Configuration tool howto/style guide

Is there any documentation at all on the implementation of Boot>Configuration tools, eg a style guide or what files should be included? Looking at the current crop there are significant differences.

This is bugging me, because I know there is, because I’ve written a plugin. But I can’t find it anywhere. There is some info down the page here plus my plugin also registers handles for the messages &50D80 (quit) and &50D82 (quit abort). I don’t seem to have implemented anything for these though!

This information may be outdated so apologies if it is. It may also not be right for RISC OS 5, but it is AFAIK.

There is some info down the page here

Thanks for that – I think I had managed to get most of that by looking at existing plugins, but I was unaware of the command line -openat parameter and the OpenConfigWindow and other messages.

I see the info above mentions ‘jigsaw’ pieces, although the RISC OS 5 configure tools don’t appear to use jigsaw outlines. Is that a RISC OS 4/6 feature?

You can also see my hackery of Andrew Conroy’s CPU setup plugin (a special offer for a limited time only, as it’ll eventually be shipped in the boot sequence).

Jigsaws is a ROL feature I think.

My LADSPAMan plugin will load different sprites for RISC OS 4 or 5. Look in the !Boot file (the !Run file is wrong :-(). I think I pinched this method from somewhere else….

Jigsaws is a ROL feature I think.

Never liked that feature, best to be binned.

Out of keeping with RO5 anyway.

This is bugging me, because I know there is, because I’ve written a plugin.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I wrote a little thing called the “Ursula !Configure Changes Functional Specification” that defined the protocol used by the plugins – that’s probably what you’re thinking of.

There probably ought to be an official distribution channel for that and the other Ursula specifications, but in the meantime, Google showed up a copy here

I think the jigsaw pieces were an Acorn invention; I’m fairly certain I first saw them in the Phoebe/RISC OS 4 previews in magazines.

And while searching for pictoral proof of this, I’ve instead unearthed a copy of the Ursula !Configure functional specification, which looks like it’s a good answer to the original question.

Thanks guys – I think that fills in most of the gaps.

Never liked that feature, best to be binned.

My sentiments also. My plugin would be RISC OS 5/ARMv7 anyway.

Ah, I see Ben’s just beat me to it. I blame the phone call I had a minute ago.

Yeah, it was one of those both-writing-a-reply-at-the-same-time moments :)