Work Master OS GB

Work Master OS
Work Master OS
General
Author	A.D.Inform
Type	Utilities
Version	3.0
License	Mixed
System	CGB
Last Updated	2005/09/07
Links
	Download
	Website

The Work Master OS originated in 1998 with the idea of creating a text-reading program for the original Game Boy. By 1999, it evolved into a full OS. In the same year, A.D.Inform introduced the first 4 Mbit FLASH cartridges for Game Boy, however, due to unforeseen circumstances, the project was temporarily paused for a year.

In early 2001, Work Master 1.00 was released, designed for 4 Mbit cartridges, featured a single virtual disk "C" containing all the FLASH memory. This version included main applications like PC communication, text and graphics viewers, a music player, and an alarm. The project also established a dedicated website.

Work Master 2.00, released six months later, introduced advanced features such as creating multiple virtual disks with up to 128 MB FLASH memory, a virtual disk "A" with all cartridge RAM, a flexible driver system for various FLASH memory models, and a clipboard. A handy subprogram for editing was also introduced.

With the arrival of the GameBoy Color, local interest in the system grew. By September 2002, Work Master 3.0 was introduced. This version offered extensive UI customization, a versatile driver system, and new features like executing batch BAT files and AUTOEXEC.BAT at system boot.

User guide

Download contains the following:

Work Master 3.20 - WorkMaster OS for GB/GBC in *.GB format.
WMBIOS 3.00 and 2.2 - WMBIOS in *.GB format.
Link Commander 3.20 + Work Master 3.20 - Link Commander and WorkMaster OS for GB/GBC (265KB).
Work Master.avi - Video demonstrating the capabilities of the system (9MB).

Desktop

"File" icon:

Press A to select/deselect the corresponding file.
Press B to start the program if it's an executable (*.MAK) or corresponds to an application-processed file (e.g.,*.TXT - Text Viewer, *.PIC - Image Viewer). Program REGISTER.COM links files to application programs. Non-executable icons or icons without assigned programs have no action.
Press Select to display a quick menu with items: Copying Selected File(s), Removing Selected File(s), Renaming File, and File Properties.

"Subdirectory" icons:

Press B to enter the subdirectory.
Press Select to pen a quick menu offering options: Delete Directory and Rename Directory. Navigation within the menu uses Up and Down keys, B for selecting operations, and A for canceling.

"Time indicator" icon:

Press B to initiate setting the system time and accessing the monthly calendar.

Moving the cursor beyond the right screen border displays a "hot" menu with options:

Quick Start of MAK-FILE (choose from a list).
Start Memory Image (ROM) of GB(GBC) format (choose from a list).
Maximize Previously Minimized Program (choose from a list).
Search for Programs in Memory.
System Settings.
Shutting Down.

Press the Select button on a free area of the desktop to shows a quick menu with options:

Exit from Subdirectory.
Change Current "Disk".
Create Directory.
Directly Enter Path Line.
Start Program-Applications (perhaps with documents).
File(s) Insertion.

Note: File insertion is feasible only after prior copying of files and no prior operations like directory removal, file removal, or disk initialization.

Main Menu

Pressing the Start or B button on the "Start" icon opens the Work Master main menu. The menu consists of the following items and subitems:

Programs:
- a) Saved (minimized) programs - [A:]
- b) Executable files of WM (_.MAK) - [C:\WMASTER]
- c) Executable files of WM (_.COM) - [C:\WMASTER]
- d) Executable files of GameBoy (*.GB) - [all memory]
Settings:
- a) Drivers:.
  - KB: Keyboard (external keyboard).
  - FL: FLASH memory.
  - MG: Multigame.
  - IR: Infrared port.
  - PR: Printer.
  - MD: Modem.
  - ZZ: Additional device (reserved).
- b) System settings.
  - Separate SRAM active area (8 KB) from virtual disk.
  - Automatic distribution of SRAM between *.GB format programs.
  - Execution of AUTOEXEC.BAT A: on WM startup.
- c) Input speed.
  - Keyboard.
  - Cursor.
- d) Interface.
  - Window movement speed.
  - "Hot" menu.
  - Swap functions of "A" and "B".
- e) Grayscale for GBO/GBP.
- f) Interface colors for GBC/GBA.
- g) Sound settings.
- h) Language support.
  - Note: applicable to WM3 applications; use *.LNG files for other languages in WM3.
- i) Password settings.
- j) Save settings.
RAM management a) Load RAM image from "disk" b) Save RAM image to "disk".
Battery resource indication.
System information.
Help.
Search for applications [all memory].
Shutdown with saving current time (useful when changing batteries)

Multitasking

WM3 supports a simultaneous functioning of 2 programs. Under this one of the programs functions in the background mode. Name of program working in main mode is displayed in the status-line on the left, working in the background mode on the right.

WM components

All WM3 modules are in C:\WMASTER\ directory.

WMASTER.SYS - System kernel*.
WMASTER.SET - Loadable module, answering for WM configuration.
WMASTER.CFG - WM settings (can be on virtual disk [A:]).
LOGO.SYS - System splash screen (can be deleted).
WMSYMB.BIN - WM graphic symbols.
STATUS.BIN - WM graphic symbols (additional for windows).
*.LNG- Language support file*.
*.FNT- 4x8 ¨ 8x8 pixel fonts*.
HELP.TXT - Text file with short instruction.
PROGRAMM.INI - Register of application programs (can be on virtual disk [A:]).

Note: components noted * are loaded not depending on file name, but with the physical layout in memory. These files can be renamed. For their rewriting it is necessary to use blocking FAT mode (please refer to the instruction to Link Commander).