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- This the 'READ ME FIRST' file for Manual Maker 2.00.
- ===================================================
-
- *This program requires GDOS printer drivers and fonts as well as
- either GDOS or G+PLUS to operate.
-
- Before running the program, print the file MANUAL.DIA from the
- desktop. It is a diagram of how Manual Maker uses a piece of paper
- and will be helpful when setting up the program. A similar diagram
- is available from within the program.
-
- The program has a preview function that will use GDOS fonts if the
- screen fonts matching the chosen printer fonts are available. Otherwise,
- the system font is used.
-
- The embedded commands for Manual Maker version 2.00 ARE NOT used in
- the same way as with version 1.00. Text effects can now alter a
- selected section of text instead of an entire line. Skewed text is now
- supported, although not all GDOS fonts support it equally. There is
- also a command for a forced new-line.
-
- TABS now map to specified positions as opposed to being converted to
- a set number of spaces like in version 1.0. This was necessary to allow
- the creation column output.
-
- Page-size configuration files now end in .CNF. If the files name is
- MANUAL.CNF and it is found in the same directory as the program, it will
- be loaded when the program initializes.
-
- Text effects and 6 border patterns have been added to the cover design
- section.
-
- Text effects are now selectable for the page numbering and headers.
- Different effects for each.
-
- The entire program is now menu driven, allowing the use of wordprocessor
- accessories for changes without leaving the program. Compute! ST had such
- an accessory called NOTEPAD.ACC and another exists called NEWWORD.ACC.
- (Earlier versions of NEWWORD.ACC were called WORD400.ACC.) There are
- probably several others I am not aware of. If you know of others, let me
- know.
-
- I hope you enjoy the program. This program is shareware. A great deal
- of work went into it, so if you use it please contribute.
-
-
- Thank You,
-
- Craig W. Daymon
-
-
- P.S. The manual for Manual Maker is the file MANUAL.MAN. It contains
- embedded commands for example and to enhance its appearance.
- The font you choose when printing it will effect where page
- breaks occur. Use the preview function to check page-breaks
- before printing. If it needs some alterations, this will be
- a good opportunity to edit a file in Manual Maker format to
- correct it.
-
-
- *** Changes from version 2.0 to version 2.1:
-
- Text justification now supports Word, Character or Word and Character
- justification. No justification if neither is selected.
-
- Problems with Cover creations (shadowed borders) are corrected.
-
- Problems with 'Install Application' are resolved.
-
- Not having a file selected will not crash the program when print
- or preview is attempted.
-
- Possibly not noticeably, but the program's processing of the forced
- new-line has changed. See comments on embedded commands.
-
- An embedded command to support left-margin indentation has been
- implemented. See the manual for details.
-
- *** Changes from version 2.1 to version 2.2:
-
- Bug fixed in indentation command. (Very small bug, probably a flea.)
-
- Bug fixed in font initialization that would think NO fonts were loaded
- when actually only 1 style had been loaded. Now possible to load with
- as little as one size of one printer font. (Only version 2.1 suffered from
- this problem.)
-
- Here's the big news! Version 2.2 is better than twice as fast as
- 2.0 or 2.1! (Both 2.0 and 2.1 were true snails.) With a 110k file,
- versions 2.0 and 2.1 would take more than 10 minutes to initialize. Version
- 2.2 takes just over 4 minutes. This is using a floppy-based system.
- The resulting manual from a 110k file is over 65 pages using a 12 point font.
-
- Also, version 2.2 allows up to 40 characters per page header and
- also allows the alignment to be set by the user. Each header can be aligned
- either LEFT, CENTER or RIGHT at the top of the page. The default is for
- the left header to be LEFT aligned and the right header to be RIGHT aligned.
- Using the same header for both left and right pages and using CENTER
- alignment will make it possible to establish column headers for the pages.
-
- My apologies to all who have been downloading each new version as it's
- posted. I think version 2.2 is well worth the download if for no other reason
- than the increase in speed. If you have been using a RAM disk for your files,
- I suspect the percentage increase should be even greater than that of floppies.
- The next big speed bottleneck is probably linked to drive access and I don't
- see any immediate improvements there. (Except to suggest the use of a RAM
- disk.)
-
- *** Changes from version 2.20 to version 2.25:
-
- Fixes a bug related to skewed text in version 2.20.
-