The current version of the complete MacWrite format Users Manual is 1.32. It was made available at the release of BENSON 1.32, and is still in effect at this time. A new, updated Users Manual will be made available for the release of BENSON 1.50 (early September 1988).
All literature found in the 1.32 Users Manual is correct. BENSON version 1.40 was essentially the same as 1.32, with the exception of its compatibility with HyperCard 1.2.1. This new version has a few additions and modifications, all of which will be spelled out in this text file.
BRIEFLY: AN OVERVIEW OF CHANGES IN VERSION 1.41
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A) New External Functions and Commands
1) ChangeCursor -- This is a new XCMD that forces BENSON to display the
cursor as an "arrow", instead of the hand. Just another effort on my
part to make BENSON more and more like a REAL application.
2) MegaSEARCH -- Now allows BENSON to search through the MIDI buffer for
selected data on the MainCONTROL Page. This is a modification of Oscar Hills' wonderful "SearchAutoCat" XFCN which came from his popular
"AutoCat" stack. I modified the dialog box to accept the selection of
parameters more in line with what BENSON is all about.
3) CustomFileName -- Also a modification of one of Oscar's XFCNs. This one
accomplishes the same thing as Steve Maller's original FileName XFCN,
but in a modifiable way. Better looking and more versatile. This is
used in the "Read From File..." function. I'm still waiting for one
that allows putFile (Write To File...) capabilities with a custom
dialog box. ANYONE WANT TO WRITE ONE FOR ME???
4) EjectDisk -- BENSON can now eject either the internal or external floppy
disks via menu selection items found on all three pages. This is ALSO
from Oscar Hills (what a guy!).
B) Script Alterations
1) Further modifications made to the inheritence paths of scripts on the
RealTIME Page. Cutting down on duplicative scripts is what I'm trying
to do, and it's not done yet. Version 1.42 should be it!
2) Some areas were missed when converting over to HyperCard 1.2 compat-
ibility. Those changes were made. Everything's nice and neat now!
3) When selecting a Simple or BDR Device, BENSON will no longer inform you
that making this selection will reset all the parameters. It's a for-
gone conclusion that this will happen, so the warning was removed.
4) All automatic compacting of the stack has been removed. This was done
for those of us who are working off of floppies and may not have
sufficient room to perform the compact. Compacting the stack takes a
while, too, so...bye bye!
5) Also removed is the "MIDI Channel..." selection from under the Options
Menu on the MainCONTROL Page. I had stumbled across the fact that it
did not do what I had hoped it WAS doing. I will be building a new
MIDI Channel selection function into a future version. Hopefully, this
one will work.
C) Resourse Fork Modifications
1) A STR# resource was added to accompany the MegaSEARCH function. This
holds the search strings picked out by the RequestData XFCN based on
the selected radio buttons returned by the MegaSEARCH function.
2) Broad changes were made to the MENU resources to accomodate additions
made to the company of Externals. All the menu item titles were
shortened, as well, to make for a cleaner, tighter look.
3) An large number of modified HyperCard Dialogs have been added to BENSON.
They have the same ID numbers as the originals found in the HyperCard
application, so they are displayed instead. Just another effort to
create a distinctive look. Consequently, the stack has grown another
large leap! 200K now! But I _STILL_ haven't added sounds.
4) And, of course, I added my head ICON! You can find it on all the new
Button, Field, Card, Background and Stack Info dialogs. This was done
to appease those who didn't appreciate the omittance of my T-Scan
picture, and still refrain from adding 20K to the size of the stack!
BENSON can now perform some pretty nice search functions from the MainCONTROL Page. Using the MegaSEARCH command, found under the Options menu, you can optionally search for any type of MIDI data currently being held within your buffer.
Seleting this menu item brings up a dialog box with a number of radio buttons and editable text areas. The top group of buttons allows you to select what type of STATUS BYTE you'd like to search for. The middle group of buttons determines in what way these are to be found (Decimally, Hexadecimally or Symbolically). The mode in which you wish to search for the specified data works only while the Buffer Display Window is displaying that exact type of data. Meaning, if the Buffer Display Window is showing decimally formatted data, you would select the "Decimally" button, etc. You will be alerted to fact that you've selected the wrong type, if indeed you have.
The Optional Data box is an area in which you can enter additional DATA BYTES to search for in conjunction with the STATUS BYTES. You must, of course, enter the data exactly as it would appear in the Buffer Display Window, and you must enter it in the format specified by your above button selections (i.e. Decimally, Hexadecimally or Symbolically).
Clicking the Cancel button will terminate the function, but the Find button will perform a quick search of all the data within the buffer and "box" or "outline" the data that matches your input and criteria.
While you are on any of the three pages in BENSON, you may want to eject a disk that might be in either your internal or external drive. Choosing these menu items, found under the Option menus on any page, does just this.
That about does it for version 1.41. If you notice any bugs, ugliness or anomalies, please call them to my attention by calling my BBS, MacStudio California, at (415) 426-8972. That's a new number, guys! The 209 area code number is no longer any good. Don't call it, 'cause it's moved onto other areas and functions.
I'm unable to give out my street address as it also belongs to my friend, Pat O'Connor, who is the sysop for MacCircles. I'm just a tennant. So, until I get a P.O. Box here in town, you'll have to address any correspondance to my parents' address. I pick that mail up once a week, so a reply might be late coming. Sorry about that.
Thanks for downloading BENSON! When I released version 1.30, I said that it was going to be the end for BENSON. Boy! Was I wrong! Here I am thinking about version 1.50 by September. But your interest in it has sparked me to continue developing and expanding it. Keep those suggestions coming! One way or another, your ideas always get into my stacks!
