ABOUT FLEXPAD AND GETTING STARTED NOTES Version 2.0 January 1997 Welcome to FLEXPAD. The FLEXPAD documentation consists of this file, the online help file (FLEXPAD.HLP) and the upgrade highlights list (UPGRADE.TXT). They be viewed by any program which reads DOS text files, including FLEXPAD. It is recommended that you read this file before installing FLEXPAD and use the online help file as needed to learn about its features. There is also a Flexpad formated file, TOUR.FLP, which you can read with FLEXPAD to get a quick guide to the more commonly used features. Except for editing data or deleting entries, there is very little permanent damage that you can cause by experimenting with the different menu choices. In most all situations, pressing F1 will show the portion of the help file that relates to what you are doing. You can read the rest of the file by using the cursor keys and you can search it by keywords. -----What is FLEXPAD?---- FLEXPAD is fundamentally a text editor with a toolbox of labels that you can add to the text anyplace you desire in order to make the text file into an appointment, todo and information manager. Once you apply the labels to your text, you can view them in various ways. Most such programs allow you to attach only one appointment or other label to a paragraph of text. FLEXPAD allows you to put as many labels as you desire anywhere you want them--in the middle of a word if you'd like. You can also have paragraphs without any labels. FLEXPAD can run under MS-DOS on desktop PCs, laptops and palmtops. Windows is not required, however Flexpad runs fine under Windows 3.x and Windows 95 (and most likely Win NT as well--I've just not tested it). -----Key Features---- þ You can insert labels for: Appointments Single day Repeating on selected or all days of the week between specified dates Repeating every ___ days or weeks Repeating on specified day of one or more months (1st of every month, 24th of March, etc.) Repeating on specified 1st, 2nd, ... last specified day of one or more months (2nd and 4th Monday of every month, last Monday in May, etc.) Todos Single day or repeating as for appointments, above Todos can be assigned one of 9 priority levels. By default the levels are numbered from 1 to 9 but you can change them to short labels of your own if you desire. You can change an appointment into a todo and back again with a simple press of F3 while you are editing the label Category 99 category labels are available. Similar to todo priorities, they default to 1 to 99 but you can customize them Bookmark This label marks a place in the file so you can jump back to it quickly via the bookmark view Section This label is intended to mark the start of a new subject in the file. Use it to logically group text into subject areas þ Labels wouldn't be of much use unless you can view them in a coherent way. FLEXPAD offers the following views of your file: Text All text and labels in the order that they appear in the file With a keypress, you can suppress display of the labels Day The appointments for a single day, followed by all todos due on or before that day which have not been marked as done Week A week's worth of appointments (no todos) Month A month's worth of appointments (no todos) Monthgraph A graphical (timebar) display of the month's appointments showing blocks of time that occupied and overlapping appointments. As you move the cursor over an occupied time slot, the appointment(s) text is shown at the bottom of the screen Weekly and Monthly Grids (calendar-like format) showing a week's or month's appointments Only Each instance of a specified search phrase in the file Sections Each section label in the file Preview The appointments and todos first coming during the week beginning on the view date Overdue Todos marked as having a fixed deadline (rather than simple "target" dates on or before the view date Archivable Appointments that will not show on or after the search date and all todos that have been checked off Done todos All todos that have been checked off Priority Todos marked with the specified priority level Category Category labels of the specified type Bookmarks All bookmark entries All Shows all labels, todo labels, category labels or paragraphs in the file þ With the labels and views to choose from, you should have no trouble designing an appointment/reminder scheme to meet your needs. þ Entry of dates, whether in entries or the goto function, is much more convenient and flexible: þ One or two-letter codes represent Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, the days of the Week following the current date, or the date of the appointment or todo the cursor is on. For example T gives today's date, TM gives tomorrow, We gives the Wednesday after the system date, -We gives the Wednesday before the system date, etc. þ A single number in the range 1-31 goes to that day following the current date (On October 30, "9" is translated to November 9) þ A month and day without a year will go to the next year if the month is prior to the current month. þ Date Math: add "--" or "++" after a date specification and the date will be set to the specified date adjusted by the number of days you've specified. Thus "9--20" on Oct 30, 1992 returns 10/20/92, as does "to[day]--10. This is great for pegging deadlines to a future event. þ A pop-up calendar shows one month at a time and allows you to specify the date with the cursor keys. þ Where appropriate, the Week of the Year is shown, a popular feature for our European users. (There is some difficulty in determining a universal formula for determining the week number, which hopefully will be worked out by the next release. For now, use caution with this feature.) þ Changing the display date is more flexible. In Daily view "+" and "-" adjust the date by one day and the left and right arrows adjust the date by 1 week. The calendar picker may be used as well. In the Monthly view, "+" and "-" change the displayed month. þ Configuration options, including: þ Date format (MM/DD/YY or DD/MM/YY) þ Time format (12 or 24 hours) þ AutoPM function automatically converts times before a specified hour to PM times on the assumption that is what you meant. You can override this by adding "a" to your entry. þ Whether to automatically save unsaved data when quitting the program or switching to another application when loaded as a TSR. þ Default alarm lead time (0-240 minutes or OFF). þ Default todo priority and category label settings. þ Whether to ignore alarm settings (useful for those not using the built-in alarm functions of the HP Palmtops Note to HP Palmtop (95LX/100LX/200LX) users: FLEXPAD is designed to allow use on PC compatible computers from as small as the HP 95LX to the most powerful desktop. Its screen dimensions are adjustable from 40 by 16 characters to 80 by 25 characters. 95LX: On the HP 95LX Palmtop, it is effectively Sysmgr compliant when run as a TSR and invoked with the supplied .EXM calling routine. This mode offers task switching between FLEXPAD and SYSMGR applications. A small DOS program (CALLABKT.EXE) allows the same capability from the DOS prompt, making it possible for you to access FLEXPAD from DOS (i.e., after shelling to DOS from another program) without having to exit back to SYSMGR. You can also use a standard loader program to run FLEXPAD over all but Lotus if you don't want to keep it in memory. It can also be run from DOS, either on the 95LX when Sysmgr isn't active or on other PC's or palmtops. Thus one program can operate in varied situations; the choice of the optimal setup is up to you. 100/200LX: On these palmtops, it is best to run FLEXPAD as you would any other DOS program. Create an entry for it in APP Manager (this process is described below) or run it from File Manager. The best way to discover all of the features FLEXPAD has to offer is to try it out, exploring the menus and function keys and reading the remainder of this file and the help file. Flexpad can create a secondary file of alarm events for use by the built-in alarm function on the 95/100/200LX. For details, see the discussion under "[How to:] send alarms to the HP Palmtops" in the file TOUR.FLP. -----Files you will need---- All users: FLEXPAD.EXE the program itself README.TXT this file FLEXPAD.HLP the on-line help file UPGRADE.TXT description of changes since version 1.0 REGISTER.TXT registration form Optional files: TOUR.FLP gives hints for performing common FLEXPAD functions Additional files specific to the HP 95LX(100LX/200LX) Palmtops ABK2FLP.EXE conversion program for .ABK files to FLEXPAD's format FPLC.EXM, FPLA.EXM "loader" files FLPCALL.EXM TSR calling program (for Sysmgr compatibility) SAMPLE.LST sample APNAME.LST file for 95LX (must be edited before use) CONFIG.SAM, AUTOEXEC.SAM sample config.sys and autoexec.bat files CALLFLP.EXE TSR calling program for use from DOS FLEXPAD.ICN icon for use with the 100/200LX APP Manager ADB2FLP.EXE conversion program for 100/200LX .adb files (use ADBDUMP first) ADB2FLP.DOC instructions for using ADB2FLP to convert .adb files ADBDUMP.EXE freeware program (courtesy of Andreas Garzotto) that converts 100/200LX appointment book (.adb) files into a format that ADB2FLP can read. The full package, including documentation and source code is available as ADBIO.ZIP on Compuserve's HPHANDHELDS forum. -----Latest version----- The latest version of Flexpad will be posted in Library 11 of the HPHANDHELDS forum on Compuserve and on the Internet (ftp: eddie.mit.edu:21/pub/hp95lx/NEW/FLEXPAD.ZIP). Alternatively you can request in on disk from the author (include $5 US for shipping and handling to North America, $8 US for the rest of the world. -----History---- I've been using the HP 95LX Palmtop since 1992. Not satisfied with its built-in appointment book program, in February, 1993 I released ABKTool, a shareware program that edits and views the native .ABK appointment files on the 95LX. Over several updates ABKTool went about as far as it could, given the limitations of the .ABK format, to make appointment and todo tracking as convenient as possible. To move beyond the limitations of the .ABK format, I've written FLEXPAD. Among its benefits over ABKTool are: Entries are no longer limited in size to 12 lines of 40 characters File size is no longer limited to approximately 40kb Multiple appointment, todo or other labels can be attached to the same portion of text Repeating appointments are more flexible Separate lables for Sections, Categories and Bookmarks are available Todos can have any of the repeating appointment date attributes rather than being one-time only. Screen display size can be adjusted from 40 by 16 (95LX) to 80 by 25 (100/200LX) While I was focussed on the HP Palmtops in developing FLEXPAD, part of the design intention was to create an application that would also run on other PC compatible computers so that one could easily move one's data from the Palmtop to the desktop without losing access to the data. Because its disk storage and RAM requirements are relatively modest, FLEXPAD also fits well onto older laptop and desktop computers. -----Legal Stuff---- The FLEXPAD program and documentation are Copyright (c) 1996 Paul Kramer, all rights reserved worldwide. They may not be circulated in any incomplete or modified form, nor sold for profit, without written permission of the author. The use or sale of FLEXPAD is subject to the following terms: Disclaimer: YOU USE FLEXPAD AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT WARRANT THE SUITABILITY OF FLEXPAD FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND RESULTING FROM ITS USE. -----Registration---- If, after a 30 day trial period, you find FLEXPAD useful and intend to use it you must register it (see the file REGISTER.TXT) and pay the $35 registration fee. Site licenses are available for users of more than 5 copies of FLEXPAD. Please contact the author for details. You may also register via Compuserve's Shareware Registration Database. While logged on to Compuserve, type GO SWREG and follow the instructions. FLEXPAD's registration ID is 8960. If you elect to register using SWREG, Compuserve will add the registration fee to your next billing, subtract a 15% service charge and send the rest to me. You will receive your registration information via Compuserve Mail shortly after I am notified by Compuserve of your registration. Once you are registered, you are authorized to use FLEXPAD on any computer owned or operated by you so long as no more than one copy is in use at any one time. FLEXPAD may be distributed by software distribution services so long as only the .ZIP file is distributed intact and the charge for such service does not exceed $8. -----INSTALLATION/SETUP---- To install FLEXPAD, copy the appropriate files to your disk. You can run FLEXPAD from the DOS command prompt by typing "FLEXPAD". The program uses its own configuration file (FLEXPAD.CFG). On startup, this file is looked for in the C:\ and, if not found, created with the standard default settings. You can tell that the CFG file was not found if at startup FLEXPAD tells you your data file was not found and an empty file was created. On computers where you can not write to the C: drive because it is on ROM, write protected or doesn't exist, or where you want the config file to reside somewhere else, add the command line switch "/c:[drive]:[directory] when you start FLEXPAD (i.e., /c:d:\, /c:d\data\). Alternatively you can assign the appropriate directory path to the DOS environment variable "FLPCFG" by adding "set flpcfg=[drive]:\[directory]" to your autoexec.bat file. If you attempt to use both methods, the command line setting will override the environment setting. FLEXPAD remembers the name of the last 10 files you worked with and will reopen the most recently used file when you restart it. You can override this feature by specifying a file on the command line when you start FLEXPAD: FLEXPAD /f:[file path\name] This new file name will be recorded in the config file for use the next time you start FLEXPAD without the /F: switch. The FLEXPAD.EXE program file can be placed in any directory, however it expects to find its help file (FLEXPAD.HLP) on the root directory of drive C: (C:\). You can change the location of the helpfile on the Settings|File submenu if necessary. ------------HP 95LX---------- The following procedures are applicable ONLY to the HP 95LX Palmtop. Using a loader. Loaders are used only with the HP95LX. They allow you to start FLEXPAD while SYSMGR programs (excepting 123) are running by pressing a hot-key. Two loaders are included. ABKTC.EXM expects to find FLEXPAD on the root directory of your C: drive and ABKTA.EXM expects to find it on the root of the A: drive. FLEXPAD.HLP (the help file) must be in C:\ unless you modify the default setting (see above). You must copy the appropriate loader to your 95LX and add or modify your APNAME.LST file to refer to it. See the sample file (SAMPLE.LST); the file should be modified as described therein, renamed as APNAME.LST and copied to the C:\_DAT subdirectory if the programs are to reside in C:\ or the A:\ subdirectory if they will be in A:\. These files assign FLEXPAD to the Alt-APPT key. Back up your data to be safe and reboot. (Loaders are courtesy Dave Goodman's LDRMKR utility available on Compuserve's HPHANDS forum). TSR Installation: FLEXPAD is loaded as a TSR and invoked via the ABKTCALL.EXM 95LX Sysmgr compliant calling program or the CALLABKT.EXE DOS program. It can be called up over all Sysmgr programs, including Lotus 123. This is more convenient than using the regular loaders because: Regular loaders require that you quit Lotus before they will work If run via a regular loader, FLEXPAD must be completely exited (and all data saved) before you can return to one of the active Sysmgr applications; the TSR remains in memory, ready for immediate use without delay to reload data, and you can specify whether it should automatically save unsaved data when you switch to another application, prompt you to save, or just exit. To set up as a TSR, you must copy ABKCALL.EXM to your 95LX and make the appropriate key assignment in your APNAME.LST file as is described above for regular loaders. In addition, you must load FLEXPAD with the "/R" command line switch; this is best done from an autoexec.bat file on booting your computer--add that line to your existing AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If you don't have an AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you can rename the AUTOEXEC.SAM sample file included with FLEXPAD. It must be copied to your a:\ (if you have one) or c:\ directory along with the supplied CONFIG.SAM (which must be renamed CONFIG.SYS). Note: When used as a TSR over HP95LX Sysmgr programs, you exit FLEXPAD to return to the underlying application by selecting Menu|Quit or F2 or one of the blue application keys. FLEXPAD will remain in the background (you can never truly "quit" it while its a TSR) until you press its hot key again. To avoid memory fragmentation, it is best to load FLEXPAD as a TSR before invoking Sysmgr. This is most conveniently accomplished by including the command "FLEXPAD /R" in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. For those occasions where you need to free up more memory you can reboot; FLEXPAD provides a short time window during which you can press Escape to bypass TSR installation. From DOS, you can run the CALLABKT program from the DOS prompt. For example, you could be in the middle of a DOS program such as Grandview and want to check your calendar. You would shell to DOS from Grandview and invoke CALLABKT to wake up FLEXPAD. When you're done, you would exit FLEXPAD via F2 and type "exit" to return to Grandview. This process could even be automated via a batch file containing the following commands: callabkt exit ---------HP 100/200LX Palmtops----- The 95LX TSR strategy will not work on the 100/200LX due to changes in the way its Application Manager works. Because the 100/200 can switch between one DOS program and the built-in programs, an improvement over the 95LX, it is not really necessary to use FLEXPAD as a TSR. In fact, doing so might be inconvenient because you would have to shut down all your applications and reboot your palmtop in the event you find you need to free additional memory for another application. The best approach on the 100/200, then, is to run FLEXPAD from APP Manager. To set it up to do so, press the "&..." blue button and then F2 to add an application. Fill in the boxes as follows and press F10 when you're done. Name: Fle&xpad (the "&" makes X the shortcut key) Path: [path where FLEXPAD.EXE is located]FLEXPAD.EXE Leave the rest of the boxes alone. (If you desire, you can activate FLEXPAD's custom icon. Copy FLEXPAD.ICN to the directory where FLEXPAD.EXE resides and then edit the APP Manager entry you created above, selecting the tabbed notebook icon in the Icon window at the bottom of the screen.) Once you've created an application Icon in APP Manager, you can start FLEXPAD by pressing the "&..." button and then "X". To switch from FLEXPAD to another application, press the appropriate blue button or select an application after pressing "&...". You can return to FLEXPAD by pressing Ctrl and the 123 button. If you find that FLEXPAD needs more memory or refuses to load, try adding "|250" to the end of the Path entry shown above. This tells APP Manager to make 250kb of memory available to FLEXPAD. -----Additional Notes---- If you wish to convert existing .ABK files from the HP 95LX (or created by converting the data from another program to the .ABK format via a program like Intellink) use ABK2FLP.EXE, supplied to you with FLEXPAD as follows: ABK2FLP [name of file to convert] FLEXPAD runs on any IBM PC or compatible. The viewing screen is adjustable from 40 by 16 to 80 by 25 characters via the Settings|Screen |Width/Height selections. Screen writes are directly to video memory so users of Desqview or Windows must make the appropriate configuration setting to indicate this. FLEXPAD does not require that its data files have any particular extension. I use ".FLP" for convenience to distinguish them from other files. FLEXPAD will easily edit pure text files and may be able to edit other files with proprietary formats although there is a chance for confusion and results cannot be predicted in such an event. The only file you absolutely need to have on your computer is FLEXPAD.EXE. It will make its own .CFG file if none is present. You will probably want to consult that help file as you start to use FLEXPAD, however. It is context sensitive and contains a great deal of useful information and handy reminders about key functions and other topics. FLEXPAD is written in QuickBasic 4.5, using the PDQ link libraries from Crescent Software supplemented by additional assembly language routines for speed-sensitive functions. It is compressed using LZEXE and will benefit little or not at all from further compression. Compression reduces the .exe file size by roughly half and extracts at most a small speed penalty when loading. Depending on the amount of conventional DOS memory available, FLEXPAD can handle data files as large as 360kb or so. As file size grows, however, search times will lengthen so you are advised to archive older entries to another file as necessary. FLEXPAD can keep track of up to 4000 labels in the file; any more than that will result in incomplete searches but won't otherwise affect your data. Support: I haven't quit my day job and can't provide telephone support. The best way to reach me is by mail or Compuserve Email: Compuserve: Paul Kramer, 72276,3602 Internet: 72276.3602@compuserve.com Mail: Paul Kramer One Linden Place Woodland, CA 95695 USA Registration Information. See the file REGISTER.TXT. Future releases: If sufficient interest is expressed, future revisions will be released. Feature suggestions are welcome. I'm also thinking about a Windows version to complement this DOS version. Whether that will come to pass depends in part on your support. -----SPECIAL THANKS---- to Andrew Hilkowitz and Ralph Alvy, two very busy BETA testors who kept me busy adding features to Hal Goldstein and the Palmtop Paper for the loan of an HP200LX so that I could test the 200LX enhancements to Andreas Garzotto for writing the freeware .adb conversion utility ADBDUMP, which made it possible for me to write a conversion routine for 100/200LX appointment book files