THE NEW TOS by Richard Karsmakers
Some weeks ago, I received a printed out version of an Atari
bulletin regarding the launch of a new Operating System for the
Atari ST (thanks to Andreas Ramos - 68000 UG Arhus, Norway). This
TOS has been sent to some software developers ("STRIKE-a-LIGHT"
found that many of the old bugs were still in it) and all Atari
companies worldwide. Now, what's new about it? Do not expect a
full-fledged article about the new TOS here - it's just a simply
list of its new features...(based on the bulletin by Roy Good,
Atari Corp.)
A summary of the major improvements to TOS follows:
Floppy formatting is "more compatible" with IBM-PC format
A file may be moved (i.e. copy/delete) in one operation
File copy/delete/move can be interrupted with "Undo"
GEM programs can be auto-booted from disk (Great!! ED.)
If a file name conflicts during a file copy, copy/skip/quite are
allowed
A folder may be renamed via "Show Info"
That static file allocation limit of 400 is removed; limited now
by free memory
"Show/Print File" are completely rewritten
File copying on a single floppy system uses all available memory
for buffers
"Wind_update (FALSE)" is set when recovering from an application
crash
All date seperators are now "/"
File selector had has major rework:
16 drive buttons
Application can send a "title" string to FSEL
FSEL now takes first <RETURN> on pathname edit as
end-of-edit
FSEL remembers where it was in a file list
Static file allocation of 100 files is removed
Long pathnames and "Abort/Continue" now handled
correctly
Preserves current DTA buffer addresses, clip rectangles
and default directories
New bindings available
"Appl_init" returns version 0130 in global(0)
Editable fields may now be followed by non-editable characters in
dialog boxes
"Wind_get()" with field parameter WF_SCREEN return address/length
of AES menu/alert buffer
"Ptsin" (VDI) allows 512 vertices (true since 4/22/87)
"Vqt_extent": Pixel errors on some 270 degree rotations are fixed
"Vq_mouse" reliability enhanced
40-folder bug alleviated to the point of improbability. A folder
only takes up space when "active". Limited now by depth of
folders and the accumulated depth of opened files. FOLDRxxx
still available
"Malloc" restriction of 20 blocks/process lifted
FAT searching code for floppy and hard-disk is MUCH faster
Sector buffering now greatly improved, and "CACHExxx" allows
expansion
"Frename" can now rename a folder
Archive bit (0x20) fully supported
Time stamps for "." and ".." are now correct
"Fsettime/fsetdate" match BIOS and GEMDOS values
"Fdatime" input value byteswap fixed
Major improvements to "Ccon*" and redirection in general
OS Pool reduced to same size as 11/20/85 ROMs (pre Mega). This
may allow some program which fail on MEGA ROMs to work again
Soft reset available from keyboard if using standard keyboard
handler. Soft reset by CTRL/ALT/DEL. Cold boot clears all
available memory (CTRL/ALT/right SHFT/DEL)
"Rsconf(-2,-1,-1,-1,-1,-1) return last baud rate value set by
rsconf
Structure of the reserved part of DTA has changed, and remains
reserved
Improvements made to detection of media change
Those were the changes, which are of course liable to change in
due course.
�
Disclaimer
The text of the articles is identical to the originals like they appeared
in old ST NEWS issues. Please take into consideration that the author(s)
was (were) a lot younger and less responsible back then. So bad jokes,
bad English, youthful arrogance, insults, bravura, over-crediting and
tastelessness should be taken with at least a grain of salt. Any contact
and/or payment information, as well as deadlines/release dates of any
kind should be regarded as outdated. Due to the fact that these pages are
not actually contained in an Atari executable here, references to scroll
texts, featured demo screens and hidden articles may also be irrelevant.