SPACE 2/SPACE - Library 2 - Volume 1.iso/apps/610/datalope/datalope.asc

Text File | 1992-07-03 | 19KB | 435 lines

                              Data-Lope [v1.1]
                               Copyright 1992
                             by David M. Seberg


     Well, I've gone ahead and jumped on the ole "envelope printing program
for the DeskJet" bandwagon, there sure seems to be quite a few out there.
Hopefully you'll find that Data-Lope offers you capabilities that are
nowhere to be found on the other envelope printing programs.

     INSTALLATION

     The following files should be included together.

          DATALOPE.ASC ------ This documentation file
          DATALOPE.HLP ------ The help file [Use is optional]
          DATALOPE.PRG ------ The program itself
          DATALOPE.DLP ------ Sample address file

     Data-Lope can be placed anywhere your heart desires, floppy disk or
hard drive, root directory or nested deep within a sub-directory.  However,
if you wish to use the online help you MUST place the file DATALOPE.HLP in
the SAME directory as DATALOPE.PRG.

     Your address file may be automatically loaded by Data-Lope by naming
the file DATALOPE.DLP and placing it in the SAME directory as DATALOPE.PRG.

     Data-Lope is a resolution independant program and should run in all
Atari resolutions capable of displaying at least 80 characters by 25 lines
of text.  Data-Lope has been tested in ST Med, ST High, TT Med and TT High.
Data-Lope has NOT been tested on large screen systems or systems using the
overscan modification, but SHOULD work on these as well.


     FEATURES

     Data-Lope blends a database program with an envelope printing program
that allows you to quickly and easily address your envelopes in a wide
variety of styles.

     Data-Lope uses the internal attributes of your DeskJet, DeskJet Plus or
DeskJet 500 enabling you to define EVERY line of your return and mailing
addresses individually.  For instance you determine the font, the pitch, the
point size, the type style, the stroke weight, print quality etc...

     The database portion of Data-Lope includes the same input capabilities
of most GEM applications which includes Edit, Add, Add Next, Replace, Clear,
Load, Save etc...

     Data-Lope includes extensive online help screens, so extensive that if
you wish you can use them instead of this documentation file if you so
choose.  This documentation file may contain a bit more elaboration but the
help screens will most certainly be adequate.  Use of the help screens is
optional however, and users who are short on memory or users who are
familiar with Data-Lope may choose not to use them.  If you desire NOT to
use the help screens simply remove the file DATALOPE.HLP from the directory
where the file DATALOPE.PRG is located.

     Those users who are fortunate enough to be using CardFile™ will be
happy to learn that Data-Lope will import CardFile 3.0x .DAT files.  This
removes the need to retype all your addresses, unless you want to of course.


     CONVENTIONS

     ** The left mouse button is used in situations.

     ** When a ^ appears before a letter this informs you that you need to
        press the Control key and then press the displayed letter.

     ** ALL options can be selected via the mouse or via the keyboard.

     ** On screens that contain options that are highlited you can select
        them by placing the mouse pointer and moving up or down through the
        choices until the one you want is highlited and then pressing the
        left mouse button. Alternately you can use the cursor up or the
        cursor down key to scroll through the choices until the one you
        desire is highlited and the press the Return key.


     LET'S GET STARTED

     Before you print an envelope you are responsible for two things.  Make
sure the printer is turned on and that an envelope is loaded into the "paper
out" tray as described in the DeskJet's manual.  That's It!  Data-Lope will
take care of the rest, you NEVER have to touch the "printer keypad" or
"revive" your printer.

     The following section will describe how to use each of the commands
that Data-Lope has to offer.


     MAIN SCREEN

     Data-Lope's main screen is divided into three basic areas.  The top
part is the address display area, at the center is the search input area and
the bottom area contains the options box.

     The display area consists of the "Current Field" line which displays
which field will be used if you wish to search through your address file.
To change fields, use the cursor left/right keys or left click inside either
of the boxes to scroll through the nine possible fields.

    The line "Address x of x" shows which address is being displayed out of
the total amount of addresses in the file.  To view a new address, press the
cursor up/down keys or left click inside either of the boxes to scroll
through the addresses currently in memory.  The address display area will
show an address in the following format:

         First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name
         Title/Spouse
         Company Name
         Street Address
         City, State, Zip+4

     The center box contains the search input area.  Enter any word or
phrase (String) that you wish to locate and then press the Return key.
Data-Lope will try to locate the String "IN THE CURRENTLY SELECTED FIELD"
and if successful will display the first address to match the search
criteria.  If unsuccessful a bell sound will be heard. To repeat the search
simply press the Return key again.  You may use the Delete and Backspace
keys to edit your String.  The Escape key will erase the currently displayed
search String.

     The Delete, Print, Ret Addr and Save commands will not function until a
file has been loaded or at least one file has been entered via the Edit
Screen.


     ABOUT

     Selecting the "About" option will display a dialog box stating the
Data-Lope is Free-Ware, NOT Public Domain.  You may NOT alter Data-Lope or
any of the accompanying files in any manner whatsoever.

     It also lists the addresses where I can be reached if you have any
questions, comments or requests for future features.  Please contact me if
you do have any suggestions as there will most assuredly be an update of
Data-Lope in the future, if there is any demand for it.


     ACCESSORIES

     Selecting the "Accessories" option will present you with an alternate
screen containing a Menu Bar that will give you access to your accessories.
Use your accessories just as you would from the standard desktop.  It is
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you exit all of your accessories before returning
to Data-Lope's main screen.


     DELETE

     If there is at least one address in memory then selecting "Delete" will
remove the currently displayed address from memory.  An alert box will be
displayed giving you the opportunity to exit without deleting the file if
you wish to do so.


     EDIT

     Selecting "Edit" will change the main screen into the edit screen, with
it's own display area and options box allowing you to add a new address or
edit an existing address.

     The Current Field line at the top of the dialog box will display which
field you are currently editing.  You can use the cursor up/down or Return
keys to scroll through the nine editable fields.

     The "Add" option allows you to insert an address into your existing
database of addresses.  There must be something entered in either the
Company Name field or the Last Name field or Data-Lope will not accept the
address.  These are the key fields that Data-Lope uses to sort the
addresses.  After you have entered your address information and selected the
"Add" option, Data-Lope will insert the address and return you to the main
screen.

     The "Add Next" option is exactly the same as the "Add" option except
that instead of returning you to the main screen it will stay at the edit
screen allowing you to edit another address.

     The "Clear" option will clear all the fields on the edit screen.  This
option does NOT clear the address from memory, it merely erases the field on
display on the edit screen.

     The "Replace" option allows you to make a change to an existing
address.  Edit your address, select "Replace" and you will then be returned
to the main screen with your updated address on display.

     Selecting "Insert" will toggle you between the "Insert" and "Overwrite"
modes.  The "Insert" mode will insert any new characters that you enter in
between any existing characters.  The "Overwrite" mode will simply write
over any existing characters.

     Select the "Quit" option to return to the main screen.


     HELP

     Data-Lope offers extensive help screens that will help you with all
aspects concerning the usage of Data-Lope.  As mentioned earlier, the help
screens are optional, if you don't need or want them, simply remove the file
DATALOPE.HLP from the directory where the file DATALOPE.PRG resides.

     Selecting "Help" will present you with a dialog box listing all of
Data-Lope's options.  Highlite and select the help topic you wish to view
using the method described earlier in this documentation under the heading
of "Conventions".

     After selecting your help topic of choice you will be sent to the help
viewing screen which contains four options.

     The "Forward" and "Reverse" options will display the next available
help screen in the selected direction.

     The "Help" option will redisplay the dialog box that allows you to
choose a different help topic.

     Select the "Quit" option to return to the main screen.


     IMPORT

     The "Import" option allows you to retrieve any addresses that you may
have already entered into CardFile™.

     By selecting the "Import" option you will be presented with the
standard file selector box.  Locate and select the CARDFILE.DAT™ file that
you wish to import.  Data-Lope will now try to verify that the selected file
is indeed a CardFile™ file.  Data-Lope contains error checking code that
will try to avoid loading an incorrect file format, but care should be taken
to insure that you have indeed selected the proper file.

     After Data-Lope has finished importing the file you will be returned to
the main screen where your addresses will now be displayed.


     LOAD

     The "Load" option will allow you to retrieve a previously saved *.DLP
address file.

     Selecting "Load" will display the standard file selector box.  Locate
and select the *.DLP file that you wish to use.  Data-Lope will now try to
verify that the selected file is indeed a Data-Lope address file.  Data-Lope
contains error checking code that will try to avoid loading an incorrect
file format, but care should be taken to insure that you have selected the
proper file.

     After Data-Lope has finished loading the file you will be returned to
the main screen where your addresses will now be displayed.

     I've set an arbitrary maximum of 500 addresses per Data-Lope file
which seemed like alot to me as I was writing the program.  If there is
anyone who needs a higher limit please contact me, it would be a snap to
increase the limit.


     NEW

     The "New" option will erase the currently loaded address file from
memory.

     Care should be taken to insure that if you have made any changes to
your address file, you have saved your work prior to executing this
command.

     An Alert box will be displayed giving you the option to exit without
deleting your address file if you so choose.


     PRINT

     The "Print" option allows you to define the appearance of the return
and mailing addresses and then print them to an envelope.

     Before selecting the "Print" option make certain the address that you
want to print is currently being displayed on the main screen.
Additionally, if you wish to print a return address on the envelope make
certain that you have previously selected one via the "Return Address"
option.

     Data-Lope uses the built in capabilities of the DeskJet to offer a wide
variety of printing possibilities.  Owners of the DeskJet 500 will have full
access to all of the features that Data-Lope has to offer.  Even though the
features will still be selectable, owners of the original DeskJet and the
DeskJet Plus will not be able to print any of the features that are not
built into their respective printers.

     Selecting the "Print" option will display a dialog box containing
several other options.

     The Line Attribute's box contains several abbreviated features along
the top of it's display, they are as follows:

          FNT = Font          PIT = Pitch
          P/S = Point Size    S/W = Stroke Weight
          T/S = Type Style    QLT = Quality of Print

     Along the right side of the Line Attribute's box is the option CHANGE.
Select any of the Line #x options as described earlier in this
documentation.  Upon selecting a Line #x option you will be presented with a
series of six small dialog boxes located in the lower right portion of the
print screen.

     The first box lets you choose which font you wish to use, your choices
are Courier, Letter Gothic and CG Times.

     The second box lets you choose the Pitch.  Either 10 or 20 if you
selected the font Courier or 12 or 24 if you selected Letter Gothic.  If you
selected CG Times, than proportional will be automatically selected for you.
Pitch is defined by how many characters per inch will be printed.  For
instance if you selected 24 than you would get 24 characters printed in a
one inch area on your envelope.

     The third box lets you choose the point size.  You may select either 6
which is half height or 12 which is full height.

     The fourth box lets you choose the type style, either normal or
italics.

     The fifth box lets you choose the stroke weight, either normal or bold.

     The sixth and final box lets you choose the quality of print, either
draft quality or letter quality.

     At the bottom of the Line Attribute's box are the options "Mailing" and
"Return".  To choose these options press either the "M" or the "R" key or
left click inside the small box located to the left of the respective
options.  When "Mailing" is selected then the changes made through the Line
#x option will effect the five lines of the mailing address.  When "Return"
is selected then the changes made through the Line #x option will effect the
five lines of the return address.

     The box in the lower left portion of the print screen contains four
options.  Selecting "Mailing" or "Return" will display a box located in the
lower right portion of the screen that will allow you to select the format
of how either the return or mailing address will be printed.  The five
available options are as follows:


         Personal 3                              Business 3

Line #1  First Name, MI, Last Name      Line #1  Company Name
Line #2  Street Address                 Line #2  Street Address
Line #3  City, State, Zip+4             Line #3  City, State, Zip+4
Line #4  Blank                          Line #4  Blank
Line #5  Blank                          Line #5  Blank


         Personal 4                              Business 4

Line #1  First Name, MI, Last Name      Line #1  Company Name
Line #2  Title/Spouse                   Line #2  First Name, MI, Last Name
Line #3  Street Address                 Line #3  Street Address
Line #4  City, State, Zip+4             Line #4  City, State, Zip+4
Line #5  Blank                          Line #5  Blank


         Full Format

Line #1  Company Name
Line #2  First Name, MI, Last Name
Line #3  Title/Spouse
Line #4  Street Address
Line #5  City, State, Zip+4


     If you use a printing format that does not use all five lines you do
not need to assign any line attributes to the lines that are blank.

     The "Print" option will, you guessed it, print your envelope.  Make
sure that you have set the line attributes and the print format for BOTH
the return and mailing addresses before selecting this option.  As mentioned
earlier in the documentation, all that you are responsible for is to make
certain the printer is turned on and that there is an envelope in the
DeskJet's "output tray", Data-Lope will do everything else.

     Select the "Quit" option to return to the main screen.


     RETURN ADDRESS

     To use the "Ret Addr" option, make certain that the address that you
wish to use is the currently displayed address on the main screen and then
select "Ret Addr".  You will then be presented with an alert box asking you
to choose between these three options.

          Select -- Current Address As
                    Return Address
          Clear --- Return Address From
                    Memory
          Exit ---- Without Any Changes

     After selecting a return address, Data-Lope will use this address until
you select a new return address or you clear it from memory, even if you
load or import a new address file.


     SAVE

     Once you have at least one address entered into Data-Lope, selecting
"Save" will allow you to save an address file.

     Selecting the "Save" option will display the standard file selector
box.  Locate the directory where you would like your Data-Lope address file
to reside, enter a name for your address file and then press Return.  If you
use the .DLP extender Data-Lope will mask out your address files when you
select the "Load" option.

     If you previously imported a CardFile™ file it is important to note
that the file formats for Data-Lope and CardFile™ are NOT the same, do NOT
save a Data-Lope file over an existing CARDFILE.DAT file.


     QUIT

     Selecting "Quit" will display an alert box giving you the choice of
quitting or staying.  If you have made any changes to your address file, be
certain to save your work before exiting Data-Lope.


     I hope you find Data-Lope to be a useful utility when envelope printing
is needed.  If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please feel
free to contact me, I'll do my best to accommodate you.  I can be reached in
the following addresses:


     David M. Seberg
     P.O. Box 420466
     San Diego, CA 92142-0466

     GEnie: D.SEBERG
     CIS: 76505,2446