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VINST.REF --------- Instructions for VDE Installation Utility: version 1.85 (21 Jan 1998) (c)1987-98, E. Meyer =============================== CONTENTS ================================== 1. RUNNING VINST. What VINST is, and how to use it. 2. INSTALLATION. Choices for different computer hardware, colors, etc. 3. USER MENUBAR. Adding items to the User menu bar. 4. OPTIONS. Choosing initial defaults for many VDE settings. 5. PRINTER INSTALLATION. Control of printer features and settings. 6. DEFAULT FUNCTION KEYS. Installing function keys in your copy of VDE. 7. GRAPHICS. Modifying the default set of graphics characters. 8. CHARACTER WIDTHS. Modifying the default set of character widths. 9. RESTORE DEFAULTS. Undoing previous modifications. ========================== 1. RUNNING VINST =============================== The VINST utility lets you modify your copy of the VDE editor: * Installing for use on non-standard computers * Selecting or customizing drivers for your printer * Configuring settings and options to suit your tastes Your copies of the program files will be called VDE.EXE and VINST.COM, though of course you can rename them for ease of use (I usually call them V.EXE and VI.COM). To run VINST simply type: C>vinst if your copy is still called "VDE.EXE" or C>vinst V.EXE if it's called "V.EXE" Any changes you make while running VINST -- choosing different options, reading in data files, etc -- are in memory only. You can choose "Quit" from the main menu and VDE.EXE will remain unchanged. Only when you choose "Save" (or "Restore defaults") does VINST modify the file. Once you have made changes to your copy of VDE, the initial welcome/copyright messages will no longer appear. VINST can read and write various auxiliary data files (type .VDx), for user options, macro definitions, graphics, and printer support; see DATA FILES. VDE's ability to load such files allows modifications to these features during editing. In addition, they can make updating to a new version of VDE easier: just save your old settings to files with the old VINST, and then install them in your new copy of VDE with the new VINST. Because installation features often change with a new release, the version numbers of VINST and VDE must agree. Auxiliary data files (.VDx) change format less often, and VINST can often read files created by other recent versions. In either case, if VINST can't load an older file, you'll see a "<Version error>" message, and must re-create the file. VINST uses the same search technique as VDE to find a data file if you don't specify a path yourself: it looks in any "SET VDE" directory, then in the directory VINST.COM was run from, then the current DOS directory. This order applies equally to writing data files, if no path is specified. VINST is fully menu-driven; it will present you with a set of categories that corresponds to each section below, starting with Installation; within each category, each value is named and displayed, giving you the opportunity to change it. The program is largely self-documenting, and steps you through each item individually. The main menu also offers a "Help" option, which displays some of the following information on screen to assist you. VINST uses several types of data entry for different parameters: TEXT - Just type in the character(s). LOGICAL - Yes/No. Just type "Y" or "N". DECIMAL - Enter a number from 0 to 255. HEX - Enter two-digit hexadecimal byte value 00-FF. (Include any lead 0's.) BYTE STRING - The value shown in (parentheses) is the length of the current string. Enter a new series of byte values. Each may be entered either in HEX, as above, or by pressing the single quote key ['] followed by the appropriate ASCII character. You can also press ["] to duplicate the existing value. (To enter an empty string (00), press ^[Enter].) In each case, the current value displays, and then you're prompted for a new one. (Just press [Enter] to leave the existing setting.) VINST can't always check for illegal values; be careful what you enter! At most points in VINST, you can press [Esc] to return immediately to the Main Menu, or ^C to abort the program. For the entry of codes in the Printer Installation, you may find the following equivalence table for decimal, hexadecimal, and character values helpful. ASCII TABLE Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0 00 ^@ NUL 26 1A ^Z EOF 54 36 6 80 50 P 106 6A j 1 01 ^A 27 1B ^[ ESC 55 37 7 81 51 Q 107 6B k 2 02 ^B 28 1C ^\ 56 38 8 82 52 R 108 6C l 3 03 ^C 29 1D ^] 57 39 9 83 53 S 109 6D m 4 04 ^D 30 1E ^^ 58 3A : 84 54 T 110 6E n 5 05 ^E 31 1F ^_ 59 3B ; 85 55 U 111 6F o 6 06 ^F 32 20 SPACE 60 3C < 86 56 V 112 70 p 7 07 ^G 33 21 ! 61 3D = 87 57 W 113 71 q 8 08 ^H BS 34 22 " 62 3E > 88 58 X 114 72 r 9 09 ^I TAB 35 23 # 63 3F ? 89 59 Y 115 73 s 10 0A ^J LF 36 24 $ 64 40 @ 90 5A Z 116 74 t 11 0B ^K 37 25 % 65 41 A 91 5B [ 117 75 u 12 0C ^L FF 38 26 & 66 42 B 92 5C \ 118 76 v 13 0D ^M CR 39 27 ' 67 43 C 93 5D ] 119 77 w 14 0E ^N 40 28 ( 68 44 D 94 5E ^ 120 78 x 15 0F ^O 41 29 ) 69 45 E 95 5F _ 121 79 y 16 10 ^P 42 2A * 70 46 F 96 60 ` 122 7A z 17 11 ^Q 43 2B + 71 47 G 97 61 a 123 7B { 18 12 ^R 44 2C , 72 48 H 98 62 b 124 7C | 19 13 ^S 45 2D - 73 49 I 99 63 c 125 7D } 20 14 ^T 46 2E . 74 4A J 100 64 d 126 7E ~ 21 15 ^U 47 2F / 75 4B K 101 65 e 127 7F DEL 22 16 ^V 48 30 0 76 4C L 102 66 f --Graphics-- 23 17 ^W 49 31 1 77 4D M 103 67 g 128 80 Ç 24 18 ^X 50 32 2 78 4E N 104 68 h 129 81 ü 25 19 ^Y 51 33 3 79 4F O 105 69 i 130 82.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============================ 2. INSTALLATION ============================== Because VDE responds to the special keys of a PC keyboard, and writes directly to video RAM for greater display speed, its default installation requires an IBM PC compatible BIOS and video adapter (MDA, CGA, EGA, VGA, or equivalent). On an EGA/VGA system the use of color mode is recommended, even with a monochrome monitor, to take advantage of a wider variety of "grey shades". Special installations are also available for certain "near- compatibles", including the Hewlett-Packard 95/100/200LX palmtops and Portable Plus. Versions of VDE prior to 1.7 also offered a "Generic" installation using standard MSDOS output, requiring only compatibility with ANSI standard screen control sequences. This worked on non-PC compatibles, as well as on compatibles in situations where direct video access is undesirable -- even in "remote" applications, with appropriate terminal software on the user's end. If you require such capabilities, VDE 1.65 remains available. VINST can use Installation files to store your installation, MenuBar, and user option settings. These should have a file type of ".VDI", for ease of identification. You have the option to read in or write out such a file, as well as proceeding to edit your installation. VDE can load such files with its AltU command. IBM PC PARAMETERS: Screen colors - you can select different colors for: normal text; block text; markers and printer codes; soft CRs/hyphens, tabs, and EOF; header; menus and prompts; header/menu highlights; and error messages. Each is specified by an "attribute byte" consisting of two hex digits, for a background and foreground color. ("17" = "1", blue background, & "7", white text.) You will see a color palette displayed on screen. *0 = BLACK 4 = red *8 = GREY C = bright red 1 = blue 5 = magenta 9 = bright blue D = bright magenta 2 = green 6 = brown A = bright green E = yellow 3 = cyan *7 = WHITE B = bright cyan *F = BRIGHT WHITE (* - All MDA screens can display black, white, and bright white; in some cases, grey may also be visible.) If you have an EGA/VGA display, the palette will include all 256 colors (00-FF). Otherwise, you'll see only 128 (00-7F); on MDA/CGA systems, the background attributes 8-F produce blinking video. On some portable computers, "colors" produce underlining or grey shades instead. (Note: if your soft CR color has the same background as normal text, VDE will adjust its background to match block text as well.) Border colors - you can select two border (overscan) colors to frame the screen: one to operate within VDE, the other to restore on exit to DOS. Each is one digit from the list above. Example: to set a white border within VDE, then return to black on exit, enter "70". To keep a black border at all times enter "00". (Note: no border is visible under DESQview or UltraVision.) Cursor type (D/B/U) - You can choose the cursor type you want during editing. A full "B"lock cursor is more easily visible on the LCD displays of laptop computers; some prefer "U"nderline. Choose "D"efault to leave it whatever it was before VDE was run. (In 40+ line mode, it's always a block.) Screen size (A-E,blank) - You can choose your default screen size; normally this is BLANK, " ", meaning whatever is in effect when VDE is loaded. The letter codes (for the AltE command) produce the following sizes: EGA/VGA: A=19/20 B=25 C=31/33 D=43/50 E=50/57 lines Video card for 132-col mode (N...) - VDE's AltA command (132-column toggle) works only with supported types of video card. Choose: "A" for ATI (e.g. "EGA Wonder, VGA Wonder") "C" for Cardinal VGA (Chips & Tech chipset) "D" for Diamond (e.g. Speedstar Pro SVGA) "P" for Paradise VGA+ "T" for Trident SVGA "S" for some other SVGA types (e.g. Boca) "V" for VESA standard (works on most SVGA cards since 1995) If your video card is not among the types shown, you can experiment to see whether any of these will work -- noting that the results of using AltA with an incorrect setting are unpredictable, and might even require you to reboot your computer. If no choice works, enter "N" for none -- AltA will work only if you're running UltraVision. NOTE: Users of older Paradise VGA cards may need to keep the border color black, to avoid a problem affecting 132-column display colors. Need to avoid "snow" (Y/N) - Normally No. Some video cards (like old IBM CGAs) experience ugly "snow" or noise when programs write directly to video memory. If this happens to you, select "Y", and VDE will time its video access according to horizontal retrace intervals. (This will slow down the display slightly.) Keyboard type (T/A/X) - Normally "T" for Test; VDE tries to determine whether you have an AT (enhanced) or XT keyboard, and use the appropriate input method. Alternatively, you can specify "A"T or "X"T. If you have an AT keyboard but VDE fails to detect it -- causing F11, F12, and other AT-only keys to be ignored -- select "A". If you rely on older "popup" (TSR) programs that don't work properly with AT keyboard input, you can select "X" (though this means losing the use of the AT keys in VDE). Mouse driver present (T/N/Y) - Normally "T" for Test; VDE tries to detect a mouse driver, and use it if installed. Alternatively, you can specify "Y"es or "N"o. If VDE fails to detect your mouse, you may be able to use it anyway if you select "Y". If your mouse doesn't function properly with VDE, you can disable it by selecting "N". SPECIAL INSTALLATIONS: HEWLETT-PACKARD 95LX or 100/200LX PALMTOP - You could just run VDE on these palmtops as IBM compatibles, but choosing one of these installations gives you direct support for the 40x16 and 64x18 screen modes, so you won't need to use the LX's scroll feature to window an 80-column screen. Also, potential problems with the LX's power saving routines are avoided. You can select your own "colors" (shades or video attributes) in these installations; other parameters are preset. Note that file mode /L supports MEMO files. The LX [MENU] key will bring up the VDE MenuBar. Mode changes made with the 100/200LX [ZOOM] key are not detected until the current operation, if any, is completed. The keypad [+],[-] keys and the Alt-arrow combinations cannot be used to scroll or shift the screen; on the 95LX, the ^[BkSp] command also will not work, and the shifted cursor keys cannot be used to mark a block. For 40 or 64 column use, see remarks on narrow screens under SCREEN SIZE. Like all standard DOS software, VDE is designed to operate in code page 437: on the 100/200LX, you should choose this setting in Setup; on the 95LX (or if you choose to keep your 100/200LX in code page 850) you'll have to set your VDE printer driver to <R>oman8 character set instead. Serial port power must be on, and the correct speed selected, to print (you can run the HP SERCTL command if necessary with AltR). If you want to set up VDE to launch from the 100/200LX Application Manager, it may be best to select the VINST option to prompt for a filename. To install VDE in AppMgr, put the icon VDE.ICN in the same directory as the program VDE.EXE. Run AppMgr (press [&..]) and press [F2] (Add). For Name, enter "&VDE editor" (making "V" the launch letter). Enter the appropriate Path; it's also best to include a memory allocation of about 256k, to ensure room to edit several files or run the speller, for example: "C:\UTIL\VDE.EXE |256". Under Comments, enter the reversed question mark (press Fn-?) to return to AppMgr upon exit. Go to the Icon window and press down-arrow (if necessary) until the VDE icon appears. Last, press [F10] (OK). HEWLETT-PACKARD PORTABLE PLUS - all models. This installation accommo- dates the Portable's nonstandard video memory structure; don't try it on any other computer. All parameters are preset. OLDER MDA/CGA PC COMPATIBLE - This installation is for IBM PC compatible computers with 80x25 monochrome or low-resolution color displays, whose outdated BIOS may not properly support the functions normally used to detect later video systems and keyboards. (Example: Otrona 8:16 with IBM video emulation.) Try this if VDE won't run on your older computer in the normal PC/XT/AT installation. All parameters are preset. ============================ 3. USER MENUBAR ============================== The "User" menu bar can be configured to your taste: to provide different keywords for accessing functions, or to add functions that aren't available in the existing menu bars. VINST can use Installation files to store your installation, MenuBar, and user option settings. These should have a file type of ".VDI", for ease of identification. VDE can load such files with its AltU command. VINST can access them under the INSTALLATION menu choice. "User" menu bar - The five items on this bar are referred to as {User: item 1-5}. To define each, you must provide two things: a "keyword" and the "command" to execute. (As usual you can just press [Enter] to leave the existing value alone.) The KEYWORD displays in the menu bar: it describes what the item will do if selected, and a capital letter indicates which key letter must be pressed to select it. A keyword can be up to 12 characters long, and must contain exactly ONE capitalized letter (A-Z), which will be the selection key. (Each of the five entries must use a different key.) An unused entry may be simply left blank, or filled with "---" if you prefer. The COMMAND determines the function which will be performed when the item is selected from the menu. (See COMMAND SUMMARY for a full listing.) Each command consists of one or two keystrokes. The default user menu includes the sample entry "Autosave", which invokes the command ^KA if you press "A". Example: The command ^OE, which makes the cursor line the top line on the screen, is not accessible via existing menu bars. However, you can easily add it to the User menu bar: For "{User: item #}" type " make Top " For "Command:" type "^OE" You now have a new MenuBar command, {User:make Top}, which is invoked by pressing ^[Esc],U,T. ============================== 4. OPTIONS ================================= VINST can change a variety of default settings in your copy of VDE, according to your taste. "Default" means the initial state, before any command has changed it. (Note that several more settings are also accessible through the Esc* command, TOGGLE CONTROL, and can be included in an autoexec macro if you wish to make new settings permanent.) VINST can use Installation files to store your installation, MenuBar, and user option settings. These should have a file type of ".VDI", for ease of identification. VDE can load such files with its AltU command. VINST can access them under the INSTALLATION menu choice. (Note that the file format and screen settings below are defaults, and loading a .VDI file doesn't change settings for files already being edited.) Prompt for filename if none (Y/N) - When you invoke VDE with no filename, should it prompt for one? Normally No, you get an "untitled" work area. Autosave interval (min.) - Enter your choice for the default frequency of automatic file saving (^KA), or 0 to turn this feature off. Preserve BAKup files (Y/N) - Should a backup file (.BAK) be kept when you modify an existing file? Choose "Y" to play safe, "N" to save disk space. Use ^Z as EOF mark (Y/N) - Should an EOF marker (^Z, 1Ah) be used to mark the end of an ASCII file (modes /A,D,U,N,C)? Normally "N"; set to "Y" to produce files for older MSDOS programs that used this convention. Filetypes to exclude - You can specify six filetypes (or type masks, using "?" wildcards) to "hide" from VDE. Files with these types won't appear in any File Browser listing, unless specified explicitly (i.e. "*.COM" or "VINST.COM"), and you cannot load or write to such a filename. This feature is intended to protect non-text files, which cannot be viewed with VDE and can be damaged by trying to edit them. To leave an entry unused, type "..."; blanks indicate a blank filetype. (Originally, ".COM" and ".EXE" are excluded types.) Default file mode - Which of the file modes described in VDE.DOC do you want as the default? (Originally "D"ocument.) Auto mode select filetypes - You can specify six filetypes (or type masks, using "?" wildcards) as exceptions to the above default: for example, you could declare all ".ASM" files to default automatically to "N" mode, or all files ".WS?" to "W" mode. To leave an entry unused, type "...". Header on (Y/N) - Should the header (^OQ) start out ON? Ruler on (Y/N) - Should the ruler (^OT) start out ON? Function key labels on (Y/N) - Should the key labels (^OU) start out ON? Insert mode (I/W/O) - Which insert (^V) setting do you want to start out with: Insert, Word insert, or Overstrike (insert off)? Auto format (Y/N) - Should auto format (^OM) start out ON? Right justify (Y/N) - Should right justification (^OJ) start out ON? Double spacing (Y/N) - Should double spacing (^OS) start out ON? Proportional spacing (Y/N) - Should proportional spacing (^OK) start out ON? Hard CR/tab display (Y/N) - Should Hard CR/tab display (^OB) start out ON when editing in document modes? Hyphenation (Y/N) - Should hyphenation (^OH) start out ON in documents? Ignore case in searches (Y/N) - Do you want find and replace (^QF,^QA) to be case INsensitive by default? If Yes, specifying the "C"ase option while editing will force a case sensitive search. Left and Right margin columns (1-255) - Default margin settings for Document modes. Set both to 1 to disable wordwrap and reformatting entirely. Fixed tab display width (4,8,16) - Hard tabs display at fixed column intervals. (Normally 8; 4, 8, or 16 are the ONLY legal choices.) Scroll overlap (0-255) - This is the number of lines of overlap between text screens when scrolling [PgUp/Dn]: the smaller, the larger the scroll. (Originally 2.) Must be smaller than your screen size! Beep on error (Y/N) - Do you want a beep when a VDE error message displays? Cut (AltC) deletes block (Y/N) - Should the block Cut command (AltC) delete the block after copying it into the cut buffer? Originally "N"o. Variable tab stops - Enter up to sixteen variable tab stop columns, in ascending order. Fill unused values with 0. Originally: 6, 15, 35, 55. Show time as AM/PM (Y/N) - Do you want the time stamp to display in 12 hour format (AM/PM)? Originally "Y"es. If "N"o, the time shows in 24 hour format. (Affects AltT,AltK commands and ^T in print headers.) Show date in Euro format (day,mo,yr) (Y/N) - Do you want the date to display in European format? Originally "N"o, meaning US Format (mo,day,yr). (Affects AltD,AltK commands and ^D in print headers.) Show date numerically (Y/N) - Do you want AltD to enter the date numerically (1/15/88)? Originally "N"o, meaning verbose (January 15, 1988). Strikeout (^PX) character - Specify the character you want to use for the strikeout effect when printing. Originally "-"; some prefer "/", etc. ======================== 5. PRINTER INSTALLATION ========================== VDE can accomodate two printer drivers, each of which can be installed to take advantage of your printer's special features. (Within VDE, the AltV command can be used to select the driver to use when printing.) You can use these for two different printers, or different styles of printing on the same printer. The default is a "SIMPLE" driver that can send plain text to any printer, but doesn't support any print controls other than underline and strikeout. (The "SIMPLE" driver is also recommended for many daisy-wheel or typewriter-style printers.) Many pre-defined drivers for other printers can be selected from a menu within VINST. Today's printers are numerous, complex, and vary widely; a comprehensive set of fully configured drivers for them would be prohibitively large and require constant updating. Instead, VINST offers a number of basic drivers which will allow you to get started printing on most printers; you can choose one of them as a skeleton to build upon as you customize your own driver. Your printer manual should tell you what standard printer yours emulates in general (what language it speaks -- HP PCL or Epson FX, for example), and list the specific codes needed to control each of its features. If your printer is not listed on VINST's driver menu, but emulates or resembles one that is, then start out using that driver, and refine it as needed. Failing this, you can start out with the "SIMPLE" driver and, referring to your printer manual, install all the necessary codes yourself. (In this event, please consider sending this information so that a new driver can be added to VINST.) VDE doesn't support Adobe Postscript; but you may be able to get VDE to talk to your Postscript printer in its native mode instead, by adding the codes to switch into that mode, and then those to return to Postscript, to the driver's initialization and deinitialization. Most VDE users will want to customize their printer driver in some way. You will probably want to add codes to your printer initialization to establish the default settings (page margins, tab settings, paper source, etc) you prefer. Since most of the drivers in VINST implement only basic codes for print effects like italics and proportional printing, you may want to modify or add to these codes to implement any additional features (fonts, etc) you have available. After choosing a driver from the menu, return and select "Edit current driver". (To modify the Alternate driver, you must switch it to the primary one, then switch back afterward.) An example of a fully configured driver is "HPLJw/PacPg25in1". This can be used with a Hewlett-Packard LaserJet printer (or compatible) equipped with a Pacific Page 25-in-1 cartridge (or any other that provides the fonts indicated below). It offers the following effects: CODE EFFECT Initialize Prestige Elite 10 point font, printer margin set to column 6 ^OK proportional Times Roman 10 point font ^B,^S,^Y Boldface, Underline, Italics (any font) ^T,^V Superscript, Subscript using 7 point Prestige font ^D switch to proportional Times Roman from Prestige and back ^A,^N switch to Courier 12 point from Prestige and back ^Q Mini Gothic 3.6 point ^W Presentation Bold 18 point ^E Math Elite 10 point ^R return to Prestige from ^Q,^W,^E The "HP LaserJet 4P" driver is also fully configured, with similar effects (using the built-in Courier, Garamond, Gothic, and Albertus fonts). VINST can use special Printer Driver files to store and retrieve other printer definitions. This makes it easy to save your installation and to pass it along to others. These files should have a type of ".VDP". When editing in VDE, the AltU command may be used to load such a file, putting any number of different printer drivers at your disposal. In VINST, you have the option to read in or write out such a file, as well as editing the following values individually. Printer ID - Identify the printer you're installing. (16 characters) Printer device - Normally "PRN", but you can choose a specific port if your system has several printers (LPT# for parallel, COM# for serial). If you use a serial printer, you should properly initialize the port parameters (speed etc) with the DOS MODE command before printing with VDE. Extended character set (P/R/N) - Specifies how "extended ASCII" characters 80-FF (graphics or foreign characters) will print. This depends on the sequence of characters in your printer's fonts. Your choices are: <P>C8 - the standard IBM PC character set. No translation in printing. <R>OMAN8 - an arrangement common in laser printer fonts. VDE will translate PC graphics into Roman8 equivalents where possible. <N>one - no characters in this range at all. VDE will "emulate" PC graphics with overstruck pairs of characters that come close. Note that if you're using a non-standard screen font that agrees with your printer font, whatever it may be, you should choose "P" (no translation). Printer type (H/F/L/O) - Enter "H" for HP LaserJet or DeskJet compatible, "F" for Epson FX (9 pin) or compatible, "L" for Epson LQ (24 pin) or compat- ible, or "O" for any other type. Send LF after CR (Y/N) - Normally "Y"es. But with a printer that manu- factures its own LineFeed on receiving a Return, you'll need "N"o here. Page length (0-255) - The number of text lines to print on a page. An 11" sheet gives 66 lines of print at a standard spacing of 6 lpi; most printers can actually print about 60-64 lines. Be sure also to leave room on the page for the following margin settings, if used. Originally 58. Top margin (0-255) - The number of blank lines to skip as a top margin before printing the number of text lines set above. Top margin if header used (0-255) - The number of lines to skip instead as a top margin before printing the header, if one is used. Lines to skip between header and text (0-255) - Blank lines to leave between header and text. Also determines lines between text and bottom page number, when used. Left margin (0-255) - Set the number of blank columns to skip as a left margin, shifting the entire printout to the right. (Note: most printers offer an Esc command to set an internal left margin in dot-columns or inches. If you need a left margin, you can get more consistent and reliable results by including such a command in your initialization string. If you can't do that, install a value here.) The following menu allows you to modify the codes that are part of your printer driver. Whichever function you select, the existing code sequence (if any) will display, first in more or less readable "character" form and then as a string of hex digits, preceded by the length in parentheses. For example, if you examine the Doublestrike code in the "HP LaserJet" driver, you'll see: ^[(s7B <--- ASCII representation (05) 1B 28 73 37 42 <--- hexadecimal values (Note that in this context, "^[" indicates "Esc".) At the prompt, press [Enter] to leave this code sequence unchanged, or press ^[Enter] to delete it entirely, or enter a new one -- either in hexadecimal, or as character values by pressing the single quote ['], then a character. Note that the double quote ["] will duplicate the existing code. When finished, press [Enter]. Any one string can be up to 127 bytes long; the total available for use is about 450 bytes. [A]-Initialization, etc - This is an optional string of code to send to the printer before each print job, usually to set default margins, line spacing, font, etc. (NOTE: the ^KP command has an option to change, skip, or add to these codes at print time; see PRINTING.) [B]-Deinitialization - This is another string to send after each print job, to restore the printer to the desired state on exit. [C]-Envelope setup - This string will be sent in place of the usual initialization when you address an envelope with ^KPA (see ENVELOPES). For many printers you'll need no special codes here; or, you might find a linefeed or two, or perhaps a left margin command, is useful to position the print properly on the envelope. You should also select a pica font (fixed, 10 cpi) for proper spacing on the envelope. The setup codes in VINST's HP LaserJet drivers assume that the envelope is inserted end-on in the default paper tray, and consequently they use a landscape font (Courier 12). They don't specify "envelope size" forms, so there's no need to change the form size on the printer panel. If you're feeding envelopes from a different paper tray, you'll have to add codes here to specify this tray. You must also be sure that your deinitialization contains any codes necessary to return to the default tray, orientation, etc after addressing an envelope. [D]-Proportional (^OK) - Enter the codes needed to produce a proportionally spaced font when you print while in proportional mode (^OK). Like the "toggles" below, you also need to supply a second string to turn this off and return to fixed spacing afterwards. TOGGLES: [E]-Bold, etc - For six of the seven printer toggles (not ^X), you need to tell VDE the codes to send to your printer to produce the desired effect, then turn it off again. The conventional meanings of the toggles are: ^B boldface ^Y italic or ribbon color ^D doublestrike ^T superscript ^S underline ^V subscript but you can use them for anything you want. Example: Epson FX printers require three-byte sequences to turn continuous underlining on and off: Underline on "Esc - 1" hex 1B 2D 31 decimal 27 45 49 off "Esc - 0" 1B 2D 30 27 45 48 You can enter the data in hex or characters, or any mixture thereof: [G]... : 1B 2D 31 <--- entry in hex format ...and off: 'Esc '- '0 <--- or by characters You should find all necessary codes in your printer manual. (NOTES: ^PS will underline text by overstriking with "_" if you don't install codes for it. ^PX requires no installation, but see USER OPTIONS to specify the strikeout character.) SWITCHES: [K]-User1, etc - The same idea, but for switches, which send the same codes every time they are used. WordStar calls the switches: ^Q,W,E,R "user 1,2,3,4" (no standard meaning) ^A,N alternate, normal pitch But once again, you can use them for different fonts, printer tray selection, or anything else you like. ======================== 6. DEFAULT FUNCTION KEYS ========================= VDE has a set of 48 Function Keys, invoked by the [F1]...[F12] keys in their normal, Shift-, Ctrl-, and Alt- usage, which can have macro definitions assigned to them. The default definitions are those that will be active when you first enter VDE. By changing these, you can easily customize VDE for an approximate match to the standard function-key configuration for Wordstar or Word Perfect, or to suit any special requirements of your own. (Any keys redefined with ^M while using VDE will override these defaults.) VINST can use Function Key Definition files to store function-key sets, which should have a file type of ".VDF". You have the option to read in or write out such a file, as well as editing the keys individually. (These files can also be read or written with VDE's AltU command, but only VINST can display the definitions, or change the defaults in VDE.EXE itself.) During the key editing process, you can also read an individual key definition from or write it to a data file, which should have a type of ".VDK"; VINST can thus move a single definition from one set to another. (Quiet/No-repeat setting and label are included in a .VDK file; Autoexec and alias are not.) The key editing display will look something like this: Function keys: (___ bytes free) <---- note room available F1:<> F2:<> <---- "<>" means undefined F3:<> F4:< Scan >[Esc];^C <---- " Scan " is key's label F5:<> F6:<QN>^OL5[Enter]^OR60[Enter] <---- Quiet, No-repeat key, no label F7:<> F8:<EscU><Undrln ><N>^PS <---- "EscU" also invokes this key F9:<EscB>< Bold ><N>^PB F10:<QN>^QS[!v] <---- "[!v]" means Shift-Downarrow You can select one of several ranges of definitions to display: Normal, Shift(!), Ctrl(^), Alt(@), and if you have an Enhanced keyboard, a separate additional set of 8 keys for the [F11],[F12] keys in each of those states. Or at any time you can press the [F]-key you want to define, and type in the new definition. While doing this, ^[Break] aborts; ^P must be used to enter [Enter], [BkSp], or ^P itself. The Esc key and special PC keys like PgUp will display by name within brackets: [Esc], [>], [PgUp]. Shift, Ctrl, and Alt combinations are indicated by "!", "^", and "@", as in "[!v]", "^J", "@D". (Many of these keys merely display as "*" at VDE's macro definition prompt, but VINST identifies them more clearly.) To keep the existing definition, Esc key, label, or Q/N option, just press [Enter]. To blank (remove) a definition, press ^[Enter]. To blank an existing Esc key, label, or Q/N option, use [Space]. Any single definition can be up to 253 bytes long; the total space available is about 2000 bytes. VDE initially comes with [F1] installed for command help (^J), [F10] for the MenuBar (^[Esc]), and other definitions blank. Sample function-key files are also included; EXAMPLES.VDF contains several macros discussed in VMACRO.REF: F2:<QN>^QS^S^S[Esc]= [^D^D ;Move to start of paragraph F3:<QN>[Esc]~.1^S[Esc]1[Esc]~.<^D[Esc]= 2[Esc]=^M2 ;Move to start ^S^S[Esc]!1[Esc]2^D[Esc]= 2[Esc]=^M2 ; of sentence F4:<QN>^QSEsc(0)Esc1Esc+^DEsc~^M1Esc2Esc-]Esc-] ;Move to center ^SEsc!2 ; of line F5:<QN>[Esc]1^S[Esc]>@<[Esc]='1[Esc]=-1^D^KB[Esc]<A] ;Mark word as block [Esc]2^D[Esc]>@>[Esc]='2[Esc]=-2^KK F6:<QN>^QR^N@D^OF ;Put date at top right F7:<N>[Esc]$3^QF@@^[Enter][Esc]$$^D^D[Esc]=A1[Esc]~N[ ;Mail-Merge @N^KB^QD^KK@C^QS@N[Esc]!2[Esc]1@N^X^KB ;(see instructions) ^QF^M^M^[Enter]^KK@C^QB^E@N[Esc]2^A^G^G^G @P[Esc]![[Esc]3^KP[Enter]^KL^F[Enter]@N ^QF^M^M^[Enter]^D^D[Esc]<_]@N[Esc]![ F8:<QN>[Esc]*f^QR[Esc]B]Esc]>~X[Esc]=^MN[Esc]<_X ;Convert file to [Esc]N^D[Esc]!B[Esc]X^G[Esc]!B ; pure ASCII F9:<QN>^QC^QS^E[Esc]1[Esc]$E^QS^E^KB^QS^X^KK ;Alphabetic sort [Esc]$3[Esc]2[Esc]@3^QS^X[Esc]!2 ; by line [Esc]3^KV^QP[Esc]!1[Esc]E^KH The files WS4.VDF and WP.VDF can be used to define the function keys according to the usage of WordStar or Word Perfect. The WordStar 4 default definitions in WS4.VDF are: WS4.VDF NORMAL SHIFT CTRL ALT F1 ^J ^OB ^QF Vertical bar graphic F2 ^U ^OC ^QA Horizontal bar F3 ^PS ^L Upper-left corner F4 ^PB ^QI Upper-right F5 ^Y ^KY ^OL Lower-left F6 ^T ^KH ^OR Lower-right F7 ^KV Upper T graphic F8 ^KC Lower T F9 ^KS ^KB ^QS Left T F10 ^KD ^KK ^QD Right T The WP.VDF file doesn't "turn VDE into Word Perfect", but it does provide a considerable degree of keystroke compatibility. You can assign any other functions desired to unused keys: WP.VDF NORMAL SHIFT CTRL ALT F1 ^U [^Esc] AltR F2 ^QF ^QF AltJ ^QA F3 ^J [^Esc]V ^OD F4 ^OG [^Esc]B [^Esc]B F5 ^KF AltD F6 ^PB ^OC ^OF F7 [^Esc]F ^KP F8 ^PS [^Esc]S [^Esc]T [^Esc]S F9 F10 ^KS [^Esc]F ========================= 7. GRAPHICS CHARACTERS ========================== VDE allows text to contain a limited, but variable, set of 32 characters in the range 80-FFh (see FOREIGN CHARACTERS and GRAPHICS). (Actually, a few low-ASCII codes like ^Z (1Ah) are also treated as graphics characters.) VINST lets you specify your own default graphics set. VINST can use Graphic Definition files to store graphic character sets. These should have a file type of ".VDG", for ease of identification. You have the option to read in or write out such a file, as well as editing the keys individually. VDE can also write such files with its AltU command. You will be shown the current definitions, in the same format as the VDE Graphics command. You may select any entry to redefine (A-Z, 1-6), whether vacant or not; or, you may clear them all. In VINST, new graphic codes must be entered by hex value; a full list of graphics characters (80-FF) can be displayed for your selection if you need it, by typing "?" at the definition prompt. Simply pressing [Enter] means "free" or undefined. Note that your printer installation (PC8/Roman8/None) determines how graphics will print. ========================== 8. CHARACTER WIDTHS ============================ In order to judge the margins correctly when formatting, VDE's proportional printing feature (^OK) needs to know how wide each character is when it prints. The default width table, based on a 10-point Times Roman font, will probably work fairly well with any proportional font ("m" is generally wider than "i", and so on). If you'd like to fine-tune this table to correspond to your favorite font instead, use VINST to modify the width table as needed: you can select each character, then enter its width (in units of 1/360") as a decimal value. The easiest way to determine these widths is to print out a file with lines of 60 of each character. (Rather than type that out by hand, you can use the macro command to repeat each letter 60 times.) Measure the length of each line in inches, and multiply by 6: that is the character width in 1/360". To measure spaces (blanks), put a visible character at the end. Widths for normal-sized fonts are typically between 16 and 48. Note that changing the width table doesn't affect how your printer operates -- just how VDE judges the length of each line for reformatting in proportional mode. VINST can use Character Width files to store width data for the proportional font(s) you use. These should have a file type of ".VDC", for ease of identification. You have the option to read in or write out such a file, as well as editing the width table. VDE can load such files with its AltU command, or from the command line. ========================= 9. RESTORE DEFAULTS ============================= This option on the VINST menu is provided in the event that you want to undo any changes that have been made to your copy of VDE. It returns VDE.EXE to the state it was distributed in: installation for IBM PC; all User Options restored to their original defaults; no Function Keys (except, for convenience, [F1]=help and [F10]=menu); SIMPLE printer driver; original Graphics characters and Character widths. VINST prompts you to confirm that you really want to do this before proceeding to restore and save the file. =============================[end VINST.REF]=================================