Hi Mark,

 ME> I havent used os/2 for a while and need my memory refreshed on a few
 ME> things.

Welcome Home.........;-)

 ME> What is the advantage to creating objects and running things as objects
as
 ME> opposed to just making shadows or running with a program?

A Shadow of an Object is really a ALTERNATIVE REFERENCE to the original
object, it is not a COPY of the original. The prime advantage of this is that
any changes made to the Object using a SHADOW reference, makes changes to the
original Object itself. Its just a handy way of allowing the user to have
access to a resource from different places within their system, without the
need for the user to keep all those references in order, a SHADOW takes care
of that for him automatically. A classic example of this is that the the Warp
4 Taskbar uses shadows for everything.

 ME> What is the use of the start.cmd as opposed to putting 
 ME> things in the startup folder?

You will probably receive a few different comments on this one. I use both of
them here, the STARTUP Folder contains those items I ALWAYS want started, and
that dont have dependences with other items being started. 

My STARTUP.CMD contains items that I want Started in a particular order, and
only when other items exist first! Examples of this include drive mappings
across the Network and functions that MUST be performed in strict sequence at
system startup. I also have the option of stopping STARTUP.CMD at any point if 
I wish. 

EG, on the BBS machine, the STARTUP Folder runs all the utilies that are
always loaded regardless. STARTUP.CMD cleans out my FLAGS directory (I use
flags to control various BBS backgrou tasks) and tidies up after any system
crashes. It also checks that certain files exist before then staring each of
the BBS lines. 


 ME> I'm sure i did this before but cant figure it out now...
 ME> How do I make global setting changes (fonts, colors etc)
 ME> to the desktop and every window all at the same time?

Go to the System Setup Folder, Scheme Palette, and make your changes. Once you 
have the layout you want, then drag that layout to the desktop while holding
down the ALT key. This makes the Pallette change system wide rather than just
to the object it was dropped on.

 ME> Also, any tips on speeding up warp 4 on a 486dx2/66 
 ME> with 20megs of ram would be appreciated.

Thats probably going to be a bit tight depending on what you wish to do with
the system, however I would start by using HPFS partitions with no more than
512KB Cache, probably better off with 256KB. You system is going to do a lot
of swapping with any decent sized applications running so too much cache may
actualyl slow it down. Start with 256 and then try 512 and see how that
affects it.

Dont run too many applications at the same time, try and close the ones you
dont need before opening up new ones. 

If you have the chance, place your SWAPPATH on the MOST USED PARTITION, of
your LEAST USED DRIVE! This helps to reduce the head movements and optimises
the swap file performance.

Thats about it I think. I hope it helps..........pk.


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