MLEONTI  SKYHORSE Thank you for your input.

Fiwi does open 2 windows in column format by default and also one on top of the other if you wish.

Then the windows are also resized and repositioned neatly on your screen which saves time to many people.

Small job but it saves me and many others lots of time.  
(Version 1.1)

MLEONTI  Hi JAKSTAT,

Thank you for posting the code for dock detection

I will test and see if it works for Fiwi.

If I use it I will acknowledge the author.

I would like to point out that I used all my own coding in Fiwi, I did not copy code from anyone else.

I work hard at customer satisfaction.  
(Version 1.1)

MLEONTI  I too think that pressing the shift key at startup is a good idea and I hope that in the near future I'll be able to go back to it.

My pwrWndws (the predecessor of Fiwi) worked exactly like that, at a price.

The price was that it needed Assistive Devices on in the International pane of System Preferences. The checks needed to ascertain this were slowing it down.

I am working on finding a way to detect the shift key down at start up without slowing the appl down and asking people to set up their Assistive Devices to suit it.

Fingers crossed.

For the time being I really believe it to be better service to people to be as fast in setting up the windows as I can and I am very reluctant to complicate a very simple appl with preferences and interface.

For a limited time people can still download the old pwrWndows (not supported any longer) that works with the shift key startup here:

http://wordpower.orconhosting.net.nz/WordPower/pwrWndws.html

While you are there feel free to download my free games as well.  
(Version 1.1)

MLEONTI  Hi Jan

I just emailed you a version that works with the shift key. It is still called pwrWndws and it accepts the same password.

Enjoy

NB It is slower and you need Assistive Devices on.

These are the two main reasons why I changed to a dialog box.  
(Version 1.1)

MLEONTI  Yes correct that's what I think works best.

If people want otherwise I'll see if I can change that.  
(Version 1.1)

MLEONTI  Thanks for your comments JAKSTAT.

I have compared the two programs.

The way the dialog box works in Fiwi makes it faster to be up and usable.

It is also more user friendly and avoids inessential input.

Fiwi assumes user wants 2 windows in column format.

User intervention is only necessary to change to row format or cancel.

The dialog box stays up 5 seconds then automatically goes away, the two windows are created and Fiwi quits releasing all memory.

Clicking on button columns (or rows) sets the 2 windows up immediately.

Even faster: hitting the enter or return key immediately after launching Fiwi sets up the default windows in less than a second on my Mac G5.

Fiwi creates no windows when user chooses cancel.

In response to previous customer feedback I am currently working on an upgrade that will clear the dock in all three positions.

You mentioned 2 lines of applescript that would detect the dock.

If you post them here I would much appreciate the help and will acknowledge you for it.

I welcome any ideas on a better icon but I am aware that it is practically impossible to please everyone. Not a problem as the user can change the icons of applications easily in the Finder.

Fiwi will create windows with or without toolbar as the Finder default is set up.  
(Version 1.0)

MLEONTI  Thank you all for contributing to the success of this utility.

I am really happy to find it is useful to so many.

I posted this update just a couple of hours ago and in MacUpdate alone there have been more than 600 downloads already.

I am encouraged to go on making it better and better.

Please suggest how you see it could be improved.  
(Version 1.0)

MLEONTI  Jan,

What do you think of Easy Windows for a name? If you email wordpower@clear.net.nz I show you a new icon.  
(Version 1.2)

MLEONTI  Thanks for your feedback.

Names and icons are very easily changed.

Have you got any suggestions for a nice name and and a good icon?

I would be grateful for your help.  
(Version 1.2)

MLEONTI  I downloaded lilypond-2.11.41-1.darwin-x86.tar.bz2

lilypond-2.10.33-1.darwin-x86.tar

lilypond-2.8.8-1.darwin-x86.tar

to a MacBook Pro 2.6 Intel Core 2 duo running Mac OSX 10.5.2

None of the versions above were usable at all.

None showed the menubar correctly.

All showed only one menu, Lilypond, with no menu items. No keyboard shortcut worked and the only way to quit the appl was to force quit it (CMD OPT ESC)

Can the developer help please?  
(Version 2.11.41-1)

MLEONTI  Could not download a valid zip. Developer site (public .mac) does not offer download  
(Version 1.0)

MLEONTI  red curtain lite does not work on my g5 dp 2ghtz Mac OS 10.49. It fires up and then quits immediately.

Developer please?  
(Version 1.0)

MARIO LEONTI  I posted this on your forum but I cannot seeit so I repeat it here:

The only frive showing in the list is the PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-106D (Apple intalled internal)

I have a HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-5163D connected via USB at the back of the G5 and a Que!Fire 12x10x32x CDRW daisychained to a Maxtor firewire HD connected to the 400 firewire at the back of the G5.

The HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-5163D never showed up.

The Que!Fire 12x10x32x CDRW (QPS CD-R PX-W1210A) showed up the first time. When I tried to eject it Ardiem 1.1.1 put the eject icon on the desktop and blackened the menu. I had to restart the Mac as Ardiem froze and did not eject the drive. I could not force quit it via Cmnd option esc as it did not appear in the list.

After restart the QPS CD-R PX-W1210A is not in the list anymore and in the prefs it has been downgraded to inactive Devices.

Below is a list of my hardware and I am using Tiger 1.4.1

If you need more info please use the email provided above.

Please note that the most important drive for me is the HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-5163D as I use it for my main burning drive I rarely use the QPS CD-R PX-W1210A.

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: Power Mac G5

Machine Model: PowerMac7,2

CPU Type: PowerPC 970 (2.2)

Number Of CPUs: 2

CPU Speed: 2 GHz

L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB

Memory: 2.5 GB

Bus Speed: 1 GHz

Boot ROM Version: 5.1.4f0

HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-5163D:

Firmware Revision: A104

Interconnect: USB

Burn Support: Yes (Unsupported)

Profile Path: None

Cache: 2048 KB

Reads DVD: Yes

CD-Write: -R, -RW

DVD-Write: -R, -RAM, -RW, +R, +RW, +R DL

Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes

Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes

Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO

Media: No

USB High-Speed Bus:

Host Controller Location: Built In USB

Host Controller Driver: AppleUSBEHCI

PCI Device ID: 0x00e0

PCI Revision ID: 0x0004

PCI Vendor ID: 0x1033

Bus Number: 0x4b

Super Multi DVD Rewriter:

Version: 0.01

Bus Power (mA): 500

Speed: Up to 480 Mb/sec

Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-5163D

Product ID: 0xe003

Serial Number: 52259083

Vendor ID: 0x152e  
(Version 1.1.1)

MARIO LEONTI  Thanks Michelle,

It's nice to be appreciated.

Enjoy solitario.  
(Version 1.0)

MARIO LEONTI  Thanks for your comments.

It is amazing how card games cross borders.

I have been taught solitario by my mum again some 45 years ago in Italy. There it is normally payed with a scopa deck, 40 cards only no 8 9 or 10s.

You do very well to solve it 20% if the time. Even with only 40 cards I only barely solved it 5% of the time.  
(Version 1.0)

MARIO  You win the game if you can get all the cards in 1 pile.

Each card you deal can be put on top of the last or second to last card already on the table. If this creates a situation where any card matches the suit or number of the card next to it, or 1 away from it, you can again put it on top of that card, and so forth.

Normally you deal cards one at a time and complete as many jumps as you can before dealing again. I added the "Deal them all" button to offer a variation, but the rules do not change.

I hope this helpls.  
(Version 1.0)

MARIO LEONTI  I have used Harmony since the early 90s. Since I bought it I NEVER paid 1 more cent for upgrades: they are all FREE forever. That's service!

An invaluable tool to composition and a recording studio, I have found Harmony excellent in every respect and the developers very responsive both to support and delivery. The new sound base (Gold) is worth buying too!.  
(Version 9.0.4)

MARIO LEONTI  When you install Sys X choose customize, deselect any language and/or fonts you do not want and do not put them on your hard disk in the first place. Much better! Ah if only people read manuals :)  
(Version 1.2.1)