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Text File | 1993-07-25 | 21.6 KB | 488 lines

▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ───▒▒█▀▒▒█──────▒▒█▀▀▀▀──────▒▒█▀▀▀▀─────── ───▒▒▒▒▒▒█──────▒▒█──────────▒▒█─────────── Version 1.0 ───── ───▒▒█▒▒█▀──────▒▒█──────────▒▒█─────────── ▒▒█ ▒▒█ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▄ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ Rate Command Center Frontend User Interface for RATE, T2A and T2AVIEW (C)Copyright 1993 Rand Nowell - RaLin Enterprises "Putting Bits Together" (tm) - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - P R O G R A M D O C M E N T A T I O N July 1993 RCC.DOC..... The RATE Command Center Ver 1.0 Page 1 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ LEGAL STUFF ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ The Copyright, Legal and License information for all programs has been placed in a separate file. Please see LEGAL.DOC ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ OVERVIEW ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ RCC is designed to run on a color monitor, CGA,EGA,VGA. It will function on a monochrome monitor, but appearance will suffer greatly. Because ANSI screens are usually created for color systems, very little effort has been made to make the program MONO mode compatible. RCC does use some direct screen writing, so if using with DesqView, keep this in mind. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ You should have a system with 640K base memory, with 200K available. RCC will recognize and use, EMS or XMS memory during swaps to Shell and external programs. When doing so RCC releases all but 7K of memory which it retains. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ WHERE TO PUT RCC ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ RCC should, along with the other programs, RATE,T2A,T2AVIEW, and the RATE.HLP file, be placed in a directory that is in your DOS 'PATH' statement. If you would like the programs in a separate directory, then add that directory to your 'PATH' statement in the AUTOEXEC.BAT. It is critical, for proper operation, that this be done. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ USAGE ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ RCC is not the actual Editor, RCC is a command center which acts as a user interface between the Editor, the Compiler, Viewer and DOS. Using Menus and keypresses or a mouse, it makes interaction between all the programs a breeze. It also allows you to run the programs on multiple files, versus a single file in command line mode. RCC allows you to use a picklist to TAG files, and perform actions on multiple OR single file(s). Lets say you wish to compile five screens from templates. Simply choose Compile from the menu, then TAG the five files. There are many jobs that RCC performs, they will be covered here. If any option/program call is not available, a message box will inform you of this. Integration of the Complete Program Package! RCC.DOC..... The RATE Command Center Ver 1.0 Page 2 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ TAGGING FILES ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ In the picklist, you may scroll through the file list with UpArrow, DnArrow, PgUp, PgDn, Home, End. Also, if there are more files than will display in the window, direction arrows are displayed in the lower right corner of the frame. With a mouse, you can click on these arrows for movement in the desired direction. The actual tagging is accomplished in one of two ways, with a mouse, just click on the file name. With the keyboard, press the space bar. Tagging is a toggle, if the file is not tagged, it will be tagged, if the file IS tagged, it will be untagged. Once all files are tagged, pressing ENTER will begin the process. To tag and process ONE file from the list, simply highlight it and press ENTER. NOTE: Files are processed in the order TAGGED, not the order in which they appear in the list. The picklist also has a HUNT feature, pressing a letter key will find the first file that has that letter as the first in it's name. Successive presses of the same key will continue the HUNT. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ MEMORY SWAPPING ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ If you have EMS or XMS memory available, and the appropriate device driver loaded, RATE will recognize and use either. If you have both types, RATE will attempt to use EMS first, as it is a little more reliable, and in the long run faster. If neither type of memory is available, RATE will create a SwapFile on your drive, in the current directory. This file is named $RATESWP.$$$ and is given the HIDDEN/SYSTEM attributes, so it will not show up in a DOS dir command. But many viewers will show it, DO NOT DELETE this file while RATE is running, if you experience a power failure, or some other problem which causes RATE to shutdown prematurely, then you may safely delete the swap file before running again. Another note: Never load a Terminate & Stay Resident (TSR) program while you are in a DOS shell, memory corruption will be the result. If you call the compiler or viewer on multiple files, this swapping is done for each call. IF you're running on a fast 386/486 with EMS/XMS you will hardly notice the delay. But if you are swapping to DISK, or running on an XT, the delay will be noticeable. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ NUMBER LOCK SETTING ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Integration of the Complete Program Package! RCC.DOC..... The RATE Command Center Ver 1.0 Page 3 The status of your NumLock key affects the way your arrow keys will work. We will assume you have an enhanced keyboard with 101+ keys. If the NumLock key is ON, you can only use the arrow keys (2,4,6,8) on the numeric keypad. The enhanced keyboard arrow key pad will not work. If the NumLock is OFF, you can use both sets of keys. Suggestion: Turn off the NumLock! ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ MOUSE SUPPORT ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ If you have a mouse, with the mouse driver loaded, you will have use of it in RCC, and RATE (the editor). If not, then all functions are available via keypresses. The left button is the same as the ENTER key, the right is the same as the ESCcape key. Dialog Boxes: You may exit a Dialog Box by pressing ESC or the right mouse button, to use the mouse, the mouse cursor must be inside the box frames. If a dialog box has Buttons in it, arrow keys or the mouse will select the button. Menus: You can abort/exit with ESC or the right mouse button. You also select a menu item with the mouse, or highlighting and pressing ENTER, or pressing the highlighted letter for the item. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ MAIN MENU SCREEN ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ There is only one main screen in RCC, there are help screens and such, but the screen you see on startup is your main screen! At the top of the screen is displayed the program name and a clock. Just under that is the Menu Bar. At the bottom of the screen, is the Copyright Notice, and just above that is displayed the Current Directory, and to the far right, the extension that will be used to display files in the picklist for the Editor (RATE). This defaults to T2A, the template file extension. It may be changed, if you wish to view or edit other types of files. And just above that line is the "Help" line, here, a short description of each Menu choice you move to will be displayed. Selecting a Menu item: Mouse: place the mouse cursor on the item and press the Left mouse button. The item will be activated. Keyboard: You can use the left and right arrow keys to move the Integration of the Complete Program Package! RCC.DOC..... The RATE Command Center Ver 1.0 Page 4 highlight to the choice. The spacebar also moves the highlight, to the right. Once the item is highlighted, press enter. Or you can press the DnArrow key. You can also select and activate by pressing the highlighted character of a menu item. Some Main Menu choices display a submenu, others a picklist, and some activate the choice immediately, such as Help.... it will display the Help Screen on ENTER or DownArrow or by pressing the Highlighted HOT key. If you are presented a Sub-Menu, there are two additional keys that are checked. When a sub-menu is displayed, you can of course select any of the menu items with cursor keys/spacebar to move, ENTER to activate, or the highlighted hotkey. You may also Exit the menu and move to the next or preceding Main Menu choice by using the Left and Right arrow keys. Pressing the right arrow key for instance, while in the Edit sub-menu, will exit the Edit menu, move to Compile, and present the picklist. If you were to press the Left arrow key, you would be taken to the Quit menu choice. In most cases, if you exit a submenu via the Left/Right arrow keys, the next menu choice will be "Activated", that is if the next one contains a sub-menu, it will be automatically called, if it has a picklist, it will be shown etc. Menu items that go right to a procedure, such as Help, DOS Shell etc, do not get activated right away, you will required to hit ENTER or the down arrow. You can also exit Pick Lists with the left or right arrow, but the menu cursor bar will not move to the next Main Menu choice, but it is easier than having to press the ESCape key! ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ MENU COMMANDS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ EDIT: Displays a sub-menu with 'Create, Modify, Change Extension, and Default Ext(T2A)'. Create will prompt you for an eight character filename, the extension .T2A will be added, then call the editor to create the file. If you press ENTER on a blank filename entry, a picklist of files will be presented. If there are no template files, you will be able to select a directory to move to. You can change to another directory, before calling the editors list, from the Tools Menu. Choosing Modify will display a picklist of files, or directories. This is the same as the list displayed when pressing ENTER on a blank filename in Create. Once you are in the editor, you can load in a new file. See RATE.DOC If you choose Change Extension, you will be prompted to enter an extension, less the period. Any standard extension is valid, Integration of the Complete Program Package! RCC.DOC..... The RATE Command Center Ver 1.0 Page 5 TXT,BBS,SCR,LST,PAS and so on. Once the extension is changed, the next time you call the editor, instead of the Picklist displaying on the RCC screen, the editor will load, then display a list of all files with the specified extension, in the current directory. If you press ESCape while in this list, RATE will go into NewFile mode, and be ready to create NONAME.T2A. In this case, you can begin creation, and rename the file before saving. (Shft-F4) In RCC, even if you should change the extension back to T2A, you will see the same list as above (in the editor), if you want to see the normal picklist, choose Default Extension. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ COMPILE ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ This presents a TAGlist. You can select one file by pressing ENTER, or double clicking the mouse on the filename, or TAG multiple files as mentioned earlier. The compiler will then be run on each tagged file. If you leave the Pause after Compile ON, the default, RCC will pause before returning, to allow you to view any compiler messages. See SETUP below. Multiple files will be compiled in the order tagged. See T2A.DOC on how to run T2A from the command line. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ SETUP ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Here you set command line switches for the compiler. The defaults for the compiler are: 1. Create all 3 screens, ANSI, AVATAR,ASCII. 2. Prompt to view after compiling. 3. Pause before return to RCC. (This does not apply in command line mode.) A sub menu is displayed, and to the right, an information box showing the current settings. Your choices are: Make All Create all three screens. No Avatar Do Not create the Avatar screen. No Ascii Do Not Create the Ascii screen. No AVT or ASC Do not create AVT/ASC, only the Ansi. View Yes Prompt to view after compile. View No Do NOT prompt to view. Pause + Pause before return. Pause - No pause after compile. Done Finished with Compiler Setup. Integration of the Complete Program Package! RCC.DOC..... The RATE Command Center Ver 1.0 Page 6 At the bottom of the info box, any switches that are set, are displayed. The Setup menu is a "looping" menu, after each selection is made, it will re-display itself, and the Settings box. When you are done setting compiler options, you can exit in several ways. Pressing ESC, will exit the menu, and leave you on the Setup menu item. Selecting Done, will exit the menu and place you at the Compile menu. Exiting with the left arrow key, will exit the menu, place you at the Compile menu item and display the picklist. Pressing the right arrow, will exit the menu and move to the Video menu entry and wait present the Video MEnu. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ VIDEO ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ This menu displays two choices: 25 line Standard mode (25x80) or 43/50 Compressed (43x80 - 50x80) This is an iteligent menu, it will automatically place the cursor bar on the video mode "opposite" of the one you are currently in. 43/50 line mode is auto sensing, if you have an EGA screen you will go into 43 line mode, VGA, you will be placed in 50 line mode. If you attempt to select Compressed mode with a CGA monitor/card you will see no change. I strongly suggest 25 line mode for viewing Ansi files. Whatever mode you are in, 25,43,50, when you start RCC, is the mode it will run in. That mode is remembered, so even if you change while in RCC, upon Exit, the startup mode will be re-activated. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ HELP ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Displays a one screen Help page. More may be added later. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ VIEW ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ This presents a list of ANSI files, you may choose one, or TAG multiple files. The T2AVIEW program will be called on the file(s). See T2AVIEW.DOC for more info on the viewer. We will be adding a hook to call our program AASS, the Ansi Animation Slide Show, or possibly any program you define, in a future release. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ DOS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Integration of the Complete Program Package! RCC.DOC..... The RATE Command Center Ver 1.0 Page 7 Executes a DOS shell, loading a second copy of COMMAND.COM. You may perform any DOS commands, run another program etc. You will have all memory except the 6K reserved by RCC to use. DO NOT LOAD A "TSR" PROGRAM DURING THE SHELL!!!! Memory fragmentation is 99% guaranteed, at which the minimum will be a re-boot, and possibly result in loss of date! And DO NOT DELETE THE RCC SWAP FILE! ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ TOOLS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ This menu has two choices, 'Change Directory', and 'Delete Backups'. Change Directory: will present a list of directories, you select the directory you wish to move to, selections are made as in any other Pick List, ENTER, LEFT MOUSE BUTTON etc. Selecting a entry such as [..] will move you up to the Parent directory. Once you have reached the directory you want, press ESCape, this will put the list away, and the new directory will be displayed at the bottom of the screen. Delete Backups: Will erase all *.BAK files in the current directory. If you have just finished creating or modifying several template files, this menu choice will do your house cleaning for you. As each file is erased, it is displayed, briefly, on the Help Line. If no BAK files are found, you will be returned to the Main Menu bar. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ QUIT ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Exits the Command Center. You will be prompted for confirmation. See the appropriate document files for the other programs mentioned. The Command Center was designed to be a helping hand, and to allow you to do things with some of the companion programs, that you cannot when running them from the command line. I hope you find it a useful tool. Integration of the Complete Program Package! RCC.DOC..... The RATE Command Center Ver 1.0 Page 8 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ CONTACT AND SUPPORT ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Please see the file SUPPORT.DOC ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │▒▒▒ REGISTRATION ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Registration brings no additions to the Command Center. But it does change the UNREGISTERED message at the end of the program to a nicer Thank You one. All these programs are registered with one form, one payment. Please see REGISTER.FRM <eof RCC.DOC> Integration of the Complete Program Package!