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MiserPrint V1.0
Written by Heinz-Guenter Boettger
GUI created with GadToolsBox V2.0c
Comments, suggestions, bug reports etc. to
hgb@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de
If you like this program and will use it, please send a picture
postcard from your country or your town with nice stamps to
Heinz-Guenter Boettger
Roermonder Bahn 5
41844 Wegberg
Germany
Disclaimer
==========
This software comes with no warranty, either expressed or implied. The
author is in no way responsible for any damage or loss that may occur
due to direct or indirect usage of this software. Use this software
entirely at your own risk.
Copyright
=========
This software is freely distributable, BUT all programs and
documentation are copyright by Heinz-Guenter Boettger.
Distribution
============
Permission is given to include this program in a public archive (such
as a BBS, FTP site or PD library) providing that all parts of the
original distribution are kept intact. These are as follows:
MiserPrint.info
MiserPrint/MiserPrint
MiserPrint/MiserPrint.info
MiserPrint/MiserPrint.doc
MiserPrint/MiserPrint.doc.info
MiserPrint/MiserPrint.guide
MiserPrint/MiserPrint.guide.info
MiserPrint/Install
MiserPrint/Install.info
MiserPrint/env-archive/MiserPrint/MiserPrint.prefs
MiserPrint/env-archive/MiserPrint/Manual.prefs
MiserPrint/env-archive/MiserPrint/Listing.prefs
No charge may be made for this program, other than a reasonable copying
fee, and/or the price of the media. This fee _must not_ be more than
USá$5 or 5 DM.
This program may not be included or used in commercial programs unless
by written permission from the author.
Requirements
============
MiserPrint requires
- an Amiga with Kickstart V37 or higher
- a HP-Deskjet 500
I have not tested it but I think that the program will work with the
Hewlett-Packard 500C, 550C, 510 and compatible printers too (e.g. pcl-
printers or other ink-jets).
Installation
============
To install MiserPrint, simply copy it to your utilities directory and
the directory of the preferences files to envarc: or click the Install
icon.
Introduction
============
MiserPrint is a print utility that puts up to 8 normal pages of text on
one sheet of paper. You are able to save paper and time. MiserPrint
uses the small built-in fonts (Courier and Letter Gothic) of the
HP-Deskjet printers.
Using MiserPrint
================
MiserPrint can be started from a CLI or from the Workbench. When the
program starts up, the default values will be set, then the
MiserPrint.prefs will be read. After that the commandline arguments or
the tool types will be evaluated and the main window will be opened.
CLI
---
To start MiserPrint from CLI simply type its name and the parameters
you need. You can use '?' to get the template. The program uses the
defaults and the command line options override them.
Template: FILE,USLEGAL/S,USLETTER/S,BLOCK/K/N,COURIER/S,LPI/K/N,
PFF=PERMITFF/S,PESC=PERMITESC/S,DRAFT/S,LQB=LQBOLD/S,
DOUBLE/K,HEADER/K,TAB/K/N,SER:/S,TO/K,PREFS/K,NOGUI/S
Most of them are switches, who are explained in the `Gadgets' section.
FILE
The file that you want to print.
BLOCK <n>
n must be 1, 2 or 4.
LPI <n>
n must be a number between 8 and 16.
DOUBLE (ON|OFF)
HEADER (ON|OFF)
These flags must be set to ON or OFF. The format of the header
can be changed in the string gadget of the GUI.
TAB <n>
n must be a number between 1 and 10.
TO <filename>
The filename must be a valid AmigaDOS one.
PREFS <filename>
The filename must include the full path.
NOGUI
No window with the GUI is opened, only a requester shows you
the results of the file scan.
Workbench
---------
The Workbench tool types for Miserprint are:
USLEGAL, USLETTER, BLOCK=<n>, COURIER/S, LPI=<n>, PERMITFF,
PERMITESC, DRAFT, LQBOLD, DOUBLE=(ON|OFF), HEADER=(ON|OFF),
TAB=<n>, SER:, TO=<filename>, PREFS=<filename>
To start MiserPrint from Workbench
- doubleclick its icon.
- click the text file you wish to print and shift-doubleclick MiserPrint.
- set the project icon of a text to MiserPrint and doubleclick it.
More details are in the `CLI' section.
Gadgets
-------
The Option Gadgets
------------------
'Papersize'
With this gadget you can select the papersize that is used.
(DIN A4 is the default, because it is the standard size in
Germany.)
'Block'
You can choose between three text arrangements:
- 1x1: one big block
- 1x2: two blocks, which are formatted in two columns
- 2x2: four little blocks, normally four normal pages on one sheet
'Font'
The HP-Deskjet 500 has two built-in nonproportional fonts:
- Courier (6 point, 20 cpi)
- LetterGothic (6 point, 24 cpi)
'LPI'
A slider gadget allows you to select the lines per inch between
8 and 16.
The two text gadgets show you the dimensions of one block.
'Formfeed'
If this option is enabled, the text after a formfeed will be
printed on a new block.
'ESC'
With this option you can print some ANSI-ESC-sequences. I have
implemented italics, underline and boldface. The others are
filtered out.
'Quality'
Three qualities can be selected:
- Draft: the fastest print
- LQ: my favourite mode
- LQBold: perhaps somebody will use it
'Double'
This option enables the printing on both sides of the sheets,
so that you can print 8 normal pages on one sheet (if block is
set to 4). First the even pagenumbers are printed, then a
requester invites you to rotate the sheets before the odd pages
are printed. If your printout is redirected to a file
MiserPrint saves the even pagenumbers to <filename>.1 and the
odd ones to <filename>.2, you must copy the files in this
sequence to par: or ser: for a later printout.
'Header'
A header will be printed on every sheet. You can define the
look of the header. It supports some printf- or tex-like
expressions:
%f the filename without the path
%d1 the current date (15-Sep-93)
%d2 the current date (15.09.93)
%d3 the current date (09/15/93)
%t1 the current time (17:25)
%t2 the current time (05:25 PM)
%n the pagenumber
\hfill fills a line with spaces until the line has the full
length
'Tabsize'
In this integer gadget you must enter the tabsize of your text,
otherwise you get a wrong formatted printout.
The String Gadgets
------------------
'Filename'
You can select a file by clicking the getfile image (a
filerequester appears) or by entering the filename in the
string gadget.
'Port'
The cycle gadget allows you to choose between the parallel
port, the serial port or a file. The getfile image and the
string gadget are only activ when the printout to a file
is selected.
The Action Gadgets
------------------
'Edit'
To edit the file you can click this button and the command
'c:ed <filename>' is executed. You can also set the environment
variable EDITOR to your preferable editor. I have done this by
'setenv EDITOR tools:ed -sticky' to use CygnusEd.
'Info'
The file is scanned and a requester shows some informations
about it.
'Preview'
A preview window is opened and the last page will be displayed.
You can move through the document with the four buttons on the
top or with the cursor keys. Click the closing gadget or use
the ESC key to exit the preview.
'Print'
If this button is clicked, the file will be printed.
The Info and Print command can be aborted by clicking the closing
gadget.
Menu
----
Project
-------
'Open...'
This command is used to load an old configuration.
'Save As...'
You can save your actual configuration with this command.
'About'
Just try it.
'Quit'
If you want to exit the program, execute this command or click
the closing gadget.
Edit
----
'Reset to defaults'
My defaults will be used.
'Last Saved'
Resets the configuration to the last saved one.
'Restore'
MiserPrint uses the configuration on startup.
Acknowledgments
===============
Thanks to the following people:
- Matt Dillon for DICE.
- Jan van den Baard for GadToolsBox, which was used to design
MiserPrint's GUI.