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FLOWTEXT.DOC
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1993-11-28
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FLOWTEXT (tm) Shareware by W. James Porcher 1
**************************************************************************
* W. James Porcher Ste. 2550, PO Box77, *
* Phone (416) 947-0108 Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, *
* Fax (416) 367-1029 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5K 1E7 *
**************************************************************************
Table of Contents
-----------------
License / Introduction 1
Installation & Operation 2
Display Adjustment 3
Advantages of registering FLOWTEXT 3
Ordering/Registering Information 4
Order Form 5
LICENSE
FLOWTEXT (tm) is Copyright (c) 1993 by W. James Porcher, and is NOT public
domain or free software. This SHAREWARE version of FLOWTEXT is produced
for evaluation purposes, and may be freely copied and given to others.
FLOWTEXT must be distributed in unmodified form, including ALL program,
documentation and other files. No payment may be accepted for FLOWTEXT.
After using FLOWTEXT for 45 days, you are required to purchase the
registered version or discontinue use. See page 3 for the advantages of
registering FLOWTEXT. Bulletin Board systems may post this Shareware
version for downloading only if no fee is associated with downloading
FLOWTEXT specifically. Distributors of shareware must obtain writted
permission from W. James Porcher before distributing FLOWTEXT.
INTRODUCTION
ABOUT FLOWTEXT -
FLOWTEXT "flows" text across the screen in large letters, in
colour (monochrome too). It doesn't require color or even graphics;
it will run on a text-only display. It takes ASCII text (most word
processors produce ASCII). There is no limit to the size of the text
message. There are 2 display sizes - the small one will catch your
eye from more than 10 feet away; the larger one from much farther.
Once started, it repeats your message till you stop it.
FLOWTEXT Shareware has 2 or 3 stages.
First is the display of the Shareware commercial, which tells
you how to register FLOWTEXT. It doesn't repeat. The stop keys don't
work while it's running. You can skip this stage by registering FLOWTEXT.
Second is typing in your text. This stage only happens if you
enter a quote with the FLOWTEXT command; FLOWTEXT will use YOUR text
file if you enter a filename with the command, or look for a file
called TEXTFILE.TXT if you enter nothing with the command.
Third is the display itself. The text will start to scroll
across the screen, and repeat till you stop it. While it's running you
can adjust the speed, size & color of the display, or run it character
by character under your control. All control is done from the number
pad on the keyboard. Any adjustments you make to speed, size & color
will be saved, & used again next time you run FLOWTEXT.
FLOWTEXT (tm) Shareware by W. James Porcher 2
INSTALLATION -
Copy the FLOWTEXT.EXE file onto your hard disk. That's it. FLOWTEXT
will create another file called FLOSPECS the first time you run it, so
don't put FLOWTEXT in a directory that already contains a file by that
name. If you want to try a demo, copy TEXTFILE.TXT too, type
FLOWTEXT, & press Enter (see OPERATION). TEXTFILE.TXT is provided for
demo text; only the FLOWTEXT.EXE file is necessary to run this
system. If you want to be able to run it from anywhere on your system,
consult the PATH command in your DOS manual.
OPERATION -
Type FLOWTEXT xxx & press enter.
xxx can be:
- the name of your text file (including drive & path). FLOWTEXT will
show the text in the file.
- " (or '). FLOWTEXT will let you type in text, then show that.
- omitted. FLOWTEXT will show TEXTFILE.TXT if its there.
If the display doesn't look right, see page 3. If you ever want to
get back to the original "factory" settings, DELete the FLOSPECS file.
When FLOWTEXT starts, a panel RESEMBLING this should be on the screen:
---------------------------------- --------------------------------
| Use | To change Display|Its now| | Use | For |
|-----|------------------|-------| |-------|----------------------|
| PgUp| Size | Big | |Hom,Esc| QUIT |
| + - | Speed(0-500) | xxx | | | |
| <-->| Color | Red | | DOWN | One letter at a time |
| * | Brightness | High | | UP | Screen border color |
---------------------------------- --------------------------------
IF IT'S NOT, your machine isn't responding to color the way we're
expecting, and part of the display is blacked out. PRESS THE UP ARROW
to get the missing part back.
The controls -
PgUp: (or PgDn) will change the SIZE of the flowing text display.
There are 2 sizes.
+ - : These SPEED up and slow down the flowing text. They are used
to eliminate possible distortion in the display (see P.3).
<-->: Left and right arrows - used to control the COLOR of the
flowing text. The left arrow changes the color of the letters,
the right arrow changes the color of the background.
* : controls the BRIGHTNESS of the flowing text. Note - on low
brightness, its possible to match the letter and background
colors, resulting in A DISPLAY YOU CAN'T SEE.
Home: (or Esc) will STOP FLOWTEXT
DOWN Arrow: causes the display to move 1 LETTER EACH TIME you press
it. Pressing another key will resume the normal flow.
UP Arrow: changes the COLOR of the display OUTSIDE the flowing text.
NOTE - The BROWSE command will allow you examine text files. The
up/down arrows, PgUp & PgDn keys move you around in the file.
Text files can be created with most word processors and editors, or
just with the DOS COPY command (COPY CON filename, type in the text,
press F6 & ENTER to quit).
FLOWTEXT (tm) Shareware by W. James Porcher 3
JERKY OR DISTORTED DISPLAY -
There are 2 things you can do about this:
1. Back off a few feet and look at it again. This isn't meant to be viewed
close up; it's meant to catch the eye from several feet away.
2. Adjust the speed of the display. There's a wide range between "too
fast to read" and "too slow to bother with". Within that range,
you can often eliminate the noticeable distortion completely, and
nearly always reduce it to a sort of twinkle.
A SEMI-TECHNICAL EXPLANATION.
These machines weren't designed to show movies. The computer
changes the display every once in a while, and the screen (actually the
graphics circuitry) flashes it on ("refreshes") the screen MANY times in
between; far faster than your eye. The "refresh" happens often DURING the
change, when only part of it's done. If you push the PAUSE key when the
screen is active with ANY software, you'll often catch a half-changed
display on the screen. Normally you don't notice it, because it happens
fast, not much of it's changing, & it isn't changing very often.
In this program, about 1/6 to 1/3 of the screen display is being
shifted/replaced more quickly; the screen is refreshing it like lightning.
When the two get nearly "in phase", the same "shift" in the display happens
enough times in succession that you can see it.
We can't preset the display speeds for every machine; the right
setting for an old PC or XT will be just a blur on a Pentium or a fast 486.
As more of the screen is being shifted in the large display than in the
smaller one, the same speed ajustment won't work for both, so we need one
for each.
Whether you're a registered user or not, we welcome your suggestions
and reports of problems. They're better for us written or faxed, thanks.
-------------------Advantages of registering FLOWTEXT----------------------
- You don't have to sit through the SHAREWARE commercial when you use it.
- Registered FLOWTEXT lets you BLANK the screen outside the flowing text.
- The registered version will allow you to type in 1000 characters of text.
- You'll get the latest version of FLOWTEXT.
Future improvements in the works now include:
- More character fonts.
- Allowing you to change the position of the display on the screen,
to save your monitor (also automatic position changing)
- A Date & Time display on the screen.
- Special effects in the display - rolling up/down, flashing,
reverse etc.
- Providing for a title to STAY on the screen above the display
- Providing for some unusual text file types, (longer records)
FLOWTEXT (tm) Shareware by W. James Porcher 4
FLOWTEXT Ordering/Registration Information
Registering (buying) FLOWTEXT allows you to use the product after the trial
period. Registered FLOWTEXT users get the current version of FLOWTEXT on
disk with their name in it, mailed notification of major FLOWTEXT updates,
and priority when calling for FLOWTEXT software support (we guarantee no
support to unregistered users). Most importantly, registered users know
they are helping to make sure that high-quality software like FLOWTEXT
continues to be sold in this low-cost way.
FLOWTEXT registration costs $25 CDN or US, and includes a 'registered' copy
of FLOWTEXT on disk. An evaluation disk with the current copy of FLOWTEXT
on it is also available for $10 CDN or US. This is to be used to try out
FLOWTEXT, and does not include registration (the right to use FLOWTEXT
after the evaluation period). The fee covers the cost of diskette(s) and
handling.
Payment may be in the form of check or money order. We also
accept corporate purchase orders for amounts of $200 and over.
To place an order, please use the order form on the following
page, or call us at (416)-947-0108.
Quantity and Corporate Purchases
The order form on the following page may be used to purchase
multiple copies of FLOWTEXT, with discounts as follows:
1 - 10 copies no discount
11 - 20 copies 10% discount
21 - 50 copies 15% discount
51 - 100 copies 22% discount
101 - 200 copies 30% discount
201 - 999 copies 40% discount
1000 copies plus 50% discount
Multiple copy purchases are simply bulk purchases and include that
many copies of FLOWTEXT on disk, as with single registrations. We
also have available site licenses (at a very slight reduction in
price), which are based on a fixed number of copies, but in which
the site performs the diskette duplication from a master disk and
labels supplied by us.
The name on the order form is considered the contact and is the
person with whom all correspondence will take place.
Note: All prices and discounts are subject to change without notice.
FLOWTEXT (tm) Shareware by W. James Porcher 5
Order Form
FLOWTEXT version 1.0
------------------------------------------------------------------
Remit to: W. James Porcher
Ste. 2550, PO Box77, Toronto Dominion Bank Tower,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5K 1E7 *
------------------------------------------------------------------
Quan Item US/CDN Price
___ FLOWTEXT Registration................ @ $25.00 ea $________
(includes registration + program
and documentation on disk)
___ FLOWTEXT evaluation disk............. @ $10.00 ea $________
(includes program and documentation
on disk, but not registration)
Disk media type: 5.25" [ ] 3.5" [ ]
Volume Discount $(______)
Ontario orders please add Prov. Sales Tax (8%) $________
Canadian orders please add Goods & Services Tax (7%) $________
(GST is separate from PST, not on top)
TOTAL $________
------------------------------------------------------------------
Payment by: ( ) Check or MO ( ) PO # ____________
Name_______________________________________________________
Company_______________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Phone(______)________________ Other(______)________________
Fax(______)________________
Signature______________________________________________________