area is the image of a visible window or icon.  You can click

those “through the binoculars” shots in bad old movies.  Anything resting

which is currently visible through the monitor or monitors, rather like

In the background, a white area describes the part of the virtual desktop



°  Desktop View





grow automatically the next time the view is refreshed.

If you move a window or icon into the pad area, the virtual desktop will

adjust using the “Grow Desktop” and “Shrink Desktop” menu commands.

The virtual desktop is padded in each direction by a factor which you can





darker gray or black.

distortion, but leaves some unused space in the picture, filled with a

available area, or a true aspect ratio, which scales all images without

flexible aspect ratio, which distorts images in the picture to fill the

display.  Through the Layout Preferences dialog, you have the option of a

the virtual desktop, reduced to fit the area available for the picture

The Full View picture has a gray backdrop showing the current extent of



°  Backdrop







many functions.

The picture is the most interesting part of the Full View window.  It offers



•  Picture







picture, radio buttons, and list box.

occupied by the menu bar and scroll bars.  It consists of three parts:

This window appears only in Full View mode, covering the area not



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xThe Full View Window









toggles between Full View mode and the usual see-through mode.

it active, and clicking twice enters Full View mode.  After that, clicking

This small window has the Virtual Desktop icon on it.  Clicking once makes




xThe Anchor Window







goes into the background.

windows persistent.  By default, they disappear when Virtual Desktop

Through the Usage Preferences dialog, you can make the scroll bar



folders and documents.

desktop for things with no definite location, like volume icons and new

worth considering just because Finder tends to use the right side of the

you wish.  A left-handed arrangement is good for southpaws, but also

scroll bars, and you can move the vertical scroll bar to the left side if

Through the Layout Preferences dialog, you can vary the thickness of the





active before.

remain active; otherwise, it will return to whatever application was

window.  If you use them while Virtual Desktop is already active, it will

Virtual Desktop maintains one horizontal and one vertical scroll bar



√ò

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√ò




xThe Scroll Bar Windows









described here.

Virtual Desktop operates several windows and dialog boxes, which are








åWindows and Dialogs


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§