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 manually, a SHADOW
takes care of all that for him automatically. A classic example of this is
that the the Warp 4 Taskbar uses shadows for everything, and you can change an 
object from the taskbar without going back to the original object or folder.


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

I assume yu mean STARTUP.CMD. 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 or actions that MUST be performed before those items can
run. 

My STARTUP.CMD file contains items that I want Started in a particular order,
and ONLY when other actions have taken place first! Examples of this include
drive mappings across the Network and functions that MUST be performed in
strict sequence at system startup. Another reason for using STARTUP.CMD is
that you have the option of stopping it (CTRL-C) 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 certain files are can beleft
during processing that might affect subsequent processing and tidies things up 
after hard failures, such as power loss. It also checks that certain files
exist before 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.

Hmmm.......;-) 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 only 256KB. Your
system is going to do a lot of swapping with any decent sized applications
running so too much cache may actually slow it down and get in the way. Start
with 256KB and then try 512KB 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 movement and optimises
the swap file performance.

Lastly, if you get the chance, add more memory. Increasing it to 32Mb should
be quite noticeable on your machine........;-)

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


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