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Archive-name: pcgeos-faq/part1
The most recent version of this file can be found at any news.answers
archive site. One such site is rtfm.mit.edu, in the /pub/usenet/comp.os.geos
subdirectory. The most recent version of the FAQ is also available
from my home page at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jbearden
in both HTML and ASCII format.
I make no claims about the accuracy of this information. Use it
at your own risk. This file is compiled from various sources,
including but not limited to USENET, the internet, commercial
networks, and electronic mail.
This information may be freely distributed, in whole or in part,
in any form, provided that any distributor:
If this file leaves the confines of USENET for any BBS's, commercial
Networks, or other networks (FidoNet, GeoHolics Net, GSMN, etc.)
or Vendors, please let me know so that I can pass along the information
to others.
Please send submissions, comments, suggestions, or corrections
to 70003.7001@compuserve.com.
I'd like to give the following folks my thanks:
Geoworks has made a shareware version of Ensemble 2.01 available
with a copy of GeoManager, GeoWrite, and a few other gadgets.
It's available on the major on-line services as well as FTP sites
that have GEOS content. One FTP site dedicated to GEOS is ftp://ftp.argo-navis.com/ensemble/GeoPublish.
However, Jon Frisby (logical@ix.netcom.com) warns:
It isn't possible to run most other Geos software with Geopublish
because GeoPublish lacks the ANSI C and/or Borland C libraries,
which all applications written in C automatically depend upon.
Any assembly based program (such as GeoDraw) will run fine, but
almost any shareware will not.
GEOS 2.01 is available in 4 versions: American, Australian/UK,
Finnish, German, and Spanish. Each of these versions comes with
drivers for other language keyboards, so if you can speak one
of these languages, you can probably use the software. Geoffrey
Tobin (g.tobin+@ee.latrobe.edu.au) writes:
Actually, Australia uses US keyboards, and our currency is also
called the `dollar.' Australia is similar to the UK in our spelling
system, though Americanisms such as `color' (vs. `colour') are
gradually prevailing. So I would guess that the only reason for
Geoworks to group Australia and the UK would be for the purpose
of spell-check software.
Ensemble 2.0 converts and uses the same fonts used by earlier
versions, and leaves room for future font-conversion applications.
There are 3 font packs available directly from Geoworks that provide
a variety of typefaces, and both Micrologic and Atech have font
conversion programs that support the Geoworks Nimbus font format.
A wide variety of fonts are also available via FTP, networks,
and supporting BBS's. To get started, check the gwfont*.zip files
at ftp://oak.oakland.edu/SimTel/msdos/geos2x. Terri Ferrier
sells a collection of over 1600 GEOS fonts and over 2500 True
Type and Adobe Type fonts. A 1000+ font CD is also sold by:
Fantazia Concepts, Inc.
GWRepMark (gwrepmark@aol.com) says that the CD is also available
from:
Laser Magic
Desktop products are only available through republishers, as Geoworks
does not sell them directly. In North America you can purchase GEOS desktop products
from Universal Software Interactive.
USI
Ensemble and related desktop software is available in the United
Kingdom and Ireland from:
Mike Phillips
If you are looking for information about or support for localized
versions of Ensemble 2.0 in a language other than English, you
will want to contact our republisher directly. Geoworks has local
republishers in the following countries:
Mexico
Australia/New Zealand
Germany/Austria/Switzerland
Finland
Africa
Software Development Kit 2.0 (SDK)
- Create GEOS applications (http://www.geoworks.com/htmpages/devrel/sdk.htm)
These can be ordered by contacting Geoworks directly.
Geoworks
Fourth Wave and Developer Products 510-814-5745 -- SDK installation
help only
From their blurb:
Breadbox Computer is the leading third party application developer
for the Geoworks Ensemble desktop.
Breadbox products currently available for Ensemble are:
We are currently developing other desktop products for Ensemble.
You can also order or find out more about Breadbox
Computer and other third party products from any of our International
Republishers.
For additional information about Breadbox Computer products for
Geoworks Ensemble, visit the Customer Classified section of the
Geoworks Support Center on America Online or contact one of the
following:
Thank you for your inquiry, Frank S. Fischer
GSMLynn@aol.com
for more information about GSMN.
Yes, GEOS 2.0 is compatible with OS/2. Some users have reported
success in installing GEOS to HPFS formatted hard drives. GEOS
1.x is NOT compatible with OS/2. Some OS/2 users have reported
problems with using Warp in SVGA mode while running GEOS, although
the new VESA driver fixes this for some people, and really hoses
it for others.
Some tips from Greg Kondrasuk(gregk@edp.net):
There are some DOS settings to be aware of for the GEOS VDM. Make
sure FILES=80 or more. Disable all EMS and DPMI memory and give
GEOS at least 2MB of XMS. Make sure Share Access box is checked.
If it isn't, OS/2 will spool the GEOS print jobs and not release
them until GEOS is exited. You can also FAX from GEOS using OS/2
virtual LPT3 port set up by the FaxWorks for OS/2 in the BonusPack.
Just set up an IBM ProPrinter X24E in GEOS to print to LPT3 and
FaxWorks will intercept it as an outgoing fax.
Some tips from Lee Bailey (offsite@crl.com):
The only video cards that seem to allow multitasking of GEOS in
anything beyond plain ol' VGA are the cards based on the Cirrus
Logic chips. You will also need to have the GEOS 256 color driver
installed. Use the Add Programs utility in the System folder to
set up an object for GEOS full screen sessions. This loads the
VDM with the right settings for running GEOS. One modification
I would suggest is under Settings, Session, DOS Settings, DOS
Memory Settings that you set EMS Frame Location to NONE to disable
EMS support. There exists a third party OS/2 task manager for
GEOS that allows you to launch other DOS apps from within the
GEOS VDM, but I haven't had too much success getting it to work.
It does not work like the DR-DOS Taskmax switcher, but more like
the standard 'no task switcher' where GEOS shuts down to launch
the DOS program.
Lee Bailey (offsite@crl.com) writes:
Geoworks Ensemble 2.0 (w/o the 256 driver) only supports 800x600x16
maximum. Further, OS/2 cannot multitask GEOS above 640x400x16
(VGA), all SVGA modes will be locked up when you return to GEOS.
Now, if you add the 256 color drivers, not only do you get the
extra colors, but you get 1024x768 resolution, and VESA drivers
that can be multitasked under OS/2! The catch is that the video
card must implement the VESA standard *exactly* the way GEOS did
or you will not get all the SVGA modes to work. The only mode
that seems to work on 'all' VESA video cards is the 1024x768x256
mode. Possibly because this mode is more modern.
The video cards that offers the best VESA (at least from a GEOS
perspective) are the Cirrus Logic based cards 5426, 5428, 5430,
5434. These cards are also well supported under OS/2. So they
seem like the right choice for an OS/2 + GEOS configuration.
Make sure that you have FILES=120 or MORE. DR-DOS uses files differently
and needs more available. NWDOS USUALLY works with about 50 files
open.
Ensemble 2.0 currently only supports DR-DOS TaskMax switching.
Dormant tasks will appear in the Express Menu to be picked. Switching
is nearly instantaneous.
Pensey (pensey@ozemail.com.au) says:
Windows 3.1 can be installed on DR-DOS, but you will need the
DR-DOS upgrade patches. Also, don't let Windows modify your CONFIG.SYS
and AUTOEXEC.BAT. Do it yourself. Otherwise it will try and put
in HIMEM.SYS, change your EMM386.SYS and add SMARTDRV.
Yes. Some DR-DOS updates can be found at http://www.novell.com/.
Pensey (pensey@ozemail.com.au) says:
Nope! Try Novell DOS 7.0. Patches are also available for Novell
DOS.
GEOS 2.0 is compatible with Windows 3.1 and a .pif and .ico are
included in the /geos20 directory. GEOS 1.x is compatible with
Windows in Full Screen mode. Steve Main (GWSteve@aol.com) says:
The following especially applies if you're using DR DOS, but it
might apply to some systems running MS DOS as well.
Enable EMS in your EMM386 memory manager in your CONFIG.SYS file.
Then run GEOS from DOS and choose only EMS in GEOS' Preferences,
Computer.
Exit GEOS and run Windows. Check the settings in the PIF file
that you use to run GEOS. Be sure you are providing at least a
couple megabytes of EMS (even better, set it to -1, so it will
provide as much as possible). Now try running GEOS from Windows.
Neal Katz (nealk@aol.com) writes:
1. From the MS-DOS prompt, type the following commands, substituting
the drives and paths for your particular system:
C:\>SETVER D:\WINDOWS LOADER.EXE 5.0 [enter key]
and then
C:\>SETVER D:\WINDOWS GEOS20.BAT 5.0 [enter key]
Caution: Remember to substitute YOUR correct path to Windows.
On many machines, that may be C:\WINDOWS. Also, enter the program
filename alone; DO NOT include the path. GEOS20.BAT is correct.
C:\GEOS20\GEOS20.BAT would be wrong.
2. Close the MS-DOS window and choose Start/Shut Down/Restart
the computer.
3. Once you are back in Windows, Right-click Start and choose
Explore.
4. In the Explorer, switch to the Drive containing your Ensemble
folder (usually \GEOS20) and double-click to open the folder.
5. Scroll down and find the GEOS20 file that has the MS-DOS icon.
Since Explorer hides file extensions by default, right-click the
GEOS20/MS-DOS file icon and choose Properties. Check to see that
the file is a Shortcut to MS-DOS Program and the filename GEOS20.PIF.
This is the file you want.
6. In GEOS20 Properties, click the Program tab. Check to see that
the path and working directory is correct to your GEOS20 folder.
If the Drive letter is wrong, chance it. Click Apply.
7. In GEOS20 Properties, click the Advanced button. Check the
following two items if they are both not already checked and click
OK.
[ ] Prevent MS-DOS-based programs from detecting Windows.
8. Click the Memory tab. Check to see that all items are set to
Auto. In addition, my Memory Properties for GEOS20 leave Conventional
Memory/Protected UNCHECKED and Extended (XMS) Memory/Uses HMA
CHECKED.
9. Click the Screen tab. Set Usage to Full-screen, initial size:
Default. Leave Window and Performance buttons CHECKED. Click Apply
and click OK.
10. Find the GEOS20.BAT file. This file will have a GEAR icon.
Right-click and choose Properties. Ensure that all Properties
tabs are set the same way as those for GEOS.PIF.
11. You should be able to double click on the GEOS20.PIF file
-- the one with the MS-DOS icon -- and successfully launch Ensemble
2.0.
If you run Ensemble frequently and want to have quick access to
it, there are several ways to do it:
a. Right-click on the GEOS20.PIF file and choose Create Shortcut.
Drag the Shortcut to GEOS20 file to your desktop.
b. Left-click, hold and drag a copy of the GEOS20.PIF file on
to the Start button
c. Add GEOS20.PIF to your Start/Programs menu
MOUSE PROBLEMS
If you find you have no mouse in Ensemble or, you are running
Ensemble's Setup program and GEOS reports that it cannot find
the mouse driver:
1. In Setup, scroll to the top of the mouse driver list and select
NONE. Continue with Setup.
2. In Ensemble, use the keyboard commands to open Preferences/Mouse
and choose Change. Try selecting the GENERIC mouse, which worked
for me or Nothing Else Works/No Idea.
Neal Katz (nealk@aol.com) has many tips to get the best merging
of Ensemble and Win95. He's had some success in running Ensemble
in a window as long as Ensemble is using CGA drivers. He also
has GEOS files extentions like .000 associated with LOADER.EXE.
He also has Ensemble in the SendTo directory for an easier launch.
Perhaps the most powerful tip is that it is possible to paste
text from the Win95 clipboard to Ensemble bu right-clicking on
Ensemble in the taskbar and choosing Paste To.
Some folks have reported success running GEOS on a Macintosh using
SoftPC, a PC emulation program. I would really appreciate more
information on this!
Creative Digital Publishing has released a shareware program called
MacPCCOM (TM) available at:
Look for the Stuffit archive MacPCCOM.sit.
MacPCCOM lets Macintosh users upload and download files to and
from GEOS devices, like the HP OmniGo 100 and the Casio Zoomer,
and navigate the GEOS file system from the Mac. It requires a
serial cable connecting the GEOS device to the Mac's modem port.
MacPCCOM has been tested with an OmniGo 100 and a Centris 610
running System 7.3d0. Although it should work with other Macs,
Mac OS versions, and GEOS devices, it has not been tested on other
configurations.
Edward Di Geronimo Jr (edwdig@bergen.gov) reports little success
getting this to work , mainly because he couldn't get the mouse
to work.
Unfortunately not.
Make sure you have BIOS or DOS selected under Preferences. Direct
IRQ is fastest, but it doesn't work with a lot of machines. BIOS
is next fastest, and works on most machines. DOS is slowest, but
works for almost any computer. The DOS setting usually needs to
be used for Networked printers. Ironically, some OS/2 users have
better luck with printing directly to IRQ if they're using a virtual
window. If you are using GEOS V2.0, you should try the 2.01 update
patch. Another thing to check is to be sure you have installed
the correct printer on the correct port. If you have a laser printer
connected via serial port, it may be working fine, but due to
the sheer volume of data that must be sent for a high-quality
page, it may take a few minutes to start printing. Try printing
in medium or low quality.
There's no reliable way to embed printer codes in an Ensemble
document. You might try setting your printer to use the font you
want before you enter Ensemble, then print using text-only mode,
but GEOS usually delivers much higher-quality output than any
built-in font. The HP Laserjet driver will, to a limited degree,
use internal fonts.
Check your printer manual for compatible printers. Often printer
drivers for different versions of your printer will work fine.
For example, the HP 550C printer driver works fine for the HP
660C printer, the HP 500 driver works OK for the HP 540 and the
Canon BJC 800 driver or the Epson LQ-2550 driver works for the
Canon BJC 600. Some playing with the page layout size and margins
may be necessary. If all else fails, ask the folks on comp.os.geos.
There is an active FidoNet Echo for GEOS. Bug your local FidoNet
SysOp.
Jon Frisby (logical@ix.netcom.com) is trying to start some GEOS
activity on the VirtualNET and ForeignLegion. He has created an
e-mail gateway to access the GeoInfo database from the Foreign
Legion network. Both networks are available on most good VBBS
BBS's. He says:
I can be contacted to find a local VirtualNET or ForeignLegion
site for anyone who wishes it, and if you are already *on* such
a system, and want to access the database, send an e-mail to 36@1408003
on either network with HELP as the first line of the body.
ForeignLegion can become an inexpensive way for GEOS users around
the world (particularly U.S. and England since that is currently
where the highest concentration of FL sysops are...) to communicate,
and access the GeoInfo Database... It can be much cheaper than
AOL, and possibly even cheaper than the InterNet for some.
The GEOS Information Database started out in life as a FAQ similar
to this one many years ago. It eventually grew to large too properly
maintain, so it was converted to an on-line AOL database. It is
currently maintained by the AOL GeoReps, but especially by that
Support God, GWSteve. It currently has over a thousand entries
detailing every GEOS related problem, hint, and tip imaginable.
Occasionally plain text versions of the GeoInfo Database is made
available to the general public. Recently GWSteve made an E-book
version, and Jon Frisby (logical@ix.netcom.com) has made a copy
available via several VBBS networks. GWSteve plans to convert
the GeoInfo Database for use on the WWW, and in the mean time
has made both the text and E-book versions available via FTP at
ftp://members.aol.com/geoinfo
Yes, the newsgroup is gatewayed to e-mail through a mailing list
managed by listserv software. Subscribe by sending a specially
formatted message to listserv@pandora.sf.ca.us (no subject is
required). Put your own full personal name in the space (Firstname
Lastname); otherwise the message text must be exactly as shown
below:
There are many WWW pages dedicated to GEOS. Two good places to
start are Geoworks' homepage (http://www.geoworks.com) and my
GEOS site (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jbearden/geoindex.htm).
Hewlett Packard
OmniGo 100:
No, but there are several great WWW pages devoted to it:
The Preferences application in Ensemble 2.0 allows you to select
which fonts you wish to have appear in your font menu, and their
order. Alternatively you can use a disk defragger which sorts
files.
Enter GEOS and start up GeoDraw or the Scrapbook. Use the Import
option (on the File menu) to import your file into GeoDraw. Make
sure that the imported image is selected and then use the Edit
menu to either Cut or Copy it to the clipboard. Next, start up
Preferences and select the Background option. Once there, click
on the "Get background from clipboard" button, give
it a name, and your image magically appears as a background.
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