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============================================== | | | | | PC-DeskMates(TM) | | | | User's Guide | | | | | | Version - 1.01 | | | | September 3, 1985 | | | | | | (C) Copyright 1985 - All Rights Reserved | | | ============================================== ======================================================== | Shareware | | | | We encourage you to freely copy and share unmodified | | copies of this program with other people. If you | | decide to use the program, support the Shareware | | marketing concept by becoming a registered user. | | Read the appendix for further details. | ======================================================== Alternative Decision Software, Inc. P.O. Box 307 Lancaster, NY 14086 (716) 684-2423 PC-DeskMates - PC-DeskMates is a trademark of Alternative Decision Software, Inc. - Alternative Decision Software, Inc. reserves the right to make improvements in the product described in this manual at any time and without notice. - The software described herein is a copyrighted LICENSE PROGRAM and the property of Alternative Decision Software, Inc. - The program is distributed as a Shareware product. You may freely copy and share the product with your friends and associates. If you decide to use the product, we ask you to become a registered user. - Under no circumstances may this product be sold or distributed with another product without the express written permission of Alternative Decision Software, Inc. - Please read the Terms and Conditions contained in the Appendix for further details. - Use of this product indicates your acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. - 1 - Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 5 1.1 Shareware Software 5 1.1.1 Registration Number 6 1.1.2 Registration Form 7 1.2 Description and Capabilities 8 1.3 Requirements 9 1.4 Conventions 10 Chapter 2 Using PC-DeskMates 11 2.1 Installation 11 2.1.1 Diskette Systems 11 2.1.2 Hard Disk Systems 12 2.1.3 Loading From A Subdirectory 12 2.1.4 MS-DOS Systems 12 2.1.5 Monochrome with Graphics Cards 13 2.1.6 Installation Utility 13 2.2 How To Get Started 14 2.2.1 Memory Resident Version 14 2.2.2 Stand Alone Version 14 2.2.3 Start Key 15 2.2.4 Main Menu 15 2.2.5 Line Editing Functions 16 Chapter 3 Alarm Clock 17 3.1 Setting The Date 17 3.2 Setting The Time 18 3.3 Clock Display 18 3.4 Hourly Chime 18 3.5 Setting The Alarm 18 3.6 Program Starting 19 Chapter 4 Calculator 20 4.1 Entering Numbers 21 4.2 Arithmetic Operations 21 4.3 Percentages 22 4.4 Clear Key 23 4.5 Sign Key 23 4.6 Printing 23 4.7 Format 24 4.8 Reading Screen Numbers 24 4.9 Returning Results 24 4.10 Memory Functions 25 - 2 - Chapter 5 Calendar 26 5.1 Calendar Window 26 5.2 Calendar Notepad 27 Chapter 6 DOS Commands 30 6.1 Chkdsk 31 6.2 Chdir 31 6.3 Copy 33 6.4 Directory 33 6.5 Erase 33 6.6 Print 33 6.7 Rename 33 6.8 Type 34 Chapter 7 Notepad 35 7.1 Entering Information 35 7.2 Print 36 7.3 Recall & Save 37 7.4 Align 37 7.4.1 Special Notepad Files 37 Chapter 8 Phone Dialer 39 8.1 Phone Dialer Window 39 8.1.1 Dialing Telephone Numbers 41 8.1.2 Telephone Prefixes 41 8.1.3 Phone Dialer Information 42 8.1.4 Long Distance Services 42 8.2 Phone Dialer Notepad 43 Chapter 9 Printer Control 45 9.1 Test Pattern 46 9.2 Recall Configuration 46 9.3 PrtScr Control 46 9.4 Printer Device 46 9.5 Double Width 46 9.6 Compressed Print 47 9.7 Emphasized Print 47 9.8 Enhanced Print 47 Chapter 10 Typewriter 48 10.1 Typing Modes 49 10.2 Margins 49 10.3 Tabs 50 10.4 Printer Type 50 10.5 Printer Device 50 10.6 Page Feed 50 Chapter 11 Setup 51 - 3 - 11.1 Setting Monitor Colors 51 11.2 Save & Recall Configurations 52 Chapter 12 Appendix 53 12.1 Special Considerations 53 12.2 Messages and Explanations 54 12.3 Installation Utility 55 12.3.1 Inserting Your Registration No. 56 12.3.2 Setting Start Key 56 12.3.3 Printer Configuration 56 12.4 Program License Agreement 59 12.5 Limited Warranty 60 - 4 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 1 Introduction This guide is intended for the user of the IBM personal computer system, and assumes that the reader is experienced with the use and operation of a PC. PC-DeskMates User's Guide is organized to be utilized as both an installation manual and a reference manual. 1.1 Shareware Software Alternative Decision Software distributes PC-DeskMates with an innovative marketing approach called Shareware. Shareware, which was originated by Bob Wallace of Quicksoft, is a method of distributing quality software at a low price. Anyone can receive a distribution copy of the product for $10.00. You may then review the product to determine if you'd like to continue using it. If you decide to use it, we encourage you to become a registered user of the product. Whatever your decision, you may still freely use, copy and share the product with your friends and associates. Why would we give our product away? Quite simply, we can save a lot of money by having our users distribute and promote our product. Kind of like word of mouth advertising. These savings are then passed on to you. Our $10.00 fee is mainly used to pay for advertising, production and distribution charges. But then why should you pay a fee to register as a user? The registration fee is used to further develop PC-DeskMates and other new products and to provide us with a modest profit. Compare the concept to public television. Our future existence depends on the support of our users, and we feel once you've tried PC-DeskMates, you'll be honest enough to become a registered user. Alternative Decision Software products are all tested, fully documented and have the same quality and features of higher priced products. But you do not pay for the fancy packaging and expensive advertising. After using our product, we encourage you to register with us for a $25.00 fee, $15.00 if you've previously purchased a distribution - 5 - PC-DeskMates diskette from us. Registration provides the following benefits: 1. Receive a new PC-DeskMates distribution diskette with your own registration number. 2. Full Telephone support 3. One free major update for a small handling fee 4. A $5.00 commission for each new registered user who provides your registration number as a reference. 5. Inclusion on our mailing list so that you may receive new product announcements. You may register your copy of PC-DeskMates by either completing the accompanying registration form or by calling us. We accept Master Charge, Visa, COD and checks. Please, no Purchase Orders. Call for information regarding OEM and large quantity discount prices. 1.1.1 Registration Number When you register your copy of PC-DeskMates you will receive a new copy of the distribution diskette that will contain your registration number within the program. This registration number is used by us to determine who will receive the commission payment when a new user registers and supplies your number. In addition, we will only provide telephone support to those users who have a valid registration number. The program will display this number each time it is first executed. If you registered by phone you may want to insert your registration number into your current copy. Refer to the section of the appendix discussing the Installation Utility to learn how to insert your registration number into the program. - 6 - PC-DeskMates 1.1.2 Registration Form ADSI Registration & Comment Form Name:___________________________________________________________ Company:________________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________________ City:__________________________ State:_____ ZIP _______________ Telephone:(_____) _____-_______ PC-DeskMates Version:_____._____ Registration Number on your current copy:_______________________ Comments: Payment: Send ____ Copies of Registered PC-DeskMates at $25.00/ea ____.__ COD 1.80 ____.__ Shipping 2.50 NY 8% Sales Tax ____.__ TOTAL ____.__ [ ] COD [ ] Check enclosed [ ] Visa [ ] MC Card No._______________ Exp. Date_____________ Mail To: Alternative Decision Software, Inc. P.O. Box 307 Lancaster, NY 14086 (716) 684-2423 - 7 - PC-DeskMates 1.2 Description and Capabilities PC-DeskMates allows your PC to eliminate those devices that are currently cluttering your desktop. It is no longer necessary to maintain an alarm clock, calculator, typewriter, phone book or calendar on your desktop. These functions can easily be performed by your PC at any time, even while you are using it for other programs and functions. In addition, PC-DeskMates allows you to control the PC printer and to execute commonly used PC DOS commands while running other programs. PC-DeskMates is stored in your PC's memory so that it may be accessed by pressing a single command key. This allows you to execute these functions at any time from within any program without exiting your program or loading diskettes. PC-DeskMates includes the following utilities: - Alarm Clock - Calculator * Display Time * Full Function * Hourly Chime * Printing * Ring Bell * Monitor Display Tape * Display Note * Memory & Percentage * Auto Program Start * Read Screen Numbers * Return Answer - Calendar - DOS Commands * Display & Print Any Month * Chkdsk Between 1964 & 2050 * Chdir * Maintain Multiple Calendars Of * Copy, Erase & Rename Files Important Dates & Appointments * Display Directories * Print & Type Files - 8 - PC-DeskMates - Notepad - Phone Dialer * Enter Notes * Automatic Phone Dialer * Print Notes * Maintain Multiple Phone Books * Recall & Save Notes From Disk * Store Them Within PC Memory * Save & Recall From Disk - Printer Control - Typewriter * Enable/Disable PrtScr * Emulate Electric Typewriter * Select Printer Type * Character Mode * Select Printer Device * Line Mode * Print a Test Pattern * Margin Control * Select Special Printer Functions * Tab Control The program also contains the following features: 1. Menu Driven 2. Help Facilities 3. Can be used as either a memory resident or stand alone program. 4. Ability to change the start key for the memory resident version. 5. Ability to configure the Printer Control Utility for non-IBM compatible printers 1.3 Requirements The following minimum hardware configuration is required to run PC-DeskMates: - An IBM Personal Computer, or true compatible, with at least 128K of memory - At least one single or double sided, double density, diskette drive - An 80 column monochrome display or a color monitor with a graphics card - PC DOS 2.0 - Optional: Dot matrix or letter quality printer, hard disk, Hayes compatible Smartmodem Since PC-DeskMates is stored in your PC's memory, it is necessary to have enough memory to run your largest application program plus an additional 64 Kbytes to store PC-DeskMates. - 9 - PC-DeskMates 1.4 Conventions The following terminology and conventions are used throughout this User's Guide and with the operation of PC-DeskMates. Alt- indicates pressing the Alt key in combination with another key. The Alt key is used in a manner similar to that of a typewriter shift key. Return indicates pressing the Return or Enter key. Ctrl- indicates pressing the Ctrl key in combination with another key. The Ctrl key is used in a manner similar to that of a typewriter shift key. Esc indicates the pressing of the Escape key. F1 - F0 refers to one of the ten function keys. F0 will be used to designate function key F10. Shift- indicates pressing the Shift key in combination with another key. Window The area on the monitor that a PC-DeskMates' utility will outline to define its environment. - 10 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 2 Using PC-DeskMates 2.1 Installation A COPY OF THE PC-DeskMates DISTRIBUTION diskette SHOULD BE USED WHEN RUNNING THE PROGRAM. DO NOT USE THE DISTRIBUTION diskette. The following procedure can be used to make a copy of the PC-DeskMates distribution diskette. 1. Insert your system diskette into drive A and execute the following command: >A:DISKCOPY A: B: 2. Insert the PC-DeskMates distribution diskette into drive A and a blank diskette into drive B then press the "Return" key. Once you have created a new copy of your distribution diskette, store the original copy in a secure location. Since PC-DeskMates is stored in your PC's memory, it is necessary to load it into memory each time you boot or reload PC DOS. Therefore, it is most likely that you will want to copy the PC-DeskMates program to any system diskette that you use to boot PC DOS. 2.1.1 Diskette Systems The following procedures can be used on either one or two diskette drive systems to copy PC-DeskMates to a bootable diskette. Note that on one diskette drive systems, it will be necessary to execute the commands and then wait for PC-DOS to inform you to mount the diskettes into drive A or B. 1. Insert the PC-DeskMates distribution diskette into drive A. 2. Insert your bootable system diskette into drive B. 3. Execute the following command: >A:DISKETTE - 11 - PC-DeskMates 2.1.2 Hard Disk Systems Since the PC-DeskMates distribution diskette is not copy protected, it is possible to copy and execute the program from a hard disk. The following steps can be used to install PC-DeskMates onto a hard disk within the root directory. 1. Insert the PC-DeskMates distribution diskette into drive A. 2. Execute the following command: >A:HARDISK 2.1.3 Loading From A Subdirectory Hard disk users might want to store PC-DeskMates and its associated notepad and configuration files in a separate subdirectory. The following method should be used to load PC-DeskMates from the subdirectory: >A:CHDIR \DESKMATE >A:DESKMATE /M >A:CHDIR \; This example assumes that the subdirectory is named "DESKMATE". 2.1.4 MS-DOS Systems PC-DeskMates was developed and extensively tested using PC-DOS 2.1. It has come to our attention that the program will hang the keyboard when used on some compatible PCs using MS-DOS. There are two different methods of correcting this problem: 1. Use PC-DOS 2.1 on your IBM compatible. 2. Create the file "CONFIG.SYS" and insert the command "DEVICE=ANSI.SYS" into it. Then copy "CONFIG.SYS" and the file "ANSI.SYS", located on the MS-DOS distribution diskette, onto the diskette or the root directory of a hard disk from which you boot PC-DOS. Please refer to the MS-DOS reference manual for additional information. We can not ensure that these methods will fix this problem on all compatibles. If you have any difficulties please inform us of your situation. - 12 - PC-DeskMates 2.1.5 Monochrome with Graphics Cards If you are using a monochrome monitor with a color graphics card it will be necessary to execute the following command before executing PC-DeskMates. >MODE BW80 The sample "AUTOEXEC.BAT" file contained on the distribution diskette contains an example of this command. Read the Appendix titled "Special Considerations" for further information. 2.1.6 Installation Utility The distribution diskette contains a utility program named "INSTALL" that will allow you to customize the following features of PC-DeskMates: - Select an alternative key that will start the memory resident version of the program. - Insert your registration number into the program. - Define printer configurations for non-IBM compatible dot matrix printers. Refer to the appendix discussing the Installation Utility for further information. - 13 - PC-DeskMates 2.2 How To Get Started PC-DeskMates can be used as either a memory resident or a stand alone program. When used as a memory resident program, it is only necessary to execute the program once. At that time, the program will remain in memory and can be accessed at any time by pressing the "Alt-M" key. When used as a stand alone program, it is necessary to run the program from a diskette each time you want to use it. 2.2.1 Memory Resident Version Once PC-DeskMates has been copied to your bootable system diskette or to a hard disk you will need to load the program into your PC's memory each time you boot or reload PC DOS. Perform the following command to complete the initial loading of PC-DeskMates: >DESKMATE /M It is only necessary to load PC-DeskMates into memory once. Loading it more than once will only waste memory. You may want to insert the command "DESKMATE /M" into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so that it is automatically executed each time you boot or reload PC DOS. We have included a sample "AUTOEXEC.BAT" file on the distribution diskette. You may want to copy this file to your system diskettes or type it to use as an example. You may use the PC-DeskMates' Notepad utility to edit this file. Before using PC-DeskMates you should read the Appendix titled "Special Considerations". This will detail certain situations that need to be considered when using PC-DeskMates. PLEASE NOTE: Memory resident programs interact with PC DOS using non-standard techniques. Therefore, other programs that also interact with PC DOS in non-standard ways may not function properly with PC-DeskMates. Due to the large number of programs available for the IBM PC, it is impossible for us to test PC-DeskMates with all of them. We strongly suggest that you test PC-DeskMates with those other programs that you normally run before using this program in day to day operations. Once PC-DeskMates is loaded, it is simply a matter of pressing the "Alt-M" key to start the program. 2.2.2 Stand Alone Version If you do not want to store PC-DeskMates in memory, but would still like to use it as a stand alone program, it may be executed from a diskette or hard disk by performing the following command: - 14 - PC-DeskMates >DESKMATE 2.2.3 Start Key The memory resident version of the program is started by pressing the "Alt-M" key. If you need to use this key for other applications, you may perform either of the following: 1. Press the "Alt-M" key twice in a row. The first time PC-DeskMates' menu will appear. The second time the "Alt-M" key will be passed on to your application program. 2. You may change the "Alt" key that is used to start PC-DeskMates. Refer to the appendix discussing the Installation Utility for further information. 2.2.4 Main Menu Once PC-DeskMates is started, a menu will appear in the upper righthand portion of the monitor similar to the following figure: PC-DeskMates F1 Exit F2 Alarm Clock F3 Calculator F4 Calendar F5 DOS Commands F6 Notepad F7 Phone Dialer F8 Printer F9 Typewriter F0 Setup The desired PC-DeskMates' utility is selected by pressing the appropriate function key. You may return to your interrupted program by pressing the "Esc" key. Each utility, as it is started, creates a small window on your monitor that defines the environment for its use. It may simply outline a notepad or phone book, display a typewriter, calculator or calendar, or present a box defining its available functions. The utilities will either have a Help facility, that is selected by pressing the "F2" key, or will indicate how its features are selected within its window. Where possible, the selection of certain functions are accomplished by pressing the same keys between utilities. The following keys are usually used to select the same functions: F1 Menu Selects PC-DeskMates' menu. - 15 - PC-DeskMates F2 Help Selects the Help feature for the particular utility. F3 Move Alternately moves the utility from either top to bottom or right to left on the monitor. F4 Print Selects the printing option for the utility. 2.2.5 Line Editing Functions When PC-DeskMates' utilities prompts you to enter information, it is possible for you to either enter or change the information prompted for by using any of the line editing functions. These functions could be used when entering a Date, Time, filename or Directory name. The following line editing functions are available: Backspace Deletes the character to the left of the cursor. Delete Deletes the character located under the cursor. End Moves the cursor to the end of the line. Esc Completes the entry of the currently displayed prompt information. Home Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line. Insert Inserts a blankspace under the cursor. Left Arrow Moves the cursor one character to the left. Return Completes the entry of the currently displayed prompt information. Right Arrow Moves the cursor one character to the right. - 16 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 3 Alarm Clock The Alarm Clock utility allows your PC to: - Display the time on the monitor every 15 seconds. - Sound an hourly chime. - Set the system date and time. - Designate a time that the Alarm Clock will ring and display a note on the monitor. - Execute a DOS command, a program or a batch file when the alarm is activated. The Alarm Clock is selected by pressing function key "F2" from PC-DeskMates' menu. The monitor will display the following information to indicate the current status of the Alarm Clock and to define which function keys are pressed to set its features. Alarm Clock F1 Menu F2 Date January 1, 1985 F3 Time 11:49 am F4 Clock On F5 Chime On F6 Alarm Off F7 Time 00:00 Note If you wish to return to PC-DeskMates' menu press the "F1" key. Pressing the "Esc" key allows you to return to your interrupted program. 3.1 Setting The Date Pressing the "F2" key allows you to change the system date. The program will prompt you to enter the new date in the format "MM/DD/YY". - 17 - PC-DeskMates You may use any of the line editing functions to change the date. It is important to include all digits and to enter leading zeros. Press the "Return" key to complete your entry. If the date is invalid, the program will beep and not change the date. If you do not want to change the date, just press the "Return" key. 3.2 Setting The Time Pressing the "F3" key allows you to change the system time. The program will prompt you to enter the new time in the format "HH:MM". You may use any of the line editing functions to change the time. It is important to include all digits and to enter leading zeros. Press the "Return" key to complete your entry. If the time is invalid, the program will beep and not change the time. If you do not want to change the time, just press the "Return" key. The time is entered in 24 hour format. That is, 5:00 pm is entered as 17:00. 3.3 Clock Display Alternately pressing the "F4" key enables and disables the time from being displayed on the monitor every 15 seconds. 3.4 Hourly Chime Alternately pressing the "F5" key enables and disables the ringing of an hourly chime. 3.5 Setting The Alarm Alternately pressing the "F6" key enables and disables the Alarm Clock from ringing and displaying a note on the monitor. Pressing the "F7" key allows you to set the time that the Alarm Clock will ring and display a note. The program will prompt you to enter a new alarm time in the format "HH:MM". You may use any of the line editing functions to change the time. Press the "Return" key to complete your entry. If the time that you enter is incorrect, the alarm time will be set to "00:00". Simply press the "Return" key if you do not wish to change the alarm time. The alarm time is entered in 24 hour format. That is, 5:00 pm is entered as 17:00. - 18 - PC-DeskMates The program will also prompt you to enter a note that will be displayed when the alarm goes off. You may use any of the line editing functions to either change or enter the note. You may enter up to 15 characters for the note. Press the "Return" key to complete your entry. When the program has determined that the alarm is ready to go off, it will ring the chime and display the note on the monitor until you disable the Alarm Clock by pressing the "F6" key. 3.6 Program Starting It is possible for the Alarm Clock to start a program, execute a command or start a batch file when the Alarm Clock goes off. This is accomplished by placing the command in the note feature of the Alarm Clock preceded by the ">" character. For example, to automatically print the file "PAY.PRT" when the Alarm Clock goes off, insert the following note into the Alarm Clock: >Print PAY.PRT If the command is longer than 15 characters or if you would like to execute multiple commands simply place them into a batch file and insert the name of the batch file into the note. - 19 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 4 Calculator The Calculator utility provides a full function printing calculator with a monitor tape display. It also allows you to read numbers directly off of the monitor and to copy the result back into your interrupted program. The Calculator utility is selected by pressing the "F3" key from PC-DeskMates' menu. The program will create a window on the display which contains a picture of a calculator. This picture is used to indicate which keys are used to select the Calculator's functions. The utility provides you with a four function arithmetic calculator with memory storage and percentage key. The following functions are available: F1 Menu F2 Help F3 Move F4 Print F5 Format F6 Copy # F1 Menu Returns you to PC-DeskMates' menu. F2 Help Displays the Calculator Help information. F3 Move Alternately moves the Calculator display between the left and righthand portion of the monitor. F4 Print Alternately enables and disables the printing of calculations on the lineprinter. F5 Format Selects the number of digits printed to the right of the decimal point. F6 Copy # Copies the current Calculator result back to your interrupted program. Clear Entry Pressing the "C" key clears the last number entered into the calculator. Clear All Pressing the "C" key twice in a row completely clears the calculator. Esc Exit Returns you to your interrupted program. M Memory Pressing the "M" key allows you to select one of the memory functions ( +, -, *, /, C, E, R ). - 20 - PC-DeskMates Return Copies the number located under the cursor into the calculator. 4.1 Entering Numbers The first time you select the calculator the keypad will be set to select the cursor functions. If you want to use the keypad to enter numbers, press the "Num Lock" key. Each time you exit the calculator the program will save the current status of the keypad. The next time you select the calculator the previous status of the keypad will be restored. Numbers are entered by simply pressing the appropriate number on the numeric keypad located to the right of the keyboard. As the numeric keys are entered, they are displayed in the Calculator window. The decimal point can be entered at any time to indicate fractional values. Negative numbers can be entered by first entering the number, then pressing the "S" key, which changes the sign of the number currently displayed in the Calculator. Incorrect entries can be cleared by pressing the "C" key, which will clear the current number displayed in the Calculator. 4.2 Arithmetic Operations Arithmetic operations provide the ability to perform such operations as addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, and percentage. The following symbols on the keyboard are pressed to select the corresponding arithmetical function. + Addition - Subtraction * Multiplication / Division = Equal % Percentage Problems are entered into the Calculator in a manner similar to which they are entered into an electronic calculator. The "=" key is used to complete an arithmetic calculation and display the answer. For example, to add the two numbers 5.75 and 7.25 the following keys are entered: - 21 - PC-DeskMates ENTER PRESS RESULT 5.75 + 5.75 7.25 = 13.00 After a result is obtained in one calculation, it may then be directly used as the first number in the next calculation. It is not necessary to enter the number again. Calculations can be entered one at a time, (such as in the example above). Complex problems can be entered in a chained fashion. Chaining allows the Calculator to perform a string of arithmetic operations without having to have the "=" key pressed after each operation. For example, a complex problem such as the following could be solved in two ways: ((16 - 5)*25 + 14)/5 1. Non-Chained ENTER PRESS RESULT 16 - 16.00 5 = 11.00 * 11.00 25 = 275.00 + 275.00 14 = 289.00 / 289.00 5 = 57.80 2. Chained ENTER PRESS RESULT 16 - 16.00 5 * 11.00 25 + 275.00 14 / 289.00 5 = 57.80 4.3 Percentages The percentage key "%" converts the current number displayed in the Calculator to a decimal percentage. That is, it will multiply this number by 0.01. The real power of this operation is obtained when used in conjunction with the addition and subtraction operations. It is then possible to add or subtract a percentage of a number from itself. This allows you to solve the most common percentage problems. For example, to find the total cost of an item costing $50 with a sales tax of 7 percent, perform the following operation: - 22 - PC-DeskMates ENTER PRESS RESULT 50 + 50.00 7 % 3.50 = 53.50 To find the total cost of an item costing $75 that is on sale for a 10 percent discount, perform the following operation: ENTER PRESS RESULT 75 - 75.00 10 % 7.50 = 67.50 4.4 Clear Key Pressing the "C" key once, clears the current number displayed in the Calculator. This could be used to change any incorrect numbers that were entered. Pressing the "C" key twice in a row also clears all previous operations and results. 4.5 Sign Key Pressing the "S" key, changes the sign of the number displayed in the Calculator. Negative numbers can be entered into the Calculator by first pressing the appropriate numeric keys followed by the "S" key. 4.6 Printing Pressing the "F4" key allows the Calculator to print all transactions and calculations that it performs on the selected lineprinter. The Calculator will indicate that the printer is selected by displaying the letter "P" on the Calculator window. The printer used will be the one that has been previously selected by PC-DeskMates' Printer Control utility. You SHOULD NEVER select the Print option if a lineprinter is not available on your system or if it is not ready. This situation causes the Calculator to pause for a few seconds until DOS determines that the lineprinter is unavailable. The printer option may be turned off by pressing the "F4" key again. - 23 - PC-DeskMates 4.7 Format Pressing the "F5" key allows you to select the number of digits that are displayed to the right of the decimal point. The Calculator will indicate where the decimal point is set by moving its decimal indicator. Repeatedly pressing the "F5" key increases the number of fractional digits displayed until it returns to zero. The Calculator uses 11 digits when performing all calculations. If the entered number or result that occurs is too large to be displayed, an overflow message is displayed and the Calculator is cleared. 4.8 Reading Screen Numbers It is possible for the Calculator to read numbers that are displayed on the monitor. This is accomplished by performing the following: 1. Select the cursor function on the keypad by pressing the "Num Lock" key. 2. Place the cursor over any digit of the number that you want to read by pressing the up, down, left and right arrow keys on the keypad. 3. Press the "Return" key. If the number was invalid, a zero will be placed into the calculator. The number that is read is placed into the Calculator just as if you had individually pressed the keys corresponding to each of the digits in the number. 4.9 Returning Results It is possible for the Calculator to copy the current number it is displaying back to your interrupted program. To accomplish this, simply place your program to the state it would be in when you would manually enter the number. Then select PC-DeskMates' Calculator utility and perform your calculations. When you have finished, press the "F6" key. This will copy the number back into your program and also continue your program at the point which it was interrupted. - 24 - PC-DeskMates 4.10 Memory Functions The memory feature of your Calculator is a special place in which you may store numbers so that they can be used in calculations at a later time. It is possible to add, subtract, multiply, divide, clear, recall and exchange numbers within Memory. The memory functions are first selected by pressing the "M" key. The Calculator will then display the letter "M" indicating that you may then select the desired memory function. The following keyboard symbols are pressed to select the desired function. + Addition Adds the currently displayed number with the memory. - Subtraction Subtracts the currently displayed number from the memory. * Multiply Multiplies the currently displayed number with the memory. / Divide Divides memory by the currently displayed number. C Clear Clears the current number stored in the memory. R Recall Recalls the number currently stored in memory into the Calculator. This allows the Calculator to use numbers stored in memory with any function. The number in memory is not affected and can be recalled as many times as required. E Exchange Exchanges the number stored in memory with the current number stored in the Calculator. This effectively clears and adds the current Calculator number to the memory and recalls the number stored in memory into the Calculator. - 25 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 5 Calendar The Calendar utility allows you to maintain your daily calendar of important events, such as holidays, vacations, appointments and special activities, within your PC's memory at all times. You may also edit, print, save and recall the information to a Calendar file on your disk. This allows you to maintain as many Calendar files as you would like. The Calendar utility is selected by pressing function key "F4" from PC-DeskMates' menu. The Calendar will create two windows on your monitor. The top window will display the current monthly calendar while the bottom window will be a Calendar Notepad containing the currently selected Calendar file. Those dates that have been included in the Calendar file will be displayed in high intensity within the Calendar window. The Calendar window will be selected when the utility is first started. Pressing the "F2" key will allow you to access the Calendar Notepad. Pressing the "Esc" key from within the Calendar Notepad will return you to the Calendar Window. The position of the cursor will indicate which window you are currently using. PLEASE NOTE: The meaning of the function keys will be dependent on the window that you are using. 5.1 Calendar Window The following function and control keys are available from the Calendar window: F1 Menu Returns you to PC-DeskMates' menu. F2 Notepad Allows you to access the Calendar Notepad. You are then able to edit, recall, save and print Calendar files. F3 Move Alternately moves the Calendar between the right and left portions of the monitor. - 26 - PC-DeskMates F4 Print Prints the current monthly calendar along with any notes associated with the month on the selected lineprinter. - Displays the previous month. + Displays the next month. Up Arrow Displays the current month for next year. Down Arrow Displays the current month for the previous year. PgUp Allows you to page backward within the notepad. PgDn Allows you to page forward within the notepad. Home Displays the monthly calendar associated with today's date. Esc Exit Returns you to your interrupted program. Each time the Calendar month is changed, the Notepad window is changed to display the information for the currently selected month. If no information is available for this month, the next month's information is displayed. The "PgDn" and "PgUp" functions allow you to scan your Calendar Notepad without having to press the "F2" key to enter the Notepad window. It is possible to print a plain monthly calendar without notes, if you simply erase or read a non-existent calendar file into the Calendar Notepad. You can also print multiple months per page if you advance the displayed calendar month and select the Calendar Print option again. You may want to try printing your calendars using the special character sizes available on the IBM compatible dot matrix printers using the Printer Control utility. Selecting Double Width and Compressed print produces an interesting printed calendar. 5.2 Calendar Notepad When using the Calendar utility, it is possible to have a calendar stored within memory so that important dates can be indicated on the monthly calendar. When PC-DeskMates is first loaded into memory, it attempts to read a Calendar file named "CALENDAR.PAD" from the current default directory and drive. If you maintain your important dates within this file, you will have immediate access to them at all times. The PC-DeskMates distribution diskette will contain a copy of this file which has all the holidays defined for the current year. The Calendar Notepad is accessed by selecting the "Notepad" function - 27 - PC-DeskMates from within the Calendar window. This is performed by pressing the "F2" key. This Notepad will function similarly to the Notepad that is selected from PC-DeskMates' menu. However, the following differences should be noted: - This Notepad has the file "CALENDAR.PAD" recalled when PC-DeskMates is first loaded into memory. - The information within the Calendar Notepad is stored in a different location of memory than the Notepad that is selected from PC-DeskMates' menu. This allows you to have a Calendar, Phone Book and note within memory at all times. The Calendar Notepad allows you to enter information within your calendar in a free format. This allows you to format the information in a method that best meets your needs. However, if you would like to have important dates highlighted on the monthly calendar display, you will need to follow the following conventions: - All dates are entered in the format "MM/DD/YY" and must start in column one of the line. - All dates must be inserted into the Calendar file in the proper sequence. For example, "01/01/85" would be placed before "02/14/85". - You may have multiple lines of information for a specific date by simply not placing a date in columns 1 to 8 for each additional line. You may want to print or type out the Calendar file which is contained on the PC-DeskMates distribution diskette to use as an example when creating your own Calendar files. The following function and control keys are available when using the Calendar Notepad: F1 Menu Returns you to PC-DeskMates' menu. F2 Help Displays the Calendar Notepad Help information. F3 Move Alternately moves the Calendar between the right and left portions of the monitor. F4 Print Prints the information stored within the Calendar Notepad to the selected lineprinter. F5 Recall Recalls a Calendar file into the Notepad from a disk. The program will prompt you to enter a Calendar file name and then ask if you would like to continue. - 28 - PC-DeskMates F6 Save Saves the information contained within the Calendar Notepad to a disk file. The program will prompt you to enter a Calendar file name and then ask if you would like to continue. Esc Exit Returns you to the Calendar window. For further information regarding the editing capabilities of the Calendar Notepad, please refer to the chapter discussing PC-DeskMates' Notepad. - 29 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 6 DOS Commands The DOS Commands utility allows you to perform commonly used DOS commands from within any application program. This utility allows your PC to: - Check the available and free space on a disk drive. - Change either your application or PC-DeskMates' default disk drive and directory. - Copy a file. - Obtain a display of the files contained within a directory. - Erase a file. - Print a file on the selected lineprinter. - Rename a file. - Type a file on the monitor. Each of the commands are selected by pressing an appropriate function key. The following menu is displayed at the bottom of the monitor when this utility is selected: F1 Menu F2 Chkdsk F3 Chdir F4 Copy F5 Dir F6 Erase F7 Print F8 Rename F9 Type Esc Exit F1 Menu Returns you to PC-DeskMates' menu. F2 Chkdsk Displays the amount of available and free space on a disk drive. F3 Chdir Changes the default disk drive and directory for either PC-DeskMates' utilities or your application. F4 Copy Copies a file to another file name. F5 Dir Displays the available files stored on a disk drive or within a directory. - 30 - PC-DeskMates F6 Erase Erases a file. F7 Print Prints a file to the selected lineprinter. F8 Rename Renames a file. F9 Type Displays a file on the monitor. Esc Exit Returns you to your interrupted program. After selecting a DOS Command, the program prompts you to enter the required information for that command. If the command has a default value, it is displayed. You may change this information by using any of the line editing functions. Press the "Return" key to complete your response. The COPY, DIR, ERASE, PRINT, RENAME and TYPE commands are capable of using the wildcard characters "*" and "?". When using these commands, the utility will display each filename that is affected by the command. PLEASE NOTE: It is not possible for PC-DeskMates to determine if a data file is currently being accessed by your application program. Therefore, you should not use the COPY, ERASE, PRINT, RENAME, or TYPE commands on data files that your application program is currently accessing. You also should not change your default directory. Programs such as word processors and spreadsheets normally do not access data files once they have completed reading or writing them. On the other hand, data base managers and application programs written in higher level languages, such as accounting programs, may continuously access data files. 6.1 Chkdsk Pressing function key "F2" allows you to obtain the amount of available and free space on a disk drive. The command will prompt you to enter the desired drive letter. Press the "Return" key to complete your entry. If a drive letter is not entered the command will use the currently selected disk drive. 6.2 Chdir The Chdir command allows you to select the default disk drive and directory that either PC-DeskMates or your application programs access. This allows you to access files stored in subdirectories from within any application program that does not allow you to use subdirectories. - 31 - PC-DeskMates There are two directories associated with PC-DeskMates. One is referred to as the "Desk" directory and is normally used to access files from PC-DeskMates' utilities. The other is referred to as the "DOS" directory and is set to the directory that your application program is accessing when PC-DeskMates is started. Pressing the "F3" key allows you to perform two different functions: 1. Select which directory (Desk or DOS) will be used when accessing files from PC-DeskMates' utilities. 2. Allows you to change the default disk drive and directory for either the "Desk" or "DOS" directory. Each time you access PC-DeskMates' utilities, the current drive and directory that your application program is using is saved as the "DOS" directory. The "Desk" drive and directory is then made the default value. Each time you exit the program, the default disk drive and directory is restored to the value stored in the "DOS" directory. You may alternate between the "DOS" and "Desk" directories when accessing files from within PC-DeskMates' utilities by pressing the "F3" key. It is also possible for you to change the disk drive and directory associated with the "DOS" or "Desk" directory by editing this information when the command prompts you to enter these values. If you do not desire to change these values, simply press the "Return" key. The currently selected directory will be displayed at the bottom of the DOS window. If you want to change the disk drive and directory that your application program is using, perform the following: 1. Press the "F3" key until the utility prompts you to enter the default "DOS" disk drive and directory. 2. Use the line editing functions to change the default disk drive and directory. 3. Press the "Return" key to complete your selection. 4. Press the "Esc" key to return to your interrupted program. You would perform the same steps to change the default disk drive and directory used by the PC-DeskMates' utilities replacing the "Desk" directory for the "DOS" directory. This command allows you to now access files stored in subdirectories for those applications that do not allow the entry of file directories. It even allows you to change the default drive and directory while your program is running. - 32 - PC-DeskMates 6.3 Copy Pressing the "F4" key allows you to copy a file to another file. The command will prompt you to enter the "From" and "To" file names. Press the "Return" key to complete the entry of each file name. PLEASE NOTE: The COPY command will take a longer amount of time to complete the file transfer than the normal DOS COPY command, due to smaller memory buffers. 6.4 Directory Pressing the "F5" key allows you to obtain a display of the files contained on a disk or within a directory. The command will prompt you to enter the desired directory mask. 6.5 Erase Pressing the "F6" key allows you to erase a file. The command will prompt you to enter the name of the file you wish to erase. 6.6 Print Pressing the "F7" key allows you to print a file on the selected lineprinter. The command will prompt you to enter the file name that you wish to print. Printing of the current file may be stopped at any time by pressing the "Esc" key. 6.7 Rename Pressing the "F8" key allows you to rename a file. The command will prompt you to enter the "From" and "To" file names. Press the "Return" key to complete the entry of each file name. - 33 - PC-DeskMates 6.8 Type Pressing the "F9" key allows you to display a file on the monitor. The command will prompt you to enter a file name. After the command fills the DOS window, it will prompt you to press any key to continue. Pressing the "Esc" key will stop the display of the file. - 34 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 7 Notepad The Notepad utility allows you to enter a note into your computer at any time, save it to a disk file and recall it at a later time. You may even print the note to the selected lineprinter. The Notepad utility is selected by pressing the "F6" key from PC-DeskMates' menu. The utility will create a window on the right portion of your monitor which will resemble a Notepad. The top portion of the Notepad will indicate the name of the Notepad file that is currently being used. The following functions may be selected by pressing the appropriate function key: F1 Menu Returns you to PC-DeskMates' menu. F2 Help Displays the Notepad Help information. F3 Move Alternately moves the Notepad between the right and left portions of the monitor. F4 Print Prints the information contained within the Notepad on to the selected lineprinter. F5 Recall Recalls a Notepad file that was previously saved. F6 Save Saves the current information contained in the Notepad to a disk file. F7 Align Word aligns and merges lines of information within the Notepad. Esc Exit Returns you to your interrupted program. 7.1 Entering Information The Notepad works in a manner similar to a full screen text editor or word processor. Simply enter information by pressing the appropriate keys. The following keys allow you to edit the information once it has been entered: - 35 - PC-DeskMates Backspace Deletes the character to the left of the cursor and moves the cursor to the left one position. Del Deletes the character located beneath the cursor. Ins Inserts a space into the Notepad. Ctrl-D Deletes the entire line that the cursor is currently located on. Return Creates a new line. The following commands will allow you to move around the Notepad: Left Arrow Moves the cursor to the left one position. Right Arrow Moves the cursor to the right one position. Up Arrow Moves the cursor up one line. Down Arrow Moves the cursor down one line. Home Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line. End Moves the cursor to the end of the line. Ctrl-Home Moves the cursor to the top of the current page. Ctrl-End Moves the cursor to the end of the current page. PgDn Advances the cursor one page. PgUp Moves the cursor backward one page. Ctrl-PgDn Moves the cursor to the last line of the note. Ctrl-PgUp Moves the cursor to the first line of the note. The Notepad is capable of storing up to 2000 characters at any time. Should you attempt to insert more than this amount, the Notepad will display the message "Buffer Space Full". 7.2 Print Pressing the "F4" key allows you to print the current information stored in the Notepad to the selected lineprinter. - 36 - PC-DeskMates 7.3 Recall & Save Pressing the "F5" key allows you to recall a previously stored note. The Notepad will prompt you to enter the name of the file containing the note. You may use any of the line editing functions to enter or change the filename. Press the "Return" key to complete the entry of the filename. If you wish to clear the Notepad simply recall a note file that does not exist. The Notepad will indicate that the file is not found and will clear the Notepad. The Notepad will ask you if you would like to continue before it recalls the file. Either press the "Y" key to continue or the "N" key to stop the Notepad recall command. Pressing the "F6" key allows you to save the information in the Notepad to a disk file. The Notepad will prompt you to enter a file name. You may use any of the line editing functions to either enter or change the filename. Press the "Return" key to complete the entry of the filename. The Notepad will ask you if you would like to continue before it saves the file. Either press the "Y" key to continue or the "N" key to stop the Notepad save command. 7.4 Align After extensive editing, information within the notepad will become fragmented between lines. It will be necessary to merge information between lines so that they will be properly aligned. The Align function will automatically merge and word align information between lines within the notepad. Simply place the cursor on any character within the first line that you would like to have aligned, then press the "F7" key. The Notepad will merge the included lines on word boundaries until a blank line is found. 7.4.1 Special Notepad Files We have included a variety of Notepad files on the distribution diskettes that we have found useful. You may use them as examples or as helpful business tools. Ascii.pad Contains a table of the ascii character set and their decimal values. - 37 - PC-DeskMates Holidays.pad A sample calendar file containing the holidays for 1985. Metrics.pad A metric conversion table. States.pad Includes an alphabetic listing of all states with their abbreviations and zip code ranges. - 38 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 8 Phone Dialer The Phone Dialer allows you to automatically dial any telephone number that is displayed on the monitor, if your PC has access to a Hayes compatible Smartmodem. The Phone Dialer Notepad allows you to maintain a phone book of important telephone numbers in your PC's memory so that they may be available at all times. You may edit, print, save or recall as many phone books as you would like. The Phone Dialer utility is selected by pressing function key "F7" from PC-DeskMates' menu. The utility will create two windows on the righthand portion of the monitor. The top window will display the use of the function keys that allow you to automatically dial a telephone number. The bottom window is a notepad that will contain the telephone numbers of the current phone book that is being used. The shape of the cursor is used to indicate which window you are currently using. When the cursor resembles a square box, you are working from the Phone Dialer window. If the cursor is a thin line, you are in the notepad window. 8.1 Phone Dialer Window The Phone Dialer window will be selected when this utility is first started. Pressing the "F2" key allows you to access the notepad window. Pressing the "Esc" key from within the notepad window returns you to the Phone Dialer window. PLEASE NOTE: The meaning and use of the function keys is dependent on which window you are currently using. The Phone Dialer window allows you to automatically dial any phone number that is currently displayed on the monitor. It is possible for you to dial phone numbers that are either contained within the Phone Dialer Notepad or that are being displayed by other programs on the monitor. The Phone Dialer window will contain the following information: - 39 - PC-DeskMates Phone Dialer F1 Menu F2 Notepad PgUp F3 Move F4 Com1 PgDn F5 Dial F6 Touch F7 Hang Up F8 Prefix F9 Phone 1 F0 Phone 2 F1 Menu Returns you to PC-DeskMates' menu. F2 Notepad Selects the Phone Dialer Notepad. F3 Move Alternately moves the Phone Dialer between the right and left portions of the monitor. F4 Com1 Selects either communication port Com1 or Com2. F5 Dial Automatically dials the telephone number located under the cursor. F6 Touch Alternately selects either Touch Tone or Pulse dialing. F7 Hang Up Hangs up the modem after a telephone call has been dialed. F8 Prefix Allows you to enter a prefix that will be added to each telephone number that is dialed. This can be used to dial Watts lines, long distance, or gain an outside number through a PBX system. F9-F0 Allows you to store telephone numbers, local access telephone numbers and authorization codes that are used frequently within the Phone Dialer. You can even enter a telephone number to dial that is not currently displayed on the monitor. PgUp Allows you to page backwards within the Phone Dialer Notepad. PgDn Allows you to page forward within the Phone Dialer Notepad. Esc Exit Returns you to your interrupted program. Please Note: Each time you dial a phone number, the communications port and modem will be initialized. The Hang Up function, "F7" can be pressed at any time and will initialize the selected communications port and modem. You should NEVER attempt to use the Phone Dialer on a non-existent communications port or modem as this may hang your system. The following Phone Dialer information is saved by the Configuration Utility: - 40 - PC-DeskMates - Communications Port Number - Touch or Pulse Dialing - Prefix - Phone 1 & 2 The "PgUp" and "PgDn" functions allow you to page through your Phone Dialer Notepad without having to press the "F2" key to enter the Phone Dialer Notepad window. This allows you to easily display any phone number stored in the notepad on the monitor. 8.1.1 Dialing Telephone Numbers Dialing a phone number with the Phone Dialer is a simple process and consists of the following steps: 1. Select the proper communications port by alternately pressing the "F4" key. 2. Select either Touch Tone or Pulse dialing by alternately pressing the "F6" key. 3. Place the cursor over the first character of the phone number that you want to dial by pressing the left, right, down and up arrow keys located on the keypad. 4. Press the "F5" key to dial the number. The number that you have selected will be displayed on the monitor and you will be able to also hear the modem dial the phone number. 5. Once the telephone number is ringing you should first lift the telephone receiver and then hang up the modem by pressing the "F7" key. Any of the following characters may be contained within the telephone number: (, ), -, 0 ... 9, #, *, space, and commas. Commas allow you to insert a pause of two seconds during the dialing sequence. Since you select the starting position of the phone number that is dialed, you may want to always include the area code within your phone books. This way you will be able to use your Phone Dialer when you are calling outside of your local area code. 8.1.2 Telephone Prefixes The Prefix option allows you to set the initial information that is always dialed before the selected phone number. This could be used to obtain access to a telephone line outside of a PBX system, or to allow you to make calls using a Watts line. Placing a comma within the string allows you to delay the dialing sequence, so that you can gain access to an outside line. For example, the following prefix would be selected to make a long distance call from within a PBX system that uses the digit "9" to gain access to an outside line: "9,1". You could also use the prefix to dial a "1" before a telephone number if it was - 41 - PC-DeskMates outside of your local dialing area. This function will prompt you to enter the prefix information and can be up to 9 characters long. 8.1.3 Phone Dialer Information The "F9" and "F0" keys allow you to either store important phone numbers and access codes within the Phone Dialer or to enter a telephone number that is not presently displayed on the screen. Selecting these functions will prompt you to enter the information that you would like stored. The information may be up to 25 characters long. 8.1.4 Long Distance Services It is possible to use the Phone Dialer when using access services such as Sprint and MCI. It is necessary to perform the following steps when making calls using any type of access service: 1. Select the correct communications port and dialing method using function keys "F4" and "F6". 2. Place the cursor over the first character of the local access telephone number and press the "F5" key. 3. After the local access number has been answered and is waiting for your authorization code, place the cursor over your access code and press the "F5" key again. 4. Then place the cursor over the telephone number that you want to dial and press the "F5" key again. 5. After the number begins to ring, hang up the modem by pressing the "F7" key. It may be possible for you to dial the local access telephone number and enter your authorization code in one step by inserting commas between the local access telephone number and the authorization code. This allows the modem to delay the dialing of the authorization code two seconds for each inserted comma. For example, the following sequence may be used: Phone Auth. Number Wait Code 858-888,,,,,,7779999 You may want to store your local access telephone number and authorization code within the two phone numbers that are maintained within the Phone Dialer. Insert any non-telephone character, such as a ";", after the local access telephone number, if you are unable to use the delay technique. The PC-DeskMates' configuration file located on the distribution diskette contains an example of storing a local access telephone number and authorization code. - 42 - PC-DeskMates 8.2 Phone Dialer Notepad The Phone Dialer Notepad is selected by pressing the "F2" key from within the Phone Dialer window. The following function and control keys are available when using the Phone Dialer Notepad: F1 Menu Returns you to PC-DeskMates' menu. F2 Help Displays the Phone Dialer Notepad Help information. F3 Move Alternately moves the Phone Dialer between the right and left portions of the monitor. F4 Print Prints the Phone Dialer Notepad on the selected lineprinter. F5 Recall Recalls a phone book into the Notepad from a disk. The program will prompt you to enter a phone book file name and then ask if you would like to continue. F6 Save Saves the information contained within the Phone Dialer Notepad to either an existing or new disk file. The program will prompt you to enter a phone book file name and then ask if you would like to continue. Esc Exit Returns you to the Phone Dialer window. When PC-DeskMates is first loaded into memory, it attempts to read a phone book file named "PHONE.PAD" from the current default disk drive and directory. If you maintain your important telephone numbers within this file, you will have immediate access to them at all times. The PC-DeskMates distribution diskette will contain a copy of this file which has sample telephone numbers included. The Phone Dialer Notepad will function similarly to the Notepad that is selected from PC-DeskMates' menu. However, the following differences should be noted: - This Notepad has the phone book file "PHONE.PAD" recalled when PC-DeskMates' is first loaded into memory. - Each name and telephone number will use only one line within the Phone Dialer Notepad. - The information within the Phone Dialer Notepad is stored in a different location of memory than the Notepad that is selected from PC-DeskMates' menu. This allows you to have a Calendar, - 43 - PC-DeskMates Phone Book and note within memory at all times. You may want to print or type out the phone book file which is contained on the PC-DeskMates distribution diskette to use as an example when creating your own Phone Book. For further information regarding the editing capabilities of the Phone Dialer Notepad, please refer to the chapter discussing PC-DeskMates' Notepad. - 44 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 9 Printer Control The Printer Control utility allows you to disable the Print Screen key, select special print features of your dot matrix printer, print a test pattern and select the printer device used by PC-DeskMates' utilities. The Printer Control utility is selected by pressing the "F8" key from PC-DeskMates' menu. The utility will create a window on the monitor that will indicate the status of the lineprinter and which function keys are pressed to select the various functions: Printer Control F1 Menu F2 Test Pattern F3 Recall Config. F4 Printer Device Lpt1 F5 PrtScr On F6 Double Width Off F7 Compressed Off F8 Emphasized Off F9 Enhanced Off If you wish to return to PC-DeskMates' menu press the "F1" key. Pressing the "Esc" key allows you to return to your interrupted program. PLEASE NOTE: 1. It is possible for the status of functions "F6" through "F9" to be incorrect if either the printer is turned off or if other programs change the status of the lineprinter. If this occurs simply press these functions until they cycle between "On" and "Off" 2. Options "F6" through "F9" should only be selected if you are using an IBM compatible dot matrix printer or if you have previously reconfigured these options to correspond to your dot matrix printer. 3. Do not select any printer option if the selected printer is not ready as this will cause your system to pause until the printer times out. - 45 - PC-DeskMates 9.1 Test Pattern Pressing the "F2" key allows you to print a test pattern on your printer to ensure that the features you have selected are correct. 9.2 Recall Configuration It is possible for you to recall a printer configuration file named "PRINTER.CFG" from the default disk drive and directory that will define the special print features of your dot matrix printer to the Printer Control Utility. Pressing the "F3" key will recall this file. Read the appendix discussing the Installation Utility for further information. 9.3 PrtScr Control How many times have you accidentally pressed the PrtScr key while using the PC keyboard? Pressing the "F4" key allows you to alternately enable and disable the PrtScr key from functioning. 9.4 Printer Device Alternately pressing the "F5" key selects the printer port that your printer is attached to. The selection will sequence from "Lpt1" to "Lpt3". This selection is used by PC-DeskMates' utilities only and does not affect your interrupted program. 9.5 Double Width If you are using an IBM compatible dot matrix printer, pressing the "F6" key alternately enables and disables the double width character feature of the printer. - 46 - PC-DeskMates 9.6 Compressed Print If you are using an IBM compatible dot matrix printer, pressing the "F7" key alternately changes the character size between 10 and 17 characters per inch. The status indicator will display an "On" when 17 character per inch is selected. Using this function with the double width function can also allow characters of 6 and 12 characters per inch to be selected. Please refer to your printer manual for further details. 9.7 Emphasized Print If you are using an IBM compatible dot matrix printer, pressing the "F8" key alternately enables and disables the emphasized print feature of the printer. 9.8 Enhanced Print If you are using an IBM compatible dot matrix printer, pressing the "F9" key alternately enables and disables the enhanced print feature of the printer. - 47 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 10 Typewriter The Typewriter utility allows your PC and printer to become an easy to use electronic typewriter. Those documents such as envelopes, labels, forms and memos, which are not easily printed with a word processor, can now be typed on your PC in a manner similar to using an electronic typewriter. The Typewriter is selected by pressing the "F9" key from PC-DeskMates' menu. The program creates a window on the monitor that displays information regarding the status of the Typewriter. The center portion of the window will provide you with a Typewriter ruler indicating the 80 columns, margin settings, and tab settings. The double vertical lines on the ruler will indicate where the margins are currently set. Tabs will be indicated by a blankspace within the ruler. The following menu is displayed when the utility is selected: Column: 10 F1 Menu F2 Line F3 Move F4 Margins Margins: 10 70 F5 Tabs F6 Matrix F7 Lpt1 PgDn Form Feed The column indicator displays the current location of the cursor. The current margin settings are displayed below the column indicator. The following function and control keys are available when using the Typewriter: F1 Menu Returns you to PC-DeskMates' menu. F2 Mode Alternately selects character or line mode. F3 Move Alternately moves the Typewriter between the top and bottom portions of the monitor. F4 Margins Sets the left and right margin columns. F5 Tabs Sets and clears tab columns. F6 Type Alternately selects matrix or letter quality printer. F7 Device Selects the printer port that the line printer is attached to. - 48 - PC-DeskMates PgDn Form feeds the paper in the printer to the top of the next page. Esc Exit Returns you to your interrupted program. 10.1 Typing Modes It is first important to ensure that PC-DeskMates' lineprinter settings are correct. The printer type (Letter or Matrix), and device, (Lpt1, 2, 3) should be properly set. There are two different typing modes that the Typewriter can function in: Line or Character. Line mode allows you to enter information into the Typewriter, edit it and then print it when the "Return" key is pressed. Character mode allows you to print the characters on the printer as you enter them. The desired mode is alternately selected by pressing the "F2" key. Line Mode: Any one of the line editing functions (Backspace, Tab, Del, Ins, Left Arrow, Right Arrow, Home, End) may be used to edit the entered information before it is typed on the lineprinter. The "Return" key is pressed to print the entire line and to advance the paper one line. Character Mode: Since all characters are printed as they are entered, there is no editing capability in this mode. The backspace key may be used to move the printer carriage to the left. This will allow you to overprint characters on your printer. This technique could be used to underline information. The "Return" key is pressed to advance the paper one line. When using Character mode make sure that you have selected the proper printer type (Matrix or Letter) by presssing the "F6" key. The program will not be able to properly backspace if this selection is incorrect. It is also necessary to note that dot matrix printers will not advance their print head until a printable character is pressed. 10.2 Margins The Typewriter ruler will indicate the current setting of the left and right margins. The Typewriter will not allow you to type past the - 49 - PC-DeskMates margins. Pressing the "F4" key allows you to select new margin columns. The program will prompt you to enter the left and right margin column number. If you do not want to change the margin settings, simply press the return key. PLEASE NOTE: Use the space and backspace key to place the cursor on a column that will be within the new margin settings, or else the program will not allow you to change the margins. The program will automatically align the left margin when using line mode. 10.3 Tabs The tab key allows you to automatically skip to predefined Typewriter columns. The Typewriter initially has a tab set at column 15. Tabs are set and cleared by first placing the cursor over the desired column and then pressing the "F5" key. The current tab locations are indicated by displaying spaces within the Typewriter ruler. 10.4 Printer Type Alternately pressing the "F6" key selects the printer type that you are using. Select "Letter" if you are using a letter quality printer and "Matrix" if you are using a dot matrix printer. This selection is used by the utility to determine how to backspace in character mode. 10.5 Printer Device Alternately pressing the "F7" key selects the printer port that your printer is attached to. The selection will sequence from "Lpt1" to "Lpt3". This selection is used by PC-DeskMates' utilities only and does not affect your interrupted program. 10.6 Page Feed Pressing the "PgDn" key form feeds the paper in the printer to the top of the next page. - 50 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 11 Setup The Setup utility allows you to perform the following functions: - Set the Foreground and Background Monitor Colors. - Save and Recall configuration settings. The Setup utility is selected by pressing the "F0" key from PC-DeskMates' menu. The utility will create a window on the monitor that will look similar to the following figure: Setup Menu F1 Menu F2 Foreground Color F3 Background Color F4 Save Config. F5 Recall Config. If you wish to return to PC-DeskMates' menu press the "F1" key. Pressing the "Esc" key allows you to return to your interrupted program. 11.1 Setting Monitor Colors Pressing the "F2" key allows you to change the foreground color used by PC-DeskMates' utilities. Pressing the "F3" key allows you to change the background color. As you cycle through the different monitor colors, it will be possible to select combinations that will not display at all on the monitor. Simply continue pressing the "F2" and "F3" keys until you find the color combination that pleases you. Some color combinations may not allow calendar dates to be properly highlighted on your monitor. - 51 - PC-DeskMates 11.2 Save & Recall Configurations Pressing the "F4" key allows you to save the current PC-DeskMates configuration settings to a disk file named "DESKMATE.CFG" on the current default disk drive and directory. Each time you load PC-DeskMates into memory, the program will attempt to read the file "DESKMATE.CFG" from the default disk drive, so that these settings may be restored to their previous values. If it is unable to find this file, it will set the options to their default values. Pressing the "F5" key allows you to read the configuration file at any time. The following options will be saved and restored by these functions: Foreground Color Background Color Alarm Clock: Display - On/Off Chime - On/Off Alarm - On/Off Alarm - Time Alarm - Note Calculator: Format Printer Control: PrtScr - On/Off Print Device - Lpt1/2/3 Phone Dialer Com Device - Com1/2 Touch or Pulse Dialing Prefix Phone 1 & 2 Typewriter: Mode - Line/Char Print Type - Matrix/Letter Margin Settings Tab Settings - 52 - PC-DeskMates Chapter 12 Appendix 12.1 Special Considerations The following items need to be considered when using PC-DeskMates: 1. If you are using other memory resident programs besides PC-DeskMates, you may need to consider the order that the programs are loaded. Usually, PC-DeskMates will work properly if it is loaded last. 2. PC-DeskMates requires 64 Kbytes of memory. Be sure that you have enough remaining memory to run your other application programs after PC-DeskMates has been loaded. 3. If you are using a black and white monochrome monitor with a color graphics card, it will be necessary to execute the command "MODE BW80" just before PC-DeskMates is loaded. You may want to insert this command into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. It may be necessary for you to execute this command again if you accidentally run a program that sets the monitor to color mode. 4. PC-DeskMates will not function if the current program that is running has set the monitor into graphics mode. If you attempt to access PC-Deskmates while the monitor is in graphics mode, the program will ring the bell. 5. When using memory resident programs that can interrupt your program at any time, it is usually best if you do not select the memory resident program while your program is performing disk I/O, writing to the monitor, accessing a modem or printing to the printer. Should you access PC-DeskMates while your program is performing any of these functions, it is possible that your program will not continue until you press another key. 6. It is not possible for PC-DeskMates or your application programs to determine if you have inserted a different diskette into a disk drive. Therefore, if you should insert a different diskette into a disk drive while using PC-DeskMates be sure to insert the original diskette back into the disk drive before resuming your application program. 7. Each time PC-DeskMates is started and stopped it will read - 53 - PC-DeskMates information off the currently accessed disk drive. Therefore, it is important that a diskette is loaded in the default disk drive before starting PC-DeskMates. If there is not a disk in the drive, PC-DeskMates will not start until the disk time out has occurred. 12.2 Messages and Explanations PC-DeskMates will display the following error and warning messages: * / By Zero While using the Calculator utility, an attempt was made to divide a number by zero. This error will clear the calculator. * Bad File Name A filename was entered that does not conform to the DOS filenaming conventions. This error will also occur if you attempt to copy a file to itself while using the DOS Commands Utility. * Buffer Space Full While using one of the notepad utilities, an attempt was made to enter more information than could be stored within the available memory buffers. * Device Error This message occurs if an attempt is made to access a device that is not ready. The most likely reasons for this error are: a disk drive is not available or ready, there is no diskette loaded in the disk drive, the diskette is not formatted, the selected printer port is not available, or the selected communications or modem port is not available. * Disk Full While attempting to write to a disk file, the disk drive ran out of available storage space. * File Not Found The program was unable to read or access the named data file from the selected disk drive. The most likely reasons for this error are: the file does not exist on the selected disk drive, or an attempt was made to rename a file to a filename that already exists. * Overflow While using the Calculator utility, an attempt was made to input a - 54 - PC-DeskMates number which was greater than 11 digits, or a calculation resulted in an answer which was larger than or equal to 100 billion. This error will also occur on smaller numbers if the format option has reduced the number of digits that are printed to the left of the decimal point. This error will clear the calculator. * Path Not Found While using the CHDIR command, an attempt was made to access a disk directory which does not exist. * Printer Error Either the lineprinter is not on, not ready, or is out of paper. * Read Error A disk error occurred while attempting to read a file from the selected disk drive. * Write Error An error occurred while attempting to write to a disk drive. This error may occur if the diskette is write protected. 12.3 Installation Utility The Installation Utility allows you to customize the following features of PC-DeskMates: - Insert your registration number into the program. - Alter the starting key. - Create a printer configuration file so that the Printer Control Utility may use non-IBM compatible dot matrix printers. PLEASE NOTE: This program will write information into the PC-DeskMates program stored on the diskette. Therefore, you should only execute this program on a copy of the distribution diskette. To start the program you will need to perform the following operation: 1. Insert a copy of PC-DeskMates' distribution diskette into drive A. 2. Execute the following commands: >A: >INSTALL - 55 - PC-DeskMates The program will display the following menu: F1 Exit F2 Reg. No. 0000000 F3 Start Key Alt-M F4 Printer Config. Pressing the "F1" key allows you to exit the program After either inserting your registration number or changing the start key, it will be necessary to copy the modified program to any diskettes that you use to load PC-DeskMates from. This can be accomplished by performing the following: 1. Insert the modified PC-DeskMates distribution diskette into drive A. 2. Insert your bootable system diskette into drive B. 3. Execute the following command: >COPY DESKMATE.COM B: 12.3.1 Inserting Your Registration No. Pressing the "F2" key allows you to insert your registration number into the PC-DeskMates program. The program will prompt you to enter the new registration number. You may use any of the line editing functions to enter the number. Press the "Return" key to complete your entry. 12.3.2 Setting Start Key PC-DeskMates uses the "Alt-M" key to start itself once it is stored in memory. However, you may find that this key is utilized by other application programs that you use. Therefore, you may select a different "Alt" key combination by pressing the "F3" key. The program will prompt you to press the new "Alt" key combination that you want to use. You may use the keys "A thru P", "S thru Z", "1 thru 9", "-", and "=". 12.3.3 Printer Configuration If you are not using an IBM compatible dot matrix printer you may want to create a printer configuration file to define the special printing capabilities of your printer. The ability to customize the Printer Control utility when selecting special printing capabilities of dot matrix printers assumes that you are familiar with the selection of these features on your printer. You - 56 - PC-DeskMates should read your printer's manual and attempt to select the desired features of your printer by first using a Basic program before attempting to create a printer configuration file. Pressing the "F4" key on the Installation Utility will display the following Printer Configuration Menu: F1 Exit F2 Recall Config. F3 Save Config. On Code Off Code F6 Double Width 27,87,49 27,87,48 F7 Compressed 15 18 F8 Emphasized 27,69 27,70 F9 Enhanced 27,71 27,72 F0 F1 Menu Allows you to exit to the main menu. F2 Recall Allows you to recall a previously defined configuration file from disk. F3 Save Allows you to save the current configuration to a disk file. The recall and save options will prompt you to enter a filename. Keys "F6" through "F0" are used to define the special printing features of your dot matrix printer. When the program is first started the IBM compatible configuration will be displayed on the monitor. Pressing keys "F6" through "F0" will prompt you for the following information: 1. Name of the print feature 2. On selection codes 3. Off selection codes You may define up to five selections for your printer corresponding to the function keys "F6" through "F0". The On/Off codes are entered using the decimal equivalent of the corresponding characters separated by commas. For example, the following printer features and On/Off codes for an IBM compatible dot matrix printer correspond to the default values displayed on the above menu: Print Feature On Code Off Code Double Width Esc W1 Esc W0 Compressed SI DC2 Emphasized Esc E Esc F Enhanced Esc G Esc H - 57 - PC-DeskMates Each time you start PC-DeskMates or select the Recall Printer feature of the Printer Control Utility the program will attempt to read the file "PRINTER.CFG" from the default disk drive and directory. If it is unable to find this file, the IBM compatible default values will be used. Therefore, after you have created a printer configuration file you will need to copy the file to the diskette that you start PC-DeskMates from with the name "PRINTER.CFG". We have included a few configuration files on the distribution diskette that you may either want to use or refer to as examples. EPSON.CFG IBM compatible printer OKIDATA.CFG Okidata u92 or u93 PLUGPLAY.CFG Okidata u92/93 with Plug'N Play - 58 - PC-DeskMates 12.4 Program License Agreement YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT. USING THE PRODUCT INDICATES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THEM, YOU SHOULD PROMPTLY RETURN THE PACKAGE. LICENSE A limited license is granted to any user of the program to freely copy and distribute the product on the following conditions: You may: - Use the program on any microcomputer on which this package was designed to operate. - Copy the program into any machine readable form for backup purposes. - Freely copy and share unmodified copies of the product with your associates. - 59 - PC-DeskMates YOU MAY NOT: - Sell the product for a fee and/or distribute the product along with other products without express written permission. - Grant sublicense, leases, or other rights in the software to others. - Make verbal or media translations of the user's manual. - Modify or remove the Copyright notice from the program, diskette or its manual. - Modify the program, diskette or manual and/or merge it into another program for any machine. TERMS and CONDITIONS The license is effective until terminated. You may terminate it at any time by destroying the diskette(s) contained in this package. The license and the rights thereof terminate if you fail to comply with any term or condition of this agreement. You agree further, upon termination, to destroy the program together with any modifications and/or merged portions in any form. 12.5 Limited Warranty THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. Alternative Decision Software, Inc. warrants the diskette(s) on which the program is furnished to be free from defects in the material and workmanship under normal use for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of delivery to you as evidenced by a copy of your receipt. The defective diskette must be returned to Alternative Decision Software, Inc. for this warranty to be effected. LIMITATIONS OF REMEDIES Alternative Decision Software, Inc.'s liability and your exclusive remedy shall be: - The replacement of the diskette(s) if you have met the conditions as described under "LIMITED WARRANTY" OR - 60 - PC-DeskMates - A full refund if Alternative Decision Software, Inc. is unable to deliver a diskette free from defects in materials or workmanship. IN NO EVENT WILL ALTERNATIVE DECISION SOFTWARE, Inc. BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH PROGRAM EVEN IF ALTERNATIVE DECISION SOFTWARE, Inc. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. GENERAL You may not sublicense, assign or transfer the license or the limited warranties of the program except as expressly provided in this agreement. Any attempt otherwise to sublicense, assign or transfer any of the rights, duties or obligations hereunder is void. This agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York. Should you have any questions concerning this agreement, you may contact Alternative Decision Software, Inc. by writing to: Alternative Decision Software, Inc. Customer Service P.O. Box 307 Lancaster, NY 14086 YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTAND IT AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS. YOU FURTHER AGREE THAT IT IS THE COMPLETE AND EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN US WHICH SUPERCEDES ANY PROPOSAL OR PRIOR WRITTEN AGREEMENT, ORAL OR WRITTEN, AND ANY OTHER COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN US RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT. - 61 -