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SCREEN-DO Users Guide by Ralph A. Porter Port-of-Call Software Inc. 6 LeGrande Blvd. Aurora, IL 60506 (312) 897-7682 January, 1987 Version 1.0 Copyright 1987, by Port-of-Call Software Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted by Port-of-Call for distribution of this manual and software. SCREEN-DO Software Support Service This guide is a detailed outline of how to use SCREEN-DO. Use of the manual is intended for registered users and to introduce unregistered users to SCREEN-DO. Unregistered users: If you need more information than is contained in the following pages, you are encouraged to register. Your registration will bring you frills described in "How to get a registered copy". Registered users: You can call or write for help with technical questions. Please have the following information available when contacting us. * Your registration number. * Your version of SCREEN-DO. * Your version of DOS. * The type of hardware and peripherals you have. * The name of any RAM-resident programs. * The contents of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, if any. * The contents of your CONFIG.SYS file, if any. From January 1, 1987 until further notice phone support can only be provided between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm Central Time. Sorry for the inconvenience. All questions sent by mail will be processed and returned as fast as humanly possible. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software Inc. 6 LeGrande Blvd. Aurora, IL 60506 TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- Chapter Title Page ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1. INTRODUCTION A. What is SCREEN-DO...................... 1 B. Hardware requirements.................. 2 C. How do I get a registered copy?........ 3 2. USING SCREEN-DO A. General................................ 4 B. Help me Mister Wizard.................. 5 C. Load a screen file..................... 7 D. Save a screen file..................... 8 E. Repeat a character..................... 9 F. Special functions...................... 10 G. Using ASCII characters................. 11 H. Tab and Back-Tab feature............... 12 I. Move paragraphs of data................ 13 J. Erasing all or part of the screen...... 15 K. Quitting SCREEN-DO..................... 16 L. Using screen formats with basic........ 17 3. A FINAL NOTE. M. Shareware.............................. 18 SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1 Chapter Number One Introduction. -------------------------------- A. What is SCREEN-DO? ---------------------- Ok, who really likes to write code for his/her screen layouts? Nobody!, so this editor has been written to alleviate that tedious process and give the programmer back the time that would have been spent on coding screens. This program will enable you to design and create screens that can be used by your basic programs. SCREEN-DO is not only for BASIC programmers. No matter what language you are writing, you can use this system to draw out your ideas and change them at will before writing the code. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 2 Chapter Number One Introduction. -------------------------------- B. Hardware Requirements ------------------------- SCREEN-DO will run on an IBM-PC,XT,AT or 100% compatible computer with at least one floppy disk drive, 128k of memory, and either a color or monochrome display. . (We recommend a fixed disk drive for mass storage and speed of file access.) SCREEN-DO will run (performance wise) with little difference between using a floppy drive or fixed disk, with the exception of saving and retrieving screens which, from a floppy disk is SLOW. So if you have the time then keep the floppy drive. A color display is not required but adding color to your screens will greatly enhance their appearance. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 3 Chapter Number One Introduction. -------------------------------- C. How do I get a registered copy? ----------------------------------- FOR A GOLD REGISTRATION: Send $15 Check or Money Order to: Ralph A. Porter 6 LeGrande Blvd. Aurora, IL 60506 Port-of-Call Software Inc. (312) 897-7682 *-------------------------------------------------------------------* | A gold registration provides you the following benefits. | | | | * Current SCREEN-DO diskette with your OWN registration number. | | | | * Port-of-Call support for one year, which includes phone | | | | services. | | | | * Placement on our mailing list for updates and SCREEN-DO mail. | | | | * Sincere thanks for your support and encouragement of Shareware! | *-------------------------------------------------------------------* FOR A PLATINUM REGISTRATION: Send $25 Check or Money Order to: Ralph A. Porter 6 LeGrande Blvd. Aurora, IL 60506 Port-of-Call Software Inc. (312) 897-7682 *-------------------------------------------------------------------* | A platinum registration provides you the following benefits. | | | | * SCREEN-DO-PAINT | | (painting program for SCREEN-DO) | | | | * A $5 commission when someone registers, and gives your number. | | | | * Current SCREEN-DO diskette with your OWN registration number. | | | | * Port-of-Call support for one year, which includes phone | | | | services. | | | | * Placement on our mailing list for updates and SCREEN-DO mail. | | | | * Sincere thanks for your support and encouragement of Shareware! | *-------------------------------------------------------------------* SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 4 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- A. General. ------------ First things first. MAKE A BACKUP COPY! To make a backup diskette: 1. Format a blank diskette with the DOS FORMAT command. 2. Insert the original disk into drive A: 2a. Insert the blank diskette into drive B: if one is present. 3. Type COPY *.* B: <ENTER>. The system will prompt you for "the rest of the story". If you have have fixed disk: 1. Create a working directory for SCREEN-DO. (C:MD C:\SCREENDO <ENTER>) 2. Put backup copy into drive A: 3. Type COPY A:\*.* C:\SCREENDO <ENTER> A1. Getting Started. --------------------- If you are using a fixed drive, change to the C> prompt, and type CD \SCREENDO <ENTER> Type SD <ENTER>. A greetings from Port-of-Call Software will appear. Press any key to continue. Next a title page will appear again asking you to press any key to continue. Now you are in the editing screen. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 5 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- B. Help Me Mister Wizard. -------------------------- On-line help is one of the most exciting aspects of this program. From almost any point in the program you can get help by pressing the function key <F1>. This will bring up a screen which looks something like this... *--------------------------------------------* | Cursor Movement Keys | *-----------*--------------------------------* | 1 | Moves Cursor Up | | 2 | Moves Cursor Down | | 3 | Move Cursor Left | | 4 | Move Cursor Right | | Home | Moves to Upper Left Corner | | End | Moves to Lower Right Corner | | Pg Up | Moves to Top of Screen | | Pg Dn | Moves to Bottom of Screen | | Back Spc | Deletes Previous Character | | Ins. | To Insert Characters | | Del | Deletes Current Character | | Tab | Tabs Defined Spaces | | ShiftTab | Back Tabs Defined Spaces | *-----------*--------------------------------* | INSTRUCTIONS | *--------------------------------------------* | Pressing <F1> again will display a | | detailed help screen. | | Pressing any other key will exit. | *--------------------------------------------* SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 6 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- B. Help me Mister Wizard Cont. ------------------------------- Pressing the <F1> key again will display a detailed help screen which will hopefully answer any questions pertaining to the use of SCREEN-DO. Of course you are again requested to become a registered user so that if any problems do arise you will have phone and mail support. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Arrow Up : Pressing the arrow up key will cause the cursor to move up one line of text. Arrow Down : Pressing the arrow down key will cause the cursor to move down one line of text. Arrow Left : Pressing the arrow left will cause the cursor to move to the left one character. Arrow Right: Pressing the arrow right will cause the cursor to move to the right one character. Home : Pressing the Home key will cause the cursor to move to the top left position of the screen (1,1). End : Pressing the End key will cause the cursor to move to the lower right position of the screen (24,80). Page Up : Pressing the PgUp key will cause the cursor to move to the top of the screen and remain in the present column (1,x). Page Down : Pressing the PgDn key will cause the cursor to move to the bottom of the screen and remain in the present column (24,x). Back Space : Pressing the Back Space key will cause the cursor to delete the character previous to the cursor position and drag the rest of the line with it. Insert : Pressing the Ins key will cause the cursor to flash the first character. Any character type hereafter will be inserted and move the rest of the line over, until one of the cursor movement keys is pressed. Delete : Pressing the Del key will delete the character at the cursor and drag the rest of the line with it. tabulation : Pressing the Tab key will cause the cursor to move the defined number of spaces to the right. (See function <F8> for setting the tab. Shift Tab : Pressing the Shift key and the Tab key together will cause the cursor to move the defined number of spaces to the left. (See function <F8> for setting the tab. ----------------------------------------------------------------- SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 7 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- C. Load a screen file. ----------------------- This function is used to load into the editor previously saved screen formats. If you have not already saved a screen you can load a test screen by pressing <F2> and entering SDTEST.SCR <ENTER>, when you see "Enter the File Name to Load:" If you have saved a screen using the <F3> key then enter the name you used to save it along with the extension (filename.ext). You can not specify a path name prior to the screen name. C:\SCREENDO\FILENAME.EXT. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 8 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- D. Save a screen file. ----------------------- This function is used to save screen files that you have created. Pressing <F3> will prompt you to "Enter the File Name to Save:" Enter a name you wish to call this screen along with the extension (filename.ext) and press <RETURN>. This will save the screen onto the disk. You can not specify a path name prior to the screen name. C:\SCREENDO\FILENAME.EXT. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 9 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- E. Repeat a character. ----------------------- This function is used to repeat a character. You can repeat all of the keyboard characters. You can also repeat ASCII characters 126 to 254 using the ALT+keypad numbers. To repeat a character first press function key <F4>. You will be prompted with "Enter character to Repeat". Enter the character you wish to repeat and press <ENTER> You will then be prompted to move the cursor to the starting position on then screen to begin repeating. Go ahead and move the cursor to that position. If the cursor is already where you want it to be then press <ENTER>. Now you are in the repeat mode and wherever you move the cursor, the character you choose will be displayed. To exit the repeat mode press <ENTER> once again. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 10 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- F. Special Functions. ---------------------- This function will allow you to perform several special operations. To enter Special Functions, press function key <F5>. the screen's MENU LINE will display a new line of function key attributes. <F1> Help with the special functions. This is where you will find an expanded explanation of options available. <F3> This will insert a blank line where the cursor is located and scroll lines below the cursor downward which will cause line 24 to disappear. <F4> This will delete the line where cursor is located at and scroll the lines below the cursor up. <F5> Clear Color. This will remove any color from the screen and replace it with a white foreground and a black background. <F10> This is the Exit and will return the MENU LINE back to the main menu line. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 11 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- G. Using ASCII Characters. --------------------------- This function allows you to display just about all of the ASCII characters from a menu of characters displayed on the MENU LINE. To use a character press function key <F6>. A menu of characters will be displayed on the MENU LINE. Use the arrow left and arrow right keys to move the cursor over the character you wish to display and press <Enter>. Pressing <F6> again will page through all of the ASCII characters. Pressing <ESC> will return you back to the MAIN MENU LINE. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 12 Chapter Number Two Using Screen-DO ---------------------------------- H. Tab. --------------------------- This function allows you to set the number of spaces to move the cursor to the right when you press the <Tab> key and the number of spaces to move the cursor to the left when you press the <Shift>+<Tab> keys. To change the TAB, press function key <F7>. You will be prompted to "Enter new Tab Size (default 8). Enter a number between 1 and 160 and press <Enter>. This will reset the tab/shift-tab for this session ONLY. The default of 8 will be activated when you restart SCREEN-DO SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 13 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- I. Paragraphs. --------------- This function is used for moving, coping and filling paragraphs of data on the screen. A paragraph of data is defined as being an area of 1 to 80 characters long by 1 to 24 lines deep. To use the paragraphs functions, press function key <F8>. The MENU LINE will display a new line of function key attributes. <F1> Help with the special functions. This is where you will find an expanded explanation of options available. <F2> Mk Begin. Move the cursor to the top left corner of the paragraph to be manipulated and press <F2>. An arrow will be displayed to mark (Mk) that point (unless there is already a character at that point, in which case the character will blink). <F3> Mk End. Move the cursor to the bottom right corner of the paragraph to be manipulated and press <F3>. An arrow will be displayed to mark (Mk) that point (unless there is already a character at that point, in which case the character will blink). <F4> Target. Now that both the begining and end points are marked, move the cursor to the point that will be the top left corner of the target area and press <F4>. A character will be displayed to mark that point (unless there is already a character at that point, in which case the character will blink). <F5> Reset. This will reset markers previously selected. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 14 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- I. Paragraphs cont. -------------------- <F6> Move. This will move the paragraph that was previously marked, providing however there is room on the screen to hold the paragraph that is marked. <F7> Copy. This will copy the paragraph that was previously marked, providing however there is room on the screen to hold the paragraph that is marked. <F8> Fill. This will fill the paragraph with any character selected at the prompt "Select Character To fill Area With:" <F10> This is the Exit and will return the MENU LINE back to the MAIN MENU LINE. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 15 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- J. Eraser. ----------- This function is used for erasing all or part of the screen To use the eraser press the function key <F9>. The MENU LINE line will display a new line of function key attributes. <F1> Help with the special functions. This is where you will find an expanded explanation of options available. <F2> Cursor to end of line. This will erase the screen from the cursor to the end of the line that the cursor is on. <F3> Begining of line to cursor. This will erase the screen from the begining of the line that the cursor is on to where the cursor is located. <F4> Erase Line. This will erase the entire line that the cursor is on. <F5> Top. This will erase the screen from the top down until the cursor is reached. <F6> Bottom. This will erase the screen from the cursor to the bottom of the cursor. <F10> This is the Exit and will return the MENU LINE back to the MAIN MENU LINE. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 16 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- K. quitting the System. ----------------------- Pressing <F10> will leave SCREEN-DO and exit to DOS. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 17 Chapter Number Two Using SCREEN-DO ---------------------------------- L. Using Screen Files. ----------------------- Each screen you create and save is saved as a binary file that is 3968 bytes in length. To use this file in your BASIC application, you must load it into the appropriate screen buffer (offset &hb800 for color, &hb000 for monochrome) using the BLOAD "filename.ext",0 syntax. If you are not familiar with bloading and bsaveing screen files, venture into that seldom used BASIC reference MANUAL and discover how much time you have wasted writing code for screen layouts. SCREEN-DO Port-of-Call Software ----------------------------------------------------------------- Page 18 Chapter Number Three A Final Note. ---------------------------------- SCREEN-DO is a useful and interesting program. We have spent many hours working up the concept and implementation of this program and will continue to upgrade and improve its performance. But alas, like any good Shareware product, there must be User Support! By registering and becoming involved with this product you yourself will add to the growth of SCREEN-DO. We invite anybody reading this to drop us a line and tell us what you like or dislike about SCREEN-DO. If Port-of-Call Software uses your idea, and you are a registered user, we will provide you with a current version of SCREEN-DO (if you are using an older one) and the next upgrade at no charge (if applicable). So please distribute this program freely and promote the registration of this and ALL Shareware products so that everybody can continue to enjoy top quality software at reasonable prices. This is a user supported product. It is not public domain and not free software. Please use this product on a trial basis. Then, if you wish to continue using or, if you need technical support then you must register by sending in the appropriate amount to the address shown below. Thank you, Ralph A. Porter President Port-of-Call Software Inc. 6 LeGrande Blvd. Aurora, IL 60506 (312) 897-7682