+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ The line above should be centered and one-inch below the top of form. - THE SNAPSHOT MANUAL TEXT FOLLOWS - __________________________________ | | | tm | | SNAPSHOT UTILITY | | | | Copyright 1993 | | | | HFK Software | | Sixty-Eight Wells Road | | Lincoln, MA 01773 | | | | 617-259-0059 | | | |__________________________________| Version 1.0 12-15-93 _______ _____|_ | ---| | |------------------(R) | | O | | O___|___ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |___| | Professionals | O | -------| | |-------------------- |___|___| Member T A B L E o f C O N T E N T S INTRODUCTION 1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 1 INSTALLATION 1 SNAPSHOT LOADING 1 TRIGGERING 3 TAKING A SNAPSHOT 3 PREVIEWING A SNAPSHOT 4 AUTO-TYPING A SNAPSHOT 4 DISPLAY MODES 5 DYNAMIC HELP 5 SNAPSHOT REGISTRATION 5 SHAREWARE DECLARATION 6 REGISTRATION FORM 7 -- I N T R O D U C T I O N -- SNAPSHOT provides a means of taking electronic snapshots of specific screen text areas and auto-typing the captured text later upon demand. Up to ten snapshots may coexist. Usually, screen data is captured while running one program and then automatically typed via synthesized keystrokes to provide input to another program. Since you do not rely upon your memory, or notes, to capture the text displayed by the first program; and, since you do not actually retype the captured text; the data is always accurately input to the second program without transposed characters or other typos. SNAPSHOT also functions as a cut-and-paste facility within the same program. -- S Y S T E M R E Q U I R E M E N T S -- SNAPSHOT requires about 12K bytes of RAM plus buffers, and runs under DOS Version-3 or later. The amount of RAM required for buffers is specified below (see ). -- I N S T A L L A T I O N -- SNAPSHOT installation is simple. Just copy the SNAPSHOT.COM file onto your system disk. -- S N A P S H O T L O A D I N G -- The SNAPSHOT TSR is loaded via a SNAPSHOT command line either entered in response to the DOS prompt or from your AUTOEXEC or other batch file. is specified as a combination of two shift key names joined by a plus sign. Use "CTRL+ALT" for the CTRL and the ALT keys held together, "LEFT+RIGHT" for both case shift keys, "CTRL+LEFT" for the CTRL and the left case shift key, etc. -1- is the number of concurrent snapshots possible and is specified in the range of 1-10. is the maximum number of characters that may be captured by a snapshot, and is specified in the range of 20-2000 -- twenty characters to a full 25 by 80 screen. SNAPSHOT's memory requirements are a function of the number and maximum size of snapshots. Buffer requirements may be computed using the following formula. = ( + 10) * The minimum (=1 and =20) buffer requirement is 30 bytes. This is probably too small for most uses, but perhaps sufficient for a special case. The maximum buffer requirement is ten full-screen snapshots (=10 and =2000) or 20,100 bytes! This is probably a gross waste of memory in most cases, but could be required in a special case. SNAPSHOT allows you to specify a and a to suit your needs while avoiding wasted memory. Sample SNAPSHOT command lines: SNAPSHOT CTRL+ALT 1 20 SNAPSHOT LEFT+RIGHT 5 400 SNAPSHOT LEFT+CTRL 2 2000 SNAPSHOT RIGHT+ALT 10 2000 Running SNAPSHOT via one of the above command lines loads the SNAPSHOT TSR which is an extension of DOS that uses about 12K of RAM plus buffers. Running SNAPSHOT again does nothing and results in "SNAPSHOT TSR already loaded" being displayed; unless SNAPSHOT UNLOAD is used, in which case the TSR is removed from memory and SNAPSHOT may then be reloaded. The ability to unload the SNAPSHOT TSR provides flexibility for special cases. Normally SNAPSHOT is loaded once via a line in the AUTOEXEC batch file and is never unloaded. If you must unload SNAPSHOT, be certain to follow the convention of unloading TSRs in reverse order (last loaded, first unloaded). -2- -- T R I G G E R I N G -- Once the SNAPSHOT TSR has been loaded, it may be triggered into action by depressing both trigger shift keys momentarily and then releasing them. Keystrokes following a trigger are intercepted by the TSR until a DIGIT key is struck corresponding to one of the concurrent snapshots. If =5, then five concurrent snapshots are possible and striking the "1" "2" "3" "4" or "5" digit key: (1) terminates trigger input, (2) specifies which snapshot, and (3) resumes normal program execution. Note that the "0" digit key represents the tenth snapshot and is not available unless the maximum number of snapshots have been selected (=10). Striking ESCAPE anytime during a trigger, backs-out (cancels) the trigger and resumes normal program execution. SNAPSHOT triggering follows one of the following three sequences: (1) TAKING SNAPSHOT-: [] [] - or using a mouse - [] [] [] (2) PREVIEWING SNAPSHOT-: (3) AUTO-TYPING SNAPSHOT-: [U|L|F|W] -- T A K I N G A S N A P S H O T -- suspends the execution of the running program and allows you to point to the upper left corner of a text area of interest. More and a are used to point to the lower right corner of the text area, thus identifying the screen text to be captured and which snapshot is to be taken. A mouse is useful when pointing, but the arrow keys work quite well. -3- -- P R E V I E W I N G A S N A P S H O T -- suspends the execution of the running program and displays the text captured during the last Snapshot- in the upper left screen area. This display is maintained until the next trigger, ESCAPE, or keyboard input, at which time the display is restored and normal program execution is resumed. -- A U T O - T Y P I N G A S N A P S H O T -- auto-types the text captured during the last Snapshot-. Non-keyboard characters are converted to SPACEs but otherwise the text is keyed as captured with one trailing SPACE. [U|L|F|W] auto-types the text captured during the last Snapshot-, but with alterations per the "U" "L" "F" or "W" key. auto-types Snapshot- with all characters forced to UPPER case. auto-types Snapshot- with all characters forced to LOWER case. auto-types Snapshot- with all characters forced to lower case except the FIRST character, which is forced to upper case. auto-types Snapshot- with all characters forced to lower case except the first character of each WORD, which is forced to upper case. While a snapshot often consists of a name, number, or phrase that exists entirely on the same screen row, SNAPSHOT allows you to capture a block of screen text consisting of several (full or partial) rows in a single operation. When you auto-type a snapshot that originated as a block of text (more than one row), the captured text is normally entered as a string of words and the fact that they originated on separate lines is ignored; however, you may preserve the block orientation by simply holding a case shift (LEFT or RIGHT) key when striking the key. -4- -- D I S P L A Y M O D E S -- AUTO-TYPING of captured text may be performed with the screen operating in any display mode (25 by 80 text, 40-column, or graphics). DATA CAPTURE, HELP, AND PREVIEW require 25 by 80 text modes. -- D Y N A M I C H E L P -- Once triggered, SNAPSHOT monitors the keyboard and mouse for activity. If idle for one second, help text is popped-up to describe the current input options. New and infrequent users will find SNAPSHOT's help useful in leading them through the taking of snapshots and the auto-typing of captured text. However, you need not wait for the help information to be presented. You will find that triggering and then completing input quickly, minimizes screen activity and is a pleasant way to use SNAPSHOT. Help is available whenever needed by just pausing for a second -- useful when necessary, but not disruptive for the experienced user. -- S N A P S H O T R E G I S T R A T I O N -- SNAPSHOT is provided as SHAREWARE. Enjoy experimenting with and getting to know, and benefit from, SNAPSHOT. Feel free to make copies for your friends and co-workers. When you put SNAPSHOT to practical use, a small registration fee is due. A convenient registration form follows. When you register (via mail, fax or phone): YOU PROVIDE and YOU RECEIVE "Personalization text" to The registration codes to replace UNREGISTERED USER personalize your copy of (e.g., your personal or SNAPSHOT. company name). Twenty dollars ($20) via The right to put SNAPSHOT check or MasterCard/VISA to productive use and to account number/expiration receive support. date/signature. -5- Note-1: This offer is subject to change without notice. Note-2: Use of SNAPSHOT within a commercial product requires a software license. S H A R E W A R E D E C L A R A T I O N This product is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for a members' products. You may contact the ASP Ombudsman via: ASP Ombudsman 545 Grover Road Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA FAX: 616-788-2765 or CompuServe Mail: ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536 HFK Software actively supports the goals and principles of the Association of Shareware Professionals. -6- -- S N A P S H O T R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M -- +-Personalization-Text:----------------------------------------------------+ | | +-------------------------(10-35-characters-in-place-of-UNREGISTERED-USER)-+ +-MasterCard-or-VISA-Account-No:--------------+ +-Phone:------------------+ | | | | +---------------------------------------------+ +-------------------------+ +-Exp:-----+ +-Signature:--------------------+ +-Fax:--------------------+ | | | ($20) | | | +----------+ +-------------------------------+ +-------------------------+ --(fold-back-here)--------------(first-fold)--------------(fold-back-here)-- +-------+ From: ________________________________ | place | | stamp | ________________________________ | here | +-------+ ________________________________ To: +------------------------------+ | | | HFK Software | | 68 Wells Road | | Lincoln, MA 01773-3702 | | | +------------------------------+ --(fold-back-here)--------------(second-fold)-------------(fold-back-here)-- This form may be: (1) folded and placed in a standard business window envelope; (2) folded, taped, stamped, and mailed without an envelope; or (3) FAXed to HFK Software at 617-259-0626. Phone orders via: 617-259-0059 Massachusetts residents must include state sales tax.