Share Gallery 1/share_gal_1.zip/share_gal_1/UT/UT108.ZIP/NABBIT.EXE/lha/INS

Text File | 1990-08-28 | 29KB | 566 lines

                     * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
                     *                             *
                     *  Nabbit (tm)   Version 1.3  *
                     *  Copyright 1990 by RSE Inc  *
                     *                             *
                     * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 ***  Welcome! ***

    Nabbit (as in "Noger Nabbit") lets you grab ASCII characters off
    your screen and send them to your printer to print envelopes, labels,
    or partial screen dumps.  In addition, you can store the captured
    characters in a buffer and insert them through the keyboard whenever
    you press the insert "hot key".  This lets you easily exchange data
    between different programs.  It's an extremely useful tool, one that
    you will constantly find new uses for.

    Nabbit is copyrighted by RSE Inc.  It is user-supported shareware.
    As such, you are encouraged to freely distribute copies of the
    NABBIT.EXE file to whomever you please, as long as you don't charge
    anything for the copies.  Please don't distribute the individual
    "extracted" files as it defeats the virus check, and causes other
    complications.  Only distribute NABBIT.EXE.

    If after evaluating Nabbit you decide to continue using it, then you
    should register by sending $10 to:

         Nabbit                         Visa or MC customers:
         1157 57th Drive SE             [phone]
         Auburn, WA 98002               Compuserve: 72371,1557

    Registered users receive the following benefits:

        1.  Our "Sampler Disk" which contains the latest versions of
            our shareware products, including Nabbit.
        2.  Technical support
        3.  The Configuration program discussed in these instructions
        4.  Our sincere thanks for supporting our efforts.

    Those using Nabbit in a commercial environment must register.
    Site licenses are available. Please write for details.

 ***  Our other products  ***

    We have a disk full of user-supported shareware we've written.  Our
    "Sampler" disk includes at least the following programs:

    * PC-Directory: professional file manager

      A powerful file manager for the power-user.  Attach 160 character
      "pop-up" FileNotes to your filenames.  One touch functions to view
      files, rename, change directories, tag copy, tag delete, tag move,
      find file, find text, find FileNote, change file/directory
      attributes, tree listing of directories, change drives, print
      files, and much more.  Very fast. TSR (33K) and non-TSR versions
      included.  If you like your utilities to get in, quickly do what
      you want (with a minimum of fuss) and exit cleanly - this is your
      file manager.  Even if you're using another file manager you owe it
      to yourself to try PC-Directory.

    * PC-FileNotes: attach pop-up notes to your filenames

      Never forget what's in a file again.  Attach 160 character "pop-up"
      FileNotes to your filenames.  Activate PC-FN at any time - a sorted
      directory instantly appears.  Hi-lite the desired file-its FileNote
      automatically "pops-up".  Leave memos to yourself and others on the
      contents or status of your files.  Also includes one-touch "menu"
      functions for viewing, deleting, renaming, tag copying files,
      changing drives and directories. Extremely easy to learn and use.
      TSR and Non-TSR versions included.

    * PC-IMAGES: create pop-up slide shows

      Create self-running "pop-up" slides shows from captured screen
      images. "Fred" captures the images, "Wilma" helps you group them
      into Carousels -which can also be used as "screen-savers"; popping
      up after a period of keyboard inactivity, or at your command.  You
      can also have DOS display one of your pictures whenever a program
      ends, instead of the blank DOS screen. Also create stand-alone
      slide shows. Its a great way to personalize your computer, and to
      create business presentations from captured screen images.

    * Remind Me!: never again forget an important event

      Automatically reminds you of the important events in your life
      BEFORE they actually occur, so you can prepare for them.  Great way
      to keep track of birthdays, holidays, paydays, when bills are due,
      business meetings, anything that you need to be reminded of in
      advance.  Comes with a calendar that displays any date in any year.
      Easy to learn and use. You won't forget an important event again.

    * Conjecture: great fun for all ages

      Conjecture is similar to a very popular TV game show.  You spin
      wheels guess letters and try to solve puzzles.  The graphics are
      excellent. There is a mode for playing solo, or with up to four
      other players. Conjecture was sold nationwide thru major software
      retailers at $24.95 and is now being released as user-supported
      shareware.  Comes with plenty of puzzles.  You can customize the
      game, and registered users can even create their own Puzzle files.

    We'd love to send you our Shareware disk with all these programs on
    it.  You get it free when you register Nabbit or you can send $5
    to:

  * *     RSE Shareware Disk              Visa and Mastercard        * *
  *       1157 57th Drive SE              [phone]               *
  * *     Auburn, WA 98002                Compuserve: 72371,1557     * *

    We also offer several products for pilots.  A brief summary of each
    follows:

    * PERFORM - Aerodynamic performance software for sport aircraft
                designers.                                              $50

      PERFORM was written to aid the sport aircraft designer in the
      development of his design.  Its forte is doing trade-off studies.
      You can change one or more aspects of your design and PERFORM will
      calculate the effect these changes have on performance.  It can
      create tables, or even better yet, graph the results.  There are 26
      variables you can change and 41 performance values you can monitor.
      PERFORM also includes a weight and balance program.  If you're
      thinking about designing an aircraft, PERFORM will pay for itself
      within the first 5 minutes.

    * The FltGuide EX Pocket Flight Planning Computer                  $249

      The FltGuide EX is simply the best pocket flight planning computer
      you can buy for less than $500.  It has all your E-6b functions
      plus direct navigation calculations that enable you to fly direct
      with no more than a single VOR.  If you have a Loran it makes a
      great backup.  If you fly R-Nav it will instantly generate
      waypoints for your direct flights.  In addition to direct
      navigation it also has Rhumb line calculations, a flight planner,
      vertical navigation, a Data Bank, storage for 250 waypoints in
      memory (with identifier recall), conversions, and much more.

      The FltGuide EX also has automated weight and balance with CG
      check, zero fuel weight calculations, %MAC, and other advanced
      features - customized for your aircraft.  You can store multiple
      aircraft in memory and recall them by name when you want to do a
      Wt&Bal.  Because you're prompted for all inputs, the FltGuide EX is
      easy to learn and use and easily fits in your shirt pocket.

    * The LM-1 Pocket Weight and Balance Computer                      $159

      The LM-1 is a derivative of the weight and balance program in the
      FltGuide EX.  It's primarily designed for part 135 and part 91
      pilots who want to automate their weight and balance calculations.
      It has many advanced features including ramp, take-off and landing
      weight and CG check, zero fuel weight calculations (and CG check),
      automatic variable arm calculations, %MAC, and much more.  In short
      it's everything you need to complete your FAA weight and balance
      manifest in seconds.  And because it easily fits in your shirt
      pocket, it's always there when you need it.

    Each of our aviation products has a money back guarantee.  If for any
    reason you're not completely satisfied just return it in original
    condition within 30 days for a complete refund.  No pressure.
    Absolutely no hassle.

    Like more information on any of our aviation products?  Send a self
    addressed stamped envelope to the product name you're interested in,
    care of the address listed above.  We'll rush you a brochure.  If
    you'd like to place an order with Visa or Mastercard then call the
    number above and we'll rush you your order.

    If you're a professional pilot, we've got an offer you can't refuse.
    Just send us your business card with an address and phone number on
    it and we'll send you any of our aviation products for a free
    evaluation.  After you've had it for two weeks I'll give you a call.
    If you like it, great, I'll bill you.  If you don't, just return it
    in original condition and I'll thank you for your time.

 ***  Nabbit Instructions  ***

    Nabbit is a small TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) program.  You
    load it once at the beginning of a session and it stays hidden until
    you press its "hot key".  Then it goes to work.  When you're done
    with it, your original program continues as tho nothing had happened.

    When I said it was a small program, I meant small.  It only takes up
    about 1.6K of memory, plus whatever you allocate for the insert
    buffer (more on that later).  To keep it tiny I left out some of the
    niceties you'll find in our other programs.  Things like pop-up
    windows and menus.  But because the program is so simple, you won't
    need them.

 ** To load Nabbit into memory **

    -- Go to the disk or subdirectory where NAB.COM is and enter NAB at
    the DOS prompt.

    You'll notice the information displayed when Nabbit is loaded
    contains a menu of all the keys you'll use to operate it.  If you're
    familiar with TSR's you could probably just use this information to
    figure out how things work.  However, there are a number of things
    you will miss if you don't read these instructions, so please
    continue on.

 ** Activating Nabbit **

    You activate Nabbit by pressing its "hot key".  The default is Ctrl-
    G (press the Ctrl and the G key at the same time), but registered
    users can change the "hot key" by using the Configuration program.
    We'll discuss the Configuration program later.

    -- Activate Nabbit by pressing Ctrl-G

    Hear those two low beeps.  They're letting you know Nabbit's ready.
    In text modes Nabbit also makes the cursor bigger when it's
    activated.  In graphic modes Nabbit draws its own little cursor.
    The cursor may or may not be located at the same place as the cursor
    being used in your application.  If you can't find Nabbit's cursor,
    check the upper left corner of the screen.

 ** Escaping **

    If you need to exit Nabbit, just press the Escape key.  You'll hear
    one low beep indicating Nabbit has finished.  Your cursor will be
    restored to its original size and location.

 ** Marking your text **

    Once you've activated Nabbit you need to tell it what part of the
    screen you want to capture.  First, you mark the upper left corner
    of the area you want captured.  Use the cursor keys (up, down, left,
    and right arrow keys), Tab, Home (move to start of line) or End
    (move to last column in line) to move the cursor to the upper left
    corner of the characters you want to get.  Press S (for start).
    You'll hear an ascending series of beeps letting you know that this
    is the starting place.

    --  Mark the upper left corner of the area you want to capture by
    moving the cursor to that point and pressing S for Start.

    Now that you've marked the start, it only makes sense to mark the
    end.  This time move the cursor to the end (the lower right corner)
    of the area you want to capture.  The key you press to mark the end
    depends on what you want to do.   Your options are:

        For printing, press:

           E  to print a regular size envelope

           B  to print on a big envelope

           L  if you want to print a label, or just send the text to the
              printer unformatted.

        To store in the Insert buffer, press:

           I  to capture the text as is

           Space Bar  to capture the text, removing carriage returns and
              multiple spaces

 ** A Sample **

    Load Nabbit into memory (if you haven't already) by entering "nab"
    at the DOS prompt.  Let's say you want to register Nabbit so you
    need to print an envelope to put the $10 in.  Activate Nabbit by
    pressing Ctrl-G.  Move the cursor to the upper left corner of the
    address (the G in Nabbit) and press S to signal that this is the
    start of the block.  Move the cursor to the lower right corner of the
    address (on the zip code line, directly below the E in SE).  Turn on
    your printer, insert an envelope, and press E (for Envelope).  That's
    it.  Tough huh?

 ** What Nabbit Nabs **

    What Nabbit actually grabs depends on what you ask it to do.  If
    you're sending it to the printer then it grabs all the characters
    within a box defined by where you press S and where you press E, B,
    or L.  However, if you are putting it into the Insert buffer then
    Nabbit grabs from S to the end of the line, and all of the lines
    down to where you press I or the Space Bar.

    Envelopes and labels grab like this:

                 S............
                 .............
                 ............E


    The Insert buffer grabs like this:

                 S..............................................................
................................................................................
.............................I

    When you press I, the Insert buffer grabs the block as it is, with
    carriage returns and multiple spaces intact.  However, if you press
    the Space Bar the insert buffer strips out carriage returns and
    multiple spaces.

    Nabbit uses a BIOS call (a built-in function of your computer) to
    grab the characters off the screen.  In text mode it recovers
    everything (although Nabbit doesn't capture the color of the
    characters).  In graphics modes it really depends on what your
    application is doing.  Programs like desktop publishers which use a
    WYSIWYG display aren't going to capture anything.  On the other hand,
    there are many other applications that do fine.  As a general rule,
    if your screen is showing more than one typestyle, or more than one
    size of type, then you're probably not going to be able to grab
    anything.  The only way to know is to try.  If it works, it works.
    (I went to college so I could write like this....)

 ** Printing **

    The only difference between pressing E, B, or L is how many spaces
    the printer moves over before it starts printing and how many lines
    it scrolls after it's done.  The table below shows the default
    values.  Registered users can change these using the infamous
    configuration program we'll discuss later.

                   06        # of lines for label
                   FormFeed                 envelope
                   FormFeed                 big envelope

                   0         Tab spaces for label
                   40                       envelope
                   50                       big envelope

    "# of lines" needs some explaining.  When Nabbit finishes printing
    what you captured, it continues scrolling until it reaches a multiple
    of the "# of lines" value.  For example, if the # of lines for labels

    is 6, and you print a label and the area you capture is 4 lines long,
    then Nabbit would scoll another two lines after it was done
    printing, for a total of 6 lines.  If the captured area had been 8
    lines long, then it would've scrolled 4 lines upon completion, for a
    total of 12 lines, an even multiple of 6.  If you set the "# of
    lines" to "FormFeed" then Nabbit sends a form feed to the printer
    when it's done.  This normally causes the printer to scroll to the
    end of a normal 11 inch long page.

 ** Controlling Print Style **

    When you print Envelopes or Big Envelopes you can have Nabbit send an
    18 code Initialization string to the printer before printing, and a
    12 character Reset code when printing is done.  This lets you tell
    your printer, via printer codes, how you want to print.  For example,
    you may want it to print in bold, or italics, or both.  You define
    these strings using the Configuration program, which we'll discuss
    later.

 ** What's that obnoxious noise? **

    If you try to print something and you hear a continuing series of low
    notes that sound like they're pronouncing impending doom, Nabbit's
    telling you it can't send the material to the printer.  It continues
    making this noise until the problem is fixed or you press a key.
    Usually someone forgot to turn the printer on.  If that someone
    tries turning on the printer, things will probably work just fine.
    If it's not the power, then check if the printer has paper.

 ** Partial Screen Prints **

    The normal DOS print screen function works fine if you want to print
    the entire screen.  But what if you only want to print out part of
    the screen?  No sweat.  Just use Nabbit, and print a Label.

    If you find yourself doing partial screen prints a lot (it's
    addicting) and you hardly ever use Nabbit to print real labels then
    you might want to use the Configuration program to change the "# of
    lines for labels" to "LineFeed".  That way when you do a partial
    screen print using Nabbit, the printer will scroll to the end of the
    page after it's done.

 ** Inserting text **

    When you press I or the Space Bar, Nabbit puts what it grabs into
    the Insert buffer.  Registered users can adjust the size of the
    buffer from 256 bytes to 3072 bytes by using the configuration
    program.  The default value is 256 bytes.  Nabbit only grabs as much
    as the buffer holds, even if you try to grab more.  Therefore, if
    Nabbit inserts less than you grabbed, then you grabbed more than
    the buffer can hold.  Use the configuration program to increase the
    size of the buffer.

    Once you've grabbed something and put it into the Insert buffer, it
    stays there waiting for you to press the Insert "hot key" (Ctrl-I by
    default).  When you press the Insert "hot key" Nabbit waits until
    the program you're using goes looking for an input from the keyboard.
    Nabbit then jumps in and gives your program what's in the Insert
    buffer instead.  The effect is the same as if you were typing the
    "grabbed" stuff in yourself.

    This can be really handy.  The most obvious use is to copy data from
    one application to another.  For example, the letter you wrote Bob
    last week has a paragraph in it you want to put in Freds letter.  You
    bring up Bob's letter, capture the paragraph using Nabbit, and then
    edit Fred's letter.  Move to where you want to place the paragraph
    and press the Insert "hot key".  The paragraph will be inserted as
    though you were typing it in anew.

    You could have just as easily entered the paragraph into your
    spreadsheet program, data base, or desktop publisher.

    Let's say you want to write an instruction manual and you want to
    insert part of directory listing.  Since format is important here,
    you'd grab the directory listing using "I" instead of the Space Bar.
    Remember, pressing "I" leaves all multiple spaces and carriage
    returns intact, the Space Bar strips them out.  So if you want to
    retain the general format of what you are capturing, press "I".  In
    all other cases press the Space Bar.

    You can also use this feature as a keystroke expander.  For example,
    you're writing a letter and there's a particular word or phrase that
    occurs over and over again.  Use Nabbit to capture it and then use
    the Insert "hot key" to type it in whenever you need it.

    How fast the stuff gets inserted depends on how fast the original
    application goes looking for keystrokes, and how high you adjust the
    "Rate" value in the configuration program.  Setting the Rate value to
    one sends about 18 characters a second.  This may sound fast, it's
    really not.  Setting the value to 15 (the highest value, and also the
    default value) attempts to insert 273 characters a second.  Remember
    though, most of the time the limiting factor is how fast the original
    application goes looking for keyboard input.  Nabbit won't insert
    characters any faster than they are requested.  However, some
    programs continue looking for characters even when they can't accept
    them anymore (go figure).  In these cases you may want to reduce the
    Rate value so the program has time to catch up with itself between
    each character.

 ** Repeat operations **

    In some applications it may be handy to grab information from the
    same spot on the screen over and over.  It sure would be nice if you
    didn't have to define the same capture area each time.  Well there's
    an easier way.

    If you activate Nabbit and make your selection (L,E,B,I,Space Bar)
    without moving the cursor then Nabbit will grap from the same area as
    the previous time you used it.

    As an example let's say that instead of just printing one envelope
    you want to print two.  You'd activate Nabbit and print an envelope
    just as we discussed earlier.  However, for the second envelope you'd
    just activate Nabbit and press E for Envelope.  Since you didn't move
    the cursor the second time Nabbit would grab stuff from the same area
    as it did the first time.

    Another example:  You're working with a data base program where the
    name and address of the person always appears in the same place on
    the screen.  You want to print envelopes for each.  You'd only have
    to define the capture area the first time.  From then on you would
    just activate Nabbit and press the selected option (L,E,B, etc..).

 ** The Configuration program **

    As a registered user you'll receive the configuration program.  We've
    mentioned several items that you can change using the configuration
    program.  Here's how:

    -- Make sure NAB.COM and CONFIG.COM are on the same disk or in the
       same subdirectory.

    -- Enter "config" at the DOS prompt

    -- A list will appear of the items you can change, and their current
       values.

    -- Press the up and down arrow keys to select the item you want to
       change.

    -- Press the left and right arrow keys to change the value of the
       selected item.

    To change a "hot key" you first select the shift state of that hot
    key and select either Ctrl, Alt, or Ctrl-Alt.  Then select the item
    below it, press the right arrow key, and then press the key that goes
    with the shift state.  For example to change the Insert "hot key" to
    "Alt-F10" you'd first select the Insert Shift State, press the right
    arrow key until "Alt" appears, move down one line, press the right
    arrow key once, and then press the F10 key.

 ** Printer Codes **

    The last two items (Init and Reset) are ways you can control your
    printer output during the printing of envelopes.  The Init string
    will be sent to your printer before the envelope is printed, the
    Reset string afterward.  Each string consists of decimal ASCII
    characters separated by commas.  The Init string can be 18 control
    codes long, the Reset 12.  If you enter more than these amounts the
    string will be truncated.  These numbers refer to the number of codes
    entered, not the number of characters.  For example, "27,69,27,46"
    is 4 codes long, not 11.

    You can find what control codes your printer uses by checking your
    printer manual.  Make sure you use decimal ASCII codes, not hex
    ASCII.  As an example, on my printer, the code to set boldface is
    27,69.  It is also referenced as <ESC> "E" and 1B,45 (hex).  Once
    again, make sure you use the decimal ASCII values and seperate each
    code by a comma.

    Your Reset string should reset your printer to the way it was before
    you sent the Init string.  Often a printer will have a reset code,
    usually "27,64" or similar. If you don't want to use these strings
    just leave them 0.

    To change or enter the Init or Reset string, use the up/down cursor
    keys to select the desired string, press the left/right cursor key to
    indicate that you want to change it, and then input the new string as
    instructed.  Remember, its a comma delimited decimal ASCII string.

 ** Saving the changes **

    When you're done press the Escape key and the new values will be
    inserted into Nabbit.  If Nabbit is currently in memory then you'll
    have to re-boot and reload it to notice the changes.

 ** Problems, etc. **

    If what Nabbit inserts is less than what you grabbed, then you
    grabbed more than the buffer can hold.  Reduce the size of what you
    grab or registered users can use the configuration program to
    increase the size of the insert buffer.

    Nabbit doesn't work with some programs, particularly those that
    interface directly with the keyboard hardware without using DOS or
    BIOS function calls.  Likewise, Nabbit won't insert data into
    certain applications.  These applications vary, but often they are
    telecommunications software or games.  If you can't activate Nabbit
    or you can't insert using Nabbit, then the program you're trying to
    activate it from is either misbehaved or has good reasons for not
    letting you interrupt.  Either way you're stuck.

    In 256 color VGA modes, the cursor doesn't erase itself, but instead
    leaves a trail of cursors behind it.  Because I can't imagine too
    many programs that deal with text using the 256 color graphics modes
    I've decided not to burden Nabbit with the extra code needed to
    correct this annoyance.

    Sometimes Nabbit may be able to grab a character off the screen but
    your printer won't be able to print it.  Worse yet, the character
    might be a printer code that sends your printer off doing things you
    hadn't intended.  If you're grabbing strange characters and your
    printer is acting up, this is probably the reason why.

    If you run into any problems and you can't find an answer in these
    instructions then give us a call at [phone].  Technical
    support is only provided to registered users, so have your
    registration number handy.

 ** So long.. **

    That's about it.  I hope you find Nabbit useful and worthy of your
    support.  Take care.

                           *** Disclaimer ***

    RSE Incorporated specifically disclaims all warranties expressed or
    implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of
    merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.  The software
    itself is licensed "As Is", without any express or implied warranties
    whatsoever.  In no event shall RSE Incorporated, its distributors or
    dealers, be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial
    damage, including, without limitation, special, incidental,
    consequential or other damages.  In no case shall any liability
    exceed the price paid for the software.