i + + ===== Version 2.00e - 21.12.97, by Thorsten Lange, Hamburg, Germany Copyright 1995-1997 Thorsten Lange and his licensors. All rights reserved. Preface ------- Just a note before we get startet: This program is shareware and must be registered for only US$15 if used after a trial period. Although the functions of this version are not limited in any way, registered users have a couple of advantages (for details see the chapters "Shareware" and "Registration"). Please note: i++ does not support Newton1.x systems! Any suggestions or error reports are welcome (even from unregistered users). My postal and email address can be found in the chapter "Registration". Since English is not my native language, I apologize for possible "non-idiomatic expressions" and errors. So any corrections in this respect are welcome, too. I hope you will enjoy this program - so much that you gladly register your copy :-) BTW: Please visit my homepage at http://www.antopia.com/thorsten for new versions of i++ and for other Newton stuff that I have written. Functional description ---------------------- With i++ you can extend/customize the menu shown when tapping an "i-Button". Menu items can be included to open applications (without opening the Extras drawer - frozen packages are activated on the fly and refrozen again after they are closed) or to invoke other special actions (like changing the screen orientation). Those info buttons are present in most Newton2.x applications since it is a standard component of the 2.x user interface. So "your" special purpose menu will be reachable in most situations without getting in your way when you do not need it. In my opinion i++ is a "natural" extention of the Newton2.x user interface. MP2x00 users also have an alternative way for opening this customizable menu: i++ can optionally place a small i-button in the button bar (you can even disable the extended i-menu and only use this little i-button if you like). Another feature only available on a MP2x00 is the T-button that can be included into the button bar simmilar to the small i-button. The T-button will let you switch between open applications (you can even bring the backdrop to the front without closing the other apps.). These button bar buttons are not the only options available in i++. So please take a look at the "Preferences" chapter or just open "Prefs" when the i++ main menu is open. Since V2.00, i++ is compatible with SPI add-ons. This is an interface to allow developers (including me ;-) to extend i++, WittyKeys or Backyard. If you like to develop SPI additions, you'll find the documentation at my homepage http://www.antopia.com/thorsten. It is really easy to use when you are a little familiar with developing for the Newton. I.e. AddressAccess adds three special actions to i++ (add new person-card, add new company-card, open built-in names file). Installation ------------ ipp.pkg To install i++ just transfer "ipp.pkg" to your Newton. Afterwards you can select the menu items - just open i++ in Extras (more about this in the chapter "Configuration"). If you currently use ScrollMenus from StandAlone, Inc. please read the note in the chapter "Preferences", too. TL_Lib01.pkg i++ itselfs allows you to open applications. To obtain the full benefit of i++ please install "TL_Lib01.pkg" as well (01 is the version number and might vary, so in the following I will call it "TL_Libxx.pkg" or just "TL Lib"). This package will add plenty of actions to the Specials section. Note that this library is the same as the one that comes with WittyKeys and Backyard. So you have to install it only once - this saves you quite some storage space. Just make sure that you always use the latest version available. light.pkg, sleep.pkg,... Since V1.30, i++ includes a set of small additional packages. Each package provides a one-tap button to provide a special action (currently available: light switch, rotate, record sound, sleep, open typewriter keyboard). They are intended to be used with the on-screen button bar (MP2x00). Just drag the icon from Extras to the button bar and you have a one-tap light switch or a one-tap recorder (you may have to move an icon from the button bar to Extras at first so that there is enough free space). Note that these buttons require "TL Lib". Selecting Menu Items -------------------- Setting up the i++ menu is easy: open "i++" from the Extras drawer. You will see two lists: "Programs&Books" with packages currently installed in the Extras drawer and "Specials" which offers a selection of special purpose commands. To include an item into the i-menu just tap on it. A pop-up opens that lets you specify a category (or "not selected"). Categories are a handy way for grouping items within the menu without having to arrange the whole menu. The i-menu will be constructed like this (note that 2 and 3 are optional and that empty groups will be omitted): 1.) Items of the application that owns the i-button 2.) All running apps 3.) The recently selected apps (using i++) 4.) Specials from category 1 (sorted by name) 5.) Applications from category 1 (sorted by name) 6.) Specials from category 2 (sorted by name) 7.) Applications from category 2 (sorted by name) 8.) Specials from category 3 (sorted by name) 9.) Applications from category 3 (sorted by name) (The groups will be seperated by a horizontal divider) General notes: - You can change the size of the lists in the i++ main menu by simply dragging the seperator bar between them. - You can immediately try the menu with the info button in the status bar. - If you remove an application, the alias will not automatically be removed from the menu. To remove references to applications that aren't available anymore, just press "Verify" in the status bar and all unresolvable aliases will be removed. This also verifies special actions added by other applications. Description of available "Specials" ----------------------------------- NOTE: If you don't find these specials in your list, you'll have most likely not installed "TL_Libxx.pkg" (see chapter Installation). There are two kinds of specials available: submenus and actions. 1.) Submenus (beginning with a "diamond") - Specials: This opens a submenu with all special actions available in i++. - Recent Items: opens a submenu showing a list of recently (with i++) used packages. - Each remaining item opens a list of packages located in the corresponding folder in Extras. 2.) Single-tap actions - Rotate: changes the screen orientation (OS2.1 please note the settings in preferences (see below)) - Rotate 180ø: turns the screen upside down (OS2.1 only) - Record: starts a new sound recording. After closing the dialog the recorded sound will be added to the notepad (OS2.1 only) - Align Pen: Opens the standard pen alignment dialog - Sleep: turns your Newton off (like using the power switch) - Reset: reboots your Newton (like pressing "Reset" in the battery compartment). Newton will (optionally) ask you whether you really want to reset - Default-Store: switches the store on which new items will be stored. When there are multiple memory cards inserted, there will be a menu item for each read/write store available that is not the default store. The current default store will be the only store that is NOT available from the list - Backlight Control: is a light switch. It will only show when you have a Newton with backlighting - Sound Toggle: Turns the sound on and off - System Info: performs a garbage collection and than tells you about the state of the batteries and memory (heap, internal, card) together with the OS version and time/date - New meeting: opens the dates application and a slip for entering a new meeting - Keyboard: opens the typewriter keyboard (there are specials for the other built-in keyboards as well) Note: Other applications like AddressAccess (the fully compatible replacement for the built-in Names-app) or CoolKit (for developers using NTK) may add more items to this list! i++ V2.x is extendable using the new plug-in architure "SPI". Since Backyard and WittyKeys also support SPI, those specials will appear in their list as well. The first third-party tool supporting SPI is CoolKit which adds items usefull for developers. A description of how to support SPI will be available at my homepage http://www.antopia.com/thorsten. I intend to release SPI based extensions in 1998, which will be available there as well. Preferences ----------- There are a few options that you can set in i++. To do so, open "Preferences" in i++ (tap "i++" in Extras, then tap "i", then "Prefs"). > ScrollMenus-compatibility < Since V1.25 this mode is turned on by default, because there are quite a few ScrollMenus users. This ensures that both packages can be used together without conflicts (if you use both packages I strongly recommend installing them on the internal store, and please reset your Newton whenever you install a new version of i++ or ScrollMenus). If you encounter conflicts while using i++ (I don't know of any at the moment), please try deactivating the "ScrollMenus compatibility mode", so that i++ uses an alternative way of modifying the Newton OS. Note: There are versions of ScrollMenus 3 (i.e. in DateMan 3.14) that conflict with i++. Please contact StandAlone, Inc. for an updated version. > Install T-button in button bar < (MP2x00 only) Checking this option will add a small T-button to the button bar right above the overview button. Using the T-button will display a list of the currently running applications (including their icon :-). Tapping one will bring it to the front ... this will even work with the backdrop application (but this might be a little confusing since the other apps are now behind the unclosable backdrop app). Note: currently there is a conflict with the button bar. After adding the T-button, moving icons within the button bar will result in an error message. Moving icons to and from Extras works without problems, so if you want to rearrange the icons within the bar just drag the icon into Extras temporarily. > Install i-button in button bar < (MP2x00 only) Checking this option will add a small i-button to the button bar right below the overview button. This may be helpful when using older applications that do not have a (real) OS2.x i-button. Note: currently there is a conflict with the button bar. After adding the i-button, moving icons within the button bar will result in an error message. Moving icons to and from extras works without problems, so if you want to rearrange the icons within the bar, just drag the icon into Extras temporarily. > i++ menu on half "Extras" button < OS2.0 only (MP120/MP130) If you check this option, you can open a pop-up with the i++ menu items when tapping the lower half of the Extras button. This might be helpful when using older applications that do not have a (real) OS2.x i-button. > Extend i menu < This option must be checked in order to make i++ extend the i-menus. Disabling this is only for users who are satisfied with using only the button bar i-button on a MP2x00 or the half Extras button on a MP1x0. > Activate "Freezing" < "Freezing" is a hidden feature in the Newton OS2 - ROM. It allows the deactivation of packages without removing them from your Newton. If this feature is enabled you can freeze a selected application in Extras ("Freeze" shows up in the routing menu). After freezing a package the icon turns into a snowflake. As far as the Newton OS is aware, the package isn't installed anymore - so it cannot be opened (or cause conflicts). A frozen application doesn't use up any heap memory (every installed application occupies some heap memory, so releasing heap can make "no memory - restart" messages less frequent). i++ can open frozen applications as if they are installed: just tap it in the i-menu and it will be thawed before opening (this takes a little extra time, of course). After closing the package, it will be frozen automatically. > Show icons in front of specials < Unchecking this will remove the icons that appear in front of Specials. This will speed-up opening the i-menu slightly. > Include active Apps in i-menu < If this option is checked all currently active (open) applications will be included in the i-menu to allow fast switching between them. Note that this option might slow down opening the i-menu. MP2x00 users I would recommend using the optional T(ask)-Button in the button bar since it also displays the application icon. > Include recent items in i-menu < Check this option to include recently selected packages (using i++) at the top of the i++ menu. If this option is unchecked you can still access the list of recent items using the "Recent Items" folder (an i++ "special"). > Max. recent items < specifies the number of items in the recent-items list. > Ask before "Reset" < if checked, i++ will ask you before resetting your Newton (when hitting "Reset"). This will only be available if "TL_Libxx.pkg" is installed (see chapter "Installation") and affects all packages using "TL Lib". > Rotate Options < OS2.1 only (MP2000/eMate) Here you can select the 2 orientations between which the rotate item should switch. This option is needed to provide the rotate command as a single, one-tap item (and I believe most people will use their Newton in only one landscape and one portrait mode). This will only be available if "TL_Libxx.pkg" is installed (see chapter "Installation") and affects all packages using "TL Lib". There might be additional preferences added by some SPI add-ons. Known Errors/Limitations ------------------------ - If you reinstall a package (i.e. an updated version), which is selected in the i-menu, this package will not be checked in the "programs" list anymore. But if you try to open it using the i-menu, i++ will try to fix this missing link. And afterwards it will be selected again in the programs list. - When "ScrollMenus Compatibility" is turned on and you remove/reinstall i++ or ScrollMenus you might need to reset your Newton. - There are versions of ScrollMenus 3 (i.e. comes with DateMan 3.14) that conflict with i++. Please contact StandAlone, Inc. for an updated version. - While i++ (Main Menu) is open, submenus might pop-up at a wrong location. - Menu items selected with i++ V1.26 or older will not work with i++ V1.30 or newer. Please deselect those items with the old i++ version before updating i++ or press "Verify" in i++ to get rid of the old items and reselect them again afterwards. - When updating from i++ V1.x to V2.00 you will have to select the specials again. - Currently the "active Apps" option only recognizes real applications and not floating dialogs like "Assist", "Find" or the calculator. - Currently there is a conflict with the button bar. After adding the i-button and/or T-button, moving icons within the button bar will result in an error message. Moving icons to and from extras works without problems, so if you want to rearrange the icons within the bar, just drag the icon into Extras temporarily. Version history --------------- V1.00 initial release V1.10 - Open frozen packages on the fly and freeze them after the app is closed. - You can now include Newton books in your menu - Each list has scrollers of its own (with fast scrolling: tap and hold and user feedback) - The "silkscreen" arrows aren't supported anymore - Extendible architecture: API for other packages to add special actions to i++ (like AddressAccess V1.50) - Supports two registration codes for different owner names at the same time V1.11 - Fixed a stupid bug I noticed right after releasing V1.10 :-( V1.20 - ScrollMenus compatibility mode - i++ can enable freezing - Optionally i++ pops up a menu when tapping the lower half of the "Extras" button - Two new special actions: - system info: info about batteries, memory (heap, internal, card) and more - backlight control (only available if your Newton has backlighting) - Arrows in the main menu now scroll page by page - Support for "Newton Register" (for using "Kagi Shareware" registration service) V1.25 - Two new special actions: - checking and changing the default store - open dates for entering a new meeting - "ScrollMenus" compatibility is now turned on by default - "System Info" now displays the date and time too - i++ now tries to find missing applications (i.e. after installing a new version) - I made some internal changes so there are fewer undocumented functions used - The unregistered version now reminds you to register less frequently at the beginning, making a longer trial of i++ less annoying (I never thought that people would use i++ hundreds of times within a few days) V1.26 beta - adapted i++ to make it work with OS2.1 and evaluation units - changed rotate and backlight control V1.30 - New special actions: - Record (OS2.1 and microphone required) - Rotate 180ø (OS2.1 or better required) - Align Pen - Additional changes to adapt i++ to OS2.1 - Improved setup for screen orientations - Improved selection of an orientation when none of the selected orientations is the current one - Default Store shows multiple items when multiple stores are available - New optional patch to include a small i-button in the button bar - New mini packages that provide buttons for the button bar (light, record, rotate) - internalk changes: completely new way of handling packages and books - already open applications will now move to the top when selecting them in the i-menu - Frozen Newton books are now supported, too (thank you Ben!) => you need to reselect Newton Books when updating from older versions of i++ (see chapter "Known Errors/Limitations" above) V1.40 - Recently selected packages can be included in the i-menu (or in a submenu - see below) - Submenus have been introduced (as "special actions") to access packages in Extras that hadn't been included in the i-menu - There is also a submenu to access all special actions provided by i++ - Two additional one-tap buttons for the MP2000 button bar: - Sleep: To power down the MessagePad - Keybd: Opens the typewriter keyboard - New option to disable the dialog before resetting the Newton - i++ now detects FreezeUtilities and NewtCase PackageManager1.1 to make them work together without problems - Scrolling in "Specials" had been too fast when using an MP2k, scrolled it down. V2.00 / TL Lib V1 - i++ specials rewritten - Specials have now icons for better readability - Extendable using the new SPI interface - All specials reside in a seperate module "TL Lib". This library is shared with WittyKeys and Backyard to save memory space. - New action: Sound on/off - Introduced categories to group items within the i-menu. - i++ now detects FreezeMan to work around a conflict caused by both packages adding re-freezing code - Option to disable the extended i-menus (for only using the button bar i-button) - Option to include all currently open applications - New T(ask)-button for MP2x00 button bar for quick switching between open applications Shareware --------- This program is shareware. You may try it for free for about four weeks. After this trial period you have to pay a (little) fee for using it on a regular basis. Since you should be able to really try this program, there are no functional limitations when using an unregistered copy! However, some people need a "motivation" to register their copy which is very easy and cheap - see chapter "Registration" for details. So registered users have the following advantages: 1.) Email support for questions/problems 2.) For the present I will maintain an email list of registered users to notify them when a new version is available at my homepage http://www.antopia.com/thorsten. 3.) When using this program, a reminder will be displayed that you have to register your copy. The more you use this program, the more often the notifications are displayed. After entering the registration code, no more messages are displayed. And everybody benefits because I will continue improving the program. Registration ------------ Registration costs US$15 and is a license for one person. Note that there are two special bundle offers: - For US$25 you can register i++ along with Backyard and WittyKeys (saving US$20). - If you registered one of these packages (i++, Backyard or WittyKeys) and register another one later you will receive the third code for free (saving US$15) automatically. Registered users receive a code that depends on the name as written in the owner info. To enter the code just press the "Code"-button in the "About"-box and fill in the code at the lower left corner. Afterwards your copy is registered and the advantages mentioned above will take effect. The code will be valid for all future shareware-versions of i++. If your name changes (i.e. marriage), just send me an email with the new name and I will return the new code number. If you switch between two different owner names (i.e. official and private), just send me both - the program supports two codes at the same time. There are four different ways to pay for i++: 1.) SWREG If you are a Compuserve member (or have a friend who is), you can use GO SWREG, ID 9401 to register for US$15. (or use ID 16321 for the bundle mentioned above for US$25) Please use the exact owner name (for the registration code) in the SWREG procedure. 2.) Sending Cash Send US$15 (or US$25 for the bundle) as cash or the equivalent amount in your local currency in a letter to Thorsten Lange Tivoliweg 7 21079 Hamburg GERMANY *** please send only cash and not a cheque *** Be sure to include your exact owner name and your email address! It's best to wrap the money in some thick paper and send me an email note that the money is on it's way. Sending cash has really worked without any problems, so far! 3.) Web-base (Kagi) You can pay by credit card by simply filling in a web form at or . The registration will be processed by Kagi. If you want to know more about Kagi and the web-based registration, please visit their homepage where all common question will be answered. You will receive a confirmation email by Kagi. At the same time I will be notified of your registration. After receiving the notification I will send you the registration code. Only contact Kagi if you have a question about the payment. Don't bother them about my utilities or a non-working code. Kagi only collects the fees but does not know anything about my packages. 4.) Newton Register / Kagi (credit cards, US cheques, ...) You can pay by credit card, US cheques, ... using "Newton Register": - Install "Newton Register" on your Newton. The latest version can be found at ftp://ftp.rahul.net/pub/flasheridn/Register.sit.hqx - Open "Register" on your Newton and select "I++:TAL!" - Select the kind of payment and fill out the appropriate fields - Select "Mail" from the envelope button - Double-check the form generated by the program then press "Mail". If you can't send email from your Newton you will have to retype the mail into your host's email program. Tap the "Show Text" button in the email slip. It isn't very long. Retype the data exactly as it appears in the email message. Then send the email message to shareware@kagi.com NOTEs about using Newton Register / Kagi: - If you want to send a cheque or cash select "Query", mail that form and wait until you receive a registration number. Please don't send cash or cheques until you have received a registration number!!! - Only contact Kagi if you have a question about the payment. Don't bother them about i++ or a non-working code. Kagi only collects the fees but does not know anything about i++. My (the author's) email address can be found below. - If you have comments about "Newton Register", please contact the author: FlaSheridn@kagi.com. - "Newton Register" encodes your credit card data when sending it as email to discourage casual sniffers, but it is not as secure as PGP. The package only sets up a mail message. The responsibility for actually executing it is yours! For further informations please contact Thorsten_Lange@kagi.com (or 101353.2024@compuserve.com) More Newton Stuff from Thorsten Lange ------------------------------------- Check out my Homepage http://www.antopia.com/thorsten for the actual list of my applications together with more information about them (screenshots,...) Copyright notice ---------------- i++ is copyright 1995-1997 Thorsten Lange and his licensors. All rights reserved. This program is Shareware - IT IS NOT FOR FREE. You are allowed to try out i++ for four weeks for free. If you continue using it, you have to register your copy. For more information see chapter "registration" above. Please support development of cheap and reliable software for the Newton and pay for Shareware you use regularly! Restrictions ------------ You may not decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble or otherwise reduce the software to a human-perceivable form. You may not modify the software or the documentation. Disclaimer ---------- You expressly acknowledge and agree that use of i++ is at your sole risk. The software and related documentation are provided "AS IS" and without warranty of any kind. I make no warranty of the performance of this program, expressed or implied. In no event will I be held responsible for any damages or loss as a result of using i++. When this disclaimer does not apply, my liability will be limited to the amount paid for the product. Famous last words ... --------------------- Newton, MessagePad and eMate are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries.