ClassicWB Feedback & Guestbook

[Bloodwych]

Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions here, good or bad!

For support relating to ClassicWB problems or other issues, please start a new thread in the "project.ClassicWB" forum.

Thanks.

[EmuChicken]

Excellent project! ClassicWB hasnt let me down yet ;-)

Everything I need in an OS from the start- no more of this tinkering around downloading EVERY program and then having problems installing it- yatta!

Will the next one have a C64 emulator preinstalled? - - with donald duck and pitstop 2? :-D

[Bloodwych]

LOL! Yeah, emulators are one of the few things it's missing but the packs are already huge. Pitstop 2 ok, but the DDster? Never played it so I wouldn't know!

Hey Bloodwych,

I just installed your ClassicWB last night, and it worked perfectly and saved me a bunch of time. Thanks a ton!

Cheers!

[Marcuz]

hey if there's a guestbook i wanna be in your work is really great Bw, i use it as my main workbench most of the time, thanks mate! suggestions? i can point some progs i used back then, and keep in mind that being not hard to install and configure maybe they are better to be dl from aminet from ppl interested, not to fat the package. but apart of that...

anyway,
Hex of Nicola Salmoria,
view80
mymenu (a menu adder if someone don't like the floating menu)

not really a must, i add them everywhere tough

[killergorilla]

Well, well, well Bloodwych,

I've just got around to installing the latest classicwb. It was a piece of piss!

I love the new features man, Dopus is much nicer now it's got that little scroll bar. Although PC: shows up all the time even though I have no PC: drive.

I thought the old classicwb was superb, now it's almost damn perfect, cheers man. Much, much appreciated.

[Bloodwych]

Wow, no comments in the lonely guestbook then loads come along at once - thanks guys!

Mrukk - welcome to EAB.

Marco, I'm always looking for things to add so I'll check those out when the next release cycle kicks in.

KillerG - you need to go to "Project->Configure" from the dopus menu and set up things yourself as it doesn't auto detect. I use the PC option for two things - when I add a PC directory in winuae or when I mount a network like "Ami->PC" on a real Amiga. In both cases the device is called "PC:", which also automatically causes the ClassicWB to give it a nice workbench disk icon. Thanks for mentioning that - I'll put it in the tips & FAQ.

Remember the main benefit of Dopus 4.16 - you can open all archives just like directories as a alternative to using a separate archive program.

[Doc Mindie]

Heya

I'm using ClassicWB on one of my UAE-configs . . . I've never used AROS before, so I'm a bit uncomfortable with THAT part still.

Otherwise . . . I've been thinking of setting up a small partition on my A1200 to boot it from (sorta "dual-boot" from the pre-whatever-menu :P) and play with Shapeshifter and the like on there.

I must say, that apart from using that 7z-packing, (which made me SIGH for a long while) I'm quite happy with it I DID repack it to LHA, though, just for the fun of transferring it to the A1200

[Bloodwych]

No more 7-zip Doc - the packages are now RAR.

When you repack it for transferring to the Amiga using LHA format rather than zip as specified in the instructions, make sure you use the option to include empty directories. By default, LHA doesn't include them.

[gambit_006]

Cheers Bloodwych damn good and quick install. I use it on my 1200. It has everything I need and probaby more when I need it. Love it most for it ease of use because I havn't used workbench for many years and is good for beginers and advanced users alike. Great work. Final note small install ... leaves al that space for GAMES!!!!. Yeah

[Bloodwych]

Thanks for the kind words Gambit. Yes, I try and make them as easy to use as possible.

[Doc Mindie]

I've got another thought . . . about the "ease of use thing" . . . for real Amiga-users, wouldn't it be better without that lightdamn HDF-file?

[Bloodwych]

Doc, I'm afraid I feel the HDF file is the best way to go:

There is a reason for the HDF – it actually allows the size of each download pack to be reduced significantly and being on a 33K upload convinced me that’s the way to go.

One big advantage of the ClassicWB being on a HDF is you can use an emulator to customize it before transferring to a real Amiga.

Also, I’ve had people complain the "zip only" method is too much work to install in UAE. Many people have Windows XP and actually hook up their real Amiga hard disk to the PC and copy the HDF contents over using an emulator.

With this in mind, I feel this really is the best balance and allows you to have a complete Workbench (files from WB disk copied over) once you’ve booted the HDF once. Very similar to AIAB.

As for those who still use the zip method - it’s very easy to create the zip file in an emulator and saves me doing it my end which, for several packs, can take forever. A config and full instructions are provided. The install disk still present. Now the install disk doesn’t ask for the Workbench disk Amiga side because it’s been done in an emulator first.

[EmuChicken]

note- the only way to install now using an amiga is probably by using winUAE.... damnit! ... and a 2.5 > 3.5 hard drive converter... or have lots of problems like me with zipping the bloody drive!

I still think its a bad way to go bloodwych, much less problems with the installations before... sad but true

[Bloodwych]

EmuC, I'll gladly help you or anyone else with any issues you are having. After all, you were kind enough to help me.

I'm still failing to see the difficulty here. In my opinion it's actually easier and more beneficial method for all concerned - for those using the zip method fully outlined in the instructions, you get to finalise and customise the workbench PC/Mac/whatever side before creating the zip file.

Plus you are only asked for the workbench disk once and that's it - you have a complete workbench to do with as you please. Is it really much to ask the end user to zip them up themselves - a 5 minute job?

I mean, installation as KillerG said above is "a piece of piss", although he did use the Windows XP method. Creating the zip is just a normal means of creating an archive from within the ClassicWB (running in UAE):

Creating "System.zip" in WinUAE

• Add the "System.hdf" file provided to the hard drives tab.
• Add a PC directory to the Hard Drives tab. You can call this whatever you wish, however using "PC" for either the device or volume name will produce a nice Workbench icon shown in the pictures.
• Boot the ClassicWB and load "Dopus" from the popup menu.
• Select "DH0" for one window and the "PC" directory added in 1) for the second window.
• Highlight all the ClassicWB files on "DH0" and click the "ZIP" button.
• When asked to enter an archive name, type "System".
• Hit return and wait for the archive to be finalized (may take a while).

Test the archive's integrity either in Dopus or Windows.

That's it. Job done. If you're still having issues create a new thread in the ClassicWB forum and I'll try and help further.

[EmuChicken]

You've no idea how long I've been trying to zip the file up... I keep getting it done, then it doesnt work in the amiga, (I tried zipping in dopus before but it kept dissapearing!) ... bloodyyy pc emulation! And I've tried other zippy pc tools which I managed to extract on the miggy, and then it doesnt even start up...

in the end I got a 2.5 > 3.5 converter, so I can see the ups for hdf / whatever, but for the average amiga user, I find it a lot more of a hassle to get over than the zip file, this install with the hdf is more for a winuae nut :-p

[Bloodwych]

I guess you're right in that I'm assuming UAE familiarity.

I'll try and address this in the future EmuC as you're not the only one who's mentioned this. Problem is, when it was a zip I got complaints from others so I can't win. I think a picture based instruction manual will be better too.

Anyway, once I have broadband, I'll provide both types of files.

[EmuChicken]

;-) Aye!

I've got it all working now, Classicwb is looking better than ever! :-D too bad about this snag :-(

[paul_r_t]

Just tried out ClassicWB on WinUAE and was very very impressed! I am going to install the package on my Amiga 4000 and get rid of AmigaOS 3.9 once and for all, I have never been that impressed with it. It was also nice to see Directory Opus 4 as part of the package (the best Amiga program ever) configured for virtually every archive type

Keep up the good work your doing a fantastic job

[Doc Mindie]

Ahh, Okays, Blood.

Now, I downloaded the ADV-pack, to use on WinUAE . . . (this was about 14 days ago) I thought it said the ADV-pack was set up with P96? well, I couldn't find it anywhere, so . . . I downloaded and installed it meself

Would there be any reason not to just include the package (not necessarily install it) on the "lighter" versions of Classic?

[killergorilla]

Originally Posted by Doc Mindie

Ahh, Okays, Blood.

Now, I downloaded the ADV-pack, to use on WinUAE . . . (this was about 14 days ago) I thought it said the ADV-pack was set up with P96? well, I couldn't find it anywhere, so . . . I downloaded and installed it meself

Would there be any reason not to just include the package (not necessarily install it) on the "lighter" versions of Classic?

Bloodwych will probably put in better words, but what's the point?

The ClassicWB packs are for installation on a real amiga and P96 is not going to be needed at all. Bloodwych strives to keep the packs as simple and SMALL as possible while keeping as many superb features/functions as possible, there's simply no need for P96 on the packs designed for standard amigas.

[Bloodwych]

Thanks for the comments paul rt.

Doc, going with the real amiga packs, no P96 is definitely for the reasons KillerGorilla has kindly stated above – including it would increase the pack size significantly and very few people have use for it on real Amigas. Those that do can install it themselves.

However, I think you’ve got the wrong impression of where P96 is mentioned in the forums and webpage. The P96 files only come pre-installed with the P96 version of the ClassicWB, which is specially designed for emulators such as UAE.

Hope this clears things up.

[Marcuz]

i suggest to add a line with the date of the package on the site and/or a number version; i'm downloading right now the the classic-full to update my setting, but i'm not really sure that it is newer than the one i have. (i want to reinstall it anyway)

This is great!Everything in this config is so nicely done,I'm impressed!
It surely needed a lot of effort to be done...
Thank you SO much -Bloodwych- for this excellent release!
Keep it up!

[Bloodwych]

Marco: under the pack download links is a link that says "Important information and UPDATE STATUS" Click it and then be amazed as it whisks you away to the ClassicWB forum where full update details are disclosed.

Conny25, thanks for the comments.

[rare_j]

Just a quick message to say I really like this set up. My Amiga has never worked better. Thanks

[Methanoid]

Just downloaded and spent about 5 mins playing. God it is good to see an Amiga workbench again!!!

Few things I did and didnt like

Likes:

Copper Background
Dopus pre-installed
All configured

Dislikes:

WTF is that Scalos doing in there?
Irritating but necessary (insert WB3 disk) but easy with WinUAE

What I would like though is to know HOW it is made. Perhaps be able to use that to do my own version. Your configs are nice but not what I would necessarily choose. A "creation guide" would enable me to do my own easily (say Install WB3, Add MUI, Add Dopus etc"

I suspect my personal config will be mainly a P96 one (cos 1280*1024 looks nice) where I can set up a WB-friendly BBS linked via telnet to the realworld!

a ste

[Bloodwych]

Thanks for the comments rare_j and Methanoid.

A few answers:

A P96 version of the classic workbench already exists. Links on the main page or this forum. Or here!

The workbench disk is necessary (as you mentioned) for copyright reasons and only a one time operation. After that you have a complete setup that can be copied to your hearts content.

What do you have against Scalos? – it has no drawbacks apart from perhaps Fblit issues. Scalos is an absolute necessary addition in my opinion and adds so many cool features, too many to list! See their Homepage. Nice draggable/ghosted icons, smooth scrolling window contents, new powerful system requesters, new prefs, better colour/palette control, fully configurable double click icon support, powerful multi right click menu system, new functions such as sort drawers/files alphabetically, no performance hit, very stable and compatible….the list goes on! In fact, a ScalosWB has LESS issues than one built with several third party programs that when combined offer SOME of these functions.

If you decide to make your own setup it can be a long road to get it up to high standards, but very enjoyable. I suggest starting by reading EAB FAQ and green alien guide.. Look at the pre-installed workbenches linked there and decide what you want to use for your own setup. After that, Aminet is your best friend.

[Marcuz]

hey nice new package you have built, i want to try it even if i've already my fav ClassicWB setup, yours docs are still between the best ones.

[Marcuz]

as i've seen your last update, i would like to suggest a little redo of the colour scheme for the next version, so to make it stand out as unmistakebly new. something like the step from the blue WB 1.3 to the grey WB 2.0; one of the thing i like the most in Bloodwych Classic WB is the fact that as you see it loaded, you feel confident, it looks solid, it borrows the easyness of the original Workbench. so any change shouldn't be radical, it shouldn't appear as a badly themed version of Windows for instance. something subtle.

[Bloodwych]

Thanks for the suggestion Marco. I guess I could add options in the install procedure and let the user choose a particular theme. Do you have any colours in mind? Or post a pic of a theme you use? And are you referring to the real amiga packs (LITE, FULL, ADV, ADVSP), the P96 or all of them?

By the way, I've just re-uploaded the UAE/P96 packs as I didn't realize UAE complains if the RTG.library isn't replaced with the emulator friendly one.

[Marcuz]

only lite and full; the others two are already no more really classic, and they are apt to be customized by the user.
the install procedure is a nice touch, and there would be the need of some screenshot in the package to show the user how it would look the installed workbench.
if you want to push it further, there could be the choice between a bunch of them, like three dominant colours. there was a thread around with original workbench settlements; i remember the A600 with dominant green of Paul the Green Amiga Alien and a reddish-pink one by Akira. something like that.
my personal custom Workbench disk was not shockingly different, i had a very light grey as background, black and light pale green for the stuff around and some grey. the pointer was a rendition of Bullfrog' games one.

[Marcuz]

Bloodwych, can you please add a suffix to the downloads packs with the version? or, even better, the version number on the site, under the icons? and on the drop menu somewhere in the Workbench? i mean on the Workbench maybe it's better to wait for the next update...

[Peter]

I've just starting using Classic Workbench - I went through the process of creating the zip file via UAE and then installing it to my real Amiga - when there are updates is it the case that the whole process has to be repeated?

Or is there an update patch that can be applied over the installation - which would be an easier process. I have started to install my own bits and bobs and dont want to overwrite all the things I add to the original installation.

Sorry if this is a question that comes up a bit... Classic Workbench is great BTW...

[Bloodwych]

marco, I don't want to add version numbers to the files names but I could place something on the webpage and on the drop down menus I suppose. I know you've mentioned this before and I referred to the "Information and Update Status" link on the download page. This whisks you away to a thread notifying users of update details, which I suggest people subscribe to.

Peter, people have suggested this before but it's just too much work and has the potential to cause problems.

I'd have to keep track of all the little updates and changes I make to all 6 packs, then copy across all the files that I've changed to an update zip. When people apply the update, it might overwrite some of their own personal settings and prevent programs they have installed from working properly.

You can make a quick update pack that simply overwrites the main files but has all the large files removed. Download and run in WinUAE as normal, then delete all the programs (except dopus) you already have in your current installation and perhaps the icons and wbgames drawer as well. Zip up what remains and run the installation over the top of your current workbench. Then use reorg or some disk defrag utility tidy up. If you've installed anything extra that has written to the startup-sequence files you may need to re-install and you'll lose customized settings (they will return to default).

I’ll move these posts to the feedback thread.

[Marcuz]

Originally Posted by Bloodwych

marco, I don't want to add version numbers to the files names but I could place something on the webpage and on the drop down menus I suppose. I know you've mentioned this before and I referred to the "Information and Update Status" link on the download page. This whisks you away to a thread notifying users of update details, which I suggest people subscribe to.

sorry mate, i forgot about having already pleaded for it still the thread to which the "important info etc." bit points to, it only describes the new updates and the date of them, but you got no contest to that information as you don't know which release version you are using if you have not specifically kept track of them. that's why i guess the number release in a "about" in the Workbench drop menu and on the site would be perfect.

why it is needed besides the reason i say? well because Bloodwych ClassicWB is a so stable platform as main all purposes workbench (you can type documents in amiga exact formats as i do with the EOB translation; you can use it as a perfect WHDload base; you can use it for base for your paint and music programs, as, again, i do), i say, it is so that you end up for little touch of customization and personalization, the most important of which are those that requires work on the installation and dependencies, on the startup and user startup sequences and, hell why not? on the icons too. if ClassicWB gets updated, all that work needs to be redone, so you got to have all the facts to decide if it's the case or it is maybe better to wait for next release.

of course you can update every bit of what you have yourself, without changing the whole pack, but then, why to use an already done package as ClassicWB is?

[Marcuz]

here you go with 2 pics to support what i'm saying. I've long stopped heavy customizations, since when i converted the whole Gant icon suite for it only to break then the HDF which hosted the picasso version of ClassicWB, but 20% of what there is in it now comes from out of the package, considering also libs, devs, fonts, Whdload and its key, programs etc.

[Bloodwych]

I see what you’re saying marco and I’m happy you’re finding the ClassicWB so useful

I’ll add version number information as you’ve requested to the tools drop down menu in the top left hand corner of the screen. Shouldn’t take long, but I may not upload the new files until after xmas depending on when my connection is free.

[Anubis]

Any chance to add one spreadsheet program? (something like calc)

[Anubis]

One more thing.

Can you add P96 ClassicWB to the same download place as the rest of them. It was painful to download it first time.