In the realm of Apple II computing, there are a few enthusiasts like Joshua Bell who continue to breathe new life into the classic machines, pushing the boundaries of what these vintage computers can achieve. Joshua’s ongoing development of the Apple II Desktop is a testament to this desire to push the limits of the Apple II’s capabilities.
Today’s release of Apple II Desktop version 1.4 Alpha 1 offers a sneak peek into the future of what is possible with the Apple II Desktop graphical user interface. In this release as with all of the releases of Apple II Desktop, there are a slew of new additions and changes included in the program.
Exploring Apple II Desktop 1.4 Alpha 1
Alpha Release Disclaimer
Before diving into the details, it’s important to note, as Joshua has cautioned each time, that this release is labeled as “Alpha.” This means it’s a pre-release version, and users should not expect absolute perfection and are advised to exercise caution when trying it out. Do not use it on a production system with important data on board. The Alpha releases of the Apple II desktop often contain experimental features and may not be as stable as the official 1.x releases.
What’s New in Alpha 1
The Apple II Desktop 1.4 Alpha 1 package introduces a host of improvements and features across various aspects of the desktop environment. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:
General Enhancements
- Improved Mouse Responsiveness: The update enhances mouse responsiveness and event ordering, making interactions smoother.
- Spurious Click Prevention: Following a double-click, the release prevents spurious clicks, ensuring accurate input recognition.
- File Picker Dialog: When polling all drives, the File Picker Dialog now shows a watch cursor, providing better feedback during file operations.
- Elimination of Top-Level PREVIEW/ Directory: A top-level PREVIEW/ directory has been eliminated, streamlining file organization.
- IIgs Video Banking Reset: On IIgs systems, the update resets the video banking state on launch to prevent garbled screens.
- Localization: The release adds Dutch (nl) localization, expanding language support to nine languages currently available.
Desktop Improvements
- File Type “LBR”: A new file type string, “LBR,” has been introduced for $E0, representing “archival library” files.
- Drag Outlines: The desktop now displays drag outlines even for icons located outside the visible area.
- Crash Prevention: The update prevents crashes when launching a program after previewing images.
- Filetype Support: It introduces support for Vortex Tracker PT3 files.
- Easter Egg: An easter egg has been added for those who enjoy uncovering hidden surprises.
- Layout Enhancement: The layout of the Add/Edit a Shortcut dialog has been improved for a better user experience.
Selector Renaming
- Selector Becomes Shortcuts: In the UI strings, the Selector is now referred to as “Shortcuts.”
Disk Copy
- /RAM Restoration: The update ensures that /RAM is correctly restored after exiting the Disk Copy.
Desk Accessories
- Sort Directory: Correct ordering of SYS files with “.SYSTEM” suffix in Sort Directory.
- This Apple: The release adds detection for Grappler, ThunderClock, Apple-CAT, and Workstation card.
- Image Preview: An image preview mode has been introduced, allowing users to press ‘S’ for auto-advancing images.
Trying Out Apple II Desktop 1.4 Alpha 1
For those eager to explore the Alpha 1 release of Apple II Desktop, it’s available for download on GitHub. The package includes disk images suitable for use with a real Apple II or emulators, offering both authenticity and accessibility. You can also try out the full package in the English Environment on Will Scullin’s Apple IIjse emulator
Comprehensive Documentation
To help users make the most of Apple II Desktop 1.4 Alpha 1, comprehensive documentation is available at a2desktop.com/docs. This resource provides valuable insights and guidance, ensuring that Apple II users of all level can navigate the new features and enhancements seamlessly.
Future Developments
As with any pre-release version, the Alpha 1 release of Apple II Desktop is being released to provide a brief glimpse into what’s coming next. Users can look forward to even more improvements and refinements as the development process continues towards the official release of Apple II Desktop version 1.4.
If you’re an Apple II enthusiast or simply curious about the possibilities of Apple II Desktop, Version 1.4 Alpha 1 is an exciting step into the future. Feel free to explore its new features, provide feedback, and be sure and stay tuned for the official release that promises an even richer Apple II experience.
You can download the latest release as well as other releases of the Apple II Desktop from the Github page of Joshua Bell’ Apple II Destop project page at https://github.com/a2stuff/a2d.
