DP Tool Club 17/CD_ASCQ_17_101194.iso/vrac/pspr22.zip/PSPRINT.DOC

Text File | 1994-07-08 | 22KB | 552 lines

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                  ┌─────────────────────────────┐
                  │ PSPrint -- PostScript Print │
                  │         Version 2.2         │
                  └─────────────────────────────┘


           Copyright 1993,1994 Control Enterprises, Inc.
                        All rights reserved.

CONTENTS
────────

 1. What is PSPrint? .............................................. 3
 2. New Release Updates Via E-Mail ................................ 3
 3. Shareware ..................................................... 4
 4. Legal Stuff ................................................... 4
 5. Simple Printing ............................................... 5
 6. Screen Interface .............................................. 5
 7. Command Line .................................................. 6
 8. PSPrint Options ............................................... 6
 9. Response/Config Files ......................................... 8
10. Support ....................................................... 9
11. About Control Enterprises ..................................... 10


1. WHAT IS PSPRINT?
   ────────────────

So you have a PostScript printer, which can produce beautiful
documents with various fonts, faces, font sizes, illustrations...
great.  But how do you print a plain old text file?  You can't just
send it to the printer, because it is expecting PostScript commands.
You can fire up your word processor, load the file, print it, and
exit your word processor -- what a pain!

...Or you can use PSPrint, a utility for printing ordinary text files
on PostScript printers.  At Control Enterprises, we got tired of
doing the "word processor shuffle" to print files, so we developed
PSPrint for in-house use.  Headers and page numbers were added.  The
programmers wanted line numbers.  The engineers wanted to be able to
use small fonts on legal paper in landscape mode.  A screen interface
was added.  ...And so PSPrint became a full-fledged utility, both
powerful and easy to use.

SPECIAL FEATURES:  There are many text-to-PostScript converters in
existence.  PSPrint shares features with many of them, but is
distinguished from the others by certain special features:
 - PSPrint has a screen interface in addition to the normal command-
    line interface, making its controls simple for computer novices
    and experts alike.
 - PSPrint supports extended characters (line drawing, European
    characters, etc.) for all the MS-DOS international character
    sets: United States, Multilingual, Slavic, Portuguese,
    Canadian-French, and Nordic.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:  PSPrint runs on MS-DOS version 3.3 or higher.
A PostScript printer is _not_ required, because you can have PSPrint
output to a file, then take that file to another computer that
_does_ have a PostScript printer.  (The other computer doesn't even
have to be an MS-DOS machine, as long as you can find a way to
transfer the file to it.)

NOTE:  For printing to some APPLE LASERWRITER and compatible printers,
you may need to disable PSPrint's paper tray selection options.  See
section 8, the -PTOFF and -PTON options.

INSTALLATION:  Just copy the file PSPRINT.EXE to the directory of
your choice.  For example, to install it to a directory on the C
drive named UTIL, enter the following command at the MS-DOS command
prompt:

    copy psprint.exe c:\util



2. New Release Updates via E-Mail
   ──────────────────────────────

PSPrint is in a state of ongoing development, as we add new features
that increase its usefulness.  You can be informed of each new release
and any bug fixes via e-mail, by subscribing to the PSPrint mailing
list.  To subscribe, send mail to [e-mail] which includes
the line "subscribe psprint <e-mail address>" (no quotes, the address
is optional:  if not included, the return address of your mail will
be used).  Should you later wish to unsubscribe, send a message with
the line "unsubscribe psprint <address>".

Whether or not you subscribe to the list, you can obtain information
and/or the latest version of PSPrint by sending the following messages
to [e-mail] :

   "index psprint" ----------- to get a listing of available files
   "info psprint" ------------ to get the latest psprint info. and
                                 descriptions of downloadable files
   "get psprint {filename}" -- to download a specific uuencoded file



3. SHAREWARE
   ─────────

PSPrint is shareware.  The basic idea behind shareware is that it
gives users a chance to actually try the software before buying it.
Here are some important points about PSPrint being shareware:

  a) PSPrint is not "public domain" software, but is copyrighted by
     Control Enterprises, Inc.

  b) Unregistered copies of PSPrint are identified in the on-screen
     title as "Shareware demo version".  These copies may be freely
     copied and distributed, as long as the following conditions are
     fulfilled:
      - The files listed in PACKING.LST must be distributed together.
      - The files must not be modified or altered in any way.

  c) If you find PSPrint useful, you are expected to pay for its use.
     The cost is a mere $10.  See the file REGISTER.TXT for
     instructions and a registration form.  If you do not have the
     REGISTER.TXT file, you can get registration information in any
     of the following ways:
       e-mail  [e-mail]
          fax  [phone]
        phone  [phone]

  d) In return for your registration fee, you will receive a key
     program which will transform your demonstration version of
     PSPrint into a licensed copy without the shareware reminder
     screen or usage counts.  LICENSED COPIES MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED.

In addition to the "try before you buy" idea, shareware has the
advantage of having almost no distribution costs for us.  This allows
us to price PSPrint extremely low.  If you like having access to
inexpensive software and only paying for it after you decide you like
it, please support shareware!



4. LEGAL STUFF
   ───────────

THE PSPRINT SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  YOU ARE ADVISED TO TEST THE SOFTWARE
THOROUGHLY BEFORE RELYING ON IT.  YOU AGREE TO ACCEPT THE ENTIRE RISK
AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION.
IN NO EVENT WILL CONTROL ENTERPRISES, INC. BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT,
INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY
DEFECT IN THE PROGRAM.

Control Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to make improvements to
the product and documentation at any time and without notice.



5. SIMPLE PRINTING
   ───────────────

To print a file using PSPrint's default settings, just type PSPRINT
followed by the file name.  For example, to print the file READ.ME,
enter

  psprint read.me

at the MS-DOS command prompt.

Multiple file names may be specified, and the * and ? wildcards may
be used.  For example, to print all files in the current directory
with an extension of .TXT, as well as the file READ.ME, enter

  psprint *.txt read.me



6. SCREEN INTERFACE
   ────────────────

To use the screen interface to specify different settings, enter
PSPRINT without any file names:

  psprint

The screen interface will be displayed, containing four types of
controls: buttons, check boxes, radio buttons, and data entry fields.

Buttons
  There are two buttons on the screen interface: OK and Cancel.  If
  you choose OK, the choices on the screen are accepted; if you
  choose Cancel, PSPrint exits without doing anything.  Pressing Esc
  is a shortcut for Cancel from any point on the screen.  Pressing
  Enter is a shortcut for OK, unless the Cancel button is
  highlighted.

  If you're using a mouse, click the button you want.  When you're
  using the keyboard, press Tab or Shift-Tab to move forward or back
  from one item to another on the screen.  Each element is
  highlighted when it becomes active.  A highlighted button can be
  selected by pressing Spacebar or Enter.

Check boxes
  Check boxes are used for options which are either on or off.  An
  empty box indicates that the option is off, and an X in the box
  indicates that it's on.  To change the status of a check box, click
  it or its text.  From the keyboard, press Tab or Shift-Tab until
  the check box group (labeled "Options") is highlighted; then use
  the arrow keys to select the item you want, and press Spacebar to
  turn it on or off.

Radio buttons
  Radio buttons are like car-radio buttons.  They differ from check
  boxes in that only one radio button in a group can be on at any
  one time.  To choose a radio button, click it or its text.  From
  the keyboard, press Tab or Shift-Tab until the group is highlighted;
  then use the arrow keys to highlight the desired radio button, and
  press Spacebar to select it.

Data entry fields
  Data entry fields let you type in text.  You make a data entry
  field active by clicking it or its label, or pressing Tab or
  Shift-Tab until it's highlighted.

  The cursor can be moved by clicking with the mouse, or with the
  left and right arrow keys.  Backspace and Delete, of course, delete
  the previous and current characters, respectively.  The following
  keys also have special meaning:

        Insert                  Toggle insertion/overwrite mode
        Ctrl-Left arrow         Left by one word
        Ctrl-Right arrow        Right by one word
        Home                    Beginning of field
        End                     Move to end of field
        Ctrl-Home               Clear the field
        Ctrl-End                Clear from the cursor to the end

  Remember that pressing Enter is equivalent to pressing OK.  Use
  Tab or Shift-Tab to move between fields.



7. COMMAND LINE
   ────────────

Options can be specified on the command line, using the following
syntax:

  psprint [options] [files]

Each option begins with either a - (dash) or / (forward slash),
followed by the option letter.  Case is significant in option
letters, so -p and -P are two different options.  Options must be
separated by spaces, and are evaluated from left to right.

Certain options require additional data.  This data must follow the
option letter, without any intervening spaces.  For example, to
specify 4 as the data for the -t option, you would enter -t4.

To get help on the available command-line options, enter

  psprint -?



8. PSPRINT OPTIONS
   ───────────────

  Display help                                  -?
    Display possible options and default values.

  Print headers and footers                     -h
    Print file name, file date, and file time in page headers,
    and print page numbers in the footers.

  Line numbering                                -n
    Add line numbers to the printout.

  Both headers/footers and line numbers         -b
    Shorthand for the above two options; a good "programmer's
    option".

  Rotate to landscape mode                      -r
    Rotate output 90 degrees.

  Print two pages on one sheet.                 -2
    Shrink and rotate output so that two pages are printed on one
    sheet of paper.  Because the output is shrunk, the font is
    effectively halved in size; the default 10-point font becomes
    5-point.  If you want a larger font, specify a larger size with
    the -s (font size) option.  For example, if you want an effective
    size of 8 points, specify a font size of 16.

  Font to use                                   -Fxxx
    Use font xxx.  Default is PSPrint, a custom font which defines
    extended characters (line drawing, European characters, etc.)
    for the United States, Multilingual, Slavic, Portuguese,
    Canadian-French, and Nordic MS-DOS character sets.

    Other fonts that are available on all PostScript printers are:
        Times-Roman
        Times-Italic
        Times-Bold
        Times-BoldItalic
        Helvetica
        Helvetica-Oblique
        Helvetica-Bold
        Helvetica-BoldOblique
        Courier
        Courier-Oblique
        Courier-Bold
        Courier-BoldOblique

    The PSPrint font and the Courier font family are monospaced.
    Monospaced fonts should be used to print text that is aligned by
    columns, such as programs or tables.  Consult your printer manual
    for other fonts which may be available to you.

    At this time, the PSPrint font is somewhat crude: the line
    drawing characters are too thick, and characters 0-31 are not
    defined with the exception of the paragraph and section symbols.
    However, the font should be sufficient for most purposes.

  Font size                                     -sxxx
    Use font size of xxx points.  Default is 10.

  Line height                                   -Hxxx
    Use line height of xxx points.  Default is 0.00, which tells
    PSPrint to calculate the line height from the font size.

  Left margin                                   -Lxxx
  Right margin                                  -Rxxx
    Set left and right margins to xxx inches.  Default is 0.75
    inches, minimum value is 0.25 inches.  Useful when punching holes
    for 3-ring binders.

  Top margin                                    -Txxx
  Bottom margin                                 -Bxxx
    Set top and bottom margins to xxx inches.  Default is 0.45
    inches, minimum value is 0.25 inches.  Useful for changing page
    height.

  Tab size                                      -txxx
    Set tab size to xxx.  Default value is 8 spaces.

  Output device/file                            -oxxx
    Output to device or file xxx.  Default is default printer PRN.
    Valid values for parallel ports are LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3.  Valid
    values for serial ports are COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4.  The
    values PRN and LPT1 refer to the same parallel port.  Any valid
    file name can also be designated; the output is a conforming
    PostScript program which may be parsed by other utilities to
    reverse the pages or print one page of many.

  From page                                     -axxx
  To page                                       -zxxx
    Output only the pages between From and To.  Default is from
    page 1 to page 999.  When used with the "Print two pages to one
    sheet" option (-2), the range may be extended slightly in order
    to print two full pages on each sheet.

  Paper size                                    -px
    Select paper size x, where x is one of the following:
        l = Letter
        g = Legal
        a = A4
    Default is l (Letter).  PSPrint will attempt to select an
    appropriate paper tray automatically.

  Paper Input                                   -ix
    Select which tray is used for paper input; x is one of the following:
        1 = tray number one
        2 = tray number two
        a = automatically select tray based on paper size.  This is the
            default (meaning you never actually have to use it, except
            possibly to over-ride a default configuration file).

  Page breaks                                   -Px
    Use page break style x, where x is one of the following:
        n = Normal
        i = Ignore form feeds
        f = Page break only on form feeds
    Default is n (Normal).  The -Pf option is useful for documents
    which are already paginated.

  Disable/Enable Paper Tray Selection           -PTOFF, -PTON
    Some printers (such as some Apple Laserwriters) do not recognize
    the PostScript commands for selecting the paper tray.  If PSPrint
    doesn't seem to work with your printer, try disabling these options
    by typing "psprint -PTOFF".  This will modify the executable file
    (psprint.exe) so that it no longer generates the PostScript paper
    tray selection commands (the old psprint.exe will be stored as
    psprint.bak).  If you later want to re-enable these options, type
    "psprint -PTON".  The -PTOFF and -PTON options cannot be combined
    with any other PSPrint options, and cannot be used when you want
    PSPrint to print a file.

    NOTE:  This has only been tested under DOS.  Using these options
    under (for ex.) a DOS shell from Windows-NT or OS2 is not guaranteed
    to work.

9. RESPONSE/CONFIG FILES
   ─────────────────────

If you often use certain combinations of options, you can put the
options into separate files called response files.  You can then
tell PSPrint to use these options by specifying the appropriate
response file name prefixed with @.

If there is a certain combination of options that is used most
frequently, you can put the options in a default configuration file
(config file), named PSPRINT.CFG.  Any number of response files
and/or a config file can be used and freely mixed with other options.

The command line is processed from left to right.  Thus in the case
of mutually exclusive options, the order of precedence is determined
by placement on the command line.  For example, "psprint -s10 -s12"
would result in 12 point type.  The same concept applies when mixing
command line options with response files and/or a config file.  The
default config file is processed first, so it can be overridden by
response files and command line args.


Options in response/config files may be separated by any number of
spaces, tabs, or newlines.  The files may also contain comment lines,
which are denoted by beginning a line with a semicolon.  For example,
a response file named LIST might look like this:

; list -- PSPrint options for program listings.
-b -2

It can be used to print a file named FOO.CPP using paper tray number
two by entering:

    psprint @list -i2 foo.cpp

Where does PSPrint look for response/config files?  In the case of
response files, PSPrint will first look for the file as specified
on the command line (if no path is included, this means it will
look in the current working directory).  In the case of config files,
PSPrint will first search the current working directory.  This
allows you to have different reponse/config files depending on what
project you are working on.

Then, PSPrint looks for a DOS environmental variable called 'home'.
If it exists, PSPrint will try to interpret it as a path name, and
look for response/config files there.  This allows everyone on a
network to have their own response/config files.

The last place PSPrint will look is the directory where PSPrint is
installed.  On a network, this makes it possible to have a standard
config file (or set of response files) in PSPrint's directory, which
can be overridden by personalized response/config files.


For example, let us say that you are at D:\PROJ, that PSPRINT.EXE
is installed at I:\UTILS, and that the DOS environmental variable
'home' is set to L:\DEFAULTS\ (to do this, type
"set home=L:\DEFAULTS\").  If you enter

    psprint @c:\fluff\bar.rsp

PSPrint will search for a config file (PSPRINT.CFG) at D:\PROJ, then
at L:\DEFAULTS, and then at I:\UTILS.  PSPrint will then look for a
response file named BAR.RSP; first at C:\FLUFF, then at L:\DEFAULTS,
then at I:\UTILS.  If a response file that you specified is not found,
PSPrint will give you an error message.  However, PSPrint will not
produce an error message if it did not find a default config file.

Remember that if you do not specify any files to print, the screen
interface will be used; so in the example above, the screen interface
will be displayed with the options initially set according to the
response file (and the config file, if one exists).



10. SUPPORT
   ───────

Questions, comments, and bug reports can be e-mailed to
[e-mail].  Please put "PSPrint" somewhere in the subject
line.

The latest version of PSPrint is available from the following
sources:

    Anonymous FTP ─
        prairienet.org, under pub/cei, or
        Simtel mirror sites, under msdos/postscript
            (oak.oakland.edu and wuarchive.wustl.edu are
            two major Simtel mirrors)

    CompuServe ─
        (go adobe) utilities library, or
        (go ibmhw) printer utility library

    GEnie ─
        IBMPC Roundtable, or
        PSRT Roundtable

    Control Enterprises bulletin board ─
        Phone number: [phone]
        Parameters:   8-N-1
        Modem speed:  up to 14.4K
        Login name:   guest
        Protocol:     ZModem

    Prairienet ─
    Our 'home' net is Prairienet, the free-net of East Central
    Ilinois.  (Why not take the time to become a registered member --
    it is FREE to Illinois residents.)
        Phone number: [phone]
        Parameters:   8-N-1
        Modem speed:  up to 2400 baud (16 lines)
        Login as visitor, then 'go cei'



11. ABOUT CONTROL ENTERPRISES
    ─────────────────────────

Control Enterprises, Inc. is a contract software development and
control systems engineering firm.  The company was founded in 1979 as
a one-man, chemical engineering consulting firm, and has since grown
to 13 employees.  We are located in Savoy, Illinois, just outside
Champaign-Urbana.  If you need custom software or control systems,
give us a call!