OS/2 Professional/OS2PRO194.ISO/os2/print/flextext/flxt.hlp

OS/2 Help File | 1994-01-05 | 34.2 KB | 858 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. General Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The purpose of FLEXTEXT Print Utility is to print reports on a workstation
running OS/2 2.x.  Input must be ASCII (text-based) files, OS/2 clipboard data,
or a file downloaded from an IBM host computer via Communications Manager.

This program creates compact reports by printing multiple pages on each sheet
of paper in portrait or landscape mode.  Any available font, type, and point
size may be selected depending on the input file's requirements.  FlexText can
even calculate optimum point size based on the data's record length and
selected font.

Many IBM mainframe generated reports contain ASA control characters ("FBA"
files).  These reports can be printed directly or exported to a "print file"
for import into a word processing document.

TAB characters are expanded depending on information supplied in the
preferences section.

Both sides of the paper can be used even if you are using a none duplex
printer.  Simulated duplex processing provides a "two pass" capability that
prints the front, then the back sides of a report. Booklet style page format
organizes the pages in book sequence and is available in the 2-up, landscape
mode.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. About FLEXTEXT Print Utility ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

FLEXTEXT(TM) Copyright 1992, Extension Software.

This is version 2.2 of the FLEXTEXT Print Utility.  The program was designed
and coded by Extension Software of Mesa, Arizona in April 1993.

For more information, Robert Stuart can be contacted at [phone] or at
Compuserv id# 74230,1620.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. License Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This software and the disks on which it is contained are licensed for use on
one computer only.  This is copyrighted software.  You are prohibited from
copying this program except for backup purposes.  This program may NOT be
uploaded to any BBS.

EXTENSION SOFTWARE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE, WHETHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ALL SUCH WARRANTIES
ARE EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED.  NEITHER EXTENSION SOFTWARE NOR
ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF
THIS SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH SOFTWARE EVEN IF
EXTENSION SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR
CLAIMS. IN NO EVENT SHALL EXTENSION SOFTWARE'S LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES EVER
EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE
FORM OF CLAIM.  THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE QUALITY
AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.

Some states do not allow the exclusion of the limit of liability for
consequential or incidental damages, so the above limitation may not apply to
you.

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona and shall
inure to the benefit of Extension Software and any successors, administrators,
heirs and assigns.  Any action or proceeding brought by either party against
the other arising out of or related to this agreement shall be brought only in
a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction located in Maricopa County,
Arizona.  The parties hereby consent to in personam jurisdiction of said
courts.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. License Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This software and the disks on which it is contained are licensed for
evaluation purposes only.  This is copyrighted software.  You may use the
software for a 60 day evaluation period and distribute exact copies of the
software to anyone free of charge.  You are prohibited from charging for any
such copies unless you receive written permission from Extension Software.

EXTENSION SOFTWARE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE, WHETHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ALL SUCH WARRANTIES
ARE EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED.  NEITHER EXTENSION SOFTWARE NOR
ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF
THIS SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH SOFTWARE EVEN IF
EXTENSION SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR
CLAIMS. IN NO EVENT SHALL EXTENSION SOFTWARE'S LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES EVER
EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE
FORM OF CLAIM.  THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE QUALITY
AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.

Some states do not allow the exclusion of the limit of liability for
consequenctial or incidental damages, so the above limitation may not apply to
you.

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona and shall
inure to the benefit of Extension Software and any successors, administrators,
heirs and assigns.  Any action or proceeding brought by either party against
the other arising out of or related to this agreement shall be brought only in
a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction located in Maricopa County,
Arizona.  The parties hereby consent to in personam jurisdiction of said
courts.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Open Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The OPEN menu contains options to retrieve data from a file or the clipboard.
The following options appear under the OPEN menu:

FILE           Retrieves data from a file.

CLIPBOARD      Retrieves data currently held in the clipboard.

DOWNLOAD       Retrieves data from an IBM host via Communications Manager
               session.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can open a file that exists on any drive or in any directory by using the
FILE option. To open a file, do the following:

o Select the Open menu and choose the File selection.

A dialog box appears, showing you a list of files in the current directory.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Open Clipboard ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The CLIPBOARD option imports data into the browse window which can be
subsequently printed.

A snapshot of clipboard text. is taken when CLIPBOARD is selected.  If changes
are made to the data in the clipboard once the browse window is displayed, the
modifications will not take affect in FlexText until the CLIPBOARD option is
re-selected.

FlexText only supports text-based data.  Other data types found in the
clipboard will be ignored.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Download ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Files can be downloaded from an IBM host running TSO, VM, or CICS monitors.
Downloading into FlexText is a two step process that first initiates the
download, then opens (get waiting) the downloaded file for printing.

FlexText can only download files using Communications Manager and an active
TSO, VM, or CICS session.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Initiate Download ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

INITIATE is the first step in the download process.  It issues the "receive"
Communication Manager command on behalf of FlexText. Once the transfer is
complete, GET WAITING will open the downloaded file for subsequent printing or
browsing.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Get Waiting download data ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Once the download has taken place (following "initiate"), GET WAITING opens the
data and makes it available to FlexText. The data can subsequently be browsed
and/or printed.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Export ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

EXPORT will save a file following TAB expansion and ASA control character
translation.  The resulting file is suitable for import into word processors or
text editors capable of handling ASCII delimited files.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Open ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Open ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. Select the down arrow to the right of the Drive list to display all the
    drives on your system.
 2. Select a drive from the Drive list.
 3. Select a directory from the Directory list.
 4. Select a file name from the File list or type in a file name and select the
    Open pushbutton to display the file you want to edit.

For specific help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> List of Fields ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

File name           Type of file
Drive               File
Directory           Open pushbutton


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Type the name of the file you want to open in the File name field and select
the Open pushbutton.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> List of Fields ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

File name           Type of file
Drive               File
Directory           Open pushbutton
                    General help


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Type of file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Type of file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the down arrow to the right of the Type of file field to display the
available file types.  The sample has set this field for all file types.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Drive ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Drive ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Drive list displays the drives on your system.  Select the drive that
contains the files you want to edit.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The File list displays all the files in the directory you selected from the
Directory list.  Select the file you want to open.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Directory ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Directory ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Directory list displays the directories on the selected drive.  Select a
directory to display the list of files from that directory in the File list
box.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Open ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Open ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the Open pushbutton to display the file you want to edit.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Export as ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Export as ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 1. Select the down arrow to the right of the Drive list to display all the
    drives on your system.
 2. Select a drive from the Drive list.
 3. Select a directory from the Directory list.
 4. Type the name of the file you want to save in the File name field and
    select the Save pushbutton.

For specific help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> List of Fields ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

File name           Type of file
Drive               File
Directory           Save pushbutton


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Type the name of the file you want to save in the File name field and select
the Save pushbutton.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> List of Fields ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

File name           Type of file
Drive               File
Directory           Save pushbutton
General help


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Type of file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Type of file ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the down arrow to the right of the Type of file field to display the
available file types.  The sample has set this field for all file types.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Drive ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Drive ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Drive list displays the drives on your system.  Select the drive that
contains the files you want to save.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The File list displays all the files in the directory you selected from the
Directory list.  Select the file you want to rename and save.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Directory ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Directory ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Directory list displays the directories on the selected drive.  Select a
directory to display the list of files from that directory in the File list
box.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Save ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help for Save ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the Save pushbutton to save the file to the drive and directory you
selected and with the file name you specified.

For more help, select a topic below.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. Help Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The following help options give you several ways of accessing program
instructions and procedures.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. Index ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This help option displays the index which allows you to specify a particular
item of interest.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14. General help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option provides an overview of the program's processes and functionality.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 15. Using Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Help can be retrieved for any menu, window, procedure, or field by clicking on
a help button or pressing the F1 key.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 16. Product information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 This help option lists product information.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 17. Print ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The PRINT menu option presents a sequence of windows accepting various print
options and configurations.

Note that the PRINT menu option is initially disabled and becomes enabled only
after an input file or clipboard is successfully opened (and optionally
displayed).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 18. Browse Menu Option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The BROWSE menu option displays a window containing selected file/clipboard
information.  The data can be viewed or exported from this window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 19. Font Menu Option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The FONT menu option provides the ability to change fonts used in the file
viewer.  The font selected affects only the displayed window and not the
hardcopy output.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 20. Search Menu Option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Text strings can be located in the displayed data by selecting the SEARCH menu
option, then providing the text string to be found.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 21. Mark Menu Option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Portions of a file or clipboard can be printed by marking text to be used.  The
MARK menu option displays a window that controls the marking process.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 22. Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The OPTIONS menu displays the following sub-menu items:

PRINT QUEUE    Provides a list of available print queues and accepts margin
               changes.

CUSTOMIZE      Contains PREFERENCES, COLORS, and INI LOCATION sub-menu items.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 23. Print Queue Option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The PRINT QUEUE option provides the ability to select a print queue from a
list.  A push-button on the print queue dialog allows margin adjustments.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 24. Customize Option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

FlexText has several settings that can be used to customize the programs
behavior.  The following windows provide optional settings:

PREFERENCES    Changes functional settings

COLORS         Sets background and text color schemes on FlexText's main
               window.

INI LOCATION   Determines the location where FlexText's initialization file
               resides.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 25. Preferences Option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The PREFERENCES option allows the user to configure processing defaults.  The
changes are maintained in an initialization file(FlxTxt2.ini) that is loaded at
program start-up.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 26. Colors Option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 COLORS provides a variety of color schemes for FlexText's main window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 27. INI Location Option ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 INI Location specifies where FlexText's initialization file is to reside.
This file contains custom and machine specific data used by FlexText at startup
time.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 28. Font Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The FONT dialog allows you to select font types, point size, and styles.  All
available scalable fonts (ATM) are listed. Be careful in selecting a large
point size since it can result in truncated data.

 Initially, the program will default to "Courier" which provides mono-spaced
characters.  Selection of other variable-spaced fonts may affect column
alignment.

 Note that many options are provided that may not be appropriate for this type
of report application (i.e., strike out, outline, etc.).  These options have
been provided only to achieve OS/2 application standardization.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 29. View Font ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Font and point size can be chosen that apply only to the view window.  The
list of available fonts are affected by the Bitmap/Scalable selection made
earlier.  Note that changes to the print font are made from a separate PRINT
dialog.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 30. Print Data ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The PRINT DATA dialog controls page formats, and fonts.

 Pressing JOB PROPERTIES displays another window that, among other options,
specifies page orientation.  By switching from "portrait" to "landscape",
different page formats are displayed on the original "PRINT DATA" window
allowing multiple pages to be printed side by side, or top and bottom.  Text
files with record lengths of 80 characters or less generally print best side by
side, while reports of up to 133 characters are better printed top and bottom.

 The first time the PRINT DATA is displayed, a reminder window is automatically
created that describes other page formats available as explained in the
previous paragraph.  If you no longer wish the reminder window to be displayed,
it can be disabled in the PREFERENCES dialog found under the OPTIONS menu
selection.

 Point size automatically changes when different page formats are selected.
The point size you select in the SELECT FONT window is associated with the
current page format and will be saved.  This process minimizes the need to
display the font selection screen repetitively.  Whenever you enter the SELECT
FONT window, the program highlights a default point size appropriate for the
current page format.

 BORDERS can be selected that will box each page and provide page numbers/file
information (if selected).  Additionally, a single line can separate multiple
pages.  Note that page numbers/file information is only printed if a "box"
border is selected.

 SIMULATED DUPLEX provides the ability to print on both sides of the paper with
a non-duplex printer.  The program will print the front side of the document,
then pause, allowing you to reinsert the stack in the printer to complete the
back sides.

 BOOKLET STYLE arranges the pages in book-style order. Note that the booklet
option is only available in 2-up landscape page format.

 Pressing SELECT FONT displays another dialog that provides font and point size
selection.

 CALCULATE POINT SIZE causes FlexText to calculate an optimum point size given
the record lengths found in the selected file. Using this feature will
eliminate the problem of text truncation once the print task begins.  Note that
the largest point size that is returned from the program is 14.

 When the checkbox DISPLAY PAGE RANGE WINDOW is selected, a dialog will appear
after pressing PRINT that provides the ability to print a range of pages.  Note
that this option is NOT available when printing multiple files.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 31. Print Range ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The PRINT RANGE provides selection of pages to print. Note that the starting
page must be less than or equal to the last page.

 Pressing the RESET pushbutton will set the starting page at 1 and the last
page at the end of the report.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 32. Margins ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The MARGINS window permits adjustment of page borders. Adjustments are made in
1/10 inch increments moving toward the center of the page.  Margin settings are
stored between sessions and are associated with the highlighted print queue
from the previous dialog.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 33. Continue Duplex ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The CONTINUE DUPLEX PRINTING dialog is presented when FlexText has completed
writing the front sides of the simulated duplex document to the spooler.  After
allowing the printer to complete the first-pass printing, push the Continue
button to trigger backside printing.

 Reverse backside printing eliminates the need to reshuffle pages on printers
that need the paper stack face down in the paper tray.  Some experimentation
may be necessary to determine how the pages should face to utilize the
simulated duplex function.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 34. Print Queue ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select a print queue from the displayed list, then press OK.

The selected printer Queue will remain in effect until explicitly changed.  The
first time the program is executed, the system default queue will be used.

Pressing the MARGINS push-button displays a window that accepts margin
adjustments.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 35. Initiate Download ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Host files can be downloaded from an IBM host running TSO, VM, or CICS
monitors.  Downloading into FlexText is a two step process that first initiates
the download, then opens (get waiting) the downloaded file for printing.

FlexText can only download files using Communications Manager and an active
TSO, VM, or CICS session.  Select the radio button that corresponds to the
monitor that you will be downloading from.

Enter the host file name to be downloaded.

The session ID is only needed when more than one Communication Manager session
is running.

Transmission parameters can be changed or added by pushing the ADDITIONAL
PARAMETERS push-button.

For more information on setting up the host monitor, select an item below:

o TSO

o VM

o CICS


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 36. TSO information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

In order for transmission to begin, either a "READY" prompt must be displayed
or ISPF panel 6 must be ready to accept a TSO command. FlexText's INITIATE task
can then be chosen and a separate "Download" session (minimized) will begin.
When the minimized "Download" task disappears, GET WAITING can be selected to
open the downloaded data.  If problems arise, go to the TSO session for error
messages.

When entering the host file name in the INITIATE entry box, be sure to include
quotes as you would working directly in TSO.

SDSF output can be downloaded expanding FlexText's capabilities to print
reports.  The following directions enable a convenient SDSF procedure:

o Pre-allocate a file (ISPF 3.2) to hold data copied from SDSF for download to
  FlexText.  File attributes should be LRECL=133 and RECFM=FBA.  A convenient
  file name is "SYSOUT.DATA" since that is the file FlexText defaults to when
  initiating a download under TSO.

o Display output held in the output queue by entering SDSF, entering an "H" on
  the command line, then selecting output from a completed job.

o Type "KEYS" on the command line to bring up a list of PF-key settings.

o Chose an unused PF-key and type in the following data:  "PRINT ODSN
  SYSOUT.DATA * OLD; PRINT; PRINT CLOSE; SPLIT; =6"  (replace  SYSOUT.DATA with
  the pre-allocated file if necessary).

o Hit "enter", then "end" - the setup is complete!

From now on you can download held output by going to SDSF, displaying the job
output to be downloaded, and hitting the PF-key you assigned.  Minimize the TSO
session and initiate a download from FlexText.  Be sure to browse the job
output - not the job or file list in SDSF, otherwise no data will be copied to
SYSOUT.DATA resulting in an empty download.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 37. VM information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

In order for transmission to begin, either a "READY" prompt must be displayed
or you must be in any of PROFS Main Menus where a VM command can be entered.
If your terminal session is in "HOLDING", "MORE...", or "NOT ACCEPTED" status,
please use the "CLEAR" key to clear the display before attempting to download.

FlexText's INITIATE task can then be chosen and a separate "Download" session
(minimized) will begin.  When the minimized "Download" task disappears, GET
WAITING can be selected to open the downloaded data.  If problems arise, go to
the VM session for error messages.

When entering the host file name in the INITIATE entry box, be sure to include
the filename, filetype, and optional filemode (defaults to the "A" disk) as you
would working directly in VM.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 38. CICS information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 In order to use FlexText's download feature with CICS, the necessary file
transfer software must be loaded and available on the mainframe. See the
"Extended Services - Communications Commands" for more information on using
RECEIVE.EXE.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 39. Additional Transmission Parameters ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Transmission parameters can be added or changed by modifying the contents of
the entry field.  Refer to the Communication Manager commands  section in the
Extended Services on-line reference manual for parameters used in the Receive
command.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 40. Browse ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The BROWSE selection window contains file information and buttons to view or
export data.

Note that the scroll bars in the file information box can be manipulated to
display a variety of information about the file and data selected to print.  In
addition to scroll bar manipulation, the center line can be dragged left or
right to display full file name or additional file information.

The VIEW button opens a view of the selected file and provides text search and
marking capabilities.  If the file is very large, only the first 32,000 lines
will be displayed.

The EXPORT button generates an ASCII file after expanding Tabs and if
necessary, removing ASA control characters from the data. A top of page ASA
control character ("1") may be translated to a ASCII hex"0C" depending on
preference settings. Other ASA control characters (i.e., "0", "-") result in
the insertion of blank line(s).  Note that ASA control character "+" is simply
removed with no change to the incoming data. Once generated, the resulting
ASCII report file can be imported into most word processors.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 41. Search for Text ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When a view of a file\clipboard data is open, a text string can by found by
typing it into the entry field and pressing the SEARCH button.  Four radio
buttons determine where the search begins and which string occurrence to
locate.  Note that the NEXT option finds the first occurrence on or after the
displayed window.  PREVIOUS begins the search prior to the first line of the
current window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 42. Mark text to print ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A portion of a file can be selected for printing by using the  MARK option from
the file view menu.  Since large blocks of text may at times be selected, a
nonstandard way of marking text has been implemented.

The "Mark text to print" dialog contains two radio buttons labeled FIRST and
LAST.  When FIRST is selected, a mouse-click on the view window will mark the
first line that is to be printed.  Note that text that will not be printed is
grayed.  When the LAST radio button is selected, a mouse-click will mark the
last record to be printed.

One can prevent an entire file from being printed by pressing the "DESELECT
ALL" button.  Note that if all text in all files is deselected, the PRINT menu
option is disabled.

"SELECT ALL" will re-select the entire file for printing.

Once the text is marked, press Ok to dismiss the dialog and continue viewing
the file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 43. File View Font Type ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Two types of fonts are available for use in the view window. Bitmap fonts are
fast and allow quick scanning of large volumes of data but are limited in
available point sizes. Scalable fonts are slower than bitmaps but provide a
wide variety of sizes.  In addition, small scalable fonts are less readable.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 44. Colors ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

FlexText's main window background and text color scheme can be changed by
selecting any of the radio buttons.  The name corresponds to the background
color of the scheme. "White" is the best selection for monochrome monitors
typically found in notebook computers.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 45. INI Location ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 INI Location specifies where FlexText's initialization file is to reside.
This file contains custom and machine specific data used by FlexText at startup
time.

 Typically, FlxTxt21.ini will be placed in the current directory specified
under FlexText's object settings.  If the file cannot be created, the INI
Location panel is automatically displayed at program startup.  The location can
be changed at any time by selecting INI LOCATION from the OPTIONS/CUSTOMIZE
menu selections and entering the new location in the entry field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 46. Download Defaults ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The DOWNLOAD DEFAULTS panel found under the OPTIONS/PREFERENCES menu selections
contains host file name default settings.  If the "specify default" radio
button is chosen, a file name can be entered in the entry box that FlexText
will use to initialize the download process. The second radio button,
"redisplay last used" tells the pogram to remember the file name from the
previous FlexText session.

Note that these default settings only affect the first time the "initiate
download" panel is displayed following program startup.  The program always
remembers the host file name within a session.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 47. Preferences ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The PREFERENCES option allows the user to configure processing defaults.  The
changes are maintained in an initialization file (FlxTxt21.ini) that is loaded
at program start-up.

 Configurable options are as follows:

o "Animate program startup" controls the FlexText title animation when starting
  FlexText.  The animation takes a couple of seconds and may be bypassed if
  desired.

o "Minimize file viewer automatically" will cause the window that displays the
  report to be immediately minimized when a file is opened.

o "Display landscape reminder info box" causes an additional window to be
  displayed when "Print" is selected from the menu.  The box reminds the user
  of additional page formats available if the user enters "Job Properties" and
  selects landscape orientation.  The information box is displayed only once
  during program execution.

o "Use x'0c' for page break in saved print files" will insert the common page
  break character whenever a new page is anticipated.  Note that this type of
  page break only occurs in files with ASA control characters (FBA files).

o "Trigger print confirmation on ?? pages" controls the display of a window
  that appears after "print" is selected.  If the number of pages to be printed
  is greater than or equal to the specified "trigger" value, a message box is
  displayed asking if the print job should continue.

o "Expand TAB characters to ?? spaces" will convert any x'09' characters to the
  specified number of spaces.  Use the arrows on the right side of the numeric
  field to scroll through the valid values.

o The three radio buttons provide a way to suppress the file type window from
  displaying every time a file or clipboard is opened.  If your data typically
  contains ASA control characters, select  "always apply ASA CC translation".
  If you never use ASA CC's, select "never apply ASA CC translation".  These
  options will prevent the file type window from being displayed.

o Timestamps appearing at the bottom of reports using box page format can
  reflect either the time of printing, or the last time the file was updated.
  The "document label" radio buttons provide the choice.

o The "Default transmission host file name" entry field allows you to change
  the start-up host file name for the "initiate download" dialog box.  Although
  the factory default of SYSOUT.DATA may not be appropriate for all
  installation naming conventions or standards.

Once your selections are made, press the SAVE button to apply the preferences
to this and subsequent sessions.  If the file viewer is currently open (or
minimized), the view is automatically recreated using the new options.  The
DEFAULT button will return the settings to the factory settings.  CANCEL will
drop all changes since the last time the preferences were saved.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 48. ASA Control Characters ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 ASA control characters are commonly found on mainframe reports.  Report
records are typically (but not necessarily) 133 bytes in length with the
carriage control characters in position 1 of each line.  The following is a
list of control characters with their corresponding effects:

"1" - top of page (page break)
"0" - double space
"-"  - triple space
"+" - overtype
" " - single space