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-
- `PolySili(CON:)'
- ===============
-
-
- a Superior Interface for Line Input...
-
-
- This directory contains the Freely Distributable version of the ShareWare
- program `PolySili(CON:)' -- a program for managing multiple Shell and CLI
- processes conveniently from a single Command Window with a visible history.
- This is a fully functional version, but missing some of the ancillary
- modules of the complete system. (For information on ordering the complete
- version -- which also includes an expanded, printed manual -- see the end
- of SiliCon.DOC and the `Reg_Form' file in this directory.) The program
- is compatible with both 1.3 and 2.0 releases of the Operating System.
-
- To understand the reasoning behind `Sili(CON:)', look at the "History'n
- Philosophy" document, and the "Concept" section at the beginning of
- `SiliCon.DOC'. (In case any confusion exists, `PolySili(CON:)' and
- just plain `Sili(CON:)' are here one and the same: the `Poly' part is
- simply to distinguish it from a much earlier single-process version -- and
- to be cute! The shorter name is nearly always used in the documentation.)
-
- You will doubtless wish to try the program BEFORE adding the modules
- needed by Sili(CON:) to your LIBS:, L:, and C: directories (and making
- changes to your MountList etc.). To do this, double-click on the `Install
- SiliCon' icon, and answer `Yes' to the first question ("Trial Only?") after
- the initial text instructions have completed. After a moment, you should
- see the Sili(CON:) command window (on the right) and a single controlled
- Shell (on the left). The command window will be active, so type a few
- AmigaDOS commands there and observe how they are both executed by the shell
- and preserved in the history list. Double-click on one of the lines in the
- history and it will be re-executed; a single click brings it down for
- re-editing. (You have a few extra editing keys beyond the normal Shell
- ones: for example control-left or -right arrow skips whole words.)
-
- To bring up a second controlled shell window, give the command `newsili';
- a second shell window will appear, and become the one that gets new
- commands by default. (But notice how commands already in the history will
- go to their original shell if re-invoked.) To switch control between
- Shells, use the right-hand menu available when Sili(CON:) is active. See
- SiliCon.DOC for details. I suggest you explore the other features of the
- program with the aid of the manual at this point.
-
- To remove a particular Shell, you can either give `endcli' as usual, or
- use the `SHUT:' menu. To close down Sili(CON:) completely, use the `QUIT'
- item in the left-hand menu. (Note: the `IP-Handler' used by Sili(CON:) is
- a DOS device, and -- like other devices -- cannot be removed once mounted
- until the next reboot of the machine; it in turn makes use of `ppipc.library',
- so these two modules will hang on to about 8K of your memory until you turn
- the machine off or restart. It also leaves behind a couple of temporary
- directories in RAM:, `S_trial' and `C_install' that you can delete after
- terminating Sili(CON:).)
-
- Installing Sili(CON:) into your system on a more permanent basis is simply
- a matter of running `Install SiliCon' again, but this time clicking on the
- "Install" answer to the first query. See the "Installation" section of the
- manual for a full description.
-
-
-
- Directory Contents (`.info' files omitted):
-
- Install SiliCon -- an "executable directory" that contains
- all the files and mechanisms needed to install
- the system. (You may drag it to any other
- drawer or disk and it will remain functional.)
-
- History'n Philosophy -- a short discourse on the motivation behind
- the program.
-
- README -- this file.
-
- SiliCon.DOC -- Manual for the Freely Distributable version.
-
- Reg_Form (no icon) -- use this for sending your ShareWare donation
- please.
-
- Sil-Icon -- An icon for starting Sili(CON:) (or a new
- shell controlled by it if it is already running).
- The initial default directory of the resulting
- shell is that in which the icon resides.
- Requires both Sili(CON:) to be installed, and
- Xicon to be available in `C:', to function.
- (Xicon isn't installed by the automatic sequence,
- but you can copy it from the `Install SiliCon'
- directory yourself.)
-
-
-
- I now find Sili(CON:)'s painless command-line interaction indispensable.
- I hope you will too. Have fun with it, anyway!
-
- Pete Goodeve
-
- June 1991
-
- 3012 Deakin St #D
- Berkeley, CA 94705
- USA
-
- [email:
- pete@violet.berkeley.edu]
-