Hall of Fame/HallofFameCDROM.cdr/other/hm-readr.lzh/RS.DOC

Text File | 1991-02-14 | 10.0 KB | 265 lines

Documentation for the ReaderSoft Reader

The ReaderSoft Reader, a Paperless Book program.






Designed & Conceived by High Mesa Publishing.

Coded and Developed by Jupiter Software.







(c) Copyright 1991 by Jupiter Software



The ReaderSoft Reader is a Freeware program.  Its purpose is to provide a
quality Book Reader to the public.

Recommendation from Jupiter Software:  This program was designed with speed
and power in mind.   Unfortunately, we have not been able to meet all needs.
Jupiter Software recommends that you use the ReaderSoft Reader with 640k, a
hard disk, and a 80286 for best performance.  You can survive with a minimum
of 384k, a floppy disk, and a 8086/8088 (if you are using the ReaderSoft
Reader to read .NOD (sm) files [for more information on this read on]).
However, the performance on your computer could be very slow.  We are at
work creating the next version right now that will enable all 8086/8088
computers to work just as fast with the RS Reader as other computers.
Thank you for your understanding.

You should have received an archive, a file named READSOFT.[zip,arc,zoo,
pak,etc.].   If you do not have this archive and received the program on a
floppy disk, then please read on for instructions.  If you do have this
archive please UNZIP, UNARC, etc., the files either onto a FLOPPY disk or
a HARD DISK DIRECTORY.


    1.  Hard Disk Installation


Create a directory on your hard disk such as "RS", and then UNZIP, UNARC, etc.,
all the files of the ReaderSoft archive into this directory.  Then copy the
program READ.EXE into a directory that your PATH statement reaches.  For
example:

        PATH=C:\;C:\RS

This is so that you will not have to switch to the RS directory everytime
you want to use the READ program.

Now you are pretty much ready to go.  Skip to section 3, "Up and Running."

If you do not have an ARCHIVE (zip,arc,zoo,pak,etc.) then simply insert the
floppy disk you received ReaderSoft on into either drive A: or drive B:.
Now, create a directory on your hard drive "RS".  Copy all the files from
drive A: (or B:) into the hard drive directory (i.e., COPY A:*.* C:\RS).
Then, copy READ.EXE into a directory that your PATH statement reaches.  See
the previous example.

    2.  Floppy Disk Installation


If you have no hard drive, and you have an archive, then all you have to do
is UNZIP, UNARC, etc., the READSOFT.[zip,arc,etc.] and you are all set.  Skip
to section 3.

If you have  no archive then there is nothing to do, so read on.


    3. Up and Running


ReaderSoft is a simple program to operate.  Basically, there are two ways to
start ReaderSoft.

        a.  C:> READ  (this is interactive mode)
        b.  C:> READ [filename] [/n]  (this is command-line mode)


    4. Interactive Mode


Interactive mode is simple.  You will be given an opening screen, such as "JS
RS, Jupiter Software ReaderSoft..." and you will be prompted to "HIT SPACE TO
CONTINUE."  Once you have done this you should see a menu something like this:

        500k Memory Free

        1>  Read and ASCII File
        2>  Add a copyright to an ASCII File
        3>  Read a .NOD (sm) file
        4> Information about .NOD(sm) and ReaderSoft
        5>  See a directory of files
         6>  Quit

It is fairly straight forward.  Option "1" will ask you what file you would
like to load (at this point you should type HELLO.DOC because this is the
document that should have come with the ReaderSoft reader).

Option "2" will simply add a "copyright" to a file of yours, meaning, it
will add your name, and the title of your document (if you have one) and
a copyright to one of your files (note: this should only be done if you have
a HARD DISK!)

Option "3" is a different from ASCII mode (option "1") in that it reads ONLY
.NOD (sm) files.  .NOD files are files that end with the extension .NOD such
as HELLO.NOD.  These files are ENCRYPTED so that they protect the writer's
works from being stolen.  You can only read this if you have purchased them
from Jupiter Software or High Mesa Publishing.   It is recommended that you
NOT use OPTION "3" if you do NOT have A HARD DRIVE or a 80286 or greater
processor.  This is because of the complexity of the ENCRYPTION.  When you
do choose this option, the HELLO.NOD file must be in the current directory,
and you must ONLY type HELLO to load the file.  Be patient, it might take a
while.  80386 20MHz and faster computers should only have to wait for about
5 seconds to load a full book.  So if you have an 8088/8086 you may have to
wait up to a minute for the PaperLess Book to load.

Option "4" is simply information about .NOD files.  Please read what option
"4" says.

Option "5" is just like the DOS DIR command, except that you have to type
something in to get it to work.  If you don't know about wildcards, filenames,
etc., just type "*.*" and you will get the equivalent of typing DIR /W.

Option "6" simply returns control from the ReaderSoft program to DOS.


    5.  Command Line Mode


This is for more advanced users.  There are only two command line parameters
that you should use:

        READ [filename] [/n].

Where [filename] is the FULL DOS filname, such as HELLO.DOC or HELLO.NOD.

Where [/n] signifies that you will be loading a .NOD (sm) file.  If you are
loading anything other than a .NOD file then simply leave it off (note: /r
is equivalent to not typing /n).

6.  Creating your own publishable files

This program has been dedicated to Freeware for users like yourself to
distribute and use.  Its purpose is to bring you a quality Text Reader
and PaperLess Book Reader.   Another purpose of this program is to allow
writers to publish electronically without the fear of having their works
stolen.  That is why this program has several interesting features.

A first note, if you have something to publish we'd be happy to publish
it for you.   With large distribution of this program a book or a magazine
published could reach millions of people who own computers using ReaderSoft.
The potential is great.

Now, some of those interesting features.  First of all, did you know that the
ReaderSoft Reader can interpret colors from an ASCII file?  Or a .NOD (sm)
file?  Well, it can.  At this point it cannot read ANSI colors and commands
(maybe in the future) but as for now the use of these is simple.

First, find a simple text editor which allows you to put CONTROL codes in
your files (such as WordStar, or what we recommend is the Tiny EDitor from
PC Magazine).  Next, all you have to do is figure out what colors you want
where.

So what do you do then?  Okay, just put in a control code from 16 through 31.
Here is a rundown of the colors you can use (note: all colors are on a black
background):

    CTRL-16    Black            CTRL-17    Blue
    CTRL-18    Green            CTRL-19    Cyan
    CTRL-20    Red            CTRL-21    Magenta
    CTRL-22    Brown            CTRL-23    Light Grey
    CTRL-24    Dark Grey        CTRL-25    Light Blue
    CTRL-26    Light Green        CTRL-27    Light Cyan
    CTRL-28    Light Red        CTRL-29    Light Magenta
    CTRL-30    Yellow            CTRL-31    White

You may think that sounds too hard to do.   But it is not.  Here is a simple
example, and if you cannot get it then see the last section,  WARRANTIES AND
SUPPORT SERVICES.

    Get the Tiny EDitor (TED) from a local bulletin board.  Or get it
from PC Magazine.  Or get one just like it, that, when you press CTRL and
a ALPHABET CHARACTER you get weird characters, such as notes, arrows, and
stars.

    Now that you are in this text editor,  type the statement:

    HELLO, THIS IS IN RED, THIS IS IN YELLOW.

    Now, go to the beginning of the word RED (on the letter R) and press
the ALT, key type in the number 20 (on the NUMERIC KEYPAD!) and then let go
of the ALT key.  Then, go to the end of the word RED (after the letter D) and
press ALT, type 31, and then let go of ALT.  Go to the beginning of the word
YELLOW (on the Y) and press ALT, type 30 and let ALT go, then go after the W
in YELLOW and press ALT, type 31 and let ALT go.

    Now, save the file.  You should have some strange characters in your
file. Exit your text editor, and type READ [filename] where [filename] is the
name of the file you saved "HELLO..." in.  Once you have that file loaded you
should see color only if you have a CGA or better with a color monitor though)!


    7.  Distribution


This is a fairly powerful program.  We are not asking you to pay for it.  We
don't even want you to pay for this program.  We think you should use it and
pass it on to your friends, but remember, there are still some rules in using
free programs:

        1> don't change any files in the READSOFT archive.
        2> do not change the READ.EXE file.
        3>  pass it on to your friends and foes alike, free of charge.

For more information please read the file included with the ReaderSoft Reader
LICENSE.DOC.

    8. Warranties and Support Services


We warrant that this program will work on your computer and that it will not
do harm to any other software or hardware.  We are not responsible if any of
the files in the READSOFT archive have been damaged or changed.   If you do
not trust your archive (i.e., are afraid of viruses) then please send us $2.00
check or money order (shipping and handling) and we will send you your first
.NOD file and all the programs and files that should be in the READSOFT
archive.   We can send it to you on any IBM type disk [3.5",5.25",720k,
360k,1.44m,1.2m].  You will also receive a current list of ALL books (.NOD
(sm) files) available.

No other warranties are expressed or implied.

LAST NOTE:  If you need more detailed instructions to run this program, then
please write us or call us and we will help you in any way we can.  If you
notice any BUGS in this program, then please write or call us and we will
send you a free .NOD file if it helps us.

    High Mesa Publishing
    13 Osage Drive
    Los Lunas, NM
    87031        call [phone] (modem) at 1200

    or

    Jupiter Software
    11100 Gibson SE #0399
    Albuquerque, NM
    87123        call [phone] (modem) at 1200


    This documentation file was created, published, and printed by the
J Press.