CHECKS Release 1.5 - 01/08/92 ============================= Features ( | indicates new feature in this release ) -------- - Print any style single checks and address envelopes on your laser printer - Stores names and addresses in a permanent file for reuse - Saves the last check written for each name in the file - Allows customizing the print routines for your checks and envelopes - Allows multiple check and envelope setups stored by name - Allows customizing the printer command sequences for your laser printer - Context sensitive help screens available at all times using F1 System Requirements ------------------- - Any IBM PC or compatible. Will work with either monochrome or color displays. Does not use graphics - Hewlett-Packard LaserJet Plus or compatible laser printer - Hard disk recommended but will work with diskette Restrictions ------------ - Presently requires printer on LPT1 I have had a laser printer for some time now and after writing out a large number of checks one day, thought about how I could write checks using the laser printer. Thus, I wrote CHECKS, a program to print the typical picket banker checks on the laser printer. The checks are fed in the manual feed tray, one at a time. The program allows you to set the various dimensions for your particular checks as well as the printer control sequences to reset the printer and set the font. The printer reset is simply E for the HP LaserJet Plus, but can be up to 32 characters long. This is handy for other printers that emulate the LaserJet Plus. You can put in the sequence to set the emulation mode to LaserJet Plus in here. The font attribute sequence is similar. It also is up to 32 characters and can be used to set the font in your printers native command mode. It is not necessary to put the escape character in the control sequences, since the program will send an escape before the control sequence you specify. However, you can enter an escape in a sequence by holding down the ALt key while entering 027 on the numeric keypad. I did the above since my printer (an OASYS LaserPro Express) emulates the LaserJet Plus but won't select a 12 pitch landscape font in emulation mode, since that font is not resident in the LaserJet Plus. Thus I can use a sequence like: (0];FONT 3;EXIT,E; for the LaserPro to set the desired font. My reset sequence is: (0];RES:SEM 6;EXIT,E; to reset the printer, set emulation to 6 (HP LaserJet Plus) and exit command mode. If your printer commands do not require an escape character as the first character, make the first character of the command sequences a blank, otherwise the printer will "swallow" the first character and misinterpret the command. You may also want to change the command sequence for Cassette selection. I have it set to select paper input 2, which is the manual feed tray on my printer. Check your printer manual for the proper code sequence. The easiest way to set up the position measurements is to print a check on plain paper. Lay a blank check over the paper where it would normally print and use a ruler to measure the offsets in inches to properly place the Payee. This will give you the offsets to the upper left corner of the check without worrying about the margins. Then, just measure the check to get the offsets to the date, payee, amount, amount in words and memo fields. These are in inces and decimals. The program does its offsets in decipoints (1/720") so you can be as precise as you want. Print a sample on plain paper again and overlay a blank check to check the placement. Adjust as necessary. Remember, all field offsets are relative to the upper left corner of the check, so if you change that offset, all of the others will change by the same amount. After I had the checks printing, I thought why not print envelopes too. I had multiple files set up to address envelopes, but this was a real chore every time I had a new name and address to set up. Thus, I added an envelope addressing routine to the program. The same printer control sequences are used here, and there is a very simple measurement screen. The only offsets needed are the upper left corner of the envelope and the start of the name and address. Since I used envelopes with a return address preprinted, I have not provided for a return address. Perhaps this will be an option in a future version. All names and addresses are saved in a file for future use. If the name is left blank, a table of names and address will pop up and you can select from it. Pressing the Insert key will open a form to add a new name and address. Pressing F9 when a name is highlited will open a form to change the information. Also, any changes made on the envelope form will also be made in the permanent file. I have some ideas about enhancing the program and I welcome any suggestions anyone may have. This is a filler project for me, so don't look for new releases very often. The better the program is accepted (i.e. registrations) the more encouraged I am to improve it. I hope you find it as useful as I do. Since I don't have a roomful of printers to test with, I rely on you to try to make it work with your printer if the LaserJet emulation is imperfect. I will make suggestions but I can't actually test it on your "Acme SuperJet PlusPlus" laser printer emulator. Some common editing keystrokes ------------------------------ The following keys are used for editing entries on the forms: Home Beginning of field End End of field Enter Complete field and go to next field Ctl-End Erase to end of field Esc Cancel changes in field and go to beginning of field Esc (In position 1 of field) Cancel changes in field and go to previous field Esc (In first field) Exit form Ctl-Esc Exit form immediately Cursor Keys Pretty much as you would expect them to Licensing --------- The program and documentation are Copyright (c) 1991 by Analytical Services Corp. CHECKS is a shareware program. If you use it you are expected to pay for it. If you don't find it useful, just delete it or give it to someone else to try. However, if you decide to keep it after a two week trial period, please send $25.00 along with the registration form on the next page. This shareware fee will allow unlimited use of the CHECKS program by one person. You will also be notified of any future releases of the program that may not be shareware. You may give away (and are encouraged to do so) copies of CHECKS with the understanding that each person receiving a copy is under the same obligation to register and pay the shareware fee if they decide to keep the program. You may upload this program and documentation to any computer system, either free or commercial, as long as the original archive (CHECKS.ZIP) is sent intact with all copyright and shareware notices unchanged. This program is offered as is with no guarantee that it will function correctly with any particular computer or printer. I have tested it thoroughly on my equipment and several others without problems. However, if it doesn't work on your system, delete it and don't pay the shareware fee. Or contact me with your specific problem and system configuration (computer, printer, etc.) and I will try to help you. Please support the shareware concept. Shareware means useful programs at a fraction of the cost you might pay for them commercially. You can try before you buy, and you are not subjected to copy protection or other unfriendly schemes that many software vendors inflict on their customers. Software updates can also be distributed much faster than is possible throught normal channels. Any questions, suggestions, or problem reports can be sent to me via E-Mail at the following addresses: Compuserve 70040,612 Ned Reiter Exec-PC BBS (subscribers only) 414-789-4210 Exec-PC is one of the largest, and (I think) the best bulletin board system available anywhere. The subscription charge is quite reasonable and the services are all-encompassing. Try it, you'll like it. Enjoy this program, I have enjoyed writing it. Ned Reiter Analytical Services Corp. Registration Form ================= Send to: From: Analytical Services Corp. Name: ____________________________ 8826 W. Center St. Milwaukee, WI 53222-4652 Company: ____________________________ Title: ____________________________ Address: ____________________________ City,State,Zip: ____________________________ Telephone: ____________________________ I would like to register ____ copies of CHECKS for single person use at $25.00 per copy. I would like to see the following enhancements to the program: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Signed: ____________________ Note: For multiple copy registration for corporate use, please contact Analytical Services via E-Mail or at the above address.