home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Share Gallery 1
/
share_gal_1.zip
/
share_gal_1
/
UT
/
UT108.ZIP
/
NABBIT.EXE
/
lha
/
INS
< prev
next >
Wrap
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 (206) 939-4105
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 (206) 939-4105 *
* * 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 (206) 939-4105. 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.