PROGRAMS.TXT - Description of Programs This is a list of programs which are currently available from the author (see address below). TRIAL/RUN Sample C Program This is a demo program for the TRIAL/RUN license keys libraries. TRIAL/RUN is a set of libraries and supporting programs which allows software (particularly shareware) authors to add software license keys to their programs. The library functions allow the author to limit the duration and/or number of program runs during various periods, such as the initial trial period. The user can contact the author to extend the trial period or to register the program. License keys can be exchanged via telephone or mail. The program and license key file contain a number of safeguards to prevent tampering and to prevent one author from generating license keys for another author. Main-One(tm) This is a mainframe communications program designed to work specifically with IBM and compatible mainframes. It allows a single keyboard mapping to be defined and used, despite variations in the keyboard mappings for the protocol converters that are in use. The automatic response capability allows the user to automatically connect to a given mainframe simply by selecting its name from the menu which is displayed when the program is first started (or when requested at a later time). For example, the automatic response capability can be used to connect to corporate mainframes via call-back modems. This feature requires some effort to customize the program correctly to provide the intended ease of use for the end user and so that errors are handled gracefully. Therefore, this program is best suited for someone with PC and communications experience who can set up the program for the end users. QEZBuild - Builds .QEZ install files QEZbuild builds .QEZ files for quick and easy software distribution. It takes a given list of files and compresses them into one file which can be sent on diskette or via communications lines. The files can then be extracted from the package by processing it with the QEZ program. The operation of the QEZbuild program is controlled by a simple text file. By creating this file once and reusing it, rather than adding files one at a time (as in some general purpose archiving utilities), you can be assured that the same files will be included each time you use the QEZBUILD program. Various options can be specified when the library is built, including: Default directory Which files are required depending on video adapter installed Whether an existing file is replaced, updated, deleted, or retained Automatic execution of .COM, .EXE, or .BAT files after extraction The end user installs the files from a .QEZ package by running the QEZ.EXE program and specifying the name of the .QEZ file to be installed. A list of files to be installed and the amount of disk space required is displayed. Existing files are taken into account when the disk space is calculated in order to allow re-installs or updates even when there is not enough disk space for the entire set of files. The user can choose to accept the default directory or select a different one. ShapeGame - Shapes and Colors To Go Game This is a game program intended for 3 to 7 year olds. The program displays an "order" on the screen using either pictures or words. Use the forklift to select each of the objects in the order and move it to the conveyor belt for loading into a truck. A number of options provide a wide variety of difficulty levers. Includes a "demo" mode. It also allows varying the speed of the forklift for adjusting to different processor speeds. Written for an Interactive Graphics course instructed by Ken Sochats and Jim Williams at the University of Pittsburgh and inspired by the picking and shipping department at my place of employment. PCX Utilities A set of utilities for processing PCX format graphics files. These programs were written to process files intended for use on a FaxBack system using Intel fax cards. The utilities and their original purpose include: NEXT - generates sequence numbers with or without a check digit This program generates the file names for documents which become the document numbers for the FaxBack system. PCXHEX - display PCX format graphics file in hex This program was used in testing and debugging only. PCXLINES - expands a PCX format file to a given number of lines This program expands document pages to a fixed size so that the document number can be placed at the bottom of the page. PCXMERGE - overlays a given PCX file with another smaller PCX file This program puts the document number at the bottom of each page. It is also used to put different company logos at the top of the first page. PCXTEXT - converts text to PCX format This program converts the document numbers generated by NEXT to PCX format so they can be PCXMERGEd into the document. PCXTRIM - interactively trims a PCX format file This program was used to trim the company logos so they would not overlay nearby text or drawings in the documents. STRIP1 - strips one character (CR/LF) from the end of a file This was needed to eliminate a blank page at the end of certain documents. Filter Ciruits This program was written for a Communications Devices course at the Univerisity of Pittsburgh. The purpose of the the program is to show how different filter circuits affect a given input wave. The input waveforms and filter transfer functions are read from disk. Additional waveforms and functions may be defined. The program prompts for the frequency and amplitude of the input wave. It also prompts for any variables required in the calculation of the filter transfer function. These variables are normally the values of the components of the filter circuit. The program can display graphs of the composite input and output waves and/or their harmonics, and of the filter transfer function. Does not require or use a math coprocessor. VTEXT - Variable Text Generator (text merge on demand) Prompts the user to enter a given set of variables one at a time. When all variables have been entered, they are displayed on the screen for approval. This screen can show a list of the variables, some sample text with the variables in context, or both. The user can modify any of the variables, or approve them which initiates printing of a document with the variables inserted at pre-defined locations. Text is rearranged to fill lines to the desired length. Miscellaneous AltPrtSc - Alternate Print Screen A very short program which selects the alternate print screen routine contained in the ROM BIOS of EGA and VGA video adapters. Written to resolve a problem using the standard print screen routines with a print sharing device. Since this is not a TSR, it returns all memory to the system when it finishes executing. Screen Editor A rudimentary screen form generator which allows defining various text and input fields on the screen. Data can then be entered into the form and saved in a sequential file. Digital Plot Program Displays a line plot of rectangular (x,y) coordinates which are read from an input file. 3D Image Manipulation Demo Displays a wire-frame image of a house which can be rotated in three dimensions. Includes hidden line clipping. Room Layout Designer Manipulates images representing objects such as furniture within a given area of the screen. Objects can be added, moved, and deleted. Limited to a specific room size. Image Display and Printing Prints only to Epson and compatible printers. Currently supports only one program-specific file format, but support for standard file formats is being added. File View Utility This is a program to view a given file regardless of the format of its contents. Supports a variety of file formats including PCX and TXT. Author Robert Simpson 2839 Dolores Drive Library, PA 15129 CompuServe ID: 71520,737