HoTMetaL PRO 1.0 Patch `D'

This is the Patch `D' version of SoftQuad HoTMetaL PRO 1.0 for Microsoft Windows. This short document is an addition to the printed manual and mainly discusses HoTMetaL PRO problems that we've discovered.

DTD version

The SGML DTD used by HoTMetaL PRO is based on the HTML 2.0 draft dated February 6, 1995. You can see the latest draft of the IETF HTML 2.0 specification at http://www.w3.org/hypertext/WWW/MarkUp/MarkUp.html.

Problems displaying inline GIF files

We have found that if certain video cards are being used, HoTMetaL PRO will cause a General Protection Fault or Application Error whenever you attempt to display an inline image.

You may also experience a General Protection Fault if your document contains several inline images (more than 10, depending on the system)

The only solution to these problems at this point is simply to not display inline images, but rather to use an external viewer (via the Show Image command), or use Preview to view the file in a browser. If you experience GPFs from HoTMetaL and your video driver, then:

You should not use the Show Inline Images command in the View menu.
You should make sure that the sqhmpro.ini file contains the following setting:
```
show_inline_images=false
```

Displaying a wide GIF file inline sometimes causes screen drawing bugs when tags are showing. For example, text that should follow the graphic may be displayed alongside it, and you may have trouble positioning the cursor in the text.

A GIF file that occurs at the end of a file may not be displayed correctly. Inserting a carriage return at the end of the file should cause the problem to go away.

Other known bugs and open issues

When you type an `&' or `<' character in a HoTMetaL PRO document, it converted into a special character icon. If you paste in text from other documents which contains either of these characters, they will not be converted. If you need to paste in text which uses these characters you should replace them by the strings `&' or `<' before pasting them into HoTMetaL PRO, or retype them after pasting.
When you use Preview from the File menu, and the file has not been saved, you may find that partial URLs (URLs that do not contain a protocol, and therefore consist only of a filename) don't work. This depends on the browser you are using, and also on whether HoTMetaL PRO could save a temporary file in the same directory as the original file. If you save the file before using Preview, it should be fine with any browser.
You should not use top separation (set with the Separation command in the View menu) with elements that you know will be used in a table cell element. It is all right to use bottom separation, however. You may find it more convenient to avoid elements inside a table cell.
The last line of table that occurs and the end of a file may sometimes be drawn incorrectly. Inserting a carriage return at the end of the file should cause the problem to go away.
If you attempt to validate a text file that contains an entity reference, you will get a message saying that the entity has not been defined, even when it has been. Instead of using Validate Document, use the Interpret Document command in the View menu to check the markup in a text file.
If the Windows color scheme has been set to use white text on a black background, the start- and end-tag icons will not be visible.

Problem reports

With your copy of HoTMetaL PRO, you receive 30 days of free limited support from Ventana Communications. This support includes help with installing HoTMetaL PRO and getting the product up and running.

You can contact Ventana Support at:

email: help@vmedia.com
phone: (919) 942-0220 x400

If you require more detailed technical support, or require support after the free 30-day support period, you can purchase it directly from SoftQuad for only $29 (US). Your $29 gets you unlimited support via voice, fax, or email, free minor product upgrades and bug fixes, and announcements about upcoming releases and events.

To order SoftQuad Support, simply send email to sales@sq.com and mention that you want the special support offer for Ventana customers.