beagle bros Big U docs 1
From
mspangler@mspangler@gemsi.com (Michael Spangler) to
comp.sys.apple2 on Saturday, July 19, 2003 18:26:18
From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2
I have scanned in the manual to Beagle Bros Big U manual. hoefully
I've got it punched down to ascii. It kept trying to be modern for me,
which is not what i wanted.
Oh well. To keep the length reasonable, I'm going to break it down
into pieces.
Now, If I could only get hold of the docs to ProByter.....
THE BIG INTRO
Big U is a disk packed with U-tilities that increase ProDOS's
performance. You Applesoft programmers, beginner and experts,
will love using Big U's powerful machine language routines
and commands in your programs. And every Appler can have fun
customizing ProDOS and using Big U's utility programs.
HAVE FUN WHILE YOU LEARN
This manual assumes that you have a basic understanding of loading and
saving files, cataloging a disk, and so on. We have done our best to
keep
things simple, so even if you're a raw beginner, be patient with your
Apple and have fun! If you don't have Apple's "Basic Programming With
ProDOS" and "Basic Tutorial" manuals, run out and buy them.
If you're an old DOS 3.3 veteran starting to explore ProDOS, you'll be surprised by some things, but you shouldn't have any real trouble. See
page 72 for a summary of ProDOS commands. If you're interested in the
advanced technical aspects of ProDOS, get the book, "Beneath Apple
ProDOS" from Quality Software.
EXECUTING BIG U PROGRAMS
All BIG U programs are run by typing "-filename" (that's a hyphen
followed
by the program's name).
BACK IT UP!
Big U comes from the factory unlocked and unprotected, giving
you the freedom to inspect its programs and to copy them from disk to
disk.
Make a duplicate of your original so that any exotic experimenting or accidents won't ruin the original. Big U's FILE.MOVER program (page
19)
can make copies file-by-file, or any disk copy program will copy the
entire disk. (Our favorite is DISK.COPY from Beagle's "Extra K" disk.)
Please don't get carried away by giving copies of our disks to your
friends. Every illegal copy is a vote for copy protection and against
friendly software. You support us and we'll support you.
PATH NOT FOUND?
If ProDOS is giving you "Path Not Found" errors every time you try to
load a file, you are probably having prefix problems. See your "BASIC Programming With ProDOS" manual to learn more. The best suggestion we
have is to type "PREFIX/" to cancel the prefix before loading files.
Since the Big U disk doesn't have any subdirectories, you shouldn't
have many Path Not Found problems with it, unless you spell a file
name wrong.
THE BIG U DISK CATALOG
To see Big U's catalog, type "CAT". In 80-columns, you can type
"CATALOG".
ANYCAT (page 46): A new ProDOS command that catalogs DOS 3.3
(and ProDOS) disks
APPENDER: (page 38) A program that joins two or more Applesoft
programs
BASIC.SYSTEM: The ProDOS/Applesoft "mediator" that works with PRODOS
1.1.1
BEEPERWORKS (page 58): A program that lets you change AppleWorks'
error beep
BIGLINER (page 59): A program that creates illegal line numbers in
your
programs
BIG.U (80-columns): The title screen used by Big U's STARTUP program
CAT.DATER (page 60): A program that makes CAT and CATALOG display the
current date
CAT.FIXER (page 61): A program that makes CAT display in multiple
columns, and CATALOG auto-switch to 80 columns
CAT.STEPPER (page 60): A program that makes CAT and CATALOG step
through
catalogs one file or one screen-full at a time
COPY (page 47): A new ProDOS command that copies ProDOS files from one
disk to another (requires two drives or 128K)
COPY.1 (page 47): A version of COPY that works with single drives
COPYRIGHT.1985: A program that demonstrates what you can do with
SUPER.POKE
CRT.WRITER (page 9): A screen editor that lets you create fancy title
screens and write quick notes (requires 80-column Ile or IIc)
(CRT.CODE is an accompanying file)
DATE.SET (page 63): A program that sets the time and date in Apples
without a built-in clock
DISK.COPY.MORE (page 64): A program that updates Extra K's Disk Copy
program
so it copies 38-track disks in about a minute (requires Extra K disk)
DUMP (page 48): A new ProDOS command that prints 40 or 80 column
screens (requires 80-column Apple Ile or IIc)
DUMP.40 (page 39): A program that lets you dump the 40-column screen
on your printer
DUMP.80 (page 39): Like DUMP.40, but for 80-column screens
ERROR.EDITOR.(page 65): a program that lets you change ProDOS error
messages (ERROR.CODE is an accompanying file)
EST (page 48): Three new ProDOS commands that Erase memory, show Space
left on a disk, and see what the Time is
FILE.MOVER (page 19): A ProDOS file copier, deleter, renamer and disk
formatter (requires 80 columns; Apple IIe or IIc)
FILEMOVER.SETUP (page 31): A program that changes FILE.MOVER to work
with 36-40 tracks
HEX (page 49): New ProDOS memory-display commands and number
converters
HEX.H (page 49): A hidden version of the HEX commands
INPUT.40 (page 40): A program that gives you a smarter &INPUT command
for the 40 columns
INPUT.80 (page 40): Same as INPUT.40, but for 80 columns
INPUT.SETUP (page 41): A program that changes the maximum &INPUT
string length
KEYCAT.80 (page 32): A program that lets you see an instant list of
disk files, selectable with one or two keystrokes (requires 80 column
Apple IIc or Ile)
KEYCAT.SETUP (page 36): A program that reconfigures KEYCAT.80
MON (page 52): A new ProDOS command that monitors ProDOS disk
operations
NOTES: A program that shows you the latest changes to this manual
ONLINE (page 53): A new ProDOS command that identifies every disk in
every drive
PRODOS: Version 1.1.1 of Apple's newest Disk Operating System
RAM.LOAD (page 68): A program that loads files from floppy into /RAM
at 5K per second (requires 128K)
RAM.SAVE (page 67): A program that saves all /RAM files to floppy disk (requires 128K)
RAM.SETUP (page 69): A program that configures RAM.LOAD and RAM.SAVE
RANDY.BRANDT: A strange name for a program that demonstrates Big U's
new SHOW command
REMOVE (page 42): A program that eliminates Rem's from Applesoft
programs
REM.OVE.128 (page 42): A program that saves your program on RAM disk,
then eliminates Rem statements (requires 128K)
RENEW (page 70): A new ProDOS command that recovers Applesoft programs
killed by NEW
RUN.COUNTER (page 70): An program that keeps track of the number of
times your program is run, and/or the last date it was used
SAVE.40 (page 71): A program that gives you a new &SAVE command for
saving 40 column text screens
SAVE.80 (page 71): Same as SAVE.40, but for 80 columns (requires 80
columns)
SEE (page 53): A new ProDOS command that lists Applesoft disk files
without loading them
SHOW (page 54): A new ProDOS command that loads and displays pictures
from disk
SHOW.WIPE (page 55): A version of SHOW for double hi-res, and a new
ProDOS WIPE command that erases all RAM disk files (requires 128K)
STARTUP: The main menu program that runs when you boot the Big U disk
SUPER.POKE (page 44): A program that gives you a new &POKE command
that Pokes numbers fast
XLISTER (page 56): A new ProDOS command that lists programs in
improved format
BEAGLE EROS RECOMMENDS
If you are new to ProDOS, we highly recommend Apple's book, BASIC
PROGRAMMING WITH ProDOS.
If you are an advanced programmer (or would like to become one), we
highly recommend Quality Software's book, BENEATH APPLE ProDOS.
CRT.WRITER
CRT.WRITER is a combination Applesoft/machine language program that
allows you to write and print short letters or memos and do quick jobs
like address envelopes (if your printer can handle them). It also
allows you to easily create elaborate title screens which can be saved
on disk and used by your programs.
This "screen processor" is so committed to the
What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get philosophy that each document can be
viewed in its entirety without any scrolling, page-flipping or disk
access. Of course, each document is only one screen long, but what did
you expect?
ONE PROGRAM, TWO FILES
Make sure you copy both of the files, "CRT.WRITER" and "CRT.CODE" if
you want to move the program onto another disk.
GETTING STARTED
Type "-CRT.WRITER". The copyright message will soon be displayed in
the middle of the screen. Press any key to get started.
To create a screen, you can just start typing. The Return key and
arrow keys do about what you'd expect them to do. Don't forget though,
that you're limited by the space on the screen.
APPLE-KEY COMMANDS To issue a command, you must hold down the left (or
"open") Apple key while pressing another key. To simplify things,
we'll just call open-Apple the "Apple key" from now on.
CRT.WRITER COMMAND SUMMARY
OA = Open (left) Apple key
BA = Both (left and right) Apple keys
MOVING THE CURSOR:
OA-0 (zero): To top left of screen
OA-1... OA-9: Reposition in current column
Arrow keys: Move one character or one line
OA-left arrow: To left-most character in line
OA-right arrow: To right-most character in line
Tab: To next tab position
OA-Tab: To previous tab position
SCROLLING THE SCREEN:
BA-up arrow: Screen up (rulers must be off)
BA-down arrow: Screen down (rulers must be off)
MOVING TEXT:
OA-L: Left justify current line
OA-C: Center current line
OA-R: Right justify current line
OA-D: Duplicate a block (leaves original)
OA-M: Move a block (erases original block)
DELETING TEXT:
(Press Apple-Delete the indicated number of times.)
1: Clears from cursor to end of line
2: Clears remainder of line
3: Clears all lines below the current line
4: Clears the entire screen
DISK COMMANDS:
OA-K: Catalog drive 1
BA-K: Catalog drive 2
OA-G: Get screen from disk (load)
OA-S: Save screen to disk
OTHER COMMANDS:
OA-A: MouseText on/off (if available)
OA-I: Inverse text on/off
OA-P: Print the screen
OA-Q: Quit and exit to Applesoft
OA-T: Toggle tab rulers on/off
OA-U: Undo changes (if still possible)
OA-V: Toggle vertical typing on/off
OA-X: Credits
Apple-0: CURSOR HOME Pressing Apple-0 (zero) puts the cursor in the
upper left corner or "home" position of the screen.
Apple-1... Apple-9: RELOCATE THE CURSOR Pressing Apple-1 through
Apple-9 proportionally positions the cursor vertically on the screen
without changing its horizontal position.
Arrow Keys: MOVE THE CURSOR The Arrow keys move the cursor about like
you'd expect. Try all four of them.
Apple-Left/Right Arrows: JUMP LEFT & RIGHT Apple-Left Arrow jumps the
cursor to the left-most character on a line, while Apple-Right Arrow,
logically enough, moves you to the right. Spaces do not count as
characters.
Both Apples-Up/Down Arrows: SCROLL THE SCREEN To scroll the screen up
or down, hold down both Apple keys and press the Up or Down Arrow key. Scrolling is not available with the tab rulers visible. (Press Apple-T
to turn the rulers on and off.)
Return: CARRIAGE RETURN
Just like on a typewriter.
Apple-C: CENTER A LINE Pressing Apple-C will center the line of text
that the cursor is on.
The left and right-most characters on the line determine how it will
be positioned. If you are creating a screen that will have borders,
center the text first. If you make your borders first, no positioning
commands will have any effect.
Apple-L & R: LEFT & RIGHT JUSTIFY Pressing Apple-L or Apple-R will
position the line of text at the cursor to the far left or far right
of the screen. The border note under "Apple-C" (above) applies here
too.
Apple-V: VERTICAL TYPING This command is especially useful for title
screen creation, but it is also suitable for creating acrostics and
acronyms. Press Apple-V and the cursor will change to a "^". All text
will now be typed vertically. Press Apple-V again to get back on the
level.
To make a simple border, use inverse spaces (press Apple-I first) and
use vertical typing to enter the sides. You might want to make the
sides two characters wide so the thickness is comparable to the top
and bottom rows.
Apple-Delete: DELETE TEXT Pressing the Delete key alone simply prints
a block character on the screen. Apple-Delete, however, clears varying
portions of the screen, depending on how often it is pressed.
Press Apple-Delete once to clear text from the cursor to the end of
the line.
Press it a 2nd time to clear everything else on that same line.
Press it a 3rd time to clear everything to the bottom of the screen.
Press it a 4th time to erase the entire screen. In other words, to
erase the entire screen, hold down the Apple key, and press the Delete
key four times. Accidental deletions may be undone (see "Apple-U:
UNDO").
Note: This command uses the "Delete" key. Don't confuse it with
Apple-D, which is used in duplicating blocks of text.
Tab & Apple-Tab: TABBING Press the Tab key to move the cursor to the
next tab setting (indicated on the tab rulers at the top and bottom of
the screen). Existing text will not be affected.
Pressing Apple-Tab moves the cursor back to the previous tab stop.
Note: The tab settings cannot be adjusted.
Another Note: Tab is the same as Control-I.
Apple-T: TAB RULERS OFF/ON Pressing Apple-T turns the tab rulers at
the top and bottom of the screen on and off. These rulers are
primarily useful for helping you "eyeball" the position of the cursor.
Note: You can't type over the tab rulers. To use the top and bottom
screen lines, turn off the rulers first. Restoring the rulers will
temporarily hide your text, but won't erase it.
Note: The screen scrolling commands (page 11) will not work with the
tab rulers on. Several other commands automatically turn the rulers
off.
Apple-I: INVERSE TEXT Note: Inverse text will be sent to your printer
as normal-looking characters. (Don't blame us; blame your printer.)
Pressing Apple-I toggles inverse text mode (black on white) on and
back off again. Try it and see.
Depending on your Apple, you may not be able to display inverse lower
case. Turn on MouseText (if your Apple has it; see below) to get
inverse lower case.
Apple-A: APPLE MOUSETEXT Note: MouseText text will be sent to your
printer as normal-looking characters. (Don't blame us; blame your
printer.)
Pressing Apple-A toggles MouseText off and on if you have an Apple IIc
or an enhanced (newer-model) Ile. MouseText. upper-case characters are
graphic symbols (see the back of your Peeks & Pokes chart). Lower-case characters will appear as inverse lower-case.
"FGFGFG...". (But wait: Apple has announced that they will be
eliminating this little feller from future Apples. If you don't see
him on your screen, that's why.)
Apple-D: DUPLICATE A BLOCK To duplicate a block of text on the screen:
1. Put the cursor on a corner of the block you want to duplicate.
2. Press Apple-D. A number "1" will mark the spot. (You may press Esc
at any time to leave the duplication mode.)
3. Move the cursor (now a "2") to the diagonally opposite corner of
the block to be duplicated, and press Return.
4. Move the cursor (now a "D") to the upper-left corner of the block's
future location and press Return.
The entire block must fit at the new location. A beep means that the
limit has been reached. For example, if you're duplicating a block 80 characters wide, you'll only be able to move the "D" cursor
vertically.
Apple-M: MOVE A BLOCK The procedure for moving a block of text is
virtually identical to that for duplicating, except that the original
block of text is erased. Substitute Apple-M for Apple-D in step 2
above. The cursor in step 4 will be an "M" instead of a "D".
Apple-U: UNDO A MISTAKE You may press Apple-U to undo screen changes
after certain operations. Apple-U must be pressed immediately after
the change has been made (that is, before doing anything else). It
works after the delete, move and copy commands, and after screen
scrolling and line positioning.
Although it's great for undoing mistakes, Apple-U also comes in handy
when you want to see how moving or copying a block affects the screen,
without committing yourself to the new layout.
Apple-P: PRINT THE SCREEN When you want a "hard copy" of the current
screen display, just press Apple-P. CRT.WRITER assumes that your
printer is in slot 1. You may press Esc at any time to stop printing.
MouseText and Inverse characters will be printed as normal characters.
Apple-K: CATALOG THE DISK Press Apple-K to catalog (katalog?) drive 1.
Hold down the right-Apple key too if you want to catalog the disk in
drive 2.
Technical note: If you want to let CRT.WRITER catalog a subdirectory
or the RAM disk, change variables K1$ and K2$ in line 5 of the
program. K1$="" would catalog the current directory, K1$="/TEST/SUB"
will always catalog the SUB subdirectory of disk "/TEST" and so on.
Apple-S: SAVE THE SCREEN When your masterpiece is complete, press
Apple-S and you will be asked for the screen name. Enter a legal
ProDOS file name (or full pathname) like "TITLE". You may specify slot
and drive values if you want (like "TITLE,D2). Be sure to use a unique
name so you don't overwrite screens that are already on the disk.
Saved screens are identical in format to those created with the
SAVE.80 program (page 71). To load a screen called "ABC", simply type
"-ABC" from Applesoft, or use this command in a program:
10 PRINT CHR$ (4) "-ABC"
Apple-G: GET (LOAD) A SCREEN Press Apple-G to show everyone why you
worked on your computer all weekend. When you're asked for the screen
name, type in the name you used to save it. After the screen is
loaded, it can be modified and resaved under another name (or the same
name if you want to erase the old version).
Screens created with the SAVE.80 program (page 71) may also be read by CRT.WRITER.
Apple-Q: QUIT Although you'll probably never want to use this option,
it may be necessary from time to time. Press Apple-Q, and you will be
asked if you want to quit. Type "Y" followed by Return to exit to
Applesoft. Any key but "Y" will let you stay in CRT.WRITER.
ONE MORE THING...
Feel free to use CRT.WRITER to create screens for any programs that
you write. We simply ask for a little credit. Just acknowledge your
use of CRT.WRITER in the documentation and send Randy Brandt and Bert
Kersey 75% of your gross sales. 25%? 10%? Oh, never mind...
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