   
                    README FILE TOOLBOX MODULE
  
  This file is a listing, explanation and overall guide to understanding and
  using the TOOL-BOX.
  
  FIRST THINGS FIRST  -  MAKE A BACKUP COPY OF THE MASTER DISK OF TOOL-BOX
  RECEIVED WITH YOUR ORDER. DON'T ATTEMPT TO OPERATE FROM THE MASTER DISK.
  
  A NUMBER OF THESE FILES CAN BE DAMAGED BY IMPROPER OR INTERRUPTED OPERATION.
  
  THE BULK OF THESE PROGRAMS REQUIRE A COLOR GRAPHICS SYSTEM (CGA) OR BETTER OR
  THE USE OF A CGA SIMULATION UTILITY IF USING A MONOCHROME SYSTEM.
  ___________________________________________________________________________
  
                        LISTING OF FILES
  
  README.1ST ...... This file.
  
  README.BAT ...... Prints out this file -  README.1ST -  A list and explanation
                    of the files contained in the TOOLBOX.
  
  BROWSE.COM ...... A utility to read files on the screen. This utility can be
                    used to read all files with a .DOC or .BAS filename
                    extension. To use type BROWSE followed by the filename.
                    Example:  -  BROWSE PHOTO.DOC
  
  PHOTO#4 ......... An information file about the included photo marked #4
  
  BIGFIGS.BAS ..... The source code for BIGFIGS.EXE in QuickBasic 4.5
  
  BIGFIGS.DOC ..... The manual for BIGFIGS. This manual covers operation, how to
                    change or add a new character and purpose of the character
                    generation.
  
  BIGFIGS.EXE ..... The compiled executable demostration file of the techniques
                    and capabilities. Has both keyboard entry and automatic
                    program driven examples.
  
  FONTGENB.BAS ... The font file character generator in GWBASIC. Using this file
                   new characters can be added or existing ones modified.
  
  LETTER.BAS ..... The basic font file of all characters for use in any from the
                   ground up development type program.
  
  GPHMETER.BAS ... The source code for graphic displays that display analog
                   input information on the screen.
  
  GPHMETER.DOC ... The manual for the graphic display techniques. Covers how to
                   set up your application, information in tuning the
                   measurement and general concepts and operation.
  
  GPHMETER.EXE ... A "standarized" compiled version of showing graphic analog
                   information on the computer screen.
  
  CLOCK.BAS ...... The source code for the digital clock and calendar in
                   QuickBasic 4.5. Must load with /L option. See end of file.
  
  CLOCK.EXE ...... The executable file for the digital clock and calendar. No
                   manual is included as the clock setup by a menu. A little
                   additional information is included later on in this file.
  
  EGGTIMER.BAS ... The source code for the one minute eggtimer with graphic
                   clock layout and alarm in QuickBasic 4.5.  This was snipped
                   out of the Shareware version.
  
  PLOTTER.BAS .... The source code for the strip chart plotting system in
                   QuickBasic 4.5.
  
  PLOTTER.DOC .... The manual for the strip chart plotting system, covers
                   operation and basic information required for use.
  
  PLOTTER.EXE .... A "standarized" version of the plotting program.
  
  IR-COMM.BAS .... The infrared communicator source code in QuickBasic 4.5.
  
  IR-COMM.EXE .... A "standardized" twelve channel IR communicator for the
                   prototype equipment shown in the photo.
  
  RF-COMM.BAS .... The radio remote communicator source code in QuickBasic 4.5.
  
  RF-COMM.EXE .... A "standardized" five channel radio remote communicator for
                   the prototype equipment shown in the photo.
  
  PB-COMM.BAS .... The manual switch remote communicator source code in
                   QuickBasic 4.5.
  
  PB-COMM.EXE .... A "standardized eight channel manual switch controlled remote
                   communicator for the prototype equipment shown in the photo.
  
  ALL-COMM.DOC ... The infrared, radio and manual switch input remote
                   communicator manual. Discusses equipment sources,
                   construction, operation and use techniques.
  
  TOTALZER.BAS ... A counting digital totalizer for contact inputs source code
                   in QuickBasic 4.5.
  
  TOTALZER.DOC ... The manual for the totalizer applications.
  
  TOTALZER.EXE ... The compiled executable large digit digital totalizer driven
                   by a contact input into the gamecard connector box. The file
                   has menu configuration and setup for the application.
  
  TOTSHEEP.BAS ... The source code for a demonstration keyboard entry fun type
                   totalizer in QuickBasic 4.5.
  
  TOTSHEEP.EXE ... The executable file of the manual keyboard entry sheep
                   counting demonstration totalizer.
  
  PHOTO#3 .......  Information file describing what the enclosed photo
                   marked #3 shows.
  
  WEATHER.EXE ...  The integrated weather, monitoring and control program.
                   Previously included files on the Registered Version 2.0
                   GOSEND.BAT & SEND.EXE must be on the default drive to use
                   this program. If not using temperature monitoring, gamecard
                   input connector box STICK(2) & STICK(3) must have no
                   inputs. If using temperature monitoring, a RAM drive method
                   must be used and the "look-up" control files must be named
                   as per the manual. READ the manual WEATHER.DOC first before
                   attempting to use this program. Improper set-up will cause
                   possible system crashes and the EXE file may be damaged.
                   Note: The top section of the Main Module of the source code
                   WEATHER.BAS has a very good summary of the connections,
                   file naming and conditions/setup to run this program. The
                   DOS file COMMAND.COM must be available if running from a
                   RAM drive using the temperature inputs.
  
                   Before racing in and "test trying" the program as many are
                   wont to do, read the the manual. The program set-up MUST be
                   exact or it will not run. Improper set-up at the best will
                   give a "PROGRAM/DEVICE ERROR" message window and you will
                   have great difficultly breaking out of the program. A lot of
                   banging on Ctrl/Break, ESC and pressing F10 and Enter may
                   get you out. At worst you will cause damage to the EXE file
                   and it will no longer be useable. The onboard error
                   handling routines will not protect in every situation.
  
  WEATHER.BAS ...  Source code for the weather program in QuickBasic 4.5. This
                   program must be loaded into QuickBasic using the /L option.
                   Example:  QB WEATHER/L
  
  WEATHER.DOC ...  The manual for the weather program. Covers system
                   operation, customizing and provides the background needed
                   to understand all functions. READ THIS MANUAL FIRST.
  
  WEATRUN .......  Documented code source of Procedure WeatherRun of 
                   WEATHER.BAS. This is the most important procedure of
                   the program. Its understanding is vital in customizing 
                   or adding additional features to the program.
  
  
  EXMTIMER.BAS ... The source code for a demonstration "standard" software
                   timer design for building automation time delays.
  
  EXMTIMER.EXE ... An executable demonstration "standard" software timer
                   example timer shows a number of the timers features.
  
  EXMTIMER.DOC ... The documentation explaining what the "standard" timer
                   design is about and explains the use of EXMTIMER.EXE and
                   EXMTIMER.BAS

 
  A WORD  OF CAUTION  - The TOOL-BOX  generally assumes you  have mastered the
  registered version techniques, have built an input connector box, calibrated
  the gamecard and have working analog and contact inputs.
  
  Control work in general requires a much more disciplined approach. The setup
  and  prerequisites  must   be  very  well   understood  to  get   a  working
  installation.
  
  The  TOOL-BOX  has   compiled  and  menu   driven  programs  but   for  some
  installations,  these  are  considered  a "standardized  version".  A better
  result may be had in certain conditions by minor modifications to the source
  code  and  recompiling  to  custom  tailor   to  a  particular  computer  or
  calibration scheme.
  
  In general the  prerequisities are spelled  out for running  the programs in
  menus, the manuals and on the source code versions.
  
  Over time it has  been made clear to  me that there are  users who tear into
  software without reading the instructions.  They try of absorb the functions
  of the  software  on the cheap,  usually using  the master  as shipped disk,
  resulting in damage or alterations by them to files to "get it to work".
  
  Then the follow up,  after a totally futile thrashing about is to return the
  damaged master disk to me with a scrawled note "The disk don't work, damaged
  in shipment".  To try and  head off as  much of that as possible,  here is a
  guideline to follow for those who just can't wait.
  
  Make a backup working copy of the master disk.
  
  These files can be run without any supporting files. Play with these without
  any preparation:
  
  
    BIGFIGS.EXE
    CLOCK.EXE
    TOTSHEEP.EXE
    EXMTIMER.EXE
  
    These files  can  use simulated inputs  using a joystick  under
    certain well understood conditions:
  
    TOTALZER.EXE (a joystick pushbutton gives a good simulation)
  
    GPHMETER.EXE    (These two programs require supporting files to run as a
    PLOTTER.EXE      simulation. Details are given below.)
  
    WEATHER.EXE (a joystick can give a partial simulation, wind
                 direction & speed, program MUST be setup as
                 noted in manual WEATHER.DOC. Setup is critical)
  
   
  If using the joystick,  the analog channels available  are probably Stick(0)
  and  Stick(1)  and pushbuttons  A1  and A2.  So try  entering  those as  the
  channels to  monitor first.  It may be difficult  to determine exactly which
  channel is  which.  This method  can  give you  an advanced peek  into these
  extended capabilities.  Nothing beats  building the  connector box and using
  real analog inputs as intended by the programs.

  
  Another  way  to  determine  which  contact input  is which,  is to  run the
  included program of the registered version, CONTACT.EXE. 

  This program is in QuickBasic  and will identify  a contact input  as to its
  software identification name.  This is very  useful if  trying to simulate a
  contact   input   into   TOTALZER.EXE.   CONTACT.EXE   gives   the   correct
  identification name when a pushbutton is pushed.
  
  None of the files involving graphics will run on a monochrome system without
  first loading some type of SIMCGA utility.  Most users of monochrome systems
  should be familiar  with this requirement.  The simulation of color graphics
  utilities allows a  monochrome system to  look like a color graphics system.
  No utility is included as all of the good ones are copyrighted material. The
  shareware distribution system has a number of  these utilities if you do not
  have one.  In general the performance on monochrome  systems for the type of
  software like the TOOL-BOX is poor.
  
  The GPHMETER.EXE AND PLOTTER.EXE require the control data files generated by
  the curve generators of  the registered version.  The files must be named as
  noted in  the set-up  menus of each program.  There the joystick  really can
  only be subsituted for the actual analog measurement if the prior generation
  work  has  been  done.  It  is  not  very  effective  because  the  joystick
  resistances are not usually broad enough to give a good simulation.
  
  Another  reminder,  you  must  use  a  working  copy  disk  when  attempting
  simulations to  see how  the programs  work.  All control type  programs can
  suffer file damage due to interrupted operations. NEVER use the master disks
  for anything but to make working backup copies.
  
  The communicator programs are  difficult to simulate.  To understand and use
  them just about requires  a through reading  of the manual  and building the
  equipment.  The manual (ALL-COMM.DOC)  does give some instructions for those
  daring folks  who  just have  to get the  advanced peek.  The set-up  of the
  simulation is a bit involved and exact. Read the manual for instructions.
  
  It also may help to run the included EXE files of the communicator programs.
  They have a  menu set-up instruction  which tells what other conditions must
  be met to use this type of program.
  
  For those who would peruse the source code.  All variables starting with the
  letter Z are computed values.  Kind of an old Indian trick by not defining Z
  as an integer  all variables starting  with Z can  be long values.  Care has
  been taken between modules in variable and other naming, so most modules can
  be used together without error. If modules are integrated together and an
  error occurs,  the highest probability is that is caused by identical naming
  in both modules.  Many modules were used as the base for generation of other
  modules and it is possible identical naming still exists.
  
  One final word,  no manual is included for the digital clock.  The operation
  is setup and configured  via a menu system.  If you have  the QuickBasic 4.5
  programming envirnoment the chimes can be changed to anything of your choice
  by  modifying  the  ChimeStrike  procedure  of the  source  code file.  Then
  recompile the source  code using QuickBasic.  This file must  be loaded into
  QuickBasic with the /L Option. Like this For drive A. Example: QB A:CLOCK/L
 

