==========================================================================
PRINTER BOSS V6.0 "MANUAL.TXT" FILE
==========================================================================
Updated 2/25/86

Printer Boss is being upgraded and improved on a continuous basis and 
it is impossible under these circumstances for us to keep the manual 
completely current. Please note the following changes or 
additions:


1) Your Printer Boss disk contains the following files...
   ======================================================

    README   .TXT  Boot-up instructions
    BOSS     .COM  Printer Boss program
    SIDELINE .COM  POP-UP sideways printing program
    BFONT    .COM  Font design program
    LOGO     .EXE  Logoboss logo design program
    BFONTMSE .MNU  Mouse driver    
    ABCBLOCK .FNT  Font data/ABCBlock font
    ARTDECO  .FNT  Font data/Art Deco font
    BOLD     .FNT  Font data/Bold font
    COMPUTER .FNT  Font data/Computer font
    DBLVIEW  .FNT  Font data/Doubleview font
    FATBOY   .FNT  Font data/Fatboy font
    FULLFONT .FNT  Font data/Full font for user redesign
    IBMAPL   .FNT  Font data/APL character set
    IBMATRIX .FNT  Font data/Matrix character set
    IBMGRAF1 .FNT  Font data/Graphics 1 character set
    IBMGRAF2 .FNT  Font data/Graphics 2 character set
    INVERSE  .FNT  Font data/Inverse font
    OLDENGL  .FNT  Font data/Old English font
    ORATION  .FNT  Font data/Oration font
    OUTLINE  .FNT  Font data/Outline font
    ROMAN    .FNT  Font data/Roman font
    SCRIPT   .FNT  Font data/Script font
    SCRNDUMP .FNT  Font data/IBM Screen character set
    SHADOW   .FNT  Font data/Shadow font
    ABCBLOCK .PRO  Proprinter font data/ABCBlock font
    ARTDECO  .PRO  Proprinter font data/Art Deco font
    BOLD     .PRO  Proprinter font data/Bold font
    COMPUTER .PRO  Proprinter font data/Computer font
    DBLVIEW  .PRO  Proprinter font data/Doubleview font
    FATBOY   .PRO  Proprinter font data/Fatboy font
    IBMAPL   .PRO  Proprinter font data/APL character set
    INVERSE  .PRO  Proprinter font data/Inverse font
    OLDENGL  .PRO  Proprinter font data/Old English font
    ORATION  .PRO  Proprinter font data/Oration font
    OUTLINE  .PRO  Proprinter font data/Outline font
    ROMAN    .PRO  Proprinter font data/Roman font
    SCRIPT   .PRO  Proprinter font data/Script font
    SHADOW   .PRO  Proprinter font data/Shadow font
    COURIER  .TWO  Font data/Two-pass LQ character set
    ORATOR   .TWO  Font data/Two-pass LQ character set
    SANSERIF .TWO  Font data/Two-pass LQ character set
    LDRAWING .LQ   LQ-1500 letter quality font
    IBMUPPER .LQ   LQ-1500 letter quality font
    IBMLOWER .LQ   LQ-1500 letter quality font
    SIDEFONT .T    Sideways font data
    SIDEFONT .VS   Sideways font data
    SIDEFONT .S    Sideways font data
    SIDEFONT .N    Sideways font data
    SIDEFONT .L    Sideways font data
    SIDEFONT .VL   Sideways font data
    SIDEFONT .LD   Sideways font data
    SHEET6   .PRN  Spreadsheet test file/6 rows 
    SHEET10  .PRN  Spreadsheet test file/10 rows
    SHEET100 .PRN  Spreadsheet test file/100 rows
    PRTBOSS  .HLP  Help screen data
    MATRTEST .TXT  Printable test file/Matrix character set
    GRF1TEST .TXT  Printable test file/Graphics 1 character set
    GRF2TEST .TXT  Printable test file/Graphics 2 character set
    SCRNTEST .TXT  Printable test file/Screen character set
    APLTEST  .TXT  Printable test file/APL character set
    BOXES    .TXT  Printable test file/Boxes
    MANUAL   .TXT  Updates on manual

2) Printer Compatibility
   =====================

Printer Boss is written for and tested on the Epson and IBM dot-matrix
printers, as follows:

Epson MX-80
Epson MX-100
Epson FX-80
Epson FX-100
Epson FX-85
Epson FX-185
Epson LX
Epson RX-80
Epson RX-100
Epson SQ-2000
Epson LQ-1500
IBM PC printer
IBM Graphics printer
IBM Proprinter

The Printer Boss menu lists only the Epson and IBM printer models when it
asks you to indicate the type of printer being driven, and the selection
that you make determines which options are offered and in some cases
determines the mode of operation of the program.  A little experimentation
(which cannot hurt your printer) will show you which menu choice works
best on your printer.  If in doubt, select "IBM Graphics" or "Epson MX"
printer on the Printer Boss menu for broadest compatibility with your
printer.  Don't hesitate to experiment.

Please keep in mind also that Printer Boss offers typewriter mode and 
printer setup string options which allow you to custom tailor the Printer 
Boss menu to your printer by entering your own codes, appropriate to the 
printer you are using. If your particular printer needs a special code, 
Printer Boss allows you to send it.

We offer the following incomplete list of printers which are reported by
their manufacturers to be IBM or Epson compatible (we cannot guarantee
compatibility of printers on this list, please call if you have
questions):


Printer                          Printer Boss menu selection
-------------------------------  --------------------------------
Centronics GLP                   Epson MX
Centronics H-80                  Epson MX
Centronics 351 PC                IBM Graphics
Centronics Printstation 240      Epson MX
Citizen MSP-10                   IBM Graphics
Citizen MSP-25                   IBM Graphics
Datasouth Personal Printer I     Epson MX
Datasouth Personal Printer II    Epson MX
Diablo P10-I                     Epson MX
Diablo P12                       Epson MX
Diablo P32                       Epson MX
Hewlett-Packard Thinkjet 2225    Epson MX
IBM Color Jetprinter             IBM Graphics
NEC P2 Pinwriter                 Epson MX
NEC P3 Pinwriter                 Epson MX
NEC PC-PR105A                    IBM Graphics
Okidata ML 92 w/plug&play        Epson MX
Okidata ML 93 w/plug&play        Epson MX
Okidata 2410                     Epson MX
Okidata Microline 182-IBM        IBM Graphics
Okidata Microline 192-IBM        IBM Graphics
Okidata Microline 193-IBM        IBM Graphics
Okidata Pacemark 2410            IBM Graphics
Olympia NP                       Epson MX
Panasonic KX-P1090               Epson FX
Panasonic KX-P1091               Epson FX
Panasonic KX-P1092               Epson FX
Panasonic KX-P1093               Epson FX
Panasonic KX-P1160               Epson FX
Printronix MVP-150C              Epson MX
Siemens PT-88                    Epson MX
SCM D-200                        IBM Graphics
SCM D-300                        IBM Graphics
Star Delta 10                    Epson MX
Star Delta 15                    Epson MX
Star Gemini 10X                  Epson MX
Star Gemini 15X                  Epson MX
Star Radix 10                    Epson MX
Star Radix 15                    Epson MX
Star Micronics SB-10             Epson MX
Star Micronics SD-15             IBM Graphics
Star Micronics SG-15             IBM Graphics
Star Micronics SR-15             Epson MX
Xerox Diablo 34LQ                IBM Graphics
And many others...


3) Filenames and directories
   =========================

Printer Boss and Sideline access files to store and retrieve font,
configuration, help and print files.  These files can be in different
subdirectories and/or drives from the current directory (the current
directory or drive being the one which was active when PRINTER BOSS or
SIDELINE was invoked). Two subdirectory settings may be required:

System Subdirectory:
This subdirectory is used for all font, configuration, help and font
building files, is set with "Shift-F3" in PRINTER BOSS or "Control-F4"
in SIDELINE and is usually set to a subdirectory in which you wish to
keep all your utility files.

User Print File Subdirectory:
This subdirectory is used for all user print files, is set with
"Shift-F5" in Printer Boss and "Control-F5" in SIDELINE and is less 
frequently set since your print files are typically in the current
directory.

The System Subdirectory and the User Print File Subdirectory settings (if
any) are stored as part of the configuration, which may be saved to disk.

When Printer Boss or Sideline ask for a font, configuration or print
filename, the subdirectory and/or drive to be used is displayed along with
the last filename given.  You may erase part or all of the displayed
pathname, and enter a filename or a complete pathname, as follows:

   "Backspace"   = Erase individual characters

   "Esc"         = Erase the whole filename

   "Right Arrow" = Recall erased filename

   "Del"         = Erase subdirectory or drive & filename

Note that if you erase the subdirectory, then the previous directory 
setting is also erased.  In any case, when you press return, the displayed 
path/filename is the one that will be used and remembered next time.

Pressing PgDn will cause the directory of the System or User Print File 
drive/subdirectory to be displayed.

   "PgDn"         = Display directory

If none were specified, the current drive/subdirectory will be displayed. 

You may select a displayed file by using the cursor keys (up, down, left,
right, home, end) and then pressing return.  PgDn, PgUp, Ctrl PgDn, Ctrl
PgUp, Ctrl Home, Ctrl End will move you to different display pages. 
Flashing up or down arrows in the upper left or lower right corners will
indicate that there are more directory pages.  You may escape out of the
directory display by pressing the Esc key.


4) Special instructions for SMARTWARE
   ==================================

SMART uses an unusual print format.  To get spreadsheets from SMARTWARE to 
print and glue properly you must follow these steps:

a) The number of rows in the print file must be less than or equal to the
number of print lines available for the particular sideways font.  The
following table portrays these maximums depending on paper size:

Paper Size             8x11           15x11

Tiny                     67             136
Very Small               63             127
Small                    63             127
Normal                   52             105
Large                    52             105
Very Large               47              95
Line Drawing             55             111

The above assumes the default line spacing, top margin, and bottom margin.  
If the defaults are not used, you will need to reduce the maximums 
accordingly.

If the spreadsheet has more rows than the maximums, you will have to print 
multiple times.

b) Set the Printer Boss glueing options as follows:

    Noumber of Rows Long = Number of rows up to above maximums
    Top Skip             = 0
    Print Area           = Number of Rows long from above minus 3
    Bottom Skip          = 3

   For example, for a 28-row spreadsheet the glueing options would be set:

    Number of Rows Long  = 28
    Top Skip             = 0
    Print Area           = 25
    Bottom Skip          = 3

c) Set the right margin under Configuration in Main Menu to 76


5) TWISTER function
   ================

A new feature called "TWISTER" has been added to Printer Boss and SIDELINE 
which will "TWIST" 15x11 format outputs to 
fit 8-1/2x11 paper.

TWISTER may be invoked as a special Paper Size selection option under
sideways printing options.  When TWISTER is engaged, the sideways printing
subsystem will issue a form feed after 66 sideways lines are printed and
it will recognize the tab and formfeed control characters. 

TWISTER is particularly useful for printing output, originally designed
for 15x11 paper, sideways on 8x11 paper (as an alternative to compressed
print).  Applications of TWISTER would be for accounting system reports
or other applications program listings.

When selected, TWISTER will engage the Tiny font since it is most
appropriate for this type printing. You may, however, override the Tiny
font selection with another choice after TWISTER is selected.

TWISTER may also be used to "page break" spreadsheet reports, and you
would do this simply by placing a form feed control in the first column
of your spreadsheet.  In Lotus 123 Version 2 it is possible to insert
printer codes in your spreadsheet.  To insert a form feed put the following
characters (between the quotes) in the first column of the row where you
wish the page break: "||\012".

Glueing is not available with the TWISTER option.


6) SIDELINE "&" Command Line Parameters
   ====================================

SIDELINE provides for a number of startup parameters to be specified
through the use of the ampersand sign character followed by a letter code. 
For example, "SIDELINE &x", engages SIDELINE but does not load it into
memory as a RAM-resident program.  You may put the "&" commands in a batch
file, of course.  Please see your manual.


7) Printer Boss & Sideline Font Files
   ==================================

There are a number of font files provided with PRINTER BOSS and SIDELINE.  
These font files are of several different types and are identified by their 
filename extension:

  .FNT        These are "normal" draft-quality fonts which may be
              downloaded to Epson FX series or compatible printers. Normally, 
              Printer Boss will use these fonts in graphics mode for all 
              printers.

  .PRO        These are "normal" quality fonts which may be downloaded only
              to the IBM Proprinter, and can be printed in either draft or
              NLQ (near letter quality).  Printer Boss will ask you which
              quality you prefer. (You may also use the ASCIIswitch feature
              with the .PRO fonts to allow 256 download characters to be
              printed on the IBM Proprinter (see discussion below concerning
              the ASCIIswitch feature).

  .TWO        These are two-pass near-letter-quality fonts.  These fonts 
              will be used if Two-Pass-Quality printing is selected in 
              Printer Boss.  These fonts will work on all printers except 
              Epson MX series or others lacking quad density graphics.

  .LQ         These are 24-pin download fonts designed for the 
              Epson LQ series of printers.  These fonts may be used in a 
              normal download fashion or with Printer Boss' special "ASCIIswitch" 
              function.  ASCIIswitch provides the ability to have both the 
              high quality LQ series built in font and the download load 
              available on a dynamic basis.  If ASCIIswitch is on, 128 is 
              subtracted from codes in the print stream that are greater 
              than 128 and the download set is engaged.  If the code in 
              the print stream is less than 128, the normal built in font 
              is used.  The PRINTER BOSS manual explains more about 
              ASCIIswitch.

              A special .LQ font is provided called IBMUPPER.LQ which is 
              designed to be used with ASCIIswitch.  The use of 
              IBMUPPER.LQ together with ASCIIswitch will provide most of 
              the full IBM display screen character set including the line 
              drawing characters.  A few will be missing or subsituting 
              with others where the ASCII value coincides with control 
              codes.  Feel free to reassign or change individual 
              characters using the font builder. Remember to set line 
              spacing to 20/180 to close up boxes if you use the line 
              drawing characters. A sample font of the lower characters, 
              IBMLOWER.LQ, is provided to help you get started on letter 
              quality font building.

  SIDELINE.X  These are sideways fonts designed to be used with sideways 
              printing.  The extension corresponds to the size of the 
              characters.  The names are special and should not be 
              changed.  You may change or design your sideways fonts but 
              the name has to correspond to the font size.


8) Instructions for Thinkjet
   =========================

The Hewlett-Packard ThinkJet has a dipswitch setting which allows the
printer to emulate the IBM Graphics Printer.  This setting must be used
with PRINTER BOSS or SIDELINE.  On the "Printer Type" menu in Printer Boss
and SIDELINE, select "IBM Graphics Printer".  In addition, in the sideways
printing menu, set the paper size to 11x8.  The latter setting will
compensate for the smaller than usual print size of the ThinkJet.  You may
also need to add extra intercharacter spacing (try a value of 3 instead of
the normal 2).


9) Instructions for the IBM-compatible printers
   ============================================

Printer Boss and Sideline are written for and tested on the Epson and IBM
dot-matrix printers which appear on the menus.  They will, of course, run
on any compatibles.  There are many printers on the market which claim to
be Epson or IBM compatible, but in our tests we have found the
compatibility to be less than complete in many cases.  In particular, we
have found many inconsistencies between the manuals and actual printer
operation where graphics printing and downloading of character sets is 
concerned.

If you have a "compatible", we suggest first trying the "IBM Graphics
Printer" selection on the menu, and then trying some of the other
selections to see which works best for your printer.

In particular, note that the IBM Graphics Printer
setting uses a lower-speed sideways printing method.  A higher
performance method is used for the other printer settings.  Because of
this, it might be better to use the IBM Proprinter setting for sideways
printing even if you have the actual IBM Graphics printer.


10) "Lock-On" auto print file feature
     ================================

A new SIDELINE command-line startup parameter, "&L", has been added which
will cause the "auto print file" feature to lock on and iterate.  All
files sent to the printer after invoking the lock-on feature will be
printed sideways, and the "auto print file" sideways printing feature will
reset after each 4-second pause in transmission to the printer.

This means that you can print multiple reports sideways without resetting
the auto print file function after each printout.  This is particularly
useful if you are "canning" print procedures by using 1-2-3 or Symphony
macros.

Be sure to allow at least a 4 second pause between printouts so SIDELINE
can reset.

You may cancel the auto print file function to allow normal printer
operation by calling up SIDELINE (both Shift Keys or alternate sequence)
and answering "Y" to the "Abort auto print file?" question.


11) Switching between fonts within a print file
    ===========================================

You may switch between fonts within a file by embedding a "font switch"
command string in the text being sent to the printer (your print file,
the output from your word processor or spreadsheet, typewriter-mode output
characters, etc).

For all printers except the IBM Proprinter:

The font-switch command required to make a switch is the same command Epson
requires for their FX printer. Using Basic syntax...

   Action                       Command
   --------------------------   -----------------------------
   Engage "download font"       CHR$(27);"%";CHR$(0);CHR$(0);
   Disengage "download font"    CHR$(27);"%";CHR$(1);CHR$(0);

The "download font" is specified in the
download menu in Printer Boss with option codes 2,3,4,5,6,7 or 9.  The
"download font" may either be simulated in Printer Boss' resident driver
in graphics or may be an actual downloaded to the printer (FX, LQ, ProPrinter
only) according to your desire when the font was specified.  The font may
be switched back and forth within the same line.

For the IBM Proprinter:

The font-switch commands for the IBM Proprinter where actual download sets 
are concerned are different from the above, as follows...

   Action                        Command
   ----------------------------  ---------------------
   Engage normal quality         CHR$(27);"I";CHR$(4);
   Disengage normal quality      CHR$(27);"I";CHR$(0);
   Engage NLQ quality            CHR$(27);"I";CHR$(6);
   Disengage NLQ quality         CHR$(27);"I";CHR$(2);

Example (for other than Proprinter):

   a) Set your printer type in the "Type of Printer" menu window
   b) Select "Normal" print in the "Print Mode" window
   c) Select "Normal" (7) in the "Download Set" window
   d) Enter "ABCBLOCK.FNT" for the file name
      (or any font you wish that has the extension .FNT)
   e) Enter "N" in response to Download? or ASCIIswitch? or NLQ? queries
   f) Move left-window cursor to "Special Functions"
   g) Select "Typewriter Mode"
   h) Enter the following string: 

      \027%\000\000HELLO\027%\001\000HELLO\027%\000\000HELLO

   i) Press "Ctrl-Return"
   j) Press "Return"


12) Creation of print file from application program output
    ======================================================

Sideline will now CREATE A PRINT FILE ON DISK from the output of your
application program if your application program does not already provide
for this.  We've had many requests for this feature, and it's very useful
for use with accounting and data base software.

This is, of course, in addition to the "Auto Print File" sideways printing
feature.

Although the print file is created within the sideways printing function
of SIDELINE, the result is an ordinary print file which can be printed
sideways or normally, and can be accessed by other software that you use.



We hope that you enjoy the power of Printer Boss.

Sincerely,

The folks at Connecticut Software

###

