The Arsenal Files 8/The Arsenal Files Collection #8 (Arsenal Computer) (1996).ISO/dosutils/speed.zip/SPEED.DOC

Text File | 1996-11-18 | 28KB | 659 lines

Speed:  keyboard enhancer for the IBM-compatible PC
v. 1.36

includes:  full Speed, with macros (Speed.exe)
           standard Speed (Speed_s.exe)


(For information on basic Speed (Speed_w.com), and for the best way of using
Speed within Microsoft Windows, see Appendix A).

The PC is a wonderful machine, allowing easy and accurate composing and
editing of letters, manuscripts, presidential speeches... and Beavis and
Butthead scripts.

Yet the PC is not perfect as it is right out of the box.  Yes, as is it's all
together better than any typewriter ever built.  But it does have its flaws
and limitations.

Welcome to Speed, the keyboard program for serious typists.  Speed does such
things as release the capslock whenever you type a shifted letter, so you
avoid such good looking copy as "tHE mOUSE tHAT rOARED."

It replaces the inadequate 15 character rollover keyboard buffer.

It provides a better way of using the numpad, of using the pause key with
ctrl-break, typing double letters, and Speed offers different speeds of key
repeat for far greater typing ease.  It supports the dramatically more
typist-friendly Dvorak keyboard layout as well as Qwerty.

This all is in standard Speed (Speed_s.exe).  "Full" Speed (Speed.exe)
combines the above with perhaps the easiest-to-record keystroke macros for
the PC, with a separate set of macros that is automatically loaded with the
launch of any of your DOS applications -- macros specific for that
application.

Speed also has been designed to work with DOS applications within Microsoft
Windows 3.1x and Windows 95.

Speed is memory-resident, at all times enhancing the response of your
keyboard during your DOS and DOS within Windows sessions.


SECTION I.  LIST OF FUNCTIONS

Speed specifically does the following:

        - text cursor size shows capslock & insert status at all times
        - adjustable size type-ahead buffer, holds from 5 to 250
                characters (and is 100% compatible with BIOS function calls)
        - 10 extra character & early warning system on the type-ahead buffer
        - restricts entry of character repetition into buffer if key held
                down, but allows the doubling of letters
        - variable key typematic repeat rate, from 60 to 210 c.p.s. for most
                keys if speed boosted with the <scroll-lock> key to as low
                as 4 c.p.s. (characters per second as you hold down a key)
        - custom key combinations -- for example, <alt+spacebar> does the
                same as <delete>
        - shifted letter key (but not shifted number key) cancels capslock
        - ctrl-break cancels a paused DOS listing operation rather than
                resuming it
        - numlock may be kept always on or cancelled by any letter key (that
                is, you can trust that numlock will either be on or off)
        - Dvorak keyboard layout option
        - bright, colorful displays for the macro facility (Speed.exe only)
        - up to 36 possible macros per DOS application, auto loaded
                (Speed.exe only)
        - can record shift states in macros -- useful for highlighting text
                (Speed.exe only)



SECTION II.  LEGAL STUFF

The various versions of Speed and all accompanying files are provided "as is"
without warranty of any kind; the entire risk as to the results and
performance of the program is assumed by you, the user. In no event will the
author be liable for direct or indirect losses of any kind whatsoever. Use of
this program indicates your acceptance of all these conditions.

And Speed is currently FREEWARE.  Feel free to distribute the original zip
file to anybody or in any medium as long as absolutely no fees are charged.
The author retains all rights to all versions of the program. You may not
alter the program or programs or documentary files in any way or distribute
them except in their original zip file.


SECTION III.  INSTALLATION

(Before installing be sure your computer meets the following REQUIREMENTS:
that it has at least an 80286 ("286") type CPU, a high-intensity color
monitor (CGA,EGA,VGA,SVGA standard), and that you are running at least DOS
version 5.0.  Also you should know how to edit batch files).

Installation is pretty straight forward.  Simply type "INSTALL" while in the
directory where you unzipped SPEED.ZIP.  Amongst other things SETUP.BAT
checks for and changes the default .pif file for the DOS prompt in Windows
(if present), and creates a directory within \dos ("\dos\speed") to store
preference and macro files.  These changes can be undone by the file
REMOVE.BAT if desired.  A short introduction to the various Speed files is
run, Speed.exe is loaded and sample macros revealed.

To place Speed in your autoexec.bat file, see Appendix A first -- but it's
recommended you save that for later.

The DEFAULT SETTINGS of Speed are:    /s -r c n z b45.  The default values
can be altered with the use of the file Speed.prf (examine the sample
Speed.prf file with the EDIT command).  Upon startup all versions of Speed
first look for this file in your current directory, and if not found, then
\dos\speed directory is checked.

(WARNING: Do not put any other files other than Speed files into \dos\speed,
especially temporary files ending with ".TMP".  Every time Speed.exe is
started it sweeps this directory of .TMP files).


SECTION IV:  OPTIONS / COMMANDS

/S or /-S

With the S switch Speed locks the BIOS internally to 30 cpi and then Speed
alters various keystrokes to be faster or slower than this benchmark of 30.

Note Speed is specifically tuned to having the BIOS being set to 30 cpi, so
it's recommended you keep this switch on. If off performance may suffer.


/C or -C

The C option turns off capslock anytime you type a <shift+letter>, much like,
but better than, a typewriter. This to prevent stuff like: tHOMAS pAINE,
which you actually might get if you left the capslock on and typing copy from
a piece of paper.


/N or -N or +N

Auto numlock off.  With the N option if you turn numlock on, say to type a
small column of numbers, Speed considerately turns numlock back off as soon
as you get back to "regular" typing.  As soon as you type a letter key the
numlock is turned off.

To keep numlock on at all times, use +N.  But it's recommended you at least
try the auto numlock off first to sample the improved cursor action of the
numpad (see section VI, 2nd paragraph onward).


/R or -R

With this option the Accent-Tilde <`~> key becomes a speed booster key, just
like the <scroll lock>. To bolster the repeat rate of any key, press the <`~>
or <scroll lock> first.

(With this option on, if you really need the accent grave "`" or tilde "~"
character, press <alt+ctrl>+<`> or <alt+shift>+<~> respectively instead.  Or
press <shift+PAUSE> first and then type <`> or <~>).

Also with /R the <NUMLOCK> key is redefined so that you need to press
<shift+NUMLOCK> to turn off numlock manually.

The default is for this option to be off.


/Z or -Z

With the Z option the size of the text cursor is dynamically altered to
reflect capslock and insert status.

There are four different cursor sizes:
                - smallest: lower case, (generally) insert*
                - next smallest: capslocked, (generally) insert*
                - next largest: lower case, (generally) overstrike*
                - largest: capslocked, (generally) overstrike*

* sometimes applications will reverse insert/overstrike, especially if you
open and close secondary windows.  Manually correct by typing <alt+shift> or
<ctrl+shift>  + <INSERT>.


/D or -D

The D option selects Dvorak, a much more efficient keyboard layout than
Qwerty. If you don't know Dvorak then don't use D or -D (default is already
Qwerty).

(Note  /-D is used to select the QWERTY keyboard, but puts the Dvorak
keyboard on stand-by, ready to be invoked by hotkey <alt+ctrl> + <ESC>. Not
using /-D at all prevents the Dvorak keyboard from accidently being called).

If you wish to learn Dvorak, an excellent resource is the best-selling
program "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing! for Windows", which has lessons in both
Qwerty and Dvorak. You can contact Mindscape, the supplier of this program, at

        [phone]

I have used this program myself and very highly recommend it.


SECTION V:  THE KEYBOARD TYPE-AHEAD BUFFER

/Bn      where  n=5 to 250
(switch only available when Speed is first started.  Default is /B45)

Sets the size of Speed's type-ahead buffer upon installation.  The buffer may
be as small as 5 and as high as 250 in character capacity, plus 10 in
reserve.  The BIOS buffer is largely overridden, but in a way transparent to
both BIOS and DOS.  All BIOS function calls to the keyboard are supported.

Recommended size is about 35 - 75.  Note the buffer has an anti-flood
feature:  if you hold down the <N> key for example, the screen will not be
filled with N's when the application or DOS prompt catches up or "wakes up"
(although some apps have their own little type-ahead buffers that'll
themselves flood to a very minor extent no matter what Speed does).

The 10 extra character reserve can be used in an emergency after you first
hear a small warning chime that the buffer is past capacity -- this is so if
you do hear the warning chime you can safely complete most any word you
happen to be in the middle of typing without losing any letter, and then wait
until your application clears the backlog of keystrokes.

(To check out the early warning system, try this now:  load Speed with the
designation "Speed/b5" to load a 5 character buffer, execute a time consuming
DOS command such as copy a great big file to floppy, and while the copying
proceeds, type a few words into the buffer.  Deliberately exceed the 10
character reserve the first time just to get the feel of it, but on a
subsequent try when you hear the initial warning just stop typing before
reaching the very, very end.  And try some of the commands listed below).

If your application or the dos prompt is busy or backlogged, and you think
you may have mistyped or mispelt a word when typing ahead, type
<ctrl+BACKSPACE> to remove it from the type-ahead buffer.  <alt+BACKSPACE>
does the same with a whole current line (everything since you last typed a
return).

If you really blew it then <ctrl+BREAK> considerately erases the entire
buffer contents.


SECTION VI:   SPEED-ALTERED KEYS

At the core of all versions of Speed is an engine that selectively alters key
repeat rates.  A cursor movement key may be left at 30 c.p.s., or be reduced
to 15 c.p.s. or lower depending on what it is and whether you use <ctrl> or
<alt>.  For example, many word processing programs use <ctrl-backspace> to
erase the last word typed.  If left at 30 c.p.s. you can wipe out half your
document in the blink of an eye if you hold down <ctrl-backspace>.  Instead,
Speed reduces this particular key combination to only 10 c.p.s. to make your
word deleting still fast but much more manageable.

All keys are keyed by type to different key repeat rates.  To provide for
variety and a choice many of the cursor movement keys in the numpad are not
as fast as their extended counterparts.  So you may decide to move the text
cursor a little faster or a little slower by using the regular arrow keys or
the ones on the numpad.

At times you may wish to get a much faster repeat of a particular key.  To do
so press <scroll lock> first, then hold down whatever key you want repeated.
For an even greater speed boost, press <scroll lock> twice first (with the /R
option on, the accent-tilde <`~> key boosts speed also).

For the numpad cursor keys only, <num-5> also boosts speed (finally, the
non-numlocked num-5 is no longer a dead key).  This makes the numpad
particularly useful for cursor movement.

With a single boost most keys are 60 c.p.s.  With a double boost it's 210.

Speed also pauses very briefly after the first repeat of a letter or second
repeat of a period for greater typing ease and technique -- see Appendix B.


SECTION VII:  ENHANCED NUMPAD FOR NUMBERS

For entering numbers the numpad has also been greatly enhanced.  For example,
you now have access to a new comma key and backspace and space key, as well
as a smart 00 or 000 key, right from the numpad!  You get them with the
shifted <*>, <->, <+>, and </> numpad keys, respectively.

So, to type the number (try now at the DOS prompt*):

                        45,000.00

first move your hand to the numpad, press <NUMLOCK>**, then as you HOLD down
the left shift key type the following numpad keys:  <num-4>, <num-5>, <num-*>,
 <num-/>, <num-.>, and <num-/>, and maybe <num-+>.

Then return your hand to the "home row".  If you have the /N option on, the
numlock will be automatically turned off with the first letter key you stroke,
 so the numpad cursor keys are once again readily available.



* (ALERT IF WITHIN WINDOWS:  Windows 3.1x and Windows 95 both suffer from a
bug that interferes with the new comma key.  This can be corrected -- be sure
to read the file README.1ST and run SETUP.BAT first, and read Appendix C).

** (if you have the /R option on you can be sure numlock is always turned on
when pressing <NUMLOCK>).



SECTION VIII:  OTHER REDEFINED KEYS

Speed redefines other keys especially for touch typists.  From easy reach of
the typist's "home row" you can now move the text cursor left and right, and
do a letter and (if applicable) word delete:

                Left:   use  <shift+BACKSPACE>
                Right:  use  <shift+SPACE>
                Delete:  use  <alt+SPACE>
                Word delete:  use <ctrl+SPACE>  (=ctrl+delete)

At the C:\ prompt type "Speed /L" for a more complete list of redefined keys.

Oh, and if you want to suspend any key redefining temporarily, type
<shift+PAUSE> first.


SECTION IX:  RECORDING AND PLAYBACK OF MACROS (Speed.exe only)

At the DOS prompt type "Speed /m" to get complete instructions on entering
macros.  Basically you may use any ctrl-letter or ctrl-number (not numpad) as
a call letter for a macro.

Every time you open an application, Speed searches and loads whatever
specific macros you might have recorded for that particular application.
Macros may be of almost any length, with a maximum of 36 macros per DOS
program -- with as many sets of 36 macros for as many different DOS
applications as you care to write macros for!

To erase a macro simply replace it with an "empty" one.

NOTE:  macros can be unpredictable if you're not careful.  Remember that
macros, though wonderful as they can be, are like dumb robots, and
applications may respond unexpectedly or not at all to any challenging ones.
Always, ALWAYS save work in progress before creating any macro and playing
back a new one!!!!!

Macros are saved as files generally named after the respective DOS
application or the underlying software engine if pertinent, in \dos\speed.
For example, macros created at the DOS prompt are stored in the file
COMMAND.SP1.

Everytime you save a new macro, Speed creates a backup file with the
extension .bk1.

Two specific commands, pause and delay, work rather unusually.  The pause
command comes in handy when an app "clears the keyboard."  For as little as a
split-second the pause command actually causes the app to think that the
keyboard has already been cleared, allowing the rest of a macro to properly
execute.

Whenever a macro fails to perform at a specific point, try inserting a pause
at that point when re-recording the macro before giving up.

Delay is related to pause but includes a time delay of up to about 50 seconds
to provide a bridge, say when an application does a disk operation such as
load a file.  Note the macro doesn't necessarily resume when the timer runs
out, but when the app is ready to take keystrokes again.

Most often a delay is only needed when launching an application from the dos
prompt with a macro, the application is directed to load a file at the same
time, and the macro has more to do before finishing.

To insert a delay during a recording first record the last keystroke before
the delay, wait the specified time desired for the delay, then type
<ctrl+alt+D>.  (Because of the design of this feature, you can often type
<ctrl+alt+D> a few seconds early to get "a tight fit" for playback if a disk
operation is indeed involved).


SECTION X:  TROUBLESHOOTING

If Speed seems to "get stuck" it may be a stalled macro playback.  Press
<ctrl-BREAK> to clear it up.  Not only does <ctrl-BREAK> terminate macros but
it also resets some of Speed's values as well as clear the keyboard, so
always try it first after any sign of trouble after playing a macro.

Don't forget the <alt+ctrl+P> pause command when re-recording macros.  Very
often this will work when just about nothing else does.  Sometimes when you
string a number of commands together, the application will read and echo on
the screen the entire macro, but get confused.  But if you insert the
<alt+ctrl+P> command between each command, it gives the app a breather
between commands and time to "digest" each command during playback.

Some apps always need the <alt+ctrl+P>, some often, and some rarely.

Tele-communication programs tend to be very sensitive to Speed and crash, so
it may be best to swap to Speed_s or even Speed_w before proceeding, then
swapping back to Speed.exe when finished.  Use batch files for automatic
swapping -- adapt the samples listed by the "Speed_w/w" command.

Indeed, a number of programs don't work with Speed to varying degrees.  Many
of these programs make "illegal" calls to the hardware or don't comform to
the IBM PC standard in some way.  Sorry.


SECTION XII:  COMMENTS

If you wish to BRIEFLY comment, then simply contact me at:


                        E.J. Habberstad
                        Compuserve: 73223,456

                        or on the internet at
                        [e-mail]



Note I cannot provide individual technical assistance of any kind but I do
welcome BRIEF reports on what programs Speed does and doesn't work with.



APPENDIX A.   --   SPEED_W.COM; COMPLETING INSTALLATION

SPEED_W.COM is a quite different animal -- it is extremely compact, retaining
only the barest essence of Speed.  It is designed so that you can have a
little bit of Speed running in the background when you start Microsoft
Windows.

The primary use of Speed_w is to load it just prior to starting Windows
(after unloading Speed or Speed_s first) and then once within Windows it can
be overridden by Speed or Speed_s in DOS windows as desired.

Speed_w is only 880 bytes when resident.

Note that you can start Windows with Speed.exe still loaded, but Speed
becomes dormant and even though you can relaunch Speed within Windows the
dormant Speed still occupies more than 14K of unusable, locked-up memory.

By now you should have run SETUP.BAT for Speed and have tried Speed and
decided to keep it on your system.  The following are instructions on
completing installation so that everytime you turn on your computer Speed is
loaded.

Below are three different scenarios -- find the one that applies to you and
then follow the steps:

(1) NO WINDOWS
1.  This is easy -- just add "Speed.exe" to your autoexec.bat file and --
2.  Go to your root directory and delete _default.pif -- it was put there by
SETUP.BAT and is not needed.


(2) WINDOWS 3.1x THAT IS NOT LOADED WITH AUTOEXEC.BAT BUT IS MANUALLY STARTED
BY TYPING "WIN"
1.  First add "Speed.exe" to your autoexec.bat file so you have full Speed
for the DOS prompt when you're working outside Windows.
2.  Take the WIN.BAT file provided by Speed and move it to your Windows
directory.
3.  In the Windows directory rename WIN.COM as WINDOWS.COM -- this is so that
when you type "win" at the DOS prompt you run the batch file which then runs
this file under its new name.
4.  For all DOS applications in Windows that you want to run Speed.exe, use
batch files for each one to launch Speed (see complete instructions by typing
"Speed_w/ w" at the DOS prompt where you unzipped SPEED.ZIP
5.  If your Windows directory is not C:\WINDOWS, look in the root directory
(C:\ ) for _default.pif and move it into wherever your windows directory is.

(3) WINDOWS 3.1x LOADED ON POWER-UP OR WINDOWS95
1.  Here put "Speed_w.com" in your autoexec.bat file (optional)
2.  If Win 3.1x then follow steps 4 & 5 in scenario (2).
3.  If Windows95, then move SPEED.BAT to your Windows directory, and for each
DOS application that you want full Speed, open each application in a window,
click on "properties" on the ribbon bar at the top, and for batch file type
in "SPEED.BAT".
4.  Follow step 5 in scenario (2).


APPENDIX B:  TOUCH TYPING TECHNIQUE

If you're a touch typist -- and even if you're not -- be sure to correctly
stroke the keys as you type. This applies no matter whether you use Speed or
not -- this is whenever you use any computer at any time. Not only do you
type better and faster but the correct stroke technique significantly helps
avoid hand and wrist injury.

As you type do NOT punch the keys!  Instead, "stroke" the keys, curling your
fingertips toward you as you lightly but firmly and quickly brush the top of
each key. Make each key contact firm but as extremely brief as possible, as
though the keys are on fire and you're typing on a hot potato!

And if you hold down a key for repetition, whether it be for a letter or the
period, hold it down GENTLY and end the hold-down much like ending a regular
keystroke.

Speed helps promote correct technique by keeping at a minimum the usual delay
before a key starts repeating if you stroke the key too strongly.  If you
punch the keys you may get unwanted repeats, but if you stroke the keys
correctly you never will.

One bonus of Speed is that it relieves the typist of the extra effort of
typing double letters and triple periods...

Try this:  type

        bookkeeper...

three or four times the regular way, stroking the o,k, and e twice and period
three times.  Pretty wearying, huh?

Now try again, but this time GENTLY but definitely HOLD the very tip of your
fingers on the <o>,<k>,<e> and <.> keys just a whisper long enough to cause
these keys to repeat and not a millisecond longer, to create double letters
and the ellipsis.

Speed actually provides a slight pause after a second letter or third period
in a repeat, and creates an ellipsis on only one period repeat.

Remember to release the keys held for repeat with a fingertip curling-in
spring-like motion just like regular keystrokes.  Indeed, think of these
special keystrokes as exactly like regular keystrokes in motion, but with a
several milli-second pause in the middle.

Note that timing is everything on letter doubling.  If you can't get the hang
of it it's okay, just forget it.  Just be sure to stroke all keys correctly
-- and take rests!


APPENDIX C:  ADJUSTING .PIF FILES IN WINDOWS

If you've ran SETUP.BAT already you will have a default .pif file that is
fully compatible with Speed.  But it works only for the DOS prompt, and for
any DOS application that is not governed already by its own custom .pif file.


Unfortunately these other .pif files are often spread out in different
directories on your hard drive, so they must all be manually changed -- at
least for all those applications for which you intend to run with Speed or
Speed_s.

Fortunately it's simple to make the changes once you open each one up in the
.pif editor in Windows.  First at the DOS prompt use the "findfile" program
included in the Speed .zip file and type "findfile *.pif," which will find
and list every single .pif file.  Then follow these steps:

1:  Open each file in .pif editor
2:  Click on the "advanced" button
3:  Near the bottom under "Reserve Shortcut Keys", click on to place an "X"
by PrtSc  and  Alt+Space
4:  Click on "OK"
5:  At the very bottom of the primary menu be sure there's an "X" next to
"Close Window on Exit" -- with Speed it works better.  Then save.

At a later date if you find that you don't use the new comma key in the
exhanced numpad provided by Speed or the <alt+SPACE> key, then you can undo
these changes.

By the way, if anyone in Microsoft knows why Windows confuses the PrtSc key
with the <shift>+numpad<*> key (Speed's new comma key), let me know.


APPENDIX D:  PROGRAMMERS ONLY

Speed provides its own API for programmers to access, using custom calls to
INTERRUPT 15h:

Input:                                  Result:

AX=7700h                                AX=FFh if Speed is loaded
                                        DH=20h if "full" Speed
                                          =ascii 's' if Speed_s
                                          =ascii 'w' if Speed_w
                                        BH=high version number
                                        BL=low version number
                                        CL=size of type-ahead buffer
                                        ES= (used by Speed)
                                        DL:  bit0 =1 if Dvorak on


(following applies only to "full" Speed -- Speed.exe, for the use of
applications and other TSR's).

AX=7701h                                reload macro file if correct one is
                                    present
                                        carry flag=set if error --
                                          user is in middle of a macro

                                          recording


AX=7702h                                replace the .sp1 file extension...
CX=4                                      (or reinstate it later)
DS:SI=location of new                   carry flag=set if error
  file extension (".sp1")                 (error only if input is
                                          incorrect)


AX=7703h                                save present macros to file
                                        carry flag=set if error --
                                            user is in middle of a macro

                                                recording



AX=7704h *                              zero flag=set if okay for another
                                             TSR to call INT21h
                                                =clear or not zero if DOS is

                                                            busy or critical
                                                or if BIOS
                                                                         is
                                                in middle of INT13h,14h


AX=7707h                                (sounds PC speaker)
BX=sound frequency desired
        (try 100, or 300)
CX=duration (try 20)



AX=7710h *                              zero flag=set if okay for another
                                                 TSR to call INT 10h


* if your program is a regular application, these two calls don't apply!
It's only for other TSR's running concurrently with Speed.exe.