I was recently speaking to one of our contributors
along the lines of 'Did you know you can....?' when it became
apparent that we each knew a few tips on using the ST that the other
did not know yet both thought everyone knew! So, in an effort to
document the (possibly) unknown we will start this column. It may
only run for this issue but at least you will know where to find it.
If any readers have discovered other hints or tips for the easier
use of the ST or know of any we have missed please let us know and
we will include them in the next issue.
SELECTIVE COPYING: Hold the Shift key while
clicking on files to copy. This way files can be chosen at random
instead of in blocks.
STOP PRINTING: If you have started a screen
dump and for some reason wish to abort, just press ALTERNATE-HELP
again.
CHANGING ICON NAMES: If you want to label
your drives in a more meaningful way, for example 'main drive' and
'backups' or 'top drive' and 'bottom drive', click on the icon and
then drop down Install Drive from GEM. Delete the current name and
type in a new one. Once done save the desktop to the disk that you
wish to use for booting up. You cannot change the Trash Can name in
this way but the DESKTOP.INF file can be loaded into an ASCII word
processor and changed provided that you don't use a name longer than
the existing one. Just resave the Desktop again when it has been
changed.
CLEARING INFORMATION: In most cases the ESC
key will clear an existing filename so that it is not necessary to
backspace. This applies to filenames in Selection Windows and also
to the Control Panel when you want to change the time or date.
DISK DIRECTORIES: To find the contents of a
disk open a window on a particular drive and then insert a new disk
in that drive. Instead of double clicking and opening another window
just press the ESC key.
USING INACTIVE WINDOWS: Normally if you
want to copy a file from an inactive window you click on that
window, drag the file across and then have to click on the original
window to re-activate it. By holding the right hand mouse button
at the same time as clicking the left button, you can select files
for copying from inactive windows thus saving some considerable
time.
I hope that a few of the above are new to you and
will help you use your ST to greater effect. As I said above if YOU
have any hints or tips. please let me know.
Les Ellingham
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