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-
- String Communication
- and
- Understanding Perfect Writer
-
-
- Humans have been communicating with each other for a long time. Words
- are the most recent medium for this communication, and the written word is a
- very recent event in our evolutionary history.
-
- Before the wrtten word, people communicated verbally, like I am talking
- to you now. The brain was the storage medium, the mouth the output device
- and the ears handled input. You can't even say it was simpler back when,
- because it's still pretty simple.
-
- The experts in mass communication were the town criers, and while they
- had to watch their techniques in areas like volume (both loudness and
- quantity) and enunciation. If you asked one of them about things like
- 'indentations,' 'footnotes,' and 'page breaks,' , they would probably think
- you were talking about nooks in walls, musical toes, and a small messenger
- boys with broken limbs.
-
- Such things were technical solutions to the new idea of putting words on
- paper. A Margin, for example, gave the reader a 'handle' to hold onto the
- page as he read with the added benefit that dirt and grease from the hands of
- multiple readers was less likely to obscure the writing over time. If you
-
- consider the extravagant cost of the media* allowing for these technical
- needs was expensive indeed.
-
- So communication was and still is, a long string of words, with the only
- breaks or changes used for emphasis, or change in subject or direction. That
- pause in writing is known as the paragraph.
-
- Visualise a length of string. It is simply a way of visually picturing
- verbal communication. A piece of string has a beginning and end, and the
- kinks where you pull it off the ball (Your Brain) are the ends of complete
- sentences. As you pause, tie a knot to indicate the pauses, or paragraphs.
- A little tail could be a note that would be included in parenthenthasis, and
- a colored piece of yarn tied to the string as a reminder is the same as a
- footnote. As you talk the words come out without being cut to fit on a piece
- of paper, and talking dosn't need things like page numbers and margins.
-
- Now before some of you give up because you can't figure out how this
- relates to a word processing program, let me try to connect the two. When we
- were taught to write in school (not to communicate, we already knew how to
- talk) the emphasis was more on how it was going to fit on the paper than what
- the contents were. So we were taught to think of writing visually rather
- than as a way to transmit an idea. Ironically, when the situtation was
- reversed, reading, we were taught to relate only to the contents, not to the
- visual layout on the paper.
-
- As a result, writers switching over to computers are distracted,
-
- ----------
- *. Paper was very expensive in the beginning
-
- confused and angered if what they see on the screen is different from what
- they get on paper. Most of the popular wordprocessing programs like Wordstar
- cater to that 'learned' need, by making the screen look as much like the
- finished page as possible. The guy who wrote Perfect Writer took a different
- approach, and although I think he wrote one hell of a program, many of us
- 'pre-computer' folks can't or have a hard time with the program.
-
- As usual, the documentation of Perfect Writer is the main culpurt in
- this story. Not that it is that bad, but it has a large, vital chunk missing
- that would be necessary to transition the user from the beginner stage to the
- serious user stage. The documentation for perfect writer is, like most
- programs, terrible. While the beginner section does an adequate job of
- teaching the commands to move around the text, and the advance section is a
- well indexed reference manual for using most of the potential, nowhere is
- there any transition section explaining how the program is structured and how
- to use it to its greatest potential. Even if the user is dedicated to the
- program, his chances of stumbling upon clues is remote. In short, they tell
- you how to push the keys, but they neglect to inform the user at any time the
- concept of the program, how it works, how it is going to deal with those
- valuable words you are keying in.
-
- To begin with, Perfect Writer is a program for those who want to deal
- with words rather than how how they are going to look on paper. I takes the
- words from you like a box would take the length of string as you wound it off
- the ball. Even though the program 'wraps' the words for appearance on the
- screen, it is going to ignore those carriage returns when it prepares the
- file for the printer. It takes the entire string and pays attention only
- when you 'pause' with two carriage returns.
-
- The first of the three working programs in Perfect Writer is "PW.COM".
- This is the editor which is used primarily for shuffling around or correcting
- the words that you have already keyed in. In addition, the writer has the
- option of putting in commands that can affect the placement of the words on
- the final printout. Examples would be longer pauses, like chapter or section
- breaks, or notes that will appear (or not appear) in the final printout.
-
- Using the editor is fairly straightforward, except for the somewhat
- obtuse commands used for moving around in, plus marking and deleting parts of
- your text. What's missing are the commands to control the appearance of the
- text, and that is the powerful and totally automatic part of Perfect Writer.*
-
- Now, back to this wad of string in the box. Think of it as the output
- from using the Perfect Writer.COM program where the writer is allowed to
- charge ahead with his writing only. As you saw, or rather heard, that works
- fine verbally, but not visually. We move on to the second Perfect Writer
- program, "PF.COM" or Perfect Formatter. This is the meat of Perfect Writer,
- for where the writer wants to deal with words rather that page and chapter
- headings, margins, pagebreaks and footnote placements, Perfect Formatter
- knows how and does it well.
-
- Tucked away on the program disk is a small file called "PF.DAT" It
- contains the information on how the pages should look, margins, spaces
- between paragraphs, page and print size, how to handle footnotes and chapter
- headings and numbering. In addition it came from the factory with
-
- ----------
- *. Actually, the commands are there, but since the program is designed to
- work automatically, these commands are not documented or discussed. To find
- them you will have to sleuth through Appendix C of the Perfect Writer Manual.
-
-
- information on how to deal with 16 different printers, and the user can
- change or replace any or all to new and different types (The laser printers
- for example) or even sixteen ways to use one printer. If you're greedy,
- using multiple disks, the number of configurations is limitless.
-
- Now when you set the Perfect Formatter program loose, it goes to work on
- a copy of the text you have written like a pair of sissors and a bucket of
- paste, cutting and hacking away at the text a page at time while refering to
- the "PF.DAT" file for its information on how much to cut and where to paste
- it on the paper. The result, the wad of string comes out in neat acceptable
- form. Even the footnote is tacked where it should be.
-
- The power of setting up a program like this has several advantages.
- Since the raw text is independent of the final form. Many formats, both
- standard and customized, can be set up initially, and different final outputs
- can be selected at any time without modifying the original text.
-
- OK, you've finished the great American novel, and your finished
- manuscript is ready for the publisher. The publisher returns it with a note
- that says he's not going to read it unless you submit it double spaced,
- printed on a better printer with your name and the title of the work on the
- top of every page, plus he would like a copy on disk to the same
- specifications.
-
- Without touching the original manuscript file, Perfect Writer will
- reformat and reprint to your new specifications and create a disk file to the
- same specs, complete with margins, headings and screen or page size breaks.
-
- Again, the 'formatting' program is where this is accomplished. Perfect
- Formatter takes the text that you have written in string form, unbroken
- except for two carriage returns to indicate paragraphs, plus various other
- imbedded notes like chapter and section headings, looks at the 'device' that
- you have specified, either in the file or when calling up Perfect Formatter,
- then goes to the 'PF.DAT' file to figure out how the text will fit on the
- page to satisfy you. Since the text is in basic form, variables such as line
- lengths, page breaks, justification, and even the amount of paragraph
- indentation will be figured, and the 'string' of text chopped up to fit on
- the specific paper in the specific printer.
-
- Also, if you change the page size or the type size, that will affect the
- table of contents and the index, so the two are not created until the
- formatting is finished and the location of the chapters and indexed words
- known, again all automatically.
-
- The original text file is simply copied for this operation, and left
- untouched following the formatting. If a second output is necessary with
- changes in spacing, a different printer, or even written to a disk file in an
- easy to read format, it can be accomplished immediately after the first
- formatting is done.
-
- I could put down the step by step processes here, but with the above
- information in mind, go back to the manual and see if it makes more sense now
- that you know how the program functions. What now follows are some examples
- of some interesting features in Perfect Writer that are not very well
- documented.
-
-
-
- Making use of Environment Commands
-
- The @Environment commands are what makes PW worth using. The manual has
- a pretty good explanation of what each one does and there are Twenty four
- listed on my keyboard cheat sheet. These are the commands that allow text
- written in string form broken by double carriage returns to be reformed
- according to special display needs. One example is the @Description format
- that I used for the last part of this document. Another that I use quite a
- bit is the @Level command that numbers and indents paragraphs for lists.
-
- These are fun to experiment with by using a copy of a long text file and
- inserting @BEGIN(a format command) and @END(same format command) commands
- every few paragraphs, then formatting to console or printing out the file to
- see the results. One hint--The @BEGIN and @END commands should not have a
- blank line between them and the effected paragraph or you will get some
- strange results.
-
-
- Special Techniques
-
- One major complaint is that Perfect Writer can't handle columns well. I
- think the program's author had in mind that people dealing with columns would
- probably be using either a database or spreadsheet program. While Perfect
- Writer can't create and modify them very easily, it is very easy to import
- the output from other programs. Create an output file using your database or
- spreadsheet program, then do an insert (Ctrl-X, I) between a @BEGIN(Verbatim)
- and a @END(Verbatim) so that Perfect Formatter dosn't try to reform the
- columns into paragraphs.
-
-
- Page no. 00001
- 02/27/86
-
- Demonstration file for Perfect Writer from dBASE II
-
- LAST NAME FIRST NAME MATE CITY STATE HOMEPHONE
- ________________|____________|_______|_______________|______|_________________
-
- AMEN KELLY GALE HOUSTON TX
- BERGUM JUDY BRUCE AUSTIN TX
- BLAND PAM PAUL BROOKLYN 0181
- BUNDY STEVI 327-9343
- CAVANAUGH Jim Ingrid 250-1702
- CHAUNCEY Tamara Austin Tx 444-0507
-
- This is a dBase II output that was created with dBase II and the 'Form'
- command and directed to a file. Sticking it between the BEGIN and END
- commands will keep it in good shape when it the final draft gets formatted.
-
- If you are doing a lot of repetative typing such as business letters,
- create a file with all the standard headings and formatting information.
- Stop, don't handle it as another file or buffer. That is both cumbersom and
- leads to the chance of inadvertantly modifying the template. Use Ctrl-X, I
- to insert templates, and they don't take up buffer space and are immune to
- damage by inadvertant saves.
-
- The MSS extent can be useful. When using any of the programs other than
- the editor, they will automatically look for the extension .MSS so that it
- does not have to be typed in every time. If you are using a DOS version of
- Perfect Writer, it may automatically add it using the edit program as well.
- Coupling this with short filenames and changing the default drive when you
- start using Perfect Writer, many keystrokes can be saved.
-
- The 'MENU.COM' program that is the most common way to run Perfect
- Writer, is simply a key push program. Every thing that is done while in the
- menu, can be done from the A> prompt. On the old single sided drive machines
- where disk space had high value, removing the 'MENU.COM' program was a good
- move. For example, when you select 'E' and fill in the filename when asked.
- The program effectively goes to the A> prompt, and types "PW filename <CR>"
- (without the quotes.) Again, the documentation is silent on this option, but
- does note that if you watch the bottom of the menu closely while you use it,
- you can learn the commands.
-
- There is a supplimental freeware 'MENU.COM' program by Douglas Sears
- that is available from our library that is available that is much improved
- over the original Perfect Writer Menu. In addition to allowing the user to do
- things like change the default drive, and read the directory while typing in
- selections. It also leaves the formatting information, with error line
- numbers on the screen unlike the original which pops back instantly, and
- wipes it out.
-
- It is still important to see how the final output is going to look
- before we commit the writing to the printer. On your initial formatting, use
- the menu selection that sends the output to the console. Aha, you say, "It
- doesn't look at all like what will eventually come out of the printer." Bad
- documentation again. Select 'D' after the 'C' selection and type in the name
- of the printer format you will be using. The results using 'C' alone will
- vary according to the definition given to "Console", but if followed by a
- device selection, margins, pagebreaks, footnote placement and everthing else
- will be correct.
-
- The screen, however, may not be large enough to display what might fit
- on a printed page, but even though the lines may be bent around to fit, the
- actual breaks and footnote placement will fall between the text as
- indicated.
-
- If you must use the original menu, rename it something like 'M.COM' so
- that the programs can't call it after an operation, and then type "M<CR>"
- (without the quotes) after you copy the error information down. Go back into
- the file with Edit, and with the cursor at the beginning of the file, type
- ESC then the line number, then the down arrow. If you typed in 213, in
- response to an error on line 213 for example, the computer will push the down
- arrow 213 times and the cursor will end up one line past the error.
-
- Perfect Writer makes heavy use of "Control Characters." For someone used
- to an old manual typewriter, they can really slow you down. There are
- several companies out there making good money selling programs to make using
- these commands easier, but without laying out a penny, the numeric keypad can
- be reconfigured to issue the control keys with one finger. The program is on
- the Kaypro CP/M disk labled 'CONFIG.COM' To use it, put the CP/M disk in A
- and the Perfect Writer program disk in B and type "CONFIG<CR>" (Again, no
- quotes) and follow the instructions with the hex values listed below. When I
- finally got my nerve up to try it, I kicked myself. It's simplicity itself,
- and it makes Perfect Writer much easier to use.
-
-
- Example of a Numeric Keypad layout for Perfect Writer.
-
- ^A ^E ^Y ^C
- ^Z ^G ^B ^W
- ^V ^T ^F
- : ^S ^X
-
- The hex codes are;
-
- 01 05 19 03
- 1A 07 02 17
- 16 14 06
- 3A 13 18
-
- Using the keypad results in the following
- (Starting with the top left key)
-
- Beginning of line, End of line, Yank text, Kill Line/Quit
- Back Screen, Cancel command, /Buffer Directory,Wipe/Write
- Forward Screen, Transpose letters, /Find File
- Colon (:), Search/Save, Extended Command/ (use with commands
- clustered around this key.)
-
- OK, you've finished pounding the keys and are ready to back out of the
- program. Now is the time to check on the "*" symbol to find out how safe
- things are. When you do the revision or additions on the screen, the
- contents of the disk file don't change. The only time the file on the disk
- is modified is when a "save" or a "write" is executed. Although a "File
- Written" message appears, the text can be altered considerably before the
- message disappears. The presence of the "*" next to the percentage cursor
- position in the bottom line or in the buffer directory ( CTRL X CTRL B)
- indicates that the text in the buffer is different than the text in the disk
- file. In short if you CTRL X CTRL C when the "*" is showing you will loose
- everything since the last save.
-
- The biggest trick to getting the most out of Perfect Writer is
- understanding the "PFCONFIG" program. This intimidating program holds much
- of the power of this wordprocesser, but most Perfect Writer users have never
- been near it. Here is where you give Perfect Writer the Basics of what you
- want your text to look like. The Two sections of direct interest are the
- Perfect Writer Default Style Parameters, and the Printer Definitions.
-
- To use it begin with A drive as the default (The CP/M prompt says A>),
- put the Perfect Writer Edit disk in drive A and the "Installation Disk" in B,
- and type B:PFCONFIG<CR>.
-
- The main thing that you need to know while setting up the default style
- parameters is that an inch equals 2540 micas. If you remember anything about
- the metric system, you should notice that a mica is 1/100th of a millimeter.
- Here you can set the margins, indentation, space between lines and paragraphs
- and just about every aspect of how the page is laid out. Go easy at first,
- only change one thing at a time, then use it and see how it looks.
-
- The good news is that nothing here is set in concrete. It only takes a
- couple of minutes to re-enter the PFCONFIG program and change it OR you have
- the option of adding an @STYLE line at the beginning of the text and making a
- one time change like double or triple spacing. The bad news is that whatever
- you change will be recorded. There are examples in the manual that will
- allow you to change them back if you goof up but it would be wise to make a
- backup copy of your PF.DAT file.
-
- Finally, the printer definitions. Kaypro used a shotgun approach in
- setting up the 16 that are included to hit as many printers as possible, then
- set the default (plain) so that it would be as inoffensive (and as a result
- ineffectual) as possible. Armed with your printer manual, and perhaps help
- from someone who understands the printer codes better than you and flesh out
- 'plain' and make it dynamite. The printer codes are entered directly here,
- using the 'ESC' key and Ctrl characters from the keyboard. Using these
- initilization codes is how you set up the large or small type and make
- modifications in the sizes of the type. This capability makes the use of a
- laser printer with Perfect Writer very attractive.
-
-
- Neat Tricks
-
- Wrap Feature In Perfect Writer is set below the maximum screen size.
- This is necessary so that 'Verbatim' text will fit on a
- standard piece of paper with margins. Using the set fill
- command, up to twenty percent more text can be displayed
- on the screen at a time. Type the command "<ESC>77 Ctrl-X
- F" without the quotes or spaces, and the typed lines will
- go to the maximum width of the screen before being
- 'Wrapped.' If you need to do a verbatim printout on a wide
- carriage printer, the line length can be set to any
- length, useful, say, if you were importing a wide file
- made by your spreadsheet program.
-
- Ctrl-Q Want to have complete control over your printer codes? It
- is possible to place control and escape codes directly
- into the text from the keyboard in the editor. Type a
- Ctrl-Q and then press either a control character or Esc,
- and it will be both inserted and displayed on screen.
- Simplest example? You are working in a file that will not
- be formatted, but may be printed out using the Type
- command and a Crtl-P If you insert a couple of Ctrl-L's at
- the very end of the file, they will go to the printer and
- eject the paper after the file has been printed.
-
- Switching Buffers Can be easier than it appears. Once you have made the
- initial switch by typing in the buffer name, subsequent
- switches may be made by simply hitting a carriage return
- after a CTRL-X, B.
-
- Undocumented Commands
- The undocumented commands in Perfect Writer are the
- gateway to both increased usefullness of the program and
- the thrill of unraveling a mystery. As I have wandered
- through this program, I have slowly discovered its
- evolution. All the commands are there for on-screen
- formatting and inserting printer codes. If you were so
- inclined, it would be possible to do most of the
- formatting using the editor.
-
- Ctrl-W Will remove the last text yanked back. For example, if
- you paste something in the wrong place, hit Ctrl-W (wipe
- region). The region turns out to be the last yanked back
- text. Move to the right place and Ctrl-Y again.
-
- <ESC> W Will copy a marked region without removing it. Then move
- to the place or buffer you want to past the text to and
- hit Ctrl-Y. This is for nervous writers who don't like
- text to disappear for copy or moving operations.
-
- Ctrl-X, Ctrl-X Will swap the current cursor position and the last mark
- you set (<ESC> space). This is very useful for moving
- back and forth between widely separated portions of text
- in a long file.
-
- Tab Spacing "<ESC> 5 <TAB>" will reset the tab spacing to five spaces.
- Use any number you like. Remember, the only time that the
- tab will be retained on a printout is in a Verbatim
- environment!
-
-
- Mechanical help
-
- Ram Disks A RAM disk will speed up Perfect Writer to meet the needs
- of the most demanding writer. Swapping happens so fast
- that the Swap message is barely visible on the screen.
- The same kind of speed up in other operations such as
- reforming paragraphs can be achieved with a 2.5 to 4 mhz
- kit.
-
- Using a Ramdisk Name it A drive and load the .COM and .DAT files to it.
- You can then process files on two disks. For formatting
- large files, transfer them to Ram also and output to the
- Ramdisk, space permitting. Formatting and printer outputs
- happen about five times faster.
-
- Printer Buffers Printer buffers not only free up the computer and save
- wear on the disks and drives, but the printing actually
- takes less time because there are no printer pauses
- waiting for the computer to process and respond.
-
- External Monitors These make a large difference in stress and fatigue. In
- addition, my Kaypro's internal screen twitches when the
- drives cut in and out, but the external monitor is always
- steady as a rock.
- can be achieved with a 2.5 to 4 mhz
- kit.
-
- Using a Ramdisk Name it A dr