[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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