Software Vault: The Diamond Collection/The Diamond Collection (Software Vault)(Digital Impact).ISO/cdr05/owlite2.zip/OWHELPL.ZZZ

Text File | 1995-02-17 | 10KB | 175 lines

1.  STARTING OverWrite:

     Before starting Windows, you must first load the OverWrite driver.  This is done by
the batch file 'OWLITON' created during the installation process.  You will be warned
if the driver was not loaded.

     After starting Windows, select OverWrite by double-clicking on the OverWrite
icon.  The OverWrite window will then appear and will float on top of all other
applications.  You can minimize OverWrite into an icon, and move it to any convenient
location on the screen.  This allows you to know the status of OverWrite at all times.

     In order to use OverWrite, you must print on port LPT1.DOS, as distinguished from
LPT1.  LPT2 etc. can be substituted for LPT1.  OverWrite will make any needed
adjustment as it is selected from within Windows.

2.  OverWrite MODES:

     In the Standard Mode you can use any of the pre-created (or Standard) messages
supplied with OverWrite which you have installed.  These work with LaserJet 2, 3 or 4
compatible printers.  Standard Mode messages cannot be changed or relocated on the
page.

     In the Custom Mode you can create your own messages and save them for later use.
The Custom Mode is only available for LaserJet 3 and 4 compatible printers.  It offers
additional features for the LaserJet 4.

3.  THE STANDARD MODE:

     First click on the  combo box below 'Message Selected.'.  A list of installed Standard
Messages will appear.  Using your mouse, move to the message you want and click on
it.  A window will then appear indicating that the message is being sent to your printer,
and progress will be indicated.  You can cancel the process by clicking on the Cancel
button.

     It takes a few seconds to load a  message into your printer the first time.  Once
loaded, a message stays in your printer's memory until it is deleted or the printer is
turned off.

     After the message is loaded into you printer the OverWrite title will change to
indicate 'OverWrite: STANDARD' and the first 10 characters of the message's name.
The icon title will also say this.  Whenever you see STANDARD and a name, you
know that a standard message will be printed with your output.

     Also displayed are the Do Not Print and the  Delete buttons.  If you click on the Do
Not Print button, the message will not be printed but will remain in your printer's
memory.  The OverWrite window and icon titles will switch to OFF.  If you select the
Delete button, the standard message will also be deleted from your printer's memory.

     As standard messages are loaded into your printer, several things happen.  The
current message appears in the Message Selected box with an '!' in front of it.  Also, the
number of messages selected and printer memory space used appear in the Status Box
just below the Message Selected box.  If you click on the Status Box you will see all
those standard messages which have been loaded into your printer, and you can switch
between them easily.

4.  THE CUSTOM MODE:

     CREATING a Custom Message -  If you have a LaserJet 3 or 4 compatible printer
you can use OverWrite to create custom messages of up to three lines.  These can be
scaled to a size you like, made as light or dark as you wish, rotated, placed at your
preferred location on the page, and saved for later use.

     To create a Custom Message select the Custom Message command from the
command line.  The Custom Message dialog box will appear.  Using your mouse, select
the options you desire.  Available options are:

     Text -  type from one to three lines.  Blank lines are ignored.

     Printer -  select LaserJet 3 or 4 compatible, as appropriate.

     Size -  this is the size of your background text. If you select AUTO the text will be
made as large as possible and centered on the page.  Selecting FULL will allow you to
select the Horizontal and Vertical location but will make the text as large as possible
using that starting location.  Selecting a number will use that point size for the text.

     Horiz and Vert -  these set the locations of the lower left corner of the first letter of
the first line of text with Left  Justification.  If you have selected Auto Size they will
both be set to Auto.  They are in inches and are measured from the top, left side of the
paper.

     Angle -  this is the angle of the text in degrees.  0 is horizontal and 90 is vertical.
Only LaserJet 4 printers support intermediate angles.

     Density -  this is the density of screen printing.  1 is very light and 8 is solid black.

     Justification -  Ctr will center each line in the space available for the message.  Left
will start each line at the left border of the space.

     Style -  LaserJet 3 printers support Screen or gray level printing.  With a LaserJet 4
printer you can also select outline printing, or outline filled with a screen.

     If you select a location or size which will not allow your message to fit on the page,
OverWrite will warn you and cancel the custom selection.

     After you have made your selections, select the Custom Message dialog OK button.
OverWrite will load the selection into your printer and change the Window and icons to
say CUSTOM.  This is a very fast procedure.

     SAVING Custom Messages - You can also save your custom message for later use.
Just select the Save Custom Message command from the Options menu  and enter a file
name of up to 8 letters.  Do not enter an extension as it will be ignored. You do not
have to close the Custom Message dialog box to do this. The Custom Message will be
stored in the same location selected for OverWrite files during setup.  If you choose a
name which was previously used the old Custom Message will be changed.  When you
save a Custom Message the titles of the OverWrite window, the Custom Message
dialog box window and the icon titles will be changed to indicate the selection name
and the selection will be loaded to your printer for use.

     OPENING Custom Message Files -  Previously saved Custom Messages can be
retrieved by using the Open Custom Message command from the Options menu.  A list
of  choices will appear with the .OWC extension used on all OverWrite Custom
Messages.  Just double click on the selection you want and it will be loaded into your
printer and the titles of OverWrite windows and icons changed to indicate what will be
printed.  This can be done with the Custom Message dialog box open.

     If you want to verify or change a retrieved Custom Message just open the Custom
Message dialog box.  You can make changes.  If you just select OK the changes will be
temporary and the file on disk will not be changed.  If you select Save Custom Message
from the Options menu - and this can be done while the Custom Message dialog box is
still open - you will see that the old file name is pre-typed and you can update the disk
file and the message to be written just by clicking on the OK in the Save dialog box.

     ERASING Custom Message Files -  When you are through using a Custom Message
file you can remove it from your hard disk by using the Erase Custom Message
command in the Options menu.  As a safety factor, you must first select the message to
be erased by using the Open Custom Message or Save Custom Message commands.
You are asked if you are sure before the erasing is completed.  As a second safety
factor, the erased  message remains in the Custom Message dialog box until you either
modify it or quit OverWrite.  You can re-save it under the same or another name.

     When a Custom Message is active the Do Not Print button is displayed.  If you
select the Do Not Print button, the active Custom Message will not print and any file
reference to the Custom Message dialog box is removed.  No file is erased however.
Use this feature to get a 'new slate'  to create new or modify old Custom Messages.

5.  STOPPING OverWrite:

     OverWrite can be stopped by either double clicking on the upper left corner of the
window or by selecting Quit from the Options selection on the command line.  Either
way your printer will be reset.

6.  QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED:

     How do I make OverWrite turn into an icon?  This is called 'minimizing'.  Just click
on the upper right corner of the OverWrite window.

     How do I move the OverWrite icon to a convenient location on my screen?  Place
your mouse cursor on the icon and hold the mouse button down while moving the icon.
We suggest you place the icon near your application's controls so you can instantly see
the status of OverWrite.

     After I have minimized OverWrite, how do I make it full size again?  Just double
click on the OverWrite icon with your mouse.

     Can I use WordPerfect for Windows printer drivers?  Yes.  When you set up the
printer on WordPerfect, instead of printing to LPT1 (or LPT2) just print to a file which
you name LPT1.DOS (or LPT2.DOS). Do this by choosing SELECT PRINTER from
the FILE Menu, choosing SETUP from the SELECT PRINTER box, choosing FILE
from the PORT  alternative, and typing LPT1.DOS and pressing the Enter key. You
will get all of the WordPerfect driver features, PLUS OverWrite.

     Why are Custom features different for different printer models?  OverWrite uses
LaserJet hardware to create background messages.  LaserJet 2 printers do not allow
type scaling; LaserJet 3 printers do not allow print rotation other than 0 and 90 degrees.
LaserJet 4 printers allow all of these.

     Is there a limit on how many custom messages I can store?  No.  And since custom
messages take only about 50 bytes on your hard disk, storage will not use much space.

7.  OBTAINING TECHNICAL HELP:

     Alligator Software is happy to offer technical help if you call [phone] during
business hours (Pacific Time).  You may also Fax your inquiries to [phone] or
write to Alligator Software at Post Office Box 606, Tahoe City, California 96145.