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1994-01-14
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Two Column Printer, Release 6 1/94
by Jonathan Corey
Distribution:
FREEWARE - Please include documentation and printer drivers
with any copies you give out.
Language:
GFA BASIC 3.5E
New stuff in Release 6:
The file README_6.TXT describes new features and enhancements
in this release. The major one is the user interface which has
been "GEMized" to allow better multitasking operation and
greater flexibility.
New users:
Read the "Introduction" section and then the "Getting Started"
section below.
Old users:
The readme file should be enough to get you going.
-=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=-
INTRODUCTION
* What does it do?
TWO COLUMN PRINTER prints text files (ASCII) in a two column "magazine
style" format. This saves paper and makes long listings much easier to
refer to. To save even more paper, it has an option that simplifies two
sided printing, even on continuous form paper.
TWO COLUMN PRINTER works very well with program documentation, source
code listings, bulletin board captures, and "online" magazines. It's not
designed to do fancy "desktop publishing" work.
* What kind of files does it print?
ASCII text files. Basically, these are files that are readable when
displayed by the Desktop SHOW option. TWO COLUMN PRINTER will warn you if
you try to print the wrong kind of file.
There are several variations in the way text files end lines. Release 6
can handle the following: carriage-return/line-feed (Atari & IBM), line-
feed/ carriage-return, line-feed only (unix), carriage-return only
(Apple), and those that don't have any of these in the middle of
paragraphs.
* Will it work with my printer?
That's likely. One of the drivers supplied with the program will work if
your printer is Epson compatible (FX or LQ), is a DeskJet, or can emulate
a HP LaserJet II. Instructions for writing a driver for other printers
are included in this file. It's not difficult.
Ideally, your printer should be able to print at least 20 characters per
inch (CPI) to get the most out of TWO COLUMN PRINTER. Standard printer
output is usually at 10 or 12 CPI. So called "compressed" print is 17
CPI. Compressed type works fairly well but being able to go to 20 CPI
gives better results with many files. Not all printers can do this.
IMPORTANT: Some printers (such as the Panasonic KX-P1091i and KX-P1191)
have control panel settings that cannot be changed by software. TWO
COLUMN PRINTER will not function properly unless they are set to a
programmable mode (the Panasonic KX-P1091i calls this "Std Pgm", the
KX-P1191 calls it just "Pgm").
* What resolutions does it run in?
All of them (ST/TT/Falcon and non-standard) as far as I know. I do not
have the hardware to test all possible displays, let me know if you find
any that do not work. Don't use a resolution that shows less than 80
columns of text (e.g. ST low resolution) unless you are familiar with the
program since most of its help screens won't be readable.
* What are its memory requirements?
Release 6 uses between 260k and 330k bytes plus either enough RAM or disk
space for a work buffer. The buffer ranges from about 20% larger than the
print file to as much as 75% larger than it. The bigger one is used with
files that have tabs in them.
When TWO COLUMN PRINTER gets over 300k bytes to work with it can do
printouts that require as many as 30,000 lines. With less than that it
can do up to 15,000 line printouts.
* Where can I send comments, questions, bug reports, or thousands
of dollars?
For electronic mail, my GEnie address is JWC-OEO.
For the other kind, write to: Self-Styled Software, 321 J Street, Sparks
NV 89431.
TWO COLUMN PRINTER is free. No payment is requested.
-=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=-
GETTING STARTED
The first hurdle for new users is the printer driver (see "Will it work
with my printer?" in the introduction section above). You can start
2COLUMNS.PRG and check out its drop down menu items but you cannot load a
file until after you choose a printer driver. Don't worry about "config
files" for now.
Several printer drivers are available. One of them should work well for
you if your printer is "Epson compatible", a HP Deskjet, or a laser that
can emulate a HP LaserJet II. If not, you'll have to do some editing.
See the "Printer Codes and Drivers" section below for instructions.
All these drivers are set up for printing on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper. You
can make a driver for other sizes if you want (see the "Printer Codes and
Drivers" section below). Make sure you printer is in its "Epson mode" if
you use an Epson type driver.
Here is a list of printer types and associated drivers. The printer on
which the driver was developed is listed in parentheses, this does not
mean it won't work on other similar printers. (Pan = Panasonic)
Printer Driver(s) Comments
9-pin Epson EPSON_FX.DAT Has a 20 CPI font (Epson FX85)
compatibles KX_P1191.DAT similar, adds 15 CPI font(Pan KXP1191)
KXP1091I.DAT no 20 CPI font (Pan KX P1091i)
EPSFX_LC.DAT LC=Long Columns (124 lines) (FX85)
24-pin Epson EPSON_LQ.DAT Generic LQ driver with 20 CPI font
compatibles (Epson 1050 & 950)
HP DeskJets DJ_BASIC.DAT Internal 6 & 12 point fonts, pre 500
DJ_500.DAT similar, has 6 & 12 point Letter
Gothic fonts as well as Courier
DJ_GOTHC.DAT 9.5 point font from Ltr Gothic card
DJ_PE.DAT 10 point font from Prestige Elite card
LaserJet II LJ2BASIC.DAT Internal fonts, mainly 8.5 point "line
compatibles Printer", (HP LaserJet II)
After you load a printer driver, the next step is to run through the items
in the "Help" drop-down menu. Follow that with some short printouts to
test your printer driver (start with single sided printouts). Print the
"Readme" file and after you get that working okay, print this file and
read them. When you are reasonably satisfied with a printer driver,
choose the "Merge printer driver" option so it will become the default and
won't have to be loaded each time you run TWO COLUMN PRINTER.
After you have used TWO COLUMN PRINTER for a while, you'll likely find
that most of your printing is done with one particular font and one set of
format and print settings. You can set it up so that these setting are
the defaults (the ones that first appear in the control dialog). There is
an item under the "Help" menu that explains how to do this.
-=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=--=-=-
MORE FEATURES, DETAILS, AND SOME TECHNICAL STUFF
* Automated Operation (Batch file,TOS,TTP,CLI,Shells)
In addition to running as a full GEM program TWO COLUMN PRINTER also can
be run as a TTP type program and as a TOS program through a CLI shell.
There are no prompts for user input when it's used this way, the various
format and print options are set with a configuration (config) file. The
"command line" for this needs to be in the following form:
FILE.TXT #config.CFG -R
FILE.TXT - The file you want to print (the drive/full path needs to
given if it's not the default). Only one file at a time
can be specified.
#config.CFG - (optional) "#" indicates that the name of a config
file follows. If no config file is included, 2COLUMNS.PRG
tries to find a file named "2CL.CFG" by looking first in
the print file's path and then in the default path. This
This same routine is followed with config files that don't
include a path (print file path first, then default path).
-R - (optional) tells 2COLUMNS to return directly to the calling
program when it's done. The default is to wait for a key
press.
The "manual paper feed" mode does not work in "automated operat