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1985-03-27
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PRINT TO DISK Utility, Operating instructions.
Use with version 2.0+ MS DOS
FUNCTION:
This utility is designed to redirect the printer output from an application
program to a disk file.
There are three advantages to doing this:
1. Programs that required a printer may now be run without
physical having a printer attached to the system.
2. Even if you have a printer, you may just want to look at a
report without actualy needing a hard copy printout. In this
case you can save the paper/ribbon expense and general wear
and tear on the printer itself. Later you can print the file
if you so desire.
3. There are times when only a portion of a long printout is needed,
or you may wish to add information or comments, or incorporate
all or part of a report in another document.
You may now put the report into a file, edit it as desired,
and then print the modified file.
LIMITATIONS:
There are a couple of situations where this utility will not work properly:
1. This program only traps the normal print vectors. This covers all
normal MS DOS applications programs, BASIC programs, and most
system type utilities. But, any program that works directly with
the hardware output port will continual to function as it would
without this utility.
2. This program changes the above mentioned vectors. So do all
spoolers, printer drivers, and other utilities that affect printer
output or operation. Therefore, this program MUST be the LAST
utility/driver installed. If it is installed after any other
"vector modifying program", it will function as expected.
If not, it will not.
(see EXAMPLE below).
3. SHIFT/PRINT SCREEN:
CONTROL/PRINT SCREEN:
MS DOS redirection (ie: DIR > PRN):
These functions do NOT work with PD.COM if the utility
is set to DISK, and they will hang the system.
If PD.COM is set to PRINTER they do work normaly.
OPERATION:
Installation:
The first time this program is run it will install itself.
When installed, the resident portion occupies 1.6k of memory.
NOTE- you MUST be in the same DIR:\PATH as PD.COM when it is first
run.
Every time PD.COM is run from the terminal after installation,
it will close any open print files, and then it will ask you if
you wish to go to the STATUS/MENU screen. It is from this screen
that the various options of the utility may be set.
Once installed, the utility will automaticaly open a disk file for
output whenever a program attempts to print the first character
of a report.
This file will stay open, accepting more print data, until:
1. The program itself sends a CTL/Z (end of file) character;
2. PD.COM is run from the terminal; or
3. The NEXT program produces additional printer output.
(Repetitive reports/printouts from the same program will all
continue to go into the same disk file until that program
is exited or it sends a CTL/Z to the printer.)
When the file is closed in one of the above ways, the last memory
buffer of printer data is automaticaly written to the file.
NOTE- MS DOS will closes all files whenever an application program
exits (stops). If you have just run a program that produced a printed
report to disk, then there is still part of the printout in the
utilities' printer buffer. The utility can sense this situation and
will display a reminder to you on the screen, but it will not
automaticaly write this last buffer.
There are two ways to close this last file and write this last buffer:
1. Just run PD.COM from the terminal.
(You need not go into the STATUS/MENU screen).
2. The next program that produces printer output will cause
the last file to be closed and the last buffer written.
Otherwise, if you look at this file (list it or edit it), the very
last part of the report will not be visable.
FILE NAMES:
When PD.COM is installed each day, it will begin to open disk
files as necessary using the name TMP01.RPT. As each file is closed
and a new one opened, '1' is added to the number in the file name, and
the next name becomes TMP02, TMP03, etc. up to TMP99.
The utility will check the disk first and not use the name of any existing
file, in other words, it will not destroy an existing file. When the
number in the default file name gets to 99, the utility will automatacaly
start over again with 01. If you have enough disk space and have used every
possible number from 1 to 99 this program will go into an infinite loop.
Since 99 report files would take up quite a few megabytes of disk space,
and you, being conscientious, will be deleting these files after you are
finished with them, this situation should never occur (hello Murphy).
THE FOLLOWING ARE OPTIONS THAT MAY BE SELECTED FROM THE STATUS/MENU SCREEN.
(OPTION) [A]ctive: (Print to DEV):
This controls the destination of printouts, DISK or PRINTER.
When the utility is installed, it automaticaly begins with output directed
to the DISK. This can be changed to allow output to go to the PRINTER in
the normal manner. From the STATUS/MENU screen, type 'A' to toggle from
DISK to PRINTER and back.
(OPTION) [M]essages:
PD.COM will normaly print a message whenever it opens a new output file.
This is handy as a reminder of the name and DEV/PATH that the new file
is going into. But in some programs this will interferre with what is
currently displayed. This option may be used to suppress these normal
messages. Error messages will still be displayed.
(OPTION) [N]ext file name to use:
You may specify a particular device\path\filename for the next disk file
name from the STATUS/MENU screen of PD.COM. After this next printout is
completed, the file name will then revert to the next defualt file name
assigned by the utility.
(OPTION) [D]efault device\path:
The device\path name of the utilities' next default file name can be
specified from the STATUS/MENU.
NOTE- This default device/path does NOT apply to a user specified
file name (above), it only applies to the program's default names.
(OPTION) [Z]ero history fields:
This program keeps statistics on its activity just for general information.
The current totals for day/month/total can be reset to zero when a new
owner begins to use this program. The grand totals can not be reset.
When the current fields are zeroed, the date installed field is updated.
MISCELLANEOUS:
FREE SPACE:
The utility will show you the amount of free space available on its
default device. Experience with printing reports to disk will help
you determine if there is enough room left for your next report file.
SAVINGS:
From the above history fields, estimated savings can be computed.
They are based on the assumptions that a page of paper costs 1 1/2 cents,
and ribbons cost $10.00 per 2 million print characters.
There is the additional saving of wear and tear on the printer itself
(everything wears out), and also the intangible savings of time and
trouble. But these, although real, can not be calculated.
EXAMPLE of using this utility with a spooler.
MS DOS's PRINT command is probably the most widely used spooler program
available. This utility and PRINT can work together.
To use both, remember to install PD.COM AFTER installing PRINT.
Do this by first running PRINT without specifying a file name, PRINT
will ask you for the device name of your printer. Answer as you normaly
would. It will then announce itself as installed.
Then, being sure you are in the same DEV/PATH as PD.COM, run PD.COM.
PD.COM will then announce itself installed, and you are in business.
To print 1 or more files with PRINT, first toggle PD.COM to PRINTER,
and then print the files as you normaly would.
NOTE- while they are printing, you can not toggle back to DISK until
they are finished printing.
When they are finished printing, you may then return to DISK printing.
If you wish to install PD.COM in an AUTOEXEC.BAT file and you plan to
use a spooler also, then do it this way:
... ; preceding commands
...
...
PRINT ;install spooler first
PD.COM ;install PD.COM last
... ; (be sure your in the same DEV/PATH as PD.COM)
...
... ; remainder of AUTOEXEC.BAT
That's all there is to installing and using PD.COM.
I hope that this utility will prove as usefull and convenient to you
as it has to me.
Remember, I make my living by writing software for sale. If you use this
program, then I expect you to pay for it. I like the 'FREEWARE' concept.
I have been burned by some high priced programs that just did not do what
I expected (or what they claimed) and then could not return them. It is an
advantage to be able to use a program first, and then BUY it.
There are a few programs available on this basis, and there will be more,
if YOU, the user, support this concept.
If not, we all lose.
I suggest a price of $15.00. But again, the worth of this program is the
value it is to YOU. If you agree with the concept but not the price, tell
me by sending whatever you do think its price should be.
Thank you!
Roy Minier
490 Burnham Rd.
Williamsburg, VA 23185