** 2 page AtariPhile / 1703 words **

Multitasking...

Martyn Tidd single-mindedly compares Geneva and MagiC...
** MT_T.GIF here **
Multitasking adds an extra level of functionality and flexibility to TOS compatible computers. Multitasking offers the ability to perform tasks in the background while you get on with something else and the ability to switch between applications without having to quit - which usually means losing your place. Background tasks sounds glamorous but task switching is much more useful on a day to day basis.

What's available?
The words "Atari" and "spoilt for choice" are not often found in the same sentence but for once it's true. There are three different systems to choose from:
** bulleted list **
* MultiTOS: The official Atari system. It's no longer supported, slow, memory hungry, and buggy - but still has its fans!
* Geneva: Programmed by American software house Gribnif and written by Dan Wilga of Neodesk fame.
* MagiC: Programmed by German software house 2B, the people who brought you NVDI.
** end list **

This article compares and contrasts MagiC and Geneva leaving MultiTOS on the sideline for another article.
Although you would expect running several programs at the same time to slow the system this isn't the case, in fact both alternatives actually offer a net speed gain - unless you run lots of programs.
If your system has less than 2Mb of memory there's probably not much point multitasking and a hard drive is a practical requirement - although you can struggle along on floppies.

Preemptive or cooperative?
These are the two different multitasking variants. On paper preemptive multitasking looks the best bet because it's designed to prevent any single process from blocking the system and intelligently allocate time to applications. In practise there's not much to choose between them and both are widely used.
Windows 95 on the PC, MultiTOS and MagiC on the Atari platform use preemptive multitasking whereas earlier Windows versions, System 7 on the Mac and Geneva on the Atari use cooperative multitasking. They all work well.

Geneva
** GENEVA5D.GIF here **
Installation is performed using a custom install utility. A comprehensive ring-bound manual running to 167 pages provides valuable reference material.
Geneva replaces part of GEM (the AES) with an optimised multitasking version. Unfortunately the built-in GEM desktop is not multitasking compatible so it cannot be used. Geneva doesn't include a desktop and although perfectly usable without one I'd recommend buying a copy of Neodesk 4, because it's programmed by the same author and designed to integrate seamlessly with Geneva.
Programs can be launched from an installed desktop, the Geneva File menu or the Task Manager accessory, whichever is most convenient. The Task Manager doubles up as a comprehensive configuration utility to customise:
** bulleted list:
* Keyboard shortcuts
* Look and feel of windows, menus and dialog boxes
* Fonts (SpeedoGDOS is supported)
* Pull or drop-down menus
* Program flags
* Many other features!
** end list **
All running applications are listed under the Desk menu just above the accessories and in the Task Manager window. Tasks can be switched by clicking on the menu entry, from the Task Manager, by clicking on one of their open windows or by cycling through the applications using the [Alternate]+[Tab] keys - the same combination used in Windows.
** GENAPP_M.GIF here - use this grab **
** Caption **
Menus in any programs can be "torn off" and displayed in its own window - the Desk Applications menu is the obvious candidate for this treatment.
** end **
If the mouse pointer disappears left click anywhere in the menu bar (yes, you do have to guess) and it magically reappears - MagiC offers no equivalent.
Any running process, including Geneva itself, can be "put to sleep", which means it takes up no processor time, and re-activated with a single click on its now italicised menu entry.

MagiC
** MAGIC5_D.GIF here **
Installation is performed using a custom install utility and includes a 48 page A5 format manual which will get you up and running but is short on detail.
Unlike Geneva, which replaces just the AES part of GEM, MagiC is a complete operating system which requires a double-boot to install itself into memory.
MagiC includes its own compact alternative to the built-in desktop, called MagXDesk, which outperforms the TOS desktop. If you need a more fully featured desktop you can installed a replacement desktop - in the UK MagiC Mac/PC comes bundled with Ease. The shareware desktop Thing is also popular and Neodesk 4 also works - although it appears a little sluggish and not totally at home in the MagiC environment.
Task switching is performed by clicking on a blank part of the menu bar to the right of the menu titles which displays a hidden popup menu showing the total free memory available along with options to switch tasks, un/hide running processes and launch programs. A redraw option can tidy up screen corruption but there's no way to recover a lost mouse pointer. MagiC initially boots in ST high resolution (ST-medium is not supported) then reads MAGX.INF, a configuration file, which sets all the user-definable options.
The first Falcon compatible MagiC release took ages to appear and doesn't take advantage of any of the Falcon's extra features - I get the impression the developers efforts are concentrated elsewhere.
Configuration requires manually editing MAGX.INF which is hardly user friendly but at least the manual offers some guidance - although there's nowhere near enough detail.
MagiC is modular and only loads utilities when they are needed. You can even replace the ones supplied with alternatives if you prefer. For example, Kobold can be set to seamlessly take over disk operations.
Since MagiC 5 Windows 95 VFAT long filenames up to 64 mixed case characters including spaces are supported which is useful for anyone taking work home from the office and internet users - where long filenames are increasingly commonplace.

Evenly matched?
A Geneva installation without a desktop or NVDI only occupies 449Kb compared with 1961Kb for a MagiC installation so if memory is at a premium Geneva may be the answer.
However, adding NVDI and Neodesk to Geneva brings the total memory requirement up to 2248Kb compared with 2329Kb for MagiC/NVDI.
With NVDI installed on both systems they both turn in almost identical overall GemBench results! MagiC is faster on most graphics functions compared with generally faster processor efficiency in Geneva.

Both systems perform their primary task of multitasking well although MagiC is probably the slicker package. For example, if you start a file linked to an application already running, Geneva will launch another copy of that application. MagiC attempts to send a message to that application to load the second file.
Under Geneva viewing six files simultaneously results in six copies of 1stGuide running whereas MagiC only opens a single copy - much more memory efficient.

Geneva places no restriction, other than memory, on the number of applications which can run concurrently but there's an upper limit of 256 windows. MagiC 5 supports up to 128 applications, including desktop accessories - up from 20 in previous versions) with a maximum of 128 windows. Older programs may have their own internal limitations but this doesn't affect the system globally.
Geneva can install more than six desktop accessories which ironically is built into a system where the need for desk accessories is diminished because of the multitasking environment. If you need a desktop accessory simply load it, use it, then lose it - or for some features switch to the desktop and use that instead.

The MagiC manual informs us desk accessories run contrary to the philosophy of multitasking yet includes several utility CPX modules which need the XControl desktop accessory or alternatives to use! Accessories have also been an integral part of the evolution of the Atari platform and some programs, such as 3D-CAD, That's Write and so on require desktop accessories to make the most of them. Accessories can be loaded and removed on the fly using both systems.

Window management
It can be slightly disconcerting at first to find windows from several different programs on screen at the same time and although you soon get used to it both MagiC and Geneva offer ways of managing on-screen clutter. MagiC's Hide function moves windows off-screen - outside the viewable area, which confuses a few programs (Edith and Kivi spring to mind). Most of the time it works which means the programs continue to run happily out of sight. Geneva's Sleep option is similar and both packages support iconification which also helps to reduce clutter.

Summary
If you're tight on memory or need MultiTOS compatibility Geneva is the route to take. Unfortunately Geneva enjoys very little support from programmers.
MagiC is an all in one solution written by German programmers and as a consequence is well supported by other German authors. If you own an ST equipped with any TOS version below 2.06 you effectively get a free OS upgrade! There is even a growing collection of delightful utilities such as the Windows 95-alike Appline, Start-Me-Up and the frivolous but wonderful Stewart.
For Falcon owners the choice isn't clear-cut. MagiC 4 was the first version to be Falcon compatible and it seems to me MagiC 5 has fixed one lot of bugs but new ones have appeared to take their place! If, like me, you like to install sound effects and animated cursors you'll run into trouble sooner or later and I would judge Geneva to be the more stable of the two systems on my Falcon.

So which one do I use? In truth I still haven't made up my mind and both systems reside on my hard drive ready to be selected from Stoop at boot time. Currently my choice is MagiC, but a couple of weeks ago it was Geneva and by the time you read this it could be Geneva again. Whichever one I use, I miss some features of the other. I had hoped the version 5s of each program would help me reach a decision but frankly it's just made things worse - bring on version 6!

** Images, sprinkle around **
** MT_DSK.GIF **
** MT_MEM.GIF **
** MT_SPD.GIF **

** BC font on **
Geneva release 5
UK distribution: Titan Designs on (0)121 693 6669
Email: 100345.2350@CompuServe.COM
Cost: £59.95 or £79.95 with NeoDesk

MagiC 5
UK distribution: System Solutions on (0)1753 832212
Email: ssolutions@cix.co.uk
Cost: 69.95 + P&P
** bc font off **