LazyBench -- Quick and dirty hack :)

ppill · 28 May 2008, 21:41

Let me start off by saying how I'd loved the addition of ButtonMenu and LazyBench to the current versions of the packs. Great little programs that make my AmigaOS experience that bit more enjoyable... BUT

One thing really bugged me. Once LazyBench was up and running you could press a definable HotKey combo and voila the listview was up and ready to launch and application or game of your choice.

If only I could pick different HotKeys for different lists (Games, Demos, Other) instead of having to start the program again by clicking on the corresponding button via ButtonMenu. And you can't have two instances of LazyBench running at the same time.

I like the clever way you handled that 'one list only' limitation by exchanging the different lists using scripts but there's still that HotKey business.

So here's a quick hack to overcome this. All you have to do is load a copy of the program file to a HEX editor (I've used FileX) and do 'Lazy to Idle' search and replace and you'll end up with a new executable that will work nicely along the original LazyBench. It will open different a 'Message Port' and use different prefs and menu files (ENVARC:IdleBench/IdleBench.menu, ENVARC:IdleBench/IdleBench.menu). Change the icon name to IdleBench.info, type a different Hotkey combination and you're ready to go

On my set-up RightAlt+Spacebar brings up the 'Other' list and LeftAlt+Spacebar the 'Games' one. Ahhhh

Of course the only limitation to the amount of LazyBench copies running at the same time depends on number of four-letter synonyms of the word 'Lazy' one knows

Bloodwych · 28 May 2008, 23:58

Wow, that's a great little dirty hack!

Yes, as you noticed I too came across Lazybench's single use limitations, which are annoying as it does a rather good job otherwise. I like how it runs as a commodity, so re-launching is fast with key combos.

I also had difficulties with getting it stable when switching between lists, hence the wait commands and the extra steps that seem over-complicated in the scripts.

This little hack sounds like a great way to solve the issue! When I get around to update time a pm will be coming your way if I get stuck! Thanks!

ppill · 29 May 2008, 08:09

Glad you like it

Works a treat, haven't noticed any issues yet.

Bloodwych · 11 July 2008, 20:55

I'm implementing this little hack right now.

I made some more changes and improvements - thanks for the insight to what's possible with a simple HEX editor.

Now I've got three executables - GamesMenu, DemosMenu and OtherMenu, all with separate prefs stored in ENVARC: and each can be launched independently as a commodity with their own shortcut keys.

I've also changed where the large text menu files have to be stored that contain all the WHDload links. Instead of being in ENVARC: like before (and having to be deleted on boot and copied back to ENVARC: via a script when launched in order to avoid taking up loads of memory on boot) it now looks directly for the text files in a new location, as defined by a LAUNCH: assign (replacing ENVARC: ).

Works a treat, has halved launch and load times. Thanks for the tip ppill.

(edited because I got your name wrong again LOL!)

ppill · 11 July 2008, 21:19

Sounds like a great arrangement! Always happy to help out

Now if only someone would modify LazyBench to work like Spotlight(Mac)/Launchy(PC). Apart from the listview you would have a simple text input gadget at the top and the list would be filtered acording to what you type in, then just use the cursor keys to select what you want to run. That would be so cool

Bloodwych · 11 July 2008, 21:23

I agree; that's the only thing missing - a better search method rather than scrolling.

killergorilla · 12 July 2008, 02:38

You trying to stop me making my menu or what!!!!??!?!??

I hate you all!

Retro-Nerd · 12 July 2008, 03:56

Shut up and work on "BananaLoad". We need it!!

Bloodwych · 12 July 2008, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by killergorilla

You trying to stop me making my menu or what!!!!??!?!??

I hate you all!

YEAH!

Your menu is poo.

But I'd love to add it to the ClassicWB packs once it's finished.

killergorilla · 12 July 2008, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro-Nerd

Shut up and work on "BananaLoad". We need it!!

Bwahahahaha

Awesome name, awesome.

I tell you what Bloodwych, you can have an exclusivity agreement with me, no other WB packs are allowed my poo menu

Bloodwych · 14 July 2008, 22:03

Thanks KG, I'll setup a boot menu or something so it runs with max resources.

ppill, I've got iGame working in all the ClassicWB packs as well. That has search filters, but obviously uses more resources and requires more power than LazyBench. Just tested it on my standard A1200 with fastram and it works ok, so expect that to also be on the WHDLoad menus in the next release along with LazyBench.

Choice is a good thing.

Torti-the-Smurf · 07 September 2022, 00:30

Is there a Hack that stops the Folder Scanning when Lazybench starts ?

That would be neat

Torti-the-Smurf · 12 January 2023, 18:24

Yes there is

... that one doesn´t scan the locations anymore.

(double check before with SnoopDos and than changing to this version)

No more scanning

PeterK · 12 January 2023, 23:18

So, Lazybench seems to be a somehow quicker and even more dirty hack now ...

Torti-the-Smurf · 13 January 2023, 00:10

All Thanks to you Peter

28 May 2008, 21:41	#1
ppill CON: artist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Poland Age: 43 Posts: 1,250	LazyBench -- Quick and dirty hack :) Let me start off by saying how I'd loved the addition of ButtonMenu and LazyBench to the current versions of the packs. Great little programs that make my AmigaOS experience that bit more enjoyable... BUT One thing really bugged me. Once LazyBench was up and running you could press a definable HotKey combo and voila the listview was up and ready to launch and application or game of your choice. If only I could pick different HotKeys for different lists (Games, Demos, Other) instead of having to start the program again by clicking on the corresponding button via ButtonMenu. And you can't have two instances of LazyBench running at the same time. I like the clever way you handled that 'one list only' limitation by exchanging the different lists using scripts but there's still that HotKey business. So here's a quick hack to overcome this. All you have to do is load a copy of the program file to a HEX editor (I've used FileX) and do 'Lazy to Idle' search and replace and you'll end up with a new executable that will work nicely along the original LazyBench. It will open different a 'Message Port' and use different prefs and menu files (ENVARC:IdleBench/IdleBench.menu, ENVARC:IdleBench/IdleBench.menu). Change the icon name to IdleBench.info, type a different Hotkey combination and you're ready to go On my set-up RightAlt+Spacebar brings up the 'Other' list and LeftAlt+Spacebar the 'Games' one. Ahhhh Of course the only limitation to the amount of LazyBench copies running at the same time depends on number of four-letter synonyms of the word 'Lazy' one knows Last edited by ppill; 28 May 2008 at 21:47.

11 July 2008, 20:55	#4
Bloodwych Moderator Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: I'm behind you! Posts: 3,763	I'm implementing this little hack right now. I made some more changes and improvements - thanks for the insight to what's possible with a simple HEX editor. Now I've got three executables - GamesMenu, DemosMenu and OtherMenu, all with separate prefs stored in ENVARC: and each can be launched independently as a commodity with their own shortcut keys. I've also changed where the large text menu files have to be stored that contain all the WHDload links. Instead of being in ENVARC: like before (and having to be deleted on boot and copied back to ENVARC: via a script when launched in order to avoid taking up loads of memory on boot) it now looks directly for the text files in a new location, as defined by a LAUNCH: assign (replacing ENVARC: ). Works a treat, has halved launch and load times. Thanks for the tip ppill. (edited because I got your name wrong again LOL!) Last edited by Bloodwych; 11 July 2008 at 21:14.

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28 May 2008, 23:58	#2
Bloodwych Moderator Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: I'm behind you! Posts: 3,763	Wow, that's a great little dirty hack! Yes, as you noticed I too came across Lazybench's single use limitations, which are annoying as it does a rather good job otherwise. I like how it runs as a commodity, so re-launching is fast with key combos. I also had difficulties with getting it stable when switching between lists, hence the wait commands and the extra steps that seem over-complicated in the scripts. This little hack sounds like a great way to solve the issue! When I get around to update time a pm will be coming your way if I get stuck! Thanks!

29 May 2008, 08:09	#3
ppill CON: artist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Poland Age: 43 Posts: 1,250	Glad you like it Works a treat, haven't noticed any issues yet.

11 July 2008, 21:19	#5
ppill CON: artist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Poland Age: 43 Posts: 1,250	Sounds like a great arrangement! Always happy to help out Now if only someone would modify LazyBench to work like Spotlight(Mac)/Launchy(PC). Apart from the listview you would have a simple text input gadget at the top and the list would be filtered acording to what you type in, then just use the cursor keys to select what you want to run. That would be so cool

11 July 2008, 21:23	#6
Bloodwych Moderator Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: I'm behind you! Posts: 3,763	I agree; that's the only thing missing - a better search method rather than scrolling.

12 July 2008, 02:38	#7
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	You trying to stop me making my menu or what!!!!??!?!?? I hate you all!

12 July 2008, 03:56	#8
Retro-Nerd Missile Command Champion Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Germany Age: 52 Posts: 12,435	Shut up and work on "BananaLoad". We need it!!

14 July 2008, 22:03	#11
Bloodwych Moderator Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: I'm behind you! Posts: 3,763	Thanks KG, I'll setup a boot menu or something so it runs with max resources. ppill, I've got iGame working in all the ClassicWB packs as well. That has search filters, but obviously uses more resources and requires more power than LazyBench. Just tested it on my standard A1200 with fastram and it works ok, so expect that to also be on the WHDLoad menus in the next release along with LazyBench. Choice is a good thing.

07 September 2022, 00:30	#12
Torti-the-Smurf Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Earth Posts: 1,058	Is there a Hack that stops the Folder Scanning when Lazybench starts ? That would be neat

12 January 2023, 23:18	#14
PeterK Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: digital hell, Germany, after 1984, but worse Posts: 3,365	So, Lazybench seems to be a somehow quicker and even more dirty hack now ...

13 January 2023, 00:10	#15
Torti-the-Smurf Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Earth Posts: 1,058	All Thanks to you Peter

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