LaserTome 1.0 Rick Spurlock (c) 1991 Description: LaserTome is a printing utility that runs under Windows. LaserTome takes plain-text files, signaturing them in booklet form, and then printing them on a LaserJet IIP or compatible printer. It is ideal for the many "readme" files and manuals that come with programs. It will turn any plain-text file into a neatly formatted manual. A file-viewer allows the viewing of a file prior to signaturing or printing. Options include add- ing file name, page numbers, and date headers, as well as descriptive names. Requirements: LaserTome requires a 286 or higher, Windows 3.0, and a LaserJet IIP or compatible printer. It was specifically designed to work with the Hewlett Packard LaserJet IIP, although any LaserJet II compatible printer may be used. Distribution and Copyright: LaserTome is released as SHAREWARE. You may freely copy and distribute it. You are free to use LaserTome for a reasonable evaluation period, after which, if you continue to use LaserTome, you must register it. The author retains all copyrights to LaserTome. The registration fee is $10.00 Installation: The file VBRUN100.DLL should be placed in your path, preferably in your Windows' directory. The remaining files can be placed anywhere. The following is a list of the files that must be distributed with LaserTome: LASERT.EXE LaserTome executable LASERT.TXT This manual REGISTER.TXT Registration form VBRUN100.DLL Run-time dynamic link library Directions: Select a plain-text file for printing. Pushing "Start Printing" will begin the signaturing process - but will still offer the option of stop- ping before printing. This gives you an opportunity to make sure you still want to print that 500 page file, or at least make sure you have the paper for it. If you elect to continue after the sheet/page count, make sure that your laser is on, and has paper before pressing "Yes." If your printer does duplex printing - forget it, because LaserTome won't use it (mainly because MY LJIIP doesn't). Ideally you should use the manual feed tray on you laser, with the output selected to the tray directly above it - the first pass will then be deposited printed side up. When LaserTome tells you to move the printed sheets back to the tray, MAKE SURE THAT YOU TAKE THEM IN THE SAME ORDER, WITHOUT ROTATING. When they are back in the feed tray, printed side up, press "OK" to begin the second pass. For IIP's the second pass should output onto the rear tray - this will set up the proper order of pages for you to fold into booklet form. Some experimentation may be necessary for other than IIP's, as to the best input/output tray order etc. If you have other than a IIP, drop me a line and let me know how you set it up (if possible, send this document, printed on your printer). Limitations: Although LaserTome has a maximum capacity of 512 pages, you may find it difficult to "bind" anything more than 100 pages. The manual feed tray on a LJIIP is limited to 50 sheets which would result in 200 pages (unless you are fast at feeding additional sheets in). The file-viewer is limited to files no larger than 64k in size, but obviously the signaturing and printing facilities of Lasertome are not subject to the same limitation. Options: Print To File: Will prompt for a OUTPUT file name, and then send the output to a file (this will be escape codes, and text). To later print this file - from the DOS command line type: Copy [filename] LPT1 (where filename is the name of the file to which you sent your OUTPUT). Using Windows to print this file affects some of the escape codes - so use DOS. Also, when printing this file, make sure that when the sheet/page count dialog comes up, you note the sheet number and when printing, ONLY HAVE THE EXACT NUMBER OF SHEETS IN THE FEED, THAT THE FILE REQUIRES. This way, you can print side 2 on the same sheets (all this gyration is unnecessary unless you use this option). Headers: There are four different header options. You can include the current date, the filename, a descriptive title, and page numbers. You may select any, or all of these, with the exception, that "Include A File Name" and "Add a Descriptive Title" are mutually exclusive. Line Wrap: This uses the LJ's built it line wrap feature - set at 80 characters. Most plain text files will already be set within this 80 characters, but if the file you select has lines that don't fit within the 80 character limit, those lines will be truncated, unless "Line Wrap" is selected. When "Line Wrap" is selected, characters extending beyond 80 characters are wrapped to the next line. Note: this is line wrap NOT word wrap. Save Configuration: This will save your current options to disk. Help: F1 calls up a description of the options. Support: Prodigy (wvpm25a) either use private E-mail, or open a topic on LaserTome (addressed to me) on the PC Club Bulletin Board. CIS (70314,3271) I only log on occasionally - too expensive. Registration: To register, send $10.00 to: Rick Spurlock 4844 Truesdale Place Charlotte, NC 28277 Comments and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged. When you register, please use the accompanying REGISTER.TXT, and be sure to include your suggestions to improve LaserTome. Acknowledgements: LaserJet is a trademark of Hewlett Packard Windows is a trademark of Microsoft 286 WAS a trademark of Intel Maranatha!