                                SPIKE

Files:
       SPIKE.TXT      this file
       SPIKE.ICO      optional icon
       SPIKE.EXE      The Spike program
       SPIKE.C        Source code

        Place these files in a directory of your choice (e.g. Spike).

                      Chapter 1 - The Story
                      --------------------

A name that is hopefully indicative of the spike found on many desktops
in many offices.  This is the place where all memos and postit notes go
after they have been read.  It looks like a spike mounted on a
pedestal.

What I found I needed in OS/2's desktop, was a place to quickly place,
and save, clipboard data that I wanted stored for future reference.  
In the past, I had to copy to the clipboard, make a temporary text
file, place the text file on the desktop for easy access, then open
the file, then append the data, then close the file.  I found this
procedure rather tedious, so I called a good friend, and asked him if
such a thing could be made....

His response was enthusiastic and he suggested that I make an icon for
it.  He further suggested that the icon would take more time than the
actual program.  He was right!


                        Chapter 2 - The Installation
                        --------------------------

We discussed the method of installation and decided that we would not
write an installation script.  This decision was made so that we could
use Spike as a lesson in OS/2's association methods.  Most of us
already know how to use common associations with exe files.  This file
will show you how to make a new data file type, associate it with a
spike.exe file, and then make the data file into a template.  The
reward for going through this lesson will be a free utility that I think
a lot of you will find useful.  Plus as a benefit, you will be able
to use this knowledge in many other areas.


                        Chapter 3 - Off to work we go
                        -----------------------------

Open your template folder, drag off a DATA FILE template.  Drop it
into the same open template folder.  Change the name to SPIKEFILE.

Next, go to the settings folder of the new SPIKEFILE.  Open its
settings notebook to the first page (TYPE PAGE).  Go to the field 
NEW TYPE:.  Next, type in SPIKEFILE.  To the left of it, there is a
pushbutton called << New,  push on it.  This adds a new data type file 
to the list of available types.

After doing this, go to the CURRENT TYPES box and notice that the
current type listed is Plain Text.  This is the default type for all
data files.  Highlight the Plain Text selection, and hit the << Remove
pushbutton.  Next scroll down through the types available and select
your new type SPIKEFILE.  Then after highlighting the new SPIKEFILE
selection, push the Add >> pushbutton.  This adds the spikefile selection
to the current types. This operation makes SPIKEFILE the first 
or default action that is invoked when you click on its icon later.

Now scroll through the list and find the Plain Text selection that we
removed before.  Highlight it and then use the Add >> button to again 
add it to the current types box.  What this does is allow for two
associations.  The first one is an association to the data type
SPIKEFILE, and the second type is the plain text type.

For the moment we are now finished with this data file (just leave it open) 
and will set up the actual executable file.  We drag a program object onto 
the desktop from the templates folder, and we add the path and filename
(?:\Spike\spike.exe) to the appropriate fields.  We then add the
SPIKEFILE to its association settings. From Available Types select SPIKEFLE
then push the Add >> button. At this point we should see the
icons appearing. Click on the General tab and change "Program" to "Spike" 
and close the program notebook. 

Now to finalize this lesson we go back to the template folder where we
first made the new data type, and open the spikefile settings notebook, 
if not already open, and select the General tab. Ensure that the title is SpikeFile, or a similar name, then click on the check box for Template 
then close the settings notebook.  This allows us to rip off
as many SPIKEFILES as we want, to deal with as many different subjects
as we need.  Simply rename the files as you see fit.

To use the spikefile, simply drag a spikefile template from the
templates folder, and drop it wherever you wish.  Now when you have a
clipboard full of data you wish to save, simply double click on the
spikefile icon, and the text contents of the clipboard will be appended.
If you wish to read/edit the file, simply right mouse button to bring
up the spikefile's menu, select the > arrow to the right of open and
then select the editor from the pop-up that you have associated with
PLAIN TEXT.  Note that you can associate the spikefile editor with one
or more editors of your choice.

To tidy up the installation process drag the SPIKEFILE program
object off the desktop and into the Spike folder.  You can also make a 
copy of the SPIKEFILE template and place it in this folder as well.  Now 
rip off a template and keep it in this folder, rename it for applicable use
and then create a shadow for it on the desktop.  You can repeat this
last process for as many "Spikes" as you need on your Desktop for
various purposes.  Using this method you always keep your data files in
a directory on the drive and can delete any shadow not required from
the Desktop at any time.

                       Chapter 4 - All the other stuff

SPIKE was created by a couple of members of TEAM OS/2 Vancouver, BC SIG.
It is freeware. All we ask is that you include all files when passing it on to others. There is no support from the author, we ask that you help others users 
requiring help as your "dues" for the free software.
