README.TXT for ConPrint.NLM 1.00a
Version 1.00a is a bugfix-Version that corrects a bug in ConPrint. This bug
makes a 3.12 Server abending with multiple Abends, when printing System-
Messages on the console screen like : 'Bindery close requested ...'.

For all other NLM-Programmers:
  The reason was a reentrance-problem in the screen-event routine. Fixed
  this bug with the main tread doing the real work and the event routine only
  signaling that something happend. - Avoid large and non-reentrant code-
  fragments in callback-functions !!

PS: error-reports, success-reports and new ideas to improve this NLM or ideas
    of other NLMs are very welcome !!! - Please mail to our CompuServe
    Address.



README.TXT for ConPrint.NLM 1.00.0
=============================================================================
  'bond' Software Entwicklung GmbH
  Illinger Strasse 76
  D-66564 Ottweiler -- GERMANY
   
  Tel: +49 6824 2031
  Fax: +49 6824 2034
  CS : 100335,2356 (Rainer Backes)
  Internet: 100335.2356@compuserve.com

=============================================================================
      This software is provided as is and carries no warranty
      whatsoever.  'bond' disclaims and excludes any and all implied
      warranties of merchantability, title and fitness for a particular
      purpose.  'bond' does not warrant that the software will satisfy
      your requirements or that the software is without defect or error
      or that operation of the software will be uninterrupted.  You are
      using the software at your risk. 
=============================================================================

      Console Printer

What is ConPrint.nlm ?
  ConPrint is a NetWare Loadable Module, that prints out any NetWare Console
  outputs.

Why ConPrint ?
  It shows in the past, that the Console Messages of Netware are a very 
  important hint in troubleshooting any fileserver faults. Unfortunately
  the console screen is only 25 lines and the Abend-Message takes about
  10.
  NetWare logs all Errrors not only to the console, but also to a File in
  SYS:SYSTEM. But if you can't reanimate the server, this file is without any
  use for you. Novell has another NLM that logs the console output to  file, 
  but this file resides at the SYS volume too.
  So we decided to write a NLM that prints the Console Output directly to a
  Printer. With the Printout you have the hole story for any toubleshooting.

What do you need ?
  First you need the ConPrint.nlm. Second you need a Line Printer connected
  to LPT1. You can use any Dot-Matrix Printer that supports the IBM-Character
  set. ConPrint uses only CR (Carrige Return) and LF (Line Feed) as control
  codes.
=============================================================================
Installation
  The only thing you have to do is to copy ConPrint.nlm somewhere on your
  server (preferrably to SYS:SYSTEM). After that you can load it with the
  console command

     LOAD CONPRINT

  The server loads Clib.nlm and Streams.nlm if they are not loaded. You can
  insert the LOAD Command in your AUTOEXEC.NCF after the lines with the 
  servers name and the internal IPX number.

Hardware requirements
  At this time ConPrint is hardwired to LPT1 at 378 hex. Please make sure,
  that this interface exists and has the correct printer attached to it.
  The LPT1 interface ConPrint uses is NOT the parallel Printer Interface
  on some old Monochrome Display Cards. If you have only such an Interface,
  go and find a normal parallel Printer Card (you get it for a few bucks in
  nearly any computer store).
  Because ConPrint writes directly to the hardware port, you can not use the
  Printer for anything else.
  As printer you can use any Dot-Matrix or Inkjet line printer. A Laser 
  Printer will function too, but you cannot see the page that is currently 
  inside. 
  You have an old 9-Pin Pinter somewhere, that nobody wants ? --
  That is the right one !!

Current Limitations
  ConPrint has some limitations. Some are Novell-given, at the others we are
  working on.
  - Interfaces: ConPrint in this DEMO version can only support LPT1 at 378h.
            The full version will support any parallel port.
  - Screens: ConPrint can only handle the Console Screen. Messages on other 
             screens will not be printed.
  - Buffer: ConPrint works with a internal Buffers to find changes at the
            Console Screen. It also looks at the cursor position. Under some
            circumstances, it can happen, that ConPrint prints the hole 
            screen again.
            ConPrint has an internal 10 kByte Printer Buffer to buffer very
            fast screen output. This buffer can hold aprox. 10 screens. When 
            the buffer is full, screen output will be lost.
  - Interface Handling: ConPrints Interface Handling is very simple. When the
            Pinter goes Off-Line during the Printout, it can happen, that the
            fileserver utilisation goes up to 100 %. But don't be afraid, the
            only thing it does is task switching. All other Tasks will not be
            disturbed (exept Low Priority Tasks of NW 4.x). When the printer
            goes online again, the utilisation goes back to normal. If the
            printer cannot be brougth online again, you can simply unload 
            ConPrint. 
            When the Printer is Idle and goes offline, it creates no notice-
            able load.
  - NetWare: ConPrint was primarily developped on a NetWare 4.1 BETA. It was
            tested with 3.12 and 4.0x. It should run on NetWare 3.11. The 
            only plattform it won't run is on the MSENGINE of a SFT III, 
            because of the direct hardware access.
  
Limitations of the DEMO-Version
  The DEMO Version is restictet to a runtime of 10 Minutes and LPT1 (378h).
  The first Console Screen update after 10 Minutes causes the unload.

Plans for the future
  If we can sell enough Versions of this product, we want to include the
  following improvements:
  + Hardcopy: You can create a hardcopy of your current screen by pressing
              PrtScr or something like that.
  + Interfaces: If there is interrest, we plan to support serial Printers.
  + Abend: It is a big problem for a NLM to survive an ABEND. But there 
              should be a way ...
  + more Screens: ConPrint should be able to print not only the console 
              screen but also other screens.
  + User Input: If YOU got some ideas about or how to improve the 
              capabilities of ConPrint, please tell them to us.

Orders for the full version
  If you like ConPrint and want to purchase it, please print out and send
  the following Order Form to us. We will send you the Full Version and a
  printed manual. The Price for a single Licence is 99,- DM (German Marks)
  plus shipping and VAT.
  Please use the International Order Form outside Germany. Inside Germany,
  please use the German Order Form.

  LICENCE: The full Version of ConPrint will be licenced to ONE SINGLE SERVER.
           If you have more than one Server, you have to buy a licence for
           each server on which ConPrint shall run. Site or Corporate Licences
           are possible, please contact us.

=============================================================================
                     International ORDER FORM

to: 'bond' Software Entwicklung GmbH
    Illinger Strasse 76
    D-66564 Ottweiler -- GERMANY
    Fax: +49 6824 2034

    
  Yes, I want to order ConPrint.

Name: ______________________________________

Company: ___________________________________

Address: ___________________________________

         ___________________________________

         ___________________________________

         ___________________________________

  
  I would like to have

  [  ]  a single Server Licence                      DM  99,-
  
  [  ]  additional Server Licences  DM 89,-  each  _________
  ==================================================================
        SUBTOTAL                                   _________

  Shipping Costs inside Europe:  please add DM 10,-
  Shipping Costs outside Europe: please add DM 20,-

        TOTAL including Shipping Costs             _________

Payment Method: Please include a cheque payable to a german bank or send the
                money via bank transfer 'with no costs for us'. Please refer
                to your order. Payments in US-$ with a conversion rate of 1.50
                ( 1 USD = 1.50 DM) will be accepted too.

=============================================================================
                     German ORDER FORM

to: 'bond' Software Entwicklung GmbH
    Illinger Strasse 76
    D-66564 Ottweiler -- GERMANY
    Fax: +49 6824 2034

    
  Ja, ich will ConPrint.

Name: ______________________________________

Firma: _____________________________________

Adresse: ___________________________________

         ___________________________________

         ___________________________________

         ___________________________________

  
  Ich mchte folgendes bestellen

  [  ]  eine single Server Lizenz                    DM  99,-
  
  [  ]  zustzliche Server Lizenzen je  DM 89,-  = _________
  ==================================================================
        SUBTOTAL                                   _________

   Porto und Versand                                 DM  10,-

        Summe                                      _________

   15 % Mehrwertsteuer                             _________

        Gesamtsunne                                _________

Zahlungsweise:

    [  ] Verrechnungsscheck liegt bei

    [  ] Nachnahme zzgl. DM 6,50 Nachnahmespesen

=============================================================================

