Inside Multimedia 1994 April/Inside Multimedia CD-ROM (April 1994).iso/prg/neobook/nb2.cmp/README.DOC

Text File | 1993-12-28 | 11.5 KB | 391 lines

             NeoBook - Version 1.1
   (C)1993 NeoSoft Corp. All Rights Reserved

           * IMPORTANT INFORMATION *

--------
CONTENTS
--------

* Updates to the Manual
* New Features in Version 1.1
* Acquiring Additional Fonts
* Microsoft Windows Considerations
* Mouse Driver Problems
* Customer Services & Technical Support
* Registering NeoBook
* Other Great Products from NeoSoft


---------------------
UPDATES TO THE MANUAL
---------------------

The following features were added after the
manual had gone to press.

DOSCommand Action
-----------------

NOTE: You must have NeoBook Professional to
use this option.

This button action allows you to run DOS
commands and programs from within a compiled
publication. To create a DOSCommand, select
"DOSCommand" from the list of button actions
when defining a button object. You will then
be prompted to select a program from a list
of files on your hard drive. After you done
that, the action field line will look
something like this:

DOSCommand "C:\DOS\MEM.EXE" "Text"

The first parameter, contained within the
first set of quotes, is the location and
name of the program you selected. If the
program requires any parameters you may type
them inside the first set of quotes. For
example, passing a /C parameter to the
program would look like:

DOSCommand "C:\DOS\MEM.EXE /C" "Text"

You may have noticed a second parameter
"Text" that was automatically added to the
command. This parameter tells NeoBook that
the MEM.EXE program may modify the screen
and require a redraw upon its completion.
Almost all programs will require this
parameter. The exception would be a program
that definitely does not modify the screen.
For example, if a program mearly played a
sound clip it would be distracting an
unnecessary to clear and redraw the screen.
The screen could continue to display your
publication giving the impression that the
program was running from within NeoBook. For
this type of program you may want to try
changing the "Text" parameter to "Graphics".
For example:

DOSCommand "C:\VOCPLAY.EXE C:\BIRDS.VOC"
"Graphics"

NOTE: If you use the "Graphics" option with
an ill behaved program the screen may not
redraw correctly or at all. It is also
possible that some programs may not run from
within another program.

Some care needs to be taken when using the
DOSCommand action with compiled
publications. For instance, the programs
that you execute with this command will NOT
be compiled into your publication. The
Archive and File List commands will also NOT
handle external programs. If you intend to
run external programs then you will need to
include them when you distribute your
publications. Make sure that you are not
violating any copyright or license
agreements by distributing those programs.
Most companies have distribution agreements
for their products so be sure to get
permission from publisher/owner of the
software before you start sending out
diskettes.


---------------------------
NEW FEATURES IN VERSION 1.1
---------------------------

These features were added to version 1.1 of
NeoBook and NeoBook Professional.

Undo
----

An Undo command has been added to the Edit
menu. Select this option to "undo" the last
command. Some commands, however, cannot be
undone, these include: adding, deleting and
moving pages; palette modifications;
Preferences; and events that occur in other
programs. The Undo command can use a lot of
memory, so in low memory situations you may
want to disable the Undo function by
selecting Preferences/Miscellaneous in the
Options menu.

Adjust Object Command
---------------------

The Adjust Object command in the Edit menu
allows you to modify the location (X,Y) and
size (W,H) of a selected object. If multiple
objects are selected, then only the X and Y
coordinates may be changed. You may also
invoke the Adjust Object command by holding
down the Control key and clicking the right
mouse button on an object.

Mouse Coordinates Display
-------------------------

The Show Mouse Position command in the
Options menu displays a small movable window
that shows the current mouse position
relative the page size. When adding or
sizing objects the windows displays the
width and height of the object. To turn off
the Mouse Coordinates, select the Show Mouse
Position command again.

Shift + Nudge
-------------

When using the Nudge tool on the Tool
Palette you may hold down the Shift key to
move selected objects continuously.

Straight Lines, Squares and Perfect Circles
-------------------------------------------

When creating or sizing an object, hold down
the Shift key to make straight lines,
squares or prefect circles.

Multiple Button Actions
-----------------------

You can now place multiple commands on a
button's action line. Simply place a tilde
(~) character between each command. For
example, to go to a page and play a sound
clip (NeoBook Pro) the action line might
look like this:

GotoNextPage~PlaySoundFile "C:\SB\FROGS.VOC"


--------------------------
ACQUIRING ADDITIONAL FONTS
--------------------------

NeoBook comes with a variety of fonts.
Additional fonts are available on NeoSoft's
electronic bulletin board. You may download
these via modem at no charge. The number for
the bulletin board is [phone].

Third party software that can generate GEM
screen fonts (used by the DOS version of
Ventura Publisher) may also be used to
create fonts for NeoBook. Simply follow the
program's instructions for generating screen
fonts. Copy the fonts to your NeoBook
directory and rename them so that they use
the .GFT extension.


--------------------------------
MICROSOFT WINDOWS CONSIDERATIONS
--------------------------------

NeoBook may be run as a full screen DOS
application under Windows 3.1, subject to
certain limitations. Most people will prefer
to use the program under the quicker DOS
environment, however, should you need to
work from within Windows:

o    Use the NEOBOOK.PIF file from the
     directory where NeoBook is installed.
     This is a standard Windows program
     information file (PIF) that has been
     optimized for use with NeoBook.

o    You must match the display mode used
     by NeoBook to that used by Windows.
     For example, if Windows is running in
     640x480 16 color then run NeoBook in
     that mode also. We have found that if
     NeoBook is running in a higher
     resolution/color video mode than
     Windows then the system may become
     unstable.

o    Occasionally, using some keyboard
     shortcuts will cause Windows to
     corrupt the NeoBook screen. Try
     pressing ALT+ENTER a few times if this
     doesn't work you will need to exit and
     restart NeoBook.

o    Windows limits the memory resources
     available to the DOS programs it runs.
     This may cause problems when working
     with very large images. If you require
     more memory for NeoBook you may need
     to modify the NEOBOOK.PIF file. Be
     careful when modifying this file, as
     even small changes can radically alter
     NeoBook's performance under Windows.

o    NeoBook under Windows may run more
     slowly than when run as a DOS
     application on some systems.


---------------------
MOUSE DRIVER PROBLEMS
---------------------

If your mouse behaves strangely when using
NeoBook, you may need to update your mouse
driver software. Problems such as an
invisible cursor or a pointer that leaves a
trail of pigment on the screen are typical
of certain older mouse drivers. Contact the
computer store where you purchased your
mouse or the manufacturer for information
about updating your mouse driver.


-------------------------------------
CUSTOMER SERVICES & TECHNICAL SUPPORT
-------------------------------------

NeoSoft provides its registered software
customers with free technical support. We
also provide limited technical support to
persons evaluating our products during the
30 day evaluation period.

We do, however, strongly encourage people to
register. Software development and support
is very expensive and we need your help if
we are to continue to provide quality
programs at affordable prices. If you
haven't already, please take a few moments
to register. This will assure you of
eligibility for technical support, product
update notification, special discounts,
announcements, etc.

However, if you are experiencing problems,
please contact our technical support
department so that we can solve your problem
BEFORE you register. Registration may solve
many problems but it does not always endow
the program with features and functions that
do not exist.

If you should encounter a technical problem
or question not covered in the manual, you
may use one of the following avenues to
obtain technical assistance:

MAIL POSTAL CORRESPONDENCE TO:
------------------------------

NeoSoft Corp.
Customer Support
354 NE Greenwood Avenue, Suite 108
Bend, OR 97701-4631
U.S.A.

TELEPHONE SUPPORT:
------------------

Technical support and product update
information are available between the hours
of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM (Pacific Standard
Time), Monday through Friday.

Please have the following information
available for the support staff when you
call:

o    Brand name and model of your computer
     system, mouse, video adapter and
     monitor.

o    Operating system (DOS) version number.

o    A listing of the contents of your
     AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files.

o    A description of the problem, how it
     occurred, and how to reproduce it.

Telephone support may be obtained by calling
[phone]. You may also FAX your
questions to [phone].

ELECTRONIC BULLETIN BOARD SERVICE:
----------------------------------

Up to date product information, evaluation
programs and supplements may be obtained via
modem from our BBS. The telephone number is
[phone]. The bulletin board operates
using N/8/1/300-9600 Baud.


-------------------
REGISTERING NEOBOOK
-------------------

You may evaluate NeoBook for a period of up
to 30 days before registering. To obtain a
registered version including registration
number, typeset manual and the latest
version on disk, call NeoSoft at (503) 389-
5489. We can process your order with VISA or
MasterCard over the phone. The purchase
price of NeoBook is $45 and NeoBook
Professional, which includes sound support
and the DOS Command button, is $89.95.
Please include $5 U.S. Mail or $7 FedEx 2
Day for shipping & handling. ($10 Air Mail
or $17.50 FedEx for shipping & handling
outside the U.S.) If you prefer, FAX your
order to us at [phone]. If you would
like to mail a check or money order, make
sure it's drawn against a U.S. bank in U.S.
funds. Our address is:

NeoSoft Corp.
354 NE Greenwood Ave. Suite 108
Bend, Oregon 97701-4631.

You may also purchase NeoBook from any one
of our many dealers world wide. For a list
of dealers see the DEALER.DOC file
accompanying this program.

If you would like to give a copy of this
program to a friend or associate please do
so, but you may NOT give anyone your
registration/serial number. We hope you
enjoy the program and share it with your
friends.


---------------------------------
OTHER GREAT PRODUCTS FROM NEOSOFT
---------------------------------

Please see the CATALOG.TXT file in your
NeoBook directory for information about
other great products from NeoSoft Corp.


----------------------------
Thank you for trying NeoBook