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Peoria, Illinois December 9, 1991 PostCard - Version 8.2 Copyright (C) J. R. Landers - All Rights Reserved Including: < PostCard 7.0 Utilities by Jeff Conner > *** Changed in Version 8.2 ------------------ REGISTRATION ------------------ It is the author's belief the advantages and simplicity of PostCard far outweigh its current limitations; however, you are the user and I'm willing to let you be the judge. If you use PostCard, please send a reg- istration fee of $20.00 to: Jim Landers 700 East Arcadia Peoria, Illinois 61603 Genie: [JRLANDERS] Voice: (309)682-3197 Internet: jlanders@heartland.bradley.edu This version of PostCard is meant for shareware distribution and evaluation. It includes an opening screen that requests users to register their copy. When you register PostCard, the author will mail a copy that opens more quickly. Please specify whether you need a 5.25" or 3.5" diskette. Registered users of previous versions can receive the quick- opening version by sending $10.00 to cover postage and handling. PostCard comes with no guarantees expressed or implied, and using it is the user's option, since the author assumes no responsibility for its suitability or functionality. This program is intended to be distributed to private users for evaluation and home use only, through bulletin boards or other on-line services, provided that this document accompanies it and is included with it when PostCard is uploaded to or downloaded from such services. Any other manner of free distribution is denied without the ex- press permission of the author. Use of this product by businesses or on commercial premises is denied without registration and consent of the au- thor. It is not to be sold by anyone other than the author, even if the only remuneration is recovery of distribution costs. ****************************** Important Notes For New Users: ****************************** This documentation is not meant to be printed. In keeping with what is rapidly becoming a paperless society, it is intended to be read with a file lister such as Vern Buerg's LIST.COM. Version 8.2 is for machines with CGA, EGA or VGA graphics adapters. It will not work on older monochrome adapters, and users who have older IBM-XT's will find the <Alt-S> command does not work properly because of a bug in the XT's BIOS. If you have an IBM-XT, you will need to change data files using <Alt-C>. PostCard is written in QuickBASIC which does not support Com3 or Com4. The POST.PRM file distributed with PostCard is set to Com1. If you're using Com2, you will get an error message when PostCard initiates. After the message clears, use <Ctrl-O> to set your parameters to Com2 and check the other parameters to see if they agree with the requirements of your equipment. Then use <Alt-X> to exit the program, which updates POST.PRM, and re-run PostCard. If you are a new user, the PostCard files included in the archive this file came in are all you need. The best way to learn to use the program is to set up a sub-directory where you keep all of the PostCard files and use it! If you make a mistake, it won't hurt your computer, and if you keep backup copies of your data files, mistakes won't be disastrous. There are tips on using PostCard to maximum advantage in various parts of this documentation, but several are included in POSTMORTEM below. *************************** *** Setting Up PostCard *** *************************** The following is a checklist of the files that should be in your de- fault directory. For the purpose of illustration, assume you decide to keep all of your files in one sub-directory named \Util: Required files: Sub-directory: \Util POSTCD82.EXE 'PostCard program POST.PRM 'PostCard's parameter file COMM.PCD 'Initial default data file distributed with PostCard VENDOR.PCD 'Sample data file to experiment with SORT.EXE 'DOS sort utility used by PostCard POSTAREA.TXT 'ASCII file containing area code information MACRO.PRM 'AirMail's macro key file Optional files: *.PCD - Other data files you've created. QMXFER.COM - John Friel's program containing Xmodem & Xmodem CRC. TCQB.COM - John Bridges' program containing CIS Quik 'B'. DSZ.COM - Chuck Forsberg's program containing Zmodem & Ymodem batch, which must be downloaded separately. It is not included in PostCard's archive because it requires registration with its author. AirMail can call it if it's available. Please see AIRMAIL.DOC for more details. PCUT2.ZIP - A zippered file containing the following utility programs: POSTMK70.EXE - A program that splits PostCard PCD data files into two sep- arate files. POSTU-70.EXE - Jeff Conner's utility that converts PostCard data files into text files that can be read into any word processor, Micro- soft Windows cardfiler, etc.; will print PostCard data files on standard form-feed 4" X 2.25" address cards; produce Quick Listings on your printer of all the records in a data file; produce delimited ASCII files that can be used in data base programs, print merge programs, etc.; and will print PostCard data files on 3.5" x 15/16" mailing labels. Check out PCUT2.ZIP. It contains programs that have some very useful features. PostCard is easier to use than it is to explain. The author has tried to write PostCard and AirMail so extensive explanation is unnecessary, but it will not be possible to use all of PostCard's features without reading certain parts of this documentation. The author suggests you read through it quickly - especially the explanations on <Alt> and <Ctrl> key sequences. Then set up PostCard and use it. When you have questions, come back to the documentation. *********************** Note For Current Users: *********************** *** Current users will find a summary of enhancements made to Version 8.2 in POSTPARTUM below. POSTCD82.EXE is being distributed with the same POST. PRM file contained in the previous version, but it may have settings that are different from those your system requires and that will need to be changed. If you are currently using PostCard and your copy is earlier than Version 7.0, PostCard now uses a different data format and requires data files with a ".PCD" extension. Before you attempt to configure Version 8.2, please read two files included in the archive entitled README.1ST and DAT2PCD.DOC. They explain the differences between V8.2 and previous versions and how to convert your data files. Conversion is easy and only takes a few minutes. If you haven't used PostCard before, or if you are currently using V7.0 or above, you need not read these files. -------------------- POSTHASTE! -------------------- *** PostCard is a fast name, address and telephone directory that includes its own dialer and terminal program and uses intuitive hot keys, in-memory sorts, and binary searches to speed its operation. It is a simple program which can be quickly learned and relies on its simplicity and intuitive hot keys to allow quick mastery. Users who don't like hot keys, can invoke any PostCard command with the slash key </> on their keyboard. PostCard always begins by displaying the Help Menu. The main screen contains a post card-sized window into which each record (card) is written. The names of the next six records are written on cards staggered above it. Use the <up arrow> and <down arrow> keys on your keypad to move up or down in the data file. The <PgDn> and <PgUp> keys move down or up seven records at a time. When PostCard begins, it looks for three files: POST.PRM, the default data file (initially COMM.PCD, but the user can stipulate whatever file he or she would like to be current when PostCard initiates), and the DOS utility program, SORT.EXE. Please make sure they are in your default directory. POST.PRM stores the settings for: Com1/2 1 Pulse/Tone P Default data file COMM.PCD Modem initiation string ATV1 Dialing modifier ~ 1-800- Menu selection #1 Microsoft Word Path for #1 C:\DOS\WORD.BAT Menu selection #2 Lotus 1-2-3 V3.0 Path for #2 LOTUS3.BAT Menu selection #3 PostCard Utilities Path for #3 POSTU70.BAT Menu selection #4 NEC Printer Setup Path for #4 NEC.BAT Menu selection #5 ASCII Path for #5 C:\DOS\ASCII.EXE Menu selection #6 LIST Path for #6 C:\DOS\LIST.COM The copy of POST.PRM that is distributed with PostCard initially sets the ComPort to Com1, dialing to Pulse, default data file to COMM.PCD, modem string to ATV1 and dialing modifier string to "1-800-". If you are configured to Com2 or need different parameters, you should select <Ctrl-O> and change them before you try to dial a number or call AirMail. After you have made the necessary changes, use <Alt-X> to exit the program and re- initiate PostCard so the ComPort can be opened correctly. POST.PRM and the program's data files should be in the default sub-directory with POSTCD82.EXE or the program may not work correctly. If COMM.PCD (or the file you have designated as the default data file) exists in the default directory, PostCard will open it and display the first record in the record window with the names of the next six records displayed alphabetically above it. The program knows how many records there are in any given file and will display them accordingly. If COMM.PCD, (or the file that you subsequently designate as the default data file) is not in the default directory, the program will open COMM.PCD as a new file and display a blank window with the cursor po- sitioned on the Name line waiting for input. You type the name, for exam- ple, and hit the <Enter> key. The cursor will then drop down to the next field which is the address line. If you want to leave it blank, just hit <Enter> without typing any characters. When you have completed the last field (the Note line) and hit <Enter>, PostCard will sort the record alpha- betically and display it in the proper position. Zam! PostCard also uses the DOS sort utility file, SORT.EXE. This file should either be in the default directory with POSTCD82.EXE, POST.PRM and your default data file or the user should put a path command in his or her AUTOEXEC.BAT file which will direct PostCard to the sub-directory where SORT.EXE is stored. See POSTMORTEM below. ***************** PostCard Commands ***************** ---------------- The Menu Bar </> ---------------- Previous versions of PostCard used only <Alt> and <Ctrl> key sequences to invoke features. PostCard now offers users an alternative to using hot keys. The slash key </> can be used to invoke a "hybrid" menu. It uses the Left Arrow key <>, the Right Arrow key <>, the <Enter> key and the first letter of each command. The following is a brief listing of PostCard's commands: ------------ Alt Commands ------------ Alt-A Add a record. When you add a record to an existing data file by choosing <Alt-A>, PostCard will position the cursor on the Name line and wait for in- put. PostCard's line editor features overstrike (large box cursor) and insert mode (small line cursor). The <Right Arrow> and <Left Arrow> keys can be used to position the cursor anywhere on the line, and the <Home> and <End> keys can be used to go to either the beginning or the end of the line. The <Backspace> and <Delete> keys can both be used to erase a letter, and the <Enter> key tells PostCard that you are ready to process any additions or corrections you made to the line. If the field is blank, hitting the <Enter> key without typing anything will tell PostCard you wish to leave the entire field blank. If the field includes input, whatever it includes when you hit <Enter> is saved, and you can hit <Enter> from anywhere on the line. After the last line (the Note line) is processed and the <Enter> key is pressed, PostCard assumes that you are through editing and will sort the new record to its appropriate place in the data file and display it. If you are through making changes before you get to the Note line, pressing <ESC> will save all changes made to that point and exit the editing routine. The <Up Arrow> and <Down Arrow> keys can also be used to move from one line to another and to terminate input on a line. They will not, however, terminate the editing session like the <Enter> key will when it is pressed on the Note line or the <ESC> key when it is pressed on any line. And if what you just read doesn't make sense to you, don't worry about it: You'll figure it out as you use PostCard. Alt-C Create a new file or change the current file. PostCard is a small program. Since any one data file will hold only about 240 records, the <Alt-C> command allows you to create new data files. When you select <Alt-C>, PostCard will ask you to type in the name of the data file you want to open. If the data file doesn't exist in the current directory, the program will assume it is a new file and act accordingly. PostCard Version 8.2 uses data file names that end with a .PCD extension: COMM.PCD, VENDOR.PCD, PERSONAL.PCD, etc. You do not have to supply the .PCD extension, as PostCard will automati- cally append it to the file name. You can also use <Alt-S> to select files. But for those of you who are command line oriented and hate point and shoot algorithms, <Alt-C> will also change files if the file name supplied exists in the default directory. It is recommended that data files be kept in the default directory where POSTCD82.EXE re- sides. Alt-D Dial a number. Activates the dialer which operates on the highlighted telephone num- ber of the current record displayed in PostCard's record window. Each record can have up to two telephone numbers: home/work; data/voice, manager/secretary, etc. If only one number is recorded, it can be typed on either Phone line #1 or #2. The dialer will know whether one number or two are present. If there are two numbers, the up and down arrow keys can be used to select either number for a voice call. The highlighted telephone number is your indication that the dialer is ac- tive. When you hit the <Enter> key, the highlighted number will be dialed. Wait until you hear it ringing before picking up the re- ceiver. After you have picked up the receiver, hit the <space bar> or any other key and the modem will disconnect establishing a clear voice call. Should you decide that you don't want to initiate a call after you have highlighted a number, pressing the escape key <ESC> will al- low you to exit the dialer without dialing the number. If you use AirMail with PostCard, Phone line #1 is reserved for data numbers and Phone line #2 is always reserved for voice numbers. You can still use <Alt-D> to dial both numbers for voice calls within PostCard and the <Enter> key will still dial either number. But when and if you use <Ctrl-A> to call AirMail, PostCard will pass the FIRST phone number to AirMail and AirMail will automatically interpret it as a data number. Since most people have difficulty establishing voice dialogue with a bulletin board, this bears remembering. Alt-E Exit to the operating system. <Alt-E> allows the user to shell out to the operating system. Once you are in the operating system, typing "Exit" will return you to PostCard at the point where you were before you shelled out. A word of caution: The shell command is a very handy feature of this program. If used haphazardly, however, it can become very "un-handy". I sug- gest you not attempt to do file maintenance while you're shelled out to the operating system unless you are very familiar with DOS and PostCard. Both object to users renaming or deleting files that are currently open, and PostCard has at least two files open at all times: the current data file and a temporary file called "POSTFILE". Alt-F Find a record. PostCard uses a binary search algorithm to locate records. It op- erates on the name field with varying degrees of specificity, depend- ing on how may letters of the name you enter. Its search routine is not case sensitive, so you may search for a name by typing all upper- case letters, all lower case letters or any combination of the two. The fastest way to locate a record is to type the first letter of the name. For example, if you want to locate "Landers, Jim", typing "l" or "L" will put you somewhere in the names that begin with "L". Since PostCard moves through records very rapidly, you can get to the name you want quickly. You can also type "La", "la" or "LA" to make the search more specific, or "Lan", "LAN" or "lan" to make it even more specific yet. Alt-H Help menu. The Help Menu consists of intuitive hot keys. The author has tried to associate the key with the function to be performed so you can easily remember commands. The menu is a toggle, so you can turn it off by hitting <Alt-H> if you don't need it or prefer an uncluttered screen. Alt-M Modify a record. <Alt-M> enables you to modify an existing record. When <Alt-M> is se- lected, PostCard will position the cursor on the Name line and wait for input. PostCard's line editor features overstrike (large box cur- sor) and insert mode (small line cursor). The <Right Arrow> and <Left Arrow> keys can be used to position the cursor anywhere on the line, and the <Home> and <End> keys can be used to go to either the begin- ning or the end of the line. The <Backspace> and <Delete> keys can both be used to erase a letter, and the <Enter> key tells PostCard that you are ready to process any additions or corrections you made to the line. If the field is blank, hitting the <Enter> key without typ- ing anything will tell PostCard you wish to leave the entire field blank. If the field includes input, whatever it includes when you hit <Enter> is saved, and you can hit <Enter> from anywhere on the line. After the last line (the Note line) is processed and the <Enter> key is pressed, PostCard assumes that you are through editing and will sort the modified record to its appropriate place in the data file and display it. If you are through making changes before you get to the Note line, pressing <ESC> will save all changes made to that point and exit the editing routine. The <Up Arrow> and <Down Arrow> keys can also be used to move from one line to another and to terminate input on a line. They will not, however, terminate the editing session like the <Enter> key will when it is pressed on the Note line or the <ESC> key when it is pressed on any line. Alt-N Search the Note Line For a Word or Expression. <Alt-N> will allow you to search all of the Note lines in the current data file for a keyword or expression up to 27 characters long. This can be very handy. For example, if you want to call every member of your bridge club, if you have all their names in a file called PERSONAL.PCD, make PERSONAL.PCD current using <Alt-S> and put "bridge" anywhere on the Note line of each member of your bridge club. Then select <Alt-N>, and type in the keyword "bridge". PostCard will sequentially search the Note lines in PERSONAL.PCD and stop at each occurrence of the word "bridge", allowing you to call that person or to skip them and move on to the next occurrence. After the last occurrence of "bridge" has been found, PostCard will display the message "Name Not Found" and exit the note search routine. Once you have found a match on the Note line with the keyword you in- putted, PostCard will stop at that record and put a short reminder on the screen that the <Enter> key can be used to continue the search for another occurrence of the keyword if the record currently displayed is not the one you want. While in the search routine, <Alt-D> will dial either number of the current record. The <ESC> key will take you out of the search routine and return you to PostCard. You will also exit the routine if the keyword you supplied is not found on any of the data file's Note lines. A message will be displayed saying "Name Not Found", which tells you that you are at the end of the data file and about leave the search routine. The search routine is not case- sensitive, so you can use lowercase, uppercase or a combination of the two. Alt-P Print the current record on a continuous form address label. Effective with Version 7.1, <Alt-P> has been modified to print a three-line or four-line mailing label of the current record. If a comma separates the last name from the first name on the Name line, PostCard will reverse their order and remove the comma. For example, if the Name line has "Anthony, Phil", the mailing label will look like this when it is printed: Phil Anthony Address (from the address line) City, State Zip code If, however, you have an address that requires four lines, you can use the contents of the Note line of the record to insert a line between the Address line and the City line by typing a tilde "~" as the first character on the Note line. Whatever follows the tilde will be printed as the THIRD line of the label before the City, State Zip code is printed: Phil Anthony Address (from the address line) Address (whatever appears directly to the right of a tilde "~" on the Note line City, State Zip code The print routine assumes you are using 3.5" X 15/16" mailing labels, and that your printer understands Epson control characters. Most dot matrix printers support Epson control characters. If you haven't used labels before, you will need to experiment to properly align the labels on your printer's carriage. Also, be aware that a 3.5" label will only accommodate about 34 characters per line, so it is possible on the City, State Zip line to exceed that amount. In cases such as this, some abbreviation may be necessary. Usually, abbreviating the name of a state by its two-letter abbreviation will solve this problem, but if the line is still too long, Jeff Conner's utility program, PostCard 7.0 Utilities, will print labels with longer lines by switching to compressed print. (See PostCard 7.0 Utilities below, and also <Alt-Q> for printing all records in a data file. Alt-Q Queue all records & print them on continuous form address labels. This command will print all records in the current data file on 3.5" X 15/16" standard address labels if your printer supports Epson control characters. Like the <Alt-P> command, <Alt-Q> evaluates the Note line to see if a tilde "~" is the first character on the line. If so, it assumes you want to insert whatever appears after the tilde between the Address line and the City, State Zip code line of the record. See <Alt-P> above for more details about printing labels. Alt-S Select a new file. <Alt-S> provides a quick method of changing data files without having to type the name of the file you want to make current. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to highlight the name of the data file you want to select and press <Enter> and that data file will be made current. <Alt-S> will scroll both ways and beep when either the first or the last data file DISPLAYED has been highlighted. You can use <PgDn> to move to the last file displayed or <PgUp> to move to the first file displayed on the screen. If you have more than 20 data files in the sub-directory, the <UpArrow> and <DownArrow> keys can be used to move up or down until you reach either the first or the last file in the sub-directory. Alt-U Select Utility Menu <Alt-U> selects a second help menu for additional features of PostCard not covered in the regular help menu. These features are invoked with the <Ctrl> key rather than the <Alt> key. For example, you can delete a record using <Ctrl-D>, or export a record from a data file <Ctrl-E> and import it into another data file <Ctrl-I>, or set operating pa- rameters such as comport, pulse or tone dialing, default data file and modem initiation string with <Ctrl-O>. All of these features are ex- plained in "Ctrl Commands" below. Commands invoked with a <Ctrl> key sequence can be used at any time in the program. The Utility Menu doesn't have to be active to use them. The menu is only meant to remind the user what <Ctrl> key functions are available. Alt-X Say good bye. This command terminates the program and returns you to the operating system. It is suggested you always exit PostCard with this command so files can be properly closed. ------------- Ctrl Commands ------------- Ctrl-A AirMail. Effective with version 8.1, PostCard was re-written into modules to make the program's interface more efficient and seamless. AirMail is now an integral part of the program and is a small comm program that supports 1k Y/Xmodem, Xmodem CRC, and Imodem included in John Friel's QMXFER.COM. It also supports John Bridges' TCQB.COM which is a fossil driver for CompuServe's Quik 'B'. AirMail also includes an interface for Chuck Forsberg's Zmodem, Ymodem-g and Ymodem-Batch (DSZ.COM) which is not included in PostCard's archive because it requires registration. AirMail has disk and printer logging, but lacks many of the features of larger, more powerful comm programs. The file AIRMAIL.DOC describes AirMail in detail and explains how to use it. It is included for PostCard users who don't need a powerful terminal program but want one that is fast, easy to learn and use and that supports state-of-the-art protocols. ***Ctrl-C Calendar <Ctrl-C> activates PostCard's calendar window. The calendar can display any month from 1899 to 2099. This feature is handy for quickly checking what days certain dates fall on, etc. Ctrl-D Delete Current Record <Ctrl-D> will allow you to delete the current record from the data file. When <Ctrl-D> is invoked and the NotePad isn't active, the user will be asked if he or she really wants to delete the current record. This safeguard was added because it is possible to get <Alt-D> (dial a number) and <Ctrl-D> (delete the current record) confused. Also, <Ctrl-D> is used in the NotePad to delete notes. This shouldn't prove to be confusing, however, since the NotePad has its own menu of commands while the NotePad window is open. If you meant to press <Alt-D> and pressed <Ctrl-D> instead, just answer "N" or "n" and hit <Enter> and PostCard will go on as if you had never pressed <Ctrl-D>. If you do want to delete the current record, type "Y" or "y" and hit <Enter>, and it will be deleted from the file. This feature is now an internal function of PostCard, and Phil Anthony's utility program POSTPACK.EXE is no longer required. Ctrl-E Export Current Record Users can export the current record and import it into another data file. To accomplish this, select the record you want to export and press <Ctrl-E>. A message will appear in the current record window reminding you that a record is available for importing. Then use <Alt-S> to select the data file into which you want to import the record. When you have made that data file current, press <Ctrl-I>, and the record will be inserted in proper alphabetical order and the reminder message will be turned off. <Ctrl-E> does not delete the record from the original data file. It simply makes a copy of it in memory that can be inserted into another data file. Ctrl-I Import Record Into Current Data File Imports a record into the current data file. Prior to invoking <Ctrl- I>, the user should have selected a record with <Ctrl-E>. See <Ctrl- E> above. Ctrl-K Disable/Enable Clock And Key Status Reporting <Ctrl-K> is for users who prefer to use screen blankers. When <Ctrl-K> is invoked, the clock and status keys will no longer be updated, and no screen writing will be performed until a key is pressed. <Ctrl-K> is a toggle. Ctrl-L LeMenu Effective with version 8.1, PostCard has a feature called LeMenu which enables you to store the names and paths of your six most frequently used programs and gives you one key access to them with <Ctrl-L>. The names of the programs and the paths used to invoke them are entered by selecting Operating Parameters <Ctrl-O>, which stores them in POST.PRM. You can use <Ctrl-O> to change the parameters to those required by your system. See Operating Parameters <Ctrl-O) below. Every system is different, but the author can call his word processor (Microsoft Word) and spell check this documentation without running out of memory. Lotus 1-2-3 versions 2.01 and 3.0 can also be called and fairly large spreadsheets opened - especially with version 3.0 and above that can take advantage of additional extended RAM. Small util- ity programs like Vern Buerg's LIST.COM, Jeff Conner's POSTU-70.EXE or a printer setup program are also handy additions. The author stores his print spooler and ramdrive up above the 1 megabyte boundary in extended memory and uses DOS's 640k sparingly for purposes other than running application programs. If you don't - if for example, you have several TSR's resident simultaneously - memory may be a problem, depending upon the application program you are using, how much memory your system has to begin with and how you have it configured. LeMenu is not documented in AirMail's help screen, but it also can be called and used in AirMail. Ctrl-N Activate NotePad Pressing <Ctrl-N> will open the NotePad window and allow you to attach notes up to twelve lines long to the current record. Once the NotePad window has been opened, the <Ctrl-S> key will save whatever you have typed in a Note file. If a note is attached to the record, and it is no longer needed, <Ctrl-D> will delete it but leave the record intact. Hitting <ESC> will return you to PostCard without saving anything you have typed. The NotePad uses the current time and day of the year for naming Note files. Once a note has been saved, its name will be imbedded in the record until the record or the note is deleted. If the record is deleted, the note attached to the record will also be deleted from the current directory. It is possible for the user to erase the note file using the DOS erase command. If this happens, the record will still carry the Note file's name and can be left in the record to use again or expunged with <Ctrl-D> while the NotePad is active. Remember: <Ctrl-D> outside the NotePad removes the record from the data file. The NotePad's editor is rudimentary but serviceable. *** Effective with version 8.2, when a note has been attached to a record, the record number will be highlighted in bright red when it becomes current as a reminder a note is attached to that record. It is useful for maintaining records, as notes become outdated and should be culled from time to time to keep your hard drive clean and your .PCD files in order. Ctrl-O Operating Parameters. You can select <Ctrl-O> to designate the operating parameters for your system. The file POST.PRM stores the comport setting, tone or pulse dialing, the default data file that will be displayed when PostCard is first run and a modem initiation string in addition to the program names and paths used by LeMenu. The Operating Parameter screen looks like this: Com1/2 1 Pulse/Tone P Default data file COMM.PCD Modem initiation string ATV1 Dialing modifier ~ 1-800- Menu selection #1 Microsoft Word Path for #1 C:\DOS\WORD Menu selection #2 LOTUS 1-2-3 V3.0 Path for #2 LOTUS3 Menu selection #3 PostCard Utilities Path for #3 POSTU70 Menu selection #4 NEC Printer Setup Path for #4 NEC Menu selection #5 ASCII Path for #5 C:\DOS\ASCII Menu selection #6 LIST Path for #6 C:\DOS\LIST *** Notes On <Ctrl-O> *** Effective with V8.1, PostCard incorporated a feature called LeMenu. It enables users to store the names and paths of their six most fre- quently used utility programs and call them with <Ctrl-L> by pressing one key. The Dialing Modifier string was new to version 8.1, also, and enables users who need to use access numbers to embed them in the telephone number. PostCard's telephone number data field is 18 characters wide. When the user embeds a tilde "~" in the phone number, PostCard will interpret the tilde as whatever has been assigned to it in in the Operating Parameter screen. This will allow you to effectively expand the phone number field by up to 10 characters. While the author could test PostCard's ability to interpret and insert the dialing modifier string into a '1-800' number or to dial '9,' at work to get an outside line, he does not have the kind of phone service that requires access numbers, so this feature has not been tested on that type of system. If this feature fails to perform properly, please contact the author. PostCard has it's own terminal utility, AirMail, and the modem initi- ation string will be passed to AirMail to set up your modem in the event you need to give it special instructions before a communication session begins. The POST.PRM file that comes with PostCard has the ComPort set as Com1, dialing set to Pulse, default file set to COMM.PCD, and modem initiation string set to ATV1. If you need differ- ent settings, use <Ctrl-O> to establish the correct parameters before you attempt to dial or use AirMail. <Ctrl-O> uses the same editor used by other routines in the program such as modifying a record, so it's features will not be described again. The Operating Parameter screen uses the same editor used throughout PostCard, and since it has been amply explained in several parts of this documentation, it will not be discussed here. *** Ctrl-R Call Area Code File (POSTAREA.TXT) PostCard V8.2 now incorporates a new area code algorithm that uses an ASCII file external to the program. This scheme not only allows users to update the file using a word processor as area codes change, there- by keeping the file up-to-date, but also allows for a much larger num- ber of cities to be included and searched. POSTAREA.TXT is about 245 lines as it is distributed with PostCard. But it can be expanded to 500 lines if the need to store that many cities arises. It should be noted that the maximum length of a line in POSTAREA.TXT is 77 columns. If you use the current line lengths as a guide, you will have no problems. But it is possible using a word processor to have a line length PostCard is unable to fully display. Therefore, it is the user's responsibility to type the line the proper length so it will be displayed correctly. The user should also be aware that POSTAREA.TXT is an ASCII file. Word processors usually can read in ASCII files without much dif- ficulty, but have their own conventions for saving their documents in ASCII format. Basically, an ASCII file has no imbedded formatting other than a carriage return/linefeed at the end of each line. If you have not dealt with ASCII files before, be sure to have a copy of POSTAREA.TXT in a safe place before you experiment with altering it. And you will have to experiment with your word processor to learn how it works with this type of file. An ASCII editor like QEDIT, which is a superior shareware program by the way, is ideal for maintaining ASCII files such as POSTAREA.TXT; although most good word processors can also handle this task. ********************** POSTSCRIPT ********************** ------- AirMail ------- AirMail was a project to understand what goes on inside a communica- tion program. It is not highly capable when compared to Procomm, Qmodem or any of the powerful comm programs available today and is being made avail- able to PostCard users because it has one virtue: It was written specifi- cally for PostCard and is, perhaps, one of the simplest and easiest comm programs to configure and use its author has ever seen. If a user is familiar with PostCard, he or she need type only four parameters on the PostCard Note line to call bulletin boards, download or upload files, check mail, etc. The author readily admits that if you like or need some of the features of more powerful programs, Airmail would not be for you. AirMail does not have its own protocols and uses fossil drivers such as John Friel's QMXFER.COM, John Bridges' TCQB.COM or Chuck Forsberg's DSZ.COM (or any other external protocol the user understands and can use from the com- mand line). The file COMM.PCD will show you how to set up the note line to pass parameters to AirMail. The file AIRMAIL.DOC has more details on the use of AirMail. Calling AirMail without communications parameters on the Note line will result in a recoverable error, since AirMail requires the Note line to have the baud rate and other communication parameters explained in AIRMAIL.DOC. ------------ POSTMK70.EXE ------------ POSTMK70.EXE is a fast and very handy tool for splitting PostCard data files. If you have files that have reached or are approaching PostCard's record limit of approximately 240 records, POSTMK70.EXE will allow you to split them into two files (or more) at a name you designate. POSTMK70.EXE includes its own documentation, which is short and clear, so it will not be fully explained here. It is archived in a separate file called PCUT2.ZIP. If you have used PostCard before Version 7.0, you should be careful to replace your current copy of POSTMARK.EXE with the new version, POSTMK70.EXE, distributed with this file. ---------------------- PostCard 7.0 Utilities ---------------------- PostCard includes PostCard 7.0 Utilities by Jeff Conner, a friend and user who lives in Cyprus, Texas. POSTU-70.EXE combines several formerly independent programs into one utility program that is menu-driven and prints PostCard data files on standard form-feed 4" X 2.25" address cards that will fit in a Rolodex Petite-type holder. It also prints 3.5" by "15/16" mailing labels from PostCard data files. It can also convert PostCard data files into delimited ASCII format for importing into databases and merge printing in many word processors. It will also convert PostCard data files to a text file which may then be read into other programs (word processor, MS-Windows cardfiler, etc.) and re-formatted as desired. The new version of PostCard 7.0 Utilities incorporates the new field sizes introduced in Version 7.0. If you are currently using a version of PostCard earlier than V7.0, you will need to replace your current copy with POSTU-70.EXE. It includes its own documentation, so its use will not be discussed here. POSTU-70.EXE and POSTU-70.DOC are included in a file called PCUT2.ZIP that includes all PostCard utilities. PostCard 7.0 Utilities includes several useful features that PostCard, itself, lacks. When you print labels with POSTU-70.EXE, the program will count the number of characters in an address line, and switch to compressed print if the line is too long to fit on a standard 3.5" X 15/16" label. This feature was not incorporated into PostCard because the label printing capabilities of PostCard contemplates average-sized address lines and quick printing. If your addresses frequently exceed about 34 characters per line, PostCard 7.0 Utilities will be able to print them. POSTU-70.EXE will also generate a Quick Listing of every record in a data file in abbreviated format on your printer. This is a particularly nice feature. ------------- Record Layout ------------- Effective with Version 7.0 and thereafter, PostCard has incorporated enlarged field sizes. The file DAT2PCD.DOC fully explains this change and the reasons for it, and you are encouraged to read it before trying to use PostCard Version 8.2 if you are now using a version previous to 7.0. The new field sizes are as follows: New Field Size Old Field Size Name: 32 characters 30 characters Address: 32 characters 30 characters City: 26 characters 15 characters State: 20 characters 2 characters Zip: 10 characters 5 characters Phone #1: 18 characters 14 characters Phone #2: 18 characters 14 characters Note: 40 characters 40 characters FileName: 12 characters <New with V7.0> The new field sizes better accommodate address labels, since the names of practically all cities found in a medium-sized atlas can now be fitted on the city line without abbreviation. The telephone number fields are better for systems that require a suffix such as "9" to get an outside line or a "," to pause for dial tone. They also make international telephone numbers more readable; and the addition of a Dialing Modifier in the Operating Parameters screen should help people who need to use access numbers. In addition, the Zip code field can now accommodate ten-position zip codes. The author recognizes the new field sizes still won't cover 100% of all possibilities, but size, capacity and speed are still design criteria for PostCard, and the new field sizes are compromises. PostCard now serves more users needs, but it still does not try to be all things to all people. ******************** POSTMORTEM ******************** -------------------- Using a Path Command -------------------- If you store POSTCD82.EXE, POST.PRM and your default data file in a sub-directory called "\Util" and your DOS files in a sub-directory called "\Dos", you should include the following line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file in the root directory of your hard drive: Path c:\;c:\Dos;c:\Util This command will cause a program that cannot locate a file in the current sub-directory to look first in the root directory, then in the "\Dos" sub- directory and then in the "\Util" sub-directory. ----------------------------------------- Calling PostCard from Another Application ----------------------------------------- The recommended method for calling PostCard from a sub-directory other than the one where PostCard's files are stored is to use a batch file. If you use a path command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, store this batch file where you store your DOS files (in a sub-directory named \DOS, for example) and make sure the \DOS directory occurs in the path command BEFORE the di- rectory in which you normally store your PostCard files. Then write the batch file and store it in that sub-directory as follows: CD\<name of directory where PostCard files are stored> POSTCD82.EXE (Or POSTCARD.EXE, if you renamed the file) EXIT If you call PostCard from another application which is stored in another sub-directory, this batch file will return you to it after invoking Post- Card's <Alt-X>. ------------------------------ Modifying Your CONFIG.SYS File ------------------------------ To attain maximum performance, the user should be using a hard drive with the buffers= command in his or her CONFIG.SYS file set to at least 20 and the files= command set to 25 (recommended). While PostCard will work on a floppy-based system, its speed is significantly degraded by the inherent limitations of the floppy format. ---------------------------- Backup Your Files Frequently ---------------------------- It is suggested that the user make frequent backup copies of his or her data files. This is especially true when you begin to approach the up- per record limit of approximately 240. Making frequent backups can save you wasted time if you do not read this documentation carefully or do not observe the warnings contained in it. If, for example, you exceed the record limit and get an "Out of String Space" error, you should delete that file and substitute a backup copy, because once you exceed the string space of the program, you will find that you cannot add to or modify records in that particular file. If you keep backup copies of your files, you can keep adding records until you run out of string space; at which time, you can simply copy the backup copy over to your default directory and use POSTMK70.EXE to split it into two or more files. POSTMK70.EXE makes it very fast and easy to split such a file into two smaller units. The author uses PKZIP to create a file called PCD.ZIP. Every time I make a change to a large data file, I use <Alt-E> to shell out to the operating system and freshen this archive. This way, I always have an updated backup in case something goes wrong. After the Zip file has been updated, I type <Exit> and return to PostCard. This is very easy to do. Once you have the operating system prompt, you merely type: "PKZIP_-f_ PCD_*.PCD. In this example, the underline character stands for a space <SPACEBAR> and is not typed. I'm happy to report that in over four years of use, I've seldom had to recall a Zippered version of a data file. But you backup for protection against the FIRST time something goes south and, if you use the program long enough, something inevitably will. According to Mr. Murphy, "If it can go wrong, it eventually will." According to Mr. Anthony, "If it goes wrong and you're properly backed-up, who cares?" ----------------- File Organization ----------------- You can get more out of PostCard if you give some thought to the organization of your data files and how you name them. For example, the author uses a file called COMM.PCD for all bulletin board and information service data numbers he calls. At work, he has a file called INTERNAL.PCD which includes all of the people in his company he calls on a daily basis and uses <Alt-N> to search for departments or functions by keywords on their respective Note lines. He also begins each Note line with the title's or person's mail drop. For external calls, he organizes files by subject such as DEALER.PCD, DISTRICT.PCD, VENDOR.PCD, etc. and puts names and titles on their respective Note lines. With planning, he can limit the number of data files he uses to twenty, which is the number that can be displayed on the screen at one time. That way, he doesn't have to scroll through them to find a file, and lookup is even faster. It also keeps the the author's hard drive mean and lean, and it is easier to keep a mean and lean hard drive in fighting trim than one that has been trashed by hundreds of programs that are not used and probably never will be. Sometimes when Note lines are getting crowded or more than two phone numbers are associated with one entity, he creates two or more cards in the same data file and varies the names slightly such as: Dallas - Depot; Dallas - District; Dallas - Sam Jones. There is a wide variety of options you can use, but for maximum speed, pick a convention you are comfortable with and stick to it. It will quickly become second nature and require a minimum amount of thought. Always abbreviating in the same way, or putting Fax numbers in the same place or starting each note with a department's or person's mail drop will result in a more intuitive grasp of the task at hand and make PostCard even faster to use. -------------------- Apologies in Advance -------------------- PostCard was written in QuickBASIC on an IBM AT equipped with an EGA monitor and a Hayes 2400B internal modem configured to Com1. The program also has been tested on several IBM Clones, and many different brands of modems. Version 8.2 supports CGA, EGA and VGA, but still does not support monochrome adapters. I apologize in advance if you have problems, but there are so many hardware/software combinations that all I can safely say is that the pro- gram works as alleged on my machines configured as noted above. The only documented cases where it would not work was on a user's machine who was running a monochrome display with a monochrome adapter, users trying to run it with multitasking programs like DesQview, and users who have high-speed Courier HST modems. PostCard writes directly to video memory and is not compatible with multitasking or pseudo-multitasking programs that require all screen updating to be done through the BIOS. ************* POST OP ************* ■ A user in Long Beach, California took the time to call and suggest I point out to harried or inexperienced users of external modems that, when trying to dial, PostCard will work much better if they turn their modem on. ■ A user in Cyprus, Texas pointed out from the first version of PostCard that it had a rather primitive editor. At the time, the author admitted this was true but hastened to point out that the primitive editor was written to be compatible with PostCard's primitive price; primitive ease of use; primitive size; and primitive documentation, which could be read and mastered by primitive people like its author during a coffee break. In the course of PostCard's evolution, time has marched on and several registered users have cast aspersions on PostCard's "pre-cambrian editor". The au- thor, who is neither deaf, dumb nor blind, but who has on numerous occa- sions been accused of being all three, improved the editor, but only with a certain amount of nostalgia and regret. Some people have faces only mothers can love, and some editors have features only someone who began programming on a TRS-80 with 16K of RAM can appreciate. ■ The world of computers is in a constant state of flux. If you examine the wide range of programs available today - TSR's of all varieties and flavors, multitasking programs and operating systems, DOS extenders, programming language environments, networking software, hardware peripherals and controlling programs, communication programs with interrupt handlers for background tasks - writing a program that will work reliably on every system has become a hazardous undertaking. Writing a "small program" that is fast and capable of working on all possible combinations of the above has become almost impossible. It may be a program like PostCard is a Model-A in a rapidly changing world, but it may also turn out that the mega-systems of today will one day collapse from their own weight. Ultimately, it may be smarter, cheaper and more efficient learning to live within given constraints rather than expanding systems to the point where they become "cumbersome". The author prefers the DOS Operating System to either OS/2 or Windows because it is more cost effective, less cumbersome, and much faster. The author has yet to meet a casual user who would benefit from the features of either OS/2 or Windows. The fact of the matter is very few business users and fewer still home users either benefit from or are equipped to use multi-tasking. In fact, OS/2 is not a true multi-tasking operating system: it is a time-slicing operating system, and as such requires an extremely fast CPU in order to present the "appearance" of multi-tasking. Some business users who work with large data bases can use them to advantage, but even so, there are very few businesses that can afford the cost of converting their hardware and software base to the systems required to run such software. The author seriously questions the motives and judgement of companies who have committed private and business users to such software when this type of software has such inherent drawbacks and carries considerably higher price tags than its DOS counterparts. In short, the author doesn't see either OS/2 or Windows as the millennium, but rather ill-advised attempts to shove ten pounds of "stuff" in a five pound bag simply because it can be done. There is as much emphasis being put on internal efficiency within PostCard as there is external functionality (the part users see). The two are obviously related. Modern techniques are suited to job shops that have high turnover, but they are far from efficient. One day soon, all programs are going to look alike, act alike and be uniformly uninspiring. They also are going to require hardware "average people" can't afford. Registering your copy of PostCard and other shareware programs you use constitutes a vote for modesty and sanity in a world that is otherwise out of control and that addresses the well-being of software companies far more than the needs of individual users like you and me. ■ Effective with version 8.1, both PostCard and AirMail were rewritten and modularized. This change had two important advantages: First, the interface between PostCard and AirMail is much smoother and more seamless. Second, by modularizing the programs, PostCard's code is about 47,000 bytes smaller. Modularization has other advantages besides a smoother interface and a smaller disk footprint. The author uses a PC equipped with 4 megabytes of memory and puts his print spooler, disk cache and ramdisk in extended memory beyond the 1 megabyte boundry. Even with a couple small TSR's, the author still has about 430,000 bytes after shelling out to other programs. This is adequate for invoking Microsoft Word and using the spell checker to proof fairly large documents such as this file. It also is adequate for Lotus 1-2-3, V3.1 which can still accomodate rather large spreadsheets. Large spreadsheets, however, could require more than 2 megabytes of RAM. How much memory you have after activating LeMenu will depend upon your system, how you have it configured and the kinds of programs you use. But this new feature has proved very handy for many application and utility programs such as Vern Buerg's LIST.COM, PostCard Utilities, printer setup programs, etc., and that is primarily what it is for. If you have more memory, it can be a significant enhancement. ************** POSTPARTUM ************** Effective with Version 8.2 the following enhancements have been added: 1. PostCard now includes a perpetual calendar that will display each month from the year 1899 to the year 2099. This feature is generally handy, but it is especially useful for users who have to plan events in the future, or who need to check how the number of days in any particular month vary from year to year. 2. Area codes have been changing rapidly of late, and the original table of area codes PostCard included needed to be updated each time there was a change. Consequently, the author has incorporated a new area code al- gorithm that uses an ASCII file external to the program. This scheme not only allows the user to update the file using a word processor, thereby keeping the file up-to-date, but allows for a considerably larger number of cities to be included and searched. 3. An obscure bug in the NotePad which caused file names to occasionally be inserted incorrectly was found and rectified. 4. PostCard now highlights the current record number in bright red if there is a note attached to that record. This informs users a note is attached and also greatly simplifies deleting notes that are no longer current. 5. Before PostCard shells out to the operating system, it determines the current disk drive and subdirectory and restores them upon returning regardless of what disk or subdirectory the user has set when he or she returns.