HotWire from CodeHead

[Gunstar]

Hotwire was one of the few programs already installed on my Supradrive when I recieved it, and I've heard about this program before, but don't really remember what it's all about. I loaded it up and it looked like a program to assist in making batch files or something (the TOS equivelant). But I don't have any instructions on what it does exactly or how to use it. The Neodesk 3 manual mentions using it with Neodesk, but that you had to refer to the Hotwire manual. Anyone use this?

[+DarkLord]

Hotwire was one of the few programs already installed on my Supradrive when I recieved it, and I've heard about this program before, but don't really remember what it's all about. I loaded it up and it looked like a program to assist in making batch files or something (the TOS equivelant). But I don't have any instructions on what it does exactly or how to use it. The Neodesk 3 manual mentions using it with Neodesk, but that you had to refer to the Hotwire manual. Anyone use this?

917340[/snapback]

 

I remember it as a menu program (make a menu that has all your fav programs on it so that a single click or keypress would start them) but it is much more. Here is something I found from googling:

 

ANNOUNCING: HotWire 2.0 from CodeHead Software!

 

It's been a year since HotWire was introduced at the '89 Anaheim World

of Atari Show. In that time HotWire has undergone some radical changes

(in fact, it's been almost completely re-written!), and has been

transformed from a unique menu program to a complete alternate operating

system for any model of Atari ST.

 

When teamed up with MaxiFile and MultiDesk, HotWire 2.0 provides a true

alternative to the GEM desktop (not just a prettied-up imitation of it),

with unique and extremely powerful file manipulation and program

execution features unequaled by any other product on the market.

 

HotWire 2.0 is now a full GEM program with a menu bar...which means you

can get at all of your desk accessories (not just the ones loaded into

MultiDesk) at any time. You can even page through your menus while a

desk accessory is open on screen, as well as run installed programs and

access any of HotWire's many features.

 

Here's what HotWire 2.0 can do for you:

 

o Run any ST program instantly no matter where it's located on your

system, simply by pressing a "hot" key...even while you're at the GEM

desktop!

 

o Reliably auto-start any ST program at bootup on any version of TOS.

 

o Hard disk users: no more wading through folders to find programs.

With HotWire, no program is more than a mouse-click or keypress away!

 

o Floppy disk users: just pop your program disk in the drive and hit a

key. No more waiting for floppy drives to spin and desktop windows

to open.

 

o Build menus of up to 54 entries including all your most commonly-used

programs. Load new menus with a single keypress or mouse click.

 

o Choose from among over 400 possible "hot" key combinations.

 

o HotWire has a seamless interface with CodeHead's MaxiFile, the

ultimate file maintenance tool!

 

o Ledger function records the time spent in programs of your choice, also

showing the total elapsed time since you began working.

 

o Passwords may be used to restrict unauthorized access to programs and

data files.

 

o On-screen digital corner clock, that can be automatically turned off

for certain programs if you choose.

 

o Runs perfectly well in all three ST resolutions!

 

o If you choose to install HotWire as a resident program, you can

summon up the HotWire Menu any time you're on the GEM desktop simply

by clicking the right mouse button or by typing Shift-Help.

 

o Use "headings" to customize the look of each menu to your own taste.

Easily move, copy, or delete menu entries to group them as you desire.

 

o Documents can be installed in the HotWire menu! Simply click on the

data file you want; HotWire will start up the appropriate program

and load that document automatically.

 

o Command lines can be easily entered and saved with your menus to

provide unlimited possibilities for customizing your operations.

 

o Programs can be chained or looped so that the next program

automatically runs when you quit the current one.

 

o Unlike other shells, HotWire works correctly with all programs, just

like the GEM desktop.

 

o Special features, including environment parameters, make HotWire an

excellent shell for developers no matter what programming language you

use. We use HotWire exclusively at CodeHead Software to develop all

of our products.

 

o Written in 100% assembly language for optimum speed and efficiency.

 

 

----------------------------

NEW FEATURES IN HOTWIRE 2.0!

----------------------------

 

o A GEM menu bar with access to all HotWire functions and installed

desk accessories! Equivalent key commands for all menu items.

 

o Install MultiDesk Setup Files in the HotWire menu allowing you to

automatically load certain accessories for certain programs.

 

o Call MultiDesk as a program simply by clicking on an icon!

 

o New Screen Saver program, HotSaver, communicates with HotWire clock

and ledger files for accurate time tracking.

 

o Configurable corner clock with CapsLock indicator! Show time in 24-

or 12-hour format, with or without seconds, and even switch to a date

display if you wish. Turn clock on/off at ANY time. A clock setting

program is also included with HotWire.

 

o Set up to EIGHT ALARMS that will go off at any time, not just in a

GEM program (like most other alarm programs). Each alarm has its own

34-character message that will be displayed when it goes off. Even

set alarms to repeat every day at the same time if you wish!

 

o New PROGRAMMABLE command line options let you build your own shells

for programs like ARC and LHARC.

 

o Fully compatible with Atari's new STe computer!

 

o New headings box allows use of entire character set in menu titles.

Headings can now be displayed in inverse video.

 

o Free RAM display, current date display (includes the day of the week)

and controls for the blitter and zoom boxes.

 

o And let's not forget...a new look for the 90s!

 

Hope this helps! :-)

[Gunstar]

It sounds pretty excellent, and apparently, from the Neodesk manual, Neodesk can be used in place of something like multidesk. But I still would need to track down instructions for it to use those cool features. I'm sure I can figure most out on my own, but instructions make it easier. I'll have to do some more Googling myself.

[belboz]

Gunstar,

 

Hmmm. Not sure exactly what you are referring too. I looked at my Hot Wire manual and didn't see anything about Neodesk in it.

 

Multidesk allows loading/unloading of desk accessories on the fly ( I think up to 32). I don't believe Neodesk supports this feature directly. I believe if you are using Gribnif's other product (Geneva) you can load unload accessories like multidesk allows.

 

For many of my Atari ST/STE/TT years I used Maxifile/Multidesk/Hotwire as my replacement to using the standard GEM desktop for program launching, file copying, disk formatting, etc, etc.

 

I later switched to Geneva in combination with Flexmenu (a better multitasking aware replacement for Hotwire). I still used Maxifile some also.

 

If there is anything else you want me to look up in the hotwire manual, let me know.

[Gunstar]

Gunstar,

 

Hmmm.  Not sure exactly what you are referring too.  I looked at my Hot Wire manual and didn't see anything about Neodesk in it.

 

Multidesk allows loading/unloading of desk accessories on the fly ( I think up to 32).  I don't believe Neodesk supports this feature directly.  I believe if you are using Gribnif's other product (Geneva) you can load unload accessories like multidesk allows.

 

For many of my Atari ST/STE/TT years I used Maxifile/Multidesk/Hotwire as my replacement to using the standard GEM desktop for program launching, file copying, disk formatting, etc, etc.

 

I later switched to Geneva in combination with Flexmenu (a better multitasking aware replacement for Hotwire).  I still used Maxifile some also. 

 

If there is anything else you want me to look up in the hotwire manual, let me know.

917862[/snapback]

 

That's not what I said. I said the NEODESK 3 MANUAL refers to HOTWIRE.

[belboz]

That's not what I said. I said the NEODESK 3 MANUAL refers to HOTWIRE.

917902[/snapback]

 

 

Hmmm.

 

The Neodesk 3 manual mentions using it with Neodesk, but that you had to refer to the Hotwire manual. Anyone use this?

 

Not how I read it.

[Gunstar]

That's not what I said. I said the NEODESK 3 MANUAL refers to HOTWIRE.

917902[/snapback]

 

 

Hmmm.

 

The Neodesk 3 manual mentions using it with Neodesk, but that you had to refer to the Hotwire manual. Anyone use this?

 

Not how I read it.

917915[/snapback]

 

I'm not sure if you are refering to how you read the manual or my post, but you better read either or both again.

Page 10 of the Neodesk 3 manual, last paragraph; "If you wish to autoboot Neodesk using some other utility such as Headstart, HOTWIRE, or Xboot please refer to the documentation included with those utilities. NeoDesk will work fine with those utilities."

Edited August 26, 2005 by Gunstar

[Gunstar]

Gunstar,

 

Hmmm.  Not sure exactly what you are referring too.  I looked at my Hot Wire manual and didn't see anything about Neodesk in it.

 

Multidesk allows loading/unloading of desk accessories on the fly ( I think up to 32).  I don't believe Neodesk supports this feature directly.  I believe if you are using Gribnif's other product (Geneva) you can load unload accessories like multidesk allows.

 

For many of my Atari ST/STE/TT years I used Maxifile/Multidesk/Hotwire as my replacement to using the standard GEM desktop for program launching, file copying, disk formatting, etc, etc.

 

I later switched to Geneva in combination with Flexmenu (a better multitasking aware replacement for Hotwire).  I still used Maxifile some also. 

 

If there is anything else you want me to look up in the hotwire manual, let me know.

917862[/snapback]

 

I think I see where you are focusing, unfortunately; I had suggested that Neodesk would replace Multidesk, I said "Neodesk can be used in place of something like multidesk." That was a guess becuase I thought, by the name, that Multidesk was a multitasking OS/desktop or similiar and the features of Hotwire, posted above, by Darklord mentions Multidesk...so I guessed at Multidesk being a desktop replacement that multitasked and that Neodesk could be use in place of it regardless. but since's Multidesk is not a desktop environment, That's what you've picked up on when in fact my focus is on using Neodesk with Hotwire, regardless of Multidesk. Neodesk would work with HotWire merely as a replacement for GEM. As I had read in the Neodesk manual. Understand?

Edited August 26, 2005 by Gunstar

[belboz]

I was referring to your post. I read it enough. Your original post inquired about using Hotwire with Neodesk and that the Neodesk manual said to refer to the Hotwire manual. I looked through my Hotwire manual real quick and saw no mention of Neodesk. So I told you that.

 

Now in the quote below you posted from your Neodesk manual it makes more sense what the Neodesk manual is talking about. It was referring to auto booting Neodesk with various utilities.

 

As for your last post referring to my comments about multidesk. I figured you were off base about it, and that is why I described what multidesk does, and how you could get that feature with Neodesk and Geneva for instance.

 

Regardless I am glad you found out what you needed to know.

 

I'm not sure if you are refering to how you read the manual or my post, but you better read either or both again.

Page 10 of the Neodesk 3 manual, last paragraph; "If you wish to autoboot Neodesk using some other utility such as Headstart, HOTWIRE, or Xboot please refer to the documentation included with those utilities. NeoDesk will work fine with those utilities."

918879[/snapback]

[Ppyo]

On 8/25/2005 at 11:10 PM, Gunstar said:

 

I think I see where you are focusing, unfortunately; I had suggested that Neodesk would replace Multidesk, I said "Neodesk can be used in place of something like multidesk." That was a guess becuase I thought, by the name, that Multidesk was a multitasking OS/desktop or similiar and the features of Hotwire, posted above, by Darklord mentions Multidesk...so I guessed at Multidesk being a desktop replacement that multitasked and that Neodesk could be use in place of it regardless. but since's Multidesk is not a desktop environment, That's what you've picked up on when in fact my focus is on using Neodesk with Hotwire, regardless of Multidesk. Neodesk would work with HotWire merely as a replacement for GEM. As I had read in the Neodesk manual. Understand?

@Gunstar Do you have a scanned manual of Neodesk 3? If so, could you share it, Please?

[Jfcatari]

I think I have a copy of the Neodesk 3 manual in my collection.  I can scan a copy if you still need it.

 

I also have a copy of the Hotwire manual too.

Edited March 5 by Jfcatari

[BJolly]

I posted Hotwire 3 and a text only version of the manual for Hotwire 2 on Atari Forum: Codehead Software - Atari-Forum  Hotwire is a program launcher and much more. It integrates with Multidesk to load & manage multiple Desk accessories and Multifile. I used it a lot on my ST's. Under emulation Gemulator on a PC it didn't function very well. I couldn't move & edit entries easily. However  I've started using Geneva as the OS on Gemulator and Hotwire now seems to work just great again. recent versions of the Steem emulator have improved emulation and Hotwire works a bit better than on earlier versions.

[BJolly]

Here's Hotwire 3 and the manual for version 2.

hotstuff.rar Hotwire 2 Manual.rar

[Gunstar]

On 3/4/2023 at 10:11 PM, Ppyo said:

@Gunstar Do you have a scanned manual of Neodesk 3? If so, could you share it, Please?

It has been at least a decade since I owned or used an ST. But it is possible I still have the manual printed from a PDF, If the PDF itself is no longer available for download. Have you already searched online for the Neo 3 manual?

 

I don't have the PDF, just possibly my print out of it I would have to scan again.

Edited March 10 by Gunstar

[Ppyo]

On 3/10/2023 at 5:36 PM, Gunstar said:

It has been at least a decade since I owned or used an ST. But it is possible I still have the manual printed from a PDF, If the PDF itself is no longer available for download. Have you already searched online for the Neo 3 manual?

 

I don't have the PDF, just possibly my print out of it I would have to scan again.

Oh, yes. I've been looking all over the Intharwebs. No luck. I did find docs for Neodesk 4, but I understand there were a lot of changes in that version.

If you could find it and rescan it, it would be awesome!

[Gunstar]

5 hours ago, Ppyo said:

Oh, yes. I've been looking all over the Intharwebs. No luck. I did find docs for Neodesk 4, but I understand there were a lot of changes in that version.

If you could find it and rescan it, it would be awesome!

I'll look into it, but no promises. I moved about 7 years ago, leaving half my possessions in storage near my former residence, went back a year later to recover them and my storage unit had been robbed. But it may have made it into the other half I took with me, I know I have about a foot tall stack still of manual and other technical printouts from PDF's for both Atari 8 and 16-bits. However, I also have about a half a dozen harddrives from all my PC's over the last 20+ years and intend to purchase a retrieval device shortly, and it is very possible that the original PDF is on one or more of those drives. I will keep you informed, but that bit maybe weeks away yet.

[Ppyo]

On 3/21/2023 at 5:34 PM, Gunstar said:

I'll look into it, but no promises. I moved about 7 years ago, leaving half my possessions in storage near my former residence, went back a year later to recover them and my storage unit had been robbed. But it may have made it into the other half I took with me, I know I have about a foot tall stack still of manual and other technical printouts from PDF's for both Atari 8 and 16-bits. However, I also have about a half a dozen harddrives from all my PC's over the last 20+ years and intend to purchase a retrieval device shortly, and it is very possible that the original PDF is on one or more of those drives. I will keep you informed, but that bit maybe weeks away yet.

So sorry about you being robbed! That totally sux.

Take your sweet time going through all that stuff, that will be fun!