› _____________________________________›         TEXTPRO PRINTING TIPS      #5›           By Frank Walters› _____________________________________› NOTE:  In  order  to permit this text› file to be formatted and printed with› TextPRO,  inverse  characters will be› indicated by brackets: <=> is inverse› =  which is entered from the keyboard› by  holding  SELECT when typing the =› key.   CONTROL   characters  must  be› entered  into  the editor by pressing› [Esc] first.› _____________________________________› › I  never  considered using TextPRO as› my  word  processor  until it finally› had  a version that saved the printer› equates  in  the  configuration file.› Then  I  could  assign  inverse upper› case  letters  to  send printer codes› and not have to go back to my printer› manual  every  time I wanted to print› using TextPRO.› › In this article I will explain how to› set   up  a  print  driver  for  your› printer. I also have some ideas about› additional   help   files  and  their› associated  macros  so you can review› which  letters  you  have defined for› each   printer  function.  I  have  a› simple   idea   to  print  an  entire› address  list  on  labels.  Finally I› discuss  printing in two columns with› TextPRO and a shortcut you can use to› make  the last page come out in equal› length columns.› › PRINT DRIVER› › First   you  have  to  get  out  your› printer owner's manual to look up the› ASCII  codes  for  various functions.› Then  decide  which  letter to assign› for each function you wish to use and› finally  install  these codes in your› TEXTPRO.CNF    file   so   they   are› available whenever you load TextPRO.› › The  easiest  way  to  create a print› driver  is  by  typing all 26 inverse› upper case letters in the editor like› this:› › <A>=0› <B>=0› <C>=0› › Pick  which  letter  to  use for each› printer code. Try to use letters that› are similar to the function selected.› I  use E for Elite; P for Pica; C for› Condensed; D for double strike; I for› italics;   Q  for  NLQ  font;  R  for› reverse  linefeeds;  S  for Super and› Subscript;     U    for    continuous› underline;  and W for double width. I› assign  the  remaining  codes  to the› letters   left   over.   If   you  go› overboard  and  use  up  all 26 upper› case  letters,  there  are  two lower› case  letters  which  have no current› function  and  can be defined exactly› like  inverse  upper  case:  <a>  and› <v>.› › Now  look  up  the  ASCII  codes that› require   escape   (27)  followed  by› another  number.  Replace  the 0 with› the  ASCII  number  (following 27) in› your  printer  manual.  On  the  same› line,  type a description of the code› so  you can make up a help file using› that information:› › <E>=77 E=77  Elite draft (12 cpi)› <F>=111 F=111 Elite NLQ (12 cpi)› › For   any  function  requiring  three› characters.   Just   use   the  value› immediately after the 27.› › Some   printer  codes  require  three› characters:    27,45,49    to    turn› underline  on and 27,45,48 to turn it› off.  Since  I  use  48  and  49  for› several   other   3rd  characters,  I› redefined  inverse <0>=48<1>=49<2>=50› in  my print driver. By using inverse› numbers (which do not cause ESCape to› be  sent), TextPRO will not count the› inverse  numbers  for computing where› to  break  the  line  when it prints.› i.e.   If   <U>1   is  used  to  turn› underline on, TextPRO would count the› "1"  as one of the 80 characters even› though  it  is  part  of  the printer› escape   sequence   and   would   not› actually  print  on  the paper. Using› <U1>  instead,  TextPRO  ignores  the› inverse  characters  in the count, as› it should. The <U> sends 27,45, while› the  <1>  sends  49,  to complete the› 3-character    printer    code    for› continuous underline on.› › When  you  finish, you may still have› some   unassigned  letters  that  are› equal   to   zero.   You  can  always› redefine  them  later.  Now  you  are› ready  to  force  TextPRO to read the› equates    into   the   configuration› section of memory. There are two ways› to  do  this. You can move the cursor› to  the  bottom  of  the text and use› [CTRL_W]  (in  Text Mode) to find the› page and line at the cursor position.› This  forces  the  equates  into  the› configuration  section  of  memory as› long  as  the cursor is below all the› equates.  Or  you  can actually print› the  file  to get a hard copy of your› equates  list.  This will install the› equates in memory at the same time.› › Before saving the configuration, make› sure  TextPRO  is  configured to send› the ESCape (27) character whenever it› sends  the  value of an inverse upper› case  letter. Type [CTRL_;] and reply› [N]   to  both  the  "ASCII  CR"  and› "Linefeed"  prompts. Reply [Y] to the› "Add     ESCape"     prompt.     Type› [SELECT_CTRL_S]     to    save    the› configuration to TEXTPRO.ENV (v.5.20)› or TEXTPRO.CNF (v.5.0 and earlier) on› your  default  drive  so it will load› automatically   whenever   you   load› TextPRO.› › NOTE:     Version    5.20    requires› ADDOPTS.ADN  loaded  into  the  macro› buffer  [CTRL_V]  before the [CTRL_;]› command will call up the "Add ESCape"› prompt.› › HELP FILES› › Now  you  are  ready  to make a print› driver  help  file.  I  use  the same› format  as  other help files and here› is  what  mine  looks  like.  Printer› letters,    numbers  and  some  other› characters  are  inverse,  along with› heading and bottom line:› › › |TextPRO 5.20X         |Print Driver|› › Key__Panasonic 1092i__________set p/x›  A__6 lines per inch__[default]___p66›  B__8 lines per inch______________p88›  C__Compressed draft____4_OFF____x137›  D__Double strike_ON____X_OFF›  E__Elite draft___________________x96›  F__Elite NLQ_____________________x96›  I__Italics_ON__________J_OFF›  N__Pica NLQ______________________x80›  O__Proportional_O1_ON__O0_OFF____x85›  P__Pica draft_______[default]____x80›  Q__NLQ_Q1_Courier__Q2_BoldPS__Q0_OFF›  R__Reverse Linefeed__Rn/216" n=36/ln›  S__S0_Superscript__S1_Subscript›  T__Sub/Superscript OFF›  U__Underline____U1_ON__U0_OFF›  W__Double Width_W1_ON_W0_OFF_____x40›  Y__Paper-out_DISABLE____Z_ENABLE›  ____________________________ _______›   #13  HELP> Menu  START> Load Macro› › › Notice  the right side includes lower› case  letters  (p,x)  which should be› inverse. They indicate the values you› also  need  if  you  use  the printer› commands  on  that  line.  This  is a› reminder  that  page width is changed› and  you may also need to change your› margin  numbers  for  different sized› fonts.› › When  you finish your help file, save› it  to  disk  with  your other TPHELP› files. Notice the bottom line of mine› is #13, so I use the name: TPHELP.13› › Now  you have to load TEXTPRO.MAX and› add the macro to display the new help› file. I decided to use [OPTION_P] for› my  macro  key  for  the print driver› help file: › › P<=><CTRL_G>pp<=><CTRL_Q>TPHELP.13,E:› RETURN]› › Notice  the "Goto" macro key, linking› the  upper case "P" to lower case "p"› since you want it to work with either› case.› › Save   TEXTPRO.MAX  to  your  default› drive and then load it into the macro› buffer  with [CTRL_V]. Test it out by› pressing  [OPTION_P]  to see the help› file displayed on the screen.› › If you redefined some inverse numbers› in  your print driver, edit TPHELP.06› to  reflect  the  new  values for the› inverse numbers.› › DISK MACRO HELP FILE› › While on the subject of help files, I› made another help file listing all my› interactive  disk  macros  with short› descriptions:› › › |TextPRO 5.20X        |Macro Library|› ›  _Macro_____Function_________________› CARDCR_CL_PS Card_Cond.(17)__Rgt/Left› CARDER_EL_PS Card_Elite(12)__Rgt/Left› CR________Remove Carriage Returns› DUAT______DTC DUAT flight plan› ENV__ENV2_Envelope__PS size envelope› LINK______Link-load to bank 2 & M› _____________________________________›  #14  HELP> Menu  START> Load Macro› › › I   only   included   an  abbreviated› listing to show you how to do it. The› text  in the top and bottom lines are› inverse. Do not put a [RETURN] at the› end  of the bottom line of any TPHELP› file.  This will retain the cursor on› that  line  when  it  is displayed on› screen,  giving  you  one  extra line› before  it  scrolls  the  title. Save› this  as TPHELP.14. Add another macro› key   to  your  TEXTPRO.MAX  file  to› display  this help file. Since macros› use   [CTRL_V]   to   load,   I  used› [OPTION_V] to read it, but [OPTION_M]› (for   Macros)  would  work  just  as› easily.  Use  the  example  above and› substitute  the new letter and change› the  file extension to .14 instead of› .13.› › PRINTING ADDRESS LABELS› › Here  is  a  tip  I worked out for my› sister  who  had  to  mail  about 250› newsletters.   She  needed  to  print› labels from her address list. This is› an easy way to do it.› › The  address  list  must  be a simple› text  file  which you can create with› any word processor. Each address must› have enough carriage returns to total› six lines. A 3-line address should be› followed  by  three  blank lines with› [RETURN]  characters  only.  A 4-line› address  would  be  followed  by  two› extra  [RETURN] characters. Save your› address list to disk.› › If  your  list is over 200 addresses,› you might consider splitting the list› alphabetically.  i.e.  ADDRESS.AM and› ADDRESS.NZ.  This  will keep you from› filling the buffer. You can print the› two   files  separately,  using  wild› cards in the DOS commmand.› › A standard 3 1/2" x 15/16" label will› permit  about  30 characters per line› at  10 cpi pitch, or 36 letters at 12› cpi.  Set  the labels in your printer› with  the  print  head  on the second› line of the first label. A label will› hold   5   lines  at  the  default  6› lines/inch  spacing.  Use DOS to copy› the   address   list   from  disk  to› printer,   typing   the   source  and› destination like this:› › D:ADDRESS.??,P:[RETURN]› › That's  all  there  is  to it. Pretty› simple, huh? You can send any font to› the   printer   before   copying  the› address  file but do not turn off the› printer  between  installing the font› and copying the file.› › PRINTING TWO COLUMNS› › I  made  a  hard  copy of my sister's› address  list  for her and printed it› in   two-columns  per  page  to  save› paper.  I'll  explain  how  to format› TextPRO for two-column printing.› › For  an  address list like above, you› have  to  make  a  separate file with› only five lines per address. Load the› 6-line  list.  Use  [CTRL_G] and type› [ESC][CTRL_+]   three   times.   This› enters  three  [RETURN] characters at› the  "Find:"  prompt.  Press [RETURN]› and     enter    two    [ESC][CTRL_+]› characters  at  the "Change:" prompt.› After   the   global   replace,  your› address  list  will have one [RETURN]› character  removed from each address,› leaving 5-lines each. This will allow› 11 addresses per page in each column.› Save  it  under  a  diferent filename› than your 6-line list.› › At  the  top  of the list, insert the› following two printer format lines:› › <?>1<!>1<l>1<r>38<t>4<b>59› <i><?>2<!>1<l>41<r>78<t>4<b>59› › The  top  line  is  for  printing the› first  pass.  The bottom line follows› an info <i> character and is not used› until  the  second pass. With the top› and  bottom  margins set at 4 and 59,› it  will  allow  exactly  55  printed› lines,  or  11  5-line  addresses. No› addresses   will   be  split  between› columns or pages.› › <?>1  tells TextPRO to start printing› at  page 1. The second line starts at› page 2.› › <!>1  tells  TextPRO  to  skip 1 page› when printing. Thus it will print all› the odd numbered pages when the first› format  line  is  active  (1,  3,  5,› etc.).› › If  there  is  more  than one file in› your list, add the "goto" command for› printing  linked  files at the end of› each  file except the last. (Due to a› bug  in  4.56  and  5.0,  the maximum› length    of   the   dev:filename.ext› recognized  by  the "goto" command is› 14  instead  of 15.)  My example only› uses 12:› › <g>D:ADDRESS.NZ[RETURN]› › Insert  the  paper  with the top line› under  the  print  head and print the› address   list  with  [CTRL_P].  When› finished,  roll the paper back to the› original  position. Insert an inverse› <i>  in front of the top format line.› [CTRL_DELETE] the <i> from the second› format  line.  Print  the second pass› with [CTRL_P]. It will start printing› the  right column with page 2 and all› the even-numbered pages.› › I  wanted to print a footer with page› numbers and a title, so I counted the› total  printed  pages  and made a new› file  to  print just the footer line.› Let  us  assume  it is six pages. Set› the  paper  back  to  the first page,› clear  the  editor and enter a footer› line like this:› › <f>   TITLE  OF  ADDRESS  LIST<e>page› <#>[RETURN]› <nnnnn>› › The  left  margin of our document was› set  at 1 and footers ignore the left› margin  so  I  left a space after the› <f>  so  the title would line up with› the  left  column.  Since  I  want to› print  footers on six pages, I needed› to  add  five inverse <n> characters,› to  force next-page five times, for a› total of six pages.› › Print  the  "footer" file and it will› add  the footer text and page numbers› on  your  two-column  document.  That› wasn't too difficult, was it?› › You  can  use  the same principle and› similar  margins  to print two-column› text  files.  If  you want 38 columns› instead of 37, change the left margin› in the top line to <l>0 and the right› margin  in  the second line to <r>79.› You  might  want  to  include <q>1 in› your  format  lines  to  justify  the› right   margins   like  in  magazines› although  it  is  not necessary. When› printing  text  files  this  way, the› last  printed  page will not come out› even. There is an easy way to correct› this.› › Print  the  two-column  text  file as› explained  above.  Tear  off the last› printed  page  with  uneven  columns.› Delete  the  two printer format lines› from   the  top  of  your  file  with› [CTRL_D] and [P] twice.› › Use [SELECT_CTRL_F] to find the first› few  words  at  the  top  of the last› page.  Put  cursor  on first word and› enter  [SELECT_CTRL_U]  to "Delete to› TOP"  of  text.  Reply  [Y]es and you› will  be  left  with only the text on› the last page.› › Type  [CTRL_R]  to replace the format› lines  from the paste buffer. Be sure› the  <i>  is  in  front of the second› line,  not the first. Count the total› lines  on  your printed last page and› divide  by two to find how many lines› you  want  on  each side of the page.› Assume  you have 84 lines and want 42› in  each  column.  Add the top margin› (4)  to  find  line number 46. Change› bottom  margin  to  <b>46.  Print the› left  column  and  reset the paper to› the top. Move the <i> from the second› format  line to the top and print the› right  hand  column. Load your footer› file  and  replace  the  <#> with the› actual  page  number  and  remove the› inverse  <n>s  at  the end. Reset the› last   page  and  print  the  footer.› Voila!  You now have an evenly spaced› last   page   to  add  to  the  other› two-column pages of your document.› _____________________________________›                     Frank Walters    ›                     T.A.C.O. Bell BBS›                     08/31/94         › ›