Category : Printer Utilities
Archive   : P270.ZIP
Filename : P.DOC

 
Output of file : P.DOC contained in archive : P270.ZIP













==========================
= SUPER PRINTING UTILITY =
= Version 2.70 =
= - by - =
= Steven E. Margison =
==========================


Program and Documentation Copyright 1986, 1987, 1988
by Steven E. Margison -- All Rights Reserved


ISBN 0-944267-08-4































P -- Super Printing Utility















--------- TABLE OF CONTENTS ---------


I. Introduction ................................. 1
II. Summary of Changes ........................... 1
III. Overview of Features ......................... 4
IV. Options in Detail ............................ 6
V. Redirection .................................. 9
VI. Printer Configuration ........................ 10
VII. Typewriter Mode and Pipes .................... 13
VIII. Program Interruption ......................... 14
IX. Script Files.................................. 15
X. Character Translation ........................ 16
XI. "We Get Letters, Stacks & Stacks of Letters" . 18
XII. Shareware and Online Help .................... 23
XIII. Warranty ..................................... 25
Registration Form ............................ --

































P -- Super Printing Utility













SUPER PRINT Utility


I. INTRODUCTION
Ever notice how many ways there are under MS-DOS or
PC-DOS to get a file from your disks to a printer? It seems
like every editor and utility program has some variation on the
same theme. So why does the world need another one? Simple. P
does many things the others do not. But more importantly, it
combines features found in a variety of utilities into one
single program.




II. SUMMARY OF CHANGES FROM VERSIONS 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6
All changes from Version 2.2 to Version 2.7 are listed
here. All known bugs have been fixed. A double star (**)
indicates a version 2.7 change.
** Fixed bug in tab expansion

** Fixed bug in shifting headers and setting wide page

** Program now compiled with Turbo-C for speed and
size improvements.

** Extra "Printer not ready" messages added to allow
escape from printer hangup.

** Remove control-break trap and replace with ESCape
key trap to allow faster response to a user interrupt.

** Several cosmetic changes made to screen messages.

** Allow page counting in "raw" mode, so that the -b#
and -e# options will work, and only parts of a raw
document can be printed. (Thanks to a registered user
for this suggestion!)

** Printer initialization and de-initialization
strings may now have up to 40 characters. (Helpful for
those with laser printers.)

** ESCape interrupt has extra command: (R)estart the
current printout.

** Optional translation feature added to translate any
character to any other. This can be used to change
the extended IBM characters to normal ASCII characters
for non-IBM printers.


P -- Super Printing Utility Page 1












* modified option M to allow setting of top, bottom,
and left margins

* added option S to shift header to right margin
instead of left

* Formfeed character is now recognized in file to
force new page

* Filename wildcards are recognized

* For multiple files, a page eject is issued between
each one, rather than concatenating them

* For multiple raw mode files, a page eject is now
issued

* Options may be placed in the CFG file; -O option
overrides these

* Automatic PATH search is made for P.CFG if no CFG
file is specified on command line; Filename 0.CFG
cancels search

* Addition of environment variable PCFG to point to
support files

* Slashing of zeros no longer uses backspace method;
now compatible with any printer.

* responses to P option have been expanded

* Pause option prompts for (Q)uit program, (C)ontinue
without pausing, or (N)ext file

* Redirection of output is now done in normal DOS
fashion; the "+" operator is no longer supported

* Slashing of zeros now works on header line as well
as text

* In header line, drive and directory are stripped
from filename

* -D option only reports date in header

* -T option reports time in header, and forces -D
option on





P -- Super Printing Utility Page 2











* -Q option makes program run in "quiet" mode, except
where prompts are required. Pause option overrides -Q
option

* -Y option prompts operator before printing each
file, allowing operator to selectively print or bypass
files from wildcard specification

* Filename of each file is displayed at start of
printing

* Options -V and -? combined into -V option.

* Add printer assignment to configuration file

* Change printer default to use direct BIOS access

* Support LPT1, 2, and 3

* Allow change of BIOS printer assignment from command
line

* Add -w option to set page width (truncation)

* Use file time and date stamp instead of current time
and date

* Change argument parsing to left-right instead of
right-left

* Add adjustable tab expansion option -x

* Allow files to be printed to be read from another
file ($ option)

** $ option without filename defaults to "SCRIPT.P" in
current directory

* Options may also be set by "script" file

** Documentation re-worked to reflect all changes













P -- Super Printing Utility Page 3











III. OVERVIEW OF FEATURES
SUPER PRINT will print one or more files to the LPT1
device by default. Normal DOS redirection may be used to send
output to another device or to a file, but redirection will
override the ability to use direct BIOS access. SUPER PRINT
will by default print the file with 61 lines per page and
truncate width of all lines to 80 columns. However, an
extensive command line option set will add many other features,
such as:

* line numbering

* heading at top of page with page numbers

* file date and (optional) time at top of page

* pause between pages for single sheet printing

* "raw" mode to override automatic page ejects and
formatting

* "ascii" mode to strip all high bits and illegal
control codes

* slashed zeros

* left margin setting (handy for three-hole punching)

* specification of beginning page number to print

* specification of ending page number to print

* specification of number of copies to print

* option to send printer initialization and de-init
strings

* "typewriter" mode to enter text from keyboard or
"pipe" data from another program or DOS command

* adjustable number of lines per page and maximum page
columns

* adjustable top and bottom margin settings

* shift headings to right-hand margin

* wildcard expansion for filenames

* options introduced by either hyphen or slash (/) for
UNIX or DOS type operation



P -- Super Printing Utility Page 4











* automatic PATH search for configuration and
translation files with ability to override search

* recognition of embedded formfeed characters to force
new page

* User prompting for multiple files

* tab expansion adjustable 1-16 columns, default 8

* specification of files to print from within another
file

* ability to interrupt a printout and restart, quit,
or continue to next file.

* ability to translate characters


The command line may be entered in UNIX or DOS style; i.e., all
options are preceded by a hyphen (-) or slash (/) (except $) and
any number of options may be combined following a hyphen. More
than one option argument can be given, and the input filenames
may be interspersed with the options. All of the following
commands are acceptable:

p -hd file1
p file1 file2 file3 -l -h -d file.cfg
p -c3ml8b1e7hd0 *.DOC -f file2 >file.out
P FOOBAR.TXT -@2 NONIBM.XLT DAISY.CFG -ML6W75

Page numbers are reported to the display and filenames are
reported as printing begins. Normal DOS wildcards are allowed
in filenames. Filenames and options may be given in either
upper or lower case. The -Q option will suppress display of
filenames and page numbers.


















P -- Super Printing Utility Page 5











IV. OPTIONS IN DETAIL

-V
Give description of options, and exit. Overrides all other
operations.

-L
Add line numbers to left margin. Adds 6 extra spaces to left
margin.

-H
Add heading to top of each page. Heading consists of filename
and page number.

-D
Add file date to top of each page. Valid only with -H option.

-T
Add file time to top of each page. Valid only with -H option.
Also forces -D option on.

-P
Pause between pages. At pause, program prompts for response. ?
gives list of possible commands: (Q) to quit program, (C) to
continue printing without further pauses, (N) to skip to next
file, and any other key prints next page and again pauses. If
output is redirected to a non-character device, i.e. a file,
then the Pause option is ignored.

-F
Suppress extra form feed at end of file.

-MLnn
Set a left margin of nn spaces. Use 6, 7, or 8 to allow spacing
for three-hole punching. Range is 0 to 100, default is 0.

-MTnn
Set a top margin of nn lines. Default is 1. This margin occurs
before text, but after any header line which is always the top
line. Range is 0 to 10.

-MBnn
Set a bottom margin of nn lines. Default is 4. This value is
subtracted from the page length (default of 66) to determine
where to insert formfeeds.

-Cnn
Print nn number of copies of each file before proceeding to
next. If input is NOT from a file, this option is ignored.

-Bnn
Begin printing on page number nn.


P -- Super Printing Utility Page 6












-Enn
End on page number nn. To print one page of a file, specify the
begin and end pages the same.

-0
Slash all zeros encountered in the file. Note that this option
should not directly follow another option which requires a
numerical value. Thus, -ML20 would set a left margin of 20, not
a left margin of 2 with slashed zeros. To combine, just
re-arrange: -0ML2, or separate into two fields: -0 -ML2.

-Nnn
Change number of lines per page from default of 66. For raw
mode printing, this also sets the number of lines which will be
considered a "page".

-A
ASCII print mode. Strips high bit from all characters, and
strips all control characters except carriage return, line feed,
backspace, formfeed, and tab.

-O
Override any options found in the default P.CFG file and replace
with only the command line options (if any).

-Q
Perform all processing in "quiet" mode. Page numbers and
filenames are not displayed. This option is not effective if -P
or -Y options are used.

-Y
Display the filename to print and prompt the user for permission
to proceed. A response of 'Y' or 'y' will print the file, any
other key will skip to next file (if any).

-S
Header line is normally left-justified. This option forces
right margin justification. Right margin is defined by the -w
option, and defaults to 80 if -w is not used.

-R
Raw print mode, for files which are already formatted. This
option overrides options H L D T Mx and forces option F. All
others still function. Note that the N option is used only to
indicate how long a "page" should be (default 66 lines), but
will not affect the formatting of the file.

-Wnn
Truncate all lines to nn characters. nn value must be in range
1-176. Adding left margin and/or line numbering will be
considered in truncating lines. Therefore, a left margin of 8


P -- Super Printing Utility Page 7











and line numbering will force a minimum of 14 columns before any
other printing is done. A width value of at least 15 would be
required, since that would be 1 greater than the combined left
margin and line numbering values.

-Xnn
Expand horizontal tab characters to spaces. This may be used
for printers which do not recognize tab characters or to change
tab spacing from the normal default of 8. If nn is omitted, it
defaults to the normal value of 8. Otherwise, any value from
1-16 may be used.

-@n
This option allows a change in the printer device number.
Normally, LPT1 is selected. 'n' may select LPT1, 2, or 3. BIOS
services will be used. (See further information in section on
"Redirection")

$filename
The $ character precedes (with no whitespace) a filename from
which SUPER PRINT will get the names of files to be printed, and
(perhaps) options for each file. The file should have one
filename per line, with no whitespace at the beginning of each
line. Lines with leading whitespace will be ignored. With this
option, filenames on the command line will be ignored. Only one
$ option may be used at a time. All other options and
configuration files remain active. This option without a
filename will default to reading "SCRIPT.P" in the current
directory only. (See further details on "script" files in
section IX.)

For options Mx, C, B, E, numbers may range from 0-255. However:
* If copies 0 are entered, copies default to 1;
* Left Margin should be kept less than 10;
* Missing or invalid values of nn report the error and
abort program;
* invalid combinations of page length and top/bottom
margins will be reported and program will exit.
















P -- Super Printing Utility Page 8











V. REDIRECTION
SUPER PRINT (beginning with version 2.5) uses BIOS print
services to LPT1 by default. This provides high speed operation
which is suitable for use with high speed printers, printers
with built-in buffers, external print buffers, or disk spooling
software. The assignment of printer may be changed to LPT2 or
LPT3 on the command line with the '-@n' option, where n
indicates printer 1, 2, or 3. Normal command line redirection
will override any printer assignment, but note that redirection
to LPT? will cause the normal DOS services to be accessed,
rather than direct BIOS access. Redirection may be made to any
legal DOS device or file, except to the CONsole:

p file1 -@2 (sends file 1 to LPT2 using BIOS)
p file1 >tempfile (sends file1 to "tempfile")
p file1 >PRN: (use DOS PRN channel)


All error messages, prompts, and other informative messages are
sent to the "stderr" channel, which is always the display and
cannot be changed.

The default output may also be specified in the configuration
file (described in section VI). Note that redirection or the
use of the -@ option will always override any output specifier
in the configuration file, and that DOS redirection will also
override the -@ option on the command line.



























P -- Super Printing Utility Page 9











VI. PRINTER CONFIGURATION
By specifying a configuration file on the command line,
it is possible to send control strings to the output before
and/or after printing, to set default options, and to set a
default output device other than LPT1. The configuration file
must have an extension of ".CFG" in order to be recognized as
such. (Side effect: you can't print a .CFG file with this
program, since it will always assume the file is for
configuration!) Configuration files are not required, and there
is no default control string. Paths may be a part of the
configuration filename, provided the DOS 64 character limit is
not exceeded.
The default configuration file is P.CFG. If no other
configuration file is specified, this file is searched for in
the current directory, followed by a search of the PCFG path,
and finally the PATH environment. No error occurs if this file
is not found. To eliminate the search for the default file,
specify a CFG file on the command line. This can be a dummy
file with no entries, or it can be the special filename "0.CFG",
which is recognized as a search cancellation filename. Multiple
CFG files on the command line are allowed, but discouraged. No
effort has been made in the program to handle possible
inconsistencies between multiple CFG files.
In order to facilitate multiple CFG files, it is
possible to collect all CFG files into a single directory and
set an environment variable to point to that directory. For
example, if you collect all the CFG files into the directory
\utils\sm on your hard drive, then set the PCFG environment as:
set PCFG=c:\utils\sm
This "set" command would, of course, be placed in
"autoexec.bat". If you use a ram disk, it is suggested that
your autoexec.bat copies P.EXE and all CFG files into it, and
sets PCFG to the ram drive. This results in an almost instant
access to P and the CFG files.
The configuration file is an ASCII text file, which may
be created with any editor, or the "non-document mode" of word
processors. Each line of the file configures a specific feature
of SUPER PRINT. All lines are optional, and a file with no lines
will not generate an error. Each line is introduced by a
specific character followed by configuration data.
Normal command line options may be entered into a CFG
file. This is handy if the same options are used for most work.
The option line is is introduced by a slash (/) character. The
characters after the slash must follow the same syntax as for
command line use. Multiple lines of options may be used, but
there is really no need since all options can be concatenated on
a single line. For instance, the line:
/HD0ML8
would set headings and date on, slash zeros, and set left margin
of 8. The -O option is the only option NOT allowed in a CFG
file.



P -- Super Printing Utility Page 10











To override the options in the CFG file use the "-O"
option on the command line. This will disallow reading of
options from the CFG file. If you specify a CFG file on the
command line and want to use the "-O" option as well, the "-O"
option MUST be placed BEFORE the CFG filename on the command
line. If a CFG file is encountered first, its options will be
read and a later reading of the -O option will have no effect.
Output from SUPER PRINT may be changed from the default
LPT1 to LPT2, LPT3, or PRN by a configuration string as follows:
P3 (use LPT3 BIOS services)
PP (use PRN: channel)
This output definition will be overridden by any command line
CFG file, by DOS redirection, or by the command line -@ option.
Printer initialization strings and de-initialization
strings can be specified in the CFG file. These strings will be
sent to the output at the beginning of printing of the first
file, and at the end of all printing respectively. Each string
is formatted the same, except for the first character which is
"O" for Opening and "C" for Closing, and for the requirement of
an equal sign (=) between the O or C and the actual data. The
format is a series of decimal characters introduced by a number
representing the number of characters to send. A maximum of 40
control characters is possible:
O=2,27,69
C=3,27,70,12
In these examples the initialization string sends 2 characters,
decimal 27 and decimal 69. These are the ESCape (1BH) and 'E'
(45H) codes, which for an IBM compatible printer place the
printer in boldface mode. The closing string consists of three
codes, 27, 70, and 12. These are ESCape, 'F', and formfeed.
This would place the printer back into normal print mode and
send a formfeed in addition to the formfeed(s) already sent
normally by SUPER PRINT. This technique of placing formfeeds in
the C= string can be used when the paper eject path is very
long, as when a sound enclosure is used.
Another entry which may be used in the CFG file begins
with "N=" and is followed by a normal text string. This is the
"N"ame string, and it is reported to the console when the
program is invoked. It may be used as a sign-on, or to report
the default parameters, or anything you wish.
SUPER PRINT ignores any lines in the CFG file which
begin with a semi-colon, so that lines may be added which are
solely comments. A sample P.CFG file is distributed with the
program, and comments in that file explain each entry.
If a CFG file is specified on the command line, it is
read and acted upon as soon as it is found. If none is found
and a P.CFG exists, then it is read after the command line is
completely parsed. This can lead to apparent problems, since
any default options set in the CFG file may alter what was
entered on the command line unless the -O option was given. In
particular, if P.CFG includes the page width or length options
-W or -N and these options are given on the command line, the


P -- Super Printing Utility Page 11











values in the P.CFG file will be read AFTER the command line
options, and will alter them. I do not suggest placing
numerical parameters in the CFG file for this reason. An
exception would be the -X option, if your printer doesn't
support tab characters.

Users of earlier releases will note that the CFG lines all
required an equal sign as the second character in the line.
This was confusing to some people, since the syntax of setting
options was therefore different than the command line. The (=)
has been dropped in this version, except for the printer control
strings and the Name string. However, SUPER PRINT will tolerate
the older syntax so that your current CFG files will work
properly with this version.








































P -- Super Printing Utility Page 12











VII. TYPEWRITER MODE and PIPES
If no files are specified to print, the program reads
lines entered from the standard input device (keyboard) and
sends these to the printer. All options perform as specified
above. Note that input redirection will be effective. In
addition, SUPER PRINT may be the target of a "pipe":
DIR | P -HDT0
will send the output from the DOS DIR command into P directly,
which will then print it with headings, date and time, and
slashed zeros. Since reading from standard input has no file
associated with it, the date and time used will be the current
system date and time. In addition, the multiple copy option
doesn't work, since there is no way to rewind to the beginning
of keyboard input. During keyboard input, all normal line
editing features are available.

If using this mode, the ESCape interrupt key will NOT work
properly, since DOS may or may not be actually reading the
keyboard. In addition, a CONTROL-Z key must be typed as the
first character of a line to "close" the input and terminate the
program.

































P -- Super Printing Utility Page 13











VIII. PROGRAM INTERRUPTION
The ESCape key may be used to interrupt the program,
except when reading input from "standard input" as described in
section VII. When recognized, SUPER PRINT prompts the user to
(Q)uit the program, go to the (N)ext file, (R)estart the current
file, or any other key to continue processing. (R)estarting the
current file will NOT automatically eject the current page.
Before pressing this key, make sure your printer is aligned as
desired.













































P -- Super Printing Utility Page 14











IX. SCRIPT FILES
SUPER PRINT allows a script or "response" file to be
specified on the command line if it is prefixed by a '$'
character. This script file contains a list of files to be
printed (no wildcards), and options to be applied to that file.
Observe the following example:
foo.bar hd
foobar.txt 0w100ml8c2
foobar.doc
readme hdt0
readme.now &sf
Each line above will print the file specified, with the
options listed. Note that the filenames and options are
separated by whitespace, which may be spaces or tab characters.
Any file which does NOT have options listed will continue to use
the LAST options set. In addition, setting any options will
override options set on the command line or in a CFG file, or by
a previous line in the script file. In other words, specifying
ANY options CLEARS all others to default values first. An
exception is the last entry in the sample file, which has an
ampersand (&) character as the first character. This means to
ADD the following options to whatever is already in effect.
A further word about options is in order here. There
are two types of options which are allowed: flag options, and
variable options. Flag options are "on/off" options, such as H,
D, T, etc. Variable options are options which require a
variable amount, such as B, E, C, X, etc. Any variable options
set in the script file WILL REMAIN in effect until altered,
while the flag options are CLEARED unless the ampersand is used.
This technique is used because a variable option can always be
changed by using it again, but there is no "negative" option for
the flag options. Clear? I hope so.

As a shortcut to typing long command lines, the $ option may be
used without a filename. In this case, the current directory
will be searched for the file "SCRIPT.P", and will exit the
program if not found. Otherwise, it will be used. The
following two command lines are actually identical in meaning:
foo.bar $
foo.bar $script.p

The reserved filename extensions CFG and XLT have no meaning
within a script file. Indeed, since SUPER PRINT is sensitive to
these extensions on the command line the only way to print these
files instead of use them as control files is to specify them in
a script file.








P -- Super Printing Utility Page 15











X. CHARACTER TRANSLATION
SUPER PRINT provides a character translation feature.
This means that any character from the input can be changed to a
different character when output. This is a handy feature when
printing files which contain characters from the extended IBM
character set on a printer which does not support those extra
characters. This would include almost all daisy wheel printers
and many dot-matrix printers from pre-IBM days. The character
translations are user-created and contained in a special file.
Like the CFG configuration file, it is a plain text ASCII file
which may be created or modified with any plain text editor.
The distribution of SUPER PRINT contains two translation files:
NONIBM.XLT
NORMAL.XLT
The NONIBM.XLT file translates all characters from the IBM
extended set to the nearest normal ASCII character, or in some
cases just periods and spaces. There is nothing sacred here;
modify as you see fit! The other file, NORMAL.XLT, really
doesn't translate anything, since each character is translated
to itself. It is provided more as an example and a starting
template for translation files of your own.

A translation file consists of 1 or more lines, each translating
a single character. In the computer world characters are
actually numbers in the range of 0-255 (decimal). Numbers 0-31
are "control characters" and are not printable. This includes
line feeds, carriage returns, form feeds, and many other
specials. Numbers 32-126 are normal letters, numbers, and
punctuation. Number 127 is kind of special. Some printers will
print it as a solid block, others will simply ignore it or print
a space instead. The numbers 128-255 are the special IBM
characters, and contain foreign symbols, line drawing
characters, various shaded block characters, and the like.
Translation is a process of defining a character and its new
value as follows:
179=124
In this example, the single vertical bar graphic character,
#179, is to be printed as the ASCII broken vertical bar (|)
character #124. It's that simple! Do you need to translate
everything? No. All characters will be left unchanged unless
there is a translation value. In the above example, if that was
the only character to translate, then that is the only line
required in the translation file. The syntax is not difficult,
but it isn't forgiving either. The form is nnn=nnn, where the
first number is the decimal number of the character to
translate, and the second number is the decimal number of the
character to substitute. Leading zeros don't hurt, but they're
not needed either. Each number is separated by ONLY an equal
sign (=). Each number must be in the range of 0-255. Other
values are reported as errors. Character translations may be in
any order within the file. They do not need to be in numerical
order. Any line beginning with a semi-colon is a "comment"


P -- Super Printing Utility Page 16











line, and may be used to add information to the file which will
be ignored. In addition, comments may be added on a translation
line if the second number is followed by at least one space.
This is even handier for documenting what is being changed to
what.

Character translation could even be used as a "poor man's"
encryption scheme. Make a table which scrambles all the
characters, and then print a file to a disk file using the
table. Later, re-print it using a translation table which
restores the characters to their true value. Not fancy, but
quick and simple.

All characters except carriage return (13) and linefeed (10) may
be translated. These may be entered in the translation file,
but SUPER PRINT will stubbornly put them back the way they were.
Can't play with the characters that signal the end of a line!
In addition, be careful about the control-Z (26) character.
This is a control character which signals the end of a text file
to many programs, SUPER PRINT included. If you translate
another character to this value, you will be inserting an
end-of-file mark into your output where you probably don't want
one. There is no automatic protection against changing or using
this character.

The rules for specifying a translation file are exactly the same
as for specifying a "CFG" configuration file, except that the
extension is "XLT". Like CFG files, if no XLT file is specified
on the command line then the current directory, PCFG directory,
and PATH are searched for a possible P.XLT file. No problem if
it doesn't exist. If one isn't found, then no translation is
done. Use the name "0.XLT" to cancel the search for the default
file if you have one and DON'T want to invoke it. Or, use any
other XLT name on the command line to invoke a translation file.
You may use multiple files, too. Perhaps one file translates
all the extended characters, and another translates all lower
case to upper case. You could specify both files to perform
both translations. Remember, the command line is parsed
left-to-right, which means that the left-most translation file
will be read before the right-most translation file. This only
becomes significant if each file were to translate the same
character or characters. The last file read (right-most file)
would be the one that would actually determine the translation.
Also, if you want to use a special translation file and the
default P.XLT file, you must specify both on the command line
since the automatic search for P.XLT is canceled if any XLT file
is specified on the command line. It is not possible to specify
an XLT file in either the CFG file or a script file. Only the
command line or the default mechanism will work.





P -- Super Printing Utility Page 17











XI. "We get Letters, Stacks & Stacks of Letters..."
If you're old enough to remember Perry Como's show
you're permitted to chuckle at this chapter's title. Seriously,
here are some of the questions asked by users of previous
versions. They are included here to assist you in using SUPER
PRINT without having to wait for a reply from me.

*Q. "I use the option -X and tab expansion works properly.
However, if I use -X4, it doesn't print a complete line."
*A. Version 2.60 was the first to offer tab expansion.
Unfortunately, a last minute modification caused a bug which was
not caught. It is corrected in this version.

*Q. "When using the -S option to shift headers and setting the
page width to -W132 with line numbers turned on, the headers do
not line up properly at the right margin. What am I doing
wrong?"
*A. Nothing. I goofed on the shift function! It is corrected
in this version. Sorry.

*Q. "I have a documentation file from another program which I've
tried to print using the -R option since the file appears to be
formatted properly already. However, in many places I get
double lines, or portions of lines repeated. What's wrong?"
*A. Actually nothing is wrong. Some authors make special
documentation files which attempt to provide "generic" actions
such as underlining and boldfacing by overstriking a line. This
is a valid technique, and the manner in which SUPER PRINT
slashes zeros in a line. The documentation files you are having
trouble with fall into this category. They are made by placing
only a carriage return after certain lines, instead of the usual
carriage return, linefeed combination. The result is to re-home
the print head on the same line, and print the next line over
it. Unfortunately, many programs like SUPER PRINT are not
sensitive to this technique, and treat any carriage return as a
logical end of line, with or without a line feed. That is why
you are getting multiple lines. For these files, it is best to
simply use the DOS "COPY" command and copy the file to your
printer thus:
COPY FILENAME PRN:

*Q. "Just before Super Print exits after doing its work, a
commercial is displayed and if I hit any key other than N a
registration form is printed out. This is somewhat annoying.
Can I get around this?"
*A. You sure can! Register the program! All registered copies
of SUPER PRINT have the "commercial" defeated.

*Q. "My printer already slashes zeros all by itself. Any harm
in using the -0 option?"
*A. No, but it will just increase your printing time. You will
probably also get very dark slashes, too. If your printer


P -- Super Printing Utility Page 18











slashes zeros for you just forget the -0 option.

*Q. "Your distribution disk has all the Super Print files, plus
an ARC file as well. The ARC file seems to have the same stuff.
Why is it there?"
*A. This is explained in the "README" file on the disk. The ARC
file is for uploading to your favorite BBS or sharing with your
friends. It is virtually the same as your registered files,
except that it contains an unregistered version of P.EXE, and is
already ARC'd in an acceptable format for any BBS. This is a
convenience for you, and a help for me, since it prevents too
many registered copies from being posted. Thank you for using
this file as the "share" copy!

*Q. "My P.CFG file contains the line /hdx0 but the h option
isn't invoked. What's wrong?"
*A. Well, you've entered the line as you would have from the
command line. In earlier versions, an equal sign was requried
after the slash. However, beginning with version 2.70 the equal
sign need not be present, so your file will now work. For
compatibility, the equal sign will now be ignored, so if you
have it in present CFG files it won't hurt anything.

*Q. "Do you have any plans for adding right-margin
justification, line filling, centering, text merging, and font
controls to this program?"
*A. GLAD you Asked! The answer is NO, since another of my
programs, NEAT Text Formatter is designed to do just those
functions, and much more! Price is a low $15.00. Trial copies
are on Compuserve, GEnie, and many other boards as well.

*Q. "Do you accept VISA or Mastercharge?"
*A. Yes, and No. A fellow member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals is beginning a BBS dedicated to the
promotion and sale of Shareware products by ASP members. This
board plans to offer ONLINE REGISTRATION via credit card to MANY
shareware programs which are not now available through credit.
At the time this manual was written, final plans were not ready.
Look in the README file on the distribution disk for last minute
news of this development.

*Q. "Do you offer volume discounts or site-licensing?"
*A. Yes. Write me or EMail me with your requirements and I'll
make you an offer you can't refuse!

*Q. "I am a school teacher and I would like to use Super Print
in my computer classes. Do I need to purchase a copy for each
computer in the class, or for each student?"
*A. Certainly not. If you would like a complementary copy for
use in class, just write me on your school's letterhead. You'll
get a distribution disk from which you can make copies for your
students. All I require is that you explain to your students


P -- Super Printing Utility Page 19











(and other faculty!) what Shareware is, and that they should
purchase their own copy if they are going to use the program on
their OWN computer OUTSIDE of class. Use within a class as part
of the course I consider to be "evaluation" use. However, if
the program is going to be presented to the student as part of
books or other materials for which the student is charged, then
you WILL have to negotiate a site license agreement with me. I
have no problem with a school district using my work to teach
computer techniques, but I do have a problem with the school
"selling" my product.

*Q. "I'm a minister of the First ------- Church. Do you waive
your registration fee if the program is used in a charitable
organization?"
*A. Does General Motors give you a free Buick? I appreciate
what you do for a living, but please appreciate what I do as
well. If I come to your church, I'll make an offering. If you
use my software, I'll be expecting your check.

*Q. "Your program is nice, but I only need it about once a month
to print a special report that looks better with slashed zeros.
That isn't using it often enough to register. Just thought
you'd like to know its useful, though."
*A. You use your car only once a week to go fetch groceries so
you shouldn't have to pay for it? Have you met the minister
from the previous question? If you find the program of ANY use,
you are OBLIGATED to register it. I'll be expecting your check,
too!

*Q. "I want to use Super Print, but my printer is a serial
printer on COM port 2. How can I use it? Your options do not
allow for serial printers."
*A. Oh yes they do! If you have a serial printer, you have
undoubtedly used the DOS "MODE" command to assign the PRN:
channel to the COM port used by your printer. So, in all your
.CFG files, set the printer option:
PP
to assign the PRN: channel as the default for the program.

*Q. "I tried your example from the manual, "DIR | P" to see how
pipes work, but it reported two extra files with funny names
like 12QR34.ABC. After the program was completed, those files
weren't in the directory. Why does Super Print create those
files?"
*A. Good question, and this points out something that most DOS
users don't know. The "funny" files are the temporary files
used by DOS to manage the information in the "pipe". They are
NOT created by SUPER PRINT and are removed by DOS automatically
after their use is completed. Normally, you would never see
these files, but in this case you are actually looking at the
directory through the "pipe" and they therefore show up. Don't
sweat it. It is a normal DOS "feature" and causes no harm.


P -- Super Printing Utility Page 20












*Q. "Occasionally I try to abort a printout with the control-C
key as stated in your manual. Sometimes, though, it takes many
lines of printing before the interrupt is actually recognized.
Is there a cure for this?"
*A. The best fix is in the latest version, 2.70. The control-C
trap has been removed, and the program now looks at the keyboard
for an ESCape key after each line is read from the input file.
This interrupt mechanism is very fast and reliable.

*Q. "Does your program work with resident spooler programs? Are
there any conflicts with other programs?"
*A. SUPER PRINT does not "chain" onto any DOS interrupt, so
there are no known problems with other programs. As long as
your print spooler software traps all data assigned to one of
the LPT channels, it will handle the output of this program very
nicely. However, it has been tested only with "PRINTQ", a
commercial spooling program from another manufacturer. Although
it should work with any other, I can make no guarantees.
Chances are that if other programs which output to the printer
work with your spooler, SUPER PRINT will too.

*Q. "Does Super Print "spool" files?"
*A. No, it just prints them. To spool files you will need other
software or hardware. An excellent software program is PRINTQ
(available everywhere) which costs around $90. However, for
about $130 you can get a hardware printer buffer of up to 256K
bytes of space. A hardware buffer is by far a better
investment, since it does not depend upon a particular computer
or operating system, and because it doesn't attempt to make DOS
a multi-tasking system. In other words, it runs MUCH faster
than spooling software.

*Q. "Sometimes I want to print on wide paper, so I set the -W132
option on the command line. However, Super Print still
truncates lines at 80 columns. When will this bug be fixed?"
*A. It ain't a bug, my friend. I'll bet you have a P.CFG file
which includes the option /W80. If you do not specify a CFG
file on the command line, the default file will reset your W
value to 80. Remove the W option from P.CFG. Actually, /W80
needn't be used since the program defaults to that value in the
absence of a W option. It might be better to set /W132 in P.CFG
and override it on the command line with /W80 when you want
narrow listings. Thought you had me, didn't you!

*Q. "I'm a young secretary and new to computers. I entered this
line:
P *.* -HDT0 and the program crashed after printing some
garbage out. Any ideas?"
*A. Plenty of ideas -- but my wife would probably object!
Actually, I'll bet your directory had non-text files in it, such
as .EXE or .COM files. Using the wildcard specification, SUPER


P -- Super Printing Utility Page 21











PRINT attempted to print every file it found. Well, printing a
program file or other non-text file is definitely a computer
faux pas. Unfortunately, there is no real good means to tell a
text file from a non-text file, except for the extensions COM
and EXE. No protections are included in SUPER PRINT to keep you
from getting caught on this one. Just as a general rule,
though, you should be careful about using wildcards, especially
in the extension field. If you really insist on *.*, try using
the -Y option. This will prompt you for permission to print a
file before actually doing it. That way, you can skip all the
non-text ones.

*Q. "Why don't you have a printed and bound manual instead of
making us print out our own?"
*A. First, you can't post a printed manual on a BBS or send it
on a disk. Second, many shareware programs do not have printed
manuals for that and economic reasons. There's no way to sell
this program for $10 with a fancy printed manual. Would you pay
$25 for SUPER PRINT with the only improvement a bound,
glossy-paged manual? I feel that the lower price is more
attractive than the "glitter" of a fancy manual. Most manuals
just sit on a shelf and catch dust anyway.

*Q. "Here is my registratioin for Super Print. It is so darned
useful that I just HAVE to pay you $20 instead of $10. Keep up
the good work!"
*A. I just couldn't resist including this letter here! Such a
Nice Man.


























P -- Super Printing Utility Page 22











XII. SHAREWARE AND ONLINE HELP
Shareware is "try-before-you-buy" software, reasonably
priced and user-supported. This simply means that you can get
trial copies of shareware from anyone who has a copy, or often
from bulletin board systems. If you use and like the program,
then the author asks that you register (purchase) the program
for an amount usually much smaller than an equivalent commercial
program. By registering you will often also receive notice of
available upgrades or supplemental programs. Keep in mind that
the purchase of a program from a public domain distributor or
payment to an online service (such as CompuServe) does NOT
constitute registration of the program since the producer of the
program does NOT receive one penny of that payment. Shareware
is NOT public domain software, and continued use of a program
carries with it the OBLIGATION to purchase the program. The
free distribution method is intended only as a means of
obtaining a copy to evaluate before purchasing.
SUPER PRINT is a shareware program. If you use it,
please complete the order form enclosed with the distribution,
or allow SUPER PRINT to print an order form for you. (This is a
feature present in unregistered copies only.) You will be placed
on a mailing list for any future upgrade notices, and will be
registered as a user of this program. You will also receive a
diskette with the latest version of the program and
documentation. Online help is available through CompuServe
(74435,1042) or GEnie mail (S.MARGISON). Sorry, but online help
is available ONLY to registered users.
Help is also available by mail. I will try to answer
all letters within 48 hours. Non-registered users must include
a SASE for a reply. The degree of help offered to
non-registered users is purely discretionary. No phone calls,
please. (Users outside the U.S. cannot, of course, send a SASE.
I will excuse you from this requirement.)
SUPER PRINT may be freely exchanged or given away.
However, it may not be included or "bundled" with any software
which is sold or is a commercial product without prior
permission. No charge may be made for copying or transferring
the files, except that PC Users groups and PD/Shareware
distributors (such as PC-SIG, or Nelson Ford's Public Software
Library) may charge a nominal fee not to exceed $6.00. (Please
request a complementary copy of the latest release rather than
use a copy from another user. This insures that you have the
most accurate copy, and that you will be on my list for future
updates.)
SUPER PRINT and its documentation may not be transferred
nor exchanged in any modified form. If you really want to
"hack" the program or the documentation, by all means do so; but
don't give the hacked version to anyone else. I cannot be
expected to help others use this program if it is not the same
as it was when distributed. Under no circumstances may the
copyright notices be altered or removed from the program or this
documentation.


P -- Super Printing Utility Page 23











If you decide not to use SUPER PRINT, then just erase it
or pass it on to someone else. If you do use it, please honor
your obligation and send in your registration. Inexpensive
shareware cannot continue to exist if those who use it continue
to treat it as a gift, rather than as a product for which the
author must receive payment. Shareware used regularly without
payment is piracy just as much as illegally copying "Lotus" or
any other commercial product. Ignore the claims by some people
that shareware, because of its unique distribution method,
carries no obligation to the regular user. These claims are
false, and discourage many good programs from remaining as
shareware.
SUPER PRINT is written and published by Steven E.
Margison, a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals
(ASP). The ASP is a non-profit organization of shareware
authors dedicated to improving the quality of shareware
products, educating the public in the difference between
shareware and public domain programs, and arbitrating disputes
between shareware authors and customers if they should arise.
You can be assured that SUPER PRINT adheres to the highly
professional standards of that organization, and that the author
has demonstrated a committment to this product and its
registered users. If it's an "ASP" program, you can trust it to
perform well, and give you excellent value for your money. ASP
membership is granted only to those authors whose work has been
judged by the ASP membership committee to be of sufficiently
high quality to be considered "professional".



























P -- Super Printing Utility Page 24











XIII. WARRANTY
Oh, this shouldn't be necessary among friends and
gentlemen, but it's really the lawyers who run the world and
they say we gotta do this:


** SUPER PRINT and this documentation are copyright
1986-1988 by Steven E. Margison.

** This program and documentation are provided "as is"
without warranty of any kind, either expressed or
implied, including but not limited to the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a
particular purpose.

** The user of this program and documentation agree to
hold the author and/or distributor(s) of this program
and documentation harmless for any direct or
consequential damages resulting from its use. In
other words, "you're on your own!"

** IBM is a registered trademark of International
Business Machines Corporation.

** MS-DOS is a trademark of MicroSoft Corporation.

** Turbo-C is a trademark of Borland International.

** Other tradenames may be used herein and are
acknowledged.
























P -- Super Printing Utility Page 25











=======================================================================
SOFTWARE REGISTRATION FORM AND ORDER
=======================================================================
A separate form must be filled out for each product ordered or
registered. This form may be photocopied, printed out, or
edited to include all information and re-printed.

PRODUCT: --------- P SUPER PRINTING UTILITY V2.70 -------------

Quantity: Amount:

_________ Standard Registrations $10.00 ea $______

Shipping (outside U.S. or Canada ONLY) $ 2.00

Corporations: Please inquire about multi-copy discounts
and site licenses. You'll find my discounts
are very attractive!



TOTAL ENCLOSED: $______


If you already have this program, from where was it obtained?
[ ]CompuServe [ ]GEnie [ ]Friend [ ]Employer
[ ]BBS:________________________________________

Version___________ Serial No._________________

Payment is by check[ ] or money order[ ] (Sorry - no COD or charges)

NAME _______________________________________________________

COMPANY ____________________________________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________

CITY _______________________________________________________

STATE___________________________ ZIP _______________________

=======================================================================
Send completed form and payment to:
Steven E. Margison
124 Sixth Street
Downers Grove, IL, 60515
=======================================================================
- do not write below this line -

recd________ sent________ version #_____ serial #_____














  3 Responses to “Category : Printer Utilities
Archive   : P270.ZIP
Filename : P.DOC

  1. Very nice! Thank you for this wonderful archive. I wonder why I found it only now. Long live the BBS file archives!

  2. This is so awesome! 😀 I’d be cool if you could download an entire archive of this at once, though.

  3. But one thing that puzzles me is the “mtswslnkmcjklsdlsbdmMICROSOFT” string. There is an article about it here. It is definitely worth a read: http://www.os2museum.com/wp/mtswslnk/