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1995-01-06
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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 majordomo@cei.com 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 majordomo@cei.com :
"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 very low compared to other software of this type. 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 support@cei.com
fax 217-351-8576
phone 1-800-723-4234
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 low distribution costs. This allows us to price
PSPrint accordingly. 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
support@cei.com. 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/software/cei, or
Simtel mirror sites, under SimTel/msdos/postscrp
(oak.oakland.edu and wuarchive.wustl.edu are
two major Simtel mirrors)
World Wide Web-
Our home page on the Web can be found at:
http://www.prairienet.org/business/cei/
This page contains links to information about PSPrint. You can
also download a shareware copy. Look under the "Products" heading.
To go directly to the PSPrint page, use:
http://www.prairienet.org/business/cei/psprint.2.2.html
Control Enterprises bulletin board ─
Phone number: (217)351-3122, (217)351-3127
Parameters: 8-N-1
Modem speed: up to 14.4K
Login name: guest
Protocol: ZModem
Email ─
majordomo@cei.com
Send a message to the above address with the line "list psprint"
or "list shareware" for a list of the files available via email
(uuencoded).
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: (217)255-9000 (low speed), (217)255-9033 (high speed)
Parameters: 8-N-1
Modem speed: up to 14.4k
Login as visitor, then 'go cei'
Other sources may be available. For a complete list of the latest
sources send an email message to majordomo@cei.com consisting of one line:
"get shareware sources.lst".
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!