Monster Media 1994 #2/Monster Media No. 2 (Monster Media)(1994).ISO/print/bookform.zip/README.DOC

Text File | 1994-06-29 | 6KB | 133 lines

              BOOKFORM...Prints document files in book form.

    Ever want to print out those  document files but were reluctant because
    they are quite large and will use up many sheets  of  paper.   BOOKFORM
    will  cut  the paper required in half and make the document much easier
    to read.  Read on to see  how  to  use this program and start saving on
    paper  and make using programs much easier to  reference  by  having  a
    printed out document.

         Starting  the  program.   Just type in BOOKFORM at the DOS prompt.
    All these instructions  are  on  the  screen but we'll go into a little
    more depth here.

         The program starts and gives you some instructions  at  the top of
    the  screen.   To quit the program enter QUIT.  You will be prompted to
    type in the file and  path  of  the  document  you  want  to  print  in
    bookform.  If  the  document you want to print does not reside  in  the
    same  directory  as  BOOKFORM you must use the path.  If BOOKFORM is in
    the same directory as the  file  you wish to print, there is no need to
    enter  the  path.   Example,  suppose  you  want   to  print  the  file
    PROGRAM.DOC  and  the  file resides in the desktop publishing directory
    DTP and BOOKFORM resides in the DOS directory.  The correct entry would
    be as follows:
                        C:\DTP\PROGRAM.DOC
    Typical file extensions would be .DOC or .TXT

       First  off, after entering the correct file name  the  program  will
    read  through  the  entire  file  and  analyze  the  ASCII structure to
    eliminate printer format  codes.   Mainly  the formfeeds that some word
    processors  insert to fill in blank lines.   Not  all  word  processors
    insert  these  codes  but  if  they are present it really screws up the
    process of printing the  file  in  bookform.   As  the  file  is  being
    analyzed the program will write to a temporary  file  approximately the
    same size as the original file.  The program thus needs that additional
    amount of disk space.   The  original  file  is  left untouched and the
    temporary file is erased as the program ends.   Your dot matrix printer
    needs  to  be  on-line and at the top of a page.  The program will show
    which page is being printed.   Don't  get overly excited about seeing a
    different page number being displayed and the page  being printed being
    different.  The main thing to watch is that the pages start at the tops
    of the pages being printed.   If not, take the printer off line and hit
    Control Break to stop the program.  Some files are so badly constructed
    that  they cannot be printed in bookform.  If that is the case you must
    load that file into a word  processor  and make those corrections.  The
    next step after the first sides are printed the  program pauses and you
    must  take  the  paper, FLIP the paper and set up the paper to start at
    the top of the page and  on  the  back  of  the first page printed then
    place printer back on-line.  The program will continue till the balance
    of  the  file  is  printed.  Make sure that the printer stops by itself
    both in the middle and  at  the  end of the flipped pages.  To stop the
    program at any time hit Control Break at any time.   Make sure that DOS
    recognizes  the  break  command  by  typing break at the DOS prompt. If
    break is set off you can  easily  change it to on by typing break on at
    the DOS prompt.  Also files MUST be in ASCII only,  not saved DOC files
    from  say,  WordPerfect.   If  the  files  is other than pure ASCII the
    program will not function correctly.










    Also the program does not have a lot of error handling routines.  These
    were left out so as not to bloat the program  code.   The  program will
    report  paths that are not found or files, printers that are off or not
    on-line and a few other  errors.   If  an error occurs that there is no
    handling procedure it will simply stop.

         This  program  has not been tested on all the different  types  of
    printers.  Users  assume  all  risks  in using this program.  Specialty
    Software Systems reserves  all  rights to this program and is releasing
    this program as Freeware.  Program may not be modified in any way.  Use
    of  this  program  constitutes  acceptance  of the above conditions and
    shall hold Specialty Software  Systems  harmless for any and all claims
    arising out of the use or inability to use this program.

        Finally, this program is Freeware.  I am releasing this and several
    other  utilities  as  Freeware.  This is some payback for all the other
    fine talented programmers  who  have  released their programs either as
    Shareware or Freeware.  I retain all rights to this program and no user
    may  modify  it  in  anyway.   If the program is of help to you, use it
    freely.  Distribute widely please. If the program doesn't work for your
    application it's not because of the program, it just wasn't written for
    your  particular  document  file.  If you want, drop me a postcard with
    any comments or just a hello  but don't send money!  I enjoy seeing the
    way a program makes the rounds across the country.

        For  the  curious,  the  program was written using  PowerBasic  and
    optimized. PowerBasic  provides  a convenient and powerful language set
    to develop programs quickly.  PowerBasic is the better Basic with
    the power for the 90's.  Source code provided with a SASE.

        Once again, thanks for using BOOKFORM.

              Specialty Software Systems
              P.O. BOX 470063
              Cleveland, Ohio 44147