MiniBanners/MiniBanners09 by Allen Huffman Copyright (C) 1990/1991 by Sub-Etha Software Support Line: (409) 639-ETHA [3842] OS9/OSK Midwest Division: (815) 748-6638 ------------------------- Introduction -------------------------- Thank You for helping support the future of the CoCo! You have just purchased a program which we hope will bring new functionality from your printer. MiniBanners will allow you to print single- or multiple-line banners to any printer, including daisy wheel printers, and "non-standard" printers such as the TP-10. (Yes, there is a use for that little printer!) Also included with MiniBanners is a collection of over 30 character styles, known as "fonts" to use for your banners. These include everything from gothic, bold, computer printing, italics, inverse, etc. [Note: There are two versions of MiniBanners. One for Disk Basic (refered to as the RS-Dos version) and one for OS-9. This manual will cover both versions. Any special command differences between versions will be noted.] ---------------------- Loading Instructions --------------------- Before using MiniBanners, we recommend you make a Backup of your master disk and use that. Refer to your Disk Basic or OS9 manual if you are unsure on how to do this, or call our support line. RS-Dos Version To load the program, insert the MiniBanners disk into Drive 0 and type: LOADM"MINIBAN" The program will quickly load and the "OK" prompt will return. To run MiniBanners, type: EXEC [Note: In the RS-Dos version, if you hold down the Enter key after typing 'EXEC' the program will start up using an 80 column screen.] Proceed to "Loading Instructions Continued". OS9 Version The OS9 version of MiniBanners requires you to have a bootable OS9 diskette with the "/P" printer driver and "/W" (non-VDG) screen. MiniBanners also requires access to RUNB and GFX2 from your OS9 System/Config Disk. (Many users choose to merge these modules together into one file. If you have done that, simply load the merged module then swap to the MiniBanners disk and type "MINIBAN".) Page 1 of 7 A special installation program, called "INSTALL.MB", is included to help you get MiniBanners09 up and running as soon as possible. Boot OS9 from your system disk then swap to the MiniBanners09 disk and type "INSTALL.MB". The program will prompt you for all necessary actions and will also install MiniBanners09 to a hard drive. Once installed, simply boot OS9 and type: OS9: LOAD RUNB Next, insert the MiniBanners09 disk and type: OS9: CHD /D0; CHX /D0/CMDS And finally, to run the program from a non-VDG window type: OS9: MINIBAN If you are on a 32 column VDG screen or just want MiniBanners09 to create it's own window to run in, type: OS9: MINIBAN <>>>/W& (You will then need to press the [CLEAR] key until you find the screen MiniBanners09 is running on.) [Note: MiniBanners09 will NOT run from a VDG screen!] Hard drive users who have installed MINIBAN into their CMDS directory (where the merged RUNB file should reside) and have a MINIBAN directory (where the font files reside) need only type "CHD /H0/MINIBAN" then "MINIBAN" (or "MINIBAN <>>>/W&") to run the program. A sample "do" (batch) file is included for hard drive users entitled "doban". While these instructions assume you are using a single drive setup or have a hard drive, many other setup options are available. As long as your execution directory contains RUNB, GFX2, and MINIBAN, and your working directory is where the font files are, MiniBanners09 should run fine. (RUNB and GFX2 can also be merged with MINIBAN to make it a stand-alone program!) Note: Make sure you have set your working directory (CHD) to point to wherever the font and config files are located before running or the program will not be able to operate. Loading Instructions Continued MiniBanners will then load and you will see the startup screen with a version, serial number, and copyright notice. You will then be prompted whether or not you wish to load a configuration saved on disk. At this time press "N" (for No) and the default parameters will be used. You will then be at the Main Menu. Note: For those of you who want to get the program running as soon as possible, please consult the section called "Quick Start" at the end of this manual for complete step-by-step instructions. Page 2 of 7 ------------------------- The Main Menu ------------------------- Changing Your Working Drive/Path RS-Dos Version [D]rive - At the top of the screen it shows which drive the program is currently set to work with. If you wish to change this, press "D" then enter the new drive number. OS9 Version [P]ath - At the top of the screen is shows which drive/directory the program is currently set towork with. To change this, press "P" then enter the complete path list. (ie, "/D1", "/H0/MINIBAN", etc.) Printing a Banner Note: Make sure you have set the baud rate for your printer! See "Configuration" below, or the "Quick Start" section. OS9 users must have /P properly XMODEd with correct settings. [1] Print a Banner - Selecting this option takes you to a different screen where you will be prompted for the following information: Printer Width [ 80] : - Enter the carriage width of your printer. Most common printers are able to print 80 characters across, but MiniBanners supports anything from 32 to 132. Pressing Enter will use the default value displayed in the [brackets]. Font Width [ 1] : - Enter the width you wish the banner letters to be printed. A width of 1 is normal for multiple line banners, but a thicker width such as 3 may be more desireable for larger text. Line Spacing [ 0] : - Enter the number of spaces to skip between printed lines. While normally 0, you may want to change this for multiple line banners. Ptr Character [219] : - Enter the ASCII value of the character you want your banner letters to be made from. This may be any value from 32 to 255. On a printer in IBM mode, 219 produces a block character. In Tandy mode, you may want to try 239. If you want a banner printed with *'s try 42. Page 3 of 7 After typing in any changes (or just pressing Enter to accept the default values), you are now ready to type in you text. At the ">" prompt, type in your first line and press Enter. The program will prompt you for: Height [10] Max : - The number in brackets is the maximum height your banner may be based on the width of the printer. You may press Enter to accept this value and generate one large banner, or type in a smaller value to create a banner with multiple lines. If you choose a smaller number, the line you typed is displayed in the lower portion of the screen (as well as it's height) and you are asked to enter the next line, and so on, until you quit by pressing Enter at the ">" prompt, or the program runs out of space. If you have entered a line shorter than the max. height available, the program will ask if you wish to "Center from Top to Bottom?" Select "Y"es or "N"o. (If you answer No, the banner will be printer resting on the bottom of the page.) Next you will be asked if everything is okay. If it is, and your printer is ready to print, press "Y". The program will check to see if your printer is on-line (ready) for printing. If it ins't, a message will be displayed allowing you to turn on the printer or "X"it. During printing, you may press "X" to abort. The OS9 version uses BREAK to stop printing and restart. After the banner has been printed, you will return to the Main Menu. Choosing Different Fonts [2] Select Font - This option will allow you to select a different font (character style) for the banner. The current font is shown beside the command. The program will go to a new screen and ask you to type in the name of the font you want to load. If you are unsure of the name, you may type "D" for Directory and the program will display a listing of all font files on the current disk. (At the end of each screenful the program will pause and ask you to "Press [ENTER] for More, [X] to Stop". If you would like to see what the fonts look like, select "P" for Preview and the screen will show each font on the current drive. When the screen fills, you may press Enter for more, or "X" to stop. (Note: You will not see any prompts for this.) Currently, the OS9 version does not support Preview. Page 4 of 7 Configuration [3] Configuration - This option allows you to set printer baud rate, carriage width, font size and default font. This options may be saved to disk in a file named MINIBAN.CFG and then loaded upon startup. [E]dit - This option will allow you to change the values currently displayed. You will be prompted to enter new values for each item or press Enter to not change. Note that the baud rate display shows two values. The first is the actual baud rate and the second is the actual value (POKE 150,xx). Since MiniBanners runs in the double speed mode, this value will actually be for the baud that is half of what is listed. (OS9 version does not have baud settings.) [L]oad - This option will load the default values stored in the MINIBAN.CFG file (if present) from the current drive/path. [S]ave - This will save the current parameters to a file called MINIBAN.CFG. [X]it - Exits the Configuration screen and returns to the main menu. Changing Screen Widths [W] Toggle 40/80 - This will switch the program between a 40 column screen and an 80 column screen. Exiting the Program [X]it to Basic - This will end MiniBanners and return you to Basic/OS9. You will be prompted as to whether or not you really want to exit. Page 5 of 7 -------------------------- Quick Start -------------------------- For Those Who Just Can't Wait... The RS-Dos version comes setup for a printer in IBM mode hooked up at 2400 baud. Unless you just happen to have a printer in IBM mode hooked up at 2400 baud you will have to first customize the program for your setup. The OS9 version uses whatever defaults your OS9 boot disk has. First, go to the Configuration menu by pressing "3". You will be shown all of the current settings. Select "E" (for Edit) then you can enter the specific information about your printer. (Note: At each prompt, pressing Enter will use the default values displayed.) Printer Width - This is how many characters your printer can print per line. Usually 80, but 132 column wide carriage printers or even 32 column printers (such as the TP-10) are supported. Printer Baud - This is the baud rate that your printer is set to. The number beside it is the actual value (POKE 150,xx) used by Basic for the baud half of what you are using. (This is because MiniBanners runs in the double speed mode.) The OS9 version does not support changing printer baud. Font Width - This will be the thickness of the letters. For now type "3". Line Spacing - This is how many lines are skipped between lines of text on a multiple-line banner. For now, leave it at 0. Banner Character - This is what character your printer uses to make the letters. On a printer in IBM mode, 219 creates a filled in block. In Tandy mode, 239 is a similar block. Other values, such as 42 (for a "*" character) may also be used. Default Font - This is the name of the Font (character style) that the program will attempt to load on startup. For now, skip this by just pressing Enter. With configuration done, you may proceed with "Printing a Banner" from The Main Menu. Have fun! Page 6 of 7 -------------------- A Few Words About Fonts -------------------- Some really clever users out there may notice that the fonts this program uses are standard HPRINT character sets. The fonts included are in the public domain and may be used by your own programs. (Simply LOADM"FONTNAME.FNT" then anything you HPRINT to one of the HSCREENs will be that font.) Also, if you find any alternative HPRINT fonts you can copy them to the MiniBanners disk with the extension of .FNT and use them to make banners. If you have any HPRINT fonts you have created, please let us know. We may be interested! ---------------------- Future Enhancements ---------------------- MiniBanners is undergoing changes and improvements. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see added, please contact us! ------------------------- Special Notes ------------------------- While incredibly rare , occasional bugs creep into programs. If any error is encountered a screen will be displayed identifying the bug and what line it was encountered. If this happens and you are reasonable sure it isn't something on your end, such as a Disk Full or I/O error, make a note of this problem and contact us so we may exterminate. Thank you for supporting Sub-Etha Software and our efforts to help support the future of the Color Computer! --------------------------- Disclaimer -------------------------- (What decent piece of software would complete without one of these?) This program is sold on an "as-is" basis. Sub-Etha Software is not responsible in any way, shape, or form for any loss or damage of any kind as a direct or indirect result of the use of this program. Print banners at your own risk! MiniBanners/MiniBanners09 by Allen Huffman Copyright (C) 1990/1991 by Sub-Etha Software Support Line: (409) 639-ETHA [3842] OS9/OSK Midwest Division: (815) 748-6638 Page 7 of 7