Maggie! - A user-guide to the HTML Shell version.

Hello yet again,

This is our *third* outing with the pretend HTML diskmag shell. It is the first time with something that can officially be called "Maggie". Most of this has been recycled from the previous user guide, but there are a few tweaks for this time.

I've picked a number of frequently unasked questions about this HTML shell concept, what the hell is going on, how to use it and similar building up. So I thought a small text explaining things might be helpful here. This is mostly a recycling of what was written last year, but there is a little bit of further textual meddling to update things.

"So what do you need to join the fun?"

If you're reading this already, then you have managed to suss this out pretty well unaided. Congratulations!

For the purposes of helping others who might not be so fortunate, I can say with confidence that the user requirements are fairly liberal . All that are needed are hands, some eyeballs, preferably connected to an optic nerve and a brain, a mouse or suitable touchscreen and a bag of circuits and electricity, capable of supporting the HTML standard are all that is needed.

"No, no you fool! What are the system requirements and required software?"

First thing, less of that attitude and language, I'm here to help!

(2015 recap) The HTML mag was originally developed on an Atari Falcon, my CT60, back when it was a CTPCI machine. It was developed alongside the 'Highwire' browser, and tested against a later version of Crystal Atari Browser (CAB) 2.7 and also the ported 'Netsurf' v2.9. It worked in all of these, probably looking at its best in Netsurf.

2015 Note:- There's been not that much original hardware and a lot more Hatari involved in putting this one together. However, all HTML is hand-built through Atari tools such as QED and Everest test editors, using a make-believe pretend Mega STE with a super expanded GEM screen mode. last words!

Additionally, it has been tested with mainstream browsers including Firefox, Safari, Chrome and Internet Explorer and scrubs up very nicely in all of these, which is gratifying.

In fact, it should run on any hardware with a web browser capable of fairly basic HTML support. Results may vary according to how compromised, graphically speaking, your target hardware is. I have intended this for a Falcon 030 as an ideal minimum spec. (2015 note:- It would probably be better on an expanded Falcon with a screen booster.)

"As it is HTML, is there a website for this then?"

The original plan was going to be "No there isn't!" However certain kind parties (Evil of DHS) managed to spin this into an Atari.org site, so the original Mag and Issue 2 are both available in a downloadable zipped format to read offline, and also under the URL http://mag.atari.org

I daresay something like this will happen again this year. There will be some sort of release through the STNICCC Party internet infrastructure as well.

The usual place to download the offline version will be the Dead Hackers Society or www.dhs.nu as it is more commonly known.

"I've loaded this in to Firefox and it all looks a bit empty around the borders?"

The frame setting has been kept deliberately low, horizontally, to allow for a reasonably comfortable ride on a 640 pixel width screen. the 'fix' for the empty border issue on a high end modern Winbox or Mac, is to resize the browser window down to the Masthead width. Alternatively you can zoom in the page. (2015 Note:- This has been slightly expanded, the original horizontal page width was 600 pixels, now it is 640 pixels. One reason for this is to accommodate an extra menu entry for the Maggie 25th edition. Falcon owners would be recommended to run this with a screen expander of some sort. Hell, even running overscan to get 748 x 480 on RGB mode would be fine.)

"I've loaded this into CAB and the articles with ascii graphics in the titles (Minimag) look like sh*t!"

You need to check the font settings, make sure that pre-formatted text is set to 6x6 system font, and that's fixed that one!

"The animated GIFs on Netsurf are really slow, even on a CT60."

I know, I know..

"I've tried it on CAB v.1.5 and it doesn't load the pictures and looks shite in general, what can I do?"

That is a really early version with lots of things not enabled. If you persist in using this to read Mag! Then frankly you get all you deserve!

"I've viewed it on a modern browser and it's fine. I've also tried it on an Atari system with the Highwire Browser, and there's a bit of weirdness in places?"

Yes, Highwire seems to be a bit more unforgiving of sloppy HTML coding than the others. I've gone through it to pick up the worst offenders, but something will inevitably remain. I'm already aware that animated GIF's don't on here.

Any more questions? No, that's good then! Time to read on and enjoy the rest of this prog!

CiH - Originally from November 2012 and amended in December 2015.

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