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Loadstar 128 20
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q20.d81
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t.BatchMaker
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2022-08-28
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B a t c h M a k e r
by e. g. bell
BatchMaker is used to create the batch files that put the information
in the individual date and information blocks on your calendar. You could
use a word processor instead and follow the rules laid down in the Read It
for TotalRecall. BatchMaker is provided for anyone not familiar with word
processing or who finds the batch file format too hard or too much to
remember. BatchMaker will prompt you every step of the way but is a little
more restrictive.
NOTE: If you don't have a word processor but want to try to make a batch
file from scratch rather than use BatchMaker, LOADSTAR 128 has put
"edstar.seq", a simple SEQ word processor on Side One.
BatchMaker will create new batch files or allow you to merge new data
into previously created files. It makes sure the format is correct for
TotalRecall.
When you run BatchMaker, you will be asked to provide information on
your drive and printer device numbers. You will need at least one disk
drive and a printer. The printer is optional for BatchMaker, but you must
have one for TotalRecall. All device numbers you specify will be tested to
make sure they are present. (8-30 for disks and 4 or 5 for printer).
You will be asked the paper width of your printer. If you have an 80
column printer, that is what you should enter. I have a wide carriage
Panasonic, so I can enter 96 or 132. The difference in these selections
will be in the height of the calendar, or, more basically, how many lines of
text/graphics you can have for each date. This causes BatchMaker to be
somewhat restrictive. It can prevent any single batch file from overfilling
a calendar block.
IMPORTANT: You MUST set your printer to emulate the Commodore 1525 7-pin
printer mode.
Next you enter the year. You can go back no farther than 1991. This
information is necessary to determine the first day of a year and month.
BatchMaker always starts by asking if you want to merge into an
existing file. The first time you use the program, you will not be merging.
There are no files created yet. Press RETURN, because the default is "no".
Now the selections are Master Batch File, Normal Batch File, Printer
Off/On, and Exit. The printer is an option you can choose during creation
of any file, and at least at first, it is a good idea to use it. It dumps
the files to printer as you create them, allowing you to see what is going
on.
MASTER BATCH FILE
-----------------
Now press "m" for "Master Batch File". You will be asked for a "TR."
filename. All Master Batch Filenames begin with "TR." This is a naming
convention for master batch files. It is optional if you are making one
with a word processor, but mandatory in BatchMaker. The directory on the
right side of the screen shows all TR. files already on the disk. The
program is waiting for you to enter a name that is NOT in this list. You
don't have to enter the "TR." prefix.
At the top of the next screen, you will see "Processing d/all months -
*- Mode all months". This is strictly informational. Your choices at this
screen are "File" and "Exit". Select "F" for "File". You will now be
prompted to enter filenames. You can enter up to 15 at a time. They will
be displayed for verification, then you are sent back to the "File" or
"Exit" screen.
NOTE: After each file entry, you will see "From Device". This is an option
to have your batch files on a different drive. If all your files will be on
the TotalRecall source drive, just press RETURN. Otherwise, enter the
device number (8-30), and press RETURN. Typical entries might be:
File 1: Anniversaries
File 2: Birthdays
File 3: Holidays.Date
If all entries are correct, verify. If not, you'll have to re-enter
all of them. When they are correct, the file will be copied to printer and
disk, and you'll return to the "File" or "Exit" screen. Select "E" to
"Exit". The printer output, if you chose to toggle the printer on, should
look like this:
all months
start
file
Anniversaries
file
Birthdays
file
Holidays.Date
end
eof
eof
eof
eof
eof
The "file" function displayed above can only be used on the first level
of operation. In other words, a file called with this option may not call
another file. This is to prevent infinite loops.
NORMAL BATCH FILE
-----------------
Well, now we are back at the "Merge..." prompt. Again, press RETURN.
We don't want to merge with any files. This will bring us back to the
"Master/Normal" menu. Press "p" to toggle the printer on again, if you
want. This time let's make a "Normal" batch file. These come in three
flavors, "Daily", "Weekly" and "Informational". Daily files are files
associated with specific dates. Informational files are printed in the
filler blocks of a calendar...those without a date.
If the first day of the month is Saturday, then the Sunday through
Friday OF THAT WEEK are filler blocks to keep the days aligned in columns.
There can be filler block both at the beginning and the end of a month,
depending on the month. Informational files contain text and graphics that
print in this type of block. Use these for often used telephone numbers,
VCR taping tips, bank hours, reminders of special events, etc.
DAILY BATCH FILE
----------------
Press "n" for "Normal". This brings up a three-item menu:
"Daily File"
"Weekly File"
"Informational File"
Press "d". Now you will enter the month you want to create a file for.
This entry will set up the information needed for that month, as far as
number of days, first day, etc. This will be tested to make sure it is
correct. For now, enter the number month of your birthday. The month's
name will be printed for you to verify. You will then see a directory with
all SEQ files on the disk and you will be asked to enter a filename. This
is the name of the file you are going to create. For example, enter the
word "Birthdays". (Remember to use the same name you used when you created
the "Master Batch" file above!) Press RETURN and your printer will begin to
dump the file you are creating.
On the next screen, you will see "Processing daily/2 -*- Mode
February", that is, Daily mode/second month/February. The menu options are
"Date", "Graphic", "Close Month" and "Exit".
Press "d" for "Date". Enter a two-digit number between 1 and 31 and
press RETURN. For the 1st through the 9th add a leading zero (07 rather
than just 7).
Next we are asked for number of lines. There is a limit in BatchMaker
of 8 lines. This is because the smallest calendar block is 8 lines high.
If you use a word processor, you can specify more lines.
Next we are asked for character height, which can be 1, 2 or 3 for
normal, double and triple height. Keep in mind that double height text cuts
the allowed number of lines in half; triple height cuts the number of lines
to one third.
Next we are asked for character width, which can be normal or double
width. Enter "2" for double width characters.
Now we are going to enter the text. You will be asked for each line in
turn, 1 through the number of lines you specified. Notice the ruler under
the line where your text is typed. Some of it is in white, some in red.
White is what you are officially allowed, but in some cases, entries in the
red zone will be printed properly. You will be warned if you venture into
the red with your text, but you can choose to ignore the warning.
When all lines are entered, they will be displayed for your
verification. Verify and they will be dumped to the file and the printer
(if you toggled the printer on), and you will be sent back to the "Date...",
"Graphic...", "Close Month", "Exit" screen.
To add a Print Shop graphic to your calendar, press "g" for "Graphic".
When you are asked for a graphic name, enter one that you can add to the
disk -- if you haven't already. PS graphics come in two sizes (2 or 3
block) so enter the one you are using.
If you want to add text af