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╓──┐ TM
╙──╖┌╥┐╥╖ ╓─╖╥─╖╥─┐
║ ║ ╟╨╖║ ║╟─╢╟┤
└──╜ ╨ ╨ ╨╙─╜╨─╜╨─┘
Cursor Enhancement Software
▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄
User's Guide
▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄
█ /Bn - Cursor bli█
█ /C - High contr█
█ /D - Display cu█
█ /I - Don't use █
█ /R - Restore st█
█ /S - Display Sh█
█ /U - Uninstall █
█ /? - Display th█
█ █
█ █
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Version 1.0
Copyright (C) 1991 KJL Software
All Rights Reserved
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
NOTICE
The information contained in this document is subject to change
without notice. KJL Software makes no warranty of any kind with regard
to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
KJL Software shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of this material.
Copyright
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe is Copyright (C) 1991 KJL Software. All rights reserved.
This document is Copyright (C) 1991 KJL Software. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe is a trademark of KJL Software.
All brand and product names referenced within this document are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIMITED LICENSE AGREEMENT
Registration Information ...................................... ii
Site Licenses ................................................ iii
NETWORK USERS ............................................ iii
Special Requests .............................................. iv
What is Shareware? ............................................ iv
How to Contact the Author ..................................... iv
LIMITED DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT .................................... vi
WARRANTY DISCLAIMER .............................................. vii
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
The README File ............................................. viii
Symbols and Conventions ..................................... viii
INTRODUCTION
About Strobe .................................................. ix
How it Works .................................................. ix
CHAPTER 1, GETTING STARTED
What You Need .................................................. 1
Included Files ................................................. 1
Installing Strobe .............................................. 2
Modifying the AUTOEXEC.BAT File ................................ 3
Loading Strobe ................................................. 4
Software Conflicts ............................................. 4
Resolving Conflicts ........................................ 5
Uninstalling Strobe ............................................ 5
CHAPTER 2, OVERVIEW
Cursor Attribute ............................................... 7
Blink Rate ..................................................... 8
High Contrast Cursor ........................................... 8
Display Settings ............................................... 9
High Intensity Background Colors ............................... 9
Restore Standard Cursor ....................................... 10
Display Shareware Information ................................. 10
Uninstall ..................................................... 10
Help Screen ................................................... 10
APPENDIX A, COMMAND-LINE OPTIONS .................................. 11
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe User's Guide i
APPENDIX B, ERROR MESSAGES ........................................ 13
INDEX ............................................................. 15
REGISTRATION FORM ................................................. 16
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe User's Guide ii
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LIMITED LICENSE AGREEMENT
Strobe is provided at no charge for evaluation purposes only. It is a
copyrighted program and is neither free nor public domain software.
KJL Software hereby grants you a limited license to use this software
for evaluation purposes only for a period not to exceed thirty (30)
days. If you intend to continue using this software and/or its
documentation after the 30-day evaluation period, you MUST make a
registration payment to KJL Software. Using this software after the
evaluation period has ended without registering is a violation of the
terms of this limited license.
Registration Information
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You may register Strobe using the form found at the end of this manual
(or in the file REGISTER.FRM). Payment of the $15 registration fee
licenses one copy of the software for use on one computer. Additional
sites, or additional computers including those on a network, must be
licensed separately unless a site license is ordered. Company purchase
order are also accepted.
As a registered user of Strobe, you will receive:
1. The registered version of the software which omits all
registration reminders, and therefore uses less memory.
2. The most current version of the program. We are always
improving our products, and registration ensures that you have
the very latest version.
3. Shareware versions of our products absolutely free.
4. Notification of significant upgrades to Strobe.
5. Low-cost upgrades to the latest version of Strobe (typically
20-30% of the registration cost)
6. Special offers on other products from KJL Software.
7. Free technical support.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe User's Guide iii
Site Licenses
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you require multiple copies of Strobe for use within your
organization, you must either register each copy or buy a site license
which allows you to make a set number of copies. To order a site
license, you can use the agreement located in the file SITELICN.DOC or
you may provide your own for our evaluation.
NETWORK USERS
If you will be installing Strobe on a network, each machine which has
access to Strobe must have a license to use the software. So if you
have 25 machines networked together and all will be able to use
Strobe, then either 25 separate copies (at $15 each) must be
registered or a site license for ($14 x 25 users = $350) must be
obtained.
Use the following table and estimate the number of copies of the
program you will require. Additional copies can be added at any time
based on the number licensed thus far.
┌────────────────────────┬─────────────────┐
│ Number of copies │ Price per copy │
╞════════════════════════╪═════════════════╡
│ 1 │ $15 │
│ 2 to 10 │ 15 │
│ 11 to 25 │ 14 │
│ 26 to 50 │ 13 │
│ 51 to 75 │ 12 │
│ 76 to 100 │ 11 │
│ 101 to 125 │ 10 │
│ │ │
│ Unlimited at one site │ $1500 │
│ Additional sites │ 750 per site │
└────────────────────────┴─────────────────┘
Note that for each site, only one set of materials will be provided. A
contact within your organization will be provided with a serial
number, the registered version of Strobe, and two years of free
upgrades.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe User's Guide iv
Special Requests
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Special requirements such as customized versions of Strobe or
inclusion with hardware products should be submitted in writing to KJL
Software.
What is Shareware?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Shareware is a marketing scheme based on the concept whereby people
can have a legal but limited trial period to evaluate software before
they purchase. During this period you can try the program on your own
equipment to see if it suits your needs. If you continue using the
program after this period, you must pay for it.
Please understand that a Shareware program requires just as much
effort to produce as a program you buy off the shelf, so please help
keep the concept alive by registering the quality software you use.
How to Contact the Author
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The most efficient way to contact the author is through the Compuserve
Information Service. Type GO IBMSYS or GO IBMHW at the main menu for
the IBM Sys/Utilities or IBM Hardware forums, respectively, and post a
message or send a private Compuserve Mail message to the following ID:
71570,1012
If you do not have a Compuserve account or would prefer to write a
letter, send it to:
KJL Software
2970 Mira Place
Burnaby, B.C. V3J 1B6
Canada
When requesting support, the following information may be helpful in
resolving the problem:
■ Program version number (see disk label or program screens)
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe User's Guide v
■ Computer make, model, and amount of available memory (use the
CHKDSK command to determine the amount of free memory)
■ Operating system and version number (type VER at the DOS
prompt)
■ Contents of your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files
■ List of any other programs loaded, in order loaded
Unregistered users of Strobe will have their questions answered but
priority will be given to registered users.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe User's Guide vi
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LIMITED DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Please note that the Strobe package is defined as a complete
collection of all the files listed in the PACKLIST.DOC file. If any of
the files listed in the file are missing, or the PACKLIST.DOC file
itself is missing, then the package is not complete and distribution
is forbidden. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a complete
package suitable for distribution at nominal cost.
KJL Software encourages you to freely copy and distribute the
UNREGISTERED version of Strobe subject to the following restrictions:
1. The package, as outlined above, CANNOT be modified in any way
and must be distributed as a complete package, without
exception.
2. No programs or files can be included which modify or describe
how to modify any files in the package, for example to by-pass
the Shareware notices or delays.
3. You may charge a distribution fee for the package, not to
exceed $10 US, but you must not represent in any way that the
fee is for the purchase of the software itself.
4. KJL Software reserves the right to withdraw permission from
any vendor to distribute our products at any time and for any
reason.
All rights not expressly granted here are reserved by KJL Software.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe User's Guide vii
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WARRANTY DISCLAIMER
THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
KJL SOFTWARE DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY FOR THE USE OF THIS
SOFTWARE BEYOND THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
IN NO EVENT WILL KJL SOFTWARE BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES
WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS, OR ANY OTHER INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES) ARISING FROM THE USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE,
THIS SOFTWARE AND ITS ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF KJL SOFTWARE
HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME
STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR
CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT
APPLY TO YOU.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe User's Guide viii
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ABOUT THIS MANUAL
The README File
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Please examine and/or print the file README included with the Strobe
package first, it contains important information regarding the
program.
Symbols and Conventions
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The symbols used throughout this manual have the following meanings:
■ Square bullets indicate lists of items.
<Brackets> indicate keystrokes, for example <Esc>, <Enter>, or <K>.
ALL CAPITALS indicate names of files. When you type the names, you can
use any combination of upper and lower case.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
About This Manual ix
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INTRODUCTION
This section describes the features and benefits of Strobe, the cursor
enhancement program.
About Strobe
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Strobe is a memory-resident program which converts the standard
blinking cursor to an inverted block which is much easier to see,
especially on laptop displays. The following is a partial list if its
features:
■ Change cursor blink rate to anything between non-blinking and
extremely fast.
■ Cursor can be set to any color, including attributes with high
intensity backgrounds.
■ High contrast option for a truly visible cursor.
■ Strobe is compatible with Lotus 1-2-3.
■ Strobe can be deactivated at any time for compatibility with
all application programs.
■ Strobe can be removed from memory at any time.
■ Uses only 1.5K bytes of memory when resident.
■ Works with all 100% IBM-compatible computers.
■ Supports Monochrome, CGA, Hercules, EGA, MCGA, and VGA video
adapters operating in text-mode.
How it Works
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The blinking cursor in text modes is generated by the video adapter
hardware and the blink rate and attributes of it cannot be readily
changed. Strobe replaces this hardware cursor entirely with a software
version that can be modified to make it very easy to see.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Introduction x
Laptop owners have long struggled with the tiny cursor available on
most machines. This cursor tends to turn nearly invisible due to the
low-contrast and slow refresh rate of LCD displays. With Strobe
installed, the cursor blink rate can be adjusted to better match the
display.
Strobe is not of course limited to use with laptop computers, anyone
who has every thought to themselves, "wouldn't it be nice if I could
change the blink rate of that cursor" is a possible user of this
software. Also, if you find the incessant blinking of the cursor to be
annoying, Strobe can replace it with a soothing block cursor that
doesn't blink.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Introduction xi
CHAPTER 1
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GETTING STARTED
This chapter will allow you to get Strobe set-up on your system and
operating as quickly as possible, you will learn:
■ The equipment necessary to run Strobe
■ How to install and load Strobe
■ Compatibility with other software
If you are an experienced user, please feel free to skip to the
section "Loading Strobe" on page 4.
What You Need
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
To use Strobe, you must have the following:
■ A 100% IBM-compatible computer
■ PC-DOS or MS-DOS, operating system, version 2.0 or later
■ A minimum of 1.5K bytes of available RAM
■ A 3.5 or 5.25-inch floppy disk drive
Included Files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The Strobe software package consists of the following files:
README Important information about Strobe
INTRO .BAT Introduction, installation, and file printing
STROBE .COM The Strobe program
PRINTEXT.COM Document printing utility
BBS .DOC Distribution of Strobe on a BBS
LICENSE .DOC License agreement
STROBE .DOC Strobe User's Manual
PACKLIST.DOC This list of files
PRODUCTS.DOC List of other products available from KJL Software
SITELICN.DOC Site license information and agreement
VENDOR .DOC Distribution of Strobe by a disk vendor
SCRSHOW .EXE Window display utility for INTRO.BAT
REGISTER.FRM Registration form
INTRO .SCN Windows for INTRO.BAT
14 Files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 1, Getting Started 1
Be sure that all of these files are included with your Strobe package.
If files are missing, you can contact KJL Software to obtain the full
package for a nominal charge.
Installing Strobe
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The Strobe program can be installed on a hard-drive or diskette using
a few simple DOS commands as outlined below.
If you are installing Strobe on a floppy disk and do not have a hard
drive on your system, it is recommended that you install Strobe on the
DOS boot disk that you use to start-up the computer.
Follow these steps to install Strobe on a floppy diskette:
1. Insert the Strobe distribution diskette into your computer's
diskette drive.
This installation procedure will assume that drive A: contains
the Strobe distribution diskette and that drive B: is the
destination drive where the files will be installed.
2. Type the following command to copy the files from the
distribution disk.
COPY A:*.* B: and press <Enter>
If your system is equipped with one drive, you will be
prompted to swap diskettes several times (you may wish to use
XCOPY instead to reduce the amount of swapping required).
█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█
█ HINT █
█ █
█ If you are short of space on your boot diskette, you only require █
█ the following file to run Strobe: █
█ █
█ STROBE.COM █
█▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 1, Getting Started 2
Follow these steps to install Strobe on a hard-drive:
1. Insert the Strobe diskette into your computer's diskette
drive.
2. Log onto the hard-disk drive, for example if it is drive C:
then type:
C: and press <Enter>
3. Create a new directory for the Strobe distribution files by
entering the following command:
MD \STROBE and press <Enter>
4. Change to the newly created directory by typing:
CD \STROBE and press <Enter>
5. Copy the files from the distribution disk to the new
directory:
COPY A:*.* and press <Enter>
Modifying the AUTOEXEC.BAT File
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The AUTOEXEC.BAT file is a special file that is automatically executed
by the operating system every time the computer is started or re-
booted. By adding one line to this file, Strobe can be loaded
automatically each time you turn on the computer.
The following steps will modify the AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
1. First, let's make a back-up of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file as a
precaution as follows:
COPY AUTOEXEC.BAT AUTOEXEC.OLD and press <Enter>
2. Load your AUTOEXEC.BAT file into a text editor (or a word
processor capable of saving ASCII files).
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 1, Getting Started 3
3. Add the following line to the file, preferably at the end:
STROBE
Numerous options can be included after the program name, but
we will defer their discussion until Chapter 3.
4. Save the file to disk. If you are using a word processor,
remember to select the "Save as ASCII" option to prevent
formatting codes from being saved to the file.
5. Now, every time the computer is started or re-booted, Strobe
will be automatically loaded into memory.
Loading Strobe
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
After you have installed Strobe, you must still load it into memory
since the installation procedure merely copies the files to your
working disk drive. If you have re-booted your computer after changed
the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, then just read the following section.
To load Strobe into memory, do the following:
1. Type STROBE and press <Enter>
The Strobe installation screen will appear showing the program version
number, copyright notice, and a list of command-line entries. The
Shareware version of Strobe will also display a registration reminder.
Finally, the message "Strobe installed" tells you that the program is
running and the cursor should have changed to a large non-blinking
rectangle.
█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█
█ NOTE █
█ █
█ Strobe will not change the cursor in graphics programs. █
█ █
█ It can remain in memory when running a graphics program, but the █
█ cursor will not be modified. When you return to a text mode, █
█ however, Strobe will be waiting. █
█▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 1, Getting Started 4
Software Conflicts
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you have other memory-resident programs on your system, such as
mouse drivers or print spoolers, please load them before Strobe. This
will allow Strobe to be uninstalled easily and may prevent possible
conflicts with these other memory-resident programs.
Many programs access the video adapter directly to improve
performance, when these programs write to the screen, Strobe is
usually able to detect the action. However, when the program reads
directly from the screen, such as to display a pop-up window, Strobe
has no way of detecting this so the cursor will also be read from the
screen. When the screen under the window is restored, Strobe may
inadvertently hide the cursor or leave a cursor remnant on the screen.
This is not as terrible as it sounds since the next time the cursor is
moved or the screen scrolled, Strobe will instantly restore the
cursor.
The cursor may disappear at times after returning to the DOS command-
line from a program. This occasionally happens even without Strobe
installed, the solution is to simply reset the display with the
command:
MODE CO80 or MODE BW80 or MODE MONO depending on the video
adapter installed.
█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█
█ NOTE █
█ █
█ You may wish to turn Strobe off when running communications █
█ programs to prevent the loss of transmitted characters. Please █
█ refer to the command-line switch /R in Chapter 2. █
█▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█
Resolving Conflicts
If you should discover a conflict after Strobe is loaded, the order in
which your memory-resident programs are loaded into memory may be a
contributing factor. It is therefore important to remove all memory-
resident programs from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file (by placing a REM
statement before each line) and add them one at a time until the
conflicting programs are discovered.
Uninstalling Strobe
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 1, Getting Started 5
If you need to reclaim the memory used by Strobe, the program can be
easily removed from memory.
The following procedure is used to remove Strobe from memory:
1. Change to the directory containing STROBE.COM
2. Type STROBE /U and press <Enter>
3. The message, "Strobe uninstalled successfully" should be
displayed.
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█ NOTE █
█ █
█ Strobe can be removed from memory only if it is the last installed █
█ program. So if you loaded another memory-resident program after █
█ Strobe, it must be uninstalled first. █
█▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄█
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 1, Getting Started 6
CHAPTER 2
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OVERVIEW
This chapter describes the options available for Strobe and how each
is used. You will be able to tailor Strobe to your own preferences and
hardware.
Cursor Attribute
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For most application programs the inverse cursor is probably the
easiest to see since it changes to suit whatever color is on the
screen. However, you may prefer to have the cursor set to a specific
color (or attribute) and not change. For example, you might want a
cursor with a bright yellow background.
To set the attribute, even after Strobe has been loaded into memory,
you can use a command with the following format:
STROBE /A [BRIGHT] foreground [ON [BRIGHT] background]
Don't worry, it looks more complicated than it really is, the "/A" is
called a command-line switch and it selects a Strobe command, Change
Attribute in this case. After the switch you will see the word BRIGHT
in square brackets which means that is optional and can be used to
select a bright color. Next, the foreground color (the color of the
character at the cursor) is specified in English and selected from the
following list:
Black Blue Green Cyan
Red Magenta Yellow White
You can optionally specify the background color for the cursor (the
color behind the character) using the same format as for the
foreground color.
Here are a few examples:
1. STROBE /A BLACK ON BRIGHT YELLOW
This would set a very visible cursor on color displays with a
bright yellow background.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 2, Overview 7
2. Strobe /A on red
Change the background color of the current cursor to red,
without changing the foreground color.
3. strobe /a BRIGHT White
Change the foreground color of the current cursor to bright
white, without changing the background color.
After you select a cursor color you may want to restore the inverting
cursor, this is done by using the following command:
STROBE /A OFF
Blink Rate
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The ability to change the rate at which the cursor blinks is one
Strobe's finest features. The rate can be set to zero so that the
cursor will not blink at all or one of ten faster blink rates, roughly
ranging from 1 to 20 blinks-per-second.
The blink rate is specified with the command switch /B followed by the
rate in the range 0 to 10, as show below:
STROBE /B 0 or STROBE /b 7 or STROBE /B10, etc.
High Contrast Cursor
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You may also want an even bolder cursor than just inverting the
current color. The high contrast option uses bright backgrounds to
make the cursor stand-out even more from the other characters on the
screen.
Here are some examples:
1. STROBE /C ON
Turns the high contrast option on.
2. STROBE /C
This is the same as in the previous example, since the ON is
assumed.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 2, Overview 8
3. STROBE /C OFF
Turns the high contrast option off.
Display Settings
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
With all these options to keep track of, this command will display the
settings of all of Strobe's options. Just type the following at the
command line:
STROBE /D and press <Enter>
High Intensity Background Colors
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you have done any programming using colors in text modes, you may
have noticed that 16 colors are available for the foreground color but
only 8 for the background plus 8 with the character blinking. By
accessing the video adapter directly it is possible to obtain 16
background colors. However, a problem arises from the fact that you
cannot have both blinking attributes and 16 background colors, only
one can be selected at a time. If for some reason you would prefer to
have blinking characters displayed within programs instead of 16
background colors, the /I command will turn the high intensity mode
off.
By default, this command is OFF, so that high intensity background
colors are used. Here are some examples:
1. STROBE /I ON
Don't use high intensity background attributes option on.
2. STROBE /I OFF
Use high intensity background attributes
Please note that there is no reason other than aesthetics to avoid
using high intensity background colors. If a program tries to use
blinking characters they will just be displayed on the screen with
bright backgrounds, the results may sometimes be ugly but does not
cause any compatibility problems.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 2, Overview 9
Restore Standard Cursor
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For compatibility with some software, you may wish to restore the
standard hardware cursor. The /R option does exactly that and is used
as follows:
STROBE /R ON
The standard cursor would be restored.
Please note that Strobe remains in memory when this command is used,
if you want to reclaim the memory used by Strobe the /U option as
discussed later should be used instead.
Display Shareware Information
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This command displays a notice for the Shareware version of Strobe
about registering the program. The command line switch is /S and it
takes no further parameters.
Uninstall
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The /U option is used to remove Strobe from memory. If Strobe will not
function with a certain program, you can remove Strobe from memory,
run the program, then reload Strobe.
Note that for Strobe to be uninstalled, it must be the last installed
memory-resident program.
Help Screen
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The /? option displays an information screen listing all of the
available command-line options just discussed.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 2, Overview 10
APPENDIX A
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COMMAND-LINE OPTIONS
This section provides an overview of the command-line options
available when you initially load Strobe and after it is resident in
memory.
The command-line format is:
STROBE [/switches]
Command-line Switches:
/? Displays a help screen showing all of the
available command line options.
/An Selects an optional cursor attribute. The format
of n is as follows:
[[BRIGHT] foregrd [ON [BRIGHT] backgrd] | OFF]
Choices for foregrd and backgrd are:
Black, Blue, Green, Cyan,
Red, Magenta, Yellow, or White
Use /A OFF to restore inverting cursor.
/Bn Set the cursor blink rate, acceptable values are
decimal values between 0 and 10.
A blink rate of zero is a non-blinking cursor.
/C [ON | OFF] Turns on or off the high contrast (extra bright)
cursor.
/D Displays the current Strobe settings.
/I [ON | OFF] Don't use high intensity background colors option
on or off.
/R [ON | OFF] Restore standard hardware cursor on or off. Strobe
remains in memory, however.
/S Display a Shareware notice.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Appendix A, Command-line Options 11
/U Uninstalls Strobe from memory.
The switches can be used in any combination and the switch character
itself does not have to be capitalized. Also, note that switches that
allow ON/OFF selection default to ON if neither ON nor OFF is
specified.
Here are some sample command-line entries:
STROBE /B 7
Sets the blink rate to 7 (on a scale of 0 to 10).
strobe /a bright white on red
Forces the cursor to remain as a bright white on red color.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Appendix A, Command-line Options 12
APPENDIX B
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ERROR MESSAGES
This section details the possible error messages you may encounter
while using this program.
■ Can't uninstall, not last program
Strobe couldn't be removed from memory with the /U command line
option because other programs were loaded after it. Programs can
only be unloaded in the reverse order that they were loaded.
Strobe also cannot be uninstalled from a DOS shell or application
program.
■ Invalid command-line option specified
You have entered a command which is not recognized by Strobe. Refer
to the COMMAND-LINE OPTIONS section of the manual for proper syntax.
■ Memory allocation error
This is a critical error, please re-start your system and try
installed Strobe again.
■ Strobe already installed
Strobe is already installed as a memory-resident program. Only one
copy can be resident at a time.
■ Strobe not installed
The /U command-line option cannot be used until Strobe is installed
in memory.
■ Not enough memory to install Strobe
There is insufficient memory left over to install Strobe as a
memory-resident program. You need at least 1.5K bytes of available
RAM to install Strobe.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Appendix B, Error Messages 13
■ This program needs DOS 2.0 or later
You have tried to install Strobe while running an incompatible or
outdated operating system.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Appendix B, Error Messages 14
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INDEX
/? 11 Settings 9
/A 11 Shareware iv
/B 11 Shareware version 4
/C 11 Site license ii, iii
/D 11 SITELICN.DOC iii
/I 11 Special requirements iv
/R 11 Support iv
/S 11 Switches 11
/U 12 Symbols viii
Attribute 7 Technical support ii
AUTOEXEC.BAT v, 3, 5 Uninstall failure 13
Background colors 9 Uninstalling 5, 10
Blinking attributes 9 Upgrades ii
Color 7 Version number iv
Command-line 13 Warranty disclaimer vii
Command-line options 11 What You Need 1
Compuserve iv
Conflicts 4
Contacting the author iv
Contrast 8
Distribution vi
fee vi
restrictions vi
Error messages 13
Evaluation ii
Graphics 4
Installation 2
floppy disk 2
hard-drive 3
Installation screen 4
Insufficient memory 13
Inverting cursor 8
Loading 4
Mailing address iv
Memory-resident programs 4, 5
Operating system 1
Package vi
PACKLIST.DOC vi
README viii
Registration fee ii
Registration form 16
Removing from memory 5, 10
Required equipment 1
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Index 15
STROBE 1.0 REGISTRATION FORM
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Send to: KJL Software
2970 Mira Place
Burnaby, B.C. V3J 1B6
Canada
Strobe Registered Version Qty ____ @ $15 $_________
Strobe Site License Qty ____ @ $________ ea. $_________
British Columbia residents add 6% sales tax $_________
Shipping and handling
USA/Canada: $4
All other countries: $10 $_________
TOTAL $_________
Note: All payments must be in U.S. funds, drawn on a U.S. bank
Payment method: ( ) Check/money order ( ) PO # ____________________
______________________________________________________________________
Name Last First Middle Initial
______________________________________________________________________
Title Company Name
______________________________________________________________________
Street Address
______________________________________________________________________
City State/Province
______________________________________________________________________
ZIP/Postal Code Country
[ ] 5.25", 360K diskette requested (3.5", 720K diskette is standard)
Where did you get your copy of Strobe? _______________________________
Please write any comments, suggestions, or bug reports on the back of
this form or on a separate sheet of paper.
[FORM: SB10-0991-RF]
STROBE 1.0 REGISTRATION FORM
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Send to: KJL Software
2970 Mira Place
Burnaby, B.C. V3J 1B6
Canada
Strobe Registered Version Qty ____ @ $15 $_________
Strobe Site License Qty ____ @ $________ ea. $_________
British Columbia residents add 6% sales tax $_________
Shipping and handling
USA/Canada: $4
All other countries: $10 $_________
TOTAL $_________
Note: All payments must be in U.S. funds, drawn on a U.S. bank
Payment method: ( ) Check/money order ( ) PO # ____________________
______________________________________________________________________
Name Last First Middle Initial
______________________________________________________________________
Title Company Name
______________________________________________________________________
Street Address
______________________________________________________________________
City State/Province
______________________________________________________________________
ZIP/Postal Code Country
[ ] 5.25", 360K diskette requested (3.5", 720K diskette is standard)
Where did you get your copy of Strobe? _______________________________
Please write any comments, suggestions, or bug reports on the back of
this form or on a separate sheet of paper.
[FORM: SB10-0991-RF]