Backdrop PlusMemory Management and a Custom Backdrop for the Newton OSTable of Contents1 	Welcome and Registration	1.1		About Backdrop Plus	1.2		Registering Backdrop Plus	1.3		Contacting Stand Alone, Inc.	1.3.1		Business Hours	1.3.1		Email	1.3.2		Phone	1.3.3		Regular Mail	1.3.4		World Wide Web	2	Installation	3	Installation and Memory Management	3.1		Special Installation Instructions	3.2		Memory Management	4	Using Backdrop Plus	4.1		Battery Level	4.2		OwnerÕs Info	4.3		Heap Level4.4		Date and Time	4.5		Logo Artwork	4.6		Volume Control	4.7		Save Mode	4.9		Open NotePad	4.10		Rotate Screen	4.11		Extras Drawer Folders	4.12		Apps Button	4.13		Application Icons (The Dock)	4.14		Info Button4.14.1		About	4.14.2		Help	4.14.3		Prefs	4.14.4		Personal Info	4.14.5		Edit Apps	4.14.6		Beam Backdrop Plus	4.14.7		Remove	1	Welcome and Registration1.1	WelcomeWelcome to Backdrop Plus, a memory manager and backdrop for the Newton OS. Backdrop Plus is anapplication that replaces the NotePad as the standard Newton OS backdrop, using less heap than the standardNotePad.Included in this archive are the following packages:Backdrop Plus.pkg This is the software package that you need to install on your Newton.Backdrop Plus.pdf This is the usersÕ manual for Backdrop Plus. You are reading it right now.Backdrop Plus.txt This is the text only version of the manual. If at all posible, use the pdf version of themanual, as it has layout and graphics that cannot be included in the text version. The pdf format is viewedusing Adobe¨ Acrobat Reader¨, which can be obtained free of charge at www.adobe.com.SAStuff.txt A list of all of the software available from Stand Alone Inc.1.2	Registering ButtonBar PlusThe Backdrop Plus Demo will work for a 30 day trial period. At the end of the 30 Days, it will stop working.To avert this tragedy, you need to get in touch with Stand Alone, Inc. to register your software. You canregister with us by several different methods.You will need to include the following information, no matter how you choose to register. Most importantly,you need to include your name EXACTLY as it is entered in your Newton, including spaces. We use this togenerate your password, so it must be precise. You need to specify which programs you wish to register,and include payment for each of them. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are usingnormal mail, you can send us a check as well. Make sure to include your card number, the expiration date,and what type of card you are using. You also need to give us a way to get in touch with you. Email is thepreferred way, followed by your address and phone number. An Email address is not strictly necessary,but it will result in much faster service.For instant gratification, register by phone, and pay using Visa or Mastercard. To do so, call (773)477-2492 and we will give you a password right over the phone.Alternatively, you can send us a check for $25 to the address below.You can also Email us one of several ways. The application has a Register section under the  button, tap onthat to open up a registration slip. If you fill out that slip, and have an Email client on your Newton, it willautomatically Email us and we will send you a registration code. You can also just Email us the relevantinformation from your Newton or a desktop machine, and weÕll send you a code. If you are registeringthrough Compuserve, use GO SWREG # 9566.Once you register, you will receive a password from us. There is an option to Enter Password under themenu. Tap on it to bring up a screen that has a space to enter the password. When the password is entered,you will receive a message confirming the entry. Backdrop Plus is now registered and ready to go.1.3	Contacting Stand Alone, Inc.There are several ways to get in touch with us here at Stand Alone.  Email is the preferred form ofcommunication, but whatever works for you is fine. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions orcompliments, please don't hesitate to contact us through any of the methods listed below.1.3.1	Business HoursStand Alone is open from 9 AM to 7 PM Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 6 PM Friday,10 AM to 4 PM Saturday and we are CLOSED on Sunday. These times are CST and GMT -5.1.3.1	Email: internet: 		info@standalone.com AOL: 			Std AloneCompuServe:		76342,30571.3.2	Phone: Voice: 			(773) 477-2492 Fax:			(773) 477-25791.3.3	Regular Mail: Stand Alone 3171 N. Hudson, Suite 1 Chicago, IL, 60657USA1.3.4	World Wide Web: http://www.standalone.com Stand Alone is open from 9 AM to 7 PM Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 6 PM Friday,and 10 AM to 4 PM Saturday.  We are Closed on Sunday. These times are CST and GMT -5.2	InstallationThe first thing that you need to do to get your software up and running is to install it on your Newton. To dothis, you need to have Newton Backup Utility, or Newton Connection Utilities, set up to talk to your Newton.If you have problems with this part of the installation, please contact  consult the documentation that camewith your Newton. Once Newton Backup Utility is set up, just follow the steps listed below to for each ofthe packages you wish to install.1. Open the Newton Backup Utility , or Newton Connection Utilities on your Desktop machine.2. On your Newton, go to the Extras Drawer  and tap the Connection icon . The connection icon could also befound on the ButtonBar.3. Once the Newton Backup Utility has loaded on your desktop machine, make sure your cables are connectedand tap the  button on your Newton.4. For each of the packages you wish to install, do the following:¥ Tap the Install Package button in the Newton Backup Utility¥ Go to the folder where your packages are, and select the desired package.¥ Click on the ÒInstallÓ button 3	Installation and Memory Management3.1	Special Installation InstructionBackdrop Plus provides a custom backdrop for your MessagePad. To use it, you must install Backdrop Pluson the internal memory of your MessagePad. It is important to save it into the internal memory, otherwise,it will not work correctly.  Once installed, a window appears asking if you want Backdrop Plus to be thebackdrop application.  Tap ÒMake BackdropÓ to close the NotePad and start Backdrop Plus as your newbackdrop application.  If you ever need to change the backdrop application or remove Backdrop Plus, youhave two options. One way to do it is to open your Extras drawer, select the Notes icon, and hold until youhear a squeak.  Then tap the action button envelope at the bottom right of the screen and select ÒMakeBackdrop.Ó  Backdrop Plus now appears in the Extras Drawer, like a normal icon. Another way to beam ordelete Backdrop Plus is through the  menu, as is detailed in sections 4.14.6 and 4.14.7.3.2	Memory ManagementA NewtonÕs heap is the equivalent of a Desktop machineÕs RAM. Heap is used by applications when they areinstalled and when they run. When an application is installed on your Newton, it consumes a small amount ofheap. When the NotePad is used as the backdrop for your Newton, it consumes heap as well. When BackdropPlus is used as the backdrop, it saves an average of 8k and up to 15k less heap then the standard NotePad,which leaves you with more memory for the rest of your NewtonÕs functions. For more information onmemory management, see section 4.3, or the Stand Alone FAQ Sheet, which is found atwww.standalone.com.4 	Features of Backdrop PlusThe Backdrop Plus screen contains a wealth of information. All of its features are outlined below.4.1	Battery LevelShows the power left in your battery.4.2	OwnerÕs InfoBackdrop Plus displays your owners info here.  The  button menuÕs Personal Info option lets you edit thisinformation. For more details, please see section 4.14.4.4.3	Heap LevelBackdrop Plus Shows unused heap here.  You should try and keep your heap above a certain level. dependingon the type of Newton you own.MP 120: 40-50k MP 130: 120-150k MP 2000: 95-115k eMate: 95-115kAs applications are run, they tend to use a certain amount of heap. You will see your available heap dropafter an application is opened, and probably a little more when it is closed. This heap is not permanentlylost, and most of it is marked as unused, but will not get added back to the main heap until you perform aGarbage Collection. Tapping any clear space on the backdrop screen will run a Garbage Collection. GarbageCollections are best performed before opening large packages, to insure that as much heap as possible isavailable. To perform a Garbage Collection, just tap on any blank space on the backdrop.4.4	Date and TimeThis runs by the Message PadÕs internal clock. Tapping it opens a standard window where both date andtime can be set.4.5	Logo ArtworkBackdrop Plus includes four graphics, or this spot can be left blank. You can set your choice of graphicsusing Prefs under the   button. To do this, please see section 4.14.3. It is also possible to include your ownartwork, or a company logo.  To customize your version, please contact Stand Alone.4.6	Volume ControlTap to adjust the sound volume.4.7	Save DestinationWhen the icon is a Newton, all items you save (like notes, dates, names, etc.) are saved to internalmemory.  Tap the icon to automatically save information onto a card. When it saves to a card slot, thegraphic is a Newton with a card showing.4.8	Quick NoteThis is a fast way to enter info to the NotePad.  A small edit window lets you type or write in info, andwhen you close it, the information is automatically converted into a standard note. Using Prefs, you can setwhat kind of note pops up when using Quick Note. If you tap and hold on this button, a list pops up where youcan set the type of note.4.9	Open NotePadTap this icon to open the NotePad. Tapping and holding the icon pops up a list of the folders in the Extrasdrawer.4.10 	Rotate ScreenTap to rotate the display between Portrait and Landscape. Tap and hold this icon to cause the system toreboot.4.11	Extras Drawer FoldersTapping on this brings up a list of the folders in your Extras Drawer. Tap one to go directly to the icons inthat folder.  Tap and hold to put the Message Pad to sleep.4.12	Apps buttonDisplays a  popup menu of all apps included in the list.  You can launch applications directly from this list. Toadd or remove apps from the list, please refer to section 3.14.5.4.3.13	Application Icons (The Dock)Tap on these icons to launch applications. To remove icons from the dock, tap and hold on an icon and adialog box will open and ask you to confirm removal. For more information on  adding  or removing icons,please see section 3.14.5.4.14	Info ButtonThe Info button  gives you access to a number of important features of the program.4.14.1	About Tells you a bit about the program and lets you know how to contact us.4.14.2	Help This includes a full on-line manual for Back Drop Plus.4.14.3	Prefs The Prefs menu has a number of choices to help you customize Backdrop Plus to yourneeds.At the top of the window, you can set the font, face, and size using the available pickers. Below the pickersare a number of preferences for Backdrop Plus. If the boxes are checked, then the option is turned on. Toturn them off, just uncheck the box.Close Extras Drawer when opening apps This tells the Newton OS to automatically shut the extras draweronce a new app is launched.Show Silk Screen Floater in Landscape You can open up a floating window of the silkscreen buttons when theNewton is set to landscape view. This only works on MP 120Õs and MP 130Õs.Show Sound Volume This will put an icon on the desk top that allows you to adjust the sound levels.Show Silk Screen toggle button Here you can place a toggle button on the desk top that opens up a floatingwidow with the silk screen buttons. This feature only works on the MP 120Õs and MP 130Õs.Show Backlight Toggle This places an icon on the screen that lets you turn the back lighting off and on.4.14.4	Personal Info Use this menu to change your personal information. Any changes you make herewill be displayed in the Owner  Info space on the back drop.4.14.5	Edit Apps This screen is used to set or change the programs that are accessed through the AppsButton, or the Dock.The Edit Apps menu gives you a list of all of the programs in the NewtonÕs memory. Next to each programare two boxes. The first list Òin listÓ sets which programs are included in Backdrop PlusÕ Apps button. Thesecond list, Òin dockÓ determines which icons are placed on the back drop. In both cases, if the box ischecked, then the program will be included. If the box is not checked, than the program will not be included.The buttons at the bottom of the screen remove all applications from either the Apps Button or clears allthe icons from the Dock. An alternate way of removing the icons from the Dock is to tap and hold on them.You will then be given the option to delete the icon.4.14.6	Beam Backdrop Plus This choice gives you a quick way to beam Backdrop Plus to anotherNewton.4.14.7	Remove Selecting this will erase Backdrop Plus from your MessagePad. Make sure that youreally want to do this, because once chosen it cannot be undone.