Must have software downloads for an expanded amiga?

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I've kind of made Workbench customization into an art so could give you a looong list, but here's just a few:
 
For appearance: Visual Prefs, Rebel palette, latest version of Peter K's icon.library
 
For performance: latest version of TLSFmem, Env-Handler, Thor MMU libraries, latest workbench.library
 
Individual patches make small differences, but those made the biggest difference on mine.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Hey Mike, I was wondering if you might explain a little on exactly what each software used for performance does for your system, what OS you use the software for and where to download each one. I found the TLSFmem no problem and I think the Thor MMU libraries on AmiNet but not sure if they are the latest versions. Couldn't find what may be the latest version of workbench.library or Env-Handler. What exactly do you notice that improves system performance from TLSFmem? What does the MMU libraries do and would it interfere if using ACATune with one of Jens' accelerators? Also, what does a newer workbench.library and Env-Handler do? I always worry about installing things like this due to dependencies and backing them out if something goes wrong. I did unpack and run from a command line the TLSFmem and got no error so I assume it ran ok resident... what should I expect to happen?

 
Aah, that's a lot of questions! The TLSFmem prevents memory fragmentation. It does a great job of it, by putting it very early in your S-S it allocates as much of your memory as possible and manages it all in one big chunk. That chunk takes a higher priority than any memory it wasn't able to allocate, so it will be used first. You can check all this with SysInfo. The latest version AFAIK is 1.9. I downloaded an earlier version (1.6, if I recall) and then installed the 1.9 update with spatch from the author's website. In other words, it was a pain! Send me your email address and I'll send you a copy.
 
So it doesn't really "speed up" your system, but in terms of performance it manages your memory soooo much better than the native system functions.
 
The Thor MMU libraries are on Aminet. They offload a lot of system functions to the MMU for more efficient operation. Normally the MMU in an Amiga isn't used for much. This changes that. I installed these libraries and a few of the other utilities in the package, and noticed a definite speed-up in many system functions. Obviously these only work if you have a system with an MMU, preferably an 040 or better. I don't think they will work with any of Jens' accelerators (do they have an MMU?).
 
Workbench.library is part of Peter K's icon.library package. To install it you have to use spatch on a copy of a Kickstart ROM (to extract the original workbench.library), which is then patched, and the new file is then soft-kicked during the boot process. With 3.1 you have to use LoadModule, 3.9 will load it automatically. It adds a bunch of new Workbench menu items and general performance improvements (since the workbench.library in our ROM's is at best 20 years old, LOL).
 
Env-Handler is here: http://aminet.net/package/util/sys/envhandler
It eliminates the need to load the entire contents of your Envarc: directory into Env: at each bootup, only loading things as they're needed. Saves memory, gives faster boot time. Win-win.
 
Always make a backup of your Startup-Sequence and User-Startup before making any changes, but otherwise these programs are safe.
 
Does that answer everything? 'cause I need to get out of here! Need to get some sleep... or some coffee, LOL. :pint:


PS - did you see my response in the other thread about the AD516?  It rocks!  

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

As far as workbench.library goes you mean it's part of the kickstart rom chip itself and needs a software patch to replace at startup? Is a new workbench.library something that peeps burn onto custom rom chips?

Yes, that is correct.  I don't have the right hardware to begin burning my own ROM's, am perfectly happy with the extra few seconds it adds to the boot time to soft-kick these libraries.  AFAIR the A4000T was the only model that didn't have workbench.library in ROM, that's because it was moved to disk to make room for both the SCSI and IDE devices.

The version of TLSFmem I download I believe is 1.4

The latest is 1.9.  If you PM me your email address I can send you a copy.  I had the devil of a time getting it since I had to download the SAS/C compiler stuff and basically create it myself.  Alternatively you can get 1.6 here:  http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=54630

I don't know why they don't just put all this stuff on Aminet.  :idea:

Just noticed... you said "PS - did you see my response in the other thread about the AD516?  It rocks!"
I don't think I did...  link?

Here you go, last two comments in this thread:

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=66480&page=2

I even made a video, I was kind of excited, LOL.  

@ChaosLord - your comment rocks, LOL.  

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Where can I get the Peterk icons and how do I install them?

It's a library, it's on Aminet. It receives frequent updates.  With 3.9 you just drop it into Libs:,  with 3.1 you have to use LoadModule.  Read the description, it greatly enhances icon drawing, load speed, and appearance.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Found the download thanks

Excellent!  For anyone who comes along in the future, here's a link:

http://aminet.net/package/util/libs/IconLib_46.4
 
This is a must-have for any Amiga system, IMHO.  :hammer:

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

To install icon.library, if you have Workbench 3.5 or 3.9 you just drop it in LIBS: (named icon.library) and the OS will load it automatically.  If you have 3.1 you need to use the LoadModule command.

If it helps I can take a screenshot of the S-S on my 3.1 system to show how I'm loading it there.

As @stefcep2 said, it doesn't change the look of the icons but provides faster routines for drawing them and less memory usage.  This is especially noticible when using high color screens or more advanced icon sets (i.e., you'll notice it more with GlowIcons than you would with standard 3.1 icons).  Complete list of what it changes is in it's ReadMe.

To install TLSFmem you drop the command in C: and put it in your Startup-Sequence, as high up near the top as possible.  No arguments needed, just C:TLSFmem.  On my 3.9 system I run it right after the soft-kicked ROM updates are loaded.  You can tell that it's running via the Memory tab in SysInfo.

Hope this helps!  

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

@Oldsmobile_Mike
 
Hey Mike, I have 3.9 and did everything as suggested and after reboot i got the Amiga dos screen so something's off with that TLSFmem, at least for me it does not work? So I booted with a workbench floppy and replaced the existing startup-sequence with a backup one and now it's back to previous/working setup.. thank G for having a backup in TEMP folder.

You should always make a backup of your Startup-Sequence before making any changes.  You can use a utility like Directory Opus or DirWork to do this, or do it through the shell.  I would typically just do something like "copy S:Startup-Sequence to S:Startup-Sequence.bak", that way if things get all screwy you've got a copy right there to restore from.
 
Not sure why people are still having problems with TLSFmem, but I figured I'd wind up having to make a screenshot, so here's a copy of my Startup-Sequence from another thread, with notes.
 
Remember - it should go at the very beginning, after any lines that trigger a reboot.  That means if you're running 3.9 the best place to stick it is right after the ROM updates are soft-kicked.  No arguments are needed, just stick TLSFmem into your C: directory and run it as "C:TLSFmem" (without the quotes).

If you want to check what version of it you have, just drop down to a shell prompt, CD into the C: directory, and type "version tlsfmem".  You should have 1.4, 1.6, or 1.9, depending on where you got it.

TLSFmem isn't a magic bullet that will make everything faster, it's just a patch to prevent memory fragmentation.  I'd link to a copy of the technical details but the author's website appears to have gone down sometime in the past couple days.  Here is a link to it's original announcement here on this site:

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=47129

Last, you should get rid of any other patches that also change how memory is managed before running TLSFmem since they might cause conflicts.
 
Thanks Chris Hodges for this great program!
 
Screenshot below: