Chip Hitware 10/Chip_Hitware_Vol_10.iso/chiphit/multmedi/95poster/readme.txt

Text File | 1997-09-20 | 15.1 KB | 364 lines

THE POSTER PROGRAM. Version 5.1 for Windows 95.   <asp>

This version for Windows 95 supports all POSTER 3.5 features.
In addition, it supports unique Windows 95 features like
long file names.

CONTENTS:
    Introduction.
    Printer Driver notes.
    Installation.
    What's New.
    Support and Registration.
    Association of Shareware Professionals Statement.
    Deinstallation Instructions.
    Disclaimer.
    Usage.

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INTRODUCTION.

POSTER 5 is the Windows 95 32-bit version of the popular Windows shareware
program for making big posters, signs, and banners. Posters can be up to
9 feet by 9 feet at 300 DPI, even bigger at lower resolutions.
Poster combines the best features of word-processing,
graphics, and desktop publishing with features especially tuned for
big posters and banners. This includes complete flexibility in the placement
of graphics, a full set of drawing tools and over 100 special effects
(like 3D, rotate, and arch) for text. All text and graphics are enlarged
and tiled over multiple pages. POSTER supports all True-Type and ATM
fonts, and imports graphics from BMP and WMF files, as well as from the
Clipboard and OLE applications. POSTER supports full color, and most
Windows-compatible printers.  Full support is there for non-standard
poster and paper sizes.

POSTER is great for a wide variety of projects at work, school, home, or
clubs:
1. Creating large posters for presentations, projects, charts, etc.
2. Creating large signs for advertisements, announcements, etc.
3. Creating banners for special events, etc.
4. Enlarging pictures, charts, etc. for display.
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INSTALLATION.

If you have unzipped the files, then you have practically installed the
program.

To install the program:
1. Create a temporary directory (like \TEMP) and unzip the POSTER5.ZIP
   file to that directory.
2. Run SETUP from the temporary directory.
   c:\TEMP\SETUP

The package consists of the following files:
1. This README file.
2. Example and tutorial files.
3. POSTER.EXE, which is the poster program itself.
4. POSTER.HLP, which is the on-line help file.
5. Several BORDERx.WMF border files.  These can be imported using
   the Page->Border->From File command.

NOTE: If not are installing this version of Poster ON TOP OF an
EXISTING version of poster, you can delete the old tutorial and
example files, to save a little disk space.  To do this:
delete c:\poster\tutor*.pos
delete c:\poster\examp*.pos


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PRINTER DRIVER NOTES:

HP680C (and 682C):
To print Continuous forms (banner paper) correctly, you MUST have
version 9 of the printer driver.  Version 8 does not properly handle
characters that cross page boundaries in banner mode.
When printing banners, be sure to set the Paper mode to Banner in
the printer setup dialog box.  Also, make sure the 'continuous forms'
box is checked in the POSTER Print dialog box.

CONTINUOUS FORMS:
Poster supports continuous forms on dot matrix and the HP680. Be
sure to check the continuous forms box in the POSTER Print dialog box.
You may use continuous forms for posters or banners.  Using it for
posters causes your poster to be printed in continuous strips, reducing
the amount you have to paste together.
PROBLEMS WITH PAGE EJECTS WITH CONTINUOUS FORMS:
If your printer page ejects while trying to print continuous forms,
you must adjust the page size.  EACH time you print:
1. Select File->Print.  Then select Continuous Forms.
2. Click on "More"
3. Adjust the field "Override Paper Size, Height" to a smaller value.
4. Select OK.
5. Select OK.
You may have to adjust this field up or down to get Poster to go to the
very edge of the current page, and then begin the next page at the very top of
the next page.

PROBLEMS WITH DROPPED CHARACTERS AT PAGE BOUNDARIES:
If POSTER drops characters at page boundaries, try checking
the box marked "Method A" in the PRINT dialog box. This should work ALL
printers (but not plotters).  If this still doesn't work, try "Method
B" or "Method C".  Also, see the special setup instructions below.


LASERJET III USERS.
If the posters you print are missing characters at page edges, then do
the following:
1. Select "Method A" in the Poster Print Dialog box.  Also, be sure your
   printer is set to 300 dpi.
2. If this doesn't work, or it is too slow for you, install and use the
   Laserjet II driver.

LASERJET 4 USERS.
To successfully print posters, you must configure your printer as
follows:
1. Select "Printer Setup":
2. Set resolution to 300 dpi. (At 600dpi, printing takes a very long
   time, and may hang the printer.)
3. Select "options".
4. Select "Graphics Mode" = "raster", "Graphics Quality"="high", and
     check "print true-type as graphics".
5. If posters still do not print properly, then in the PRINT dialog box,
check the boxed marked "Method A". This should always work.

POSTSCRIPT PRINTER USERS.
POSTER cannot always automatically switch a postscript printer from
portrait mode to landscape mode.  If  "Print Preview" shows the printer
to be in the incorrect mode,use the "Print Setup" menu item to manually
select the proper mode.

If you get postscript errors, or you are loosing characters at page
boundaries:
1. From the control panel, select Printers, then select 'Setup.
2. Select "options", then select "advanced".
3. Select "print true type fonts as" "Bitmap (type 3)".
4. Close the control panel.
5. Start POSTER.
If posters still do not print properly, or print too slow, then in the
PRINT dialog box, check the boxed marked "Method A". This should always
work.

SLOW PRINTING.
Sorry, but Windows printing is s..l..o..w.  I have no good solution for
this.  Be sure to verify your poster with "Preview" in the "Print"
dialog box.  Then, have patience while it prints.


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WHATS NEW.
5.1  9/20/97.OLE support. Improved startup. Large page support.
    Fancy shapes.  Bug fixes.
5.0c 8/8/97. Improved arrows and graphics selection.
5.0b 7/9/97.  Improved print preview. Fixes for bitmap printing,
     "Cant Print Poster" errors. Shift-arrow now selects text..
5. 5/25/97. 32-bit port of 3.5a. No OLE support.
3.5a 5/18/97. Fixed bugs in alternate printer selection.
3.5  5/7/97. Banner and NEW setup improved. Fix to tutorial file 'goto'.
     Revised scale,ruler,grid,and status line logic.
     Fixed preserve-aspect-ratio on picture scaling.
     Polygons can now have up to 1000 points.
     Fixed some minor bugs.
3.4c 4/19/97. Adds ability to select a printer with Printer Setup.
     Also minor bugfixes.
3.4b Bugfixes for Wave/arch.
3.4  Minor bug fixes. Consolidation of all 3.3 fixes.
3.3d Adds over 30 examples. Adds 'reshape' capability for polygons.
     Bugfixes for cut and paste, especially of text boxes.
3.3c Fixes import of some bmp files, cursor key moves in zoom mode, and
     clipping of tall text when printing in method A/B. Other small bugs.
3.3b Fixes occasional hang/abort on a backspace. Also text-box redraw&margins.
3.3: Fixes parameter passing on the command line so you can start up
     poster by double clicking on a *.pos file name.
     Changes that make it easier to work with big bitmaps as backgrounds.
     Bugfix for graphics select not always working as expected.
3.2. Import GIF and JPG (JPEG) files directly.
Edit Picture lets you crop, lighten/darken, adjust contrast, and
adjust color value of bitmap pictures (BMP, GIF, JPG).
3.1:  Support for continuous forms and HP680.
      Gradient color fills on rectangles and text.
      Automatic borders on banners.
      Cool text warps.
3.0c: Prevent problems when line width,color,or style is set on bitmaps
      or metafiles.
3.0b: Fix 'out of memory' when using groups, bad reload of Windings font,
      and problems in loading certain bmp (bitmap) files.
3.0a: minor bugfixes.

Version 3 is a major improvement in Poster:
Full screen mode, with Zoom, for better construction of complex posters.
Removal of 2000 character limit.
Much greater precision in character placement, especially for
small characters in big posters.
Rotated, arched, and waved text.
Ruler, Grid,  and snap to grid for help in graphics placement.
Ability the apply bitmap patterns and pictures to text.
More flexibility in text special effects.
99 built-in simple borders.
Color and gradients for backgrounds.
The ability to show page breaks on the working drawing.
Minor Bug fixes.

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SUPPORT.

For the latest on Poster, including the latest version, tips and hints,
etc., see our web page:
  http://members.aol.com/PosterSW

If you have any problems or suggestions, please send me a note.  My
email address is
AOL: PosterSW
Internet: [e-mail]
Or you may call me at [phone].

REGISTRATION.

POSTER is shareware. If you try this program, find it useful, and
continue to use it, you are expected to register. The fee is only $16.
(plus $2 shipping, $4 overseas), which is really quite reasonable for
a program like POSTER.

Unregistered users are limited to printing 10 posters. When you register,
you are entitled to unlimited support, future
versions, and a free disk full of fancy borders.  You wil receive the
registration code immediately via email, which will remove the 10 poster
limit. (Be sure to include your email address). To register:

From CIS (Compuserv), type GO SWREG, and register ID 4249.

By mail the fee is $16 with NO shipping charge. Send check or cash to:
    Bob Bedoll, POSTER Software
    11002 48th St. E.
    Puyallup, WA. 98372
You may print an order form by copying the file ORDER.TXT to your
printer. Pay by check, money order, or cash.

Credit Card Orders (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover):

        Call Poster SW at 1-888-853-4828, (toll free) OR
             Public SW Library at  1-800-2424-PSL,  or 713-524-6394,
             or FAX to PSL at 713-524-6398. Ask for POSTER, number 14375.
          or email to Poster SW.
          or mail credit card orders to Poster Software.
    By the WEB: http://members.aol.com/postersw

    Do NOT use these numbers for any support questions. Instead, call
       [phone].


When you register, you receive a disk containing the latest version of
POSTER, and a set of fancy borders, by return mail.

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ASP (Association of Shareware Professionals) OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT.

This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle
works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem
with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to
help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with
an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members'
products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road,
Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX [phone] or send a CompuServe
message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536."


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DEINSTALL  (REMOVING POSTER)

To remove POSTER from your system, do the following:

1. Find the directory containing Poster.
2. Delete all files, using erase *.*.
   Delete the file 'poster.ini' from your WINDOWS directory.
3. If you want to save the saved poster files, but remove the
   program, then delete the files POSTER.EXE, POSTER.TXT, POSTER.HLP,
   and CTL3D.DLL.
4. To remove the start icon:
    Windows 3.1: In the program manager, highlight the Poster icon,
        and then hit the DEL key.
    Win95: Click on 'Start', then 'Settings', then 'Task Bar', then
        'Start Text Menu', then 'Remove'.  Find the Poster entry,
        highlight it, and then click on 'Remove'.

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USING POSTER.

To start using poster, simply double click on the poster icon.  POSTER
will start and ask you for the poster or banner format. After selecting
the format you want, it will present an empty page to you.  Just start
typing to begin making your poster.

The POSTER install program also associates *.POS files with POSTER.
Double clicking on a POS file will
automatically start poster with that file.

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DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT.

Users of POSTER must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"POSTER is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all
warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation,
the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.
The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse-
quential, which may result from the use of POSTER."

POSTER is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge
to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your
friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system.  The essence of "user-supported" software is to
provide personal computer users with quality software without
high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to
continue to develop new products.  If you find this program
useful and find that you are using POSTER and continue to use
POSTER after a reasonable trial period, you must make a reg-
istration payment of $16.  The registration fee will license one copy
for use on any one computer at any one time.  You must treat this
software just like a book.  An example is that this software may be used
by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer
location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it
being used at one location while it's being used at another.
Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the
same time.

Commercial users of POSTER must register and pay for their copies of
POSTER within 30 days of first use, or after six posters have been
printed,  or their license is withdrawn.  Site-License arrangements may
be made by contacting the author.

Anyone distributing POSTER for any kind of remuneration should
first contact the author at the address below for authorization.
This authorization will generally be automatically granted.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of POSTER along to your
friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their
copy if they find that they can use it.  All registered users
will receive a copy of the latest version of POSTER.

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TECHNICAL TRIVIA.

POSTER is written in C, and complied using MSVC 1.5.  It consists of
about 20,000 lines of code.
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Bob Bedoll, member, Association of Shareware Professionals
8/8/97.
Poster Software
11002 48th St. E., Puyallup, WA, 98372
email: [e-mail] or [e-mail]
[phone].