DP Tool Club 12/CD_ASCQ_12_0294.iso/maj/2053/readme.doc

Text File | 1994-01-13 | 25KB | 565 lines

(readme.doc)
                               MAPIT (v 1.3)
                             Allison Software
                              166 Shady Lane
                          Apollo, PA  15613  USA
                  412-727-2198           CompuServe 72600,1200

Product Description:

    MAPIT  -  Bringing detailed world mapping to your PC.

    MAPIT is an integrated world-wide mapping system of amazing detail
    which lets you create customized maps for work, school, or fun.

    Use MAPIT to:

      * Print detailed, professional-quality, customized maps.
      * Import maps into your word processing documents.
      * Record and track data.
      * Add your own customized detail: text, hidden text, figures, and
        line data.
      * Zoom to any level and navigate around the world.
      * Plot great circles - the shortest distance between any two points.
      * Measure distances in miles, kilometers, or nautical miles.
      * Calculate to/from azimuth bearing angles.
      * Plot range curves and calculate associated areas.
      * Save your private data in compact files for easy, efficient
        distribution and retention.
      * Do all of the above with 100 foot precision - ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

    A powerful reference tool, MAPIT contains a wealth of information and
    is just plain fun to use.

    Insert or import lines to customize features.  Mark locations with
    multiple copies of your own figures (simple line drawings).  Document
    with MAPIT's seven stroked text fonts in any size at any angle.  Use
    hidden text to hide a screen's-worth of data behind a small marker you
    can pop up with the click of a mouse.

    School age children will amaze their teachers and friends with the
    accurate maps of foreign countries and states they can plot from
    MAPIT's database.  And your little ones will love to color-fill the
    oceans, lakes, islands, and countries imported into their favorite
    paint brush program from MAPIT

    The more serious user has a choice of exporting data in the colorful
    .PCX screen dump file format or in the ultra-detailed HP-GL/2 graphics
    plotting language format accepted by many laser printers and pen
    plotters.  You can even merge this data into publication-quality
    compound (text and graphics) documents supported by modern word
    processors.

    MAPIT displays a true Mercator projection, the choice of navigators.
    Layout great circle tracks between multiple points totaling their
    distances in statute miles, nautical miles, or kilometers.  Dynamically
    plot range curves up to half way around the world measuring the
    enclosed area as you go.

    MAPIT includes almost 6000 international cities and 19,000 US cities
    with their 1990 populations.  Click on any city to pop up its size.
    The underlying vector-based geographic database consists of over 5
    million points organized by coastlines, lakes, rivers, canals, reefs,
    salt flats, national boundaries, and US and Canadian state and
    provincial boundaries.  Believe me, you'll find places in this
    database you never imagined existed.

    MAPIT comes network-ready for multi-user installations.  The large
    read-only main database can be located on a shared disk for more
    efficient operations.

    If you are looking for more than just a pretty picture -- or perhaps
    need many different pretty pictures, let MAPIT be the end of your
    graphical quest.  Home, school, or office, MAPIT can do the job!
    MAPIT, your electronic notepad on the world.


Quick Start:

    MAPIT, as a compute and disk-intensive application, requires a fast
    IBM-compatible computer, 512KB RAM, an EGA or VGA display, and a MOUSE.

    Install a Mouse.

    MAPIT REQUIRES A MOUSE.  Unless you have a mouse physically attached to
    your computer AND have installed its driver, you will be unable to
    operate MAPIT.  You can exit MAPIT from the keyboard by entering
    <CTRL>Q.

    Install the mouse driver by issuing the following command at the
    command prompt.

        > "path"\MOUSE             (e.g. C:\WINDOWS\MOUSE)

    where "path" is the path to the directory containing the mouse driver.

    Place this command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT so MOUSE is always available.

    Caution:  Windows is smart and will show a mouse cursor without the
    mouse driver's being installed.  If the cursor doesn't appear when you
    run MAPIT, <CTRL>Q out and try to edit a file with the standard DOS
    editor from the DOS prompt (EDIT README.DOC).  If you don't have a
    mouse cursor in the editor, the driver isn't loaded.  Try loading it
    from the DOS prompt as above, and if that works, add the same command
    near the end of your AUTOEXEC.BAT but before any call to WINdows.


    Install MAPIT.

    The shareware version of MAPIT is distributed as a one, two, or
    three disk set.  The entire set must be loaded onto your hard drive
    before beginning.

    Insert the first MAPIT diskette into floppy drive A: (or B:) and enter
        > A:INSTALL

    The install program will ask where you want the MAPIT data stored
    (C:\MAPIT ?) and complete the installation for you.


    Run MAPIT.

    Run MAPIT with the shareware data by entering

        > MAPIT      (or MAPIT DEMO)

    Each time MAPIT runs, it looks for the private database EXTENDED.MP3.
    If not found, it creates a zero length EXTENDED.MP3.

    To run MAPIT with the Columbus demo, copy COLUMBUS.MP3 over
    EXTENDED.MP3 before runing MAPIT.

        > COPY  COLUMBUS.MP3  EXTENDED.MP3
        > MAPIT

    You may also wish to print the text file COLUMBUS.DOC to have a
    hardcopy in front of you as you run the demo.

    Follow the instructions in Hidden Text 1 (Press Left Mouse button in
    triangle 1) to follow the Columbus demo and learn to use MAPIT. When
    you are finished with the Columbus demo, delete EXTENDED.MP3.


    In general, MAPIT is started from the command line by entering

     > MAPIT  [main_mp3_data]  [/extended=mp3_data_file]
              [/figure=figure_file]  [/font=font_file]  [/save=save_file]
              [/delete]

    where

        main_mp3_data -
            The primary .mp3 format data file opened read-only.
            Defaults to WORLD.MP3 if not specified.

    MAPIT looks for four other files at startup time:

        /extended=mp3_data_file -
            A private .mp3 format data file opened for update with user
            data or changes. If none exists, a zero length file is created.
            Defaults to EXTENDED.MP3 if not specified.

        /figure=figure_file -
            The standard figures file. Normally this file is
            user-created by FIGEDIT and contains the user's custom figures.
            Without it, figures won't be displayed.  Defaults to STD.FIG if
            not specified.

        /font=font_file -
            The standard font file. Without it, stroked text
            doesn't work.  Defaults to STD.FNT if not specified.

        /save=save_file -
            The file holding MAPIT's final state.  Defaults to
            MAPIT.SAV if not specified.

        /delete -
            Allows the MAPIT menu selection EDIT/Copy & Delete to work by
            opening main_mp3_data for update.

    Enter MAPIT /? from the command line for a listing if you forget
    these options.

    You can abbreviate command line switches short of the point of
    ambiguity.  /fig=x is the same as /figure=x, but /f=x will induce an
    error message listing the ambiguous possibilities as /figure and
    /font.

    Entering just a / is a sly way of forcing MAPIT to list all
    its command line switches.

    Using the Mouse

    There are two distinct ways to use the mouse.

    DRAGGING - Some selections (eg. Zoom by Corners) require depressing
    the left button to establish the starting corner or position and, WITH
    THE BUTTON STILL DEPRESSED, dragging the cursor to the second corner
    or position to be measured BEFORE RELEASING THE BUTTON.  If you press
    and release at the same point when a drag is required, nothing happens.

    POINT & CLICK - Other activities, notably those requiring
    one-at-a-time point selections, look for the depression and release of
    the left mouse button without any intervening movement.  Sometimes use
    of the RIGHT mouse button is required to signal the end of multiple
    point entry.


    Tuning Your System.

    MAPIT requires a properly tuned high performance computer.  The most
    significant performance boost you can give is by using disk cache such
    as SMARTDRV which comes with DOS and WINDOWS.

    The disk cache must be of adequate size, at least 500K, if it is to be
    of any use.  If when redrawing a portion of the world, you notice a
    lot of disk activity, your system will perform better with a larger
    disk cache.

    MAPIT's .mp3 data files are LARGE, but they are efficiently designed
    and already compact.  Data compaction drivers such as DOUBLESPACE will
    NOT gain you appreciable space and may SLOW your disk system (by as
    much as one half).  Do NOT place MAPIT's data files on compressed
    drives without first verify performance loss versus space savings for
    your hardware/software combination.

    MAPIT is designed to display graphics adequately without a math
    coprocessor.  Stroked text, however, which can be oriented at any
    angle, is compute intensive and will respond positively to the addition
    of a math chip.


Making Maps

    MAPIT supports a variety of methods of producing output which differ
    in quality and complexity.

Direct Output

    The simplest method of generating output is to direct hard copy
    directly from the screen to your printer. GRAPHICS, a TSR (Terminate
    and Stay Resident program) at the DOS command level, outputs a
    graphics screen when you press the Shift+Print Screen key
    combination. (You cannot be running under Windows when you do this.)
    If you have a laser printer, the results from within MAPIT can be
    quite good. Entering

         > GRAPHICS LASERJETII

    after bootup loads the TSR GRAPHICS and readies it for an HP LaserJet
    II or III. Check your DOS manual for a complete list of supported
    printers.

Screen Capture

    A number of stand-alone programs, word processors, or TSR's can
    capture the screen image produced by MAPIT. If, for instance, you run
    MAPIT within a Windows' DOS box, you can capture a screen with the
    Print Screen key, switch back to Windows (ALT-TAB), and Shift/Insert
    the image into Paintbrush, a standard Windows appli cation. If your
    intent is create line images for import into a word processor, use
    Paintbrush's PICK/Inverse option to change the black background to
    white (and other colors to their compliments). Typically you might
    want to select a part or all of the image for direct insertion into
    your compound document.

.PCX Files

    A more controlled way of capturing screen images from MAPIT is to
    select the TOOLS/.PCX menu items and save the images to files. The
    .PCX command allows you to invert MAPIT's black background to white
    first, if you so desire.  The entire screen including the menu
    heading and footer, just the mapping area, or a selected rectangle
    from within the mapping area can be saved to a file whose name you
    choose.  Later you can import these files from within Paintbrush by
    selecting File/Open with List Files of Type: set to PCX files.  Then
    print the output to your output device.

HP-GL/2 Output

    Hewlett Packard's Graphics Language/2 provides the most detailed
    output possible.  Unlike the .PCX format which is limited to the
    resolution of your screen, HP-GL/2 is a vector format output which is
    limited by the resolution of MAPIT's underlying database and the
    resolution of your laser printer or pen plotting device. MAPIT
    directs this output to either your printer/plotter attached to the
    PRN port or to a .HGL file.  If, for instance, you want to import
    HP-GL/2 input into a Microsoft Word for Windows document, first
    produce the file from within MAPIT, then, from within Word, select
    Insert/Picture setting the List Files of Type: option to HP Graphics
    Language (*.hgl).  (In this example you must be using Word for
    Windows version 2.0c or later.  Other word processors may or may not
    support .HGL format or compound documents.)


Working from within Windows

    Working between MAPIT and paint or word processing programs can be
    facilitated by running MAPIT from within a Windows DOS box. This
    allows you to switch between MAPIT and your other program(s) by using
    the ALT-TAB task switching sequence.  (Hold the ALT key down while
    clicking the TAB key until the desired program's banner comes up.)
    You needn't quit MAPIT each time you want to switch to the another
    program.  The down side of this example of power computing is its
    demands on computer resources: you should have at least 4MB of RAM to
    insure adequate response and MAPIT will be slowed by approximately
    30%. Be certain that your DOSPROMPT's PIF is set for High Graphics,
    Full Screen, Background, and that Advanced Options include Uses High
    Memory Area, High Graphics, Emulate Text Mode, and Retain Video
    Memory.


Fun with Maps:

    If, as a child, you enjoyed paint-by-numbers, you'll understand why
    young children will love to create .PCX bitmapped maps in MAPIT,
    import them into paint programs (such as Paintbrush provided in
    Windows), and color them with flood fill.  In Paintbrush, File/Open
    looking for *.PCX (see scroll box "List Files of Type"), open a map
    file, set the color to light blue and the tool to the paint roller, and
    begin color filling away.  The files AFRICA.PCX and MID_EAST.PCX are
    provided for you as examples.  If color bleeds across national
    boundaries, choose the paint command Zoom and add missing pixels to
    shore up the dike.  (Note, you can't unflood dithered colors.)

    Students will find the ability to print maps of foreign countries
    invaluable in their shool work and helpful in visualizing the
    places where world events are unfolding.


MAPIT Explained:

    MAPIT is a professional-level mapping application which includes a
    detailed database of the world and programs to interact with and
    supplement that database.  You have the shareware version of MAPIT, a
    data-truncated version designed to give you the feel of MAPIT's full
    capabilities in an affordable format.

    Registered versions of MAPIT come in a range of mapping detail to fit a
    variety of users' mapping needs, hard disk limitations, and
    pocketbooks.  The full MAPIT requires upwards of 28 MB of disk storage
    and is shipped on 24 1.44 MB 3.5" floppies.

    The different detail options of MAPIT's database can most easily be
    explained in terms of zoom factor.  The initial MAPIT display including
    the whole earth is defined as zoom factor 1 (shown in the lower left
    corner of the screen).  Zooming in to half that distance changes the
    zoom factor to 2.  Zooming in on the US so it fills the whole screen,
    for instance, requires a zoom factor of approximately 5.

    The world database included with shareware MAPIT holds resolution to a
    zoom factor of approximately 6.  Zoom much closer than that and you
    begin to notice the jaggies - a decided compromise in object detail.

    The island of Cuba, just south of the United States off the coast of
    Florida, is supplied in its full detail as an example of that available
    elsewhere in the registered data.  You should be able to zoom in to a
    factor of 750 or so before detail becomes an issue.  At Cuba's
    latitude, this means the entire screen width covers a distance of 31
    miles (as opposed to 24,857 miles at zoom factor 1).  As noted above,
    to provide this level of detail everywhere in the world requires a
    significant amount of disk space.

    Not everyone needs or wants to devote resources to supporting the
    maximum available detail world-wide.  MAPIT's World Base Data level
    supports a global zoom level of 24 and requires more than 3 MB of disk
    space.  Those wanting maximum detail are free to order from the six
    Detail packages, divided roughly by continent.  See REGISTER.DOC for
    particulars.


Included Programs:

    MAPIT

    The central display program for working with the voluminous MAPIT
    database.  Detailed instructions are beyond the scope of this file.
    Turing the system with the Columbus Demo is the best way to learn its
    capabilities.  (See Run MAPIT above.)

    Anytime you enter data into MAPIT, the data is stored in the private
    file EXTENDED.MP3.  Copy or rename EXTENDED.MP3 to an unused filename
    to save the data permanently.

        > COPY  (or REN) EXTENDED.MP3  myfile.MP3

    Copy makes an additional copy of EXTENDED.MP3 while rename effectively
    deletes the original so that you'll start out with a fresh zero-length
    EXTENDED.MP3 the next time you run MAPIT

    Alternately you can run MAPIT with a command line argument specifying
    an alternate name for your private data file.

        > MAPIT  /EXTENDED=myfile

    Enter MAPIT /? at the command line for a complete list of arguments.

    You can combine several of your private files with the binary copy
    command.

        > COPY  /B FILE_1.MP3+FILE_2.MP3+...  BIG.MP3
            or
        > COPY  /B FILE*.MP3  BIG.MP3

    Remember that once files are combined, they can't be separated. Don't
    delete the orginals until you are sure.


    MAPIT TIPS

    MAPIT is busy scanning the databases when the cursor disappears
    between repaints. When it becomes visible again, MAPIT is ready to
    accept command input again. Remember, you can cut short each database
    scan by pressing the Esc key _ once for the main database and again,
    if necessary, for your private database. (Usually the main database
    scan is much longer.)

    Use the cross hairs displayed by POSITION/Center for more accurate
    lat/long display in the status line while measuring positions of
    objects. Cancel when finished with the right mouse button.

    Use DOS's NUL file name if you need an empty file to read from or a
    bit bucket to write to.  For example, if you wish to view or operate
    on the private database file EXTENDED.MP3 file by itself without
    possible interference from the data in the main database WORLD.MP3,
    open MAPIT using the NUL file as the main database name:

         > MAPIT  NUL


    FIGEDIT

    The figure creation/editing program.  This program operates on files
    ending in the extension .FIG.

    There is a limit of 100 entities per figure.

    The key is to KEEP FIGURES SIMPLE.  Detail which looks good at full
    screen is clutter at 10%.

    .FIG files can be concatinated with the binary copy just as .MP3 files.

    MP1TOMP3

    A conversion utility designed to convert straight text files
    containing strings of latitutde/longitude pairs as might be generated
    from a CAD system or digitizer into .MP3 file format. .MP3 files
    require only about 1/3 the disk storage of their .MP1 counterparts.

    The .mp1 file format is a simple ASCII listing of latitudes and
    longitudes representing strings of connected points. String
    termination is marked by separator records.


Enhancements:

    Many obvious and some not-so-obvious enhancements are in planning.
    Register your copy of MAPIT and let me know what YOU'D like to see.
    The best ideas come from users.  This is your chance to influence the
    direction of product growth.


Contents of Disks:

    The shareware distribution disks contain the following files:


    install.exe       installation program
    installx.fil      installation scripts
    vendor.doc        distributor information & product description
    mapit?.pak        packed archive files
    *.pcx             example screen dumps for color fill and ad material

      readme.doc        general information and instructions
      register.doc      shareware registration form
      columbus.mp3      Columbus demo instruction database
      columbus.doc      text from the Columbus demo
      demo.mp3          Shareware MAPIT's main data file
      manual.doc        user's manual
      mapit.exe         main program
      mp1tomp3.exe      ASCII to .mp3 data converter
      mp3tomp1.exe      .mp3 line data to ASCII converter
      track.mp1         example GPS data
      std.fig           example figure file
      std.fnt           stroked font file
      figedit.exe       figures creation program

Legal Considerations:

Copyright:

    The collection of software described in this file and contained on
    this disk is the Shareware Version of MAPIT (the Software) and is
    Copyright 1992, 1993 John B. Allison.

Ownership:

    You have purchased or otherwise obtained media containing a copy of
    the Shareware Version of MAPIT.  The Software contained on the media
    and all rights pertaining thereto remain the sole property of John B.
    Allison.

Shareware License:

    You are licensed to use Shareware MAPIT for a 21 day trial period
    afterwhich you must either register or cease using it. The data found
    in this Shareware Version is not nearly as detailed as that found in
    the registered versions.  Most people are eager to move up to a higher
    level, and we encourage you to take that step today by registering with

                            Allison Software
                             166 Shady Lane
                          Apollo, PA 15613 USA

          [phone]                      CompuServe 72600,1200

    (See the file REGISTER.DOC on the distribution disk for registration
    instructions.)

Shareware Distribution:

    Use Shareware MAPIT to distribute your own data so that others can
    view and use data of your authorship.

    You are free to copy and distribute the Shareware MAPIT IN ITS UNMODIFIED
    ENTIRETY on a separate diskette to friends or to other parties.  Please
    label the diskette "Shareware MAPIT".

    You may distribute copies of the Software IN ITS UNMODIFIED ENTIRETY
    on a commercial basis for a fee not to exceed TEN DOLLARS total, or
    you may post the Software on electronic bulletin boards if you package
    the Software so that each diskette must be downloaded IN ITS
    UNMODIFIED ENTIRETY.

    If you post it, you must compress or otherwise package the Software in
    either a combined file named "MAPIT11.ext" or as two separate files
    named "MAPIT11A.ext" and "MAPIT11B.ext" where ".ext" reflects the type
    of compression or packaging used.

    You may not list the Software in advertisements, catalogs, or other
    literature as "FREE SOFTWARE".  Shareware is "Try-Before-You-Buy"
    software, not free.


Liability:

    SINCE YOU ARE NOT PAYING ANY MONEY FOR THIS SHAREWARE VERSION, YOU
    RECEIVE IT ENTIRELY "AS IS", AND NEITHER ALLISON SOFTWARE, THE AUTHOR,
    NOR ANY AGENT SHALL BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND
    WHATSOEVER.


ASP Member:


    This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
    Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
    principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
    shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member
    directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you
    resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide
    technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP
    Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 or send a
    Compuserve message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.