Ranchero
~~~~~~~~
Ranchero is a pop-up notification server for Amiga OS 3. It runs as a commodity
and provides an ARexx interface through which applications can present a
standard, simple pop-up message to inform the user of something. Unlike
requesters, it doesn't halt the application or steal the user's focus, and so
is suited to passive information such as new emails received, a long render
that finished or the name of the music track that started playing. Messages
that pop up can be dismissed by the user, or will disappear after a short time
otherwise. Multiple messages are placed in a queue and displayed in turn after
the previous message disappears. Messages are automatically word-wrapped
(proportional fonts are supported), and can also include a small image.

OS 4.1 includes the excellent Ringhio system for notifications from
applications, and so I decided to make Ranchero as compatible as possible so
that the same ARexx scripts would work on both OS3 and OS4. Most features from
the Ringhio ARexx interface are replicated. The same limits are imposed on the
content (text lengths, image size etc.), and application registration is
partially supported (application names are registered but application blocking
is not yet implemented).

Features of Ringhio that are *not* currently replicated include:

  *  Application.library API
  *  Multiple messages on screen at the same time
  *  Alpha transparency on images
  *  Preferences for disabling notifications from certain applications
  *  Permanent storage of registered apps list
  *  Fancy fade in / fade out effects
  *  Option for passing a URL to a browser

Ranchero is really intended for higher end classic machines with RTG capability,
so the message size might be unsuitable for use on low resolution native
screens. It can be adjusted to suit smaller screens however by setting smaller
fonts and a smaller popup size.

PERMISSION  UID  GID    PACKED    SIZE  RATIO METHOD CRC     STAMP     NAME
---------- ----------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- ------------ ----------
[unknown]                 1285    1636  78.5% -lh5- 12ec Nov 17 22:59 Ranchero.info
[unknown]                  611    1352  45.2% -lh5- 6211 Nov 17 22:33 Ranchero/AmigaAmp-Track-Notify.rexx
[unknown]                 2274    3054  74.5% -lh5- f655 Nov 17 22:59 Ranchero/AmigaAmp-Track-Notify.rexx.info
[unknown]                  653    1430  45.7% -lh5- 0025 Nov 17 22:33 Ranchero/Amplifier-Track-Notify.rexx
[unknown]                 2273    3054  74.4% -lh5- beb2 Nov 17 22:59 Ranchero/Amplifier-Track-Notify.rexx.info
[unknown]                   57      57 100.0% -lh0- d998 Nov 17 22:50 Ranchero/History.txt
[unknown]                 1540    2306  66.8% -lh5- dc73 Nov 17 22:59 Ranchero/History.txt.info
[unknown]                72740  224548  32.4% -lh5- c463 Nov 17 23:01 Ranchero/Ranchero
[unknown]                 5084   13345  38.1% -lh5- b042 Nov 17 22:35 Ranchero/Ranchero.guide
[unknown]                 1901    2478  76.7% -lh5- d060 Nov 17 22:59 Ranchero/Ranchero.guide.info
[unknown]                 3572    6466  55.2% -lh5- 3e6f Nov 17 22:59 Ranchero/Ranchero.info
[unknown]                 1077    2132  50.5% -lh5- cccb Nov 17 22:42 Ranchero/Ranchero.readme
[unknown]                 1537    2306  66.7% -lh5- 1838 Nov 17 22:59 Ranchero/Ranchero.readme.info
[unknown]                  939    3132  30.0% -lh5- 399f Oct 16 22:45 Ranchero/sound_icon.iff
[unknown]                 2839    4894  58.0% -lh5- 3561 Oct 14 15:23 Ranchero/test.iff
[unknown]                  286     491  58.2% -lh5- de6d Oct 14 15:29 Ranchero/TestRanchero.rexx
[unknown]                 2273    3054  74.4% -lh5- 7227 Nov 17 22:59 Ranchero/TestRanchero.rexx.info
[unknown]                  308     483  63.8% -lh5- 8e39 Oct 14 23:07 Ranchero/YAM-New-Mails.rexx
[unknown]                 2273    3054  74.4% -lh5- 13c9 Nov 17 22:59 Ranchero/YAM-New-Mails.rexx.info
---------- ----------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- ------------ ----------
 Total        19 files  103522  279272  37.1%            Nov 17 19:58