Tech Arsenal 1/Tech Arsenal (Arsenal Computer).ISO/tek-04/pcscev16.zip/README.A16

Text File | 1992-11-02 | 8KB | 175 lines

Copyright 1990-1992, Synergistic Consultants, Incorporated.


This program is distributed for non-commercial use only.  To extract the
program and associated files, type these commands (or the equivalent):
Note that d: is the disk drive that is to contain the programs, and
s: is the external source disk drive.

  d:
  MD \PCSCREEN
  CD \PCSCREEN
  COPY s:PCSCEV16.ZIP .
  COPY s:README.A16 .
  COPY s:PKZ101.EXE .
  PKZ101
  PKUNZIP PCSCEV16.ZIP

The files require over 600K of disk space including the files distributed
with the PKUNZIP program (the PK* files may be deleted if you so desire).

To run the Song / Screen Generator, type:

  BTCHBLDR /V TALNDEMO.RTP

This invokes the Song / Screen Generator in demo mode with the
Parable of the Talents from the New Testament of the Bible as the
example.  Whenever a screen is displayed, and a key needs to be
typed to continue to the next screen or cursor position, three
short beeps are heard on the computer's speaker.  After these
beeps type any key (Carriage Return, or space for instance), and
the next step in demo will be executed.  Please note that if
the key is pressed too quickly, the demo may malfunction.  Any
application generated with this package can be run in this mode also.

Another demo is on this disk that demonstrate the
Supervisory mode of this program.  Type:

       BTCHBLDR /S SUPRDEMO.RTP

This demo shows how password records can be displayed in
Supervisory mode.

A Master Index and Screen file of songs are on this disk
and may be viewed with the following command:

       BTCHBLDR /V SONGDEMO.RTP

This is a slideshow of songs and screens, and requires no
intervention.  Type Cntl C or ESC to abort this program.

To run the program in interactive mode, type:

       BTCHBLDR /I

This begins the program in interactive mode where the input files
and the configuration can be specified (e.g. demo mode, output to
the screen, etc.).  The first prompt asks if all input should be
taken from a file.  This is where the input saved by this program
(in the file specified at the second prompt) is specified so
unaided generation of screens may take place.  The next prompt
asks if all fields should be written out to a file.  This feature
should be used if screens are to be rebuilt often, each field is
saved into the specified file for use later.  Of course, the
bifurcations at questions may be different (e.g. if files exist
the second time) so care must be taken.  If input is taken from a
file, then single step or demo mode may be selected.  In demo
mode, when each field is input, three short beeps are heard on
the speaker and then the program waits for a keystroke from the
keyboard.  The Master Index file name is requested from the
operator, with the password.  The passwords for the default files
are:

     PCSCREEN.MDX   External Password:  PASSWORDMDX
                    Internal Password:  MDXPASSWORD
     PCSCREEN.SCR   External Password:  PASSWORDSCR
                    Internal Password:  SCRPASSWORD
                    Supervisory:
                    External Password:  SUPERPASSWORD
                    Internal Password:  PASSWORDSUPER

The Master Index file contains the name and location of every
screen, song and item in the database.  The Screen file name is
requested from the operator with its password next.  This file
contains all the HyperText screens and the songs in the database.
After this, a blue screen shows the control record of the Master
Index File that was specified.  The program after this point is
almost self-explanatory. The fields entry allows the use of the
cursor key pad to edit the field.  The insert, delete, page up,
and page down keys are all supported.  This evaluation version of
the Song / Screen Generator allows you to build almost an unlimited
number of screens.  Notice that the screens that have HyperText
links in them are type 10 (Major Help Screen for Help Level 2) or
type 11 (Minor Help Screen for Help Level 1) but the ones that are
the end of a chain of HyperText or do not have HyperText links are
type 12 (Screen Commands).  The Help levels are used in the new
PC-APPLICATOR product, and allow the designer to choose the size
and detail of two levels of help.  This could be used by screen
designers with this version of PC-HyperText Architect for upward
compatability with future releases.  A good suggestion is to
choose option number 4 on the main menu and step through the
screens one by one to examine each one.  The following screen
files and Master Index Files are on this disk:

  SONGS.MDX            (* Master Index file for songs.   *)
  SONGS.SCR            (* Screen file for songs.         *)
  TALENTS.MDX          (* Master Index file for Parable  *)
  TALENTS.SCR          (* Screen file for Parable        *)
  PCSCREEN.MDX         (* Supervisory and password demo  *)
  PCSCREEN.SCR         (* Empty with this version.       *)
  PCSCR$$$.MDX         (* Master Index file for BTCHBLDR *)
  PCSCR$$$.SCR         (* Screen file for BTCHBLDR       *)

All of these files have a secret Supervisory pass key except
PCSCREEN.MDX.  This file uses the default Supervisory pass key.
See the section in the user's guide about Valid Options or
Passwords for more information about pass keys.  These files all
have passwords.  The Runtime Parameter files contain the external
passwords in them.  The SONGS files contains some songs to demonstrate
the music capability of this system.  The TALENTS files contain a tutorial
on one of the parables of the New Testament of the Bible.  The
PCSCR$$$ files are the internal files used by the Batch Screen
Builder itself.  A description of the text processor commands may
be found later in this file.  These commands allow the user to
build windows of color static text in a manner similar to a text
processor.  Once you build your own screens with Hypertext
capabilities (see the example TXT files for ideas), you may test
them with selection 6 on the main menu of the Batch Screen
Builder program.

The starting or initial screen is prompted for when you select
option 6.  After entering the initial screen's name, everything
is automatic.  The Hypertext capability is database driven from
the Master Index File and Screen File generated with the Batch
Screen Builder program.  The initial screen name:

          DEMO_INITIAL_SCREEN

invokes the same set of HyperText help screens used by the
Song / Screen Generator program (the password for this screen is
the same as for the Screen file: PASSWORDSCR).

The SONGS files contain songs to replay.  Run the BTCHBLDR
program and specify SONGS.MDX for the Master Index file, and
SONGS.SCR for the screen file.  Choose option 4 to cycle through
those screens.  A runtime parameter file is provided called:
SONGS.RTP for your convenience.

The TALENTS files contain a short tutorial on the Parable of the
Talents in the New Testament of the Bible.  Choose option 6 and
specify START_THE_TALENTS_PARABLE at the prompt, this steps the
user through the tutorial.  The runtime parameter file:
TALNDEMO.RTP begins the talents parable in demo mode, as described
before.  The runtime parameter file: TALENTS.RTP begins the Batch
Screen Builder with the talents database for your interactive
perusal.

Another file: PCSCR$$$.ERR, is required in the directory that
BTCHBLDR is run.  This file contains the error messages for
runtime errors encountered in the Song / Screen Generator.

See the file: CONTENTS.FIL for a description of the contents of
the files distributed with the Production version of this program.

A more complete description of this program may be found in the file:

       MANUAL.DOC

To print this file type:

       PRINT MANUAL.DOC

This will print a copy of the manual on your printer.