Night Owl 6/Night Owl's Shareware - PDSI-006 - Night Owl Corp (1990).iso/008a/fm1109.zip/FM.DOC

Text File | 1992-01-01 | 25KB | 481 lines

                           F A X   M A N A G E R
                               version 1.10

                    Copyright 1990 - 1992 by Frank Cox
                            All Rights Reserved

OVERVIEW

     FAX MANAGER prints FAX cover  sheets, and maintains a database of  the
names and FAX numbers  of the people  that you send FAXES  to on a  regular
basis.

     A FAX cover  sheet is the  first sheet of  paper transmitted when  you
send someone a FAX.  It states the name and address of the sender, the name
of the recipient, the number of sheets  to follow the cover page, the  date
and time the FAX was sent, and a telephone number for the recipient to call
if he doesn't receive  the entire FAX in  good condition (due to  telephone
line noise or whatever).  In addition, FAX MANAGER allows you to include  a
short message (up to twenty lines long) on the cover sheet.  In some cases,
a FAX MANAGER cover sheet is the only page you need to send.

     FAX MANAGER can maintain a list of names and FAX phone numbers, so you
don't have to try to keep and update a "FAX address book" on paper.

     If you wish, FAX MANAGER can also  print out a stack of "blank"  cover
sheets for later use.

REQUIREMENTS

     FAX MANAGER runs on  an MS-DOS or PC-DOS  computer running DOS 3.x  or
higher with either a  colour or monochrome screen  and at least one  floppy
disk drive.  A printer is also required.  FAX MANAGER has the configuration
for HPII Laser Printers, Epson  (or compatible) printers, IBM  Proprinters,
Toshiba printers,  Star  NX-2400 printers,  and  Tandy printers  built  in.
Other printer types can be installed by the user.

OPERATION

     To start FAX MANAGER, just type FM at the DOS prompt.

Configuration

     Before you can use it, FAX MANAGER must be configured.   Configuration
information is  stored  in  the EXE  file.    If FAX  MANAGER  hasn't  been
configured, it will automatically go to the Configuration screen.  You  can
enter the  name and  address  of the  sender,  and the  relevant  telephone
numbers here.  Hit the <ESC> key when done.  FAX MANAGER will not allow you
to exit until all required fields are entered on this screen.

     The next screen allows you tell  FAX MANAGER what type of printer  you
have.  First, you are shown a list  of printer types and asked to pick  one
of them by number.  If you have one of the listed printers, just select the
appropriate number  and the  required configuration  will be  automatically
entered on the  screen.  If  you do  not have one  of the listed  printers,
select one of them anyway.   The program will  then allow you to  customize
the printer configuration.   (See the  paragraph following regarding  Laser
Printers.)

     If you have one of  the listed printers, under most circumstances  you
are done with the configuration at this point and may hit the <ESC> key  to
exit this screen.  (Note:  I have found that some Epson-compatible printers
do not include  the "Double-High"  capability.  If  you have  one of  these
printers that does  not include this  capability, just  re-type the  Double
High On field to the same as the  Double Wide ON field, and re-type  Double
High Off to the same as Double Wide Off.  If the printed cover sheet  looks
a bit strange, especially if the top line isn't properly centered, you must
change these fields as specified here.)

     If you do not have one of the listed printers, you will have to  enter
your printer configuration yourself.   Look up  the codes specified on  the
screen (Double Wide on/off, Double High on/off, Underline on/off, NLQ  mode
on, and Printer Reset).   The numbers are  entered in decimal format,  with
one space separating one number from  another.  FAX MANAGER will insist  on
at least one number being entered in each field - if your printer does  not
include one of the listed capabilities (such as Double High), you may  have
to experiment a bit using some  of the capabilities that your printer  does
have in place of some of the listed  fields.  (Incidentally, if you have  a
printer that is not directly supported by FAX MANAGER and you configure  it
manually in this manner I would appreciate it  if you would send me a  copy
of the numbers that you  use for each field.   This way, I will be able  to
include your printer type in the next release of FAX MANAGER.)

     LASER PRINTER?  (Y/N):   Note that  one of the  fields in the  Printer
Configuration Screen is "Laser Printer?  (Y/N)".  If this option is set  to
"N" then cover sheets  are printed on a  66-line page, and the  double-wide
characters are  centered over  a 40-character  line length.   This  is  the
correct setting for  most dot matrix  printers that  can print  double-wide
characters.  If this option is set to "Y", then cover sheets are printed on
a 60-line page, and all characters, including those supposedly double-wide,
are centered over an 80-character line length.  This is the correct setting
for laser and inkjet printers that can not print double-wide characters  in
the same  manner as  a dot  matrix printer  can.   The HPII  Laser  Printer
setting listed  on the  Printer  Configuration Menu  substitutes  bold-face
printing for what would  be printed using  double-wide characters on a  dot
matrix printer.

     Hit <ESC> to exit the printer configuration screen.  FAX MANAGER  will
ask if you want to save the configuration.  If you answer "Y", the  current
settings specified  on the  configuration screens  will be  saved and  will
become the default settings the  next time FAX MANAGER  is loaded.  If  you
answer "N", the current settings will  not be saved.  However, the  current
settings will be used for  the remainder of the present session  regardless
of whether you specify "Y" or "N", and will remain in effect until you exit
the program or re-configure it again.

     As  mentioned  above,  the  Configuration  section  is   automatically
selected only if the program has  not been previously configured.  You  may
re-configure the program at any time by selecting the Config menu option at
the main program screen.

Entering Data

     Enter data into the configuration screens and the main program  screen
by simply typing it in.  Move around  between fields with the tab key,  the
return key, or the up and down arrow keys.  Move around within a field with
the left and right arrow keys, the backspace key, or the delete key.

     FAX MANAGER attempts  to act in  a semi-"intelligent"  manner when  it
comes to entering data.   For example, numbers  will be accepted for  input
into the telephone number fields; letters will be rejected.

Selecting Items From the Menu

     After configuration, FAX  MANAGER will take  you to  the main  program
screen.  Here you may enter the  information that you want printed on  your
FAX cover sheets (name of recipient, etc.) or select other options from the
menu.

     Move back and forth  between the menu and  the main program screen  by
hitting the <ESC> key.  Hit <ESC> once,  and you will be at the main  menu.
Hit <ESC> again, and you will be back on the main program screen.

     You move around the  main menu by hitting  either the first letter  of
the option you want  to select (i.e.  "P" for Print FAX)  or by moving  the
highlight with the arrow keys, space bar, or tab key and hitting the return
key on the option you want to select.

Main Program Screen

     Here you may enter  the name of  the recipient of  your FAX and  other
relevant data.

     To print "blank" FAX  cover sheets which  you can fill  in with a  pen
(the old-fashioned way) later,  do not enter any  data on the main  program
screen.

Enter/Edit Message

     This is a simple message editor that will allow you to enter a message
of up to twenty lines which will be printed on the bottom of your FAX cover
sheet.  Use the arrow  keys, the backspace and  delete keys, and return  to
move around the  screen.  Hold  down the  ALT key and  hit C  to clear  all
message text currently entered.  If  there is a default message present  as
described in the  following paragraphs, you  will be asked  if you want  to
clear all the message text, i.e. blank the whole thing, or keep the default
message text.

     The  message  editor  is  not  intended  to  be  a  full-fledged  word
processor, but it  should be adequate  for any short  messages you wish  to
send.

     You can create  a default message,  which will  always be included  on
your cover sheets.  Simply write the message you want to save as a  default
using the message editor, then hold down the ALT key and hit S to save  the
default message text.   From here  on, whatever you  typed will become  the
default message  on any  cover  sheets you  print.   However,  the  default
message will NOT be included on any  FAX cover sheets you retrieve via  the
Load FAX option unless  the message was included  when the cover sheet  was
originally saved.  (The reason for this is fairly obvious - you may have  a
different message saved with  the cover sheet and  you don't want to  over-
write it.   You  can, of  course, retrieve  the default  message simply  by
clearing the existing one using ALT-C as described above.)

     The default message may be changed at any time by simply re-saving  it
using the ALT-S key combination described.  ALT-D will allow you to  delete
the default message if you decide you no longer want a default message.

     Hit <ESC> to exit from this screen and return to the main menu.

Print FAX

     This option allows you to print the  FAX cover sheet.  This will  work
in one of  two ways.   If any  data has been  entered on  the main  program
screen, FAX MANAGER will verify that the required fields are present.  This
means that data must be  entered in all fields  on the main program  screen
excepting only the Attention: field which is optional.  If no data has been
entered on the main program screen, FAX MANAGER will ask how many copies of
a "blank" FAX cover sheet should be printed.

     At this point, provided the printer is  turned on and has paper in  it
and so forth, the  FAX cover sheet  should be printed.   The data, if  any,
currently on the main program screen will be included on the FAX cover, and
the current date and time will be automatically printed in the  appropriate
location on the cover  sheet as well.   Any message currently entered  into
the message editor will be printed on the bottom of the cover sheet.

     Note that when printing "blank" cover sheets, a space will be left for
you to manually fill in  the date and time on  the cover sheet.  Also,  any
message entered  into the  message editor  will still  be included  on  the
"blank" cover sheets.  This feature may or may not be useful to you.

Load FAX

     This option allows you to load the name and FAX number of a person  or
company which you have previously  saved (using the Save FAX menu  option).
Fields loaded include the recipient name, the attention line (if any),  the
recipient's FAX telephone number, sender's name, number of pages sent,  and
the message, if any.

     The names  of all  currently  saved recipients  will be  displayed  in
alphabetical order on  the screen  when the  Load FAX  option is  selected.
Move the highlight around with the arrow  keys, and hit return on the  name
you want to load.  At this point, you must answer some questions  regarding
whether you want to keep the existing message and so forth, but they should
be self-explanatory and should be easier to use than to explain here.

     This screen also  allows you to  delete unwanted  or no longer  needed
recipients from the database.  Hit the D key on the name you want to delete
- the program will confirm that you really want to delete the entry, and it
will be removed from the list.

Save FAX

     This option  allows you  to save  the name  and FAX  number  currently
entered in the  main program screen.   Fields  saved include the  recipient
name, the attention line  (if any), the  recipient's FAX telephone  number,
sender's name, number of pages sent, and the message, if any.

     Previous versions of FAX Manager would  allow you to save up to  forty
names in the database.   This limitation  no longer exists.   You can  save
"lots" of names in the database  now, limited only by available disk  space
and memory.  You  can delete some  names from the  database if required  by
using the delete option described above under the Load FAX heading.

FAX Directory

     This prints out a listing of  all the names and FAX telephone  numbers
currently in  the database.    You may  want  to post  it beside  your  FAX
machine.  You can also print the directory to the screen, if you wish.

Config

     This selects the configuration options which are explained above under
Configuration.

Quit

     When this  option is  selected,  FAX MANAGER  exits  back to  the  DOS
prompt.

FILES

     FAX MANAGER  stores its  configuration  information (name  of  sender,
etc.) right inside of the main program file.  So what, you may ask.   Well,
this means that you may,  if you wish, have  multiple copies of the  FM.EXE
file on  your  disk  under different  names,  each  of which  has  its  own
configuration.  For  example, if I  were to  make a copy  of FM.EXE  called
FM2.EXE, I  could  then fire  up  FM2 and  have  it  set for  a  completely
different company or person as the sender.

     FAX MANAGER also creates a file (or two) on disk for its own use.   To
facilitate use of the program by multiple people, the name of the  database
file which contains the names and FAX telephone numbers in the database  is
derived from the name of the program file, with one exception listed  below
under COMMAND LINE  ARGUMENTS.   FM.EXE will  create a  file called  FM.DAT
which will  hold the  FAX database.    FM2.EXE will  create a  file  called
FM2.DAT, FRED.EXE will create FRED.DAT and so forth.

     The default message  text, if  any, is stored  under the  name of  the
program file with a .MSG extension.   In other words, FM.EXE will create  a
file called FM.MSG to  hold the default  message text, FM2.EXE will  create
FM2.MSG, etc.

     FAX MANAGER always stores its  database file and default message  text
in the directory in which the program file is stored.  FAX MANAGER searches
the MS-DOS environment to find the  location of the executable, so you  can
have the program along your path, in a different directory, or wherever you
wish - as long as the database file and default message text (if any) is in
the same directory as the program, FAX MANAGER can find it.

     FAX MANAGER 1.10 DATABASE FILES  ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH DATABASE  FILES
CREATED BY PREVIOUS VERSION OF FAX  MANAGER!  As the amount of  information
stored in the database  has been increased to  include the message and  the
name of  sender  and what-not,  the  structure  of the  database  file  has
changed.  Therefore,  attempting to use  FAX Manager  1.10 with a  previous
database will cause the program to crash.  Sorry about that.  The price  of
upgrading, I suppose.

COMMAND LINE ARGUMENTS

     You can change the  name of the database  file which FAX MANAGER  will
load and use by  specifying its name  on the command line  that you use  to
fire up FAX MANAGER.   For example,  if FAX MANAGER  is called the  default
name FM.EXE, you can give the command:

               FM DATA

and FAX  MANAGER will  use the  database file  called DATA.DAT  instead  of
FM.DAT.  As  described under  the FILES  heading above,  FAX MANAGER  would
otherwise use FM.DAT automatically if we had simply cranked up the  program
by giving the command FM with no argument.

     In any event, the database file must still be located in the directory
in which the FAX MANAGER program itself resides!  If the FAX MANAGER is  in
the directory C:\FM>,  you can't have  a database file  in C:\DATA>!   Call
your data files what you wish, but put them in the proper directory or  FAX
MANAGER won't find them.   Actually, you don't  really have to worry  about
this, as  FAX MANAGER  will  automatically put  all  files where  they  are
supposed to be.  As long as you don't move them around between directories,
you have nothing to worry about.  If you re-arrange your directories,  just
be sure that the FAX MANAGER database  files go along with the FAX  MANAGER
program, and you have no problem.  (Note:  DON'T CONFUSE THIS WITH ANY TYPE
OF COPY PROTECTION!  FAX MANAGER is NOT copy protected in any way, and  you
may freely distribute  it to anyone  you wish  for that person  to try  out
himself.)

     The command line argument RESET will de-configure (un-configure?)  the
FAX MANAGER program, blanking  out all of  the sender fields, printer  type
selected, and so forth.   The next  time the program is  fired up, it  will
automatically go to  the configuration screen.   You may  want to give  the
command:

               FM RESET

before giving FAX MANAGER away to someone else, so that they will receive a
"clean" copy in the same condition that you received it in.

EXECUTABLE FILE COMPRESSION PROGRAMS

     There are a few programs around which will compress a program file  so
that it will take up less of your  valuable disk real estate but still  run
in the same manner  as it did when  it was un-compressed.    The ones I  am
familiar with are called  PKLITE, LZEXE, DIET and  TINYPROG.  All of  these
programs do much the same job with varying degrees of efficiency.

     As FAX MANAGER stores its configuration  in its EXE file, you can  not
save the configuration if you have compressed FAX MANAGER with one of these
programs or a similar program.   This means that  if you use an  executable
file compression program to compress FAX MANAGER, you should still keep  an
un-compressed copy of FAX MANAGER  around in case you want to  re-configure
it.

     FAX MANAGER will work  fine after being  compressed with one of  these
programs,  other  than  that  you  can't  re-configure  it  and  save   the
configuration.   You can  still change  the configuration  for the  current
session.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

     FAX MANAGER  would not  have been  possible without  the comments  and
testing by Tony  Phillips of  Akron, Ohio  and Chris  O'Neill of  Winnipeg,
Manitoba.  Thanks are also due to Robert Swift of Estevan, Saskatchewan for
the wording of the  copyright, warranty and  distribution sections of  this
documentation.   Also,  thanks  to  the  clerical  staff  of  the  Town  of
Kindersley  Administration  Office  (Nancy,  Denise,  Linda  and  the   two
Bonnie's) who  found  themselves  running various  test  versions  of  this
software throughout its development.

     Thanks to Ken Wecter ("The Computer Doctor") of Fresno, California for
providing the information needed  to get FAX Manager  to work with a  laser
printer.

     Users  of  this  program  have  also  provided  much  input  into  its
development.  If you sent  in a suggestion, you may  find that it has  been
incorporated into this version of FAX Manager.  Actually, this program  has
become much larger and more full-featured than I had originally intended it
to be.  But who's complaining, right?

COPYRIGHT

     The FAX MANAGER program is copyrighted and all rights  are reserved by
Frank Cox.

     THIS IS  NOT FREE   SOFTWARE!   If  you paid a "public domain"  vendor
for this program, you paid for the service of copying the program, and  not
for the program itself.  Rest assured that nothing ever gets to the  author
of this product from such  a sale.  You may  evaluate this product, but  if
you make use of it beyond a reasonable trial period, you must register your
copy.

     FAX MANAGER is fully functional in  an unregistered state.  It is  not
"crippled" in any way.

WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER

     The author  makes  no warranties,  expressed  or implied,  as  to  the
quality or performance of this program.  The author will not be held liable
for any  direct, indirect,  incidental or  consequential damages  resulting
from the use of this  program.  Your use  of this program constitutes  your
agreement to this disclaimer and your  release of the author from any  form
of liability or litigation.

DISTRIBUTION

     This is "user-supported" software.   You are hereby granted a  license
to distribute this copy of FAX  MANAGER and  its documentation, subject  to
the following conditions:

     1.   FAX  MANAGER  may  be   distributed  freely  without  charge   in
evaluation form only.

     2.   FAX MANAGER may not be sold,  licensed, or a fee charged for  its
use.  If a fee  is charged in connection with   FAX MANAGER, it must  cover
the cost of copying  or dissemination only.   Such charges must be  clearly
identified as such by  the originating party.   Under no circumstances  may
the purchaser be  given the  impression that  they are  buying FAX  MANAGER
itself.

     3.   FAX MANAGER must be presented as a complete unit, including  this
documentation.  Neither FAX MANAGER nor its documentation may be amended or
altered in any way.

     4.   By granting you the  right to distribute  the evaluation form  of
FAX MANAGER, you do not become the owner of FAX MANAGER in any form.

     Any other  use,  distribution  or representation  of  FAX  MANAGER  is
expressly forbidden without the written consent of Frank Cox.

REGISTRATION

Registering FAX  MANAGER allows  you to  use the  product after  the  trial
period.  Registered FAX MANAGER users will be notified of future updates to
FAX MANAGER.  Most importantly,  registered users know they are helping  to
make  sure that high-quality software like FAX MANAGER continues to be sold
in this low-cost way.

FAX MANAGER registration costs $20.  Payment may be in the form of check or
money order in Canadian  currency if in Canada,  or by US or  international
money order in US currency elsewhere.  Payment should be made out to:

                         Frank Cox
                         P. O. Box 2694
                         Kindersley, Saskatchewan
                         Canada  S0L 1S0

COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, BUGS??

     Any comments,  suggestions  for  future enhancements  or  bug  reports
should be sent to the author at the above address.  If you have worked  out
a setup for  a different printer  not currently  directly supported by  FAX
MANAGER, I would appreciate it if you would send it to me.  Future versions
of FAX MANAGER may include direct support for more printers if I know  what
their setup is.

     As noted above, FAX  Manager development is  largely user driven.   If
you have a idea for a feature you would like to see in FAX Manager, send it
to me  and I'll  see  what I  can do  for you.    I might  not be  able  to
accommodate everything that everyone wants,  but I'll certainly do my  best
to keep FAX Manager development moving along if the demand is there.

     You can also send me Fidonet mail, or call my BBS if you wish.

     THE BIG ELECTRIC CAT, [phone], 23 hours a day, 7 days a week.
     Fidonet address 1:140/53.  Just leave a message for the Sysop.

HISTORY:

     Version 1.0 released January 1, 1991.  Initial release.

     Version 1.0d released September 11, 1991.  FAX MANAGER now stores  its
configuration within its EXE file.  Added support for Toshiba and Star  NX-
2400 printers.  Added support for multiple database files, called by either
command line  argument or  varied program  name.   Fixed  a bug  where  the
allowed field for  the "Attention:" line  was two  characters too long  (it
over-ran the edge of the  paper if you filled  the field completely).   The
Load FAX command now returns you to  the data entry screen rather than  the
menu bar.  FAX MANAGER can now find  itself on disk - you don't have to  be
in the directory where the program resides, you can have it along your path
or wherever.

     Version 1.10 (this one) released January  1, 1992.  Fixed a bug  where
the Directory function  quit working in  version 1.10d.   (Shucks,  there's
always one more thing.)  The Directory can now be printed to the screen, if
you wish.   Added  support for  HPII  Laser Printers.   Added  support  for
default message text.  The program now saves "everything" in the  database,
including the message  text, the  name of  the sender,  and whatever  else.
Added error checking to  the printing routine  so it will  trap an "out  of
paper" error in the middle of a page.  Removed the 40-record limit from the
database - it  can now grow  as large  as available memory  and disk  space
allow.