[3.0] an ImageFolder
Lantz Rowland
lantz at aabysgallery.com
Wed Feb 7 23:13:03 UTC 2001
A simple adjustment in our packaging for Squeak3 can help make it a lot
easier to explain several different concepts that tend to confuse a
NewSqueaker. It requires no code changes, is well tested and mirrors a
common usage of Squeakers and other Smalltalkers.
Put the image and the changes files in an ImageFolder with the same name as
the image file without the extension. So for an image that is to be named
"SqueakersGold", create a folder with that name to contain the two files.
- SqueakersGold
- SqueakersGold.image
- SqueakersGold.changes
With this single change it becomes a lot easier to explain to a NewSqueaker
how they can copy or move that ImageFolder onto their computer. They can
put a copy of that entire folder next to the SqueakMachine [Squeak.exe and
friends] , or in a different folder, a different hard disk or on Zip drive.
To start Squeak, just open any image file, such as SqueakersGold.image. Ok,
so the first time, some computers want to be shown where the Squeak.exe
program was put.
You can explain to a NewSqueaker that the contents of this ImageFolder are
the live files that change all the time to remember what you do or are
looking at inside of Squeak. It is easy to explain that Squeak will create
new files it might need to remember things inside this same folder too,
such as the files it might create to keep track of projects or your SWiki.
The greatest benefit of this for a NewSqueaker is in understanding how to
backup Squeak. They can make a file archive of this entire ImageFolder for
their emergency backup, using their favorite file archive tool such as
StuffIt, Zip or tar. Or just copy the entire folder from time to time to a
different hard drive, Zip disk or CD. The sources file and the
SqueakMachine files do not change when a NewSqueaker runs Squeak, so the
NewSqueaker can get emergency replacements for those from the CD or the
Internet.
If the NewSqueaker wants to rename their image, or wants to have a second
experimental image they just need to keep the image name part of the folder
and the files in synch. This is made a lot clearer but just the convention
of using the same name.
- DrESqueakin
- DrESqueakin.image
- DrESqueakin.changes
There are times when we want to distribute a copy of the Squeak sources
along with an ImageFolder or a collection of ImageFolders. Just do not put
the sources file inside of the ImageFolder, the concept is wrong. Create a
folder with the name of the distribution, perhaps with a tree of folders
organizing a collection of images. This is easier and less confusing than
trying to embed an entire path of information in the image name.
- SqueakGoldRushFeb2001
- SqueakV3.sources
- SqueakersGold
- SqueakersGold.image
- SqueakersGold.changes
- AlansWorld
- AlansWorld.image
- AlansWorld.changes
- ActiveDevelopment
- Squeak302
- Squeak302.image
- Squeak302.changes
- SqueakGoldRushFeb2001.sea
- SqueakGoldRushFeb2001.zip
- SqueakGoldRushFeb2001.tgz
This structure helps simplify installation, launching, backup and helps
show and explain to a NewSqueaker how Squeak works.
Cheers,
Lantz
--
Lantz Rowland <lantz at aabysgallery.com> PgpKey: 0x67E5DFA5
Think Different! Think YottaHertz!
zL - Lantz's Scriptible Web <http://Lantz.EditThisPage.com/>
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