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+----------------------------------------------------+ | TAGPRINT | | Version 1.20 | +----------------------------------------------------+ | | | (C)Copyright Ashcroft Group Inc. 1985, 1986, 1987 | | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | +----------------------------------------------------+ | This version of the documentation, software | | and copyright supersedes all previous versions of | | TAGPRINT. | +----------------------------------------------------+ January 15, 1987 ASHCROFT GROUP INC. 2401 Longest Avenue Louisville, Ky 40204 CompuServe [75166,1547] TABLE OF CONTENTS Copyright Notice..................... I Introduction......................... II What you need........................ III Configuring for your System ......... IV Loading TagPrint Automatically....... V Operation............................ VI Building a Printer Command File...... VII Order Form........................... VIII I. COPYRIGHT NOTICE This user-supported software product is copyrighted and all rights reserved by the Ashcroft Group Inc.. The use of this software is expressly prohibited, except as authorized herein. Users of this software are granted a limited license for trial use on a private non-commercial basis. You may not: 1) Translate, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble this software. 2) Grant licenses, leases or other rights in this software to others. 3) Distribute this software for any consideration or fees. 4) Distribute this software in any modified form. This software is a demonstration version which we encourage you to share with others. This demonstration version is identical in all respects to the commercial version, except that it contains an advertising display screen. The intent of this advertising screen is to encourage users to purchase the product. An order form is provided at the end of this user's manual. The Ashcroft Group Inc. makes no warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, regarding the program and disclaim any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to the results and performance of the program is assumed by the user. The Ashcroft Group Inc. will not be liable for any damages arising out of use of the program including incidental or consequential damages. II. INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your choice of TagPrint. We hope you will find TagPrint to be one of your most useful utilities. We encourage you to read this manual which contains important information to help you get started quickly on your way to using the power provided by TagPrint. The manual will instruct you on what you need to start and how to configure and operate TagPrint. Once you have configured TagPrint for your system, you can choose to have it automatically load upon initial power-up or reboot. Then you can enter TagPrint at any time by simply pressing Shift PrtSc (print-screen). TagPrint can even be called up from within another program. TagPrint's friendly pop-up menu allows you to easily control the many special features of your printer. TagPrint will support virtually any printer. As distributed, TagPrint is set to work with an Epson FX printer. Regardless of what printer you have, try this example: 1) To activate TagPrint, type "TAGPRINT /X" and press the ENTER key. 2) Press Shift PrtSc (print- screen). An advertising screen will be displayed followed by a print selection screen. 3) Press PgDn. "Elite, 12 CPI, Single Strike" should now appear on the highlighted line. Select this printing mode by pressing the RETURN key. The printer will be sent the proper command codes to set this mode of operation. 4) Press the ESC key to exit TagPrint. 5) Now if you have an Epson FX printer, anything you print will be in Elite, 12 characters per inch, Single Strike until the printer is reset. NOTE: If your printer is not an Epson FX, you should reset it at this time. III. WHAT YOU NEED To run TagPrint (ie TAGPRINT.COM) you will need an IBM PC, XT, AT, or compatible machine; PC or MS-DOS 2.0 or higher; and a printer. Useful, but not absolutely necessary, would be a command file (ie ????????.TAG) for your particular printer. A TAG file contains printer command codes and descriptions which may be installed during the customization process. The following is a list of TAG files which have been developed by the authors and placed on CompuServe and numerous computer bulletin boards for the indicated printers. PRINTER FILE NAME Epson LX EPSONLX.TAG Epson FX EPSONFX.TAG Epson MX EPSONMX.TAG Epson JX EPSONJX.TAG Epson RX EPSONRX.TAG Epson LQ EPSONLQ.TAG Okidata Microline 84 OKI84.TAG Okidata Microline 92/192 OKI92.TAG Okidata Microline 93/193 OKI93.TAG IBM ProPrinter IBMPRO.TAG IBM Matrix Printer IBMMATRI.TAG IBM Graphics Printer IBMGP.TAG NEC P2/32 NECP232.TAG TOSHIBA 1351 TOSHI351.TAG The program can support additional printers by utilizing the built-in Printer Command Editor. This is the exact method used by the authors to create the above TAG files. IV. CONFIGURING FOR YOUR SYSTEM Configuration consists of setting your printer port (default LPT1), indicating your audio bell preference (default ON), and customizing TagPrint for your printer. Until you become familiar with the operation of TagPrint, we strongly recommend leaving the audio bell signal on. If you are using printer port 2 (LPT2), it can be easily selected from the Main Customization Screen. If you have an EPSON FX printer attached to LPT1, you can skip this section - the TagPrint program is already set to work with that printer. Otherwise, you will need to customize TagPrint for your particular printer. There are two methods of customization: 1) Loading an existing TAG file such as those provided by the authors, or 2) Developing a 'special' TAG file for your printer. In order to perform either customization process, a thorough understanding of the Customization Screen is required. The Main Customization Screen is normally displayed after issuing the command 'TAGPRINT' at the DOS system prompt. NOTE: This screen cannot be accessed after TagPrint is resident. All available options are displayed on the Main Customization Screen and are explained below: F1 - Pop-up screen is displayed which lists printers for which printer command files are available from the authors. F2 - User's manual is printed. F3 - Use the alternate printer port - LPT1 or LPT2. NOTE: Use F8 to make the current selection permanent. F4 - Toggle Audio Bell. Bell signals in any printer command code will be sent or not sent to the printer in accordance with option currently selected. Note: Use F8 to make the current selection permanent. F5 - Use to load program with any printer command file (ie. TAG file) in current default directory. F6 - Editing Printer Commands. (Refer to section VII). F7 - Use to save current Printer Commands to a file. F8 - Save TagPrint as currently configured. F9 - Exit and make resident. ESC - Exit and return to DOS (not resident). Here are two examples of customization: Example 1 - Loading an existing TAG file 1) To activate TagPrint, type 'TAGPRINT' and press the ENTER key. This will display the Main Customization Screen. 2) Refer to Section III of this manual to find the file name for your printer. For example if you have an IBM Matrix Printer, your file name is IBMMATRI.TAG. 3) Press the F5 key, type in the name of your file (i.e. IBMMATRI), and press the ENTER key. NOTE: It is not necessary to type the extension (.TAG). 4) Press the F8 key to resave TagPrint incorporating your printer commands. 5) Press F9 to exit. You are now ready to use TagPrint. Example 2 - Developing a 'special' Tag file for your printer. 1) Perform Step 1 in Example 1 above. 2) Press the F6 key to display the Printer Command Editor. Refer to Section VII of this manual for editing instructions. 3) When editing is completed, return to the Main Customization Screen by pressing the ESC key. 4) Press F7 and then enter a file name to which you wish to save your printer command file. The file will be saved when you press the ENTER key. NOTE: It is not necessary to enter the extension (.TAG). 5) Perform steps 4 and 5 of Example 1 above. V. LOADING TAGPRINT AUTOMATICALLY If you choose to have TAGPRINT.COM automatically load upon initial power-up or reboot, you must place the command 'TAGPRINT' in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If you do not have an AUTOEXEC.BAT file, enter: COPY CON: AUTOEXEC.BAT and press [ENTER] Now type: TAGPRINT /X and press [ENTER] Next Press the F6 key, then press [ENTER]. The TAGPRINT program will now run automatically whenever you power-up or reboot. If you already have an AUTOEXEC.BAT file and you want to add TAGPRINT, you will need to change your current AUTOEXEC.BAT to include the command TAGPRINT /X. A word about the '/X' following TAGPRINT. This command line parameter tells the program to immediately terminate but stay resident. The result is the same as pressing the F9 (ie. make resident) after loading the program without using the ' /X' parameter. If you are unfamiliar with AUTOEXEC we strongly recommend that you read the appropriate section in your DOS manual. VI. OPERATION TagPrint may be called up any time you need it, from any application program. Simply press Shift PrtSc (print-screen). In this demonstration version an advertising message will be displayed for 20 seconds followed by TagPrint's main menu. While TagPrint is active, several groups of keys have special significance: FUNCTION KEYS F1 - Pop-up HELP screen is displayed which provides descriptions of Function Keys 2-5. F2 - Normal print screen is executed. You will be returned to your normal application (not TagPrint) after the print screen is completed. This allows normal print-screen operations. F3 - Causes the program to use the alternate printer port - LPT1 or LPT2. F4 - Toggle Audio Bell. Bell signals in any printer command code will be sent or not sent to the printer in accordance with the option currently selected. F5 - A copy of the screen that was present before TagPrint was activated will be displayed. After viewing, return to TagPrint by pressing the F5 key again. WINDOW SCROLL KEYS Six different keys on the cursor pad can be used to change the highlighted menu selection in the bottom portion of the screen. UP ARROW - moves up one line. DOWN ARROW - moves down one line. PgUp - moves up 4 lines. PgDn - moves down 4 lines. Home - moves to top of menu. End - moves to bottom of menu. WINDOW COMMAND KEYS RETURN - send command to printer for highlighted menu selection. ESC - The ESC key causes TagPrint to go back into hiding, leaving your application intact right where you left off. Ctrl End - This key combination will cause TagPrint to deinstall and return all allocated memory to the system memory pool. The actual performance of the deinstall request may be delayed until DOS is not busy. This delay will in no way cause problems with the operation of your computer. When TagPrint encounters an error while sending a command to your printer, it flashes to let you know that communications with the printer were not successful. There are several things you can do to remedy the problem. 1) Make sure that the printer is turned on and is on-line and ready. 2) Verify that the printer cable is attached to the specified port, and is in good condition. 3) If you have an external print buffer make sure it is powered up and properly connected. VII. BUILDING A PRINTER COMMAND FILE The capability to easily build a customized printer command file was added to this version of TagPrint to provide a method of supporting all printers and allowing users the flexibility to customize TagPrint for any printer. If your printer is not one of those for which a printer command file has been provided, or if you decide to improve upon an existing file, you will probably need to refer to your printer manual to determine what commands you wish to utilize. To build or modify a printer command file, press F6 while on the Main Customization Screen. This will cause the Printer Command Editor to be displayed. This screen is actually three stacked windows. Bottom Window: When F6 is pressed, control is passed to this window. The user may select a printer command to be edited, add a new printer command, delete an existing printer command, or return to the Main Customization Screen. The printer command menu can be scrolled using the following keys: UP ARROW - moves up one line. DOWN ARROW - moves down one line. PgUp - moves up 4 lines. PgDn - moves down 4 lines. Home - moves to top of menu. End - moves to bottom of menu. When the Ins (INSERT) key is pressed, a blank line is inserted before the highlighted line. A blank line is considered a valid printer command. Maximum commands = 50. Existing commands may be deleted from the menu by pressing the Del (DELETE) key. Minimum commands = 1. Pressing the ENTER key will select the currently highlighted printer command for editing, and the TOP WINDOW will become active. Pressing the ESC key will return the program to the Main Customization Screen where the edited changes can either be saved or discarded. Top Window: When active, a cursor will appear in the top window. The user may then enter or modify the description for the command highlighted in the bottom window. The following keys perform special functions: Left Arrow - moves cursor left Right Arrow - moves cursor right Tab - moves cursor right 5 spaces Back Tab - moves cursor left 5 spaces Backspace - destructs character to left of cursor, then moves cursor left one space. Insert - Ins key changes modes between insert and overwrite. Insert mode is denoted by a large solid cursor. While in insert mode each time a character is entered from the keyboard, all characters from the cursor to the end of the edit line are shifted right. (Any character in the end of line position will be lost). ESC - The escape key will abort the current text editing and will restore the text to that displayed in the bottom window. Enter - Accept the changes entered and proceed to the center window for Print Control Code Editing. Center Window: This window displays the actual codes that will be sent to the printer for the description highlighted in the bottom window. A command code may be from 0 to 15 bytes . The command code is shown in both decimal and hexadecimal notation. When applicable, mnemonic symbols, ASCII characters, or control characters are also displayed. Although a command code may consist of less, the display always shows 16 bytes. A byte with a value of 255 has special significance. It signals the program that the printer command code sequence has been completed. Any bytes shown to the right of a '255' terminator byte would never be sent to the printer and therefore are meaningless. ALWAYS END A PRINTER COMMAND WITH A 255! Another value, 254, also has special significance to TagPrint. When included in a printer command code, the program will prompt for a replacement value when the command is actually sent to the printer. Use this technique when the actual value you might wish to use is not known. For example, setting the left margin on your printer could be handled by one menu selection since the '254' placeholder byte could be used to prompt for a 'variable' margin. When this window is active, a flashing down arrow is displayed over the byte that may be modified. This arrow may be moved left and right using the appropriate arrows on the cursor pad. The cursor pad is also used to change the value of the selected byte. Changes may be made by using the following keys: Home - set to 255 decimal End - set to 0 decimal PgUp - increase by 16 decimal PgDn - decrease by 16 decimal Up Arrow - increase by 1 Dn Arrow - decrease by 1 NOTE: Values will roll over at 255 and 0 (eg. pressing PgUp when current value is 255 will result in a value of 15). As with the top and bottom windows, two keys will cause the program to exit the middle window. ESC - The escape key will abort the printer control code editing and will restore the code to its original condition. The process is returned to the bottom window. Enter - Accept the changes entered and return process to the bottom window. ----------------- VIII. ORDER FORM ----------------- ATTENTION: ASHCROFT GROUP INC. DATE: _________ 2401 Longest Avenue Louisville, Kentucky 40204 BILL TO: SHIP TO: ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________ QUANTITY ITEM COST PER UNIT TOTAL COST ======== ===================== ================= ================ ____ TagPrint Program 1.2 $20.00 _______ (Outside USA or Canada add $15.00 for postage) _______ Total Amount .... _______ ================================================================== Payment must accompany order. Please check method of payment. ____ Check payable to: Ashcroft Group Inc. ____ Visa ____ MasterCard Cardholder's Name _______________________________________ Account Number _______________________________________ Expiration Date ____________ Telephone ____________ Cardholder's Signature __________________________________