GettingStarted.wsp
author ca
Wed, 10 Mar 2004 18:21:48 +0100
changeset 594 bf681b44cec2
parent 589 ed866f840acd
child 599 25474364fd83
permissions -rw-r--r--
*** empty log message ***

Quick User Guide to Get Started
===============================

1) Adjust Settings
  Recommended:
	Go to the launchers "Settings-Tools" dialog.
	Enable the following advanced tools:
	    (+) New System Browser
	    (+) New File Browser
	    (+) New File Dialog
	    (+) New Settings Dialog
	    (+) New ProcessMonitor

	The New ChangesBrowser and Hierarchical Inspectors are unfinished and
	should not (yet) be enabled.
	Expect a short delay, while these tools are autoloaded.
	Save an image for faster startup the next time.

  Useful:
	Choose a view style in the "Settings-ViewStyle dialog" that suits your taste.
  Useful:
	Start an HTTPServer on port 8082 via the settings menu and talk to it via a browser.
  Useful:
	If you work a lot with non latin1 characters (i.e. cyrillic, japanee etc.),
	select an appropriate unicode font (use the font-selection dialog from either the
	Launcher or via a textViews popupMenu). Notice that many fonts do not include the full
	set of characters (even if the ones that are present are correctly uni-coded).
  Nice:
	If you are able to provide translations for the UI (menu items, labels and strings),
	I would be very happy, if you'd sit down for an hour or so, type in the translations,
	for greek, russian, etc. and send me the result. 
	See the files under the 'lib*/resources' directories for how this is done, and what is missing.
	Even fragments will help - I'll merge them into the next release.
	Think about returning something this way - you get ST/X for free, so an hour or so
	is not too much time to spend - is it ?

2) Learn some of the Tools
  The most heavily used tools are:
	Workspace
	SystemBrowser
	ChangesBrowser
  Get used to them.


3) Learn Smalltalk / Write little demo programs
  See the "Reading List" in the online documentation; 
  we recommend reading Ivan Tomek's "Joy of Smalltalk" and also work through
  the "Introduction to ST" interactive document.
  Both can be reached via the "Help - Online Documentation" menu; 
  then proceed to the "Reading List".


4) Save your work
  Save a snapshot (launchers "File - Save Image" menu) and/or
  fileOut your classes from time to time.
  Have a look at the ChangesBrowser, which is your life saver in case of desaster.

5) Communicate
  Talk to others - there is a very active Smalltalk community.
  See comp.lang.smalltalk, various Smalltalk related webSites and various mailing lists.

6) Don't Panic


Always)
   Have fun