Actor 12/actor.v12.1994.iso/files/win/datbank/tap.arj/README.TAP

Text File | 1993-12-21 | 9KB | 207 lines

TAP - The Acronym Program
Version 1.0 - first public release
by Larry Deack (c) Copyright 1993
All Rights Reserved


1) How to Use Tap
2) Why did I write TAP?
3) What is TAP?
3) How to contact me
4) Distribution Information


1) HOW TO USE TAP

The Window:

There are three main sections to the TAP window: the Input Edit
Box (upper left), the List Box (lower left), and the Output Edit
Box (right).

Input Edit Box:

When a blinking cursor appears in the Input Edit Box, you can
type in the acronym you wish to locate.  Note that as you type,
the selection in the List Box always shows the closest match to
the current contents of the Input Edit Box.

If an exact match is found, the smiling face icon appears above
the Output Edit Box.  If there is no exact match, the face is
frowning.

If you want to look up several acronyms, the easiest way is to
press <Enter> after each acronym.  The next character you type
starts a new acronym.

Typical Windows edit functions work as you would expect,
including <Ctrl>+<Insert> to copy or <Shift>+<Insert> to paste.


List Box:

If there is no blinking text cursor in either of the Edit Boxes,
then the "focus" is on the List Box.  By entering a letter on the
keyboard, you can move to the first acronym in the list which has
that letter as the first character.

You can also move through the list of acronyms using the
<Page Up>, <Page Down>, and arrow keys, or you can use the scroll
bar.

Output Edit Box:

There are two things you can do in the output edit box: jump to
the definition of an acronym that's contained within the
definition of the current acronym, or highlight all or part of
the current definition and place it on the clipboard.

The easiest way to jump to a "nested" acronym is to use the mouse
to double-click on the acronym.  For example, ASPI is defined as
"Advanced SCSI Programming Interface."  If you double click on
"SCSI" the Input Edit Box, the List Box will change to SCSI and
the result will display: "Small Computer System Interface." The
focus also moves to the Input Edit Box.  You can also highlight
words (or portions of words) with the mouse or combinations of
the <Shift>, <Ctrl>, and arrow keys then press <Enter>.

To place the contents of the Output Edit Box on the clipboard,
highlight the text you want and press <Ctrl>+<Insert>.  Note that
this edit box is read-only; you cannot paste or type text into
it.

Getting Around in TAP:

The easiest way to get around in TAP is with a mouse. The TAB key
will also rotate the focus from the Input Edit Box, to the List
Box, to the Output Edit Box and back. The focus starts on the
Input Edit Box. As you change the focus it selects all the text
in the edit boxes.


2) WHY DID I WRITE TAP?

I wrote TAP because I kept seeing different meanings for the same
acronym EVEN in the same trade magazine. I started looking in the
dictionaries and glossaries and found that they didn't agree. For
instance: In Microsoft's newest dictionary (Copyright 1994 - gee
I still thought it was 1993?) it says TIFF is "TAG image file
format" whereas Alan Freedman's "The Computer Glossary" sixth
edition (and everywhere else I've read) lists it as "TAGGED image
file format".

If you're looking for a fun and interesting computer dictionary
try "The New Hackers Dictionary" by Guy L. Steele Jr. and Eric
Raymond, The MIT Press. Unlike Microsoft's dictionary they list
TCP/IP as "Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol" like
everyone else. Who knows maybe Microsoft's right when they print
"Transport Control Protocol/Interface Program".

Secondly, I was motivated by a discussion of two computer pundits
arguing over whether or not "computerese" was one of the reasons
that people were intimidated by PC technology. The discussion
turned absurd when the person playing devil's advocate tried to
make the argument that car mechanics and cooking had jargons
equally difficult to understand (just try to find a dictionary on
these subjects - they probably exist but I couldn't find one in
the local bookstore).

There seems to be only one other business that creates more (and
longer) acronyms and that's the government, especially the
military.


3) WHAT IS TAP?

I don't claim TAP is the ultimate computer lexicon but I hope
that, with your help, it can become the definitive resource for
PC related acronyms.

The scope of this program is limited to PC related acronyms.
Although, some of you may be saying right now that most of these
aren't really acronyms in the strictest sense. They don't all
form words (try to pronounce Bill Gates' IAYF) and many of them
are more like words put together (MODEM - a letterism?) rather
than formed from the first letter of each word  But I've found
that most people think of these as acronyms so I've included
anything that looks like an acronym and can be found in the one
of the PC trade magazines.

I have not included any explanation of what the acronyms mean,
only what words they expand into, although it could become an
enhancement for later versions. A less ambitious enhancement
could be the inclusion of a pronunciation like ("scuzzy" for
SCSI) as I have seen in some of the dictionaries. Two other
suggested enhancements are a history button, like the Microsoft
help system, and putting the acronyms in string resources or a
separate text file so they be edited.

I have also included most "Major" PC related companies (like IBM
& MS) and government agencies (like the FCC) that are often
referred to in the trade magazines. This database can be thought
of as an aid in reading (or writing) any of the PC trade
magazines.

Words in brackets "Auxiliary [Access?] [Attachment?] Unit
Interface" are secondary meanings I've found in print often
enough to cast doubt as to the authenticity of the expanded text.


4) HOW TO CONTACT ME

COMPUSERVE: >MHS:larryd@zeno
INTERNET: [e-mail]
(This information is in the about box)

I work for a ZENOGRAPHICS, INC. but I would prefer to be
contacted by email. You can always get the latest version of TAP
in the ZENOGRAPHICS, INC. forum on Compuserve (GO ZENO). But
please do not leave messages to me in this forum.  If you don't
have a way to send me email you can fax me at [phone].
Please do not call the voice phone unless, of course, you want to
buy a Windows driver for your printer <g>.

I would love to hear from any of the writers who have taught me
so much with their books and articles. I want to thank the
writers and editors of the books and magazines for their
contribution to this industry. I hope that I can, in some small
way, repay you for helping turn a hobby into a career (although,
I'd rather make the same amount of money as a musician but...).

The success of this program is directly related to your help
documenting the authenticity of these acronym expansions. I am
looking for confirmation on any of the acronyms but I do not want
hearsay. Several people have already indicated that they know
what some of the disputed acronyms should be but they offer no
proof. An example of proof would be a fax showing the logo of an
organization like the EIA. I will file all the "proof" so the
writers can be sure to have a reliable source for PC acronyms.

Many of you will find your favorite acronym missing. Just send me
an email and any reference for where to find it in print, if
possible. There are mistakes that need correcting and some of the
decisions I've made about the way the data is organized may
differ from your own. I know this program and the database can be
greatly improved. This is the first version that I'm
distributing, so in a way it's Beta software. Any other
suggestions (or if you just want to chat) are welcome.


5) DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

Anybody can use the information in this acronym database for any
purpose commercial or otherwise. However, you cannot sell the
program itself. If you post the program on a BBS or any other
electronic service please send me an email so I can inform you
when I update it. I've included a file called TAP.TXT that is
a sample of how you may want to post the file on a BBS.

If you have a resource editor you can change the SMILEY and FROWN
icons to anything you want but please don't redistribute it in
any form but the original. Please also to be sure to include this
readme file.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope that TAP will
be of some benefit to you.