Frostbyte's 1980s DOS Shareware Collection

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Text File | 1990-10-07 | 36KB | 904 lines

PRO Labeler 1.32 ================ Operating Instructions Manual Unregistered. S/N 1102740132. Released 10-07-1990. Copyright (C) 1990 by Chieh Cheng. All Rights Reserved. Chieh Cheng 17914 Florwood Ave. Torrance, CA. 90504 FAX (213) 715-6752 CompuServe [73500,244] PRO Labeler 1.32 I PRO Labeler, its manual and other files are Copyright (C) 1990 by Chieh Cheng. No part of the program or this manual may be copied in part or in whole without prior written permission from the author, except as provided in the License in the following page. Many products and company names found throughout this manual are trademarks of various companies. Disclaimer ---------- The material in this manual is for information purposes only. The contents and the product it describes are subject to change without notice. We make no warranties with respect to this software and manual. In no event shall we be liable for any damages, direct or incidental arising out of or related to the use of this software and manual. For registered users, the physical diskette is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 60 days from the date of shipment by us. Any returned diskettes found bad will be replaced at no charge. If there is any problem, please feel free to write to us. Please include the serial number if you are a registered user. Write to us at: Chieh Cheng 17914 Florwood Ave. Torrance, CA. 90504 FAX (213) 715-6752 CompuServe [73500,244] PRO Labeler 1.32 II License ------- PRO Labeler is not, nor has ever been Public Domain or Freeware. PRO Labeler is distributed under the User Supported Software concept (Shareware). Non-registered users are granted a limited license to use PRO Labeler for a trial period of 30 days to evaluate its suitability for their requirement. Any usage other than this limited purpose or usage past this period requires registration. Any use of non-registered copies of PRO Labeler by a business, organization, or any kind of institution is prohibited. Any file included may NOT be modified in any way, or for any reason without permission from us. This program is copyrighted software. However, the diskette with all files may be freely copied and shared with others. These files may be distributed via modem from bulletin board systems, provided that all files are transmitted (archived) together. No file on this disk may be distributed unless all files are included. No modification allowed without the author's written approval, agreement, and permission. BBS operators may list PRO Labeler on their BBS for downloading by users of the BBS with the above conditions met. PRO Labeler 1.32 III Registration ------------ If you use this program and find it of value please register it. The registration fee is only $15. When you register you'll receive a registered version of the program with manual on disk and also your own serial number. For $10 more you get a printed manual. When new versions are released you will be notified by mail and have a chance of upgrading. You will also get one FREE upgrade. The registration form is in the document. Simply use the form in this manual to place an order. Or print out ORDERFRM.TXT by typing at the DOS prompt: TYPE ORDERFRM.TXT > PRN The order form is acceptable for puchasing mutiple copy of PRO Labeler. PRO Labeler 1.32 IV Quantity, corporate purchases, and site licenses ================================================ If this software is used in a corporation, government, business, or other institutions it must be registered. Site licenses are available only if it is for at least 10 nodes or users. Following is a price list: Site licenses prices -------------------- Site licence - $15 Each additional nodes or users: 10 - 100 nodes or users = $13.50 each. (10% of $15) 101 - 200 nodes or users = $12.75 each. (15% of $15) 201 - 300 nodes or users = $12.00 each. (20% of $15) 301 - 400 nodes or users = $11.25 each. (25% of $15) 401 - up nodes or users = $10.50 each. (30% of $15) No discount for printed manual(s). For site licenses, we will provide a master copy of PRO Labeler and the appropriate number of diskettes and labels. The licensee is responsible for copying the disks and placing on the labels. Please print out the site license order form by typing the following at the DOS prompt: TYPE SITEFORM.TXT > PRN A copy of the order form you sent me will be sent back to you, which will serve as our contract. PRO Labeler 1.32 V PRO Labeler 1.32 S/N 1102740132 =================================================================== Item Quan. Price Total PRO Labeler on 5.25" diskette _____ X $15 = _______ (Registration, software and manual on disk) PRO Labeler on 3.5" diskette _____ X $20 = _______ (Registration, software and manual on disk) Operation Instructions Manual _____ X $10 = _______ (Printed manual) - $5 for Sysops _______ ___ Check here if you want the newest version, instead of the version you are registering. Subtotal _______ (All orders outside U.S. add $5 for shipping) Shipping _______ (CA residents please add 7% sales tax) Tax _______ Checks accepted Total _______ Thank you for you order! Please allow 4 to 8 weeks for delivery. =================================================================== (None of the informations here will be given to anyone.) Name ______________________________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Phone (_____)_______________ Business Phone (_____)_______________ FAX (_____)_______________ BBS Number (_____)_______________ Mail it to: Chieh Cheng 17914 Florwood Ave. Torrance, CA. 90504 PRO Labeler 1.32 VI PRO Labeler 1.32 S/N 1102740132 =================================================================== Where did you obtain PRO Labeler 1.32? ___________________________________________________________________ Do you subscribe to any communication network like CompuServe, Prodigy, or others? If so, please name the network and your ID. ___________________________________________________________________ Comments and/or suggestions: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Add additional page(s) if required. PRO Labeler 1.32 VII PRO Labeler 1.32 S/N 1102740132 =================================================================== Your system information, so we know how to serve you better. (optional) Type: PC___ XT___ AT___ 386___ 486___ Others___ Not Sure___ Amount of RAM __________ Monitor type: MGA___ CGA___ EGA___ VGA___ Multi-sync___ Others___ NotSure____ Display adapter type: MGA___ CGA___ EGA___ VGA___ Others___ Not Sure___ Disk drive type: (Check all that applies) 5.25" 1.2Meg___ 360k___ Not Sure___ 3.5" 1.44Meg___ 720k___ Not Sure___ Hard disk: Yes___ No___ Not Sure___, if yes, Size__________ Printer: Yes___ No___ Not Sure___, if yes, Dot Matrix___ and/or Laser Printer___ 80 column___ 132 column___ Not Sure___ Modem: Yes___ No___ Not Sure___, If yes, Baud Rate__________, External___ Internal___, is it a FAX/Modem: Yes___ No___ Not Sure___ Input device: (Check all that applies) Joystick___ Mouse___ Scanner___ Others___ Not Sure___ Do you have any other computer(s) other than an IBM? What kind? ___________________________________________________________________ PRO Labeler 1.32 1 Table of Contents ================= Table of Contents .............................................. 1 Acknowledgements ............................................... 2 Introduction ................................................... 3 To the users ................................................ 3 Features .................................................... 4 New features ................................................ 4 Bug fix ..................................................... 4 System Requirements ............................................ 5 Getting Started ................................................ 6 Installing the program on hard disk ......................... 6 Running the program ......................................... 6 Command-line option ......................................... 6 Command Options ................................................ 7 Message lines ............................................... 7 Number of columns ........................................... 7 Starting column ............................................. 8 Amount to print ............................................. 8 Assign printer to ........................................... 8 Test printer and align labels ............................... 9 Print labels ................................................ 9 Load messages ............................................... 9 Save messages ............................................... 10 Clear message ............................................... 10 Quit and exit to DOS ........................................ 10 Status line ................................................. 10 Printing directly onto an envelope ............................. 11 Setting up PRO Labeler in DESQview ............................. 12 Setting up PRO Labeler in Microsoft Windows 286 ................ 13 Setting up PRO Labeler in Microsoft Windows 3.0 ................ 14 Comments from the author ....................................... 15 PRO Labeler 1.32 2 Acknowledgements ================ From which ever came first to which ever came last: Thanks to my parents, James and Lucy, for getting me started in the computer world, sending me to computer classes at summer school, getting me my first computer; the Commodore 64, getting me an IBM AT compatible, upgrading my AT mother board to a 386 motherboard, and their support! Thanks to my brother, Chiao, for looking over and editing my manual. Thanks to Apple Corporation for its Apple series which I learned BASIC from in summer school. Thanks to Commodore Business Machine for it's Commodore 64, which tought me the basics of the computers. Thanks to International Business Machine (IBM) with their open architechure attitude for getting the IBMs and compatibles this far in the world. Thanks to Borland International for inventing and marketing the Turbo series. Especially Turbo Pascal. Thanks to all the Sysops for putting this program up on their BBS. Thanks to all the users who downloaded and tried the program. Thanks to all the users who cared and registered with us! And last Thanks to all the people who I missed and forgot to mention. Thanks!!! PRO Labeler 1.32 3 Introduction ============ PRO Labeler is a massive labeling program that let you print the same label up to 99999 times with multi-columns using 3 different printer ports, on 3-1/2" x 15/16" mailing labels. The reason I programmed this program is that I couldn't find a labeling program that could do what I wanted it to do in the BBS world (either that or I didn't look hard enough). I found one but it's not too easy to use, doesn't support multi-columns, and only supports one printer port. Since I needed a labeling program that does everything I wanted, I decided to write one myself. Once I wrote it I decided to try to sell it as shareware. To the users ------------ This version was not meant to be released. As you noticed this version number has only increased from 1.31 to 1.32. The reason is that only one minor feature has been added; the Clear message feature. It was suppose to be added in 1.41 (I'm working on), but lots of features are beening added in 1.41 including a menu system and others. The menu system and other complications require me to make huge amount of changes to it. It will probably take a while. Since this is version 1.32, the next version (hopefully with all the additions) will be 1.42 instead of 1.41. What it comes down to is that this version is released only to make PRO Labeler easier to use for you, the user. Hope you enjoy using this program. PRO Labeler 1.32 4 Features - Prints on 3-1/2" x 15/16" labels. - Prints 5 lines x 34 characters on each label. - Multi-Columns (Up to 9 columns). - Print up to 99999 x columns labels. - Supports 3 different printer ports. - Try to be simple and easy to use. - Uses only 42K of memory. - Works in Multi-Tasking enviornment. New Features - Starting on any column. - Able to edit the message lines. - Load and Save feature! - Clear message. Bug Fix - Fix the multi-column printing bug in version 1.00. PRO Labeler 1.32 5 System Requirements =================== PRO Labeler requires an IBM or compatible computer running DOS 2.0 or higher, a drive to run the program off, and it requires around 42K of memory. It also needs an 80 columns display and at least 25 lines with a color graphic or monochrome adapter. PRO Labeler will also work with 43 or 50 line display on an EGA and VGA display. If they are used, the bottom half of the screen will just be blank since it's not needed. Maybe I'll be able to find some use for it in the future release. Last of all but also the most important is a printer! PRO Labeler 1.32 6 Getting Started =============== Installing the program on hard disk ----------------------------------- To install the program, go to you hard disk and make a directory for PRO Labeler (MD directory). Then copy everything in the PRO Labeler archive or disk into that directory. It would also be a good idea to make a back up copy of the PRO Labeler diskette. Please refer to the DOS manual. Running the program ------------------- To run the program, you have to get into the directory where PRO Labeler is. When you are in there just type PROLB132. There is also a command line option available in this release of PRO Labeler. Please refer to Command-line option. Command-line option ------------------- The command-line option lets you load messages into PRO Labeler. It work like the Load messages features (refer to Load messages), but it saves a few steps that you have to take if you didn't specify a file on the command-line. Syntax: PROLB132 [drive][path][filename][extension] Example: PROLB132 C:\PROLB132\FILES\LABEL.PLB It's useful in operating enviornments, like DESQview and Windows, that let you specify command-line parameters. You could also write a batch file (refer to your DOS manual) to load up a file every time you load up PRO Labeler. PRO Labeler 1.32 7 Command Options =============== Message lines ------------- When you press either 1-5 your cursor will end up on the corresponding message line. The message lines is where you write your messages that is supposed to be printed on the labels. There's only 5 message lines since the 3 1/2" x 15/16" labels only fits 5 lines and each lines could have up to 34 characters. PRO Labeler will not let you input more than 34 characters (unlike the earlier version). This version also let you edit the messages. Following is a list of keys for editing: Left or <- - Move cursor left. Right or -> - Move cursor right. Insert or Ins - Toggle insert on or off. Control Left - Move to the perious word. Control Right - Move to the next word. Delete or Del - Delete right character. Home - Go to the beginning of the message. End - Go to the end of the message. Backspace or <- - Delete left character. Enter or Return - Finish the line and save it in memory. ESC or Escape - Abort the change. Control W - Delete the word on the right. Control E - Delete to the end of line. Number of columns ----------------- When you press 6 you will be able to tell PRO Labeler how many columns of labels you want to print. The maximum is 9 but I doubt if there's any labels that have 9 columns or printers that is wide enough for 9 columns. Unlike the message lines it will not truncate for you so if you enter too much digits or enter a 0 you must reenter it. Also refer to Starting column. PRO Labeler 1.32 8 Starting column --------------- Starting column let you choose which column to start printing on. This feature is specially useful when you have multi-column labels and you already printed on the first few columns, but not on the last few and you want to print on the last few without printing on the first few. I used the following formula to calculate so that you wouldn't print out of the 9 column maximum range: S = Starting column C = Number of columns S + C has to be smaller than 11 All you have to do is add the number you inputed for Starting column and Number of columns together. If it's 11 or higher, it would require you to reinput a number. The highest number for the starting column is 9 and the lowest is 1. Amount to print --------------- You probably already guessed that this is where you input how much you want to print. The maximum is 99999. Of course that's easily changed upon request. When you change the column to another number other than 1 the number printed is amount to print times number of columns. So if you have amount to print as 20 and number of column as 3 it would be 20 x 3 and you would end up with 60 labels. This option will truncate for you if you input too much digit like the message lines. Assign printer to ----------------- This option let you change your printer port. So if you have two printer and you want to print to the one connected to either LPT2 or LPT3 you use this option to change it to that port. Also if you only have one printer but not hooked up to LPT1 (PRN) you use this option to change it. PRO Labeler 1.32 9 Test printer and align labels ----------------------------- This option test out your printer and let you align your label by printing out the following on your label: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX It's a block of 5 line by 34 characters. Keep testing your printer until it's in the center of your label. Print labels ------------ When you select this option it prints what you have entered on the message lines and uses all the options you have set. Load messages ------------- Loading messages and saving messages (look under Saving messages) are the new features added in the last version. Some users have been requesting this addition. Thanks for waiting patiently. When you select Load messages it will load a file you saved previously. It'll ask you for the path and file name in the status box (refer to Status line). You may enter a full path name. By the way, the editing keys for entering the messages also works for entering the file name, except you can't enter any spaces because spaces in path and file names are not allowed in DOS. Syntax: [drive][path][filename][extension] Example: C:\TESTS\FILES\LABEL.PLB PRO Labeler 1.32 10 Save messages ------------- When you select Save messages it will ask you for the path and file name in the status box like load messages. You may enter a full path name. The editing keys for entering the messages also works for entering the file name, except you can't enter any spaces because spaces in path and file names are not allowed in DOS. Syntax: [drive][path][filename][extension] Example: C:\PROLB132\FILES\LABEL.PLB This current version only saves the message lines. I'm not sure if I should write a version that would save all the settings as well. I will only do it if users requests. So if you want to see such a feature, inform me! I suggest you save the file with PLB as the extension. That way you'll know it's a file for PRO Labeler. Also the saving feature saves the file as text file, so it's possible to edit the file with a text editor. Clear message ------------- Simply clear the message lines and lets you start over. It made PRO Labeler much easier to use after adding the editing keys for the message lines. Quit and exit to DOS -------------------- It simply quits and exit to DOS command line. Use it when you're done. Status line ----------- The status line is not an option but a space used by PRO Labeler to communicate with you. Especially when an error has occured. PRO Labeler 1.32 11 Printing directly onto an envelope. =================================== I was thinking one day 'Is it possible to print directly onto an envelope using PRO Labeler?' So I inserted a standard business envelope (41/8 in. x 91/2 in.) into my dot matrix printer, started experimenting and found that it is possible. The 91/2 inches wide envelope have the same width as the printer paper that uses tractor feed. Although the envelope doesn't have holes on it's sides, most printers have a switch that could switch between 'Tractor feed' or 'Form feed'. Put it on form feed. Then load the envelope like the way you usually load a paper in form feed. By the way, my printer have a switch that let you switch between the thickness of the paper. Since the envelope is thicker than paper, check to see if you have such a switch. Once it's loaded, turn the Platen knob until the envelope's top edge are aligned with the top of the printer head. Now load up PRO Labeler (Version 1.11 or higher*) and type in what ever you want to appear on the top left corner of the envelope. Once it's done, press 'P' and it'll print directly onto the left upper corner of the envelope. Now clear the message and press 'P' again to advance the envelope 5 lines. Then type in the message for the receiver and set the starting column (in PRO Labeler) to 2. When you finish doing that, press 'P' and you have a printed envelope! If you have any problems, contact me and I'll see what I could do. Remember to give me a description or I might not be able to help you. It might be a good idea to get out your printer's manual. Enjoy! * PRO Labeler 1.11 is the first version that have the Starting column feature. PRO Labeler 1.32 12 Setting up PRO Labeler in DESQview ================================== To set up PRO Labeler in DESQview simply get to the DESQview menu and select 'Add a Program' then select 'Other (Add Program Not in List)'. When it asks for a path simply enter the path where PRO Labeler is. Enter PRO Labeler 1.32 as the Program Name. Use PL as the key to open the window or choose some other keys if you want. Memory size is 41K. Then type PROLB132 in the program field, you could specify a parameter (refer to Command-line option) oe leave it blank and just leave the directory if it's correct. Next input the fields as follow: Writes text directly to screen.......: [Y] Displays graphics information........: [N] Virtualize text/graphics (Y,N,T).....: [Y] Uses serial ports (Y,N,1,2)..........: [N] Requires floppy diskette.............: [N] When you go to the advanced option menu leave the maximum height at 25 and width at 80 since it doesn't take advantage of the 43 or 50 line mode on EGA or VGA display. The rest of the option is up to you but PRO Labeler does not use Expanded memory, math coprocessor, and I don't think you need any protection on it. You should use it's own color since PRO Labeler supports color. If these configurations doesn't work for you than you should try some other configurations. PRO Labeler 1.32 13 Setting up PRO Labeler in Microsoft Windows 286 =============================================== To set up PRO Labeler in Microsoft Windows 286 you need to run the program PIFEDIT.EXE in Windows. Personally I have never used Windows 386 so I don't know if this applies to Windows 386 or not. Enter PROLB132.EXE under 'Program Name'. Then enter PRO Labeler 1.32 in the 'Program Title' entry space. You could specify a command-line parameter (refer to Command-line option) in 'Program Parameters' or leave it blank. 'Initial Directory' is where you enter the directory where the PRO Labeler program file is. 'KB Required' is 41 and 'KB Desired' is also 41. Leave the 'Directly Modifies' at screen since it doesn't modify anything else. Then keep the 'Program Switch' and 'Screen Exchange' at Text. You could go ahead and select 'Close on exit'. When you are done, save it as PROLB132.PIF. PRO Labeler 1.32 14 Setting up PRO Labeler in Microsoft Windows 3.0 =============================================== To set up PRO Labeler in Microsoft Windows 3.0 you need to run the program PIFEDIT.EXE in Windows. Enter PROLB132.EXE under 'Program Filename'. Then enter PRO Labeler 1.32 in the 'Window Title' entry space. You could specify a command-line parameter (refer to Command-line option) in the 'Optional Parameters' or leave it blank. 'Start-up Directory' is where you enter the directory where PRO Labeler resides is. 'KB Required' is 41 and 'KB Desired' is also 41. The program might take less memory, if you want to try lower numbers go ahead. 'Display Usage' could be Windowed or Full Screen, depend on your preference. You probably would want to set 'Execution' to Background so you could print while working on something else. You could go ahead and select 'Close on exit'. You could go to the advanced menu, but you don't need to change anything in there. When you are done, save it as PROLB132.PIF If you would like, you could add PRO Labeler to the Non-windows application group. Refer to your Windows 3.0 manual if you do. I have included PROLB132.PIF file in the archive for use with Windows 3.0. There is also a file called PROLB132.ICO; it's the icon file for Windows 3.0. When you put PRO Labeler in a group, you could specify that file for icon. PRO Labeler 1.32 15 Comments from the author ------------------------ Well, this is it. If you find use in this product, please register with us. I'll try putting new features in later releases and hope to hear from you soon. If you find any bugs, inconveniences, or problems in the product just write us. I would also like to hear your questions, requests, comments, suggestions, or improvements. Just write to: Chieh Cheng 17914 Florwood Ave. Torrance, CA. 90504 FAX (213) 715-6752 CompuServe [73500,244] If you tried this program and thought it wasn't for you, tell me how you like to to improve this program and I'll try to improve it. Remember, a good program come from ideas from users. By the way, so far we have received 4 registrations. Thank you to those users who cared and registered. I'm not sure if they want their names mentioned, so I'm not going to. Hopefully we could get more registrations. Thanks for your support!