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Ansi/Avatar/Ascii In RIP
- Version 2.02 -
(C)Copyright 1993, Rand Nowell - RaLin Enterprises
"Putting Bits Together" (tm)
- P R O G R A M D O C U M E N T A T I O N -
( FREEWARE Evaluation Release!)
-=[ TABLE OF CONTENTS ]=-
Copyright.........................................1
Distribution......................................1
Disclaimer......................................1,2
Overview........................................2,3
AIR.LOG - The logfile.............................3
Running AIR.......................................3
Command Line with parameters..................4,5
Command Line with "Command File"..............5,6
Interactive Mode............................6,7,8
Commands and Colors.............................8,9
Editing Keys....................................8
Color Codes.....................................9
External Lists.................................9,10
Format of AIR screens............................10
Available Frame Templates.....................10,11
Creating a screen file.....................11,12,13
Error Levels..................................13,14
Why Register?.................................14,15
Your Suggestions.................................15
Submit your screen for use in AIR..............15
Author Contact................................15,16
Support..........................................16
Acknowledgements..............................16,17
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 1
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ COPYRIGHT ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
AIR, Ansi/Avatar/Ascii In RIP, the program and documentation,
are not a Public Domain program. It is the
(C)Copyrighted 1993 work of Rand Nowell dba Ralin Enterprises.
All rights are reserved. Copying, duplicating, selling or otherwise
distributing this product except as noted in the Distribution Policy
below is a violation of Federal Copyright Law.
This version is released as FREEWARE. A Registered version is available,
with several more options.
Though this copy is FREEWARE, the author maintains all Copyrights to
code, documentation etc.
If you would like to receive the Registered version, fill out AIR.REG.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ DISTRIBUTION ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
1. Feel free to distribute the Evaluation copy of this program as
often as you like to any interested parties. Distribution to
Electronic Bulletin Boards is encouraged.
2. Please do not distribute this program without all the original
related files such as documentation, readme files, registration
forms etc.
3. Please distribute ONLY the original authenticated ZIP format file.
4. Please obtain our written permission before including the program
with any "bundled" software packages.
5. Please do not accept payment for the program; a copying fee of
$5.00 per diskette may be charged by a non-profit user-group.
6. Please do not alter the program or documentation in any way.
7. Individuals, groups, vendors or other software distribution
companies which market diskettes containing shareware or test-drive
evaluation programs, for profit, must obtain written permission
from RaLin Enterprises prior to distribution. This will insure that
you have the most current copy.
DISTRIBUTION of the REGISTERED version of this program is in
violation of the license agreement and copyright law.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ *** DISCLAIMER *** ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This program is supplied "as is" without warranty of any kind. The
entire risk of using, and results from the use of, is assumed by you
the user. You assume all costs of repair, servicing and corrections
stemming from the use of this program.
Rand Nowell and/or RaLin Enterprises, or any other associated
company of the program author will not be held liable for any
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 2
damages from the use of this program. No warranties are expressed or
implied.
********************************************************************
To the original licensee of the REGISTERED version of the program,
RaLin Enterprises DOES warrant that the program disk(s) on which the
program is recorded, be free from defects in material and
workmanship under normal use and service for a period of (90) ninety
days from date of delivery as evidenced by your receipt. Our entire
liability and your exclusive remedy shall be replacement of the
defective disk not meeting the standards of this limited warranty.
And in no case shall exceed the cost of reimbursement of monies paid for
program registration.
The Author is not obligated to produce further versions of this program.
The Author also reserves the right to convert any SHAREWARE program, to
that of COMMERCIAL status without prior notice.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ OVERVIEW ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
AIR was created to allow Sysops to easily include Ansi,Avatar,Ascii screens
in a RIP graphic window.
It is being distributed as Limited FREEWARE, but a more useful and configurable
copy is available if you wish to register.
AIR can be run from a batch file, or in interactive mode. Here are a few
features:
Features.... {+} = in Registered copy only
a) Three modes to run in,
1) Command line mode with parameters
2) Command line mode with "Command File" {+}
3) User friendly interface, with picklists for files and colors.
b) Currently 10 pre-defined RIP frames available,
three with Mouse/Key button(s). More being added.
c) Edit the "Sysop Message" displayed in frame.
d) Specify color message is displayed in.
e) Testing mode, does not reset RIP text window, for test viewing.
f) Command to create samples of ALL available frames, samples contain a
ruler line, to show width allowed/wrap columns for text window.
g) Manual contains directions on how to set up a screen file to be used
with AIR, and the proper menu setup for the RemoteAccess BBS system.
h) AIR is FAST! Works great for BBS maintenance event.
i) Now uses external lists, that you create/maintain, to store
frequently used screen file names, and RIP file names.
j) AIR now maintains a LOG file, and logs all successful operations
as well as all errors. Nicely formatted and informational.
Though there is one feature de-activated in the Evaluation copy,
it is a fully functional program, and will serve you well as is.
Registration is not required, but if you want the extra features, and
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 3
updated releases, then........
NOTE: Due simply to file size, with the additions to AIR, we are no longer
including FLATVIEW from Jon Kent. Inclusion just makes the archive
much to large for many users to download.
The latest version will still be available from The RaLin BBS though.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ THE LOG FILE ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
All actions, be it a successful operation, or an error, are written to a
log file named AIR.LOG.
If this file exists in the current directory it will be used, if not it
will be created, or searched for, in the same directory that contains
AIR.EXE.
See the included file SAMPLE.LOG, which is an annotated example of
a log from a test session of AIR!.
Log entries are usually preceded by three characters, these are
supplied as "index markers" to tell you at a glance, what information
is in the entry line.
*** Precedes the Date and time of the first time the log is accessed
for the current session.
--- Precedes an information message.
### Precedes an ERROR message.
+++ Precedes the first line of a file creation message, which contains
the name of the A?? screen file used. The following lines for this
file, do not have the +++ in front of them.
This allows you to quickly find the beginning of each section
pertaining to a successful AIR/RIP creation.
For whatever purpose there might be, someone can use these character lines
to read the log file (with another program) and obtain information.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ RUNNING AIR! ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
There are three ways to run AIR, two command line modes, and one
interactive mode. They will be covered separately in the following text.
No matter which way you run AIR, the screen will display a program Name
and Copyright line at the top, and also display what copy you have. That
display will either say "FREEWARE Version" or "Registered Version"
You can type AIR ? for a command syntax Help Screen = OR =
AIR SAMPLES, to generate a sample of ALL screens available, named
SAMPLE1.RIP, SAMPLE2.RIP etc. These samples will contain a ruler line,to
advise you of what the wrap column is.
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 4
(NEW) If you give a directory name as in AIR <directory>, AIR will change
to that directory, and put you in interactive mode. All files created will
be created in that directory, considered the "working" directory.
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│Command Line with Parameters: │
└──────────────────────────────┘
Run AIR with parameters on the DOS command line. The Syntax is as such:
AIR <screenfile> <new rip file> <sysop message> <message color> <frame#> [TEST]
A minimum of 5 parameters must be used on the command line, else you are taken
into Interactive mode. The parameters in <> are required, [] are optional.
If more than 6 parameters are given, AIR will abort.
Parameters must have one space between them.
See note below on spaces in the Sysop Message.
Screenfile and RipFile can be 40 characters in length, but totaled together
with other parameters, cannot exceed the DOS maximum line length.
<screenfile>
Name of the file to display, Ansi/Avatar/Ascii. This file will be displayed in
the text window of the RIP frame that AIR creates. If the file cannot be
found, AIR will abort with an error message.
NOTE: The program RipTerm, the free communications program from
TeleGraphix, does not properly display Avatar files, so you may want to
limit your screens to Ansi and Ascii for now. While QModemPro, will display
the Avatar screen properly, it does not work well with the current 1.54 RIP
specs, and will incorrectly display many screens.
<new ripfile>
The name you wish to save the new Ansi/RIP file under, if for some reason
AIR cannot create the file, it will abort with an error message.
If you want the file created in a directory other than the current one,
supply a full path name. Up to 40 characters allowed.
<sysop message>
A message of up to 65 characters to be displayed in the RIP frame.
When you type the Sysop Message, use the underbar (_) to fill blank
spaces between words.
MESSAGE = The_Daily_News,_From___The_RaLin_BBS
do not put an underbar after the message.
<message color>
The color in which to display the Sysop Message. Color must be in HEX format,
if you type a lower case char, 0a instead of 0A, AIR will take care of the
conversion. A list of color numbers is provided at the end of this section.
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 5
<frame#>
Number of AIR/RIP frame to be used. If an invalid number is given, AIR will
abort with an error message.
[TEST]
This is an "optional" parameter, by default AIR writes code to the end of your
screen file, to reset the RIP text window, so any following BBS menu will have
the complete screen to display in. But if you want to do a test view of the
screen, with the supplied FLATVIEW.EXE, or any other program, using the TEST
keyword will inhibit the writing of this code.
IMPORTANT!! Do NOT use TEST for a finished product that will be displayed on
the system.
┌───────────────────────┐
│ Using a COMMAND file: │ {+}
└───────────────────────┘
AIR supports the use of an external file, containing all the command line
parameters to be used.
See the included file AIRTEST.DAT for format instructions.
To use the external file, you specify it on the command line as such:
AIR @file (no space between the @ and the filename.)
The filename can be a full path name if you wish.
The command file is comprised of "Sets", a grouping of lines that list
the information for AIR/RIP creation. These are the same items used in
command line mode, but instead of all being on one line, they are all
listed on separate lines.
Also, it is not required that spaces between words in the Sysop Message
be filed with the underbar, just type in the normal manner.
The command file may contain any number of command sets, they are simply
listed one after the other, with NO blank lines between them.
The file AIRTEST.DAT is a commented sample that you can use as a basis for
your own, or run it and see what happens.
(you will need to change the screen file (ansi) name though)
To specify the END of the command file, you place the number sign (#) on
the LAST line of the file. Failure to do this will result in a runtime
error.... there is no external checking for a bad end of file.
The eof marker (#) can also be used to eliminate a section of the command
file, say you have 6 sets of commands in your file, but you only want to
process 4 of then for the next few days.
Simply go to set 5 and place the # at the beginning of the screen file
name. When AIR see's this it will close the command file and exit. Only the
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 6
first four sets will be processed.
There are two other commands, or switches, that may be used in the command
file. These must be placed in column one, and should be on a line by
themselves. These switches effect ALL command sets that follow it.
! = The exclamation sign, turns OFF writing of the text window reset code,
at the end of your Screenfile. This is the same as using TEST on the
command line.
? = The question mark, turns the writing of the reset code ON, and is
normally used after the ! has been used on a previous line.
These switches can be used more than once in a command file. So you can
turn OFF text-window-reset for some, and back on for others.
Mainly included to allow generation of TEST views of screens during
creation, you may find other uses for them.
When ever AIR reads one of these switches, it writes an information line
to the log file.
Either of the command line modes, using online parameters, or a Command
File, are perfect for updating screens in a daily or nightly event on your
BBS. Multiple screens can be created by wrapping the command lines in a
batch file.
Error levels may be checked in the batch file for problems. A listing of
error levels returned by AIR is included later on.
┌───────────────────┐
│ Interactive Mode: │
└───────────────────┘
Typing AIR with no parameters, will place you in interactive mode.
Here you type all specs into data fields.
After each successful RIP creation, AIR will ask you if you'd like to do
another... Hitting 'Y' or the ENTER key will run you through the process
again, hitting 'N' will Exit AIR.
There are pick lists available for choosing the Screen File, and the
Sysop Message color.
At the bottom of the data area, a help line is displayed for each field
you enter, explaining what this value is for, and some warnings.
Lets cover each field now, in the order you will enter data.
At the end of this section, a list of several command keys, not
displayed, will be given.
Scrn File: Enter the name of the file, Ansi,Avatar etc. that you wish to
have displayed in the RIP frame. If you forget the name of a
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 7
file, pressing the F1 function key will display a picklist of
all files in the current directory. Select the file you want,
and press <ENTER>, it will be placed in the data field, press
ENTER again to accept it.
You can also travel through the directories, when you select a
directory, the name will be displayed just below the pick
list.
Once a file name has been selected, you will be returned to
the working directory (the one you started in, or specified),
before processing/editing continues.
Rip Name: The name you wish to assign to the newly created Rip file.
If you do not give an extension, .RIP will be added by AIR.
If you have the external file RIPNAMES.AIR available, you can
load it into a window, by pressing F1, then select the
filename to create, from that list.
See the file RIPNAMES.AIR for examples.
Message: Here you type in the message, up to 65 characters, that you
would like displayed in the message area on the AIR/RIP frame.
This is 5 more than 1.0's 60 character limit, it may be a bit
tight on a couple of frames, you will have to experiment.
If you have the external file MESSAGES.AIR available, you can
load it into a window, by pressing F1, then select the
message to use, from that list.
See the file MESSAGES.AIR for examples.
Message Color:Enter the color value, the color you want the message to be
displayed in. Be sure you have viewed the samples, so you know
what color is appropriate for the template you choose. Most
have a light gray area for the message line, but some are of a
different color.
If you press the F1 function key while in this field, a list
of colors will display. Choose the one you want, and press
<ENTER>.
The color always defaults to Black (00).
NOTE: If you enter a color that's out of range, AIR will insert
a color of its own choice, not always the right one!
Until you, or unless you, know the color codes by heart, it is
suggested you make use of the F1 key!!
Template: Select the template you wish to use for this file.
Should you enter a number beyond what is allowed, or
available, a message will display at the top of the screen,
giving you the valid range.
The template always defaults to #1
Win Reset: In most cases this will always be left at (Y)es.
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 8
Setting this to (N)o, will tell AIR to not write the re-set
code to the RIP file.
Explanation:
Lets say you create a screen with the Win Reset set to No.
The screen will display properly, but when it exits, the text or TTY
window will be as was set in the RIP file, if your next screen is a
Menu, it's display will be done in that window, probably NOT in the
correct display format.
When Win Reset is Yes, as soon as the RIP frame exits, the text frame
will be reset to the complete screen height and width, allowing any
screen to display properly.
This will also be explained further in the "Creating Screens" section
later.
Setting Win Reset to NO, is great for test viewing your screen, but
most assuredly should be set to YES before you display the screen on
your BBS.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ COMMANDS AND COLORS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Following are lists or keys available during Interactive Edit mode,
and Color Values.
Editing Keys:
During the editing of the screen parameters in the data entry section,
you can use these keys,
ESC: Abort editing and exit AIR
CTL-W: Save current info and create RIP
CTL-U: Will restore previous contents of field, must be used "before"
accepting with <ENTER>
All fields, except the Sysop Message are required to have a value in
them, they will not allow you to leave, unless they do, or in some cases
will insert the default value if you leave it blank.
Once a field contains data, the Up and Down arrow keys will move between
fields.
If you press ENTER or Down Arrow on the last field, AIR will exit the
data entry, and create the RIP file. This will also happen if you press
Up Arrow while in the first field.
All other normal editing keys are available, HOME,END INS,DEL,CTL-T etc,
conforming to the Wordstar editing key commands.
Fields may be moved to by placing the mouse cursor on the field and
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 9
clicking the left mouse button.
Color Codes:
This is a chart of the proper color codes to be used for the
message color.
They must be given with two digits/character, forced to upper case if
you enter in lower case. Use the pick list (F1)
00 Black
01 Blue
02 Green
03 Cyan
04 Red
05 Magenta
06 Brown
07 Light Gray
08 Dark Gray
09 Light Blue
0A Light Green
0B Light Cyan
0C Light Red
0D Light Magenta
0E Yellow
0F White
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ EXTERNAL FILES/LISTS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
As mentioned earlier, AIR will make use of two external files,
MESSAGES.AIR and RIPNAMES.AIR
These are plain Ascii files which you maintain.
They will be displayed in a window, when you press F1 while in the
appropriate field in interactive mode.
RIPNAMES.AIR: Here you keep a list of names to be assigned to your newly
created RIP frames, these can be full path names, or just a standard file
name, which will be created in the current working directory.
File names can be up to 40 characters in length.
MESSAGES.AIR: In this file, you can keep a list of Sysop Messages to
be displayed in the Frame. When you are in the Message field, pressing
F1 will display this list, and allow you to choose a line to use.
Messages can be up to 65 characters in length.
Both these files will allow and use up to 20 lines. You should make sure
that the first 20 lines contain the information you want.
I suggest you modify and use the included copies.
AIR will display the first 20 lines, regardless of what they contain, if
you have a comment in that range of lines, it will display.
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 10
Selection is made by either highlighting the line you want and pressing
ENTER, or clicking with the left mouse button.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ FORMAT OF AIR/RIP SCREENS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
A little info on what AIR creates.
There is a Created by/Copyright notice displayed on every AIR screen,
we have tried to not make it to obtrusive.
Some of AIR's RIP frames enclose the screen area, then within these is
defined a Text Window, where the screen file you choose will be displayed
to the user. These windows use word wrapping, so if a line of text is
longer than the space allowed, the balance will wrap to the next line.
Some of the AIR frames, have a full 80 column text window width.
We are not including FLATVIEW from Jon Kent, for viewing files.
In trying to keep distribution file size down, we had to remove it.
The previous release, AIR20.xxx does contain version 1.04 of
FLATVIEW.
If you do not have, and would like ver 1.04, you can File Request it,
or download it from our BBS in Fremont, Ca.
The latest version of FlatView (1.04) now handles the Ansi codes, to a
degree that gives you a real good look at what your user will see. It of
course does NOT recognize any pausing or wait for Enter codes.
The defined TEXT output area is enclosed in a green dashed line.
When the samples are viewed, a ruler line is displayed, which shows you
where the wrap will take place. This will be handy when you create a
screen to use with AIR, and will be covered in the Creating a File
section.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ AVAILABLE TEMPLATES ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This section will run down the available templates as of version 2.0
It will list the template number, Message Area background color, text
window width/wrap column, if it has an available Mouse/Keypress button,
and if you should have Win Reset On/Off.
If a screen has a button, when the user hits 'C' or clicks the button
it will reset the window automatically. All you need to provide is the
code to force your BBS software to wait for a ENTER keypress, the button
will send the ENTER and reset code.
"Choice" in the Window Reset column, means either way will work.
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 11
Template Message Area Wrap Button Window
Number Background Column Available Reset
──────── ─────────── ────── ───────── ───────
1 Light Gray 72 No Yes
2 Blue 70 No Yes
3 Light Gray 80 No Yes
4 Light Gray 80 Yes(1) Choice
5 * Light Gray 80 Yes(1) Choice
6 * Light Gray 80 Yes(4) Choice
7 Light Gray 64 No Yes
8 Cyan 66 No Yes
9 Light Gray 68 No Yes
10 * Blue 69 No Yes
Specific Purpose Frames:
5 : For News display, Generic System. Button send ENTER key press.
6 : For News display, Buttons coded for Remote Access.
10 : Birthday message to users.
Notes: (*)
Templates marked use Fonts other than the default style CHR.
if you use ver 1.04 of FlatView, they will display properly, if not,
you need the GOTH.CHR and LITT.CHR font files available, in the same
directory as the Sample Files.
Template #6 has 4 buttons, and they are coded for Host Commands
specific to Remote Access, if you don't run RA, you probably should not
use #6.
More screens available soon!
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ CREATING A SCREEN FILE ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
You will want to save your Ansi files with a line length that will fit
within the wrap width for the specified AIR frame.
Files saved with unlimited line length in programs such as TheDraw, seem
to have a problem.
Sometimes, with a length of 255 or less, using the 80 column templates, a
file done in TheDraw, will display correctly. I am still testing different
variations of screens.
Though the text will "WRAP" at the right column, this can create a sloppy
appearance, especially if lines are involved.
The best thing to do is, as stated above, save your drawing in the line
length that matches, or is a little less than the column width for the
AIR frame you wish to use.
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 12
If you do want to experiment with longer lines, in no case save the
screens with unlimited length, 255 at a maximum. AIR will not currently
read in a line over 255 characters in length. It is possible to fix this,
but I don't feel the extra coding time to be worth the limited benefits.
Using TheDraw, you can save with Video Prep = Home Cursor or None.
Do NOT use Clear Screen, that will erase the RIP frame in some cases.
As for other Ansi drawing programs (are there any other <g>? ), I cannot
tell you what to do, I have not used them, or tested with them.
**************************************************************************
Not to try and sell you anything, <heh heh> but if you run Remote Access,
may I suggest you look at our program RATE, the RaLin Ansi Test Editor.
Its great for creating multi-page Ansi Text files, full word processor
editing commands, pick lists, menus etc.
Screens created by RATE, work perfectly with AIR!
***************************************************************************
Anyway.......
No matter what BBS software you are using, it should provide a character
string that you can include in a screen file, that will wait for the
caller to press ENTER, for Remote Access this is ^A (Ctl-A).
You need to have one of these at the end of the screen file, do not add it
after AIR has added the screen file to the RIP header, because AIR writes
the Window Reset code, if used, "after" the LAST line in your screen file.
If your BBS software has a provision for displaying a prompt at the end of
the file, and waiting for the ENTER key.....do not rely on this, as it may
not display when being used in a RIP screen. Manually insert the code
required to generate the Wait For Enter signal.
In TheDraw, with RemoteAccess, you would place the cursor at the end of
the last line of of text or line character, or on a separate line, then
press Ctl-A, TheDraw will insert the "happy face" character.
If you are displaying multi-page Ansi files, such as those created with
our program RATE, you can insert the PAUSE code in the screen file, which
will pause and wait for the ENTER key (same as ^A).
Something to remember, when a caller is in RIP graphics mode, they are in
real time Graphics mode, the screen is now 80 characters by 43 rows in
size, so 43 lines can be displayed per screen size.
Of course if you are using a windowed screen, such as AIR templates, none
of them have a full 43 lines visible. I think the largest is about 35
lines. So you need to make sure the screen will pause in respect to how
many lines are visible at a time in the AIR/RIP window.
A little side note.........
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 13
I have a Viewing area set up on my RemoteAccess BBS system, where callers
can view RIP screens and drawings made by others.
All screens were loaded into the Flatline RIP editor, where I defined a
one character by one character Text Frame, in which I placed a ^A
character. This causes the system to wait for ENTER.
I then created a Button, mousable, that reacts to the "C" key being
pressed, or a mouse click. Of course, pressing ENTER works too.
All screens are displayed via RemoteAccess's type 5 menu command, and it
works GREAT!!
Ascii files will work in RIP text windows too.
Now, a NOTE on Avatar files.
Most people are using the free program RIPTERM to call RIP compatible BBS
systems. RIPTERM is from the same folks who got the RIP graphics rolling.
Problem is, RipTerm will not handle Avatar graphics, so it is suggested
that, for the time, all your screen files for use with AIR, be ANSI or
ASCII.
While it's true that Qmodem Pro, from Mustang Software, will handle
Avatar, and supports RIP graphics too, Qmodem Pro, to my knowledge, is
still using RIP ver 1.53 specs, all the AIR screens are done in 1.54
specs, and will many times NOT display properly when the caller is using
QmodemPro.
NOTE: As of this release, Mustang Software has released a PATCH to bring
QmodemPro up a notch, and they claim to have brought their RIP code up to
ver 1.54 standards.
But as of recent testing, I still experience problems calling a RIP
system. So I am not convinced that all problems are fixed.
I have the Pro, and I speak from the experience of calling several systems
using RIP, and having problems. I use RipTerm to call all RIP BBS
systems.
That should be enough for you to create some nice Ansi/RIP screens for
your callers.
Now....Go RIP 'em up!!!
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ ERROR LEVELS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The following error levels are returned by AIR!
0 No errors, successful operation.
181 Unable to locate screen file.
182 Unable to create specified RIP file.
183 Unable to locate specified Command File (@filename)
184 Invalid template number specified.
185 To many parameters
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 14
186 Timeout Occurred. (Interactive Mode)
0 Self explanatory
181 Invalid filename given, or not in current directory.
182 Should not occur, unless you use invalid characters in filename.
183 Command File does not exist, or not exist in the directory given.
184 Specified a template not allowed in the FREEWARE version, or one
that is not available in the Registered version.
185 This will occur if you give more than the five parameters+the TEST
switch. Total of 6 parameters allowed.
The main cause is forgetting to use solid spaces between the words
in the Sysop Message.
186 If no key has been pressed within a period of three minutes, while
in Interactive Mode, AIR will quietly Exit with this errorlevel. It
also writes a TimeOut message to the log.
This is mainly a safety feature, as explained earlier, if less than
5 parameters are given on a command line, as in a system event batch
file, AIR goes into Interactive Mode, without the timeout, it would
sit there forever, waiting for a keypress.....
Any single keypress resets the timeout timer.
These error codes are not needed as much now, as this release writes to
it's Log File. But they are still there, if you need them for batch
file checking error levels.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ WHY REGISTER? ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
First, it will get you the latest copy, and will allow you to receive all
future Registered versions free of charge*
All screens are available, and all fields can be edited.
Also, it will show me that you think AIR is a useful tool for Sysops, and
will cause development to progress. Registrations do not make me rich!
They simply help offset the cost of developing programs, and distributing
them.
* You will be given a password to use, and a filename, for down loading or
file requesting the Registered version.
Or we may need a message from you stating the desire for the upgrade, and
we will attache to either a Netmail or BBS message, for you to come and
get.... undecided at present.
If you need or want to receive updates via disk, then a $3.00 charge for
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 15
material and shipping will be required.
We read our download and file request lists "carefully", if it appears
that the privilege of getting registered copies from our system is being
abused, it will end. Not directed at anyone in particular, but this has
been known to happen.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ YOUR SUGGESTIONS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
If you have comments or suggestions on ways to enhance or better AIR,
by all means send them! I listen to the users, most of my programs have
more than one feature that was requested by a user....
┌────────────────────┐
│ SUBMIT YOUR SCREEN │
└────────────────────┘
If you have a nice screen you would like to see used in AIR, please
submit it via upload or Fido mail to our system. If we use it, you will
be given credit in the documentation.
Submitted screens must have a place for the Sysop Message, that will
accept a line of 65-70 characters, and a place for the program notice
would be nice, if not it will be placed at the bottom of the screen,
just under the text window.
Submitted screens become the property of RaLin Enterprises, and we
reserve the right to modify them as required to work properly with AIR!
You will receive credit in the DOC's, pointing to the frame you designed.
See the section below, for contacting us, or the means with which to
send your screen to us.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ AUTHOR CONTACT ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
I can be reached by several means.
Phone: (510) 651-0253 Ask for Rand
If you get my wife, or the answering machine, please leave your
name, number, and a brief description of the problem, and I will
get back to you ASAP! (See SUPPORT below)
Net Mail: 1:161/710 -> Rand Nowell
FIDO Echos: Shareware, RA_UTILS -> Rand Nowell
Mail: Rand Nowell
RaLin Enterprises Software
40728 Sundale Dr.
Fremont, Ca. 94538
BBS: (510) 651-0253,,3322
Internet: rand.nowell@intellisoft.com
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 16
PHONE NUMBER:
Our Mailer/BBS shares a voice line at the present, so connecting can
sometimes be a problem. It also requires a modified dialing string.
To switch to the Mailer/BBS requires that you send a 4 second pause, and a
special code.
The code is 3322
Most modems use a comma for a pause code, and most are set at 2 seconds
per comma. Given the standard, your dialing string to connect to our
system would be: 1-510-651-0253,,3322
Now, if you use a long distance call service, you may require more delay
time than 4 seconds, before sending the code. The main thing is that the
pause and the code should be sent after connecting to "our" number....
With a mailer: I can only tell you how to do it with FrontDoor, due to our
number containing the commas, we cannot have our number in the nodelist,
so we are listed UNPUBLISHED and PVT. You can over-ride this in FDNODE.CTL
Simply enter a line as such: PHONE 1:161/710 1-510-651-0253,,3322
or whatever you end up needing to connect. Then re-compile the Nodelist.
Sorry for the gruesome phone situation, but hopefully it will be fixed
soon.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ SUPPORT ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Registered users receive full unlimited support, if I have to call
you back, it will be on my dime!
Unregistered users will receive help, but if I have to call, expect
a collect one.
See the AIR.REG file for our Registration plans. There are two
ways to receive your Registration and Utilities.
Disk by Mail and FIDO File Attach.
NOTE: The FidoNet file attach is an experimental procedure, if it proves
to NOT be cost efficient, we will be switching to DISK only shipping.
If you have any comments (good or bad) or suggestions, please send them!
Your help, and comments are appreciated, read, and often implemented!
Thank You!
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
All AIR frames were created with FLATLINE from Jon Kent, Thabes Co.
AIR was compiled under Turbo Pascal - Borland International.
Take a breath of the New AIR today!
AIR+RIP AIR 2.02 Program Documentation Page 17
TheDraw is Copyright Ian Davis - TheSoft Programming Services
Qmodem Pro is Copyright Mustang Software
Flatline and Flatview are Copyright Jon Kent, The Thabes Co.
And a special thanks to Jon for allowing us to include FLATVIEW
with the previous release's of AIR....
If you haven't tried the FLATLINE RIP Editor/Painter, you
are missing out on a GREAT program! Available on many systems as
FLTLN###.EXE - self installing file, ###= version number. Current is
103
The latest version of FlatLine will always be available here at RaLin.
We have also made ver 1.04 of FLATVIEW available.
RIPTerm is Copyright TeleGrafix Communications Inc.
AIR is coded with RIP commands, taken from the
RIPscript Graphics Protocol Specification Manual, Copyright by
TeleGrafix Communications Inc.
I would like to thank them for a job well done on their Specifications
manual, while this project did not require a huge amount of knowledge of
RIP graphics, what I did need was "clearly" explained. And will be a big
help in future projects. Thanks guys.....
Of course I need to thank my wife and kids for putting up with my
countless hours at the PC, without complaining......well not much
anyway.
To those of you who do decide to Register, thank you!
Registrations will show me that AIR has potential, and that I should
continue to develop and enhance it. I probably will anyway, even if
just for my OWN use.....
I hope you enjoy the FREEWARE Evaluation copy,
you'd like the Registered better!
See the included file WHATSUP.DOC for plans for future additions to AIR.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ End-Of-File AIR.DOC ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Take a breath of the New AIR today!