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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #1687)
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Information about “READ.COM AND READIT”
A fast text file reader, READ.COM pages, scrolls, and searches in ASCII
files. The screen-switching option lets you prepare a table of contents
for a file without direct switching to any screen. The program offers
no written documentation and limited help on screen.
THE TEXT FILE READER (READIT) allows users to scroll, page, and print
on-line documents. All commands are displayed on a horizontal menu bar.
An intuitive interface provides a straightforward source for on-line
help. READIT provides the means to distribute manuals, instructions,
procedures and other documents, royalty free, to users with a wide range
of computer experience. Users without wordprocessing experience can be
brought "up to speed" in minutes.
Using READIT with your text file requires that text be prepared as shown
in the documentation. Control over formatted printing and screen
display is provided so documents come out looking professional --
printer or screen.
FILE1687.TXT
Disk No: 1687
Disk Title: Read.Com and ReadIt
PC-SIG Version: S1
Program Title: Read.com
Author Registration: $10.00
Special Requirements: None.
A fast text file reader, READ.COM pages, scrolls, and searches in ASCII
files. The screen-switching option lets you prepare a table of contents
for a file without direct switching to any screen. The program offers
no written documentation and limited help on screen.
Program Title: ReadIt
Author Version: 2.0
Author Registration: $20.00
Special Requirements: None.
THE TEXT FILE READER (READIT) Allows users to scroll, page, and print
on-line documents. All commands are displayed on a horizontal menu bar.
An intuitive interface provides a straightforward source for on-line
help. READIT provides the means to distribute manuals, instructions,
procedures and other documents, royalty free, to users with a wide range
of computer experience. Users without word processing experience can be
brought "up to speed" in minutes.
Using READIT with your text file requires that text be prepared as shown
in the documentation of this program. Three possible formats are
supported. Control over formatted printing and screen display is
provided so documents come out looking professional--printer or screen.
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989 PC-SIG, Inc.
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< Disk #1687 READ.COM AND READIT >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ To start READ.COM, type: READ (press enter) ║
║ To start READIT, type: READIT (press enter) ║
║ ║
║ To print READ.COM documentation, type: COPY READ.DOC PRN ║
║ To print READIT documentation, type: COPY READIT.DOC PRN ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
READ.DOC
READ.COM is:
- fast .DOC reader; pages, scrolls, searches;
permits display attribute control in .DOC files
READ.COM is self-documenting; type READ<ENTER> at the
DOS prompt, to display the HELP screens.
READTEST.DOC demonstrates READ.COM's attribute control;
type READ READTEST.DOC at the DOS prompt -
READ.COM V 3.02 is copyrighted, and assigned to the public domain
by the programmer.
READIT.DOC
_________________________________________________________________
Text File Reader (ReadIt) User's Guide November 17, 1989
_________________________________________________________________
o TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Overview .......................................... 2
Hardware Requirements ............................. 2
General ........................................... 2
Installation Procedure ............................ 2
Start-Up Procedure ................................ 3
Test Drive ........................................ 3
Text Preparation Overview ......................... 4
Text Preparation .................................. 4
Registration ...................................... 5
License Agreement ................................. 6
Information in this document is subject to change without notice
and does not represent a commitment on the part of Cobrasoft.
The software described in this document is furnished under a
License Agreement. By using the accompanying software you agree
to accept the terms and conditions of the License Agreement.
o Trademark and Copyright Acknowledgements:
(C) Copyright 1989 Cobrasoft. All rights reserved.
Cobrasoft is a registered trademark of Cobrasoft.
IBM and PS/2 are registered trademarks of the IBM Corporation.
ReadIt is a trademark of Cobrasoft.
- 1 -
o OVERVIEW:
The Text File Reader (ReadIt) allows users to read and print on-
line documents, at their own pace, with a short learning curve.
All commands are displayed on a horizontal menu bar. An intuitive
interface provides a straight forward method to scroll, page and
print documents. Users without word processing experience can be
brought "up to speed" in minutes. ReadIt provides a means to
distribute on-line manuals, instructions, procedures and other
documents, royalty free, to users with a wide range of computer
experience.
o HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:
An IBM PC/XT/AT/PS/2 or compatible with a minimum of 256K RAM and
DOS 2.1 or later are required. While not required, a printer is
recommended.
o GENERAL:
ReadIt is supplied on one 3 1/2 or 5 1/4 inch disk. Before using
the disk, make a backup copy and read these instructions. The
instructions assume that you are familiar with your microcomputer
and have some knowledge of the Disk Operating System (DOS).
This User's Guide can be printed with ReadIt's <Alt P> command.
It contains six pages and may be used as an outline for your
document. As a registered ReadIt user, you are eligible for
one year of free technical support. If difficulties arise, call
our support staff at (213)532-6212. These instructions assume
that drive A or C is used. If a different drive is used, sub-
stitute the correct drive designator.
o INSTALLATION PROCEDURE:
Installation is not required for floppy drive systems. If a hard
drive is used, allow at least 200 kilobytes of free disk space.
When creating a directory you must supply a name. READIT or other
valid directory name may be used. If a directory name other than
READIT is used, substitute the correct directory name. To install
ReadIt onto a directory named READIT proceed as shown:
1. From the root directory C> prompt type: MD\READIT <ENTER>.
2. From the C> prompt type: CD\READIT <ENTER>.
3. Place the ReadIt disk in drive A.
4. From the C> prompt type: COPY A:*.* <ENTER>.
- 2 -
o START-UP PROCEDURE:
ReadIt can read files from any drive or directory. When starting
ReadIt, the filename and extension (to be read) is passed as a
command line argument as shown in the following examples:
READIT C:\MYPATH\MYFILE.EXT <ENTER>
READIT B:MYFILE.EXE <ENTER>
READIT MYFILE.EXT <ENTER>
When READIT <ENTER> is typed, the on-line ReadIt User's Guide is
displayed. You may substitute your document for the ReadIt User's
Guide. When your document is used, in lieu of the User's Guide,
it must be renamed READIT.DOC.
Floppy Drive Start-Up Procedure:
1. After the computer is booted place the ReadIt disk in drive A.
2. At the DOS A> prompt type a start-up command as shown above.
As a minimum, READIT followed by a filename and extension must
be typed. If the filename and extension are omitted, the
default text file will appear.
Hard Drive Start-Up Procedure:
1. After the computer is booted type: CD\READIT <ENTER>. If a
directory name other than READIT is used, substitute the cor-
rect name.
2. At the DOS C> prompt type a start-up command as shown above.
As a minimum, READIT followed by a filename and extension must
be typed. If the filename and extension are omitted, the
default text file will appear.
o TEST DRIVE:
It only takes a few minutes to become familiar with the operation
of ReadIt. Before you begin, check that the ten key pad is not in
the numeric mode (NumLock Off). Perform several trial runs as
shown below:
A. Use the appropriate start-up procedure to display the ReadIt
User's Guide. Type: READIT <ENTER>.
B. If all has gone well, text and a horizontal menu bar will
appear. Review the menu selections at the base of the screen.
C. Press the PgDn key to display the next screen page. To return
to the previous screen page, press PgUp.
- 3 -
D. To scroll down one line, press the DOWN arrow key. To scroll
up one line, press the UP arrow key.
E. To display the end of the document, press E.
F. To return to the beginning of the document, press B.
G. To display the middle of a document, press M. Note that an
arrowhead will appear in the left margin to mark the mid-point
of the document.
H. If you have a color monitor, the foreground and background
colors can be changed by pressing F1 and F2. Press the F1 key.
Continue pressing F1 until you step through all the foreground
colors. Press the F2 key. Continue pressing F2 until you step
through all the background colors. Note that the first screen
is displayed after any color change.
I. Before printing the text, check that the printer is on-line
and has an adequate supply of paper. When the printer is ready
press Alt and P simultaneously. If it is necessary to abort
the print sequence, press ESC.
J. When through, press ESC to return to DOS.
o TEXT PREPARATION OVERVIEW:
Using ReadIt with your text file requires that text be prepared
as shown:
1. Prepare and proof your document. Do not space text with the
TAB key. Each line of text must be terminated by a carriage
return. The new page character must be on a line by itself at
the beginning of each page and after the last page.
2. Save the manuscript as an ASCII (unformatted) text file. Any
valid filename and extension may be used, if your text file
will not replace the ReadIt User's Guide. If your file is to
replace the ReadIt User's Guide, rename your file READIT.DOC.
READIT.DOC must reside on the same disk or directory which
contains ReadIt's files.
3. Use ReadIt to check and print your text.
o TEXT PREPARATION:
On-line documents should be constructed for ease of viewing
rather than conforming to a rigid format. If possible, the table
of contents should be presented as the first screen. Page numbers
are easily found if they are centered at the bottom of each page.
If the document is short and has a well constructed table of
contents, an index is usually not required. When preparing text,
keep in mind that each screen page displays 23 lines of text.
- 4 -
Text should be prepared with a word processor. Do not use the TAB
key. Each line of text can have up to 65 characters and must
terminate with a carriage return. Using one inch left and right
hand margins should produce a line with 65 characters. If more
than 65 characters are entered, ReadIt will truncate the line.
Page length should be set at 46 lines/page. If page numbers are
used, they should be placed on the 46th line. The new page char-
acter should be inserted, on a line by itself, at the beginning
of each page and after the last page. Each ReadIt file can accom-
modate approximately 80 screen pages (23 lines/screen) or 40
printed pages (46 lines/page).
After the text has been prepared, the file must be saved as an
ASCII (unformatted) file. Any valid filename and extension may be
used, if your text file will not replace the ReadIt User's Guide.
If your file is to replace the ReadIt User's Guide, it must be
named READIT.DOC. If necessary, rename your file with the DOS
RENAME command. READIT.DOC must reside on the same disk or
directory which contains READIT.EXE. To check that each line has
been terminated with a carriage return and that the new page
character has been properly inserted, scan your original text
file with the DOS TYPE command.
Use ReadIt to proof and print your text. Compare the ReadIt text
to the original file. If portions of the text are missing, the
line(s) may not have been terminated with a carriage return. If
lines appear out of order or are missing, the TAB key may have
inadvertently been used.
o REGISTRATION:
This version of ReadIt is distributed as user supported Share-
ware. The user is granted a limited license to use Readit for
non-commercial use. The user may copy and freely share this
program with others, subject to the provisions of the license
statement. If you continue using ReadIt after a thirty (30) day
evaluation period, you are required to register. For non-
commercial use the registration fee is twenty ($20) dollars
(outside USA $35 US dollars). Contact Cobrasoft for commercial
distribution and/or site license information.
- 5 -
_________________________________________________________________
LICENSE AGREEMENT
_________________________________________________________________
Cobrasoft grants a limited, non-exclusive license to the user
to distribute the Text File Reader's (ReadIt) files with the
user's text files for non-commercial use. The user has permission
to copy and freely share the software with others subject to the
following provisions:
1. ReadIt is distributed as user supported Shareware. Should the
software be used beyond a thirty (30) day evaluation period,
the user is required to register.
2. The software and/or documentation may be uploaded to bulletin
boards and can be used by clubs, schools or other non-profit
groups for educational purposes only. When used for educat-
ional purposes, one (1) copy must be registered for each fifty
(50) student copies distributed.
3. The software and/or documentation may not be sold for profit
by other than Cobrasoft authorized dealers. When distributed
as Shareware or for educational purposes, reasonable charges
may be applied.
4. The software and/or documentation may not be distributed, in
whole or in part, with any commercial product or service with-
out obtaining a commercial distribution and/or site license.
The software and documentation are distributed "as is". The soft-
ware and documentation are subject to change without notice and
does not represent a commitment on the part of Cobrasoft. Cobra-
soft specifically disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied,
including but not limited to implied warranties of merchant-
ability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will
Cobrasoft be liable for any loss of profit or other damage,
including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential,
commercial or other damages.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of
California or use such other law as may be required to protect
the legitimate interests of Cobrasoft.
_________________________________________________________________
Cobrasoft, 4455 Torrance Blvd., Suite 273, Torrance, CA 90503
_________________________________________________________________
- 6 -
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #1687
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
FILE1687 TXT 2739 12-28-89 2:16p
GO BAT 38 1-01-80 1:37a
GO TXT 694 1-01-80 2:24a
READ COM 6772 10-18-88 2:57p
READ DOC 472 10-18-88 3:02p
READIT DAT 11 11-17-89 9:42a
READIT DOC 12667 11-17-89 9:11a
READIT EXE 55308 11-06-89 10:15a
READTEST DOC 3511 8-25-88 2:56a
9 file(s) 82212 bytes
75264 bytes free