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LABELS.DOC
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1994-10-19
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(")
Huckabey Labels /|\
Version 3.22 $1 | | $1
October 19, 1994
Copyright 1990 - 1994 by
James Huckabey
software with a heart
User-Supported Software
User-supported software, which is also known as Shareware,
is an experiment in microcomputer software distribution based on
the following principles:
1. That the value or worth of a program is best judged by the
individual user using the program on his/her own machine.
2. That the creation and distribution of microcomputer software
can be financially supported by users at reasonable cost.
3. That the copying and sharing of software can and is
encouraged.
Anyone may request a copy of a user-supported program by
sending a blank, formatted disk to the author of the program. An
addressed, postage-paid return mailer must accompany the disk (no
exceptions, please). A copy of the program, with documentation on
the disk, will be sent by return mail. The program will carry a
notice suggesting a contribution to the program's author. Making
a contribution is completely voluntary.
Free distribution of software and voluntary payment for its
use eliminates costs for advertising and copy protection schemes.
Users obtain quality software at reduced cost. They can try it
out before buying, and do so at their own pace and in the comfort
of their own home or office. The best programs will survive based
purely on their quality and usefulness.
Please join the experiment. If you share a belief in these
principles, your contribution is requested to help make this
work. Regardless of whether you make a contribution, you are
encouraged to copy and share this program.
Permission to Copy
Individuals, clubs, and other non-profit organizations are
granted permission by the authors to freely copy this program and
documentation and share it with their members, so long as:
1. No price is charged for the software or documentation.
However, a distribution, copying cost or charge for the cost of
the diskette, so long as it is not more than $5.00 total.
2. Club members be informed of the user-supported idea and
encouraged to support it with their donations.
3. The program(s) or documentation are not modified in any way
and they are distributed together.
i
Your Contribution
Please send your contribution, $10 (U.S.) is suggested for
Huckabey Labels. Please include your name, address, version
number, diskette size and information on where or how you
received your copy of this program. Send to:
James Huckabey
3621-A Fraser Street
Bellingham, WA 98226-2473 U.S.A.
(206) 671-2868 (voice, Pacific)
About The Program
The archive should contain the following files:
FILE_ID.DIZ.......... BBS description file
LABELS.EXE........... actual program
LABELS.DOC........... documentation
LABELS.DAT........... sample database
READ.ME.............. update information
HUCKABEY.TXT......... list of all James Huckabey software
SOFTWARE.TXT......... information on the shareware theme
ARCHIVE.TXT.......... this list of files
The only file needed to run Huckabey Labels is LABELS.EXE.
The other files are not required by the program although it is
suggested that you at least load and look at LABELS.DAT. The data
it contains can be deleted, or you can delete the whole file
after viewing the two records in it.
Huckabey Labels is nothing fancy. I wrote the original
program so I could print mailing labels. I have never found a
simple mailing label program that I liked. It is really not
intended for business work although it can be used for such.
The program does up to five lines per label for what would
be a standard 15/16x3.5 inch labels (standard address label).
Other width sizes may be used but cannot exceed 15/16 high (with
space between makes 1 inch). Printing is for single column
labels.
The program will read in two hundred (200) names and
addresses at a time. More can be added by making more databases.
The default file it expects to find is LABELS.DAT and this can be
any name.
ii
Starting the Program
The database used does not have to be in the same directory
as LABELS.EXE. Huckabey Labels searches your current path to find
the database being used. If the database cannot be found it is
written to the current directory or the directory where
LABELS.EXE is found if in path or a path to its location is used.
If none of the above can be match the data file is written out to
the current directory.
The program will create whatever database name you want to
use and you can have as many different as you have storage space
to maintain.
The First Time
If you are using the program for the first time and plan to
use the default LABELS.DAT all you have to do is type in LABELS
to start the program.
Starting examples:
LABELS
LABELS JOBS.DAT
LABELS C:\DATABASE\LABELS\LABELS.DAT
The examples show that you can use default, optional
database or even add a full drive and path to the database name.
You do not need to be in the same directory as the database as in
example #3. If no path is used, but LABELS.EXE is in your path,
the data is written to the location of LABELS.EXE. If LABELS.EXE
is not in your path, and no path used for database, then the
database is written to the current directory.
Most prompts in the program are a single key presses: <A>dd
means to press "A" for add, <Q>uit Program means to press "Q" to
quit program. Prompt responses are not case sensitive. The other
prompts, inside [ ] brackets require something like typing in an
"E" or "e" and pressing <Enter>, some just pressing <Enter>.
To exit most any input routine you can press the <ESC>
(escape) key. LABELS.DAT is used in the document to represent the
default database. Be reminded that you can use any DOS file name
up to eight character and optional extension of up to three
characters.
Some responses produce a speaker response. Examples: If your
search criteria is matched a short tone, if you make an input
error you get a longer tone. There are only two different tones
in the program.
1
Whichever your choice if this is a new database the program
starts in the Edit / Add Records routine. The screen displays:
Edit / Add Records to: C:\DATABASE\LABELS.DAT
Record: 0
_/1:
\2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
Press: line to Edit <1-6>, <A>dd a Record, <D>elete Record,
<N>ext, <P>revious, <S>earch, <H>elp or <Q>uit Routine
The database name displayed on this screen is full
[drive\path\]file name. This is to help prevent adding records to
a wrong file. You might have two databases by the same name only
in different locations. Be reminded that if you have two
databases of the same name, and both are on your path, the
program finds only the first copy or current one if one is
located in your current directory.
<A>dd a Record: Press "A" to add records to the database. If
this is a new database only choices "A, H and Q" are active
prompt responses. When adding records the program checks first
for blank records before adding a new one. If you are at the 200
maximum records and you want to add a record you can delete a
record and then press <A>dd. The new entry is put in place of any
deleted record and on exit from the Edit / Add Records routine is
sorted into its correct position in the database.
Adding records is repeated until you press <ESC> or the
number of records reaches two hundred (200). The program makes a
tone at the completion of each new record in the database. As you
enter data one of the following lines is displayed to show you
what the data is for (suggested):
Notice that lines 1: and 2: are marked together in the
column to their right. This is to remind you that these two lines
are added together by the program.
1: Firstname (or blank) added to line 2: above, line #1 on
label. 29 characters maximum (space added when this is
added to lastname).
2: Lastname (or company name) added to line 1: above, line
#1 on label. 30 characters maximum.
2
3: Line #2 on label (address or person in company). 60
characters maximum.
4: Line #3 on label (city, state, zip or as needed). 60
characters maximum.
5: Line #4 on label (as needed). 60 characters maximum.
6: Line #5 on label (as needed). 60 characters maximum.
The entry process can be terminated on any line by pressing
the <ESC> key. If this is the first record the record count
remains zero.
Entries #1 (First name) and #2 (last name) are added
together to form actual line number one on label. Program sorts
on entry #2+entry #1. Line #1 can be blank, but line #2 should
not be blank although it can be. This would make it sort on a
blank entry. Blank entries always appear at the top of the sort
order.
As you make each entry there is a line of dashes showing you
the length of the word and "[" "]" on each side of the inputs to
show length limits, which cannot be exceeded.
<D>elete Record: This blanks the current record. Screen
displays:
Press <Y>es to confirm deletion of record: 22
Press <Enter> to abort deletion
Where the "22" displayed here is the current record number.
If you press "Y" the record is deleted. Pressing <Enter> exits
the deletion option. Records that are blank are removed on exit
from the Edit / Add Records routine and on loading the database
at start up. The total record count is adjusted to show a correct
count.
<N>ext <P>revious change the information on the screen.
Although not displayed in the above prompt the < > or < > display
previous records and < > and < > keys display next records. You
can use either or both sets of arrow keys, but if you use the key
pad make sure <Num Lock> is off. When you reach the first or last
records the program continues as last changes to first or first
changes to last.
To Edit displayed records you press <1-6> which corresponds
to the line numbers. The screen displays what the line is used
for (suggested), current information if there is any or a line of
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dashes to show length.
To remove a single line type in a single space (blank) and
press <Enter>. The program searches for single space entries and
blanks those lines. If you press <Enter> on a line without
entering any data and the line contains data the existing
information remains unchanged. Records that are all blank lines,
no spaces or other characters, are removed on exit from the Edit
routine and on loading the database at start up.
<S>earch: This is to search the current database for a
particular last name, partial name, even just the starting letter
or last name and first, or parts thereof. Entries are not case
sensitive. The program converts everything to uppercase for
comparisons. Screen displays:
Please Enter Search Criteria or press <Enter> to exit
[ ]
Type in from one letter to as much as lastname+firstname
You can type in Huckabey, Huck, H, Huckabey J, Huckabey
James, James Huckabey, as much (matches down to single records)
or as little (matches more records) as you like. You can type in
your data as firstname lastname or lastname firstname. The
program ALWAYS searches both formats. This was done to make
searches as simple as possible. Some people do lastnames first,
others firstnames first. This way both procedures are covered.
After you enter your information the screen displays
"Searching Database. Please Wait!." When and if the record, or
matching records is found, the first match is displayed on the
screen.
If no match is found you are returned to the input position
and your search data is displayed on the screen so you can
correct any errors. Use the <BACKSPACE> to erase. To exit you can
erase all data and press <ENTER> or you can press <ESC> at any
time to exit.
<H>elp: Displays several screens of on-line help. Sort of a
quick reference. It also displays information requesting user
contribution.
<Q>uit Routine; Returns you to the main screen and the label
information display.
Label Display Screen (Main Screen)
4
WARNING! Labels have a thirty-five (35) character limit at WARNING! ________
10 pitch, forty-two (42) at 12 pitch, and fifty-nine (59) at 17
pitch. These figures are for zero margins and based on 15/16x3.5
inch labels. The label outlines on the screen represent what I
feel are safe font size based on the number of characters. The
displays are based on one character margins for 10 pitch, two
character margins for 12 pitch. The program has a maximum of 60
characters per label line. If your printer does not support 17
pitch, but supports 15 pitch, then of course you get about 7
characters less per label width.
When returning to the Label Display Screen from the Edit /
Add Record routine the number one record is displayed if the
currently displayed record is blank. It will not be a blank
record when you return to the Label Display Screen. As already
pointed out blank records are removed from the database.
The screen displays information inside an outline that
represents the pitch (size of print text) that must be used to
duplicate the label. Labels shown are for 10 pitch, 12 pitch and
17 pitch. Only appropriate size is displayed in program, but all
three are shown here in different examples. Screen displays:
Huckabey Labels | 09-23-93 | 04:48p
Current Database: LABELS.DAT - Records: 27, No: 19
[10 pitch]
1 James Huckabey 1
2 3621-A Fraser Street 2
3 Bellingham, Washington 98226 3
4 4
5 5
[12 pitch]
1 Mister James Henry Huckabey, Esquire 1
2 3621-A Fraser Street 2
3 Bellingham, Washington 98226 3
4 4
5 5
5
[17 pitch]
1 James Huckabey 1
2 Software and Hardware Company, Incorporated 2
3 3621-A Fraser Street 3
4 Bellingham, WA 98226 United States 4
5 5
Press: <N>ext, <P>revious, <L>abel, <A>ll Labels, <C>odes,
<S>earch, <E>dit LABELS.DAT Records, <T>ones ON/OFF, <H>elp,
or <Q>uit Program
<N>ext and <P>revious change the information on the screen.
Although not displayed in the above prompt the < > or < > display
previous records and < > and < > keys display next records. You
can use either or both sets of arrow keys, but if you use the key
pad make sure <Num Lock> is off. When you reach the first or last
records the program continues as last changes to first or first
changes to last.
<L>abel: The screen displays:
Press <Enter> for 24 labels or <E>xit Routine
How many labels do you want (1-999) [ ]
Pressing <Enter> prints twenty-four labels for the current
label being displayed. Or you can type in any number up to nine
hundred and ninety-nine (999).
When your labels are finished you are returned to the input
position in the event you want to print more of the same labels.
I always print one or two labels to check my label alignment and
like to be returned to the input position. To exit the input
position type in an "E" and press <Enter> and you are return to
the Label Display Screen.
<A>ll Labels: This prints one label for each record in the
database. Screen displays:
Printing all LABELS.DAT labels. Please Wait!
When printing is finished you are returned to the Label
Display Screen. There is no further action on your part.
<C>ode: The screen displays:
6
Type in printer code and press <Enter> or <E>xit Routine
[ ]
See your printer manual for decimal codes, separate by space
This might be something like you typing in the following and
pressing <Enter>: 27 69 (Epson and other some other printer code
for emphasize on).
If your format was not valid the screen displays: "Invalid
Entry!" and you are returned to the input position. If input was
a valid format the screen displays: "Sending code(s) to printer",
which may just flash, and when finished you are returned to the
Label Display Screen.
If there is a printer error you are returned to the input
position and your printer code(s) is displayed on the screen so
you can correct any input or printer errors. Pressing <ENTER>
resends the data to the printer. Use the <BACKSPACE> to erase. To
exit you can erase all data and press <ENTER> or you can press
<ESC> at any time to exit.
<S>earch: This is to search the current database for a
particular last name, partial name, even just the starting letter
or last name and first, or parts thereof. Entries are not case
sensitive. The program converts everything to uppercase for
comparisons. Screen displays:
Please Enter Search Criteria or press <Enter> to exit
[ ]
(one letter or as much as last name first name)
You can type in Huckabey, Huck, H, Huckabey J, Huckabey
James, as much (matches down to single records) or as little
(matches more records) as you like.
After you enter your information the screen displays
"Searching Database. Please Wait!." When and if the record, or
matching records is found, the first match is displayed on the
screen. If no match is found you are returned to the input
position.
<E>dit LABELS.DAT Records: This is the Edit/Add Records
option outlined in Starting Program for first time, etc.
<T>ones: Sound is turned ON or OFF depending on the current
7
state. Default is ON.
<H>elp: Displays several screens of on-line help. Sort of a
quick reference. It also displays information requesting user
contribution.
<Q>uit Program: Screen displays:
Press <Y>es to confirm program termination
Press <Enter> to abort termination
If you press "Y" the program is terminated and returns you
to the DOS prompt or calling program. Pressing <Enter> returns
the main prompt. This is just to prevent accidental exits from
the program. One tends to get used to pressing "Q" and some of us
have heavy hands. (grin) Your original system colors are now
restored prior to exiting Huckabey Labels.
8
Format for Database(s)
Example of a database viewed or edited from DOS shown here
with line numbers to help with understanding. Any editor or word
processor that can write DOS text files (ASCII) can be used:
<-Actual positions in database(s)
<-Label information (6 line set)
<-Actual start of data per line
-------------------------------------------------------
1 (1) John
2 (2) Doe
3 (3) 123 Melrose Place
4 (4) My City, Your State 12345
5 (5)
6 (6)
7 (1) Jane
8 (2) Doe
9 (3) 852 Any Street
10 (4) This City, My State 54321
11 (5)
12 (6)
13 (1)
14 (2) Johnson Contractors
15 (3) Henry J. Johnson
16 (4) 123 Any Street
17 (5) Your City, Your State 12435
17 (6)
All you have to keep track of is each six line set. This
file can be edited with any external program if that is what you
want to do or is easiest for you. Just make sure you keep the six
lines per record format for the database. Actually you can write
and maintain the database externally and only use Huckabey Labels
for the actual printing. This is the reason I write out the data
as a standard text file (ASCII with one entry per line).
******* WARNING ******* ******* WARNING *******
If you do edit records via another program you must honor
the 200 record limit of the program (1200 lines). Additional
records are ignored by the program if you exceed this limit. Also
if your six (6) line records get out of sets that throws off all
the following records in the database from that point on.
The only reason I added this information to the
documentation is to show an optional way to edit, add or remove
records other than from inside the program. This is the way my
original program ran. I added all my records with a text editor
and of course I made my share of errors by not counting lines
correctly when adding new records, removing or editing. (grin)
9
