Gribnif Software
News Release
June 30, 1993
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| Geneva |
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Multitasking Application Environment
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After almost two years of development, Gribnif Software is proud to
announce their newest software offering for the Atari ST, STE, TT/030,
Falcon, and compatibles.
"Geneva" is a Multitasking Application Environment (Multitasking AES)
that allows any Atari to:
o Multitask unlimited GEM applications+
o Load and unload unlimited desk accessories+
o Put applications and accessories to "sleep", keeping them from using
valuable CPU time, temporarily closing all their windows.
o Run MultiTOS applications (it supports the new AES 4.0 calls)
+ subject to available memory
Geneva also adds the following features to the Atari:
o Task Manager
-for total control of all applications and accessories
o Tear-off menus
-drag any drop-down menu into its own window
o 3-D buttons and 3-D window gadgets
-easily customizable
o Keyboard control of drop-down menus
-similar to Windows, "walk the menus" of any application
o Ability to run singletasking applications
-for applications that are not multitasking compatible
o Enhanced compatibility when compared to Atari's MultiTOS
-special flags let you run even the most troublesome programs
o Keyboard control of window gadgets & dialog buttons
-keyboard equivalents for dialog & alert buttons, plus the
ability to assign keyboard equivalents to window gadgets
o Ability to change mouse shapes, including mouse animation support
o MiNT compatibility for MiNT applications
-multitask TOS programs, run MiNT-specific applications,
requires either freeware or commercial version of MiNT
o Enhanced file selector
-with powerful pattern matching, file searching, renaming,
deleting, dual column display, and multiple file selection
When compared to Atari's MultiTOS, Geneva offers the following
advantages:
o Smaller memory requirements (less than 125K of RAM when active)
o Faster application speed, mostly due to Geneva not requiring
MiNT loaded to multitask GEM applications.
o Faster window redraw and window gadget operation, due to Geneva's
faster AES code.
o Higher compatibility with older applications, thanks to Geneva's
special application flags and support for singletasking
applications.
If you do NOT have MultiTOS, Geneva offers you:
o A very easy and fast way to multitask unlimited GEM applications,
subject to available memory.
o The ability to load and unload unlimited desk accessories as you
need them, subject to available memory.
o The ability to run AES 4.0 (MultiTOS) applications.
o An inexpensive way to give your computer a whole new look & feel,
including 3-D buttons, tear-off menus, multitasking, keyboard
control, and much more.
If you DO have MultiTOS, Geneva offers you:
o A faster AES which offers several new features, including tear-off
menus, keyboard controls, faster windows, and higher compatibility.
o Higher compatibility, thanks to Geneva's special application flags
and support for singletasking applications.
o The ability to not have to run MiNT, therefore giving you:
> A faster way to multitask unlimited GEM applications,
subject to available memory.
> The ability to save substantial amounts of memory.
> Even higher compatibility with non-MiNT compatible
applications.
What Geneva does NOT include:
o Geneva does not include or require a "desktop". The built-in ROM
desktop is not compatible (if we could make it so, we would). But,
a desktop is not required. You can launch programs and accessories
directly from Geneva's Task Manager.
However, for convenience, a desktop replacement is recommended.
Geneva will work most MultiTOS compatible replacement desktops
and file launching shells.
Also, a patch is included with Geneva that upgrades NeoDesk 3 to
version 3.04, allowing it to work correctly with Geneva.
We recommend the soon to be released NeoDesk 4 desktop replacement,
which will include many new multitasking oriented features, window
menus, true color support, and will take full advantage of Geneva's
power and capabilities.
o Currently, Geneva does not include MiNT, the TOS enhancement
written by Atari for use with MultiTOS. However, Geneva is fully
compatible with MiNT, allowing you to run MiNT applications and
multitask TOS applications. Geneva is compatible both with the
freeware version of MiNT and Atari's commercial version.
Some common questions and answers about Geneva:
Q: Will I still be able to use my screen accelerator together with
Geneva to speed up my Atari?
A: Of course! Geneva does not replace the VDI, the part of the Atari
in charge of drawing. It works great with programs like "Warp 9"
and "NVDI 2.0"
Q: Do I have to reset my machine to load Geneva, like with MultiTOS?
A: Nope! You can easily load Geneva right from the built-in desktop
(or your favorite shell). No need to reboot the computer.
Q: How compatible is it?
A: Quite. Almost any program can be executed. The real question
is if a specific GEM program can actually support multitasking.
You will find that many do, but some programs, like the original
Flash, will only run in singletaskting mode. Other compatibility
options in Geneva let you specify if an application can receive
AES 4.0 (MultiTOS) messages, should only use a specific amount of
memory, or any other special handling it might require.
Q: How does singletasking work?
A: Geneva is aware that certain applications are not multitasking
compatible. When you run Flash, for instance, all other GEM
applications are temporarily suspended until you either quit
Flash or suspend it (letting you switch back to the other
multitasking applications while keeping Flash loaded in memory).
However, you still have full access to all of Geneva's other
capabilities, including the ability to load and unload desk
accessories.
Q: How complex is it to set all these settings?
A: It isn't at all. To make things even easier, Geneva keeps a
special GENEVA.CNF file which serves as a small database that
already tells Geneva how to run most programs. We will continue
to update this file (releasing it on-line, etc.) as we try out more
and more programs with Geneva. This means that all you may have to
do is actually run your programs, the settings are most likely
already set!
Q: What about TOS (text based) programs?
A: Currently, TOS programs run as singletasking applications. In
Geneva they run inside their own GEM window, allowing you to easily
change their font size and control their output. However, if you
run the freeware or commercial version of MiNT, you can multitask
TOS programs.
Q: Can I still use file selector replacements like UIS III or Little
Green Selector?
A: Yes, they will work, though you might find that they might not
support some of the more advanced Geneva features (such as the
advanced pattern matching, selecting multiple files at once, etc.)
Q: I'm a developer, how can I take advantage of Geneva's new
features and capabilities?
A: Every copy of Geneva includes a complete developer's kit. This
includes full information, libraries, and sample code on how you
can easily take advantage of Geneva's power and capabilities.
There are no royalties or licenses involved in making your
application "Geneva Aware".
Release Dates & Prices:
"Geneva" is slated for release in North America around September 1st,
1993. Foreign versions, including a German version, will be available
shortly thereafter.
"Geneva" will be available commercially from your local dealer for
$99.95 and will include the new "NeoDesk 4" desktop replacement.
"Geneva" will also be available by itself (without NeoDesk 4) for
$69.95. NeoDesk 4 will be available separately for $69.95.
For more information, contact:
Gribnif Software
P.O. Box 779,
Northampton, MA 01061-0779
U.S.A.
Tel: (413) 247-5620 (10am to 6pm, Eastern Standard Time)
Fax: (413) 247-5622 (24 hours a day)
GENIE: GRIBNIF
CIS: 75300,1131