Note: You can find more detailed information about the use of this excellent application here. 

Version 1.3
03/10/91
by Gary Knight

What is AmiDock?
For those familiar with the NeXT computer, this will be a short explanation. AmiDock is an Amiga version of the NeXT's Dock. AmiDock is (of course) more versatile and not as limited as its NeXT cousin.

For those unfamiliar with the NeXT computer: AmiDock provides you with a number of buttons on the WorkBench screen that, when pressed, will launch other programs. These buttons are fully configurable to run any program you want with a single press.

Features of AmiDock:

• Program Compatibility
  AmiDock can run programs that need a CLI or the WorkBench.
• Button Imagery
  AmiDock uses IFF brushes for the button imagery. The brushes are standard IFF files and can be customized to your individual preferences. Many programs added to the dock will need a custom brush. A Dock Image Grid is included for this purpose.
• WorkBench Compatibility
  AmiDock is compatible with WorkBench 1.2, 1.3, and 2.0 and will run on any Amiga computer with any amount of memory. It has been tested on all Amiga models (500/1000/2000/2500/3000).
• Unlimited Buttons
  AmiDock supports an unlimited number of buttons, displayed in a single line (column or row) that can extend beyond the screen boundaries with the use of scroll arrows.
• Moveable Dock
  AmiDock can be moved around the screen like any normal window, and can be configured as a vertical column or a horizontal row.

Setup Instructions:

1. Copy arp.library
   Ensure arp.library is in your LIBS: directory. This library is included with AmiDock and is used for file requests.
2. Install AmiDock
   Copy the AmiDock program to your C: directory.

3. Copy the Dock Directory
   Copy the Dock directory to your hard drive or WorkBench Boot Floppy. The Dock directory contains the following:

   Dock/
       Interlace/
           DockImageGrid2.iff
           MainDock/
               dock.config
       Non-interlace/
           DockImageGrid1.iff
           MainDock/
               dock.config
   

    
4. Set the DOCK: Assignment
   Assign DOCK: to the directory containing the configuration file and brushes. Use either the "Dock/Interlace/MainDock/" or "Dock/Non-Interlace/MainDock/" directory, depending on whether you run your WorkBench in interlace mode. This assignment should be added to your startup-sequence.
5. Run AmiDock
   Execute AmiDock. It comes pre-configured to run a variety of programs. Reconfigure the dock as needed for your programs.

Additional Notes

• Brushes and Config File Location
  In this release, brushes must be in the same directory as the dock.config file. Although the brush requester allows entering a brush from another directory, AmiDock will not recognize it if it's not in the same directory as dock.config.
• Running AmiDock in Background
  AmiDock does not need to be "run"; it sets itself up as a background process and returns control to the CLI. You can add it to your startup-sequence to allow the startup CLI to close. If using AmigaDOS 2.0, place AmiDock in the wbstartup drawer with a DONOTWAIT tool type.
• CLI Argument
  AmiDock accepts one argument when run from the CLI: the path to the config file and brushes (e.g., amidock dh0:dock/interlace/maindock). If no argument is given, AmiDock will use the DOCK: assignment.
• Unfinished Feature
  The Text button in the Add/Edit/Delete window does not work yet. Pressing it has no effect, and AmiDock will continue to use the brush.
• DockImageGrid Files
  Two files, DockImageGrid1.iff and DockImageGrid2.iff, are included as non-interlaced and interlaced versions. These are IFF ILBM images containing pre-defined and blank buttons. To create or add a brush, load DockImageGrid?.iff into a paint program, create or select a button, and save the brush in the appropriate dock directory.