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Text File | 1987-03-01 | 20.3 KB | 429 lines

~ ~BU\CITYDESK DOCUMENTATION| .b\ CITYDESK.EXE ver2.0 Copyright (c) 1987 Robert S. Shaw OVERVIEW CITYDESK.EXE is a printer utility program for printing enhanced files with dot matrix printers. Certain requirements of the program must be met for the printer to operate properly. One requirement is that the printer must allow 88 lines of print per page (most do although some letter quality printers wont.) The second important requirement is that the printer will support at least 17 CPI pitch so that 136 columns across can be printed. Most printers also do this, but please check your printer manual before proceeding. CITYDESK is a shareware approach to desk top publishing in a simplified way. It allows one to prepare text files with word processors which produce clean ASCII files such as PC-WRITE (c) or with most word processors which can save a file in document form. These files may contain extra commands which will generate bold typeface such as this paragraph, underlining as with the title, and Italic type face. Combinations are also available up to and including .bui\bold underlined italic. Other commands are available for in-line emphasis, paragraph emphasis and extended ASCII graphics. The commands may be used to add pizzzaz! to your printed document at any location, by single line, by single word or phrase or by paragraph or group of lines. Most other printer enhancement utilities do not give such flexibility of control with such simple commands. ============================== Dot (.) commands are used by placing them at the beginning of any line. Each dot command must begin with a dot (.) or period on the keyboard. Each dot command must end with the backslash [\] at the left of the keyboard. For example [.bui\] will be executed for the next few lines to .bui\illustrate the use of bold underlined italic printing. By .bui\the same method using just the command [.bi\] the following .bi\line will be in just bold italic. Do not incorporate the left and right braces [used here for offset] in your commands. Dot commands function on one line only. (In the above illustration the italicized part will not show with IBM PROPRINTER because italic is not allowed.) Tilde commands may be used within a single line to create emphasis with a single word or one phrase. Tilde commands are used in a similar way to dot (.) commands. Only now you must alert CITYDESK to the fact that an in line type change is expected by placing a Tilde in the zero-th. position of the line. Then immediately before the word or phrase to be emphasized you will place another Tilde followed by the B U or I emphasis desired or any combination of them and close the command with the backslash (\) key. To mark the end of emphasis you will place the Broken vertical bar symbol| at the end of the phrase. If the emphasized phrase ends at the end of a line the broken vertical bar must still be added. In the context used here the zero-th. position means the first character of a line or at the beginning. Note: Tilde commands may only be used once in a line! And may not be used in conjunction with the dot (.) command. !B\ Bang (!) aka exclamation mark commands are also available for entering several lines or paragraphs in an emphasized mode without having to enter a dot (.) command at the beginning of each line. This particular paragraph of the document was prefaced with the !B\ command entered on the previous line. Bang commands must stand alone on a line. They only take room on the editing screen and do not cause a line feed when printing. The BANG command as well as the cntrl (^) command which closes the BANG must be the first character of the line or in the zero-th. position. The BANG command may be followed by B U or I or any combination of the three and is closed with the backslash (\). The cntrl (^) close command stands alone with no other characters following at the zero-th. position. Optionally the dot (.) command may be used while the BANG command is in effect. The tilde command may also be used in conjunction with the bang command. ^ ~ ~BU\Centering| Underline centering can be created in the normal way provided the Tilde command is located at the zero-th. position of a line. A good method to follow is to type in a line, use the word processors functions to center it and then work from the right to the left. First place the (|) at the end of emphasis. Then move left to the beginning of the desired phrase and insert a tilde command [~bui\] then moving to the zero-th. position and insert the first tilde. Example: ~this will cause ~bui\emphasis| ~this will cause ~BUI\emphasis| If underlining was on with the dot command the whole left portion of the line would also be underlined. Centering without underlining can be emphasized with the (.) dot command. ******************************** * * * Fancy Show Off Stuff * * * ******************************** With a little bit of practice!! You will be creating subtitle banners. CITYDESK NEWS LINE ___ CREATE A NEWSLETTER / \ The World's /|oo \ 1st Network for (_| /__) FOR YOUR the IBM PC _`@/_ \ _ | | \ \\ | (@) | \ )) OWN ______ |__0__| / \// / FIDO \ _// || _\ / COMMUNICATIONS (________) (_/ (_|(____/ Operating 24 HRS A DAY. BULLETIN BOARD AND BBS 7 DAYS A WEEK ~ ~U\USING CITYDESK.EXE| The first step in preparing to use CITYDESK is of course to decide what ASCII text file is to be printed. Two approaches here are available. One, create your own document by typing it into a word processor. Two, use an already available text file which you have obtained previously. In the first case it is best to just type your file without incorporating the dot or tilde commands. When you do this be sure to set your right margin at 60 so that you will not have to reformat in the next step. Also it would be a good idea to proof read your file now so that incorporation of the (.) (~) and (!) commands are all that is required in the second step. In the second step or as in the second case of a previously obtained file, you will insert the dot and tilde commands in the manner illustrated by this document (print it without using CITYDESK.) As you incorporate the commands the lines of text should push to the right and many will extend beyond the original 60 column right margin. This is fine since the commands only take up room on your editing screen and not on the printed page; they are in fact embedded escape codes for the printer. Do not fret about line length when incorporating commands. If you are using a previously generated file and its format is greater than 60 column line length, you must first reformat to 60 columns. Most word processors have this ability built right into them and it usually is just a matter of pressing a few function keys to mark the document and then squeeze left. Please consult your word processor's manual for how to perform the reformatting process. Using an Epson(tm) or compatible printer select menu item #1. If you use an IBM PRO-PRINTER(tm) you should select item #2. This selection also provides a special feature. While it removes the possibility of italic enhancement it provides continuous access to EXTENDED ASCII GRAPHICS. If you use another printer (Okidata excepted) which doesn't use Epson or IBM PROPRINTER escape codes you may select the CUSTOM MODE or menu item 3. This will allow you to create a printer definition file named CITYDESK.DEF. Once this file is in your disk directory, every time thereafter when you make this selection CITYDESK will read the definition file and you will not have to reenter the information. If you change printers and need to create a new printer definition file just delete CITYDESK.DEF from the directory. CITYDESK.EXE should be located in a subdirectory (hard disk) which is named in the default path specification or it may be called from a floppy drive by A:CITYDESK. The output of the program may be redirected by menu option to a disk file. The file which will be written in the default or current directory should be assigned a name different from the original text file to avoid overwriting the original. The usefulness of this is that the newly created file will contain all the printer escape codes and will be in the two column format of CITYDESK and can then be reprinted without going through the CITYDESK setup simply by using the C: copy myfile.txt prn command from DOS. CITYDESK.EXE will first ask you to specify what type of printer you are using. It will then request the name of the text file which you have prepared with the (. ~ ! ) commands. Next you will be asked if you want to print to the printer or to a disk file. If you specify a disk file you will have to supply a name for the file. Use a name which conforms to conventional DOS specifications (eight characters, a dot or period and a three character extension.) It will then ask if you would like to have a single banner line (centered) across the top of the first page. If yes, you will be asked to enter the text. You will be allowed 36 characters for your banner and then the option to have the text in normal or italic print style. You may select a decorative key such as * or # or the tilde (~) to make a box around the banner or press return for no box just a single line of text in double width emphasized print. If you are using the IBM PROPRINTER mode you may elect to use an EXTENDED ASCII code symbol for the decorative character. The banner will be redrawn to give a rough illustration of what it will look like on the printed page. If you have made an error or would like to 'redo' the banner simply press the 'R' key and repeat the entry. Once you accept the banner the printer will immediately execute the banner line. You will then be given the option of numbering the pages (centered at the bottom.) One final option is to print the entire file in double strike or the equivalent of !B\. The reason for this is to conserve line length usage if you want extra dark printing for the whole document (see explanation of use of columns under IBM PROPRINTER section; bold or double uses 8 col.) On the right hand side of the screen you will see cumulative report of all the choices you have made to keep track of OPTIONS. A very brief pause will follow while the program reads the beginning of the document file. After printing begins it's best to let "sleeping dogs lie." Continuous printing of all the pages will follow. This will be recorded and reported under the STATUS block at the right of the screen. When the computer has sent the last of the information to the printer, the warning message flashing in bright white will appear. This is to caution you not to commence another project until the printer buffer is empty and printing ceases. ~ ~BU\TROUBLE SHOOTING| If the message no resume in XXXX appears it most likely means the printer is not available. Compiled basic programs just die when an I/O is attempted to a device which is not online. Remedy is check and bring printer online then restart CITYDESK.EXE Another cause of this error is line length of a line greater than 60 characters long although this error is usually trapped and reported. Sometimes in editing a line an extended length which is not readily visible on the screen may be actually present as blank spaces. One method to check for this is, using your word processor, place the cursor at the end of the line using the "End" key on the key pad. If it scoots past the end and over 60 then you have added blank spaces on the end of the line. Remedy is reposition cursor at end of line and hit return. You may then have to delete a blank line or do some other minor editing. Extra blank spaces or lines too long can also result in a printout with blank space where not expected and a cross over of the last part of a line from the right column into the left column. Of course this would be a clue as to which line in the left column had the extra blank spaces tacked on to it. If CITYDESK just seems to die and go nowhere the most likely cause of this problem is that a command was not closed. The backslash (\) on a dot (.) or tilde (~) command was omitted or the final broken bar (|) was not completed. CITYDESK will almost certainly die if you attempt to direct the output through a print spooler utility. The reason for this is the program is in compiled basic. The obvious way to avoid tying up time on the printer is to use the print to disk option when setting up. The disk file will be prepared very quickly and then you may exit CITYDESK, install the print spooler (without pagination) and print the enhanced file. DOT COMMAND SUMMARY .B\ produces the line which follows with bold type. .U\ produces the line which follows with underlining. .I\ produces the line which follows with Italic type. The commands may be concatenated up to all three provided the command begins with a dot (.) and ends with a backslash "\". Example: .BIU\ Both upper and lower case are honored so the .ubi\ will create the same result. TILDE COMMAND SUMMARY Begin each line with a Tilde (~) Immediately before a word or phrase enter another tilde Followed by the choice of B U or I or all three. Close the tilde command with a Backslash (\). Mark the end of emphasis with a Broken Bar (|). Example: ~The quick ~bu\brown fox| jumped over the fence. Will produce: ~ The quick ~BU\brown fox| jumped over the fence. Note: Tilde commands may not be used in conjunction with dot commands, but may be used while the BANG (!) command is operating. BANG COMMAND SUMMARY The BANG (!) command is a general usage command which allows for turning on of any or all of the BOLD, UNDERLINE OR ITALIC attributes. Both dot commands and tilde commands may be entered while the BANG is operating. The Bang is started with the (!) entered as the first character on a line and followed by any or all of the B U I characters and closed with the backslash (\). The BANG is ended by entering the cntrl (^) character on a single line alone. If you wish extra dark printing of your document then you could turn on the BANG (!) with !B\on the first line and close it with the cntrl(^) on the last line. However, this method would be very costly in line length usage. An option is provided to make the whole document DARK. Choose this method from the options offered just following numbering of pages. !B\ EXTENDED ASCII GRAPHICS This section was saved for the end because it has some important implications. With Epson compatible printers it is possible to download the extended ASCII graphics (176-223) and use them as printable characters allowing for interesting BLOCK graphic picture presentation. However, you have to give a little to get a little. If you turn on extended ASCII graphics you must give up the use of ITALIC emphasis while in the graphic mode. (I don't think this is a very big deal because the italic print isn't all that great.) The italic printable codes occupy concurrent RAM in the printer with the extended graphics. Thus if italic emphasis is called with the dot(.) tilde (~) or BANG (!) commands some graphic characters may print instead of the normal italicized letter. Please consult a table of ASCII character symbols (usually in an appendix of a BASIC manual) to assist in preparation of block graphics. These may be entered in most word processors by holding down the Alt key and press in the three digit code and then releasing the Alt key. With Epson compatible printers you can switch the graphics mode off and return to use of ITALIC by entering a $ by itself as the first and only character on a line. As in all single character command entries it only takes up editing space and does not cause a line feed. (This actually cause a reset of the printer on the fly.) This feature is not implemented in this release of CITYDESK but may be ordered by contacting the author. ^ ~ ~BU\IBM PROPRINTER| Just as the Epson EXTENDED GRAPHIC mode forces us to give up Italic printing, the IBM PROPRINTER mode forces us to give up italic printing. With this mode extended ASCII graphics are always available, but no italics. Owners of wide carriage printers may also order a version of CITYDESK which allows for two columns of 80 characters each per page. On this subject the limitation of 2 60 char. columns should be explained. 80 column printers in condensed mode will only allow 136 characters per line whether the string ($) being printed contains escape codes or not. Thus escape codes are not really transparent to the printer but add in and count in legal string length. With this in mind and the need to allow some leeway for text enhancement, we have allowed 2X60 columns =120 characters plus 2 columns spacing for clarity = 122 columns. The minimum for 1 column with bold, underline & italic requires 14 characters to satisfy the enhancement. Hence 122 + 14 = 136 and we have used up all the string space the printer will allow. ~ ~BU\FILES WITH FORM FEED INCLUDED| FORM FEED or CHR$(12) if located alone in the zero-th. position of a line will be ignored by CITYDESK, tracking its own pagination. This is the location most authors use to force a new page on the printer. However, some times the CHR$(12) may occur at the end or middle of a line. This will definitely confuse CITYDESK and cause trouble. Please scan the document for this symbol and the best procedure would be to remove it with a search and replace function in your word processor. !B\ Robert S. Shaw 3696 Marquis Lane Huntingdon Valley, Pa. 19006 You are hereby granted a limited license to use this program for a trial period. If you continue to use the program more than five (5) times, you are requested to send the author $25. In return for your monetary support the author will send you the CITYEDITOR'S DESK a nifty utility for fast editing and incorporating of the dot tilde and all enhancement commands. The function keys are used to enter your selection. Copyright 1986 1987 RSHAW I would like to acknowlege the help of the following: The Amazing and Wonderful BASWIND2 material by Dave Evers which added such beauty and simplicity to my efforts. My good friend Ron Craig who has suffered through too many phone calls requesting a quick print-out. A most welcome new friend Stew Lindenberger of Bell Labs who was the prime inspiration to get this baby rolling and who helped greatly with the IBM PROPRINTER section. And Tom Lynch who out of the blue called and proved that it will work just fine on Tandy computers. But we all knew that anyway. Thanks guys you have all been great help and inspiration!!!!