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______________________________________________________________
| |
| - PHLBL - |
|______________________________________________________________|
Label/Rotary filecard/Postcard Printer
Version 2.1
Released 07-15-91
COPYRIGHT 1989-1991 Phil Herron. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Herron Software
P.O. Box 1288
Battle Ground, Washington USA 98604
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
________________________________________________________________
Preface.............................................. 0
New in this version.................................. 1
Introduction......................................... 1
Overview............................................. 1
Getting Started...................................... 2
System Requirements.................................. 3
Installing........................................... 3
Help................................................. 4
Syntax............................................... 4
File Selection Window................................ 5
Operating Screen..................................... 5
Menu functions....................................... 6
Data Storage......................................... 8
Data File Format - Default......................... 9
Data File Format - Options......................... 9
Comment line..................................... 9
Blank Line within Label......................... 10
Printer Attribute Command Line.................. 10
Margin Setting Line............................. 11
Label Height Setting Line....................... 11
Inter-Label Skip Setting line................... 11
Embedded DATE, TIME commands.................... 12
Data File Editing................................... 12
New Data Files.................................... 12
Existing Data Files............................... 12
Line Lengths...................................... 13
A. Data File Line Length....................... 13
B. Printing Line Length........................ 13
Label Heights..................................... 13
Miscellaneous Notes................................. 14
Printer Limitations............................... 14
Left Margin....................................... 14
Printing Example.................................. 15
Applications........................................ 15
Error messages...................................... 16
DOS ErrorLevel.................................... 16
Version History..................................... 16
Support............................................ A-1
Problem Resolution............................... A-1
Reporting A Problem.............................. A-1
Custom Modifications............................. A-2
Correspondence................................... A-2
Index.............................................. I-1
0-1
__________________________________________
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
__________________________________________
THIS PRODUCT IS PROVIDED FOR EVALUATION, AS IS
AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE AUTHOR
MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL
THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF PROFIT OR ANY
OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGE ARISING FROM EITHER
THE USE OF OR THE INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT.
____________________________________________________________
EVALUATION PREFACE PAGE
____________________________________________________________
Shareware....................................... 0-1
License Terms................................. 0-2
Registration.................................. 0-2
Forms, Fees, Quantity discounts.............. 0-2
Evaluation Version.............................. 0-3
Distribution Authorization.................... 0-3
Evaluation Menu............................... 0-3
Virus Concerns................................ 0-3
- SHAREWARE -
"Shareware" is a software distribution method which enables
the potential user to obtain software at very low initial
cost, for evaluation on a trial basis.
You can evaluate the software in your own environment, on your
own machine, with the programs and data that you normally use.
You're not required to become a registered user unless the
software meets your needs.
Another benefit of Shareware is lower pricing. By minimizing
the marketing and advertising expenses associated with more
traditional software distribution methods, Shareware products
can be priced lower. You don't pay for what you don't need or
use.
0-2
- LICENSE TERMS -
This product and its documentation are copyrighted and owned
solely by the author, who reserves all rights to any benefits
derived from it. It is distinctly separate from, and should
not be confused with, those categories of software known as
"public domain" or "freeware."
You are granted the right to use the evaluation version of
this software on a trial basis for a limited amount of time,
to decide whether to continue using (and therefore whether to
register) the product. You can share the evaluation version
of this software with others, so long as the limitations set
forth in the DISTRIBUTION AUTHORIZATION section below are
followed.
- REGISTRATION -
When you send in the registration form and fee, you'll receive
by return mail a diskette containing the latest REGISTERED
VERSION of the program and documentation. It will NOT include
the Evaluation Menu front end of this version. Thus it will
be easier to use, from either the DOS prompt or from batch
files, and will also be 12K-15K bytes smaller, for more
efficient disk storage and faster loading. The registered
version WILL include any new functions or enhancements made
to date.
As a registered user, you can upgrade to newer versions
whenever they become available, for a total cost of 50
percent of the then-current registration fee.
REGISTRATION FORM and FEES
The registration form and a pre-addressed mailing cover
can be printed from the "Forms Printing" selection of
the Evaluation menu, discussed below.
The single-quantity registration fee is displayed on the
Evaluation Menu screen. Each registered copy will be
licensed for operation at a single location (on a single
terminal or computer) at any one time. To use the software
on more than one terminal or computer at the same time, the
appropriate number of registrations must be made.
Multiple-quantity registration fees are displayed in
the "QUANTITY DISCOUNT" section of the Evaluation menu.
You can take advantage of quantity discounts by ordering
multiple registrations of one program or of several
different programs at the same time. You also save on
shipping and handling charges by registering several
products together.
0-3
- EVALUATION VERSION -
This software contains the complete and fully functional
version of the program, the latest available at the time of
this release.
The program itself is identical to the REGISTERED version.
For evaluation, a front end menu containing a documentation
file viewer and forms printer have been added to ensure that:
(a) Registration information and forms will not become
separated from the program file.
(b) Users who might be unfamiliar with the process of
displaying a file's contents on the screen or printer
will have no difficulty learning about, evaluating
or registering this product.
- DISTRIBUTION AUTHORIZATION -
Shareware catalog/disk distributers, Online services,
Bulletin Board systems, user groups and private individuals
are authorized to distribute the evaluation version of this
software by any convenient means, so long as the program,
documentation and any associated files are distributed
together and unaltered.
- EVALUATION MENU -
The program is invoked from the DOS prompt by typing its name
and pressing the RETURN/ENTER key. An initial screen displays
warranty and program information, then the Shareware Product
EVALUATION MENU with the following functions:
ESC - EXIT to DOS
R - READ the documentation (THIS file)
x - EVALUATE this program
Q - QUANTITY Discount information
F - FORMS printing menu - registration & mailer
"R" displays this file one screen at a time, and prompts...
<DownArrow> or Esc
<DownArrow> indicates more is available, similar to the "MORE"
prompt in other DOS utilities. Press a normal typing key such
as the spacebar to continue, or the ESCape key to return to
the Evaluation Menu.
- VIRUS CONCERNS -
If you'd like to evaluate this software but you're not sure
where it's been, order a copy directly from the source. See
the SHAREWARE PRODUCT CATALOG in the CATALOG.TXT file.
PhLBL-1
- NEW IN THIS VERSION -
Default data file now contains a sample mass-mailing advert-
ising postcard using multiple printer attributes.
New "reLoad" command reloads the current data file, for faster
editing/testing cycles during complex layouts.
Modified "Ruler" command displays each line's number and
printer attribute.
Print Quantity limit has been increased to 999.
"Printing n of n" is displayed while printing.
- INTRODUCTION -
Label printers seem to come in two forms: too simple for
versatility, or too complex for occasional use without a
refresher course.
This program began as a "quick and easy" label printer;
most of the advanced features it's gained along the way
are optional and can be ignored if not needed. When needed,
they're shown in several help screens, and explained more
fully in the following sections.
PHLBL provides easy, rapid locating and printing of your most
frequently used labels, cards and tags, such as return address
labels or rotary file cards and postcards for advertising.
For extensive mailing lists or labels sorted by name or zip
code, you may also need a dedicated mailing list manager.
- OVERVIEW -
PHLBL loads, displays and prints labels stored in pure ASCII
(American Standard Code for Information Interchange) disk
files.
For ease of use, PHLBL can load a default data file whenever
run. Or it will display a "pick" window of some or all files
in a subdirectory, then prompt for selection. Either way,
you don't have to remember file names.
In its default configuration, PHLBL prints up to 5 lines of
text, using draft mode, on standard 15/16-inch-high labels.
PhLBL-2
- OVERVIEW - continued
By embedding optional commands in the label data file, PHLBL
can be directed to print on various sizes of label/card stock,
using a number of different printer attributes. Optional
commands are available to:
Add non-printing comment lines.
Add blank lines within labels.
Change from draft mode to 9 other printer attributes (each
line can have a different printing attribute).
Change the left margin setting.
Change the label height to 1 through 15 lines.
Change the inter-label skip setting to 1 through 99 lines.
Add embedded date and time printing commands.
Adding and editing labels can be done using the word processor
or text editor that you're already familiar with, so there
won't be any strange new word processor commands to learn.
Text is entered in the same format as the label, card or tag
to be printed.
If your editor has import capabilities, blocks of text in
other files or applications can be marked and transferred
into label data files.
- GETTING STARTED -
To print this manual, use the command
COPY PHLBL.DOC LPT1
Files included in this distribution:
PhLBL.DOC - manual (this documentation file)
PhLBL.EXE - executable program
PhLBL.LBL - default data file
The default label data file PhLBL.LBL demonstrates some of
PHLBL's features and capabilities. Begin by entering
PHLBL <return>
on the DOS command line. PHLBL loads the default data file
automatically, as long as it can be found in the current drive
and directory or on the currently set path.
When loading is completed, press function key F1; the first
help screen explains menu selections and the keys used to move
up and down through the data file. Other screens summarize
the special commands and line attribute characters.
PhLBL-3
- GETTING STARTED - continued
The complete contents of PHLBL.LBL, including comments and
special commands, can be viewed later with a file browser or
text editor. For now, step through the label and card entries;
some contain descriptive text rather than actual labels.
Print a few sample labels to view the effects of the various
printing attributes. Change the Margin Settings to determine
those most useful with your printer, or to print on multi-
width label stock. Then read the Data Storage and Data File
sections below to begin setting up your own label data.
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS -
PC, XT, AT or compatible.
DOS version 2.1 or later.
256K or more RAM recommended.
Maximum number of labels per data file depends on the amount
of user memory (RAM) free after DOS, PHLBL and any
memory-resident utilities are loaded.
The registered version (without the evaluation front end) uses
about 62K for operation, plus another 1310 bytes for each
label. A 640K system with no memory-resident utilities will
handle up to about 400 labels per data file. If the whole
data file won't fit in memory, the user is notified, then
normal operations continue.
An Epson-compatible dot matrix printer is needed if printer
attributes are used; most other printers will work for plain
(draft) labels.
PHLBL was developed using an Epson FX-85 dot matrix printer
with this default configuration at power-up:
Default pitch ......... Draft Pica
Horizontal spacing .... 10 Chars per inch
Vertical spacing ...... 6 Lines per inch
- INSTALLING -
The program can be run from diskette or from hard disk. No
installation is necessary, other than copying the files to a
drive and directory of your choosing. To run the program from
other than its resident drive or directory, specify its
location with the DOS PATH statement.
PhLBL-4
- HELP -
COMMAND LINE SYNTAX
Can't remember the command line syntax? Issue the program's
name without any parameters; it will load the default label
data file PHLBL.LBL if found in the current subdirectory, or
will display a file selection window containing files and
subdirectories accessible from this point.
HELP from within PHLBL
From the operating screen, function key F1 displays help
screens summarizing the navigation keys, menu selections,
special and attribute commands.
- SYNTAX -
PHLBL [filespec]
Where [filespec] is the file specification needed to reference
a file; it can also be shown as [d:][\path\][filename.ext].
Wildcard characters * and ? can be used in specifying
filenames and extensions.
If no filespec is entered, PHLBL will search for the default
data file PHLBL.LBL in the current drive and directory, and
any others specified in the DOS "PATH" statement. If not
found, a file selection window of the current directory will
be displayed.
For further information on filespecs and setting up a path,
see your DOS manual.
Examples of valid command lines:
PHLBL - loads default file PHLBL.LBL, if found,
or displays the file selection window.
PHLBL *.* - file selection window of current dir.
PHLBL A: - file selection window of A: root dir.
PHLBL C:\LA\*.L* - file selection window C:\LA, files *.L*
PHLBL MyFile.Lbl - loads MyFile.Lbl, or halts if not found.
Filespecs shown above are also valid from the main menu
"NewFile" command prompt.
PhLBL-5
- FILE SELECTION WINDOW -
A file selection "pick" window is displayed:
- When the command line argument (the filespec) includes DOS
wildcard characters.
- When no filespec is entered, but default file PHLBL.LBL is
not found in the current subdirectory (or on the path).
- When the main menu's "NewFile" command is selected, and
its prompt answered by a <Return> key with no filespec,
or a filespec containing wildcard characters.
The window displays a sorted list of files and/or directory
names (up to 500) that match the filespec entered. Normal
intensity is used for filenames, high intensity for
directories. A selection is made by moving the reverse-video
block to the desired location using the cursor arrow keys,
then pressing the <Return> key.
"..\" is the "parent" directory to the current one, so if
you're in C:\LA and select "..\", you'll get a list of files
in C:\, the root directory. By selecting directory names,
you can get a file list from anywhere on the current drive.
- OPERATING SCREEN -
After a data file has been loaded, the screen display appears;
line numbers are included here only for explanation purposes.
1 __PhLbl_______________________
2 |______________________________|
3 Label 1 of 20 File C:\LA\PHLBL.LBL
4 Tagged Margin 0 Lines/Skip 5/1 Attr BDDDD
5 .-------------------------------------------------------.
6 . This comment line begins with a period in column 1
7 .-------------------------------------------------------.
8 Label text line 1
. Label text line 2
. ...
. `-------------------------------------------------------'
24
25 F1 <Up-Dn> Print Tag Find Newfile reLoad Ruler Settings Esc
Line explanation:
1,2 - Program name/copyright block
3 - Label number (highlighted if first or last in file)
- Filespec of current data file.
4 - Tag/UnTag status window: blank if label not tagged.
- Margin setting:
May be embedded in the data file; can be changed
from the main menu's Settings submenu.
PhLBL-6
- OPERATING SCREEN - continued
Line explanation: continued
4 - Lines/Skip setting: defaults are 5/1.
Both can be embedded in data files;
Lines: height of label or other printing stock.
Skip: lines between labels.
- Printer Attributes assigned to this label:
One character for each line in the current label.
Default is D for Draft; others may be embedded in
the data file using the "@Axxx..." command.
5 - Comment border - displayed if comment is attached.
6 - one-line comment (if any) attached to current label.
7 - Label top border; can be switched to a ruler.
8 - One to fifteen lines display current label contents,
. depending on label length and Lines setting (described
. above). Label lines can be any length; however, only
. the first 79 chars will be displayed or printed.
n
n+1 Label bottom border; can be switched to a ruler.
24 - Message/Prompt window.
25 - Bottom line on the screen is the main menu.
- MENU FUNCTIONS -
Most of the menu functions are explained from within PHLBL by
pressing function key F1. Below are a few additional notes.
PGUP and PGDN
These keys provide larger movements than the UpArrow,
DownArrow and spacebar keys when navigating around large
data files; for each key press, they move up or down by
approximately 10% of the total labels in the data file.
PRINTING Submenu:
P - Print single label. For quick printing of single labels
from the main menu, press the "P" key twice.
Q - print Quantity of labels. Enter number of labels to
print, or press <Return> to accept default quantity,
or press <Escape> or <Q> again to avoid printing.
Pressing the Escape key during quantity printing will stop
the program from sending more labels to the printer.
However, if the printer includes text buffering, printing
will continue until the buffer is emptied. The surest way
to terminate printing in progress is to turn off the
printer's power switch.
PhLBL-7
- MENU FUNCTIONS - continued
TAG and UnTAG selections:
The main menu "T" key reverses the Tagged state of the
currently displayed label (if already tagged, that label
becomes untagged, and vise versa), then advances to the next
label. Tagged status is indicated by the word "Tagged" in
reverse video on the left side of line 4.
FIND Submenu:
L - find Label text (in first line of label)
C - find Comment line text
T - find Tagged label(s)
U - find UnTagged label(s)
Case is ignored in text searches. A search can be
repeated without reentering parameters by issuing
<Control-L>. To search from the beginning of the
data file, first return to the top by pressing
<Home> or <Control-PgUp>.
NewFile:
Use this command to select a different data file. Prompts
for a filespec, then either loads that file or displays
the file selection "pick" window.
ReLOAD:
This command is usually used after data file editing; it
reloads the same data file currently displayed by PHLBL.
After loading, ReLOAD attempts to access the label
displayed earlier, by counting through the labels to find
its prior position. If labels were added or deleted
before ReLOAD, the count will be off by the number added
or deleted.
RULER:
The ruler function is off at program start. Its status
depends on how many times the Ruler key (in the main menu)
is pressed:
1 - Ruler ON. Label top and bottom borders change to
horizontal scales. Line numbers and attribute
characters are displayed in reverse video columns
at one side of the screen.
2 - Ruler ON. Reverse video columns are repositioned
to the other side of the screen.
3 - Ruler OFF until selected again.
Whenever the ruler is on, a single press of the F1 help
key brings up the Printer Attribute Character help screen.
PhLBL-8
- MENU FUNCTIONS - continued
SETTINGS Submenu:
Contains selections for changing the left margin and the
printer assignment.
M - set printer left Margin. Changes the margin from the
default value or one set by an embedded "@Mxx"
command. Can be used to print on label stock wider
than "one-up". Enter new margin, or press <Return> to
accept default quantity, or <Escape> or <M> again to
escape.
P - select Printer number. Selects printer 1, 2 or 3, if
more than one printer installed. Default is printer
number 1. Enter new printer, or press <Return> to
accept default, or <Escape> or <P> again to escape.
- DATA STORAGE -
PHLBL works with any number of data files on any drive, so
labels can be stored in as many files as needed for
convenient handling.
Except for default data file PhLBL.LBL, whose name is not
changable, data files can use any legal DOS name, with or
without an extension.
Labels can be grouped by filename, extension, subdirectory,
and even by disk drive. Some examples:
Subdirectory \BIZ-INT (Business, internal)
Data files Inv.LBL (product inventory labels)
DiskLabl (diskette labels)
FileLabl (file folder labels)
RoloLabl (rotary file cards)
Govt.LBL (taxing authorities)
Subdirectory \BIZ-EXT (Business, external)
Data files Vendors.LBL (suppliers)
Customer.LBL (customer list)
MailList.1 (mailing list 1)
MailList.2 (mailing list 2)
Advert.Crd (mass-mailing ad postcards)
Subdirectory \PERSONAL
Data files Personal.LBL (personal contacts)
Xmas.LBL (Christmas card list)
Tape (audio, video cassette labels)
PhLBL-9
- DATA FILE FORMAT: DEFAULT -
Text is stored in the data file in the same format it will
have when output to the printer. An example of a data file
containing three very basic labels:
Label 1, line 1
Label 1, line 2
Label 1, line 3 These labels will use default
parameters for printing: Draft
Label 2, line 1 attribute, zero left margin,
and 5 lines per label.
Label 3, line 1
Label 3, line 2
One or more blank lines must separate a label from its
neighbors; any block of text without a blank line is
considered one label. A blank line contains only a carriage
return (entered by pressing the Return or Enter key). Blank
lines within a label are explained later.
- DATA FILE FORMAT: OPTIONS -
Any of the below options may be added to a data file to
override default parameters or add features. Sample data
file PHLBL.LBL contains examples of most of the options.
COMMENT LINE
Begins with a period (".") in column 1, and is ignored by
the label printer. Data files can include any number of
comment lines.
Comment lines separated from any label by a blank line are
not attached to any label, so are never displayed. Those
without a blank line below them are attached to the
following label.
The last comment line above a label is displayed on the
screen with that label, and its contents can be searched
using the "Find" function. It might be used to contain
control information, such as the date entered (for later
purging):
. 10-22-90 Customer ID 12345
or words and abbreviations for making label selections:
. Vendor label 1 of 3
PhLBL-10
- DATA FILE FORMAT: OPTIONS - continued
Some sample comment lines:
. This comment block is not attached to a label;
.....it can be used for internal notes.
. This comment displays with label, and is searchable.
Label One, line 1
. This comment line is NOT displayed on screen,
. nor is this one...
. but this comment line IS displayed, and is searchable.
Label Two, line 1
BLANK LINE WITHIN LABEL
Begins with a dash, "-" in column one, and can contain no
other characters. Forces a blank line within the label when
displayed or printed.
Label One, line 1
-
Label One, line 3
PRINTER ATTRIBUTE COMMAND LINE
Begins with @A in column one, and changes the printer's
default settings, beginning with the label following it.
Each attribute command remains in effect until changed; if
all labels in a file use the same set of non-default
attributes, only one command is needed at the top of the
file. Alternatively, any label can be given different
attributes by placing a command above that label. The
format is
@Axxx... where up to 15 attributes can be assigned, one
for each line in the longest label.
Any label line without an attribute letter will use the
attribute assigned to that line in a previous label (or
"Draft" default if it's the first label). To avoid
ambiguities, an attribute command should include a letter
for each line in the label(s) following it.
Attribute letters are the first letters of the possible line
attributes:
Bold, Compressed, Draft, Elite, Huge, Italic,
NearLetterQuality, Small, Underlined, Wide.
From within PHLBL, function key F1 displays a help screen
listing all line attributes and their corresponding
characters-per-inch parameters.
PhLBL-11
- DATA FILE FORMAT: OPTIONS - continued
Following the "@A", case and white space (spaces, tabs) are
ignored.
@Aiiiii Sets all five lines to ITALIC attribute.
@A I I I I I Same as above.
@A BcDeH Sets line 1 to BOLD attribute,
line 2 to COMPRESSED,
line 3 to DRAFT,
line 4 to ELITE,
line 5 to HUGE.
MARGIN SETTING LINE
Begins with @M in column one, and replaces the default left
margin. Margins are set in 0.10 inch increments, and can
range from 0 to 255. Default is zero. This example sets
the left margin to 42 for all subsequent labels (or until
another @M line is encountered):
@M42
LABEL HEIGHT SETTING LINE
Begins with @L in column one, and sets the maximum number of
printing lines in a label. Height can range from 1 through
15 lines; default is 5. This example sets label height to
12 lines:
@L12
An @A command should be used before or immediately following
an @L command, to assign attributes for each line.
Otherwise, each line will use a prior or default attribute.
INTER-LABEL SKIP SETTING LINE
Begins with @S in column one, and sets the number of lines
to be skipped after each label. Range can be from 0 through
99 lines; default is 1. A skip setting of 3:
@S3
To maintain correct label registration in the printer, the
sum of the height and skip settings must equal the number of
lines from the top of one label to the top of the following
label.
PhLBL-12
- DATA FILE FORMAT: OPTIONS - continued
EMBEDDED DATE, TIME COMMANDS
Begin in any column within a label. Cause the current
system date or time to be displayed on screen, and printed
when the associated label is printed. Example:
System date is !@DATE; system time is !@TIME.
- DATA FILE EDITING -
For basic operation, an editor and PHLBL can be run
alternately from the DOS prompt. If you have a standard text
editor with jump-to-DOS ("shell") capability, you can
create/edit the data file in it, then shell to DOS to run
PHLBL. For fast swapping, a pop up memory- resident editor
and/or task-switching software (DoubleDos, Software Carousel,
DesqView, etc.) can be used.
NEW DATA FILES
Several methods of getting label text into a data file:
* Type the text into an editor and save the file to disk.
* Many applications are capable of exporting data or
printing labels to a disk file in pure ASCII. The
file can then be edited as needed.
* While running other applications, import data to
a memory- resident editor by block marking and
transferring.
EXISTING DATA FILES
If the data already exists in a file:
Edit or add to it using any text editor. Whenever the
file is loaded in PHLBL, its full filespec is displayed
near the top of the screen.
To view new labels or changes:
Save the edited file to disk, then switch back to PHLBL.
If the file was previously loaded into PHLBL, reload it by
selecting "reLoad" from the main menu. Otherwise run
PHLBL and load the file. Finally, search for the label of
interest.
PhLBL-13
- DATA FILE EDITING - continued
LINE LENGTHS
A. DATA FILE LINE LENGTH
Comments and label lines can be any length in the data
file, but only the first 79 characters of each will be
displayed by PHLBL. Depending on the printer attribute
and the width of your output forms (labels, rotary file
cards, etc.), label text lines may have to be shorter
than 79 characters, as discussed below.
B. PRINTING LINE LENGTH
To print the maximum line length, you'll need to select an
appropriate attribute for the width of your label or card
stock.
In "Draft" mode (10 Cpi), a 79-character line is 7.9
inches long. The same line is only half that length when
"Small" mode (20 Cpi) is used.
To find the maximum line length for a particular
application...
Given: Cpi for default Draft mode 10
Label width 3.5 inches
Left Margin setting 5
If the left edge of the label is aligned with margin 0,
a margin of 5 shortens the printing area by 5/10ths
inch, to 3.0 inches. At 10 Cpi, 3 inches will hold 30
characters.
LABEL HEIGHTS
Default values are used whenever a data file does not
include the "@Lnn" (label height setting) or "@Snn"
(skip lines setting) commands.
Label height in lines : max 15, default 5.
Lines skipped between labels: max 99, default 1.
On a 6 line per inch printer, the defaults handle 15/16th
inch high labels: five lines of text, one skip line between
labels.
PhLBL-14
- MISCELLANEOUS NOTES -
KNOWN LIMITATIONS with OLDER PRINTERS
Epson FX-85 (and possibly other models):
"Elite" mode is not available in IBM mode.
Epson FX-80 and its wide version, the FX-100:
"Small" mode will not print at 20 characters per inch, since
these printers don't accept Compressed and Elite attributes
at the same time. When sent a line with the attribute of
"Small", they print in Elite mode. To get the most compact
printing, use the Compressed attribute.
"NLQ" mode prints in draft on these printers, since they
don't include Near-Letter-Quality capability from the
factory.
LEFT MARGIN
If a margin setting is needed for your standard label/card
stock, you should only have to set it once, with an embedded
command near the top of each data file.
The Settings submenu "M" command can also be used to set the
left margin to another value. This might be necessary when
first setting up data files, or for nonstandard stock, or for
label sheets containing more than one label across.
For label stock wider than "one-up":
Print the left-most labels with the standard margin setting,
then run the labels through the printer again, with the
margin setting increased to print subsequent columns of
labels.
A manually set margin remains in effect until the program
is exited or a new data file is loaded. To keep a margin
permanently, it must be entered into the data file.
For typical usage with similar labels/cards/tags grouped
together in separate data files, only one setting for Left
Margin, Lines and Skip is usually needed in each data file.
PhLBL-15
- MISCELLANEOUS NOTES - continued
Printing Example
To print various labels from any one data file:
1 - Move through the data file and Tag each label to be
printed.
2 - Home or Ctrl-PgUp to move back to top of data file.
3 - Find/Tagged to search for first tagged label.
4 - Print to send each label to printer in selected
quantity.
5 - Ctrl-L to search for next tagged label.
6 - Repeat steps 4 - 5 until no more Tagged labels are
found.
- APPLICATIONS -
Typical output formats:
Labels...
Diskette, tape cassette labels
Cable and connector labels
Hardware bin labels
Parts inventory labels
Product pricing labels
Storage container labels
Recycling container labels (Glass, Plastic, Tin, ...)
Warning labels (Urgent, Rush, Fragile, ...)
Cover labels for reports, binders, notebooks
File folder labels
Address book entries
Mailing labels
Shipping labels
Name tags
Cards...
Mass-mailing advertising post cards
"3x5" index cards
Rotary file and Rolodex(tm) cards
Library circulation cards, catalog cards
PhLBL-16
- ERROR MESSAGES -
"Out of memory; file only partially loaded - Any key..."
Not enough memory is available to hold the complete data
file. Operations can continue, but some of the labels will
not be available. See the "SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS" section for
details.
Remedy: either unload some memory-resident utilities to free
up some memory, or reduce the size of the data file.
- DOS ERRORLEVEL -
Upon termination, the program returns a DOS ErrorLevel value
which indicates how the program ended, and which can be used
for subsequent operations in a batch file. For further
information, see the "IF ERRORLEVEL" batch command in your DOS
manual.
ErrorLevel List:
0 - Successful
2 - Specified file not found
3 - Input parameter is out of range.
4 - Input parameter contains an illegal character.
5 - Missing parameters.
27 - ESCaped out of a file selection window.
- VERSION HISTORY -
1.0 Initial release.
1.1 Added @Lnn command to handle larger labels, index and
rotary cards.
1.2 Added provision for selecting printer number.
1.3 Added a "pick" window for selecting data file.
1.4 Added Wide printer attribute (8.5 Cpi).
Corrections to Printer number selection/assignment.
1.5 Margin selection moved from Main menu to Print submenu.
Printing quantity selected is now retained during run.
2.0 Added new label movement commands, Tag/UnTag function.
Added Find function: searches for Tagged/UnTagged labels,
or text in comment or first line of label.
2.01 Documentation revisions.
2.1 Added advertising postcard example in default data file.
New "reLoad" command.
Enhanced "Ruler" cmd to show line numbers & attributes.
Increased Printing Quantity limit from 99 to 999.
Added display of the label number ("Printing n of n")
being output while printing.
Printer Ready checking changed to allow retries.
A-1
- SUPPORT -
The first user to document and report a problem that we
agree needs attention, will be sent a free upgrade with
the correction when it's been made. Registered users will
receive an upgraded registered version; unregistered
evaluators receive an upgraded evaluation version.
- PROBLEM RESOLUTION -
Things to try prior to reporting a problem:
1 - Reread the documentation to make sure you understand
what we thought we understood when we wrote it.
2 - If the system reports "Bad command or file name" when
you attempt to run the program, its executable file
(or at least the file name you specified) was not found.
First, make sure no typos or misspellings have crept into
your command line; next, try changing your PATH setting,
or make the drive & directory where the program resides
the "current" drive & directory.
3 - If the program is being run from a batch file, try
deleting lines previous to the line that actually invokes
the program, to see if some prior activity is causing the
problem.
4 - If you have any memory-resident or "TSR" utilities
installed (pop-up calculators/note pads, keyboard
enhancements, etc.), try removing them from memory and
running the program again to see if the problem reoccurs.
- REPORTING A PROBLEM -
If the problem persists, please document it as thoroughly as
possible; we have to be able to duplicate it before we can
begin to resolve it. Include at least the following:
1 - Problem program's name and version number.
2 - Where and how you obtained the problem program.
3 - Address and/or phone number where you can be contacted.
4 - Version of DOS you are using.
5 - Machine type, drives, memory, etc.
6 - Programs executed prior to the problem.
7 - Anything that might relate to the problem; for example,
listings of your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files, or
any batch files used to run the program.
8 - Any relevant printouts.
A-2
- REPORTING A PROBLEM - continued
NOTE: Registered users receive the utility UserResp.Exe on the
distribution diskette; it can be used to print a
pre-addressed mailer and a problem report.
- CUSTOM MODIFICATIONS -
If custom modifications to this software are needed for your
particular application, please write to the below address with
complete details of your requirements.
- CORRESPONDENCE -
We welcome any comments or suggestions you might have
concerning improvements and future enhancements to this
product. Send all correspondence and orders to:
Phil Herron
P.O. Box 1288
Battle Ground, Washington USA 98604
I-1
- INDEX -
!@date 12 File selection window 4,5
!@time 12 Filespec 4,5,6
@Axxx cmd 6,10 Find 7,9
@Lnn cmd 13 Function key 2,4,10
@Mxx cmd 8 Help screen 2,7,10
@Snn cmd 13 Highlighted label number 5
Applications 15 Home key 7,15
ASCII 1,12 Huge attribute 10
Attribute, printer 2,6,10 Import 2,12
Bad command or file name A-1 Installing 3
Basic labels 9 Intensity 5
Blank line separator 9 Italic attribute 10
Blank line within label 2,10 Jump-to-DOS 12
Bold attribute 10 Label height 11,13
Characters-per-inch 10 Label registration 11
Command line argument 5 Left margin 8,11,14
Comment 3,6,9 Line lengths 13
Compressed attribute 10 Lines per inch 3
Control-L 7,15 Loading 2
Control-PgUp 7,15 Margin 8,11,14
Cursor arrow keys 5 Margin setting 3,5
Custom Modifications A-2 Mass-mailing 1,8,15
Dash 10 Memory-resident 3,12,A-1
Data File Format 9,10 Menu 2,4,6
Data file won't fit in memory 3 Multi-width label 3
Data storage legal DOS name 8 Navigating 4,6
Data storage subdirectory 8 New in this version 1
Date, time 12 NewFile cmd 4,5,7
Default configuration 3 Near-Letter-Quality 10,14
Default data file 1,2,4,5,8,9 NLQ 10,14
Default pitch 3 Notes, misc. 14
Default printer 8,10 One-up 8,14
DOS Errorlevel 16 Operating screen 4,5
DOS version 3 Optional cmds 2
Dot matrix 3 Out of memory 16
DownArrow 6 Override default 9
Draft attribute 10 Parent directory 5
Draft labels 1,3 Path 2,3,4,5,A-1
Editing - data file 12 Period comment delim 5,9
Elite attribute 10,11,14 PgDn, Pgup 6
Embedded DATE, TIME cmds 12 PhLBL.DOC 2
Embedding optional cmds 2 PhLBL.EXE 2
Epson-compatible 3 PhLBL.LBL 2,4,5,8,9
Error messages 16 Pick window 1,5,7
Example data storage 8 Postcard 1,8,15
Example printing 15 Pre-addressed mailer A-2
Example printing line length 13 Print buffer 6
Exporting 12 Print quantity 1,6
File browser 3 Print single 6
File name 1,4,A-1 Print terminate 6
I-2
- INDEX - continued
Printer assignment 8 Status window 5
Printer attributes 3,6,10 Subdirectory 1,4,5
Printer limitations 14 Support A-1
Printer power switch 6 Syntax 4
Printing Submenu 6 System date 12
Printing the manual 2 System requirements 3
Problem Reporting A-1 System time 12
Prompt 1,5,6 Tabs 11
Purging 9 Tag 5,7,15
RAM 3 Task-switching 12
ReLoad cmd 1,7 Text buffering 6
Return key 5 Text editor 2,3,12
Reverse video 5,7 Underlined attribute 10
Root directory 5 UnTag 5,7
Ruler 1,6,7 UpArrow 6
Search for default data file 4 UserResp.Exe A-1
Search for text 7 White space 11
Settings submenu 8 Wide attribute 10
Skip, inter-label 11,14 Wildcard 4,5
Small attribute 10 Word processor 2
Spaces 11