Quick Fax Cover Sheet (QFCS) is a convenient shareware program for printing facsimile cover sheets under Windows 3.x. It allows the user to set up default sender information which will load whenever QFCS is started as well as the option to select alternate sender information. It also allows the user to set up a database of frequently used receivers along with their fax numbers. Fax cover sheets may also be saved to disk for later reference. The user may opt to engage a log file to record details of all printed cover sheets. A Quick-Icon control panel plus a graphical system to drag and drop Senders, Receivers and saved cover sheets insures ease of use. All system specific fonts are supported as well as provision for alignment adjustment. Custom logos and bitmaps may be included on the cover sheet (requires 300 DPI non-postcript printer) 6 custom logos are included. All user configurable settings are saved in a standard INI file format.
SHAREWARE INFO
Registration
Distribution
QFCS is not PUBLIC DOMAIN NOR FREE SOFTWARE! It is provided for limited use for the purpose of evaluation only. Non-registered users of this software are granted a limited license to use an evaluation copy for trial use on a private non-commercial basis for the expressed purpose of determining whether QFCS is suitable for your needs. At the end of the 30 day trial period you should register your copy or discontinue using this product. If you register you will receive a version of QFCS which omits the shareware notices, technical support, a free upgrade to the next major revision and automatic notification of new versions. To register use the Order option from the Help menu. The registration fee is a very nominal $20 for single users. Contact the author for multiple copy discounts and a network version. You may freely distribute, give away, trade, upload or bestow the unregistered version of this program to anyone you wish as long as all files that came with the distribution diskette or the archive file remain part of the package. You may not sell the program, however, you may charge a reasonable fee for your cost of diskettes. Any shareware distributors interested in QFCS should contact the author.
FILES INCLUDED
QFCS.EXE - main program file, QFCS.HLP - help info called from help menu, QFCS.IDX - help program index file, DEFAULT.DAT - default sender data, ALT1.DAT - alternate sender example, RECEIVER.DB - default receiver database file, SAMPLE.FAX - sample fax cover sheet, STATUS.DLL - dynamic link library, PSETUP.DLL - dynamic link library, ENUMFONT.DLL - dynamic link library, BTTNCUR.DLL - dynamic link library, TOOLBUTT.VBX - custom control, FAXHIST.LOG - example of history log file, README.TXT - initial instructions, LOGO1-6.BMP - six separate 5 x .75 inch logos in bitmap format, COMPLOGO.BMP - example of a company logo (includes address, phone, etc.), INSTALL.EXE - QFCS installation program, INSTALL.INF - installation data.
INSTALLATION
Execute INSTALL.EXE from within Windows. Install will create a sub-directory of your choice, copy all distribution files and create a Program Manager Group for QFCS if you desire OR you may manually copy all distribution files to the directory of your choice (you may delete README.DOC after review). Use Windows Program Manager, the Windows Setup program or an equivalent process to install. Requires VBRUN200.DLL, not included - (Can be downloaded from Compuserve, also available from most BBS's).
UPGRADING
If you have been using a version of QFCS older than V2.0, do not use your existing *.DAT (Sender) files. A new field was added in V2.0 that provides for a description of the Sender,if you try to load the existing file two error messages will result "Input Past End Of File" & "File Already Open" - You will probably have to re-boot your system at this point so DON'T USE OLD *.DAT FILES!. Erase your old *.DAT files before installation! The RECEIVER.DB file is still compatible, however due to the file handling structure of V2.0+, no other *.DB files other than RECEIVER.DB are usable. If you created other *.DB files for different categories of receivers they will no longer be accessible from the program. When re-installing - copy QFCS.EXE, QFCS.HLP, QFCS.IDX, DEFAULT.DAT, RECEIVER.DB, SAMPLE.FAX STATUS.DLL, PSETUP.DLL, ENUMFONT.DLL, BTTNCUR.DLL and TOOLBUTT.VBX to a new subdirectory and then copy your existing RECEIVER.DB into the subdirectory overwriting the new RECEIVER.DB file. Any existing cover sheet .FAX files from version 2.0 may be loaded, however, only the first line of notes text will be loaded since this version now has a single multi line text box instead of the previous four single line boxes. The latest Version now requires four .DLL files (STATUS.DLL, PSETUP.DLL, ENUMFONT.DLL & BTTNCUR.DLL) plus TOOLBUTT.VBX to function. Pre-existing QFCS.INI or QFCSR.INI files may be deleted since, starting with V2.3, a standard INI file in the Windows directory is created.
HELP
This help system may be accessed at any time while in the main window by pressing the F1 key. Simply click on the topic of interest on the left side and you will see the topic explained on the right.
FIRST TIME USE
SENDER
After starting the program for the first time you will want to change the default Sender to match your needs - click CLEAR SENDER. Fill out the Sender fields as you want them to appear each time the program is started. Click SENDER menu and click SAVE CURRENT AS DEFAULT - click Yes on warning message box. The default Sender has been saved in a delimited file called DEFAULT.DAT in the same directory as QFCS.EXE.
ALTERNATE SENDERS
You may save Alternate Senders as follows: Click CLEAR SENDER. Type in the alternate Sender. Click SENDER menu - click ADD CURRENT SENDER AS ALTERNATE. You will be prompted to enter a file name for this alternate Sender - it must have a .DAT extension! Use something descriptive - as an example: John Doe, Home could be JDHOME.DAT. You may also enter a description of the Sender which will appear when you select an alternate Sender to load later (useful if many people are using the same Fax machine). Click OK - Repeat for as many Alternate Senders as you like and save each in it's own individual .DAT file. The alternate Sender of your choice may now be recalled at any time by: Clicking the Sender menu, Click SELECT AN ALTERNATE SENDER. Click on the Sender of choice and drag it to the main program window or double click the Sender file of choice - (a sample called ALT1.DAT is included with the program). Senders may be updated and deleted with the appropriate menu choices. The delete dialog box offers the option of dragging the Sender to a graphical trash can which opens for the Sender to be dropped in or you may simply double click or tap the spacebar once the Sender is selected.
RECEIVERS
The default Receiver data file, RECEIVER.DB, automatically loads when the program is started and since the database file with the package contains only the Author's Fax number you will want to add your own list of frequently used Receivers. Click CLEAR RECEIVER. Enter your first Receiver - A COMPANY NAME MUST BE ENTERED! You may leave the TO ATTENTION OF field blank if you like but do fill in the RECEIVING FAX NUMBER field. Click ADD. Repeat until you have added as many Receivers as you like. If you make an error or want to change a Receiver's information at a later date you may update the Receiver by clicking UPDATE - then double click the name of the Receiver you wish to update and the database will be updated using the information currently in the Receiver fields. You may then use FIND to locate the Receiver of choice - select the Receiver you wish to use from the list then either drag the Receiver of choice to the main program window, double click it or tap the space bar and it will be loaded. Should you wish to delete a Receiver simply use FIND to locate the Receiver that you wish to delete, click CLEAR RECEIVER, type the word "DELETED" in the Send To Company field and then click UPDATE - click on the name of the Receiver to be deleted. Should you wish to add a receiver in the future simply choose the "DELETED" record and update it with the new Receiver.
FAX COVER SHEETS
The Fax menu allows the current fax cover sheet to be saved to disk to a file with a *.FAX extension. You may enter comments in the SAVE CURRENT FAX COVER TO DISK dialog box, the current date and time are also saved. Saved fax cover sheets may be recalled or deleted with the appropriate menu choices. A sample fax cover sheet, SAMPLE.FAX is included with the package. This feature is not to be confused with the separate feature to automatically create a log file (discussed in the Configure section).
NOTES
The notes multi-line text box will hold as many lines of text as you would like to enter, however, your printer will produce 2 pages if you enter more than approximately 8 lines (depending upon size of font and logo selected). This assumes a page length of 60 lines, typical for laser printers. To add a carriage return in this text box type CTRL+ENTER.
CONFIGURE
This menu provides the following options: >1 Having the Quick-Icon control panel enabled or disabled. >2 The option of having all data entered into fields converted to upper case regardless of your keyboard caps lock setting. If you do not wish conversion to upper case click on ALL DATA MIXED CASE. >3 Enabling or disabling the Fax Log File which will automatically record key information when printing a cover sheet including date, time, receiving company, receiving individual, fax number, number of pages transmitted and all notes. The resulting file may be viewed, edited, deleted or printed via the appropriate selections from the File menu. This option is in addition to the option to save the entire cover sheet from the Fax menu (you will be given the option after printing to save the cover sheet in a .FAX format file whether or not the entry was logged in the FAX.LOG file). Your preferences are retained in QFCS.INI in your Windows directory.
QUICK-ICONS
The Quick-Icons perform the following functions from top to bottom: 1> Help 2> Select An Alternate Sender 3> Add Current Sender As Alternate 4> Delete A Sender 5> Retrieve A Fax Cover From Disk 6> Save Current Fax Cover To Disk 7> Delete A Fax Cover From Disk 8> Windows Printer Setup 9> Windows control panel 10> Exit Program. The function of each button is also displayed on the lower clock status bar when the left mouse button is clicked on the Quick-Icon.
PRINTING
QFCS checks your system for installed printer fonts when you start the program. When you select print from the main window the FONT dialog box will display all fonts available for your default printer. Some combinations of BOLD, ITALIC and SIZE may not be available even though they are displayed. Once chosen, all selections are saved and become the default upon exiting QFCS. The STANDARD LOGO option button will print a non-company logo, the COMPANY LOGO option button will print a company logo (the company name, address, city, state and zip fields will not be printed in the cover sheet main text), the NO LOGO option button will print FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION COVER SHEET at the top of the page in the selected Font and Point Size (printing time will be shorter with no logo). When printing logos or fancy fonts, print times will increase. The ALIGNMENT button provides a graphical representation of the cover sheet for horizontal alignment adjustments for text and logos since variations occur with different printers and fonts. Clicking the Default button will return the left margin to the program default of 1.625". Output quality will vary depending upon your system.
LOGOS
Only non-postcript printers capable of 300 DPI output will accurately position the logo in this version. You may select a logo by clicking the LOGO command button in the FONT dialog box. Six different designs in .BMP format are supplied with the program, allowing you to choose your personal preference. ONLY STANDARD WINDOWS BITMAP FILES MAY BE USED WITH QFCS. The preview accuracy as it depicts the printed cover sheet will vary depending upon your system and printer. Custom logos installed by the user should be no larger than approximately 5"W x .75"H. Logos with a height greater than .75" may cause the first cover sheet text field to be omitted. If you would like to have your company logo digitized, use the ORDER LOGO option in the logo setup dialog box.
FEEDBACK
Technical Support
Questions
Comments
Suggestions
You may use the User Feedback option available from the Help menu. Simply enter your thoughts, suggestions, ideas, complaints, etc. into the text box and choose Print. Your comments along with the your version of QFCS, the current date, your name, address, city, state and zip will be printed. Fax the report to the author via the number at the top of the report. Please include a brief description of your system if you have a technical question, problem or bug to report. You may also leave any questions, comments or suggestions for the author as follows:
Michael Haschka
Compuserve 73027,3307
TROUBLESHOOTING
If the default Sender file is missing you will receive an error message at startup. Simply type in a new default Sender and use the Sender menu to save it as the Default. Should the Receiver database file RECEIVER.DB be missing the program will automatically create a new empty database file at startup. Should the QFCS.HLP or QFCS.IDX files be missing or damaged an error message will be displayed prompting a re-installation of the help files. Most other error messages received during usage of QFCS should be fairly self explanatory - if not, refer to the feedback section above for ways to reach the author.
KNOWN BUGS
Printing logos on postcript printers or printers with lower than 300 DPI resolution will yield unpredictable results with this version. Attempting to enter too many lines (more than about 9) in the notes text box has been known to cause an error at print time on a few systems. One user reported that dragging a sender or fax cover file to the trash can icon caused an error but tapping the spacebar successfully deleted the file - this remains a mystery since the code for the two events is identical. PLEASE let me know if you encounter any bugs or problems - Send me a fax.
FUTURE VERSIONS
Future improvements will be based on YOUR feedback, it is very much welcome, comments gathered will go towards making QFCS even better.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My special thanks to Don Funk, Section Leader for Visual Basic in the Compuserve Microsoft Basic Forum for his Bitmap handling routines and incredible knowledge in general, to other members of the forum for their feedback on development problems and ideas, to George Campbell whose public domain program EZHELP made compiling this help system a breeze, to Ed Staffin for Status.dll, to Costas Kitsos for Psetup.dll, to Erez Carmel for Enumfont.dll, to Jeffrey M. Richter for the Spin control in the alignment dialog box (adapted for Visual Basic by Costas Kitsos), to Jari Kallonen for VBINST, to Brett Foster for Toolbutt.dll and to my girlfriend Kim who put up with my long hours in writing QFCS!
WARRANTIES & LEGAL
MICHAEL HASCHKA MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT ABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The customer's sole remedies are set forth in the warranty clause above. Michael Haschka's liability for damages shall not exceed the current registration fee for the product. In no event will Michael Haschka be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages even if Michael Haschka has been advised of the possibility of the same. MICROSOFT WINDOWS, WINDOWS, MICROSOFT and VISUAL BASIC are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other product names are copyright and registered trademarks/trade names of their respective owners.
REVISION HISTORY
1.00
11/12/91 - Initial release.
1.10
11/20/91 - Interface re-sized to run at VGA resolution. Program now loads in center of screen. Ability to edit delimited Sender and Receiver Data.
1.11
11/23/91 - New opening screen, minor updates to text fields, animation added.
1.20
12/02/91 - Major update - Receivers are now saved in random access file format - any Receiver can be recalled from a pop up list. Default Sender appears when program is started - may be changed as necessary - alternate Senders may be saved and selected later from a list. Option to have all data entered as upper case. New colors.
2.00
01/02/92 - Another major revision - Date & time are now displayed on lower status bar. Option to choose fonts for cover sheet. Senders, Receivers and individual cover sheets may be saved to disk and recalled, updated or deleted as necessary using the mouse to drag and drop the selected information. New registration & opening screens. Cut, copy and paste selectable from menu. New help system. Major reworking of error routines and improved ease of use over past versions.
2.10
01/10/92 - Multi-line text box replaces four individual fields for notes entry.
2.10a
01/19/92 - Bug fix solves problem of small fonts in cover sheet on some printers. Registered copies now have INI file to retain configuration menu settings.
2.20
01/23/92 - Quick-Icon control panel for most major functions added. All installed system specific printer fonts now available. Windows control panel and printer setup dialog boxes may now be called from within QFCS. Interface re-sized for most screen resolutions (tested on EGA, VGA, SUPER VGA). INI file to save preferences added for all copies, registered or not. Other minor changes in controls and code.
2.30
07/21/92 - Major changes including routines to handle printing of logos and bitmaps on non-postcript printers capable of 300 DPI resolution (6 designs included), revision of print alignments plus option for user to make adjustments for various printers and fonts, true INI file support, revised Quick-Icons, smaller and re-organized main window, user selectable automatic logging of cover sheet information at print time, easy printing of user feedback form, revised procedures and interface for entering registration number, revised order forms for registration and custom logos, minor bug fixes throughout, better error handling routines throughout. Scanning services available from the author for your logos.
2.30a
07/29/92 - Minor bug fixes, changes to order forms.
2.4
12/08/92 - Re-compiled with Visual Basic 2.0 (now requires VBRUN200.DLL) - program now loads and runs significantly faster and with less system resource usage. Minor cosmetic changes and bug fixes.
