!RiscExtra

!RiscExtra is a small module to enhance the Risc OS 3.1 Desktop. It adds a Mode Selector and an option to abort a Shutdown.

Another useful feature is a patch to cure a bug in Risc OS.

It was written using the BASIC assembler, for no better reason than it was there. I do have Desktop C/Assembler, but I couldn't be bothered to use them.

Mode Selector

!RiscExtra adds a Risc PC style Mode Selector to earlier versions of the Operating System. "So what", I hear you say, "I've seen *LOADS* of them". All the ones I've seen either completely replace the Palette Utility, or are Applications eating up your valuable memory (32/64/96k on 4Mb machines).

This one is different. As a module task, it only uses the memory it needs (4.5k including workspace), and it uses the Risc OS 3.1 filter manager to attach itself to the Palette Utility.

Menu and Adjust work as before, but clicking Select on the Palette icon causes my window to be opened instead. Simply choose the number of colours and the resolution required, and click on 'Change' to use the new choices. If the chosen combination of colours and resolution is not available, a warning beep is emitted without changing mode.

Please note that this version only offers you the standard resolutions and colours availaible via Risc OS 3.11, and acceptable with your configured monitor. It does NOT allow you to choose the Special Needs Mode 22, but you can still select this using the standard method.

Cancel Shutdown

One thing I find annoying is that there is no way to abort a Shutdown as standard. Again, by using filters, I've implemented a Cancel option which works (using legal methods!). It catches CTRL-SHIFT-F12 and also the option from the Task Manager menu.

Task Manager Bugfix

Without installing !RiscExtra, open the Info window of the Task Manager, and click Menu just about anywhere. Chances are, the Task Manager will fall over big time. Actually, it's supposed to allow menu clicks on icon 2, "© Acorn Computers Ltd ...".

Try the following:

Click Menu on the t of 'Ltd'
Click Menu on the e of 'Computers'
Click Menu on the A of 'Acorn'
Click Menu on the m of 'Computers'

and watch the icon ...

And it's got nothing to do with !RiscExtra.

This bug is in TaskManager 0.75, and possibly others. If the bug still occurs on a different version *WITH* !RiscExtra installed, please let me know what version is used and I'll try to sort it.

Please note - This bugfix only works if the title of the Info window starts 'About...'. Sorry about this, but if you use alternate templates just change the title.

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Page last modified on October 16 2018 09:20:20 by Andy Fawcett.