 
 
             <bold>MiniBanners/MiniBanners09 by Allen Huffman
            Copyright (C) 1990/1991 by Sub-Etha Software
 
                Support Line: (409) 639-ETHA [3842]
              OS9/OSK Midwest Division: (815) 748-6638<body>
 
  <bold>------------------------- Introduction --------------------------<body>
 
 
  Thank You for helping support the future of the CoCo!  You have
  just purchased a program which we hope will bring new
  functionality from your printer.
 
  MiniBanners will allow you to print single- or multiple-line
  banners to any printer, including daisy wheel printers, and
  "non-standard" printers such as the TP-10.  (Yes, there is a use
  for that little printer!)
 
  Also included with MiniBanners is a collection of over 30
  character styles, known as "fonts" to use for your banners.
  These include everything from gothic, bold, computer printing,
  italics, inverse, etc.
 
  [<bold>Note:<body>  There are two versions of MiniBanners.  One for Disk
  Basic (refered to as the RS-Dos version) and one for OS-9.  This
  manual will cover both versions.  Any special command differences
  between versions will be noted.]
 
  <bold>---------------------- Loading Instructions ---------------------<body>
 
  Before using MiniBanners, we recommend you make a Backup of your
  master disk and use that.  Refer to your Disk Basic or OS9 manual
  if you are unsure on how to do this, or call our support line.
 
                           <itallics>RS-Dos Version<body>
 
  To load the program, insert the MiniBanners disk into Drive 0 and
  type:
 
                           <bold>LOADM"MINIBAN"<body>
 
  The program will quickly load and the "OK" prompt will return.
  To run MiniBanners, type:
 
                                <bold>EXEC<body>
 
  [<bold>Note:<body>  In the RS-Dos version, if you hold down the Enter key
  after typing 'EXEC' the program will start up using an 80 column
  screen.]  Proceed to "Loading Instructions Continued".
 
                            <itallics>OS9 Version<body>
 
  The OS9 version of MiniBanners requires you to have a bootable
  OS9 diskette with the "/P" printer driver and "/W" (non-VDG)
  screen.  MiniBanners also requires access to RUNB and GFX2 from
  your OS9 System/Config Disk.  (Many users choose to merge these
  modules together into one file.  If you have done that, simply
  load the merged module then swap to the MiniBanners disk and type
  "<bold>MINIBAN<body>".)
 
                            Page 1 of 7
 
 
 
 
 
  A special installation program, called "INSTALL.MB", is included
  to help you get MiniBanners09 up and running as soon as possible.
 
  Boot OS9 from your system disk then swap to the MiniBanners09
  disk and type "<bold>INSTALL.MB<doby>".  The program will prompt you for all
  necessary actions and will also install MiniBanners09 to a hard
  drive.  Once installed, simply boot OS9 and type:
 
       OS9: <bold>LOAD RUNB<body>
 
  Next, insert the MiniBanners09 disk and type:
 
       OS9: <bold>CHD /D0; CHX /D0/CMDS<body>
 
  And finally, to run the program from a non-VDG window type:
 
       OS9: <bold>MINIBAN<body>
 
  If you are on a 32 column VDG screen or just want MiniBanners09
  to create it's own window to run in, type:
 
       OS9: <bold>MINIBAN <>>>/W&<body>
 
  (You will then need to press the [CLEAR] key until you find the
  screen MiniBanners09 is running on.)
 
  [<bold>Note:<body>  MiniBanners09 will NOT run from a VDG screen!]
 
  Hard drive users who have installed MINIBAN into their CMDS
  directory (where the merged RUNB file should reside) and have a
  MINIBAN directory (where the font files reside) need only type
  "<bold>CHD /H0/MINIBAN<body>" then "<bold>MINIBAN<body>" (or "<bold>MINIBAN <>>>/W&<body>") to run
  the program.  A sample "do" (batch) file is included for hard
  drive users entitled "doban".
 
  While these instructions assume you are using a single drive
  setup or have a hard drive, many other setup options are
  available.  As long as your execution directory contains RUNB,
  GFX2, and MINIBAN, and your working directory is where the font
  files are, MiniBanners09 should run fine.  (RUNB and GFX2 can
  also be merged with MINIBAN to make it a stand-alone program!)
 
  <bold>Note:<body>  Make sure you have set your working directory (CHD) to
  point to wherever the font and config files are located before
  running or the program will not be able to operate.
 
                   <itallics>Loading Instructions Continued<body>
 
  MiniBanners will then load and you will see the startup screen
  with a version, serial number, and copyright notice.  You will
  then be prompted whether or not you wish to load a configuration
  saved on disk.  At this time press "N" (for No) and the default
  parameters will be used.  You will then be at the Main Menu.
 
  <bold>Note:<body>  For those of you who want to get the program running as
  soon as possible, please consult the section called "Quick Start"
  at the end of this manual for complete step-by-step instructions.
 
 
 
                            Page 2 of 7
 
 
 
 
  <bold>------------------------- The Main Menu -------------------------<body>
 
                  <itallics>Changing Your Working Drive/Path<body>
 
                           <itallics>RS-Dos Version<body>
 
  [D]rive            - At the top of the screen it shows which
                       drive the program is currently set to work
                       with.  If you wish to change this, press "D"
                       then enter the new drive number.
 
                            <itallics>OS9 Version<body>
 
  [P]ath             - At the top of the screen is shows which
                       drive/directory the program is currently
                       set towork with.  To change this, press "P"
                       then enter the complete path list.  (ie,
                       "/D1", "/H0/MINIBAN", etc.)
 
                         <itallics>Printing a Banner<body>
 
  <bold>Note:<body>  Make sure you have set the baud rate for your printer!
  See "Configuration" below, or the "Quick Start" section.  OS9
  users must have /P properly XMODEd with correct settings.
 
  [1] Print a Banner - Selecting this option takes you to a
                       different screen where you will be prompted
                       for the following information:
 
      Printer Width [ 80] :  - Enter the carriage width of your
                               printer.  Most common printers are
                               able to print 80 characters across,
                               but MiniBanners supports anything
                               from 32 to 132.  Pressing Enter will
                               use the default value displayed in
                               the [brackets].
 
      Font Width    [  1] :  - Enter the width you wish the banner
                               letters to be printed.  A width of 1
                               is normal for multiple line banners,
                               but a thicker width such as 3 may be
                               more desireable for larger text.
 
      Line Spacing  [  0] :  - Enter the number of spaces to skip
                               between printed lines.  While
                               normally 0, you may want to change
                               this for multiple line banners.
 
      Ptr Character [219] :  - Enter the ASCII value of the
                               character you want your banner
                               letters to be made from.  This may
                               be any value from 32 to 255.  On a
                               printer in IBM mode, 219 produces a
                               block character.  In Tandy mode, you
                               may want to try 239.  If you want a
                               banner printed with *'s try 42.
 
 
 
 
                            Page 3 of 7
 
 
 
 
  After typing in any changes (or just pressing Enter to accept the
  default values), you are now ready to type in you text.  At the
  ">" prompt, type in your first line and press Enter.  The program
  will prompt you for:
 
      Height [10] Max  :     - The number in brackets is the
                               maximum height your banner may be
                               based on the width of the printer.
                               You may press Enter to accept this
                               value and generate one large banner,
                               or type in a smaller value to create
                               a banner with multiple lines.  If
                               you choose a smaller number, the
                               line you typed is displayed in the
                               lower portion of the screen (as well
                               as it's height) and you are asked to
                               enter the next line, and so on,
                               until you quit by pressing Enter at
                               the ">" prompt, or the program runs
                               out of space.
 
  If you have entered a line shorter than the max. height
  available, the program will ask if you wish to "Center from Top
  to Bottom?"  Select "Y"es or "N"o.  (If you answer No, the banner
  will be printer resting on the bottom of the page.)
 
  Next you will be asked if everything is okay.  If it is, and your
  printer is ready to print, press "Y".  The program will check to
  see if your printer is on-line (ready) for printing.  If it
  ins't, a message will be displayed allowing you to turn on the
  printer or "X"it.  During printing, you may press "X" to abort.
  The OS9 version uses BREAK to stop printing and restart.
 
  After the banner has been printed, you will return to the Main
  Menu.
 
 
                      <itallics>Choosing Different Fonts<body>
 
  [2] Select Font    - This option will allow you to select a
                       different font (character style) for the
                       banner.  The current font is shown beside
                       the command.
 
  The program will go to a new screen and ask you to type in the
  name of the font you want to load.  If you are unsure of the
  name, you may type "D" for Directory and the program will display
  a listing of all font files on the current disk.  (At the end of
  each screenful the program will pause and ask you to "Press
  [ENTER] for More, [X] to Stop".
 
  If you would like to see what the fonts look like, select "P" for
  Preview and the screen will show each font on the current drive.
  When the screen fills, you may press Enter for more, or "X" to
  stop.  (<bold>Note:<body>  You will not see any prompts for this.)
  Currently, the OS9 version does not support Preview.
 
 
 
 
 
                            Page 4 of 7
 
 
 
 
                           <itallics>Configuration<body>
 
  [3] Configuration  - This option allows you to set printer baud
                       rate, carriage width, font size and default
                       font.  This options may be saved to disk in
                       a file named MINIBAN.CFG and then loaded
                       upon startup.
 
      [E]dit - This option will allow you to change the values
               currently displayed.  You will be prompted to enter
               new values for each item or press Enter to not
               change.
 
               Note that the baud rate display shows two values.
               The first is the actual baud rate and the second is
               the actual value (POKE 150,xx).  Since MiniBanners
               runs in the double speed mode, this value will
               actually be for the baud that is half of what is
               listed.  (OS9 version does not have baud settings.)
 
      [L]oad - This option will load the default values stored in
               the MINIBAN.CFG file (if present) from the current
               drive/path.
 
      [S]ave - This will save the current parameters to a file
               called MINIBAN.CFG.
 
      [X]it  - Exits the Configuration screen and returns to the
               main menu.
 
                       <itallics>Changing Screen Widths<body>
 
  [W] Toggle 40/80  - This will switch the program between a 40
                      column screen and an 80 column screen.
 
                        <itallics>Exiting the Program<body>
 
  [X]it to Basic    - This will end MiniBanners and return you to
                      Basic/OS9.  You will be prompted as to
                      whether or not you really want to exit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                            Page 5 of 7
 
 
 
 
  <bold>-------------------------- Quick Start --------------------------<body>
 
                  <itallics>For Those Who Just Can't Wait...<body>
 
  The RS-Dos version comes setup for a printer in IBM mode hooked
  up at 2400 baud.  Unless you just happen to have a printer in IBM
  mode hooked up at 2400 baud you will have to first customize the
  program for your setup.  The OS9 version uses whatever defaults
  your OS9 boot disk has.
 
  First, go to the Configuration menu by pressing "3".  You will be
  shown all of the current settings.  Select "E" (for Edit) then
  you can enter the specific information about your printer.
 
  (<bold>Note:<body>  At each prompt, pressing Enter will use the default
  values displayed.)
 
  Printer Width - This is how many characters your printer can
       print per line.  Usually 80, but 132 column wide carriage
       printers or even 32 column printers (such as the TP-10) are
       supported.
 
  Printer Baud - This is the baud rate that your printer is set to.
       The number beside it is the actual value (POKE 150,xx) used
       by Basic for the baud half of what you are using.  (This is
       because MiniBanners runs in the double speed mode.)  The OS9
       version does not support changing printer baud.
 
  Font Width - This will be the thickness of the letters.  For now
       type "3".
 
  Line Spacing - This is how many lines are skipped between lines
       of text on a multiple-line banner.  For now, leave it at 0.
 
  Banner Character - This is what character your printer uses to
       make the letters.  On a printer in IBM mode, 219 creates
       a filled in block.  In Tandy mode, 239 is a similar block.
       Other values, such as 42 (for a "*" character) may also be
       used.
 
  Default Font - This is the name of the Font (character style)
       that the program will attempt to load on startup.  For now,
       skip this by just pressing Enter.
 
  With configuration done, you may proceed with "<itallics>Printing a Banner<body>"
  from <bold>The Main Menu<body>.  Have fun!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                            Page 6 of 7
 
 
 
 
  <bold>-------------------- A Few Words About Fonts --------------------<body>
 
  Some really clever users out there may notice that the fonts this
  program uses are standard HPRINT character sets.  The fonts
  included are in the public domain and may be used by your own
  programs.  (Simply <bold>LOADM"FONTNAME.FNT"<body> then anything you HPRINT
  to one of the HSCREENs will be that font.)  Also, if you find any
  alternative HPRINT fonts you can copy them to the MiniBanners
  disk with the extension of .FNT and use them to make banners.
 
  If you have any HPRINT fonts you have created, please let us
  know.  We may be interested!
 
 
  <bold>---------------------- Future Enhancements ----------------------<body>
 
  MiniBanners is undergoing changes and improvements.  If you have
  any suggestions on what you would like to see added, please
  contact us!
 
 
  <bold>------------------------- Special Notes -------------------------<body>
 
  While incredibly rare <smile>, occasional bugs creep into
  programs.  If any error is encountered a screen will be displayed
  identifying the bug and what line it was encountered.  If this
  happens and you are reasonable sure it isn't something on your
  end, such as a Disk Full or I/O error, make a note of this
  problem and contact us so we may exterminate.
 
 
  Thank you for supporting Sub-Etha Software and our efforts to
  help support the future of the Color Computer!
 
 
  <bold>--------------------------- Disclaimer --------------------------<body>
 
  (What decent piece of software would complete without one of
  these?)
 
  This program is sold on an "as-is" basis.  Sub-Etha Software is
  not responsible in any way, shape, or form for any loss or damage
  of any kind as a direct or indirect result of the use of this
  program.
 
  Print banners at your own risk!
 
 
 
 
             <bold>MiniBanners/MiniBanners09 by Allen Huffman
            Copyright (C) 1990/1991 by Sub-Etha Software
 
                Support Line: (409) 639-ETHA [3842]
              OS9/OSK Midwest Division: (815) 748-6638<body>
 
 
                            Page 7 of 7
 
 
