PsL Monthly 1993 December/PSL Monthly Shareware CD-ROM (December 1993).iso/reviews/p1_02

Text File | 1993-10-01 | 19.0 KB | 476 lines

P1-02:  Text File Formatting / Printing


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7050/0865 File Printing Programs #1          Small Programs Disk
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Aprint 1.0
   Metro Consulting Group, Inc.
   $10
prints files which originated from mainframes and which contain ANSI
control codes. (The authors can no longer be reached at the address
provided in the documentation.)

Both 3
   Feldmann, Peter F.
   $20
allows printing text files on both sides of the paper by printing all the odd
pages, letting you turn the paper over, and then printing the even pages. Some
formatting of unformatted text files can also be done.

CPrint
   Doman, Daniel
   $0
is designed to print out files that have not been formatted for printing
already. That is, they lack page breaks and other niceities.

Documentation Formatter  (DOCFORM)
   Pakin, Scott
   $0
makes it easy to generate well formatted program documentation with boldface
print, underlined print, margins, double or triple spacing, headers, and
footers. It should work with almost every printer.

DocMaster (DOCMAST)
   Anderson, Pat
   $?
is a set of tools for printing documentation files whether unformatted (ie:
no page breaks and headers), formatted with embedded formfeeds or with blank
lines.

Form
   Tauck, Eric
   $?
is a text file formatting/printing program. Including printing alternate
pages only, printing a specified number of pages, starting with a specified
page, allowing various forms of page recognition, many options for dealing
with blank spaces and tabs, conversion to uppercase, lower case, or first
letter caps, using or ignoring EOF marker on input/output, and more.

LP14
   Buerg, Vernon
   $0
prints an ASCII file on a standard printer device at either 66 or 88 lines per
page. A title is printed at the top of each page which contains the file
name, creation date, and page number.

Multi-Print 4.0 (MPRINT)
   Doyan, Gerald P. ASP
   $15
is a file printing program. A pull down directory listing allows you to add a
document to the queue on the fly. Several printer font styles and Laser
printer compatibility have been added. You can `zoom' the text view window so
that more of your documents text can be seen. It also allows you to print on
both sides of paper. Support for printers configured as LPT2, LPT3, etc, has
been added. DESQview compatibility is also provided.

PageBrk
   Kuhn, Bill
   $?
prints a file of continuous text (ie:  not broken up into pages), adding a
form feed every 55 lines and adding blank lines and, optionally, a header and
page numbers to the top of each page. While some large file-printing
utilities in the library will do this and a lot more, this one is small and
simple.

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END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #0865
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7050/1900 File Printing Programs #2          Small Programs Disk
-----------------------------------

DocSmash 3.3 (DOCSMAS)
   Rettger, David W.
   $10
will reduce the size of the printed output of any text or document file. It
uses Epson control codes to reduce the print size and adjust line width to
enable the printer to place four pages of normal documentation on a single
sheet of paper. Other features includes user controlled word wrap; no
truncating of print that is too wide for a single line; and progress reports
during printing. Other printers are supported in addition to Epsons.

NRO
   is a file formatting and printing utility.

PP
   is a file printer with the following options:  print a header on each page
with filename, date, time and page number; specify number of lines to print
per page; add line numbers; expand tabs to a specified number of spaces; set
page width; and print multiple files.

PR
   is a public domain file printing utility with numerous options:
multi-column output, line wrap, page headers, line indenting, print more than
one file on a page (each in in its own column - handy for newsletters), line
numbering, print to a file, pause for paper change, specify page width, ignore
unprintable characters and strip high-order bits, and more.

PrnPart
   Bennett, David
   $0
will let you print specific pages of a text file without having to print the
whole file. It defines a page as being either 66 consecutive lines or a
formfeed, whichever comes first. (The documentation says "linefeed", but
we're pretty sure he means "formfeed".)

QuickPrint 3.0 (QPRINT)
   DeRose, Joseph L.
   $0
is a text file viewing and printing utility. It starts by displaying a list of
files. When you select one, it lets you scroll through it on the screen. If
you elect to print it, QP tells you how many pages are to be printed and
displays a progress bar while printing, as well as the page number being sent
to the printer.

QP will automatically paginate and add page numbers for unformatted files. You
can tag files for printing several in a row. Also included is the ability to
print with line numbers; the ability to change lines printed per page; and to
display the time in the page footer.

SmallDoc (SMALLDO)
   Roper, David
   $0
makes "small" pages of ASCII "doc"umentation. ".DOC" and ".TXT" files that
accompany the Shareware/PD programs and to produce a small-sized document that
will fit in the three ring notebooks which are the same size as the IBM Basic
book or many of the other same size small book/slip cover sets. SMALLDOC
provides the lines to cut on and marks the positions where to punch the three
holes. For document files that are already formatted, SMALLDOC simply reduces
the size and adds the margin on the left side for the holes to be punched.

Super Print 2.70 (SUPER-P)
   Margison, Steven E. ASP
   $10
will print one or more files performing, by default, a form feed every 64
lines, and perform no other processing. However, an extensive command line
option set will also let you add line numbering, page headings, time and date,
extra form feed at the end of each file, slashed zeros, and left margin
settings.

Other options are to pause at each page for paper change, override automatic
form feed, specify beginning and ending pages to print and number of copies to
print. There is also a "typewriter" mode for entering text directly form the
keyboard. A translation feature allows a user to substitute different
characters for those in the source file. This allows you to print a file with
extended ASCII characters on a printer which does not have that support.

TinyList (TINYLST)
   allows printing of text files on a minimum of paper using superscripted and
condensed print. A standard 8.5 by 11 inch piece of paper can hold almost 20K
of text. Turbo Pascal source is provided for modification for most printers.

TPrint
   is a flexible text file printing program which allows selected portions of
your file to be listed. TPRINT is command-line driven and provides you with
on-line help so that the utility can be used without refering back to the
manual. TPRINT also provides for multiple copies and single-sheet feeding.

TT-2
   RPSoft
   $25
is a set of three text processing tools for the IBM PC. The first one, PRNT2,
produces listings of all files matching one or more file descriptors. The
program MAIL.BAS allows custom letters to be generated from a file of names
and addresses. XUP creates multiple columns from a single column of data.
The user may select the number of columns, width of columns and the number of
lines per page.

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END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #1900
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---------------------------------
7050/1147 File Printing Utilities          Small Programs Disk
2Col 4.9-------------------------

2Col 4.9  [10/93 CD]
   ARCaine Technology
   $20
prints files in two columns. Up to eight pages can be printed on a
single page, and dot-matrix and HP DeskJet compatible printers are
supported.

Asprn
   Hummel, Robert L.
   $0
lets you easily change print styles and control other printer functions from
within the text file that you are printing. Asprn monitors output going to
the printer looking for user specified macros. When it recognizes one, it
substitutes a predefined set of printer control codes. This should work with
any printer. res:1k

Backpage (BACKPG)
   Hicks, Robert
   $0
will let you print files in reverse page order so that the pages come out in
correct order. It will also let you print on both sides of the paper in the
correct order. It will optionally print to file(s). This should work with
any printer and with any program that will print to disk. However, it
REQUIRES the pages in the file to be divided into pages with formfeed
characters and not simply padded to page length with blank lines.

Byline 2.0
   Rein, Tony
   $3
is a utility for extracting and moving selected portions of text files, either
to a printer or to another disk file. The purpose is to allow you to print
only parts of a long document, or to add all or part of one disk file to all
or part of another.

Check-It-Out 2.30 (CHKOUT)
   Hess, Ronald E.
   $5
checks document files for the presence of "upper ASCII" characters (such as
line-drawing characters) before you waste time printing them on a printer that
will not print such characters. Check-It-Out is very fast, and if you find
upper ASCII characters, you can use a utility such as Over127 to convert those
characters to alternatives while printing.

CountPgs 3.51a (COUNTPG)
   Wisan, Richard N.
   $0
scans a file that you want to print and tells you how many pages it will take
to print and the length of the longest line in the file (or on each page) with
an option to specify tab width. You are warned if a file ends with or without
a formfeed, has too many lines between formfeeds, or begins with a formfeed,
so that you can make changes before printing the file.

INT17
   Gavin, Bruce
   $10
disables printer output. Programs will still think they are printing, even
though they are not. This is useful if you don't want printer output for any
reason - not even redirected to the screen or disk (as other utilities in PsL
will allow). Printer output can be re-enabled from the DOS command line.

Margarine 2.81 (MARG)
   Steenburgh, Chuck ASP
   $10
adds left, top, and bottom margins to text files. It calculates the maximum
size buffer that can be added to each line in the file without pushing the
right margin off the screen/paper. It also paginates documents.

MLPS
   will send a formfeed to your printer when you press Shift-PrtSc. Just put
MLPS in your AUTOEXEC file and it's always handy.

Over127 1.0
   Sawada, Dr. Masaaki
   $5-$10
traps upper-ASCII characters headed for the printer and substitutes
lower-ASCII characters. This allows printers that do not support the
upper-ASCII characters to print reasonable alternatives instead. For example,
"+" could be substituted for ASCII-206. (For purists, characters with codes
above 127 are not "ASCII" and are properly referred to as the "IBM Extended
Character Set," but "upper-ASCII" is so much easier...) res:5k

P2V 1.00
   Graham, Keith P.
   $0
redirects Printer output to the screen.  It is useful to test printer
routines and see the output without wasting paper.

Print Interceptor 1.3 (PINT)
   Meyer, Eric
   $0
is a memory resident program that translates printer output according to a
table that can be changed at will. This can be used on printers that don't
support foreign characters or line-drawing characters to emulate those
characters, for example. res:8k

PreView
   Szakacs, Kurt
   $0
wins the prize for the most innovative utility in a long time. It's so seldom
that we get to see truly unique programs that we tend to get blown away by one
when it appears. What Preview does is read a text file and show you roughly
how it will look when printed out. It does not show you the actual text.
Instead, it displays a graphics pixel in place of a digit or letter. This
lets you see the layout for nine pages of text on one screen, and the program
is FAST!  (Graphics required.)

PSFF
   is a command to force a formfeed after a screen print. You must use the
right shift plus print keys, simultaneously to work. If you use the left
shift key, the printer will not go to the top of the next sheet.

Striphi 1.0
   Carter, Bryan
   $0
replaces characters in a file with asterisks when those characters are from
the upper half of the IBM extended character set, such as are line drawing
characters, for example. This makes the file easier to print. C source code
included.

Wait (WAIT-PA)
   Anderson, Pat
   $0
is for use when printing onto single-sheet paper. WAIT hides in the
background until you are printing a document that has a formfeed in it. Then
WAIT will pop up and pause the printing while you change paper. The advantage
of WAIT over PAGEBRK is that WAIT, being resident in memory, should work from
within other programs. The disadvantage is that if a file printer moves to
the top of the next page by a series of blank lines rather than an ASCII-12
formfeed character or if the file is a continuous series of lines of text,
then WAIT will not work. res:1k

1147 Booklets
-------------
Some utilities under File Printing can be used to print booklets because
they have the option to print every other page, allowing you to print on both
sides of the page. The programs in this section, however, were written
specifically for making booklets.

HLRB
   Pinnacle Software
   $0
Handy Little Booklet Maker prints pocket size booklets that can be used for
telephone numbers and addresses or any other kind of reference.

Phone 2.0 (PHONE1)
   Turing & Babbage
   $20-$25
will allow you to create and print your own phone book. Requires BASIC.

PanFle 0.2
   Sawada, Dr. Masaaki
   $10-$20
is a resident utility that intercepts output from your word processor and
prints it in pamphlet style (two pages on each side of the paper) while
maintaining underlining and other special features that your word processor
and printer support. res:57k

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END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #1147
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CPU
   #717
will print a text file in 1, 2 or 3 columns in "microjustified" print, if your
printer allows such. CPU also allows you to embed codes for underlined, bold,
elongated, or any special (such as color) options for which you enter your
printer's control codes.


MicroText 4.5 [MICROTXT] 08-93 CD
   Campbell, George
   $10
   #12393
is an extensive file printing program. It cuts down on the amount of paper
needed to print documentation for shareware programs by printing up to four
pages on a regular sheet of paper. It will also remove all extra blank lines
and all control characters; replace graphics characters with an asterisk or
print them if your printer will do so; word wrap long lines; add a left margin
for hole punching; print in one or two-column format, custom page lengths,
pagination, and more. It will let you preview the printout on screen. It will
work with most dot-matrix printers. Printing features include a printer
selection menu, built-in printer drivers, a TINY soft font for HPLJ users,
support for Epson LQ and IBM Proprinters and HPLJ II.


PC-Script
   Hansen, Mike
   $10
   #3176
enables you to print text in nine different fonts with different sizes. If you
have a mouse, there are several simple drawing features available. A 9 or
24-pin dot-matrix printer capable of graphics mode printing and a graphics
video adapter are required.


PrintPlus 6.6 [PRNTPLUS] 09-93 CD
   Klein, Lambert ASP
   $19
   #3120
is a full-featured file printing utility. Features include file viewing, tag and
copy, move, delete, and redirection of output to an ASCII file. It also features
pull-down menus and optional mouse support. It can print files from specified
page numbers, print line numbers, preview the number of pages to print, and
replace IBM box characters with user defined characters.


Formit
   Emerald City Software
   $15
   #7403/199
is a sophisticated text formating/printing program. It designed expressly for
the Epson FX series of printers. It takes full advantage of all the printer's
features, allowing you to create professional looking documents with multiple
fonts and pitches without special programming. With other printers, it will
give you full control over page layout and justification.


Neat
   Margison, Steven E. ASP
   $15
   #7403/618
is a post-editing text-formatting program. Back in the old days, it was common
to use a text editor for writing and a text formatter to prepare the text for
printing. Now virtually all word processors allow you to embed printer control
commands as you go, but a lot of people still use "text editors", which do not
have much printer control capability built in. But even those that do may not
allow you all the flexibility that is possible with a text formatter.

Neat is a nroff-like text file formatter and printer. It allows you nearly
total control of your printer output by letting you embed simple control codes
in your text file. For example, ".bf" turns boldface print on, ".cu" is
continuous underline, ".it" is italics. Configuration files come on the disk
for Epson, IDS/Dataproducts, and Okidata printers.


PrintPro
   International No-Bugs Software
   $?
   #7402/1175
is designed to let you control your printer in two ways: change printer
operation modes from within any application at any time, and embed specialized
printer control codes. PrintPro will intercept the codes going to the printer
and substitute the printer control codes. (res:60k)


PrintSelector
   Brook King Systems
   $29
   #7402/2825
allows you to control your printer settings either from a menu or by inserting
codes into your files which a TSR will translate into printer control codes from
within any program as you print the file. A non-TSR can also be used to print
the files from DOS.


RNF
   Liss, Ed and Kempton, Willett
   $0
   #7402/1302
is a text formatting/printing program.  Features include pagination, automatic
paragraph reform to fit specified page margins, optional right justification,
the ability to format chapter titles and/or section headers and number them
sequentially, the ability to format and number lists and sublists, and the
ability to mix multiple fonts in the same document.  Pascal source code is
included.


Tech File Print
   #7402/210
is a text formatter for which you embed the codes into text to control the
printer.


CityDesk
   #1027
This program has been removed from our listing, although we can still make it
available. Many shareware distributors claim this program to be a desktop
publishing program with graphics, etc., which is not true. It does very little
more than print your files in columns, which CPU (#717) does at least as
well. If you need a true (but low-cost) DTP program, we suggest TYPESETTER, in
the Desktop Publishing section, or Publish-It Lite in Retail Products.

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