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In most RISC OS programs, the iconbar menu shows an option
like Choices
or Configure.
Generally, whenever this option is selected, a window will
pop up, showing the current settings of the program and
allowing these to be changed. As the programming of such
windows involves a lot of time on the programmer's behalf,
it is often considered a burden when creating applications.
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The !ConfiX utility is our attempt to find a solution to
this problem. All the main application has to do is call
!ConfiX who will then show the options in a set of attractive
windows. Of course, to make full use of !ConfiX' facilities,
the main application has to obey certain rules.
The principle is simple. The main application should hold a
text file called '_Config' that describes all functions in
a detailed manner. Further a sprite file '_Tabs' may be
created holding the necessary icons. !ConfiX will take
these files and use them to create clear and attractive windows
presenting you program's options. Once changed, the results
will be handed back to the main program in a text file called
Config.
!ConfiX can be used by many programs at the same time and
has to be installed on your harddisc only once. The preferred
location is in the !Boot.Resources directory of the harddisc
so that it will be 'seen' when the computer is started.
We are encouraging programmers to make use of !ConfiX and
have therefore made it freely available from this website.
We hope that it will contribute to the already high standard
of RISC OS software available. The most recent version of
of !ConfiX can always be found on this page.
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A universal configuration program
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This image shows an example of a ConfiX window as used by
one of our programs. Please click the image to see a more
detailed version of it. At the top of the window, a number
of TABs are present. These TABs give access to the various
configuration windows presented by the program.
As this particular application needs a lot of configurations,
an extra row of TABs is inserted at the bottom of the window.
These extra TABs allow for sub-divisions and will help to
keep the entire system 'tidy'.
At the bottom of the window are the standard buttons for
'Cancel', 'Save', etc. This is also the default position
for the Help-line that provides additional information
about the choice currently under the mouse pointer.
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Programmer's information (API)
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We would like to encourage programmers to make use of !ConfiX
in their own software
and believe that it will help them to create high quality
applications more quickly. Only a few minor changes will
be necessary to your program to make full use of !ConfiX'
features. If you are developing your own applications, please
download the ZIP file below, as it contains both the
API (Application Programming Interface) and
a number of useful examples in BBC BASIC.
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Examples of programs that already use !ConfiX
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- CableNews
All modules of our own CableNews software range make
full use of !ConfiX.
- Enigma
A simulation of the WW-II coding device as featured
in a recent blockbuster movie. Entirely free.
- TouchMe
This is the support program for the touch screen on the
SOLO computer, the first RISC OS computer to be completely
solar powered.
- WebXPress
The program that was used to create these pages...
- USBInfo
A small but useful application to show the internal origanisation
of the various USB devices connected to your computer.
- HID
Advanced USB keyboard and mouse drivers. Support for the extra keys
found on an Internet keyboard and the scroll wheel found one some
mice and keyboards.
- Oregano2
An all new Internet browser for RISC OS. Initially developed for
the IYONIX pc, but now available to the general public.
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