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1987-02-28
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┌────────────┐
│ BLACKBEARD │
└────────────┘
User Supported Software
VERSION LOG
BLACKBEARD
version remarks
----------------------------------------------------------------
pre-3.6 Pre release versions never distributed as user supported
software. Avoid the use of these most have some bugs.
3.6 First distributed release. Works well. Cutting past
the end of a line will lock up the computer (versions
3.6 - 4.6; fixed in 4.7 and above).
3.7 Beta test version. Avoid use.
4.0 Virtual memory added. File size limited by disk space.
Beta test version. Avoid use.
4.1 Keyboard remapping. Beta test version. Avoid use.
4.2 Tab display. Beta test version. Avoid use.
4.3 Pop-up directory to open wild card file names. Beta
test version. Avoid use.
4.4 132 column mode for Everex card. Adjustable virtual
memory limits.
4.5 Limited release version. Contains manual on disk.
4.6 Improved manual. Bug fix to pop-directory and switch to
file command.
4.7 Official virtual memory release version. (12-16-85)
4.71 Bug fix to delete_line routine.
4.72 Repeat key feature added.
4.73 Recognize video mode after exit to DOS (12-18-85)
4.74 Fixed Bug reading EOF terminated files. Improved Repeat
Key and Keystroke Macro interaction.
5.00 Memory Resident Version (Preliminary)
5.10 First somewhat available memory resident version.
5.12 Better file reading, so file date isn't always updated.
Files can be used with "make."
5.13 New paragraph adjust for "bulleted" paragraphs.
5.14 DOS window bug fix that didn't display last line when
kill buffer overflowed.
5.15 Bug fix in pop-up directory and select window (αF6)
command interaction.
5.16 Bug fix in non CRLF EOF terminated files.
5.17 Improved adjust paragraph routines.
5.18 Sound (beeps) for error messages.
5.19 Pop-up Blackbeard "warm" (α=) or "cold" (α-); Bug fix to
insert number routine (bug entered around version 5.17).
5.20 Conditional search & replace requires Y to replace.
5.21 Bug fix to finding files under version PC-DOS 3.0 and
some versions of MS-DOS 2.11 (Other DOS versions appear
to work ok). Bug fix to LF ^Z terminated files. Escape
to exit search and filename prompt. "cold" start
resets "everything." Improved search to avoid writing
when no changes have been made. (4-1-86)
5.22 Improved read/write file movement. Check for valid
reentrant points before "popping-up" resident
Blackbeard (beep). ("Random bugs" - avoid use)
5.30 "Random bugs" exterminated. First dumb terminal
emulator (to be expanded in subsequent versions).
5.31 Infinite beep bug fixed. Resident Abort (αZ) editing
"eof" bug fixed.
5.32 Dumb terminal bug fixed.
5.33 Infinite beep bug fixed (again). Larger Memory
Requirements about 148K. Find & Replace bug when
performed after end of file fixed. Avoids running DOS
commands when resident to avoid system lockup.
5.34 Better EOF checking! Permits ^Z in the middle of lines
in the middle of files. Lines greater than 254
characters detected and editing aborted. Insert number
does insert/replace number depending upon insert/replace
mode toggle. Delete word modified to delete only next
punctuation of next alphanumerics, note: does not delete
next word as defined by word right.
5.40 Even better EOF checking (lines not EOF terminated
properly do not display last two characters -- this bug
cannot be fixed) Fixed bug in automatic backup that
caused no automatic backups to be made. Changed delete
word to match word right.
5.41 =xxxxx works correctly again. Reading file for CR LF
no ^Z terminated files works correctly.
5.42 Minor EOF check fixes ; non-official release
6.0 Expanded code size (C medium model).
6.1 Backup up file (non-catastrophic) bug fix
6.2 Prompt line editing using arrows, backspace, Home, End
Up arrow (to retrieve previous data), Ins and Del.
Better Ctrl-C trapping. αJ is "EMACS" style "return" --
break line and go to start of next line.
6.3 Fixed bug in adjust_paragraph when display tabs and
justify options are on. Also checks for period and
makes sure there are two or more spaces after a period.
Available: July 4, 1986.
6.4 Bug fix so case insensitive search works. Also somewhat
faster (!?)
6.41 Bug fix to searching!? Should make it healthier. Tended
to disrupt cut & paste.
6.42 Bug fix to "left word".
Nicer search and replace displays.
Fixed possible bug in read/write virtual memory buffer
(I have never seen this bug occur, but it is
theoretically possible)
Insert file function
Reverse Search & Repeat Reverse Search
6.43 Goto start marker
6.44 Insert file and Switch to window with deleted file;
works correctly now.
6.45 Fix includes misc bugs, including mystery file scrambling
problem (the Bullendonk-Cooper bug).
INTRODUCTION
Blackbeard is designed to be a programmer's editor. It
performs the editing tasks a programmer needs, in as fast and
efficient manner as possible. It works the way you expect it
to. The primary use for Blackbeard is for source code editing
and it does all the things you would expect. It also has some
word processing features; these were used to create this
documentation.
Distribution and Registration
As you know software copyright violation is rampant. This is
why we have created Blackbeard. Because Blackbeard is a superior
text editor and available for free distribution, there should be
little need to pirate copyrightted software to obtain advanced
text editing features. Please feel free to give Blackbeard to
your friends. We are counting on you as a participant in the
largest distribution network in the nation (the owners and users
of PCs) to make Blackbeard a popular product. With strong user
support, Blackbeard will be enhanced with new features and
capabilities making it the editor of choice.
For fifteen (15) dollars you can become a registered owner of
Blackbeard. For your $15.00 you will appease your conscience
about using unregistered software, provide support for future
enhancements, receive a distinctive "Blackbeard" collectable, a
registration sticker, and a copy of the latest version of
Blackbeard. The file FORM.TXT can be used as an order form.
California state residents please add 6% state tax (90 cents)
for a total of $15.90.
SEND A CHECK MADE OUT TO BLACKBEARD TO:
Blackbeard
1198 E. Baseline St. Suite 113
San Bernardino, California 92410
We thank you for your support.
DOCUMENTATION
Blackbeard does not come with a voluminous manual. The design
team decided early on that a good editor should not need a large
reference manual; most of the documentation is built in. This
explans the more complex features of Blackbeard.
The Blackbeard diskette should have the following files:
File Description
-------------------------------------------------------
bb.exe This is the Blackbeard program.
bb132.exe This is the Blackbeard program set up
to run in 25 row by 132 column mode on
the Everex edge and genoa card. (NO LONGER
CONTAINED ON THE BLACKBEARD DISTRIBUTION DISKETTE.
AVAILABLE ONLY UPON REQUEST).
bb44.exe This is the Blackbeard program set up
to run in 44 row by 132 column mode on
the Everex edge and genoa card. (NO LONGER
CONTAINED ON THE BLACKBEARD DISTRIBUTION DISKETTE.
AVAILABLE ONLY UPON REQUEST).
bbc.exe Blackbeard key binding compiler
bbf.exe Blackbeard text formatter. See
BBF.DOC instructions. Turns
Blackbeard into a full-featured word
processor.
bb.cfg Blackbeard configuration file
bb.key Blackbeard key binding file compiled
read.me Blackbeard release notes
bb.doc Blackbeard manual
bbkeys.txt Blackbeard key binding file ready for
compilation.
m_bb.msc Blackbeard Mouse systems button and
movement defintion file
m_bb.com Blackbeard Mouse systems compiled menu
file.
form.txt Blackbeard order form.
SETTING UP AND RUNNING BLACKBEARD
Running Blackbeard
To run Blackbeard type:
BB
The screen will be cleared and the Blackbeard information will
appear with a request for a filename at the last line of the
screen. If you press enter a directory of file will be displayed
from which you may select a file to edit (see the menus section
for how to use menus). See the "Memory Residence" section on having
Blackbeard installed as a "pop-up" editor.
You can give Blackbeard a filename upon startup:
BB <filename>
Blackbeard will then display your file.
Status Line
The last line line of the screen is reserved for the status
information. It looks like:
Line 1 Col 0 <DMIWSTN> Kill 0 Paste 0 C:\filename 846
This is called the status line. It tells you the line and
column you are working on. The letter inside brackets indicate
the current editing settings. The possible letters and meanings
are described in the following chart:
Letter Meaning
D Drawing mode on
M Keystroke macro recording on
I Insert mode on
W Word wrap on
B Bullet mode on (and word wrap on)
S Case sensitive search on
T Auto-tab on
N Auto-insert on
Kill followed by the size of the text in the delete buffer.
Paste followed by the size of text in the paste buffer and the
name of the file you are editing followed by its size.
Help and command menus
To access the menus and learn the commands press the escape
<Esc> key and the menu will pop-up. You can execute a command or
select any submenus by positioning the cursor on the item (using
the keypad keys) and pressing the Enter key (<─┘). To exit a
menu without choosing an item press the escape key. The menu
action will be taken where the cursor was before you entered the
menu. With few exceptions the menu commands all have their
direct keyboard counterparts which are described to the right of
the English command description. The direct commands use the
keyboard letters and the shift () , Alt (α), and control (Ctrl)
keys. The following describes how they are shown:
^R - means Ctrl-R
R - means Shift-R
αR - means Alt-R
The function keys are designated as F1 - F10.
Prompt Line
Blackbeard will prompt you for various editing strings on
the status line. This includes search/replace string; and new
filename. Blackbeard has a built in prompt line editor. Prompt
line editing can be performed using arrows, backspace, Home, End
Up arrow (to retrieve previous data), Ins and Del. The Esc key
is used to abort the prompt and enter to complete the prompt.
CONFIGURATION
When Blackbeard starts up it looks for three files: the
configuration file, the key binding file and the macro file.
Configuration File
Blackbeard keeps a configuration file that allows you to
customize the following areas:
- all items from the OPTIONS MENU
- all items from the SETTINGS MENU
- Window colors
- WIndow sizes
- the status line settings
Blackbeard looks in the current subdirectory for a file named
BB.CFG. This file will be used to set the configuration
setttings. If there is not a file named BB.CFG in the current
subdirectory, Blackbeard will look in the DOS environment for the
symbol BBCFG, if it is found it will use the filename supplied
with the symbol. This will let you keep one configuration file
and use Blackbeard from any disk or directory.
To set BBCFG place this command or one similar in your
autoexec.bat file
SET BBCFG=C:\BB.CFG
See the OPTIONS/SETTINGS menu for the read and save
configuration commands. These commands will request a filename
and default to the current path and BB.CFG filename if none is
given.
Macro file
Blackbeard allows you to define and save keyboard macros.
Blackbeard looks in the current subdirectory for a file named
BB.MAC. This file will be used to read in your macros. If there
is not a file named BB.MAC in the current subdirectory,
Blackbeard will look in the DOS environment fo the symbol BBMAC,
if it is found it will use the filename supplied with the symbol.
To set BBMAC place this command or one similar in your
autoexec.bat file
SET BBMAC=C:\BB.MAC
See the macros menu for the read and save macro commands. To
read in macro files with different filenames simply enter the
desired file name to the read file prompt. These commands will
request a filename and default to the current path and BB.CFG
filename if none is given.
Key binding File
Blackbeard keeps a key binding file that will allow you to
redefine the keystrokes: Blackbeard looks in the current
subdirectory for a file named BB.KEY. This file will be used to
define the keyboard. If there is not a file named BB.KEY in the
current subdirectory, Blackbeard will look in the DOS environment
for the symbol BBKEY, if it is found it will use the filename
supplied with the symbol. This will let you keep one keyboard
file and use Blackbeard from any disk or directory.
To set BBKEY place this command or one similar in your
autoexec.bat file
SET BBKEY=C:\BB.KEY
See the OPTIONS/SETTINGS/KEYS menu for the read and save key
bindings commands. These commands will request a filename and
default to the current path and BB.KEY filename if none is
given. Key binding is thoroughly discussed in a subsequent
section.
Other configuration
If you are using the IBM monochrome adapter or a
color/graphics adapter with a color monitor, you will not have to
configure Blackbeard for your system. If you are using
Blackbeard with a color/graphics adapter and a monochrome
monitor, you will have to configure Blackbeard so that it does
not use color. To do this run Blackbeard, press αF9 (to turn off
color) and save your configuration using the configuration menu.
HOW BLACKBEARD HANDLES FILES
Virtually virtual memory
Blackbeard uses a virtually virtual memory method to handle
large files. This means it pages the file in and out of memory.
The messages Reading file and Writing file appear on the status
line to indicate when Blackbeard is paging the file. Blackbeard
uses to two buffers to keep track of your file. One that keeps
track of every line in the file and one that pages your file in
and out. Blackbeard's file size is limited by the number of
lines. The default is about 8000 lines (this is large enough for
almost all text files). However, you can tell Blackbeard how to
allocate its vitrual memory buffers. The line buffer's size can
be scaled from 4000 to about 24000. The default is 8000. It
should be set to the maximum expected file size (in terms of
lines) you will edit. To set the line limit run Blackbeard with
either of the following commands:
BB =# of lines or
BB <filename> =# of lines
Example:
BB read.me =20000
will run Blackbeard such that it can accept files that have
up to 20000 lines.
Backup
Blackbeard can be configured to create a backup file, at
startup it will copy the original to a .BAK file. While editing,
Blackbeard will page your file in and out of memory. If the
computer should crash while editing; the edited file may be
unusable. The default is not to provide a backup file.
File saving
Blackbeard always works on the current file. When you change
to a window that contains a different file, the file in the
previous window is saved and the new file is read in and you are
positioned where you left off. Every time you change to a window
with a different file (or one of the three special purpose
windows), Blackbeard saves the file. This means you cannot go
back to your original text. (If automatic backup is on a backup
is made when you enter a new file with the new file command).
Memory Residence
Blackbeard can be loaded in the background and popped up (like
Borland's Sidekick). It uses up about 128k bytes of memory. To
load Blackbeard in the background execute Blackbeard with the
following command:
BB =r
You can specify a number of lines with BB =r#####
Once Blackbeard is loaded in the background it is popped up
with the file you were last editing with the ALT = (α=) key. It
will resume editing where you last left off. Popping Blackbeard
up with ALT - (α-) pops up Blackbeard and you are queried for a
new filename.
Notes about operating Blackbeard in the background:
o When popped up from the command prompt, the DOS window and
DOS exit commands do not work. They work fine if it is
popped up behind another program.
o Beware of popping Blackbeard up behind a graphics program.
COMMANDS
The remainder of this document describes all the Blackbeard
commands and their original key binding by categories.
CURSOR MOVEMENT
This section defines the commands to move the cursor and
window about.
COL LEFT (->)
Moves the cursor left one column. When the cursor reaches
the window edge, the window is scrolled.
COL RIGHT (<-)
Moves the cursor right one column. When the cursor reaches
the window edge, the window is scrolled.
ROW UP ()
Moves the cursor up one line. If the cursor is at the top
of the window, then the window moves up a line.
ROW DOWN ()
Moves the cursor down one line. If the cursor is at the
bottom of the window, then the window moves down a line.
HOME (Home)
Moves the cursor to the upper left corner of the window.
END OF SCREEN (End)
Moves the cursor to the lower left corner of the window.
PAGE UP (PgUp)
Moves the window up the length of the window.
PAGE DOWN (PgDn)
Moves the window down the length of the window.
START OF FILE (^PgUp)
Moves to the start of the file.
END OF FILE (^PgDn)
Moves to the end of the file.
WORD RIGHT (^->)
Moves the cursor a word to the right. If the next word is
not in the window, then the window is repositioned so that
the word is centered in the window.
WORD LEFT (^<-)
Moves the cursor a word to the left. If the next word is
not in the window, then the window is repositioned so that
the word is centered in the window.
LEFT OF SCREEN (^Home)
Puts the cursor at the left edge of the window.
RIGHT OF SCREEN (^End)
Puts the cursor at the right edge of the window.
END OF LINE (^E)
Places the cursor at the end of the line. This may involve
shifting the window to the right.
GOTO (^G)
Goto a specified line of the file. If the line is greater
than the number of lines in the file, END OF FILE is
performed.
TAB (->| or ^I)
If fixed tabs are on, moves right to the next tab. If
fixed tabs are off moves the cursor right tab size
columns.
TAB LEFT (|<- or ^O)
If fixed tabs are on, moves left to the next tab. If fixed
tabs are off moves the cursor left tab size columns.
RETURN (^Enter or ^J)
Shifts the window to the left edge and place the cursor in
the first column and down a line.
EDIT
Standard editing operations are available. For deletion
operations, a Kill buffer is provided. It contains about the
last 25 deleted lines.
INSERT/OVERSTRIKE (Ins)
Toggles insert and overstrike character mode.
DELETE CHAR (Del)
Deletes the current character.
DELETE LINE (^D)
Deletes the current line to the Kill buffer.
BACKSPACE (Backspace or ^H)
Deletes the previous character. If the cursor is at
column one nothing happens.
BREAK LINE (^K - mnemonic is krack)
Breaks the line at the current cursor position.
INSERT LINE (^I)
Inserts a line at the current cursor positon.
RETURN & INSERT LINE (Enter or ^M)
Performs RETURN and INSERT LINE.
UNDELETE LINE (^U)
Inserts a line from the Kill buffer at the current line.
That line is deleted from the Kill buffer.
DELETE TO EOL (^W - mnemonic is waste)
Deletes the rest of the line. Undo will undo this function.
YANK LINE (^Y)
Inserts a line from the Kill buffer at the current line.
This allows multiple insertion of the same deleted line.
It works as a quick cut and paste.
DELETE BLOCK (αD)
Deletes a marked block.
JOIN LINE (αK)
Joins the next line to the current line. A space is used
to separate the lines.
UNDO (αU)
Restores the line to the last edited state.
BREAK & NEXT LINE (αJ)
Breaks the current line and set cursor to next line
SELF INSERT
Inserts the character.
DELETE WORD (^Backspace)
Deletes the next word.
FILE
BACKUP FILE (α1)
Copies the current file to a file with the same name
but with a .BAK extension.
NEW FILE (^N)
Opens a new file to edit in the current window. If no
filename is given, a directory is displayed in a pop-up
menu. Wildcards can be used in the filename to constrain
the directory. Select the file to edit using the standard
menu keys. Esc if you do not want to select a file.
WRITE FILE (αW)
Write out the file
REREAD FILE (αN)
Rereads the file.
SWITCH TO FILE (αG)
Switchs to the file under the cursor. The filename is
delimited by a non-file character.
INSERT FILE
Will insert the specified file before the current line.
WINDOWS
Blackbeard is a windowed editor with 13 windows; 10 for
normal editing, and three for special purposes. You can edit one
or more files in the general editing windows. To edit a
different file in a window just bring up the window using Ctrl
and one of the function (F1-F10) keys and press ^N to edit a
different file. Note that this does not affect any other
windows; only the current window you are in. The current file
will "follow you around" to the un-initialized windows that you
move to. You can select, re-size, and color windows from the
window sub menu.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Windows and their default sizes │
├──────────────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────┤
│ ^F1 - Main window; full screen │ αF1 - DOS window │
│ ^F2 - full screen │ αF3 - Paste window │
│ ^F3 - left half of screen │ αF4 - Kill window │
│ ^F4 - right half of screen │ │
│ ^F5 - top half of screen │ │
│ ^F6 - bottom half of screen │ │
│ ^F7 - left half of screen │ │
│ ^F8 - right half of screen │ │
│ ^F9 - full screen │ │
│ ^F10 - full screen │ │
└──────────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┘
WINDOW 1 (^F1)
Selects window 1.
WINDOW 2 (^F2)
Selects window 2.
WINDOW 3 (^F3)
Selects window 3.
WINDOW 4 (^F4)
Selects window 4.
WINDOW 5 (^F5)
Selects window 5.
WINDOW 6 (^F6)
Selects window 6.
WINDOW 7 (^F7)
Selects window 7.
WINDOW 8 (^F8)
Selects window 8.
WINDOW 9 (^F9)
Selects window 9.
WINDOW 10 (^F10)
Selects window 10.
EXPAND (αF5)
Expands the current window to a full screen.
SELECT (αF6)
Displays a pop-up menu of windows and their files. Select
the window desired. Esc to stay in the current window.
MOVE/FRAME (αF7)
Moves the current window. Frame changes the size of the
window by moving the lower right corner of the window.
Enter switches modes. Esc terminates moving/framing.
COLOR/B&W (αF9)
Turns color on and off.
SELECT COLOR (αF10)
Selects the foreground and background color of the current
window.
KILL WINDOW (αF4)
The kill window contains the paste buffer which has the
text you have cut out. It may be edited like any other
window.
PASTE WINDOW (αF3 or F10)
The paste window contains the paste buffer which has the
text you have cut out. It may be edited like any other
window.
DOS WINDOW (αF1)
The DOS window allows you to interact with DOS in a
windowed environment.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Use caution when in the "DOS window" (αF1). All line │
│ oriented commands such as compilers and linkers will │
│ work OK. Some programs will trash you royal, use │
│ the "exit to DOS" function αF2) for these. │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
FIND & REPLACE
This section explains how to find strings and replace them
with other strings.
FIND (^F)
Searches the file for a string. It searchs forward from
the current position to the end of the file. You can enter
special characters into a search string by pressing the
control key or using the Alt key and the numeric keypad.
Esc and Enter abort searching. To enter the character
code for Escape use the Alt key pad (in num lock mode)
and enter 27 (the code for escape).
FIND & REPLACE (^R)
Find a string and replaces one string with another. The
replacements can be conditional, meaning Blackbeard will
ask you whether you actually want to replace the string
before it replaces it. Replacements can be global, meaning
replace every occurrence of the string from the current
cursor position to the end of the file.
REPEAT FIND (αF)
Repeats the last search.
REPEAT REPLACE (αR)
Repeats the last replace.
SEARCH REVERSE (^S)
Searchs the file for the requested string from the current
cursor position backward to the start of the file.
REPEAT SEARCH REVERSE (αS)
Repeats the last search reverse
CUT & PASTE
There are two types of regions: columns and ragged text. For
columns, "mark start" marks the upper left corner and "mark end"
marks the lower right corner of the block. For ragged text,
"mark start" marks the start of a region, and "mark end" marks
the end of a region. If "mark start" is pressed with the cursor
position after the marked region it extends the region; the
converse is true with respect to "mark end." Try it and you will
get used to how it works; it works like you would expect it to.
MARK START (F1)
Marks the start of a region.
MARK END (F2)
Marks the end of a region.
GRAB (F3)
Copies the region to the paste buffer.
CUT (F4)
Cuts out the region to the paste buffer.
SHIFT LEFT (F5)
Shifts the selected lines left by tab size characters.
SHIFT RIGHT (F6)
Shifts the selected lines right by tab size characters.
COPY (F7)
Copys contents of paste buffer into the current file.
PASTE (F8)
Cuts the contents of the paste buffer into the current
file.
UNMARK (F9)
Resets the markers.
PASTE WINDOW (F10)
Selects the paste window for editing.
CLEAR PASTE (F9)
Empties the paste buffer.
COLUMNS
There are two types of regions: columns and ragged text. For
columns, "mark start" marks the upper left corner and "mark
end" marks the lower right corner of the block. For ragged
text, "mark start" marks the start of a region, and "mark end"
marks the end of a region. If "mark start" is pressed with the
cursor position after the marked region it extends the region;
the converse is true with respect to "mark end." Try it and you
will get used to how it works; it works like you would expect it
to.
MARK COL START (F1)
Marks the upper left corner of the column.
MARK COL END (F2)
Marks the lower right corner of the column.
GRAB COL (F3)
Copies the column to the paste buffer.
CUT COL (F4)
Cuts the column into the paste buffer.
REMOVE COL (F5)
Copies the column to the paste buffer and clears the
column in the current file.
REPLACE COL (F6)
Overlays the paste buffer column-wise at the current
cursor position.
COPY COL (F7)
Inserts the paste buffer column-wise at the current
cursor positon.
PASTE COL (F8)
Inserts the paste buffer column-wise at the current
cursor positon and deletes it from the paste buffer
CLEAR PASTE (F9)
Empties the paste buffer.
SHIFT LEFT (F5)
Shifts the selected lines at the current column to the
left tab size columns.
SHIFT RIGHT (F6)
Shifts the selected lines at the current column to the
right tab size columns.
UNMARK (F9)
Clears the markers.
PASTE WINDOW (F10)
Selects the paste window for editing.
MACROS
One of the most powerful Blackbeard features is the keystroke
macro capability invoked by pressing ^V. When ^V is pressed
Blackbeard starts remembering keystrokes that you press until
^V is pressed again (the number of keystrokes remembered is
about 500). To reexecute this remembered sequence of keystrokes
press ^X. Blackbeard allows you to name your macros; delete
macros you have named; execute named macros; save the macros to
a file and read them back in.
DEFINE MACRO (^V)
Starts and stops keystroke remembering
EXECUTE MACRO (^X)
Executes the current keystroke macro
NAME MACRO (αV)
Assigns a name to the current keystroke macro.
WRITE MACROS
Writes the named macros to a file. If no filename is
given BB.MAC is assumed.
READ MACROS
Reads in a macro file. If no filename is given BB.MAC is
assumed.
EXECUTE NAMED MACRO (αX)
A menu of named macros appears. Select the desired macro
to execute. This macro now becomes the current macro.
DELETE MACRO (αM)
A menu of named macros appears. Select the macro you want
to delete.
WORD PROCESSING
This section describes the word processing functions.
ADJUST PARAGRAPH (^P)
Reformats from the beginning of the current line to
the next empty line or the end of the file using the
current right margin and the indention level of the
following line. This allows the first line to be a
different format than the rest of the paragraph.
ADJUST SPECIAL (αP)
Reformats the same as ADJUST PARAGRAPH, except when
justification is performed no spaces are inserted between
the first and second word. This is very useful for
bulletted paragraphs.
ADJUST BLOCK
Reformats from the beginning of the current line to
the next empty line or the end of the file using the
current right margin and the indention level of the
current line.
CENTER LINE (αC)
Centers the line.
TRANSPOSE (^T)
Swaps the current character with the next character.
CHANGE CASE (αT)
Changes the case of the current character according to
the change case mode.
CHANGE CASE REGION (F10)
Changes a select region of text to the change case mode.
BULLET (^B)
Set an indent column for word wrap. When words are
wrapped, they will be indented to this column rather than
the 0 column or current line column.
BULLET OFF (αB)
Turns bullet mode off.
OPTIONS/SETTINGS/KEYS/STATUS LINE
The options and status line menus work a little differently
than the command menu. The are toggle menus with ON shown as
high intensity and OFF as normal intensity. To toggle an item use
the enter key. Exit with escape.
OPTIONS (^A)
Brings up the options menu. It contains the following
information.
Insert characters - select insert or overstrike
character insertion
Word wrap - words typed past the right margin (see
SETTINGS menu) are wrapped to the next
line.
Case sensitive search - Consider (ON) or ignore (OFF)
case when searching for a
string.
Auto-tab - Align the cursor to the column of the current
line when inserting lines, deleting line, and
word wrapping. Return when in auto-insert and
auto-tab uses the column of the previous line
unless the line is blank where it uses the
last indent value.
Auto-insert - Return inserts a line (ON) or simply goes
to the next line (OFF)
Fixed-tab - Interpret the tab key as increasing the
indent level (OFF) or as jumping to fixed
tab locations (ON) (tabs are toggled on and
off with αI).
Justify - Perform justification (by inserting extra
spaces) when word wrapping and adjusting
paragraphs.
Display tabs - Indicates whether to perform a
tab-to-space translation when displaying
the file. ON means tabs are not
translated, but displayed as the tab
character. OFF means tabs are translated
to the appropriate white space
Auto backup - ON indicates that a backup of you file is
written to the same filename with a .BAK
extension when you edit the file. OFF
means no backup is made.
WRITE CONFIG
Writes the configuration to the filename specified. If
none is given BB.CFG is assumed.
READ CONFIG
Writes the configuration to the filename specified. If
none is given BB.CFG is assumed.
SETTINGS (αA)
Brings up the settings menu. It contains the following
information.
Right margin - Sets the right margin which is used for
word wrap and paragraph reformatting.
Tab size - Sets the tab size which is used for
shifting text left or right and also used
to move the cursor when the tab function is
executed in non-fixed mode.
Line size - Sets the size of the line for line drawing
mode. 0 = dashed line; 1 = single width;
2 = double width.
Case mode - Set the change case mode used with change
case and change case region. 0 = Flip case;
1 = Upper case; 2 = Lower case
Insert number - Sets the number to insert with the
insert number function.
STATUS
Brings up the status line menu.
STATUS COLOR
Selects the foreground and background color of the
status line.
KEY BINDING
Every key on the keyboard (with a few exceptions such as ^)
can be bound to function. This is done by creating a key
binding file. This file is a text file with each line having a
key name and a function name. BBKEYS.TXT is the default key
binding file. To create a compiled binding file, this text file
must be compiled with the Blackbeard compiler BBC.EXE. To
rebind keys do the following:
1. Edit the key binding file using Blackbeard.
2. Run the compiler with the following command.
BBC BBKEYS.TXT
The file is your text key binding file. The outputsecond
file is the name of your compiled file.
3. Run Blackbeard and use this key file by naming it bb.key
or reading it using the read bindings command. NOTE:
running BBC in the DOS window and reading the keybinding
file allows you to "dynamically" rebind keys inside
Blackbeard.
Commands
SHOW BINDINGS (α2)
Displays the current key to function bindings.
WRITE BINDINGS
Writes the key bindings to the specified file. If no
filename is given BB.KEY is used.
READ BINDINGS
Read the key bindings from the specified file. If no
filename is given BB.KEY is used.
MISCELLANEOUS
There are many miscellaneous functions to satisfy specialized
needs. This section describes these functions.
NULL
This function does nothing.
MENUS (Esc)
Calls up the command menus.
REPEAT MENU COMMAND (αE)
Repeats the last menu command. This key is bound to
one of the mouse buttons.
EXIT (^Z)
Saves the file and exits Blackbeard
ABORT (αZ)
Exits Blackbeard without saving the current file.
Useful if you selected a strange file to edit or want
to start over.
EXIT TO DOS (αF2)
Saves the file; keeps Blackbeard memory resident and
returns to DOS. To return to Blackbeard type EXIT at
the DOS prompt.
REPEAT KEY (α4)
Repeats a key a selected number of times. You are
prompted for the repeat count and then the key to
repeat. If you want to interrupt repeat hit any key.
TAB TOGGLE (αI)
Sets and resets a tab stop in fixed tab mode.
ASCII CHART (^C)
Displays an ascii chart with DECIMAL, HEX and
Character. Scroll the chart with the left, right, up
and down arrows. Esc to exit.
INSERT SPECIAL CHAR (^Q)
Inserts any ascii character specified by number. If no
value is input the character 0 or NUL is inserted.
This is very useful for putting in special printer
escape sequences. The ALT key and the numeric keypad
can also perform this function for certain characters,
but not the Ctrl keys.
LAST DOS COMMAND (αL)
Displays the last DOS command executed in the DOS
window.
LINE DRAWING (αQ)
BLACKBEARD has a line drawing capability which can be
used to make boxes, organization charts, and other line
oriented pictures. It is not a true graphics feature,
but instead uses the IBM PC line characters. You can
think of the line drawing as a crude pen plotter. Press
αQ to drop the pen (the αQ is really a toggle, which
raises or loweres the pen). At this point, any cursor
movements using the cursor keys will cause a line to
be drawn. You can use the four arrow keys to move left,
right, up, and down. In addition, you can use the four
corner keys (1,3,7,9) to move along a diagonal, but the
diagonal lines are not as well formed as the horizontal
and vertical line. Here is a sample picture :
┌───────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ Box 1 ├────────┤ Box 2 │
│ │ │ │
└───────────┘ └─────────────┘
The boxes are formed by dropping the pen (αQ),
moving the cursor, and then lifting the pen (αQ
again).
The line drawing characters will only print on
printers which support the IBM PC character set (such
as the IBM Graphics printer, the STAR SG-10, and some
EPSONS). If you do not have one of the correct
printers, you can still do some line drawing using a
different line width. BLACKBEARD supports three line
widths: 0, 1, and 2. The picture above is using line
width 1, while this (═══════) is line width 2. Most
printers actually print the line width 2 as line
width 1. If this is true of your printer, then line
width 2 is useful mainly for on screen text. Line width
0 is used to draw lines using the standard ASCII
characters. The characters are hyphens (---) for
horizontal lines, bars (|) for vertical lines, and
plus (+) for corner connectors. Here is a line width 0
box :
+-----------+ +-----------+
| | | |
| Line 0 +-----+ Boxes |
| | | |
+-----------+ +-----------+
These will print on nearly any printer.
A few tips for using boxes. A good way is to build your
boxes, and then fill them with text with insert mode
off. This is done using the INS key to toggle insert
mode. The flags on the bottom status line show an I for
insert mode. Insert mode is turned off when the I is
not visible.
THE MOUSE
A mouse is a productive device for cursor movement and
command selection. The mouse makes interaction with the screen
simpler, faster, and more spontaneous.
Moving the mouse is as natural as moving your hand. As you
move the mouse, the cursor moves on the screen.
The right button on the mouse is used to call up the menu.
The left button is used to select items. When the mouse menu is
requested, it is placed at the cursor location, which is your
eye's focal point. The menu is the inverse color of the current
window. The menu item currently selected is the color of the
current window.
When the cursor is positioned over a menu item, pressing the
left button selects a command.
The right button on the mouse is used to "escape" from the
menu without selecting an item. This button is also used to
return to the main mouse menu from within a sub-menu.
Blackbeard now includes an INTEGRAL MOUSE DRIVER for the
Microsoft Mouse. The mouse will be automatically available if
the Mouse driver is loaded. These buttons correspond to
Blackbeard commands.
Mouse
Button Key Typical function
Left Enter or RETURN & INSERT LINE
^M
Right Esc MENUS
Mouse movements are tranlsated into cursor movements; the
left button is translated to enter and used to select menu
items; the right button is translated to escape and used to
pop-up and exit menus.
Mouse Systems
The Blackbeard distribution diskette includes a mouse menu
driver for the Mouse Systems Mouse. To use the mouse install the
PC mouse menu driver by running MOUSESYS (this is described in
your Mouse Systems Manual). Run the Blackbeard menu program with
the following command:
M_BB
This will install a mouse driver for Blackbeard. Mouse
movements are tranlsated into cursor movements; the left button
is translated to enter and used to select menu items; the right
button is translated to escape and used to pop-up and exit menus;
the middle button and pressing the left and right buttons
simultaneously will repeat the last menu command.