On Line
Feb. 95
Rob Hays
	This month we will take a look at some programs on the nets
that should help keep your Amiga warm on these long winter
nights.

Multifinder v1G

	Sooner or later, nearly everyone needs a database. Any
information that you need to organize and keep handy, from names
and addresses, to stamp collections, is fodder for a database.
Data Management and Research, Inc., of Gainesville, Florida, has
developed a new text-only database program called Multifinder,
and they have made available for downloading a freeware
evaluation version. This is a fully functioning program whose
only limitation is the number of records that can be imported,
edited or exported. While this version limits you to a maximum of
75 records for those functions, it can make use of the databases
of up to 65,000 records that can be created by the full program.
	Multifinder can import and export ASCII text, and its own
unique data files. It features fill-in-the-blank data searches
that do not require specific keywords, and an everpresent list of
important keys at the bottom of the screen. This is a great help
because everything is keyboard controlled except for selecting
files from the requester. A fee of $104 gets you the full version
of the program, printed and bound documentation, and four
databases.
	Multifinder requires 2 megs of ram, and Workbench 1.3 or
higher. While it will run on a floppy based system, like any
database it is disk-intensive, and searches will be slow.
	If you have heavy-duty data needs, you should get one of the
commercial products. On the other hand, if you are keeping track
of your video library rather than a government agency,
Multifinder might be the solution to your needs.  The
Multifinder archive contains the program, documentation, and a
small database sample. At 2400 bps the 181,376 byte file will
take just over 15 minutes to download.

Amazing

	A database without data is pretty boring, so DMR also has
been uploading some sample databases to use with Multifinder. One
of particular interest to us is the file aa9411.lha. This 13,828
byte archive contains an index of articles published in Amazing
from August 1993 through November 1994. Using Multifinder, you
can search by title, author, subject, issue, and more. Download
time should be just over one minute.

CommandList v1.1

	This is a test. Quick- how many programs do you have in your
WBStartup Drawer? Ok, part two of the test. They each have their
own hotkey sequence, right? Now name the combination for each
program. Chances are if you start more than one or two programs
during your boot-up sequence, you will have trouble remembering
just which keystroke combination brings up which program. Enter
CommandList from John Billing (figure 1).
	This program allows you to access any type of program from a
scrolling list. Simply doubleclick the name, and the program is
off and running, just as if you had found where on the hard drive
you had it stashed, and used its own icon. Configuring
CommandList with your programs of choice can be done a couple of
different ways, although by far the easiest is to start the
program and open the Edit window. This window becomes a Workbench
AppIcon, which means all you have to do is drag the program icon
over to this window, and it is installed. If you use the Show All
Files option from the Workbench Window menu, you can drag a
program name in the same manner. CommandList can determine if
your program expects to be started from the Workbench or the CLI,
and act accordingly. It has its own hotkey combination to start
it, but if you forget, it installs itself in the Tools Menu.
	CommandList is Freeware, and requires 2.0 or greater, using
the Localization feature of 2.1 and above if present. The 23,899
byte archive includes the program, Swedish and German
translations, documentation in Amigaguide format, and an
installation script. This script requires Commodore's Installer
utility, but the docs explain where the files belong if you do
not have Installer. At 2400 bps, you can list your favorite
commands in just under two minutes.

Drop'n Act v1.0

	As long as we are talking about AppIcons, we should mention
this Freeware utility from Rdiger Hanke (figure 2). When run,
this program installs an AppIcon on your Workbench. Dragging a
file over to this icon causes the utility to analyze the type of
file, then take the appropriate action. If the file is a picture,
your picture viewer utility is run, displaying the picture. A
sound clip would cause your audio utility to run, and so forth.
	Installation of Drop'n Act is simple; unpack the archive,
and drag the icon to the drawer you want it in. Configuration is
a little more involved. Each type of file you want to recognize
requires you to enter the path to the location of the appropriate
program. You then have four special codes that you add to the
path, telling DnA exactly what actions to take. These include
passing the name of the file to be processed to your utility
program, opening customizable requesters, and executing batch
files. Eighteen specific filetypes are recognized by Drop'n Act
v1.0, plus a catch-all Unknown category.
	The 13,128 archive includes the DnA program, a sample
configuration file, and sparse but adequate documentation in
English and German. Transmission time should be just about one
minute.
Where to look
	I found Multifinder 1G and the Amazing database in the
Starship library on GEnie, as file #24455, and file #24533.
CommandList was located in Library 10 in the AmigaUser Forum on
CompuServe, under the name CMDLST.LHA. Drop'n Act was in Library
8 in AmigaUser as DNA.LHA, and on Portal as file #4842.3.35.291
Dropnact.lha.

Who Ya Gonna Call?
	Here are some more Amiga BBS systems that you might want to
check out:

NAME:			The Boarding House
PHONE:			(913) 827-0744
SPEEDS SUPPORTED:	up to 14,400
CONTACT:			Robert Davis
				rdavis@nyx.cs.du.edu
MISC:			Amiga users may freely download Amiga files
				by using the login name --  anonymous  and
				the password --  pass.

NAME:			S.A.U.G. (Saskatoon Amiga Users' Group)
PHONE:			(306) 242-6936
CONTACT:			S.A.U.G.
				c/0  2213 McKinnon Ave. S.
				Saskatoon, SK
				Canada
				S7J 1N5

NAME:			Naples Amiga BBS
PHONE:			(813) 732-7236
SPEEDS SUPPORTED:	1200 bps to 14,400 bps
SETTINGS:			8-N-1
MISC:			No fees, free immediate downloads
CONTACT:			Bruce Benioff

Where To Find Me

		R.Hays5		on GEnie
		RHAYS		on Delphi
		72764,2066	on CompuServe
		Rob Hays		on Portal
	InterNet users, the quickest response will probably occur if
you use: R.HAYS5@GENIE.GEIS.COM

	For U.S.Mail:
		Rob Hays
		P.O.Box 194
		Bloomington, IN 47402
	Please include a SASE if you need a personal reply.

	If you run an Amiga specific BBS, send me the information
callers will need to access your system. Phone number(s), modem
speeds, software settings, etc. As a service to the Amiga
community I will include the information I receive in this column
from time to time. Send the info to any of my addresses above.

	That's all for now. See you online!
