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PRINT COMMANDER!
version 3.5s
TABLE of CONTENTS
TOPIC: PAGE:
Packing List..................... 1
Print Commander!................. 1
Quick Start 1
Introduction 2
Operation 3
Fonts 5
Examples 7
Compatibility 8
Command Line Options 9
Setup Utility 10
EZprint.......................... 11
Definitions...................... 12
Sorcerer Software................ 13
Print Commander! MANUAL February, 1994
v 3.5s
Shareware version Copyright 1993
Epson emulation mode Sorcerer Software
*****************************************************************************
PACKING LIST
Enclosed for this distribution are the following files:
README Start here (if you haven't already)
PCOM.COM The Print Commander! TSR program (Epson emulation)
MANUAL.TXT This manual
PCOM_INV.TXT Invoice
PCOM_REG.TXT Registration information
EZPRINT.COM A text printing utility
INSTALL.BAT Installation utility
PRNCOM.ZIP The compressed file containing the above programs
If you ran the INSTALL program, these files are now located on your hard
disk (C:) in the directory C:\PCOM. We recommend you leave them there and
add this directory to your path in your AUTOEXEC.BAT.
DO NOT rename these files!
*****************************************************************************
I. Print Commander!
QUICK START
For experienced DOS users who would like to start using Print Commander!
right away, this TSR can be installed straight from the DOS prompt or
from within your AUTOEXEC.BAT. From the DOS prompt, type:
PCOM <Enter>
Alternatively, in AUTOEXEC.BAT enter the following line:
C:\PCOM\PCOM
To change the configuration settings that describe how the program looks
and works, run the SETUP utility, part of Print Commander!, by typing:
PCOM /S <Enter>
Print Commander! arrives preconfigured to the default parameters. These
parameters include default LPT port (1), screen color (brightwhite on blue),
screen location (right center), and hot key combination (Ctrl-Alt-P).
page 2
Once installed, start Print Commander! by pressing simultaneously the hot
keys. When the pop up screen appears, use the keyboard to enter your
selections. The mouse and the arrow keys are not supported. When you are
finished, press the escape key to exit the program.
To print an ASCII text file from Print Commander!, press F, enter the full
path and filename, and press <Enter>.
If you do not wish to leave Print Commander! in memory, it can be unloaded
by typing:
PCOM /U
INTRODUCTION
Print Commander! was designed to run on IBM compatible personal computers
using the Microsoft or IBM (PC) disc operating system (DOS). It has been
tested and run successfully on versions 3.3 to 6.0. Although the program
will run properly using a monochrome monitor, the program's screen was
designed for a VGA color monitor. Print Commander! will run on the entire
family of Intel 80x8x microprocessors, from the 8088 to the 80486.
When resident, Print Commander! v 3.0s occupies approximately 4.4 KB of
conventional memory (hereafter referred to as "RAM") and slightly more
memory for storage on your hard disc.
Print Commander! is a memory resident DOS program, or TSR (see below under
"DEFINITIONS"), that allows the user to invoke printer functions from the
keyboard and screen without having to touch the printer itself. By pressing
the combination of the <Ctrl-Alt-P> keys, the Print Commander! screen will
appear on your monitor and allow you to stay at the keyboard to advance
paper position with formfeeds and linefeeds, switch between Draft and Near
Letter Quality mode of print, and select which of the five fonts (if
supported by your printer) you wish to use. You may also choose to print in
Proportional mode, in Italics, and using double sized characters. You can
print in almost any combination of these features. When you are finished,
just hit the escape key and Print Commander! will vanish, leaving you back
where you started. You can even enter your own escape codes!
These printer settings can be set while you are working on a document,
before you start it, or after the document is finished--right before you
print it. Print Commander! will also let you print one document while
working in another.
page 3
OPERATION
Print Commander! is most efficiently started by including it in your
AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you are unsure how to do this, please consult your DOS
manual. You can also start Print Commander! from the command line (DOS
prompt). To do this, type:
PCOM <Enter>
You will then be greeted by a short message verifying that Print Commander!
has been installed. If you later try to re-install Print Commander!, you will
be informed that it is already present in your computer's memory, the
property known as being "resident". This feature prevents you from using up
precious RAM by unnecessarily reloading Print Commander!
Once resident, Print Commander! remains silent until needed.
Simultaneously pressing the combination hot keys:
<Ctrl-Alt-P>
will cause the Print Commander! screen to pop up on your monitor, the
property known as being "activated".
Print Commander! can be activated while working at the DOS prompt (command
line) or from within most programs. Some programs, especially those that
operate in a graphic mode (Prodigy, for example), present certain conflicts
with screen appearance, but are operable and will produce reliable results
when used with Print Commander! (see below under "COMPATIBILITY").
Once activated, Print Commander! will allow you to control your printer
without having to manually change the printer's settings. For most users
and most uses, there is never any need to otherwise change the printer's
settings except through Print Commander!
Once resident and activated, Print Commander! presents the following screen:
Print Commander!
D Draft 1 Font 1
N Near LQ 2 Font 2
3 Font 3
L Linefeed 4 Font 4
R Reverse LF 5 Font 5
E Eject Page
C CPI:10
F File to Print [tab]
Enter path/filename:
---------------------------
page 4
Draft: For fast printing when speed is important and quality
of type is not.
Engage this function by pressing D (or d) on the keyboard.
Near LQ (Near Letter Quality): Slower but higher quality print.
Engage this function by pressing N (or n) on the keyboard.
NOTE: The Draft and Near LQ mode functions are mutually
exclusive. You may select only one at a time. The cursor will point
to the print mode that is currently active. When you start Print
Commander!, and after printing a file, the program will always reset
itself to the Draft mode of print.
Linefeed: Advances the paper one line. Capital (shift) L advances
the paper 6 lines.
Engage this function by pressing L on the keyboard for a six line
feed, or l for a single line feed.
Reverse LF: Reverse feeds the paper one line. Capital (shift) R
reverse feeds the paper 6 lines.
Engage this function by pressing R on the keyboard for a six line
reverse feed, or r for a single reverse line feed.
Not all printers support this function.
Eject Page: Ejects the current page of paper from the printer.
Engage this function by pressing E (or e) on the keyboard.
CPI: Select type size in Characters Per Inch. Toggle between 10,
12, 15, 17, and 20 CPI. These sizes may be used with any font. They
may also be used with Proportional spacing in the 12 CPI and
condensed mode (CD), and with Italics and double sized characters.
Engage this function by pressing C (or c) on the keyboard.
P: Proportional mode printing can be used in either 12 CPI or
condensed size, and only in Near LQ mode.
Engage this function by pressing P (or p) on the keyboard.
[tab]: Toggles from Double height to Double width to Double height/
Double width and back to normal size. These sizes will work properly
in any CPI size, and in the Proportional mode with 12 CPI or CD.
Always set this mode before selecting other print features, as
selecting it will reset other parameters to the printer's default
settings.
Engage this function by pressing the tab key on the keyboard.
page 5
Italics: Turns Italic type on and off. This function will work in
either the Draft or Near LQ mode, with any of the fonts, with
all character sizes, and with Proportional mode on or off.
When Italics mode is turned on, it will be so indicated by the line
"Italics ON" at the bottom of the Print Commander! screen.
Engage this function by pressing I (or i) on the keyboard.
NOTE: The Eject page, Linefeed, Reverse linefeed, CPI, tab,
Proportional mode, and Italics functions will not be highlighted
by the cursor when you activate them. When you select Italics, the
Italics line will toggle ON or OFF. When you start Print Commander!,
and after printing a file, the program will always reset itself to
Draft mode, 10 CPI size, Proportional mode off, normal size, and
Italics OFF.
File to Print: Allows you to enter the path and filename of a text
(ASCII) file to be printed. Print Commander! will then send the
contents of that file to the printer. The document will be
printed in the font you specified.
Engage this function by pressing F (or f) on the keyboard.
After the file is printed, Print Commander! will reset itself to its
default parameters. If the file you specified for printing does not
exist (for example, if you mistyped the name), you will receive an
error message. Hit any key and then you may retype the filename. If
you try to access a disk that is not ready (for example if you try to
print out a file from a floppy drive with no disk in it), you will
receive an error message. Again, hit any key and retype the path
and filename.
FONTS
Print Commander! allows you to choose between five fonts.
Select a font by pressing its corresponding number. The
actual font will vary depending upon the printer manufacturer.
For most Epson compatible printers and printer modes, the fonts will
print out as follows:
1 Font 1 is: Roman
2 Font 2 is: SanSerif
3 Font 3 is: Courier
4 Font 4 is: Prestige
5 Font 5 is: Script
page 6
This will apply, of course, only if your printer actually provides
and supports these fonts. Some printers, such as the Star NX-1000,
has only 4 fonts, while other printers, such as some of the Epson
24 pin dot matrix printers, support up to 12. Most modern printers,
such as ink jet (or bubble jet) and 24 pin dot matrix printers,
provide an intermediate number of fonts. Most will adhere to the
above scheme. If you would like to have a version of Print Commander!
configured specially for your printer's make and model, please place
an order with us using the registration form, PCOM_REG.TXT.
NOTE: The five Print Commander! fonts are mutually exclusive. You
may select only one at a time. When you start Print Commander!, and
after printing a file, the program will always reset itself to
Draft mode with no font selected.
OTHER KEYS
<INS> allows you to enter your own choice of escape codes. The codes
must be entered in hexadecimal notation but without the trailing
letter "H". For example, a linefeed would be entered as:
0A <Enter>
Changing to near letter quality would be done with:
1B 78 01 <Enter>
The <Enter> is not necessary, but will re-start this function. It can
then be terminated by entering <Esc>.
It is not recommended that you use this function unless you have a
sound understanding of printer escape codes and how they work.
S (or s for System reset) resets Print Commander! to its default
settings.
<Esc> exits Print Commander!
<Backspace> returns the printhead to the far left margin.
Not all printers support this function.
For all selections EXCEPT linefeeds, the small and capital case
of the letter function the same. For example, both E and e will
eject the current page of paper.
Arrow keys, the mouse, and any additional keyboard keys not described
above, are not supported by Print Commander!
page 7
When you are finished working with Print Commander!, just press <Esc> (the
escape key), and the Print Commander! screen will disappear, leaving you
back where you started.
If you wish to remove Print Commander! from your computer's memory, you can
then do so by typing:
PCOM /U <Enter>
Print Commander! will then return approximately 4.6 KB of RAM to your
computer's memory bank.
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: If Print Commander! refuses to work or seems to lock up
your system, it is probably because your printer is off line. Make sure the
power is on, paper is in the printer, and the printer is on line.
EXAMPLES
1) You are working in a text editor, such as Qedit (from SemWare), and you
want to print a final copy of a document. You want a high quality product
printed in the Prestige font. Follow these steps:
-while still in your text editor OR after exiting it,
press <Ctrl-Alt-P>
Print Commander! will pop up on your screen
-next press 4 for Font 4 (usually Prestige)
-press <Esc> to exit Print Commander!
The printer is now configured to print in Near LQ mode using the
Prestige font. Notice that there is no need to specify the Near LQ mode
of print as Print Commander! will automatically set itself to Near LQ
when you select a specific font or Proportional mode.
Now print out your document as you normally would, or using Print
Commander!'s "File to Print" function. Without touching the printer or
setting up any printer drivers from within your original ("host") program,
you have now printed out your file in Prestige using Near LQ mode of print.
If you print your document using the Print Commander! File to Print function,
the printer will afterwards be reset to the default settings: Font 1,
Draft mode, 10 CPI, Proportional mode OFF, normal size characters, and
Italics OFF. Then exit Print Commander! by pressing <Esc>.
page 8
2) You are working in one program and want to print out an unrelated text
file in another directory without having to leave your current program.
Let's say that you are working in a database program, such as askSam
(from askSam Systems). It occurs to you that you would like to print out
a text file in another directory. Let's assume that you want to print out
a documentation file called "MANUAL.TXT" that resides in directory "PCOM"
on hard disk C:, but your current program, askSam, is on hard disk E: in
directory "ASKSAM". No problem. You want to print the document quickly, as
this is a rough draft and you want it printed in Italics.
Just follow these steps: (see next page)
-while working in askSam press <Ctrl-Alt-P>
Print Commander! will pop up on your screen
-select D (or d) for Draft
-turn italics ON by pressing I (or i)
-to print a file now press F (or f)
-type in the path and directory of the file we want to print:
C:\PCOM\MANUAL.TXT <Enter>
The contents of the file will then be sent to the printer and printed out as
per your instructions. The cursor will now disappear from File to Print, and
will reset to the defaults. Press <Esc> and, while the text file is being
printed, you can go back to what you were doing in askSam.
A NOTE ABOUT PRINTING FILES: Print Commander! will print only text (ASCII)
files. Printing out text files, as in the above example, is best done in
conjunction with a printer spooler. Please see below under "DEFINITIONS"
for the definition of printer spooler and text (ASCII) file. Some versions
of DOS contain a printer spooler, called PRINT.COM. Please consult your DOS
manual if you are unsure how to use this spooler.
page 9
COMPATIBILITY
We have found that certain software programs give Print Commander! a hard
time. Here's what we have learned:
Print Commander! works very well when called from the DOS prompt.
Some of our users invoke it only when they are working here. But
Print Commander! was intended to also be used from within other
(host) programs.
Almost all text based programs, such as Procomm (from Datastorm),
Quicken (from Intuit), the Dosshell (part of DOS), text editors,
and so on, work perfectly with Print Commander!
Some Norton products (from Symantec Corp.) cause distortion of
certain graphic characters on Print Commander!'s screen. This is
harmless and does not impair performance of the host program or
the TSR.
Many graphic based programs, such as Microsoft Works, Prodigy,
and Print Shop (from Broderbund), will accept Print Commander! but
distort its screen and color pattern. This too seems to be harmless
but can also cause the host screen to become distorted until a new
host screen is activated. Again, we know of no circumstance where
Print Commander! harmed the host program, or vice versa.
The text editor bundled with DOS 5.0 (EDIT.COM AND QBASIC.EXE)
freezes when Print Commander! is activated and SHOULD NOT BE USED
in this setting. This editor is incompatible with pop up type
TSR programs. The line editor bundled with DOS, EDLIN.COM, works
fine with Print Commander!, as does every other text editor we
have tested.
Print Commander! will not pop up in Microsoft Windows. However,
there is a version of the program available that is compatible with
Windows version 3.X, is mouse aware, and is also very small and fast.
This program, a DOS program adapted for Windows, can be obtained
from Sorcerer Software (see below).
Finally some programs, usually word processors, have their own
built in software program add-ons to control font selection and mode
of print. These add-on programs are called "printer drivers". When
using a printer driver in these programs, Print Commander! will not
be able to configure a font for you. However you should still be able
to reliably control formfeeds (paper ejection) and linefeeds using
Print Commander! If you would like to use Print Commander! instead
of a driver for font selection in this setting, first start your word
processor's printer setup utility. Replace your printer's driver with
a TTY or Generic driver. Print Commander! should then work normally.
page 10
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS
The following options can be used at the command line (DOS prompt):
PCOM Loads the TSR program into memory. On systems that
are configured with upper memory blocks by an
expanded memory manager (such as EMM386.EXE or
QEMM386.EXE), Print Commander! can be loaded high.
Expanded memory however, is NOT needed. PLEASE
CONSULT YOUR MANUAL IF YOU ARE UNSURE HOW TO DO THIS.
PCOM /U Unloads Print Commander! from memory
PCOM /S Runs the SETUP utility (see below).
PCOM /? Displays the help screen
SETUP UTILITY
After typing PCOM /S <Enter>, you have the option of changing Print
Commander!'s default settings. Four different parameters can be altered:
printer (LPT) port, color scheme, location the pop-up screen appears on
the monitor, and hot key combination.
Printer (LPT) port: Most printers have from 1 to 3 parallel ports
that can be connected to a printer. These are often referred to as
LPT ports. You can select 1, 2, or 3, but most computers are set
up with the printer attached to LPT 1. Print Commander! ships
preconfigured to use LPT 1.
Color scheme: The pop-up screen can appear in any of 128 combinations
of colors, including 8 possible background colors and 16 possible
foreground colors. The SETUP menu lists 4 sample choices. If you
wish to experiment, the colors are coded in alphanumeric (hexadecimal)
notation. In other words, for the 2 digit character that you must
enter, the first character can be number 0 through 7, and the second
character 0 through 9 or letter A through F. NOTE: Programmers will
recognize the color scheme as adhering to the DOS color codes, and
can consult any appropriate reference for a full listing of color
combinations. Print Commander! ships preconfigured as brightwhite
on a blue background, color code 1F.
page 11
Screen location: The Print Commander pop-up screen can appear anywhere
on your monitor that you wish. The first set of 2 digits determines
the starting row number. Valid entries are 00 through 15. The second
set of digits determines the starting column number. Valid entries
are 00 through 51. Within this range only screen location row=15 with
column=51 (the farthest lower right hand corner) is an invalid entry
and will be rejected. Print Commander! ships preconfigured to pop up
at screen location row=06, column=48, approximately the right center
portion of your monitor screen.
Hot Key combination: Select 1 of the 6 possible hot key choices.
Print Commander! will remember your choice even if you forget.
Just enter PCOM /? for the help screen and it will display the
hot key combination you previously selected.
To accept the default settings, press <Enter> at each prompt without
entering any selections.
After your selections are made, they will be written to disk and will be
available to you next time you load Print Commander! into memory.
PRECAUTION: Always run the setup utility from within the directory you have
placed the Print Commander! files. We recommend these files be kept in their
own directory, such as C:\PCOM. And NEVER rename PCOM.COM!
*****************************************************************************
II. EZprint printer utility
The second included printer utility, EZPRINT.COM, is a small and simple
program that will let you print out any ASCII text file from the DOS prompt.
It will NOT work with a word processor. Like the "File to Print" function in
Print Commander!, it is intended to print text files. Typically these files
have such suffixes as .TXT, .DOC, .ASC, or .PRN. We recommend keeping EZprint
in a directory that is in your path, such as your DOS, PCOM, or a UTILS
directory. Then you will be able to access it at any time by simply typing:
EZprint <Enter>
(or any combination of capital and small case letters).
page 12
COMMAND LINE
Start EZprint by typing its name, as described above. You can then enter
the name of the file to be printed.
Example\ type:
EZprint C:\CONFIG.SYS <Enter>
This will cause the file CONFIG.SYS in directory C:\ to be printed.
Alternatively, you can type EZprint and <Enter>. You will then be prompted
to enter the name of file you wish to print.
Example\ type:
EZprint <Enter>
Enter path\filename: C:\CONFIG.SYS <Enter>
Before you use EZprint, it can be configured if necessary to send the file
to a printer connected to LPT number 1, 2, or 3. By default, EZprint is
configured to use LPT 1, by far the most common and most likely to be
used on your computer. The port can be changed quite simply by invoking
the LPT switch on the command line (DOS prompt).
Example\ type:
EZprint /2 <Enter>
This will cause EZprint to start using LPT 2. The port can be changed as
often as you wish. Each time you make a change, EZprint will write the
new port to your disk and remember it for you. EZprint is shipped
preconfigured to use LPT 1. If you should change the port, you can return
to LPT 1 by typing:
EZprint /1 <Enter>
Suggestion: Use EZprint with a printer spooler (see "DEFINITIONS").
page 13
*****************************************************************************
DEFINITIONS
* A PRINTER SPOOLER is a program that intercepts the text that is
sent to the printer and holds it in RAM until the printer is ready to
receive it. This allows the computer to return control to you almost
immediately so you can return to work while the printer is printing.
Otherwise you would have to sit and wait until the printer is finished with
your document. The DOS PRINT command uses a spooler and remains in memory
after being used, occupying RAM. Unfortunately (unlike Print Commander!),
PRINT cannot be unloaded from memory, so once you use it, you're stuck with
it. Many other spoolers are available commercially from retailers, through
mail order, and from bulletin boards. In addition, Sorcerer Software
offers an excellent, low cost, and versatile printer spooler.
* A TSR (Terminate-and-Stay-Resident) is a program that once installed,
remains in memory until it is unloaded by the user, or the computer is
re-booted or turned off. Therefore when resident the program (the TSR) can
be activated immediately, without the computer having to search the disc,
and can be started by pressing specific pre-designated keys ("hot keys").
A TSR can also be run on top of, i.e., without terminating, another (or
"host") program.
* An ASCII file is a text file, usually produced by a text editor. It does
not contain the hidden characters that a word processor places in a file.
Typically an ASCII file name will take the format: Myfile.TXT where
Myfile is the name given to the file, and the 3 letter suffix .TXT could
also be .DOC, .ASC, .PRN, or any ending the file's author chooses to use.
Files with hidden characters, such as word processor files, will not appear
correctly if read with a text reader (such as TYPE or EZREAD) and will not
print correctly with a text printer utility, such as PRINT, EZprint, or
Print Commander!
*****************************************************************************
LEGAL
THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO
PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED. BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS
INTO WHICH THIS PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE IS OFFERED. GOOD DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY PROGRAM
BE THOROUGHLY TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT. THE USER
MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE PROGRAM. ANY LIABILITY OF THE
SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF
PURCHASE PRICE.
page 13
*****************************************************************************
AND FINALLY...
Please direct your feedback, special requests, and questions to:
Sorcerer Software
16311 Ventura Blvd., Suite #660
Encino, CA 91436
FAX: (818) 990-4432
CompuServe: 71544,2475
Prodigy: HMBS77A
America OnLine: Sorsoft
(or via Internet: Sorsoft@aol.com)